Romeo United Methodist Church Page 1

December Events

Dr. John Bailey, Pastor

Romeo United Methodist Church

Church Office: 586-752-9132 Church Fax: 586-752-0593

Anne Wilber, Church Secretary Cynthia Forsgren, Choir Director

Linda Schenburn, Christian Education Kari Reid, Treasurer

Ed LaLonde, Praise Band Grant Groomes, Youth Director

December 2016

The GRAPEVINE is published monthly. The

intention is to communicate and promote the

entire program of the Romeo United Methodist

Church to members and friends. Your articles,

comments and suggestions are welcome. The

editor reserves the right to edit content and space

as required.

Linda Eastman, Editor Phone: 586 281-6956 lindakeastman@aol.com

The Grapevine

YAHAs Christmas Party Thursday - 12/8

Advent Tea Friday – 12/2

Christmas Day Service Sunday – 12/25

Combined Service at 10:00 a.m.

Christmas Eve Services Saturday - 12/24

7:00 and 10:00 p.m.

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Answered prayer, that is what we are all watching for. We ask for healing, direction, comfort and much

more, and sometimes the answer is right there-but we do not see it because it is not exactly the answer we

expected.

The birth of Jesus is one of those answers. Whoever would have imagined that the newborn Messiah’s

bed would be a feeding trough.

We might think it more fitting for the Son of God to be born in a palace and laid in a cradle of gold, lined

with costly silks. But as He Himself reminds us, "that which is highly esteemed among men, is detestable

in the sight of God" (Luke 16:15). What an example of this truth was given when the infant Jesus was

placed, not in a cradle of gold but, in a humble manger. The One born was "The Son of Man." He had left

the heights of Heaven’s glory and had descended to us.

Jesus was not laid in a manger by accident. It is a spiritual symbol. Animals go to the manger for physical

food but we can go to the manger for spiritual food. Jesus feeds us with Word and Sacrament. Jesus’

Word is like no other food, it has the power to save us. The infant in the feeding trough is the Bread of

Life, the true bread come down from heaven, and whoever eats this bread will live forever. The manger is

a momentous sign that Jesus is sustenance for all of us.

The people prayed for a Savior and he came, not in the way the people had expected, but he came. Their

prayer was answered.

May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace,

The gladness of Christmas give you hope,

The warmth of Christmas grant you love…

Pastor Bailey

Pastor’s Paragraphs

The Sharing Tree is up in fellowship hall . Please take a tag, purchase the requested item(s), place the tag on the OUTSIDE of the wrapped gift, and return to church no later than Sunday Dec 4. Thank you in advance for your generous support of this worthy project! Please contact Nancy Harrar (586 713-9391) with any

questions.

Membership and Confirmation

Classes

If you are interested in Membership or

Confirmation Classes, please contact the

church office at 586 752-9132. We will then

let you know more specific details when

they are available. If you are transferring

from another Methodist church, the

membership class is optional. The

Confirmation Class will begin in early 2017.

Sharing Tree time again!

This is a local mission through Samaritan House to ensure struggling local families will have Christmas gifts.

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DECEMBER VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE FELLOWSHIP TIME

4th Anne and Don Wilber, Claudia Royal 11th Leah and Cliff Gilbert 18th Becky Laseke, Karen Bailey 25th Breakfast

USHERS SCHEDULE Traditional Service Contemporary Service

4th and 11th Craig Engwall (Lead), Judy Engwall, Hannah Engwall, Jack

Engwall, Anne Wilber, Don Wilber

Beth Theisen Tim Welch

18th and 25th Dave Krawchuck (Lead), John Wiers, Derek Beaumont Brian Rosso

GREETERS

9:00 Service

4th Dennis and Bobbie Lentz

11th Dave and Charlie Krawchuk

18th Joyce and Barry Benham 25th Chris and Laurie Bennett

11:00 Service

4th Open 11th Don and Lynda Adkin 18th Hunter Rankin 25th Combined service at 10

a.m.

ALTAR FLOWERS

4th Lou and Anna Bonnani 11th Open 18th Open 25th Chris and Laurie Bennett

VOLUNTEER COORDINATORS

Seasonal Flowers Mary Jo Hosler 586-337-2692 Baby Blanket Ministry Ilene Lock 586-752-3952 College Ministry Paula Groomes 586-752-4003 Fellowship Hour Becky Laseke 586-232-4997 Greeters Gayle Beitel 586-232-3388 Nursery Jen Lamb 586-336-9118 Sound Board Dave Beskin 586-781-8346 Ushers Craig Engwall 586-504-6655 Communion Marilyn Bracy 586-752-6964

COMMUNION STEWARDS

December 4th - Pews Advent Begins

9:00 a.m. Becky Laseke Marilyn Bracy 11:00 a.m. Marty & Karen Rastigue

SOUND BOARD OPERATOR

4th Mischele Makhlouf 11th Claudia Royal 18th Laurie Bennett 25th Open

NURSERY SCHEDULE

9:OO A.M. Service

4th Nancy Domke 11th Linda Eastman & Mary Jo Hosler 18th Craig and Judy Engwall 25th Christmas – combined service at 10 a.m. - Open 11:OO A.M. Service

