ESUMC Newsletter
December 2024
Dear friends in Christ,
Blessings and peace to you! With the start of December comes the arrival of the season of Advent, the time of the church year when we prepare for the coming of Christ. With joy and thanksgiving, we look forward and ready our hearts and minds for the arrival of our Lord Jesus, the light of the world, born in the city of David.
In this newsletter, you will find a listing of the special services of worship in this season of Advent, including our Children's Christmas celebration, a Service of Lesson and Carols, and our Christmas Eve worship with candle lighting and Holy Communion. All services shall be held in our temporary worship space on the first floor of the church, while renovation works in our sanctuary continue (more details below).
And please mark the date of Saturday 14 December; from 14:00 to 17:00, the children shall hold their final rehearsal for the Christmas celebration and will decorate our Christmas tree. All families are welcome!
Recently in worship, our Finance Committee gave thanks to our church members and friends for your generous prayerful and financial support of our ministry in 2024. We also extend our appreciation to those who have already submitted your Estimate of Giving form for 2025. We are thankful for the financial and spiritual commitment you have made to support our congregation in the coming year.
If you have not yet submitted your Estimate of Giving for 2025, you may pick up a form in the fellowship area in church, or make your statement of support online via this dedicated link:
ESUMC 2025 Estimate of Giving Form
Lastly, a brief update on the renovation works in our sanctuary. In recent weeks, the engineering team began removing the old ceiling. This work should be finished by mid-December. Starting in January, the work to install a new ceiling will begin. At present, we do not have a fixed timetable for the completion of the renovation, which also will include the replacement of light fixtures and other improvements to the sanctuary. Again, we thank you for your patience and cooperation in this season of rebirth and renewal.
I give you thanks for your faithful support of ESUMC, and pray God's blessings upon you and your loved ones in this holy season.
Yours in Christ, Pastor John
Pastor
News from the church
Vienna English-Speaking
Join us in December for our Children's Christmas celebration, a Service of Lessons and Carols, and a candlelight celebration on Christmas Eve.
read more
Our ministry of hot meals and warm hospitality begins on Tuesday 3 December.
read morePastor
On this annual day of giving, we welcome your financial donations in support of our Wärmestube.
read morePastor
ESUMC Missions Coordinator Barbara Gibson invites members to bake cookies for the upcoming Wärmestube Christmas party.
read more
In this month of stewardship, ESUMC Finance Committee Chair Delia Viljoen shares a word about how we can take the measure of our gifts and resources.
read more
Daniel Mohr invites the ESUMC Young Adult group to celebrate the Christmas season with a visit to a traditional seasonal market.
read more
In 2025, ESUMC will host Vacation Bible School for children aged 5 to 12 during the week of 21-25 July. The theme will be "Building God's Kingdom." Stay tuned for more details!
read morePastor
Under the leadership of Simone Viljoen, ESUMC's Lay Delegate to the Annual Conference, the UMC in Austria has issued a statement on "Creation Responsibility."
read moreServices
Vienna English-Speaking
Bible texts
- Jeremiah 33,14-16
- 1 Thessalonians 3,9-13
- Luke 21,25-36
The message shall be given by ESUMC lay member Toks Aganga-Williams.
Bible texts
- Malachi 3:1-4
- Philippians 1:3-11
- Luke 3:1-6
Join us in worship as the children of the congregation celebrate the Christmas story.
Bible texts
- Zephaniah 3:14-20
- Philippians 4:4-7
- Luke 3:7-18
Today's hour of worship shall be our traditional Service of Lessons and Carols, with special music from the Koll family.
Bible texts
- Micah 5:2-4a
- Hebrews 10:5-10
- Luke 1:39-45
On Christmas Eve, a service of candlelighting and Holy Communion will be celebrated at both 14:00 and 18:00.
Bible texts
- Isaiah 9:2-7
- Titus 2,11-14
- Luke 2,1-20
Today's service shall be led by the youth of ESUMC.
Bible texts
- 1 Samuel 2,18-20 und 26
- Colossians 3,12-17
- Luke 2,41-52
Events
Vienna English-Speaking
Our Disciple Bible Study series on the Old Testament continues every Tuesday via Zoom. Please contact Pastor John for more information or if you wish to join.
Please volunteer with our ministry, as we provide warm meals, medical care, and legal assistance to the needy of our community. For more information or to volunteer, speak with Barbara Gibson or Pastor John, or email to waermestube@emk.at.
Please volunteer with our ministry, as we provide warm meals, medical care, and legal assistance to the needy of our community. For more information or to volunteer, speak with Barbara Gibson or Pastor John, or email to waermestube@emk.at.
Bible study will resume next Tuesday 17 December.
The children shall hold their final rehearsal for their celebration in worship on 15 December, and will help to decorate our Christmas tree. All families are welcome!
Please volunteer with our ministry, as we provide warm meals, medical care, and legal assistance to the needy of our community. For more information or to volunteer, speak with Barbara Gibson or Pastor John, or email to waermestube@emk.at.
Please volunteer with our ministry, as we provide warm meals, medical care, and legal assistance to the needy of our community. For more information or to volunteer, speak with Barbara Gibson or Pastor John, or email to waermestube@emk.at.
Please volunteer with our ministry, as we provide warm meals, medical care, and legal assistance to the needy of our community. For more information or to volunteer, speak with Barbara Gibson or Pastor John, or email to waermestube@emk.at.