Romeo United Methodist Church

Transcription

1 The Grapevine December 2018 This Month s Events Symphonia Chorale Concert December 2 Reverend Trevor Herm, Pastor Romeo United Methodist Church Church Office: Church Fax: Anne Wilber, Church Secretary Cynthia Forsgren, Choir Director Linda Schenburn, Christian Education Kari Reid, Treasurer Ed LaLonde, Praise Band Hannah Engwall, Youth Director Advent Tea December 7 Youth Party Dec 8 Adult Party Dec 9 The GRAPEVINE is published monthly. The intention is to communicate and promote the entire program of the Romeo United Methodist Church to members and friends. Your articles, comments and suggestions are welcome. The editor reserves the right to edit content and space as required. Linda Eastman, Editor Phone: lindakeastman@aol.com Christmas Cantata December 16 Christmas Eve Services 7 and 10 p.m. Romeo United Methodist Church Page 1

2 Pastor s Paragraphs 160 out of 195 countries in the world celebrate Christmas. 9 out of 10 Americans say Christmas is their favorite holiday. Thanksgiving is number two. Jesus birth is still life changing news. And it s news worth celebrating. Yes, we spend a lot of money on Christmas, but most of it is money spent on someone else. While not everyone may realize how important Jesus birthday is, Jesus has changed our world. He s taught us who God is. He s taught us how important giving is. He came not to lift Himself, but to get to know us. As we celebrate Christmas this year, may we do it for Jesus. May we take a break from our political debates and focus on the plans God has for our world. He wants us to remember we are all His children all around the world. Let s spend this month celebrating Jesus, and living our lives in ways that reflect His goals, to be more loving, to be more giving, and to celebrate God s presence among us. Merry Christmas from Carol and I, and our family, we wish you a holiday of hope and love. Opportunities to celebrate Christmas: Dec 1 Simpson Park Starlight Christmas at 7 Dec 16 Contata, Combined Service at 10 Dec 2 Symphonia at RUMC at 3 Dec 23 Christmas Play at both Services Dec 7 Advent Tea for ladies 7 9 Dec 24 Christmas Eve Services 7 and 10 Dec 14 Christmas Tree tour of Foxfire Farms Dec 30 Breakfast and Combined Service at 10 Pastor Trevor Holiday Giving The holidays are approaching and everyone will be busy shopping for gifts, decorations, and more! Please remember to shop at smile.amazon.com or to purchase Scrip cards to help Romeo UMC earn rewards at no cost to you! Please contact Carol Herm with questions or orders for Scrip. AmazonSmile donates to Romeo UMC when you do your holiday shopping at smile.amazon.com/ch/ Thank you! Halloween Event On the evening of October 31, RUMC held a special Halloween event in partnership with Outpost and other local churches. We handed out over 200 gift bags with bibles and all who stopped by enjoyed games, candy, and fellowship. This event was a wonderful way to reach kids on Halloween and share the good news of Christ. Congratulations to George and Judy VanHoutte on the birth of their fifth grandchild! Aiden James VanHoutte was corn on November 12 and was 19 ½ inches long and weighed 6 pounds, 5 ounces. Proud parents are Brian and Paige VanHoutte. Youth Christmas Party On Saturday, December 8 from 1 4 p.m., RUMC will be hosting a Christmas Party for the youth of our church, the zone, and their friends. Children in the 6 th grade and above are invited to join us for food, crafts, games, and winter fun and fellowship. Romeo United Methodist Church Page 2

