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Christmas Blessings
Once upon a Christmas Eve, a man sat in reflective silence before the fireplace pondering the
meaning of Christmas. “There is no point to a God who became human”, he mused. “why would
an all-powerful God want to share even one precious moment with the likes of us? And, even if
God did, why would God choose to be born in an animal stall? The whole thing is absurd! I’m sure
that if God really wanted to come down to earth, God would have chosen some other way.”
Suddenly, the man was roused from his reverie by a strange sound outside. He went to the window
and saw a small gaggle of blue geese frantically honking and aimlessly flopping about in the snow.
They seemed dazed and confused. Apparently, they had dropped out, in exhaustion, from the flight
of a larger flock on its way to warmer climes.
Moved to compassion, the man tried to shoo the poor geese into his warm garage, but the more he
shooed the more they panicked. “If they only realized I’m only trying to do what’s best for them”,
he thought to himself. “How can I make them understand my concern for their well-being?” Then,
this thought came to him: “If for just a minute I could become one of them, if I could become an
ordinary goose and communicate with them in their own language, they would know what I am
trying to do.”
And suddenly…suddenly, he remembered Christmas and a smile came over his face! Suddenly
the Christmas story no longer seemed absurd! Suddenly he pictured that ordinary looking infant,
lying in the crèche in that stable in Bethlehem, and he knew the answer to his Christmas problem.
God had become one of us to tell us in human terms we can all understand, that God Loves Us!
May you experience, once again this Advent and Christmas, the wonder of God’s love!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
THE LAMPLIGHTER A Newsletter for the Members of
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and Gaither United Methodist Church www.stpaulssykesville.org December 2016
BULLETIN DEADLINE Please note that all announcements for the Gaither and St. Paul’s bulletins must be received by the church office no later than 12noon on Tuesday of that week to be placed in the bulletin on Sunday. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
St. PAUL’S TRUSTEE ISSUES For all St. Paul’s trustee issues, please contact Dave Lewis at [email protected] or call/text at 301-602-5296 (priority only). Thank You!
CHURCH LIBRARY All books, CD’s, etc. donated to the church library must be approved by Debbie Scheller ([email protected]) prior to being displayed.
St. Paul’s Birthdays 12/1 Keith Evans 12/11 Kate VanFossen 12/15 Ann Byrne 12/16 Debbie Mathews 12/16 Bill Gawel 12/18 Karen Brown 12/ 18 Bob Corbin 12/19 Steve Toth 12/20 Matthew Williams 12/30 Judy Cruetzer
St. Paul’s Anniversaries
12/2 Chris & Jen Guyer 12/3 Richard and Kate VanFossen 12/30 Brian and Callie Elwood
Gaither’s Birthdays
12/7 Brad Basford 12/7 Joan Conaway 12/9 Wendy Garver 12/12 Michael Picket II 12/20 Gary Simmons, Sr. 12/24 Gertrude Harden 12/24 Carol Hullett 12/26 Mama June Sefoyianes 12/27 William Donnelly
Church Office: http://www.stpaulssykesville.org
Monday thru Friday: 9:00 AM – Noon Church Office: (410) 795-0714
Fax: (410) 795-0744 V/TTY: Maryland Relay
St. Paul’s Staff:
Terri Rae Chattin, Senior Pastor (410) 322-6304 (Home) * [email protected]
Doug Tzan, Associate Pastor (410) 795-0940 (Home) * [email protected]
Colleen Goodman, Admin. Assistant (410) 795-0714 (Church Office) * [email protected]
Kim Reed, Youth Coordinator (410) 552-5888 (Home) [email protected]
Betty May, Music/Choir Director David Eide-Altman, Organist
The Communications Staff: * Answering machine at each
Katie and Emma Birger, Lamplighter Editors [email protected]
Katie Birger, Webmaster [email protected]
MAILING LIST: If you have an address change or correction, would like to be added to either our electronic or paper distribution list or would like your birthday and anniversary published in The Lamplighter, please contact the church office at 410-795-0714 with the updated information and dates. Please specify if it is for St. Paul’s or Gaither.
