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D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4 V O L U M E 5 0 N U M B E R 1 2

E M A I L A D D R E S S : U C O F F I C E @ U N I T E D C H U R C H L A . O R G

W E B S I T E : W W W . U N I T E D C H U R C H L A . O R G

T E L E P H O N E ( 5 0 5 - 6 6 2 - 2 9 7 1 ) F A X ( 5 0 5 - 6 6 2 - 5 9 2 7 )

ADVENT IS HERE

There are many exciting opportunities to join in the celebration of Advent—

Christmas. Here are some of the exciting opportunities for this season.

November 30 1st Sunday of Advent (8 & 9:30 am worship)

Alternative Giving begins in Graves Hall (next four Sundays)

December 4, 8, 11 Advent Lecture Series 5:30 pm Soup & Salad provided

Kid’s programing 6—7 pm (next three Thursdays)

December 7 2nd Sunday of Advent (9:30 am worship)

Sunday Worship - “A Garland of Carols”

December 8 WCSS Women’s Potluck (6 pm)

December 14 3rd Sunday of Advent (8 & 9:30 am worship)

Children’s Program ~ All Church Potluck in Graves Hall

at 12:15 pm ~ Board meetings follow—Executive Board at 2 pm

Tamale Night from 5—7 pm in Graves Hall

December 18 Santa going to Truchas

December 21 4th Sunday of Advent (8 & 9:30 am worship)

December 24 Christmas Eve Worship

4 pm—Twilight Communion Service with traditional piano music,

choir and carols.

11 pm—Candlelight Communion service with special music, carols

and seasonal piano music beginning

with “A Concert of Carols” beginning at 10:30 pm by Dan Rusthoi.

December 25 Merry Christmas to All!

Church office closed Thursday and Friday the 26th

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From the Pastor…..

The opening of a new railway section in India was the missing piece

to Phileas Fogg’s itinerary in Jules Verne’s classic novel, Around the

World in Eighty Days. And with that (and a few other twists and

turns), Fogg and Passepartout set out on their adventure to circum-

navigate the world in 80 days. It is an adventure across land and sea

with surprises and challenges at every turn.

The Advent story in Luke’s Gospel does not cover nearly as

many miles, but there are all sorts of surprises and intertwining plots

within the 80 verses of Chapter 1! There’s enough to read about, talk

about, and explore for many nights in Advent.

Join us this December for our Advent Lecture Series each Thurs-

day, as we enjoy a light meal and journey through Luke 1:1-80. The

characters include: Mary and Joseph, Zechariah and Elizabeth, the

angel Gabriel, the people of Zechariah’s section, family relatives, and

the Narrator we know as Luke. While there are other passages in the

Old Testament prophets and the Gospel of Matthew that contribute

greatly to the promise of the coming Messiah-- Advent would be sore-

ly lacking without Luke’s incredible Chapter 1!

Advent Lecture Series

Luke Chapter 1

Thursdays, December 4, 11, & 18 in Graves Hall.

Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m.

(C.E. will provide the soup, please bring bread or dessert if you can)

Class 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

There will be a children’s program in Room 309 during this time

(please let the office know if your children are coming, 662-2971).

Children from TFFN will work on homework from 5:00-5:30p.m.

Grace and Peace,

David

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Sewing Club

The Sewing Club met on November 8th and worked on hand

stitching, making pillow cases (for Truchas Day Care) and kleenex

covers. Lunch and all project supplies are provided. All children in

grades 3-6 and Youth are invited to participate. Please register and

fill out a permission slip in the church office. For more information

call the church office or speak with Pastor Kathleen or Ms. Mardel.

Our next meeting will be Saturday, February 7th.

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A GARLAND OF CAROLS

Throughout our lives, the journey from Advent to Christmas is

filled with vivid images of beloved traditions: the lighting of candles and

Christmas trees as the light of Christ glows with increasing intensity;

decorations of evergreen wreaths and garlands, symbols of the prom-

ise of rebirth; the emergence of stars atop the trees to guide the pil-

grim journey; the presentation of gifts—often in the form of gifts

wrapped in white tissue paper for distribution to needy families—in cel-

ebration of Christ, God’s great gift to us all. The singing of Christmas

carols has accompanied this journey throughout history.

On Sunday, December 7th at 9:30 am, our Combined Choirs will

present a musical service of worship, A GARLAND OF CAROLS (written

by Anna Laura Page and Jean Anne Shatferman.) It is a joyous service

with many carols sung by the choir, the congregation or both, with read-

ings and scripture read by our ministers. We hope it will help you pre-

pare your hearts, as we await the coming of the blessed Christ-Child.

