MIDWEEK ADVENT WORSHIP: THE LONG ROAD TO CHRISTMAS The Christmas Celebration is preceded by the four Sundays in Advent. For generations, God’s people have taken special time for worship in the midst of hectic preparations for Christmas. Again this year we will have three Wednesday advent services. Our theme this year will be “The Long Road to Christmas.” Advent is a journey that takes us into the very presence of God lying in a manger. We are called to carefully consider the joys, challenges, and hope of this journey. It is indeed a long road to Christmas. Dec. 5: The Road of the Exiles Dec. 12: The Road of the Angels Dec. 19: The Road of the Shepherds Advent dinners will be served at 6pm, and the Advent Services will be in the Sanctuary beginning at 7:00. These 30-40 minute services are quiet times of song, reflection and prayer. Plan to make this stopover on your long road to Christmas. THRIVE Our next Thrive Youth and Family service will be on Dec. 2, at 5pm in the GLC gym. Be sure to put this one in your planner because this is a service you will not want to miss. Thrive has become one of our bigger Sunday services. My prayer is that we keep growing Thrive, and keep making it exciting for the whole family to be in worship together and grow in their faith as a family. Bring your family and friends to help us celebrate the Christmas season! CHRISTMAS WORSHIP INFO CHRISTMAS EVE 4pm Family Worship GCC 5:30pm Festival Worship GCC 7pm Festival Worship GCC 11pm Candlelight Service Sanctuary with Communion CHRISTMAS DAY 10am Christmas Worship Sanctuary with Communion On the Sundays before and after Christmas (Dec. 23 and 30) we will have services at 8am & 9:30am in the Sanctuary.
The Christmas Celebration is preceded by the four Sundays in Advent. For generations, God’s people have taken special time for worship in the midst of hectic preparations for Christmas. Again this year we will have three Wednesday advent services.
Our theme this year will be “The Long Road to Christmas.” Advent is a journey that takes us into the very presence of God lying in a manger. We are called to carefully consider the joys, challenges, and hope of this journey. It is indeed a long road to Christmas.
Dec. 5: The Road of the Exiles
Dec. 12: The Road of the Angels
Dec. 19: The Road of the Shepherds
Advent dinners will be served at 6pm, and the Advent Services will be in the Sanctuary beginning at 7:00. These 30-40 minute services are quiet times of song, reflection and prayer. Plan to make this stopover on your long road to Christmas.
TTHHRRIIVVEE
Our next Thrive Youth and Family service will be on Dec. 2, at 5pm in the GLC gym. Be sure to put this one in your planner because this is a service you will not want to miss.
Thrive has become one of our bigger Sunday services. My prayer is that we keep growing Thrive, and keep making it exciting for the whole family to be in worship together and grow in their faith as a family. Bring your family and friends to help us celebrate the Christmas season!
CCHHRRIISSTTMMAASS WWOORRSSHHIIPP IINNFFOO
CHRISTMAS EVE
4pm Family Worship GCC
5:30pm Festival Worship GCC
7pm Festival Worship GCC
11pm Candlelight Service Sanctuary with Communion
CHRISTMAS DAY
10am Christmas Worship Sanctuary with Communion
On the Sundays before and after Christmas (Dec. 23 and 30) we will have services at 8am & 9:30am in the Sanctuary.
Thrive Youth and Family Service – Dec. 2 at 5pm in the GLC gym.
Pastor Troy will give a great message that will stress the importance of Jesus and the light that he brings to our lives. We are featuring our awesome Youth Band and will be rocking out some Christmas tunes for you. Also we are “lighting up the gym” this night to go along with the theme.
x We are collecting white Christmas lights for the service and will return them to you the following week. Please drop them off in the GLC office marked “For Thrive.”
x We are still looking for volunteers in these positions: 4 ushers, 2 greeters, light hangers (will meet on Friday 11/30 at 3pm)
The Cookie Walk is back!!! We are looking forward to all the homemade treats we will be selling on Sunday Dec. 9, starting at 8am, and will continue for all three services that day. For more info, contact Kyle Wahlgren ([email protected] or 602-550-0800) or Eric Durante ([email protected] or call the church office). Proceeds will help our High School students attend the National Youth Gathering in San Antonio TX in July 2013. We hope that you will support our Youth for this amazing Gathering that only comes around every three years.
Advent Youth Dinner! We have been asked to host the first dinner for Advent on Dec. 5 at 6pm. After our dinner please join us for the Advent service in the Sanctuary at 7pm. If you are willing to help out, contact Eric ([email protected] or 480-532-4870).
