Grand Valley United Methodist Church
December 2024 Newsletter
In this newsletter:
1. From the Pastor
2. Poinsettias
3. Longest Night Service
4. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
5. Christmas Dinner
6. Christmas Week Office Hours
7. Birthdays
8. Calendar
9. Group Details
10. Church Reports
11. Just for Fun
12. Poinsettia Order Form
From the Pastor….
I have been reading the Christmas sermons of Dietrich Bonhoeffer who was a theologian and pastor. He reminds us that we have made Christmas a bit too domesticated.
“We have selected from the Christmas story only the pleasant bits, forgetting the awesome nature of an event in which the God of the universe, its Creator and Sustainer, draws near to this little planet, and now speaks to us. The coming of God is not only a message of joy, but also fearful news for anyone who has a conscience.”
Our first reaction is indeed one of fear, as it was with Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and Herod. God…Here…Now! But the angels tell us not to be afraid. For the coming of God is a movement toward healing, wholeness, restoration, reconciliation…salvation! It is good news! For God so loved the world that God walked among us so that we might see the way.
The way of God spoken through this child is that we need not wait any longer. “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near” (Mark 1:15) and Jesus will be with us always, “to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Advent is simply a time to remind ourselves of this fact.
The problem is that we have domesticated Jesus’ presence among us, too. We picture Jesus as a good clean fellow who dresses appropriately, lives a good life, and goes to church on Sundays (preferably our church). We picture Jesus as one who walks with us in the garden and one whom we can call “friend”. But Jesus told us that he is more likely to be “one of the least of these”, the hungry and thirsty, the unclothed and imprisoned, the stranger and the strange one. (Matthew 25:37-40).
Bonhoeffer says, “With that we face the shocking reality. Jesus stands at the door and knocks. He asks for help in the form of a beggar, a down-and-out, a man in ragged clothes, someone who is sick, even a criminal in need of our love. He meets you in every person you encounter in need. So long as there are people around, Christ walks the earth, as your neighbor, as the one through whom God calls to you, demands of you, makes claims upon you. That is the great seriousness of the Advent message and its great blessing. Christ stands at the door. He lives in the form of people around us. Will you therefore leave the door safely locked for you protection, or will you open the door for him?”
This Advent season greet your family members as you would greet people on the street. It is easier to be a Christian to a stranger than it is to a family member.
During this holiday season when family stress is eating away at your resolve to be Christ like, go for a walk, or stand outside, or whatever it takes to remember who is standing at the door of your heart. It will be the Christ child that will bring the peace that you need, that is why he came!
Yours in Christ
Christmas Poinsettias
Our annual tradition of having poinsettias for our Christmas Eve Service continues. If you would like to bring a poinsettia in honor of or in memory of someone, please fill out the form at the end of this newsletter and get it to the office no later than Wednesday, December 18th so the information can be put on the insert for that service. These forms will also be available in the bulletins for Sunday Worship starting on December 1st.
We ask that you bring your poinsettia to the church between 9:00 am – noon on Friday, December 20th through Tuesday, December 24th. You can also bring them on Sunday, December 22nd.
This is always a nice addition to the Sanctuary, and we hope that you will be a part of this tradition.
Grand Valley Givers Donations
We are still in need of donations for our Grand Valley Givers gifts – there are 100 children that we are buying for. Anything you can give helps. If writing a check, please be sure to put GVG in the memo line. Checks are to be made out to Grand Valley UMC. Cash also accepted! These can be dropped off at the church office W-F, 9-noon, mailed to the church (PO Box 125, Parachute, CO 81635), or brought on Sunday and put in the collection plate. Mission & Outreach thanks you from the bottom of their hearts!
We will be holding a Longest Night Service on Saturday, December 21st from 5:30-6:30. This is a time for those longing for a touch of inner peace during the holiday season. This is a non-denominational service of prayer, lighting candles of remembrance and fellowship.
Our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 24th. This is a very special, very beautiful service. We hope you can join us.
Christmas Dinner
We will be holding a Christmas Dinner on December 25th at 1:00. Mission & Outreach will be providing ham and mashed potatoes and we ask that you bring a side or dessert to share. Please join us, and invite friends and neighbors!
Mission and Outreach will be putting up a Christmas Tree on the M&O board. Congregation members can save postage by putting one card on the tree that the whole congregation can read. In exchange, we are asking for a $10 donation for the Resource Center for food. For more information, please contact Laurel.
Due to Christmas falling on a Wednesday, the office hours for the week of December 22nd will be:
Monday, 12/23, 9-noon
Tuesday, 12/24, 9-noon
Wednesday, 12/25 CLOSED
Thursday, 12/26 CLOSED
Friday, 12/27, 9-noon
December Birthdays:
5 – Randy Jorgensen
10 – Delcia Orona
17 – Deb Trujillo
18 – Carol Donaghue
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Our Seekers Class(Adult Sunday School) meets every Sunday morning at 8:30. We invite all to attend.
