The Heartbeat of Highwater

Transcription

1 The Heartbeat of Highwater May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing. Romans 15:13 Merry, Merry It s my favorite month, the most wonderful time of the year! All the festivities, parties, celebrations all the high holy days, like December 14 th, 24 th, 25 th okay, you might have to look at the church birthday calendar to figure out the 14 th. I make no bones about the fact that I love everything about Christmas. Yes, it s stressful and much more commercialized than it should be, but there s an undeniable electricity in the air the whole month. Energy levels are higher, and the sense of anticipation can be felt not just in our children, either. I have spent a lot of time planning worship services, and we certainly look forward to seeing some new things, especially later in December, when we have our annual Christmas music Sunday and our pageant on the 20 th. As I write this, the church has just been decorated and looks resplendent in its purple and gold, the colors of royalty. Purple has, in the eyes of the church, come to represent waiting, as our worship paraments are purple during the seasons of anticipation Advent and Lent. Amidst all of the energy and electricity, I await one particular worship service in particular. On December 20 th, we will hold a Longest Night service, fittingly on the night of the winter solstice. Our area will see only about 9.5 hours of daylight that day. And we will gather to worship that night, quietly and contemplatively. We will see the dark for what it is, and call forth the light, knowing that in a few short nights, the room will be filled with candle light and the we will cry out that the light has come into the world and the darkness, no matter how prevalent it may seem in our world, has never and will never overcome it. I wish you all the joy of this Advent and Christmas season, with quiet time to reflect and count your blessings added in. Peace, Pastor Scott The Highwater Christmas Pageant Sunday, December 20th 10:30a.m. in the Legg Center Featuring Twas the Night Before Christmas Highwater Family Potluck will follow. Lasagna, Garlic Bread & Rolls and Beverage will be provided. Please bring a salad and/or dessert to share. Highwater Church Serving God since 1842 December 2015

2 Who to call with ideas and questions Moderator Mark McKimmins Care Ministry Mary Jo Layman Christian Education Debbie Smetts Fellowship Ministry Beth Schieber Jackie Parrill Membership & Outreach Ministry Kevin Campbell Kathy Preston Missions Ministry Mark & Lisa McKimmins Music and Worship Ministry Nancy Schmidt Sue Steele Stewardship Ministry Bill Goodman Treasurer Jack Schmidt Trustees Peggy Green WISH Becky Campbell WISH II Quilt Janine Shipley Youth Ministry Coordinator Zach Cornelius WISH II Quilt Wednesday December 9th 7:00p.m. Council Christmas Gathering Thursday, December 17th Mark & Lisa McKimmins North St NE (Rte 661) Please bring a dessert / side dish to share. Bible Studies Adult Sunday School 9:45-10:15a on Recess until January Mondays at Noon in the Church Library We will be studying the Bible in chronological order of events for the next year. A current list of suggested daily readings is available on-line at the website at in the Bible Studies section or in the Sunday bulletin insert. No Monday Bible Study on December 28th. You re Invited to the 2nd Annual Advent Family Christmas Party and Carol Sing Sunday, December 6th Beginning at 5:30p Come for a while or stay! Pizza and Beverage will be provided! Join us in a Carol Sing and other fun activities! Men s Prayer Breakfast Saturday, December 5th See you at the Lighthouse on the Hill on Rte 62 across from Branstool s Orchard at 8:00a.m. The Little Red Wagon Pick-up for Utica Food Pantry Sunday, December 27th. Please have your non-perishables ready!! You ve Got Mail!!!! The Highwater Christmas Card exchange begins November 29th. There are bins out in the narthex; just place your card in the appropriate space and remember to check for yours in return. It s fun and it saves a stamp! We will have the bins in place through Sunday, December 27th. Nursery Schedule (0-pre-k) 10:30a.m. 12/06 Dave & Jen Snyder 12/13 Amber Walker & Kristi Burgess 12/20 Pageant Sunday 12/27 Becky Wright Please plan to arrive 15 minutes early, and if possible, grab a friend or another family member to help you - it s easier with 2 people! Highwater Church 2 December 2015

