Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Tabor Mennonite Church
Volume LXV December 13, 2020 No. 50
WORSHIP
PRELUDE Mark Schmidt WELCOME AND PRAYER Leann Toews LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE Pastor Phil, Mary, Ethan and Noah Schmidt CHRISTMAS BRASS Led by Jerry Toews CHILDREN’S STORY Sheri Schmidt SCRIPTURE READING Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Michelle Unruh The Word of God for the people of God ~ Thanks be to God! SERMON “Oaks of Righteousness” Pastor Phil Schmidt CHRISTMAS BRASS CONGREGATIONAL SHARING and PRAYER OFFERTORY PRAYER Pastor Phil Schmidt SENDING BLESSING CHRISTMAS BRASS
See attached document for worship transcript
During postlude music you are welcome to bring your offering forward and also spend some time fellowshipping and visiting. As a reminder, please wear your mask outside of your vehicle.
This week, as we continue the journey of Advent, we reflect on the powerful poetry in Isaiah 61 that proclaims the good news of Jubilee so that God’s people can experience restoration and become a living witness of God’s ways.
Sunday, December 13
Come together in spirit to worship God and experience God’s love. As we unite our hearts, may we be mindful of God’s saving grace, especially as we face difficult circumstances through uncertain times. 10:45 am: We invite everyone to drive in to the church parking lot for the Worship Service and tune in to FM Radio 107.1 to listen. The service will be Livestreamed and recorded as usual. Please note: FM transmitter issue has be fixed, so listening should be clear again.
Faith Formation 9:00 am: Sharing and breakout rooms via Zoom. BASIC class: Plans pending. Watch for details.
Zoom connection information is below.
-Click this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7022907372?pwd=Ty9JK0Vvb1ZOLzFnaWxwdEwyVXRzdz09
-Or, open Zoom and type in the following information:
Meeting ID: 702 290 7372 , Password: 2020
-Or, call in by dialing the following number: +1 346 248 7799, then dialing the Meeting ID (702 290 7372 ) followed by pressing the # key twice.
This Week
Pastor Katherine is on medical leave.
Office hours for the remainder of December will be irregular. Please submit announcements by 8am Wednesday mornings.
Mon. Dec. 14: Giving Tree packages are due at the bank. 1-6 pm: Bloodmobile at Goessel Church. See announcements. 7 pm: Men’s Bible Study, Tabor Hospitality Hall.
Tues. Dec. 15, 10 am: Staff meeting. 7 pm: Deacon meeting.
Wed. Dec. 16, 7 pm: Education Co. meeting.
Next Sunday, December 20
9:00 am: Faith Formation via Zoom BASIC class: Plans pending. Watch for details. 10:45 am: Next Sunday is the fourth Sunday in Advent. Scripture for reflection is Isaiah 35:1-10 and Pastor Katherine will be preaching.
the Meeting
Prayer Requests
Remember to Pray for:
Pastor Phil and family as they anticipate moving to Indiana this coming Spring, where Phil will join the Pastoral Team at Belmont Mennonite Church in Elkhart, Indiana.
All in our congregation who are recovering from surgery and are facing health related concerns. Lord, hear our prayer.
those in our church and in our communities, schools and nursing homes as we continue to see new positive COVID cases. Pray for those who test positive, those who are in quarantine, teachers and staff who continue to teach our children and all those in the health care field, including those who care for our loved ones in nursing homes. Lord, hear our prayer.
Western District Conference: Pray for God’s guidance for WDC
congregations in pastoral transition, as they navigate endings and discern new beginnings in the midst of the pandemic.
Mennonite Mission Network: Praise God for Joe Sawatzky, who recently became an international education liaison for MMN and Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary. Pray for Joe and global church leaders, as they seek to strengthen the body of Christ through Anabaptist education initiatives around the world.
Remember to Praise God for:
The joyful giving that was seen through the children of the Goessel Elementary School with the incredible amount of groceries they collected for the Tabor Food Pantry. Over 900 items were delivered! Thanks be to God for this show of generosity!
Thanks
Tabor Church community, thank you for the many expressions of care and support as we deal with our health issues. The prayers, the words of encouragement, the cards, telephone calls, emails and the delicious meals do sustain us. Recovering from surgery is slow but each day shows improvement. Archie is managing fairly well these days. We've felt God's love through you. ~In appreciation, Archie and Kristin Schmidt
Congregational Announcements
Advent Giving: MCC Infant Care Kits. Help mothers give their infants a good start. Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) kits are given to families displaced by war or disaster and are used in other settings to help support mothers who lack the supplies they need for a new baby.
