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Grace United Methodist Church
December
2002
Winter Concert
Hotel Bethlehem
Reflection and Prayer for December
Celebrating the Joys of Life
Lift Up Our Concerns to the Lord in Prayer
BABY JESUS BIRTHDAY CAKE
Christmas Eve
Getting to know our church family
UMW News
Christmas Potpourri
Cunningham Children Gift Wish List
A Night of Southern Gospel Music
Growing in Grace
Contact Information
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December Forum
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Winter Concert
Excitement is building for two special events during the
month of December this year.
First,, at 7 p.m. on December 8, we hope you will be on
hand for the Grace Music Department Winter Concert.
There will be solo numbers, combined choir numbers, bell
choirs and the Cherub Choir.
We promise you will be amused, moved and entertained
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Hotel Bethlehem
The children’s musical play, "Hotel Bethlehem", is slated for 6 p.m. on
December 15.
Co-directors Ann Parker and Karen Henderson have been doing a wonderful
job with the children.
"Hotel Bethlehem" is set in Biblical Bethlehem with a modern twist.
Ancient situations are brought into a contemporary focus. The scenes and
music are upbeat and fresh, but the text is scripturally relevant and
inspirational to everyone.
We’re sure you won’t want to miss either of these special events for
December.
Please tell everyone you know; friends, neighbors and people you meet at
the mall. This is a wonderful opportunity to let Southeast Urbana know that
good things are happening at Grace Church. We can still use singers for the
chorus and adult helpers. If you show up at one of our rehearsals we’ll
gladly put you to work!
Spread the word!
We want to pack the house!
"Hotel Bethlehem: December 15, 6 p.m.
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Reflection
and Prayer for December
Gary Ricketts
The month of December is just around the corner and what a glorious month
it is. There is a lot of beauty involved in Christmas with decorations
everywhere. Also comes the excitement of Christmas morning, when children
find their gifts from Santa. Each child wonders if Santa got his/her list or
if it may have been lost in the mail. Yes, it is both a joyful and beautiful
season.
However, there is the birth of a special child, Jesus Christ, that we
should have at the center of our Christmas celebration. Born in a lowly
stable but with majesty in his veins. It was a shining star that
guided the shepherds in the field, and the wise men from the East, to the
place in Bethlehem where he lay. He still remains a shining star for
all who have accepted him as their personal Lord and Savior.
There was no room for his parents in the inn. And for many people still
today there is no room for him in their hearts. But for those who have
opened their heart and let Jesus Christ enter in; what a world of difference
he makes. Christ should be the center of our lives and he is truly "the
reason for the season".
Prayer has a powerful impact on both the one being prayed for the one
praying. We must never forget that God still answers prayers. They are
answered in his way and in his timing. Please lift up in prayer the joys and
concerns of our congregation and others.
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Our Prayer
Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, we do thank you for our blessings. Help us
not to get lost in the glitter of this season, but remember that the "reason
for the season" is the celebration of the birth of your son, Jesus Christ,
over 2000 years ago. The same Christ who later was crucified, but rose from
the dead to reign at your right hand. Who could imagine that one born in a
lowly stable could become so majestic, and impact the earth so dramatically
then, now and in the future. A shining star marked his entry into our world,
and a shining star he still remains today in the hearts of believers. Help
us to truly rejoice in his birth, his life, his resurrection from the dead,
and his presence in our lives.
Help us to truly count our blessings, and rejoice in your love, caring,
strength and grace. It is through you O Lord, that life has meaning, purpose
and direction. During this season may we all come with the excitement of
little children to celebrate the birthday of your son, Jesus Christ.
