What Are We Waiting For?

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Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Monday, December 4

By Steve Richardson

What Are We Waiting For?

Read: Mark 1:1-4

… As it is written in the prophet Isaiah … “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”

Waiting. It’s one of those things encountered by every human being. Waiting is not only frequent and unavoidable throughout our lives, sometimes it’s not desirable. Maybe one of the things in heaven that will be different than Earth will be the nonexistence of waiting. Even better: Because heaven is an eternal realm, waiting won’t really matter!

Some waits can be expected. Those can be easier to deal with, compared to waits that are unforeseen or seemingly unnecessary. When waits are expected or predictable, we can plan for them. We arrange other things on the schedule around the waiting, and we line up other things to make good use of the time while waiting. (A good example: When waiting to see a doctor, I worked on this devotion). For such times, you might say we actively wait.

There’s also the notion of expectant waiting. After all, waiting implies that something else is going to come or happen. Like a shadow, the future attaches itself to waiting. Waiting and a future expectation are inseparable.

The season of Advent can be energized and enriched when we make it a time of active and expectant waiting, especially when our activities and expectations are keyed to the blessing of God coming to dwell among us. As Mother Teresa advised: “At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving others with God’s own love and concern.”

There’s no shortage of ways to love and serve others. Even prayer and/or meditation can be active and productive. There’s no need to wait to get started. May our days of Advent be blessed by acts to further build God’s kingdom on Earth as it is in heaven.

Prayer  

God of grace, even during our idle times, lead our minds and hearts to ways of glorifying you through prayers, presence, service, gifts and witness to others. Amen.

Have a Prayer Request?

Submit your prayer request confidentially by clicking here.

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Christmas! Umm, No, Wait

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Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Sunday, December 3, Evening

By Rev. Andy Ferguson, Retired Senior Pastor

Christmas! Umm, No, Wait

Read: Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God… to a maiden engaged to a man whose name was Joseph. The maiden’s name was Mary.

When Celia told me, years ago, that we might be having a baby, my mind began to race. Will this be a boy or girl? What name will we give the child? Do parents have a right to impose a name on a child? (Yes, I actually wondered.)

Our two children were born before the gender was easily discovered during prenatal check-ups. The women, of course, had ways of predicting whether boy or girl; mainly their guesses were just to pass the time. We could not know until delivery. Gabriel told Mary that day that her child would be a boy – the first gender-reveal party in history. 

Gabriel further told Mary, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High …” He assured Mary that the world will be changed by her child. But on the day Gabriel appeared to Mary with this wonderful news, all the promises of greatness were just that: promises. In the meantime … For the coming nine months …” For years and even lifetimes to come … the world will look pretty much the same. Problems, bills, pandemics and worries will roll over her (and us) until the child is born. After that, she will wait until he steps onto the world stage.

We begin Advent today. It is a season of such promise! But, umm, no, wait. Wait for Christmas Day. Wait for the Cross. Wait for Christ to return in fullness. This is the season of waiting. God’s promise has been given, and hope was conceived that day. Now, we wait for the fullness. We wait busy with hopeful patience.

Prayer  

Lord, your great promise has been given by the angel. Wait with us until we see the promise of Christ in all its fullness. We wait impatiently to sing with the angels, “Joy to the world; the Lord is come!”

Have a Prayer Request?

Submit your prayer request confidentially by clicking here.

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Magic Word

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Daily Advent Devotions from Church Street UMC

Sunday, December 3

By Rev. Catherine Nance

Magic Word

Read: Isaiah 64:1

O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence! 

My mind goes back to early 70’s Saturday morning TV. For us pre-teens and early teens, there was a ‘real people show,’ – not a cartoon. Billy Batson was the main character, a teenager, who was granted powers from the ‘immortals.’ Whenever there was a crisis at hand or some wrong that needed to be set right, Billy would hop out of the RV that was being driven by his mentor, run to an open space, look up to the heavens, close his eyes, and yell, SHAZAM!

Claps of thunder! Lightning flash! SHAZAM! Billy was transformed into Captain Marvel! And all was right with the world. Well, at least in the community where Billy was.

It is hard to put away childhood fantasies, especially this time of year. We want flashy miracles and quick resolutions to problems. I imagine the prophet, Isaiah, looking up to the heavens with arms outstretched, fists clenched perhaps, and yelling, “Just come down here!! TEAR OPEN THE HEAVENS!”  

