What s Happening MARK YOUR CALENDAR

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1 What s Happening Saint James United Methodist Church December 2018 Saint James UMC 2049 N. Honore Ave. Sarasota, Fl Phone Fax faith.saintjames@gmail.com OUR MISSION OUR FINANCIAL PROGRESS We want to keep you up to date on the financial status of the church. As of 11/30/18 Annual Apportionments $25, Paid thru November - 25, BALANCE DUE $ 0.00 Starting Balance 4, Income November + 19, Expense November - 23, Ending balance $ Thank you for being such faithful givers. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. Your Finance Team I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : Pastor s Grace Notes Kudos to Did you Know? Calendar Volunteer List MARK YOUR CALENDAR Dec 1 Cub Scout Flapjack Breakfast Dec 7 Ring Sarasota Concert Dec 24 Christmas Under the Stars Dec 24 Christmas Eve Candle Light Service What s Happening

2 All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means God is with us ). Isaiah 7:14 Happy New Year! As of December 2 nd we began the new calendar year of the church! So again Happy New Year! We will once again go through the seasons of the faith. And we will start by remembering the birth of Jesus. Now Christmas, as we know it, did not actually come into place until the 4 th Century and was scheduled around pagan celebrations that already existed. In fact, it was believed that Jesus was probably born either in the spring (because of the Shepherds) or early fall. Up until the 4 th Century, Good Friday and Easter was the focus of the Christian life. But the church had decided we should remember his coming and the grace and miracles of God in Jesus birth. And so what was originally a pagan holiday had become the remembrance festival of the arrival of Immanuel, God with us. A holy, set-apart, time to remember the event of Jesus. And while we still celebrate this 1600-year-old festival today, I sense that we have reduced Christmas back to a pagan holiday again. It is not so much that what we do is a problem, but rather what we do has become the main thing and we have lost Jesus in the mix. WEDNESDAY NIGHTS WINTER SCHEDULE First Wednesday of the each month will be a covered dish dinner at 5:45 in the fellowship hall. Worship at 6:30 followed by Doing Life Together groups at 7:00 pm Come on out and center on Jesus. Fellowship Hall Building We would like to spruce up the Fellowship Hall over the next few months to allow us to make use of it and for other groups to use that area for meetings. We would appreciate any monetary contributions to purchase paint, painting supplies, floor stripper and wax for the floors. Perhaps this year we might slow down and not succumb to all the pagan rituals of the season. What if we made worship, remembrance and engaging the old, old story afresh this year our top priority? What if we spent quiet time with God to listen and rest? What if Jesus was not the Reason for the Season in words, but in our hearts and in our homes? What might be different? Where might we find freedom? Where might there be rest if we adopt this focus focus on Jesus? Rod & I wish for each of you a deep renewing this Advent and Christmas of the greatest gift of all Jesus. Wishing you a Jesus filled Advent & Christmas, Pastor Shirley

3 We Are A Praying People! Please remember the following in your prayers this month. Connect To be a family of believers who connect to God and each other Care To shine the light of Christ and welcome all we encounter encouraging worship, life groups, and spiritual growth. Bishop & Mrs. Carter, Rev. & Mrs. Rini Hernandez, President Trump and Gov. Scott, all of our elected officials, Pastor Shirley & Rod, our staff, our church leaders, our Cub Scouts, Debbie Kleinsorge, Sennie Lansdowne, Beatriz Lowery, Betty Lou McLuckey, Bob and Katie Michalski, Dr. Randall & Karen Morgan, Cecil & Marcia Mulvaney Commit To grow in faith through service to others both locally and globally. CORE VALUES: Loving Relationships: Honest & loving relationships: With God through a worshipful attitude and prayer With others through acceptance and grace to all Spiritual Growth Grow with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit in a biblically centered, nurturing environment Compassionate Service Teamwork Offering help to others with humility and mutual respect Accomplish ministry in the context of relationships. This year we will have a prayer focus each month. Please pray for these things daily. December s prayer focus will be: Pray for the spirit to inspire each of us to invite someone to a Christmas Service For the health of the congregation through the winter season Pray for peace for all of us during this busy holiday season

4 Trustees Current Wish List: Birthdays in December Command hooks all sizes 7 foot pre-lit Christmas trees Six 24 inch two-sided plain wreaths 24 inch plain wreaths Warm white LED Christmas lights December 2 December 6 December 13 December 26 December 28 December 30 Dave Strait Judy Shannon Anya Sue Normandin Vera Bellanca Dave Normandin Chuck Headley Gene Blamble 30 and 68 quart clear storage bins Please don't throw away, give away or rule anything out, before checking with one of your St. James Trustees. New items are appreciated as well. Thank you! Trustees: Bill Highberger, Jamie White, Nancy Winding, Sara Fleming

