How Does a Weary World Rejoice? Join us as we reflect on this question one last time!

Dearest Faith Community Near and Far-

Happy New Year!

On Sunday, we will wrap up on series “How Does a Weary World Rejoice?” as we focus on the Baptism of the Lord. Friends, this theme has touched my heart and I hope it is touching yours as well. The creators of this theme and series share these words: “Joy is often a companion to many other emotions. We can feel joy in addition to feeling many other things at once: grief, anticipation, anxiety, excitement, disappointment, exhaustion. Perhaps many of us live with the myth that joy is not something we deserve—or that it is wholly out of reach. But our joy is rooted in the truth that we belong to God. Can you tether yourself to that deep truth? You deserve to feel joy—fully. The world needs your joy, even if you are weary. Our joy is better when it is shared… And so, this Advent, we will hold space for our weariness and our joy. We will seek a “thrill of hope” in our hurting world. We will welcome joy—even and especially if, like the prophet Isaiah, we cry out for comfort (Isaiah 40:1). In this weary world, may we find many ways to rejoice.”

As we wrap up this series this weekend, our theme is how through weariness do we trust our belovedness. From there, we will move into receiving our Star Words. Everyone will receive an individual word and this word can be received as your word of intention for the year, and we will receive a word for the congregation. I’m looking forward to our word this year and wondering what God’s intention will be for us this year. Then during the month of January, we are going to do some wondering, learning, exploring, and envisioning this year to come. Looking forward to embarking on this journey this year.

This past October, I attended a conference with the Reformation Project. While there, I watched a documentary called 1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture. The documentary is about the first time that the word homosexual was in the bible. The documentary was incredibly well done and informative. Ever since watching it, I have wanted to watch it with you and have a discussion about it afterwards. Well, we have the opportunity to do so. On behalf of the session, we are inviting you to join us for a viewing of the movie on either Saturday, January 13 at 11am or Sunday, January 14 after the congregational meeting. I have linked the trailer and website for folks to look at before joining us further down in this newsletter. I do pray you will consider coming to learn with me. I found the documentary to be very well done, very informative, and helped me deepen my own understanding of scripture.

This week we have our first mission team of the year here with us. We are excited to start welcoming teams to help rebuild folks homes after Hurricane Ian. I know it might be hard to believe, but we will be in a state of rebuilding after Hurricane Ian for a few more years. I am hearing from more people the troubles with insurance, the blue tarps covering the neighborhoods, and how little money people are receiving to do repairs. Not sure if the team will be with us in worship, but know they will be around. Please welcome this team from Marquette for their Mardi Gras Mission Trip!

Dates to Remember

Sunday morning schedule: 8:30- Sacred Space, 9:30- Fellowship, 10:00- Worship
Food pantry will reopen on January 11.
1946: The Movie- January 13 at 11am and January 14 after congregational meeting
January 14-Congregational Meeting after worship

Making Headway

We’re making some headway on some more projects around the church.

Shower permit has been sent back to engineering. Praying we receive the final report over the course of the next week or two.
Guess what? The cross is up. Come and see it this weekend!
Cement pads have been added to the exterior doors of the main building and concrete has been added the pavilion. The contractor will be building the walls on Monday, electrician’s show up on Tuesday, and AC will be installed on Friday. Then after that, it will be finishing touches! Thank you Charlotte Community Foundation for the grant to expand our pantry!

Happy New Year-
Pastor Devon

ps…Fridays and Saturdays are the two days I am taking off every week. This isn’t always working great, but I am really trying hard to take these days off each week. If I do not get back to you, please know I will on Mondays.

Worship with Wintergarden
Sunday, January 7, 2024
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Sacred Space Meditation Service @ 8:30 am
at the Fountain in the Garden
(we are trying to get this live on Facebook, but it hasn’t worked yet. We will keep trying.)
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Fellowship (light continental breakfast) @ 9:30 am
Worship following about 10:00 am
In the Sanctuary and on Facebook Live
+++++How to access the bulletin:
Bulletin HERE
How to Access Services Online:
Join us on Facebook for Worship Services
https://www.facebook.com/wintergardenpres
Remember, you don’t need a Facebook Account
to join us for worship. You can also click HEREfor the Facebook link.

Every Monday – Lectio Divina
Every Tuesday & Friday – Wintergarden Bees
Every Wednesday Food Truck Delivery
Every Thursday Food Pantry 12-4pm (will reopen on 1/11/24)
Jan. 13: Coffee, Conversation, and Workday-Taking down decorations in Sanctuary
Jan. 13: Around 11am, folks are invited to join us for the documentary 1946.
Jan. 14: Congregational Meeting immediately after worship. It should be a quick one! Folks are invited to stay to watch the documentary 1946.
Jan. 23: Homeless Coalition meal at 4:30pm
Jan. 25: CNS Care N Share (Every 4th Thurs.)
Jan. 26: Family Fun Night (Last Friday of every month)

UPDATES AND MARK YOUR CALENDARS

ONGOING SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES AND EVENTS

FOOD PANTRY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Please contact the church office at 941-743-5335 or email at foodpantry@wintergardenpres.org

With the pantry cover completed and the weather cooling down a little, we invite you to come volunteer with us on Thursdays. Bring a friend to help!

Also, we are in need of translators. If you know anyone who speaks Spanish, Ukrainian, or Russian, we are in need of assistance.

Interested in joining our Garden?
Garden of Eatin’ – Food Forest
For more information click HERE.

At Wintergarden Presbyterian Church
we’re eager to pray with you!
Please let us know how we can pray by submitting a Prayer Request online (link below). Prayer requests are emailed to Pastor Devon once submitted.

Prayer Request

How Does a Weary World Rejoice? Join us as we reflect on this question one last time!

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