December 2018 Full schedule of seasonal events and services inside! page 11 December 2nd 1 to 4 PM See Page 2 UMW Thrift Shop is December 7th & 8th! Details on Page 4
This FREE community event is now in it s 12th year! Invite your friends and neighbors to! There is something special for ALL ages to enjoy! 2
I wasn t prepared for his visit! Notes from Joe Many years ago, I was in the church office of the church I served in San Jose, and a good friend from high school suddenly walked in. I had not seen him for years. He was in town on business, and I had no idea that he was coming. Let s go have lunch he said. Well, it happened to be a day when I had many things scheduled. We had a completely different experience the following summer when our family visited with my friend (and his family) on our vacation. On the vacation of course, we planned ahead, called ahead, and knew that we would have plenty of time when we arrived. There was a sense of anticipation. We said: It sure will be great to get together. We looked forward to it. It felt to me like the waiting and the anticipation for the visit allowed us to prepare. Advent is not about don t worry, be happy revelry; it is, rather, a recommitment, as a new year unfolds, to live toward the good, the just, and the true. As we enter this Advent season, let's remember the power of waiting and anticipation, and acknowledge how those feelings can allow us to prepare ourselves inside and out. Let s remember that longing can help us to make decisions toward sharing compassion and kindness with others, and create a better world in the process. And let s remember that through us and our I quickly made a few calls and rethis Sunday will be the first Sunday preparations, God can move arranged some appointments, and of our Advent season. Advent calls powerfully in this world! As the old we went and had lunch, and talked us toward a spiritual preparation. carol reminds us: Let every heart for about an hour. But then I had to While our culture honors prepare Him room. get going, because of commitments consumerism and all that we can I had already made. It was have right here and now, Advent Blessings, wonderful to see my good friend, asks us to recognize what we lack, but the whole meeting was quick and what is not yet right in the world. and abrupt, and the bottom line is: Philip Campbell, a scholar, writes: Star and Starbucks December 2: Holy Expectancy & Instant Results December 9 : The Old and the New December 16: The Sacred and the Secular December 23: The Haves and the Have Nots Luke 1:5-23 Luke 1:46-56 Matthew 1:18-25 Luke 2:8-20 In December, Pastor Joe will begin a new sermon series called Star and Starbucks. Plan to join us on Sundays for this compelling series! 3
Genocide No More-- Save Darfur Tuesday, 12/4 5:30 pm Planning Meeting, Fratelli's Pizza, 1774 California St. Friday, 12/28 5:00 pm Interfaith Prayer Vigil, Sundial Bridge Join Genocide No More--Save Darfur! Tickets for "Miracle on 34th St." will be sold after all three services Sunday, December 2. The delightful story of what we want Christmas to be about will be told at the Riverfront Playhouse Tuesday, December 4 at 7:30 PM. The $20 ticket includes delicious desserts at intermission. For info or tickets contact Marv Steinberg at 229-3661 or Loganstein@aol.com. Christmas Angel Tree This year, our church is playing SANTA for kids in need at Cypress School! Members of Church and Society will have information about this opportunity in Fellowship Café for the next 2 Sundays (or call the Church Office during the week). You can pick up tags with a child s wishes on the Christmas Angel Tree. It s easy and a great way to share God s love this season! All gifts need to be wrapped, labeled and returned to the Church by Sunday Dec. 16th. UMW Thrift Shop: Thrift Shop: Friday, December 7th from 9 to 3 and Saturday, December 8th from 9 to 11. General Luncheon and Meeting is: Wednesday, December 19th at noon. I would like to pause to give thanks for the many positive experiences we United Methodist Women have had here as part of First Church. Because of the contributions of many, the Thrift Shop and Bazaar enable us to serve our community and support the global mission of the United Methodist Women, some important local organizations, and specific programs here in our church. In addition, a percentage of each fundraising event goes to the general fund of the church in appreciation for the ongoing support of staff and Church members, men and women, who make these gifts possible. Thank you all. May December be a time of peace and joy for you and your family. Café Perk Holiday Coffee Offers Special Treat! Café Perk is back at Fellowship Café on Sunday, December 9th from 10am to 11:30am with delicious espresso drinks served up by our youthful elves! Special holiday flavors and fair trade coffee make this the perfect treat for the holidays! 4
