The Perry Peeper. and on earth peace, good will toward men Luke 2:13-14 (KJV)

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1 December 2014 The Perry Peeper The Angels Announce Jesus s Birth 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men Luke 2:13-14 (KJV) As we enter Advent and await Christmas, we are reminded that Christ s coming fulfilled many oracles from the Hebrew Scriptures. Still, the coming of Messiah was a surprise to the world perhaps most of all to Mary! During Advent, our Worship Services and Bible Studies hail from the title: UNDER WRAPS! I invite you to consider these four weeks what you might have under wraps this year. Are the glitter, materialism, and busyness of the Season keeping our identities as Disciples of the Incarnated One under wraps? Our themes these next four Sunday s are God is Expectant, God is Dangerous, God is Jealous, and God is Faithful. Let s hope (and please keep this in your prayers) our UNDER WRAPS series can help us reveal our true identities as Servants of the One who comes to save us. Just a note about a new Worship Service we are offering this year The Longest Night/Blue Christmas Service. December 21 st is the Winter Solstice and, as such, literally the longest night of the year. We will gather at 7:00p on that night recognizing that Christmas is neither a cause of celebration nor a joyous occasion for everyone. Folks suffer at Christmas after the loss of a loved one or some other traumatic event(s) that have occurred in their lives. Perhaps, you are simply lonely this year. The Longest Night Service is a time when folk are urged to gather and bring life s burdens with them especially if they are angry with God and acknowledge these burdens before God (silently or verbally) within the context of a Worship Service. The Blue Christmas includes symbolic actions and you are invited to bring an ornament with you to hang and leave on the Christmas tree during the Service as a symbol of having spoken your heart to God. All are welcome at this Service and if you know of someone that might be lonely this year for whatever reason, I urge you to bring them to this Service. As usual, we will offer the 11:00p Christmas Eve Service with Holy Communion. This year we will take up a special offering during the Service to benefit Brian s Safe House in Beckley. This vital faith-based ministry is 1 Continued...

2 helping men recover from substance addiction and abuse. In our area, drug abuse is the major contributor to family dysfunction resulting in child hunger. Please prayerfully consider how you might sacrifice this year and support the work of Brian s Safe House. Ask your friends and family to consider donating too when you invite them to the Christmas Eve Service. Grace and Peace to all, Pastor Scott Special Services You are invited to our Christmas play, "Shepherds, Sheep, and a Savior". Perry Kids have been practicing for weeks on our play scheduled for Dec.7th. In addition to rehearsing lines and songs, we will be signing some of the lyrics we have learned. Look for these as we sing and share the good news of Christ's birth! adore angel baby Bethlehem birth born boy Christ Emmanuel forever glory Jesus joy manger peace praise prophet save sheep stars worship Annette Please join us on Sunday, December 14th at the 10:45 Worship Service as Perry s Choir presents The First Noel. Come and receive a blessing! Please note: there will be no 8:30 service on this day. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Wednesday, December 24th 11:00pm Blue Christmas is traditionally held on the longest night of the year, or winter solstice, and is a non-traditional holiday service for those who may be stressed, hurting, lonely, or grieving. If you would like to participate in the symbolic hanging of ornaments, please bring an ornament with you. This service, like all our services, is open to the public. Join us on Sunday, December 21 at 7pm. Greater Beckley Ministerial Association is sponsoring Community Advent Services. Everyone is invited to attend. Each service begins at 12:00pm and is followed by a light lunch ($3 donation). The offering will go to support the Women s Resource Center. December St. Frances DeSales Catholic Church December First Baptist Church December Beckley Presbyterian Church 2

