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Benton United Methodist Church 4615 Palmetto Road, Benton, Louisiana 71006

Office: (318) 965-2273 Fax: (318) 965-5360

Email: bentonumc@bellsouth.net

Website: www.bentonumc.org

INVITING IN...

GROWING UP...

SENDING OUT…

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service December 24 at 6:00 pm 12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” ~John 8:12

Asbury Arts and Prísma Vocal Ensemble present Christmas in North Bossier

The Many Moods of Christmas

Sunday, December 1 at 6:00 pm in Asbury United Methodist Church’s sanctuary

Christmas in North Bossier will feature 34 orchestral musicians with a mass choir comprised of members from Asbury UMC, First Baptist Shreveport and the semi-professional Prísma Vocal Ensemble. They will be performing Robert Shaw’s acclaimed holiday work, the Many Moods of Christmas. Included in this evening are stories of some of the traditions of Christmas as well as a unique telling of the Christmas story. Tickets are free and can be obtained at Good Eats Market & Café, Asbury UMC and Red River Bank.

“We are so delighted to offer the second annual Christmas in North Bossier with our presentation of the Many Moods of Christmas,” said Rev. Dr. RL Bethley, Asbury UMC pastor. “This event will combine over 100 musicians and vocalists and is sure to be a great way to usher in the Christmas season. Asbury UMC is delighted to offer this as a gift to our Shreveport/Bossier community.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Adam Philley, Director of Music Ministries

(318)421-0555, adamphilley@asburybossier.org

Grace and peace to you in the Name and Spirit of Jesus Christ!

Advent is here! The word Advent is from the Latin Adventus which means “coming”. The season of Advent is a time in the church when we prepare for the coming of Christ (The Messiah) at Christmas (Christ mass). The season of Advent is marked by the four Sundays prior to Christmas Day. This year, the first Sunday of Advent is December 1st. We will adorn our worship center with symbols of Christmas during our Hanging of the Green Service on Sunday evening, December 1st at 6:30 pm. The season of Advent helps us to remember what God did through the advent of His only Son, Jesus the Christ, into the world. The season of Advent also affords us the opportunity to participate in the love that God gives in Jesus Christ that takes us beyond ourselves to the world that Jesus came to save. During this Advent you are invited to accept this love in Jesus Christ and be led by His Spirit to live and to love out loud.

One of the ways that you will be invited to live and to love out loud is to participate in the Advent Conspiracy. The Advent Conspiracy is our way of reclaiming the true Spirit of Christmas as we: worship fully; spend less; give more; and love all. The invitation this Advent is to:

worship God each day and weekly with our church family. Spending quality time with God is the most important thing we can do!

buy one less gift per person. Usually we buy gifts for people that really don’t need anything. What you would have spent on those gifts, you are invited to give toward the Advent Conspiracy offerings.

give more creatively. Make gifts that are memorable and from the heart. Give more of your presence with your loved ones. Spending quality and quantity of time is important!

love everyone. This Advent, make time to serve those in need and find ways to love our neighbors just as much as we love ourselves.

Last year we raised nearly $14,000 for missions. This year we hope to surpass $15,000. The missions that we are supporting this year with the Advent Conspiracy Offerings are:

December 1st – Heifer Project International

December 8th – Stand Up 2 Hunger and The Table Food Ministries

December 15th – Red Bird Mission Team

December 22nd – Cambodian Medical Mission Team

Another way to live and to love out loud is to worship. Advent reminds us that “Christmas is not our birthday!” Christmas is celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior and that God loves us enough to have Jesus be born in each of us. In worship this Advent and Christmas, our theme will be “The Journey”. We will walk along with Mary and Joseph as they make their journey to Bethlehem. I hope you will invite someone to make this journey in worship with you. Perhaps there are people you know who need to hear the story of grace born among us. I am excited about this sermon series and I know that you will be blessed as you learn some new things about the familiar nativity story.

This Advent and Christmas, I invite you to join me and your fellow pilgrims on the journey as we live out loud the love of God in Jesus Christ in our homes, neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, playgrounds and streets. This Christmas, our focus can be being a part of the advent of God in the world through the love of Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah, the Holy Child of Bethlehem.

