Week 7 2016 Walk to Bethlehem, PA Fitness Challenge

2016 Walk to Bethlehem PA Fitness Challenge Week 7 While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

Happy new year and welcome to Week 7 of the Walk to Bethlehem, PA fitness challenge sponsored by the Woodleaf UMC health ministry program! Wait...what? Before you start thinking that perhaps you slept until 2017, don't worry. Today, the first Sunday of Advent, marks the new year on the Christian calendar.

"While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks" was written by Nahum Tate, a man who was stricken by poverty for much of his life. Perhaps he could relate to shepherds who probably sat on the ground and endured all types of weather while watching the night sky. Christmas programs referencing Luke 2 often feature this Christmas carol.

This Christmas carol is commonly sung to one of two different tunes. The most popular tune includes Christmas by Handel, while the second most popular tune is Winchester Old that was likely arranged by George Kirbye.

May each of us may find a refreshing, unexpected surprise as we go about a mundane task that we have performed many times over the years. And in case you haven't joined our fitness challenge, this week is a great time to come on board and commit to being physically active with the start of our Christ-centered new year!

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night." Luke 2:8

Week 5 Results - Walk to Bethlehem PA Points

Week 5 Results for 2016 Walk to Bethlehem, PA Fitness Challenge

Sixteen participants turned in totals for week 5 of the Woodleaf UMC 2016 Walk to Bethlehem, PA fitness challenge. This fitness challenge encourages participants to exercise an average of 20 minutes per day. Participants earn 1 point for each 20 minutes of exercise with a goal of 7 points/week.

Altogether, participants earned a total of 171 points for week 5 with a grand total from the start of 1324 points. Numbers are a little lower as quite a few folks were traveling and preparing for Thanksgiving or fighting illness. I applaud those particularly that are incredibly self-motivated during this busy time of year. I have no doubt that we'll all get back on track soon!

There is still time to join the fitness challenge! Turn in Week 6 (11/20 through 11/26) totals to me via email at nurseforwoodleafUMC@gmail.com or at Woodleaf United Methodist Church. Click here to see details regarding the fitness challenge.

2016 Walk to Bethlehem PA Fitness Challenge Week 5 Totals

Week 6 2016 Walk to Bethlehem, PA Fitness Challenge

Week 6 Walk to Bethlehem PA Fitness Challenge - O Come All Ye Faithful

Welcome to Week 6 of the Walk to Bethlehem, PA fitness challenge sponsored by the Woodleaf UMC health ministry program. This week includes Thanksgiving for those of us in the United States. Despite difficulties, we all have much for which to be grateful!

This week features "O Come, All Ye Faithful." Those who have sung with a choir or know Latin might recognize the song as "Adeste Fidelis." John Frances Wade penned the words that first appeared in a collection of his Cantus Diversi in 1751. Frederick Oakley and William Thomas Brooke translated "O Come, All Ye Faithful" into English in 1852.

I am struck by how many of these beloved songs have continued to speak to generations hundreds of years later. I have played for quite a few Christmas programs, and "O Come, All Ye Faithful" is almost always a favorite to sing and play. Take a few minutes to click on and listen to these great versions of this week's Christmas carol: Luciano Pavarotti, Casting Crowns, and Celtic Woman.

"And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger." Luke 2:15-16

Week 4 Results - Walk to Bethlehem PA Points

Week 4 Results for 2016 Walk to Bethlehem, PA Fitness Challenge

Twenty-one participants turned in totals for week 4 of the Woodleaf UMC 2016 Walk to Bethlehem, PA fitness challenge. This fitness challenge encourages participants to exercise an average of 20 minutes per day. Participants earn 1 point for each 20 minutes of exercise with a goal of 7 points/week.

Altogether, participants earned a total of 268 points for week 4 with a grand total from the start of 1153 points. Whew...that's a lot of physical activity! These next few weeks will be challenging. Many people's schedules will begin to overflow with holiday preparations. We can all sneak some physical activity on the calendar by parking farther away, arriving a early, and taking a brisk walk before an event. Walking at the mall is another way to rev up the steps without a lot of added effort. Upcoming meals may be a bit less than healthy, but we might consider adding one healthier dish to the choices and perhaps a group walk after clean-up.

There is still time to join the fitness challenge! Turn in Week 5 (11/13 through 11/19) totals to me via email at nurseforwoodleafUMC@gmail.com or at Woodleaf United Methodist Church. Click here to see details regarding the fitness challenge.

Walk to Bethlehem PA Fitness Challenge Week 4 Totals

Week 12 Results and Grand Finale for the Walk to Bethlehem PA Fitness Challenge

Week 12 Results for 2016 Walk to Bethlehem, PA Fitness Challenge

Twenty participants turned in totals for week 12 of the Woodleaf UMC 2016 Walk to Bethlehem, PA fitness challenge. This fitness challenge encouraged participants to exercise an average of 20 minutes per day. Participants earned 1 point for each 20 minutes of exercise with a goal of 7 points/week.