5 Kudos this month go to Chip and Betty Newberger for replacing the flag in the entryway to the parking lot and replacing the lights in the sanctuary building Kathy Barbour, Betty Galvez, Rod and Pastor Shirley, Cal & Pat Johnston, Cecil Mulvaney, Bill Schroff, Judy Shannon, Judy Snodgrass and Jamie White for their assistance with the Cookie Reception for our tenants....bill Highberger for his work on the Christmas Under the Stars setup Shepherds Kathy Barbour, Karen Kehrli, Judy Snodgrass, Pastor Shirley and Debbie White for preparing the Christmas trees before the Hanging of the Greens so they were ready to decorate Nancy & Jim Winding Head Shepherds Aija Ball (A - Bn) Rose & Bill Johnson (Bo D) Judy Snodgrass (E Ha) Cyndi Andrasi (He J) Beatriz Lowery (K Mc) Trustees Finance SPRC 2018 Leadership Team Bill Highberger, Jamie White, Nancy Winding and Sara Fleming Judy Shannon, Sennie Lansdowne, Fred Fowler and Bill Schroff Karen Kehrli, Marcia Mulvaney and Chip Newberger Marcia & Cecil Mulvaney (Mi N) Sennie Lansdowne (O So) Kathy & Mike Barbour (Sp Z) Bonnie Kitzmiller (Snowbirds) Lay Leader Dave Normandin Nurture Team Leader Pat Dixon Outreach Team Leader Kathy Barbour Lay Delegate Dave Strait

6 Did you know? Because of your hospitality we have welcomed more Homeowners Associations to the facility for their meetings Because of your generosity we have paid our apportionments in full early again this year. Because of your generosity we will provide Christmas gifts to Remnant Café through our Angel Tree project Because of your faithfulness, we are making a difference in the community that surrounds us. God is moving in wonderful ways. We just wanted to make sure you knew! Bags of Hope It s time to begin gathering items for the next set of Bags of Hope. These are the items we currently need: Hats Toothpaste 8 oz. bottled water Wash Cloths Toothbrush Bar Soap Hand towels Power Bars Feminine Products Socks Fruit cups Toilet paper Socks Band aids Shampoo Combs We welcome all children and grandchildren to our Kingdom Kids class at 10:00 a.m. during the worship service. We are studying about King David. Hats The Bags of Hope will be assembled on 5th Sunday, December 30, 2017 We also have an Adult Class that meets before Worship please join them at 8:45 in the west wing.

7 Kneedle Knots If you would like to learn to knit or crochet or already know how we have a group for you. The Kneedle Knots will be meeting December 3 and 17th at 6:30 p.m. in the library. Group Trips Yoga Classes We have engaged a yoga instructor, Marjorie Crawford, there is a $5 fee for each session. The classes are held in the Fellowship Hall building. Everyone who will be taking the yoga classes will need to purchase and bring a yoga mat (available at Target or Walmart). Those who are doing the mat yoga classes will also need an exercise strap, belt or towel. The first group trip will be January 26, 2019 to the Holy Land Experience in Orlando. There is a sign up sheet in the office for those who are interested in this trip. Office hours are Monday Thursday 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m Yoga Class Schedule Tuesdays: Thursdays: 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m.

8 We are looking for a couple volunteers to take the Christmas poinsettias that are remaining after Christmas over to Tarpon Point Nursing and Rehabilitation Center to the residents who we know will enjoy receiving them. Please call the office if you are interested. Thank you! We will again be sharing God s love with gifts for those less fortunate. Beginning Sunday December 2, please take a tag from the Angel Tree in the lobby and bring some warmth to the homeless at the Remnant Café with a blanket, scarf and pair of gloves. (Gifts should have all three and only these three items, please.) Wrap your gifts with special care and attach the tag to the outside.

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10 For the month of December we will be using an Advent Devotional Book rather than the Daily Bible Study we normally receive in the weekly bulletin. If you have not received you Advent Devotional Book they are available in the narthex. Please pick one up to enjoy through the advent season. Poinsettias will grace our sanctuary again this Christmas. The cost will be $9.00 per poinsettia and you may take your plant home after the 8:00 p.m. service on Christmas Eve. Order forms are available and should be turned in no later than December 16, 2018 Just a reminder the first Wednesday (December 5) of the month is a covered dish supper in the Fellowship Hall. Please bring a dish to share and join us for some time of fellowship before worship. Looking forward to seeing you! A big thank you to the congregation for filling all the Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes again this year. We delivered 58 boxes to the Collection Center on November 18, You have blessed many children with your generosity. Gratefully, Nancy Winding Shoebox Project Coordinator Also, a big thank you to Nancy for heading up this project for the last several years.

