Darkness to Light - Isle of Hope United Methodist Church

NEWSLETTER
EVENTS*
December 2015
* A complete calendar of all Isle of Hope UMC events can be found online at www.iohumc.com.
Traditional Worship
8:45 & 11:15 AM
SUNDAY
29
Churchwide
Advent
Celebration 5 p.m.
Non-Traditional Worship
11:15 AM
Sunday School
10:00 AM
6
MONDAY
TUESDAY
1
30
7
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
2
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
3
4
5
Friends 'n Needles
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
8
9
10
11
12
Adult Ministries
Christmas
Luncheon
Isle of Hope UMC
412 Parkersburg Road
Savannah, GA 31406
www.iohumc.com
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
Christmas Cantata
Christmas Cantata
at Savannah
Baptist Center
Office Hours
27
No Sunday School
Combined Service
in Sanctuary 10 a.m.
28
29
30
Christmas Eve
Services
Traditional
3/5/7 p.m.
Anchor 5 p.m.
31
Christmas
Gt
Vol. V • Dec. 2015
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2
Glad Tidings
A M O N T H LY N E W S L E T T E R O F I S L E O F H O P E U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U R C H
I s l e o f H o p e
United Methodist Church
412 Parkersburg Road, Savannah, GA 31406
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Christmas Nativity
Pageant
6 p.m.
Glad Tidings (USPS-706-200) Published Monthly By the isle of Hope United
methodist church, 412 parkersburg road, savannah, GA 31406. periodical
postage paid in savannah, Georgia. postmaster: send change of address to
glad tidings, 412 parkersburg road, savannah, GA 31406.
Monday-Thursday:
8am-5pm
Friday: 8am-3pm
tele: 912.355.8527
fax: 912.355.9113
Darkness
to Light
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not
overcome it.” - John 1:4-5
On August 5, 2010 the attention of
the world shifted to a small hole in
the ground near the city of Copiapo,
in the Atacama region of northern
Chile. The main ramp leading into
the 121 year old San Jose coppergold mine collapsed, leaving 33 men
trapped 2,300 feet underground. A
550-foot, 770,000-ton slab of rock
blocked the main exit ramp. A movie
called The 33 recently came out about
the event.
At the time of the accident, few believed
the miners could survive the ordeal.
During the long nightmare, family and
friends of the trapped miners gathered
for prayer, for encouragement and to
share news at a place near the mine
called, “Camp Hope.” It took 69 days
and $20 million dollars, but the men
were finally rescued from their dark
entombment.
When Victor Seovia emerged from
the darkness of the mine, Chilean
President Sebastian Pinera greeted
him with these words, "Bienvenido a la
vida,” meaning "Welcome to life!"
Continued on page 2…
Celebration of Missions
Children's Nativity
Discipleship Opportunities
P1-2
Congregational Care
Home Groups
Missions
P3-4
Baptisms
Music
Financial Seminar
New Members
Hospitality
Core Connections
P5
P6
connect, equip
Darkness to Light
Continued from page 1
What an awesome way to greet
someone who has made the transition
from darkness to light.
This Advent/Christmas we are going to
be focusing on this very thing- darkness
to light. In John’s Gospel we hear the
Christmas story told using this kind of
language. There are no shepherds, no
sheep, no angels over Bethlehem skies,
no wisemen, no star.
John launches his telling of the coming
of Jesus, this way, “In the beginning
was the Word, and the Word was with
God, and the Word was God. He was
with God in the beginning. Through
him all things were made; without him
nothing was made that has been made.
In him was life, and that life was the
light of all mankind. The light shines
in the darkness, and the darkness has
not overcome it.” - John 1:1-5
The Light shines in the darkness. That
may seem simple, but that is how John
introduces us to Christmas. Actually, it
is really good news, especially for those
who feel trapped by circumstances, or
stuck in the pit of fear. There’s light for
those who feel helpless, overwhelmed,
hopeless, suffocating in the dark, when
it seems there is no way out, and no way
through.
