Thursday, November 29, 2018

Dear Friends in Christ,I offer my life to you, LORD.My God, I trust you.Psalm 25.1-2a

This Sunday begins the Christian year with the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is a time ofpromise and preparation. We hear of good news, but we are told, and trained, to wait.Join us this Sunday as we get ready once more to receive the best news of all: Immanuel,God with us.

Sincerely,Jonathan

Adults

Poinsettias Order Dueby Nov. 30Honor the memory of loved ones for $10.Please call the church office at 363-2058or by placing your check and order form inthe collection plate on Sunday. Poinsettiaswill not be delivered and may be takenafter the 10:30 pm Sunday service Dec. 24,2018. Please return form and payment tochurch office. Deadline for orders is Nov.30. Poinsettia Order Forms available atConnection Centers and Church Office.

Each year, the first Sunday of Advent marks the start of the church’s year as we begin ourjourney with Jesus anew. In the year to come, we will hear of the good news again:healings, miracles, parables, conflict, betrayal, crucifixion, resurrection, and theascension of Jesus. But, it doesn’t start with the fulfillment of all that. No, it starts with apromise: the promise that God is up to something new. This year in the season of Advent,we will take the four weeks to prepare our hearts once more to hear the best news of all:the news that God has come close to us to redeem all things. Each week we will hearthis call: “People, Get Ready!”

Welcome Space Hours ChangeSt. Paul’s will be changing the time for when our main doors are open and to ourWelcoming Space effective Monday, Dec. 3rd. The new hours will be 8:00 am-4:00 pmMon.-Thurs. The 8:00 am-12:00 pm on Fri. remains the same. This transition allows for amore distinct separation between our day-to-day work hours and our evening ministryevents. If you need to get into church between 4:00-5:00 pm, please press the button onthe wall close to the ADA door on 2nd Ave. and staff will let you in. Actual staff workhours will NOT be impacted by this change.

Christmas OfferingBe sure to watch your mailbox and our communications in the next few weeks to find theexciting ways our Christmas Offering will allow us to partner with others in WellingtonHeights to do good together.

Youth Missions BakeSale St. Paul’s youth are asking forcongregational members to partner withthem for a youth missions bake sale onDec. 8th during the Winter WonderlandOpen House. They are asking for donationsof baked goods to be sold to support theyouth summer mission trip. Those wishingto partner with the youth on thisopportunity can reach out to Becca Nims-

Youth Ministry Director(rnims@stpaulsumc.org). Donations can bedropped off starting Dec. 5th.

Family PromiseSt. Paul's will be hosting our next Family Promisefamily December 9-16. We need lots of folks toprovide an evening meal , spend a couple of hours inthe evening with the family, or be an overnight host at

St. Paul's. Stop by the Connection Center to find out how you can help providehospitality for a homeless family.

Longest Night Service,Dec. 21When the season is difficult, when youdon’t feel like shouting Merry Christmas,when a more reflective time of gatheringwith others would be a blessing, come onFriday, Dec. 21, at 6:30 pm. Come alone,Come with family or a friend, Come andsimply be. Linger with a cup of cider, if youchose. Linger with hope in Christ.

Sign ups for ChristmasEve Meal at theConnections Centers!

Christmas Eve Schedule of Events, Dec. 24Noon-2:00 pm | Christmas Eve Dinner2:30 pm | Family Worship A family-oriented service including an opportunity forchildren to participate in the story of Jesus’ birth. 8:30 pm | Traditional Worship* A traditional service including the choir andcandlelight. 10:30 pm | Communion Worship* End your evening with a quiet, candlelitservice of Communion.

* Twenty minutes before the 8:30 and 10:30 pm worship services there will be aChristmas Eve musical prelude.

Communion to HomeboundVolunteers are needed to take communion to the homes of people during December whocannot get to church. Script is provided. If interested or wanting more information leavemessage at 319-558-6601.

