December 2010 - Clover Sitesstorage.cloversites.com/stmarksumc/documents/Nws Ltr December … ·...
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St. Mark’s United Methodist Church 4700 Johnson Avenue NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405 Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
319-396-6361 www.stmarksumccr.com
Ellen Johnson, Administrative Assistant: [email protected]
December 2010
Sunday Worship
9:00 AM - With Organ/Keyboard/Choir
10:00 AM - Fellowship Time
10:30 AM - With Praise Band
9:00-11:45 AM - Staffed Nursery provided
for children 3 years and younger.
Wednesday Worship 6:00 - 6:30 PM
(5:45 - 6:00 PM - Student Worship/Gathering Time)
Sunday Christian Education Opportunities
Kids’ Zone (Pre-K - 5th grade) 9:00 -10:15 AM
Lower Level Education Wing
Adult and Youth Study Options 9:00 -10:15 AM
Adult Study Options 10:30-11:30 AM
December can be one of the best
months in the entire year. It is during
this time that we celebrate an absolutely
amazing event in history – the birth of
Jesus Christ, “the Word” who “became
flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).
Because it certainly is easy to feel over-
whelmed with the details and pressures of the holiday
season and the difficulties of winter weather, we may
want to intentionally guard against losing sight of the
Christ who makes Christmas a holy time.
The truth that Jesus was born on a night a couple thou-
sand years ago is a reality that should mean everything to
us. Because Jesus came as God’s Son, was born of the
virgin Mary, lived a perfect life, died on our behalf, and
rose from the dead, we have the offer of new life as we
put our faith in Him.
This life in Christ, lived in the power of the Holy Spirit,
provides forgiveness for past failures, strength for the pre-
sent moment, and hope for whatever the future may hold.
In Hebrews 1:2-3 the writer explains to us that God has
spoken to us “in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all
things, through whom also He made the world. And He
<Jesus> is the radiance of His glory and the exact repre-
sentation of His nature, and upholds all things by the
word of His power.”
There are many ways God may speak to us. It may be in
quiet moments of meditation and reflection, or gathered
times of worship, or times of sacrificial service, or busy
times with family and friends. However God speaks to us
through the celebration of Jesus this holiday season, may
we all be ready to hear and respond to His holy presence.
Blessings, Gary
Jesus is “God With Us!” Let Us Rejoice!
Chancel Choir Cantata “Sing Noel” by Hal Hapson
Sunday, December 12
9:00 and 10:30 AM Worship Services
Children’s Pageant “Live From Bethlehem”
Sunday, December 19
9:00 and 10:30 AM Worship Services
Christmas Eve Services Friday, December 24th
6:00 PM Family/candlelight with Praise Band
8:00 PM Communion/candlelight
Christmas Day Dinner Saturday, December 25th
Continuous serving from 1:00 to 3:00 PM
For reservations, contact the United Way at 211.
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The Christmas season is upon us,
and our church will once again
adopt several families. Adults will
receive two gifts and children will
receive three. Each family will
also receive a large box of food
that is sure to brighten their Christ-
mas celebrations. There are many
ways to support this important mission.
✟ Look for tags to be hung in fellowship hall. Each tag
lists a gift that has been requested by a family mem-
ber. Take a tag (or two or three!) and purchase the
gift. Then return the unwrapped gift and the tag by
Wednesday, December 16th.
✟ Look for the food sign-up in fellowship hall. Sign up
for as many items as you wish. Purchase these items,
and return them to church by Wednesday, December
16th.
✟ Join us on Thursday, December 16th at 5:30 PM as
we wrap all of the gifts. No wrapping experience or
skill necessary!
✟ Pray for these families and for those who are sharing
their blessings this Christmas season.
Thank you for your steadfast generosity!
