December 15, 2011 Volume 16, Number 50

Newsletter

for next week’s

issue is at noon

the preceding

Thursday

(You may e-mail

articles to office@

eastcross.org)

East Cross United Methodist Church 820 SE Madison Blvd. Bartlesville Oklahoma 74006 918-333-0810

Worship Information: Sunday, December 18th, 2011

8:30 a.m. & 10:50 a.m. “Watch for God’s Plain Packages!” Micah 5:2-5a, Luke 1:46-56 Rev. George Warren Bartlesville District Superintendent

9:40 a.m. Sunday School, all ages

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Connections will resume Jan. 4th 2012.

“A Gift of Note”

Sanctuary Handbell Choir

A selection of holiday favorites for your

enjoyment.

Sunday, Dec. 18th, 7 p.m.

Childcare is available for children 4 and younger.

Sat., Dec. 17th, 7:00pm Sun., Dec. 18th, 8:30am

Childcare is available for children age 4 and younger.

Sanctuary Choir Christmas Cantata

Christmas Eve Candlelight Christmas Eve Candlelight Christmas Eve Candlelight Christmas Eve Candlelight ServiceServiceServiceService

6, 8 and 11 p.m.6, 8 and 11 p.m.6, 8 and 11 p.m.6, 8 and 11 p.m.

Christmas Day ServiceChristmas Day ServiceChristmas Day ServiceChristmas Day Service 10 a.m.10 a.m.10 a.m.10 a.m.

New Year’s DayNew Year’s DayNew Year’s DayNew Year’s Day 10 a.m.10 a.m.10 a.m.10 a.m.

Fall Stop Exercise Class...

Will meet on Dec. 21st, but will not

meet on Dec. 28th or January 4th.

Class will resume

Jan. 11th.

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Staff Appreciation… Sunday is the last day to make a donation for Staff Appreciation. If you would

like to participate, simply put a check in the offering plate and note it is for Staff Appreciation on the memo line or giving envelope. Your generosity is truly appreciated. Mark Commons, SPRC

Holiday Market will Holiday Market will Holiday Market will Holiday Market will

be open again this be open again this be open again this be open again this

Sunday...Sunday...Sunday...Sunday...in the gathering

area downstairs on the 1st floor. All the

proceeds will go to The HELPS Organization to

support the Father's House Orphanage in Ruiru, Kenya. I have visited this orphanage

and my parents continue to minister to these

children and are getting ready to make their

annual trip to the orphan-age. Please stop by the

market, before and/or after services and be the Hands and Feet of Christ by purchasing a gift. Let your gift giving make a

difference! Emily French

James 1:27- "True and undefiled religion is taking

care of orphans and widows...."

Connections will not meet again until January 4th, 2012.

THANK YOU EAST CROSS!...You continue to amaze me with your generosity and continued support for our troops. With your efforts, we will have shipped more than 65 Christmas packages to those on our Wall of Honor and others at the front in Afghanistan. That's how much joy you will bring this year.

And though most of you will not hear from your soldiers, rest assured that the appreciation they have for your support and the time you've taken to let them know you support them will not go unappreciated or be forgotten. Thank you again, Mike Smith, Military Coordinator

Colby and Amber Sheline are happy to announce the birth of their son, Abel Lee on Friday,December 2nd.

He weighed in at 8 lbs., 9 ozs. and measured

21 inches long and was welcomed home by big

brother, Aiden!

Abel is the grandson of Terri and the late Dennis Sheline. Congratulations

to all!

On January 15th, Rev. Jim Jones from Enid FUMC will be preaching at both services, bringing us up to date information on Haiti where he has led several mission trips. He has also taught the Haiti study at our Christian School of Missions in Oklahoma City. Your East Cross Outreach Committee and the United Methodist Women are sharing in the planning and arrangements for this special Mission Sunday.

After second service, Rev. Jones and his wife Lou Ann will join us for a wonderful meal in the Christian Life Center where he will show slides and beautiful artifacts from his trips to Haiti. Haiti is still recovering from their drastic earthquake and their recovery and reconstruction will continue for some time.

We will share a meal of brisket with all the trimmings for $6 for adults and $3 for children 8 and under. Deadline for paid reservations is January 5th. Checks can be made to East Cross with memo to “Mission Meal”. Call Ruth Montgomery for more information.

The church office will close at 4:30pm on Wednesday, December 21st for our Staff Christmas Party. We will be open

Thursday normal hours.

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CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES…

EXPERIENCE IT!

East CrossEast CrossEast CrossEast Cross Church Family NewsChurch Family NewsChurch Family NewsChurch Family News

Pray For…Pray For…Pray For…Pray For…Mary Lou TTTTanzey, Mike Fugett, Jeff Burress, Ben Facker (Fred & Connie’s grandson), Debbie Potter, James Loyd (Sonia Davis’ father-in-law), Frank Pichler, Monte Murnan, Victoria Glavas (Linda Smith’s cousin), Carol Welch (Margaret Howe’s daughter), Donna Dietz (Ken’s mother), Tony Utley (Jean’s son), Betty Sparks, Daniel Lopez (friend of Dave and Michele Holliman), Jim Cyrus, Maxine Moret, Joe Belden, Virginia (Clara Hammer’s sister), Amanda King (friend of Amanda Lindblom), Charlie Bobbitt, Ron Matthews (friend of Bob & Mary Shell), C. J. Hitchcock, Stan Defehr, Bobby Hindman, John Taliaferro (Claudia Rolf’s brother), Heather Rohlfing (granddaughter-in-law of Ray & Bonnie), Dean Collins, Zachary Richards (nephew of Dave and Michele Holliman), Barbara Wegener, Linda Colberg, Greg Mueggenborg, Bill Facker (Fred Facker & Mary Ann Clark’s brother), Kevin Davis (friend of Terry Ary), Patricia Smith, Helen Collins, Jocelyn Morris, Glenn Dale, James Kuntz, Dr. Darrah.

