The Messenger. December Monthly Newsletter of Hillcrest United Methodist Church. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Transcription

1 The Messenger Monthly Newsletter of Hillcrest United Methodist Church December 2018 It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. As I write this, we have just had the first snow event of the year. Before the snow started, I awoke at 5:30 a.m. to drop Heidi off at the airport for her weekly train ride to Chicago. The snow was just beginning to come down in the form of sleet as I walked out the door to go to the car; nothing had begun to stick, and the roads were in good shape. When I returned home I went back to bed for an hour. Much to my surprise, there was snow on the ground, and the roads were so slippery that traffic was moving at 15 to 20 mph! It took me 30 minutes round trip to drop the kids off at school when it usually only takes 10 minutes. There were accidents at every intersection. The winter season seemed to be announcing it's arrival in a big way. It is humbling to think about the nature of nature. We go through life making plans, following schedules, looking to what's ahead. Nature has a way of reminding us that you can plan ahead all you want, but know that what is occurring right now will present itself as the item of primary importance. We can dream dreams, make master-plans for life, save a fortune, or make a meal plan for the rest of the year. Nature has no respect for our plans. Life changes in an instant. As we approach this Christmas season, may we take the time to relish in the sights and sounds that only occur this time of year. The Christmas carols, the Christmas lights, and yes, even the snow, are reminders that another year is coming to a close. Take a moment to dwell on the blessings that have occurred in your life this year, and thank God. Take a moment to think of the faces of people whom you have had the privilege to participate in life with, and thank God. When meeting with family and friends, look at each of them, and thank God for their life. May you be richly blessed with a spirit of gratitude for the people with whom you have "done life." I thank God for each of you and for the difference you make in my life. Pastor Kerry

2 THE MESSENGER PAGE 2 This n That Please note: The January newsletter deadline will be Wednesday, December 19. This is earlier than normal due to the holiday season. December Special Days Celebration December birthdays and anniversaries w i l l b e c e l e b r a t e d S u n d a y, December 2, in the HeBrew Café after the worship service. Everyone is invited as we eat cake and sing to those of our congregation with special days in December. Cake Schedule: December: Fay Keck Please note: We have a 2019 sign-up sheet in the HeBrew Café for those wishing to provide cake for next year. There will be no Caregivers Support Group for December. Please enjoy the time with family and friends! Cathy Bloss Susanna s Kitchen Our next serving date is Monday, December 3, at 10:30 a.m. Questions? Contact the kitchen at between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Soup of Success Open House December 1 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. 907 Oakland Ave., Elkhart Church Community Services' Soup of Success program has a number of tasty and beautiful items that make wonderful gifts. Besides our popular food line that includes soup, cookie and dip mixes, we also carry an upcycled textile line, that includes mittens, trees, purses, coasters, wreaths, signs, and more! We offer local delivery and nationwide shipping. Journeying Through Grief Our next support group meeting will be Tuesday, November 27, at 10:00 a.m. in the HeBrew Café classroom. Cathy Bloss It s time to order poinsettias! This week and next you ll have an opportunity to order these flowers to help decorate our sanctuary. Once Christmas is over, you may take them home with you or give them away. Order forms are available at the Welcome Center. Forms and money must be in the office by Monday, December 3. There will be a Mitten Tree in the narthex for anyone to donate mittens, hats, and scarves. These will go to Guidance Ministries in downtown Elkhart. Please help us help others have a warm winter. Thanks to all!

