Celebrating Advent & Christmas at MUMC

‘Tis the Season

This Advent season was filled with many activities for Monaca UMC, starting with Monaca Borough’s “Hometown Christmas,” held on Saturday, December 2nd.

Monaca UMC’s table at the event featured “Cards of Good Cheer,” where children and adults in attendance could color in greeting cards for others in need of Christmas cheer. Approximately 60 cards were completed at the event.

Special thanks to Vera Lovewell for coordinating the church’s participation in this event, for creating the blank greeting cards, and for delivering the cards to Brighton Rehab & Wellness for patients who might not otherwise receive any Christmas cards.

We are also grateful to Vicki Kane and Pat Goodrich for volunteering at our table.

We look forward to expanding this ministry next year!

Monthly Hymn Sing Gets Merrier

On December 5th, volunteers from Monaca UMC enhanced the monthly hymn sing at Brighton Rehab & Wellness by bringing a special treat for the patients. Thank you to everyone who contributed cookies for this event. The patients were very appreciative! If you are interested in participating in a future hymn sing, please call Allen Johnson at (724) 774-7838.

A Quiet Christmas

On December 21st, Monaca UMC held its 2nd annual Blue Christmas program.

Also known as a “Quiet Christmas,” this service was developed by our church’s Ministry Action Team (MAT)  to provide a spiritual outlet for people dealing with the stress of the holiday season.

Pastor Jim Sands led the program and offered a meditation on how even when we turn our backs to God, He never leaves us.

Retired Pastor Dave Vaughn provided special music, referencing Psalm 147:3, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

Those in attendance were given the opportunity to participate in a candle-lighting ceremony, giving their concerns to God and seeking hope in Jesus Christ.

A time of fellowship and refreshments followed the program.

In addition to MAT and Pastors Jim and Dave, special thanks go to Norma Coast, John Hesser, Denny Houser, and Mike McCullough for creating a wonderful experience for all who attended.

A Christmas Eve to Remember

With Christmas Eve falling on a Sunday this year, Monaca UMC was pleased to provide two worship services for the occasion: one during our normal Sunday worship time of 11am and one at 5pm.

Though each service was formatted very differently, both gave the opportunity to worship and praise God for His gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

The morning service was a retelling of the first Christmas. The children of the church (and many grownups!) worked hard throughout Advent to present a Nativity Play.

None worked harder than Tina Allen and Vera Lovewell, who developed the play from the beginning, putting together the script and sets and recruiting assistance from individuals of all ages to serve as cast and crew.

On Christmas Eve morning, the congregation was transported to Bethlehem when they were greeted by shepherds and fun sets of the little town.

Vera Lovewell did a magnificent job creating the Nativity Play sets, including the one shown above of “Jeremiah’s Airbnb” (whose innkeeper turned away Mary and Joseph during the play).

Norma Coast and Mary Beth Shannon further set the mood for the play with their prelude music, “The First Noel,” on piano and flute.

The play featured the familiar story of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem, interspersed with the singing of favorite carols that related to the scenes of the story. John Hesser also performed an a cappella rendition of “O Holy Night.”

We thank everyone who spent time and energy preparing this wonderful gift to the community!

The evening service began with a presentation of a monetary gift to Pastor Jim as a token of the congregation’s appreciation for his work. As chair of the Staff–Parish Relations Committee, Roberta Houser spoke on behalf of the congregation when making the presentation.

Quinn Bloom, granddaughter of Dennis and Helen Bloom, had the honor of lighting the Advent wreath and Christ candle (with assistance from liturgist Adam Davidson and Quinn’s maternal grandmother, Terri Miller).

During his sermon, Pastor Jim preached on God’s gift of Grace, and urged the congregation to take that gift and give it away—to spread the light of Jesus Christ throughout the world.

At the conclusion of both Christmas Eve services, all children in attendance were presented with a gift from the church.

We are glad for everyone who included Monaca UMC in their Advent and Christmas plans! We welcome you back in 2024!

2023 Nativity Play Cast & Crew (alphabetical order):
Ella Allen (Shepherd 3), Tina Allen (Director/Producer and Narrator), Allison Backus (Wise Man 1), Madison Backus (Angel 3), Norma Coast (Music), Adam Davidson (Joseph), Alessa Hamner (Mary), Cameron Hamner (Wise Man 2), Jennifer Hamner (Talent Manager/Producer), John Hesser (Innkeeper, Blessed Inn and Angel 6), Reese Hill (Angel 1), Dennis Houser (Innkeeper, Jeremiah’s Airbnb and Shepherd 2), Vera Lovewell (Set Design/Producer), Betsylynn Majzlik (Angel 4), Jane McCullough (Angel 5), Mike McCullough (Innkeeper, Isaiah’s Bed & Breakfast and Shepherd 1), Molly Sands (Angel 2), Ryan Sands (Wise Man 3)