E-MESSENGER

DECEMBER 2012

UNION UNITED METHODIST CHURCH200 BROOKLINE BLVD.

HAVERTOWN, PA 19083610-789-1700

Fax – 610-789-0136Unionhavertown@verizon.net

www.unionhavertown.org

To conserve space, articles in the E-Messenger may be in a different order than the printed copies and the use of clip art may be limited.

DECEMBER WORSHIP

Saturday, December 1: 5:00 Evening PraiseSunday, December 2: First Sunday of Advent 9:45 a.m. -- Bible Study Time for all ages11:00 a.m. – Worship Service – Holy Communion

– “A Righteous Branch” – Jeremiah 33:14-16 6:00 p.m. – Advent Family Night

Saturday, December 8: 5:00 Evening PraiseSunday, December 9: Second Sunday of Advent 9:45 a.m. -- Bible Study Time for all ages11:00 a.m. – Worship Service – Christmas Cantata 7:00 p.m. – Jazz Vespers

Saturday, December 15: 5:00 Evening PraiseSunday, December 16: Third Sunday of Advent 9:45 a.m. -- Bible Study Time for all ages11:00 a.m. – Worship Service – “Prepare the Way” – Luke 3:1-612:15 p.m. - After-Church Fellowship

Saturday, December 22: 5:00 Evening Praise

Sunday, December 23: Fourth Sunday of Advent 9:00 a.m. - Service of Healing Prayer 9:45 a.m. - Bible Study Time for all ages 11:00 a.m. – Worship Service – “Astonishing News” – Luke

1:26-38

Monday, December 24: CHRISTMAS EVE 7:00 p.m. – Family Service – Children’s involvement, telling of the story! 9:00 p.m. – Candlelight Service

Tuesday, December 25: Christmas Day9:30 a.m. - St. Faith Episcopal Church, our neighbor across the

street, invites us to join them for their Christmas Day service.

Saturday, December 29: 5:00 Evening PraiseSunday, December 30: First Sunday after CHRISTMAS DAY 11:00 a.m. - “Lessons and Carols” – Come out to sing Christmas Songs and hear the Biblical story of God’s coming among us!

Saturday, January 5: 5:00 Evening PraiseSunday, January 6: Epiphany 9:45 a.m. – Bible Study Time for all ages 11:00 a.m. – Worship Service – Holy Communion “A Rising Star” – Matthew 2:1-12

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FROM THE PASTOR:

Dear Church Family,

What do all of these words have in common? Extravagate, embrace, examine, entrust, encompass, exhibit, employ, economize, endow, elevate, envision, and exalt! Yes, they are all of the e-words that have given us a one-word answer each week since September, a summation if you will, of what our Lord is calling us to do. I’ve enjoyed lifting these up in our worship times. I hope it’s been a help to you, too. It is amazing how many words that begin with an ‘e’ are good solid verbs which can clue us in to good discipleship. Maybe you’ve thought of a few others that we might use. We started with something like 60 words (and we’ve even added a few to that number) and there is no end in sight. I would love to hear from you when you discover an e-word that speaks something of God’s call and plan for you. For example, I just heard the members of a circle meeting of our UMW this week talk about encourage – a great word, especially when followed up with faithful and compassionate living that puts encouragement into practice. We are very thankful to Bunnie Bryant for using her gifts to provide the challenging phrases that have accompanied each word each week. It’s wonderful what we can do together!As we move into the Advent-Christmas season, let’s keep asking questions about our response to God’s wondrous grace in our lives. Our Advent Study of “The Journey” is reminding us about those persons in the Biblical record of the birth of Christ that responded to God’s call. We ask questions like:

Will I respond with as much trust as Mary to what God has called me to do? Will I recognize God’s communication to me when it comes? How can God use who I am, including my interests, abilities, and special

talents to further His kingdom? (Humble Joseph found out the answer to that question!)

Please keep the conversation with your Lord going as you celebrate this Holy Season. If you’ve been away from church for awhile, now is a good time to come back for a study, for a Covered Dish Dinner in which we think first of others, for a beautiful Christmas musical program to God’s glory, for a time of Christmas Caroling

in our community, for Christmas Eve Worship. Keep the focus on Christ as you celebrate His birth. I am thankful to be part of a faithful community in Christ. Blessings to all of you!

Pastor Mary Jane

You are invited to:

Sunday, December 26:00 p.m. - Advent Family Night

Everyone in the church isinvited to get into the spirit of the Advent season by sharing gifts for the children served by Methodist Home for Children and cookies for our at-home members. Enjoy a covered dish supper at 6 pm followed by Advent activities and packing cookie containers. Invite your family and friends to share in this special evening.

