Christmastime Services

Christmas Eve Worship Times

Children’s Service 11 am with a Nativity Play. All children in attendance are invited to participate. Lessons & Carols Service 5 pm. We will conclude the service with candlelight.

New Year’s Mystery Worship Service

1 Service at 10 am

We have BIG NEWS to share!

ASBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Non-Profit Org.

5354 SPACE CENTER U.S. Postage Paid PASADENA, TEXAS 77505 Pasadena, TX

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Permit No. 104

Hello church!

One of my kids' favorite books is called “Evermore Dragon.” It's about a little girl who plays a game of hide and seek

with her best friend dragon. She hides so well, and waits so long, that she falls asleep. When she awakes, it's dark out,

and she's afraid, until finally, after hours of searching, the dragon happily scoops her up and confirms for her that she's

not forgotten. Hide and seek was one of my favorite games as a kid, too - as long as the seeker didn't just give up.

Every year there are 2 Christmases in America. One begins on Black Friday and includes parties, cards, decorations, and

presents. The other is preceded by Advent and celebrates the birth of the God/child in the world and in our hearts

and begins on December 25th. We all participate in at least the first one. I've known some Christians who get so angry

that the first one exists, they make an effort to "take back Christmas." I understand this frustration and feel the same way

every time I listen to a Christmas album that doesn't have a single song on it referencing the Christmas story!

But if we look carefully at the secular Christmas, Christ and His message is hidden within it. We only need to learn how

to find this “Hidden Christmas.” Then the secular stuff can become a gateway to conversation and revelation about the

true, historical, spiritual Christmas message. And we can share that message with our friends who don't know it yet.

So this Advent, I'll be doing a series we call The Hidden Christmas, and we want you to be prepared for two tasks. The

first is for the kids - every Sunday during Advent, we’ll be hiding a character from the Nativity story in the sanctuary.

Kids who come early to worship can search for it. I'll ask during the worship service who found it. The other task is for

everyone - be on the lookout for Jesus in unexpected places. For example, He may speak to you while you're sitting in a

parking lot or a conversation with a friend may lead you to understand something new about Him. And when you find

Jesus hidden in your everyday life - snap a picture and post it on the church's Facebook account. The person who

posts the most pictures will receive a prize! Seeking all this will help us to uncover the Hidden Christmas.

Use the next month as an extended Hide and Seek Game with Jesus, and don't be a seeker who gives up on the challenge.

This hunt will be in addition to the Jesse Tree Devotional written by members. And check the calendar for all of our

other Advent activities. Join us, Sunday after Sunday, as we explore how to find the Hidden Christmas all around us.

Blessings,

Pastor Lindsay

ASBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH HEARTS THAT LOVE AND HANDS THAT SERVE AS DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST Volume 55, No. 10 CIRCUIT RIDER December 1, 2017

Our Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:30 am - 3:30pm Friday 8:30 am - Noon

Contact Us: Phone: 281-484-4814 Fax: 281-998-3438 Online: www.asbury.cc www.facebook.com/AsburyUMChurch/

Pastor: Rev. Lindsay Kirkpatrick

Christmastime Services

Dec 24, 11 am – Children’s Service

Dec 24, 5 pm – Traditional Service

Dec 31, 10 am – One Service

Mark Your Calendars

Nov 28 – Day School Board Meeting

Dec 2 – Christmas Event for everyone

Dec 6 – Faith & Family Potluck

Dec 9 – Youth Progressive Dinner &

Children’s Christmas Celebration

Dec 10 – Christmas Cantatas

Dec 13 – KidsLife & Club 45 Birthday

Party for Jesus

Dec 13 – Last Faith & Family of 2017

Dec 15 – Day School Program

Every Wed – Faith & Family Nights

Every Mon & Thurs – Aerobics

Please Note

Dec 25 & Jan 1 – Church Office Closed

*Be sure to check if your group is

meeting during the holidays

Asbury Ornaments for $5 On sale now through Christmas

Proceeds from the sale of these ornaments will fund the purchase

of an ornament for each of our day school families.

Support Asbury while You’re

shopping online.

December Sermon Series

C o m m u n i t y C h r i s t m a s E v e n t s

R O C K

N A T I V I T Y By David Wood DECEMBER 6 - 23, 2017

Experience the mystery of the manger, the madness of King Herod, the magic of the Magi, and the birth of the Messiah

in this Christmas musical celebration.

A S o u t h M a i n B e t h l e h e m The Christmas story is brought to life.

Dec. 8th: 6-9pm Dec 9th: 5-9pm Dec 10th: 5-9pm

South Main Baptist Church: 4300 East Sam Houston Pkwy S., Pasadena, TX www.southmain.org

T h e B u f k i n F a m i l y ’ s C h r i s t m a s L i g h t s .

F o r 2 5 y e a r s t h i s f a m i l y h a s b e e n s h a r i n g t h e i r d e c o r a t i o n s w i t h t h e c o m m u n i t y , b u t t h i s i s t h e l a s t y e a r t o e n j o y t h i s a n n u a l t r a d i t i o n .

F a c e b o o k : @ B u f k i n C h r i s t m a s

F i r s t B a p t i s t C h u r c h o f P a s a d e n a

D e c e m b e r 7 - 1 0

http://fbp.org/sct

We seek to honor our covenant through our Prayers, our Presence, our Gifts, our Serving, and our Witness.

Prayer Concerns:

Marge Colello Eli Johnson

Joe Martinez Al McIntyre

Charlie Bissonet Pat Davis

As well, please remember in your prayers all

those currently serving in the Military.

A weekly updated list of prayer concerns can be found in the

Main Hall on the table to the right by the sanctuary doors.

