The Westlyan A Monthly Resource for our West Flint Community

DECEMBER 2019 Christmas Lights One thing I have always loved about the Christmas season is the lights! We string them everywhere - around Christmas trees, along railings and fireplaces, the front of houses and even around our trees and bushes outside. Growing up, we would drive all over just to take in the lights around town. One of my neighbors even won an award, year after year, for best Christmas lights! There is something so beautiful about the way Christmastime can take a dark street or neighborhood Wand turn it into a glittering, glowing, magical place. The Westlyan is a monthly collection of But have you ever noticed that no one sets out to hang their Christmas lights, thoughts, events, and only to display them inside their garage, in their attic, or plug them in and then information for our West cover them with a tarp? The lights are so beautiful, they are meant to be Flint community. displayed so that everyone can see! That’s the whole point of digging them out of storage and hanging them up, right? To spread and share that light with everyone else?

In the book of Matthew, Jesus tells a crowd gathered to listen that they are to be the “light of the world.” He reminds them that no one lights a lamp just to turn Points of reflection around and cover it. Lamps are lit to provide light for everyone in the house. As and conversation: followers of Jesus, we are to be like lamps on a stand. We have been given GOOD NEWS of love and peace through Jesus Christ - news too good and - Reflect: How have you precious to keep to ourselves. He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever seen others “shine their follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” John 8:12. light” in your life? What are we doing with that good news, that light?

- In what ways can you May we be reminded in this season of advent, as in every season, that we have be a “light” to others - been given good news and are called to be a LIGHT in our world. Like seeing a any time of year? house decked out in glowing, sparkling lights in the center of a dark neighborhood. When you encounter that kind of light, you can’t help but stop and take it in! Let your light shine bright today and every day as a testament to the good news you have received so that others can know it too! Spread the light today.

- Pastor Selina

Selina Gaines Courtney Gill Rev. Josh Kennedy Brittany Klocke Children’s Pastor Youth Pastor Associate Pastor Office Admin.

Dawn Ramirez Rev. Matthew Soulia Hannah Stark Rev. Russ Sommer Director, Little Lamb’s Pastor Congregational Care Pastor Visitation Pastor Rhythms Events and happenings at West Flint

Monthly Christmas Eve Service Weekly December 24 | 6:00p Advent Dinner A wonderful time together of Schedule December 6 | 6:00p Scripture reading, singing, and A treasured West Flint tradition! teaching. Join us for a time together of carols, food, and fun! Tickets Senior Luncheon Sundays // 9:30a available on Sundays or through *Not meeting this month. - Adult & teen classes the church o ce. - Kids Sunday School O ce Closed - Nursery Men’s Prayer Breakfast December 23 - January 3 Sundays // 10:45a December 7 | 8:00a In recognition of Christmas and - Worship in chapel The first Saturday of every month. New Year. Come and enjoy breakfast and - Kids Own Worship time together! - Club 56 - Nursery

Second Wednesdays at West First Sundays // 6p December 11 | 6:00p Coming Up - Youth Group After our morning worship gathering we will head out for Father & Son Nerf Mondays // 6:30p lunch together. There are whispers January 11 - Volleyball of Bangkok Peppers this month. Contact Chris Cook for more info! Join us! Tuesdays // 1:00p Lela Close Memorial - Quilting Group All Church Breakfast Tournament December 22 | 9:00a January 18 In lieu of our regular Sunday Annual regional Bible quizzing classes, all are invited to breakfast. tournament hosted at West Flint. We will have our 10:45a worship service. A Christmas photobooth will also be available after service. *Dates and events are subject to change Print deadline is the third Monday of Engagement Opportunities

Ways to get involved in our community - locally & globally.

Glocal Initiatives Headstart & Little Lamb’s Christmas Party December 2 We are in need of volunteers for our annual Christmas Party with Headstart. There are opportunities to help with set-up and tear down as well as volunteering at the event as well. Please contact Dawn Ramirez to sign up!

West Flint Nazarene Children‘s Ministry Sundays We are looking for a few more adults who would like to join the rotation of children’s ministry volunteers. Contact: selina@westflintnazarene.org

Monthly Prayer

Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with thy most gracious favor, and further us with thy continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy Name, and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for Guidance, The Book of Common Prayer