3 Opportunities to help The Least of These Feeding Our Friends Beckley Area Foundation has WV State Tax Credits for individuals and businesses donating $500 or more for area food ministries... The Carpenter s Corner, Fishes and Loaves, Heart of God Food Ministries, Helping Hands, the local Salvation Army and The Shepherd s Table. Get half your donation back in the form of WV state tax credits. Checks must be made out to BAF with one or more of these recipients noted on the memo line. Your entire gift will be forwarded to the organization(s) that you indicated. Mail or deliver to BAF, 129 Main St., Suite 203, Beckley, WV Contact BAF for details about this Feeding Our Friends initiative; or info@bafwv.org. The Shepherd s Table We are asking for donations of socks, mittens, gloves and hats for children and adults. These items will be given out at The Shepherd s Table meals during the months of December, January and February. The need for items to keep folks warm this winter has been observed by Shepherd s Table volunteers and we are asking the congregation to help fill this need. Thank you for all the support you have given this ministry since it began. Perry Packers Update DECEMBER FOOD ITEMS Pop Tarts and Cans of Veggies. We always, always need jars of peanut butter and individual snacks. Also, we would like to send Small (16 oz.) canned hams the week of Christmas break. We will need 19, so if you are able, please consider donating one (or two!) Thank you for supporting these local children and their families! Amy Crawford Christmas Eve Service Please join us as we celebrate the coming of our Savior in the form of a baby on Christmas Eve at 11:00p. You will enjoy a traditional candlelight service and have an opportunity to share the Christmas joy as we take up a special offering. The offering will be given to Brian s Safehouse in Beckley. Brian's Safehouse was born from a tragic loss: Founders Leon & Donita Brush lost their son, Brian, to a drug overdose. Out of this tragedy, the idea of "Brian's Safehouse" was birthed. The Lord immediately began His work and used the circumstances in the lives of the Brush family to create a ministry that saves lives, every day. There is hope! 3

4 United Methodist Women As 2014 draws to a close, United Methodist Women want to share some of our accomplishments, let you know how we ve managed and spent our money and most of all to say Thank You to all of you here at Perry. Without your support we wouldn t be able to do all that we do to make our group so successful. Truly our talents are multiplied because we work together! So here goes! Just look how far and wide the money we have earned has stretched: $500 to UMCOR - $300 to Helping Hands - $500 to Imagine No Malaria - $100 to Upshur House and $100 to House of Carpenter for Celebration of Missions - $100 to Shady Spring High School for Project Graduation - $1,200 for missions to UMW Southern District - $2,300 to church for heat pump/air conditioner Purchased new walkoff rugs for fellowship hall and church entrance - $300 to Burlington House - $1,500 to help Shepherd s Table purchase a new stove - $100 for school supplies for children from Shepherd s Table - $800 for microphones & music stands for church - $28.57 for candle burning mission - $125 to Cub Scouts for storage cabinet - $500 to Atterson family who lost home by fire. We have designated funds to purchase a large screen TV and stand to use in the Fellowship Hall for meetings and classes. Each year we reserve enough money in our account to purchase Egg supplies for the coming spring. Some of our activities include: Prepared twenty gift bags to welcome guests Attended spring and fall district meetings for UMW, and received attendance award Donated items as requested to Upshur House and House of Carpenter at Celebration of Missions Sponsored Egg Factory and Spring Rummage/Hot dog sale Furnished long stem roses to ladies and girls for Mother s Day Made Health Kits for UMCOR Donated toothbrushes, toothpaste and other health items for Shepherd s Table children Provided gift bags for men and boys on Father s Day At each meeting we send cards for those in need of a card Helped with food for VBS and paid for Bounce Houses Helped Burlington House by providing items for their general store Donated hot dogs, peanut butter pumpkins, fried pies, baked goods and crafts for Fall Festival Donated time and baby items to Mary s Cradle at Trinity UMC in Bluefield - Donated crafts for Annual Conference Meeting Donated food items to both Backpack Ministry and Shepherd s Table At Christmas we will help buy presents for Burlington children and needy children in the community We have provided lunches, dinners and many meals for district clergy, charge conference and bereavement families We will provide meat and bread for Church Christmas Dinner. We continue to work toward a successful Prayer Partners group. We are an active, dedicated group here at Perry and want you to consider becoming a member! We meet at 6:30 pm the second Tuesday of each month and always have a devotion and an interesting program schedule. Please join us! 4