The Chilean miners spent 17 days in
the darkness with no contact from
the outside world. They didn’t know if
anyone was searching for them. It was
on day 17 that a drill bit pierced the
wall where they were huddled together.
As Larry Getlin of the New York Post
put it, “After 17 days of hell, the men
finally had hope.”
Christmas is the story of a God who
penetrated the darkness of this world,
and through the power of sacrificial
grace and love, as Colossians 1:13
says, “rescued us from the dominion
of darkness and brought us into the
kingdom of the Son he loves.”
One of my favorite family Christmas
decorations is a manger with figurines
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that Cindy made when we served
our first church in Rocky Ford. Mrs.
Francis Williams lived next door to us
and she had a pottery workshop and
a kiln. She taught Cindy how to make
the figures and fire them in the kiln. It
was so exciting the first Christmas we
put it up. I cut out a cardboard manger,
wrapped it in burlap, and rigged up a
Christmas light bulb to go on top of the
inside of the manger.
The first night we had it up, I forgot
to unscrew the small bulb. I woke up
around three or so in the morning, and
as I walked down the hall to get some
water from the kitchen, I could tell
light was coming from somewhere. I
followed the direction of the light and
it led me right to the manger.
Looking in on the scene, the brightness
was focused on Jesus lying in the
manger. It was one of those powerful
moments when the reality of who
God is, and what God has done for
us, just overwhelmed me. The faces
and circumstances of some in our
family, and some in our church family,
immediately came to mind. Some had
lost their health. Some had lost a loved
one. Some were facing surgery and
economic hardship.
There in the silence of the room, I
could feel the darkness rise. Then I
remembered a verse of scripture I had
read in a devotional. 2 Corinthians
4:6 says, “For God, who said, ‘Let
light shine out of darkness,’ made his
light shine in our hearts to give us
the light of the knowledge of God’s
glory displayed in the face of Christ.” I
prayed. I thanked God for a hope that
overcomes our fears. I cried. I felt his
light shine in my heart. I hummed,
not too loud because Cindy and the
kids were sleeping, O Little Town of
Bethlehem. One line came to mean a
pray, serve
great deal in that moment, and has
many times since:
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the
everlasting light.
The hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.
May this Christmas, we share the Light
of Life with everyone we meet. And as
a church, whenever anyone chooses to
step out of darkness in to the Light,
may we always say, “Welcome to life.”
By the way, I went back to bed and left
the light on.
Merry Christmas,
Mike
You are Invited!
A Celebration of Missions:
Honoring Julie Vann
Wednesday, January 6th
at 6 p.m.
On Wednesday, January 6, at 6:00
p.m. during our Wendesday Night
Supper, we will have a celebration
of missions honoring Julie
Vann's leadership and ministry
as Director of Missions at Isle of
Hope UMC. We will celebrate her
work and the profound growth of
our missions ministry during her
tenure at our church.
When the date draws closer, you
may RSVP by signing up as you
would for a regular Wednesday
Night Supper. For now, please
mark your calendars.
FRIENDS 'N NEEDLES
The December meeting will be on Thursday, December 3 from 11 a.m.
until about 2 p.m. with our usual lunch in the Seekers Sunday School
room at the church. We’ll be reorganizing after the fashion show and
organizing for Christmas.
This year we have had the blessing
of celebrating the sacrament of
baptism for 34 beautiful babies and
children! What an amazing privilege
and an awesome responsibility God
has blessed us with. At right are the
three most recent baptisms.
MUSIC
Christmas Lunch and Cantata at Savannah
Baptist Center
The Chancel Choir is preparing a service of special Christmas music
for worship on Sunday, December 13. We will present a cantata by
Mary McDonald, Darkness into Light, with a chamber orchestra of
strings, winds, and piano. Arts from the Island will sponsor another
presentation of the cantata on Monday, December 14, at the Savannah
Baptist Center’s annual Christmas lunch for the homeless.
