OVESTA EWS

Published monthly by:

Novesta Church of Christ 2896 N. Cemetery Rd. Cass City, MI 48726

Phone: (989) 872-3658

novestachurch@yahoo.com

www.novestachurch.org

Brad Speirs, Minister

December Issue

VOL. XXXVII - - - No. 12

November 25, 2012

Do You Hear? Jingle bells are playing, car horns are honking, cash registers are ringing, angry moms are shouting, dads are yelling, kids are whining, animated reindeer are singing, and on and on it goes… yep, it’s Christmas Time! Amidst the hustle and bustle that is the ‘best time of the year’ is there some-thing else that we need to hear? Join us each Sunday in December as we discover the truth of Christ-mas and God’s greatest gift as we look into some of the oldest and richest Christmas Hymns of all time.

December 2nd – Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

December 9th – O Come All Ye Faithful

December 16th – Choir Cantata

December 23rd – Joy to the World

Our annual Candlelight Christmas Eve Service will be filled with special music, reading of the Christmas story, communion and uplifting congregational singing. Be sure to invite your family and friends to attend with you as we are reminded of the true meaning of Christmas.

December 2 ~ 6:00 p.m.

Novesta is hosting the Community Christmas Hymn Sing on December 2nd at 6:00 p.m. Let’s be good hosts and be sure to attend and invited others to come also. It’s a great time for the community to get together and celebrate Jesus’ birth. Anyone interested in doing a special number for the Hymn Sing, please let the office know ASAP. There will be an afterglow of cookies/punch/coffee. Sign up on middle hallway board if you would like to bring some cookies.

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL

MEETING December 3rd ~ 7:00 p.m.

Come hear the various ministry reports and goals. You will also have the opportu-nity to vote and show your support for indi-viduals seeking important offices within the church. A sample ballot is posted on the bulletin board.

Merry Christmas!

THOSE SERVING IN DECEMBER COMMUNION MEDITATION: 12/2 Ken Peters 12/9 Gib Kern 12/16 Fred Hicks 12/23 Rob Hartwick 12/30 Ken Peters DEACONS: Craig Maurer Duane O’Dell Ed Nizzola Larry Thick USHERS: Barry Brown Dave Peruski Andy Gray Mark Zmierski Greg Mika A.M. NURSERY: 12/2 9:30 Janie Kus 10:30 Marilyn Lester 12/9 9:30 Janie Kus 10:30 Shelli Herford 12/16 9:30 Janie Kus 10:30 Andrea Ross 12/23 9:30 Janie Kus 10:30 Doris Stimpfel 12/30 9:30 Janie Kus 10:30 Donella Peasley 1/6/13 9:30 Janie Kus 10:30 Mary Helen Pratt WORSHIP LEADERS: 12/2 Kim Gray 12/9 Lauren Howard 12/16 Choir Cantata 12/23 Samantha Corrion 12/24 Fred Hicks 12/30 Kristy Speirs SOUND SYSTEM: 12/2 Ken Peters 12/9 Brian Hicks 12/16 Dave Speirs 12/23 Duane O’Dell 12/30 Scott Hendrian POWER POINT: 12/2 Lyle Severance 12/9 Carol Hicks 12/16 Ron Kampo 12/23 JoEllen Bukoski 12/30 Carol Hicks COMMUNION PREPARATION & CLEAN-UP: Carol Hicks

GREETERS: 12/2 9:30 (main) Doris Stimpfel & Janet Wright (center) Mark & Patty Peck 10:30 (main) Andy & Kim Gray (center) Les & Bev Auten 12/9 9:30 (main) Barry & Kerry Brown (center) Garold & Jamie Peasley 10:30 (main) Jim & Wanda Lonsberry (center) Rob & Susie Hartwick 12/16 9:30 (main) Doris Hendrick & Elfriede Englehart (center) Ryan & Shelli Herford 10:30 (main) Ed & Marideth Nizzola (center) Chad & Cindy Pruitt 12/23 9:30 (main) Phil & Cindy Klaus (center) Scott & Robin Hendrian 10:30 (main) Keith Little & Ron Speirs (center) Dave & Karen Speirs 12/30 9:30 (main) Les & Bev Auten (center) Dave & Beckie Peruski 10:30 (main) Ken & Patty Peters (center) Gib & Pam Kern 1/6/13 9:30 (main) Dave & Robin Beckrow (center) Larry & Sherry Thick 10:30 (main) Chuck & Kelli Hendrick (center) Vonda Kolb & Tommy Mittlestat JUNIOR CHURCH: 12/2 Leaders: Kristie Speirs & Heather Severance Songs: Sharron Hartwick 12/9 Leaders: Kristie Speirs & Heather Severance Songs: Lauren Bukoski 12/16 Leaders: Kristie Speirs & Heather Severance Songs: Beth Mellendorf 12/23 Leaders: Heather Severance Songs: Bailee Ross 12/30 Leaders: Craig Maurer & Garold Peasley Songs: Sharron Hartwick

Church Phone Directory The first of the year we will be updating our Church Phone Directory. If your name is not currently in the 2012 phone directory ….. OR you have changes that need to be made, OR you have cell phone numbers to be added, OR you have email addresses to be changed OR added, please let the office know.

