The Messenger. First United Methodist Church. Wellsville, NY WELLSVILLE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Transcription

1 The Messenger First United Methodist Church Wellsville, NY God s love grows here... Through Worship, Bible Study, and Service WELLSVILLE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH God s Love Grows Here... Through Worship, Bible Study and Service FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 79 MADISON STREET WELLSVILLE, NY (585) LOVEGROWS@WELLSVILLEUMC.ORG CHANGED SERVICE REQUESTED

2 First United Methodist Church of Wellsville Regular Worship Services 8:30 & 11:00 am Sunday School 9:45 am Phone (585) Fax (585) Web Page: Serving Christ and Community Since 1852 UPCOMING EVENTS: Thursday, December 3 Main St. Christmas Festival, 6 PM Tuesday, December 8 Naomi Circle, 11:30 Duke House Friday, December 11 Last Day to Bring Angel Tree Gifts Saturday, December 12 Salvation Army Bell Giant & Tops Thursday, December 17 Salvation Army Food Packing, 9 AM Triple L Luncheon, 12 Noon Friday, December 18 Salvation Army Food & Toy Distribution, 9 AM Sunday, December 20 Men s Breakfast, 7:30 AM One Service, Choir Christmas Cantata, 10 AM Caroling in Our Community, 2 PM Monday, December 21 Blue Christmas Service, 7 PM Thursday, December 24 Christmas Eve Services: Family Oriented Worship & Candlelight, 7 PM Candlelight, Carols, & Communion, 11:30 PM Sunday, December 27 One Service, 10 AM Sunday, January 3 One Service, 10 AM Wednesday, January 6 Twelfth Night Epiphany Service, 7 PM Sunday, January 24 Hymn Sing, 6:30 PM Merry Our Staff: Christmas! Pastor.Rev. Greg DeSalvatore Office Manager Mrs. Kim Smith Organist & Traditional Music Director...Ms. Joy Caldwell Contemporary Music Director...TBD Church Custodian...Mrs. Mary Brown When moonbeams cast their shadows upon newly fallen snow And the earth grows very quiet in reverence here below Then we know it is the season of love to all mankind A celebration treasured by the humble and divine For we are but God s footstool in heaven s star-lit space There is no gift more treasured than life, and love, and faith! Gloria Buell 12/12/12 Weekly Bible Studies: Tuesday Mornings: Women s Bible 9:00 AM in the Welcome Room Friday Mornings: Men s Bible 9:00 AM in the Welcome Room

3 FROM OUR PASTOR DECEMBER 15-JANUARY 16 Change? What again?? Once more we are on the edge of change. Moving from December of this year into January of the new year; from the last temperate days of autumn into the hardened nights of winter; gathering our selves and our resources for this grand annual effort through these coming holidays. Change is part of each of our life s story. The days ahead for some will bring reminders of difficult or sad memories, for again this year, there has been grief and loss. We genuinely miss our loved ones. For others, these days will be hurriedly packaged into compartmented snippets of time with this family member, this friend, this neighbor; all the while on an increasingly tighter time schedule to complete all your tasks in time. Some will choose a Scrooge-like Bah, humbug approach and shuffle back to a less threatening existence...with less and less exposure to friends and community, thinking perhaps, I ll insulate myself from change! Change? Not me.not this year I m not ready! As this season of Advent arrives, we are in the midst of the experience of life. We cannot hold it back, nor can we move it forward so that our personal issues have more time to be resolved. Just as at the first celebration over 2000 years ago.when in the Heavenly Father s timing, the baby Jesus was coming to us; some were wrapped up in all the life-stuff going on about them and were not aware, not prepared, and just clueless as to how God was moving closer with each moment.until that supreme instant when all of creation heralded the arrival of the anointed Son of God on that first Christmas morning! Cue: trumpets, angels, bleating sheep, wide-eyed shepherds, etc. Occasionem mutation Even the Grinch found out you cannot stop Christmas. LOL. It comes to us not because we are organized, or ready, standing straight awaiting inspection, with all our tasks completed.not even close! Christmas comes because it is God s gift to each of us. A long held and treasured holy promise shared through prophecy from Almighty God for a righteous King, from the stump of Jesse, and through King David; a loving ruler, the Prince of Peace, the Savior of humankind...god s Word made flesh and blood! Oh, sure, there are those who would move both this preparation time (Advent) and celebration time (Christmas and Epiphany [when those eastern wise folk arrived] to a more convenient, less stressful, less emotional, perhaps less human time. BUT, isn t it good to realize that God did not wait for humanity, read you and I, to get our proverbial acts together