Family Movie Walnut Creek Friday, December 8 7:00pm. December 2017

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1 The Creek 2017 The Monthly Newsletter of Walnut Creek United Methodist Church What are the gifts that won't break? Based on the book, Christmas Gifts That Won't Break, the Advent Study focuses on four of the gifts that coincide with the four outer candles of the traditional Advent wreath: Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace. Join Pastor Greg November at 6:30 pm. Family Movie Walnut Creek Friday, 8 7:00pm Come dressed in your PJ s. Bring a sleeping bag or bag chair and join the fun! Concession stand available! (Small fee for concessions. Youth Fund Raiser) LOOK INSIDE more Events Children and Adult Sunday School classes will participate in this fun annual event!

2 Gifts Wrapped Up in Love If asked why we give gifts at Christmas, many will point to the wise men who brought the first Christmas gifts to the infant, Jesus, of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. That is true. They set an example which we still follow today. We shop and give tangible gifts to our loved ones as expressions of our love. Those gifts cost us something of value, our money and our time. As I was reading again that familiar narrative from Matthew, the foundational gift brought to the infant Jesus was not the offerings of their priceless treasures, it was the gift of themselves. The wise men told King Herod: we have come to worship him. (vs. 2) They traveled hundreds of miles over weeks of time not to unload their camels, but to offer their love, devotion, service, respect to this newborn king, Jesus. The giving of gifts was the physical expression of their inward devotion. Worship is not just something we do on Sundays where God is ritualistically praised. Our lives are to be expressions of worship to God. A hymn or spiritual song, a prayer, a sermon, an offering, communion, baptism, are all ritualistic expressions of our devotion to God. Without the proper motivation, these rituals are hollow expressions. The wise men s gifts had significance because they were giving of themselves in worship, their ultimate gift. God is the ultimate giver, the giver of all gifts, especially the Son of God who gave of himself to take away the sins of the world. The wise men gave not to get something in return but to worship following the precedent of God, himself. We, too, give at Christmas and throughout the year, responding out of appreciation to the gift of salvation we have received. We give as an act of worship. This Advent/Christmas season we are going to worship as a congregation giving Gifts that Won t Break. We are talking about our motivation, our hearts. As you come, you will be encouraged to experience God s unbreakable gifts of hope, love, joy, peace, culminating in God s greatest gift, Jesus Christ. Come join us on this Advent adventure, exploring the spirit of Christmas! See ya Sunday, Pastor Greg Sunday Worship 8:15 and 10:30 am Sunday School 9:30 am Preaching Schedule 3 rd The Gift of Hope Matthew 1;18-20 ANGEL: call Him Jesus for He will save his people from their sins. (vs.21) Hope is knowing God will do what He promises. Do you give others hope by keeping your promises? 10 th The Gift of Love Luke 1;46-55 MARY: For he took notice of His lowly servant girl. (vs. 48) God loved Mary by choosing her to bear His son. Who are you making a conscious choice to love? 17th The Gift of Joy Matthew 1:22-25 JOSEPH: and they will call him, Immanuel, which means God is with us. (vs. 23) Joseph embraced the promise to name Jesus, God with us, while facing great difficulties. Are you bringing joy to someone s difficulties by offering the presence of Christ? 24 th (morning) The Gift of Peace Luke 2:8-20 SHEPHERDS: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those in whom God is pleased. (vs. 14) Peace is given to the whole of earth. How are you bringing the gift of peace to situations of tension and conflict? 24 th (evening) The Gift of Christ Luke 2:1-7 JESUS:..she gave birth to her first child, a son. (vs. 7) As Wesley reminded his pastors, the greatest gift we can give is to offer them Christ.

3 Walnut Creek has selected a local family for our Christmas family. They have 5 children ages 13, 8, 6, 2 and 2 months. Please select a gift tag from the bulletin board past the water fountain in the narthex. Sign up for your selection, purchase the item, wrap it, tape the gift tag to the outside of the gift, then return it to the church and place it under the tree in the welcome center. Please have your gifts to the church by Sunday 17. Youth Coordinator: Rhonda Davis Youth Leaders: Blake & Kelly Brubaker Youth@walnutcreekchurch.com 3: regular meeting 6-8 8: movie night/fundraiser 10: possible shopping for angel tree kids 16: Bell Ringing at Big R 2-4 pm 17: Christmas Party : No meeting 31: No meeting Join us for a Birthday Party celebration for Jesus! 4-6 pm All elementary age kids Leaders: Rhonda Davis, are welcome to join us Hillary Bumgardner kids@walnutcreekchurch.com to celebrate the birth of Jesus! Kids K-6th grade bring your friends and join the What is a party without J-Walkers Sunday, November12 4:00-6:00 pm presents? Please bring an UNWRAPPED present for a child from birth to age 18. We will be donating the gifts to the Beaman Home. Walnut Creek Elementary Youth K-6th grade Christmas Card Mailing A mailbox is available November for you to mail your cards to others at Walnut Creek! Drop off your mail with a small donation for postage and be assured that your mail will arrive at it s intended destination!

4 Walnut Creek United Methodist Church 2033 South 150 West Warsaw, IN Join us on Sunday Worship 8:15 & 10:30 am Celebration Station Ages 4-3rd grade 10:40 am Sunday School for all ages 9:30 am Thursday 14 10:00 AM Women s Fellowship Tuesday 12 11:30 am Saturday 9 8:30 AM Richard s Restaurant

5 Bible Reading Calendar For the Staff: Pastor Greg and all who provide leadership and support of our church. Our Guests: That they may find their way forward with Christ by connecting with His people. The poor, the hungry and those in prison Our Bishop, Julius C. Trimble Mary Trease, Harold Julian, Doris Boggs, Helen Huffer and others in healthcare facilities. Members with continued health concerns: Cheryl Rego, Jill Walters Terry and Emily Moore-Niece, Beth. She has moved to rehab for a short time. Prayers for strength and comfort. Mary Keplinger-Continued prayers for me as I recover from hip replacement surgery. Sally Bailey-Her dad, Larry Polk. Had scans for cancer and didn t receive the news he hoped for. Prayers for direction and decision for treatment. Kay Lingofelter-Continued prayers for me for strength and healing. Also, friends, Ed and Judy Hanziak. Judy need continued prayers for healing. Also, prayers for Ed as he continues to heal from his own health issues and cares for Judy. Teresa Seward-Praise! My daughter-in-law got a job. Also, former student, Travis, will be going to Haiti to work on the destruction from the hurricanes. Pray for a safe, productive trip (Nov. 26-Dec. 3) Areck & Lisa Lyon-Daughter, Brooklyn was diagnosed with Mono. Prayers for healing and strength. Kim Dock-Praise! Janis Wilson is home! Please pray for continued healing and peace of mind for Janis. Carol Nusz-Son, Nolan and family as he finishes his FBI training in 2 weeks. Please pray for their transition as they prepare to close on a house an d prepare to move to Mississippi. Steve Randolph-Granddaughter, Tiana. She is homeless again. Please pray for her safety. Deb Kuhn-My dad, David Milan fell and broke his ankle. He had surgery Monday morning. Prayers for recovery. Amy Goon-Friend, Lisa Newland and her family, as she goes in for breast cancer treatment. She is Max and Marty Courtney s daughter and my friend. Bryan Edmondson & Family Bryan went to the doctor and he still has cellulitis (staph infection) in his leg and now in his nose. He was put on antibiotics and medicine for his nose. Please pray that his good health returns.