Andrew Burd-Harris

Christmas Eve-December 24, 2023

December 16, 2023 by Andrew Burd-Harris Leave a Comment

We are offering three worship services on Christmas Eve this year at Evangelical. We would love for you to join us!

Fourth Sunday of Advent

At 10:15 AM, we will have a worship service focused on the fourth Sunday of Advent.

Christmas Eve Service at 6 PM

Our 6 PM service will include a time for children, a dramatic telling of the Christmas Story, and some Christmas hymns. We will end the service singing “Silent Night” with candle light in our darkened sanctuary.

Christmas Eve Service at 11 PM

Our 11 PM service will include Christmas hymns, a dramatic telling of the Christmas story, and Holy Communion. We will end the service with “Silent Night” with candle light in our darkened sanctuary.

Poinsettias in front of the pulpit and nativity set.

Middletown House Tour 2023

December 5, 2023 by Andrew Burd-Harris 1 Comment

Once again this year, Evangelical UMC will open up our church for the Middletown House Tour on Saturday, December 9, 2023. Matt and Brynne will be making a light meal of chicken and dumplings for a donation. You do not have to be a member of the tour to stop by church to enjoy the meal. Stop in anytime between 2 and 6pm. In addition, we will be offering a cookie bar, where various different types of homemade cookies will be available for a donation

Children's chapel decorated for 2022 Middletown parade of homes — Children’s chapel decorated for 2022 Middletown parade of homes

Opportunities December 2023

November 28, 2023 by Andrew Burd-Harris Leave a Comment

Educational Opportunities

Sunday school for all ages at 9 AM in the children’s chapel and educational wing
Pastor’s Sunday School class on Incarnation (December 3, 10, 17, and 24)
Second Coming Advent Bible Study (December 4, 11, and 18)

Fellowship Opportunities

Middletown Parade of Homes open house and chicken and dumpling meal on December 9
Open House at Parsonage on December 9
Cookie Social on December 10 after worship in the fellowship hall

Small Group Opportunities

Prayer Shawl Group on Tuesdays at 1 PM in the educational wing
Choir practice on Wednesdays at 6 PM in the sanctuary

Special Worship Opportunities

50 year plus member recognition in worship (December 17)
6 PM Christmas Eve Service (December 24) in sanctuary
11 PM Christmas Eve Service with Holy Communion (December 24)

church members decorating sanctuary and setting up advent wreath

Second Coming-Advent Bible Study 2023

November 1, 2023 by Andrew Burd-Harris 1 Comment

The season of Advent is often conflated with the season of Christmas in the church. With our desire to celebrate Christmas so strong and with a larger culture that is fixated on Christmas, it is easy to want to skip the liturgical season of Advent and jump straight into Christmas. With Christmas songs on the radio, there is a strong temptation to skip Advent hymns and jump right into Christmas hymns.

Advent is a season of preparation. We prepare our hearts for the first coming of Jesus. To be ready to fully appreciate God’s great gift to us in the baby Jesus. We also prepare our hearts for Jesus’ second coming. This Advent we will explore some themes and scripture lessons associated with the return of Jesus.

Join Pastor Andrew’s Bible study this Advent to reflect on the return of Christ. What does this mean for our lives? How do we prepare? Each class will start at 7 PM in Room 3 and will be on Zoom. See the schedule below.

Schedule

November 27-Warning (Mark 13)
December 4-Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15: 12-29, 50-58;1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18)
December 11-Judgement (John 5: 19-29; Acts 24: 10-21; Matthew 25: 31-46)
December 18-New Heaven and New Earth (Rev 20:1-22:7)