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UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF LE SUEUR 730 South 6th Street, Le Sueur, MN 56058 Phone: (507) 665-2314
We are a Christ-centered community, called to serve, where you can come as you are, share who you are, and experience the power of God’s love.
December 2016
Christmas Wishes
Look at the kids and you never find a Scrooge among them.
Kids love Christmas: the colors, lights, cookies, traditions and, of course, the gifts!
Ask them what they like about Christmas is the feeling that Christmas puts in their heart.
They are excited! They anticipate the joy! They believe in Christmas!
This is why adults lose Christmas.
We think Christmas is only for children.
Our Christmas wishes grow with things that cannot be bought in a store.
We want our family around us,
Laugh with our friends and
Make all of the bad things go away.
This is why there is always a gift under the tree for us:
A piece of heaven wrapped in Jesus.
Jesus connects us to the divine with a step into eternity,
Transforms our weary souls into a better version of ourselves,
Life has meaning, purpose, and direction.
Jesus forgives the secrets that still hurt,
Heals broken relationships from a life time ago,
And gives us courage to make the decisions we must make.
Jesus transforms us into a better sister, brother, mother, father, or grandparent.
We become better neighbors, friends, and strangers.
We see the world through Jesus’ eyes.
We give because our hearts will not let us stop.
That is when Christmas returns to us.
We see the possibilities,
Hope, Love, Joy and Peace,
When heaven connects with our heart.
Merry Christmas,
Pastor Terri
Advent is here!
During the Advent season, Children’s Time precedes the lighting of the Advent Candle. Kids will watch and then go to Kid’s Church while we sing O’Come Emmanuel at the end of the candle lighting.
This year the theme for our tree decorations is “The Purity of Christ in Christmas.
The Choir will present “Christ for the world” Sunday, December 4th.
The JAM kids will present a
Christmas Program during
Worship on December 18th.
Enjoy a service of Carols on
Sunday, December 25th
The YUM kids and their
friends collected 656 lbs of
food and $88 dollars
during their Trick-or-Treat
for the Food Shelf event.
Many thanks to all who participated.
YUM-We are again
supporting families in Le
Sueur County. Please take
a gift tag from the display
board in the Narthex. After
you have purchased the requested gift, wrap
it, tape the tag to the outside of the gift and
place it under the trees by the display board.
Financial donations are also welcome, if you
would like, you may contact one of our youth
to go shopping with you. All gifts need to be
at the church by December 18th. Thank
you for your support of this service project.
YUM kids
Alternative Giving: Supporting ZOE’s three-year
empowerment program is
your way to help orphans and
vulnerable children transform
their lives. By purchasing
“Gifts that Help” you are empowering
children with the animals, skills, tools and
other items they need to leave behind a life
of poverty. The ZOE Ministry display will
be available in the narthex on December 11th
and 18th. $10 will supply a rabbit, $25
chickens or a cooking pot, $50 a goat. Each
purchase of a “Gift that Helps” represents a
contribution to the entire mission of ZOE.
Donations will be used where needed most.
Christmas Food Boxes: Help is needed to pack &
deliver the Christmas Food
Boxes for local families on
Saturday, December 17th
starting at 9am. If you
know of a family in need, please provide the
name and address to the church office.
Christmas Eve Worship
4pm Thursday, December 24th.
United Methodist Women
UMW Executive Board Meeting Tuesday, November
29th
at 9am.
General Meeting: Christmas Potluck at Noon on
December 1st in the Tabor Room.
Rebekah Circle: We will meet in the Tabor Room at
6pm on December 15th
for our Christmas Pot Luck.
Ruth Circle: UMW General meeting at Noon on
December 1st.
Serendipity Circle of Friends: We will meet at 7pm
on December 12th
to wrap Christmas gifts.
Mission Notes: On December 4th, Mike
Peck will be presenting information on his
mission work in Southeast Asia. This will be
held in the sanctuary during coffee time. A
video presentation will accompany this on
our projection screens. Our church has given
$12,530 from the Freese Mission Fund for
new homes and three separate water system
projects to Outreach Asia.
Hurricane Matthew: 4 ways you can help
The United Methodist Committee on Relief
UMCOR is currently responding to Hurricane
Matthew by providing emergency supplies,
through a water purification program in
partnership with GlobalMedic, and via a food-
distribution program through the Haitian
church.
