church calendar€¦ · january’s calendar continues inside » o n saturday, dec. 24, we will...

DECEMBER 14, 2016

First United Methodist Church of Excelsior Springs1650 Rainbow Blvd. | Excelsior Springs, MO 64024

ESMethodist.com

Christmas Open House • Dec. 21Pastor Laura and Jeremy Blevins are inviting the congregation

to their home for a special Christmas Party Open House on Wednesday, Dec. 21 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Their address is: 300 W. Dauxville Dr., Richmond.

Church CalendarDECEMBER 14 • WEDNESDAYHand and Foot Card Club meets . . . . 12:00 p.m.

DECEMBER 15 • THURSDAYNorthwest District Retiree’s luncheon . . 11:00 a.m.Care Committee meeting . . . . . . . . 12:30 p.m.

DECEMBER 17 • SATURDAYRacene Bolin’s birthday party . . . . . 2:00 p.m.Second Miler’s Christmas party . . . . 3:00 p.m.

DECEMBER 18 • SUNDAYFourth Sunday of AdventSunday School . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:00 a.m.Children’s Christmas Program . . . . . 10:00 a.m.

DECEMBER 19 • MONDAYBack Snack volunteers meet at GSC . . . . . 9:00 a.m.Finance meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:30 p.m.Mighty Diaper Sign-up . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:30 p.m.Boy Scouts weekly meeting . . . . . . . . . 6:30 p.m.Cub Scouts weekly meeting . . . . . . . . . 6:30 p.m.

DECEMBER 21 • WEDNESDAYHand and Foot Card Club meets . . . . 12:00 p.m.Worship Committee meeting . . . . . . 5:30 p.m.Open House at Blevins’ home . . . . . 6:00 p.m.Preschool Board meeting . . . . . . . 6:30 p.m.

DECEMBER 22 • THURSDAYPreschool Christmas Program . . . . . 6:00 p.m.Venturing Crew meeting . . . . . . . . 6:30 p.m.

DECEMBER 23 • FRIDAYOffice Closed for Christmas

DECEMBER 24 • SATURDAYChristmas Candlelight Service . . . . . 4:00 p.m.Christmas Candlelight Service . . . . . 11:00 p.m.

DECEMBER 25 • SUNDAYChristmas Service . . . . . . . . . . . 10:00 a.m.No Sunday School classes this day

DECEMBER 26 • MONDAYOffice Closed for Christmas

JANUARY’S calendar continues INSIDE »

On Saturday, Dec. 24, we will have two Candlelight Christmas Eve services here

at the church. The first will take place at 4 p.m., the second will take place at 11 p.m. Then, on Sunday, Christmas Day, we will have a very special “Lyrics of Christmas” music service at 10 a.m.

There will be no Sunday School classes Christmas morning.Make sure to invite your family, friends, coworkers and neighbors to church this holiday season as we celebrate the Birth of Christ and the many blessings He has given us this year!

Share your musical talent this ChristmasIf you would like to share your talent and perform a special musical number during our Christmas Eve or Christmas Day services, please contact Pastor Laura before next Sunday, Dec. 18. Call the church office at 816-637-2138 or email [email protected].

2 DECEMBER 14, 2016

Mittens for Missions begins in Jan.

STAR TREE donations are due this Sunday, December 18

If you took a star from our STAR TREES to help with our adopted families this Christmas season, remember that those items are due back under the Christmas trees this Sunday, December 18. This season, our church has adopted four families and our preschool has adopted two families to help with food, clothing and gifts. Thank you, everyone, for your charitable hearts this Christmas holiday.

We’ve had a lot of interest in our mission, and we couldn’t be more excited! A lot of the questions about “Mighty Diapers” can be answered by looking at our FB page, but here are some FAQ to better understand this program:1. To qualify for free diapers, you must live within the Excelsior Springs or Richmond school district, and be at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.2. You can reach us at the United Methodist Church in Excelsior every Monday evening, from 6:15 to 7:15, and the second Tuesday of the month, from 9 to 3. We are available at the United Methodist Church in Richmond every Monday from 4:30-7:00.3. To qualify, we need proof of residency, proof of income, and birth certificate(s). Prenatal moms can also sign up.4. We also offer diapers at a vastly reduced cost, which anyone is welcome to order. 5. We do not offer pull ups, and children over 30 months do not qualify for free diapers; however, you can purchase diapers for children over 30 months at our prices.