Youth & Children @ First Church First Church offers fantastic programming for children from infants through 5th grade every Sunday at 9:30 AM & 11:15 AM Nursery care is available at both of our morning services. reddingumc.org/wonderyears December Special Activities: Sunday, Dec. 2nd 1-4 PM Gifts for Good Holiday Maker Faire: Don t miss this amazing event and invite a friend! Special Children s Play Practice: Saturday, Dec. 8th 10 AM to noon in the Sanctuary. This is a mandatory rehearsal. Please rsvp with Andy! Children s Christmas Program Sunday, December 9th will be presented during Children s Time at BOTH 9:30 AM and 11:15 AM services. Please have your children at church by 9 AM so they can get their costumes on and do a sound check! Questions? Contact Peggy or Andy Saturday, Dec. 22nd 1-3 PM Caroling for Shut-ins This is a fun activity for families! Meet in the Social Hall and we will car pool from there! Our Wonder Years Leaders: Nicole Sinderson Nursery 9:30 and 11:15 AM Kate Turner PreK-K 9:30 and 11:15 AM Natasha Henneinke 1st-2nd 11:15 AM Julia Major 3-5th 11:15 AM Andy McClure Children s Ministry Coordinator and 1st-5th @ 9:30 AM Youth@FIRST CHURCH 6th 12th grades Sunday mornings 10-11:15 AM! Sunday, December 2nd 12:45 PM to 4:15 PM Gifts for Good : We will be selling our fudge AND helping at craft tables and in the kitchen. This is one of our service opportunities so please plan to be there to help! **NO Youth at 10am that day! Sunday, December 9th 10 to11:30 AM Café Perk: We will be offering special holiday flavors this month. Please RSVP with Peggy Saturday, December 15th Christmas Brunch Set-up Time TBD Sunday, December 16th 9 AM to Noon All Church Christmas Brunch: We need all hands on deck for this event. It is our biggest fundraiser of the year! PARENTS: We need your help!! Saturday, December 22nd 1-3 PM Caroling for our Shut-ins: This is a super fun and meaningful experience so let Peggy know if you are able to participate! Sunday, December 23rd: *No regular Youth today SPECIAL rehearsal for our Candlelight Service from 2-4pm. RSVP your interest/availability with Peggy Rebol Monday, December 24th: 5pm Candlelight Service: Our tradition is that this service is YOUTH LED so make plans to be a part of it! Opportunities to light candles, read scripture, do the offering, light more candles.!! Sunday, December 30th: *NO YOUTH TODAY = Happy Holidays= See You NEXT YEAR! Check the website for upcoming activities! reddingumc.org/youth 5
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Parkinson s Support Group Friday, December 14th in The Social Hall 1-1:30 PM = Sign in and Social Time 1:30-3 PM = Meeting (Open Discussion) Blue Christmas Service Monday, Dec. 10th at 5:30pm in the Sanctuary Christmas can be a difficult time for many who have endured hardship, tragedy or loss in the previous year. Our Blue Christmas service is a simple service of remembrance and reflection. There will be a special table set up front for pictures of those we have lost, whether that be a dear family member, a beloved pet, or even a home. We will also have the opportunity during this service to light candles in memory or in honor of a loved one. Join us for this service of remembrance and this sacred time of honoring of what we have lost. Saturday Friends December Luncheon Inclusive Ministries Christmas Dinner Sunday, December 16th Room 10/11. Inclusive Ministries is an outreach ministry sharing love with food and song! Cooks, servers, drivers and kitchen helpers are needed for this important outreach ministry. Contact Vicki Ono in the evenings at 227-6654 or email: vickiono@gmail.com The Saturday Friends have a fun and delectable outing planned for Saturday, December 15th at 12:30 PM. The outing will be at Sailing Boat Chinese Restaurant located at 2772 Churn Creek Road. The cost is $14 per person and includes tax and gratuity. There will also be a white elephant gift exchange. Please RSVP to Mabel Lythgoe at 221-7241 no later than December 12th. 8
