Glimpses of Grace December 2019 Friends of Grace, Christmas parties, holiday lights, and exchanging of gifts are just up ahead. At Grace UMC we celebrate the season with so much more than just these. We live in a culture that is placing emphasis on the parties, lights, and gifts but we are sure to include primary emphasis on the reason for the season - Our savior’s birth. Sunday morning worship during December will include carols, lighting of the Christmas Wreath, a Choral Cantata entitled, “Come Let Us Adore”, and a special Grace Notes presentation. There is also going to be a wonderful Christmas Eve Candlelight service at 6:00pm. We hope you are able to participate in the celebration of Emmanuel – “God with us”. The birth of Jesus is worthy of celebrating because it proves God is with us, not a God that is far off. Feel free to invite friends and family to the celebrations of our Savior’s birth. Celebrating Grace with you, Pastor Randy “Be strong and courageous. Do not be fearful and anxious, for I am with you every step of the way.” - Joshua 1:9 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Grace Family News 1-5 Committee News 6-8 Children’s News 9 Our Hands 10 Church Calendar 11 SPOTLIGHT OF GRACE Church Family Thanksgiving Dinner
Transcript
Glimpses of Grace
December 2019
Friends of Grace,
Christmas parties, holiday lights, and exchanging of gifts are just up ahead. At Grace UMC we celebrate
the season with so much more than just these. We live in a culture that is placing emphasis on the
parties, lights, and gifts but we are sure to include primary emphasis on the reason for the season - Our
savior’s birth.
Sunday morning worship during December will include carols, lighting of the Christmas Wreath, a Choral
Cantata entitled, “Come Let Us Adore”, and a special Grace Notes presentation. There is also going to be
a wonderful Christmas Eve Candlelight service at 6:00pm.
We hope you are able to participate in the celebration of Emmanuel – “God with us”. The birth of Jesus is
worthy of celebrating because it proves God is with us, not a God that is far off.
Feel free to invite friends and family to the celebrations of our Savior’s birth.
Celebrating Grace with you,
Pastor Randy
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be fearful and anxious, for I am
with you every step of the way.” - Joshua 1:9
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Grace Family
News 1-5
Committee News 6-8
Children’s News 9
Our Hands 10
Church Calendar 11
SPOTLIGHT OF GRACE
Church Family Thanksgiving Dinner
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Dec. ‘19
Kiara Rojas 2nd
Everett Isaacs 6th
Doris Krems 6th
Gary Hartman 10th
Mark Zimmerman 10th
Greg Kinch 13th
Hadley Sims 13th
Ashley Swango 14th
Analee Noonan 15th
Harper Sekach 15th
Kellen Fisher 16th
Melanie Stearns 17th
Sean Ryan 18th
Dick Giliberto 19th
Savannah Shaw 19th
Gail Braun 26th
Patrick Copeland 26th
Cooper Parsons 27th
Reese Parsons 27th
Jesse & Evelyn Morgan 3rd
Randy & Melanie Stearns 3rd
Todd & Tami Thompson 4th
Tracy & Leah Knox 5th
Larry & Caroline Rulon 5th
Don & Rose Weik 18th
Frank & Barb Tonner 20th
Andrew & Judy Zinsmeister 21st
Bob & Carol Cassady 23rd
Lex & Kay Campbell 24th
Robert & Rebecca Weigel 28th
Sutton Reid Bowling
was born on October 29th to
Darius and Amber Bowling.
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Dec. ‘19
We will be setting up for
the Mitten Tree in early
December.
We are collecting
donations of gloves,
mittens, and any type of
hand warming clothing, especially for children.
These donations go locally. If you have additional
questions ask anyone on the Missions Team.
A Grace UMC team joined the
Matthew 25 Ministries 5k Run or
Walk fundraiser on Saturday,
November 9th. The proceeds went
to help M25M support those in need
when natural disasters happen.
There will be a “selfie booth”
that all are welcome and
encouraged to use. It is
located on the left side of the
Narthex when you enter the
building.
Please take pictures of your
family/friends using the props
and frame provided!
Post on social media and tag
our church! Let’s break the
internet!!!
Coming November 30th
through December!
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Dec.’19
Timothy Noble and family
in concert.
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Dec.’19
Glimpses of our
Church Family
Thanksgiving Dinner.
