Methodist Messenger Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!

Transcription

1 Skiatook First United Methodist Church Methodist Messenger Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world! 1007 S. Osage P.O. Box 910 Skiatook OK Fax: December 2018 Advent in Skiatook For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given. And the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) Advent is always a special time in the life of the church. Even though we as a culture, and as individuals are in a rush to celebrate Christmas, Advent is a time for us to think about what is actually happening in Scripture, as it leads up to the Birth of Christ. Advent is a time when we think about the coming of the Christ, and what it means to us, and what it has meant to people throughout the ages of history. During Advent, we read the words of the prophets, and we light the Advent candles of hope, peace, joy, and love. We light the Christ Candle on Christmas, knowing that Joy to the World, the Lord is come. While we of course still celebrate many aspects of Christmas, let s not to forget to focus on Jesus, and why He came. Throughout Scripture, we see Jesus referred to by many names, or titles. The Isaiah verse above references four different roles that we see Jesus being called to fulfill. He is elsewhere given the title of Christ (which means Messiah), Emanuel (God with us), Savior, Lord, Redeemer, and others. This year for Advent, our sermons will be focusing on some of the various names and roles for Jesus, as we read through the prophets and the Gospels and find out who Jesus is to us. Our Advent Sermon series will focus on the Isaiah 9:6 verse, and the series is named He Will be Called We hope you join us for these Sundays as you prepare your heart for the coming of the Christ. Dec. 2: Isaiah 9:6-7 He Will be Called Wonderful Counselor Dec. 9: Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1: He Will be Called Emmanuel, God With Us Dec 16: Lessons& Carols/Children s Christmas Pageant Dec. 23: Luke 2: He Will be Called God my Savior Dec. 24: Isaiah 9: 6-7; Luke 2: 1-20 He Will Be Called Prince of Peace Dec. 30: John 1:1-18 He Will be Called The Word, the True Light Jan 6: Isaiah 61: 1-3, Luke 4: He Will be Called Redeemer, Deliverer There will also be a special service, called Blue Christmas on Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 6:30 pm. Blue Christmas recognizes that not everyone is in a holly-jolly mood to celebrate. Whether one is mourning some kind of a loss, grieving in some way, battling depression or loneliness, or just any reason that makes one feel not very festive, or celebrating, this is a service for you. It offers a quiet, reflective atmosphere in which one may simply come, bathe in the light of God s love, hear a brief message of peace and love, meditate a bit, and remember those that are not with them at Christmas. If you or anyone you know would benefit from a service like this, please let them know about it. Anyone is welcome. Advent Blessings, Pastor Susan

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3 Youth News Fix Til Six Hello Youth Families! Put away the turkey and haul out the holly! It is Advent Season at Skiatook FUMC and our young people have lots going on. COOKIE AUCTION The Fix kids did a great job helping out at the James Mission in November. They sorted, folded and put away clothing for children in need, they installed outside lighting and they even played a game of basketball with some of the kids that hang out at the facility after school. On December 12th, we ll be headed to Owasso to purchase gifts for two angels from the Angel Tree. Bring $5 for Cherry Berry! December 9th The Youth kids will be baking on December 5th in preparation for their cookie auction fundraiser on December 9th during the baked potato supper. They are participating in the talent show that night as well, so please make sure your Youth kid has a green long sleeved shirt. Why? You ll have to come to the talent show to find out! We also need volunteers for the living nativity that will be on December 16th. If that is something your kids or you would be interested in, please let me know. Youth is covering an entire half hour slot, so please help us make this a memorable event and outreach for our community during this time of Advent. For our less fortunate neighbors, the Youth kids will be caroling for the homeless and impoverished in Tulsa on December 16th. Living Nativity December 12th December 16th And don t forget! The Lockout is scheduled for December 28th 6 p.m. 6 a.m. Drop off and pick up will be at Skiatook FUMC. Your child will need to be in 7th grade in order to participate. If you have questions or concerns, please contact me. Your Friendly Neighborhood Youth Director, Meg December 9th Lockout 12/28 December 24th Christmas Eve Worship at 5p.m. & 7p.m.

