a note from pastor andyimages.acswebnetworks.com/1/2984/143297_decemberridge...canned beef stew (15...
TRANSCRIPT
“ButMarytreasuredupallthesethingsandponderedtheminherheart.”Luke2:19
What might have been on Mary’s mind? Here is a short list of possibilities…
Where will my family live?
What is Joseph really thinking?
How can I raise this child?
What if he is colicky?
Will I ever get to sleep through the night again?
What do people think of me?
How will I get along with my in-laws?
Can I be a wife, a mom, a daughter, and still be me?
What should I tackle �irst, the laundry, the meal, or the cleaning?
Whose family should we go see �irst?
A Note from Pastor Andy ChurchEvents
Dec8th-GingerbreadFestival—2:00pm
Dec9th–Children’sMusical—9:00am
Dec23th–ChristmasEvent—6:30pm
Dec24th—ChristmasEveServices—3:00pm,5:00pm,7:00pm
Dec25thClosed
Dec26Closed
December 2018 | Monthly Newsle�er of Oak Ridge United Methodist Church
If Angels, Shepherds, and Magi weren’t enough to wrap her head around, she also had to deal with every day life. Bills and budgets. Diapers and disputes. Family, friends, and father-in-laws. Hiccups and heart-aches. Cousins and complications.
Mary, chosen by God to raise the Messiah, couldn’t do it all. Neither can you. What she could do is what she needed to do in that moment. Hold her son, look into his eyes and treasure this moment.
Your to do list for December probably won’t get done. The question is… what needs to have priority? Life feels frantic. Problems are plenty, real, and will not disappear if ignored. There are gifts that “need” to be bought, decorations that “must” be put up, events that “should” be attended.
However, there are blessings to be treasured, glimpses of God’s presence to be pondered.
Take a moment to not look at tomorrow’s urgency or yesterday’s leftover list, but like Mary, look into the face of Jesus. Treasure him. Re�lect on what it means that He has come into the world and your heart.
Pastor Andy
December Events
Saturday, December 8th
2:00 PM
Come and enjoy creating your own Gingerbread
house, nibble on some tasty treats, watch “The Star”
movie, and be on the lookout for a special visitor!
RSVPisrequiredthroughthechurchof�ice.
DecemberFoodCollections
Backpackministry
Canned Beef Stew (15 oz. cans)
Microwave Popcorn
FoodPantry
Tomato Soup
Children’s Musical
Sunday, December 9
9:00am
StarSearch tells the story of the Savior’s birth told from an inspiring perspective. The stars learn that it's not about being the biggest and brightest, but about "being humble, and being kind, if you really wanna be a star!"
Gingerbread
Festival
December9 at 10:00-10:45am
Senior Pastor's of�ice
For more information and to RSVP, please contact
Emily-Sarah Lineback, Associate Director of Welcome
& Witness at [email protected].
CountingtheTime…
Over the past decade a couple of family
members have offered me stoves when they
renovated their kitchens. They can’t understand
that I truly adore my 1956 Hotpoint stove. It’s
beautiful, and vintage versions can bring a few
thousand dollars, but they just see it as old.
Meanwhile, I cherish its history, all wrapped up
in white enamel, big drawers to store cookie
sheets and baking pans, and a timer that
(loudly) ticks down the seconds until the time is
up.
I like the tick-tick-tick of the timer, and it makes
me think of the grandfather clock that stood in
my childhood home. “How do you stand it?” a
friend asked, perplexed at why we’d willingly
keep something that tocked each second and
chimed at varying lengths each quarter hour in
addition to striking on the hour. Constant noise
and intrusion, right?
Truth was, we seldom heard it. The same is true
with my oven timer (sometimes even the �inal
“ding” isn’t heard; what’s worst is when I forget
until the smell—or smoke alarm—alerts me).
The reality? We adapt to what’s constant.
Something that’s always there fades into the
background and the mind tunes it out. What is
initially so prominent can cease to reach us. We
become deaf to it.
What’s sobering is that the same is true with lit-
eral time. It’s always there, ticking away in the
background, dispensing with the minutes that
make up our lives. But how often do we truly mark
or measure time versus allowing ourselves to be
tricked into thinking it’s not there—or that it’ll al-
ways be there (along with us, each person we love,
and every opportunity).
