May your season of advent and the Christmas celebration be so blessed this year. Thank you for being a part of the life and ministry of our churches.

The Coming of the Christ Child

How did we get here? Seriously, we were just celebrating Easter a few days ago and now we are counting down to Christmas. The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." For Christians, the season of advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, anticipation, preparation and longing. This time of year is very special and beautiful and it comes with a whole host of feelings and emotions. On Sunday, December 2, 2018 we started this journey and the beginning of the Advent Season at two of our churches, as Henry cancelled services due to the weather.

I really enjoyed our first Sunday of advent, as we had new people attend at both Mitchell and Morrill for the first time. Anytime we grow, whether a one-time occurrence or a life-time connection, it is awesome and spirit filled. I pray that the 2018 Advent and Christmas Season will be a time for more than just

attendance growth. I hope it is filled with spiritual growth for all of us. It is my hope that we will not get so caught up in the secular celebrations that we forget God created us with a higher purpose than accumulating wealth and prestige and security for our time here on earth. In order for us to truly understand what the coming of the Christ Child means for us, we need to reflect on who we are and who God is in our life. May we all recognize how much we need Christ and what this gift of love means for us each day. May we live as people of hope who believe in the promises of God that come to us in the birth of the Christ Child. Rather than thinking about what we want for Christmas, let’s begin by thinking and praying about what Christ wants for Christmas. It is His birthday after all. If we do, I believe we will find the answer to both in peace, justice, righteousness, grace, mercy and love. May it be so! Blessings, Pastor Joe

Church Events

MONTHLY NEWSLETTERHENRY-LYMAN | MITCHELL | MORRILL UNITED METHODIST CHURCHES

DECEMBER 2018 – VOLUME 1

Dec 5th – Mitchell UMC

Community Meal

Dec 13th – Men’s Group @

Mitchell UMC

Dec 17th – Stable

Gathering at Legacy of the

Plains

Dec 18th – Charles

Wesley’s Birthday

Dec 21th – Blue Christmas

@ Scottsbluff FUMC

Dec 22nd – Drop & Shop at

Morrill FUMC

Dec 23rd – Youth Program

at Mitchell UMC

Couples Seminar

heMessenger

Gloria in ExcelsisWORDS FROM CHARLES WESLEY (1707-1788)....

Glory be to God on high, And peace on earth descend! God comes down, he bows the sky, And shows himself our friend: God the invisible appears! God, the blest, the great I AM, Sojourns in this vale of tears, And Jesus is his name. Him the angels all adored, Their Maker and their King; Tidings of their humbled Lord, They now to mortals bring. Emptied of his majesty, Of his dazzling glories shorn, Being’s source begins to be, And God himself is born! See the eternal Son of God, A mortal Son of man; Dwelling in an earthly clod, Whom heaven cannot contain! Stand amazed, ye heavens, at this! See the Lord of earth and skies; Humbled to the dust he is, And in a manger lies.

These words of Charles Wesley did not find their way into the current United Methodist Hymnal (several thousand of his hymns did not!). But they offer a profound reflection on the deep, true meaning of Christmas. “The great I AM” – the name God revealed to Moses at the burning bush – has come to live among us. “And Jesus is his name.” Wesley is writing of the Mystery of the Incarnation. “Being’s source begins to be, And God himself is born!” The Eternal One has entered time. The Almighty One has become weak and finite. The One “whom heaven cannot contain” has come to inhabit “an earthly clod.” We can never adequately say “thank you” for this great Gift. Certainly we can never fully understand it. All we can do is to bow in worship and to lift our voices with the heavenly host – “Gloria in excelsis, Glory to God in the highest!”

Sunday SchoolThrough the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. (Psalm 8:2) Sunday school has changed over the years, but what hasn’t changed is the need to establish a solid foundation for children everywhere, rooted in Biblical knowledge and truth, and sustained through the building of relationships with other believers to strengthen us.

In order to do this, we need resources, both people and supplies. In Mitchell we have 7

wonderful teachers, but always will welcome more. In Morrill, we are building a youth program from the ground up and are so excited for the future. If you would like to help, or with a generous heart would like to support the purchasing of needed equipment and supplies, talk to Pastor Joe in Mitchell or Jolene Hofmaier in Morrill. Let’s build a stronghold together for the future!

