Upcoming Events
December 1 – Parent’s Night Out
December 2 – Hanging of the Greens Set-Up
December 3 – First Sunday of Advent/ Christmas Caroling to Shut-Ins
December 6, 13, 20 – Advent Book Study
December 8 – Game Night at The Grove DAVID’S DATELINE DECEMBER 2017 Newsletter December 10 – Cantata (9:50 AM & 2:00 PM)
December 17 – Holiday Concert with Tim & Lyn Sunday Worship, 8:30 & 9:50 a.m. Church School, 9:50 a.m. December 21 – Longest Night/Blue Christmas Service
Church Office Christmas Eve Morning – 10:00 AM Worship Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Phone: 937-434-2131, Fax: 937-434-1913 Christmas Eve Services - 5:00, 7:30 & 10:00 p.m. www.davidsucc.org
Ministers of David's Church - All David's People December 25 & 26 – Office Closed
Senior Pastor Brian Q. Newcomb Associate Pastor Michelle Wilkey January 1 – Office Closed
From the Pastor’s Desk… Reactions to the onset of the Christmas season tend to arrive in the extreme. For instance, immediately after Halloween (actually, maybe a few days earlier), I saw two kinds of messages begin to dominate my news feed on Facebook. The first group were those people who were very excited with the prospect of filling the air with Christmas music. Their meme’s described the joy they felt as they celebrated the immediate onslaught of carols and secular Christmas music pumped through retailers’ speakers, on TV commercials and even on their own music systems as they dove head first into the festive spirit of the December holy day. The other group, was equally vehement in their response. Some who like Christmas music per se, expressed the need to hold off until after the Thanksgiving holiday, arguing that everything has its time and place, and the appropriate season for Christmas music begins in the retail holiday of Black Friday (which more and more often is encroaching onto the traditional family celebrations of Thanksgiving, much to my dismay). But others, were all “Bah” and “Humbug,” dreading the endless versions of “Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus right down Santa Claus lane.” And, I have to admit, I kind of agree with both arguments. While there are some Christmas albums that I feel a need to listen to every year (and that list includes: The Chieftains’ The Bells of Dublin, The Blind Boys of Alabama’s Go Tell It On the Mountain, Over the Rhine’s The Darkest Night of the Year, Elvis Presley’s If Every Day Was Like Christmas, Tony Bennett’s Snowfall; The Christmas Album, and two various artist collections, A Very Special Christmas featuring pop and rock acts, and Noel by my friends in the Christian alternative band, The Choir), it certainly can feel like too much of a good thing when you can start seeing Christmas displays in stores right next to the Halloween costumes and candy. It’s a hard balance to strike, and I believe that’s so because, as Charlie Brown warned us years ago, Christmas has lost its meaning for many in the mass commercialization and retail emphasis that distracts from the holy events at the heart of the season. Which is why I think it’s important to not rush to Christmas, but to settle in and live the experience of anticipation and hope that the observance of Advent allows. So let me state the obvious, for many in the world around us the success of the Holy Season of Christmas will be judged by whether they got the presents they desired, whether all the family behaved around the festive meal, and retailers, Government officials and the media will be looking at the economic indicators to see if sales out performed previous years. But for the Christian church, the question is about whether we are closer to “peace on earth, and goodwill to all the people.” And it’s helpful to not get too abstract when we think about this “peace” and “goodwill” that the arrival of the Christ- child is said to portend. One of my favorite Advent scriptures is found at the beginning of Isaiah, Chapter 40, when the prophet cries out: “Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid… A voice cries out: ‘in the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill me made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places plain.” So, in this time of preparation, and waiting, longing and hoping, we might pay attention to the worries in our world, what is going on that we need comfort for, where in our world do we see the need to lift up those who lay destitute in the low places? While many of us probably realize that in the world where there is war and violence, and whole swaths of the globe’s population is living with poverty and disease, we are those who live more comfortably in the hills and high places. What does it mean for us, then, to seek to comfort the hurting in our world? For that answer, we probably need to hear the words Jesus’ mother Mary is said to have lifted up in Luke chapter one, so we can see what meaning and hope God’s people have attached to the birth of the promised Messiah: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior… for the Mighty One has done great things for me, holy is his name… He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty” (Lk 1: 46 -55). This text, and the many others like it throughout the Gospels, belie the remark often made, that “the Gospel is not political.” Surely it’s a mistake to make the Gospel message partisan, for God is not a Democrat or a Republican, but the goals of the Gospel’s good news do often require political action