CHRISTMAS CHOIR

Each year we invite new singers, visiting guests, returning

college students, as well as regular choir members to sing

in the Christmas Choir. There will be a one-time rehearsal

on Wednesday December 17th at 7:00pm in Graves Hall.

This group will sing for worship on Sunday, December 21st

at 9:30am and Thursday, December 24th at the 4:00pm

service only.

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Lunch Bunch 2015

Let’s Do Lunch! In fact Let’s Do Lunch every month in the

new year! Meet with up to 6 other women from our church for

lunch at a local restaurant or in someone’s home. Take your turn

once or twice a year selecting the time & venue and then calling

the others on a given list. Every month it is lunch with a different

group of women.

If you want to be included, call Janet Tallman, 662-9127, or

Janet Hall, 672-6404 and you will be part of the fun. A new listing

will be distributed in January 2015.

2014 CONTRIBUTION DEADLINE

Just a short time is left to make those last pledge pay-ments and other contributions for 2014. The deadline for getting all 2014 contributions into the church office is NOON on Friday, December 26th. In accordance with IRS regulations, contributions that are sent through the mail and postmarked in 2014 will be in-cluded on your 2014 contribution report. If you plan to make a stock contribution, please do so as soon as pos-sible.

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Everything Christmas Sale

Brought to you by the Thrift Shop

in Graves Hall on

Wednesday December 3rd

8:30 am- 12:30 pm

Christmas items including trees, ornaments, books,

gifts, and treasures of all kinds.

Call Jean Picard 672-3046 or the church office if you have donations.

Volunteers are also needed to set up and sell.

Please contact Jean Picard, 672- 3046 if you can help.

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Annual Women’s

WCSS Potluck

Monday, December 8th

6 pm in Graves Hall

Please bring a dish

according to your last

name:

A—F Main Dish

G—M Salad or side

N-Z Dessert

All women of the church and friends are invited.

Questions? Contact Jean Picard, 672-3046

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Advent Dinner and Program

Thursdays

December 4, 11, & 18

5:30 dinner

6:00-7:00 pm lecture led

by Pastor Elton

We will have homework time following

TFFN for kids and a program for kids

during Pastor Elton’s presentation.

Sign up in Graves Hall following Sunday

Worship.

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WCSS UPCOMING EVENTS

Wednesday December 3rd

Everything Christmas Sale

8:30-12:30 pm in Graves Hall

Thrift Shop OPEN

Friday, December 5th WCSS Mission Budget Meeting

3:30 pm in the library

Monday, December 8th Women’s Potluck

6:00 pm A-F Main Dish

G-M Salad or Side Dish

N-Z Dessert

All women of the church are invited.

Wednesday December 10 Thrift Shop OPEN

Wednesday December 17 Thrift Shop OPEN

The Thrift Shop will be closed December 24th and

December 31st.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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THINK ABOUT YEAR END GIVING

We are approaching the end of the calendar year and it may be time to think about charita-

ble giving. This can obviously be the giving of cash or check, but this article is to remind us

all about the advantages of giving stock to the church.

This past year has been a very good year in the stock market and if you do some investing

you more than likely have some stocks with significant profit, or capital gain. If you transfer

that stock to the church, you get the full value of the stock sold, and you do not have to pay

any capital gain tax on your tax return. Think about this as a way to fill a pledge, pre-pay a

pledge, or simply an additional gift (Building Fund?). A few members of the church are do-

ing this on their annual pledge as well as the building fund.

How is this done? The stock you wish to donate is transferred to a Schwab Account in the

Church’s name. When the transfer is complete, the stock is sold (Schwab fee of $9.99)

and the proceeds go in the Church’s Los Alamos National Bank Account. Los Alamos Na-

tional Bank helps us in the process as a no cost service. You receive confirmation of the

transfer and sale for tax purposes. Our treasurer, Ann Cooke, can provide help in the pro-

cess.

To make a stock transfer from your brokerage account to the United Church, provide the

following information to your broker.

Stock name/symbol and number of shares

DTC # 0164, Code 40

DTC shares to Charles Schwab

Schwab Account #: 5221-9017

Account Title: United Church of Los Alamos

One member uses TDAmeritrade and they require snail mailed or faxed letter of instruction.

Check with your broker for their transfer process, it should be on their web site.

Think about it. It can help you and the church.

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Still Continuing…...It’s A Mid-School Donut Run…

“Sometimes you’ve gotta think outside the

box.” Well, a Morning Glory donut run at 7am

for Mid-School Youth is definitely outside the

norm. By the time you read this blurb we will

have made two expeditions to Morning Glory.

