The Chimes December 2017 Volume 58, Issue 12
In the neighborhood for good! Simple Gifts
Christmas is a time for giving and for receiving. Often both of these potentially lovely and meaningful opportunities—to give and to receive—get caught up in the holiday hustle and bustle, and we miss out on a deeper understanding of God’s gift to us. This Advent and Christmas season, as we await and receive God’s greatest gift, let us take some time to consider the deep significance of Coming once again to the our giving and receiving all that God has given to us. Some of these gifts from ELUMC stage! See page 3 for details! God are peace and love and joy and hope. How have you received these gifts? How are you giving back these gifts? How are we allowing God to shape us into people who are filled with these simple, yet profound gifts? While cleaning out a closet recently, I came upon a bag of Christmas gifts that had been tucked away in some rushed post-holiday clean up, just waiting there to be enjoyed, treasured. But in my rush to do something else, they had become lost to me. I wonder if perhaps we all do the same even with God’s larger gifts. We tuck them away and forget them, neglect them. Perhaps, in order to be able to receive God’s gift, we need to make room in our lives and in ourselves. Let us do that this season by taking time to breathe, to be still, to await God’s coming. Let us open up our hearts and our lives by giving to others. You will find opportunities of a variety of ways to give things this season to those who are lonely and those who are in need. Let us also give gifts that are more simply profound, more simply significant, more simply a sign of God with us. Give of your time. Give patience. Give kindness. Give justice. Give hope. Give in the same Spirit and joy that God has given these gifts to you.
Simple Gifts—our theme for Advent. See special services/events, page 7
See page 2 and page 4 for opportunities.
Wishing you a blessed season of giving and receiving simple gifts. Peace,
Sally Join us for an Advent tradition here at ELUMC, on Sunday, December 17, at 2:30 p.m.
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December 2017
Reverse Advent Calendar Instead of “getting,” this is one way to give this season! Here’s how it works: First, find an empty box or container, any size, but one you can carry. Then, starting on the first Sunday of Advent, December 3, add one item to the container each day leading up to Christmas. Lists are available on the bulletin board in the glass door area, of items that can be donated or shared to brighted the day of another! On Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or one day soon after, you are invited to bring your box with its contents to the church and place it under the Chrismon tree in the Sanctuary.
East Lake United Methodist Church 7753 First Avenue South (corner of 2nd Ave. S. & 78th) Birmingham, AL 35206 www.eastlakeumc.net (205) 836-3201(office) (205) 836-3203 (FAX) Rev. Sally Allocca Mr. Barry Norris Dr. Jane Phares
Pastoral and Program Staff: (205) 821-8804 (205) 540-1820 (205) 821-8632
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
The Chimes is published monthly by East Lake United Methodist Church. Editor: Jane Phares Deadline for articles: The 15th of the month prior to publication month.
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The Bell Tower Players of East Lake United Methodist Church present Charles Dickens’
adapted by Mike Ferrians and Brenda Chapman
Thursday – Saturday Sunday December 7-9, 2017 December 10, 2017 7:30 p.m. 2:00 p.m. In Wesley Hall Admission $10
Hey, Seniors! It’s party time! You know we always have to get together for Bingo and goodies around holiday time, and that’s coming up! But before then, on Tuesday, December 12, we will have our second Tuesday movie, this time a true holiday story from Truman Capote, A Christmas Memory. Starring Piper Laurie and Patty Duke Astin, the movie recalls the Depression-era South and a boy’s experiences with his aunts around Christmas time. Show time is 10 a.m., in the office conference room. Then the next week, December 19, we’ll have our Bingo extravaganza (yes, just plain Bingo), with prizes, of course! And if you want to, bring a goodie to share! Again, we’ll meet at 10, but this time in the diner.
So, Boomers, are you ready to party? It’s been awhile since we’ve gotten together, what with one thing and another. But we have to have a Christmas party, and ours will be on Friday night, December 15, in the diner at the church. Bring a heavy hors d’oeuvre or a dessert to share (or walk on the wild side and bring both), and we’ll follow it up with Christmas trivia. If anyone wants to, we can watch a Christmas movie on the big screen in Wesley Hall. What’s your favorite? Miracle on 34th Street? It’s a Wonderful Life? Christmas in Connecticut? A Christmas Story? Or something more modern—Elf? The Santa Clause? Christmas Vacation? Let Jane Phares (whose favorite is Love Actually, but the language is a little strong for a church showing!) know your vote, and she’ll make it happen! Again, Friday, December 15, at 6 p.m. in the diner. Hope you’ll be there!