Saturday, December 81:00 p.m. - All Children, Youth, and their families are welcome to join us for a Christmas

Party! We will also be making Craft Gift Items for our “at home” members to be included in their Christmas gifts. This will be a fun time of fellowship and service and we will have a party and welcome Timothy, our new Youth and

Family Ministries Coordinator. Please mark your calendar and be sure to join us.

Sunday, December 9 11:00 a.m. – Christmas Musical to God’s Glory

Presented by our choir and the Neumann University Concert Chorale. Worship Him with song!

7:00 p.m. - Jazz Vespers

Friday, December 21 6:30 p.m. – Christmas Caroling – All youth and EVERYONE is welcome to join us caroling.

Monday, December 24 – Christmas Eve 7:00 p.m. – Family Service – Lessons, Carols, Children’s Message

9:00 p.m. – Candlelight Service

TRUSTEES UPDATE DECEMBER 2012

Trustees this year are Chairperson Jim Drew, John Makara, Bev Kester, Eric Weible,Jay Davis, Jack Gilbert, Nancy Wright, Dick Wright, Edith McDonough, Recording Secretary Martie Drew

The following projects have been done in the Church and Parsonage CHURCH1. Installed eleven new 7 day programmable thermostats throughout church and two new outdoor boiler controls for a cost of $2,482.00, we hope these items will help cut our future utility cost.2. Installed one new outdoor hose bibb (water faucet) Brookline Blvd. side at education building, for a cost of $445.00.3. The Allston Road vestibule (near Choir Room) interior was patched and painted at a cost of $700.00.4. Office computer updated with new parts at a cost of $460.00. Thank you Matt Kirby for working on the computer system. 5. Repairs to small and large boilers to maintain State inspection at a cost of $1,706.00.6. Cleaned Fellowship Hall and lounge carpets at a cost of $410.00.7. Reflection Garden near the church building corner at Brookline Blvd. and Allston Road is now complete. Thank you to Wyatt Martin (Eagle Scout project) and for donations from Bunnie Bryant, Mary Hankins, the Martin Family and all others who helped with donations and time to put this project together. PARSONAGE

1. Replaced refrigerator at a cost of $700.20. 2. Replaced dishwasher (no, not a Kirby family member) with new at a cost of $549.00, Installation cost at this time is unknown - waiting for a bill.3. Replaced heater and air conditioning system at a cost of $7,325.00.WORK IN PROGRESS1. Beautifying the church basement corridor.2. Parsonage broken window will be repaired.3. Parsonage front steps are being repaired.

4. Replacing Education Building roof. Approximate cost $40,000.00 - $60,000.00. 5. Replacing old electric clothes dryer in parsonage with new energy efficiency gas clothes dryer. Approximate cost $500.00 - $1,500.00.

As you can see we do things to improve and maintain the church and parsonage and it does cost. If you have any loose change and would like to help us, please donate to the Building Maintenance (on your church envelopes) or give funds directly to the Trustees with a notation that it is for “building up-keep” of the Church and Parsonage.Many smaller fix-up projects have not been listed here. Also if you would like to volunteer your time to help on projects in the future let the Trustees know and we will add your name to project call list.

Thank you, Trustees

We will be placing poinsettia plants in the church sanctuary as a part of our church Christmas decorations. We are inviting persons and families to give a plant as a memorial or a gift to honor someone special. The cost of each plant is $9.00. The deadline to order is December 12, 2012.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Fill out and RETURN TO THE CHURCH OFFICE - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I would like: #___________ Poinsettia @ $9.00 ea.

Total enclosed $___________ Envelope number _________

Presented to the Glory of God in memory/honor of:

__________________________________________________________________

As gift from:________________________________________________________

( ) I will pick up my plant after the evening worship on Christmas Eve.

( ) Please give my plant where it will bring cheer.

Grace Brogan Matthew ShawLindsay Brogan Sue Owen Betty Parsons Yuki IshidaAnita Radke Edythe Flanagan Joan Consul Alison SimpsonCaroline Schaible Mary KennedyCharlotte Applegarth George

Keller Mary HankinsDoris DuVal Joy BennettJim Brodie Daniel LaDue

Janet TylerStephanie Brunelli Ardelle Clarke

Lois Flounders Herman Kirby

Matthew LaDue

MEETINGSTHURSDAY, DECEMBER 6 – 7:00 p.m.Stewardship Task Force WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12 – 7 p.m.Board of Trustees (note the change of day!)

No Leadership Team meeting in December

USHERS FOR DECEMBERTeam #1 – Fred Shappell, captain, Joyce Gilbert, assistant captain, Marcia Wiker and Cassie Flanagan

COMMUNITY DINE AROUND 2012-2013

Cost: $7.00. Please make your reservation by calling Pastor Mary Jane by the Wednesday prior to the luncheon.

