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Contact Us 515-967-2991
Pastor John Gaulke
Steve McLellan
Minister of Creative Arts
& Pastoral Care
Brandon Lindsey
Children’s Ministry Director
Travis Wentworth
Youth Director
LeAnn Gaulke
Director of Small Groups
& Assimilation
Jane Burns
Financial Manager
Sue Bennett
Administrative Assistant
Heather Mahoney
Executive Assistant
December 2015
Volume 56 Issue 12
Christmas 3
Small Groups 4
Invasion Students 5
Children’s Ministry 6
Music Ministry 7
Top Notchers 8
Announcements 8
Online Giving 11
AUMC App 12
Inside This Issue
Continued on page 2
Dear Friend,
LeAnn and I were recently walking in Jordan Creek Mall.
As we strolled past stores, begging us to come inside with
promises of up to 50% off, I looked up and noticed some
beautiful hanging Christmas decorations. I pointed them
out to LeAnn and she said just one word, “Elegant.” The
more I thought about her one-word description the odder it
sounded to me. There is no doubt that “Elegant” was the
perfect word to describe the decorations that we saw. I
suppose she could have also used majestic, regal, or
stately as well, but elegant fit best. Put elegant in the back
of your mind as you picture this scene from Luke’s gospel:
And while they were there, the time came for her baby to
be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She
wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a
manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
(Luke 2:6–7, NLT)
I have been in several mangers over the years, and I don’t
think the word elegant ever popped into my mind once. I
did try to make the barn look as good as I could. My
grandfather had repeatedly said that I should be willing to
sleep where the livestock did. In other words, keep it clean
and soft. But though we rewired the barn, put in new
windows, and reinforced the corners with new cement I
never saw anything that even remotely resembled elegant.
Listen to the way Max Lucado describes the birth of Jesus in
a manger:
The stable stinks like all stables do. The stench of urine,
dung, and sheep reeks pungently in the air. The ground is
hard, the hay is scarce. Cobwebs cling to the ceiling and
a mouse scurries across the dirt floor. A more lowly place of
birth could not exist.
Volume 56 Issue 12 Page 2
As I picture that scene in my mind, I see a lot of things, but elegant isn’t one of them. I can’t
find elegant because I focus on the peripherals. I see straw and sheep, cows and manure,
but if you look closer – look closely inside the manger – the one wrapped in cloths – rags.
That little boy is everything elegant, majestic, regal, and stately. That’s why the scripture
says that Mary treasured this moment in her heart. She focused on her child – her king – her
Lord and Savior. Just think what our Christmas could be if we did the same.
Excited to celebrate Christmas with you,
Pastor John
Celebrate Christmas this year by purchasing a gift for a student at Teen Challenge of the
Midlands. Names and gift requests will be available in the entryway starting November 29.
Pick one up Sunday! Gifts need to be wrapped and returned to the entryway by
December 16.
You can also participate by donating items for the students’ stockings. Suggested items for
the men are deodorant, razors, shaving cream, socks, body spray, hair comb, hard candy,
gloves, hat. Bring these items (unwrapped) to the table in the entryway by December 16.
Contact Heather Mahoney at [email protected] or 967-2991 with questions.
Each year, the offering collected on Christmas Eve goes to help
children in our community and around the world.
Christmas Eve Offering
Volume 56 Issue 12 Page 3
December 23rd at 7:00 p.m. December 24th at 3:00, 5:00, 7:00 p.m.
Each service will be approximately one hour in length. Nursery available at all four services.
Hope Has Come
Sunday December 13th
8:15, 9:45 & 11:00 a.m.
Volume 56 Issue 12 Page 4
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Parents, Let’s talk about December, Invasion Youth Ministry, and Justin Bieber
I don’t know if you like music, or even if you like good music, but Justin’s new album is awesome. It
is a work of absolutely stunning production and a fascinating combination of dance, tremendous
vocals, and Christ-like lyrics! Justin Bieber just takes the time on his new album to tell of his Purpose,
his purpose as defined by Jesus. Justin
Bieber is a Christian. Can you believe that?
And better yet, he’s a Christian who is on
fire for Jesus!