Isaiah accuses God of hiding from the people because of how we have sinned; God must be angry with us and is staying away. On this first day of Advent, I trust in a God who is not hiding. I trust in a God who has already forgiven and redeemed us. I trust in a God who desires to be with us. 

God did in fact tear open the heavens, but there was no lightning! Only moonlight. No sounds of thunder. Only a baby’s cry and the lowing of animals. I look forward to our Advent journey together as we stay alert and watch for how God is already at work. The word of power is Immanuel. God with us!

Prayer  

O God who continues to reveal yourself to us, open our eyes that we might see you ways that the world does not expect. Thank you, for always seeking us. May we be ready! In Jesus’s name, Amen!

Have a Prayer Request?

Submit your prayer request confidentially by clicking here.

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Weekly Prayer – November 29, 2023

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Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of November 29, 2023

Rev. Jan Buxton Wade

Holy and Elusive God, we enter your presence in these moments because we desire to know your truth.  We seek to comprehend the whole of you, often trying to define you with names and attributes.  Yet our spiritual impulses never quite reach their goal, for you are always the “otherness” beyond our comprehension. You, O Lord, cannot be contained.  Still, when we gather as one body in the quiet of your sacred space, we sense your loving presence.  And somehow, it is enough. Cloak us with that same loving presence this night, we pray.  We may be scattered, but ever remain one body, fixed by Christ himself.

Holy and Unwavering God, in this mire of mixed messages, we often feel overwhelmed.  At times we barely find our own voice amid the clamor of each day’s discouraging news.  Help us, we pray, in this time of war and unrelenting troubles, to pay attention.  Help us notice which words and images are forming us and our families.  Help us use our ears to hear words that uplift, never disparage.  Help us gain courage to challenge falsehood, to distinguish honesty from hypocrisy. Help us live as those who carry the handprint of Christ upon their hearts.

Holy and Astonishing God, whether we perceive it or not, truly you are hidden in the pockets of our everyday lives, ever offering your benevolence.  We praise you for that closeness that does not disappoint.  And so we bow before you in gratitude now, acknowledging the ways in which you stir our hearts:

  • For all the young ones in our church who have been baptized and blessed, who are being brought up in our church home;
  • For all musicians and their healing gift of music that saturates our souls;
  • For our brothers and sisters in our congregation and in our community who are living examples of your grace;
  • For your entering into our suffering and your comfort of all who are confused, ill, lonely, and bereaved;
  • For your love that transcends ethnicity, language, and religion

Accept also these petitions from our congregation who have asked to be remembered:

We pray for ….

  • A member’s husband who has ten more weeks of aggressive chemotherapy
  • A 20-year old who has been battling brain cancer for five years; prayers for her and her family as her body succumbs to disease.
  • A sister-in-law whose melanoma has returned; prayers for her as she meets with oncologist tomorrow
  • For caregivers who are watching their spouse or parent or loved one struggle with dementia, Parkinsons, or other chronic illnesses
  • Friends who are going through difficult times
  • A friend who just learned of cancer diagnosis
  • A friend who is undergoing an alternative treatment for aggressive cancer
  • All of the victims of war; praying for peace
  • For those who are struggling as the holidays approach

We offer prayers of thanksgiving for …

  • Clear scans at least doctor’s visit
  • A member able to return to Knoxville for rehabilitation after lengthy hospital stay out of town.
  • Hostages being released and a pause in violence; may it last, O God!
  • Birth of a healthy grandbaby
  • Precious baptism last Sunday and new member joining
  • For successful surgery for removal of a mass; prayers for our friend’s body to heal!

Holy and Timeless God, gather up all the prayers of our hearts, and use them to bind us securely to you. Remembering the call of your prophets, the commitment of our ancestors, and our very own promises of loyalty to you alone, we re–dedicate ourselves to you in this hour, offering all our prayers in the name of Jesus, the Ever-Present One, who taught us to pray:  

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

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December Update

Sunday Schedule: 
Worship – 8:30AM & 11:00AM
Sunday school – 9:45-10:45AM
NightLife – 5:00-7:00PM ($5 dinner)

At a glance…

  • Please join us for Christmas Eve worship! Service times are below.
  • There will be no Sunday school this week. We will have one service at 11:00 AM for the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Christmas Eve services will be later that day.

Christmas Eve Greeters

We are looking for greeters to serve for our Christmas Eve services and golf cart drivers for the later services.

This is a wonderful way for our families to serve those who are worshipping with us on Christmas Eve! If you would like to offer hospitality in this way, please sign-up below!

