16 December Grace Notes

Transcription

1 16 December 2015 Grace Notes News from Grace United Methodist Church Carbondale, Illinois Web site: December 6 Second Sunday of Advent Candle Lighting Family: Morthland Family (Early Service) Ludine & Holly Chamness (Late Worship) Scripture : Isaiah 52: 7-10, Matthew 1:18-25 Sermon: The Gift of Peace Through God s Reign Special Program: The Little Drummer Boy by Grace Players December 13 Third Sunday of Advent Combined Worship at 10:30 a.m. in the Auditorium Candle Lighting Family: Mowrer Family Special Christmas Program: The Gift of Joy Through Songs Choir, Praise Team, Bell Choir & Children will bring a joyful program followed by an all church chili dinner. December 20 Fourth Sunday of Advent Candle Lighting Family: Park Family (Early Worship) Joel Kirby and Jenny Choo (Late Worship) Scripture: Jeremiah 31:15-17 Sermon: The Gift of Hope in Darkness December 27 Combined Worship Service at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary Scripture: 1 John 4:18-21 Sermon: The Gift We Never Want to Return You are encouraged to invite family and friends to our worship services and Sunday school.!!

2 2 Dear Friends, My family is the best Christmas gift. Someone posted it on facebook. Several people agreed with her. It s a special season to exchange gifts with family, friends and special people in our lives. Most of us have been busy with buying, wrapping, packing and mailing Christmas gifts. We might feel joy as we imagine the happiness that our loved ones experience as they open the gifts that we sent to them. We want to express our love and caring spirit through our gifts. However what people really need and what makes people happy is not those material things, but our presence, the fellowship and friendship we share with them. Let s take time to visit other people, especially those who are lonely. Parents, set aside your time to be with your children, to make some simple Christmas crafts with them, or bake cookies with them to deliver to the lonely people. The church provides each family an Advent Book-Family Devotion and Activities. Create fun memories with them. Most of our kids have already had more material things than they need. Adding more things don t make people happy. What people need is genuine friendship and fellowship with other people. Here is the good news for everyone! God has prepared the best gift for all of us---jesus Christ who brings us peace, joy, hope and love. God who has the riches of goodness, grace, mercy and love is eager to give his best gift to us, Jesus Christ. Christ comes to us. But he comes not to be added to our cluttered hearts and busy lives. He is reborn in humble hearts which have a holy space. The Advent Season invites us to set aside a special time and to create a sacred place in our hearts and our lives for Christ who is coming. A daily devotion book is provided for you and your family. Special music worship services are prepared for you and your family to be attentive to His presence and one another. Come, join to worship the Lord. It is a perfect season to invite your family and friends who have been drifted away from the Lord and church. We need to remind ourselves the real reason for this season---jesus Christ. We might post on our facebook, Jesus Christ is the best Christmas gift for me and for everyone. Let s offer God s best gift, Jesus Christ to your family and friends as well as strangers. I pray that you and your family may celebrate a wonderful Christmas in Jesus Christ! Shalom, In-Sook 15

3 14 3 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Wednesday, December 24, 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary There will be special songs, scripture reading, and communion. The offering will support United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Disaster Relief Fund. Circle of Friends Potluck Tuesday December 8 - Noon Bring a dish and join the fellowship. Lights Fantastic Parade Help Needed On December 5, 2015 Carbondale will host it's 25th annual lights fantastic parade. Carbondale Grace will be there in the parking lot near PK's to hand out free stickers and hot chocolate in cups with a message of God's love for them. Things to be done include placing stickers on the cups, handing out the hot chocolate, prep and clean up. We typically finish about 1 hour after the parade is over. Anyone old enough to pass a cup of hot chocolate or give out a sticker is old enough to help, making this a wonderful opportunity for parents to bring their children and get them involved in hands on ministry for Jesus Christ. If you could help with this ministry, please see Roger Smith,

4 4 13 The last mission meal for 2015 will take place on December 20. We plan to take turkey vegetable soup to the town square pavilion and serve from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. We would welcome your participation, to come and help with set up and serving these people God blesses through us or with break down and clean up afterwards. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank God, and those responsible for the donations of funds which have continued to make these meals possible. Looking to 2016, we are praying to be able to expand this ministry to include more adult groups in addition to the youth. As we do this, we also are looking for ways to make the project easier. We would like to add about 4 or 5 folding picnic tables instead of having to move both tables and chairs. If you might be able to help or would like to donate to this ministry, please see Roger Smith. Again thank you all for your support. Through your efforts, we have provided over 500 meals to individuals and at least that number more to the Good Samaritan Soup Kitchen. Mt. 25:40 And the King will answer and say to them assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me. Leadership Workshop: Reaching New People Saturday, January 30, 9:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. At Marion Aldersgate UMC Workshop Leader: Rev. Mike Crawford, Illinois Great Rivers Conference Coordinator of Congregational Development All church council members, committee members, small group leaders and worship leaders are invited to participate in this special planning retreat. Please mark your calendar and keep praying for a fruitful retreat. Please call the church office by December 30 if you plan to attend.