The First United Methodist Treehouse Preschool teachers and students are hosting their annual Christmas Program on Thursday, Dec. 22 beginning at 6 p.m. here at the church. The entire church family is invited to attend.

Preschool Adopts Two Local FamiliesIn addition to the four families our church is adopting this Christmas, the Treehouse Preschool families are adopting two of their own. Treehouse has adopted two single mothers and their children and the preschool parents have taken 50 stars to purchase items for these families. The gifts will be collected around the wooden preschool tree. Our preschool students and their families are receiving the message of Christmas this season!

The new toddler Sunday School class is going well and we’ve had about 4 to 5 children weekly. We’ve learned about sharing, about playing with others and being a superhero. Recently, we learned how Jesus heals boo-boos (and we all have them)! We’re also trying to come up with an official name for our class.If you know of a toddler who loves stories, puppet shows, crafts and learning about Jesus, we’d love to have them. Join us on Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. along with the other Sunday School classes.We’d like to send a special shout-out and a huge THANK YOU to Linda McAninch and Jim Gresham for donating the t-shirts for our superhero capes! Thanks again! — Miss Kelly & Miss Lydia

Don’t miss a very special worship service this Sunday, Dec. 18 at 10 a.m. as our church youth will be performing this year’s Christmas Program: “Heaven and Nature Sing.” This program is an opportunity for the whole congregation to participate in praising and celebrating the birth of Jesus. Please join us!

The mission committee wants to begin collecting gloves, mittens, scarves, and caps for children in need during the cold winter months. In addition to these traditional items, the mission team will also accept coats. The “Mittens for Missions” display will be in the narthex starting Jan. 1. Please place your donations in the basket near this display. Knitters are welcome to knit items and donate them as well.

The collected items will then be distributed to the three local elementary schools throughout the month of January. So many families in our community are ill-equipped to provide adequate coats, hats, scarves and gloves for their young children. This mission is to help keep our children safe and warm in these blistery cold winter months. Please consider donating to this important local mission.

Mighty Diapers: the deep

and dirty details

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The First United Methodist Church of Excelsior Springs1650 Rainbow Blvd. | Excelsior Springs, MO 64024Office hours: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday-Friday816-637-2138 | ESMethodist.com

SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT

Girl Scout Troop #737 weekly meeting

6 p.m.Calico Quilters meet

7 p.m.

Sunday School: 9 a.m.

Worship service 10 a.m.

Boy Scouts weekly meeting

6:30 p.m.Cub Scouts

weekly meeting 6:30 p.m.

Mighty Diapers sign-ups 6:30 p.m.

Mighty Diapers sign-ups

9 a.m. - 3 p.m.United Methodist Men

meet 6:30 p.m.

Hand & Foot Card Club

Noon


6 p.m.Venturing Crew meeting

6:30 p.m.

Prayer Shawl meeting 9 a.m.

Church newsletter deadline 3 p.m.

Racene’s Quilting Strippers meet

10 a.m.Eagle Scout Court

of Honor



Office Closed Boy Scouts


Backsnack volunteers meet at GSC: 9 a.m.


NoonWorship Committee

meeting 5:30 p.m.

Preschool Board meeting

6:30 p.m.


6 p.m.



Service at Convalescent Center

2:30 p.m.


Noon


6 p.m. Venturing Crew meeting

6:30 p.m.




7 p.m.

NEW YEAR’S DAY

Second Miler’s monthly social

TBA

LEADERSHIP RETREAT & COMMITTEE

TRAINING

Is something missing or inaccurate with our church calendar? Please let us know. Call the church office at: 816-637-2138


6:30 p.m.Cub Scouts


Mighty Diapers sign-ups: 6:30 p.m.

Stay social with members of our

church all week long by following us on

Facebook & Twitter. Search for

ESMethodist.


Noon



Service at ES Nursing & Rehab Center

2 p.m.

Office Closed

EPIPHANY SUNDAY

FIFTH SUNDAY FOOD DRIVE

Newsletter arrives in mailMARTIN LUTHER

KING, JR. DAY

Start your shopping at smile.amazon.com. When selecting your charity, search for United Methodist Church, Excelsior Springs. Then, bookmark smile.amazon.com as your starting off point for all your Amazon shopping and a percentage of your spending comes back to the church.

to these members!

