The Weekly Vision

Attendance

Hospitalizations Marcus Humphrey, Gettysburg Hospital Mike Orleski,  Recently Discharged from Gettysburg Hospital   Prayer Concerns for this Week Our prayers this week include: Doris Deaner, Bob Dillman, Robert and Ida Smith, Margaret LeGay, Jeff Persell, Sara Rose Wickham, Michael Robinson, and Kelly Bladwin, John McKenna, Marie Claybaugh, Joyce Richmond, Thomas Heflin, Carol Hemming Pugh (York Hospital), Bill Ryder, Delphine Seifrit, and 5 unspoken requests. Pastoral prayers this week for those whose last name begins with these letters: December 12-L, 13-M, 14-N, 15-O, 16-P, 17-Q, 18-R   Please remember that if you don't wish to publicly express your prayer concerns, you may use the PRAYER PILLAR in the back of the church for your requests.

Muscular Dystrophy Thank You's Pastor Jay is pleased to acknowledge once again the gifts that hvae come in regard to the Muscular Dystrophy  “Lock-Up.” To date, over $1100 has been received.  Thank you! Thank You ... to Chuck Thompson and Our Chancel Choir On this third Sunday in Advent, we are enjoying the "Worshipful Refreshment" of "The Lessons and Carols" celebration at 10:30 AM.  Making this special service possible is Chuck Thompson and our Chancel Choir.  Thank you! -- Although this written acknowledgement is appropriate, please take the time to add personal words of appreciation as you depart or during the week ahead.  May you enjoy this time of sharing anew in Christ's birth! Adult Education News… “Book of Acts Series”—Thursdays at 10:00 AM. All are welcome! ”Jesus I never Knew Series” (A Multi-media study) by Phillip Yancey at 6:30 PM.  The cost of the book is $15.00 and currently available in Pastor Jay's office.  (Please note that we have one large print copy.) -- This study welcomes all persons, even those who can not join the group until after Christmas due to their schedules. ”How to be a Contagious Christian Series”—A Multi-media approach to discipleship will begin Tuesday, January 4th at 6:30 PM. Disciples II-An In-depth look at scripture will begin Thursday, January 6, at 7:00 PM.—Watch for further details. Postal Box is Here! A reminder: two more weeks to deposit your Christmas cards for church friends in the hallway Postal Box! Sunday's at 7:00 PM *Sundays 7:00 -- An informal, yet creative, time to worship has been celebrated in recent weeks!  Our theme is "The Journey of Birth."  Tonight, our Advent evening worship will be led  by the youth.  Please be reminded that our celebration will begin with a covered dish supper (bring a favorite casserole, dessert, etc.) at 5:45 PM.  As an additional feature on December 19th, our youth are hosting "Christmas Caroling" in the community at 4:45 PM.  Join us! “O Holy Night” Christmas Eve Worship Gettysburg U.M. Church *6:30 PM-Informal Family Candlelight Service *10:00 PM-Traditional Candlelight Service with Holy Communion Candle Fundraiser…Supports Karsen’s Trip Our own, Karsen Donati-Leach, has been selected to be an Ambassador for the People to People organization for 2005. He will be traveling to England and France this summer. In an effort to raise the funds for this educational trip, he will be having a fundraising project before and after church on November 28th. He will be selling wonderfully scented candles from The Candle Man, a local company in Camp Hill. He will be set up in the hall outside the sanctuary if anyone’s interested. The candles will be delivered approximately the week of December 5th, and make a wonderful gift for the Advent-Christmas season. The candles are reasonably priced and are comparable to Yankee Candles. Thank you in advance for helping us in this endeavor. Terri Donati, Brian Leach, and Karsen Donati-Leach. Live Nativity…Methodists Together...Dec. 17th & 18th It's settled!  Our Live Nativity for December 17th & 18th at 6:30 PM and 7:30 PM has found a location... in our own backyard.  It will be at the home of St. Paul AME Zion Church on the corner of Washington and Breckenridge Sts.  What's even better is that this will be a "mutual ministry" of the two congregations.  How pleased we are!  Here's how it will work: Enlisting characters: For today, our enlistment is closed.  Currently, the St. Paul's congregation is enlisting persons.  (They have indicated that Saturday night is their best available time.)  When their recruiting is finished, we will "finish it up" from the GUMC side. Written Notification of Details: Some "heads up" information has gone out to enlisted persons.  However, more is to come.   Watch your mail... Tuesday! Nights of Nativity:  Two presentations will take place.. 6:30 and 7:30 PM.  Each goes about 25-30 minutes.  In between the two, cookies and hot chocolate, etc. will be available... Outside and Inside (lower level) of the AME Church.  We are currently seeking to close Breckenridge for this time period. Needed: Cookies, Hot chocolate, cups, napkins -- Anything you would like to contribute in this respect.  Please see hallway "Poster Sign-up." Persons to host the refreshment table/area.  See the sign-up sheet! Greeters: Folks who will "move about" welcoming people to the Nativity.  See sign-up sheet! Traffic Control: Persons to assist with parking/pedestrian traffic/etc.  See the sign-up sheet! Clean-Up: After Christmas, we will remove the barn/etc. See Pastor Jay! Christmas Caroling…December 19…Join us… Get your coat and gloves, and a hat, if you like! We are going Christmas Caroling on Sunday afternoon, December 19th at 4:45 PM.—This great music ministry is open to the entire congregation. In fact, invite a friend!—We will leave the church around 4:45 PM. Our “caroling journey” will take us nearby—throughout the town. At 6:15 PM we will return for dinner and the evening of Advent service to follow in the sanctuary at 7:00 PM. Our ministry sponsor is the Youth Fellowship! Let’s get out and support these young people, and also our neighbors and friends! Mission Outreach in Our Area Adams Rescue Mission Is In Need During this Christmas season, we encourage you to enjoy the “spirit of giving” by donating canned foods and non-perishable food items to those less fortunate in your own community. All collected items will go to the Adams Rescue Mission to assist in feeding the needy and homeless. If you would like to contribute, please bring your donations back to our church by December 12, 2004. For more information on how you can help, please call 334-7502. Thank you for supporting Adams Rescue Mission! Church Leaders…Mark January 22nd on Your Calendar The “Lay Leadership Gathering” of the Chambersburg District is well grounded. It’s a January ministry that brings people together from far and wide.