​Hi Friends,

I hope you and yours are having a blessed Christmas (remember, Christmas is a season, not a day--it begins on Christmas Day--December 25--and continues for 12 days until Epiphany on January 6 when we remember the Magi arriving to visit). This Sunday, we will be observing Epiphany as we hear from King Herod and a Magus (singular of Magi). Next week (January 10) we will be having a baptismal remembrance for Baptism of the Lord Sunday. 

Last week, I sent out an email and announced in worship that if anyone wanted communion in January to please email HampdenPastor@gmail.com or leave a message at church (410-243-1129) with how many you need for your household. We will arrange pick up and/or drop off as needed. The deadline for this is Sunday at the end of worship. We will also have a gift in preparation for Baptism of the Lord Sunday. You won't want to miss it! Come get your gift and receive the sacrament of communion. 

Join us on Zoom at 10am
Join Zoom Meeting via computer or smart phone with data plan
https://umcom.zoom.us/j/97309102821

Dial In
        1 301 715 8592 
       Meeting ID: 973 0910 2821

All are welcome! Invite a friend! (Remember, it doesn't matter where they live right now).

Merry Christmas! You are loved.

Hi Friends,

I hope you and yours are having a blessed Christmas (remember, Christmas is a season, not a day--it begins on Christmas Day--December 25--and continues for 12 days until Epiphany on January 6 when we remember the Magi arriving to visit).

This year, our celebrations were a bit muted because we couldn't gather with friends and family. It was the first Christmas in my life I was not at church. Growing up at a large church, we had upwards of 9+ services on Christmas Eve, and I was there for them all. My mom worked in the church office and my dad was the "sound guy" so I had to be there too. Instead, this year, at 3pm, when the kids were still in good moods and both awake, we put the recorded service streaming to our TV and watched it. We got out our candles, lit them (or battery ones for the kids), and sang silent night together. I started crying because I missed the traditional gathering of people. But it was good to be able to worship with my husband (serving different churches makes that hard!), and actually read "The Night Before Christmas" and put my kids to bed instead of relying on grandparents or babysitters. 

This year is different and one to remember for sure. I hope that next year we can go back to singing "Silent Night" together; but I don't want to go back to not being home with my kids. I wonder, on the cusp of a new year, what old traditions do you want to return to, and what new ones do you want to adopt as a vaccine becomes available and life can gradually return to "normal" (whatever that means) in 2021?


Tomorrow we will be continuing our series on "Minor Characters Welcome" as Jesus is presented in the Temple to Anna and Simeon. It will be a wonderful celebration! Please join us in one of the ways listed below. 

First, the worship service will "premiere" on Facebook and YouTube (minus one song due to Copyright) at 945am.

Or, join us on Zoom
Join Zoom Meeting via computer or smart phone with data plan
https://umcom.zoom.us/j/97309102821

Dial In
        1 301 715 8592 
       Meeting ID: 973 0910 2821


All are welcome! Invite a friend! (Remember, it doesn't matter where they live right now).

If you are interested in receiving communion in January, please contact me via email (preferred) or by leaving a message on the church answering machine (410-243-1129) no later than Monday, January 4 so we can arrange pick up (Preferred) or drop off before January 10. Thank you! 

Merry Christmas! You are loved.

(Did you go out in the night sky to look at the confluence of planets tonight? Jupiter and Saturn were in what is called a "conjunction." They are very close together and appear as one by the naked eye. Apparently, it will be a very long time before this happens again. I looked up and saw what I thought it might be, but it really didn't look any different than any of the other lights in the sky to me. I don't understand all the science behind it (maybe Heather, our space expert can help!), but what I do know is that something like this happened around the time of Jesus' birth too. Some people hypothesize that the "star" that appeared to the Magi was actually a planetary conjunction. Regardless of what actually happened, it's still a cool thought.

This is an odd year. In the words of a colleague of mine, The Rev. Rachel Laughlin from Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Portage, MI, says, "2020 was not what we expected. Of course, neither was the first Christmas: a baby born in a barn, a jealous king seeking his death, shepherds becoming messengers to share the news that nothing would ever be the same. Christmas this year won't be like the ones we used to know, but the story of God's love for us never changes." 

Come experience that love, come experience the peace that only Christ can give, by joining us for online worship for Christmas Eve. We have several ways for you to participate. 

First, the worship service will "premiere" on Facebook at 9am on Christmas Eve so that you can watch it with your household, call a friend and share it together, or meditate on it yourself whenever it feels right. You can share this service with friends.

Next, YouTube was not cooperating with our service, so we created a link that you can use to view the service using the video player on your device. This link will be available at least through Sunday, but will be taken down eventually. 

