THE UPDATE Christmas at LFMC# Advent is a season in which we often find ourselves overloaded with way too much to do: giftshopping, decorating, preparations for family get-togethers, cooking, and more. Some people love it, some dread it. For some, the Christmas season brings with it pleasant and cherished memories, and for others, painful reminders of loved ones who are no longer with us, or simply that we will be alone again this year.# But when the angel appeared to those humble shepherds in the field that night more than two millennia ago, the news of the birth of the Savior was described as good news of great joy that will be for all the people (Luke 2:10, emphasis added). Regardless of the situations in which we find ourselves this December, the gospel is still good news of great joy, and it is for all of us. Celebrating with your church family can help you experience the true joy of Christmas, whatever your circumstances may be. And inviting others to celebrate with you can be life-changing for them.# You ll want to make plans to attend one of our three special pre-christmas candlelight services, at 7:00 p.m. on December 23, or at 4:00 or 5:30 p.m. on December 24. Invite someone to come with you Our theme this year is First Christmas: Stories from the Birth of Christ. Your neighbors, co-workers, friends and family will enjoy the telling of the story of Jesus birth through Scripture, song, and drama. Nursery and pre-school child care will be available Continued on Page 14 Christmas season schedule: Dec. 15: Family Nativity Party (details on p. 13)# Dec. 22: Regular worship schedule; K-12 worshiping in the Worship Center with their families; nursery/preschool child care available# Dec. 23: pre-christmas service, 7:00 p.m.; nursery/preschool child care available# Dec. 24: pre-christmas services, 4:00 and 5:30 p.m.; nursery/ preschool child care available# Dec. 29: Only one worship service at 10:35 a.m.; K-12 worshiping in the Worship Center with their families; nursery/ preschool child care available# Blended worship (nursery and preschool care provided)# Contemporary worship and programs for kids and teens# 9:00 a.m.# 10:35 a.m. PAGE 1
Women in the Ancestry of Christ# Following the example of the Berean Christians who "searched the Scriptures daily", this Bible study will examine the lives of each of the women named in the ancestry of Christ. As we study their stories, character qualities, failures and gifts, we will discover valuable truths and relevant lessons to apply to our own lives today. # Class will meet Thursday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30 at the church, January 23 through April 10. Cost is $10.00 ($5.00 if you already have a notebook). For more information, contact Susan Hoisington (785-843-7660) or Dana Bryant (785-331-2795). DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES ADULT MINISTRIES Equipping men and women to walk with God, make disciples # and serve Christ for a lifetime Your Spiritual Story is Needed # How has your spiritual life changed and/or grown throughout your life? If you re 50+ you are invited to pick up a copy of three questions in the LFMC library to guide you in recording your one-page story. It will be added to the History of our Heritage notebook located on a shelf behind the checkout desk, which you re free to checkout and/ or read. # As we are learning more about God s story, let this be yours to share with others. Write these things for the future so that people who are not yet born will praise the Lord. (Psalm 102:18)# For more information, contact Nancy Ezell at 785-842-4539 or Sharon Sabraw at 785-841-1092. PAGE 2
Primetimers# What a wonderful early Thanksgiving luncheon was enjoyed by 31 people. There were several first-timers in attendance. Pastor Bump made a special announcement, and then prayed to open the meeting and bless the food. A special thanks goes to Ruth Schneider and her sidekick, Carol Wilcox, for the turkey, dressing, and gravy. The rest of those in attendance provided delicious side dishes and desserts to make for a festive lunch. Buster Carney provided us with information regarding the Gideons' International card ministry. Did you know that cards are available at no cost in the church lobby?# On December 10, a special treat is in store for the Primetimers. The luncheon will be a taco bar. There was a sign-up at the November meeting for individuals to bring condiments for tacos. The taco meat will be provided. If you didn t sign up to bring an item, you are to bring a dessert. If you would like to bring dessert even though you are bringing condiments you are welcome to do so. The program will be the singing of Christmas carols. As usual, we will start at noon. Everyone 50-or-better is welcome to attend. To help plan for this special taco bar we are asking that you put taco bar on the back of your Connection Card on Sunday, December 1 or December 8. What a wonderful way to start (or continue) the Christmas season# If you need more information or have questions about this organization, please contact Ernie Dyer at 785-841-2990 or 785-393-3846. You can email Ernie at epdyer@att.net. Financial Peace# University # Are your finances where