Altogether, participants earned a total of 195 points for week 12 with a grand total from the start of 2710 points. This is the final week of the challenge, and altogether participants exercised over 903 hours in twelve weeks. Wow!

Our party to celebrate the end of the challenge is this Saturday, January 14 at 2:00 p.m. at Woodleaf United Methodist Church. All are welcome to come, enjoy some snacks, and sing the twelve Christmas carols featured in the challenge. Challenge participants will receive certificates and goody bags at the party as well.

Week 12 Totals for 2016 Walk to Bethlehem PA Fitness Challenge

Week 5 2016 Walk to Bethlehem, PA Fitness Challenge

Week 5 2016 Walk to Bethlehem, PA Fitness Challenge

Welcome to Week 5 of the Walk to Bethlehem, PA fitness challenge sponsored by the Woodleaf UMC health ministry program! This week includes November 13 through November 19.

Dr. Phillips Brooks wrote the beautiful lyrics for the beloved Christmas carol "O Little Town of Bethlehem" after visiting Bethlehem. Seeing the countryside must have made a profound effect on him. Lewis Redner finished writing the tune for the song on Sunday morning, the day it was first sung. Those of us who tend to procrastinate can have hope that perhaps some of our best work may come close to the deadline!

Click here to hear a version of the carol with Nat King Cole. And here is another example with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

"And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known to us." Luke 2:15

Week 3 Results - Walk to Bethlehem PA Points

Week 3 Results Walk to Bethlehem PA Points

Twenty-one participants turned in totals for week 3 of the Woodleaf UMC 2016 Walk to Bethlehem, PA fitness challenge. This fitness challenge encourages participants to exercise an average of 20 minutes per day. Participants earn 1 point for each 20 minutes of exercise with a goal of 7 points/week.

Altogether, participants earned a total of  284 points for week 3 with a grand total from the start of 885 points. It's been another great week for exercising. Lots of folks are going outside to rake leaves or take a walk and enjoy the motley mix of colors on the trees.

There is still time to join the fitness challenge! Turn in Week 4 (11/6 through 11/12) totals to me via email at nurseforwoodleafUMC@gmail.com or at Woodleaf United Methodist Church. Click here to see details regarding the fitness challenge.

Walk to Bethlehem Week 3 Weekly Totals

Week 4 2016 Walk to Bethlehem, PA Fitness Challenge

Week 4 2016 Walk to Bethlehem PA Fitness Challenge - What Child Is This

Welcome to Week 4 of the Walk to Bethlehem, PA fitness challenge sponsored by the Woodleaf UMC health ministry program! If you have ever wished for more time to exercise, this is your week. We "fell back" last night, giving us the chance to enjoy an extra hour this weekend.

"What Child Is This" holds a special place in my heart. The hymn's words were from William Chatterton Dix's poem entitled "The Manger Throne" and set to the tune called Greensleaves. Lindsay Sterling has an instrumental violin version of "What Child Is This" here. Listen to a trio of guitarists, Don and Wendy Francisco and Jerry Palmer, playing the carol here. Or hear the beautiful lyrics to "What Child Is This" by listening to Johnny Mathis here.

If you go outside and simply sit and listen to nature, you may discover that nature's music is often in a minor key. Most of our more famous Christmas carols are in major keys, but this melody's distinctively minor key offers a uniquely beautiful tune. Many of my friends say "What Child Is This" is their favorite of all the Christmas carols that begins painting a mental picture of a baby in his mother's arms. The times surrounding Jesus birth were beautiful and joyful, yet many people suffered greatly. The holidays for many people are a time of sadness, yet I hope each of you may find a glimmer of hope in the season.

Do you have any favorite versions of "What Child Is This?"

"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:7

Week 2 Results – Walk to Bethlehem PA Points

Week 2 Results for Walk to Bethlehem PA Fitness Challenge

Twenty-two participants turned in totals for week 2 of the Woodleaf UMC 2016 Walk to Bethlehem, PA fitness challenge. This fitness challenge encourages participants to exercise an average of 20 minutes per day. Participants earn 1 point for each 20 minutes of exercise with a goal of 7 points/week. Altogether, participants earned a total of 316 points for week 2, a big increase! Added to the total points from week one, the challenge participants have earned a grand total of 609 points.

I'm impressed! Some participants doubled their points, and one participant earned 48 points in Week 2. Let's see if we can continue the trend for Week 3. Many of us are taking on the fitness challenge with family members and/or friends. That's a great way to stay motivated and keep one another accountable.

There is still time to join the fitness challenge! Turn in Week 3 (10/30 through 11/5) totals to me via email at nurseforwoodleafUMC@gmail.com or at Woodleaf United Methodist Church. Click here to see details regarding the fitness challenge.

Walk to Bethlehem Week 2 Totals