FUMC Wausau - December 2014 Messenger

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DECEMBER

2014

FROM PASTOR JERRY’S DESK

Both Gods

In the history of religion – all religion, not just Christianity – there have been

two different ways to imagine God. Many religions stress that God is utterly

different from us, completely beyond our understanding, separated from our

puny humanity by an unimaginable gulf. Others see God as sort of like us,

just bigger and more powerful. The first sort of God is more awe-inspiring;

the second sort is more approachable.

I should illustrate. Take, for instance, Zeus, the chief god of Greek religion.

Zeus is very big and very strong, but in the Greek stories he also has a very

human weakness for pretty human girls - lots of them – and an understand-

able fear of his wife, Hera. Powerful, yes, but with recognizable weaknesses

and emotions. By contrast, Persian religion, Islam, and Enlightenment Deism

usually describe God as being beyond human categories. This God exists

above our sordid weaknesses, ignorance, and emotional instability. This God

is worthy of worship, but is not someone you make friends with. Frankly,

this God is sort of scary.

What about the God of our Bible, the one revered in Judaism and

Christianity? Well, we don’t seem to know what we want. On the one hand,

the creation account in Genesis describes God as making the universe simply

by speaking it into being. The Ten Commandments stress that there is one

God and we are not to make any likenesses of that God or compare God to

anything on earth, including us. So we definitely have the God that is beyond

our understanding. But the same books describe God walking in the Garden

with Adam and Eve, eating dinner with Abraham and Sarah, choosing one

nation for a special task, and making a covenant with that people – just like

people make contracts with each other. In the books of the prophets, we hear

God crying out with anguish and indecision, frustrated with the way the

people have broken the covenant, but wanting to forgive them and take them

back. All very emotional – God seems to be like humans but more so.

All this leads us toward Christmas. Really. Because, you see, the basic

teaching of this season is that God is both. God is utterly beyond our

understanding and yet entered our world, our time, to become not just

comparable to us but rather one of us. Our God both transcends human

categories and experienced them. This God is not only impossibly stronger

than us, but became a frail and dependant creature among us. The core of our

teaching at Christmas time is that both perspectives are valid. Both are right,

but neither is sufficient by itself.

We still don’t know what we want. Some Christians still want a God of

impossible power that looms in majesty above our puniness, while others

seem to want a God who is their best friend and with whom they can just

hang out.

Neither is wrong. Here’s what Christmas means: God is both.

Christmas Eve Services

A Celebration of Christ’s Gift to the World

With Holy Communion and the new original short

story: “His Own Knew Him Not”

2:00pm Daylight Service*

4:00pm Family Service (with candle-lighting)*

8:00pm Festival Service (with candle-lighting)*

Sunday, December 28

8:00am - Morning Chapel

10:00am - Worship

“The Search for Meaning”

Ecclesiastes 1:1-11; 2:13-24

*We observe Open Communion. All are welcome at

God’s table.

Sunday, December 7, Second Sunday of Advent

8:00am - Morning Chapel with Communion*

10:00am - Worship with Communion*

“Why Do We Sing at Christmas?”

Colossians 3:12-17

Coffee Hour in Wesleyan Room, Decorating Sanctuary

Sunday, December 14, Third Sunday of Advent

8:00am - No Morning Chapel this week

10:00am - Worship

Lessons & Carols Service Jubilate Bells, Chancel Choir

Cookie Walk and The Mission Store in Fellowship

Hall, beginning at 9:00 am

Sunday, December 21


10:00am - Worship

“Children and Christmas”

Children’s Christmas Program

Church Purpose:Church Purpose:Church Purpose:

Live and Share God's LoveLive and Share God's Love

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WAUSAU, WI 54403

The Messenger First United Methodist Church of Wausau

903 Third Street

Wausau, WI 54403

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Phone 715 842-2201 Website: www.fumcwausau.org

Preparations are well underway for the Advent and Christmas season! Beyond the music, decorations, shopping, baking and the hustle and bustle of the season - the question is posed - “Is Your Heart Prepared for a King?” Advent is a season for prayer and reforming our hearts. Since it comes during the winter, fire is a fitting sign to help us celebrate Advent...If Christ is to come more fully into our lives this Christmas, if God is to become really incarnate for us, then fire will have to be present in our prayers. Our worship will have to stoke the kind of fire in our souls that can truly change our hearts.

LONGING - WAITING - SILENCE - STILLNESS - HOPE - EXPECTATION

MUSIC & WORSHIP ARTS IN DECEMBER:

Sunday, 11/30 - 8:00am and 10:00am services “Imagining Incarnation”

Sunday, 12/7 - 8:00am and 10:00am services

“Why Do We Sing at Christmas?” Communion

Sunday, 12/14 - 10:00am service only

“Festival of Lessons and Carols” featuring the

FUMC Chancel Choir, Jubilate Bells, Brass Choir, and Orchestral Strings

Sunday, 12/21 - 8:00am - service in the Chapel 10:00 am - Sunday School Christmas Program

and birthday party for Jesus

Wednesday, 12/24

Christmas Eve Worship Services

All services will feature an original story by Gerald Morris

“His Own Knew Him Not”

2:00pm - Daylight service with Communion

4:00pm - Family friendly service Candle Lighting and Communion 8:00pm - Festival Candle Light

Service, with Communion, Chancel Choir and Ensembles, Candle

Lighting Thursday, 12/25 Christmas

Day 46th Annual Community

Christmas Dinner at 12:00pm St. Paul’s UCC

Dine-in - NO carry out

STAFF Pastor: Gerald Morris [email protected]

Music Ministry Coordinator: Susan Hamilton [email protected]

Faith Formation Coordinator: Leo Jacoby [email protected] Building Engineer: Andy White

Accounts & Records Supervisor: Karen Kellbach [email protected]

Secretary: Arlene Trull [email protected]

HANDBELL FESTIVAL - November 8, 2014 First Presbyterian Church

DON’T BUG ME CONFERENCE - Remi Taylor, Cooper Stamp and Allie Majernik

EMPTY BOWLS PROJECT

2014 THANKSGIVING SUNDAY

Page 10

Resources for Ministry Financial Update - October 2014 YTD

FUMC Wired

Website: fumcwausau.org

With links to the weekly sermon

(text and podcast)

facebook.com/WausauFUMC

WiFi Network: FUMC Public

(password: fumcpublic)

Revenue Expense

Pledged Offering $ 199,357.90 Salaries & Benefits $ 192,066.09

Non-Pledged Offering $ 38,981.18 Programming $ 26,266.11

Other Other $ 36,002.10 Apportionments to Conference $ 45,790.00

Building Operating Expenses $ 55,822.46

Total Revenue $ 274,341.18 $ 319,944.66

Net YTD $ -45,603.48

YTD 2014 Pledged & Non-Pledged Offerings compared to YTD 2013 749.40 lower

YTD 2014 Total Expenses compared to YTD 2013 3,383.92 lower

YTD 2014 Other Income compared to YTD 2013 2,615.28 higher

Are Pre-Paid Pledges Right for You This Year?