Condolences to Condolences to Condolences to Condolences to Wilma Linnard, David & Beth Wiley and David & Linda Seyer and families on the death of husband and father, Russell Linnard on Dec. 3rd. Services were Dec. 4th in Tyler, TX.

(The Wiley and Seyer families are/were missionaries supported by East Cross UMC.)

CPL Jared Kuntz Adam Cox SSgt. William G. Ware 1st Lt. Neil Gorham Captain Derek Smith Mark Hathaway SSGT William Lummis Sgt. Jared Seat Col. Edward Shock A1C Alex Hedgecock Lt. Roger Knobeloch AB Jared Draney LCPL Michael Fitch

Pray for our Military

LCDR Robert Staten SPC Gary Mabry SPC Josh Cole SPC Craig Courtney Josh Wheatley LTC Darrin Cox, Sgt. Gordon McKeehan MSCT D.D. Halverstadt Lt. Eric Rolfs 1st Lt. Daniel Smith Major Todd Abshire SFC Toby Kirchman SPC Benjamin Uzzell

All persons serving in the military and their families.

THE VOICE OF THE MARTYRS... has a continuing need for Bibles, also outdated Sunday School literature and related study books. Contributions should be clearly marked for the “Voice” and

deposited in the corner behind the pulpit in the Chapel.

Rotation Sunday School – “Shepherds and Angels”

During our Advent study, children are learning that shepherds heard about Jesus’ birth from angels; that they believed it; that they looked for and found Jesus; and that they praised God and told others! The interaction between the shepherds and angels is a model of how we should respond to God’s call as we share the Good News with others!

Workshops this Sunday: K-2nd Cooking – Decorate shepherd and angel Christmas cookies! 3rd -5th Art – Create a shepherd or angel Christmas tree ornament!

“And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.” Luke 2:16

Children’s Christmas Program

Thank you, Jan Watt and Sue Glasgow, for co-directing another wonderful, original Christmas program! The audience enjoyed singing along with the children as they learned the history of some of their favorite Christmas carols. We are so blessed at East Cross to have volunteers ready to assist each year with directing, decorating, multi-media, lights, refreshments, music, and, of course, children who love to share the story of Jesus’ birth! Merry Christmas to all!

Greetings and Merry Christmas from M.U.T.U.A.L. Girls Club!

There will be a FREE Defensive Driving Course offered at M.U.T.U.A.L. on Friday, December 30th, 2011 from

8:00 until 2:00. This course is available for anyone who would like to take it. Some insurance companies offer a reduction in rates for those who have taken such a course. If you would like to partici-pate, call M.U.T.U.A.L. (918-336-9151) as soon as possible before Christmas and let them know.

AND

Tuesday House Resale shop will be closed for Christmas beginning December 22nd and will re-open Tuesday, Jan. 10th, 2012. There will be no drop-offs until January 9th, 2012.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !

EAST CROSS NEWS (USPS 164-540) Published weekly except for last week of December Postmaster: Send address changes to:

East Cross United Methodist Church 820 SE Madison Blvd. Bartlesville, OK 74006-8533

PERIODICALS U.S. POSTAGE PAID AT BARTLESVILLE, OK 74003

USPS 164-540

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Rev. Jeff Burress

Sr. Pastor

Dwight D. Darrah Pastor Emeritus

Chad Perceful Associate Pastor Scott McCrary

Minister to Students

Linda Smith Children’s Minister

Mary Shell Children’s Worship

Paula Lindblom Ministerial Coordinator

Rita Neff Treasurer-Membership

Coleen Williams Early Childhood Center Director Nursery and Childcare Director

Ariel Ortega Music Director, 1st. Service

Margie Green Pianist/Organist Emily French

Music Director, 2nd & Outlet Service

Seth Weimer Sound Tech

Tom Hedglen Building Manager

Church Office: 918-333-0810 FAX: 918-335-1664

E-Mail: office@eastcross.org Website: www.eastcross.org

Early Childhood Center 918-333-3814

STUDENT MINISTRY NEWS

You know there are times in our youth ministry when I am just extra proud of our kids. This past Sunday afternoon was one such time. We had a group of 14 youth,

several parents, and our wonderful youth workers go to Tall Grass estates to sing

Christmas carols. The smiles on the faces of the residents were such a blessing!

Thanks youth for sharing the joy of Christmas through song!

THIS SUNDAY This Sunday we will have our annual White Elephant Christmas party! But this year, we are adding a Progressive Dinner! We will meet at the home of Rilee Rigdon, 2503 Churchill Drive, at 4:30 p.m. for appetizers. We will then travel to the home of Jake Bilger, 2200 Deerfield Place, for dinner and the gift exchange. Parents should plan on dropping your kids off at the Rigdons and picking them up at the Bilgers. I will have the church van at the Rigdons to transport the kids over to the Bilgers. I will have the kids call when we are finished! Please bring a wrapped gift (no more than $10) for the gift exchange!

We happened to notice while at

Tallgrass that our own Joyce Kelsey had been honored recently...we also think you are one

gorgeous Grandma!