—Why?—Because it’s one of those events that stirs people to new avenues of discipleship, and provides a bag full of tools in the process. In short, it’s a training day filled with lots of inspiration!—Here are the details: Location—St. Paul’s UMC in Chambersburg, at 8AM until 12:30 PM. The cost is $5.00 per person. The registration deadline is January 14, 2005. “Mission Can” Benefits… November is quickly coming to a close, and with it, please be reminded that our Mission Can emphasis for November has been the “Holiday Family Outreach.” It is a program that provides holiday support for Adams County Residents. To date, we have received $110.24! Thank you for your support! In December, our mission can gifts will go to Karsen Donati-Leach, a youth in our congregation, who has been selected to be an ambassador for the People to People organization in 2005. Karsen will be traveling to France and England during this coming summer. Your monetary support will help to make this trip possible. Thank you! Donated Food…A Continuing Need When you do your holiday grocery shopping, why not buy two of a particular item, (ie. Pasta, can of soups, cereal, etc). Bring these items to church and donate them to the Food Pantry Box in the church library. Carty and Bob Bates deliver our donation to the local Food Pantry which helps people in our community who have special needs. Your support this time of the year is particularly appreciated! Thank you for your gifts…past, present, and future! United Methodist Women Breakfast Bunch Continues… Come one! Come all! Our “Breakfast Bunch” gathering for children will be continuing.—As many know, over the recent weeks of the “40 Days,” the children have been gathering for breakfast each Sunday morning. What a good time this has been! Thus, we are going to keep it in place! Please note, however, that the breakfast will begin 15 minutes later at 8:45 AM. See you on Sunday! Monastic Visit The monastery at Mt. Savior is a community of monks striving to live according to the Scriptures and the Rule of St. Benedict. They are committed to honor and glorify God through the harmonious balance of prayer, work, study, and hospitality. Taste the beauty and serenity of the monastic life, if only for a little while. Spaces are limited, and the cost is $100.00. For more details, call 717-240-0678. Christmas Day Is On It’s Way! Every year, the Neighborhood Center of the United Methodist Church provides Christmas gifts to at-risk children and low-income families in the Harrisburg area. Last year, the Center provided gifts to more than 300 children. The Center is accepting donations of unwrapped toys, gift certificates, videos, bay items and/or clothing to distribute this holiday season. Donated items can either be sent or dropped off at the Center, 1801 North Third Street, Harrisburg, between the hours of 7:30 AM and 8:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Arrangements can be made for Saturday deliveries. For more information, please call the Center at 717-233-6541. January Newsletter Articles The Holidays are approaching rapidly, and accordingly, our office is thinking about the newsletter schedule that relates to January. Please be reminded that the January Newsletter will feature a simple listing of January information verses detailed articles. This information is due December 28th at 9:00 AM. Thank you for your participation. Advent and Christmas Horizon Looking into December? Now is the time to mark your calendar with the many wonderful ministries of Advent and Christmas.  While our December “Vision” Newsletter will highlight them all, here is a brief listing of what is on the horizon: Journey into Bethlehem (December 19th) Advent Sunday Evening Services at 7:00 PM will begin this season with a light meal at 5:45 PM in the fellowship hall. Christmas Music and first person portrayals of the Nativity characters will highlight our time together A live outdoor Nativity is currently in “preparation” for December 17th and 18th. Plan now to come to our “Congregational Christmas Dinner” (No cost) hosted by the Staff Parish Relations Committee, and Jay and Linda Zimmerman on Thursday, December 16th. Christmas Eve Service will be celebrated at 6:30 PM (family service) and 10:00 PM (Traditional Candle light). GETTYSBURG UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SHUT-INS Members in Nursing Homes “Send a Christmas Greeting to These Special Folks” Lutheran Retirement Village 1075 Old Harrisburg Road  Thelma Coulson Marie Dymott May Pennell Catherine Funt Kermit Carlson Green Acres 595 Biglerville Road Kathleen Green Marie Clabaugh David Clapsaddle Charles Polley Sally (Irene) Keefer Members at Home Evelyn Price - 1770 Barley Road #605, York, PA 17401 Sherman Roe - 341 E. York Street, Biglerville, PA 17307 Louise Smyth - 2050 Barley Road, York, PA 17404 Vernon Henry - 11644 Hanover Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325 Bessie and Allen Slonaker - 1365 York Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325 Jesse Clapsaddle - 55 Herr’s Ridge Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325 Mrs. Maurice Shindledecker – 28 Jacobs Road, Hanover, PA 17331 Missy Legay - 2050 Barley Road, York, PA 17401 *If you know of other such persons, please contact our church office (334-3032), so that we may add them to our list. Thank you! Save Your Labels and Help a Preschool GUMC is now participating in Campbell’s Labels for Education Program, so all Campbell’s products labels should be saved. By doing so, for each label we send in, a donation ins made towards helping one of the Methodists Church’s preschool. For more information on how you can make a difference, see Faye Krantz and stop by the table in front of the office. Expanding Our Children’s Ministry We haven’t been, but we should be…providing childcare during the 9:15 AM Sunday School hour. Why? Quit simple! By doing so, our younger parents can come and share together in a small group setting that can be significant in their Christian ministry.—We need your help! We are looking for persons who would be willing to offer their love and care for Nursery age children at the 9:15 AM hour particularly, but also the 10:30 AM hour, as Tammy Lytle (the nursery coordinator for the 10:30 AM hour) is always looking for assistance. Please inquire in our office and/or sign-up on the bulletin board just outside the church office! Thank you!

