May you have the merriest and most blessed of all Christmas this year!

Transcription

1 Surfside United Methodist Church Dear Friends: December 2013 On Sunday, November 24, our District Superintendent, the Rev. Dickie Knight, shared with our congregation his journey of faith in regards to the moves he has made while serving the Marion District. He and his wife have lived in three different homes and will soon be moving into their permanent home, the new district parsonage. On that faith journey, God surprised him with a sign some Easter lilies in full bloom in June. Those lilies provided peace in a somewhat worrisome situation. The truth is we all experience times that challenge us. We are confronted with situations that push us to the bounds of our ability to cope. And we are prone to worry. Yet, Jesus teaches us repeatedly that we are not to worry. When we worry we show a lack of faith in the God who created us in His own image. I think God shows us signs like the Easter lilies to remind us we need not worry. God wants us to remember that He is in control even when we cannot see it. DECEMBER USHERS 8:30 AM Ed Curlee (C) Susan Alexander Sarah Beck John Boyd Betty Roberts 11:00 AM Chester Abee (C) Joe Dowling Steve Meletes Bill Silvers Two-thousand years ago God sent a sign of His love and grace. God sent His own Son into the world. He was born on Christmas Day in the town of Bethlehem in a common stable to a young woman named Mary. There is nothing strange about a baby being born. It happens all the time. But this baby was different. This baby was God s assurance that He loves us unconditionally. This baby was a sign for every generation that the God who created the Universe is the very same God who loves us. As we approach Christmas this year I invite you to look for the signs God has set before us. A rainbow. A child s laugh. An elderly person s smile. A special flower. A kind word. A greeting from a stranger. A Scripture verse that is just the confirmation you needed. A special star in the sky. When we look, we see God everywhere because God is everywhere. When we look at our problems, our cares, and our worries that is all we see. Focusing on them keeps us from seeing God and all the signs of His wonder and majesty displayed before us. But when we turn our eyes upon Jesus and look full in His wonderful face, the worries aren t so bad anymore. When we worship God s majesty, the cares aren t so devastating anymore. When our gaze is fixed above, our problems aren t so insurmountable anymore. When God is on our mind, our lives are less burdensome. Christmas will be here before you know it. But, Jesus is already here. He is all around you. The Spirit of God is everywhere you look. God is so big He is everywhere at once yet so small He knows all about you and all your needs before you ask. I hope you ll see the signs God is showing you and you ll never forget not even for a second that God loves you now and for all eternity! May you have the merriest and most blessed of all Christmas this year! Peace,

