Dear Members and Friends of Waterville United Methodist Church,
WORSHIP SERVICE AND CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2017:
Welcome
Prelude – God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen – Olga Topuzova-Meade
Lighting of the Advent Wreath – The Candle of Hope
Scripture – Luke 1:5-25
Song of Worship – Give Thanks
Sharing God’s Tithes and Offerings
Offertory – Sing We Now of Christmas - Olga Topuzova Meade
Doxology
Offering Dedication Prayer
Prayers of God’s People
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn – Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Christmas Program – “Finding Christmas Under the Sea”
Benediction
Postlude – Christmas Is Coming – By Jason Gray
Liturgist – Pastor Mike
PRAYER REQUEST
Brandon Chase–Active Duty
Ardis Cullen
Roger Hertzman
Stacy (Wagner) Morgan
Ron Peyton
Sharon Schulte
December 2017 MISSION FOCUS
IMPACT WITH HOPE
Impact with Hope is a local charity that has international influence. You may know it as International Services of Hope which has been present on Farnsworth Road in Waterville since their incorporation in 1982. (One of the original trustees was Fred Dieter, who was a member of this church before his passing.) It is a community based, non-profit, charitable organization whose mandate is devoted to ensuring a brighter future for children.
Their mission is to reach out and serve others by mending broken bodies, bones, and hearts, feeding hungry families, responding to disasters, and investing in communities throughout the world. More than $0.98 out of every $1.00 is spent directly on the people they serve.
They have been particularly busy this fall since the two recent hurricanes, Harvey & Irma, that devastated much of Puerto Rico and other islands. As of October, they had already sent over ½ million meals to Puerto Rico, and had 3 forty-foot containers of supplies ready to go. One of their most urgent needs is for the funds to aid in shipping. Please give generously to our December Mission Focus!
Christmas Program to be held THIS SUNDAY December 10 During the Church Service – See you there!
We want to offer a giant THANK YOU to those who helped decorate the church for Christmas. It looks beautiful because the following people were willing to help: Frank and Robin Lipinski, Claire Long, Randi Morris, Connie and Karl Kirkman, Kyle Galton, Terry Myers, Randy and Mary Breymaier, Cindy Box, Pam Cook, Charlotte Pritchett, Ann McVicker, Christy Wielgopolski, Barb Page, and Melva and Jerry Robinson. Thanks to you all!
A thank you from the Mission Team for Salvation Army Bell Ringing
Thank you to all who rang the bell for the Salvation Army on December 2 at the Waterville Kroger location! We hear quite a bit of fun was had with elves and music and other shenanigans! We usually hear from the Salvation Army after the first of the year with the total of what was collected, and will let everyone know at that time.
Altar Flowers Update from Melva Robinson, Chairman Altar Guild
WUMC has been very fortunate these many years to bring the creativity of our Lord into our presence at each worship service in a number of ways but especially with the flower arrangements on our altar. These arrangements give us the opportunity to enjoy the flowers and along with the spoken word and music be reminded of who we are worshiping. They also provide an occasion to honor and celebrate family, friends and our Lord.
I take this time to tell you Third Street Blooms in Waterville is the florist who prepares each order for our altar as requested. The Sign Up sheet for flowers is on the bulletin board by the church office. The cost of each arrangement will be increased to forty ($40.00) dollars beginning the first of 2018. If you have ordered flowers recently you realize the cost. Our florist has been very generous with the arrangements and delivery. Please send your payment to the church and indicate altar flowers.
Don't forget you may take your arrangement home after the service.
Poinsettia Orders – Order soon– last day to order is Sunday, December 17
Envelopes for poinsettia orders have been placed in each pew and inside the attendance pads. Please use them to place your order; making sure to note the quantity, the color and to whom you are dedicating the flower to. The cost is $7.00. Place your envelope and money in the offering or drop it off at the church office. The last day to order is Sunday, December 17.
2018 Stewardship Campaign:
If you haven’t had the opportunity to complete and return your 2018 Estimate of Giving Card or General Information & Service Opportunities form, we will gladly accept them at any time. Communication is so important and these Information Sheets help us to make sure we have the correct contact information on file for you. You may place them in the offering, send via US Mail or drop off at the church office. Thank you!
2018 Giving Envelopes:
Your 2018 Giving Envelopes will be available on the shelf outside the church office. Please make every effort to pick them up, as it is quite expense to mail them.
Small Groups and Bible Studies
Prayer Time on Sundays from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM in the Sanctuary
Adult Bible Study
On Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM and Tuesday evenings at 7:00 PM, the adult study will be A Savior is Born. This is a great Study. You will not want to miss it. During this Study, we will focus on four interactions of Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth and the Shepherds as God spoke to them through angels. In each instance their first response was a fear so great the scripture says they were terrified.
M&M Bible Study (Mary and Martha) on Wednesday at 9:30 AM in the Community Room
B&B Bible Study (Bible and Breakfast) on Thursday at 7:30 AM @ Dales
Christmas Eve Services
Christmas Eve Services that will be held on Sunday, December 24.
Worship Service at 10:30 AM
Traditional Candle Light Service 7:00 PM
Sunday Morning A Few Changes for Security:
Following will be the changes on Sunday morning related to security to further protect our children and all attenders and to provide as safe a place as possible.
* At 10:40 am all exterior doors will be locked.
* Clear signage will be installed directing anyone arriving after 10:40 to the office and courtyard door near the offices as an usher will be posted there to let people in and assist with the elevator if needed.
* Training will be given to the ushers and others to understand what needs to be done if an intruder situation would occur.
* Watch for more information as this plan continues to unfold.
These are not big changes and many of us will not be impacted by them in any way at all. Let us remember the families of the Texas church shooting of recent weeks and continue to pray for each of them and the whole congregation. Also, to pray for all the churches that have been targeted by evil persons by mass shooting, bombs fires and vandalism.
FELLOWSHIP HOST
A fellowship host is responsible for setting up the fellowship hour, and cleaning up after. Please consider helping with this ministry. A sign up sheet is on the bulletin board.
CHERRY STREET MISSION
If you are interested in helping out with the Cherry Street Mission. Here is a link that you can access for more information. https://www.cervistech.com/acts/console.php?console_id=0005&console_type=event&ht=1 Please copy and paste the link into your browser.
PEANUT BUTTER JARS
Happy tails wagging saying “THANK YOU!” to all who have donated peanut butter jars for the Humane Society. A special thank you to Karen Longnecker for the photo, as a picture is so often worth a thousand words. Please continue to place un-scraped jars in the basket on the shelf by the church office.
UPPER ROOM
Copies of the Upper Room for January – February 2018 are located on the table at the entrance to the Sanctuary.
Lost and Found
There was a bracelet found in the last row of pews in the left side, front section. Please contact the church office, if you have lost one.
The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go! Joshua 1:9
Sandy Clark