The Monitor. December Pastor s Ponderings From Rev. Calob Rundell

Transcription

1 The Monitor December 2016 First United Methodist Church of Salida Love, Live, Give As You Have Received 4 th & D Streets (P.O. Box 945) Salida, CO (719) Ministers: Everyone; Pastor: Calob Rundell (O), (C); Office Administrator: Licia Iverson; Organist: Rod Schleicher; Choir Director: Mary Sandell Co-Lay Leaders: Burrell & Sherry Welton Burrell, Sherry; Church Council Chair: Ken Leisher ; Financial Secretary: Paul Wilson Pastor s pastor@salidaumc.org Church website: Church office@salidaumc.org Pastor s Ponderings From Rev. Calob Rundell A Time of Mystery and Wonder Isaac Asimov, famed scientist and author, said that the most exciting phrase in science is not Eureka but instead is That s funny Funny in this context means something that is unexpected, peculiar, and is behaving in a way that does not fit established patterns. It is the things that surprise and confound us, the things of mystery and wonder that lead to the greatest discoveries. I am a huge fan of science. I believe in the scientific process of forming hypotheses, isolating variables, running experiments, analyzing data, and testing theories. Now, I am by no means a scientist. My understanding of math stopped three quarters through my junior year of high school when I encountered the stupid unit circle in pre-calculus class. (Don t ask me what the unit circle is. That s where I stopped paying attention.) I am not trained in the rigors of statistics. But what I most appreciate about science is that, no matter the discipline, the more we know, the more we know that we don t know. Each fact or new discovery brings with it mystery and wonder, because we are continually in the process of discovering what we have yet to understand. For example, at one point we looked at the night sky and thought all we saw were individual stars. Then we learned that most of what we see in the night sky are not stars, but galaxies composed of billions of stars each. Then we learned that what we can actually see in the universe is only about 5% of what is actually there, and we are currently trying to understand what makes up the remaining 95% of the universe. The only thing we know about that unknown 1 95% is that some of it is dark matter and some of it is dark energy. Real specific, right? And at some point when we learn what that 95% is, that will unlock all sorts of new things to study, things we can t even dream about yet. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus this Christmas season, a good place to start our experience of the miracle at Bethlehem is with a sense of wonder and mystery. As we approach the manger in a stable, as we experience the angels singing and the shepherds quacking, a good phrase to have on our heart is That s funny Because what we experience with the Christmas story is funny. It is unexpected, it is peculiar, and it certainly does not fit established patterns of behavior. For at Christmas the same God that spoke all those galaxies and all that dark matter into existence, the same God that set in motion the laws of the universe we can never fully understand, the same God that crafted the rules of calculus, this God takes on the form of a crying, weak baby laying in a barn. At Christmas, we witness an event of mystery and wonder. The God who is all powerful comes to experience the full frailty and mortality of human existence. The God who can do all things becomes a servant to all of humanity. The God that stands outside time and space itself becomes a broken redeemer. It is something we cannot logically explain. It is not rational, it is divine. The beauty of Christmas, the mystery of Jesus, and the wonder of our faith is that there is always more to learn and understand. We will never fully understand God and God s ways, but with each step we take along the journey we find out a little bit more. If we embrace the unending mystery and infinite wonder of God, our souls will be ready for Pastor s Ponderings continued on pg. 2