If you intend to itemize deductions on your 2014 taxes, one

option for you is to “pre-pay” on your 2015 Pledge. You can

increase your charitable giving for this tax year, and your gift

will be counted on next year’s pledge at the church. (If

you’re using the Standard Deduction in 2014, this won’t help

you.)

To do this, your gift must be in the office by December 31.

We cannot count gifts as having come in 2014 after we have

closed the books for the year.

Talking about Money

We do it a lot at this time of year, and it may get old, but we

like to see our books balance at the end of the year as much

as you do. As you can tell from the chart above, that will be a

challenge. After a strong August and September, we

stumbled a bit in October. And whatever the chart above

says, this is about where we were last year.

The good news is that November and December are

traditionally two of our three highest revenue months (along

with whichever month has Easter in it). And early giving in

November is encouragingly strong.

You should have just received one of the regular updates on

your giving for the year. If you pledged this year, take a look

at where you are on your pledge. We are here for the sake of

ministry. All of us can have a hand in that, both in person,

and by means of financial support. Thank you for both ways

that you serve.

Thank You from Jerry

As most of you know, I have been involved in

the long process of being officially approved

as an elder in the Wisconsin Conference of the

United Methodist Church. Because I was

ordained a Southern Baptist, and not a United

Methodist, I’ve had to go through a testing and

seasoning process.

This process has been demanding for you, too,

as I’ve had to go away to take classes two

different Januaries and last fall added 20 hours

a week to my church schedule in order to

complete Clinical Pastoral Education.

On November 4-5, I interviewed with the

Board of Ordained Ministry, and I have been

approved. Thank you for your amazing support

over the past three years.

CARE

Page 3

Savvy Seniors

will meet at

11:30am at on Monday. December 1,

at Jenny’s Restaurant on Grand Ave.

Milestones

Deaths: We grieve this month with

the loss of these members of our

church or of our families.

Lura Bangle, long-time member of

this congregation, died on October

27 in California. We pray for her

family and her many friends.

Allison Turner, daughter of Mike

and Nancy Turner, died on October

31. Please pray for Mike and Nancy

and Allison’s brother, Steve, as

they grieve in this sudden loss.

The father of Janet Wyrick, Irving

George, died November 15th in

Spring Hill, Florida. We pray for

Janet, William & Kevin and their

families.

Births: Ken & Marian Attoe

welcomed a new graddaughter,

Penelope Marie Attoe, born

November 8th to their son & his

wife in Jacksonville, FL.

Advent Worship and Fellowship The annual Advent Worship and Fellowship is just around the corner! This year’s event will be on Tuesday, December 2. It will begin at 7:00pm in the Memorial Chapel, with a service on “Christmas Hymns.” The fellowship time will be in the Parlor immediately after the worship service. The Advent Worship and Fellowship is sponsored by the United Methodist Women, but it is open to all women and girls. Regardless of whether you are a member of UMW or ever will be, come out and celebrate Advent with the women of our church.

* Signifies an honored elder in a senior facility. We invite you this month to

remember these members in your prayers.

1 Eugene Brandenburg Madeline Opper Sheila Lentz-Krahn Joe Schreiber 6 Sandy McCrory Roxanne Wenzel Tony Gokey 7 Lynne Sydow Betsy Duginski 8 Tricia Emmerich 9 Yvonne Firary Carrie Hockerman 10 Heather Vannes 11 Carroll Pieper Arthur Chang Kris Lahren 13 Maryanne McNutt Steven McNutt Charlie Strong

14 Sharon Gisselman Stan Schacht Lois Susor 15 Dakota Vannes Linny Smith 16 Robert Bauer 18 Dean Marquardt 19 Dave Carlson C. Merrill McMahan Andy White Mark Bauer Brynn Schepp 20 Chad Decker Maddie Eckardt Beth Burke Holly Zahn 21 Herm Krahn 23 Ann Johnson

24 Vicki Nowaczyk 26 Bella Jauch 28 Dennis Carey 29 Anita Gerber Meredith Majernik 30 Isaac Wilde Michael Lattimer Samuel Edmondson Benton Edmondson Amanda Karl Sue Majernik 31 Krystal Costello Nancy Bogumill Sara Koss Darlene Lee

CARE / OUTREACH

UNITED

METHODIST

WOMEN

Upcoming Events:

December 2

7:00pm - Advent Worship &

Fellowship - Chapel & Parlor

December 3

Sunshine Gals

9:30am - The Gardens

10:45am - Mt. View

December 4

6:30pm - Executive Committee -

B. K. Smith Room

December 11

9:00am - Cookie Baking Day -

Fellowship Hall

December 14

9:00am - Cookie Walk - Fellowship

Hall

Page 4

Mission Store, December 14

Once again, our biggest day of Advent Worship

is also a day of mission and outreach. On December 14,

after Lessons and Carols, come to the Fellowship Hall to shop

for Christmas at the Mission Store and support the Third World artisans

who supply this ministry.

COOKIE WALK: December 14 – 9:00am to Noon - LESSONS AND CAROLS SUNDAY

If you're looking for a no-bake way to have a huge variety of cookies, candies, breads and

snacks, please come to the UMW Cookie Walk in the Fellowship Hall on December 14th. Many

United Methodist Women bakers contribute their specialties. Think of someone who would

enjoy a Christmas treat and surprise them with our treats! It's a win-win, because the profits

go to our mission work and you get to enjoy our specialties. If you wish to donate cookies, quick

breads, holiday treats or candy to help us, they can be brought to the church on Saturday

December 13th – 9:00am to Noon. Any questions, please call Nancy Flath at 715-446-3252.

COOKIE BAKING DAY – December 11

The United Methodist Women will be working on a mission

project on Thursday, December 11 – 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.??

or whenever we're done in the afternoon!! We're looking for

cookie bakers. We will provide the cookie dough and

equipment; or if you have a favorite recipe or two, bring it

along.

Please join us in fellowship for any time on that day. Bring a

sack lunch and any dough or cookie cutters. If there is time

and we have cookie decorators, we will finish the cutouts.

The cookies will be made for our fundraiser – the COOKIE

WALK on December 14th. Any remaining cookies at the sale

will go to the Community Christmas Dinner. Any questions,

please call Nancy Flath at 715-446-3252.

WANTED: Yarn and/or money for

the Paryer Shawl Group’s ministry.