Second Mondays, 12:00 NoonLuncheon dates:December 10 - Havertown Center, 1105 Earlington Rd. January & February - NO MEETINGMarch 11 - Annunciation BVM ChurchApril 8 - Union UM ChurchMay 13 - Temple Lutheran ChurchJune 10 - St. James UCC

MESSENGER SPONSOR Please consider being a sponsor for the Messenger. Sponsors cover the expenses related to printing and mailing the Messenger ($100), so that we can share church news with visitors, friends and neighbors, as well as church members. If you would like to sponsor a future edition, contact Barbara Drake or the church office.

2013 OFFERING ENVELOPES: The 2013 Offering Envelopes will be available for pick-up on Sunday, November 25 and through the month of December. They will be in the back of the sanctuary. We also ask that possibly you could pick up a shut-in’s and deliver them. All envelopes not picked up will have to be mailed. We thank you in this endeavor to get all of the envelopes delivered by the year-end.

PLEASE TAKE NOTE: Most everyone will have a new account number. This is necessary as we had to realign our system. Look for your name on the box and you will also see the account number assigned to you. If you have any questions, please call the church office at 610-789-1700.

Happy Birthday to the following people with December birthdays:

Shirley Vockroth 12/01David Kowalski 12/04Beverly Kester 12/06Hope Shappell 12/07Martie Drew 12/09Jim Drew 12/11Olivia Martin12/18Sean McDonough 12/26

If we have missed your birthday, we apologize. Please call the church office to add your birthday to the list.

JAZZ VESPERSfeaturing

“The Carolyn Nelson Trio”

atUNION UMC

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9, 20127:00 PM

UNITED METHODIST WOMENGifts for Children’s HomeOur annual Christmas gifts for the Methodist Home for Children will be gathered at the Advent Family Night on December 2 and on Sunday December 9. Unwrapped toys, books, games, and puzzles for all ages are welcome, along with gift cards and wrapping paper.

Christmas CookiesWe’ll be packing containers of homemade cookies at the Advent Family Night on December 2 and then delivering them to our at home members after our Christmas lunch on December 11.

December 11 – noon – Christmas LunchJoin us for our Christmas Lunch, which is being prepared by a lunch committee. The program is called “Seeing Jesus on our Walk to Bethlehem” and will feature carols, nativity scenes, and Christmas stories. You are invited to bring a favorite nativity scene to display or a story to share.

World Thank OfferingThank you to all who contributed to the World Thank Offering at Ladies’ Night Out. The offering total was $168.

STAFF

PASTOR. . . . . . . . . . . . .MARY JANE KIRBYMINISTER OF MUSIC . . . . .YUKIKO ISHIDAORGANIST . . . . . . . . . . .JOSE MELENDEZYOUTH & FAM. MINISTRIES. . . . . TIMOTHY WOTRINGTREASURER. . . . .. . . . . . . . TOM McALPINCHURCH SECRETARY . . .CYNTHIA L. KLINEMESSENGER EDITOR . . . .BARBARA DRAKE

 “And to us a child is born…” 

Which Christmas will I share this year? 

Tinseled tree with toys at large, Where joy is spent by debt and charge

—With lavishness of gifts galoreTwo for you and you and you,

But will there be one more for me? 

Which Christmas shall I share this year?

 A birthday song for baby J,

With homemade candles, cookie tray,A sprig of holly, a spray of pine—Ceramic scene, a hanging angel,

Menagerie of animals? 

Which Christmas might I share this year?

 Dime-store Santa with ringing bell,

Churches gathering of last year’s swell,

Angry parking lots, dings and dents,Carolers cruising lawns and stores,

In-laws confused—your house or mine? 

Which Christmas indeed!

For Christ is soon coming—Our Advent of Hope,An answer to need.

 That we may remember:

 One family in fear—

Labors to Bethlehem,Finding a stable, seeing a star—

Receives awe and wisdomFrom near and from far.

 Are all my doors open

That those who may enterWill find in me “Welcome”?

A place to plant PeaceWith heart for Love’s birth.

           --Bunnie Bryant (2012)

OUR ‘WALKING TO BETHLEHEM’ CHALLENGE! Many of us have already begun that Journey to Bethlehem by keeping track of our miles walked. You can come on board too, if you haven’t been walking and keeping track already. The distance between Havertown and Bethlehem is 5,700 miles. We’ve got about 1700 miles and a little more covered during October and November, but we need you to help us! Please plan to keep walking this fall and stay healthy! That is what is most important; but, since we want to be spiritually ready to celebrate the Birth of our Lord anew, we invite you to walk and count the miles. Please email myself (Pastor MJ) at pastor@unionhavertown.org and we will get there, step by step. You are also welcome to write in your miles using the chart in the lobby at the

church. We will be counting our miles right through Advent and up to Christmas. People walk for many good causes these days. Let’s put our whole selves into walking in thankfulness for the gift of the Christ Child and the difference our Lord makes in us!