The Minnesota Conference has strong
connections with Haiti. Four groups within the
conference are part of a coalition that regularly
sends people to the country:
· Helping Haiti Work: Led by Dr. Leslee
Jaeger, this group sends medical teams to
northern Haiti and provides micro-loans for
entrepreneurial women who want to start small
businesses. There was no heavy damage in the
area where this group works.
· OC Ministries: This organization trains
teachers and school administrators in
Williamson and Thiotte, located in the central
and southeastern parts of the country. Karissa
Ouren, OC’s coordinator for Haiti, reports that
there was no major damage in the area.
· International Child Care: This organization,
chaired by Rev. John McBride from White Bear
Lake UMC, runs Grace Children’s Hospital in
Port-au-Prince. The medical facility, which
specializes in treating children with tuberculosis,
reports a few leaky roofs but no major damage.
· Haiti UM Partnership: Led by Rev. Pat
Toschak, this group regularly takes medical and
construction teams to Yvon and Olivier, two
villages located on Haiti’s southwest peninsula,
which was hardest hit by the hurricane.
Hundreds of people in this area have died, and
the majority of the homes have lost their roofs.
United Methodist Volunteers in Mission
(UMVIM) will be sending long-term recovery
teams to hurricane-ravaged areas when it’s
appropriate. Those affiliated with the Minnesota
Conference’s Haiti coalition will also travel to
impacted areas to be the hands of feet of Jesus in
the poorest country in our hemisphere.
Here are four ways you can help:
1. Pray for all of those impacted by the
hurricane—those who have lost loved ones
and homes, those who have had to flee their
communities, and first responders and others
who are providing assistance where it’s
needed most.
2. Make a donation to UMCOR International
Disaster Response, Advance # 982450,
or UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response, Advance
#901670. UMCOR is already on the ground,
working alongside first responders to provide
emergency food, water, and health supplies.
3. Make a donation to Feed My Starving
Children—and/or go pack meals at one of its
sites. Food is urgently needed in the
Caribbean. The Minnesota Conference
partners with this organization in sending
food to many countries in the world, and
special containers of food are currently being
sent to southwest Haiti.
4. Make and send UMCOR health kits, which
provide basic necessities to people who have
been forced to leave their homes because of
human conflict or natural disaster. The need
is great, not only in Haiti but in the Bahamas
and the southeast US.
By: Rev. Lyndy Zabel & Christa Meland 10/12/16
Emmaus – A Journey with Christ
The walk to Emmaus is an experience of
Christian spiritual renewal and formation that
begins with a three-day short course in
Christianity. It is an opportunity to meet Jesus
Christ in a new way as God's grace and love is
revealed to you through other believers.
For more information about Walk contact the
Community Lay Director ([email protected]).
Opportunities to Serve
Meetings are usually held monthly unless
otherwise notified. Contact the church office or a
member of Nominations if you are interested in
serving.
Education, Missions, Trustees, Go & Grow and
Memorials & Gifts meet at 7pm on the 2nd
Tuesday. We meet in the Chapel for Devotions
first then meetings which should last no more
than 1hr.
Finance meets at 8pm on the 2nd Tuesday.
The Administrative Council meets at 7pm on the
3rd Tuesday.
Worship Design meets monthly or as needed.
Staff/Pastor/Parrish Relations meets as needed.
Leadership (Nominations) meets 3-4 times/ year
This month we put the spotlight on:
FINANCE & STEWARDSHIP: This team
reports to the Administrative Council and is
comprised of specific members that work with
the financial aspect of the church. They
recommend the annual budget, capital
improvement budget, yearly audit, monitor and
maintain electronic records of all financial
transactions, apportionments, and develop an
on-going stewardship plan to help individuals
and families live a life of spiritual giving all year.
STAFF- PARISH RELATIONS ( SPPRC):
Carries out the mission through selection and
training of paid staff positions, including the
pastor. This includes development of job
descriptions, determination of salary,
background checks, and other issues related to
personnel. The team is also responsible to
develop a ‘Culture of Call’ to identify, encourage
and develop new leaders who are called to serve
as Lay Speakers, Elders, Deacons and Diaconal
ministers.