2 DISCIPLESHIP PASTOR CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS...OR CHRIST? Back in October, due to the funeral of a family member in Florida, along with attending a Women's Faith Conference in Charlotte, along with participating in a Continuing Education event in Durham, NC, I did a lot of traveling in a four-week period of time! And much of that traveling was done in the midst of very unfamiliar territory! In fact, on one such occasion as I was trying to find "my way" from one location to the next, I discovered that I was on the right road...but I was headed in the totally wrong direction! On the right road...but headed in the wrong direction...has that ever happened to you...literally or figuratively? I imagine your answer is "yes". On the right road...but headed in the wrong direction...have you ever thought about that concept as it relates to Christmas? Perhaps you would agree that the religious climate which existed in Judea at the time Jesus was born is a perfect illustration of...being on the right road but headed in the wrong direction. In other words, the temple theologians in Jesus' day presented themselves as those who had "all the right answers" about what God wanted...but those same temple theologians had absolutely no clue about who God really was! In the same way, those religious leaders in Jerusalem told the people things about the Messiah that they wanted to hear...that He would come with strong armies and strategic defenses and tactical weapons...but they failed to truly teach the people things about the Messiah that would both challenge them and change them...love your enemies, forgive those who persecute you, give what you have to all those in need... In light of this little "history lesson", think again about the concept...on the right road but headed in the wrong direction. Unfortunately, I think that phrase describes how many of us contemporary Christians...yes, I said "Christians"...go about celebrating Christmas. That is to say, it still comes as a shock to many "believers" that Jesus did not come into this world amidst bells and flashing lights and carols and ribbons and wrapping paper! Neither did Jesus come into this world to bless and affirm the religious community! Rather, Jesus came into this world quietly...and extremely humbly. And, more importantly even than that, Jesus came into this world to offer a wake-up call to all of us who are enjoying a deep spiritual sleep! Whether we want to hear it or not, God came into this world, through Jesus Christ, to build up people of FAITH, not people of RELIG- ION. God came into this world, through Jesus Christ, NOT to encourage individuals to go "their own way"...but rather, to CALL each of us to confess that we are, indeed, headed the wrong way, and nothing but the grace of a loving Savior can set us in the right direction...over and over again! So here's a question to ponder as you journey along your personal road through Advent...does your destination involve celebrating Christmas, or celebrating Christ? Does your Advent journey involve doing what makes you happy and giving the right things to the right people and attending the acceptable events in the proper places and spending an extravagant amount of money for all the appropriate gifts? Or does your Advent journey involve a personal confession about your constant rebellion against God, followed by a declaration of dependence on God to direct your path? Does your Advent journey involve a surrender to self followed by a desire for God's infinite guidance? Does your Advent journey involve the abandonment of your personal plan for life, in favor of God's plan and God's purpose for your life? And, most importantly of all, does your Advent journey involve...not your KNOWLEDGE of, but rather your FAITH in the Christ of Bethlehem...who came to turn us around from heading in the wrong direction to traveling on the Right Road once again? Peace be with you during your Advent journey. Happy Christ celebration! Pastor Kim Instill in me a caring heart, O Lord, for it is in caring and sharing that my life is enriched and my joys are multiplied. Amen PAGE 2 As we busy ourselves getting ready for Christmas, we realize that a New Year is just days away has been a great year for Surfside United Methodist Women. We had a record crowd at our November meeting and thank Gini Abee and Care Circle for planning a memorable Veteran s Day salute enjoyed by all. Thank you to all the officers who have faithfully served all year and our membership who supports our PURPOSE by giving a Pledge to Mission, by attending Circle Meetings, the Mother/Daughter Banquet, and General Meetings. You have helped us raise monies for Mission Giving at our Fall Festival Bake Sale and are baking holiday cookies NOW for our Annual Cookie Walk. A budget for 2014 has been approved and officers have been elected and installed. A special thank you to Brenda Richards who has served the past four years as our Spiritual Growth Leader. We welcome Nancy Yongue, as Vice President, and Mary Hope Funkhouser, as Spiritual Growth Leader, onto the executive board. We will meet early in the New Year to set our calendar for Thanks to our terrific Circle Leaders for their devotion to SUMW in I look forward to working with you again in Congratulations to Brenda Richards and Sandra Wetter, recipients of our Special Mission Recognitions. A gift to mission has been given in each of their names and they have been presented with a gold recognition pin. Thank you for all you have done, and will continue to do, in mission at Surfside UMC and in our community. Dates to remember: December 14 Annual Cookie Walk 9 AM to 1 PM we need lots of cookies! Sign-up Sheet for working is on the UMW bulletin board. Cookies should be brought to the Fellowship Hall Kitchen on Friday. December 15 Hosting Cantata Choir/Orchestra Reception 9:30-10:30 Fellowship Hall. All donated refreshments should be brought before 8:30 Sunday morning January 11 Officer Training at Aynor UMC 9:30 AM, no pre-registration is required January 25 Mini-Mission u Trinity UMC, Conway - $13 registration includes lunch February 15 Grand Strand Cluster Meeting First UMC, MB I am honored to serve another year as President of Surfside United Methodist Women. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Judy Lienemann

3 HOPE CIRCLE Hope Circle will have their annual Christmas luncheon at noon on December 5th at the home of Diane Stiles at 4500 Firethorne Drive in Murrells Inlet. Please join us and bring a salad or a dessert. Any questions, please call Diane at Members should bring their individual contribution to the Adopt -A-Child Program. JOY CIRCLE Joy Circle will have their Christmas lunch at Damon s at 12:00 on Tuesday, December 10th. Call Bee Swartz if you are not attending. If you need a ride call Charlotte Sandel. We will be taking a love offering for the Drew Lattin scholarship fund. MARY BAKER CIRCLE Mary Baker Circle will meet at Damon s Restaurant on Wednesday, December 11 at 12:00 p.m. We will carpool from the church leaving promptly at 11:30. If you are not a member of any of our five circles or you are a member and wish to attend, you are very much welcome. Please contact Elaine Paige, CARE CIRCLE CARE Circle will share in the joys of the season with our 25th Annual Christmas Gathering. Come join us on Monday, December 16 at 6:00 pm at the home of Gini Abee. Bring a kiddie book (unwrapped), a holiday gift for our fun exchange, and a munchie or dish. All ladies of the church are welcome. To make sure we have enough soup in the pot, call Gini Abee at to save you a seat. Jeans and Christmas sweaters are expected. We look forward to sharing and continuing our traditional CARE Circle Christmas with our Sisters. QUEST CIRCLE Quest Circle will have a combined Nov/Dec meeting on Tuesday, December 10, 6:30 PM at the home of Terry Senior. This is our annual wrapping party for Help 4 Kids. We provide socks and underwear for boys and girls from size 2 to 20. UMW READING PROGRAM Congratulations to Sallie Crowley, Sally Jones, Charlotte Sandel, Doris Shoebridge and Nancy Yongue for receiving Reading Certificates at Marion District Meeting. DECEMBER SPIRIT NIGHT MENU DEC. 4 SPAGHETTI W/ MEAT SAUCE SALAD BAR APPLESAUCE BREAD AND BUTTER DESSERT DRINK DEC. 11 MEAT LOAF/GRAVY PARSLEY RED POTATOES PEAS AND CARROTS SLICED PEACHES BREAD AND BUTTER DESSERT DRINK PAGE 3 DEC. 18 CHRISTMAS FELLOWSHIP 4:45 PM HOR D OUVRES PM HOLIDAY DINNER ROASTED PORK LOIN/ GRAVY/STUFFING MASHED POTATOES/GRAVY GREEN BEANS HOLIDAY FRUIT SALAD BREAD AND BUTTER DESSERT DRINK Please sign up Wednesday nights in the Family Life Center or Thursday through Monday in the Narthex of the Fellowship Hall. Meals begin at p.m. with blessing. Meals are $6.00 for adults, $3.00 for children 4-12 years old, children 3 and under will be free. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all! May God bless you all during the holiday season and always. Please pray for our country and our soldiers who each day defend our freedom so we may celebrate the birth of baby Jesus.

