Vernon United Methodist Church
Our Newsletter

DECEMBER 2007

ROBERTA'S REFLECTIONS

Dear Church Family;

"Silent Night" turns into "Hectic Night" in most of our homes. Parties, plays, and packages, take over most of our waking moments during Advent. We shop for relatives and friends, give to the needy, and wonder what else to give to those who have everything they need. We slide into the pew on Christmas Eve wanting to sing "O Ragged Night" not, "O Holy Night".

During this busy time we can barely get to see the people we want to see, so where do we find time for God? Perhaps we don't have the time to walk miles while Christmas Caroling for neighbors and nursing homes.

We might find the time to gather around the Advent Wreath once a day, or once a week. It may bring you closer together and closer to the mysteries we contemplate and celebrate in Advent.

The origins of the Advent wreath come from Eastern Europe. Pre-Christians lit candles in the dark winter nights to celebrate the hope that spring would come again. Roman Catholics and Protestants use these symbols to celebrate their advent hope in Christ the everlasting light.

Traditionally, the wreath is made of four candles around a circle of greenery. I hop you find time to light and say a prayer around the Advent wreath:

Even though our nights are longer, we know that spring will come again. We light this candle remembering God's promise to our world, Christ, our Light and our Hope, will come. Listen to the words of Isaiah:

"The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light on those who have lived in a land as dark as death, a light as dawned. You have increased their joy and given them gladness; they rejoice in your presence as those who rejoice at harvest, as warriors exult when dividing the spoil" (Isaiah 9: 1-2)

O God, may the light from this candle bless our homes. May the blessing of Christ come upon us, brightening our lives and guiding us. May Christ bring life into the darkness of our world, and to us, as we wait for his coming. In his name. Amen.

WORSHIP COMMITTEE

We will celebrate Student Sunday on November 25th. We thank the young people of our congregation for participating in the Worship Service and blessing us with their enthusiasm and joy in worshipping the Lord.

As you can see, the Church is once again splendidly decorated for Advent. Thanks to all those who helped "deck the halls" as we make preparation for the coming of the Christ Child.

The first Sunday in Advent is on December 2nd. Again we will be lighting one of the Advent candles each Sunday morning. Here is an opportunity for you and your family to be actively involved in the preparations of the Season by volunteering to light a candle one morning. Please contact me.

Our weekly Wednesday evening soup and sandwich supper followed by an Advent study program will be here at VUMC. We gather at 6:00 pm and start eating soon after, followed by the Bible study at 7:00 pm. This year's study will be from the book "The Miracle of Christmas" by James Moore. First will be the Miracle of Good News. In the midst of a hectic Christmas season, please take time out to rest and renew yourself in the Lord. Be prepared for miracles in your life. So mark your calendars and plan on attending.

And don't forget our Christmas Eve Candle Light Service. It is held at 7:30 pm in the evening so that all the families can come and share in the joy of anticipating the coming of the Savior.

May each of your hearts and homes be filled with the Joy, the Laughter, and the Love of Family and Friends this Christmas. "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord."

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Closing In:

Only a little more than one month before this year is over. Wow! How time flies! The important news at the moment is that we are at the point of meeting two significant goals: (1) meeting the roof fund goal of $70,000 and (2) meeting or exceeding our pledge goals for 2008. To date we have $66312.95 in the roof fund and 29 pledges amounting to $59,229.20, which is just a bit short of where we were at this point last year. This gives us hope that by year's end, we will have met both goals. Let's pull together, with the help of the Good Lord, to make sure that this happens!

The increased price for our public suppers didn't scare any of our 'regulars' away on November 10th and we had, in fact, a lot of newcomers. The net result was that we served 140 people and took in $1357. It's still the area's best pot roast supper and the crowds prove it. Now, we look forward to another pancake breakfast on December 1st. That will be a bit of frosting on the financial cake. Let's all eat breakfast at the church on that day.

Fund balances at the end of October, 2007, are as follows:

Dave Howe, Chair

MISSIONS COMMITTEE

Cornerstone Soup Kitchen
VUMC served at the soup kitchen on October 31st - Halloween. Two "first-timers", Rev Roberta and Colleen Morgan joined the serving fellowship. A record number of people were served in a Halloween party atmosphere. VUMC's next scheduled serving night is January 30, 2008.

