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The Witness November 22, 2013

Volume 60, Issue 11 November 22, 2013

Bothell United Methodist Church Advent Calendar Worship Services at 8, 9 and 10:30 am Every Sunday

Sunday, December 1

O Antiphons Advent Service, 2 pm - dessert reception to follow

Sunday, December 8

Cookie Walk - bake sale between services

Saturday, December 14

Cascadia Big Band Christmas Concert, 2:30 pm (Free-will offering)

Sunday, December 15

Children and Youth Christmas Pageant, 4 pm

Wednesday, December 18

Longest Night Service, 7 pm - Worship for those living through dark times

Friday, December 20

Bothell Movie Madness, The Muppet Christmas Carol, 6 pm

Christmas card making, potluck dinner and movie

Sunday, December 22

Carols and Cocoa, 3 pm - All-church caroling to neighbors

Tuesday, December 24 - Christmas Eve Worship Services 3 pm Daylight worship features multi-media sermon and acoustic ensemble music

7 pm Time-honored candlelight worship features the Chancel Choir, Brass, and Bells

11 pm Contemplative candlelight worship features the Chant Choir and communion

Birthday Party for Jesus at 3 and 7 pm.

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The Witness November 22, 2013

At this time of year, I find that I want to look both backward

and forward at the same time. I look back with gratitude for

the opportunity to serve at Bothell UMC. I am deeply honored

to work with a dedicated group of people who, in addition to

serving others, are also deeply involved in their own faith journey. I am grateful that

our church is vibrant with hundreds of people involved in worship every week and

new people finding their way into our chapel and sanctuary.

I am grateful for people in our church who envision ministry beyond our walls and

who work to truly be Christ’s hands and ears and eyes and feet in our world. I’m

grateful for our staff, who work so hard and are a sheer pleasure to work. I am

especially grateful for the new people who have joined our staff this year: Jemmie

Godwin-Smith, Emily Stecher, Celeste Deveney (new position) and Barb Donovan.

In the coming year we have plans to further cultivate new discipleship opportunities

that speak to Bothell UMC’s mission thanks to new ministry groups such as

Communications, Worship and the Arts, Missions (local and global) and Leadership

Development.

Our River (8am), Roots (9am), and Wings (10:30am) services continue to foster unique

ways for people to engage in both individual and corporate worship. Growth

opportunities like this are exciting and attendance between the three services has

been excellent. Folks are inviting friends, neighbors and coworkers to experience

what God is doing in our midst. I’m pleased to write that the life of our church is not

contained to Sunday mornings; each day and night of the week our church serves

the many needs of our communities.

Thank you for your continued support through your prayers, presence, gifts, service

and witness. Because of your faithfulness to our church finances and ministries, we

can continue the critical work we do as a church that is “becoming Christ in our

community”.

Blessings,

Pastor DJ

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The Witness November 22, 2013

We would like to

extend our gratitude

to our church family

during these past

several months. We

are very thankful for

those “guardian angels” at the retreat

and for all the prayers and support.

For the gift of transportation for my kids

and me …so many of you volunteered

… I don’t know how we would have

made it through the school year

without your help. For my CORE

group, for Pastors DJ and Meredith, for

cards, calls and good wishes, for

unseen prayers from congregation

members… THANK YOU!!!

The Ouellette Family

(Nanette, Andy, Gina, Dean)

Next Witness Deadline

Monday, December 8

Deck the Halls

On Saturday,

November 30, our

church will be

turned into a holiday wonderland.

Ambience will host the decorating at

10 am. It's a big job and many hands

are needed. There are jobs for any

age group. Men are especially

welcome to help with the ladder work.

We have 6 trees to set up as well as all

the other decorations. Refreshments

will be served. Please consider helping

on November 30.

Attention College Students!

Applications for Bothell UMC scholar-

ships for the 2014/2015 school year are

available now in the church office.

Applications must be filled out and

returned to the office by January 17,

2014. Regular participants in the

ministries of Bothell UMC are eligible.

Dear Church Family,

Thank you for the loving wishes, gifts

and hugs. It has been a privilege

working with you for the last nine years.

There is a special place in my heart for

my Bothell UMC family.

