Christmas is almost here!

 “The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.” Isaiah 11:6

Christmas is almost here!  What is most on our minds?  For many of us, the holiday season is full of too much eating, too much entertaining, too much spending, and too much of the gimmies!  What’s a believer to do?  

“On November 8, 2013, Typhoon Haiyan, possibly the strongest storm to ever reach land, devastated parts of the Philippines.  Ahead of the storm, the United Methodist Committee on Relief had teams in the Philippines laying the groundwork for a quick response.  UMCOR is now coordinating a long-term plan. Denise Honeycutt, Deputy General Secretary of UMCOR, says “UMCOR is really the local church at work in the world.”  UMCOR asks that prayers and dollars keep coming.”   www.umc.org/philippines-typhoon

Maybe we need to get back to basics.  A little child shall lead us. 

Recently, we celebrated Filipino Sunday.  On that day during blessings, a little eight-year-old girl in our church came forward.  She explained that she wanted to help the people hurt by the Typhoon.  With the support of her family, she’d made bracelets out of tiny rubber bands the colors of the flag of the Philippines. 

Inspired by her example, a special offering was taken.  After worship, other children pitched in to help. 

The following weekend other leaders in our church held a yard sale on the front lawn of the church.  Friends and members donated used items to sell, and folks spent hours getting ready.  All funds collected were given to UMCOR.

Continue to pray!  And if you haven’t given yet, please donate to International Disaster Response, Advance #982450, to support UMCOR Philippines staff and volunteers as they work tirelessly to provide assistance to those in need. Please write checks to Watsonville First United Methodist Church, designated to Advance #982450, or go online to donate: www.umcor.org   You can also text the word UMCOR to 80888 to give an immediate $10 donation.