Christmas at Heritage Christmas Season Scheduled Events

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1 Volume XXIX No. 10 Irregular Publica on November 13, 2014 The Heritage Herald Christmas at Heritage 2014 Christmas Season Scheduled Events November 30 th at 9 and 10:30 a.m. - Hanging of the Greens Service A special worship service to usher in the Advent Season with music and the history of all of our favorite Christmas tradi ons! December 4 th at 7 p.m. Blue Christmas Join us for a me of quiet, where the pain of a death, divorce, sickness or other sadness is recognized in a warm and safe place of rest and healing. December 13 th from 9 to noon Children s Christmas Workshop Lead by our youth, this workshop is a fun morning of cra s and Christmas ac vi es for children! December 14 th at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Christmas Cantata A musical worship service to celebrate the Christmas season with all our Heritage Choirs! December 21 st at 2:30 p.m. Christmas Organ Concert A very special organ concert filled with the songs of the season! December 24 th at 3, 5, 7 & 9 p.m. Christmas Eve Services Join us for family friendly services led by our children at 3 & 5 p.m. Join us for candlelight services with music by our adult and youth choirs at 7 and 9 p.m. (Communion at 9 p.m. only) December 28 th at 10 a.m. Fes val of Lessons and Carols A worship service filled with scripture readings and some of the best music of the season! Child care is available at all events!

2 Volume XXIX Page 2 From Your Pastor Dear Heritage Family and Friends; Gree ngs from the Holy Land! It seems a li le weird to be saying that especially knowing that by the me you read this our li le group of pilgrims will likely be back safely on U.S. soil. But I begin this newsle er ar cle with that gree ng because the experience we are having here is very relevant to our life together as a congrega on. This evening at the dinner table I did a quick survey of our group from Heritage (Don and Elizabeth Stoneman, Greg and Cindy Laaser, Marsha Dorrell, Rika Michelson, and Linda Hardman) and asked, What would you say has happened to your faith as a direct result of this trip? The answers were enthusias c and unanimous. They said things like, It has deepened my faith, It has made the Bible come alive for me, I will never hear or read the Bible the same way again, and Wow! That gelato was GREAT! OK so not all of the responses were really on track, but there seemed to be a universal agreement that something important has happened to us. I am not sure this metaphor is exactly on target, but it feels a li le bit like the experience of someone who has been studying engineering for years who suddenly finds themselves face-to-face with a real piece of machinery that is solid and three-dimensional and tangible. "Men and women in prayer at the Western Wall in Jerusalem" Whether we were bobbing up and down on a boat on the Sea of Galilee with the wind blowing in our faces, or standing up on the exact same hillside where Jesus delivered his sermon on the Mount and the Bea tudes, or standing on the actual stone steps where the Jerusalem Temple once stood on the spot where Jesus actually stood and taught, the feeling was the same: we thought, This is the real deal. These stories are not abstract, theore cal, or dreamed up in any way. They are real and they MATTER! But the thing is: we should ALWAYS be able to say that about our faith; whether we have been on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land or not. There should not be a shred of doubt among us that the subject ma er we deal with when we come to church is just as real, just as relevant, just as VITAL as a balance sheet, a carburetor, a motherboard, or a screwdriver. And infinitely more important than any of those. Friends, the world we live in today is starved for the very thing the church stands ready to offer. It is starved for meaning starved for a word of grace and forgiveness for a vision of a world of peace and harmony, and for deep and genuine human community. My prayer today for us is that we will face the future understanding both the gravity and the joy of God s call to Heritage United Methodist Church. And that we will answer that call with a resounding, Here I am, Lord! Send ME! Abundant blessings; - Pastor Russell