4 CHOIR NOTES Jubilation Ringers will ring in the Advent season with Christmas selections during both our communion services on December 1. Spirit Singers are working hard to prepare 'Go Tell It!', our Christmas cantata, to be presented with chamber orchestra and folk instruments during both worship services on December 15. This cantata, adapted from Joseph M. Martin's 'Appalachian Winter', celebrates the legacy of early American carols and hymnody. Composed in the spirit of folk music, the cantata combines traditional sounds with more rustic elements. Popular American carols such as 'Away in the Manger' and 'O Little Town of Bethlehem' dance with traditional spirituals such as 'Children Go Where I Send Thee' and 'Go Tell It on the Mountain'. Sacred Harp tunes are retooled for Advent and stand alongside new versions of Shaker hymns and Appalachian melodies. Thoughtful narration weaves the movements together in a meaningful tapestry of song and Scripture. Come join us as we 'Go Tell It'! Special music will be presented at our 7 and 11 pm Christmas Eve services. Both Spirit Singers and Cantorion are preparing Christmas selections. ANNUAL COOKIE WALK SURFSIDE UNITED METHOD- IST CHURCH TH AVENUE NORTH Fellowship Hall Saturday, December 14 9:00 to 1:00 Fundraiser for United Methodist Women Expect a variety of holiday cookies You bag only the ones you want Small Bag - $5.00 Large Bag - $7.00 You are invited to join any of our separate exercise classes offered at Surfside UMC. PAGE 4 On Mondays and Wednesdays, an Adult Fitness Class is offered in the FLC from 9:45-10:45 a.m. These classes consist of walking, stretching and strength conditioning exercises at a low impact rate. Weights and various other exercise equipment are provided. Men and women are invited to participate. These classes are taught by Pat Messinger, an Active Older Fitness Instructor with 10+ years experience. A contribution (in any amount) will be greatly appreciated with 10% tithe to the Church. Please call Pat Messinger at for more information. The Hatha Yoga Class-We will meet on Wednesday morning at 9:30 to 10:30 AM and at 11 AM to 12 noon in room 8/10. Both classes are identical and all you need to bring is water, a mat or beach towel and a desire to do yoga. Hatha Yoga is a mix with breathing exercises, stretching, standing poses and balance and laying on your mat for floor exercise and deep relaxation. If you are interested in learning to combine body, mind and spirit for a healthier you please join us. If you are interested please call Mary Jo Doggett at Every Friday at 9:45 a.m. in Room 8/10, Yoga Exercise with Pat. The class consists of Yoga poses geared for the Older Adult ( sitting and standing only.) The Yoga breathing and poses will increase your balance, stretch your muscles in a gentle manner, you will feel more relaxed, enable you to sleep better and to cope with stress better. This class is taught by Pat Messinger, An Active Older Adult Fitness Instructor with over 10+ years experience. A contribution (in any amount) will be greatly appreciated with 10% tithe to the Church. Please call Pat Messinger at for more information. STEWARDSHIP I would like to THANK everyone for their support of Stewardship, October/2013. I would like to THANK Jack Roberts and Dee Fields, who shared what OUR church means to them. I would to Thank, Tom and Barbara Benfield, Ron Harper, Don and Nancy Cyr and my wife, Linda for their help with all the mail outs. Last but not least Kesha Sims, THANK YOU for compiling, printing and having all the many letters, labels and envelopes ready for us to stuff and mail. I would like to THANK, Lester and Jo for a wonderful luncheon on Consecration Sunday. Lee Ritchey Stewardship Chairman