Often, it takes something drastic to remind us that
we’ve lost track of time. On the rare childhood
occasion when Daddy forgot to wind up the
grandfather clock, it was the absence of its tocking
that caught our attention. In much the same way,
when crisis, loss, or death presents itself, it’s then
that all senses are tuned to time and its passing,
�initeness, preciousness.
From redeeming the day (Eph. 5:16) and making
the best use of it (Col. 4:5) to realizing we should
number our earthly days (Psalm 90:12), multiple
Bible verses deal with how we’re to see and use
time…and how our linear lives �it into God’s
eternity.
So during this busiest of months, let’s not merely
manage time; let’s hear and revere (and live!)
every moment of it—with an eternal perspective.
Let’s keep in tune with how moments and days
and years (and habits and pastimes and beliefs)
are connected and build upon one another. If we
revolutionize how we view and invest our time,
we can change this world and the next…starting
with the life we see in the mirror.
*I�irstpennedpartoftheaboveasaletterwhenI
wasamagazineeditor.Now,afewyearslater,I�ind
therealityoftime—linear,cyclical,andeternal—
evenmoreintricatelywoven.Time�lies…andGodis
thepilot!DuringthisAdventSeason,maywelook
fortheChristChildand�indHiminallthatwedo
andallthatweare.
Emily-Sarah
MISSION OF THE MONTH:
ORUMC 2018 Africa University Scholarship Fund
2018 marks the 13th year for the ORUMC sponsored Africa University Scholarship Fund begun Christmas Eve 2005. Present scholarship recipient, (Levy) Tshota Kayembe, is the seventh student to receive the scholarship.
Levy, was orphaned in a past civil war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) when his parents �led their home. This is a common story of many orphans in DRC. Levy eventually found Kasungami, DRC where Isaiah discovered him and arranged for a family from Nazareth United Methodist Church (UMC) to take guardianship of him. Isaiah enrolled Levy in the CAI education program from which he graduated before attending Africa University. Levy is now 24 years old, a Christian and member of Nazareth UMC in Kasungami, DRC.
In a recent e-mail Levy stated he is thankful for the ORUMC scholarship and the opportunity to study at Africa University (A.U.). Levy’s country language is French and native dialect is Swahili. Consequently his �irst class at A.U. was intensive English, a required course for all new incoming students. His favorite subject is Sociology. He attends the campus church every Sunday and Bible study during the week. He is working hard.
The ORUMC Africa University Scholarship Fund was created when we saw a need during a medical and drinking water mission assignment at Old Mutare Mission Centre, Zimbabwe in 2005. During that project we boarded at nearby A.U. and were fortunate to interact with students. We learned the majority of students depended on scholarships to attend A.U. Upon our return home from Zimbabwe we met with then ORUMC pastor Rev. Dr. John Franklin Howard who sanctioned the creation of the A.U. Scholarship Fund.
(Isaiah) Esaie Njimbu Chot was the �irst scholarship recipient who needed �inancial support to complete his �inal year at A.U. Following graduation in June, 2006, Isaiah returned to DRC and founded Child Action Initiative to educate orphans.
Current tuition, room, board and travel expenses to and from A.U. are $6,500 for one year.
Let us give thanks for our many blessings and open our hearts to give the gift of a future to Levy as we look forward to the birth of Jesus.
2Corinthians9:7-8:Eachofyouhasmadeupyourmind,notreluctantlyorundercompulsion,forGodlovesacheerfulgiver.AndGodisabletoprovideyouwitheveryblessinginabundance,sothatbyalwayshavingenoughofeverything,youmayshareabundantlyineverygoodwork.
Theessenceoflivingisgiving.
Blessings, Bev & Ed Wentz Founders & Co-chair for ORUMC Africa University Scholarship Fund
AcaciaTree
Africa University is a United Methodist institution of higher education founded 26 years ago. In 1987 the Zimbabwe UMC donated 1,542 acres of land adjacent to Old Mutare Mission for A.U. In 1992 Zimbabwe issued A.U. charter making the institution the �irst private university in Zimbabwe. Today there are 1200+ students from 36 African countries attending A.U.