Hey Youth! Can you believe we are in December already? Getting ready for the most precious gift God could have bestowed upon us in the birth of His Son! His love is never-ending, constantly abiding and holding us together day by day...BEST GIFT EVER!! Be sure you are trying to get to as many meetings as possible!! It's truly important to come, relax and have fun in Christ and build our family in Him....especially before we all gather at retreats and mission trips!! I know many, many responsibilities arise....homework, dinners, jobs, friends, vacations, illnesses, etc, etc. I totally understand all of them and yet God has made us, He has given us the gift of life, and we should at least try to make Him a priority. :) I know it's hard, but we can do it!! We have a lot coming up....always go by the newsletter I send home as sometimes there are changes! Can't wait to celebrate this Christmas season with you guys!! In His Love, Miss Kim 301-233-3203 UPCOMING EVENTS: Dec. 4 - All Youth Meet in Social Hall for Pizza and games to help watch the congregational kids so their folks can go out and do some Christmas Shopping!! 5-8pm Please bring a drink and a dessert to share! Dec. 11 - Regular Meetings Dec. 18 - Regular Meetings Dec. 24 - Youth Christmas Eve Service 5pm Dec. 25 - MERRY CHRISTMAS!! No Regular Meetings Jan. 1 - HAPPY NEW YEAR!! No Regular Meetings March 10-12 - Manidokan Retreat June 25-July 1 - Mission Trip to Erie, PA
Children's Book Drive! We are collecting gently used children's books for Carroll County Food Sunday. Often families must wait hours until it is their turn to get groceries at this food bank. Children often have nothing to do. We are setting up a book area for the children to look at books, then take one or two home each week. These are often families with few books at home. Some mothers may take newer books home as gifts for their children around the holidays. If you are cleaning out and getting rid of children's books, please consider donating. There is a box for books by the front doors at church. For more information, contact Jean Luebke at 410-795-0599 or [email protected]
December Worship at the Sykesville Parish
Sunday Worship Schedule: St. Paul’s Contemporary “Sonlight” Service 9:15 AM Gaither Traditional Service 9:30 AM St. Paul’s Traditional Service 11:00 AM Special Worship Opportunities: Sunday, December 4th: Matthew 3:1-12 Communion Sunday, December 11th: Matthew 11:2-11 Bell Choir at both services at St. Paul’s
Sunday, December 18th: Matthew 1;18-25 9:30 AM—Gaither Children’s Christmas Program 11:00 AM—St. Paul’s Christmas Choir Program Saturday, December 24th: Christmas Eve 3:00 PM—Children’s Service at St. Paul’s 5:00 PM—Youth Candlelight Service at St. Paul’s 7:00 PM—Candlelight Service at Gaither 9:00 PM—Candlelight Service at St. Paul’s Sunday, December 25th: John 1:1-14 11:00 AM—Combined Service for the Parish at St. Paul’s
Outreach Committee- Sharing God's Love and Light in our Community The outreach committee is gearing up for Sykesville Main Street's Icefest, to be held on February 4th. Volunteers are needed to help with refreshments, church tours, and a
children's educational program on ice penguins. Please contact Dawn if you are interested in joining us for a great day! Thanks to all who helped represent us at the Chili and Beer Festival!
Gaither News and Events
2016 December – Adopt a Family: We will continue to collect gift cards from Wal-Mart and grocery stores in the Eldersburg area. Also, any specific needed items. You may also, make monetary donation and items or gift cards will be purchased. Please make your check payable to GUMC memo: Adopt a Family. We will collect up to the week before Christmas to allow the family to purchase their
items. Board of Child Care: Please look for collection envelopes in your bulletin. Also, detailed information concerning the Board of Child Care can be found in the designated mission’s information area.
ST. PAUL’S MISSION UPDATE Our Mission during Advent 2016 – Four Sundays of Giving
St. Paul’s will continue our Four Sundays of Giving to four local concerns during Advent, 2016.
Our first two Sundays have been decided, but our second two are still being thoughtfully chosen.
If you would like to recommend an organization or non-profit, please contact Ridia Dearie with
information. Details on how you can help with all 4 Sundays will come through the weekly
update, the church bulletin, and through slides and updates during church services. Thank you!
1st Sunday – Springfield
2nd Sunday – ESCAPE Ministries
3rd Sunday – Domestic Violence
4th Sunday –Addiction Services
Help us help others,
Ridia Dearie, Mission Committee Chair
Online Giving Membership Drive
Please prayerfully consider signing up for Online Giving! Creating an online giving account allows you to automatically have your gift deducted from your checking account at any interval you choose. The giving website is secure, and regularly scheduled gifts help the Church to better budget through the year. Never write a check again, never worry about forgetting your envelopes, never miss your gift when you are on vacation! Visit stpaulssykesvill.org and go to the What’s Happening menu to find the link to Online Giving. For more information contact Donna Larkin at [email protected].