3 Highwater Advent/Christmas Calendar Sunday, November 29 9:30a.m. Special Music Practice 10:30a.m.Pageant Practice Christmas Card Exchange Begins Sunday, December 6 10:30a.m. Pageant Practice Special Music 5:30p.m. 8:00p.m. Family Advent Party Pizza at 5:30p, Caroling and Activities to follow Sunday, December 13 10:30a.m. Pageant Practice Sounds of Christmas, Featuring: Highwater Vocals Bob Tucker Angel Tree Gifts need to be under the tree in the Narthex Monday, December 14 6:30p.m. Women s WISH Christmas Gathering at Jenifer Bruce s Sunday, December 20 8:30a.m. Worship Service in Sanctuary 9:00a.m. - Christmas Pageant Dress Rehearsal 10:30a.m. - Christmas Pageant in Legg Center 11:30a.m. Christmas Family Pot Luck 7:00p The Longest Night a Reflective and Quiet Time in the Sanctuary Wednesday, December 24 Christmas Eve 5:00p.m. -Candlelight Worship w/ Children s Message Special Music, Featuring: Jenifer Bruce Bob Tucker 11:00p.m. - Candlelight Worship Sunday, December 27 8:30 and 10:30a.m. Worship Services, Carols with a short Reflection Youth Lock-In Please Pick Up Your Christmas Cards

4 Thank you Highwater for your continued generosity! Salvation Army - Angel Tree we have 30 names gifts are due December 13 th Salvation Army Tag Distribution Days at the Mall sign up sheets are in the church binder Support for the Missions Ministry continues to be strong at Highwater. We collected many hats, gloves, and scarves during the month of November. These will go to local school children, and given our present weather, they are being donated just in time. Many opportunities to help will be available in conjunction with the Salvation Army during the month of December. We have elected to help 30 children through the Angel Tree Program. In addition, Kay Hartman could use some help manning the Angel Tree Table at the Indian Mound Mall. It is also fun to be a part of gift distribution day at the Salvation Army. Look for detailed information in our bulletin and binder on Sunday mornings in December. Merry Christmas to all! Mark and Lisa McKimmins - Mission Ministry BUGS and TIGERs December Schedule 10:30a Sunday - November 29th BUGS and TIGERs and Confirmands Pageant Practice (I will need a few parents to help me here.) 10:30a Sunday, December 6th BUGS and TIGERs and Confirmands Pageant Practice (I will need a few parents to help me here.) Sunday, December 13th 9:30a Music and Vocals Practice & 10:30a Pageant Practice with Nursery Parents and children Sunday, December 20th 9:00a Dress Rehearsal and Pageant December 27th Sunday School Led by Mr Zach and The Net The Christmas Story All Rapped Up Highwater Christmas Eve Services Thursday, December 24th 5:00p.m. & 11:00p.m. Pastor Scott will offer reflections on Christmas, we'll have special music, carols, and scripture. The services will end with a candlelit singing of "Silent Night." 5:00p will be a family traditional service. 11:00p promises to be filled with a quiet peaceful glow. Join us as our Advent anticipation gives way to a celebration of the birth of the Christ child! Sunday, December 27th Lock-In WISH Christmas Party Monday, December 14th Jenifer Bruce s Cozy Christmas Cottage 5319 Loudon St NW Jenifer invites the women of Highwater to share a meal and the JOY of the season. Please bring a side dish to share. We will have a wrapped white elephant gift exchange. Highwater Church 4 December 2015

