December 15, 2014 Fed, Cared For, and Loved I write this pondering the morning of December 15 th. I have been reflecting on all there is still to prepare, get ready, write, read, wrap, purchase, and think about before Christmas Day arrives. The church schedule and mine are full with visits, services, and celebrations to be planned and attended. There is a lot to do, this Season of Advent, especially these last ten days are pregnant with expectation, responsibility, and possibility (pun intended). For our family this year, at least for me, has a little different feel. A new little one in our midst as we gather to celebrate and share together. Yesterday we received pictures of Matt, Emily, and Kadee lighting the Advent Candles at their church in DeSoto, which filled me with pride and hope. In this season of waiting I ponder all that life holds for our new granddaughter Kadee in the coming years of her life, some of it brings me anxiety, some of it fills me with great joy. Mostly though I am looking forward to being present with her and our kids and TruDee this coming Christmas Day. We prepare for that day and the preparation will accelerate as we get closer, checking our lists, checking pictures, wrapping presents, packing a bag, checking our lists, loading the car, checking our lists, all filled with that expectation of sharing a few days with the ones we love. As I consider Kadee this year by Christmas Day she will be four months and two days, I just figured that up, I do not count, the days and years will fly by too fast without keeping track. Kadee is oblivious this year to all the hustle and bustle, the checking of lists, the wrapping of presents, the cooking and cleaning, all the preparation and hard work that seems to go into getting ready for the Big Day, she is content being fed, cared for, and loved. It is enough. I love Christmas and all that goes into to it, though I have moments of being frustrated and overwhelmed. As I think about this year and our current Advent Sermons Series, Living Faithfully and Simply in a World of Excess, would it not be nice if our only concern for the coming days and Christmas simply to be fed, cared for, and loved? Take some time over the next ten days to consider and reflect on that notion, let it fill your heart to overflowing, and feed your soul. At our Christmas Eve Service we are going to be talking about A Different Kind of Christmas. Ways in which we are able to set aside all the Christmas Chaos and simply be fed (heart and soul), cared for, and loved. I want to lift up a few of those ideas in the midst of that time together about ways we might simplify our Christmas Day and celebration. I invite you to ponder that notion over the next ten days as well. If you think of a way you might simplify your own celebration or if you have already done something that is a tradition in your home that has simplified what you do I invite you to share that with me. I would like to share some of our ideas on Christmas Eve. Feel free to send me a note via email of those simple things you do to make the Season more meaningful and nourishing. It is one of the many ways we seek to be mindful of the Spirit and one another here at the Hill, where you are one of the community. Here where there is always an open door, a safe space, a warm welcome, and a place at the table. Not Your Ordinary Church. Until next week, God bless, and know you are never alone. Peace and Light on Your Journey, Pastor Kent THANKS CHUM for the donations of children s shoes this past Sunday. Pastor Kent s Blog - http:littlerev.wordpress.com/ Email - kent.little@collegehillumc.org Phone # - (316) 683-4643 Webpage - www.collegehillumc.org College Hill United Methodist Church A Reconciling Congregation Wise in the Ways of the Spirit, Bold in the Ways of Justice, and Graceful in relationship with all Creation. Church Services 8:30am - Sanctuary Traditional Celebration w/ Cantata 9:40am - Fellowship Hall Art & Soul Celebration w/ Christmas Music Rush 11:00am - Sanctuary Traditional Celebration w/ Cantata Sunday - December 21, 2014 Fourth Sunday of Advent SERMON Excessive Spending Advent Series Living Faithfully & Simply in a World of Excess Rev. Kent H. Little
December 14, 2014 Attendance 290 Emily Strom Trio Saturday, December 20 7:00-9:00pm CHUM Parlor Joe Weigel Note Cards on Sale Be sure to stop by the Parlor on Sunday, December 21st. Note cards and pictures taken and made by our dear Joe Weigel, who passed away last year, will be on sale. If you are not familiar with these stop in the church office to see a display of a dozen cards. They are wonderful! Our Sympathy to Francis Saint and family in the death of his wife, Phyllis. Also our sympathy goes out to Sarah Marsh in the death of her grandmother on December 11. Congratulations On Our Most Recent Baptism David Caleb Bruner was baptized during the 9:40am service on December 7. His mother, Caitlin Bruner, and many family members were present to celebrate this special day with him. TGIF - December 19 @ 6:30pm Los Cocos 1335 N. Tyler Rd Everyone is welcome to join us for dinner and conversation! For more information contact Janice