St. Mark’s Messenger DECEMBER 2019 7803 Well Street, Manassas, VA 20111

Phone: 703-368-5790 Fax: 703-369-5799

Web Site: comefollowchrist.net

Bishop Sharma Denise Lewis Kurt Ludwig, Pastor Jeff Mickle, District Superintendent

NEWS FROM THE PASTOR

A Pastor’s Prayer for Peacei

Remember, Prince of Peace, the peoples of the world divided into many nations and tongues.Let your light shine into the darkness of every evil that obstructs your saving purpose, and may the world celebrate the fulfillment of your promises of old as you established your kingdom of peace.

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Amidst the ravages of war, and injustices that precede it.

O Lord, let your light shine.

Amidst the deceit, conspiracy, and lies that nation perpetrates against nation.

O Lord, let your light shine.

Amidst tribal loyalties and selfish isolation that denies your love for all God’s children.

O Lord, let your light shine.

Amidst the fear, false pride, and self-glorification that fosters a climate of adversity and divisiveness between nations and peoples.

O Lord, let your light shine.

Amidst the lust for riches and power that corrupts nations and peoples, advancing oppression of the poor, violence against the weak, and vengeance against the enemy.

O Lord, let your light shine.

O Lord, Jesus Christ, you are the light who comes into the world to a people living in darkness. Your light pierced the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. May your light shine in our every thought word and deed, uniting us in the reality of God’s love for the world.

O Lord, let your light shine.

AMEN.__________________ Modeled, and some lines taken verbatim from “FOR PEACE” in the United Methodist Book of Worship, 520. (ENGLAND, 20TH CENT. ALT.)

Pastor Kurt

LIBRARY NEWS

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Do you Like to Read?

We have a library full of books for you to borrow and enjoy? The books are in categories and listed alphabetically. We have a database with all the books. Please make sure you sign the books out. Take the card out of the back of the book and sign your name and the date, then place the card in the pink box on the shelf under the letter of your last name. You may check the books out for three weeks but if you need more time just recheck it out. When you return the books just put them back in the green basket and I will check them back in and reshelf them. If you have any questions or want to check database for specific book see Linda Smith in the office. If you have books that you no longer want, you can donate them to the library. Just put them in the green basket.HAPPY READING AND ENJOY

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

CARE TEAM NEWSTime for everyone to get your voices in shape! We are planning to go

caroling on December 14th to the people at Fox Trail and members of our own congregation. We will meet at the church at 4:30 and carpool to Fox Trail. From there, we will be singing at the homes of different members of St. Mark’s, so if you have anyone that you think might enjoy some Christmas cheer, let Lucy Brewer or the Pastor know before December 14th so that they can be added to the list.

Another way of having people involved in showing God’s love is though the Sunday School students. They are making Christmas cards for the residents. The cards always bring smiles and happy sounds from those who receive that act of love and care.

Jacob and I continue to go to Fox Trail on Sunday mornings to have a small worship time with the residents and sometimes, the staff members. Even though we may not have a great attendance at the worship time, the people enjoy listening to Jacob’s playing from their rooms. I would like to add that Ronda Davis and students from her Sunday School class have been great about joining us on the third Sunday. Their presence brings a new energy and light to the group. If anyone else would care to come to show that the people are still remembered and cared for, we are there from 10:00 to

10:30 the first three Sundays and the fifth Sunday of each month. All you need to do is speak with Lucy or Jacob.

From the Care Team, everyone sends wishes for a very blessed and Merry Christmas and a great and Happy New Year.

In Christ, Lucy Brewer

EQUIPPING TEAM NEWS

Sunday School/Children’s Church News DecemberBy Robin Cameron

December: The angel said, "Don't be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you -wonderful, joyous news for all people. " Luke (2:10)

November was a wonderful month devoted to some of our all-time favorite Bible stories: Adam and Eve; Noah and the Flood; Daniel and the Lion’s Den; and Jonah and the big fish. We had great fun building our own boats, and making special lion snacks!

December will begin the season of advent. In this very busy month, we will take the time to focus on the reason for the season, the birth of our Savior.

