December 2019

Monthly Publication by Stockton , Stockton, Mo. Steeple Chimes

this celebration; originally, there was little connection between and . th Pastor’s Paragraph By the 6 century, however, Roman Christians had tied Advent to the coming of Christ. But the I hate waiting! I hate waiting in lines—all lines! “coming” they had in mind was not Christ’s first (Except maybe the coffee shop!) I will walk the coming in the manger in , but his second entire length of the front of Walmart to find the coming in the clouds as the judge of the world. It shortest line. When I lived in Kansas City I detested was not until the Middle Ages that the Advent going to the DMV to renew my license. Waiting is season was explicitly linked to Christ’s first coming not one of my strong suits. Yet, as we enter the at Christmas. Advent season, that is exactly what we are called to do. We are asked to slow down a little bit and not Today, the season of Advent lasts for four Sundays jump straight to Christmas. Take some time to leading up to Christmas. At that time, the new ponder his coming back then, into our lives now, Christian year begins with the twelve-day and when he comes again. celebration of , which lasts from until on January 6. Some people may know that Advent serves as an anticipation of Christ’s birth in the season leading Advent symbolizes the present situation of the up to Christmas. That's only part of the story. church in these “last days”, as God’s people wait for the return of Christ in glory to consummate his For many Christians unfamiliar with the liturgical eternal kingdom. year, there may be some confusion surrounding the meaning of the Advent season. Some people may While Israel would have sung in expectation of know that the Advent season focuses on Christ’s first coming, the church now sings in expectation and think that it serves as an commemoration of that first coming and in anticipation of Christ’s birth in the season leading expectation of the second coming in the future. up to Christmas. This is part of the story, but there’s more to Advent. While it is difficult to keep in mind in the midst of celebrations, shopping, lights and The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin decorations, and joyful carols, Advent is intended word adventus, meaning “coming,” which is a to be a season of fasting, much like Lent, and there translation of the Greek word parousia. Scholars are a variety of ways that this time of mourning th th believe that during the 4 and 5 centuries in Spain works itself out in the season. Reflection on the and Gaul, Advent was a season of preparation for violence and evil in the world cause us to cry out to the baptism of new Christians at the January feast God to make things right—to put death’s dark of Epiphany, the celebration of God’s incarnation shadows to flight. Our exile in the present makes represented by the visit of the Magi to the baby us look forward to our future Exodus. And our own , his baptism in the Jordan River by John the sinfulness and need for grace lead us to pray for Baptist, and his first miracle at Cana. During this the Holy Spirit to renew his work in conforming us season of preparation, Christians would spend 40 into the image of Christ. days in penance, prayer, and fasting to prepare for Continued on pg. 2

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While Advent is certainly a time of celebration and “Pastors Paragraph”, Continued from pg. 1 anticipation of Christ’s birth, it is more than that. It is One catechism describes Advent spirituality only in the shadow of Advent that the miracle of beautifully: “When the Church celebrates the Christmas can be fully understood and appreciated, liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this and it is only in the light of Christmas that the ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing Christian life makes any sense. It is between the in the long preparation for the Savior’s first coming, fulfilled promise of Christ’s first coming and the yet- the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second to-be-fulfilled promise of his second coming that Karl coming. By celebrating the precursor’s birth and Barth penned these words: “Unfulfilled and fulfilled martyrdom, the Church unites herself to his desire: promise are related to each other, as are dawn and ‘He must increase, but I must decrease.’” sunrise. Both promise and in fact the same promise.

If anywhere at all, then it is precisely in the light of The Advent first appeared in Germany in the coming of Christ that faith has become Advent 1839. A Lutheran minister working at a mission for faith, the expectation of future revelation. But faith children created a wreath out of the wheel of a knows for whom and for what it is waiting. It is cart. He placed twenty small red candles and four fulfilled faith because it lays hold on the fulfilled large white candles inside the ring. The red candles promise.” The promise for Israel and the promise for were lit on weekdays and the four white candles the church is Jesus Christ; he has come, and he will were lit on Sundays. come again. This is the essence of Advent.