Infant Care Kit Contents (NEW items only, sizes 3-12 months)
3 gowns/sleepers (flannel or similar warm, soft material)
3 undershirts/onesies (short or long sleeves)
1 receiving blanket (lightweight fleece or flannel, minimum 30 in x 30 in, larger sizes preferred)
4 large, heavy-duty safety pins
1 large bar mild soap (leave in wrapper)
1 pair of socks
1 cap Items can be purchased or sewn. Contact one of MCC’s material resources centers for a pattern for hand-sewn gowns.
There is a container under the carport to leave items for donation. Wednesday Evening Programming Coordinator Needed – The Wed Evening programming has taken many different approaches over the years with many good leaders. There are many details that go into each evening and so it would be less overwhelming if it was a team. We have 2 people who are interested and we are looking for at least one more person. Please consider this opportunity to serve all age groups in our Tabor and wider community. Please call or e-mail Pam Abrahams with questions or desire to serve. Calendars are here! The 2021 “Kansas Scenes” calendars by Emil & Vickie Schmidt are now available. Proceeds will be donated to Camp Mennoscah. Suggested donation is $15. Make checks payable to Tabor Mennonite Church and note “Calendars” in the memo. You can pick them up at the church (calling first recommended) or contact Emil or Vickie for pick up or delivery arrangements at (620)-367-2343. “Circle of the Seasons” is a new children’s book that has been donated to our church library by the illustrator, our own Wilma Schmidt! This beautiful book is illustrated with photographs of the fabric art pictures that Wilma created. Available for purchase at Faith and Life bookstore or the Carriage Factory Art Gallery, Newton. Tabor Wellness: The Tabor Wellness 2020 Body Building Challenge trackers are due to Kevin by Sunday, December 13th. You are welcome to email them to Kevin at [email protected] or request an in person pick up or drop off. Thank you for your wellness efforts in 2020!
The Christmas Giving Tree: All the gifts will need to be brought back to the Bank by Monday, December 14. You may return gifts at the drive through window, or knock on the lobby door and you will be allowed in. The gifts should be wrapped and the bank personnel will assist with the “checking in” process. Bloodmobile: As you make plans for the holidays, include sharing the gift of life by donating blood at Goessel Church between 1:00-6:00 on Monday, December 14. Go to www.redcrossblood.org to see available times and types of donations. For more information contact Rosi Reimer 620-367-2418 or Nancy Stucky 620-367-2610. Mennonite Heritage & Ag Museum: Shop Local First. Locally crafted items, Mennonite cookbooks, gift memberships to museum, selected book-table for the frugal shopper, Mennonite history books, agricultural books, gift certificates available. Open Tues-Sat.12-4:00 p.m. until Dec.19, 2020. Small Group Gatherings: If you would like to schedule an in -person or Zoom meeting for your small group, faith formation class, or another gathering, please let church staff know and we will get that set up!
Conference Announcements Voices Together Hymnal Launch: There will be a Zoom dedication launch celebration for the new Mennonite hymnal, Voices Together, this Sunday, December 13, at 4:00 pm Central Time. It will include a time to worship with new songs and resources, hear stories, and offer blessings for Voices Together and all who receive it. After this time of worship, there will be an overview of the process of creating Voices Together and a time for questions with committee members. This event is free but registration is required by Friday, Dec. 11 to receive the Zoom link. http://voicestogetherhymnal.org/digital-launch-registration/ Western District Conference: Due to the rise in cases of Covid-19, the WDC office and Conference Resource Library are closed, and all staff members are working from their homes. The best way to contact WDC is by email: --Heidi Regier Kreider, Conference Minister - [email protected] --Kathy Neufeld Dunn, Associate Conference Minister (Kansas-Based) - [email protected] --Sandra Montes-Martinez, Associate Conference Minister (Texas-Based) - [email protected] --Beth Yoder, Business Manager - [email protected] --Jennie Wintermote, Library Director - [email protected] --Dwight Regier, Youth Ministry Network Team Leader - [email protected] --Nancy Funk, Administrative Assistant - [email protected]
Mennonite Church USA: Service Adventure is accepting applications for the 2021-2022 service term! Grow in leadership and faith, as you spend a year serving and living in community with others your age and with unit leaders. Visit MennoniteMission.net/ServiceAdventure to learn more!
