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Columbia UMC 315 S. 16th

West Columbia, TX 77486

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December 2017

Page 2: Prayer List

Page 2/3: Gift for Jesus

Page 4: Christmas Program Information

Page 5: Christmas Rehearsal Schedule & Acolyte & Nursery pictures

Page 6: Armor of God Pictures

Page 7: WCE Canned Food Drive, Angel Tree & Poinsettias information

Page 8: Miracle Market & Bistro pictures

All About Advent by Dean McIntyre

The season of Advent has been with us since the fourth century, although it has not been a part of the liturgical observance of all denominations and churches. With the mixing of Christmas and Advent during the weeks leading up to Christmas Day, there is often confusion of the two. Here are the basics of Advent:

When. Advent marks the beginning of the church year . It begins with the four th Sunday before Christmas Day and ends Christmas Eve.

What. Advent comes from the Latin word, adventus, meaning " coming." It is a season to prepare for the coming of Christ in various meanings: the promised coming of the Messiah to the Jews, the coming of Jesus being born in Bethlehem, the promised return of the risen Christ in final victory, and the continual coming of Christ into the lives and hearts of believers.

Color. The color for Advent has traditionally been purple. Some churches have adopted blue for Advent. In practice, however, as churches increasingly incorporate the symbols and decorations of Christmas during Advent, more and more we see red, green, and gold appearing. The United Methodist Book of Worship upholds the traditional color of purple for Advent, signifying penitence and royalty; but it also allows blue, the color of hope.

Themes, Images, Symbols, and Practices. There are a number of histor ic and traditional themes observed during Advent:

Preparing to celebrate the coming of Christ:

The coming of the Messiah to the Jews.

The coming of Jesus into the world at Bethlehem.

The second coming of Jesus in final victory.

The continual coming of Jesus into the hearts and lives of believers.

A time of penitence and fasting, austerity, seriousness, reading of Scripture, hearing and proclaiming the Word in sermon and song; waiting and longing for the Messiah's coming.

Symbols: Chrismon tree with its white monograms, the Jesse tree, Advent calendars, trumpets (for Isaiah), the messianic rose, star of Jacob, and fleur-de-lis.

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Continual Need

Brenda Biever, R.L. Brown, Capt. Brian Burgi, Jennifer & Barrett Burgi, David Deerman, Jim Harrison, Brenda Hasson, Andrea Hays, Garrett Heble, Henry Hichens, Jan Humphrey, Keith Jung, Jack Lands, Joyce Lester, Teddy Lester, Sophia Lopez, Laurie Meurer, Nancy Ogilvie Navasard, Virginia Petter, Kash Robinson, Coy Sims, Phyllis Weems, Evelyn Welsch, Caroline Wleczyk, & Ginger Laughlin

All Service Personnel & Their Families

America’s Police Officers

PRAYER LIST 11/19 Fred Bartel, Jackie Jen-kins, Earlene Miles, People of Zimbabwe

11/12 Teddy Lester, Agnes Letvik, Collins Meador, Bill Middleton Family, Sylvia Runnels, & Veterans

11/5 Family of Scott McCaskill, Family of Lila Fay McMillian , Family of Aubrey Passafuma First Baptist Church and the People of Sutherland Springs, TX, Those affected by attack in New York City

WHAT SHALL I GIVE HIM?

If you would like to make a special gift for Jesus this Christmas, please see the display in the foyer. The items are listed on the chart on the next page. Decide the item for which you

would like to give. Place the tag on the tree in the foyer. This is a gift beyond your regular giving and will be put in the General Fund. Please submit your gift by December 24th.

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Music Copyright License $208/yr

Stamps for Shut-In Mailings $40/mo

Wednesday

Connection

$51/month

Bottled Water for 2 Dispensers

$15/mo

Gas for Heat

$55/mo

Copier Paper

$36/mo

City Utilities

$52/mo

Windstorm Insurance Savings

$1,900/mo

Lawncare

$140/mow

Pest Control

$81/mo

District Apportion-

ments $108/mo

Sunday School

Literature $143/mo

County Newspaper

Ads $188/mo

Kitchen

Paper Goods

$25/mo

Nursery Workers $488/mo

Insurance (Commercial

Pkg) $936/mo

Hedge/Tree

$120/per job

Conference Apportion-

ments $504/week

Workers Comp

Insurance $107/mo

Toilet Tissue

$25/qtr

Local Phone

Book Ad $65/mo

Piano

Tuning $60/quarter

Air Conditioner Service Call

$170

Restroom

Paper Tow-els $21/mo

Office Stamps $50/mo

Trash Bags

$22/qtr

Vacation Bible School

$1000/yr

Electricity $1,105/mo

Youth

Programs

$100/mo

Plumber Service Call

$135

Church

Cleaning $156/week

Sunday

Doughnuts $26/week

Altar Arrange-

ment

(Mary Lee’s) $50

Xerox Copi-er (lease &

copies) $469/mo

Website $50/mo

Scout Sponsorship

$130/year

Toner

Cartridges $63/mo

Safe Deposit Box Rental

$70/yr

Church

Phone Bill $137mo

Trash

Dumpster $67/mo

Terminix $50/mo

Columbia Lakes Phone

Book Ad $50/yr

Please submit your gift by Saturday, December 24.

What shall I give Him?

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SING AGAIN THE CHRISTMAS STORY

PRESENTED BY SANCTUARY CHOIR

CHRISTMAS EVE 7:00 p.m.

Come as you are and bring your family and friends!

We will hear the story in song as we worship with carols and candles.

‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

PRESENTED BY OUR CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Sunday morning, December 17

during the 11:00 am worship service

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CHRISTMAS REHEARSAL SCHEDULE FOR SANCTUARY CHOIR AND CHILDREN

Wednesday, November 29 Connections and Adult Choir

Sunday, December 3 Children rehearse during Sunday School

Wednesday, December 6 Connections and Adult Choir

Sunday, December 10 Children rehearse during Sunday School

Wednesday, December 13 Connections and then children rehearse with adult choir at 7:00

Sunday, December 17 Dress Rehearsal for Children during Sunday School

Program during church service

Wednesday, December 20 DRESS REHEARSAL FOR CHOIR, ACTORS, AND NARRATORS

(If you have agreed to participate as a character, thank you!!! Please meet with Paula Raeke just after the worship service on Dec. 3 or Dec. 10 to prepare for your costume)

OUR

AMAZING

ACOLYTES

&

NURSERY

Picture by Pat Sanchez

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WEDNESDAY CONNECTION’S

ARMOR OF GOD

&

PRESENTATION ON

NOVEMBER 19

Pictures by

Cynthia Kethley

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WEST COLUMBIA ELEMENTARY

CANNED FOOD DRIVE

DONATION

THANK

YOU!

POINSETTIAS

Our Sanctuary will be decorated with poinsettias again this year. You may purchase one or more in memory or in honor of someone. Complete the form given to you or located in the foyer and return it to the church office with money for your purchase on or before Sunday, Dec. 10. We are limited to 40 poinsettias. Each poinsettia is $15.00. If paying by check, please make it separate from your usual giving. In addition, if you would like to make a memorial to a particular CUMC fund in honor/in memory of someone instead of a poinsettia, that will be listed in the booklet also.

SALVATION ARMY ANGEL TREE

Pictures by Cynthia Kethley

Picture by Cynthia Kethley

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MIRACLE MARKET & BISTRO 2017

The Miracle Market & Bistro brought in around $4600.00 for the church!

Thanks to the Knotty Girls for hosting the event! Plus, their hard work & dedication at making it a great success!

Thanks to the United Methodist Women for the bake sale booth!

Thanks to all of the vendors!

Thank you to Barbara Hiroms, Gail Hiroms, Rhonda Hiroms, & Mary Park for their hard work!