Winter CampDecember 27th-29th, Camp Norwesca will be having their 2018 Winter Camp. It is for those in grades 3rd-12th. You can register online at Norwesca.org. For over 60 years Camp Norwesca has been providing camp programs for Nebraska youth under the direction of the Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church. They provide a safe and happy camping experience to help youth and children grow closer to God. If you have questions, talk to Pastor Joe. Scholarships may be available.

New To Our FamiliesWar Bonnett and Baer Family

Last month we welcomed five persons into our churches family. Please help welcome William Baer, Brittany War Bonnett, Alana & Jerrod War Bonnett and Bentley Baer into our family. They started attending the Mitchell UMC back in November 2017, and on November 4th we baptized four of them and welcomed them into the United Methodist Church. William works for the City of Mitchell, Brittany is a stay-at-home mother. Alana, Jerrod and Bentley all attend Mitchell Elementary. They are active in multiple sports, as well as Boy Scouts. We are so happy to have you all as official members of our family!

Hofmaier FamilyStarting this month, Jolene Hofmaier has started as the new Youth Director for the Morrill FUMC. Her and husband Eric moved into the parsonage at the end of November. Jolene is new to Morrill but has lived in the valley most of her life. She currently works for WPCI in Scottsbluff. She is familiar with Pastor Joe, as she is his older sister. Eric works for Coca-Cola. We are so excited for this new venture and that you are both part of it.

A profound reflection on the deep, true

meaning of Christmas.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the United Methodist Church

or being baptized, talk to Pastor Joe.

MerryChristmas

Christian Stewardship

November 2018

Henry / Lyman UMCPresence (Attendance)

Worship (3 Weeks)……………………..82Gifts

Tithes and Offerings..………….. $1,518.07

Morrill FUMCPresence (Attendance)

Worship (2 Weeks)……………………..21Gifts

Tithes and Offerings..………….. $1,127.00

Mitchell UMCPresence (Attendance)

Worship (3 Weeks)……………………..136Gifts

Tithes and Offerings..……………$4,422.54Turkey Dinner……....…………...$1,000.00

Service# Served at Community Meal………….. 76

As members of the United Methodist Church, we promise among many things to

faithfully participate in the life and ministries of our local congregation through

our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness. Are you doing all you can to fulfill

those commitments?

PrayersPlease offer prayers of healing and wholeness for these members of our church family and friends: , Betty Young, The family of Glenda Frailey, The family of Arlene Buffington, Patty Peterson and Family, Dale Settles, Dorothy Kuxhausen, Bob Hart, Donna Faye Jackson and family, Betty Anderson, Deb Billings, Patty Duncan, The Rutter Family, Georgia Solterbeck, Ric, Trudi, & Eric Grassmick, Carol Angstead, Ken & Sue Briggs, Carol Edwards, Jeanne Hess, Harold Heil, Ellen Lay, Lynda Russell, Alyssa Stone, Carol Whitman, friends & neighbors, elected officials, military members, .

If you have a prayer request that you would like included in the newsletter or would like to be removed from the list, please let Pastor Joe know, in person, or by phone (308)631-7516 or email, jschumacher@greatplainsumc.org.

In MemoriamArlene Buffington (100) – November 22, 2018Frank Frailey (88) – November 25, 2018

Christmas Outreach

If we are not bringing hope to those who feel hopeless, we are missing part of the season of Christmas and part of our mission from Christ. This year, we plan once again to purchase Christmas gifts for less fortunate families.

We would not be able to do this without the loving support of all of you. Thank you for your help in previous years, and we hope you would prayerfully consider giving to this cause. again this season.

For folks in Morrill and Henry talk to Pastor Joe for more information, for folks in Mitchell, talk to Gloria Louch or Pastor Joe.

You can also just put an offering in the plate at church with the memo “Christmas Outreach”.

Thank you for considering this as a way to give back to our community and those in need this Christmas Season.

