December 2015
Worship Opportunities

9am & 11am Worship Services

Circuit Rider Deadline

Please have any newsletter related articles, information, etc. to the Communications Director by December 23rd - [email protected]

 
 
  

12/6 - Family Promise

12/13 - Christmas Concert @ 6pm

12/15 - DELTA Party @ 4:30pm

12/19 & 12/20 
-    Living Nativity 5:30 - 8:30pm

12/21   -  Blue Christmas @ 7pm

12/24   -  Christmas Eve @ 5pm, 9pm & 11pm






On December 6th, our congregation will be hosting 4 homeless families for a one week stay as part of the Family Promise network. There will be many opportunities to help:
  • Donate food or beverages
  • Monetary donations to provide funds to purchase breakfast or lunch supplies
  • Be a dinner host at an evening meal
  • Be an overnight host
  • Help putting away supplies on the final Sunday of the families' stay
Stop by the Missions - Outreach Table between services for further information.

 









Upcoming Sermons

December 6th -
"What if they all gave up Christmas?"

December 13th -
"Mary and Joseph: The Couple Next Door"

December 20th -
"Where will our Savior find rest?"

December 24th - 
5pm  Family Service - Children's Musical & Rainbow Ringers

9pm  Christmas Choir, Carols, Full Orchestra & Candle Lighting

11pm   Message of Hope, Carols, Silver Jubilee Ringers, Communion & Candle Lighting

An Emergency Kit for the Soul
by Scott Mocha
Growing up in Oklahoma, massive storms were a part of every season.   Whether it is a tornado coming in the spring or summer, or an ice storm during the winter, one thing that we always had to be prepared for was an emergency.   In my house as a child we had an emergency preparedness box: it had flashlights, jackets, candles, canned food, and water; exactly the kind of thing a person needs when the electricity was off, the heat wasn't blowing, or the chips are down.   As the years went by, I always knew it was there and I always knew where to go in times of need.   When I was 15 years old however, my Dad added a Bible to the equation.   He gave me the book and I never opened it, at least not for many years.  I was smart enough to have it though, in case of an emergency, and that time came finally when I was 32.
   
This Christmas will be a time when many people join us, possibly for the first time, or maybe the only time of the year, and we want to help them in the same regard.  What can we do that will create an impact, what can we do to help them prepare for that time in their life?  What can we give them that will not only point back to God, but will also remind them where home is, and where they can come and be loved for exactly who God created them to be?  We can give them their own emergency kit. 

When people come to visit us this year at Santa Clarita United Methodist Church for Christmas, we want them to go home with a Bible.   Maybe it will be one of many Bibles in their home, maybe it will be the first one, but it is important that no one leaves without one.   Why?  Because God's word does NOT return void (Isaiah 55:11) and God's LOVE can show them through any struggles, any hard times, and any circumstance.   That is the gift we can give this Christmas, the story of God, and the reminder of His Gift to us, Jesus, and that will serve as an emergency kit that truly lasts a lifetime.  

-Pledges-

Reminder - If you haven't gotten your pledges in, please mail or bring them into the office so that we can continue to be a community that takes care of one another.

These are a few of the great quotes that people have left about the church:

" Amazing place to live and worship!  It's like a little family and community that all take care of eachother through thick and thin!

"One of God's gifts to me and my family has been our church, inspiration, a place of service, friends, music, prayer, support for our family, youth groups, and so much more.  Thank-you Lord for the gift of Your Family."

"We like to have fun while worshipping, celebrating and serving our Lord.  Open hearts, open minds, open doors.  Looking for a church family?  Join us.  Welcome home!
 

