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1 FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 601 5TH ST NE DEVILS LAKE ND NEW CHURCH OFFICE HOURS MONDAY 1:00-4:00 TUESDAY, AND WEDNESDAY 9:00-12:00 AND SOME WEDNESDAY AFTERNOONS PASTOR LORI IS OFF ON THURSDAY IF YOU NEED TO REACH PASTOR LORI PLEASE CALL December 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Church decorating 2:00 pm 2 Communion Sounds of Christmas 2:00 pm Confirmation 3:45 CS 5:00 UMW 7:00 pm 6 Men s prayer CS 5:00 Circle 6 pm at Jonielle s 13 Men s prayer Youth group 5:00 pm 16 Kids sing 17 Miriam Circle 2:00 pm at McD s Caroling at care centers 2:30 pm 18 19Confirmation 3:45 CS 5:00 Admin. Council 7:00 pm 20 Men s prayer Ladies Lunch 11:30 am 21 Blue Christmas Service 7:00 pm Prayer Gathering after coffee Christmas Eve Service 5:00 pm Merry Christmas! No Church School Men s prayer Youth Gp. 5 pm 1

2 DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS December 3 Arley Goulding December 4 Kim Sievert December 7 Perry Lundon December 13 Dorothy Hodous December 16 Paul Atherton December 21 Cami Hodgins December 22 Steve Olson December 23 Vangie Olson December 25 Dennis Anderson December 26 Ruth Elsberry John Nash Joyce Anderson William Oehlke December 28 Lynn Hodgins DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES December 13 Scott & Kim Sievert December 21 Ralph & Elaine Rath December 22 Perry & Nancy Lundon December 26 Paul & Laurel Goulding PLEASE HELP US KEEP OUR BIRTHDAY/ANNIVERSARY LISTS ACCURATE AND COMPLETE. IF ANY OF THESE DATES ARE IN ERROR, PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE. THANK YOU! The United Methodist Women invite you to an Epiphany Tea on Sunday, January 6th from 2 to 4 pm. There will be a short program and free will offering for the Hope Center. This is a perfect chance to invite a friend who may not attend church. PRAYER CONCERNS Please be in prayer for: JoEtta Wang, Sylvia Loehr, Mark Restemayer, Mary Jo Hannesson, Chris Gulsvig s sister Ruth and husband Jim, Naomi Modrow, Ruth Elsberry, Michelle Sharbono, Wendy Gulseth, those battling cancer (Denice, Dennis, Keith, Riley, Doug). Please pray for the finances of our church and for those who are unemployed or underemployed. Pray for the members of the military as well as fire, police, and emergency medical services. Pray for our children, our schools and all who work with them. Pray for areas of natural disaster. FUMC Finance Report PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES Our new Prayer Cards are available. If you haven t picked one up, ask the ushers or call the church office and one will be mailed to you. Suggested ways to use the prayer card is to pray before getting out of bed in the morning and before going to sleep at night, praying with your family at meals, praying before you come into the church. On Mondays at 2:00 pm you are welcome to join a time of prayer walking in the sanctuary; however, you don t have to walk and you don t have to pray aloud. Also, on the 4th Sunday of the month a prayer group will meet following coffee fellowship. Everyone is welcome. If you have a story of answered prayer you would like to share with others, please call the church office or send an to loribroschat@gmail.com to tell your story. These inspiring stories will appear in future newsletters. MISSIONS UPDATE Thanks to all of you who contributed to our annual Shoebox Christmas project. We reached our goal of packing 50 boxes for the Spirit Lake children! In January we will resume the ONE THING project. Each month we will designate a recipient for our donations. Do you have any suggestions to share? If the Christmas holidays are lonely or difficult for you for whatever reason, we invite you to attend a Blue Christmas Service on Friday, December 21 at 7:00 pm. This year our confirmation students will be choosing a mentor from the church to help them prepare for their decision to become members of this congregation. Mentors will meet with students at least once a month, more if they choose. If you can say yes when asked by a student to be a mentor, please don t hesitate to do so! Do you have a family member serving in the military? We would be honored to list their names and stations in the newsletter so that they may be prayed for by those in the church. Please contact the office at to provide this information. Thanks! Operating Fund for October Income $7, Expenses $10, (as of 11/19/18) Difference ($2,735.58) *Amount needed per month to meet our 2018 budget is $10, Remember to send in your offering when you re not in church. Consider the option of automatic withdrawals from your bank. Thank you for your giving! 2

