Poinsettias are a beautiful flower whose leaves represent the Star of Bethlehem. We use them to celebrate Christmas and honor the memory of loved ones. If you purchase poinsettas from Lakeside they will go to decorate the sanctuary for Advent and Christmas. You can pick them up after the Christmas Eve service.

If you wish to order a poinsettia plant for our 2023 Christmas services, please complete this Order Form and return it with payment to Jennifer Enochs on or before Tuesday, December 19th. Please limit the memorialized and/or honored names to two people per plant, if possible. There is a limited amount this year, the price is $12.00 per plant and we can accept cash, check online (thelakesideumc.org) or Zelle.  Checks can be made payable to: Lakeside UMC.  

Please note Poinsettia Sale on payment.

Dear Lakeside Family,

Happy Advent! 

I was thinking and reflecting this year on hope. And came across a quote by Jurgen Moltmann. “Christian hope does not promise successful days to the rich and strong, but resurrection and life to those who must exist in the shadows of death. Success is no name of God. Righteousness is.” 

Jurgen Moltmann is a German Theologian who has written extensively on hope including his book Theology of Hope.  Hope, he argues, is the active expectation that God will heal and transform the world. Hope does not mean the denial of suffering or injustice. Instead hope is based in what God has promised to do in the future, and it calls us to witness to those promises in actions of healing and justice in the present.

In Advent we are invited to relive the Christmas story and remind ourselves that hope was born in a manger and that the God of creation took on humanity and entered the world not with great power, but in the meekness of a baby. We who experience the pain of loss and the frustration at injustice and suffering are tempted to turn our eyes away and fill our days with distraction. We are offered again the chance to enter in the ministry of John the Baptist who made way for Jesus (Luke 3). Let us make way for Jesus in our lives and in the lives of our neighbors. Our acts of kindness and mercy can be a powerful catalyst, clearing the path for another to experience hope. And, when we live out our calling to witness to hope, we often find our own hearts encouraged and filled with hope anew.

I pray that you not only experience the joy of the season, but that you also experience a renewal of hope. Christian hope that draws us away from the rush of activities and responsibilities which leaves us stranded from our purpose. May we cling to Christ and prepare him room, room for hope.

Grace and Peace,

David

PS: Here is a link to a brief journal for reflection your own quiet reflection during Advent. 

We hope you will invite your family members and friends to all the fun events at Lakeside this holiday season.

Come out and support our Youth fundraiser while shopping with local vendors.  Tickets for bruch are $10,  contact sara@thelakesideumc.org for more information.