First United Methodist Church, Elizabethton, TN -

Announcements

• 

  Daily Devotion

  Pat and I were living in Rapid City, South Dakota on our first Christmas together. That year we got our tree from the Black Hills. Our apartment was small so we only needed a small one. It was hard to find one the right size that was shaped good; and suddenly there it was. Someone had cut it, and then changed their mind and threw it over the hill. It was perfect for us.

  Tree hunting is a Christmas tradition that is fading away with time. We have used an artificial tree for several years and we never talk about the memory of going to the store to buy it.

  Christmas tree hunting has its own romance, but you do have to work with the imperfections of the tree when you get it home. It can be too tall, too short, spindly, and the least attractive side is turned toward the wall. On the other hand, an artificial tree can be adjusted to perfection.

  In some ways people are like Christmas trees: we have many imperfections of our own. In a culture that places too much value on the appearance of perfection this means some people get rejected for those who appear to be socially bigger and better. Others may feel like they are accepted if the imperfect side of life stays hidden away. Like the Christmas tree, the only way we can keep the appearance of perfection is to be artificial.

  Artificial is all right for decorations, but not for life. Jesus said, “Be perfect, therefore as your heavenly Father is perfect,” but he never said to appear to be perfect. To be perfect is to be holy in word and deed, loving others as Jesus loves us. The true beauty of the church is that we are a collection of “Charlie Brown Christmas Trees” accepted and loved by God, and by each other.

  "O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree
  How lovely are thy branches!
  O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree
  How lovely are thy branches!"

  Grace and Peace, Rev Ray

• 2021 Advent Series Wednesday Night Bible Study

  Rediscover the gift of Advent that comes without packages, ribbons, and bows.
  
  We don’t know why the Grinch hated Christmas. We just know he did. In this new Advent study, Matt Rawle explores the faith themes in the Christmas classic, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! including, how did the Grinch’s heart grow three sizes come Christmas morning? How did Christmas save the Grinch? Could it be that the very thing we think we hate is the one thing that changes our lives? This Advent and Christmas season, look at a familiar classic through the lens of faith and see how Christ speaks to us through our culture

  

   

• Sunday Morning Worship, December 05, 2021