We lift up the joys and concerns of our church family and our own
personal prayers. Guide and direct us Lord so that we might better serve
you. Through Jesus Christ we pray. AMEN
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Celebrating the Joys of Life
Bob deJong – his father’s race is
over, his earthly pain and struggle done
Joy for Bee Allen’s birthday
Herschel & Harriet Cline –
travel mercies and visiting daughter, granddaughters and son-in-law
Matt Peters – grandfather’s 80th
birthday
Todd & Lisa Searing – Todd’s
brothers recovery from illness-- Emma feeling better after trip to ER
Success of UHS Tiger Marching Band in competition; (placed
1st)-- Sarah Ziebart, Julia Burns, Elizabeth King and Emily
Knight are members
Dan Meador – visit by son,
daughter-in-law and two grandsons
-- Dan’s 81st birthday
Joy Valentine – Bill’s birthday
Chuck Collins – Chuck &
Dorothy’s 48th wedding anniversary
Anne Parker & Karen Henderson --
first organizational meeting for Christmas Play
Karen Henderson – her mother’s
birthday
Dale Hubert – 62 years married
to a lovely
sweetheart
Cathy Moeller is back in her apartment
Cathy Moeller-- thanks for
calls, cards and prayers
Shirley Jenkins – a successful
bazaar
Beth Morgan – brother to be
instated as Commander in Chief of Navel Reserve Center in Billings, MT
Mary Harshbarger will be
celebrating her 98th birthday
Todd Searing – his
brother-in-law has a new job
-- sister Gretchen and family are visiting
Marcia Burns – Adams 12th
birthday
-- having Scott’s parents visit
-- visit from friend Jeanie Egmon
Marilyn Wright – fun at wiener
roast and hay ride Remember our Veterans and all they have given for us
Mary Bradley – son Clarence has
had surgery and now knows what the medical problem is Mike, Diane, Carly and
Emily Pittman become a part of Grace UMC family
Linda Entwistle – glad that
Carly was able to fill in on three solo spots for Cherub’s
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Lift Up Our Concerns to
the Lord in Prayer
Bob deJong – travel mercies for family traveling to and from his
father’s funeral
Matt Peters – health concerns for younger brother
Todd & Lisa Searing – continued recovery for Emma and Todd’s brother
Pam Lukemire – aunt’s health
Georgia Hillery – sister has tumors in bladder--Elsa Walden had lung
surgery
Bill & Joy Valentine – friend, Kathy Travis has brain tumor
-- Cathy Moeller moved to nursing home
Danielle Routh -- grandfather still in hospital after surgery for an
aneurysm
Beth Morgan – travel mercies for family
-- Terry’s eye injury
Nancy Bible – Velma James fell and injured hip
-- Beulah Noel has continuing health problems
Georgia Hillery -- Elsa Walden had lung surgery and now has
pneumonia--Velma James-- health of Marie Wright and Cathy Moeller
Gordy Wilson – death of sister, Frances
-- for family as they adjust to the sudden loss
Ted & Jessica Hartke – Charles Laflen’s health
Bill & Joy Valentine – Cathy Moeller’s health
Georgia Hillery & Carolyn Dickey – Beulah Noel’s surgery
Linda & Eli Entwistle & Cherub Choir – health concern for Kyra
George & Rosemary Woods – niece having hip replacement surgery at
Carle
Carl & Carol Erb – family of Glenda Hicks who passed away
Genelle Ingram – family of Bea McLennan who passed away
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BABY JESUS BIRTHDAY CAKE
"On Christmas Day we celebrate the birth of Jesus with a birthday cake of
white angel food cake with green icing, red decorations, and white candles.
After it’s iced, we put a circular mirror over the center hole of the cake
and place a white nativity set on it. What a meaningful experience it is for
our family."
1 Round Angel Food Cake:
To represent our never-ending love just as Jesus’ love is
for us.
Green Icing:
To
represent eternal, everlasting life we receive when we accept and believe in
Jesus Christ.
Red Decorations:
To
represent the blood Jesus shed on the cross for each and every one of us.
3 White Candles:
To represent Jesus as the Light of the world and the
Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
White Nativity Set:
To
represent the humbleness and purity of Jesus’ life.
Center Hole:
To represent our empty lives when we don’t walk with
Jesus.
6-8" Round Mirror:
To
represent Jesus filling that emptiness. When we look into the mirror we see
ourselves made in the image of God.
Happy Birthday Song:
It is
only fitting then, that on this day we celebrate our Savior’s birth by
singing "Happy Birthday Baby Jesus."