Greeter Sign-Ups

Have you viewed our page on Church Street’s website? Check it out!

Jenny Cross, Youth Director
jcross@churchstreetumc.org

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Weekly Prayer – November 22, 2023

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Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of November 22, 2023

Rev. Catherine Nance

God is great; God is good. Let us thank God for our food. Amen. 

We learned this prayer at an early age, O God. Eyes closed, head bowed, hands folded. We were not even sure who ‘God’ was, but we knew we were supposed to say this before we ate. 

We thank you for children’s prayer books and Sunday School teachers who later explained that it was you, O God, who made corn to grow and who gave the farmers strength to harvest the land. As we have grown in years and wisdom (hopefully) we understand that you are the Source of Life. We also know you care for each person who has a hand in preparing our Thanksgiving meal this weekend … farmers, migrant workers, truck drivers, warehouse employees, scientists, nutritionists, restaurant owners and workers, chefs, grocery store owners and workers and stockers …. 

Thank you, God who knows each name, for inviting each of us into your love. When we pause to say God is great, may our gratitude open our hearts even more to receive your love and your vision for your world. 

We pray fervently for peace; we pray for those leaders who are negotiating a break in the fighting for release of hostages. We pray fervently for those who have opportunity to gather in conversation and find ways to live alongside one another. We pray with tearful hearts for children, babies, that they might know safety and comfort. God is great, God is good. O Lord, we do believe that! May your spirit move in the hearts of angry and bitter leaders so that they might bring healing to their communities. 

God is great; God is good. We know so many who are praying for healing. We pray that they would know your peace first of all. We pray that they would trust that you desire wholeness for them and are working in and with others. We thank you for doctors and health care professionals who take the time to listen to us and hear about what ails us.  

God is great; God is good. Even for folks who are grieving this holiday, may they trust even in grief they know that love does not end. We hurt so much when a loved one dies; thank you for understanding that hurt and not asking us to pretend otherwise.  

God is great; God is good. We are grateful for opportunities to feed others in our community. We pray for all who are worried about food this season. Forgive us when we assume that ‘there is plenty of food,’ also means that distribution is possible. Help our agencies and ministries work together to ensure that all have enough to eat. 

God is great; God is good. Thank you for the relationships we hold dear. 

We pray for ….

  • A sister-in-law whose melanoma has returned; prayers for her as she meets with oncologist next week
  • A ninety-year old husband (childhood pastor of a member) is caring for his wife who has had Alzheimer’s for five years. She has now been diagnosed with Lewy-Body Dementia. Prayers for them both; but especially him as he struggles to care for her.
  • Friends who are going through difficult times
  • A member being transported back home after lengthy hospital stay out of town; prayers for strength as she goes through rehab
  • A friend who just learned of cancer diagnosis
  • A friend who is undergoing an alternative treatment for aggressive cancer
  • All of the victims of war; praying for peace
  • Prayers for a break in fighting so hostages can be released
  • For a neighbor in Vestal whose daughter died suddenly
  • For those who are struggling as the holidays approach

We offer prayers of thanksgiving for …

  • Those who funded, packed, and delivered Thanksgiving boxes
  • Devoted volunteers, Stephen Ministers, Parish Health Ministry Team, and Congregational Care members who stay in touch with church members
  • Family being able to come over the weekend
  • Clear scans at least doctor’s visit

Thank you for this church and for all the saints who join us in praying, Our Father, who art in heaven … 

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

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Weekly Prayer – November 15, 2023

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Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of November 11, 2023

Rev. Tim Best

Gracious Lord,

Thank you for the overwhelming abundance of your love. In your love we discover that we need not try to save ourselves. We hear the voices of the world around us speaking doubt and fear. It is so tempting to place our trust in ourselves alone. We hear words like “self-reliance” and some of us brim with pride thinking of all that we have accomplished. We can list our strengths with speed skill. Others hear those words and are overwhelmed by shame and defeat. Those who have required more help, more support, and more effort feel less than a full self, because they have had to rely on others.

Help us all discover, with a sense of great joy, the gift that is your support and care. We have been created for community, for relationship, and for belonging found in you. You have Created us, and sustained us through the trials and difficulties that we have encountered. Through Christ you have delivered us from the power of Sin and Death. Where our efforts ended in no way, you in your mercy made a way and brought us into abundant life. Where we see others struggling, alone, and suffering, use this church family and its members as witnesses to your salvation.