4 DECEMBER 14, 2016

Hospitalized:JOAN MARTIN

Upcoming Surgery:LORRAINE MILLER

Recovering from Surgery:CADE HATCHER

PAULA STRAUSSERNANCY TUSO

BARBARA PARMAN

General Health Concerns:KEN EHRHARDT

HAROLD RHODUSJACK CLEMONSDORIS LOGSTONJERRY O’LEARY

Cancer Patients:

WILL WALLACE

MARY LOU MERTZ

PATTI

GEORGIA HALSTEAD

PASTOR ALLEN ZUGELTER

PETE BOEKHOUT

DOYLE SLAYDEN

AMY COLEMAN

MELISSA WOOD

BILLY BEALE WOODS

REV. MIKE DUNLAP

MOLLY HAMMER

ELLIE & HER FAMILY

Cancer Patients (cont.):

CAROLYN BETHARDSRONNIE & CAROL BRUMBAUGH

ANDIE SMITHCARL POWELLJOE GIFFORD

JULIE VAN LIEREMARLA EDWARDS

TERESA BERRY

General Prayer Concerns

ARRONWES CLEVENGER FAMILY

BRANDON & ELI (GLADSTONE POLICE DEPT.)

DICK, PEGGY & ADAM SNYDER

JASON SIMMONS

Judy George . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 1Al Miller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 2Emily Rice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 2Linda McAninch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 3Shirley Radley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 4Michael Bailey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 8Pete Rucker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 8Sharon Thomson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 8Mallori Franklin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 10Cheryl Bailey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 11Kassie Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 11Ron Cogdill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 13Marvin Shepard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 13Brian Rice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 14Scarlet Smarker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 14William Sutton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 15Dirk Jeffers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 16Judy Jeffers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 18Kerriann Robinson . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 18Pamela Grubbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 19Tommy Mouser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 19Jane Blattner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 20Kathy Travis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 20Rachel Blevins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 22Johnna Garnett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 23Vickie Findley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 25Sharon Long . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 27Breanna Stewart . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 27Tyler Stone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 27Jeanne Davidson . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 30Janice Hennings . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jan. 31

The following people are in need of our prayers. Please help lift their names up to God!

Ms. Wilma Smith In care of: Mrs. Chelsea Aulakh, 8051 N. Denver Ave, Apt.# 1229,

Kansas City, Missouri 64119

Jerry O’Leary Liberty Health and Wellness Ctr.

2201 Glenn Hendren Dr., Rm. 111Liberty, MO 64068

The church family is encouraged to send cards

or write letters to ourdear friends:

Pastor Laura invites everyone serving on the Administrative Council or on a church committee to attend our second annual Leadership Retreat and Committee training day, Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Wilderness Camping and Retreat Center.We will again coordinate with the other committees and to establish goals for the coming year. Details of this event will be forthcoming with announce-ments via email, online at ESMethodist.com or in the church bulletin.

Church functions, finances depend on commitment

Leadership Retreat is Jan. 21

We are a church on the move. We are a church driven by the Holy Spirit to do His mission work outside the walls of our church and to share His word with everyone. We are led to be examples of Jesus Christ by demon-strating his grace with others.In 2016, we made a difference. We did more mission work than ever before, we were responsible and paid apportionments, our congregation grew and we operated with one of the most aggressive budgets in our church’s history. In this time of com-mitment and caring, we must now look within to see what we can do to keep up our faith and our devotion to God.Our November giving reached $24,060, falling short of our expenses

of $33,000 and increasing our year-to-date budget shortfall to $18,000. As we approach the year end and our finance team budgets for 2017, your commitment, your tithes and your offerings are more important than ever before.Commitment Sunday was Dec. 4, but we are still accepting commitment cards from congregation members. If you’ve been absent from church or forgot to fill out your pledge to the church for 2017, please do so be-tween now and the end of the year. Year-end contributions will also be accepted between now and Dec. 28.Please prayerfully consider how God is calling you to His service with your time, talent and financial giving in 2017.

5ESMethodist.com

The 57 poinsettias filling our sanctuary this advent season are a visible trib-ute to our church’s family and to the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. These plants are dedicated to the memory of lost loved ones, joys and celebrations within our church, and in honor of those most important to us. Thank you to everyone who made this beautiful contribution to our church during this most wonderful time of the year.

