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First United Methodist Church of Salida “Love, Live, Give As You Have Received”

4th & D Streets (P.O. Box 945)

Salida, CO 81201 (719) 539-2755

Ministers: Everyone; Pastor: Melinda Roberts 719-539-2755 (O), 505-320-9107 (C);

Office Administrator: Licia Iverson; Accompanist: Rod Schleicher; Choir Director: Mary Sandell 970-217-0051

Co-Lay Leaders: Burrell & Sherry Welton: Burrell 719-660-1652, Sherry 480-298-3132;

C0-Church Council Chair: Elaine Adams 719-539-1237 and Eduardo Brummel 719-539-9332;

Treasurer: Randy Bergstrom 719-539-5305; Finance Secretary: Paul Wilson 719-221-1923

Pastor’s e-mail: pastor@salidaumc.org Church website: www.salidaumc.org Church e-mail: office@salidaumc.org

Pastor’s Ponderings

Greetings Christmas People of Salida UMC!

My prayer is that you all enjoyed a relaxing and gratitude filled Thanksgiving Holiday. No time now to catch our breath as Advent is now upon us. During this Advent season we will be focusing together on some of our most beloved Christmas Carols.

In our Sunday services, I will be picking a Christmas Carol to preach on each Sunday of December. We will be looking in depth at O Holy Night, Joy to the World, O Come All Ye Faithful and Silent Night. The history of these Christmas favorites is very rich and at times very surprising. These songs also offer encouragement and hope, as we anticipate and await Christmas day.

I don’t want to give too much away but I will tell you that the message behind many of our favorite Christmas Carols is one of revolution and the righting of long upheld injustices. That may come as a surprise, until we remember that the Christmas story in and of itself was extremely revolutionary. More on that point at our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, which will be held on Tuesday, December 24

th at 6pm.

Prior to Christmas Eve we have a few other special events for the holidays planned. On Saturday, December 7

th at 6pm we will be screening the movie,

“Joyeux Noel”, in the basement. This is a deeply

moving film based on the Christmas truce of December 1914, depicted through the eyes of French, Scottish, and German soldiers. The truce began as soldiers on the front lines in World War I began to sing their favorite Christmas carols as they celebrated Christmas Eve in the trenches.

Please note that this is a PG-13 rated film. The screening is FREE and there will be refreshments. Licia Iverson will be facilitating a short discussion following the movie.

On Sunday, December 22nd

, we will meet at the church at 1:45pm to go Christmas Caroling together to various places around town, including the hospital, Columbine

and friends at their homes. Following the caroling, Mary & Scott Sandell will once again open their home to us for a Chili Dinner & Desserts! Sign-up sheet and more information is in Century Hall.

Of course, I should mention again that we will be celebrating Christmas Eve together through Christmas carols and Scripture in a Candlelight Service on Tuesday, December 24

th at 6pm.

Please plan on joining us through this Advent and Christmas season as we celebrate the anticipation and birth of the Christ child. May you experience the joy and justice that is found and that can be seen in the Christmas carols of our faith.

Be the church, Mel

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DECEMBER CELEBRATIONS Birthdays

December 1 Julie Moss December 1 Julia Litz December 2 Larry Williams December 6 Susie Brown December 8 Julia Hanks December 8 Gayla Dunning December 11 Cynthia Hearn December 13 Gloria Mattix December 14 Ed Brummel December 14 Janice Montgomery December 27 Janet Murphy December 30 Meryl Ann Giles

Anniversaries December 8 Gayle & Jim Greene December 18 Julia & John Hanks December 28 Jeannie & Rob Coe

Request from Licia: Please be sure to let the office know about the dates of the birthdays and anniversaries

in your family! We love to celebrate such joys!

Sharing Our Prayers, Praise, Needs & Celebrations

Please continue to hold these prayer requests deep within your hearts. We will keep you posted, as we know more:

Thank You! – Thank you to everyone who brought such delicious food to our Gratitude Luncheon on November 24th. We were also able to acknowledge our dear friends, Barb & Larry Williams who have recently moved to Colorado Springs. So that you may stay in touch with Barb & Larry, please make note of their new mailing address: Barb & Larry Williams 2520 International Circle Apt. 137 Colorado Springs, CO 80910. Larry Cell: 719-530-9911; Barb’s Cell 719-207-2008; email: lkbawilliams@msn.com

Fellowship Volunteers – Please consider signing up for Fellowship on a Sunday after worship. Sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board in Century Hall. Signing up with a friend is also a fun way to be of service on a Sunday morning!

