Table of Contents Sections The Good Shepherd. Pages 2-3. Membership Care Ministry Team 4-5. Service in Mission Ministry Team. 5 C.O.M.

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1 December 15-28, 2018 Pages 2-3 Table of Contents Sections The Good Shepherd 4 Membership Care Ministry Team 4-5 Service in Mission Ministry Team 5 C.O.M. Ministry Team 6 Youth Ministry Team 7-9 Spiritual Formation Ministry Team 10 Calendar Note: If you don t see your Ministry Team/Group it s because you didn t submit anything for THIS Navigator. The Navigator is a bi-weekly -blast. If you need to submit something send to the Comm. Team Communications-Team@faithumchurch.org

2 The Good Shepherd I have fallen in love of this image of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. The artist, Nancy Ireland, describes some of the distinctions in the style and content: Jesus is portrayed with dark, curly hair, and darker skin which is reminiscent of people of the Jewish descent in the Middle East. Jesus rabbinic authority is hinted at in the Hebrew prayer shawl fluttering behind his rugged shepherding garments. He is carrying a black sheep. I love this image because it calls up a familiar image in a new way. Hebrew Bible Professor, Roy Heller, often warns his classes not to confuse familiarity with understanding. That warning came to mind this time when, in reflecting upon the shepherd s part in Christmas, I read John 10, the passage about Jesus as Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd brings tiding of comfort and joy. However, this is not only a passage about receiving comfort but also, in Jesus name, offering comfort. In acknowledgment of both, we are reminded that there is much in this world which is of an anti-comfort character. Right before this passage of scripture the blind man has just been expelled from the synagogue. Jesus warns about thieves and bandits. These perpetrators of anti-comfort speak with an unfamiliar voice, they come only to steal and kill and destroy. They see the wolf coming and leave the sheep because they do not care for the sheep. In all of this anti-comfort, the Good Shepherd stands firm, undaunted by danger, not intimidated by threats. He is unmoved because his motivation is love for the sheep. We find our identity as a community of faith and as individuals in this Good Shepherd. Since this is so, does this mean that we too will be called upon to protect those who are outcast and reach out to those who are vulnerable? Does it mean that our identity is found in giving up our lives for something bigger than ourselves? Jesus says I am the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. In receiving this comfort in a world of challenge we in turn are called to give comfort. May it be so in this Advent and Christmas season and in the days following. Tidings of comfort and joy. Pastor Cara

3 Sundays, December 2, 9, 16, and 23 Advent Worship Series: The Light in Our Darkness 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 am: We celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ in the middle of winter, when darkness comes early. During the 4 Sundays of Advent we will follow the light of the star to the bedside of the Savior. Wednesday, December 19: Sensory Integrated Christmas Service 6:30 pm: A service with low lights, soft music and creative manipulatives so persons of all ages and abilities feel welcome and find comfort as they worship. Monday, December 24: Christmas Eve Worship Services: 5:00 pm: A lively, Modern Celebration Service in our Family Life Center. 7:00 pm: The Song of the Stars is an interactive service for the whole family. Dress as your favorite nativity character! This flame-free candlelight service helps us celebrate the light of life in a manner safe for all. 9:00 pm: A Celtic Christmas Eve Service. 11:00 pm: A Service of Lessons and Carols with Communion. Nursery care is available during 5:00, 7:00 and 9:00 pm worship Sunday, December 30: 10:00 am: One Worship Service. Come sing your favorite Christmas Carols. Faith United Methodist Church 300 Ninth Street, North Canton, Ohio