Below, the service is broken down into 3 segments so that it could be uploaded to the website. 

Lastly, if you are more comfortable calling into Zoom, the service will begin playing at 8pm on Christmas Eve using our Zoom channel. I will not be there to host (I'll be putting kids to bed), but the service will play so you can hear it. You are welcome to chat with one another before or after. It lasts approximately 1 hour. 
Join Zoom Meeting via computer or smart phone with data plan
https://umcom.zoom.us/j/97309102821

Dial In
        1 301 715 8592 
       Meeting ID: 973 0910 2821  


We hope and pray that you find time to focus on the meaning of Christ this year. May God bless you and your family!

Merry Christmas, Church!

Announcements: 

We are worshiping online until further notice by state mandate and to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. Communion will be available at designated pick up times. If you desire the sacrament before then, please contact the Church Office.

If you have pastoral needs, please contact Pastor Bonnie directly (preferably through email or the website) so they can be addressed promptly. We have no office hours and all activities, including, but not limited to worship, Bible Study, Church Council, choir, and After School Programs are cancelled until the building re-opens, and will be on a modified schedule once we return. 

Make sure to check out our Facebook and YouTube channel for Advent in a Bag and Christmas in a Bag Devotionals!​

Church Council​ meets after worship.

Christmas Eve Worship will be available on our website, YouTube, and Facebook starting at 9am on December 24. At a time that works for your household, grab someone else--or call them--and watch/listen to the service together. Consider calling someone without internet access to help them participate too!

Please stay home and stay safe. If you need help getting reliable information, please reach out to Pastor Bonnie. She is getting informed and updated by Johns Hopkins staff and experts twice a week.

Masks are now required when in public across the state of Maryland. If you do not have a face covering (mask, scarf, bandanna, etc.) please email HampdenPastor@gmail.com for more information on getting a suitable covering.

Online Giving Go to our website (www.goodshepherdhampden.com) and click the green "Give" button to go to a secure website for your transactions. Or, download the secure, encrypted App Tithe.ly from the App Store or Google Play.

Contact Information We have tried to reach out to every regular attendee and member via telephone, text, and/or email. However, in many situations, we have incorrect contact information. Please be sure to *email* or call Pastor Bonnie ASAP so you do not miss any information. You should be receiving calls from both Pastor Bonnie and a member of our Church Council Leadership team regularly. If you are not, please let us know.

Announcements: 

We are worshiping online until further notice by state mandate and to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. Communion will be available at designated pick up times. If you desire the sacrament before then, please contact the Church Office.

If you have pastoral needs, please contact Pastor Bonnie directly (preferably through email or the website) so they can be addressed promptly. We have no office hours and all activities, including, but not limited to worship, Bible Study, Church Council, choir, and After School Programs are cancelled until the building re-opens, and will be on a modified schedule once we return. 

Make sure to check out our Facebook and YouTube channel for Advent in a Bag Devotionals!​

Please stay home and stay safe. If you need help getting reliable information, please reach out to Pastor Bonnie. She is getting informed and updated by Johns Hopkins staff and experts twice a week.

Masks are now required when in public across the state of Maryland. If you do not have a face covering (mask, scarf, bandanna, etc.) please email HampdenPastor@gmail.com for more information on getting a suitable covering.

Online Giving Go to our website (www.goodshepherdhampden.com) and click the green "Give" button to go to a secure website for your transactions. Or, download the secure, encrypted App Tithe.ly from the App Store or Google Play.

Contact Information We have tried to reach out to every regular attendee and member via telephone, text, and/or email. However, in many situations, we have incorrect contact information. Please be sure to *email* or call Pastor Bonnie ASAP so you do not miss any information. You should be receiving calls from both Pastor Bonnie and a member of our Church Council Leadership team regularly. If you are not, please let us know.

Announcements: 

We are worshiping online until further notice by state mandate and to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. Communion will be available at designated pick up times. If you desire the sacrament before then, please contact the Church Office.

If you have pastoral needs, please contact Pastor Bonnie directly (preferably through email or the website) so they can be addressed promptly. We have no office hours and all activities, including, but not limited to worship, Bible Study, Church Council, choir, and After School Programs are cancelled until the building re-opens, and will be on a modified schedule once we return. 

Thank you to all who donated coats for our mission collaboration with MIMA. The collection time is now over. We look forward to doing this again next year.

Make sure to check out our Facebook and YouTube channel for Advent in a Bag Devotionals!​

Please stay home and stay safe. If you need help getting reliable information, please reach out to Pastor Bonnie. She is getting informed and updated by Johns Hopkins staff and experts twice a week.

