Stevensville United Methodist Church

December 2 Weekly Update

1.        We began our Advent study this week using Mike Slaughter’s book,

“Christmas Is Not Your Birthday: Experience the Joy of Living and Giving Like

Jesus”. In the first chapter he talked about how we think of Christmas as the time of

miracles as we remember the miracle of God coming in Jesus. God worked a miracle in

and through two ordinary people named Mary and Joseph. He goes on the pose the

question for all of us as we think of God’s continued work today. “Are we ready for God to

birth a Christmas miracle through us?” The joy, excitement and awesomeness of the

answer to this question reminds me once again, why we all need these weeks of Advent

to get ready.

2.        Christmas Gift-giving possibilities

Before we get caught up in all the consumerism of the season, here are some alternative  ideas for you through our Mission Team:

          a. Blankets of Church World Service - that are sent around the state, country and world for all kinds of disasters. ($5.00 each)

          b. Who wants to buy a Cow? The Heifer Project helps families around the world become self-reliant. See the Missions table for the list of animals.

          c. Caleb’s Kids at Ganta United Methodist School in Liberia -

Yearly tuition for a child to attend elementary school is $75 and high school is $100.

          d. Grocery Grams - $15 supplies a bag of groceries for a need family in southwest Michigan.

          e. GED Degree - An education is one of the most important gifts anyone can receive. The Benton Harbor Street Ministries provides this opportunity for area students.

It costs $200 for each student to take the four tests of this degree.

3.        December Highlights:

Dec. 3           10:00am                 Hanging of the Greens and lunch    

Dec. 4           8:30 and 11:00am     Second Sunday of Advent Worship Services

                   4:30-6:00pm            Spaghetti Supper

                   7:00pm                   Southwestern Michigan College Brass Band Concert

                                                          and our own Harmony Ringers

Dec. 10         2:00pm                   Youth Wrapping your presents in Faith Hall

Dec. 11         8:30 and 11:00am     Third Sunday of Advent Worship Services

                   2:00-5:00pm            Parsonage Open House (58346 Ponderosa Dr.)

Dec. 12         6:00pm                   Sisters in Faith Christmas Tea in Faith Hall

Dec. 16         7:00pm                   Middle School Christmas Dance in Faith Hall

Dec. 17         5:30pm                   Christmas Caroling

Dec. 18         8:30 and 11:00am     Fourth Sunday of Advent Worship Services

                                                          with the Christmas Choir Cantata

Dec. 24         6:00, 8:30 & 11pm    Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Services

Dec. 25         10:00am                 Christmas Day Worship Service

4.        This year’s Christmas Offering will be divided between:

          a. 50% for our summer Christian camp scholarships

          b. 50% for Mission trip scholarships and special projects

5.        Go to Peace Temple to see the building changes on Dec. 6 at 6pm.

6.        As always, take time to check out the opportunities desk to see where your help is needed. We have the hospitality and snow shoveling sign ups, as well as sign ups to help with the chancel flowers and the UMW Committee of the month.

Have a good week and be sure to take a copy of the daily devotional, Thy Kingdom Come. As always take some time to remember how much you are loved,    Gordie