Hilda United Methodist Church Hilda Herald DECEMBER 2012 www.hildaumc.org Sunday Worship 11:00 AM Sunday School 10:00 AM Wednesday Prayer 9:00 AM PASTOR S INFO Rev. Wade Powell 14201 Ranch Rd. 783 Mason, TX 76856 Cell: 325-347-7219 arcwade@gmail.com Open Hearts Open Minds Open Doors PRACTICING THE PRESENCE OF GOD As Christmas approaches we see signs of cheer and holiday giving: coat drives, toy drives, Christmas parties, Christmas cards in the mailbox, etc. It should be easy to experience the joy of the season with TV specials like a Charlie Brown Christmas or It s a Wonderful Life. Yet, many of us are stressed out this time of year too. Bills from gift giving pile up. Time is stretched between work, shopping, parties, and other commitments. So, we go into the season with great expectation of fueling our spirit with the love of Christ, but come January we feel worn out and wonder where Christmas went. This is also the time of year for pastors for our official consultations to the Bishop s cabinet. Those of us that are local pastors follow that up with interviews with the district committee on ordained ministry just around the corner. There are extra articles that must be written. Extra church services to prepare for. And, for me, finals week occurs in December as I work on my masters of divinity. Of course we ve also got the bills and time commitments that loom in December too. December is stressful! What a downer this article is, so far! But, what I m getting at here underscores our need for Jesus. Like the people of God over two thousand years ago, we need a Messiah. Even in our attempt to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we find a way to further stress ourselves out. Peace comes from God. God s presence is where you find him. Brother Lawrence, an early Carmelite monk found God s presence in the chores of everyday life. As a cook and as a cobbler, he used ALL of his time to find and embrace God. He called it, practicing the presence of God. So, as we go about our hectic schedule this holiday season with all the noise of commercialism and stress, seek God in all that you do. Find the joy of Christmas even in San Antonio traffic or late night present wrapping. God has made himself known to us through the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Take advantage of his presence. Take comfort in his presence. And may there be peace on earth through his presence. God bless you and Merry Christmas! Pastor Wade 1
Page 2 Hilda Herald United Methodist Women Hilda U.M.W. The Hilda UMW met Tuesday, November 13th in the Hilda Fellowship Hall at 10:00 a.m. Pat Tucker was hostess and Leatrice Haley presented the program, Sowing Hope, Faith, & Love for our annual Thank Offering. Our next meeting will be our annual Christmas Brunch and secret pal gift exchange. We will also draw name for 2013. The meeting will be at Linda Kesler s home on Tuesday, Dec. 11 at 10:00 a.m. and Suzanne Brantley will present our Christmas program. We will also wrap gifts for children in the Mason area who are not fortunate to have gifts on Christmas morning. Leatrice Haley Martha Circle The Martha Circle met in the Hilda Fellowship Hall and enjoyed a shared meal. Gerry Daniel presented a program on the UMW Reading Program. She and Carol Sattler review some of the books they have read. We purchased 20 coats for MISD students in need and 14 for Bluebonnet Casa (I think, maybe a few more). We also purchased index cards for the ACE program to distribute for students in need. Also the items needed by the school nurse were purchased and delivered. Total spent was $779.66 out of our account. Thanks to Teresa Walker, Connie Witt and Carol Sattler for purchasing the coats. YOUTH AND ADULT CHOIR ADVENT PRESENTATION On December 16, 2012 the Youth and Adult Choir will present Prepare the Way during the worship service. Four scenes depict the four Sundays in Advent and remind us that this is a season to look in our hearts and prepare our minds for the coming of the Messiah. Don t miss this special service! 2
