Cross Talk DECEMBER, 2016

Transcription

1 Bangor First United Methodist Church 703 Essex Street, Bangor Maine Cross Talk DECEMBER, 2016 For Information... Phone: Website: (Sermon podcasts available) Facebook: First Dear Church Family, I realize that it s almost mandatory for pastors to bemoan the commercialization of Christmas, but retailers do seem to have turned the season of gift-giving into the season of debt-getting for too many people. With the annual holiday shopping frenzy looming once again, I can t help wondering, How does spending more than I can afford on things that people don t really need honor the one whom Christmas is supposed to celebrate? It s ironic that the biggest retail season of the year is based on the birth of someone who shunned materialism and urged his disciples to simplify their lives. So, what s a Christian to do? Included in this issue. This n That 2-4 Community meals 4 Meetings & Prayer Requests Birthdays 6 Worship Assistants 7 Youth Group News Advent Series As you may know, I m a big fan of alternative gifts. That s when a charitable donation is made in someone s name instead of buying a tangible gift. So, for instance, I might make a donation to the animal shelter as a gift for my niece who loves animals instead of buying her a useless tchotchke. Or I could make a gift to Habitat for Humanity in honor of my carpenter friend Phil rather than buying him a sweater he doesn t need. Or I could spare myself the stress of trying to figure out what to get my sister (perhaps the most difficult person in the world to buy for!) by making a donation to the emergency fuel assistance fund in her name. You get the idea. Think of alternative giving as the best kind of regifting. This Christmas, consider cutting back on unnecessary gift-giving and use the money you save to purchase alternative gifts. You ll not only be doing something thoughtful for the recipient; you ll also be helping out those who are most in need. And I think Jesus would like that very much. Grace and Peace, Calendar 11 Pastor Arlene

2 PAGE 2 Informal Worship Service Thursday evenings at 6: Church Fair Thanks to everyone who helped in any way with the Church Fair. It was a huge success because so many hands worked so hard. God Bless! VOICES OF ADVENT A Reader s Theater Drama By Jeri L. Shumate December 18, 10:30 service PRAISE Song Group Sundays 9:45-10:15 In the Youth Room ADVENT EVENTS Advent Sermon Series: Each Sunday at 10:30 during Advent. She gave birth to her firstborn child, a son, wrapped him snugly, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the guestroom. Luke 2-7, Common English Bible Christmas Eve December 24: Christmas Eve Family Service: 6:00 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service: 9:00 pm

3 PAGE 3 This N That... And he will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace...Isaiah 9:6b We are currently looking for volunteers for the next session. Sunday school...teachers, assistants, nursery volunteers and substitutes. We follow the FUMC Safe Sanctuary Policy that requires 2 certified adults in each classroom and the nursery. All workers in our Christian Ed groups must have Safe Sanctuaries training and training sessions are ongoing as needed. If you are interested in volunteering during the year, please speak with Co-Christian Ed Directors Nancy Isaacs or Rachel Downs. Fundraising While You Shop The Scrip fundraising program enables people to raise money for their non-profit organization. Scrip is just another way to pay for everyday purchases using gift cards in place of cash, checks, and credit cards and support the church through your purchases. Scrip Center offers over 300 of the country s biggest brands, including grocery, department stores, gas stations, restaurants and the like. If you are interested in ordering a card from the Scipt Center, contact Rachel Downs via at fumcbangorscrip@gmail.com or by phone at Coffee Fellowship Schedule January: Trustees February: Piburn March: Worship April: SPRC May: UMW June: Choir July: Sunday School August: Mission September: Handbells October: Finance November: Evangelism December: Administrative Council Snacks should be ready by 11: 15. Groups need to make sure all dishes are washed and the dishwasher turned off when finished. QR code for smart phones that will take you directly to the FUMC electronic donation page. Orders go out every other Monday. Family Enrollment Code: 4F488C5A49938

4 PAGE 4 COMMUNITY MEALS FOR DECEMBER DECEMBER MEALS December 1: Chicken casserole December 8: Seafood Chowder December 15: Breakfast for Dinner December 22: Beef Stew December 29: Pot Luck DECEMBER NEEDS December 1: Desserts December 8: Desserts December 15: Desserts December Check the Sunday 22: Christmas bulletin inserts themed desserts for need changes. December 29: Desserts FOOD CUPBOARD FOCUS FOR DECEMBER During the month of December we are asking for donations of the following items for the food cupboard: KEENAGERS December 19 at Noon Lunch will be served at a cost of $5.00 Coffee and Conversation Wednesdays from 2:00-3:00 PM Tim Horton's on Broadway This month's selection is "Falling Upward" by Richard Rohr. The heart of the giver makes the gift dear and precious. Luther Canned tuna, chicken & Vienna sausages Boxed Mac & Cheese or Hamburger Helper Spaghetti Sauce & Pasta Canned Veggies Baking supplies.sugar, flour, Mustard, ketchup, relish, dressings, Also toiletry items are always in demand. Please place items in our food cart in the narthex. Mission Trip Donations The Missions Committee is asking for donations to send a representative to the Dominican Republic in January. You offering can go in the offering plate, be mailed, or dropped off at the office. The total cost is $2000 per representative. Thanks for your support!

