THE PARISH POST
Volume 43 - Issue 12
11:00 a.m. Worship Service
Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors.
Shout for joy, you heavens;
rejoice, you earth;
burst into song, you mountains!
For the Lord comforts his people
and will have compassion on his
afflicted ones.
Isaiah 49:13
Then young women will dance and
be glad,
young men and old as well.
I will turn their mourning into gladness;
I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.
Jeremiah 31:13
Tidings of Comfort & Joy
There is a Christmas carol I enjoy which is not found
in our hymnal, but is very well-known. “God Rest Ye
Merry, Gentlemen” is said to be one of the very oldest
carols, dating back to the 16th or maybe even the 15th
century.
It tells the story of the baby born in
Bethlehem, laid in a manger by his mother, Mary.
There are verses about the angels and the shepherds.
But my favorite part is the refrain: “O tidings of
comfort and joy!”
Tidings … now there’s a word you don’t hear every
day. It derives from the old English verb tidan —
which means “to happen.” Therefore, tidings are
happenings, or simply news.
What is kind of
interesting about this word is that it is always found in
the plural form. One would never say, “I bring you a
good tiding.”
In the context of this carol, the plural form reminds me
that the news is big! We are not sharing just one little
tidbit of news, but a grand story. And the news
contains elements which might not always be
considered in the same sentence: comfort and joy.
Comfort implies sadness, sorrow, or struggle. It’s not
the kind of word you usually hear in a Christmas
carol.
And yet, it is a word which describes
something which is desperately needed in our world
today. I think of people grieving from the recent
terrorist attacks in Paris. Or the parents who lost
children in the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary
School just before Christmas three years ago. The
grief of such tragedies must feel overwhelming. Most
of us cannot imagine living through such horror. Still,
many of our lives have been touched by grief. A
number of our church members have lost loved ones
in the past year. For others, this time of year can feel
very tender as we recall past losses.
December 2015
Because of the pain involved, some people wish they
could just skip from November straight to January
and pretend the holiday season does not exist. But,
as author Shawn Mai points out, an attempt to ignore
the holidays altogether only compounds the loss.
First, you have lost a loved one, and then, you lose
the holiday season, as well.
If your heart is heavy at this time of year, what are you
to do? Pray for comfort. Trust that God wants to give
comfort to you. Reach out to others who can share
comfort with you. Several Scripture passages which
are commonly used during Advent remind us that God
wants to comfort his people (e.g., Isaiah 40:1).
The other gift proclaimed in the tidings of Christmas
is joy. Now that sounds more like it.  “Joy to the
world, the Lord is come!” As the angel said to the
shepherds on the night of Christ’s birth, “Do not be
afraid. For behold, I bring you good news of great joy
for all the people.” (Luke 2:10)
We are certainly well-acquainted with the idea that joy
is supposed to be part of our holidays.
And
sometimes we do feel great joy … as we come to
church to hear the good news, and as we gather with
our family and friends to celebrate this holy season.
On other days, however, we don’t feel that joy. We
may be hurting from broken relationships, or
burdened by financial pressures, or just plain
exhausted from all the busyness.
Fortunately for us, the joy Christ promises is not
dependent on life circumstances. It is deeper than the
shallowness of merriment; it is more lasting than
transitory happiness. It has nothing to do with bright
shiny tinsel decorations or the shaking of jingle bells.
In fact, one of the reasons I think I love the carol “God
Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” is because it is sung in a
minor key. This makes the song sound very real to
me. It is not with the tinkling sound of “fa-la-la-la-la,”
but with the sound of a soulful mourner, that we sing
about tidings of comfort and joy. Precisely because
of the pain and difficulty of this life, we can truly
rejoice at the good news of a Savior who has come to
release us from sin and suffering.
As you celebrate Christmas this year, I wish for you
both comfort and joy! May your hearts be filled to
overflowing as you receive the wonderful tidings of
Christ’s birth.
Pastor Sherri
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Condolences
“When one member suffers, we all suffer;
and when one member is honored, we all rejoice.”
I Corinthians 12:26
Those who serve as missionaries, especially:
Kate & Peter Walugembe in Jinja, Uganda;
Del & Sandy Groves in Zambia;
Dr. Elma Jocson in the Philippines.
Those who are in the military, including:
Christopher Blackwell, Danny King, Ricky Zeiger.