Eventually, the was created out of Grace and Peace evergreens, symbolizing everlasting life in the Pastor Jim midst of winter and death. The circle reminds us

of God’s unending love and the eternal life He makes possible. Advent candles are often nestled in the evergreen wreath. Additional decorations, like holly and berries, are sometimes added. Their red color points ahead to Jesus’ sacrifice and death. Pinecones can symbolize the new life that Jesus brings through His resurrection. Families begin lighting a candle on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, and they light another candle each subsequent Sunday.

The most common tradition, however, involves four candles. A new candle is lit on each of the four Sundays before Christmas. Each candle represents something different, although traditions vary. The four candles traditionally represent hope, faith, joy, and peace. Often, the first, second, and fourth candles are purple; the third candle is rose-colored. Sometimes all the candles are red; in other traditions, all four candles are blue or white. Occasionally, a fifth white candle is placed in the middle and is lit on Christmas Eve or Day to celebrate Jesus’ birth.

While Advent is certainly a time of celebration and Connecting People with Jesus Christ December 2019 anticipation of Christ’s birth, it is more than that. It is only in the shadow of Advent that the miracle of Christmas can be fully understood and appreciated, Announcements 3 SAMA Christmas Musicale and Hanging of the Greens Sunday, Dec. 1, 7 p.m./Sanctuary Nov. 17 Church Council Highlights Our annual Hanging of the Greens service is once Linda Hall, Recording Secretary again partnering with SAMA in support of the Present: Manring, Erickson, Fry, Thomson, Webb, SAMA Christmas Basket Program. Join us on Dec. Woodrell, Hammons, Ross, Holts, Hall, Coffer 1, 7 p.m. as we begin the season of advent with

our traditional Hanging of the Greens with music Finance: Susan reported an Oct. 31, balance of and participation from other SAMA churches. A $34,561.15. Ted reported expenses over income free will offering will be received to benefit the by about $6,000. But the YTD is right on budget SAMA Christmas Basket Program. A reception will with enough cash on hand. Giving is strong. He follow serving cookies and sweet breads. For those and Susan will prepare the 2020 budget. who stay after church Sunday morning to help decorate, Pastor Jim will serve his “famous” chili PPR: Salaries were reviewed with no increases. and vegetable soup. The PPR requested that Jim be appointed to SUMC for another year. The Pastor Income statement UMW Christmas Luncheon was approved. (Ted/Dwain). The office Tuesday, Dec. 10, 11:30-1:30 p.m. / FLC nominations for 2020 were approved. Sue Webb (Sue/Susan). Charge Conference Reports were "God's Greatest Gift" is the theme for the annual revised and signed. An omnibus of Charge UMW Christmas luncheon which will be held on Conference Reports were approved. Tuesday, December 10 in the FLC from 11:30 -1:30. (Elizabeth/Stewart). Come have a cup of soup and sides as we

celebrate the season. All women of the church are Trustees: Report a work in progress to program invited to come and bring a friend. There will be the thermostats in the FLC/Basement/Parlor. games and a short program!Rather than Marvin asked for a Snow Days Cancel Policy. exchanging gifts, we ask that you bring a package ICE=NO CHURCH. SNOW=consensus of of toilet paper or a box of Kleenex for the SAMA Marvin/Stewart/Jim to make the decision. food pantry because these paper items are not included in the food stamp program. Joyce Emmons has resigned as counter scheduler. New scheduler needed. Christmas Gifts for Children

Sacrament preparers are needed for Communion Once again this year, Stockton UMC is participating Sundays 2020. in the SAMA Christmas Basket Program. Early in December we will receive children’s names for you Pastor: Jim reported Charge Conference to select. SAMA is asking that we provide two gifts preparation is completed. for each child valued at $15-$20. Each child’s age, December Council Meeting December 15. gender, and Christmas wish list will be provided. Jim closed the meeting with prayer. All gifts need to be turned in by December 16. John and Ellen Morris are coordinating this program for our church.

Read all about Stockton United Methodist Church at www.stocktonumc.org December 2019

th 4 Community Prayer Walk and Trash 4 Pickup Saturday, Dec. 7 Marcia Hornbeck, Go Green Team Our Go Green Team invites members of our congregation to join us as we walk through neighborhoods near our church, Saturday, December 7, to pray for God’s blessings on the residents and pick up trash. Meet in the church parking lot at 10 a.m. We will organize into small groups, walk less than two hours, return to the church by 11:30, and separate recyclables from the trash. We will provide trash bags.

