From the Pastor’s Office . . . Inside this...

From the Pastor’s Office . . .

Monthly Newsletter First Brethren Church

South Bend, IN

God is so Awesome!!! December and January are wonderful months to focus on celebrating the attributes of our Awesome God. There are many Holydays in these 2 months, and in the Youngen household we celebrate Advent, Christmas eve, Christ-mas day, Hanukkah, and New Year’s Day. Over the years, many traditions have been started, changed and even ceased. Yet, if we look at each of these Holydays, we find a common denominator in Who is our God. We focus on the provisions of our God at Hanukkah, the faithfulness of our God at New Years, the coming of our Messiah in Advent, and the birth of the Messiah at Christmas. We can find so many of God’s attributes in these times: sovereignty, holi-ness, omnipresence, omniscience, omnipotence, truth, wisdom, goodness, gracious-ness, love, justice, and righteousness. When we contemplate our God, the King of the Universe, with an open heart and mind, we can’t be anything but astounded at how awesome He is. I know if I take the time to focus on my God at this time of year, I am amazed at all that God is and does for His creation of humanity. As I look at these attributes, I surmise that all of them are visible in these Holydays because God is always giving Himself to us through suste-nance, salvation, and sanctification. The common denominator is God, but in each case, God is al-ways seen as giving. He gives us hope and peace by always providing what is needed in our spiritu-al lives through His Son as Savior and His Holy Spirit as the oil of provision. Then what is my response to this conclusion? If God is a giver, is this an attribute that I should take on myself? YES! Then what type of giving? Should I give like the Magi in Matthew 2:11 presenting gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh? Treasures are given for finance, worship and function, and yet the Magi gave of their time in travel, allegiance in falling in worship, and in possible death by being disobedient to Herod. What does God want us to give? First, we need to give ourselves to Him, and fol-low His Son the Messiah for our Salvation. Second, we are to give ourselves in wor-ship, giving Him the honor that He deserves. Third, we are to give our treasures to Him through tithes and offerings, and by giving to others in need. Fourth, we need to give our time in service and discipleship as sanctification to our God who gives us all spiritual blessings. We have been given so much, so may we reciprocate by being a giving people to our God, to His colony, and to all people. May I remind you of our 162 day challenge to give of your time to pray for your neighbors? May your motivation be the true treasure of the Holydays, Jesu Christos Kurios. I pray that you all have a Wonderful Advent, Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year. If you have a spiritual need or questions, please contact me at (574) 291-4909 or [email protected]. Blessings as you give to Our Messiah,

Pastor Fred

Volume 4, Issue 8

December, 2018 -

January, 2019

Inside this issue:

June Volunteers 2

Birthdays, Anniversaries

Library News 3

Youth Opportunities 3

June Calendar 4

Events & Information 5

June Volunteers 6

News from Benjamin 7

Upcoming Events

Sunday, December 2, Congregational

Meeting, 9:30am

Friday, Dec. 7, Food Pantry, 10a-12p

Friday, Dec. 14, Friday Night Coffee

Bible Study, 6:30pm

Friday, Dec 21, Food Pantry 10a-12p

Saturday, Dec. 22, Men’s Prayer Breakfast, 8:00am

Sunday, December 23, Candles and

Carols, 6:30pm

Monday, December 24, Walk-In Communion, 5:30-6:30pm

Tuesday, December 25, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Tuesday, January 1, HAPPY NEW

YEAR!

Friday, Jan. 4, Food Pantry, 10a-12p

Friday, January 11, Friday Night Coffee Bible Study, 6:30pm

Friday, Jan. 18, Food Pantry, 10a-12p

Saturday, January 19, Men’s Prayer Breakfast, 8:00am

Inside this issue:

December Volunteers 2

Birthdays, Anniversaries,

Youth Info, Events 3

December Calendar 4

January Volunteers 5

January Calendar 6

Birthdays, Anniv, Library,

Youth Info, Giving opp. 7

Memory Verses, Prayer 8

Thank you, Discipleship,

Faith Promise, Youth 9

Various opportunities 10

News from Benjamin 11

SUNDAYS

Greeters

12 - 2 Jeaniece Bumgardner & Kathi Ginter

12 - 9 Jeaniece Bumgardner & Evelyn Zigler

12 - 16 Jeaniece Bumgardner & Arthur Barry

12 - 23 Jeaniece Bumgardner & Sherrie Benko

12 - 30 Jeaniece Bumgardner & Karen Carson

* * * If anyone else is interested in being a Greeter, please contact Bonnie Coffman at 234-9921. Thank you. * * *

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Nursery

12 - 2 9:30am - Cindi Jewett

10:45am - Cindi Jewett

12 - 9 9:30am - Paula Freed

10:45am - Connie Wood

12 - 16 9:30am - Angela Scott


12 - 23 9:30am - Corinne Freel

10:45am - Kathy Hollister

12 - 30 9:30am - Claire Wright

10:45am - ________________

Please contact Peggy Baer (259-2912) if you are willing to help volunteer staff the nursery. Thank you.

