Good News 2-2019 - Willowbrook Church...Unfinished Business The late Billy Graham wrote a book entitled, Nearing Home: Life, Faith and Finishing Well.I recently picked up three copies

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WILLOWBROOKWILLOWBROOKWILLOWBROOKWILLOWBROOK

UNITED METHODIST CHURCHUNITED METHODIST CHURCHUNITED METHODIST CHURCHUNITED METHODIST CHURCH

19390 19390 19390 19390 NORTH 99TH AVENUENORTH 99TH AVENUENORTH 99TH AVENUENORTH 99TH AVENUE

SUN CITY AZ 85373SUN CITY AZ 85373SUN CITY AZ 85373SUN CITY AZ 85373----1102110211021102

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT #75

SUN CITY, AZ 85351

www.willowbrookumc.org

WEEKLY PRAYER & STUDY GROUPS

MON Intercessory Prayer 2:00 pm—Library Lounge TUE Pastor Academy 2:30 pm—Wilson Fellowship Hall WED GriefShare 9:30 am—Library Lounge WED Art & Soul 9:30 am—Wilson Fellowship Hall WED Write Your Story 12:00 pm—Music Room WED World Religions 2:00 pm—Wilson Fellowship Hall THU Disciple 1 1:00 pm—Library Lounge

Willowbrook United Methodist Church OUR MINISTRY TOGETHER

The ministers of this church are its members; those who assist them are:

Dedicated Lay Ministry—Stephen Ministry Gary Kennedy—Senior Pastor

Sande Kimbel—Associate Pastor Steve Marshall—Associate Pastor Rev. Jon Ierley—Pastor Emeritus Dr. Robb Butler—Music Director

Carol Virolainen—Organist Loretta Nash—Sabbath Musician

Russ Koan—Lay Leader

DEADLINE FOR the MARCH, 2019 Good News is FEBRUARY 6, 2019

WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Saturday Sabbath Celebration 5:00 p.m.—Chapel

* * *

Sunday Worship 9:30 a.m.—Sanctuary

* * *

Sunday Mosaic Worship 11:00 a.m.—Chapel

OFFICE HOURS

Mon-Fri—8:30 a.m.—4:00 p.m. Closed for lunch—12:00-12:30 p.m.

Willowbrook United Methodist Church

“Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors” 19390 North 99th Avenue Sun City, AZ 85373-1102

Office Hours: 8:30 a.m.—4:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday (closed 12 - 12:30 p.m. for lunch)

(623) 974-5637 FAX: (623) 933-5466 Internet: http://www.willowbrookumc.org E-mail address: [email protected]

GOOD NEWSGOOD NEWS February 2019 Issue

UNITED METHODIST MEN LUNCH Thursday, February 14

11:45 a.m. Wilson Fellowship Hall

ED ALLEN A BOY AND THE AMERICAN DREAM

Many recognize Del Webb as the founder of Sun City and one-time owner of the New York Yankees, but few realize that Webb built one of the largest construction companies in America. He was a friend of presidents, counted Bob Hope and other celebrities as golfing buddies, yet claimed the most satisfying thing he ever did was to create Sun City. It’s the remarkable story of a boy who had to drop out of high school but went on to realize the great American dream.

Lunch Cost—ONLY $5.00

Sign-ups at UMM Table in Wilson Fellowship Hall Women are always welcome!

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN LUNCH Monday, February 18

12:00 p.m. Wilson Fellowship Hall

ROBBIE IERLEY KAIROS PRISON MINISTRY

Bring your own lunch. Dessert and beverage will be provided by Martha Circle. We are privileged to have Robbie Ierley speak to us about her involvement in the Kairos Prison Ministry. There might even be a little singing. We will also con-duct the Prayer and Self-Denial program as we prepare ourselves for the Lenten season. The 2019 Reading Program list is available in the church library and there are 10 new books. Some titles are available for your Kindle. Here are a few: An Insid-er’s Guide to Praying for the World; Eleanor—A Spiritu-al Biography; Hope for the Future: Answering God’s Call to Justice for our Children; What’s Your Story? Seeing your Life through God’s Eyes, and many more titles. Please look for information on Circle meetings in the Sunday bulletin. All women are welcome to any of these meetings. We are a fellowship of women open to all and in service to mission. Looking ahead, March 18 is our annual salad luncheon.

