DECEMBER 2015 VOLUME 12, ISSUE 12

Sunday Services

Traditional Service

9:30 a.m.

Sunday School

10:30 a.m.

Contemporary Service

11:00 a.m.

Cornerstone Kids--We’re Celebrating Jesus! December 6th at 12:00 P.M Come join us on Sun., December 6th at 12:00pm in the gym at Cornerstone. We will have: Story, Music, Cookie Decorating, Games, Crafts, and a Light Lunch. We want YOU to join us to celebrate the miracle of Christ’s birth. There will be activities for kids of all ages. Santa will also make an appearance!

Portsmouth West High School Chamber Choir December 13th at 11:00 A.M. Once again we will be blessed by the talented young men and women of the Portsmouth West Chamber Choir. They will be singing in the 11:00 service and are directed by Linda Tieman.

Christmas at Cornerstone December 13th at 6:00 P.M. This is an evening of the sounds of the beautiful season of Christ's birth presented by the Chancel Choir, the Praise Team, Kids Choir, Handbell Choir, and the BRB. The program is open to the public and we hope you invite a friend!

The Cornerstone Symphonic Band December 20th at 9:30am During the first service we will once again pull out our musical instruments and join in a mighty symphonic band! The Cornerstone Symphonic Band will provide the special music and the accompaniment for the carols for the worship service. Christmas Eve Services December 24th 5:00 P.M. Family Service. Cornerstone kids will re-enact the Christmas Story and sing. We will be rehearsing in the month of December on the 6th, 13th, and 20th from 10:30 to 11:00. 7:00 P.M. Candlelight with the choir and a message. 11:00 P.M. Candlelight with special music and a message.

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“Lunch and a Lesson” Advent Series

Cornerstone will present a series of three luncheons the first three Wednesdays of Advent, December 2

nd, 9

th, and 16

th. The events will begin at noon with a free lunch.

(If you want to help see Jackie Scott) At 12:30 or so Dr. Young will present a lesson based on an Advent series, entitled “Under Wraps: The Gift We Never Expected.” This series explores how the character of God, communicated through the Old Testament, is revealed completely and perfectly in Jesus. Jesus—God under wraps—took on human flesh and came to live among us to show us who God is and what He is like. In these three sessions we will consider three characteristics of God: God Is Expectant; God is Jealous; and God Is Faithful.

It is no secret that we often are too busy to think much about Advent as a worshipful time in our lives. Shopping, decorating, preparing for family and other events of the season quickly absorb all our time. Still, Advent remains for us an opportunity to look forward with anticipation to the coming of the Christ either as infant or returning conqueror. One thing is certain; we dare not waste the time. As Paul says, redeem the time by filling it with the best things and efforts. These luncheons will provide a time out for you to share in fellowship and worship as befits the season of anticipation.

December Worship Highlights

Hope is Here

Luke’s narrative of the birth of Christ is the most well-known religious story in history. The story is read more

during the Christmas season than any other, and contains crucial details about the birth of the baby who is the

Savior of the world. One of the central themes is that hope is now here. Join us in December as Pastor Tim

shares about the hope of the world.

December 6th Little Things in Luke 2:1-6 Pastor Tim

The Christmas Story

December 13 Wait Training Luke 2:8-14 Pastor Tim

December 20th The Gift of His Peace Luke 2:22-35 Pastor Tim

December 24th It’s All About Jesus John 1:1-14 Pastor Tim

December 27th A Covenant to Consider Genesis 9:8-17 Pastor Tom

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Thanks to all who helped make the 2015 Snowflake Bazaar a success!! As always the gym area

was transformed into a festive holiday atmosphere and folks were able to kick off the holiday

season with many items for purchase and goodies to eat. The silent auction trees were

beautifully decorated by Sherrill Day, Connie Massie, Marilyn Albrecht, Peggy Yuenger, and Dina

Fraulini. Thank you ladies! Donna Chabot designed beautifully creative centerpieces for our

dining area tables. We appreciate Donna’s talent so much! Jackie Scott and her kitchen crew

prepared a delicious lunch. Thank you for all your time and effort in preparing the meal!

Everyone enjoyed it! It takes many hands, feet, and hours to get ready for this event. Thank you

to Stephanie Wright, Bazaar co-chairman, and to all the workers, servers, persons who provided

desserts for the luncheon, those who made goodies for the Sweet Shop, and persons who made

items for the Creations section. We do not have a final profit to report yet. Funds will go to

support missions, globally, in our local community, and at Cornerstone UMC.

We will be hosting the Scioto County Retired Teachers for their lunch/meeting on Tuesday,

December 8 at 11:00 am in the Welcome Center.