you want them to be? Join the journey to financial security this February when Financial Peace University, the personal money management program founded by Dave Ramsey, is back at LFMC, and at a lower cost Financial Peace University is a ninesession program that helps people dump debt, get control of their money, and build wealth. Through commitment and accountability, the average family pays off $5,300 in debt and saves $2,700 in the first 91 days. On average, people who go through this program are debt-free within 2 years. # The FPU Team has personally benefited from the FPU course, and they do a great job in helping and ministering to all who finish Financial Peace University There will more information in the Sunday bulletin along with a registration form. FPU 2014 will run February 9-April 6. Time: 6:00-7:30 p.m. Cost: $89. If you have questions, please contact Tylor Shearburn at: tylordale81@hotmail.com or 785-393-8885. Men s Fraternity# The winter session of Men s Fraternity, titled A Man and His Work" will run February 6- March 13, 2014. More details and registration in the January Update.# CONTACTING THE UPDATE# The UPDATE is a monthly publication of the Lawrence Free Methodist Church. Letters to the church ("thank you" notes, etc.) may be dropped in the UPDATE box in the church office, or e-mailed to update@lfmchurch.org. The deadline for the January issue is December 27, 2013. The online version is at http://www.lfmchurch.org/update. PAGE 3
Divorce Care at Lawrence Free Methodist Church# January 19, 2014 Session 1 What s Happening to me?# January 26, 2014 Session 2 The Road to Healing/Finding Help# February 2, 2014 Super Bowl Sunday [No meeting]# February 9, 2014 Session 3 Facing My Anger# February 16, 2014 Session 4 Facing My Depression# February 23, 2014 Session 5 Facing My Loneliness# March 2, 2014 Session 6 What Does the Owner s Manual Say# March 9, 2014 Session 7 New Relationships# March 16, 2014 Session 8 Financial Survival# March 23, 2014 Session 9 KidCare# March 30, 2014 Session 10 Single Sexuality# April 6, 2014 Session 11 Forgiveness# April 13, 2014 Session 12 Reconciliation# April 20, 2014 Easter Sunday [No meeting]# April 27, 2014 Session 13 Moving On, Growing Closer to God# Contact Person: Nick Zavatchin DC Facilitator nzavatchin@hotmail.com.# Sundays at 6:00 8:00 PM# Meeting in Room 22 (across from kitchen), Sundays, 6:00-8:00 p.m.# There is a workbook for your own personal use that follows the content covered each week. There is no pressure to share any personal notes or insights from the workbook, but participants may do so if they wish.# The workbook allows session attendees to review the previous Divorce Care session material and helps them gain clearer insight into their own situations. # It is highly recommended but not mandatory for all attendees to obtain a workbook and the cost is $15.00. # Child care is not provided.# If the scheduling of the Lawrence Free Methodist Divorce Care group doesn t fit into your schedule, this same program is also offered locally by other churches and other Christian organizations. Please check out the following web site for locations, times, and contact information for these other meetings.# Visit http://www.divorcecare.org/ findagroup for more information. Enter your zip code to find the closest meetings and details. Laboring in the Harvest# Training in Relational Evangelism# We are told of Jesus: "He felt great pity for the crowds that came, because their problems were so great and they didn't know where to go for help. They were like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, "The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to send out more workers for His fields'" (Matthew 9:36-38).# God's plan is to involve His people in His work. Reaching out to others with the Good News is a process by which God involves his people to incarnate and communicate the truth, in love, to the lost.# You may have heard it said, "You are the only Bible some people read." In 2 Corinthians 3:3, Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit writes, "...you are a letter of Christ...". The unchurched and non- Christians are reading us Our non-verbal communication often speaks louder than what we say. Relating to non-christians and the unchurched can be difficult at PAGE 4
times. As a disciple of Christ, initiating, developing, and nurturing relationships with the unchurched should be a life-long lifestyle. It involves forethought and being intentional in the use of our time and in nurturing relationships that will bear the weight of the truth of the gospel. # In Laboring in the Harvest, we will be looking at what the Scriptures say regarding some very practical principles of purposefully relating to the unchurched and lost that will help them relate to us, and which will help is to help others in the process of coming to know Christ# Laboring in the Harvest will run February 9 - March 30. For more information contact Pastor Larry at lbaldridge@lfmchurch.org. The staff of Lawrence Free Methodist Church wishes you and your family a wonderful Christmas season. We are grateful for your involvement at LFMC, and we look forward to a great new year together Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Bill, Carolyn, Larry, Leslie, Doug, Marcy, Bethany, Nicole Day of Celebration# November 24 was a great day of worship for us at Lawrence Free Methodist Church as we received four new members into our fellowship, partook of Holy Communion and celebrated with eight children and adults who made public professions of their faith through water baptism. Praise God for these opportunities to rejoice in His work in our lives and the salvation He offers us# New Members Welcomed The following people were received as new members of Lawrence Free Methodist Church on November 24: Athena Huffman, Judy Rahn, and Greg and Julie Girard.