Justin has been mentored by some of the
brightest Christian minds and pastors of our
generation. These brave men who are a
few ages and stages ahead of Justin have
stuck by his side through all of the nonsense
and have seen him develop into one of the
best Christian influences that today’s stu-
dents may ever behold. Okay, stick with me. Students don’t go to YouTube to listen to an amazing
pastor; they go to YouTube for the next music video! So when Justin comes out with that new music
video, and proceeds to preach the gospel in it—students everywhere will start to investigate more
about this Jesus guy!
So what does Justin Bieber have to do with Invasion Students? Justin has had Christians lovingly and
graciously walk alongside him through, and despite, the nonsense. In the same way, all of us need
this type of community-- especially students. Students are at a brilliant crossroads in their life; they
are becoming who their parents raised them to be and doing it by discovering who they want to
be. I don’t know about you, but my goal is to walk alongside students, carry them when they stum-
ble, give them a high five when they score, and hold them tight as they cry. I wonder if your goals
are similar to mine, and if so, I have some practical ways to take next steps in December.
So what are ways students need parents to walk alongside of them? You may:
Lead a small group on Wednesday nights. There is no better way to walk alongside them than to
discover answers to hard questions that help apply meaningful truth to our everyday lives.
Make food for get-togethers where students and leaders spend time enjoying games and com-
munity. (and stick around to play games and enjoy community)
Attending Invasion Parent’s Night on December 16th
Volunteer at various events coming up including:
Late-Night Fellowship (Like a “Lock-Out” Taking place on Dec. 31st)
Grade by Grade Invasion Sessions (Hang out at the Wentworths starting in 2016)
Wednesday night’s “Wish We Had Invasion” (Monica and Travis will be around to hang out with
those that are in the area and wish they could have had Invasion)
For information on these events, please email me at [email protected]
PURPOSE
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On Sunday, December 13, the Altoona United Methodist Choirs, Celebration Orchestra, Worship
Band, and Christmas cast will present an incredible combination of music, drama, and memorable
moments during each of the three worship services. We recommend the first and third service to
have the best seating options. The second service is the only service to feature the pre-school choir.
Our musicians would be honored if you invite a friend. This Christmas celebration is free and open to
the public.
You will hear standard favorites, along with contemporary Christian Christmas from Christ Tomlin,
Mercy Me, and others. Children’s ministry is making preparations for a beautiful nativity scene with
some new surprises. You will want to put this event on your Christmas calendar now.
In honor of our Heavenly Father who in the fullness of time gave us the gift of His Son, we “pay it
forward” and offer this concert as a gift to each of you and the community.
♫ The HOPE of Christmas rehearsal schedule:
♪ December 2: 6:00 pm orchestra - 6:30 choir & orchestra - 7:40 Jr. Choir w/choir & orchestra
♪ Wednesday, December 9 is our dress rehearsal. The individual group schedules are below
Preschool Choir – 5:30 pm
Full Jr. choir 5:45 pm
Bell Choir - 6:00 pm
Full Choir/Jr. Choir/Orchestra – 6:15 pm
Full Worship Band with Orchestra – 8:00 pm
*6:30 pm (Nativity cast also needed)
The technical team will be needed for the entire evening rehearsal – 5:15 until 8:30 pm
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES:
We are doing an additional Christmas Eve Service this year. The 2015 schedule is:
Wednesday, December 23 the service begins at 7:00 pm. The schedule is as follows:
Worship Band arrives at 6:00
Orchestra: 6:20 pm
Choir: 6:30 pm
Christmas Eve Day services will be at 3:00 pm, 5:00 pm, and 7:00 pm. The schedule is as follows
Worship Band: 2:15 pm
Orchestra & Choir: 2:30 pm
In the two final services please find your place on the platform 15 minutes prior to the service!
Thank you and have a very Merry Christmas! You all are the BEST! Steve McLellan
If questions contact me at [email protected] or 967-2991.