and influence. If we’re going to be advocate for real peace on earth, we have to call our nation to act on behalf of global cooperation and an end to conflicts… which we all know is no easy thing to hope for. Plus, these and other texts, especially Matt. 25’s powerful parable about the sheep and goats remind us of Jesus’ deep compassion and desire that we meet the needs of “the least of these, my sisters and brothers,” inviting us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, bring care to the sick, visit the imprisoned. These are the lowly, that Mary’s song says, are to be lifted up. Which brings me to the words of German theologian Deitrich Bonhoeffer, who became a martyr by working to thwart the efforts of Hitler’s Third Reich and the Nazi goal to exterminate those they came to believe were unworthy: Jews, folk who were gay or lesbian, all people of color, anyone not Aryan. Bonhoeffer’s call to radical faith challenges us to this day: "Christianity stands or falls with its protest against violence, pride of power, and its plea for the weak. [We] adjust [ourselves] far too easily to the worship of power. Christians should give more offense, shock the world, far more than they are now." So, as we walk together through this Advent season, I invite you to consider with me what it means to pray and act on behalf of the proclamation of “peace on earth, goodwill to all the people.” As Pope Francis said recently, you pray for people who are hungry, and then you feed them. “That’s how prayer works,” he said. So let us pray for peace, and then let us advocate for peace, let us strive in our lives to act as those “peacemakers” that Jesus seeks to bless in the Beatitudes. And let us pray for the well-fare of those in the world who are the least of these, those who are un- or under- employed, and thus hungry or struggling economically, and then let us work to feed them, and call our government to ease the suffering of the less fortunate through sensible policies that lift people out of poverty to meaningful work. Let us pray for those who are without access to health care or health insurance, especially those living with illness, and then let us advocate to our legislators for healthcare for all. Let us pray for those who are victims of discrimination, due to race, religion, sexual orientation or culture, and let us work together for a just world for all, where we can embrace diversity and dwell together in the warm delight of “Shalom.” Only when we let the scriptures of Advent and Christmas promise speak to the real anxieties, hurts, and needs in and around us, can we understand the longing and hope that the birth of Jesus was believed to fulfill in the people of his day. And only when we have committed ourselves to live in the world, loving those who Jesus loved, advocating and working for the lifting up of “the least of these” will the true spirit of Christmas be found in us. So, while we wait, sing this carol with me: “O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear… O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by thy justice here; disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight… O come Desire of nations bind all peoples in one heart and mind. From dust thou brought us forth to life; deliver us from earthly strife. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.” Amen, so may it ever be. I wish God’s blessings to each of you, and your families and friends this Christmas season. Your Pastor and friend, Brian Q. Newcomb
Notes from Rev. Michelle I begin with words from Civil Rights Leader, Howard Thurman who spoke about the “Work of Christmas,” he wrote: “When the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flock, The work of Christmas begins: To find the lost, To heal the broken, To feed the hungry, To release the prisoner, To rebuild the nations, To bring peace among people, To make music in the heart.” It is hard to believe that Christmas is just around the corner. I have to admit, that it seemed to arrive even earlier than usual this year. As Janelle and I went to do some last minute Halloween shopping in late October; we were surprised that all the stores had taken down all their ghosts and goblins and the shelves were already filled with Christmas decorations. In October, some radio stations had already switched over to playing nothing but Christmas music. So it seemed like everywhere I looked or listened, I was surrounded by Christmas and it wasn’t even November yet! Recently, there was an article that was published that said Christmas music can harm your mental health. (http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2017/11/08/christmas-music-too-early-mental-health/#.WgOEmVTrWDo). “Clinical psychologist Linda Blair claims the constant barrage of Christmas tunes too early in the season forces people to remember all the things they have to do before the holiday. Blair says the songs are a reminder to buy presents, cater parties, and organize travel, and all the more stressful chores during Christmas.” Perhaps hearing Christmas music too early can have a negative effect on our mental health. I know Christmas can be a very stressful and difficult time for many people. It is easy to get stressed out when you think of all the work you have to do to prepare for the holiday season. When we think about the work of Christmas; we may think about all the presents to buy, putting up Christmas lights, and all the other different tasks