Thoughts from Pastor Jim

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1 Volume 11 Issue 8 Volume 12 Issue 12 August 2016 December 2016 This monthly newsletter is a publication by Schertz United Methodist Church in Schertz, TX. Its purpose is to inform congregation members of news and events within the church community. All SUMC members are welcome to contribute items for publication subject to minimal editing and space limitations. Contributions may be sent to news@schertzumc.com. Thoughts from Pastor Jim Schertz United Methodist Church 3460 Roy Richard Drive Schertz, Texas Senior Pastor Rev. Jim Curran Jim.m.curran@gmail.com Mobile Associate Pastor Mike Vlk wolfm30@hotmail.com Director of Music & Worship Arts Leah Krenek lkrenek@schertzumc.com Ready or not, the Christmas Season is here. For most people, this is their favorite time of the year. For others, it is a difficult time. Either way, our memories and experiences determine how we approach this season. Most of us share a common memory that is the traditional Christmas story. Experts tell us that parts of that traditional story are not quite right (such as the Three Kings which Scripture says were magi or wise men and did not specify how many there were). Even though we know some of these parts may not be exactly right, we continue to tell the story the same way because it is part of the memories and experiences that make the season special. This story continues to teach us and guide us in old ways and new ways. Part of the traditional story is that Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem only to find no place to stay because there was not any room in the inn. This is a part of the story that experts dispute, but remains a special part of our Christmas tradition and can teach us lessons even today. One of those lessons is that the story says that there was no room for Jesus! The story says there was no room for Jesus s family to stay while the baby Jesus was born. How sad that is! The church today is faced with challenges that are similar to Jesus s family. Challenge #1is that so many people do not allow Jesus in their lives. These people are living their lives in a way that shows there is no room for Jesus. We are surrounded by people whose lives are a mess and do not realize that what they really need is Jesus into their lives. Challenge #2 is that many feel that there is no room for them inside our church. There are many reasons people feel that way, some reasons are real, some not but they remain reasons. We are called to make disciples of Jesus Christ. We are called to help people connect to God through Jesus. This will not happen until we get people to open their hearts and let people know that our doors are wide open to them. Each of us is called to take this seriously and look for every way to open hearts and doors. Blessings, Pastor Jim Curran Communion is served on the first Sunday of the month at both services.

2 2 11 God Bless Us Everyone A Christmas Carol at Schertz UMC This Christmas, we are exploring how the teachings of Jesus can be found in Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol. From the ghosts of Christmas past, to the life of the present, and the resurrection of Christmas future, this Advent series of study, worship, and entertainment will bless us every one and reinvigorate our spiritual journeys as we look at this familiar story through the lens of faith. God Bless Us Every One Advent Worship Series Saturdays at 5:30pm, November 26-December 24 In this worship series led by Pastor Mike Vlk and Music Director Leah Krenek, we will proclaim that living in God s economy of grace and justice is the antithesis of the life-threatening addiction to money, success, exclusion and looking out for ourselves that seems to characterize so much rhetoric these days. Just as God s presence was born anew into this world, we too can be born anew, woken up and redeemed into renewed life, joy, passion, generosity, humility and love. The Redemption of Scrooge Advent Book Study Sundays at 10:15am, November 27-December 18 Ebenezer Scrooge is a man in dire need of a second chance. Is redemption possible for such a greedy, dark and sad character? The Redemption of Scrooge, from Matt Rawle s The Pop in Culture Series, shows us how the teachings of Jesus can be found in Dickens Christmas classic. From the ghosts of Christmas past, to the Life of the present, and the resurrection of Christmas future, this Advent study will bless us every one and reinvigorate our spiritual journeys as we look at this familiar story through the lens of faith. Scrooge s Christmas by Ken Jones Friday, December 9 at 7pm Saturday, December 10 at 2pm and 7pm The Drama Team will perform this stage adaptation of A Christmas Carol. See Ebenezer Scrooge, the wise ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim come to life to tell a story of redemption. Tickets are available online at Or in the Narthex between Sunday services, and at the door. Frank Layman 12/1 Darlene Runkle 12/1 Christina Marbach 12/3 Alison Gutierrez 12/3 Joy Mitchell 12/3 Dorothy Condreay 12/4 Euna Harrell 12/4 Lillie Ortiz 12/4 Auburn Ortiz 12/7 Aiden Dilworth 12/9 Beverly Riddle 12/10 McKenna Mussi 12/11 Jennifer Fuller 12/11 Diane Johnson 12/12 Carol Flick 12/13 Rylee Spreeman 12/13 Charles Hood 12/15 Alice Sutherlun 12/19 In Memory of Jim O Neill Linda O Neill George & Barbara Ricks Bill Lynch Myrna Taylor Dot Bolin Chuck Bolin Jamie Overocker 12/19 Mike Asher 12/20 Alexandra Murray 12/20 Sydney Murray 12/20 Charles Bolin 12/21 Diane Asher 12/21 Cameron Dilworth 12/21 Alicia Alonso 12/21 Evelyn Wooten 12/23 Samantha Spreeman 12/25 Erin Harvey 12/26 Tony Abbott 12/26 Emelia Volante 12/28 Mary Armstrong 12/29 Michelle Thomas 12/30 Kylie Vlk 12/30 Carl Moudy 12/30 In Honor of Bert Lynch & Family Myrna Taylor Barbara Blackman s Birthday Martha Hennig s Birthday Allie Kuhlmann s Birthday Bert Lynch s Birthday Barbara Ricks Birthday