2 Pastor s Ponderings continued from pg. 1 deeper discoveries into God. And those deeper discoveries will lead to more mystery and wonder, which will lead to deeper discoveries, which will lead to more mystery and wonder, which will lead to. This Christmas season, as we close out the year 2016, we are invited to take in the mystery and wonder of the birth of Jesus. We are invited to let our hearts be filled with befuddled joy as we experience hope bursting into the world. We are invited to journey to the manger and utter a bewildered, That s funny Peace, Calob pastor@salidaumc.org THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS December Ushers - Coordinator: Ginny Cunningham December 4 Judith & Ed Kinzie December 11 Sherry & Burrell Welton December 18 Debbie Jackson & Mary Lou McCausey December 25 Not Needed December Liturgists - Coordinator: Karen Yerkey December 4 Ken Leisher December 11 Ed Kinzie December 18 Mary Reeves December 25 Not Needed December Fellowship Hosts Coordinator: Barb Zechman December 4 Available December 11 Available December 18 Available December 25 Not Needed Faith Book Club Prayers, Praise & Celebrations Tuesday, December 13th at 10:00AM in Century Hall. Everyone is invited. Thank You to everyone who participated in the Gratitude Luncheon in November. As is true to our Methodist fashion, we had an abundance of delicious food for everyone. Ginny Biglow We were so sad to learn of the passing of Ginny s (and Bob s) dog, Wyatt. What a faithful and loving 2 companion he was to their family and especially to Ginny, since Bob s passing a couple of years ago. We especially enjoyed it when Wyatt joined the Contemplative Prayer Group Heaven at 11:00, and quietly meditated with us. Please keep Ginny in your prayers as she recalibrates her days without Wyatt. Jean Hanfelt We were so glad to learn that Noah, Jean Hanfelt s dog, returned, although as mysteriously as he disappeared. Thanks to all those who answered the call to look for Noah and network the information about his disappearance. This sudden upset came not too long after Jean had had a fall and broke her wrist in three places requiring surgery. Please keep Jean in your prayers as she continues to heal from her fall. Julie Moss Julie had a brief stay in Columbine for rehabilitation after she returned to Salida from her unexpected stay the hospital in Colorado Springs. We continue to celebrate Julie s progress. She even recently shared her joy that she had walked to church on that particular morning. Please continue to keep Julie in your prayers as she gets stronger and stronger each day. Please send your prayer requests, updates, celebrations and announcements to Licia at: office@salidaumc.org DECEMBER CELEBRATIONS Birthdays Dec. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 2 Dec. 6 Dec. 8 Dec. 8 Dec. 11 Dec. 13 Dec. 14 Dec. 14 Dec. 27 Dec. 30 Dec. 31 Anniversaries Dec. 18 Dec. 28 Julie Moss Julia Litz Larry Williams Susie Brown Julia Hanks Gayla Dunning Cynthia Hearn Gloria Mattix Eduardo Brummell Janice Montgomery Janet Murphy Meryl Ann Giles Vickie Morgan John & Julia Hanks Rob & Jeannie Coe

3 Heaven at 11:00 Join us each Wednesday at 11:00am in the Parlor for 20 minutes of Contemplative Prayer (Silence) Any questions please see Licia Iverson or Sherry Welton We will not meet on Weds. Dec. 21 & 28! Church Finance Update Hello Friends! Here is an update regarding the church s finances through October If you have any questions about these numbers, please speak with Licia in the office or Paul Wilson, our Financial Secretary. Our next Finance Committee Mtg. will be on Monday, December 12 th at 1:00PM in Century Hall. Receipts & Expenses October 2016 Year to Date Receipts (Unrestricted) $ $135, Apportionments $ $20, Other Receipts (Restricted) NA for this chart NA for this chart Total Net Receipts $ $115, Expenses - Operating $ $33, Expenses Pastor Salary & Benefits, Parsonage, Staff Wages $ $79, Total Expenses $11, $112, Net Income (Loss) $2, $2, Category Definitions Receipts (Unrestricted): The church s receipts are like your own paycheck or pension check. Our ongoing receipts consist primarily of pledged and non-pledged offerings and loose plate offerings. Gifts given specifically to our General Fund, Faith Fund, proceeds from our fundraising efforts through The Pig Roast and Fudge Force are also part of our receipts. These receipts are unrestricted in their use for the church. Other