December 2002

The Pastor's Column
by Rodney Newman

Seasons Change

This morning, we had to get out our heavy coats for the first time this winter. The transition from short sleeves and shorts came suddenly and with a bit of a shock.

This month we change seasons in the church year as well. The first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of a new year in the liturgical calendar, another round of telling the story of Jesus in our holidays and special Sundays, our Scripture readings and hymns. It seems strange then that the Gospel reading for the first Sunday of Advent is from the section of Mark where Jesus talks about the end of time. Shouldn’t we be reading something about a beginning?

As a matter of fact, we are doing just that. Everytime the writers in the Bible addressed the ending of an era, they always saw it as the beginning of a new one. Old systems, old worlds, old habits and routines have to die in order for new, fresh ones to be born.

Advent is a time of introspection and evaluation of our spiritual lives. This changing of the seasons invites us to reflect upon the transitions in our own lives, to let go of that which weighs us down and to reach for that which offers hope and renewal. Let’s take the challenge and make this a blessed Advent and Christmas season.

 

Christmas Cantata
Sunday, December 8
11:00 a.m.

This year our music program will present David Hamilton’s The Wonder of Christmas. These songs share the meaning of the Christmas story through a variety of musical settings, from English carols to spirituals. This will include a 28-member orchestra, expanded choir, handbells, soloists, and children’s choir. Invite your family, friends, and business associates for what promises to be a meaningful and beautiful celebration of this season.


Christmas Eve
Candlelight Communion Services
Tuesday, December 24
4:00 & 6:30 p.m.

On this holy night, we will hold two services with carols, scripture readings, prayers, and a sermon on the Christmas story. We will then share the Lord’s Supper and flood the sanctuary with candlelight as we sing Silent Night. You will want to make this meaningful service a part of your holiday celebration.

 

This Month in Worship

We begin the month with a bang – literally! Tradition holds that the Gospel reading for the first Sunday of Advent is an apocalyptic text, one where Jesus speaks concerning the end of time. This year’s reading from Mark begins with the sun darkened and the stars falling from the heavens. This should get our attention and tell us that God has something great in store.

Subsequent readings during this season have us face-to-face with John the Baptist and encountering words of comfort from the prophet Isaiah. Each Sunday we will light the Advent wreath with the light growing brighter as we approach the Christmas celebration.

Reverend Newman

Sermon Titles & Scripture Texts

• Dec 1 - Learning To Tell Time
  Mark 13:24-37
  First Sunday of Advent
   
• Dec 8 - Mark Your Calendars
  Isaiah 40:1-11
  Second Sunday of Advent
   
• Dec 15 - A Story With No Beginning
  Mark 1:1-8
  Third Sunday of Advent
   
• Dec 22 - Identify Yourself!
  John 1:6-8, 19-28
  Fourth Sunday of Advent
   
• Dec 29 - Dr. Mark Davies, Guest Preacher
   

Youth News

December 1 is going to be a special day in Sunday school. The youth (Jr. and Sr. High) will be meeting with the Genesis class to get acquainted and share a lesson. Youth Group that evening will continue with our study on the history of the Old Testament.

December 8 the youth will meet with their new Sunday school teachers, enjoy the Christmas Cantata, and end the day with Youth Group and our study of the O.T.

December 15 the youth are planning to make a care package for our adopted seminary student and end the day with a “Progressive Dinner” Christmas Party from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.

December 22 the youth will begin the morning with carols in the youth room, Sunday school, and end the day with a Christmas film and discussion led by Elizabeth Anthony.

I am looking forward to all of these events, and I hope that all of you will be present.

Amy

Children's Ministry News

This is an exciting time for the children’s ministry here at Crown Heights. We have a lot of opportunities for the children to participate. The Sonshine Choir is singing in the Christmas Cantata (see the Music article for a schedule).

The new Sunday school quarter begins December 1 with new teachers in the same classrooms.

 

Transitions

Baptism

• Stephen Lane Adkins, III was baptized on November 24, 2002 with Pastor Newman officiating.

Baptism

• Aiden Robert Hamlin, born November 6, 2002 son of Sean and Suzanne Hamlin.

New Members

• Paul, Colleen, and Mark Bicket, joined by transfer on October 14, 2002

United Methodist Women

General Meeting

The last UMW general meeting of 2002 will be held on Tuesday, December 3 @ 11:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Circle I will provide our main course and drinks. Anyone who can is asked to bring a covered dish item. Anita Roesler will offer suggested Christmas readings from the Oklahoma County Library with many of the actual books to view. We will also welcome our officers for the years 2003-2004.

A note from Edna Niles, 2002 Pumpkin Patch Director:

I want to thank all the volunteers who unloaded the pumpkins, worked the shifts, and the community of neighbors, friends and congregation who bought the pumpkins. With everyone’s help we were able to top all previous years pumpkin patch sales. Thank you for helping the United Methodist Women reach our goal.

 

Music Ministry

Christmas Cantata Rehearsals

Sunday, December 1
Rehearsal in the sanctuary for all SonShine members during the Sunday school time, 9:30–10:30 a.m.
Wednesday December 4
Chancel Choir 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. rehearsal in the Sanctuary.
Saturday, December 7
Chancel Choir dress rehearsal will begin at 9:30 a.m. The SonShine members assemble in the parlor at 10:30 a.m. for warm-ups, then rehearse with the Chancel Choir and orchestra until noon.
Sunday, December 8
SonShine choir meet in the parlor at 10:00 a.m. for the 11:00 service with choir. Chancel choir and orchestra in Sanctuary at 10:15 for warm up.

A Special Gift

The Rippeto family have been longtime supporters of our church. Late last year, Celeste and her children, Lynn Rippeto Schwartz Cox and Douglas Rippeto, established an endowment with the Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation the proceeds of which are to be used to fund our Christmas music programs. We appreciate this generous gift that celebrates the love this family has for this church and its music to the glory of God.

 

Christmas Giving Opportunities

Angel Tree

Brighten Christmas for a child or young person who may not otherwise receive gifts this year by selecting an angel from the tree in the narthex. Instructions and gift suggestions will be listed.

Christmas Offering

Support a number of United Methodist mission ministries with a generous contribution to this offering. You may mail a check to the church office or drop your gift marked Christmas Offering in the offering plate.

 

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