December 2014

Pastor’s Point of View

By Mark Hollinger

Christmas is here, and it came earlier this year than it did last. I am

sure that it will manage to come earlier next year. The date hasn’t

moved but the sales promotions, holiday music and the Christmas

specials have moved to an earlier date of airing and offering than in

the year past. I suppose it may always be this way until we actually

have Christmas in July. Where will those Christmas in July parties

and promotions be then?

I should be happy that our society wants more of Christmas but of

course the disconnect with our society and we as Christians is the meaning and purpose

of Christmas. The songs are great—although they’re pretty much all secular with little

mention of Jesus or Lord or God’s true might. “The River” in Toledo, 101.5 FM, started

playing Christmas music the first of November. Yesterday I intentionally listened to the

songs until I heard some mention of God, and it took five songs until that happened. I

don’t mind the sales and specials because gift giving and thinking of others is a good part

of where Christmas is centered. But so much is lost on the “me” doing and getting for

Christmas rather than the Lord’s giving and us praising the greatest of all gifts, love com-

ing down to us in the person of Jesus Christ.

My family, both my parents and Kathy and I, have practiced moderation in our gift giv-

ing. We do well in our gift giving but we are not excessive or extravagant. Christmas for

me is the celebration of family and the observations of Christmas traditions of the

church. Kathy and I always try to give to charities through or beyond the church during

the Christmas season.

Christmas is a very busy time of year for a pastor. We are not only trying to make sure

that Christmas celebrations of the church traditions are good and to the glory of God, but

we are also tending to the business of the coming year and the organizations of the minis-

tries of the church and the activities for that coming year as well as our family Christmas

celebrations and, of course, gift giving and buying. But I still love Christmas. I don’t get

pressed over Christmas, much. Well, alright—maybe just a little bit here and there.

When I do get stressed, I truly do remember that Christ is the meaning of Christmas and

no matter what else happens I know that God loves us and wants us to have a joy and

peace that extends far beyond outside trappings and possessions.

Continued . . . .

Pastor’s Point of View

By Mark Hollinger

“Not A Silent Night”

By Kelly Sterling

Silent Night, one of our favorite Christmas songs. Yet, when you really think about it, that

night had to be far from silent. A full hotel, a desk clerk turning away those arriving for

the census count, a stable full of animals, scared shepherds following a crazy looking star,

and angels. Whew, I have a feeling it was a rather loud evening. Let’s not forget poor

Mary who had to be tired, grumpy and about to give birth; even Mary had to have her moments.

This Advent season we will take a look at Mary and her life. What a daunting task she took on by say-

ing “Yes” to God. Being a mother is hard enough, but being the mother of Christ…we can’t even imagine.

Adam Hamilton has detailed this journey in his book Not a Silent Night: Mary Looks Back to Bethlehem.

Pastor Mark and I will be preaching about Mary, Jesus’s mom, and her journey as she follows Christ, her

son, through his life.

In his introduction, Hamilton puts it like this: “As Mary learned, God doesn’t promise a perfect, peace-

ful life or a silent holy night. She was blessed, God-favored, and grace-filled, yet her troubles did not

end. That’s how life was for Mary, and that’s how life is for us. Life doesn’t go according to our plans.

Sometimes it’s hard and painful and scary. Yet, in the messiness of life, God is at work, bringing bless-

ing out of pain. That’s the message of Christmas.“

Join us this Advent and experience maybe a bit of a different view, Christmas from a mother’s eyes,

Christ’s mother. Merry Christmas!

So I hope that you enjoy all the things of Christmas. Be sure to be generous so that the

retailers have a good year. But be sure to be generous not to just your own but to those

outside the church. We have “Toys for Tots” boxes at the church, and we will be having

our mission collection of “Soles for Souls.” Be sure to take part in those collections. I

hope that you will come and celebrate our special Christmas worship celebrations. We

will have a Christmas musical celebration on Sunday, December 14. The choir will

have their Cantata celebration with “The Mystery and Majesty” on Sunday, December

21. On Christmas Eve, we will have a family friendly, early service at 6:00 p.m. in the

DOCK and then our traditional Christmas Eve candlelight service at 10:00 p.m. in the

church sanctuary. We hope that you will choose to be a part of as many of those cele-

brations as possible. St. Marks has some wonderfully gifted people who give a lot to

make the Christmas miracle of God’s love real.

So, when you start to get stressed and pressed during this “Holiday,” remember to take

a moment and reflect on the true meaning of these “Holy days.” Love came down from

God’s throne of grace to show us His magnificent grace and love.

Light of Christmas

Mark your calendars

for December 5 and

December 6. Don’t

miss out on helping with the

Live Nativity and sharing the

Christmas Story with our com-

munity from 6:00

p.m. - 9:00 p.m. on

each of those nights.

December 7

Arcadia United Methodist Church

December 14

Mt. Zion United Methodist Church

December 21

Vanlue Christ United Methodist

December 28

Van Buren United Methodist Church

United Methodist Women

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Luanne Circle - 7:00 p.m.

Hostess/Co-Hostess Anita Heintzelman

2246 Saratoga Dr.

Program Leader Fannie Dauterman

Lydia Circle - 10:00 a.m.

Leader Shirley Klueter

Meet at St. Marks United Methodist Church

Naomi Circle - 7:00 p.m.

Hostess/Co-Hostess/ Diane Hite

Program Leader 2417 Westmoor Rd.