Recently Indian Wells Fellowship Group collected donations and purchased diapers and wipes for UMOM New Day Cen-ters. Pictured below are Carol & Rhett Sears and Eleanor Verwers of Indian Wells Fellowship Group with Tabitha Fisher, Manager of the Child Development Center at UMOM. Tabitha sent a note saying, “Please thank everyone who donated! We love your continued support and prayers on behalf of our families!!! Merry Christmas!”

Indian Wells Fellowship GroupIndian Wells Fellowship GroupIndian Wells Fellowship GroupIndian Wells Fellowship Group Goes Shopping . . . for Diapers?Goes Shopping . . . for Diapers?Goes Shopping . . . for Diapers?Goes Shopping . . . for Diapers?

Unfinished Business

The late Billy Graham wrote a book entitled, Nearing Home: Life, Faith and Finishing Well. I recently picked up three copies of the book. I gave one to pastor Steve, one to pastor Sande, and I kept one for myself. The book is fascinating for me because many of the concepts in the book are truths that my late mother, after reading Graham’s book, shared that she had in common with him in dealing with some of the difficulties that come with aging. Understanding these insights will assist us pastors in doing ministry in the wide range of experiences here at Willowbrook. Graham notes that everyone's particular circumstances might be different, but God’s presence is universal.

“There may be common experiences shared by those who grow old, but every individual has unique circumstances. Some are widowed; others have disinterested children. Some care for an invalid spouse; some grow old togetherD.but old age does not exempt us from fulfilling our purposes in life. The psalmist entreated the Lord for blessing on a most noble task when he asked, ‘When I am old and gray headed, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare your strength to this generation’.” (Psalm 71:18 NKJV) Graham acknowledges that, with the passing of years, life gets harder. He writes, “I am an old

man now, and believe me, it's not easy. Whoever first said it was right: old age is not for sissies.” Yet, his thesis is simple as he notes that with tough times comes an even greater need for simply enjoying the presence of God.

Many of you have heard me say that when I asked mom about how she felt when none of us,

her kids, could be with her, she responded, “I am not alone; the Holy Spirit is with me”. In reading Graham, I have come to understand where mom was coming from and why.

Graham touches on subjects of hope, retirement, diminishing strength, life and death. I would

like to do a review of his book during a spring session of the Pastor's Academy. Currently we are look-ing at personalities from church history, but then a series on Graham's book will be our focus. If you can't wait, or if the Pastor's Academy time slot doesn't work for you, I encourage you to pick up a copy and read it. This way you will at least know what your pastors have read. Let me close with these words from Graham's book.

“While the Bible doesn't gloss over the problems we face as we grow older, neither does it paint old age as a time to be despised or a burdenD.instead the Bible says that God has a reason for keeping us here; if He didn't, He would take us to heaven far sooner. But what is His pur-pose for these years, and how can we align our lives with it?”

See you in church, ,

Pastor Gary

PRAYERS FOR WEST DISTRICT CHURCHES

Pray for these West District churches in FEBRUARY

Ajo Federated Church Calvary UMC, Phoenix Chino Valley UMC

Each month as part of the West District in the Desert Southwest Conference, we join other churches in prayer for one another.

