Crossroads Journal

December 2, 2015

Mustang United Methodist Staff Senior Pastor: Donna Dodson

Worship Minister: Rheuben Green Music Assistants: Kendrell Reed & Caitlin Green

Children’s Minister: Barbie Grider Youth Minister: Zach Zink

Program Minister: Karen Reynolds Financial Secretary: Becky King

Admin. Assistant: Rhonda Hulsey Custodian: Rich Schompert

IT Coord.: Nick Binder Nursery: Sydney Felder, Heather Leonard

Growing God’s Children Preschool Staff Director: Barbie Grider (405)376-2956 Teachers: Bobbi Legg, Kyra Oldham,

Linda Kimble, Lori Medeiros-Young Assistants: Barbara Gaddy, Tonya Hesser,

Brandi Martin, Martha Rhodes

Ministers: The people of Mustang United Methodist Church

Office: Phone 405-376-3139 Mon –Thurs., 8 am - 5 pm Lunch 12:00 - 1:00 pm

211 W. State Hwy. 152, P.O. Box 180 Mustang, OK. 73064

www.mustangumc.org

The “33rd” Annual Christmas Craft Bazaar This weekend! Saturday, December 5th, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm With over “60 booths” & Children’s Corner .

Bake Sale, our famous Indian Tacos and our “Silent Auction “with some very nice

things for you to bid on this year!

Sponsored by United Methodist Women Mustang United Methodist Church

211 W. State highway 152

Donated BAKE SALE ITEMS need to be priced and brought to FLC building on FRIDAY, Dec. 4th or SAT. MORNING, Dec. 5th before 9am. (call Dale Smith 376-3746 questions)

GROWING GOD’S CHILDREN CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

The Pre-School Children will presenting their Christmas Program on Tuesday, December 15th at 10 am in the Sanctuary.

“A Birthday Party for Jesus” will follow in the FLC building. Where Santa will join us, so make sure to bring your cameras!

Servant’s Calendar

Sunday, December 6, 8:30 am Service Ushers Bill Reisman, Wilson Grider, Bill Taylor, Chuck Gooch Audio/Video Todd Lovelace Acolytes Sarah & Hannah Kratz Counting Team Todd Lovelace

Sunday, December 6, 10:50 am Service Ushers Youth Audio/Video Todd Lovelace Acolyte Rylie Paramore Wiggle Time Belinda Bennett Children’s Church Barbie Grider Counting Team Todd Lovelace December Rotation Sunday School Pre-School Leader Linda Kimble Cooking / Crafts Anita LaPat Games / Activities Erin Holder Video Barbie Grider

Servants: Please be sure to find a replacement if you will be unable to be here at the time you have been scheduled. This is very important to the smooth and efficient functioning of Sunday Services.

* Administrative Council Meeting December 13th after 2nd service.

Win the lost, Disciple the saved, Empower to serve

PRAYER CONCERNS

Members & Regular Visitors: Lavonne Conrad; Leroy Green; Tonya Hesser; Mildred Mosher; Peggy Petersen; Virginia Plentl; Arlene Purcell’s family (on her passing); Golda Robbins; Mary Beth Workman; Don & Doris Young.

Family & Friends: Bill, Donna Drake’s brother (ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease); Caleb, Bob Whittall’s grandson (ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease); Jim Dimick, Beverly Weld’s uncle (cancer); Malory Johnson, Jessie Blevins’ grand-daughter (Type B Hodgkins Lymphoma); Jerry Jones, Joe Nelson’s brother in-law (cancer, healing); Mike Jones, Angie Smith’s brother (colon cancer, chemo); Joann Lopez, sister of Carol Loomis (cancer); Sandy, dad of Amy, Mike & Paula Petersen’s daughter in-law (Leukemia); Jim Scott, Minnie Anderson’s brother (cancer, COPD, treatments).

