107 S. West Drive

Leander, Texas 78641 www.leanderumc.org Church Office: (512) 259-1284

[email protected] Mother’s Day Out: (512) 259-0544

December 2016

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

1 Eve Worship

2 Prayer Requests; Food N Fellowship; Pastor’s Perspective; Notes & Thank Yous

3 Calendar; Birthdays

4 Youth; Women’s Ministries; BLAST!; Parent’s Night Out; Methodist Men; Children’s Church; Angel Tree; College Care Packages

5 Holy Season Events

6 House Build

PLEASE NOTE: BEREAVEMENTS: We will not have a Food N Fellowship in the month of December.  Gaylon, friend of Brian & Jeannie Phipps who lost his brother Our next Food N Fellowship will be on Sunday, January 22nd.  The family of Betty Simmonds, friend of Gary & Cynthia Annis who passed away  Becky Alderman, friend of Cynthia Annis who lost her husband after battle with cancer PASTOR’S PERSPECTIVE

CONCERNS:  Chance, Cynthia Annis’ son who is looking for a job The Hard, but Rewarding, Choice of Faith  Dora Place, who has pneumonia  Samantha, Cindy Kainu’s niece who was bitten by a snake Faith is not something that comes easily to most of us. Faith  Narci, friend of Jack & Trisha Tallman ABOUT something, like God’s existence or a future in heaven,  Barbara and Betty, friends of Eva Roop  Mike Olsen & Hailee Cantu isn’t too difficult. But faith IN someone, fully relying on Father,  Alyssa & her friend Michael, Jerry & Pat Dunnivan’s granddaughter Son, and Holy Spirit as the foundation of our daily living, that’s  Henry, Jerry & Pat Dunnivan’s cousin hard work. In a faith-starved world, seeing is believing, feelings tell us what is real,  John & Wanda Osborn, travelling and claims about truth and falsehood bombard us. How do we build a foundation  Kathleen, Rena LaVance’s mother whose prayers have been answered  Carol, neighbor of Brian & Jeannie Phipps who has health concerns upon an invisible God whose gifts are often imperceptible and who’s message of  Bill, Debbie Kirk’s brother who has Parkinson’s disease hope is muted amid the clamoring voices within and around us? How can we be  Henry, Jerry & Pat Dunnivan’s cousin people of faith when we are overwhelmed by our worldly cares? Things like death,  Evelyn Sellers health, finances, family, politics, daily responsibilities, and parenting? How can we  Kathy Nielsen, health concerns  Don Fiero be people who cast our lives into the unknown treasures of grace when we so  Nellie Smyth deeply value safety, security, predictability, stability, and comfort?  Jennifer Welker  Chris Day I think faith begins with the realization that those cares and values we have given  Karyn Raschke  Gina, Gloria Baker’s niece who has cancer priority to are not of ultimate or eternal significance. They are things we must face,  Werner, Carol Suchan’s brother in law who has a recurrence of cancer but they are not things we should orient our lives around. Until we believe that, we  Kim, Linda Brandimarte’s sister-in-law who has cancer will be slaves to them. Rather, we can believe we are part of a story that is far bigger  Eric, friend of Linda Brandimarte who is having a kidney transplant and more meaningful than these cares and values suggest. There is deep purpose to  Leonard, Elizabeth Edmiston’s mom's boyfriend, who has cancer  Sara, relative of Sarah Alexander who was hospitalized for a hip bone each of our lives. Purpose that God knows even when we can’t. Faith means infection embracing this truth: We will fulfill our purpose by seeking after and obeying God,  The Sullivan family, friends of Cody & Lexi Dunn whose son has mito- chondrial disease not by seeking after and obeying these worldly cares and values. God did not place  Sandy, friend of Sean & Sarah Alexander who has lymphomatic cancer us on earth to figure things out on our own, but to discover our lives in Him, even in  Rev Tina Carter, friend of Ruth & Kevin Murphy who is starting a new a fitful and wandering way. This is the attitude we see in the lives of the faithful treatment for liver cancer  Michael, Glenn & Carol Suchan’s nephew who is searching for a job characters of scripture. People like Joseph and Mary, Ruth and Boaz, Abraham and  Johnny, Renee Purvis’ uncle who has melanoma Sarah, and most of all .  