Church Staff. Return Service Requested

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1 Church Staff Rev. Grant R. Lobb, Pastor Home: (810) Joyce Eddy, Administrative Secretary Michelle Komisak, Business Secretary Debbie Muldoon, CE Director (810) Creg June, Youth Director (810) Cheryl Burnside, Music Dir./Organist (810) Ann June, Nursery Coordinator Velma Watson, Head Cook/Soup Kitchen Pat Schlaud, Custodian Return Service Requested Trinity United Methodist Church 1310 N. Main Street CHURCH STAFF EXTENSIONS Church Phone: Fax Number: Staff Extensions: Pastor Admin Secretary Business Secretary Christian Ed Director Youth Director Kitchen/Fellowship Hall North Parlor Nursery Usher Station/South Parlor Youth Room - 106

2 TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH The Messenger There is something about Christmas that brings a warm feeling in our hearts, even in the midst of the busy-ness, or the loneliness, that we experience during December. More than any other time of year, Christmas is a time that brings back memories. We remember the excitement of being a child and seeing the gifts under the tree. We remember family gatherings that included special foods and desserts that were traditional to our particular clan. We think of our loved ones who are no longer with us, and we cherish their memory. For me, the memories include my Dad reading the account of the birth of Christ from the Bible each year on Christmas. Because his Dad always read from Luke s gospel before they opened gifts, my Dad would usually wait until after the gifts had been opened to do the reading. He did that for us because he remembered the torture he experienced as a child, listening to the Bible reading in the very room where the tree and gifts were! My Grandpa Lobb and my Dad both wanted to remind their children of the true meaning of CHRISTmas. I will always remember how my parents loved decorating for Christmas. My Mom spent many days doing the inside, while my Dad spent many days putting up all kinds of decorations and thousands of lights on the outside of our house. In fact, he won awards two of our earlier years in Saginaw for his Christmas displays. What are some of your Christmas memories from years past? Who are the people that you remember the most? What special holiday food can you almost taste right now? How did you remember to include Jesus into your Christmas celebrations? How will you make sure that it happens this year? December is usually filled with all kinds of activities and celebrations. I pray that all of us will find ways to keep Christ in CHRISTmas and share His love in this month of December! Pastor Grant Notes from the Business Secretary continued: Automatic Giving If there was a way to make Sunday mornings less hectic, would you be willing to give it a try? (or maybe I m the only one that rushes out the door for church and then realize I ve forgotten to grab an offering envelope, or the checkbook, and have just minutes to spare to make it to service on time?) Several of our members have taken advantage of automated giving with their bank. Many banks now offer an automated bill pay free of charge where you can pre-arrange for your weekly/monthly tithe check to be automatically generated from your checking account and mailed to the church by your bank. The feedback from the members utilizing this service has been very positive! Please feel free to contact me in the office if you have questions. Michelle Komisak, Business Secretary x 102, business_mgr@trinitylapeer.org Christmas Eve Night: Loose offerings will support the Ministry of Kindness; all offerings not marked otherwise will go to support this vital ministry within our church. Holiday Office Closing The office will close on Thursday, December 21 st at 3:00 p.m. and will re-open on Monday, January 2 nd at 9:00 a.m. As always, the Pastor can be reached in the event of an emergency by calling the parsonage ( ) or send him an revgrant9@gmail.com 2018 ALTAR FLOWERS Next year s Altar Flower Calendar is now available. Since all altar flowers need to be PREPAID ($25), envelopes have been prepared and made available for the purpose of ordering flowers. The envelopes are in the clear container on the wall next to the Flower Calendar. There is space on the envelope to write the requested date, your name and the names of those being honored or remembered. Please complete the information on the envelope and submit it to the office by either putting it into the offering plate or through the mail slot in the main office door. When your payment and information is received, the office will reserve your date and update the Flower Calendar. Please do not write on the Flower Calendar. It is only being used for viewing available dates.

