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GreeceUnitedMethodistChurch December2019
The ENLIGHTENER Pastor’s Message:
The hands that first held Mary's child were hard from working wood,
From boards they sawed and planed and filed, and splinters they withstood.
This day they gripped no tool of steel, they drove no iron nail,
But cradled from the head to heel our Lord, newborn and frail.
- Thomas H. Troeger 1985
The hands that first held Jesus were hard, rough hands, hands that worked wood into useful shapes. The eyes that first looked upon the newborn king were used to checking a board for straightness. The warm body upon which the infant was placed belonged to a young newlywed, far from home, and worn from travel. The place that they had to shelter their child was rough and dark and cool. The visitors that came first to the birthplace were unskilled laborers, unwashed and unrefined. The mouths that first proclaimed his birth were used to rough language. The hearts that first loved Jesus were of ordinary size, and beat faster at this time of joy, excitement, and apprehension - just as any human heart would.
Yet the Son of God, the Christ, was placed into their hands, and hearts, and home for safe-keeping.
Today, the Spirit of Christ is still entrusted into human hearts. The work of Christ is placed into human hands. The love of Christ is still given into human homes.
The hearts we have to offer are no less skilled at loving than the hearts of a Galilean carpenter and his young wife. The hands we have to offer are no rougher than his. The way that we know to worship him can hardly be more uncouth than a Judean shepherd. We may be wise, or have trouble with our decisions. We may be intelligent, or we may have to work things out slowly. We may be skilled and artistic, or we may be all thumbs. Our homes may be large and well equipped, or they may be small or in need of repair. Yet the Son of God is entrusted into our care, and he, likewise, cares for us.
No human heart is too weak or too strong to love and be loved by him. No mind is too quick or too slow to know him, no hands too capable or too clumsy to need and be needed by him. No home is too humble or too proud to make a place for him. No mouth is too skilled or too profane to proclaim the Good News of his love and salvation.
In the Christmas season, we are reminded of the coming of Jesus the Christ into our human world. He has come to all of us, for each of us, whoever and however we are. Welcome him into your minds and hearts and homes - this Christmas, and always.
In the joy of Christ's love,
Pastor Matt Stengel
Table of Contents: Advent Events Pg. 3
Christmas Eve. Service Pg. 4
Weekly Scripture Pg. 4
Discipleship Hour Pg. 4
Holiday Office closure Pg. 4
Holiday Music Services Pg. 4
New Year’s Pot-Luck Breakfast Pg. 4
Alter Flower Announcement Pg. 4
Outreach Pg. 5
Veteran’s Day Pictures Pg. 5
Heart to Heart Pg. 6
Le3er of Gra5tude Pg. 6
Salem Nutri5onal Pg. 6
Finance Report Pg. 6
Tuesday Book Study Pg. 7
Dinner & Devo5ons Pg. 7
Widows & Widowers Mtg. Pg. 7
Commi3ee Mtg. Schedule Pg. 7
Page Turners Pg. 7
Trunk or Treat Pictures Pg. 7
UMW Pg. 8
Congrega5onal Updates Pg. 8
Lay Leader Thoughts Pg. 9
Sunday Worship Servants Pg. 10
Birthdays/Anniversaries Pg. 10
Calendar Pg. 11
A PRAYER CHAIN REMINDER:
We have an ac�ve prayer chain, both through e-mails
and phone. You’re invited to be part of that; just call
Bill and Gail Mason at 319-5924. Also, if you have a prayer
concern of any kind that you want to share, contact Bill and Gail
at the number above or by e-mail at [email protected].
We only send out prayer concerns when we receive direct
requests.
NEWSLETTER:
Deadline for all newsle:er ar�cles is the 15th of
each month by 12:00pm. Please e-mail to
Deb Babbage at [email protected].
Thank you.
2019 Fundraiser Updates
Thank you to all who have helped in some way to make our fundraising successful. These fundraisers help support our church and the many ministries we have to offer our community. Volunteers are always needed and welcomed! We would also like to take this opportunity
to thank our United Methodist Women for their $2,000 donation during both our 2018 & 2019 fundraiser drives.