Volume 6, Issue 1 Page 3 CALENDAR OF EVENTS DECEMBER, 2012 Sunday, Dec.. 2 - Communion Sunday & First Sunday of Advent Choir Practice after church & Sunday, Dec. 9 - Holiday Luncheon following worship service in Fellowship Hall - meat (ham) will be furnished - please bring a dessert or a side dish. 7:00 p.m. The Mason Community Choir will present their annual Christmas Cantata at First UMC in Mason. Tuesday, Dec. 11 - UMW Meeting - 10:00 a.m. @ Linda Kesler s home in Doss. This will be our annual Christmas brunch and the revealing of our secret pals for the past year. Sunday, Dec. 16 - Annual Advent/Christmas Program by the Hilda Choir and youth Tuesday, Dec. 18 - Martha Circle Christmas Meeting - 6:00 p.m. in Mason Sunday, Dec. 23 - Choir Practice after church & Monday, Dec. 24-5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service Tuesday, Dec. 25 - MERRY CHRISTMAS JANUARY, 2013 Tuesday, Jan. 1 - HAPPY NEW YEAR! Sunday, Jan. 6 - Communion Sunday & First Sunday of Advent Choir Practice after church & Sunday, Jan. 13 - Choir Practice after church & Tuesday, Jan. 8 - UMW Meeting - 10:00 a.m. @ Hilda Fellowship Hall Sunday, Jan. 20 - - Choir Practice after church & Sunday, Jan. 27 - Choir Practice after church & Light a Candle Light a little candle In your heart today; Say a prayer for Jesus Born on Christmas Day. Then open up your heart To all those hurting so Spread love, and joy, and happiness Everywhere you go. Ruth Moyer Gilmour 3
ANNUAL HOLIDAY LUNCHEON Sunday, December 9th following worship service The church will furnish smoked hams so please bring a side dish or dessert 2012 READERS & USHERS DECEMBER Rebecca Dodson - Reader Danny & Mona Hyde - Ushers Prayer Concerns Allen Glassman, Diane Piper, Donna hurley, Ann Kroboth, Odessa Kimbriel, Parker Glassco, Ricky Glassco, Doris Ogden, Kimberly Geistweidt, Frank Brown, Reuben Geistweidt, Amy Easterweed, Hugh Weaver, Jan Jordan, Bob Kerrigan, Moriah Velez, Ruth Carlson, Pat Tucker, Scott Spencer, Skip Slaughter, Ann Nitsch, Roger Reitz, Artie Delong, Danny Watkins, Irvin Eckert, Nanci Gibbons, Dutch & Joyce Gerloff, Debi Loeffler, Jim Drewitz, Jacob Bibb, Joe & Susan Schaeffer, Kelsey Turner, Denver Mixon, Allen Boysen, And to Ishmael Garcia & Jeff Gideon and all our other service men and women. If you ve not signed up for a poinsettia in memory of or in honor of, it s not too late. You can sign up at church on Sunday, Dec.2 or Sunday, Dec. 9. If you won t be at church, call Jan Appleby @ 347-6583 or 347-4058. ADDITION TO CHURCH DIRECTORY Please add Veleda Boyd-Coan s ranch & cell phone numbers - only Don s are listed in the directory Home: 325-347-8240 Cell: 325-347-4386 4
ALL SAINT S DAY November 4, 2012 We celebrated All Saint s Day on Sunday, November 4th. As Pastor Wade noted in his article last month, we need to exalt those that have given us the example of how to live life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, as Paul tells us in Ephesians. Each of us is called to sainthood by virtue of our baptism in Christ. We also celebrated the lives of three very special people who we lost during 2012 - Viola Balzen, Robert Harlan, and Herbert Loeffler. A candle was lit for each of these HUMC members as well as for those in the military who have made the ultimate sacrifice, for children who left our world too soon, and for Lee Roy (Butch) Loeffler at 73 years old inspired his family to run the San Antonio Rock & Roll 1/2 Marathon with him in November. He was very proud to have three generations in the race this year. This is Lee Roy's 2nd year in a row to run the Rock & Roll race & his third 1/2 marathon in the past year. He often quotes Bible scriptures to control his breathing while running & continues to hold firm to his belief that "with God by your side all things are possible". Pictured are: Shanna Price (granddaughter), Hawkins Allen (grandson), Lee Roy, Teresa Walker (daughter) & Shelby Allen (granddaughter) 5
The First Christmas DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS Pat Turcker - Dec. 8 Suzanne Brantley - Dec. 8 Danny Smith - Dec. 9 Jaxon Price - Dec. 10 Reuben Geistweidt - Dec. 27 Janis Friedrich - Dec. 28 Gerry Daniel - Dec. 30 DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES Danny & Florence Smith - Dec. 1 Frank & Margaret Brown - Dec. 26 Oh, so afraid were they The shepherds in the field When shone the glory of the Lord The angel hosts revealed. Fear not, the angel said, For tidings glad I bring! All men must know that on this night The world receivers her King! He slumbers in a stall! A manger for His bed. His only robe, the swaddling clothes- No crown upon His head! Oh, glory be to God! The angel hosts did say And peace on earth, goodwill toward me, For Christ is born this day! Oh, meek and holy Child, Come dwell within my heart! Oh, may Thy presence ever be A candle in the dark! Sancie Earman King L-R: Lynn Brandenberger Reichenau, Dian Eckert Willmann, & Glenda Kothmann celebrated their being confirmed in the Hilda UMC 50 years ago in October of 1962. A MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL! 6