The Trumpeter Elkhorn Hills UMC

DECEMBER 2017 Issue No. 12

Worship With Us!

SUNDAY WORSHIP 9:00 & 10:30AM Worship Service 10:30 Sunday School Classes

ELKHORN HILLS

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 20227 Veterans’ Drive Elkhorn, NE 68022 (402) 289-4764

www.elkhornhillsumc.org

NOTE FROM PASTOR HJELLE

“Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; let every

heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing…” There are so many wonderful opportunities coming our way this holiday season, and we pray that you and your family will be able to join us as we celebrate the birth of Christ and what it means for our world and our lives. In this month’s Newsletter, you’ll read about all of our special events and service opportunities, but there are a few that I want to highlight for you and make sure you know about. The first is our Christmas Cantata “Christmas is in the Heart: Sharing the Joy of God with Us” presented by our Chancel Choir on Sunday, December 17th at 9am and 10:30am in the Sanctuary. It will be a wonderful morning of worship and a great oppor-tunity to bring a guest! We will also have the Cookie Walk that helps fund scholarships for preschool children in the hallways of the Education Wing that morning – so, come ready to buy a tray and support a good cause too! We also have an All-Church Movie Matinee that Sunday, December 17th at 3:45pm at the Village Pointe Movie Theater. We’ll be watching the new animated film “The Star” which is the nativity story from the per-spective of the animals. It looks hilarious! Tickets are $6.50 for kids and adults, and must pre-purchased by Sunday, December 10th. Kiddy Trays (concessions) will also be provided by the Children’s Ministry Commit-tee for the kids in attendance. It will be a great afternoon to relax and laugh and celebrate the greatest story ever told! I also want to say, “THANK YOU!” for all that you have done to support our neighbors during this season! The altar area was overflowing with your generous donations for the Food Baskets that are being put together by the Western Douglas County Chamber of Commerce & COPE. And more than 50 children and adults have been sponsored by our congrega-tion for the COPE Christmas Party in early December – wow, wow, wow! Thank you for making this season a bit brighter for so many indi-viduals and families in our community! May the hope, peace, joy, and love of Jesus Christ fill your hearts and your homes this Advent & Christmas Season!

With great joy, Pastor Rebecca Hjelle

Mark Your CalendarsMark Your CalendarsMark Your CalendarsMark Your Calendars

3 Admin Co Mtg. -Conf Rm 11:30am

4 Children’s Ministry Mtg. - Conf Rm Book Club- Scooters EH Men’s Basketball

6:30pm 6:30pm 7:00pm

6 Elkhorn Hills Prays Ladies Fellowship Midweek Ministries

9:00am 10:00am 6-8pm

9 United Methodist Men FOYP Holiday Get Together

8:00am 6:30pm

10 Ginger Bread House Decorating Children’s Sunday School - FLC Christmas Caroling -Choir Mission Co. Mtg. Pie-In-The-Face Trustee Co. Mtg.

10:30am

11:00am 11:30am 11:30am 5:00pm

11 YES Meal Finance Co. Mtg. EH Men’s Basketball

12;00pm 7:00pm 7:00pm

13 Midweek Ministries NO Triple G

6:00pm

15 Knit & Sew Holiday Brunch 10:00am

17 CANTATA COOKIE WALK following both services The “Star” Movie Matinee Village Pointe

9am& 10:30am 3:45pm

20 NO Midweek Ministries

22 Church office closed

24 4th Sunday in Advent- AM WORSHIP CHRISTMAS EVE. Evening services- see Advent Calendar on page2

10:00am

25 CHRISTMAS DAY- Enjoy time with family OFFICE CLOSED

27 NO Midweek Ministries

31 NEW YEAR’S EVE - ONE AM SERVICE 10:00am

18 EH Men’s Basketball 7:00pm

MIDWEEK MINISTRIES 6-7 Heavenly Hand Bell Choir 7-8 Chancel Choir 6:30-7:30 Youth Triple G Adult Bible Studies

