P O Box 280 Arnolds Park 712-332-2447 www.calvarylovesall.com Rev Dr Sarah J Rohret Cell 712-330-7953 pastorsarahrohret@yahoo.com

Calvary Connection Calvary United Methodist Church of Arnolds Park & Okoboji

D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 1

JESUS – GOD IS BORN

Christmas is that it is both a holiday that remembers a past event (Jesus' birth), and a holiday that looks forward to a future event (Jesus coming again). In the birth of Jesus, God comes down to earth taking human form so that we can get to know our God intimately. Jesus walks, talks and teaches his disciples directly through their stories we know God as well. And, with a body, God can change human history through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Without a body, God is an outsider to us and to history. With a body, God – Jesus is an insider, a player in our lives This is not the end of how God is at work in our lives and in history. Jesus promises us that he will come again and take us to his heavenly home that he is preparing for us. As we celebrate the love, joy, peace and hope that baby Jesus brought that Christmas 2,000 years ago, we also look forward to the completion of God's work in taking us home to heaven. In between the birthday and the second coming, there is much work to do. God doesn't want us sitting around just looking at the sky waiting for joy, peace, hope and love. God wants us to join hands working to make earth "as it is in heaven". We can this very day start living the love, joy, peace and hope of Jesus -- the baby and the adult. I hope that you will take some time this Advent season evaluating your life, your habits, your ways of celebrating and whether they are accomplishing the joy, peace and love that Jesus wants you to have and to share. Put aside anything that leaves you frazzled and unable to have Christmas Spirit. Take up more prayer and reading your Bible (take a look at the reading suggestions on page 6) so that you can be filled with God's peace & joy, love & hope. Merry Christmas! Pastor Sarah

CALVARY CONNECTION

DECEMBER 2011

01 Mike Mitchell 01 Joshua Paxton 02 Dan Lorch 03 Tami Horsman 04 Bryan Rickman 05 Morgan Stockdale 06 Barbara Rosenboom 07 Bonnie Belken 08 Gary Moeller 09 Alex Mankle 11 Richard Myerly 11 Christy Mitchell 11 Mc Cauley Arndt 12 Darllyne Mickie Valen 15 Cathy Bradham 16 Margo Sievers 19 Dakota Kelly 20 Jill Mitchell 20 Alex Horsman 22 Carmen De Koster 25 Evelyn Faulkner 27 Kristina Gunderson 27 Mc Intyre Arndt 28 Marlene Noll 28 Diane Fisher 28 Dave/Beth Smith Anniv. 28 Bill/Janelle Fredin Anniv. 30 Judi Luhrs

HOSPITALIZED Please contact the church office if you know of a member that has been admitted to the hospital. With the new privacy laws there are many time we are unaware. We would prefer to get 10 calls rather than none at all. Call 332-2447

CALVARY BOOK CLUB will meet Thursday, December 1 at 2:00 pm at Homestead Cooperative - 2351- 27th Street in Spirit Lake. Join us for a discussion of Home For Christmas by Andrew Greeley.

A review states: “Few writers have what it takes to make God a character in fiction, but Andrew Greeley pulls it off with charm in this delightful story”.

Sunday  School  for  All  Ages  

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES for pre-school through 6th grade children are held following the Children’s Chat during the 9:00 am worship service. There is a class for pre-school, for K – 2nd and for 3rd – 6th. Plan to attend the 9:00 am service with your child. We would love to have them join us for Bible stories and crafts.

Thank you for praying for: Ken Rimmer, Noreen, Frank Little, Scott Opren, Kim Aneweer’s Uncle Roger, Randy & Becky Coates, C.A.A.S.A. Volunteers, victims of sexual abuse or domestic violence Families mourning the loss of family members: David Naab, Elwin Clark, Roger Stewart. If you have a prayer request, please contact Pastor Sarah (pastorsarahrohret@yahoo.com) , leave a note in the mail slot in the office door, leave a note in the basket at the back of the church or contact Betty at grmmabty@q.com or by phone at 332-5194. If you wish to receive the prayer chain requests, please let Betty know. Pray without ceasing. I Thessalonians 5:17

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DECEMBER 2011

Christmas Cards & Calendars Support Calvary Ministries on things you buy anyway – Christmas Cards and Calendars Youth Calendars support kids fees for camp, VBS & other kids activities $7 each - a great stocking stuffer Calvary Christmas Cards support the Memorial Team with Christmas Cards featuring a picture of our church advent wreath, Christmas tree & cross. $8 for 10 cards

December 3rd Calvary will have their 4th Annual Cookie Walk!

THIS YEAR A NAVITITY DISPLAY has been added. Pastor Sarah will be sharing her nativity sets from around the world. Many other members and friends of Calvary will be displaying theirs as well.

