TIDINGS. Invite! Invite! Invite! The Colors of Christmas. ST. JOHN S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 109 E. 14th Street, Davenport, IA 52803

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1 TIDINGS ST. JOHN S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 109 E. 14th Street, Davenport, IA December 2016 The Colors of Christmas 2016 ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS at ST. JOHN S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH This season we will consider various colors of Christmas and their connections to the birth, life, and glory of Jesus Christ. Join us for any or all of the following special ways we will celebrate The Colors of Christmas at St. John s: Saturday morning, December 3, 10:00 a.m.- Noon UMW Children s Bazaar Children are invited to go shopping for their families! While parents are treated to a relaxing moment of refreshments in our Parlor, Santa s elves will take your child to explore the awesomeness of shopping delights in Fellowship Hall! Sunday afternoon, December 4, 4:00 p.m. Christmas Cantata Tapestry of Light Tapestry of Light celebrates the rich heritage of seasonal song that is part of the British Isles with the Chancel Choir, along with a small orchestra consort. Be inspired by these time-honored tunes in a Tapestry of Light! Friday evening, December 9, 7:00 p.m. A Cool Yule Does anything get any better than an evening of jazzy Christmas music, delightful drinks and refreshments, and good times with friends? Join Ray Wierson and Friends for a wonderful evening! Saturday morning, December 10, 10:00 am 11:00 am Angel Breakfast in Fellowship Hall Christmas is a time for children and families. The Angel Breakfast invites children and their families for a great breakfast and then do fun Christmas crafts and activities. Saturday-Sunday, all services, December Distribution of Children s Nativity Pieces This is a unique and timeless tradition at St. John s. Each year, dedicated volunteers fire up ceramic pieces to give to our children through 6 th grade. Each year a new piece is added, so those who are part of St. John s throughout their childhood will have collected the entire nativity set. Have your child come this weekend to receive this special gift! Sunday, December 18, 8:30 a.m. Children s Christmas Program at the Classic Service Christmas and children go together like ice cream and cake! Come and hear our children sing and share as they communicate their excitement for Christmas! Sunday, December 18, 11:00 a.m. Musical Drama Baby Brother Jesus at the Celebration Worship Service Come experience the birth of Christ with this delightful musical drama. Watch the Christmas story unfold and hear the shared musical and dramatic talent of members in our congregation. Rev. Anne is the herald angel! Saturday, Christmas Eve, December 24 Candlelight Services 7:00 p.m. (contemporary service) and 11:00 p.m. (traditional service) A beautiful and enduring tradition! Join us for either service and hear the beautiful Christmas story from the Bible, sing Christmas carols, and light candles as we sing Silent Night. For many people, this is the highlight of the Advent and Christmas season and truly expresses not only the color but the beauty of the season! ONE SERVICE Sunday, Christmas Day, December 25, 10:00 a.m. Christmas Day Worship We will have only one service this day as we celebrate this wonder-filled holy day! ONE SERVICE Sunday, New Year s Day, January 1, 10:00 a.m. New Year s Day Worship We will have only one service this day as we celebrate the gift of another new year from God! Invite! Invite! Invite! Invite a friend to worship or to a St. John s ministry event in November.

2 !We hope in this season of giving, as you dash around trying to find that perfect gift for someone who has everything, that you will bring Christ s light to those who are forgotten or overlooked. Merry Christmas and many blessings in 2017! The Staff of St. John s UMC HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS The Church office will be closed Monday, December 26 and January 2, for the Christmas and New Year s holidays. Third Sundays at 3 Presents: Barley House Band December 18, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. Art exhibit by local artists Doors open at 2 p.m. The Concert is Free! St. John s United Methodist Church