WORSHIP

DEC 17 Greeters: Mona Grabher Ushers: Fred & Mona Grabher

9:00 AM Usher / Greeter Schedule

DEC 3 Greeters: Tom & Cristi Baumert, Bob Nelson Ushers: Steve & Connie Bell

Greeters: Julie Fraser, DeAnne Fedde Ushers: Rick Hullinger, Kevin & Sara Bisanz

DEC 10

DEC 17

10:30 AM Usher / Greeter Schedule

DEC 3 Greeters: Brent Klanderud Ushers: Derrick Peterson

Greeters: Barb Witte Ushers: Jim & Barb Witte DEC 10

DEC 24 10:00 AM

DEC 31 10:00 AM

Greeters: Mike Ough & Pam Roth Ushers: The Beesons

Greeters: Linda Holloway, Dianne Ruppe Ushers: Bob & Jan Heliker, and Linda, Dianne

Greeters: Bonnita Sherburne Ushers: RC Hoover, Dennis Hume

December 3- 1st Sunday in Advent 9:00 & 10:30 am Worship

December 10 - 2nd Sunday in Advent 9:00 & 10:30 am Worship

December 17 - 3rd Sunday in Advent Cantata “Christmas is in the Heart” 9:00 & 10:30 am Worship & Cookie Walk to follow both services

December 24 - 4th Sunday in Advent 10:00 am Worship Christmas Eve Services 4:00pm - Children’s Message & Candles 7:00pm - Christmas Story in Scripture & Song, Communion & Candles 11:00pm - Christmas Story in Scripture & Song, Communion & Candles

December 31 - 1st Sunday after Christmas Day 10:00am Worship

January 7, 2018 - Epiphany Sunday 10:00am includes Children’s Play

2017

AVENT

CALENDAR

CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED December 22 & 25 - Closed January 1 - Closed

COME CELEBRATE THE SEASON OF ADVENT THE ELKHORN HILLS MUSICAL MINISTRY

Presents “Christmas Is in the Heart”

on

Sunday, December 17, 2017

at the

9:00 & 10:30 Worship Services

The Cantata Choir and Heavenly Bell Choir

will share the Message through music

Please join us! Pastor Rebecca Hjelle

CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES

Gingerbread House decorating! We will be decorating the gingerbread houses again this year. This kids love doing this creative project. We will be decorating on December 10 during Sunday School hour down in the FLC. We would love if members of the congregation are able to donate candy for this fun activity. There is a box located outside of Cheryl’s office for the collection. Thank you!!

Sunday School Christmas break- The Christmas break will be starting Dec. 17th- Jan. 14th. January 7th will be the Epiphany play during the 10:00 am service.

Elkhorn Hills Movie Matinee- On Dec. 17th, we will be holding a private screening of the movie The Star. This will be a fun kid’s movie that tells the story about the first Christmas in the eyes of The animals. Tickets are limited and must be purchased ahead of time. Tickets are $6:50 each. Kiddy trays will be provided by the Children’s Department for all the children.

See Ashley for ticket details.

December 5th – Christmas Play Practice- 6:30-7:30pm December 12th- Christmas Play Practice- 6:30-7:30 pm December 10th- Decorating Gingerbread houses- 10:30-11:30 (FLC) NO SUNDAY SCHOOL December 24th- 4:00pm Christmas Eve- Family Service.

December 20th we will be having your Annual Preschool Christmas Program. Our program will start at 6pm for our 2-day class

and 7pm for our 3 & 4 day classes in the sanctuary. We are very excited to have the congregation and the preschool families join us to listen to the beautiful music. These kiddos have been working very hard. Join us after the program for reception down in the Family Life Center.

Cookie Donations- December 17th we will join the Christmas celebration and hold our Annual Cookie Walk in honor of Brianna Baumert. The cookie walk will talk place after each service. If you love to make holiday cookies we would love for you to share them with us and support this great cause. Please drop all cookies off in the Children’s Education office by December 15th.

