Dunes Digest. Word from the Pastor... By Lou Grettenberger, Senior Pastor. December Sunday Worship

Transcription

1 December 2018 Dunes Digest Word from the Pastor... By Lou Grettenberger, Senior Pastor Calm and Bright 200 Years of Silent Night is our theme for December. It celebrates the 200-year anniversary of the song Silent Night a song that brings with it a host of stories and lore. Most well-known is that this song was written and performed first at St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, Austria, a village near Salzburg. The song was written after the pastor of St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf had watched a presentation of the Christmas story by a travelling group of actors. With the story of Jesus in his head and heart, he headed home. We are told that Pastor Josef Mohr made a stop on a snowy, starlit hill overlooking the little village. He remembered a poem he had written a few years earlier and decided it might make a good Christmas song for his church. With the help of Franz Gruber, the church organist, the poem became a simple song that was accompanied by guitar on Christmas Eve. The church organ was in disrepair. The song caught on and spread around Europe and eventually made its way to the United States and was translated into English. Today the song is sung in more than 300 languages. The themes intoned in the song have become our refrain as we prepare for Christmas here at Church of the Dunes. Advent I Sleep in Peace PEACE Advent II Glories Stream JOY Advent III Redeeming Love LOVE Advent IV Let Us Sing HOPE Christmas Eve Calm and Bright JESUS BIRTH The theme Calm and Bright with the subtext of Peace, Joy, Love, and Hope will help us to reclaim our unsettled and darkened world. We are not victims of what seems to be, but citizens of a kingdom not yet fully seen. All of us will be invited to embrace God s peace and to cast Christ s light in our families, our church and our world. Please join us for our Advent and Christmas worship experiences. You will be blessed. Sunday Worship 8:30 a.m. Traditions Traditional worship and music 10:30 a.m. Elements Worship with modern and traditional components December 1: Advent I Communion Luke 2:6; Matthew 19:13-15 Give Peace a Chance December 9: Advent II Psalm 86:9-11; Luke 2:8-20 Glory to God December 16: Advent III John 1:1-18 Love's Light (Kids' Christmas Program during 10:30 a.m. service ) December 23: Advent IV Matthew 2:1-12; Isaiah 9:6 I Hope So December 24: Christmas Eve 7:00 p.m. Candlelight service 11:00 p.m. Candlelight and communion service Luke 2:1-20 Calm and Bright December 30 1st Sunday in Christmas Matthew 2:13-23 Refuge Third Wednesday Communion Service December 19 8:30-9 a.m.

2 United Methodist Church of the Dunes We celebrate the baptism of Maya Louise Gornowicz on November 25 at Church of the Dunes. Maya s parents are Michael and Alexandra Gornowicz. DECEMBER SCHEDULE NOTES December Dates to Remember December 1 Cookie Walk and Boutique 9:30 a.m. - 2:00p.m. December 16 Kids Christmas Program during 10:30 worship December 16 All Church Christmas Caroling 4:00-6:00 p.m. December 24 Christmas Eve Family-friendly Candlelight Worship Candlelight Worship with Communion 7:00 p.m. 11:00 p.m. Weather Closing Policy If Grand Haven Area Public Schools are closed due to weather, events at the church will be canceled and the church office will be closed. Sunday morning services will not be canceled due to weather as long as the pastor is able to make it to church. Closings will be announced on Wood TV8 and on the Church of the Dunes Facebook page. To submit an item for the Dunes Digest newsletter: Please send information and articles to communications@umcdunes.org Articles are due by the 15th of the month prior. Contacts Please note new office address. Church Office (616) office@umcdunes.org Rev. Louis Grettenberger, Senior Pastor (231) pastorlou@umcdunes.org Additional staff contact information can be found on the weekly Sunday worship bulletin, or by contacting the church office. A directory of staff extension numbers is provided when you call. END OF THE YEAR GIVING IDEAS IRA Minimum Distributions Did you know that required minimum distributions (RMDs) from IRAs can be given as charitable gifts? In addition, doing so may have tax benefits.* If you are making decisions about IRA minimum distributions or other end-of-theyear giving, please keep Church of the Dunes in mind. Church leaders and staff are working hard to address a budget deficit in 2018 and prepare the church to begin 2019 on steady financial footing. Gifts to support this effort are greatly appreciated. Each financial and tax situation is different. It is VERY important to consult your tax planner or financial advisor for instructions on how to make these gifts. Thank you for considering Church of the Dunes for your end-of-the-year financial gifts. *This information is general in nature and does not constitute financial advice. Silent night...

