Author: ca-fs

Circuit
Rider

December Edition
Volume 3, Issue 12

A Word From the Pastor
I heard a sermon once describe Christmas as the eye of a hurricane. The focus of the sermon addressed the frenzied buying and decorating before Christmas, the cleanup, and New Years parties after Christmas. It seems like a simpler time then, when all we were worried about was credit card debt and the commercialization of Christmas. Lately, however, it seems that we have been riding out one storm after another both metaphorically and in reality. While the actual hurricanes seem to be stronger, the storms of life also seem to be stronger as well. We hope that an election or a rising stock market will finally break the storm and then there is another pandemic, war, or economic crash and the storms keep raging. Jesus said there would be birth pains but this is a long labor. I am not sure about you but I need an eye of a hurricane about now.
Soon there will be a Christmas parade downtown and churches will have special events for Christmas. If you are one of the chosen, you may actually be invited to a party or two. Some will go see family, and others will have family come to visit and there will be laughing and stories of the past year. We can, for a moment, pretend like we all get along and the storm will begin to open up. As the clouds of division and troubles begin to part, we find that it really is a silent night. One of those clear and quiet nights to make West Texas so beautiful (as long as the cedar doesn’t attack). We can at least for awhile imagine peace on earth and goodwill toward everyone.
While the decorations and music make everything a little more festive, it can not fully hide the roar of the thunder or the howl of the wind as the storms still rage outside. And that is the real point of Christmas.
Continued on Page 2...

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given!
Isaiah 9:6-7

Note worthy Events
Downtown Christmas Lighting Dec.4th
FCS Meal at Sonora High School
Dec. 11th.
Episcopal Church Lessons
and Carols
Dec. 15th

Note worthy Events
Christmas Holiday
Office Closed
December 24th - January 3rd.
Wishing you all a holiday
season filled with God’s
richest blessings!

A Word From the Pastor Continued
We need Jesus. We need someone who is the Truth and not just claim to know the truth. We need a Savior in the midst of the storms of life. We need the Rock to block out the winds that blow our world in multiple directions at the same time. We need a way that is safe for everyone to walk without fear. We need the Peace and Light to scatter the dark and angry clouds that fill our news rooms and coffee shops. It is only when we are midst of the hurricane that we finally turn to the One who is able to save us.
When Christmas is over and the parties are finished, the storms of life will come rushing back. Credit card bills and taxes will come knocking at the door. The weather will feel colder and people will begin feel worse as the flu and cedar take hold. The season after Christmas can be like a bad hangover from a party we wished would never end. But the real joy of Christmas is Christ doesn’t end after Christmas. Jesus continues to walk with us and every day can be a celebration of Christmas. Jesus was given the name Emmanuel which means that God is with us. It doesn’t mean that God was just there at Christmas but then went home. It doesn’t mean that God is with us only in the eye of the storm. It means that God is with us in the midst of the storms as well. The fact that Jesus is resurrected and alive today means that Christmas is not a day of remembrance but a celebration with someone who is still here. The world may move on to the next big sales event but, for Christians, Christmas does not have to end.
I hope that you find your eye in the storm this Christmas. I pray that the decorations and parties only serve to remind you that where Jesus is there is peace and love. The world is always full of storms and chaos but remember the story of creation. In the beginning was chaos and void but God blew over the storms and said “Let there be light”. May the light of Christ shine in your hearts this Christmas season and for the new year to come.
Have a blessed Christmas!
Blessings,
Pastor Mark

METHODIST DAY SCHOOL Events

Methodist Day School
Monday & Wednesday
8 a.m to 4 p.m

Mrs. Victoria’s Class

Mrs. Dariela’s Class

Mrs. Chesney’s Class

Contact Patti for the
Enrollment form at
(512) 635-4983

Upcoming Events
December 4th - 6:30 pm
Downtown Christmas Parade
December 11th - 10:30 am
Singing at the Sonora Bank
December 15th - 4:00 pm
Christmas Program
December 16th
Breakfast with Santa
December 18th
Christmas Parties
December 23rd - January 6th
Christmas Break

There’s Room for Everyone on the Nice List!