Those who are in care facilities:
Hamilton Grove – Sabra Lambert, Betty Smith,
Dorothy Schwark
Woodland Terrace – Shirley Hoadley
Those who are homebound:
Dorothy Brayboy, Helen Heward
Those with health problems:
Jay Asch, Linda Barnes, Bud Bean, Rex Bean,
Julian Becker, Theresa Sittig Buckingham,
Jennifer Busick, Pat Dimmitt, Laura Donner,
Jordan Downs, Marcie Dust, Mike Ehlert,
Norma Eldridge, Andrew Hamilton,
Roland and Donna Hayes, Hannah Heit,
Priscilla Hellenga, Dave Hess, Paula Hess,
Ogden Krossovitch, Gayle Martin, Pat McDonald,
Debby Meeks, Rick Schroeter, Mike Shannon,
Barb Smith, Ted Stocchiero, Charmaine Thompson,
Lonnie Zebell.
We express our sympathy to
Shauni Hinman at the death of her
grandfather, Ralph Tau, on October
18.
We also extend our sympathy to Martha Spychalski at
the death of a cousin, Candy Tetrick, on November 10.
May God give comfort to these families in their time of
grief.
Connect with us
www.toumc.org * Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Three-Oaks-UnitedMethodist-Church/214472765236584
(a link to our Facebook page
is also available through our homepage)
Wedding Bells
Congratulations to Daniel (D.J.)
Petro and Patience Andrews at
their wedding on November 13.
D.J. is the son of Ron and
Rhonda Petro. May God bless
your life together!
Those who grieve:
Friends and family of Ralph Tau, Ted Krzyweski,
Devon Smiley, and Candy Tetrick.
Those recently married:
Jessica Sittig and Chris Brown at their wedding on
October 30.
D.J. Petro and Patience Andrews at their wedding
on November 13.
Other:
Those grieving during the holiday season.
Jackson family of LaPorte who lost everything in a
house fire.
Jeff & Deliegha Swanson family during their
transition from the mission field back to the U.S.
Mike & Cara Bettig as they finalize the adoption of
their son, Michael, from Ethiopia.
Ibrahim Parlak in his efforts to remain in this
country.
Victims of the Russian plane crash in Egypt.
Victims of the terrorist attacks in Paris.
Peace throughout our world.
Please note: Names will be deleted from the above
list after one month unless an updated request is
received.
Christmas Eve
Our
traditional
Christmas
Eve
Candlelight Service will be held at 6:00
p.m. on Thursday, December 24. Invite
your friends and family to join us as we worship the
newborn King! Pick up some free door hangers in the
narthex to distribute in your neighborhood.
Our Christmas Eve offering will support United
Methodist camping ministries. There will be an insert
in your worship bulletin with more information.
Library News
There are several Christmas
books and DVDs available to be
checked out in our church
library. They are located on top
of the book shelf in the parlor.
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Harvest Dinner
Royalty
There were 61 people in attendance for
our annual Harvest Dinner last month.
The Fellowship Committee provided
meat, bread, butter, and beverages.
The congregation brought wonderful side dishes and
desserts to complete the menu. It was a beautiful
Sunday afternoon to "break bread" together. Thanks
to our Fellowship Committee for planning this dinner.
Free Advent Materials
There are many free Advent materials available on the
table in the narthex including devotionals on several
themes. Please help yourself.
Missions Committee News
Congratulations to Lexie Olson who was
crowned Miss Three Oaks/River Valley
on November 15. Lexie is the daughter of Carlton and
Meagan Olson and the granddaughter of Pete
Stathakis and Danelle Springer.
Congratulations, also, to Kaitlin Goodenough, who
was crowned Miss Three Oaks/River Valley First
Runner-Up and Haley Goodenough, who was crowned
Little Miss Three Oaks/River Valley First Runner-Up.
Kaitlin and Haley are the daughters of Craig and Kris
Goodenough.
We are looking for
volunteers to provide
refreshments after our
worship services.
Sign up in the narthex
if you will help.
There was a wonderful response for
“Operation
Christmas
Child.”
Thanks to all your donations we
collected 48 shoeboxes to be shipped overseas for
children to have a merry Christmas. The $336 needed
for shipping was taken from the Mission Jar fund
which is the accumulation of all those coins you drop
in the globe offering each week.
