Skiatook First United Methodist Church

Methodist

Messenger Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the

transformation of the world!

1007 S. Osage P.O. Box 910

Skiatook OK 74070 www.fumcskiatook.com

Email: office@fumcskiatook.com

918-396-2519

Fax: 918-396-7973

December 2016

Christmas in Skiatook

“So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in a manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and

all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” Luke 2: 16-18 (NIV)

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” This is a common greeting heard during the holidays, on commercials, and in Christmas carols. For many, Christmas is a time of wonder and delight, anticipation and excitement, and overall joy! For others, it can be a time of loneliness, of disappointment, or even a trigger of memories of a pain-ful Christmas past. Expectations can turn into disappointment; joys and wonder into pain and loneliness. There is no such thing as a “perfect” Christmas, no matter what the Hallmark movies and Christmas card covers show us. It is up to us to manage our expectations, and not rely on what a Hollywood Christmas looks like, but rather con-sider the reason we even have Christmas—to remember and celebrate the birth of a baby, our Savior, who came into a broken, sinful world to deliver us from the bonds and chains of captivity to sin and death.

In the church, we actually celebrate Advent before we get to Christmas. Advent is a time of preparation, a time of waiting. Advent literally means “wait”. We celebrate and anticipate the coming of Jesus, both past and future coming, and prepare for the Messiah. What does it mean to prepare for the birth of a baby so long ago, and what does it mean to prepare for the future coming of the King? A good analogy is the idea of human pregnancy, and the birth of a human baby—which Jesus was.

In pregnancy, we have hopes and dreams for this coming baby. Moms and dads dream about what the baby may be like, and about a possible future for the child. During pregnancy, the parents prepare the home, the room, their lives, their routines for the changes, and even disruptions a new baby brings. A baby really does change every-thing! And so, Jesus’ birth into our world changed everything about the way we see and understand God!

So it is for us during Advent, and then, finally, Christmas. It is a time of preparation for the coming of the child. We remember, and celebrate the significance of the birth of Jesus. We recognize the changes Jesus brings—even the disruptions that may occur—as a result of our following Jesus. We prepare our hearts and live our lives in preparation for that day when Jesus comes again, whenever that may be. It’s so much more than Santa Claus and gifts!

Join us each week for our Advent sermon series: The Difference a Baby Can Make.

Nov. 27: The Waiting is the Hardest Part Dec. 24: A Baby Changes Everything Dec. 4: Preparing for the Baby Dec. 25: No Angels, No Shepherds, No Star Dec. 11: The Joy a Baby Brings Jan 1: Epiphany: Is It Over Yet? Dec. 18 Lessons & Carols—with Children’s Program

Christmas Blessings,

Pastor Susan

December Children’s News Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of

Heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14

ADVENT WORKSHOP

PLEASE JOIN US DIRECTLY

AFTER SECOND SERVICE FOR FUN,

SNACKS & CRAFTS

12/04, FELLOWSHIP HALL

KIDS NIGHT OUT

12/11, 5:00—8:00, LAF BLDG

We will choose parts and costumes

and rehearse for the

CHILDREN’S PROGRAM

and have snacks and fun!

RSVP: Miria, 405-850-2253

PARADE Everyone is welcome to ride on the church float.

We will meet in the high school parking lot at

6:30, 12/09. Parade starts at 7:00.

All children must be signed in and out with Miria.

We will prepare the float decorations

during Vespers (12/07) in the LAF bldg.

Please contact me with any questions

and to sign up, Miria 405-850-2253.

Lessons & Carols Children’s Program

12/18, 10:30 service

The children will portray the Christmas

story.

Christmas Day

we all celebrate together with one service at 10:30

Misc. Happenings

Servant Spot-light

Thanks to:

The MANY hands it took to put on, cook,

set up, serve, and clean up our Thanksgiving Dinner! It was delicious!

Shelley Flood, for deliver-ing all the VBS decora-tions to Lawton to donate to the Indian Methodist Church there.

James Prather, and his grandson Ben, for putting up and decorating the An-gel Tree.

