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Gettysburg United Methodist Church

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

STAFF
Jay E. Zimmerman Pastor
Kelly E. Renner Organist
Charles H. Thompson Music Coordinator
Fred Myers Treasurer
Bruce Guiher Sexton
Sara E. Bupp Director of Youth Ministries
Natalie Price Administrative Assistant

The Weekly Calendar

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
Monday, December 20 6:30 PM The Jesus I Never Knew Series
Tuesday, December 21 12:00 PM-3:00 PM Clothing Closet is open
Wednesday, December 22 7:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, December 23 10:00 AM  The Book of Acts Series
Friday, December 24 6:30 PM  Family Christmas Eve Worship Service
10:00 PM Traditional Candlelight Christmas Eve Service


Attendance

  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.

Ministries of Worship, Education, and Outreach

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

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

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”


Lutheran Retirement Village
1075 Old Harrisburg Road

 Thelma Coulson
Marie Dymott
May Pennell
Catherine Funt
Kermit Carlson

Green Acres
595 Biglerville Road

Kathleen Green
Marie Clabaugh
David Clapsaddle
Charles Polley
Sally (Irene) Keefer

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!

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!


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

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.

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.

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.

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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