Advent Sermon Series: Messy Christmas! Advent Sermon Series: Messy Christmas! Advent Sermon Series: Messy Christmas! Advent Sermon Series: Messy Christmas! Christmas! It is a time of great celebration, when God gives us the present of his own self. But it is also a time of huge strain and stress for us as we try to offer unaffordable presents, food and drink, as well as coping with a break in routine, and the grim expectation that we “have to be happy.” But remember! The first Christmas was messy too! This Advent we will remember and even celebrate the messiness of the first Christmas with the stories in the Gospel of Luke. Come to worship and learn to own the messiness of Christmas and celebrate it! December 7 (Second Sunday of Advent) 8:30 Worship and Communion with Chancel Choir Greeter: Lonnie Bodie 10:00 Eucharist Service 11:00 Worship and Communion with Worship Band and Bellissimo Bell Choir Greeter: Anthony DiChiara Preacher: Chris Walters on “Messy Nativity” December 14 (Third Sunday of Advent) 8:30 Worship with Chancel Choir and Bellissimo Bell Choir Greeters: Amy & Rob Schick 10:00 Eucharist Service Preacher: Eun-Hye Choi on “Messy Christmas” 11:00 Children's Christmas Presentation Greeter: Fran Bonafacchi December 21 (Fourth Sunday of Advent) 8:30 Christmas Cantata, “Emmanuel – God With Us” Greeters: Geetha & Emmanuel Rajarathnam No Eucharist Service at 10am 11:00 Christmas Cantata, “Emmanuel – God With Us” Greeter: Melissa Vidito December 24 (Christmas Eve) 5pm Family Christmas Eve Service Greeter: Arleta Gordon 7pm Christmas Eve Service with Bellissimo Bell Choir Greeter: Sue Hasenyager 10:30pm Christmas Eve Service with Chancel Choir December 28 10:00 Worship with Special Music Preacher: Eun-Hye Choi on “New Creation” December Worship Schedule December 2014 December 2014 December 2014 December 2014
Christmas! It is a time of great celebration, when God gives us the present of his own self. But it is also a time of huge strain and stress for us as we try to offer unaffordable presents, food and drink, as well as coping with a break in routine, and the grim expectation that we “have to be
happy.” But remember! The first Christmas was messy too! This Advent we will remember and even celebrate the messiness of the first Christmas with the stories in the Gospel of Luke.
Come to worship and learn to own the messiness of Christmas and celebrate it!
December 7 (Second Sunday of Advent)
8:30 Worship and Communion with Chancel Choir
Greeter: Lonnie Bodie
10:00 Eucharist Service
11:00 Worship and Communion with Worship Band and Bellissimo Bell Choir
Greeter: Anthony DiChiara
Preacher: Chris Walters on “Messy Nativity”
December 14 (Third Sunday of Advent)
8:30 Worship with Chancel Choir and Bellissimo Bell Choir
Greeters: Amy & Rob Schick
10:00 Eucharist Service
Preacher: Eun-Hye Choi on “Messy Christmas”
11:00 Children's Christmas Presentation
Greeter: Fran Bonafacchi
December 21 (Fourth Sunday of Advent) 8:30 Christmas Cantata,
“Emmanuel – God With Us”
Greeters: Geetha & Emmanuel Rajarathnam
No Eucharist Service at 10am 11:00 Christmas Cantata,
“Emmanuel – God With Us”
Greeter: Melissa Vidito
December 24 (Christmas Eve) 5pm Family Christmas Eve Service Greeter: Arleta Gordon 7pm Christmas Eve Service with
Bellissimo Bell Choir
Greeter: Sue Hasenyager 10:30pm Christmas Eve Service with
Chancel Choir
December 28 10:00 Worship with Special Music Preacher: Eun-Hye Choi on “New Creation”
December Worship Schedule
December 2014December 2014December 2014December 2014
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Advent Festival! Wednesday, December 3, 5:30 pm
It’s time! Best dinner of the year! No cooking allowed! We will be having a work-free potluck.
Just pick up a sack of your favorite food at a fast food restaurant (chicken, burgers, tacos, egg rolls, etc.) and bring it to share.
Drinks will be provided.
