Little Hill United Methodist Church1

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THE BEACON

LITTLE HILL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Mailing address: P.O. Box 56 Sewickley, PA 15143

Located at 2350 Magee Rd. Ext. in Franklin Park

Church: 412-741-4920 www.littlehill.org

Bruce E. Stollings, Pastor

stollin761@yahoo.com 412-952-4457

“But Mary treasured all these words

and pondered them in her heart” Luke 2:19 NRSV

Artwork by Annie Vollotton, from the Good News Bible

Pastor’s Ponderings December 2008

Luci Shaw’s poem “It is as if infancy were the whole of incarnation” challenges us to open ourselves to what Jesus really does for us with his birth, and beyond it.

Grace and Peace,

One time of the year

the new-born child

is everywhere,

placed in madonnas’ arms

hay mows, stables,

in palaces or farms,

or quaintly, under snowed gables,

gothic angular or baroque plump,

naked or elaborately swathed,

encircled by Della Robbia wreaths,

garnished with whimsical

partridges and pears,

drummers and drums,

lit by oversize stars,

partnered with lambs,

peace doves, sugar plums,

bells, plastic camels in sets of three

as if these were what we need for eternity.

But Jesus the Man is not to be seen.

We are too wary, these days,

of beards and sandalled feet.

Yet if we celebrate, let it be

that He

has invaded our lives with purpose,

striding over our picturesque traditions,

our shallow sentiment,

overturning our cash registers,

wielding His peace like a sword,

rescuing us into reality,

demanding much more

than the milk and the softness

and the mother warmth

of the baby in the storefront crèche,

(only the Man would ask

all, of each of us)

reaching out

always, urgently, with strong

effective love

(only the Man would give

His life and live

again for love of us).

Oh, come, let us adore Him—

Christ—the Lord.

Sanctuary Decoration for Advent and Christmas Friday November 28

Our Advent and Christmas Sanctuary Decoration will be Friday, November 28, at 7 PM.. The Sanctuary always looks so beautiful for this season, and it doesn’t happen by accident. Come on out and join in!

All Invited to Eat & Park Breakfast Gathering Tuesday December 2

The famous Breakfast Buffet—or whatever else you want—beckons on Tuesday December 2, beginning at 10 AM, as we gather to enjoy one another’s company early in the Christmas season. The Women in Mission invite everyone to join them in this time of fellowship.

Holy Communion December 7 and 24 will be Sung with Christmas Tunes

“God With Us: a carol setting for Holy Communion” will be our guide for singing our Communion on both Sunday, December 7, and on Christmas Eve. The prayers (including the Lord’s Prayer) and liturgy for sharing in communion will be sung to the tunes of “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear,” and “Angels We Have Heard on High”.

Worship on Christmas Eve will be at 7:30 PM, and will include the tradition of candlelighting.

Keengers on December 9 will be Christmas Luncheon and Singing

The Keengers gathering on Tuesday December 9 will be the annual Christmas Luncheon, at noon. Following the meal will be a Christmas Song Sing-Along with pianist Lois Yehle. Come on out and join in!

“Birthday Party for Jesus” and Caroling Sunday, December 21

Following the 11 AM worship on Sunday, December 21 we will hold a Birthday Party for Jesus—after all, we are celebrating his birthday on December 25. All are invited—more details to come. And following that, we will be delivering Christmas goodies to our shut-ins, and caroling to them. Then beginning at 5 PM will be our Fellowship Meal before the evening Alternative Worship. So be prepared to plug into the celebration and fellowship and joy of this day in any number of ways!

Thanks for Your Generosity in these Seasons of Giving

Thanks to all who helped in October and November with giving gifts to our soldiers in Afghanistan—delivered by Eugene Gilmore—and giving hats and gloves and scarves to 30 men displaced with Mayview’s closing—channeled through Rev. Kathy Clark. Your generosity is truly in the spirit of Thanksgiving for our blessings, and of this season where we celebrate God’s self-giving to us!

Bible Study on Wednesdays at 2 PM will be Advent Study in December

The Wednesday Bible Study, which meets at 2 PM, in the Library at Little Hill, will be an Advent Study beginning in December, using the Bible (of course) and James Moore’s book What Do You Want for Christmas? Please feel free to join in!

Bible Reading Plan—The Home Stretch!

One month is left in our church-wide “Through the Bible Reading Plan”.In addition to those passages, found below on the left, is a series of Scriptures that tell a fuller story of Christmas. It begins Friday November 28—the day after Thanksgiving—and concludes on Epiphany, January 6. Pastor Bruce’s sermons for Advent and Christmas will be based on these passages in bold print—and the Christmas hymns that the titles come from.

