1100 McCall Road, Port Charlotte, Florida (941) Fax: (941) Website: gulfcovechurch.

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1 December, 2017 One of the most annoying things that come out of the Christmas season is the so-called War on Christmas narrative that dominates news and social media feeds. The worst part of of this is when some Christians claim they re being persecuted because people won t wish them a Merry Christmas. Would it be possible to agree that American Christians are far from being persecuted? (Especially since there are actual Christians being persecuted throughout the world.) And frankly, it s not really the job of Starbucks, JC Penny s or Macy s to spread Christmas cheer or the Christmas story. They re in business to make money and to do everything they can to bring a lot of people into their stores. So they re going to be as generic and as broadly appealing as possible. Why would I expect JC Penny s to spread the Christmas story to their shoppers? Why would I expect Starbucks to tell the story of Christ s birth on their cups? That s not their job. It s ours, isn t it? Shouldn t we hold ourselves accountable for putting Christ in Christmas rather than demanding that others do? The ironic thing about all this is that we re talking about a war on Christmas while we re treating Christmas as if it s our own birthdays. We go to these retail stores, often spending more money than we have, stocking up on gifts, as if that s the meaning of Christmas. Then we go around accusing the stores of taking Christ out of the season and crying persecution because our Starbucks cups don t mention anything about Christmas. Sometimes I feel like we harp on this issue because it s the easiest one to deal with. Like when a church is declining, instead of assessing ourselves and really discerning what we could change and do better, we double down on changing the landscape or the color of the carpets. It s easier to deal with those things and feel accomplished than work on changing the things that might actually make a difference. I m not a big fan of memes and bumper sticker theology but this one is worth repeating: Want to keep Christ in Christmas? Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, forgive the guilty, welcome the unwanted, care for the ill, love your enemies, and do unto others as you would have done unto you. While I sincerely hope that you have a blessed Christmas, remember... we're celebrating the birth of Jesus and to quote Mike Slaughter Christmas is not your birthday. Church, Merry Christmas, Pastor, Mike Weaver 1100 McCall Road, Port Charlotte, Florida (941) Fax: (941) gulfcoveumc@centurylink.net Website: gulfcovechurch.com

2 Gulf Breezes 2 December, 2017 Dec. 13 6:15pm Caroling Dec. 21 6:30pm Blue Christmas Service Dec. 24 Worship Times 8am Hymn Sing Service 10am Combined Christmas Service Christmas Eve Candlelight Services 6:30pm Family Service 8:00pm Traditional Service 11:30pm Communion Service CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES We will offer 3 worship opportunities on Sunday, Dec. 24. At 6:30pm we will have an informal family service featuring our Praise Team. Then at 8pm, there will be a traditional service featuring our Chancel Choir. Our final service will be at 11:30pm, which will be shorter, but will include Holy Communion. There will be candlelight at all 3 services, Pastor Mike will provide the meditation. Please join us for this special celebration of Christ s birth. Ladies Lunch Out will be at Ruby Tuesday's on Sunday, December 3 at 12:30. Please join us! Contact Sandy Doty at or ssdoty975@yahoo.com or Deb Howell at or debhowell3902@yahoo.com. Poinsettias will be available to order in honor or memory of loved ones to decorate the chancel area Christmas Eve. Inserts will be in the December 3 & 10 bulletins. The deadline is Dec. 11, sorry but no orders will be accepted after noon on Dec. 11. FYII: For Your Information & Interest SCRIPTURES FOR DEC., 2017 Dec. 3 The World As It Is Matt 1:18-2:12 Dec. 10: The Adventsome Playlist Luke 1:5-2:20 Dec. 24 Light into darkness John 1:1-18 Dec. 31 Paul s Christmas Letter Titus 2:11-13 FUNDING GOD S MINISTY for October TOTAL INCOME $34, $327, OPERATING EXPENSE $11, $83, EDUCATION/NURTURE $ $7, APPORTIONMENTS $0.00 $34, STAFF SUPPORT $23, $223, TOTAL EXPENSES $34, $349, SURPLUS/DEFICIT $ ($22,134.57) It s not too late to join us for the Wednesday Noon or Evening Advent Study that started Nov 29, 2017!!! Enhance your Advent and Christmas by joining us for an Adam Hamilton Advent Study. This is being offered two different times. You may choose: Wednesdays at noon in the Chapel or Wednesdays at 6:15pm in P We look forward to seeing you for this interesting and fun time together. **Please call the office so we may get books for you. This is a 4-week study.

