Real Humanity
Rev. Dr. T. Ray Wheeler
Luke 2:1-7
The full reality of humanity is on display in the birth of Christ, including our struggles and strains and conflicts, our willingness to love and our tendency to reject. Funnily enough, one of the best displays of the reality of humanity is found in A Muppet Christmas Carol, where over half of the cast are puppets. We look at the walk through the streets of puppet London with the traveling on a donkey for Mary and Joseph and their rejection at the inn.
DATES AT A GLANCE
A Muppet Christmas Carol (Movie Night) - Friday, December 5, 6PM
Youth First Worship Service - Sunday, December 7, 9AM
One Worship - Sunday, December 7, 11AM
Stocking Stuffing - Sunday, December 7, 4-5:30PM
Christmas in Bentonville - Wednesday, December 10, 6PM
Fun Friday - Friday, December 12, 1:30-3:30PM
A Christmas Carol (Movie Night) - Friday, December 12, 6PM
Chancel Choir Christmas Cantata - Sunday, December 14, 11AM
Beer & Carols - Sunday, December 14, 5PM
Kids Christmas Party - Wednesday, December 17, 6-7PM
Spirited (PG-13) (Movie Night) - Friday, December 19, 6PM
Christmas Eve Services - Wednesday, December 24, 11AM, 3PM, 5PM, 7PM
Urgent Announcements
Year End Report Here!
Pastor Michelle shares with us this Year End Report, primarily covering from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, which is our fiscal year. Please enjoy all we have to celebrate about this irregularly regular year in our church's life!
Year End Report 2024-2025
Beer & Carols - Volunteers Needed!
We need your help! It takes a whole sleigh-full of helping hands to make sure this event goes off without a hitch. Can you help us? We promise it will be a jolly good time, all in support of the NWA Children’s Shelter. Plus, when you work a volunteer shift, you get to enjoy the rest of the event for free! We need folks to help with:
Guest Check-in
Table Ushers
Merch Sales
Food Serving
Photo Booth
Clean-up
Click the button below to see all of the available opportunities.
Thank you in advance for your gift of time and energy!
Parking Lot Security Team Meeting
Brett Morrison will be hosting a meeting regarding Parking Lot Safety and Security on December 9th at 4:30 in the Conference Room. Looking for volunteers to be a part of this program.
Purchase a Poinsettia
Poinsettias are now available for purchase through Dec 15! Click here to purchase.
Community Events
Beer & Carols | Sunday, December 14th
All of your favorite Christmas carols and holiday hits will be led by the Beer & Hymns Band, joined by guest horn and string players from around NWA. We'll eat, drink, sing, and be merry while we support the work of the Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter. All ages are welcome. Tickets on sale HERE
WHAT TO EXPECT
Sunday December 14, 2025
Rogers Metroplex
Doors open at 4:45, singing begins at 5:15, and we wrap up the night at 7:45
FOOD AND DRINK
Dinner, dessert, and 1 drink ticket are included with the price of admission. Cash bar is available all night.
SEATING
All attendees will have a seat at a table! There will also be cocktail tables so you can eat and drink comfortably.
CHARITY
Our charity for the month of December is the Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter. They provide hope, every day, to the most vulnerable children in our community. Your ticket price and 100% of donations go directly to the shelter.
A Christmas Carol Friday Night Movie Nights
For the first three Fridays of December, we will be showing a different version of A Christmas Carol in Hines Hall at 6 p.m. We will provide dinner; you bring a comfortable way to sit (lawn chair, bean bag, blanket). Then on Sunday, the pastors will preach on the version we watched on Friday.
December 5 - A Muppet Christmas Carol
December 12 - A Christmas Carol (traditional version)
December 19 - Spirited (note: PG13 for language and some adult themes)
Traditional Service Christmas Cantata December 14
The Chancel Choir will present "Come Ye Faithful" at the 11:00 service in the Sanctuary.
Family Ministries
Youth Leadership Council Applications
If you are a current youth student who wants to serve your peers and help shape the direction of our ministry, consider applying for the Youth Leadership Council! Members of this team give a voice to our programs, events, and overall vision—helping ensure that our ministry reflects the needs and ideas of the students it serves.