3 DECEMBER VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE FELLOWSHIP TIME 2 nd Anna Bonanni, Sue Rhoads,Carol Wilson 9 th Ann and Paul Heller 16 th Jim and Judy Larimer, Barry and Joyce Benham 23 rd Jeff and Mary McClay, Stella Wheeler 30 th Breakfast 9:00 A.M. Service GREETERS COMMUNION STEWARDS December 2- Pews \ SOUND BOARD 2 nd Mischele Maklouf 9 th Laurie Bennett 16 th Claudia Royal 23 rd Mischele Maklouf 30 th Dave Beskin ANNOUNCEMENTS 2 nd Ilene Lock, Sandy Edwards 9 th Dave and Beverly Lee 16 th Carol Herm, Kathy Smith 23 rd Gayle Beitel, Theresa King 30 th Linda Schenburn, ALTAR FLOWERS 2 nd Open 9 th Open 16 th Open 23 rd Open 30 th Open VOLUNTEER COORDINATORS 9:00 a.m. Becky Laseke Mary Ann DeForest 11:00 a.m. Marty and Karen Rastigue Pat and Ron Sebastian 2 nd Tom King 9 th Carol Herm 16 th Christian Goolsby 23 rd Judy Engwall 30 th Claudia Royal NURSERY SCHEDULE 9:00 A.M. Service 2 nd Engwall Family 9 th Faris Family 16 th Nancy Domke 23 rd Heather Wagester 30 th Mary McClay Seasonal Flowers Mary Jo Hosler Baby Blanket Ministry Ilene Lock College Ministry Paula Groomes Fellowship Hour Becky Laseke Greeters Gayle Beitel Nursery Laura Salsido Sound Board Dave Beskin Ushers Craig Engwall Communion Marilyn Bracy :OO A.M. Service 2 nd Lamb Family 9 th Louchrisa Smith 16 th Combined Service at 10:00 a.m. 23 rd Dale and Jenny Teller 30 th Combined Service at 10:00 a.m. USHERS SCHEDULE Traditional Service 2 nd and 9 th Becky Laseke Lead, Ed Buckner, Sharon Schildt, Linda Eastman, Tom Weeks, Larry Back 16 th rd Craig Engwall Lead, Judy Engwall, Hannah Engwall, Anne Wilber, and 23 Don Wilber, Doug Forsgren 30 th Tom King Lead, Theresa King, Jim Welser, Jeff McClay Contemporary Service Dory Hill Jeff Groomes Don Adkin Romeo United Methodist Church Page 3

4 RUMC December 2018 Calendar Sat 1 st Starlight Christmas at Simpson Park 6:45 p.m. Sun 2 nd Clash of the Kingdoms Class Communion Sunday Symphonia Chorale Concert 10:15 a.m. 3:00 p.m. Mon 3 rd Not a Silent Night 7:00 p.m. Thur 6 th Advent Tea Set-up 8:30 a.m. 1:00 Fri 7 th Advent Tea 7:00 9:00 p.m. Sat 8 th Youth Event Sun 9 th Clash of the Kingdoms Class Adult Christmas Party 10:15 a.m. 6:00 8:00 p.m. Mon 10 th Not a Silent Night 7:00 p.m. Thur 13 th Church Council Meeting 7:00 p.m. Fri 14 th Foxfire Farms Tour Sat 15 th Fellowship Hall in use Sun 16 th Christmas Cantata The Glory of Christmas Combined Service 10:00 a.m. Mon 17 th Not a Silent Night 7:00 p.m. Sun 23 rd Christmas Program Mon 24 th Christmas Eve Services Tue 25 th Merry Christmas no His Table tonight Sun 30 th Combined Service De-hanging of the Greens Tue Jan 1 Happy New Year - no His Table tonight 7:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. Note: The church office will be closed December 24 th through January 1 in observance of Christmas and New Years. LITURGIST SCHEDULE 9:00 Service 2 nd Judy Howard 9 th Theresa King 16 th Tom King 23 rd Claudia Royal 30 th Naomi Stasak 11:00 Service 2 nd Ellen Dennis 9 th Marty Rastigue 16 th Combined Service 23 rd Laurie Trenchemontagne 30 th Combined Service A REMINDER: THE BRAIDED RUG CLASS Tuesdays, beginning January 15, 22, 29, February 6, 13 (FINAL CLASS). Time: 7:00-8:30 p.m. Place: in the Theater Room. Please contact instructor, Dr. Naomi Stasak for further details. Limited enrollment to 10 participants, 8 have registered! CHRISTMAS CRAFT BAZAAR 2018 The 12 th Annual Christmas Craft Bazaar was a success thanks to the generosity of so many. Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time and talents in any way the elves who created our items every Wednesday, the bakers, soup makers and volunteers who worked on the day of the Bazaar, and Barry Benham and Tom King for doing all the heavy lifting. It is such a blessing to be part of a generous and caring church family. Santa s Workshop will start again on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. to begin planning our 13 th Annual Christmas Crat Bazaar. We meet every Wednesday and everyone is welcome. If you feel you are not crafty we can find something for you to do, or you can just sit and visit. Romeo United Methodist Church Page 4

