dec 2019/jan 2020 from the pastor · tower brass quintet christmas carol-fest! select your favorite...
TRANSCRIPT
Pastor Matthew S. Lash6517 Finzel RdWhitehouse, OH 43571
from the Pastor
DEC 1Name Tag Sunday
DEC 4, 11, 18Advent Wednesday Fellowship Meal &
Worship
DEC 6Youth Christmas Photo
Scavenger Hunt
DEC 7Men’s Breakfast
DEC 7A Christmas Concert Tower Brass Quintet
DEC 8Church Annual Meeting
DEC 21/22Carol-Fest Weekend
Special Guest Doug Oxford
DEC 244, 7 & 11 Worship Service
JAN 16Pastor’s Bible Study Starts
JAN 18Teens Mystery Dinner
JAN 26Big Stuf Gathering
DEC 2019/JAN 2020
Mom, what did you get me for Christmas?Mom, what did you get me for Christmas?Mom, what did you get me for Christmas?
You get the idea.
My mother would look me in the eye. She had the answer on the tip of her tongue. I had worn her down. Tears filled her eyes. She wanted my Christmas present to be a SURPRISE----but, at this point, ANYTHING to silence my begging.
She turned to me and asked, “Matt, do you really want to know??”.
I stopped asking.
And I am so glad.
I really didn’t want to know.
I cherished the SURPRISE she so wanted me to enjoy.
Children of Christmas, NOTHING replaces the surprise of Christmas. AND children of God NOTHING replaces the surprise of Advent!! 😊
My friends, welcome to the season of mystery! Embrace the secrets! Cherish the anticipation! Appreciate the wait! What are my parents planning to buy me for Christmas? What will my Father bring for me when He sends His saving Son to earth? Where has my Mom hidden my stocking this year? What does my Father plan to share with me on the judgment day? Will I love Christmas morning? Will I rejoice on the Day of the Lord? Will my Christmas be everything I dreamed it can be? Will the Day of the Lord meet my every hope since I was a baptized child of God?
Do you Wanna’ Know???
I asked her ten times day.
So many mysteries. These four weeks of Advent bless us with time to pray, think, listen, receive, expect, and prepare for all that God has in store for us! Since the beginning of garden times, God has had a mysterious plan for a new earth, a new heaven----life perfected in eternity! How? When? What? Lots of waiting and anticipation—and so many miraculous mysteries! Every gift from His grace has a wonderful surprise for those who place a heart in His Hands!
And yes, during these shopping days of Christmas, we can let our imaginations run wild! Thank God for the expectation and anticipation of great surprises in your family this season! Let’s not ruin the surprise by opening doors we should not open or wearing down our Mom or Dad with questions!
After all, do you really want to know??
Advent has the perfect word---WATCH. WAIT. It will be WORTH THE WAIT!
Blessed Advent & Merry Christmas!
Pastor Matt & Marsha
Wednesday, December 18Advent Fellowship & Worship
Message GOD BLESS US EVERYONE!Come and enjoy a scene from the Christmas Carol!
Dinner 6:00 p.m. Worship & Prayer 7pm
Weekend of December 21 & 224th Sunday of AdventSaturday, Worship & Holy Communion 4pm
Message “The Moment of Advent”
Christmas Carol-fest! You pick your favorite Carol!
Worship & Holy Communion 8 & 10am (Guest Vocalist, Doug Oxford, A Country Christmas 10am service)
CHRISTMAS EVE 2019Monday, December 24
Pastor’s Christmas Message• 4pm - Children’s Candlelight & Holy Communion
Arrive early for special anthems & music 15 minutes
before worship. Featuring children’s bells, soloist’s,
instrumentalists, children’s time and Candlelight!
• 7pm - Family Candlelight & Holy Communion Soloists, carols, and Pastor’s message.
• 11pm - Christmas Candlelight & Holy Communion Choirs, carols, Pastor’s message—Christmas Day is
announced at midnight!
