PRESCOTT VALLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH CROSS CURRENTS December 2018 Joy to the World, Silent Night, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Away in a Manger, Go Tell it on the Mountain, Angels We Have Heard On High, O Christmas Tree, Jingle Bells, Silver Bells, and even The Chipmunk song or I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus. These are all songs that most of us know by heart and I'll bet some of you even started humming and singing as you read each of the song titles. These are wonder- ful feel good songs for the Christmastide season but the one that weighs on my heart this year is "Let There Be Peace on Earth" by Jill Jackson and Sy Miller. After all the mass shootings, fires and continuous political mud slinging along with the ever present unrest in the Middle East this past year I can only hope for peace. What do I want for Christmas? As the song says, "the peace that was meant to be." We were created as a people of love and light, not of war and darkness. Advent and Christmastide are upon us. This means yet an- other year is coming to a close. As we prepare our hearts to remember the birth of our Savior let us also be in preparation for His return. His Parousia. Parousia is an ancient Greek word meaning presence, arrival, or official visit. It is my hope that we are not so wrapped up in gift giving and holiday gatherings that WE forget the purpose of this season. It is my fear that we may become totally UN-prepared to receive our Savior. When asked if you are “ready for Christmas” may your answer always be YES! God sent Jesus as a new Light for the world and over the generations we have managed to little by little attempt to extinguish that Light of hope for the tempo- rary indulgences darkness tempts us with. Running up credit cards, rushing to parties, decorating beyond reason and worrying about who to buy gifts for and what gift to buy, these are what Christmas has become for so many, where is the peace in any of this? For that matter, where is Jesus in any of these activi- ties? Please, look at the words once again, sing the song, sing it with inten- tion and praise. Mean the words and make this our mantra for this Christmas- tide season and for all days to come until the words "Let us walk with each oth- er in perfect harmony" become a reality for all of God's creation. A party missed will not be the end of the world, but hearts and a world without peace just may be. Be the peace that was meant to be my friends, and let it begin with ME. Love and blessing of peace to all, Pastor Wendy "Let There Be Peace on Earth" Jill Jackson and Sy Miller The UM Hymnal, No. 431 Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me; let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be. With God our creator, family all are we. Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.* All women in the church are cordially invited to a Christmas “High Tea” Party, organized by the Women’s’ Circle Groups (Rebekah, Mary, & Elizabeth) Friday, December 14, 2018 at 2:00 pm PV UMC Fellowship Hall Please bring a wrapped “Trash or Treasure” gift of $5 or less to share. Good Food and Christmas Joy for Everyone!
Transcript
PRESCOTT VALLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
CROSS CURRENTS
December 2018
Joy to the World, Silent Night, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Away in a Manger, Go Tell it on the Mountain, Angels We Have Heard On High, O Christmas Tree, Jingle Bells, Silver Bells, and even The Chipmunk song or I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus. These are all songs that most of us know by heart and I'll bet some of you even started humming and singing as you read each of the song titles. These are wonder-
ful feel good songs for the Christmastide season but the one that weighs on my heart this year is "Let There Be Peace on Earth" by Jill Jackson and Sy Miller. After all the mass shootings, fires and continuous political mud slinging along with the ever present unrest in the Middle East this past year I can only hope for peace. What do I want for Christmas? As the song says, "the peace that was meant to be." We were created as a people of love and light, not of war and darkness. Advent and Christmastide are upon us. This means yet an-other year is coming to a close. As we prepare our hearts to remember the birth of our Savior let us also be in preparation for His return. His Parousia. Parousia is an ancient Greek word meaning presence, arrival, or official visit. It is my hope that we are not so wrapped up in gift giving and holiday gatherings that WE forget the purpose of this season. It is my fear that we may become totally UN-prepared to receive our Savior. When asked if you are “ready for Christmas” may your answer always be YES! God sent Jesus as a new Light for the world and over the generations we have managed to little by little attempt to extinguish that Light of hope for the tempo-rary indulgences darkness tempts us with. Running up credit cards, rushing to parties, decorating beyond reason and worrying about who to buy gifts for and what gift to buy, these are what Christmas has become for so many, where is the peace in any of this? For that matter, where is Jesus in any of these activi-ties? Please, look at the words once again, sing the song, sing it with inten-tion and praise. Mean the words and make this our mantra for this Christmas-tide season and for all days to come until the words "Let us walk with each oth-er in perfect harmony" become a reality for all of God's creation. A party missed will not be the end of the world, but hearts and a world without peace just may be. Be the peace that was meant to be my friends, and let it begin with ME. Love and blessing of peace to all, Pastor Wendy "Let There Be Peace on Earth" Jill Jackson and Sy Miller The UM Hymnal, No. 431 Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me; let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be. With God our creator, family all are we. Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.*
All women in the
church are cordially
invited to a Christmas
“High Tea” Party,
organized by the
Women’s’ Circle
Groups (Rebekah,
Mary, & Elizabeth)
Friday, December 14, 2018 at 2:00 pm
PV UMC Fellowship Hall
Please bring a wrapped “Trash or Treasure” gift
of $5 or less to share.