In Memory of:• Alden & Arlene Bartlett . . . . . . . . . . by David & Barbara Bartlett• Bernita Watkins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Jan Watkins• Brad Lee Cederberg . . . . . . . . . . .by Lowell & Vonna Lee Davis• Brett Doolittle, Anna & Robert McGhee . . . . . by Don McGhee• Carl Kurtz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Lynda Kurtz• Dale Thomson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Sharon Thomson• Dan Dorsey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Debbie Dorsey• Dean Carter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Jule Hale• Dick & Vera Mast . . . . . . . . . . . . .by Robert & Mary Pettegrew• Dusty Herzog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .by Jean Herzog• Ed Radley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Shirley Radley• Edrue & Fran Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Ed & Mellie Smith• Family members who have passed away . . . . by Linda Gail Smith• Glenn Welton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Bethella & Carl Pollard• Harold VanBebber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .by Jim & Joyce Green• J .C . Dooley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Carol & Dennis Dooley• John & Lavona Neal . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Carol & Dennis Dooley• John M . Neal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Carol & Dennis Dooley• Judy Davis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .by Lowell & Vonna Lee Davis• Larry Hoffman . . . . . . . . . by Brad, Kelli, Ryan, Ian & Adam Hoffman• Larry W . Miller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Lorraine Miller• Luke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Colleen Rhodus• Margaret & Jack Hover . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Ed & Mellie Smith• Martha, Carolyn & Clint Williams . . . . . . . . . . by Sonra Siegel• My father, Hayden Swearingen . . . . . . . . . . by Colleen Rhodus• Nancy Elmore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .by Kenna Williams• Norm & Evelyn Schoen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Jan Watkins• Officer Blake Snyder . . . . . . . . . . . . .by Mike & Brenda Kelley• Our family who has passed away . . . . by John & Donna Simmons

In Memory of:• Our Parents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Jerri & Jim Morris• Ray Bledsoe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Mary Pendelton• Ray, Ruth & Janet Pettegrew . . . . . . .by Robert & Mary Pettegrew• Richard Abbott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Shirley Abbott• RN & Dolly Robertson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Cathy Logston• Robert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Ursal Leiter• Sterling & Marybelle Snyder . . . . . . . . . by Pete & Nancy Rucker• Steve & Helen Derdich/Cyril & Irene Ernhardt . by Cheryl Derdich• Tobie Davison & Wayne Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . by Kelly Smith• Tom & Ruth Lawton . . . . . . . . . . . . by David & Barbara Bartlett• Tommy & Leola Williams . . . . . . . . . . . by Carol Lautenschlager• Valerie Kassen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Peggy Rick• Virgil & Betty Baker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .by Cathy Logston

In Honor of:• Andrew Price family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Shirley Radley• Children Bob, Cindy and Ken . . . . . . . . . . . . by Ursal Leiter• Emergency responders, veterans & armed forces . . . . by Marty Nedblake• George & JoAnn Fry . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Brian & Michele Fry• Helen Hilton . . . . . . . . .by Jeremy, Laura, Joshua and Rachel Blevins• John & Mary Butler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Brian & Michele Fry• Larry Radley family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Shirley Radley• My children & grandchildren . . . . . . . . . . . by Debbie Dorsey• Our children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by David & Audrey Lodwick• Our children & grandchildren . . . . . . . . . by Jerri & Jim Morris• Pastor Laura & family . . . . . . . . . . . by the Second Miler’s Class• Sharon O’Leary . . . . . . . . . . . . . .by Jerry & Margaret O’Leary• Tammy, Todd, Tonya & Trevor . . . . . . . . . . . by Lorraine Miller

In Celebration of:• Our many blessings . . . . . . . . . . . . by Kenneth & Judy George• My family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Pamela Grubbs• Our grandparents . . . . . . . . . . . by Joshua and Rachel Blevins• Our many blessings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Ken & Donna Dickey

I just want to thank you! My grandson, Vaughn, now has a favorite blanket. He needs all the prayers he can get! Its funny he has twenty blankets and his prayer blanket is his favorite! Thank you so much.

— Kelly Pittman

Thank you to all involved in the Prayer Shawl Ministry for the three beautiful shawls given to Carol, John and I in memory of Mom. They will give us great comfort in the tough days ahead as we miss her presence in our daily lives. God Bless you.