that come along with this holiday every single year. For many of us, the work of Christmas is completely exhausting. But Howard Thurman offers up a different perspective on what it means to do the “Work of Christmas.” Yes, Christmas may be about pretty lights and presents underneath the tree; but most importantly Christmas, for those of us who claim Christianity as our faith, is all about Jesus; the unexpected Messiah who came and changed the world. I believe doing the “Work of Christmas” means following in the footsteps of Jesus. Thurman listed different ways that one can do the “Work of Christmas” and many of those things are things that Jesus did throughout his ministry on Earth. Jesus grew up to become a revolutionary; he grew up to be a person who loved and lived in a radical way. Certainly Jesus spent time healing the broken, finding the lost, and feeding the hungry. He spent time doing the “Work of Christmas.” As Christians, we strive to live and love in the same way as Jesus and this means that we too should aim to heal those who are broken, find those who are lost, and feed those who are hungry. This is how we can participate in doing the “Work of Christmas” and here at David’s, we are busy doing the “Work of Christmas” year after year. We give out 40 Thanksgiving baskets to families in need and then we give out 50 baskets during Christmas. Thanks to Warm Wishes we provide hats, gloves, and scarves to those who would otherwise freeze during the bitter cold months of winter. As a community of faith and as individuals; we strive to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and to participate in the “Work of Christmas” all year long. There is a great song entitled “Give me your Eyes” and it is sung by Christian Artist Brandon Heath. Here are some of the lyrics: “Give me your eyes for just one second Give me your eyes so I can see, Everything that I keep missing, Give your love for humanity. Give me your arms for the broken-hearted The ones that are far beyond my reach. Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten. Give me Your eyes so I can see.” Imagine seeing the world through God’s eyes. What would we see? I believe seeing the world through God’s eyes would be both wonderful and heartbreaking at the same time. It would mean seeing all the brokenness of the world but at the same time it would mean seeing all the potential to fix what is broken. We would experience extreme pain and extreme hope all at once. As we begin to count down the days to Christmas; I want to challenge all of us to spend the Advent season doing the “Work of Christmas.” We, as a church and as individuals, can do this by striving to see the world and everyone around us through the eyes of God. As we begin to see the world through God’s eyes, even if for just one second, we can begin to bring about more love, more justice, and more peace. Seeing the world through the eyes of God can help us to see the world as it could be and not just as it is. There is so much pain and brokenness in our world but there are also many reasons to have hope. For me, the one thing that gives me hope even in the most hopeless of circumstances is the truth that we are not alone. As we participate in the “Work of Christmas” my faith rests in the truth that God is with us. One of the most important aspects of the Christmas story is that God came to earth; God entered the messiness of humanity. So no matter how messy the world gets; I have faith that God will never leave us. God is with us in the mess and God is with us as we seek to clean up this mess; as we seek to do the “Work of Christmas. I wish everyone a very “Happy Holiday!” Love and Blessings to all, Pastor Michelle
Christmas In-Gathering of Food Thank you for your generous donations for our Thanksgiving food baskets. We were able to feed 40 families in our surrounding communities a nice Thanksgiving meal. We are now collecting food to provide 50 families with a meal for their Christmas dinner. Your donations for the Christmas food baskets will spread lots of holiday cheer to families in our community who are in need. We need, mashed potatoes; canned green beans, corn, yams, cranberry sauce/jelly, gravy, packaged Christmas cookies/boxed brownie mix; or money to purchase hams. These donations can be brought to the church office until December 10. Chris Wood
WORSHIP SERVICES
ADVENT
December 3 8:30 AM Advent Worship 9:50 AM Advent Worship with Hanging of the Greens
December 10 8:30 & 9:50 AM Advent Worship with Communion 9:50 AM Advent Worship and Cantata
December 17 8:30 & 9:50 AM Advent Worship
December 21 7:00 PM The Longest Night/Blue Christmas Service
CHRISTMAS EVE MORNING
10:00 AM Due to our multiple evening services, we will offer only one worship service on Sunday morning, with Pastor Michelle preaching
CHRISTMAS EVE
5:00 PM Service for the Young and Young at Heart
7:30 PM Traditional Candlelight Service with Choir
10:00 PM Traditional Candlelight Service with Special Music and Communion
Childcare is available at the 5:00 PM and 7:30 PM Services
Parent’s Night Out on Friday, December 1 - 6:00-9:00pm All children through 6th grade are invited to spend a fun evening at David's Church. We will spend the evening eating pizza, watching a movie, and making homemade Christmas ornaments. There is no cost, but donations are encouraged and will go to youth programs. If you have any questions or you would like to sign your child up, please see Pastor Michelle.
