Sunday, December 18: Fourth Sunday of Advent

Celebration Service

8:30 am

Sunday School 9:40 am

Lessons and Carols Service

11:00 am

Sunday, December 25: Christmas Day

Cookies, Cocoa and Coffee

10:00 am

Combined Worship Service 10:30 am

(No Sunday School or Afternoon Bible Studies)

Sunday, January 1: First Sunday after

Christmas Day New Year’s Day

Refreshments

10:00 am

Combined Worship Service 10:30 am

(No Sunday School or Afternoon Bible Studies)

The Evangel S t . S t e p h e n ’ s U n i t e d M e t h o d i s t C h u r c h

December 16, 2016 Volume 21, No. 24

OUR MISSION is to know God and make God known!

“Silent Night” Is Still Inspiring Us

Almost two hundred years ago, in 1818, a young priest, Father Joseph Mohr asked organist Franz Gruber to compose music for a poem Mohr had written two years earlier. Stille Nacht (“Silent Night”), which they then performed together that Christmas Eve at St. Nicholas parish church in Obendorf bei Salzburg, Austria, has become one of the most popular songs ever recorded --crossing political, geographic, and language boundaries around the world.

A century later, during the early hostilities of World War I, the tunes of the song would reverberate in a spectacular way as German, British, and French troops

embraced, played soccer with rag balls, shared meals, and entertained one another during the unofficial Christmas truce of 1914. The unofficial truce began with the Germans erecting Christmas trees atop the trenches.

According to Stanley Weintraub, author of the 2001 book, Silent Night: The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce, “The British had seen the Germans erecting Christmas trees with candles on them on the bulwarks of their trenches only about 75 yards away.” “They crawled out to explore and the two sides met in no man’s land.” After burying the dead, they shared beer and gifts. “The British had brass boxes of chocolates and tobacco and the Germans had wooden boxes with cigars and sausages and so on,” Weintraub wrote. “[And] Walter Kirchhoff, a tenor with the Berlin Opera came forward and sang ‘Silent Night’ in both German and English across the trenches.”

“What they discovered is that on both ends of the rifle they were the same, the same working class guys, it was a very strange event,” Weintraub reported. In fact, the shared culture of the warring nations made “the circumstances … unique, it probably couldn’t have happened in another war.”

As we gather for worship this Christmas Eve and sing “Silent Night” at our 4:30 pm and 7 pm services, let us pray for that heavenly peace to continue breaking through in our world as we celebrate the birth of our Savior!

Yours in Christ,

Kevin

Christmas at St. Stephen’s

Sunday, December 18

Celebration Service: 8:30 a.m. Sunday School: 9:40 a.m. Lessons and Carols Service: 11:00 a.m. Blue Christmas Service: 4:00 p.m. (The Blue Christmas Service offers hope and healing to the hurting, and reminds us all of the hope surrounding the Christmas story.)

A Message from the Pastor

Saturday, December 24 Christmas Eve

Candlelight Communion: 4:30p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 25 Christmas Day

*Cookies, Coffee, Cocoa: 10:00 a.m.

Combined Worship: 10:30 a.m.

(No Sunday School) *Please feel free to bring cookies.

Church Office Holiday Schedule

The church office will be closed Friday, December 23, and Monday, December 26, in observance of Christmas. The office will also be closed on Friday, December 30, so that the staff can prepare for Report Day, and on Monday, January 1. Voice mail will be monitored on December 30 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for emergency messages. You may use the drop box on the office front door for year-end monetary contributions. We hope everyone has safe and enjoyable Christmas and New Year holiday celebrations with family and friends!

THE EVANGEL Vol. 21 Issue 24, December 16, 2016 (USPS 019-947) is published bi-weekly free of charge to subscribers by St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church, 2003 West 43rd St., Houston, TX 77018-3009. Periodicals postage paid at Houston, TX. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church, 2003 West 43rd St., Houston, TX 77018-3009.