Children’s Program Needs! – If you can help volunteer to be with the children on an occasional Sunday, please speak with

Licia Iverson, Ginny Biglow or Mel Roberts. An immediate need we have is for a couple of volunteers to help through December. Please Note: We WILL NOT have a children’s program on Communion Sunday, December 1st. If you are available to help on December 8th, 15th, 22nd or 29th please let Licia know.

Linda Bergstrom – Please continue to pray for Linda as she is recovering from an extensive knee replacement.

Leon Stanton - Please keep Leon in your prayers as he was recently diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia.

Ginny Cunningham – Continued prayers requested for Ginny as she is home recovering from her extensive back surgery.

Please send your prayer requests, updates, celebrations and announcements to Licia at: office@salidaumc.org

֎֎֎֎֎֎֎֎֎֎֎

Ever wondered how you might be of service to the church? Please consider being on the volunteer rotations for one of these three areas of service!

For more information, please contact the following coordinators:

Ushers Ginny Cunningham (719) 539-5243 Liturgists Karen Yerkey (719) 539-3427 Fellowship Barbara Zechman (719) 285-4251

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS December Ushers - Coordinator: Ginny Cunningham December 1 Skip & Sue Glasgow December 8 Jim & Barb Rees December 15 Cindy & Paul Wilson December 22 Debbie Jackson & Jerry Cunningham December 24 Needed – Call the office if available (Christmas Eve)

December 29 Needed – Call the office if available

December Liturgists - Coordinator: Karen Yerkey December 1 Carol Mumma December 8 Mike Orrill December 15 Sherry Welton December 22 Ed Brummel December 24 Judy Naviaux (Christmas Eve)

December 29 Karen Yerkey

December Fellowship Hosts – Coordinator: Barb Zechman

December 1 Jeri Swann December 8 Barb Zechman December 15 Jim & Barb Rees December 22 Available December 24 Not Applicable (Christmas Eve)

December 29 Available Sign-Up Sheet is in Century Hall

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Operation Spirit

From

The Heart of the Rockies Salida Troops Donations

We will not collect donations in December. Collection will resume in January 2020. Thank You!

We appreciated all your donations for the troops and we were able to send double packaging for Thanksgiving and Christmas on the 19th of November. All of the volunteers were excited and pleased to send so many goodies to the men and women serving our country. Just know they will be so happy receiving these gifts as it will bring them a little bit of home this season.

Thank you to all the volunteers from the First Lutheran Church & the Salida United Methodist Church who support Operation Spirit each month.

Faith Fudge Fundraiser!

Our Faith Fudge Fundraiser is well underway and thank-you to everyone who helped to put all the kits together and who have been helping to make the fudge. More fudge kits are available in Century Hall. Here are a couple of additional ways

you can still help with this fundraiser.

Sign-Up for Sales Shifts – The sign-up sheet is in Century Hall for the 2 hour sales shifts at Safeway on Fridays & Saturdays. There are also shifts for selling after the worship service on Sundays. We will sell fudge, while supplies last!

Purchase Fudge! Of course, we welcome your purchases of fudge for your own gift giving! Please help spread the word and let others know it is available.

This annual deliciousness has been a favorite treat for so many years, to many in the Salida community and the faith community of our church. This fudge, with or without nuts, make for great gifts at $6 per half pound of fudge. Thank you for supporting this delicious fundraiser for the church!

Get Your Fudge TODAY!

Meet us at the church on

Sunday, Dec. 22 t h at 1:45pm,

as we go caroling at 2:00pm to a few

specific locations and to visit some of

our members at their homes.

Please sign up on the sign-up sheet

in Century Hall, so we will

know how many to plan for.

Song sheets will be provided.

After Caroling, a ll are invited back to Mary &

Scott Sandell’s home for a Chil i Supper and

Desserts. Let Mary know if you would l ike to

bring something to share such as a

dessert, cornbread or drinks.

The Sandells will provide the chil i!

Come One…Come All Plan to join us on

Monday, Dec. 24 t h at 6:00pm

for our

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Spread the Word…Bring a Friend!

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2020 Our Stewardship 2020 letters and pledge commitment cards were mailed out in early November and many of you have already returned your cards to the church. If you did not receive yours in the mail, please know you can pick one up at the church or we can mail it to you. Pledge Cards & Information are available in our church office and on the information table in Century Hall.