Love and blessings,

Gay Norman

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The Witness November 22, 2013

Please Keep In Your Prayers …

All our home-bound friends

Fresie Chikomb

People living with chronic conditions

Linda Fatuma, Reagan Mutombo,

and all the children at the

Jamaa Letu Orphanages

Kairos Prison Ministry

Kristina Thorson

and Peace

Adult Sunday School

Opportunities

8 am – Writing Spiritually

(November 10 – December 22)

The holidays can be stressful. This

class focuses on prayerful meditation

and spiritual writing as a way staying

in touch with God in the midst of all

the chaos. A new session begins

November 10; both new and

experienced students are welcome.

For more information, contact

Claudia Green.

9 am – Following Jesus: Steps to a

Passionate Faith (November 3 –

January 20)

What does it mean to follow Jesus?

How can you live out a passionate

faith? Using Carolyn Slaughter’s short

book, “Following Jesus,” this twelve-

week class is a very accessible way

to study Scripture and to understand

God’s call in your life. For more

information, contact Fe Balaoing or

Janice Cecotti.

10:30 am – Digging Deeper: The Book of

Romans (began October 20, ongoing)

Paul’s last, and possibly most important,

letter is foundational to Christian history.

Come join our in-depth study of this

book of the Bible which started the

Protestant Reformation, formed the

basis of John Wesley’s “Aldersgate

experience,” and which has affected

Christians’ views of same-sex

relationships, original sin, and Chrisitans'

relationship to the state. For more

information, contact Jeff Staley.

10:30 am – Studying the Lectionary:

Seasons of the Spirit (ongoing)

This class weaves together several

different Bible passages each week,

seeking to uncover connections

between them. Together, we listen for

how God speaks into our lives through

Scripture and ask questions about what

passages might mean. For more

information, contact Dani del Rosario.

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The Witness November 22, 2013

Bothell United Methodist

Women

Susanna Wesley—will next

meet on December 12 at

10 am in the Lounge.

Northstar—will next meet on November

20th at 7 pm in the Lounge.

Next Witness Deadline

Monday, December 8

Susanna Wesley

The next meeting of the Susanna Wesley

Group will be Thursday, December 12, at

10 am in the church lounge. All women

in the church are invited to hear

Adrienne Carley give a presentation on

her mission trip to Honduras and ministry

to young adults. Please bring your

favorite salad to share at the potluck

luncheon following the program.

Questions? Contact Carol Russell or Fae

McLean.

Northstar

NOTE DATE CHANGE: Our

November meeting is moved

up one week due to

Thanksgiving. We will meet on

November 20 at 7 pm in the lounge.

We will collect our World Thank

Offering as well as have a program

on domestic/intimate partner

violence.

Forty-five percent of women will

experience at least one incident of

inter-personal violence in their

lifetime. All people are impacted by

the devastating effects of Domestic/

Intimate Partner Violence - men,

women, children, friends, work

places, schools, communities, and

congregations large and small. Debbie

and Adrienne Carley recently attended

a retreat, presented by Rural Ministry

Resources (RMR), which was designed to

immerse the attendees into the

awareness of, the cause, pain, and

rescue from these situations and how

we, as a congregation, can help

women and men in this situation. Join us

as they share the information they

received at the retreat, as well as

information on the upcoming "Breaking

Free: A Domestic Violence Awareness

Event" happening at BUMC on Saturday,

November 23.

Also please note that we will NOT be

meeting in December. If you have

questions, please contact Noreen Forck

or Shelly Ainsworth.

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The Witness November 22, 2013

BUMC Children What’s Happening in Creative Service

Thus far in our improv classes, the children have been learning how to re-

spect one another, open up to new possibilities, listen to each other, and

expect the unexpected. Improvisational Theatre is about going off script and using

your imagination on the spot, and these kids have NAILED IT!

Each week they learn one or two new games that expand their abilities to think,

collaborate, create, and perform on the spot (abilities that will prove useful as they

enter the scary age of in-class presentations and public speaking). While doing so

they also have found a comfortable environment to laugh at each other and at

themselves without the fear of being mocked. It is my hope that by learning and

playing these games, the kids will have the tools to comfortably navigate through

life as they mature and grow into adulthood. There will be an improvisational clinic

held on January 25 from 12- 3 pm in the BUMY JV room. Snacks will be served.

Please contact jpearson@pugetsound.edu with any questions.

Rock the Knock Event Report

Rock the Knock was an exciting event

that invited all sorts of dressed critters

and characters into the doors of Bothell

UMC. We had 115 people participate

in this wonderful event! Thanks to our

church family that donated 97 pounds

of candy! Thank you for your time,

effort, and energy!