Masks are now required when in public across the state of Maryland. If you do not have a face covering (mask, scarf, bandanna, etc.) please email HampdenPastor@gmail.com for more information on getting a suitable covering.

Online Giving Go to our website (www.goodshepherdhampden.com) and click the green "Give" button to go to a secure website for your transactions. Or, download the secure, encrypted App Tithe.ly from the App Store or Google Play.

Contact Information We have tried to reach out to every regular attendee and member via telephone, text, and/or email. However, in many situations, we have incorrect contact information. Please be sure to *email* or call Pastor Bonnie ASAP so you do not miss any information. You should be receiving calls from both Pastor Bonnie and a member of our Church Council Leadership team regularly. If you are not, please let us know.

Join us for our weekly worship experience via the YouTube video below (will premiere at worship and be available for viewing afterwards). You can also join us on Zoom at 10am on Sunday.

​As we utilize "social distancing" to help contain Covid-19, I invite you to gather with your household, on the phone with a friend, or even alone as you prepare your heart and mind and spirit to worship God. The following resources are provided for your use. All links were current as of the posting of this blog.

Also, please consider joining us for our Zoom Worship Service at 10am on Sunday by clicking this link:
https://umcom.zoom.us/j/97309102821. Or, from a phone, dial: 1-301-715-8592, and enter the Meeting ID 973 0910 2821 when prompted.

Announcements: 

We are worshiping online until further notice by state mandate and to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. Communion will be available at designated pick up times. If you desire the sacrament before then, please contact the Church Office.

If you have pastoral needs, please contact Pastor Bonnie directly (preferably through email or the website) so they can be addressed promptly. We have no office hours and all activities, including, but not limited to worship, Bible Study, Church Council, choir, and After School Programs are cancelled until the building re-opens, and will be on a modified schedule once we return. 

Thank you to all the "Bag Fairies" who helped deliver Advent and Christmas in a Bag!

We are collecting new and gently used children's and adult small winter coats to support our partners at MIMA. Please contact Pastor Bonnie or Pastor Randy to arrange pick up or drop off--do not leave them outside the building. Thank you!

Please stay home and stay safe. If you need help getting reliable information, please reach out to Pastor Bonnie. She is getting informed and updated by Johns Hopkins staff and experts twice a week.

Masks are now required when in public across the state of Maryland. If you do not have a face covering (mask, scarf, bandanna, etc.) please email HampdenPastor@gmail.com for more information on getting a suitable covering.

Online Giving Go to our website (www.goodshepherdhampden.com) and click the green "Give" button to go to a secure website for your transactions. Or, download the secure, encrypted App Tithe.ly from the App Store or Google Play.

Contact Information We have tried to reach out to every regular attendee and member via telephone, text, and/or email. However, in many situations, we have incorrect contact information. Please be sure to *email* or call Pastor Bonnie ASAP so you do not miss any information. You should be receiving calls from both Pastor Bonnie and a member of our Church Council Leadership team regularly. If you are not, please let us know.

As we utilize "social distancing" to help contain Covid-19, I invite you to gather with your household, on the phone with a friend, or even alone as you prepare your heart and mind and spirit to worship God. The following resources are provided for your use. All links were current as of the posting of this blog.

Also, please consider joining us for our Zoom Worship Service at 10am on Sunday by clicking this link:
https://umcom.zoom.us/j/97309102821. Or, from a phone, dial: 1-301-715-8592, and enter the Meeting ID 973 0910 2821 when prompted.

Call to Worship (responsively)
One: Make a joyful nose to the Lord, all the lands!
Many: Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into God’s presence with singing!
One: Know that the Lord, who made us, is God.
Many: We are the Lord’s; we are the people of God, the sheep of God’s pasture.
One: Enter God’s gates with thanksgiving, and God’s courts with praise!
Many: Give thanks and bless God’s name!
One: For the Lord is good;
Many: God’s steadfast love endures forever; God’s faithfulness to all generations.
(Psalm 100, UMH Psalter, p. 821)
​                                   
Opening Hymn Majesty, Worship His Majesty (176 UMH)

Opening Prayer
Shepherd of Israel, hear our prayer as your Son heard the plea of the criminal crucified with him. Gather into Christ's holy reign the broken, the sorrowing, and the sinner, that all may know wholeness, joy, and forgiveness. Amen. (Revised Common Lectionary Prayers)
​
Children's Message
(Be sure to "subscribe" to our YouTube Channel too, so you don't miss any updates!)