Inspired by God
Penned by Audrey Ricketts
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Getting to know our church
family…
Blair and Patsy Hammond
We all know the story of how Grace came to be. It was an outreach of
First Methodist in downtown Urbana to provide Sunday School for the children
in east Urbana. One of those children to benefit from that outreach many
years later was Patsy Hammond. A neighborhood kid, she started attending
Grace when she was five years old. When Patsy met a handsome guy from
Potomac and they decided to get married, of course, the wedding was held at
Grace. That was 45 years ago when the church was on Main Street.
Blair and Patsy have been very active during their time at Grace. At the
old church, they taught Sunday School and were youth leaders. Both have
served on various committees with Blair currently on trustees and Patsy is
secretary of the church council. Blair ushers and drives the van. Patsy
provides a friendly face for strangers at Sunday morning worship when she
serves as hostess. She is also a member of the Angelus Bell Choir, UMW, and
coordinates wedding receptions.
The two Hammond children, Maribeth and Brad, grew up in Grace. Family
also includes son-in-law, Dan, and grandchildren Meghan, Andrea, and
Jennifer. Blair is semi-retired and works part-time at Worden-Martin. Patsy
has been a secretary at Thomas Paine School for the last twenty-five years.
Blair is active in the Lions Club. Both enjoy bowling and Patsy likes to
embroider and read. They are looking forward to retirement when they will be
able to spend more time with their grandchildren.
Patsy has said she has had many moms and dads and grandparents at Grace.
For the Hammonds, being a part of Grace is like being part of a big family.
With their warm and friendly way, Blair and Patsy can always be counted on
to make everyone feel a part of that family. Their innumerable contributions
bless our church.
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UMW News
All women are invited to a Christmas Brunch, Saturday, Dec. 7,
9:30 am in Fellowship Hall. The brunch will be "potluck", so please
bring a dish to share and your own table service. Members of the Urbana High
School Madrigal Singers will share some music with us. If you have not
attended before, we hope you will join us for this enjoyable event.
"Christian Buddies" will be revealed and names drawn for next year. For
those not familiar with the "Christian Buddy" program and who wish to
participate, the identity of your "Christian Buddy" is a secret until the
name is revealed in December. Throughout the year, notes or cards are sent
(sometimes presents, but not necessary) to the person whose name you have
drawn. The important thing is to let that person know someone is thinking of
them. It is a good way to get to know a person better. It’s fun to learn the
identity of your Christian Buddy after speculating all year.
Please join us and bring a friend!
Walk to the Manger
(Christmas Wish List for Cunningham Children’s Home)
Enclosed in the newsletter is a wish list for Cunningham Children’s Home.
These gifts are used to meet daily and special needs of Cunningham children
and youth. Please take time to read this list and consider donating an item.
We will be collecting these items on Sunday, Dec. 8 and dedicating them by
placing them around the manger during worship service. There will be some
items available for purchase in the narthex before the service on Dec. 8.
Please do not wrap the gifts. Thank you for your generosity and concern for
the children and youth at Cunningham.
Thursday, January 9, 7 pm
All persons interested in United Methodist Women are urged to come to
this meeting. The direction, vision and future of our unit will be
discussed. Please make plans to attend. We need many ideas! |
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Christmas Potpourri
L inda Burgett and Olive Gregory
would like to hear from you. Their e-mail address is
rburg737231@nsn.com
C hristmas
Open House
Mel & Liz Schwartz invite
members and friends of Grace United Methodist Church to one of their Snow
Village Open Houses, 2:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 1, on Monday,
December 2, Tuesday, December 3, Wednesday, December 4, Thursday, December 5
and Friday, December 6, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Their address is 1202 E. Scovill
Urbana. Liz is the sister of Joy Valentine and Mel & Liz are June Schwartz's
in-laws.
P oinsettias
for Christmas
Order your Christmas
poinsettia now. The orders will need to be in the office by December 6th.
Cost of each flower is $7.00.
Name ____________________________________________ __________ # of
poinsettias __________@ $7.00 each
In memory/honor of
__________________________________________________________
XYZ's
to Allerton House
Don't forget XYZ's will be
going to Allerton House on Friday, Nov. 29 to see Allerton House all
decorated for Christmas. They will be leaving Grace at 10:45 a.m. Please
call Pauline Meier at 643-7448 or the church office for reservations. They
will be having lunch in Monticello. The cost of the house tour is $10.00. We
invite everyone that wishes to come.