Help us reach our goal of 25 families participating in online giving by the end of the year!
Please save: Your Christmas and other greeting cards for The ARC of Carroll County.
Magazines for Carroll Hospital Center to distribute to patients. PLEASE REMOVE
ADDRESS LABELS. Any news magazines - Time, Newsweek, etc. - should be current
issues.
Soda can and other pop tops for the Ronald McDonald House to help pay for gasoline for
medical visits. A basket is located next to the church library for all these items. Thanks for your continued support of these projects.
Gil and Judy Creutzer
THANK YOU!
Thank you to the choir for the flowers, telephone calls, cards, and visits upon the death of my sister, Maureen. Also, the many expressions of caring and sympathy by the Pastors and members of the congregation. You are all special people and your actions mean more than you know. God bless you all.
Thank you, Dale and Susan Bennett
To: St. Paul’s U. M. Church Thank you for your impressionable gift of presence and financial support to our church. We continue to speak and pray for you all and all the great things you accomplished here with us. We hope to be in partnership again with you all. Thank you for your time, presence, and support. God bless, Pastor Laura Mt. Vernon Place United Methodist Church
Confirmation Confirmation classes will begin on Sunday, January 29th after St. Paul’s 11:00 AM worship service and end at 1:30 PM. An adult or guardian must be present with the confirmand for this opening session on January 29th. This is an EVERY SUNDAY COMMITMENT. No absences are allowed except, of course, for illness and a parental contact is required to excuse for illness. Please contact the church office to register your child. An informational packet will be forwarded to you. Confirmation Sunday is scheduled for Sunday, April 23rd.
United Methodist Women STUFFING THE STOCKINGS! The United Methodist Women of St. Paul’s are wearing elves’ caps as they help Santa prepare large Christmas stockings for each of the 15 children we tutor at our Homework Club at the Historic Sykesville Colored Schoolhouse. The elves are looking for donations from the entire congregation to give these kids a Merry Christmas! We are asking the congregation for KNITTED ITEMS: caps, scarves, mittens, and socks! Think kids! Bright socks for the girls, Ravens socks for the boys, perhaps? Colorful and fun caps and scarves! The children range in age from 6 to 12. Grade one: two boys, one girl. Grade three: one boy, one girl. Grade four: one girl. Grade five: two boys, two girls. Grade six: one boy, three girls. Grade seven: one girl.
The UMW will celebrate Christmas with a potluck brunch at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 10, during which we will wrap the gifts and stuff the stockings. We invite all the women of St. Paul’s to join in the fun! Please place your donations in the large basket in the narthex labelled “Homework Club” or bring them on the 10th. If you have any questions, contact Pat Greenwald: [email protected] 410-489-6540 Next UMW meeting is Jan 8th following the 11 am service.
Women’s Retreat Day Save the date of Saturday, January 21st, as the women of the Sykesville Parish will gather at Gaither for a day of worship, study, prayer, and fellowship. The theme for the day is “The Spiritual Gift of Waiting.” We will begin at 8:30 with a continental breakfast. The study starts promptly at 9:00 and will conclude at 3:30. Lunch will be provided. The cost for the day is $10.00. Just bring cash or a check the day of the retreat. Email Pastor Terri Rae if you plan to attend. Snow date for the Women’s Retreat is scheduled for Saturday, January 28th!
ADVENT/CHRISTMAS READING PLAN: A SEASON OF EXPECTANT HOPE
This new reading plan begins in Advent, which starts on November 27 and continues through to
Epiphany Sunday (January 8). Rather than a selected book of the Bible, most of these readings
are from the Old Testament and speak to the hope we have in God. On Sundays, you may want
to reread a text, catch up on a missed reading, or rest.