At 6:00 families will journey to several Christmas Shoppe departments where
they will hear the story retold and create special projects to be sold in the Shoppe (open on Sunday, Dec. 14th, benefitting Imagine No Malaria).
Childcare will be available for infants and toddlers.
SPECIAL EVENTSSPECIAL EVENTSSPECIAL EVENTSSPECIAL EVENTS
Children’s Christmas Program
December 14 at 11:00am
Christmas Choir Cantata
“Emmanuel – God with Us”
December 21 at 8:30 am and 11:00 am
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services
December 24
5:00pm
Family Oriented Christmas Celebration *
7:00pm
Christmas Eve Service with Bellissimo Bell Choir*
10:30pm
Christmas Eve Service with Chancel Choir
*Nursery Care available for infants and toddlers
December 28
1st Sunday after Christmas
10:00am Worship, Special Music
No Sunday School
*NEW* Adult Advent Study! ~ Christmas often comes with high expectations. We all know life will never be perfect – not even at
Christmas. You are invited to join Pastor Sherry as she leads a special Advent Bible Study beginning Sunday, November 30 at 9:50am.
ADVENT COIN FOLDERS are available at the rear of the sanctuary. Folders will not be mailed out this year, but we encourage you to pick one up. Begin the anticipation of Christmas with the daily celebration of Advent. Each day reflect on the “coming of Christ”, add a coin to your coin folder, and contribute to the mission and ministry of our church.
Feed My Starving Children, 555 Exchange Ct, Aurora Founded in 1987, FMSC is a non-profit Christian organization committed to feeding God’s children hungry in body and spirit. The approach is simple: children and adults hand-pack meals specifically formulated for malnourished children, and we ship these meals to nearly 70 countries around the world. We have 20 spots reserved for Sat. 12/6, 2:00-4:00. Want to serve? Contact Pastor Chris.
SMALL LETTER WRITING GROUP - SAVE THE DATE The lists have been made and have been checked twice for the Small Letter Writing Group which will be meeting on Wednesday, December 3, 2014, to write out our Christmas wishes for our church families. We will gather at 9:30am thru 11am for this special time of year. If you have thought about joining us, please don't hesitate for more hands always mean less work for all of us. I have all the cards, labels, etc. so you only need a pen and a smiling warm heart. Any questions, please give me a call at 815-886-1035, or email me at [email protected]. Hope to see all of you on December 3rd.
Harriett Nelson, Chr. Small Letter Writing Group
Congratulations to Dave & Becky Fariss on the arrival of their daughter, Emily Claire. Emily Claire Farris was born on October 23rd , 2014. Emily weighed 7 pounds 3oz., and was 18.5 inches long. Emily has two big sisters, Maddie & Alivia. Mom & baby are doing well.
Congratulations to Michael & Janea Kiesewetter on the arrival of their son, Liam Michael. Liam Michael Kiesewetter was born on November 18 , 2014. Liam weighed 7 pounds 12oz., and was 20 3/4 inches long. Liam has a big sister, Elsie. Mom & baby are doing well.
On November 2 we remembered those we lost this past year…
Chester F. Reader 01/05/2014
Nancy L. Palmer 01/16/2014
Everett Van De Voort 03/03/2014
George H. Quast 03/14/2014
Robert M. Morris 04/13/2014
James McIntosh 04/17/2014
Cynthia Warmbier 07/31/2014
Thelma Snow 11/15/2012
*Alexandria, the daughter of a friend of Alise anderson *George Angelos’ goddaughter, Shelley *Fern Angelos’ nephew, Zack-ery Fox *Helen Baxa *Russ Corey *Ken Decker’s father, Ken Decker Sr. *Bob Faillo *Caryn Feris’ brother, Wayne *Amy Gomon’s grandmother, Ruth Jerd *Family of Carol Gumbs *Beryl Hagerman’s grand-daughter, Angela Bartholomew *Ed Hodgson’s friend, John Greden *Megan Rich’s mom, Dixie Kerr
*Tim Roberts *Bill Stanfill *Steve Wettergren’s uncle, Robert Wettergren *Melissa Wilson’s father, Jerry Slezak *Hope Wooldridge’s mom, Nancy Wiley ***Those serving in the military. If you want to include someone on the prayer list, please complete a Prayer Request Card. (found in the pew rack).
