Announcements
Mariposa United Methodist Church invites you to help us revive a beloved holiday tradition!
Christmas Caroling & Soup Potluck
Come spread Christmas cheer as we bring back our annual caroling tradition — and we'd love to have you join us!
WHAT:
Strolling through the streets of Idle Wheels, singing our favorite holiday songs, and sharing the joy of the season.
WHEN:
Sunday, December 21st, 2025
TIME:
Meet at the church at 4:00 pm.
We will carpool to and from the church.
POTLUCK:
After spreading good cheer, we'll return to the church to enjoy a cozy potluck with soup and bread, salad, cookies, and maybe even some hot apple cider.
Please check your calendar and join us if you can — it promises to be a wonderful time of fellowship, music, and Christmas joy.
Questions? Call 209-742-6131.
Remember to keep a song in your heart.
You are warmly invited to celebrate the birth of Christ with us.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Christmas Eve at 5:30 pm
Join us for a meaningful Christmas Eve worship service filled with scripture, prayer, and the joy of the season. Together, we will reflect on the hope, peace, love, and light that Christ brings into the world.
All are welcome — come as you are and share in this sacred and joyful celebration.
Please join us as we welcome the beginning of 2026 with a delightful Winter Wonderland Tea. Step into a sparkling world of snowflakes, warm company, and gracious hospitality as we gather for an elegant afternoon of wintertime charm.
Enjoy cozy cups of tea, sweet treats, mouth-watering scones, and plenty of wintry cheer. This promises to be a beautiful time of fellowship, laughter, and celebration — and we would truly love for you to be part of it!
To reserve your seat, please call Kathy at 209-742-6131.
Kindly don't dawdle — seating is limited, and we expect tickets to sell out quickly.
Every penny collected will be returned to our church to support its ministries.
WHEN: Saturday, January 17th at 12:00 noon
WHERE: Glenn & Kathy's home in Midpines
PRICE: $25
MAX SEATING: 21 guests
We look forward to sharing this magical afternoon with you.
~ Kathy and Glenn Sutherland
In-Person Worship
In-person worship is held every Sunday at 9:30 AM, and it’s a joy to once again share the Choral Benediction Circle and our after-worship Coffee Hour. Sign-up sheets are available for those who would like to bring treats or items to share. We’re also delighted to now offer a Welcoming Guest packet for anyone joining us in person for the first time, helping them feel at home from the moment they arrive.
For a list of Upcoming Sermons, visit our Upcoming Sermons page.
We welcome and truly appreciate your gifts, however you choose to get them to the church. You can mail your check to the church at P.O. Box 248, Mariposa, CA 95338. Online Giving is a convenient option, via either the church's website or the GivePlus mobile app.
If you have any questions about how to make an online gift or set up a recurring online gift, please feel free to contact me at 209-742-6131 or glennsutherland@sti.net.
Communion Offerings for December will go to Mariposa Safe Families. Mariposa Safe Families is a community-centered non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening and supporting families across Mariposa County. They offer a wide range of services, including parent education and support programs, youth development programs, community outreach, resource navigation, and wellness initiatives. By collaborating with local partners, schools, and other organizations, they help bridge gaps, expand opportunities, and ensure families feel connected to the larger community around them. During the holidays, they provide meals to community members. They also team up with the Mariposa Deputy Sheriff's Association for the KOPS for KIDS program as a sign-up location for parents/caregivers needing support with Christmas gifts and as a donation location for toys and winter clothing. At the heart of Mariposa Safe Families is the belief that everyone deserves to feel supported, heard, and valued, and the goal to build a healthier, safer, and more resilient Mariposa for all.
Communion Offering Report
The October Communion Offering for World Communion Sunday raised $45.
Mark 12:41-44 CEB
"Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on." When I was the pastor in Madera, we had put handbells, like the ones kids use in school, throughout the church in the pews. And when I would announce that it was time to worship God with our morning tithes and offerings, the members would grab a handbell and ring it strongly, fervently, and exuberantly (in other words, they really enjoyed ringing them). Why? Well, we are told that the Lord loves a cheerful giver. That's why we try to make the offering more than just a routine part of the worship service. We try to link the offering of our gifts with the attitude of our hearts. That's why we rang the bells. As God has given so much to us, especially in and through his son Jesus Christ, surely, we can give back to God from glad and joyful hearts!
