Fairfax

United Methodist Church

305 N. Broadway P.O. Box 318 Fairfax, MO. 64446

Office Hours: 8:00 am—12:00 pm Mon—Thurs

Office: 660-686-3314

Fax: 660-686-9505

Email: umc@fairfaxmo.net

Website: www.fairfaxumc.net

Sunday Worship:

Sunday School - 9:30 am

Worship - 10:30 am

Channel 61 Broadcast - Tues. 4:00 pm

Wednesdays:

Promise Keepers - 6:00 am

Pastor Roger Cary

Pastor’s Hours: 8:00 am—12:00 pm Tues—Thurs Fri & Sat: by appt

Study: 660-686-3314

Cell: 660-623-0427

Email: fairfaxumc@fairfaxmo.net

Mailing Address: Pastor Roger Cary PO Box 308 Fairfax, MO 64446

FAIRFAX MESSENGERFAIRFAX MESSENGER

DECEMBER 2013

Our first measurable snowfall has happened. We begin a

new liturgical (Christian) year. This time of the year brings

Christians to expect a coming or Advent. This has traditionally

been understood as an expectant wait for Jesus to be born in

Nazareth. This year I would suggest that we begin to think of

Advent in a different way; still one of coming, one of a King

returning triumphantly; but this time what if the King does not

return in fine clothes or with a large entourage? What if the

King returned suffering with malaria, possibly ready to die?

How much different do our thoughts become when we begin

to see the returning King as someone who feels pain, who

relates to our individual struggles of inadequacy, moral failure,

and misunderstanding? Jesus, being born to parents of low

status, grew up with all of the same issues so many in our

world face today. And then at two years old (according to

some historians) being taken to Egypt to escape a deranged

monarch. This would have put Jesus right into the midst where

mosquitoes would need to be fended off if the child were to

survive. Have you taken time to truly think about the

ramifications if Jesus had contracted malaria and died?

Each day in Africa children are dying due to a preventable

and curable disease spread by mosquitoes. On the average a

child dies every 60 seconds due to malaria. This means that in

the time it took me to write this approximately 15 children

have died. That is unacceptable. If this were happening in the

United States we, as a people, would be up in arms. We can do

something about this right now. I pledge an amount equal to

the time it took to write this to the “Imagine No Malaria”

campaign as a gift celebrating the coming of a King. What will

you give as a gift to the coming King?

Proverbs 19:17 “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the

Lord, and will be repaid in full.”

- Rev. Roger Cary Pastor’s

Corner

The Youth Sunday School Class enjoyed making "lamp stands" by placing oil, water, food coloring and Tums in water bottles. The results were quite interesting. This activity followed a Bible study on Solomon's Temple.

69 Served during

Thanksgiving Banquet Saturday, November 23rd, in the church basement, a great group of people gathered to enjoy food and fellowship. Due to our declining attendance in past years, we invited the whole community of Fairfax to our Thanksgiving Banquet, not just those over 60 years of age. The local Girl Scouts provided the table decorations. Between the guests, deliveries, and cooks/servers 69 people enjoyed the meal and fellowship. The group sang “Happy Birthday” to Doyne Swan who turned 90 that week. A comedy skit was performed by Roger & Suzanne Southard. Thank you to all who provided food, and those who helped prepare, serve, deliver, and clean-up the meal. We especially thank the guests, for you are the reason for the gathering.

Suzanne Southard, Banquet Chairman

Holy Communion Please call the church

office, 686-3314, if you would like communion brought to you or

a loved one at home.

Children’s Christmas Program

Sunday Dec. 22nd at 5:30 pm

Do you see it? Can you hear it? Can you smell it?

Just use your imagination. It’s Christmas and you can see it, hear it, and smell it all around you.

It smells all cinnamon and sugary and piney.

It looks like lights, and gifts, and nativity sets.

And the sounds. Well, that’s just about the best part. Lots of laughter and plenty of “thank yous” fill the air, but it’s the songs of Christmas that help us to remember why we’re celebrating.

Some of the songs of Christmas have been sung for over a hundred years, and every time

we sing them we fill the air with the good news of the birth of Jesus.

The children of Fairfax UMC invite you to their Christmas program where they will…

Sing a Song of Christmas!

A finger food, carry-in, dinner will follow the program.

Everyone is invited!!

Office Closed Wed., December 25th and Thu., December 26th for the Christmas Holiday.

