THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH of Wayne

Transcription

1 Volume 57, Issue 3 December, 2013 O Come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem. Come and behold him, born the King of angels; O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord! (John Wade, 1743) Dear Friends, Many people are counting the days until Christmas day, December 25th. Kids are counting the presents under the Christmas tree. Family and friends are counting the many presents and tasks they need to get ready. Christians are counting the days before Christmas Eve when we celebrate the Christ child, God s only Son, sent from heaven above to teach us God s ways of love, peace, and joy on earth. We joyfully sing Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the sky looked down where he lay, the little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay. Sometimes it is so easy to get caught up in the busyness of the season though. My hope is that you will take time to worship, pray, sing, and spend time with Jesus: God s gift of pure Love, God s gift of Salvation, God s gift of Lord and Savior of the world. Let s truly celebrate that Jesus is with us today and always. Our special Advent and Christmas worship services include: December 1st the first Sunday of Advent, Communion, and the Hanging of the Greens (Christmas decorating afterwards). December 15th includes the children s Christmas play in worship. Come support the children. December 22nd is the choir s Christmas Cantata/Musical Emmanuel. Come listen to the special music. December 24th is the Christmas Eve candle lighting service at 7:00pm. Please invite your family and friends during this Advent Published by THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH of Wayne To promote Christian discipleship and fellowship in the congregation and community. Pastor Rev. Jennifer Jue 3 Town Square Wayne, MI Telephone and Christmas season to join you and God in Sunday worship. Throughout this season, let our hearts and lives sing out of our love for Jesus. Joy to the world, the Lord is come! May you experience a Christ-filled Advent and Christmas season. Love, Peace, and Joy to all. Pastor Jennifer

2 Fellowship Lantern Page 2 Worship Attendance for November: Nov. 3 All Saints Sunday- 93 persons, Nov persons, Nov. 17 Commitment Sunday- 73 persons. Come to worship regularly and invite a friend to join you too. We need to grow our church! CHRISTMAS IS A TIME TO BRING OUR GIFTS TO JESUS. We three kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse a far, field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star. O star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light. (John Hopkins Jr., 1857) Our special Christmas Offering is for Imagine No Malaria, a United Methodist Church initiative to eradicate malaria and save lives across the continent of Africa. Imagine No Malaria is an extraordinary ministry of The United Methodist Church, putting faith into action to end preventable deaths by malaria in Africa, especially the death of a child or a mother. Malaria claims a life in Africa every 60 seconds. As a life-saving ministry, Imagine No Malaria empowers the people of Africa to build capacity and infrastructure in order to overcome malaria s burden with a comprehensive approach that includes: (1) Prevention through insecticide-treated mosquito nets/bed nets, (2) Education and community health workers, (3) Treatment with diagnosis, case management, and access to medication, and (4) Behavior change communication, messages of prevention methods and net usage. $10 buys a life-saving net. Please support this special Christmas offering with your donations. Our December Mission Pot offering is for the Blankets program through Church World Service, a world-wide missions and outreach organization that helps people and regions in dire need. Church World Service helps displaced people by providing blankets, food, shelter, and assistance. A missions blanket can provide warmth and comfort to a homeless, displaced adult or child. A missions blanket can carry a person s belongings. A missions blanket can be a tent-like shelter for a person. Please give generously to the Blankets program and help people in need all over the world. STEWARDSHIP UPDATE: TIME TO SHARE OUR GIFTS WITH JESUS THROUGH THE GIVING of our prayers, worship, time, talents, service, and financial gifts. God is calling and challenging every member and friend of God s Church to share generously of our time in prayer and worship, share generously of our skills and service time, and to share generously of our financial gifts. Everyone is needed to build up and support God s Church here in Wayne, Michigan and worldwide. God desires our prayers and personal relationship with Jesus first and foremost. God needs our talents and financial gifts to support God s Church in missions and outreach to hurting people. Here s our church s financial stewardship drive update: approx. 38 Commitment cards/pledge cards were turned in (in person and mailed in) at Commitment Sunday on November 17th. Our goal is 100% of our prayers and at least 50 Commitment cards/pledge cards turned in, all towards consistent stewardship and giving throughout the year. Our 2014 Church Budget figure is $173, The budget categories include: $27,970 for Detroit Conference and District United Methodist Church apportionments. $77,175 for Pastor s salary and pension package and 4 part-time staff salaries- organist, music director, janitor, secretary. $57,800 for Operating Expenses (church utilities, insurance, office expenses). $8,000 for general Repairs and Maintenance. $2800 for basic Ministry Expenses. A copy of the 2014 Budget (with 2013 Budget and 2012 actual expenses) is available in the church office or can be sent to you if requested (office ). For questions about the 2014 Church Budget, please contact Harold Smith, Finance chairperson (phone ).

