Unwrapping the Gift of Christmas

With Christmas on the horizon, we can not help but begin to think of gifts. This Christmas season, we will focusing on unwrapping the gift of Christmas. It began on November 30^th, and continues for four more weeks. It will help us focus on the real gift of Christmas – the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. During the December 14^th worship hour we will hear from our children and youth.  This is always a delightful service where our children truly shine.  After the service there will be a time of fellowship with light refreshments.  Then on December 21^st the adult choir will perform their annual Christmas Cantata entitled “He Is Still The King Of Kings”.  This is a cantata which lifts up the praises to God for HIS greatest gift.  The annual light lunch fellowship will follow this service.  If you would like to participate in our Christmas services, please see Pastor Katie, Sandy Lewis or Jeannette Kuhn.

 

Blue Christmas

Christmas is not always an exciting and wonderful time of year. Often we remember those we have lost and feel deep sadness. To help address this feeling and help us find Christ in the midst of our suffering, we will have a Blue Christmas worship service on December 17^th at 7:30 pm. Please see Pastor Katie for details.

 

Christmas Eve Service

This year we will have a 7:30 pm Christmas Eve service to celebrate the coming of Jesus. We will have both communion and candlelight. Please feel free to invite friends, family and neighbors.

 

Watch Night Service

This year, our Watch Night will start with a potluck dinner at 5:00 pm followed by a hymn sing worship service at 6:00 pm. This will be a wonderful way to connect with the families from our Christmas Break Camp – because they will be leaving as the potluck is beginning. Please prayerfully consider coming not just to ring in the New Year, but also to reach out in love! Please see Pastor Katie for details.

Things are unfolding for the Christmas Break Camp and we are excited to welcome children from our community and their families. We have had a great response from the community – so please sign your child up while there is still space!

We could use donations of the following items for the week:

Snacks

Jugs of juice (apple, grape, or kool-aid)

Art materials (such as crayons, colored paper, glue)

And we would love to barrow some good games such as Monopoly, Clue, Cranium, Connect-4. We will return the games, but please don’t send anything precious – a piece might end up missing. All donations can be left on Pastor Katie’s Desk.

There will also be a sign up sent around church for people to bring in items for the kids to cook with. Please watch for this sign up sheet and see Pastor Katie with any questions.

 

On December 13^th at 12:00 noon we will gather to exchange our cookies.  Those of you who signed up will bring your cookies individually wrapped by the dozen to the church social hall and will go home with an equal amount of cookies for your family to share.  This will be a great time of fellowship.

 Many people have said that they will not use this many cookies.  Please participate anyway as the church can use the cookies for the December 14^th and December 21^st fellowship hours after worship.  Possibly your office will have a gathering and you will be the star as you bring in many different kinds.  Your co-workers and friends will think you baked all month.

Also on December 13^th at 2:30 the youth and children will gather for the last practice before the performance on December 14^th. 

But this is not all work, after the rehearsal there will be a Happy Birthday Jesus party for the King’s Kids and their families.  Many of you have attended the parties at Garfield in the past and know that this will be just as wonderful as we unwrap the gift of Christmas.

 

The annual collections for the holidays have begun and there are boxes in the Narthex for Reeders Memorial Home and Fahrney Keeney Home in Boonsboro.

The following unwrapped items are needed for residents:

In large quantities: Kleenex, Puffs, or Scotts facial tissues Gillette Good News Disposable Razors Fixodent Dental Adhesive Cream, Gripper socks Other items: Deodorant Mouthwash Candy Freedent gum Hair brushes Toothpaste Instant dry nail polish Sunblock Batteries (AA) Chapstick Lotion Straw hats Gloves/mittens Knit hats Craft supplies lap robes

Also we will received our Board of Child Care.  The Board of Child Care stocking is a cash collection

Don’t forget the collection for the fruit boxes which are given to the sick and shut ins in the church family and community.

Please remember each of these Christmas collections and give where God leads you to give.

 

 

 

For God so loved the world,

that He gave His one and only Son,

that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

John 3:16

I must admit I am leery of Christmas morning – mostly because I have no control over Eden ’s behavior. Ever since I was a little girl, I can remember my mother telling me (sometimes pinching me) to say “Thank you” and smile no matter what the gift. But Eden is too little to tell (and pinch). I fear that someone will give her the gift of a beautiful handmade sweater and all she will want is the box!

But haven’t we all been there? Opening a package of box and trying hard to hide our disappointment and instead be thankful. It happened to me last year. We were opening gifts and as I opened this one particular gift I realized it was not at all what I wanted. It was beautiful. It was expensive. It was given in love and generosity. But it was not something I wanted. So, I grinned and bared it, thanking the giver before setting it aside.

In the end, it was exactly what I needed. The giver knew better than I did. I was able to use the gift in ministry, in the life of my family, in my personal spiritual journey. It was a gadget that I could use, that I have come to love – even though it was not what I wanted.

And the same is true with the gift of Christmas – the gift of Jesus. How many years have we opened God’s gift of His Son, smiled and said “Thank you,” before setting it aside? How many years have we set the gift of Jesus aside, not really wanting all that it means? All that it brings…

Not wanting to leave our lives of our sins.

Not wanting to embrace a lifestyle of radical hospitality.

Not wanting to bow before the name of Jesus.

This advent season, as we continue to unwrap the gift that Jesus has for us take time to think how Jesus can change your life.

How Jesus can bring you HOPE.

How Jesus can bring you LOVE.

How Jesus can bring you JOY.

How Jesus can bring you PEACE.

May God bless you and your family this holiday season!

Grace and Peace, Pastor Katie Bishop

 

Baptism Sunday

If you have been wanting to be baptized, we will be having a Baptism Sunday on January 11^th during our 10:15 worship service.  Baptism is the way we are welcomed into the family of God, washing away our sins and being anointed with the Holy Spirit.