Several years ago, a Kenyan woman joined a church in Atlanta, Georgia. Her name was Lydia. She told her pastor that she loved their congregation, but she really missed certain aspects of her home church, especially parts of the worship service. He asked her what she missed the most, and she told him something I've never forgotten. She said, "I miss the offering. In Kenya, we would sometimes dance down the aisles during the offering. We didn't have much to give, but what we did have we gave with much joy. What a privilege to give back to God!" she said. For Lydia and for the woman in this Biblical story, giving an offering to God is first and foremost a matter of having a genuine heart for God. Let's be like the widow and Lydia.
Sunday, December 21
Grief Group – noon
Mariposa Children's Choir – 3:00pm
Caroling & Soup – Meet at church at 4:00 for caroling; then return for soup
Wednesday, December 24
Christmas Eve Service – 5:30 pm
Thursday, December 25
Merry Christmas!
Thursday-Sunday, December 25-January 4
Church Office Closed for the holidays.
Saturday, January 3
United Methodist Men – 8:30 am (Steve Sportsmen Café)
Fix-it Team-9:30
Saturday, January 17
Pastor Robin Celebration of Life– 11:00 am (Carmel, CA)
Looking Ahead
GriefShare Support Group
joycemccoy7778@gmail.com
Register: Griefshare.org/findagroup
209.777.9727
The Upper Room
The Upper Room daily devotions are also available online at https://www.upperroom.org/devotionals.
Pioneer Market Receipts
Please remember to save your receipts; these benefit our Youth Programs. You may drop them in the church drop box facing Bullion Street, or mail them with your offering. If you total your receipts, please only total the sub-total amounts (pre-tax).
Women in Faith
Women in Faith (formally known as UMW). Visit our UWIF web page.
The Upper Room
The Upper Room daily devotions are also available online at https://www.upperroom.org/devotionals.
Weekly
Worship Service, Sundays, 9:30 AM
UM Youth Fellowship, Monday, 3:30 PM (FH)
Chimes Practice, Thursday, 5:30 PM (Sanctuary)
TGIF Club, Friday, 2:30-5:15 PM (during the school year)
Monthly
UMM Breakfast, 1st Saturday., 8 AM
Fix-It Team, 1st Saturday, 9:30 AM
Worship Team Meeting, 1st Wednesday, 4:30 PM (via Zoom)
Homebound Ministry, 3rd Thursday, 1 PM
Faithful Readers, 3rd Thursday, Time TBD
Join us for an exciting journey of learning and growth as we gear up to kick off the Friday afternoon children's program at Mariposa United Methodist Church. Starting right after school on September 6, this engaging program is a wonderful opportunity for children to explore their faith in a nurturing environment.
As we embark on this meaningful endeavor, we're reaching out to our community for support. If you feel called to contribute and be a part of this ministry, we encourage you to connect with Gussie Kidd. Rest assured, no prior experience is required as comprehensive training will be provided to equip you to work effectively with the children.
Let's come together to create a positive impact on the young hearts and minds in our community. Your involvement is not just appreciated - it's transformative.
Visit our TGIF page.
Chimes Choir
Chimes Choir is alive and happening with in-person worship and recording. You are welcome to join. Call Janet Langley at 209-966-4454 (evenings) or email thelangleyco@gmail.com. We chime to glorify the Lord.
Children's Choir
Choir is open to any child who loves music and is currently enrolled in grades 2-6. Children are escorted from MES to MUMC each Tuesday for rehearsals which go from 3:00 to 5:00 pm in the MUMC Joe Kidd Hall.
Monthly Choir dues of $20.00 are payable on the first rehearsal each month (Scholarships are available).
For more information contact Gail Vanderslik.
Dream Weavers is Restarting! Dream Weavers are crafters who use their gifts with knitting needles and crochet hooks to craft a variety of items, including prayer shawls, chemo caps, scarves and hats for the homeless, and caps for premature babies.
We meet on the fourth Thursday of every month at 9:30 am in the second-floor conference room (Joe Kidd Hall).
All crafters are welcome who want to share their skills and make a difference in people's lives. We also welcome donations of yarn for our members to use. If you have a stash that needs a home, bring it to the church. We especially welcome small amounts that can be used in creative shawls and scarves.
Visit our Dream Weavers web page for information and lots of resources.
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