Church Messenger December 2015 A Moment with Mike

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Church Messenger December 2015 A Moment with Mike There are many different emotions expressed during the Christmas season. Some folks are almost giddy with expectation.

Christmas is one of God s perfect miracles. It is not a onetime event that we remember each year. It is an ongoing event that is fresh and new each and every year.

1 Church Messenger December 2015 A Moment with Mike There are many different emotions expressed during the Christmas season. Some folks are almost giddy with expectation. Others get depressed and will not be consoled until the season is past; and others of us are somewhere in the middle of those two extremes. I believe Christmas is an either or celebration. Christmas is one of God s perfect miracles. It is not a onetime event that we remember each year. It is an ongoing event that is fresh and new each and every year. Every time another person opens there heart and allows Jesus to be born into that heart the heavenly chorus sings anew and the heavenly hosts rejoice; this is why the celebration of Christmas should be new and fresh each year. If Christmas means anything to us, it must mean everything to us. Christmas is the beginning but it is also an end. It is a time of darkness into which breaks an indescribable light. It is a time of imperfect perfection. It means everything to us because we experience anew the fulfillment of God s promises in one person, the infant Christ. It is a time of beginning, the beginning of God s kingdom on earth; and it is an ending, the end of our searching and waiting for God s promised salvation. It is a time of imperfect perfection because we celebrate God s perfect love being poured out in the midst of our imperfection. God did not wait for us to get it right; God came to us right where we are. When you celebrate this year, whether it is at church, or in a barn, quietly contemplating this special miracle, or singing God s praise at the top of your lungs, let us do so remembering that the cries of this infant whose birth we celebrate are no less desperate than those final cries from the cross. We will celebrate with this child amidst the poor and downtrodden of the world; and at the foot of a cross that is the hope of the world; or we will celebrate a glib and senseless giving of stuff. The world will stand tall to celebrate Christmas, in a worldly way. But this child came while the theologians were asleep, the rich were dreaming of more stuff, the successful were counting their wealth in their dreams, and the lowly shepherds were kneeling in awe. Christmas is either everything for us or it is really nothing to us. We either stand tall proclaiming our wealth and generosity or we kneel beside a trough and our hearts shout praises to the king. This infant whose birth we celebrate means nothing but gifts or He means everything to us as our all in all. Christmas is about me or Christmas is about Jesus and there is no in between. Blessings, Mike

December Sermons December 6th Message: Children s Christmas Pageant Scripture: Luke 2:8-15 Focus: Shepherd s Lament December 13th Message: Christmas.A Scandalous Love!

2 December Sermons December 6th Message: Children s Christmas Pageant Scripture: Luke 2:8-15 Focus: Shepherd s Lament December 13th Message: Christmas.A Scandalous Love!! Scripture: Matthew 6:24, Hosea 3:1 Focus: The love we celebrate at Christmas is not neat and tidy We are unfaithful and unworthy of God s love and yet each year as we celebrate Christmas we once again celebrate the perfect giving of the perfect love. December 20th Message: The Perfect Gift!! Scripture: Matthew 25:31-36, 1 John 3:14 Focus: The perfect gift has been described for us through Jesus teaching and his life why do we keep looking? December 24 th 7:00 pm Christmas Eve Service Message: Celebration of Jesus Birth December 24 th 11:00 pm Christmas Eve Service Message: Celebration of Jesus Birth December 27th Message: A NEW Road True Christmas Giving!! Scripture: Matthew 2:11-12

Activities/Upcoming Events: UMM will meet for breakfast at 8:00 am in the on the 1 st and 3 rd Saturday of the month; 12/5 & 12/19.

Quilters meet every Wednesday from 9am-4pm in the lower level of the church come and join the ladies for a day of fellowship and quilting.

Please denote giving envelopes Lane 6 along with donation amount.

3 Activities/Upcoming Events: UMM will meet for breakfast at 8:00 am in the on the 1 st and 3 rd Saturday of the month; 12/5 & 12/19. Christmas potluck luncheon is scheduled for December 16 th at 11:00 am. All church women are invited. Quilters meet every Wednesday from 9am-4pm in the lower level of the church come and join the ladies for a day of fellowship and quilting. All skill levels welcome. Missions outreach - Lane 6 for the months of November & December will be Local Missions Summer Games and the Wesley House. Please denote giving envelopes Lane 6 along with donation amount. Mission Lanes of Giving for 2015: June, Lane 3: International, Hearth to Hearth Ministries July and August, Lane 4: UMCOR/Hunger, CROP Walk and One Great Hour of Sharing September and October, Lane 5: Native/Ethnic Churches, Greensky Hill/Northport Indian Mission November and December, Lane 6: Local, Summer Games/Wesley

CHILDREN S SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS Under the able leadership of our two children s Sunday School classes, Sunday mornings are going smoothly.

