THE ENLIGHTENER. From boards they sawed and planed and filed, and splinters they withstood.

Transcription

1 Greece United Methodist Church THE ENLIGHTENER December 2017 Message from the Pastor: The hands that first held Mary's child were hard from working wood, From boards they sawed and planed and filed, and splinters they withstood. This day they gripped no tool of steel, they drove no iron nail, But cradled from the head to heel our Lord, newborn and frail. - Thomas H. Troeger 1985 The hands that first held Jesus were hard, rough hands, hands that worked wood into useful shapes. The eyes that first looked upon the newborn king were used to checking a board for straightness. The warm body upon which the infant was placed belonged to a young newlywed, far from home, and worn from travel. The place that they had to shelter their child was rough and dark and cool. The visitors that came first to the birthplace were unskilled laborers, unwashed and unrefined. The mouths that first proclaimed his birth were used to rough language. The hearts that first loved Jesus were of ordinary size, and beat faster at this $me of joy, excitement, and apprehension - just as any human heart would. Yet the Son of God, the Christ, was placed into their hands, and hearts, and home for safe-keeping. Today, the Spirit of Christ is s$ll entrusted into human hearts. The work of Christ is placed into human hands. The love of Christ is s$ll given into human homes. The hearts we have to offer are no less skilled at loving than the hearts of a Galilean carpenter and his young wife. The hands we have to offer are no rougher than his. The way that we know to worship him can hardly be more uncouth than a Judean shepherd. We may be wise, or have trouble with our decisions. We may be intelligent, or we may have to work things out slowly. We may be skilled and ar$s$c, or we may be all thumbs. Our homes may be large and well equipped, or they may be small or in need of repair. Yet the Son of God is entrusted into our care, and he, likewise, cares for us. No human heart is too weak or too strong to love and be loved by him. No mind is too quick or too slow to know him, no hands too capable or too clumsy to need and be needed by him. No home is too humble or too proud to make a place for him. No mouth is too skilled or too profane to proclaim the Good News of his love and salva$on. In the Christmas season, we are reminded of the coming of Jesus the Christ into our human world. He has come to all of us, for each of us, whoever and however we are. Welcome him into your minds and hearts and homes - this Christmas, and always. In the joy of Christ's love, Pastor Ma4 Stengel

2 Table of Contents: Weekly Scripture Pg. 3 Christmas Eve s Pg. 3 Blue Christmas Pg. 3 Pastor s Advent Study Pg. 3 Hanging of the Greens Pg. 3 Discipleship Hour Schedule Pg. 3 Widow & Widowers Pg. 3 Salva$on Army Bell Ringing Pg. 3 Christmas Office Hours Pg. 3 Weekday Small Group Studies Pg. 4 Page Turners Pg. 4 Dedica$on Dinner for Dee Pg. 4 Seneca St. Christmas Gi? Drive Pg. 5 Stewardship Pg. 5 Outreach Pg. 6 Salem Nutri$onal Pg. 6 Undie Sunday Pg. 6 UMW Pg. 7 Habitat for Humanity Pg. 8 Finance Report Pg. 8 Lay Leader Message Pg. 9 Birthdays/Anniversaries Pg. 10 Congrega$onal Updates Pg. 10 Sunday Worship Servants Pg. 10 Calendar Pg. 11 A PRAYER CHAIN REMINDER: We have an acve prayer chain, both through s and phone. You re invited to be part of that; just call Bill and Gail Mason at Also, if you have a prayer concern of any kind that you want to share, contact Bill and Gail at the number above or by at wmason@rochester.rr.com. We only send out prayer concerns when we receive direct requests. Altar Flowers: If you would like a formal arrangement placed in honor/memory of a loved one, contact Be8y LaMonica. Arrangements are $25. Anniversary Ministry: Please contact me of your special day at dham1@rochester.rr.com Thank you, Dick Hamblin Birthday Ministry: We would love to recognize your special day. Please the office to let us know if your birthday is not on our calendar. greeceumc@fronernet.net Deadline for all newsle8er arcles is the 15th of each month by 12:00pm. Please to Deb Babbage at dbabbage@rochester.rr.com. Thank you Fundraiser Updates Thank you to all who have helped in some way to make our fundraising successful. These fundraisers help support our church and the many ministries we have to offer our community. Let s Get Connected! Excellent opportunity to share with your friends and family all the GUMC has to offer. Website: greeceumc.org Facebook: Greece UMC Thank you for your support! Profit Pasta Dinner Buffet (Youth) 1/21 $ Sub Sale (Youth) 2/5 $ Chicken n Biscuits 2/18 $ St. Patrick s Day Dinner 3/17 Cancelled due to weather Chicken BBQ 5/18 $1, Book sale/ SummerFest 6/8-10 $1, Chicken BBQ 6/15 Cancelled due to weather Chicken BBQ 7/20 $ Chicken BBQ 8/17 $1, Chicken BBQ 9/21 $1, Pulled Pork BBQ 10/19 $