Timothy & Carol Silver
12/1/90
25 years
John & Kim Tollison
12/2/86
29 years
Steve & Laura Erickson
12/18/76
39 years
Allan & Erica Hardbarger
12/20/03
12 years
Max & Shiloh Liedtke
12/21/09
6 years
Keir & Julie Karzin
12/26/93
22 years
Jackson & Giannina Vick
12/27/03
12 years
Scott & Christine Tavares - Mocha
12/28/13
2 years



David Cunningham
12/1
David Harum 12/1
Steven Giacoletto 12/2
Dianna Stewart 12/2
Keith Orduno 12/3
Kaitlyn Emerson 12/4
Judy Paul 12/4
Luke Herme 12/6
Danielle Buen 12/7
Randy Seguine 12/7
Emily Boettcher
12/8
Michael Peck
12/8
Sandra Baldwin
12/9
Pat Hampton
12/10
Christian Paterson
12/10
Janice McPhee
12/11
Daniel Hubbard
12/12
Mary Haines
12/13
Ed Langness
12/13
Steve Erickson
12/14
Erin Ward
12/14
Jeff Gibson
12/15
Pat Shipp
12/15
Gary Popejoy
12/16
Emily Axt
12/18
Chase Dell
12/18
Jack Schonely
12/18
Kenny Ridnor
12/19
Geraldine Boyles
12/20
Jack Bloomhurst
12/22
Casey Laufer
12/24
Karla Feuer
12/26
Steve Jackson
12/26
Brett Moore 12/26
Bob Coe
12/27
Travis Gonsalves
12/27
Randi Baldwin-Kreuzberger
12/28
Alfred Denney
12/28
Rachael Eaton
12/29
Alfred Edwards
12/29
Come Home for Advent & Christmas
by Pastor Melissa 


   
What if each of those present at the first Christmas gave up?  What if Mary after hearing God's plan said, "I'm out?"  What if Joseph after hearing Mary said, "No way am I going to go through with this?"   What if the Magi after seeing the star said, "That is way to far?"  What if after meeting with Herod and learning of Herod's plans to harm the Messiah said, "This is to complicated and dangerous?"  What if the Shepherds after being invited to the manger said, "No way, we have a job to do here?"  

Each of those who were invited to the first Christmas could have given up, could have found a way not to be present at the Birth of Jesus. They would have missed so much if they had not taken the leap of faith to go where God was leading. What about us, are we in a place where we would like to not show up? Do we have an out like the first Christmas participants? Is God being born into the world to bring hope, love, joy and peace too crazy of a plan to believe? Or are our lives too busy with all the good things in life like family, work and our activities? What might keep us from coming home to our Church where God is inviting us to receive the very peace and joy we are longing to embrace. Don't miss out during the holidays and be present at your Church home as we gather to prepare and celebrate the coming of our Savior.  

Christmas Concert
Sunday, December 13th @ 6pm
 
Living Nativity
Saturday, December 19th @ 5:30pm - 9pm &
Sunday, December 20th @ 5:30pm - 8:30pm
 
Blue Christmas
Monday, December 21st @ 7pm
 
Christmas Eve Services
Thursday, December 24th @ 5pm, 9pm & 11pm 




Disneyland is coming!
Saturday 12/12
Cost: $115
Time: 8am-Midnight
All youth should join us for a day full of fun and Christmas magic at the Happiest Place on Earth!
Signup with Brandon by December 9th

Star Wars Screening!
Friday, 12/18
Cost: $20
Time: 4pm - 7pm
We have 20 tickets for our youth to all hang out together and see the most anticipated movie of the Holiday season! Signups are going fast and are limited, so please let Brandon know ASAP if you plan on joining us!

White Elephant Gift Exchange/Christmas Party!
Sunday 12/20 
Time: 6pm-9pm (Youth should be encouraged to help out at the Living Nativity BEFORE 6pm)
Our annual gift exchange is the final UMYF Youth get together before the year ends! Youth should join us for fun, fellowship, Christmas snacks, hot cocoa, and more! Youth should bring a $15-$20 FUN gift for our exchange! Gifts can be silly and fun, but should also be semi-useful. Have fun and get creative with it! Stores like K-Mart, Wal-Mart, and Target have great, cheap gifts! Contact Brandon if you have any questions. :)

No UMYF on 12/13 or 12/27. New Spring 2016 schedule coming soon!!!