Nurses’ Notes
E-cigarette use, also called vaping, has become
the most popular type of tobacco product for
middle and high school students. More than
two million U.S. middle and high school
students use these devices. In fact, vaping
within this age group has increased tenfold in
the last eight years.
E-cigarettes, vapes, vape pens, JUUL or mods
are all names for the same type of device. It
heats a liquid into a vapor that is inhaled by
the user. E-cigarettes come in many different
shapes and sizes. The most popular of the
e-cigarettes is JUUL, with nearly half the
market share. One reason for JUUL’s
popularity is that it is easily hidden. It looks
like a thumb drive and is small enough to �it in
a closed �ist.
Communities and government at all levels can
come together to help break the cycle of
sickness and death caused by smoking:
Work in your community to protect youth from advertising that makes smoking seem appealing.
Make smoking less accessible, less affordable, less acceptable.
Make stop-smoking resources readily available.
Be persistent. Most people need to try quitting several times before they succeed, but more than half of smokers have successfully quit. If you’re a smoker, free help is available at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) and online at smokefree.gov.
It is never a good idea to start intentionally
inhaling a product for recreation, especially
one that is addictive. Talk to your young
people about the dangers of vaping and
smoking. Let them know about the damage it
can do to their respiratory system and
developing brain.
About the Author: Mohamed K. Mohamed, MD
practices Hematology and Oncology at the
Cone Health Cancer Center at Wesley Long.
1. Nicotine is an addictive stimulant. It causes
a rush of adrenaline, a sudden release of
glucose and increases blood pressure, heart
rate and respiration. Because a young
person’s brain is not fully developed, nicotine
can also cause long-lasting effects such as
mood disorders, a permanent lowering of
impulse control as well as harming parts of the
brain that control attention and learning.
2. Diacetyl is a chemical used to provide a
butter-like �lavoring, most notably in
microwave popcorn. This chemical is used in
�lavoring the juice. Although diacetyl is safe to
eat, its vapor has been linked to a lung disease
called obliterative bronchiolitis, also known as
popcorn lung, which damages the lung’s
smallest airways, causing coughing and
shortness of breath. There is no cure for
popcorn lung.
(Continued on page 7)
IsYourTeenVaping?Here'sWhyTheyShouldn't
(continued from page 6)
3. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are most often found in household products, such as cleaners, paints, varnishes, disinfectants, pesticides and stored fuels. Overexposure to these chemicals can cause headaches, nausea, fatigue, dizziness and memory impairment.
4.. Cancer-causing chemicals such as heavy metals, including nickel, tin and lead, formaldehyde and other ultra�ine particles are typically found in vape juice.
Many companies create e-cigarette liquids, each with
their own “blend.” However, there are four hazardous
chemicals in nearly all of them.
E-cigarette liquid, also called juice, e-juice, vape juice
or oil, contains nicotine and other chemicals to give it
�lavor. Blueberry, banana, cotton candy, chocolate and
hazelnut are just a few examples of the hundreds of
available �lavors. A recent report by the Food and
Drug Administration shows that the e-juice �lavoring
is the biggest appeal for young people to begin vaping.
Other reasons include the misconception that that e-
cigarettes are not harmful. Many of their friends use
them. They are easy to get. They can be used openly
because there is no smoke.
SubmittedbyJerryChance
CongregationalNurse
OakRidgeBoyScoutTroop139
Fundraiser
The Oak Ridge Boy Scout Troop 139 is selling Autobell gift cards for the holiday season. Order now through December10. They make excellent — and easy — stocking stuffers, teacher, or employee gifts. Each card costs $20, never expires, and can be used at any Autobell location nationwide; in our immediate area, Greensboro has three locations and Jamestown and Burlington also have stores. Purchased cards will arrive on December 17 to give you time to wrap or mail. Please contact our troop at [email protected] or bring your money (checks made out to Troop 139) and contact info to Tara at the of�ice—or speak with any ORUMC Scout to order cards and support these boys. This is the troop’s annual winter fundraiser (and replaces the Christmas tree lot from previous years).