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This will be available on Sunday,

December 30 in the Conference Room next to the library starting at 10:30am.

Please call Sandy Sherrod (298-7223) if you are interested in helping with this ministry. Thank you.

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Trustee of the Month - Rich Hollister

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Friday Night Coffee, Dec. 14 - 6:30pm

Please join us for a great time of fellowship and discussion on Prophecy.

SUNDAYS

Financial Stewards

12 - 2 Judy Rose-Walley & Linda Kohman

12 - 9 Bev Wolf & Angela Scott

12 - 16 Glen Scott & Becky Reynolds

12 - 23 Jack Kary, Jr. & Kathi Ginter

12 - 30 Jack Kary, Sr. & Jack Kary, Jr.

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MONDAYS

Monday Morning Mailers

12 - 3 Sandy Sherrod

12 - 10 Judy Rose-Walley




Please contact Sandy Sherrod, 298-7223 with questions.

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Men’s Prayer Breakfast will be at 8:00am on Saturday, December 22. Hope you will be there.

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EVERYTHING WINTER TREE is available again this year. We are asking for donations of coats, hats, gloves, scarves or socks. We will be partnering with local agen-cies to benefit those in need. Your gifts are appreciated. Thank you!

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DEACON CHRISTMAS CARD MAILBOX

is in the foyer of the church to help you with your distribution of Christmas cards to the church fami-ly. Please remember to donate any money saved in postage to the Deacon Fund to help with benevolent needs in our church throughout the year. Thank you for blessing so many people! ___________________________________________________________________________

Sunday, December 2, 9:30am

Annual elections &

Budget approval

May Volunteer Schedule December Volunteer Schedule

December 2 - Christmas activity

December 9 - Lesson: Sermon on the Mount

December 16 - Laundromat ministry

December 23 - Children’s 2nd Hour Class

December 30 - Take down Christmas decorations

Invite your friends to join us!

DECEMBER CELEBRATIONS

Birthdays

12/1 - Brianna Freel 12/10 - Amelia Taylor 12/12 - Kathy Spenner 12/14 - Sandy Gawenda 12/16 - Angel English 12/17 - Carolyn Lawson 12/22 - Brian McKee 12/26 - Arthur Barry 12/28 - Chad Freel 12/31 - Andy Holloway

Anniversaries - - - - - -

Remember one another! _______________________

Please don’t forget our shut-ins who

are unable to get out much during

this holiday season. Please consider

sending them a Christmas card or

card of encouragement.

Poinsettia Tree

_________________________________________________________

Please join us on Monday evening,

December 24, 2018 - 5:30 - 6:30pm For a walk-in Bread and Cup Opportunity

You are welcome to come for all or part of this time to remember the gift of our Saviour and thank God for

all He has done for us.

There will be time for quiet time in prayer and worship. Plan now to attend.

SUNDAYS

Greeters

1 - 6 Jeaniece Bumgardner & Sandy Sherrod

1 - 13 Jeaniece Bumgardner & Sally Wagner

1 - 20 Jeaniece Bumgardner & Bev Wolf

1 - 27 Jeaniece Bumgardner & Connie Wood

* * If anyone else is interested in being a Greeter, please contact Bonnie Coffman at 234-9921. Thank you. * * *

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Nursery

1 - 6 9:30am - Cindi Jewett


1 - 13 9:30am - Paula Freed

10:45am - Connie Wood

1 - 20 9:30am - Angela Scott


1 - 27 9:30am - Corinne Freel

10:45am - Kathy Hollister

Please contact Peggy Baer (259-2912) if you are willing to help volunteer staff the nursery. Thank you.

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Blood Pressure Screening

This will be available on Sunday,

January 27 in the Conference Room next to the library starting at 10:30am.

Please call Sandy Sherrod (298-7223) if you are interested in helping with this ministry. Thank you.

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Trustee of the Month - Barry Wright

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SUNDAYS

Financial Stewards

Please watch for a new steward schedule to be available for 2019. If you have any questions, please see Jack Kary, Sr.

Thank you for being a part of this important ministry!

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MONDAYS

Monday Morning Mailers

1 - 7 Sandy Sherrod

1 - 14 Judy Rose-Walley



Please contact Sandy Sherrod, 298-7223 with questions.

