|
|
2330 South Jefferson Street
|
|
|
2330 South Jefferson Street
|
|
The Tower Times |
||
|
December 2001 |
The Pastor's Message |
|
|
Worship Times December 9 December 16 December 23 December 30 |
On November 4th of this year, I celebrated my sixtieth birthday. Those of you who were in worship that Sunday heard me say that it was by the grace of God that I had reached this milestone in my life. On this important day, I took a few minuets to recall my life’s experience – the good times and the not so good times. In those moments of reflection, I realized anew that I am a blessed man. Why? God loves me and cares for my needs and the needs of my family. He has entrusted me with a ministry which involves life’s most important issues. In my life’s work, I have found meaning, purpose and direction. I have reached this station in life, though, not of my own doing but through the prompting of Christ. I Cor. 15 says it best: “But by the grace of God, I am what I am and His grace toward me was not in vain.” |
I am approaching the forthcoming season of Advent in a spirit of thanksgiving for Christ, my Savior. My prayer is that I will be open to the message He wants me to receive this Christmas. As you prepare for Christmas Day, may God who loves you in Jesus Christ be very near and real to you. I pray that this season of the Christian year will bring spiritual blessings to you and yours. Before opening your presents on Christmas Day, why not read the Christmas story in the New Testament? (Matthew 1,2 and Luke 1,2) It will add a spiritual dimension to the joyous day! Yours in Christ, |
| The Wimmer Class The Wimmer Class Christmas Party will be held at Brandon Oaks on Monday, December 3rd at 5:30 PM. Dinner will be served at 6:00 PM and the cost is $13 per person. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend. All class members and
members of our church family and invited. Just send your reservations
and check to Lucy Fink, 3804 Brandon Ave., Apt 142, Roanoke, VA 24018 no
later than Wednesday, November 28th. |
| Advent
Angels Are Here The Advent Angel tree is up! The angel gifts are due back by Sunday, December 9. The Advent Angel Program on December 9 will be a very special event for the whole church. At 6:00 we will have a Pot-luck dinner. Please bring a main dish and a side dish or dessert to share. Following the dinner, the Adult choir will present a family Christmas program. After the program, our Advent Angel gifts will be presented and blessed in the Sanctuary. Everyone is invited to join us for this special evening with your church family. One gift only please, for the angels on the tree. If you wish to do more, please take more than one angel, or for those who can go the extra mile – we have 40+ angels who are very needed. |
Adopt An Advent
Angel! |
 |
|
| The
Adult Fellowship Group Join us as we gather for lunch on December 20 at the Meeting House Restaurant on Crystal Spring Avenue. This is a time to experience this new restaurant, have a festive Christmas meal, and share in the fellowship of our group. We meet at the restaurant at 12:00 noon. We still need you to signup on the list outside Penny’s office. |
Library
News Don’t forget to check us out! Please let Penny know, or leave the library committee a note, if you drop off books to be donated to the libray. We want to know whom to thank. Also, we need to know if anyone has a suggestion for a book review, let Becky Austin or Janie Wallace know. |
*** Youth News *** |
|
|
Our Youth at SRUMC continue to be
active participants in the life of the church, especially in the area of
service to others. The pumpkin sale and Saturday carnivals were a
smashing success. Special thanks to Dawn Long and Jeanne Whitaker for
organizing this event. |
In December the Jr. and Sr. highs plan to adopt several very needy angels off of SRUMC’s angel tree, thus helping to insure that children from the Henry Fork Center will have gifts under the Christmas tree. The youth will also provide babysitting services to children ages 3-10 on Saturday, December 8th from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Please call Colleen Marston (989-0623) by December 5 for reservations. |
|
Christmas Sitting (shopping day for parents) Dec. 8 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM (Call Colleen Marston to reserve a spot.) |
|
UMYF – every Sunday night 5:00 open gym 6:00 dinner 6:30 Jr High and Sr High meetings 7:30 Worship Totally Tuesdays – every Tuesday after school 2:00 pick up at Woodrow and James Madison 2:30 Bells or other activities at SRUMC 3:00 pick up Airick 3:20 pick up youth at SRUMC and return at 5:00 |
|
|
|
|
| NEWS Briefs
UMW NEWS: All ladies of the church are invited to the UMW Christmas Party. It will be Tuesday, December 11 from 4:00-6:00 PM at Dawn Long’s home, 2124 Chestnut Oak Court. Call Dawn (989-2837) for directions or meet at the church parking lot at 3:45 to carpool. This month the Aftercare Social Club members will meet in the gym on December 11. The church office will be closed December 24 and December 25. PIZZAS ARE COMING! Mark your calendars now for February 2, 2002. The Wesley Class will be making pizzas Super Bowl Weekend. Sales will begin December 30, More details later. The deadline for articles for the January issue of the Tower Times is December 15. Send articles to Joe Kennedy, or email to joesrumc@aol.com. Dolls and Stockings have arrived! Anyone who would like to dress a doll, or fill a stocking is invited to stop by the library and get one. Please be sure to sign your name on the sign-out sheet. An area singles group has been formed. They meet at least once a month in various area Methodist churches. If you would like more information regarding this ministry, you may call Terri Allen (725-1991). Our next new member Sunday is scheduled for December 9. Persons who wish to join our church on this day are asked to attend the new member orientation session on December 2, 2:00-4:00 PM in the Wesley class room. If you have questions, call the pastor (342-4074 or 344-4437). |
|
|
Celebrate the Christmas season at
December 2 - 11:00 AM Our Adult Handbell choir will ring for the service. 
