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The Weekly Vision
Phone Number 717-334-3032
Parsonage Phone Number 334-1821
Pastor's Cell Phone Number 404-1162
Website: www.gettysburgumc.org
e-mail address: mailto:gumc@onemain.com
December 19, 2004 -- December 25, 2004
“Grace and Peace to you this Sabbath day in the name of Our Lord, Jesus Christ!
We welcome you to this time of worship, where we come to celebrate God’s saving
grace in and through the death and resurrection of Christ. May your heart and
mind be filled anew with God’s presence! Welcome!"
Poinsettia -- "A Sign of the Season"
In Mexican Legend, a small boy knelt at the alter of
his village church on Christmas Eve. He had nothing to offer the Christ
child on his birthday because he had no money, but his prayers were sincere and
a miracle gave him the present that could be bought by no one: the first Flower
of the Holy Night sprang up at his feet in brilliant read and green homage to
the Holy Birth. Thus was born the flower we know as Poinsettia.
Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsettia was the American ambassador
to Mexico from 1825 to 1829. His keen interest in botany made him very
interested in the Flower of the Holy Night and he brought it back to his home in
South Carolina. It became very popular as a Christmas plant and was named
after him.
The red part of the poinsettia is not a flower, but is
made up of bracts, inner leaves that are small in most flowers. The actual
flowers of the poinsettia are the small yellow buds in the center of the red
clusters. Besides the familiar red poinsettia, other varieties can also be
found with a colorful variety of flowers, including a yellow variety found in
Guatemala.
Today, December 12th, and next Sunday, December 19th,
we are blessed with a beautiful array of poinsettias. As you will note,
they speak not only of Christ's birth, but also of the many wonderful people who
have and do relate to us personally and as a church family. "December
12th" poinsettia contributors are welcome to take their poinsettias after
today's service or leave them for the week ahead.
May God lift our spirits through these "signs of the
season!" |
The acolyte is Kelsie Kluck.
The Altar Flowers are presented to the Glory of God
The piano arrangement flowers are presented to the Glory of God
The Bulletins are presented to the Glory of God by Larry and Betsy Speer.
The Greeters are Lloyd and Joyce Dye.
The Ushers are members of the Norma Reale Team.
The Nursery Attendants are Joe and Jackie Angleberger.
The following have Birthdays this week:
- 19 - Gloria Swingler
- 21 - Merle LeGay
- 22 - Sandy Shelley
- 24 - Brandon Wilt, Michael Ball
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STAFF
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Jay E. Zimmerman |
Pastor
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Kelly E. Renner
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Organist
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Charles H. Thompson
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Music Coordinator
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Fred Myers |
Treasurer |
Bruce Guiher
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Sexton
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Sara E. Bupp
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Director of Youth Ministries
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Natalie Price
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Administrative Assistant
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The Weekly Calendar
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Sunday, December 19 |
8:30 AM Breakfast Bunch in Fellowship Hall
9:15 AM Sunday School for all ages
10:30 AM Worship Service - Fourth Sunday of Advent
5:45 PM Advent Family Night Dinner
6:00 PM UMYF
7:00 PM Advent Family Night Worship |
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Monday, December 20 |
6:30 PM The Jesus I Never Knew Series |
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Tuesday, December 21 |
12:00 PM-3:00 PM Clothing Closet is open |
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Wednesday, December 22 |
7:30 p.m.
Choir Rehearsal |
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Thursday, December 23 |
10:00 AM The Book of Acts Series |
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Friday, December 24 |
6:30 PM Family Christmas Eve Worship Service
10:00 PM Traditional Candlelight Christmas Eve Service |
Attendance
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Last Week |
Last Year |
Worship Attendance |
198 |
210 |
Sunday School |
70 |
70 |
Our Prayer Ministry
Hospitalizations
Marcus Humphrey, Gettysburg Hospital
Mike Orleski, Recently Discharged from Gettysburg Hospital
Prayer Concerns for this Week
Our prayers this week include: Lloyd Hawbecker, Chuck Phillips, Doris Deaner,
Bob Dillman, Robert and Ida Smith, Margaret LeGay, Jeff Persell, Sara Rose
Wickham, Michael Robinson, and Kelly Bladwin, John McKenna, Marie Claybaugh,
Joyce Richmond, Thomas Heflin, Carol Hemming Pugh (York Hospital), Bill Ryder,
Delphine Seifrit, Martha O’Bryant, and 5 unspoken requests.
Pastoral prayers this week for those whose last name begins with these letters:
December 19th—S, 20th—T, 21st—U, 22—V, 23rd—W, 24th—X, 25th—Y, 26—Z.
Please remember that if you don't wish to publicly express your prayer concerns,
you may use the PRAYER PILLAR in the back of the church for your requests.