before sending Jesus to save us. God knows both our need and our solution. God s timing is always perfect! In a world of continuing change, God s love for us is the everlasting constant and is found completely in Jesus Christ, who is our hope, our refuge, our shelter, our strength and the fully represented holy love that provides grace equal to each and every need. Our task, our response is to allow the change to unfold. In the midst of all we remember from the years that are past; all we have faced this year, and all that lies before us in 2016 or beyond; we are gifted from God with His full presence in Jesus, Emmanuel (God with us).that we might welcome change yet again...and to be more like Him. I invite you to embrace God s will (change) in Christ Jesus for your life during this holy season and all our tomorrows! In Christ, Pastor Greg OUTREACH/MISSION NEWS This is such a wonderful time of the year. Opportunities abound to experience and share the joy of the Christmas season. Here are just a few. By the time you read this, the Bath VA donation box will have been delivered to Bath so that your donations can be distributed to the residents there. We extend our thanks to all those who shared in this exciting ministry. Again this year, we have purchased a Christmas tree to be decorated on the lawn of the Howe library. Please stop by and check it out. And join us on Main Street on the evening of December 3rd as we distribute hot cocoa and cookies during the street festival. We are working closely with the Salvation Army again this year to spread the joy of the season to some of our less fortunate community members. We will be helping pack food bags on December 17th and helping to distribute toy and food bags on December 18th. Both activities will take place at the Salvation Army facility on Pearl Street. If you can lend a hand on either day, please speak to Bryan Caldwell or Max Shay. And don't forget the Angel Tree in the sanctuary. There will be a "mitten tree" in the entry hall at the church again this year. If you are able, please donate knit mittens, scarves or hats which will then be taken to Wellspring Ministries for distribution. At this joyous time of year, your Outreach/Mission team is rededicating its efforts to spread the love of our Savior, Christ Jesus, throughout our community, our nation and our world. Please join us with your ideas, your participation and your prayers. Bryan

4 UNITED METHODIST MEN Greetings from UMM as once again we prepare ourselves for Advent and the Holidays. Thanks to all who helped with 2015 Harvest Dinner. A good time of fellowship was had by all. The sign up sheet is out for the holiday bell ringers. Please see Max Shay. Our Saturday to ring is December 12th. Also the Salvation Army is always looking for helpers. Please contact their office if you would like to ring a four shift. Our next breakfast will be Sunday December 20th at 7:30 am. Cooks will be Bryan, Brent and Allen Hunt. Our January 2016 breakfast will be the 17th at 7:30 am. Mark Jones the Conference leader of UMM would like to visit our group maybe in the Spring of We would like your thoughts on this for a possible program. Don't forget all men are welcome at the Friday morning bible study 9 am sharp. Please save the above dates. UMM where all men and boys are welcome. Blessings to you all! Alan and Bryan NAOMI CIRCLE NEWS Thanks to all who helped with our theme basket auction! We raised over $450. Thanks also to the Outreach Team and United Methodist Men and many spouses for all their work in making the Thanksgiving dinner such a blessed time together. Thanks to parents and grandparents who checked out the "rec room" and helped the kids as they interacted playing board games, pool, ping-pong, dominoes, and Break the Ice. God's love was all over the place! Naomi Circle took time on Tuesday, Nov. 17 to clean the nursery the war on germs is on-going in that special place. On December 8, the circle will meet at the new Duke House on Main Street at 11:30 am for lunch. We will car pool from the church and order from the menu. At that meeting, we will empty our treasury, deciding where to distribute funds in our community and outside the community and country. We will publish those decisions in the next newsletter. STAFF PARISH RELATIONS TEAM The 2015 activities of the Staff Parish Relations Team (SPRT) were driven by our primary mission to build and strengthen relationships within our Church, and by the goals set out in the 2015 Covenant. The list below highlights our main activities: Preparation and communication of the 2015 Covenant, the first for our Church Implemented rotating leadership of Devotions at the start of the meeting Presented the Ask the Pastor sessions Identified training opportunities for the Staff Hosted farewell reception for Evan Farwell and Kurtis Perry Held