Larry Dalvine, for assem-bling the clothing rack to hang costumes and props on.

Carolyn Brooks, for taking care of refilling the oil in our candles each week.

To the Worship Committee Beverly Dollar, Cathy Allred, Debbie Bennett, and Jackie Hull for deco-rating the sanctuary for Advent.

UMW Silent Auction UMW would like to thank everyone who bid on our baskets. The money will be used to fund our many mission projects.

How wonderful it is to be part of such a supportive church!

Following is a list of the winners.

Baby - Glenna Long

Chocolate/coffee - Miria Jones

Fun & Games - Mona Keeline

Rustic Cuff Greenhouse - Lisa Riggs

Christmas - Miria Jones

Thunder/Bricktown - Zach Hale

Antique Picnic - Ted Willimon

OU - Luanne Willimon

Doggie - Jennifer Brooks

Health & Beauty - Julie Guy

Yummy Munchies - Glenna Long

Ice Cream - Mary Nelson

All ladies are invited to join them for their Christmas party on December 13th at Gander Way. A caravan will leave the hurch at 11am. Hope you can attend!

Gifts are given... To the Van Fund,

by Johnny and Nita Whitney, in memory of Robert White son of Phyllis Leonard, and brother to Lisa Riggs.

To the LAF Building Fund, by Julie and Steve Guy.

To the LAF Building Fund, by Glendell and Peck Brown.

Welcome to our Newest Members!

Welcome to Ann Carr, who transferred her

membership from Will Rogers UMC in Tulsa. Also

welcome to Angela Hayes, and her children

Kaitlan, Triston, and Keira. Angela transferred

her membership from Christ UMC in Tulsa! We are glad you’re here!

HOLY SMOKERS

HEAVENLY HOLIDAY MEAT ASST.

Three Winners

Choice of Two Items:

2 smoked Turkeys or

2 Smoked Hams or

2 Smoked Pork Butts

Tickets: $5 each or 5 for $20

Drawing: December 20th

Do not have to be present to win.

See a Methodist Man for your tickets or come by the church office. Net proceeds support UMM Mission work. *December meeting will be held at 6pm on December 14th in the LAF.

COMBINED WORSHIP SERVICES

December is such a busy month in the life of the church. There are Advent Devotions, soup suppers, choir practice, bell practice, and the list goes on and on. In an effort to slow down a bit and experience Advent together, we will be having a combined worship service on both the 18th & and 25th.

On the 18th, bring your children at 9:30 to be fitted for costumes while the adults have Sun-day school. At 10:30, we will have our Les-sons & Carols, including the Children’s Christmas program.

On Christmas morning, there will be no early service or Sunday school. Arrive for our 10:30 service to celebrate Christmas together. Kids are invited to bring a favorite hand held gift or toy to be blessed during the service.

Ladies’ Night Out

Ladies, you are invited to an even-ing of fun and fellowship on Fri-day, December 16th, at 6pm in room 103 (Old Fellowship Hall.) Come, unwind, and spend time with your sisters in Christ, while assembling a simple craft project. Participants are asked to bring a snack to share, and pay $5 (pay at the door) to cover the cost of the supplies. A signup sheet is in the lobby to ensure there will be plenty of supplies.

Can You Share Your Time?

Giving is not always about money. It can

also be your time and your talents. What

area are you gifted in? Have you thought

about being a greeter? Changing the

church sign? Helping with meals? Running

the slides on Sunday? If you aren’t sure

where you can give, speak to Pastor Susan.

There are many ways to give!

