The Messenger December 2017 Christmas Calendar of Events December 3 December 7 December 9 10:35 a.m. Family Advent Christmas Celebration - Family Life Center 12:00 p.m. UMW Christmas Party - Oak Meadow Country Club 8:00 a.m. Child Care Breakfast With Santa - Family Life Center 5:30 p.m. 4 Cer s Christmas Party - Garden Room December 12 December 17 6:00 p.m. Child Care Christmas Program - Sanctuary 9:00 a.m. Compass Class Cookie Walk - Parlor & Narthex 9:15 a.m. Christmas Cantata/Student Violinists - Sanctuary December 23 December 24 8:00 a.m. Angel Tree Delivery - Family Life Center 9:15 a.m. Traditional Worship 10:35 a.m. Sunday School, The Kindling 11:00 a.m. Christmas Candlelight Service - Sanctuary 1
PASTOR S CORNER Finally, brothers and sisters, keep your thoughts on whatever is right or deserves praise: things that are true, honorable, fair, pure, acceptable, or commendable. Philippians 4:8 (GW) Let the distractions and busyness begin the list of presents, the decorations, the baking, the parties, the family, the stress. You would think we had never prepared for Christmas before. Somehow it always sneaks up on us, and we are always behind. It feels a little like a Hallmark movie. We have plans. They are great plans, but then things start to go a little out of our control. People misunderstand. Dreams of the way it should be start to crumble just a little. And just when things look their bleakest, Christmas Day arrives. And that is where the similarity stops. Because while everything gets neatly wrapped up at the end of the Hallmark movie (often better than originally imagined), many of us just end up worn out, stressed out, and not quite as contented as we had imagined in the beginning. Do you ever wonder exactly what it is that drives us to have that made-for-cable-tv resolution? It is not like Mary and Joseph had this blissful start to their marriage and first Christmas. That must have been stressful. It is not like God had a perfectly relaxing Christmas. The Son had just come down to earth with pain, heartache, and death awaiting him. I find it very interesting that so many Christmas songs highlight the quietness and peacefulness of the moment. The Son of God slipped into the world barely noticed, save a few shepherds and some Wise Men from out of town. It was a message for those who were listening rather than talking. It was a message received by those available for the moment rather than the busiest. How might your Christmas be different if there was a little more stopping? How might your Christmas be better if you had a little more Grinch and a little less Who? 2
There are many fun things ahead. We are having a Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 9. All you can eat pancakes, sausage and milk/juice are available from 8-10:30 a.m. The children will also have an opportunity to make a craft and personally give Santa their Christmas wish list. Church families are also welcome! The cost for this event is $5 for children ages 3-11 and $7 for adults. Children under 3 are free. Our Christmas Program will be held Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. St. Nick arrives on Friday, Dec. 15 with Christmas parties following. Dec. 22 is PJ day and we will watch Polar Express in the sanctuary. Central Child Care will be closed on Monday, Dec. 25 and Tuesday, Dec. 26. We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! ANGEL TREE The Angel tree is now in the parlor ready for you to choose an angel and help make this a special Christmas for a child. There are also food basket angels if you prefer to shop for food. All clothing/ toy gifts need to be returned by December 17. You may return them wrapped or unwrapped. There are special Christmas helpers who will wrap for you if needed. If you can get the gifts in sooner that would be helpful. All food baskets need to be in by December 17, also. Please do not send perishable items since they won't be delivered until December 23. If you want to make your own Christmas special, please consider meeting at the Family Life Center at 8:00 on the 23 to help deliver the gifts. Bring your children and grandchildren to help them feel the spirit of giving. This mission has been a special tradition for many years at Central and we look forward to making this a very merry Christmas for these children. Please call Gloria Millay at (812)476-9988 if you have any questions. LOAVES & FISHES Remember your loved one(s) with a gift to Central s Loaves & Fishes Ministry. This program helps the people from the nearby neighborhood who have a need for emergency assistance whether it be for rent, utilities or another emergency need. POINSETTIAS Remember your loved one(s) with a pink, white or red poinsettia ($10.00). Sunday, December 10, will be the last day to order. The poinsettias will be displayed as decorations to beautify our sanctuary starting December 17. If you would like to take yours home after the Christmas Eve Service you are more than welcome. PLEASE MAKE ALL CHECKS PAYABLE TO: CENTRAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH We are asking that you make SEPARATE checks for each account, one for Poinsettias and one for Loaves & Fishes. _ Given by In Honor of In Memory of Poinsettias ($10.00) Total # Total $ Red White Pink Loaves & Fishes Given by $ In Honor of In Memory of 3
4
Thanks for food donated to the our Food Pantry! Thanks for a wonderful retreat! 5
