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Bunch 5 UM Women 9 Church & Society 8 Mon.

1 S PA RTA U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U RC H NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2018 Inside This Issue: Angel Tree 8 Get Connected 5 Organ Concert 8 Book Worms 9 Healthier Living 9 Poinsettia Order Form 11 Calendar 2 Lunch Bunch 5 UM Women 9 Church & Society 8 Mon. Night Book Group 6 Widows & Widowers 5 Church Mouse 6 Music 4 Worship 5 Coffee Hour 7, 12, 13 Note of Thanks 5 Worship Leaders 7 Community 10 Opportunities to Serve 7 Youth News 3

2 2 December,2018

3 3

4 Music Featuring the Cantata Choir, Youth Choir, and the Heavenly Metal Ringers. Saturday, December 1st at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, December 2nd at 10:30 a.m. 4

Worship Join us for the life changing practice of Centering

December 5th, 12th and 19th Get Connected 12:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.

For additional information, contact: Nancy Starnes at

Contact Wilma Smith (973-729-4740) or Ginger Stecklein

A BIG thank you to everyone who attended her birthday party.

5 Worship Join us for the life changing practice of Centering Prayer and Christian Meditation Every Wednesday during Advent December 5th, 12th and 19th Get Connected 12:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. Widows/Widowers For those who have lost spouses. For additional information, contact: Nancy Starnes at More information will be posted in the bulletin! Contact Wilma Smith ( ) or Ginger Stecklein ( ) A Note of Thanks A message from Peg Pierson.A BIG thank you to everyone who attended her birthday party. She is so grateful for all of the cards, gifts, flowers and notes that she received. 5

6 Church Mouse Thrift Shop Mouse News! Christmas is coming!! Are you ready?? We can help!! Come downstairs to the Mouse and let us help you with clothing for the whole family, holiday decorations, gift items, cookbooks, even the "unique" holiday sweater for your next festive gathering. As always, our proceeds go to missions. Store Hours Wednesday 10:00-2:00 Friday 1:00-4:00 Thursday 1:00-4:00 Saturday 10:00-2:00 Monday Night Book Group The group will be finishing A People's History of Christianity on Monday, December 3rd. The group will start watching a Great Courses DVD on Monday, December 10th. The course is Jesus and the Gospels, taught by Professor Luke Timothy Johnson from Emory University. This far-ranging course examines not only the canonical Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John familiar to us from the New Testament, but also the many other, apocryphal narratives and literary works that have contributed to our perceptions of Jesus, Mary, and Christianity all of which are encompassed by the word "Gospel." After introducing us to the era's volatile mixture of Mediterranean culture, Greek ideals and realities, Roman governance, and the religion of Israel, Professor Johnson turns to the Gospels and provides close analysis of key lines of text, explanations of the significance of language and terminology, and overviews of important issues with which scholars have long grappled. You'll learn about the different issues of faith each Gospel emphasizes, as well as the real-world logistics of spreading that faith during the early Christian era. 6