A small shoebox can teach a child about the love of
God and lead him or her to faith. What goes into the
box is fun, but what comes out is eternal. You can
watch children open their shoeboxes at this link:
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-wedo/operation-christmas-child/.
Thank you to Jim and Sharon Flick for delivering all of
these packages to the distribution center in Michigan
City.
Weather Closings
As winter is upon us, we are
making preparations for the
possibility
of
bad
weather.
Usually, we will have Sunday
services if Pastor Sherri can manage the drive.
However, if we should decide to close, this
information will be posted on www.WSBT.com, TV
channel 22; and www.WNDU.com, TV channel 16. You
can go to these websites and have closing
information automatically sent to your cell phone or
via email. On weekdays, the church office will be
closed if River Valley Schools are closed. Please use
caution when venturing out over these next several
months. We want everyone to stay safe!
…Jon Vollman and the Buchanan Area Chamber of
Commerce for a $200 donation to our Sunday School
from the Harvest Buchanan Tractor Pull.
Church Leaders
New leaders for our various church
committees were elected at the annual
Church Conference held on October 25. A directory
of those individuals who will be serving in 2016 is
enclosed in this issue of The Parish Post.
Thank you to all these persons for agreeing to serve
Christ and his church through these important
ministries. If there is some way that you would like to
be involved in the future, please speak to Pastor
Sherri about your interests. There are certainly many
ways to be involved in the body of Christ and we
encourage each member to take an active part.
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“Dear Members of Three Oaks UMC,
Thank you again for your continued support of The
PET Mobility Project and our efforts to provide
metal parts for PETs to be used by some of the
many PET Affiliates scattered around the country.
The timing of your support continues to amaze me.
When we are in need of financial help to purchase
steel for some of these parts, you come through.
Thank you. I hope to put out a summary of the
year’s work shortly after the Holidays.
We arrived back home from this year’s Annual PET
International Meeting a few weeks ago. Each year a
different PET Affiliate will sponsor the meeting.
This year it was hosted by PET Austin and held at
the Bethany United Methodist Church in Austin,
Texas.
This year’s meeting started on a Thursday
evening and ran through the following Saturday
night ending with the PET International Board of
Trustees meeting. This was my last year as a
Trustee on the International Board but I agreed to
stay on as an advisor. PET is growing and we
now have a full time Executive Director. This is
the first full time position for PET. In the past
the E.D. job has always been handled by
volunteers but it has become much too big and
time consuming. Our new Director is Scott
Walters from Atlanta, Georgia. Scott has a very
strong background working with handicaps in the
non-profit area and we are thankful to have him
now working with us.
Always a highlight of the meeting, Distribution
Partners come to tell about their operation and
how PETs are working in their areas. Presentations
this year included:
Ibrahim Richard Bangura from Sierra Leone who
himself is leg handicapped. Ibrahim has extensive
experience helping and working with the mobile
disabled in Sierra Leone.
Von Driggs, PET Operations Manager who recently
returned from an extended trip working with Kenya
Relief in Africa.
Jim Taylor who is President of Jesus Es Real
Ministries
working
with
the
poor
and
handicapped in Honduras.
John Abbey is a Trustee of The DOVE Fund. The
DOVE Fund have presented to PET in past years
and continue to take shipping containers of PETs
into Vietnam each year. The DOVE Fund is
comprised of US Vietnam veterans who go back
into Vietnam and help to rebuild schools, medical
clinics, hospitals, community health projects, etc.
Mark Richards, Operations Manager for Hope
Haven International Ministries. They are one of PETs
oldest distribution partners. Hope Haven use
several prisons in South Dakota to rebuild
wheelchairs, they also build new wheelchairs in the
US and have a pediatric wheelchair factory in
Guatemala and plans for one in Peru.
Harry and Echo VanderWals, a husband and wife
doctor team from The Luke Commission working
in Swaziland, Africa. The Luke Commission have a
hospital and complete mobile clinics that go out
into the villages. They always have PETs available
when they go. In this country wheelchairs are
useless in many areas when trying to travel on the
ground but a PET will work very well.
Several of the ministries who presented at the
meeting are distributing PETs with parts you helped
make possible. Thank you again for your
continued help. It is very much needed and
appreciated.
God Bless,
Ray Truhn”
Christmas Flowers
The Worship Committee is once again
making poinsettias available for
purchase. The colors available are: red,
white, pink, burgundy, marble (leans to white with
pink marbling), and jingle bells (red with pink and
white specks). The cost is $7.50 per plant.