New Space!

Come and check out our new BUMY JV

Room. Room 208 has been used for

butterfly choir and storage of all sorts.

Now, room 208 will be housing 4-6

graders on Sundays, youth nights,

creative service practices, and various

other events. Thank you for your support

in making this space a reality!

Christmas Pageant

Please sign up now for the Christmas Pageant. Sign-up forms are located on the

Children’s Ministries table. Please sign up by December 1. Please reference the

sign-up sheet for specifics on dates and timing.

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The Witness November 22, 2013

Advent & Christmas

This season of Advent, youth and their

families are invited to engage in all the

wonderful worship services, concerts, and

special activities at BUMC. Here are a few

of the key events for youth:

Youth Christmas Party: December 8

This will be a special youth group with

Christmas games, gingerbread house-

making, Christmas snacks and cocoa,

and, of course, tacky Christmas sweaters.

Christmas Pageant: December 15

Families and friends, please attend the

annual children’s and youth Christmas

pageant from 4-5 pm during which we re-

enact the Christmas story. Dress rehearsal

will be immediately before from 2-4 pm.

Carols & Cocoa: December 22

This new event is a church-wide

opportunity to go caroling to our

neighbors and then return to the church

to eat cookies, drink cocoa, and sing

Christmas carols together! Children &

youth will need completed parent

permission forms if they plan on

being in a car other than their

family’s car for caroling. Meet

at the church at 3 pm!

Youth News Youth Calendar

Youth Sunday School (7th-12th) is every

Sunday from 10:30-11:30 am (Youth Room)

December 1: No Youth Group (due to

Thanksgiving Weekend)

December 8: Youth Group, 6:15-8 pm in

Youth Room (Christmas Party!)

December 15: No Youth Group; Christmas

Pageant 4-5 pm

December 22: No Youth Group, Carols &

Cocoa 3-5 pm

December 29: No Youth Group

Fundraiser Report

Thanks so much to everyone who

supported the Youth Ministry’s Gift Wrap

Fundraiser this year. Many volunteers and

youth helped out at the fundraising table

each Sunday, and many of you placed

orders, big and small. In total, we raised

$986 that is now in the Youth Fund to

support the youth ministry in the coming

years. Close to $1,000! In particular, these

funds will help subsidize the cost of retreats

and mission trips so that the burden does

not fall on families. We really appreciate

your support and hope you love your gift

wrap!

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The Witness November 22, 2013

“DID YOU KNOW…”

Ann Eachus recently received a

certificate for her work with "Peace

with Justice" from the PNW UMW

conference. Ann is very much

involved with Social Action and has a

passion for Social Justice. She has

participated in marches in Seattle,

chaired the Board of Church and

Society for the United Methodist

Church, attended the Domestic

Violence Event in Bothell and the

Mission U class on the Roma people

and much more. Congratulations,

Ann!

Needle Nook is now meeting every

third Thursday 10 to 2. Everyone is

welcome.

The Advance is an official program of

The United Methodist Church for

voluntary, designated, second-mile

giving. Through The Advance, United

Methodist annual conferences,

districts, local churches, and

organizations, as well as individuals

and families, may choose to support

mission programs or mission personnel

with their financial gifts. On Tuesday,

December 3, 2013, donations up to

$500,000 made to any Advance

project will be med dollar for dollar.

This means that if you go to http://

www.umcmission.org/Give-to-Mission/

How-to-Give or call 888-252-6174 on

December 3, you can double your

donation. If you care to donate to

our US2 Missionary, Kristina Thorson,

please use the Advance number

3021852. To donate to UMCOR

disaster relief for the Philippines, use

Advance number 240235.

Volunteering at the Bothell

Community Kitchen is fun, a great

way to get to know other members

of the church family, and a chance

to give a gift of service back to the

community. Signing up is easy. Go

to the church website at

www.bothellumc.org, look at the

box with information on the Bothell

Community Kitchen and follow the

prompts to sign up.

Over 200 people attended the

Filipino Cultural dinner on October

20th. It was a wonderful time of

fellowship, learning about the

Philippines, and of course, Lumpia!