The Leadership Board will be taking

applications to fill a vacancy on the

Board. Applications and Leadership

Board Description and Responsibili-

ties are available in the church office

and online as a link under Leadership Board. If you feel

called to serve in a larger capacity at St . Marks, please

prayerfully consider how God might be calling you to serve on

the Leadership Board. The deadline for applications is Sunday, December 7.

St. Marks Collects the

Following for Charity

UMW [Yvonne Miller]

Campbell Soup labels, including the UPC symbol.

Box Tops for Education.

Chopin Hall [Carlton Rule]

Food [no glass], bath soap, toilet tissue, paper towels, clean-ing supplies, etc.

Used clothing can be dropped off at Chopin Hall.

WTGN Radio-97.7 Lima [Garth Beatty]

Blanchard Valley Hospital

Recent magazines and paper back books for waiting rooms.

Builders - Jim Robertson, Charles Bishop & Yvonne Miller

December - “In Awe of God” January - “Learning to Pray”

February - “Stewardship for Life”

Covenant - Barbara Hochstettler

December - To be determined - Study of Ephesians or Colossians

Founders - Rob Obenour & John Richter

December - “In Awe of God” January - “Learning to Pray”

February - “Stewardship for Life”

Philos - Linda Barclay

December - Book Study - “Under Wraps - The Gifts We Never Expected” Searchers - John Carson

December - “Methodist History - Our Story/Our Doctrine”

Soul Seekers - Tim Bechtol

December - “What Christians Have to Learn…” (Online study from American

University United Methodist Community)

December Sunday School

Offerings

Celebration of Christmas

Millstream Singers & Old Millstream Ringers

Saturday, December 6, 7:30 p.m.

In the Great Room at

First Presbyterian Church

2330 S. Main Street, Findlay

Sermon Series - Not a Silent Night

December 7

“Mary Amazed and Astounded”

Luke 2:41-51

Christmas Musical

December 14 - 10:15 a.m.

“The Christmas Shoe Tree”

Sermon Series - Not a Silent Night

December 21

“Mary Full of Grace”

Luke 1:26-38

&

Cantata - Adult Choir

December 21 - 7:00 p.m.

“the MYSTERY and the MAJESTY”

Sermon Series - Not a Silent Night

December 24 - Christmas Eve

6:00 p.m. Family Service - DOCK

10:00 p.m. - Traditional Candlelight Service - Sanctuary

“Not a Silent Night”

Luke: 2:1-7

December 28

To Be Announced

Mobile Food Pantry

December 13

First Presbyterian Church

2330 S. Main Street

Worship

Gatherings

Soles for Souls

Remember to clean out your closets! We will be taking part in

the Soles for Souls program collecting any type of new and

gently used shoes for the next 2 weeks as part of the Christmas Musical. As we

sometimes take for granted the shoes that we wear, let's remember that there

are some people who are not as blessed. The shoe collection will be through

Sunday, December 14. Please rubber band the shoes together and place in the

boxes by the Christmas trees at the back of the sanctuary and in the DOCK.

The Gift

What can I bring to the child in the manger?

I have no fortune, no title, or land.

I have no treasure to lay down before Him.

I have no jewels to place in His hand.

His are the dazzling diamonds of heaven,

the luminous pearl that glows in the night,

the shimmering silver gown of the ocean.

He owns the gold of the evening’s last light.

What can I sing to the Child in the manger?

I have no anthem or song I can bring.

I have no music to play in His honor.

I have no lullabies written for kings.

His are the vespers whispered at twilight,

the stars of the morning dancing at dawn,

the caroling chorus of angels in flight.

He is surrounded by praises and song.

What can I give to this Child in the manger?

I have no fortune, no title, or land.

I have no treasure to lay down before Him,

nothing of value to place in His hand.

Yet mine is the circle of arms to embrace Him.

I am the treasure He came to redeem.

I give my heart as a home for the Savior.

My life is an anthem of praise to the King, to the King.

What can I bring to the Child in the manger?

I offer my heart as the gift for my King.

lyrics by Pamela Martin music by Craig Courtney

Sunday, November 30th, will kick off a new sermon series titled

“Not A Silent Night” based on a book written by Adam Hamilton.

Imagine Jesus from Mary’s point of view—proud of her son, in awe

of his gifts and mission, guided by love for him as a person and so

much more. In this book, Adam begins at the end, with Mary at the

crucifixion and resurrection; travels back in time as she witnesses

his life and ministry; and ends at the beginning, with the Christ child

born in a stable, Mary’s beautiful baby. This year, you are invited to

experience Advent and Christmas with Mary.

Ilda's Mail… Director of Worship and Music – St. Marks UMC December 2014

Advent Series

Special Services Throughout December

A Christmas presentation featuring

“Crossing” worship band with small choir open-

ing with familiar yet reinvigorated holiday

tunes. A children’s choir performing a musical

which includes drama, singing and choreogra-

phy with a variety of musical genres. Closing

the service with an all inclusive jazz rendition

of “Go Tell It On The Mountain.” *cookies and punch reception to follow the service

From the jubilant glories to gentle manger lulla-bies, this inspirational cantata celebrates the wonder and splendor of Christmas! Traditional carols and newly composed seasonal anthems blend with thoughtful narration to help create a meaningful Christmas experience. Service will feature soloists with a live orchestra.

*Everyone is invited to a reception immediately following in the fellowship hall.