THE SCRIPTURES IN DECEMBER

Through the Bible Reading Plan The Christmas Story

Fri. Nov. 28 Matthew 28; 1 Thessalonians. 1-3 Jeremiah 33:14-26

Sat. Nov 29 1 Thessalonians 4, 5; 2 Thessalonians 1-3 Luke 1:57-79

Sun Nov. 30 Romans 1-4 Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 2:1-7

Mon. Dec 1 Romans 5-8 Matthew 2:1-8

Tue. Dec. 2 Romans 9-12 John 7:37-44

Wed. Dec 3 Romans 13-16 2 Samuel 7:1-11

Thu. Dec 4 Ephesians 1-4 Psalm 23

Fri. Dec. 5 Ephesians 5, 6; Psalm 119:1-80 Psalm 80:1-7

Sat. Dec. 6 Philippians 1-4 John 10:1-18

Sun. Dec. 7 Colossians 1-4 Isaiah 40:1-11; Luke 2:8-14

Mon. Dec. 8 1 Timothy 1-4 Psalm 95

Tue. Dec. 9 1 Timothy 5, 6; Titus 1-3 Ezekiel 34:11-31

Wed. Dec. 10 2 Timothy 1-4 Ezekiel 37:15-28

Thu. Dec. 11 Philemon; Hebrews 1-4 Isaiah 61:1-11

Fri. Dec. 12 Hebrews 5-8 Psalm 148

Sat. Dec. 13 Hebrews 9-11 Psalm 85

Sun. Dec. 14 Hebrews 12, 13; Jude Isaiah 2:1-5; Luke 2:8-14

Mon. Dec. 15 James 1-5 Matthew 1:18-25

Tue. Dec. 16 2 Corinthians 3-6 Luke 1:26-38

Wed. Dec. 17 2 Corinthians 7-10 Luke 1:46-55

Thu. Dec. 18 John 2-4 Isaiah 12:1-6

Fri. Dec. 19 John 5, 6 Isaiah 61:10-62:3

Sat. Dec. 20 John 7, 8 Psalm 89

Sun. Dec. 21 John 9-11 Isaiah 11:1-10; Luke 2:1-20

Mon. Dec. 22 John 12-14 1 Samuel 2:1-11

Tue. Dec. 23 John 15-18 Isaiah 7:10-16

Wed. Dec. 24 John 19-21 Luke 2:1-20

Thu. Dec. 25 1 John 1-5 John 1:1-18

Fri. Dec. 26 Psalm 117,119:81-176; 2 John; 3 John Philippians 2:1-11

Sat. Dec. 27 Revelation 1-4 Luke 2:22-40

Sun. Dec. 28 Revelation 5-9 Psalm 98:4-9

Mon. Dec. 29 Revelation 10-14 Psalm 111

Tue. Dec. 30 Revelation 15-18 Ephesians 1:3-14

Wed. Dec. 31 Revelation 19-22 Colossians 1:15-23

Thu. Jan. 1 1 John:2-7

Sat. Jan. 3 Isaiah 51:1-8

Sun. Jan. 4 Matthew 2:1-12

Mon. Jan. 5 Psalm 72

Tue. Jan. 6 Isaiah 60:1-6

Alternative Worship and Community Dinner Continue

The Alternative Worship Service and Community Dinner continue.

The Community Dinner continues running, beginning at 5 PM, $5 per person, $12 for a household of three or more, and children ages 12 and under are $3. Chef Lance Harris returned on Sunday November 16, and Terrie Pluechel and the Fellowship Committee continue to provide beverages and desserts. We are looking to have the dinners wrap up by 6:15 PM (instead of 6:30) so that those who help with cleanup can actually be finished and participate in the worship!

The Worship continues to folk who have schedule conflicts with the 11 AM Sunday morning worship hour. The Praise Band continues to provide the music for all to sing, with the same Scripture and (basically the same) sermon as the 11 AM worship. Holy Communion is celebrated the first Sunday of each month, and the same mission projects are supported.

All are welcome—and even if you attend the 11 AM worship, you can still attend the dinner!

WORSHIP AT LITTLE HILL December 2008

DATE SERMON / WORSHIP EVENT 11 AM Greeters 11 Am Ushers

Nov. 30

11 AM “O Little Town of Bethlehem”

& Micah 5:2-5a

6:45 PM Luke 2:1-7

First Sunday of Advent

Mary Karp

Justin Causey

Terry Causey

Dec.

11 AM “While Shepherds Watched

& Their Flocks”

6:45 PM Isaiah 40:1-11

Luke 2:8-14

Second Sunday of Advent Communion

Hazel Cottage

John Eakin

Jerry Schuring

Dec.

11 AM “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear”

& Isaiah 2:1-5

6:45 PM Luke 2:8-14

Third Sunday of Advent

Bertha & George Kriever

Bertha & George

Kriever

Dec.

11 AM “What Child Is This”

& Isaiah 11:1-10

6:45 PM Luke 2:1-20

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Doris Ellis

Johnathan

Gilmore

Lisa Gilmore

Dec.

7:30 PM “In the Bleak Midwinter”

Isaiah 9:2-7

Luke 2:1-20

Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion

Lisa Gilmore

John Eakin

Sabrina Eakin

Dec.

11 AM “Joy to The World”

& Psalm 98:4-9

6:45 PM

First Sunday after Christmas

Mary Karp

Justin Causey Terry Causey

Jan.

11 AM “We Three Kings”

& Isaiah 60:1-6

6:45 PM Matthew 2:1-12

Epiphany Sunday Communion

CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR DECEMBER 2008

Friday, November 28

7 PM Sanctuary Decoration for Advent & Christmas

Sunday, November 30

First Sunday of Advent

9:45 AM Adult Sunday School

11 AM Worship, Children’s Sunday School

5 – 6:15 PM Community Dinner

6:45 PM Alternative Worship

Tuesday, December 2

10 AM Breakfast at Eat & Park

Rt. 910 in Wexford