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December 2017
“Keep on praying for the saints . . .”
EASTERN AREA CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES Item for December:
Ephesians 6:18
Please pray for the members of our church family who have had surgery, been in the hospital or rehab during the last month, are currently in the hospital or in rehab at press time, or who are continuing to recover at home: Jack Boggan
Sara Heard
GRITS
Carole Pierce
We extend our sympathies to The family of Jacqueline “Jackie” Carson, who died on November 24, just three months after her husband, Sunset. Though most of us did not know Jackie or Sunset well, they were dedicated to EACM and to their church. Please keep their family in your thoughts and prayers as they go through this time of grief.
Memorials & Honoraria Gifts have been given to the church in memory of: James C. and Virginia Brown, Jr. Paul M. Brown
Sunday Breakfasts Sunday breakfast will be available on the following Sundays in December: December 3 December 10 There will be no breakfast served on December 17, 24, or 31. Service will resume on Sunday, January 7. If you would be willing to help out with breakfast service one Sunday a month or more, please tell Barbara Patton or Jane Phares.
December Birthdays 1
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3 *Carol Bullard
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9 *Ava-Louise Hill
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11 *Sarah Arthur
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13 *Karen Brice
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19 *Kimberly Jeanty
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23 *Mark Woolsey
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26 *Betty Ferguson
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22 *R. L. Barber *Brandon Mason 29
*Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace
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Lectionary Readings for December Your word is a lamp before my feet and a light for my journey – Psalm 119:105 (CEB) Sunday, December 3 – First Sunday of Advent Isaiah 64:1-9 Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Mark 13:24-37
Sunday, December 10 – Second Sunday of Advent Isaiah 40:1-11 Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
2 Peter 3:8-15a Mark 1:1-8
Sunday, December 17 – Third Sunday of Advent Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Psalm 126
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 John 1:6-8, 19-28
Sunday, December 24 – Fourth Sunday of Advent 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 Luke 1:47-55
Romans 16:25-27 Luke 1:26-38
Christmas Eve Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96
Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-20
Monday, December 25 – Christmas Day Isaiah 52:7-10 Psalm 98
Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12) John 1:1-14
Sunday, December 31 – First Sunday after Christmas Day Isaiah 61:10-62:3 Psalm 148
Galatians 4:4-7 Luke 2:22-40
Watch Night Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 Psalm 8
Revelation 21:1-6a Matthew 25:31-46
Have you returned your pledge card for 2018? Please help us by returning it as soon as possible, as we plan our ministries for next year.
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December 2017
Music = Notes ’midst Organ-izing As our eleventh Sunday afternoon Nine Lessons and Carols approaches, here again is a recap of its history, along with the connection to our own church’s present day. It began in 1880, in Truro, England, where its cathedral was very much in a state of flux! The clergy wanted to make Christmas Eve special in that place, which was not particularly peaceful or orderly that year, because the church was still under construction! King’s College, Cambridge, picked up the service in 1918, and the BBC began broadcasting it In the 1930s. But it is during the second world war that the Scriptures and Carols made their mark. From a space with no heat, with blackened out windows, its stained glass having long since been hidden, all of Britain, and much of its empire heard the story harkening of peace, to a war-torn world. In 1937, two Birmingham-Southern professors began the service at McCoy Methodist. I went first in 1965, at age nine. Later on, I stage-managed Carol Service’s last nine Christmases there. Though I can’t speak very far into the recent past, I’m aware that Mimi continued the tradition in our own church for a number of years prior to my own advent. And except for my first Christmas when I was just getting to know you, we’ve done it every year since, 2002 through 2006 on Sunday mornings, and afterwards on Sunday afternoons. The choir, and cherished friends, have been hard at work on Saturdays since Veteran’s Day, seven rehearsals in all. Dr. Schwandt will be here along with his wife, Kristin, who is recovering well from her travail this summer. I hope to see all of you on the 17th, at 2:30, when we’ll get have this wonderful worship time again. Love,
Barry Poinsettia Memorials/Honoraria Our sanctuary will be decorated with red poinsettias on Sunday, December 17. If you purchase a plant ($22), you may pick it up after the service, or (preferably) after Lessons and Carols (the afternoon of the 117th). Fill in this form (check or cash attached) and place it in the offering plate, or turn it in to the church office. Orders must be turned in by Sunday, October 10.
