CAUGHT IN THE ACT OF SERVING!

Transcription

1 NWH HAPPENINGS Volume 33 Issue 12 December 2014 SERMON SERIES: JUST WAIT CAUGHT IN THE ACT OF SERVING! First Sunday in Advent November 30 Will God Come? Isaiah 64:1-9 Second Sunday in Advent December 7 Prepare the Way Isaiah 40:1-11 Third Sunday in Advent December 14 Bringing Good News Isaiah 61:1-4; 8-11 Fourth Sunday in Advent December 21 The Risk of Hope Luke 1:26-38 December 24 Christmas Eve The Wait is Over Luke 2:1-20 Way to go Arlene Leinweber, Laura Chapman, and Millie Atchison! You were caught in the act. Thank you for serving lunch to the NWSA District training group. What a blessing for those preparing for an upcoming Walk to Emmaus! December 28 Happy New Year! Northwest Hills United Methodist Church 7575 Tezel Road San Antonio TX

2 FROM PASTOR DAVID... David Trawick Senior Pastor The holidays can be a difficult time for many people. They see people shopping and buying gifts, but their own money is tight and they cannot afford to do much. They know families are making plans to gather, celebrate, and share big meals together, but their family gathering will be missing someone this year. They see decorations going up, lights being hung on houses on their street, but they have no light in their soul. There is bouncy, cheery Christmas music playing everywhere except in their own hearts. It can be a difficult time for many people. The commercial aspects of Christmas definitely have their limits. But there is another aspect of Christmas, the REAL reason for the season, a reason that can touch the heaviest heart. Jesus. He was born into tough circumstances. His parents were working class folk. They were at the mercy of an impersonal empire that shuffled people about like pieces on a checkerboard, and as a last resort took shelter in a barn with livestock as their neighbors. Forced to move to a different town, they had no family to come visit and celebrate the birth. So God sent angels, and the angels sent shepherds. Sometime later, foreign sorcerers came to visit the baby, bringing precious and meaningful gifts. King Herod hatched a plot to have the baby killed. But God sent angels, the sorcerers slipped by the king, and the family was on the run again, this time to Egypt. No money, no place to call home, no family nearby, no enduring security or safety. Those are the makings for a blue Christmas. But through it all God was present and at work. Angels sang, angels guided, the baby was born. He was given the name Jesus, which means God saves. He was called Emmanuel, God with us. He was from the line of King David, the fulfillment of Israel s hopes for a messiah. And nothing has been the same since. Are you struggling during this season? Hear the words of the prophet Isaiah, The people walking in darkness have seen a great light, on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given. (Isaiah 9:2, 6) Christmas is coming. I can hardly wait! BAKE SALE DECEMBER 14 Team Jesus is on the move! Next summer we have 2 teams going to Africa and we are starting now, to raise awareness and funds. Since you are part of team Jesus, here s what s happening Our Africa teams are going to have a Bake Sale on Sunday, December 14. You can help by providing baked goods for the sale. These need to be freshly baked and delivered to the Church office on Friday, December 12. You can help by making a donation for the baked goods and enjoy the yummy goodness of a home baked good. Either way, or both ways, you are part of team Jesus, making mission happen! Thank you in advance for being part of the team! WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17, 6:30 PM You are invited to join us for a church-wide NW Hills Night of Caroling. We are hoping to get hundreds of NW Hills members & friends into the neighborhoods spreading Christmas cheer from door to door. We will split up into groups of about people and each group will go to an assigned area of the community to sing carols and hand out gift bags, including invitations to our Christmas Eve services. We will return to the church at 7:30 for hot chocolate, cookies and to share stories of how we were able to leave a positive impression on our neighborhoods. There are three signup sheets at the Connection Center, one for individuals to sign up to carol, another for groups to signup (families who want to team up or entire Sunday school classes) and another for those who would like to make cookies and hot chocolate for the carolers when they return to the church. DECEMBER 2014 NWH HAPPENINGS Page 2