3 FUMC Administrative Council Meeting Minutes November 28, 2018 Members present: Pastor Lori Broschat, Perry and Nancy Lundon, Chuck and Jonielle Soderstrom, Marcia Ulrich, David Reeves, Dennis Anderson, Bev Oehlke, Rodney Brown Call to Order: Chairperson Chuck Soderstrom called the meeting to order, Pastor Lori shared scripture and a devotion. Approval of Minutes: Chuck called for approval of the October minutes; motion was made by Marcia, seconded by Dennis, motion carried. Treasurer s Report: Perry reviewed the October financial report, as of October 31 showing a $34, balance in the checking account. The expenses for Oct. were $ 10, and the income was $10,143.81, for an overall difference of +$ for the month. He mentioned that the approximate $2000 insurance premium will be coming due in early Perry moved, seconded by Rodney to approve his report, motion carried. Finance Committee Report: Leo wasn t present but did send this report: committee didn t meet in November, but the church budget has been completed and approved, and letters were sent to all members/contributors with the third quarter giving statements. Board of Trustees Report: Dennis reported trustees have finished most of the little repairs around the church, except for the exterior light on the west side, they need to get a higher ladder to reach that one. He will put a shovel out by the west door and north door of the narthex so people can clear snow if needed. The council wanted to thank Travis Triepke and Steve Heilman for their work in changing bulbs and ballasts in the sanctuary ceiling. Jonielle reported that Ray Russell looked at the organ and he feels it s not repairable, so a decision will need to be made about what to do with it. Staff Parish Relations Report: Haven t met. The parsonage inspection needs to be completed with one SPRC member and one Trustee member by the end of the year. Endowment Report: No report Missions Report: Marcia reported they are will be doing another fish fry on January 20, They collected 50 Christmas shoeboxes for Spirit Lake Ministry. UMW Report: Joyce stated their next meeting is December 5 th, women should bring their gifts for the Good Samaritan Center residents. Education Committee Report: Jonielle reported they will once again do their annual program in April rather than December but the kids will be singing Christmas songs in church on December 16. Pastor Lori stated confirmation has begun. Youth Group Report: Nancy reported they are meeting every other Sunday at 5 pm and have 10 youth when everyone is there. They had 15 people, including parents participating in the Feed My Starving Children event on November 17 in Maddock and the youth had a good time. On December 15 at 5 pm., they will be watching a movie and having pizza at the church. Worship Report: Nancy stated the new usher and scripture readers list have been done for the first six months of If anyone wants to begin doing either of those tasks, let Nancy know. Pastor s Report: Lori stated anyone who is interested can go caroling at the nursing homes on Monday, December 17 at 2:30 pm right after prayer time that day at the church. Three girls will be getting their bibles presented in worship service this month. 3