5 PAGE 5 Give A Meal A Month December Menu Beef Ravioli Canned Vegetables -- Any Kind Canned Fruit -- Any Kind Brownie Mix or Christmas Candy Juice Any Kind -- Optional Peanut Butter or Jelly -- Optional Food donations are always welcome! Please return filled food bags to the GAMAM display in the Narthex. Thank you for supporting South Strand Helping Hands Food Pantry and feeding the needy in our community. Call Ralph or Patti Magliette at with any questions. 1. SOUTH STRAND HELP- ING HAND--Emergency food, clothing, and utility assistance. Call N E I G H B O R T O NEIGHBOR--Free transportation for home-bound seniors. Call ADVENT OFFERING During the season of Advent we are requesting monetary donations to the fund we use to help people in need. This fund enables us to assist persons in need of emergency housing, gas, utilities, rent, medical, and other expenses. While the greatest time of need tends to be during the winter months, we assist people year round. We do our best to make sure that we are being good stewards of these donations. If you would like to make a donation to this fund please mark your gift Advent. Calvary Christian School Helps Operation Christmas Child Every month we will be collecting needed items to donate to this mission. I will be in touch with the coordinator on a regular basis to find out what is needed most. Examples are hygiene items, food, clothes or toys. For December we will continue to collect toothbrushes and toothpaste. If you would like to donate items, please leave them in the Help 4 Kids bin at the parking lot entrance. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. If you would like more information about Help 4 Kids please visit their website at help4kidssc.com. I look forward to growing this mission that helps our local children in need. Sophie Neely (843) LITTLE PINK HOUSE OF HOPE THANKS for your support. On Monday, November 4th our church hosted our 3rd annual dinner for 9 breast cancer women and their families. They come from all over the U.S. We provided a meal, candy bags for the children, stuffed animals, fresh pink roses, pink balloons and a total offering of $1, Thanks to Lester and Jo Leonard for the delicious chicken and macaroni and cheese and to all who prayed, helped, and donated money. If you would like to contribute just make check to SUMC designated Little Pink House. More information, call Elaine Paige,

6 CHILDREN S MINISTRIES NEWS Dear Church Family, My heart overflows with great joy as we arrive into the Christmas season to celebrate the astounding birth of our Lord & Savior! What a joyous opportunity it is to share the love of our Savior with the children & their families within our Church, the South Carolina Youth Advocate Foster Program, and the Help 4 Kids Program through this year s Angel Tree! The Angel Tree is located in the Narthex and I truly thank each of you in advance for your generosity. After Christmas is over, I ask that you pray for the special angel you sponsored; for their protection and for their salvation, as your prayers will be the greatest gift you can give them. Some of these children have been traumatized through some sort of abuse or abandonment and they need an outpouring of Christ s love to carry them through. Please return all wrapped presents (with labels attached) to the church no later than Sunday, December 8th. On Saturday, December 7 th, from 2:00-4:00 pm, the Children s Ministry will be holding a Christmas Carnival for the families we ve sponsored on the Angel Tree. This will give the children an opportunity to jump on inflatables, visit with Santa, win prizes, have their faces/ nails painted, play games, make crafts & eat refreshments all at no cost to them. It will give us an opportunity to fellowship and connect with many families. We need volunteers to serve refreshments, to help with games, to help clean up, etc. If you are interested in participating, please contact Charlotte at ext We are preparing for our upcoming Children s Christmas Pageant and it is scheduled for Sunday, December 8th at the 8:30am and 11:00am Services. Glory to God in the Highest!!! May you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and may you feel the love of Christ surrounding you always! Abundant Blessings, Charlotte Ebaugh CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER NEWS PAGE 6 Dear Church Family, Our hot dog sale at the Fall Festival was a success for us! With the monies earned, we were able to replace a piece of over-loved playground equipment. We would like to thank all of our moms and dads for their donations and helping hands at the festival. We held our Thanksgiving Feast on Nov. 21. The children prepared their Pilgrim and Indian costumes, food to share, and sang seasonal songs for their families. December should prove to be an even busier (and shorter) month for us. The four year old classes will be practicing for the Christmas Pageant to be held on Dec. 19 at 11:00 a.m. This is always a heartwarming event for all of us. The Child Development Center will be closed Dec. 20- Jan. 3. Our staff would like to extend a Merry Christmas to all of you! Much Love, Stacey Cleveland December 1 December 8 December 15 December 22 December 29 FELLOWSHIP COFFEE TIME FOR DECEMBER Stephen Ministry Linda Pagani United Methodist Women Pre-school/Kindergarten Donna Huguenin Thank you Church Ministries and individuals for taking an active part in the Fellowship for our Sunday School. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

