The Good News Of Emmanuel - Emmanuel United Methodist Church

The Good News Of Emmanuel
December, 2011
Dear Emmanuel Family,
I’ll never forget the words of one of our newer members - ―You have no idea what a GIFT
y’all have been to us. Emmanuel has gone SO FAR BEYOND anything we expected that we are
truly humbled by the way you have opened your hearts and your arms to welcome us into this
church family.‖
God has given us an opportunity to do EVEN MORE this Christmas in our community and beyond. It‘s an Advent series called ―OUTSIDE THE BOX: The Gift That Can’t Be Contained‖ because that‘s what Jesus did that first Christmas – He changed what we expected for a Messiah
as he stepped ―outside the box‖ in a radically different way by giving His ALL for us!!
Help a Friend, Relative, Associate, or Neighbor step ‗outside the box‖ this Christmas as they
return to the true meaning of Christmas as you invite them to
Emmanuel‘s two Christmas Cantata performances on Tuesday December 13 th at 7:00pm and
Sunday December 18th at 10:00am;
Christmas Eve Services on December 24th at 5:00pm & 7:00pm; and
Christmas Day Worship on December 25 at 10:00am.
5 BIG CHRISTMAS SERVICES, 5 BIG OPPORTUNITIES to INVITE the people in our life that
need Jesus. Let‘s PACK OUT all FIVE services and BEG GOD like crazy to change lives like
never before!!
It‘s amazing how God has challenged Emmanuel to spontaneously, strategically, and sacrificially
WELCOME OUR NEIGHBORS this past year. And, as we have obeyed, HE has changed lives,
families, and future generations. No doubt, God has saved His Biggest and Best ask of us to
close out 2011.
We can‘t PLAN a move of God, but we sure can PREPARE and PRAY for one! Let‘s HOPE BIG
and PURPOSEFULLY POSITION ourselves for God to do something EVEN BIGGER to change
lives in NOW in 2011 and BEYOND into 2012!
BE BOLD – I CAN‘T WAIT to see what HE does next,
Celebrating…..
Connecting…..
Caring….
Pastor Pam
FROM YOUR COUNCIL CHAIR:
Thanks to Becky Marcum for chairing the November Council meeting while I am away.
REMINDER: There will be no Council meeting in December.
My thanks to all of you for your superior attendance, thoughtful discussions, and voting
green!
I’m looking forward to another exciting, fulfilling year of celebrating, connecting, and
caring through Christ.
In His love,
Janet
Thought for the month: Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
Outside the Box:
The Gift That Can’t Be Contained”
Sundays of Advent—11/27, 12/4, 12/11
Wednesdays Bible Study @ 11:30– 11/30, 12/7, 12/14, 12/21
Youth and Childrens Studies on Sundays
Step out of your box . . . Bring someone new to church!!
Christmas Day Dinner
1:00 pm Potluck
-
Meat provided
Make Your reservations in Narthex
Starting Dec. 4th
TRUSTEES, DECEMBER 2011
Greetings
October was amazing! We had several very successful events including Pumpkin
Patch, Blessing of our Animals, Young at Hearts, UMM Garage sale, and an incredible Trunk
or Treat with over 650 guests.
November began with spaghetti supper, a Trustee work day, and the annual Bazaar.
Several more special events are being planned as the holidays arrive.
We have had a few major maintenance issues including a new water heater in the nursery, and a new double electric oven in Corton Fellowship Hall
A new vision for the Sanctuary has generated a lot of interest. Several ideas are being
considered and will be shared with the congregation before any formal planning is started.
Facility Issues / Requests
Please write a brief description of any ISSUE, PROBLEM, or REQUEST you may have
and place it in the Trustee Chairperson slot in the Ushers room with your name and phone
number and we will try to respond to your need in a timely manner.
Chuck Riley
Trustee Chairman 2011
Be An Angel …
There are almost 175 children waiting on
you….won’t you please choose a child
from the Angel Tree this Advent to
make their joy complete?
LUNCH BUNCH PLANS FOR DECEMBER
As Christmas is just around the corner, plans have been made for the December gathering. It will
take place on Tuesday, December 13th. Last year we dined at Jack Baker’s Lobster Shanty in Cocoa Beach. Our leader was so happy, as we all were, with our day there that she has selected the
same location for this year. We will meet at EUMC at 11:00AM to carpool. There is one change
though. At the November gathering it had been discussed that this group would take an angel from
The Angel Tree in order to purchase a gift for a child in need. At that time a collection was taken up
to accommodate this purchase.
It has now been decided that we WILL also have the usual gift exchange in December. Each lady
attending should bring a gift not to exceed $5.00 in value and we can all look forward to receiving a
gift during the exchange.
Our November celebration took place at Ethel and Fred’s Restaurant with 13 ladies partaking and all
enjoyed the good food that was served. All of the summer travelers are back in our midst and again
participating with this group.
If you have an interest in fellowship, food and fun, please join us for our December Christmas celebration. This group is quite enjoyable and we always welcome visitors with open arms. If you have
not joined us in the past, we would love to have your presence.
PLEASE CONTACT MARY ANN HARMS
NO LATER THAN FRIDAY DECEMBER 9TH
TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION
FLORIDA UNITED METHODIST CHILDREN’S HOME – Marianne Layton
Once again EUMC has been generous with the response to the 5th Sunday appeal for donations.
The last Sunday in October provided $521.30. To date, EUMC has contributed $2,187.30. Our contributions aid in their continuing charter to provide peace and purpose to those residents needing a
safe and secure living experience.