Prayer Requests Page 5
We celebrated with Melissa Ronczkowski & Michael Muhr, as their daughter, Valerie was baptized on
November 16 at the 11:00am service. Valerie’s sponsors were Daniel Ronczkowski,
Jason Muhr, Dylan Ronczkowski, Jamie Delorge
and Matt Muhr. Her grandparents are Carol &
Bill May, Mary Hoefler & Dwayne Ronczkowski, Peggy
Murphy & Jim Murphy and Richard Muhr. Her great
grandparents are Lee & Robert Faillo, Joseph
May, Valerie Kriva, Jean Johnson and Lou Solari.
Earl William (Bill) Ferry Jr., father of Karen Cowan, passed away Monday, November 17.
Services were held on Friday, November 21, 2014 at First United Methodist Church, Waukegan, IL
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his name may be made to the
First United Methodist Church of Waukegan
Expressions of Sympathy can be sent to Karen & Jim Cowan,
14202 Lakeridge Drive, Plainfield, IL 60544.
Please remember Karen, Jim, Grace, Trey and family in your thoughts and prayers.
Beryl Hagerman, a long time member of Plainfield United
Methodist Church, passed away on Thursday, November 20, 2014. She lived her entire life in Plainfield. For many years Beryl was a greeter
at the 10:30p.m. worship service on Christmas Eve.
Services were held Tuesday, November 25, 2014 For those who would like to leave a lasting tribute to
Beryl's life, memorials may be sent to Angela Bartholomew Medical Trust Fund, c/o Standard Bank, Minooka, IL or Fight like a girl for Angela Bartholomew on Gofundme.com.
Please remember Beryl's daughters Terri Buzenski, April Booras and Wendy Landon and their families in your thoughts and prayers.
Page 6
The holiday season can be a very stressful time. It can be a strain on your schedule, your emotions, and your budget. And it can be especially difficult for anyone with a past hurt, a bad habit, or a hang-up that keeps them from enjoying the celebration.
As we approach the holiday season, you may want to ask yourself these questions: * Am I reminded of painful memories? * Am I grieving the loss of a loved one? * Am I drawn to risky behavior in order to feel accepted? * Do I feel guilty because of the mistakes of my past? * Am I giving in to the pressure to overspend? * Am I prone to push the limits of my health, either by what I eat
or by how I plan my schedule? * Am I addicted to alcohol or drugs and find it hard to say “no”? ∗ Do I feel especially lonely at this time of year? If any of that describes you, then we want to invite you to try something new. Celebrate Recovery is designed to help you celebrate life based on the teaching principles of Jesus. What better time than near Christmas to find healing from your hurts, habits, or hang-ups through the grace and power of the Son of God. Jesus was born in weakness in a stable in Bethlehem, but he lived in the power of God. Celebrate Recovery is for anyone with hurts, habits, or hangups that are affecting their own life or the lives of the people around them. We invite you to join us an a wonderful journey to freedom, recovery, and hope! “Behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people!” For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11
Celebrate Recovery is safe, free, and confidential.
All are welcome!
Childcare for birth to 12 years-old.
Page 7 Merry Christmas!
Love Tree The gift tags for the Love Tree are up in the lobby. Donations will be accepted through Thursday, December 18. Thank you!
Pie Auction Thank You Thank you to our church family for supporting the work of the MISSION committee!
The PIE AUCTION raised $5200!
The event was a great success thanks to our dedicated MISSION COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
Thank you to each of you for doing your part and contributing your time, baskets, and talents!
· Larry’s Diner · Peter Rubi · MoJoes · The Joliet Slammers · The C.W. Avery YMCA · Cathy’s Sweet Creations · Costco · Color Me Mine · GymQuest
· World Championship Tae Kwon Do · Holli Long Photography · The Lockport Street Gallery and · The Doris Stabler Estate · Wine & Cheese by TCC · Ticshler’s Butcher · Miller’s Butcher · Sue Meadows w/ Coldwell Banker
To date we have received 150 pledges with 37 of them being new pledgers.
Of the 113 pledgers from 2014, 59 (or 52.2%) of them increased their pledge for 2015.
82 people are now participating in electronic giving.
We have raised a total $391,300.