# Baptized in Christ Ryder Swearngin# Christian Smith# Ryleigh Hartwell# Anakin Wallsmith# Aidan Wallsmith# Jaida Columbus# David Pierce# Anita Todd# PAGE 5
Infuse is taking a break for the holidays and will resume again on Wednesday, January 8, at 6:30. Oak Park Mall Trip# Sunday, December 15# noon - 4:30 p.m.# for 7th-12th-graders# Join us for a trip to the mall on Sunday, December 15, so you can get a little Christmas shopping done as you hang out with friends. We'll leave as soon as church is over, drive to the mall, eat lunch in the food court and then shop. Bring money for lunch and shopping. Transportation is provided. If you plan to join us, please let Pastor Carolyn know (786-691-6644 or cheacock@lfmchurch.org).# Second Sundays Hot Breakfast Sunday, December 8# Breakfast is served from 8:30-10:20 a.m.# Enjoy a hot breakfast without all the mess and support our teens in the process. Join us in the Family Life Center on Sunday, December 8, for pancakes, sausage and fruit salad. Suggested donation is $6 for adults and $3 for 4-11-year-olds. Breakfast is free for little ones. Your participation in Second Sundays Hot Breakfasts will help teens participate in our summer activities. Thank you# Children s Holiday Shop# Children's Holiday Shop is an event that offers children a chance to shop for Christmas gifts for their family members at a reduced price. The Lawrence Area Youth Network sponsors the event and invites teens and adults to help run the shop. If you or your teen would like to volunteer for a 2-hour shift either to set up on Friday, December 6 or help at the event on Saturday, Dec. 7, let Pastor Carolyn (cheacock@lfmchurch.org) know. It's a great way to serve others in our community and spread a little Christmas cheer. # PAGE 6
SUMMER EVENTS: Register now for the best rates Free Methodist Youth Conference (FMYC) 2014 Fort Collins, Colorado July 5-11, 2014 for students completing 8th-12th grades# Join thousands of other teens from Free Methodist Churches across the country for There and Back Again. At this national youth conference, teens will be able to develop authentic relationships with God and others, discover their potential to minister to others, and serve the needs of others in Fort Collins, Colorado. They will also have access to the stellar Colorado State University recreation center during free time. The week will end with a day in the mountains where students can participate in an activity of their choice, like hiking, white-water rafting, zip lining, or relaxing with friends. Some activities will have additional fees.# Registration forms are available in the church lobby and Teen Center. For more information about the event, go to lfmchurch.org/youth. Durley Camp## Greenville, Illinois# June 16-20, 2014 for students completing 6th-8th grades# Registration form will be available in December. For students currently in 6 th 8 th grades Join teens all over the Midwest for fun activities, late night games, splashing in the lake, and a chance to learn more about what it means to truly live. # Cost: $220 if registered by March 15; $250 after March 15.# PAGE 7
Bible Quiz Team Update# Our teen Bible Quiz Team is off to a great start We traveled to Lincoln, Nebraska, on November 9. Eight team members traveled, making three teams. Each quizzer did a wonderful job of preparing for the meet; the focus of this month s meet was Matthew, chapters 6-9. Scripture was studied, and many verses were memorized. As they competed against other teams from around our conference, their preparation showed, as every team member scored points at this meet.# Awards for the day included the following.:# # Quiz-Outs Earned (A quiz-out is when a team member scores 100 points in a round): # Rebekah Case, Sarah Case, and Brady Talkington each earned one quiz-out. Samantha Dunham earned six quiz-outs during the day# # Individual Awards Samantha Dunham earned second place in the B Division individual competition. Sarah Case earned a second place award in the A Division individual competition.# # Team Awards The A Division team of Rebekah Case, Sarah Case, and Logan Talkington earned a second place finish. One of our B Division teams of Samantha Dunham and Luke Talkington earned a second place finish.# # Thanks for your continued prayers. We continue our study of Matthew and will be traveling to McPherson on December 14 for our next quiz meet.# # Thanks,# Steve and Vicki Case# LFM Quiz Coaches Missions and social justice work in Lawrence LFMC Reaches Out to Others in November# November was a busy month for many in our church as we reached out in love to those in our community. You have loved not just in word, but in deed. You've extended kindness to others through giving your time, your resources, and your love. May God fill your heart with joy as you "let love be your aim" (I Corinthians 14:1). Thank you# What a joy it is to get to serve God in a church where so many are excited about serving others# Pastor Carolyn# (continued on next page) PAGE 8