5 Happy Birthday to: 12/01 Laura Laughlin 12/03 Becky Lloyd 12/03 Quinn Preston 12/04 Rachel Vaughan 12/08 Bill Goodman 12/08 Kathy Preston 12/09 Maddie Parrill 12/09 Kody Atherton 12/10 Dennis Cox 12/11 Molly Keller 12/11 Stephen Green 12/13 Gene Branstool 12/14 Nancy Karam 12/14 Scott Schieber 12/16 Storm VanWey 12/18 Chad Kegler 12/21 Steve Barna 12/23 Steve Smoke 12/24 Judy Grace 12/25 Andy Kalas 12/26 Emelia Burgess 12/27 Nate Bowman 12/28 Dustin Walker 12/30 Jenna Simon Happy Anniversary 12/03 Bob & Bev Yoakam 12/07 John & Nancy Karam 12/11 Ned & Cindy Campbell 12/12 Troy & Kristi Burgess 12/14 Tom & Jane Lake 12/15 Jim & Patsy Farmer 12/17 Andrew & Cathy Bero 12/21 Dave & Mary Jo Layman 12/27 Mark & Lisa McKimmins 12./27 Bryan & Shelley Payne Thank you to Bill Goodman, Lisa McKimmins, Kevin Campbell, Nancy Schmidt and Sue Steele for the past two years of service on council. Your time was valuable to our Highwater Family and has been visible in many ways. Highwater Church Celebrations & Concerns Prayers for those in need of healing: Betty Nash, Gayle Gibson, Bob Tucker, Jim Farmer, Dave Nash, JoAnn Gault, Betty Bruce, Amy Kerr, Bruce & Carolyn Claggett, Phyliss Buxton, Donna Shipley, Kaylee Patton, Randy Shipley, John Stout, Miriam Thayer, Sharon Mummey, Mark Frick, Carl Richards, Marsha King, Karen O Hare, Genene Gergart, Evajean Greenlun, Richard Preston, Stewart Krulikoski & Family, Larry Humphrey, Theresa Gonda, Johm Gonda, Rolland McCullough, Carol Skeese, Dick Gilbreath, Norman Burgel, June Wymer, Victoria Boyles, Greg Montgomery, Keith Ries, Jackson Swindler, Dorothy Hubbell, Erin Kennedy, Sue Harwell, Joey Feek Continued prayers: for those who serve in our armed forces and all of their families, as well as those who have suffered the loss of a loved one. We welcome our Council Representatives through terms noted Mark McKimmins Moderator 12/2016 Jack Schmidt Treasurer 12/2016 Debbie Smetts Secretary Indefinite Ministry Chairs: Beth Schieber Fellowship (2016) Jackie Parrill Mary Jo Layman Care (2017) Jennifer Piper Stewardship (2017) Joy Smith Missions (2017) Allen Smith Allyson Patton Christian Education (2017) Kathy Preston Membership and Outreach (2017) Debbie Smetts Music and Worship (2017) Cathy Bero Becky Campbell WISH Trustees: Cindy Campbell 12/2016 Tom Siegel 12/2016 Bob Tucker 12/2016 Peggy Green 12/2017 Jeff Preston 12/ December 2015

6 Highwater Congregational U.C.C Dutch Lane Rd. Newark, OH Phone Pastor Scott Schieber, Minister Phone : (H) (C) Zach Cornelius, Youth Coordinator zcornelius500@columbus.rr.com Phone: Debra Smetts, Secretary & Newsletter Editor highchurch@windstream.net Phone : Mark McKimmins, Moderator Sunday Schedule Worship - 8:30 & 10:30a.m. Sunday School - 10:30a.m. WISH COOKBOOKS ONLY $ /$5.00 or $3.00 Each Now ONLY $1 Each Buy some now for the Holidays! WE RE ON THE WEB! Check us out! Did You Know? Greeting us with the love of Christ in the month of December are Mary Perry and Paula Olson. Acolytes for December: Jacey Snyder & Cate Schieber, Nick Patton, and Hayden Piper & Kamden Walker Sunday, December 20th 7:00p The Longest Night We come together for A Reflective and Quiet Time in the Sanctuary Peace, Hope, Faith, Love, Joy Through Giving & Attendance Office Hours : Monday: 8a - 10a Wednesdays & Thursdays: 8a- 12p Planning an Event? Use the LEGG Center Call Peggy Green at for rates, information and to reserve your date. And, if you want to use Highwater s tables, chairs, or other assets, please be sure to check first, and sign them out with both a departure date and a due-back date. 11/01 3, /08 2, /15 3, /22 3, We Need $2, Weekly to achieve our yearly budget. YTD we are under budget by -$2,498.00