3 Notes from the Business Secretary: The staff wishes all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year! Books Closing for the Year The church books will close at the end of worship service on Sunday, December 31 st. Any offerings received after that time will be credited to your 2018 giving statement. Roof Loan Repayment Commitments: If you pledged monthly payments to help the church repay the loan taken out to cover the Roof Project expenses, you will be receiving a letter shortly to update you as to your status against that commitment. You will also receive a set of special envelopes to use to make donations specifically for this purpose. Please use these envelopes for your roof loan donations to assist the counters in accurately recording them. Offering Counters: I would like to take a moment to thank the four church members who generously volunteer their time each week to perform the weekly offering count. These volunteer members operate with the utmost integrity and confidentiality and in return, we protect their anonymity to maintain the confidentiality of the process. A couple things that help them record your offerings accurately: Clearly write your name on the outside of your offering envelope this is also a great use for all of those free address labels that come in the mail! If your offering is for a designated purpose other than the general fund, please also note that on the outside of the envelope (it can be missed if it is only written on the check memo). Please ensure that your check is filled out legibly and completely. If the written out dollar amount (ex. Twenty and No Cents), or the numerical dollar amount (ex. $20.00) is missing, I will contact you to complete the check Occasionally members will make a donation to one of the church missions in honor of another church member. I will send a note to that member letting them know that a donation has been made in their honor, but will keep the amount confidential. If you would like your name revealed to the honored member, please indicate that on the envelope. Otherwise, the name of the donor will be kept confidential (and inevitably, the honoree will ask me who made the donation so that they can properly thank them. I will never reveal who the donor is unless you give express permission to do so when you make the donation.) Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for our blessings and I am so thankful for all the people who help make the children's programs run smoothly. Sunday School teachers plan lessons (and pray the children show up), or spend hours getting craft supplies ready to sell items to raise money for the Ministry of Kindness. The Kid s Street volunteers show up every week with smiles, they do math and science projects to help the children learn, and have fun at the same time (and trust me with over 60 kids this is quite a project). The teachers for the Wednesday night program come up with new ideas every week to keep the kids coming back. Chuck shows up every week to feed them dinner, and let s not forget the youth who come in after school each week to help with Kid's Street (we love having them there). These are just a few of the people I am thankful to be able to work with, but I am also thankful for our church who supports us. Working with all these people is truly a blessing and I can't wait to see what happens next year. Our last meeting for the Wednesday programs for the year is December 13th and we will start back up on January 17th. I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and remember the real reason we celebrate Christmas. Debbie Muldoon Christian Education Director The 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Worship Service will include a special program for children during the regular service. We will be meeting in the Fellowship Hall. The children will be dismissed after they ring the colored bells. All children through 5th grade are welcome.

4 Junior High Sunday School Class On Sunday, December 3 rd, the Junior High Sunday School Class, known as S.W.A.M.P., Serving With A Major Purpose, will have lovely hand-made gifts for you to purchase in Room 105, at 10 a.m. 100% of all purchases or donations will go to the Ministry of Kindness. It has been our goal to raise $1,000 for helping those in need. Please join us, share a hand-made gift with friends, family or keep it for yourself. Most importantly, spread holiday cheer three-fold this season, 1) make a purchase or donation to Ministry of Kindness on December 3 rd in Room 105, at 10 a.m.; 2) Support S.W.A.M.P. (Serving With A Major Purpose); 3) Kindness starts with me pay it forward. S.W.A.M.P. Junior High Class THANK YOU FOR MAKING THE HARVEST DINNER GREAT!! The youth are preparing for the Christmas season. They are sponsoring the Christmas Eve dinner, so they are looking for blanket and coat donations to give away at the dinner. Please bring them to church and put them in the tote marked CHRISTMAS EVE. We are also planning to make the annual trip to Frankenmuth. Things to know about the youth: They meet Wednesday and Sunday They range from 6th to 12th grades They come from several school districts