3 The Spark...Be the CHANGE and PASS IT ON! St. John s Christian Education and Youth December 2016 Check IT out! DECEMBER Youth Group 6pm-8pm 4 Deck Hockey / Grace Wins! 11 Gift shopping for Adopted Family for Christmas 18 Christmas Party Selfie Caroling 25 MERRY CHRISTMAS 31 NEW YEAR S EVE Skatechurch Lock-In 7pm-7am (Rides are always available call ) Kid s Advent Events: *Dec. 3rd Children s Bazaar (9am- 12pm) *Dec. 10th Angel Breakfast (10a-11a) *Dec. 11th Nativity Pieces (All Services) *Dec. 18th Kid s Christmas Program Midweek Programs *K-4th Kids Klass *5th-8th Jr. Youth Group It s beginning to look a lot like Christmas...wait slow down! Mitzi Harris and Megan Keller are so excited to announce that we will be having a Children s Christmas Program once again this year! ALL CHILDREN AND YOUTH ARE INVITED TO COME AND BE A PART OF THIS INSPIRATIONAL CHRISTMAS FAMILY MEMORY! *9th-12th Small Groups/Student Leaders *Nursery available :) Looking for Ways to Serve Your Church Family in Youth and Kids Ministry? The Program will take place on December 18 th at the 8:30am Classic Worship Service. Rehearsals are during Sunday School Assembly Sunday mornings at 9:40am-10:00am I have just the thing for you Children s Church Teachers and Helpers Sunday School Teachers and Helpers With special practices on VBS Leaders and Helpers December 3 rd (following the Children s Bazaar) 12pm-1:15pm *including a Pizza party December 10 th (following the Angel Breakfast) 11am-12pm December 17 th ( dress rehearsal and final run) 10am-11am. Drivers for various programs Nursery (toddler room and crib room) Kid s Zone Welcome Center Greeters Youth Acolytes (5th-12th graders) For questions contact Megan Keller, Director of Christian Education and Youth Programs at megank@stjohnsumcdav.com. This Christmas season will be full of joy and inspiration as we remember what Christmas truly means to us! Mid-Week 2:42 program Kids Klass helpers and youth small group leaders There are many opportunities to serve even some that might not be listed above. Please prayerfully consider where God might be leading you to step up to the plate. Contact Megan Keller at megank@stjohnsumc-dav.com

4 REV. GEORGE WHITE BOOK SIGNING SECOND BOOK PUBLISHED Pastor George White s second book, Toxin 666, Terror in the Heartland has been published. He is giving copies of the book to St. John s members in exchange for a donation to the church. Book signings have been scheduled here at St. John s in the Perry Street lobby on Sunday December 11 th after the 8:30 service; before and after the 11:00 service; also upstairs at Jesus Country on Saturday December 10 th. (The book retails for $12.95.) Toxin 666 is a fictional story of a terrorist attack on the University of Iowa in September of Lives are torn open, reshaped, and healed. The cast of characters include a hospital chaplain, a Vietnam War vet, a grad student, teenagers, a school teacher, an FBI agent, and a black lab. The story ricochets between Iowa City and West Branch. Pastor George says, I was inspired to write the book when my brother Dale made a drop-in visit to one of Iowa s largest dairy farms. His family walked through barns, offices and the milk house without being questioned. I asked him, What if someone had poisoned the milk? That s how the story began. TRAVELERS WORSHIP SERVICE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, at 6:30 P.M. Christmas is a time to celebrate God s great gift of love, but some of us approach it with mixed emotions. While others celebrate, some struggle with sadness, grief, and loneliness. Some of us are excited to travel to spend Christmas with families and friends, but we regret missing worshipping with our church family on Christmas Eve. Attending the Travelers Healing Worship may be just what you need! Join us in the parlor at 6:30 on Sunday December 4 th. We will consider the mixed feelings of those who traveled to be present at the first Christmas. We will share the Christmas story in scripture and carols followed by Holy Communion and anointing for those desiring it. We will be reminded that just as God traveled with them, God travels with us no matter what journey we are on this season. Come join this intimate candlelight service! JAVA WITH JESUS UPDATE Java with Jesus is going very well. This time of fellowship is 10:45-11:00 every Sunday at the Perry Street entrance. Several people have offered to donate baked goods or treats to serve with our coffee. If you re interested in giving support to Java With Jesus call Marsha Findlay, The book is also available online at amazon.com or barnesandnobel.com. ISBN If you have questions, contact Pastor George at georgeandmartha@mchsi.com or call him at ADULT FELLOWSHIP MONTHLY DESSERT MEETING The next meeting for Adult Fellowship is December 7th at 1:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. You do not have to bring anything. This will be a dessert and coffee meeting with a program. The program will feature the Central High School Choir singing Christmas carols. Join us for the fun and festivity! New members are always welcome! Each month, we come together for fellowship, dessert and an informative speaker. For more information or if you re not on our calling list, call Bob Faso ST. JOHN S ECO MINISTRIES Due to my current work schedule, there will be no can drop until further notice. Please continue to recycle your cans and bottles in the containers located within the church building. Mel Lower BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS Our Parish Nurse, Barb Beeks, will be doing blood pressure checks on December 10 and 11 after all services. There is no cost for this service. All are welcome to participate!

