12/2 Draw Near to Wonder 12/9 Draw Near to Truth 12/16 Draw Near to Justice. 12/23 Draw Near to One Another

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1 Connections DECEMBER ADVENT Sermon Series 12/2 Draw Near to Wonder 12/9 Draw Near to Truth 12/16 Draw Near to Justice Children s Christmas Pageant during 10:30 am worship on 12/16 12/23 Draw Near to One Another Choir Cantata, 9 am, 12/23 Carols by Candlelight, 10:30 am, 12/23 5 pm Family Worship 7 pm Traditional Worship Candlelight, Holy Communion Candlelight, Holy Communion and Silent Night and Silent Night Music led by Redeemed Praise Band Music led by the Sanctuary Choir

2 From the Pastor s Pen May the light of the Advent candle serve as an invitation to draw near to God. In that light we can feel God s warmth. May this candle remind us that God s light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. Dear Friends: I am so pleased with your par cipa on in worship and ac vi es leading up to Thanksgiving, and the prepara ons for Advent with Hanging of the Greens this past Sunday. It was fun and so many hands made for light work. The Sanctuary, Chris an Life Center and lobby look fabulous. Thank you to all those who par cipated. The best part of the day was hearing our college and high school students leading in worship. It was fulfilling to hear their voices and to see them anxious with pride to have a role. We will include them as o en as possible so that their faith may grow by having a part and helping to make decisions in worship along with church leadership. The coming weeks of Advent prepare our hearts to receive the Christ Child. Our theme this year is Drawing Near to Wonder Truth Jus ce and One Another. Our liturgy and visuals are unique. There are daily devo ons to guide our prayers and Scripture reading. Please look for the 2018 Advent Devo onals in the lobby Connec ons Center and church office. One per family please. Our Trustees are making sure the facility is warm in the change of seasons. The Finance team has sent our final appor onment payment to the District and Conference offices. Can you imagine six years of paying our part at 100% for the connec onal ministry of the United Methodist Church! Well done, and thank you for your extravagant generosity. Our Staff Parish team has hired three nursery a endants: Pat, Peyton and Madyson. We have added new members to our Church Council, and look forward to a great year of Living for God, Loving our Neighbor and Growing in Christ. May your Advent and Christmas season be full of Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace as we an cipate the birth of our Savior, Jesus the Christ. God bless us every one, Connections is published each month. Our church vision is to Live for God, Love Our Neighbor, and Grow in Christ. Visit us at 725 Wall Street, Wentzville. Sunday worship is at 9 and 10:30 am church@wentzville-umc.net Deadline for the JANUARY 2019 Newsletter is Friday, 12/21 Pastor Mark Dumas Christian Education Posi on currently open Congregational Care Bob Anderson and Ginger Carroll Custodial Care Sandie Briggs and Anne Hansen Finance Secretary Gary Grannemann Music Director Todd Oberlin Worship Coordinator Traci Morlock Nursery Pat Herren, Peyton Hoenig, Ashley Kirkley, Maddy Kolarik Office Administrator Donna Norman Worship Media Team Bruce Kates, Lisa Morgenthaler, Paul Morlock, Sean Morlock, Todd Oberlin, Brian Phipps and Kermit Sandorf 2

3 Living For God Handbell Christmas Concert Saturday, 12/15 at 3:30 pm Join our Adult and Youth Bell Choirs as they fill the church Sanctuary with the sound of Christmas music. The concert is FREE and open to the public, so invite your family and friends for great music. See you there! Gather Around the Christmas Tree by Dolores Hruby Sunday, 12/16 10:30 worship Choir Christmas Cantata Sunday, 12/23 9 am Worship From the stark opening, Kyrie Eleison, to the final jubilant Gloria in excelsis Deo, Let Heaven and Nature Sing Gloria! by Mark Hayes, rings a collec ve Alleluia to God from all of us made in the Creator s image. U lizing familiar La n phrases along with carols old and new, the cantata creates a dis nc ve worship experience for Christmas. Come and hear this expression of praise, joining all nature and the heavenly host, as we celebrate the birth of God s Son. 3 Carols by Candlelight, Sunday, 12/23 10:30 am Worship This is reflec ve worship in Scripture and song as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Sing familiar carols of the season, and enjoy special music by our Redeemed Praise Band. This is a special me to be shared with family and friends. All are welcome!

