Chimes. december The Christmas Gift

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1 First United Methodist Church of Temple City 5957 N. Golden West Ave. Temple City, CA JANUARY DEADLINES: CHIMES ARTICLES Dec 21 First United Methodist Church of Temple City Chimes CHIMES by Receive a color version of the Chimes. There is no charge for this service and you can help the church save on postage. To sign up, just send an request to: Our church website is a great way to find out about us. Sit back and view Pastor David s sermon on video, read about events taking place on campus, or send in a prayer request. The Ministers of this Church are its Members! Assisting them are: Bishop Minerva Carsaño Dr. Bau Dang, East District Superintendent Rev. David Palmer, Pastor David Leehy, Music Director Linda Kaan, Organist/Pianist Jasmine McKay, Office Assistant Phone: 626/ Fax: 626/ info@templecityumc.org The Christmas Gift The Christmas postcards and shopping malls are full of images of neatly wrapped presents with ribbons and bows. The persistent allure of discounted shopping and long-term financing beckon us to consider what gifts we might give and receive this season. Take a moment to consider the type of gifts that you have received in your life. My guess is that the gifts that mean the most to you are gifts that you associate with a person who has been important to you in your life. These are gifts that are precious not because of their monetary value but because of the relationship that it represents. At Christmas, we are also reminded of a deeper truth. The truth is that the greatest gift of God to humanity did not come in gold wrappings, but in the humble person of a baby in a manger in Bethlehem. The Gospel begins with the coming of God in human form. From the Gospel of John we hear these words the word became flesh and dwelt among us. These simple words describe the most profound event of human history. The primary event of the Christmas story is that God takes on the frailty of human form, and enters into the morass of the human saga. Willing to directly connect with human pain, suffering, and temptation; God gives the ultimate gift Himself. Not only did this act provide for the salvation of humanity, but God provides the precedent for the greatest Continued on page 2... december 2012 Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. - James 1:17 December Highlights Dec. 1st Greening of the Grounds - Pg. 3 Dec. 8th Wayfarer s Christmas Party Pg. 3 Dec. 23rd Christmas Cantata Pg. 3 Dec. 24th Christmas Eve Service Pg. 3

2 example of love in the world. This is a love that connects with another person and even takes on the other person s pain and trouble as its own. This also illustrates the principle of the loving work of the church in ministry to the world. This is the principle of incarnation. Paul said in his letter to the Corinthians that he became all things to all men that he might win some to Christ. As a church we are called to be an extension of Christ s incarnation into the world. As we celebrate this Christmas, I want to invite you to participate in one of the many studies that are taking place during the Advent season. These studies help to prepare our hearts to receive this gift from God and to be the gift of God for the world. Merry Christmas, Pastor David SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDY Christmas Gifts That Won t Break On Sunday November 18 th we began our Advent Study, Christmas Gifts that won t break by James W. Moore. We no doubt remember the many gifts which we received over the past years, but how many still exist now? As we light candles on our Advent wreath, we should reflect on the unbreakable gifts that God has given us: hope, love, joy, and peace and remember God s greatest gift, who comes to us as a baby and leads us through all the days of our lives. Come and join us, Sundays 8:45 a.m., in the Fireside Room. page 2 Chimes december 2012 page 11 UPCOMING CHURCH FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES SUNDAYS: 6:30pm Bible Study MONDAYS: 10:00am PRAYER GROUP With Pastor David Got Prayer? TUESDAY DECEMBER 4: Eve s Circle TUESDAYS: 10:00am Bible Study WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 5: Sky Liners THURSDAYS: 8:00am MEN S GROUP (Room 2) - Men of God, Here Ye! Here Ye! For fellowship and perhaps a feast. 7:30pm CHOIR We know you like to sing. Don t waste it in the shower. Traditional Christmas Sweets FRANCE: Buche de Noel (a Génoise or other sponge cake, baked in a large Swiss roll pan) USA: Pumpkin Cake (with cinnamon and ginger, frosted with cream cheese frosting) SPAIN: Nougat (made with sugar or honey, roasted nuts) HUNGARY: Beigli (roll of sweet yeast bread with a dense, rich, bittersweet filling) ITALY: Panettone (is a type of sweet bread loaf originally from Milan) SWEDEN: Pepparkakor (heart-star and goat-shaped gingerbread biscuit) UK: Christmas Pudding (steamed pudding, with dried fruit and nuts, usually made with suet) PORTUGAL: Pain Perdu (French toast made with bread and eggs, milk, sugar and cinnamon) GERMANY: Lebkuchen (large cookies made of honey) DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS 8 Joan Molner 16 Janice Weirick 19 Raelene Allard