Festive
Advent Worship with
Brass
5 December 9 - 11:00 AM A festive service to usher in the season with the Chancel Choir, Brass quintet and organ 
A Family
Christmas CelebrationDecember 9 - 6:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall Starting with a pot-luck family dinner, then the Chancel choir will be featured in a program of festive music including ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas, and concluding in the Sanctuary as we dedicate the Advent Angel gifts. 
December 21 (Friday) at 6:00 PM We share favorite Christmas songs as we travel around the South Roanoke neighborhood and then return to the Steffe’s house to share snack foods and fellowship. 
December 24 - 5:00 PM
|
 |
|
|
DECEMBER 2001 |
||||||
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| 1 |
||||||
| 2 11:00 Order of Worship 2:00 New member orientation 5:00 Youth activities |
3 5:30 Wimmer Class Party 7:30 Staff Parish Relations Committee |
4 5:30 Disciple Bible Study 7:30 Finance Committee |
5 7:00 Contemporary Worship Service 8:00 CWS Committee |
6 3:30 PMMs 7:30 Chancel choir |
7 |
8 9:30-12:30 FREE Childcare |
| 9 11:00 Order of Worship 11:00 Brass 5 New Member Sunday 5:00 Youth activities |
10 7:30 Administrative Board |
11 4:00 UMW Christmas Party 5:30 Disciple Bible Study 6:00 Aftercare Club |
12 7:00 Contemporary Worship Service
|
13 3:30 PMMs 7:30 Chancel choir |
14 |
15 |
| 16 11:00 Order of Worship 5:00 Youth activities |
17
Tower Times deadline for January |
18 5:30 Disciple Study 7:30 Charge Conference |
19 7:00 Contemporary Worship Service |
20 12:00 Adult Fellowship Lunch |
21 6:00 Neighborhood Caroling |
22 |
| 23 11:00 Order of Worship Sunday School Hour - Christmas Party for Jesus |
24 5:00 Communion Service Office Closed |
25 |
26 |
27 |
28 |
29 |
| 30 11:00 Order of Worship |
31 | |||||
|
|
|
ANNOUNCEMENTS |
|
GUESTS and VISITORS are welcome to join us at South Roanoke for worship and fellowship. We invite those who have no church home to make South Roanoke your church and add your witness to ours. And for a modern worship experience, join us each Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. for our contemporary service. DECEMBER IS THE MONTH to receive an offering for United Methodist Family Services. The children in the care of the United Methodist Family Services are the kind that come from unusual or difficult circumstances. They’ve been on the streets, they’ve lived in rough neighborhoods, they’ve been abused. Still, at Christmas, they want to be a part of the celebration. They want a real family to belong to. They want to feel joy. They want to know they can finish high school. They want a new life. We know this is what God wants, too. We try to help them find that. We do this by contributing to the UM Family Services Fund. Please use one of the enclosed envelopes for your gift and place it in the offering plate. THERE WILL BE a meeting of the Staff Parish Relations Committee on Monday, December 3, at 7:30 p.m. in the library/conference room. THERE WILL BE a meeting of the Finance Committee on Tuesday, December 4, at 7:30 p.m. in the library/conference room. THERE WILL BE a meeting of the Contemporary Worship Committee on Wednesday, December 5, at 8:00 p.m. in the library/conference room. SRUMC JR AND SR HIGH YOUTH GROUP will sponsor FREE childcare on Saturday, December 8, 2001 from 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. for children ages 3-11. Children will be going to the Skate Center and Playzone on Brandon Avenue for skating, indoor playland and lunch. Please call Dawn Long at 989-2837 by Sunday, December 2, 2001 for more information or to reserve a spot for your child. ADVENT DEVOTIONAL BOOKLETS are available in the narthex for your use during this Christmas season. Please pick up a copy as you leave today. OUR NEXT NEW MEMBER SUNDAY is scheduled for December 9. Persons who wish to join our church on this day are asked to attend the new member orientation session TODAY from 2:00-4:00 p.m. in the Wesley classroom. If you have any questions, call the pastor, 342-4074 or 344-4437. ALL LADIES OF THE CHURCH are invited to the UMW Christmas Party. It will be Tuesday, December 11 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Dawn Long’s home, 2124 Chestnut Oak Court. Call Dawn (989-2837) for directions, or meet at the church parking lot at 3:45 to carpool. THE AFTERCARE SOCIAL CLUB will meet on Tuesday, December 11 at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. THE VIRGINIA GENTLEMEN BARBERSHOP CHORUS will be singing on Monday, December 17 at 7:00 p.m. in front of Penney’s at Tanglewood Mall. All are invited to hear this fine group (with 6 from our choir) as they sing holiday favorites. DEADLINE FOR ARTICLES for the January issue