NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2020 AMAZING GRACE MAKING DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE WORLD THROUGH CHRISTIAN GROWTH, COMMUNITY OUTREACH & LIFE SKILL DEVELOPMENT

BUT WHAT ABOUT CHRISTMAS???

f you haven’t spoken these words light of candles in a sanctuary! • Advent Boxes will be created for aloud, you have certainly thought Thank God Emmanuel will come families to prepare their homes Ithem. The coronavirus has taken even if we do not accompany his and hearts for the arrival of the much away from us this year - large arrival with singing “Silent Night!” Christ child. family gatherings, worshipping in • A powerful Christmas Eve the sanctuary, dining out, attending Thank God, because none of the worship service will be able to be performances, singing in choirs, above will be able to happen this watched online on our FB page not to mention the literal loss year in the way they have happened and on our YouTube Channel. of life and livelihood. Will the in the past. It’s the sad reality of • An interactive Christmas coronavirus take away Christmas as this season, a season where all Experience guided by luminaries we’ve known it as well? our decisions are based on doing and shared in small “family” whatever it takes to “do no harm” groups will be offered on The short answer is, yes, but…as and keep people safe in the midst of Christmas Eve at the church. the angels said to the shepherds, a deadly global health pandemic. “Do not fear!” More detailed information and So, what about Christmas?? publicity will be coming soon to Jesus will still be born. your inbox, your mailbox, and to Emmanuel will still come. Advent and Christmas worship your social media. The Savior will still enter the world experiences will look different than to the sound of singing angels and in years past, however, they will not Yes, you may grieve the loss of the shouts of shepherds. be any less meaningful. Rather than engaging in Advent preparation attempt to re-create past traditions and celebrating Christmas as you Thank God that Jesus’ entrance into under prohibitive restrictions, new have in the past. Yes, you may not the world is not dependent on our worship experiences and at-home be looking forward to Christmas actions! Thank God the birth of the activities will be created. this year because of the drastic Christ Child does not require the changes. (continued on page 3) NEW FACES ON STAFF AT GRACE UMC LEAD PASTOR: Rev. Stacee Fischer Gehring [email protected] as a Choir Director and Organist for the past 23 years. I “retired” ASSOCIATE PASTOR: from that position at the end of Pastor Kerry Clear July to re-evaluate how best to [email protected] use my skills and gifts during this pandemic. RETIRED RESIDENT PASTOR: Rev. Bill White I’m a proud graduate of Ball MINISTERIAL CANDIDATE: State University, where I received Heidi Clear a Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance and minored in MUSIC DIRECTOR: Piano and Church Music. Through Victoria Garrett MATT KAYSER the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, CHOIR DIRECTOR: I obtained dual degrees through the Divinity School as well as Dallin Baldwin If you’ve stopped by the church [email protected] School of Music: Master of Music office recently, you may have in Organ and a Master of Arts in ORGANIST: noticed a new face. I have joined Religion. I had a delightful year Karen Schneider-Kirner the staff at Grace as Business pursuing concentrated music [email protected] Manager. You may recognize studies in voice, harpsichord, me from the pews on Sunday piano, organ and conducting SOUND TECHNICIAN: morning, as I have attended Grace Adam Schmok from the University of Music since the late 1980’s. and Performing Arts in Vienna, MEDIA OPERATOR: Austria. Lettie Ringer I have spent my career in the healthcare/dental consulting I enjoy composing sacred music, WEDDING CORDINATOR: industries, most recently building and have many published choral Chris Rowe and leading customer support and handbell works through GIA [email protected] teams. I am excited to bring my Publications of Chicago. By late experiences to the challenges and 2020, a twenty-psalm collection DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION growth that await Grace. & PROGRAMMING: will be released by The Liturgical Melodie Ringer Press: Let the Peoples Praise You: [email protected] Psalms for the Liturgical Year. I especially enjoy opportunities to ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES: make music with husband Scott, Amy Hendrickson a tenor and acoustic guitarist who [email protected] works in O.I.T. at Notre Dame, 18-year old twin daughters and COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: violinists, Emma and Claire Jennifer Robinett who are first-year students at the communications@gracemethodist. University of Notre Dame, and 15- org year old son Joe, a cellist, who is a MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY: sophomore at John Adams H.S. Judy Clady KAREN SCHNEIDER-KIRNER Rev. Stacee has asked me to put CUSTODIANS: together two separate music- David Neibar I’m so pleased to be able to meditation programs for Advent Angel Soto minister through music at Grace & Christmas that we’ll post on our United Methodist Church! I’m YouTube and Facebook channels. PRESCHOOL TEACHERS: excited to work with your music Amy Hendrickson, Director If you have any suggestions and pastoral staff and serve your of hymns or pieces you’d like Melodie Ringer congregation. I have long admired [email protected] included in these programs, please the work of your former beloved email me at [email protected]. BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR: organist David Eicher. I’ve love to hear from you, and I Matthew Kayser look forward to getting to know [email protected] I’ve worked in Campus Ministry each of you! at the University of Notre Dame 2

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That being said, please do not wallow in your misery and therefore miss the joy of welcoming Jesus Christ, the Savior, into the world.