5 UNITED METHODIST WOMEN There is no unit meeting in December. The executive committee will meet in the conference room on December 14 th at 10:45 a m DVAP: DORCAS CIRCLE MEETINGS DIAPERS: JOANNA PRAYER AT ST. JOHN S BEHOLD WE PRAY This is the gift giving season. We get busy buying and giving as well as receiving gifts. God s grace is a great gift. This month continue to thank God for being with you always and for giving you his grace! DEBORAH: Hostess: DORCAS: Hostess: ELIZABETH: Hostess: Tuesday, December 20 th at 6:00 p.m. Betty Stone-Potluck 5310 Baraboo Ct. Davenport Tuesday, December 20 th at 6:00 p.m. Dorothy Burkhardt In the Parlor Wednesday, December 21 st at 12:00 p.m. Penny Peterson In the Wesley Room You can fill out a prayer card in your service and state if you want the request to be on the prayer bookmark or the prayer chain. The prayer chain is more private and includes a large variety of prayer concerns. It is important that we get permission to put the prayer request on the bookmark and/or chain. Some people want their prayer needs to be just between them and God. It is also very much appreciated when you let us know of changes in your prayer concern! JOANNA: Hostess: Co-Hostess: MARTHA: NAOMI: Hostess: Tuesday, December 20 th at 7:00 p.m. Jo Lawson 4208 E. 59 th St., Davenport Karen Fordyce Wednesday, December 21 st at 12:45 p.m. Northridge Party Room at Ridgecrest Wednesday, December 21 st at 12:00 p.m. Carolyn Smick At Ridgecrest Have a blessed Christmas Season. We hope to see you at all of the many Advent Celebrations throughout December! CHILDREN S BAZAAR! It is nearly here! The fun event all of your children and grandchildren have been waiting for. On Saturday, December 3rd from 9:00-12:00 we are having our annual Children s Bazaar. Bring your child to the Wesley Room to sign in and have an Elf take your child upstairs to Fellowship Hall to do their shopping. There will be gifts for parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters, teachers and pets. Everything is priced between $.25 and $3.00. You may go to the parlor for hot chocolate, coffee and cookies while you wait. It is a really fun time for all, so we hope you are planning to attend. The Children s Bazaar is a great way to start off your holiday season. FOOD PANTRY NEWS Sharon Imming Thank you, thank you St. John's congregation! We collected 351 items for the Thanksgiving Baskets and 484 items were sent to the Food Pantry. The items received for the baskets: 88 cans of vegetables, 42 boxes of stuffing mix, 49 packets of gravy mix, 34 boxes of instant potatoes, 7 cans of cranberry sauce, 33 boxes of muffin mix, 86 boxes of macaroni and cheese and two gift certificates. I know there were monetary donations made but will not have a count until December. This will give The Center a very good start in helping our neighbors enjoy the holidays! The newsletter is being published a week early this month due to the holiday. I am sure I will receive more items on our normal Food Pantry Sunday. Those items will be counted and included in our November count. Remember Food Pantry is the third Sunday. Monetary donations are always needed. Peace and good wishes to all for a very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving Day. Enjoy your time with your family or friends. If you know of someone who will be alone, invite them to join your family or take a meal to them. I am sure they will be very appreciative.