3 Fellowship Lantern Page 3 IN DEFENSE OF SANTA The secular celebration of Christmas is often criticized, and perhaps rightly so. It seems that each year the signs of the secular celebration comes earlier. Part of the reason might be that almost everyone, regardless of their religious persuasion celebrates Christmas in some way or another, even the atheist. On the bright side it does help the economy. Back several years ago as the HS Sunday School teacher I was talking to the class about excessive secular celebration of Christmas and one of the students suggested that Santa was the only way some children might experience the love of Jesus. That's an interesting thought and sometime back I ran across the following interesting thought. "It's not Santa's fault that people forget the infant Jesus. Why does the world love Santa Claus? First of all, he's a joyous individual. People are attracted to joyous individuals as filings are to a magnet. Next, Santa is interested in making others happy. He increases the happy moments in the life of everyone he meets. He loves his work; he gets fun out of his job. He is childlike, simple, humble, sincere, and forgiving. Finally, he is a giver. His philosophy is to give himself away in service. He is a friend to everyone. He smiles. Perhaps we all could attain greater happiness if we emulated Santa a little more, for in many ways he is very much like Jesus. (Author unknown) The commercialism of Christmas may have gone a bit far for some Christians, but for me Santa and his reindeer belong. It is not our job to judge the world but as Christians it is our job to show love and promote, "THE REASON FOR THE SEASON." We need to witness to the love that came down in the Infant Jesus, the best gift of all, and our reason for joy. That joy continues for us today who believe in the miracle of the incarnation. THE WORD BECAME FLESH. No other time of the year inspires so much excitement, no other holiday is celebrated as much as Christmas. "GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST AND ON EARTH PEACE" Anita and I wish you all a Joyful Holiday and a blessed In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy. Philip. 1:4

4 Fellowship Lantern Page 4 UNITED METHODIST WOMEN EXECUTIVE MEETING: Wednesday, Dec. 4,- 6:30 PM - Big Boy Restaurant Wayne Road, Westland 6:30 P.M. Let Linda Maylone know if you are coming. CHARIS CIRCLE Monday, December 2, 7:00 PM - Parlor Bring Mission giving to hand in Study Leader: Shirleen Curtis Bad Girls of the Bible Chapter 10 ESTHER-MARTHA CIRCLE Monday, December Noon LONGHORN Restaurant, Ford Road and Central City Parkway NOTE: CHANGE OF DAY AND TIME Let Lois Mathe know if you are coming * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUE December 1, 8 & 15 Looking for that special gift? Check out the boutique after church on the above Sundays. You will find us in the Parlor All monies to to missions. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ATTENTION ALL WOMEN Annual joint meeting of the Methodist and Congregational Church women, January 15, :30 P.M. Watch for more details. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * PURPOSE OF THE UNITED METHODIST WOMEN The organized unit of the United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose purpose is to know God and experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ, to develop a creative, supportive fellowship and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.

5 Fellowship Lantern Page 5 Christmas Boutique Located in the Parlor The boutique will be open on Sunday - December 1,8 &15 after the worship service. You can support United Methodist Women Missions, the church and do some Christmas shopping at the Boutique. We have lovely crafts, needlework, Rada Cutlery, Christmas Decor and many other items. Why not get your coffee and then come and browse!

