Christmas at The View

Transcription

1 Christmas at The View December 7-8-9: Little Bethlehem; Friday evening at 7:00p; Saturday and Sunday beginning at 6:00p (Contact persons Steven and Jamie Kochert; ) December 16: Christmas Cantata by the Festival Choir as they present Behold the Star at both morning services (Contact person Pastor Kathy Rollings) December 20: Blue Christmas service at 7:00p (Contact person Pastor Kate McClain) December 23: Fairview Children will present The First Christmas Present Ever at the second worship service (Contact person Leanna Lawrence; ) December 24: Christmas Eve services at 5:00p, 7:00p and 11:00p December 30: There will be only ONE Morning Worship Service at 11:00p Fairview United Methodist Church December 2012 An Advent/Christmas Word from Kate "Christmas has got us by the throat again." This is a quote from TV's Archie Bunker who is not someone I ever quote. But, every year before we even light one Advent candle these words se led into my brain. It has everything to do with the commerce and over top expecta ons placed on "the holiday season". In the literally darkest me of the year we set ourselves up emo onally to sing the blues. Not to men on the trillion calories of holiday treats poised to spike our blood sugar. My throat starts ghtening up in an cipa on of a whole "holly jolly season". Thank God, that underneath all of the gli er there is a season anciently rooted in hope, peace, joy and love. It's officially known in church world as the "Advent-Christmas- Epiphany" cycle and it is balm in Gilead for "the holiday season". In a me of excess, Advent is spare. A few candles, a wreath and scriptures, they lead us to the birth of Christ. We light candles expectantly, hopefully, that Christ will be born anew this year. The poten al to truly heed his call to abundant living is real. That is the main reason I love the for week Advent season. The possibili es of Advent, Christ coming, need to kick around in our lives just like Mary's experience of pregnancy so long ago. Prac cing Advent is one way to loosen the grip of a throat ghtening "the holiday season". Having a Blue Christmas Service is another counter balance. I ve been doing one of these services for many years. It doesn t draw a large crowd but it serves a big purpose. Blue Christmas is a respite service that uses all the music and symbols of Advent/Christmas to provide space for the emo ons of the season. It's quiet, reflec ve, and non-demanding of the worshipper. It is a me to just be. If you know of someone who has a difficult me with these holidays or that is grieving, this is a service for them. It offers a joy that can be received through teary eyes and saddened hearts or just a quiet mood. Fairview offers the Christmas message many ways. Li le Bethlehem invites people to walk through the na vity story and enjoy old fashioned fellowship inside. People really do enjoy the chance to sing at Christmas, not only the hymns, but also, the fun music that defines this me of year. Our annual Cantata service will offer a chance to hear the story narrated and sung. As a par cipant in choir, I offer personal tes mony that the music will be yours to enjoy. Our Children's Program will be during worship on the Sunday before Christmas, a me hopefully many people will be able to enjoy. On Christmas Eve we will again have three candlelight-communion services of story and song to welcome the Christ Child. With so many ac vi es and schedule changes in our lives our regular worship will be changed on Sunday the 30th, we will only have one service in the morning at 11:00 a.m.,as we con nue celebra ng Christmas. Our worship cycle will end on January 6 on Epiphany. Every service is a unique opportunity to invite someone who seldom a ends church to experience the meaning of Christmas and the true joy the season offers. God blessings be with each of you, as we prepare for and celebrate the coming of Christ. Kate Kate