4 Thanksgiving Baskets Thank you! Due to your generosity we were able to provide 20 families with baskets containing a complete Thanksgiving dinner along with a beautiful table runner donated by the Quilting Ladies. CHILDREN S SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS Under the able leadership of our two children s Sunday School classes, Sunday mornings are going smoothly. Sue Agge leads the K-2 class; Kris Gray and Jennifer Thomet share the leadership for grades 3-5. Kudos to all three for working to assure an interesting and meaningful experience for the children each week. In our effort to keep the church a safe sanctuary for all children, we ask parents to pick their children up from their classrooms immediately following the worship service.

PRESENTATION OF CHRISTMAS PAGEANT The annual Christmas pageant is being presented by the children and youth of our church Sunday, December 6 th. It will be a little different from the past 3 years.

Watch for Millie Bean and her two live sheep as part of the cast! After the pageant, there will be opportunity to photograph the children by the manger, then cake will be served in the.

Thank you, Sue Agge, for developing and providing leadership for this experience for our children. Your diligence and creativity are evident each year in the pageant presentation.

5 PRESENTATION OF CHRISTMAS PAGEANT The annual Christmas pageant is being presented by the children and youth of our church Sunday, December 6 th. It will be a little different from the past 3 years. Its focus is the shepherds experiences from being outcasts to being the first ones to see Jesus! Children and our youth are participating, some with two roles. Watch for Millie Bean and her two live sheep as part of the cast! After the pageant, there will be opportunity to photograph the children by the manger, then cake will be served in the. Thank you parents for bringing your children to 10am rehearsals each Sunday for the past 6 weeks and encouraging their participation. Thank you, Sue Agge, for developing and providing leadership for this experience for our children. Your diligence and creativity are evident each year in the pageant presentation. REMINDER: Dress rehearsal is Friday, December 4 from 6 to 8pm in the sanctuary. 5 TO ONE LAKE ANN NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER Our LAUMC partnership with the Great Start Collaborative is going strong! We offer a playgroup opportunity to parents of preschoolers, ages 0-5, twice a month, usually the 2 nd and 4 th Fridays. They are held at our Community Center building from 10-11:30am. DECEMBER PLAYGROUP DATES at the Community Center Building Friday, December 11, 10-11:30am Wednesday, December 30, 10-11:30am The December 30 th playgroup is a holiday party with special refreshments and games. You are welcome to bring children through grade 5 that day.

! Nursery and Sunday School Schedule for October: Dec. 6th: Marla & Katia or Jeanne S.

Nursery) Sue A. & Pauline R. (K-2 nd ) Jennifer T. & Amy G. (3 rd 5 th ) Dec.

6 We meet Sunday afternoons at 4:00 pm. December will be a busy month so come join the fun!! Nursery and Sunday School Schedule for October: Dec. 6th: Marla & Katia or Jeanne S. (Nursery) Children in sanctuary for pageant. Dec. 13th: Marla & Alex B. Nursery) Sue A. & Pauline R. (K-2 nd ) Jennifer T. & Amy G. (3 rd 5 th ) Dec. 20th: Marla & Amanda D. (Nursery) Sue A., Emily W. (K-2 nd ) Jennifer T. & Kris G.(3 rd 5 th ) Dec. 27th: Marla & Sage D. (Nursery) Winona Roper & Amber P.(K-2 nd ) Kris G. & (3 rd -5 th )

Len Sheridan & Rick St. Pierre; (19 th ) Marilyn Kamp, Megan Perry & Carol Snyder; (20 th ) Winona; (22 nd ) Jeff Seymour; (23 rd ) Karen Baatz; (29 th ) Lexi J.

7 (5 th ) Ryan Grant; (6 th ) Eva Bauer, Tara Brown & Kelsey Lawrence; (7 th ) Ann Beaujean & Shelly VanderMeulen; (9 th ) Peggy VerBerkmoes; (10 th ) Nancy Buchanan; (11 th ) Lori Carpenter; (13 th ) Kathy Roper; (15 th ) Ron Renfer; (16 th ) Ruth Leckrone; (17 th ) Jean Johnson, Shelly Seymour, Beth Simon & Jane White; (18 th ) Len Sheridan & Rick St. Pierre; (19 th ) Marilyn Kamp, Megan Perry & Carol Snyder; (20 th ) Winona; (22 nd ) Jeff Seymour; (23 rd ) Karen Baatz; (29 th ) Lexi J. Coil & MaryLou Whiteman (1 st ) Earl & Claudette Clark & Bryan & Dawn Potts; (16 th ) Alan & Anna Gray Church Office Hours: Monday through Thursday 9:00 am 1:00 pm

Food Pantry Hours: Monday through Thursday 9:00 am 12:00 pm.

