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discover underlying beauty in our experiences. We will begin noticing beautiful, loving ways in which God is speaking. Then God’s unconditional love will touch us, transforming how we see ourselves and others.

Signs of God’s love are all around us. Sadly, at times, we may fail to see them at all, or we may fail to see God in them. But we can start trying to live differently right now. When we open ourselves to God’s messages of love, we begin reflecting God’s love outward.

In her sensitively-written memoir, The Irrational Season, Madeleine L’Engle reveals these insights: “It is only when I see hunger or thirst in one human being, it is only when I see discrimination and injustice in all its horrendous particularity…, that my

very life can be changed. If it was necessary for God to come to us as one of us, then it is only in such particularity that I can understand incarnation… We may be a global village, but instant communication often isolates us from each other rather than uniting us. When I am bombarded on the evening news

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Jubilee Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ

1964 ~ 2014 Who we've been,…Who we are,…Who we can be…

We’ve enjoyed a grand 50th Anniversary Year together at Ivy. It’s been a blessed Jubilee! I would like to express my personal thanks to everyone who participated in our faith community’s 2014 special events and activities. I believe we have celebrated extravagantly God’s First Fifty Years of ministry here. May Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ continue Climbing Higher Together, serving as an outpost for God’s vital work and love. This truly is holy ground. Soli Deo Gloria! To God alone be glory!

Mark 12 and Luke 21 give descriptive accounts of people placing their gifts in the Jerusalem Temple Treasury while Jesus observes. Jesus’ reaction is the epitome of paying attention to the language of love. As always, Jesus is highly attentive to details that few others notice. In this situation, Jesus could focus on many things. But he chooses to focus on the widow’s seemingly insignificant mite. Jesus not only notices what the widow does. Jesus recognizes the tremendous love underlying her action.

There’s an example here for us to follow. If you and I pay attention when God’s language of love is spoken, we also will

The Ivy Vine, December 2014 2 Ivy Chapel UCC • 620 N Woods Mill Rd www.ivychapel.org/ www.facebook.com/IvyChapel Chesterfield, MO 63017 • 314-434-4991

with earthquake, flood, fire, it is too much for me. There is a mechanism, a safety valve, which cuts off our response to overexposure to suffering.

But when a high-school student comes to me and cries because the two- and three-year-olds on her block are becoming addicted to hard drugs; when the gentle man who cleans the building in which the Cathedral library is located talks to me about his family in Guatemala, rejoicing because they are alive although their house has been destroyed by earthquake; when a goddaughter of mine in Luxembourg writes me about the hungry children of the immigrant Portuguese family with whom she is living, then in this particularity my heart burns within me, and I am more able to learn what it is that I can and ought to do, even if this seems, and is, inadequate.

But neither was Jesus adequate to the situation. He did not feed all the poor, only a few. He did not heal all the lepers, or give sight to all the blind, or drive out all the unclean spirits.

That helps me. If I felt that I had to conquer all the ills of the world, I’d likely sit back and do nothing at all. But if my job is to feed one stranger, then the money I give to world relief will be dug down deeper from my pocket than it would if I felt I had to succeed in feeding the entire world.”

Jubilee! This truly has been a momentous year in the life of our congregation. Together, let’s cap off 2014 with a flourish! The third millennium finds humankind rushing—rushing everywhere. Even before the arrival of Thanksgiving Day, our culture launches “the Christmas rush.” You and I can bemoan this all we want. But such negative energy just winds up being a waste of energy. So, instead of spinning our wheels complaining about the “commercialization” or the “secularization” of Christmas; I suggest that we devote our energies to efforts that will bear fruit for God. For instance, adopt an individual (or a family) for Christmas through the opportunity that Ivy’s Christian Action Board has set up. Or join our Ivy group currently studying the Ten Commandments at 9 am each Sunday. Or volunteer to deliver donated food and hygiene items to Circle of Concern or Joint Neighborhood Ministries. Or offer an “extra-mile financial gift” to Ivy Chapel UCC this Advent (your gift will be much appreciated and will be used faithfully). Or bring winter mittens and hats to place as gifts on the designated tree in our church entryway. Or give generously to the “UCC Christmas Fund.” Or joyfully shout out the name of your song request at our Christmas Carol Sing during Dec. 28 worship. Or join our

college youth volunteering at Circle of Concern in late December. Or… you name it…

Let’s put our energy into caring actions like these. Lively disciples discover that opportunities for giving abound. We cannot do everything. Yet we each can do valuable things.

