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Bridgeport United Methodist Church 251 Worthington Drive Bridgeport, WV 26330 304.842.6284

Postage Paid Permit No. 8 Bridgeport, WV 26330 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Lectionary Study for December & January November 28December 4 Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 Romans 15:4-13 Mattheew 3:1-12

December 5-11

December 12-18

December 19-25

December 26-31

Isaiah 35:1-10 Luke 1:47-55 Psalm 146:5-10 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11

Isaiah 7:10-16 Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-25

Isaiah 52:7-10 Psalm 98 Hebrews 1:1-12 John 1:1-14

Isaiah 60:1-6 Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 Ephesians 3:1-12 Matthew 2:1-12

January 2-8

January 9-15

January 16-22

January 23-29

Isaiah 42:1-9 Psalm 29 Acts 10:34-43 Matthew 3:13-17

Isaiah 42:1-7 Psalm 40:1-11 I Corinthians 1:1-9 John 1:29-42

Isaiah 9:1-4 Psalm 27:4-9 I Corinthians 1:10-18 Matthew 4:12-23

Micah 6:1-8 Psalm 15 I Corinthians 1:18-31 Matthew 5:1-2

NEW MEMBERS WELCOMED IN OCTOBER! John Iaquinta, Alice Rowe, Leigh Ann Fulks, Ron&Phyllis Francis,Robert&Sherall Benson, Bill&Linda Hogue, Pamela Holbert, Tyler&Leigha Trippett, Tom Randolph, John Kimble, Lindsey Shingleton, Laura Antill, Ilene Paugh, Martha Hansford, Yvonne Eakle, Michael&Isabel Stalnaker, Karen Blackwell, Carlena MacKenzie&Caleb McCullough

Steeple Talk A note from your Senior Pastor ... THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT Dear Friends:

Bridgeport United Methodist Church

When you are trying to pick a gi for someone special you’re always thinking what might be the perfect Christmas gi. Most of us have realized by now that there is no perfect Christmas gi that can be bought with money. The best gis are rela#onal in nature: Spending #me; connec#ng with one another; sharing a special event; going the extra mile for one another and doing the unexpected. This year why not include on your list of special events to share with a friend or family a #me of worship at your church. Coming up in this Advent and Christmas season are a host of wonderful experiences of worship, music, and inspira#onal moments that focus us all on the Christ-child and the wonderful gi that comes to us all. Please clip out this front page and be ac#ve and regular in worship as we celebrate The Perfect Christmas Gi from our God. I truly hope to see you in church. ATTENTION: Please note that on Sunday December 25 and January 1, we will have only ONE worship service which will be at 10:00 AM. In Christ, Ken Ramsey

Advent and Christmas Services Regular worship and celebration every Saturday and Sunday.

DECEMBER 2016/ JANUARY 2017 Website: www.bridgeportumc.org Email: [email protected] Phone: 304.842.6284

Dr. Ken A. Ramsey, Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Dan Kimble, Pastoral Care & Outreach

Men’s Bible Class • Fowler Heritage Room • Sundays at 9:30 AM • Various Leaders Bread of Life Sunday School Class • Library • Sundays at 9:30 AM • Rev. Dr. Dan Kimble Family Focus • Balcony • Sundays at 9:30 AM • Rev. Steve Engle Lectionary Bible Study • Library • Thursdays from 10:15-11:15 AM • Rev. Dr. Dan Kimble Sisters Bible Study • Fowler Heritage Room • Fridays from 8:00 AM-9:00 AM • Penny Gage Sunday Morning Bible Study • Parlor • Sundays at 9:30 AM • Dr. Ken Ramsey God’s Delight Women’s Bible Study • Balcony • Thursdays at 7:00 PM, excluding the 2nd Thurs. of each month • Jill Steele Second Thursday Worship Service • Sanctuary • 2nd Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM • Rev. Dr. Ken Ramsey Young Adult Bible Study • Children’s Chapel • Sundays at 9:30 AM • Michael Burge

DISCOVER THE VITAL 4-G NETWORK at Bridgeport United Methodist Church As the body of Christ we Gather, Grow, Glorify, and Go forth to share the good news of Christ. Invite others to share in these upcoming services:

Sarah Carr Parsons, Director of Music

SATURDAY EVENING SERVICES 6:15 PM

Jennifer Randolph, Coordinator of Sunday School

December 3 December 10 December 17 December 24

Cheryl Soltesz, Youth Ministry Coordinator Carla Engle, Vacation Bible School Coordinator

December 31 January 7 January 14 January 21 January 28

Tyler Sprouse, Student Minister Rev. George Bramble, Pastoral Care @DrKenRam or @Bridgeportumc

“The Christmas Scripture No One Reads”

Bridgeport UMC

Christmas Eve Services Saturday, December 24 6:00 PM - Family Service with candlelight and living nativity Message: “What Are You Looking For?” 8:30 PM - Holy Communion with candlelight Message: “Christmas Decorations” 11:00 PM - Worship Celebration with candlelight and choirs. Message: “Leaving the Light On.” Christmas Day and New Years Day 10:00 AM One Service Only