Page 9

Disciples in the Making ...All the Time

Three Wednesday Advent Nights Advent is here! You are invited to spend some CORE time together reflecting on the deep mystery we celebrate on Christ-mas. Gary Getzin will lead an informal study, “A Discussion of the Incarnation” on Wednesdays, 6:15-7:15pm, December 3, 10 & 17 in the B. K. Smith Room.

Pastor Jerry has already triggered our thinking with his sermon on the First Sunday of Advent, Nov. 30; and with his cover message in this Messenger.

For readers, Gary has provided, in the Parlor, copies of a booklet, “What Is the Incarnation?” by William B. Evans. You can also search the church library and online for other resources about what Madeline L’Engle used for one of her book titles, “The Glorious Impossible.”

A light meal is available at 5:30pm—soup (starting with UMW chili from their Nov. 23 sale), plus “potluck” salads, breads and desserts you choose to bring and share.

Child Advent activities are offered during these three evening formation hours, beginning at 6:15pm.

Community Hymn Sing FUMC will host a second round of

this popular activity from 4-5pm on Sunday, December 7. As the name suggests, it will be a sing-a-long, and Susan Hamilton will accompany. It’s a great chance to come together and sing favorite hymns, including seasonal songs and carols.

Invite your friends! We will start with a few chosen hymns sitting around the fireplace, and then there will be an opportunity to take re-quests. Time for refreshment and fellowship will follow. Call Nancy Runner, 715-298-0615, for more information.

Spending CORE Time Together The two events described above, plus an October series

on prayer, are examples of how members responded to an invitation last Fall to take an initiative and invite others to focus on one or more of our CORE values.

On a daily basis, we can practice Care, Formation, Worship, and Outreach in our personal lives. But it’s also good to spend CORE time together, and not just at weekly worship or programs initiated by staff.

By all means, make suggestions to staff what kind of programming you would like to see offered Wednesday nights or other times. Also consider what invitation you can create for “two or three” to gather a few times from January thru March. Share your invitation by mid-December to be announced in the next Messenger.

Children’s Christmas Program Each class of children and youth are planning a way to

share the Christmas message during 10:00am worship service on December 21, the fourth Sunday of Advent.

Don’t expect the popular and hilarious "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" by Barbara Robinson (titled "The Worst Kids in the World" in Australia, New Zealand and the UK.) Be prepared to sing and enjoy some of the many talents our “Best Kids in the World” will share.

Rehearsals will be scheduled on Wednesday evening, December 17, for each class as needed.

Sunday school for children and youth will be in recess December 28, and resume January 4. We welcome Wes Ebert who has offered to teach 8th grade and older.

Report on November 7-8 Lock-in Karli Johnson, Zoë Martin, Chloé Larson, Rachel

Zahrt, Allie Majernik, Linnea Baraboo, Ali Buul, Lincoln Larson, London Larson and adult chaperones Jen Marzu, Deb Martin and Leo Jacoby called FUMC home for one night. Evening activity included games, the Disney movie Maleficent, and chapel vespers. We were all sleeping at a decent hour! In the morning we discovered our youth are pretty good breakfast cooks. Watch for another Lock-in in January, perhaps connected with Shabbat, January 23.

CAN YOU HELP? The Aesthetics Committee and Board of Trustees are

holding a work day on Saturday, December 6th. Please email Sue Kissinger at [email protected] if they can count on your assistance in one of these two projects:

Fellowship Hall painting — beginning at 7:00am, Brian Rohland will be heading up the painting of Fellow-ship Hall. They will need help with spreading plastic, taping, painting the lower parts of the walls/trim and moving the scaffolding. Brian and his friend will be painting the ceiling and upper parts of the walls, so adult volunteers will not be up on the scaffolding.

Sanctuary & Chapel cleaning — beginning at 9:00am to prepare for Christmas, we will be polishing the woodwork, vacuuming the pews, cleaning the altar and organizing the pew hymnals and bibles. Please bring your vacuums, especially hand held ones. Other cleaning sup-plies (rags, furniture polish, etc.) will be supplied. Youth volunteers are welcome on this project. Let’s “Prepare the Way of the Lord!”—with donuts, coffee & juice :)

Concert Opportunity The Central Wisconsin Master Chorale directed, by

Dan Larson, presents Bach’s Magnificat, plus seasonal carols with the Suzuki Institute Choir at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 709 Weston Ave, Saturday, December 6, 7:30pm. Advance concert tickets (age 18 and younger are free) available in the Office or from (bass) Leo.

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FAITH FORMATION

Page 8

God Is Forming All of Us...

Don’t Bug Me! Report Remi Taylor, Cooper Stamp, and I attended the "Don't

Bug Me" Imagine No Malaria Campaign Conference in the Dells on Saturday, November 15th. (See pictures on inside cover page.) We participated in playing Malaria Jeopardy where we learned some shocking facts about how malaria affects people of all ages, especially the children, in Africa. We also learned how to help our home church raise money to provide the people of Africa with much needed bed nets, medicine, and education. There were more than 500 people in attendance and we met some new friends from a church in Madison. It was a great experience! — By Allie Majernik

MALARIA JEOPARDY—Take the Challenge!

At the Imagine No Malaria display in the Parlor, you

can find a more challenging set of answers/questions.

Prevention

100 Q: What is the best way to protect yourself from

malaria? 200 Q: Where can you go to find a new mosquito

net? 300 Q: What is an LLIN? 400 Q: What is IRS?

General Malaria

100 Q: What percentage of people in Rwanda are at risk of

malaria? 200 Q: True or False: It is not possible to

eliminate malaria. 300 Q: Name three high-risk groups

for malaria 400 Q: What district in Rwanda has the

most cases of malaria?

Science

100 Q: What animal transmits the malaria parasite?

200 Q: What is the name of the parasite that causes

malaria? 300 Q: Name three symptoms of malaria?

400 Q: Where do mosquitoes lay their eggs?

Testing and Treatment

100 Q: If you begin to show symptoms of malaria, when

must you go to the health center? 200 Q: Name two

places where you can be tested for malaria. 300 Q: When

the doctor gives you medicine for malaria, for how many

days must you take it? 400 Q: Name one way to test for

malaria.

Jesse Tree (Jesus’ Family Tree) Come, Lord Jesus and be born in our hearts! Reading

these scriptures and crafting symbols for each day is a great way to prepare for Christ. The given symbols are suggestions only—be creative or find examples of patterns online.

