Adult Bible Study - Wednesdays 9:00 - 10:30 AM and Thursdays 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Join us in the East Room
The stories, scriptures, and traditions of the Christmas season have been passed down to us
throughout the generations. Many of us enter this season with a swell of memories and emotions as
vast as the cultural and religious rituals this holiday holds. Like a tapestry woven throughout time,
the Christmas story weaves us in—to remember how God has shown up in the past, to continue the
work of collective liberation, to behold the presence of God in flesh and bone. As we read through
and study the scriptures we selected, a line from Mary’s song of protest and praise gave us pause:
“Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things
for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.”
(Luke 1:48b-50) Despite the challenges and vulnerability she faced, Mary could glimpse the scale
and scope of the good news she was part of bringing forth. This good news transcends time and
space—it was and is bigger than just her. Christ is going for collective liberation: God’s redemption
is at work for years to come. Therefore, the promise is meant to be lived out and passed on from
generation to generation.
The root word of “generation” is “gen” meaning “origin” or “birth.” Our theme is also a call to action:
what are we being called to generate or bring forth? What have your ancestors and those who have
come before you passed on for you to continue? Who are the spiritual elders in your community
who planted the seeds for the things that are now blooming? What seeds are you planting for the
future? From Generation to Generation…reminds us of the ways our lives, histories, actions, and
stories are interconnected and woven together. The work of God is always unfolding—in and
through us. This Advent may you remember that you belong—to a story etched into the wrinkles of
time, to generations that belong—to a story etched into the wrinkles of time, to generations that
have come before and will come after, to a love that won’t let you go.
Week 1 There’s room for every story (Matthew 1:1-17)
Week 2 God meets us in our fear (Luke 1:26-28)
Week 3 We can choose a better way (Matthew 1:18-25)
Week 4 We see God in each other (Luke 1:39-58)
Christmas Eve We tell this story (Luke 2:1-20)
Christmas God dwells with us (John 1:1-14 and Luke 2:15-21)
Epiphany We keep seeking (Matthew 2:1-23)
Devotional from the series will be used for Bible Studies: Wednesday—9:00-10:30 A.M.
Thursday—7:00-8:30 P.M. (starting Dec. 1)
Sunday school will also be around our theme. [If there is interest, we can arrange an intergeneration
Sunday school experience]
There will also be an interactive Advent Calendar available to families and anyone.
United Women in Faith
The purpose: The organized unit of United Women in Faith shall be a community of women whose purpose is to know God, and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship, and to expand concepts of Mission through participation in the global ministries of the United Methodist church.
* November 2022 Ingathering Kits
On Wednesday, October 13th, the Cresco UWIF put together 31 personal dignity and 46 school kits for
a total of 77 kits! The kits and four small quilts will be taken to the Fall Ingathering at Cedar Falls on
Saturday, November 5th.
Some of the kits will remain in the U.S. while others will go to the Ukraine or other countries where
such items are needed.
Thanks to everyone who donated items for the kits or gave cash to help purchase some items. You
helped make our mission project successful and helped those less fortunate.
Youth Group
Children's Worship
Sunday School
Come join the fun on Sunday mornings from 9:00 to 10:00 AM.
Youth Group
Words of Encouragement from the Youth
“We are children of God and our mission is to reach out to non-believing students and share the Word of God. We will accept everyone as they are and change the world one person at a time…through the power of Jesus Christ.”
This is our youth ministry mission statement. Our goal is to reach out to other youth and to spread God’s word. As youth of this ever-changing nation, it is important to keep the Word of God alive. It has been a very tough year for everyone. But even with everything that has happened this year we have still managed to meet virtually and have had some very touching lessons. In one of our lessons we talked about God’s power and how it is important not to “hold the whole world in your hands.” We need to learn to rely more on God’s power rather than our own strength. The youth gave examples of times in their own lives when they had to trust God’s power. We all agreed that this year we have had to rely on God a lot and had to trust that he is doing good in all this pain and suffering. As it
says in 1 Peter 5:10, “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” This reminds us that we must suffer just a little while, and the grace of God will restore us. So, remember to keep your faith and trust in the Lord.
Remember, once again, to stay strong and rely on God’s power and know He is doing good.
Sunday School
Come join the fun on Sunday mornings from 9:00 to 10:00 AM.
Children from preschool to 6th grade are encouraged to attend.