6 Fellowship Lantern Page 6 CROP WALK FOR HUNGER I want to thank everyone who walked, worked or got donations over the internet for the Wayne/Westland Crop Walk. We received a check for our portion from Church World Service in the amount of $ We use this money to pay for the Fish messaging service that is used for people to call when they are in need of some emergency food. This check will be a great help. Thank you, Lois Mathe The Jane Woodrow family would like to than all of those who put together our final tea for Jane. It was beautifully arranged, well organized and delicious! We also thank those who made the delicious cakes and for all who cleaned up afterwards. Your work was greatly appreciated. Thanks for the cookies! I wish to thank all those who furnished cookies for the time of fellowship following my organpiano concert on October 27. I especially appreciated the opportunity to spend time with family, former members of our church, and co-workers from past days while teaching in Detroit Public Schools. On top of all that, the cookies were very good! Dr. Curtis Mathison The Mitten and Hat Tree Announcing the Cookie-Less Cookie Walk Event! On Sunday December 8 and December 15, you will have the opportunity to put extra money in the offering plate, in place of money you might have spent on donations of supplies needed to make the cookies or the cookies themselves. You will then be able to pick up a gingerbread boy or girl in the foyer and write your name on it. The paper gingerbread people will be placed on a wall. All monies will go to the General Fund. Any amount, small or large, is appreciated. For questions or more information, see Linda Maylone, Sally Nitzel or Harold Smith. Will be in the narthex again this year. Please remember to start collecting your donations

7 Fellowship Lantern Page 7 Christian Education News It has been a busy two months for the Christian Education Committee as we seek to lay a new foundation for learning in First United Methodist Church of Wayne-Westland. Both the adult portion and children's portion of the committee have been busy growing "in wisdom and in stature." Children's Sunday School has a steady attendance of 4 to 6 attendees each Sunday. We launched a new curriculum, "Learning My Bible" that we purchased through our Cokesbury representative, Scott Woolum. The children have been learning the books of the Bible... currently, we are up to the books of history. The class ranges in age from kindergarten through 5th grade so the material is divided into three age groups: preschool (should any attend), K-2, and 3rd - 5th. This gives the kids the opportunity to learn at their own age-appropriate levels. In addition, there is group time at the beginning of the school year during which time we review Bible facts (how many books, how many sections of the Bible, etc) and review the books of the Bible and add new ones to the list. After a short snack, we advance to our age-appropriate tasks, then regroup at the end for a review of old and new facts. We are still looking for other adults to join us for Sunday School as helpers for the teacher (Keith). In order to comply with the United Methodist policy of Safe Sanctuaries, we need at least two adults in the room. If you can volunteer for a Sunday, please see the list on the outside of the Sunday School room door. Meanwhile, Harold Smith's Adult Sunday School class continues to grow; in fact, it has grown so much they have moved out of the counting room and back into the parlor. Let's see if we can continue to grow this class and their next move is to Fellowship Hall. Wouldn't that be cool? Outreach Activities Trunk `r Treat/Angel's Night was held October 31, the first time in church history this event was held on Halloween. Approximately 25 kids and a like amount of adults participated in activites ranging from crafts (thanks, Ellen Rothfelder) to games (thanks, Jeff Dean). A costume contest was held with help from Sheri Miller. Due to the inclement weather that night, Trunk `r Treat turned into Door `r Treat as we asked the adults who had brought treats for distribution to sit by a door in the church hallways and have the kids pass by them. Christian Education is now working on the Christmas play, "Mi, Mi, Mi," to be presented on Sunday, December 15 during worship service at 10 A.M. Practices have begun (November 17) after church from 11:30-12:15 and will continue each Sunday until the day of the play. Dress rehearsal will be on Saturday, December 14 from 2 PM to 3 PM. We would like to see all our church children, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren in the play (whether in a speaking role or non-speaking role). Please contact Vivian Speakman ( ) or Keith De Molay ( ). We ask that children be in attendance each Sunday so that practices may start on time as well as lending itself to good practice habits. Also, on the Sunday of the play, we ask that all children be in church no later than 9:30 P.M. so that costumes may be fitted. The Christian Education Committee continues to work hard to build our Sunday School, both Adult and Children. In order to continue to build our church, we need your support in firming up our foundation and putting our children and adults on the right path of life as we seek the knowledge that God has