Evangel Deadlines

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From the S t . S teph en’s Fou nd ation Committee

Attendance and Contributions at St. Stephen’s:

Publication Date News Deadline January 6 Noon, Monday, January 2

Send articles to maryellen@stsumc.org or call the church office. Please note: Due to the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, the next Evangel will be published January 6.

Tommy Bickel has crafted more one-of-a kind cutting boards from wood removed from the sanctuary during the renovation last year. They are perfect for gift-giving and are available in the church office for a suggested donation of $25 each. All profits from the sale of the cutting boards will go towards the cost of materials and furnishings for the Prayer Sanctuary.

In Memory

Tax Benefits at Year-End

As we close out 2016, remember that our U.S. tax system rewards generosity as

contributions to churches and qualified charities are not taxed if you itemize. Many take advantage of this tax benefit to give even more and to give early, choosing to give January donations in December or even “pre-giving” annual tithes or donations in December for the year to come. The church (or charity) appreciates having the funds in hand and you receive even greater tax benefits at tax filing time. A little advance planning can make your giving go even further. For more information, contact Heartspring Methodist Foundation at 713-533-3780, 1-800-521-9617 or office@heartspringmethodist.org.

8:30 am 11:00 am Sunday School Operating Building Missions/ Communion

Other Repairs

December 4 54 168 110 $14,871.09 $750.00 $1,863.00 $987.00 —

December 11

55 159 119 $10,891.00 $1,715.00 $640.00 $5,878.45 —

Year -End Giving

All gifts received in the church office by midnight on December 31, 2016, will be counted as 2016 gifts on your giving statement. Thank you for your continued support of St. Stephen’s and its ministries!

We extend our prayers and sympathy to the family of Lindy Garrett, who passed away November 29. A memorial service will be held for Lindy on Saturday, January 7, at 12:30 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Freeway, in Houston. Visitation with the family will be held prior to the service at 11:00 a.m., also at Memorial Oaks.

Our sympathy and prayers are also extended to Lee and LaNell Kruse and their family upon the death of Lee’s sister, Mandy Quiel, on December 3. Arrangements for a memorial service are pending at this time.

Cutting Boards for a C au se

Volunteers gathered in the fellowship hall to wrap gifts for a missions project on Tuesday, December 6. Thanks to your generous donations, St. Stephen’s Missions Ministry Team was able to sponsor 8 needy families from Garden Oaks Montessori School, providing Christmas gifts to children who otherwise might not have had them this year.

Missions Project G ift Wrapp ing Party

Altar Fl owers

A new altar flower calendar has been posted in the Narthex (sanctuary foyer). Sign up to donate altar flowers, in memory or in honor of loved ones, on a Sunday in 2017 by signing your name next to the date you wish to donate. You will be contacted by the church office the week before to get your order and message for the worship bulletins. You are welcome to use your own florist, if you wish.

Financial Commitments Upd ate

As of December 13, 2016, St. Stephen’s has received 138 pledges for a total of $485, 566, our best pledge total since 2008! Of the 138 total pledges, 36 were first time pledges, and 44 increased their pledges! We are still expecting 7 to 12 more pledges to come in. There is still time to pledge!

We currently have $43,250 remaining on our building loan. A payment of $2,000 will be made before the end of December.

St. Stephen’s UMC—Calendar of Events

Thursday, December 29: 6:15 pm—Handbell Choir Practice (Room 101) 7:30 pm—Chancel Choir Practice (Choir Room)

Friday, December 30: Church Office Closed in Preparation for Annual Report Day 6:00 am—Men’s Prayer Breakfast (Denny’s @ 34th & 290) 6:30 pm—Court of Honor for Eagle Scout, Alex Pollock (Sanctuary) 7:30 pm—Reception (Fellowship Hall)

Saturday, December 31: New Year’s Eve 8:00 pm—Narcotics Anonymous Support Group (Scout House)

