Epiphany Sunday

Sunday, January 3, we will be celebrating Epiphany. Epiphany is the day we remember the Wise Mens' arrival to see Jesus after his birth. They were given a bright shining star to follow. Today, we celebrate the gift of Jesus as our light to illuminate our paths. Let us follow Him.

Join us as we feast together at His communion table and rejoice in God's awesome love for us.

Communion is open to all

Christmas Eve Services

Join us Thursday, December 24th to celebrate the birth of Christ!

Our first service will be held at 7pm. Come enjoy a special program presented by the children of Rockport. This worship service is family oriented and will be enjoyed by all!

We will also offer a more traditional service at 10pm which will include special music by some of our gifted members.

Both services will end with the lighting of candles as we close. This we do to celebrate the True Light that came into the world over 2000 years ago. It is symbolic of how the light of Christ born within us pierces through the darkness of this world still today.

"The Light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:5

Praise be to God!

Merry Christmas!

The Meaning of Advent

Advent, the season of waiting and preparing for Christ's coming, begins four Sundays before Christmas. In our community this has become a period of in-creasing good cheer, when we decorate our streets and houses, entertain one another, bake special cakes, and exchange special greetings. The pace quickens day by day, as we approach Christmas day, the fulfillment of our preparations and festivity.

Christians, wanting to prepare themselves in other ways, too, for the observance of Christmas, have reached back into the past to find the meaning of this season of Advent. Advent means coming. It is a time not only for remembering the coming of Christ in Bethlehem, but also for seeking to recognize Christ when he comes to us now. For Jesus lives in our own times and in our own lives. Yet, too often he is a stranger to us, and we fail to recognize him; we are not prepared.

How do you prepare to know Christ well enough to recognize Him in your midst?

Peace to you this season,
Tina

Thanksiving and Christmas

How appropriate the Christmas season falls right on the heels of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a time we express our thankfulness for the abundant love of God through His creation and the offering of His Son, Jesus Christ. As we celebrate this Truth in worship this coming Sunday, it is our hope one would be moved to a necessary attitude of gratitude. May your heart be filled this Sunday as we celebrate all that has been freely given to us and know that it is enough...more than enough. So much more than enough, that we must give it away...which moves us into the season of giving, called Christmas.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Tina

Coming Nov.15!

Let's welcome another former pastor of Rockport, Rev. Don Shank! We will be singing hymns as we gather together, offer our praise and thanksgiving to God through our offering, be blessed with the children in our midst, offer prayers of the people, and be touched by the choir as they sing to God using their gifts of voice. The message will be based on various scriptures from the New Testament delivered by Rev. Don Shank. Sermon title: "Stewardship Surprises from Jesus to Paul"

I can't wait until Sunday! I love surprises! I anticipate the presence of God will be thick as we worship and praise God together! God is good...
Tina

Nov. 1st

Hymn sings to start, Holy communion, remembering the saints that have gone before, honoring the saints in our midst and contemplating stewardship of resources to protect the vanishing species of saints in the world today in order to continue to fulfill God's purpose. What purpose? To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world! Open for discussion...

Next week, former pastor, Rev. William McFadden will be our guest preacher...
Let's all give him a warm welcome!

New in November

THERE'S A SONG IN THE AIR! For the month of November, you will hear singing to start off our worship! Beginning at 10:45, hymns will be sung to bring praise to our Creator! Printed in our Hymnal are these words; "Sing all. See that you join with the congregation as frequently as you can. Let not a slight degree of weakness or weariness hinder you. If it is a cross to you, take it up, and you will find it a blessing."

Looking forward to be singing praises with you soon!
Tina

Experiencing God's Presence

You may have noticed some changes in our worship services. In fact, just about every Sunday there will be something different! This is done to keep interest and variety. People experience God in different ways.
Worship is all about coming together celebrating God in our lives and experiencing the Holy Spirit's presence in our midst. How do you experience God's presence?

Coming October 18th, the service will planned and lead entirely by the laity! The message will be given by member and certified lay speaker, John Blagg. Be sure not to miss this inspiring message!

October 25th we will be blessed by a re enactment of Nicodemus! Rev. Wayne Hogue, associate pastor at Cambridge Ninth St. UMC will be visiting and sharing with us his gift. Rev. Hogue is also connected with Living Word Passion Production in Cambridge, OH. Lets be sure to give a great big welcome!