Good Food and
Christmas Joy
for Everyone!
O U R
C H U R C H
N E W S
The Prescott Valley United Methodist Church Cross Currents is published monthly. Articles can be sub-mitted by email to [email protected] or there is a slot in the mail room to leave information. Deadline for articles is the 25th of each month. Photos are welcome. If you would like to be a reporter for the newsletter send an email, leave a note in the mail slot or call the Newsletter Editor, John Agan at 928-848-6757.
Thanksgiving Dinner ‘thank you’, Wow! Gobble, gobble! What a super delicious dinner we shared with over 80 of our closest friends and family. If you were there, you know just what we’re talkin’ about! Thanks to Pastor Wendy and Bob for the delicious turkeys and gravy, Nor-ma and Mila for the mashed potatoes, for Elton, Roy and John of the ‘turkey carving’ crew, for Mar-sha who decorated, for our hostess Linda, for all who brought their famous dressings, corn, sweet pota-toes, and green bean casseroles, for those who served and waited to eat last: the Cotners, Eastmans, John Agan, Carolyn Stock and Judy Crandall, for Alice Kloss who cut pies, for Ron Crandall who was in charge of the drinks table, and for all who cleaned up afterward, especially Vern who ran the dish-washer, and Jan who hand washed the other items. Thank you – thank you. We were truly blessed because of all of your efforts. See you next year!!
MEMBER ADDRESS AND PHONE UPDATES Helen Green Windsong Villas 3386 N. Windsong Dr. #207 Prescott Valley AZ 86314 Med Wulf cellphone 928-515-9260 Lisa Van Wormer cellphone 928-515-9420
Patrons of the church, we are all getting older and forgetful, please remember to turn out the lights and ensure the door is locked as you leave. Anita Wulf, Facilities Chair
December John Beal—1st Connie Martin—1st Roy Griffith—5th Alice Kloss—5th Gloria Rote—6th Virginia Soutar—9th Zelma Legere—12th Coral Face—14th Mike Horvath—22nd Kathy Holbrook—24th Lu Statler—26th Pam Starke—27th Laura Wong—27th Allyson Vos—28th January Med Wulf—4th Barbara Brown—7 Jeannie Ward—9th Carol Mason—13th Joni Myers—14th Pastor Wendy Swanson—15th Dick Lavigne—15th Dale Fitzner—17th Judy Crandall—18th Ron Crandall—18th Mary Roberts—22nd Michael Mefford—23rd Lowell Fagen—23rd
December Dave & Mary Alberts—28th Larry & Cindy Griffin—30th Colin & Carolyn Edward—31st January Dale & Janet Fitzner—18th John & Gretchen Eastman—31st
From my little corner…. Your little church
Hi everyone ! Hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving – I sure did ! While you were all enjoying your dinner at the church…I was scurrying around looking for yummy leftovers…especially from the pie and cake table. Now, we can all look forward to celebrating the Birth of our Be-loved Jesus. Yes, he’s my Jesus, too. And it is such a blessing to be here with all of you to re-member Him, honor Him and try and live as He would like us to live. May you all be blessed – with a wonderful Christmas and Healthy and Happy New Year….. Love, from your little church mouse in the corner.
“old fashioned Christmas tree” at THE LIBRARY
Official tree decorators, Carolyn Stock, Jeannie Ward, Judy Crandall and Carm
Staker
Go by the Library (first floor, northeast cor-ner) an take a look, then vote for our tree. You can vote more than once!
Sunday, December 9th at the
regular Worship Service
“Come Now to Bethlehem”
Led by Choir Director,
Mary Roberts
SENIOR CONNECTION
There will be no Senior Connec-tion Speaker's Bureau presenta-
tions in December. The schedule of topics for January will be available in next month's
newsletter.