3 10 3 SCHERTZ UMC WISH LIST These items have been identified by mission leaders, Sunday School teachers, and other members as items they d like to have to enhance the church or its ministries. If you would like make a special offering toward one or more of these items, please see Pastors Jim or Mike or Alice Sutherlun. To add a wish list item, contact Pastor Mike Item Requester Est. Cost 6 Smart TVs for Classrooms Adult Ministries $400 per classroom + mounts + BluRay players 4 USB cables Multiple $20 each 10 HDMI cables Multiple $30 each Wheeled cart for kitchen Multiple $200 Solar path lights set Lucy McCann $50 Playground Equipment Trustees $12,000 Microwave for Kitchen Multiple $ Choir Folders Music Min. $25 each 30 Choir Robes Music Min. $125 each Baby Grand Piano Music Min. $10,000 3 Automatic External Trustees $1,800 each Defibrillators Pastor s Discretionary Fund Pastors $25 HEB gift cards or any cash amount The Longest Night Wednesday, December 21 at 6:30pm While the Christmas season is marked by expressions of great joy, it can be a difficult, sad, or lonely time for many people. This intimate, reflective service of prayer and worship recognizes and blesses those who mourn, especially in this season. Christmas Eve Saturday, December 24 3:30pm A family-friendly traditional service featuring carols, candlelight, and message by Pastor Jim Curran and and a special interactive nativity story for children. 5:30pm A family-friendly contemporary worship service that concludes the Advent series, God Bless Us Everyone, featuring music by the Praise Band, candlelight, a message from Pastor Mike Vlk, and a special interactive nativity story for children. 7:30pm A family-friendly traditional worship service featuring music led by the Chancel Choir, candlelight, and message by Pastor Jim Curran, and a special interactive nativity story for children. Christmas Day 9 & 11:15 AM Missed a sermon? Pastor Jim s sermons are now online! Visit

4 4 9 The Christmas season is a time to share our gifts. We believe in helping others through our Advent and Christmas Offerings. Children s Advent Boxes Through the Advent season, children may take home a box to fill with coins. Then, on Christmas Eve, they may place their offering in the manger at any of our 3 services. This special offering will purchase llamas for families in poverty via Heifer International. Christmas Eve RACAP Offering Randolph Area Christian Assistance Program is the food pantry for our community. On Christmas Eve, we collect an offering to go to RACAP as a special Christmas gift. RACAP Holiday Meal Basket Program Items Needed: Please help RACAP fill their Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets. Granulated Sugar (4 lb. bag) Brown Sugar (1 lb.) Evaporated Milk Canned Pumpkin Chicken broth Fruit Cocktail Stuffing Mix Flour Yams Donated funds will be used to purchase turkeys and perishable items for the baskets. If you are sponsoring a family, the basket should also include eggs, margarine/butter, pie shells, celery, onions, potatoes, rolls/bread, corn, green beans, cranberry sauce, and the turkey. Thank you to everyone who participated in Operation Christmas Child We collected 102 boxes. Way to go SUMC! On behalf of the wounded soldiers and Alamo Decorative Artists, my sincere thanks to each of you who showed "Acts of Kindness" through your donations to our soldier box drive in September. Your items were very much appreciated. A Huge SHOUT OUT goes to our office volunteers! We appreciate all you do for our church! Thank you Leah Tafolla, Lucy McCann, and Kathy McCosh! We will be collecting for our annual Staff Love Offering on December 4 & December 11. This offering provides the church members an extra way to thank our staff for the work they do to support Schertz UMC and its programs. The staff members included are: Leah Krenek (music ministry), Alice Sutherlun (treasurer), Kimberly Campbell (pianist), Jodi Gutierrez (children's ministry), Stefani Behun (GPLC), Sarah McGillivray (nursery).