Thanks to everyone who worked to make our Advent Service of Light possible this past December 9th. Our sound booth techs, our musician and ushers, as well as those who baked cookies and made sandwiches, set-up and clean-up; so many people helping in so many ways. My thanks to Bonnie Anderson, Barb Christie, Saundra and Larry Core, Billie Kay Gordon, Marilyn Gudith, Bill Jesson, Russ Koan, Dennis Lapic, Patty Mason, Diane Nelson (who also provides table settings), Jim Piland, Haze Prather, the UMW members who baked extra cookies for us, Loretta Nash (musician), Sandy Wilson, and Dale and Marjorie Barton (who wore so many hats and made sure our votive candles were plentiful, clean, and filled) plus Marge served as chairperson for the Health and Welfare Committee/Touches of Love phone ministry Your dedication, hard work and compassion combined to make the Advent Service of Light the comfort and support it is intended to be for the members of our church and community.

—Pastor Sande

A huge thank you goes out to many Willow-brookers who donated to UMOM by purchasing Christmas Tribute Cards. Willowbrook raised over $1,500 during December!

—Ann Martin UMOM Ambassador & Member of Outreach Committee

Have you missed a friendly face lately as you’ve entered church for the 9:30 a.m. service on Sundays? Marge Pappas is retiring after twenty years of volunteering at our welcome table in the narthex. Thank you, Marge! We appreciate your service and your unfailing helpfulness! Kathryn Laumann has agreed to move from the front door to the welcome desk, so she will still be greeting us every week; simply from a different spot. Thank you, Kathryn, for volun-teering for this important job. Thanks as well to Richard and Michele Meyer for their hearty welcome to everyone as they enter from the patio, and for our other hospitable door greeters.

I am moving to Kansas City so will no longer attend Willow-brook. It is a wonderful, caring church and I will miss it!

Thank You!

Crystal Rollf

FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARIES (We Celebrate 50 years or more)

8 Peter & Phyllis Lee 62nd 14 Bill & Jo Kozacek 70th 19 Russ & Lynn Koan 64th

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS (We celebrate 90 years or more)

11 Larry Williams 11 Charlene Vafiadi 14 Claude Elton 17 Frances Zambito 18 Tee Shultz 24 Bert Lebeck 25 Bobbi Wold 25 Ellen Lowe 25 Charles Fuller

OFFICE HOURS

Mon-Fri—8:30 a.m.—4:00 p.m.

Closed for lunch—12:00-12:30 p.m.

WRITING YOUR LIFE STORY—TIME CHANGE

Bring a notebook and take notes each Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. in the Music Room. Everyone is welcome to join us. For more information, contact Marge Starkey, 623-734-6218.

P.O.W.W.O.W. FIRST SATURDAY DECEMBER—MAY

P.O.W.W.O.W. (Produce On Wheels WithOut Waste) markets run 8:00-11:00 a.m. December—March. In April and May the market is open from 7:00-10:00 a.m. because of the heat.

We need volunteers in two shifts 7:15 a.m. until around 11:30 a.m. We break the market into two shifts. The first shift runs from 7:15 to 9:30 and the second from 9:15 to 11:15. Of course, you can always work both shifts!

Email Liz Peck at [email protected] to volunteer.

February 2 & 3, 2019 Non-perishable food

& water or cash

Metho Travelers Trips: <www.methotravelers.org>

The Duttons—Saturday, March 30, 2019, $65. This family of international touring and recording artists perform bluegrass to classical music and everything in be-tween. They are also accomplished singers and dancers.

New England Cruise/Quebec to New York—Friday, Sep-tember 13 to Tuesday, September 24, 2019, 12 days, 11 nights.

West Coast Getaway Cruise—Thursday, December 5 to Monday, December 9, 2019, 5 days, 4 nights. Includes Cata-lina Island, CA and Ensenada, Mexico.

Southern Caribbean Cruise—Monday, February 24 to Fri-day, March 6, 2020, 12 days, 11 nights.

Sign up at the Metho Travelers table or contact: Janet Glick at 217-725-1301, [email protected] or Carol Cooper at 623-217-5384, [email protected].