3 Gulf Breezes 3 December, 2017 "FOOD FOR THE SOUL" Please join us on Wednesday nights for a chance to grow closer to God and others in our church family. Dinner is served from 5:30-6:00pm. The weekly cost is: $4/per Adult; $2.50/per Child under 12; $12/Family maximum. This month's menu includes Dec. 6 Sloppy Joes Dec. 13-Shepherd s Pie Dec. 20 Meatloaf Dec. 28-No Food or Classes Reservation deadline is the previous Sunday--you can list your reservation on the pew attendance pad on Sunday mornings: Mark Food & the number of people. Clean-up is at 6pm, then there are various activities for ALL ages. Children have Jesus Rocks in #109/110; Youth, gr. 6-12, meet in P #206; and an adult Bible study, the After Dinner Group, meets in #102. At 6:15pm, Genesis Small Group, another adult Bible Study, meets in the Sanctuary. For those who prefer an earlier evening, Pastor Mike leads a Bible study at 4:30pm in P#201 where they study the scripture text he will be using for the following Sunday's sermon. You can join a study group without having dinner; likewise eat dinner without joining a study group. Please make Wednesday nights a time you spend with your church family so you can feed your body and soul! 2018 FLOWER CHART You may reserve your special dates to place flowers on the altar. When your week comes, you pay for the flowers by putting a check for $30.00, marked Flowers on the memo line, in the offering plate. The chart is on the bulletin board on the Education Wing. Please be sure to note whether you are taking the flowers or not. Flowers left on the altar are taken to our hospitalized, homebound, or given to Tidewell Hospice by our Caring Ministry. 12/01 Suzanne Collier 12/02 Jean Pepper 12/02 Mary Robinson 12/03 ShirleyWebber 12/03 Bud Hammond 12/03 Roy Vereen 12/03 Jill Boaz 12/03 Barbara Comeyne 12/04 Doreen Alvarez 12/06 Steve Senchuk 12/07 Steve Jacobs 12/11 Vernette Crosby 12/12 LuAnn Joys 12/12 Dianna Hedges 12/14 Bella Williams 12/16 Rick Huggins 12/16 Curtis Schmidt 12/19 Vic Costello 12/20 Jim Wilkin 12/20 Bill Collier 12/22 Jessie Mosher 12/22 David Pepper 12/22 Morgan Guzik 12/24 Deb Howell 12/27 Judy Boyer 12/27 Mike Charbonneau 12/29 Roger Morrow 12/30 Hazel Charbonneau 12/31 Renee Baumgartner 12/31 Myleigh Weaver I would like to talk with you, for I am a part of your church life. I may be a complete stranger to you, but I can help you become a better Christian. I like to go to worship on Sunday, for I help you to be Christ s partner. I am very small, but I am the keystone of your church program. I am a reminder of your daily blessings. I dare you to be as good to God as He has been to you. I am only paper, but I carry the full gift of a generous heart. I promise not to be a burden. I am your chance to preach, for I am a silent sermon of your devotion. What do you want to tell God? Let the church office know ASAP if you would like weekly or monthly envelopes in Envelopes are available for anyone who gives on a regular basis, not limited to members. If you are currently using 2017 green envelopes, you are already on the renewal list. 12/02 John & Lu Ann Zink 12/05 Jack & Becky Stephenson 12/06 Bob & Cathy Rohrbaugh 12/08 Jim & Joanie Marshall 12/28 Lester & Jackie Miller 12/31 George & Marilyn Beatty

4 Gulf Breezes 4 December, 2017 UPCOMING LAY SERVANT MINISTRIES CLASS Join us for the upcoming class. It will be conducted on Friday evening from 6 to 9, and continue on Saturday from 9 to 5. December 1-2 at First UMC in Sebring, Florida. Advanced Class (Living Our Beliefs) with Rod Groom. Registration and Information here. Classes are being scheduled in Bradenton at Faith UMC on the weekend of April 20-21, Detailed information will be available in January. Keep up with new class offerings at floridalayservants.com. EVERLASTING JOY In a Chicken Soup for the Soul sampler, Karen Asire tells of a particularly difficult Christmas after her husband left and began divorce proceedings. As Karen and her three young children set up their tree, she fought tears and secretly tucked aside certain ornaments, such as one announcing Our First Christmas Together. Several days later, a neighbor stopped by with a gold decoration proclaiming JOY. We ve hung this ornament on our tree for several years, she explained, but this year we wanted you to have it. When Asire hung it on the tree and stepped back, all the other ornaments seemed to fade into the background, and all [she] saw was the shimmering gold of the JOY ornament. She allowed herself to cry then, grateful for the reminder that amid grief and heartache, God s love shines. Pain fades in time, while God s Christmas gift Jesus brings joy that lasts forever WHAT S MISSING? When shopping for gifts became too difficult, an elderly man decided to just send checks to relatives. In his Christmas cards, mailed early, he wrote, Buy your own present! After the holiday, the man noticed he d received few cards in return. Puzzled, he went into his study, intending to write to a few relatives and ask what had happened. As he cleared his cluttered desk, the horrified man found the answer. Under a stack of papers were the checks he d forgotten to enclose with his cards! The lesson? Don t be in such a hurry to give gifts that you inadvertently leave out what s most important. Without the message of Jesus and his birth, the earthly trappings of Christmas are empty indeed THE GIVER Many Christian families struggle with what role if any Santa Claus should play in their Christmas celebrations. No matter what you decide, it s fascinating to know the history of the real-life St. Nicholas. Born about 270 A.D., Nicholas was a bishop in Myra, or modern-day Turkey. In the year 325, he was part of the Council of Nicaea, which produced the Nicene Creed. Nicholas, known for his generosity, often gave away his money anonymously. According to tradition, he secretly provided dowries for the three daughters of a bankrupt merchant. Nicholas threw two bags of gold through open windows and placed the third in a stocking hanging by the fireplace to dry. Thus began the Christmas tradition of placing gifts in stockings. St. Nicholas is quoted as saying, The giver of every good and perfect gift has called upon us to mimic God s giving, by grace, through faith, and this is not of ourselves.

