Calvary crossroads. Calvary united Methodist church. December Newsletter GOD DOES THE HEALING CALVARY DOES THE CARING. Dear Church Family,

Transcription

1 Calvary United Methodist Church Rev. Arnie McFarland Pastor 239 West Church Street Somerset, PA (814) GOD DOES THE HEALING CALVARY DOES THE CARING December Newsletter Calvary united Methodist church Calvary crossroads VOLUME 27, ISSUE 12 DECEMBER Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Somerset, PA Permit No. 9 Return Service Requested Dear Church Family, Dec. 4th beginning at Here we 3:30 pm. I will be sing- are enter- ing with them and will ing the be featured during the last month of the year intermission. On Wed. and it Dec. 7th, is United going Method- to be FUN! I hope you ist Men will take opportunity to will have their dinner join with us for one or meeting starting at 6:00 all the many seasonal pm. The next weekend events being planned we will have for this month. It starts Cocoa and with the Carols on annual Friday Dec. Christmas 9th at 6:00 Dinner and PM. There will be hot Show at Camp chocolate, cookies and Allegheny on Dec. 2nd Christmas karaoke! and 3rd beginning at The following Sunday, 5:00 PM each evening. Dec. 11th is our annual The event includes a Christmas dinner fol- silent auction and our lowing the church is worship sponsoring service. a Golfing There are I n s i d e t h i s I s s u e : Gift Basket in special Wednesday Advent Calvary s News memory of Rev. Harry services on December Events Mission Update December Calendar Birthdays & Anniversaries Sherry which will be auctioned off. The Laurel Highlands Chorale Christmas Concert will be on Sunday Dec. 7th, 14th, and 21st. The service begins with special music at 11:30 am followed by a 30-minute worship 16 1

2 service and then a free lunch. The offering received goes to help fund the ministries of the Somerset Area Ministerium. The month wraps up with our Christmas Eve Service at 7:00 pm with special music beginning about 6:30 pm. Since Christmas Eve is on a Saturday this year, that means Christmas Day will fall on Sunday. We will have a special worship service called Lessons in Carols on that very special Sunday. group of friendly people and we know how to have a good time. Some who receive The Calvary Crossroads live out of town so to you I say look forward to pictures on our web page or check us out on Facebook. Have yourself a merry little Christmas and Happy New Year! Put these items on your Calendar 1-New Year s Day! Epiphany Sunday, Communion by Intinction 3 Worship & Planning Meeting 6:30 PM 5 Secret Prayer Partner Dinner 6 PM 7-Women & Men of Calvary Breakfast at King s Rest. 9 AM 8 Human Trafficking Sunday 9-Meals on Wheels Board Meeting 7 PM 13 Movie Night at Calvary Church The War Room 6-8 PM 16-Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance BANKS CLOSED NEWSLETTER ITEMS DUE IN THE CHURCH OFFICE SPARK Youth Weekend in Pittsburgh Other Activities Boy Scouts Mondays 7 PM With so many opportunities to gather with friends and family this month, I hope you will include sometime with your church family at one or all the events planned. We are a fun 1 Open 8 Open 15 Open 22 Open 29 Open Open Sundays 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 T.O.P.S. Tuesdays 9:30 AM Thank you to everyone who signed up for Altar Flowers and Bulletin Covers! We so appreciate your support of Calvary s Ministries. 2 15

