Rev. Doris Simpson, Pastor 585 Fifth St. Laila Drescher, Editor Volume 39 Number 12

Transcription

1 CONCORDIA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Concordia Chimes Rev. Doris Simpson, Pastor 585 Fifth St. Laila Drescher, Editor Prairie du Sac, WI Paul Webster, Missionary Volume 39 Number 12 December 2018 What s inside? From the Pastor Page 2 WUMF Giving The Community of Love Page 3 Birthdays Page 3 Electronic Giving Page 3 Concordia Youth Page 4 Wonder Movie Page 4 Advent Wreath/Discussion Page 4 Zelpha s Pantry Page Melodies of Compassion Page 5 Community Meals Page 5 Second Sunday Donations Page 5 Coffee Fellowship Page 5 UMW Christmas Gathering Page 6 Poinsettias for the Sanctuary Page 7 Salvation Army Bell Ringers Page 7 Caring Tree Page 7 Stock the Schools Page 7 Witness: Worship Page 8-9 Letter from Bishop Hee-Soo Jung Page 10 Calendar Page 11 Vision Statement of the Wisconsin Annual Conference: Resident Bishop: Hee-Soo Jung Asst. to the Bishop: Dan Dick SW District Supt: Scott Carlson Office Hours: Monday: 8:00am 1:00pm Wednesday: 8:00am-1:00pm Thursday: 8:00am-4:00pm PASTOR S OFFICE HOURS 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday Rev. Doris Simpson, Pastor I have set office hours so that you will know when you can be relatively sure I will be in the office if you want to stop in. That being said, there are times that I need to be gone for meetings, nursing home worship, scheduled pastoral visits or emergencies during those hours, but those times are infrequent. I am also often in the office until 5:00 pm or later, so you can stop in any time you see a blue Buick LeSabre parked in front of the church or in the parking lot. Rev. Doris Simpson, Pastor pastor@concordiaumc.org church cell parsonage Laila Drescher, Administrative Assistant secr@concordiaumc.org office

2 2 Our gratitude at thanks-giving opens the door to a season of preparing ourselves for the gift of life which we receive at Christmas. The open door invites us into prayer and praise, meditation and contemplation as we move toward our celebration of the birth of God in Jesus. The dawning of each new day, each new year shape us as again, we prepare for what God-with-us means. The moments of joy and sadness, the memories of laughter and tears, the instances of temerity and caution, we bring these with us to our praise and worship. This year one of the most loved of Christmas hymns, Silent Night, will inspire us as we center our hearts on God s gift. The door is open for us to receive the peace, joy, love and hope of Christ in new, deeper, more meaningful ways. As I prepare for this Advent and Christmas, I have discovered that Silent Night originally had six verses rather than the four which are loved and familiar to us. The following literal translations of the words of the hymn will, I hope, add to the meaning of the silent night when Christ was born. It speaks of what was in the heart, mind and soul of its composers 200 years ago. All are sleeping, alone and awake Only the intimate holy pair, Lovely boy with curly hair, Sleep in heavenly peace! Sleep in heavenly peace! Son of God, O how he laughs Love from your divine mouth, Then it hits us the hour of salvation. Jesus at your birth! Jesus at your birth! Which brought salvation to the world, From Heaven s golden heights, Mercy s abundance was made visible to us; Jesus in human form, Jesus in human form, Where on this day all power Of fatherly love poured fourth And like a brother lovingly embraced Jesus the peoples of the world, Jesus the peoples of the world, Already long ago planned for us, When the Lord frees from wrath Since the beginning of ancient times A salvation promised for the whole world. A salvation promised for the whole world. To shepherds it was first made known By the angel, Alleluia; Sounding forth loudly far and near: Jesus the Savior is here! Jesus the Savior is here From Thanksgiving to Advent to Christmas Eve and Christmas, the door is open for those who follow Jesus. We are invited to walk through the open door to abide in the presence of all that is holy; to rest in the grace and mercy which God freely gives; and to serve the one who, through his life, live a servant s life. I don t know that there is a way that we can give in-kind as we have received. Blessings, You are all so generous you show me daily show me that you have an abundance of God s love which you freely share. Thank you for my birthday surprise the cake large enough to share with everyone (including everyone at the community meal), the choir of voices singing Happy Birthday, the wishes of joy, the cards, the gifts, your love and care. I am so blessed!