Our Active Military: Charles An; Christopher Blevins; John Bloomberg; DJ Bradsher; Shelby Calloway; Dalton Choate; Julio DeLeon; Kevin Dormer; Chad Dougherty; April Garcia; Konner Hapke; Mark Lehenbauer; Tucker Legg; Mitchell Melot; James Montgomery; Chad Smith; Ralph Tocco; John Wesley; Tyler Woodward

Other Concerns: The unsaved & suffering; Persecuted church; Israel; People of Middle East countries in turmoil; President & Military Leaders, Rev. Donna Dodson & Staff Missionaries –Eisenbergs in Paraguay, Lupu family in Romania, Selina & Jared Travis in China.

For prayer requests or updates please call the church office at 376-3139. Or email– rhonda@mustangumc.org

For information on Stephen Ministry please contact

Charlene Halverson at: 324-5836

“Prayer Shawl Ministry.”

MUMW would like to invite you to participate in the Prayer Shawl Ministry. Completed shawls are blessed before they are presented. We have shawls available in the foyer if one is needed. Contact Nancy Dietrich if in need or if Interested in knitting or crocheting a shawl.

Staff Christmas Bonus/Gifts It’s time to show our appreciation to our staff in the form of Christmas bonus/gifts. As we have done in the past, a box has been prepared to collect your monetary gifts. It will be

placed in the Foyer/Narthex the following dates: Sunday, Nov. 29th through Sunday, Dec, 13th.

The gifts will be distributed between the Full time and Part Time Staff members.

Needed each week for Budget: $12, 851.25

November 1st - $19,492.50 November 8th - $10,489.50 November 15th- $8,719.22 November 22nd- $8472.35 November 29th- $5,375.75

Each year our Christmas Offering goes to support three mission areas. Following Jesus’ admonition to go into all the world, we designate the offering for a local, a state and an international mission. This year’s designees are:

Mustang UMC Sports Camp Circle of Care Foster Program

Heifer International Through these gifts we will help local children participate in Sports Camp where they learn about God’s love; we will support foster program for children in Oklahoma; and we will provide opportunities for families to develop independence and a sustainable income through the gift of livestock.

The Christmas Offering will be taken on Christmas Eve night, or you can designate your gift if you are unable to attend one of the 3 worship services on December 24.

To make sure that your “End of Year Giving” is in on time, you will need to do one of the following:

Place in the offering plate Sunday, December 27th

Drop off at the church office Monday the 28th,

Tuesday the 29th, or Wednesday the 30th.

Pay on-line by the 31st

Mail it – Note it must be post marked by the 31st

to go in before the end of the year.

Where In the World Is Jesus? The trees were put in their stands, lights attached and the ornaments hung. The garland and wreaths were brought out of storage and put up. The Advent wreath was arranged on the altar and the banners were hung. Finally, it was time to stand back and look at everything. It was beautiful. We were ready to go. People had been invited to come and decorate the church for Advent and Christmas. It was a fun time as Christmas music played in the background. People talked, laughed and teased one another. Later in the evening, I walked through the sanctuary checking everything. I made note of the final things I would have to do before the First Sunday of Advent. As I walked by the altar table I paused and looked at the Advent wreath and the manger scene. I thought about Christmas’ past and of what Christmas in the future might be like. I reached over and picked up the infant Jesus. He would be absent from the manger scene until Christmas Eve. I took the wooden Jesus figure and put him in my mailbox in the office. As I walked about the church looking at everything I noted it was time to teach the Bible study class. It was in the middle of the class that I thought about Jesus from the manger and made a mental note that I needed to take Jesus from my mailbox and put him on my desk, so that I would know exactly where he was for Christmas Eve. After the class was over, I went to my mailbox…reached in and it was empty. JESUS WAS GONE!!! My heart started thumping. My stomach dropped to my shoes. I remember putting him there. WHERE IN THE WORLD DID JESUS GO? I back tracked everywhere I had been in the building after picking him up. I couldn’t find him anywhere. I tried to calm down. “Think.” I said to myself. “He’s got to be somewhere!” This wooden Jesus belonged to an antique set that had been hand carved in Mexico. A previous pastor had made a mission trip to Mexico and the church where he had done work presented it to him at the end of the week in appreciation for his service. The manger scene had special meaning to the church because of their beloved pastor and his commitment to the people of Mexico. I had to find Jesus! As I thought about it I remembered I had also put a screw driver, hammer and some small pieces of wood in my mailbox, but they were no longer there. So, someone was helping me by putting things away. I went to my office to look in my tool box. The tools were there. And then, I saw on top of the two small pieces of wood with arms out stretched…Baby Jesus. Every year as I help a church put up the Advent/Christmas decorations, especially the manger scene I remember the year I nearly lost Jesus. As I think about my wondering, “Where in the world is Jesus?” I have to laugh because I panicked. The reality is that Jesus always shows up in the most unlikely spots. I found Jesus that night in my tool box. How he got there or who put him there isn’t important. What is important is that he appeared. Jesus always appears when I need him most. Jesus is there every day of our lives. The question is are we looking for him? Do we look for Jesus in the grocery store? Do we look for Jesus in the doctor’s office, the schools, in the places where we work and the neighborhoods where we live? Are we looking for Jesus in the messages we receive? Are we looking for Jesus in every place, in every face? Do you see him? Where in the world is Jesus for you? See you Sunday in Worship! Pastor Donna