— Nancy Elmore’s children: Mary, Carol & John

Dear Church Family,Over the past few months, we have been adjusting — like others in our congregation — to our oldest child leaving the nest, spreading his wings and flying the coop! While college is an exciting adventure, it also brings about the changes and challenges required to grow and adapt to something completely new. I wanted to express our thanks and appreciation for the outreach of love and support from so many in the congregation as we prepared as a family along with Benjamin for his departure to Europe to study in the UK. He is doing well, but suffers quite a bit from homesickness.We are so grateful for the gift of the prayer shawl. Benjamin has mentioned multiple times how much it has been a comfort to him. He has told us that at night when he is feeling troubled and homesick that he wraps himself in it. A peace comes over

him, providing instant comfort that allows him to fall asleep. As a parent, I can’t tell you how much I would like to be that comfort for him in those times! To know that your prayers through the prayer shawl ministry are bringing the love and comfort of Christ to my child who is so far away is invaluable. There really aren’t words to express the gratitude I feel and the comfort I take in knowing that he can wrap up in that blanket when I can’t wrap him in my arms. Thank you for your prayers, the prayer shawl ministry, and the support of the congregation. They have made a world of difference for us!

— Stephanie Landry & the Landry family

Thank you all for your well wishes, cards, and prayers. I appreciate every one of you, and bless you back. Can’t wait to get back to my little ones (and the new one!) in the nursery again. Thanks again. God bless you all. — Wilma Smith

NONPROFITORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE PAIDEXCELSIOR SPRINGS,

MO 64024PERMIT NO. 3The First United Methodist Church

of Excelsior Springs1650 Rainbow Blvd. | Excelsior Springs, MO 64024Office hours: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday-Friday816-637-2138 | ESMethodist.com

DEC. 14, 2016REV. LAURA [email protected]

KAREN GLAMANNAdministrative [email protected]

BRIAN RICECommunications [email protected]

AL MILLERTrustees [email protected]

Dustin McKinney, Music DirectorJerri Morris, OrganistMike Kelley, Nursery SupervisorWilma Smith, Nursery LeaderGina Smith, Nursery AssistantDarla Sims, Preschool DirectorJenna Olcott, Preschool Assistant

Our beautiful new entry

Good morning! My name is Amanda Pelletier, I intern for Craig Stevenson at the Mozambique Initiative. I’m contacting your church to extend MI’s thanks for sponsoring Joaquim Mariano Luis. I attached Joaquim’s personal letter to you, offering his thanks.We are extremely proud of Joaquim for successfully completing half of Gondola Training Center’s program, and we look forward to celebrating his graduation in May 2017. We hope to share photos of each student at graduation in the future.Currently, the students are on an

academic break until mid-January, but if you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to Craig or myself.Thank you for all that you do, your generosity transforms many lives.

****Dear Partners First of all, I greet you in Jesus name, how are you? We are fine this side, by God’s grace. Through this letter, I would like to thank you so much for the opportunity you gave me through sponsoring my studies here at GTTC (Gondola Theological Training Center). I learned a lot, and I never thought that I could one day have the chance to be ministered this kind of studies.I am grateful for each and every support that came from you in food, school, bed, etc. everything. Thank you for making my studies possible. May the just God continue to bless and guide you in your lives so that you continue to contribute to the expansion of his kingdom on earth.We continue to pray for you, and we also ask for your prayers so that when we come back on February 1st, our studies continue to go on well. May our partnership continue to flourish inside and outside GTTC.

Blessing,— JOAQUIM MARIANO LUIS

OUR MISSION IN MOZAMBIQUE IS CHANGING LIVES

JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS — Regular attendees have no doubt noticed the fresh new plants and beautiful landscaping adorning the front doors of our church. This work was done courtesy of one of our newest members: Jeff Watkins. The church purchased the materials and Jeff donated his equipment, his time and his labor to completely replacing the bushes and shrubs in front of the church. Thank you, Jeff, for the generous donation. Your talent is a true gift of God and we are blessed to have you as part of our church family!

Help recognize the church staff this seasonThe Staff, Pastor Relations Committee invites you to donate to staff Christmas bonus (pastor, secretary, preschool director and assistant, nursery workers, janitor, music director, organist & communications director). Please show your appreciation of the staff and place your financial donation marked “Staff Christmas” in offering plate on Sunday.

church calendar€¦ · january’s calendar continues inside » o n saturday, dec. 24, we will...

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