4th Louchrisa Smith 11th Lamb Family 18th Dale & Jenny Teller 25th Christmas – combined service

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Weekly Meetings

Kitting Class Tuesday 1;30 p.m. Room 107 His Table Community Meal Tuesday 5:30 p.m. Fellowship Hall Praise Band Practice Tuesday 7:00 p.m. Santa’s Workshop Wednesday 10:00 a.m. Art Room GAMMA (6th – 8th Grades) Wednesday 6:00 p.m. Bell Choir Practice Wednesday 6:45 p.m. Choir Practice Wednesday 7:30 p.m. DELTA (9th – 12th Grades) Thursday 7:00p.m. Communion Sunday First Sunday of each month Traditional Service Sunday 9:00 a.m. Sanctuary Fellowship Time Sunday 10:00 a.m. Fellowship Hall Prayers for Church Sunday 10:15 a.m. Prayer Room 106 Contemporary Service Sunday 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary SIGMA/Young Adult Group Sunday 7:00 p.m. Methodist House

RUMC December 2016 Calendar

Fri 2nd Advent Tea 7:00 p.m.

Sun 4th Communion Sunday

Symphonia Chorale Concert

3:00 p.m.

Tue 6th

His Table Community Meal

Staff Parish Relations Committee Meeting

Men’s Group and UMW Bible Studies

5:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Wed 7th D.E.L.T.A Youth Group 7:00 p.m.

Thurs 8th YAHA Christmas Party 12:00 p.m.

Tue 13th His Table Community Meal

Men’s Group and UMW Bible Studies

5:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Wed 14th D.E.L.T.A Youth Group 7:00 p.m.

Tue 20th His Table Community Meal 5:30 p.m.

Wed 21st D.E.L.T.A Youth Group 7:00 p.m.

Sat 24th Christmas Eve Services 7:00 p.m.

10:00 p.m.

Sun 25th Christmas Day – Combined Service 10:00 a.m.

Mon 26th Office Closed Today

Tue 27th His Table Community Meal 5:30 p.m.

Sun Jan 1st

Communion Sunday

New Years Day – Combined Service

Dehanging of the Greens

New Year’s Breakfast

10:00 a.m.

LITERIGIST SCHEDULE

9:00 Service

4th Bob Stoner 11th Janet Bauer 18th Mary Jo Hosler 25th Karen Bailey - combined service at 10 a.m. 11:00 Service 4th Ellen Dennis 11th Grant Groomes 18th Laurie Lanard 25th Combined service at 10 a.m.

Offering Envelopes

The Offering Envelopes are

available in Fellowship Hall.

If you do not see your

envelopes, please contact

the church office at 586

752-9132.

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Financial Snapshot of the Operating Fund

as of 10/31/16

Actual Budget Difference

Income $310,742 $358,994 $-48,252

Expenses 346,468 358,994 12,526

Deficit -35,726 0 -35,726

Finance Committee

** Your church needs your Financial Support!

GOOD NEWS GREAT JOY

Operation Christmas Child collected 132 boxes! Thank you for your donations and to Linda and Ed Klusendorf for coordinating this special outreach!

POINSETTIA ORDERS

The cost for each plant in a six inch pot is $7.50. Please make checks payable to Romeo United

Methodist Church. Orders must be placed by December 4.

In Memory of: ______________________________________________________ Qty: _____

Placed by: _________________________________________________________

In Honor of: ________________________________________________________ Qty: _____

Placed by: _________________________________________________________

Total Enclosed $__________

Please pick up your poinsettias following the Christmas Eve services. Thank You!

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December Needs: Juice Coffee Cereal Tea Oatmeal Crackers Pancake Mix Deodorant (men’s and women’s) SpaghettiOs Toothbrushes Soups Toothpaste Chili Toilet Paper Canned Fruit Dish Soap Pork ‘n Beans Laundry Soap Needs for our Diabetic Clients: Jello - Sugar Free Splenda Pancake Syrup – Sugar Free No Sugar Added Fruit

Samaritan House is always in need of gluten free, sugar free and low sodium items.

Did you know that a Bridge Card (Food Stamps) will not buy personal care items (bath soap, toilet paper, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, etc.) Any non-perishable food items and toiletries that you can donate are appreciated.

We appreciate any non-perishable food items and

toiletries that you can donate. During the month of

October, your donations helped feed 167 families

consisting of 445 people for 10 – 14 days.

THANK YOU!

Please bring your donations to Samaritan House, 62324 Van Dyke (between 28 & 29 Mile Roads) in Washington Twp. on Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can contact Samaritan House at (586) 336-9956.

Samaritan House will be closed for the Christmas

Holiday from December 20 – January 2, 2017.

For the latest Samaritan House information:

Check the website for the updates on events, pantry needs,

and activities at www.samaritanhousemichigan.org.

Or: friend them on Facebook: Samaritan.housemichigan

The first weekend in December, watch for the

“Goodfellows” and “Goodgals” who will be

happily taking your donations to help pay for the

food gift certificates clients of Samaritan House

will be receiving along with their Sharing Tree

Gifts.

