The Howard Herald. A Message from Pastor David. Howard Church Vision

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1 D E C E M B E R Howard Church Vision The Howard Herald Howard United Methodist Church 220 Cherry Street Findlay, OH Church Office: howard_church@sbcglobal.net Website: Pastors Message 1 A Message from Pastor David Financial Report Christmas Bazaar Bits and Pieces Children s Ministries Leadership Meetings Outreach Oriented Care Sunday Faith Develop- Celebrations Youth Ministry Prayer Ministries Relationship Building 2, Calendar 9 In the beginning, Jesus Christ, God the Son, in unity with the Father and Holy Spirit, created the world. He commands armies of angels. He judges the living and the dead. He upholds the universe by the word of his power. Message from the Pastor Jennifer And yet, he took on all the weakness of being a human. He laid aside that power. He experience weakness as an active, moment-to-moment rejection of his power, of doing things on his own, and of accomplishing anything by his own ability. From when he was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus walked in that weakness. He worked miracles out of that weakness, he allowed himself to be crucified in that weakness, and he was raised by the power of the Father despite that weakness. Why? Because the one who does the work is the one who receives the glory, and because weakness is where God s grace, love, goodness, power, and beauty shine brightest, and because those things are true for our weakness, as well. God is working out his grace, love, goodness, power, and beauty in each one of us. Advent, then, celebrates not just the arrival of God on Earth and the start of His march to victory over sin, but the beginning of the beautiful weakness that culminated at the cross. And as we reflect on that, it emboldens us to embrace our own frailty: our sins; our imperfections; our moral, physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual inadequacies. We embrace our weakness but are not consumed by it. We boast of it, but do not focus on it; every glance at ourselves should bounce our gaze straight back to the cross. During this Advent Season, may we not allow our focus on our weaknesses to linger, but may we bounce our focus back onto Christ. May we reach out to him, surrender our hearts, and allow him to work in and through us. The way we do that is to cling on to hope, faith, joy, peace, and love. And that s all God asks of us that this Advent Season, in the midst of our weakness, just cling on to hope, faith, joy, peace, and love. Amen! Blessings, Pastor David

2 Page 2 P A G E 2 Sunday Morning Worship and Hospitality Volunteers Worship Planning All are welcome! Come and help shape our themes, music, and creative expressions of faith through worship. If you would like to be a member of the Worship Planning Team, please contact Pastor David. Doug Conley, Worship Leader The Christmas Experience Sermon Series December 2 Right Timing December 9 Chosen and Favored December 16 God s Plan December 23 Our Response Worship Leader Coordinator: Pastor David November: Kay Babcock Ushers Coordinator: Donna Ewing 12/02 Donna Ewing, Ed Turnbell 12/09 Jerry Bibler, Marvin Lee 12/16 Jan Fullington, Dan Rayle 12/23 Bill Phillips, Tom Reynolds 12/24 12/30 Bill Phillips, Tom Reynolds Greeters Coordinator: Diane Metheney 12/02 Chloann Roberts 12/09 Jane Barker, Carol Fornof 12/16 Dwight Motter 12/23 Mike and Judy Erven 12/24 Dan and Linda Rayle 12/30 Lloyd Waller Acolytes Coordinator: Kay Babcock 12/02 Judy Erven 12/09 Kris Feil 12/16 Jan Fullington 12/23 Emily Radabaugh 12/24 12/30 Word With All Ages Coordinator: Kay Babcock 12/02 Kay Babcock 12/09 Kelly Ortiz 12/16 Eddie Ortiz 12/23 Jason Fletcher 12/30 Ruth To Nursery Attendants Coordinator: Ruth To 12/02 Deb Curlis 12/09 Penny Wittenmyer 12/16 Sherry Quimby 12/23 Penny Wittenmyer 12/24 12/30 Ellen Green Organists/Pianist Coordinator: Linda Kniss 12/02 Regina Thomas 12/09 Regina Thomas 12/16 Holly McConnell 12/23 Holly McConnell 12/24 Regina Thomas 12/30 Holly McConnell Children s Church Coordinator: Ruth To 12/02 Ruth To 12/09 Marianne Higley 12/16 Jason Fletcher 12/23 Donna Ewing 12/30 Emily Radabaugh Special thanks to all who serve Howard Church in these many capacities. If you are willing to serve in any of the above positions in 2018, please contact the appropriate coordinator.

3 Page 3 Sunday School Friends in Christ Adult Sunday School Dates: Every Sunday Place: Room 209 Time: 10:15 a.m. We use study guides to explore different books of the Bible. Children 5 through 5th Grade Dates: Every Sunday Place: Education Wing Class Room 208 Time: 10:15 a.m. Howard United Methodist Finance Report As of NOVEMBER 25, 2018 Amount needed each week to meet the estimated budget for the Operating Fund beginning January 2018 $2, Envelope Offerings $69, Loose Offering $ 1, TOTAL $71, (47 week average $1,518.00) Amount needed each week to meet the budget for the Benevolence Fund beginning January 2018 $ Envelope Offerings $12, (47 week average $274.00) Amount needed each week to meet the estimated budget for the Building Fund beginning January 2018 $ Envelope Offerings $14, (43 week average of $318.00)

4 Page 4 Christmas Craft Bazaar Saturday, December 1, am-3pm Howard United Methodist Church 220 Cherry Street; Findlay, OH Local Vendors, Small Business Products, Baked Goods, Homemade Soups Sold by the Quart & MORE! Questions? Call the church at Vendor Spots still available! $10 for a table & $20 for a table and two lunches