5 Weekly Meetings Communion Sunday First Sunday of each month Traditional Service Sunday 9:00 a.m. Sanctuary Fellowship Time Sunday 10:00 a.m. Fellowship Hall Prayers for Church Sunday 10:15 a.m. Prayer Room 106 Clash of the Kingdoms Sunday 10:15 a.m. Room 107 Contemporary Service Sunday 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary Not a Silent Night Class Monday 7:00 p.m. Drama Room Knitting Class Tuesday 1:00 p.m. Room 110 His Table Community Meal Tuesday 5:30 p.m. Fellowship Hall Men s Fellowship 4 th Tues 6:30 p.m. Room 107 Hand Bell Choir Practice Wednesday 6:45 p.m. Choir Room Choir Rehearsal Wednesday 7:30 p.m. Choir Room Cantata Practice Wednesday 8:30 p.m. Choir Room Turning Point Office Thursday 9:30 a.m. Room 106 ADAM HAMILTON - Author ADULT CHRISTMAS PARTY Our Adult Christmas Party will be held on Sunday, December 9th, from 6 to 8 p.m. Please bring a dessert or appetizer and a $5.00 non-gender gift for our gift exchange. Join us for fun, games and fellowship. Look for a sign-up sheet in the lobby. Please call Carol Herm or Sandy Edwards if you need a ride. We are also planning to have a gettogether for New Years Eve for those of you who don't have plans. More details will follow in the bulletins and weekly s. NOT A SILENT NIGHT Mary Looks Back To Bethlehem Leader: Steve Domke Join us on November 26 th, at 7:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. for a 4 week Bible Study, Dec. 3, 10 th, 17 in the Drama Room. You may attend one night or all four! A class book is available for $7.00, reserve yours now! Imagine Jesus from Mary s point of view! Caring from Within The friends and family of RUMC pray God s peace be with Howard Hicks and family. Howard s sister, Frances Prieskorn, passed away November 18, You are in our prayers. Foxfire Farms Christmas Event! DON T FORGET YOUR SECRET SANTA A festive evening is planned for December 14 to visit the 15 th Annual Christmas Tree Walk at Foxfire Farms (8061 Marsh Road in Algonac) where they display 200 Christmas trees. Dinner at Catch 22 will be before the tour. Carpool will leave the church at 4 p.m. with dinner at 5 p.m. Tour follows dinner. Tickets are $15 for the tour only with dinner on your own. For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact Linda Knight or Elaine Parr by November 25. We will be having fun again this year with the Secret Santa program. On December 2nd, 9th, and 16th, leave a gift under $5.00 for adults and $1.00 for kids (kids love Dollar Tree stuff) in the lobby. On December 23rd you will reveal yourself by giving your last gift directly to your recipient, or if he/she isn't in church that day, just leave it in the lobby with your name. It's always fun to receive little surprises, especially during the Christmas Season. Romeo United Methodist Church Page 5

6 Christmas Cantata The Glory of Christmas The cantata will be performed on Sunday, December 16 at a combined 10 a.m. service. This cantata is a brand new composition for 2018 and is comprised of many of our most beloved Christmas carols set in a vibrant musical setting that compliments the narration of the story of Jesus birth. Joining the choir for this cantata is a great way to deeply experience the true reason and beauty of the Christmas season and to share this wonder with our church family at RUMC. Contact Cynthia for more information at thecinch50@gmail.com or Operation Christmas Child deemed a success, thanks to the generosity of our congregation! 158 boxes of hope and joy were sent! 105 completed by congregation members and 53 boxes assembled by Odyssey friends and volunteers from donated items and funds, not to mention the generous donations for shipping fees. Thank you to the many people who donated time, items and resources. It could not have been done without you! (Also, thank you to PGS Dentistry (downtown Romeo) for donating dental supplies.) Starlight Christmas 2018 at Simpson Park Camp! GIVE SCRIP FOR CHRISTMAS Upcoming order date is Sunday, December 2nd. Scrip gift cards are great for Christmas gift giving; also for shopping for gifts and the extra food you will need for entertaining over the Christmas holidays, and gas cards and restaurant cards for holiday travels. The cards you buy are worth exactly what you pay for them, and our church receives rebates on these cards anywhere from 2% to 16%, depending on the retailer. What an easy way to help pay for United Methodist ministry shares. Order forms are available in the lobby and you would give them to Carol Herm. Romeo United Methodist Church Sandy Edwards has reserved a wagon for 25 people at 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 1. The narrated horse-drawn wagon ride is 30 minutes and the tractor-drawn wagon ride through the luminaria lit paths to the Starkweather farm house is approximately 20 minutes. Enjoy a living nativity and marvel at the walk-through collection of angels displayed. Warm up with cider and desserts and sing along with carolers in the Tabernacle. Please plan on one hour minimum for the tour. Page 6