3 United Methodists in Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Germany have completed their 2016 Advent Devotional in English and German, which can be downloaded and copied. Advent begins on Sunday, Nov. 27. The partnership, formed in 1988 before the fall of the Berlin Wall, has been producing the Advent devotional annually since the late '90's, said the Rev. Joe Stains, who co-chairs the Western PA/ East German partnership group. It offers daily devotionals for the beginning of Advent through New Year's Day that are written by laity and clergy members of the two conferences. Each is available for reading in both English and German. "The devotional is a great resource for settling our hearts in preparation for Christmas, and for doing so in tandem with United Methodist Christians in a different, yet kindred part of our world," Stains said. "We have worked to make it more accessible over the years, so that now it can be downloaded for printing in local churches, or simply accessed by individuals for their personal devotions." The partnership between the United Methodist Church s Western PA Conference and the East German Conference was formed by Bishops George Bashore and Ruediger Minor, both now retired, and has resulted in numerous exchange visits by musical groups, work teams, youth and local church members, as well as formation of joint Volunteers in Mission teams that have traveled to Russia and Latin America to do projects. In addition to the Conference to Conference Partnership, Mt. Lebanon UMC has a sister relationship with the Evangelical United Methodist Church in Zwickau. Stains said that in the early years of the partnership members relied on a few letters between church leaders because letters had to be sent through security. There was no , scarcely any chance to talk by phone, he said. Only prayers were instant in reaching their destinations. We did not know what God wanted to do with our fledgling partnership--intended at first to give moral support and mission outreach to Christians living behind that wall." When the Berlin Wall was opened, he added, it suddenly seemed as if all the rules would change and they waited for God to teach them what the new ways were. Today and social media provide regular means of communication and joint mission trips offer opportunities to strengthen relationships. In 2015, during what was called one the greatest humanitarian crises of our times, s between Mary Garber, a long-time Partnership leader from Mt. Lebanon UMC, and Rev. Lutz Bruckner, pastor in Zwickau, enabled WPAUMC congregations to contribute to ministry with the thousands of refugees flooding into East German communities. To obtain a copy, go to the denomination website www. wpaumc.org; click on All News; look for the article Partnership Offers Advent Devotional in English, German and click on it. At the end of the article is the link to the devotional. See Pastor Arnie s contribution! 14 Pastor s Report 2016 Visits 5 Patriot Manor 3 Siemons 2 Hospice 1 Hospital 2 Out of Town Hospital Calls 1 District Activities 2 Cluster Activities 1 Sermons 4 Classes Taught 8 Staff Meeting 0 Local Church Meetings 2 Administrative Meetings 1 Choir Practices 4 United Methodist Men 1 Sang for Light Up Night Sang for Somerset Lions Sang for First UMC in Irwin Laurel Highland Chorale Practice 4 Angels among us 3 Pastor s Report 2016 United Methodist Women 0 Youth Activities 0 Ministerium 1 Counseling 3 Baptisms/Confirmation 0 Funerals 0 Weddings 0 Communion Calls 2 Days Off 2 Vacation Days 0 Planning Meeting 1 Out of Town Visits 1 Businesses Visited 5 Other Activities 14 Led Worship for WCA Meeting Board Meeting Camp Allegheny Board Meeting Next Step Center Sang for Coffee Shop When God wants to speak and deal with us, said Martin Luther, he does not avail himself of an angel but of parents, or the pastor, or of our neighbor. Never underestimate how powerfully God can use you in the life of a child, a church member, a friend or a stranger. The Hebrew word for angel also means messenger. You may be specially chosen to deliver to someone the message of God s love or guidance. Listen intently for what God would have you share with others, then do so faithfully and caringly.

4 We will be offering Christmas card delivery service to attending members of Calvary Church and those members residing in local care facilities. Is the first Saturday of every month. The next is Saturday, December 3rd. Come join us at King s Restaurant at 9 AM Christmas Cards it is soon here! banded together. Christmas box in the upstairs overflow room from: Sunday, Nov. 27 thru Sunday, Dec. 11. Please have your cards in alphabetical order and 2-Charlotte Kimmel 5-Connie Long 7-Jaxon Stern 11-D.J. Bell 12-David Delancy 13-Iona Parker Sara Wydro 14-Alissa Holt 22-Herbert Tiffany 23-Joe Isenman 25-Mary Bell 26-Wade Acker Betty Ann Runner 27-Peggy Acker 28-Brandon Benford You may send individual cards to members or you may address one card for the whole congregation. That card will be posted for our Church family to see and read. Cards may be brought to the Church and dropped in the NO CARDS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER DECEMBER 11TH!!! Thank You, Lydia John & Michelle Peters - 16 Mike & Sarah Taylor - 16 Barry & Jean Atchison - 18 Dean & Ellen Hottle - 27 Jared & Erika Stern - 27 Joseph & Veronica Brightwell

5 Answer: A and C (See Luke 2:1-2.) Missions Giving Report September YTD 2016 Caring Fund $ $1, Chinese Outreach (Conference) $55.00 $ Connellsville Flooding $ $ Campus Crusade (CRU)-Renee Mitchell $55.00 $ Meals on Wheels $5.00 $ Next Step Center, Inc. $50.00 $ Oklahoma Indians (Conference) $ $ Services Somerset Area Ministries Noon Advent Services Schedule At Somerset First United Methodist Church DATE PREACHER LITURGIST 12/7/16 Micaiah Van Evera Eric Raygor 12/14/16 Mike Dunlap Bill Starke 12/21/16 Lenny Anderson Chuck Olson 2nd Sunday of Advent is the First Sunday in December. We celebrate with Communion by Intinction. Salvation Army $50.00 $ SAM Van $55.00 $ Somerset County Mobile Food Bank $50.00 $ Somerset Food Pantry $50.00 $ Next Day Ministries - Acosta $50.00 $ UMCOR (Conference) WV Flooding $0.00 $ Bible Quiz When Jesus was born, which two earthly rulers were in power? A. Quirinius B. Pontius Pilate C. Caesar Augustus D. King Herod Totals $ $7, The next United Methodist Men s Dinner Is on Wed., Dec. 7th at 6 PM. Menu Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Tossed Green Salad Italian Bread South African Egg Custard Pie Beverage Get your tickets from Dave Hagy 12 5

