THOUGHTS FROM PASTOR VAUGHN

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1 December Church Road Azle, Texas Church Office Hours Monday - Thursday 8:30am - 1:30pm THOUGHTS FROM PASTOR VAUGHN We are about to embark as a congregation on a journey being led by our Council of Bishops. Called the Vital Congregations Initiative, the purpose being: Give clarity and focus to ministry. Clarity and focus connects disciples to purpose and focuses their attention toward the purpose of the church. Move the church forward. Without goals, congregations can become stuck in a rut, doing the same things over and over without making progress. Create greater accountability. Goals that are prayerfully developed and discerned with God in mind keep us accountable to the ministry of Jesus Christ. Holy Spirit inspired goals that are achieved make us more like the body of Christ. Make the congregation better. There is a saying, you do not have to be sick to get better. Good goals make us better. Not for better sake, but make us better for serving the community. Key elements of a vital congregation include growing in average worship attendance and professions of faith, engaging people in multiple ministries including small groups, mission and outreach, and generous stewardship in giving within and beyond the local church. We will set goals in worship attendance, professions of faith, participation in small groups, engaging in mission, and sharing of resources for mission, including apportionment giving. Stay tuned as we aim high and watch God work. Vaughn Christmas is almost upon us! Our church will offer Christmas Eve Candlelight services at 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. in the sanctuary, with an 11:00 pm service in the Historic Church. Being that Christmas lands on a Sunday this year, we will offer one service, with no Sunday School at 11:00 a.m. Worship will be held in the Historic Church Christmas morning as well. Be sure to invite friends and neighbors to these services.

2 2011 HAPPENINGS ATTENTION SPR CHAIR AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2012 If you will be serving on the Staff-Parish Relations Committee in 2012, and/or beyond, the Conference District Office has invited you to a training event designed just for you on Sunday, December 11, 2011 from 3 until 6 p.m. The place has not yet been determined, however, please mark it on your calendar now! A number of vital issues will be addressed such as the role and function of the committee, what to do when conflict hits and hurts your church, and the relationships between the committee, the pastor, the district/annual conference, staff, and associate pastors. Additional topics such as pastoral compensation forms, health insurance, and pension will be addressed as there is need. If you would like to make sure YOUR question is addressed, please send them to northdistrict@ctcumc.org. Pleas RSVP to the same so materials can be supplied. We look forward to seeing YOU in December! This information was forwarded to you from the District Superintendant, Ginger Bassford. Greetings from Dorset!!! Just wanted to to touch base. I will be sending out letters to the individuals and families who gave me their contact details over the summer letting them know what I have been up to. I sent some postcards when I first arrived back in England and now for sort of the end of my college term. Things are going great here! I have just finished my 9th week of study. It is all very interesting and challenging. God has helped me perceive the way I think and what I know about Him in a whole new way! And for work there are lots of exciting things that I am a part of. One of my favorite weekly events is this thing called My Space where myself and a few of my colleagues set out doughnuts and coffee for staff after school on a Wednesday. It is a chance for them to vent about their weeks and let us know if we can help in any way! It is so wonderful. Just wanted to send my thanks for all of the prayers and support! I am also praying for Silver Creek and especially of recent for the Tucker family. Thanks so much! Have a good week! God bless, Jennifer Thompson Portland Methodist Circuit Family and Community Support The Gift of Christmas This Year What kind of gift will you find at Christmas time this year? What will you want under the tree this year? Will it be gold, frankincense, or myrrh, or only a fur? Will it let your heart grow cold? What will you buy as high as the sky, this year? To warm your heart what ever you buy, Keep these lines with ribbons tie. The first Christmas gift came from God so long ago. He sent His only Son to give us a lift, this year. Christmas, birthday of Baby Jesus, a gift for the whole world to share. The gift of Christmas, a gift from God, So we will remember to give. Every year, keep Jesus in your heart. Your Christmas gifts will start, with love, joy and peace under your tree. The gift of grace to change the world. The gift of love, love is for caring. The gift of joy, joy is for sharing. The gift of peace, peace to spread the world over. God gave so much for you and me, Look for God around your tree. Robert E. (Bob) Sims 2008

3 Get Involved HELP NEEDED!! Do you like babies? Of course you do, and we have the cutest and sweetest here at SCUMC. We could use more help in the nursery on Sunday mornings. Our families are growing!! Keturah at or stop by the Nursery on Sunday morning to visit with Keturah, our Nursery Director. You will get to see R R R Reach IN Reach OUT Reach UP Salutations from Ms. Sandy We had a wonderful time decorating the Christmas tree in the Fellowship Hall. Lot s of laughter and fun with the children. Choir Practice - December 7 & 14, 5:45 pm Kid s Game/Supper Night - December 14 & 28, 5 pm The Christmas Pageant PRACTICE - December 17, 9:00 am The Christmas Pageant December 18, 6:00 pm followed by refreshments. (Parents don t forget to bring a $5 wrapped present with your child s name on it and we need folks to bring lots of cookies) Our new playground is WONDERFUL! Look for more changes soon. ATTENTION YOUTH Hey Everybody, I wanted to say hey and I am Brandon Board. I am the new Youth Director at SCUMC. I must say I am crazy happy to be here and cant wait to see and meet everyone. I think we are all going to have a blast and grow together. I think that you should come see how crazy awesome I am this Sunday following 11am worship. Some info about me: I am the guy that no one knows wearing a Texas Rangers hat. If you see me without a hat on outside of worship take a picture because it does not happen much. I have a crazy awesome Black Lab named Vegas, I will have to tell everyone the cool story about her name some time. I hope I told you just the right amount about me that gets you to come meet me Sunday. See you then. Brandon (The Director) Board :) Brandon Board, Director of Student Ministries,, Cell: (817) Office: bboard@silvercreekumc.org