3 WEDNESDAY NIGHT SPRING SEMESTER STARTS JANUARY 14 The Spring Semester for Wednesday night activities at NW Hills will start January 14 and end May 13. There will be no activities Feb. 18 due to Ash Wednesday, March 11 Spring Break week, and April 1 Holy Week. Watch for sign up sheets at the Connection Center. The class on the Book of Romans led by Joe Baumgartner will continue and new people are invited to join them. Kingdom Man by Tony Evans will be led by Steve Smith. There are many men but few kingdom men and more are needed. Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer led by Gerry Kimsey. Discerning the Voice of God provides participants with practical help in knowing what you hear is from God. Through this study you will become more familiar with God s Holy Spirit, His character, language, and tone of voice. Thursday AM class: Discerning the Voice of God starts January 15 and will be from 9:30 11:00 am and will follow the same schedule as the Wed. night class. ROOTED, led by David Trawick If you want to be rooted and built up in Christ, this could be for you. This ten week course includes regularly sharing stories of what God is doing in our lives, significant prayer experiences, and the group together serving someone in need. But be forewarned. This is not a class to sit passively and listen, but a group in which to open our mouths to talk and pray, a group with which to roll up our sleeves and serve. And there will be homework! So only sign up if you re ready and willing to actively participate. (I DARE you!) NEW WEDNESDAY NIGHT GROUP STARTING Are you or someone you love living with mental illness? If so, we are starting a faith-based support group that provides support and comfort through sharing, learning, and navigating the journey through mental health recovery. Living Grace Group is a 12-week, faith-based support group for individuals who would benefit from practical tools within a supportive, encouraging and safe environment. Topics covered are: Identity, Stigma, Medication, Healthy Thinking, Rest/Relaxation, Joy, Triggers, Mindfulness, Community, It s Not Your Fault, and Staying Resilient. Courtney McCarley will be facilitating the group. Courtney has a Master's in Counseling and is currently a Licensed Professional Counselor Intern. She is a Clinical Practitioner II with the Center for Healthcare Services. If you would like to join this class, please sign up at the Connection Center. CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP SERVICES 5:00 pm - Contemporary Service with carols and communion served. Childcare provided. A special children s service will be provided. 7:00 pm - Contemporary Service with carols and communion served. Childcare provided. A special children s service will be provided. 9:00 pm - Traditional Service with carols and communion served. Childcare provided. 11:00 pm - Contemporary Service with carols and communion served. No childcare provided. CHANGE OF WORSHIP SERVICE December 28, we will have ONE Worship Service at 11:00 am with NO Sunday School. Make a note and stick it on the refrigerator! MOTHER S DAY OUT Christmas Pageant Thursday, Dec. 18, 12:30 pm NW Hills has a Mother s Day Out program that is open Tuesday through Thursday. We currently have over 120 children in the program and they will be presenting their annual Christmas pageant on Thursday, Dec. 18, at 12:30 pm. Come see the story of Jesus birth performed by 2-5 year olds through drama and song. DECEMBER 2014 NWH HAPPENINGS Page 3

4 Lynda Byrd Chair WHAT GIFT CAN I GIVE? 2014 is almost in the rearview mirror. Perhaps thoughts and plans are turning to New Year s resolutions, looking ahead to a long awaited high school or college graduation, a wedding, the purchase of a new home.., looking ahead! Certainly looking ahead is a blessing in itself. Looking ahead, perhaps we might find something to channel our energies toward that is not about us personally. An initiative, Adopt a Family, has been launched by Spiritual Services at Haven for Hope, a comprehensive service for the purpose of eradicating homelessness in the city of San Antonio. The goal of Adopt a Family is to connect local churches with families and individuals who are ready to move away from the Haven campus. The relationship is intended to assist families as they face the challenges of establishing themselves in new jobs, new homes, new communities, new lives. The assistance covers the gamut: donations of furniture, clothing, houseware, finding resources across the city to advance their efforts toward stable environments, financial aid, and countless other means of assistance. In less than eight months, 67 families have benefited from this amazing ministry. Twenty-two congregations representing numerous denominations have rallied to this ministry opportunity. Those being assisted range from individuals to families of various sizes. When this opportunity was presented to the Administrative Council here at Northwest Hills, it received immediate attention. The Discipleship Sunday School class, one of the two adult classes meeting at 11:15 am, saw this as an opportunity to be Christ s hands, feet, and heart in a very tangible way. Over the past several weeks, a young family of four has seen Christ through the countless acts of compassion and love. Johnny and Sophia continuously express their amazement that people who don t know them are shepherding them with such commitment through these beginning stages of securing their independence. One Sunday School class is making a difference in this family s life that is undoubtedly shaping its future. Adopt a Family will continue. Each congregation s approach has been different. Several congregations have adopted multiple families; other congregations have embraced this ministry by a single group within the congregation or partnering groups. The choices are many and every family will be different, in size, composition, and need. What is constant are the blessings of giving and receiving. for I was hungry and you gave me food I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me. Truly, I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me Matthew 25:35-36, 40 Sunday, December 7 5:00 pm: The Youth Choir will be presenting their musical A Chili Christmas. Come join them for an hour of music and story. 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS PRAYER On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me I know you are probably thinking about a Partridge in a Pear Tree. But what gift could we give our community this Christmas that wouldn t cost anything but a little time spent with our real True Love? Prayer. We realize that Christmas is a super important time of year for the Church, our congregation, and community. So this year, starting on December 14 and continuing until Christmas Day, we are going to have a 12 Days of Christmas Prayer emphasis. All you have to do is signup for one or more days. Grab a card with the prayer focus for that day and remember it in your prayers during the day. You won t need to come to the church (but you can if you want). You don t have to get down on your knees (but you can if you want). You don t have to use churchy or King James English (but you can if you want). Just pray (because that s what you really want!) and know that God hears you. Remember: This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us whatever we ask we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5: Now, go sign up at the Connection Center! DECEMBER 2014 NWH HAPPENINGS Page 4