YOUR ELDERS MEET Your elders meet on a regular basis. If you have any praises or concerns, feel free to share them with any elder or Brad.

CO-ED VOLLEYBALL If you are interested in playing volley-ball this winter, see Brad for more de-tails.

Novesta Church of Christ, Thank you so very much for the plant and all of the loving support you gave to our family. The Family of

Gordon Holcomb

Ladies of the Church, Thank you for preparing and serving the food at the luncheon for Gordon Holcomb’s family. It was very much appreciated! The Family of

Gordon Holcomb

NOTE: Gary & Dena Anderson and Skip & Ellen Speirs are collecting money for our Minister’s Christmas gift.

CAROLING

December 12

6:00 P.M.

Starts this Thursday, Nov. 29, at 7 pm here in our gym, everyone high school and above is invited to join us.

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

12/1 (A) John & Jane Luana 12/2 Jamie Keller 12/4 Steve Ross 12/4 Carl Keller 12/5 Taylor Beckrow 12/7 Braden Murdoch 12/8 Chris Ziehm 12/8 Becky Howard 12/9 Elfriede Englehart 12/11 Jessica Gracey 12/11 (A) Ryan & Shelli Herford 12/12 Larry Miller 12/13 Taylor Childers 12/14 (A) Mark & Becky Zmierski 12/14 Heather Roberts 12/15 Donella Peasley 12/15 Sherry Thick 12/18 Tim Blehm 12/19 Mary Helen Pratt 12/19 Burt Rosenberger 12/19 (A) Joe & Samantha Barker 12/20 Larry Harper 12/21 Gabrielle Romain 12/22 Jim Lonsberry 12/26 Rob Hartwick 12/26 Peggy Nordquist 12/27 (A) Ron & Ann Roche 12/28 Madison Beckrow 12/28 (A) Rob & Susie Hartwick 12/30 Melissa Burghdoff

Meetings cancelled for December

(will resume in January)

With the business of the Christmas season and the desire to have more time with family and friends, the following groups will not meet in December but will resume in January.

Nutrition Class

Quilting Groups Fellowship Potluck

Family Game Night

Kids programs

We extend our most heartfelt sympathy to… Ron & Randee Speirs and their family; Russ & Kristie and Andrea & Mark and children… Jane & John Luana and their family; Joe & Carrie, Jamie & Garold, Jimmy & Ashley and children… Skip & Ellen Speirs and their family; Adina & Brent, Brandon & Michelle, and Zach... Dave & Karen Speirs and their family; Brad & Kristy and children, Jason, Lindsey & Chris... Becky & Mark Zmierski and their family; Sarah and Kayla. Their mother (grandmother, great-grandma), Norma Speirs, went home to be with her Lord, Sunday, November 18th. We also extend our sympathy to her sister, Peggy & David Nordquist. Norma will be surely missed, she was a great lady! We pray for peace and comfort for her family as they mourn her passing and yet rejoice that she is with the Lord and there is no more pain.

OUR MILITARY

Scott Brownson - (Tom & Doris Stimpfel’s nephew) Justin Fischer - (Tom & Doris Stimpfel’s nephew) Toby Kilbourn - (Jim’s son) Ben Knoblet - (Tim Knoblet's nephew) Lester Maurer - (Gloria Maurer's son) Jamie Parrish - (Kristie Speirs’ brother, Betty Stilson’s grandson) - serving in Iraq Matt Peck - Mark’s son Ashleigh Rabideau - (Robin Beckrow’s niece) Ryan Reid - (Jeff Hartel’s nephew) Julie Griffith - Air Force - Japan Chris Skiles - Reserves Jason Spaulding - Illinois Brandon Speirs - North Carolina Jacques Weilbach - (Jacques & Marsha’s son) Marius Weilbach - (Jacques & Marsha’s son)

Always wondered how the Bible stories fit together? Ever get con-fused about what Noah did in Egypt or how many animals Moses put in the ark? [this is in-tentionally mixed up : )] What if you could invest half a year and ‘know’ the Bible? What if you

could spend a few moments each week and cover the major events in the Bible in just 31 weeks? How could your life change, your faith grow, your rela-tionships strengthen, and your hope soar? Beginning on January 5th we’ll be taking the journey of the Story together as a church. Each week will mark a new chapter and new opportunity to fit together the pieces of the Bible. There are copies of ‘The Story’ available for you in the foyer and we invite you to pick one up and join us each week as we travel this exciting journey together. Just imagine… by next August… a church full of men, women, and kids that understand God’s word, see his promises ful-filled, and have a faith that can move mountains! We look forward to seeing God move as we trust him in this journey!