4 Loving Our Neighbor United Methodist Women meets in the church Café at 12 noon on Thursday, 12/13 for their annual Christmas program. Sandwiches will be provided by the UMW Board, and members are asked to bring cookies or a light dessert. This is a special me of fellowship and all women are welcome. A Big THANK YOU to all who helped support our United Methodist Women Turkey Dinner on Saturday, 11/3. Whether you donated food items, baked turkeys or pies, worked in the kitchen, or helped set up and take down, we could not fund our annual mission goals without your help. Thanks so much! If you selected a gi tag from the Christmas tree, please bring your UNWRAPPED gi to the church by Sunday, 12/2. Thanks very much! Needed Items in December Bathroom Tissue Pancake Mix & Syrup Pork N Beans No glass containers Thanks so much! Sanctuary Listening System Having trouble hearing in the worship service? A listening system is available for use in the Sanctuary (not available in the Chris an Life Center). There are headphones and a receiver for anyone with or without hearing aids. Or, you can bring your own earbuds/headset to use with the receiver). There is a neck loop and receiver for those who have an ac vated T-coil (telecoil) or cochlear implant in their hearing aids. For assistance, see the Worship Hosts or Nancy Bradley. Christmas Poinsettias In Memory or Tribute of A Loved One $10 each Cash or check Payable to Wentzville UMC Drop in offering basket or the church office Order/Payment Deadline is Sunday, 12/16 4

5 Growing In Christ for ADVENT Begins Sunday, 12/2 9:30 am Youth Room (other side of the Christian Life Center) A virgin birth. God s son a helpless baby. Fleeing certain death. Nothing about the Christmas story is ordinary. Mike Slaughter says it s enough to confound the mind and make the heart contrite. Down to Earth is an Advent study which opens up God s Christmas surprise to us and examines how it changed everything. Awaiting the Already begins Sunday, 12/2 10:30 am Library (off church lobby) The Christmas story we know so well is a compila on of accounts found in each of the Gospels. Although the books have different presenta ons, each leads us on the Advent journey of prepara on for Christ s coming. Awaiting the Already takes us on a tour through the Gospel narra ves, shows what parts of the Christmas story come from each Gospel, and helps us recognize the invita on each writer extends to help us encounter a fresh experience of the birth of Christ. 5

6 Fun and Fellowship Senior Game Day Join us in the Café at 1:30 pm on Wednesday, 12/5 Men s Group Breakfast Christmas Open House! Saturday, 12/8-8 am Church Café Catered by Bob Evans $8 each Men, Women, Youth, Children All are welcome! Wednesday, 12/5 at 6 pm Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder by Caroline Fraser Wednesday, 12/12 5:30 pm Hosted by the Men s Group Breakfast Casseroles, Fruit Salad, Cinnamon Rolls & Beverages Two holiday gi baskets will be awarded as A endance Prizes Love offerings accepted for Men s Group Mission Projects DECEMBER Quik View Game Day for Seniors Wednesday, 12/5 at 1:30 pm Book Club Wednesday, 12/5 at 6 pm Men s Group Breakfast Holiday Open House Saturday, 12/8 at 8 am Church Café All are welcome Wednesday Night Dinner Wednesday, 12/12 at 5:30 pm Sponsored by Men s Group Handbell Concert Saturday, 12/15 at 3:30 pm Children s Musical Sunday, 12/16 at 10:30 am Communion at Parklane Thursday, 12/20 at 10 am Choir Christmas Cantata Sunday, 12/23 at 9 am Carols by Candlelight Sunday, 12/23 at 10:30 am CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP Family service at 5 pm Tradi onal service at 7 pm Wall Street Wentzville MO