The United Methodist Church of Evergreen
The Rev. Deb Olenyik, Pastor

Sunday, December 9, 2018
Services at 8:30 and 10:30 am

 

Ministry Jottings by Pastor Deb can be found later in this newsletter. Please scroll down to see what Deb is sharing this week.
 

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES AT UMCE


 

EChO CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS GIFT DRIVE

  

This is the last Sunday for donating to the EChO Gift Drive!


Evergreen Christian Outreach facilitates the collection of Christmas gifts for children of client families.  Collected items are made available for selection by the parent (or parents) to supplement their child's Christmas. There is a box for depositing donated toys and clothing in the Fellowship Hall. 

Please help a needy child have a joyous Christmas! 

 

ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS AT UMCE
Sunday, December 2 and Sunday, December 9

This is the last Sunday for participating in Alternative Christmas!



For over thirty years the United Methodist Church of Evergreen has offered the option of presenting Christmas gifts to friends and relatives in the form of a donation to various non-profit organizations. This most Christian celebration gift is truly a way to recognize family and friends while at the same time benefiting worthwhile causes in honor of the Christmas spirit. Special cards will be available for the recipient of your gift.
 
An Alternative Christmas order form is being provided as a newsletter and bulletin insert. The completed form can be given to a member of the Missions Committee at the Alternative Christmas table in Fellowship Hall after church Sunday Dec. 2nd or Sunday Dec. 9th. If unable to be in church on those dates, you can still deliver your form to the church office. Checks should be made out to the United Methodist Church of Evergreen with the note "Alternative Christmas" on the memo line. 

 
SPONSORED THIS YEAR: Bethlehem Bible College; Blue Spruce Habitat for Humanity; Center for Health and Hope (formerly Center for Church and Global AIDS); Colorado Coalition for the Homeless; Evergreen Christian Outreach; Family Promise; Mean Street Ministry; Kenya Youth Sponsorship; Mountain Resource Center; Urban Peak Youth Shelter, and JOY International. Please see the newsletter and bulletin inserts for more details.

You can also get yourself a Christmas gift and support JOY International in a special way by purchasing Dr. Brosky's book "The Least of These" for $15. Books will be available on Sunday.
 

WHEN WILL MY FAVORITE
 CHRISTMAS CAROL HYMN BE SUNG? 

  

December 2
O Come, O Come Emmanuel & Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming
In the Bleak Midwinter & Hail to the Lord's Anointed  
People, Look East
 
December 9  
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus & Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates
Love Came Down at Christmas & There's a Song in the Air
What Child is This?
 
December 16
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks & Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
 
December 23
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear & He Is Born
Angels We Have Heard on High & There's a Song in the Air
O Little Town of Bethlehem
 
December 24 Christmas Eve
O Come, All Ye Faithful & Away in a Manger
The First Noel & Joy to the World
Silent Night
 
December 30
Go Tell It On the Mountain & The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy
Angels From the Realms of Glory & Sing We Now of Christmas
Good Christian Friends, Rejoice!
 
January 6
We Three Kings

 

UMCE CHANCEL CHOIR
Rehearsal and Performance Schedule for December


Sunday, December 9 
Rehearse at 9:15, Sing at 10:30
Rehearse after 10:30 Service

Saturday, December 15
Dress Rehearsal at 1:30 
Singers, Instrumentalists and Readers

Sunday, December 16 - CANTATA
Rehearse at 9:15, Sing at 10:30

Sunday, December 23
Rehearse at 9:15, Sing at 10:30

Monday, December 24 - CHRISTMAS EVE
Rehearse at 4:30, Sing at 5:00

Sunday, December 30
No Rehearsal and No Performance

 

"A CEREMONY OF LESSONS AND CAROLS"
PRESENTED BY THE UMCE CHANCEL CHOIR
Sunday, December 16 at 10:30 Service


Please join us on this special Sunday as the UMCE Chancel Choir presents a program of beloved scripture readings that highlight the Christmas story, combined with twenty-six traditional carols that include just a touch of Handel and Bach!

 

CHURCH & SOCIETY 
SPECIAL SPEAKER IN DECEMBER
"Finding Hope in the Faces of the Oppressed"
Tuesday, December 18 from 7:00 - 8:00 pm


Finding Hope in the Faces of the Oppressed
 
A presentation and conversation about injustices faced in the Philippines and at the US southern border through the experience of a Methodist volunteer, Brielle Hohne. Sometimes we view large scale issues through statistics, which distance us from the reality of the situation. The goal of the presentation and conversation is to put faces and real stories to the issues to bring us closer to understanding the people in these situations. 

Brielle worked as a UMC volunteer in the Philippines and on the U.S.-Mexico boarder. All are welcome to join us for this special evening. Please let the church office know if you plan to attend so that we can schedule a room that will work. 
 