Grace and peace, Rev. Dr. Danny Gleason

INsight

From the Pastor

12/1 Hanging of the Greens

6:30 pm

12/14 & 12/15 Journey to Bethlehem

6:30 pm

12/17 & 12/18 NWLA Food Distribution

The Toy Shoppe The Clothes Closet

Ministry

12/18 Christmas Cantata

Silent Night, Holy Night 6:30 pm

12/20 Student Lock-In

7:00 pm—7:00 am

12/22 Children’s Program

& Jesus’ Birthday Party The Christmas Carol

Special Report 6:00 pm

12/24 Christmas Eve

Candlelight Service 6:00 pm

Mark Your Calendar

December 2013

Monthly Newsletter of Benton United Methodist Church

Merry Christmas! From the staff at

Benton United Methodist Church

This year our church will be using Adam Hamilton’s The Journey - Walking the Road to Bethlehem to

drawn upon for our worship services, Sunday school classes and small groups.

“It is one of Western civilization’s best known stories. For two thousand years it has been told and retold, preached and sung about. We celebrate it every year with Christmas trees and lights, with gifts and cards, carols and hymns. And yet, its very familiarity may keep us from fully grasping its riches.

The purpose of this book is to explore the story of the birth of Jesus with fresh eyes and ears. We will walk through the Holy Land and retrace the steps of those involved. We’ll draw upon insights gained from historians, archaeologists, biblical scholars, theologians and from walking in the places the story occurred, all in an effort to discover the real meaning of Christmas”. – Adam Hamilton

STUDIES: Wednesdays at 6:15 pm in the Breakfast Club Classroom Sunday School Classes: at 9:40 am Breakfast Club, Pairs & Spares, Christ’s Melting Pot, and The Potter’s Hand

THE JOURNEY ADVENT SERIES By Adam Hamilton www.bentonumc.org/Resources

WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE *Stories Behind the Songs

led by Karen Wise Family Life Worship Center

*also on Thursdays at 10 am in the Breakfast Club Classroom

Doers of the Word Men’s Bible study led by Matt Wise

Choir Room

The Journey Advent study led by Dr. Danny Gleason Breakfast Club Classroom

First Place for Health led by Nancy Grant & Katherine Ashley

Pairs and Spares classroom

*Stories Behind the Songs: This study is about how many of our favorite Christmas carols came into being. It will be fun, relaxing, and informative – the perfect way to get into the Christmas Spirit. We will meet upstairs in the Middle School classroom. This class will also meet on Thursday mornings December 5th and 12

th at 9:30 am in the Breakfast Club

classroom for those who are unable to make the Wednesday evening class. (December 4th & 11th)

Silent Night, Holy Night

Christmas Cantata

Wednesday, December 18 6:30 pm

Bring your favorite Christmas desserts .

Come and join us for this Christmas Cantata sung by the Chancel Choir and hear the

story of Christmas through song.

Servant of the Month

This month’s servant is one who is extra special to me – my husband, Matthew Wise. He is my right hand man when it comes to supporting the ministries that I help coordinate, but he does so much more. He serves as the United Methodist Men’s President. He is the lead teacher for our 6th-8th grade confirmation students. He leads the Wednesday night men’s Bible study – Doers of the Word. He helps lead the adult Sunday School Class, Potter’s Hand, serves on the

finance committee, and he serves monthly as a Souper Saturday deliveryman! In addition to being active within our local church, Matthew has served the Shreveport District as a teacher of the Basic Course for Lay Servant Ministries for the past 2 Lay Servant Schools. His heart for ministry is huge and his love for the United Methodist Church is exceptional! One of the things that speaks volumes about him though, is that when he reads this he will be embarrassed that I made a big deal out of his service. He serves so that he might draw closer to Christ – not for any recognition. However, this month – recognition he does receive! Thanks for all you do!

~Karen Wise

If you would like to nominate someone for servant of the month, please call the church

office at (318) 965-2273.