Do you remember Easter this year? Do you remember that traditional Easter celebrations were also effected Our Worship Service is streamed at 9:00 am Sunday mornings on by the coronavirus? Do you remember that shouts of our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/sbgraceumc/) and on our “Alleluia!” were still heard YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/user/SBGraceUMC/featured) around the world on that day? Do you remember that Jesus Christ the Son of God still defeated death by walking out DECEMBER WORSHIP FOCUS of the tomb thereby solidifying our eternal salvation? I do. 29 NOVEMBER – 1st Sunday in Advent And to that all I can say is SCRIPTURE: Mark 13:24-37; Isaiah 64:1-9 “thanks be to God!” THEME: THOSE WHO DREAM...keep awake Thanks be to God who is far 6 DECEMBER – 2nd Sunday in Advent greater, mightier, and far- SCRIPTURE: Mark 8:1-8; Isaiah 40:1-11 reaching than our ability to THEME: THOSE WHO DREAM...prepare the way celebrate and gather. Thanks be to God who continues to 13 DECEMBER – 3rd Sunday in Advent work in our lives when the rest SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:46-55; Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 of the world has shut down. Thanks be to God who sent THEME: THOSE WHO DREAM...sow joy his Son in the form of a child born to poor, refugee parents 20 DECEMBER – 4th Sunday in Advent with the promise to be with us, SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:26-45; 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 guide us, and love us forever THEME: THOSE WHO DREAM...are not alone and ever. Amen.

24 DECEMBER – Christmas Eve Our journey continues… SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:1-20; Isaiah 9:2-7 Rev. Stacee THEME: this night, we are THOSE WHO DREAM

27 DECEMBER – 1st Sunday after Christmas SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:22-40; Isaiah 61:10-62:3 THEME: THOSE WHO DREAM...will not keep silent

3 Exciting Things Happening With Our Children & Youth We may have been closed to in-person worship most of November, but we have still been a safe place for the children of the area. We provided E-learning three days a week from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm for elementary students. Raggedy Ann Preschool still met everyday with 3 full classes welcoming thirty-one students. WOW was still the beacon of the south side on Wednesday nights for our high schoolers. The Confirmation Class met in-person and virtual, and the Youth engaged in the community and together in a shielded way. As we struggle to be together and “Do No Harm” as a congregation, we want you to know we are still touching the lives of many of our less vulnerable, sharing the Word of God while keeping them safe.

A HUMONGOUS “THANK YOU”... CONFIRMATION BEGINS AGAIN! ...to everyone that made the Trunk Pastor Kerry and Rev. Stacee are excited to journey with students and Treat event such an incredible through the process of confirming their baptism vows and learning success! We have to admit we were what it means to be a Christian in this world. Please pray for all the caught off guard by the turnout from students by name as they embark on this important adventure in the community. We had to make their faith development. several candy runs to replenish the supply to cover all the kiddos that Richard Alexander Evie Gehring Alana Thibault showed up. The outreach to our Iniya Christopher Rowen Isenberg Ruth White neighbors fulfilled a need for a safe Gilbert Clear Josie Robinett Anthony Schmok place to enjoy the holiday. We can’t Emma Ernsberger Robert Russell Tiffany Schmok wait to see what next year brings!

WOW UPDATE Worship on Wednesday, our we have not asked congregation online, has been detrimental for neighborhood youth basketball members to volunteer in an effort some of the guys. One in particular experience, is back in swing. It has to minimize Covid spread. It is is now homeless and addicted to been great to see the old familiar great to see how he has stepped up heroin as these were his only safe faces as well as some new ones on to the plate to lead. He also sweeps spaces. the court. Between 10-22 people and sanitizes the floor at the end of have participated each week since the night so that it is ready to go for As Methodists, we are led by the the return. We have had some of Raggedy Ann in the morning. motto, "Do no Harm." Sometimes the most engaged devotion times; in life, we are forced to choose the prayers have been sincere and It truly is a difficult decision to lesser harm. Please pray for the reflective of the situations that bring these guys in for basketball youth, pray for the community, and many of these youth are facing. because even with masks, the pray for leaders as decisions are opportunity for sharing Covid made that impact lives in ways we Kynast Frison, who was baptized while playing is elevated. Not never imagine. and joined the church last year, having WOW and Sunday Services, has been the main assistant since combined with attending school ~Pastor Kerry Clear 4 GRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH MAKING DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE WORLD

