The Weekly Vision

Attendance

Hospitalizations Marcus Humphrey, Recently Discharged from Gettysburg Hospital George Wetmore, Gettysburg Hospital   Prayer Concerns for this Week Our prayers this week include: Arlene Lawyer (sister of Ruth Anna Polley) Lloyd Hawbecker, Chuck Phillips, Doris Deaner, Bob Dillman, Robert and Ida Smith, Margaret LeGay, Jeff Persell, Sara Rose Wickham, Michael Robinson, and Kelly Baldwin, John McKenna, Marie Claybaugh, Joyce Richmond, Thomas Heflin, Bill Ryder, Mike Orleski, Delphine Seifrit, Martha O’Bryant, and 5 unspoken requests. Pastoral prayers this week for those whose last name begins with these letters: January 1—A.   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. *Sympathy is extended to Jon and Carol Muller, on the recent death of Jon’s Aunt, Marie Dymott, a resident at the Lutheran Home. Funeral services will be held on Monday, Dec. 27th a t the Monahan Funeral Home. *Sympathy is expressed to Jean Simpson and family on the recent death of Jean’s sister. *Sympathy is also expressed to Carty Bates and family on the recent death of Carty’s sister.

Mind, Heart, Spirit-Stretching For the New Year… Please be reminded that, while the week between Christmas and New Year may be “slow” on the church calendar, our New Year is bringing many opportunities for new growth experiences! Here’s a sense of what is on the New Year Horizon: Mondays: On January 3rd, we will jump back into our consideration of Philip Yancey’s book, The Jesus I Never Knew, particularly Chapter 3.-Since we are not too far into this book/video series, newcomers are welcome. The book is available at a cost of $15.00 in both regular and large print. For your copy, please contact the church office at 334-3032. Tuesdays: The coming of Epiphany, the season of “light and proclamation,” invites us to “Christian witness.” Knowing that such a testimony of faith is not without its challenges and opportunities, Pastor Jay will be offering a 6/7 week class on “How to be a Contagious Christian.” This meaningful video series has been successfully used in Christian congregations… everywhere! Please join us on Tuesday, January 4th, at 6:30 PM for our first gathering. No cost is involved. Thursdays: at 10:00 AM each Thursday, a faithful group gathers in the “conference room” to consider God’s Holy Word. Currently, the class is focusing on the final chapters of Acts, particularly starting with Chapter 21. Join us on Jan. 6th! Thursdays: Also on January 6th, at 7:00 PM, we will begin Disciple II, the internationally acclaimed Bible Study by Cokesbury. This 32 week series is open to any and all, including those who did not take Disciple I. The cost is $30 for the materials. Our aspiration is that the study notebooks will be here by next Sunday, January 6th. Join us! 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 “Mission Can” Benefits… Karsen Donati-Leach  In recent weeks, our December mission can gifts have gone 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 continued monetary support will help to make this trip possible. Thank you! END of YEAR NEWS! The end of 2004 is fast approaching and we will soon be thinking about taxes. All donations (for any reason) that you wish to reflect on your 2004 GUMC giving statement must be in the office for deposit by December 29. All donations received after that date will be reflected on the 2005 statement. As always, we are grateful for your generous giving during this Joyous Christmas season as well as throughout the year. Offering envelopes have been mailed for 2005, if you do not receive your box by January 1st please contact the office for a replacement. 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.   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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