Lasagna Dinner and Music—Friday, February 15, 5:00, $5. Enjoy a delicious lasagna meal with salad, bread, and dessert followed with entertainment by the Sun City Ukulele Club. Tickets are at Youthful Seniors table or contact Nancie Fletcher at 623-566-2604.

HAPPY “HEART” DAY!!

Consider what the Lord has done Through those who’ve shown you love; Then thank them for their faithful deeds,

For blessings from above. —Sper

Remember Romans 16:1-16? Paul had a long list of people who had helped him and for whom he was grateful: Phoebe had “been a helper.” Priscilla and Aquila had “risked their own necks” for his life. Mary had “labored much” for him. What did Paul do to thank them? He took time to write his thanks in a letter to the church at Rome. How about you? Are you thankful for someone who has shown the love of Jesus to you? Then, by all means, thank them with a note, phone call, hug, etc. 1 John 4:19 reminds us that “We love because he first loved us”. How appropriate it is to ponder this during the month dedicated to

LOVE!

WITH LOVE FROM YOUR STEPHEN MINISTERS.

If you had your picture taken for the new directory, but did not place an order, your free 8 x 10 has been mailed to the church office. You can pick them up during office hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00

p.m. (closed 12-12:30 for lunch) We suggest that you call first as not all the pictures have arrived yet.

Willowbrook Church Members

are Invited to an

Open House

Honoring

Ellen Lowe on her

90th birthday

Saturday, February 23—2:00—4:00 p.m.

Your presence is her present. NO GIFTS, PLEASE.

AFFECTIONATELY YOURS! St. Valentine, a Roman priest, was martyred in 270 A.D. for loving Jesus. Some sources say he per-formed weddings after the emperor banned them; others say he rescued Christians from Roman pris-ons. Two centuries later, the pope declared February 14 St. Valentine’s Day. According to legend, the priest signed his letters “Your Valentine.” Later, Christians followed suit to honor him. By the mid-1700s, friends and sweet-hearts exchanged heart-shaped trinkets or sent hand-written notes of affection on February 14.

—NewsletterNewsletter

Salvation Army Bell Ringing Results

For only two days, Willowbrook volunteers rang the Salvation Army Kettle bells. We just received the results. Those bell ringers collected over $7,000 for the Army. WOW!!! Willowbrook volunteers ROCK!

_ _ _ _ _

“Angel Tree” Christmas Gifts

This year, 130 Christmas gifts were provided to 62 children throughout the West Valley. A “shout out” goes to Thelma Muse who has coordinated this program for many years. This is really a huge job. Members of the Outreach

Committee delivered the gifts to so many appreciative fami-lies the week before Christmas. But none of this would have happened without the support of our Willowbrook family.

Thank you for supporting this prison outreach program.

United Methodist Church Building a Habitat House in Tempe

The Mighty Methodist Habitat Coalition (MMHC) made up of 30 United Methodist Churches across the valley are helping to build a house in Tempe with a planned completion date of June 15, 2019. The MMHC set a goal of funding half of the cost of building the house. Good progress has been made in meeting this funding goal, however at this time, they are a little short of the goal. If you are interested in financially supporting this project, checks can be made out to Willowbrook United Methodist

Church and on the memo line write (for Mighty Methodist Habitat Coalition). If you are interested in working on the house; (all work days are on Saturdays) contact Loren Littlefield at 623-826-4910.

Visit our FaceBook Page www.facebook.com/willowbrookumc

GriefShare is a nationally known support group for people grieving loss through death. Using a video featuring experts on grief, along with a workbook and group

discussion we help each other sort through those erratic emo-tions and peaks and valleys. Each session is “self-contained” so you can attend any time you want and you do not have to attend in sequence. No mat-ter when you begin, you will find encouragement. You do not have to be a member of or attend the church to be a part of the GriefShare program. GriefShare at Willowbrook United Methodist Church, meets each Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in the Library Lounge. Following is the repeating GriefShare meeting schedule at Willowbrook: February 6 Grief and Your Relationships February 13 Why? February 20 Guilt and Anger February 27 Complicating Factors March 6 Stuck March 13 Lessons of Grief: Part One March 20 Lessons of Grief: Part Two March 27 Heaven April 3 What Do I Live for Now?