Elders Board Needs You!! Yes, you! Volunteer opportunity available for hard work and good fun! No limit. Come one, come all! Saturday, December 2, 9:30 AM. Help bring the greens down from the attic and do much of the “hanging” in our sanctuary and decorating around the church. Meet in the narthex at 9:30 AM. Don’t delay! Save the date! Many hands make light work!
Stewardship Update The Stewardship Committee would like to thank everyone for their pledge cards last week. There were 99 pledge cards turned in totaling $336,770. The current proposed 2018 budget is $518,000. If you have not turned in your pledge card yet, please do so by December 1. Pledge cards can be mailed or dropped by the church office or placed in the offering plate.
Serving at Gateway The first Sunday of every month, David’s Church is responsible for providing and serving a meal at the Gateway Shelter for Men. This meal, which consists of meat loaf, green beans, mashed potatoes, rolls, salad, and lemonade, is one of the favorites served at the shelter. In the Narthex, you will find a sign-up sheet for food that is needed as well as an opportunity to be a server at the shelter. Our next serving is Sunday, December 3. Many items are still needed. Please take a moment to see where you can help!
Keenagers Christmas Luncheon Wednesday, December 13, 2017
"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" Our December gathering of Keenagers really is the "most wonderful time of the year". We know you look forward to it as much as we do. It's a time of good fellowship, good food and good entertainment. Once again, Paula Powell and her concert choir from Stivers School for the Arts will bring us songs of the season and all the energy and merriment that sixteen high school students can bring! But before that, you'll enjoy our traditional menu of chicken tetrazzini, tossed green salad, homemade cranberry- orange relish and rolls and butter. Dessert is, of course, peppermint ice cream with Alice and Bob's homemade chocolate sauce. Please remember to invite a friend or neighbor to come with you to enjoy the fun. And a special invitation to all David's members who might be free on any second Wednesday of the month. Keenagers isn't just for retirees anymore! Please call for reservations: Chris Wood, 434.2131; Annabelle Click, 430.3026, Phyllis Kramer, 913.8059; Ruth Widman, 991.1064
Christmas Cantata - December 10th, 9:50 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. On December 10th, our choir, along with the Springboro High School Orchestra, will present “Invitation to a Miracle,” by Joseph M. Martin. From the jubilant glories to gentle manger lullabies, this inspirational cantata celebrates the wonder and splendor of Christmas! Traditional carols and newly composed seasonal anthems blend with thoughtful narration to help create a meaningful experience for us. Titles include: “A Processional of Hope,” “Joy Arising,” “Your Light Has Come,” “My Soul Rejoices in the Lord,” “A Celtic Cradle Carol,” and “Alleluia! Christ is Born!” One of the most beautiful melodies and lyrics are in the poignant and thought-provoking song, “Would I Miss the Miracle?” asking the listener if their life would be so consumed with ordinary things that they would miss Christ’s birth. It will be presented at the 9:50 service and again at a 2:00 afternoon performance to accommodate people who worship at other churches in the morning. Hope to see you there!