D E C E M B E R B I R T H D A Y S 3 Hartig, Bryan 4 Norrington, Dolores 4 Romain, Ron 5 Guard, Charles 5 Dugan, Russell 7 Brockleman, Bill 8 Davis, Dave 9 Giesman, Jacob 11 Millay, Steve 14 Raymond, Rick 15 Cooley, Angela 16 Oakley, Anna Wegner, Betsy 17 Counts, Talon 19 Bruce, Jeff 21 Gosnell, Ruth 21 Georges, Liam 22 Pennington, Tracy 23 Whitledge, Mildred 23 Lynch, Evan 24 Romain, Linda 26 Armstrong, Bruce 26 Redd, Wade 27 Daugherty, Suzy 29 Lutz, Imogene Frazier, James Giesman, Paula 30 Maglinger, John THANKS to all who brought cranberries for the Rescue Mission! CONDOLENCES Barbara Beck and Family on the death of her daughter, Beth Garrett on Friday, November 10. A memorial will be held at a later date. Lonita Quirk and Family on the death of her son-in-law, Gordon Secrest on November 13. His funeral will be held Saturday, November 18 at Boone Funeral Home. CHANGE OF ADDRESS for Betty Myers is 2N 4728 N. Paulina Chicago, IL 60640 (Jim is in a nursing home. Her email is the same.) COOKIES! COOKIES! COOKIES! Cookies, candy and holiday bread (all $5 per pound) will be sold December 17 starting at 9:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. in the Narthex. You may choose from a variety of small to large containers. Let the wonderful cooks from the Compass Class do your holiday baking. THANKS Many thanks and much appreciation for the thoughts, prayers, cards, plant and memorial gifts for our family on the death of my father-in-law Donald Miner. Love, Lisa Miner and Family Earning money for Central is Easy as 1, 2, 3! MISSION NEEDS FOOD PANTRY Vegetable Beef Soup Canned Fruit: Peaches, Pears Fruit Cocktail 1. Stop in at Schnucks and pick up a My Schnucks Card. 2. Register your card online at escrip.com/schnucks or by calling 1-800-931-6258. 3. Show your card each time you check out. MANAGE YOUR GIVING ONLINE Online giving is easy by following these simple steps: Visit the church website at www.central-church.org; click on the Donate! button; click on the Create Profile button; then follow the onscreen instructions to create an online profile and to schedule your recurring contributions. 6
1 2 10:00 am Klenck/Smith CENTRAL CALENDAR December 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 7 10:35 am Family Advent Christmas Celebration 10 10:35 am Sunday School 10:35 am The Kindling 5:00 pm Youth Group 4 6:00 pm Zumba 11 11:00 am Deaconess Moms 6:00 pm Zumba 5 10:00 am Staff Meeting 12:30 pm Ivy Tech - Trinity Room 4:30 pm Mission Team 5:30 pm PIYO Exercise 6:30 pm Davis Basketball 12 10:00 am Staff Meeting 12:30 pm Ivy Tech - Trinity 6:00 pm Child Care Christmas Program 6 5:00 pm Service of Baptism 5:30 pm 3D Basketball 5:30 pm Choir 6:45 pm Bell Choir 13 4:30 pm Trad. Worship Team 5:30 pm 3D Basketball 5:30 pm Choir 6:45 pm Bell Choir 12:00 pm UMW Christmas Party Oak Meadow 12:30 pm Ivy Tech Trinity Room 5:30 pm Zumba 6:00 pm Kindling Rehearsal 14 12:30 pm Ivy Tech Trinity Room 5:30 pm Zumba 6:00 pm Kindling Rehearsal 3 Communion 20 Messenger Deadline Parlor & Narthex Service & Cantata/ Student Violinists 10:35 am Sunday School 10:35 am The Kindling 5:00 pm Youth Group 18 6:00 pm Zumba 1910:00 am Staff Meeting 12:00 pm Literary Ladies 12:30 pm Ivy Tech - Trinity 5:00 pm Evangelism Team 5:30 pm PIYO Exercise 6:00 pm Staff Christmas Party Trinity 6:00 pm Davis Basketball 5:30 pm 3D Basketball 5:30 pm Choir 6:45 pm Bell Choir 21 12:30 pm Ivy Tech Trinity Room 5:30 pm Zumba 6:00 pm Kindling Rehearsal Party FLC 1:00 pm Stofleth - Garden 17 9:00 am Cookie Walk 25 Christmas Day 26 Church & Child 27 1:45 am Wednesday 29 Church Closed 10:35 am Sunday School 10:35 am The Kindling 11:00 pm Christmas Candlelight Service Church & Child Care Closed Care Closed Friends 5:30 pm 3D Basketball 5:30 pm Choir 6:45 pm Bell Choir 28 12:30 pm Ivy Tech Trinity Room 5:30 pm Zumba 6:00 pm Kindling Rehearsal 8 9 8:00 am Breakfast With Santa - FLC 5:30 pm 4 Cer's Christmas Party -Garden 15 16 22 23 8:00 am Angel Tree Delivery 24 Christmas Eve 10:35 am Sunday School 10:35 am The Kindling at Noon 30 31 New Year's Eve 7
NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID Evansville, IN Permit No. 1199 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Follow us @UMCCentral SENIOR PASTOR Rev. Kevin D. Reed kreed@central-church.org DIRECTOR OF FAMILY MINISTRIES Cynthia Jones cjones@central-church.org ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN S MINISTRIES Julie Reed jreed@central-church.org DIRECTOR OF TRADITIONAL MUSIC Wayne Jones waynekristin85@gmail.com ORGANIST Rose Hartig rahartig@aol.com ALTERNATIVE WORSHIP LEADER Ben Stitzel benplaysmusic@gmail.com CHILD CARE DIRECTOR Penny Campbell director@centralchildcare.org BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR Connie Hauser chauser@central-church.org OFFICE MANAGER Lisa Miner cumc@central-church.org HOUSEKEEPERS Pam Klenck & Diane Johnson MAINTENANCE Steve Orange * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CENTRAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 300 Mary Street Tel: (812) 424-3574 Evansville, IN 47710 Fax: (812) 424-3575 Church E-Mail: cumc@central-church.org Web Site: www.central-church.org CENTRAL CHILD CARE Monday thru Friday/6:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Tel. (812) 424-9461 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP Traditional Service 9:15 a.m. Sunday School 10:35 a.m. The Kindling 10:35 a.m. 8