2 78% paid in Ten Months! Pastor Does Happy Dance In January the Leadership Council took the faithful path to paying our UMC appor onments*. The decision was made to the (10%) of our monthly offering to fulfill our connec onal obliga on. For many years monthly bills and payroll were given top priority and our appor onments where short changed. For the first me since 2003 we have the high possibility of paying these ministry and mission costs one hundred percent! The final amount due by December 31 is $5900. One church leader quickly realized that if forty giving units contributed $150 this goal could be accomplished. So far we have received $300! It has been a very stable financial year at Fairview with great generosity. Our bills have been paid and we have raised the funds needed to take care of long overdue property issues with new gu ering and the driveway/parking lot repair and asphalt overlay. We also have enough money to seal and con nue preventa ve maintenance on the lower lot in the spring. This is incredible given that the repair on the east drive was more extensive than we had originally contracted. We owe special gra tude to Rob Christensen for helping us accomplish this. The second week of November we had a joyful dedica on of our parking lot redo. Many people helped us achieve the goal of raising enough money to do the original work planned. One individual donated the $17,000 to finance the overlay of the whole parking lot. It was a gi of love given in memory of a husband and son. Two small lumps of asphalt were affixed to the cross we are crea ng in worship by Jean Reifschneider during the dedica on service in memory of Bob and Tom. In "spirit quirkiness", that we of faith know so well, the asphalt crew arrived without no ce to lay the asphalt on the second anniversary of Bob's death. As 2012 winds down it does so with an air of gra tude at Fairview. When we step out in faith, together we can accomplish that which seems undoable. Well done good and faithful servants. *For further explana on See Kate Li le Bethlehem is December Friday evening hours are 7:00p-8:30p Saturday and Sunday hours are 6:00p-8:30p Have you signed up to SERVE and have you INVITED others? If you are an ACTOR, please please please arrive one-half hour BEFORE you are due on set. And, if you are working the FIRST SHIFT, remember, we need to be in the sanctuary DRESSED for communion no later than 6:10p on Friday evening and 5:40p on Saturday and Sunday. This will give us me to reflect on our ministry for the evening and not keep our guests wai ng. The story of faith is o en reflected as a journey from darkness to light. The Hebrew Bible speaks of Israel living in bondage and darkness, awai ng the light of the promised Messiah, and His coming is punctuated by light every step of the way: a bright angelic host proclaiming the news to Judean shepherds keeping watch over their flocks; a shining star invi ng Magi from afar to the young Christ-child in an act of worship and praise. The book of John refers to Jesus as the "light of all people" (Jn 1:4). Jesus even referred to Himself as the "light of the world" (Jn 8:12). It is this imagery of light that provides the unifying thread for "Behold the Star!" This extended work for choir, narrators, and congrega on is a blend of original and familiar carols. Lloyd Larson s "Behold the Star!" is an inspira onal reminder that Jesus, the light of the world, has indeed come! Be in worship on December 16th as our own Fes val Choir presents their gi at both morning worship services.

3 December 20: 7:00p Blue Christmas Service For many people, the approaching Christmas holiday does not bring with it the joy and happiness that is adver sed on television or in gree ng cards. They may be facing a holiday a er the death of a loved one or a er a divorce. Perhaps they have suffered through an emo onal trauma. Or perhaps they feel pressured and overwhelmed by holiday prepara ons. The Blue Christmas service is more quiet and somber than a tradi onal Christmas worship service. Scripture, music and medita ons focus on the comfort God offers during dark mes. Happy DECEMBER Birthday Sharon Weedin (3), Ethan Knutson (7), Ron Ke ler, Sharon Marienfeld (8), Bruce Neff, Gerald Brooks (9), Ashley Kochert, Judy Travis (10), Rick Matson (11), Chuck Kahn (12), Kim Trabue (13), Laura Bolerjack (15), Winona Marshall (18), Mark Pressley (20), Jamie Kochert (21), Andy Upham, Kecia Reddick (22), Don Adkins (25), Tom Ellis (28) and Quinton Blackburn, Mordecai Warrick (31) Happy DECEMBER Anniversary Steven & Jamie Kochert (1) and Steve & Jeanie Pearson (28) The children and youth of Fairview will once again be sharing the meaningfilled program, The First Christmas Present Ever. This offering will take place during the second service on Sunday, December 23 rd. We hope you and yours will make plans to be in a endance during that service to keep the focus on the most amazing gi we ve ever received. The children and youth will be learning more about how they can par cipate during the Sunday School hour over the next few weeks, but all are welcome to par cipate. If you are interested in helping out with the program in any way, please contact Leanna Lawrence ( ). Happy JANUARY Birthday Eric Knutson (3), Dorothy Sutherland (4), Roy Rice (5), Brent Lawrence, Fran Kellogg (7), Doug Hickman (10), Norma Winslow (11), Brandon Reddick (14), Ka e Lawson, Marilyn Bell (17), Dennis Fitzmaurice (19), Mackenzie Baker (20), Chelsea Chambers, Joe Lawson (21), Sarah Keely (22), Ida Grant (23), Sherri Neff (25), Dennis Stegall (27), Chris Ellis (28), Sco Caddell (29) and Joseph Kochert (31) Poinse as Once again, you have the opportunity to purchase poinse as in honor or in memory of individuals this holiday season. The vendor has kept the price at just $8.00/plant. Complete an order form, available in the narthex or the office, and return it with your payment to the office by December 16.