Matt & Haley, Michael & Donna Reeh’s son & daughter-in-law  Bob, Amy Taylor’s father, discovered that he has more cancer These are people who came to believe that following the voice of God was more  Charles, friend or Rena LaVance who is in hospice care important than following the other voices within and around them. When we look  Keith, friend of Gloria Baker who has bone cancer  Loye, friend of Gary Annis who has Alzheimer’s at their stories, we see people who often did what was unconventional, risky,  Keomi, Austin Torges’ aunt who has cancer dangerous, and costly. We see people who go through the very same struggles we  Melba, friend of Gary & Cynthia Annis who has dementia do, but who framed them in the context of God’s work in their lives. Most  Addison, newborn baby of Carol & Glenn Suchan’s friend who was born with a rare, life-threatening condition importantly, we see people who, because of their faithfulness, experienced  David, Cindy Kainu’s cousin who has kidney cancer outcomes and fruitfulness that only God could have produced. We see salvation  Kim, Sarah Alexander’s supervisor who has cancer come, redemption happen, and heaven touch earth. We see joy, peace, hope, and  Christina,Lauren Shuffield’s employer who has health concerns love that are inexpressible. God wants to fulfill a purpose in your life, too. But it can  Phyllis & Ed, Mike Pavlicek’s parents, Ed has difficulties after suffering a stroke only come about through faith. Faith doesn’t come easily to us, nor did it come easi-  Jan, Dick & Jean Wiebe’s daughter who is battling cancer ly to the faithful. But when we make the choice of faith, the reward is great.  Alyssa, Jerry & Pat Dunnivan’s granddaughter  Carol, the mother of Rebecca Lambert’s friend who has cancer Grace and Peace,  Logan, Lesly Elmore’s son  Mary, friend of David & Janice Hinojosa who has cancer  Cody, friend of Devin & Michelle Matthews who is in prison Pastor Ray  Shawn, David Hinojosa’s cousin, health concerns  Lindsey, Janice Hinojosa’s cousin who has cancer  Ernie & Myrna, friends of Harry & Lynn Shank, health concerns  Annie, Hardy Purvis’ step-mom who has bone cancer NOTES & THANK YOU’S  Tim, Nick and Karen Tepovich’s nephew, who has a chronic illness  Edna, Octavio Ulloa’s aunt  Eddie, Lorena Velasquez’ cousin, in kidney failure due to Wegener’s disease  Dawn, Sara Lastick’s daughter  Alyssa, the child of Elizabeth Edmiston’s friend who has cancer THANK YOU!  Alice, Karen Tepovich’s mom who has major back issues and dementia Thank you to all of our Mother’s Day Out families for helping us collect food for the  Jeanne, Glenn Suchan’s mom who has dementia  Ken & Joyce, Holly Briggs’ parents, health concerns Food 4 Kids Backpack program during the month of November!  Drew, grandson of Harry & Lynn Shank’s friend, serious health concerns  The Day family, friends of the Lisenby family who lost their son, Ryan THANK YOU, THANK YOU!  Jeremy, godfather of Avery & Dailey Rodriguez who is a firefighter and was burned in the line of duty Thank you Karen Saxer and Crystal Garcia Killoran for hosting the 2016 Turkey Build,  Bob & Betty, friends of Harry & Lynn Shank Marcus Volle for leading Youth on November 20, Julie Ramsey for doing Pumpkin  Veronica, Jennifer Welker’s cousin, has a recurrence of cancer Patch research, Janice & David Hinojosa for hosting the Youth Christmas Party, eve-  The McGee family, friends of Megan Oehrlein & Brian Parsons ryone who helped the youth with the outdoor Christmas decorations, the Youth Hot  Glenna, Janice Hinojosa’s sister, health concerns  Debra, the daughter of Carol & Glenn Suchan’s neighbor who suddenly Chocolate Team who worked at the Christmas Parade, Crystal Garcia Killoran for developed a terminal illness joining the Children’s Church team.  Raney, Harry & Lynn Shank’s daughter Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 9 am-2 pm 8 am Mother’s Day Out Methodist Men

6:30 pm 9-11 am Band Practice BLAST!