Weekend of December 28 & 29Saturday, Worship & Holy Communion 4pmONE WORSHIP SERVICE ON SUNDAY 9amPresider, Pastor Ron Heinz
Worship & Holy Communion 9am
WORSHIP
WORSHIP LIFE in DECEMBEROur seasonal worship services will bless you, your family, your friends! Our Wednesday evening worship times honor the Advent wait on December 4, 11 & 18! Join us for hymn, prayer and Pastor’s meditation each evening, “God Bless Us Everyone…” We will enjoy a scene from the popular Holiday movie, ’The Christmas Carol’. Each Sunday morning during the Advent season will lead us all to prepare for Christmas. Please invite a friend to worship with you on Christmas Eve at 4:00, 7:00 or 11:00 pm.
Weekend of November 30 & December 11st Sunday of Advent
Saturday, Worship & Holy Communion 4pmMessage Presider, Pastor Ron HeinzSunday, Worship & Holy Communion 8 & 10am
Advent Fellowship & WorshipWednesday, December 4
Message “GOD BLESS US EVERYONE!”
Come and enjoy a scene from The Christmas Carol!
Dinner 6 pm. Worship & Prayer 7pm
Weekend, December 7 & 82nd Sunday of AdventWorship & Holy Communion 8am
Message “The Mystery of Advent!”Worship & Holy Communion (*abbreviated liturgy) 10am*Annual Congregational meeting immediately follows
worship service*
Advent Fellowship & WorshipWednesday, December 11
Message GOD BLESS US EVERYONE!Come and enjoy a scene from The Christmas Carol
Dinner 6 pm Worship & Prayer 7pm
Weekend of December 14 & 153rd Sunday of AdventSaturday, Worship & Holy Communion 4pm
Message “The Miracle of Advent”Sunday, Worship & Holy Communion 8 & 10am
Weekend of January 4 & 5Saturday, Worship & Holy Communion 4pm
Second Sunday of ChristmasMessage Presider, Pastor Ron HeinzSunday, Worship & Holy Communion 8 & 10am
Weekend of January 11 & 12Baptism of our Lord SundaySaturday, Worship & Holy Communion 4pm
Message “Stop the Baptism!”
Sunday, Worship & Holy Communion 8 & 10am
Weekend of January 18 & 19 Second Sunday of Epiphany
Saturday, Worship & Holy Communion 4pmMessage “See & Say!”
Sunday, Worship & Holy Communion 8 & 10am
Weekend of January 25 & 26Third Sunday of EpiphanySaturday, Worship & Holy Communion 4pm
Message “When the Choice is NOT Yours…”
Sunday, Worship & Holy Communion 8 & 10am
Bless the Lord’s Word in 2020
WORSHIP
Poinsettias Bless Our Christmas with Beauty!Your gift in honor of a loved one, or in honor of a friend provides beauty in the Lord’s sanctuary on Christmas Eve!
You may take your poinsettia home following the 11pm worship hour or the week of Christmas. Thank you for your generous gift!
“GOD BLESS US
EVERYONE!”
The most precious words of a small child crafted by Mr. Charles Dickens
have inspired our Christmas for many years!
Come, and enjoy a closer look into the war waged by Ebenezer Scrooge, Witnesses sent to share good news, and the voice of a child that broke down the walls of a sinful heart!
What a wonderful time of year to gather for 30 minutes of worship each
Wednesday night! Please invite a friend.
Prepare your heart for a season when God sends the saving Son to
be born in a manger, Christ the Lord!
Come and worship,
Wednesdays, December 4, 11, & 18!
Fellowship meal provided by our teens each evening at 6 pm.
A free will offering will be received to support retreat ministries.
Special Appreciation to Pastor Ron Heinz for presiding at worship while Pastor is with his family for Thanksgiving weekend and the Christmas and New Year holiday weeks. Many thanks!