3 Giving The Community of Love December 2018 Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 4:8-11a, NRSV) In addition to being secure in God s abundance, good stewards need to be oriented toward building a community of love. We do this because it is what God wants for us and because it glorifies God: our community of love is God made visible to those who cannot see him. The community of love has many aspects: Loving God. In order to best love others, we must love God first. This is the greatest commandment and the source of our love. Loving one another. More than loving others as ourselves, we are called to recognize that we share the same shortcomings and sinfulness in the eyes of God. Therefore, in constant love for one another we avoid being judgmental and practice forgiveness. Living out our giftedness in the Body of Christ. We share the gifts that the Holy Spirit has bestowed on us in order to build the church. We have all things in common: we study scripture and pray together, we are in fellowship and break bread together, we give generously and distribute the proceeds to meet our needs and the needs of others. Witnessing to God s glory. We as individuals and as the church exist to glorify God. The community of love is a light that shines for all to see. This stewardship season let us remember not just what we give, but why we give: so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. Jim Wells, Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation December Birthdays 1st Betty Jones 1st Jonathan Accola 2nd Emily Carncross 3rd Stacy Paul 4th DeLorman Enge 5th Russ Moely 4th Jeff Rodgers 11th Marilyn Greimel 11th Ted Henn 12th Carol Janney 15th Abe Rothmann 19th Joyce Magnusson 19th Nelson Davis 19th Steve Wenzel 20th Doug Jones 22nd Livie Andres 25th Denman Kramer 29th Ron Rothmann 30th Ashely Henn Electronic Giving... Your annual pledge helps us forecast, with confidence, the level of financial support our congregation will receive in the year ahead. It is through the pledges and contributions of our members that we are able to live our mission here at Concordia UMC. Concordia offers electronic giving as a way to automate your offerings. It is convenient for you and provides muchneeded consistency for the church. Collection basket offerings can fluctuate significantly from week to week but when contributions are automated, the church receives funds on a steady, uninterrupted basis. Authorization forms are available in the church office.

4 4 Concordia Youth Fellowship (CYF) and Confirmation December Dates: Sunday, December 2: 9am-10am: Groove Class 3pm Advent Wreaths 4pm- Wonder Movie Wednesday, December 5: 6pm-8pm Confirmation Sunday, December 9: 9am-10am Cookies Wednesday, December 12: 5pm-8pm Food Pantry Sunday, December 16: 9am-12pm Youth Sunday Wednesday, December 19: 5:30-7:00 Youth Group 7pm-8pm Confirmation Nurture Congregational Care Spiritual Formation

5 Whatever Happened to Zelpha s Pantry? 5 Zelpha s Pantry was an idea of Zelpha Hook s back when Concordia started serving the Communiy Meals. It was just another way to provide for those that don t always have enough of the basics when it comes to personal hygiene items. It exists strictly from donations made by the congregation or Community Meal attendees. Donations are still begin accepted and can be placed on the counter in the kitchen or put in the tub (under the counter on the left as you enter the kitchen) labeled Zelpha s Pantry. Items that are popular are toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, soap, deodorant, etc Outreach Mission...Mercy...Justice Thanks for help the Outreach Committee continue what Zelpha Started! Community Meals December Sunday, December 9th: Team Hagie Sunday, December 30th: Team Tetiva All are welcome to attend this free meal at Concordia for fellowship and food. 4:00-6:00pm Join us and bring a friend! SECOND SUNDAY DONATIONS Second Sunday donations (food, cash, hygiene, household items) for December will go to Sauk Prairie Food Pantry Melodies of Compassion 2019 January-February Madison Chaplaincy March-April Hope House May-June Northcott Neighborhood Center July-August United Methodist Children s Services September-October Reedsburg Hispanic Ministries November-December Red Bird Mission

6 6 December UMW Board Meeting will be on Tuesday, December 11th at 10:00am Fellowship Hall

7 7 Caring Tree at Concordia The Sauk Prairie Caring Tree is located in the main entrance. Please return unwrapped gifts by December 15th with the tag attached. Thank you! And it s Great Fun! Stock the Schools For the month of December, The Stock the Schools Program will be collecting Jars of Peanut Butter and Jelly Full size bottles of Shampoo and Conditioner