Day Apart for Staff also attended by several SPRT members Held Celebration of Reappointment for the Pastor Hired Joy Caldwell as Traditional Music Director Recommendation to Conference on Pastor s Appointment Prepared the 2016 Pastors Package and Budget Completed Employee Reviews As the year end approaches we are working on the 2016 Covenant and to finalize the leadership of the Praise Team. The 2016 Covenant has been modified considerably by the Conference. This year we are asked to identify the congregation s two main goals for disciple-making ministries for next year. In order to complete this we need input from the congregation; this is a chance for all of us to define the direction of our Church in the coming year. Please share your thoughts with any member of the SPRT, or the Pastor was a very positive year for our Church and we look to build on this momentum in 2016, bringing honor and glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!! A reminder to all that time has been set aside at the start of SPRT meetings to hear any issues or concerns that anyone may want to bring forward. We encourage congregation members to communicate openly to the SPRT either in one of these sessions or to an individual member. Team Members: Joanne Allen, Dave Caldwell, Al Hunt, Pat Berry, Larry Crear, Elva Cornell, Rita Borne, Pastor Greg, Truett Sweeting Sharlet Fuller, Judy Winslow, Co-Chairs

5 An Encouraging Note from Dot James Twas the Night Jesus Came Twas the night Jesus came and all through the house, not a person was praying, not one in the house. The Bibles were left on the shelf without care, for no one thought that Jesus would come there. The children were dressing to crawl into bed, not once ever kneeling or bowing a head. And mom in her rocker with baby in her lap, was watching the Late Show while I took a nap. When out of the east there rose such a clatter, I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter. Away to the window, I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and lifted the sash! When what to my wondering eyes should appear, but angels proclaiming that Jesus was here! The light of His face made me cover my head It was Jesus returning, just as He said. And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth, I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself. In the Book of Life which He held in His hand, was written the name of every saved man. He spoke not a word as He searched for my name; when He said, It s not here my head hung in shame. The people whose names had been written with love, He gathered to take to His Father above. With those who were ready He rose out of sight; oh, if only I d known that this was the night. In the words of this poem the meaning is clear; The coming of Jesus is now drawing near. There s only one life and when comes the last call, we ll find that the Bible was true after all. (Taken from The Tract League, Grand Rapids, MI) Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! In Agape Love, Dot James EDUCATION TEAM Our Sunday for Kids, otherwise known as Sunday School has grown a bit the last few weeks, so much so that we added a second class of older kids. Teacher Paula Stitely continued with the younger children, aided by Eila Shea, while Sharlet Fuller took the older elementary ones. Older kids are learning to know Jesus through his parables using animated media to start discussions on what kind of attitudes Jesus wants us to have. Pray for these kids who are curious and loving, and pray for us as teachers. TRIPLE L Triple L is having their annual Christmas luncheon on Thursday December 17. As always, please bring a dish to pass and your own table service. Coffee / tea will be provided. Connie Brandes and Gloria Hamlin will be hosting and would like each person attending to bring a wrapped (~ $5.00 value) gift as we will be playing crazy bingo after our meal. Come and enjoy good food, good fellowship and lots of laughter. BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICE There are many moments in our lives when we need comfort. There are tough times when we yearn for consolation. The suffering people who looked for the long-awaited Messiah were given a hope-filled image of God in the writings of Isaiah. This scripture, as well as many other passages of scripture, expresses the belief that no matter what happens to us, God will be there to comfort and support us. Christmas can be a time for many when we are in need of that reassurance and comfort. Perhaps we are grieving over the loss of a loved one, struggling with illness, or have experienced the loss of a job. We wonder how we will get through the holidays. In an effort to remind ourselves of God s continual love, comfort, and support, we will be having a Blue Christmas service Monday, December 21st at 7 pm in the sanctuary. Please join us.