Tuesday Bible Study
Our Tuesday Bible study will start up again in January. The topic of the new study is The Lord’s Prayer. All are welcome.
Join us for Bible Study every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. or 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We hope you can join us.
Choir meets at 4:00 on Wednesday and bells meet when needed. We are always looking for participants, so if you would like to join either of these wonderful musical groups, please contact the office at (970)285-9892 or by email: [email protected]
Prayer Partners meet the 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 10:30. If you have anyone that you would like to add to the Prayer Partner list, please contact Bert Botkin at (970)216-8682.
Our Ambassadors (Care Team) meet on the 2nd Friday at 11:00 in the Fellowship Hall.
Church Council Report
The meeting was called to order by John Chapman sitting in for Ron Olson. Those in attendance were: Bert Botkin, Michelle Foster, Mary Jane Wahlman, John Chapman, Dan Temple, Grace Reuter, Len Allen, Lee Allen, and Michael Ingersoll. Michael led us in prayer.
Michelle moved the minutes of the last meeting be approved, Mary Jane seconded. Motion carried.
Finance: Michelle reported that the budget for the coming year has been approved.
Mission: Plans have been made for the Thanksgiving Day dinner. Plans for the Christmas giving are in place, and the shoppers plan to go shopping this next week. Plans are also made for the Christmas Dinner.
Music: Mary Jane reported music has been selected for the holidays, subject to Laurel Koning’s approval.
Trustees: John reported the electrical panel will be replaced the 19th of November. He is checking into installing a handicap door in the building. The sprinkler system has been winterized. John will get together with Shawn McElroy to discuss improving the sound in the sanctuary. Bonnie Gana has found some of the burners left on in the kitchen. We need to talk to the Pentecostal church about this.
Worship: Michelle reported we are all set for Christmas. We will be decorating on November 30th at 9:00. We need to get done by 1:00 because of a wedding.
Christian Ed.: Bert reported the Sunday school did the special program on November 10th for the veterans of the church.
Paster’s Report: Michael commented upon the church conference discussion about increasing church membership. There are various reasons why our congregation does not grow including the location and the community. He also mentioned his coming trip to Nicaragua in January, and a trip to Scotland and Ireland in late May.
New Business: John reported the flag pole is to be moved. We will be clearing more space for memorial stones.
Old Business: We need to set a new date for our AED training. John had printed off a guide to charging for the use of the building. We need a couple people to look into that make recommendations to the council.
There being no further business to come before the council, Dan moved we adjourn. John seconded. Motion carried.
“Just remember, the true spirit of Christmas lies in your heart.” — Santa from the Polar Express
“Christmas isn’t a season. It’s a feeling.” — Edna Ferber
“The only real blind person at Christmas-time is he who has not Christmas in his heart.” — Helen Keller
“Christmas is for everyone, adults and children alike. Allow this season fill your heart, and let go of the things you dislike.” — Julie Hebert
“When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things—not the great occasions—give off the greatest glow of happiness.” — Bob Hope
“Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts.” — Janice Maeditere
“Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.” — Charles M. Schultz
“Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance—a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved.” — Augusta E. Randel
“What is Christmas? It is the tenderness of the past, courage for the present, and hope for the future.” — Agnes M. Pharo
“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?” — Bob Hope
“Christmas, my child, is love in action.” — Dale Evans
“I don’t think Christmas is necessarily about things. It’s about being good to one another.” — Carrie Fisher
“Christmas is like candy; it slowly melts in your mouth sweetening every taste bud, making you wish it could last forever.” — Richelle E. Goodrich
“Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality.” — Washington Irving
“Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” — Calvin Coolidge
Church Contact Information
PO Box 125
Parachute CO 81635
(970)285-9892
[email protected]
www.GrandValleyUMC.com
OFFICE HOURS:
Wednesday – Friday
9:00 – noon
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS
You are invited to help decorate our sanctuary for Christmas Eve with poinsettias. Please complete the following and place it in the collection plate. On Christmas Eve there will be a bulletin insert acknowledging all our Christmas poinsettias. You may designate your poinsettia(s) in memory of a departed loved one, or in honor of a loved one still living.
______________________________ will provide poinsettias for Christmas Eve.
(Your name)
Please use one line for each poinsettia you intend to provide.
One plant may also be used for more than one person.
In memory / honor (circle one) of _________________________________
In memory / honor (circle one) of _________________________________
In memory / honor (circle one) of _________________________________
In memory / honor (circle one) of _________________________________
In memory / honor (circle one) of _________________________________
The last day for notifying the church of your Christmas poinsettias is
Wednesday, December 18th
Please deliver your poinsettias to the church on Friday, December 20th through Tuesday, December 24th between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and noon, or bring them to Sunday Worship on the 22nd. Also remember to put a small tag with your name on your poinsettia(s) so you may take them home after the Christmas Eve service.