11 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 8:00 Cub Scout Pack 14 Flap Jack Breakfast at Applebees on Fruitville Rd. 2 8:45 Kingdom Seekers 10:00 Worship Service 3 8:00 MGM Academy 6:30 GCCC 7:00 Meadow Chorus 6:30 Kneedle Knots 7:00 NA 4 3:30 Yoga 5:30 Praise Band 6:00 Newburn HOA F/H 6:30 Handbells 6:45 Cub Scouts 58:00 MGM Academy 12:00 Prayer 5:45 Covered Dish in F/H 6:30 NA F/H 6:30 Worship 7:00 DLTs 7:30 GA 6 3:30 Yoga 4:30 DLT 7:00 Meadows Chorus 7 Office closed 7:00 Sarasota Ring Christmas Concert 8 8:00 Christmas Under the Stars Set Up 9 8:45 Kingdom Seekers 10:00 Worship Service 10 8:00 MGM Academy 7:00 NA 11 3:30 Yoga 5:30 Praise Band 6:30 Handbells 6:45 Cub Scouts 12 8:00 MGM Academy 10:00 Haven Ringers 12:00 Prayer 6:30 NA F/H 6:30 Worship 7:00 DLTs 7:30 GA 13 3:30 Yoga 4:30 DLT 5:30 Village Oaks HOA 7:00 Eastpointe HOA 14Office closed :45 Kingdom Seekers 10:00 Worship Service 23 8:45 Kingdom Seekers 10:00 Worship Service 30 8:45 Kingdom Seekers 10:00 Worship Service 17 8:00 MGM Academy 6:30 Kneedle Knots 7:00 NA 24 6:00 Christmas Under the Stars 8:00 Candlelight Service :30 Yoga 5:30 Praise Band 6:30 Handbells 6:45 Cub Scouts :00 MGM Academy 10:00 Haven Ringers 12:00 Prayer 6:30 NA F/H 6:30 Worship 6:30 Cub Scout Committee Mtg 7:00 DLTs 7:30 GA 12:00 Prayer 6:30 NA F/H 7:30 GA 20 3:30 Yoga 4:30 DLT 21 Office closed Office closed 22 29

12 VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE FOR DECEMBER 2018 Date Reader Prayer Warriors Audio Visual Worship Welcome Team Children's Sunday School Communion Servers Discovery Devotion Leader Counters Building Closers LAWN TEAM December 2 nd 1 st Sunday of Advent Blue Beatriz Lowery Pat Dixon Rod Groom Pat Dixon Cecil Mulvaney, Jamie White Bill Highberger Bernice Highberger Judy Snodgrass Beatriz Lowery Marcia Mulvaney Sennie Lansdowne 12/5 DEVOTION LEADER Pastor Shirley Food & Fellowship Covered Dish Dinner Sennie Lansdowne Katie Michalski Cecil & Marcia Mulvaney December 9 th 2 nd Sunday of Advent Blue Sara Fleming Judy Snodgrass Dave Strait Karen Kehrli Bill Johnson TL Rose Johnson Margaret Hackett Beatriz Lowery Fred Fowler Katie Michalski 12/12 DEVOTION LEADER Pastor Shirley Judy Snodgrass Marlene Sontchi Rose & Bill Johnson December 16 th 3 rd Sunday of Advent Blue Marlene Sontchi Dave Normandin Richard Sulik Cyndi Andrasi Kathy Barbour TL Mike Barbour Cyndi Andrasi Harvey Howze Judy Snodgrass Cecil Mulvaney 12/19 DEVOTION LEADER Pastor Shirley Karen Kehrli Cyndi Andrasi Bill Highberger 12/15 Dave Strait, Rod Groom Pastor Shirley December 23 rd 4 th Sunday of Advent Melissa Sandberg Pastor Shirley Jamie White Karen Kehrli Sennie Lansdowne TL Jean Flugel Vera Bellanca Debbie Kleinsorge Bernice Highberger Fred Fowler No Wednesday Services Christmas Week Judy Snodgrass Debbie Kleinsorge Jean Flugel Sennie Lansdowne Christmas Eve Under the Stars December 24 th Sara Fleming Congregation Dave Strait Marcia & Cecil Mulvaney Katie Michalski Marcia & Cecil Mulvaney Cyndi Andrasi Judy Snodgrass Pastor Shirley & Rod Christmas Eve Candle Light Service December 24 th The Blambles Congregation Dave Strait Rod Groom Bill & Rose Johnson Rose & Bill Johnson Bonnie Kitzmiller Nancy Winding Pastor Shirley & Rod December 30 th 1 st Sunday of Christmas Blue Outreach Sunday Gary Sontchi Congregation Dave Strait Cyndi Andrasi Nancy Winding, Debbie Kleinsorge Marcia Mulvaney, Pat Dixon NO CHILDREN S SUNDAY SCHOOL THIS WEEK No Wednesday Service New Year s Week Sennie Lansdowne Katie Michalski Pastor Shirley & Rod

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