The Lifeline GOWRIE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:1-5

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1 GOWRIE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH M A R K E T S T P O B O X G O W R I E I A The Lifeline V O L U M E 3 0 I S S U E 1 2 D E C E M B E R Dear Friends, I write this month with a sense of awe and comfort in my soul. Life this fall has been busy, through all the human business, God shines through. We just need to give God some quiet time to speak to us. With this in my heart, it is time to enter the Season. A season of preparing for Jesus. This is a season of Christmas lights, both soft and glowing or bright and blinding. This is a season of pine and spruce. That warm smell that tickles at our noses. This is a season of music. Carols and hymns that tell the old, old story. This is a season of family, remembering each one and spending some special time with them. This is a season of food, sweet tastes and rich tastes. And a full satiated feeling most of the time. This is a season of gifts, specially chosen items, store bought or homemade. Just the right thing for just the right person. This may also be a season of emptiness and loss. This may be a season of discouragement and sadness. This may be a season where nothing tastes or sounds the same. This may be a season that is more of the same with nothing particularly special. This may be a season where that special person is not there to buy that special gift for. This season is one of many for most of us. We have many opportunities in our lifetime to engage in and Christmas. Some are good, some are hectic, some are peaceful, and some are simply sad. This and Christmas season will find you in your own place and time. Jesus will meet you there. Jesus will meet you there. Jesus will love you. Jesus will lament with you. Jesus will cry with you. Jesus will celebrate with you. Jesus will be with you. And that is simply what Christmas is about for me this year. Jesus is with me. Jesus is with you. No matter what is happening in this world. The hope, love, joy, and peace we find, is not found in this world. We find it in Jesus. Praise the Lord and have a Merry Christmas. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:1-5 Pastor Susan K. Rohden gowrieumcpastor@wccta.net (O) (H) (C)

2 Christmas Gifts That Won t Break by James W. Moore Go on an journey with beloved teacher and storyteller James W. Moore, exploring the spirit of Christmas. As you light the candles of your wreath, reflect on the unbreakable gifts that God has given us: hope, love, joy, and peace. And remember God s greatest gift, Jesus Christ, who comes to us as a baby and leads us through all the days of our lives. Come Join Us Worship Series Christmas Gifts That Won t Break December 2, 2018 December 9, 2018 December 16, 2018 December 23, 2018 God s Gift of Hope God s Gift of Love God s Gift of Joy God s Gift of Peace Books available in Narthex $15. For personal study or group study. ADVENT 2018 Let us prepare our hearts for Jesus This year we will prepare for the birth of Jesus by filling the Manger with acts of love and kindness. Throughout this advent season we ask everyone to be loving and kind to others, on purpose. Each Sunday morning throughout, we will all have an opportunity to put straw in Jesus s manger, preparing it for his birth. Each handful of straw represents the loving acts and prayers for others throughout the prior week. By Christmas Eve the manger will be full of love and ready to hold baby Jesus. CALLING ALL KIDS!!!! On Sunday, December 2nd kids will receive a manger to take home and prepare for Baby Jesus. Do something nice for someone at home, at school, at church. At the end of the day, put a piece or straw in the manger for every kind thing you have done or prayer you have said. On Christmas day, your manger will be filled with love and ready for Baby Jesus. Mitten tree Please donate new mittens, hats, gloves, and scarves for this year s Mitten Tree. The Mitten Tree will be located at the back of the Sanctuary during. Half of the donated items stay local and the other half are sent to another organization providing support to those in need. Please help to keep children warm this winter. Caroling!! Saturday, December 15th Come join us for Caroling at 4:00pm (meet at the church at 3:50pm) Followed by supper (chili and chicken noodle soup)