I am amazed by the way God speaks through the creative gifts of
people. Certain composers attract and hold my attention not because
they impress me but because I sense their desire to collaborate with
God and let him make the impression. Mary McDonald is one of
these composers. The songs in Darkness into Light flow from the
CROWN FINANCIAL
SEMINAR: Journey to
Financial Freedom
The road to financial freedom is nearly
impossible to navigate without clear
goals and a plan for achieving them. The
“Journey to Financial Freedom Seminar”
provides practical advice to help your
finances intersect with God’s plan.
Whether your finances are a mess or you
already have a handle on your spending, a
clear, personalized road map will help you
stay on track to achieve your goals.
Where: Isle of Hope United Methodist Church
When: Saturday, February 27, 2016 from 8:30-4:00
Cost: $50, $10 discount if registered by January 31st
To register call 912-355-8527
Child care and lunch provided
narrations, drawn directly from scripture. There are traditional
carols, new melodies, and a variety of styles. Words always fall short
when trying to describe music, but I can say that this work is filled with
joy, and I look forward to sharing God’s
joy with others!
Beyond those who will sing, we need a
team to assist in food preparation and
service at the Baptist Center. While the
Center recruits volunteers to attend the
guests’ tables, we will be responsible for
providing and serving the food. If you
are willing to help, please contact Kevin
Vogelsang at 373-3129.
PILLOWCASE DRESS UPDATE
A huge thank you to Julie for support of our mission
project by which hundreds of little girls have received
a pretty dress. We need volunteers. Dresses are cut and
ready to sew. We will teach you. It's easy and fun, especially
on a cold winter day. Call Elinor Coker (354-0236) or Ann
Mallory (354-3607).
CHRISTMAS SERVICES AT IOHUMC
Thursday, December 24th
Christmas Eve
3:00 PM • Traditional Service
5:00 PM • Traditional Service
5:00 PM • Anchor Service
7:00 PM • Traditional Service
Sunday, December 27th
10:00 AM • Combined Worship
No Sunday School
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connect, equip
NEW MEMBERS
pray, serve
GIVING
CHILDREN'S NATIVITY PAGEANT
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
This year we have been blessed with 86 people making the decision to call Isle of Hope UMC their church home! When those who attended
our last Core Connection join we will have added 94 wonderful people who have made the decision to join all of us in committing to support
our church through their prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness. Our newest members are:
Share the Vision!
Members and friends of Isle of Hope UMC,
As we close out this year and move toward the start of 2016,
our Church Council will soon be leading us in the approval
of our Shared Ministry Vision (our 2016 Ministry/Mission
Budget). Thank you for helping us plan and prepare for our
work together in the coming year by sending in your Faith
Estimate of Giving Card.
If you haven’t yet, and would like to share in the vision, there
are Faith Estimate of Giving cards available in the narthex
of our sanctuary, or you can pick one up at the Connection
Point Board in our administrative wing or the Church Office.
Together we will see God do great things in 2016.
HOSPITALITY
CORE CONNECTIONS
Another goal of Live
the Call was to create a
Hospitality Team that
would greet our guests
(visitors) in our three
worship services. Earlier
this year a hospitality plan
was created, a leadership
team was organized and
Nancy Fuqua graciously
accepted the leadership of
the team.
In September we trained 31
Hospitality Team members
who began greeting the guests
God sends to us each week. Each
guest receives a welcome bag that
includes information about our
ministries, and a mug, pen and
pad of paper each of which has our
church logo on it. If you would like
to learn more about this ministry
or become a member of the
Hospitality Team, please call Bill.
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Blessings,
Mike
Children, join us for the
Christmas Nativity Pageant
December 20th at 6:00PM
Sign Up Now To Participate In This Year’s Christmas Nativity
Pageant
Ages: 4 Years Old (by September 1, 2015) through 5th Grade.
All 4 year olds will play the roll of animals.
