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Island in the Son Island in the Son UUNITEDNITED MMETHODISTETHODIST CCHURCHHURCH CCORPUSORPUS CCHRISTIHRISTI, T, TEXASEXAS

December 2014December 2014

Advent study begins Advent study begins Wednesday, December 3Wednesday, December 3

Please join us for a special Advent study on December, 3, 10 and 17 at 4:00 PM. We will offer a three-session video-based study titled "The Purpose of Christmas" by Rick Warren. "Teaching from the Gospel of Luke in three sessions, he helps you see not one but three purposes of Christmas announced by the angel at the birth of Jesus. You will

discover why Christmas is God's idea and why Jesus is the greatest gift God gave to the world. Once you understand the purpose of Christmas, your life will never be the same."

There will be no books to buy and you’re encouraged to attend whenever you can—even if you can't attend all three sessions, which are: (1) Christmas Is a Time for Celebration; (2) Christmas Is a Time for Salvation; and (3) Christmas Is a Time for Reconciliation. You may wish, as the author suggests, to purchase a copy of the study guide and the book The Purpose of Christmas to maximize the impact of this study and for your own use (available at several websites or possibly some local bookstores). Please bring your Bible and something to write on and with.

A daily prayer journal will be distributed to the entire congregation but is specifically a part of this study. We WILL have our regular prayer time at the end of each session. We will share one of John Wesley's writings from the book How To Pray and then receive prayer requests, followed by a time of silent prayer and closure praying the Lord's Prayer.

We try not to limit discussions, but will try to close these sessions by 5 to 5:15 PM. Please plan to join us—we enjoy our time together and all are welcome.

Diane GierhanDiane GierhanDiane GierhanDiane Gierhan

Christmas EveChristmas Eve

December 24, 2014December 24, 2014 “The Song of Hope” Luke 2:1“The Song of Hope” Luke 2:1--1414

6:00 PM6:00 PM

Candlelight and Candlelight and

Communion ServiceCommunion Service All are welcome at the LAll are welcome at the LAll are welcome at the LAll are welcome at the LORDORDORDORD’’’’SSSS tabletabletabletable

Join us forJoin us for

Carols,Carols,Carols,Carols,Carols,Carols,Carols,Carols,

Cookies & Cocoa

Cookies & Cocoa

Cookies & Cocoa

Cookies & CocoaCookies & Cocoa

Cookies & Cocoa

Cookies & Cocoa

Cookies & Cocoa

6:30 PM6:30 PM6:30 PM6:30 PM6:30 PM6:30 PM6:30 PM6:30 PM ~~~~~~~~ Sunday,Sunday,Sunday,Sunday,Sunday,Sunday,Sunday,Sunday,

December 14

December 14

December 14

December 14December 14

December 14

December 14

December 14

AllAll are invited!are invited!

November 16 guest preacher

Rev. Greg Hackett, Senior Pastor of First

United Methodist Church ~

Corpus Christi, enjoys time visiting with

children during worship

Wednesday small group study will resume on January 7 at 4:00 PM with a new video series titled "Mark: Hope for the Gentiles" by Michael Card. (Some may recognize the name Michael Card, but as a musician. It is the same Michael Card.)

The following is taken from the book cover: "Although all the New Testament Gospels present compelling stories of the life, word, and works of Jesus, the book of Mark stands apart with a unique perspective. Written specifically for the Gentiles during a climate of persecution and suffering in Rome, the gospel of Mark reveals an intimate yet commanding side of Jesus. In this interactive. seven-lesson study, you'll travel on a virtual journey to Rome and Israel with host Michael Card for a closer look into the struggles, suffering, and pain endured by those who followed Jesus. Bringing clarity not only to the joy of following Christ, but also to the reality of fear, uncertainty, and danger, this engaging exploration of Mark's gospel shows how you can face trials in life with the confidence that you'll find hope, healing, and encouragement through Jesus Christ."