Brianna Baumert Scholarship Fund/Cookie Walk This special preschool scholarship is in memory of Brianna Baumert, a former student in the preschool and an active youth/congregation member. She tragically lost her life in a car accident nearly ten years ago, but her spirit lives on in our church and through this fund. Brianna and her family are wonderful examples of generosity and positive spirit within our congregation. It is appropriate that the Baumert Family represent this fund that is specifically for preschool families struggling financially because of job loss, medical issues or unforeseen expenses. For nine years this scholarship has been able to help many families continue to educate their children in our preschool while feel-ing the love of Christ. It has answered the prayers of mothers and fathers who are struggling to make ends meet in our economy. The scholarship is funded solely by cookie sales at the preschool’s annual Cookie Walk which will be held December 17th follow-ing the “Cantata” at after both services, 9:00 & 10:30. Make some cookies, buy some cookies, and help a family.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING !!!!!!CHRISTMAS IS COMING !!!!!!CHRISTMAS IS COMING !!!!!!CHRISTMAS IS COMING !!!!!!

Think SCRIP! Going grocery holiday shopping or holiday travelling? Eating out for lunch? Gift cards for Christmas Gifts? Shop Scrip, its easy and the rewards are great! Go to: shopwithscrip.com to place a customized order or stop by the scrip table between services and select from what is in stock. Vendors give rebates of 2.5-14% of the purchase price back to the church and most local vendors participate. One half of what is rebated is given to mission shares each year. Gift cards are a safe and secure way to pay for your purchases. Questions or to place an order please con-tact Lori Hullinger at rhullinger6@cox.net.

OPPORTUNITIES

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION REGULAR GATHERINGS

Ladies Fellowship: Come Join Us! Elkhorn Ladies meet the 1st Wednesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. at the Donut Professor in Elkhorn. Next meeting Dec. 6th.

KNIT & SEW GROUP - The ladies will round out their year with a Holiday Brunch, on Dec. 15th at the Market Basket. The Warm Up Omaha pro-ject was a great success. The congregation and this group were very productive and generous. More than 80 blankets of all sizes and 100 hats of all sizes were sent to: Sienna Francis House, Open Door Mission, Lydia House and Youth Emergency Ser-vices. Thank you to all participants.

ELKHORN HILLS PRAYS: All are welcome to join us to pray for our Church, Nation and People. Meet at the church in the Grace Class Room. Next meeting Dec. 6th.

UNITED METHODIST MEN (UMM) Meet the 2nd Saturday of the month at 8:00am. All men are welcome! Next meeting on Dec. 9th. The men helped with the Hanging of the Greens the weekend of Nov. 19th. They are planning a Valentine’s Day activity February, 2018.

Ladies Book Club - Meets the 1st Monday of the month, 6:30pm at Scooters Coffee House, Elkhorn. Next meeting is Dec. 4th. Please join us! Contact: Jan Heliker more information on joining the club.

Dec. 4 The Real Mary by Scot McKnight will be the book review for December’s meeting.

Grace Adult Sunday School Class Meets in the Grace Classroom (down the hall from the Pastor’s office) at 10:30. The current study is based on Advent. Grace Class serves at the Open Door Mission once a quarter. They are planning a family variety show this Spring. Contact: Lena Beeson

Women’s Bible Study – Wed. 6:30pm December 6 -- Advent -- New View December 13 -- Party time. We will all bring a snack or dessert treat & share Christmas Stories & bring a Bible Verse & encouraging note to be exchanged among our members.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Class will resume on January 3 -- with a DVD Study, Restless by Jennie Allen

Wednesday Night Study -6:30pm The Wednesday Evening Bible study had a good year. We had substantive discussions on Jonah, Habakkuk , James, 1st Peter, 2nd Peter, 1st John, 2nd John, 3rd John, Jude, and are now working through 1st Timothy. Amazing how the issues addressed in Scripture never seem to go out of date! This study group is led by RC Hoover and they will meet in the GRACE Classroom in 2018. Walk-ins welcome.