6 2016 GREEN TEAM WRAP-UP!!! We have accomplished SO much the past few years. We have had some awesome Creation Care Sundays, two really fabulous Taste of the Garden events, a wonderful Blessing of the Animals. Not to mention our recycling/reduce/reuse project in the resource room, which was much needed. We have encouraged our church to recycle bulletins each week, reduce paper usage during mailings, and offered tips for green living. We spent a couple of Saturdays in outside clean-up events...which are so important to our Hilltop neighborhood. Our mug project may not have gone quite as planned, but we were able to raise $ for our small fund. These funds will be going to purchase some books for the library that emphasize Creation Care and how we as Christians need to care for our earth and all its inhabitants. As the Green Team chairperson, I am so proud of the work that we have done and the efforts by our team. Thanks to Diana Bentley, Sandy Macumber, Jeremy Hoppe, Wendy Laude, Rick Cole, and Rev Anne Lippincott. We as a team encourage and challenge St. John s as a congregation to carry on with Creation Care. It is our duty and our privilege to care for the earth and all that is within it. In your committee meetings, classes, small groups, fellowship gatherings, and in worship, we continue to encourage you to reduce your paper and styrofoam usage, recycle all paper, and print only what you need. Consider reusing items purchased for other events before buying new. Look for ways to reduce waste, and continue to find ways at church, home, work, and school to be stewards of the earth. The Earth is the Lord s and all that is within it. Thank you for your support of the Green Team, and our mission to spread that word within our congregation. Yours in Creation Care, Shari Cole, Green Team Chairperson SCENES FROM BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS IN MARCH

7 ANNUAL SKATECHURCH NEW YEARS EVE PARTY! A GREAT PLACE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO GO FOR THE NEW YEATS EVE! THIS IS A COMMUNITY-WIDE EVENT WE NEED TOR HELP! WE ARE IN NEED OF THE FOLLOWING: 8 SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS TO ATTEND GIFT CARDS TO LOCAL FOOD SHOPS PRIZES FOR CONTEST VOLUNTEERS COST: $35 TIME: 8:00PM-7:00AM PRIZES CONTESTS FOOD AND FUN ALL IN A SAFE PLACE FIND US ON FACEBOOK SKATECHURCH-DAVENPORT 1411 BRADY STREET

8 MISSIONS UPDATE Rev. Willie Trusheim, Missions Committee Coordinator December Manna for Missions Offering On December 3 and 4 we have an opportunity to give to the Lit Lit Program in Nigeria. It is an educational program in rural areas for adults who have never been able to attend school. The people learn to read and write in Hausa in an 8 week course of study. The teaching kit includes index cards, pencils, chalkboard, and a Hausa Bible. --$8.00 for the Bible, and $11.00 for the whole kit. It is a real help to these people and opens a whole new world to them. Pray about your gift. You may want to give a kit yourself or help give 40 kits totaling $ Mark your check or envelope Lit Lit Kits. Thank you very much! Did You Know? You can make year end contributions to any of the following mission projects of your interest: Missionary support to Red Bird School or medical clinic, the Fogelman s in South Sudan, or to Larry and Jane Kies in Zimbabwe. Heifer International which gives animals to help people provide food for themselves, such as chickens, pigs, bees, goats, sheep, water buffaloes and cows. Your gift will help buy any of these. Blankets provided by Church World Service ($5.00 each) Blankets are the #1 need in disaster recovery. UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) which is the disaster relief agency of the United Methodist Church around the world. UMCOR is always one of first on the scene and one of the last to leave. Kids Against Hunger is a local agency. Every $1.00 providers 4 meals to hungry people. Our Local Food Pantry housed at The Center. EQUAL EXCHANGE FAIR TRADE PRODUCTS We are pleased to let you know that we are once again selling Fair Trade coffee. On Sunday mornings just go to the church office and the receptionist will assist you with your purchase. You can sample the varieties available at Java with Jesus on Sunday mornings. For example, try a mocha made with fairly traded cocoa! MARRIAGE CONGRATULATIONS TO: Sarah Boraas and Ross Ryan married November 20, 2016 Just indicate your desires on your check. All contributions need to be in the office no later than December 28. Thanks to St. GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL IN 2017? St. John s UMC has scholarship applications available. Two $500 scholarships will be available in The scholarships are a way St. John s members can express their love and concern for our youth. To qualify, the applicants must be an active member of St. John s United Methodist Church. You can pick up an application in the church office. You are asked to write a word essay on how St. John s has helped you develop a belief in God and how that belief will help you going forth in life. We ask that you also give the church ideas on how we can make the church more relevant to youth. We ask that you have 2 letters of recommendation with the application. The application, essay, and letters of recommendation are due in the church office on the first Sunday of April. Awardees will be announced Mother s Day weekend, BAPTISM & NEW MEMBER Keeli Ann Satterwhite Keeli is seventeen years old and the daughter of Nikk and Staci Anderton. Besides being baptized, Keeli became the newest member of St. John s on November 20th during the Celebration Service!