Practice Times:
Monday, December 14th from 4:00PM - 6:00PM
Saturday, December 19th from 9:00AM - 11:00
Children must sign up by December 9th and be present at both
practices! To Sign Up Call Lisa Sharpley 355-8527 Ext. 29 or email
[email protected]
WINTER AND SPRING DISCIPLESHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Monday in the Word led by Pastor Bill
This twelve week study of the book of John will include video,
discussion and teaching. The study will be on Monday mornings at
10:30 beginning on January 18th.
This year 41 people have taken the Core
Connections Class with each person making the
decision to become a member of our church!
Everyone who has attended the class has
mentioned that the love and welcoming embrace
of our church helped them know that this was the
place God was leading them to call their church
home. Our last class on November 15th had 8 in
attendance: Nick and Ruth Mangee, Isaac and
Janessa Terry, Adam and Erin Matthews, and
Charlie and Genie Womble.
"Christian hospitality refers to the active
desire to invite, welcome, receive, and
care for those who are strangers so that
they find a spiritual home and discover
for themselves the unending richness of
life in Christ."
- Richard Schnase
This winter and spring we will be offering the following
opportunities for discipleship. In December we will have a brochure
available with more details and a registration form.
Disciple 2 led by Pastor Mike
This excellent study will focus on the Old Testament and will be on
Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. beginning January 20th.
Leadership Essentials for Men led by Tom Whatley
This 12 week study will focus on shaping vision, multiplying
influence and defining character and will be on Wednesdays at
7:00 p.m. beginning January 20th.
Invitation led by Pastor Bill
This ten week Bible study begins with Jesus’ announcement that
the Kingdom of God has come and leads us on a journey through
Scripture that helps us see that the story of the Bible is our story.
The will be on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. beginning January 20th.
PLACE led by Bob Akin and Rachel Reed
PLACE is a small group experience that supports your personal
process of discovery and acknowledging how God uniquely creates
us to relationally serve him in our daily lives. Time and place will be
announced.
Next Steps led by Pastor Bill
Join us for a comprehensive study of what it means to be a
Christian as we explore the journey God created us for: The Journey
of Knowing and Following Jesus Christ. The will be on Sundays
during Sunday School beginning January 17th.
Crown "Do Well" seminar led by Jan Spence
This one day seminar from Crown Ministries teaches how to apply
biblical financial principals that draw people closer to Christ and
frees them from financial bondage. The seminar will take place on
Saturday, February 27th from 8:30-4:00. More information will be
available very soon.
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connect, equip
CONFIRMATION
Congregational Care at Isle of Hope United Methodist Church
GRIEF SHARE: Looking Forward
STEPHEN MINSITRY
Spring Grief Share Groups
Feb. 17 - May 4
Wednesdays - 2 Sessions Available: 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. OR 6:45 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.
Both groups will meet in the Cornus Cottage.
For more information, contact Meg Procopio at [email protected].
About Grief Share
After the funeral, when the cards and flowers have stopped coming, most of the
people around you return to their normal lives. But your grief continues and you
feel alone. Often, friends and family want to help you, but don't know how. That's
the reason for Grief Share.
Our group is led by caring people who have experienced grief and have
successfully rebuilt their lives. We understand how you feel because we've been
in the same place. We will walk with you on the long path through grief toward
healing and hope for the future.
pray, serve
Isle of Hope Methodist’s Stephen Ministry
equips lay people to provide confidential,
one to one, Christian care to individuals in
our congregation and community who are
experiencing difficulties in their lives.
Our next Stephen
Ministry Training will
begin in February 2016!
If you have prayerfully
considered training
to become a Stephen
Minister here at IOH
please contact Brooke Chambers. Applications
will be made available in the front office
beginning December 1.
Our 2015-16 Confirmation has 25 students that have been meeting
every Sunday as they learn about our faith. Their kick-off was on
September 26th with the theme of being Game Changers for Christ.
Their annual Tour of Churches was on November 14.
