December 31 is the next United Voices for Children Sunday

You are one of the 70 United Methodist congregations in Northern Illinois that makes a real difference in the lives of children, youth and families in need by giving tens of thousands of dollars a year through UVC's Fifth Sunday Appeal to support our outstanding agencies:
ChildServ, MYSI Corporation, and Rosecrance.

December 31 is the next Fifth Sunday. On this transition Sunday, between Christmas, New Years, and Epiphany, we celebrate that God is born to us as a child, Jesus the Christ. This child was born under the threat of violence from King Herod, to parents left out in the elements to bear a child, and delivered among stabled animals. Mary, Joseph, and Jesus are among all of our at-risk families yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

In shaping your worship service and recognizing at-risk children who live among us today, here are some considerations to include in your worship that may help your congregation connect to those served by the United Voices for Children. These ideas are drawn from the Revised Common Lectionary texts for that Sunday: Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Psalms 148; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:22-40. 

Themes
Celebrating Children - Jesus and Jesus' family are shone to be faithful to their tradition by celebrating and honoring the boy Jesus at a Synagogue.

• The Gift of the Child - Priests recognize the boy Jesus as the blessed one of God. God received us as a gift and is blessed by us.

1. God adopts us and receives us into God's family.
2. Although there was not room for Jesus' family at an Inn among other travelers, there's room for him at the Temple among the faith-seeking people.

• Let Your Light Shine Anew - Simeon and Anna go forth to shine anew because the light of Christ has come into the world and darkness can never put it out.    

1. Mary and Joseph were amazed by Simeon's response to their child.

Songs

• A Star Shone Bright
• Jesus, Light of the World
   

You might also want to use this Howard Thurman poem (published in The Mood of Christmas & Other Celebrations, 1973) or one of its musical settings: 

Thank you for participating in the Fifth Sunday Appeal in the past. Will you plan to take part again on December 31?  

You can request a quantity of special offering envelopes OR get any other information about how to participate  by contacting UVC at unitedvoicesforchildren@gmail.com

Visit us at www.unitedvoicesforchildren.org