Message from the Pastor - Clover...

Contents:

Message from Pastor ............................... 1 Worship Schedule ..................................... 2 Children & Youth Ministries ...................... 2 Bazaar Buddies ......................................... 3 United Methodist Women ........................ 3 Thank You! ................................................ 3 Prayers of Joys & Concerns ....................... 6 Birthdays & Anniversaries ......................... 6 Calendar ................................................... 7

and more!

December 2014

stars.

Now I don’t want to put a wet blanket on Christmas.

I love the celebrations and family time. I even love all

the repetitious music. But we need to remember what we

are celebrating. Advent is the expectation of the coming

of the King. But the big surprise is the lowly way he

came to us. It took 30 years for Jesus to grow and be

ready to share his message with the world and fulfill the

promises of Isaiah. That is a long time to wait to really

unwrap a gift.

As we prepare to remember the birth of Christ this

year, remember how humble those beginnings were.

Perhaps rethink your gift giving. Give gifts of time and

attention to those you love, or share in missions with gift

to charities like UMCOR, The Heifer Project, or No

More Malaria in their honor. When you do shop online,

please visit UMCmarket.com first, register and use that

site as a portal to your usual shopping web sites. Your

shopping can benefit Colby UMC at the same time.

Make these wonderful holidays Holy Days, and

Christmas really Christ’s Mass and celebrate with prayer

and thanksgiving for the greatest gift ever given; God

present with us on earth.

Merry Christmas

Pastor Brian

It seems like I just arrived and Colby

UMC and now it is Advent season.

But what is advent and why is it so

important to the church? That is a

question I have struggled with for a

long time. I keep seeing giant stars,

big crowds around a sparkling clean

white baby Jesus, all neat and tidy in a

little shed sort of stable structure, even snow lying

around. Add onto that Santa Claus, presents, Christmas

trees, and endless parties, and Christmas concerts and

what do you get; receipt for over load and self

destruction.

I think we are wise to look back at that first

Christmas as it really was. First Mary – she was an

unwed teenage mother, probably young, like 14. She

would be dirty and smelly from their long journey from

the carpenters shop in Nazareth. Joseph must have

looked like a sucker. He was marrying a child bride in

his advancing years. He and his wife are ordered by the

Roman army of occupation to go to their family home in

Bethlehem to be counted. That is 80 miles on foot and

donkey. Not an insurmountable task but a difficult one

for people who rarely left their home village and in late

pregnancy. On arrival in Bethlehem they are not

welcomed at the inn. I imagine the innkeeper not

wanting to deal with an imminent birth at his inn. That is

quite a messy and noisy prospect. But the stable was

there, a dark, damp cave like shelter dug out of a hillside.

Can you imagine giving birth in a smelly stable with

manure all around, and far from family, friends and the

usual community supporters that might attend a birth?

And this was Mary’s first child, always the hardest.

This is how the King of Heaven came into the world

to be with us. Not a very Christmas card worthy picture;

dirty, humble, just getting by.

The Christmas star seems pretty odd to me in the way

it is usually portrayed as well. A huge shining star! But

who really saw that star and followed it? Not huge

crowds and lots of people to document it in history. It

was seen by a group of astrologers from far away. And

they only saw it because they were intently studying the

Message from the Pastor

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Have you missed a Sunday? Catch up with Sermons Online

The audio of our Sunday sermons and children’s messages are now being recorded and posted online. Share them with friends, or can catch up on weeks you missed by going to Colby UMC’s website www.colbychurch.org and clicking on the “SERMONS” tab, then “launch media player.”

Thanks to John Mueller and Bernie Hargrave for making this online ministry happen!

Date Scripture & Highlights

December 7, 2014 2nd Sunday of Advent Holy Communion

Read: Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 (UMH page 806); 2 Peter 3:8-15a; Mark 1:1-8 Sermon: “Are You Ready?”

December 14, 2014 3rd Sunday of Advent

Read: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Psalm 126 (UMH page 847); 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28 Sermon: “And So It Begins”

December 21, 2014 4th Sunday of Advent

Read: 2nd Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Luke 1:46b-55; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38 Sermon: “Love Not Earned”

December 24, 2014 Christmas Eve

Read: Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96 (UMH page 815); Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-20 Sermon: “Spread The Word”

December 28, 2014 1st Sunday after Christmas

Read: Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Psalm 148 (UMH page 861); Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:22-40 Sermon: “Emanuel - God With Us”

November Worship Plans

Youth Group! Colby’s Youth Group meets on Sundays at 12 noon. Hope to see you there! The group is currently taking a break from their Wednesday evening meetings.

