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

Sunday, December 16, 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.
 

"A CEREMONY OF LESSONS AND CAROLS"
PERFORMED 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!

For those who are unable to attend the Cantata at the 10:30 service, they are welcome to attend the dress rehearsal at 1:30 on Saturday, December 15th. 

 

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES AT UMCE


 

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


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

 

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. 
 

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
 
WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY (Rm 12)
Wednesday, December 19-from 9:30-11:30
No Women's Bible Study on December 26 and January 2
New study starts on January 9
 
THE MEN'S BAGELRY FELLOWSHIP GROUP
Tuesday, December 18 - starting at 6:30 am
No Bagelry Fellowship on Tuesday, January 1
 
ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES
 
Sunday, December 16:  9:30 - 10:20 am
Adult Advent Study: "All I Want for Christmas"
Facilitator:  The Rev. Deb Olenyik
 
Sunday, December 23 & 30: No Session
 
Sunday, January 6: 9:30 - 10:20 am
The Way Forward Commission
Facilitator: Katie Zapotoczny
Katie will lead a further discussion of The Way Forward Commission, as we get close to the special General Conference, Feb 23-26 in St. Louis.
 
Sunday, January 13: No Session - Pancake Breakfast
 
Sunday, January 20: 9:30 - 10:20 am
Social Principles of the United Methodist Church:
The Political Community
Facilitator: The Rev. Joyce Snapp
 
Sunday, January 27: 9:30 - 10:20 am
Social Principles of the United Methodist Church:
The Economic Community
Facilitator: Robin Roberts
 
Sunday, February 3: 9:30 - 10:20 am
Outreach Ministry Speaker & Discussion
Facilitator: Guest agency presenter hosted by Jan Thurling
 

MINISTRY JOTTINGS BY PASTOR DEB
 






Ten Commandments for a Great Christmas

1. Thou shalt prepare early. Don't wait until the last minute to try to get into the Christmas spirit.

2. Thou shalt keep Christ at the center of Christmas. Don't allow yourself to be overwhelmed by the commercialism of the season. Resolve to read one of the Gospels during Advent or do a daily Advent devotional. Meditate upon what it means that Christ came into the world.

3. Thou shalt make Christmas a family time. Do things together: decorate the tree, play games, bake cookies, shop, write cards, have devotionals and go caroling.

4. Thou shalt remember those who are less fortunate. Contribute significantly to organizations serving the needs of others throughout the year.

5. Thou shalt give thyself with every gift. Put some thought into the gifts you purchase. Give a gift that represents you. If possible, make something instead of buying something.

6. Thou shalt learn to be a good receiver. Most of us have more trouble receiving than we do giving.

7. Thou shalt put music into Christmas. Play Christmas music at home, in the car and at work. Attend the church's choir cantata and special Christmas programs. Sing carols as a family.

8. Thou shalt slow down. Remember, Christmas is supposed to be a season of peace, not hypertension.

9. Thou shalt remember to worship. The church is the place you are most likely to be reminded of the true meaning of Christmas.

10. Thou shalt receive the Christ child into thy life. Don't just talk about the Christ of Christmas. Receive the power and peace of His living presence.

--courtesy of the First Baptist Church, Nashville, GA

In Christ's Grace,
Pastor Deb
 

FINANCE UPDATES

Attendance & Stewardship Report
-------------------------------------------------
Children, Teachers and Nursery 12/9/18
Worship Services 12/9 / 18
-------------------------------------------------
Needed Weekly
Received 12/9/18
                                                Difference
-------------------------------------------------
                     2018 Budget
Needed Year to Date
Received Year to Date
Difference Year to Date
12/14/18
--------------
29
107
--------------
$6,368
$6,848
$480
--------------
$331,144
$312,032
$298,116
($13,916)

 
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
DECEMBER & JANUARY

Sunday, December 16

At the 10:30 Service

"A Ceremony of Lessons and Carols"
Presented by UMCE Chancel Choir
Tuesday, December 18

7:00 pm

C&S 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

Sunday, January 13 9:30-10:30 Pancake Breakfast
Tuesday, January 22 TBD Annual Church Meeting
 

TEAM MEETINGS
DECEMBER & JANUARY

Tuesday, December 18
7:00 pm
Church & Society: Special Speaker
Tuesday, January 8 5:30 pm Lay Care
Tuesday, January 8 7:00 pm Trustees
Thursday, January 10 7:00 pm Finance
Sunday, January 13 12:00 pm Church Council
Tuesday, January 15 6:30 pm Church & Society
Thursday, January 31 6:00 pm Membership
 

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