If you have a Nativity to share please leave a message at the church office. You are asked to bring your nativity sets to the church and they will be locked in the office until Friday December 2nd. The display will be set up Friday and the church will be locked to protect them.

Come purchase cookies and look over the various nativities on display

Please call the church office if you can donate to the cookie walk. IT WOULD BE GREAT if we could have all special holiday cookies and candies.

Poinsettia’s for the Altar

If you wish to donate a poinsettia in memory or honor of someone we will have them available at $10 each same as last year --- $2.50 will go to the memorial committee. There are envelopes in the pews & church entry way to use. Please remember to fill out the names for whom the plant is given as well as who gave it

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DECEMBER 2011

Christmas Eve: 4pm Family Worship & 8pm Candlelight worship Christmas Day: 9 am Worship 10 am Coffee Fellowship, games, puzzles 11 am – 1 pm Christmas Day Dinner New Years Eve NO WORSHIP New Years Day – Sunday – 9 am

Holiday Worship Schedule

Date Hebrew Scripture

Gospel – Good News of Jesus

Sun Nov 28 Isa 1:1-9 Matt 25:1-13 Mon Nov 29 Isa 1:10-20 Luke 20:1-8 Tues Nov 30 Isa 1:21-31 Luke 20:9-18 Wed Dec 1 Isa 2:1-11 Luke 20:19-26 Thur Dec 2 Isa 2:12-22 Luke 20:27-40 Fri Dec 3 Isa 3:8-15 Luke 20:41-21:4 Sat Dec 4 Isa 4:2-6 Luke 21:5-19 Sun Dec 5 Isa 5:1-7 Luke 7:28-35 Mon Dec 6 Isa 5:8-23 Luke 21:20-28

Tues Dec 7 Isa 5:13-25 Luke 21:29-38 Wed Dec 8 Isa 6:1-13 John 7:53-8:11 Thur Dec 9 Isa 7:1-9 Luke 22:1-13 Fri Dec 10 Isa 7:10-25 Luke 22:14-30 Sat Dec 11 Isa 8:1-15 Luke 22:31-38 Sun Dec 12 Isa 13:6-13 John 3:22-30 Mon Dec 13 Isa 8:16-9:1 Luke 22:39-53 Tue Dec 14 Isa 9:1-7 Luke 22:54-69 Wed Dec 15 Isa 9:8-17 Mark 1:1-8 Thur Dec 16 Isa 9:18-10:4 Matt 3:1-12 Fri Dec 17 Isa 10:5-19 Matt 11:2-15 Sat Dec 18 Isa 10:20-27 Luke 3:15-20 Sun Dec 19 Isa 42:1-12 John 3:16-21 Mon Dec 20 Isa 11:1-9 John 5:30-47 Tue Dec 21 Isa 11:10-16 Luke 1:5-25 Wed Dec 22 Isa 28:9-22 Luke 1:26-38 Thur Dec 23 Isa 29:13-24 Luke 1:39-56

Fri Dec 24 Isa 35:1-10 Luke 1:67-80

Families, pick up a free advent calendar at church this weekend for scripture & messages just for you! Adults - challenge yourself with these scriptures, one from the Hebrew prophet Isaiah and one from the Gospels (Good news) each day. Find yourself a comfy place where you can leave your Bible and this list where you will see it and remember it each day. When reading Isaiah -- remember the prophet's job is to point out all the mistakes we are making and point us back to God and godly living. As you read Isaiah, ask yourself: what he is saying is wrong with Israel? What made God mad at them? What do you think is making God mad today? Isaiah doesn't leave us without hope however, there are many promises of God saving us and forgiving us. Where do you see hope? How can you, and we, be a part of leading people into hope? When reading the Gospels -- remember that in Advent we celebrate Jesus' birth and look forward to the day when Jesus comes again. The beginning of Advent focuses more on Jesus' second coming, then in the middle of the month the focus is on the birth of Jesus.

Dig in the Book This Advent!

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DECEMBER 2011

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

Wednesday, December 7 - 1:30 in Fellowship Hall Hostess: Ailene Gray – Bev McGlothlen

Special Program: “Upside-Down Christmas” ALL WOMEN INVITED TO COME & BRING A FRIEND!

ANNUAL SPIRITUAL BAZAAR – Instead of baking pies, bread, cookies or even a cake we ask for a contribution to the United Methodist Women in order “to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church”. Our mission dollars reach around the world and over half of our mission dollars are used for people in Iowa.