“Tailgating” come have
some coffee and sharing at the
tall tables in the back of the
sanctuary starting at 9am in
the midst of the Sunday morning happenings.
J.A.M. Wednesdays
If you have not been to JAM yet
it’s not too late. Join us any
Wednesday night at 6pm.
5:30pm – Casual Communion
6pm - Family supper
6:30-7pm- Youth and Family Worship
7-7:30pm - Bible school for 3 yrs -12th grade.
Register on-line at lesueurumc.org
Parents—need to wait? Hang-out in the
Upper Room with Wi-Fi and comfy seats!
On Sunday’s we have Kid’s Church for those
that are age 3 to 10. This is part of the
regular Church service so come to 10:15am
worship then send the kids for their own
lesson after the Children’s time
Important Dates: * Sunday, December 18th JAM kids will
present a Christmas Program during
the Worship service.
* Wednesday, December 21st JAM
Christmas Party
* There will not be JAM on Dec 28th.
From the Finance Committee: Thank you
to everyone for your generous
commitments of time, service,
prayers and financial gifts. If
you were unable to turn in
your pledge cards in
November feel free to send them to the
church office at any time. Lori King
The Memorials & Gifts
committee congratulates
Joe Sullivan as the
recipient of the Stanley
Baringer Scholarship
Award.
FROM THE CHURCH OFFICE THE DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT
NEWSLETTER IS:
Wednesday, December 21st.
Church Office Phone #: 507-665-2314 Pastor’s Phone#: 507-593-0006 Church Website: www.lesueurumc.org Office e-mail address: [email protected] Pastor’s e-mail address: [email protected] Pastor’s office hours: W & Th 9am-12pm or call the church office to make an appointment. Secretary’s office hours: M-F 8:30am-12:30pm Find us on Facebook. You can watch
our worship services on YouTube.
Keep in contact… If you have dropped your
land line and are now using only a cell phone,
please call the church office and let us know your
number. If you have a child in college, please let
the church office know their address.
OUR CHURCH FAMILY
Our sympathy to the family of Glenn
Hague who passed away on Nov. 17th.
In our thoughts and prayers: We have
telephone and e-mail Prayer Chains for anyone
wanting prayer support. If you or a loved one
is hospitalized and wishes a visit from the
pastor or would like to be included in the
prayer chain, call Frances Schwarz (665-2873)
the church office (665-2314) or e-mail at
[email protected]. If you wish to be a
prayer companion for those on the prayer
list contact the church office.
The UMW Harvest Dinner Committee would like to thank everyone, men, women and youth for all their help to make the Dinner a great success. We served over 200 people; 30
salads and 34 pies were donated. Thank you also to all who attended the dinner and gave monetary donations.
Thank you to everyone who shared their fruits of harvest for our Thanksgiving Harvest Table Display. Lana Beck
Thanks to all who prepared for, participated in and attended the Ecumenical Thanksgiving service on November 22nd. $429 was collected for the Le Sueur Food Shelf.
Thank you for all the cards, food, flowers and especially your prayers during this journey that I’m on. GOD IS GOOD – LIFE IS GOOD! Lynda Antonsen
December Birthdays
1- Seth Doebbeling
2 - Bailey Plonske
3 - Craig Kroehler
5 - Dean Bauleke
Jeff Glock
Elizabeth Mays
6 - Richard Dahn
Don Lindeman
Kirk Amundson
7 - Chris Barnard
8 - Peter Disher
9 - Jane Wiese
11 - Veryl Jones
12 - Callen Karels
14 - Joe Kroehler
Brandon Baringer 15 - David Evans
19 - Joey Brosz
Nancy Hylarides
24 - Richard Budke
28 - Gary Wilmes
29 - Alan Sunderman
30 - Isabel Uballe
Volunteers needed:
Contact the church office if you can
commit to serve your church for one
Sunday as any of the following:
Greeters: If you enjoy meeting people, especially
newcomers, consider serving as a Sunday Greeter.
Coffee Host: Coffee is provided by the UMW. After
worship snacks can be home-baked or purchased.
Worship Assistant: Reading scriptures and assisting
the Pastor with the worship service.