The Missions / Church and Society Team
Adult/Youth Study Opportunities
Sundays:
Book of Ephesians, 9:00 - 10:00 AM,
Scott Johnston, leader
“Wake UP!” (Youth Study Option), 9:00 - 10:00 AM,
Ryan Sloan and Brianne Ulrich, leaders
“Experiencing God”, 10:30 - 11:30 AM, Dave Lees,
leader
Adult Bible Study, 10:30 - 11:30 AM, LeeRoy Collins,
leader
High School Youth Group, 4:30 PM, Ryan Sloan
Mondays: “Advent of the Savior” by Cindy Bunch Editor, 11:00
AM, DorRene Mau, leader
Tuesdays,
Young Adult Group (Post HS - 20’s), 6:30 PM, for more
details, call Ryan at 929-5456
Wednesdays,
“Heaven” by Randy Alcorn, 6:45 PM, Parlor,
Barb Schwarting, leader
“Upper Room”, 6:45 PM, Music Room,
Neta Boustead, leader
“Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl”,
Adult Room, 6:45 PM, Mandy Staley, leader
Middle School Youth Group, 6:15 - 7:45 PM,
Community Center
Fridays,
Men’s Bible Study, 6:30 AM, Adult Room,
Bob Eppel, leader
Saturdays, Men’s Bible Study, “Just Like Jesus”, Max Lucado, 7:00
AM at American Skillet, 8:00 AM in the Adult Room,
Virgil Smith and Kelvin Bronner, leaders
For more information about Adult Study Options, call
the church office at 396-6361 or contact Mandy at
The Evangelism Team will have
invitations available for you to
use to invite friends, neighbors
and acquaintances to any or all
of our Holiday activities. They
will be in Fellowship Hall. If
you want to grab an envelope to
address and mail yourself,
please feel free. Or, we will
mail it for you. Let’s reach out
to invite others to share with us
our celebration of this time of year!
“Cookie Walk” Alert
Saturday, December 11th, is
the big day for buying your
Christmas goodies. The Naomi-Esther Circle will be open
for business from 8:00 a.m. to 12 Noon. We raise money
to help our Church as well as our community. A compli-
mentary coffee and cookie will also be available. Hope to
see you there. Tell your neighbors and friends!
Naomi-Esther Circle Christmas Luncheon
The Naomi-Esther Circle Christmas
Luncheon will be held at St. Mark's on
December 14th (the second Tuesday)
instead of the usual fourth Tuesday. It will be a potluck
lunch beginning at 11:00 AM.
Holiday
Invitations
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Can you imagine being able to go back in time and walk
the streets of Bethlehem during the time that Jesus was
born? Can you picture what the streets would look like,
what you might smell, hear,
taste? Would the marketplace
be bustling with activity?
Well COME FIND OUT at St.
Mark’s on Sunday, December
12 from 2:00 - 4:30 PM , where
we will have our very own
“Night in Bethlehem!” You
will have the opportunity to visit our marketplace which
has a leatherwork shop, pottery shop, bakery, wreath-
maker, metal works shop, and carpentry shop. You will
also have an opportunity to visit with a Roman Soldier, a
tax collector, and even Mary and Joseph!
There are many opportunities to be a part of this event!
We have many positions available such as shopkeepers,
actors, bakers, set up and tear down, and registration.
You will love being a part of “A Night in Bethlehem!”
We are also looking to borrow the following items for
props if you have them:
rugs of all sizes or mats
Large baskets
Tall (1-3ft.) urns or planters
artificial palms or palm tree
To help or for more information, contact Mandy at the
church office or [email protected].
Children’s Christmas Pageant
Join us for the Children's Christ-
mas pageant on Sunday, Decem-
ber 19th. The kids will perform at
BOTH services, 9:00 and 10:30
AM. Come and worship with us!
St. Mark’s Wednesday
After School Club
Wednesdays from 4:00 - 5:15 PM in the Education Wing
Lower Level. A different culture is being studied every
month with games, crafts, etc. relating to these cultures.
