St. James United Methodist Church AWARE December 2017 ~~~~~~~~~~~~PASTOR~~~~~~~~~~~ Dongsu Lee dongsulee1211@gmail.com ~~~~~~~LAY LEADERSHIP~~~~~~~ Lay Leader/Lay Member Ann. Conf. Larry Gyrion larry.gyrion@gmail.com Staff Parish Relation Chairperson Gary Linstad garylinstad@aol.com Administrative Board Chairperson Tom Schemm tschemm@atcllc.com Council Secretary Deb Kraemer dkraemer@new.rr.com Treasurer Chris Bahr chrisbahr2@gmail.com Finance Chair Jon Krein kreinjp@gmail.com Financial Secretary LuAnn Van Handel LVanhandel26@gmail.com Trustees Chair Bill Kraemer and the committee Christian Education Sherri Gyrion sherri.gyrion@gmail.com Missions Committee Kay & Charlie Christenson christenson4@live.com Member Care Lead Dongsu Lee dongsulee1211@gmail.com Website Bill Kraemer billebob57@new.rr.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~STAFF~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Administrative Assistant Deb Kraemer office@umcsj.org Organist Linda Lee Custodian Kari Sturm mama0509@ymail.com Please note: If you are receiving this electronically, all links in this publication are active. (indicated as blue and underlined.) You just need to hover over it and click on the link with your mouse. The season of Advent, which comes from the Latin word adventus meaning coming or visit, begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. Advent is the beginning of the church year for Christians. (Interpreter: by United Methodist Communication, Nov/Dec, 2017, p. 50) We experience many advents in our daily living all months. The advent in this season we remember and reflect the first advent of Jesus, the Son of God and then watch and wait for another advent of his, the 2 nd coming of Jesus. During the time in between the first and the second, if we have eyes to see and ears to hear, we can feel, hear and see comings of Jesus. So God s advents are on-going works. All holy hymns and books in the Bible show that many people had and have witnessed God s frequent advents. What kind of good news will we have if people meet God s advents? The best example was what happened to young mother of Jesus, Mary. A young virgin in the country became a partner of God s salvific ministry to save and rescue the world to transform the status quo only for the rich and the powerful into a fair human community: he has brought down monarchs from their thrones, but the humble have been lifted high. The hungry he has satisfied with good things, the rich sent away empty. (Luke 1:52-53) God s advent is more than the material benefit of an individual. It is so called the people s return to God s shalom, the paradise that we lost. Jesus advent to the fishermen such as Peter and John and then Paul helped them to turn the rest of their lives toward God. In Jesus own words, they began their new life: from the life with beginning and end into the life everlasting. All people who will welcome, receive, and dedicate to God s advent will make a great turning to God: God comes to us and we go toward him and meet together believing in Jesus. So both God, and we, wait and watch for this season of coming and going. Three things that we need to do during this season of Advent and Christmas is Let earth receive her King. The King will set us free from fear of life and death and let us re-start our life, forgetting yesterday, whether it was sunny or rainy. Then we will start a new Christian practice with purpose-driven life. Pastor s letter is continued on page 4 1
Scripture Readings for December December 3 December 10 December 17 December 24 Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 & Mark 13:24-37 Sharon Ramsaroop & Sierra Gyrion Isaiah 40:1-11, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Mark 1:1-8 Children's Christmas Program Luke 1:26-38 ONGOING ACTIVITIES Lunch Bunch: 12:15 p.m. on Monday, Dec., 11, at Olive Garden, 1275 N. Casaloma Dr. Men s Breakfast: 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, Dec., 12, at Mary s Family Rest., 2312 N. Richmond St. Ladies Nite Out: Will not meet in December. Wednesday Bible Study & Support Group: Meets at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. 