If you plan to join us, dress warmly, including hat and gloves. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Bring Go Green Team Recycled 90 Mercury a pickup stick if you have one. Wear your Go Containing Bulbs Green T-shirt or sweatshirt, if you have one. Bring Cheryl Y. Marcum, Creation Care Ministry your own water bottle and/or coffee thermos. Thanks to good stewards from 17 households in our community—12 from our church family, we We encourage people who cannot walk with us to collected 62 florescent tubes (18 8-foot and 44 4- join us in prayer for Stockton residents from 10 foot), 28 compact florescent lamps (CFLs), and 59 a.m.-noon wherever you are. In case of inclement incandescent bulbs for responsible recycling. Our weather, we will reschedule. collective stewardship kept at least 1,072 mg of toxic mercury, a world-wide contaminant, out of Our Go Green Team exists to take action to help our environment. renew God’s good creation. Please consider becoming part of this action-oriented team Virtually all materials in all kinds of light bulbs can committed to doing what we can to protect and be recycled. Imagine what a difference we could renew our planet home. make if everyone took God’s call to stewardship seriously and recycled all of our bulbs! December 15 Last Day to Recycle Cereal Bags and Liners Throwing mercury-containing bulbs into the Cheryl Y. Marcum, Creation Care Ministry dumpster often results in mini-explosions which Regrettably, Sunday, December 15 is the last day some find exhilarating. However, when bulbs we will collect cereal bags and liners for recycling, burst, they release an invisible, odorless, toxic so make a note to bring your last ones in on mercury vapor that can cause serious health injury December 15. and may be lethal when people breathe and inhale it into their lungs. Longer term, processes in the Five years ago, Pam Elkins suggested we start environment convert it into methylmercury which collecting this waste stream. Terracycle paid bioaccumulates up the food chain. Collecting and shipping costs and 2¢ for every bag received. The reusing mercury from bulbs keeps it from escaping project sponsor, Malt-O-Meal® brand cereals by into our environment and reduces the demand for Post Consumer Brands, is terminating their mining new mercury; that reduces environmental partnership with Terracycle on December 31. damage at mining sites. It is much better to recycle Thank you to all who have made recycling cereal the valuable, toxic mercury than to send it on the bags and liners a part of your routine. precarious journey to our landfills. Continued on Page 5

Connecting People with Jesus Christ December 2019

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“ Recycled 90 Mercury Containing Bulbs”

Cont. from pg. 4 No Federal law exists to recycle mercury containing bulbs, yet, many municipalities and at least seven states mandate recycling them and ban them from landfills to protect the health of people and the planet.

This was our fifth America Recycles Day drive. This Keep America Beautiful national initiative is the only nationally-recognized day dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States. Each year, on and in the weeks leading into November 15, thousands of communities across the country participate by promoting environmental citizenship and taking action to increase and improve recycling in America. Diverse organizations collected a wide range of waste streams for recycling; we think we were the only one to collect mercury- containing light bulbs.

God dedicated us to be stewards of his good creation. Choose to recycle all kinds of burned- out bulbs. Designate a sturdy box in a safe place to collect them. If you m issed this event, deliver florescent tubes, metal halide, incandescent and halogen bulbs to the

Computer Recycling Center, 528 N. Prince Lane, Springfield, fee: $1/mercury-containing bulb. Deliver CFLs, sealed one per Ziplock bag, to any Lowe’s or Home Depot, no fee. Or, save them for next year’s SUMC bulb recycling drive; for safety, we cannot store them in the church. We cannot accept broken bulbs; wrap them and dispose of in the trash.