5 PAGE 5 December Meetings / Events at Bangor First UMC Meetings: Dec. 4: Worship Committee Dec. 10: UMW Dec. 15: Piburn; 1:00 Dec. 18: Missions Dec. 8 DCOM; 9-3:00 and DMT; 6--8:00 Events: Informal Worship Thursdays at 6:00 Sundays at 8:30: Pathways to God Sundays at 9:15: Bible Study Sunday School/ Christian Education 10:45 (2nd-4th Sundays) Children s Christmas Even Service: Dec. 24 at 6:00 pm Candlelight Christmas service: Dec. 24 at 9:00 pm Ongoing Group Meetings Food Addicts in Recovery meet each Monday at 6:30 Bangor Community Chorus rehearses every Tuesday at 6:30 (Sept-May) Toymakers meet each Monday evening at 6:00 Cub Scouts meet on Wednesdays at 6:00 (Sept-June) Delta Kappa Gamma meets monthly (Sept June) on the first Monday. EAAA Café: Tuesdays; Noon Page C. Tom C. Mary Jane T Dawn R. Nancy C. & daughter Eliana Bob L. Lonna, Chuck & Family Bill & Tammy Family of Marsha C. Sister of Rachel Parker W. Marie & Sherwood Stephen T. Bob C. Benjamin C. Peg S. Rozario family Dennis & Pat S. Family of Fred S. Family of Pat B. Family of Louise B. Our church leaders The Bangor Area Street Pastors Prayer Requests Into your hands Heavenly Father we entrust these people who are in need of your healing touch, knowledge of your presence, and your comfort. Sustain them in good days and bad. Help them to feel your loving presence with them during every difficulty, for you are always there ahead of any circumstance. Watch over all those who are in need. Help them to feel that you are always near them and know that all they need do is look to you for comfort and for strength. In Your loving name we pray. Amen Since Joseph belonged to David s house and family line, he went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to David s city, called Bethlehem, in Judea. He went to enroll together with Mary, his wife who was with child. While they were there, the time came for Mary to have her baby. She gave birth to her firstborn child, a son, wrapped him snugly, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the guestroom. Luke 2: 4-7

6 Birthdays CROSS TALK PAGE 6 December, 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Nancy Isaacs Diane Moody 2 Cynthia Commeau Jaddah Swett Ben Commeau George Wallace Jeff Fister Jackie LaFlamme Susan Leach David Pelkey Matt Nye Bob Worcester David Swett Phillip Frost Ane Christensen Hillson Beal Joe Haskins Glenn Mower Sue Edwards Scott Leach Michael Downs Happy Birthday to you, to Jesus be true. God Bless you and keep you the whole year through!

7 PAGE 7 Worship Assistants for December 2016 ***If you are unable to cover the date for which you are scheduled please arrange for a substitute or call Sue White. Readers Trustees Media & Media Sound Techs 4 Stephen Ritz-Perkins 11 Lesley Whittington 18 John Haskell 25 Bob Worcester 4 Andy Moody 11 Pat Woodbury 18 Andy Moody 25 Gregg Stewart Geoff Dapice Wayne Griffith-Hurst Sound Jim Burkhart Greeters for the 10:30 am Traditional Worship Sanctuary Door Essex Essex Street Street Door Back Door 4 Kerry & Pat Woodbury 11 Dan & Louise Hatch 18 Dale & Julie Brownie 25 Skippy Valentine 4 Polly Goding 11 Sylvia Moore 18 Ruth Shepardson 25 Barbara Warner 4 Gary & Jane Shaffer 11 Barbara Wais 18 Charlotte Witham 25 Gary & Jane Shaffer Newsletter Deadline Worship Schedule Jesus, Light of the world... Deadline for information for the January newsletter is December 19. Information may be submitted in written form, via or by phone. Pathways to God 8:30 Traditional Worship Service: 10:30 Christian Ed for children at 10:45 (2nd-4th Sundays) Informal Worship: Thursdays at 6:00