Breakfast Club Adult Sunday School Our Class meets in the Conference Room from 10:30-11:30. The Advent study is The Lord Is Our Light by A.Elaine Brown Crawford.

Financial Peace University - Jan. 21 - Mar. 18 10:15 to 11:45 in the Family Life Center on the stage. Childcare will be provided. Facilitators - Greg and Emily Gale. Cost of the class is $100.00. Scholar-ships are available. If you have questions call Bonnita Sherburne. 402-289-1906 . Registrations open through January 7th.

Ladies Lunch Bunch (LLB) December 20th will be this year’s Christmas luncheon at Vincenzo’s Restaurant, at 15701 Pa-cific Street. There will be a small gift exchange among the ladies. (We ask to keep the gift cost @ $10-15 maximum) Let’s celebrate the holiday.

From the Mission Committee:

The Mission Committee asked a lot from the Congrega-tion this year, in material items and volunteering. And you have came through.

In February, we asked for cloth diapers for the Knit and Sew Group's layette kits for UMCOR. In May, we asked for donations for the NUMB riders annual bike ride in June to fight hunger. In July, we asked for school sup-plies for both COPE backpacks and school bags for UMCOR. In August, we asked for donations and volun-teers for the annual garage sale. In September, we asked for volunteers for the Habitat for Humanity Build for the Elkhorn Coalition in Waterloo. In November, we asked for non-perishable food for the Holiday Boxes that are distributed by the Western Douglas County Cham-ber of Commerce, in December.

And all year we have asked for help with the YES meal that is delivered once a month and the Scrip cards that are available every Sunday.

The ELKHORN HILL’S MISSION COMMITTEE THANKS YOU FOR ALL YOU DO TO SUPPORT THE

MISSION EFFORT OF ELKHORN HILLS UMC.

2017 RECAP

From the Finance Committee:

2107 was a good year with regard to the Finances of EHUMC. At the time we put together the budget for the year, we had a shortfall of about $43k. Thanks to a very generous member, we were able to conduct a Matching Campaign. Our generous member pledged $20k if the rest of the congregation would match it. The congrega-tion came through with flying colors, and we were able to pay our Mission Shares 100%, and pay down quite a bit of principle on our building loan.

As a result, we were able to refinance our loan, reducing our monthly payment by over $1,000 per month, and having a payoff date in 12.5 years, with the ability to pay it off early!

Our members have been faithful in their giving, and we have maintained a cash position of over $70, throughout the year. We are excited about our opportunities as we move forward under the leadership of Pastor Rebecca to be able to more fully realize our mission of Sharing the Love of Jesus Christ by Serving Others.

Thank You ! Thank You !Thank You ! Thank You !Thank You ! Thank You !Thank You ! Thank You !

From the Youth Ministry:

We are very grateful, thankful and blessed in the Youth Department! Energy, talent and a passion to share their faith with others is evident within this group of young people. The Youth participated in Middle & Sr. High mission trips this past year, were involved in many ser-vice projects in the community, have led beautiful wor-ship services and are continuing to grow and asking for even more in their faith growth.

If you want to know how you can become a leader or volunteer with the youth group, please contact Jenny Meyer.

Thank you to everyone who supports our youth in their faith journey!

Do you have a heart for missions and outreach? Are you interested in helping connect our congre-gation with our Community?

If so, we’d love to have you join our Elkhorn Hills Missions Committee starting in January 2018! We will meet once a month to plan and prepare for everything from the Garage Sale to the BIG Garden. New ideas are always welcome as we seek to “share the love of Jesus Christ by serving others.”

Email Pastor Rebecca at:

pastor@elkhorhillsumc.org for more information!

Fellowship of Young People 150 people at-tended the “Trunk or Treat” sponsored by the FOYPr’s. Following a chili supper, many little Trick and Treaters made their way through a maze of 17 wonderfully decorated Trunks! Chili was, also, donated to YES for a meal.

Triple F (Food, Fun, Fellowship) This group gathers once a month at various homes for a meal and fellowship. Every is welcome! If this group gets too large to host in individual homes, we could possibly start another group.