6 FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH December Prayer List: 1 Those Who are Sick/Hospitalized/Homebound 2 Jail Ministry 3 Main St. Festival Outreach 4 Men s Bible Study 5 Pastor Greg 6 Bonnie & Family 7 Women s Bible Study 8 Church Team Meetings 9 Jail Ministry 10 Praise Team & Choir 11 Office Manager (Kim) 12 Pastor Greg 13 Bonnie & Family 14 AA, NA, ACA Groups 15 Church Families 16 Jail Ministry 17 Salvation Army Christmas Outreach 18 Trad. Music Dir. & Organist (Joy) 19 Pastor Greg 20 Bonnie & Family 21 Gil s Hills & Youth for Christ 22 Custodian (Mary) 23 Jail Ministry 24 That All Will Know Him 25 Blessed Christmas Gatherings 26 Pastor Greg 27 Bonnie & Family 28 Church Volunteers 29 Church Families 30 Jail Ministry 31 Prayer Warriors FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH January Prayer List: 1 Those Who are Sick/Hospitalized/Homebound 2 Pastor Greg 3 Bonnie & Family 4 Women s Bible Study 5 Church Families 6 Jail Ministry 7 AA, NA, ACA Groups 8 Custodian (Mary) 9 Pastor Greg 10 Bonnie & Family 11 Church Teams & Admin. Council 12 Church Volunteers 13 Jail Ministry 14 Praise Team & Choir 15 Men s Bible Study 16 Pastor Greg 17 Bonnie & Family 18 Church Families 19 Revival in Our Community 20 Jail Ministry 21 Prayer Warriors 22 Trad. Music Dir. & Organist (Joy) 23 Pastor Greg 24 Bonnie & Family 25 Gil s Hills & Youth for Christ 26 Church Families 27 Jail Ministry 28 Financial Stability for Our Church 29 Office Manager (Kim) 30 Pastor Greg 31 Bonnie & Family

7 Wellsville First UMC 2015 Advent & Christmas Worship Schedule Sunday, December 6-2nd Sunday in Advent 8:30 AM Contemporary Service 9:45 AM Adult & Children Classes 11:00 AM Traditional Service Sunday, December 13-3rd Sunday in Advent 8:30 AM Contemporary Service 9:45 AM Adult & Children Classes 11:00 AM Traditional Service Sunday, December 20-4th Sunday in Advent 10:00 AM Combined Service Adult Choir Cantata - A Ceremony of Lessons & Bells 2:00 PM Caroling in Our Community (Brief visits to Adult Homes and others) Followed by light refreshments back at church Monday, December 21 Blue Christmas Service 7:00 PM On the longest night of the year, the winter solstice, comes a time of reassurance and comfort. Not everyone is up and cheery for the Christmas holidays. Dealing with life s issues and human situations make parties and joviality difficult for some in our congregation and community. Wednesday, December 24 Christmas Eve Services 7:00 PM Family Oriented Worship & Candlelight 11:30 PM Candlelight, Carols, & Communion welcome Christmas 2015 Sunday, December 27-1st Sunday after Christmas 10:00 AM - Combined Service Sunday, January 3-2nd Sunday after Christmas 10:00 AM - Combined Service Wednesday, January 6 - Twelfth Night -Ephipany Service 7:00 PM - Reflective worship experience Music and Readings LIBRARY NEWS By Sue Browning We've already had our first snowfall and a taste of icy weather to prepare us for Winter. Now it's time to think about staying warm and cozy. Hopefully with a great book. This month of November, we have not had any books donated for In the memory of or In honor of but have added seven fiction, seven non-fiction and one study guide. Five of the fiction books are large print. Books donated by Linda Austin: The Rancher's Secret Son by Betsy Amant Large Print An excellent book, especially for anyone with any connection to adoption or a rough past. A Father in the Making by Carolyne Aarsen Large