3 THE MESSENGER PAGE 3 Primetimers Thursday, December 13 gather at 11:30 a.m. with lunch at noon I m sorry that we had to cancel our November gathering, but I wanted you all to stay safe! Martha Sims graciously agreed with the decision and will keep her talk safely tucked away for another time. The Clear Family Singers will join us for our Christmas Primetimers and share the joy of the season through music. Come join the celebration! We ll be having Martin s chicken for lunch. All you need to bring is $2 and a dish to pass. The sign-up sheet is now on the narthex bulletin board. And please remember that our December meeting is always one week earlier. See you soon! Julie Lininger Hillcrest Community Childcare Ministry If you want great joy at Christmas, don't miss Sunday, December 16, at 9:30 a.m. Our children will be doing their Christmas Program during the morning service. We are very excited to share this with you and our families. If you know anyone who needs Daycare or Latchkey services, have them call Teresa at ; we have some openings. Teresa Irelan, HCCM Director Cottage Meetings This is a time for Pastor Kerry and congregation to get better acquainted. We re asking that each meeting be limited to 10 people. Please sign up for one meeting. The sign-up sheets are by the hallway bulletin board. Sunday, December 9, at noon HeBrew Café Hostess: Jane Hershberger Wednesday, January 16, 9:30 a.m. HeBrew Café Hostess: Rene Wenger Saturday, June 1, 5:00 p.m. Mary Herschberger s home (13368 CR 2, Middlebury) Hostess: Mary Herschberger Monday, June 10, 2:00 p.m. Jan Sharkey s home Lake Shore Drive, Elkhart) Hostess: Jan Sharkey Sunday, July 28, 2:00 p.m. at Brentwood Hostess: Linda Vredingburgh Sunday, August 18, 2:00 p.m. Nancy Rowe s home (24990 North Shore Drive, Elkhart) Hostess: Nancy Rowe Carols and Communion 4:00 p.m. The offering will be given to the Bishop s Christmas Offering of the Indiana UMC Conference.

4 THE MESSENGER PAGE 4 December s Mission of the Month Soup of Success Soup of Success is an intensive 20-week (20 hours per week) program that addresses the whole woman mentally, physically, and spiritually, Empowerment is at the core of everything they do. They help the participants find their voices, discover their direction, establish their goals, and then help them figure out a way to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. Women must be at least 21 years old, be literate, and be drug-free. If they don't already possess a diploma or GED they must be willing to enter into a GED program. Women put their names on a waiting list and must undergo an interview before being accepted in the Soup of Success program. Along with the 20-week program of learning job and life skills, women learn skills while actually running a small social enterprise. Proceeds from sales of their products go directly to paying the training wages for the women in the program. Their current products are: gourmet soup mixes, dessert mixes, dip/dressing mixes, gift baskets, greeting cards, and recycled wool mittens. Soup of Success plants seeds of hope in the participants. Some of the things graduates have been able to accomplish are: Leave a relationship filled with domestic violence Regain custody of their children Get a job they love Move out of a homeless shelter and into their own safe, affordable housing Learn many helpful life skills All loose change and any designated monies will go to this Soup of Success. Thank You, The Missions Committee Scoutmaster Minute by Ronn Foster At our last meeting, when it came time to give my Scoutmaster Minute to the boys and seeing how we have gone from sunny and hot, to cold and wet with snow, ice, rain, and everything else imaginable, a Scoutmaster Minute on change seemed in order. We all face change. The Scouts face changes every semester in school. Additionally, once a year, each Cub Scout advances in rank. More change! Each new phase gets a little harder. Then, just when we think we have mastered the new change, WHAM! Another change is on the way. The 10 th point of the Scout Law is A Scout is BRAVE. It takes courage to be brave when facing change. Franklin D. Roosevelt said it best when he said, Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear. So, a Scout should face their fears knowing that he is not alone in his battle. The Bible tells us in Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. If God is with us, who can stand against us? Who/What is the giant you are facing today? Remember to be brave, and that God is with you.

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6 THE MESSENGER PAGE 6 December Birthdays 1 Marie Young 11 Nelson Miller 9 Mike Franks 30 Mike Hershberger Beth Laughman In the Know (no anniversaries) Please let the church office know if your special date was missed. The Lerner in downtown Elkhart offers a free lunchtime concert. Doors open at 10:00 a.m. and the show starts at 11:00. The December 19 show (one week earlier) will feature Frank Capra s classic movie, It s a Wonderful Life. Donations will benefit the Lerner Theatre Volunteer Program. For more information about LunchtimeLive!, you can go to or call The Lerner at Your Presence October November November November Date Scripture Readers Serving in Worship Ushers Communion Media December 2 December 9 December 16 December 23 Phyllis Osborne Lorraine Whitmer Chuck Vredingburgh Lorraine and Bob Whitmer Martha and Harry Sims Linda and Chuck Vredingburgh Patty Moore Wayne Rowe Jane and Mike Hershberger Phyllis Osborne Gerald Huntington Gerald Huntington Gerald Huntington Tracy Donati December Greeters Diane and Gari Lewandowski HeBrew Café Workers Jane and Mike Hershberger Christmas Eve Gerald Huntington December 30 Bernice Simms and? Gerald Huntington