Elkhorn Hills is blessed with many church leaders who organize small groups, plan events to enrich the spiritual growth of their church family all while members enjoy fellowship through many types of ministries. TO YOU, we say THANK YOU for your commitment and love of Jesus Christ.

YOUTH GROUP SCOOP!! ***All of these events are for the Sr. AND Middle High group****

TRIPLE G YOUTH GROUP VOLUNTEER! Wednesday Nights – One Adult Volunteer Needed (or several to rotate through the month) to help with youth group from 6:30-7:30 p.m. We have a ton of fun playing games and have great discussions during our devotion time. Are you being called to serve with our youth?

NOTES: NO SUNDAY SCHOOL DEC. 17th, 24th or 31st. NO SUNDAY SCHOOL JAN. 7th. NO YOUTH GROUP DEC. 20th or 27th.

PIE IN THE FACE FUNDRAISER! Pastor Rebecca, Tyler Hughes, Ashley Bossert and Jenny Meyer have all graciously agreed to this FUN fundraiser to help the Youth raise funds for their Adopted Families for Christmas. Each of the participants will have a bucket in the Narthex with their name and picture on it. If you wish to vote for one of them, please drop your money in the bucket during the above listed dates. The Staff issued a chal-lenge to the congregation! If we raise $600, ALL of the participants in the Pie-in-the-Face Fundraiser will take a pie in the face on Sunday, December 10th following the 2nd service. All monies will be collected and tallied after the 2nd service on December 3rd.

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING! SUNDAY, DEC. 3rd following Sunday School, the Middle & Sr. High Youth will be heading out to Christmas shop for our adopted families. Pizza will be providing following our shopping trip. We will wrap our gifts afterwards as well. Youth, please let Jenny know if you can help shop. Parents, if you can help drive, please let Jenny Meyer know by Nov. 26th.

The Mitten is in the Narthex again this year. If you would like to take a mitten from the tree, please return your gifts by Sunday, Dec. 10 The Youth will be shopping on Sunday, Dec. 3rd. If you’d prefer to make a monetary donation, we will shop for you. We will be adopting families in our community again this year and also providing warm clothing (hats, gloves, mittens, hand warmers, jackets, sweatshirts, etc.) for Youth Emergency Services. Thank you for being a part of this outreach.

Middle & Sr. High Winter Retreat – Jan. 19-20, 2018!! Lynne Benik (formerly Heneghan) will be joining us again this year to lead worship on Friday and Saturday evenings, as well as Youth-led worship on Sunday, Jan. 21st. Kevin Meyers, whom we met on our previous two Sr. High Mission Trips, will be helping lead the worship music with the Youth Praise Team. The cost for the retreat is $25. (5th graders are welcome to join us on Friday and Saturday evening for worship, as well as the mission project on Saturday morning). Registration forms will be available by November 26th. 6th & 7th graders, you are STRONGLY encouraged to attend this Retreat in preparation for Confirmation class.

SATURDAY, JAN. 20th from 5:00-6:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale Jan. 7th!

YOUTH MISSION TRIPS 2018

2018 Middle High Mission Trip – June 1-3 to Kansas City, Missouri! Registration is now open for this Mission Trip. ALL YOUTH WHO WILL BE IN THE 6th GRADE IN THE FALL of 2018 THROUGH THOSE IN THE 8th GRADE IN THE FALL OF 2018 ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS TRIP. Parents, we need chaperones/drivers for this trip. If you’re willing and able to help out, please let me know. We will be staying at Lenexa UMC and working together in ser-vice in the Kansas City area on Friday and then again on Saturday morning. On Saturday afternoon, we will spend time in fellowship at World’s of Fun. The cost for this trip will be $10 for the stay at the Church plus your ticket to World’s of Fun. I will know the cost of those tickets once I have a better idea of our numbers. Contact me at jjl_1971@yahoo.com for more information. Thank you, Jenny Meyer

2018 Sr. High Mission Trip – Colorado Springs, CO – July 8th -15th. Registration is open now to youth who will be in the 9th grade in the Fall of 2018 through youth who are still in college. DADS, WE NEED YOU TO HELP CHAPERONE. Please see Jenny Meyer for registration forms or email her at jjl_1971@yahoo.com. The cost of the trip is $419.00 plus transportation fees (scholarships are available). We are doing fundraising to help offset these costs. We may also have a free day expense, but we will know that at a later date. ALL REGISTRATIONS MUST BE TURNED IN BY MARCH 1st.