There is a sign up sheet on the Opportunities table, which must be completed by December 21 so study

Beach TreasuresBeach Treasures Page 2 December 2014December 2014

SUNDAYSUNDAY FEBRUARY 15, 2015FEBRUARY 15, 2015 IITS’ Mortgage BurningIITS’ Mortgage Burning Celebration WorshipCelebration Worship

and catered luncheon followingand catered luncheon following

Estimate of Estimate of

Giving for 2015Giving for 2015 If you have not already done so, please prayerfully consider your gift to the church for the coming year

and return your completed 2015 Estimate of Giving card to the church, either by mail or by dropping it in an offering bucket on Sunday morning. What is God asking you to do? Scripture encourages us to give proportionately to our income. Your estimate of giving confirms your desire to be fruitful and enables Island in the Son UMC to plan a budget and implement ministries throughout the year.

Wednesday Small GroupWednesday Small Group

Resumes January 7Resumes January 7

with New Study on Gospel of Markwith New Study on Gospel of Mark guides can be ordered. Cost of each guide will be only $6 to $7 each, depending on shipping charges. The group meets in the Celebration Center each Wednesday at 4:00 PM. The hour-long study is followed by a time of prayer. We will begin the prayer time with a reading from How to Pray: The Best of John Wesley on Prayer, which is a book of the compilations of Wesley's writing on prayer. Prayer requests from the previous Sunday are included in our prayers, as well as any additional requests received. The prayer time closes with The Lord's Prayer. Prayer time normally lasts about 15 minutes.

If you did not receive a copy of How to Pray, we may be able to order additional copies. If you want one, please write a note on the sign up sheet. All you will need to bring to the session is the study guide you will receive, your Bible, and something to write with/on.

Our group usually has 6 or 7 attending each week. We enjoy our discussion of the information presented. We are serious about our study, but we definitely share a lot of laughter, too. Please join us if you are interested!

Diane GierhanDiane GierhanDiane GierhanDiane Gierhan

sundaysunday “SLIDE TECH” “SLIDE TECH”

The Praise Team needs volunteers to help run slides on SUNDAY MORNINGS. If you are willing to come to church a bit early one Sunday of the month, please contact Cindy Frank or Karl Harvey. It’s not a difficult job (just pay attention and push some buttons on the computer), but it’s a very necessary one. Thank you!


Don’t see your special day mentioned here? It just means we don’t have it on record. Please let us know the date so

we can update our database.

Dec 1 ...............Deanna Byers Dec 8 .............. Glenda Parker Ole Thorsen Dec 15 ................Marta Taylor Dec 18 ............... JoAnn Smith Dec 19 ................ Alice Carroll Dec 20 ................ Mike LeRitz Noel Wilkinson

Dec 28 ................................ Donna Satterwhite Dec 29 ....................................... Ken Merchant Dec 30 ......................................... Dan Roberts Dec 31 ..................................... John Wilkinson December 19 ............ Tom & Kathy Westerman

December 7 Communion Offering December 7 Communion Offering

Designated for “Harvest Sunday”Designated for “Harvest Sunday”

On Sunday, December 3 our Communion offering will go towards the 2014 Harvest Sunday 2014 offering. This special offering is a way for congregations to join together to impact hunger by contributing toward mission projects that benefit persons in critical need. The 2014 offering will be divided equally for two urgent needs:

50% for border ministries in the Rio Grande Valley. Several of the poorest counties in the country can be found in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. In some parts of the Valley, 1 in 2 children go to bed hungry every day. Half of the Harvest Sunday offering will be used to help provide food for our neighbors in need in the Rio Grande Valley.

50% to alleviate hunger among those suffering from the Ebola epidemic in Liberia. Through its partner agency IMA World Health, which is working with the Christian Health Association in Liberia, Church World Service helps provide assistance to individuals and families affected by the deadly Ebola outbreak. In August Liberia declared a state of emergency as the country grapples with the deadliest outbreak of the Ebola virus on record. Not only are hundreds of people dying, but thousands of Liberians already go hungry every day. Half of the Harvest Sunday offering will be channeled through Church World Service to help provide food for our neighbors in need during this crisis in Liberia.

Please make checks payable to “IITS UMC” notating “Harvest Sunday” or “Communion” in the memo line. All donations will be sent as one payment to our Southwest Texas (Rio Texas) Conference office Treasurer.