8 Fellowship Lantern Page 8 the play (whether in a speaking role or non-speaking role). Please contact Vivian Speakman ( ) or Keith De Molay ( ). We ask that children be in attendance each Sunday so that practices may start on time as well as lending itself to good practice habits. Also, on the Sunday of the play, we ask that all children be in church no later than 9:30 P.M. so that costumes may be fitted. The Christian Education Committee continues to work hard to build our Sunday School, both Adult and Children. In order to continue to build our church, we need your support in firming up our foundation and putting our children and adults on the right path of life as we seek the knowledge that God has imparted (and still imparting) to us through the study of His Word. Come join us whether as a student, a teacher, a teacher's assistant and become part of the foundation of the First United Methodist Church of Wayne-Westland. Keith A. DeMolay Christian Education Committee Co-Chair/Consultant C h r i s t m a s P r o g r a m "Mi, Mi, Mi" Attention all Sunday School children: We need the help of all our Sunday School children as we prepare for our annual Christmas play to be held Sunday, December 15, during worship services at 10 A.M. Our play this year is "Mi, Mi, Mi." Practices begin November 17 after church (11:30 A.M to 12:15 P.M.) and occur each Sunday (November 24, December 1, December 8) at the above time and Saturday, December 14 from 2 PM to 3 PM dress rehearsal). On the day of the play, December 15, we ask that all children be at church by 9:30 A.M. We encourage all children to participate. If you have any questions, please call Vivian Speakman at (734) or call the church office at (734) We (the Christian Education Committee) are looking forward to seeing your participation in this special church event. Keith A. DeMolay Christian Education Consultant

9 Fellowship Lantern Page 9 From the Desk of Welcome to our new custodian, Linda! If you are here during the week, greet her with great enthusiasm and hospitality!... A big thank you and a job well done to our own Dr. Curtis Mathison for his organ/piano concert on October 27. It was well attended and well received by all. We are truly blessed at his church to have a man of his immense musical talents and knowledge among us.... Thank you to all who contributed to Operation Christmas Child and who helped make the shoebox gift boxes possible. Thanks to our Mission/Witness committee for directing this project and for Tonia Szabo and Jan Podgers for all their time in sorting, boxing, wrapping and finally sending the gift boxes. As the old mantra goes years from now, it won't matter what kinds of clothes we wore, what kind of car we drove, what was in our wallet, what will matter is that we were the difference in the life of a child.... Don't forget to stop by the Christmas Boutique right after church each Sunday until December 15. Support your local UMW chapter.... The United Methodist Church has a Safe Sanctuaries policy, designed to insure the safety of our children and youth. In accordance with that policy, Sunday School children's and youth classes, as well as youth group meetings, must have two adults in the room at the same time. In order to accomplish this, we NEED your help. There are 52 Sundays in a year, plus the remaining 5 of the current year. There are over 52 adults in our congregation. If each adult takes a Sunday, our Sunday School classes will be manned (or womanned) by not only the teacher but by an adult member of our congregation. Take a chance...it will be a great opportunity to see our children learn and enhance your learning as well. See Keith DeMolay to sign up for this important task!... Don't forget to support our Christmas program, "Mi, Mi, Mi," to be given on Sunday, December 15. Practices are Sundays right after church on December 1 and 8 with a dress rehearsal on December 14. The December 14 time is from 2 PM to 3 PM. We need your children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren. Please see Keith if you wish to participate.... Harold Smith's Sunday School class continues to grow...in fact, so much that they have vacated the counting room for more space in the Parlor. Let's continue to grow this class so their next meeting space will be in Fellowship Hall. Also, a big thanks to Harold Smith for lending his farm to the Holy Ghost Hayride on November 16. Over 40 people attended the event and, by all accounts, had a great time of fun, fellowship, and sharing.... Don't forget to order your pumpkin rolls from Gale Wilbur. Pumpkin rolls are available for $17 fora whole roll and $9.00 for a half. Call Gale at (734) to place your order. All proceeds go to the general fund.... Check the coffee hour list. We are need of hosts/hostesses. You don't need to be fancy...coffee, lemonade, hot chocolate and a munchie or two will suffice.... Amanda Speakman made her high school debut as the Fox in Wayne Memorial High School's presentation of "The Cat In the Hat" this past weekend. It was a great performance by the entire cast and a big salute to Amanda. Great job! And one more thing, Merry Christmas and many blessings for a Happy New Year! Respectfully, Keith A. DeMolay

10 Fellowship Lantern Page 10 It s pumpkin roll time again! Help out the church by purchasing one. All proceeds go to the general fund. Pumpkin rolls are for sale for Christmas. - $17 for a whole roll and $9 for a half roll. For orders call Gale Wilbur at or Sandy Ofiara at Deadline for ordering is Dec 13. Hanging of the Greens The annual hanging on the greens will occur on Sun. Dec. 1 after the worship service. All are invited to join in and help decorate the church for the Christmas Season.

