Wheatland's Wit & Wisdom

Transcription

1 Wheatland's Wit & Wisdom JANUARY 2015 JOYOUS CHRISTMAS MUSIC Joyous Christmas Music Pastor Pete s Ponderings December Giving and Attendance The Churches Great Epiphany Calendar Planning January Sermons United Methodist Women I Believe In Healing Carter Choir Christmas Party Calendar

2 Wheatland's Wit & Wisdom Page 2 PASTOR PETE S PONDERING We had a good discussion during worship on Sun. Dec. 28 about the role of Simeon and Anna in Luke 2. Simeon and Anna, you may recall, were the two older people who met Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus in the Temple when He was eight days old. They not only welcomed the young family, but they also saw who the baby was and knew He was the savior of the world. They rejoiced with the young family. Who are the Simeons and Annas in our congregation? Or in our world? There are many! And you don't necessarily need to be old to be a Simeon or an Anna.

3 Wheatland's Wit & Wisdom Page 3 Brenda Stewart pointed out that we become Simeons and Annas when we place our lives in the hands of the Lord and become committed to seeing the salvation of the world. When we do that, God allows us to see all the more clearly His purposes for us. For Simeon and Anna, their biggest purpose was to hold a tiny baby in their arms and bless Him. There may be no higher calling for you and me to do the same. Pastor Pete DECEMBER ATTENDANCE AND GIVING Attendance Giving November $1,456 December 7 59 $5,008 December $1,244 December 2 82 $6.260 December $17,642 THE CHURCH'S GREAT EPIPHANY "I've had an epiphany!" We hear this phrase a good bit these days. Sometimes it's when our favorite company realizes that there is a better way to make their product. Sometimes, we use the word when we find a solution to a problem. Other times it describes the next bright idea. Epiphany is a special time of the year when we, as the church, realize the next bright idea. Epiphany is celebrated on January 6. It's this time every year that those last few guests show up to the Christmas party. You know, those guys from a different place. The ones who show up just as we are taking the nativity set down and packing up the tree. Yes, I am talking about the wise men. So what is the bright idea that their arrival marks? Maybe the best place to start is with the word epiphany itself. The Oxford English Dictionary defines epiphany as,"a manifestation or appearance of some divine or superhuman being." It comes from a Greek word meaning, "manifestation [or] divine appearance." This Holy Day (and

4 Wheatland s & Wisdom Page 4 season) celebrate both the appearance of Jesus and his first appearance to the Gentiles. The earliest known celebrations of the birth of Jesus took place on January 6 (in the Eastern church this is when they celebrate Christmas). For some denominations, this season of manifestation lasts until Lent. While the United Methodist Church celebrates the arrival of the wise men on Epiphany, we return to "ordinary time" without a "central theme" as we trace the life of Jesus from the arrival of those guests until Ash Wednesday. This year during the "Season After Epiphany," the music our choir presents will follow the idea of the manifestation of Jesus as a human. One of the most widely used Scripture passages this time of the year is Philippians 2:1-11. On January 25, the choir will present an anthem built on this text as we remember how Jesus emptied himself in obedience to God. So what's the bright idea? Like Jesus, we too can empty ourselves and humbly follow wherever God may lead. Like Jesus, we can lovingly welcome everyone who comes to worship at the manger. That's the beauty of Epiphany, God came to be among us so that we could become more like God. Choir Schedule for January 2015 January 11: Choir Rehearsal 11:45 am January 18: Choir Rehearsal 11:45 am January 25: Choir Rehearsal 9:30 am; Worship 10:30 am SUPER BOWL SATURDAY: CALENDAR PLANNING Come join us at noon Sat. Jan. 31 for Super Bowl Saturday! We will have lunch together and work on plans for Wheatland's calendar for Come join us! It will be fun!

5 Wheatland's Wit & Wisdom Page 5 JANUARY SERMON TITLES January 4 January 11 January 18 January 25 True Worship Receive the Holy Spirit Human Relations Day Guest Speaker WHEATLAND UNITED METHODIST WOMEN We had a great December 13th meeting which included the fellows from the Men's Group. We were blessed with about 25 folks present. Pastor Pete used the opportunity to install the men's officers for next year. We had lots of fun playing the game led by Nancy Wright that determined the gift that we were to keep. Thanks to the women attending we collected new earrings to be carried to the Genesis House by Kathy Priester to brighten those ladies' Christmas. In January we look forward to the installation of our women's officers for Some good programs are being planned and we hope you will take the opportunity to join us on the second Saturday of each month (except we do not meet in June, July and August) at 10:30 AM. A light lunch is provided after our meeting. I BELIEVE IN HEALING TOPIC OF 8-WEEK STUDY The I Believe Class will be taking up a special 8-week study starting Jan. 4 called "I Believe in Healing." Pastor Pete teaches the class underneath the balcony in the Sanctuary on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. Come join the study as we explore God's plan for our complete healing. CARTER HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR

6 Wheatland's Wit & Wisdom Page 6 WHEATLAND CHRISTMAS PARTY

7 Wheatland United Methodist Church W Wheatland United Methodist Church the country church in the city strives to be a welcoming congregation worshipping God together; increasing in faith and discipleship through prayer, Bible study and fellowship; caring for one another; and reaching out to the community and the world. We're on the Web! See us at: WHEATLAND UNITED METHODIST JANUARY, S HAMPTON RD DALLAS, TX 75232

8 JANUARY, 2015 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 HAPPY NEW YEAR COMMUNION SUNDAY Adult Bible Study 9:00 am Women s Bible Study 9:30 Sunday School 9:30 am Worship 10:30 am Property Mgmt Team 11: :10 Bible Study 7 Sunshine Fellowship 10:00 Wheatlandettes 6:45 pm Route 66 7:00 pm Millie Scales Birthday Methodist Men Cottage 9:30 Methodist Women Fellowship Hall 10:30 11 Adult Bible Study 9:00 Sunday School 9:30 am Women s Bible Study 9:30 Worship 10:30 am with Gene Hudson, Ryan Landtroop and Laura Foreman Birthdays 12 Zelma Huffstutler s Birthday 13 10:10 Bible Study 14 Wheatlandettes 6:45 pm Route 66 7:00 pm 15 Kelsi Bullard s Birthday Adult Bible Study 9:00 am Sunday School 9:30 am Women s Bible Study 9:30 Worship 10:30 am :10 Bible Study 21 Wheatlandettes 6:45 pm Route 66 7:00 pm Victorene Green s Birthday Marie Libby s Birthday Chlesea Beiser s Birthday Ann Powell s Birthday 25 Adult Bible Study 9:00 am Sunday School 9:30 am Women s Bible Study 9:30 Worship 10:30 am Fellowship Lunch 11: :10 Bible Study Donna West s Birthday 28 Wheatlandettes 6:45 pm Route 66 7:00 pm