7 1 st Janet Bauer 3 rd Pat Morgan 4 th Louis Bonanni Norma Foss Diane Hodgin David Lee Noelle Rastigue 5 th Barry Benham 8 th Jacob Bart Sue Wiers 12 th Haley Deming 13 th Annette Bailey Lafayette Robeson 13 th Aaron Shar 14 th Gabe Makhlouf 15 th Mary Ann DeForest 17 th Marty Moore 18 th Becky Laseke 23 rd Virginia Power 24 th Nathan Bartholomew Kendra Karson Jeff McClay Liz Shar 25 th Jessica Raccosta 30 th Kindra Reck Make the season jolly with Sharing Tree! As our annual Christmas gift-giving program, Sharing Tree is very special, making Christmas wishes come true for low- and very-low income local children and families every year, year after year. These are children and families who might not otherwise be able to celebrate a traditional Christmas. And you can be involved! Purchase the wished-for item from the tag you chose on the tree in Fellowship Hall. IMPORTANT: Attach the gift tag to the OUTSIDE of the wrapped gift. Return the item, wrapped, NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 9, 2018! 2019 Calendars December Food Pantry Needs: Jelly Juice Oatmeal Coffee Canned Fruit Rice Soups Woman s Hygiene Products Saltine Crackers Women s Deodorant Children s Snacks Diapers Size 4-6 We appreciate any non-perishable food items and toiletries that you can donate. THANK YOU! Please bring your donations to Samaritan House, Van Dyke (between 28 & 29 Mile Roads) in Washington Twp. on Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can contact Samaritan House at (586) Donations are also accepted at the Graubner Library or outside the church office calendars are on sale now for $10. Proceeds benefit the Youth Fellowship Fund. See Hannah Engwall to pick yours up. Romeo United Methodist Church Page 7

8 Friday, November 30th - 7:30pm St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church Hoover Rd, Warren, MI Sunday, December 2nd - 3:00pm Romeo United Methodist Church 298 North Main St, Romeo, MI Tickets are available from Sue Coker or Carrie Nicolia. Advanced tickets are $12, At the door are $15. Students and children are $5. Romeo United Methodist Church Page 8

9 Holiday Simply Give is about to launch! Help us stock our pantry shelves! Symbols of Christmas Carol V., a His Table guest, kindly shared with us these two passages about the meaning of Christmas symbols. Did you know that the chopping down of the Christmas tree represents the death of Christ and putting it back up again represents the resurrection of Christ. Did you know that the wreaths we hang are never ending circles, that represents eternity? Candy canes were made to look like shepherd hooks and the colors red, Jesus' blood, white, purity. The gifts, represents the 3 gifts the wise men brought for Jesus. So when you are running around trying to get the "perfect gift", stop yourself take a deep breath and remember we have been given the perfect gift, Jesus Christ was given to us to remove all of our sins. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you, Jesus. MERRY CHRISTMAS Christmas Play Join us during services on Sunday, December 23 for a special holiday performance of A Charlie Brown Christmas. The performers of the church will bring this play to life and put us all in the Christmas spirit! Dear Pastor Herm and funeral staff, Thank you so very much for a beautiful service and luncheon in memory of my husband David. We appreciate all of your individual efforts during this difficult time. Everything was so very nice. Best Regards, Kris Paulus and Family Dear Pastor Trevor, We would like to take a moment to say thank you for being a pivotal part of the Outpost this year. Thank you for opening your church to us and allowing us to partner with you as we do our best to fulfill the great Commission. With your help, on Oct 31 st, we were able to gift 2,373 people with the life changing message of Jesus Christ. To God be the glory. This is only the beginning. Please continue to pray that the word will not return void and all would be drawn to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. We look forward to what God has in store for the future. Don and Amy Cade Romeo United Methodist Church Page 9