Medication Bottles are Being CollectedEmpty small medication bottles are being collected in the Connection Center near theChapel.

Visit our Facebook Page

Arts Ministry

Fitzgibbons FamilyChristmas CardsNow through December 30th in the Upper Room

For over 30 years, St. Paul's member DaleFitzgibbons has designed and published greetingcards using various media including ink, paint, andcomputer graphics. On display now are five recentdesigns illustrating scriptural passages inspired byMedieval fine lettering manuscript practice.

All are invited to join Creative Expressions Sundayschool class Sunday, December 2nd in the UpperRoom at 10:30 am to hear Dale share and answerquestions about his work.

Christmas Concert at Cornell College - Dec. 2Christmas Concert – The Department of Music at Cornell College will have a Christmasconcert at King Chapel ( 600 1st St, Mt Vernon, IA) this Sunday, December 2, beginning at3:00 pm. The concert will feature music by the Concert Choir and a variety of ensembles.There will also be plenty of audience participation. Mark Baumann, College Organist, willaccompany singing and playing organ solo music on one of the largest pipe organs in thestate of Iowa. Admission is FREE.

Special Musical Offering by the Sanctuary Choir- Dec. 9The Sanctuary Choir will be presenting “Run, Ye Shepherds to the Light” by MichaelHaydn during our 9:00 am worship service. Invite others to join you for this musicalmorning.

Carillonneurs &Tower HandbellEnsemblesChristmasConcert - Dec. 9Enjoy a variety of sacred andsecular selections including:“Angels from the Realms ofGlory," “Ding, Dong, Merrily on

High," “We Three Kings," “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day," “All I Want forChristmas," “Jolly Old St. Nicholas," and others favorites at St. Paul’s UMC in theGathering Space on Sun., Dec. 9, 4:00 pm. Admission is free.

Care, Serve, & Outreach

FOCUS Angel TreeJoin St. Paul’s members as we fillan Angel Tree for FOCUS Families.Please select an Angel and returnby December 9th. Place item(s)under the tree unwrapped in a giftbag with Angel Tag attached.

St. Paul's SuperStore MinistrySt. Paul’s Superstore proceeds support both the day-to-day ministries of the Church,including healing, teaching, caring and worship, and the general mission of the Church.We continue to have a need for quality vintage and collectible items that can be sold at amarket value greater than a garage sale price. Fine jewelry, collectibles and antiqueitems in all categories are very desirable as are many unusual ‘one of a kind’ itemsdonors might have in their possession. ‘Age’ is the most important aspect for itemsdonated. Antique/vintage items sell the best.

Donated items are sold online through eBay and through local consignment shop WhiteLion Treasures, located in the heart of Czech Village.

If it is old, antique or vintage or of significant value or unique YOUR Superstore would beblessed to receive it! Please consider donating items to the St. Paul’s Superstore. Formore information please contact Jim Steggall at (319) 447-1147 or Gayle Buroker at (319)573-5305.

Gifts of Experience:a message from Be Healthy. Be Green. Task Force

As we enter the season of gift giving and giftpurchasing. It can lead to a deluge of stress andoverspending. And once given, will those materialgifts be remembered in the long run? It can leadto a deluge of stress and overspending. And oncegiven, will those material gifts be remembered in

the long run?

At the recent “The Good Life Redefined” workshop held at St. Paul’s, we learned abouthow our “stuff” contributes to climate change, and were prompted to think about whatreally matters in life. Participants recalled that our special memories were centeredaround people and experiences, not stuff. With that in mind, I encourage you to considergifts of experience this holiday season--things that will create special memories andcultivate relationships.

Here are just a few ideas: membership to a museum or play space; tickets to concerts,theatre, or sporting events; a special day with Grandma or Grandpa; a trip to a naturepark; coupons for acts of service, such as babysitting, yard work, or a home cooked meal;music or dance lessons; a cooking class; and many more. The possibilities are endless.

