December 2004
The Pastor’s Column
by Rodney Newman
‘Tis the Season
The season of Advent addresses the full journey of our lives. Much of the time we wait – to hear news from a loved one, to get a letter from an admissions counselor, the word from a doctor’s office. We repent – of thoughtless actions, of selfish motivations, of taking too much for granted. We reflect – on the meaning of our lives, on how our faith informs our world, on our spiritual condition. And we rejoice – in the laughter of children, in nurturing relationships, in appreciation for abundant blessings.
Advent most of all is a season of hope. It reminds us that no matter how dark the present circumstance, God stands ready to break in to make a way where none seemed possible. Advent celebrates God’s creative, innovative power.
I wish for all a blessed Advent, a joyous Christmas, and happy New Year.
Christmas Offering
During this season when we celebrate God’s greatest gift to us, we are receiving an offering to help others in need. We encourage you to make a generous donation in support of United Methodist ministries such as Boy’s Ranch, Children’s Home, Volunteers in Mission, Cookson Hills Center, Chemical Dependency, and Criminal Justice and Mercy ministries.
You may mail a check to the church office or drop your gift marked Christmas Offering in the offering plate.
Christmas Cantata
Sunday, December 12
11:00 a.m.
One of the highlights of our year, our choir will bring us into the spirit of Christmas with”Images of Christmas,” a unique gathering of timeless international carols woven together by the artistic mastery and creative sensitivity of Ovid Young. They will be accompanied by an inspiring orchestra including our own Mark Bicket, William Funk, Alyssa Lane, and Mariann Searle.
This presentation is made possible thanks to proceeds from the Rippeto Christmas Music Endowment Fund founded in 2001 in memory and in honor of Dr. D.L. and Celeste Rippeto by their children.
Please note that our 8:30 worship service will also be held this day with our regular order of worship.
Christmas Eve
Candlelight Communion Services
Friday, 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. The services also include the building of a live manger scene with the characters entering the sanctuary to anthems from our choir. We will then share the Lord’s Supper and flood the sanctuary with candlelight as we sing Silent Night and Joy to the World. You will want to make this meaningful service a part of your holiday celebration.
Baptism
Emily Anne Milburn was baptized November 28, 2004 with Reverend Newman officiating. Emily is the daughter of Sean and Melissa Milburn and sister to Merrick.
This Month In Worship
We move through the season of Advent with the prophet Isaiah as our guide. He lived in a time when the people of Israel suffered under weak kings and the threat of foreign domination. They looked for a Messiah to bring deliverance. We’ll see how their story sheds light on our own time.
Sermon Titles & Texts
December 5 THE PEACEABLE KINGDOM
Isaiah 11:1-10
Advent 2
December 12 JOY ONCE AGAIN
Isaiah 35:1-10
Advent 3
December 19 LOVE FINDS A HOME
Isaiah 7:10-16
Advent 4
December 24 A FLICKERING LIGHT
Isaiah 9:2-7
Christmas Eve
December 26 Mark Davies, Guest Preacher
First Sunday after Christmas
Music Ministry
by George Massey
Chancel Choir
Our Cantata approaches so make every effort to be in attendance at Wednesday evening choir rehearsals.
Our dress rehearsal is Saturday, December 11,
from 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Also, the choir dinner is Wednesday evening, December 15, 7:00 p.m.,
at Eddy's Steak House. We will have a brief rehearsal on Wednesday, December 22, for our Christmas Eve Service music for those of you that can be there on Christmas Eve.
Stewardship Campaign
Over 100 individuals and families have responded to our estimate of giving request for 2005. When all come in we anticipate that the total amount will be slightly ahead of this year’s amount. Those yet to respond may do so by contacting the church office. Your faithfulness is greatly appreciated.
Children and Youth Ministry
by Mary Altizer
Saturday, December 18, from 9:00 a.m. to noon, the youth and children will have a joint fundraiser with a Santa’s Helper Day. Parents are invited to leave their children for care at the church while they enjoy a few hours of shopping. During this time, the kids will enjoy a snack, arts and crafts, story time, and children 5 and older will take gifts to some of our elderly members and do some Christmas caroling. Younger children stay at church to play. We ask only for a donation of your choice to the children and youth ministry for this service. You absolutely must pre-register. We will send out registration cards or you can pick up one in the children’s hallway. We will not accept drop-ins.
Children’s Choir Parents
On Wednesday, December 15, the children’s choir will rehearse in the sanctuary. We will have pizza that night so they will still be able to eat at 5:30. Rehearsal will begin at 6:00 p.m. and end at 6:50.
There will be a rehearsal on Saturday, December 11 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. They will sing with the Cantata in the 11:00 service the next day. Be sure to check all the information about the children’s pageant! The children will be performing on December 19 in second service.
There will be no choir rehearsal on December 22 or 29. Check with Alyssa for your child’s costume if you want to borrow one from the church.
Children
Our next six weeks of curriculum surrounds the story of the birth of Jesus. It is titled The Gift of Jesus. We do need teachers and shepherds all year. Please find the sign-up sheet in the children’s hall or passed around in adult Sunday school and sign up for a center of three weeks. Our teachers last unit were: Carole Barnes, Marsha Funk, Dawn McPhetridge, Melissa Milburn, and Jo Mullen. Thank you teachers!