The Island in the Son UMC United Methodist Women will have their Christmas Luncheon on Wednesday, December 10 at 11:00 AM at the church. All interested ladies are invited to attend ~ bring a dish to share!

Christmas LuncheonChristmas Luncheon Wednesday Dec. 10, 11AM

SUNDAYSUNDAY MONDAYMONDAY TUESDAYTUESDAY WEDNESDAYWEDNESDAY THURSDAYTHURSDAY FRIDAYFRIDAY SATURDAYSATURDAY

7 9 AM-Sun Sch

10 AM—Worship 2nd Sunday of Advent

HARVEST SUNDAY

Communion

8 9

1011 AM11 AM--UMWUMW Timons

AP/Payroll Chks

4 PM—Small Group

5 PM—Prayer Mtg

6:15 PM—PT Reh.

11

7 PM—Al-Anon

12 Timons

13

14 9 AM-Sun Sch 10 AM—Worship

3rd Sunday of Advent

6:30 PM~6:30 PM~ Carols,Carols,

Cookies & Cocoa Cookies & Cocoa

15

16 17 Timons

4 PM—Small Group

5 PM—Prayer Mtg

6:15 PM—Praise Team Rehearsal

18

7 PM—Al-Anon

19 Timons

20

NO movie night tonight!

21 9 AM-Sun Sch 10 AM—Worship

4th Sunday of Advent

Guest Preacher: Rev. Gloria Lear

Potluck Lunch

22 *ALL**ALL* CHECKCHECK

REQUESTS REQUESTS DUE in ChurchDUE in Church office TODAY office TODAY

23 * EARLY ** EARLY * AP/Payroll AP/Payroll Check RunCheck Run——LAST ONE LAST ONE FOR 2014FOR 2014

24 Church Office Closed

Christmas Eve Communion Service, 6 PM

25 Church Office Closed

26 Timons

27 * ALL ** ALL *

2014 donations 2014 donations DUE in church DUE in church office byoffice by SUNDAY,SUNDAY,

December 28 December 28

28 **Early** 8 AM—Praise Team Rehearsal 9 AM-Sun Sch 10 AM—Worship

29

LAST DEPOSIT LAST DEPOSIT OF 2014OF 2014 (10 AM)(10 AM)

30 31 Timons / Communion

1 2

3 Timons 4 PM—Small Group

5 PM—Prayer Mtg

5:30 PM—SPRC

6:15 PM—PT Reh.

4 Rev. Smith attending District Meeting in Alice, 10AM—noon

7 PM—Al-Anon

5 Timons 6

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Island in the SonIsland in the Son

ADVENT STUDY, WednesdaysADVENT STUDY, Wednesdays December 3, 10, and 17 ~ 4 PMDecember 3, 10, and 17 ~ 4 PM

Dec. 21: Larry & Kathy Bassett Pam Burnette & Donna Satterwhite

Dec. 28: Deanna Byers & Sara Hinojosa Mike & Patty Baker

The first names listed are “greeters” and the second names are “clean up.” You July trade with other greeters, or if you need a substitute or have questions, please contact Marge Foster at 361-949-2489.

Dec. 7: Ken & Kathy Merchant Brent Curtis & Estella Curtis

Dec. 14: Marge Foster Karen Poynter & Joyce Tagliaferro

Thursdays, 7 PM (in the Portable Building)

Contact Cynthia Riewe, 361-949-1788


2014 Island Community

Christmas Caroling Event Wednesday, Dec. 10, 7 PM

Billish Park on Gypsy Street Please bring a flashlight and a chair and be

ready to sing your way into the Christmas Spirit!


IITS Health Watch Our “health” report for

OCTOBER 2014

Prayers: We celebrated many answered prayers and joys in worship, including: the beautiful fall decorations in our worship center; new marriages; wedding anniversaries; safe travels home for family and friends; visiting friends; and birthdays.

