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Steve's Corner
Wintering ThroughThis New Year is different than those in our recent past. Whilethere is a renewed sense of optimism with the start of 2021 thereis also the stark reality that we still have months to go before wemove beyond Covid-19 dominated life. Having a vaccine is anamazing miracle but it will take time before we are effectively beyond having to bevigilant against the virus. For those reasons we are not launching any of our normalNew Year Sermon Series about becoming new or starting over. Instead there is arecognition that, while we are closer to the end of this extremely challengingpandemic, we still have in the words of Robert Frost, “....miles to go before we (sic)sleep.”
In the marathon of overcoming Covid-19 it is if we are at mile 22 of the 26 milerace. So what do you do when you need to dig deep and keep going to get throughthe hardest part of the journey? To do this we will need to call on God given spiritualand emotional reserves. Such reserves are illustrated by this story told by Rev. Dr.Fred Craddock.
I went to see a lady in our church who was facing surgery. I went to see her in thehospital. She had never been in the hospital before, and the surgery was major. I
walked in there. She was a nervous wreck, and she started crying. She wanted meto pray with her, which I did. By her bed there was a stack of books and
magazines: True Love, Mirror, Hollywood Today, stuff about Elizabeth Taylor andfolk. She just had a stack of them there, and she was a wreck. It occurred to me,
There’s not a calorie in that whole stack to help her through her experience. She hadno place to dip down into a reservoir and come up with something - a word, a
phrase, a thought, an idea, a memory, a person. Just empty.
How marvelous is the life of the person who, like a wise homemaker, when theberries and fruits and vegetables are ripe, puts them away in jars and cans in the
cellar. Then when the ground is cold, icy and barren and nothing seems alive, shegoes down into the cellar, comes up, and it’s May and June at her family’s table.
How blessed is that person?
Beginning Sunday, January 17th we will embark on a five week series dedicated tohelping us dip down into our own God given spiritual and emotional reservoirs forresources to complete the journey. The series is called “Wintering Through, BiblicalTools for the Hardest Part of the Journey.” The intent is to name, explore, andemploy attributes that provide resilience for our lives. Specifically we will beexploring Biblical ideas of Perspective, Patience, Prayer, Perseverance, andPromise. These 5 “P’s” are God’s way of giving us what we need to “WinterThrough.” I hope you will commit to being engaged each week as we assemble ourown tool chest for the months that are ahead.
Blessings,Pastor Steve
This week in worship
This Sunday we will celebrate the tradition of Baptism of the Lord Sunday where werecall Jesus’ baptism and the connection to our own baptisms. If you are watchingfrom home please have some water handy as we will be using H2O to remind us ofwho we are and who we belong to. If you have not been baptized and wish todiscuss what it means to become a dedicated follower of Jesus, please contact meat [email protected]. I would love to introduce you to what it means tobecome a fully engaged disciple of Jesus Christ.
Our service times are:8:15 a.m. (livestream & traditional worship in the Sanctuary)
10:15 a.m. (expanded word in the Sanctuary)11:15 a.m. (livestream & contemporary worship in the Family Life Center)
We are still calculating our end of year revenue and expenses. More information will follow once we complete accounting procedures.
With all these unprecedented times,gathering in person has been difficult and
impossible for many. We believe thatCommunion is a very important
sacrament that helps align our spiritualselves with the Lord. If you would like to
receive Communion in your home,please contact Sara at
[email protected] to set up atime.
If you have some spare time, take afew minutes and reminisce through
our 2020 Year-In-Review video! Youmight be surprised at all the things
that happened at DUMC!
Belize Mission TripThank you for your continued prayers for our team in
Belize! They will be returning January 10th. The group iscurrently working to run water to individual homes in the
village of Mafredi, paint a school, lead Vacation BibleSchool, deliver school supplies that members of our
congregation so generously donated. Thank you for yourprayers for our team and for the people of Belize.
What is Discipleship?What is Discipleship?Watch a short introduction video!Watch a short introduction video!
What is Discipleship?
View a list of ourView a list of our Small GroupSmall GroupConnections and sign up today!Connections and sign up today!
Small Group Connections List
The Friday Ladies Bible Study will begin a 7 week studyJanuary 29th on "Gideon" by Priscilla Shirer. We willmeet in the Chapel from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. If
you would like to order you a book, please [email protected] by January 15th. (The study books
are $17.) Childcare is available upon request.
Join our Director of Contemporary Worship, Erin Shull, for a midweek time ofworship. Connect with Music Moments the first Wednesday of the month!
Contact Susan at [email protected] if you would like to participatein the new Youth Handbells choir! No musical experience is needed.
Helping Hands meeting will be January 11th at 10:30 a.m. in the DUMC FLC.Contact Miranda Morales or Wally Mlynarski at [email protected]
Register today for our Youth Basketball League! Contact Ben [email protected] for more information.
GriefShare Support Group is a safe, loving, faith-based environment designed tohelp and encourage individuals after the death of a spouse, child, family member
or friend. You are welcome to join at any time during the 13 week Grief Sharecycle. The newest GriefShare class will begin Tuesday, January 26th and will be
held virtually via Zoom from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. For more information pleasecontact Janet Chubb at [email protected].
You can give to Denver UMC without leaving your home by the followingmeans:
Mail a check to Denver UMC, PO Box 661, Denver, NC 28037Donate through your bank’s online bill pay service (have checks mailedto the post office box above)Give online by going to the following link: GIVE NOWVisit denverumc.org/ways-to-give for instructions on giving through the“Elexio App” and “Text to Give”
If you have any questions about giving, please [email protected].
Submit your prayer request!
View the December prayerlist
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Staff ConnectionsStaff Connections
Be sure to subscribe to our DenverUMC YouTube channel andBe sure to subscribe to our DenverUMC YouTube channel andclick the bell icon to get notifications on our newest videos.click the bell icon to get notifications on our newest videos.
