275 North Halcyon Road Non-Profit Organization Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 US Postage ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Permit #27 Arroyo Grande Advent comes from the Latin CA, 93420 word adventus, meaning "coming." The first season in the Christian Church calendar, the period of Advent is a time of expectant waiting in prepa- Pastor’s Wednesday Advent Study ration to celebrate the birth of Wednesdays of Advent we invite you to look at —’Christmas: Jesus, the Christ. Carols and The Good, The Bad, The Ugly’ by Richard B. Wilke which will be hymns have been written over our guide book for Pastor David latest weekly study. Meet us in the centuries, many of which the McMillen Room at 2 PM or 6 PM. All are welcome to join the we enjoy during this time of kids for a spaghetti dinner at 5:15 PM in Criswell Hall. waiting even today. Kids Night Out — ‘Under the Tree’ Advent in Greek is parousia, A new Wednesday night group will begin on December 1st to which was often used to talk study “Under The Tree” - the Advent Story. ALL elementary kids are welcome as we begin our night in the Sanctuary to be- about Jesus’ second coming. gin this special journey! Join us for Spaghetti at 5:15 PM— So Advent is a season of wait- our program will start at 5:45 PM. ing and preparation not only “A Service of Hope” Blue Christmas for the celebration of Jesus’ Not in the “holiday spirit” this year due to a loss or a change in earthly birth but for his prom- circumstance meet us on December 5th at 6:30 PM in the sanc- ised return.
tuary for a time of reflection and prayer followed by a time of Some Christians celebrate Ad- light fellowship in Criswell Hall. vent by not putting the baby AG UM Children’s Center Holiday Program Jesus into their manger scenes Visit our website at worshipweekly.com December 16th at 7 PM—Join these children along with their until Christmas morning. This families to celebrate the season with festive holiday songs sung Senior Pastor: Grande Ringers Handbell Dir.: adds to the anticipation that’s by the kids of AG UM CC—ages 1 1/2 to 5 years old. A social in Rev. David M. Burgeson Leonard Lutz a special part of the season. Minister of Visitation: Adult Ministry Director: our fellowship hall will follow the program. Please look at the Rev. J. Harold Headrick Sandra Sawyer Children’s Center Chronicle insert for more information. Ministers: UM Youth Directors: Carol and Sing-a-Long at the Clark Center Members & Friends Mike & Linda Herber December 19th at 4 PM, join our chancel choir in a community Office Admin./ Newsletter: Children's Ministry Director: sing-a-long at the Clark Center. Enjoy music and help raise Sarah Gandy-Barber Carolyn Russell-Williams Bookkeeper: Christian Counseling Intern: funds for music programs at local schools. Tickets are $10 fro Victoria Gandy Carol Gandy adults and are going fast. Call the box office at 489-9444 or buy Website Manager: Bishop: online at clarkcenter.org. See page 11 for more details. Jamie Foster Mary Ann Swenson Christmas Eve Candlelight Services Chancel Choir Director: District Superintendent: ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ to an evening Candlelight Services. Julie Walters Rev. Cathleen Coots ‘The Nativity’ will be our program for our Family Service at 6 The Lord’s Crew Director: Susan Coho PM or join us at our more Traditional Christmas Eve Service Organist: AG UM Children’s Center at 7:30 PM in our church sanctuary. We hope to see you there! Don McGuire [email protected] New Year’s Eve Quiet Holy Communion (805) 481-2223 Choral Pianist: We welcome you to join us at anytime on this evening between
Dennis Eiler 7—7:30 PM - in our church’s sanctuary for a free-flowing and Puppet People: Director: Madrigal Quaglino self-led service of Quiet Holy Communion. Mike Herber Cast~A~Net December 2010 2 Cast~A~Net December 2010 15 Dear Church Family,
The season of Advent and
Christmas bring a variety of Shepherd’s Notes.....…..…….2 emotions: joy and anticipa- December Calendar..…...... 3 tion; thankfulness and understanding; tiredness and