3 December 2018 INSPIRATION Encouraging Words I have heard it said the only two things in life are sure death and taxes. I disagree. One can choose to not pay their taxes. Of course, there are consequences to this choice. One cannot choose death as it comes to all. There are four things I believe are sure: 1. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2. Got loves ALL of us and always will. 3. He sent his son, Jesus, to live as a human, and die in agony so we could be forgiven, rise from the grave, and return to God. 4. Things change. We are now in a period of change by offering two similar, yet differing, worship services. In this, we also have a choice. Personally, I like the traditional service. However, I am not a morning person. Thus, a dilemma. I decided to try the new Elements second service. I have been pleasantly surprised. The basics of our Methodist tradition remain. These include a sermon (which is the same in both services) based on scripture and pertinent to our lives, familiar beloved hymns, and traditional rituals. As I see it, the big change has been in congregational participation and the introduction of contemporary music (sometimes called praise and worship songs). As a retired early elementary teacher, I am especially pleased to have the 10:30 Elements service begun by the Kids Choir. This gives these young ones an early start in participating and reinforces the fact that Jesus loves them. These are my feelings concerning the changes we are experiencing. Regardless of the service one chooses, God is present, and we are worshiping Him. ~ Ann Boonstra ~ WELCOME New Staff Member Cathryn Marshall In late October, Cathryn joined the staff as Church Secretary. She brings extensive professional experience to the job, and has enthusiastically jumped right in to her many responsibilities at Church of the Dunes. She has worked as an office administrator for a church in Grand Rapids, as a billing specialist for the Board of Light and Power in Grand Haven, and worked in banking for many years. Cathryn and her husband Scott are active members at St. John s Episcopal Church in Grand Haven. She served as Junior Warden last year. In this role, Cathryn was responsible for overseeing the building and grounds. During that year, St. John s began single-stream recycling, updated the sanctuary lights to LEDs, and cleaned out a large basement storage room (filling two dumpsters). Cathryn is serving as Senior Warden this year, overseeing many aspects of the congregation s life, and leading Vestry (similar to church council) meetings during a four-month period when the priest was on sabbatical. Cathryn has lifelong ties to Grand Haven. Her family has a cottage on the lake, so she spent summers in Grand Haven every year in childhood, returning with her own children for vacations each year. She and Scott have six grown children between them, ranging in age from 37 to 26. Cathryn enjoys crocheting and cross-stitching, and sings in a women s barbershop chorus. Welcome, Cathryn! We re glad you are here.

4 United Methodist Church of the Dunes UPCOMING EVENTS Christmas by Candlelight is Thursday, December 13 The United Methodist Women (UMW) are preparing for their annual Advent program, Christmas By Candlelight. You are invited! This event begins in the sanctuary at 7 p.m. and features a Christmas-themed program by the Spring Lake High School Choir. The event moves to the Wiltse Center fellowship area for dessert served at tables decorated for the season and featuring candlelit centerpieces. All women (including young women in grades 5-12) are invited. How to be table hostess To host a table, pair up with a partner, and contact Jan Lipfert to let her know you d like to do that. She needs to know how many tables are available so she can begin seating guests as she receives reservations. Hostess teams are responsible for decorating a table with a candlelit centerpiece and providing dessert. You may use your own special Christmas dishes or you may use plates and cups from the church kitchen. It is not necessary to provide favors for guests at your table. Tablecloths are available from the church, but you must specify whether you will be using an oblong table that seats 10 or a round table that seats 8. The UMW will provide coffee, tea, cream and sugar. How to make a reservation Reservation forms are available at the Welcome Center or in the church office. The reservation Deadline is Sunday, December 9. Our hope is to make this event welcoming to all, including those who have participated for many years and newcomers to this lovely event. We ask that all guests use the reservation system. As reservations are made, guests will be seated at available table openings. Certainly if you want to invite a newcomer that is encouraged, but try not to request any more than 2 people be seated together. Thank you so much for supporting our efforts to make this an inclusive, loving celebration of Advent. Kid s Christmas Program, Sunday, December 16 This year s kids Christmas program will be part of the 10:30 a.m. Elements worship service on Sunday, December 16. ALL kids are invited to participate. Simply show up at 10:00 a.m. in the Social Hall on the lower level. If you need directions, please stop at the Welcome Center in the church s entrance. Costumes will be provided. Please join in the fun! For more information, contact Music Director Meg at mhorist@umcdunes.org.