6:30 p.m. December 24 Luke 2:1-20 December Celebrations December 31 SAVE THE DATE Dec. 2 Dec. 9 Sermon titles will be given closer to each week. Holiday Fair (8 a.m. -2 p.m.) Emergency Shelter Meal 4-7 p.m. For updates: umcsj.org Dec. 16 Children s Christmas practice (9-11a.m.) Dec. 17 Children s Christmas program () Dec. 24 () Morning worship with the Choir Dec. 24 (6:30 p.m.) Christmas Eve Candlelight service Dec. 31 Hymn Sing worship (8:45 p.m.) Hymn Sing Sunday Tis the Season For Music!! Let s make a joyful noise unto the Lord! The choir is planning on doing a mini cantata based on familiar Christmas Carols and readings. This compilation will be presented at the Christmas Eve morning worship service. We will be practicing on Tuesday nights at 6:30p.m. before Praise Team practices beginning Dec. 5th. Please let Deb K. or Kay C. know if you are interested in participating, or just come on the 5th! Also, there will be an evening worship service on the 24th as well. Worship will be at 6:30 p.m. Because of this, we will not be doing our usual pre-service music. Fear not! If you have a special musical talent you would like to share, please let Deb in the office know, and we will find a place for you in the evening worship service. Birthdays 12/04 Linda Lee 12/04 Arlene Clark 12/08 Ella Genke 12/08 Audrey Genke 12/08 Darcie Lind 12/08 Julie Remmel 12/10 Duane Maves 12/10 Sherri Gyrion 12/11 Pastor Dongsu 12/12 Hunter Price 12/14 Jennifer Graham 12/14 Caleb Bahr 12/16 Jon Krein 12/17 Debra Ebben 12/18 Mark Ebert 12/18 J.R King 12/19 Tenley Lang 12/21 Kelsey Shepard 12/23 Carol Carlson 12/27 Mackenna Gyrion 12/28 Martina Olson 12/28 Issabelle Davies 12/29 Preston Price 12/30 Bonnie Behling Anniversaries 12/01 Paul & Jamie Davies (12y) 12/04 Rich & Bev Stewart (46y) Reminder: worship now begins at Pastor Lee s Office Hours St James: Monday & Wednesday, 9 a.m. -12 p.m. Oneida: Tuesday & Thursday, 9 a.m. -12 p.m. Pastor Lee s phone number: 715-254-5328 Cell: 715-254-5328 2
Advent Candle Lighting Advent readers needed starting December 5th. If interested please click here, to contact the church office. The Advent wreath is a symbol of watchfulness and increasing joy as we anticipate Jesus birth. The wreath s circular shape symbolizes eternity, or life without end. The candles remind us that Jesus is the Light of the World he brought light and life to a dark world (see John 1:4-5). On each of the four Sundays of Advent, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, we light a new candle. As the light grows, so do our hope, joy, peace and love. We are looking for families, groups, (ie: men s breakfast, etc.) or individuals who are interested in doing a small reading, and lighting an advent candle this Advent season during worship. The dates needed are as follows... Sunday, December 3, Deb Ebben & Cheyanne Pierce Sunday, December 10 The Lang Family Sunday, December 17 Sunday, December 24 Sunday, December 24 6:30 p.m. Thursday April 19 to Sunday April 22 Thursday April 26 to Sunday April 29 Sunday Morning Mission offerings from October to December. will go to Salvation Army Click on the link below to find out more Salvation Army We are in need of people to help serve a meal every even numbered month on the second Saturday from 4-7 p.m. If you can assist, contact Paul and Deb Countney or the church office. (the next need is for Feb. 10th. Are you looking for a gift for someone who seems to have everything? Consider the gift that keeps on giving, a weekend with God. The Walk to Emmaus is an experience of Christian spiritual renewal and formation. It is an opportunity to meet Jesus Christ in a new way as God s grace and love is revealed to you through other believers. It begins with a 3-day short course in Christianity. Christ will meet you where you are, no matter where you are on your Christian journey. For more information, contact the church office by clinking on the link or call 734-5371. 3