TTOO TTHHEE CCOONNGGRREEGGAATTIIOONN
November 12, 2012
Dear Members of the Gethsemane Church and School Family,
At the October 9 meeting of the Gethsemane Voters’ Assembly, it became clear from the financial reports that we were going to experience a significant budget shortfall and some changes would be required. These required changes were related to our school enrollments coming in at a much lower level and an accounting formulation error. The Mission Directors, the Elders and the School Ministry Team with the support of the Pacific Southwest District have been exploring options to control costs while protecting the quality and integrity of our educational program at our school.
Mr. Robson, in his truly Christian manner, did not want to make any cuts in the instructional program at the school. He realized that he could help the school by reducing our
administrative costs and has therefore, decided to resign his position as administrator for the sake of the school effective November 30, 2012. These changes will not negatively affect the students, the teachers, or the instructional program at the school. It will allow the school ministry team to implement and explore new ways to strengthen the school and the programs that it offers.
In the interim, we have established an “administrative team” to handle the administrative duties at the school. This team is comprised of two of our dedicated teachers, led by Lorna Kemper who will be supported by Cameron Lehman and our office manager, MarKetta Roemke. We have been blessed to receive some experienced volunteer assistance that will help to free up some time for the administrative team to carry out its functions. Pastor Troy will continue to serve as the Director of the Mission and will take on additional leadership responsibilities as needed to assist the school. The Mission Directors have agreed to provide Mr. Robson with health care coverage and a severance package to protect the welfare of his family and assist him while he seeks a new call in service to the Lord and the Church.
Please join with us in thanking Mr. Robson for his dedicated service and we urge you to remember him and his family in your prayers during this time of transition. Sincerely, GLCS Mission Directors
“Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples.” Psalm 96:3
Your voice and worshipping heart are needed in our Christmas Eve Choir, at both our 5 and 7:30 services on Christmas Eve. Special choral music, including traditional carols and contemporary Christmas songs, will enhance this celebration service which many people from our community attend. Singers high school age and older are invited. No audition required! Personal practice CDs or mp3 files will be provided to help you learn your music. Plan now to lend your voice to this special celebration and outreach opportunity.
“Sing to Him a new song. Play skillfully, and shout for joy.” Psalm 33:3
Woodwind and brass players are needed at both our 5:30 and 7pm services on Christmas Eve. Students with three or more years’ experience and adults are welcome to participate. Even if you “haven’t played for years” maybe this is the time to find that instrument in the closet, dust it off, and offer your gift to the Christ Child through music!
Contact Mark Senechal with questions or to sign up ([email protected] or 480-839-0906, ext. 107). Or sign up on Sunday morning at GLC. Instrumentalist rehearsal schedule to be determined.
I have heard it said the warmth of Christmas comes from the heart. It is the warmth of love we feel for one another which comes from the love God feels for us. A love so strong He sent His Son to be our Savior. What a Gift!
Traditionally our Gethsemane family focuses on an area where we can help others during the Christmas season. This year we will be partnering with the Salvation Army to help supply the homeless population in our community with what they need to feel warm during an Arizona winter. The homeless population is growing and while it is mostly adult males, there are also women and children who are homeless.
Following is a list of items which are most needed:
Watch for additional information in the church announcements as this project develops. If this is a ministry that you would like to get more involved in please call Lyn in the church office 480-839-0906 or email her at [email protected].
DDEEAARR FFRRIIEENNDDSS,,
Almost two years after deciding to come to Japan, I am finally here! My first month in Tokyo has flown by. One of the best parts has been reuniting with my team! We moved into our new (tiny!) apartments right when I got here, so I have been able to settle in with everyone. So far, I think one of my favorite parts of being here is exploring the city. I’ve never lived in a big city like Tokyo before, and it is very different from anything I’ve experienced. There are a lot of little side streets and small shops and cafes everywhere and it has been fun to try them out and see which ones are my favorites. The people are extremely friendly, even if we can’t always understand each other. - Amanda Sever
Prayer requests:
x Please pray for Maki and our other friends to be open to hearing about Christ and that God would work in their hearts this year.
x Please pray that my team and I would have energy as we do ministry and that we would be open to whatever the Lord has in store for us.
SSAAMM
Dec. 3: Bus Trip to the Mining Camp Restaurant in Apache Junction for dinner and country music show. Bus will leave church at 5pm. Please arrive by 4:30 so we can leave on time. Dinner is served at 6:30. The cost of the meal is $20 per person. You will be getting an endless family style dinner. There also will be a small gas fee for use of the school bus.
