Children s Christmas Program 2018

Transcription

1 Laurens United Methodist Church 201 W. Main St., Laurens, IA The Newsletter Volume 24 Issue 49 December 10, 2018 Children s Christmas Program 2018 Thank you to ALL of the Sunday School students for their performance for the Children s Christmas Program. Thank you to Michelle Rubel for selecting the program and directing the program. A BIG thank you to Sabrina Booth for assembling the band & practicing with them. A BIG thank you to Chandler Todd for playing for the kids songs in rehearsals and during the program. Thank you to the Sunday School teachers for practicing with their students for the program. Thank you to Sydney Harrold, Chandler Todd, Trinity Brazel & Landen Tate for providing special music for us. Thank you to Brad Rubel for operating the soundboard & lights. Thank you to the parents for sharing their children with us! Thank you to the United Methodist Men for the children s treat bags! Thank you to anyone who helped with this program in any way! Thank you to everyone who attended the program! Mon., Dec. 10th: Worship Committee 7 p.m. in the church library Wed., Dec. 12th: Book 9 a.m. Confirmation 6 p.m. NO Puppets Thurs., Dec. 13th: Brain Trauma Support Group 6 p.m. (Wesley Room) Finders Keepers meeting 6:30 p.m. Fri., Dec. 14th: Men s Bible 7 am Sun., Dec. 16th: Youth Group (Jr. & Sr.high) Christmas 6 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran

2 How to Find Your Family s Christmas Traditions By Modesty Brantley NewSpring Church By the time Christmas arrives each year, I ve already been counting down for weeks. The lights, the sounds, the songs, the hustle and bustle, the beautiful packages, the fresh baked cookies I love it all! As the pace around us quickens, we can almost feel the anticipation in the crisp cold air. The culmination of all our merrymaking is coming with the celebration of Jesus birth. If you re like me, it can be easy to get wrapped up in the busyness of the season. But as a parent, I have to grab hold of every opportunity to share why we celebrate Christmas. In parenting, traditions help us teach our children who they are as part of our family as well as who they are in God s family. Traditions reinforce our most fundamental values. That s why traditions are important any time of year, but especially around Christmas. Children gain a sense of security and belonging as they experience traditions. And it s through traditions that our faith has been shared from generation to generation. Psalm 145:4 reminds us that God is worthy of praise every day, and it s our role as adults to share God s great works from one generation to the next. Traditions don t have to be grand. It s the meaning behind them and the togetherness that makes them special. If you d like to start family traditions or add new ones, here are some ideas to get you started. Four Christmas Traditions to Start This Year 1. Read the story of Jesus birth together as a family. The story of Jesus birth is found in Luke 2:1-20. Whether you choose to snuggle up by cozy fire, read a different part at bedtime each evening, or take turns reading over breakfast, reading the Christmas story draws us closer to Jesus by reminding us that He came to us. 2. Give a deeper meaning to gift giving. If gift giving is already a part of your family traditions, consider adding more intentionally behind how you give. When our oldest was born, we started the tradition of giving only three gifts for Christmas. Our intention behind this tradition has many layers, but they all point back to Jesus. First, we don t want the potential extravagance and expectation of presents to overshadow the true purpose of Christmas. Second, we use gift giving as a reminder that Jesus is our greatest gift and we emphasize that with our two little ones. And last, we give three gifts because that s how many gifts the wise men gave Jesus after His birth. Our children are 8 and 4, and they love that they get the same number of gifts that Jesus received. This may not be a good fit for your family, and that s OK. The idea is simply to be creative with your gift giving traditions and look for ways to ensure Jesus is at the center. 3. Do something unique and fun. Some of our favorite family traditions are the simples ones. It doesn t matter that they re simple. They re ours and that makes them special. Whether it s baking Jesus a birthday cake, caroling in the neighborhood, drinking hot chocolate, or

3 taking a late night drive to see Christmas lights, simple things build the foundation of a healthy wellrounded childhood. Include your children in the planning of some simple and fun new traditions this year, and watch their faces shine! 4. Attend a Christmas service together as a family. Attending church together is a tradition that goes far beyond the holiday season, but there s something extra special about Christmas services. This gives everyone in our family time to pause and reflect on the goodness of God. God gave us His one and only son, Jesus, to be our Savior. Ingredients: 1 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 3 cups flour 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup butter 1 egg 1/2 cup milk 1 T vanilla 1 T orange or lemon extract About 40 Lifesavers or other hard candy Here s a fun recipe to try at Christmas time! Glass Star Cookies Makes about 2 dozen cookies, depending on size Directions: In a large bowl, sift together the baking powder, baking soda, salt and flour. In another bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Mix in the egg, milk and extracts. Then, slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet. Chill the dough in the fridge for at least an hour before continuing. In the meantime, crush the hard candy. Using a separate bag for each color (or not, if you want multi-color stars!), put the candy in a plastic bag and gently bang on it with a rolling pin or large can. Set aside. When the dough is chilled, pre-heat your oven to 300 degrees. Roll the dough out on a floured countertop. Then, begin cutting our your shapes. Cut out the big, outer shape first, then use a smaller cookie cutter to make the window in the center. Place the cookies on a baking sheet, and bake for 6 minutes. Then, working quickly, pull the cookies out of the oven, and spoon the crushed candy into the center of each one. Return the cookies to oven and bake for about another 6 minutes, or until you can see just the tiniest hint of brown on the edges. Let the cookies cool. Then, enjoy them for both dessert and decoration!