They want to be at youth group They appreciate your great support Creg June, Youth Director Creg June MOPS/MOMSnext meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, December 5 th and 19th for the month of December. As we ready ourselves and families for the Christmas celebrations we look forward to taking out some time to be still and focus on Christ, taking time to reflect and share with the other moms in our group. We will be spending some time preparing a meal together on the 5 th and look forward to Pastor Lobb speaking to the group on the 19th. This November our group was able to send out 18 packages for the Operation Christmas Child program. The program shares the love of Christ through the gifts of Christmas with children throughout the world. In addition to hearing the Gospel before they receive their shoebox gift, children also receive The Greatest Gift, a storybook that shares the message of salvation. With the Apostle John as narrator, the booklet shares 11 Scripture stories and invites children to follow Christ. Children take this home to share with family and friends. It is used in more than 80 languages. We at MOPS/Momsnext want to wish you and your family a safe and happy new year! Please join us in saying this special prayer for the new year. Dear Lord, We thank you that another year is completed in our lives. As you well know, most of us have been busy with our preschoolers. We ask you that 2018 will be a year when we really take time to listen mostly listen to you but also to those around us. Remind us that one of our most valuable possessions is time. Please help us to use this gift responsibly. We love and thank you for opportunity. Once again, we seek to live for you. In Jesus name, Amen

5 December Birthdays 12/01 Drew Johnston 12/01 Michelle Wilson 12/02 Ron Best 12/02 Wanda Harrand 12/03 Sally Gillies 12/03 Michelle Rasnick 12/08 Gordon Archer 12/08 Doris Gross 12/08 Jane Lindsay 12/09 Susan Bauer 12/09 Jason Louwaert 12/11 Joe Richard 12/12 Kaleb June 12/12 Barbara Niesen 12/12 Cora Oxtra 12/15 James Phillips 12/16 Bayleigh Boose 12/16 Mary Pieper 12/16 Kaden Ryan 12/16 Shirley Smith 12/17 Janet Dye 12/17 Jerry Seeds 12/18 Ann June 12/18 Sandy Noel 12/19 Carol Cliff 12/19 Sheila Smith 12/20 Joyce Adams 12/20 Sue Daveluy 12/20 Heidi Matheny 12/21 Kristen Camp 12/23 Dyle Henning 12/23 Dale June 12/23 Pam Siivola 12/24 Gordon Bade 12/24 Joyce Carr 12/24 Bob Wightman 12/25 Nancy Brinker 12/25 Gail Orris 12/25 Tom Terbrueggen 12/25 Jim Woodard 12/27 Candy Watkins 12/27 Sam Williams 12/29 Rod McEachern 12/31 Ursula Bausack 12/31 Frank Millis December Anniversaries 12/19 Sam & Charlotte Williams 12/20 Andrew & Olga Barnard 12/20 Mike & Jennifer Nolan 12/27 Terry & Diane Cheyney 12/27 Tom & Barbara Coon 12/27 Jim& Carolyn Elzerman 12/28 Jeanne & Steven McCorkle Shawna & Clyde Allen Carrie & Dan Dreyer Helen & Lee Hendryx Mary & Dale Parsons Geneva & Jerry Seeds Crystal & Ryan Wilson UNITED METHODIST WOMEN The United Methodist Women has a program that recognizes people with a pin and certificate who give of their time and efforts in service to others. Each year we select a person (or persons) to honor with this pin. It s not easy to choose as so many give of themselves in so many ways. This year Bill Porter was recognized as someone who gives so much. Bill chairs and participates in many committees and helps with so many projects here at Trinity, as well as helping those in need throughout the community. Thank you again, Bill, for your servant s heart! The United Methodist Women are proud to announce that once again we were given a certificate for our participation in all Five Channels of Undesignated Giving Mission Giving, Special Mission Recognition, Gifts to Missions, Gifts in Memory, and for the World Thank Offering. We also received a Certificate of Recognition for meeting district unit objectives that brought us the level of FAITH, HOPE, JOY, and LOVE, all four levels! Thank you all for your continued support of this wonderful organization! The program for our November meeting was our World Thank Offering. The theme for the program was The Sacred Space of Sharing Food. We talked about the people in our own community who often go without proper food and ways that we can and do help. Thank you Debi for presenting the program for us and giving us much to think about. Also our mission giving plan was submitted and approved, so the monies will be sent to the agencies soon. And finally, as your president for the last three years, I wish to thank you all for your support for the United Methodist Women. This is truly a mission-giving based group. I have enjoyed my term and pass on this task with prayers for its continued success. God bless. Kathy Dawley, President DECEMBER UMW MEETING MONDAY, DECEMBER 1:00 P.M. All ladies are invited to bring in a special or favorite nativity set and a small plate of snacks to share in this Christmas filled afternoon. We will be meeting in the North Parlor and look forward to seeing and hearing about all the sets on display. Carolyn Elzerman will be sharing a short devotion. There is a sign up sheet in the lobby for all who are interested.

