Elam United Methodist Church

Delaware County is currently preparing to vaccinate Phase 1B priority groups. Included in the Phase 1B group are residents
age 75 years and older. If interested, see below for ways to express your interest in the vaccination and to receive notifications when appointments are available.

•  Individuals should complete the Vaccine Interest Survey which can be found onDelaware County’s partner website through Chester County’s Health Department.
•  To complete the Phase 1B priority group survey, visit the Chester County COVID-19Vaccine Information page at: https://chesco.org/4822/COVID19Vaccine.

More information for the time frame of distribution for all phases will be communicated once
it becomes available. Time frames are dependent upon the availability of the vaccine and are
subject to change. Other phased grouping information can be found through the Chester
County website.

Additionally, you can use social media for up-to-date township announcements: on Facebook
@ConcordTwp and Twitter @ConcordTwpPA.

Our doors are open once again for in-person worship services at 9:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. We are, of
course, practicing social distancing and everyone is required to wear a mask. Our Sunday morning
service will continue to be streamed LIVE beginning at 9:00 a.m. To view this week’s service, go
to Elam’s website at www.elamumc.org and click on the icon “Livestream” on the right side of
the page. You will be connected to the streaming website automatically. If you prefer to watch
the On-Demand version of the service, it will be available on YouTube, Facebook and on our
website on the Monday following our service.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  

Together we will explore the names of Jesus and learn the meaning behind these
names. His parents named him Jesus, but we’ll look at what other names were
given to him and why. Join us for this 5 week ZOOM study beginning on January
18 th at 9:00 am through February 15 th facilitated by Sue Kardine and Randy
Schaffer. Please order the book and read the first chapter for our January 18 th
gathering.

You will receive a ZOOM INVITE from Sue Kardine prior to this date. Please let us
know if you have difficulty locating the book or if you have additional questions.
Also we will need to know if you will be joining us so that Sue can send you an
invite. Please contact Sue at sdkardine@comcast.net or Randy at
randy@elamumc.org.

A COVENANT PRAYER IN THE WESLEYAN TRADITION

I am no longer my own, but thine.

Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.

Put me to doing, put me to suffering.

Let me be employed by thee, or laid aside by thee,

Exalted for thee or brought low for thee.

Let me be full, let me be empty.

Let me have all things, let me have nothing.

I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.

And now, O Glorious and Blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

Thou art mine and I am thine. So be it.

And the covenant which I have made on earth,

Let it be ratified in heaven. Amen

We as Christians know the story of Jesus from his birth, ministry, death, resurrection and ascension.
Though we treasure this knowledge and hold it near and dear to our hearts this might be a problem for
us as well. Stay with me for a few moments. For example when we hear or reread the birth story of
Jesus as we have recently, do we hear it as a familiar story or are we overcome with joy and gratitude?
The coming of Christ into our lives is the greatest gift we will ever receive ad we know that is only the
beginning. Our lives are filled to overflowing with blessings, we have a constant companion, a Savior
who forgives and guides us. We are loved by the creator of the universe. Perhaps meditating on the
scripture stories of Christ and taking them into our being with new found gratitude instead of hearing
them as familiar tales will deepen your connection to our Triune God.