ORUMC Staff Senior Pastor, Rev. Andy Lambert, [email protected], 336-643-4690
Associate Pastor, Rev. Christi Taylor, [email protected], 336-643-4690, 423-341-9947
Adult Discipleship, Rev. Susan Mitchell, [email protected], 336-643-4690 ext. 222; 336-549-9251
Children & Family Ministries, Larissa Brown, [email protected], 336-643-4690 ext. 203
Music Ministries, Tim Sessoms, Assoc. Dir. of Adult Choirs [email protected], 336-643-4690 ext. 223
Accompanist, Lynn Gordon, [email protected], 336-643-4690
Weekday School, Jamie Hatchell, Director, [email protected] 336-643-4690 ext 208
Associate Director of Missio Dei, Jason Boggs, [email protected], 336-643-4690, 336-403-0934
Welcome & Witness, Emily-Sarah Lineback, [email protected], 336-643-4690 ext. 221
Youth & Young Adults, Harrison Hart, Dir. of Youth & Young Adult Ministries, [email protected], 336-643-4690 ext. 204
Worship Arts, Bev Miller, [email protected], 336-643-4690
Media Producer, Derek Southern, [email protected], 336-643-4690
Director of Operations, Glenn Crihfield, [email protected], 336-643-4690 ext 219
Associate Director of Finance, Jennifer Haymore, [email protected], 336-643-4690 ext 218
Facility & Membership Coordinator, Phyllis Rowe, [email protected], 336-643-4690 ext 211
Receptionist, Tara Shelton, [email protected], 336-643-4690 ext 202
Ministry Support Assistant, Kim Barnes, [email protected], 336-643-4690 ext 201
For unto us a child is born, unto us
a son is given: and the government
shall be upon his shoulder: and his
name shall be called Wonderful,
Counsellor, The mighty God, The
everlasting Father, The Prince of
Peace.
Isaiah 9:6-7
BuildingTeamtoAfrica–Signupnow!
Oak Ridge UMC is sponsoring a team to return to
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and
work with Isaiah Chot and Child Action Initiative
(CAI). CAI is in Kasungami, DRC and has been
caring for orphans due to AIDS and civil war and
educating them since 2006. The children have
been housed with relatives including great
grandparents, neighbors, friends and villagers.
There are not enough homes for orphans and
there is a need for a Children’s Home. Our team
will be working with locals in the village to build
the Children’s Home.
Pastor Christi Taylor will be joining the team. I
look forward to returning to Kasungami and
serving with Pastor Christi. The team dates are
set for June17–July4, however, the dates
could vary slightly to get the best airfare. The
estimated cost of the trip is $3500.00 per team
member with airfare being the biggest expense.
The actual team fee will be �inalized when the
airfare is set.
Thedeadlineforapplicationsanddepositwill
beJanuary27and the deadline for the team
fee balance will be April 28. If we have more
than 10 on the team and the group tickets work
out, the deposit will be set at $1000. Otherwise,
we will need to set the deposit high enough to
purchase the airline tickets, approximately
$2000.
Our team and church will be raising money to
build the Children’s Home and believe we will
need approximately $30,000 for building
materials and construction labor.
I led a team to Kasungami in 2012 to build a
parsonage for the Nazareth United Methodist
Church. The congregation was very appreciative
of our presence and our help with parsonage.
Our team had a wonderful time working with
them and had opportunities to meet with them to
discuss and compare cultural differences. The
Nazareth UMC congregation and villagers made
10,000 adobe bricks for the parsonage and have
already started making adobe bricks for the
Children's Home.
Levy Tshota Kayembe graduated from the CAI
education program and is attending Africa
University. Oak Ridge UMC is providing funding
for his education at Africa University and he plans
to work with Isaiah at CAI when he graduates. If
you join the building team you will meet him as he
will be helping to build the Children's Home.
Please prayerfully consider joining our team to
Kasungami, DRC, to build the Children's Home.
Feel free to contact me if you have questions. Also,
even though you may not be able to commit now,
please let me know if you have an interest in
joining the team. It will be very helpful to get an
early idea of the number we may expect on the
team.
Feel free to call, text or email – 336-643-7279,
You may also make a tax-deductible donation for
the purchase of building materials. Please make
payable to Oak Ridge UMC, memo “CAI Children's
Home” on your check and mail to 2424 Oak Ridge
Rd, Oak Ridge, NC 27310.