8 8 Witness: Worship...Hospitality...Telling the Story December 2nd: Ushers: Stacy and Carol Paul Doug Hamilton and Dave Dickson Greeters: Scott and Lisa Alyea Acolytes: Griffin and Gillie Fritsch Advent Candle Lighting: Fritsch Family Communion: Tom and Roxanne Andres Liturgist: Heidi Halling Tech Desk: Doug Hultberg Readings: Isaiah 2:1-4 Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 December 9th: Ushers: Stacy and Carol Paul Doug Hamilton and Dave Dickson Greeters: Delorman and Louise Enge Acolytes: Carly and Max Schroeder Advent Candle Lighting: Schroeder Family Liturgist: Heidi Halling Tech Desk: Pat Mings Readings: Psalm 86:9-11 Luke 2:8-20 December 16th: Ushers: Concordia Youth Group Greeters: Concordia Youth Group Acolytes: Ava and Otis Andres Advent Candle Lighting: Concordia Youth Group Liturgist: Heidi Halling Concordia Youth Group Tech Desk: Bruce Koch Readings: Psalm 86:9-11 Luke 2:8-20

9 9 December 23rd: Ushers: Stacy and Carol Paul Doug Hamilton and Dave Dickson Greeters: Jack and Darleen Coyle Acolytes: Maddy and Myles Mauch Advent Candle Lighting: Mauch Family Liturgist: Heidi Halling Tech Desk: Irene DeVoe Readings: Psalm 137:1-4 Matthew 2:1-12 December 24th: Ushers: Stacy and Carol Paul Doug Hamilton and Dave Dickson Acolytes: Anna Drescher Advent Candle Lighting: Drescher Family Tech Desk: Bruce Koch Communion: John and Joanne Budd Steve and Lisa Wenzel Readings: The Story of the Nativity Sunday, December 30th: Ushers: Stacy and Carol Paul Doug Hamilton and Dave Dickson Liturgist: Acolyte: Ava and Otis Andres Tech Desk: Bruce Koch or Irene DeVoe Readings: Revelation 21:1-6 Matthew 2:13-15 Special Music on Christmas Eve If you would like to share your talents with Concordia by singing or playing an instrument on Christmas Eve, please contact the church office at or

10 Our Attitude of Gratitude There are so many trials and tribulations, challenges and conflicts, anxieties and atrocities that it is easy to be caught up in a spiral of disillusionment and despair. What is wrong with the world seems so much more obvious sometimes than what is right with the world. Darkness looms large and long, and it is a test of faith to remain upbeat, positive, and hopeful. But this is who are called to be. Our God is the source of goodness and our Savior is the light of the world and by extension, we are the light of the world. We walk by faith, not by sight, and we hold fast to what we know in our hearts to be true: God works all things together for good with those who love God. Even when the burdens, challenges, and costs are great, we are a people who celebrate not the liabilities, but all the gifts, the assets, the treasures, and blessings. Thanksgiving is a United States holiday that could very easily be a Christian holiday. It is a celebration of providence. It is a celebration of abundance. It is a celebration of generosity. It is festival, jubilee, and feast. It is a testament and witness to the goodness and love of God. In all ways, at all times, in all places, and for a multitude of reasons, we should offer thanks and praise to God. Thanksgiving is the holiday that immediately precedes Advent. Adopting an attitude of gratitude and thanks prepares our hearts and minds to receive the greatest gift God has given us. When we celebrate the blessings, we are doubly blessed, and we open ourselves to receive the Messiah. All too often, we stuff our bodies at Thanksgiving with marvelous food; I invite you to stuff your spirit this Thanksgiving with the marvelous bounty of God s grace, kindness, generosity, and joy. You are all in my prayers, beautiful people of Wisconsin. I wish you a blessed family holiday and a holy and transformational Advent season. Grace and Peace, Bishop Hee-Soo Jung

11 December 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2 9:00am Sunday School 10:00am Fellowship 10:30 Worship 3:00pm Advent Wreath Making 4pm Wonder Movie 9 9:00am Sunday School 10:00am Fellowship 10:30 Worship 4:00pm Community Meal 16 9:00am Sunday School 10:00am Fellowship 10:30am Worship 23 10:00am Fellowship 10:30am Worship 30 10:00am Fellowship 10:30am Worship 4pm Community Meal 3 4 7:00pm UMW Christmas Gathering :00am UMW Board Meeting 7:00pm Church Council Meeting :00pm Book Club 24 7:00pm Christmas Eve Worship Carols, Communion and Candlelight :30am SOFAS 6pm Confirmation 6:15pm Handbell Practice 12 5:00pm CYF at Food Pantry 19 5:30-7:00 CYF 7:00-8:00 Confirmation 6:15pm Handbell Practice 6 6:30pm Choir Rehearsal 13 6:30pm Choir Rehearsal 20 6:30pm Choir Rehearsal 7 7:00am UM Men 14 7:00am UM Men 21 7:00am UM Men :00am UM Men