Order forms will be in the bulletin each Sunday until
all orders are due on December 13. Please include
your payment with your order. You may take your
plants home following our worship service on
Christmas Eve.
New offering envelopes for 2016
have been placed in the narthex
mailboxes. If you would like a
set, please speak to Rhonda
Hinman or leave a note in the
office. To fund the offering
system, we suggest an initial
contribution of $5 in the
envelope provided.
If you have any questions about your contributions
from 2015, please contact Rhonda Hinman at 7567560.
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Sunday School News
Our
Sunday
School
Christmas Program will be
held on December 20 during
the morning worship service.
We always look forward to
seeing the precious faces of
our children as they share the Christmas message
with us. Please plan to attend this special service,
Advent Service
The River Valley Ministerial Association
will sponsor a community Advent Service
on Sunday, December 6, at 6:00 p.m. at
First Congregational Church. This will be a service of
Lessons and Carols incorporating the beautiful music
and Scripture readings of the season. An offering will
be received for the RVMA to assist people in need.
Plan now to attend this service marking the beginning
of the Advent Season with your friends and
neighbors.
Village Tree Lighting
The annual lighting of the Village
Christmas Tree will be held on
Sunday, December 6, at 7:00 p.m. in
Carver Park (across from Speedway).
Again, Sisters in Faith will provide the
cookies and hot chocolate, which will be served in the
new pavilion following Christmas carols. An exciting
change this year: the big tree on the corner of Oak
and Ash will be lit, thanks to the village of Three Oaks!
Come out and join this wonderful kickoff to
Christmas! If you would like to join the choir which
will lead the caroling, please speak to Priscilla
Hellenga.
Stewardship Commitment
Campaign
In the first two weeks of our
Stewardship Campaign we have
received 23 commitments totaling
$49,860 toward our 2016 budget.
Thank you to all these donors. If
you have not yet completed a
commitment card, please pick up one in the narthex.
They may be placed in the offering plate or returned to
the church office.
Best wishes to these athletes as
their winter sports season gets
underway:
Paige Barbour
Andrew Bellaire
Annette Donner
Laura Donner
Kaitlin Goodenough
Katharine Kersey
Lexie Olson
Shelby Sieler
Zachary Sieler
Kyle Seifert
Madison Vollman
RV Varsity Cheerleader
RV Varsity Basketball
RV JV Basketball
RV Varsity Basketball Manager
RV Varsity Basketball
RV Varsity Basketball
RV Varsity Basketball
RV Girls Basketball Manager
RV JV Basketball
RV Varsity Basketball
RV JV Basketball
Sisters in Faith
The annual Christmas party for
Sisters in Faith will be on
Wednesday, December 9, at 6:30
p.m. It will be held at the home of Rhonda Petro
(16928 Three Oaks Rd). Please sign up in the narthex
so we know how many to expect. Bring a dish to pass
and a Christmas ornament ($5 to $10 range) for a gift
exchange.
Men’s Dinner
The Men’s Annual Fellowship
Dinner will be held on Tuesday,
December 8, 6:00 p.m. (eastern
time) at Heston Supper Club. All
men are invited. The cost is the
price of your meal from the menu.
Please RSVP to Rick Cooper by
December 6 at 773-330-9886 or at
[email protected].
Christmas Choir
Opportunity
Attention all adult and
high school singers
ages 16 and up! Everyone with the ability to read
music is invited to join the Harbert Community
Church Choir in Sawyer for their annual Christmas
Candlelight Choir Concert on Friday, December 18, at
7:00 p.m. Required rehearsals are December 3, 10,
and 17 at 7:00 p.m. at the Harbert Community Church
(6444 Harbert Rd., Sawyer).
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So it was, that while they were there, the days were
completed for her to be delivered. And she brought
forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling
cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was
no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:6-7
Grace and Peace in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ!
No Room… but the Innkeeper felt compassion and
allowed them to sleep in the stable! The Innkeeper,
through his act of kindness, was an active participant
in the event which changed the life of Mary and
Joseph. Without knowing it, he provided a gift which
changed the world!
of Christ. They seek to Make Disciples of Jesus! They
help Change Lives!
I ask that you take an offering for this ministry during
Advent. Every gift received will be used to further the
mission of Making Disciples of Jesus Christ, through
our Camping Ministries!