Receipts (Restricted): We often receive receipts specified for outreach efforts such as the Samaritan Fund, the Endowment Fund, UMCOR, Summer Raft Guide Dinner Program, building use, as well as certain fundraising efforts such as the Windows Restoration Campaign All these receipts are restricted for the use intended and are not subject to the apportionment paid to the conference, nor do they cover monthly expenses. Apportionments: A portion (13%) of our monthly receipts (unrestricted) listed above is then paid to the Rocky Mountain Conference to support the wider mission of the United Methodist Church. This apportionment is paid each month for the receipts of the previous month. The apportionment amount paid that is reflected in our October finances was based on September receipts. Expenses - Operating: The church has many of the same expenses that we all have in our own homes. We have to pay for insurance, utilities, minor repairs, supplies as well as payroll taxes for our employees. Expenses Pastor Salary & Benefits, Parsonage, Staff Wages: The church also pays the pastor s salary and benefits, employs an office administrator, organist, choir director and a custodian. Our parsonage, the home for our pastor, has expenses such as utilities, insurance, and the mortgage payment. As you can see, we are currently ahead for the year. At the time of this article, we are very close to the end of 2016 and your faithful financial support is sincerely appreciated. If you are interested in making an additional financial gift to the church before the end of the year, please consider giving to our Faith Fund. Your tax-deductible contributions to the Faith Fund will greatly help our church. Your generous giving makes everything possible that goes on in the life of this church. Thank you to those who have pledged to pay an additional mortgage payment in full. Our monthly mortgage payment is $ The original loan amount was $204,000.00! We are SO grateful that through additional payments to our mortgage, our current loan balance to: $68, Thank you again, for your faithful financial support. If you have any questions about the church finances and/or the status of your 2016 pledges or questions about your 2017 pledges, please speak with our Finance Secretary, Paul Wilson. You may contact Paul at: (630) or pwilson54@aol.com. Remember to purchase your Safeway cards from Barb Williams or at the Church office. As we approach this time of the year, when many of us are planning delicious meals for family and friends, please consider using our Safeway gift cards for your purchases at Safeway. You can also use Safeway cards to purchase other gift cards for Christmas gifts. Your Safeway card can also be used at the Safeway pharmacy. You may purchase a reloadable gift card for $10 and it has $10 available on it. Then just have the cashier (before scanning your items) add your desired amount to the gift card and you re ready to go! You can also do this at the Customer Service desk before shopping! We also have gift cards in denominations of $50 or $100, available in the office. Our church receives 5% of your purchases. This is a very convenient fundraiser for our church and your participation is greatly appreciated! If you have any questions, please see Barb Williams or you may inquire in the office. Your gift cards are waiting for you. 3

4 Saturday, Dec. 3rd 9:30AM Volunteers needed to help decorate the church for the season! Hope you can join us! Bible Studies Available The Men s Bible Study meets on Mondays at 10:00AM in Century Hall. Our Women s Bible Study meets on Wednesdays at 9:30AM in Century Hall Schedules Subject to Change: Please check in the office or with Pastor Calob to see if these groups are meeting during the weeks of Christmas & New Years! The Noteables and You ve Got Male will present their winter concert series, Follow That Star December The Next Church Council Meeting will be on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at 10:00AM in Century Hall From Under the direction of Linda Taylor, the women s and men s choruses will perform a wide variety of inspirational holiday music. The program includes unusual arrangements of Angels We Have Heard on High, Deck the Halls and Bring