USHERS NEEDED!

Please let Pastor Mary Jane know if you will become an usher in the New

Year, taking a turn every few months. It’s a great way to serve. Thank You!

YOUTH PAGE

We are so pleased to announce to our congregation that a new Youth and Family Ministries Coordinator has joined us as a staff member at Union. Timothy Wotring, a Graduate of Eastern University with a Degree in Theology, will serve in this position. Timothy has worked with youth at Broad Street Initiative and he has also been involved with programs for those in need. He has a diverse background, working with many churches in a true ecumenical spirit, and we are thankful for his new beginning at Union. He will work 15 hours each week and he will be working with our Youth Council on programming and ministry with our children and youth. Please come by

and greet Timothy on Saturday, December 8 at 1 p.m. when we have a Craft and Christmas Party for our children and youth. Keep him in your prayers and our ministry among the children, youth, and families of our congregation and community.

Saturday, December 8, 1 p.m.All Children, Youth, and their families are welcome to join us for a Christmas Party! We will also be making Craft Gift Items for our “at home” members to be included in their Christmas gifts. This will be a fun time of fellowship and service and we will have a party and welcome Timothy, our new Youth and Family Ministries Coordinator. Please mark your calendar and be sure to join us.

Friday, December 21, 2012, 6:30 p.m.Let’s go Christmas Caroling! Please joinus for Caroling in our neighborhood! All are welcome. We will return to the church for Hot Chocolate and cookies.

Family Service, Christmas Eveat 7:00 p.m.Don’t forget to come out and bring the Children for a special service as we welcome the Christ Child. It will be a time of song, the Christmas Story, andthe joy of this Holy Season shared with our Church Family.

CALENDAR SALEAgain this year, all proceeds from the sale of our beautiful 2013 calendars will go to the work of Methodist Home for Children. We have only 25 calendars available at $6.00 each and the profit will be $75.00. They are available in the Brookline Boulevard and Allston Road entrances to the sanctuary.

DECORATING THE CHURCHAnyone who would like to help decorate the church for Christmas is invited to attend our decorating party on Saturday, December 8 at 9:00 a.m. Hope to see you there.

Mission News and Opportunities

Interfaith Hospitality NetworkThe office and day center for Delaware County Interfaith Hospitality Network will be moving early in January to the rectory of St. James Episcopal Church on Concord Road in Aston. Some items needed at the day center are paper towels, toilet paper, paper plates, crayons, and diapers of all sizes. If you would like to donate any of these items, you can bring them to church or plan to take them to the Open House on January 21.

Methodist Home for ChildrenYou can help to see that the children served by the Methodist Home for

Children will be given nice Christmas gifts this year. Unwrapped toys, games, and books for all ages will be gathered at the Advent Family Night on December 2 or can be brought to church on December 9. Gift cards and wrapping paper are also needed.

Covenant Missionary SupportWe support Becky Parsons with $300 per year. Becky is a Church and Community Worker in Roanoke, VA. Please remember her in your prayers. You can e-mail her with a message of encouragement and Christmas greetings at beck12_98@yahoo.com.

New MissionariesEight new United Methodist missionaries were recently commissioned by the General Board of Global Missions. They join 316 missionaries in 60 countries. Mary Escobar will be going to Paraguay as the first United Methodist missionary to that country. The others are heading to Congo, Central Africa, Tokyo, Syracuse, and Oklahoma.

Missionaries in Israel/PalestineThrough our Connectional Ministry support of the World Service Fund, we are helping to support five missionaries in the Holy Land. Janet Lahr Lewis and Kristen Brown are heading up the new Methodist Liaison Office which opened in October in

Jerusalem. It is a partnership with Palestinian Christians, the World Methodist Council, the General Board of Global Missions, and the Methodist Church of Britain. Alex Awad is a Palestinian Christian serving with his wife Brenda in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. John Daniel Gore is a young adult working with the Palestinian Conflict Transformation Center. Please remember them in your prayers during these challenging times in the land of Christ’s birth.

DISCIPLE I - IS ALMOST READY TO GRADUATE!

We are pleased to announce that our DISICPLE I class: “Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study” has completed 31 of its 34 week study and will be ending their sessions with a daylong retreat on Spiritual Disciples and Discernment of where God is leading each of us in our Discipleship. Please keep this group in your prayers as they conclude this study. They are considering another Study in the New Year. Please speak to Pastor Mary Jane if you would like to become part of this Bible Study Group. You will find the study refreshing and a real blessing to your journey of faith.