Worship and Bible Study Opportunities

Rev. Steve Engle, Minister of Discipleship, Program & Hospitality

Special Services in December December 8: Thursday Worship at 7:00 PM December 11: Children’s Pageant at 6:00 PM December 18: 18 Open House at the Ramsey’s from 2:00-4:00 PM WVWC Concert Choral at 7:00 PM at BUMC

Steeple Talk

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Under Wraps Hands That Shape Us The King Has Come 6:00 PM What are You Looking For? 8:30 PM Christmas Decorations 11:00 PM Leaving the Light On Wisdom for the New Year

Rev. Steve Engle Rev. Ken Ramsey Tyler Sprouse Rev. Ken Ramsey Rev. Ken Ramsey Rev. Ken Ramsey Rev. Steve Engle Rev. Dan Kimble It’s True Tyler Sprouse Greater Things to Come Rev. Ken Ramsey It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This Rev. Steve Engle SUNDAY MORNING SERVICES 8:30 & 10:45 AM

December 4 December 11 December 18 December 25 January 1 January 8 January 15 January 22 January 29

Open hearts Open minds Open doors

The Spirits of Christmas Mary, Mary Being Held By a Baby A Short Service, Sermon, and Song The Way of the Wise Why Jesus Never Had Ulcers Truth is Stronger Than Friction There’s a Hole in My Heart The Sermon I Can’t Preach

Inside this issue: 1 Pastor’s Note Worship Opportunities 2

Music Ministry

3

Youth News

3

nd

Worship Service

U M Women Ministry 5 UM Men Ministry 5

Open

6

House

Lectionary

Rev. Ken Ramsey Rev. Steve Engle Rev. Ken Ramsey Rev. Ken Ramsey Rev. Steve Engle Rev. Ken Ramsey Rev. Ken Ramsey Rev. Ken Ramsey Rev. Ken Ramsey

This Service is the second Thursday of each month in the Sanctuary. The service combines scripture, choruses, worship, and a Bible study. Our next Service will be December 8! Child Care is provided.

Parsonage Christmas Open House Ken and Charlea Ramsey invite you to stop by their home at 210 W. Philadelphia Ave. anytime between 2 and 4 PM on December 18. We hope to greet you then!

Steeple Talk

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United Methodist Women Ministry

Steeple Talk

Thanks to everyone who has submitted a picture!

Upcoming Events: December 1, 15, 22 & 29 God’s Delight Bible Study 7:00 PM December 2, 9, & 16 Sisters Bible Study 8:00 AM December 6 Esther Circle 11:00 AM December 6 Ruth Circle 11:00 AM December 6 Lydia Circle 6:30 PM December 11 Priscilla Circle 9:30 AM December 13 BUMW Day Book Club 1:00 PM December 14 General Meeting 12:00 PM December 18 Jordan River Junior Circle 11:45 AM January 3 Esther Circle 1:00 PM January 3 Ruth Circle 1:00 PM January 5 Lydia Circle 7:00 PM January 5, 19, & 26 God’s Delight Bible Study 7:00 PM January 6, 13, 20, & 27 Sisters Bible Study 8:00 AM January 8 Priscilla Circle 9:30 AM January 10 BUMW Day Book Club 1:00 PM January 11 General Meeting

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Balcony Fowler Heritage Room Christmas Luncheon at Eat’n Park Christmas Luncheon at Eat’n Park Christmas Dinner at Oliverio’s Fowler Heritage Room Judy Gehr’s Home Fellowship Hall Fowler Heritage Room Library Fowler Heritage Room Library Balcony Fowler Heritage Room Fowler Heritage Room Judy Gehr’s Home NO MEETING

BUMW 2017 LEADERSHIP TEAM: PRESIDENT – Cheryl Bramble, VICE PRESIDENT – Regina Miller, SECRETARY – Judy Wheeler, TREASURER – Lisa Stafford, SPIRITUAL GROWTH COORDINATOR – Penny Gage, EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION COORDINATOR – Nancy Cheshire, SOCIAL ACTION COORDINATOR – Lyn Hathaway, MEMBERSHIP, NURTURE AND OUTREACH CORDINATOR – Kathy Clevenger, PROGRAM RESOURCES – Eva Shearer and JoAnn Guinn, COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS for 2019 - Regina Miller and Susan Sigmon, MUSIC - Dorothy Powelson, YEARBOOK - Kim Kapp, LYDIA CIRCLE LEADER – Nancy Helmick, PRISCILLA CIRCLE LEADER - Lourie Gerst, RUTH CIRCLE LEADER - Marlen Waters, ESTHER CIRCLE LEADER - Nancy Cheshire, E-LIZABETH ECIRCLE LEADER - Eva Conner, and JORDAN RIVER JUNIOR CIRCLE LEADER – Debi Douglass.