December 1st our story is entitled: Mary's Story (Luke 12:6-38)December 9th our story is entitled: Joseph's Story (Matthew 1:18 – 24) December 15th our story is entitled: Jesus is Coming (Luke 2:1 – 5) December 22nd our story is entitled: Jesus is Born (Luke 2:5-37)

The St. Mark’s Players will be presenting the Sunday school Christmas play, Let’s Keep God’s Love in Christmas, during the 11:00 worship service. There will not be an 8:30 service.

December 29th our story is entitled: Shepherd Story (Luke 2: 8- 20)

Children’s church will continue the study of each story with arts and crafts, plays, and games. Ms. Robin will be leading Children’s Church.

Let’s Keep God’s Love in ChristmasSt. Mark’s Methodist Church is proud to announce that we will be presenting the play, Let’s Keep God’s Love in Christmas, on Sunday, December 22nd

at 11:00. We will be holding play practice on Saturday, December 14th and Saturday, December 21st at 2:30. Please mark your calendars and invite you family and friends.

There will be an 11:00 Worship service only on the December 22nd.

Refreshments will follow the play.

GO TEAM NEWSMerry Christmas!! I cannot believe it is already time to celebrate the time of our Lord’s birth. How quickly our year goes by! We have so many things to be thankful for! I hope you are celebrating the Advent Season with your family to prepare for the birth of Christ!

As we prepare for Christmas, the Go Team has been busy preparing as well. Our Holiday Community Dinner will be Ham, sweet potatoes, green beans, peas, rolls, mashed potatoes w/gravy. I hope you will come and bring a friend!

We are also preparing for the Live Nativity. We will have a representation of Mary & Joseph with the Baby Jesus in the Manger along with Shepherds and live animals. Plan to bring your family and friends to witness the manger scene and fellowship with us. There will also be cookies and hot chocolate to enjoy!

I wish you and your family many blessings at Christmas and as we prepare for the year 2020!

 In Christ

Lynne Johnson

Flower CalendarIf you would like to donate flowers for our alter, the new flower calendar is posted on the wall in the office for you to sign–up. The flowers cost $24.00 a week. If the flowers are in Honor or Memory of a loved one or event, please note that on the calendar. If you have questions, please call the church office (703-368-5790). You can put the money in offering plate but mark it flowers.The new calendar will be up by December 8th if you want to sign up for next year.

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MUSIC DIRECTOR NEWSThis year marks the 300th anniversary of the Christmas hymn “Joy to the World”.  English minister Isaac Watts wrote the lyrics in 1719, not as a Christmas song, but as an interpretation of Psalm 98 celebrating the second coming of Christ.  In 1839, the American hymn writer Lowell Mason combined the lyrics with music inspired by Handel’s Messiah  to create the tune we sing today.

As we sing the hymn, let us all look forward to that day when Jesus will rule the world with truth and grace and make known the wonders of his great love for us.

 

Reference

UMC Discipleship Ministries.  (12/22/2015).  Retrieved from https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-joy-to-the-world

__________________ Modeled, and some lines taken verbatim from “FOR PEACE” in the United Methodist Book of Worship, 520. (ENGLAND, 20TH CENT. ALT.)

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ST MARK’S WOMEN’S NEWSThe women are always involved in helping others in some way with the

help of the congregation. The end of October and the first two weeks of November, we collected 50 shoe boxes filled with toys and other items to be delivered to children throughout the world for Christmas. A thank you goes to those who participated in any way to make this possible.

The Women’s Group delivered Thanksgiving baskets filled with fruit and snacks to those of our congregation who are a part of St. Mark’s but for health reasons or other issues are not able to attend the services or other activities. They are in our hearts and minds always.

During the last few weeks, the women and other members of the congregation have been bringing gifts for children from Yorkshire Elementary School in an effort to make their Christmas a little happier and brighter. The gifts will be delivered to the school mid-December.

We can’t forget the fifth Sunday of December after the 11:00 service! This will be the final fifth Sunday dinner for 2019. The dinner is pot luck with the Women’s Group being responsible for preparation and cleanup as well as beverages and paper products. We invite everyone to join us! Come and share fellowship over a meal with your church family!

The women will be doing things a little differently during our December meeting. We will have a brunch with a nice social time. Everyone will bring something to eat to share with all of us, and we will just have a great time chatting and sharing God’s love. All women are invited. You do not have to be a regular attendee to join us. 😊

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In all the activities done, there are two themes in common, giving and sharing. We all give to others and we share God’s love in these ways of giving. We are all so blessed by God’s love and there is always plenty of that to go around.

