December 2018 Volume 59 Issue 12. Inside This Issue. Dear Friend,

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1 Inside This Issue Adult Sunday School 3 Turkey Mission Dinner 4 Student Ministries 6 Children s Ministry 7 Music 9 Top Notchers 11 Announcements 12 Online Giving 13 AUMC App 14 Contact Us Pastor John Gaulke johng@altoonaumc.org Steve McLellan Minister of Creative Arts & Pastoral Care stevem@altoonaumc.org Matt Osborne Youth Director matto@altoonaumc.org Brandon Lindsey Children s Ministry Director brandonl@altoonaumc.org LeAnn Gaulke Director of Small Groups & Assimilation leanng@altoonaumc.org Sue Bennett Financial Manager sueb@altoonaumc.org Heather Mahoney Executive Assistant heatherm@altoonaumc.org Brenda Cort Administrative Assistant brendac@altoonaumc.org Dear Friend, December 2018 Over the Thanksgiving holiday, LeAnn and I were in Chicago with our family. One evening we went to a store that was packed with every kind of imaginable thing to decorate a house. While standing and smelling different candle scents, a lady dropped a glass candleholder near me. It bounced off the floor, and miraculously it didn t break. I just looked at her and said, It s a Christmas miracle! She enthusiastically replied, Praise the Lord! Her face mirrored her feelings she was so thankful and grateful that it did not break. As we returned to Iowa, I thought about what I said to her, It s a Christmas miracle! That s exactly what Christmas claims to be to each one of us a miracle. You can t read the story of the birth of Jesus without being invited to go on a miraculous journey. This is not an ordinary birth by any stretch of the imagination. The Bible doesn t give us that option. The only conclusion that the Bible gives us is that the birth of Jesus is a planned miracle a plan to save us from our sins. Listen to the angel Gabriel s words to Mary, Don t be afraid, Mary, the angel told her, for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end! Mary asked the angel, But how can this happen? I am a virgin. The angel replied, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:30 35, NLT) Mary, more than anyone else on the planet, knows that the child within her womb is a miracle from God. As we grow older we may be able to dismiss flying reindeer and a jolly old man in red suit, but the birth of Jesus invites each Continued on page 2

2 Page 2 of us, regardless of our age, to believe to believe in miracles. I invite you to join me each Sunday in December as, together, we examine the miraculous Christmas story with a series entitled, God With Us. Come and marvel at a miracle a miracle for you. In awe of His arrival, Pastor John Thank you to everyone who took a name and gift suggestion from our Angel Tree for Adult & Teen Challenge in Colfax! Please remember to return the UNWRAPPED gifts to the table in the entryway by December 9. Contact Heather Mahoney at heatherm@altoonaumc.org or with questions. Regular office hours are: Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Friday 8:30 a.m. - Noon Office will be closed for holiday: December 24, 25, 26 December 31, January 1

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4 Page 4 This year s turkey mission dinner was a huge success. God provided abundantly, and so far over $135,000 has been donated. This money will once again be used to help the poor, hungry, hurting, and lost both locally as well as around the world. On May 4, 2019, we will build the walls for another home through Habitat for Humanity, and on October 12, 2019, we will package 50,000 meals with Meals from the Heartland. Watch the bulletin and weekly s to sign up to participate! In the past several years, we have partnered with Hope Ministries in their effort to provide for the homeless, hungry, and abandoned. On November 20 we presented Kathy Coady from Hope Ministries with a check to make some much needed upgrades in the kitchen at Hope Café. These upgrades include a new outside kitchen door, a steam table for the hot serving line, and new ceiling tiles. We have also joined forces again with Les DeRoos, a missionary in Haiti with Laborers with Christ. This year the funds we provide will help complete a cafeteria for the children at the orphanage he serves. In February 2019 a team from Altoona United Methodist Church will travel to Haiti to work on completing phase one of the building. Our funds will pour a concrete roof over the first floor, provide windows, doors, floor tile, and a finished smooth cement coat over all the wall and ceiling surfaces. Electrical and plumbing work will be completed as well, and the entire facility will be painted and furnished with commercial-grade kitchen equipment. Watch for lots more pictures and updates about this exciting and much-needed project! Thank you again for your generosity at Turkey Mission Dinner We will continue to update you as the money is dispersed to help those in need in our local community and across the globe.