7 PAGE 7 SUMC YOUTH First and foremost, we would like to thank everyone in our church community for helping with the Pumpkin Patch! It was a great success and we could not do it without all your help. Lots of time goes into planning, unloading, scheduling and staffing the patch! We know who you are and we thank you. The youth was well represented at our annual Fall Festival and sold Funnel Cakes and French Fries. Even though it was cold, youth showed up in full force to help cook and sell. Thank you to all who bought from us. As I write this, we have an Operation Christmas Child packing party scheduled for Sunday November 17, both during Sunday School and the afternoon Youth Group, where we are planning to pack 60 shoe boxes to send off. Our Planned Sunday Youth Activities for December and January are as follows: December 1st (Sunday) - No Youth Gathering (Thanksgiving) 8th (Sunday) - Youth Outreach W/ Seacoast Academy 4:30pm-7:30pm 15th (Sunday) - Youth Christmas 5pm-7pm 22nd (Sunday) - Youth TBD 29th (Sunday) - No Youth (Christmas Break) January- 5th (Sunday) - Youth 5pm-7pm 12th (Sunday) - Youth Gathering ***17th (Friday) - 20th (Monday): Youth Winter Trip (Great Wolf Lodge)*** 26th (Sunday) -Youth 5pm-7pm We invite you to check out our website and our blog to stay up-to-date on all our activities. We are always looking for more blog contributors, so let us know if you have a message to share with youth and their parents, not just at SUMC, but on the web as well. We can be found at Dorien Morin Youth Ministry Team

8 PAGE 8 ENCOUNTER WITH GOD What would happen if you spent a full 48 hours away from your daily life, in a place where you were invited and encouraged to focus on your relationship with God, while surrounded by others who were seeking the same thing? Well, we have an opportunity coming up where you can do just that and see for yourself! In January, SUMC will host an Encounter With God for the first time! This is a spiritual renewal retreat for everyone, regardless of age or level of involvement in our church. It is meant for the whole church (18 & up), and we hope you will join us as well. The Encounter With God is divided in two weekends: One just for men, and one just for women. The dates are Jan. 3-5 for men and Jan for women. We leave from our church 6pm on Friday and return 6pm on Sunday. The retreat will take place at the Myrtle Beach Christian Retreat Center in North Myrtle Beach. We will be joined by a group of about 20 brothers and sisters from the Brazilian Methodist Church, who are flying up to Myrtle Beach just to help us with these retreats! Registration is $85 and is going on till Dec. 22nd. You can pick up a form in the Narthex or online at surfsideumc.org. There are a couple of Pre-Encounter sessions to prepare you for the retreats, so make sure to register soon and pick your dates for participating in those. For more information, contact Pastor Scott, Paulo Lopes (jlopes@surfsideumc.org), or Adrienne Lowery (alowery99@yahoo.com). We hope to see you there! THE ALPHA COURSE Last month we finished our latest Alpha Course with another 25 people! This means over 60 people have gone through this amazing experience this last year. We are getting ready to kick-off at least 2 new small groups while adding to our current 4. These small groups begin with people who have gone through the course and choose to continue to grow in their faith with the friends they ve made through out the course. Stay tuned for our next Alpha Course starting in February. It might be your turn to join this growing group of people that have Done Alpha! We hope to have you join us. For more information about the Alpha Course, contact Trish Brunko (tbrunko59@aol.com), or Paulo Lopes (jlopes@surfsideumc.org)

9 PAGE 9 A NOTE FROM THE PASTOR OF CARE & VISITATION What a blessing it is to be able to share in all the many areas of our church. Of course, right now we are collecting filled shoe boxes for OPERATION CHRIST- MAS CHILD Each year it becomes more and more exciting to see who brings what. Just today we had a child from one of those schools who last year collected 40 boxes on her own. This year she collected 50 and cash as well."and the child shall lead them". Isn't that great. We also have the cantata coming up soon and the children's Christmas program. More and more things happening as the days draw nearer the celebration of the Christ Child's birth. Isn't it amazing how as the years go by and things change in our lives, the stories and celebrations of our faith remain. I hope we all receive an extra blessing this Christmas that lasts the whole year through. Stephen Ministry is going very well. We are almost ready to commission another group to go and serve. The class has progressed well and I'm sure the Stephen Ministers are equipped to help those of our faith family as well as our near by community who feel they need a little help. Please do not hesitate to call Pastor Pat or Pastor Kim to get started with the help you may need. Dear Surfside United Methodist Church Friends, As we approach the Christmas Season, the Staff Parish Relations Committee along with you the members and supporters of our church would like to take this opportunity to show our appreciation to our staff for their leadership and outstanding effort. We invite you to make a monetary contribution between now and December 15. Simply mark your contribution "Christmas Staff Gift" and place it in the offering plate between now and Sunday, December 15. All designated contributions will be shared accordingly with the total staff on Sunday, December 22. Thank you in advance for your support of this effort. Best wishes to you and your family for a Joyous Christmas Season. Lorraine Ammons Chairperson, SPRC The gift of generosity This holiday season, we thank everyone who has supported Surfside United Methodist Church this past year with their time, talent and financial contributions and look forward to support from all of our members in the year ahead. If you need a convenient way to make regular offerings or if you plan to make an additional gift before the end of the year, we encourage you to look into our electronic giving options. As the pace of life speeds up, especially around the holidays, you may find electronic giving a most welcome way to make contributions. Visit our website surfsideumc.org for more information.