A Report From The Bazaar Ladies Notice the emphasis in on the “A”. It’s BAZAAR not BIZARRE! The first announcement is one of gratitude to all of you who helped with baked goods, candies, and all the yummy stuff tempting us in the Narthex! Your delicious donations are always a greatly anticipated part of “check-out”! The second announcement is one of humble gratitude to the people who create all the beautifully crafted items for sale; from the cute ornaments, to table-top decorations, to utilitarian items made whimsical, to artistic note cards, to fully decorated tabletop trees. The list goes on, but if you were there, you could name your own favorites. And let’s not forget the lunch and supper menus that famished shoppers could enjoy after finding that perfect “whatever” for friends and family. By now you should be aware that is takes a great deal of talent to pull off a successful Bazaar. But it is in the craft area in particular where we need help. Do you have a favorite ornament or decoration that could be re-created? Could you help us make it? If we held an evening workshop session could you, would you attend? We need your help. Please let one of us know. It does not require the artistry of Michelangelo to wield a glue gun! And now the news we’ve been waiting for – BEFORE income from Buckeye sales, David’s Church Christmas Bazaar this year earned $8,000 after expenses.
2017 Christmas Greeting List The following would appreciate special greetings at Christmas.
AT HOME Carlyle House 3490 Far Hills Ave. Bob & Lois Bosshardt Dayton, OH 45429 3632 Sinton Place Ruth Nelson Dayton, OH 45429 Doris Lathrop Bob & Carolyn Brethen 501 Lockerbie Lane Heartland of Miamisburg Dayton, OH 45429 450 Oak Ridge Blvd. Miamisburg, OH 45342 Bill & Annabelle Click Ruth Gordon 5611 Willow Twig Lane
Dayton, OH 45459 Lincoln Estates Jack & Carolyn Grable 4100 W. 3rd St. Building 320 7010 Malabar Ct. Dayton, OH 45428 Dayton, OH 45459 Duane Bayman
Heather Greene 74 Patterson Road Logan Elm Health Care Dayton, OH 45419 370 Tarlton Rd. Circleville, OH 43113 Mary Ellen Hopkins Nancy Weitendorf 3012 LaPlata Dr. Dayton, OH 45420 One Lincoln Park Frank & Betty Jones 590 Isaac Prugh Way 34B Knight Terrace Dayton, OH 45429 Springfield, OH 45504 Helen Maze - #566
Thelma Leach Correne Moran - #507
200 Adamsmoor Dr. Elmcroft of Washington Township Apt. 211 8630 Washington Church Rd. Waynesville, OH 45068 Miamisburg, OH 45342 Bill Love Bob Chelle 7885 Hoke Rd. Clayton, OH 45315 St. Leonard Health & Rehab Center
Lea & Mark Nakauchi 8100 Clyo Road 6701 Mad River Rd Centerville, Ohio 45458 Dayton, OH 45459 Diana Thompson
Ella Phillips-Shimovetz Symphony at Centerville 3753 Mesquite Dr. 7383 Paragon Rd. Beavercreek, OH 45440 Washington Township, OH 45459 Richard, Linda & Samantha Smith Joanne Britain - 105 2623 Symphony Way West Carrollton, OH 45449 Trinity Community of Beavercreek 3218 Indian Ripple Rd. Dayton, OH 45440 Jim Farinet SPECIAL CARE FACILITIES Walnut Creek Bethany Lutheran Village 5070 Lamme Rd. 6445 Far Hills Ave. Dayton, OH 45439 Dayton, OH 45459 Marilyn Lusa Nita Jennings - 1263
Game Night Attention all Gamers! From 7-10 p.m. on December 8 come to The Grove (hosted by Sue Krichbaum) for Game Night. Bring a snack, BYOB, your favorite games, and be prepared to have fun playing board games or card games like euchre, double pinochle, or canasta.