Sunday School is an awesome time to come together with your friends to share in discussion about topics that affect teens’ everyday lives.

Come learn more about God and how you can put your faith to use in your daily lives. Middle High meets in the Middle High youth room off the Library and the Sr. High meet in their youth room off the Family Life Center. Randy Bruner, Emily Gale and Gretchen Robinson switch off leading the Mid-High class and Greg Roberg and Randy Bruner switch off leading the Sr. High group. We can’t wait to see what great discussions come out from these groups this year!

TRIPLE G (God, Games and Goodies) meets on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Family Life Center & Sr. High Youth Room. This is for all youth in 6th-12th grades. Bring a friend and join in the fun! We hope to see you there!

YOUTH MISSION STATEMENT “Elkhorn Hills Youth Ministry exists to EXPOSE teenagers to God’s love while preparing them to SHARE God’s word, and EXALT in the Lord,

all while OFFERING their services to the Lord and CONNECTING with others.

CHURCH FAMILY

BIRTHDAYS!

04 BRIAN CARLETON 05 RHONDA MARTIN 05 VANCE TORREY 06 CHARLIE BROCKMANN 07 BRETT HECKENS 07 MICHELE THOMPSON 10 JAXON MORGAN 10 BRIANA JANDA 11 EVIE WADE 11 BROOKE WADE 11 BROCK SPANGENBERG 12 JOE BEESON 15 COLE CARLETON 16 CAROL LEHN 17 PAUL DRITLEY

ANNIVERSARIES!

THE CONGREGATION IS INVITED TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE NEWSLETTER!

• Please email entries to the church office at office@elkhornhillsumc.org. Entries should include copy-ready text and all chosen graphics.

• Entries received by the 20th of the month will be reviewed for inclusion in the next month’s issue.

• Please be advised that entries may be edited to fit within allotted space and to help ensure a positive reading experience for all.

• Thank you. We look forward to reading your contributions!

Christmas is almost here. It’s really close, in fact if you turn your head real quick, you might just catch a glimpse of it. There… I just did. And you know what? It’s different every year. I always knew it was a lit-tle different for each person. But it is actually different each year for everybody. Christmas changes each year because each of us changes each year. The thing that never changes is the idea of Christmas. It is when we all come together to acknowledge the birth of Jesus, the Christ. And each year he probably looks at us and thinks… Look at them, they’re different, but they’re still here, looking for me.

03 BRIAN & NICI SPANGLER 20 JOHN & MURIEL BACUS 26 LOREN & EVELYN FRASER 26 FRED & MONA GRABHER 28 ROBERT & DEANNA BARNES 29 ROB & CHERYL ROBINSON 30 RAY & ANN WARREN 31 TYLER & EMILY HUGHES 31 BRAD & STEPHANIE PLOUZEK

18 KARISSA HECKENS 18 RAY WARREN 18 MARY NORDSTROM 18 ALLISON KIRCHMANN 20 CRAIG LYTLE 21 JUSTIN MEYER 26 CLINT WILLIAMS 27 JAMES SEAMAN 28 PAM FERDIG 28 JACKY MCMENAMIN-NELSON 28 TERI TILLMAN 28 AIDEN SAGEHORN 29 ELLIANNA STUBBLEFIELD 30 PETE KAUFMANN 30 SCARLETT PLOUZEK

by Stan Holt

Celebrating Special Days !!!Celebrating Special Days !!!Celebrating Special Days !!!

ELKHORN HILLS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 20227 Veteran’s Drive Elkhorn NE 68022

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