MISSIONS UPDATES
Alternative Gift Fair & Salvation Army 

Alternative Gift Fair Results
A big thank you to all those in our UMCE family who planned, volunteered, baked for or shopped at the Alternative Gift Fair on November 10 and 11.  Despite bad weather on Sunday that kept many people home, we again passed the $100,000 mark in raising money to benefit charities who serve those in need, whether in our community or far away out in the world.  Special thanks to Sarah, our adult leaders and our youth who worked in the Youth Café again this year.   Here is the breakdown on the Fair proceeds:
 
Vendors
Bake Sale
Youth
Ice Melt
Total
$ 101,328.37
4,226.22
1,467.30
             250.00
$ 107,271.89







Salvation Army Bell Ringing
Our UMCE family will again have the opportunity to ring a bell for the Salvation Army this Christmas season.  Our local Salvation Army is working hard year round to assist those in need in our mountain community with crisis such as housing, medical care, utilities, transportation and disaster relief.  Did you know that the Red Kettle is the primary way the Salvation Army raises money and that 90% of the donations collected stay here in the Evergreen area! Last year bell ringing raised $50,000!  If you are able to sign up for one or more one hour bell ringing slots, please go to the following SignUpGenius site, then follow the steps below.
  1. Search for the date, time and location (Walgreens is the closest to UMCE) that works best for you, then
  2. Click "SignUp" for the slot you choose, then
  3. Click "Submit and Sign Up" at the bottom of the page, then
  4. At the information page to which you are taken, fill in your name, email and cell phone number.  You will receive an email with further information.
It is as simple as that!  Bill Graf will be in the UMCE Fellowship Hall before and after the 10:30 service this Sunday if you would like help signing up. Or you can email Bill at  bill@billgraf.net or call him at 303-246-8330 with questions.
 

UMM AND TRUSTEES INDOOR WORK DAY
Breakfast at 8:00 / Work Begins at 8:30
Saturday, January 5th 



United Methodist Men and Trustees will meet on Saturday, January 5 for breakfast at 8 am in the Fellowship Hall. Please bring your work clothes because after breakfast we will be doing some basic church maintenance along with some cleaning and painting projects. All church family and friends are welcome to attend.  Below is a list of the projects to be completed:
  • Wash windows in Kitchen and elsewhere
  • Paint walls in Fellowship Hall and cupboards by coffee area
  • Organize Library
  • Strip, wax and polish floors in bathrooms and Great Escape classrooms
  • Paint walls in staircase by Narthex
 

YOUTH AND CHILDREN'S EDUCATION 
AND ACTIVITIES

CHILDREN AND YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL
Action Pack
Preschool-5th Grades 9:30 am
Youth Sunday School
6th-12th Grades 9:30 am
EverKids Early Elementary Sunday School
Preschool-1st Grades 10:30 am
EverKids Upper Elementary Sunday School

2nd-5th Grades 10:30 am
SUNDAY YOUTH GROUP

Youth Group
6th-12th Grades Noon - 3:00 pm



WEDNESDAY CHILDREN'S PROGRAM


Feed My Sheep Preschool - 5th Grades
4:00 pm
 

ADULT OFFERINGS

ADULT ADVENT STUDY: "All I Want for Christmas"
Sunday, December 9 and 16  
Facilitator:  The Rev. Deb Olenyik
 
WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY (Rm 12)
Wednesday, December 12, 19 - from 9:30 - 11:30
No study on December 26 and January 2
New study starts on January 9
Wednesday Women's Bible Study is studying the book "Numbers: Learning Contentment in a Culture of More" by Melissa Spoelstra.  Please contact Jeanne Ambrosier with any questions at 303-674-6377.

THE MEN'S BAGELRY FELLOWSHIP GROUP
Tuesday, December 18 - starting at 6:30 am
Please make plans to join The Men's Bagelry Fellowship Group on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at the Bagelry in Bergen Park, across from King Soopers. Contact Bill Graf at (303) 246-8330 for more information.
 

MINISTRY JOTTINGS BY PASTOR DEB
 






The Nature of Waiting

I used the words of Henri Nouwen last week to recall that Advent is the season of waiting. But what is the nature of waiting? Waiting is never a movement from nothing to something. It is always a movement from something to something more. And, waiting is active.

Most of us think of waiting as something very passive, a hopeless state determined by events totally out of our hands. The bus is late? You cannot do anything about it. So you sit there, finding diversions on your phone, and wait. Someone says to you when you are impatient, "Could you just wait a moment?", and that seems to increase our irritability, and push us further into thinking of waiting as being passive.

But there is none of this passivity in scripture. Those who are waiting are waiting very actively. They know that what they are waiting for is growing from the ground on which they are standing. That's the secret. The secret of waiting is the faith that the seed has been planted, that something has begun. Active waiting means to be present fully to the moment, in the conviction that something is happening where you are, and that you want to be present to it. A waiting person is someone who believes that this moment is the moment.

Waiting involves nurturing the moment, as a mother nurtures the child that is growing in her. Zechariah, Elizabeth and Mary were very present to the moment. That is why they could hear the angel. They were alert, attentive to the voice that spoke to them and said '"Don't be afraid. Something is happening to you. Pay attention."

