PROVISIONS FOR PROVIDENCE Trusting in God s Providence since 1836

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1 PROVISIONS FOR PROVIDENCE Trusting in God s Providence since 1836 Kemptown Providence United Methodist Church 3716 Kemptown Church Road December 2017 Monrovia, MD Find us on Facebook at Kemptown-Providence-United-Methodist-Church Pastor DD Adams, Sharon Warfield, Music Director Patty Spitler, Secretary Greetings brothers and sisters in the Lord! During the season of Advent believers in God are waiting and preparing for Christ. It s easy to get distracted and caught up in the commercialism and bright lights of the season. Maybe our waiting and preparing has morphed to more of a buying and spending frenzy instead of remembering the reason for the season. Let s intentionally look through a lens that encourages our faith and reminds us of our bright and promised future with God. With that in mind, let s develop ways and habits that have the power to set our hearts in a position of expectation and anticipation for godly things, and that s the hope of Christ. The Advent season invites us to hope in the celebration of our coming King. We rejoice because a Son has been given, but we also rejoice as we hope and look for the second coming of Christ! The hope we have in Christ s second coming means more to us when we experience and see all that s happening in the world and communities. Earthquakes, flooding, climate changes, famines, unemployment, and rumors of war. All these conditions have a way of creating a feeling that s unsettling. Still we persist in looking to Christ for stability and celebrate the birth of Christ while at the same time looking and hoping for the second coming of Christ. A believer s aim is to meet together regularly and to encourage one another. To look up rather than looking down at earthly things that are temporal and short-lived. In looking up, we look to God. It s important for a family to know that they are world-wide and part of something bigger than themselves; it provides an eternal perspective that looks at the bigger picture. We are the body of Christ. We re part of a living organism, part of God s salvation story. Part of a deliverance and rescue that s begun, yet, it s not completed. Perhaps a believer s goal is to maintain a heart position that s continually leaning forward toward becoming an Advent people despite the dark times and chaos in the world we re continuously looking toward the light of Christ to provide the hope that s needed to walk in the light of Christ. As we wait and watch for the coming of Christ, be assured, God keeps his promises. Be encouraged and be thankful,... wait eagerly for our Lord, King Jesus, to be revealed (1 Cor 1:7b). Peace and grace, Pastor DD

2 PUMC MISSION OF THE MONTH FOR DECEMBER Teaching for Children s Time Robert Drury Kemptown Christmas Project Sunday, December 3 9:30am ~~~~~~~~~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~ FELLOWSHIP and SPECIAL WORSHIP SERVICES IN DECEMBER FOUR SUNDAYS IN DECEMBER with 4 Themes Dec. 3 rd (Hope), 10 th (Peace), 17 th (Love), and the 24 th (Joy) PUMC will celebrate the Season of Advent. A different family each Sunday will light the candles on the Advent Wreath. Sunday, December 3 rd Holy Communion worship services at 8:00 and 9:30am Providence Christmas Pot-Luck at 5:00pm Sunday, December 10 th 8 and 9:30am worship services 2:00pm Wreath Laying Service Sunday, December 17 th 8 and 9:30am worship services 7:00pm Providence Christmas Cantata Sunday, December 24 th 8 and 9:30am Christmas worship services 7:00pm Family Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship A Service of Light

3 Sunday, December 31 st Guest speaker, Rev. Stacey Nickerson *No 8am worship service this Sunday* ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ VETERANS DAY WORSHIP SERVICE TO HONOR SOLDIERS NOVEMBER 12 TH Thanks to all who served. T H A N K S TO ALL T H O S E W H O H E L P E D Thank you Richard and Julie Thompson for planning this worship service to appreciate our veterans. THE SINGING WAS GREAT. THANK YOU CHOIR. C O O K A N D D E C O R A T E