If you haven’t returned your pledge card, it isn’t too late. Please take a moment to prayerfully consider how you can support your church, fill out a pledge card, and place it in the offering
plate or mail it to the church office.
Thanks to all of you for your continued stewardship to PUMC. It is through your offerings that we are able to continue our program ministries and to reach out to Plainfield and beyond to
share the love of Christ with others.
ONE AND ALL - PLEASE JOIN THE STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE IN CELEBRATING THE RESULTS OF OUR 2015
STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN!!
Youth Ministries News Page 8
Visit to Congregation Beth Shalom, Friday night, December 12, 6:00 PM
ALL people are welcome to join the confirmation class of 2015 as we leave promptly at 6:15 PM to visit Congregation Beth Shalom in Naperville at 772 West 5th Ave. We will receive a presentation about Judaism and the congregation at 7:00. Worship starts at 8:00, and then we have social gathering time after worship. We will return to PUMC by 10:00.
RSVP to Pastor Chris so he can report to CBS how many people to expect.
Christmas Party, Sunday night, December 21, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Junior and senior high, come to Fellowship Hall at 6:00 for appetizers. At approximately 6:30 we will sing Christmas carols in the neighborhood. When we return, junior and senior high will split into their respective groups to hang out, talk, eat, mingle. Bring a $10-$15-range gift for our “white elephant” gift exchange when both groups recombine at the end of the party. Junior highs, bring an appetizer. Senior highs, bring a dessert. Adult leaders, bring beverages.
Youth-led Worship & Benefit Concert for Mission Trip, January 11, 3:00 PM
Young people, do you play a musical instrument? Do you sing? Do you dance? Do you create art?
Not a performer? Then we need you to be a reader, a greeter, a marketer, a server. Share your
talents in youth-led worship Sunday morning, January 11, and in the afternoon concert to benefit the
mission trip June 21-27.
Contact Pastor Chris to participate.
SENIOR HIGH RETREAT 2 nights, Jan. 30 - Feb. 1
Dickson Valley Camp Leave 4:30 PM Friday
Return 11:00 AM Sunday Tons of winter fun!
See PUMYF.org/retreats Cost = $99
“Yet as I read the birth
stories about Jesus I
cannot help but conclude
that though the world may
be tilted toward the rich
and powerful, God is tilted
toward the underdog.”
Philip Yancey
The Jesus I Never Knew
NO YOUTH GATHERING SUNDAY
DECEMBER 28
BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICE Life can be difficult, especially at the holidays. Maybe you’re alone, or suffering the loss of a loved one through death, illness, divorce or distance. Perhaps you have lost a job or had to move from those you were close to. Situations like these can make the holidays feel empty and cold. If you are having difficult days, join us for a special service of healing. If you know a friend who could benefit from this, please invite them and sit with them. They will be comforted by your act of compassion.
All are welcome.
Sponsored by: “The Joliet, Plainfield and Lockport Cluster of the United Methodist Church · December 6 at 3:00pm Place: Hope United Methodist Church
Women's Book Club -- You are invited! This month we are reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer. We will gather to discuss it on Thursday, Dec. 18th and to enjoy our annual Christmas celebration. If interested, contact Pastor Sherry for directions to the party!
WHAM! will NOT meet on Wednesday, Dec. 3. Instead all families are encouraged to come to our Advent Festival that night! WHAM! will be CHRISTMAS CAROLING at the Timbers in Shorewood on Wed., Dec. 17th from 5-6pm. Mark your calendars and plan to join us! THERE WILL BE NO SUNDAY SCHOOL ON DEC. 28th. MERRY CHRISTMAS! The Sunday School classes will present their annual Christmas Program on Sunday, Dec. 14th during the 11 am worship service. Rehearsal will be on Saturday, Dec. 13th from 9-10am. We encourage everyone to attend rehearsal so your kids feel comfortable being in front on the church singing. Be sure to invite grandparents to the program!