Dinners with Families Kickoff January 25th

Be sure to sign your family up to join a group. Groups will be announced at the kick off. This is a time for your family (individual, couple, or parent(s) with kids) to get to know other families in the church over a meal. We will place 5 family units into a group and then it will be up to each group to set aside monthly nights for a meal and fellowship. Sign ups will be available beginning January 5, 2014. For more information, please contact Karen Wise.

Committee Training January 11th

All committee chairs are encouraged to attend the district-wide training event at Christ UMC on Crabapple in Shreveport. The event will be from 10:00 am - noon. Then we will grab a bite to eat together, share ideas of what we learned and return to the church for the rest of our committee members to join us for additional training. This will be a time for new committee members to gain a better understanding of the responsibilities of the committee to help the committee function well. For more information, please contact Karen Wise.

I want to thank everyone that participated in October’s Souper Saturday! I have a fantastic group of volunteers that devote their time to this mission. No matter the concern, there are always those that step up to get the job done. A special thanks to Nancy Grant for preparing the soup last month and getting it all together and the awesome job done by Mary Jo and the children decorating the sacks.

For November’s Souper Saturday, we provided a traditional Thanksgiving meal of turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes, beans, fruit, and dessert. A huge thank you to UMW for donating the dressing and sweet potatoes. It was such a blessing to have that provided.

Want to get involved? Now is a great time to start! We put it all together at 8:00 am on the last Saturday of each month! This is a special time of year when we are called to thank God for all His blessings. Be blessed by sharing your time with this mission.

Contact:

Katherine Kavanaugh

218-7730 Katherine.kavanaugh@cookyancey.com

SAVE THE DATE

THANK YOU!!!

December Serving Opportunities NWLA Food Bank

Food Truck Unloading Tuesday, December 17 at 9:00 am

Food Bag Packing Tuesday, December 17 at 12:00 pm

Food Distribution Wednesday, December 18 from 12:30-5:00 pm

The Toy Shoppe

Set-Up & Tag Toys Tuesday, December 17 at 9:00 am

Toy Shoppe “Salespeople” Wednesday, December 18 from 12:00-5:00 pm

The Clothes Closet Distribution

Set-Up Closet Tuesday, December 17 at 11:30 am

Clothing Distribution Wednesday, December 18 from 12:30-5:00 pm

Souper Saturday

Saturday, December 28 at 8:00 am

Please Be Praying For... Retirement & Nursing

Homes

The Arbor House Frankie Rodes (3702 Cypress Street, W. Monroe, LA 71291)

Cypress Point Beverly Quillin Freeman Flowers

Horizon Bay Bill & Liz DeBusk Ruth Dixon Frances Dunnam Evelyn Futch Everlene Harvey Martha Ree Jones Elsie Whittington Sybil Vickers Emmie Green/transition

NWLA War Veterans Home Leon Faught , Sr. Bernie Duddy

Pilgrim Manor Nellie Wyche Virginia Duke Dollie Harrington

Military Our military troops and leaders Thomas Greathouse

Etienne Menard Brian Leo Josh Van Boening Ben Stafford Jonathan Glasgow James Earl Braggs Jr.

Community Concerns Government Leaders Gun Violence Peace in Middle East LSU/Schumpert transitions Philippines typhoon victims Tornado victims in Midwest Holiday Travelers

Church Concerns Missions Everywhere Small Groups & Leaders Our Church Family Victory Bible Camp ~ Alaska Fire Box Ministry Shepherd Ministry Community garden Choir Director search Advent Conspiracy

Please pray for the ministry and mission of Benton United Methodist Church. May we follow and love Christ with all of our hearts, all of our souls, and all of our

minds—and our neighbors as ourselves.