You may mail your pledge card to Salida United Methodist Church, PO Box 945, Salida, CO; Attention: Finance Secretary, or drop it by the church office.

Thank you for your prayerful consideration regarding your financial support of our church for 2020. It is through your generosity, that we are able to do God’s work through this beautiful community of faith.

Please know that your pledge information is held in strict confidence. If you have any questions, please speak with our Finance Secretary: Paul Wilson.

You may reach Paul via email at: pwilson54@aol.com or call on his cell: (719) 221-1923.

Here are all the events happening through our church for the 2019 Christmas season.

(More details to come throughout the month…)

Deck the Halls – Help Decorate the Church, Saturday, December 7th at 9:00am. Come help us decorate the church as we put up the tree and prepare for the season while having fun!

Joyeux Noel – FREE Film – Saturday, December 7th at 6:00pm. Film rated PG-13. Refreshments provided & a brief discussion after the film. Lead into the season with this moving film sharing the true story of the Christmas Truce during World War 1. Refreshments provided; A brief discussion will follow after the movie.

Caroling, Sunday, December 22th, 2:00pm. Please sign up on the Caroling sheet in Century Hall. We will meet at the church about 1:45pm and head out at 2:00pm. We’ll carpool to go out to spread Christmas cheer by singing loudly for all to hear! We plan to go to the hospital, nursing home, and other locations. Let Melinda know if you have additional ideas. Following caroling we’ll gather at the home of Scott & Mary Sandell for a chili supper and desserts. If you’d like to bring a dessert, cornbread or beverage contact, Mary at (970) 217-0051.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship, Tuesday, December 24th, 6:00pm. Come and experience the joy of Christmas with a service of scripture readings and carols that tell of the eternal hope that enters into the world with Jesus. This is always a beautiful and powerful evening as we come together and experience the illuminating presence of what a single Light can do in the world. We will take up a special offering that will be used to support the ministries of the church and to support the Winter Shelter through Caring & Sharing. Checks may be made out to SUMC and we will issue a check for 50% of the Christmas offering to Caring & Sharing with Winter Shelter designation.

Order Your Memorial Poinsettias Today!

We are currently taking orders for poinsettias “In Honor

Of” or “In Memory Of” to beautify our

sanctuary during this Holy Season!

Order forms are available in Century Hall or in the office.

$15.00/each plant

Orders are due by: Sunday, December 15 th!

Any Questions…Please see Licia in the office for more information

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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Please consider becoming a volunteer for

OUR CHILDREN’S PROGRAM

Each Sunday, during the worship service, children in attendance have the opportunity to come up to the front of the sanctuary for the Message for Young People.

Following this special time, all children are invited to leave the sanctuary with our Sunday School teachers & volunteers, to go to the children’s classroom. Parents may pick them up there after worship. On Communion Sundays, the children, teachers and volunteers will return to the sanctuary to participate in Communion with their families.

We welcome new volunteers who would like to help with the Children’s Program. It is our policy to always have two volunteers with the children at all times. Age appropriate activities are provided each week. Children benefit from the small group and large group activities which include: exploring life lessons and virtues through Bible Stories, creative art projects, playing with manipulatives (floor or table games), and experiencing the joy of music!

Come play, have fun, be inspired and help demonstrate to the children what living a life in faith can be about.

You will be blessed and will be a blessing!

If you are interested and/or need more information about the Children’s Program please speak with Pastor Melinda, Licia Iverson or Ginny Biglow. Thank You!!

Plan to attend the Community Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day at the

Salida Community Center 305 F Street Salida

11:00am-2:00pm For more information call:

719-539-3351

A Message to all Committee Chairs…

Please have your 2019 Annual Report turned in to Licia or Melinda by January 10, 2020, so that we can compile our 2019 information to be shared when we have our Church Celebration on January 19, 2020. We will take a look at the gifts and opportunities provided in 2019 and we will prepare the way to receive the gifts and opportunities of 2020. Questions? Please see Mel or Licia.

Remember …to purchase your Safeway

cards or at the Church office or from Kay Cheaney.

As we approach this time of the year, when many of us are planning delicious meals for family and friends, please consider using our Safeway gift cards for your purchases at Safeway.