Thursday, Dec. 6: Meet at noon for lunch at RigaTonys (east of McClintock and Warner, on the north side of the street). Then meet in the Fellowship Hall at 1:30pm for Pastor Jerry Kosberg's video on "Religion Middle East, about ISLM," followed by discussion and study.
Wednesday, Dec. 19 at noon: Sam Group Christmas Luncheon at Coco's (on Baseline just east of Dobson, on the north side of the street. Our Pastors and their wives are invited, plus any seniors in the congregation.
There will be no SAM meeting on Dec. 20.
CCOOFFFFEEEE AANNDD BBIIBBLLEE SSTTUUDDYY
On Jan. 15, we will begin a new study written by Beth Moore: “Esther: It’s Tough Being a Woman.” The class will meet in conference room A-B in the Family Life Center. The classes will be a little longer because there is a DVD with each week of study...and yes, this class will have homework (reading 3-4 pages in a workbook and a few questions to answer or ponder).
Class will meet on Tuesdays at 9:30am for a discussion of what we have read, for a time of prayer for the needs of the group, and then close with the DVD. We will finish no later than 11:30am. There are ten weeks in this study. The first class will probably last about 1 hour and 20 minutes. The study of Esther will run from Jan. 15 through March 26. We will take off the week of spring break.
Please call or email Bonnie Hanson no later than Jan. 2, if you are interested, so that enough books can be ordered (480-821-9574 or [email protected]).
PPIIEECCEEMMAAKKEERR QQUUIILLTTEERRSS
Piecemakers will be meeting on Saturday, Dec. 1, from 9-noon in the Fellowship Hall for our last day of quilting for 2012. We will be taking off the rest of December to prepare our hearts and homes to celebrate the birthday of our King Jesus.
In January we will continue to quilt the first and third Saturday mornings and will also add a quilting day on the fourth Friday of each month. The Friday quilting day is in response to comments made by women who would like to quilt but don’t want to give up their Saturdays. If you are one of them, please come and join us. If you need instruction, someone will be there to assist you. Questions? Call Bonnie (480-821-9574) or Kathy (480-678-7417).
TTIIMMEE OOUUTT
We are looking forward to our Christmas Potluck which is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 14 at 11am in the Fellowship Hall. Please sign up (on Sundays Dec. 2 or 9) to bring a main dish, side dish, bread, beverage or dessert. This year we will be singing Christmas carols right after lunch. Our special thanks to Katy Johnson for playing piano for us. We will also be celebrating December birthdays, and sharing news about Time Out for 2013.
If you have questions, please call Kathy Manthey (480) 678-7417 or Bonnie Hanson (480) 821-9574. Bring a friend!
This life-changing class will help you achieve your financial goals by showing you how to eliminate debt, save for the future, and give like never before. You will be challenged and motivated to follow Biblical principles and make a plan for your future. This class will go from Jan. 8 - March 5, from 6:30-8pm. For more information contact Steve Dettlaff (602-320-1388 or [email protected]). You can also register on line at: http://www.daveramsey.com/fpu/locations/org/20252/class/220700/atid/l_ln
SSCCHHOOOOLL NNEEWWSS
GLS Christmas programs will be on Dec. 11, 13, 18 and 20.
When buying your Thanksgiving and Christmas food, snacks and supplies, look for the Box Tops for Education symbol and clip and
save! Each Box Top is ten cents for our school – which means if every GLC family clipped 10 box tops, our school would have $420!! For a list of products that have Box Tops, e-mail our school’s Box Tops Coordinator, Jennifer May at [email protected].
A special thank you to all the church and school families who donated shoeboxes, items for the shoeboxes, and food for the hungry. GLCS was able to deliver 255 completed boxes to the collection center. Great job everyone!
GLS students packed many shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child and were featured on Channel 25 and the East Valley Moms
section of the Tribune. We want to thank Jeff and Jodie Heisner for their huge support and hard work promoting our school. We are so blessed to have them.
We have opening in our twos and preschool classes. Help us please to spread the word about our wonderful school!
Dec. 1, is the League Soccer Tournament from 8am-1pm. Contact the school office for location.
Congratulations to our Lady Gator Volleyball Team as they are the first place champions of the Volleyball League Tournament! GO GATORS!
Dec. 2, is a farewell event for Wendell Robson. This will be in the afternoon in the Fellowship Hall. Watch announcements for more details.
Dec. 9, our preschool, pre-k and Kindergarten students will sing at the 11:00 service.