The Giving Star, our chance to

donate money to a local or global

ministry instead of spending it on

Christmas cards for other church

members, will this year go to four

different ministries: Bread for the

World, Tacoma Community House,

US-2 Missionary Kristina Thorson, and

UMCOR US Disaster Relief.

Donations will be accepted starting

on December 1.

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The Witness November 22, 2013

Library News

This month we have

added the following

books:

Upside-Down

Prayers for Parents - by

Lisa T Bergren

A very useful book to

offer clear direction on

how to pray to help your

children in their formative years.

Who is this Man - by John

Ortberg

Those who have read this

book say it is brilliantly and

inspiringly written. Jesus

has inspired and

challenges humanity. In him

the fullness of God is

revealed.

Love to Stay - by Adam

Hamilton

Adam Hamilton is the

author of many books. His

book entitled "When Christians Get It

Wrong" seems to be a favorite of

readers. In his most recent book

"Love to Stay" he says love is easy,

but staying in love takes courage,

hard work and lots of grace.

Faith and Fiction

All are invited to join us

for our monthly book

discussion. We meet

at the Greens' home,

only a few short blocks

from the church,

usually on the third Wednesday of the

month, at 7 pm. On November 20, we'll

be talking about In the Beauty of the

Lilies, by John Updike. Our next book

before the start of the new year is

Illusions, by Richard Bach. We will meet

on December 18.

UMW Girls

Please join us on

Wednesday, December

4 from 4:30-7:30 pm to

bake cookies for the

Cookie Walk! We'll work

at the church, and order pizza for

dinner. Please wear old clothes, invite

a friend, and let's bake! Questions?

Contact Dawn Kirchner.

Next Witness Deadline

Monday, December 8

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The Witness November 22, 2013

Becoming Christ in the Community

Volunteers Needed

Christmas Eve Services need volunteers to extend a warm, welcoming experience for

everyone in attendance. Individuals are needed to serve as greeters, ushers and

child care at all 3 services – 3:00 pm, 7:00 pm and 11:00 pm. If you can help, please

contact the church office or sign up on the Sunday bulletin attendance sheet.

Annual UMW Cookie Walk

Are you ready for some truly fabulous Christmas cookies? The United

Methodist Women are hosting the Cookie Walk on Sunday morning,

December 8t. The Cookie Walk is a delicious opportunity to select a

wonderful variety of Christmas cookies to celebrate the Advent season. If you

are having a party, or need a fun gift to share, you may consider purchasing pre-

assembled platters of cookies. All proceeds support the local, regional, and global

mission work of UMW.

What puts you in the holiday spirit more than the smell of cookies baking in the

oven? For the Cookie Walk to be successful, we need cookies! Interested

bakers please sign up on the Making Connections sheet (in the bulletin). We'll be

accepting nut-free cookie donations at the church on Saturday, December 7, 9 am

to noon. Please put your name on any trays you would like returned to you.

New this year – Donating cookies? Leave your recipe, too!

Every year we get asked, “who brought these delicious cookies, and can I get the

recipe?” So, this year, we thought we’d start collecting cookie recipes to publish in a

future UMW cookie cookbook. If you are willing to share your cherished recipes,

please bring a recipe card when you drop off your cookies or email your recipe

to Paula Kinzer (paulpaulaseattle@yahoo.com) or Angela Dellinger

(adellinger23@gmail.com). Questions? Contact Paula Kinzer or Angela Dellinger.

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The Witness November 22, 2013

Finance News

Back in 2012, Congress passed the American Taxpayer Relief

Act. One of the provisions in this Act, which expires at the end

of 2013, provides for Charitable IRA Rollovers.

Why would you or I care? This provision allows a taxpayer to have the holder of

their IRA send a check directly to a Charity and they do not have to report this

check as income nor can they deduct it as an expense. If you were going to

make a lump sum donation to a Charity of your choice, you can do it this way

and have NO tax impact.

So what are the requirements to do this –

You must be 70 or older

You can transfer any amount up to $100,000

Your gift/transfer will count toward your Required Minimum Distribution for 2013

You will not be taxed, but you cannot deduct the gift.

As the Chair of the Finance Committee and a member of the Endowment

Committee, I am mentioning this tax provision because it is expiring.

I am highlighting this in the hope that if you were planning upon providing a lump

sum gift to Bothell United Methodist Church this would be an incentive to do so

during 2013.

Any funds assigned to the Endowment Committee will be combined with other

invested funds and they result in Annual Grants funded from the annual earnings.