11 Fellowship Lantern Page 11 Coffee Hour December 1 st The Dean Family 8 th Doug Dillingham In Celebration of Dave & Gloria Dillingham s Anniversay 15 th Sheri Miller In Celebration of Linda Maylone, Sheri Miller & Amanda Speakman s Birthdays 22 nd Melissa McComick In Celebration of Mary McCormick s Birthday 29 th Roy & Jeannine Klay In Celebration of their 61 st Anniversary Altar Flowers December 1 st Keith A. DeMolay In Memory of Robert E. Krueger 8 th The Dean Family In Honor of Tammy Dean s 50th Birthday 15 th Melissa M c Cormick In Honor of Mary M c Cormick s Birthday Wallene & Louis Pateau In Memory of Ada Black 22 nd Christmas Altar Display 29 th Roy & Jeannine Klay In Honor of Their 60 th Anniversary Children s Christmas Play Will be on December 15 During the Worship Service Service Operation Christmas Card Send one card to wish all your church family A Merry Christmas. The cards will be put on a bulletin board. A list of all the names will be published in the bulletin Christmas Sunday. One card, one stamp, a simple way to send greetings. Donate what you would have spent on cards and stamps.

12 Fellowship Lantern Page 12 Prayer Calendar Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Veora Schultz 2 Maxine Schultzer 3 Pat Schuyler 4 Aaron Scott 5 Ray Shaffer 6 Phil & Chris Shelly 7 Phil Shreve 8 Bob & Carol Simons 9 Harold Smith 10 Terry & Vivian Speakman 11 Amanda& Dillon Speakman 12 Hwa Stacy 13 Felicity & Skylar Stevens 14 Winnifred Story 15 John & Sharon Sullivan 16 Margaret Sursaw 17 Angie& Ashlee Szabo 18 Mike & Tonia Szabo 19 Fay Tolk 20 Ruth Van Wagoneer 21 Beth Van Wagoneer 22 Dave & Lisa Vipperman 23 Mike & Cheryl Walsh 24 Christmas Eve Paul Hahm 25 Christmas Day Our Wayne Church 26 Nate & Norma Weiser 27 Gale Wilbur 28 Kathleen Wiles New Years Eve Margaret Zimmerman December Anniversaries 13th Dave & Gloria Dillingham 27th Paul & Ginger Cook 28th Jeannine & Roy Klay 29th Eric & Jennifer Jue 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 8th 9th 11th 12th Wendy Ross Doug Schoonover Tammy Dean Scott Wollum Nathan Weiser Patricia Schuyler Paul Cook Elizabeth Smith Jim Nault Jeannine Klay Cheryl Ann Walsh Luanne Grosse Jackie Allbee Linda Brindley Doug Dillingham 15th 16th 17th 19th 20th 21st 25th 27th Amanda Speakman Donna Fox Chuck Guernsey Laura Buckingham Linda Maylone Roger Dingass Sherri Miller Ellen Rothfelder Kyle Vipperman Mary McCormick David Randall 14th Skylar Stevens

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14 FELLOWSHIP LANTERN REV. DR. JENNIFER JUE PASTOR is published monthly except August VINCE MAYLONE EDITOR DEADLINE FOR ARTICLES is the 15th of the month Mission Statement address for the lantern is OR Visit us on the web at We are the Congregation of First United Methodist Church of Wayne-Westland and are a committed, loving, Christian community of Jesus Christ, in ministry, witnessing to the love of God as experienced in our lives, and expressed by: worship together, Christian nurture, education evangelism, Christian fellowship and support of one another, invitation to others to share our faith, social awareness, involvement and support of world wide Methodism. Our witness embraces all people. SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE 10:00 A.M. ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL AT 9:00 A.M. YOUTH AND CHILDREN S SUNDAY SCHOOL 10:00 A.M. First United Methodist Church 3 Town Square Wayne, MI