Missions and social justice work in Lawrence Projects our church has participated in in November: # Providing food for and serving at LINK on Nov. 7# # Helping build Tammy Beven's house for Habitat for Humanity on Nov. 23# # Providing lunch for Habitat builders on Nov. 23# # Providing food for LINK's huge Thanksgiving meal# # Donating items for our missions craft and bake sale# # Working at and shopping at our missions craft and bake sale.# # Donating over 400 boxes for Operation Christmas Child# # Donating to our benevolence fund so we can purchase stuffed animals for children in need and donate to the Bishops Famine and Relief Fund for typhoon relief in the Philippines.# Items donated for the missions craft fair and bake sale Malea Flakus, Ella Nobo and Josie Abernathy packing boxes for OCC Vanya Racy, Ethan Ruggles, Cole Webb & Tylor Shearburn baking cookies for LINK Logan Hayes and Aidan Jayaraman serving at LINK PAGE 9
Children's Holiday Shop# Saturday, December 7# 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.# Open to children 5-11 years old# at New York Elementary School (936 New York St)# All families are invited to take their children, ages 5-11, to the Children's Holiday Shop The Lawrence Youth Network is hosting this event for all children in Douglas County so they can easily and inexpensively shop for Christmas gifts for their family members. Gifts range in price from $1-$5 (a greatly reduced price) and will be wrapped and tagged at the Holiday Shop so they are ready to put under your tree.# While your children shop with their teen helpers, you can enjoy refreshments and chat with other parents. This allows your children to keep their gifts a surprise to their entire family. Updates from our friends abroad An Update from The Middle East It is our privilege to testify to what God is doing in the Middle East and to share with you stories that you don t hear on the news We could share story after story of changed lives, transformation and light penetrating the darkest of places. The stories are found in the every day breathing kind of evidence of God s faithfulness as well as dramatic healings. One way we want to highlight God at work is through the local FM Church in one country in the Middle East. They have begun an outreach to the Syrian Refugees that are pouring into the country. The Church has become known in the community as being ones that actually care instead of treating them like cattle being herded. Reaching out and meeting physical needs such as food, foam mattresses, blankets and gas this team is forming relationships with many from another background. # One man, bushy bearded hardly looked like one who God was preparing as a person of peace. He was tortured in prison and five of his vertebrae were broken. One young lay leader from this local FM Church felt called to build a relationship with him, and to pray for healing. The paralyzed man said that every time this young man prayed for him in Jesus name he felt a fiery sensation throughout his body. He says that the Church has shown him the light. As of today he has before and after x-rays that show that three out of five vertebrae have been healed and he has regained feeling and movement in his legs. He is coming to know this man, Jesus, who has been healing him and beginning to pray in Jesus name for another paralyzed man in similar situation.# Sometimes God is at work in the most unlikely places, in the most unlikely people, which makes it so much more about Him and his glory # To Him be the glory -- Megan and Dustin# PAGE 10
An Update from Roger and Vangie Stone Yesterday was the big day. The Jesus film disks in the Ayta Mag-Indi language finally arrived but there were rumors of pastors not being content with the choice of narrator for the introduction to the video (there is a special 7 minute Old Testament introduction to the Jesus film that we had recorded). We were distraught about the possibility of being asked to redo the introduction with a different reader, which would make useless the 200 copies of the DVD that had just arrived. We met with pastors to decide what to do. We were so relieved that the decision was to just go ahead and use the film now and only redo the introduction if comments necessitated that (which it was admitted, was unlikely). Just this morning we heard reports of multiple film showings in homes last night and that some were in tears as they watched the story of Jesus for the first time in their own language. Praying that not only will the film go viral in the Ayta Mag-Indi communities but that many will have a personal heart-to-heart encounter with the Savior who speaks their language.