New!!! 2020 fundraiser events are scheduled. Make
sure to save the dates! Super Bowl Sub Sale Sun., Feb. 2, 9-12am
Chicken & Biscuits (eat-in) Sat.,Feb.15, 4:30-6:30pm
St. Patrick’s Day Dinner (eat-in) Sun., Mar 15, 4:30pm-sellout
Chicken BBQ (drive-thru) Thur., May 21, 4:30pm-sell
Book Sale Thur-Sat, June 11-13
Neighborhood Food & Fun Sat., June 13, 11am-2:00pm
Chicken BBQ (drive-thru) Thur., June 18, 4:30pm-sell
Chicken BBQ (drive-thru) Thur., July 23, 4:30pm-sell
Chicken BBQ (drive-thru) Thur., Aug., 20, 4:30pm-sell
Chicken BBQ (drive-thru) Thur., Sep., 24, 4:30pm-sell
Pulled Pork BBQ (drive thru) Thur., Oct. 22, 4:30pm-sell
Let’s Get Connected!
Excellent opportunity to share with your friends and family all the GUMC has to offer.
Website: [email protected]
Facebook: Greece UMC
Twitter @GreeceUMC
Instagram greeceunitedmc
Hanging of the Greens
Saturday, November 30th, 9-11am
A con$nental breakfast of bagels, muffins, and donuts, along
with juice, coffee and tea will be served in Fellowship Hall.
Crèche Blessing and Chili/Salad Pot-luck
Saturday, December 7th
4:30-6:30pm, Fellowship Hall
All are invited to bring in your crèche(s) to display, share special
stories, and enjoy a wonderful pot-luck dinner.
Pastor Ma7 will bless all the crèches.
UMW Women’s Christmas Breakfast
Saturday, December 14th, 9:00-11:00 am, Fellowship Hall
UMW Special Membership Pin will be presented.
Musical performance by The Treble Clefs
Cost: $7. Reserva$on deadline 12/8
All women of the church are invited.
Ecumenical Blue Christmas Service
Thursday, December 19th
7pm— Trinity Episcopal Church
3450 West Ridge Road, Rochester, NY 14626
Blue Christmas, or Longest Night, is a service of worship designed for people suffering with pain,
loss, isola5on and grief in the Advent season. On this night we remember those for whom the
holidays are not joyful; people are lonely, in mourning, feeling alienated and cast apart from family
celebra5ons; they are experiencing depression and sadness and yet are oBen compelled to put on a
happy face for others, denying true feelings.
Worship Scripture—December 2019: What follows are the Lectionary Readings for each Sunday. Each week, the theme of the services will usually emerge from one of the prescribed readings (often the Gospel). We invite you to read through the lessons prior to Sunday. It can be a healthy discipline and enhance the experience of worship. 12/1: Isaiah 2:1-5 Psalm 122 Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:36-44 12/8: Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalm 72:1-7,18-19 Romans 15:4-13 Matthew 3:1-12 12/15: Isaiah 35:1-10 Luke 1:46b-55 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11 12/22: Isaiah 7:10-16 Psalm 80:1-7,17-19 Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-25 12/24: Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-20 12/25: Isaiah 52:7-10 Psalm 98 Hebrews 1:1-12 John 1:1-14 12/29: Isaiah 63:7-9 Psalm 148 Hebrews 2:10-18 Matthew 2:13-23 12/31: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 Psalm 8 Revelations 21:1-6a Matthew 25:31-46 1/1: Numbers 6:22-27 Psalm 8 Galatians 4:4-7 Luke 2:15-21
Traditional Worship Service: 9am*
Discipleship/Fellowship Hour for all ages: 10am
Praise & Worship Service: 11am*
*Nursery and Children’s Church are available for both services.
Discipleship Hour 10-11am Join us Sundays for Bible study.
