D

od

ge

ville

Un

ited

Meth

od

ist C

hu

rch

32

7 N

orth

Iow

a S

tree

t D

od

ge

ville

, WI 5

35

33

Pre

pa

red

esp

ecia

lly fo

r…

Ne

wsle

tter

De

ce

mb

er 2

011

Dear members & friends of the Dodgeville & Ridgeway: Grace UMCs, This Advent, as most of you already know, we are on a journey together—a journey to Bethlehem, perhaps a journey like we’ve never been on before. This may seem like a strange scripture reference at this time of year, but what comes to mind for me is this: In Matthew 9:17 (NLT), Jesus states, 17 “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wineskins so that both are preserved.” Many times in the history (‘his story’) of God and God’s people, we find that it was time for God to do a new thing. In the first Advent (coming), God certainly showed that this was a part of his character—his mode of operation (MO). He was still ‘a covenant God,’ but instead of the Old Covenant (agreement), it was time for a New Covenant. And at the center of that New Covenant was God’s Son, Jesus. As my friend Dr. Bob Tuttle (Asbury Theological Seminary) says, “God squeezed himself into the body of a little bitty baby—a somewhat painful proposition—because God loves us so much!” This is the journey that we’re on this season—a journey that will take us to the destination of our Savior, Jesus the Christ!

MerryMerryMerryMerry ChristmasChristmasChristmasChristmas

So, what this journey to Bethlehem should also remind us of is this: Our own walk with God. Where are we at, during this season of Advent? Have we begun the journey of becoming disciples of God’s Son, Jesus, whose birthday we celebrate on the 25th of this month? Are we off to a good start in our relationship with God (the journey we’re talking about)? Or have we arrived in Bethlehem already, having discovered the Savior for ourselves—one who loves us more than any other ever could, one who gave his very life to save each of us? Or, perhaps, we’ve had a personal relationship with this Jesus for many years now, but we need a reminder this year of just what a gift God has given us in Christ. No matter where you are on the journey, our prayer for you this year is that you will come to the destination of Christ in your life—that you will come to know the JOY that this season is all about. It is real, you know! And Jesus’ JOY can be yours this Christmas. Keep these things in mind, as we continue our journey to Bethlehem together! Hoping to see you ‘on the road’…

With love & gratitude for each and every one of you,

Pastor RomPastor RomPastor RomPastor Rom & jane& jane& jane& jane

To Worship is:To Worship is:To Worship is:To Worship is:

To quicken the conscience By the holiness of God.

To feed the mind With the truth of God; To purge the imagination With the beauty of God;

To open the heart To the love of God’ To devote the will To the purpose of God.

-William Temple

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

Meetings and Opportunities: *Our annual December “pot-luck” supper is scheduled for Thursday, December 1 at 6:00 PM in Fellowship Hall. Please bring a dish to pass and join us for food and fellowship. All women of the church are encouraged to come and to bring a guest. *We will be offering concessions at each of the Secret Santa Shopping Events on Saturday, December 3rd and on the 10th as well. We will be serving Sloppy Joes, Egg Salad, and Hot Dog sandwiches, beverages, and cookies and bars. *You are invited to shop for your Christmas “goodies” at our Bake Sale on Saturday, December 3rd starting at 8:30 AM. We will also have a Christmas “Craft Table” with new and “gently used” decorations for sale. Money collected at these events helps us to meet our pledge to missions. *The Grace Post circle will meet on Friday, December 9 at 12:00 PM at Louise Price’s home for a “Pot Luck” meal and devotions. Please bring a donation item for the food pantry. The Evening Star circle does not meet in December.

Thank you! We would like to

thank the members of the

church for all your thoughtfulness

during our illness. Sincerely,

Jack & Ruth Metcalf

CHOIR

OPPORTUNITIES The choir will be singing at the early services on December 4, 11, and 18 as well as at the 10:00 PM service on Christmas Eve. We rehearse at 8:15 AM before the service. Please join us—we welcome new members.

Christmas Day

Join us for a special worship celebration on Christmas day at 9 AM! We will be meeting in fellowship hall to celebrate Jesus’ birthday together (including cake and balloons!). Since it is Jesus’ birthday, we’d like to encourage you to give birthday gifts to Jesus either on Christmas day or sometime during the Advent season. Suggestions might include: gifts for the Giving Tree, serving at the Community Christmas Dinner or other community/church outreach event, bringing in an item(s) for the food pantry, shoveling someone else’s sidewalk/driveway, getting along with your sibling(s), etc. We hope to see you there!

CURRENT MONTH October, 2011 Monthly Income $12,191 Monthly Expenses Paid $12,472 Net Income for month $ <281> Apportionments Paid 0 Unpaid Apportionments $2,103 YEAR TOTALS THROUGH CURRENT MONTH Years Income $149,754 Years Expenses Paid $137,024 Net Income for Year $ 12,730 Apportionments Paid $ 9,006 Unpaid Apportionments $ 16,230 TOTAL APPORTIONMENTS DUE FOR YEAR $25,236 APPORTIONMENTS DUE PER MONTH $ 2,103

CHRISTMAS COMMUNITY

DINNER The Christmas Community Dinner will be at Culvers from 12:00-1:30 on Christmas Day.