3 All Are Welcomed to Worship! Tradional Worship : 9:00am Discipleship Hour for all ages: 10:00am Praise & Worship : 11:00am Worship Scripture December 2017: What follows are the Lectionary Readings for each Sunday. Each week, the theme of the services will usually emerge from one of the prescribed readings (often the Gospel). We invite you to read through the lessons prior to Sunday. It can be a healthy discipline and enhance the experience of worship. 12/3: Isaiah 64:1-9 Psalm 80:1-7, Corinthians 1:3-9 Mark 13: /10: Isaiah 40:1-11 Psalm 85:1-2, Peter 3:8-15a Mark 1:1-8 12/17: Isaiah 6:1-4,8-11 Psalm Thessalonians 5:16-24 John 1:6-8, /24: 2 Samuel 7:1-11,16 Luke 1:47-55 Romans 16:25-27 Luke 1:26-38 Christmas Eve: Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2: /25: Isaiah 52:7-10 Psalm 98 Hebrews 1:1-4(5-12) John 1: /31: Isaiah 61:10-62:3 Psalm 148 Galatians 4:4-7 Luke 2:22-40 New Years Eve: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 Psalm 8 Revelation 21:1-6a Matthew 25:31-46 Advent Bible Study with Pastor Matt Starting November 30th Faithful: Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph By Adam Hamilton There will be two sessions, as we have in the past. Each week, there will be a session at: Noon at Greece UMC (Kerrison Room), and 7:00 p.m. at The Villages (in Village Square) behind Unity Hospital on Long Pond Road. (Anyone may a4end either session, and you may switch between them. ) We hope to see you there Closed 12/25 & 12/26 Closed 1/1 & 1/2 No Classes on Sunday, 12/24 and 12/31 Widows & Widowers: Group will be meeting Sunday, Dec. 19th, at 2:00pm in Kerrison Rm. 10:00am Christmas Cantata 4:00 pm Family 7:00 pm Traditional Saturday, Dec. 2nd 4pm Decora7ng 5:30pm 6:00pm Pot Luck Dinner Blue Christmas Dec. 7pm Greece Bap7st Church 1230 Long Pond Rd. VOLUNTEER BELL RINGERS NEEDED Salva$on Army Red Ke4le Campaign Ring a bell...help change a life Friday, December 8th, :00 to 8:00 -A 4:00 to 6:00 -B Are you ready to ring the bell? Yes, we are going on a "leap of faith" this year that we will have sufficient volunteers to staff the two Mall Food Court outside loca$ons as as we have done the past three years with the excep$on of two less hours at the B loca$on. PLEASE sign up as early as you can in Commons area star$ng November 19th. Ques$ons? Call Gale Huber at

