twcc newsletter december 17, 2010

8/8/2019 TWCC Newsletter December 17, 2010

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DISCIPLES DIGESTLoving God, Loving Neighbor, Making Disciples

December 17, 2010

Merry Christmas from The Woodlands Christian Church

(Disciples of Christ) Ministry Team

John, Chad, Rob, Suzanne, Shelia & Pedro

Celebrating 30 Years of Ministry atThe Woodlands Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)


2/8

I suspect youve already seen the the video that The Washington Post recorded

January of 2007. To watch the video, use this lin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnOPu0_YWhw . It has been making its wa

around the internet again. A violin player, plays in a Washington, DC subway sto

More than a thousand people passed by but only a very few stopped to listen. O

those who stopped, only a couple threw a couple of dollars into the violin case of th

street performer. It was just an ordinary day-except that the street performer w

Joshua Bell, a world class concert violinist. And that particular violin was a $3

million dollar Stradivarius, one of only ten in the world. And the music? S

particularly difficult Bach pieces. The story is that only three days earlier, Mr. Be

had sold out Bostons Symphony Hall at more than $100 per seat, but only a handf

of Washington commuters bothered to listen at all.

This is a busy time. Were all in some kind of hurry. But as we approach Christmas, I want to challenge you to b

still a bit, to listen more, to notice what is around you. It seems to me that were surrounded by miraculou

blessings, but too often were too busy criticizing to notice much at all. Case in point? My son, the one wh

works for Best Buy, was telling me that they had been receiving harsh criticism in the store because the store

ads had been wishing lots of groups good holidays but that the store was criticized for not wishing well t

Christians the sad point of his story? It was Thanksgiving when they were being criticized and the Christm

ads, wishing a Merry Christmas to the world, had not yet been to press it was time for black Friday and Cyb

Monday!

In worship Sunday before last we heard from David King as he talked about Christmas imposing a break on scho

that causes him to anticipate family visits, time with friends and renewed relationships with those who ar

important to him. David talked about Christmas being the time that God imposed a break on the world as Go

wanted to call us to renew relationships, to reunite with our Creator, to get back on the right track togethe

Megan Townsend shared with us her faith struggle as she grieves her grandfather and notes the stress tha

families face these days. Megan declared how quickly Gods grace enfolds her when she cries out in prayer an

how the church becomes her extended family of Grace. Were we listening?

This past Sunday, Clare Bauman talked with us about her understanding of Marys pregnancy predicament in on

sermon and then Tracie Miller shared her own faith story and confession of faith at the 11:00 am service. All fo

are hearing calls to ministry. They all have fresh points of view, deep faith, and were willing to take the risk

sharing with us. Were we really listening?

There are many more opportunities to stop and listen between now and Christmas. On Saturday the 18th, yo

have my invitation to come to Market Street at noon as around 200 of my very best annual low brass friends wi

join me in a free Merry Tuba Christmas concert. And at 7:00pm on Sunday the 19th, our chancel choir will off

their Christmas concert accompanied by chamber orchestra.

Will we be listening only for angels to sing in the night sky, or will we also be quiet enough to hear the coo of

newborn? Will we be alert enough to notice the face of the person we walk by or smart enough to notice wheChrist is present? And will you remember, when you see Bridget Spiegel home for Christmas, to ask her abo

how it was to meet Joshua Bell and to hold that same Stradivarius three weeks ago?

Ill be looking for you in worship this Sunday and Ill be listening and looking!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnOPu0_YWhwhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnOPu0_YWhwhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnOPu0_YWhw


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I have enjoyed the first Sundays of Advent this year. The Sanctuary looks wonderf

and I like the seating arrangement we have adopted for the season. It creates th

feeling that we are a little closer together in worship. Of course, the music we get

sing during Advent and Christmas is the best of the year.

The music ministry participates in some special events this month. Last Sunday, th

Overtones Handbell Choir rang a program of carols at Waterway Square. The performance was part of th

Carols on the Square series each Sunday night in December.

This Saturday, dont miss our own John Callison playing with the 250 low brass players of TubaChristmas a

Market Square. TubaChristmas, started by legendary Indiana University professor Harvey Phillips, has grown

include chapters all over the U.S. The local concert, on the lawn next to Tommy Bahamas, starts at noon.

On December 19, at 7:00 pm, the Chancel Choir will present the Christmas Oratorio, by Camille Saint-Sen

String players assisting the choir are music students from Sam Houston State University. The Christmas Orator

was written in 1858 and has become a staple of the choral repertoire for the Advent/Christmas season. Camil

Saint-Sens was the most prominent musician in France in the late-nineteenth century, contributing a body

music that is uniformly well-crafted, if not groundbreaking. The Oratorio is likewise suavely fashioned, wi

melodies that beguile with a nave charm and deceptive simplicity a character that can only be described

French. The text of the Oratorio, originally in Latin, will be sung in English. It moves through the Old Testame

prophesies, and includes the Magnificat (Marys Song) songs of the angels, and the birth of Jesus. Soloists in th

Oratorio include Beth Ringwald, Meagan Townsend, Linda Carlson, Russell Dykes, Mark Meyer, Gary Dobbins, Ka

Jopling, David Benepe, Keith Lathrom, Caroline Hunt and Austin Hunt.

These December music ministry presentations will be a meaningful addition to your Advent season. Please mak

plans to join us, support the talented and devoted musicians of your church, and experience the joy wonderf

music brings to this time of the year. Then join the Chancel Choir, New Life Singers, and Youth Singers fChristmas Eve services at 5:30 pm and 11:00 pm.

Rob Spotlight on this Sundays music:

The words to O Holy Spirit, Root of Life, are based on writings of the Roman Catholic saint, Hildegard von Binge

Hildegard was an extraordinary woman living in the 12th

century. In addition to her contributions to the fields

medicine, science, poetry, and theology, she has in recent years become esteemed as the earliest importan

female composer. This hymn grew out of a wonderful phrase, in which Hildegard wrote that she felt like

feather on the breath of God.

I am enjoying the experience of Advent this year by watching the eyes and listening to th

voices of the children at Gods Kids Preschool here at The Woodlands Christian Church. A

the weather cools and the calendar nears the year-end, the excitement in the childre

grows exponentially. We talk about Santa. We talk about gifts. And, of course, they kno

about Jesus. But nothing can match the joy of watching their amazement when th

finally realize why we celebrate Christmaswhy we give each other giftsthat the greate

gift of all was born in a simple barn. May God bless each of us as we continue to anticipa

the coming of the Christ child.

Blessings, Chad

Music is the universal language of mankind

- Longfellow

Chads Chatterbox


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AAnnnnoouunncceemmeennttss

Sunday, December 19 7:00 pm Christmas Oratorio

by Camille Saint-Sans performed by the Chancel

Choir and Chamber Orchestra, Dr. Rob Hunt,

conducting. This year, the concert will includeseveral orchestra members and a harpist, and it

will definitely be a magnificent celebration of the

holiday season.

Sunday, December 19 Christmas Cookie Tasting

will take place following the Christmas Oratorio.

Bring enough of your favorite cookies to share!

Sunday, December 19 Congregational Meeting

Budget Review voting results to be announced

immediately following the 11:00 a.m. service.

Friday, December 24 Christmas Eve

Worship Service at 5:30 p.m. and 11 p.m.

Sunday, December 26 Quiet Christmas

Unified Worship Service at 11:00 a.m.

If you havent noticed by now, we have a new and

beautiful wooden table for our Advent Candles at

the front of the church. This latest addition to our

sanctuary was designed and built for us by BillRingwald with the supplies donated by Steve and

Carol Montgomery. Thanks so much for the

wonderful gift to TWCC!

Thanksgiving Cornucopia Giving Table was a

success! Thank you to everyone for your generous

contributions. TWCC was able to donate 550

pounds of food to Interfaith of The Woodlands for

the food pantry before the Thanksgiving holiday.

Thursday, January 6 - Young of Hearts Luncheon

at 11:30 a.m. at Rudys Country Store & Bar-B-Q

in Spring. Please contact your hosts and let them

know if you would rather ride together on the

TWCC bus, or if you would prefer to meet at the

church and carpool. Contact Ann Vandiver 936-

321-0142, Flora Mae Nickerson 936-271-0787, or

Kathryn Stokes 281-367-7325. Sign-up sheet in the

Narthex!

January 7 9 Young Adult Gathering This Little

Light of Mine! This event is for all young adults age

18 and over. It will be held at DCCI aka Camp

Gonzo. The cost is $55.00 and the registration

deadline is December 20. Additional registration

forms are in the Narthex.

February 18 19, 2011 Mark Your Calendar 2011

BBA/LRGV and CPA Mens RetreatNo Fear: Being

the Kings Man! to be held in Gonzales, TX at the

Disciple Oaks Retreat Center. Registration $60

before February 11 covers lodging for one night,

three meals and insurance.

Would you like to learn to work Sound and

Recording for Sundays church services? If so,

contact Tom Jopling at 281-252-6241.

Ladies Bible Study for each Wednesday at 9:30

a.m. has been discontinued until further notice.

Reminder of New Stephen Ministry Class to be

offered at TWCC February April/May 2011 -

Would you like to join a group of caring individuals

who will receive 50 hours of training to become

Stephen Ministers at TWCC? If we can get enough

people, we plan to have our next class in the

February-April/May 2011 period. Contact one of

our TWCC Stephen Leaders, Sue Liptrap, Nathan

Higginbotham or Steve Montgomery for more

information.


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Christmas Traditions

At Christmas Eve, my

family sits around the tree

and opens presents from

one side of the family.

Then, on Christmas

morning, we open

presents from the other side of the family. I do not

know if this will help you, but remembering ANY

Christmas family member ALWAYS brings me joy.

Brad Hindley

Growing up in El Paso we experienced the Mexican

tradition of Luminarios or as some call them,

Luminaries. If you are not familiar with this

tradition, it is a brown paper sack with a little sand

in the bottom and a tea light placed inside. Several

would line the driveways and sidewalks ofpeopleshomes. There are several interpretations of this

tradition, but the one I like the best is to light the

way of the Spirit of the Christ child into your home

and your hearts.

William Lentz

Prior to opening gifts (one at a time) and the

annual picture taking of the grandchildren, we

always paused to read the Christmas Story from the

Bible. Grandma used to remind us how important

it was to keep this first and foremost in our mindsand heart.

Marla WulfFor the Anderson family it was and is still always all

about food, and Christmas is the one time we really

celebrate our Norwegian heritage. Lefse, (kind of

like a Mexican tortilla, except it is made from

potatoes and we eat it with butter, brown sugar

and cinnamon) oyster stew, hard tack and

sandbakkles (tart shaped sugar cookies?). We

would eat and then my 5 sisters and I would haveto do a Christmas recital of holiday songs on our

different instruments; piano, flute saxophone,

clarinet. I should add that we weren't all that

talented or musical, but we sure had a good time! I

think that is why I truly appreciate the great music

that we have at TWCC now!!

Becky Anderson

JOYS and CONCERNSGod knows all our joys and concerns

before we do.

Celebrations: Four wonderful sermons from our

teenagers who are hearing calls to ministry! Gayla

Shanks has regained her balance! Juan Pablo has

been released from the hospital and will return toMatamoros on Tuesday.

Prayer and Sympathy are extended to the Bil

Cadwell family. Gifts to the church may be marked

Bill Cadwell Memorial and the funds will be used

as Bonnie directs; and to the family and friends of

Karen Thompson.

Grace-full Prayers: John Hill had surgery on Friday;

Ordie Cherry; Cheryl Barton, missionary friend of

the Daniels, cancer; Mike Davis is fighting

Pneumonia; Heather Elliott; Elmer Hefelfinger

brother-in-law of William Lentz; Jaden Patton,

infant friend of Lukacs; Diane Rosemond, cousin of

Marilyn Morris; the Keith Ward family; Jane Young;

Coastal Plains Area Minister Search Committee.

Ongoing prayers: Phyllis Benson; Lucile Castle;

Larry Ducote; Ken Dyson; Ron Fugarino; Jean Marie

Howells; Suzy Lynskeys son, Brian Stanfield; ALS;Rose Mae Nokes; Betsy Rabon; Heide Sumter; Mary

Walther; Opal Weaver; and for the family and

friends of The Woodlands Christian Church.

Protection and Safety for our traveling members

and for those serving in our military, and the family

and friends who are waiting at home for thei

loved ones to return.


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Poinsettia

Dedications

The Annelin FamilyIn Honor of MarjorieAnnelin and In Memory of William R.

Annelin and Wanda & Joseph Gaskin

John & Laura CallisonIn Honor of TWCC

2010 Board; In Honor of TWCC

Congregation

Linda Carlson In Honor of My Parents,Hilmer & Gladys Carlson

Irene, Jeff, Justin, Rachelle & Alec Carter -

In Memory of Dad, Pappa

Barb CoatonIn Memory of Ernie Coaton

Gary & & Kay Dobbins In Honor ofAlexis & Amy Brandt, Joshua & Courtney

Dobbins, grandchildren

Jake & Joyce McGlohn In Honor ofFamily

The Mallett Famly In Memory of George

Mallett

Ed & Susan Mayhall In Honor of Glen &Marilyn Harper; In Memory of George &

Janie Mayhall

Bob & Nan Morrison In Honor of Friends

Family

Flora Mae Nickerson In Memory of Jerry

A. Nickerson, My Beloved Husband

Ann & Steve Randolph & Family InHonor of Kay Benes Thank you for the

cookies; In Honor of Kathy & Derek

BentleyThank you for the kitchen help; In

Honor of Maxine Cornwell Thank you forthe pillows; In Honor of Suzanne & Shelia

Thank you for all your help and expertise.

If any of these named do not want to taketheir plant home, please deliver them to the

hospitalized or home bound or share them

with members of the congregation who need

an extra seasonal lift.

Phillip & Anita Stephens In Memory of

Joe Nina Stephens; In Memory of Wesley

& Reba Henderson

Rebecca Anderson & Drew Tully In

Honor and Loving Memory of our

Grandparents and our brother-in-law, Steve

Vaughn

Luke & Ann Vandiver In Honor of Pride

Marie and Vickie Newsom (Anns Family)

In Honor of George, Lucille & Dale

Vandiver (Lukes Family)

Donna WhiteIn Memory of Robert Bob

White

L.O. & Joyce Wray In Memory of RevPearce & Florence Burns; In Memory of

Lucian & Lillie May Wray


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December

Happy Birthday Wishes

December

Happy Anniversary Wishes

Debt Reduction in 2010 The Right

Steppers(*) committee wishes to

acknowledge the significant progress made

by the congregation in 2010 by reducing the

principal on the church mortgage by 25%,

from $224 thousand to $168 thousand

This was accomplished through acombination of regular monthly payments

and generous individual contributions to

principal reduction.

If you are considering making a year-end

contribution to the church, we recommend

principal reduction on the church debt as

one of your option options, along with

contributions to the operating fund or

permanent endowment fund.

(*) The right step for the next step is to be

debt-free

David Benepe & Brent Wulf

Co-chairs, Right Steppers Committee

The Woodlands Christian Church(Disciples of Christ)

1202 N. Millbend Dr.The Woodlands, TX 77380Phone (281) 367-7139FAX (291) 292-8881

www.twcc.org

Robert Adams 12/12

Paula Byrd 12/28

Melanie Carter 12/14

Richard Conti 12/18Greg Cram 12/14

Cheryl Deal 12/06

Kiefer Deal 12/29

Larry Ducote 12/27

Gail Dykes 12/01

Nathan Higginbotham 12/04

Dan Huffaker 12/10

Susie King 12/08

Harlan (Lanny) Low 12/01

Joyce McGlohn 12/06

Art Owsijuk 12/16

Leah Raney 12/04

Cortland Samford 12/31

Gayla Shanks 12/24

Scott Tomlinson 12/12

Opal Weaver 12/11

Marla Wulf 12/12

Dan and Mary Cox 12/31

Bill and Haroldine Daily 12/23

Ray and Val Miller 12/31

Jim and Jeanette Price 12/12

November TWCC Total Expenses $45,571.43

November TWCC Total Income $32,542.74

TWCC Permanent Endowment Fund

Account balance to date: $82,036.66 Ministry TeamJohn C. Callison, D.Min., Senior Minister

Chad Turner, M.Div., Associate Minister,

Children & Youth

Dr. Robert Hunt, Director of Music Ministries

Suzanne DuBois, Office Manager

Shelia McFarland, Receptionist
http://www.twcc.org/http://www.twcc.org/http://www.twcc.org/


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twcc newsletter december 17, 2010

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