1John3:18Dearchildren,letusnotlovewith
wordsorspeechbutwithactionsandintruth.
Submitted by Max Kern
Looking Ahead to 2019
Friday, January 11th
6:00pm
FLC
Drinks and Popcorn provided
OnceaMonthVolunteerOpportunity!
Have you been wondering how you can serve ORUMC in a limited capacity? Are you looking for an opportunity to meet people at church? If so, please consider vol-unteering your time one Sunday morning per month (at most) by setting up the Cafe for Fellowship Time (coffee and breakfast snacks served in the Cafe before and after the 9am Crosswalk Service). This can easily be accomplished by one person, but the tasks can also be shared with a good friend or family member.
If you are interested, please contact Kim Jackson at 704-576-8429 or by email at [email protected].
CALENDARofCHURCHEVENTSforthemonthofDecember
Pleaseseethecalendaronthechurchwebsiteforcompleteandup-to-dateschedulinginformation.
Sunday,December2
4:30pm Sunday Evening Bible Study (F219)
5:00pm Handbells (F220)
6:00pm Discipleship—Women’s Bible Study (F219)
6:00pm THE RIDGE Youth Group (F112)
Monday,December3
6:30pm Discipleship Group—An Open Chair (F219)
6:30pm Garage for God (Men’s) (Off-site)
Tuesday,December4
9:30am Discipleship—WOW (Women of the Word) (D212)
10:00am Discipleship— Faith in Art Bible Journaling (F216)
3:30pm Stephen Ministers (F219)
6:00pm Basketball League (FLC)
6:30pm Board of Trustees (D215)
7:00pm Stephen Ministers (D219)
Wednesday,December5
9:00am Backpack Ministry (F125)
9:30am Senior Resource Luncheon (C102)
2:30pm Precious Memories (A102)
5:30pm Feed and Seed (FLC)
6:00pm GLOW! Children’s Worship (F220)
6:30pm Children’s Christmas Program Rehearsal (F112)
7:00pm Choir (D205)
7:15pm Basketball League (FLC)
Thursday,December6
4:00pm Open Ridge (FLC)
6:30pm Discipleship—Disciple IV (F202)
7:00pm Stephen Minister Training (F218)
Friday,December7
8:30am Livewires Trip —Wohlfahrt Haus
7:00pm Arriving at Potter’s House to serve
Saturday,December8
2:00pm Family Christmas Celebration
Sunday,December9
10:00am Coffee with the Pastor (Senior Pastor’s Office)4:30pm Sunday Evening Bible Study (F219)
5:00pm Handbells (Adult) F220)
6:00pm Women’s Bible Study (D219)
6:00PM The RIDGE Youth Group (FLC)
Monday,December10
2:30pm Blood Drive (F112)
6:30pm Kinetic Christians (FLC)
6:30pm Threads of Love (D212)
Tuesday,December11
9:30am WOW (Women of the Word) (D212)
10:00am Discipleship—Faith in Art Bible Journaling (F216)
6:00pm Basketball League (FLC)
7:00pm SPRCommittee Meeting (D215)
Wednesday,December12
9:00am Backpack Ministry (F125)
9:00am Prayer Card Ministry Team (F202)
5:30pm Feed and Seed (FLC)
6:00pm GLOW! Children’s Worship (F220)
7:00pm Choir (D205)
7:00pm Chrismons (D212)
7:15 Basketball League (FLC)
Thursday,December13
4;00pm Open Ridge (FLC)
6:30pm Discipleship—Disciple IV (F202)
7:00pm Stephen Minister Training (F218)
Sunday,December16
4:30pm Sunday Evening Bible Study (F219)
5:00pm Handbells (Adult) (F220)
6:00pm Women’s Bible Study (D219)
6:00pm The RIDGE Youth Group (FLC)
Monday,December17
6:30pm Kinetic Christians (F112)
