Special Christmas Events and Celebrations at FUMC

Transcription

1 DECEMBER, 2015 O The Newsletter of Events and Opportunities for Friends of First United Methodist Church of Loveland Rev. Steve Goodier Senior Pastor Rev. Jeremiah Harris Associate Pastor Patty Gregory Office Manager Ann Kessler Family Ministries Mary Hannon Business Manager Judith Pearson Organist David Dunbar Chancel Choir, Praise Team, K.I.C.K. Director Susan Harding Bell Choir Director Special Christmas Events and Celebrations at FUMC DECEMBER 6 AND 13: Blue Christmas DECEMBER 11: TGIF and Prime-Timers Holiday Party DECEMBER 12: Cookie Jar DECEMBER 20: Chancel Choir Christmas Cantata And Glory Shone Around Service times are 9:30am and 11:00am DECEMBER 24: Christmas Eve Services All services feature our candlelighting tradition and... 5:00pm Spirit Sounds Bell Choir 7:00pm Chancel Choir 9:00pm Praise Team 11:00pm Meditative Service More information on all these events inside...

2 Times Of Worship SUNDAYS 8:30am Traditional Service 9:45am Praise Worship 11:00am Traditional Service THE PASTOR S PEN Worship Schedule for December, 2015 The Greatest Christmas December 6 - The Greatest Christmas Outcome (Zephaniah 3:14-20) December 13 - The Greatest Christmas Outlook (Phillipians 4:4-7) December 20 - And Glory Shone Around Chancel Choir Cantata December 24 - Christmas Eve Services The Greatest Christmas Page 2 5:00pm 7:00pm 9:00pm 11:00pm December 7 - The Greatest Christmas Outgo What a wonderful season of the year this is! The season of Advent (preparation for Christmas), is a favorite of mine. It is NOT a season of repentance -- we ll reserve that for Lent. It is a season of hope and peace. A season of joy and love. A season of glad expectation as we wait for Christmas. It culminates on Christmas Eve. One of our family s traditions is to serve homemade posole, a spicy Mexican soup made of chilies, hominy and pork. Your family no doubt has its own traditions. A great tradition of our church is to hold candle-lighting Christmas Eve worship services. We are already planning them and I want to let you know what to expect. The four Christmas Eve services will be at 5:00pm, 7:00pm, 9:00pm and 11:00pm. The Spirit Sounds Bell Choir will ring at 5:00pm, the Chancel Choir will sing at 7:00pm and our Praise Team will play at 9:00pm. All three services will have plenty of music, singing, scripture, a sermon and candle-lighting. The 11:00pm service will be more meditative. It will feature scripture, soft music, Holy Communion and candle-lighting. We will be singing at mid-night to welcome in Christmas Day. You may want to know one more thing, too. On December 20, the Sunday before Christmas, our Chancel Choir will present a special cantata entitled, And Glory Shone Around. We will worship ONLY at 9:30am and at 11:00am. (You may need to mark this time change down.) Sunday School will still be at 9:45am. This is a hopeful and joyous time of year. I m looking forward to celebrating all through the Advent Season with you. Rev. Steve Goodier