3 December 9th at 7:00pm Zion Lutheran Church Order with Swanson s Florist or bring your poinsettias to the Church beginning November 26th. Bake Sale / Cookie Walk Noodles and Candy Shop Rugs and Crafts / White Elephant Publicity Judi Tjepkes Kitchen: Committee II Dining Room: Committee I December 5th Program ICCC Concert - 2:00PM (12:30PM meet at Church to share rides) Gifts for Shut ins - Joyce Circle Coffee at Tom Thumb No Circle Meetings in December John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. NRSV Ella Farnham Alex Stewart 12/6 12/19 Roger Brandes Jeremy Viles Colton Crouse Jon Elmore 12/5 12/20 Ryan Adam Penny Blunk 12/7 12/21 Dave Johnson Esther Long Jezika Joyce Kendall Sandgren 12/9 12/22 Joe Harrison David Stokesbary 12/10 12/23 Dick Monson Leola Mundt 12/11 12/24 Owen Nuss Jackson Barker 12/12 12/26 Sam Tvrdik Marj Johnson 12/13 Lesley Worrel Doug Ziemer 12/27 12/14 Samuel Sytsma Dillon Sytsma 12/29 12/15 Rachael Eller Lindsey Osorio We all belong in Christ!!! We are part of the One Body of Christ. Annual Christmas Coffee and Bazaar Saturday, December 1st 8-11 am 12/16 We welcome all in worship, fellowship and ministry!!! Memorials will be in the bulletin December 16th and December 23rd. 12/1 Let us build friendships in Christ and one another. Contact the Church office to let them know the names to be remembered for the bulletin. Birthdays BELONG: Refreshments to follow December

4 10:15 AM Worship 30 10:15 AM Worship 23 10:15 AM Children Program 6:30 PM Purpose, Project & Popcorn Men s Night :00 PM UMW ICCC Christmas Concert WED :30 AM Book Club 4:30 PM Confirmation 13 9:30 AM Book Club 2:00 PM Community Blood Drive 3:00PM Worship at the Care Center 4:30PM Confirmation THU 21 Pastor Susan s Day Off 7 14 Pastor Susan s Day Off Pastor Susan s Day Off FRI 31 5:00 PM Christmas Eve Service 24 Christmas Day 25 7:00 PM Next Step Youth Group 26 4:30 PM Confirmation Newsletter Folding < Pastor Susan in South Dakota > 18 Pastor Susan at UDTS 4 11 TUE :15 AM Worship 2:30 PM Emmaus Reunion /Worship Pastor Susan at UDTS Pastor Susan at UDTS MON 9 Communion Sunday 10:15 AM Worship SUN December 2018 Gowrie United Methodist Church 1 Newsletter Deadline AM UMW Christmas Bazaar SAT

5 SERVING YOU IN DECEMBER The greatest gift we can give to others is our prayer. - Unknown If you would like to be added to the prayer chain please contact the office, or gowrieumc@wccta.net 12/2/2018 December Communion (includes Christmas Eve) Color Bulletins SS Shepherd 12/9/2018 SS Shepherd 12/16/2018 Color Bulletins SS Shepherd 12/23/2018 Color Bulletins SS Shepherd Jeff and Mary Patterson Deb Tvrdik Alan and Nancy Lockman Judy Warrick Dalbert and June Isom Roger and Linda Brandes Judy Warrrick Marj Johnson Gary and Kendale Vosberg Colleen Traster Jennifer Field Paula Wicklander Jeremy and Jill Viles Bob and Myrna Jacobson Christmas Program During Worship Alan Wooters Dave and Judi Tjepkes Glenn Rohden Alan and Shirley Wooters No Sunday School 12/24/2018 5:00pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Mary Patterson David H. Anderson Sytsma Family 12/30/2018 Dennis Tucker Jeff and Mary Patterson Judy Warrick PURPOSE PROJECT AND POPCORN MEN S GROUP December 16th 6:30-8 p.m. Who: All Methodist Men of all ages, New Discussion: Integrity, Living the Truth by Carolyn Nystrom It is considered rude to speak of right and wrong. In such a culture we need to be reminded of the biblical value of integrity. These studies invite us to find contentment in who we are and how we follow God as we become people of integrity. As the Body of Christ we grow through worship and study. Come meet Jesus with us. Let us pray for our community. Let us pray: For our families For our community For those who are ill For those awaiting tests results Let us pray: For all those who grieve. Including: The Jacob s family Fawn Borer s family For all those with health concerns including: Steve Gutshall Debbie Dunavan Donna Springer Leolla Mundt December Ushers Dave and Judi Tjepkes Amanda Clark, David H. Anderson BELIEVE: One of our most important ministries as a Church and as individuals is the call to pray. If you have a prayer request, please call or Pastor Susan or the church office. If you are requesting prayers for someone other than yourself we will need to have their permission before calling on the congregation and prayer chain. For more information on serving during worship please the church office. There is always room for more!

