November/December 2015 Newsletter

Transcription

1 November/December 2015 Newsletter Pastor s Corner Rejoice Favored One, the Lord is With you! With these words, Mary s life was transformed. Transformed from fear-filled to joy-filled, transformed from another of God s creation to the mother of Christ, transformed as she became aware of God s presence in her body, in her soul, in her life. We all long for the transformation Christ brings. We long for the inbreaking of God s tangible presence in a way that transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary: ordinary decisions into meaningfilled decisions, ordinary actions into Spirit led actions, ordinary moments into God-filled opportunities. I hear this longing in my home visits: I m looking for my place in the church, I feel disconnected, I m spread too thin. We long for our lives to be transformed in the community of Christ. I firmly believe that God longs to direct each of us in reaching out into our community to make new enthusiastic disciples of Jesus Christ. The question is, are we able to distinguish between a good idea and God s idea? Are we open to hearing God s wisdom and not just our own? We are going to spend the four weeks of Advent exploring ways of being open to Christ coming into our lives in a way that transforms us. Like Mary, God is asking us to be a part of God s plan to restore the world. Will we choose to say yes? Will we Actively Wait on God? Pastor Jennifer Burns Trunk or Treat & Halloween Maze served over 300 children

2 WORSHIP Worship Design Team Update Your Worship Design team has been working hard in preparing services for the upcoming Advent season. We have been focusing on the order of the basic elements of worship : Gathering Hearing the Word Sermon Series for Back to Basics: Responding to the Word Major Themes of the Gospel of Mark cont. Sending Forth to Serve Nov. 1 Where Do My Priorities Lie? - All By thinking of worship in this way, it has helped us not Saints Day only to tie the service together with one common Nov. 8 - "Where Does it End?" - Psalm 22 theme, but also to put the individual pieces of our current worship service into place so that we can best keep Nov "Where Now?" - Stewardship our hearts and minds focused in a way that will bring us Nov. 22 What is Stewardship? - Micah 6:6-8 closer to God and to each other as a family of faith. Advent Series on Discernment: Starting with Advent, you will see some changes in the Actively Awaiting Transformation: order of the service. No pieces have been removed, Nov. 29 Solitude & Silence Psalm 26:1-10 just rearranged. We are excited and looking forward to experiencing the presence of God in worship this season. Blessings from your Creative Worship Design Team: Amy Cavey, Judy Hoover, Bev Miller and Pastor Jennifer Dec. 6 Prayer Philippians 1:5, Luke 1:39-45 Dec. 13 Self Examination Zephaniah 3:14-20, Luke 3:7-18 Dec. 20 Scripture Philippians 2:1-11 Christmas: Thurs. Dec. 24 Candlelight Family Worship Service 7pm music, 7:30-8:30pm Worship. Blue Christmas Ecumenical Sun. Dec. 27 The Celebration Continues! Worship on Dec. 14th at 6pm. For many people, the approaching Christmas holiday does not bring with it the joy and happiness that is advertised. This service will be reflective, accepting where we really are, and holding out healing and hope. We will focus on the comfort God offers during dark times. Christmas Concert Opportunities: Creamers Christmas Concert at First UMC on December 4th. Concert with Richard Lewis on December 5th with a silent auction downstairs that will benefit the OL- OG Library Project. This group was here last year and it was a very special time.

3 2016 PLANNING 2016 Emphasis Areas Governing Board Report We believe that God has guided us to our mission to Grow, Renew, and Equip the church family to reach out into our community to make new enthusiastic disciples of Jesus Christ. Within that overarching mission, some areas of emphasis have emerged as immediate needs of our congregation. We, the Governing Board, invite the congregation to focus on these needs in the upcoming year of These are not meant to be strict inclusive boxes into which everyone s work for God must fit. However, we ask everyone to consider ways that your ministry and service may help in achieving these results. The Holy Spirit has brought these needs to our attention. By joining together, we can grow, renew, and equip our church family in ways that significantly improve our enthusiasm and ability to reach out into our community to share the love and blessing of Jesus. Grow Back to Basics Faith Development Disciples grow as they refresh and learn the foundational tenants and practices of our faith. We will use focused messages in the worship service and small group studies appropriate for their age and faith stage explored in a safe environment. (And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight. Philippians 1:9). Renew Comfort Thru Change and Loss Disciples are renewed as the Community of faith uses intentional, appropriate, and helpful witness to be the hands, feet, and presence of God in the midst of loss and change. (Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted Matt. 5:4). Equip - Discernment Disciples are equipped in following God as they learn to actively listen and respond to the presence, movement, and direction of the Holy Spirit in their daily life. (Search me, O God...and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24). Governing Board Nominations Needed It is time to select two new members of the Governing Board to serve three year terms. They must be members of our church and Christians who can discern God s direction for our church. Please prayerfully consider who you would like to represent our church on this important board and nominate them on the forms provided (coming soon). A congregational vote will take place in early December. A BIG thank you to Becky Vaughn and Thelma Denlinger who have faithfully served their three year terms. Governing Board sets overarching church goals and provides accountability for ministry. Leadership Team Are free to develop ministry as the Holy Spirit directs, are encouraged to work toward the overarching goals, and are held accountable for working within the Boundary Principles. OUTREACH GOAL SETTING Outreach will be planning goals for 2016 at the November 10th meeting at 6:30. All are welcome to share ideas! FINANCE BUDGETING The finance team is creating three budget proposals: Base Budget This will keep the lights on and fulfill our legal obligations. Faith Budget This will continue to fund our ministry at its current level. Dream Budget This will equip us for new forms of ministry that we feel God is calling us to. Our next steps depend on you. Please submit your Estimate of Giving to church on/by November 22nd.