For 2013, the Committee awarded over $3,100 for eight Grants to various groups.

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The Witness November 22, 2013

Bellevue Chamber Chorus Christmas Concert

Celebrate the holiday season with Bellevue Chamber Chorus on

Saturday, December 14 at 7:30 pm. Upon a Midnight Clear is a program of Christmas

treasures old and new, and the first concert series of our 30th anniversary season. Be

transported by the joyful sounds of Benjamin Britten’s beloved A Ceremony of Carols

in our tribute to the composer’s centenary year in 2013. Experience the sensation of

riding camels with the Magi with Steve Barnett’s evocative arrangement of Fum,

Fum, Fum, the Puerto Rican carol De Tierra Lejana Venimos, and many other inspiring

arrangements of carols from around the world. We will also preview two pieces

featured on our newly-released Christmas CD, available at the concert. For more

information about tickets, contact Lee Huffman at lchuffman25@comcast.net.

An Afternoon

of Romance

& Christmas

Cheer

Join us for Cascadia Big Band’s

Christmas concert Saturday,

December 14 at, 2:30 pm.

Come listen to those romantic songs

made famous by Frank Sinatra and

Michael Buble along with wonderful Big

Band arrangements of your favorite

Christmas carols. Admission is free with

a non-perishable donation to Hopelink.

For more information about the band,

go to www.cascadiabigband.com/

index.htm.

Reconciling

Discernment Team

Graeme Geib and Tim Smith

will facilitate discussions

related to the Reconciling Discernment

Team Advisory Questionnaire and what

becoming Reconciling and openly

welcoming LGBTQ. If you have any

questions or concerns, this is your oppor-

tunity to express them! The purpose of

the discussions is to hear your thoughts

about this calling. The facilitators are

not advocates to convince you or to

persuade you. They do not claim to

have all the answers. Their role is simply

to set the stage for an honest conversa-

tion about where you are on this issue.

Again, all are encouraged to attend

one of these discussions. Please join us

on December 1 and 8 at 9 and 10:30

am in the Chapel.

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The Witness November 22, 2013

Readings from the Revised Common Lectionary

November 24: Jeremiah 23:1-6; Luke 1:68-79; Colossians 1:11-20; Luke 23:33-43

December 1: Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44

December 8: Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12

December 15: Isaiah 35:1-10; Luke 1:47-55; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11

December Sermon Series

December 1 - Names of God Series: Hope

We begin this sermon series with Hope. George Iles once said, “Hope is faith holding

out its hand in the dark.” Some of the names we’ll focus on are The Lord of Hosts,

the Alpha and the Omega. Join us as we explore some of the many names of God

under the theme of Hope.

December 8 - Names of God Series: Joy

In this sermon, we will explore the names of God associated within the theme of Joy

such as Immanuel, Hashem and Redeemer. The prophet Nehemiah once wrote,

“The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10b). If God is the source of our

joy, how does that inform the world we live in today?

December 15 - Names of God Series: Love

Love can compel us to do amazing things. On this third Sunday of December, we

focus on the Advent theme of Love. Luke 1 begins with a prayer from Mary, the

mother of Jesus. Some of the names we will learn more about are El Roi, Wonderful

Counselor and Servant.

December 22 - Names of God Series: Peace

Prince of Peace and Wonderful Counselor are just a couple of names for God. In

this fourth installment of our Names of God series, Pastor DJ will preach on the

names of God within the Advent theme of Peace

December 24 – Christmas Eve - Names of God Series: When God Calls Your Name

Join us for the final installment in this series as we explore some of the names of Je-

sus. As we have studied God’s name, what does it mean for God to know your

name? Join us for our Extra-Family-Friendly service at 3 pm, Traditional service at 7

pm and Candlelight/Communion service at 11 pm.

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The Witness November 22, 2013

Worship Services 8:00 a.m. (Communion Service)

9:00 & 10:30 a.m.

Christian Education

8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

Childcare Available

9:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Services

Next Witness Deadline ~ December 8, 2013

TIME DATED MATERIAL

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BOTHELL, WA

PERMIT NO. 29

NOVEMBER 22, 2013

Mailing Label Here

18515~92nd Avenue NE

Bothell, WA 98011

Phone: 425.486.7132 Fax: 425.486.030 3

Email: bumcoffice@bothellumc.org

Website: www.bothellumc.org