The UMW executive board will meet Tuesday, December 1 at 10:00 am in room 103.

Circle Leaders will inform their members of the December meetings for Rebekah Circle and Max-

ine Hoffman Circle.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR!!

Carol Mascari

Cornerstone United Methodist Women

Alternative Christmas Market

This is our third year of this exciting new ministry! The Alternative Christmas

Market provides an alternative to the excessive commercialization of

the holiday shopping experience. Honor those who have enough by giving to

those in need both locally and globally.

Follow these steps if you would like to participate.

1) Stop by the Welcome Center Information Counter and pick up a booklet listing options.

2) Check the box of who you would like to give a gift and return the card.

3) Write a check to Cornerstone for this amount.

4) Receive a card to give someone as a present under the tree. The card states "A gift has been given in

your name to ______."

Beth Rice to Join Cornerstone Staff

We are super excited to share that Beth Rice will be joining the Cornerstone team on Jan 1st

2016. This is made possible by a grant through the Shawnee Valley of the United Methodist

Church.

Beth is an extremely gifted, passionate, and talented leader and servant of Jesus who will be

helping us in multiple areas; Women's ministry, global missions, establishing a “door to the core”

team, and other yet to be named areas. Congratulate Beth when you see her!

Kid’s Schedule

December 2015

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___________Preschool______________

____________Elementary___________

First Service 9:30-10:30 Second Service 11:00-12:00 First Service 9:30-10:30 Second Service 11:00-12:00

December 6

Teacher: Courtney Adkins

Assistant: Beth Rideout

Teacher: Hetty Phillips

Assistant: Bethany Flan-

nery

Teacher: Linda Berry

Assistant: Rachel Perry

Teacher: Robbie Shugert

Assistant: Becky Caplinger

December 13

Teacher: Sarah Betten

Assistant:

December 20

Teacher: Jenn Roth

Assistant:

December 27

Teacher: Sarah Betten

Assistant:

Teacher: Sarah Betten

Assistant: Olivia Williams

Teacher: Amanda Jacks

Assistant: Jen Richards

Teacher: Sarah Betten

Assistant: Katie Anderson

Teacher: Jenn Roth

Assistant: Lisa Kepler

Teacher: Jenn Roth

Assistant: Kerri Galloway

Teacher: Kendra Tener

Assistant: Debbie

McGinniis

Teacher: Tiffany New-

some

Assistant: Cassie Morris

In worship with family

In worship with family

Christmas Eve Family Service

5:00 p.m.

I’m sure the stable wasn’t quiet. I doubt this service

will be either. We invite you to join us for a service

that embraces the chaos and joy of children and

Cornerstone’s Inclement Weather Policy

When Portsmouth City Schools are delayed or cancelled due to inclement weather, then our office is either opening late or

closed as well.

*This only applies to office hours not Sunday services!

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Music at Cornerstone

Sunday, December 13 at 6 PM the music department will present Christmas at Cornerstone. This is an even-

ing of the sounds of the beautiful season of Christ's birth presented by the Chancel Choir, the Praise Team,

Handbell Choir, BRB, and the Children's Choir with some added surprises. The program is open to the public.

We love seeing visitors there so invite others, but there is never a replacement for family!! Our church fami-

ly means the world to us. Hope you can be there!

Sunday, December 20 during the first service we will once again pull out our musical instruments and join in a

mighty symphonic band! The Cornerstone Symphonic Band will provide the special music and

the accompaniment for the carols for the worship service. If you have not yet had the courage to join us, you

MUST do it this year!! It's so much fun and there are enough really good musicians there that we ALL

sound good. Bob Mascari will be out of town so we will have a new conductor this year, Ryan Ervin. Ryan

has played in our services for several years and has returned to the area this fall as the Director of Bands at

Portsmouth West High School.

If you want to pick up your music prior to our rehearsal on Saturday, Dec. 19 at 10:30 AM, call me and I'll get

it to you! (740) 352-0198.

Becky Climer

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God With us This Christmas

What is it about this baby born in a manger that is so captivating,

so magnetic, and so mystifying that the whole world hits the

pause button to remember on Christmas Eve? What is it about

this baby born in a manger that is so important that history is split into two parts B.C. and A.D.?

Some people say he was a great prophet or a great moral teacher. However, the Bible makes an

incredible claim.

Matthew 1:23 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Imman-

uel"--which means, "God with us."

The Bible makes the claim that this baby born in a manger was the eternal second person of the trin-

ity that created the world and everything in it who left the magnificence of heaven and became a

microscopic cell in the womb of a teenage girl. Max Lucado articulates this well.