A Torch Jeanette, Isabella. Seasonal ballads about wolves, snow and winter gifts are complimented by songs of peace, upbeat gospels and a hilarious selection of familiar carols about Christmas pies. We will not be collecting donations in December. Collection will resume in January Thank You!!! Special guest, Bruce Warren will play several Christmas selections on his hammered dulcimer. Mary Cuyler, flute, Susan Jesuroga, electric bass and drummer extraordinaire, Kurt Wipperfurth, will accompany the choruses. Operation Spirit The Heart of the Rockies Salida Troops Donations Performances are scheduled as follows: Sunday Night Worship Service Friday, December 9, 7:30PM Clearview Community Church, 457 Rodeo Road, Buena Vista Saturday, December 10, 7:30PM SteamPlant Event Center, Salida Sunday, December 11, 2:00PM First Presbyterian Church, 7 Poncha Blvd, Salida COME SEE WHAT GOODNESS IS HAPPENING DURING THESE EVENING SERVICES! When: 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month, 6:30-7:15pm (We will not be meeting on Christmas evening) What: We sing, pray, talk about Jesus. And then we offer communion (optional) in the sanctuary. Where: At the church building, in the fellowship space (Century Hall). EVERYONE IS INVITED BRING A FRIEND! Suggested donation is $10.00 to help pay for the cost of music, publicity and our scholarship fund. Information: Linda Taylor or visit our website: 4

5 Here are all the events happening through our church for the 2016 Christmas season. (See additional details throughout the Monitor.) Hanging of the Greens, Saturday December 3rd, 9:30am. Come to the church building and have fun putting up Christmas decorations and trees! Caroling, Sunday December 18th, 1:30pm. Meet at the church and then we'll head out to spread Christmas cheer by singing loud for all to hear at the hospital, nursing home, and the homes of shut-ins. Blue Christmas Worship Service, Wednesday December 21st, 7:00pm. The holiday season can be a mixed bag of emotions and experiences. While there's plenty of joy to go around, there can also be plenty of grief, loneliness, and anxiety. You're invited to come to this special worship service where we will name, acknowledge, and hold in the light of Christ all the emotions that we have with us. Christmas Eve Worship, Saturday December 24th, 6:00pm. Come and experience the joy of Christmas with a service of scripture readings and carols that tell of the eternal hope that enters into the world with Jesus. Christmas Day Service, Sunday December 25th, 11:00am. For Christmas Day we will be meeting at the Presbyterian church for a short gathering, and then we will be heading out to different places around Salida to give gifts of appreciation to everyone that is working at their job on this sacred day. New Year s Day, Sunday January 1st, 10:30am. Start 2017 with a short, informal time of worship on the first day of the year. "All are invited to participate in, or, as is your desire, listen to a performance of what is hoped to become a yearly Salida tradition: a Messiah Sing Along. Lovers of Handel's Messiah (or any who just wish to listen but not sing) are invited to come on Saturday evening, December 17, 6 to 7:30pm at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Salida (4th and E Streets); singers should bring their own score, or we there will be some that can be borrowed. New singers will be interspersed among the "host" choir. The choir will be accompanied by an orchestra and many of the familiar choruses and solos will be performed under the direction of Courtney Shucker. Please salidamessiah@gmail.com for more information on this free concert. Time to dust off those vocal cords, dig out your score, and enjoy singing this beautiful Christmas music." Christmas Donations. Any donation designated as Christmas Donation, either in the memo line of a check or on an envelope, will be divided equally between our church s Faith Fund and The Grainery. 5

