Lodi United Methodist Church December 2017

Angels Among Us

Angels play numerous important roles in the Biblical stories about the preparation for and

birth of Jesus, who is Emanuel, God With Us. We see a lot of angel decorations this time

of year, but do you really understand why they are part of the Christmas celebration?

Besides occasionally talking about “our Guardian Angel”, which I believe is actually the

Holy Spirit, who are the angels we read about in the Bible? Angels are messengers that

God has entrusted with important information that needs to be delivered. Often their

message begins “Do Not Be Afraid”.

During the Advent and Christmas seasons we prepare our hearts and

minds for the coming of Emanuel. This year, one of the opportunities

you have is to learn how to be open to “Angels Among Us”. We will

begin this series by looking at the angels who appeared to Zachariah,

Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and then Joseph again. You are encouraged

to bring your friends and neighbors with you to the whole series of

Angels Among Us: #DoNotBeAfraid, - five Sundays in December and

the two Christmas Eve services.

May your Advent and Christmas be filled with the strong conviction that we who love the Lord can also be messengers of hope, peace, joy, love and life for an anxious world.

Pastor Marge

CHRISTMAS EVE

SERVICES 12/24

Morning Advent

8:30 am & 10:30 am

Christmas Eve

3:30 pm Family Service

5:30 pm Candle Light

Christmas Events (See details on page…)

Cookie Festival - page 12

Lodi Light Parade - page 2

Children’s Program - page 3

Cantata - page 2

2

The Chancel Choir

Singing the 4th Sunday of each month,

10:30am.

Please prayerfully consider joining

the Chancel Choir!

We would love to have you join us.

Rehearsals are every 3rd Wednesday

of the month, from 6:30pm - 8:00pm.

Please contact Mitch Richards,

Director at mitchrichards64@gmail.com

Christmas Cantata

Presented on

Sunday,

December 17

10:30am

Christmas Lights Parade Saturday, December 2, 6:00 pm

We will have a "float" in the Christmas Lights

Parade (6:00 pm this Saturday). This is a church

family activity. Call Pastor Marge if you would like

to ride on the float. Wear warm clothes & white or

light colors if possible.

3

Children's Christmas Program

“A Great Big Story”

Presented Sunday, December 10, 10:30AM

Come join the Sunday School Choir as they

present the musical "A Great Big Story".

The music and enthusiasm will surely get you

and your family in the Christmas spirit!

This year Ardy Smith will be making

her stage debut in the program.

Will she finally sing?? Come join us and see!

From The Music Ministry Team

If you haven't heard - there has been a lot of ringing, dinging and singing in our Worship services lately!

Many of our adults and young people have been sharing their "God Given Gift" of music to praise our Lord in many different ways.

Thank you to EVERYONE who has been participating in, sharing leadership of and listening to the beautiful sounds resounding through our Sanctuary.

As we enter into the Advent season and PREPARE for the most exciting and wonderful Christian event of the year, please join us for

ALL the special, joyful, uplifting music that will be shared.

YOU won't want to miss it!

THANK YOU!

Thanks to all those who participated in the

“Superhero” walk for Reach Out Lodi,

and also to the many church members who

supported them!

4

Confirmation Class

Second Harvest Volunteer Work Day was a Blessing On Saturday, November 18, five youth: Emma Cakanic, Lydia Wilkes, Aryn Attoe, Brandon Grover, and Kaitlyn Sharkey, along with adults: Wendy Attoe, Mary Wilkes, Paul and Marlene Sharkey, and Brent and Gail Grover volunteered at Second Harvest repackaging food for distribution.

They had a variety of small projects for us. We started out by sorting fruits and vegetables; and then created crates for distribution with a variety of fruits and vegetables. Then, we weighed and packaged candy in

one-pound portions and packed for distribution. Finally, we

labeled cereal for distribution. It was a wonderful way to start out the holiday season!

We only have one class meeting in December on the 6th. Then a long break from classes

during this busy and exciting time. However, your helpful presence is needed during

the “Angels Among Us” worship services during the whole month of December. There

are both speaking and non-speaking parts. Check with your parents about when you can

participate in three or more of our December worship services and let me know.

There are plenty of other mission and service opportunities in this newsletter. Check

them out. I also encourage you to remember your mentor with a ‘thank you for your

prayers and support’ during this season of giving.

With the New Year, our class schedule resumes as follows:

God bless you all as you share your blessings with others.

Pastor Marge

Date Wed. evenings, 2018 6:00–7:30 pm Mentor / Helpers

Jan. 3 Renounce, Reject, Repent Sherrie Orcholski

Jan. 10 Accept Shawn Bahr

Jan. 17 Confess Shawn Bahr

Jan. 24 Tour of Gunderson Funeral Home Lodi

All mentors & Parents invited

5

Hope/Mary Alice

Christmas Brunch

Hope/Mary Alice Circle and

friends Brunch Outing will be

held Thursday, December 28.