Worship Tech Team: Recording our services for
CATV#7 is an important ministry to our homebound
Nursery Attendant: is available on a rotating basis
during Sunday School and Worship as needed. If you
notice someone with small children who might need
the nursery, please connect them with the scheduled
attendant.
Serving in December Greeters
4th Greg & Joan Schwarz 11th Dave Evans Family 18th YUM 24th Bienfang Family 25th John & Maureen Pioske
Worship Assistants
4th Sue Bienfang 11th Vicki Loewe 18th Millie Overaas 24th Joan Schwarz 25th David Pioske
Coffee Fellowship
4th Serendipity Circle 11th Chuck & Vicky Yahnke 18th Betty Purdy & Brandy Schilman 24th & 25th Lori King
Advent Readers/Candle Lighters
27th King family 4th Van Huizen family 11th Krenik family 18th Breaker family 24th Schwarz family
IN OUR
COMMUNITY
St. Peter Regional
Treatment Center:
Holiday Cheer program. Please
remember those without family or friends
during the holidays. A gift, regardless of size,
shows that someone cares. Suggestions:
(must be new)
* Toiletries - personal grooming items
* Clothing – Men’s XL to 5XL sizes.
* Fun – current books, DVDs, music.
* Writing & art supplies – no wirebound
* Gift Cards – Target, Barnes & Noble,
Best Buy, Dollar Tree, Wal-Mart.
100% of the gifts and monies donated to this
project go directly to the patients and
outpatients. Please send checks to SPRTC,
Holiday Cheer, Volunteer Services 100
Freeman Dr. St. Peter 56082. We ask that
gifts be delivered by December 1st to Trinity
Lutheran Church in St. Peter or the SPRTC
Volunteer Services, Old Center Building, call
Angi at 507-985-2249 with questions.
Santa Anonymous: Provides gifts to Le Sueur
County children of low
income families, ages newborn to 18yrs old.
Cash donations may be made at local banks.
Items needed (new): toys (no stuffed animals),
socks, hats, scarves & mittens, baby things,
electronic toys, quilts, blankets, stocking
stuffers. Drop off unwrapped gifts in
designated boxes at local businesses and
banks by December 5th.
Holiday Lights Parade at 7pm on Friday,
December 2nd. Holiday Boutique at the
Valleygreen Mall 9am-1pm on Saturday,
December 3rd.
If you have a strong interest in
engineering or science and are
willing to help five 5th grade boys
in completing their Adventure in
Science and Engineering pin, contact
Lori King 665-6263.
December 2016
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
November 27 First Sunday of Advent
10:15 Worship/Scholarships
Missions – Christmas Boxes
UM Student Day
November 28
November 29
November 30
8am missions visit to CTI
5:30 Casual Communion
6pm JAM
7pm Choir rehearsal
1
12pm UMW
General Mtg &
Potluck
2
3
4 2nd Sunday of Advent
9am Adult Sunday School
9am Tailgaiting
10:15 Worship/Cantata
Kid’s Church
6:30pm Scouts
5
6
7
5:30 Casual Communion
6pm JAM
7pm Choir rehearsal
8
9
10
11 3rd Sunday of Advent
9am Adult Sunday School
9am Tailgaiting
10:15 Worship with
Communion/ZOE
Kid’s Church
12
13
7pm Missions,
Trustees
8pm Finance
14
5:30 Casual Communion
6pm JAM
7pm Choir rehearsal
15
6pm Rebekah Cir
16
5pm Edberg wedding
rehearsal & dinner
17
9am Pack &
deliver Christmas
boxes
3:30pm Edberg-
DeSousa Wedding
18 4th Sunday of Advent
9am Adult Sunday School
9am Tailgaiting
10:15 Worship/ZOE
Children’s Program
19
20
7pm Adm Council
21
5:30 Casual Communion
6pm JAM – Christmas
Party
7pm Choir rehearsal
22
23
24
4pm Christmas Eve
Worship/Communion
25 Christmas Day
10:15 Worship of Carols
No kid’s church
26
27
28
No JAM
29
30
31
New Year’s Eve
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
OF LE SUEUR U.S. POSTAGE PAID
730 SOUTH 6TH
STREET PERMIT NO. 6
LE SUEUR, MN 56058 LE SUEUR, MN
TIME DATED MATERIAL ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Christmas Eve Worship Service with Communion
4pm
