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Longest Night: Solace for the Solstice

The Longest Night Service is Monday, December 21, at 7:30 p.m.
The Longest Night Service is Monday, December 21, at 7:30 p.m.

When Christmas is just not the same — because of the loss of a loved one, illness, aging, depression, loneliness, unemployment, loss, or broken relationship, — the Longest Night Service offers a peaceful, healing solace — away from the frenzy of the season.  Join us on Monday, December 21, at 7:30 p.m. as we allow the light of Christ to shine through our dark winter night.

In this way people of faith can honor the birth of Jesus away from the dazzling festivity and cheery excitement of crowded holiday gatherings. Stephen Ministers from PUMC will be available to help individuals who would like someone to pray with them. Scott Sherrill will preach.

As Christians, we believe that God is with us, even on the darkest of nights.

(Photo by Tom Tong)

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Mitten Tree: Donate Warmth

DSC01197 sd with mitten tree cropped
Photo by Charles Phillips

Among the many beautiful trees around the church (thank you, John and Robbie Vaccaro!) is the mitten and hat tree in the Sanford Davis Room. Doris Pope used to hold the record of the most hats knitted for this tree. Each contribution of mittens, gloves, and hats will go to clients of Cornerstone Community Kitchen, to shield them from the freezing weather that is still to come (yes, it will get cold!) Consider donating warmth to the mitten tree. . .

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Circle of Friends Christmas Luncheon at Rocky Hill Inn

The PUMC Circle of Friends had an enjoyable time at their annual Christmas Luncheon on Tuesday, December 8, 2015, with 13 women around the table at the Rocky Hill Inn, Central Jersey’s premier gastropub.

Rocky Hill Inn, with its awesome decor, is located in a building constructed in 1750 that was frequented by George Washington. It is owned by PUMC members Evan and Maria Blomgren, Evan being the chef/proprietor. Maria explained the history of the restaurant to the ladies and gave them a tour of the upstairs rooms, where they enjoyed viewing antique paintings on the walls, art pieces, family heirlooms – items collected and treasured over the years. The ancient wine bottles were magnificent.

The menu was not only enticing but the food was delicious and the presentation eye-catching, with a little gift put at each place. After prayers and a short speech, the friends tucked into their hamburgers, veggie burgers, lamb burgers, calamari, tuna sashimi, fries and salads. For starters, everyone got ‘devils on horseback” free of charge. Dessert was great, what with their signature bread pudding, and crème brûlée. Every meal was delicious!

IMG_1101The friends had a lot to talk about and there was much buzz around the tables creating a very lively atmosphere. This photograph is a testimony to the enjoyable time shared by the Circle of Friends, which welcomes all women of the church.

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ladies!

All church women are invited to join the Circle of Friends at their next meeting on Tuesday, February 9, 2016, in the Fellowship Hall at PUMC. For more information, please contact the church office at 609-924-2613 or visit www.princetonumc.org.

Written by Isabella Dougan

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2nd Sunday of Advent: Regifting

In her sermon, “Regifting”, on the Second Sunday of Advent, December 6, 2015, Pastor Kaleigh Corbett explores fundamental questions of Jesus’ love in a world filled with hatred.

While it may not be appropriate to re-gift our Christmas presents, it is OK to re-gift the greatest gift of all – the love of Jesus. Yes, we are called to share his love with others especially in light of recent acts of terrorism around the world.

In the second scripture lesson for that day, Luke 1: 68-79, God sends John the Baptist, (whose birth like Jesus’ was also foretold by the angel Gabriel), as the forerunner to go and prepare the hearts of the people for the coming of the Lord.

We see promises made by God to his people – a reminder of our hope in the birth to come, and that hope never leaves us. The story of Zachariah would not be complete without that hope, as is the story of Mary.

When we share stories of people in the Bible we are regifting. For example, the story of Jesus being refused a place in the inn mirrors that of refusing asylum in our country to Syrian refugees. And yet, we are called to regift the love that God has for us when he gives us his son.

In the first scripture lesson for that day, 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13, we are told that we gain nothing without love and that love conquers all.

Advent heralds the coming of Christ into this world. Yet, how much longer must we wait for the Messiah to come and to renew our faith? We must, therefore, ask ourselves what we can do to bring hope, joy, peace and love to this world.