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Dec. ’19
Church Library Corner
Christmas is just around the corner, so instead of watching all those Christmas movies on television
over and over again, check out our Church Library! We will be featuring the following fiction Christmas
books: Christmas Letter, Can This Be Christmas, and There is Something Special About Christmas all
written by Debbie Macomber, Tidings of Comfort and Joy by T. Davis Bunn, A McKettric Christmas by
Linda Lael Miller, A Stranger for Christmas, by Carol Lynn Pearson, The Christkindl’s Gift by Kathleen
Morgan, An Angel for Christmas by Heather Graham, The Christmas Blessing by Donna Vanliere,
A Midnight Clear by Katherine Paterson, and an Anthology of Christmas Classics which includes all your
favorite stories.
We also have some wonderful non-fiction Christmas books: The Christ of Christmas which includes 31
devotions by James Montgomery Boke, The Guideposts Christmas Treasury, and The Magic of Christmas
Miracles which includes a collection of inspiring true stories.
All the books will be featured in a large display to your left as you enter the library. These wonderful
books were all donated by our own church members, so thank you for your donations and encouraging
words about our library.
Merry Christmas and happy reading!
The Library Committee
Christmas greetings from the choir loft!
Praise and Worship music will switch for December as we sing the Christmas songs we all know and
love. The month of December is busy for our Chancel Choir. We will present our cantata, “Come Let Us
Adore” on Sunday, December 15th during Worship Service with solos by Kelli Chenoweth and Kari
Shaw. I’m always touched by the commitment and enthusiasm from our choir. They work hard and I’m
proud of them. The music is both touching and beautiful. I hope you love it! Invite someone to come
with you.
The following week brings caroling and our annual party! Sunday, December 22nd we will hear Greg
Henderson on bells accompanied by myself. For Christmas Eve service, you will find the choir back in
the loft for Offertory music featuring soloist Kelli Chenoweth. Come a little early as some of our own
musicians will be providing music for the Prelude.
On December 22nd our children’s choir, Grace Notes, will present their Christmas program “Christmas
Around the World” under the direction of Kelli Chenoweth. It will feature songs in German, Spanish,
and English. The children have been learning about Christmas traditions around the world and how
similar they are to ours.
Sounds busy, doesn’t it? Tis the merriest time of the year as we gather around with our families near
and far. Tis the busiest too, but let us not forget to do our best to celebrate the birth of our savior
through music.
❤Merry Christmas!
Tami Thompson
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Missions News
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Dec. ‘19
Kitchen/Community News
POINTS OF INTEREST:
Little White Church is a ministry of Missions.
C.O.D.E. is a Bible Study for youth 7th - 12th grades
Grace Notes is a Children’s choir
K.I.C.K. is a program for children pre-school - 6th grade
Greetings from the Missions Committee,
Thank you for your charitable donations for the Thanksgiving Boxes. Due to your generosity, we
were able to fill the 60 boxes needed with bountiful amounts of food.
We will begin setting up for the Mitten Tree in early December. We will need donations of gloves,
mittens, and any type of hand warming clothing, especially for children. For more details ask anyone
on the Missions Committee.
Thank you and have a blessed month,
Ray Cook, Missions
The Church Family Thanksgiving Dinner held on November 20th was enjoyed by 163 people.
The food was good and the fellowship was wonderful. We had so much for which to be grateful.
This month we will have Wednesday dinners on December 4th, 11th, and 18th. You will not want
to miss our festive meals in December, including the December birthdays celebration on the 18th.
After a short break for Christmas with family and friends, dinners will resume on January 8th.
Unfortunately, food prices continues to rise. To help us keep up with the food price increases,
beginning January 8th we will be raising the dinner price to $5 for adults, $3 for children 12 and
under. Families of 4 or more will be $15.
Blessings to all,
The Kitchen Committee
Hello from the Worship Committee,
Merry Christmas everyone! This month of December is loaded with
excitement as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. Christmas poinsettias
will again be available. Look for the order forms in the bulletin on the 1st,
8th, and on the Welcome Center desk.
Our fantastic choir will be performing the Christmas Cantata on the 15th and
our beautiful children’s choir will sing on the 22nd. Greg Henderson will also
make the bells ring on the 22nd. The Christmas Eve service will be at
6:00pm on the 24th.