5 CHILDREN S MINISTRY Natalie Long Children s Minister Celebrating Christmas Christmas is around the corner and our children are celebrating the birth of Christ together in so many ways. We started in late November with the kids at the 8:15 and 11:15 services packing shoe boxes for children all over the world for Operation Christmas Child. Saturday, December 6, is Breakfast with Santa. It will not be the same without Tommy Carter, our beloved Santa of so many, many years. Our Wednesday Night kids will be celebrating with a Christcentered Christmas party on the last Wednesday Night, December 10. They will hear the story of the birth of Christ and they will get to unwrap and take home a book. There will be birthday cake for Jesus and they will make ornaments depicting the birth of Christ. On Sunday, December 14, the children s choir will be singing Christmas songs at the 9:45 and 11:15 services. Christmas Eve will have two magical services for the kids at 5:00 and 7:00 pm. The children will get to be a part of telling the Christmas story this year. They won't want to miss this! We will also have nursery care available at the 5:00, 7:00 and 9:00 pm services. HEB Camp We will be taking kids to HEB Camp near Leakey, TX, March 12-14, Children who are currently enrolled in 3 rd, 4 th and 5 th grades are able to attend. Registration will start early January. The cost for this camp is only $75 a child and free for adult volunteers. We still need adult sponsors, especially males. Our goal is to have one adult per five children. We need a kitchen team to prepare meals. We have the meals planned out. It will just be a matter of executing. We will be staying at Windsong, which is the same camp grounds that the Youth Group have used in the past. God has given me a vision for this camp and that is to take the children's head knowledge and turn in to heart knowledge. We will be giving the children many opportunities to grow in their relationship with the Lord. This will be a wonderful time of games, bonding, fellowship, fun, food, sports and most of all, JESUS! Make plans to attend now and let me know if you are thinking about attending or serving. We appreciate any donations made for this camp to help out children who are unable to pay for the camp. SAVE THE DATES! December 14 Children s Christmas Party 5:30-7 pm The Goebel s House (get address information from Natalie) All kids are invited to attend! Tons of fun: Holiday dress up, photo booth, food, games, party favors, & more! There will be a gift exchange. If your child wants to participate, bring a gift that would be for any child (boy or girl, no more than $10). RSVP by Dec. 7 at the Connection Center or to Natalie at natalie@nwhills.org. 24th ANNUAL BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Sat., Dec. 6, 8:30-11:30 am Tickets are on sale now! $5 gets you a pancake breakfast with your choice of sides and a picture with Santa! Breakfast only is $3. Invite your friends and family. Tickets will be available at the door. We need volunteers to help with serving and cooking. A sign up will be available at the Connection Center. Proceeds will benefit Kairos Ministry. PUMPKIN PATCH REPORT 2014 Total sales: $52,202 Youth keep: $18,270 Plus donations of $2,845 It s $5, more than 2010 It s $ more than 2011 It s $ more that 2012, and It s $10, more than Our best year ever! Thanks to all who served in the Patch! You help make youth ministry happen. Because you served, we've had guests in worship because their experience in the Patch was good. December 22 January 11 Canvas Art Day Pump It Up 1:00-3:00 pm 5:30-7 pm February 15 Roller Skating 5:30-7:00 pm DECEMBER 2014 NWH HAPPENINGS Page 5