Your Gift of Serving! • Would you like to serve the Lord in worship
in 2020? • Would you like to be placed on our reader’s
rotation, or join the team of lay assistants? • Would you like to serve by preparing the
Lord’s Sacrament?
There are many ways for you to use your gifts! SIGN UP CHARTS ARE POSTED ON THE KIOSK. YOU are invited!
Advent Wednesdays
December 22 8 & 10am service
Welcome Doug back to Community of Christ!
Doug will share music & ministry with us! All are welcome!
8am - Christmas Carol’s & Communion with Anthems
10am - “Old Country Christmas Mini Concert” Concert & Communion
“A COUNTRY Christmas”
ACTIVITIES
CHOIRS AND YOU
Adult choir Wednesdays - 7 pm Bell choir Thursdays - 7:30 pm
1ST Saturday of the Month 8:30-9:30 amDec 7 & Jan 11 at 8:30 am* / “Pub & Grub” Whitehouse
Devotions! Food! We are back!
All are invited to join us for fun making music. We'll be increasing the number of times the choirs participate in worship this year, spurred in part by popular demand. We Love our choirs!
Tower Brass Quintet
Christmas Carol-Fest!
Select your favorite Christmas Carol the weekend of
December 21 & 22!
Eric will receive requests from the congregation at 4pm, 8am & 10am.
Let’s fill the Lord’s House with the joyful sounds of Christmas
praise!
DATE: December 7
TIME: 6 pm
A Christmas Concert!
_
PARISH EDUCATION
Confirmation Students
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS!!
Our confirmation students finished the year strong! Our students
served the ministries of Lutheran World Relief, and Kairos prison
ministries.
Beginning in January, our class will begin a series of weekend retreats
based on the ancient, contemporary commandments of
our God! .
Our time together includes Bible adventure, small group interaction
and fun activities!!
If you have a teen in 7th or 8th grade please contact the church office.
Join us!
PASTOR’S WINTER STUDY---WHO IS JESUS?? We begin 2020 with a faith confirming study on the historical Jesus, and our Savior! Pastor will lead us in Gospel studies that examine the identity and nature of Jesus! Our 6 week study will be enhanced by DVD messages by Louis Giglio, renowned speaker and author. Come and be renewed in your relationship with Christ Jesus while walking through the pages of the Gospel!
Our SIX WEEK WINTER STUDY will offer two class times; Thursday, 1pm & 7pm
CLASS DATES: THURSDAY, JANUARY 16-FEBRUARY 20TH.
Please join us! Please call the church to register OR sign up on the kiosk.
A NEW YEAR MORNING WITH JESUS!! We invite our elementary children to join us on Sunday, January 26th for music, fun, a morning craft and a snack to kick off the NEW YEAR!
We would love to welcome ALL THREE YEAR OLDS—SIXTH GRADERS TO JOIN US! WE INVITE JUNIOR HIGH AND HIGH SCHOOL TO COME AS HELPERS! **Sunday, January 26** 9-9:50am
SUNDAY MORNING—THE HEART OF THE PASTOR! Beginning in January, Pastor Matt will share one of the most honest, transparent letters written by the Apostle Paul. The Church’s Pastor speaks from his heart and shares his passion and faith commitment.
We meet in the library. Bring a cup of coffee and share in the discussion! We’ve got Bibles—or bring your own! Class will resume with Pastor Matt on Sunday, January 12!
Please sign up for upcoming winter events OR email Pastor Matt and let him know you will be attending! ([email protected])
YOUTH EDUCATION
CHRISTMAS PHOTO SCAVENGER HUNT FOR TEENS!!!Our annual event will be held on Friday, December 6 from 5:30-10:00 pm. We will divide into awesome teams! Our parent sponsors will be the judges! You will travel by vehicles snapping some of the craziest, unique pictures you have ever taken!
WE WILL MEET AT A RESTAURANT (TO BE ANNOUNCED) IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE GAME! ($10.00 per person donation). A FIVE DOLLAR GIFT EXCHANGE! J Sign up today!!!
UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS
Ariba! Support Teens!! Ariba! Mexican Night! We have made dinner reservations for YOU! Grab a COUPON and join us on Monday, December 9, ALL DAY (Lunch, Dinner or BOTH! You Choose!!). Your purchase provides 15% to our retreat ministries!!! We will be very grateful for your support! BIG STUF TEENS AND FAMILIES—Join us at 6:00 p.m. We will grab a bunch of tables and enjoy each other’s company! DON’T FORGET—COMMUNITY OF CHRIST TEEN NIGHT AT LA FIESTA’ MAUMEE, DECEMBER 9!
Big Stuf Teens Are Preparing! Our 32 Teens registered for Big Stuf Camp in July of 2019 (June 21-27) meet regularly for devotions, group activities and events!
Our teens #2 Gathering is scheduled for Sunday, January 26, 11:15-12:30pm. Please mark the dates on your calendars!
Teens---It’s 2020! MYSTERY DINNER!! All 7th-12th graders are invited to hang out in the youth lounge with us on Saturday night, January 18, 5:30-8:00 pm.
We will enjoy dinner at a mystery location--- Crazy Pictionary, devotions, music and just hang loose time! Time to bring in the new year with some mystery & fun!! BRING A FRIEND!!😊
SOME ENCHANTED EVENING—SUPPORT OUR TEENS! Come, look across the room and see the one you love! Our teens will host a great evening of VALENTINE food and fellowship for everyone on Saturday, February 22.
Our evening begins with a banquet serving Fried Chicken, grilled chicken, fresh salad, desserts and drinks. Couples will be invited to play a fun round of the “Newlywed Game!!”.
WE WILL RECEIVE FREE WILL DONATIONS TO SUPPORT OUR RETREAT MINISTRIES. Watch for our sign up!!!
_
OUTREACH
Name Tag Sundays!“I love this idea—so easy to get to know
someone!”.
Thanks for your support of NAME TAG SUNDAY!
Our future NAME TAG events:FIRST SUNDAY OF THE ADVENT
SEASON, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1!
Give us your autograph and share your NAME!
Adopt a Grandma & Grandpa!
Many of the elderly who live in Lutheran sponsored rest homes do not
enjoy the presence of family. Many of our seniors are alone at the holidays.
Community of Christ has been
adopting ‘grandparents’ and offering gifts of love. We will post the needs of
those who reside at Lutheran Home of Mercy.
Thank you for caring. You may contact
the church office if you have any question about any of our seasonal
benevolent programs. Bless you.
4th Sunday
“Clean & Feed!”Join us on the fourth Sunday of the month for us to share love offerings
with Salem Lutheran, Toledo & Whitehouse Food Pantry!
Please bring bars of soap for Salem’s neighborhood
families and food for those who have needs here in Whitehouse.
Baskets will be placed near the doors on
DECEMBER 28/29
JANUARY 25/26Thank you for your generous
offering of support!
Watch for the
Angel Tree Gifts!
Food for ThoughtJoin us as we prepare sandwiches for those in need in Toledo! Please sign
up to participate on the following dates:
Friday, February 7
Friday, March 6
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS MISSION
ANGEL TREE!Each year, Community of Christ reaches out to neighborhood families in the Salem
Lutheran Church Community!
Children and teens share their hopes and desires for a gift at
Christmas. Our member families provide gifts that meet many need
and extend a joyful Christmas!
Please consider serving as one of our angels and offer your
gifts this season!
We are grateful for those offerings that are received. Your gifts to the mission of the church keep us strong and able to meet the costs of fall ministries. Thank you for sharing
your faithful offering with your congregation!
2019 BUILDING &
GENERAL FUND ANALYSIS
2019 Building Loan Fund
Income Expense Diff.
OCT $11,863 $12,563 ($700)
YTD $119,854 $125,630 ($5,776)
2019 General Fund
Income Expense Diff.
