Pastor s Corner Rev. Eric Lane

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1 Volume 8 Issue 12 Inside this issue: Meetings and Events 2 Something to Pray About 2 Church Council, Nov. 11th 3 Chairs Fund Update 3 Pastor s Corner, con t 3 Story Time 4 Something, con t 4 Habitat Update 4 Hid in My Heart 4 December Celebrations 5 Acolyte & Nursery Lists 5 Military List 5 Acolyte Leader Needed 5 Special Announcements 5 Special Giving 6 December Fundraisers 6 UMM Christmas Tree Sale 6 Bonus Story Time 7 Christmas Card Delivery 7 Calendar 8 Sunday Services 8:30a Worship Service (Contemporary) 9:50a Sunday School 11:00a Worship Service (Traditional) 6:00p Jr. UMYF & UMYF (Grades 6-12) 6:00p Adult Choir Practice 7:00p Every FOURTH SUNDAY United Methodist Women Dear Ebenezer, Pastor s Corner Rev. Eric Lane In December we begin the Advent season. This year I hope to make the season a little more special. Just how many times can we read the same story of the birth of Christ? I know that there may be some who have the passages down by memory, because they have heard the words so often. Well, this Advent Season, I hope to bring new meaning to the story. I have decided that we will use The United Methodist Church of Resurrection and Rev. Adam Hamilton s material to help us take a journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Each Sunday during Advent, we will look at the scriptures and search for new meaning and underlying significance, and see what the passages mean for our lives. We will take a look at clips of Rev. Hamilton s trip to the Holy Land, and visit some of the areas where the story actually occurred. I hope that you will find this journey as interesting as I have. My hope is that the words of Scripture will come alive once more and speak to our hearts with new meaning. I realize that this time of year is a busy time for everyone. There are parties to attend, shopping to take care of, and decorations to be hung; but I encourage all of US to take time this year for prayer and studying God s Word. I encourage each of us to make a point to come out and to invite others to join us as we take our journey through the Holy Land. Each week I will provide you, compliment of The Church of Resurrection, with what they have called their GPS for the week. GPS stands for Grow-Pray-Study. It is a daily devotion of selected Scripture passages to provide us with insight, and TUESDAY ACTIVITIES 9:00a Prayer Meeting 3:00p Every Fourth Tuesday. Alzheimer s Support Group at Brockford Inn Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Matthew 28:19 WEDNESDAY ACTIVITIES 6:00p. New Life Rehearsal 7:00p Bible Study Adult, Children s. 7:00p. Youth (grades 9 12) I hope that you will find this journey as interesting as I have. My hope is that the words of Scripture will come alive once more and speak to our hearts with new meaning. (Continued on page 3) OFFICE HOURS: Monday Friday: 8:30a 1:00p Fri. 2:30-5:00p (if needed.) Phone:

2 Ebenezer United Methodist Church 2 Meetings and Events Something to Pray About by Cindy Sears Hanging of the Greens Saturday, December 1st, we will have a short Advent program, then decorate the Chrismon Tree and share soup and sandwiches afterward. The service begins at 5:00 p.m. Bring soup, sandwiches, and small sweets to share if you can. Christmas Play Play practice continues on Sundays at 4:00 p.m. Dress rehearsal will be on December 9th starting at 3:00 p.m. A pizza party for the actors will follow before the performance at 6:00 p.m. Cookies, hot cider and hot chocolate will be served after the play. We appreciate donations of cookies and finger foods to share. Church Council Ebenezer s Council will meet on Sunday, December 16th at 4:30 p.m. All members of the church are invited to attend. Please contact Warren Bumgarner or Cindy Sears if you have something that needs to be discussed, so that it can be added to the agenda before the meeting. Christmas Eve Service There will be a short Christmas program on Monday, December 24th at 6:00 p.m. as we celebrate the arrival of our Lord and Savior to the world. United Methodist Women The UMW will meet again on Sunday, December 30th at 7:00 p.m. Nancy Sears and Bleaka Hollar are in charge of the programming. Please bring finger foods to share, and a $5 gift to exchange. All women of the church are invited to attend. Alzheimer s Support Group Now meeting at Brockford Inn Resident Care Facility at 56 Highland Avenue in Granite Falls, NC. Anyone who is dealing with a relative with Alzheimer s is welcome to attend. The meeting begins at 3:00 p.m. The group usually meets on the 4th Tuesday of each month. Contact Bleaka Hollar for info. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 NKJV I had planned another article for this month, but decided to run this Letter from Jesus instead. May you be blessed and inspired to action by what it says. cds It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don t care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just get along, and love one another. Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn t allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen, and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that, there wouldn t be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town. Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and the tasks each of you should be doing. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15:1-8. If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth, choose something from my wish list below: 1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time. 2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don t have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them. 3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don t you write and tell him that you ll be praying for him and his family? Then follow up it will be nice hearing from you again. 4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can t afford and they don t need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them. 5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her. Jesus Don t forget: I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me, and do what I have told you to do. I ll take care of all the rest. 6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take his own life this season because he feels so alone and hopeless? Since you don t know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could made the difference. 7. Instead of nit-picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren t allowed to wish you a Merry Christmas that doesn t keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn t make so much money on that day, they d close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families. 8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name. (Continued on page 4)

3 Ebenezer United Methodist Church 3 Church Council November 11th, 2012 Attendees: Linda Abernethy, Sherry & Anthony Austin, Shawn & Ricky Baker, Warren Bumgarner, Keith Bradford, Kim Ellis, Boyd & Margaret Fairchild, Barbara Ferguson, Barbara Frye, Jo Nell Harrison, Bleaka Hollar, Dwight Kelley, Shane Kelley, JoAnn Knepp, Eric Lane, Judy McCrary, Bob Sears, Cindy Sears, Jeff Smith, Jimmy Stone, Lucas Teague. Eric opened the meeting and asked Jeff Smith to pray (Warren was late coming in). Jeff made a motion to accept the minutes of the October meeting; Keith Bradford seconded. Minutes were passed as written. Eric then handed the meeting over to Jo Nell to go over the budget. Shawn asked about the Pairs and Spares account, and it was determined that the amount for the molding, etc. should have been taken from maintenance, not the class account. There was a question on an amount for the Rainbow class, and one from the UMW. Jo Nell will be checking into these bills and payments. Jo Nell told us that the church should be in good shape financially by the end of this year. Jo Nell asked if we wanted make an extra $15,000 on the principle of the Christian Life Center loan. Bob made a motion to do so. Keith Bradford made a second. Motion carried. Continuing Business: Ideas for raising money for CLC payoff. Eric mentioned a community meal. General discussion. Suggested chicken and dumpling supper in January, date and time to be determined later. Playground fencing. Lucas Teague discussed the cost. UMM has volunteered to put up the fence, which would cut the potential cost in half. Tentatively scheduled for March Administrative backups. Jimmy has a couple people chosen for the Powerpoint work. He will work with Cindy on the office back up, etc. Stage curtains and valance. Kim has only found one quote, so more research will be done. Blinds for the storage room. Still checking on these. Depression/hole near heat pumps. This should be fixed in the near future. Senior youth sweetheart banquet cost has been repaid. Chairs and Tables for the CLC. Keith Bradford suggested the purchase of a double-stacker cart. General discussion. It will cost about $2000 to purchase 77 chairs and a rack. Keith made a motion to fill out the remaining capacity of the CLC and get a stacker. Bleaka seconded. Motion carried by a majority. New Business: Warren suggested that we purchase regular maintenance for the CLC flooring. It would cost $35 a month for maintenance, with a once a year recoating, and one stripping and waxing. Opened floor to discussion. Warren made a motion to hire Danny Bolick to maintain the floors. Motion carried. Inviting people to church: Warren suggested that we make business cards that could be passed out to people with an invitation. General discussion of