Jennifer Warner lupus/cancer Ben Gleason peace of mind Kim Pullen hospice Jerry Paylor healing Rev. Ed Boyd bladder Cancer treatment

Cotton Easterly terminal brain cancer Mary Mitchell lung cancer last stages Charlotte Woods COPD/hospice Dana Cherry MRSA Andrew Hoose recovering Jim Kennedy stem cell transplant Johnny Terrel stem cell pending Johnny McClendon stroke Angelique Reed recovering Joan Gleason illness Cheryl Nelson recovering Nancy Wilde illness Madeline Fioritto for peace Bill Hine recovering Pam Taylor illness/grief Robert Robison torn bicep Caroline Ryan back surgery Ms. Millie broken foot/rehab Clay Williams Jr. hernia surgery/5wk old John David Doyal recovering Cliff Chenault cancer surgery Nathan Deans medical tests Juanita Herrington fall/recovering Linda Farnam healing Isella Reed strength Eric Smith lymphoma Anthony Brim recovering Shelly McGill recovering

Jacob Rumbaugh knee surgery/recovering

Dot Whipple recovering Tom Fox respiratory problems Ralph Kaniewski health concerns Cathleen Rhatigan hip surgery Ryan Duddy peace of mind Bradley Huie surgery/accident Wanda Martin hospital/respiratory problems

Bonnie Smith surgery Ann Garden Court Jim Scott illness Jerry Miles LSU/illness Debbie Fitzgerald surgery Michael Blanton tongue cancer Barbara Mason congestive heart failure David Loftin health issues Peyton Nix pneumonia Colby pneumonia Rachel Stoneman Myasthenia Gravis/strength Family & Friends of Ann Bond

Family of Chris Pennell Family of Judy Rowell

Prayer requests remain on the list for 30 days. Please help us by submitting updates for those on the list, or if

someone’s name comes off and they still need prayer, please submit a new request.

Just Another Walk Following God’s Lead

As a kid growing up, we always had “outside” pets on the farm, mostly squirrel hunting dogs because my dad enjoyed squirrel hunting, a lot. Me, being the outdoors person that I am, made friends with the dogs. My closest furry friend was named Red. We used to take walks through the woods enjoying nature as that is where I have always felt closest to God. Red would run ahead while I ambled along. I knew where we were going; Red was not sure. I usually stayed on the trails while he trotted ahead—sniffing, investigating, and taking occasional forays into the thickets to chase real or imagined animals.

Though Red was ahead, I was leading. Every so often he would check to see where I was. If I had turned back toward home or gone on to another trail, I would hear his pounding feet and panting breath as he raced to catch up with me. If I hid behind some brush, he would run to the last place he saw me and track me down. Then we would walk the trail together again.

I find myself relating memories and this memory reminded me of God’s leading. He knows the way because He has prepared the way. But sometimes we may not see Him—so we do our best to go where He wants by following the guidance of His Word. Other times it seems as if He is hidden from us. His pace may not be as fast as we would like, or we wish He would slow down.

Just as Red kept looking back at me, we need to look to God and His Word at every juncture we come to. We must rely on the direction of His Spirit.

In Christ, Millie

Holy Land Tour Led by Pastor Danny Gleason

February 17-26 Cost: $3,150.00

Would you like to: See where Jesus was born?

Walk where Jesus walked?

Stand where Jesus was crucified?

Pastor Danny is leading a pilgrimage to Israel this winter to experience the places that Jesus made famous in the Gospels. After our special emphasis on Advent and Christmas, what could be a better way to experience tangible examples of the life of Christ?

For information and reservations, contact: Pastor Danny:

danny@bentonumc.org or 965-2273

Coming in January of 2014

We all need a plan for our money. Financial Peace University (FPU) is that plan! It teaches God’s ways of handling money. Through video teaching, class discussions and interactive small group activities, FPU presents biblical, practical steps to get from where you are to where you’ve dreamed you could be. This plan will show you how to get rid of debt, manage your money, spend and save wisely, and much more! FPU classes meet for around an hour and a half each week for nine weeks. The cost for the class typically is about $110, but scholarships are available if needed.

We need to know if you are interested! Please contact:

Karen Wise

karen.wise@bentonumc.org

318-965-2273

The Christmas Carol Special Report

Children’s Ministry Program

& Jesus’ Birthday Party

Sunday, December 22 6:00 pm

Celebrate Christmas Carols around the world and get the

scoop on some of the histories surrounding these songs.

The Birth of Baby Jesus

by the BUMC Daycare Children Friday, December 20th at 10:00 am

Everyone is invited to attend.