We pray for our community. We pray for those that are ill, suffering, or alone. Be with all those who feel helpless or desperate. Reveal in each of us, now matter how strong

we might feel, our need for you. We pray for those who grieve and mourn. We pray for those who do not have enough to eat, and for those who may have plenty to eat, but have no one with whom to share it all. We pray for those who look towards Thanksgiving with pain and anxiety in their hearts. We pray for those who will long to be with loved ones, but cannot, and for those who are worried up gathering with those they are not sure really love them. Grant each of these your peace.

We pray for our world. Our hearts break and our heads hurt as we wrestle with the ongoing violence and suffering in our world. We turn to your son, the prince of Peace and the Lord of Life, and wait for that day when he will end all war and death. Be at work in the hearts of every leader of every nation. The only peace we can trust is the peace promised through Christ’s kingdom. Deliver us from our slavery to war and violence, and initiate your reign of peace.

As you delivered your people from Egypt and sustained them in the wilderness, deliver and sustain us. Grant that we would wait with faithful expectation for the day when we shall be led out of the wilderness. Until that day, nurture and protect us.

We pray for ….

  • A wife in hospital out of town; praying for recovery from emergency surgery; prayers she can return to Knoxville soon!
  • Friends who are going through difficult times
  • All of the victims of war; praying for peace
  • For a neighbor in Vestal whose daughter died
  • For those who are struggling as the holidays approach
  • For a brother in Alabama having a heart procedure
  • For one who is in rehab and looking for assisted living options

We offer prayers of thanksgiving for …

  • The birth of a second child!
  • A successful knee replacement surgery
  • All who are helping with Thanksgiving boxes
  • One who is undergoing cancer treatment but still able to come to church

We pray all this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, who taught us to pray…..

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

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Weekly Prayer – November 8, 2023

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Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of November 8, 2023

Steve Richardson

God in heaven and in our midst, we come to you with our prayers, trusting fully in your grace and mercy to receive them.   

Your handiwork placed this Earth in its position so we can thrive from the brightness and energy of our sun. As you arranged, on our half of the globe we continue to see the daylight shorten and the nighttime lengthen, and we know the coolness of fall and winter seasons will surround us for the next several months. Still, God, we delight in the changing seasons. Each one brings its beauty and majesty of your creative design. Thank you, God, for the richness of your creation. 

Yet, we are troubled, God.  Across the world – and even right here in our own neighborhoods – undeserved unrest and suffering afflict so many people. We look to you to fix things. But keep us mindful that we are instruments of your peace, and we are capable and equipped to help fix many problems, especially those that are stained by injustice, selfishness, greed, lack of compassion, oppression, neglect, abuse and other forms of human-infused iniquity.  Forgive us when we may be complicit in causing such problems. And inspire us to get to work – – to the fundamental work of loving one another, just as Jesus told us to do. 

As you certainly know, though, other forms of suffering are beyond our capacities to resolve. Be it illness, grief over loss, hurt and brokenness caused by forces of nature, personal crisis or other despairs, we pray for your presence, comfort and assurance of showing us paths forward. 

Lead us, Lord, to lift and sustain Church Street United Methodist Church through our gifts. Just as the seasons of nature journey through their cycle, so does your church. The current year is almost over, and a new one will soon begin. Members’ financial support is needed for the present, as well as the future. Awaken each of us to the soul-filling joy that comes with giving (especially when it comes to giving generously to your church, where lives are transformed).  May all members experience this joy of giving! 

Thank you, God, for your many blessings: Blessings known, blessings we tend to take for granted, blessings we don’t even realize, and blessings to come. Lead us to respond to these through sharing your grace with others and through living our lives in ways that demonstrate praise to you.  

Most merciful God, hear these needs and expressions of others in our church community. We pray you surround each person with your loving embrace and peace that extends beyond all understanding… 

We pray for ….

  • A young mother expecting birth of second child SOON! Prayers for good health and easy delivery. Has been a hard pregnancy.
  • All of the innocent victims of war. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer!
  • A wife in hospital out of town; praying for recovery from emergency surgery; prayers she can return to Knoxville soon!
  • Friends who are going through difficult times
  • A member recovering from surgery
  • A wife grieving the death of her husband; prayers for comfort
  • A member’s husband whose lung cancer has spread; prayers that the markers will reveal appropriate treatment.
  • A member who has auto-immune diseases and is dealing with stress of illness of husband; prayers for her to stay positive and healthy.
  • Continued healing and strength for a husband/father as he recovers from procedures and treatments
  • A couple praying and hoping for a baby
  • Those who are caring for aging parents and the struggles in relationships that occur
  • Comfort & peace for good friend/neighbor facing loss of husband after extended illness
  • Those who are battling fires in Anderson, Campbell, and Morgan Counties
  • For those having surgeries this week
  • For our youth group – especially the 30+ who are attending the Spiritual Life Advance this weekend. Praying for the 10+ adults who are going with them. Prayers for spiritual enrichment!