Adult Study: Kerrison Room. Facilitated by Kara Down
Jesus & Me: (Kindergarten-5th Grade) Room 5. Facilitated by Jenni Barth & Karen Ingle
By Faith: (Grades 6th-12th), Nurturing Ministry Room. Facilitated by Debbie Babbage & Pat McMann
First Sunday of the month Jesus & Me and By Faith
Classes will join together for The Gospels According to
Dr. Suess in Nurturing Ministry Room.
Our church office will be closed: Tue. & Wed.—December 24 & 25
Tue. & Wed.—December 31 & January 1
Family Candlelight
Service
7PM
All are welcomed.
New Year Fellowship Pot-Luck Breakfast
Sunday, December 29th
10:00-11:00am, Fellowship Hall
Bring a dish to pass, if
you can. Not a
requirement to a7end.
All are welcomed!!!!
Holiday Music Services
Sunday, December 22nd
9AM—Christmas Cantata - Music by our Choir
11AM— Praise through Music— Our Praise & Worship band will lead the congregation in singing our favorite holiday music.
No Children’s Church this Sunday
POINSETTIAS FOR
CHRISTMAS
During this busy season
with all your holiday
prepara5ons, please consider bringing a
poinseCa to church to help decorate for
Christmas beginning on Dec. 20th. Big or
small, short or tall....so many choices, all to
celebrate this Holy Season.
Message from Outreach: Good Christian friends, REJOICE! With many thanks for our November projects and en-thusiasm for our December activities . . . .
On November 10, we honored our veterans, including a special tribute to our Korean War
vets: Bill Brado, Bill Mason, Barr Ingle, Dave Hardy, Don LaMonica, and Dick Best.
Participation in the Red Bird Campaign allowed us to make Christmas merrier for ru-ral families in Kentucky. We filled 23 shoeboxes with small personal items and do-nated towels and blankets. Thanks to Katie Inclima for delivering the “cargo” to the drop-off site (Spencerport UMC).
As usual, our Bucket Brigade (November 24) yielded a box full of frozen turkeys as well as a wealth of canned and boxed goods to serve seven large families (names supplied by the GEFS). Special thanks to David from the Latta Road UPS Store for selling us boxes at a very reduced price.
This month, we have the opportunity to help our neighbors, far and near, by contributing to the Mi3en Tree and/or the requests for items for Pastor Dee’s Seneca
Street Church in Buffalo. Find the list for Seneca Street donations in the bulletin or on the table in the commons. Please bring all items to the church by Sunday, De-
cember 15. Mitten Tree hats, gloves, mittens, scarves will be shared with Open Door Mis-sion.
Finally, December 29 is our last Undie Sunday of 2019! Donations of socks and pants are also welcomed by school nurses, and adult undies are appreciated for Open Door Mission or Veterans Outreach Center.
Oh . . . and don’t forget to check the sign in the commons for Food Shelf requests each month.
VETERANS DAY AT GUMC
On Sunday, November 10th, our members came together to
honor all veterans and to pay tribute to seven of our Korean
War veterans. They were Bill Brado, Bill Mason, Gordon Pike,
Don LaMonica, Dave Hardy, Barr Ingle and Richard Best. A
Recep5on followed the worship service filled with patrio5c
music and hymns along with presenta5on of flag pins to our
veterans.
Salem Nutritional Center Tuesday, December 21st,
9:00am—2:00pm
Please join us for a morning of serving. • Meet/leave Church at 9:00 am. At 9:30,
lunch prep begins. • Serving 100—150 hungry people at noon. • Return to the church at 2:00 pm.
We need 10 people there each time. Please join us.
Finance Report:
Budgeted Income as of Week #45 – 11/10/19
Budget Total Pledges Non-Pledges Needed YTD Received Needed YTD Received Needed YTD Received $262,348.27 $243,451.29* $147,115.38 $145,590.10 $36,086.54 $39,464.00*
Current Income (Usable) vs Expenses as of the end o f October 10/27/19 (Week#43)
Budget Expenses Total Spent Total Income +/- $252,631.50 $237,650.99 $228,385.79* -$9,265.20
* Note: Includes $5,000 received from Outreach (Missions). Greece UMC Fundraisers
Thanks to all who supported the UMW Fall Bazaar with donations and purchases! Your efforts allow UMW to provide direct support to our budget.