3 Page 3 The Heritage Herald Finance Facts as of October 31, 2014 YOUR MINISTRIES FINANCIAL UPDATE October 31,2014 October Year to Date INCOME: ALL SOURCES $45,225 $532,256 EXPENSES: $61,029 $606,378 Surplus (shor all) $(15,804) $ (74,122) Offerings for October con nued to be less than budget at $43,137 and insufficient to offset expenses. However, we included in the expenses shown above another $5,500 payment to Mission share. This brings the total for the year to $59,009. This is $4,000 over budget leaving only $7,000 to be made in the rest of the year. Very Good, but it s ll leaves some unpaid pledges that need to be addressed if we are to end the year in a balanced posi on. Budgets details are con nuing to be refined for the 2015 Budget. The Council approved a Spending Plan in principle at its October mee ng awai ng the results of your expression of generosity in our commitment period in November. The final budget will be voted on by the Congrega on on December 16 at the All Church conference. The Treasurer and Finance Commi ee are happy to provide any addi onal informa on about budget performance data you need. Just ask Mike Heaton mjheaton@aol.com or Jim Atwood jat @aol.com. BLUE CHRISTMAS: A SERVICE OF HOPE AND HEALING THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4TH, 7:00 PM For those grieving, the holiday me can be especially difficult. In a season of bright lights, cheery music, and bustling people, please join us for a service of peace; a service of so candlelight and gentle music, where those who we love and now miss, are remembered and honored. All are welcome: friends, family, and neighbors. No reserva ons are needed. Childcare available upon request. ATTENTION MEDICAL FOLKS who would like to help about 200 to 250 sick and poor people! The Guatemala mission trip going to Salomon's Porch in February (21-28, 2015) is going to do 2 days of medical clinics and 2 days working at the building house work site. If your heart is calling you it's not too late to join the first medical clinic team from HUMC! The cost is $1400 with $800 ASAP to buy ckets. Contact Penney Grigsby at or penneypainter@sbcglobal.net

4 Volume XXIX Page 4 Come Out Find Fellowship Enjoy Each- Other 'TIS THE SEASON for Heritage's Women to celebrate Advent with the UMW Annual ORNAMENT EXCHANGE Dinner. Thursday, December 11 th at 6:30 pm in H.U.M.C Hospitality Hall. All women of the church are invited (including our young women from youth group). Please bring a side dish, salad or dessert to share. UMW will provide the ham, drinks and paper goods. Also, please bring a wrapped ornament to exchange ($5 limit). If interested, we will also be collec ng dona ons of $10 Gi Cards to Walmart, Target, Price Chopper, or QuikTrip. Cards will be given to the Interfaith Hospitality Network for assistance they provide to the situa onally homeless of Johnson County. (This is op onal.) Please sign-up in Hospitality Hall or RSVP by 12/7 to Kathie Newell, grizfans@gmail.com, , Childcare will be provided if you request before 12/7. We also have lined up volunteers to provide rides to anyone who would like picked up. Please let Kathie know if you need either of these services. The United Methodist Women Ornament Exchange is a fun & long-standing tradi on at Heritage. Bring a friend, make new friends, and enjoy an evening with a great meal & fellowship. You will also go home with a new ornament with special memories to hang on your tree! Hope to see you there! COFFEE-O! O! The UMW at Heritage UMC have started a circle of women who gather once a month to Live, Laugh, and Love each other! Our next gathering will be Thursday, November 20th from 7-9p.m. 7 at Kelly Klink s house S Greenwood Street, Olathe KS This is the 2nd gathering in a series called Favorite Things. We will be sharing our favorite soups, quick breads and games! Please bring your favorite to share with everyone (even if it s just an idea on paper or Pinterest)! P lease plan to attend and bring a friend!! Call or Carrie DeVries with questions jc-devries@sbcglobal.net UMW DINING NIGHT OUT GROUP A reserva on has been made for the UMW Dining Night Out group has made a reserva on for the Bonefish Restaurant on Monday evening, December 1st, at 6:30 pm. The restaurant is located at 5021 W 135th St, Leawood, KS and is located a few blocks east of 135th & Metcalf. If you plan on a ending, please contact Marsha Dorrell by marsha.dorrell@gmail.com or call her at Come join us for fun and fellowship and feel welcomed to bring someone with you. Get your kni ng needles and crochet hooks ready! The next mee ng of the Prayer Shawl Ministry is Tuesday, November 18th at 2:00 in room 108. Please come and gather with an amazing group of ladies crea ng much needed prayer shawls. Ques ons: Contact Cindy Laaser at