It’s Advent. Christmas is coming. Why hurry? No one actually can hurry Christmas Day. As God’s Church, this is our season to prepare faithfully for Christmas. For the time being, Christians make ready to make merry.

What was it Jesus did in the Temple? He watched closely. Try this, my friends. Watch closely each moment for the birth of God. While you’re watching, be sure to offer God your mite.

Your mite is a treasure, Pastor Dan

Prayer for Personal Jubilee by Ann Freeman Price

help me to think on jubilee

in my life

to proclaim freedom

where there are chains

and to work to cut those chains

may I keep a sabbath

to the Lord

not in fifty years

but in this one I live

on this sabbath day

may I hold a sabbath rest

and know within my heart

that it is holy

amen

“This fiftieth year is sacred—it is a time of freedom

and of celebration when everyone will receive back

their original property,

and slaves will return home to their families.”

Leviticus 25:10

“Do not be overcome by evil,

but overcome evil with good.”

Romans 12:21

Linda Lowry Youth Program Coordinator

[email protected]

December 2014

Ivy Youth In Action

Advent Resources for children and families were distributed on November 30. See Linda Lowry to get yours.

ADVENT STORYTELLING FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS!

Please plan to join us for our Advent Storytelling Activity, December 14 at 6:30. We’ll meet in the sanctuary at 6:30 p.m. for a time of storytelling by candlelight. Following that we’ll move on to Fellowship Hall for fellowship and refreshments. If you’d like, bring a snack to share. Remember – the wonder of Christmas is not just for children. All ages are welcome!

ALL YOUTH CHRISTMAS PARTY will be Sunday, December 14, from 4:45

until around 6:15. Youth of all ages will come together for some special activities,

then share a pizza supper. At 6:30 we’ll all move in to the

sanctuary for the Advent Storytelling Activity.

COLLEGE CARE PACKAGE DONATIONS NEEDED The Alpha-Omega Youth are asking for donations of wrapped food and other items for our Ivy Chapel College students. Suggested items are individually wrapped snack packets (chips, crackers, etc.), gum & mints, microwave popcorn, hot chocolate, spiced cider or tea packets, dried soup packets, Raman noodles, stamps, quarters for the laundry room or anything else that college students might need!

We need your items by Dec. 14. We’ll make the bags and get them ready to deliver to the college students when they’re home for the Christmas holidays. Please place your items in the container in the Narthex marked “College Care Package Donations”.

Remember the Mitten Tree

Our Christian Action Board is again sponsoring the “Mitten Tree”. Let’s help keep little fingers and heads warm this winter. Bring your donations of hats and mittens and place them on the tree in the Narthex.

PLEASE COME TO THE CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

Sunday, December 21, during worship.

We hope you will all be able to be with us to share in this special worship experience and to hear the story of Christ’s birth as told by our children.

We welcome all of God’s children to be a part of this special time together. There will be no Sunday School or Nursery on this day.

We will be practicing the Christmas Pageant during Sunday School time on the Sundays leading up to Christmas Pageant Day.

Christmas Pageant Dress Rehearsal will be on Saturday, Dec. 20 from 9 – 11.

ARK (7& 8 grade)/ALPHA-OMEGA (9 – 12th grade) CHRISTMAS PARTY The Ark & Alpha-Omega groups will have our annual Christmas Party/ Monday evening, Dec. 29 at the Lowry house. College Students – you are welcome, too! Meet at the Lowry’s at 7:00 p.m. When will the party end? We don’t know. How much fun can we pack in to the evening!! Watch your e-mail and the purple page for more details, including our crazy gift exchange! Hope to see you there. Please RSVP to Linda Lowry.

DECEMBER DATES:

December 14 Christmas Cantata during worship

College Care Package Assembly by Alpha-Omega after worship

All Youth Christmas Party: 4:45 – 6:15 p.m.

Advent Activity for All Ages at 6:30 p.m.

December 20 Christmas Pageant Rehearsal, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

December 21 Children’s Christmas Pageant during worship

December 29 Service Project at Circle of Concern Lunch/College Student Activity 8:30 a.m.