4 Tuesday Book Group: Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado. Based on the scripture Philippians 4:6-7. Finding calm in a chao$c world. All are welcome to this group which meets on Tuesday mornings at 10:00am in Kerrison Room. If you have ques$ons, contact: Linda Hoffman, facilitator lmhoffman@rochester.rr.com All are welcome to join any or all studies. Invite your family, friends, and neighbors. Dinner and Devotion Meetings are the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of the month from 5:30-6:30pm. All are welcomed to join us for soup, salad, & scripture. No December Meetings Page Turners Monthly Book Club: No Dec. Meeting Advent Bible Study at Sohos Starting November 29th Because of Bethlehem By Max Lucado Group meets 9:30-11:am Soho s Bagel Café, Stone Ridge Plaza Dedica7on Dinner for Deacon Dee Saturday, December 6:00pm We will be celebra$ng Deacon Dee Finch and her many years of dedicated service to us at Greece United Methodist Church before she leaves for her full $me posi$on in Buffalo with a catered dinner on Saturday, December 16th at 6 p.m. in our Fellowship Hall. Please mark your calendars and make your reserva$on by seeing Cathy Magans in the King Commons between services on Sundays star$ng November 5th or wcmagans@rochester.rr.com. Reserva$ons must be received by Sunday, December 3rd. The price of the meal is $10. If you d like to contribute to a farewell gi? for Dee you can either include it with your reserva$on or put it in the offering plate clearly labeled with "Gi? for Dee" wri4en on the envelope or on the note" line of your check made out to Greece United Methodist Church. Dinner for Dee commi4ee: Cathy Magans, Sharon Neary and Karen Klingenberger

5 Seneca Street Holiday Outreach There are mul7ple ways to help out this Christmas holiday! Please bring your unwrapped dona7ons in by Sunday, December 10th. MiFen Tree Collec7on of Scarves, Hats, Gloves, and MiFens Toy Drive Dolls, Basketballs, Soccer Balls, Games, Puzzles, Coloring Books & Crayons, Books, etc. Clothing Drive Sweatshirts, Sweaters, Coats On behalf of Seneca Street Mission Church, thank you for your generosity and have a blessed, joyful Christmas! Merry Christmas! Stewardship MANAGING GOD S GIFTS This year s stewardship letter will be in the mail around the time the newsletter is distributed. To help you understand how your commitment is used, the following information should help. First of all, as a United Methodist Church, our commitments are part of Connectional Giving, which is just what it implies. From a booklet available on the kiosk in the King Commons called The United Methodist Church Handbook the word united is in our very name we work together to accomplish what could never be done on our own. $.85 out of every dollar you donate stays in the local church (our church). The remaining $.15 supports apportioned and designated funds (especially now that we re paying 100% of our apportionments). That includes the General Administrative Fund which underwrites and finances general administrative functions, the Interdenominational Fund which allows us to affirm our unity with other Christian communions all over the world. It also funds the Ministerial Educational Fund, the Ministerial Education Fund, United Methodist Seminaries, the World Fund, the Africa University Fund, the Black College Fund and the Episcopal Fund. So, as you can see that $.15 goes a long way!! Want to know more look for the booklet in the Commons area. I picked one up recently and found out a lot about the Methodist Church and what it means to be a United Methodist. In that booklet is a reminder that Stewardship is Devout investment or use of money, time and ability.... All this is a long way of saying your gifts through your financial donations, your time and your talent are important to us as a local church and well beyond into the world. Bill Mason

6 Message from Outreach: Thanksgiving time at GUMC is definitely full of giving! We delivered 136 pairs (19 packages) of undies and 10 pairs of socks to our six designated elementary schools (West Ridge, Holmes Road, Autumn Lane, Longridge, English Village, and Brookside). In addition, we filled 25 plastic shoeboxes for the Red Bird Mission, providing small gifts and everyday/hygiene items for people living in the Appalachian Mountain region in Kentucky. Thanks to Deacon Dee for taking them to the pick-up location. On November 12, we welcomed Laura Stradley, Executive Director of the Veterans Outreach Center, who spoke to us about the issues many homeless veterans face. Small donations of personal hygiene items were collected. Thanks to Dorris White and Gale Huber for arranging Laura s visit. Finally, our annual Bucket Brigade yielded enough food and frozen turkeys to fill boxes for 11 very grateful families. Thanks to everyone who helped set up, sort, and pack! All requests from families of 3 or more were routed through the Greece Ecumenical Food Shelf, and all recipients picked up their food at church. Now, we have another opportunity to make a difference by loading our Mitten Tree with scarves, hats, gloves, and mittens once again benefitting the Seneca Street UMC in Buffalo. No gift, donation, or act of kindness is too small. Though we are few in number, we provide so much to our community. Not only do we count our blessings, but we bless many in countless ways. Thanks and Merry Christmas to all! Undie Sunday:Sunday, Dec. 31st Please bring in new packaged children s underwear to give to our local schools for children in need. Thank you Salem Nutritional Center Tuesday, December 19th 9:00am 2:00pm Please join us for a morning of serving. Meet/leave Church at 9:00. At 9:30, lunch prep begins. Serving hungry people at noon. Return to the church at 2:00pm. We need 10 people there each time. It is a very satisfying ministry.

