Newsletter and Reverse Advent Calendar

Merry Christmas from your friends at Christ Community UMC! 

Image: After the Hanging of the Greens, members of Christ Community smile and snap a photo. Thank you to everyone who helped us to decorate the church! Join us for Christmas Eve Worship at 7:30PM 
​

November & December Newsletter

Our newsletter for November and December is now available! Click the following file to download our newsletter as a PDF.

November and December Newsletter
File Size:	3508 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

---

Reverse Advent Calendar 

​What is the Reverse Advent Calendar? 
Our mission this year during Advent at Christ Community UMC is the reverse Advent calendar!

It's that time of year again when we are all temped to become swept up in the in the busy rush of preparing for the holidays. During the holidays, we always want more (and I’m just as guilty as the next person). More cookies! More lights on the tree! More decorations!  More, more, more!

In contrast, instead of focusing on more of the secular, we should be focusing more on the sacred. More hope! More love! More joy! More peace! And most especially, more Jesus! The reverse Advent calendar helps us to remember to make room in our lives for more of what is truly important. (Thank you, Hope, for this great idea!)

 How it Works
Empty boxes can be found in the back of the sanctuary. Please take one with you! Then, using the attached list/calendar, put an item into the box each day of Advent. These items will  help local families in need or a local charity. By the end of Advent, you and your family will have filled a box full of items to help people who are in need during this holiday season.

Some items will go to the UM Children’s Home, some to local families, some to Family Services, etc. We are inviting people to bring their boxes back on December 22nd. For the last two days of advent, people have a task to complete instead of putting something in the box. Each week also has a prayer focus.

 
Making Your Own Reverse Advent Calendar
All you need is an empty box and a big heart for Jesus! The items that are included in a reverse Advent calendar are not meant to be expensive. Many of the items included can be found at a thrift shop  or the Dollar Store. Some items may even already be in your pantry!

Click the following link for a PDF version of the reverse advent calendar in grid format: MORE reverse advent calendar 2019


 

Reverse Advent Calendar List: 

Reverse Advent Calendar- December 2019
 
Week 1: Prayer Focus: More Hope!
Scripture: Luke 2:1-10
December 1st: Granola Bar/ Breakfast Bar (Teen Shelter)
December 2nd: Roll(s) of Paper Towels (Child Advocacy Center)
December 3rd: Roll(s) of Toilet Paper (Child Advocacy Center)
December 4th: New adult sized washcloth(s)- (UMCOR)
December 5th: Deodorant- no aerosol sprays (UM Children’s Home & Victim Services)
December 6th: Pair of old blue jeans (Altoona HUB)
December 7th: Socks for adults or kids (victim services)
 
Week 2: Prayer Focus- More Peace!
Read: Luke 2:11-20
December 8th: Small gift for 13 year old girl- Suggestions: nail care set, hair bath bomb, lip balm, books, hair accessories, etc. (local family)
December 9th: Dish Soap (UM Children’s Home)
December 10th: Small toy for five year old boy- Suggestions: cars and trains (local family)
December 11th: Soap/ body wash (Victim Services & UM Children’s Home)
December 12th: Small gift for 16 year old girl (local family)
December 13th: Matchbox or Hotwheels Car (local family)
December 14th: Comb/ Brush (UM Children’s Home)
 
Week 3: Prayer Focus- More Joy!
Read: Matthew 1:18-25
December 15th: Can of ravioli (Family shelter)
December 16th: Toothpaste (UM Children’s Home)
December 17th: Dryer Sheets (UM Children’s Home)
December 18th: Baby onesie (Altoona HUB)
December 19th: Canned food with easy open lid/ microwaveable cup (Victim Services)
December 20th: Hand/Body lotion (UM Children’s Home)
December 21st: Pack of crackers (Teen Shelter)
 
Week 4- Prayer Focus: More Love!
Read: John 1:1-14
December 22nd –Pack of crackers (Teen Shelter)
* Please bring your box with any items that you collected to church today!  Worship is at 11AM!
December 23rd: Do a kind deed! How do we change the world? One act of kindness at a time!
Christmas Eve- Join us for worship at 7:30PM at CCUMC!
Merry Christmas! – Happy Birthday, Jesus!