December Birthdays December Anniversaries1st – Bob Hart (Mitchell) 2nd – Dennis & Deb Meyer (Morrill)

6th - Helen Briggs (Henry) 5th – Wayne & Kathie Cassidy (Henry)6th – Preston Stratton (Henry) 5th – Tom & Libby Lundgren (Morrill)

8th – William Thomas (Mitchell) 16th – Josh & Hannah Vesper (Mitchell)9th – Patrick Zimmerer (Henry) 20th – Jim & Edna Dudden (Morrill)

12th – Paul Curry (Morrill) 28th – Shane & Kate Schulz (Henry)15th – Jeane Stratton (Henry)

15th – Sonia Schumacher17th – Jon Calahan (Morrill)20th – Grant Haass (Henry)

22nd – Dennis Meyer (Morrill)29th – Heather Trompke (Henry)29th – Tahlia Schmaltz (Mitchell)29th – Betty Anderson (Henry) ``30th – Eric Hofmaier (Morrill)

December Volunteer ScheduleHenry Morrill Mitchell

Dec 2nd

Ushers – Wayne & Kathy CassidyFellowship – Helen BriggsAdvent – Bill & Nancy Shain

Greeters – Jim & Edna DuddenAdvent Candle – Joyce Hake

Greeters/Ushers – Josh VesperLiturgy – Karen FrenchAdvent Candle – Joella JohnsonFellowship – Betty Kenyon

Dec 9th

Greeter – Wayne & Jan FieldsFellowship – Jeane StrattonAdvent – Don & Lillian Westall

Greeters –Advent Candle – Jolene Hofmaier

Greeters/Ushers – Harlen & ConnieLiturgy – Cindy GraubergerAdvent Candle – Lashley FamilyFellowship – Hannah Vesper

Dec 16th

Greeter – Bill & Nancy ShainFellowship – Lillian WestallAdvent – Steve & Jeane Stratton

Greeters –Advent Candle -

Greeters/Ushers – GraubergersLiturgy – Doug GraubergerAdvent Candle – French FamilyFellowship – Cindy Grauberger

Dec 23rd

Greeter – Steve & Jeane StrattonFellowship – Jan FieldsAdvent – Lorie Zimmerer & Helen Briggs

Greeters –Advent Candle -

Greeters/Ushers – ChildrenLiturgy – Karen FrenchAdvent Candle – ConfirmandsFellowship -

Dec 24th

Greeters –Advent Candle – Schumacher’s

Greeters/Ushers –Acolyte –Liturgy – Sonia SchumacherAdvent Candle – Schumacher’sFellowship -

Dec 30th

Greeter – Don and Lillian WestallFellowship – Lorie ZimmererAdvent – Wayne & Jan Fields

Greeters – Greeters/Ushers –Acolyte –Liturgy – Kristin ParkerAdvent Candle –Fellowship -

ANNOUNCEMENTS Drop and Shop event at Morrill FUMC. December

22nd from 10:00am – 2:00pm, we will be having our inaugural event. Children can be dropped off at any point. The only requirement is that they are “potty-trained”. We will have crafts, snacks, and movies, as well as provide lunch. The event is free to all. For more details, contact Pastor Joe. We could still use volunteers to help. Tell all your family and friends. This is a great chance for parents to get that last

hope in Christ. All are welcome. Thank you to all who have been so active already this

month in our churches. If you helped in any way for the Mitchell UMW Bazaar or Mitchell Lighting Ceremony, or the Morrill Christmas Stroll, we want to say thank you for serving! This season is so much more joyful when we serve others, and you have gotten a great start on that this season!

Drop and Shop event at Morrill FUMC. December 22nd from 10:00am – 2:00pm, we will be having our inaugural event. Children can be dropped off at any point. The only requirement is that they are “potty-trained”. We will have crafts, snacks, and movies, as well as provide lunch. The event is free to all. For more details, contact Pastor Joe. We could still use volunteers to help. Tell all your family and friends. This is a great chance for parents to get that last

hope in Christ. All are welcome. Thank you to all who have been so active already this

month in our churches. If you helped in any way for the Mitchell UMW Bazaar or Mitchell Lighting Ceremony, or the Morrill Christmas Stroll, we want to say thank you for serving! This season is so much more joyful when we serve others, and you have gotten a great start on that this season!