Sunday, January 1: First Sunday after Christmas Day New Year’s Day 10:00 am—Refreshments (Fellowship Hall) 10:30 am—Combined Worship Service (Sanctuary) (No Sunday School or Afternoon Bible Study Classes)

Monday, January 2: Church Office Closed in Observance of New Year’s Day Boy Scout Troop 604 Meeting (Scout House)

Tuesday, January 3: 9:00 am—Johnson Memorial School Classes (Education Building) 9:30 am—Line Dancing Class (Fellowship Hall) 10:00 am—Senior Adult Council Meeting (Room 201) 1:00 pm—Johnson School Dance Class (Room 101) 7:00 pm—Worship Ministry Team Meeting (Sanctuary) 7:30 pm—Sea Scouts Ship 24 Meeting (Scout House)

Wednesday, January 4: 6:00 am—Men’s Bible Study (Fellowship Hall) 9:00 am—Johnson Memorial School Classes (Education Hall) 9:30 am—Senior Activities Day Games & Lunch (Fellowship Hall) 1:00 pm—Johnson School Stay-N-Play (Church Library) 1:00 pm—Pilgrimage into the Last Third of Life Study (Room 101) 6:00 pm—Sonrise (Celebration Service) Choir Practice (Sanctuary) 7:00 pm—Education Ministry Team Meeting (Room 112)

Thursday, January 5: 9:00 am—Johnson Memorial School Classes (Education Building) 10:00 am—Prayer Shawl Ministry Meeting (Room 112) 1:00 pm—Johnson School Gymnastics (Fellowship Hall) 1:15 pm—Office/Program Staff Meeting (Room 101) 6:15 pm—Handbell Choir Practice (Room 101) 6:30 pm—Girl Scouts Meeting (Room 113) 7:30 pm—Chancel Choir Practice (Choir Room)

Friday, January 6: 6:00 am—Men’s Prayer Breakfast (Denny’s @ 34th & 290)

Friday, December 16: 6:00 am—Men’s Prayer Breakfast (Denny’s @ 34th & 290)

Saturday, December 17: 8:00 pm—Narcotics Anonymous Support Group (Scout House)

Sunday, December 18: Fourth Sunday of Advent 7:30 am—Sonrise (Celebration Service) Choir Practice (Sanctuary) 8:30 am—Celebration Worship Service (Sanctuary) 9:40am—Sunday School for Children, Youth & Adults (Education Bldg) 11:00 am—Lessons and Carols Service (Sanctuary) 12:15 pm—Jr. & Sr. High Youth Group Meeting (Youth Room 205) 12:30 pm—COVENANT Bible Study (Church Library) 1:00 pm—Disciple II Bible Study (Room 201) 4:00 pm—Blue Christmas Service (Sanctuary)

Monday, December 19: HISD/Johnson Memorial School Begin Christmas Break 11:00 am—Barnette/Richardson Wedding (Sanctuary) 7:00 pm—Boy Scouts Troop 604 Meeting (Scout House)

Tuesday, December 20: 9:30 am—Line Dancing Class (Fellowship Hall) 7:30 pm—Sea Scouts Ship 24 Meeting (Scout House)

Wednesday, December 21: First Day of Winter 7:00 am—Men’s Bible Study (Fellowship Hall) 9:30 am—Senior Games (Fellowship Hall/Bring a sack lunch.)

Thursday, December 22: 7:30 pm—Chancel Choir Practice (Choir Room)

Friday, December 23: Church Office Closed in Observance of Christmas 6:00 am—Men’s Prayer Breakfast (Denny’s @ 34th & 290)

Saturday, December 24: Christmas Eve 4:30 pm—Candlelight Communion Service (Sanctuary) 7:00 pm—Candlelight Communion Service (Sanctuary) 8:00 pm—Narcotics Anonymous Support Group (Scout House)

Sunday, December 25: Christmas Day 10:00 am—*Cookies, Cocoa, Coffee (Fellowship Hall) 10:30 am—Combined Worship Service (Sanctuary) (No Sunday School or Afternoon Bible Study Classes) *Please feel free to bring your homemade Christmas cookies.

