Staying Connected
December 18, 2025
This Sunday with Pastor Anna
Title: God's Recipe for Love
Scripture: Luke 1:67-80
Because of the tender mercy of our God,
the dawn from on high will break upon us,
to shine upon those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace. --Luke 1:78-79
Opportunities this Week:
Sun, 10:30 am: Worship
In the sanctuary and on Zoom
No Talk 'n' Thought next week
Merry Christmas!
ImBible Study will resume on Jan 7
Subscribe to receive a daily prayer for anti-racism by email:
umcdiscipleship.org/articles/praying-for-change-daily-prayers-for-anti-racism
Cookie Baking
Our young people will gather this Saturday, Dec 20, 3:00 - 6:00 pm, in the Fellowship Hall kitchen, to bake sugar cookies for the following day. If your child would like to participate in a gift exchange, bring a wrapped gift ($10 max.)
Intergeneration Service & Cookie Exchange
Join us on Sunday for a special Christmas edition* of our intergenerational worship service, followed by a cookie exchange. If you’re a baker, bring home-baked cookies to share. All should bring a container to take home some goodies! *Wear your most festive Christmas sweater, elf ears, Santa hats, aprons — the more outrageous, the better!
Christmas Eve Service
On Wednesday, Dec 24, at 4:00 pm, we’ll gather as community to begin the celebration of Christmas. Bring your visiting friends and family! If you're traveling, please be safe and hurry home!
Volunteer Needed
We need someone to make a delivery to CityTeam (the organization that runs Night Strike.) Our collection box, outside of the church office, is overflowing. The drop-off location is at 209 NW 4th Ave in Portland, Monday through Friday, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. The phone number is 503-231-9334. Thanks for your help!
Floods in Washington
Support disaster relief efforts by giving to the Pacific Northwest Conference Disaster Fund (Advance #352) or UMCOR Advance #901670
Christmas Eve Services at ICE
Join members of East Portland in Connexion (EPIC) for two Christmas Eve services being planned for outside of the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement building in Portland, at 2:00 pm and 11:00 pm. EPIC is a cooperative ministry effort of Cherry Park, Lincoln Street, Montavilla, St Paul’s and Tabor Heights United Methodist Churches. Access more information and RSVP here
Support IMIrJ
Inspired by last Sunday's message from Raiza? Support IMIrJ (pronounced 'emerge') by visiting their website at imirj.org
Listen with Love
The Board of Lay Ministry is excited to present more workshops in their “Listen with Love, Speak with Grace, Act for Justice” series. The next offering is “Listen with Love—A Deep Dive Into Bias”, an interactive Zoom workshop on Tuesday, January 20 from 5:30-7:30 pm. Learn more and register here
Mark Your Calendar!
Fireside Friends will host an open house (studio) on Monday, Jan 5, from 6:00-8:00 pm.
Phone Support
Do you, or someone you know, live in Washington county, 55+ years old, and would benefit from a weekly phone call from a Senior Peer Support Specialist from Community Counseling Solutions? They offer this service free of charge to to older adults who may be experiencing loneliness, isolation, sadness, grief or loss. Please note that this is only offered to WA county residents at this time. Call toll-free at 1.833.736.4676.
Night Strike
It's now time to sign up for January 15, our usual third Thursday outing with City Team. Night Strike is a ministry to the houseless, under the Burnside Bridge. You can register at https://cityteam.volunteerhub.com/vv2/lp/nightstrike.
Easy Giving
Donate online
Fred Meyer Rewards program, code SY323
CarEasy.org to give 70% of vehicle sale to VHUMC
Contact the church office with any questions.
Calendars
Receiving 2026 calendars that you won't use? You can leave them on the Welcome table and Donna will make sure they get to Neighborhood House for those who need them.
Talk N Thought
The ‘dynamite’ ladies of TnT meet every Tuesday, 1:00 - 3:00 pm, in the Fireside Room to read and discuss together. Contact Linda Miller at raylindamiller@comcast.net for more info.
Prayer Chain
Email your prayer requests to PrayerVHUMC@gmail.com. If you do not have access to email, you may call Linda Miller at 503.699.8628. The ‘Prayers of the People’ is crafted weekly from this information; please indicate if your prayer is private.
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