6 We had a perfect cold night for soup! Nice turn out. Gifts received $1,135 Thank you to everyone who donated and served. The UpperRoom 2019 Disciplines are now available in the Narthex for $15 EMPLOYEE CHRISTMAS FUND NEXT STEP YOUTH GROUP Everyone is Welcome Christmas Project: December 8th Christmas shopping for the YWCA family Meet at Wendy s at Noon Please donate to the employee Christmas fund for Christmas Put in the memo line of your check Employee Christmas Fund. Thank you. Pastor Susan will be at the Church at 11:30 am for anyone who needs a ride. December meeting to be arranged 7-8 PM at Gowrie Join us Sundays at 9:45am For coffee in TRUNK N TREAT AT GOWRIE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH the Fellowship Hall Hosted by the W.I.G Group Nice Weather. Excellent turn out. Thank you to everyone who participated! UMW Memorials In keeping with "All Saints Day" the United Methodist Women are giving memorial gifts to the church's memorial fund in memory of our members who have richly blessed our group in so many ways. They are as follows; We thank you all for your service through the years. Marilyn Johnson Kathy Lizer Pearl VenHuizen

7 Loving: Gowrie United Methodist Church Administrative Council/Finance Minutes November 14, pm-8pm (condensed Minutes complete minutes posted in Narthex) A Place To Belong, Believe and Become Devotion was given by Mary Patterson. Glory Sightings. Discussion regarding thankfulness. Learning: Call to Order by Gary Vosberg Present: Pastor Susan, Gary Vosberg, Colleen Traster, Diane Boerner, Mary Patterson, and Linda Brandes. L3 Leading: Minutes of Last Meeting October Minutes approved. Old Business: Fall Soup Supper fund raiser was a success with good fellowship. $1,135 was taken in. Charge Conference Leadership changes for next year John Mike Lizer - Administrative Board Chair. Gary Vosberg- Lay Leader. Kendale Vosberg -SPPRC Chair. Trunk N Treat: successful outreach event children and adults came to the event. New Business: Parsonage: New account needs to be set up for Parsonage rent. This account should be separate from the other Church accounts. Mary motioned for a parsonage account to be set up, Linda second. Council agreed. Signatures for the parsonage checking account. The checking account will require two signatures when a check is written for bills, Denny Tucker and Eric Adam who is the Trustee Chair, were nominated to be the signers. Mary motioned to have Denny and Eric have authorization to sign checks, Colleen second. Council agreed. One Board Model Jerry Schnurr from Fort Dodge First UMC currently uses model. Gary suggested that a few members meet with Jerry to learn more about the model. Work Area s Report Treasurer s Report The Treasurer s report was approved. Other s Reports Worship Committee Colleen shared with council that the Worship Committee is preparing for Christmas and will have the church members decorate the same as last year. During the November 25 th Sunday Worship the congregation will do the Hanging of the Greens. Memorial Committee Pastor Susan reported for Joan that the Memorial Committee voted to purchase a new lap top for the Church since the current laptop has several broken keys on it. The committee also approved to purchase a small foldable table and a ceiling light for the secretary s office. SPPRC They are working on filling the Church secretary position. Pastor s Report Thanksgiving Eve Service will be at the Zion Lutheran Church. will be December 2 nd, 9 th, 16 th and 23 rd. Vacation Pastor Susan vacation December 17 th to 21 st. Christmas Eve Service will be at 5:00pm. Next Step Youth Group will have a potato bar in January. Next Meeting: Will be December 2 nd at 209 Main Restaurant in Paton for the board s Christmas lunch. January 2 nd will be the next meeting in Prayer Adjournment BECOME: As we grow, we serve God in our church and community. We renew our covenant to faithfully participate in the ministries of our church through prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness.

8 GOWRIE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 1306 MARKET STREET PO BOX 479 GOWRIE, IOWA NONPROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID GOWRIE IA PERMIT NO. 22 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Christmas Eve Sunday December 16th During Worship Candlelight Service Monday, December 24th Service at 5:00 pm Everyone Welcome! CHURCH OFFICE HOURS The church office will be open Tuesday-Thursday 8 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Subject to Change Sunday School: 9:00 AM Fellowship Coffee: 9:45 AM Sunday Worship: 10:15 AM