Our District Superintendent Rev. John Rudi sill will preach at the service and be a part of the baptisms.  Please let Pastor Katie know if you would like to be baptized.

 

Sewing for Jesus

Pastor Katie is looking for a few good sewers! Do you have a machine? Would you be willing to sew to share God's love with people in Columbia ? Voice of the Martyrs are in need of parachutes (don't worry! They are small!)  that can be used to deliver the good news to people in Columbia . If you are willing, I would love to gather together in January to make some parachutes to send to Columbia.

Food Pantry

In the midst of these difficult economic times, please keep in mind that the church has a food pantry, full of canned and boxed items for families in our church and community. If your family or a family you know could use some help, please see Pastor Katie. All requests are kept confidential.

Well, can you believe that it’s already December, meaning that 2008 is almost over.  This past year has been a special year here at Garfield.  We declared 2008 the “Year of the Youth” at Garfield to try to regain momentum for our program. 

Well, looking back I think we can all agree that the young people of our church ran with a new momentum, but most importantly experienced the Spirit of God.  Think what we’ve accomplished.  Thousands of dollars raised to fight cancer and natural disasters.  The most money raised award earned for the cardboard sled derby, and most recently a float in Hagerstown’s Mummers Day Parade.  Our youth led us in a moment of change with one of the best youth Sunday’s ever as we bid farewell to Pastor Randy.  It was the leadership taken by our youth on that Sunday that will be so important as we go into 2009. 

The year of youth has left us with a solid youth program I believe that God is going to grow that youth program in 2009.  However, if we are to grow the amount of young people we see in church, we’re going to have to go outside our doors and bring them in.  That is why I believe 2009 will be a year of youth outreach.  While the young men and women will lead this outreach, we will all need to work for this common goal.  Won’t it be fun to look back this time next year to see what we have accomplished with the help of God!

In December, the youth will still be busy.  We’re filling shoeboxes with toys to make Christmas better for some kids.  We’re also finishing up our Bible study which has been another success of 2008’s “Year of the Youth”.  The 21^st will be our last meeting.  We will meet at Pastor Katie’s home for our final study and a Christmas party.

Thank you for your support this past year, and lets see just how far we can push the boundaries of God’s kingdom in 2009.

 

Do you enjoy a good book?

Pastor Katie is looking for a few faithful women to participate in the United Methodist Women’s reading program. We commit to reading 4 books in 2009, mostly focusing on mission and service. Then, we would meet once a quarter to talk about them one evening at the church. The first book is going to be Amish Faith: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy. See Pastor Katie for details or to let her know to order you a book.

 

Sandwich and Study

Sandwich and Study has begun again. We gather for lunch and fellowship and then take time to study the Word of God. We will begin a new study entitled “Ten Gospel Promises.” This 10 week study helps us look heavenward as we seek to live our lives faithfully.  It is a “hit and miss” study, where you don’t have to be there every week. Just come when you can!

 

 

Dear People of Garfield UMC,

Thank you for the pastor appreciation card and pin. It was nice to know you affirm both me as a guide and my work with congregations in the Western Region. It is a privilege to serve you.

Blessings, Reverend Marry Dennis, Western Region Guide

 

Dear Garfield UMC-

Thanks for your note of encouragement. I look forward to working with you!

Peace, Matt Poole, Guide

 

To Garfield UMC –

What a sweet surprise to get your pastor appreciation card! I am in my fourth year in the position and this is my first year to be remembered in this special way. You have no idea how it blessed my spirit. I am proud of your congregation and certainly appreciate your love and care for me.

Thanks again and God bless –

Terri Rae Chattin

 

World Aids Day – December 1^st

December 1 is World AIDS Day. Did you know that more than 40 million persons around the world are infected with the HIV/AIDS virus, and The United Methodist Church is responding through education and advocacy efforts with members of Congress and representatives to the United Nations. Of those 40 million, approximately 70% of the victims live in Sub-Sahara Africa and 50% are women. Over 800,000 cases of AIDS are in the United States . As people of faith we must all work to eradicate this dreadful disease.

To make a difference, take time on December 1^st to lift the AIDS epidemic to the Lord. Join United Methodists across the world, praying:

O God, in your compassion made known in Jesus, look with favor upon those who are in distress because of HIV/AIDS. To them give hope and patience, and the ability to entrust themselves to others and to you. Enable physicians and nurses and all who assist them to use their training and skill in the service of your healing love. Help them to minister to those in need with both hands and hearts of mercy. Reveal the closeness of your presence to those who suffer and also to all family members and friends who care about them and work to alleviate their discomfort and anxiety. Receive this prayer through Christ, who came among us that we might have life, and have it abundantly. Amen.  (Prayer adapted from Laurence H. Stookey, This Day.)

 

 

The bazaar on November 1^st was a wonderful success in both as a fundraiser for the church and for fellowship with our community.  Thanks to all

 

 

On October 25^th over 50 adults and children enjoyed Slime Time at the church.  Good food, fun games and a devotion all around “science” was in store.  While slime, bean bag toss to turn on lights, foam ring toss were all fun, it appears the hula hoop bubble was the event of choice.

 

 

Christmas in us

Though Christ a thousand times

In Bethlehem be born,

If he’s not born in thee

Thy soul is still forlorn.

 

The cross on Golgotha

Will never save thy soul;

The cross in thine own heart

            Alone can make thee whole.

—Angelus Silesius

 

A Christmas blessing

May you have the Spirit of Christmas, which is Peace,

The Gladness of Christmas, which is Hope,

The Heart of Christmas, which is Love,

The Gift of Christmas, which is Christ.

—Ada Hendricks

 

Christian Chuckles