4 Membership Care Ministry Team December Birthdays: Lea Hessman turns 91 on December 2. Dick Pickles turns 87 on December 2. Fred Cordray turns 87 on December 3. Doris Hershey turns 96 on December 15. Charles Fletcher turns 85 on December 15. Jeannette Careway turns 93 on December 25. Ken Shearer turns 91 on December 28. Eleanor McKee turns 94 on December 29. We express our deepest sympathies to: Alida Coles on the recent death of her sister. Bernie and Sally Miner on the recent death of Bernie s mother, Mary Miner. Thank you notes received from: Carol Pierpont Service in Mission Ministry Team Canton Calvary Mission: We are requesting spaghetti sauce and pasta for the month of December. Faith Kitchen: Faith Kitchen would like to distribute personal care bags to their clients in December. Thanks to your generous donations we are only in need of tooth brushes and tooth paste. Please put your donations in the bin marked Faith Kitchen/Food Pantry. Pennies for Paraguay The school year is ending soon in Paraguay, and the students will be starting their summer break. Our goal is to have the money for their 2019 fees by the end of January. We need $600 more to fully support our seven students. We have a 17-year history of funding the students to whom we have made a commitment. With your help, we can do so again. As you plan your year-end giving, thanks for considering this worthy mission. Garden of Weedin : If you are serving some of our church-garden salsa during the holidays, we would appreciate the return of the empty jars. There is a collection area in the church office, inside and to the right of the doors. Enjoy!

5 Christmas Offering 2018 The Service in Mission Team has prepared the allocation list for the 2018 Christmas offering. The church continues to support local, national and international missions. World Outreach - $5,900 We continue to provide support to those serving throughout the world: David and Stacy in China, Michael and Vivian in Hong Kong, Kathy and Danny Dickriede for work at Camphor Mission in Liberia, Sue Givens for students at the New Horizons School in Lambare, Paraguay, Jim and Shawn Ramsay with TMS Global (formerly The Mission Society), and Scott and Tracy Moffet with Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) serving as representative of the JESUS film project in several countries We also continue to support the Vine and Branches India Ministry Foundation a mission in India that was founded by Dr. Larry and Cheryl Morrison (former pastor of Faith Church) Local Outreach - $4,500 Faith Kitchen program of Faith Church in conjunction with Crystal Park UMC to provide worship, clothing, hot meal, and groceries once a month to people in the Crystal Park area. A Community Christmas provides several programs, such as Coats for Christmas, The Giving Tree, Adopt-a-Family, and gift distribution for those in need in Stark County during the holiday season. Interfaith Campus Ministry Covenant at Kent State Stark and Stark State Stark County Hunger Task Force Faith Church Community Assistance is a program to bridge the gap in a crisis situation for our members and referrals by providing food, shelter, medical and financial assistance. East Ohio Conference Ministries - $1,500 Flat Rock Home and Care Center Ohio Guidestone (formerly Berea Children s Home) The Nehemiah Mission of Cleveland These are all programs of the East Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church. Every dollar received in the Christmas offering goes directly to the above missions. The distribution of any extra money received over the $11,900 will be decided by the Service in Mission Team with Faith Kitchen being the priority. C.O.M. (Communications, Outreach, and Marketing) Ministry Team Jennie Ford, Communications Director/Digital Arts Specialist on Maternity Leave: Jennie Ford on is pregnant and due January 29. She will be working until birth and then going on Maternity Leave for six weeks following. Babies can come anytime so the date of when that will start is not set in stone. Beginning January 1, 2019 IF you need anything in the NAVIGATOR going forward PLEASE summit your request to the following addresses: Communications-Team@faithumchurch. org and/or directly to Sue Capestrain, administrative assistance, at scapestrain@faithumchurch.org who will be receiving the content and handling the layout for Jennie while she is on leave for 6 weeks. Until then please continue to send info to Jennie Ford at jford@faithumchurch.org. Thank you!

6 Youth Group Christmas Party!!!! December 16 6:30-8:00 pm Bring a dish to share with the group and a white elephant gift for our gift exchange!