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1301 N. Cunningham Avenue Urbana, IL 61802
Mailing Address: Box 878 Urbana, IL 61803-0878
Phone: (217) 367-3728
Dear Friends,
As always, your gifts for CCH are greatly appreciated. Thank
you for your generosity,
your loving interest in, and your concern for all of our kids.
Your Christmas gifts represent a generous contribution to meet daily and special
needs of Cunningham children & youth.
We ask that you please not wrap your gifts. If at all
possible, please bring your gifts to CCH by December 2, 2002. This early date
will help us to plan our Christmas shopping more carefully.
Thank You and Merry Christmas!
**MOST FREQUENTLY REQUESTED ITEMS
Portable CD players/ VCR’s
CD Boom Boxes/ Disposable Cameras
Music CDs (Popular Artists)
Men’s & Women’s Watches
Men’s Chain Necklaces & Rings
Women’s Jewelry (earrings, toe rings,
ankle bracelets, rings, etc)
Playing Cards(Regular, Uno, etc.)
Rollerblades/ Knee & Elbow Pads
Bike Helmets/ Bike & Ball Air Pumps
Baseball Mitts(Adult Size )/ Basketballs/Frisbees
Fishing Poles & Tackle Boxes / Nerf Balls
Men’s Cologne/ Men’s Wallets
Women’s Body Spray/ Perfume & Shower Gel
Craft Kits/ Pottery Kits/ Bead Kits
Felt Posters With Markers
Remote Control Cars/ Trucks
Models to Build(cars, planes, trucks, etc—Skill #1)
Mountain Bikes ( Men’s and Women’s)
Pajamas(girls & boys ages 14 - 18)
"Fun" Slippers(ages 14 - 18)
Athletic Team Sweatshirts
Men’s Ski Gloves(Lg., XL)/ Winter Sleds
Gameboys & Gameboy Games
Play Station & Nintendo 64 Games
Hand Held Electronic Games
Large Stuffed Animals
Posters (animals, sports, music, movie stars)
Glow in the Dark Stars for Walls/Ceilings
Current Action Figure Toys(No Weapons)/ Art Sets
Video & DVD Movies -- PG & PG-13 & Any Disney
Anything "Barbie"—dolls, accessories, coloring books
GIFT CERTIFICATES
BOOKSTORES:
B. Dalton, Pages for All Ages, Barnes & Noble, Waldenbooks,
Family Christian Bookstore, Borders, Berean Bookstore
FAST FOODS:
Wendy’s, Hot Wok, McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Monicals, Domino’s,
Subway, Arby’s, etc.
CLOTHING:
Market Place Mall(Champaign), Kohl’s,
Target,
Lincoln Square Mall(Urbana), Walmart, K-Mart
GENERAL:
Toys R Us, Sailfin Pet Shop(Champaign), Hobby Lobby, Best Buy,
Farm & Fleet(Urbana), Circuit City,
Movie Theaters, Blockbuster Video
MORE GIFT IDEAS:
Photo Albums/ Journals/ Diaries
Plastic Photo Frames(no glass, please)
Gel Pens/ Black Gel Pen Notepads
Computer Games (for high school boys)
Backpacks/ Large Duffel Bags
White Socks (Men & Women’s)
Boxer Briefs (Men’s size 30 & up)
Women’s Underwear (size 5 & up)
Plain
White T-shirts(Men’s M, L, XL, XXL)
Men’s Large Winter Hats
Slipper Socks (Adult Sizes)
Sports Teams Winter Jackets
Baseball Caps (sports teams, Nike, Adidas,etc.)
Adult Size Sleeping Bags
For Cottage BR & Bath: throw rugs
matching bath sets—rug/shower curtain/plastic cup,
soap dish & toothbrush holder sets
Robes (Men’s & Women’s M, L, XL)
Sweat Suits (Adult L, XL)/Men’s Jeans (Size 30 & up)
Skateboards/100 –250 piece Puzzles
Footballs/ Basketballs/ Stop Watches
Sport Cards(basketball, football, baseball)
Regular & Advanced Lego Sets
Bath Toys/ Toy Cars/ Matchbox Cars
Trick Yo-Yo’s and Regular Yo-Yo’s
Musical toys--Keyboard, Drums, etc.