9 STAFF CONTACT LIST (Clergy and Lay Employees ) Rev. Anne Lippincott, Senior Pastor, ext. 203 revannelippincott@stjohnsumc-dav.com Rev. Kwang-Seok Song, Associate Pastor, ext. 204 kwang.song@stjohnsumc-dav.com Linda Clark, Administrative Secretary, ext. 202 officemanager@stjohnsumc-dav.com Steven Ernst, Director of Jesus Country, ext. 210 steven_ernst1@mediacombb.net Mitzi Harris, Organist/Chancel Bells Director, ext. 214 mitzijoh@aol.com Linda Hoppe, Director of Living Faith!, ext. 212 mrslindahoppe@gmail.com Pennie Kellenberger, Director of The Center, ext. 306 liv4jezus77@yahoo.com Megan Keller, Director of Christian Education, ext. 201 megank@stjohnsumc-dav.com Don Sprosty, Financial Secretary, ext. 205 dons@stjohnsumc-dav.com Bruce Wallace, Director of Music and Media, ext. 207 brucewallace@stjohnsumc-dav.com Glenn Wilkerson, Building Superintendent, ext. 208 glennwilkerson52@yahoo.com Church office phone: (563) On the web: officemanager@stjohnsumc-dav.com St. John s Parsonage Addresses Senior Pastor: 2237 Fairhaven Road, Davenport, IA Associate Pastor: 2715 Avalon Drive, Bettendorf, IA PRAYER BOOKMARK As of November 18, 2016 To add a name to the Prayer Bookmark, we need the permission of the person or a family member. Please contact us at: It is also appreciated when you let us know of changes in your prayer concern. Grieving Families The families of: Edna Allen (mother of Barbara Roseman), Jane Aye, Betty Ayers (wife of Rev Byron Ayers who served as Associate Pastor at St. John s from ), Juanita Crowder, Donovan Gayman (brother of Michael Gayman), Julia Judy Knouse, Thomas Sifert, Ruth Thomas and Jan Wright In the Care Centers Bickford Cottage: Odessa Bean, Wayne Wagner Clarissa Cook: Nyla Thrapp Courtyard Estates, Walcott: Vivian Brubaker Good Samaritan: Herbert Iossi Palmer Hills: Dorothy Schwartz Ridgecrest, Crest Health: Irma Dresselhaus, Gladys Hull, Lois Lundvall, and Marian Warner Ridgecrest, Oakwood: Ruth Lounsberry, Joyce Tupper, and John Wiese Senior Star: Ann Duede St. Mary s Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center: Aimee Brown The Fountains: Warren Border, Pat Clapp, and Pat Parker Our Missionaries (supported by St. John s) Angela Hubbard, Red Bird Mission Medical Clinic Lynn and Sharon Fogleman, missionary doctors in South Sudan Larry and Jane Kies, Africa University in Zimbabwe National and Global concerns Syria, Iraq, Boko Haram insurgency, Afghanistan Terrorism and terrorist acts around the world Violence and shootings in many cities in U.S. and the world Recovery from natural disasters in U.S. and the World, especially for recovery from the recent Hurricane Matthew Migrant crisis in Europe For our newly elected local, state and national leaders in the United States It is greatly appreciated when you let us know of changes in your prayer concern.

10 St. John s United Methodist Church 109 E. 14th Street Davenport, IA Non-Profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 54 Davenport, IA Address Service Requested One Church, Many Worship Opportunities Classic worship (traditional) Sundays at 8:30 a.m. (Sanctuary) Living Faith! worship (contemporary) Sundays at 9:45 a.m. (The Chapel) Celebration worship (contemporary) Sundays at 11 a.m. (Sanctuary) The Edge Youth Group and worship Sundays at 4 p.m. (The Youth Room/The Wheel) Jesus Country worship Saturdays at 5:30 p. m. (Fellowship Hall) Healing worship service First Sunday of month at 6:30 p.m. (Parlor) SkateChurch (skaters) Wednesday (6-9 p.m.) Thursday (5-9 p.m.) and Fridays (6-10 p.m.) (The Center) SkateChurch (bikers) 5-9 p.m. (The Center) Monthly Tidings deadline NOON on December 19, 2016 (covering all January 2017 events) your articles to: officemanager@stjohnsumc-dav.com