UM Men’s News………...... 4 Pastor David Burgeson maybe a hint of loneliness. Think back on some of News of the UMW……...... 5 your previous seasons of Advent and Christmas, haven’t some Trustees Report & Misc...…...6 been better than others? My point is life is a series of high and low David Beaman 12/3 “Feed My People”….....….....7 Arletta Capps 12/4 times blended together. Miscellaneous…...... ………...8 Kent Olsen 12/4 Help Our Community…..…...9 Thankfully there is one truth you and I can count on no matter the Dell McCracken 12/4 on The Evening of St. Nicholas Day UM Youth News.…...…….....10 time: our God always has and will remain good. God’s character Mary Whitefield 12/4 December 6, 2010 at Michael Balster 12/7 Choir & Praise Team Info….11 does no change with the seasons, He is the same now just as on Samuel Waterman 12/7 7 PM in the UMC of AG Sanctuary “Overcoming…”...…………12 that first Christmas when he sent his son, Jesus, as a little baby so Danica Leonard 12/8 Kids Page……………...... ….13 that eventually he would give his for all people, not some all! What Isabella Sloan 12/8 Misc. Small Group Info…....14 an awesome gift, God would have sent Jesus if only one of us Adeline Bottorff 12/8 Join us this evening to hear from the venerable ol' man himself. Evening With St. Nicholas...15 needed him. His life changed ours. Kathleen Ballagh 12/9 Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, will personally share his story, from
Insert Eva McClure 12/9 his birth and childhood in Patara, through his days as a leader of Tradition has been I have reflected on hymns of the Advent and Jamie Foster 12/9 AG UM CC Chronicle the Church. He will weave through the legends and stories that season, when write my thoughts in newsletters for December. One Gage Dowd 12/9 have built up around him and share some of his thoughts I chose this year is“ O Little Town of Bethlehem” written by Phillips Ben Davis 12/11 Communications regarding today's amalgam we call Santa Claus. Brooks in 1868. The message of the hymn new life. God’s people Mike Coho 12/9 Committee: waited for hundreds of years for the promised one - the Messiah - Rita-Ly Hughes 12/12 For St. Nicholas, it's all about sharing God's love. Chair: David Beaman who would save them. One beautiful evening in a small village Stan Lundahl 12/12 (in alphabetical order) Richard Duffin 12/13 Bring your friends! outside of the city of Jerusalem, eternity was changed forever. Sarah Barber, Pastor David Susan Throndson 12/13 Pause and think about that in a new and fresh way - Jesus was Sandra Sawyer 12/13 A freewill offering will be taken for the UMC of AG’s Benevolence Burgeson, Heidi Carpentier, born for you! Here I give you verse four of he special hymn. Ken Leonard 12/14 Fund which goes to help the needy of our church and in our Betty Johnson, Virginia O HOLY CHILD OF BETHLEHEM, DESCEND TO US, WE PRAY; CAST OUT Karen Brown 12/16 community. Mothes & Jerry Smith. OUR SIN AND ENTER IN, BE BORN IS US TODAY. Chelsea Bailey 12/14 Saint Nicholas will be portrayed by Jamie Foster. Layout Editor: WE HEAR THE CHRISTMAS ANGELS THE GREAT GLAD TIDINGS TELL; O Julie Burns 12/16 Sarah Barber COME TO US, ABIDE WITH US, OUR LORD EMMANUEL! Mary Green 12/17 Childcare will be provided for Kindergarten through 3rd grade, Marvin Truman 12/19 and nursery care will be provided for those younger. Proof Readers: Friends, God wants some much more for your life than you Kent Unsworth 12/20 Please RSVP for childcare by December 3, 2010 at Noon. David Beaman, Betty can even in your wildest dreams imagine. What an incredible gift Tierra Tomlin 12/20 Call the church office - 481-2692. Johnson, &Virginia Mothes. God has given us! Doug Ballagh 12/21 Photos by: Harold Bailey 12/21 Gary Hughes and A portion of John 10:10 says: “I came that they may Duncan Leonard 12/22 varied members. have life, and have it abundantly. Merry Christmas! Mary Johnson 12/23 Cyndee Rohla 12/24 Sunday 8:30 AM 10:30 AM Nursery Kids/Youth Teachers TOTAL Tom Gilliland 12/24 Eric Duffin 12/26 7th 37 143 2 22/7 5 216 Jed Moore 12/27 Nicole Baughman 12/27 14th 38 115 3 14/8 4 182 Roy Ferrari 12/28 Mike Jacob 12/28 21st 35 134 2 19/7 5 202 Harry Egan 12/30 24th Thanksgiving Eve Ecumenical Service 168 Elizabeth Alquist 12/29 Josiah Paredes 12/31 28th 41 141 0 10/7 4 203 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Cast~A~Net December 2010 14 Cast~A~Net December1 