5 December 2018 Music Ministry: Notes from the Loft by Megan Horist, Director of Music So much is happening this month in music and worship arts at Church of the Dunes. A special highlight is our new 2nd 6th grade Dance Team. They are preparing a dance to open worship on December 9 at Traditions worship at 8:30 a.m., December 16 at Elements worship at 10:30, and at 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve worship. The children and youth are presenting a Kids Christmas Program during the Elements worship on December 16. The Singers, Chimers and Youth Choir will be singing and ringing. Many children will be reading and helping to lead worship. All children are invited to show up at 10 a.m., receive a costume and be a part of the fun. So, bring your kids, grandkids and your neighbors. This is going to be a wonderful and lively morning of worship! The Chancel Choir and Bells of Glory are busy preparing to lead worship through Advent and on Christmas Eve, the Jubilation Choir will rehearse in December and lead worship on December 30, and the Worship and Visual Arts teams are hard at work preparing for Advent and Christmas Eve worship services. There are many exciting things happening in music and the arts here. I hope to see each and every one of you as we journey through Advent and celebrate the birth of Jesus together. Megan For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. COMING UP IN WORSHIP 12.2 Advent 1 Communion Sunday Chancel Choir 12.9 Advent 2 Bells of Glory Dance Team at Traditions (8:30) Advent 3 Chancel Choir at Traditions (8:30) Kids Christmas Program at Elements (10:30) Advent 4 Special Music Christmas Eve 7:00pm Family-friendly Candlelight worship (Singers & Chimers, Dance Team & Youth) 11:00pm Candlelight worship (Chancel Choir & Bells of Glory) Jubilation Choir Isaiah 9:6-7a MUSIC REHEARSAL SCHEDULE Monday Evenings 7:00-8:00pm Bells of Glory (Adult Bell Choir) Wednesday Evenings 6:00-6:30pm Chimers (2 nd 6 th Grade students) 6:30-7:00pm Singers (2 nd 6 th Grade students) 6:45-7:30pm Jubilation Choir (Adult 5th Sunday choir) Rehearsals December 5, 12, 18 7:30-8:30pm Chancel Choir (Adult choir) Sunday Mornings 10:00-10:25am Kids Choir (preschool 5 th Grade students) This choir will sing most Sunday mornings at the beginning of the 2nd worship service 11:30-12:15pm Youth Choir (7 th 12 th Grade students) Connect with Megan mhorist@umcdunes.org (616) x27

6 United Methodist Church of the Dunes Children s Ministries Updates by Dan Malseed, Director of Children s Ministries Children In Worship Schedule and Themes for December Children In Worship is offered during both the 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. worship services. December 2, Advent 1 & 2 The Prophets and Annunciation December 9, Advent 3 The Visitation to Elizabeth December 16, 1 st service Advent 4 The Adoration; 2 nd service Kids Christmas Program December 30, Fun, faith-focused activities during CIW time During the month of November, we learned about the Moses and the Ten Commandments and Noah. Children in Worship is open to children in grades K- 5. After Time for Children during the worship service the children will be led by one of the teachers to the Hosanna classroom (room 8 lower level). Children In Worship shares Bible stories and traditions with the children by using three-dimensional wooden figures, hands-on activities, and songs. For more information, contact Daniel Malseed the Director of Children's Ministries at dmalseed@umcdunes.org. Kids Connection Schedule and Themes for December Come to Kids Connection on Wednesday from 4:00-5:00 p.m. This after school time meets in the Wiltse Center fellowship area and features homework time, arts and crafts, and a short Bible-based lesson. In December we will be learning about Birds of the Air. In these three lessons we will be talk about how God cares and provides for us, how God wants us to place our trust in Him, and when we seek God s kingdom and righteousness, we don t have to worry. December 5, God Sends Raven to Care for Elijah, 1 Kings 17:1-7 December 12, God Lifts Us Up on Eagle s Wings, Isaiah 40:25-31 December 19, God Care for Sparrows, Matthew 6:19-34 December 26, No Kids Connection, enjoy your Christmas break November Mission Project Update In November, Children s Ministries at Church of the Dunes has been collecting non-perishable food items for Love In Action s Backpack Blessings program. Backpack Blessings provides food for kids who need it for the weekends. Four items were requested: peanut butter (plastic jar), jelly (plastic jar), soup (kid-friendly flavors), and mac and cheese (single-serve). Kids were invited to bring these items to Children In Worship. Drop-off bins were located in the Wiltse Center fellowship area for anyone wishing to contribute. These items will continue to be collected through Sunday, December 2. Thanks to all who helped make this mission project a success.

