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Green Valley United Methodist Church

2200 Robindale Road

Henderson,, NV 89074

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Christmas Eve Worship

Come and celebrate the best of the Christmas Tradition.

5:00 pm

A Christmas Pageant presented by our children. Sing Carols and hear the Christmas Story.

7:00 pm A Christmas message with the Chancel Choir and Candle Lighting.

9:00 pm

A Christmas message with the Praise Band and Candle Lighting.

11:00 pm Holy Communion, special music, a Christmas message,

Carols and Candle Lighting.

Childcare available at 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm

WORSHIP

Sunday mornings are the time we have set aside to worship God. What does your Sunday look like? Is it filled with hope, joy, love and peace? In the Ten Commandments we are told to have a Sabbath and keep it holy. Holy means to be “set apart.” For most Christians, the Sabbath is our Sundays. Do you keep your Sunday “set apart” from other things you do during the week? Is it a day set apart for God? Is it a day set apart for your own rest and renewal?

I know many people who try really hard to do something different on their Sabbath than they do any other day. If they cook 6 days a week, then on the 7th they choose not to cook. If they garden 6 days a week, then on the 7th they don’t. What do you do every single day of the week that you can stop doing on the Sabbath to set it aside for God.

We come to worship together every Sunday as a time set aside to worship God. This isn’t a day for us to do “church business” but should be a day where we come together as a family of faith only for the purpose of worship, love, and fellowship.

Let us try to continue going down the path of being a disciple of Jesus Christ as we remember that the Sabbath isn’t a rule to honor God, but a day set aside to love ourselves and our God.

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Mark

A Note From Pastor Mark

Notes from Our Pastors - p. 1

Holiday Worship Schedule - p. 2

Holiday Happenings - p.3

Children’s Ministry - p. 4

Youth Ministry - p.5

What’s Inside

GREEN VALLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH A place for all to belong and share God’s Mercy and Grace

2200 Robindale Road Henderson, NV 89074 www.gvumc.org 702-454-7989 November / December 2015

A Note From Pastor Antonieta

The holidays are fast approaching! So begins the endless Christmas commercials invading our TV and radio waves! All the retail stores in Henderson and Las Vegas are going to be decorated with beautiful lights and attractive ornaments. The Holidays are beginning soon with Thanksgiving, Christmas, holiday parties, Christmas eve and finally New Years Eve. The Holidays can be quite a busy one for our church. Decorating the sanctuary and preparing to have extra visitors, planning services, choir practices, planning holiday dinners, participating with the “Living Nativity” and many other activities. But among all the chaos of this season, don’t miss the opportunity to minister to one another. The Holidays provides occasions to find joy and peace together with our families and with our fellow followers of Jesus Christ. Brothers and sisters all the work that we are doing as a team to celebrate the birth of Christ is important because sometimes we never know how many lives we will touch with healing, joy, and peace because of our work. Always remember that we are working as unto God. The Holidays also provide numerous opportunities for community outreach helping needy families and the homeless community. “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (Which means, God with us). Matthew 1:21-23

Stephen Ministry Training, Conversation with the D.S., Charge Conference, Directory Photos, Contributions for 2015 - p. 6 Missions, Meet & Greet our Missionary - p. 7 November Calendar - p. 8 December Calendar - p. 9

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HOLIDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE

THANKSGIVING EVE WORSHIP SERVICE

WEDNESDAY ~ NOVEMBER 25 ~ 6:30 PM

Christmas Eve Worship

Come and celebrate the best of the Christmas Tradition.

5:00 pm

A Christmas Pageant presented by our children. Sing Carols and hear the Christmas Story.

7:00 pm A Christmas message with the Chancel Choir and Candle Lighting.

9:00 pm

A Christmas message with the Praise Band and Candle Lighting.

11:00 pm Holy Communion, special music, a Christmas message,

Carols and Candle Lighting

Childcare available at 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm

Advent Worship ~ Characters of Christmas

Hope Love Joy Peace

This Advent season we will look at those people who are part of our Christmas Story. We will see how they have made an impact on the world and

what we can learn from the choices they made.

