| "My sister and I recently went to a drive-through display of Christmas lights with my niece (age four) and nephew (age two). I love Christmas lights, and I love when they're synced to blink and flash along with music. But as we drove through the display, I kept looking back to my niece and nephew to watch their reactions to the lights. My niece kept jumping up and down in her seat, excitedly yelling and pointing out each new thing she saw. She would lean over to her mom or I to make sure we had seen it too. Even my nephew—quieter than usual because it was past his bedtime and he was tired—had his wide eyes fixed on all the passing lights and colors.
There is just something so beautiful about the easy joy of children."
The third week of Advent focuses on joy. This week's reflection looks at Isaiah 35 and Matthew 11 and considers the joy we can find in God and his promises for our future. Read the full reflection on our website. | | | Share Your Story
Everyone has a story. We'd love to hear how the Lord is speaking to you, how the Spirit is at work in your congregation, or how you're experiencing life transformation. Share your story online at our website.
| | |  | Dates the LMC Offices Will Be Closed
Due to the holidays, the LMC Offices will be closed December 24, 25, 31, and January 1. We will be on our regular office hours (Mon. to Fri., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET) December 26 through 30, then again from January 2 on. We hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year! | |  | Week of Prayer and Fasting - LMC & EMM
Every year, LMC and EMM set aside the first week of January for prayer and fasting as we acknowledge the Lord, commit the year to him, and seek his voice. We ask the Spirit to give us fresh vision and purpose for the year ahead, both individually and corporately.
From January 5–9, Leaders and congregations within LMC are welcome to join LMC and EMM staff in-person or by Zoom from 8–9 a.m., and/or to join by Zoom at 12 p.m. We will also have a special, bilingual gathering (Spanish & English) on Thurs., Jan. 8 and will break the fast together on Fri., Jan. 9 in-person with a simple meal (RSVP to fvdekunkle@lmcchurches.org; suggested donation of $3 if joining for the meal).
We hope you'll join us in this time of prayer and fasting! | |  | Assembly '26 & YouthCon Registration is Now Open!
Early-Bird Cost Grid - Ends Feb. 28
Adult/YouthCon Full Conference Package: $320
Elementary Child Registration: $290
Baby/Toddler (age 4 and younger): $80
Cost includes lodging for 3 nights and 3 meals/day; for elementary children and baby/toddler, cost includes childcare
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Adult One Day Pass: $50
Adult Two Day Pass: $100
Cost includes one meal per day
Early-bird registration ends on February 28, with regular conference costs going into effect March 1.
Save your spot and register today! If you have any questions, please email assembly@lmcchurches.org. | |  | Live Nativity at Willow Street Mennonite
Willow Street Mennonite Church invites you to our LIVE NATIVITY, an event enjoyed by all ages, on December 20, 21 and 24. Journey with us down a luminary lit path to a stable in Bethlehem (a nearby barn), see live animals, and hear the story of Christ's birth. Step back in time and reflect on the simplicity and significance of that first Christmas night. Presentations are approximately every half hour from 5:30–8:00pm. FREE; donations welcome for "Haitians Helping Haitians for Christ." For more information, visit our website or call 717-464-2422, ext. 1. | |  | Cross-Cultural Christmas Carols and Stories
Celebrate the season with families at Habecker Mennonite Church (451 Habecker Church Rd, Lancaster, PA) as they share carols and stories in English and Karen on Sunday, December 21 at 3 pm. A free-will offering will help the youth group attend Winter Retreat at Camp Hebron and YouthCon 2026. If you are unable to attend in person but would like to support Habecker's cross-cultural youth ministry, give online here or use the QR code. All gifts are tax-deductible and deeply appreciated. | |  | Winter Bible School – Mark 14-16
Join the Winter Bible School class to discuss the final chapters of Mark. Classes will meet seven times for an hour and a half each session. Attendance can be by Zoom or in-person at the LMC office (450 N. Prince St., Lancaster PA).
Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m., starting on January 13 OR
Thursday mornings at 10:30 a.m., starting January 15
Register by January 6th by contacting William Higgins at whiggins@lmcchurches.org or 17-293-5246 ext. 121. | |  | Give Your Year-End Gift Today
We're just two weeks away from the end of the year, which means now is the time to make your year-end gift to LMC! Your gifts supports our mission of being a Spirit-led movement to make disciples of Jesus, mobilize every member as a missionary, and multiply faith communities locally and beyond. Donate online at our website or by mailing a check made out to LMC Churches to P.O. Box 1635, Lancaster, PA 17608. | |  LMC is a Spirit-led movement to:
• Make disciples of Jesus
• Mobilize every member as a missionary
• Multiply faith communities locally and beyond | | | From Our Resource Partners | | You're Invited to the EMM Vision and Fundraising Banquet
February EMM Banquet | Sarasota
Sarasota Community Church, 4041 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota, FL
February 18 2026 at 12:00 p.m. | | Sponsor an English Language Learner at Neighbors Community Center
This year, Neighbors Community Center has had more than 200 students take part in their English program. This program serves Lancaster City's large immigrant and refugee population. By sponsoring a student, you are providing them with education and training, language and communication skills, and community and friendship. Learn more and/or sponsor a student here.
(Neighbors Community Center is a program of Eastern Mennonite Missions) | | Art Auction & Gala
Join Friendship Community on February 26, 2026 for their 23rd Annual Art Auction & Gala. The event will take place at Eden Resort (222 Eden Rd., Lancaster PA) from 4–8:30 p.m. More details coming soon. | | |  | Stories by Candlelight
Join Mennonite Life for a candlelit evening of storytelling at the 1719 Museum on Friday, January 9, from 4:30–8:30 p.m. You'll hear songs and stories passed down for multiple generations among Lancaster County's Indigenous communities and Lancaster County Mennonites. Admission is $15/adult, $7/youth ages 6–16, and complimentary for children 5 and under. Walk-in admissions will not be offered. Find details and tickets at mennonitelife.org/events. | | | The next No Longer Alone Family Support Group is set for Sunday, January 25, 2026 from 3–5 p.m. The Focus on the Family video "Finding Hope for Lasting Relief from Depression" by Dr Gregory Jaust, PhD, will be shown, followed by a time of sharing. For info on joining by Zoom or to receive a monthly meeting reminder, email JAlbright@landis.org or call 717-381-3599 by 12 p.m. on Friday, January 23, 2026. | | | | ¿Quieres recibir las Noticias de LMC en Español? | | | ¿Quieres recibir Noticias de LMC en español? ¡Haga clic aquí para registrarse! | | | | | |