Blue
Christmas
Service
A service of Healing
December 6th
3:00pm
Page 9
Date Time Event
Mon Dec 1 7:00p Ad Council - JBFH
7:00p Boy Scouts Leaders Meeting - PFH
Tues Dec 2 6:00p Pack 82 Den 8 - JBFH
6:30p Pack 82 Den 7 - 205
6:30p Pack 82 Den 1 - 203
6:30p Pack 82 Den 2 - 206
6:30p Pack 82 Den 4 - 204
Wed Dec 3 9:30 A Letter Writing Group - C/L
5:30p Advent Festival & Dinner Hosted by the Education Committee - JBFH
6:30p B.A.S.E. - 205
Thu Dec 4 6:30p Kid’s Book Club - C/L
6:30p Plfd.Aktion Club - 202, 203
7:00p Pack 82 Den 3 - 204
7:00p Pack 82 Den 6 - JBFH
Sat Dec 6 2:00p Feed My Starving Children - Offsite
3:00p Blue Christmas Service - Offsite
7:00p Spectrum Singers Concert - Sanctuary, JBFH
Sun Dec 7 12:30p Young Men’s Group - Offsite
Mon Dec 8 7p Finance Meeting - C/L
Tue Dec 9 6:00p Pack 82 Den 8 - JBFH
6:30p Pack 82 Den 1 - 203
6:30p Pack 82 Den 4 - 204
7p Membership & Outreach - C/L
7p Prayer Shawl Meeting - PFH
7p Pack 82 Leaders Meeting - 206
Wed Dec 10 5:00p Girl Scout Troop #998—205
6:00p Small Group Ministry Team - 206
6:30p Jr. Chimes - Balcony
6:30p Girl Scout Troop #362—203
Thu Dec 11 6:30p Parish Staff Relations - Offsite
7:00p Pack 82 Den 3 - 203
7:00p Pack 82 Den 5 - 204
7:00p Pack 82 Den 6 - JBFH
7:00p Trustees Meeting - C/L
Fri Dec 12 6:15p Congregation Beth Shalom - Offsite
Sat Dec 13 9a Children’s Christmas Program Rehearsal - Sanctuary
9a Plainfield Area Infertility Group - 205
Sun Dec 14 11a Children’s Christmas Program - Sanctuary
12:15p Baptism Orientation - C/L
Mon Dec 15 6:30p Education Committee - C/L
DECEMBER CALENDAR
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DECEMBER CALENDAR
Tue Dec 16 6:30p Pack 82 Den 2 - 206
6:30p Pack 82 Den 7 - 205
Wed Dec 17 8:15a Men's Group Breakfast - Offsite
11p Widow's Christmas Outing - Al's Steak House
5:00p WHAM! Christmas Caroling - Offsite
6:30p B.A.S.E. - 105
Thu Dec 18 7p Pack 82 Den 5 - 204
7p Women's Book Group - 205
Sat Dec 20 10a Christmas Cantata Rehearsal - Choir Room
Sun Dec 21 8:30a Christmas Cantata - Sanctuary
11a Christmas Cantata - Sanctuary
12:15p YMAP - 207
6:00p Youth Christmas Party - JBFH
Tue Dec 23 7:00p Green Team - 206/207
7:00p Walker’s Grove Homeowners Assoc. - C/L
Wed Dec 24 Christmas Eve - Office closes at noon
5p Christmas Eve Family Worship - Sanctuary
7p Christmas Eve Worship - Sanctuary
10:30p Christmas Eve Worship - Sanctuary
Thu Dec 25 Christ was born today!
Sun Dec 28 10a ONE Worship Service and no Sunday School/Youth Group
Wed Dec 31 New Year's Eve - Office closes at noon
11a Trinity Food Pantry - Offsite
Sunday Worship 8:30a and 11a Sunday School & Confirmation at 9:45a Communion Worship 10:00p EXCEPT 12/28 ~ Only ONE worship Service at 10am
NO SUNDAY SCHOOL/YOUTH GROUP on 12/28 Monday - Friday YMCA Before/After Care 6:30a Monday Music Together 9a Lunch Bunch 11:30a Tuesday Music Together 9a Spectrum Singers Jr. Choir, 6:30p Wednesday MEM’s 9:30a Jr. Youth Choir 6:00p Boy Scouts 7p Chancel Choir Rehearsal 7p Thursday Spectrum Singers 6:45p, Worship Band 7p Cub Scouts 7p Alcoholics Anonymous 7p Friday Church Office Closed Saturday Bellissimo Rehearsal 9a WINTER BREAK Dec. 22 - Jan. 2 (No YMCA Befor/After Care)