6:45pm Discipleship Group—An Open Chair (F219)
Tuesday,December18
9:30am WOW (Women of the Word) (D212)
10:00am Discipleship— Faith in Art Bible Journaling (F216)
6:00pm Basketball League (FLC)
7:00pm Liaison Team Meeting (D215)
7:00pm Stephen Ministers (F219)
Wednesday,December19
9:00am Backpack Ministry (F125)
5:30pm Feed and Seed (FLC)
6:00pm GLOW! Children’s Worship (F220)
7:00pm Choir (D205)
7:15pm Basketball League (FLC)
Thursday,December20
4:00pm Open Ridge (FLC)
6:30pm Cohorts for Christ (F219)
6:30pm Discipleship—Disciple IV (F202)
7:00pm Stephen Minister’s Training (D212)
Sunday,December23
4:30pm Sunday Evening Bible Study (D219)
5:00pm Handbells (Adult) (F220)
6:00pm Women’s Bible Study (D213)
6:30pm HomeforChristmasMusicProgram
Monday,December24
3:00pm Christmas Eve Service (Service for Families)
5:00pm Christmas Eve Service (Contemporary)
7:00pm Christmas Eve Service (Traditional)
Thursday,December27
4:00pm Open Ridge (FLC)
6:30pm Discipleship—Disciple IV (F202)
7:00pm Stephen Minister Training (F218)
Sunday,December30
4:30pm Discipleship—Sunday Evening Bible Study (F219)
5:00pm Handbells (Adult) (F220)
6:00pm Discipleship—Women’s Bible Study (F219)
DecemberWorshipVolunteers
SoundTechs
11:15Service:
2— Todd Ring
9—Jeff Hallman
16—Jeff Linden
23—Mark Covington
30—na
ProPresenter
8:15Service:
2—na
9—D. & E Jones
16—James Lee
23—Sydney Wentz
30—Mark Holmes
9:00Service:
2—Tony Beam
9—na
16—na
23—na
30—na
11:15Service:
2—Benjamin Ring
9—Victoria Hallman
16—William Linden
23—Graham Royal
30—
Cameras
11:15Service:
2—na
9—Jackson Hallman
16—James Linden
23—Ben Covington
30—na
Ushers
8:15Service:
2—Bev & Sydney Wentz
9—Jerry & Dan Chance
16—Elizabeth & Glenn McKee
23—Linda & Grey Plummer
30—Cassandra & Gordon Thacker
9:00Service:
2—C. Surette, D. Surette, R. Prosser,
L. Prosser, M. Kiernan, S. Kiernan
9—C. Surette, D. Surette, D. Hall,
T. Hall, P. Sullivan, T. Sullivan
16—C. Surette, D. Surette, D. Bailey,
H. Bailey, R. Marshburn, R. Cox
23—T. Grose, D. Hall, T. Hall, J. Lee
R. Lee
30—C. Surette, D. Surette, M. Brooks,
D. Brooks
11:15Service:
2—B. Royal, D. Englishman, J. Mueller,
L. Mueller
9—B. Royal, D. Englishman, J. Mueller
L. Mueller
16—B. Royal, D. Englishman,
J. Mueller, L. Mueller
23—B. Royal, D. Englishman,
J. Mueller, L. Mueller
30—B. Royal, D. Englishman,
J. Mueller, L. Mueller
Acolytes
11:15Service:
2—Conrad Little
9—Grace Andronica
16—Liam Barnes
23—Emily & Lilly Taylor
30—na
InformationStation
9:00Service:
2—Jeanne Christman
9—Pam Jordan
16—Jeanne Christmas
23—Jeanne Christman
30—Lee Ann Browning
GuestStation
11:15Service:
2—Kim Jackson
9—Lynda Williams
16—Mary Ellen Florence
23—Libby Kendrick
30—na
FinancialWorkers
11:15Service:
2—Todd Ring, Vera Gardner
9—L. Williams, P. Hogan
16—A. Abrams, A. Fahnestock
23—na
30—na
AltarGuild
Cathey Prince
DoorGreeters
8:15Service:
2— Courtney & Pat Craft
9—Barbara Frye
16—Susan & Mark Holmes
23—Vickie & Ward Lambeth
30—Lois Leslie
9:00Service:
2—Nancy Underwood
9—Cheryl & Brian Albrecht
16—Shay & Josh Barwick
23—Beckie & Doug Berlin
30—Denise & Stephen Brewer
Merry Christmas!!!