Live Oak United Methodist Church December 2016 Newsletter Sunday Service Times 8:00 a.m. Sanctuary 10:00 a.m. Sanctuary 10:00 a.m. Family Life Center 11:30 a.m. Sanctuary Thursday Night Service 7:00 p.m. - Chapel Sunday School 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Children s Church 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Church Staff Wishing you a Merry Christmas Pastor.............................................. Dr. Mark Crosby Associate Pastor.................................... Rev. Dickie Davis Pastoral Care Director........................... Rev. Tommy Bergeron Associate Pastor of Special Ministries/Counseling........ Rev. Sam LoBello Director of Student Ministries......................... Rev. David Orges Middle School Minister..............................Rev. Kyle Salpietra Associate Minister/Worship Leader.................... Rev. Trent Barnett Director of Music Ministries............................ Melanie Rushing Assistant Music Director............................. Rev. David Easley Children s Ministry Director................................ Trish Graves Church Administrator.................................. Monica Martin Treasurer................................................ Jim Otken Administrative Assistant.................................Cathy Bermes Office Professional...................................... Beverly Albin Audio Engineer........................................ Danny Wilson Maintenance Director.................................. John Stallcup
1 2 From The Pastor s Desk As Mary did on learning she would bear God s Son, may we magnify the Lord and rejoice in God our Savior. Luke 1:46-27 It is December, the last month of the year and what a year it has been. We have witnessed some life changing historical events in our country and our community. These events have been etched into our memories and will be remembered for decades to come. The amazing truth that the Christmas holiday season creates within most of us a faith, hope and love that is not expressed as much during the year like it is during this season. During the Christmas holiday season expressions of generosity are abundant among churches, businesses and organizations. People who may not attend church as often may come and hear the music and listen to the message of Christmas during this season. The Christmas holiday season has a plethora of music that we know and love whether it be timeless classics or contemporary tunes that twirl in our heads, the music of Christmas is unlike any other seasonal music. During the Christmas season many enjoy the Christmas movies, in which the theme often focuses on a sense of wonder, hope and the miraculous. Christmas music and movies often can 2 be used as parables to help explain the message and meaning of Christmas. The wonderful life we can live, the personal change it creates and the hope of receiving the Gift that changes one s eternal destiny. In the month of December we will begin a series The modern parables of Christmas as we look at the movies of Christmas and the message we see in them as we re remind the world the Savior was born to save His people from their sins and thus we can have joy in our hearts and hope for our souls. We hope this is a joyful season for you and your family. Please join us this Christmas season as we proclaim God s amazing grace. Hope to see you Sunday. Mark C.
Let There be Christmas! A Christmas Cantata Benefit Church choirs from across the Livingston area are gathering together for the common goal of benefiting each other s congregations. Admission is free, and all donations will benefit from the participating congregations. Come out to enjoy a night of beautiful music and to support your community! Sunday, December 18, 2016 6:00 p.m. in Sanctuary Christmas Card Mailbox Save on postage stamps sending Christmas cards. If you want to send cards to church friends, please go to our Christmas Card Mailbox in the church foyer. This Christmas Card Mailbox is used for you to distribute mail and to pick up mail that other church members have distributed. Please check your mailbox. Have a Merry Christmas. 3
Special Dates Second Sunday of Advent, December 4, 2016 Third Sunday of Advent, December 11, 2016 Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 18, 2016 First day of winter, December 21, 2016 Christmas Eve, December 24, 2016 Christmas Day, December 26, 2016 New Year s Eve/Watch Night, December 31, 2016 The Family of Mary Emma Harrison Philpot (which includes the Underwood family) would like to thank you for sharing her life with us. She was a true Rock of Ages. Your generosity during our loss has become a blessing from Heaven. This same family would like to thank you for all your support in the loss of our own (Paul) Vernon Lafayette, Jr. They both taught us how to find sunshine in the clouds and to know God is real! Sincerely, The family of Roseanne Erwin, Vera Howard, Donna Lafayette and Jim, Ralph and Jessie (Obie, Jr.) Philpot. 4
Upcoming Events for December December 2 nd Livingston Parish Children Choir (Sanctuary) 7:00 p.m. December 4 th Children s Musical (Sanctuary) 6:00 p.m. Followed by Happy Birthday Jesus Party (Family Life Center) December 5th Live Oak Middle School Band Concert (Sanctuary) December 6 th Live Oak Middle School Band Concert (Sanctuary) December 6 th Senior Adult Christmas Party (Family Life Center) 11:00 a.m. December 9 th Live Oak High School Band Concert (Sanctuary) December 18 th Community Christmas Concert (Sanctuary) 6:00 p.m. December 22 nd & December 23 rd Office Closed December 24 th Christmas Eve Service Times 4:30 p.m. Contemporary (Purpose Band) 6:00 p.m. Traditional 8:00 p.m. Contemporary 11:00 p.m. Watch Night Service December 25 th One Service on Christmas Day 10:00 a.m. (Sanctuary) December 26 th & 27 th Office Closed December 27 th thru January 1 st Serve N Ski Youth Trip December 30 th Office Closes at noon 5
Sunday, December 4th At 6:00 p.m. In the Sanctuary Followed by Happy Birthday Jesus Party In the Family Life Center For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God send his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 6 Men s Prayer Breakfast Saturday, December 10 th at 7:30 a.m. Conference Room Expanded Breakfast... Wise Men Still Seek J esus...
