Gaspar marveled at the wonders of this mysterious contraption. Balthasar was so far away, yet looked so close when gazing through this little window.
“Wonder is the only adequate launching pad for exploring this fullness, this wholeness, of human life. Once a year, each Christmas, for a few days at least, we and millions of our neighbors turn aside from our preoccupations with life reduced to biology or economics or psychology and join together in a community of wonder. The wonder keeps us open-eyed, expectant, alive to life that is always more than we can account for, that always exceeds our calculations, that is always beyond anything we can make." - Eugene Peterson
Today’s micro-challenge: Take a walk or drive around your neighborhood, and enjoy the lights and decorations with child-like wonder.
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Holiday Bazaar & Craft Fair in Photosby Kim Wu on December 6, 2024 in Recent Events
This year's Holiday Bazaar and Craft Fair was a huge success. Thank you to all who helped to make this event happen, including many of the United Methodist Men who helped with our luncheon. Proceeds from the event went to Western Fairfax Christian Ministries, CUMC Food Ministries, the United Methodist
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Deck the Halls in Photosby Kim Wu on December 6, 2024 in Recent Events
The Christmas sweaters were worn, the Christmas music was playing, and the halls of Centreville UMC were decked for the Advent and Christmas season! Thanks to all who came to help adorn the church on November 24. Afterwards we all enjoyed a meal together and participated in a short Blessing
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Bonfire and Carols
at the Activities Field Jingle Bells…………… Away in a Manger…………. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen…………. And the list of Christmas favorites goes on and on! Gather 'round the crackling flames, sip on hot chocolate, roast marshmallows for s’mores, and sing some of the most beloved Christmas carols and
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Mission Ministry This Week
We continue to seek to meet the needs of those who are most vulnerable in our community. We are regularly packing food to be distributed to those in need. You can help. Join one of our small food packing teams. If you are interested in helping to pack UFOs, you
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Our Wandering Wise Men – December 6
STAR They had not fallen asleep, and just when all seemed lost, and not a moment before, in the east they saw a star. And it all came flooding back. All the years of study and the books of the prophets. The Lord was to come and pitch his tent
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Knitting Nights
Come knit or crochet with us! This is a yarn ministry, filled with yarn-loving people who enjoy creating things for missions. We make hats for the unhoused, as well as baby items for new moms. No knitting experience required. We can teach you! Join us on Monday nights in the
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Our Wandering Wise Men – December 5
STAYING AWAKE Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar built their houses on sand, did not have enough oil, and had been wise in their own eyes. And now their foolish darkened hearts were weighed down with worries. They had even fallen asleep while waiting. While Melchior tried to stir up the gift
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Our Wandering Wise Men – December 4
Prepare Nobody knows who yawned first, but yawning is contagious. Caspar yawned second, and blamed Balthazar, who pointed at Melchior who was already snoring. By the time they woke up, all their lamps were dimmed. Scripture Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their
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Our Wandering Wise Men – December 3
Building Houses So perhaps they had professed themselves wise and became fools. Perhaps they sought to become wise by becoming fools. Whatever their reasons, they became fools. Not only had they forgotten who they had been waiting for, they forgot the things he had told them to do, and so
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Our Wandering Wise Men – December 2
Futility Nobody really knows how they became foolish but legend has it that one day, Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar were walking in the futility of their own mind, trying to determine who was the wisest among them with a Cracker Barrel IQ Test. They became so obsessed with their wisdom
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Our Wandering Wise Men – December 1
Today is the first day of our Wandering Wise Men devotion series, which runs from December 1 - 25. Gaspar, Balthasar, and Melchior are about to embark on a journey in search of the King whose star they see in the night sky. Each day in our devotion series will
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Music Ministry Cookie Sale
Sunday, December 8 Between Services in the Fellowship Hall One pound boxes of delicious, homemade cookies will be on sale. One third of the proceeds will be used for a CUMC-supported mission. The remainder will fund unbudgeted Music Ministry expenses.
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Advent/Christmas Planning Guide 2024
Sign up for Daily Wandering Wise Man Posts Sign up for Deck the Halls Register for Kids Pajama Party/Parents Night Out More information about New Hope Fellowship Ministry Help with Food Ministries Help with Holiday Food Baskets Order a Poinsettia
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Advent Noon Concert Series
Advent Noon Concerts December 5, 12 and 19 12:00-12:30 PM Performed by Laura Hesse, organ and piano Take a few moments during the lunch hour to calm your heart and rest your soul in the busy Advent season. Join us as we prepare for the coming of Christ with a
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Our Wandering Wise Men
Our Wandering Wise Men will again be searching for Jesus around Centreville UMC this year! Follow the whimsical daily adventures of the wise men as they begin their search for Jesus on December 1. Each day's sighting of the wise men will be posted on Facebook and Instagram, as well
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Poinsettia Tree 2024
Remember a loved one by purchasing a poinsettia plant that will adorn the church in their honor/memory during the Advent and Christmas season! If you would like to purchase a plant, the cost is $20.00 per poinsettia. Deadline to place an order is Sunday, December 15. Poinsettias may be picked
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Holiday Food Baskets
Greetings, friends! I hope you all have had a wonderful Fall. It’s certainly been a great one for the Food Basket Ministry. On November 16, we packed 150 baskets which were delivered to WFCM this past Saturday. There they were combined with the 60 “Fresh Food Packs” we sponsored as
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Kindness: Crossing the Line
To kick off our kindness challenge, here's a devotion written by Kim Wu. Often we live life like we’re in and they’re out, and I am uniquely qualified to determine who is who. We act as gatekeepers who say “You get your act together, and then you can join
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Trunk or Treat Photos
We had a blast on Saturday at our annual Trunk or Treat. We loved all the costumes, and we want to give a special shout-out to the Fairfax County Sheriff's Dept. for coming out and providing free child IDs and fingerprinting. We also had Texas Roadhouse provide some yummy treats
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Women’s Retreat 2024 Photos
What a sacred and special time we had together on Saturday! Connecting with other women and experiencing the power of feeling seen and understood when we choose to be vulnerable and honest with each other can be uplifting and affirming. It’s about good self-care and soul-care. Much of our focus
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Special Worship Day Photos – October 20, 2024
October 20 was a big day for Centreville UMC! We started the morning assembling 51 flood buckets for hurricane relief which were given to UMCOR. Afterwards, we gathered for one worship service and were treated to a special anthem presented by all our vocal choirs. This anthem was commissioned to
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