How does it work? Simple...the van picks up

our White Rock crew at 6:55 and makes the

drive up the hill to our donut dealer Morning

Glory arriving at about 7:20. Our Los Alamos

bunch is dropped off by their parents or walks

to meet us. We eat donuts in the store and on

the road to LAMS (Los Alamos Middle School)

at about 7:50am. Although the time is short,

we have a chance to laugh a little, talk and build community. Have a Mid-Schooler

who could use a donut or cinnamon twist and a ride to school on Tuesday morn-

ings? Give Keith a shout via email gohorns_99@yahoo.com or cell 505-412-

9954. You can never go wrong with a donut!

Tamale Night

December 14th from 5—7 pm

in Graves Hall making tamales

Posole dinner and eating tamales

- Activities for kids

- Supplies for advent wreath making

Stay tuned for sign up and details.

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Please continue to hold these persons in your prayers during the month of DECEMBER

HOMEBOUND: Jane Hamada, Bob and Virginia Marr,

Grace Ogden and Murlin Nutter.

THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN ILL:

Ann Thomson ~ Ethan Johnson ~ Dee Wilson

Laura Cox ~ Nona Brandt ~ Bob Nance

JANUARY LUNCH BUNCH

CALLERS

Laura Erickson,

Nancy Nunnelly, Jean Picard,

Andrea Gerstl, Adda Moldt,

Cookie Halsted and Karen Brandt.

(There are NO Lunch Bunch Callers for December. Please come to the WCSS

Christmas Potluck on Monday, December 8th at 6 pm)

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DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

Wayne Hardie 01

Randy Erickson 05

Dan Miles 08

Jewell Roberts 08

Kathleen Logan 10

Jen Schmierer 11

Larry Luck 13

Mark Mundt 16

Mark Crawford 17

Ed Van Eeckhout 25

David Lecht 26

Brian Palmer 30

Nan Fife 31

Joan Upham 31

If you would like to have a birthday post card sent

to you on your birthday, do we have the date????? Email

or call the church office.

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Alternative Giving - Heifer International,

Potters for Peace, Augusta Victoria Hospital,

Sonlight Christian Camp

Give new meaning to your gift-giving this year by honoring someone spe-

cial with a donation to the life-giving work of these four organizations listed

above. Your gift idea will be memorable and meaningful and a great alternative

to the consumerism of Christmas. Please visit the four mission representatives

after church on the 4 Sundays before Christmas, November 30, December 7,

14, & 21. Each table will have additional information on their particular mission

and a gift card to fill out for your recipient of such a meaningful gift. See page

15 for more details.

Christmas Eve Offering: MESSIAH HOUSE

Christmas Eve, a special birth, a new beginning! That also is Messiah

House, a new beginning for recently incarcerated women. Mentoring4Messiah

is a faith-based, Christ-centered ministry of Messiah House -- to provide team

support and encouragement with weekly Bible Study sessions in the Santa Fe

County Jail and mentoring to help women successfully reintegrate into society.

Messiah House now has a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit status and fundrais-

ing has started for buying a house in Santa Fe, a real home where women can

come, live, heal, and transition from prison to society. A Board of Directors has

been formed and the ministry is moving forward. The Christmas Eve Offering

will be used to help them on the way.

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ALTERNATIVE GIVING for 2014 Mission Prayer Partners / Alternative Giving Recipients for the end of Novem-

ber and the month of December, 2014 .

For the week of November 30th, we ask your prayers for Heifer International, an organ-

ization through which people are empowered to change their lives with the gift of a farm

animal, seeds, or some training – a goat, a flock of chicks, a beehive – the choices are

endless. Heifer International now includes 23 Heifer USA projects. (Lisa Reader, 662-

1966) www.heifer.org

Our mission prayer partner for the week of December 7th is Potters for Peace, a U.S.

based nonprofit dedicated to an inexpensive ceramic clean water system, made locally by

locals. PFP's founder, Ron Rivera (1943-2008), a Puerto Rican American potter and Latin

American Peace Corps volunteer, settled in Nicaragua in 1988, perfecting ceramic pot fil-

ters to meet modern health standards while working with local potters to encourage their

knowledge and aesthetic of their ceramic heritage and being a bridge to marketing in the

developed world. (Gloria Gilmore-House, 661-0470) www.pottersforpeace.com

For the week of December 14th, please pray for the Augusta Victoria Hospital, (AVH)

whose primary mission is to provide life-saving healthcare and economic opportunities for

the most vulnerable in Palestinian society. AVH serves all in need, regardless of race, reli-

gion, nationality, gender, or ability to pay. Much of the treatment provided by the hospital

is charity care, and that is only possible through the donations and support of churches,

organizations, and individuals. AVH has specialized centers not available in the majority

of Palestinian hospitals. Radiation oncology, pediatric dialysis, ear/nose/throat surgery,

and gastro-intestinal procedures are only available at AVH. (Oscar & Jan Sander, 672-

3406)

Please pray for Sonlight Christian Camp the week of December 21th. Sonlight is a not-for

-profit organization in their 35th year of operation. The Gospel is presented through pro-

grams and relationships. Focus is on community and teamwork, striving to accept diversi-

ty, and appreciating each individual as a child of God. The camp is governed by a Board

of Directors. Camper tuition covers 100% of operating expenses. Donations are applied to

the camper scholarship fund, Program Excellence Fund or the Endowment Fund. Sonlight

does not discriminate against gender, age, race, nationality, religion or disability and is

accredited by the American Camp Association. Gary Thayer (662-6835)

www.SonlightCamp.org

For the week of December 28th please pray for All Our Mission Recipients, including Mes-

siah House, a faith-based, Christ-centered, transitional home for recently incarcerated

women who desire to become disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. This home, our Christ-

mas Eve offering recipient, is in the planning stages in Santa Fe.

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A BABE AND THE SUPREME STEP OF COMPASSION…

As the hectic and hopefully happy holiday season gets underway I think it is important to grow beyond the

sweetness and joy we bestow on Christ’s blessed birth to the man who asks us to love our neighbor as

ourselves.

Jesus was asked “Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29) and answers with what we call “Good Samaritan,” a

story that we may trivialize due to our culture and having heard it so often. It actually is very extreme. This

story has taken on more meaning to me after listening to scholar Richard Roybal, our Ghost Ranch

speaker. Having lived in the Middle East extensively, Roybal sees a huge difference in our values. We are

in a Guilt/Forgiveness society based on the individual whereas the Mid-East is based on Honor/Shame

where the group is a person’s identity. The definite ranked order of society is rarely crossed. It starts with

the family you are born into and your actions bring honor or shame upon the whole group. Other village/

family groups are treated as outsiders not to be trusted.

In Jesus’ story neither the religious leader nor the lay associate (both high ranking) would even come

close to the wounded man yet a Samaritan whom Jews viewed as unclean, physically and spiritually, took

time, care and money to make sure the man was safe. The Jews were openly hostile to Samaritans yet

Jesus gave one of them the role of hero.

Jesus blew the ranking honor system out of the water many times, according to Roybal. He was born of a

low ranking family and lived in Nazareth. “Nothing good comes from Nazareth,” yet he spoke with

authority. He reached out to the lowest “unclean” people and even to the enemy when he saved the

centurion’s servant.

The babe in a manger that we celebrate asks us to love as he did.

Paul continues Jesus’ love message in ROMANS 12:14, 17-21 “Bless those who persecute you: bless and

do not curse…Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. “If it

is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but

leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord. On the

contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you

will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Martin Luther King Jr. believed that the highest point of Jesus’s life was the moment when he forgave his

executioners. Instead of attempting to defeat evil with evil, he was able to prevail over it with good: “Only

goodness can drive out evil and only love can overcome hate.”

A child is born, a son is given…the same son that before dying said, “Forgive them, for they do not know

what they are doing,” and “you have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But

I tell you ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in

heaven.’” …Joy to the World!

On behalf of all good imperfect relationships, Betty Smith

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Additional volunteers are needed to run the sound and video systems for all services held in the Sanctuary. Our new stairway will make it possible for more of you to assist. Training is provided for one or both of our systems. If I get several volunteers you will only be assigned a couple of times each quarter. PLEASE answer this

call for service and contact Cookie Halsted if you will be able to assist us. Email me at chret99@gmail.com or call my cell at 500-5613.

The K-6th grade Sunday School class would like to give

the congregation a BIG thank you for your help with the

food drive for LA Cares. With your help we received 80

bags of groceries.

Thank You,

The K-6 grade class

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WEEKLY CALENDAR

MONDAY Women’s Book Study (11 AM Room 315)

TUESDAY Staff Meeting (10 AM Library)

WEDNESDAY Thrift Shop (8:30 AM-12:30 PM)

THURSDAY Men’s Koffee Klatch (9:30 AM Lounge)

Thursday Faith and Family Night (TFFN)

FRIDAY Friday Bible Study (10 AM WR Presbyterian

Church)

SUNDAY Sunday Worship (8 & 9:30 AM)

Sunday School for all ages

DECEMBER EVENTS CALENDAR

See the front page for upcoming Advent events

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The DECEMBER CHIMES Newsletter

The United Church of Los Alamos

2525 Canyon Road

Los Alamos, NM 87544

NON PROFIT ORG.

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November 27—29