Remember the capital improvement projects in your prayers and donations.
These projects are vital to the life of our beautiful church campus to spread
the word of God to our community.
If you haven’t noticed, attendance is soaring on Sunday morning and why,
you may ask? The answer is, the Holy Spirit is moving and it’s great to be
part of this! Invite someone to church and let them experience the energy
that’s alive at Grace United Methodist Church.
Sincerely,
Jeff Shaw
Worship
Grace’s Financial Update
Annual budget needed $229,002.00
General funds monthly needs $19,083.50
October income (Gen Funds) $28,702.69
October expenses (Gen Funds) $12,562.14
YTD income (Gen Funds) $206,365.33
YTD expenses (Gen Funds) $190,319.60
YTD income over/short +$16,045.73
Apportionments:
Ohio River Valley District
Paid YTD $3,364.20
West Ohio Conference
Paid YTD $16,520.00
Checking account for bills 10/31/19 $44,316.58
Respectfully submitted,
Al Lipscomb, Finance Chair
Kari Shaw, Grace Treasurer
CD recordings are
available of Pastor
Randy’s Sunday
morning sermons.
See a sound tech after
service or contact Mary,
in the church office, to
request a copy.
page 8
Dec. ‘19
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Grace Kids News
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wed., Dec. 4th - 6:15pm - 7:45pm
K.I.C.K.
C.O.D.E.
Wed., Dec. 11th - 6:15pm - 7:45pm
K.I.C.K.
C.O.D.E.
Sun., Dec. 15th - 10:00am
Chancel Choir Christmas Cantata
Wed., Dec. 18th - 6:15pm - 7:45pm
K.I.C.K.
C.O.D.E.
Sun., Dec. 22nd - 10:30am
Grace Notes sing during service
Wed., Dec. 25th
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
C.O.D.E. is a Bible Study for youth 7th - 12th grades
Grace Notes is a Children’s choir
K.I.C.K. is a program for children Pre-school - 6th grades
page 9
Dec. ‘19
Kiara Rojas 2nd
Analee Noonan 15th
Kellen Fisher 16th
Learning about children around the world, our Grace Notes
Choir honored Mexico by singing “Jesus Loves Me” in
Spanish.
Grace children did a wonderful job playing the hand bells. Miss Kelli continues
to broaden their musical talents!
Our wonderful children and their families
have kicked off the Christmas season in a
very special way. They filled 20 shoe boxes
for Operation Christmas Child. These go to
children in need, along with the message of
the love of Jesus. Thanks to all of you!
Our annual “Sharing our Blessings” for area
families will soon be underway. Watch for
our signup board in the Narthex. Last year,
we were able to give three families a
wonderful Christmas!
Blessings,
Jan Grimm
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1 - Phil Chenoweth
8 - Don Weik
15 - Cliff Stearns
22 - Chad Chenoweth
29 - Doug Tolley
VALETS
3 years - Kindergarten
1 - Connie Shaw
8 - Sharon Hartman & Pam Morningstar
15 - Shelby & Cliff Stearns
22 - Pam Morningstar
29 - Pam Morningstar
1st - 6th Grades
1 - stay in Worship Service
8 - Kristin Sims
15 - Shelbie Shaw & Savannah Shaw
22 - Shelby & Cliff Stearns
29 - Arline Wenning
JUNIOR CHURCH
1 - Shelly Green & Marilyn McGee
8 - Harry & Pat Pallant
15 - Bettie Braun & Shirley Smith
22 - Dick & Christy Giliberto
29 - Aileen Gaynor
GREETERS
1 - Brayden Justice & Ailey Justice
8 - Asher Roy & Finn Chenoweth
15 - Lyla Roy & Lilly Chenoweth
22 - Timothy Copeland & Bailey Allen
29 - Ryder Parsons & Julianna Silva
ACOLYTES
USHERS
1 - Richard Laubenstein, Ray Cook, Darius Bowling, Don Weik
8 - Steve Francis, Bill Steurer, George Marsh, Doug Tolley
15 - Bill Stearns, Dick Giliberto, Jeff Shaw, Doug Tolley
22 - Barb Curtis, Shirley Smith, Paula Hedgepeth, Nancy Zimmerman
29 - Jackie Brown, Barbara Curtis, Paula Hedgepeth, Nancy Zimmerman