10 Cookie Corner Dear Church Members, Thank you so very much for your kind thoughts and prayers for my dad, Henry Borg, these past few years. Your prayers and cards have been a great comfort. My dad lived a great life. It is comforting to know he is now at peace. Thank you. Blessings to all, Love, John and Deb Obrecht New RUMC Life Skills Course: BEGINNER CLOG DANCING Fun and great exercise - good for the mind too! Join instructors Carol and Pastor Trevor Herm for 8 weeks in the Fellowship Hall on Monday's beginning Jan 14, 21, 28, Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25 and Mar. 5 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Supplies to bring: tap shoes or Non-rubberized sole shoes. Materials fee: a food item for Samaritan House! All ages welcome! Financial Snapshot of the Operating Fund as of 10/31/30/18 Actual Budget Difference Income $450,614 $394,315 $ 56,299 Expenses 475, ,315-81,510 Deficit -25, ,211 Apportionments due from 1/1/18 to 10/31/18 have been paid in full. *** Your church needs your Financial Support! Graham Chocolate Chip Gems Ingredients 1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs ½ cup evaporated milk ¼ cup soft margarine ½ cup brown sugar 1 cup mini chocolate chips 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees 2. Mix margarine and brown sugar. 3. Stir in graham crackers and evaporated milk. 4. Add chips and nuts. 5. Grease mini muffin tins and fill mixture to the top. 6. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes. 7. Cool in tins for 10 minutes. 8. Loosen with a thin knife and cool on rack. Makes 24 cookies Store in closed, air-tight container. The Wesley Challenge, 21 Days to a More Authentic Faith One of John Wesley s greatest gifts was to organize people into small groups so they could grow in their faith. He had a series of 21 questions that he would ask like, Do I pray about the money I spend? or Do I grumble or complain constantly? We will be having a three week class to look at those 21 questions on 3 Sunday evenings starting Jan 6 th at 6:00 at the church. Books will be available soon and there is a video to go along with the class that we ll be watching. Sign up sheet will be in the lobby. Hope you can join us. Pastor Trevor Romeo United Methodist Church Page 10

11 COMING IN JANUARY 2019 UMW READING PROGRAM Scriptural Base for Reading Program: Proverbs 8:11 The Gift of Wisdom for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her. A Policy Statement of United Methodist Women: Inform, educate and raise the consciousness of women to our economic and political realities, including the inter-connectedness of race, class and gender in women s lives. The UMW Reading Program is a study opportunity, but it should also lead to action. The purpose of the program is to encourage United Methodist Women members to expand understanding of and participate in God s mission. The 2019 program will look at the history between The United Methodist Church, the United States and Native people; Alzheimer s disease; and the importance of wellness in body and spirit. Of course, it will continue to look at the quadrennial focuses of economic injustice, the environment and exploration of intellectual and spiritual leadership. And, as always, we walk together on personal journeys of spiritual growth. WHO: All women are invited. WHAT: UMW Reading Program WHERE: RUMC, Room 107 WHEN: January 9, 2019 at 12:30 p.m. WHY: We are called to read, pray and act. A sign-up board will be in the lobby by mid-december. Please sign up so that I can have an adequate number of information packets available. This first meeting will be our organizational meeting. As a group, we will decide the format of our meetings. Should you have any questions, please contact Ellen Dennis, (586) UMW BIBLE STUDY begins January 8, 2019 at 9:30 am for six weeks. The name of the study is THE POWER OF KNOWING GOD, led by Sue Coker. Do we really know God? We may think we know or know what others say about Him. Come and learn what God says about Himself and how He works. Through the truths in this study you will know God as never before and your faith will be strengthened. You will be able to stand in confidence after seeing for yourself who God says He is, what He wants and how we can have a relationship with Him. Bring your Bibles for the Bible is our textbook for this study. Bring colored pencils if you like and be prepared to be inspired and blessed as we study together. Looking forward to studying with you. No sign up required just come when you can and enjoy studying together. Romeo United Methodist Church Page 11