ATTENTION KENNIE'S SHOPPERS!  If you are a frequent shopper at any Kennie's Market location and you'd be willing to designate Big Brothers Big Sisters of Adams County for the Community Treasures program, please contact Laura Geesaman at 334-1138 or landt@pa.net

Regular and large print Bibles are available at the back of the church for your use. We invite you to use one to follow along in the reading of today's scripture.

PEW ENVELOPES! You may have noticed the pew envelopes and on top of the mission can. These envelopes are to be used for donations to the church that are not covered by your regular envelopes. Some examples are mission can donations, special collections, special service offerings, etc. If the envelopes are used, we will be able to add that record to your giving statement. Please be sure to put your envelope number and/or name on the envelope so we know to which account it should be recorded. If you have any questions, please see Fred Myers or Connie Thompson.

Tape Ministry - Do you know a shut-in who would like to hear the word of God through our service on Sunday mornings? Or perhaps you didn’t get to church on Sunday and wanted to hear the message. The Tape Ministry in our church was established for these very reasons—to bring the word of God to everyone. It brings our church closer to those who are not able to attend. There is no charge for the ministry. You may keep the tape or if you would like, you can return them so we may use them again. God’s word and God’s gift are here for you! To request a tape, contact Edgar and Charlotte Moore at 334-1716, Dave Schmidt at 334-4325, or call the church office at 334-3032.

REMINDER: Please remember to call or e-mail the office by Tuesday prior to the Sunday you are sponsoring bulletins or altar flowers. Phone or mail reminders are no longer being issued - that information is now part of the newsletter. All announcements to be placed in the Weekly Vision must also be in the office by Tuesday. Thank you.

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