2010 2 3 34 8:30 AM Senior Exer- 8:30 AM Senior Exer- 8:30 AM Bible 2:00 —3:30 PM cise Group cise Group (CH) Study (L) Adventures of Dr. “Learn the Bible in 24 Hours” Abbreviation 9 AM EOC Senior 10 AM Intercessory 3:30 PM AG UM Chess (211) by Dr. Chuck Missler is the title Legend Health Screening Prayer Group (L) CC Closed 6:30 PM Praise MMR McMillen Room 10 AM UMM Board 11:45 AM People's 4 PM AG UM CC Team Rehearse of our current Men’s Bible Meeting (L) Kitchen leave to serve Staff Development (S) CH Criswell Hall 11 AM Blue Umbrella 5 PM Grande Ringers (MMR) 5:30 PM Bottorff Study book. Every Monday at K Kitchen (MMR) 7 PM Red Umbrella Private Party 7 PM in room 215 we wel- S Sanctuary 2 PM & 6 PM (CH) set-up 3:30 N Narthex Pastor's Study (MMR) PM 5:15 PM Family Sup- 3 PM Sweet come other men who would P/S Pastor’s Study per (CH) Adelines Re- like to join in deepening their Our Adult Sunday School class Need Prayer? L Library 5:45 PM Kid’s Night hearse (S) Out (S/CH) walk with Christ. is having great discussion on Got Praise? 7 PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal the book of Acts. These letters Bring it to our Prayer Chain. 7 PM UM Youth
to the church at Corinth give us Contact Pauline Castillo and Group (215) 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 the tools as Christians on how she will set the chain in motion. Coffee Hour Host- 10 AM UMW 8:30 AM Senior Exer- 8:30 AM Senior Exer- 8:30 AM Senior Exer- 8:30 AM Bible 2—3:30 PM we are to spread the Word of Requests can remain anonymous Finance Committee Steering (MMR) cise Group cise Group cise Group (CH) Study (L) Adventures of Dr. 6 PM Debtors 9 AM Sew 'n' Sews 1 PM Alzheimer's 10 AM Intercessory Chess (211) God as disciples of Christ. Every Thursday at 10AM, a 8:30 AM Contemporary Service Anon (MMR) (MMR) Care-Givers Support Prayer Group (L) 8:30 AM UMM 9:30 AM Sunday School/Bible 7 PM Men's 5 PM Grande Ringers Group (CH) 12 PM Esther Circle Breakfast at Mis- Grab a snack in Criswell Hall to dedicated group of prayer Study (MMR) Bible Study (215) 7 PM Trustees 2 PM & 6 PM (MMR) sion Inn of Pismo 10:30 AM Traditional Service 7:30 PM AlAnon (MMR) Pastor's Study (MMR) 5 PM Grande Ringers Beach feed your body and we will warriors, we call our Interces- 3 PM Music for a Sunday After- (MMR) 5:15 PM Family Sup- 7 PM Evening meet you after the 8:30 service noon Sweet Adeline’s Christ- per (CH) sory Prayer Group, meet in the mas Concert (S) with Saint 5:45 PM Kid’s Night in the McMillen Room to nourish Library to pray for members of 6:30 PM Blue Christmas (S) Nicholas (S) Out (S/CH) 7 PM Chancel Choir our souls. A new study will begin our church family and the Rehearsal in January! 7 PM UM Youth community as they lift up re- Group (215) quests given to our prayer 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Coffee Hour Host- 6 PM Debtors 8:30 AM Senior Exer- 8:30 AM Senior Exer- 8:30 AM Senior Exer- 8:30 AM Bible 2:00 —3:30 PM chain, those mentioned in Staff-Parish Relations Anon (MMR) cise Group cise Group cise Group (CH) Study (L) Adventures of Dr. 7 PM Men's 9 AM Sew 'n' Sews 9:30 AM Mary-Martha 10 AM Intercessory 6:30 PM Praise Chess (211) worship, or on request cards. Bible Study (215) 8:30 AM Contemporary Service (MMR) Circle (MMR) Prayer Group (L) Team Rehearse We invite ANY who would like 9:30 AM Sunday School/Bible 7 PM Women of 10:30 AM Communi- 2 PM & 6 PM 5 PM Grande Ringers (S) Come for a special & joyful Study (MMR) Prayer (S) cations Com. (L) Pastor's Study (MMR) 7 PM Touch of to join in intercession and lift 10:30 AM Traditional Service 7:30 PM AlAnon 2:30 PM Preschool 5:15 PM Family Sup- 7 PM AG UM Beauty (MMR) evening of study & fellowship (MMR) up these prayers and praises Board closed session per (CH) Children’s Center with your sisters in Christ. (MMR) 5:45 PM Kid’s Night Holiday Program (S) AG UM CC to God our Father. 3:30 PM Preschool Out (S/CH) Pajama Day Board -open session 7 PM Chancel Choir