10 am-5 pm Christmas Festival

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8:30/9:45/11:00 Worship 9:30 am 9 am-2 pm 9 am-2 pm 9 am-2 pm 9-11 am Mother’s Day Out 9:45/11:00 Sunday school Emmaus Group Mother’s Day Out Mother’s Day Out BLAST! 10:00 am 10:00 Choir Practice 6:30 Women Together 6:30 pm 6:30 pm 3:00 Snape Baby Shower Children’s Council Study Band Practice 6:30 pm 5:00 Youth Christmas Party 7:00 pm Cub Scouts 6:30 pm 5:00 Emmaus Group Boy Scouts 6:30 pm-Choir Mothers & Ministry

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 8:30/9:45/11:00 Worship 9:30 am 9 am-2 pm 9 am-2 pm 9 am-2 pm Mother’s Day Out 9:45/11:00 Sunday school Emmaus Group Mother’s Day Out Mother’s Day Out 11:00 am 12:15 Outreach Team 7:00 pm Mary Martha Circle 6:30 pm 6:30 pm 10:00 Choir Practice Boy Scouts Christmas Party Advent Study Band Practice 5:00 Children’s Christmas Play 6:30 pm 5:00 Youth Cub Scouts 5:00 Emmaus Group 7:00 pm-Choir

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 8:30/9:45/11:00 Worship 9:30 am 6:30 pm 9:45/11:00 Sunday school Emmaus Group Advent Study 10:00 Choir Practice 6:30 pm 5:00 pm 6:00 pm 5:00 pm 3:00 | 5:00 4:00 Youth Church Council Caroling Food 4 Kids packing Gingerbread House 7:00 | 9:00 5:00 Emmaus Group 6:30 pm Build Candlelight Mothers & Ministry Communion 6:30 pm Worship Services Band Practice

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 10:00 Worship 9:30 am 7:00 pm 6:30 pm 6:30 pm Emmaus Group Choir Finance Committee Band Practice

12/2 Helen Birkes 12/11 Steve Eckert 12/17 Marcus Volle 12/27 Joseph Garst 12/3 Jennifer Welker 12/12 Jake Allen 12/18 Jeanne Heffern 12/28 Caitlin Topham 12/4 Hardy Purvis 12/13 B. C. Knowlton 12/19 Arnold Potter 12/28 John Weir 12/5 Wesley Stetson 12/14 Joseph Brandimarte 12/21 Jennifer Greenstreet 12/29 Amy Nelsen 12/6 C’Lee Baccus 12/14 Celia Weir 12/21 Dhar Ramsingh 12/30 Peter Bruce 12/6 Jeri Hilsabeck 12/15 Conor Murphy 10/22 Kate Hill 12/30 Mitchell Germann 12/6 Anna Matthews 12/15 Mike Poole 12/23 Tricia Gregory 12/30 Warren McCracken 12/6 Reed Shuffield 12/16 Steve Saxer 12/23 Mike Olsen 12/30 Eric Peckham 12/8 Violet Dyke 12/17 Janice Hinojosa 12/23 Nellie Smyth 12/31 Holly Briggs 12/10 Matt Bronstad 12/17 Devin Matthews 12/24 Trisha Tallman

BLAST! KIDS PLAY & PRAISE OUR GOD

December 3 & 10 9:00-11:00 am UMYF for youth (6th-12th grade) meets 5:00-6:30 pm on Sunday evenings for fellowship, devotionals, games and service projects. We will have BLAST! twice in December so that we can practice for our

Christmas Play, “Joseph’s Promise” written by our own Mr. Cade Baccus CALENDAR: which will have its world debut on Sunday, December 11, at 5:00 pm. DEC 3 We will be serving hot chocolate at the Leander Christmas Parade. Be here at 3:30 to help set up. Last year we gave away 17 BLAST! is our one Saturday a month program for children ages 3 (potty- GALLONS of hot chocolate. This year, let’s give away 25! Parents, trained) through 5th grade. We do crafts, sing songs, play games, and we can use your help with this! hear stories all designed to help children learn about our Savior and loving those around us. There is no cost to participate. DEC 4 Youth Christmas Party (at David & Janice Hinojosa’s Home) We’ll be roasting hotdogs, making s’mores and drinking hot chocolate while we watch a Christmas movie under the stars. Bring your friends (let Mrs. Elizabeth know how many you are PLEASE NOTE: bringing), lawn chairs or blankets to sit on and jackets. We will not have Parent’s Night Out in December. The next PNO will be DEC 11 We will be attending the Children’s Christmas Play at 5:00 pm in on January 20, 6-10 pm. the sanctuary.