6 Meet us at the church on Sunday, Dec. 18 th at 1:30pm as we go caroling to a few specific locations and to visit some of our members at their homes. Please sign up on the sign-up sheet in Century Hall, so we will know how many to plan for. Song sheets will be provided. Come One Come All Plan to join us on Saturday, Dec. 24 th at 6:00pm for our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. Blue Christmas Worship Service Wednesday December 21st, 7:00pm The holiday season can be a mixed bag of emotions and experiences. While there's plenty of joy to go around, there can also be plenty of grief, loneliness, and anxiety. You're invited to come to this special worship service where we will name, acknowledge, and hold in the light of Christ all the emotions that we have with us. 6

7 STEWARDSHIP 2017 Our 2017 Financial Pledge Commitment Cards are currently available for your prayerful consideration. Thank you for your support! This year s Commitment Sunday was held on Sunday, November 20 th. Thank you to those who were in attendance and participated in the Commitment Liturgy. If you were unable to attend on Commitment Sunday, you may mail your pledge commitment card to Salida United Methodist Church, PO Box 945, Salida, CO; Attention: Finance Secretary. Thank you for your prayerful consideration regarding your financial support of our church for this next year. It is through your generosity, that we are able to do God s work through this beautiful community of faith. Please know that your pledge information is held in strict confidence. If you have any questions, please speak with our Finance Secretary: Paul Wilson. You may reach him via at: pwilson54@aol.com or on his cell: (719) Order Your Memorial Poinsettias Today! We are currently taking orders for poinsettias In Honor Of or In Memory Of to beautify our sanctuary during this Holy Season! Order forms are available in Century Hall or in the office. $15.00 Each Orders are due by: Wednesday, December 14 th! Any Questions Please see Licia in the office for more information (Mark your calendars NOW!) Ongoing Weekly Scheduled Items Include: Sundays: Choir Practice 9:15am, Worship 10:30am Mondays: Men s Bible Study, 10:00am, Century Hall Wednesdays: Women s Bible Study, 9:30am, Century Hall Heaven at Eleven! Contemplative Prayer Gp. 11:00am 20 min. Silence, Parlor (Heaven at 11:00 will not meet on Weds, Dec. 21 st & 28 th ) Thursdays: Church is closed for cleaning, 12:00-2:00pm Salida Brass Practice, 6:00-7:30pm, Choir Rm. Fridays: Church Office is Closed Sat, Dec 3 Men s Breakfast will NOT meet Sat, Dec 3 Decorate the Church, 9:30am Sun, Dec 4 Worship Service with Communion Sun, Dec 4 Lay Leadership Meeting during Fellowship Wed, Dec 7 League of Women Voters, 1:00-5:00pm Century Hall Wed, Dec 7 GARNA Birding Program, 6:00-8:30pm, Century Hall Fri, Dec 9 Noteables/You ve Got Male Concert, 7:30pm Clearview Comm. Church, BV Sat, Dec 10 Noteables/You ve Got Male Concert, 7:30pm SteamPlant, Salida Sun, Dec 11 Noteables/You ve Got Male Concert, 2:00pm Presbyterian Church, Salida Sun, Dec 11 Sunday Eve. Worship Svs, 6:30-7:15pm, CH Mon, Dec 12 Finance Meeting, 1:00pm, Century Hall Tues, Dec 13 Faith Book Club, 10:00am, Century Hall Thurs, Dec 15 NAMI Monthly Support Gp, 6:30-8:30pm Sat, Dec 17 Messiah Sing-Along, 6-7:30pm, Episcopal Church, Salida Sun, Dec 18 Christmas Caroling, 1:30pm, Meet in Century Hall and we ll travel to specific locations in town. Mon, Dec 19 Monitor Articles Due! Mon, Dec 19 Care Team, 9:30am, Century Hall Wed, Dec 21 Blue Christmas Service, 7:00pm, Sanctuary Sat, Dec 24 Christmas Eve Service, 6:00pm, Sanctuary Sun, Dec 25 Christmas Day Celebration spreading Christmas Cheer with our Presbyterian Friends, 11:00am More details to come Sun, Dec 25 Community Christmas Dinner, 11:00am- 2:00pm, Salida Community Center Wed-Sat, Dec Baton Rouge UMC, Overnight, Bsmt. SAVE THESE DATES: January 31, 2017 Bishop Karen Oliveto, our new bishop, will be making a brief visit to Salida UMC. We expect her to arrive around 9:45AM. There will be an additional opportunity to spend more time with her, later in the day, at another location. More details will be available, as it gets closer. Feb. 5, 2017 is the date set for our Annual Church Conference. It will be a brief and efficient meeting, following worship during our Fellowship Time, with our supervising District Superintendent, Dr. Melanie Rosa. We are aware that this is also Superbowl Sunday, so you ll have plenty of time to prepare for that, after our meeting! 7