December 14, 2020

A Thrill of Hope
 
I loved the last week of November.  It was just one big week of comfort! 
 
We began the week by celebrating Christ the King Sunday where we acknowledged that Christ is King.  Our Savior is mindful of - and rules over - all things:  Over creation, over the affairs of man, over my heart.  What LOVE!
 
Thanksgiving Day, I found myself grateful knowing that Christ, as King, is a part of our Sovereign God:  Father, Son, Spirit.  Three in One.  He KNOWS all things:  This tired world in which we live, the harsh unrest among humankind, the often discouraged heart inside each of us.  What JOY!
 
Finally, we closed the week by celebrating the first Sunday in Advent:  That special time of preparation and anticipation of the birthday of our King.  But there’s more!  We also anticipate His coming again, knowing that He is working, even now, to make all things new and right:  New creation, new love for one another, new Spirit in our hearts.  What PEACE!
 
A wonderful phrase from the Christmas carol, O Holy Night, says it all: “A Thrill of Hope, the Weary World Rejoices.”  Rejoices from a world “in sin and error pining,” from a heart that suddenly feels “its worth,” to reminding us “to love one another.”  And with the breaking of “a new and glorious morn,” the carol implores us to “fall on (our) knees” in worship and awe.   What HOPE!
 
May you find comfort in the LOVE, JOY, PEACE and HOPE of our Dear Savior and King.  And may this Advent season be one gigantic “Holy Night” in your heart!  What COMFORT!
 
LOVE, JOY, PEACE, HOPE….COMFORT 
 
                                      +Christie Brammer

CHRISTMAS EVE PREPARATION
​ 
Since March, it feels as though our situation significantly changes at least once every two weeks. This has been incredibly frustrating because it is difficult to make plans. Preparation for Advent begins months in advance. This allows for more people to collaborate and share their gifts. That has been tricky this year, and yet grace abounds. 
 
The dedication of our choir helped prepare pre-recorded songs for us to enjoy online and in person. Even without making a final decision, sharing your plans for Christmas Eve will help us to be as prepared as possible to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Thank you for the many ways you support Crowley First UMC and make it the wonderful congregation it is! No matter your plans, I wish you a Merry Christmas! 
 
Grace and peace,
Pastor Peter 
 

 A Message from the Finance Committee
 
Dear Friends and Members of Crowley First United Methodist Church,
 
Your generosity has kept the ministries of Crowley First United Methodist Church going through an extremely difficult year. Our finance team has kept watch over our financial situation and have worked to insure we are good stewards of the resources at this church’s disposal. We are close to upholding all of our financial obligations. 
 
One of these commitments is to The United Methodist Church. Every year we have honored our connection and paid our apportionments. The United Methodist Church is known for its conventionalism. That means we are connected with all the other Methodist churches in our state and around the world. We share what we can to help the greater United Methodist church to help congregations in crisis, pastors in education and development and a variety of ministries for our state and the world. 
 
If you are able, we hope you will prayerfully consider helping us end the year strong honoring the commitments we have made to support the ministries we are a part of. Thank you for all you have done to get us this far. We look forward to another year moving forward together to spread the love of Jesus Christ in Crowley and beyond. 
 
Sincerely,
 
Kevin Hoffpauer, Craig Brammer.    
Co Chairs of Finance Committee
 

POINSETTIAS
​
Poinsettias are placed at the altar during Advent. Historically, these plants are given by church members in honor or memory of someone special in their lives. If you would like to purchase one or more, the cost is $26 each. We will share your loved one's name in online worship and on the screens in worship, and in a devotional. After the Christmas Eve Services, the poinsettias may be taken home.  There are only 3 poinsettias left to purchase.

Please contact the office by phone or email
to reserve your poinsettia.
 
crowleyfirstumc@gmail.com
​337-783-6754

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​The Advent journey: 
Hope becomes peace. 
Peace becomes joy. 
Joy becomes love. 
Love becomes Christ.
 
                               -Bobby Schuller
 
 

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CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
ONLINE WORSHIP
&
4:00PM AND 5:30PM in Sanctuary*
*Must contact church office to RSVP
337-783-6754
crowleyfirstumc@gmail.com


ONLINE WORSHIP
SUNDAYS AT 8:45 AM

Access Online Worship here

Visit our Facebook page for Online Worship Here

Your Support is Needed and Appreciated! 

​You may mail your gifts, tithes, and offerings to:

Crowley First UMC
P.O. Box 1064
Crowley, LA 70527

You can now make a donation to the church by texting 

crowleyfirst

to 888 444 8774

or by clicking the button below

DONATE

Your smart phone will direct you to a page to set up a profile. 
Once that is set up you can give and manage your offerings with ease. 
We are excited to offer this to our members as we continue to find new ways to come together in joy. ​

OH, COME LET US ADORE HIM!