7 THE MESSENGER PAGE 7 Cookie Walk December 1, 8:00 a.m.-noon This year is flying by, and it s again time to get ready for the COOKIE WALK. We will need lots of cookies, candies, and breads to have the success we see each year. You can bring your goodies to the church kitchen on Friday, November 30, between 2:00-6:00 p.m. If the time is a problem, please let me know, and I will gladly take items early Saturday morning; it s just easier to tray the cookies the night before. If you need your containers back, please mark accordingly, and they will be available Sunday morning. On Friday, help is needed from 2:00-6:00 p.m. setting up tables, folding boxes, washing trays, and plating cookies. On Saturday, help is needed from 8:00 a.m.-noon selling, refilling trays, and cleaning up (clean up might extend to 12:30). I will also need two people at the sales table. One will weigh the cookies, and the other will take the money. Watch for sign-up sheets. You don t have to sign up to work for all four hours, just whatever works for you. And even if you don t get signed up to bring cookies, you can still bring them. None will be turned away! Thank you, everyone, for your continued support. Let s make this another great Cookie Walk. Maria Purciarele (574) If we must cancel a church service, our closing information will be listed on our Facebook page (Hillcrest UMC Elkhart Indiana), our website at WNDU Channel 16, and their website, and WSBT Channel 22, and their website, Cookie Walk Recipe Here is an easy cookie recipe that always gets great reviews. one box cake mix, any flavor 1/3 cup oil 2 eggs Mix all together and drop on greased cookie sheets. Bake 350 degrees for approximately 8 minutes. I add chocolate chips, nuts, lemon juice, etc., but they are good plain as well. Maria Purciarele Valet Parking Now Available If you have difficulty getting from the parking lot to the entrance of the church, someone will be available to park your car. Here s how easily it works: 1. Valet parking begins at 9:00 a.m. every Sunday morning. Drive your car under the canopy on the east side of the church and a volunteer will be there to park your car and then return your keys. 2. When you are ready to leave church, report to the Welcome Center. A volunteer will take your keys, retrieve your parked car, and bring your car to the entrance under the canopy. 3. A volunteer will be available at the Welcome Center for those leaving after the Worship Service, after refreshments in HeBrew Café, or at the conclusion of the Lifestyles Class. If you have any questions, please contact Patty Moore.

8 THE MESSENGER PAGE 8 Lifestyles Class Study It s that time of year when there are reminders of Christmas shopping and Christmas gifts wherever we turn. What do we look for in a gift? Will the recipient like it? Is the gift of good quality? Is it pretty? How long will it last? Is there a warranty? So many things to consider when shopping for the perfect gift! Jesus said something that might help answer the question, what is a perfect gift? He said, Stop collecting treasures for your own benefit on earth, where moth and rust eat them and where thieves break in and steal them. Instead, collect treasures for yourselves in heaven... Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:19-21). Jesus was giving us a much-needed warning: Be careful now. Don t get your heart too set on material things. Any one of us whose life and happiness depends on material things will surely be disappointed, because material things do not last. They go out of style. They wear out. They break. During this Advent season, the Lifestyles class is offering a study, Christmas Gifts that Won t Break, by James Moore and Jacob Armstrong. There are many such gifts, but in this five-week Advent study we will focus on the four gifts represented by the four outer candles of the traditional Advent wreath: hope, love, joy, and peace. And then we will explore the gift symbolized by the Christ candle in the center: Jesus Christ, the gift of God s Son. As we go through this Advent season together, we might as never before receive from God and then pass on to others the Christmas gifts that won t break. The cost of the Advent book is only $5.00. Contact Patty Moore (see church directory) or call the church office ( ) to reserve a book. If you don t already attend the Lifestyles class, this Advent study is a great opportunity to enjoy the fun and fellowship of our class. Hope to see you at 11:00 a.m. on December 2 in the HeBrew Café classroom. Patty Moore, Facilitator Church Community Services Needs Volunteers! The Food Pantry is in need of volunteers to assist the Food Pantry Director as we serve our guests Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. It isn't essential, but it would be great if this volunteer is comfortable using computers. We also need people to drive our box trucks and vans for food pick-up. Our Soup of Success program could also use volunteers. During the Christmas season the Soup of Success store will be open extra hours. In addition to our regular hours, Mondays-Thursdays 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. and Fridays 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., we ll be open on Small Business Saturday, November 24, from 9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m., December 1 from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., and we have extended hours Tuesdays, December 4, 11, and 18, from 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. If you are interested in helping with any of these opportunities, contact Jen McOwen at volunteer@churchcommunityservices.org or ext Church Community Services Food Pantry Needs The Church Community Services food pantry could use donations of hearty soups. These make a great meal on cold days!