Special Offerings in December Love Offering Each year the church says “Merry Christmas” to our Pastors and our staff by offering them a Christmas check. If you would like to contribute, simply place your contribution in the “LOVE” envelope provided in the pews November 26, December 3, and 10 and return it to the church office, or place it in the offering plate by December 10. If you do not have an envelope, you can just mark your contribution with “Love Offering”. Christmas Eve Offering Your Mission Board is asking for your support for a special Christmas Eve Offering. This contribution will be divided evenly in three ways: 1. Crossroad Ft. Wayne Children’s Home is a UCC sponsored residential care home for troubled youth throughout our region. Most of the young people have been in abusive situations and need loving, skilled care to recover and get on with their lives. During the year, we also send Campbell Soup labels that go toward the purchase of specialty items. 2. Trinity community of Beavercreek is a UCC sponsored retirement community. The Life Enrichment Fund assists residents whose assets have been depleted. Trinity prides itself on affirming that no one has ever had to leave the community due to financial reasons. 3. The Christmas Fund for Veterans of the Cross provides assistance for retired UCC clergy and their families when the need arises. Many clergy have faithfully served churches where they received small incomes with little or no pensions. The assistance is appreciated in the form of a Christmas gift check, a health insurance subsidy, or as an emergency grant. A Christmas Offering envelope will be available in the pews on Sunday, December 18, and on Christmas Eve for you to make a contribution. If you are unable to attend these services and wish to contribute, please mail your check to the church office. Your support is greatly appreciated. Pastor’s Emergency Fund As in recent years, our congregation would like to give Christmas memorial gifts to those in need instead of elaborately decorating the sanctuary with live poinsettias. Through the generosity of members and friends, David’s Church has again been lovingly decorated for the holidays. Your gifts to the Pastor’s Emergency Fund will help those in need throughout the year. Due to the current economic conditions, there has been an increase in requests for distributions from the fund, both from individuals in the community and from members of David’s congregation. If you would like to remember a loved one while making your gift, please fill out the form and return it with your contribution to the church or place these items in the offering plate by December 17. Please mark your check “Pastor’s Fund.” The names of those remembered will be published in the Christmas Eve bulletin.
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Holiday Concert with Tim & Lyn - Sunday, December 17th, 4:00 PM Lyn Morton and Tim Williams will be presenting their annual Christmas concert, “Peals of Joy 10,” meaning our tenth collaboration, on Sunday, December 17th at 4:00 in the sanctuary. Can you believe we have been doing this for a decade? We will be joined by Cinnamon Peppo, harpist and Tom Hughes, classical guitarist. We are very fortunate to have such talented guest artists. There will be lots of Lyn and Tim with different instrumentation on Christmas and Advent melodies. Tim will close the program with his traditional arrangement of “Til the Season Comes Round Again.” Come and join us for an afternoon of beautiful Christmas music sure to inspire even the “bah humbugs” that are out there.
December 3 Christmas Caroling December 3 - Christmas Caroling to David’s Shut-ins There are many ways you can be a part of the Caroling Joy There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex for: *People who will bake special Christmas cookies for the shut-ins Please come to Fellowship Hall for lunch before going Caroling. Fellowship & Hospitality Board will set up your lunch. You provide the joy and the voices in this intergenerational activity. Members enjoy seeing David’s children and youth in addition to the adults.
Longest Night of the Year (Blue Christmas) Service Thursday, December 21, 7:00 PM in the Chapel Amid the vast commercialization and the spirits of forced joy that often accompany many of the expectations of Christmas, many of us find it a challenging, even a difficult holiday season. For some it’s the external circumstances around welcoming the birth of the one called the “prince of peace” while the world around us is distressed by war, poverty, hunger and disease. For others it’s a more personal dis-ease, sometimes due to grief at the loss of loved ones, financial or employment concerns, distance from family and friends, or outright loneliness. Many of us need a place to honestly express our longing for wholeness, to acknowledge our real feelings of disappointment and sadness, before we can move into the Christmas spirit of joyful expectation and hope for better days in the New Year. So, we gather close to the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year, to remember the prophet Isaiah’s word that “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” Indeed the Christmas story speaks of God come to dwell among us, to embrace all that comes in the human condition. We’ll light candles to push back the darkness, share communion, offer prayers for healing, and hear the word of hope that comes in the birth of love in our midst.