ideas. Bleaka Hollar will check into some of these ideas and report back in January Kim Ellis: It is difficult to clean the CLC kitchen floor with regular mop. Rick Baker offered to give us a steam cleaner that is the same brand as Kim was recommending. Kim Ellis suggested the purchase of a small blower for Rene (janitor) to use for clearing leaves from around the outside of the building. Keith Bradford said that an electric one would work fine. Warren made a motion that Kim buy this equipment. Keith made a second. Motion carried. Signage: Lucas Teague will check on the signage. Cindy will provide ideas of what is needed. Phone problems in kitchen. Jimmy said that the lines may be the problem. We need to contact Century Link to check into the problems. Eric or Cindy will contact the telephone company. Shawn requested better chairs for the counting room. Jo Nell suggested a better desk or a table to make it easier to count money. Shawn will look for the chairs, and discuss with Eric about the table. Warren made a motion to set aside $500 for this project. Kim seconded. Motion carried. Sherry Austin said that she needs new napkins for the communion service. Motion was made that we get 8 new cloths. Kim will check on the possibility of buying new cloths. Blinds have been donated to the Pairs and Spares class for their windows, as reported by Keith Bradford. Jeff Smith made a motion to adjourn. Keith seconded. Motion carried. Bob Sears closed the meeting in prayer. Minutes by Cindy Sears. Chairs and Tables Fund To help us buy more tables and chairs for the CLC, you may designate your gifts to the Chairs & Tables Fund in the Other field on the offering envelopes. We have received $2,232 as of November 25th. Our goal is $12,000. Thank you for your support. Pastor s Corner, con t (Continued from page 1) cause us to seek answers to new questions. I hope that you will enjoy this time, and I look forward to you joining us as we take THE JOURNEY. God bless you, Eric UMW Cookbooks/Flavoring Cookbooks are available for $10. Flavoring is $2.75 per bottle. See Cindy Sears or Kim Ellis to buy.

4 Ebenezer United Methodist Church 4 We re Off to See the Doctor I used to go to Dr. Clark in Hickory. He had a motto hanging on his wall that read: The faster I go the more behind I get. His waiting room would be packed full of people. One day he came out and asked his nurse if some of the people couldn t go to another doctor, and she said, I m afraid not, Dr. Clark, they have all come to see you. Dr. Clark is no longer with us; he passed away several years ago. Since I have become a senior citizen that motto seems to be the way I feel. One day when I asked John Cole how he was, he said he was Speedy. There is a song that says that life gets more exciting with each passing day if you are among the young at heart. Just remember God is with us no matter what. Another doctor who was in the same building told us one day, when Dr. Clark wasn t in, to get Kaopectate for nausea and diarrhea. He said that it was better than Pepto-Bismol. If I remember right, his name was Dr. Sinclair. He was an army doctor that died before Dr. Clark. Billy Wayne was a small child at the time, and we gave this medicine (which you can get over the counter) to him, because he had a bad case of throwing up and diarrhea. It straightened him out, and we have been using Kaopectate ever since when we need it. Bread and Birds Throw out some bread crumbs for the birds, and they will also be your friends. When we stopped at Chick Filet and were eating our sandwiches in the car, Billy Wayne had his window rolled down. We saw a bird on the roof of the car next to us. I told Billy Wayne to give it a crumb from his bread; so he Contributed by Delores Campbell dropped it down on the ground and the little bird flew down and ate it. It wanted more to eat and flew up on the rearview mirror of Billy s car. He gave it more bread to eat. When it was full, it flew away. I wish we could have gotten a picture of that. What Kind of Dogs? Billy Wayne and his three little dogs went down to Charlie Kohnle s place the other day. Billy Wayne came back saying that he thought he had some rabbit dogs, since they were running top speed after something. All of a sudden, a doe and buck came rushing out from among the trees and that was when he realized he had deer dogs instead of rabbit dogs. I think this would have been quite a sight to see also. Please remember that Jesus is the reason for the Christmas Season. Merry Christmas to all and Happy New Year! Something..., con t 9. Here s a good one: There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no Christmas tree, but will have no presents to give or receive either. If you don t know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me, and they will make the delivery for you. 