Our vision is to bring Jesus from the margins to the center in ministry for and with neighborhood families.

General Fund Snapshot

2017 Budget $517,126.00

Donations Received Nov 1 - Nov 15: $13, 795.05

THRIVE Campaign Snapshot

Pledges Made $642,000.00

Donations Received Nov 1 - Nov 15: $717.00

*Remember to write THRIVE on the memo

Welcome Center Volunteers:

December 3rd — Jennifer & Brian French

December 10th — Heather Choats

December 17th — Mark & Jaye Rooney

December 24th — Let’s all welcome our Christmas Eve visitors

December 31st — Volunteer(s) Needed

Thank you for offering your time.

PRESENCE . . .

Sunday, November 5, 2017

8:45 am Worship Service 109

11:00 am Worship Service 89

Sunday, November 12, 2017 8:45 am Worship Service 81

11:00 am Worship Service 148

Sunday, November 19, 2017 8:45 am Worship Service 73

11:00 am Worship Service 90

Asbury celebrates with the Morales family.

Karen Morales and Makai Morales were baptized on November, 12th.

Also, their parents, Bird Morales and Leah Won became members of Asbury.

Thank you, Asbury family, for your continued support of our day school ministry. The 50th Anniversary Celebration was a blessing to many.

To God Be The Glory! Stephanie Kichline Director

Betty Carter, Sue Lofton, & Shirley Middleton were all a part of Asbury Day School when it first opened in 1967.

Pick up a good book this season. Pauses for Advent by Trevor Hudson: In this beautifully minimalist book, Trevor Hudson focuses on one biblical word of wonder each day of Advent, which will guide readers to a deeper understanding of Advent. The lives and thoughts of four significant characters in the Christmas story are also explored. Hudson’s simple approach provides a do-able daily practice and gently leads readers to

discover how they can open their hearts and lives more generously to God.

Unwrapping the Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp: This is a book like no other— it's your own larger-than-life Advent Calendar, opening up to 25 wondrous stories. Each day's story has its very own ornament. So come Christmas day - your kids, and your Christmas tree with all 25 ornaments, will be telling the full love story of Jesus’ coming, right from the very beginning!

Holiday Gift Catalogs on the Mission Table: What do you get for the person who has everything or friends you want to honor on special occasions? Give a gift that transforms lives. A rabbit, maize seed, or even a cooking pot can have a major impact in the life of an orphan family working hard to provide for themselves.

Angel Tree Angel Tree provides Christmas cheer for families in our

community. Look for the tree in the Main Hall.

Simply choose a family from the tree. Large families are a great opportunity for a Sunday School or other group to share a

holiday project. After selecting a family you will be responsible for purchasing and delivering the gifts. Typically, children are each

given a clothing item and a toy. The adults in the family will be given non-perishable food provided by Asbury (no need to purchase).

And purchasing for Angel Tree in someone’s honor will be special gift under your own tree.

Magazines A great way to stay in touch with someone is to purchase a subscription as a gift. But have each

issue sent to you instead. When it arrives, write a personal note and then send it on.

Devozine: The Upper Room’s youth publication http://devozine.upperroom.org/ Guideposts: 6 faith bases magazines available https://www.guideposts.org/

Brookwood Community: This local organization offers ceramic ornaments and home decor made by people

with disabilities. There is also a café on campus for nice outings. http://www.brookwoodcommunity.org/

GreaterGood.com: This web site offers a variety of gift items. Each purchase helps support one of several

charities. You can choose which cause to support by selecting a charity from the top menu before shopping.

https://greatergood.com/about-us/

Meaningful Christmas Gifts

Annual Progressive Dinner

December 9th

Meet at Asbury @ 4:00PM

White Elephant Gift

(no more than $10!)

RSVP DEADLINE:

Sunday Nov. 26th

ADVENT ACTIVITIES Jesse Tree Devotional: You can pick up your copy at the

Welcome Center. This is a special annual tradition at Asbury.

Christmas Program Dec. 2nd at 6:00 pm: UMW is hosting this

fun event for the whole family. Entertainment will be provided by Christian comedian Karen Mayer Cunningham. For refreshments afterwards please

bring a finger food or dessert . Nursery will be available for the littlest ones.

Children’s Party Dec 9: Come celebrate Jesus with fun and games.

Christmas Cantatas Dec. 10th: At the early service the Chancel Choir,

Student Choir and Hearts & Handbells will perform “Sing Joy to All the World!”

The Contemporary service will perform “Heaven Meets Earth.” Both are musical stories of the anticipation and the birth of the Christ Child.

Asbury Day School Events: On December 15th at 10 am the

children will present the school’s Christmas Program. Everyone will enjoy cookies and punch following the performance. On December 19th & 20th

each class will present a Christmas Nativity play and have their

parties. Please check the schedule outside Stephanie Kichline’s

office for each class’ date and time.

Encounter Newsfeed Awesome, Amazing, Wonderful Info about Asbury’s 6th-12th Grade Encounter Student Minis-

tries

The Encounter Student Ministries would like

to say a huge thank you to all those who

donated, helped sort and assisted in any way

with the Encounter Garage Sale in October.

We raised $1,600 that will be put toward the

building and renovation project next spring!

Over the last 6 months 5 students and 3 adults have been

meeting together with the purpose of creating a student-led

worship team for worship on Wednesday nights for our student

ministry. On Monday, November 13th this group of

students led worship as a team for the first time at the Charge

Conference that was hosted right here at Asbury. These

students have been working very hard and have a true passion

to learn about worship leading. Beyond learning and

practicing the music, we discuss what it means to be a worship

leader and how we can use music to worship God and help

usher others into a deeper level of worship. I am very proud of

these students and look forward to what God has in store for

this ministry team.