Pastor’s Emergency Fund and David’s Policy for Dealing with Solicitations Throughout the year, we’ve used money in this Pastor’s discretionary fund to help church members and some in the community who are dealing with hard times. We’ve helped families and individuals with food, medicines, utilities and rent, generally only helping people once in a calendar year. In recent days the need has been great, so we invite those of you who are able to give above and beyond your regular giving commitment to help us care for those in great need. That said, our policy at David’s Church is not to hand out any cash when we are approached by folk soliciting help on Sundays, or as we are coming and going to meetings. We want to run due diligence and follow-up on those we have helped, so we ask that members give no money to folk who are approaching them. We hope that you will direct them to the church office on Monday – Friday during business hours, and let them know to bring picture I.D. so they can fill out the information forms we’ve created, and we will do our best to help them in a way that’s professional and accountable. Thanks for your help in this regard.
Do You Know Our Symbols? The symbol of the United Church of Christ comprises a crown, cross and orb enclosed within a double oval bearing the name of the church and the prayer of Jesus, "That they may all be one" (John 17:21). It is based on an ancient Christian symbol called the "Cross of Victory" or the "Cross Triumphant." The crown symbolizes the sovereignty of Christ. The cross recalls the suffering of Christ—his arms outstretched on the wood of the cross—for the salvation of humanity. The orb, divided into three parts, reminds us of Jesus' command to be his "witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). The verse from Scripture reflects our historic commitment to the restoration of unity among the separated churches of Jesus Christ.
In the summer of 2017, the UCC changed their red and black comma logo to their new logo. The new logo's colors were chosen to work with both 'A Just World for All' and the '3 Great Loves campaign — Love of Children, Love of Neighbor, Love of Creation,' which will be rolled out during General Synod in Baltimore (June 30 – July 4). Blue has replaced red, with black retained as the second color, in the new design, to visually and symbolically represent Creation elements of water and earth. The new logo retains an updated version of the traditional element of the UCC comma — a much-loved and widely used emblem of the United Church of Christ introduced as part of the "God is still speaking," identity campaign. That campaign quoted a line from Gracie Allen that her husband George Burns found among her papers after death. In a letter addressed to him were the words, "George, never place a period where God places a comma." A variation on that line, along with the graphic comma, has been used since 2004 as a symbol and shorthand way to refer to "continuing testimony," or the ever-unfolding nature of God's word for new times. The new primary UCC logo consists of an updated comma emblem and the words "United Church of Christ." "God is still speaking," remains as the UCC's tagline, and the new logo may be used with or without the tagline. In addition to the comma, the UCC retains its original emblem for use by congregations and other entities of the denomination: the traditional "cross, crown, and orb" graphic, including the words "That they may all be one" (John17:21), which dates from the founding of the United Church of Christ in 1957—a statement of the UCC's intent to be a "united and uniting" church.
At David’s UCC, we have a symbol that is unique to our congregation. It is orange, a bit abstract, and for most, confusing. It is a symbol that is rich in our history, our community, our neighborhood, our partnerships, and our future. It is the center of the tulip poplar flower that blooms on a tulip poplar tree. One of these trees stood next to our sanctuary for generations. It had to come down when we put on our Fellowship Hall and Church Office addition. The tree lives on in many ways. Twelve of its offshoots are scattered around Kettering, Centerville, Washington Township, and Bellbrook. one is located right outside of the Church Office next to the driveway. Wood from tree was made into the cross that hangs outside of Fellowship Hall, and most of the trim in Fellowship Hall is milled from the tree. We also extended our church symbol of the Tulip poplar tree by planting one by the lake at Pike Lake State Park to honor Jim & Ruth Widman And the 50+ years that we have celebrated our weekends together there.
December Birthdays 14 Karen Frey 2 Joanne Wallad 15 Shirley Berry Howard Webb Karin Avila-John 4 Bill Schottelkotte Heather Vest 5 Neil Jones 18 Correne Moran 6 Dan Pickrel Danielle Van Brackel Mandy Shannon 21 Betty Pemberton 7 Mike Shaneyfelt 22 Samuel Routsong 8 Jay VanHouten 24 Carolyn Brethen 9 Tom Routsong Sherill Weinberg Scott Thompson Jen Phillips Shabonne Shaneyfelt 25 Charlie Boothe 10 Samuel VanHouten 26 Ashley Rohrbacher 11 Phyllis Kramer Bram Hardenbrook Terry Williams 27 Emma Wissler 12 John Runzo 28 Nancy Weitendorf – 100th Birthday 13 Jean Semler 29 Dave Herrick Dorothy Cooper George Stone Sonja Gegel 30 Kathe Lindner Addie Weaver
Wedding Altar Flowers Jana Lehman & Wesley Evans were married Altar flowers ($20 per vase) are available for the at David’s Church on November 10, 2017 by Rev. upcoming months, starting in 2018. You may order Dr. Brian Q. Newcomb flower arrangements for the altar to honor or remember a special someone in your life or to celebrate a special Card Shower occasion. Your message will be printed in the Sunday Nancy Weitendorf will turn 100 on December bulletin. Call the church office, 434-2131, to order.