10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don t do things in secret that you wouldn t do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine. Don t forget: I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me, and do what I have told you to do. I ll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I ll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember I love you, Jesus (Anonymous) Habitat House Fund Update We thank everyone who has given to the Habitat House Fund. Our goal is $5000. As of Sunday, November 25, we had received over $4375. We need less than $625 more to meet the goal. Thank you for your generosity! How do I hide God s word in my heart? Memorize it! Then the angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11 NKJV

5 Ebenezer United Methodist Church 5 D e c e m b e r C e l e b r a t i o n s Acolyte Schedule - DECEMBER 2nd Boyd Fairchild 3rd Justin Shoemake 4th Shane Kelley 5th Ellen Burns, Teresa Simmons, Whitney Sims 7th Jim Farr 14th Patty Coffey, Carla McCrary 15th Jerry Kohnle 2nd 2nd Devin Lyda 9th Samantha Stone 16th Hannah Abernethy 23rd Clair Gilbert 30th Payton Lyda Nursery Schedule - DECEMBER 8:30 Boyd & Emily Johnson 11:00 Nancy Sears 16th Missy Mullinax 17th Scott Miller 23rd Kelsey Benge, John McCrary 25th Tommie Williams 26th Lyle Miller 27th Cheryl Vosdingh 28th JoAnn Knepp 29th Tina Williams 31st Marvin Bowman 9th 16th 23rd 30th 8:30 Teresa Simmons & Dawn Yount 11:00 Teresa Herman 8:30 Cheryl Vosdingh & Tammy Adams 11:00 Kay Gilbert 8:30 Heather Stone & Kim Ellis 11:00 JoAnn Knepp 8:30 Keith & Susan Keener 11:00 Beth Lane Happy Anniversary! 3rd Kenny & Laura Silver 9th Bob & Nancy Sears 17th Gerald & Zetta Mae Frye 30th Michael & Kay Gilbert Special Announcements January Newsletter items need to be in to Cindy by December 19th. The Church Office will be closed for Christmas... Monday Wednesday, December 24th 26th. No services on Wednesday, December 26th. Our Military Kyle Blair Anthony Coffey Ricky Garland Jason Gibson Trey Hefner Chris Kaisenski Please pray for the men and women who protect our freedoms. Shane McRary Eric Maynard Joey Moore Jamie Mullinax Jason Nichol James Starbuck Acolyte Leader Needed We are looking for someone to take over the Acolyte program. Responsibilities include recruiting and training the acolytes, plus preparing a monthly schedule. The Leader would also present the Acolyte Recognition Sunday program, where the acolytes are recognized for their years of service. If you are interested, please contact Beth Lane at

6 Ebenezer United Methodist Church 6 Special Giving Ebenezer UMC and its members, gratefully acknowledge the following special gifts received in November: In Memory of Zetta Mae Frye by: UMW of Ebenezer Women s Bible Class In Memory of Wade Austin by: Judy McCrary Interstate Foan & Supply, Inc. Hoke & Cleo Clark Becky Clark In Memory of Tom Harrison by: Judy McCrary In Loving Memory of Virginia McRary by: Larry & Alice Hill In Honor of Leonard & Jeanette Teague s Anniversary by: Larry & Alice Hill Precooked Turkey/Ham The Costa Rica Team will be selling pre-cooked turkey breasts and Boston butts for Christmas again this year. The cost is $25 each. Please see Barbara Frye or call her at to place an order. Pick-up date will be on Friday, December 21st between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. Proceeds go to pay for school supplies for Costa Rica children. December Fundraisers Ham Biscuits! Yum! Yum! We will be selling ham biscuits, along with sausage and egg ones AND gravy biscuits on Thursday, December 13th. We start at 6:00 a.m. and stop when they are all gone. It doesn t take long! So call early or pre-order on Wednesday by calling: (church office; Mon.-Fri. 8:30-1:00 pm) We deliver orders of 10 or more. Proceeds support our yearly mission trip to and work in Costa Rica. Yum! Yum! Christmas Tree Sales Our United Methodist Men s group is selling more 6 foot Christmas Trees at $25 each for the holiday. Payment must accompany the order. Proceeds will be used for the men s ministries. See order and delivery dates below. Order forms are in the narthex and the hallway. You may pick out your own tree by going to Alleghany County, but trees will be delivered to Ebenezer on Saturday, December 8th. Dec. 8th delivery date order and money is needed by December 2nd. Call Tasha Haas at or Donna Whitson at for assistance. Directions to the Christmas Tree farm will be in an upcoming bulletin. Sunday Morn Biscuit Sale Biscuit Sale Price List $2.00 Ham or Sausage $2.50 Ham or Sausage with egg $2.00 Egg $1.50 Jelly $2.00 Gravy $2.50 Gravy with Sausage $2.00 Fried Apple Pie The United Methodist Women will sale breakfast biscuits after 1st worship service on Sunday, December 2nd. Please come to the CLC to get a hot breakfast before Sunday School begins.