10 PAGE 10 NEW DISCIPLESHIP CLASSES FOR ADVENT! Beginning December 4th, our Wednesday Morning Prayer and Bible Study Group will begin a new study for Advent entitled...when GOD COMES DOWN. This study, written by James Harnish, will invite participants to explore the lives of those who witnessed the miracle in the Incarnation! As participants journey through this path of study, we will reflect upon our own stories, and, in that reflection, hopefully become witnesses, ourselves, to that One Light which will never be overcome! Please join us every Wednesday at 10AM in the Fellowship Hall. Adam and Judy Dieterich joined our church family by transfer from Manor Church of Brethren in Boonsboro, MD. They are both retired and live in Myrtle Beach. Throughout the Advent Season, our Spirit Night Study Group will also examine a new resource entitled...call HIM GOD'S SON. This Advent Study, written by Alex Joyner, will explore what it means that Jesus is God's Son. Participants will study that creative tension of living in a world caught between "what is" and "what is promised to be". Simultaneously, we will look at the healing capacity of hope which sustains us in times of trouble. CALL HIM GOD'S SON is a five-session course which we will be consolidating into two weeks, due to the Hanging of the Greens Service on 12/4 and the Celebration of Christmas 12/25!!! CALL HIM GOD'S SON will meet on Wednesday, 12/11 and Wednesday, 12/18 at 6:30PM in the Fellowship Hall. Please talk to Pastor Kim for further information on either one of these Discipleship opportunities! Traditional Carol and Candlelight Services 5:00 PM & 7:00 PM Candlelight Communion Service 11:00 PM CHRISTMAS CANDY There will be lots of containers of your favorite candy. We will be selling on Sunday, December 15, before, after and in between the services. We will have the usual and some new. Also, you can fill your own box. Gift boxes, bags and tins are being filled. Please stop by, we want no leftovers. PRAYER SHAWL GRATITUDE We would like to extend a gracious thank you to the Prayer Shawl Ministry Team for their gift of the beautiful and comforting shawl, to my husband and our friend...alonzo Coleman. Although Alonzo is now enjoying everlasting life in his Eternal Home, the prayer shawl he received while battling injuries from a horrific fall served to wrap him in warmth and love up to and including the day of his passing. So once again, thank you to all who are part of this gracious and caring ministry! Pat Coleman Joan and Mitchell Coleman

11 SMALL GROUP STUDIES CONTINUE Throughout the month of December, several of our small groups currently meeting will continue their weekly studies... SISTERS IN FAITH will continue meeting every Monday night at 7PM in the Church Parlor. SISTERS IN FAITH are currently reading/discussing the book...renewed...by Lucille Zimmerman. December will find us examining chapters 6-9. If you don't have the Zimmerman text but would like to join us for discussion and fellowship, simply bring your favorite Bible, along with an open heart, and pull up a chair! Our SECRET CHURCH classes will continue to meet weekly during the month of December...on Tuesdays from 11AM-1PM and on Thursdays from 4PM- 6PM. Our class locations will be changing in December - the Tuesday group will meet in Room 8/10, and the Thursday group will meet in the Church Parlor. Our SECRET CHURCH study group has finally completed our journey through the Torah, so in December we will be moving through the books of the Conquest - primarily Joshua and Judges. If you would like to join us for this in-depth and enlightening study, just bring your Bible and a pad of paper for notetaking, and join us either on Tuesday or Thursday! Both classes are identical so you need attend only one day per week. Our Friday...I AM SECOND...group is making a lot of progress learning about how to be witnesses for the Christian faith. Through brief films, Bible Study and honest conversation, participants have viewed how others have learned, through their own experiences, how to put God FIRST in their lives...how Biblical characters have moved forward through intense persecution to continue to claim and proclaim their beliefs...and how we, as contemporary "SECONDS" can learn and grow from our own personal situations in order to become bolder witnesses for Christ. Our I AM SECOND class is both casual and nonthreatening, and you are invited to join us every Friday at 5PM in Room 8/10 for this transforming small group fellowship. Please talk to Pastor Kim for further information on any of these Small Group Ministry opportunities. PAGE 11 SHARE A LITTLE CHRISTMAS CHEER! Join us again this year as we set up the greeting table in the Narthex for you to share Christmas cards with our church family. This will be set up the first Sunday in December. Please be sure to stop by and check for cards each week. Christmas Trees Have Arrived!! The pumpkin patch will again this year be transformed into a Christmas tree lot of fresh cut Fraser fir trees from the North Carolina mountains. SUMC benefits financially from this sale, as do our church members who have been hired to run the lot. Plan to bring your family to smell the wonderful aroma of fresh Fraser firs and select your Christmas tree! We also have Christmas wreaths & bows for sale this year!