How will you prepare your heart to

celebrate Christ this holiday season?

The United Methodist Women of our church

will have a fellowship of Christmas goodies, a

heartwarming program and a Baby Shower for

Jesus and YOU are invited. Please join us as

we celebrate the birth of Christ on Tuesday,

December 3, at 6:30 pm in the Family Life

Worship Center.

If you have not already done so, please bring

one of the layette items that will be sent to

Sager Brown for shipment overseas.

6 cloth diapers (pre-folded or plain, no disposable diapers, please)

2 shirts (undershirts or onesies) 2 wash cloths (infant size only) 2 gowns or sleepers 2 diaper pins (with protective plastic closures) 1 sweater or jacket (front opening-may be

hand knitted, crocheted or sewn. Hooded sweatshirts are okay)

2 receiving blankets (28” x 28” to 32” x 32”- no crib blankets, please)

PREPARING OUR HEARTS FOR CHRISTMAS Keep your spirit gentle, keep your house peaceful and keep your heart full of love.

Hanging of the Greens Sunday, December 1

6:30 pm

Join us as we prepare our Sanctuary for the coming of Christ. Our church will begin to wear its Christmas apparel. The tree and lights, symbolizing Christ as the light of the world will shine for us. Greens such as cedar for royalty, fir and pine boughs for everlasting life, holly symbolizing Jesus’ death and ivy representing the resurrection are used. The history of traditional holiday symbols, decorations and Chrismons are explained as we decorate the Sanctuary for the holiday season. As we make ready for the birth of the child, by preparing our sanctuary, we make ready ourselves and the sanctuary of our hearts. We are mindful that although it is not Christmas yet, it will be here soon, very soon. Let us rededicate ourselves to the service of God!

Advent Conspiracy 2013 Worship Fully—Give More

Spend Less— Love All

As we prepare for the celebrations of Advent and Christmas, we invite you to join in the Advent Conspiracy. Conspire to give more of yourself fully in worship, give more of yourself in relationships, spend less on gifts and give more towards mission.

This year’s Advent Conspiracy mission projects are:

December 1st—Heifer Project International December 8th—Stand Up 2 Hunger December 15—Red Bird Mission Team December 22—Cambodian Mission Team

Mary Did You Know? Children & Student Ministry Drama We need people to help with set design and costume organization.

Practice will be minimal. Set Design: Sunday, December 1 at 3 pm

Practice: Sunday, December 8 at 3 pm Dress Rehearsal: TBD

For information, contact: Rachel Stoneman at (318) 469-9100

December 1

Student Drama—3:00 pm Set Design

Student Band Practice—4:30 pm

Confirmation Class & Small Groups 5:30—6:30 pm

Hanging of the Greens Family Life Worship Center 6:30 pm

December 4 Wednesday Night Live 5:30 pm Dinner 5:30 pm Small Groups 6:30 pm INcounter Student Worship 7:15 pm Hangout & Snack Bar

December 8

Student Drama—3:00 pm Rehearsal Student Band—4:30 pm

Student Small Groups 5:30 pm—Dinner 6:00 pm—Groups

6:00 pm—Confirmation Class

December 11 Wednesday Night Live 5:30 pm Dinner 6:00 pm Hangout & Snack Bar 6:30 pm INcounter Student Worship 7:15 pm Hangout & Snack Bar

December 14 & 15

Journey to Bethlehem

6:30 pm—9:00 pm

Sunday, December 15 6:30 pm—8:00 pm

No student drama, band practice or Confirmation Class

December 18 Silent Night, Holy Night Christmas Cantata 6:00 pm

Desserts to share after program.

December 20 Student Lock-IN

7:00 pm-7:00 am With Game Masters: James Covington & Kyler McKee

December 22 Student Christmas Party—6:30 pm

December 24 Mary Did You Know? Drama Set-Up 5:00 pm

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 6:00 pm

Student Ministry Update This January we will welcome Josh Funk, our new Director of Student Ministries.

Thank you to all gave their prayers for the interview process and their presence on the search and interview teams.

INstudent Ministries Christmas & New Year Schedule