5 12 5 Fasa Medical Missionary On December 16, we will be wiring money to Dr. Fasa for his use as a medical missionary. If you want to add to this fund, please put your check in the offering by December 13. Be sure to write Fasa on the memo line. The Story of Fasa Fasa is a medical missionary in Indonesia. As a young lad he lived on the island of Nias. He had a strong desire to learn, and when an opportunity came up, he walked 7 miles to the coast and traveled 90 miles by boat to Sumatra. He swept streets with very little pay and usually slept where he worked. He learned about Wesley Methodist Church in Medan and of classes in English being offered. Later, he worked at a hospital. Because of severe typhoid fever, he was evicted and brought to Wesley Church. After recovering, he was given a job at the church and stayed in a small room there. Grace and Ed Werner were sent to Wesley Church (in Indonesia) by the UMC as missionaries. They met Fasa and saw a very special young man with great promise. A miracle began. The Werner s helped Fasa with pre-entrance exams given at the Methodist Medical School, and promised to raise the needed money to send him to medical school. The Werner s and their family paid his tuition. As they returned to the states, they told everyone about God's mission at Wesley and especially about this young Christian man in medical school. This is how GUMC became involved with Fasa. He received his degree in January, He and his wife operate from a small clinic on the island. Over the years Grace Church has continued to support Fasa in the needs of his clinic and family. Once a year we send a bank wire to Fasa with the collected funds. Grace UMC Mission Statement "Love God, love people, make disciples of Jesus Christ."

6 6 11 Your Christmas contribution will be sent to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Disaster Relief Fund. UMCOR has responded to natural disasters in the US and internationally, providing supplies and care in the immediate aftermath of a disaster and it has supported long-term rebuilding efforts to people within the United Sates as well as internationally for 75 years. From floods in South Carolina and Texas, fires in the west and earthquakes in Nepal, UMCOR has been there this past year. We do not know when or where a disaster will occur again. The weather forecasters have predicted El Nino will bring another year of extreme weather events and who knows about earthquakes. Your contribution to Disaster Relief will enable UMCOR staff to provide help when a disaster does occur. 100% of the money collected will go to assist those affected by disasters, not administrative costs. Financial Peace University This life-changing class will be taught by Dave Ramsey and the FPU teaching team on video and will be coordinated by Monty Smith at Grace United Methodist Church. It will help you achieve your financial goals by showing you how to eliminate debt, save for the future, and give like never before. You will be challenged and motivated to make a plan for your money and change your family tree forever. * 9 week program * Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. * begins February 1 * child care is available * cost is $93 per family * need based financial assistance available for those who qualify

7 10 7 Congratulations to Mary Ann Ruph on the birth of great granddaughter, Shelbi JoAnn Bost. Shelbi was born November 6 weighing 6 lb. 5 oz. and was 19 inches long. Her parents are Caitlyn and A.J. Bost. Holy Communion: Some Questions and Answers Should I receive Communion if I feel unworthy? Two thousand years ago Jesus ate with sinners and those whom others scorned. He still does. None of us is worthy, except by God s grace. Thank God we don t have to earn worth in God s eyes by our goodness or our faith. Your sacred worth, and ours, is God s free gift. No matter what you have done or what your present condition, if you want Christ in your life you are welcome at his table. Communion provides the opportunity for you to confess your sins, to receive forgiveness, and to indicate your intention to lead a new life. Coffee and Cards Saturday, December 19, 9:00 a.m. at Grace UMC, Room 11 Short devotional, drink coffee, and write note cards to new visitors and existing members on behalf of GUMC. Our heartfelt sympathy is given to Lena and Orville Hake. Lena s sister Wilma Stewart passed away November 27. Please have articles for the January 2016 Grace Notes to the church office by December 21.

8 8 9 UMW Christmas Yard Sale December Birthdays (by date) 1 - Cheryl Smith 5 - Michael Adams 7 - Raetta Blessing 8 - Laura Morthland 8 - Steve Shappard 11 - Alicia Joens 11 - Elsbeth Sanders 13 - Philip Pease 15 - Gary Hall 22 - Grace Park 24 - Kevin Dettmar 27 - Martha Searcy 27 - Emma Williams 28 - Iris Vana 29 - Anna Schurz 30 - Gary Chamness 31 - Dwight Sanders Early January Birthdays 1/2 Kathy Manigold 1/2 Chris Smith 1/3 Holly Chamness 1/4 Kevin Frailey 1/7 T. J. Montgomery Hanging of the Greens December Anniversaries Dec. 16 Brian & Kathy Manigold Dec. 23 Roy & Marianne Abrahamson (55 yrs.) Grace United Methodist Church 9:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship 10:10 a.m. Sunday School 11:15 a.m. Traditional Worship Lenten Study Theme: Just Walk Across the Room Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m. 5 weeks, February 18 March The Single Greatest Gift 2. Living in 3D 3. The Power of the Story 4. Grander Vision Living 5. Celebration & Commitment Sign-up sheets will be out in January