Kaneville United Methodist Church Newsletter

Transcription

1 Kaneville United Methodist Church Newsletter December 2012 Sunday Worship is at 8:00 A.M. & 10:30 A.M. Sunday School 9:15 A.M. Pastor: Rev. Mark Harkness Secretary: Laura Ryan Office Phone: Lay Speakers: Jim O'Connell Russ Wendling Kaitlyn Wendling If you would like to be removed from this mailing, please contact the church office.

2 1. Pastor's Page 2. Missions Page Table of Contents 3. Cookie Walk/Christmas in Kaneville 4. Hanging of the Greens 5. Christmas Program 6. Women's Retreat 7. Youth and Children's Ministries 8. Conley Outreach 9. Grief Share 10. Funeral Duty 11. Calendar asp?id=32283&pg=events&intmonth=12&intyear=2012

3 2012 Pastor: Rev. Mark Harkness,OSL Personal Urgent phone: Office Hours for 2012: Pastor Mark: Monday - Thursday 9:30 am-12:00 pm. Friday Day Off Other times by appointment Secretary: Laura Ryan Office Hours: M,W, F 11:00-2:00 Office: office@kanevilleumc.org Newsletter Information and Sunday Bulletin Deadlines Newsletter items are always welcome; we encourage you to submit your news no later than the 19th of the month. Please submit your bulletin items no later than Wednesday. Via, office@kanevilleumc.org, phone or you may leave it on the desk of the secretary. Thank you! Funeral/Kitchen Duty for December 2012 Sandy Gould and Diane Hance Holy Communion Invitation We celebrate Holy Communion the first Sunday of month during each worship service. If you are unable to be present at worship, and would like Communion brought to you, please contact the church.

4 A Word from Pastor Mark December 2012 (Jesus said,) There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man. Luke 21:25-28, (NRSV) Grace and peace in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. You may remember, that a few months ago, I d mentioned that I had a new puppy, Arminius; and that I d talked about his relationship to the leash. He s grown more accustomed to the leash, and has started to identify it, and my hiking boots as a sign that a walk is impending. But he s still a puppy with puppy energy. A simple walk around town isn t enough. Therefore, we often go on hikes where he has room to run, and the terrain can serve to wear him out. Often, those hikes take us to the forest preserve in Elburn. That worked well through the summer, I could take him for a hike after I was done working for the day. However, the time change and autumnal equinox, makes that difficult. The forest preserve closes at sundown, and darkness comes sooner. Recently, Arminius and I had gone for an afternoon hike. I knew that we needed to get going in order to have time. However, I d not made the mental shift to remember that by setting the clock back an hour to standard time, the forest preserve would close earlier. The result was that when we returned to the car (it was still light, but after sundown) I discovered that we d been locked in. The forest preserve was closed. There were signs. Figuratively in that my eyes sensed dusk. Literally, as one enters the forest preserve there is a sign that states

5 clearly that the preserve closes at sundown. Still, I was caught offguard. I was so focused on achieving the goal that I d established that I was trapped. As we enter December, many persons think about the time prior to December 25 as Christmas time. However, in the Church, Christmas begins on December 25; the time prior is called Advent. The time set aside for Advent was not meant as a preparation for the remembrance of the nativity of Jesus. It was a time of preparation for the remembrance that in the Incarnation we have seen the fulfillment of a promise that assures us that Jesus Christ will keep his promise to return. Advent is about the parousia the Second Coming and the reign of God. How often do we think about Christ s return? Do we even look for the signs? Do we let ourselves become so accustomed to the promise that it becomes invisible like that sign at the entrance to forest preserve? Do we let worldly Christmas expectations define our anticipation for what God has done, and what God has promised in Jesus Christ? So, what? I was lucky, Susan drove out to retrieve Arminius and me, and drove me out again at sunrise to retrieve my car after I d been locked in. I suspect she won t be so understanding if there is a next time because of my failure to attend to the signs, even though I think there is plenty of time. I don t know when Christ will return. There may be plenty of time, but I and we have a choice how to spend that time. We can either make the decision to spend that time living for the goals of the world? Or we can spend our time on the Kingdom s goals. I don t know when I ll meet Jesus face-to-face, either because of his return or my appearance at the judgment. However I do know that I don t want to get locked out. Neither in this life or the life to come. Your Brother in Christ, Rev. Mark Harkness, OSL