Dec. 1 Creation: Gen. 1:1-31; 2:1-4 sun, moon, stars, animals, earth Dec. 2 Adam & Eve: Gen. 2:7-9, 18-24 tree, man/woman Dec. 3 Fall of Man: Gen. 3:1-7 and 23-24 tree, serpent, Apple with bite

Dec. 4 Noah: Gen. 6:5-8, 13-22; 7:17, 23, 24; 8:1, 6-22 ark, animals, dove, rainbow

Dec. 5 Abraham: Gen. 12:1-3 torch, sword, mountain Dec. 6 Isaac: Gen. 22:1-14 bundle of wood, altar, ram in bush

Dec. 7 Jacob: Gen. 25:1-34; 28:10-15 kettle, ladder Dec. 8 Joseph: Gen. 25:1-34; 28:10-15 bucket, well, silver coins, tunic Dec. 9 Moses: Ex. 2:1-10 baby in basket, river and rushes Dec. 10 Samuel: 1 Sam. 3:1-18 lamp, temple Dec. 11 Jesse: 1 Sam. 16:1-13 crimson robe, shepherd's

staff Dec. 12 David: 1 Sam. 17:12-51 slingshot, 6-pointed star Dec. 13 Solomon: 1 Kings 3:5-14, 16-28 scales of justice, temple, two babies and sword

Dec. 14 Joseph: Matt. 1:18-25 hammer, saw, chisel, angle

Dec. 15 Mary: Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38 lily, crown of stars, pierced heart

Dec. 16 John the Baptist: Mark 1:1-8 shell &water, river

Come, Lord Jesus Preparation intensifies with use of the "O" Antiphons:

Dec. 17 O Sapientia Jesus is Wisdom: Sirach 24:2 (or Ecclesiasticus in old Bibles) Wisdom 8:1 oil lamp, open book Dec. 18 O Adonai Jesus is Lord: Ex. 3:2; 20:1 burning bush, stone tablets

Dec. 19 O Radix Jesse Jesus is Flower of Jesse: Isaiah 11:1-3 flower, plant with flower

Dec. 20 O Clavis David Jesus is Key of David: Isaiah 22:22 key, broken chains Dec. 21 O Oriens Jesus is the Radiant Dawn: Psalm 19:6-7 (some Bibles: may be Psalm 18) sun rising or high in sky

Dec. 22 O Rex Gentium Jesus is King of the Gentiles: Psalm 2:7-8; Ephesians 2:14-20 crown, scepter Dec. 23 O Emmanuel Jesus is Emmanuel: Isaiah 7:14; 33:22 tablets of stone, chalice and host

Dec. 24 Jesus is Light of the World: John 1:1-14 candle, flame, sun

Find more Advent ideas at www.umc.org/advent

OUTREACH

Imagine No Malaria

I know. This was last month’s mission offering. Are we still doing

this? Yes, we are. Because it’s worth doing. Because we can make a

difference. Because it should have been done a long time ago.

That’s right. Malaria used to be the scourge of Louisiana, Florida,

and other southern states of our own nation. But Malaria was

completely eradicated in our country over 50 years ago. So it’s

possible. So why is it that in sub-Saharan Africa someone still dies

of Malaria every 60 seconds?

We are surrounded by world problems that seem to have no

solution. No one has a cure for Ebola. No one seems to know what

to do with religious extremists from Islam, Judaism, or Christianity.

No can get the Palestinians and the Israelis to talk. But this is a

problem that we know how to solve. We’ve done it before. And if

we know how to eradicate a disease . . . why is it that 627,000

people died of that disease last year?

Our youth department has taken on this challenge. Expect to hear

from them. Expect to be challenged by them. Expect to have many

more opportunities to help. Because this one we can do. Every $10

we give buys a mosquito net and saves a life. Our small change

helps support massive education and treatment efforts.

Here’s the good news. We’re already

making a difference. In 2007, a million

people died, so in five years we’ve cut

fatalities by over a third. Here’s the bad

news: 627,000 deaths in a year is not

something to brag about.

P.S. Remember our mission offering for

October, Paul Webster and the Mujilla

Falls project in Zambia? Pray for Paul.

He has Malaria again.

December Mission Offering

Community Christmas

Dinner

As reported last month, this year

the Community Christmas Dinner

will be held at St. Paul’s United

Church of Christ, under the

directorship of Dawn Sapp, who

has been one of the key leaders of

the dinner for years, and who is a

member at that church.

Since Doris Huckbody began the

dinner, nearly 50 years ago, it has

been held here at First UMC, but it

has been a community-wide

project, with ecumenical leader-

ship for most of those years. While

we continue to be intimately in-

volved in the ministry, this year

for the first time we will not host

it.

A part of our continuing

involvement is that, following the

tradition of many years, we are

dedicating our December mission

offering to helping underwrite the

expenses of feeding 200 people on

Christmas Day.

Volunteers are welcome, too, but

this year the dinner will only be

served on-site, so there will be no

need for drivers to deliver meals.

Bring 4th Food, Mosinee UMC

This month, our Fourth Sunday food collection will go to the Community Center of

Hope, which is associated with the Mosinee United Methodist Church. This ministry

center is one of the newer food banks in our area, but it is the only one in the Mosinee

area. They are serving an average of 500 people every month, offering not only the non-

perishable food items that we and others collect but also fresh fruits and meats donated

by businesses all over Marathon (and even Lincoln) counties. The CCH also has a thrift

shop and will accept used clothing donations. You may drop off clothing donations here

at First any time, and we will take them down when we have a full load.

Page 5

DECEMBER 2014 Next Month

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1

11:30am Savvy Seniors 3:00pm Communion, The Gar-dens 6:00pm Staff-Parish Relations Committee 6:00pm Yoga 6:30pm Finance

2

10:00am Program Staff 2:00pm Mt View Chapel Service 3:00pm Kennedy Park Chapel 7:00pm Ladies' Advent Worship & Fellowship

3

9:30am Sunshine Gals 5:30pm Light Meal 6:00pm Jubilate Bells 6:15pm "The Incarnation" Study 6:15pm Child Advent Activities 7:30pm Chancel Choir

4

8:30am AA 10:30am PNC Steering Committee 6:30pm UMW Executive Committee

5

Office Closed

6

7:00am Fellowship Hall Painting/Work Day

7

8:00am Morning Chapel - Communion 8:45am Education Hour 10:00am New Life UMC Worship - Chapel 10:00am Worship - Communion 11:00am Coffee Hour - Wesleyan Room Decorate Sanctuary after Worship 1:00pm Grapevine Faith Alliance Worship 4:00pm Community Hymn Sing 4:00pm Community Meal - First Presbyterian Church

8

6:00pm Yoga

9

10:00am Full Staff 1:00pm Personal Needs Closet Open 5:30pm Board of Trustees

10

5:30pm Light Meal 6:15pm "The Incarnation" Study 6:30pm Jubilate Bells 7:30pm Chancel Choir

11

8:30am AA 9:00am Cookie Baking 2:00pm Worship - Forest Park 5:45pm Love Hope UMW Circle

12

Office Closed

13

8:30am Chancel Choir Dress Rehearsal 9:00am Set up for Cookie Walk 10:00am Jubilate Bells Dress Rehearsal