12 W E E K L Y E V E N T S Sunday: 8:30 AM Morning Worship 9:30 AM Fellowship Time 9:45 AM Church School 9:45 AM Spiritual Gifts Class 9:45 AM Momentum Class 11:00 AM Morning Worship PM AA Meeting Monday: 7:00 AM-6:00 PM CDC Summer Camp 9:00 AM Art Class 9:45 AM Adult Fitness Class 12:00 PM Staff Meeting PM AA Meeting PM Cub Scouts 6:00 PM Contemporary Band Rehearsal 7:00 PM Handbell Choir 7:00 PM Boy Scouts Tuesday:7:00 AM-6:00 PM CDC Summer Camp 9:00 AM Craft Club PM AA Meeting PM Cub Scouts 6:30 PM Huff-n-Puff Basketball 7:00 PM Grand Strand Harmony Chorus Wednesday: 7:00 AM-6:00 PM CDC Summer Camp 9:00 AM Prayer Group 9:45 AM Adult Fitness Class 10:00 AM Hatha Yoga 10:00 AM Bible Study 11:00 AM CDC Chapel PM Spirit Night Dinner 6:30 PM i-praise Worship-Sanctuary 6:45 PM Spirit Singers Rehearsal Thursday: 7:00 AM-6:00 PM CDC Summer Camp 8:00 AM Men s Grow Group PM AA Meeting PM Cub Scouts 6:30 PM Huff-N-Puff Basketball Friday: 7:00 AM-6:00 PM CDC Summer Camp 10:00 AM Adult Yoga w/pat PM AA Meeting December 2013 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 Boy Scout Committee 6:29 Finance Committee 7:00 Sisters in Faith 7:00 3 Secret Church 11:00-12:30 Friendly Seniors to Alabama Theater 1:00 Girl Scouts 6:00 4 Hanging of the Greens 6:30 5 No Secret Church Hope Circle 12:00 Marion District Clergy Christmas Gathering Ahuihoudw 6:30 6 IAMSECOND 5:00 Children s Christmas Pageant Rehearsal 7 8:00 SC Youth Advocate Christmas Dinner 12:00 8 Children s Christmas Pageant Youth at Seacoast Academy 4:30-7:30 9 SS Garden Club 1:00 Sisters in Faith 7:00 10 Secret Church 11:00 Joy Circle 12:00 Stephen Ministry 5:45 11 Mary Baker Circle 10:30 Spirit Night Advent Study 6:30 12 Secret Church 4:00 Stephen Ministry Training 6:15 13 No IAM- SECOND 14 8:00 Cookie Walk 9:00 Spirit Singers Rehearsal 9:00 15 Youth Christmas Party 5:00 16 Newsletter Articles Due Sisters in Faith 7:00 17 Secret Church 11:00 Friendly Seniors 12:00 Girl Scouts 6:00 18 Spirit Night Advent Study 6:30 19 Secret Church 4:00 Stephen Ministry Training 6:15 Ahuihoudw 6:30 UMM 6:45 20 IAMSECOND 5: : Church Office Closed Sisters in Faith 7:00 24 Church Office Closed No Secret Church 25 Church Office Closed 26 Stephen Ministry 6:15 27 No IAM- SECOND Youth Sunday 30 Pack Meeting 6:00 Sisters in Faith 7:00 31 Collate Newsletter Church Office Closes at Noon No Secret Church 1 Church Office Closed