It was a beautiful day and included visiting and learning about the
history, worship and traditions of : the Catholic faith at the Cathedral
of John the Baptist Catholic Church, the Episcopal church at St. Paul’s
Episcopal Church, the Orthodox church at St. Paul’s Orthodox Church
and the Jewish faith at Mickve Israel Congregation. They also spent
some time learning about John Wesley at the John Wesley statue in
Reynolds Square and had lunch at Your Pie.
THE CHRIST CHILD'S
NEST UPDATE
DIVORCE CARE: Find help. Discover hope. Experience healing.
Most of us agree that going through a divorce is painful and stressfull
and sad. In varying degrees it is one of life's worst watershed
moments - one that's not typically envisioned or planned for. It can
knock the breath out of you. So how does one cope?
Isle of Hope UMC is here to help. The church's Divorce Care ministry
for seperated or divorced people meets on Sunday evenings
beginning January 31 from 6:30 until 8 p.m. There is also a group
for children called DC4K (Divorce Care for Kids) offered at the same
time for children in 1st through 5th grades.
Facilitators Steve & Robin Lewis, Marjo Zelinsky, Jane Tyler,
Johanna Parr and Jo Gamble will guide the group members through
a process that involves
video
presentations,
small group discussion
and prayer. All of our
facilitators have personal
experience with divorce
and its effect on family.
This small group is open to the community and is offered in 13 week
cycles. Topics include facing anger, depression, survival, kid care,
forgiveness and moving on. Anyone is welcome. There is no charge
to attend. For more information about Divorce Care or DC4K
contact Meg Procopio at [email protected].
HOME GROUPS
One of the emphases of our Live the Call vision is to create small groups
that meet in homes, with the goal of beginning with three in 2015. Earlier
this year we trained three couples to lead our first three Home Groups
which began meeting in September. We currently have 31 members
in these groups. Our Whitemarsh/Wilmington Island Home Group is
led by Brian and Lindsay Conner, our Isle of Hope Home Group is led
by Tom and Maliece Whatley, and our Landings Home Group is led by
Danny and Carol Falligant. Pictured are some of the members of our Isle
of Hope Home Group.
MISSIONS: Our Christmas Focus
This year you may choose to help others in need in our worldwide
community by visiting the Missions table in the church hallway during
Advent workshop and on Sundays November 29, December 6, 13, and
20. Here are a few ways that you can help:
- Choose a designated ornament from our Christmas tree and “adopt” a
child through Wesley Community Centers by making a donation of $25
to Wesley. The money will be used to purchase a gift card for the child’s
parent to purchase a gift for the child. Make checks payable to IOHUMC
and note “Wesley Christmas.”
- Sponsor a child at or make a donation to The Christ Child's Nest in
Guatemala. Make checks payable to IOHUMC and note "TCCN."
- Make a donation to Heifer International to purchase a gift of livestock
in honor or memory of a loved one. Make checks payable to IOHUMC
and note “Heifer” - gift cards will be provided.
If you have any questions, please call Brad Weller at 355-8527 or by
email at [email protected]
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Earlier this year, the Guatemalan government began
enforcing a law that says children can not live in an orphanage
for more than 6 months if there are any biological relatives,
regardless of the family situation. Because of this law, 20
children living at The Christ Child’s Nest were returned to
their birth families.
Fortunately, since June, no other
children from The Nest have been
returned to their families. Sisters Elvisa
and Betsabe are hopeful that no more
children will be removed. Scott and
Julie Vann visited The Nest in October
and found the Sisters and remaining
79 children doing well despite their grief over losing their
children, brothers and sisters.
The local officials continue to bring children who have been
abandoned, neglected or abused to the Sisters to be cared for.
They welcome each child to The Nest in the name of Jesus.
Thank you for your prayers during this very difficult time
and your faithful support over the years. We look forward to
continuing our support and watching each child grow into
the person God has called him/her to be.
Please continue to pray for the Sisters and children, as well
as the country of Guatemala following the election of a new
president.
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