6 For the Month of DECEMBER Altar Flowers 4 Open 11 Taken 18 Lloyd 25 Christmas Poinsettias All Sundays in December are Servers taken Vickie Friedline Friday Crew: The cost for Bulletin Covers is $8.00 per week. If you desire to have them in Honor of Memory of someone, please contact the church office. Bill & Fran Reid Liturgist: Laurie Shaulis Offering Counters: Carol Beal, Judy Harvey, Judy Wagner Greeters 4 Dave & Sandy Hagy 11 John Barkman & Dean Hottle 18 Marge Coddington 25 Betty Ann Runner & Bob Bittner ANSWERS TO PUZZLE (on Page Ushers: Bill Reid Dave Hagy R.C. Logsdon David Hay Refreshments for December 25th - Bonnie Berkley 6 11

7 ANSWERS ON PAGE 13 Ken Wagoner, 1027 N. Saint Clair Street Pittsburgh, PA Gettysburg Pike, A-200, Mechanicsburg, PA Dear Friends of Calvary UM Church, We are now half-way through the fall semester, and as I was greeting people at the door for our Sunday evening activity, a Chinese man came who I did not recognize. As I greeted him, he told me he was attending for the first time. We spoke for a short time and then I asked him this question, How did you find out about this event we are holding tonight? His response startled me when he said, I saw the church here the other day, someone told me there was an event for international students on Sunday evening so I wanted to come. God really does work in ways I don t always understand. When He works He reminds me He is the one in charge of things, and He will be the one who changes hearts and minds. As God brings people to different events, He provides me with opportunities to befriend new people, learn more about them, help them during their time in Pittsburgh, and eventually have conversations with them about the God they do not know. I also want to report that after our Chinese Gospel Weekend (now almost 2 months ago) four more people who attended the event have made a profession of faith. One goal for the weekend was that each person (believer and nonbeliever) would continue to be involved in a small group that was formed during this weekend. This happened for each of these four people. Believers are developing their leadership skills, evangelism is effectively being done, and the long term growth for each person is more adequately happening. Soon, we will be asking the scholars if they want to spend Thanksgiving with an American family. If you live close to Pittsburgh, and would like to have this experience for your Thanksgiving celebration, please let me know as soon as possible, and I can arrange this. We thank you for your willingness to be used by God as He works in the lives of our Chinese friends. In Christ s service, Ken Wagoner 10 7

8 Thursday Dec. 8th At 7 PM Remember! The Church Council Meeting on Tuesday December 13th at 7 PM Cocoa & Carols Friday, Dec. 9th at 6 PM Join us for Faith on Fire Youth Group Christmas Caroling Sun Dec 18 fellowship, singing & hot cocoa! Join us on Sunday, Dec. 11th for our Church Christmas Dinner following worship. We wish you a very Merry Christmas! Menu Roast Beef Dinner Mashed Potatoes, Gravy Green Beans, Corn Creamed Lettuce, Rolls Beverage & DESSERTS! Saturday, December 24th At 7 PM Communion Candle Light Carols Sunday Christmas Day Worship 10 AM We hope to see you for a very special worship service. 8 9

9 December 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Women & Men of Calvary Breakfast 9 AM at King s Restaurant Camp Allegheny Dinner Theater 5 PM 4 Communion by Intinction 5 6 T.O.P.S. 9:30 AM 7 Noon Advent Service at First UM Church 8 Next Step Center Board Meeting 9 AM 9 10 Faith on Fire 5:30-7:30 PM at Grace UMC Boy Scouts 7 PM UMM Dinner 6 PM Trustee Meeting 7 PM Cocoa & Carols 6 to 8 PM 11 Church Christmas Dinner following Worship 12 Boy Scouts 7 PM 13 T.O.P.S. 9:30 AM Church Council 7 PM 14 Noon Advent Service at First UM Church Faith on Fire 5:30-7:30 PM at Grace UMC NEWSLETTER ITEMS DUE 20 T.O.P.S. 9:30 AM 21 Noon Advent Service at First UM Church Communion by Intinction Faith on Fire Christmas Caroling/Hot Choc Boy Scouts 7 PM 25 Christmas Day Lessons in Carols T.O.P.S. 9:30 AM