December 2006
The Pastor’s Column
By Rodney Newman
Happy Disruptions
Last week we enjoyed an early ice and snow storm. I say “enjoyed” because of the rush of energy in our elementary age children when they heard the magical words, “School’s cancelled.” That meant a couple days of hot chocolate, eating in front of the fireplace, and sledding in Douglas Park.
While I appreciated being drawn into my children’s world, adult realities tempered my own enjoyment of this serendipity. Commitments continued, appointments were rearranged; all this coming on the heels of a short week for Thanksgiving.
Liturgically speaking, this interruption came at just the right time. We’ve begun the season of Advent – a time all about surprise disruptions. John the Baptist shows up as an unwanted guest picking at our spiritual apathy and calling us to repentance. An angel visits a young woman whose dreams of her perfect wedding and future life take a dramatic turn. Jesus speaks of upheaval in the heavens and the earth at the time of his coming again.
I love the season of Advent and not just because it’s a
happy time leading up to Christmas. What moves me even more is its
acknowledgement of the darkness in our lives – times of confusion, grief,
disappointment – and the promise that God continues to come to us in just
those moments. In fact, it seems that it’s in our brokenness that the
light of Christ shines most clearly. May we receive with gratitude God’s
astonishing Advent blessings.
Poinsettias
Those wishing to order poinsettias for our sanctuary may place your orders now. The plants are $10 each and may be given in honor or memory of those special people in your life. The deadline to order is Monday, December 18.
Advent
& Christmas
Schedule of Services
Christmas Cantata
December 10 at 11:00 a.m.
Children’s Christmas Pageant
December 17 at 11:00 a.m.
Christmas Eve Sunday Morning
December
24
One service at 9:30 a.m.
No Sunday School
Christmas Eve Services
December 24
Two services at 4:00 & 6:30 p.m.
New Year’s Eve Sunday Morning
December 31
One service at 11:00 a.m.
No Sunday School
Please note the changes in Sunday morning service times for December 24 and December 31.
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 ministries including Cookson Hills Center, United Methodist missions, Chemical Dependency, Volunteers in Mission, 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.
New Prie-Dieu Dedicated
On December 3, we received a beautiful new addition to our church. John Harris designed and built a prie-dieu, or kneeling desk, to match our existing kneeling rail at the front of the sanctuary. This free standing piece may be used for such occasions as weddings, communion services, and confirmation. We appreciate John’s gift of craftsmanship and devotion to enhance the worship ministry of our congregation.
This Month in Worship
By Reverend Newman
This is one of those rare years when the season of Advent falls completely within the month of December. It was nice to begin the month and the season with holy communion but the fourth Sunday of Advent is also Christmas Eve. Themes of preparation and spiritual discipline pervade our scriptural texts. We’ll listen closely as we journey through this wonderful season.
Sermon Titles & Texts
December 3 Start Getting
Ready
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
First Sunday of Advent
December 10 Complete the Assignment
Philippians 1:3-11
Second Sunday of Advent
December 17 Deadline Anxiety
Philippians 4:4-7
Third Sunday of Advent
December 24 Almost There
9:30 a.m. service
Hebrews 10:5-10
Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 24 Never Forgotten
4:00 & 6:30 services
Isaiah 62:6-12
Christmas Eve
December 31 Guest Preacher
First Sunday of Christmas
Children’s Ministry
By Ryan Mobley
Children’s Christmas Pageant
Sunday, December 17 at 11:00 a.m.
Our
children will be presenting Christmas Around the World, a story where
the children help decorate a fictional class tree and learn about Christmas
traditions from different parts of the world. Make this a special part of
your Christmas celebration.
Music Ministry
by George Massey
Christmas Cantata
Sunday, December 10 at 11:00 a.m.
Our collaboration with the Putnam City Christian Church will certainly be a highlight for the music ministry this year. As we join with their wonderful choir, we will have over fifty choir members and an orchestra of 26 to present this superb cantata. It not only chronicles Christ's birth but takes us through other milestones in his miraculous life as seen by Joseph, Mary, the Wise Men, and the Angels. We hope that you will be with us on Sunday, December 10 at the 11:00 a.m. service and that you can bring a guest.