4 Feed Brookville Feed Brookville has been in full swing since September 12. The vision for Feed Brookville is to enhance other community outreach ministries by providing one hot meal per week for community families, children, and the elderly through support from churches, service organizations, school organizations and other individuals. If you are interested in serving, please see Karen Osswald. HOLIDAY OPPORTUNITIES Decorate For Christmas Save Saturday, December 5 for decorating CUMC for the Advent season. Join us as we start the morning off with a carry-in fellowship breakfast at 8:00am. We should start decorating about 9:00am. Christmas Adopt-A- This year for Christmas we are having an Adopt- A-Family Christmas Tree! There will be cards on the Christmas tree that will give you an opportunity to take a meal to or visit with a member of our congregation. We had a great time with this last year and are hoping that we continue to outreach to our congregants and build relationships! Antioch UMC Christmas Sale Huge Christmas Sale, November 12th, from 9am to 6pm. Bring your family, friends and neighbors. There will be a lunch stand with hot dogs, soup, chips, cakes, cookies to enjoy also. Please come and join Antioch UMC, Wolf Creek Pike, Trotwood, Ohio Any questions call the church office at Benefit Concert Dec. 5th Richard Lewis will MC various musical performances followed by a silent auction downstairs. Funds raised will support a Library in Haiti.

5 MORE OPPORTUNITIES Family Game Night Sunday, November 22 at 5:00pm will be Family Supper & Game night. Bring your Favorite Soup/ Snacks/Soda to share. Bring your favorite game and of course we will have cards for Euchre. Piecemakers & Key Club Piecemakers has been teaching the youth of our church how to make a quilt. They have partnered with Brookville High School Key Club students to make quilts for the Homeless Shelter! The youth have been sewing a few Monday evenings per month, if you would like to join them talk to Nancy Cera. The youth have enjoyed getting to know the Piecemakers group. Don't forget all are welcome to join Piecemakers from 9:30 to 3:30 every Thursday. FISH food pantry is in need of canned green beans and Chef Boyardee! As part of our Prison Ministry outreach we invite you to write a letter to an inmate and those who are re-entering should you feel led to do so. Calling all women! The Women s Group meets on the 4 th Monday of every month at 1:00 p.m. at Carmela s, come join them for good food and fellowship! Christmas Caroling December 13th at 3pm Meet at Brookhaven door 1 by the clock. We ll end with Marian s Pizza. Remember continue to pray for all the youth and children in our church! Also, please remember to continue to pray for your preschool prayer partner. God s timing has put these families here NOW and this is one way we can build a relationship with these families!

6 UMC CONNECTION U.M.C. GIVING HOW IS CUMC CONNECTED? Stewardship is about how we use everything God has given including time, talents, and funds. Time: The generosity of time given is hard to measure but can be seen. We see it in the blood drives, Feed Brookville, Piecemakers, funeral meals, power-point for Sunday, money counters, Sunday-school, special clean up days, caring for our facility, sanctuary decorating, choir practices, etc. Volunteers give many hundreds of hours without expectation of gain. Observation #1 We have high per-capita giving of people s time which leads to hearts transformed, worship changing lives, and needs met in the name of Jesus Christ. Talents: All of us have talents. Some may have a single talent with few counterparts who could complete, but the range of talents and the need for many hands to make light the work reminds us that everyone s talents are needed. Question: What are you doing with your talent for the Kingdom of God? Funds: Our 2015 budget is $174,048. This year we have significantly exceeded the giving needed to cover the budget and then about 5% additional. We still need funds to meet our basic expenses, but our extravagant giving capability shone through in paying off the mortgage! Observation #2 - When a worthy need is proposed and the church members agree to pursue it, wonderful things happen to our donations. Just over $20,000 of our budget is general church support, otherwise known as apportionments. These are our portion of the expenses needed to support the connection of the UMC with all the ministries, trainings, support, and oversight which that entails. In the past few years we have not paid these apportionments. In the coming years, we plan to step up this giving because we see the value of our connection and the work for Jesus being done with our apportionment dollars. Phil Roberts, Finance Chair United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR) This past year, UMCOR has worked with refugees and internally displaced people in places such as South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, along the southern border of the United States and throughout Europe and the Middle East. The protracted war in Syria has left thousands homeless. Working with local partners, UMCOR has been present offering humanitarian aid and relief to those left most vulnerable in the face of this conflict. UMCOR has responded around the world to floods and tornadoes, typhoons and fires, earthquakes, and hurricanes. In the last year UMCOR trained more than 1,000 Early Response Team volunteers in the United States and worked with more than 50 international partners. We have refocused our attention on Disaster Risk Reduction to build resilience in communities so that they are more prepared when faced with crisis. Our strategic vision sees UMCOR growing as a leader in disaster response and also as a partner in community -based development. Thank you for your prayers, gifts, labor, and commitment as we work together to be a part of God s mission. Peace, Rev. Dr. J. Denise Honeycutt, Deputy General Secretary, UMCOR