4 2017 PRAYER INITIATIVE Please pray congregation don t underestimate the power of prayer in our church s life! 3 THINGS TO BELIEVE PRAY and THANK GOD Prayer Objective for PROVIDENCE UMC To pray, believe, and thank God for Providence to attract and keep younger families. That their leadership AND participation within the church would begin to allow present leaders the opportunity to step down and allow younger folks to step-up. Please pray as God would lead. 1. See that God is, once again, making all things new. Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43:18-19). I believe God wants to motivate our present leadership to seek PUMC s vision statement ( To continue to renew and grow an intergenerational and diverse congregation. ) in a more determined way through prayer. I want our church to pray specifically and hold God accountable to his word to provide and care for the future leadership of Providence. 2. Believe and trust God. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. (Psalm 37:5). Commit your way.... This is the idea of rolling our cares and suggests to visually picture a heavy burden that moves away from ourselves and onto someone else GOD. We lay the burden on Christ to provide for our church. Christ alone has the resources. The burden we give to God in prayer we don t have the strength or the resources to accomplish. So we lay it on Jesus our burden bearer. 3. Thank God for the answer to our prayer in advance and be open to God s leading. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God (Romans 8:27). As the Spirit of God intercedes for us we know our prayer request is being presented, perfected, and performed by God. We can pray amiss, but let s believe God will act according to God s perfect will; doing so changes our perspective to one of trust and adds patience. We believe God is doing a new thing, we roll the burden onto God, and we pray expecting to receive according to the will of God.

5 Holding On To Christmas Christmas Cantata Sunday, December 17, :00 p.m. Just the mention of the word Christmas and immediately we are taken back to our childhoods, sitting around the Christmas tree, the smell of spiced cider and cookies baking in the oven. We wrap our arms around cherished memories. These memories are at the center of what makes Christmas as joyous time of year. With our world in such turmoil and with suffering a far as the eye can see, the need for peace, comfort and most especially hope needs to be on our hearts and minds. At Christmas, we remember what God has given us through His Son, Jesus, and we hold on to that hope for our world and our lives. The choir will be presenting their annual Christmas Cantata on Sunday evening, December 17, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. We ask that you come to hear the good news and to find something that God offers for each of us to hold onto. The choir will be presenting, Holding On To Christmas, by Marty Parks. Come feel the love of Christmas through this music as we look forward to the coming of our Savior, and for Hope of the World. Musically yours, Sharon Warfield

6 Guest speaker! The Reverend Dr. Stacey Nickerson *Sunday, December 9:30am* (There will be NO 8am worship service this day) The Reverend Dr. Stacey Nickerson is an ordained Elder in Full Connection with the Baltimore- Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church. She served extensively as a pastor in the Baltimore Region and now serves in an Extension Ministry appointment to the Board of Child Care as the Director of Church and Community Engagement. She is an endorsed Chaplain in her current ministry setting. Reverend Dr. Stacey Nickerson s ministry includes overseeing the Spiritual Life team and working in development, particularly in engaging faith communities and volunteers with the mission of the Board of Child Care. She has been on staff for four and a half years in this position and previously served on the BCC Board of Directors for 17 years. A Baltimore native, she earned her Master of Divinity degree from Boston University and her Doctor of Ministry from Wesley Seminary. She is married to Rick Dusek and is the proud mother of two young adult sons, Matt and Scott; a yellow Lab, Grace; and three sister rescue kitties. I am deeply appreciative of the work of Providence UMC in support of BCC s mission. Providence U.M. Church is humbled and honored to have her here with us on December 31. Thank you for coming to speak as you share your experiences with us. Providence is honored to share in this ministry!

7 On December 23, and bring a little Christmas spirit and cheer to those that are home bound. It s that time of the season to remember our shut-ins at Christmas time. All ages are welcome no matter how good you sing to join me when we take the time to bring the meaning of Christmas to those that are shut-in. I will have gifts to give each of the people we sing to. When: December 23, Saturday Time: 12 noon Meet: at Providence United Methodist Church and we will set up car pools. This is my favorite time of the year and I can t express how much it means to me to sing and give such joy to these special people and let them know that they are remembered at Christmas time. Please contact Linda Howard at either bizzkitts@comcast.net or call me at (301) Hope to hear from you.