7 Ebenezer United Methodist Church 7 Bonus Story Time Contributed by Delores Campbell A few days ago, I was picking up some papers on the coffee table when I ran across a bulletin. It seemed to be drawing my attention, so I picked it up and started reading. It was dated December 22, The listed sick and shut-ins were Mrs. Greta Fowler, Mrs. Lillian Reid, Mrs. Kitty Kirby, Miss Mindie McRary, Mrs. Myrtle Johnson, Mrs. Corinne Devries, Mr. Boyd McRary, and Mr. Glen Williams. It also said that a donation had been made to the church in memory of Mrs. Seth (Hester) Stafford (my Grandma) by Joan Pennell. Our minister at the time was Robert G. Russell, Jr. On the back of the bulletin was the following poem: Twas the Night Before Jesus Came Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house, Not a creature was praying, not one in the house. Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care In hopes that Jesus would not come there. The children were dressed to crawl into bed, Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head; And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap. When out of the East there arose such a clatter, I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash! When what to my wondering eyes should appear, But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here. With light like the sun sending forth a bright ray, I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY! The light of His face made me cover my head. It was Jesus returning just like He had said. And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth, I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself. In the Book of Life, which He held in his hand, Was written the name of every saved man. He spoke not a word as He searched for my name; When He said it s not here, my head hung in shame. The people whose names had been written with love, He gathered to take to His Father above. With those who were ready, He rose without a sound, While all the rest were left standing around. I fell to my knees, but it was too late. I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate. I stood and cried as they rose out of sight; Oh! If only I had been ready tonight! In the words of this poem the meaning is clear. The coming of Jesus is drawing near. There s only one life and when comes the last call, We ll find that the Bible was true after all! Attributed to various authors, but probably written by Rev. Edward M. Gionest, Sr. in the 1970 s. Your guess is as good as mine as to why this bulletin showed up at this time. I don t remember putting it on the coffee table, and Bill said he didn t do it. I don t think Gary Paul did it either. All I know is it was there. Youth Christmas Card Deliveries The youth of our church will gladly sort and deliver Christmas cards to the regular attendees of Ebenezer UMC for a donation of your choice. Please place the cards and a donation in the boxes provided in the hallway between now and the last day for delivery on Sunday, December 23rd. Please have the cards here before Sunday school begins at 10:00 a.m. or earlier. We thank you for your support!

8 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Every Sunday: 8:30 a.m. Worship 9:50 a.m. Sunday school 11:00 a.m. Worship 2 UMW Biscuit Sale 9:30 AM Christmas Play Rehearsal 4 PM 9 Christmas Play Dress Rehearsal 3 PM Performance 6 PM 16 Church Council 4:30 PM, see p. 2 See p. 5 for Nursery and Acolyte Lists Christmas Eve Service 6 PM 30 UMW 7 PM, see p. 2 Ebenezer UMC Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors. 3 4 Prayer Group 9 AM Prayer Group 9 AM Prayer Group 9 AM 31 Every Wed.: 6 pm: Praise Band 7 pm: Adult, Youth, Children s, Bible studies Christmas Shoe Boxes due Friday morning or early Saturday morning 1 Hanging of the Greens 5 PM, see p Abby Mullinax party 2 PM Woods Reunion 5-9 PM (private party) Ham Biscuits 6 AM til gone!, see p January Newsletter items due! No Wednesday Services this week Merry Christmas! December Ham/Turkey pick up 4-5 PM 27 Church Office Closed Dec Ebenezer United Methodist Church 8