Keep an eye on Facebook and check with co-leaders Laurie Anderson and John Mueller for details.

Thinking about becoming a member of Colby UMC? Reception of new members on December 14th.

If you are interested, contact Pastor Brian for more information.

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December UMW Meeting

You’re invited to come to the United Methodist Women’s (UMW) meeting, Wednesday,

December 3, 2014 at 7:00 pm. The meeting will be held upstairs at the church. We

will be having a gift exchange for HelpLine children. The gifts should be $5-$10 and be

wrapped. Come as you like. Please everyone bring a refreshment item to share.

The UMW meetings are an opportunity for women at Colby United Methodist to

strengthen our community of women and support each other in fellowship.

The purpose of UMW “is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ;

to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in

the global ministries of the church.”

If you’ve never been to a UMW meeting, please join us. If you come regularly, please join us. If you

come once in a while, please join us.

If you have any questions, please give us a call. Phone numbers listed below. If you need a ride next

Wednesday, call Deanna.

Zula Bedell Deanna Bedell

President Vice President

360-871-0963 360-871-6221

or 360-265-8595 (cell)

Bazaar Buddies Will Be On Break Until February 2015 While Bazaar Buddies takes a well deserved rest, I encourage you all

to keep an eye out for new project ideas. February will be here before

you know it.

Dorcas Circle will not be meeting in December, but will resume

on the last Saturday of the month in January on the 31st.

“Thank you to all the musician in my church.” ~Shirli Dike

“Thank you to everyone who helped make the UMW Bazaar a success this year. Because of you we were able to raise $6,391 for local, national, and international mission organizations (S. Kitsap Helpline, Salvation Army, Kitsap Community Resources, Coffee Oasis - Port Orchard, Discovery Alternative High School, Stand-Up for Kids, Tacoma Community House, Etta Project, Red Bird Mission, UMCOR).”

~Cindi Irish and Bazaar Buddies

“Thank you for the generous donations of school supplies for the students at discovery Alternative High School. The office staff there was most appreciative. Also, thanks to members and leaders of our Youth group who helped load all the items for delivery.” ~Mary Hembd

“Thank you Alice Neman for stepping out of your comfort zone and becoming an excellent liturgist for Colby! You are appreciated.” ~Jennifer Sather, SPRC

“Thank you Bernie and Kathy Hargrave for providing a delicious Thanksgiving Feast! Your Colby family appreciates you both and ALL your areas of ministry.” ~Jennifer Sather

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Experience the joy of giving with UMCmarket's top holiday stores! Finding the perfect gift for those you love can mean even more this year. From Amazon to Kay Jewelers, there is something for everyone. Avoid the crowds and shop through UMCmarket and a percentage will be given to your ministry. You Shop. We Give.

UMCmarket stores will have some amazing online sales for Black Friday (November 28th) and Cyber Monday (December 1st). Don't forget to shop through UMCmarket and donate to your ministry!

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Meet and Greet with Pastor Brian

You have all been getting to know Pastor Brian, now he would like to get to know you! We have scheduled the following Meet and Greet to be able to talk with Pastor Brian in a small group setting.

Thursday, December 11th, 7pm at Alice Neman’s 7955 SE Southworth Drive, South Colby

Please sign up either at church or by calling the office to reserve your place. Space is limited.

Sole Hope Project Combined Meeting

of the UMW and Colby UMC Youth Intergenerational projects are a fun way to do mission and connect people. A few weeks ago the United

Methodist Women and our Colby Youth enjoyed just such a project. Sole Hope is a mission project that

shares the resources of two cultures to meet an important need. Our women and youth provided materials

and cut out parts for 39 pairs of shoes. The shoes are made from recycled blue jeans and are sent on to

Uganda where they will be completed and passed on to people who need them badly. Many in Uganda and

across Africa suffer from insects and parasites that enter the body through the soles of the feet. Simply

having shoes can prevent such disease and illness. Sole Hope also provides jobs for tailors and shoemakers in

Uganda. It is a win, win, win proposition. Waste jeans are recycled, materials are send to Uganda, tailors and

shoemakers are employed, and people receive shoes that they need. Our 39 sets of shoe parts, together with

$100 to complete the shoes are on their way!