You can also use Safeway cards to purchase other gift cards for Christmas gifts. Your Safeway card can also be used at the Safeway pharmacy.

You may purchase a reloadable gift card for $10 and it has $10 available on it. Then just have the cashier (before scanning your items) add your desired amount to the gift card and you’re ready to go! You can also do this at the Customer Service desk before shopping! We also have gift cards in denominations of $50 or $100.

(Safeway Gift Card info continued on page 6)

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Important Dates to Remember

Sat. Dec. 7 – Help decorate the Church at 9:00am

Sat. Dec. 7 – FREE Movie at 6:00pm: Joyeux Noel, Bsmt. Movie is rated PG-13; Refreshments & Discussion

Sun. Dec. 15 – Poinsettia Orders Due

Mon. Dec. 16 – Finance Meeting at 10:00am

Sun. Dec. 22 – Christmas Caroling at 1:45pm, followed by Chili Dinner & Desserts at The Sandell’s Home.

Tues. Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 6:00pm

Wed. Dec. 25 – Merry Christmas - Church will be closed.

Sun. Dec. 29 – Fifth Sunday Giving Opportunity

Sat. Jan. 4 – Un-Decorate the Church at 9:00am

(Safeway Gift Card info continued from page 5)

Our church receives 5% of your purchases. This is a very convenient fundraiser for our church and your participation is greatly appreciated!

If you have any questions, please see Kay Cheaney or you may inquire in the office.

Your gift cards are waiting for you….

A Special Way to

Prepare for the Season

Saturday, December 7th – Join us for a Special FREE Movie Night at 6:00pm in the Basement. Start the holiday season in a meaningful way with this thoughtful and inspiring movie, “Joyeux Noel”. This movie is rated PG-13. Refreshments will be available and a brief discussion will follow the movie. Any questions please see Licia Iverson.

Here is plot summary about this movie’s account of this historical event: “In 1914, World War I, the bloodiest war ever at that time in human history, was well under way. However on Christmas Eve, numerous sections of the Western Front called an informal, and unauthorized, truce where the various front-line soldiers of the conflict peacefully met each other in No Man's Land to share a precious pause in the carnage with a fleeting brotherhood. This film dramatizes one such section as the French, Scottish and German sides partake in the unique event, even though they are aware that their superiors will not tolerate its occurrence.” Written by: Kenneth Chisholm

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(Mark your calendars NOW!)

Ongoing Weekly Scheduled Items Include: Sundays: Choir Practice, 9:00am (through 12/22/19) Worship, 10:30am Fellowship, 11:45am Narcotics Anonymous Open Mtg, 7:30-8:30pm, Bsmt Mondays: Sandell Music, 3:30-7:00, Choir Room Tuesdays: Energy Yoga, 10:30-11:30am, Choir Room Sandell Music, 4:00-5:30, Choir Room Narcotics Anonymous Open Mtg, 7:30-8:30pm, Bsmt Wednesdays: Women’s Bible Study, 9:30am, Century Hall Narcotics Anonymous Open Mtg, 7:30-8:30pm, Bsmt Thursdays: Church is closed for cleaning, 5:00-7:00pm Salida Brass Rehearsal, 6:30pm, Choir Room Fridays: Church Office is Closed

Sun, Dec 1 Worship with Communion Sun, Dec 1 Contemplative Prayer Svs. 6:00pm Wed, Dec 4 Sophia Circle, 5:00pm, Parlor Wed, Dec 4 League of Women Voters Poinsettia Pick-up,

12:45-5:15pm, CH Sat, Dec 7 Decorate the Church, 9:00am Sat, Dec 7 FREE Film – Joyeux Noel (PG-13), 6:00pm, Bsmt Wed, Dec 11 Care Team Mtg, 10:30am, Century Hall Sun, Dec 15 Memorial Poinsettia Orders Due Mon, Dec 16 Finance Mtg, 10:00am, Century Hall Tues, Dec 17 NAMI Support Gp, 5:30pm, Parlor Tues, Dec 17 Spectrum Alliance Holiday Party, 6:00-8:00pm, CH Mon, Dec 23 Monitor Articles Due Tues, Dec 24 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 6:00pm

Wed, Dec 25 Merry Christmas – Office Closed Fri, Dec 27-30 Baton Rouge UMC, Overnight, Basement Sun, Dec 29 Fifth Sunday Giving Opportunity Sat, Jan 4 Un-Decorate the Church, 9:00am