Bradshaw Mountain Middle School teacher, Diane Hamilton introduces Makala Thomas, Student of the Month honored at the Prescott Valley Early Bird Lions Club. Also shown is Lion Gloria Grose and Lions President, Danny Pruhs. Bradshaw Mountain Middle School is the PVUMC Adopted School.
Lay Servant Ministries
2019 Training Sessions January 18-19 Epworth UMC, Phoenix Basic Course - Intro to Lay Servant Ministries February 1 & 2 Sanctuary UMC, Tucson Lay Servants Lead in Conflict Resolution February 8 & 9 Desert Chapel UMC, Apache Junction Basic Course – Intro to Lay Servant Ministries Discover Your Spiritual Gifts March 15 & 16 Dove of the Desert UMC, Glendale Basic Course – Intro to Lay Servant Ministries Called to Preach Justice in Everyday Life
These are the Lay Servant Ministry classes being offered in West, East & South Districts for the first three months of 2019. These classes are full of great learning ‘tools’ that are useful in many areas of your life. So, please consider registering for a class using the following web address: http://dscumc.org/lay-servant-ministries-training-sessions/ If you have further questions, please contact: Jeannie Ward, West District LSM Director 772-6760 [email protected]
On this day of your life I believe God wants you to
know ...
... that there's no abiding success without commitment.
Anthony Robbins said that, and he was right.
Commitment is the key to achievement. How committed are you to your future, to
your goals, to your relationship, to your self?
Do you want to be healthier, or do you
just say you do? Do you want to be happier, or do you
just say you do? Do you want to be nicer, or do you
just say you do? Do you want to be more patient, or do you
just say you do? Do you want to be lighter, or do you
just say you do? What do you really want...and who are you
Prescott Chorale Presents, under the baton of Artistic Director Dennis Houser Glad Tidings We Bring Celebrate the season with family and friends Saturday, December 15, 2:30PM and 7:30PM St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 2000 Shepherds Lane, Prescott Tickets: $21.00, Youth (13-18), $6.00 www.prescottchorale.org Join the Carol Singing 30 minutes before each performance On Saturday, December 15 celebrate the season with family and friends when the Prescott Chorale presents Glad Tidings We Bring, their popular annual Holiday Concert. With two concerts and two separate programs, Artistic Di-rector Dennis Houser has selected traditional carols in new settings. The concerts take place at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 2000 Shepherds Lane, Prescott. Concert times are 2:30 pm and 7:30pm, with Carol Sing 30 minutes before the performance. Tickets are $21 for adults, $5 for students and free for children. Tickets are available at www.prescottchorale.org. Each performance will begin with carol singing accompanied by organ, the St. Luke's Bell Choir under the direction of Jim Klein, a brass ensemble and you, the audience! The carols have been arranged by PC tenor and retired choral con-ductor/composer, David Burks. Renowned for his innovative programming, Prescott Chorale’s artistic director, Dennis Houser has selected traditional carols as diverse as the 13th century chant, Of the Father's Love Begotten, and the Appalachian carol, Jesus, Jesus, Rest Your Head, and has placed them in new settings. The Chorale will reprise some favorites, like the Wexford Carol, and Morten
Lauridsen's haunting Sure on This Shining Night. Music from German, French and British composers, some a capella, and carols with full organ and brass, round out the program. The afternoon performance at 2:30pm is intended to engage younger audience members, and will feature the Prescott High School's Women's Choir under the direction of Erin M. Sobo, well-known Prescott musician and choral director. The Women's Choir will perform several selections and join the Prescott Chorale for others. And, of course, everyone will join in a holiday rendition of Jingle Bells. The evening program ay 7:30pm will be more introspective, inviting the audience into the gentler side of the holiday, with St. Luke's Bell Choir, a brass ensemble and organ. It will add several motets for Christmas from Poulenc and Britten, to the afternoon selections, and addi-tional traditional chants for the season.
SUNDAY WORSHIP TIMES 9:00 a.m. Adult Bible Study 10:30 a.m. Children’s Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Traditional Worship
CLERGY LEADERSHIP Bishop Robert T. Hoshibata Dist. Supt. Nancy Cushman Pastor Wendy Swanson Pastor Emeritus Gary Simons Lay Leader Jeannie Ward ……………………………………………… Admin. Assistant Lisa Van Wormer Choir Director Mary Roberts Accompanist Sarah Moglewer