We offer prayers of thanksgiving for …

  • A good visit over the weekend with our children
  • “All the Saints” and a beautiful service last Sunday
  • Completion of radiation treatments
  • Being able to come to church after a long illness

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

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Weekly Prayer – November 1, 2023

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Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of November 1, 2023

Rev. Catherine Nance

O God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob …. 

We often begin our prayers recalling our spiritual roots began before the birth of Jesus 

O God, Creator of the Universe … 

We often begin our prayers recalling your love and desire for humans began before there were any names to call. 

O God, Revealed to us in Jesus Christ … 

We often begin our prayers acknowledging that You and the Savior are One. 

O God, whose Holy Spirit hovers over us and in us …. 

We often begin our prayers acknowledging the mystery of your omnipresence 

 

But now, O God, we will just leave it at that: O God. 

O God, who understand the limits of our language. And the complexities. And the tyranny. 

If we say God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob … some will hear we are making a political statement about Israel;  

If we say God of the Universe, some will hear that we do not believe you are involved in our daily living; 

If we say God who is in Jesus, some will think we are excluding prayers for those who do not call on the name of Jesus. 

O God … how did even prayer become so weighted and measured and suspect? 

How about …. O God, who knows the name of every child. 

Surely that is a way we can all begin our prayer. O God ….  

You know the name the name of every child who has died in war or from illness or violence or hunger. 

You know the name of every child who is afraid. 

You know the name of every child who is struggling at school 

You know the name of every child who has experienced joy this day. 

O God, who knows our name, we pray for the children whose names we do not know. 

O God, who knows their names, we pray for the children who are close to us. 

O God, who welcomes the least of these, hear our prayers. 

We pray for all children everywhere and for these requests from our church family …. 

We pray for ….

  • Friends who are going through difficult times
  • A member recovering from surgery
  • A husband who is now under hospice care; prayers for wife and friends
  • A family grieving the death of husband/father after a long illness
  • Continued healing and strength for a husband/father as he recovers from procedures and treatments
  • A couple praying and hoping for a baby
  • Those who are caring for aging parents and the struggles in relationships that occur
  • A member recovering from emergency surgery out of town; may she regain her strength!
  • The violence to stop in our world! We pray for peace in all the world. Dear God, please take the hate out of people’s hearts!
  • A couple managing  the ups and downs of living with dementia and adjusting to new medications.

We offer prayers of thanksgiving for …

  • A college student who is having a good semester and has come such a long way; thankful for parents and support group
  • Scientists who do research that brings healing to our bodies and hope for our world
  • My Sunday School class
  • Granddaughter is recovering from surgery
  • That a young father/husband is back home with family

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

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November Update

Sunday Schedule: 
Worship – 8:30AM & 11:00AM
Sunday school – 9:45-10:45AM
NightLife – 5:00-7:00PM (begins 8.27)

At a glance…

  • Sunday Night: Advent Missions Night! Regular time — but make it festive! Wear your Christmas PJs and come ready to complete some service projects!
  • We had a great weekend at SLA! Click here to view the album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/HnSdCRYP3PyUCMhq6

Advent Missions Night

This Sunday night, we will have our annual Advent Missions Night during NightLife! We’ll be completing several mission projects to help serve our neighbors in need.

We will meet during the regular NightLife time (5:00-7:00). Wear your Christmas PJs! And bring your holiday cheer.

We’ll complete our projects, decorate the Youth Area for Christmas, and have breakfast for dinner. See you there!!!

Youth Ministry Meals

Each Sunday, we serve our students breakfast and dinner. We ask families to volunteer to help make these meals happen! The sign-ups are below. If every family signs up for one breakfast and one dinner each, we will have nearly every week covered!

Youth Breakfasts

Youth Dinners

 

Have you viewed our page on Church Street’s website? Check it out!

Jenny Cross, Youth Director
jcross@churchstreetumc.org

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