All kids aged Kindergarten to 5th grade are invited to join
us. If you have questions or would like to help in any
way, contact Mandy at [email protected].
Notes of Thanks
Dear St. Marks, Thank you for your
overwhelming compassion and sup-
port for our family these last months!
The prayers, hospital and home visits,
meals, and hugs have given us the strength and comfort to
get through dealing with mom’s stroke and healing.
Brad and I are comforted to know that our parents
(Winston and Sharon Bair) are well taken care of since
we live a distance away. We know you will be there for
them when we can not. Thank you! You are an awesome
church family! God bless each of you!
~Brad Bair and Kim Sheets
We would like to take this time to thank each and every
one for your prayers for Dorothy Friday. Every one
meant a lot to us and to her. May God Bless you
all.
~Harold and Tommalee DeVos
Wednesday Community Night Schedule
4:00 - 5:15 PM - St. Mark’s After School Club
5:00 - 6:00 PM - Clothes Hanger open
5:15 - 5:50 PM - Meal in Fellowship Hall
5:45 - 6:00 PM - Student Worship/Gathering Time
6:00 - 6:30 PM - Worship (Sanctuary)
6:15 - 7:45 PM - MSY - Community Center
6:45 - 7:55 PM - Adult Study Options
6:00 - 8:00 PM - Childcare available
WCN needs YOU: More help in the kitchen with set up,
serving and clean up is needed for Wednesday Commu-
nity Night. If you can help, contact Rose McGowan at
319-202-2724.
There will be no After School Club, meal, student
worship or worship on Wednesday, December 22.
Classes will meet at their discretion. Join us again on
Wednesday, December 29 for Holiday Break Game Day
from 4:00 - 5:15 PM and the rest of the evening’s activi-
ties as usual.
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Merry Christmas from SMY! We are excited to announce
that our SMY Christmas Party will be on December 17 in
Fellowship Hall from 6:00-8:30 PM. There will be food,
games, and prizes. It is for students between grades 6-12.
It will be a loud, fun, typical SMY night!
November Wrap up
November was one of our best months yet in SMY. Our
numbers are continuing to growing in all phases of our
ministry. Two areas where I have seen the most growth is
Wake UP! and Student Worship. Wake UP! is our youth
Sunday school class that is from 9:00 - 10:00 AM on Sun-
day mornings. Student Worship is on Wednesday nights
at 5:45 PM. This is a time where we have a time of stu-
dent focused worship filled with energetic music, skits,
and video clips.
We also would love to thank everyone who purchased
apple pies and apple butter during our fundraiser last
month. We hope you enjoyed your fall treats! Be sure to
let our students know if you did. They played a big part
in making them.
We hope that you have a blessed and Christ-centered
Christmas and Holiday Season. Always remember the
real reason we have to celebrate!!!
In Christ,
Ryan
Our Stewardship
For the month of October 2010
Total income for the budget was $28,879
Expenses for budgeted items were $27,645
Income was $1,234 more than expenses
Year to Date Through October 2010
Total income for the budget was $273,761
Expenses for budgeted items were $273,838
Income was $77 less than expenses
Income For Selected Accounts October 2010
21.01 Endowment General-given $1,486
21.02 Endowment Missions-given $ 155
22.01 Memorial Fund income $ 30
24.06 Computer/Sound Rec'd $ 300
24.11 Vision received $ 25
26.03 Adult Study books rcvd $ 271
26.04 Upper Room - donation $ 10
27.01 Christmas dinner donation $ 50
27.05 Emergency fund-people $ 275
27.19 Children’s Outreach $ 420
28.05 World Wide comm. offering $ 86
28.14 Lenten donations for Kies $ 100
28.33 Mission Health Kit $ 6
29.06 Ticket Income $ 859
TOTAL INCOME $ 4,073
St. Mark's Singles St. Mark's Singles will be meeting
earlier this month on Wednesday,
December 15th at 11:30 AM. It
will be held at the Elk's Lodge,
801 33rd Avenue S.W. Members
are asked to bring a gift for
exchange. For more information,
contact Virginia Abney.