Thanksgiving:
Six baskets were packed with Turkeys and all the trimmings. The children made short work of the basket filling with their ring-around-the-table assembly line. Many thanks to Jim Haag for delivering the baskets to HVCC on Monday and to Kim & Jeremy for picking up some last minute items.

Christmas:
VUMC will also be assembling six food baskets for Christmas. That selection board is available in the fellowship hall. There are little lists in the upper corners of the board to let you know all the items going into the baskets. If there is an item you feel needs to be added, feel free to do so -remembering that there are six baskets. Items will need to be at the church by Sunday, December 16th, however, final assembly of the baskets will take place after the Advent service on Wednesday, December 19th.
Our special Christmas tree will be in the fellowship hall waiting for its decorations of hats, scarves, gloves, and mittens. These items are also taken to HVCC for distribution.

SPECIAL EVENT COMING UP!!!
FEBRUARY 20, 2008
Springfield, MA
The Harlem Globetrotters in a Benefit for the NothingButNets Campaign

The event, spearheaded by members of the East Longmeadow UMC, is being held in partnership with the Mass Mutual Center, the Basketball Hall of Fame, and the Harlem Globetrotters. Group tickets are being offered to United Methodist Churches at significant discounts over public prices. (Pricing through this program is $25 before December 15, $30 after December 15) and a portion of each ticket sale is donated by these generous sponsors to benefit NothingButNets.

• About this exciting family event.
A full day of family events on February 20, 2008 is included in one low ticket price: 1:00 PM: Basketball Hall of Fame 2:30 PM: Globetrotters Autograph Session* 3:30 PM: Depart Hall of Fame and Shuttle to local churches for food and relaxation 5:15 PM: Arrive at MassMutual Center for Globetrotters University (Educational Program) 7:00 PM: Globetrotters Game begins

Ticket prices include the entire day's activities; however, participation in all events is not required. Ticket holders may attend any or all of the above events. For example, if you only wished to attend the Globetrotter Game at 7:00 pm, you could use your ticket only for that event.

If you would like to support this program but are unable to attend, you can still purchase the tickets and donate them to a local Springfield area agency such as the Boys and Girls Club.
Please note: Reservations and purchases must come through United Methodist Churches. Individual ticket sales are not available.
A sign-up sheet is available in the fellowship hall.

Mission Trip Opportunities:
• VIM Trip to Slidell, LA scheduled for January 27 - February 2, 2008. Mary Ann and Skip Danforth will be leading a team of "Volunteers in Mission" to serve with The Northshore Disaster Recovery Ministries in Slidell, LA. Team members will be cleaning out homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina, continuing the rebuilding of these homes and getting them ready for the owners to re-occupy.
• The Kansas West Conference of the UMC is seeking help with the recovery effort in the Greensburg area for damage by the May 4th tornado. Although there are plans for work teams for the spring and summer of 2008, volunteers are also needed for the winter months. (This would be interior work) Plenty of housing is available in December, January, and February.
If you are interested in either of these missions, please see me for more information.

Red Bird Mission
Remember, we do collect Campbell Soup Labels and BoxTops for Education and send them to the Red Bird Mission. They use them to purchase needed items for their mission work - primarily for supplies for the schools. There is a collection container on the table by the stairwell.

Red Bird Mission Remember, we do collect Campbell Soup Labels and BoxTops for Education and send them to the Red Bird Mission. They use them to purchase needed items for their mission work - primarily for supplies for the schools. There is a collection container on the table by the stairwell.

Lydia Dingle

DECEMBER SCRIPTURES

WORSHIP ATTENDANTS

GREETERS

TWO IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

Every day of his adult life, Ben Franklin set aside some time to examine two questions. The morning question was, "What good shall I do today?" The evening question was, "What good have I done today?"

LAMPLIGHTER DEADLINE
JANUARY ISSUE

Please submit (preferably by e-mail) any articles you have for the January issue by Friday, December 28th. Anything not received by 6:00 p.m. on that date will not be included in the newsletter. Thank you for your cooperation.

Roger White - editor, pro tempore
Email: vumcnews@sbcglobal.net

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