3 HEALTH MINISTRIES MOMENTS Continued... page 10 reminding yourself that it isn t really much of a treat if you eat so much that you feel ill or tired after eating. 9. Often holidays are thought to be a glorious time to be with family, yet sometimes the reality is that the stress of the holiday can create tension and stress. Remember: a. Listen carefully to one another and try to avoid making assumptions. b. Be willing to talk about your feeling rather than keep them inside where they can build up and possibly explode when you least expect it. c. Give yourselves plenty of time to rest and sleep d. Allow yourselves and others to make mistakes, expect that things will be a little crazier than usual and try to avoid allowing the smaller things get to you. 10. Most importantly, encourage one another to share those things you can be thankful for in the past year. Share about the birth of Christ and how this event may have affected your lives. The trimmings exist only to facilitate the celebrations of thanks and Jesus birth. Marcia Galland, Parish Nurse Sharing God s Gifts Stewardship is asking yourself What percentage of my income is God calling me to give? This year s New Consecration Sunday Stewardship Program has been very successful. Your estimates of giving for 2013 show a positive response with a substantial increase over On behalf of your Finance Committee, I wish to thank each and every one of you who participated in this year s Stewardship Program, followed by our Celebration Luncheon which was very well attended. I had many positive comments regarding our Guest Leader, Dan Gara. If you need an Estimate of Giving Card, please ask Evelyn Wellman, or contact the church office. Connie Deckon, Finance Chairperson Chimes december 2012 page 3 GREENING OF THE GROUNDS Everyone is invited on Saturday, December 1, to gather at 9 a.m. in the sanctuary to decorate it for the Christmas Season. Afterward, light refreshments will be served, along with a movie. ADVENT STUDY SERIES WAYFARERS CHRISTMAS PARTY Saturday, December 8, 2011 at 6:30 pm Fireside Room at Church Pot Luck and White Elephant Gift Exchange (a treasure that you no longer need, but would love to have someone else enjoy) Everyone is invited. RSVP: Nancy Chapman (626) This Advent Season come and join us on the Journey to Bethlehem on Sunday Nights at 6:30, or on Tuesday Mornings at 10am. The first class meeting we will watch the Movie The Nativity to prepare for the journey. The following weeks will examine the significance of the Journey to Bethlehem as presented by Adam Hamilton. Using historical information, archaeological data, and a personal look at some of the stories surrounding the birth, the most amazing moment in history will become more real and heart-felt as you walk along this road. Please let me know if you are planning on coming and what you would like to bring: appetizer / rolls & butter / main dish / salad / dessert; (1) per person please. Help is needed to set up / be in charge of beverages / and clean up by everyone. Also, a suggested donation of $5.00 per person is requested for the Wayfarer s treasury.