From the Women’s Group, everyone sends wishes for a very blessed and Merry Christmas and a great and Happy New Year.

In Christ, Lucy Brewer, President

EMERGENCY FOOD PANTRYWe are low on some items for the food pantry. If you are able and willing to donate some of the following items, it would be greatly appreciated. Powdered Milk Hamburger RicePeanut Butter Bacon SausageCanned tuna Butter Bottled WaterCanned Chicken Toothpaste CoffeeCereals Macaroni & Cheese Soups (various) Crackers Sugar FlourCondiments Frozen Meals & MeatsJelly Paper towels Toilet PaperCup O Noodles Ramen Noodles SoapShampoo Coffee Creamer

OVER 50 LUNCHEON

The Over 50 crowd will be having lunch at 1:00pm at Olive Garden on Wednesday, December 18, 2019. NOTE: We are changing the day of the week we will be meeting on Wednesdays instead of Thursdays. Anyone over 50 who would like to join them is welcome. If any questions or want more information, please call Dot Obenchain (703-368-3969) or the church office (703-368-5790). You do not have to be 50 to join us, come out and join the group we always have a wonderful time of fellowship and good food.

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Dec 1 Tom Shubert Sr Dec 29 Barbara WilliamsDec 3 Bonnie Good Dec 29 Woody WilliamsDec 6 Katie Harvey Dec 29 Elaine FairfaxDec 21 Lil’ Pat Romano Dec 29 Greg SmithDec 27 Seth Cameron Dec 31 Marty Powell

Dec 1 Tom Sr & Sharon ShubertDec 3 Dick & Janie MillsDec 27 Bill & Ronda Davis

DECEMBER 2019

SUN MON TUES WED THUR FRI SAT 1 2 3 4

Prayer Meeting 7:00pm

5Thursday Night Bible Study 7:00pm

6 7

8 9 10 11Prayer Meeting 7:00pm

Admin Council 7:30pm

12Thursday Night Bible Study 7:00pm

13 14Christmas Caroling Fox Trail 4:30pm

15 16St. Mark’s Women Christmas brunch10:00am

Community Dinner 7:00pm

17 18Over 50 Lunch at Olive Garden 1:00pm

Prayer Meeting 7:00pm

19Thursday Night Bible Study 7:00pm

20 21

22Christmas Play 11:00Live Nativity at 6:00pm

23 24 25Prayer Meeting 7:00pm

26Thursday Night Bible Study 7:00pm

27 28

295th Sunday Pot Luck 12:30pm

30 31

St. Mark’s Messenger is published by the staff of St. Mark’s Church in Manassas, Virginia, who are solely responsible for its contents. It attempts to inform, inspire, and communicate with both membership and friends about programs of the United Methodist Church, the Virginia Conference, the Alexandria District, and the program offerings of St. Mark’s as a connectional member of the United Methodist Church. Deadline for submission of articles is five working days before the end of each month. Worship every Sunday at 8:30AM and 11:00AM, and prayer meeting on Wednesdays at 7:00pm.

Saint Mark’s Worship Volunteer Schedule for December

Date

Usher Money Counters

Lay Readers Nursery

Dec 1, 2019 8:30 Lucy BrewerMeredani JorrisVerna Zosh

Lisa PelehowskiHolly Cooke

Linda SmithLisa Pelehowski

Marty PowellAbbie Powell

Dec 8 8:30 Mark MillerCharlie BeckHolly Cooke

Pam BryanRobin Russell

Lucy BrewerSaundra Krauser

Marty PowellAbbie Powell

Dec 15 8:30 Jason HallHolly CookeMary Mellott

Ronda DavisSusie Pritt

Lynne JohnsonMary Mellott

Marty PowellAbbie Powell

Dec 22 8:30 Linda SmithMeredani JorrisVerna Zosh

B J BookwalterBonnie Good

Maureen DeveryLynne Johnson

Marty PowellAbbie Powell

Dec 29 8:30 Meredani JorrisCharlie BeckMarty Powell

Holly CookeLinda Smith

Carey GreeneMarty Powell

Marty PowellAbbie Powell

Children’s Church

Robin CameronAiden Mellott

Robin CameronAiden Mellott

Robin CameronAiden Mellott

Robin CameronAiden Mellott

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