December Altar Flowers – Betty Naab

CHRISTMAS DAY DINNER

Come and enjoy a turkey dinner with us from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Christmas Day. We are asking for donations of turkeys, potatoes and pies. Monetary donations can be put in a pew envelope marked “Christmas Dinner”. The mission team is looking for volunteers to cook, serve and do dishes for the Christmas Day Dinner. If you can help, please call Kris Heitner at 339-1076.

MITTEN TREE IS GROWING! Mittens, gloves and stocking caps are being collected to deliver to Okoboji Elementary School on December 20.

FAMILIES IN NEED Please give suggestions of families you would like us to remember with toys, food, etc. this Christmas to Kris Heitner (Ph. 339-1076). This project will take the place of the Annual Toy Give-Way.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

A congregational meeting was held Sunday November 20th for the purpose of discussing the direction of the Vision Committee. 93% were in favor of the Visioning Committee proceeding with further investigation. Prior to this meeting, the Vision Committee met with the Committee on Building and Location. We have received a written approval to proceed with further investigation. After the District Committee gave us approval, the District Superintendent is planning on again meeting with the Vision Committee in December. We hope to have a charge conference to officially confirm our plan in January. A paper ballot again will be used at the Charge Conference.

CALVARY CONNECTION

DECEMBER 2011

We are Thankful for YOU! Thank you for your faithful giving and generous sharing that has made wonderful ministry happen at Calvary UMC. Thanks to you we are financially strong and looking ahead to a new year of growth in ministry. Tithes & Offerings from 9 AM Worship were up $13,831 -- Thank you! Tithes & Offerings from Sat night worship were up $873 -- Thank you! Income from Fundraisers was up $423.71 -- Thank you! We have had spending increases due to the increased cost of pastor's health insurance & pension, and the church council voted to pay for pastor's children's health insurance this summer. Yet, our Income has been above our spending -- Thank you! Your generosity and tithes ensure the strength of our church and ministry that changes lives. Thank you! Thank you! Thank You!

YEAR END GIFTS TO THE CHURCH Tax-Free Gifts of IRA Assets through December, 31,

2011

You can make distributions directly to Calvary from your traditional or Roth IRA, as long as you are least 70 ½ years old when you transfer the gifts. Such gifts can be made without increasing your taxable income or withholding. Additionally, funds transferred from you IRA to a charity will NOT subject your Social security income to higher tax levels, and will count toward your minimum required distribution (MRD). Gifts must be made directly from your IRA to the Church. It’s easy to make the gift by directing your custodian to transfer a portion of your IRA directly to Calvary United Methodist Church, PO Box 280, 249 N Highway 71 Arnolds Park, Iowa 51331. For further information, contact our Church’s office for a “Facts & Guidelines” sheet (332-2447)

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DECEMBER 2011

CALVARY PARTICIPATES IN Worldwide Candle-lighting Prayer Service for All Grieving During Holidays Sunday Dec 11, 7 PM You are invited to join us in a prayer and candle-lighting service for all who are grieving during this holiday season. The holidays can be a difficult time for those who have experienced a loss in their lives over the past year. This service is a time to remember our loved ones and admit that feelings of sadness, hurt and heartache are also a part of this season. While the focus is on children who have died, any loss can be remembered during this time and we welcome all who would like to take a moment of prayer, comfort and hope. Now believed to be the largest mass candle lighting on the globe, the Worldwide Candle Lighting, a gift to the bereavement community from The Compassionate Friends, creates a virtual 24-hour wave of light as it moves from time zone to time zone. Hundreds of formal candle lighting events are held and thousands of informal candle lightings are conducted in homes as families gather in quiet remembrance of children who have died, but will never be forgotten

Grief Encouragement for the Holidays

Wednesdays December 7, 14, & 21 7-8 PM Ecumenical & Inter-faith

To be held at O’Farrell’s Restaurant in the Arnolds Park Mall

The holidays can be especially difficult for persons who are struggling with grief from loss.

Others want us to put on a happy face. We are heartbroken. Others want us to enjoy the holidays. We know our lives have been turned upside down. Others want us to "not ruin it". We feel like if we hold it in we will explode. Here is an hour where you can be yourself, share your real feelings and no one will judge you or ask you to change. You can be silent, or you can let it all out. You can find hope and a way through with some helping friends. ask Pastor Sarah for details pastorsarahrohret@yahoo.com

Come One and ALL Ages 9 Months to 99 yrs

Be a part of The Story of the Season! Sunday December 11th at 3 PM

Step 1 – Gather into 4 groups Step 2 – Each group rehearses & makes costumes Step 3 – The show is on at 4 PM!

Each group is part of the audience AND part of the show!

Step 4 – Celebrate with treats!!

Please  Help  Us  Make  this  a  great  production  

Each  and  Every  one  is  needed!