Meet at church at 10:00 am to

car pool to Blue Spoon Café,

Prairie du Sac. Following the

brunch, the group will meet

back at church for finalizing the

2018 UMW program book.

RED KETTLE SEASON IS HERE

If you would like to help us with the Salvation Army’s Bell Ringing Project at Main Street Market, please sign up in Fellowship Hall. We are scheduled for December 6, 8, 9, 13, 15 and 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 7 p.m. Please sign up for a shift that fits your schedule. The kettle and bells will be available for your shift at the grocery store. PLEASE SIGN UP BY DECEMBER 3, and then our open hours will be turned back to Salvation Army coordinator, so they can fill the spots. If you and your family would like to ring at a different time, please call Kathryn at (608) 617-3237 or e-mail portagesalarmy@gmail.com.

NEW W.I.N.E. CAFÉ CONNECTION

Thanks to those who attended our November Café Connection. Listed is the game we played. Great to use for holiday gatherings (between the football games). Answers on page 8.

NUTS TO CRACK A dairy product BUTTERNUT A vegetable A country A girl’s name A structure A name often applied to one of the U.S. Presidents Every ocean has one That which often holds a treasure The names of two boys A letter of the alphabet and an article made of tin

Marge and Kevin Rice Myers would like to invite you to an

Epiphany Open House - at the Parsonage

131 Locust Street

Sunday, January 7th - any time between 1 and 4 pm

Come and see Town and Country Builders

good work from the outside and inside.

6

STUDENTS REALLY STEPPED UP TO THE PLATES!

Thank you Middle & High school students and K-2 class.

You were so helpful at the Sandy Lake Bruch benefit. We

really appreciate all your help.

7

Thank you to everyone who

saved their egg cartons for

Second Harvest. Please

continue to save your egg

cartons for future donation.

SCRIP...orders will be taken placed on December 3, 10, & 17.

All Church Meeting The Church Council & the Finance committee are

holding an all church meeting on December 7, 2017,

at 7:00 pm to have an open discussion about our

2018 financial budget.

All are invited to attend this meeting.

Sunday School in December - January December 17th & 24th—One room school-Sunday School.

December 17th IMPROMTU Live Nativity - in Sanctuary at 9:15 am.

December 24th Story’s & crafts downstairs in 4th & 5th grade room.

DECEMBER 31ST - No Sunday School

January 21st - first day of Sunday School in the NEW YEAR!

8

CHRISTMAS CARD RACK There are now Christmas cards in the UMW rack in Fellowship

Hall. They are 5 for $1.00. Check them out if you need a

few more.

Bell Choir Schedule for 2018 January 3 - Practice

January 10 - Practice

January 14 - Playing in Worship

January 31 - Practice

February 7 - Practice

February 11 - Playing in Worship

February 28 - Practice

March 7 - Practice

March 11 - Playing in Worship

March 28 - Practice

April 4 - Practice

April 8 - Playing in Worship

GETTING TO KNOW US Our program book for 2018 is titled SACRED SPACES: ENCOUNTERS WITH GOD AND NEIGHBOR. We are looking forward to a new year with new program ideas. Please consider joining UMW next year as we present various speakers and topics that relate to our Purpose.

Merry Christmas to everyone and we thank you for supporting United Methodist Women.

ANSWERS NUTS TO CRACK BUTTERNUT PEANUT BRAZILNUT HAZELNUT WALNUT HICKORY NUT BEECHNUT CHESTNUT FILBERT PECAN

9

Today my husband looked at the back of the

red dress I had worn to church. “You have a

hole”, he commented, running his finger along

the worn edge of my dress. I nodded. It is one

of my favorite dresses and I have patched

many holes in it. I do not want to stop wearing

this dress and so I keep plugging holes,

replacing buttons and mending tears. In many

ways the years I have worn this dress has made

it more precious to me, more

comfortable, more a part of my

personal expression than a new

dress would. In many ways, God’s

commitment to us is like that. We

may be frayed, marked, torn and

rough and yet God does not

discard us in favor of something

new. God’s handiwork is, in fact,

far superior to my own patch jobs.

God’s healing is restoring,

strengthening and renewing. God

seeks to create strength out of

brokenness, vision out of

hopelessness and beauty out of destruction. In

creating all things new, God does not

necessarily erase the flaws and wounds of the

past, yet He constantly seeks to transform the

people and things damaged by the world into

those who bring the good news and the kin(g)-

dom of God into reality.

