Need to

Contact

the Church?

Mail: P.O. Box 218 Washington, WV 26181

In Person: Monday - Thursday 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Telephone: (304) 863-6203

Parsonage: (304) 861-0277

E-Mail: church@washingtonumc-wv.org

Website: www.washingtonumc-wv.org

Location: 10468 DuPont Road Washington, WV 26181

The Circuit Writer Newsletter Washington United Methodist Church PO Box 218 Washington, WV 26181-0218

Check us out and “like” us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/WashingtonUMC.WV

December Dates to Remember 1 5:30 PM Mission/Outreach Ministry 7:00 PM Pastor-Parish Relations 3 6:00 PM Lunch Sak Pak 4 5:45 PM Serve at LaTrobe St. Mission 6 9:00 AM U. M. Men’s Breakfast 11 AM - 7 PM Bell Ringing at Southside K-Mart 7 9 & 11:00 AM Communion 12:15 PM Spiritual Life/Prayer Ministry 8 7:00 PM Finance Ministry Meeting 9 11:30 AM U. M. Women’s Christmas Luncheon at Cheddar’s 6:00 PM Trustees 7:00 PM Church Council 13 9 - 11:00 AM Breakfast With Santa 14 9:00 AM Children’s Christmas Cantata 11:00 AM Chancel Choir Cantata 6:00 PM Children/Youth Program 17 6:00 PM Lunch Sak Pak 24 6:00 PM Christmas Eve Service 11:00 PM Christmas Eve Service 25 Christmas Day Church Office Closed 28

Join Us Sundays 9:00 AM First Celebration 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Second Celebration 6:00 PM 40 Days of Love Study 6:00 PM Children’s Choir 6:00 PM Youth Meeting

Tuesdays 6:00 PM Scout Pack 129

Wednesdays 6:00 PM Praise Team 6:30 PM Youth - The Huddle 7:00 PM Chancel Choir

Thursdays 7:00 PM Boy Scout Troop 129

10:00 AM Each Sunday

Circuit Writer A Publication of Washington United Methodist Church

December, 2014

January

December 21, 2014

“Once Upon A Time. . .”

Do you remember those wonderful fairy tales you

were told that began, “Once upon a time” and ended

with “and they lived happily ever after?” In between

there would be a villain(s) causing havoc and a hero

or heroine to save the day. It was a moral lesson and

the teller and listener were left with a feeling that all is right and

safe in the world.

A fairy tale is a made up story with fictional characters with

a disclaimer that they are not based on real people. This is a fairy

tale that is a true story and it is based on real characters.

Once upon a time, there was a very good God that decided

He was going to create a world that was beyond comprehension.

He made the universe and planets. On one particular planet he

divided the waters from the land made a light to rule the day and

lesser lights to rule the night. He made trees, flowers, etc. and

animals that crawled, swam, and walked. And then He made

people after His image and breathed His life into them. He saw

that everything was good.

An angel God had made decided he wanted to be

autonomous. He did not want anyone, especially God, telling him

what to do. He convinced a third of the other angels to join him

and they tried to get rid of God.

Having failed, he turned his efforts toward destroying

God’s creation. He began with the best of God’s creation, people.

He got them to doubt God’s love and filled their hearts with

selfishness and hate. The first murder was over how to worship

God. Wars began to be called “holy.” They abused God’s people

and His creation.

Then, when the world seemed at its darkest point, God’s

Son was born in a little town called Bethlehem. It was not as

spectacular as the moment of creation. It took place in a stable and

shepherds and Magi from the East came to see Him.

We celebrate His birth each year on a day we call

Christmas.

(. . . to be continued. . .)

Pastor David

Focus on Prayer By the Spiritual Life Ministry

December 2014

"It's not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving." Mother Teresa

December means one thing to a lot of people, Christmas. With Christmas comes Christmas shopping. The season of giving is upon us. Many people end up spending money they don't have to buy gifts for others. All too often these gifts end up being returned because it is something that person doesn't even want or like.This doesn't have to be happen. One of best things we can give is ourselves. One time I gave a gift of a drawing to someone and the response I got was that it was the best gift that they ever received. This gift only cost me a few cents money wise. It did cost me some of my time. The best part was that I didn't mind giving my time because the entire time I was making this I was thinking about the person receiving it and I was happy to do it. This year try giving of yourself as a gift to a loved one. I promise you that not only will they appreciate the gift more than something you bought them, but it will warm your heart to give it. I know that some of the gifts that I have received that were made hold a special place in my heart and I will always remember these over any gift paid for with cash.