4 Misc. Happenings Servant Spotlight Thanks to: John Burris and Pastor Susan for helping with Youth Julie Guy, Charlene Blankenship, Dale Cooley, Tom Weathers, and Chuck Allred for helping to ready tags for the Angel Tree Judy Supernaw, Julie Guy, Kim Warrick, Verna Linzy, and Rita Keller for handwriting the angel tree tags Betty Jones, Julie Guy, and Judy Supernaw for putting up and decorating the Angel s Christmas Tree Sheril Lewis for coordinating the Angel Tree tasks and reviewing applications Vernon Fuller for resetting the LAF thermostats several times due to power outages Keifer Jones working on replacing lights in the LAF Tom Weathers for installing outside lights at the East doors Chuck Allred for having the stove repaired Craig Riggs for spending his day taking care of the church groundsmowing, trimming, weed-eating, and even climbing ladders A Year in Review As the year comes to a close, the staff would like to put together a year in review through photographs. If you have photos of various activities of you or family members involved in church activities, missions, or even acts of service done outside the church that you don t mind sharing, please them to the church office or drop them off with Ka Lu. This will be shared during service in early January. United Methodist Women Our United Methodist Women would like to thank you for your support during their silent basket auction during the month of November. Baskets were available for viewing each Sunday. The winners are listed below. Basket... Purchased By Baby Girl or Boy... Mona Keeline Italian Dinner... Christine Supernaw Funny Gifts... Glenna Long Sweet Treats... Chuck Allred Dog Pet Basket... Sharon Langenberg Fun and Games... David Reid Drink UP... Jennifer Brooks Tulsa Drillers... David Reid Keepsake Candles... Forrest Simpson Gifts are given To the LAF Building Debt Relief by Glenn & Mary Nelson To the LAF Building Debt Relief by Peck & Glendell Brown To Youth Missions, Worship Committee, and the LAF Building Debt Relief by Dale Cooley To the Angel Tree Project by so many of you! Red Cross Blood Drive December 6, :30pm 6:30pm Room 103, Church Building The Methodist Women send a huge thank you! Details on the December meeting will be announced in church. United Methodist Men In November, our United Methodist Men collected items to donate to Cookson Hills Ministry s Christmas Store. They extend their gratitude to all who were able to donate to this worthy cause, which allows families to purchase gifts at nominal prices. The UMM invite all men of the church to join them at their regular monthly meetings. They meet at 6:30pm in the LAF building on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. The next meeting will be held December 12th. Not everyone feels like celebrating at Christmas. Sometimes Christmas is a time when loneliness, loss, heartache, depression, or grief seem to be overwhelming. The expectations of society is that we are to all be happy and jolly, celebrating the season with gusto. That may be difficult depending on life s circumstances. Join us for a Blue Christmas service on Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 6:30 pm for a service of quiet reflective hope and remembrance. We will have some music, a brief message of hope, and a time of remembrance for those whom we are missing this Christmas. This service is open to the community, Invite someone you feel may appreciate it this year. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Two very important positions in the workings of the church are Sunday morning greeters and sign changers. If you might be interested in helping with either during the 2019 calendar year, please call the office or visit with Pastor Susan. Two to three greeters to help at Sunday worship service, with a month-long commitment would be perfect. You simply need a smile and a welcoming attitude to be prepared for your duties! The outside sign simply requires a once a week change. You pick the quote or verse displayed. This is also done on a monthly rotation. If you enjoy working behind the scenes this may be the job for you!

5 Sun 26 Mon 27 11:00 Level 1 6:00 pm: Quilting 3 2 6:00: Quilting Class 9 10 Tue 28 Wed 29 5:30 Weight Watchers 11:00: Level 1 3:00-4:30 FIX 5:15: Handbell practice 6-7:30 Trunk or Treat 4 5 Thu 1:00: CHUMS Game Day 10:00: 4:30: Chair 6 7 6:00: Girl Scouts 11 5:00: Talent Show, Baked Potato Supper, & Santa 4:30Chair 1:00 CHUMS Game day :00-8:00 Youth 1 Angel Tree Gifts Due am-2pm: Angel Tree Distribution 10:00: No CHUMS Game Day 4:30: Chair 8 10:00: 5:15: Handbell Practice 6-8: Youth 11:00: Level 1 3-6:00 FIX til SIX 5:15 Handbell practice Sat 11:00: Lev- No CHUMS 12:30-6 pm el 1 Blood Drive 3-4:30: FIX 5:30: Weight Watchers Fri 30 OPERATION ANGEL TREE: COLLECTING, SORTING, BAGGING, SHOPPING - Please check and Facebook for details :00 Quilting Class th Sunday Brunch 24 5 & 7: Christmas Eve Worship 31 CHUMS 12-5 New Year s Eve Party :30: Weight Watchers 6:00: Girl Scouts 6:30 Blue Christmas Service Church Office closed :00: Lev- 1:00 CHUMS el 1 Christmas Party 10:00: 3-4:30 FIX 6-8 pm Youth CHRISTMAS 22 BREAK BEGINS ASAC CLOSED 27 1:00: CHUMS 11:00: Lev- 4:30: Chair el :00: 6pm-6am: Youth LockOut CHRISTMAS BREAK ASAC CLOSED Dec. 21 Jan. 2

6 Skiatook First United Methodist Church 1007 S. Osage P.O. Box 910 Skiatook, OK RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED PLEASE RECYCLE! Advent and Christmas Activities Dec. 7: Angel Tree Gifts due We have a lot going on this year for Advent and Christmas. We hope you join us for as many of these as you can! Dec 8-14: Angel Tree Sorting, Bagging Shopping Dec. 9: 5:00pm Church wide Talent Show, followed by Baked Potato Dinner, youth cookie auction, and a visit by Santa Claus in the LAF building. Dec. 12: Fix till 6 (Angel Tree Shopping) Dec. 15: Angel Tree Distribution, 10-2 pm Dec. 16: Lessons & Carols and Kid s Christmas pageant at 10:30 worship Dec. 16: Youth Caroling Dec. 16: Living Nativity, 5:30 8:30pm Dec. 19: Blue Christmas, 6:30 pm in Sanctuary Dec. 20: 1:00 CHUMS Christmas Party Dec. 24: Christmas Eve Candlelight services: 5 and 7 pm Dec. 28: Youth LockOUT, 6pm 6am Dec. 30: Fifth Sunday Potluck Brunch during SS Dec. 31: 1-5 pm CHUMS New Year s Eve Party