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

29 5:30: Weight Watchers 7:00 Boy Scouts

30

11 am: Yoga

12:30: Stretching 3:30 FIX Youth: 6 pm

6:15: Soup Sup-per

7:00: Devotions

1 1:00 CHUMS Game Day 4:30Chair Yoga 6pm Level 2 Yoga 6:30: Lay Nominations 7 pm: Bible Study

2 10:00: Yoga 11:30: Stretching 12:00: CHUMS Luncheon & Game Day

3

4 8:30 Worship

9:30: Sunday School 10:30 Worship 11:45 SPRC meeting 11:45: Advent Workshop 6:30 Choir Practice Verdi-gris

5

6:15: Charge Conference at Oolagah UMC

6:00: Sewing Class

6 1:30 CHUMS Nursing Home party 5:30: Weight Watchers 7:00 Boy Scouts

7 11 am: level 1 yoga 12:30: Stretching 3:00-4:30: FIX

6 pm Youth

6:15 Soup Sup-per

7:00 Advent De-votions

8 1:00 CHUMS Game Day 4:30Chair Yoga 6pm Level 2 Yoga

7 pm Bible Study

910:00: Yoga

11:30: Stretching 7 pm: Skiatook Christmas Parade Angel Tree gifts due

10

11

8:30 Worship

9:30: Sunday School 10:30 Worship 11:45: Trustees

5-8:00: Y&R and Kids’ Night 6:30 Choir Practice @ Ski-atook

12 11 am: level 1 yoga

12:30: Stretching

6:00: Sewing Class

13 11:00: UMW Lunch @Gander Way

5:30: Weight Watchers

7:00 Boy Scouts

14

11am: level 1 yoga 12:30: Stretching FIX till Six

6:00: Youth

6:00: UMM

6:30: Soup Sup-per

7:30 Choir Can-tata

15

1:00: CHUMS Game Day 4:30Chair Yoga 6 pm: Level 2 yoga 7 pm: Bible Study

16 10:00: Yoga 6:00: Ladies’ Night Out

17 Angel Tree Dis-

tribution :

10 am-3 pm

18 ONE SERVICE 9:30: Sunday School 10:30 Lessons & Carols/Children’s Pro-gram Visit with Santa

19

11 am: level 1 yoga

12:30: Stretching

6:00: Sewing Class

20

5:30: Weight Watchers

7 pm:

Boy Scouts

21 11 am: level 1 yoga 12:30: Stretching

22 100 CHUMS Game Day 4:30Chair Yoga 6 pm: Level 2 yoga 7 pm: Bible Study

23 10:00: Yoga 11:30: Stretching

24 Christmas

Eve: 5 pm, 7

pm

25 Christmas

Day No Sunday School 10:30 Worship only

26 11 am: level 1 yoga

12:30: Stretching

6:00: Sewing Class

27 5:30: Weight Watchers

7:00 Boy Scouts

28 11 am: Level 1 yoga 12:30: Stretching No Youth

29 1:00 CHUMS Game Day 4:30Chair Yoga 6 pm: Level 2 yoga 7 pm: Bible Study

30 10:00: Yoga Youth New Year’s Eve Eve Lockout

31

No School—ASAC Closed

No School—ASAC Closed

Skiatook First United Methodist Church

1007 S. Osage

P.O. Box 910

Skiatook, OK 74070

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

RECYCLE PLEASE

Join us for the first three Wednesdays of Ad-

vent for our Advent Devotionals! We begin

with a soup supper at 6:15, and then move to

the Sanctuary at 7:00 pm for Christmas

hymns, readings, special music and a short

message. Wednesdays are Nov. 30, Dec.7,

and Dec. 14.

On Dec. 7, bring the kids and Miria will have

them in the LAF building working on the

Christmas float!

On Dec. 14, the service will begin at 7:30 and

feature a Christmas musical cantata with the

joint choirs of Skiatook and Verdigris UMC.

Christmas Eve Worship

We will have two services on Christmas Eve. Join us at 5 pm (with Chil-dren’s moment), or at 7 pm for a traditional Christmas Eve Service. Both services will have candlelight, familiar Christmas hymns, and spe-cial music! There will be cookies and punch be-tween services in Room 103 (Old fellowship hall)

CHRISTMAS DAY WORSHIP

We will have one worship service on Dec. 25 at 10:30 am. There will be no Sunday School. Come join us for a short, casual service. Kids (and adults—we don’t care) can wear pajamas and bring a favorite gift for a “Blessing of the Toys”. Celebrate the birthday of Christ with us in church! Yes, Christmas is on a Sun-day, so what better day than to celebrate together in worship!