Friday December 11 Skyline prep & serve 8:30 am-1 pm Scouts, Overnight in SLC 5 pm to Noon Saturday

Saturday December 12 G.Y.M. Sunday School Class Christmas Party 4 pm (at the Nelson’s)

Sunday December 13 Worship 8:30 am & 10:50 am Sunday School 9:45 am Communion 9:30 am & 10:45 am Admin. Council meeting After 2nd service

Monday December 14 Pre-School, FLC Bldg. & Gym 9 am-3 pm “Living Beyond Yourself” Bible Study, G.Y.M. 1 pm Staff meeting 1:30 pm Esther Circle 6 pm Promise Keepers 7 pm Basketball Practice 6 pm-9 pm

Tuesday December 15 Men’s Prayer, McDonald’s Mustang 6:30 am Pre-School, FLC Bldg. & Gym 9 am-3 pm Pre-School Christmas Program, Sanctuary 10 am (Birthday Party for Jesus, in Fellowship Hall afterward) Basketball Practice 4:30 pm-6 pm Scouts 7 pm

Wednesday December 16 Up 4 Jesus, Emmaus Reunion Group 8 am Pre-School, FLC Bldg. & Gym 9 am-3 pm (Christmas Parties) Keepers of the Home, G.Y.M. 10 am God Girls Ministry 10 am Leah Circle 10:30 am “Rich’s Kids”, MHS Special Needs Helpers Noon

Youth Christmas Parties 6 pm Bells practice 6:45 pm Choir practice 7:30 pm

Thursday December 17 Pre-School, FLC Bldg. & Gym 9 am-3 pm (Christmas Parties) “Experiencing Jesus” Bible Study, G.Y.M. 10 am Basketball Practice 4:30 pm-9 pm

Friday December 18 Youth, First Church OKC. & Tubing 8 pm-Midnight

(Continued on other side)

Here’s What’s Happening in December (please keep copy of this for your records)

Thursday December 3 Pre-School, FLC Bldg. & Gym 9 am-3 pm “Experiencing Jesus” Bible Study, G.Y.M. 10 am Set up for the UMW Christmas Bazaar 3 pm (FLC Bldg., SLC and Parlor)

Friday December 4 Set up for the UMW Christmas Bazaar All Day (FLC Bldg., SLC and Parlor)

Saturday December 5 UMW Christmas Bazaar, FLC Bldg. & Parlor 9 am-3 pm (FLC Bldg., SLC and Parlor)

Sunday December 6 Worship 8:30 am & 10:50 am Sunday School 9:45 am Youth 5 pm

Monday December 7 Pre-School, FLC Bldg. & Gym 9:00 am-3:00 pm “Living Beyond Yourself” Bible Study, G.Y.M. 1 pm Staff Meeting 1:30 pm Special Needs Christmas Party, Gym & FH 6:30 pm S/PPRC Meeting 6:30 pm