6 Monthly Events THE NEXT CLASS 101 will be January 18 3:00 to 6:00 pm What it means to be a Christian What it means to be a United Methodist What it means to be a member of Northwest Hills UMC This class is for anyone wanting to find out more about becoming a Christian, about the United Methodist Church and about being a member of Northwest Hills Church. Class 101 is required before becoming a member of Northwest Hills. Class is led by Pastor David Trawick. There is a sign up sheet at the Connection Center, if you wish to attend the next class or call the church office at to reserve a place. LADIES OF LEISURE Meets Every Friday, 11:30 am The ladies meet each week at a different restaurant just for fun. If you would like to be included in the fun or would like more information, contact May Lang at (210) or maylang@sbcglobal.net. UNITED METHODIST MEN S BREAKFAST Saturday, December 13, 8:00 am Meet at the church and then drive to Denny s on 410 off Ingram Road. Contact George Hampton at TEXAS RAMP PROJECT Building Freedom for the Homebound Saturday, December 20, 7:00 am. Meet at the church. We build accessibility ramps for the homebound. So, if you like working with power tools and get satisfaction in doing a job that betters another person s life, this is for you! Sign up at the Connection Center. For more information contact Ron Gloyd at (210) PRIME TIME POTLUCK LUNCH Prime Time will not be meeting this month. Join them in January for another fun time! Anyone age 60 and older is invited to attend. Bring a yummy dish to share and stay for a fun activity. UNITED METHODIST MEN Men's Charter Formation Team. We are planning a formal chartered UMM (United Methodist Men) unit this January. This is a requirement as stated in the Book of Discipline. We will be taking a look at how other local units were established and what progress has been made as of now. This endeavor is an attempt to reach the hearts of men for Christ. If you have ideas of how we can get men interested and participate to achieve this goal please let me know as we are in the Brainstorming/Planning stage. Please contact me with your thoughts and ideas. We will have a meeting in the near future to discuss these plans. For more information or if you have ideas to share, please contact George Hampton at or geohampton001@gmail.com. GOD S FISHING HOLE Tom Bader Emmaus Coordinator Here is something I read and it made me stop and think (Thinking is always a good thing). Have you ever wondered what would happen in your daily life if you treated your Bible like you treat your cell phone? What would happen if you carried you Bible around with you everyday, flipped through it several times a day, went back to get it if you forgot it, received messages from its texts, and treated it like you couldn t live without it? Now let s go one step further; what if you gave it to your kids, or some special people in your life? Took it with you when you traveled, or used it in case of emergency? After thinking about these things, kind of makes you want to go..hmm.. doesn t it? One more thing, your Bible, unlike you cell phone, will never be disconnected, because Jesus has already paid the bill. Here s wishing you a very blessed and loving Christmas season. Hope the New Year will bring joy to you and yours and a closer life together with Christ. DeColores DECEMBER 2014 NWH HAPPENINGS Page 6

7 Thursday, December 25 Christmas Day 12:00 pm Christmas Day Lunch Sunday, December 28 11:00 am SPECIAL WORSHIP SERVICE 6:30 pm Troop 228 Patrol Leader Council Monday, December 1 7:00 pm Girl Scout Service Unit Meeting Saturday, December 6 8:30 am Breakfast with Santa Sunday, December 7 5:00 pm Youth Choir Musical Wednesday, December 10 Last Wednesday Night until January Friday, December 12 6:00 pm Gray/Harris Wedding Rehearsal Saturday, December 13 8:00 am United Methodist Men s Breakfast 11:30 am Gray/Harris Wedding Sunday, December Days of Christmas Prayer Starts 5:00 pm Board of Trustees 5:30 pm Children s Christmas Party Monday, December 15 9:00 am Mother s Day Out Staff Meeting 7:00 pm Finance Committee Meeting Wednesday, December 17 6:00 pm Church Community Caroling Thursday, December 18 12:30 pm Mother s Day Out Christmas Pageant 6:30 pm Boy Scout Armadillo District Committee Saturday, December 20 7:00 am Texas Ramp Project 10:30 am TOPS Christmas Luncheon Monday, December 22 1:00 pm Kid s Canvas Art Day Sunday: Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday, December 31 New Year s Eve WEEKLY EVENTS 12:00 pm AA 3:00 pm Youth Choir 5:00 pm The Way Youth Worship 6:30 pm Church Prayer Group 7:00 pm AA Women 12:00 pm AA 1:00 pm Needlecrafters 5:30 pm AA 6:30 pm Boy Scout Troop 228 7:00 pm AA 9:00 am Mother s Day Out 5:15 pm Worship Band Practice 7:00 pm Crew 228 Meeting 7:00 pm AA 7:30 pm Adult Choir Practice 8:15 pm AA Spanish Wednesday: 9:00 am Mother s Day Out 5:30 pm Wed. Snack Supper 6:30 pm Wed. Night Activities 7:00 pm Handbells 8:00 pm NA 12-Step Program Thursday: 9:00 am Mother s Day Out 7:00 pm AA 8:15 pm AA Spanish Friday: 11:30 am Ladies of Leisure Lunch 12:00 pm AA 7:00 pm AA Saturday: 9:00 am AA 10:00 am TOPS Weight Loss 7:00 pm AA Spanish Wednesday, December 24 - Christmas Eve 5:00, 7:00, 9:00, 11:00 pm Christmas Eve Service DECEMBER 2014 NWH HAPPENINGS Page 7

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