Applicants must be in grades 8–12 and have at least one year of regular participation in our youth program. Please complete all parts of your application and have your character references submitted by December 15.
Click HERE to apply!
Veritas 2026
7-12th grade students are invited to a youth worship weekend, February 27-March 1! Click here to sign up for Veritas by December 20th!
Youth Progressive Dinner | Dec. 7
Celebrate the Advent season with our Youth Progressive Dinner!
On Sunday, December 7 (4–6 pm), we’ll move from house to house enjoying appetizers, a warm main dish, and a sweet dessert.
Open to all 7th–12th graders.
Sign up here — space is limited!
Christmas in Bentonville | Wednesday, Dec 10
Join us on December 10th at 6 p.m. for an exciting rendition of Jesus' birth, led by our children!
Stocking Stuffing
Our Kindergarten-6th grade students are invited for an evening of service on Sunday December 7th from 4-5:30 pm and fellowship stuffing stockings to share with children in our community! Dinner will be provided.
Please drop off your donations by the elevator or front office.
Donations Needed: Art Activity, Games, Fuzzy Socks, Books, Snacks, Chapstick, Night Light, Stickers/Temp Tattoos, Face Masks.
Kids Christmas Party | Dec 17
We hope our K-6th graders will join us to celebrate the Christmas season at our last Wednesday Night Kids of the year! We will have games, snacks and fellowship time!
announcements
Christmas Eve Services
Wednesday, December 24
11 a.m. - Traditional Service (Sanctuary)
3 p.m. - Family Service (Sanctuary)
5 p.m. - Contemporary Service (Sanctuary)
7 p.m. - Traditional Service (Sanctuary)
Join Bishop Merrill for Advent Devotionals
Advent Devotionals with Bishop Merrill, Dec. 4, 11, 18
This Advent season, we invite you to begin your mornings in prayer, reflection, and community. Join us on Zoom on December 4, 11, and 18 at 8:30 a.m. for a time of devotion and shared prayer as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ.
These brief gatherings are designed to fit before your regular workday — a simple, sacred pause to center your spirit and connect with others across the Conference.
Week 1 & 2: Led by Bishop Laura Merrill — reflections on hope and peace
Week 3: hosted by Conference Staff of Arkansas and Oklahoma — reflections on joy and love
Each session will include space for prayer requests shared live during the gathering. Whether you plan ahead or join at the last minute, you are welcome. Come as you are — there’s always room for you at this table of grace.
Let’s move into this holy season together — grounded in faith, connected in prayer, and filled with the expectant hope of Advent.
Blue Christmas: Christmas services for hope and healing
While the holidays are meant to be a time of joyous celebration, for many, it’s also a time of grief and heaviness. United Methodist Churches across the state offer services for those dealing with the loss of a loved one, marital problems, financial strains, and other heavy burdens to feel comfort and reassurance during a time of confusion and loss. These services, often referred to as “Blue Christmas” or “The Longest Night,” are provided in addition to the church’s traditional Christmas and Advent celebrations. Arkansas United Methodist Churches that are hosting a Blue Christmas service can be found here, along with service times and locations.
Remember to Return Filled Personal Care bags by Friday, December 12
Your support of this important mission is much appreciated.
Reserve the Date!
Our Creation Care Team wants to have lunch with you on Sunday, January 25 at 12:30pm (or just after the 11am worship service ends.) We are eager to share our 2026 plans and just as eager to hear your ideas for our church to be involved in Creation Care. More details will follow in January. For now, please reserve the date to join us!
Last Fun Friday of 2025
Dec 12, 2025 is the last Fun Friday of 2025. Join us in the Gathering Room at 1:30 for games and snacks until 3:30. It's a perfect way to share laughter, games, and snacks.
Dreaming Prayer
During the State of the Church address on November 16, Pastor Michelle encouraged all of us to pray this prayer as we dream about possibilities for our church and our land for the next few months. Also, if you want to pray with a group who will focus on this prayer and pray for our community at large, contact Johnna Kosnoff (
) about joining the Missional Prayer Team.
God of wonders and miracles,
Let me dream your dreams
And let me see your visions
So that I might do my part
To stop the nightmares of many.
Let my mind and my heart be open
So that I might know what doors
You want me to open
For the neighbors you call me to love.
Talk to you later/Amen
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