7 Opportunities to Serve There are Endless ways to be of service: Join the Chancel Choir or Bell Choir, Be a liturgist, Make dinner for a family, Help with Feed the Body/Feed the Soul, Help with Family Promise, Help in the Thrift Shop, Help at Manna House, and/or Skylands Outreach Depot, Take Worship to Knoll View. PLEASE NOTE -- we have a few openings for WORSHIP LEADERS. If you are able to help, please contact the office. Thank you. DECEMBER WORSHIP LEADERS 8:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Children s Message December 2 Lynn Godberson Sue Baldini No Children s Message December 9 OPEN Laura Kempson Debbie Dickerson December 16 Debbie Gilone Yvonne Roux Mike Batche December 23 Harry Tappen Dave Johnson Pat Schutz December 30 Aaron Sawicki Sean Jans Pastor Janice COFFEE HOUR SCHEDULE Bring snacks for fellowship! December 2 December 9 Susan Pironti Lynn & Muriel Godbersen Eston & Marilyn Garrison Julie Garrison Gary & Kathy Gelston Ann Freeman Price David Hess Dave & Pat Johnson Jose & Lily Santiago Betty Van Orden Gary & Debbie Lane Nancy Starnes December 16 December 23 Steven & Marilyn Sawicki Eleanor Shumaker Sig & Litsa Binder Robert Brennan Jack Carpenter Doug & Alicia Hahn Nick Castaldi Sue Gibson Laura Louie Diana & Rebecca Manrodt Daniel & Kasia Juan Herbert Stanske Paul & Maureen Nielsen Connie & Sally Yellinski Dianne Refsland Joann Stiles December 30 Church Council STUDY AND FELLOWSHIP AT SPARTA UMC Beyond the Basics (Exploring the Mysteries): Sunday s at 9:30 a.m. Monday Night Book Group: Monday s at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday mornings at 7:00 a.m.: Men s Study & Reflection at the Sparta Diner. Reading Together/Bible Study: Wednesday s at 1:00 p.m. 7

Church & Society The Church and Society Committee of the Sparta United Methodist Church is connected to both the Conference and the General Boards of

The job of the Church and Society Committee at all these levels in the United Methodist Church is to work on issues of social justice.

Boksan is a member of the American Guild of Organists, the Royal School of Church Music, the American Bach Society, and the International Mahler

He has played dedication organ concerts throughout the northeast and served as church organist in numerous churches.

8 Church & Society The Church and Society Committee of the Sparta United Methodist Church is connected to both the Conference and the General Boards of Church and Society. The job of the Church and Society Committee at all these levels in the United Methodist Church is to work on issues of social justice. Organ Concert SAVE THE DATE - ORGAN CONCERT SUNDAY, JANUARY 27 th AT 4:00 P.M. Guest Organist - Jonathan Boksan Mr. Boksan is a member of the American Guild of Organists, the Royal School of Church Music, the American Bach Society, and the International Mahler Society. He has studied organ at distinguished universities and with outstanding teachers. He has played dedication organ concerts throughout the northeast and served as church organist in numerous churches. He is currently employed as District Manager of the Allen Organ Company. Angel Tree We Welcome our Mission "Angel Wish Christmas Tree" Please consider taking a numbered gift tag to support one of UMC Sparta's Missions. Write your name and phone number plus TAG Number in the notebook provided. Please return gifts Wrapped and with the original Numbered Tree Tag back to Narthex by December 16th. Thank you for all you do to help others. 8

United Methodist Women BookWorms The December book will be The Sacred Secular by Dottie Escobedo-Frank and we will meet on December 17th at 9:30 a.m. At that meeting we will also pass out the list of books we will be reading and discussing in 2019.