7 PARTNERS Our Partners are an Outreach of Community UMC Scout Committee Chair Sought! Have you been praying about ways for our church to get more involved in our Scout Troop? Now s your opportunity! Our troop needs a new Committee Chair! This chair would: Host monthly committee meetings Serve as Liaison between the troop and the church Ensure the unit is led with the influence and guidance of our church Help recruit additional leaders as needed Sign off on all Eagle Scout applicants And possibly more: trainings, Eagle Scout Review Board, etc. Chair cannot serve in any other registered position within the Troop. Please talk with Rodney Stark ASAP if you are interested. Community Preschool News Harvest Party Big Success! What a great time everyone had at the Harvest Party! So many creative costumes. The staff had some difficulties recognizing our preschoolers! A huge pat on the back to all the parents who helped plan; decorate; and clean-up for the party under the direction of Jennifer Schuck and Lori Combs. Our thanks for all the donations! The children each received a goody bag full of treats. Popcorn & Pretzel Fund Raiser Info Another awesome response of your support for the preschool program! We raised $ for classroom activities and field trips. Enjoy your snacks! Christmas Programs Mark your calendar! The children are preparing to entertain you with holiday music and finger plays. Come enjoy our excitement for the season! 7pm on Dec. 17th & 18th. All programs will be in the church sanctuary. After the program all are invited downstairs in the Fellowship Hall for refresh- Preschool Tailgate Kickoff was Filled with Fun and Fellowship!

8 CELEBRATIONS November Birthdays December Birthdays 3 Mallory Hoover 2 Nancy Cera 4 Sydney Newbauer 7 Sharon Carr 9 Don Curry 8 Gil Johnson 11 Kathy Idle 9 Kathy Ferriell 15 Madelyn Elling 9 Martha Denlinger 18 Dorothy Johnson 10 Charles Becker 20 Rodney Stark 11 MacKenzie Hoover 24 Jan Shaw 12 Dale Creamer November Anniversaries 19 Doug Hoover 19 Terry & Yvonne Denlinger 24 Judy Wolfe December Anniversaries 27 Lois Cobb 1 Eric & Jackie Dolan 30 Julia Cavey 13 Mike & Kathy Ferriell 31 Karen Osswald 25 JESUS CHRIST 16 Roger & Judy Hoover 28 Dale & Becky Vaughn THANK YOU!!! Once again we had an AMAZING good time with the Trunk and Treat/Basement Maze. Everyone had a scary good time!! Thanks to everyone who helped out on this Community project. PHOTO FUN Do you take photos of church members and events? Send them in by the newsletter deadline for a chance to be included on our Celebrations Page! CUMC collected and donated all these shoes to be converted into money to dig water wells in Africa. Thanks Paula

9 November 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Small Group 5-7p Leadership Team 6:30-8 6:30-8p Total Praise Rehearsal 4pm Covenant Bible Study 9:30 Piecemakers &-8p Scouts 11:30-12:30p Feed Brookville :30-12:30 1:30-3p Total Praise Rehearsal 5-7p Small Groups 12:30-2:30 Total Praise Rehearsal 6:30 Outreach Veterans Day 9:30 Piecemakers 7-8 Scouts Feed Brookville Thanksgiving Dinner Last one until 1/16/ Gov Worship with Total Praise 5-7 small groups erning Board 6:30 Preschool Board mtg 7:00 Discipleship ; 9:30 Piecemakers 7-8 Scouts Stewardship Sunday. Bring Estimate of Giving Cards 5-7 Family Game 1-2:30 Women s Group at Carmela s 5;30 Praise - Thanksgiving Day 29 30

10 December 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 11am Worship Design meeting 2 3 9:30 am Piecemakers 7-8p Scouts 4 7pm Creamers Performing at First UMC 5 8am Breakfast 8:30am Devotion 9am Decorating Pm OLOG Library Benefit Concert :30-8p Leadership Team mtg 9:30 am Piecemakers 7-8p Scouts pm Caroling (Brookhaven) 6:00pm Blue Christmas Ecumenical Worship 9:30 am Piecemakers 7-9pm Preschool Christmas program 7-9pm Preschool Christmas program Governing Board Christmas Eve 7-7:30 Music 7:30-8:30 Candle Light Worship 25 Christmas Day am Sunday School Breakfast Final day for Community 2015 donations Preschool 31 9:30 am Piecemakers 7-8 Scouts 114 Hay Ave., Brookville, Ohio 45309