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Friday Night Coffee Bible Study

January 11 - 6:30pm

Please join us for a great time of fellowship and discussion on Prophecy.

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~ Men’s Prayer Breakfast will be Saturday, January 19 at 8:00am. This is a great time for the men of our church to connect and encourage one another. Plan now to attend!

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SPIRITUAL GIFTS INVENTORY

JANUARY 27, 2019 - 10:45am

In follow-up to the Natural Church Development survey that was taken mid 2018, we will be offering the

opportunity for you to take a Spiritual Gift Inventory to find your area of gifting for the Kingdom of God. This is an exciting time to see how God has equipped you to serve the body of Christ and accomplish the work He has for you. Please join us at 10:45am on Sunday, January 27.

January Volunteer Schedule

JANUARY CELEBRATIONS

Birthdays

1/5 - Sue LaGue 1/5 - Barb Metzgar 1/6 - Charlotte Meller 1/9 - Rhonda Touhey 1/10 - Jennifer Baker 1/13 - Merlin Seske 1/14 - Nancy Jarvis 1/16 - Mason Hall 1/16 - Linda Kohman 1/19 - Shirley Ulbricht 1/26 - Becky Reynolds 1/28 - Bev Baker Anniversaries

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______________________________________________

January 6 - Christmas activity

January 13 - Lesson & Discussion

January 20 - Hannah’s House

January 27 - Children’s 2nd Hour Class

To all our youth - - -

Each one of you is important to our church family and we appreciate all the things you do! We are praying for you that you will be strong to stand for the Truth of God in the midst of all the pressures of society. You are not alone - God is always with you and we love you!

LIBRARY NEWS

_________________________________________________

DIFFERENT WAYS TO GIVE

PACE Card Ministry - Every Wednesday at 11:00am, ladies gather to send cards for all

occasions to our church family. If you have been blessed by receiving one of these cards and would like to support this ministry, please consider donating stamps before stamp prices increase or donate money to buy stamps!

Blessing Board - Have you visited the Blessing

Board recently? It is the bulletin board by the drink-

ing fountain in the small hall. It has two sides to it:

the side on the left is a place for people to say

what they have to offer the church family for any-

one that might be in need. The right side is for you

to post what you are in need of. Please check it

regularly and help out where you can to

fulfill the needs of our church family.

This is a great way to support our

church without it costing you anything!

December Memory Verse - Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV)

“ For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end,

on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.”

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January Memory Verse - Romans 3:23 (ESV)

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

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HAVE YOU PICKED UP A COPY OF OUR NEW PICTORIAL DIRECTORY?

We completed phase 1 of our new pictorial directory this past fall and phase 2 pictures will be released early in December. If you would like one and haven’t picked one up yet, please see Janna in the office. We are ask-ing for a $5 donation to cover the costs.

If your picture is not in the directory, we would like to include you. Please submit a picture to the of-fice or Janna will see your picture is taken. What a great way to learn “who’s who” in our church family by seeing faces with the names!

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PRAYER OPPORTUNITY

Pastor Fred has given us a 162 Day Challenge to pray for our neighbors that began November 11

and will conclude on Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019. God has called us to be Light and Hope to a

needy world and what better way to start this off than to connect with our neighbors. For those that

like to use the internet, sign-up on blesseveryhome.com for an amazing tool to help

you learn your neighbors’ names and addresses and give you tools to track your

connection with them. If you have any questions, please see Pastor Fred. If you

would like to receive a printout of your neighborhood and don’t use a computer,

please see Janna in the office for assistance. Thank you for praying!!

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD - THANK YOU!!!!

THANK YOU to everyone that participated with the Operation Christmas

Child boxes this year. We were able to deliver 51 boxes and $507 to cover the

shipping costs. Thank you to everyone who gave of their time and resources for

this wonderful ministry! Please keep praying for those that will be packing the con-

tainers for shipment overseas or wherever their destination is. Also pray for God’s Spirit to be free

to minister to the needy hearts that will be receiving these wonderful boxes!

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DISCIPLESHIP CLASSES AVAILABLE AGAIN

We would like to begin another round of Discipleship Classes in January for anyone that is interested. This is a wonderful way to grow deeper in your relationship with Jesus Christ and connect on a deeper level with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ here at FBC. Please see Jan Kary or Pastor Fred if you are interested in attending a class. Class information sheets are available on the Information Station.

If you have not been involved in a class recently, please prayerfully consider being involved. We want to keep moving forward and deeper in relationship with our Lord & Saviour, Jesus Christ.