The joy two people feel

when a child is born!

Mary

and

Joseph

Hope comes to the world

through eternal

salvation.

Elizabeth

and

Zechariah

What exactly is heavenly peace and how do we

find it?

Shepherds and

Angels

How much love do you

have for Christ?

Anna

and

Simeon

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Living Nativity At Las Vegas Speedway

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

Each year, prisoners complete applications through their prison chaplain’s registry for their children to be included in Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree program. Thanks to the Angel Tree program, children receive Christmas presents from their incarcerated parents. Last year over 600,000 children from across the country received gifts from their incarcerated parents thanks to volunteers. Along with the gifts, each child receives an age-appropriate booklet with a clear Gospel message inside.

Green Valley UMC will be participating in Angel Tree again this year. The tree will be set up in the narthex from November 22 through December 13. We will be sponsoring one hundred children. Each child will have two ornaments - one listing a clothing item, the other with their wish for a toy or other "fun" item. You will have the opportunity to select one of the paper angels and purchase the requested gift. We are asking that you spend no more than $25. The gifts need to be returned to the church by Sunday, December 13 or earlier so they can be delivered to the children on Saturday, December 19. Gifts are given in the name of the parent in prison, but with the understanding that this was made possible through Angel Tree and Green Valley UMC.

In addition to the gifts, we will provide each child with a bag filled with personal care and/or school supplies. We would also like to provide each of the families with a plate of homemade cookies. A sign up sheet for the cookies will be posted in the narthex.

This is a great way for us to help families in our local community. Almost haIf of the families live in Henderson. If you are interested in helping, call Linda Reynolds at 458-1681 or reynoldslindak@gmail.com

ANGEL TREE

November is here!! It may seem a bit early, but it’s not too soon to begin planning your Christmas shopping.

By planning now for your gift giving, Greenbacks can be your one-stop shopping place.

Greenbacks gift cards are available in the Church lobby every Sunday from 9:15 to 11:15. Gift cards for over 50 retail stores, restaurants and supermarkets are always available. A much larger list of the gift cards available by special order can be found at the Greenbacks table. Stop by and pick up a current retailer list. Special orders are always welcome. An order placed and paid for on one Sunday can be picked up the following Sunday.

Let Greenbacks help you with your shopping needs and make every day less stressful and, at the same time you’ll be donating to your Church. With your help, Greenbacks will continue to support the needs of the Church not covered in the budget. It’s as easy as that!!

GREENBACKS FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

CHRISTMAS CANTATA “A Lesson in Carols”

Sunday, December 20

presented at all three services.

SHARE THANKSGIVING DINNER

WITH YOUR CHURCH FAMILY

We will be having our annual

Thanksgiving Dinner in Fellowship

Hall at 2:00 pm on Thanksgiving

day. More information and sign-up

sheets will be coming out soon.

Start thinking about what you would

like to bring to share with everyone.

It’s that time of year again! The Living Nativity is back at the Glittering Lights Event at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

GVUMC will be covering the nights of Saturday, December 12 and Monday, December 21. The costumes are provided. Volunteers are needed for both the cast and crew.

The CAST consists of 2 teams which each include: Mary, Joseph, Angels, Wise Men, and Shepherds.

The CREW includes Dressers (who help the actors get dressed and organize the costumes).

HOSPITALITY (who takes care of snacks and beverages).

TRAFFIC TEAMS (which help control the flow of cars into and out of the Nativity area).

Sign-up sheets will be available on Sunday mornings on the Welcome desk, or you can contact Cathi in the church office (or email cathi@gvumc.org) to sign up! This is a great opportunity for all ages! Let’s all work together to put Christ back in Christmas!!

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Pioneer Club Spring Session

Registration begins December 1!