5 Page 5 Group for Moms at Zion UMC MOPS is an international organization for moms with children from newborns through kindergarten. MOPS encourages and equips moms of young children to realize their potential as mothers, women and leaders in relationship with Jesus and in partnership with the church. Our December Meeting will be December 11 at Zion Church. For more information, please Ruth To at ruthto14@gmail.com Because of the popularity of these two Children s Ministries, they are being extended through December 19, KIDS CLUB! Wednesdays 4:30 6:00 p.m. Wednesdays 10:00 11:30 a.m. For Children ages 1 through 5 Howard Church Nursery Open to kids ages 4 thru 5th Grade. Dinner, Games, Crafts, Stories Social Room

6 Page 6 Leadership Meetings Finance/Church Council Date: Monday, December 4 Time: 6:00 p.m. Location: Library Trustees Date: Tuesday, Dec. 18 Time: 6:30 p.m. Location: Cave Worship Planning Date: Monday, Dec. 3 Time: 10:00 a.m. Location: Pastor s Office Outreach Oriented Care Outreach Room Supplies Welcomed Monetary donations for Outreach Supplies are always welcome; however, you may also contribute items such as Disinfectant/All Purpose Cleaner Personal hygiene items Dish Soap Canned and boxed food items Detergent Toilet paper Dryer Sheets Our next Community Dinner where we will be distributing items from the Outreach Room will be Sunday, December 30, so a supply of the above items would be greatly appreciated. Local Mission C.H.O.P.I.N. Hall This month s highlighted local mission is C.H.O.P.I.N. Hall. Since 1984 Chopin Hall has been helping residents of Hancock County in need of assistance with food, clothing, and other basic necessities. Overflow items from our Outreach ministry are often donated to Chopin Hall. Instead of collecting food products, which they often have access to at a cheaper rate, we are collecting change which can go to meet any immediate need. Find the change jar in the Narthex. Consider collecting your change in a jar at home and bringing it in once a month for our local missions. Want to get more involved? Volunteers can help with food distribution, collecting and sorting of clothing, intake of clients, answering phones, and more! Located at the Family Center 1800 N. Blanchard St. Suite 125,

7 Page 7 Celebrations DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES 12/02 Barb Koontz 12/21 Gerald & Lois Fletcher 12/02 Charlotte Pelphrey 12/24 John and Mary Cain 12/06 Jackie Perkins 12/09 Jill Heistand 12/09 Anna McConnell 12/09 Linda Rayle 12/09 Jamie Zimmerman 12/11 Gary Royer 12/13 Patricia Brown 12/14 Barbara Coats 12/15 Emily Radabaugh 12/16 Marianne Higley 12/16 Zachary Theis 12/18 Kaige Knight 12/20 Mila Butler 12/21 Beth Hurd 12/21 Denise Mitchell 12/24 Kay Babcock 12/27 John Kowalski 12/29 Jane Barker 12/29 Marcine Smith 12/29 Rhea Young 12/30 Brian Conley Youth Ministries Youth Group Schedule for December December 2 6::30 8:00 p.m. Youth at Howard Church December 9 6:30 8:00 p.m. Youth at Zion Church December 16 TBD December 23 No Youth December 30 No Youth

8 Page 8 Small Groups Women s Groups Mary Circle Date: December 5 Time: 2:00 p.m. Location: Social Room Sarah Circle Date: December 4 Time 1:30 p.m. Location: Parlor Men s Group UMM Breakfast Date: Saturday, Dec. 8 Time: 8:00 a.m. Location: TBD All men are welcome Youth 6th-12th Grades Time: 6:30 8:00 p.m., Sundays Place: See Youth Schedule on Page 7 ALL PEOPLE Chancel Choir Date: Thursdays Time: 6:30 p.m. Location: Choir Room Bell Choir Date: Dec. 12 and 19 Time: 6:15 p.m. Location Sanctuary Older Adults Luncheon Older Adults Strong in Spirit (OASIS) Date: Tuesday, December 11 Time: 12:00 Noon Place: Church Social Room Please join us for good food and fellowship. Sewing: Busy Hands, Warm Hearts Busy Hands, Warm Hearts will not meet in December. PRAYER FOCUS DECEMBER, 2018 This Prayer Focus Suggestion is intended as a means to concentrate the power of prayer toward one subject or area of concern each month. Each day try to bring this prayer focus to the Lord. Prayer is a powerful tool to communicate with God at any time in any situation. God wants to hear from us. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD. Jeremiah 29:13-14a NIV Pray for active duty service men and women and their families. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. John 14:1 NIV Prayers can be privately shared with the pastor and/or core care team, or publicly shared on our prayer chain, pray list, and/or in worship Prayer Teams & Times Prayer lists are constantly updated. Grab your copy on Sunday mornings and join us in prayer. Pre-Worship Prayer Team Place: HUMC Prayer Room Date and Time: 8:15 a.m., Sundays We gather to pray for the service, the pastor and worship team, and the congregation. Please join us to ask God to create an effective and meaningful worship experience for everyone. The Prayer Team Place: HUMC Prayer Room When: The third Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. Location: Prayer Room All are welcome. We lift up to God our prayers of thanks, praise, petition, intercession and offering for our church, our community and ourworld. Come join us and be a part of a Praying Church! Prayer & Praise Time in your Own Home Time has been set aside to remember the prayer requests that are on the Prayer Sheet updated on a weekly basis. Even when you cannot be available to join in at the Church, you are asked to pray for those on the Prayer list in the privacy of your own home. There is power in prayer. Place: In your own home When: Wed. at 7:00 p.m. and/or Fri. at 9:00 a.m.