Lyrics: 1) My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus name.
​ Refrain: On Christ the solid rock I stand! All other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand.
2) When darkness veils His lovely face I rest on His unchanging grace. In every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil. His oath, His covenant, His blood, Supports me in the 'whelming flood. When all around my soul gives way He then is all my hope and stay. (Refrain)
3) When He shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in Him be found. Dressed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne. (Refrain)

Scripture ​Matthew 25:313-46 (Click for the NRSV translation)

​Sermon​

Lyrics: Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God all creatures here below; Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Prayer of Dedication
We present these gifts, O God, in the confidence that healing, hope, and wholeness will flourish through them and because of them. Amen. (W&S 107)

Closing Hymn Soon and Very Soon (706 UMH)--Stop at 2:04

Benediction

Announcements
UPDATE: We are worshiping remotely until further notice to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. If you have pastoral needs, please contact Pastor Bonnie directly (preferably through email or the website) so they can be addressed promptly. We have no office hours and all activities, including, but not limited to worship, Bible Study, Church Council, choir, and After School Programs are cancelled until the building re-opens, and will be on a modified schedule once we return. 

Advent in a Bag and Christmas in a Bag PLUS Communion distribution will occur on Monday, November 23. Please join us in the church parking lot from 10-11am to pick up your bags, communion, and gifts! If you are unable to pick up your bag, please send a friend or neighbor. Thank you!

We are collecting new and gently used children's and adult small winter coats to support our partners at MIMA. Please contact Pastor Bonnie or Pastor Randy to arrange pick up or drop off--do not leave them outside the building. Thank you!

Please stay home and stay safe. If you need help getting reliable information, please reach out to Pastor Bonnie. She is getting informed and updated by Johns Hopkins staff and experts twice a week.

Masks are now required when in public across the state of Maryland. If you do not have a face covering (mask, scarf, bandanna, etc.) please email HampdenPastor@gmail.com for more information on getting a suitable covering.

Online Giving Go to our website (www.goodshepherdhampden.com) and click the green "Give" button to go to a secure website for your transactions. Or, download the secure, encrypted App Tithe.ly from the App Store or Google Play.

Contact Information We have tried to reach out to every regular attendee and member via telephone, text, and/or email. However, in many situations, we have incorrect contact information. Please be sure to *email* or call Pastor Bonnie ASAP so you do not miss any information. You should be receiving calls from both Pastor Bonnie and a member of our Church Council Leadership team regularly. If you are not, please let us know.

As we utilize "social distancing" to help contain Covid-19, I invite you to gather with your household, on the phone with a friend, or even alone as you prepare your heart and mind and spirit to worship God. The following resources are provided for your use. All links were current as of the posting of this blog.

Also, please consider joining us for our Zoom Worship Service at 10am on Sunday by clicking this link:
https://umcom.zoom.us/j/97309102821. Or, from a phone, dial: 1-301-715-8592, and enter the Meeting ID 973 0910 2821 when prompted.

Call to Worship (responsively)
One: We lift our eyes to the Lord.
Many: God created the heavens and the earth.
One: We raise our voices in songs and speech.
Many: We raise our voices in prayer and praise.
One: Lord, hear our prayers, accept our praise.
Many: Lord, open our hearts to receive your blessings of peace.
​                                   
Opening Hymn Take My Life and Let it Be (399 UMH)--Stop at 3 min

Opening Prayer
O God, our Guide and Guardian, you have led us apart from the busy world into the quiet of your house. Grant us grace to worship you in Spirit and in truth, to the comfort of our souls and the upbuilding of every good purpose and holy desire. Enable us to do more perfectly the work to which you have called us, that we may not fear the coming of night, when we shall resign into your hands the tasks which you have committed to us. So may we worship you not with our lips at this hour, but in word and deed all the days of our lives; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.  (UMBOW 460)
​
Children's Message
(Be sure to "subscribe" to our YouTube Channel too, so you don't miss any updates!)

Lyrics: Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God all creatures here below; Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Prayer of Dedication
Almighty and Generous God, your love and grace and gifts don’t know any boundaries. Strengthen and encourage us so that our giving can be modeled on yours. Help us to use both our gifts and our lives as faithful stewards of all that you have given to us. Amen.

Closing Hymn A Charge to Keep I Have (413 UMH)

Benediction

Announcements
UPDATE: We are worshiping remotely until further notice. Communion will be provided on porches at a designated time. Please stay tuned for more information. Masks will be provided. If you have pastoral needs, please contact Pastor Bonnie directly (preferably through email or the website) so they can be addressed promptly. We have no office hours and all activities, including, but not limited to worship, Bible Study, Church Council, choir, and After School Programs are cancelled until the building re-opens, and will be on a modified schedule once we return. 