Our Pioneer Club Spring Session

starts on January 13. Each club fills

up fast so please register early! If

your child would like to “try out”

Pioneer Club before you register,

come any Wednesday night at 6:00

pm to see all the fun we have! We

have clubs for children from 3

years old to 5th grade!

PIONEER CLUB

JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM

FOLLOW THE STAR

On Friday, December 11 at 6:00

pm, we will have an interactive Elf

family movie night. There will be

snowball fights, hot chocolate bar,

cotton candy, popcorn, crafts and so

much more!! Dinner will be

provided! Wear your favorite

Christmas pajamas and join us for

this fun, free family event!

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

As always, families are invited to join us

on Christmas Eve for our family

worship service. Any child can be a

shepherd or an angel. Children who

would like larger parts in the service

can “audition” on Wednesday,

December 9 at 6:00 pm or Sunday,

December 13 at 12:30 pm. If you would

like to be more than an angel or

shepherd, you MUST attend rehearsal

on December 23 at 6:00 pm

Our Pioneer Clubs are partnering

with McDoniel Elementary School

for our mission projects this year.

We will be helping McDoniel feed

families in need this holiday

season. We want to collect food to

make food boxes so that these

families will have great feasts at

Thanksgiving and Christmas. We

will be collecting non-perishable

food items from through December

12. There will be a collection box

downstairs near the nursery desk.

FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT

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Page 5

YOUTH MINISTRY

YOUTH MUSICAL

Make sure you mark your calendars for

the

YOUTH’S

CHRISTMAS

MUSICAL

Saturday, December 5 at 6:00 pm

or

Sunday, December 6 at 2:00 pm

It is always a great start

to the holiday season!

To purchase tickets, please see the youth

table in the narthex any Sunday during

the month of November!

$15.00 for adults

$10.00 for children (ages 3 - 11)

Free for children 2 and under.

YOUR HELP WILL BE

NEEDED TO SERVE DINNER!

SAVE THE DATE: Youth Christmas Party / Dinner

Saturday January 2, 2016 9:30am to 4:00pm

Potosi Camp 10910 Mount Potosi Canyon Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89161

GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN FOR THE NEW CHURCH DIRECTORY Our old directory is out of date, so it's time to make a new one. Photographers will be here in November (and again in December) to take pictures for our new directory. There is NO COST to you unless you decide to purchase pictures. Reserve your picture time now!! Photos will be taken in Room E-4 in the Education Building on the following dates: Wed 11/11/15 1:00pm-8:30pm Thurs 11/12/15 1:00pm-8:30pm Fri 11/13/15 1:00pm-8:30pm Sat 11/14/15 10:00am-5:30pm Additional Dates will be available on December 3, 4 and 5 for those who are unable to make the November dates. You can sign up now by using the link in the weekly email, or sign up on Sunday mornings in the church lobby.

SMILE

Dear Members of Green Valley United Methodist Church

Our congregation is enrolled in the Stephen Series system

of lay caring ministry, developed by Stephen Ministries, a

nonprofit religious and educational organization based in

St. Louis, Missouri.

I will be attending a one-week Stephen Series Leaders

Training course in Anaheim, California. At this training

course, I will receive the instruction and materials

necessary to implement and sustain this program of lay

caring ministry here at Green Valley UMC. I am really

looking forward to this opportunity.

Following the one-week Leader’s Training Course, a group

of laypeople of our congregation will undertake 50 hours

of training in Christian caring skills under the guidance of

the experienced Stephen Ministries that have received the

Stephen Series system. This training will prepare the

participants to care for others, covering such areas as how

to listen effectively, how to deal with feelings, how to use

traditional Christian resources in caring, how to maintain

confidentiality, how to deal with people experiencing

crises, and many other areas of concern. A Christ centered-

approach to caring and the need to care for the whole

person will be stressed throughout the training.

Upon completion of Stephen Series training, these lay

caregivers will be commissioned as “Stephen Ministers”

and will become an important part of caring ministry here

at Green Valley UMC. These Stephen Ministers will provide

confidential, one-to-one Christian care for people

experiencing challenges in their lives such as

hospitalization, loss of a loved one, loneliness, divorce, un-

employment, birth of a child, and many other life events

for which a person could benefit from an effective helping

and caring ministry.