Fundraisers for our Youth are happening now!!!
Sees Candy and 2016 Calendars are on sale on the patio!



Inquire with Brandon about cost, travel details, and info on how your Youth can fundraise for our trip!


Delta will have a Christmas Party/Awards Ceremony for the entire family to attend on Tuesday, December 15 at 4:30...

 
Every Tuesday @ 4:30pm! 
After school kids ministry program

- - - - -

During Advent Sunday, school kids should start in the sanctuary for a children's moment. Their teacher will meet them in the narthex following their time with Pastor Melissa.

- - - - -

Thanks to Melissa Day and the Children's Ministry Team who will be coving our Christian Education during this transitional time. During this time SPRC, the Children's Ministry Team and Church Council will be evaluating the Director of Christian Education Position to see if the position is currently congruent with our Church's needs. In addition we will be hosting one or two meetings that the congregation will be invited to dream with us as to what we would like that position to be and do for our Church's ministries now and in the future. Those dates will be announced. 


 
Everyone who has a heart to sing is invited to join us to praise God in worship at the 9:00 a.m service each Sunday. No experience necessary.  You do not have to know how to read music. For more information on Choir, please email our Director of Music, Christine at [email protected] or talk to any choir member. 

Devotional: The Real Meaning of Christmas
by Internet author Martha Noebel

It's that time of year again. December has come and with it all the joys of Christmas. But what is the real meaning of Christmas? Is it the gifts under the tree, the lights in the windows, the cards in the mail, turkey dinners with family and friends, snow in the yard, stockings hanging in the living room, and shouts of "Merry Christmas" to those who pass us in the streets? Is this really Christmas?

For many people, Christmas is a time of sorrow. They don't have the extra money to buy presents for their children, family, and friends. Many are saddened at Christmastime when they think of their loved ones who will not be able to come home for various reasons. Turkey dinners may be only a wish and not a reality for some.

Yet, Christmas can be a season of great joy. It is a time of God showing His great love for us. It can be a time of healing and renewed strength. You see, Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of the Christ child. God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to be born. His birth brought great joy to the world. Shepherds, wise men, and angels all shared in the excitement of knowing about this great event. They knew this was no ordinary baby. The prophets had told of His coming hundreds of years before. The star stopped over Bethlehem just to mark the way for those who were looking for this special child.

Luke 2: 4-19 says:
"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."

Why did He come? Why did God send His son to this sometimes cruel and hard world? He sent Jesus to us so that one day, He would grow up to become a very important part of history. His story (history) is one of truth, love, and hope. It brought salvation to all of us. Without Jesus, we would all die in our sins.

Jesus was born so one day the price could be paid for the things we have done that are wrong. The Bible says that all have sinned. We are all born with a sin nature. We do things that do not please God. Through the sins of Adam and Eve, we have all inherited that sin nature. We need to have that removed. The only way is through Jesus. Jesus came so He could die on the cross for ALL of our sins. If we believe that Jesus died for our sins, we can ask Him to come into our hearts and forgive us. Then, we are clean and made whole. We can know that heaven is a place where we can go to when this life is over.

"But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong." I John 1:9

We can truly be happy at Christmas! No matter what may be happening, we can know that we are His children. We then become sons and daughters of God. Heaven will be our home one day.

Look at Christmas in a new way this year. This is the year to invite Jesus into your heart. You will then have a "Merry Christmas." The joy and peace you will receive will last all year as you look to God for all your needs to be met.

Jesus Is The Reason For The Season! Rejoice!

Campus Update!

The Dream Team along with The Trustees are working to renovate the "cry room" to make it more welcoming to families.  It will be called the "lullaby room".  


  

Event Picture Takers!  If you like taking pictures, we would like to recruit you to help take pictures when you attend church events.  If you are interested, please contact Donna Nacey at [email protected].