8 Advent Bible study On Wednesdays in the sanctuary, starting on Nov. 29, and going through Dec. 6, 13, 7:00pm. This book has excellent ratings. So please come and join us as we wait anxiously and expectantly for Christ through our interaction with The Women of Christmas. We ll be studying The Women of Christmas: Experience the Season Afresh with Elizabeth, Mary, and Anna by Liz Curtis Higgs (Author) $11.14 is the cost of each book, hardcover. Please get your book today and give to Marge Shiflett. Classes are beginning this week! A sacred season is about to unfold for three women whose hearts belong to God. Elizabeth is barren, yet her trust in God remains fertile. Mary is betrothed in marriage, yet she is willing to bear God s Son. Anna is a widow full of years, yet she waits patiently, prayerfully for the Messiah to appear in the temple courts. Following in their footsteps, you too can prepare for the Savior to enter your heart, your mind, and your life in a vibrant, new way. Best-selling author Liz Curtis Higgs explores the biblical stories of Elizabeth, Mary, and Anna, unwrapping each verse with tender care and introducing you afresh to The Women of Christmas. Send Christmas cards to your church family for FREE! Boxes, with alphabetical dividers, are in the back of the church for you to place your cards in for members of the church. Put yours in and take your family's out. No postage costs makes for a happier Christmas! DECEMBER MISSION PROJECT CHRISTMAS FOR NEEDY FAMILIES For the past 10 years, Providence UMC has reached out to Kemptown Elementary School to assist them in providing Christmas for needy families in the area. This year, we will continue our Christmas mission project by supporting four families with a total of 7 children ranging in age from 5-10 years. Beginning Sunday, November 27, we will have a Christmas tree with "ornaments" on it with the first name of the individual, sizes for each person, and their wishes for presents. There will be large boxes labeled for each family in which to put gifts that have been purchased. The collection will run through December 17 at which time the gifts will be taken to the school for distribution by the school staff. Instructions will be provided by the Christmas Tree in the Fellowship Hall. A small box for grocery cards/gift cards/cash/checks will also be available, or checks/cash can be placed in the collection plate. Please make checks payable to "PUMC" and mark them for Kemptown Christmas Families. Please see me or call me at with any questions. Thank you, Bob Drury.

9 Frederick Rescue Mission During the month of January, we will be collecting winter clothing and shoes for men, women and children and nonperishable food for the Frederick Rescue Mission.(including Faith House). Faith House is for homeless women and children. The clothing and shoes do not have to be new, as good used clothing and shoes are very acceptable. All kinds of winter clothing are needed. Some suggestions are: winter coats; socks; hats; gloves; shirts; slacks; scarves; and lap robes. In addition to collecting for the residents, these items are provided to everyone who is in need. There are two large boxes at the front of the Sanctuary for collection of winter clothing, shoes and nonperishable food.. The most urgent non-perishable food items needed are: canned vegetables and fruit; canned soup; cereal; tuna fish; peanut butter and jelly; spaghetti sauce and related products. Also, toiletries are needed, especially soap and toilet tissue. Financial help is urgently needed for the Frederick Rescue Mission to buy fresh food items. You can use an envelope on the back of the church pew, mark it: "Frederick Rescue Mission and place your donation in the offering plate. Checks should be made payable to: Providence U. M. Church. You can also mail your contribution to our Financial Secretary, Julie Thompson, 3716 Kemptown Church Road, Monrovia, Md With God's Blessings. SENIOR SOCIAL NEWS December - There will not be a regular social. You are invited to attend the church family Christmas pot-luck dinner on Sunday, Dec. 3, at 5:00 p.m. January 10, 2018 Guest speaker from Hospice Kelly Yudt (weather permitting) Word to Remember JESUS the Light that guides, the Word that inspires, the Truth that frees, the Life that redeems.