This will be an exciting time for Green Valley UMC. The

Stephen Series both multiplies the amount of caring

ministry that goes on in our congregation and deepens the

level of participation by laypeople in the healing ministry

of Jesus Christ. If you have questions about this form of

ministry, please feel free to ask me or Pastor Mark. In the

meantime, I would like you to keep me and our

congregation in your thoughts and prayers as we prepare

for this major step forward in our lay caring ministry.

Pastor Antonieta Fernandes

STEPHEN MINISTRY TRAINING

ALL CONTRIBUTIONS for 2015

must be received in the church

office by 12:00 noon on December

31 to be credited to 2015.

A CONVERSATION WITH OUR DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT On Tuesday, November 10 at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary. We will have an all church conversation with our District Superintendent, Rev. Daniel Morley. All are welcome to attend.

CHARGE CONFERENCE On Monday, November 16 at 6:30 pm in room E-4 our Charge Conference will be held. Anyone may attend, but only members of the church council are al-lowed to vote.

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CRAFTY LADIES AND MEN

We have been working diligently and thanks to everyone helping us, we have been able to submit over 700 sets of scarves and hats for distribution to homeless men, women, and children. That means we have made and gathered 1400 items so far this year. These items will be distributed at the Cashman Center on November 17th.

We meet the first and third Tuesday's of the month at 12 noon. After a light lunch we get to work on our projects. New members are always welcome so come join us as we knit and crochet for the homeless.

We have also continued a new project that Mary Lou Creech had started. We are making hats and receiving blankets for babies. These are sent periodically to a clinic in Alaska where the natives receive them for their babies.

MISSIONS

MISSIONARY HOMECOMING GATHERING

SATURDAY ~ NOVEMBER 14

Tiffany (Robison) Jackson is a missionary sponsored by GVUMC who serves in London (England) among the Muslim population there. She will be coming to Henderson from November 9 - 22 to share her ministry and message with her church family and supporters. Joe Eason has recently returned from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (Africa) and his mission trip with Gospelink. Jeff and Cheryl Miller will return in early November from their fifth trip to the Raining Season orphanage in Sierra Leone (Africa). We will gather in fellowship hall from 4:00 - 6:00 pm to witness God’s Spirit, grace and love moving throughout the wide world and to celebrate our opportunities to serve alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ.

MEET AND GREET TIFFANY & JACKSON

SUNDAY ~ NOVEMBER 15

Our own Tiffany (Robison) Jackson and her new husband Stephen will be with us for refreshments and frivolity on Sunday, November 15 after the third worship service. Have you wanted to meet Tiffany but not been able to make it to a mission event? Have you been waiting to meet Stephen but couldn’t make it to the wedding in London? Do you want to find out if we are serious about that frivolity? Come join us - it will be brilliant!

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NOVEMBER 2015 NOVEMBER 1, SUNDAY (See Sunday AM Schedule Below) 12:30 pm Joyful Bells (S) 3:00 pm Youth Musical Rehearsal (FH) 5:00 pm S.O.S.: Rocktober (Univ. UMC)

NOVEMBER 2, MONDAY 5:00 pm Friends in the Desert (Offsite)

NOVEMBER 3, TUESDAY 9:00 am Quilt Group (E-10) 12:00 pm Crafty Ladies (E-4) 6:30 pm Men’s Bible Study (E-2)

NOVEMBER 4, WEDNESDAY 9:00 am Women of Spirit (FH) 12:30 pm Bridge Club (E-4) 4:45 pm Jesus Jammerz Rehearsal (S) 5:30 pm Pioneer Club (NP) 5:45 pm W.N.T. (FH)

NOVEMBER 5, THURSDAY 6:00 pm Praise Band (S) 6:30 pm Bible Study (E-8) 7:00 pm Chancel Choir (S)