*Sympathy is expressed to Mary Fleming, Sue and Bob Hess, and family on the
recent death of Mary and Sue’s father, Mr. David Clapsaddle. Funeral services
were held on Friday, December 10th, at the Monahan Funeral Home.
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Ministries of Worship, Education, and Outreach
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Thank You
We would like to thank Pastor Jay for his moving service for our Dad, David
Clapsaddle, and the United Methodist Women for the lovely luncheon after the
funeral. Also, we want to thank all those who sent cards and for the prayers.
Sue Hess, Mary Fleming, and their families
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Adult Education News…
- “Book of Acts Series”—Thursdays at 10:00 AM. All are welcome!
- ”Jesus I never Knew Series” (A Multi-media study) by Phillip Yancey at 6:30 PM.
The cost of the book is $15.00 and currently available in Pastor Jay's office.
(Please note that we have one large print copy.) -- This study welcomes all
persons, even those who can not join the group until after Christmas due to
their schedules.
- ”How to be a Contagious Christian Series”—A Multi-media approach to
discipleship will begin Tuesday, January 4th at 6:30 PM.
- Disciples II-An In-depth look at scripture will begin Thursday, January 6, at
7:00 PM.—Watch for further details.
Postal Box is Here!
A reminder: two more weeks to deposit your Christmas cards for church friends in
the hallway Postal Box!
Sunday's at 7:00 PM
*Sundays 7:00 -- An informal, yet creative, time to worship has been
celebrated in recent weeks! Our theme is "The Journey of Birth."
Tonight, our Advent evening worship will be led by the youth.
Please be reminded that our celebration will begin with a covered dish supper
(bring a favorite casserole, dessert, etc.) at 5:45 PM. As an additional
feature on December 19th, our youth are hosting "Christmas Caroling" in the
community at 4:45 PM. Join us!
“O Holy Night”
Christmas Eve Worship
Gettysburg U.M. Church
*6:30 PM-Informal Family Candlelight Service
*10:00 PM-Traditional Candlelight Service
with Holy Communion
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Christmas Caroling…December 19…Join us…
Get your coat and gloves, and a hat, if you like! We are going Christmas
Caroling on Sunday afternoon, December 19th at 4:45 PM.—This great music
ministry is open to the entire congregation. In fact, invite a friend!—We will
leave the church around 4:45 PM. Our “caroling journey” will take us
nearby—throughout the town. At 6:15 PM we will return for dinner and the evening
of Advent service to follow in the sanctuary at 7:00 PM. Our ministry sponsor is
the Youth Fellowship! Let’s get out and support these young people, and also our
neighbors and friends!
Candle Fundraiser…Supports Karsen’s
Trip
Our own, Karsen Donati-Leach, has been selected to be an Ambassador for the
People to People organization for 2005. He will be traveling to England and
France this summer. In an effort to raise the funds for this educational trip,
he will be having a fundraising project before and after church on November
28th. He will be selling wonderfully scented candles from The Candle Man, a
local company in Camp Hill. He will be set up in the hall outside the sanctuary
if anyone’s interested. The candles will be delivered approximately the week of
December 5th, and make a wonderful gift for the Advent-Christmas season. The
candles are reasonably priced and are comparable to Yankee Candles. Thank you in
advance for helping us in this endeavor. Terri Donati, Brian Leach, and Karsen
Donati-Leach.
Mission Outreach in Our Area
Adams Rescue Mission Is In Need
During this Christmas season, we encourage you to enjoy the “spirit of giving”
by donating canned foods and non-perishable food items to those less fortunate
in your own community. All collected items will go to the Adams Rescue Mission
to assist in feeding the needy and homeless. If you would like to contribute,
please bring your donations back to our church by December 12, 2004. For more
information on how you can help, please call 334-7502. Thank you for supporting
Adams Rescue Mission!
Church Leaders…Mark January 22nd on Your Calendar
The “Lay Leadership Gathering” of the Chambersburg District is well grounded.
It’s a January ministry that brings people together from far and
wide.—Why?—Because it’s one of those events that stirs people to new avenues of
discipleship, and provides a bag full of tools in the process. In short, it’s a
training day filled with lots of inspiration!—Here are the details: Location—St.
Paul’s UMC in Chambersburg, at 8AM until 12:30 PM. The cost is $5.00 per person.
The registration deadline is January 14, 2005.