Women's Evening Edition W.E.E. met Wed. evening, Nov. 13th. Suzanne Southard provided refreshments and Pam Davis led the devotions. All were pleased with the support given at the ham dinner and auction in October. The stoves have been paid for. The United Methodist Men will pay for one of the stoves. Thank yous from Jeanette Swackhamer and the Wasserfallen family were read. All went well with the Dean Martin memorial with approximately 80 people attending. A check had been given to the school counselor to purchase some needed clothing for a student. The women voted to make donations to UMCOR and the Atchison County Salvation Army. $500 will be given to the church to help pay apportionments. It was voted to set aside $515 to a parsonage fund which is 15% of the money made at the dinner/auction. Reminders were given concerning the Community Thanksgiving dinner in November. Mardee Collingham presented the idea of scheduling some evenings out for couples. A valentine meal is being considered. We will not be having a meeting in December. The evening's offering of $24.46 will be given to C.A.R.E. The next meeting will be January 8th.

Seven volunteers worked at Second Harvest in St. Joseph Tuesday afternoon Nov. 5th. The group first filled 55 boxes for seniors with a designated num-ber of canned fruits, vegetables, meat, pasta, cereals, milk and juice. The rest of the afternoon

was spent filling backpacks for the backpack buddy program. The group felt that the afternoon was well spent and were pleased with all that was ac-complished. Those attending were Pastor Roger Cary, Jerry and Mardee Collingham, Lois Wiley, Jan Taylor, Bob and Amy Sefrit

The Fairfax United Methodist Church

hosted a . . . hayride and wiener roast Sunday evening November 10th. Esther Southard announced that this was her first hayride which made the event extra special for all attending.

Our thanks to Charla Graves for organizing the fun event.

This event is FREE, plus we will have refreshments and Christmas Goodies!

Gather your family and friends and celebrate of the birth of Christ with Women of Faith. Join Max Lucado, Rick Warren, Sheila Walsh, and Lisa Harper for timeless messages that focus on the true meaning of Christmas. Enjoy music from Francesca Battistelli that will bring the wonder of Christmas to life. Bring new meaning to your Christmas season and celebrate the birth of Christ with an event everyone will enjoy! 2012 Women of Faith Christmas

Sister’s-In-Spirit will be hosting the

at Fairfax UMC on

Friday, December 6th 7:00-9:30 pm

Bring your entire family!

Malaria is an infectious disease caused by parasitic microorganisms which are transmitted by a bite from an infected mosquito. Early symptoms of malaria infection are similar to what we experience when we get the flu; they include headache, fever, shivering, joint pain, and vomiting. As the disease progresses, people can also experience hemolytic ane-mia, jaundice, hematuria (blood in the urine), convulsions, neurological symptoms, and a host of other complications. The more serious complications such as acute respiratory dis-tress syndrome (ARDS) and renal failure can result in death.1

Malaria is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions because rainfall, warm tempera-tures, and stagnant water provide ideal habitats for mosquito larvae. Strategies such as the use of mosquito nets, insect repellents, and draining standing water have reduced transmission of the disease. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), deaths attributed to malaria in 2010 were reduced by over one third compared to those in 2000 largely due to the widespread use of insecticide-treated nets and new combination drug therapies.1

People living in the poorest countries are the most vulnerable. The majority of malaria cases (90%) occur in children and pregnant women. Every 60 seconds a child in Africa dies of this preventable and treatable disease. Imagine No Malaria is an extraordinary effort of the United Methodist Church that aims to empower the people of Africa to overcome ma-laria’s burden. The plan is comprehensive and includes improving prevention methods, ac-cess to treatment, education, and communication.2

During Advent, the worship team encourages you to participate in this vital ministry of our global church community. A life-saving insecticide-treated net costs just $10...less than 2 meal deals at McDonalds. For each $10 donation you give, a votive candle will be lit in the sanctuary representing a life saved. What a wonderful birth-day gift to offer Christ this Christmas.

You may use the enclosed envelope for your donations. Just mail them back to the church office, PO Box 318, or place into the offering plate. (remember to mark all your donations ‘Imagine No Malaria’ or ‘INM’)

1 Wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaria 2 “A Killer in the Dark”, Imagine No Malaria.org.

December Birthdays

Linda Ford 12/01 Ronnie Martin 12/01 Connie Minter 12/02 Terry Hopkins 12/04 Jeffery Bruns 12/04 Richard Bradfield 12/05 Marie Emrick 12/06 Karen Rogers 12/07 Rhonda Ball 12/08 Lelan Hall 12/10 Tailor Hecker 12/10 George M. Whittington 12/11 Ruth Monk 12/12 H.A. Sly 12/12 Cheryl Brown 12/13 Randy Bungenstock 12/16 Spencer Gibson 12/17 Joshua Smith 12/18 Darla Harbin 12/18 Tacy Mitchell 12/20 Madalyn Walker 12/21 Howard Hall 12/22 Gregg Smith 12/25 Chris Bradfield 12/29