14

8:45am Education Hour 9:00am Cookie Walk 9:00am The Mission Store 10:00am New Life UMC Worship - Chapel 10:00am Worship - "Lessons & Carols" 11:00am Coffee Hour 1:00pm Grapevine Faith Alliance Worship

15

8:00am Messenger Articles Due 6:00pm Yoga 7:00pm Ministries Council

16

10:00am Program Staff 6:00pm Staff-Parish Relations Committee 7:00pm Finance Committee

17

Bishop Jung's Visit (tent) 5:30pm Light Meal 6:15pm “The Incarnation" Study 6:30pm Jubilate Bells 7:30pm Chancel Choir

18

Bishop Jung's Visit (tent) 8:30am AA 10:30am Downtown Memory Cafe 6:00pm Missions Team 6:30pm Worship Design Team

19

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21

8:00am Morning Chapel 8:45am Education Hour 10:00am New Life UMC Worship - Chapel 10:00am Worship - Children's Christmas Program 11:00am Coffee Hour 1:00pm Grapevine Faith Alliance Worship

22

6:00pm Yoga

23

24 CHRISTMAS EVE 2:00pm Daylight Christmas Eve Worship 4:00pm Family Christmas Eve Worship 8:00pm Traditional Christmas Eve Worship

25 CHRISTMAS DAY Office Closed 8:30am AA 12:00pm Community Christmas Dinner at St. Pauls UCC

26

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9:00am Personal Needs Closet open

28 BRING 4th FOOD SUNDAY 8:00am Morning Chapel 8:45am Education Hour 10:00am New Life UMC Worship - Chapel 10:00am Worship 11:00am Coffee Hour 1:00pm Grapevine Faith Alliance Worship

29

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31 NEW YEAR'S EVE DAY

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Page 8

God Is Forming All of Us...

Don’t Bug Me! Report Remi Taylor, Cooper Stamp, and I attended the "Don't

Bug Me" Imagine No Malaria Campaign Conference in the Dells on Saturday, November 15th. (See pictures on inside cover page.) We participated in playing Malaria Jeopardy where we learned some shocking facts about how malaria affects people of all ages, especially the children, in Africa. We also learned how to help our home church raise money to provide the people of Africa with much needed bed nets, medicine, and education. There were more than 500 people in attendance and we met some new friends from a church in Madison. It was a great experience! — By Allie Majernik

MALARIA JEOPARDY—Take the Challenge!

At the Imagine No Malaria display in the Parlor, you

can find a more challenging set of answers/questions.

Prevention

100 Q: What is the best way to protect yourself from

malaria? 200 Q: Where can you go to find a new mosquito

net? 300 Q: What is an LLIN? 400 Q: What is IRS?

General Malaria

100 Q: What percentage of people in Rwanda are at risk of

malaria? 200 Q: True or False: It is not possible to

eliminate malaria. 300 Q: Name three high-risk groups

for malaria 400 Q: What district in Rwanda has the

most cases of malaria?

Science

100 Q: What animal transmits the malaria parasite?

200 Q: What is the name of the parasite that causes

malaria? 300 Q: Name three symptoms of malaria?

400 Q: Where do mosquitoes lay their eggs?

Testing and Treatment

100 Q: If you begin to show symptoms of malaria, when

must you go to the health center? 200 Q: Name two

places where you can be tested for malaria. 300 Q: When

the doctor gives you medicine for malaria, for how many

days must you take it? 400 Q: Name one way to test for

malaria.

Jesse Tree (Jesus’ Family Tree) Come, Lord Jesus and be born in our hearts! Reading

these scriptures and crafting symbols for each day is a great way to prepare for Christ. The given symbols are suggestions only—be creative or find examples of patterns online.

Dec. 1 Creation: Gen. 1:1-31; 2:1-4 sun, moon, stars, animals, earth Dec. 2 Adam & Eve: Gen. 2:7-9, 18-24 tree, man/woman Dec. 3 Fall of Man: Gen. 3:1-7 and 23-24 tree, serpent, Apple with bite

Dec. 4 Noah: Gen. 6:5-8, 13-22; 7:17, 23, 24; 8:1, 6-22 ark, animals, dove, rainbow

Dec. 5 Abraham: Gen. 12:1-3 torch, sword, mountain Dec. 6 Isaac: Gen. 22:1-14 bundle of wood, altar, ram in bush

Dec. 7 Jacob: Gen. 25:1-34; 28:10-15 kettle, ladder Dec. 8 Joseph: Gen. 25:1-34; 28:10-15 bucket, well, silver coins, tunic Dec. 9 Moses: Ex. 2:1-10 baby in basket, river and rushes Dec. 10 Samuel: 1 Sam. 3:1-18 lamp, temple Dec. 11 Jesse: 1 Sam. 16:1-13 crimson robe, shepherd's

staff Dec. 12 David: 1 Sam. 17:12-51 slingshot, 6-pointed star Dec. 13 Solomon: 1 Kings 3:5-14, 16-28 scales of justice, temple, two babies and sword

Dec. 14 Joseph: Matt. 1:18-25 hammer, saw, chisel, angle

Dec. 15 Mary: Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38 lily, crown of stars, pierced heart

Dec. 16 John the Baptist: Mark 1:1-8 shell &water, river

Come, Lord Jesus Preparation intensifies with use of the "O" Antiphons:

Dec. 17 O Sapientia Jesus is Wisdom: Sirach 24:2 (or Ecclesiasticus in old Bibles) Wisdom 8:1 oil lamp, open book Dec. 18 O Adonai Jesus is Lord: Ex. 3:2; 20:1 burning bush, stone tablets

Dec. 19 O Radix Jesse Jesus is Flower of Jesse: Isaiah 11:1-3 flower, plant with flower

Dec. 20 O Clavis David Jesus is Key of David: Isaiah 22:22 key, broken chains Dec. 21 O Oriens Jesus is the Radiant Dawn: Psalm 19:6-7 (some Bibles: may be Psalm 18) sun rising or high in sky

Dec. 22 O Rex Gentium Jesus is King of the Gentiles: Psalm 2:7-8; Ephesians 2:14-20 crown, scepter Dec. 23 O Emmanuel Jesus is Emmanuel: Isaiah 7:14; 33:22 tablets of stone, chalice and host

Dec. 24 Jesus is Light of the World: John 1:1-14 candle, flame, sun

Find more Advent ideas at www.umc.org/advent

OUTREACH

Imagine No Malaria

I know. This was last month’s mission offering. Are we still doing

this? Yes, we are. Because it’s worth doing. Because we can make a

difference. Because it should have been done a long time ago.

That’s right. Malaria used to be the scourge of Louisiana, Florida,

and other southern states of our own nation. But Malaria was

completely eradicated in our country over 50 years ago. So it’s

possible. So why is it that in sub-Saharan Africa someone still dies

of Malaria every 60 seconds?