# Thank you for praying for the Ayta Mag-Indi people and for God to use this project to open their hearts to the good news of Jesus# --Roger and Vangie Stone An Update from a Creative Access Country in the East We are currently spending time in the States sharing with like-minded people about the work God has called us to do among people in a country very closed to the news of Christ. God is opening doors in this country and it looks possible that our family may be able to enter the country in the next year or so.# We plan to go back in January for several years of work. We have no idea what awaits us but are trusting the One who has called us to this task. Please pray for wisdom, provision, and courage as we head back. Also pray that our son receives his Visa before we are scheduled to leave the States. Thank you so much for partnering with us # -- (The names of these missionaries are being withheld for their protection) PAGE 11
An Update from Beth and Ricardo Gomez God called us to serve Latin America and our focus is on building up strong Christian leaders for the Latin American church and society We whole-heartedly believe in training leaders within their own context, which is why we are preparing now to join Seminario Biblico de Colombia, located in Medellin, Colombia, as part-time volunteer faculty and staff. Ricardo will also be traveling throughout the continent providing training to current pastors and leaders.# We are currently living in Kentucky as we raise funds to go abroad. You can learn more about our ministry at http://fmcusa.org/fmwm/ missionaries/gomez/ and, if you feel called to support us financially, you can give online on that Web site. # Thank you for helping us get to Colombia to do what God has called us to do# Children s Ministries Christmas Cookie Preschool Party# Saturday December 14th# 10:00-11:15 am# Room 24/25 at the Lawrence Free Methodist Church# Join us for a cookie decorating party for preschoolers and their parents, siblings welcome# We ll provide cookies and frosting. Bring some sprinkles or other decorating item to share. We ll also have a Christmas craft you can help your preschooler put together.# Come spend some time with other parents of preschoolers, and enjoy these activities with your little one(s)# Questions? Contact Katie at kfaulk@lfmchurch.org. PAGE 12
Family Nativity Party# Sunday, Dec. 15, 6:00-8:00 p.m., in the FLC (gym)# For families of K-6th graders# # All families of K-6th graders are invited to LFMC s Family Nativity Party# We'd love for you to join us Sunday, Dec. 15th for an awesome evening of fun We ll have the Nativity story, crafts, Christmas music led by our very own KREW, and a birthday cake for Jesus Bring your friends and family # # NOTE: All children must be accompanied by an adult. (No drop-offs.) A Party to Be Thankful For# Families of K-6th grade kids had a blast at last month s Family Gratitude Party The snacks and cookies were delicious, and it was fun to decorate all of our shoeboxes before we filled them up with goodies for Operation Christmas Child Our kids worship team, KREW, helped to kick off the holidays this year by leading some really great Christmas songs# Over 120 shoeboxes were filled at this year s Family Gratitude Party# To all who helped with, and/or participated in, this year s Family Gratitude Party:# Thank you so much for being a part of this great evening PAGE 13
Christmas at LFMC continued from Page 1 of Jesus birth through Scripture, song, and drama. Nursery and pre-school child care will be available for all of these services, and children who attend will receive Christmas treat bags as they leave.# There s a good chance you know someone, perhaps a friend, neighbor, or co-worker, who would come to one of these pre-christmas services with you if only you invited them. Please take advantage of this opportunity to invite someone who needs to hear good news of great joy# Candy Donations# We d like to treat the many children attending our Christmas services this year to a small gift bag. Please consider helping individuallywrapped pieces of candy bin in the lobby or bring it to the church office by Sunday, December 13. PAGE 14
Sunday services and programs# 9:00 a.m. Blended Worship, programs for nursery and preschool# 10:35 a.m. Contemporary Worship, programs for nursery through senior high teens# Nursery available 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.# Church Office Information# Office hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m. to noon and # 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.# Phone: 785-842-2343# Fax: 785-842-2351# E-mail: info@lfmchurch.org# Web: http://www.lfmchurch.org# E-mail contacts# Bill Bump, Senior Pastor bbump@lfmchurch.org# Larry Baldridge, Pastor of Discipleship lbaldridge@lfmchurch.org# Carolyn Heacock, Family Pastor cheacock@lfmchurch.org# Bethany Harvester and NicoleLimones, Secretaries secretary@lfmchurch.org# Leslie Sharp, Children's Ministries Director# lsharp@lfmchurch.org # Doug Heacock, Director of Media and Contemporary Worship# dheacock@lfmchurch.org# Jonathan Thomas, Director of Choir and Blended Worship# jthomas@lfmchurch.org# The Update# Lawrence Free Methodist Church# 3001 Lawrence Avenue# Lawrence, KS 66047# PAGE 15