CANDLE LIGHTING CEREMONY

Compassionate Friends will be holding a Candle Lighting Ceremony on

Sunday, December 11th at 5:00 PM at DUMC.

Missing Book of Discipline The 2008 copy of the United Methodist Book of Discipline is missing from the shelf in the office. Please return it to the office as soon as possible if you have it.

Monfort United Methodist Church

Talent Dinner Theatre Saturday, December 3, 2011at 6:00 PM

Dinner and a show for only $5.00 Spaghetti (meat and meatless) and garlic bread

also Community Christmas Cantata “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”

Sunday, December 4, 2011at 10:30 AM Potluck Dinner to follow the service

_____________________________________________

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS DAY DINNER Saturday, December 25th, 12:00-1:30 PM at Culver’s.

Reservations: for a delivered meal, or to eat at Culver’s, call Community Meals at 553-3206 by Sunday, December 18th. This

dinner is made possible through Dodgeville Churches and the generous contributions of United Fund of Iowa County, Culver’s, Salvation Army and other Iowa County Businesses, individuals,

and civic organizations. Monetary donations accepted at the door will be used for the cost of the meal.

“Live Nativity”

Sunday, December 11 at 5:00 PM Free Chili Supper and Silent Auction

Auction proceeds to go to missions Midland United Methodist Church

10235 HWY DP, Mazomanie

Sponsored by Dodgeville Kiwanis Club

“Osteoarthritis and Chronic Joint Pain” Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at 5:30 PM

Dodger Bowl Presentation by Dr. James Self, Orthopedic Surgeon,

Upland Hills Health

*First name listed is 9:00 service, 2nd name is 10:45

*Worship Assistants

DECEMBER 4 Julie Piper, Jan Aschliman 11 Merlin Gorsline, Mary Ellen Schultze 18 Kevin Kirschbaum, Terry Edwards 24 25 Birthday Party for Jesus

*Multi-Media DECEMBER

04 Tom/Julie 11 Gail/Rays 18 Matt/Gail 24 7:30 PM Tom 10PM Gail 25 Gail (9:00 only)

JANUARY 1 Gail/Rays 8 Gail/Julie 15 Tom/Matt 22 Matt/Rays 29 Gail/Tom

*Acolytes DECEMBER

9:00 10:45 4 Alex & Bethany Harman Lindsey Hazlett Ryan James 11 Emily Prochaska Maggie Piper Zach Tolzman 18 Alex & Bethany Harman Maggie & Eliza Godfrey 24 7:30 PM Maggie Piper 10:00 PM Ushers 25 Birthday Party for Jesus

No 10:30

PLEASE PRAY: Military

Tom Wagner Bertha Schlueter Andrew Bottrell Dave Tremelling

Bob Aikins Kristen Leitzinger

Dan Williams

DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

13 – Dean & Mary Terrill 21 – John & Donna Jewell

29 – Dale & Nancy Mortimer 31 – Art & Margaret Humbert

Greeters

DECEMBER 9:00 AM Steve & Sandy Alexander Klint McCutchin

10:45 AM 4 Dale & Nancy Mortimer 11 Lee & MaryLou Oxnem 18 TBA Christmas Eve 7:30 TBA 10:00 TBA Christmas Day 9:00 AM Sandy & Steve Alexander

JANUARY 9:00 AM Scott & Denise Tolzman Merlin Gorsline

10:30 AM Dale & Nancy Mortimer Mary Ellen Schultze Howard Rideout

Café DECEMBER 4 **Dee Dochnahl 11 **Rom & Jane Pegram 18 **Jan Aschliman **Charlene Mingst 25 Birthday Party for Jesus JANUARY 1 Shirley Lewis Lois Weier 8 **Juanita Starr 15 **Julie Colden 22 Penny Edwards Sandy Alexander 29 Ginny Gorsline Mary Lou Oxnem

**treat suppliers only

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS 3 - Scott Godfrey 14 - James Short 4 - Keith Bowers 19 – Lucille McIntosh 4 - Nancy Wepking 20 – Mary Wilson 5 - Ken Dobson 22 – Robin Digman 5 - Mylee Mulder 22 – Dawn Van Epps 8 - Mary Terrill 23 – Rosemary Edwards 9 - Kaitlin Strutt 25 – Quintin Puckett 12 - Denise Tolzman 28 – Elijah Jacobson 13 - Matt Schlueter 29 – Mary Lou Oxnem 13 - Earl Welsh 31 – Julie Colden 14 - Kevin Houck 31 – A.J. Smith

DE

CE

MB

ER

DE

CE

MB

ER