Thank you to everyone who helped to make the Advent festival a success! To those who shared their artistic talents at centers: Brigette Gean, Jeanene Carver, Michelle Adkins, Rod and Ann Newman, and Bill McKnight. And, thank you Fellowship Committee for the comida fantastico! Your participation is greatly appreciated.
Friday, December 24, is Christmas Eve! Be sure to attend a service with your family! I hope you were able to see what a terrific job the children did in the Hanging of the Greens service. Jordan Rice, Carus Newman, Mitchel and Kate Williams, and Olivia Langer were super. Let me know if you would like your child to take part in the Christmas Eve service, I want to make sure all the children have an opportunity to serve in worship.
Youth
We’re still working out the details on the Christmas party/progressive dinner. As soon as I know, I will have that information for you by email and postcards to the youth. Please let me know if you are able to help with this!
We have opportunities to be in ministry with our youth. We are scouting for Mid-High and Senior High Sunday school teachers as well as an evening youth helper. If you might be interested and need more information see Rod or me.
Mission News
OCU Medical Mission Team to Mexico Seeks Volunteers
With stethoscopes, make-shift exam rooms, and nursing students in hand, Professor De’Lene Moore will lead a group of Oklahoma City University Kramer School of Nursing students on a medical mission trip. The mission, scheduled for March 3-6, 2004, will serve local residents in remote villages outside of Rio Bravo Mexico.
The mission team requires a variety of healthcare professionals to achieve success. De’Lene, a Family Nurse Practitioner, will act as the team leader as well as see patients and coordinate the nursing care given by the students. A local practicing physician, John Dachauer, MD has graciously volunteered to join the group and lend a helping hand. Belinda Mendez-Johnson, a bilingual healthcare worker plans to assist in the many hours of translation that will be required to make this mission a success. In addition, De’Lene’s mother, Colene Frizzell, RN, will be making the trip to add her many years of nursing experience.
However, there is still a need for an additional physician and pharmacist. Anyone interested in more information may contact De’Lene at 831-6961 or 810-0025. Please pass along this message to any co-workers, friends, or family that in the healthcare field. The deadline to sign up is nearing, so don’t miss out!
The Angel Tree is Here!!
Names of 40 children and their Christmas wish lists are on the Angel Tree in the Narthex of the sanctuary. This is one of the most exciting and fun ways you can be in mission at Crown Heights. Shopping for a child is always fun at Christmas. Shopping for a child who would otherwise get nothing at Christmas puts a very special excitement into the event.
When taking your card off the tree please sign the sheet nearby so we know who is involved. The gifts need to be returned with the Angel Tree Card (or information from the card) by Sunday, December 12, so they can be wrapped by the Key Club at Classen SAS, and delivered to Skyline for Christmas.
Whiz Kids Box Top$ for Education
When you see the little 10 cent coupon square on some of your favorite boxes, do you ever wonder what that means? Well it means you can give 10 cents to a school teacher to use for classroom supplies, books, or equipment. Our Whiz Kids school, Putnam Heights Academy, is collecting those coupon squares and would like your help. There is a box on the table in the Youth Activities Building and one in the Narthex for you to put any coupons you can collect. You'll find them on Pillsbury, General Mills, and Betty Crocker items. So, cut them out, and bring them to church with you during this school year. We'll see they get to the school, and help our Whiz Kids even more.
Whiz Kids Christmas Dinner
On December 16 twenty Whiz Kids and their families, along with their 20 tutors will celebrate Christmas together with a feast in our Fellowship Hall. Edna Niles and Dorothy Hammond will be putting together another wonderful meal this year for all of us. We will be singing Christmas songs, opening gifts, and getting
to know each other a little better. If you'd like to help with food, donations, or your presence please call Janet Kingsolver at 524- 3895. We are looking forward to sharing our church and God's love to the families of our wonderful Whiz Kids.
Mission Trip to Rio Bravo
26 members of the Crown Heights family will be leaving Monday morning, December 27, to spend a week in Mexico. They will be getting to know some very special people while there as they work to build 2 casitas (cinderblock homes). They will be taking with them housewarming gifts to give to the home owners to help in setting up the new homes. These gifts will be coming from other Crown Heights family members who can’t physically go to Rio Bravo, but want to be a part of the sharing.
If you are one of those in our church family who can’t go, but want to be a part, you can bring your gifts to the church any time between now and December 26. Please put them in or around the grocery carts in the Youth Activities building near the stairs. Items that are appropriate as house warming gifts are: sheets, blankets, pillows, dish clothes, towels, cooking utensils and pans, dishes, drinking glasses and cups, eating utensils, hygiene items (toothbrushes and toothpaste, soap, etc), toys, and bicycles. If more is brought than the 2 families we are working with can use, the items will be given to other families in the area as needed. We can't take too much.
The other pressing need for this trip is PRAYERS. The missioners need to know that they are in your prayers, now and throughout the trip. The home owners also need our prayers as they prepare to work with us, and begin their new lives. As Crown Heights United Methodist Church reaches out to others in our world, we hope to do it as a family working together with God to share our faith and resources in a very special way.