7 Spiritual Formation Ministry Team Silent Night A Sensory Friendly Christmas Eve Worship Service Wednesday, December 19, :30-7:15 pm

8 Sensory Integrated Christmas Eve Service, December 19 at 6:30 pm A worship experience with low lights, soft music, worship manipulatives and wiggle room designed to be a practice of hospitality so persons of all ages and abilities feel welcome and find comfort as they come to worship God. Wednesday Night Faith Connections: Join us for fun, food, faith, and fellowship. Dinner at 6:00 pm followed by program and activities for all children, youth, and adults. Contact Kathy Schmucker, Bethany Sedziol, or John Hartzell to learn more. Wednesday Night Advent Events: December 19: Silent Night Sensory Integrated Christmas Eve Service December 26 & January 2: No Wednesday Dinner or programs. Enjoy the holidays with your families! January 9: Wednesday Night Faith Connection dinner resumes! Advent Reflection: Third Week of Advent: Read 1 Samuel 16:1,5b-13a and John 10: When have you experienced light in the darkness in ordinary and surprising ways? Fourth Week of Advent: Read Genesis 48:1-16 and Luke 1: Who has helped you see light in the darkness? Post your response on Faith s Facebook page or to Kathy Schmucker or Pam Wig at kschmucker@faithumchurch.org. Advent and Christmas devotionals, family activities, and prayer resources will be available in the literature racks in the Gathering Area and outside the Family Life Center and on our website. Visit Faith s Library/ Media Center to explore additional resources to help you more fully experience Advent and Christmas. Children s Sunday School 9:45 & 11:00 on Sunday Mornings Deep Blue at Home with God Weekly Family Devotions available at the Children s Welcome Station Try this Family Devotion as you celebrate Advent with your family. Read: Joseph, Mary, and Jesus (Luke 2:1-20) Bible Story Focus: Jesus was born in Bethlehem and everyone praised God for the birth of our savior. Wonder Together: Who do you like to share your joy with? Why? What is your favorite part of the Christmas story? Memory Verse: In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior. (Luke 1:47) Pray Together: Share joys and concerns, and then pray, Dear God, prepare our hearts and minds for the birth of Jesus. Amen. Wonder Wednesdays Kids Grades K-5: Wednesdays following Wednesday Night Faith Connections Dinner. Elementary-age children explore science, art, service and mission projects as they learn and grow in faith! December 19: Sensory Integrated Christmas Eve experience. Little Wonders childcare and activities for young children in the nursery! Contact Kathy Schmucker, Spiritual Formation Director, Bethany Sedziol or Kristin Krach for more information about children s ministries at Faith UMC.

9 Faith UMC s Library/Media Center News: Our library is always open and all are welcome to sign out books. The procedure is very simple. 1. Take the library card out of the pocket and write in the complete date and your full name and phone number. 2. Place the card in the file box located by the library door. In the adult library section, the box is located in the basket by the window. What will you read during this holiday season? Join us as our circulation continues to grow! Advent and Christmas books connected to the current worship series can be found on the red cart inside the library. For questions, contact Betsy Gorrell, Kathy Schmucker, Nancy Share or Donna McDaniel. Happy reading! Shopping for Christmas? Cokesbury/Amazon: A reminder that if you order from Amazon or Cokesbury to please order through the link on Faith s website so that the church receives credit and a rebate from your purchase. Go to our link to find our specific ways to order to credit the church. Surviving the Holidays DivorceCare Wednesdays at 6:45 pm, November 14 December 19. Facilitator: Christy Kraemer. Theology for the Times Friday, December 21 at 12:00 pm at Beyesly s in North Canton. Play the Man, Men s Life Study Saturday, December 22 at 7:00 am at Beyesly s in North Canton. Because of Bethlehem, Sunday mornings at 9:45 am beginning December 9. Facilitators: Janice Golden and Kim Reynolds. New groups beginning in January. To learn more about other opportunities for adults happening, visit Contact Kathy Schmucker at kschmucker@faithumchurch.org or call ext 107 or

10 Calendar Snapshot to view Online visit: