December Newsletter 2009

The Good Word

United Methodist Church of Swartz Creek Dr. Reverend J.D. Landis Pastor

December, 2009 Sunday Worship

December 6: Wait For the Very Best; J.D. Landis December 13: Christmas Musical December 20: Heaven’s Christmas Gift; J.D. Landis December 24: Keep the Lights On; J.D. Landis December 27: God is With Us; Rachel Benton Wednesday Worship

6:30 p.m.

December 2: The Child: God’s Love Offering December 9: The Shepherds: Worshipping in Love December 16: Moravian Love Feast:: J.D. Landis

Common Grounds Coffee Haus December 12, 2009, 7:00—9:00 p.m. Come and know God is here: Listen to………..

At the Crossroads

December 23: The Magi: Offering Gifts of Love

Swartz Creek Community Food Basket December 6 at 3 pm

“Let Music Fill the Air, Let Joy be Everywhere!” A concert at UMCSC to benefit the food pantry. Donations of non-perishable food items and free will offering will be taken. Come and enjoy!

Coming in January

By the Cross The blessing of it all starts with you!

Don’t miss it!

2ND Saturday Soup Supper! December 12, 2009 4:30—6:30 p.m. Great Hot soup for Anyone and Everyone!!!!!!!

United Methodist Church of Swartz Creek Box268 * 7400 Miller Rd. 8 Swartz Creek MI 48473* 810-635-4555 Our Mission Statement: To be a nurturing community of Christians committed to serving Jesus Christ, helping others find Him and grow as His disciples.

Advent Wreath Lighters/Readers are needed For Sunday morning worship. If you or your family would like to participate, please sign up for a specific time at the Information Center or the Welcome Center. All information and instructions will be provided. Come be a part of this grace-filled tradition! Questions? See Rachel.

Sunday School Christmas Program Sunday, December 20 Join us for our annual Christmas program on Sunday, December 20th at 6pm. This year our children will be experiencing the awe and wonder of the Christmas story along with the joy of timeless Christmas carols. All persons ages 3 and up are invited to participate – please sign up at the welcome center or email [email protected] by Wed, Dec 2nd if your child would like to participate.

Interested in a Short-Term Disciple Class?

Beginning January 12th, we will be offering a Disciple course on either Psalms (10 weeks) or Romans (8 weeks) led by Laura Sepanak on Tuesday evenings. The course will have a similar structure to regular Disciple studies, but is simply shorter in length and generally focuses on a more specific topic. If you are interested, please write your name on the sign-up sheet in the Information Center (outside the sanctuary) or the Welcome Center (outside the gym), or feel free to speak with Rachel if you have further questions (6354555 or [email protected]).

Attention Adult Sunday School Classes: During the Christmas season, we are inviting each Sunday School class to “adopt-a-family‖ as a way to provide clothes, toys, or other needed items. If interested, please see Rachel for more information and to be matched with a family. Also, if you or someone you know could use an extra measure of grace this season, please see Rachel or Barb Mulnix. Let’s find ways to be a blessing to the Christ-child in our midst this Christmas!

Fun Fundraiser for Ladies of All Ages served 2,700 families since it’s start in March. Unfortu- Get ready to scrapbook your memories at the Scrapbooking Workshop in the Family Life Center nately the numbers do grow, fortunately as one of our committee on Sat., Jan. 23, 2010 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jennimembers from Saint Mary’s said, ―The Holy Spirit is at fer Nemer, from Creative Memories, will be there work here!‖ Amen to that! Thank you for your support! to assist you The fee is $28 and includes all day scrapping, mini-breakfast, lunch, drinks, snacks *********************************************************************** and door prizes. All are welcome. Space is limited, Pasties are being made on the 14th & 15h of December. sign up early at the Welcome Center. Must be Don’t forget to order yours! paid by January 17 to United Methodist Women. *********************************************************************************************** Watch for more information.

Swartz Creek Community Food Basket has

Help Spruce up the church on the 3rd Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. Meet in Murbach Hall, pick a project and help make our church an Yarn Angels: Meet the 1st Tuesday of the month to knit/crochet charity projects such as inviting place to come worship.

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WANT AN EASY WAY TO HELP MISSIONS? Pick up a "UMW sock" at the welcome center, put 1 quarter in for the number of each month (IE 1 quarter for Jan., 2 in Feb, 3 in March etc.). By December you will have accumulated $19.50 to turn in to help missions at home and around the world.

prayer shawls, baby items for Crisis Pregnancy Center or hat/mittens for UM Children’s Home. Contact Sharon Cummings @ 630 –8058 ***************************************** Quilting Group: Two groups of ladies are meeting once a week to learn and to make beautiful quilts. For info call Eileen Faith @635-8388 or Jan Sulz @ 845-1934.

Across this world we fill with gloom, A savior was born in a stable room. He was a gift to all us here, From our God who wants us near. And in return all we can give, Is all our love for as long as we live! Amen Merry Christmas lee

Education Calandar November 29 – Advent begins! Heifer’s Fill the Ark program begins Advent Fair, 5:30-7:00pm in the Gym December 2 – ALIVE, 4:00-6:30pm Please sign up to participate in the Christmas Program by this date December 5 – Christmas Program Practice, 9:30-11:30am in the Sanctuary December 9 – ALIVE, 4:00-6:30pm December 12 - Christmas Program Practice, 9:3011:30am in the Sanctuary December 16 – ALIVE, 4:00-6:30pm Special Lovefeast Service, 6:30pm December 19 - Christmas Program Practice, 9:3011:30am in the Sanctuary December 20 – Please return your Arks for Heifer this Sunday Christmas Program, 6:00pm in the Sanctuary December 23 – No ALIVE this week December 24 – Christmas Eve Services, 6:00pm & 11:00pm in the Sanctuary December 25 – Merry Christmas! December 27 – No Sunday School (enjoy worship and extra time with family & friends!) December 30 – No ALIVE this week

Weekly Bible Studies: Monday - Disciple I, 10am; Disciple II, 6:30pm; Disciple IV, 7pm; Bible Study, 7pm Tuesday – Disciple III, 7pm

Those in Military Service Lawrence Battiste, Jr. Richard Brill Joe & Missy Caldwell Christopher Campbell Bob Churchill Sean Crisp CW3 Rodney Crow Erwin C. Davis Jessica Faith Ian Gohlke Paul Gregg Trevor B. Hicks John Leach William Lengyel Kyle Leonard Alan Lloyd Matt Makillom Kenny Middaugh

Jennifer Nelson Cory Neumann Michael Packer Nick Putinsky Michael Quinn Ryan Rolfe Joshusa Sepanak Michael Sepanak Avery Spignor Steven Tanous Dr. Brad Taylor Travis Teuber (Iraq) Chris Wainwright

An Advent devotional that explores the stories of Simeon and Anna will be available at the welcome center beginning Nov 29. Please pick up your own copy (one per family, please) to take home as our gift to you! Dear S.C. UMC– Thank you for opening your church to us for Jeremy & Rachel’s reception last Saturday. Our family truly appreciated your generosity &the warm welcome we received. The members of your staff and congregation could not do enough to help us at every turn. Especially Barb Mulnix, Norvel & Barb Johnson and of course Reverend Landis. Your facilities were wonderful and worked well for the reception and also as a ―mid point‖ for all of the churches & people invited to the reception. The only sad point in all of this is how the Oxford UMC women all are envious of your perfect kitchen. Of course we will say your church was what caused us to sin. (Ha Ha). With great gratitude & appreciation we thank you & wish great blessings upon your church! In Christian love, Karen Benton

Swartz Creek United Methodist Church Box 268, Swartz Creek, MI 48473

The Good Word

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED CHURCH STAFF Rev. Dr. J.D. Landis, Pastor Barbara Mulnix, Administrative Assistance Donna Smith, Financial Secretary Brian Kelley, Youth Director Rachel Benton, Minister of Discipleship Susan Waddell, Nursery & Sonshine Director Christina Moore, Nursery Attendant Steve Carlson & Ray Benjamin, Custodians Rev. Len Gamber and Rev. Grant Wessel, Visitation Pastors Music Staff Eileen Faith, Richard Moreland, Lisa Maxwell, Peggy Grant, Pat Beckley & Roger Brimley

December Birthdays Jane Dodge Marjorie Rosenthal Laura Blower Evelyn Deneen Jackie Metcalfe Jeffrey Mulnix Mary Packer Jerry Smithwick Daniel Turner Andrew Delong Nadine Johnson Oather McPherson Sandra Raffaellii Eugene Christensen Holly Whitworth Alberta Mitchell Tammy VanHoven Jameson Curtis Ben Huffman Brian Moore Naomi Rice Terry Carley Jacqueline Hilden Helen Bell Thomas Cook

2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 5 6 8 8 9 9 10 10 10 10 11 11 12 12

Amber LeBlanc Donna Nelson Les Drilk Pete Plum John Maxwell Ruth Prouse Heidi Adams Phyllis Druley Lou MacGready Shirley Burchett Jim English Peter Verhaeghe Lillian Wilkinson Patti Badgley Loanna Ammerman Mary Scobey Bethany Landis Olivia Orr Helen Youmans Michelle Main Christine Maxwell Heather Stanley Martha Cole Larry Harnden Philip Strickland

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Peter Wolfgram Katelyn Adams Kaylee Primeau Alan Verhaeghe

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Jesus Christ

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Robin Ferris Herbert Herrick Frieda Mundy Clara Brodie William Taylor Rita Brimley David Hilden

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