of the Tower Times is Monday, December 17. Send articles to Joe Kennedy, or email to joesrumc@aol.com. THE CHARGE CONFERENCE will meet on Tuesday, December 18, at 7:30 p.m. in the Terry Wimmer Classroom. HARRIET MINICHAN will celebrate her 98th birthday on December 18th. For those who would like to send cards, her address is: 4435 Pheasant Ridge Road #236 Roanoke, VA 24014. DOLLS AND STOCKINGS HAVE ARRIVED! Anyone who would like to dress a doll, or fill a stocking is invited to stop by the library and get one. Please be sure to sign your name on the sign-out sheet. THE WEEKDAY PRESCHOOL will present their Annual Christmas Program on Wednesday, December 19, at 9:30 a.m. in the church sanctuary. Everyone is invited to attend this very festive event. THERE WILL BE a meeting of the Scholarship Committee on Wednesday, December 19, at 8:00 p.m. in the library/conference room. CHURCH MEMBERS ARE INVITED to participate in our annual neighborhood caroling to be held on Friday, December 21. Everyone is asked to meet at the church at 6:00 p.m. at which time we will travel around the South Roanoke neighborhood and then return to the home of Jack and Lee Anne Steffe, 3568 Peakwood Drive SW. You are asked to bring a snack food to share. OUR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS EVE COMMUNION SERVICE will be held on December 24, at 5:00 p.m. Please invite friends and family members to share in this very special service. THE ADULT FELLOWSHIP GROUP will meet for a Christmas lunch on Thursday, December 20 at the Meeting House Restaurant on Crystal Spring Avenue. This will be a time to experience this new restaurant, have a festive Christmas meal, and share in the fellowship of the group. Please meet at the restaurant at 12:00 noon. You still need to sign up on the sheet on the board by the church office so we will know how many reservations to make. Please join us!!! THE CHURCH OFFICE will be closed on Monday, and Tuesday, December 24 and 25 for the Christmas Holidays. DONATIONS ARE CURRENTLY BEING ACCEPTED for gifts for the Aftercare Social Club members. Each year we try to give each of the members $50.00 to spend at the after-Christmas-sales at Wal-Mart. If you would like to contribute toward this cause, please make your check payable to SRUMC and earmark it "Aftercare" and place it in the offering plate. MOONYEEN AND AMOS RIDEOUT wish to thank the congregation for standing with them at the death of Moonyeen’s mother. Your telephone calls, visits, cards and sharing of food was a blessing in our time of need. There are many wonderful people at South Roanoke United Methodist Church. PLEASE CHECK OUT artwork by Sonya Crawford and Ken Motley at Art on a Mission at Tanglewood Mall. You can do your Christmas shopping while helping a good cause. Proceeds from sales are used to cover operating costs of the new medical clinic at the Rescue Mission. IN THE LAST MONTH the Roanoke Valley Interfaith Hospitality Network has placed three families into apartments. A single father and his son; a single mother with five children; and a couple with two children have all moved. Thanks to everyone who helped gather furniture and household goods. We were able to provide these families with so much to start their new homes! ROSEMARY LEMON would like to thank members of the congregation for the many acts of kindness expressed during her recent illness. She is recovering nicely. THE CHURCH OFFICE will be closed on Tuesday, January 1 for the New Year’s Holiday. THE CHANCEL CHOIR will resume rehearsals this Thursday, January 3, at 7:30 p.m. THE CHILDREN’S CHOIRS and Adult Handbells will resume on Sunday, January 6. PIZZAS
ARE COMING! Mark your calendars now for February 2, 2002. The Wesley Class will be
making pizzas Super Bowl Weekend. Sales will begin December 30. More details
later. IF YOU ARE LOOKING for a way to serve South Roanoke United Methodist Church, please consider being a monthly Altar Guild chairman. No flower arranging skills necessary, just a little time on the phone and at the church to ready the altar for Sunday. All training is provided. Call Natalie Rude, 345-1634 or Tallulah Gregory, 982-2535 for questions or to serve. Thanks!
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:
So remember while
December brings the only Christmas day, In the year let there be
Christmas in the things you do and say; Wouldn’t life be worth the
living Wouldn’t dreams be coming true If we kept the Christmas spirit
All the whole year through?
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:
Disciples of Christ accept
the consequences of their sin, seek forgiveness, look for healing and
new opportunities for faithfulness.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Christmas - |
|
|
|
Handbells at
Christmas