In “Tattered and Mended: The Art of Healing

the Wounded Soul”, Cynthia Ruchti explores

this connection between God’s intentions to

heal the world and various art restoration

practices. Using scriptural examples of healing

as well as real-world examples of

transformative restorations in such media as

glass, fabrics, metal and canvas, Cynthia

brings alive God’s mindset to never to give up

on what might be remade and how the ways in

which mending/healing is done can be an

artistic/beauty creating practice. God seeks to

make things stronger, more beautiful and

useful in the restored state than the original

creation. God uses wounded healers to create a

more beautiful way, a more complete mosaic

and a more authentic vision of what it means

to follow the path of righteousness. The book

includes practices for healing and healthy

spirituality, ways to pray for

mending and also practical

exercises which promote healthy

growth as well as helpful

reminders of the patience and

attitudes needed to gain true

healing. A beautiful, yet realistic

view of how to live beyond

brokenness and the wear and tear

of life, this book is a lovely

testament to God’s artistry and

vision for us all.

Interested in other books about the

health and healing? Try these other

books from the United Methodist Women’s

reading list: “Good Health, Good Life” by

Joyce Myers, “Broken and Blessed: God

Changes the World One Person and One

Family at a Time” by Jessica LaGrone, “Fully

Awake and Truly Alive: Spiritual Practices to

Nurture Your Soul” by Rev. Jane Vennard,

“Wild in the Hollows: On Chasing Desire and

Finding the Broken Way Home” by Amber

Haines, “The Reason: How I Discovered a

Life Worth Living” by Lacey Sturm, “Cured

but Not Healed: How to Experience Deeper

Faith on Your Journey with God” by Kimberly

Clemons-Jones and “Break the Cycle: Healing

from an Abusive Relationship” by Tracy

Deitz.

God Restores

By Laura Pfeffer

10

December Celebrations Birthday

Poinsettias Sponsor

for Christmas I wish to contribute to the purchase of

Poinsettias for the alter on Christmas Eve.

Name(s) of those sponsoring:

Sponsored by:__________________________

In Memory of:__________________________

In Honor of:___________________________

Love Gift for:__________________________

No more than 15-20 Poinsettias will be

purchased, but all sponsors

will be mentioned.

Suggested donation is $15.00.

Any extra contributions will be given to our

first mile mission giving.

You may pick up after the 5:30 pm service on

12/24. DEADLINE FOR ODERING 12/17

Dorothy Diane Landford 4

Logan Lochner 4

Shirley Froh 5

Steve Vanlanvelt 5

Scott Ness 6

Audrey Attoe 8

David Brereton 9

Brent Grover 9

Heidi Ness 9

Sandy Hoke 11

Ron Webster 11

Terry Martindale 12

Evan Clary 13

Don Easley 13

Candence Wipperfurth 14

Tom Word 15

Kramer Endres 16

George Miller 16

Roger Wetzel 16

Robby Boisen 17

Cindy Brooks 17

Sandy Davidson 18

Tharen Robson 18

Bill Dalrymple 19

Donald Ness 22

Charles Phipps 23

Tiffany Orcholski 24

Mary Jean Goeres 25

Kyle Attoe 27

Crystal Kurtz 28

Logan Bahr 30

Anniversary

Larry & Judy Wieland 3

Randy & Kris Attoe 8

Terry & Sally Martindale 15

Katie & Brad Day 16

Jack & Susan Frankland 20

Rhea & John Lind 21

Larry & Ardy Smith 28

Jack & Cindy Heal 30

Thomas & Jane Chamberlin 31

11

1 2

8:00am UMW

Cookie Festival

9:00am

Children’s

Christmas

Program

Rehearsal

3

9:00am

Children’s

Christmas

Program

Rehearsal

4

9:00am Patricia

Project

5

6

6:00pm

Confirmation

6:30pm Choir

7

7:00pm

ALL CHURCH

MEETING

8

9

10

10:30am

Children’s

Christmas

Program

11

12 13

12:00pm

Pathfinder

Potluck

6:30pm Choir

14 15 16

17

10:30am

Christmas Cantata

18

9:00am Patricia

Project

19 20 21 22 23

24

8:00am Worship

10:30am Worship

3:30pm Family

Service

5:30pm

Candlelight

Service

25

26 27

10:00am

Hope/Mary Alice

Circle Brunch

28 29 30

31

No Sunday

School

December

2017

Sunday Morning Worship Service Times

8:00am 1-Worship Service 9:00am Sunday School

9:15am Adult Sunday School 10:30am 2-Worship Service

12

Lodi United Methodist Church

130 Locust Street

Lodi, WI 53555

Address Service Requested

Non-Profit

Organization

U.S. Postage

PAID

Lodi, WI 53555

Permit #26

Label goes here

UMW CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL

December 2, 2017, 8:00am - 2:00pm

We are all looking forward to the start of the Christmas season, with our Christmas festival. Please have you items at the church by 6:00 p.m. Friday if at all possible. However, we will still accept items Saturday morning as well. Please

invite friends and family to come. Come and enjoy a cinnamon roll and refreshments in our collection of

Christmas mugs. Thank you from United Methodist Women for all your support.