Worship
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Tuesday, December 8, noon Potluck in the Family Life Center
Host/Hostess: The Merkles & Joyce Cole
Program: Heartland Singer’s Christmas Program
Please bring and extra dish to share to help feed the singers
Bring a donation for the food pantry
Free will offering for the entertainer
Tuesday, January 12, noon Potluck in the Family Life Center
Host/Hostess: Marilyn Cowell
Program: Daniel Finney, The Register’s Metro Voice Columnist
Bring a donation for the food pantry
Upcoming Get Togethers
The office will be closed on the following days for the
Christmas and New Year’s holidays:
Thursday, December 24th
Friday, December 25th
Thursday December 31st &
Friday, January 1st
Top Notchers A ministry for adults 55+
winter
Boxed Offering Envelopes for 2016 Boxed offering envelopes will be available at the Welcome Center the week
of December 27th.
Volume 56 Issue 12 Page 9
Men’s Breakfast
Saturday December 19th
8:00 a.m.
Family Life Center
Pas oral Partners
If you or a family member would like prayer
support or a hospital visit, please fill out a
Connect card on Sunday morning or call
the church office at 967-2991 or 707-7833
after hours. Consider sending a DVD to a homebound
friend or loved one. DVD’s may be
purchased for $5 each by filling out a DVD
card at the Welcome Center or calling the
office. Contact Steve McLellan at 967-2991 to learn
more about becoming involved.
December 3rd * UMW 7 p.m. * Large Conference Room
We will be having a cookie exchange. Bring cookies to chare
for snack and exchange with others to take home. The mission
project will be mittens, scarves, underwear and gift cards for
Bidwell Riverside.
12/15 Abigail Circle 6:30 p.m.* Connie Ruggless’s home for our Christmas
dinner. Bring a dish to share.
12/17 Martha Circle Christmas lunch at Perkins
Call Sherry for information at 262-2235.
Volume 56 Issue 12 Page 10
Adult Basketball
AUMC Adult Basketball! Join us in the Family Life
Center on Monday nights, at 6:30 for some pickup
games.
No prior NBA experience is necessary!
Contact Paul Mahoney at 783-4838 or
[email protected] for more information.
Baptism Class Join us on Sunday, December 20th at
9:30 a.m. in the Chapel with Pastor
John. This one-session class is to help
understand the significance of baptism
and to schedule a date.
Christmas Poinsettias
2016 Altar Flowers Sign up at the Welcome Center to
provide altar flowers in honor or in
memory of loved ones or to celebrate a
special day in 2016.
It is time to order poinsettias in honor or
memory of someone for the Christmas
Eve service. The cost this year is $8.00
per poinsettia. Envelope order forms are
available at the Welcome Center. You
may pick up your poinsettia after the
Christmas Eve service.
Volume 56 Issue 12 Page 11
Altoona United Methodist Church has two electronic options for
giving. You can register to give regularly or make a one-time gift
by going to our church website, www.altoonaumc.org. Click on
the Give tab.
Once you have clicked on the Give Online button, choose to
Register Now on the right side of the E-Giving Login page. Enter
your information and create a Username and Password. You are
then asked how you would like to make your donation. Your
donation can come from your checking, savings, debit card, Visa,
MasterCard, Discover or American Express. You will have the option
of making a one-time gift or a recurring donation on a schedule that
you set up. Once you have registered, you have the ability to adjust
your giving as desired by logging in with your Username and
Password.
Another option for electronic giving is through our new church app. In the Worship menu,
choose Give Online and then follow the instructions above.
If you have any questions about this secure electronic giving option, please contact
Heather Mahoney at 967-2991 or [email protected]. She is happy to meet with
you to help you set up your account or answer any of your questions.
Page 12 Volume 56 Issue 12
If you would like to receive our weekly updates via email, please go to the church website,
www.altoonaumc.org. Under the Resources tab, choose E-Newsletter Signup, enter your
email address, choose the Weekly Newsletters list, and you will begin to receive our weekly
newsletters on Thursday afternoons in your email box!
If you would like to be included on our email prayer chain list, please go to the church
website, www.altoonaumc.org, choose Prayer Chain Signup under the Resources tab,
enter your email address, and choose the Prayer Chain list.
If we have missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact Sue in the office at
[email protected] or 967-2991.
Available for iOS and Android.