5 Volume XXIX Page 5 Mission and Service Opportuni es Missions Team Christmas Angels coming soon! During November we will be collec ng items for our Missions Team Christmas Angels program. You can select a star, turkey or angel ornament from the Christmas tree and donate the needed items listed on the back. Items listed will include clothing items for men, women and children of all ages, household items and food items. Items will be donated to the Cross-Lines Christmas Store, given to the Mahaffie Backsnack students, or to one of the Interfaith Hospitality Network family members. Stop by the table in Hospitality Hall for more info in mid-november. Too busy to pick up any items? Plan to purchase a gi card through the Missions Team SCRIP program and we will do the shopping for you. Walmart and Target gi cards are available in $25 and $100 increments. Forms available in Hospitality Hall. For more informa on, contact Cindy Svec, cindys@heritageumc.org or Karen Coffman, karencoffman@msn.com. Thank you for your support! 2014 COAT CHALLENGE for Cross-Lines During 2014, we are encouraging everyone in the congrega on to donate at least one new and one gently used coat for Cross-Lines. We re sure you have extra coats hanging in your closets that have been rarely worn and could be donated to someone in need in our community. Plus, now is a great me to pick up a new coat during the holidays sales. Imagine, if everyone par cipates, we will be able to donate over 300+ new and gently used coats to Cross-Lines! Coats for men, women and children of all sizes are needed. Drop off your dona ons in Hospitality Hall in the Missions bin any me for this Coat Challenge! Pick up a Coat note, put your name on it to denote your par cipa on and post on it on the Missions bulle n board! Pumpkins for Missions Many thanks to the 200+ volunteers that worked the 96 shi s during the month of October at the Pumpkin Patch for Missions. We couldn't host this fundraiser without everyone's help and support and we thank you for working a shi, spreading the word about our missions trips and sharing God's love with our friends and neighbors. Our numbers are in and this was one of our best years ever. Total sales $30, which means we get to keep around $12, for our missions.

6 The Heritage Herald Page 6 Welcome New Heritage Members! Stan & Norma Wilcox They ve been married for 67 years and have 4 children, 17 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. Norma was a 3 rd grade school teacher. Stan was a teacher, school administrator and school superintendent in Nebraska where they lived most of their lives. Fun fact - They have travelled to every state in the USA. Sco, Kelsey & Dillon Heavin - Kelsey grew up in Oklahoma, but you all will be happy to know that she is a KU grad. She is an ardent KU basketball fan and works at HNTB. Sco is a Civil Engineer and a ended SW Missouri State and the University of Missouri. Dillon is 13 months old and enjoys the church nursery. Doug, Ashley, Bentley & Zoe Pearson - Ashley grew up in Hutchinson, KS and went to K-State. She works part me at Sheraton Hotels, likes to travel, play the piano, and was a golf pro. Doug is a Blue Valley graduate and a ended the University of Nebraska. He is a private inves gator and coaches tennis at Blue Valley Southwest. Bentley and Zoe a end Sunset Ridge Elementary school and are ac ve in the church choirs. Amy Pearson Amy owns a sound/ligh ng company that employs about 30 people. Much of her work is theater related so her work hours are constantly in flux. She is a graduate of Blue Valley High School. Amy likes to sing and is already sharing her vocal skills as a member of the Chancel Choir. She is Doug Pearson s sister, so of course she loves spending me with her niece and nephew.