Pastor s letter Continued from page 1 Second, the church not only proclaims God s advent, but also the church needs to be born again or annually, humbling and repenting us. With reflection on the first advent of God we begin again in a manger in Bethlehem. The church needs reformation of worship, theology, service toward the world of violence and inequality between the rich and the poor, hierarchical system. The church, as a local, denominational, and universal, needs to get back to the manger, the image of poverty, chastity, glowing vision and energy. Look at the first church at the manger where angels, shepherds from the field, and the parents of Jesus were gathered. Church as an assembly of God where God s advent was visible, though it was a few, not a mega church. Third, I pray and wish my church experience God s coming in this season of Advent and Christmas. God wants to come into St James United Methodist Church and visit us Sunday after Sunday. Shall we be open to God like Mary, mother of Jesus in Luke? Here am I, said Mary; I am the Lord s servant; as you have spoken, so be it. (Luke 1:37-38) Merry Christmas to all of you, the family of St James United Methodist Church! Pastor Dongsu Our Greatest Need If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer. But our greatest need was forgiveness and acceptance, so God sent us a Savior. Author unknown The Giver Many Christian families struggle with what role if any Santa Claus should play in their Christmas celebrations. No matter what you decide, it s fascinating to know the history of the real-life St. Nicholas. Born about 270 A.D., Nicholas was a bishop in Myra, or modern-day Turkey. In the year 325, he was part of the Council of Nicaea, which produced the Nicene Creed. Nicholas, known for his generosity, often gave away his money anonymously. According to tradition, he secretly provided dowries for the three daughters of a bankrupt merchant. Nicholas threw two bags of gold through open windows and placed the third in a stocking hanging by the fireplace to dry. Thus began the Christmas tradition of placing gifts in stockings. St. Nicholas is quoted as saying, The giver of every good and perfect gift has called upon us to mimic God s giving, by grace, through faith, and this is not of ourselves. 4
Committee Reports Trustees: Bill Kraemer Administrative Council Minutes from November 13, 2017 We are on the schedule to get our automatic parking lot lights fixed with LED lights on Tues., Nov., 14. The trustees got 2 quotes and decided to go with Kampo Electric out of Kaukauna. The cost of replacing the existing lights with LED was a bit more, but these should last several more years, and reduce electric usage, which should give us overall savings in the long term. We have contracted with Lake Shore lawn care to do the parking lot snow removal for this season. We are advertising to have someone remove the snow on the Capitol Dr. sidewalk. If we do not get someone who wants to earn a little cash, we have a backup plan. We are still waiting for the leaves to drop so that we can rake and haul them away. We have scheduled a plumber to come in to do our bi-annual cross connection for the fixtures as required by Grand Chute. Larry has reported to the trustees that a new vacuum cleaner is needed. We do not know all the details of this, just that Kari got hurt on a part that broke. Chris Bahr reported that the vacuum cleaner is an industrial one that was only bought about 5-years ago, and should be fixable. Bill will check further into this, as Larry was not in attendance. Deb K had reported to the trustees that one of the phone lines has been out since early spring. It is thought we can probably get away with one phone line at this time. There was more discussion around this subject. Then, Deb Ebben made a motion to give Deb Kraemer the authority to make the upgrade of the internet and switch the phone company from NDT to Spectrum. This was seconded it by Chris Bahr. The motion passed. Trustees are asking each committee to submit a wish list of needs in the church, so we can analyze those needs and set priorities with available funds. Memorial Gardens. We don t know where this is at or where it is going? Some info has been lost in the transition. After some discussion we thought that this is something that we could publicize, to let people know that memorial gardens would be a memorial gift option. This would be done through church publications and the pastor. Tom Schemm also thought that this would be a great Eagle project for