St. Mark’s Weather Cancelation Policy
Attention! If the weather outside is
projected to be frightful, keep
watching the cancellations on
KCRG, KGAN or listen to radio
WMT 600 in regard to all activities
at St. Mark’s.
In the event of inclement weather, activities/meetings
scheduled at St. Mark’s will follow the Cedar Rapids
School District schedule in regards to cancellations. If
school classes and/or evening activities are cancelled due
to weather, the same will be in effect for activities/
meetings scheduled at St. Mark’s.
Organizational Structure Update
The proposed new Organizational Structure was dis-
cussed at the Church Council meeting on November 18
and it was decided that no action will be taken to change
the current structure at this time. The proposal will con-
tinue to be researched in the new year.
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Lay Leader Corner: Don’t miss the
Message!
I admit that I don’t find much comfort in the image of
God as a warrior who is bringing us victory. Especially at
this time when so much of the world is in strife wrapped
in the language of war and victory. The picture of a war-
rior Messiah feels unnatural.
This messiness is part of the beauty of scripture and the
mind of God. He is not always present in the way we ex-
pect and I think most of us miss the message. How many
times do we miss the presence of God in our everyday
life?
Jesus came not as the triumphant king or militant revolu-
tionary that people expected. Instead he came as a child
who could not even find shelter at the inn. He helped the
weak, sick and outcasts of society providing a non violent
witness.
Where will you find the messiah today? Rejoice! Sing for
joy! The Messiah is near. Will it be the homeless man
outside the store? He could be the hungry child crying for
food who gives you a smile through his tears. Maybe it is
the person who blesses you when you sneeze or it could
be he is the person who cuts you off in traffic. The Mes-
siah is coming, but will we recognize him? I hope you
feel the peace of God in your lives and seek the Messiah
in everyone you meet.
Have a blessed Christmas
DorRene Mau
New Books in the Library Non-fiction -
“Raising Children to Adore God: Instilling a Lifelong
Passion for Worship” by Patrick Kavanaugh
“Dr. Mom's Prescription for Preschoolers: Seven Essen-
tials for the Formative Years” by Marianne Neifert, M.D.
“Widow to Widow: Thoughtful, Practical Ideas for Re-
building Your Life - Challenges, Changes, Decision-
making and Relationships…” by Genevieve Davis Gins-
burg, M.S.
“Jubilee: A Year Like No Other” by Christopher Stanton
“Christmas Happy & Bright” by Carol Field Dahlstrom
“The Final Week of Jesus” by Max Lucado
“Chicken Soup for the Grieving Soul: Stories About Life,
Death and Overcoming the Loss of a Loved One” by Jack
Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen
Fiction -
“Annie's People - Book 2 - The Englisher”
by Beverly Lewis
“Annie's People - Book 3 - The Brethren”
by Beverly Lewis
Note - We already have Book l in the Library - “Annie's
People - The Preacher's Daughter” by Beverly Lewis
“In Heaven as on Earth: A Vision of the Afterlife”
by M. Scott Peck, M.D.(A novel by the author of
The Road Less Traveled)
2011 Worship Servants
St. Mark's Worship Servants are an important part of our
worship services. Each team serves one service per
month on a rotational basis. In preparing for 2011, the
Worship Committee is looking for people who feel called
to fill the following positions:
Sunday Worship:
9:00 AM Liturgist - reads scripture during service;
9:00 AM Hospitality Team - the team prepares coffee,
snacks, greets, ushers and cleans up after Fellowship time
10:30 AM Hospitality Team - greets and ush-
ers. A Hospitality Team is an area where couples can
serve together and is a great way to meet new people!
9:00 or 10:30 AM Communion Server - Serves com-
munion the first Sunday of each month.