5 Gulf Breezes 5 December, 2017 CHRISTMAS CAROLING Wednesday, Dec. 13, 6:30pm. Come, join us for a great time of visiting our homebound members and others in the community. A NOTE OF THANKS FROM THE OFFICE So many volunteers have come forward to assist with office tasks during the past year. With the new year ahead of us, what a perfect time to say Thank You for your help with bulletins, mailings proofing, answering the phones, and all other tasks in the office. We are looking forward to another great year with you at GCUMC. You are all greatly appreciated. Dawn Tesauro and Jeanne Shrout. MEN'S BREAKFAST We meet twice a month for fellowship in the form of devotions, breakfast and business decisions. Come join us! 8:00 am December 5 & Perkins in North Port. Sundays: 8am Traditional Service 9:30am Contemporary Service Seekers II Sunday School P#201 Kids Church/Sunday School #109/110 Youth Sunday School P#206 11am Adult Sunday School #109/110 11am Sermon Discussion P#201 11am Traditional Service 5-8pm Youth Group Gr.6-12 P#206 Mondays: 7pm Boy Scouts P#201 7:30pm AA Support Group #109/110 Tuesdays: 1pm Friend to Friend #109/110 7pm Al-Anon #109/110 7pm Journey In Faith Sanctuary Wednesdays: 12pm Weekly Bulletin Deadline Advent Bible Study #102 4:30pm Pastor s Bible Study P#201 5:30pm Food for the Soul Dinner 6pm Jesus Rocks #109/110 After Dinner Group #102 Youth Group Gr P#206 7pm Advent Study P#201 Thursdays: 8am Grounds Main t Barn 9am Crafty Ladies Oak s Cove 5:30pm Praise Team Sanctuary 6:30pm Girl Scouts 1 st & 3 rd Choir Rehearsal P#203

6 Gulf Breezes 6 December, 2017 Dec 1 1pm Friday Hanging of the Greens Dec 2 9:30am Saturday Closet of Hope P#204 10am P.N.O. Meeting Dec 3 8:30 Sunday Blood Drive 12:15pm Ladies Lunch Out Dec 5 8am Tuesday GCUM Men's Breakfast 1-4pm 3-5pm Health Department Harry Chapin Food Bank Dec 6 12pm Wednesday Advent Study #102 6:15pm Advent Study P#201 Dec 8 6-9pm Parents Night Out Dec 9 4-8pm Saturday Scouts Spaghetti Dinner Dec 11 12pm Bulletin Deadline for 12/24,12/31 12pm Monday Newsletter Deadline 7pm Trustee Meeting Dec 12 4pm Tuesday At Ease/Rotonda West Dec 13 6:15pm Wednesday Caroling Calendar Highlights Dec 16 9:30am Closet of Hope P#204 Dec 17 8 & 11am Sunday Lessons in Carols 9:30am Lessons in Carols Dec 19 8am Tuesday GCUM Men's Breakfast 1-4pm Health Department Dec 20 2:30pm Wednesday Inglenook Visitation Dec 21 6:30pm Thursday Blue Christmas Dec 22 Friday Office Closed until Jan 2, 2018 Dec 24 8am Sunday Hymn Sing Service 10am 6:30pm 8pm 11:30pm Combined Worship Service Family Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Communion Candlelight/Communion Dec 26 1pm Tuesday F to F Pizza Party #109 Dec 27 Wednesday No Meal or Classes Jan 2 8:30am Tuesday Office Open