In memory of __________________________________By __________________________________ In memory of __________________________________By __________________________________ In memory of __________________________________By __________________________________ In honor of ____________________________________By__________________________________ In honor of ____________________________________By__________________________________ In honor of ____________________________________By __________________________________ Please print clearly, and list additional names on a separate sheet. Name____________________________________ Number ordered _________
Phone number _____________________
Amt. of cash/check attached ___________________
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Simple Gifts Christmas Events at East Lake UMC Hanging of the Green Saturday, December 9 at 12:00 noon Christmas Party Wednesday, December 13 at 5:30 p.m. Service of Lessons and Carols Sunday, December 17 at 2:30 p.m. Blue Christmas Service Thursday, December 21 at 7:00 p.m. Candlelight Communion Saturday, December 24 at 4:00 p.m. Simple Celebration and Brunch Christmas Day, Monday 25 at 10:00 a.m.
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December 2017
December 2017 Friday, December 1 Alma Boggan Class Luncheon – 12 noon (back room of the diner)
Saturday, December 16 Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal – 9:30-11:30 a.m. (Choir room)
Sunday, December 3 Traditional worship – 9 a.m. (Sanctuary) Sunday School – 10 a.m. (various classrooms) Alternative worship – 11 a.m. (Wesley Hall) Staff/Pastor/Parish Relations Committee quarterly meeting – 2 p.m. (office conference room)
Sunday, December 17 Traditional worship – 9 a.m. (Sanctuary) Sunday School – 10 a.m. (various classrooms) Alternative worship – 11 a.m. (Wesley Hall) Service of Lessons and Carols – 2:30 p.m. (Sanctuary)
Tuesday, December 5 Super Seniors: No Program Wednesday, December 6 Adult Bible Study – 11 a.m. (Fireside Room) Trustees Committee – 1 p.m. (back room of the diner) Thursday, December 7 A Christmas Carol – 7:30 p.m. (Wesley Hall) Friday, December 8 A Christmas Carol – 7:30 p.m. (Wesley Hall) Saturday, December 9 Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal – 9:30-11 a.m. (Choir room) Hanging of the Green – 12 noon (Sanctuary) A Christmas Carol – 7:30 p.m. (Wesley Hall)
Sunday, December 10 Traditional worship – 9 a.m. (Sanctuary) Sunday School – 10 a.m. (various classrooms) Alternative worship – 11 a.m. (Wesley Hall) A Christmas Carol matinee performance– 2 p.m. (Wesley Hall) Tuesday, December 12 Super Seniors Second Tuesday Movie: A Christmas Memory – 10 a.m. (office conference room)
Wednesday, December 13 Adult Bible Study – 11 a.m. (Fireside Room) Church Christmas Party and Tree Lighting – 5:30 to 7 p.m. (Wesley Hall) Friday, December 15 Boomers’ Christmas Party – 6 p.m. (Diner)
Tuesday, December 19 Super Seniors: Bingo! – 10 a.m. (back room of the diner) Wednesday, December 20 Adult Bible Study – 11 a.m. (Fireside Room) Thursday, December 21 Blue Christmas Service – 7 p.m. (Chapel) Sunday, December 24 Traditional worship – 9 a.m. (Sanctuary) Sunday School – 10 a.m. (various classrooms) Alternative worship – 11 a.m. (Wesley Hall) Christmas Eve Communion Service – 4 p.m. (Sanctuary) Monday, December 25
Christmas Day! Simple Celebration and Brunch – 10 a.m. (Sanctuary) Tuesday, December 26 – Friday, December 29 CHURCH OFFICE AND DINER WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAYS Sunday, December 31 Traditional worship – 9 a.m. (Sanctuary) Sunday School – 10 a.m. (various classrooms) Alternative worship – 11 a.m. (Wesley Hall)
Monday, January 1 CHURCH OFFICE AND DINER WILL BE CLOSED