As we move into 2021, the leadership and the Magi - they were all and staff of Grace United Methodist dreamers. They received, discovered, Church are committed to equipping and responded to God’s dreams for the people of Grace to be the church the world. In 2021, we will step into in the world. We, the church, will the mystery and awe of God’s dreams become more faithful and more and pray they shape our reality. spiritually-driven through intentional DEAR FRIEND IN CHRIST, faith development opportunities. Will you be one of those who dream We, the church, will become more this year? Will you commit your TIME, I do not think anyone will forget the outward-focused through shifting TALENTS, and TREASURES to the year 2020! It has been a year of our focus beyond the church walls. church as the body of Christ works to life-altering circumstances. Through it We, the church, will become shape God’s dreams for Grace UMC all, though, Grace United Methodist more engaged with each other by into reality? Church has continued to live into committing to doing life together. The its mission of making disciples of year 2021 will not look like 2020, nor Thank you for being one of dreams Jesus Christ in order to transform the will it look like all the years before, and making a financial commitment world. Did this look like how it has in but it will be a year where we will to ensuring Grace UMC’s kingdom- the past? Definitely not. But still, the allow our kingdom-dreams to guide dreams begin to take shape in 2021. people of Grace UMC worshipped our actions, our spending, our vision, Please fill this out and return it to together (on the lawn and online), and our future. Grace UMC. safely gathered together (UMW, Wednesdays with the Pastors, Youth “When the Lord restored the fortunes Group, and Confirmation), and of Zion, we were like those who YOUR GUIDE AND PARTNER served the community together (Paper dream” (Psalm 126:1). ON THE JOURNEY, Pantry, CROP Walk, and WOW). If anything became clear in 2020, it is What does it look like to live as those Rev. Stacee Fischer Gehring that the church is not a building, the who dream? The prophets, John the [email protected] church is a people. Baptist, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds

2021 ESTIMATE OF GIVING

NAME(S) ______

After careful and prayerful consideration, I / we estimate that my / our contribution to the ministries of Grace United Methodist Church from January 1 through December 31, 2021 will be: $______per week / month / quarter / year (Please circle one)

I / we also want to support the additional funds: $ ______Trustees $ ______Paper Pantry $ ______Endowment Fund

Please check all that apply: _____ I / we would like to talk to someone about estate giving and wills. _____ I / we would like to talk to someone about contributing electronically. 5 UMW CHRISTMAS TEA

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3 1 PM | IN THE SANCTUARY

Entertainment will be provided I am part of an ecumentical pastor's group on the Southside of South by the Swing Sisters. You won’t Bend. We have been thinking of ways we can get together in the spirit want to miss this wonderful of hope for the future as the Church. Caroling was selected because it is entertainment. Refreshments outdoors and is easy to maintain physical distancing. The Tuesday caroling will be served following the in particular will include a stop program. Everyone is invited! at La Fonda de la Miami for Taco This is not just for UMW Tuesday. This is a new restaurant SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5 members, but anyone that on the southside with devout wants to start their Christmas Christian owners who are struggling 11am | DTSB Gridiron holiday with some wonderful to make it during the pandemic. On Tuesdays they make the most TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15 entertainment and fellowship. amazing taco's for only $1.00 each! 6pm | Tutt Branch Library I hope that any who are able will ~Chris Rowe | President participate in at least one of the days SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20 of caroling in the community. 3pm | Erskine Martin’s ~Pastor Kerry Clear

Opportunities to Make a Difference This Holiday Season

ANGEL TREE PRISON MINISTRY Sunday, November 22 & 29 | 10am-12pm | Grace Parking Lot “Incarceration can strain family ties to the breaking point. Angel Tree shares the love of Christ in a tangible way and strengthens family bonds, delivering personalized gifts and the Gospel to children on behalf of their incarcerated parents at Christmas. (Taken from https://www.prisonfellowship.org/about/angel-tree/#)

Since we cannot be in person to pick Angels off the Christmas Tree this year, we will be having a drive- through Angel Pick Up. You may drive through the canopy entrance of the church and choose an Angel (child) of your choice. We have around 140 Angels to choose from, including boys and girls, ages 1 year- old to 17 years-old requesting clothing and toy items. If you cannot make the drive through and want to choose an Angel or if you would like to donate money and one of the committee members will shop for you, please contact the church office at 288-4789.

BLOOD DRIVE Sunday, November 29 | 10am-1pm | Great Hall Please consider donating blood this holiday season. The South Bend Medical Foundation is now testing all donations for the antibodies to the COVID-19. As a thank you, donors will receive a voucher for a free turkey. Register by visiting givebloodnow.com. 6 7 AMAZING GRACE NEWSLETTER

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South Bend, Indiana 3012 South Twyckenham Drive PERMIT No. 109 South Bend, Indiana 46614 574.288.4789 www.gracemethodist.org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

All in All It takes strength to dream. To plant weary feet But there are always I imagine it’s that same on solid ground, those who dream, strength that leads people And look for signs of beauty. Those who are up at night to say, “I love you” first, picturing what could be, Those three vulnerable words, It takes strength to remember Because this world is too Wrapped in heart strings, that we are not alone, good not to. Whispered, But the story starts with bone Because what could be of bone and flesh of flesh. So we say, “I love you.” Is too good to keep quiet about. We push the covers off. That feels like so long ago. We find solid ground. It takes strength to choose joy. Oh yes, We look for beauty. It takes strength It takes strength to dream. And we dream. to push the covers I imagine that’s why many We dare to dream. Off our weary bodies choose not to, morning after morning, For it would be far easier -Prayer by Sarah Are to simply sleep. A Sanctified Art LLC sanctifiedart.org