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If you have a prayer request, please contact: Ev Small (360) 871-2045 or

Diane Bishop at dianeb@wavecable.com

Joy and Thanksgiving Prayers of joy for Deanna, Sarajane Rants’ daughter, who is having

a quick recovery from surgery The gift of friendship

Health Concerns Prayers for Carl Hill as he continues to recover from a head injury

due to a fall

Wisdom and Courage to seek and do God’s Will All church leaders, here at Colby and everywhere

National & World Concerns Pray for tolerance and peace throughout the world Wisdom and guidance for our elected leaders

Peace, Strength, and Encouragement Prayers for all those struggling with mental illness Children and families going through divorce to have peace and

strength All of our young adults struggling to find God’s way Family relationships that are strained

Thanksgiving & Protection Travel mercies for everyone during this joyous holiday season All active duty military, including Rusty Hoffman & Aaron Hoff

Ongoing Prayers Prayers for the Leonard’s toddler grandson, Brody, who is in a

period of watchful waiting regarding his a brain tumor Prayers for Dustin in Nebraska, who is 20 years old, diagnosed

with Stage 4 non Hodgkin's Lymphoma, undergoing intense chemotherapy. His mother, Chris, is a friend of Dedra

Prayers for Bill Clarke’s neighbor who has chronic emphysema Prayers for Bernie boyd as she undergoes treatment for breast

cancer Prayers for MaryCathern, Adam, and their whole family as Adam is

critically ill with end stage liver and kidney disease Prayers for Greg Bishop and his family as he undergoes treatment

for colon cancer Prayers for the Munros’ dear friend Alice Bresler, in Florida, her

husband Walt, and Alice’s medical team as they go through her treatment for a brain tumor

Prayers for Duana Dugan’s friend Sarah Watkins and her young family as she battles breast cancer

Calls, Cards, and Casseroles

At some time or another, everyone needs some extra care. As a congregation, we seek to support one another through times of illness, hardship, and grief. Everyone can be a channel of God’s blessing through congregational care.

Jennifer Sather coordinates these efforts. Please let Jennifer know if she can call on you to offer care. You may specify if you’re able to send cards, make phone calls, offer rides, visits, short respite care, and/or meals.

Contact Jennifer at (360) 871-0244 or jsather0244@wavecable.com

Birthdays & Anniversaries

December Birthdays 2 Bonnie Anderson Allyson Hoffman 5 Warren Barcalow Ledine Wilson 8 Jennifer Sather 12 John Mueller Charlotte Whitten 14 Jane Shafer 15 Charlotte Beltran 16 Alice Neman 18 Shalene Bell 20 Liam Hembd 26 Lee Morrison

December Anniversaries 19 Gene & Patricia Baker

“Do all the good you can.

By all the means you can.

In all the ways you can.

In all the places you can.

At all the times you can.

To all the people you can.

As long as ever you can.” -John Wesley

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

2 3 7pm UMW

4 7pm Trustees

5

6

7 9:15am Adult SS

10:30am Worship

“Greening of the Church” After Worship

12pm Choir Practice

12pm Youth Group

8

9

10

11 7pm Meet & Greet at Alice Neman’s

12

13

14 9:15am Adult SS

10:30am Worship

“Greening of the Church” After Worship

12pm Choir Practice

12pm Youth Group

15

16

17

18

19

20 9am Men’s Breakfast

21 9:15am Adult SS

10:30am Worship

12pm Choir Practice

12pm Youth Group

22

23

24 Christmas Eve

7pm Christmas Eve Family Service

11pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

25 Office CLOSED

26 Office CLOSED

27

28 9:15am Adult SS

10:30am Worship

12pm Choir Practice

12pm Youth Group

29

30 31 Office CLOSED

New Year’s Eve

December

Merry

Christmas!

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Colby United Methodist Church PO Box 4299, South Colby, WA 98384 Phone: (360) 871-3365

Pastor’s Email: colbyumc@gmail.com - Office Admin Email: colbyunited@gmail.com - Website: www.colbychurch.org Pastor: Brian Nelson Editor & Production: Duana Dugan

The Staff of Steeple notes reserves the right to edit submitted articles for clarity and to fit available space.

Colby United Methodist Church SE Harvey & Southworth Drive SE PO Box 4299 South Colby, WA 98384

3 Wednesday United Methodist Women (UMW) 7:00 pm 4 Thursday Trustees Meeting 7:00 pm 7 Sunday “Greening of the Church” After Worship 7-28 Sundays Youth Group 12:00 pm 11 Thursday Meet & Greet at Alice Neman’s 7:00 pm 20 Saturday Men’s Breakfast 9:00 am 24 Wednesday Christmas Eve Family Service 7:00 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service of Lesson & Carols 11:00 pm 27 Saturday Dorcas Circle 9:30 am

December 2014 Meetings & Upcoming Events

December 2014