DEC 18 We will be baking treats for the neighbors from 4:00-7:00 pm. UNITED METHODIST MEN: December 3 @ 8:00 am DEC 22 We will be participating in the Gingerbread House Build at 5:00 Join us in the fellowship hall on the first Saturday of pm in the fellowship hall. Bring friends & family. Everyone is asked each month for fellowship, coffee, breakfast and to bring some candy for decorations to share. community service projects. The United Methodist DEC 25 No Youth meeting Men’s group is open to men of all ages.

JAN 1 No Youth meeting

CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL SUNDAY SCHOOL: & CHILDREN’S CHURCH: During the 9:45 Sunday school class we will be doing the advent study, “The During the month of December, our children’s Wonder of Christmas” by Ed Robb & Rob Renfroe. During the 11:00 Sunday Sunday school classes will be learning about a school class we will be doing the advent study, “The Redemption of star, a name, a manger and a promise. In Scrooge” by Matt Rawle. children’s church we will be reading about Elizabeth and Zechariah, Isaiah, Mary and Joseph For more info about our Youth program, please contact Elizabeth Edmiston: and the Wisemen. 512-563-8840 or [email protected]. ANGEL TREE: This year for Christmas we are sponsoring 35 individuals through Hope Alliance, an organization in Williamson County which provides resources and shelter for victims of domestic violence. If you would like to participate by donating gifts, just pull an ornament from the angel tree in the fellowship hall, purchase the item on the tag, then leave the gift by the tree with the tag attached by Monday, December 12. Keep the ornament WOMEN TOGETHER as a reminder to pray for the person you have Tuesday, December 6 | 10:00 am | Off Campus “adopted”. We are also collecting donations of any sort of stocking stuffer items which may be dropped in the bin by the angel tree. Women Together is a group for women to enjoy fellowship, to pray for, and encourage one another. Each month the group receives a list of scripture for study and reflection. The Women Together meetings take place at the home of Helen Morris (1006 Oakridge Cove, Leander). For more info, please COLLEGE CARE PACKAGE MINISTRY: contact Helen: 512-826-3332 or [email protected]. Our college care package ministry allows us to show our college students that we think about them, we pray for them, and we love METHODIST WOMEN MARY MARTHA CIRCLE them when they are away. We send out care packages filled with all Tuesday, December 13 | 11:00 am | Fellowship Hall kinds of goodies and encouraging notes twice each semester. The Mary Martha Circle meets on the second Tuesday of each month for fellowship, refreshments and a variety of different service projects. On If you would like to donate items for the care packages, we need December 13 we will have a Christmas party. Bring a snack or dessert to Pop-Tarts, individual packets of instant oatmeal, individual packages of share and a wrapped gift for the white elephant gift exchange. For more almonds, candy, cheese & crackers, granola bars, breakfast bars, home- info about the Mary Martha Circle, contact Holly Briggs: (512) 566-2106. made (10 dozen, please) and nice notes to our young adults. Do you have a college student? If so, be sure to let PLEASE NOTE: us know! Please contact Elizabeth Edmiston with The Quilting group and the Crafters will not meet during the month of your student’s name and address: 512-563-8840 or December. [email protected].

WEDNESDAYS @ 6:30 PM | NOVEMBER 30-DECEMBER 21 DECEMBER 11 @ 8:30 & 11:00 AM All are invited to participate in an Advent study led by Pastor Jon. In The Choir will be presenting “’s Child”, a cantata by Victor this four week study, we will be looking at some of the foundational C. Johnson and Lloyd Larson on December 11 at the 8:30 am and passages that teach us why Jesus came and what He intends to do. A 11:00 am services. Welcome “Bethlehem’s Child” into your heart as major emphasis will be considering what new actions that could lead this Cantata blends familiar carols with original compositions to pre- us to take and what current habits to reconsider. After a brief time sent the timeless message of Christmas in a new fresh way. Please of teaching each week, much of our time will be spent working join us to celebrate the miraculous story of Bethlehem’s Child! together toward such discernment.