6 MISSION OPPORTUNITY'S The mission for December is Gifts of Love, an offering that is split between different families in our community. If you know of someone or a family in our church family or community who could use a little extra this season please let one of the mission committee members know; Karen Flamand, Kim Wendling, or Myra Ottoson. Please take a tag from the Holiday Spirit tree. We have the opportunity to buy gifts for a Kaneland area family with 3 children. Please have your new, unwrapped gifts (with the original tree tag and gift receipt attached) back at the church by December 9 th. Wrapping paper and bows are also welcome. The Aurora Cluster of United Methodist congregations is hosting a mission trip to the Midwest Missions Distribution Center in Chatham, Illinois from January 7-9, Rather than waiting for a disaster to strike, this trip serves as a means of creating disaster/flood buckets and preparing materials so that they are ready to be distributed immediately in response to disaster needs. Other work could entail working on facility improvements at the center. The Midwest Mission Distribution Center is a United Methodist ministry in Illinois. The cost for the trip is only $30 of which a $20 deposit is due when you sign up. This cost covers our housing while in Chatham. Participants will pay for their own food and travel together. Our mission team needs to provide a final list of participants by December 1st. If you are interested in attending this mission trip please contact Pastor Mark. If you d like more information about the Midwest

7 Mission Distribution Center, please visit them on the web at CHRISTMAS IN KANEVILLE SATURDAY DECEMBER 1st 9AM TO 1PM Events include: *Cookie Walk at the Kaneville United Methodist Church -selling cookies by the pound. *Kaneville Community Childcare Center gift raffle fundraiser Items & entry forms at church. *Visit with Santa at the Kaneville Fire Department *Kaneville Township Historical Society Farley house open with special displays. *Make & take crafts & stories for kids at the Kaneville Public Library also refreshments & raffles *Craft show & bake sale at Community Center Gym 9 to 1 *Belgium Horse hayride around town donations accepted *Various businesses open with refreshments including Old Second Bank and Hill s Country Store. The craft show is held in the gym at the Community Center. The spaces are about 8x8, 6x8 and 6 banquet table size. There is a $5 donation for participating crafters. If interested in participating kflama64@gmail.com.

8 KCCC KCCC annual Christmas Raffle that will be on display at the Cookie Walk and at KCCC. There are over 60 prizes to choose from. Tickets are on sale now $1 each or 6 for $5. The drawing will be on December 16th and winners will be notified by phone./ Hanging of the Greens Mark your calendars for the annual Hanging of the Greens, scheduled for Sunday, December 2 immediately following the 10:30 worship service. After a light lunch, the children will decorate the Sunday school areas while the adults decorate the sanctuary and vestibule. It s a great way to kick off the Christmas season for the whole family!

9 Kaneville United Methodist Church 14 th Annual Women s Retreat Resting in Him" The Lord replied, "My Presence will go with you,and I will give you rest." (Exodus 33:14) When: January 18-20, 2013 Where: Wesley Woods in Williams Bay, WI. What to expect: Friendship good memories - fun laughter - encouragement & hope spiritual growth - good food - meaningful moments - meditation & quiet time Choose: on Saturday. Between a one or two night stay. Or join us only Cost: One night = $50.00, Two nights = $70.00, Saturday during the day only = $15.00 (We will have all meals at our home on the lake and participants will be asked to furnish an item for snacking, Friday supper, Saturday breakfast or Saturday lunch.) Bring: Bibles, Winter clothes & boots for walking outside -spending quiet time in God's glorious winter wonderland, Bedding/sleeping bags, pillow, towels & toiletries, Food item Note: Coffee, tea, lemonade and water are provided. Check-in: begins at 3:00 pm. Friday with supper at 6:30 pm. Saturday morning s program begins at 9 am with breakfast starting at 7am Questions: Call: Diane Hance Mail form: Diane Hance Women s Retreat Pritchard Rd Maple Park, IL 60151