Read all about Stockton United Methodist Church at www.stocktonumc.org December 2019 6

Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion “When the Messiah Comes” New Sermon Join us at 8 p.m. Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24 Series begins Dec. 1 for our traditional Christmas Eve candlelight Beginning December 1, Pastor Jim will preach a communion service. Celebrate the birth of our series of messages based on prophecies of the Savior by joining with fellow Christians in singing Messiah found in the book of Isaiah. Some 700 Christmas carols, reading scripture, and celebrating years before Jesus was born Isaiah expressed the the sacrament of Holy Communion. Pastor Jim will yearnings of the people of Israel for a deliverer and offer Come and Go Communion from 5-5:45 p.m. redeemer. We will explore a different scripture from Isaiah each Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve: Dec. 1 There Will Be Light - Isaiah 2:1-5 Dec. 8 There Will Be Peace - Isaiah 11:1-16 Dec. 15 There Will Be Singing - Isaiah 35:1-10 Dec. 22 God Will Be with Us - Isaiah 7:1-25 Dec. 24 A Child Will Be Born - Isaiah 9:1-7

Connecting People with Jesus Christ December 2019 Stockton United Methodist Church 7 December 2019 Calendar of Events

Current as of Nov 19. For updates visit www.stocktonumc.org/calendar

Key FLC – Family Life Center S – Sanctuary W – Welcome Area LSHF – Lake Stockton Healthcare Facility * Community/individual

Read all about Stockton United Methodist Church at www.stocktonumc.org December 2019 8 Stockton United Methodist Church

December Calendar of Special Events Current as November 19 . For updates, visit www.stocktonumc.org/calendar

Special Events  December 1 (Sunday) 7 p.m. SAMA Christmas Musicale and Hanging of the Greens /Sanctuary December 7 (Saturday) 10 a.m. 4th Community Prayer Walk and Trash Pickup/SUMC Parking lot December 8 (Sunday) 10:45 a.m. MSU Gospel Choir/Sanctuary December 10 (Tuesday) 11:30-1:30 p.m. UMW Christmas Luncheon /Family Life Center December 15 (Sunday) Last Day to Recycle Cereal Bags and Liners December 24 (Tuesday) 8 p.m. Christmas Eve Service /Sanctuary

SAMA Pantry Seeking Funds for 2020 Budget SAMA Food Pantry is seeking community support throughout November and December. With the end of the Wal-Mart matching grant, the food pantry needs to raise $9,500 to meet the 2020 food budget with Ozarks Food Harvest. These funds will purchase over $80,000 worth of food. The food pantry serves residents of the Stockton R-1 school district. The SAMA Food Pantry has served 1,393 families (averaging 125 per month) representing 3,593 people including 1,130 children and 580 senior adults. You may write checks directly to SAMA or to the church and designate it for the food pantry.

Connecting People with Jesus Christ December 2019 9

Birthdays and Anniversaries

Happy Birthday! Blessed Anniversary!

1. Marvin & Joyce Korby Stockton Emmons 18. Don and Marlene MERRY CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE! 2. Carole Maugh Brining Dennis and Tami Anthony’s Diedre Senecal 19. Cheryl Mayberry 715 Morgan Dr. Madeline Scott 20. John Evert Cassell Wednesday, December 18, 3-6 p.m. 3. Marcia Hornbeck Cal Davis ALL church invited; Come and go as you 4. Shelby Jasper 22. Gail Williams please! 5. Whitney Cramer 24. Norman Cross Punch, wassail, beverages provided. Ray Simhiser 25. Rose Mary Owens If you have a favorite snack, feel free to 26. Joe Davis 11. Dwain Hammons bring, if you like! 27. Loyd Stockton 13. Renee Bonifant Jim and Nancy Toombs (former McCoy) 28. Lara Elder Beaudry 15. Bill Linnartz 31. Sharon Linnartz 16. Westen Niermann

December Needs December Servants Liturgist: Kim Jasper SAMA Food Pantry needs Sunday Morning Greeters: peanut butter (creamy) and Ken and Shirley Potts toilet paper. Place Lynn Erickson contributions in south hall Stewart and Angela Thompson collection bin.

Please place donations in south hall collection bin. Read all about Stockton United Methodist Church at www.stocktonumc.org December 2019

Stockton United Methodist Church US POSTAGE 708 E. Hwy 32, Post Office Box 329, Stockton, MO 65785 PAID Non-Profit Org. Telephone (417) 276-4717 Fax (417) 276-2077 Permit No. 11 E-mail [email protected] Stockton, MO 65785 Steeple Chimes www.stocktonumc.org

Worship 10:45 a.m. Sunday School 9:45-10:30 a.m. Jim Coffer, Pastor Rose Mary Owens, Director of Music Jacky Vincent, Organist Mary Anne Manring, Pianist

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