! We are so thankful for the generous donations that were

Church, Lake Ann Brewing Company and The Long Lake Friends

Their generosity is greatly appreciated as we work together

Wednesday Night Dinners: - 5:30 6 pm Suggested donation: $3.

8 Food Pantry Hours: Monday through Thursday 9:00 am 12:00 pm. Your generous support is always greatly appreciated!! We are so thankful for the generous donations that were recently made to our Food Pantry by The Advent Lutheran Church, Lake Ann Brewing Company and The Long Lake Friends Church. What a blessing each of these neighbors are! Their generosity is greatly appreciated as we work together to care for God s children. Wednesday Night Dinners: - 5:30 6 pm Suggested donation: $3.00 per person $10.00 per family of four or more. Dec. 2 nd : Chili Dec. 9 th : Meatloaf Dec. 16 th : Ham Dec. 23 rd : No meal

9 Monday morning Bible Study becomes Monday AFTERNOON Bible Study. Come join us this Monday at 1:30 pm in the as we venture into our Advent study on the book Christmas is Not Your Birthday. All are welcome. Questions??? Call Susie Harold at Angel Tree: Our Angel Tree is up in the narthex if you would like to sponsor a family &/or individual this Christmas. Please see &/or call ( ) Char Hodges if you have any questions. Gifts should be wrapped with the tag from the tree on them and placed in the back pew (not under the tree) when you come to church or you may bring them to the church office. Gifts should be to the church by the 13 th if possible. Military Christmas Care Packages: Boxes are available to fill for our active duty military service men and women. Please give this prayerful consideration and contact the Papazian for further information (Jerry: Jeri: ). Hanging of the Greens: Sunday, December 13 th followed by a potluck dinner. Walkers: Beginning Monday, December 7 th we will meet every Monday and Thursday from 9:00 am 10:00 am at the Community Center. If you have any questions please feel free to call John Burch at

December 2015 Lake Ann United Methodist Church Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 7:00 pmtrustees 3 4 6:00-8:00 pm Dress rehearsal for Christmas Pageant Sanctuary 8:00 pm AA @ Church 2 9:00 am 4:00 pm

10 December 2015 Lake Ann United Methodist Church Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 7:00 pmtrustees 3 4 6:00-8:00 pm Dress rehearsal for Christmas Pageant Sanctuary 8:00 pm Church 2 9:00 am 4:00 pm Quilting 5:30 6:00 pm Dinner Chili 6:30 pm Advent Study 5 8:00 am UMM Breakfast 6 9:00 am Adult Sunday School 10:20 am Hymns & Praise Music 10:30 am Children s Christmas Pageant 11:30 am Fellowship 4:00 pm Youth 7 9:00 am CC 1:30 pm Bible Study 3:00 pm Blood Drive 5:00 pm Al CC 7:00 pm Boy Scouts 8 9 9:00 am 4:00 pm Quilting 5:30 6:00 pm Dinner Meatloaf 6:30 pm Advent Study :00 11:30 am Neighborhood Play CC 8:00 pm Church :00 am Adult Sunday School 10:20 am Hymns & Praise Music 10:30 am Worship Hanging of the Greens 11:30 am Potluck 1:00-3:00 pm Girl CC 4:00 pm Youth 20 9:00 am Adult Sunday School 10:20 am Hymns & Praise Music 10:30 am Worship 11:30 am Fellowship 4:00 pm Youth 14 9:00 am CC 1:30 pm Bible Study 3:00 pm Blood Drive 5:00 pm Al CC 7:00 pm Boy Scouts 21 9:00 am CC 1:30 pm Bible Study 3:00 pm Blood Drive 5:00 pm Al CC 7:00 pm Boy Scouts 15 7:00 pm Adm. Council 22 7:00 pm SPRC :00 am 4:00 pm 6:30 8:30 pm Cub Quilting CC 11:00 am UMW Potluck 5:30 6:00 pm Dinner Ham 6:30 pm Advent Study 6:30-8:30 pm Boy Scouts Conf. Room :00 am 4:00 pm Quilting No Dinner No Study 24 Christmas Eve Services 7:00 pm & 11:00 pm 18 8:00 pm Church 25 Merry Christmas! 19 8:00 am UMM Breakfast :00 am Adult Sunday School 10:20 am Hymns & Praise Music 10:30 am Worship 11:30 am Fellowship 4:00 pm Youth 28 9:00 am CC 1:30 pm Bible Study 3:00 pm Blood Drive 5:00 pm Al CC 7:00 pm Boy Scouts :00 am 4:00 pm Quilting 10:00-11:30 am Neighborhood Play CC No Dinner No Study 31 Notes:

Church Messenger October 2015

Church Messenger October 2015 Moments with Mike October 2015 John 17:11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power