Willowbrook is collecting ALUMINUM pop tabs so they can go towards helping Ronald McDonald House Chari-ty. You can drop your saved ALUMINUM pop tops in the plastic jar at the United Methodist Men’s table in Wil-son Fellowship Hall. Thank you for your donations. Please note: They do not want steel pop tops. (If it sticks to a magnet, it is steel.) Questions? Contact Don or Elaine King 530-559-3968.

Honor the life or memory of a loved one. Purchase the altar flowers for a worship service as a beautiful expression of your love.

Locate the FLOWER BOOK in the Narthex. Write your name, your loved one’s name, the occasion you want to remember (birthday, anniversary, etc.) and the date you would like to have the altar flowers presented. Place your $40 check marked “flowers” into the offering plate or bring it to the office.

Willowbrook United

Methodist Church

Concert Series 2018-2019

Sunday, February 10, 2019 at 3:00 p.m.

Dixieland Hotshots Dan Reed

Sunday, February 24, 2019 at 3:00 p.m.

Sun City Chamber Orchestra George Zoske

Sunday, March 31, 2019 at 3:00 p.m.

Desert Brass Band Charles Musgrave

Tickets are $5.00 per person and are available at the door.

(12 and under free) Call 623-974-5637 for more information.

19390 N 99th Avenue, Sun City AZ 85373

623-974-5637

BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING NEED NO APPOINTMENT

PRAYER ROOM—SUNDAY MORNING FEBRUARY 10TH—10:30 A.M.

Did you know there is someone in the prayer room the second Sunday of each month to do Blood Pressure Screening. Be sure to take advantage of this ministry.

NOTICE WILLOWBROOK READERS!

Willowbrook Readers! Come join the Willowbrook Book Club to share your thoughts about the book of the month. Here are the books we plan to dis-cuss this Winter and Spring:

♦ No meeting in January as we will be busy with the Rum-mage Sale!

♦ February 28 The Journal of Sedona Schnebly by Lisa Heidinger—[This is our annual Arizona read]

♦ March 28 The Secret Diary of Hendrick Groen by Hen-drick Groen

♦ April 25 And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie ♦ May 23 Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Our Book Club has been meeting for two years now, and we are a small but mighty group. Our discussions have been en-joyable and lively, and we would love for you to join us!

Remember, we welcome all Willowbrookers and friends to join us at any of our meetings on the 4th Thursday of each month at 1:00pm in the Willowbrook Library. Questions? Con-tact Karen Gurian 480-371-6980 or Barb Christie 623-376-7941

Remember or honor a loved one with the UMW Mission Candle. Make your $15 check payable to United Methodist Women and place it in the special envelope in the pew pocket. Drop into the offering plate to help support UMW mission projects.

Are you new to Willowbrook and want to know more about mem-bership in our church? You are invited to the Newcomers

Orientation Class on Saturday, February 9th, at 9:00 a.m. in the Library Lounge. Rev. Steve Marshall will share important information about Methodism and Willowbrook Church as well as answering any questions that might arise. New members will be received on Saturday, February 23 at the 5:00 p.m. Sabbath service and on Sunday, February 24 at the 9:30 a.m. service. You are then invit-ed to an informal reception after the 9:30 a.m. service in Wilson Fellowship Hall. Reminder: you can keep your membership in your home church if you join Willowbrook as an Associate or Affili-ate Member. Please sign up or call the church office at 623-974-5637 to let us know you plan to attend.

www.WillowbrookUMC.org

Offering envelopes are available in the Church Office.