December 29 Ark/Alpha-Omega Christmas Party 7:00 p.m. - ??

College Youth welcome!

COLLEGE STUDENT GET TOGETHER

Attention all Ark, Alpha-Omega & College Youth!!! (6th grade – College Age)

We are planning our annual College Student Get Together for Monday, December 29. We will again be volunteering at Circle of Concern, sorting and packaging food and anything else they may have for us to do. We will meet at Ivy Chapel at 8:30 a.m., leave for Circle Of Concern, travel together to our destination, work until noon and stop for lunch on the way back to Ivy. Please RSVP to Linda ASAP so that we can plan


December is here! I almost wrote "finally" here, but who am I kidding?? In fact, I just told a kid "Happy Halloween" instead of "Happy Thanksgiving." I simply cannot believe that it is already Advent, and we're planning Christmas music. As always during this very busy season, I implore you all to take the time to slow down and remember the reason behind all the craziness that has become the month of December. For our family, December is not only crazy busy with the preparations for Christmas, but the majority of our family seems to be born in December as well. Now, I have added my piano studio's Christmas recital and our cantata. Honestly, by the time Christmas ACTUALLY gets here, I am so thankful for the break. I am much anticipating spending time with my family (Aaron and I will actually be home together AT THE SAME TIME with nothing specific to do and nowhere to be). So, with that in mind, I am hoping for a white Christmas. Let it Snow!

As I briefly mentioned earlier, the cantata is nearly here. Please mark December 14th on your calendar NOW (if you haven't already). This year's cantata, "ALL IS WELL" is going to be GREAT! The choir has been working hard (as they have done all year this year!). We will have special musical guests. It will be a marvelous retelling our the Christmas story with new, fresh contemporary carols as well as everyone's favorites. It is definitely not one to miss.

I wish you all hope, peace, love and joy this Christmas season. I hope that you are all able to relax a bit and remember the whole reason December has turned into such a crazy busy time is because of Jesus. Take the time to say "Happy Birthday, Jesus."

Until next time, Smiles, Anna-

[email protected]

Anna DiVesta-Minister of Music

JNM ADOPT-A- FAMILY

The Christmas Season is fast approaching and Ivy Chapel will be supporting the families from the Joint Neighborhood Ministries. The focus of the program will be on the children. Like last year on the day the gifts are distributed, the parents/guardians in the household will be given the opportunity to select the gifts for their families. The hope is that the families will each receive gifts that will be useful to them. Look for the gift tree in the Narthex, with ornaments for you to select and help families have a joyous Christmas. Our gifts must be delivered to JNM on Sunday, December 14th.

KEEP GOD'S CHILDREN WARM

Keep God’s children warm this Christmas. The Mitten Tree will be appearing in the Narthex. Please bring hats, gloves, mittens, etc. and place them on the tree. These items will be delivered to JNM the same time as the Christmas gifts. Help keep those fingers and heads toasty warm this winter.

An All New Production for 2014 Re-Imagining the

Christmas Story for Today

Featuring Cliff Aerie and the Oîkos Ensemble with

Special Guest Artist Kim Fuller

All performances begin at 3pm~FREE Admission

Sat., Dec. 6~First Congregational UCC, 10 West Lockwood Avenue, Webster Groves, 314-962-0475

Sun., Dec. 7~Parkway United Church of Christ, 2841 North Ballas Road, St. Louis, 314-872-9330

Sat., Dec. 13~St. Paul United Church of Christ, 115 West B Street, Belleville, Illinois, 618-233-3303

A free-will offering benefits local charities and non-perishable food Items will be received for

area food pantries.


The Mary and Martha Women's Group met on November 18th and finalized plans for the November 2st Vendor Fair in which we will have a Bake Sale Table and provide Food for the Vendors to buy. We will sell Beverages all evening, also. Thank you to all the Volunteers who Baked and who helped Set-up and Sell.

There will be no M&M Meeting in December and we will go to the Holiday Brass Concert—at Manchester United Methodist church—on December 2nd which we enjoy so much.