Pledge Campaign
As the year ends, please complete your 2019 Pledge contributions. Also support the 2020 Pledge Campaign as this helps the Church manage next year’s budget.
Best regards, Bill Kostyshak, Financial Secretary
HEART TO HEART
CARD MINISTRY - "WE CARE"
NEW....Star5ng November 24th we will begin a new card
ministry called "We Care" as part of Heart to Heart. Names of
Heart to Heart members plus names of recent members who
have moved away will be in a basket in the Commons area.
Please take a card, write a note or just sign your name, affix a stamp, and
drop it in the mail box. Let us know if you know of other names that should be added. (Call Deb Fisher
at 978-7387 or Gale Huber at 247-3464) This is in addi5on to visita5on or telephone calls.
Le3er of Gra5tude:
My family and I would like to thank
everyone in the congrega5on that
took the 5me to pray for us and encourage us during
the recent scares we had.
My husband Jerry ba3led cancer over the summer
and I'm happy to report he is cancer free. Also, my
grandson Harrison who spent the first couple weeks
of his life at the NICU at Strong Hospital is healthy
and home and growing like a weed.
We are blessed to have such a wonderful church
daily suppor5ng us in our difficult 5mes.
Thank you and God bless- Glenna Johantgen
Page Turners Book Club:
December Selec on: No mee$ng
January Selec on:
Educated
By Tara Westover
Born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, Tara
Westover was seventeen the first 5me she set foot in a
classroom. When another brother got himself into college,
Tara decided to try a new kind of life. Her quest for
knowledge transformed her, taking her over oceans and
across con5nents, to Harvard and to Cambridge
University. Only then would she wonder if she’d traveled
too far, if there was s5ll a way home.
February Selec5on: Sense and Sensibility by Jane
Austen
Tuesday Book Group:
Inside the Miracles of Jesus
by Jessica LaGrone
Jesus demonstrated the presence
and power of God by performing mira-
cles.
We meet Tuesdays @ 10:00 am in the
Nurturing Ministries Room. All are
welcomed to a7end.
Contact Linda Hoffman for informa5on. (458-2248 or
Widows & Widowers: Sunday, December 22nd
2:00pm
Kerrison Room.
All are welcome to join
any or all studies.
Invite your family, friends,
and neighbors.
Dinner & Devotions:
Meetings are the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of the month from 5:30-6:30pm, in Fellowship
Hall. All are welcomed to join us for soup, salad, & scripture.
12/4: Becoming a Welcoming Church
Chapters 4-6
12/18: Diving into the Gospel of Luke for
the Christmas story. Bring your Bible.
1/1: No Class
New Book: Starting 1/15
If You Want To Walk On Water, You’ve
Got To Get Out of the Boat.
By John Ortberg
12/3: Fellowship Commi7ee, 7PM,
N.M. Room
12/8: Trustees, 10AM, Room 10
12/10: SPRC, 7PM, Kerrison Rm
12/17: Finance, 7PM, Kerrison Rm
Trunk or Treat
2019
Catholic Family
Services 10/26
GUMC 10/31
Congrega$on Updates
Updated Addresses:
Sylvia King: Same address but changed to Unit 110
The Mutach Family
Francoise Kaj, Isaiah Kapenda, Divina Katching, Magaly Kon, Isreal Mutach, Gloria Kaponda, Samantha
Mutach
Ka5e (Konarski) Trybuskiewica
Gene Sutliff
New addresses are not available for the web edi�on.
Please contact our office at 225-1880
GREECE UNITED METHODIST WOMEN Executive Committee Meeting: Monday, Dec. 2nd, 6:30 p.m., Room 9.
Gale Huber, President.