13 Ruth Lilly 1 Duke Singleton 1 Patricia Townsend 1 Steve Welch 1 June Reese 2 Jackie Cantrell 3 Tom Cowdrick 3 Melody Rushing 3 David Terry 3 Mike Vereen 3 Ron Neiderland 4 Ruth Schweitzer 4 Morris Hucks 5 Sheri Johnson 5 Paul Lundberg 5 Jeffrey Pemberton 5 Matthew Pemberton 5 Richard Troutman 5 Donald Cassey 6 Catherine Goyak 6 Marlene Jewell 6 Karleigh Jones 6 Ethel Lane 6 Debbie Praete 6 Duane Proctor 6 Amy Pyles 6 Kevin Byrd 8 Bruce Ellis 8 Marci Hogue 8 Frances Reynolds 8 Robert Herlinger 9 J.F. McCartha 9 Jessica McNutt 9 Candace Capaldi 10 Nigel Nordeen 10 Liam Ogburn 11 Jax St. Romain 11 Brad Harris 12 Danny Navarro 12 Alicia Rife 12 Ryan Updike 12 Stephanie Benton 13 Chuck Boschen 13 Pete Dry 13 Tom Peek 13 Jordan West 13 Lisa Floyd 14 Jessica Goodrich 14 Barb Horton 14 Nancy Proctor 14 Tracina Schmaus 14 Megan Stevens 14 Robert Causey 15 Nikki Morgan 15 Fonda Rist 15 Jake Ammons 16 Sarah Beck 16 Norman Fullerton 16 Suzanne Perritt 16 Sarah Radcliffe 16 David Pendergrass 17 Kathy Tuck 17 Jim Neely 18 Bob Walker 18 Alan Wray 18 Jillian Jones 19 Phillip Gajewski 20 Liam Lockadoo 20 Mike Gamble 21 Hudson Jacobsen 21 Jeff Kiser 21 Doris Shoebridge 21 Ann Vereen 21 Danny Hardee 22 Liz Hock 22 Morgan Prentice 22 Jerry Adams 23 Bill Bensarasky 23 Kim Fullwood 23 Amber Fullwood 23 Lindsay Monahan 23 Ray Williams 23 Emily Ebaugh 24 Hunter Kelly 24 Bree Moore 24 Olivia Rose 24 Kristen Jordan 25 Bettie Padfield 25 Doreen Taylor 25 Bob Warner 25 Amber Dendy 26 Jacobs Johns 26 Irene Reese 26 Stefanie Ritter 26 Doug Thornton 26 John Cox 27 Peggy Hathaway 27 Rod Smith 27 Jean Sutton 28 Caitlin Sansbury 28 Kenny Bingham 29 Ashlyn Huguenin 29 Nick Nicolucci 29 Gloria Smith 29 Kim Story 29 Bill Trail 29 Brenda Ziegler 29 Adelle Davis 30 Ryan Drumwright 30 John Ferguson 30 Becky Pendergrass 30 Taylor Josephs 31 Lily Rivera 31 PAGE 13 Dave and Cindy McLaughlin 1 Mark and Kesha Sims 1 Brian and Beth Adams 2 Gary and Kelli Wadsten 2 John and Nell Boyd 4 Carl and Kay Hudson 4 Dick and Bev Monroe 5 Harold and Judy Walton 5 David and Irma Miller 9 Don and Barbara Roy 10 Jody and Bess Altman 12 Bill and Leigh Gulledge 16 Pete and Betty Longobardi 18 Paul and Donna Lundberg 18 Mark and Shelia Mitchell 19 Bob and Gloria Smith 20 Joe and Linda DeNatale 24 Bert and Shirley Christy 25 Juan and Billie Rodriguez 26 Glenn and Krystle Parsons 27 John and Lillian Daily 28 Scott and Larissa Madill 28 Denton and Sandra White 28 Ron and Betty Neiderland 29 Jack and Teri O Conner 31

14 SURFSIDE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH th Avenue North Surfside Beach, SC Phone: Fax: Church Office Hours: 8:30 AM-4:30 PM Monday-Thursday 8:30 AM-1:00 PM Friday Church Staff Dr. Scott H. Wachter, Senior Pastor Rev. L. Kim Eanes, Discipleship Pastor Rev. Pat Stiles, Pastor of Care and Visitation J. Paulo Lopes, Minister of Youth, Young Adults, and Family Life Center Ministries Kesha Sims, Office Manager Charlotte Ebaugh, Dir. of Children s Ministries (cebaugh@surfsideumc.org) Glynis Hopkins, Music Director (glynishopkins@gmail.com) Sherri Boschen, Church Organist (sboschen@surfsideumc.org) Stacey Cleveland, Dir. of Child Development Ctr. (scleveland@surfsideumc.org) RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Myrtle Beach, SC Permit No. 29 Upward Basketball/Cheerleading will begin our 5th season in We provide not only fun for the children of church (kindergarten-6th grade) but we reach out to our community and the unchurched to provide spiritual guidance. We need your financial support. Make check to SUMC Upward in any amount. If you or your business would like to be a sponsor, the levels are Bronze $150.00, Silver $250.00, Gold $ A banner with your name or business name will be displayed at each of the 8 Saturday games in January and February which will be seen by over 500 people. More information call Elaine Paige, or Larry Tuttle, or Larry at lgtuttle1@gmail.com. Thanks for your support. SUMC Upward Basketball and Cheerleading Schedule TBA December 7 December 9 13 December 14 December December 30 - January 2 January 4 January 25 January 26 February 1 March 1 March 2 Coaches & Referee Training 1st Saturday Practices 1st Week Practices 2nd Saturday Practices 2nd Week Practices 3rd Week Practices 1st Game Picture Day Upward Sunday Picture Make Up Date LAST GAME Award Celebration GAME DAY DATES January 4 February 1 February 22 January 11 February 8 March 1 January 25 February 15