“That particular moment was like none other. For through that segment of time a spectacular thing

occurred. God became a man. While the creatures of earth walked unaware, divinity arrived. Heav-

en opened herself up and placed her most precious one in a human womb. The omnipotent, in one

instant, made Himself breakable. He, who had been a spirit, now was pierce able. He who was larg-

er than the universe became an embryo. And He who sustains the world with a word, chose to be

dependent upon the nourishment of a young girl. God as a fetus. Holiness sleeping in a womb.

The creator of life being created. God was given eyebrows, elbows, two kidneys and a spleen. He

stretched against the walls and floated in the amniotic fluids of His mother. God had come near.”

He who was extraordinary became ordinary. He was God with us. This has huge implications for us

which makes Christmas more than a neat little time of year when we put up a tree, go to Christmas

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Christmas Offering

This year's Christmas Eve offering will go toward two great causes.

1) Imagine No Malaria. Every 60 seconds a child dies of Malaria in Africa. It doesn't

need to be this way. Malaria is preventable and treatable with your help.

2) Cornerstone Food Pantry. We help up to 160 families every month with basic food necessities.

December Foodbank Information

The Cornerstone Foodbank will provide a Christmas food box on December 11th. The November box

included a whole chicken, potatoes, stuffing, gravy, cranberry, cabbage, fresh vegetables, canned corn,

cake mix, and frosting for a complete Thanksgiving feast. Also included were cereal for breakfast and

tuna helper with tuna for lunch. Thanks to the generous congregation of Cornerstone, guests will

receive a Christmas food box in December. Your donations of non perishable items and/or funds to

purchase food items has allowed this program to continue to serve almost 200 families with food

insecurities each month.

Help is needed the day of the distribution from 9:15 AM to about 11:15 AM with a lunch following.

Help is needed the night before to prepare the distribution tables. Also, stronger arms are needed the

day of the distribution to help the guests to their vehicles. College students home for the holiday are

welcome! Come serve as the Hands of Christ in our community. For more information contact Mike

WARM! Looking for more space in your closets this season? Cornerstone is collecting warm, clean, usable items to be dis-tributed at the December 11th foodbank. COATS, SWEATERS, ROBES, SCARVES, GLOVES, HATS AND BLANKETS. Adults or kids. Please put your items on the rack across from the church office, and they will be stored. Help needed on Decem-ber 11th to distribute. Contact Mike Bratchett (740-352-9263) or Lynne Rodeheffer 740-352-6029.

Soup Cook Off For Missions

January 10th at 5:30 P.M.

Join us for this all church event for a great cause. We'll share food and fellowship

and raise money for "Imagine No Malaria" which is our global missional focus.

Consider looking up a favorite recipe between now and January and bring a pot of

it. If you are able to bring a donation, great. If you are not, please come for this fun

event!

Church Finances Meeting

Have you ever wondered how the money that goes in the offering plate is used to share the

love of Christ in Portsmouth and the world? Join us on December 6th from 10:30 to 11 as we

answer any questions that you may have, and share some of the exciting things happening at

Cornerstone. Dave Todt who is chairman of the leadership team and Tom Covert from the

finance team will be present to share.

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Our winter Chrysalis Flights will be here before we know it. The Girls’ Flight is scheduled

for Saturday, January 16 through Monday, January 18. The Boys’ Flight is scheduled for Saturday,

February 13 through Monday, February 15.

If you have heard about Chrysalis and yearned to know more, your wish is easily granted. Our very own

Joanne Charles presently serves as Community Lay Director for the Southern Ohio Chrysalis

community and has been involved with the community since its inception seventeen years ago. In

addition, Pastor Tom has been associated with Chrysalis for fifteen years. Between these two folks, your

questions can be answered. Please feel free to contact Joanne or Tom by phone or e-mail as indicated

below. Both would be pleased to provide you with an overview of the Chrysalis ministry and answer any

questions you might have.

At the heart of the Chrysalis ministry is a three-day spiritual experience for high school and college

students called a “flight.” A “flight” is a three-day weekend during which participants reside here at

Cornerstone. The weekend consists of an outstanding blend of unique worship opportunities, prayer,

fellowship, speakers, small group discussions, singing, great food, and just plain fun. It is a powerful

weekend unlike any other! Participants typically grow closer to Jesus, leaving the flight better equipped

to serve their local churches in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

For more information, please contact Joanne or Tom:

Joanne Charles,740-285-2560, jcharles@shawnee.edu

Pastor Tom, 740-285-4494, charlest@mymail.shawnee.edu

Southern Ohio Chrysalis

Loaves & Fishes

December 12th Cornerstone will prepare a special Christmas noon meal and program celebrating the

birth of Christ for the guests at Loaves and Fishes. Each month Cornerstone members prepare the free

community meal held at All Saints Church. Food preparation begins at 10. The meal is served at noon.