What we are thankful for:

I’m thankful that I still have my mom and she will be able to spend Thanksgiving with the family in Sonora. Cathy Feinberg

I am thankful for cooler weather and rain when we can get it.
Pastor Mark

I am thankful for a loving family. My husband, children, their spouses, and especially my grandchildren.
Patti Barker

We’re thankful that we live in the United States, especially on Hilltop St. with our wonderful neighbors and the good people in Sonora. We’re thankful that we have each other, our immediate family, and our church family. John and Sarah Wade

I am thankful for God’s grace, my family, and knowing that God has the plan for my life.
Kendra

December Birthdays
Linda Wallace 12/1 Whitney Keller 12/2 Kelly Holder 12/3
Bronson Schenkel 12/3 Gus Ward 12/3 Jansen Morriss 12/11
Alicia Brechin 12/12 TJ Thorp 12/13 Dawn Cahill 12/15
Donna Hill 12/15 Dallas Payne 12/17 Rylie Thorp 12/17
Matt Davis 12/18 Claire Jones 12/26 Al Elliott 12/27

Upcoming Events for DECEMBER!

SUN	MON	Tues	Weds	Thurs	Fri	Sat

1

8
Open Door Study @ 9:45AM
Hanging of the Green - FBC @ 6

15
Open Door Study @ 9:45AM
MDS Christmas Program @ 4
Episcopal Christmas lessons and Carols @ 5

2
Lady Colts/Colts Bball @ Sonora vs Eldorado

9
Methodist Day School
Lady Colts/Colts Bball @ Sonora vs Ozona

16
Methodist Day School - Breakfast with Santa
SISD - release @ 2
L Colts/Colts @ Sterling City

3
Lady Broncos BBall @ Grape Creek
Broncos BBall @ Ballinger

10
Bronco BBall @ Mason

17
SISD - release @ 2
Lady Broncos / Broncos BBall @ Forsan

4
Methodist Day School
Downtown Christmas Parade @ 6:30

11
Methodist Day School - Singing at the Bank @ 10:30
Pastor’s Bible Study @ 5pm.

18
Methodist Day School - Christmas Parties
Pastor’s Bible Study @ 5pm.
SISD - release @ 2

5
Lady Broncos/Broncos - Sonora Tournament

12
Broncos @ Junction Tournament

19
SISD Release @ noon

6
Lady Broncos/Broncos - Sonora Tournament

13
Broncos @ Junction Tournament
Lady Broncos @ Eldorado

20
SISD - No School
FFA - Shear Day @ 4H Barn
Lady Broncos/Broncos @ Sonora vs Ozona

7
Lady Broncos/Broncos - Sonora Tournament

14
Broncos @ Junction Tournament

21

22
Open Door Study @ 9:45AM

23
No MDS - Christmas Break
SISD - No School

24
SISD - No School
Office Closed

25
No MDS - Christmas Break
SISD - No School
Office Closed

26
SISD - No School
Office Closed

27
SISD - No School
Lady Broncos @ Barksdale
Broncos @ Eden Tournament
Office Closed

28
Lady Broncos @ Barksdale
Broncos @ Eden Tournament

29
Open Door Study @ 9:45AM

30
No MDS - Christmas Break
SISD - No School
Office Closed

31
SISD - No School
Office Closed

Circuit Rider is Published by :
First United Methodist Church
PO Box 675
Sonora, TX 76950
Phone: (325) 387-2466
www.sonorafumc.com

FUMC SONORA STAFF

Sunday Schedule
Children’s Nursery 9:30 am
Open door Sunday School 9:45am
Worship Service 11:00 am
*Weekly worship service is broadcast at 11:00 a.m.
Sundays on KHOS 92.1 and KYXX 94.3*

Rev. Mark Brechin– Pastor
Donna Hill– Admin Council Chair
Patti Barker– MDS Director
Darrell Barker– Custodian
Kendra Vyvlecka– Finance Secretary and Communications Director

Circuit Rider Volume 3, Issue 12

Page #