Dear Members and Friends of Waterville United Methodist Church,
Here is the final Operation Christmas Child Shoebox count from our
congregation:
235 boxes
18 + volunteers
68.25 volunteer hours
The Relay Center in the Community Room received 920 boxes which were packed into 53 shipping cartons and then transported to Day Spring Church in Bowling Green on Monday afternoon.
Thanks so much to EVERYONE who made this such a success! Special thanks to Anne Stevens who so graciously leads us through this adventure every year, for Pastor Mike who moved all of the shoeboxes from the Fireside Room to the sanctuary for last Sunday's service, for those many volunteers who moved the boxes from the sanctuary to the Community Room following worship last Sunday, and to Jim Page for driving the boxes down to Bowling Green on Monday. There are 3 volunteers from our congregation who will be traveling with four others from the Whitehouse area next week to work at the Processing Center. Please keep Karen Longnecker, Yvonne Lammon and Sherry Hill in your prayers as they see the shoeboxes through their next steps.
Our Thanksgiving Offering will be given to Operation Christmas Child this
year.
Have you ever thought about the intricate details of the first Christmas? How Mary handled the startling message from the angel Gabriel? Why God sought fit to first appear to the lowly shepherds, and choose a manger in Bethlehem? Or what it would have been like to stand before a multitude of angels? Join us, beginning this Sunday, November 29 at 9:00 a.m. in
Fellowship Hall for a four week adult Bible study entitled "A Savior Is
Born" by Pete Briscoe. We will look at the topics of hope, peace, love and
joy. Childcare will be provided.
Worship Service for Sunday, November 29
Advent Wreath Lighting - Bill & Sue Gregory
Children's Moment - Mission Jar
Hymns - It Came Upon the Midnight Clear and What Child Is This
Sanctuary Choir anthem - A Christmas Thanksgiving
Olga's selections -
Prelude: O Come, All Ye Faithful
Offertory: O Little Town of Bethlehem
Postlude: In the Bleak Midwinter
Scripture - Matthew 6:31-34
Pastor Mike's Sermon - Seek First the Kingdom of God
Liturgist - Priscilla Berseé
Please join us for light refreshments following the worship service in our
Fellowship Hall. Jan Sheridan and Dawn Buskey have been your hosts for the month of November.
If you would like to order a poinsettia for Christmas Eve, you will find
ordering envelopes in the rack with the offering envelopes in each pew or on
the shelf by the office door. The deadline for orders will be Sunday,
December 13. The cost remains at $7.00 per plant. Donations to the
church's new building fund will also be accepted on these forms. Your name
and your dedications will be listed in the Christmas Eve bulletins.
On December 1, 2015, people from around the world are coming together to
promote giving. Be part of the magic of the season and join in with a
donation to The Friendly Center. Your support connects nearly 12,000 people in the poorest neighborhood of Toledo with resources such as food, hygiene items, educational and nutrition programs, and much more. Giving is easy! Give online, stop by their office, or mail in a check. Just make sure it's received by December 1 to be part of Giving Tuesday. The Friendly Center is located at 1324 North Superior Street, Toledo, OH 43604. Forms with additional information are located on the shelf in the main hallway.
The children have begun to practice for their annual Sunday School Christmas Program. It will be presented on Sunday, December 13th during the worship service. Following the program, we will be having a special Fellowship Time which will include lots of yummy Christmas cookies. If you would like to provide a plate of cookies, please place your name and phone number on the signup sheet in the main hallway.
And finally, the Church Mouse would like to thank all those "elves" who
stayed after church last Sunday to "hang the greens", trim the trees and
string up the Christmas lights. Not only has the sanctuary been "decked"
out for Advent, but also the Fireside Room, the Fellowship Hall and the main
hallway.
Have a safe and blessed Thanksgiving! (The church office will be closed on
Thursday and Friday.)
Be a Blessing,
Church Cathy