Children’s Christmas Program will be December 16 at 9:30 a.m. during the Sunday School hour. Please join us as our kids celebrate the joy of Christmas through skits, songs, and fun! Our Adult Choir will present the Cantata titled, “Noel & Alleluia! Jesus Is Born” at 10:30 a.m. on December 16. Come join us as we honor, worship, and glorify our Savior’s birth.

Christmas Programs December 16th

CHRISTMAS BASKETS & GIFTS

This year we have four families that we are providing with a food basket and gifts for the children. We want them to have a Merry Christmas and experience God’s love for them through us. There is a food list on the bulletin board in the middle hallway to sign up for what you would like to donate.

Also, there will be ornaments on the tree in the foyer. The items listed on each ornament are just suggestions. (Suggested price is $15.) So….. (1) take an ornament, (put your name on the clipboard that coincides with the ornament you took)

(2) buy the gift,

(3) wrap it,

(4) tape the ornament on the gift,

(5) bring it back to church and place it in the office. We plan to deliver the baskets/gifts on December 20. Let’s plan to have the gifts and food items at the church by December 18th. We want to thank everyone in advance for your gen-erosity.

FACTS & FIGURES

Average weekly attendance for the month of November (to date):

Bible School … 110

A.M. Worship … 222

New Members in 2012 ~ 8

Offering averages for November (to date):

Sunday Offerings……….…$3,657.11 (Budget per Sunday: $3,520)

Financial Peace

We live in a world that is stressed and strained fi-nancially. Many families today are struggling to make ends meet and even those with sufficient in-come can easily get caught up into debt or bad de-cisions. Beginning on January 5th you’re invited to take part in a 9 week class that could change your life forever. The class focuses on teaching God’s principles on how to use your money and we invite you to participate. If you are interested in this class or would like more information, please talk to Brad Speirs.

LONG TERM PRAYER LIST

**Member Chris Klco - (Amy Peters' brother) Heather Fisher - seizures (Eric & Wendy’s daughter) Quinton Simpson - in a coma (Dena Anderson's nephew) Carol Hartman - awaiting heart transplant (friend of Pat McIntosh) Lester O’Dell - Emphysema Diane Wojtaszke - cancer (Ann Hartel contact person) Aneita Denhoff - (Carrie Gilley’s mother) Elmer Lewis - (Doris Hendrick’s brother) Les Auten, III - awaiting transplant January 2nd **Heather Roberts - continued healing of MS **Dena Anderson - brain tumor Steve Wilkinson - aneurysm **Bill Britt - healing from his surgeries Don Kruse - recovery (Michelle Speirs’ grandpa) **Larry Harper - Intestinal problems Marge Johnson - nursing home in Indiana Allison Newbegin - tumor (Sharron Hartwick’s great niece) Nancy Gyomory - tumor (Doris Hendrick contact) Tonya Armstrong - cancer (Sharron Hartwick’s niece) Mark Pierson - (Zmierski’s cousin) Lee Hartel - recovery from surgery Mary Gyomory - recovery from hip surgery Ted O’Dell - cancer (Duane’s brother) **Bernie Wutzke - cancer Debra Slanec - cancer (niece of Peggy Nordquist & Norma Speirs) Wyatt Sutton - cancer (1st grader @ C.C. Elementary) ATTENTION: If you know any of these on this list that are well and can be eliminated from it, please let the church office know.

LUNCH BUNCH ~ DEC. 12 Mark your calendars for December 12 at 2:00 p.m. to meet at the church for a get-together with Ada Kil-bourn at the piano. She will be playing some Christ-mas songs and hymns. Afterward we will have Christmas cookies, punch, and coffee. Come join us.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1

Bible Bowl

2

Community Christmas

Hymn Sing 6 p.m.

w/afterglow at Novesta

3

Annual Congregational

Meeting 7 p.m.

4 Ladies Bible

Study—10 a.m.

Men’s Bible Study—7 p.m.

Gym reserved by Marideth Nizzola

5 6 7 8

9 10 11

Ladies Bible Study—10 a.m.

Men’s Bible

Study—7 p.m.

12

Lunch Bunch w/Ada Kilbourn

at the piano 2:00 p.m.

13

Mission Ministry Meeting—7 p.m.

14 15

Gym reserved by Marideth Nizzola

16

Children’s Christ-mas Program

9:30 a.m.

Christmas Cantata 10:30 a.m.

17 18

Ladies Bible Study—10 a.m.

Men’s Bible

Study—7 p.m.

19 20 21

Saginaw Soup Kitchen

8:50 a.m.

22

23 24

Christmas Eve Service

6:30 p.m.

25

Merry Christmas

Gym reserved by the Nye family

26 27 28 29

Jr. Church room reserved by

Becky Zmierski

30 31

Gym reserved by Auten family

SUNDAY SCHEDULE

9:30-10:20 a.m. - Bible School

10:30 a.m. - Worship

6:00 p.m. - Jr./Sr. High Youth Groups

6:00 p.m. - Choir practice

�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������