Join us from 7-8:30 PM on the (MMR) Rehearsal This non-denominational 5 PM Grande Ringers 7 PM UM Youth 3rd Friday evening of each 7 PM Finance (MMR) Group (215) month in the beautiful can- women’s group meets on Mondays at 7 PM in the UMC of dlelight of the McMillen Room 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 AG Sanctuary to pray for this Pastor’s Coffee Hour Host- 6 PM Debtors 8:30 AM Senior Exer- 8:30 AM Senior Exer- 8:30 AM Senior Exer- 8:30 AM Bible of our church. Blue Umbrella Anon (MMR) cise Group cise Group cise Group (CH) Study (L) church and others in the com- 7 PM Men's 9 AM Sew 'n' Sews 2 PM & 6 PM 10 AM Intercessory 6 PM Family Can- You don't want to miss this -- Advent 8:30 AM Contemporary Service Bible Study (215) (MMR) Pastor's Study (MMR) Prayer Group (L) dlelight Service munity; asking God to pour out 9:30 AM Sunday School/Bible 7 PM Women of 5 PM Grande Ringers 5:15 PM Family Sup- 5 PM Grande Ringers 7:30 PM Tradi- it's like a spa for your spirit! Prayer (S) His Spirit of redemption, deliver- Study (MMR) 7 PM JOY Circle per (CH) tional Candlelight Study 10:30 AM Traditional Service 7:30 PM AlAnon 5:45 PM Kid’s Night Service (MMR) See you soon, alumni and ance, healing and salvation. Out (S/CH) Office Closed Beginning 7 PM Chancel Choir newcomers alike. Contact Susan Coho through Rehearsal For further information or the church office if you have December 7 PM UM Youth 1st Group (215) questions call Sandra Sawyer. any questions. “Christmas: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly” Start your day off RIGHT and get to know your 26 27 28 29 30 31 by Richard B. Wilke. Coffee Hour Host- 6 PM Debtors 8:30 AM Senior Exer- 8:30 AM Senior Exer- 8:30 AM Senior Exer- 8:30 AM Bible church family in this small group setting. Church Council Anon (MMR) cise Group cise Group cise Group (CH) Study (L) See you Wednesdays at 7 PM Men's 9 AM Sew 'n' Sews 5:15 PM Family Sup- 10 AM Intercessory 7 PM Game Night Fridays at 8:30 AM in the church Library. No 8:30 AM Contemporary Service Bible Study (215) (MMR) per (CH) Prayer Group (L) and Potluck (CH) 2 PM or 6 PM in the MMR 9:30 AM Sunday School/Bible 7 PM Women of 5 PM Grande Ringers 5:45 PM Kid’s Night 5 PM Grande Ringers 7-7:30 PM Quiet time like the present to get involved. Our cur- Study (MMR) Prayer (S) Out (S/CH) 6:30 PM Praise Team Holy Communion Join us for dinner at 5:15 PM 10:30 AM Traditional Service 7:30 PM AlAnon 7 PM Chancel Choir Rehearse (S) (S) rent study book is titled, Be Alive: A Study of (MMR) in Criswell Hall. Rehearsal John’s Gospel Chapters 1-10. See you there! 7 PM UM Youth Group (215) Cast~A~Net December 2010 4 Cast~A~Net December 2010 13
Submitted by Bill Weitkamp December 11 Meeting to Feature Walk to Emmaus The Walk to Emmaus weekend scheduled for February 24-27 in Ventura will be explained by Pastor David at the monthly breakfast meeting of the United Methodist Men on Saturday, December 11. The Walk to Em- maus® is a spiritual renewal program intended to strengthen the local church through the development of Christian disciples and leaders.
A business meeting will follow the program. A spring golf tournament, charitable funding and meeting plans are on the agenda.
Please notice that December 11 is the second Saturday of the month, not our usual third-Saturday meeting day. But we will be meeting at our usual time and place, 8:30 AM at the Mission Inn, 601 James Way in Pismo Beach. Everyone is welcome at all UMM meetings. For more in- formation about meetings and other events, call Tom Egan or Bill Weit- kamp .
Helping Soldiers and Children in Afghanistan Following an inspiring talk at the October 16 UMM meeting, it was voted to donate $300 to a program that provides care packages for soldiers and village children in the far reaches of Afghanistan. Former marine Si Tennenberg described how 5,500 packages have been sent to Iraq and Afghanistan in the last four years. Each military package is shared by several soldiers.
Thank-you emails he receives describe the extreme weather condi- tions, the loneliness and the lack of basic items that men and women are tolerating. It is easy to see how even their heavy backpacks can’t provide many of their needs. Special military shirts, socks, gloves, eye drops, soap, toothpaste and phone cards are a few of the requested items. Special needs for women are panties, sports bras, tampons, fa- cial cleaning wipes, hairbrushes, Mydol, lip gloss and more. Children’s gifts include school supplies, clothing, shoes, stuffed animals and toys.