6 LADIES NIGHT Monday, December 4th Catered 6:00 p.m. $10 donation 7:15 p.m. freewill offering featuring John and Kate Denner. You will be impressed by this special evening, so plan on being with us. HELPING HANDS MEAL MINISTRY Looking for a servant opportunity that makes you and someone else feel blessed? Then consider the Helping Hands Meal Ministry. We provide meals to people from our church after they have had medical procedures to help them (and their families) get back up on their feet. A sign-up sheet can be found on the Welcome table in the lobby. FROM THE OUTREACH COMMITTEE The Pregnancy Resource Center is praising God for His faithfulness. 54 churches participated in the Baby Bottle Campaign this year, raising $50,845 for the center. Trinity donated $1, towards that amount. Thank you for your faithful support! As we move into winter, the darkest time of the year, many of us find we have less energy and like a little more sleep. Some people even suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder), which is a form of depression related to lack of light. Our mental and spiritual health play a huge role in our physical health. We are reminded in 1 John 1:5, God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. As a way to help remind us of God s light inside and around us, Health Ministries will distribute electric candles along with a partial list of the names of God. We hope you will light the candle each morning or evening and spend 10 minutes thinking about one or two of the attributes of God. As you meditate on His goodness and the small candle light shining in the darkness, may His blessing lift your spirit and bring you the deep joy He promised. We hope you will add to the list of God s names as you pray and search through the Bible for more of His attributes. Remember our Shut-ins FERGUSONS: 239 S. Main Street Judy Markwart Margaret Ruddock LAPEER COUNTY MEDICAL: 1455 Suncrest Dr. Marilyn Dillon, Rm 179 STONEGATE: 2325 Demille Rd Phyllis Emert, Rm 214A Joyce Carr 736 Rollings Hills Lane, Apt. 1 Mary Charles %Pamela Charles 803 N. Howard Alexandria, VA Marion Conger % Linda Conger Harrison Allen Park, MI Joanna Edmondson Cherry Hill Haven 3412 American Way Williamsburg, MI Debbie Germaine 3661 N. Lapeer Rd George Grenevitch 9928 Stacy Lane Union, IL Mildred Hinton 282 Harrison St. Betty Joelson Lake Ave. Grand Haven, MI Alice Leonard % Ruth Oldham th Ave., SW Seattle, WA Larry & Theda Lichtenfeld Sanctuary at Maple Vista 605 Maple Vista St. Imlay City, MI Dr. Nancy Brinker

7 Grant and Debi would like to invite everyone to their 6th Annual Parsonage Open House!! Sunday, December 10 2:00 4:00 p.m th Street (off church parking lot!) Food, Fellowship, and Fun! Worship Schedule for Christmas Christmas Eve: 10 a.m. One Service 7:00 p.m. Family Candlelight Service Special Music with Children and Adults Kid s special activities following their ringing of the colored bells in the service Fellowship Hall 11:00 p.m. Candlelight Service New Year s Eve Service: 10 a.m. One Service WRAPPING NIGHT FOR CHRISTMAS STAR TUESDAY, DEC. 12 AT 4:30 P.M. IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL We will be wrapping gifts for needy children in the Lapeer area. Plan to come and help wrap presents. Please bring your own scissors and sign up on the table in the lobby. The families will be coming at 6:30 p.m. to pick up their gifts. If you have any questions, please call Pam Siivola at Thanks, The Outreach Committee CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS It s time to begin thinking about and bringing in items you have been collecting (or will be buying) for the Star Stocking Mission project. Small items are needed for children and for those in nursing homes. Stockings will be out soon for you to take one to fill or you can just bring in items and leave the filling to us. Needed: lotions, candy, toys, any travel size personal care items, books, you get the picture! See Diane Ritter if you have questions and be on the lookout for the display in the lobby! TAKING DOWN THE CHRISTMAS GREENS Thank you to everyone who helped decorate the church for Christmas to glorify God and celebrate the birth of His Son. This was not only a work day but a day of fellowship. Taking Down of the Christmas Greens will be Saturday, January 6, at 9 a.m. Please sign the sheet on the Welcome Table in the lobby if you are able to help. If you have any questions, please contact Cheryl Keefe at Hope to see you on January 6!