3 FUMC NEWS JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM ADVENT STUDY a people today, who are surrounded by technology, and increasing commitments on our time, we often find ourselves, busier than ever during the holiday season. As a result it can be hard for us to recognize the ways God is being revealed to us throughout the season. This advent, amidst all the hustle and bustle of preparations and celebrations, take some time to reflect on the meaning of the season. Join Rev. Jeremiah for the first three Tuesdays of December at 6:30pm in West Coy Hall to explore the nativity story though the Gospels. While this study will be centered in scripture, it will also be conversational, as we seek to discern what is it that God would like for us to hear this season. The first session, will be Tuesday, December 1. Hope to have you join us! PLEASE JOIN US FOR DINNER The Spring 2016 session of the FUMC Small Dinner Groups is about to begin. Sign-up sheets will be available at the Ask Me Desk each Sunday during the month of January. Each small group of three couples will meet once a month for approximately three months at a host s home or at a location to be determined by the group. The host provides the entrée and guests provide accompanying dishes. What a great way to meet new people and an opportunity to renew friendships. Perk up the dull months of late winter with a good time with friends, food and fellowship. TGIF AND PRIME TIMERS MERGE FOR HOLIDAY PARTY Hello TGIFers! Because of scheduling conflicts we will not be meeting on our regular meeting date in December. At 12:00pm on December 11, we will join the Prime Timers for a holiday party with great food and entertainment. Volunteers are needed for set up, clean up, and kitchen help on Friday morning (December 11). Please mark your calendar for this fun event. Call Lisa Haines at if you can help on December 11. CHURCH WEBSITE fumcloveland.com Our website includes information about services, small groups, events, committees and much more! The church calendar, bulletins, The Profile and The Window are all able to be viewed there. To help keep this website current and informative, we can always use recent photos and information of any sort, including flyers, promos for events, meeting minutes, etc. If you wish to have something posted to our website, please contact either Mark Kessler at mamakess@hotmail. com or Anita Williams at anitaandroger@msn.com. INSPIRATION AND UPDATES If you like First United Methodist Church Loveland on Facebook, you ll enjoy daily inspirations, event updates and some photos from events here at our church. Check it out! Also, if you have announcements you would like to post here, contact Joy Shaw at pnjs@frii.com. Page 3

4 FUMC NEWS BLUE CHRISTMAS: COPING WITH HOLIDAY GRIEF The rest of the world seems overjoyed with holiday spirit, but you re grieving. Since love does not end with death, at the holidays you may experience a feeling of loss unlike that in the routine of daily living. Society encourages you to join in the holiday spirit, but all around you the sounds, sights and smells trigger memories of the one you love who has died. There are ways to aid yourself to better cope with grief during the holiday season. Please join Bev Goodier, M.A, and Coleen Johnson on December 6 and 13 from 9:45-11:00am in Room E220, on the second floor of the Education Wing, for help and support. Please call Bev at (970) or her at Bev@ LifeSupportSystem.com to register or to get more info on this class. Opportunities for Giving this Christmas Season... WHITE SOCKS FOR NORTH SHORE RESIDENTS Remember the White Socks Box will be in Lobby Court the Sunday after Thanksgiving. The last day to drop off socks will be on Sunday, December 20. Thank you for your support! 2016 USHERS IN FUMC S 150TH ANNIVERSARY AND CELEBRATIONS A variety of celebrations are being planned throughout the year, and the Anniversary Committee would like to kick-off this celebration and important milestone by purchasing a Loveland fiberglass heart to be permanently placed outdoors at the church. The cost of one of these hearts is $3,500. If you would like to help with this purchase, at your earliest convenience, please make your check payable to FUMC, and in the memo section indicate HEART. Place your check in the offering plate on Sunday mornings or take it to the church office during the week. We are looking for more volunteers to help and work on the events that are in the planning stages. If you are interested in being on the committee or have some ideas you would like to share please contact either Janeen Anderson at janeen@frii.com or Rob Hoch at rehoch@gmail.com CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS Page 4 It is time again to order your poinsettia(s) to adorn the sanctuary during this Advent season. The plants will be red, 6 1/2 inches and come in a gold foil pot cover. The price is $10.00 per plant, and order blanks will be in the worship bulletins on Sunday, December 6 and Sunday, December 13. Order blanks are also available in the church office during the week. Please help decorate the sanctuary by ordering your poinsettia plant(s), on the above dates.