We are surrounded by world problems that seem to have no

solution. No one has a cure for Ebola. No one seems to know what

to do with religious extremists from Islam, Judaism, or Christianity.

No can get the Palestinians and the Israelis to talk. But this is a

problem that we know how to solve. We’ve done it before. And if

we know how to eradicate a disease . . . why is it that 627,000

people died of that disease last year?

Our youth department has taken on this challenge. Expect to hear

from them. Expect to be challenged by them. Expect to have many

more opportunities to help. Because this one we can do. Every $10

we give buys a mosquito net and saves a life. Our small change

helps support massive education and treatment efforts.

Here’s the good news. We’re already

making a difference. In 2007, a million

people died, so in five years we’ve cut

fatalities by over a third. Here’s the bad

news: 627,000 deaths in a year is not

something to brag about.

P.S. Remember our mission offering for

October, Paul Webster and the Mujilla

Falls project in Zambia? Pray for Paul.

He has Malaria again.

December Mission Offering

Community Christmas

Dinner

As reported last month, this year

the Community Christmas Dinner

will be held at St. Paul’s United

Church of Christ, under the

directorship of Dawn Sapp, who

has been one of the key leaders of

the dinner for years, and who is a

member at that church.

Since Doris Huckbody began the

dinner, nearly 50 years ago, it has

been held here at First UMC, but it

has been a community-wide

project, with ecumenical leader-

ship for most of those years. While

we continue to be intimately in-

volved in the ministry, this year

for the first time we will not host

it.

A part of our continuing

involvement is that, following the

tradition of many years, we are

dedicating our December mission

offering to helping underwrite the

expenses of feeding 200 people on

Christmas Day.

Volunteers are welcome, too, but

this year the dinner will only be

served on-site, so there will be no

need for drivers to deliver meals.

Bring 4th Food, Mosinee UMC

This month, our Fourth Sunday food collection will go to the Community Center of

Hope, which is associated with the Mosinee United Methodist Church. This ministry

center is one of the newer food banks in our area, but it is the only one in the Mosinee

area. They are serving an average of 500 people every month, offering not only the non-

perishable food items that we and others collect but also fresh fruits and meats donated

by businesses all over Marathon (and even Lincoln) counties. The CCH also has a thrift

shop and will accept used clothing donations. You may drop off clothing donations here

at First any time, and we will take them down when we have a full load.

Page 5

CARE / OUTREACH

UNITED

METHODIST

WOMEN

Upcoming Events:

December 2

7:00pm - Advent Worship &

Fellowship - Chapel & Parlor

December 3

Sunshine Gals

9:30am - The Gardens

10:45am - Mt. View

December 4

6:30pm - Executive Committee -

B. K. Smith Room

December 11

9:00am - Cookie Baking Day -

Fellowship Hall

December 14

9:00am - Cookie Walk - Fellowship

Hall

Page 4

Mission Store, December 14

Once again, our biggest day of Advent Worship

is also a day of mission and outreach. On December 14,

after Lessons and Carols, come to the Fellowship Hall to shop

for Christmas at the Mission Store and support the Third World artisans

who supply this ministry.

COOKIE WALK: December 14 – 9:00am to Noon - LESSONS AND CAROLS SUNDAY

If you're looking for a no-bake way to have a huge variety of cookies, candies, breads and

snacks, please come to the UMW Cookie Walk in the Fellowship Hall on December 14th. Many

United Methodist Women bakers contribute their specialties. Think of someone who would

enjoy a Christmas treat and surprise them with our treats! It's a win-win, because the profits

go to our mission work and you get to enjoy our specialties. If you wish to donate cookies, quick

breads, holiday treats or candy to help us, they can be brought to the church on Saturday

December 13th – 9:00am to Noon. Any questions, please call Nancy Flath at 715-446-3252.

COOKIE BAKING DAY – December 11

The United Methodist Women will be working on a mission

project on Thursday, December 11 – 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.??

or whenever we're done in the afternoon!! We're looking for

cookie bakers. We will provide the cookie dough and

equipment; or if you have a favorite recipe or two, bring it

along.

Please join us in fellowship for any time on that day. Bring a

sack lunch and any dough or cookie cutters. If there is time

and we have cookie decorators, we will finish the cutouts.

The cookies will be made for our fundraiser – the COOKIE

WALK on December 14th. Any remaining cookies at the sale

will go to the Community Christmas Dinner. Any questions,

please call Nancy Flath at 715-446-3252.

WANTED: Yarn and/or money for

the Paryer Shawl Group’s ministry.

Page 9

Disciples in the Making ...All the Time

Three Wednesday Advent Nights Advent is here! You are invited to spend some CORE time together reflecting on the deep mystery we celebrate on Christ-mas. Gary Getzin will lead an informal study, “A Discussion of the Incarnation” on Wednesdays, 6:15-7:15pm, December 3, 10 & 17 in the B. K. Smith Room.

Pastor Jerry has already triggered our thinking with his sermon on the First Sunday of Advent, Nov. 30; and with his cover message in this Messenger.

For readers, Gary has provided, in the Parlor, copies of a booklet, “What Is the Incarnation?” by William B. Evans. You can also search the church library and online for other resources about what Madeline L’Engle used for one of her book titles, “The Glorious Impossible.”

A light meal is available at 5:30pm—soup (starting with UMW chili from their Nov. 23 sale), plus “potluck” salads, breads and desserts you choose to bring and share.

Child Advent activities are offered during these three evening formation hours, beginning at 6:15pm.

Community Hymn Sing FUMC will host a second round of

this popular activity from 4-5pm on Sunday, December 7. As the name suggests, it will be a sing-a-long, and Susan Hamilton will accompany. It’s a great chance to come together and sing favorite hymns, including seasonal songs and carols.

Invite your friends! We will start with a few chosen hymns sitting around the fireplace, and then there will be an opportunity to take re-quests. Time for refreshment and fellowship will follow. Call Nancy Runner, 715-298-0615, for more information.

Spending CORE Time Together The two events described above, plus an October series

on prayer, are examples of how members responded to an invitation last Fall to take an initiative and invite others to focus on one or more of our CORE values.

On a daily basis, we can practice Care, Formation, Worship, and Outreach in our personal lives. But it’s also good to spend CORE time together, and not just at weekly worship or programs initiated by staff.

By all means, make suggestions to staff what kind of programming you would like to see offered Wednesday nights or other times. Also consider what invitation you can create for “two or three” to gather a few times from January thru March. Share your invitation by mid-December to be announced in the next Messenger.

Children’s Christmas Program Each class of children and youth are planning a way to

share the Christmas message during 10:00am worship service on December 21, the fourth Sunday of Advent.