9 THE MESSENGER PAGE 9 Hymn Story by Julie Lininger Thou Who Wast Rich Beyond All Splendor The lyrics of this little-known Christmas hymn were written in China by Mr. Frank Houghton, an Englishman. I chose this song because of the beautiful melody and lyrics, and because the story behind it has a special connection for me. Mr. Houghton was the General Director of the China Inland Mission (which was started by Hudson Taylor), the mission that my parents chose to serve under when they went to Thailand as missionaries in the mid-fifties. The mission is now called OMF (Overseas Missionary Fellowship). Below is the narrative, told by Mr. Chip Stam, of the motivation behind Mr. Houghton s decision to write this hymn. Mr. Stam references missionaries John and Betty Stam. I remember my mom telling me their story and, in fact, helped her give a puppet show at our church based on their lives. This hymn was written at a particularly difficult time in the history of the missions to China. Missionaries had been captured by the communist Red Army and released in poor health after over a year of suffering. Others had been captured never to be heard from again. In 1934 the young missionaries John and Betty Stam (my great aunt and uncle) were captured in Anhwei and beheaded. The news of these sorrows had reached the mission s headquarters in Shanghai. Though this was a very dangerous time for both the Chinese Christians and the foreign missionaries, Frank Houghton [Editorial Secretary for the China Inland Mission] decided he needed to begin a tour through the country to visit various missionary outposts. While traveling over the mountains of Szechwan, the powerful and comforting words of 2 Corinthians 8:9, though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, were transformed into this beautiful Christmas hymn. Frank Houghton was consecrated as Bishop of East Szechwan in For the difficult years of 1940 to 1951 he served as General Director of the China Inland Mission, a time when most missionaries were either interred or evacuated. Although some would return after War II, by 1953 there were no more foreign missionaries in China. What Hudson Taylor had begun almost 100 years earlier would be left to the Chinese Christians to continue. Verse 1 Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour, All for love s sake becamest poor; Thrones for a manger didst surrender, Sapphire-paved courts for stable floor. Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour, All for love s sake becomes poor. FRANK HOUGHTON ( ) 1934 OMF INTERNATIONAL. Verse 3 Thou who art love beyond all telling, Saviour and King, we worship thee. Emmanuel, within us dwelling, Make us what thou wouldst have us be. Thou who art love beyond all telling, Saviour and King, we worship thee. Verse 2 Thou who art God beyond all praising, All for love s sake becamest man; Stooping so low, but sinners raising Heavenwards by thine eternal plan. Thou who art God beyond all praising, All for love s sake becamest man.