Print Pine Tree Cowboy by Glynna Kaye Large Print North Country Mom by Lois Richer Large Print Lakeside Sweethearts by Lisa Jordan Large Print Books donated by Maryanne Scoins: by Tracie Petterson: The Icecutter's Daughter Land of Shinning Waters Series Book #1 The Querryman's Bride Land of Shinning Waters Series Book #2 Books donated by Elva Cornell: I Am With You Always by Scott Sparrow How Do We Know When It's God? by Dan Wakefield Traveling Light by Max Lucado Cure For The Common Life by Max Lucado Seven Things That Steal Your Joy by Joyce Meyer Unbinding The Gospel by Martha Grace Reese Lord of the Valleys by Florence Bulle Jesus by Michael Grant THANK YOU to all those who have given donations to the WELCOME ROOM for coffee, supplies, goodies, etc, to keep it a place to meet others and get to know each others as well. Everyone is welcome to enjoy a cup of coffee or a snack. If you would be inclined to bring a snack, just place it on the coffee table and others will enjoy and share it. A sincere THANK YOU for the donation of Prayer Bears this month which will be soon added to the Bear Family waiting to be adopted by someone you may know that is having a medical situation or just in need of prayer. The Bears are prayed over by the Tuesday Bible Class and come with a lot of love. They are wrapped and have a small story attached.

8 Food Pantry, Giant Register Tapes & Campbell Soup Labels Please bring in your nonperishable grocery donations for the Salvation Army food pantry on the first Sunday of each month; the collection box is located just inside the sanctuary to the right. Giant register tape & Campbell Soup label (UPC barcode only) collection bin is located in the Welcome Room. Thanks for your continued participation! Altar Flowers The flower sign up chart is located on the bulletin board before you enter the sanctuary. Cost is $15. Payment of cash or check made payable to FUMC prior to your scheduled Sunday. Drop it in the offering plate (specify that it is for altar flowers) or you may bring/mail it to the church office. Please notify the church office if there are specific colors or flowers you would like one week before your scheduled Sunday. You may take your flowers anytime after the 11:00 service. Thank you for helping to provide beautiful flowers for our Sunday services! December Altar Flowers December 6th, In Celebration of John & Nitia Cole s 57th Anniversary December 13th, In Celebration of Bill & Gloria Hamlin s 47th Anniversary December 20st, Given by Elva & Darrin Cornell December 27th, For the Glory of God, given by John & Kathy Gilbert January Altar Flowers January 3rd, In Celebration of Gloria Shay s Birthday, given by Max Shay January 10th, 17th, 24th are available January 31st, In Memory of Edith Black s Birthday, given by Dick & Family December Greeters Barb & David Caldwell January Greeters Cathy & John Lewis December Counters Darrin Cornell & Michele Barry January Counters Truett Sweeting & Theresa Brown December January Thomas Forness 1 Allen Hunt 2 Pearl Ware 3 Jamie Forness 4 Jan Gustafson 7 Barb Stormer 9 Elva Cornell 20 Victoria Stormer 20 Peg Ball 21 Kevin LaForge 22 Logan Milligan 22 Emily DeSalvatore 25 Alan Forsberg 27 Jessie Stark 31 December Charles & Mildred Brocious 4 John & Nitia Cole 6 Allen & Sue Hunt 10 Robert & Gail Bouldin 12 Bill & Gloria Hamlin 14 David & Lois Miller 28 Alvin Ware 1 Gloria Shay 6 Shelia Smith 9 Ethel Morrison 26 January Roger & Joanne Horton 19