Bridgeport United Methodist Men First, I would like to thank all the people who played in our Annual Golf Tournament and our hole sponsors. We had a great turn out. A special thank you to Brad Ford for organizing this wonderful event for our Senior Scholarship Fund. We will be have a float in the upcoming Christmas parade on December 3. This year we will have a Kazoo Choir along with men and their children handing out kazoos out to the crowd. If you wish to help please contact me. We will also be helping at the Bridgeport Cemetery with Wreaths Across America. This is a worthy cause helping ensure that all veterans get a wreath for Christmas. This event is December 17. If you wish to help please contact me. Our monthly breakfast speaker for December will be Carla Yoquinta with Beyond the Shepherd. This will be on December 11, at 9:30 AM. The January 8 meeting will be at 9:30 AM and the speaker will be Ben Randolph with the Clarksburg Mission. We hope you can make it. We will be having our Annual Chili Cook Off on January 15. We will have trophies for people's choice as well as judges choice. If this something you would like to do, please contact LJ Soltesz to save your spot for your chili. The current judges are Kevin Hunt and Rev. Dan Kimble. As always, if you wish to get involved with the men or just wondering what we are all about feel free to contact me. God Bless and Merry Christmas! ~Kevin Hunt

WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SUBMITTED THEIR PHOTO—No more portrait studios needed for our directory. You can do it with your phone or email! Use a selfie or a photo you already have. Simply Go to our Web page; www.bridgpeportumc.org. On the Home page click on Photo Directory, and follow the link to add your own photo to insert into the Church Directory now! OR you can simply email your picture to [email protected] OR drop your photo off at the church OR if you see a youth while you are at church, ask them to snap a picture. We will also have Youth who will be more than happy to take a quick picture of you or your family after one of the Worship Services. Once completed you will have access to it on line or a hard copy. We need you to make it complete!

Births...Congratulations to Travis and Abby Messenger on the birth of their son, Slate Edward, born on Sept. 28. The proud grandparents are Curtis and Karen Lee and the late Gary Dodrill.

CHRISTIAN BAPTISM Lenn and Sarah Murray Roberts presented their son, August Conley Roberts, for baptism.

PERMANENT FUND Thanks to everyone who donated in Honor or in Memory of a friend or loved one. This Fund helps greatly in maintaining our facility. The following contributed this month: Gene Dodd † Marvin and Dolores Shelton † Gary and Linda Morgan † UHC Recovery Room Staff Stan and Carolyn Burnett † Douglas and Debra Lipari † Marco and Maribeth Droese † Maureen and Ray Shirey Wade Dotson and Family on the death of his sister. Cole Carder and Family on the death of his grandfather. Regina Miller and Family on the death of her aunt. Martha Hansford on the death of her husband, Fred. Troy Napier on the death of his wife, Jane. THANK YOU TO THE PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY I have visited many of our Church’s sick, and found them with their “Prayer Shawls”. If not tucked around them, then close-by within sight and reach. Laying around shoulders, over laps, or covering them while they sleep. Wrapping all in the prayers of their Church family, letting them know they are not forgotten and that they are surrounded by God’s Love, His Protection, His Peace. We just visited one of our ill brothers, and found him with his “Prayer Shawl”. This time, I just need to write a thank-you to all the ladies who are a part of this very wonderful and vibrant part of our Church’s ministry. I don’t know who all is a part of this, but I do know your work! I have seen your beautiful end results, but even more importantly, I have seen that beautiful glimmer of hope and God’s Love in the eyes and heard it in the voices of those who receive these shawls. You ladies do such an important and amazing work for God! What could be better than wrapping a brother or sister in a beautiful shawl of prayer!

West Virginia Wesleyan College Concert Chorale and Concentus Vocum Fall 2016 Tour ~ New York City Sunday, December 18, 7:00 PM at Bridgeport United Methodist Church As part of their fall tour WVWC Choirs under the direction of Dr. Dan Hughes will present a concert at our church A note from Dr. Hughes; West Virginia was in the midst of a very difficult time. Flooding had uprooted lives thought out the state, making it difficult transition for many of the high school students coming to our campus. We were also in the wake of the horrific events in Orlando, Florida yet another in long line of mass shootings. In planning this tour to New York City, I was reminded that the fall 2016 semester marked the 15 year Anniversary of 9/11/2001. I wanted to do something and say something. But then I realized that is what we always do. Our singing is humanity and vulnerability. We are present and we are community. I think those might be the things we need the most.

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Steeple Talk

Steeple Talk

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Children and Youth Christmas Pageant

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December 11, at 6:00 PM RECEPTION FOLLOWING IN FELLOWSHIP HALL

Youth Ministry YOUTH MINISTRY FOR DECEMBER GET CONNECTED AND GROW IN YOUR FAITH! December 4: Christmas Caroling to our homebound Meet at church at 6 p.m. Hot chocolate and refreshments aerwards! Come and minister to our shut-ins! December 11: Christmas pageant at church December 18: Shopping for our Prison Fellowship Angel Tree: We have 8 children this Year who need our help! Come and be a part. Meet at church at 2:30 p.m. December 25 and January 1: No Youth. JANUARY: Regular mee#ngs will get started back and the New year will be filled with the opportunity to get our faith to new levels and to serve others in mission and ministry. Start the New Year right by joining with others in growing closer to Christ. Bring friends to join us and remember: Everything Counts!

Steeple Talk

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