In Christ's Grace,
Pastor Deb
 

FINANCE UPDATES

Attendance & Stewardship Report
-------------------------------------------------
Children, Teachers and Nursery 12/2/18
Worship Services 12/2 / 18
-------------------------------------------------
Needed Weekly
Received 12/2/18
                                                Difference
-------------------------------------------------
                     2018 Budget
Needed Year to Date
Received Year to Date
Difference Year to Date
12/7/18
--------------
27
97
--------------
$6,368
$8,172
$1,804
--------------
$331,144
$305,664
$291,268
($14,396)

 
REMINDERS FOR THE HOLIDAYS AND YEAR END

IRA Rollovers - Great News for you and for our church!!
You could give some of your IRA dollars to support God's Kingdom before the end of 2018. A few years ago Congress made permanent the opportunity to make a charitable gift from an IRA to a qualifying non-profit. You can convert your required minimum distribution (RMD) to a charitable distribution by rolling over part of an IRA to UMCE. In doing this you avoid paying any additional tax.
 
You must be over age 70 ½. These tax-free gifts can be up to $100,000 and satisfy the required minimum distribution (RMD). All you need to do is to contact your IRA custodian and request an amount be transferred to UMCE or to the Mountain Sky United Methodist Foundation for the benefit of UMCE. This would be a great way to save on taxes and complete your pledge, increase your gift or create a new gift, at the same time!

Amazon Smile
Amazon Smile is another way to donate to UMCE. Many of us order things from Amazon. The next time you order consider using Amazon Smile. This is how it works: You just log into  www.Amazonsmile.com  (instead of  www.Amazon.com). Then you will see a screen that will ask what charity you support. You will enter our church name, "United Methodist Church of Evergreen." If you've ordered on Amazon Smile before, your charity name will automatically be registered and you won't get this screen. The church will then receive .5% of your purchase price. This may not seem like much, but it all adds up!
 
Grocery Card Purchases
Purchase a King Soopers or Safeway reloadable gift card at the church. Use it and keep reloading it to buy your groceries and gasoline at King Soopers or Safeway. Buy the grocery cards for family members, friends, service providers, etc. Encourage them tot he reload the cards and use them to purchase their groceries and gasoline. The church makes 5% on grocery card purchases.  
 

AROUND THE CHURCH

Sunday, December 9 Before & After Services
Last Sunday for Alternative Christmas
Sunday, December 9
Before & After Services
Last Sunday for EChO Children's  Gift Drive
Sunday, December 16

At the 10:30 Service

Chancel Choir Performs
"A Ceremony of Lessons and Carols"
Tuesday, December 18

7:00 pm

Church & Society Special Speaker:
"Finding Hope in the Faces of the Oppressed"
Monday, December 24


3:00 pm
5:00 pm
7:00 pm
Spontaneous Christmas Children's Pageant
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Monday, Dec. 24 -
Tuesday, Dec. 25

OFFICE CLOSED FOR
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY
Monday, Dec. 31 -
Tuesday, Jan. 1

OFFICE CLOSED FOR
NEW YEAR'S HOLIDAY
Saturday, January 5

8:00 Breakfast
8:30 Work Begins
UMM and Trustees Indoor Work Day

 

TEAM MEETINGS IN  DECEMBER

Thursday, December 13 7:00 pm Finance
Tuesday, December 18

7:00 pm

Church & Society
Special Speaker Presenting
 

CHURCH INFORMATION

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Fridays: 9:00 am - noon
Please call the office at 303-674-4810, or email office@evergreenumc.org if you would like to add 
your event to the weekly Happenings.

LARGE PRINT HYMNALS, BIBLES AND BULLETINS  are available in the vestibule for Sunday services. Just ask one of the ushers to help you.

ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES  are available for Sunday services. If you would like to try an Assistive Listening device this Sunday just ask one of the ushers or a sound booth technician.

AN OPEN INVITATION TO MEMBERSHIP  is extended to all persons. Please speak with the pastor about your interest in becoming part of this great Christian Fellowship.

RELOADABLE KING SOOPERS/SAFEWAY GROCERY CARDS  are on sale in Fellowship Hall on the  third Sunday of each month  following each worship service. 5% of all purchases made with these reloadable cards goes back to UMCE! You can also purchase these by contacting the church office.

REMEMBER TO USE AMAZON SMILE  when you shop at Amazon. Go to www.amazonsmile.com and designate The United Methodist Church of Evergreen as your charity of choice. Amazon will then donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to UMCE.

EQUAL EXCHANGE FAIR TRADE COFFEE is served during our Sunday morning fellowship but you can also order it. Please contact the church office with requests or questions. Also, please drop some change in the coffee pot to help pay for Sunday morning fellowship coffee.
 
THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF EVERGREEN
Growing a community of faith by serving a world of need and changing lives. We affirm a spirit of openness and hospitality to all, including persons of all races, ages, genders, sexual orientations, financial strata, and abilities who seek a closer walk with God.
 
                                                Visit us on the web:   www.evergreenumc.org