December Upcoming Events Mark your calendars for these important meetings this month! Finance Tuesday, December 4th at 5:30 pm in Eldridge Trott Worship Planning Tuesday, December 11th at 4:30 pm in Eldridge Trott Church Council Tuesday, December 11th at 5:30 pm in Fellowship Café All Church Christmas Brunch: Sunday Dec. 16th Our Youth will be serving an elegant Christmas Brunch for our congregation on Sunday December 16th between 9:30 and 11:30 in the Social Hall and we hope you will make plans to be a part of it! This annual event provides the opportunity to feast on a delicious meal AND enjoy lively conversation and holiday cheer with your church family. SPRC Wednesday, December 12th at 5:30 pm in Room 21 Trustees Tuesday, December 18th at 5:30 pm in Room 21 Church & Society Wednesday. December 19th at 4:30 pm in Eldridge Trott. Annual Caroling Outing Offers Opportunity to Sing Like an Angel! There is nothing that makes the holidays more special than caroling for our beloved shut-ins and those too ill to come to church. Join Pastor Joe and his merry band of elves as we travel to various care facilities and homes to bring Christmas cheer! Meet in the Social Hall at 12:45pm on Saturday, December 22nd. We will be car pooling and return to the church by 3pm. RSVP to Peggy or Joe! Singles Talking to Singles Providing an opportunity for singles to have fun, good conversation, and fellowship with other singles. It is purely a social activity. Activities have included barbecues, theater, movies and dining out. We extend an invitation to all singles to join us whenever you can with no obligations or fees. For more information contact Ken at 255-8515 or visit our webpage: reddingumc.org/singles The Church Office will be closed Tuesday, December 25th through Tuesday, January 1st for the Christmas Holiday. Messages will be checked for emergencies. 9
Prayer Requests Prayers for Health: Prayers for Health: Bill Kipp, Sandra Kermode, Ann Denney, Dan Briggs, Billie Briggs. Please remember our shut-ins and any unspoken requests. Thank You I just want to share my gratitude to all those who reached out to me from the UMC Redding during my recent illness. The pneumonia and blood clots in the lungs seem to be abating. I was under great medical care from staff at Mercy. But, most of all it was our Pastor Joe who visited me countless times and made phone calls to see how I was getting along. His thoughts and concerns were very meaningful to me. And of course the cards and food that were brought to me were very touching, and yummy of course. It's true that Methodists take care of their own and are a living testament to the term family. Frank Treadway Thank you for all the Pies! We had over 100 people come to our Pies and Propositions, put on by the non partisan group, League of Women Voters. We learned a lot about the pros and cons of the propositions on the November ballot. Thank you to the League and to all of you who brought pies. They were delicious and very much appreciated. Ann Cropsey and Mary Burns After another successful book sale fundraiser, the Library Committee extends gratitude to all who made it possible. Thank you to the scores of customers who packed the Fellowship Hall to shop our tables, a tip of the hat to all the book donors who contributed to more than 1,000 volumes to sell, and blown kisses to the handful of volunteers who spent hours setting up, selling and taking down. Much appreciated. The Library Committee Need to reach us? 530-243-2403 reddingumc.org Main email (Reannon): admin@reddingumc.org For urgent matters after office hours, please call and leave a message on the Church Office phone and/or email Pastor Joe. Pastor Joe s Email joe@reddingumc.org Peggy s Email: peggy@reddingumc.org Justine s Email: bookkeeper@reddingumc.org Next Advance Article Deadline is: Jan. 16th @ 10 AM Worship Attendance. November 4th TOTAL: 251 930am: 114 1115am: 106 6:00pm: 20 Youth: 11 November 11th TOTAL: 273 930am: 145 1115am: 90 6:00pm: 28 Youth: 10 November 18th TOTAL: 238 930am: 122 1115am: 72 6:00pm: 30 Youth: 14 November 25th TOTAL: 263 930am: 131 1115am: 85 6:00pm: 33 Youth: 14 10
Sunday, December 2nd Gifts for Good Holiday Maker Faire 1 to 4 PM Sunday, December 9th Children s program 9:30 AM & 11:15 AM Services Sunday, December 16th Our Christmas Brunch Serving 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM Sunday, December 23rd Worship at 10am and 6pm Chancel Choir Cantata at 10:00 AM In the Monday, December 24th Social Family Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 5pm Hall * Nursery Care provided Traditional Candlelight Service at 10pm *Special Choir Concert at 9:30 PM Sunday, December 30th 10:00 AM (ONLY) Combined Family Service *No Wonder Years, Youth or Nursery 11
Redding First United Methodist Church 1825 East Street Redding, CA 96001 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID REDDING, CA PERMIT #234 Return Service Requested Joe Major Pastor Peggy Rebol Director of Ministry Reannon Moore Admin. Assistant & Facility Manager Justine Lehman Accounting Clerk