7 GREECE UNITED METHODIST WOMEN Executive Committee Meeting: Monday, Dec. 4 th, at 6:30 p.m., Room 9. Linda Hoffman, President. Circle Meetings: Miriam Circle: Monday, Dec. 11 th at 6:30 p.m., Room 9. Baby shower for Asbury Storehouse. Please do not wrap your gift and bring it in a reusable Wegman s bag if possible. Ruth Circle: Tuesday, Dec. 12 th, 12:00 noon. Christmas lunch at Jim s (formerly Critic s). Christmas Breakfast: Saturday, Dec. 9 th at 9:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. Program will be a skit with music What Is Christmas? by the Tween Group. Our Special Membership Pin will be presented. Cost is $6.00. Karen Ingle will be taking reservations on 3 consecutive Sunday mornings tarting on Nov. 19 th. Deadline is December 3 rd. District Reading Program: At the Genesee Valley District Annual Meeting on October 21 st, five women from our church received certificates for participating in, and completing, the GVD Reading Program. Each woman read a book from five different categories --- Education for Mission, Leadership Development, Nurturing for Community, Social Action and Spiritual Growth. These women are: Gale Fischer Huber, Betty LaMonica, Phyllis Miller, Diana Needham and Sue Sepkowski. If you are interested in participating in this program, please put a note, addressed to Phyllis Miller, in the UMW mailbox and she will get back to you. Fall Bazaar: Our bazaar was held on Saturday, Nov. 4 th in Fellowship Hall. Chairman Sharon Neary thanks everyone involved for their help in making it a success! There is always such a wonderful, warm feeling of fellowship and joy! Save The Date: UMW Sunday and Installation of Officers will be on Jan. 21st, Church Women United: Advent Celebration will be held on Friday, Dec. 1 st. Gather at 9:30 a.m.; program begins at 10:00 a.m. Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1000 Winton Rd. N., Rochester Speaker will be Rev. Dr. Leonia Irsh. Bring a brown bag lunch. Beverages and dessert will be provided. Did You Know that 36% of the General Conference 2016 delegates were women? that 28% of United Methodist bishops are women? that 25% of United Methodist, active and retired, clergy are women? UMW Fall Bazaar Fun had by all!!

8 Habitat for Humanity Our annual sale of Kelly s pies is complete with pies being distributed on Tuesday, Nov. 21 st. Thank you for your support this is a major fundraiser for our coalition by combining sales from all of our churches along with Holy Cross R.C. which participates in this every year. At our upcoming November meeting we will decide whether or not to commit to an April build schedule of a home with Flower City Habitat for Humanity. They continue to build homes in what is referred to as the Josana District homes on streets such as Joseph, Otis, Scio, Ames, etc. That area continues to be their focus, working with the City. Once we make that commitment, we will be looking for donations in support of the funds necessary to sponsor a home ($65,000) which will include sponsoring a square foot ($65), box of nails ($10), etc you get the picture. We are a little over 50% there now. Once the build is actually scheduled, we ll be asking for volunteers to work on the home. That s always a rewarding experience. So watch for more in upcoming newsletters. If you think you d like to get involved in any way, please contact me at , or at wmason@rochester.rr.com. I can always use someone to represent our church (the founding church) at meetings I m not able to attend. Bill Mason Finance Monthly Report: Budgeted Income as of Week #46 11/12/17 Budget Total Pledges Non-Pledges Needed YTD Received Needed YTD Received Needed YTD Received $280, $264,283.76* $175, $169, $38, $41, * Current Income (Usable) vs Expenses as of the end of October 10/29/17 (Week#44) Usable Spent Yet to Spend +/- $251,554.75* $260, $0.00-8,613.15* * Note: Includes $5,000 received from Outreach (Missions). Greece UMC Fundraisers Please support the Pasta Dinner Buffet on Saturday January 13 th. Christmas and New Years Please remember to continue your contributions throughout the Holiday Season. Regular contributions provide support to the church and all of its missions. Pledge Campaign As we near the end of 2017please make every effort to complete your contributions to your 2017 Pledge. Also, please support the 2018 Pledge campaign as this helps the Church manage next year s budget. Reregards, Bill Kostyshak, Financial Secretary