Miriam Circle: Monday, Dec. 9th at 6:30 p.m., Room 9.Pledge Service & Baby shower for Asbury Storehouse. Please do not wrap your gift and bring it in a reusable Wegman’s bag if possible.
Ruth Circle: Tuesday, Dec. 10th, 12:00 noon. Christmas luncheon at Jim’s (formerly Critic’s).
Christmas Breakfast: Saturday, Dec. 14th, 9:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. Program: “The Treble Clefs”.
Our Special Membership Pin will be presented. Cost is $7.00. Karen Ingle will be taking reservations starting on Nov. 24th. Reservation deadline is December 8th. All women of the
church are welcome!
Fall Bazaar: Our bazaar was held on Saturday, Nov. 2nd, in Fellowship Hall. Chairman Sharon Neary thanks everyone involved for their help in making it a success! We had lots of shoppers for most of the day and lots of smiles & conversations too! Several new ideas were implemented this year and they were met with good response. The profits go to our GVD UMW Missions Pledge and to the GUMC budget.
Save The Date: Installation of Officers will take place on Sun., Jan. 26th, 2010. UMW Sunday will be held in the Spring. Dedication of the Fall Banners: Sunday, Nov. 24th. Memorial funds, which were given in memory of Pam Gallagher and Donna Gustke, were used to pur-
chase the banners. Church Women United: Advent Celebration will be held on Friday, Dec. 6th. No additional information available as of newsletter deadline.
Thoughts from Lisa Kostyshak…..
Vicki’s next adventure is teaching English in Shenyang, Liaoning, China through First Leap China. She’ll be
there for a year and is currently LOVING IT!!! Here are a few pictures for you to enjoy.
If you’d like to write to her, there are address s5ckers on the table by the mailboxes.
Vicki started with 2 weeks
of training in Beijing. Here
she is during some 5me off
in Beijing at Temple of
Heaven.
Dinner with other trainees at
an outdoor restaurant.
Teaching at First Leap!
Teaching on
Halloween!
The view from her apartment – 32nd
floor! Spiralized potato from
street vendor!
December Birthdays Not Available for web edition
December Anniversaries
Not Available for web edition
Projectionists: 9AM 11AM 12/1: Kara Down Cheryl Sheldon 12/8: Norma Rapini Earle Ridley 12/15: Earle Ridley Melissa Dunn 12/22: Kara Down Cheryl Sheldon 12/29: Norma Rapini Earle Ridley
Ushers: 9AM: Kara Down, Al Royter, Barr Ingle, Karen Ingle 11AM: Keith Kroon, Nancy Granger
Liturgists: 12/1: Mary VandeLoght 12/8: Karen Klingenberger 12/15: Dennis Wake 12/22: Sharon Neary 12/29: Tom Klingenberger
Counters: 12/1 & 12/8: Keith Kroon, Melissa Dunn, Norma Rapini 12/15 & 12/22: Cindy Lane, Keineth Stone, Diana Needham 12/29 & 1/5: Mary VandeLogt, Kim Whittemore, Shriley Haefle
The Worship Commi7ee is looking for peo-ple who want to aid their fellow worshipers each Sunday. See below how you may help enrich our worship $me:
• Altar Guild: Contact Kathy Murray at
• Communion Stewards: Contact Mary VandeLogt at
• Liturgists: Contact Tom Klingenberger at
• Ushers: Contact Tom Hinterman in person, or
• Nursery, Children’s Church, Greeters: Contact Debbie
Babbage at [email protected]
• Projec$onists: Contact Lisa Kostyshak at
• Choir: Contact Sharon Neary, choir director at
• Praise Band: Contact Ed Klingenberger at
Nursery: 12/1 &12/8:Kim Whittemore (Both), Cindy Lane(9), Debbie Symonds(11) 12/15 & 12/22: Glenna Johantgen (Both), Sharon Neary(11), 12/15 (9)Gale Huber, 12/22 (9)Debbie Babbage 12/29 & 1/5: Melissa Dunn & Cameron Thiele (Both)
Children’s Church: 12/1: No Children’s Church, Communion 12/8: Debbie Babbage, Glenna Johantgen 12/15: Jenni Barth, Michelle Patterson(9), Nancy Granger (11) 12/22: No Children’s Church, Holiday Music Service 12/29: Melissa & John Dunn (9), Chris Collins (11), Debbie Symonds(11)
Greeters: Greeter Ministry will begin on
Sunday December 8th. Schedule not available by
newsletter deadline.