Mission Trip

Thies Farm

Zoo

Trunk or Treat

Youth Sunday

Blessing of the Animals

2014 Events of Ivy Chapel UCC

Craft and Vendor Fair

VBS

Confirmands

Church Picnic


7 December~Second Sunday of Advent~ Isaiah 40:1-11. Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13, II Peter 3:8-15a, Mark 1:1-8

F or to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be

called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of PEACE. Of the greatness of his government and PEACE there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV

PEACE I leave with you; my PEACE I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

14 December~Third Sunday of Advent~ Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Psalm 126/Luke 1:46b-55, I Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28

B ut be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its

people a JOY. Isaiah 65:18

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

21 December~Fourth Sunday of Advent~ II Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Luke 1:46b-55/Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26; Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38

F or the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no

partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and LOVES the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to LOVE those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt. Deuteronomy 10:17-19

“A new command I give you: LOVE one another. As I have loved you, so you must LOVE one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

24 December~Christmas Eve~ Isaiah 9:2-7, Psalm 96, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-20

25 December~Christmas Day~ Isaiah 52:7-10, Psalm 98, Hebrews 1:1-12, John 1:1-14

I n those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman

world. (This was the first census that took place while

Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. Luke 2:1-16

28 December~First Sunday aft Christmas~ Isaiah 61:10-62:3, Psalm 148, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:22-40

http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/index.php

2 Christine Lindhorst

8 Michael Winship

10 Jan Wirtz Beverly Govreau Anna DiVesta

12 Aaron DiVesta Jane Farrell

13 Valerie Waterman

16 Emily Pfau

12/06/1969 Rich and Nancy Marston

12/10/1988 Russel and Deborah Washburn

12/27/1963 Ronn and Dottie Foster

12/27/1972 Jim and Joan Wendt

Assisting in Lay Ministry Please look for YOUR Name. Reminders are sent each Tuesday. If you cannot help on your specific day, please switch with someone then inform the church office-314-434-4991.

DATE NURSERY ACOLYTE WELCOMER GREETERS USHERS LITURGIST COFFEE

December 7 JoAnn Moody Nick Wintrode Nancy Marston Pat Winship,

Annie Sampath Evelyn Stecher, Donna Grote

Ann Molyneaux Droege Family

Communion Team 2: Judy Hertenstein, Gary Lindhorst, Mike Tichy, Celeste Tichy

Dec 14 Cantata Pat Winship Ben Wehling Earl Kreder Kay Kreder,

Kathryn Kuntzman Linda Ledbetter, Liz Schurwan

John Weiland Tichy Family

Dec 21 Children's Pageant

Sally Dodge Stuart Kirk Russ Washburn Stacey Hilton, Carol Faust

Brenda Otterson, Annie Sampath

Youth Gerdes Family

Dec 24 11pm Christmas Eve

_______ Skylar Droege _______ Rod, Judy Hertenstein

Marsha Ramey, Sally Dodge

_______ _______

Communion Team 4: Sally Dodge, Rod Hertenstein, Marsha Ramey

Dec 28 Erin Winship Emily Pfau Marsha Ramey Mary Mitchell,

Lee Headrick Ryan, Krista Phillips

Gavin Tichy Carr Family

January 4 2015 JoAnn Moody Calvin Heend Judy Hertenstein Rose Share,

Betty Lindhorst Mike, Celeste Tichy

Tara Lowry or Sarah Wilson

Ramey Family

Communion Team 3: Kathryn Kuntzman, John Weiland, Pat Winship, Carl Winship

God has called us to our positions, and we rejoice when we are able to serve God in these places of ministry. If there is some way in which our staff may be of help to you, please contact us at 314-434-4991.

Pastor Dan Wilson: [email protected] 314-580-4564 Linda Lowry: [email protected] Anna DiVesta: [email protected] Frieda Clark: [email protected]

Monday/Friday 8:30AM–3PM Tuesday/Thursday 8:30AM–2:30PM

GIVING STATEMENTS available from Don Wolff. NEED TO BORROW Chairs or Tables? Please call Ralph Weiland 314-878-3230.

CARE CORPS December: LEADER Pat Winship 636-394-5991 CO-LEADER Julie McAllister 314-576-4946 (Celeste Tichy 636-391-9096)

To see this newsletter in color you can view and

download it from our website at www.ivychapel.org/newsletter

On our web site! Past issues of The Ivy Vine newsletters (articles due 15th of the month), monthly calendar and pictures of events with Ivy Chapel members.