-Stephanie Heifner

Children & Youth

Calling Youth Musicians forChristmas Eve WorshipMusic preceding the 2:30 time of worship will highlight the children and youth of ourcongregation. If you would like to play your instrument or sing during that time, pleasecontact Coordinator of Music Ministries Mark Baumann to schedule a musical interviewtime. He can be reached at the church, by e-mail at mmbaumann@msn.com or by phoneor text at 319-721-4587. You will be able to play or sing for him at that time to see howbest to utilize your talents to praise God.

DecemberDelirium - Dec. 1On Saturday, December 1 from6:00-8:30 pm, come for a YouthGame Night of group games andboard games with snacks toshare!

WinterWonderland -Dec. 8Please join us on Dec. 8, 2018from 3:00-5:00 pm as wecelebrate the birth of Jesus! Wewill have crafts, games, food,music and more! Come see allwe have to offer families here at

St. Paul’s UMC. All are welcome!

United Methodist Women

UMW ChristmasLuncheon - Dec. 6St. Paul’s UMW invites you to our 2018Christmas Luncheon and Unit Meetingon Thursday, December 6, at 12:00noon in the Wesley Center. We will bethanking our church staff, have ourhonors luncheon, give our readingprogram awards, and receive special

mission recognition. There will also be Holiday Fair craft items for sale for those wholove to shop. A donation of $4 for this Christmas luncheon is suggested. Please sign upat your circle meetings or in the church office by December 2. Come and enjoy thisspecial time of celebration with us.

Prayers

Stephen Ministers

Stephen Ministers, wearing the bluebadge, are glad to talk privately withanyone going through a rough time.

Pray for...

For spiritual disciplines of a weekly fast Thursday after dinner to Friday mid-afternoon, and pausing to pray at 2:23–2:26 daily for our church’s mission and wayforward.

Continued healing and grace for:Jean ShibleySteve Miceli (Esther Miceli’s son)Gerol GoodloveChar O’BrienSusan Moore (Lee Moore’s sister)Jody SloanKathy Davis (Steve)Tom Titus (Susan)Haley and Kaleb Admire (Kay & BillGalli’s granddaughter and family)Joe Boots (relative of Chris and MikeCrilley)Craig Ekstorm (Colton Valenta’sfather)Theodore “Teddy” DvorakAlice Hart (Brad Hart’s mother)Tom Smeed (Bill’s father)Louise Single (Fred)Pat SharpDeborah Cassidy (daughter of JulieGladfelder)Barb Zahradnik (Bob)John MatthewsAudrey SwalleyCheri Young (Gene & Carrie Young’sdaughter)Patricia Hartwell (Heather Moore’smother)Sally FordDianne Berrett (Bob)Linda HadleyJustin Ilg (Sherrie & Larry Ilg’s son)Clyde Satterly

Quinn Anton Jensen (Nancy & BriceAntonJensen’s son)Neoma Starnes (Duane)Katherine MartensenAngela ShultzRhonda ViktoraCarrie Cummins (Jamie’s daughterand Steve and Kathy Davis’granddaughter)Edie NekolaJim & Rose MildenRaine Allen (Dixie & Roger Allen’sgranddaughter)Charman Banks (John)James WaheNora Mae VanceSandy Pingel (Gloria Ford’s daughter)Robert Moore (Lee Moore’s father)Marti & Spence Grayson (DaveMahlke’s sister and brother-in-law)Mina Arbore (John)John McQuilkin (Jean Kwader’sfather)Ryan VickPam AnslynKris Yahn (Steve)

Memorial prayers for the families andfriends of:

Martha McCollough (Amy Reisen’smother)Myrna CooneyRobert Swaney (Ann)Anne Laverty (John)Irba Bacon

View Worship Times

Worship is for the whole family. While childcare is available in our nursery for allSunday morning services, we welcome children of all ages at all worship services.

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