Don’t expect the popular and hilarious "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" by Barbara Robinson (titled "The Worst Kids in the World" in Australia, New Zealand and the UK.) Be prepared to sing and enjoy some of the many talents our “Best Kids in the World” will share.

Rehearsals will be scheduled on Wednesday evening, December 17, for each class as needed.

Sunday school for children and youth will be in recess December 28, and resume January 4. We welcome Wes Ebert who has offered to teach 8th grade and older.

Report on November 7-8 Lock-in Karli Johnson, Zoë Martin, Chloé Larson, Rachel

Zahrt, Allie Majernik, Linnea Baraboo, Ali Buul, Lincoln Larson, London Larson and adult chaperones Jen Marzu, Deb Martin and Leo Jacoby called FUMC home for one night. Evening activity included games, the Disney movie Maleficent, and chapel vespers. We were all sleeping at a decent hour! In the morning we discovered our youth are pretty good breakfast cooks. Watch for another Lock-in in January, perhaps connected with Shabbat, January 23.

CAN YOU HELP? The Aesthetics Committee and Board of Trustees are

holding a work day on Saturday, December 6th. Please email Sue Kissinger at [email protected] if they can count on your assistance in one of these two projects:

Fellowship Hall painting — beginning at 7:00am, Brian Rohland will be heading up the painting of Fellow-ship Hall. They will need help with spreading plastic, taping, painting the lower parts of the walls/trim and moving the scaffolding. Brian and his friend will be painting the ceiling and upper parts of the walls, so adult volunteers will not be up on the scaffolding.

Sanctuary & Chapel cleaning — beginning at 9:00am to prepare for Christmas, we will be polishing the woodwork, vacuuming the pews, cleaning the altar and organizing the pew hymnals and bibles. Please bring your vacuums, especially hand held ones. Other cleaning sup-plies (rags, furniture polish, etc.) will be supplied. Youth volunteers are welcome on this project. Let’s “Prepare the Way of the Lord!”—with donuts, coffee & juice :)

Concert Opportunity The Central Wisconsin Master Chorale directed, by

Dan Larson, presents Bach’s Magnificat, plus seasonal carols with the Suzuki Institute Choir at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 709 Weston Ave, Saturday, December 6, 7:30pm. Advance concert tickets (age 18 and younger are free) available in the Office or from (bass) Leo.

Page 10

Resources for Ministry Financial Update - October 2014 YTD

FUMC Wired

Website: fumcwausau.org

With links to the weekly sermon

(text and podcast)

facebook.com/WausauFUMC

WiFi Network: FUMC Public

(password: fumcpublic)

Revenue Expense

Pledged Offering $ 199,357.90 Salaries & Benefits $ 192,066.09

Non-Pledged Offering $ 38,981.18 Programming $ 26,266.11

Other Other $ 36,002.10 Apportionments to Conference $ 45,790.00

Building Operating Expenses $ 55,822.46

Total Revenue $ 274,341.18 $ 319,944.66

Net YTD $ -45,603.48

YTD 2014 Pledged & Non-Pledged Offerings compared to YTD 2013 749.40 lower

YTD 2014 Total Expenses compared to YTD 2013 3,383.92 lower

YTD 2014 Other Income compared to YTD 2013 2,615.28 higher

Are Pre-Paid Pledges Right for You This Year?

If you intend to itemize deductions on your 2014 taxes, one

option for you is to “pre-pay” on your 2015 Pledge. You can

increase your charitable giving for this tax year, and your gift

will be counted on next year’s pledge at the church. (If

you’re using the Standard Deduction in 2014, this won’t help

you.)

To do this, your gift must be in the office by December 31.

We cannot count gifts as having come in 2014 after we have

closed the books for the year.

Talking about Money

We do it a lot at this time of year, and it may get old, but we

like to see our books balance at the end of the year as much

as you do. As you can tell from the chart above, that will be a

challenge. After a strong August and September, we

stumbled a bit in October. And whatever the chart above

says, this is about where we were last year.

The good news is that November and December are

traditionally two of our three highest revenue months (along

with whichever month has Easter in it). And early giving in

November is encouragingly strong.

You should have just received one of the regular updates on

your giving for the year. If you pledged this year, take a look

at where you are on your pledge. We are here for the sake of

ministry. All of us can have a hand in that, both in person,

and by means of financial support. Thank you for both ways

that you serve.

Thank You from Jerry

As most of you know, I have been involved in

the long process of being officially approved

as an elder in the Wisconsin Conference of the

United Methodist Church. Because I was

ordained a Southern Baptist, and not a United

Methodist, I’ve had to go through a testing and

seasoning process.

This process has been demanding for you, too,

as I’ve had to go away to take classes two

different Januaries and last fall added 20 hours

a week to my church schedule in order to

complete Clinical Pastoral Education.

On November 4-5, I interviewed with the

Board of Ordained Ministry, and I have been

approved. Thank you for your amazing support

over the past three years.

CARE

Page 3

Savvy Seniors

will meet at

11:30am at on Monday. December 1,

at Jenny’s Restaurant on Grand Ave.

Milestones

Deaths: We grieve this month with

the loss of these members of our

church or of our families.

Lura Bangle, long-time member of

this congregation, died on October

27 in California. We pray for her

family and her many friends.

Allison Turner, daughter of Mike

and Nancy Turner, died on October

31. Please pray for Mike and Nancy

and Allison’s brother, Steve, as

they grieve in this sudden loss.

The father of Janet Wyrick, Irving

George, died November 15th in

Spring Hill, Florida. We pray for

Janet, William & Kevin and their

families.

Births: Ken & Marian Attoe

welcomed a new graddaughter,

Penelope Marie Attoe, born

November 8th to their son & his

wife in Jacksonville, FL.

Advent Worship and Fellowship The annual Advent Worship and Fellowship is just around the corner! This year’s event will be on Tuesday, December 2. It will begin at 7:00pm in the Memorial Chapel, with a service on “Christmas Hymns.” The fellowship time will be in the Parlor immediately after the worship service. The Advent Worship and Fellowship is sponsored by the United Methodist Women, but it is open to all women and girls. Regardless of whether you are a member of UMW or ever will be, come out and celebrate Advent with the women of our church.

* Signifies an honored elder in a senior facility. We invite you this month to

remember these members in your prayers.