5 Cranberry Salsa with Cranberry Salsa 1 bag (12 ounces) fresh or frozen cranberries (no need to thaw) 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and cut in eighths. large red bell pepper, cut in large chunks. medium red onion, cut into large chunks. cup sugar 1 3 cup apple juice (you may also substitute with lemon-lime soda) 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro 2 tablespoons chopped pickled jalapeno pepper (or 1 fresh pepper) 1 teaspoon grated lime zest (lime juice will work in a pinch) Directions: Put cranberries, apple, red bell pepper, and onion in food processor; pulse until chopped. Transfer to a large glass bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients until blended. Cover and refrigerate. Christmas Tree Chips 1 package (14 ounces) spinach tortillas Directions: Heat oven to 375 F. Have a 3-inch tree-shaped cookie cutter and baking sheet(s) ready. Using cookie cutter, cut 6 trees from each tortilla. Place on ungreased baking sheet, and bake 8 minutes or until crisp. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in plastic bags until ready to serve. It is time for the Big Reveal Secret Pal Luncheon Saturday, December 13th 11:00am Christmas Caroling! Sunday, December 14th. Watch for announcements in the bulletin insert for details of time and places. We still have jars of apple butter available. Get yours before they re all gone! $5/jar OR 2/$8 All are welcome to join in this fun tradition! Under Wraps Calendar the church Tuesday, December 2 Tuesday, December 9 Tuesday, December 16 Tuesday, December 23 the home of Kelly & Joyce Pitsenbarger Tuesday, December 2 Monday, December 8 Tuesday, December 16 Tuesday, December 23 Ghent VFD is sponsoring Pictures With Santa at the Firehouse on Sunday, December 14th from 2-4p. The cost will be a donation of new toys or can foods. Perry is a recipient of the canned food items brought in. United Methodist Women will have their annual Christmas Dinner on Tuesday, December 9th at 7:00pm. This year s dinner will be held at the Four Seasons Restaurant in Ghent. All women of Perry are invited to attend. Please let Marge Holland know if you plan on attending as she will be making reservations at the restaurant. Carpools will be available for those who cannot drive after dark. Please join us for a fun, exciting evening of food and fellowship. 5

6 In John 14:16, Jesus said And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may be with you for ever. This comforter can be many things to many different people. Knowing this was very important to me a few weeks ago both before and during my surgery. The comforter was in the form of the many cards of encouragement that I got in the mail. This comforter came in well wishes from many people. It came in phone calls after I got home. And, most of all, this great comforter came with all the prayers from all of you. I will be forever grateful to every one that cared enough to think of me even though you have many concerns of your own. Because of this spirit that was sent to earth after Christ, I have no concerns about my future. But, I also know that if something else comes about that I will have you there with me again. Thank You Rick Dotson From the Heart Birthdays and Anniversaries Joshua Peplowski Mark Allaman Michael Chaney Sarah Peplowski Mitzi Richmond Elisa Stalnaker Laura Miller Martha Shrewsbury Chris Stover John Fuller Missy Rogers Sunday, December 7th immediately following the Children s Christmas Program. Meat, drinks and bread will be provided. Please sign up to bring a side dish or dessert. David & Connie Lewis Don & Mary Ann Crook Jerry & Debbie Crouse Dave & Sherry Winant Marty & Shelia Cooper