4 Loaves & Fishes for 2013 Mother s Morning Out Update.MMO is currently collec ng food items to be given to the Food Bank s buddy pack program. These are backpacks filled with nutri ous snacks that are sent home with kids on weekends and holiday breaks. There are 6700 kids in the Columbia area who receive these buddy packs. Please consider helping us out by pu ng some items in our collec on box. The items we are collec ng are: Small plas c jars of peanut bu er, cans of soup w/pull top lids, Individual servings of packaged fruit, granola bars, individual servings of mac and cheese or pasta. On Friday December 14 th an author will be visi ng MMO. He will be here at 9:30am. His name is David Schramm and he wrote a book called Tell Me about Truman the Tiger. He will read the book and provide some fun ac vi es for the children. If anyone is interested in purchasing the book he will offer a 20% discount off the $14.95 list price. Order forms are available in the office. The last window will be installed in the former library on Monday December 3 rd. We want to say thanks To Darin File of File Construc on for helping with the improvement projects around the building. He and his wife Holly have two children in the program. MMO has purchased books to be given to children a ending the Li le Bethlehem event. Teachers and staff members are signed up to help with hospitality for the event on Friday night. The MMO Christmas program is scheduled for Wednesday December 19 th. It will start at noon in the mul -purpose room. Fairview you rocked Loaves and Fishes in Thanks so much to the Breakfast Club, the UMW, FUMY and JOY Group for your wonderful ministry to your brothers and sisters in Christ. The dates for 2013 are January 30, May 29, July 31 and October 30. If you would like to spearhead the organizing efforts for any of these service dates, please let Jamie Kochert know at or by at jamie@kochertkronicles.com Room At The Inn NEEDS YOU for Staffing! Purpose: Room at the Inn Shelter will provide a warm and safe place to sleep during the period January 1 through February 28, 2013, adjusted as weather dictates, between the hours of 7:00 pm and 7:00 am. History: Room at the Inn began as an overnight cold-weather shelter in 2010, with Missouri United Methodist and Calvary Episcopal churches partnering to provide space, funding and volunteers for a month. In 2011 Missouri United Methodist Church offered space for two months, and a number of local faith groups and individuals provided funding and volunteers. In 2012 a small group of volunteers organized a coali on of nine faith groups and numerous individuals to hold a two-month shelter in a vacant, donated commercial building. Escrowed funds remaining from 2011 covered the costs, and generous in-kind dona ons provided other important resources; the city of Columbia also provided significant support and assistance. Planning for 2013 began in mid-2012, including conversa ons that led to CIRC adop ng Room at the Inn as a permanent program, eligible for taxdeduc ble contribu ons. A dedicated core group have iden fied this year s loca on, Wilkes Boulevard United Methodist Church, and developed volunteer-training resources. And nearly 75% of our

5 es mated expenses of $10,500 has already been secured! Services Offered: A Warm Bed, A safe Place Out of the Cold and A Light Breakfast Time of Opera on: Open January-February and Open every night from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Loca on: Wilkes Blvd. United Methodist Church, 702 Wilkes Blvd Contact Informa on: Janet Schisser, Room At The Inn Coordinator, , janetschisser@centurytel.net Assistance Provided in 2011: 30 guests per night average for 60 nights for a total of 1,800 bed-nights. 2 men enabled to receive much needed medical treatment, one hospitalized with severe pneumonia. 2 men entered detox and alcohol rehabilita on. 3 women used the Room at the Inn to escape abusive rela onships. Referred to appropriate agencies. 15 guests were transi oned to "permanent" housing, most through VA. WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Every Sunday 8:30 AM & 11:00 AM Sunday School 9:45 AM Praise & Worship 5:30 PM 2nd & 4th Sunday: The Colony 3:00 PM!!! R E M I N D E R!!! This is the LAST newsle er that will be mailed to everyone. Beginning in the new year, you will be able to view and/or download a copy from the Fairview webpage. Regular mail for those persons who either do not have regular access to the internet or who simply prefer a printed copy will con nue. But, you MUST no fy the church office to let us know of your inten ons. We es mate this change will reduce the postage costs to the church, somewhere in the neighborhood of $350. So far, In 2012, the WARDROBE has processed 5,201 referrals. Currently, they are in great need of blue recycling bags, blankets and linens (queen and king sheets). For ques ons, dona ons or to volunteer with other FAIRVIEW members on the F T from 11am-4pm, please contact Jeanie Pearson at

6 Fairview United Methodist Church 3200 Chapel Hill Columbia, MO Phone: Nonprofit Organization US Postage Paid Columbia MO Permit #158 Return Service Requested We re On the Web Worship With Us very Sunday at 8:30a, 11:00a and 5:30p