WELCOME TO ARCOLA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart Psalm 9:1

WELCOME, ONE AND ALL, TO THE LIGHT OF CHRIST IN THE WORLD

Pastor Scott's CHRISTMAS Letter in English and Spanish

Christmas 2021

Dear Friends:

I met a man recently at a local restaurant; his name is Tony. We got talking about our lives and after I told him what was going on in mine I went back to my seat. He looked over at me and said, half joking, ‘and you expect it to get better?’

The situation at Jesus’ birth was precarious.

Rome, the most powerful state at the time, was occupying Jewish territory.

Zealots were trying to fight back and getting slaughtered and crucified.

The Pharisees were ready to stone to death any woman who committed adultery.

A teen girl got pregnant by God’s spirit.

Her fiancé was planning on divorcing her (Matt 1:19).

He might have chosen to expose her and watched men throw rocks at her until she and her fetus were killed.

It was into this chaos and time that God sent his son.

We live in dangerous and deadly times: covid, attacks within our nation, climate change, among the rest. You can make your own (Christmas) list.

And you expect it to get better?

If you ask the world that question, they’d say no.

But when we ask what God did in that impossible situation 2000 years ago, we get a different answer.

Have a blessed Christmas,

Scott

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Navidad 2021

Queridos amigos:

Conocí a un hombre recientemente en un restaurante local; su nombre es Tony. Empezamos a hablar de nuestras vidas y después de contarle lo que estaba pasando en la mía volví a mi asiento. Me miró y dijo, medio en broma, "¿y esperas que mejore?"

La situación en el nacimiento de Jesús era precaria.

Roma, el estado más poderoso de la época, ocupaba territorio judío.

Los fanáticos estaban tratando de defenderse y eran masacrados y crucificados.

Los fariseos estaban dispuestos a apedrear hasta la muerte a cualquier mujer que cometiera adulterio.

Una adolescente quedó embarazada del espíritu de Dios.

Su prometido planeaba divorciarse de ella (Mateo 1:19).

Él podría haber optado por exponerla y haber visto a los hombres arrojarle piedras hasta que ella y su feto murieron.

Fue en este caos y tiempo que Dios envió a su hijo.

Vivimos tiempos peligrosos y mortales: covid, ataques dentro de nuestra nación, cambio climático, entre el resto. Puedes hacer tu propia lista (de Navidad).

¿Y esperas que mejore?

Si le haces esa pregunta al mundo, dirán que no.

Pero cuando preguntamos qué hizo Dios en esa situación imposible hace 2000 años, obtenemos una respuesta diferente.

Que tengas una feliz navidad

Scott

BIG NEWS!

Our Red Doors at Arcola UMC are open for in-person worship with Pastor Scott on Sunday mornings at 11:30am.

Happy Autumn Season!

God Bless,

Arcola UMC

CHURCH DESCRIPTION

Arcola United Methodist Church in Paramus, New Jersey, is a Christian community of Believers, seeking to rediscover the beauty and complexity of Jesus Christ in new ways; to Love, Help, and Serve one another in Jesus' name. We share the Word of God and the Love of Christ by celebrating worship in person in our sanctuary on Sunday mornings and online via Facebook, Website and You Tube. ALL are welcome! Our Outreach Hands-On Missions & Ministries serve community Restaurants and The Paramus Community Pantry, and online with Daily Bible Verses and Seasonal Pastoral Letters in English and Spanish.