4 Old Business: Lori would still like to update the Building use policy. Perry will look into a foundation grant that might be available for a new PowerPoint projector, which could run between $ , or look into getting big TV screens instead as some churches have done. New Business: The Nomination committee will be meeting in December to fill committees for 2019; current committee chairpersons need to send a year-end report to Lori by December 12 so she can make up the annual report. Chairman Chuck has asked for a meeting of the membership and congregation on December 19 at 7:00 pm to go over these reports. Meeting was adjourned. Nancy read the breakthrough scripture and prayer to end the meeting. The next meeting is Wednesday, December 19 th at 7:00 pm. Respectively submitted: Nancy Lundon, Ad Council Secretary DECEMBER SERVING GROUP Chairpersons: Arlene Kirk David & Sandy Reeves Helpers: Dennis & Joyce Anderson Chad & Megan Estenson Jay & Rose Janssen Ray & Mary Russell SCRIPTURE READERS December 2 Evan Heustis December 9 Jocelyn Soderstrom December 16 Quincy Stotts December 23 Chuck Soderstrom December 30 Arlene Kirk USHERS December 2 Rick & Becky Durbin December 9 Chuck & Jonielle Soderstom December 16 Vance & Hope Jury December 23 Jeff & Melissa Stotts December 24 Steve & Kelli Heilman December 30 Jay & Vangie Olson OFFERING COUNTERS Lynn Hodgins; Matthew or Cami Hodgins Snow Shoveling Schedule from December 2 to December 29: Dec. 2 to 8: Leo Sayler Dec. 9 to 15: Jeff Stotts family Dec. 16 to 22: Dec : KDLR Radio Broadcast Ministry Our Sunday morning radio broadcast costs us $60 per week. In the past we had Sundays sponsored as a way of honoring someone special. If you would like to sponsor a Sunday in honor or memory of someone, please send your donation to the church office and let us know what Sunday you wish to sponsor. A sign-up sheet is also available in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings. Please listen to our weekly morning devotions at 6:10 am and our Sunday morning sermon broadcast at 9:05 a.m. on KDLR 1240 AM or 99.7 FM. If you d like to sponsor a Sunday, contact the church office or use the form in the sanctuary. December 2 by Lynn & Gwen Hodgins in memory of Mary Hodgins December 9 by an anonymous giver December 16 by an anonymous giver December 23 by Ray & Mary Russell in memory of our veterans December 24 by Tony & Lara Prozinski family in memory of John & Pat Olsen December 30 NOVEMBER WEEKLY ATTENDANCE 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Average Your regular attendance is important, as is your invitation for others to join you. PARENTS and GRANDPARENTS! REMEMBER THE KIDS SING 3RD SUN- DAYS 4

5 Seven Theological Points to Remember at Christmas Time 1. Jesus arrival in flesh was a work of the entire Trinity the Father, the Spirit, and of course, Jesus own will. Jesus was sent by the Father, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and came on his own accord. 2. Jesus was God, existed eternally, and had fellowship with the Father before he was born in human form. Rather than being the first act of God s creation, he coexisted with the Father and Spirit from all eternity. 3. Jesus was a Jew and his vocation was to fulfill Israel s long expectation for a just political ruler. Christ is a title meaning Messiah, taken from the Old Testament, whose coming kingdom would overthrow Israel s enemies. 4. Jesus emptied himself of his divine privileges in order to fully identify with the human plight. He even grew in wisdom and experienced moments of deep anxiety and turmoil. This allows him to serve as our proper high priest so he could be merciful toward us and our weaknesses. 5. Jesus first coming necessitated a second coming. His first coming was to make atonement for sin by his life, death and resurrection, which planted the seeds of his kingdom. At his second coming, he will do away with sin and death. 6. Jesus was the perfect representation of God s character of holy love. Since he shares the same nature with God the Father, he showed us what God is like. This means that Jesus was sinless and could therefore be both the means and end of our salvation. 