7 Prayer Group 1:00p 1 Under Wraps Advent Study 10:30a & 6:30p 2 GBMA Advent Service 12:00p 3 Cub Scouts 6:45p Choir Practice 6:30p Bringing in the Harvest Christmas Program and Dinner 4:00p 7 Prayer Group 1:00p Shepherd s Table Mtg. 6:00p Under Wraps Advent Study 6:30p 8 Under Wraps Advent Study 10:30a 9 Cub Scout Leader Mtg 6:30p United Methodist Women Christmas Dinner GBMA Advent Service 12:00p Choir Practice 6:30p 10 Cub Scouts 6:45p Secret Pal Luncheon 11:00a Bingo 2:00p 14 Christmas Cantata 10:45a Ghent VFD Pictures w/santa 2:00-4:00p Christmas Caroling Prayer Group 1:00p Ruritan Mtg. 6:30p Under Wraps Advent Study 10:30a & 6:30p GBMA Advent Service 12:00p Choir Practice 6:30p 17 Cub Scouts 6:45p Longest Night/ Blue Christmas Service 7:00p Prayer Group 1:00p Under Wraps Advent Study 10:30a & 6:30p No Yoga 24 No Choir Practice Christmas Eve Service 11:00p Shepherd s Table Prep 6:00p 27 Shepherd s Table 11:00a-2:00p Prayer Group 1:00p No Choir Practice 7

8 2014 Christmas Card Exchange Dennis & Brianne Adkins (Connie & Cami) Dennis & Carolyn Akers Bob & Cindee Arnold David & Mary Bolling (Kasey) Ike & Donna Cantley Johnny & Tammy Caponiti Jerry Carter Georgiabelle Castle David Chaney Bonnie Cole & Paulette Parker Marty & Shelia Cooper Rick, Amy & Nick Crawford Ed & Nancy Crews Chris & Cindi Crook (Stephen, Zoe, Maddie) Chris Crook (Fort Hood, TX) Don & Mary Ann Crook Mary Ellen Crook Jerry & Debbie Crouse Brandon & Kim Cummings (Bree & Audrey) Harvey & Sue Davis Boots & Pat Dilley Imogene Dodd Rick & Susie Dotson Jeannie & Karen Elliott Susie Ferabee Ethel Ferguson Larry & Pam Ford Sandy Fraley Brenda & Danny Frye Scott & Denise Glover Kevin & Nora Greene Edna & Don Griffith Joe & Marilyn Guffy (Noah, Jordyn) Lisa Gunther Charles & Deanna Hall (Adrianna & David) Joyce Hill Dorothy Hines Gene & Marge Holland Jim Huffman Dave Jacobs Karen Jones David & Darlene Keesee Klinton & Tammy Leak Randy & Barbara Lee Eddie, Tina & Garrett Lester Samantha & Andrew Lester David & Connie Lewis Norma Lewis Pauline Lilly Sandie Lilly Cathy & Darrell McKinney Willa May Pastor Scott & Lynn Mayberry Sue Maynard Sherry Maynor Tom Maynor Mike & Lou Meador Ed & Cindy McCall Kathy Miller DF & Julie Mock Ray Nixon & Missy Rogers Robbie Oritz Bailey Pace (Lori, Jesse, Tanner) Deborah Paynter John & Kathy Peplowski Joyce & Kelly Pitsenbarger Stan & Annette Presley Betty Richmond Wayne & Mitzi Richmond (Megan & Derek) Dan & Donna Ritter Rosalie Ross & Dave Creager Edith Sanderson Linc Selfe & Sue Olinger Vivian Skaggs Steve & Beverly Smith, Marion Feller Buffy & Barry Spurlock (Bailey, Piper, Addison) Bob & Elisa Stalnaker, (Lindsey & Ashley) Beulah Tate Ellen Todd Hulda Vest Bev & Beanie Waddell Gail Walker Paula Whalley 8

9 Jewel & Jim Whitmer Josh & Danielle Williams (Shelby, Levi, Caleb & Bailey) Rob & Jill Williams (Addie, Jake, Joey) Jean Winant Sherry & David Winant (Samuel, Joseph) Steve & Amy Winston (Natalie & Connor) Mike & Susan Winston Roger & Ruth Yost Tables for the Christmas Card Exchange will be set up in the Fellowship Hall on Monday, December 8 th. 9

10 Perry Memorial UMC PO Box 1264 Shady Spring, WV Physical Address 202 Livingston Street Shady Spring, WV 10