During this Christmas season we must begin to act by regifting the Christmas story. We will let ourselves feel at least some of the pain of those we consider our enemies. We will do our best to show each other the courage to act in love and justice in our particular life.

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Carol Singing: Breakfast December 13

Celebrate the season with song at the breakfast sponsored by the United Methodist Men on December 13 in Fellowship Hall. A hot breakfast is served at 8 am, and the program starts at 8:30. Everyone is invited; a $5 donation is requested. It is such a pleasure to again welcome Dr. Karen Zumbrunn to share fascinating stories behind some of our favorite carols. The week before, on Advent Night, she is scheduled to lead the singing – a PUMC tradition for more than 20 years.

For the UMM breakfast Karen will share the fascinating stories behind such favorites as Joy to the World, The First Noel, and On Christmas Night (known as the Sussex Carol). The program will feature medieval carols as well as folk carols from Canada and Czechoslovakia (the latter was written for bagpipes!) Typically, carols are written in a language that can be shared by all. They invite communal singing. The season for singing carols is all too brief — so come and enjoy the music!

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Advent Night: ‘Joy to the World’

Be sure to join us for our annual Advent Night celebration on Sunday, December 6th from 4 to 7 p.m. It will be a joy filled evening as we begin our preparation
for the arrival of the Christ Child. We will begin with our Christmas Pageant at 4:00 PM, titled Joy to the World, where we will hear and see the Christmas Story as told by our Sunday School and Children’s Choir. Tom Shelton has been hard at work rehearsing with our elementary school choirs and Sunday School children. It will be a wonderful way to kick off the Advent Season.

Following the pageant, join us for a time of dinner and crafts. From 5:15 – 6:25 there will be 5 craft stations set up for crafters of all ages. Kids, make a secret craft for your parents with help from our confirmation class. Everyone is welcome to decorate a gingerbread
cookie as well! Need a break from crafting? Come on downstairs to the Fellowship Hall for a good old fashioned potluck dinner. Don’t forget to bring something to share!

Be sure you are finished with your craft by 6:30 because we will conclude the evening with carol singing and dessert led by Karen Zumbrunn. Bring your favorite dessert to share.

We hope you will join us for this joy-filled evening. See you on the 6th!

 

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Advent Sermon: An Unexpected Gift

For her sermon, “An Unexpected Gift” on the first Sunday in Advent, November 29, 2015,  Pastor Jana Purkis-Brash included this poem, The Story of the Christmas Guest, by Helen Steiner Rice.

Based on the story by Leo Tolstoy, it tells of the humble shopkeeper who was very eager to see Jesus. As in the scripture lesson for that day, he was like the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 64:1-9)  who begged for the Messiah to appear, crying out “you have hidden your face from us.”

This contrasts with the New Testament scripture, Matthew 1:18-25, where Joseph is surprised by the news that Mary is pregnant with the son of God, a very unexpected gift.

The shopkeeper in the poem waits and waits, but the only folks who knocked at the door were a beggar, a hungry woman, and a homeless child. Let’s all be on the lookout for ways that Jesus comes to us in unexpected ways.

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Light the Night for Womanspace December 7

luminariesFor more than 30 years, Womanspace has been working with victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. To raise awareness of the on-going presence of domestic violence in our midst — and to raise money to support this valuable non-profit organization — help to sponsor Womanspace Communities of Light on Monday, December 7.

Hundreds of luminaries will be lit around homes and in various community spaces as a symbol of our stand. Luminary kits will be on sale for $10 after both services through December 6. Use the kit to light up the outside of your home, or donate it back to the church to help light up our church home.

Domestic violence and sexual assault are not just women’s issues, and they are not just individual or family problems. Violence against women is a human issue, and a social problem. By illuminating the night we send the message that peace begins where we are

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Come ye thankful people come!

2015 11 chapel photo

Rare are the moments when everyone from the greater Princeton community gathers together to rejoice and worship God. The interfaith service Thanksgiving service in Princeton University Chapel is one of those most joyful times. Prayers and readings from different congregations, lively music from the pickup choir, the sonorous organ preludes and postludes, liturgical dance — all contribute to an inspiring entrance into the true spirit of thanks. Plan to join your neighbors and friends from all faiths at 11 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day.