The Fall Edition of “The Herald” highlighted the academic achievements of many of the residents for
the last grading period for last year:
9 young people made the Honor Roll
33 residents increased their Grade Point Average
44 boys and girls made all Good Conduct Marks
For the entire school year:
1 young man made the Honor Roll every grading period during the school year
7 young people maintained Good Conduct Marks for the entire school year
The achievements and successes of these young people reflect the efforts they expend that lead to
well rounded and successful contributions to their future.
My Little Baby Boy
by Kimberly A. Danbert
Soft rays of starlight fell to ease
the darkness of the night
Inside the stable they had found;
the only place in sight
Her small frame racked from travel
and then labor in the cold,
Joseph handed her their infant son
for her to feed and hold.
He baptized her with baby’s tears.
She stroked his tiny head,
And then she kissed both of his eyes
While Joseph made a bed.
Then, in a voice imbued with hope,
to soothe the
baby’s cry,
as she rocked the
Son of God,
She sang this lullaby.
When you grow to be a man
You’ll heal the sick and lame.
You’ll raise the dead and teach great truths.
Emmanuel’s your name.
An angel told me you would come
to bring the world great joy.
But through my eyes,
within my heart
And in my arms
you’ll always be
my little baby boy.
The darkness fell on all the earth
when He was crucified.
They took Him down off of the cross
and laid Him at her side.
Her thin frame racked with travel
and the labors of the years;
she rocked the body of the Lord
and bathed Him with her tears.
She stroked his matted hair
and she kissed him on both eyes.
Then, with a weak and weary voice,
sang one last lullaby.
My son, you’ve been a holy man
and now you are despised.
I know, that in a little while
you’ll cheat death and you’ll rise.
An angel told me you would come
to bring the world great joy;
But through my eyes,
within my heart
Free
CONCERT
Sunday Evening
December 4
6:00pm
Saxophone artist, Eirrin Abu, will be
perform a free concert in the Sanctuary.
A love offering will be accepted for the
performance. CD’s will also be offered
for sale at the end of the evening.
When you come, bring a
friend!
Elf Workshop
Gift Making
Party
Saturday, Dec. 3
2:00—3:30
Helpers Needed as we host the children of our neighborhood;
Ginger bread Man Ornaments
Manger Scene Ornaments
Cookies and punch snack
Stocking Stuffers craft
Beaded ornaments
Photos with Santa
See Kim O. or Carol
OUR SECOND ANNUAL TRUNK OR TREAT MISSION OUTREACH
Marianne Layton
October 30, we hosted our Trunk or Treat outreach to our neighborsl. There were 24 cars involved representing all the activities we offer, including Boy Scout Troop #377 and a patron
from the Pumpkin Patch who felt led to participate. It was most impressive that 662 folks,
men, women and children, came through the checkpoint. This number does not include the
large number of volunteers who were on the premises for the evening, many of which were in
costume. One of the car sponsors and her dog were both dressed as clowns. And we had a
traveling puppet greeting our visitors.
Each car was decorated and manned by members of the particular group represented, passing out flyers highlighting their respective activities AND a tremendous amount of candy, a
great deal of which was donated by the congregation.
Music was offered by the Praise Band and Singers for the majority of the evening. They were
ever faithful in their time spent entertaining the masses. There was lemonade and popcorn
and following the trip to each car, a hayride was offered that the majority of the visitors took.
Some of our visitors also stopped by the Pumpkin Patch tent to purchase pumpkins and took
pictures of their children.
Needless to say, the evening was a huge success, but more importantly, we had the opportunity to meet and greet in our welcoming manner all that came to spend the evening with our
EUMC family.
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED IN THIS OUTREACH OPPORTUNITY.IF YOU
WERE NOT INVOLVED THIS YEAR, PLEASE CONSIDER OUR 2012 TRUNK OR TREAT
ACTIVITY AND HAVE AS MUCH FUN AS WE DID.
ANGEL TREE
Blessing of the Gifts Sunday, December 11th
Distribution Party Wednesday, December 14th
Happy Birthday
December
December
December
December
December
December
December
December
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December
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December
December
December
December
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Ray Marcum
Michael Farnham
Harold Ayers
Golda Yeager
Ann Watson
Sandy Bliss
Pat Langford
Shane Schaeffer
Hannah Langford
Fran Cerasoli
Alana Hall
Phyllis Burchell
Brooks Jones
Holly Chapman
Glenda Reither
Gene Corton
Lauren Childs
Marion Taylor
Evelyn Sansom
Krystle Pond
Peggy O’Steen
Patricia Nolf
Reba Debusk
Holly Ford
Virginia Abbott
Robyn Martin
Happy Anniversary
December
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Sandy & Skip Bliss
Carol & Robin Ryon
Carolyn & Todd Morley
Carol & Kel Nolf
Norrine & John Stem
Nancy & Charles Hamilton
Eulah & Kenneth Walters
Joyce & William Clark
Sally & Larry Willis
Betty & Fred Head
Please contact Nancy McBride
or myself if you are interested
in participating in the distribution party by baking cookies,
serving, and other great opportunities.
As always, blessings to you and yours.
Becky Marcum, EUMC,
Christmas
Season sunday
Service Times
10:00 am
One service only
on:
12/18
Cantata
12/25
Christmas Day
Morning
1/1
New Year’s Day
Morning
First Fridays
Dec. 2nd
4:30—6:30
pm
Corton Hall
Come, enjoy the
good food and
fellowship!
Emmanuel United Methodist Church
2800 W. Eau Gallie Blvd.
Melbourne, Fl. 32935
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage
Paid
Permit No. 367
Melbourne, FL 32901
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
www.Emmanuel UMC.net
Office: 321.254.0010
Fax: 321.253.5673
Email- office@emmanuelumc.net
2800 W. Eau Gallie Blvd.Melbourne, Fl 32935