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FAITH PROMISE material is on the Information Station. This postcard lists the ministries that we will be supporting in 2019 as well as giving you a personal accountability of how much you are challenging yourself to give through faith in God. Be sure to check regularly on the kiosk by the of-fice to read updates on these ministries we support. Thank you for giving!

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Christmas Offering . . . Have you thought about what you would like to present to God as your

Christmas offering? Please begin to pray now about what you can give. The

Christmas Gifts for Jesus Tree is in the foyer with Gift tags with amounts from $1 - $100. If all the

tags are used, a total amount of $5050 would be given to pay down the mortgage on the church. .

You are welcome to give as you like or take multiple tags. Would you pray about this with us? The

remaining balance due on our mortgage is around $84,750. Thank you for your prayers.

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DO YOU LIKE TO SHOP AMAZON ONLINE?

If this is you, there is an easy way to support the church without spending

any extra money. That way is through Amazon Smile. If you log on to your

Amazon account through smile.amazon.com, it will allow you to select your charitable organization

as South Bend First Brethren Church and .5% of eligible purchases will be donated to the

church. If a product is eligible, it will say “Eligible for amazonsmile donation” on the right side of the

description by the quantity and shipping information. Even a small donation in this way can have a

Kingdom impact! If you have any questions, please see Janna.

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COATS FOR EL CAMPITO – Our Missional Group helps to maintain a clothing room for El Cam-

pito to supply the many families living below the poverty line with clothing needs. If you have any

gently used items that you are no longer needing for your kids or

grandkids, please contact Jen Kary. Sizes for boys and girls ages 24

months through 16 can be used. (New coats are also appreciated!!)

Thank you for considering this need.

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FOOD PANTRY MINISTRY THANK YOU!! - Now that we are getting back to our normal routines,

our Food Pantry Ministry will begin a new year of offering assistance to needy

families in our area. THANK YOU to everyone that donated food, finances or that

volunteered on the days our pantry was open. We can’t do this ministry without

prayers and your willingness and we appreciate you! If you are interested in helping

with this ministry, please see Sherrie Benko or Janna. Food or monetary donations

are always appreciated!

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BLANKET DRIVE – The missional group will be collecting new and gently used blankets to donate

to South Bend’s winter amnesty program administered by Hope Ministries. This

program provides shelter to the homeless during the coldest winter months. We

will be collecting blankets through the end of the year. You can drop off your

blankets on the table outside of the youth room. We prefer that used blankets be

laundered before donating them, but we will launder for you if needed.

WAYS YOU CAN GIVE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON AND BEYOND . . . .

Wishing everyone a blessed ADVENT!

Believe it or not, this is the December/January Newsletter. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Blessed 2019.

Please be here at 9:30 or before on December 2. We will be having the annual Congregational business meeting. You will be voting on the 2019 budget and electing officers for 2019. You should get this newsletter in time to pick up a copy of the budget and ballot so you can read it before the meeting. Members, please be sure to attend this important meeting. The wor-ship service, fellowship time and 2nd Hour classes will follow. Please stay for all these events. I love the 2nd Hour classes offered for all ages.

SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, December 23 at 6:30pm will be our Candles & Carols celebration. I love this special service. Remember it is a great service to invite your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors to. I am sure Pastor Fred is looking for lots of participation that evening. Be sure to come every week and read all the information about how you can help.

I have been listening to the Men’s Choir rehearsals and they sound good, even when I sing along. I am not sure when they are going to sing so be sure to attend every service and Candles & Carols so you won’t miss them. Don’t worry, I won’t sing with them.

On Christmas Eve, there will be a walk-in Bread and Cup from 5:30-6:30pm. You can drop by any time during that hour or you can stay the whole time to pray. Pastor Fred will be there.

I am now an old church mouse so I don’t hear very well and I miss lots of details but keep listening for how you can give to the church in special ways this Christmas season.

Remember, people are hungry all year so we will be packing Hay School weekend food bags and giving food away at the Food Pantry all year. One thing the Food Pantry can use is toothpaste, and other items like that.

Remember I have only given some highlights of Advent. There will be worship, fellowship and 2nd Hour classes each week. Advent is a good time to invite your unchurched friends.

I don’t know of any special events for January but I do know we will have Sunday services, Wednesday Bible study, Men’s Breakfast, etc. Please plan to be here.

You know, January is a good time to begin reading your Bible everyday and spend more time in prayer.

Nobody has asked me yet but if you want to give me a present, I like cheese (no traps) and chocolate! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!

God bless you,

Benjamin

4909 S. Ironwood Dr. South Bend, IN 46614 (574) 291-4909

E-mail: [email protected]

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"For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace..” ~ Isaiah 9:6

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