Camp Mennoscah:
--Camp Mennoscah is a wonderful space for families and groups needing space to spread out! Facilities for differently sized groups are available with a variety of gathering areas. Trails and fields are waiting to be hiked and used for fun activities, too!
--Miss ordering your Camp Mennoscah hoodie for that dedicated camp enthusiast? No worries! A few extra will be available. Grab yours before they're gone!
For all of the above: Email [email protected] or call 620-297-3290
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC):
--MCC Comforter Blitz update: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Kansas Friends of MCC Comforter Blitz in Yoder, KS has been canceled. However, the Blitz committee still has a goal of collecting at least 300 comforters between February and April. We need your help to meet this goal! Fabric kits and comforter sets to tie (top, back, batting) are available to check out from MCC in North Newton. For contactless drop-off of completed comforters the 24-hour donation room is always available. To arrange drop-off or checkout materials, contact Kate at [email protected], or 316.804.8432.
--Free resource from MCC: Learning about generosity! Help children learn about generosity with MCC printable worksheets including activities, a story, a craft to make and Christmas gift ideas that benefit global neighbors with colorable greeting cards, find it all at mcc.org/generosity. Explore the full list of Christmas giving options from MCC at mcc.org/christmas.
Bethel College: --Sun., Dec. 13, 8 p.m. – All are invited to take part in Bethel College’s annual Lighting of the Green, from wherever you are. This long-standing Bethel Advent tradition celebrates the Light that shines in the darkness, the life and light of Christ who came into the world giving light to all humankind. Normally held on the Green in the center of campus, the gathering will take place virtually this year, live online (links follow) with some parts pre-recorded. YouTube: https://youtu.be/LZeLxduHoVk or Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/98444357235?pwd=N1MzQlpiQ29HQWZIWUs2NGpNWWtIZz09
Everence will host a Social Security and retirement income planning webinar, on Monday, Dec. 14 at 6:30 p.m. Attendees will learn about Social Security strategies, risks that can impact retirement savings and strategies to help income last throughout retirement. This online workshop is free. Register soon by contacting our office at 316-283-3800, 877-467-7294 or [email protected].
hear more about service op-
and some other details may be
Serving and Learning Together
Please share what you are finding to be grateful for during this time of uncertainty and being apart. Email [email protected] or call 367-2318. If no answer, please leave a message.
Gratitude
I am grateful for….
~ Christmas lights that serve as a reminder that the light of the world is living with us!
~ the outpouring of love from the Goessel community with the generous monetary donations received for the Tabor Food Pantry since the pandemic began.
~ a grocery store in our small town. I am grateful for Keith Banman who has kept it thriving when many small town grocery stores do not. I am grateful for James Janzen, who will be taking over the grocery store in January as Keith takes well deserved retirement!
$ 12,399.97
Offering December 6, 2020
Tabor Mennonite Church
891 Chisholm Trail, Newton, KS 67114 Phone: 620-367-2318 email: [email protected]
Website: www.tabormennonite.org
As God’s children and the body of Christ, we are called by God to offer hospitality, healing and hope in the name of Christ.
Co-Pastor: Philip Schmidt Cell: 620-386-0779 email: [email protected]
Co-Pastor: Katherine Goerzen Cell: 316-727-4986 email: [email protected]
Deacons: Carol Duerksen Duane Duerksen
Marcene Entz Denise Nickel
Emil Schmidt John Unruh
This Advent and Christmas season will be different, and there will be meaningful traditions that we may not be able to engage in this year. And yet, Emmanuel – God-with-us – continues to be revealed in the world in unexpected and miraculous ways. May it be so in our lives and in the world. Amen.
Scriptures for reflection during Advent through Epiphany are from Isaiah. Brass music will be featured throughout Advent. We are grateful to all who will provide brass music as this is such a meaningful part of our Advent and Christmas worship!
Window paintings are a way to share in the joy of Christmas during these unusual times. Thanks to Tabor’s Visual Arts Team for their vision and sharing their gifts in this way. Make sure to drive through the church parking lot and take time to step out and view the windows!
The Christmas Eve service this year will be a drive-in service in the parking lot. It will include brass music, Scripture, candle lighting, and luminaries. Recordings with children playing Christmas songs will be played as the prelude and will be made available to the entire congregation.
Giving Opportunities include the Christmas Giving Tee, Tabor Food Panty, and MCC Infant Care Kits, with a special offering on Christmas Eve for the infant kits. Please make checks payable to Tabor Mennonite Church with ‘MCC Kits’ on the memo line. Donations will be received at the Christmas Eve Service or you may mail your donation to the church.