1 Eugene Brandenburg Madeline Opper Sheila Lentz-Krahn Joe Schreiber 6 Sandy McCrory Roxanne Wenzel Tony Gokey 7 Lynne Sydow Betsy Duginski 8 Tricia Emmerich 9 Yvonne Firary Carrie Hockerman 10 Heather Vannes 11 Carroll Pieper Arthur Chang Kris Lahren 13 Maryanne McNutt Steven McNutt Charlie Strong

14 Sharon Gisselman Stan Schacht Lois Susor 15 Dakota Vannes Linny Smith 16 Robert Bauer 18 Dean Marquardt 19 Dave Carlson C. Merrill McMahan Andy White Mark Bauer Brynn Schepp 20 Chad Decker Maddie Eckardt Beth Burke Holly Zahn 21 Herm Krahn 23 Ann Johnson

24 Vicki Nowaczyk 26 Bella Jauch 28 Dennis Carey 29 Anita Gerber Meredith Majernik 30 Isaac Wilde Michael Lattimer Samuel Edmondson Benton Edmondson Amanda Karl Sue Majernik 31 Krystal Costello Nancy Bogumill Sara Koss Darlene Lee

Preparations are well underway for the Advent and Christmas season! Beyond the music, decorations, shopping, baking and the hustle and bustle of the season - the question is posed - “Is Your Heart Prepared for a King?” Advent is a season for prayer and reforming our hearts. Since it comes during the winter, fire is a fitting sign to help us celebrate Advent...If Christ is to come more fully into our lives this Christmas, if God is to become really incarnate for us, then fire will have to be present in our prayers. Our worship will have to stoke the kind of fire in our souls that can truly change our hearts.

LONGING - WAITING - SILENCE - STILLNESS - HOPE - EXPECTATION

MUSIC & WORSHIP ARTS IN DECEMBER:

Sunday, 11/30 - 8:00am and 10:00am services “Imagining Incarnation”

Sunday, 12/7 - 8:00am and 10:00am services

“Why Do We Sing at Christmas?” Communion

Sunday, 12/14 - 10:00am service only

“Festival of Lessons and Carols” featuring the

FUMC Chancel Choir, Jubilate Bells, Brass Choir, and Orchestral Strings

Sunday, 12/21 - 8:00am - service in the Chapel 10:00 am - Sunday School Christmas Program

and birthday party for Jesus

Wednesday, 12/24

Christmas Eve Worship Services

All services will feature an original story by Gerald Morris

“His Own Knew Him Not”

2:00pm - Daylight service with Communion

4:00pm - Family friendly service Candle Lighting and Communion 8:00pm - Festival Candle Light

Service, with Communion, Chancel Choir and Ensembles, Candle

Lighting Thursday, 12/25 Christmas

Day 46th Annual Community

Christmas Dinner at 12:00pm St. Paul’s UCC

Dine-in - NO carry out

STAFF Pastor: Gerald Morris [email protected]

Music Ministry Coordinator: Susan Hamilton [email protected]

Faith Formation Coordinator: Leo Jacoby [email protected] Building Engineer: Andy White

Accounts & Records Supervisor: Karen Kellbach [email protected]

Secretary: Arlene Trull [email protected]

HANDBELL FESTIVAL - November 8, 2014 First Presbyterian Church

DON’T BUG ME CONFERENCE - Remi Taylor, Cooper Stamp and Allie Majernik

EMPTY BOWLS PROJECT

2014 THANKSGIVING SUNDAY

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DECEMBER

2014

FROM PASTOR JERRY’S DESK

Both Gods

In the history of religion – all religion, not just Christianity – there have been

two different ways to imagine God. Many religions stress that God is utterly

different from us, completely beyond our understanding, separated from our

puny humanity by an unimaginable gulf. Others see God as sort of like us,

just bigger and more powerful. The first sort of God is more awe-inspiring;

the second sort is more approachable.

I should illustrate. Take, for instance, Zeus, the chief god of Greek religion.

Zeus is very big and very strong, but in the Greek stories he also has a very

human weakness for pretty human girls - lots of them – and an understand-

able fear of his wife, Hera. Powerful, yes, but with recognizable weaknesses

and emotions. By contrast, Persian religion, Islam, and Enlightenment Deism

usually describe God as being beyond human categories. This God exists

above our sordid weaknesses, ignorance, and emotional instability. This God

is worthy of worship, but is not someone you make friends with. Frankly,

this God is sort of scary.

What about the God of our Bible, the one revered in Judaism and

Christianity? Well, we don’t seem to know what we want. On the one hand,

the creation account in Genesis describes God as making the universe simply

by speaking it into being. The Ten Commandments stress that there is one

God and we are not to make any likenesses of that God or compare God to

anything on earth, including us. So we definitely have the God that is beyond

our understanding. But the same books describe God walking in the Garden

with Adam and Eve, eating dinner with Abraham and Sarah, choosing one

nation for a special task, and making a covenant with that people – just like

people make contracts with each other. In the books of the prophets, we hear

God crying out with anguish and indecision, frustrated with the way the

people have broken the covenant, but wanting to forgive them and take them

back. All very emotional – God seems to be like humans but more so.

All this leads us toward Christmas. Really. Because, you see, the basic

teaching of this season is that God is both. God is utterly beyond our

understanding and yet entered our world, our time, to become not just

comparable to us but rather one of us. Our God both transcends human

categories and experienced them. This God is not only impossibly stronger

than us, but became a frail and dependant creature among us. The core of our

teaching at Christmas time is that both perspectives are valid. Both are right,

but neither is sufficient by itself.

We still don’t know what we want. Some Christians still want a God of

impossible power that looms in majesty above our puniness, while others

seem to want a God who is their best friend and with whom they can just

hang out.

Neither is wrong. Here’s what Christmas means: God is both.

Christmas Eve Services

A Celebration of Christ’s Gift to the World

With Holy Communion and the new original short

story: “His Own Knew Him Not”

2:00pm Daylight Service*

4:00pm Family Service (with candle-lighting)*

8:00pm Festival Service (with candle-lighting)*

Sunday, December 28


10:00am - Worship

“The Search for Meaning”

Ecclesiastes 1:1-11; 2:13-24

*We observe Open Communion. All are welcome at

God’s table.

Sunday, December 7, Second Sunday of Advent

8:00am - Morning Chapel with Communion*

10:00am - Worship with Communion*

“Why Do We Sing at Christmas?”

Colossians 3:12-17

Coffee Hour in Wesleyan Room, Decorating Sanctuary

Sunday, December 14, Third Sunday of Advent

8:00am - No Morning Chapel this week

10:00am - Worship

Lessons & Carols Service Jubilate Bells, Chancel Choir

Cookie Walk and The Mission Store in Fellowship

Hall, beginning at 9:00 am

Sunday, December 21


10:00am - Worship

“Children and Christmas”

Children’s Christmas Program

Church Purpose:Church Purpose:Church Purpose:

Live and Share God's LoveLive and Share God's Love

NON PROFIT

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT NO. 542

WAUSAU, WI 54403

The Messenger First United Methodist Church of Wausau

903 Third Street

Wausau, WI 54403

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Phone 715 842-2201 Website: www.fumcwausau.org

Documents

FUMC Wausau - December 2014 Messenger