5 FUMC NEWS FUNDS NEEDED FOR OUR CHURCH AUDIO/VIDEO SYSTEM Over the last few years, our A/V system has experienced many different problems due to its age: most of our video equipment is years old. During services, our A/V team strives to provide good sound quality in the Sanctuary and real time video feeds to the rear televisions. Have you noticed feedback issues and delayed video issues the last few years? In order to upgrade our systems and troubleshoot the problems, we need to spend approximately $25,000. This money would be used to resolve many of the sound system issues, including audio feedback and sound quality. A new laptop and switching equipment is needed for the projection system to smoothly transition slide shows and pictures during the sermons and Praise Worship. The video system needs to be completely upgraded to include a new video mixing board, 3 remote HD cameras, a video switcher, a few monitors and wiring. This video upgrade would allow us to record and project the sermons in HD quality and enable easier control of the cameras. Any giving to our A/V fund would be greatly appreciated. CHRISTMAS OFFERING The Christmas offering that we receive this year will be distributed as follows and you are invited to give generously. 50% will go for construction supplies for the two houses being built by the mission team from FUMC working in Guatemala next spring through the Pura Vida organization. An earlier mission team from Denver will put the foundations in place. Our team will build the walls, and the houses will be finished by local workers. 25% will go to the Loveland Alternatives to Violence organization as they work with victims of abuse and for the expenses of their soon to be opened Safe House for abused women and their children. 25% will go for Advance Special # Addressing Global Refugee and Migration Crisis UMCOR and Global Ministries are addressing the global refugee and migration crises guided by four principles: The right to stay and flourish in one s country of origin; safe passage for those with no viable alternative but to leave; welcoming and belonging, a process where migrants refugees, and receiving communities work together to meet the needs of new arrivals, and support for the returned to help them reintegrate with dignity into their home countries after deportation. The loose offering on Christmas Eve will go to the Pastors Discretionary Fund. Page 5

6 CHILDREN S MINISTRY Family and Children s Ministry at FUMC Leading Hands, Teaching Hearts, Serving God, Worship PUPPETS Hey Kids grades 2nd through 5th come join the puppets up in the coliseum on the 2nd flood of the education wing on Sunday mornings after the 8:30am Children s Message. Linda Marcinkowski will lead you in fun, telling Bible stories using the puppets. YOUTH BELL CHOIR Youth Bell choir is open to anyone grades 4 - High School. Practices are Tuesday nights at 7:30pm in the Choir Room. Contact Susan Harding at if you have any questions. 3 CLUB 345 On Sunday, December 6 from 2:00-4:00pm, come help decorate Christmas cookies and then deliver them to a nursing home. NEW EDUCATION COMMITTEE The New Education Committee will meet Wednesday, December 1 at 6:30pm in the main Sunday School room. At this meeting, discussion will center on What do we do great? And, how do we build on that? VBS ideas will also bewelcome! The Education Committee is looking at what we do great, the space we have to work with and the future of the children s and youth ministry at FUMC. If you would like to read the minutes of our meeting they are on the website at fumcloveland.com. SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGING Bell Ringing with your family for the Salvation Army. Sign-up for a shift at the Ask Me Desk. THANK YOU Thank you to my church family who has been so loving, supportive and welcoming in my new position. I feel very blessed to be able to minister to the families of FUMC. Bless you all. Love, Ann Kessler. Page 6

7 YOUTH MINISTRY REVIVE SENIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP DECEMBER ACTIVITIES December 5: Bell ringing for the Salvation Army at Sam s Club. 9:00am - 3:00pm. Sign up for a shift. December 6: Youth Fellowship from 4:00pm-6:00pm December 11: Set-up for Christmas Cookie Jar fundraiser at 3:30pm. December 12: Work the Cookie Jar from 8:30-11:00am. December 18: Christmas Party 6:00-8:00pm at Ben Clegern s house, 2408 McKenzie Dr., Loveland. Bring a snack to share and a white elephant gift under $10. December 20: TBA December 24: Come to a Christmas Eve service at 5:00pm, 7:00pm, 9:00pm, or 11:00pm. December 27: Ann s Birthday - No Youth Group Y.E.S. - YOUTH ETERNALLY SERVING MID HIGH YOUTH GROUP DECEMBER ACTIVITIES December 5: Bell ringing for the Salvation Army at Sam s Club. 9:00am - 3:00pm. Sign up for a shift. December 6: Youth Fellowship from 4:00pm-6:00pm December 11: Christmas party from 6:00-8:00pm at Cannon Landon s house, 8334 Steeplechase Dr., Windsor. Bring a snack to share and a white elephant gift under $10 December 13: Youth Fellowship from 4:00pm-6:00pm December 20: TBA December 24: Come to a Christmas Eve service at 5:00pm, 7:00pm, 9:00pm, or 11:00pm. December 27: Ann s Birthday - No Youth Group January 3-4: Sledding - More information to come. Page 7