This year the Romeo Goodfellows will be

supplying food gift cards to clients who reside in

Bruce, Romeo, and Washington.

GOODFELLOWS

NEWSPAPER

DRIVE

The Connector Corner

There are presently 22 Connector groups at

R.U.M.C. Some Connectors come and some

go and being a connector is not a long term

assignment. “If you are interested in

becoming a connector contact Anne in the

office.”

Even though each Connector is assigned

people, all of the connectors work together

to stay in touch with everyone. One of their

duties is to watch for people who may attend

our church for the first time, and also watch

for friends they have not seen for a while.

Connecting has many looks, Example: talking,

greeting, writing notes, sending a birthday

card, or using social media to name a few.

Some of our Connectors don’t want to look

like a Connector, “They just want to

Connect”.

Sincerely,

Dave S.

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Thank you Mrs. Rosso, Andrew and Audrey for making bread with our Odyssey children at both services.

While making the bread she told the story of Jesus feeding the 5000 with 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread “.

"Mmm we loved the bread”

Odyssey children helped sew their Joseph coats to wear and remind them of Joseph's story

A special thank you to:

Linda Zimmerman, Dr. Naomi Stasak, Pat Sebastian, Mary Jo Hosler, and Shelly Rosso

for bringing in their sewing machines and sewing 22 Joseph's coats, with the children on

Sunday morning!

The children were amazed as their coat came to life. They are now ready to tell Joseph's Story.

Sincerely Linda Schenburn

God bless you all for making this dream come true!

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1st Adam Patrzalek 2nd Janet Bauer 3rd Pat Morgan Jessica Stevenson 4th Diane Hodgin

Norma Foss David Lee Louis Bonanni Noelle Rastigue Adam Baker

5th Barry Benham 7th Linda Weidner

Stephanie Zimmerman 8th Sue Wiers 12th Haley Deming 13th Annette Bailey

13th Grace Ansley Lafayette Robeson

14th Gabe Makhlouf 15th Mary Ann DeForest 17th Marty Moore Daniel Frenza 18th Becky Laseke 20th Tom Kuzminski 23rd Virginia Power 24th Jeff McClay Kendra Karson Lindsey Abercrombie 25th Jessica Raccosta 30th Kindra Reck 31st David Schenburn Helen Jones

Potluck dinner and entertainment. Ham, turkey, beverages and table service will be provided.

Please bring a dish to pass and an unwrapped donation for Samaritan House (such as hats,

gloves, mittens, and scarves). Sign up in Fellowship Hall or by calling the office. If you need

a ride, please contact the church office at 586 752-9132.

YAHAs CHRISTMAS PARTY

Thursday December 8

Noon to 2:00 p.m.

SYMPHONIA CHORALE CONCERT

Sunday December 4 at 3:00 p.m.

Tickets are available from Sue Coker or Cynthia Forsgren and are $12 for an

adult and $5 for children. The theme this year is “Peace on Earth” featuring

music from all over the world.

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COMPASSION CHILDREN

July 22, 2016

Much greetings from me, hoping that you are doing well. We are doing well in our family. What about you?

I am happy to inform you that I am doing well with my course at Boyani Youth Polytechnic and I enjoy the course.

The weather is hot and cool and people are harvesting their crops. What about in your country?

Lastly I would like to thank you for the letters that you have been sending to me. I can’t also forget the monthly support you have been providing to me.

I would like to share with you a verse from John 10 – 15.

Hope you will be Blessed.

Your loving son, Joel Otieno

July 19, 2016

It is a nice moment to say hi to you. It has been a long time since we communicated to you, I hope you are fine. The weather here is cool and wet, what about there? Farmers in Kenya are now harvesting and some have started preparing their farm for planting season.

It is second term and I am almost preparing to go for National level for music although I am nearing to do national exams. I hope that the Lord will take me through my examination until the end and that I will pass with flying colors.

I heard about your plans for the youth in churches, praying that Almighty will grant you favor to do so. In our church youths are preparing to go to camps in one month’s time. I hope it will be successful.

About education, I have gone through different challenges but the better part of it Almighty has

granted me favor and has kept rolling water around my feet, makes me lie in green grass and

protecting me every hour. How is your family faring on there? In Kenya, we are just about to

elect our new leaders, which is done after five years. What about yours? I would like to bless

you with a verse from the Bible, Psalms 115 : 113. Hoping to see in Kenya one day if the Almighty

has plans for you and me.

Yours Faithfully, Susan Ochiel Ojwang

July 13, 2016

Much greetings from your son Vincent Apollo. How are you? I hope that you are fine with your family members. I too am fine together with my family members. I am in class seven at Kiswaro Primary School. I was number 21 out of 50 pupils last joined exams. I am requesting for your prayers, do pray for m so that I can improve in my academies. I was very thankful for your letter. I enjoyed reading it with my friends at school.

How is your country? Here in Kenya it is hot and dry. We are now harvesting our crops. Do you

also harvest?

Bye from your loving son, Vincent