5 8 5 Have you been looking for different ways to give to God s work? Here are some opportunities to give this month. Grace Place Learning Center is hosting its winter Book Fair. Open M-F the week of November 28 from 6:45 AM - 6 PM And Sunday, December 4 from 10 AM - 1 PM Drop by and shop at GPLC All proceeds benefit GPLC to provide new books for the classrooms. On the first Sunday of every month you have the opportunity to give a donation to a dedicated area of ministry. The Altar Rail Offering on December 4 will go to Heifer International to purchase llamas. The children of SUMC will also be collecting and saving to help support this ministry. Grace Place Learning Center Presents their Annual Christmas Program. Update! Schertz UMC is being called to help people who have been affected by severe flooding. Two mission trips are currently in the planning process. Will you serve in mission? January 4-7: San Marcos March (Spring Break): Baton Rouge Contact Alice Sutherlun to volunteer your time, talent, money, or prayers to these missions. Join us in the Sanctuary December 4 PM December 18 at both services. The goals of the SUMC Drama Team are to provide wholesome entertainment for the Schertz/Cibolo community at an affordable price; to educate participants in the art of theatre production through performance opportunities, regular rehearsals, and summer camps; to support and share the message of love of Jesus Christ through dramatic storytelling; and to raise money to support our church. Ticket sales are anticipated to cover about half of the expenses for the second annual Christmas play, Scrooge s Christmas, including the building of a new stage, curtain structures, and lighting that can be reused for other ventures. In order to meet our goals of raising money for SUMC, and continuing this ministry, we need your help. You can sponsor the production of Scrooge s Christmas with a tax deductible gift in any amount. All corporate and individual supporters will receive recognition in the production s program, plus additional benefits at each giving level. Marley Level: $25-$49 Humbug Level: $50-$74 : 2 tickets w/ preferred seating; 2 free concession items Scrooge Level: $75+ : 4 tickets w/ preferred seating; 4 free concession items. Volunteer opportunities are also available. Backstage and technical assistance is still needed. Contact Leah Krenek or Brad Barrows to be a part of this fantastic production.

6 6 7 DECEMBER 2016 Regular Sunday Schedule 9:00 AM - Family Praise Service 10:15 AM - Sunday School 11:15 AM - Traditional Family Service 1:00 PM - PYG (5th-6th grade) - UMYF (7th12th grade) 3:00 PM - Praise Band Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday :30 PM - Advent Worship Service 4 Second Sunday of Advent 10 AM - Redemption of Scrooge study 12:30 PM - WORSHIP TEAM 6 & 7:30 PM - AA Meeting 5 7:30 PM Recovery Group 6 6:30 PM - Sonrise Emmaus 7 PM - AA Meeting 7 10 AM - Knots 6 PM - Drama Team 6:30 PM - United Methodist Women 8 7:30 PM - AA Meeting 9 7 PM - Scrooge s Christmas Drama 10 2 PM - Scrooge s Christmas Drama 5:30 PM - Advent Worship Service 7 PM - Scrooge s Christmas Drama 11 Third Sunday of Advent 10 AM - Redemption of Scrooge study 6 & 7:30 PM - AA Meeting 12 6 PM - Community Connections Team 7:30 PM Recovery Group 13 9 AM MOP s 6:30 PM - Finance Team 7 PM - AA Meeting AM - KNOTs 4 PM - Grace Place Christmas Program 6 PM - Drama Team 6:30 PM - SPRC 15 6 & 7:30 - AA Meeting 7:30 PM - AA Meeting :30 PM - Advent Worship Service 7 PM - United Methodist Men Christmas Party 18 Fourth Sunday of Advent Christmas Cantata at both Services 10 AM - Redemption of Scrooge study 6 & 7:30 PM - AA Meeting 19 7:30 PM - Recovery Group 20 7 PM - AA Meeting AM - Wuest Circle 6:30 PM - Longest Night Service 7 PM - Church Council 22 6 & 7:30 - AA Meeting Christmas Eve Worship 3:30 PM 5:30 PM 7:30 PM 25 Christmas Day Services 9 AM 11:15 AM PM - Diamond Club 7:30 PM - Recovery Group AM - KNOTS 29 6 & 7:30 - AA Meeting Youth New Year s Eve Party