8 YOUTH MINISTRY 2015 IGNITE SPIRITUAL RETREAT AT BUCKHORN CAMP The Senior High spent the first weekend of November at the Buckhorn Methodist Camp at the Rocky Mountain Conference Methodist Senior High Retreat. It was a weekend away from phones, computers and homework to focus on God, prayer and reconnecting to nature and one another. Our theme for the weekend was ReIGNITE your faith! We spent the time rotating between music, our keynote speaker, Roger Wolsey and small groups. Much time was spent in a prayer walk and low ropes course as well as discussing the topic of the weekend. We took time to really listen to what God is saying to us. Thank you for your prayers for us during our journey. Front Row: Hannah Doran, Cassie Fanning, Taleah Toso & Mikayla Ridenour Second Row: Kailla Sam & Codi Houston (Adopted from the Heart of Longmont for the weekend), Mike Fanning, Britta Wenman, Laura Morgan, Abbi Flaming, Ben Clegern, Matt Utley, Ann Kessler & Katie Seja Best overall to Cees Morgan, People s Choice and Spiciest to Randy Simon, Most Creative to David Williams CHILE COOK-OFF WINNERS The Chili Cook-Off and Trunk R Treat was a great success. The Mid High youth serving chili, while in their Halloween costumes, added to the festivity. The youth raised $ toward their summer mission trip. Thank you everyone who entered a chili in our cook-off. I m sure it was hard for the judges to pick the winners. We had 13 chilies entered. A big Thank You goes to Mark Kessler, Steve Goodier, Jeremiah Harris, and Sue Lussenhop who had the task of tasting all those entries. Join us next year for the 5th Annual Cook-Off. I have a feeling the competition is going to be HOT!!! Page 8

9 YOUTH MINISTRY ATTENTION MID & SENIOR HIGH YOUTH PUT IT ON YOUR CALENDAR: YOUTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE (YLC) Open to 6th-12th grade, Youth Leadership Conference or YLC is our youth legislative session for the Rocky Mountain Conference. At this event, we make decisions on new pieces of legislation as well as vote in new representatives from churches to be a part of the Conference Council on Youth Ministries. This board is made up of youth from all over the conference and meets 4-6 times per year making decisions about youth activities like Ignite, YLC, Youth Quest, YSF (Youth Service Fund) and more. In recent years, YLC has had a service component as well. Not only do we have fun and fellowship through our keynote speaker, worship bands, and small groups, but also through our engagement with the communities around us. When: January at Glenwood Springs United Methodist Church. Contact Ann Kessler if you are interested in representing our church at the conference level. Another Giving Opportunity... Page 9

10 Rebecca Burton Aldrich 903 North Cleveland Ave. Loveland, CO Rob Proctor, GRI Broker, epro At Home Real Estate Co. 231 West 4th St., Ste. 111 Office Cell R-H Readers Choice, Best Real Estate Agent Edward Jones Making Sense of Investing 525 N. Cleveland Ave. Loveland, CO Doug Rechkemmer Financial Advisor - AAMS Coble Cruise and Travel Kitty Nutting kitnutting@aol.com Make Your Dreams Come True! Johnson Custom Flooring and Design Carpet ~ Hardwood ~ Tile ~ Granite Quality Products for Every Budget! 2093 East 11th Street Loveland, CO Randolph W. Starr & Michael A. Westbrook Attorneys at Law 210 East 29th Street Loveland, CO Office: Randy@starrwestbrook.com Mike@starrwestbrook.com Dr. Brent W. Fidler Optometrist Family Vision Care LASIK Co-Management Glasses and contact lenses 1524 W. Eisenhower Blvd Loveland, CO (970) fidlereyecare.com Your Ad Here Your Ad Here Your Ad Here Your Ad Here Your Ad Here Page 10