9 Thoughts from Lisa Kostyshak Preparing for Jesus: Lessons from Buddy the Elf Tis the season for Holiday movies! It isn t Christmas unless you ve watched the Grinch steal Christmas only to discover the true joy in giving through the witness of young Cindy Lou Who. Or shed a tear over the redemption of Charlie Brown s pathetic tree coupled with the precious retelling of the true Christmas story from Linus. The list goes on and on... Holiday movies, although typically focused on the wrong person, serve as great reminders of certain ethical and moral codes that should accompany this time giving and celebration. As Christians, we know that the giving we celebrate started with God s Son, the Messiah-Jesus Christ. (Luke 2) But how often do we fall prey (when it should be pray) to the menial portions of this holiday season? We get overwhelmed and overworked by the temporal obligations; rushing through the holiday and wishing it was over. Even worse, we come to dread it; having been sucked into the frenzy of doing. Take a deep breath...now let it out. So, what s the answer? Ladies and gentlemen, I offer you the example of...buddy the Elf. Elf (played by Will Ferrell), is an excellent example of pure, innocent, true adoration and respect for Christmas. And, although his adoration is focused on the wrong person, he best depicts the spirit of the season and provides an excellent parallel for how we should respond as Christians. Like Buddy the Elf, we as Christians should be: Enthusiastic about who is to come. Elf yelled at the top of his lungs, teeming with excitement, at the announcement of Santa arrival. Santa s coming! Diligently preparing for His arrival. Elf stayed up all night to prepare and make sure everything was perfect. He didn t have help, but he didn t care. Not easily deceived with counterfeits, Elf had spent time with Santa. As he said, I know him. So, when the bogus Santa came in, Elf confronted him, exposed his false identity and warned those around not to trust him. Spreading good cheer is vital-he was truly happy and wanted others to be happy too. He used his gift (toy making and words of encouragement) to edify others. Offering true praise-although kinda dopey and very off key, Elf wasn t afraid to sing loudly for all to hear. His praise came from his heart and it was pure. Uncompromising on what is true-in an unbelieving world that offered so many counterfeits, Elf never compromised on what he knew to be true. The result - people s lives were changed!! So Christian, take Christmas back! Refocus on what is truly important and let the enthusiasm of being a child of God come bursting through as you celebrate God s perfect gift. Jesus IS the reason for the season!! Jesus has come and is coming again to collect those who know Him! So prepare for his arrival! Spread the Word! Sing praises and offer words of good cheer! Cling to what is true and expose the counterfeits so that all may benefit from the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ! The result-lives WILL BE CHANGED!! Your life will be changed. For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 Adapted from preparing_for_jesus_lessons_from_buddy_the_elf