a scout. He is going to let Troop 73 know of this opportunity. It was thought that this is a project that could generate some excitement in the congregation. A committee could be formed with interested parties to pursue options. Education: No one was present to report for education, but Deb Kraemer noted that the Christmas practice and program are on the church calendar for Dec. 16 th and 17 th respectively. Mission: Kay Christenson 48 school bags were donated to the Ingathering in June. Crop walk raised $335. Mission committee would like to promote a wider interest in VIM. We had participation in Habitat for Humanity again this year. Would like to see more hands-on mission work from more members of St James. Even though we participate in Habitat, Henderson, Salvation Army, Homeless Connections & more. Would like to see more members involved. We are in need of ringers for the Holiday Fair. We have a sponsor this year, Ken s Sports will match up to $100. Care Committee: Deb Kraemer We continue to do visits to nursing homes, hospitals and homes. We continue to send thinking of you, get well, birthday cards to the kids, milestone anniversary and birthday cards. We are seeking a way to get Bob Strutz to church. Deb Ebben has suggested Valley Transit II as a means to do this. Deb K will send the information to Bob s daughter. Web site: Bill Kraemer Bill suggested everyone check out the revamped website. Lay Leader Report: Not present. 5
Church Ad Council continued from previous page... Finance: Jon Krein We continue to meet monthly. The March Special Commitment giving brought a pledge of $7,465, $6,365 has been received to date. As of 10-8 our Thrivent Loan balance was $60,107: Capital Fund Balance was $20,623. (Someone mentioned as a reminder that this loan was for the $20,000 in road work as well as the bathrooms and few smaller items.) Based on a reduction in our giving units, and staff changes, adjustments were made to the budget. 2018 apportionments will be $25,512, a reduction of about $2000 from 2017. Stewardship committee and finance are working on a campaign for 2017. It will most likely include the Capital Campaign. After a bit of discussion, it was decided to do the stewardship campaign in early January 2018. We would like to see a Christmas Letter with special offering envelope this year. Did not have one last Christmas and giving was down significantly. SPRC: Gary Linstad SPRC has been busy. Since the start of the year there has been a complete staff turn-over except for one. We are still looking for a Choir director. Many avenues have been attempted. Diane Ebert might have a lead on one. Pastor s compensation package was discussed and explained for 2018. A motion was made by Tom to approve the package and was seconded by Jon. The motion passed. A motion was made by Deb Ebben to amend the previous vote to include the Resolution on Housing/Furnishings and Accountable Reimbursement. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Pastor Report: Pastor Dongsu It has been a learning experience dividing time 60/40 between St James and Oneida. Have been making many visits to older or sick members. Would like to begin visiting active members after the new year to get an idea of their vision for St James. We are adjusting well to our new living arrangements. Appreciative of the patience for the congregation as he learns more about us. Working on adjustments to improve the worship experience. Planning to start putting sermon text up on the screen. Working toward ways for the revitalization of St. James. Other vote-able items as needed for Church/Charge Conference. The report on Care and Removal of members was reviewed. A question was asked, what happens if they want come back. Answer, if they become active in the congregation, they can request reinstatement. A motion made by Wayne to approve the list, seconded and was approved unanimously. The list of Lay Servants; Sierra & Sherri Gyrion, Ed & Sharon Ramsaroop, and Kay Christenson, and Lay Speakers; Deb Kraemer and Larry Gyrion was presented by Dongsu. Jon made a motion to approve the list and Bill seconded it. The motion was approved unanimously. New Business: Gary Linstad Conference support to help