Monday, December 26: Church Office Closed in Observance of Christmas No Events or Meetings Scheduled at St. Stephen’s

Tuesday, December 27: 9:30 am—Line Dancing Class (Fellowship Hall)

Wednesday, December 28: 9:00 am—Kids’ Meal Deliveries 9:30 am—Senior Games (Fellowship Hall/Bring a sack lunch.)

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Senior Activities Day

After a break in December, Senior Activities Day will be back Wednesday, January 4, in the fellowship hall. Come at 9:30 a.m. if you wish to join in the domino games. A soup and sandwich lunch will be served shortly before noon. Love offerings are encouraged to help cover the cost of lunch.

Red Hats

Each year in December, the Ramblin’ Reds of St. Stephen’s get together on a Saturday and bake cookies for firefighters at Station 13 as well as police officers who serve our neighborhood. Pictured at left: Some of the ladies posed with firefighters at the station.

The Ramblin’ Reds welcome ladies of all ages to join them for their next meeting and luncheon on Saturday, January 14, at 11:30 a.m. at Fuddrucker’s, 13,010 Northwest Freeway (Hwy 290). Please RSVP to Susan Barcus at 713-937-9087.

In Ou r Prayers

In the Mil itary Dirk Ray Jr., Allen Troth

Prayer C oncerns

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In the Hospital

Colonial Oaks Westchase—Anna Ruth Putnam (hospice) Memorial City Health and Rehab Center—Bill Gandin Memorial Hermann Greater Heights—Bob Baldwin, Ann Hill

Mission and Volunteer Opportunities

Project Warmth

The Christmas tree in the church library is being decorated with new hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, and socks for men, women, youth and children! You may continue to bring donations of these items and hang them on the tree in the library through the Sunday School hour this Sunday, December 18. The tree will be “undecorated” after Sunday School and the items delivered to the Star of Hope Mission. Thank you for sharing warmth with those less fortunate this Christmas season!

Kids’ Meals

Kid’s Meals has sufficient help making sandwiches for hungry preschool children this month, so our Kids’ Meals volunteers will be helping deliver lunches on Wednesday, December 28. We will meet in the church’s Glebe Street parking lot at 9:00 a.m. If you are interested in joining us to help deliver lunches, please contact Ginny McDavid at 832-922-0362.

The Gathering Place

Our monthly meeting of The Gathering Place, a ministry for persons with Alzheimer’s and other forms of memory loss, will be held Monday, January 9, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in our fellowship hall. Our volunteers, in partnership with InterFaith CarePartners, lead our guests in fun, memory-stimulating activities and serve lunch. Caregivers may choose to stay and participate in the activities or use the time for a break. There is no charge to caregivers or their carepartners to attend Gatherings. If you would like to learn more about how you can volunteer for this ministry, please contact Gwen Hunt, Coordinator, at 713-686-1202 or ghunt226@gmail.com.