Tuesday December 8 Men’s Prayer, McDonalds 6:30 am Pre-School, FLC Bldg. & Gym 9 am-3 pm Stephen Ministry 9 am– 6 pm Basketball Practice, Gym 4:30 pm-6 pm Trustee Meeting 6 pm Ruth Circle 6 pm Finance Meeting 7 pm Pre-School Board Meeting 7 pm Scouts, Troop # 396 7 pm

Wednesday December 9 Up 4 Jesus, Emmaus Reunion Group 8 am Pre-School, FLC Bldg. & Gym 9 am-3 pm Keepers of the Home, G.Y.M. 10 am God Girls Ministry 10 am “Rich’s Kids”, MHS Special Needs Christmas Party Noon Youth 6 pm Bells practice 6:45 pm Choir practice 7:30 pm

Thursday December 10 Pre-School, FLC Bldg. & Gym 9 am-3 pm “Experiencing Jesus” Bible Study, G.Y.M. 10 am Basketball Practice 4:30 pm-9 pm

Here’s What’s Happening in December (please keep copy of this for your records)

Sunday December 20 Worship / Cantata 8:30 am & 10:50 am Sunday School 9:45 am Communion 9:30 am & 10:45 am Youth 5 pm

Monday December 21 Pre-School Christmas Break December 21– January 4 (classes resume January 5th, 9am-3pm) “Living Beyond Yourself” study, G.Y.M. classroom 1 pm Staff Meeting 1:30 pm Esther Circle 6 pm Basketball Practice 6 pm-9 pm Promise Keepers 7pm

Tuesday December 22 Men’s Prayer, McDonalds 6:30 am Stephen Ministry 9 am & 6 pm Basketball Practice 4:30 pm-6 pm Scouts 7 pm

Wednesday December 23 God Girls Ministry 10 am

Christmas Eve December 24 Offices will be closed Christmas Eve Services 5 pm, 7 pm and 11 pm 5 pm—Persons with Special Needs and their families 7 pm—Families 11 pm—Traditional Candlelight Service

Christmas Day December 25 Offices will be closed

1st Sunday after Christmas December 27 Worship 10 am (we will have ONE service only, no Sunday School)

Monday December 28 Basketball Practice 7:00 pm-8:00 pm

Tuesday December 29 Men’s Prayer, McDonalds 6:30 am Basketball Practice 4:30 pm-6 pm Scouts 7 pm

Wednesday December 30 Up 4 Jesus, Emmaus Reunion Group 8 am God Girls Ministry 10 am Keepers of the Home 10 am

New Years Eve & New Years Day Offices closed

1st Sunday after Christmas Service,

Join us on December 27th as we celebrate the hope we

have in the birth of our Savior, with

“ONE” service at 10 am. No Sunday School

“Bethlehem’s Child”

Christmas Cantata

December 20th

8:30 am &

10:50 am

Presented by the

Mustang United

Methodist Choir

Christmas Eve 5 pm Persons with Special Needs

7 pm Families & 11 pm Traditional Candlelight

from the Staff

is coming to Tulsa, Oklahoma, February 26th & 27th, 2016 and we would like for you to join us!

SuperStart! is a high-energy weekend event in which

preteens can learn and grow in their relationships

with friends, leaders and, most importantly, God.

Throughout the event preteens will encounter Christ through worship, interactive teaching and small groups – all of which are designed with their unique needs and maturity in mind. Preteens who attend SuperStart! will leave the weekend with not only a great experience, but also the teachings and foundation to further amplify Christ’s call on their lives to become Kingdom Workers.

Contact Zach or Barbie today for more information; zach@mustangumc.org or barbie@mustangumc.org

www.ciy.com/superstart

ATTN: 4th & 5th Grade Students and Parents! A Big Thank You!

To all those who worked so hard to clear all of the fallen limbs from our church grounds and sidewalks. You hard work is very much appreciated and we thank you for all the hard work you do for us!

And thank you to all the Youth who helped in the clean-up around the community! It was greatly appreciated!

Need a last minute gift? Why not shop

Amazon!

When you make your purchases on Amazon sign on through the church website and the church will receive a donation from Amazon (up to 10% depending on your purchase.) This does not effect your purchase price in

any way. Happy Holy-days!