We would also like to invite anyone to attend our dress rehearsal on Saturday, December 9, at our church from 10:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. This is always an exciting process for the choir and soloists as we take our dedicated work for the entire fall and combine it for the first time with the Chancel Orchestra. Please feel free to stop by.
Youth News
by Tyler Kirk
Progressive Dinner
All youth are invited to our progressive dinner on December 10 at 4:30 p.m. We have been invited to gather at the Jones, Armstrong, and Funk homes. Don’t forget to bring your “dirty Santa” gift under $15.
Rio Bravo Mission Trip
Reminder, you must have your registration information in soon in order to attend this year’s Rio Bravo mission trip. I encourage you to join the team for a great opportunity to help those in need.
Special Gifts
In Memory of Loretta Brown
Belva Howard
In Memory of Gwen Zwick
Pauline Blanchard
Paul & Colleen Bicket
In Memory of Elizabeth (Betty) Douglas
R. G. & B. Tracy
Mr. & Mrs. Donald Brown
Member News
New Members
Michi Medley was baptized and joined by profession of faith on October 1. Michi is the wife of Crown Heights member Robert Medley, Jr.
Mark & Leslie Yancey joined by transfer on November 5 and their daughter Taylor was added to our preparatory member roll.
Amy Loughridge joined by transfer on November 19.
Marty & Tamara Wimmer joined by transfer on November 26 and their son Tanner was added to our preparatory member roll.
Baptism
Robert Lynn Medley III was baptized on October 1.
Wedding
Shawn Freeman & Katie Levins were united in marriage on October 7 in the State Capitol rotunda with Rev. Newman officiating.
United Methodist Women
November Chili Dinner A Success!
The UMW was thrilled to see such a great response for the chili dinner held on November 12. There seemed to be enough food to satisfy and the fellowship was even more plentiful. Thanks so much for participating in this event.
The handcrafted glass jewelry display drew lots of attention. We cleared $240 in sales which we will presented to the Rio Bravo mission trip team members to help with expenses, supplies, etc. Many thanks go to Connie Harris and Cathy Voorhies for arranging for us to benefit from the sale of this unique jewelry.
P.S. For those last-minute shopping gifts, contact Connie Harris at her home or e-mail her at: connieshobbies@cox.net.
Missions
Angel Tree Gifts Due Next Sunday
Every angel from our tree provided by Skyline Urban Ministry has been claimed by our congregation. Remember to bring your unwrapped gifts to church no later than next Sunday, December 10.
Rio Bravo, Mexico Mission
Right after Christmas, Crown Heights UMC is once again sending a team to Rio Bravo, Mexico to build casitas (concrete block homes) for needy Mexican families. This has become a seasonal tradition as the mission team and the members of the church get to share the love of Christ through their giving.
Due to border restrictions this year, we won’t be
able to take housewarming gifts with us like we have in the past. Therefore,
we will have to purchase those items in
Mexico when we are there.
So instead of the generous gifts you have provided for us in the past, we
are asking those who wish to help to donate a financial gift with the
designation Rio Bravo mission on your check. You can also be a part of the
team by praying that the missioners and the host families experience the
presence of God in our time together. If you would like more information
about this mission, please contact Bruce Pitts @ 843-7684.
Whiz Kids Celebrate Christmas Together
Twenty-five Whiz Kids had a great start to their school year. Their tutors come each week with smiles, hugs, and patience to read with their fabulous children.
This year has brought us many new Whiz Kids, some who are very young. They are full of life and enthusiasm. Just ask Bruce Pitts, Carol Weaver, Greg Jorgensen, and Mike Brown about their energy. They come wanting to learn and spend time with their caring tutors. The tutors come with enthusiasm and a loving spirit each week. Just ask Paige Selby, Libby Wheat, Taffy Fellingham, and Christina Graves about the time they spend with their Whiz Kids.
Now we will be celebrating together with their families the wonderful time of Christmas. With the help of Phyllis Henry, John Harris, and Dorothy Hammond about 150 of us will feast on great food, sing songs, unwrap presents, and enjoy an evening of wonderful celebration on December 14.
If you'd like to see us in action, or become a part of this great ministry to children in our neighborhood, come to the church on Thursday afternoons between 3:00-5:00 p.m. or call Janet Kingsolver at 524-3895 to get information about Whiz Kids. There are many children still on the waiting list for tutors.
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Last updated: April 16, 2008.
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