28. We would love to celebrate her birthday with a card shower. Birthday cards can be sent to her Peanut Butter at: Please remember the kids in the Kettering Backpack Nancy Weitendorf Program this winter as we go to the grocery, to buy a Logan Elm Health Care certain number each week. That will be your own 370 Tarlton Rd. personal goal to see how many weeks in a row you Circleville, OH 43113 remember. Thanks to all of you who have been faithful contributors. - Mission Board Annual Reports Due To all boards, organizations and staff members: Your annual reports are due in to the office by Tuesday, December 12, 2017. Do You Know
David’s . . . Tax Information Quilting Ministry has All 2017 donations to David’s Church must be quilted over 80 quilts in the church office, or postmarked, by December 31. Also, please write separate checks for for the VA Hospice individual funds. since their start in
2016?
. SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 6:00-9:00 PM 9:30 AM Hanging of Parent’s Night Out the Greens
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 8:30 & 9:50 AM Advent 9:30 AM Warm 10:00 AM Quilting 6:00 PM Yoga 6:00 PM Adult Bells 5:00-11:00 PM 8:30 AM Trustee Worship Wishes Ministry 7:00 PM Advent Book 7:00 PM Chancel Private Reception Meeting Holiday Food Gathering 10:30 AM Staff Mtg. 7:00 & 7:30 PM Study Choir 7:00-10:00 PM Game Gateway 4:00 PM SIGNS Board Meetings 12:00-1:30 PM Grief Night at the Grove 11:15 AM Christmas Peanut Butter Support Caroling to Shut-Ins 7:00 PM Book Study/
SIGNS HOME COMMUNIONS
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 8:30 & 9:50 AM Advent 9:30 AM Warm 10:00 AM Quilting 11:30 AM Keenagers 6:00 PM Adult Bells Private Reception in 8:00 AM Men’s Worship w/Communion Wishes Ministry 6:00 PM Yoga 7:00 PM Chancel Fellowship Hall Breakfast @ Bob 9:50 AM Advent Worship &
Cantata 10:30 AM Staff Mtg. 6:30 PM Deacons Choir Evans
11:15 AM Second Hour 6:00 PM Y12SR Mtg. 9:00 AM-1:00 PM ANNUAL REPORTS 12:30 PM Private Reception Yoga 7:00 PM Advent Book Private Reception in DUE DATELINE DEADLINE at The Grove 6:30 PM CE Mtg. Study Fellowship Hall 2:00 PM Cantata 7:00 PM Book Study/SIGNS 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 8:30 & 9:50 AM Advent 9:30 AM Warm 10:00 AM Quilting 6:00 PM Yoga 6:00 PM Adult Bells Worship Wishes Ministry 7:00 PM Advent Book 7:00 PM Chancel 11:15 AM Second Hour 10:30 AM Staff Mtg. 7:00 PM Council Mtg. Study Choir Food & Clothing Outreach 7:00 PM The 4:00 PM Holiday Longest Night/Blue Concert with Tim & Lyn 7:00 PM Book Study Christmas Service 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 10:00 AM Worship 6:00 PM Yoga 6:00 PM Adult Bells CHRISTMAS EVE CHRISTMAS DAY 7:00 PM Chancel 5:00 PM Service for Choir Young & Young at Heart
7:30 PM Candlelight Service 10:00 PM Candlelight & OFFICE CLOSED Communion Service 31 8:30 & 9:50 AM Advent Worship DECEMBER 2017 David’s United Church of Christ
(937) 434-2131 NEW YEAR’S EVE www.davidsucc.org