Rich, 265-4879 The Luttrells CHUM Volunteers Meet Steve and Nancy Luttrell. They joined College Hill UMC in 1991 and you will find them in the sanctuary during the 11:00am services. We are thankful to have Steve as one of our ushers during that same service! Nancy recently had her artwork on display in the Parlor and we so appreciated her decorating the Parlor with her artwork and giving us something to appreciate and view. Nancy was a violin professor at WSU and retired in 2012. She was also an Associate Concertmaster for the Wichita Symphony and retired from that position in 2013. She does still perform with the Wichita Symphony - 46th year! What you may not know is that Nancy is currently studying water color. They have two antique shelves at the Paramount East Antique Mall. Most importantly they have 6 grandchildren! Thank you Luttrells for being a part of the CHUM family and for the time you spend with and for us!! Congratulations to Rev. Dayna Hauschild Congratulations to Rev. Dayna Hauschild, who graduated Sunday from Wichita State University, with a Master s of Education in Counseling. Way to go, Dayna! Nursery Needs Our nursery is in need of baby wipes, large paper plates, Clorox wipes, and toddler snacks, such as graham crackers, vanilla wafers, etc. If you can help, please drop items off in the nursery. Thank you and Merry Christmas! Free Breakfast and Food Pantry Saturday, December 20 9:00-11:00 a.m. Fellowship Hall Card Shower for a Special Birthday Our congratulations to Tom Small as he celebrates his 95th birthday on December 27. His family would like each of us to help him celebrate by giving him a card shower. Send your cards to: Tom Small 6226 Oneida Wichita, KS 67208 NO CHUM Newsletter for the next two weeks. The next CHUM Newsletter will be sent out the week of January 5, 2015. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS NOTES AGAPE, Rm. 201 - Class discussed surrendering to pain & let pain be a teacher and radiant aging. Bring your goodies to the Parlor for Meet & Greet Sunday at 9:00 am. Happy birthday this week to Sean McDowell & Ted Knopp. Roger has treats on the 28th. ARCHITECTS, Rm. B1 Our group trickled in and we had a wonderful lesson by Enid on The Shepherds and what a lovely life they live. We learned a lot about sheep, which required John s expertise in handling them. Just think of those Shepherd s experience of this Mystery given them from God by the Angels! Thanks to Lilaha for being our pianist for the song Good Christian Men Rejoice. Thanks Enid for the story and a whole lot of discussion that we had! Good to hear from our former members and that they are enjoying Ohio. Thanks Shawn Price for bringing news of them! We do miss them! Our refreshments I (Ruth) brought were prepared by my dear friend Mrs. Dillons. I call on her often! Prayers for all of our ill ones and those of us who are hanging on! BUILDERS, Rm. 305 - Prayers for Charlie M., Royce, Kent, an, Phyllis, Carol & Shirley. We had a very good discussion on Mary s visit to Elizabeth. Sunday, we will view the video From Nazareth to Bethleham. Madgie will have treats, coffee and devotion. COMMUNICATORS, Rm. 301 - Happy Anniversary to John & Debbie on the 19th. Thanks Robin for playing for us. Don t forget Sunday, December 21, is our Christmas program. Wednesday, January 14, we will serve Snack Supper. Thursday, January 22, is our installation banquet at Rolling Hills Country Club. Barry announced that he and Pam will have their breakfast in February. Prayer requests: Sheryl (as she recovers from surgery), the Saint family, and Don s Aunt Mary. Barry had our devotions and prayer - Thank you! Donna led our lesson on the symbolism of the Nativity and the animals, the people, and the gifts that were at Jesus birth. CONTEMPORARY STUDIES, Rm. B5/7 - Misty Sunday brought together thirty-one, including visitor, Kathy Cox. All were looking forward to Christmas Party at the Hansens! No class on December 28 as it is One Service Sunday at 10:00 in Fellowship Hall. Keith Williamson reviewed chapter on Resurrection: A Symbol and a Reality. Tabletalk focused on a passage from First Corinthians 15. Sunday, Chapter Sixteen: Hiding--Thinking--Being. DOUBLE CIRCLE, Rm. B4 - Bill brought our class to order. Betty did not have any illnesses to report but she did have devotions. Our class party will be Friday, December 19, at noon at the church. Everyone is to bring cookies to the party to use for the plates we are going to make for our shut-ins. Brian (our teacher) played the piano for us while we sang. He also gave another excellent lesson. Thanks Brian for everything you do for us - we have enjoyed you! Attendance of 13. Our love and prayers to the shut-ins. We miss you all! TRAVELING COMPANIONS, Chapel @ 11:00am - Join us for discussion on spiritual development and personal growth. VICEROY, Rm. B3 - Amos's words were to both nations and individuals in is day. Should our words in our day be to both nations and individuals today? Check to see what Viceroy thinks and is doing in our day! December 21 Christmas Caroling and Party 2:30-5:00pm UPCOMING CALENDAR December 28 No UMY Happy New Year!
Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID Permit 583 Wichita, KS Address Service Requested Pecan Pie Cupcakes (served at Miller s on Home Tour) 1 C. Pecans, chopped 1/2 C. All Purpose Flour 1 C. Brown Sugar, packed 2/3 C. Butter, melted 2 Eggs Preheat oven to 350 degrees In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Spray a miniature muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray. (The spray with flour in it works best!) Fill each muffin 3/4 full. Bake in preheated oven for approximately 18 minutes. NOTE: Generously spray your pan with cooking spray with flour. Once they come out of the oven let them cool for one minute then flip them out onto a cooling rack. If they cool in the pan, they ll have to be chiseled out. Also, don t fill the pan to the very top, they will overflow if you do. Thanks to Mike Owings! Christmas Tree Mulching Once again College Hill will be one of the sites in the city for people to take their real and undecorated Christmas trees to be mulched. It is also a place to pick up free mulch! Trees may be brought for mulching any time from December 19 through January 12. They will be set up in the northwest parking lot across Erie St. We are one of ten locations in the Wichita City Limits. Other sites are located in cities around Wichita. You can find the list of locations in the church office.
Grace and Peace, We wish to say a word of thanks to all of you here at CHUM for your continued generosity as we journey toward the end of the year. In looking at our giving during 2014, we are up slightly over where we were this time last year. However, in 2013 there were two significant annual gifts that were not received this year. So, while our weekly giving is up, it is still quite possible we will end this year with a shortfall. We believe in the generosity of College Hill and know that we can make up a significant portion, if not all of that shortfall before the end of the year. So the finance committee is making a 13 th month appeal, to help end this year strong and meet the commitments we set at the beginning of 2014. There are three things we would like all the members of CHUM to consider thoughtfully and prayerfully as we bring this year to a close: *At our current level of week to week giving we will end the year with a $61,000.00 shortfall. *With the number of giving families we have in our community of faith it would take an additional gift of $190.00 per family to make up that shortfall. *If we are unable to make up a significant amount of this shortfall at some point in the coming year the finance committee will need to seriously consider reducing our budget even more than we have. We understand not every family is able to invest an additional $190.00 in the ministry here at College Hill, but there are families who can perhaps invest that much and more. Our hope and prayer is if we all make an additional investment as we are able, we can eliminate this shortfall and carry that additional investment into 2015 and beyond so we are not in this situation again next year. We want you to know how encouraged we are with the spirit in which our 2015 Budget Campaign was received and shared. We have to date received 163 pledge cards pledging $473,189.00. Thank You! We are inviting everyone to now invest in this 13 th month on December 21 st during each one of our three services. As we move into the New Year we invite us all to spend some time thinking and praying about why we all believe so strongly in CHUM and what we might be able to invest additionally to help us end the year strong. Thank you for your faithfulness, your generosity, and your love, The Finance Committee, College Hill United Methodist Church