Dec. 21: School will dismiss at 11:30.
Daycare and Toddler Twos are open on Dec. 21, 27, 28, and Jan 2, 3, 4, and 5. The hours are 6:30 am to 6:30 pm.
Jan. 5: Early Childhood Fair and Open House, from 9:30-11:30am. Bounce houses, fun games, goodies and tours.
We encourage people to participate in the Arizona Tuition Tax Credit this year. If you are uncertain about the process, just try donating $20 this time. You will see how easy it is and you will see your donation is returned to you at tax time. Check it all out online at http://www.acsto.org/. Thank you!
x The Lemons family wishes to thank all the members at GLCS for their support, prayers and many kindnesses at the time of Joyce’s passing. Our family felt the love and comfort that you blanketed us with, and for that we are truly grateful.
x Thank you with a grateful heart to those who helped celebrate this special day. Your attendance cards and gifts were overwhelming. God is so good, He’s so good to us… - Kay Evans
TTUURRKKEEYYSS AANNDD MMOORREE
Praise the Lord! Thank all of you generous folks who contributed to the Hispanic Ministry Fund and helped to raise $735.18. I delivered turkeys, fruits & veggies, cranberry sauce, pasta, spaghetti sauce, peanut butter, cereal (etc.). Thank you for your donations. - Gracias! Marney Glancey
CCOOFFFFEEEE SSEERRVVIICCEE
Sign up for the 2013 8-am coffee service will begin soon. Please consider volunteering for 2-3 times for the year. It is fun and easy, and instruction is provided. Look for announcements and details coming soon. To volunteer please call Karen Horn after 6pm at 623-326-2647.
PPLLEEDDGGEESS && GGIIVVIINNGG RREEPPOORRTT
July 1 - October 31, 2012:
Budgeted amount to receive: $245,217 Actual amount received: $232,169 Same time period last year: $224,531
12/1 Julie Weimer 12/3 Jonathan Reitz Paul Rogers 12/4 Jeff Heisner Samantha Miller Taylor Schmidgall Eugene Timar 12/5 Mark Cunningham MarKetta Roemke Nancy Wilsak Christopher Winfrey 12/6 Mort Hanlon Brian Welch 12/7 Joyce Gunaraj John Romero Edith Swanbeck Dallas Tuomisto Jackson White 12/8 Michael Mosiman Betty Sahs 12/11 Deborah Saari Russell Wilsak 12/12 Mary Keeler Ridley Stutz 12/13 Colin Odom Reny Stratton Terryn Twombly 12/14 Barb McCann Taylor Misuraca Jeff Myers 12/15 Ellie Buchta Brigitte Dietz Nicholas Romero Lisa Thompson 12/16 Emma Menke 12/18 Douglas Hanson 12/19 Nash Garcia 12/20 Kasey Koepke Kyle Koepke Kaitlyn Martinez Ryan Schmidt Cameron Taradash Marlene Throndson 12/21 Charles Degard Kim Maty 12/21 Tess Martin Aaron Williams
12/22 Noah Griego Dorothy Jochim Scott Schmidgall 12/23 Tina Blanco Kennedy White 12/25 Billy Evans Judith Waltersdorf 12/27 Bob Davies Xaviera Lozano 12/28 Patricia Dittman Kerry Hawley Ken Krueger Jacob Martinez 12/29 Dan Hogan Aaron Redl 12/30 Julie Armstrong Grant Koepke Trevor Moffat Jonathan Saari Shawn Thomas 12/31 Alexandra Gehring Meredith Kaminski DDEECCEEMMBBEERR AANNNNIIVVEERRSSAARRIIEESS
12/1 Charles & Judy Degard Jay & Laura Kinney Jack & Kathryn Odle 12/3 Peter & Jamie Gosling Matt & Marybeth Tomory 12/4 Marvin & Cynthia Jones 12/5 Omar & Breanna Casiano 12/6 Brian & Billie Schricker 12/16 John & Michelle Sloan 12/18 Eric & Danielle Dueppen Ralph & Connie Kooi 12/19 James & Kyle Wahlgren 12/20 Matthew & Adeana King 12/21 David & Polly Wright 12/22 Bruce & Marsha Andersen 12/23 Steve & Laurie Srock 12/26 Robert & Jacquelyn Couture 12/27 Donald & Joan Stein 12/28 Rod & Rebecca Martin 12/29 Kelvin & Karen Einspahr 12/31 Clarence & Doris Baker Mort & Cathy Hanlon Doug & Gia Thompson