Ed and Claytie Abrahams, Dianne Alexander, Jim Alsup, Edie Anders, John Artz, Chappie Ashburn, Ruth Austin, Louisa Badillo, Maxine Barcus, Dorette Benjamin & son, Kyle Valerie and family; Anita Bishop, Ray & Sandy Bonnin, Bill Borum, Paula Brady, Patrick Burns, Chappie Collins, Earl & Gloria Collins, Benjamin Coulter, Dorothy Cox, Shereka Curtis & family, Elizabeth Dennard, Gerald Dupree, George Ebelt, Maurice Ebelt, Stephen & Brenda Edrozo, John Edwards, Cameron Elliott, the Emerson family, Florence Epperson, Jack Ford, Penny Gadmer, Mildred Gandin, Maria Garcia, the family of Lindy Garrett, Carl Graham & family upon the death of Carl’s sister, Cheri Day; Shabazz Green, Rev. Dr. Charles & Phyllis Greene, Daniel Griffith, Linda & Bob Guggia, Beverly Harlow, Dorothy Haschke, Florence Holcomb, Elizabeth Huebner, Lee Hughs, Wanzel Jessie, Sr. & family; Thelma Jones, Denise Killian, Lee & LaNell Kruse & family upon the death of Lee’s sister, Mandy Quiel; Lucinda Kurtas, Gary Lamb & wife; Jim & Dianne Latham & family; Angus & Virginia Lewis, JoAnn Livingston, Steve & Penny Loy, Carol Luce, Lavon Mahon & family, Bonnie Maple, Ginny Martin, Marsha Massey, Frances Mayberry, Ed Mills, Mary Nelle Moore, Nina Myers (hospice), Gary & Dian Parker, Jody Parker, Betty Parks, Jean Parks, Anna Patton, Margie Perron, Gloria Powell, Milton & Noni Ray, Bill & Caroline Reaves, Bob & Gladys Reeve, Betty Roberts, Rogers & Jane Roberts, Kathleen Saathoff, James Sackett, Sandra Scott, Donna Schmidt, Betty Serio, Barbara Smith, Lura Smith, Vance & Jean Sorrells (hospice), JoAnn Spivey, Roland & Cindy St. Lawrence, Ruth Stone, Juanita Taliancich, Michael Tavera, Danny Thomason, Linda Thompson, Hazel Thompson, Ronnie Vance, Bitsy Vilven, Marianne West, Paul Wieting, George Wood, Gay Woods, David & Carolyn Williamson, Charles Zimmermann

Notes from the Minister of Music

There are many names for God in the Bible, but I think my favorite is Emmanuel, “God with Us”. There is no thing that gives me greater courage, strength or peace than knowing that God is with me. This is the time of year when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, when God took human form, put on human skin and came as a tiny, vulnerable baby. This causes awe in me any time I sit and ponder the mystery that theologians call “the incarnation”. In fact, I sometimes write hymns, and I believe my best work is on this subject. I wrote the tune for it as well, but for this article, I will only share the text. Perhaps one day I can sing it in worship!

God Child

Hands that shaped the formless void Grasp his mother’s finger God’s voice made darkness into light, A tiny cry now lingers. Eyes that see eternity Gaze up to his mother; These eyes will know our suffering Unlike any other. Feet that walked in Eden’s bliss Danced within his mother’s womb; These feet will walk down dusty roads, Be pierced and laid within the tomb.

Held, a child in Mary’s arms, God, an infant lowly; His birth shows us humility, And love, most pure and holy. Living Bread and Poured Out Wine, Seeks his mother’s breast. She gently rocks her precious child With awe in each caress. © Lindsay Smith, 2013

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From the Director of Student Ministries

Messy Christmas Church

What a fabulous turnout we had! God truly inspired and looked favorably upon our first Messy Church. We had 55 in attendance, from babies in strollers to toddlers and children in elementary school, and of course all of our parents and adult volunteers. We had a great meal of spaghetti, salad and bread, and then families participated in crafts and activities including Advent Wreath making, chocolate dipping (a favorite), and a place to experience

some music. At the end of the night, we had a short worship service where we sang, “Come all ye people, come and praise your maker!” and listened to a short skit about how Mary and Joseph were overwhelmed by everything that God was asking them to do. The evening centered around how God can help calm our chaos, and the children all received a book at the end of the night. Thank you to Amy, Gary, Debbie, John, Lee, Paula, Lindsay, Steven, Christie, Pat, Peggy, Brenda, Sharon, Kathy, Frank, and Brody and Caroline.

Our next Messy Church will be January 25, from 5:30-7pm, and the theme will be Creation! If you would like to volunteer, and be a part of this vibrant ministry, please see Mary Gossett.

Christmas Basket Shopping

The youth shopped for a family of 6 on December 4. We had a great time shopping, and we only went over $7! The youth purchased shirts, pants, jackets, and toys for the children, and they were very vital in contributing ideas on what the children would like.