Wednesday Community Night
6:00 PM Hospitality Team.
Substitutes will be available in all positions. If you feel
called to serve at St. Mark's in any of these positions
please mark and turn in the Opportunities to Grow and
Serve sheet or email me at [email protected] . Also con-
tact me with any questions.
Thanks, Connie Byers - Worship Committee
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December Birthdays December Ruby Gray
December 01 Anna Jo Reinhart
December 02 Gene Sever
Dorothy Pool
Shawn Carnahan
Addelyn Furman
Ellery Fickel
December 03 Joanne Lamb
Julie Burke
December 05 Duane Voshell
December 06 Bev Hoppe
Melissa Starks
Alison Courtney
December 08 Luke McNamara
December 09 Diana Robeson
Tom Vine
Tanner Hildebrand
December 10 Erica Carnahan
December 11 Vaughn Burnside
Sara Perez
December 12 Ken Traut
Barry Ash
Julie Hartman
December 15 Connie Clark
Logan Miller
Aisha Shimilimana
December 17 Whitney Gorsegner
December 20 Angie Peet
Hank Small
December 21 Peggy Hill
December 22 Pat Beltz
Keith Kjosa
Therese Rowell
Kaylee Shear
December 23 Jeannette Mankin
December 24 Bree Sharpe
Parker Salee
December 25 Jane Broghammer
December 26 Jeff Miner
Terry Markwitz
Dave Berry
Brenna Johnston
December 27 Donna Hill
Judy Johnson
Deb Shields
Sheila Pulkrab
December 28 Dorothy McGregor
Lisa Cooley
Cathy Bayne
Don Johnson
December 29 Terry Carleton
December 30 Stacy Ratchford
Jonathan Reinhart
Noelle Buck
December 31 Jenny Leichsenring
If you are not on the list and wish to be, contact Ellen in
the office at 396-6361 or [email protected] so she
can update the church records. If you do not wish to be
on the list and wish to be removed, let her know, too!
Our church records do not contain the wedding anniversa-
ries for many of our couples. We know there are more
anniversaries than we have on our list! Please help us get
our records up to date by calling or emailing the church
office. If we have missed yours, it probably means we
don’t have it and would greatly appreciate it if you would
call the office and share that information with us.
December Anniversaries
December 01 Larry and Mary Elgin
December 03 Shirel and Joanne Lamb
December 04 Merle and Myrtle Yanecek
December 16 Elden and Arlene Moon
December 21 Dick and Dolores Boelter
December 23 Ken and Norma Jensen
December 26 Bob and Sue Eppel
December 30 Carroll and Arlene Brown
Sharing our Life Journeys - Birthdays and Anniversaries
Have you been visiting our church website? http://stmarksumccr.com/
If you haven't, you’re missing information on current
events, schedules and recorded sermons and special
events! Check it out! Do you want to see other items on
our website? Let us know.
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Office Hours:
9:00 AM – 3:30 PM Monday through Friday
Office: 396-6361
St. Mark’s Web Site: www.stmarksumccr.com
Pastor Gary W. Hoyt: [email protected]
Ellen Johnson, Administrative Assistant:
Director of Traditional Worship Music, Chancel Choir
Director and Coordinator of Care Ministries,
Ben Morris: [email protected]
Director of Youth, Young Adults and Contemporary
Worship Music: Ryan Sloan: [email protected]
Director of Children and Adult Ministries:
Mandy Staley: [email protected]
Newsletter Editor:
Carroll Brown: [email protected]
Lay Leader, DorRene Mau:
Nursery Coordinator, Rose McGowan:
PowerPoint Announcement Slide Preparation:
Ellen Johnson: [email protected]
Organists:
Linda Rogers: [email protected]
Sue Eppel: [email protected]
Treasurer, Jim Branam: [email protected]
Financial Secretary, Church Weber:
Custodian, Bob Young
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