Our condolences to family and friends on the death of the following Willowbrook members & family & friends:

• Larry Hardesty on December 20 • Joyce Williams on December 22 • Margaret Martin on December 28 • LeRoy “Butch” Lockwood on January 6 • Joyce Edwards on January 5 • Daryl Johnson on January 23 • Gary Spagnoletti’s mother, Donna Faith

Spagnoletti on January 15 in Eau Claire WI

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

1:00 pm Disciple 1—LL

2:30 pm Card Ministry—CR

5:30 pm Rummage Sale Dinner—WFH

2

8:00 am P.O.W.W.O.W.—PL

5:00 pm Sabbath Celebration—CH

3 COMMUNION

9:30 am Worship—Sanc

10:30 am Prayer—PR

11:00 am Mosaic Worship—CH

4

10:00 am UMW Team Meeting—MR

2:00 pm Intercessory Prayer—LL

5

9:00 am Rummage Dept Heads—WFH

9:00 am Staff Parish—CR

1:00 pm Spiritual Enrichment—CR

1:00 pm Joyful Bells—MR

2:30 pm Pastor Academy—WFH

6 GOOD NEWS DEADLINE

9:00 am Trustees—CR

9:30 am GriefShare—LL

9:30 am Art & Soul—WFH

12:00 pm Writing Class—MR

2:00 pm World Religions—WFH

7

9:00 am Kris Krafters—WFH

10:00 am UMM Board—CR

1:30 pm Holidaze Planning—LL

2:00 pm Worship—CR

7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal –Sanc

8 DIRECTORY PHOTOS

11-6:30 Directory Photos—LL/CR

1:00 pm Disciple 1—WFH

9 DIRECTORY PHOTOS

9:00 am Newcomers—WFH

10:00 Directory Photos—LL/CR


10


10:30 am BP Check—PR


3:00 pm Hot Shots—Sanc

11

9:30 am Elizabeth Circle—LL

9:30 am Martha Circle—WFH


12

9:30 am Rachel Circle—LL



13




1:00 pm PAP—CR


14 ARIZONA STATEHOOD DAY

9:00 am Winsome Widows—Biscuits on

Thunderbird

11:45 am UMM Lunch—WFH

1:30 pm Youthful Srs Board—CR

7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal—Sanc

15

11:30 am Galilean FG—5 & Diner


5:00 pm Youthful Seniors—WFH

16

10:00 am Hardesty Memorial—CH/WFH


17


10:30 am Prayer—PR


18 PRESIDENT’S DAY

OFFICE CLOSED

12:00 pm UMW Unit Mtg—WFH

19

9:30 am Evangelism/Membership—CR

12:30 pm Prayer Packets—Stage

1:00 pm Outreach—CR



20




1:00 pm H&W/TOL—CR


21

9:00 am Kris Krafters—WFH

1:30 pm Kitchen Committee—CR


22


23

1:00 pm Ellen Lowe BD Party—WFH


24



3:00 pm SC Chamber—Sanc

25 GOOD NEWS PREP

12:00 pm Good News Prep—CR


5:00 pm Stephen Leaders—CR

6:00 pm Stephen Ministers—WFH

26

9:00 am Church Council—WFH


27




2:00 pm World Religion Class—WFH

28

2:00 pm Williams Memorial—CH

1:00 pm Book Club—LL


Sanc - Sanctuary LL - Library Lounge

CR - Conference Room WFH - Wilson Fellowship Hall

MR - Music Room PR - Prayer Room CH - Chapel CT—Courtyard

PL—Church Parking Lot

COMING IN MARCH

2 P.O.W.W.O.W.

9 Newcomers

14 UMM Lunch

18 UMW Lunch

26 Church Council

28 Book Club

31 Desert Brass

Documents

Good News 2-2019 - Willowbrook Church...Unfinished Business The late Billy Graham wrote a book entitled, Nearing Home: Life, Faith and Finishing Well.I recently picked up three copies