Prayer Focus for December: We need to remember the reason we celebrate

Christmas. God gave us Jesus which is the greatest gift of all. When we pray we need to ask God how we can give of ourselves

May God Bless All of you this Christmas, Craig

Steven Garvin, brother

of Tammy Pasternak

passed away November

19.

Meets in the prayer room

12:15 PM Sunday, December 7

Spiritual Life/

You can begin placing cards for your friends at the church in the container

under the mailboxes at the back of the sanctuary.

The committee will sort and place them in the mailboxes for you.

Keep checking your mailboxes because

You’ve Got Mail!!

Just a reminder: The church does not

mail any cards that are left here.

Stewardship

Report

By John Edman ,

Treasurer

Month Income Expense Over/Under Balance

Balance 1/1/14 8,452.07

January 12,920.50 17,847.60 (-4,927.10) 3,524.97

February 21,244.85 17,682.58 3,562.27 7,087.24

March 20,407.18 16,994.70 3,412.48 10,499.72

April 17,512.00 20,045.64 (-2,533.64) 7,966.08

May 16,558.00 17,998.46 (1,440.46) 6,525.62

June 20,858.25 18,901.80 1,956.45 8,482.07

July 13,883.00 20,422.26 (-6,539.26) 1,942.81

August 24,231.00 17,881.00 6,350.00 8,292.81

September 15,347.00 18,860.07 (-3,513.07) 4,779.74

October 16,444.00 18,021.93 (-1,577.93) 3,201.81

November

December

2014 Budget

Monthly Budget

YTD Income

YTD Expense

Increase/Decrease

$237,099.00 $19,758.00 $179,405.78 $184,656.04 (-5,250.26)

December Worship Assistants

Liturgist: John Edman Greeters: Fred & Nancy Hudgins Ushers: Dan Bibbee Steve Gates

Edie Barber Jill Barber Jo Barber JoEllen & Richard Butcher Brayden Coffman Virginia Colvin Cole Darnold Rev. Don & Betty Davis John & Mamie Dawson Marie DeLong Chad Fields Juanita Fleming Niki Fleming Mary Jo Fowler Sharon Fowler Rod Galici Joshua Greene Betty Holmes Brady Jackson Judy Rosemark Emma Kapezynski

Joan Kaufman Helen Keith Glen Kirk Rev. Bill Kniceley Elma Lang Ava Larkins Robert McCumber Ted McPherson Clark Moore Krissa Powell & Family Wandalee Price Glen Robinson Joann Springer Rev. John Springer Randy Thomas Doris Watkins Priscilla Wolf Tammy Wolf Our Troops & Families Our Church

Thursday December 4

Serving at 5:45 PM

If you would like to help cook,

serve, or fix a dessert, contact

Pam Tuell or Vicki Meisterhans.

December 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 5:30 PM Mission/Outreach 7:00 Pastor-Parish Relations Ministry

2

6:00 PM Scout Pack 129

3 6:00 PM Lunch Sak Pak

6:00 PM Praise Team

6:30 PM Youth - The Huddle

7:00 PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal

4

5:45 PM Serve at LaTrobe St. Mission 7:00 PM Scout Troop 129

5

6 9:00 AM U. M. Men’s Breakfast

Bell Ringing 11 AM-7 PM Southside K-Mart

7 9 & 11 AM Communion 12:15 PM Spiritual Life/Prayer Ministry 6:00 PM Youth Meeting

Deadline to order poinsettias

8 7:00 PM Finance Ministry Meeting

9 11:30 AM

U. M. Women’s Christmas Luncheon (at Cheddar’s) 6:00 PM Scout Pack 129 6:00 PM Trustees 7:00 PM Church Council

10 6:00 PM Praise Team

6:30 PM Youth - The Huddle

7:00 PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal

11 7:00 PM Scout Troop 129

12

13 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall

14

9:00 AM Children’s Cantata 11:00 AM Chancel Choir Cantata 6:00 PM Children/Youth Program

Mitten Tree Deadline

15

16

6:00 PM Scout Pack 129

17

6:00 PM Lunch Sak Pak

6:00 PM Praise Team

6:30 PM Youth - The Huddle

7:00 PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal

18 7:00 PM Scout Troop 129

19

20

21

6:00 PM Youth Meeting

January

22 23

6:00 PM Scout Pack 129

24

6:00 & 11:00 PM

25

Christmas Day

Church Office Closed

26 27

28

6:00 PM Youth Meeting

29

30

6:00 PM Scout Pack 129

31

6:00 PM Praise Team

6:30 PM Youth - The Huddle

7:00 PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Services

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Third Sunday of Advent

Second Sunday of Advent

Our Unit of United Methodist Women met again October 31st with 12 members present. President Marsha Plybon opened with the Mission Statement on Brazil and the empowering of Women there. She then opened with a prayer.