“Mission Can” Benefits…
In December, our mission can gifts will go to Karsen Donati-Leach, a youth in
our congregation, who has been selected to be an ambassador for the People to
People organization in 2005. Karsen will be traveling to France and England
during this coming summer. Your monetary support will help to make this trip
possible. Thank you! Donated Food…A Continuing Need
When you do your holiday grocery shopping, why not buy two of a particular item,
(ie. Pasta, can of soups, cereal, etc). Bring these items to church and donate
them to the Food Pantry Box in the church library. Carty and Bob Bates deliver
our donation to the local Food Pantry which helps people in our community who
have special needs. Your support this time of the year is particularly
appreciated! Thank you for your gifts…past, present, and future! United
Methodist Women Monastic Visit
The monastery at Mt. Savior is a community of monks striving to live according
to the Scriptures and the Rule of St. Benedict. They are committed to honor and
glorify God through the harmonious balance of prayer, work, study, and
hospitality. Taste the beauty and serenity of the monastic life, if only for a
little while. Spaces are limited, and the cost is $100.00. For more details,
call 717-240-0678. January Newsletter Articles
The Holidays are approaching rapidly, and accordingly, our office is thinking
about the newsletter schedule that relates to January. Please be
reminded that the January Newsletter will feature a simple listing
of January information verses detailed articles. This information is due
December 28th at 9:00 AM. Thank you for your participation.
GETTYSBURG UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SHUT-INS
Members in Nursing Homes
“Send a Christmas Greeting to These Special Folks”
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Lutheran Retirement Village
1075 Old Harrisburg Road Thelma Coulson
Marie Dymott
May Pennell
Catherine Funt
Kermit Carlson
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Green Acres
595 Biglerville Road
Kathleen Green
Marie Clabaugh
David Clapsaddle
Charles Polley
Sally (Irene) Keefer
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Members at Home
Evelyn Price - 1770 Barley Road #605, York, PA 17401
Sherman Roe - 341 E. York Street, Biglerville, PA 17307
Louise Smyth - 2050 Barley Road, York, PA 17404
Vernon Henry - 11644 Hanover Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Bessie and Allen Slonaker - 1365 York Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Jesse Clapsaddle - 55 Herr’s Ridge Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Mrs. Maurice Shindledecker – 28 Jacobs Road, Hanover, PA 17331
Missy Legay - 2050 Barley Road, York, PA 17401
*If you know of other such persons, please contact our church office (334-3032),
so that we may add them to our list. Thank you!
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Save Your Labels and Help a Preschool
GUMC is now participating in Campbell’s Labels for Education Program, so all
Campbell’s products labels should be saved. By doing so, for each label we send
in, a donation ins made towards helping one of the Methodists Church’s
preschool. For more information on how you can make a difference, see Faye
Krantz and stop by the table in front of the office.
Expanding Our Children’s Ministry
We haven’t been, but we should be…providing childcare during the 9:15 AM Sunday
School hour. Why? Quit simple! By doing so, our younger parents can come and
share together in a small group setting that can be significant in their
Christian ministry.—We need your help! We are looking for persons who would be
willing to offer their love and care for Nursery age children at the 9:15 AM
hour particularly, but also the 10:30 AM hour, as Tammy Lytle (the nursery
coordinator for the 10:30 AM hour) is always looking for assistance. Please
inquire in our office and/or sign-up on the bulletin board just outside the
church office! Thank you!
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ATTENTION KENNIE'S SHOPPERS!
If you are a frequent shopper at any Kennie's
Market location and you'd be willing to designate Big Brothers Big Sisters
of Adams County for the Community Treasures program, please contact Laura
Geesaman at 334-1138 or landt@pa.net
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Regular and large print Bibles are available at the
back of the church for your use.
We invite you to use one to follow along in the reading of today's scripture.
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PEW ENVELOPES!
You may have noticed the pew envelopes and on top of the mission can. These
envelopes are to be used for donations to the church that are not covered by
your regular envelopes. Some examples are mission can donations, special
collections, special service offerings, etc. If the envelopes are used, we will
be able to add that record to your giving statement. Please be sure to put your
envelope number and/or name on the envelope so we know to which account it
should be recorded. If you have any questions, please see Fred Myers or
Connie Thompson.
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Tape Ministry -
Do you know a shut-in who would like to hear the word of God through our service
on Sunday mornings? Or perhaps you didn’t get to church on Sunday and wanted to
hear the message. The Tape Ministry in our church was established for these very
reasons—to bring the word of God to everyone. It brings our church closer to
those who are not able to attend. There is no charge for the ministry. You may
keep the tape or if you would like, you can return them so we may use them
again. God’s word and God’s gift are here for you! To request a tape, contact
Edgar and Charlotte Moore at 334-1716, Dave Schmidt at 334-4325, or call the
church office at 334-3032.
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REMINDER: Please remember to call
or e-mail the office by Tuesday prior to
the Sunday you are sponsoring bulletins or altar flowers.
Phone or mail reminders are no longer being issued - that
information is now part of the newsletter. All
announcements to be placed in the Weekly Vision must also
be in the office by Tuesday. Thank you.
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