NOVEMBER 6, FRIDAY 5:00 pm Friends in the Desert (Offsite)

NOVEMBER 8, SUNDAY (See Sunday AM Schedule Below) 12:30 pm Joyful Bells (S) 3:00 pm Youth Musical Rehearsal (FH) 5:00 pm S.O.S.: SPIRIT (FH)

NOVEMBER 9, MONDAY 5:00 pm Friends in the Desert (Offsite)

NOVEMBER 10, TUESDAY 5:30 pm SPRC (E-10) 6:00 pm Trustees (E-10) 6:30 pm Men’s Bible Study (E-2) 7:00 pm Finance (E-9)

NOVEMBER 11, WEDNESDAY 9:00 am Women of Spirit (FH) 12:30 pm Bridge Club (E-4) 4:45 pm Jesus Jammerz Rehearsal (S) 5:30 pm Pioneer Club (NP) 5:45 pm W.N.T. (FH)

NOVEMBER 12, THURSDAY 6:00 pm Praise Band (S) 6:30 pm Bible Study (E-8) 7:00 pm Chancel Choir (S)

NOVEMBER 15, SUNDAY (See Sunday AM Schedule Below) 12:30 pm Joyful Bells (S) 3:00 pm Youth Musical Rehearsal (FH) 5:00 pm S.O.S.: SKILL (FH)

NOVEMBER 16, MONDAY 5:00 pm Friends in the Desert (Offsite)

NOVEMBER 17, TUESDAY 9:00 am Quilt Group (E-10) 12:00 pm Crafty Ladies (E-4) 6:30 pm Men’s Bible Study (E-2) Church Council (E-10)

NOVEMBER 18, WEDNESDAY 9:00 am Women of Spirit (FH) 12:30 pm Bridge Club (E-4) 4:45 pm Jesus Jammerz Rehearsal (S) 5:30 pm Pioneer Club (NP) 5:45 pm W.N.T. (FH)

NOVEMBER 19, THURSDAY 5:00 pm Stephen Ministry Supervision (E-9) 6:00 pm Praise Band (S) 6:30 pm Bible Study (E-8) 7:00 pm Chancel Choir (S)

NOVEMBER 20, FRIDAY 6:00 pm District Youth Event Begins Survivor (Univ. UMC)

NOVEMBER 21, SATURDAY 11:00 am District Youth Event Ends

NOVEMBER 22, SUNDAY (See Sunday AM Schedule Below) 12:30 pm Joyful Bells (S) 3:00 pm Youth Musical Rehearsal (FH) 5:00 pm S.O.S. Youth (FH)

NOVEMBER 24, TUESDAY 6:30 pm Men’s Bible Study (E-2)

NOVEMBER 25, WEDNESDAY 12:30 pm Bridge Club (E-4) 6:30 pm Thanksgiving Worship (S)

NOVEMBER 26, THURSDAY 2:00 pm THANKSGIVING DINNER (FH)

NOVEMBER 29, 1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (See Sunday AM Schedule Below) 12:30 pm Joyful Bells (S) 3:00 pm Youth Musical Rehearsal (FH) 5:00 pm S.O.S.: Youth / Advent (FH)

NOVEMBER 30, MONDAY 3:00 pm Youth Musical Rehearsal (FH)

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DECEMBER 14, MONDAY 5:00 pm Friends in the Desert (Offsite)

DECEMBER 15, TUESDAY 9:00 am Quilt Group (E-10) 12:00 pm Crafty Ladies (E-4) 6:30 pm Men’s Bible Study (E-2) Church Council (E-10)

DECEMBER 16, WEDNESDAY 9:00 am Women of Spirit (FH) 12:30 pm Bridge Club (E-4) 5:30 pm Advent Dinner (FH) 6:30 pm Advent Worship (S)

DECEMBER 17, THURSDAY 6:00 pm Praise Band (S) 6:30 pm Bible Study (E-8) 7:00 pm Chancel Choir (S)