Lois Carvell presented the Devotions on "Thankful for Blessings", with some of the ladies sharing things they have been thankful for this year.

Marsha called for the reading of the earlier minutes recorded October 14, 2014. They were approved as read. She then asked for the treasurer's report, with $1,045.80 in checking.

We are in need of another tea/beverage dispenser. Charlotte Stuart made a motion to purchase one and Kathia Halbert seconded. Mary Ann Branham will purchase one at Sams.

We will be giving our Special Membership recognition on the 16th.

Our Christmas Luncheon will be at Cheddars on December 9th, at 11:30 am. If you would like to join us - please give your name to one of us. Also if you wish to be in the gift exchange, please bring a $10 wrapped gift. Marlene will present the Devotions for December.

We will be honoring a family for Christmas, with gifts. We have an amount in our Budget that we will use to purchase gifts.

It was suggested we have another large sign for Advertising our Bazaar, up by DERC entrance. We have two others up each year and Deidra puts flyers up in the establishments.

Nominating Committee met with Carolyn Vander Vliet as chairperson. The slate of officers is the same as last year, with the exception of Maxine McPherson, as Secretary. (They will be looking for someone to fill this position) Marsha asked if we would adopt this slate of Officers for 2015. Marlene Ruddlesden made a motion to accept and Lois Carvell seconded. Motion carried. MARY ANN BRANHAM GOES OFF THIS YEAR AND IT IS SHARON KIRK 2015, LOIS CARVELL 2016, AND MARLENE RUDDLESDEN 2017.

Marsha closed with an Election Day Prayer.

We dismissed to set up the tables for our Crafts, Vendor's tables, the Lunch Room tables, and the Silent Auction. We thank the VIP's for providing music throughout the day. We also thank Steve Bodge, Randy Tyree and Ted McPherson for their help setting up and taking down tables. Thank anyone that helped in any way. It was much appreciated. The profit has not been decided yet, as bills are still out and money is still coming in.

Recorded by Maxine

From the Washington United Methodist Women

by Maxine McPherson

United Methodist Women’s Christmas

Luncheon

Tuesday, December 9 11:30 AM

at Cheddar’s Restaurant

All church ladies are invited to attend.

If you wish to participate in the gift exchange, bring a wrapped

$10.00 gift.

Order Deadline:

Sunday, December 7

Price: $10.00

There is an insert in your November 30

& December 7 bulletins.

January 15, 2015 1:00 - 6:00 PM at Washington

UMC

December, 2014

Denotes Anniversary NOTE: Please contact the church office (304-863-6203) if your birthday or anniversary is not listed or is incorrect.

1 Sharon Edman 2 Angela Evans

3 Roger & Sharon Kirk

Christopher Miller Bryant Monroe 4 Landon Lawrentz 5 Kaden Strong 6 Joan Gates 7 Dalton Haynes 8 Don Matheny Brenda Tyree 9 Barbara Calvert Mike Halbert

10 Henry & Pearl Mize

11 Muriah Lane 12 Tim Thomas 14 James & Joanne Greene Mark Cunningham Priscilla Wolf 17 Rob Butcher 20 Karen Yu 21 Trey Satow

22 Andy & Nicole Sigman

23 Bill & Sandy Brown

24 John & Melissa Galici

25 Brittany Johnk Christy Rhodes Meredith Sigman

26 Blaine & Libby Auville

28 Dan & Sue Bibbee

29 Erika Bibbee David Chapman Kaden Starcher Frum

31 Tim & Amanda Thomas

Mark your calendars for:

Sunday, December 14

9:00 AM Children’s Cantata

11:00 AM Chancel Choir Cantata

Season Of Praise

Sunday, December 14

6:00 PM

Christmas Eve Services

Wednesday, December 24

6:00 PM & 11:00 PM

Youth Christmas

Program

Join us for breakfast, door prizes

and a photo with Santa!

Saturday, December 13,

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Entry fee is a new or gently used

child’s coat or donation

Lunch Sak Pak schedule

at Lubeck UMC:

December 3 & 17

We will be ringing

bells for the

Salvation Army on

December 6

(Saturday) at the

Southside K-Mart

from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

* * * * * * If you are interested

in ringing, please contact

Vicki Meisterhans,

304-863-6459.

Saturday, January 17, 2015

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

at Wayside UMC

Parkersburg

There is a mitten tree in the Narthex.

Donations of mittens, gloves, scarves,

etc. are needed by Sunday, December 14.

They will be given to children at

Washington Head Start, Blennerhassett

and Lubeck Elementary Schools.

* * * * * * We Rejoice!!!!!!

135 Shoeboxes

were donated this year!!!

Missions