And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, How could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'til his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.

--- Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1957)

Dear Union Church Family,

Dr. Seuss was right! Christmas means more than what comes from Amazon or Walmart. Indeed, it means a whole lot more. Christmas is about the Incarnation, God coming to be with us in Jesus. Celebrated well, Advent and Christmas have the potential to change us--- to transform us into a community of self-giving love. So, I would challenge all of us, especially amidst the disappointments and inconveniences of 2020, to remember the meaning and the life-changing potential for Christmas this year.

Specifically, I remind you again that our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be online only this year due to Covid. So, gather with your family on December 24th (5:00 or 7:00 pm) and worship with us. Please invite neighbors and friends to watch in their homes, too.

Last, join us online next Sunday, December 27th as we continue to celebrate the incarnation and beauty of our Lord. My text is John 1:1-5,14-17 and the title of the sermon is “The Wonder of Christmas.”

Finally, I say unto you, “Merry Christmas, Union!” Can’t wait to celebrate with you this year online in worship!

Billy

P.S. Other than Christmas Eve, our upcoming worship service schedule is as follows:

Sunday, December 20th: On-line at 10:00am

“The Battle of Christmas” — Revelation 12

There will be a new Advent Time with Tom available this Sunday, December 20, at the Union YouTube Channel.

Sunday, December 27th: On-line at 10:00am

“Christmas Wonder” — John 1:1-5, 14-17

The Mission Committee would like to those who participated in our Angel Tree, Bradley Center and Guatemala Baskets.

Union came through once again with gifts for 66 Angel Tree children of prisoners along with a $25 gift card for each family, gifts for 12 Bradley Center youth, and over $5900 for Guatemala Baskets. What a blessing you have been to so many!

2021 Flower Calendar: If you would like to purchase flowers to honor or remember a loved one, call the office. $30 check payable to Union Church Deacons [placed in the offering box any Sunday]. Flowers can be picked-up after worship service or donated for delivery to a Union Church member.

The upcoming dates currently available are January 3rd, 24th, 31st, February 21st and April 18th. PLEASE NOTE: if the need arises, there is the option to purchase a 2nd flower arrangement/week.

On behalf of the congregation, a huge thank you to everyone who has worked hard to make livestream possible. Thank you to the worship team that helps lead us in song, the behind the scene workers who make things flow seamlessly, and the pastors who provide us with encouraging messages week after week.

We appreciate all that you are doing to let us continue to grow in our faith and spend time in God's presence from our homes. We look forward to worshiping together again soon!