In addition to the UMM donation, members took addressed packages to the post office after the meeting and paid the $12.50 postage to mail them. Each box contains about $40 worth of supplies. But Tennen- berg said that something as simple as letters, notes or crayon drawings can be contributed and he will put them in the boxes. His email ad- dress is [email protected]. Cast~A~Net December 2010 12 Cast~A~Net December 2010 5 The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall be a Overcoming Discouragement community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; Part—1 to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand Ann Williamson, UMW Publicity Compiled by Jerry Smith concepts of mission through participation in the global "Lord, where do I put my hope? with a close relationship ministries of the church. that splintered owing to a misunderstand- My only hope is in you" Esther Circle ing. Or your discouragement might have Psalm 39:7 (NLT) at Carleen Minckler’s house on
resulted from frustration with your inability 12/9 at noon. When "Jim" left my office at church, I was to be the kind of person you know God elated. Our meeting had been a tough Mary Martha wants you to be. at Sally Weitkamp’s house on but productive one. As his boss, I worked 12/15 at 9:30 AM hard to help Jim understand my expec- Discouragement … such a common JOY Circle tations and where he had been falling emotion … how can we overcome it? at Patti Melsheimer’s house on short. I tried to be gracious as I spoke How can we get beyond discourage- 12/21 at 7 PM critically, and Jim received my counsel ment, and even learn from it?
with a willing spirit. Months of supervisory Go Ahead and Feel Discouraged It’s Christmas Party Time! effort seemed finally to be bearing fruit. First of all, if you want to overcome dis- An immensely talented young man, Jim The Perfect time to Join us! couragement, allow yourself to feel dis- had great potential to be an outstanding Check with your UMW Circle Chair for location and couraged. No, I don't recommend that member of the church staff. Thus I was you rev up negative feelings that aren't other information – contact information available in the encouraged by his response to our meet- there. But if you are truly discouraged, church office ing and looked forward with hope to our don't pretend otherwise. Trust God future together. Ho-Ho-Ho and Merry Christmas to all in this our Advent Season! enough to feel what you really feel.
When I arrived at my office the next As you know the hard working ladies of our church made a great suc- Some Christians think that discourage- morning, a blank envelope sat ominously cess of our Holiday Boutique held November 13th at our church. The ment itself is something about which to on my desk. It contained Jim's resignation yummy Holiday Brunch was a great hit! We’ve had many requests for be ashamed, almost as if it were a sin. letter. He was finished at the church. the egg casserole that was served…here it is: One of my favorite hymns, "What a Friend
There was nothing I could do or say to We Have in Jesus," urges: "Have we trials Mexican Souffle change his mind. and temptations? Is there trouble any- 10 eggs 1 pint non-fat cottage cheese
where? We should never be discour- 1/2 C. flour 1/2 tsp. salt At that moment I felt deeply discour- aged; take it to the Lord in prayer." Per- 1 tsp. baking powder 1 lb. grated jack cheese aged. My hope for Jim's fruitful future at haps in an ideal world we should never 1/2 C melted butter 2 small cans of Ortega chilies our church shrivelled on the vine. I felt like be discouraged. But in reality, discour- **add bacon crumbles—optional a dismal failure as a boss. Who was I to agement is a normal part of human life. think I could manage a large church Beat eggs and combine rest of ingredients. Pour mixture into a The Psalmist asked for God's help with buttered 9 x 13 inch dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. staff? Maybe I should just pack up my despair (see Psalms 42-43). The Apostle bags and find more suitable employ- In addition to our fabulous brunch, we really met our goals in sales at Paul admitted his own deep discourage- ment. the boutique. Between the brunch and the boutique sales, we ment (2 Cor. 1:8-9). If we deny our dis- grossed about $3650. Praise God! You may not have faced something just couragement and pretend we're "just like my experience with Jim, but I expect fine," we won't be able to overcome it. Thank you one and all for attending our affair. Also to those ladies you have felt the heavy weight of dis- who generously donated their time and talents to make this such a couragement. Maybe it came at work, © 2001-2010 H. E. Butt Foundation. Originally published at great success. Your help and creative ideas were not un-noticed! TheHighCalling.org as "Overcoming Discourage- as a project for which you had high ment". Reprinted with permission. God is great and the proceeds from our sales will all go to our world, hopes fell apart. Perhaps it had to do national, and local mission projects. Merry Christmas one and all! Cast~A~Net December 2010 6 Cast~A~Net December 2010 11