Nuggets From The Bible The Legend of The Candy Cane According to the legend of the candy cane, this candy was first created back in the 28 th century. At that time, in certain areas of Europe, there was said to be a ban on public displays of Christianity. Christians were oppressed and no Bibles or crosses could be owned at that time. One man found this oppression distressing and wished he could share the love of Jesus and the joy of Christmas with the rest of the world. When Christmas came around, children didn t get to see nativity scenes or enjoy learning about the truth of Christmas. As a candy maker, this man prayed to find a way that he could offer local children a Christmas gift that would allow him to communicate the real story of Christmas. His prayer led to an idea The Candy Cane The Shepherd s Staff: He chose to make the candy cane in the shape of a shepherd s staff. After all, Jesus is the shepherd to His followers and the Bible notes that the sheep would hear His voice and follow Him (Psalm 23:1, John 10:11, John 10:27-30, Isaiah 40:11). The Letter J for Jesus: Not only was the candy cane in the shape of a staff, but when held upside down, it formed a J, which stood for Jesus (Luke 1:31, Matthew 1:21). He is A Rock: The candy maker chose hard candy for the candy cane, which was done to remind children that Jesus was our rock, dependable and strong (Psalm 31:3). By His Stripes: Wide red stripes were added to the candy cane, representative of the crucifixion and the blood Jesus shed for our sins. Red His Shed Blood: Through is blood, we are given salvation and life (Revelation 1:5, John 3:16, Luke 22:20). White Purification from Sin: There is also white stripes on the candy cane, which represents the holiness, and purity of Jesus, who was sinless (1 John 1:7). Sweet Fragrance of Christ: Peppermint was the flavor that the candy maker chose for the candy cane. Peppermint was very similar to hyssop, which was used for sacrifice and purification in the Old Testament, reminding us of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. It also reminds us of the Spices brought by the Wise Men that came to visit Jesus (Psalm 51:7, John 10:29, Matthews 2:11). Broken For Us: Of course, when the candy cane is eaten, it is often broken, which the candy maker meant as a reminder that when Jesus was crucified, his body was broken (1 Cor. 11:24). Love of Christ: The candy cane was also made to be given as a gift, representing the love of Jesus when he gave us the gift of salvation. Although no one is quite sure if the legend of the candy cane is really true, the beauty of the legend is such a reminder of God s love for us around Christmas. In this legend, it was a way that the candy maker could tell the children the story of Christmas and still today, we have candy canes as a reminder of the real reason we celebrate Christmas. 7
In Honor Of 10/30/16 Adrianna Bourgeois on her birthday: Marie Simoneaux 11/20/16 My sister, Terry Arnold on her birthday: Jeannine May In Memory Of 10/30/16 Bill Morgan: Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Arnold Lawrence Valentine: Mr. and Mrs. Craig Harris 11/6/16 Mary Philpot: Peggy Langlois, Mr. & Mrs. Beverly Thames Vivian Rhodes: Peggy Langlois Tressie Tate: Peggy Langlois Mary Stevens on her birthday: Angela Alleman 11/13/16 Vernon Lafayette: Roseanne Erwin and Tim Chavers 11/20/16 Noma Impson: M/M LW Arnold, M/M Scott & Julie Smith Issech Prestridge: RoseAnne Erwin & Tim Chavers