Grafton United Methodist Church 973 Mechanic Street. Church Office:

Transcription

1 Grafton United Methodist Church 973 Mechanic Street Church Office: Grafton, Ohio December 2012

2 The Gift that Keeps on Giving It only takes one person or one thing to make a day or situation special. We have come through Thanksgiving and I hope that it was a special time for you. It was special in the McGhee household because the family was all together and of course D'Zavier made it even more special. Now we have arrived at Advent and the Christmas Season. Our household will be a buzz because this will be D Zavier s first Christmas. He will get far too many gifts for such a little guy who finds more enjoyment in crinkling paper and grabbing empty boxes than he finds in the actual gift but for us this will be a special day and yet as special as D Zavier will make the day for us, he is not the one who gives the greatest joy of all. It is Christ the Savior. Jesus, born in a stable among animals, came into this world under some of the most adverse conditions, poured out His life for our joy. Jesus, whose birthday we anticipate and celebrate is the Gift and the Gift-Giver. As we ready for Christmas how much space and what place will the Living Christ actually have in our time of preparation and celebration? How will family and friends know that the real joy of Christmas is Jesus and that the gift of eternal life with Jesus is theirs for free: no Master Charge, Discovery, or Visa bill to pay in the New Year. No need to stand in lines to exchange the ill-fitting, unflattering, not so practical, didn t really want it gift. Being, D Zavier s first Christmas will mean that he will be read the Christmas Story a tradition and gift that will never stop giving. D Zavier may not understand the words now but there will come a day when this special little guy in my life will meet the Special Friend in my life who gives life Jesus. Give the Gift worth more than silver and more precious than gold. Give the gift of love introduce someone to Jesus. Merry Christmas with Love, Pastor Dee

3 Serving the Lord December 2012 Lay Liturgist Greeters and Ushers 2 Dave Brest Bob and Mary Brandal and Melissa and Kevin Baldoza 9 Judy Schultz Rob and Heather Morley and Dick and Margie Lisle 16 Chris Clapper Ed and Joann Stinnett and Ron Rubesne and Ryan Tomes 23 Shirley Groves Marilyn Chavalia and Chris Clapper and Rick and Marilyn Riddle 30 Bob Brandal Amy Bajko and Mary Eddy and Shirley Groves and Marge Sayers Children s Time 2 Mary Eddy 9 Ryan Tomes 16 Carol Morley 23 Margie Lisle 30 Erin Byrne

4 1 Jonelle Meredith 2 Barb Ritsko Stephens 6 Dennis Bajko 7 Lena Hawke 11 Tyler Sullinger 18 Emily Prechtl 19 Jacob Prechtl 25 JESUS Dorothy Shively 27 Reilly Byrne 28 Chris Clapper Ruth Gaetz JANUARY 2 Chuck Stephens 3 Shirley Groves Molly Stonestreet 8 Adam Prechtl Molly Juncker Deadline for January Carillon Articles and Information Wednesday December 19 Make Plans Today and Mark Your Calendar Come Dine With Us December 8, 2012 at GUMC in the Lower Level Everyone is invited to share a meal and some conversation. Dinner is served from 5:00-6:30 p.m. Won t you join us! We ve got a seat saved just for you! PRAISE SERVICE from 6:00-6:30 p.m. upstairs in the Sanctuary Alzheimer s Group Meeting 6 Eric & Janeane Prechtl Monday December 17 at 6:30 pm

5 S UN M ON T UE W ED T HU F RI S AT 1 Hanging Of the Greens Service Brunch to follow :00 am Sunday School Fellowship 10:25 am Worship Holy Communion Open Table Birthday and Anniversary Sunday Prayer Partners Gathering Coffee Hour 6:00 pm OutReach Meeting Women s Bible Study Disciple 4 1:00 pm Little Books of the Bible Study 6:30 pm Disciple 2 at the Miller s Mid-Morning Prayer 4:30 pm Win-Some Wednesday 6:30 pm T.E.A.M. Tutoring A Taste of Freedom Study 10:30 am Comforters Group Traveling Light 9:00 am Finance Meeting Praise Team Rehearsal 5:00 pm Come Dine With Us Community Meal 6:00-6:30 pm Praise Service upstairs :00 am Sunday School Fellowship 10:25 am Worship CHRISTMAS CONCERT Blood Pressure Sunday 5:30 pm Trustee Meeting Administrative Council Disciple 4 1:00 pm Little Books of the Bible Study 6:30 pm Disciple 2 at the Miller s Mid-Morning Prayer 4:30 pm Win-Some Wednesday A Taste of Freedom Study 10:30 am Comforters Group Traveling Light Continued on next page

6 S UN M ON T UE W ED T HU F RI S AT :00 am Sunday School Fellowship 10:25 am Worship Adopt a Soldier Opportunity Sunday 6:30 pm Alzheimer s Meeting Disciple 4 1:00 pm Little Books of the Bible Study 6:30 pm Disciple 2 at the Miller s CARILLON ARTICLES DUE Mid-Morning Prayer 4:30 pm Win-Some Wednesday A Taste of Freedom Study 10:30 am Comforters Group Traveling Light :00 am Sunday School Fellowship 10:25 am Worship 7:30 pm Candlelight Service Church Office will be open from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm Church Office Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Mid-Morning Prayer A Taste of Freedom Study 10:30 am Comforters Group Traveling Light :00 am Sunday School Fellowship 10:25 am Worship Change for Change Sunday Church Office Closed New Year s Eve and New Year s Day Church Office will be open from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm Mid-Morning Prayer A Taste of Freedom Study 10:30 am Comforters Group Traveling Light

7 This year, our Christmas Concert will be held on December 9th and will be a full-costumed musical that you will not want to miss. Invite your friends and neighbors to this wonderful journey into the Christmas Season as we search for the King. Luminaries are a long standing tradition for our Christmas Eve Service. Anyone interested in helping to join in setting up the luminaries this year, please contact Rick Riddle! 2013 Offering Envelopes 2013 envelopes will be available every Sunday in December, beginning Sunday, December 2nd Lynn Westermann will be assigning your 2013 envelope boxes in Howard Tran Hall. Please make sure to stop and see her in the Sundays to come before the New Year begins. As a reminder, we will celebrate our traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7:30 PM

8 PUZZLED AT WHAT TO GIVE THIS YEAR? The best thing one can give is: FORGIVENESS to your enemy, TOLERANCE to your opponent, your HEART to a friend, a GOOD EXAMPLE to a child, GOOD WILL and LOVE to a father, to your mother, CONDUCT that will make her proud of you, to yourself, RESPECT, to all people LOVE. Advent begins the first Sunday in December, the 2nd. It's the most wonderful time of the year! Mary did you know "Take time to be aware that in the very midst of our busy preparations for the celebration of Christ s birth in ancient Bethlehem, Christ is reborn in the Bethlehems of our homes and daily lives. Take time, slow down, be still, be awake to the Divine Mystery that looks so common and so ordinary yet is wondrously present." ~ Edward Hays; A Pilgrim s Almanac that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod? When you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God?

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