4 Prayer List, Attendance, Giving, Staff Contact Concerns PRAYER REQUESTS Carol Montgomery - respiratory illness Judy Montgomery - 12/19 cath procedure Youth of SCUMC Family & Friends of Betty Tucker Madeline Skinner - cancer Dave & Lynnsey Carleson-safe delivery of new baby girl Family & Friends of James Harris- AHS student killed by drunk driver Family & Friends of Shine Family, of Tyler Family & Friends of Martha Dykes Family & Friends of Cody McMorris (18 yr.old friend of Sue Wilson s granddaughter- car accident) Family & Friends of John Davis Jimmy Lynn - Brain surgery Susie Vogel - Right knee surgery 11/23 Chad Cobb - possible brain tumor Taylor Sewell - 12 yr old Brain tumor surgery 11-9 Food Pantry Shirley s grandson-head injury & depression Betty-Healing for leg Nick Rue - Severe spinal arthritis Amy - More Rain & Financial Freedom On Going Concerns Virginia Morgan - pancreatic cancer advanced to her liver Cindy Stone - breast cancer Ernie & Lynne Machado Michaila - 18 mo. old Leukemia, improving Willis Dobbins-Maggie Stednitz father ALS Karen Hoffman - migraines Reese Family Norvin & Clara Wright Thomas Irons Carol Huttmeyer cancer-sister-in-law Danielsens Al Garrett Glenda Morgan Sarah Maynard Jennifer Detrick - Stroke recovery Moody Family - Strength for Joyce Delora Walls, chemo-therapy Margaret Gwin David Stark Brandi Dickey (cancer) Micki Daily (breast cancer) Chase Robertson 3 yr old muscular dystrophy Financial concerns for SCUMC & all of our families We need more RAIN! Attendance Report Sunday School Small Groups Worship Attendance November November November November Our Giving Budget/General Building November 6 $3, $ November 13 $2, $ November 20 $2, $ November 27 $2, $ How to Contact the Staff: Pastor Dr. Vaughn Baker vbaker@silvercreekumc.org Children s Director Sandy Borden sborden@silvercreekumc.org Worship Leader Daniel Montgomery dmontgomery@silvercreekumc.org Pianist Laura Montgomery Nursery Keturah Sims keturah@silvercreekumc.org Administrative Assistant-Linda Graves office@silvercreekumc.org Webmaster Daniel Sims webmaster@silvercreekumc.org Youth Director Brandon Board bboard@silvercreekumc.org Our Council: Council Chair Sam Merck Lay Leader Steve Williams Lay Member to AC Maggie Stark Chair SPR Tara Tibbetts Chair Finance Kevin Campbell Vice-Chair Cindy Gallegos Treasurer Dena Hall Chair Trustees Hugh McClendon President UMM Charles Thompson Chair Missions Sandy Sturm Worship Chair Nancy Davis Hospitality Chair Sandra Martindale At-Large Byron Constantine WELCOME! New member, Jerry Cooper, joins us by transfer of membership from FUMC Springtown. Jerry is already active in helping with the Food Pantry on Tuesday mornings! If you haven t met him yet, be sure to say hello to the gentleman with the dapper hat! Attention: Youth and Kids!! Bring your donations to the Food Pantry to Sunday School. There is a basket in the He-Brews Café for items for the Food Pantry. Just be sure to bring regular sized cans or boxes of food. Items needed are listed on the bulletin board in the foyer. The needs are great right now and you can do your part by helping to fill the basket.

5 December 2011 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Birthdays-Red Anniversaries- Purple If you have a birthday or anniversary that you would like added to the list please call or the office. 1 Sandra Martindale Communion 10 am Sunday School for all ages 11 am Traditional Worship 12 Noon Reception for Brandon Board :00 pm Staff Children 6:45 pm Bible Hugh & Sue McClendon am Sunday School for all; 11 am Traditional Worship 4-6 PM Youth Group 5 pm McClendon s 12 Brianne Merck 13 Mackenzie Campbell 14 4 :00 Staff Children: 5-5:45 Games 5-6:30 Youth Games 6:45 pm Bible UMM Breakfast & Workday Kyle Davis am Sunday School for all; 11 am Traditional 4-6 pm Youth Group Sam & Janet Merck Dylan Martindale :00 pm Staff Children 6:45 pm Bible pm Youth Six Flags Wendy Tamjidi Christmas Eve 3 Candlelight Services in Historic White Chapel 6 pm, 8 pm & 11 pm (No nursery this service) am Service No Sunday School, Nursery or Children s Church Bill Davis 26 Della Botts (Shut-in) Kailey Campbell 29 Sue Wilson 30 Madison McDonald 31 Sonny & MayLynn Whitlock 2004 Ray & Cindy Gallegos 1999 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!