Heifer International Holiday Book Reading

We had a great time with author Peggy Miller who read us her book, “The Seagoing Cowboy”. It is a story about how Heifer got started, specifically about the cowboys who took the animals across the sea to deliver to people in war torn Europe. Dan West, the founder of Heifer saw the devastation that war brought, and his vision was that if everyone had enough resources, we could end wars. Thus the ministry of Heifer began by distributing animals and training people to raise them. Peggy’s grandfather was a seagoing cowboy and his journey inspired her story. Thank you for continuing to support the ministry that the children do through their offering.

Nativity Pageant

During the Lessons and Carols service on December 18 at the 11am service, the

children can participate in a nativity pageant. The children will be singing two

carols during the service, but everyone is invited to join in and dress up.

Child ren and You th News

Johnson Memorial School News

We hope you have a wonderful

Christmas and a very happy and healthy

New Year!

From the JMS Staff 2016

St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church

2003 West 43rd Street Houston, Texas 77018 (713) 686-8241

www.stsumc.org

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

PERIODICA L

PAID

HOUSTON, TX

Rev. Lindsay Smith Minister of Music music@stsumc.org

Mary Gossett Director of Student Ministries youth@stsumc.org

Juyeon Kim Organist

Candice Croker Director, Johnson Memorial School jms@stsumc.org

Melissa Soto Nursery Coordinator

Anita Cabrera, Lydia Soto, Jo Ann Spivey Nursery Staff

Rev. Kevin Otto Senior Pastor kevin@stsumc.org

Administrative Staff

Mary Jessie Accounting Manager mary@stsumc.org

Mary Ellen King Executive Secretary maryellen@stsumc.org

Program Staff

Coming Up in 2017

Looking ahead to the new year at St. Stephen’s, we are excited about special events already scheduled for 2017! Be sure to mark your calendars now for the following events coming up in January so that you don’t miss any of them:

Sunday, January 22 - The Fellowship, our second Sunday evening service will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall. This casual, acoustic contemporary service is a great place for those who are new to the church, or those who have been away from the church for awhile. Coffee and snacks will be served before and after the service.

Monday, January 23 - St. Stephen’s will host our first Fun4Seniors Luncheon of the new year, sponsored by Harris County Precinct 4’s Senior Adult Program. Open to all adults age 50 and better, the “Chinese New Year Luncheon” will feature live, musical entertainment and a meal catered by China Wok. The menu will include sweet and sour chicken, fried rice, egg rolls and dessert. The cost is $10 per person. Please RSVP to Fun4Seniors at 281-893-3726.

Tuesday, January 24 - For all who are thinking about enrolling in Medicare and need information, but are still working full-time, we have scheduled a Medicare Information Seminar in the evening at 7:00 p.m. Our member, Lang Eng, a licensed insurance agent and registered financial adviser, will lead the seminar in Room 201. There is no charge to attend. Please RSVP to Lang at 832-607-6580 if you plan to attend.

Wednesday, January 25 - Messy Church will return from 5:30-7:00 p.m.! Messy Church is a family friendly worship experience for people of all ages. It is held in the fellowship hall where we eat a meal together, do crafts and activities around a Biblical Idea, and conclude with a short worship service. Our next theme will be Creation. Please join us, invite your friends and contact Mary Gossett to volunteer!

VIPs

Guests at the VIPs Christmas Luncheon on December 8 enjoyed entertainment by the students of the Johnson Memorial School at St. Stephen’s, led by Brenda Paulk, the school’s music teacher; and the Fairhaven United Methodist Church Bell Choir (not pictured). The VIPs welcome adults age 50+ to join them for the next luncheon on Thursday, January 12. A short business meeting begins at 11:00 a.m., followed by entertainment and a catered lunch at a cost of $10 per person. Please RSVP to Barbara Johnson at 713-686-6116 by Monday, January 9.