4 Dorcas Circle will meet Thursday, December 13th at 11:00 AM at the home of Ruth Steinkoenig. This is a potluck gathering. Meat will be furnished. Please furnish side dishes such as vegetable, salad, bread, dessert. Please let me know if you will be attending. ~ Barb Ryon 2018 Giving Please make sure to get your End-of-the-Year Giving turned in to the church or Julie Potter by December 30th. Please do not wait until Monday, Dec. 31st because it may not get deposited for this year. Thank you for your cooperation and faithful stewardship.

5 The Life Line Ministry is underway! Please remember to be praying for your life line and leaving them cards by the yellow mailbox in the church narthex! Thank you!

6 If you would like to donate to the disaster relief efforts from the California wildfires please make your check out to Advance GCFA You can bring in or mail it to our church at 201 W. Main St., Laurens, Iowa and we ll get it sent in to UMCOR. Thank you for your generosity. Camp Catalogs are now available online at okobojicamp.com There will be NO Sunday School classes December 23rd or 30th. Classes resume on January 6, 9:10 A.M.

7 Hat, Mitten & Sock Tree The Festival of Trees has a Hat, Mitten & Sock Tree again this year. If you would like to donate these items for the tree please put them on or underneath the tree. They will be take to L-M School students later. Thank you! Mark your calendars for our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Tuesday, December 24, 5:00 p.m. Please bring the entire family to this special service.

8 In case of inclement weather, church cancellations will be aired on KAYL (101.7 FM), KICD (107.7 FM & 1240 AM), and KJYL (100.7 FM) radio stations. Cancellations will also be posted on our church facebook page (Laurens United Methodist Church), our website ( and Channel 4 (KTIV). Youth Group Haiti Mission Trip date is set for June 10-June 16 of They are still in need of funds to attend the mission trip. If you would like to give a donation please make check out to the Laurens Area Community Youth Group and write Haiti Mission Trip in memo. Donations may be mailed to our church at 201 W. Main St., Laurens, Iowa All donations are greatly appreciated. Laurens Area Community Youth Group Christmas Party this Sunday, December 16th from 6-8 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church. This is for 6th 12th grade. There will be a gift exchange. Please spend no more than $10. Bring a snack to share. Any questions, please see Angie Christenson. NO Youth Group December 23rd or 30th. Choir will practice will be on the Sunday morning of the 16th & 23rd at 10:00 a.m. before singing in church. Church offices will be closed on December 24th & 25th in observance of Christmas.

9 Quarter donations for the month of December will be going towards Cherish House which helps young struggling mothers. There will be baby bottles passed around to collect quarter donation during worship instead of the baskets for the month of December. For more information please visit Cherish Center online at Thank you to everyone who donates quarters each Sunday and to the children who collect them. Thank you to everyone who participates, helps, performs & serves each Sunday morning to help make our fellowship & worship service a wonderful & meaningful experience for all in the glorifying of our Lord. If your mailing address, phone number or address has changed please notify the church office at (712) or methodistsec@laurens-ia.com If you or a loved one are hospitalized and would like a visit from Pastor Ed please contact (712) or (712) Watch our worship services online at your convenience at Click on Sermons Worship services may be viewed on local Channel 2 every Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.

10 Contact information: Pastor Ed Frank: Pastor s Cell phone: (712) Pastor s swmreved@hotmail.com Autumm Brazel, Executive Secretary: Office (712) methodistsec@laurens-ia.com Linda Olson, Custodian Office Hours: 8:30 A.M.-12:30 P.M. Monday Friday visit our website at: Stewardship for Sunday, December 2 & 9, 2018 Weekly Year-to-date Special Total Receipts for Dec. 2nd: $ 1, $ 136, $ Total Receipts for Dec. 9th: $ 3, $ 140, $ Projected Budget Needs: $ 3, $ 171, Attendance for Dec. 2nd: Sunday School ~ 43 Worship ~ 53 Attendance for De. 9th: Sunday School ~ 62 Worship ~ 145 PRAYER REQUESTS: Phyllis Aschenbrenner (at home now and doing good), Price Family (from surrounding area-loss of a loved one), family of Betty Woltman, Brother of Haley Kies (safe travels), Pete Davis (Beverly Rusch s son-in-law), Tom Steinkoenig, victims of California wildfires, Carolyn Garton (hospice), Deb Buse, Wyatt Gentry, Jamey Turner, Amy Gustafson, Emmaline Roenfeldt, Edith Colleen White, Gabrielle Wingler, victims of natural disasters, our schools (safety), our military, our nation (unity), our world (peace). Sunday, December 16, 2018 WORSHIP Adult Sunday School ~ 9:00 A.M. Sunday School (Cherubs-High School) ~ 9:10 A.M. Fellowship Coffee ~ 9:30 A.M. Worship ~ 10:30 A.M. Choir performs Liturgist ~ Angela Christenson Pianist ~ Sarah Hertz Ushers ~ Jr. & Sr. High Greeters ~ Jeanette Korrect and Beverly Rusch Acolytes ~ Addison Olson and Clayton Rubel Children s Sermon ~ Pastor Ed Frank