The study will be held in meeting room A. Child care is available. DECEMBER 20 @ 5:00 PM nd Everyone is invited to the 2 Annual LUMC Family - DECEMBER 3 @ 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM ing Evening. We will meet in the fellowship hall at 5:00 pm to break into groups and go out into the community to carol and spread some The city of Leander will have its annual Old Town Christmas Festival rd CHEER! After we finish caroling, we’ll meet back up in the fellowship on Saturday, December 3 with live entertainment, free pictures with hall for some hot cocoa and cookies. Hope you all can join in for Santa, food court, local vendors, a parade, petting zoo, s’mores, car- some holiday fun! nival games, and more! We will be hosting some of those activities on our campus from 10 am to 5 pm. We will have vendors from local businesses set up booths in our parking lot and they will be offering all kinds of fun and activities for families and kids to enjoy, including DECEMBER 22 @ 5:00 PM ornament making, reindeer candy creations, tinsel art, etc. At the conclusion of the festival, you might want to stick around for the All are invited to a fun-filled evening, where we will have soup and Parade in Lights at 5 pm and the lighted hay rides and sandwiches and build gingerbread houses. Everyone is encouraged lighting happening in the “Leander Square” off of South at 6 pm. to bring a bag of candy to share to decorate the gingerbread houses. We will provide the meal and everything else you will need. Bring your family, invite a friend, invite a neighbor! This event is family- friends and fun for all ages. DECEMBER 3 & 10 | 9:00-11:00 AM We will have BLAST! twice in December so that we can practice for our Christmas Play, written by our own Mr. Cade Baccus which will DECEMBER 24 @ 3:00, 5:00, 7:00 & 9:00 PM have its world debut on Sunday, December 11, at 5:00 pm. BLAST! is open to all children ages 3 (potty-trained) through 5th grade and 3PM Service geared toward families with children, but all are there is no cost to participate. welcome! 5PM Contemporary worship with music led by the Praise Band 7PM Traditional worship service with music led by the Choir 9PM Traditional worship service DECEMBER 4 @ 5:00 PM We’ll be going over to the home of David & Janice Hinojosa and roasting hotdogs, making s’mores and drinking hot chocolate while we watch a Christmas movie under the stars. Bring your friends, DECEMBER 25 @ 10:00 AM lawn chairs or blankets to sit on and jackets. Alleluia, Christ is BORN! We will have only one worship service on Sunday, December 25th at 10:00 am. We will not have Sunday school classes or child care on that day.

DECEMBER 11 @ 5:00 PM The children will be presenting a play, “Joseph’s Promise”, the story of Joseph and Mary’s courageous journey to Bethlehem told from the perspective of Joseph.

107 S. West Drive NON-PROFIT ORG. Leander, TX 78646-0281 US POSTAGE

Church Office: 259-1284 PAID Mother’s Day Out: 259-0544 PERMIT NO 20 Leander, TX 78641 www.leanderumc.org [email protected]

Our Vision Statement:

We will be a hub through which the unconditional love and friendship of Jesus meets people where they are and transforms lives.

LUMC STAFF:

Ministers: All who worship & follow Christ Senior Pastor: Rev. Ray Altman Associate Pastor: Rev. Jon Snape

Director of Family Ministries: Elizabeth Edmiston MDO Preschool Director: Maria Harrington Music Director: Debra Carlson Administrative Assistant: Stephanie Uys Custodian: Linda Brandimarte

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22 5:00 PM

All are invited to a fun-filled evening, where we will enjoy a soup and sandwich supper and build gingerbread houses. Everyone should bring a bag of candy to share to decorate the gingerbread houses. We will provide the meal and everything else you will need. Invite your friends and neighbors. This event is family-friendly and fun for all ages!

If you would like to contribute something to the soup & sandwich supper, please contact Elizabeth Edmiston: (512) 563-8840 or texasedmistonsgmail.com