8 PAGE 8 UPCOMING EVENTS Youth Group Leaders: Coralie Cross, Nick & Cheryl Guay, Pastor Arlene Tully December 2nd Peer lead Bible Study - Morgan Downs has volunteered to prepare a Bible study for us to read and then talk about. December 16th Christmas Party - We will be doing such things as making crafts, and wrapping presents for Angel Tree. In the New Year'.. January 13th or 14th The Youth Group hopes to host a game night for the church, friends and families. Donations for refreshments will be accepted. January 28th Winter fun - sledding, tubing, ice skating, and building a snow fort in front of the church... Dress warmly! February (around Valentines Day) Youth Group Babysits - Parents can drop their kids off and for a donation the youth group plans a night to entertain them. Age limits and time limits TBD. Parents can then have a date night to celebrate Valentines Day. Other ideas for the 2017 Make a meal for the homeless Volunteer at Thursday Night Meals Rake Leaves or Basic Lawn/Yard work for Donations Faith Linking in Action - Public transportation month in November Trampoline Park Extreme Adventures/ Playland Adventure Bowling Hiking Crafts COME JOIN US!

9 PAGE 9 ADVENT.2016 Advent 2016: Awed & Odd We Christians believe in folly that there is peace, love, joy and hope in the midst of both the good and the difficult times. We believe that The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. This makes us odd according to those who proclaim the victory of decline and death all around. It is especially in this season of expectant hope that we can instead proclaim the awe-inspiring presence of God s reign that continually makes all things new. This is a season of odd juxtapositions swords into plowshares, wolves and lambs resting peacefully together, and those without a voice singing for joy! First Sunday of Advent November 27 Peace in the Midst of Conflict Isaiah 2:1-5 and Psalm 122 To keep awake is to open our eyes in awe at the works of the Holy in our midst and to the promises of God to continually make all things new. We introduce the theme of Awed & Odd for this season of anticipation and expectation. This first Sunday of Advent we focus on the practices of peace to which we are called, making us odd in the eyes of a world that lets fear drive our actions toward one another. Second Sunday of Advent December 4 Love in the Midst of Hate Isaiah 11:1-10 and Matthew 3:1-12 The Hebrew word translated in the First Testament as fear is probably closer to our word awe. Those who are open to the awe of God will be delighted at the love they witness blooming where once was fear and hatred. Isaiah s prophecy of unlikely combinations (wolves and lambs, calves and lions, cows and bears) can point us toward the awesome power of God to create more love and understanding in the world. Third Sunday of Advent December 11 Joy in the Midst of Despair Isaiah 35:1-10 and Luke 1:46b-55 We wonder what one person, or one church, can do, and we despair at the injustices of the world. When helplessness makes us feel weak in the hands or feeble in the knees, we are reminded of the power of the lowly servants as Mary s prophetic voice rings out in the Magnificat (the song of one awe-struck young woman!). Things in the reign of God are topsy-turvy. As the Body of Christ, we must be born again this Advent into the awe of God that leads to the joy of liberating service. Fourth Sunday of Advent December 18 Hope in the Midst of Hopelessness Sacred Drama: Voices of Advent Isaiah 7:10-16 and Matthew 1:18-25 Nothing about this pregnancy was usual. Add to that signs and wonders and angel visits and the birth of Jesus can be called odd at best. But the message is clear things can be born when you least expect it. So it is

10 PAGE 10 Bangor First United Methodist Church Calendar for... December, 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat :00 Community Meal 10:00 My 6:00: Worship 6:45 Bells :00 DCOM :30 Pathways 10:30 Worship 11:45 Worship committee 11 Bible Study 1:00 4:00 DKG 6:00: Toymakers 6:00: FAIR 12 10:00: My 12:00 EAAA Cafe 6:0o BCC 13 9:00 Memory Joggers 6:00 Scouts 7:00 Choir 14 4:00 Community Meal 6:00: Worship 6:30: DMT 6:45 Bells 15 10:00 My 16 UMW 9: :30 Pathways 10:30 Worship 10:45 Christian Ed Bible Study 1:00 6:00: Toymakers 6:00: FAIR 10:00: My 12:00 EAAA Café 6:00: BCC 9:00 Memory Joggers 6:00 Scouts 7:00: Choir 1:00 Piburn 4:00 Community Meal 6:00: Worship 10:00 My 18 8:30 Pathways 10:30 Worship 10:45 Christian Ed 11:45 Missions committee 19 Keenagers; 12:00 Bible Study; 1:00 6:00 Toymakers 6:00 FAIR 20 10:00: My 12:00 EAAA Café 6:00 BCC 21 9:00 Memory Joggers 6:00 Scouts 7:00 Choir 22 4:00 Community Meal 6:00: Worship 6:45: Bells 23 10:00 My 24 Christmas Eve Services 6:00 and 9: :30 Pathways :30 Worship 10:45: Christian Ed Bible Study; 1:00 6:00 Toymakers 6:00 FAIR 10:00: My 12:00 EAAA Café 9:00 Memory Joggers 7:00 Choir 4:00 Community Meal 6:00: Worship 6:45: Bells 10:00 My