10 THE MESSENGER PAGE 10 HILLCREST WOMEN S MINISTRY Our Women's Ministry prayer: Father, thank You for helping us to grow closer as a sisterhood in Your service. Help us to be compassionate and to support each other, to accept our differences gracefully, and to show appreciation for the contributions of others. Remind us to be aware of the impact that our small services may have on others. We ask Your blessing on our sisterhood. Amen. Circle of Friends Stamping Ministry We have greeting cards to sell and hope you will still stop by our table on Sunday mornings. We would also appreciate prayers for our group as we struggle through some difficult personal circumstances. Thank you for your support. Marilynn Anson L.I.F.T. (Ladies In Fellowship Together) 1st Tuesday of each month 9:00 a.m. Perkins Restaurant (107 N. Pointe Blvd., Elkhart) We had 17 ladies at our November breakfast. We collected canned goods, which were given to Church Community Services. Our next gathering will be December 4. A sign-up sheet will be on the hallway bulletin board at the church, but if you re unable to sign up, please come anyway. All ladies are welcome to attend. Our December Project (adult bibs for nursing homes) yielded $300! This money will be sent to St. Jude Children's Hospital, and the bibs will be donated to a nursing home. Thanks to everyone! Corrie Bartell and Jan Sharkey Women s Ministry Board: Nikki Behne and Cathy Bloss, co-leaders; Terri Longacre, board member; Martha Sims, advisor The Mat Makers (We make sleeping mats for the homeless from plastic bags.) No meeting in December! At our last meeting of the year on November 14, members voted to change the name of our group from The Bag Ladies to The Mat Makers. Mary Herschberger completed her fifth sleeping mat in November, and it has been donated to Guidance Ministries. Ladies, if you have strips or plarn to pass on to other workers in December, please deposit them above the coat racks on Sunday mornings. This will help us continue working on our own, cutting strips, looping, making balls of plarn, and crocheting at home. Our sincere thanks to all who have contributed bags, especially those who have taken the time to snip off the handles and the bottom seams, then flattened and smoothed the bags in stacks, ready to be cut into strips. This is tremendously helpful for our workers. Regular second Wednesday work sessions will return January 9, 9:00-11:00 a.m. in the HeBrew Café. Newcomers are always welcome. Martha Sims, Mary Herschberger, Co-leaders

11 THE MESSENGER PAGE 11 Hillcrest Women s Book Club No meeting in December Diane Lewandowski, Leader After reading Only the River Runs Free in October (a thought-provoking but soul-wrenching book), one of our members said that she was ready for some feel good books. Here are a few suggestions for feel good winter reading: The Mitford/Father Tim Cavanaugh series by Jan Karon The Covington Ladies series by Joan Medlicott The Book of Joy by the Dalai Lama and Bishop Desmond Tutu (non-fiction) Almost Everything Notes of Hope new book by Anne Lamott Thank you to Bob Whitmer, Gari Lewandowski, and Harry Sims for lighting up the cross. A color picture is on the narthex bulletin board. Swimming Lessons by Mary Alice Monroe (especially for romanticists, beach and turtle rescue), or any of her other environmentally-focused fiction Alexander McCall Smith s #1 Ladies Detective Series (You ll love Precious Ramotswe, Botswana s premiere lady detective a traditionally built lady. ) Fourth Thursday book club meetings will return January 24, with the book choice for January to be found in January s Messenger.

12 Hillcrest United Methodist Church 4206 East Bristol Street * Elkhart, Indiana * secretary@hillcrestumc.comcastbiz.net Web site: STAFF Pastor Kerry Clear kerry.clear@inumc.org Administrative Assistant: Julie Lininger secretary@hillcrestumc.comcastbiz.net Worship Leader: Molly Kellner Pianist: Joel Lininger Finance Chair: Wayne Rowe Ministry Council Chair: Diane Lewandowski Staff Parish Chair: Patty Moore Trustee Co-Chairs: Gari Lewandowski, Harry Sims Hillcrest Community Childcare Ministry: Teresa Irelan, Director hccmdir@gmail.com WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHEDULE 9:30 a.m. Traditional Worship 10:30 a.m. HeBrew Café fellowship 11:00 a.m. Adult Studies 12:00 p.m. El Refugio Church CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. JANUARY NEWSLETTER DEADLINE: December 19 INSIDE THIS ISSUE A Note From Our Pastor 1 This n That 2, 3 Missions Scoutmaster Minute Calendar 5 In the Know Serving in Worship Cookie Walk Valet Parking Looking Ahead: Susanna s Kitchen Monday, December 3, 10:30 a.m. Trustees Monday, December 10, 7:00 p.m. Primetimers Thursday, December 13, 11:30 a.m. Ministry Council Monday, December 17, 6:30 p.m. Brentwood Service Sunday, December 23, 1:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Service Monday, December 24, 4:00 p.m. Caregivers Support Group No December meeting Church Community Services Lifestyles Class Hymn Story 9 Women s Ministry 10,