10 Nursery: 12/3: Janice Ruppert & Karen Ingle 12/10: Gale Huber & McKenna Patterson 12/17: Barb Miroff & Phyl-Ann Helmes 12/24: Sally Lepi & Cameron Theil 12/31: Melissa Dunn & Rhiannon Miller Projectionists: 9:00am 11:00am 12/3: Neva Benson Earle Ridley 12/10: Norma Rapini Melissa Dunn 12/17: Kara Downs Earle Ridley 12/24: Earle Ridley Ellen White 12/31: Cheryl Sheldon Cheryl Sheldon Ushers: 9:00am Tom Hinterman, Bar Ingle Sue Hogeman, Janice Smith 11:00am Keith Kroon Nancy Granger Liturgists: 12/3: No Liturgist (Communion Sunday) 12/10: Sue Sepkowski 12/17: Linda Hoffman 12/24: No Liturgist (Christmas Cantata) 12/31: Tom Klingenberger Counters: 12/3 & 12/10: Mary Vandelogt,Kim Whittemore, Shirley Haefele 12/17 & 12/17: Bill & Barb Brado, Dick Hamblin 12/31: Earle Ridley, Sue Hogeman, Barbara Mertz The Worship CommiFee is looking for people who want to aid their fellow worshipers each Sunday. See below how you may help enrich our worship 7me: Altar Guild: If you are interested, contact Kathy Murray at Communion Stewards: If interested, contact Mary VandeLogt at Greeters: If interested, contact Deacon Dee at Ushers: Contact Tom Hinterman in person, or Nursery: If interested, contact Sally Lepi at Projec7onists: If interested, contact Lisa Kostyshak at Choir: If interested, contact Sharon Neary, choir director at Praise Band: If interested, contact Ed Klingenberger at New Address: Nicholas Murray December Birthdays Congrega7on Updates Barbara Mueller Not available for web edition. Call church office for more information. Passings: Arianne Lowell 10/15/2017 (Mother of Bud Lowell) Carol Andrews 10/16/2017 Not available for web edition. Call church office for more information. December Anniversaries Not available for web edition. Call church office for more information. Letter of Gratitude: ATTENTION, ATTENTION!!!!! The UMW of GUMC would like to thank everyone for your help in making our bazaar a success!! It was filled with good food, good fun and most of all good fellowship making!!

11 December 2017 as of 11/15th. Please see Website for Updates. Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 3 Traditional Worship (9:00 AM) Discipleship Hour & Education for all ages Praise & Worship (11:00 AM) 10 Traditional Worship (9:00 AM) Trustee Committee meeting Discipleship Hour & Education for all ages Praise & Worship (11:00 AM) 17 Traditional Worship (9:00 AM) Discipleship Hour & Education for all ages Praise & Worship (11:00 AM) Widow/Widower Group (2:00 PM) Girl Scout Unit (6:00 PM) 4 Silver Squares Square Dancers (12:30 PM) UMW Executive Committee (6:30 PM) 11 Silver Squares Square Dancers (12:30 PM) Miriam Circle (6:30 PM) 18 Newsletter Crew (12:30 PM) Silver Squares Square Dancers (12:30 PM) 5 Tuesday Book Study Treble Clefs (7:00 PM to 9:00 PM) Praise Band practice 12 Tuesday Book Study Ruth Circle (12:30 PM) SPRC Treble Clefs (7:00 PM to 9:00 PM) Praise Band practice 19 Salem Nutrition Center (9:00 AM) Tuesday Book Study Finance Committee (7:00 PM to 8:00 PM) Treble Clefs (7:00 PM to 9:00 PM) Praise Band practice 6 Bagel and Book Study (9:30 AM to 11:00 AM) Bell Choir (6:15 PM) Choir 13 Bagel and Book Study (9:30 AM to 11:00 AM) Bell Choir (6:15 PM) Choir 20 Bagel and Book Study (9:30 AM to 11:00 AM) Bell Choir (6:15 PM) Choir 1 Creative Hands (1:15 PM) (7:30 PM) 7 8 Atria Sr Bible Study (10:30 AM) Women's UMW (11:00 AM) Christmas Advent Bible Study Breakfast Set Up Boy Scout Troop (1:00 PM) #195 Creative Hands (1:15 PM) Advent Bible (7:30 PM) Atria Sr Bible Study (10:30 AM) Women's (11:00 AM) Advent Bible Study Boy Scout Troop #195 Advent Bible Newsletter Deadline Today Creative Hands (1:15 PM) Cub Scouts (6:30 PM) (7:30 PM) Atria Sr Bible Study (10:30 AM) Women's Creative Hands (11:00 AM) (1:15 PM) Advent Bible Study (7:30 PM) Blue Christmas Boy Scout Troop #195 Advent Bible 2 Greening of the Church (4:00 PM to 7:00 PM) 9 Emmaus Gathering (8:30 AM) UMW Christmas Breakfast (9:00 AM) Girl Scout Training (1:30 PM) 16 Party for Deacon Dee (6:00 PM to 10:00 PM) Christmas Eve Worship Family Christmas Eve (4:00 PM) Christmas Eve 31 New Year's Eve Undie Sunday Worship 25 Christmas Women's (11:00 AM) 29 Creative Hands (1:15 PM) (7:30 PM) 30