5 Page 5 We re excited about how the money raised at this year s Turkey Mission Dinner will help those in need both locally as well as across the globe. Globally, we will once again partner with Les & Catherine DeRoos and Laborers with Christ to help the missionaries in their efforts with an orphanage in Haiti. This year the funds we provide will help complete a cafeteria for the children at the orphanage. As you can see from the pictures, the cafeteria project has already begun. Our funds will complete phase one by pouring a concrete roof over the first floor. We will also provide windows, doors, floor tile, and a finished smooth cement coat over all the wall and ceiling surfaces. Electrical and plumbing work will be completed and the entire Front entrance to cafeteria Current ceiling facility will be painted and furnished with commercial-grade kitchen equipment. AUMC is sending a team to Haiti to work on this project in February If you are interested in taking part in this mission trip, please attend the informational meeting on Sunday, October 14 at 11:00 in the conference room across from the church office. Locally, Turkey Mission Dinner 2018 funds will help Hope Ministries do some much needed repair to ceiling tiles, an exterior door, and the steam table at Hope Café, which serves more than 170,000 meals each year to those in need in the Des Moines area. In addition to these two areas of focus, money from the Turkey Mission Dinner 2018 helps support missionaries to the Middle East, Mike & Cindy Williams and Cody & Vanessa Nelson, missionary to Uganda, Rose Kirby, and Caring Hands Food Pantry. We will again, as a congregation, package meals through Meals from the Heartland and build walls for a home through Habitat for Humanity. Thank you so much for your generous giving. See you Saturday, November 10 for the meal that keeps on giving!

6 Page 6 As the holiday season is now upon us, it is a fitting time for us to reflect with thankfulness on all that God has done in our youth ministry over the past year. There are a number of people who have played a major role in making this a tremendous year for our students, but we recognize that God alone receives the glory for any growth that has taken place in As we begin to look ahead to a new year which is in front of us, we are extremely excited about some of the changes which have either already taken place or are forthcoming in our ministry. We recently took time as a group to sit down and search out Scripture in hopes of discovering how we can best function Biblically as a group. Motivated by the Word of God, we have already started to make a few small tweaks to our services in order to glorify the Lord and best minister to those in attendance. These changes have allowed us to focus additional time on worship, prayer and the teaching of God s Word on a weekly basis. Moving forward, we are also very excited about the opportunity to host additional gatherings for our young people outside of the traditional Wednesday night Ignite services. These gatherings will allow participant to dig even deeper into their relationship with the Lord, and will help serve of the purpose of making disciples who make disciples. As always, please continue to keep us in prayer that we would honor God with the way we conduct ourselves in the youth ministry. Thank you for your constant support! To God be the glory! - Matt Osborne, Youth Director

7 Page 7 RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER The furnace is on. The winter clothes and boots are within reach. The first frost has come and gone, taking with it our last sight of a green leaf. Jingle Bells and Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer have taken over the radio waves. Christmas is right around the corner. As we begin to shop, put up lights and decorate the tree, what stirs our heart and fills our soul as we get closer to the celebration of Christ s birth? Has it all become about the celebration? Are we sharing with our children WHAT we re celebrating? It s easy to get caught up in the magic of the lights, the sounds of Christmas music on the radio and the wonderment of presents under the tree. We all do it. However, this is also the perfect time to explain to our children what Christ s birth meant to the world. We all fall short of the glory of God. How he was born to give us the one and only perfect example of how to live. Christ not only showed us the way, but also died for our sins. All of this is a means for true celebration. A child born in the small town of Bethlehem, growing up to provide an example and then saving us all in his death. Enjoy the lights, presents and music. It s time to share the excitement of our Savior. It s also a great time to help your children understand the true meaning of Christmas. Brandon Lindsey Children s Ministry Director

8 Page 8 Dec. 7th & 8th Puppet Show at 7pm FLC Dec. 9th Prek-6th Graders sing Prek/K sing 3rd service, 1st-6th graders sing All 3 services Dec. 12th Christmas Program Nativity Rehearsal Dec. 19th Last Midweek Of The Year Jan. 9th Midweek Begins For 2019!

9 Page 9 Looking back at Christmas past, I remember the excitement of gifts under the tree. We put on our gift requests in early, bypassing Santa and going directly to mom and dad (mostly mom). When the gifts began appearing under the tree we would search out the gifts with our name and shake them and press the Christmas wrap close to the box hoping to see what picture or words were hidden under the wrapping paper. The week before Christmas we would beg and then beg more to be allowed to open some presents early, even just one little present. Looking back over the decades I now remember only the BB gun, some Indian style moccasins, and a chemistry set from all the gifts received. There is a gift that keeps on giving. The guarantee reaches past the traditional offer of a lifetime guarantee. You can never outlive its usefulness to you. The Unspeakable Gift A Gift I was given a long time ago Has value and worth far beyond what I know! If you d try to place value on treasures down here, Collect them and count them it could not compare To the singular worth of the gift I received, And all this because I had grace to believe. The Gift came to me without cost to myself, But hasn t been one just to lie on a shelf Or to use now and then on a thought or a whim Every day, everywhere, the Present s within As Teacher, and Comforter, Counsellor and Friend, It is true that this Gift comes with great dividends! This Gift keeps on giving, through thick and through thin, It comes with the armor to fight and to win! It comes with a purpose of lifting and freeing And I have embraced it with all of my being! Because of this Gift, well, I never am bored; Perhaps you have guessed: it is Jesus, my Lord. The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 Thanks be to God for His unspeakable Gift. Continued on page 11