With you in the Work of Christ,
Bishop Deborah Lieder Kiesey
Michigan Area Bishop
We will receive this offering on Christmas Eve. There
will be an insert in your worship bulletin.
The United Methodist Camping
ministries are an important
outreach ministry of our
church. More than 13,000
people of all ages are shown
the love of Christ through the
ministries of our camps and
retreat centers. The ministry of
United Methodist Camping
Changes Lives! Across the
state, from Lake Huron to Lake
Michigan, our nine facilities
stand strong in commitment to
Make Disciples of Jesus Christ
for the Transformation of the World.
The United Methodist Women of
Water’s Edge UMC in New Buffalo
(18732 Harbor Country Drive) invite
you to their Cookie Walk on
Saturday, December 12 from 9:30
a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Enjoy a beautiful variety of
homemade cookies available to purchase by the
pound. The cookies are a Christmas delight and
proceeds will provide gift cards for local families to
purchase food for holiday meals.
Each summer more than 2,000 children and youth
learn about Christ while having fun and experiencing
the beauty of being out-of-doors at camp. Over 1,500
lives were changed this year as campers committed
their lives to Christ at camp. Many of these campers
can attend camp only because of the scholarship gifts
provided. This year more than $50,000 was provided
to campers who needed help to attend camp.
Thank you for all your wonderful
response
with
the
Operation
Shoebox Christmas. Forty-eight
boxes
were
turned
in,
far
surpassing last year. There will be
many children in faraway countries
having a present to open.
As families, more than 8,000 people enjoyed the
beauty of God’s creation in safe campgrounds, where
God is the focus and good clean fun is encouraged.
Family Camp programs give each member of the
family opportunities to grow in faith, while having fun
with other families of faith. Lives are changed. One
family camp hosted 300 people from all over the
country. Why did they come? They had experienced
the life-changing love of Christ while at camp.
There is now another mission project we all can take
part in and it is very close to home. The Harbor
Country Emergency Food Pantry is always in need of
items, such as: paper products, personal hygiene
items, cleaning and laundry items. It would be great if
each one of us or even one item per family could be
collected to fill the shelves at the pantry for those who
are struggling to purchase these items. Please bring
these things to the church before the end of the year
and place them in the box in the narthex.
During the fall, winter and spring our six retreat
centers welcome church groups, family reunions,
youth groups, and others to a place where Christ is
the focus in our mission to change lives!
This vital ministry of our church does what the
Innkeeper did for Joseph and Mary and more. Our
camps open their doors and their hearts to any and all
who come. They willingly share the love and Gospel
Cookie Walk
Missions
Suggested items:
Paper Towels
Kleenex
Toothpaste
Deodorant
Dish Soap
Bleach
Bathroom Tissue
Baggies
Shampoo
Body Wash or Bars of Soap
Laundry Detergent
Fabric Softener
Sharon Flick, Missions Chairperson
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Three Oaks United Methodist Church
2 East Sycamore Street
Three Oaks, MI 49128
Phone
Fax
E-mail
Web
269-756-2053
269-756-2061
[email protected]
www.toumc.org
December
2015
Address Service Requested
Please Note
Please turn in all submissions
for next month’s Parish Post
newsletter by December 13.
If we could deliver your next Parish Post by
e-mail, please inform the church office.
It would be faster, easier, and cheaper.
Sermon Series: “Hark the Glad Sound”
December 6
Second Sunday of Advent
Communion
“The Song of Mary”
Luke 1:46-55
December 13 Third Sunday of Advent
“The Song of the Angels”
Luke 2:8-14
December 20 Fourth Sunday of Advent
“The Song of the Church”
Matthew 1:18-23
December 24 Christmas Eve
6:00 p.m.
Candlelight Service
“Christmas Surprises”
Luke 2:1-20
December 27 “The Songs of Simeon & Anna”
Luke 2:22-40
Thanks for your help!
Three Oaks
United Methodist Church Staff:
Pastor: Rev. Sherri Swanson
Secretary: Cheryl Kersey
Organist: Martha Spychalski
Custodian: Mary Weers
Church Office Hours:
Monday: 9:00-3:00
Tuesday: 9:00-12:00
Thursday: 9:00-12:00
To Reach the Pastor:
Please call the church office first: 756-2053.
If you do not reach her there,
leave a voice message on her cell phone
at 269-405-0002.
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