November 2002

The Pastor's Column
by Rodney Newman

A Thanksgiving Prayer

Holy God,

We give thanks for the blessing of living in this wonderful land, a land flowing with milk and honey, a land brimming with opportunity, a land of freedom.

We give thanks for the gift of our families and friends, supportive communities who have nurtured our lives and continue to sustain us.

We give thanks for our church, for this collection of people willing to engage the world in your name for service and mission, for a place to hear your word, for a place of encouragement and hope.

When chill winds blow and fear rises in our hearts, wrap us in the warmth of your love, keep our attention on the abundance of your blessings and the surpassing wonder of what you have done and continue to do for us in Jesus Christ.

Receive our gratitude. Hear our prayer. Amen.
 

Hanging of the Greens & Advent Festival
November 24 – 4:00 p.m.

One of the highlights of our year, these events help us get ready for the beginning of Advent in our homes and in our church. We will enjoy worship, carols, food, crafts, and tree decorating for the entire family.


Parsonage Open House
November 10

Everyone is invited to visit the parsonage on this date to celebrate and to view the renovation of this property. The home will be open from 2-4 p.m. with a service of dedication around 3 o’clock. This is the culmination of months of hard work to remedy some structural problems and to make the house a more convenient place to host church functions and our our pastoral families. “Before and after” pictures and a video will be available for viewing.


Garage Sale A Success

Thanks to all who donated items, moved furniture, set-up, marked prices, and staffed the garage sale. We raised over $2,000! This will buy 24 new choir robes for our children.


Cans for Skyline

We've met our Skyline Goal!!

Our congregation exceeded the 500 can goal for Skyline ministries in October. Over 550 cans were collected in addition to $100 in cash and numerous additional boxes of much needed food for those in need during this holiday season. Your contributions were tremendous. The steady flow of cans gave me confidence that we would indeed fly by the initial goal. In addition to the congregation's superlative effort, I'd like to thank Elizabeth and Bob Anthony; Warren, Nicole, and Rachel Altobello; Bill McKnight, Stanley Draper, and Rod Newman. Each had a hand in setting a goal, making a plan, a success chart, counting cans, moving cans, announcing the progress.

Skyline appreciates our solid effort in our outreach to the community! Thanks to all.

Greg Jorgensen
Outreach Committee '02
 

Poinsettias

Poinsettias will adorn our sanctuary beginning Sunday December 15. If you would like to give one or more in honor or memory of a relative or friend, call the church office at 524-8428 before December 9. The plants are $9.00 each. Donors will be listed in the bulletin. You may take them home following the Christmas Eve service.
 

This Month in Worship

Jesus had some pretty strong words for us during the month of October and I’m afraid he doesn’t let up much in November. This month we continue with sermon texts from the Gospel of Matthew where Jesus insists that we put our faith into practice.
We begin the month with a service of remembrance on All Saints Sunday. Each year at this time, we call the names and light a candle for those among our membership who have passed away in the last twelve months. It is a day to honor the heritage and love given us by all of those who have gone to be with the Lord.

Reverend Newman

Sermon Titles & Scripture Texts

• Nov 3 - Go To The Back Of The Line!
  Matthew 21:23-32
  All Saints Day
   
• Nov 10 - Running On “E”
  Matthew 25:1-13
  Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost
   
• Nov 17 - Dare-Devil Living
  Matthew 25:14-30
  Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost
   
• Nov 24 - And You Welcomed Me
  Matthew 25:31-46
  Reign of Christ Sunday
  Thanksgiving Sunday

Youth News

The youth had a great time at the annual Halloween party and costume contest. They looked great. William Funk won the grand prize. Thanks to the Moores for hosting the party and to the McKnights for preparing the food.

We collected over $200 for the Crop Walk. Thank you for your generous donations. We had a great time and walked 6 miles for world hunger.

The youth are beginning a study on the history of the Old Testament in youth group. This will be a very diverse study and should be very interesting.

Children's Ministry News

The children’s ministry is booming here at Crown Heights. It is exciting to see the faithful faces of the children every Sunday. We are enjoying our newly remodeled facilities and looking forward with gratitude for our new choir robes. The children participated in the campaign to collect cans for Skyline, sang in church this past Sunday, and began work on their part in the Christmas Cantata.
 

Transitions

Baptism

• Matthew Thomas Theodore Wallace was baptized on October 6, 2002 with his grandfather, the Reverend George Neeham, and Pastor Newman officiating.

New Members

• Dillon and Amy Curran joined by transfer on September 29, 2002.
• Devin and Sarah Curran joined by transfer on September 29, 2002.
• Libby Thomas joined by transfer on October 27, 2002.

Marriage

• Willis Wheat and Libby Thomas were married October 11, 2002 at Crown Heights UMC with the Reverend Rodney Newman and the Reverend Doctor Jerald Walker officiating.

United Methodist Women

The UMW says, Thanks! Thanks to everyone who volunteered to work in the pumpkin patch. We couldn’t have done it without you.

The nominating committee would like to thank all of the women who served in leadership roles for the last two years and to express our appreciation for those who have agreed to be our new officers. We welcome our officers for 2003-2004:

President – Charlene Jones
Vice President – Kitty Ogburn
Secretary – Joy Robison
Treasurer – Sally Hayes
Spiritual Growth – Marcia Brown
Social Action – Paige Selby
Bereavement – Edna Niles
Education & Interpretation – Dorothy Hammond
Membership Nurture & Outreach – Susie Wallace

Executive Committee Meeting
The UMW executive committee will meet on Wednesday, November 6 @ 5:30 p.m. in the Fisherman classroom.
 

Music Ministry

Christmas Cantata

Our Christmas Cantata, The Wonder of Christmas, by David Hamilton, will be on Sunday, December 8. This will include an orchestra of 28, expanded choir, handbells, soloists, and children’s choir. Dress rehearsal will be December 7 from 9:30 a.m. until noon.

Sonshine Choir & Parents

Please note the following scheduling for our Christmas Cantata and two special rehearsal dates and times:

Sunday, December 1
Rehearsal in the sanctuary for all SonShine members during the Sunday school time, 9:30–10:30 a.m. They will not have regular Sunday school this week.
Saturday, December 7
Dress rehearsal in the sanctuary with orchestra. Please assemble in the parlor at 10:30 a.m. for warm-up, then rehearse with the Chancel Choir and orchestra until noon.
Sunday, December 8
Report to the parlor at 10:00 a.m. for the 11:00 service with choir.
 

We’re Going Digital!

A special “thank you” goes to Dr. Carmen Bahr for her gift to the church of a Canon digital camera, printer, and software. For some time, we have dreamed of how such a camera would enable us to communicate more effectively. Now we’re making specific plans for its use, including enhancing and updating our website. What a terrific way to document and share the story of the life of our church.
 

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