St James with revitalization efforts is available. This is done through an interview process with two possible companies who specialize in this. The interview would be with the Ad Council and both sides need to agree that there is a fit. The interview process is free, but once we choose there would be fees that are dependent on the amount of assistance we need. Gary proposes that we accept the offer and move forward with these efforts. A motion was made by Tom to approve moving forward with a revitalization effort by first bringing in the 2 consultants for interviews. Deb Ebben seconded and the motion was approved unanimously. The meeting closed at 8:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Deb Kraemer 6
3 10 17 24 Morning 24 Evening 6:30 p.m. 31 GREETER Carol Carlson Jill Featherwolf SOUND & PROJECTION Bill Kraemer Bill Kraemer Larry Gyrion Cal Christenson Bill Kraemer Bill Kraemer Cal Christenson USHER CAPTAIN Bonnie Budreau Carol Carlson Bonnie Budreau Carol Carlson Mike Shepard Wayne DeGrand FELLOWSHIP HOSPITALITY Volunteers needed. Tom and Mary Schemm Volunteers needed. N/A Volunteers needed. ACOLYTE Cheyanne Pierce Ashlynn Gyrion Children s Program Avery Lang Lili Gyrion LITURGIST Sharon Ramsaroop and Sierra Gyrion Jayne Lang Children's Program Deb Ebben Hymn Sing NURSERY Michelle Price Carrie Walters Jill Featherwolf N/A COUNTERS Deb Ebben Deb Kraemer Chris Bahr Carol Carlson Chris Bahr Deb Ebben Chris Bahr Carol Carlson N/A COMMUNION SERVERS Please contact the church office if you can fill in any spots. Mary Thomas, Pastor Lee, See UMCSJ.org for updates & additional info... 7
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 3 8:00 a.m. Choir Practice 8:15 a.m. Praise Practice Worship 9:45 a.m. Fellowship Time 10 Communion 8:10 a.m. Praise Practice Worship Sherry Schreiner - VIM 9:45 a.m. Fellowship Time 17 8:15 a.m. Praise Practice Worship Children s Program 9:45 a.m. Fellowship Time 24 7:45 a.m. Choir Practice 8:20 a.m. Praise Practice Worship - Choir Cantata 9:45 a.m. Fellowship Time 4 4:30 p.m. Girl Scouts 11 12:15 p.m. Lunch Bunch, at Olive Garden 4:30 p.m. Girl Scouts 18 4:30 p.m. Girl Scouts 6:30 p.m. LSM Meeting (Lay Servant Ministry) 25 Office Closed Merry 5 6:00 p.m. Accountability Group 6:30 p.m. Choir 7:30 p.m. Praise Team 12 8:00 a.m. Men s Breakfast 6:00 p.m. Acct Group 6:30 p.m. Choir 7:30 p.m. Praise Team 5 1:00 p.m. Bible Study & Support Group P a s t o r L e e I s o n v a c a t I o n 19 6:00 p.m. Acct Group 6:30 p.m. Choir 7:30 p.m. Praise Team 26 No accountability group or praise practice 13 1:00 p.m. Bible Study & Support Group 6:30 p.m. Youth group 20 1:00 p.m. Bible Study & Support Group 27 AWARE ARTICLES DUE No bible study this week 7 9:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Valley VNA Foot Care Clinic 1 Office Closed 8 Office Closed 4:30 p.m. Girl Scouts 14 15 Office Closed 21 22 23 2 Holiday Fair P a s t o r L e e I s o n v a c a t I o n Call 727-5555 28 29 30 9 4-7 p.m. Emergency Shelter Meal 16 9-11 a.m. Children s Christmas Program practice 6:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Worship lllll 31 Hymn Sing 9:45 a.m. Fellowship 8
For the Kids 1. Question 3 - How many Wise Men were there? 2. Question 4 - What three gifts did the Wise Men bring for the baby Jesus? 3. Question 12 - What did Mary wrap the baby Jesus in? 4. Question 17 - In which town was the baby Jesus born? 5. Question 8 - What guided the wise men to the infant Jesus? 9
St. James United Methodist Church 100 W. Capitol Drive Appleton, WI 54911-1021 Return Service Requested Affix Postage Here Mailing Label To receive this newsletter through email and to receive weekly e-news from St. James UMC, please send your email address to office@umcsj.org. St. James United Methodist Church Pastor Dongsu Lee Home: 920-202-3090 Cell: 715-254-5328 dongsulee1211@gmail.com Deb Kraemer Administrative Assistant office@umcsj.org Office phone number: 920-734-5371 Office Hours 9 a.m. 1 p.m., Monday Thursday Bulletin Information & Announcements Due Monday of each week Newsletter Submissions Due 20th of each month For more information, go to umcsj.org Aware is published monthly by St. James UMC, 100 W. Capitol Drive, Appleton, WI 54911 10