On the member side are documents and other information for our members. If you do not know the password to access this page, please call the office.

CIRCLE OF CONCERN

CURRENT AND ONGOING NEEDS: Peanut Butter Jelly Cereal Spaghetti sauce in plastic jars Tomato products (diced, whole, paste, sauce etc.) 1 lb. bag Rice or Beans Canned meats/fish Canned Chili or Stew

Gently used Children's books, especially Pre-K Books

For other ways you may contribute call 636-861-2623. In the cloakroom, please place your items on the very

bottom shelf that is only designated for CC.

18 Gary Lindhorst

19 Audrey Farrell

20 Alec Brimmer

22 Paul Hertenstein

26 Morgan Tichy

27 Frank Pfau

28 Catrina Lowry

29 Scott Schurwan

AA=Alcoholics Anonymous CA=Christian Action CC=Chancel Choir CE=Christian Education EMMP=Eric Moody Memorial Pavilion

FH = Fellowship Hall JNM=JOINT NEIGHBORHOOD MINISTRIES KYP=KEEPING YOU POSTED LS=THE LORD’S SUPPER

LL=LOWER LEVEL M&M GRP=MARY AND MARTHA WOMENS GROUP PP=PURPLE PAGES SS=SUNDAYSCHOOL

Monday Jazzercise 8:30/9:30a AA 1p Jazzercise 4:30/5:45p Anna DiVesta 6-8p

Tuesday Jazzercise 8:30/9:30a Jazzercise 4:30/5:45p Anna DiVesta 3:30-8p StLMusic-LL 6:15-7:45p

Wednesday Jazzercise 8:30/9:30a Jazzercise 4:30/5:45p Anna 4:30-6:30p

Thursday Jazzercise 8:30/9:30a Jazzercise 4:30/5:45p Anna 7-8p

Friday Jazzercise 8:30/9:30a Jazzercise 4:30

Saturday Jazzercise 8/9:05a AA 10:30a

January 2015 Jan 5 Annual Reports Due Youth Laser Tag Jan 10 De-frocking church Jan 11 All Church Bowling Jan 12 All Boards Mtg 7p Jan 25 Annual Mtg /Luncheon

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

2 Holiday Brass

Concert at Manchester

United Methodist

Church

3 CC/CANTATA REHEARSE 7/8P

4

5

6

7 2nd Sunday of Advent-Purple CHRISTMAS FUND PROMOTION FLYER

9a Adult Bible Study 10a Worship/LS, SS ADOPT-FAMILY MITTEN TREE Anna DiVesta Recital S/FH (3p) 2-5pm

8

9

10 CC/CANTATA

REHEARSE 7/8P

11 CE MTG 6:30P AT LINDA LOWRY'S TRUSTEE MTG

7:30P

12

13

14 3rd Sunday of Advent-Purple

CHRISTMAS FUND PROMOTION FLYER

9a Adult Bible Study

10a Worship/Cantata CHRISTIAN ACTION MTG

11:15A ADOPT-FAMILY see pg 5

MITTEN TREE see pg 5

see PP College Care Packages All Youth Christmas 6:30p Advent Story

Telling

15 January

newsletter articles due

COUNCIL MTG 7P

16 M&M WMS GRP 1P

SEE YOU IN JANUARY!

17 MEN'S LUNCHEON 11:30A El Maguey 13377 Olive Blvd-Wood Chase Plaza 878-5988 CC REHEARSE 7P

18

19

20 CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

REHEARSAL 9-11A see PP

21 4th Sunday of Advent-Purple

CHRISTMAS FUND PROMOTION FLYER

9a Adult Bible Study 10a Worship CHILDRENS CHRISTMAS PAGEANT see PP

22

23

24 Christmas Eve white WORSHIP W/LS 11P W/CHRISTMAS FUND OFFERING

25 Christmas Day white Office Closed

26 ARK/ALPHA-OMEGA LOCK IN see PP

27

28 1st S aft Christmas-wht NO Adult Bible Study 10a Worship/SS

29 Ark, Alpha-Omega & College (6th grd–Clg) to Circle of Concern 8:30A see PP Ark/A~O/College Christmas Party at the Lowry's 7P see PP

30

31 New Year's Eve

January 1 2015 New Year

January 2 2015

January 3 2015

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