10 ************************************************** KUMC Women s Retreat- Resting in Him January 18-20, 2013 Name: Phone Address: Make checks payable to: Kaneville U.M. Women Registration form due by January 6, *Registration fee is transferable but not refundable Scholarships are available, please speak with Carol Flanders.

11 KUMC Children & Youth Ministries Holiday Spirit Holiday Spirit is underway! This year KUMC is sponsoring a local family with 3 children. Holiday Spirit is a joint program of the Kaneland schools, Conley Outreach and area businesses and civic organizations. Tags have been placed on the tree in the Fellowship Area with clothing and toy requests. Each child has multiple tags for clothes and toys. Gift cards for department stores, gas or groceries may also be purchased for the families. Unwrapped presents must be at the church by Sunday, December 9 th. As in years past, we will also be collecting new mittens, gloves, scarves, hats and socks for these and other Holiday Spirit families. All leftover outerwear goes to the Kaneland Area Food Pantry for their patrons. Christmas Program Mark your calendars for the annual Children s Christmas Program on Sunday, December 9 during the 10:30 worship service. The program will feature familiar as well as contemporary Christmas music and a re-enactment of the Christmas story. The children will also be providing special vocal and instrumental solos during the service. We will be having a rehearsal for the Christmas program on Saturday, December 8 at 9am. All children kindergarten and older and children performing special music or readings should try to attend this 1 hour rehearsal. Peacemakers We have been having a great time at Peacemakers this fall with kids each month from KUMC and the community. We will be meeting at the church Wednesday, December 19 at 6pm for our annual Christmas Caroling party. If you know someone who could use a bit of cheer this Christmas let us

12 know so we can stop by with song and cookies specially made by the kids. Youth Group The youth had a great time over Thanksgiving break gathering at Luigi s for laser tag, video games and pizza. Thanks to Russ Wendling for chaperoning! Plans are underway for the Christmas party and winter Lock In. Details to follow. Acolyte Schedule December 1 Hayden & Owen Ragatz December 9 Mariann O Connell & Eva Ottoson December 16 Kyla & Grant Baldridge December 23 Sophie & Thor Ottoson Mark Your Calendar! December 8 Xmas Program Practice December 9 Christmas Program December 9 Holiday Spirit gifts due December 19 Peacemakers Caroling December 30 No Children s Sunday School January 6 No Children s Sunday School

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14 Conley Outreach is pleased to offer GriefShare, a free self help seminar and support group for people experiencing grief and loss. GriefShare features nationally recognized experts on grief recovery topics in a DVD and small group discussion format. Seminar sessions include Living with Grief, The Effects of Grief, When Your Spouse Dies, Your Family and Grief, Why?, Stuck in Grief, The Uniqueness of Grief, Top 20 Lessons of Grief and Heaven. GriefShare is a non-denominational group that features biblical teachings on grief and recovery. Each session is self-contained, so you do not have to attend all 13 sessions. You will find encouragement and help whenever you begin. There is a voluntary $15 donation for the series workbook, which is waived in cases of hardship. Everyone will receive this resource, regardless of ability to pay. The series begins Sunday January 6, 2013 at 6 pm and meets weekly at the Sugar Grove United Methodist Church, 176 Main Street in Sugar Grove. For more information about topics or to register, call Conley Outreach at 630/ December Birthdays and Anniversaries WE NEED HELP UPDATING THE DECEMBER BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY LIST. WE do not have a complete list for this month for our congregation. If you know someone with a birthday or anniversary in December please Laura Ryan at office@kanevilleumc.org Birthdays Dec. 10th: Addison Ryan, Manda Davis