OCT $47,564 $36,743 $10,821
YTD $349,464 $364,099 ($14,635)
STEWARDSHIP
SIMPLY GIVING PROGRAMa regular electronic withdrawal that supports your congregation when you are out of town.
Let us be cheerful givers to the Lord!
2020 OFFERING ENVELOPES
Our offering envelopes for the New Year are available!
Please let us know if we have inadvertently missed your box. We will be happy to
provide you with a set!
Our weekly offering envelopes include weekend offerings, Lenten Wednesdays, Holy week, Easter, Thanksgiving, Advent
services and more!
If you have questions as to how to complete your weekly offering, please contact the
church office.
PLEASE REMEMBER ---we offer an electronic offering, (Simply Giving) that will withdraw your support automatically
from your account.
THANK YOU FOR GIVING TO THE LORDS WORK AT COMMUNITY OF
CHRIST AND THE ENTIRE CHURCH!
Our Church Council will hold a brief meeting following the annual gathering of the congregation
on Sunday, December 8.
Our council is grateful to those who have completed a three-year term of
service; President, Brian Jones, Vice-President, Kevin Swagler, Barb
Thober and Rick Yokum.
The congregation will elect four new members to the council on
Sunday, December 8.
Our slate of candidates include Jerry Jones, Michael Abraham,
Jeanette Drueschel, and Sunday Goodwin.
Additional nominations may be received from those gathered.
Please pray for those who serve the congregation.
CHURCH LIFE
Thank You Offering Designations Our church council recently designated our ‘thank you’ offerings to benefit specific benevolent ministries & organizations;
December-January: Mission Partner, Salem Lutheran ChurchFebruary-March: 40 days World Hunger Appeal ELCAApril-May: Awake Local
Minutes of Council Activity & Decisions are provided in the gathering area each month.
Once the previous month’s minutes are approved, copies are
available for congregation. The minutes are available on the web site
www.commofchrist.org.
You may always contact Pastor Matt or any council member for all recent
decisions.
Stay informed each month.
Our church family hosts an annual meeting on the 2nd Sunday of Advent season.
See you there!
DEC 8 Our 2020 Church Council will be installedon Sunday, January 12 at both services; 8 & 10 am. We ask all council members to please attend. Please join us in prayer for all who have leadership positions in our church family. Thank you!
Sunday, December 8th, at 11am.
We will review our ministries, discuss any agenda items and vote for FOUR nominated council leaders.
Annual Meeting
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO OUR STAFFOur Church Council discussed and approved a special collection to be received during the month of December to be split evenly between Pastor Matt, Eric Dickey our Director of Music and Michelle Gebhart our Office Manager and Pastor’s Executive Assistant. This special offering is a nice way to say MERRY CHRISTMAS to our staff. Please use the special envelope marked “MERRY CHRISTMAS TO OUR STAFF” to ensure it gets to the right place. THANK YOU to our staff for all they do to help Community of Christ in our mission to “Make Jesus Known”! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Please remember the following members who
are ill, shut in, or recently hospitalized:
Dayle Reed – Care for cancer
Cindy Wixey – Care for Alzheimer’s
Norma Ruehle – Shut in residing at Swan Creek
Glenn Johnson – Shut in at Lakes of Monclova
Sharon Dapkus – Care for cancer
David Schwartz – Rehab at Elizabeth Scott
Dave Alleman – Treatment for cancer
David Dick – Care for cancer
Carson Cochrane – Recuperation
Please remember them in your daily prayers. Thank you.
Prayers of God’s People
SYMPATHY, PRAYERS & THANKS
Memorial Funds & Gifts
Community of Christ is grateful to receive funds in memory or in honor
of loved ones.
You may select from the following funds:
Building Reduction Fund
Music Fund
Stained Glass Fund
Landscape & Ground Fund
Youth Ministry Fund
We rejoice in the Baptism of Rosalie Grace Stewart
November 17, 2019. Daughter of
MaKayla & Mitchell Stewart.