Presence: October average attendance: Worship................. 87 Sunday School ........ 5

Gifts: October

Received ........... $ 12,552 Expenses .......... $ 14,584 Net income ...... ($ 2,032)

General Offering Received:

As of 10/31/14 .. $ 130,743

% of offering goal ... 66.4%

Building Loan (mortgage) as of 10/31/14:

Total paid on loan in 2014: $ 15,645

Principal Balance remaining: $ 17,416

Apportionments paid in 2014: 96.6%

Service: Congregational and community care; lunch service, food pantry, and communion for Timon’s Ministries.

Due to scheduling conflicts and busyDue to scheduling conflicts and busy

holiday schedules, there will beholiday schedules, there will be

NONO MOVIE NIGHT IN DECEMBER.MOVIE NIGHT IN DECEMBER. Join us on January 17, 2015 for the Join us on January 17, 2015 for the

showing of “Mrs. Miracle.”showing of “Mrs. Miracle.”

The “Beach Treasures” newsletter is sent out The “Beach Treasures” newsletter is sent out The “Beach Treasures” newsletter is sent out The “Beach Treasures” newsletter is sent out monthly by email. In addition, members are monthly by email. In addition, members are monthly by email. In addition, members are monthly by email. In addition, members are kept updated with weekly email updates, sent kept updated with weekly email updates, sent kept updated with weekly email updates, sent kept updated with weekly email updates, sent out each Thursday. If you would like to be out each Thursday. If you would like to be out each Thursday. If you would like to be out each Thursday. If you would like to be added to either (or both) of these email lists, added to either (or both) of these email lists, added to either (or both) of these email lists, added to either (or both) of these email lists,

please drop us a request at [email protected] drop us a request at [email protected] drop us a request at [email protected] drop us a request at [email protected].

NOW ORDERING: IITS SHIRTSNOW ORDERING: IITS SHIRTS 100% cotton T-shirts:

$11 (short sleeve) (yellow) $14 (long sleeve) (dark chocolate)

50/50 Cotton/Poly blend (jersey sport (soft) material) Polo shirts: $14 (red)

** add $2 for sizes XXL+ **

All shirts available in youth, women’s and men’s sizes.

Contact Pam Burnette for more info: (home: 361-949-9518 or cell: 361-816-5825)

The “Beach Treasures” monthly newsletter is EMAILED to the majority of our recipients. To be added to the email list or to get a mailed copy, please call the church office. DEADLINE FOR ARTICLES IS THE 20TH OF THE PRECEDING MONTH; please email to the church at email address [email protected].

SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE Celebration Worship Service at 10 AM

Sunday School at 9 AM

Island in the Son UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 10650 Highway 361 Corpus Christi, TX 78418 (361) 749-0884

Email .............. [email protected] Website .......... www.islandintheson.com Office Hours ... Monday—Thursday, 9AM-2PM

Ministers ......................... All members of the congregation Pastor ............................. Reverend John P. Smith Administrative Assistant .. Connie Harris Maintenance ................... George Costanzo


December 14December 14December 14December 14December 14December 14December 14December 14 33333333rdrdrdrdrdrdrdrd Sunday in Advent Sunday in Advent Sunday in Advent Sunday in Advent Sunday in Advent Sunday in Advent Sunday in Advent Sunday in Advent John 1:6-8, 19-28

“Preparing the Way” Who will be judged?

December 21December 21December 21December 21December 21December 21December 21December 21 44444444 thththththththth Sunday in AdventSunday in AdventSunday in AdventSunday in AdventSunday in AdventSunday in AdventSunday in AdventSunday in Advent Guest Preacher Rev. Gloria Lear Associate Pastor, First United Methodist Church

December 28December 28December 28December 28December 28December 28December 28December 28 11111111stststststststst Sunday after ChristmasSunday after ChristmasSunday after ChristmasSunday after ChristmasSunday after ChristmasSunday after ChristmasSunday after ChristmasSunday after Christmas Luke 2:22-40

“The Holy Family” More Than Material Wealth

December 7December 7December 7December 7December 7December 7December 7December 7 22222222ndndndndndndndnd Sunday in AdventSunday in AdventSunday in AdventSunday in AdventSunday in AdventSunday in AdventSunday in AdventSunday in Advent Isaiah 40:1-11; Mark 1:1-8

“Repent and Anticipate” A voice crying out in the wilderness

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