November 28 Genesis 8:1-19
November 29 Genesis 9:1-17
November 30 Isaiah 54:1-10
December 1 Isaiah 4:2-6
December 2 Isaiah 30:19-26
December 3 Isaiah 40:1-11
December 4 SUNDAY REST
December 5 Isaiah 24:1-16a
December 6 Isaiah 41:14-20
December 7 Genesis 15:1-18
December 8 Ruth 1:6-18
December 9 Ruth 4:13-17
December 10 1 Samuel 2:1-8
December 11 SUNDAY REST
December 12 Isaiah 29:17-24
December 13 Ezekiel 47:1-12
December 14 Zechariah 8:1-17
December 15 2 Samuel 7:1-17
December 16 2 Samuel 7:18-22
December 17 2 Samuel 7:23-29
December 18 SUNDAY REST
December 19 Genesis 17:15-22
December 20 Genesis 21:1-21
December 21 Genesis 37:2-11
December 22 Isaiah 33:17-22
December 23 2 Samuel 7:18, 23-29
December 24 Luke 1:46-55
December 25 SUNDAY REST
December 26 Luke 2: 1-20
December 27 Proverbs 8:22-31
December 28 Isaiah 49:13-23
December 29 Jeremiah 31:15-22
December 30 Isaiah 26:1-9
December 31 1 Kings 3:5-14
January 1 SUNDAY REST
January 2 Genesis 12:1-7
January 3 Genesis 28:10-22
January 4 Exodus 3:1-5
January 5 Joshua 1:1-9
January 6 Matthew 2: 1-12
January 7 1 Samuel 7: 3-17
January 8 SUNDAY REST
Upcoming Meetings & Events
Please check our Small Group Meeting schedule on the next page, and online at sypaulssykesville.org
Fri., 12/2 U. M. Women’s Christmas Bazaar Set-up – St. Paul’s Social Hall Sat., 12/3 U. M. Women’s Christmas Bazaar – 9:00 AM – St. Paul’s Social Hall
Sun., 12/4 In-Reach “Shop Til You Drop Night” (Babysitting) – 4-8 PM – Sunday School Basement Tues., 12/6 St. Paul’s Administrative Council Meeting – 7:00 PM Rm. 202/204
Weds., 12/7 Advent Study – 6-7:30 PM – St. Paul’s Social Hall Weds., 12/7 St. Paul’s Deadline to Order Christmas Poinsettias Sat., 12/10 U. M. Women’s Christmas Brunch (along with the Sykesville Town’s “Merry Main Street”) Weds., 12/14 Advent Study – 6-7:30 PM – St. Paul’s Social Hall Weds., 12/14 Joint SPRC Meeting – 7:30PM – Rm. 202/204 Sun., 12/18 Gaither’s Children’s Christmas Program – 9:30 AM
St. Paul’s Choral Christmas Program – 11:00 AM
Sat., 12/24 Christmas Eve Services – 3:00 PM - Children’s Service- St. Paul’s 5:00 PM - Youth Candlelight Service – St. Paul’s 7:00 PM - Candlelight Service-Gaither 9:00 PM - Candlelight Service- St. Paul’s
Sun., 12/25 MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Joint Christmas Day Service at St. Paul’s with Gaither Church 11:00 AM Mon., 12/26 No Prayer Circle Sat., 1/7 Congregational 50s Theme Sock Hop St. Paul’s Social Hall – 4:00 -7:00 PM Sun., 1/8 U. M. Women’s Meeting – 12:15 PM – Social Hall Weds., 1/11 St. Paul’s Trustee Meeting – 7:00 PM – Pastor Terri Rae’s Office Weds., 1/18 Gaither’s Administrative Council Meeting – 7:00 PM – Fellowship Hall
Sat., 1/21 Sykesville Parish Women’s Retreat – “The Spiritual Gift of Waiting”- at Gaither Church
8:30 AM Continental Breakfast 9:00 – 3:30 PM– Study
A.A. Meets Every Monday at 8:30PM and Friday evenings at 7:00PM and 8:30PM in St. Paul’s Social Hall.
Congregational Sock Hop Dance 50’s themed to be held in St. Paul’s social hall on January 7, 2017 4-7pm. Looking for volunteers to help decorate and donate light refreshments. Please contact Carmella Evans 443-277-8607. You may call or text.
Small Groups Ministry It never too late to join one of our small groups. Our groups are open and we are always looking forward to seeing new faces! Men of Christ- Men's bible study that meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at 7:00pm in the basement at St. Paul's. Contact Jay Fetterman at [email protected] Higher Steps-A walking/jogging group that meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 12:30 at Millard Cooper Park. Contact Charlene Williams at 410-3821696 or [email protected]
Lunch Bunch-A weekly lunchtime bible study that meets on Thursdays from 11:30-1 in rooms 202/204. Contact Barb Rodean at [email protected] Prayer Circle- A weekly prayer meeting on Monday night in the cry room at 7:00pm Contact Jean Luebke at [email protected] Breakfast Club- A monthly breakfast fellowship followed by serving at Carroll County Food Sunday in Westminster. Meets the first Saturday of each month at The Cup Cafe. Contact Jean Luebke at [email protected] Prayer Shawl Ministry-Those who knit, crochet, quilt or want to learn are welcome! Meets at 2:00 the second Monday of every other month at St. Pauls. Contact Jackie Talley at 410-795-8692 Addiction and Grace- A monthly prayer group at St Paul’s rm 202/204 the 4th Sunday of each month focusing on learning and praying about addiction and those affected by it. Contact Lisa Shifflet at [email protected] or 410-960-4590 For more information please reach out to the group leaders above or for general information contact Rachel Fetterman at [email protected] or the church office Do you have any ideas for Small Groups you would like to see in the new year? Contact Rachel if you do!