We rejoice in the Baptism of Broderick (Brody) Cash
December 14, 2019. Son of
Ashton & Jeremy Cash.
January Birthdays!01/01 Elizabeth Fowler
01/01 Kirk Reid
01/01 Spencer Reid
01/02 Irina Haack
01/02 Robert Curtis
01/04 Kari Swagler
01/04 Zachary Brown
01/05 Amanda Reisner
01/05 Jeffrey Bright II
01/05 Jill Kaplan
01/07 Susan Rasmusson
01/08 Marilyn Pratt
01/08 Sophia Cedargren
01/08 Tom Schreiber
01/10 Becky King
01/11 Greg Aubell
01/12 Dana Gill
01/12 Steven Gill
01/13 Sarah Hoy
01/14 Anna Heinz
01/14 Dawn Rhoades
01/15 Luke Yokum
01/15 Nicholas Kronmann
01/15 William Baden
01/16 Annette Merritt
01/16 Brandon Carman
01/17 Zoe Rozick
01/18 Gregory Nitz
01/20 Bev Howard
01/20 Richard Hannum
01/21 Dana-Renee Chafin
01/21 Patricia Roth
01/22 Brian Ray
01/22 Nicholas Kronmann
01/23 Dale Grimes
01/24 Andrea Donley
01/25 Dave Nowak
01/25 David Schwartz
01/25 Kerri Johnson
01/26 Christopher Deacon
01/27 Greg Johnson
01/27 Michael Marteney
01/28 Taryn Wise
01/28 Taylor Wise
01/31 Betty McSurley
12/01 Kristen Sheidler
12/03 Kristi Sutter
12/03 Ned Challen
12/04 Tina Baden
12/06 Lydia Swartz
12/06 Ray Chamberlain
12/08 Bruce Lammon
12/08 Paul Ayres Jr.
12/10 Holly Newcomer
12/10 Riley Myers
12/11 Jill Kohntopp
12/12 Amelia Hartbarger
12/12 Caleb Ortner
12/13 April Smucker
12/13 Jeffrey Bucher
12/13 Jerry Elsholz
12/14 Tori Johnson
12/15 Debbie Carman
12/15 Thomas Pitzen
12/15 Zane Rozick
12/16 Drew Bocian
12/17 Andrew Fritz
12/17 Jacob Mruzek
12/17 Tyler Bocian
12/18 Cinda Pontsler
12/18 Elizabeth Nitz
12/20 Matthew Lash Pr.
12/21 Gracelyn Chafin
12/21 Stephen Meyers
12/22 Cindy Smigelski
12/23 Amy Pitzen
12/23 Dan Sigg
12/24 Rory Hartbarger
12/28 Jennifer Kronberg
12/28 Kelsey Carpenter
12/28 Michelle Hayes
12/30 Eric Rasmusson
12/31 Jay Rasmusson
12/31 Marita Perkins
12/31 Sue Brown
December Birthdays!
www.commofchrist.org6517 Finzel Rd., Whitehouse, OH 43571
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NOTES & REMINDERS
Our Church Office Hours:
8:30-3:30 pm (Monday through Friday). Our office manager, Michelle Gebhart, will be available during these hours.
SAFETY - In order to provide a safe and secure facility for visitors, members and staff, we are asking all persons to identify yourself to the office when entering the building. This will allow for us to know who is here in case of an emergency. For those who are here on a regular basis for bible studies or ladies craft,
the office is already expecting you so there is no need to let us know.
Dec.: Christmas get-together
Jan. 21: And Then There Were None
by Agatha Christie
Feb. 18: Lila by Marilynne Robinson
Mar. 17: A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza
Apr. 21: Ghosted by Rosie Walsh
May 19: Little Fires Everywhereby Celeste Eng
June 15: Educated by Tara Westover
ATTENTIONLunch Bunch Ladies
& Ladies Night Out
We will be taking a break during
December, January & February. Starting up again March 2020.
Thanks to all who participated during
2019. Becky King
1pm – CofC library
Book Club