Help is always appreciated, with a free lunch provided! Contact Gary June (740-456-7867) or Lynne

Rodeheffer (740-352-6029).

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Our winter Chrysalis Flights will be here before we know it. The Girls’ Flight is scheduled

for Saturday, January 16 through Monday, January 18. The Boys’ Flight is scheduled for Saturday,

February 13 through Monday, February 15.

If you have heard about Chrysalis and yearned to know more, your wish is easily granted. Our very own

Joanne Charles presently serves as Community Lay Director for the Southern Ohio Chrysalis

community and has been involved with the community since its inception seventeen years ago. In

addition, Pastor Tom has been associated with Chrysalis for fifteen years. Between these two folks, your

questions can be answered. Please feel free to contact Joanne or Tom by phone or e-mail as indicated

below. Both would be pleased to provide you with an overview of the Chrysalis ministry and answer any

questions you might have.

At the heart of the Chrysalis ministry is a three-day spiritual experience for high school and college

students called a “flight.” A “flight” is a three-day weekend during which participants reside here at

Cornerstone. The weekend consists of an outstanding blend of unique worship opportunities, prayer,

fellowship, speakers, small group discussions, singing, great food, and just plain fun. It is a powerful

weekend unlike any other! Participants typically grow closer to Jesus, leaving the flight better equipped

to serve their local churches in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

For more information, please contact Joanne or Tom:

Joanne Charles,740-285-2560, jcharles@shawnee.edu

Pastor Tom, 740-285-4494, charlest@mymail.shawnee.edu

Southern Ohio Chrysalis

Loaves & Fishes

December 12th Cornerstone will prepare a special Christmas noon meal and program celebrating the

birth of Christ for the guests at Loaves and Fishes. Each month Cornerstone members prepare the free

community meal held at All Saints Church. Food preparation begins at 10. The meal is served at noon.

Help is always appreciated, with a free lunch provided! Contact Gary June (740-456-7867) or Lynne

Rodeheffer (740-352-6029).

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f

Rejoicing In Recovery Thanksgiving Dinner

Thank you Cornerstone family for blessing Rejoicing in Recovery on November 19th.

There were 400 people present and once again Cornerstone came through. Numerous sides, desserts, and

salads showed up demonstrating great hospitality.

Wayne Bratton of the

Operations Team

Wayne is another one of those behind the scenes workers

for Jesus who doesn't get noticed. We caught Wayne

power washing the sidewalks on a beautiful fall day.

Thanks Wayne!

The staff of Rejoicing in Recovery would like to thank everyone for your continued support this past year. Your help with purchasing Bibles, providing food, serving on Thursdays, and prayers has helped many people see and feel the love of God. You are truly the hands and feet of God through your support of this program. These people are hungry for the word of God and are searching and you are providing. Also, nearly 50 people were baptized during R and R this year alone. Communion is served the 1st Thursday of every month. Many people come and go, but seeds are being planted. No one is turned away. All are welcome.

May God continue to bless you and your family this holiday season and next year!

The Rejoicing in Recovery Staff

Holiday Office Hours

Christmas Eve, December 24th,

8:00am-12:00pm

Christmas Day, December 25th, Closed

New Years Day, January 1st, Closed

The Courier is a

monthly publication of

Cornerstone United

Methodist Church. We

welcome any

suggestions and

submissions for our

newsletter. The

deadline for

submission is the

15th of each month.

The editor reserves the

right to edit all articles

for content and space.

Cornerstone United Methodist Church

808 Offnere Street

Portsmouth, OH 45662

740-353-2548

www.cumc-portsmouth.org

cornerstoneofportsmouth@yahoo.com

Non-Profit Organization

Permit No. 46

U.S. Postage Paid

Portsmouth, Ohio 45662

December

1st St. Anne’s/St. Andrew’s Visitation Meeting

6th Kid’s Craft Night

11th Foodbank

12th Loaves and Fishes

13th Christmas at Cornerstone

20th Cornerstone Symphonic Band

22nd Chrysalis Board Meeting

HOOT

24th Christmas Eve Services

25th Christmas

Office Closed

31st Youth New Years Eve Celebration

January

1st New Year’s Day

Office Closed

5th St Anne’s/St Andrew’s Visitation Meeting

10th Annual Soup Cook-off

16th-18th Girl’s Chrysalis Flight

18th Office Closed in observance of MLK Day

26th Chrysalis Board Meeting

HOOT

Upcoming Events

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