8 December 2017 Wednesday Practice Times 6:00p Youth/ /Exaltation 6:00p Praise Team 7:00p Chancel Choir Office Hours Monday thru Thursday 9-3 p.m. Preaching Schedule: 3, 10, 24, 31 Rev. Grant R. Lobb December 17 Cantata Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 10:00a In Stitches Quilt Group 8:00p Café 2 3 8:45a & 11a Worship 10:00a Sunday School 10:00a S.W.A.M.P. Christmas fundraiser for Ministry of Kindness 12:00p Youth Group 4 9:00a UMW Exec Board 10:00a Pantry Activities 4:00p Food for Families 6:00p UMM sponsored Ladies Night 5 6:30a Prayer Group 9:00a MOPS 9:30a Quilting/Sewing 6:00p Trustee Meeting 6:30p Bell Practice 7:00p Bible Study 6 9:00a Men s Work Group 9:30a Wed AM Bible Study 3:30p Kid s Street 6:00p Youth Group 6:15p Kid s Street 7 12:00p Sojourners Bible Study 6:45p Thursday ALIVE Worship 7:30p 20 Somethings 8 10:00a In Stitches Quilt Group 8:00p Café 9 9:00a Christmas Star Organizing 10 8:45a & 11a Worship 10:00a Sunday School 12:00p Youth Group 2:00p Parsonage Open House 6:00p REFUGE begins 11 REFUGE 10:00a Pantry Activities 1:00p UMW Meeting 4:00p Food for Families 6:30p Christian Ed Committee Meeting 12 REFUGE 6:30a Prayer Group 9:30a Quilting/Sewing 4:30p Christmas Star Wrapping & Pick-up 6:30p Bell Practice 7:00p Bible Study 13 REFUGE 9:00a Men s Work Group 9:30a Wed AM Bible Study 3:30p Kid s Street 6:00p Youth Group 6:15p Kid s Street 14 REFUGE 12:00p Sojourners Bible Study 6:45p Thursday ALIVE Worship 7:30p 20 Somethings 15 REFUGE 10:00a In Stitches Quilt Group 8:00p Café 16 REFUGE 17 REFUGE ends 8:45a & 11a Worship 10:00a Sunday School 12:00p Youth Group 18 10:00a Pantry Activities 4:00p Food for Families 7:00p Administrative Board Meeting 19 6:30a Prayer Group 9:00a MOPS 9:30a Quilting/Sewing 6:30p Bell Practice 7:00p Bible Study 20 9:00a Men s Work Group 9:30a Wed AM Bible Study 21 12:00p Sojourners Bible Study 6:45p Thursday ALIVE Worship 7:30p 20 Somethings :00a ONE WORSHIP 7:00p Candlelight Service 11:00p Candlelight Service :00a Men s Work Group :00a ONE WORSHIP Happy y New Year!!