December Schedule, St Paul’s and Gaither
St. PAUL’S NURSERY NEEDS VOLUNTEERS We need volunteers in St. Paul's Nursery. Providing a warm, nurturing environment for our babies and toddlers helps develop trust and mutual respect. As children learn that church is a trustworthy place, and adults
there can be trusted, this becomes the basis for trusting God. If you are interested in helping with our little ones, please contact Carol Bleam at [email protected] or at 443-845-2491.
GREETERS LITURGIST ACOLYTE NURSERY
St.
Pau
l’s
12/4 Alex, Aubrey, Nicholas, and Kyle Johnson
Cindy Shea Sarah Creutzer Megan Vogel
12/11 Greg and Cathy Fuchs Rich Luebke Thomas Brooks Carol Bleam
12/18 Diane Jordan Todd Johnson Allison Cruetzer Megan Forbes
12/24 Johnathan, Joy, John and Thomas Brooks (9pm)
Brain Williams (9pm) TBD Not Staffed
12/25 Chris, Jen, Matthew, Katie, and Maggie Guyer
Eric Scheller Maya Tzan Not Staffed
Gait
her
12/4 Tony and Esther Matulonis
Bettye Stirn Kesi Mertz
12/11 Ed and Carol Hullett Patricia Doxzen Veda Doxzen
12/18 Tom and Joyce Arnold Children’s Program Chad Doxzen
12/24 Wayne and Susan Arrington (7pm)
TBD TBD
12/25 Service at St. Paul’s Merry Christmas!
The Lamplighter is going digital!
The Lamplighter is currently available every month on our website, stpaulssykesville.org. You can find
archived issues there as well. As we move forward into the digital age, we will be moving the newsletter to a
fully digital format in January 2017.
Beginning in January, 2017, the Lamplighter will no longer be mass mailed to members of the
congregation. Printed copies will still be available at both Churches, and individual mailing can be
arranged by special request.
We will also be shifting our format! Beginning in January, all upcoming events and information will be
available online, and the Lamplighter will focus on reporting all the wonderful things going on in our Parrish,
community, and members’ lives. If you have any stories, pictures, and video to share, please contact Katie
Birger at [email protected]. Pictures of children’s faces should always have their parents permission to
publish.
Upcoming events should still be sent to Katie, for publication on the website.
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Contemporary Worship Service 9:15 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon
Worship Service 11:00 a.m.
Staff: Pastor Terri Rae Chattin Associate Pastor Douglas D. Tzan Administrative Assistant: Colleen Goodman Church Organist: David Eide-Altman Youth Coordinator: Kim Reed
Special Ministries at St. Paul’s Administrative Board Chairperson: Pat Greenwald Vice Chairperson: Temple Riehl Church Treasurer: Donna Larkin Financial Secretary: Lydia Dearie Sunday School Directors:
Charlotte Riesett/Callie Elwood United Methodist Women President: Dawn Wittfelt
Vice President: Lisa Shifflet United Methodist Men President: Gil Creutzer Music/Choir Director: Betty May Lay Leader: Kim Pyles/Brian Williams
Gaither United Methodist Church
Worship Service 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Staff: Pastor Terri Rae Chattin Associate Pastor Douglas D. Tzan Administrative Assistant:
Colleen Goodman Church Organist: Janet Boyd Youth Coordinator: Kim Reed
Special Ministries at Gaither Administrative Board Chairperson:
Janet Boyd Church Treasurer: Denton Boyd Financial Secretary: Amy Hoffman Lay Leader: Carmella Evans
December 2016
Church Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon
Church - (410) 795-0714
(Church Office Located at St. Paul’s)
St Paul’s United Methodist Church
7538 Main St.
Sykesville, MD 21784
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage
Paid Permit No. 2
Sykesville, MD 21784