DECEMBER 19, SATURDAY 2:00 am Music Ministry Christmas Rehearsal (S)

DECEMBER 20, 3rd SUNDAY OF ADVENT (See Sunday AM Schedule Below) 12:30 pm Joyful Bells (S) Lay Leaders Meeting (E-10) 5:00 pm S.O.S. Youth - SPIRIT (FH)

DECEMBER 21, MONDAY 5:00 pm Friends in the Desert (Offsite) Living Nativity (Offsite)

DECEMBER 22, TUESDAY 6:30 pm Men’s Bible Study (E-2)

DECEMBER 23, WEDNESDAY 12:30 pm Bridge Club (E-4) 6:00 pm Christmas Eve Rehearsal (S)

DECEMBER 24, THURSDAY 5:00 pm ~ Children’s Christmas Pageant 7:00 pm ~ Christmas Message with the Chancel Choir and Candle Lighting 9:00 pm Christmas Message with the Praise Band and Candle Lighting 11:00 pm Holy Communion, Special Music, Christmas Message and Candle Lighting

DECEMBER 25, FRIDAY ~HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS ~

DECEMBER 27, 1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (See Sunday AM Schedule Below)

DECEMBER 29, TUESDAY 9:00 am Quilt Group (E-10) 6:30 pm Men’s Bible Study (E-2) 7:00 pm Youth Lock In Begins (FH)

DECEMBER 30, WEDNESDAY 11:00 am Youth Lock In Ends (FH) 12:30 pm Bridge Club (E-4)

DECEMBER 31, THURSDAY NEW YEARS EVE

DECEMBER 2015 DECEMBER 1, TUESDAY 9:00 am Quilt Group (E-10) 12:00 pm Crafty Ladies (E-4) 6:30 pm Men’s Bible Study (E-2) SPRC (E-10)

DECEMBER 2, WEDNESDAY 9:00 am Women of Spirit (FH) 12:30 pm Bridge Club (E-4) 4:45 pm Jesus Jammerz Rehearsal (S) 5:30 pm Advent Dinner (FH) Pioneer Club (NP) 5:45 pm W.N.T. (FH) 6:30 pm Advent Worship (S)

DECEMBER 3, THURSDAY 3:00 pm Youth Musical Dress Rehearsal (FH) 6:00 pm Praise Band (S) 6:30 pm Bible Study (E-8) 7:00 pm Chancel Choir (S)

DECEMBER 4, FRIDAY 3:00 pm Youth Musical Dress Rehearsal (FH) 5:00 pm Friends in the Desert (Offsite)

DECEMBER 5, SATURDAY 6:00 pm Youth Musical (FH) “It Happened in the Country”

DECEMBER 6, 2nd SUNDAY OF ADVENT (See Sunday AM Schedule Below) 2:00 pm Youth Musical (FH) “It Happened in the Country”

DECEMBER 7, MONDAY 5:00 pm Friends in the Desert (Offsite)

DECEMBER 8, TUESDAY 6:00 pm Trustees (E-10) 6:30 pm Men’s Bible Study (E-2) 7:00 pm Finance (E-9)

DECEMBER 9, WEDNESDAY 9:00 am Women of Spirit (FH) 12:30 pm Bridge Club (E-4) 4:45 pm Jesus Jammerz Rehearsal (S) 5:30 pm Advent Dinner (FH) Pioneer Club (NP) 5:45 pm W.N.T. (FH) 6:30 pm Advent Worship (S)

DECEMBER 10, THURSDAY 6:00 pm Praise Band (S) 6:30 pm Bible Study (E-8) 7:00 pm Chancel Choir (S)

DECEMBER 11, FRIDAY 6:00 pm Elf Family Movie Night (FH)

DECEMBER 12, SATURDAY 5:00 pm Living Nativity (Offsite)

DECEMBER 13, SUNDAY (See Sunday AM Schedule Below) 12:30 pm Joyful Bells (S) 5:00 pm S.O.S.: SKILL (FH)

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