December Anniversaries

John & Tabitha Wintz 12/05 Darrell & Lois Wiley 12/07 Tenn & Darla Harbin 12/17 Jon & Beth Graves 12/22 Jim & Mary Brown 12/29 Bill & Nancy Van Gundy 12/30 Rusty & Cherish Pruett 12/31

If you or your loved ones are not

on the list, contact the church office: umc@fairfaxmo.net or 686-3314

with your info and we will get our records updated.

HOTLINES:

Boys Town National Hotline -- 1-800-448-3000 24/7...365 days a year...teens/parents/families

Child Abuse and Neglect ------ 1-800-392-3738

Elderly Abuse and Neglect --- 1-800-392-0210

Gambling Addiction -------------1-888-BETSOFF ---------------------------------- (1-888-238-7633)

Mental Health Crisis Line ----- 1-800-392-0280

Missouri School Violence ----- 1-866-748-7047

Poison Control ------------------ 1-800-392-9111

Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence ------------------------------------ 1-800-548-2480

Suicide Prevention Lifeline -- 1-800-273-TALK ---------------------------------- (1-800-273-8255)

Thanks so much to all my wonderful church

family for the Newsletters, Church bulletins and

Communions, you folks have shared with me all

year. Happy Holidays to all and may God Bless

each of you! Love, Florine

Our thanks to: Charla Graves for organizing the Weiner Roast and Hayride, and Suzanne Southard for organizing the Thanksgiving Banquet.

Ministry Committee Meeting Tuesday, December 3rd at 6:30 pm

Tha

nk Y

ou

Tha

nk Y

ou

Tha

nk Y

ou

PPR Meeting Tuesday, December 10th at 7:00 pm

Church Council Meeting Wednesday, December 11th at 6:30 pm

20

13

D

ec

em

be

r

Sunday

Monday

Tuesd

ay

Wednesd

ay

Thurs

day

Fri

day

Satu

rday

1

1

st S

un

da

y o

f A

dve

nt

2

3

Min

istr

y M

eeti

ng:

6:3

0p

m

4

Pro

mis

e K

eep

ers:

6:0

0a

m

5

6

Wo

fF’s

“C

hri

stm

as’

S

imu

lca

st f

or

the

wh

ole

fa

mil

y: 7

-9:3

0p

m @

F

UM

C,

Fre

e a

dm

issi

on

7

8

2

nd

Su

nda

y o

f A

dve

nt

9

10

PP

R:

7:0

0p

m

11

Pro

mis

e K

eep

ers:

6:0

0a

m

Ch

urc

h C

ou

nci

l: 6

:30 p

m

12

1

3

14

15

3rd

Su

nda

y o

f A

dve

nt

Ple

asa

nt

Vie

w

Wo

rsh

ip:

3:3

0p

m

16

1

7

18

Pro

mis

e K

eep

ers:

6:0

0a

m

19

20

21

22

4th

Su

nd

ay

of

Ad

ven

t

Ch

ild

ren

’s

Ch

rist

ma

s

Pro

gra

m:

5:3

0p

m

23

24

Ch

rist

ma

s E

ve

Can

dle

ligh

t S

ervi

ce:

5:3

0pm

25

Ch

rist

ma

s D

ay

Off

ice

26

Off

ice

27

2

8

29

30

Dea

dli

ne

for

Ja

nua

ry N

ewsl

ette

r

31

New

Yea

r’s

Eve

Wo

rsh

ip S

ched

ule

Su

nd

ay

Sch

oo

l: 9

:30a

m

Wo

rsh

ip:

10

:30a

m

Ch

ann

el 6

1:

4:0

0p

m T

ues

Off

ice

Ho

urs

8:0

0 a

m—

12

:00 p

m

Mo

n—

Th

urs

66

0-6

86

-331

4

um

c@fa

irfa

xmo.n

et

Fa

x: 6

60

-686

-95

05

Pa

sto

r’s

Ho

urs

8:0

0 a

m—

12

:00 p

m

Tu

es—

Thu

rs

Fri

-Sa

t b

y a

pp

oin

tmen

t

66

0-6

23

-042

7 (

cell

)

fair

faxu

mc@

fair

faxm

o.n

et

Fa

irfa

x U

nit

ed

Me

th

od

ist C

hu

rc

h

PO

Box 3

18,

305 N

. Bro

adw

ay,

Fair

fax,

MO

64446

ww

w.f

air

faxum

c.n

et

Pa

sto

r R

og

er

Ca

ry

PO

Box 3

08,

Fair

fax,

MO

64446

Isaia

h 1

1:1

-10

Psa

lm 7

2:1

-7,

18

-19

Rom

ans

15:4

-13

M

att

hew

3:1

-12

Isaia

h 3

5:1

-10

Luke

1:4

7-5

5

Jam

es 5

:7-1

0

Matt

hew

11

:2-1

1

Isaia

h 7

:10

-16

Psa

lm 8

0:1

-7,

17

-19

Rom

ans

1:1

-7

Matt

hew

1:1

8-2

5

Isaia

h 6

3:7

-9

Psa

lm 1

48

H

ebre

ws

2:1

0-1

8

Matt

hew

2:1

3-2

3

Isaia

h 2

:1-5

P

salm

122

R

om

ans

13:1

1-1

4

Matt

hew

24

:36

-44

Serving our church

in December will be: Ushers: Ronnie Martin and Mark Sly

Acolyte: Jesse Graves

Communion Stewards: Tacy Mitchell and Alice Kemerling

Altar Flowers: Ronnie & Jayne Martin in memory of James R Sly

Lay Reader: Roger Southard

Bulletins: December 1 - Dale & Dolly Kemerling in memory of loved ones

December 8 - Dale & Dolly Kemerling in memory of loved ones

December 15 - Dale & Dolly Kemerling in memory of loved ones

December 22 - Gerry & Mardee Collingham

December 29 - Miles Smith in memory of loved ones

Web Site Sponsor: Dale & Dolly Kemerling

Stewardship: Receipts from November 26, 2013:

Plate Offerings: First 1,392.00 Attendance: 43 Second 2,624.00 53 Third 1,666.75 42 Fourth 6,324.04 33 Fifth — — Total Offerings: 12,006.79

Received Received Special Offerings: This Month To Date Altar Flowers 0.00 325.00 Back Pack Buddies 0.00 640.00 Building Use 0.00 175.00 Bulletins 10.00 445.00 Donations for Events 0.00 500.00 Festival of Sharing 0.00 377.00 Food Pantry 0.00 113.00 Fundraisers 0.00 1714.00 Human Relations Day 0.00 285.00 Imagine No Malaria 100.00 100.00 Loose Change 0.00 1581.48 Misc. Income 0.00 269.87 Native American Ministries 0.00 360.00 One Great Hour of Sharing 0.00 332.00 Peace with Justice 0.00 125.00 Sunday School 73.79 867.86 UM Student Day 159.00 159.00 Web Site 0.00 275.00 World Communion 0.00 186.00

BUDGETED ‘General’ Account: Received to Date Total Income: 96,921.18 Needed to Date Total Income: 115,009.00

Can you Serve? Would you be interested in serving by delivering communion to our members at home?

Please let Bob Sefrit or Jan Taylor know.

Great-Grandparents Richard & Peggy Slemons became Great-Grandparents for the first time on Nov. 14th! Their Grandson, Dr. Jason & Dr. Lia Slemons, Anchorage Alaska, have a baby girl. Freda weighs 6 lbs 1oz and is 18” long. Her grandparents are Caleb & Jonne Slemons of Chugiak, Alaska and Jay & Debbie Ossiander, Anchorage.

Just like a grandpa, Cale tells us on the phone that baby Freda shows more alertness than the average one day old baby!

Christmas Eve

Candlelight

Service

Tuesday, December 24th

5:30 pm

Fairfax, MO 64446

U.S. Postage Paid Non-Profit Org.

Permit #10

Address Service Requested

Fairfax United Methodist Church 305 N. Broadway P.O. Box 318 Fairfax, MO 64446

DECEMBER 2013

FAIRFAX MESSENGER FAIRFAX MESSENGER Helping Hands of Friendship

Have a project that you cannot, or should not, do yourself?

The Fairfax United Methodist Church would like to extend a hand of friendship by helping members of the Fairfax Community who might need some help with a small project!

The "Helping Hands" have funds available and are willing to provide transportation to Dr. Appointments or help with small errands if needed.

Please call the Methodist church office (686-3314) and give a brief description of the job/jobs/errands you need completed, or time and place of appointments, your name and address, and phone number and someone will call you back to discuss details and let you know if it’s a project that our team can successfully handle.