Guitars (inexpensive) & Guitar Cases
Hair Accessories/ Caboodles
Women’s Makeup(Caucasian & African American)
Make Up Cases/ Bags/Nail Art Kits
Manicure Kits (Men & Women’s)
Games: Clue, Risk, Sorry, Lights Out , Othello,
Simon, Connect Four, Monopoly, Battleship, Scattergories, Life,
etc.
SCHOOL WISHES
Art Supplies: Drawing Pencils/ Markers/
Sketchpads Posterboard/ Colored Pencils/ Play Doh/ Finger Paints Charcoal
Pencils/ Finger Paints/ Construction Paper
General : Playground Toys/ Dictionary /
Thesaurus
Magic School Bus Videos/ World Book Encyclopedia
Computer CD Programs/ Webster’s New World Dictionary for
Young Readers / Webster’s New World
Calculators : Scientific, Regular, & Large Keyed
Microscopes/ Safe Science Kits/ Telescopes
Books : Search & Find/ Difficult Mazes/
Puzzle Books Hardy Boys/ Nancy Drew/ Non-Violent Comic
Books Books by R.L. Stine/ African American Authors Popular Teen Authors/ Book &
Tape Sets/ Bibles
Any Caldecott or Newberry Award Books
Illustrated National Geographic Books/ Disney Books
Boxcar Children Books / Dr. Suess Books/
Classic Stories
Big Fact Picture Books(Animals, Insects, Ships, etc.)
Subscriptions : National Geographic
World/
Sports Illustrated for Kids/ USA Today
INDEPENDENT LIVING WISHES
Toaster/ Cooking Utensils/ Pots & Pans/ Iron
Ironing Board/ Small Bulletin Board
Storage Containers/ Mending(sewing kit)
College Supplies/ Small Floor Rugs
Lamps/ Table Lamps/ Desk Lamps
Shower Curtains/ First Aid Kits/ Hand Weights
Sets of Dishes/ Sets of Flatware/ Drinking Glassware
And
to help us wrap it up…
We need: Christmas Gift Wrap, Ribbon & Bows, Gift Tags &
Scotch Tape
 
Thank You for
helping
the children & youth
at CCH have a Merry Christmas!
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A Night of
Southern Gospel Music
Host Anthony Neaville
Presents
THE NORTHMEN QUARTET
ARLIE NEAVILLE
AND VARIOUS GUESTS
Sunday, January 5, 2003 at 6:00 p m
Grace United Methodist Church
A free will offering will be taken and refreshments will be
served
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Growing in Grace
| December already.
Who would believe it. 2002 has been a challenging year for me in many ways.
However, it always seems that God’s grace and goodness increase in direct
proportion to the degree of adversity I confront. Situations that used to
bog me down and discourage me now seem to encourage growth in my faith in
unprecedented ways. It’s in the same spirit that I
would encourage all of us to approach 2003. Redirecting ourselves to the
mission of serving the children of east Urbana will require new vision and
hard
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work. We may hit rough
spots. Not everything we try will be successful. If we seek to grow closer
to each other and to God through success and failure alike, our faith will
grow both individually and corporately and we will succeed. Jesus said that
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even the gates of hell can prevail
against the ultimate establishment of God’s realm. I’m asking everyone to
keep our church and its mission in our prayers and to seek guidance in God’s
word. After all, it is for the children!
"In the fear of the Lord, one has strong confidence, and one’s children
will have a refuge." Proverbs 14:26 (NRSV)
Thank you,
Bob deJong
Spiritual Formation
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In this wonderful season, my God touch you with bountiful
blessings, both hoped for and unexpected!
2004 South Philo Road
Urbana, IL 61802
Phone: 217-328-1414
Fax 217-328-9259
Parsonage 217-367-1046
Mike’s Cell Phone for Emergencies 217-898-3148
Grace on the Web: http://www.urbanagrace.org
Pastoral Visitors: Bill Valentine (367-1683) and Bob deJong
(328-4849)
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Watch for our other pubications:
The Grace Grapevine
Weekly Pastoral letter
Youth News
The Gifts of Grace
Mike’s Upcoming Sermon Series:
December 2002 – Predicting the Future
 
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