7 December 2018 Youth Ministries Hosts Annual All Church Christmas Caroling All Church Christmas Caroling Sunday, December 16 4:00-6:00 p.m. Bring family and friends for caroling to homebound members of Church of the Dunes. Dress for the weather and meet at church. Cookies, donuts, coffee, and cider at church after caroling. Please, come help us share joy with our church family this Christmas season. December Youth Schedule 12/2: Sunday School 9:40 10:20 a.m. Youth Group 6-7:30 p.m. 12/9: Sunday School 9:40 10:20 a.m. Youth Group 6-7:30 p.m. 12/16: Sunday School 9:40 10:20 a.m. Church wide Christmas Caroling at 4 p.m. 12/23: Sunday School 9:40 10:20 a.m. No Youth Group 12/30: No Sunday School or Youth Group For more information, contact Ashley Boersma, Director of Youth Ministries at aboersma@umcdunes.org..holy night...

8 United Methodist Church of the Dunes CONNECT AND LEARN Adult Education Advent Study: The Gospel of Luke Wednesday evenings November 28 through December 19, 6:10 p.m. -7:30 p.m., Room 13/14 lower level, or Sunday mornings December 2 through December 23, 9:35 10:25 a.m., Ryder Lounge This Advent, we look deeper into the timeless truths this historically accurate Gentile author, first medical missionary, sensitive to poor, women, the infirm, leader in the early church tells us about Jesus and his divinely ordained mission and ministry to mankind. This is not a history lesson this study will remind us of the Christian values and the secrets to life Jesus gave us that we must ever hold on to, especially during these troublesome times. Two options for class times are offered. Please join us. Signup sheets are on the bulletin boards near the church office, or just drop in. Monday Evening Book Discussion Group December 17, 6:30 p.m., Ryder Lounge, Facilitator: Gayle Cox This month s book is Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate. This book is a story about children taken from their parents and then placed for adoption. It s a book that gives lots to discuss and even more to think about. Book image and summary: CONNECT AND ENGAGE What Can Adult Council Do for YOU? The Adult Council is the leadership group that coordinates adult ministries at Church of the Dunes. Adult ministries include a wide range of things like social gatherings, classes and discussion groups, and more. The question is sometimes asked, what IS Adult Council anyway? This may be because this council isn t always on the radar. The hard work happens behind the scenes, but this work is essential to making Church of the Dunes a great place for adults to connect, engage, learn, continue a faith journey, and serve. One of the quiet, hardworking committees at Church of the Dunes is the Adult Council. This committee is relatively small for the amount of benefit to our members on a weekly basis. Meetings are kept to a minimum to respect committee members busy schedules and honor precious family time together. However, when Adult Council members are asked to help teach Bible classes, send out Care Packages to our college students and members in the military, research valuable resources for adults of all ages in the community, provide intergenerational fun events and most importantly provide an engaging spiritual experience for newcomers and guests, the Adult Council rises to the occasion. Get to know more about your Adult Council. You can find information on the bulletin board located in the Cry Room (behind the worship space). There are details about an exciting trip to Kenya, Family and Caregiver Support Groups and a new group just for parents of teens. There are descriptions and contact information for services to bring into your home to help you care for an older or handicapped loved one, movie nights with free pizza, information on Medicaid and Memory Care, and so much more. So don t let your kids tell you adults are boring. We have so much going on, and we have fun doing it! Would you like to join the Adult Council and be a part of this interesting and stimulating committee? We would love to talk with you. Contact Susan Thorpe at holbox04@gmail.com or (248)