4 Worship Committee Update December 2nd starts the beginning of Advent. CELEBRATE WITH US page 4 Our adult Sunday School will begin study of Christmas Gifts that won t break by James W. Moore. This book focuses on the real reason for the Christmas Season. On December 23 rd during our regular Sunday service time 10a.m., members of First and Faith will join together in cantata, I Hear The Prophet Callin (The Christmas Story from Prophecy to Fulfillment) by Pepper Choplin. A Christmas Eve Service will be held a 7:30 p.m.in the Sanctuary. Sure to be a spectacular way to begin the celebration of the Savior s birth. A candlelight service filled with carols, and special readings. COME AND JOIN US IN THESE CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS. Have a blessed Christmas, Barbara Stacy, Worship Chairperson Christmas Cantata , 10am I Hear The Prophet Callin (The Christmas Story from Prophecy to Fulfillment) composed by Pepper Choplin and sung by the First & Faith UMC choirs. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service , 7:30pm All are encouraged to attend. Chimes december 2012 page 99 HEALTH MINISTRIES MOMENTS All too often there are pressures and tensions which surround the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays and get in the way of our being able to experience the joy these events can bring. The following are some tips from the Lay Counseling Center to enable you to have more control of your feelings rather than have the pressures of the season control you. 1. Rather than put all of your energy into buying gifts, planning for and making meals, and decorating, put more of your energy into how you relate to the people around you. 2. Rather than assume that YOU, alone, are responsible for making the holiday a success, share the responsibility with others. 3. Start early if you send out Christmas cards of letters. 4. Don t isolate yourself. If you feel lonely, reach out to a friend. You d be surprised how many other people feel just as lonely as you. If you know someone who will be alone, invite them to share some time with you during this season. 5. Do whatever baking you can do ahead of time and freeze it so you will have more time to rest and enjoy the actual holiday. 6. Allow yourself time to reflect on any difficult or sad memories of past holidays so you can process and release the memories rather than ignore them and hope they ll go away. By doing this, the memories will have less control over you. 7. Take time to think about your own expectations for the holidays. If you will be with family or friends, talk together ahead of time about the expectations you all have and come to some agreement about what is realistic to expect and what isn t. 8. Be kind to your body. Holidays are often a time when we eat foods and drink beverages which aren t in our typical diet. Enjoy your meals in moderation by Continued on page 10

5 Meet The New Church Administrative Assistant Jasmine McKay Hello Everyone! I have been here for just a few weeks and I am overwhelmed with the warm welcome I have received from those of you who have stopped by the office. If you haven t had a chance to pop in, please do so! I am a Pasadena native and have lived in the San Gabriel Valley all of my life. I recently moved to Alhambra with my little rescue pup, Halo. I am also a singer performing with Lake Avenue Church s Sanctuary Choir along with other bands and choirs. 5 years ago I started a community gospel choir called Selah Gospel Choir. We re based in Pasadena and currently have 35 members! We have a concert coming up shortly and you are all invited (see flyer below). I am a professional face painter, make up artist, writer, and aspire to do as many forms of art I can get my hands on. Thank you again for the welcome. I look forward to meeting each one of you in the near future. Blessings, Jasmine Starr McKay page 8 Chimes december 2012 page 5 United Methodist Men Our men continue to meet every Thursday at 8a.m. in room 2 of the Fellowship Hall for donuts and coffee, fellowship lead by Pastor David, and small jobs around the Church. Staff Parish Relations Committee Last month has been a little different as at one of our meetings we went our with Saki to share some Thai food at a local restaurant. In December on the 13 we are going to go to Annia s Restaurant for breakfast. Come and Join us - Bob Stacy I and the rest of this committee have spent a lot of time preparing for our Charge Conference up this month. In case you have not noticed or missed Pastor David s introduction we have two new employees, Jasmine McKay office assistant and Carrie Gilbert Child care. As you know these two positions have been vacant for some time. Pastor David assisted by our Treasure somewhat struggled in handling the many office responsibilities. Currently Jasmine in in the office Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 3p.m. Carrie is available each Sunday morning MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Christmas Caroling and Dessert Potluck December 22nd 6:30pm in the Fireside Room

6 1:30pm CHARGE CONF. CAROLING 6:30pm 7:30pm