7. Jesus arrival in human flesh knowns as the incarnation was an affirmation of the goodness of God s creation. After Jesus death, burial and resurrection, God once again affirmed the goodness of our material world by possessing a perpetual bodily resurrection. Reprinted from Seedbed.com IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO, TAKE HOME A PAPER ORNAMENT FROM THE SANCTUARY AND BRING IT BACK WITH A PHOTO OF A LOVED ONE FOR THE MEMORIAL TREE IN THE NARTHEX. THE JESUS WHO CAME On that clear, starry night Is the Jesus who gave For the world His own life. To the dear virgin bride Is the Jesus who died With His arms open wide. When men followed the star Is the Jesus who showed How beloved we are. So the world would soon see Is the Jesus who bled For the sins of humanity. So lest we forget Why that baby was born, Let s remember He rose On that bright Easter morn. Pastor Lori Broschat May the anticipation of Advent s child prepare you for the blessings yet to come. CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP SERVICE 5:00 PM ALSO BROADCAST ON KDLR 1240 AM DAILY READINGS FOR ADVENT 2018, WHICH BEGINS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2 Daily Readings for Week One Daily Readings for Week Two Daily Readings for Week Three Daily Readings for Week Four Sunday Revelation 3:20 Sunday Isaiah 62:1-2 Sunday Isaiah 9:2-4 Sunday Luke 1:24-25, Monday Isaiah 11:1-4 Monday Mark 1:2-8 Monday Colossians 1:3-6 Monday Luke 2:1-14 Tuesday Luke 6:20-26 Tuesday Matthew 24:42-44 Tuesday Psalm 40:1-8 Tuesday Luke 2:15-20 Wednesday Luke 2:8-14 Wednesday Luke 1:26-38 Wednesday Philippians 4:11b-13 Wednesday Luke 2: Thursday Isaiah 9:6-7 Thursday Luke 1:39-45 Thursday Luke 1:46-55 Thursday Luke 2:36-38 Friday Psalm 62:5-8 Friday Matthew 1:18-25 Friday Matthew 8:23-27 Friday Galatians 4:4-7 Saturday Psalm 31:13-16 Saturday Isaiah 40:1-11 Saturday Luke 21:28 Saturday John 1:14 5

6 EVENTS TO REMEMBER Ladies are asked to bring a small gift for a resident of the Good Samaritan center to the UMW meeting at 7:00 pm on December 5. The Elks Band Christmas Concert for the Salvation Army will be held on Sunday, December 9 at 1:00 pm. The ladies of the church are invited to attend the Evening Circle December meeting on Wednesday, December 12 at 6:00 pm at the home of Jonielle Soderstrom. Hor d oeuvres to share will be welcome and will serve as our supper. You are asked to bring a signed Christmas card, recipient left blank, and these will be shared at the meeting. Also, if you would like you may bring a $10 donation we will collect and give to a needy person associated with the church. Everyone is invited to join in Christmas caroling in the nursing care centers beginning at 2:30 pm on Monday, December 17. We can carpool and have a refreshment following our caroling. During the December Ad Council meeting, our annual church conference will be conducted to vote on our lay leadership/committee members. Committee chairpersons are asked to have their annual report ready to share. Reports and budget will be compiled into an annual report. Many thanks to those who participated in or attended the Sounds of Christmas concert on December 2nd. Looking forward to next year! Last year we placed a paper Christmas tree on a bulletin board with the words: This Year, I m Asking God For.. Paper ornaments were available to write a request, maybe for God to help you with something, or to take something from you such as a bad trait or a worry. This year the tree will be moved to the narthex so that as we leave worship we can add to the requests on the tree. These are meant to be anonymous of course, so please consider adding your ornament to this special Christmas tree. WHAT ARE YOU DOING NEW YEAR S EVE? SEVERAL YEARS AGO FOLKS FROM THE CHURCH WOULD GATHER FOR FAMILY GAME NIGHTS. THIS YEAR ON NEW YEAR S EVE WE WOULD LIKE TO BRING BACK THAT ACTIVITY. IF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME HOLIDAY RE- FRESHMENTS AND PLAY BOARD GAMES, ASSEMBLE JIGSAW PUZZLES, MAYBE EVEN WATCH A MOVIE TOGETHER AT THE CHURCH ON NEW YEAR S EVE, PLEASE LET PASTOR LORI KNOW BY PHONE OR . SPENDING THIS TIME TOGETHER AS FAMILIES IN OUR CHURCH FAMILY IS A REWARDING AND FUN WAY TO GET TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER BETTER AS WE START THE NEW YEAR! 6