10 Page 10 AUMC MUSICIANS DECMEBER SCHEDULE Sunday, December 2 Christmas Carols & Cookies Concert Bell Choir meet at 2:00 p.m. Singers & Instrumentalists begin at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, December 9 Youth Praise Band and Sunday school children singers Join us in the sanctuary for an incredible celebration with a variety of great music; from beautiful traditional carols sung with bells, to country Christmas with guitar, fiddle, and more. Hear the choir singers present Christmas Is Coming jazz style with bells and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas with the bells, synthesizer, and percussion. After the concert, you are invited to enjoy Christmas cookies and beverages. Nursery will be available. DECEMBER 16th 8:15 a.m. 9:45 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. CELEBRATING THE CHILD Music selections include songs from Mandisa, a touch of Urban gospel, and some rockin, re-energized, timeless classics. Presented by our Worship Choir and Christmas orchestra. Wednesday, December 12 Dress Rehearsal All participating groups needed at dress rehearsal Orchestra & Choir start promptly at 6:30 p.m. in sanctuary Nativity actors & actresses meet at 6:40 p.m. in the Children s Church room. (Estimated time of completion is 7:30 p.m.) Praise Band & Orchestra at 7:50 p.m. Sunday, December 16 Celebrating The Child Breakfast at 6:45 a.m. in the choir room Choir & Orchestra start promptly at 7:00 a.m. Bell Choir at 7:45 a.m. Jr Choir and Worship Band at 8:00 a.m. Worship times : 8:15, 9:45,11:00 a.m. Christmas Eve Schedules Sunday, December 23 Christmas Eve Praise Band meet at 5:00 p.m. Choir & Orchestra meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday, December 24 Christmas Eve Praise Band meet at 2:15 p.m. Choir & Orchestra meet at 2:30 p.m. Worship times: 3:00 & 5:00 p.m. No rehearsals December 26 or January rehearsals begin January 9 We are dedicating it all as our gift to the community and to The Child who whose namesake the holiday bears.

11 Page 11 Top Notchers A ministry for adults 55+ Upcoming Get Together Sunday, December 2, 3:00 p.m. note the date change Program: Carols, Cookies & Candles AUMC Bell Choir Performance Sanctuary & Chapel Bring a dozen cookies to share! Tuesday, January 8, 12:00 p.m. Program: Movie The Shack with popcorn and pizza Bring a donation for the food pantry Bring a friend, new people are always welcome! Pasoral Partners Consider sending a DVD to a homebound friend or loved one. DVD s may be purchased for $5 each. If you or family member would like prayer support or a hospital visit please fill out the prayer request on the back of the Connect Card or call the church office at

12 Page 12 Men s Breakfast Saturday - December 15th 8:00 a.m. in the Family Life Center United Methodist Women UMW Meeting December 6th at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel for our Christmas meeting. Bring a batch of cookies or candy for our treats and a cookie exchange. Our mission project is paper products for New Directions at Hawthorne Hill Ministries. Abigail Circle: Dec.20 at 9:30 a.m. at Perkins Martha Circle: Dec. 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Connie Ruggles for Christmas dinner. Bring a dish and a $10 gift for gift exchange Boxed Offering Envelopes for 2019 Boxed offering envelopes will be available at the Welcome Center the week of December 9th. AUMC Adult Basketball Join us in the Family Life Center on Monday nights, beginning November 5th at 6:30 p.m. for some pickup games. No prior NBA experience is necessary! Contact Paul Mahoney at for more information.

13 Page 13 Altoona United Methodist Church has two electronic options for giving. You can register to give regularly or make a one-time gift by going to our church website, Click on the Give tab. Once you have clicked on the Give Online button, choose First Time? on the left side of the E-Giving Login page. Enter your information, create a password, and hit Submit. Your donation can come from your checking, savings, debit card, Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. You will have the option of making a one -time gift or a recurring donation on a schedule that you set up. Once you have registered, you have the ability to adjust your giving as desired by logging in with your address and password. Another option for electronic giving is through our new church app. In the Worship menu, choose Give Online and then follow the instructions above. If you have any questions about this secure electronic giving option, please contact Heather Mahoney at or heatherm@altoonaumc.org. She is happy to meet with you to help you set up your account or answer any of your questions.

14 Page 14 Available for ios and Android. If you would like to receive weekly updates via , please go to the church website, Under the Connect tab, choose Signup, enter your address, choose the (s) you would like to receive, and they will begin arriving on a weekly basis! If you would like to be included on our prayer chain list, please go to the church website, choose Prayer Chain Signup under the Connect tab, enter your address, and choose the Prayer Chain list.