7 Page 7 The Heritage Herald Look What s Happening In Children s Ministries!!! IT S CHRISTMAS TIME IN CHILDREN S MINISTRIES The children have already begun preparing for the many Christmas opportuni es at Heritage. The children will have the opportunity to sing, dance and speak through the various special events. Please see the schedule below for more informa on. Hanging of the Greens on Nov. 30 The children will be part of the live na vity at both the 9:00 and 10:30 services. The Junior Dancers (K 5 th grade) will also be dancing this year. Parts have been assigned and dance rehearsals are in full swing. We will have our final full rehearsal on Sunday, Nov. 23 right a er worship. Cantata on Dec. 14 (9:00 & 10:30 worship services) The Cherub & Seraphim Choirs will be singing as part of the Cantata. Rehearsals have begun on Wednesday nights. TWO Christmas Eve Family Services on Dec. 24 The children will have opportuni es to sing, dance and speak on Christmas Eve at either the 3:00 or 5:00 service or both. Rehearsals will take place on Sunday mornings during Sunday School, Wednesday, Dec. 17 and Sunday, Dec. 21. SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE DURING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON We want our children and families to be able to par cipate in and worship together during some of our special Christmas Service. For that reason we will not have Sunday School on those dates. Please see the schedule below for the Sunday School schedule throughout the Christmas Season. Sunday, Nov. 30 NO Sunday School due to the Hanging of the Greens Service Sunday, Dec. 7 & 21 Regular Sunday School schedule Sunday, Dec. 14 NO Sunday School due to the Cantata Sunday, Dec. 28 NO Sunday School due to the Christmas Break Whenever we do not have Sunday School the nursery is s ll available. THANK YOU As we approach Thanksgiving and are reminded of the many things we have to be thankful for we just wanted to take the me to say thank you to the MANY volunteers who help make Children s Ministries happen at Heritage. We truly have amazing people at Heritage who put their heart and soul into making the children at Heritage and the surrounding community feel safe and loved. We thank you from the bo om of our hearts! If you have any ques ons or sugges ons for our Children s Ministries Team don t hesitate to contact Susie Bond at susieb@heritageumc.org A Note From Your Healthy Ministries Team In January, Russell will be beginning a sermon series based on the book, The Daniel Plan. In lead up to that series, the Heritage Healthy Ministries team will be introducing some healthy recipes for the holiday season. Look for these in the Weekly Tidings or stop in the church office for a copy.

8 Non-Prof it Org. US Postage PAID Shawnee Msn, KS Permit #951 Address Service Requested Want on or off the mailing lists? Call or Scrip Gi Cards on Sale Missions Team Fundraiser Orders Due: November 30 Pick Up Date: December 7 Order forms available in Hospita lity Hall with complete list of retailers. Drop completed forms and checks in church office. Heritage Staff Heritage United Methodist Church Pastor, Russell Brown Ext. 1 russellb@heritageumc.org Music Ministries, Becky Waters Ext. 5 becky w@heritageumc.org Adult Discipleship and Missions, Cindy Svec Ext. 7 cindy s@heritageumc.org Youth Ministries, Amy Gerend Ext. 6 amy.gerend@heritageumc.org Children's & New Member Ministries, Susie Bond Ext. 3 susieb@heritageumc.org Caring Ministries, Kenda Worsfold Ext. 8 kendaw@heritageumc.org Childcare Coordinator, Katie Loper katiel@heritageumc.org Preschool Director, Cathy Lancelotta cathy l@heritageumc.org Office Administrator, Melissa Barker Ext. 4 melissab@heritageumc.org Office Assistant, Dawn Beck Ext.2 dawnb@heritageumc.org PASTORAL EMERGENCY Sunday Worship Services 9:00a.m. and 10:30a.m. Children s & Youth Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Adult Sunday School Varies by class. Next Newsletter Deadline Sunday, December 7, 2014 Heritage Herald an irregular publication