Church Council meets after worship.

We are collecting new and gently used winter coats--children and adult small only--for our partners at MIMA. Please contact Pastor Bonnie or Pastor Randy to arrange pick up or drop off. Do not leave them outside the church.

Please stay home and stay safe. If you need help getting reliable information, please reach out to Pastor Bonnie. She is getting informed and updated by Johns Hopkins staff and experts twice a week.

Masks are now required when in public across the state of Maryland. If you do not have a face covering (mask, scarf, bandanna, etc.) please email HampdenPastor@gmail.com for more information on getting a suitable covering.

Online Giving Go to our website (www.goodshepherdhampden.com) and click the green "Give" button to go to a secure website for your transactions. Or, download the secure, encrypted App Tithe.ly from the App Store or Google Play.

Contact Information We have tried to reach out to every regular attendee and member each week via telephone, text, and/or email. However, in many situations, we have incorrect contact information. Please be sure to *email* or call Pastor Bonnie ASAP so you do not miss any information. You should be receiving calls from both Pastor Bonnie and a member of our Church Council Leadership team regularly. If you are not, please let us know.
​
Flowers already paid for will be moved to an open date after we return.

As we utilize "social distancing" to help contain Covid-19, I invite you to gather with your household, on the phone with a friend, or even alone as you prepare your heart and mind and spirit to worship God. The following resources are provided for your use. All links were current as of the posting of this blog.

Also, please consider joining us for our Zoom Worship Service at 10am on Sunday by clicking this link:
https://umcom.zoom.us/j/97309102821. Or, from a phone, dial: 1-301-715-8592, and enter the Meeting ID 973 0910 2821 when prompted.

Call to Worship in Honor of Veterans' Day (responsively)
One: Let us give thanks to God for our land with all its chartered liberties. For all the wonder of our country's story:
Many: We give you thanks, O God.
One: For leaders in nation and state, and for those who in days past and in these present times have labored for the commonwealth:
Many: We give you thanks, O God.
One: For those who in all times and places have been true and brave, and in the worlds common ways have lived upright lives and ministered to their fellows:
Many: We give you thanks, O God.
One: For those who served their country in its hour of need, and especially for those who gave even their lives in that service:
Many: We give you thanks, O God.
One: Almighty God, as we remember these your servants, remembering with gratitude their courage and strength, we grieve that they are gone, but rejoice that they are with you now. We lift up those who are currently serving, that they may come home quickly and safely; and that one day, we will no longer need war to bring about justice. Amen. (The Book of Worship For United States Forces (1974), 625).
​                                   
Opening Hymn Thy Word is a Lamp Unto My Feet (601 UMH)

Opening Prayer
Illuminating God, your word is a light unto our feet and a lamp unto our path. Guide us to be enlightened by your message today and every day. Amen.​
​
Children's Message
(Be sure to "subscribe" to our YouTube Channel too, so you don't miss any updates!)

Lyrics: Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God all creatures here below; Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Prayer of Dedication
O God, our sacred source, call us home. O Christ, our faithful helper, lead us home. Holy Spirit, divine companion, make your home in us. Heal us, forgive us, and transform us. Make us to know your ways, O God; teach us your paths, until we are at home in you. Amen. (W&S 181)

Closing Hymn Guide My Feet (2208 TFWS)

Benediction

Announcements
UPDATE: We are worshiping remotely until further notice. If you have pastoral needs, please contact Pastor Bonnie directly (preferably through email or the website) so they can be addressed promptly. We have no office hours and all activities, including, but not limited to worship, Bible Study, Church Council, choir, and After School Programs are cancelled until the building re-opens, and will be on a modified schedule once we return. 

Masks are now required when in public across the state of Maryland. If you do not have a face covering (mask, scarf, bandanna, etc.) please email HampdenPastor@gmail.com for more information on getting a suitable covering.

Online Giving Go to our website (www.goodshepherdhampden.com) and click the green "Give" button to go to a secure website for your transactions. Or, download the secure, encrypted App Tithe.ly from the App Store or Google Play.

Contact Information We have tried to reach out to every regular attendee and member each week via telephone, text, and/or email. However, in many situations, we have incorrect contact information. Please be sure to *email* or call Pastor Bonnie ASAP so you do not miss any information. You should be receiving calls from both Pastor Bonnie and a member of our Church Council Leadership team regularly. If you are not, please let us know.
​
Charge Conference is November 10 at 7:30pm. Please let Pastor Bonnie know if you'd like to attend via Zoom so you can get registered. 

Coat Collection We are collecting new and gently used children's coats for our partners at MIMA.