9 December 2018 WELCOME Church of the Dunes Welcomes New Members On Sunday, November 11 and Sunday, November 25, Church of the Dunes received 7 new members. We are so grateful to have these wonderful people among us. Each new member was asked to share some fun or interesting facts about themselves, as a way of getting to know them better. Received into membership at the 8:30 Traditions Service, November 11 Ann Antaya has recently become a grandmother. The arrival of little Winifred made Ann s mother, Joyce Martyn, a great grandmother twice this year. Joan Yonker is passionate about knitting and makes many afghans to give to those in need. Her parents were members of the old United Methodist Church in downtown Grand Haven. Joan volunteers at Loutit District Library. Jean Gehrt stays busy with her hobbies: knitting and reading. Jean is also very musical and enjoys playing the piano....at the 10:30 Elements Service on November 11 Royce McCastle loves to knit baby sweaters to share with those in need. She enjoys cooking for people. Her children say she is going to try to feed the world, one person at a time. Sally Liebertz s favorite activities include dog sitting and spending time with animals. Her favorite song is the praise and worship song called Confidence by the band Sanctus Real. Nancy Franczek s favorite color is yellow. She adores her grandchildren and her great-grandson....at 8:30 Traditions on November 25 Jean Soard enjoys crocheting and serving others. Her most memorable trip was to see the Passion Play in Oberammergau, Bavaria, Germany. The play has been performed there since all is calm...

10 United Methodist Church of the Dunes TAKE CARE Christmas Safety Tips Christmas is a time of joy and a time to be with our families, but we need to be safe to enjoy it. Here are a few tips: Stay off the road during and after a winter storm. Keep candles away from flammable materials. Keep an eye on food when cooking. Turn off holiday lights at night or when you leave the house and check for frayed wires. Keep your tree watered. Shop securely online over the holidays. Don't overload your extension cords. Merry Christmas from the Church of the Dunes Safety and Security Committee. COMMUNICATE New Bulletin Deadline The Sunday bulletin is a great communication tool here at Church of the Dunes. The information you share to include in it helps make it a valuable source of information for members, friends, and visitors. There are several employees at the church involved in producing the bulletin each week. Most of us who work on the bulletin are part-time employees. As you can imagine, this creates schedule challenges and time constraints. Update In order to produce the most accurate and user-friendly bulletins possible, we need to make the bulletin deadline earlier in the week. Beginning now, the new deadline is Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. Thank you so much for your understanding and support of this change. More importantly, thank you for making Church of the Dunes a great place to worship and grow in faith....all is bright...

11 December 2018 MAKE A DIFFERENCE Advent Offering The Advent season soon begins. You have recently, or should soon receive letter indicating that our Missions and Social Concerns Council has decided that our 2018 Advent Offering should be dedicated to local needs. Both Family Promise and Love in Action are in need of bedding, linens and other stuff to support day-to-day operations. These organizations have been in operation for 9 and 7 years respectively and things wear out. Please prayerfully consider how you can support these missions and demonstrate the caring of the Dunes family. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 CONNECT Care Cards for College Students and Members in the Military Church of the Dunes Adult Council is getting organized to send 2019 Care Cards. You are invited to be a part of this effort to send greeting cards, along with Starbucks gift cards, to our college students and members serving in the military. We like to send them, and we hear the recipients like to receive them. It s a win-win, and a great way to stay connected with these special folks who aren t with us in church each week, but are in our thoughts and hearts. To help make this a big success, you re invited to Sign up your family members and loved ones to receive these special care cards. To do that, please contact Susan Thorpe at holbox04@gmail.com or text Katie Cole at (616) Organizers will be working with the list used in Spring 2018, so if there has been a change or update to someone who is on that list, please contact Susan or Katie with that information as well. Contribute to the cost of the greeting cards and gift cards. If you would like to contribute via check, please make the check payable to Church of the Dunes and note College/Military Care Cards on the memo line. Please put the check in the offering plate or mail or bring it to the church office. Sign greeting cards during coffee hour on January 6, 20 and 27, Thank you for your support! This outreach has a big impact.

12 United Methodist Church of the Dunes 717 Sheldon Road Grand Haven, MI Phone: (616) Website: Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Grand Haven, MI Permit 117 January Dunes Digest Deadline The deadline for the January issue of the Dunes Digest is December 15. Address Service Requested Sunday Worship Services Traditions Elements