December 2019 as of 11/15th. Please see Website for Updates.
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
Tradi$onal Worship
9AM
Discipleship 10AM
Praise & Worship
11AM
2
AA 12PM
Silver Squares
12:30 PM
Victory AA 6PM
UMW Execu$ve
Commi7ee 6:30 PM
3
Tuesday Book Study
10AM
Praise Band prac$ce
7PM
Treble Clefs 7PM
4
AA 12PM
Dinner & Devo$ons
5:30 PM
Bell Choir 6:15 PM
Choir Rehearsal 7PM
5
Atria Sr Bible Study
10:30 AM
Women's AA 11AM
Boy Scouts 7PM
6
AA 12PM
Crea5ve Hands
1:15 PM
AA 7:30 PM
7
Crèche
Blessing &
Pot-Luck
4:30PM
8
Tradi$onal Worship
9AM
Trustees 10AM
Discipleship Hour
10AM
Praise & Worship
Service 11AM
9
AA 12PM
Silver Squares Square
Dancers 12:30 PM
Victory AA 6PM
Miriam Circle
6:30 PM
10
Tuesday Book Study
10AM
Ruth Circle 12:30 PM
SPRC 7PM
Praise Band prac$ce
7PM
Treble Clefs 7PM
11
AA 12PM
Bell Choir 6:15 PM
Choir Rehearsal 7PM
12
Atria Sr Bible Study
10:30 AM
Women's AA 11AM
Boy Scouts 7PM
13
AA 12PM
Crea5ve Hands
1:15 PM
AA 7:30 PM
14
Emmaus
Gathering
8:30 AM
UMW
Christmas
Breakfast
9AM
15
Newsle7er Deadline
Today
Tradi$onal Worship
Service 9AM
Discipleship Hour
10AM
Praise & Worship
Service 11AM
16
AA 12PM
Silver Squares Square
Dancers 12:30 PM
Victory AA 6PM
17
Salem Nutri$on
Center 9AM
Tuesday Book Study
10AM
Finance Commi7ee
7PM
Praise Band prac$ce
7PM
Treble Clefs 7PM
18
Newsle7er Crew
11AM
AA 12PM
Dinner & Devo$ons
5:30 PM
Bell Choir 6:15 PM
Choir Rehearsal 7PM
19
Atria Sr Bible Study
10:30 AM
Women's AA 11AM
Boy Scouts 7PM
Blue Christmas
Service 7PM (Trinity
Episcopal Church)
20
AA 12PM
Crea5ve Hands
1:15 PM
AA 7:30 PM
21
First Day of
Winter
December
Sols5ce
22
Tradi$onal Worship
9AM Cantata
Discipleship Hour
10AM
Praise & Worship
11AM Praise Sing
Widow/Widower
Group 2PM
Girl Scout Service
Unit 6PM
23
MS Society Support
Group 10:30 AM
AA 12PM
Silver Squares
12:30 PM
Victory AA 6PM
24
Christmas Eve
Tuesday Book Study
10AM
Family Candlelight
Service 7PM
25
Christmas
AA 12PM
26
Atria Sr Bible Study
10:30 AM
Women's AA 11AM
Boy Scouts 7PM
27
AA 12PM
Crea5ve Hands
1:15 PM
AA 7:30 PM
28
29
UNDIE SUNDAY
Tradi$onal Worship
9AM
New Year Breakfast
10AM
Praise & Worship
11AM
30
AA 12PM
Silver Squares Square
Dancers 12:30 PM
Victory AA 6PM
31
New Year's Eve
Tuesday Book Study
10AM
4