9 United Methodist Women BookWorms The December book will be The Sacred Secular by Dottie Escobedo-Frank and we will meet on December 17th at 9:30 a.m. At that meeting we will also pass out the list of books we will be reading and discussing in Healthier Living Group Will Meet December 11th at 10:00 a.m. Just in time to put ideas into our brains before the Christmas holidays. We will be looking at Chapters 8 and 9 of the book Good Health, Good Life by Joyce Meyer. Setting goals each month appears to be helping members of the group carry their conversations into action and at the same time feel support from other members. Join us! Books Available in Church Library on Advent / Christmas The following list of books are in the Church Library in the Wesley Room on the subjects of Advent and/or Christmas. They are filed by author. If one appeals to you, check the library and be sure to sign it out. SPARTA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH LIBRARY Advent Reading List Alternatives To Celebrate: Reshaping Holidays and Rites of Passage Baldacci, David The Christmas Train Borg, Marcus J., and The First Christmas: What the Gospels Really Teach Us About John Dominic Crossan Jesus Birth Cromie, Richard M. Have You Ever Been to Bethlehem?: A Collection of Advent, Christmas Eve, and Other Christmas Sermons Evergreen Alliance The New Green Christmas: How to Make This and Every Holiday an Environmental Celebration Guideposts A Cup of Christmas Cheer, volumes 3 and 4 Hawkins, Pamela C. Simply Wait (Advent) Kalas, J. Ellsworth Christmas from the Back Side Lawhead, Alice Slaikeu The Christmas Survival Book McCoy, Linda Schiphorst It s News to Me! Gospel Sermons for Advent, Christmas, Epiphany Moore, James W. Christmas Reflections Olson, Richard Pl The Practical Dreamer and Other Stories to Tell at Christmas Robinson, Barbara The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Rohr, Richard Preparing for Christmas Romp, Billy Christmas on Jane Street Rupp, Joyce Prayers, Poems, and Reflections for Every Season Seton Susannah Simple Pleasures for the Holidays: a Treasury of Stories and Suggestions for Creating Meaningful Celebrations Sider, Ronald J. Rich Christmas in an Age of Hunger: a Biblical Study Slaughter, Michael Christmas Is Not Your Birthday Sorlien, Sandra Keeping Christmas: Activities and Devotions for the Twelve Days of Christmas Spong, John Shelby Born of a Woman: a Bishop Rethinks the Birth of Jesus Upper Room A Book of Christmas: Reading for Reflection During Advent and Christmas Vos Wezeman, Phyllis Joy to the World: Christmas Celebrations, Customs, and Crafts from Many Lands 9

The following items are requested: Stuffing Cranberry Sauce Canned vegetables Apple Juice Cream of mushroom soup Apple sauce Green beans Fruit cocktail Gravy

10 Community Information Sparta Ecumenical Food Pantry Christmas Bag Giveaway The Sparta Ecumenical Food Pantry is collecting donations for our annual Christmas Bag Giveaway. Each family receives a turkey or chicken, along with a bag containing items to prepare a complete Christmas dinner. The following items are requested: Stuffing Cranberry Sauce Canned vegetables Apple Juice Cream of mushroom soup Apple sauce Green beans Fruit cocktail Gravy (canned) Cookies/sweets/candy Potatoes (boxed) Please put your donations in the shopping cart in the hallway between now and December 9th. Thanks for your continued support of this important ministry. 10

11 POINSETTIA ORDER FORM Please join the Worship Committee in decorating the sanctuary with poinsettias for Christmas. The deadline to order is Sunday, December 9 th. Cost is $10.00 per plant. Please make your check payable to the church and indicate Poinsettias in the memo section. Please complete the form below and place it in the offering plate along with your payment, or mail the completed form with your payment to the church office. Thank you for helping us celebrate the birth of our Lord! Donors may choose to take their plants home after the 11:00 p.m. service on Christmas Eve, or leave them to grace our sanctuary. NAME(S) OF DONOR(S) Please do not leave this line blank! Red White Pink CIRCLE ONE In honor of In memory of In celebration of In honor of In memory of In celebration of In honor of In memory of In celebration of In honor of In memory of In celebration of In honor of In memory of In celebration of In honor of In memory of In celebration of Dedication (please print clearly) 11

12 2019 Coffee Hour Schedule 12

13 2019 Coffee Hour Schedule 13

14 SPARTA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 71 Sparta Avenue Sparta, NJ spartaumc.org Worship Every Week Communion Service at 8:30 a.m. Choir and children s message at 10:30 a.m. Contemplative/Meditation Service First Wednesday of the month at 12:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. Reading Together - Bible Study Wednesday s at 1:00 p.m. Youth Group December 27th 7-8:30 p.m. Thrift Shop Wednesday 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Thursday 1:00-4:00 p.m. Friday 1:00-4:00 p.m. Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. The DEADLINE for the January/February Newsletter is December 15th 14

S PA RTA. Inside This Issue:

S PA RTA. Inside This Issue: S PA RTA U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U RC H NEWSLETTER March 2016 Inside This Issue: Bible Study on Finances 4 Calendar for March 2 Children + Youth 3 Church Council 8 Congregational Care 8 Contemplative