10 OUR HOME-BOUND FRIENDS 12/1/17 It is our duty at Christians to keep in touch with our home-bound friends. You can do that through visitation, telephone calls and greeting cards. Their names, addresses and telephone numbers are listed below. IT S CHRISMAS TIME, SEND A CARD! Marlene Brandenburg Dorothy Humphrey Mullinix Mill Rd Noah Ct. Mt. Airy, MD Mt. Airy, MD Rosemary Clark Betty Isaacs 3401 Silver Maple Drive Country Meadows, Rm. 145 Monrovia, MD Quinn Orchard Road Frederick, MD Betty Cochran Fingerboard Road Irwin Buck Isaacs Monrovia, MD Country Meadows, Rm. N Quinn Orchard Road Frederick, MD Betty Day c/o Scott Day 4037 Lander Road Edna Nettles Jefferson, MD Glade Valley Nursing Center, Rm. 313A 56 W. Frederick St. Almeda Geisler Walkersville, MD Old Bartholows Rd. Mt. Airy, MD (Effective 1/4/18 thru spring Tournament Drive Palmdale, CA 93551)

11 Family Christmas Pot-Luck Dinner and Ornament Exchange Sunday, Dec. 3, 5:00 pm Join us for a fun start to the Christmas season. The UMW will provide the entrees--fried shrimp and chicken with gravy. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share. An ornament exchange (not to exceed $7) will follow. Participation in the ornament exchange is not required. Just come and enjoy the food and fellowship. Please sign up to attend on the clip board in the back of the church or call Julie Thompson ( ) by Thurs., Nov. 1. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Veterans Wreath Laying at Kemptown Cemetery The Providence United Methodist Women invite you to join them in the laying of memorial wreaths at veterans gravesites in Kemptown Cemetery on Sunday, December 10, at 2:00 p.m. There will be a brief service in the church followed by the laying of 59 fresh wreaths. We invite you to share in this ceremony to honor and remember our loved ones that served our country. Cookies, punch, and coffee will be available in the Fellowship Hall after the wreath-laying. For more information please call ( ) or (jnrthompson@yahoo.com) Richard or Julie Thompson. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

12 MONTHLY EVENTS December 2 nd Farmers Banquet 4:00-9:30pm December 3 rd Christmas Pot Luck Dinner 5:00pm December 4 th Boy Scouts 6:30-8:30pm December 5 th UMW 7:00pm December 6 th Bible Study 7:00pm December 7 th Choir 7:00pm December 10 th Wreath Laying Service 2:00pm December 11 th Boy Scouts 6:30-8:30pm December 12 th Church Council 7:00pm December 13 th Prayer Group 6:00pm December 13 th Bible Study 7:00pm December 14 th Choir 7:00pm December 17 th Choir Cantata 7:00pm December 18 th Boy Scouts 6:30-8:30pm December 19 th Trustees 7:00pm December 20 th Prayer Group 6:00pm December 20 th Bible Study 7:00pm December 21 st Choir 7:00pm December 23 rd Christmas caroling 12:00noom December 24 th Family Christmas Service 7:00pm December 27 th Prayer Group 6:00pm December 28 th Choir 7:00pm December 31 st Guest Speaker NO 8:00am Service Rev. Dr. Stacey Nickerson DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES December 1 st Luke Cafardi December 2 nd John & Betty Ames 45 th anniversary December 5 th Jesse Loun, Jack Swearman December 6 th Bob & Gail Senseney 43 rd anniversary December 8 th Russell Pipkin December 10 th Gary Smith III December 12 th Debbie Mullinix December 13 th Deanna Clever, Pastor DD Adams, Brian Day December 20 th Skip & Donna Isaacs 48 th anniversary December 21 st Carter Polley December 22 nd Betty Day December 27 th Rodney Mullinix, Rob Densock December 29 th Gorden & Carolee Polley 27 th anniversary January Early Birthdays January 1 st Charlotta Miller January 8 th Kelly Moore, Evelyn Justice January 11 th Morgan Cochran January 13 th Nancy Walther January 14 th Ruth Giannas, George Clagett