The Chimes - Union City - First Congregational Church

First Congregational UCC
The Chimes
Volume 6, Issue 12
Dear Church,
Christmas is coming! By the time you read this, most of you will have already been busy getting
ready for the observance at home. Red, green, gold, and silver decorations come out. Plans are set
for gifts and family get-togethers. Old traditions are being remembered.
There are always changes. In addition to family traditions, we seem to also remember Christmas by
what is different. A new child, a new home, or some other major addition. And we remember our
pain. Those who are no longer with us, new illnesses or challenges, and relationships that are
broken. We always have both.
Remember that Jesus Christ came into the same kind of world. Rich in tradition, yet also filled with
strife. His birth started a revolution. Let’s not get away from that first Christmas. That’s what
church is for – to remind us of the Incarnation of God in the midst of life. Our life. And our world.
That God so loved the world that God gave us Jesus Christ.
Here is a good prayer for your Christmas gathering: Thank you, God, for the birth of your son Jesus
Christ. We take hope in the fact that you share our world, and understand everything we are going
through. We take hope in the light that shines in our world. We pray for the peace of Christ to
shine in our lives and in our home, in our community and in our world. Amen.
In Christ
Pastor Dan
Calling all Youth!
Our church will be hosting some VERY COOL programs for young people.
Please give us your phone number so we can add you to our texting list.
All area youth will be welcome. Look for announcements SOON.
Isaiah 40:3-5
A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD,
make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4Every valley
shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the
uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a
plain. 5Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people
shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
Praying for our Church Families...We will
continue to pray for families each week
with the hope that each will be more richly
blessed with the grace of God. We want to
include everyone in our church family of
faith. If you notice that a name has been
missed, please call Tammy (741-5581).
In December we will pray for:
The Chimes
1
2
3
Birthdays & Anniversaries for December
Kristin Olmsted
13
Isaac Byrd
Barbara Raak
14
Jeff Brott
Deb Grooman
18
Mathew Bauer
Dylan Smeltzer
21
Ryan Haley
Lindsay Brewer
22
Caroline Turner
Kaden Smeltzer
Week 1
4
Loren & Sheryl Burlingame
Ben & Cindy Chard & Family
5
Marty & Em Chard
Nathaniel Chard & Family
7
Bob & Melanie Chard-Peloquin
Week 2
11
John & Donna Clayton
John & Dee Culp
Cecil Hill
Caleb Michaels
23
Jaeden Parks
Rilee Rosenberry
26
Pam Smith
Caitlin Gillaspie
30
Lauren Dibert
Denny Spooner
31
Mark Hitchcox
Wendy Kratzer
Steve Strong
Rose Whitcomb
December Anniversaries
Lauren Tassie
1
Phyllis & Jack Bronson
Betsy Merchant
6
Robin & Robert D. Brewer
Mailee McQuown
12
Page 2
Sheryl & Loren Burlingame
Connor Gillaspie
23
Shannon & Matt Roberts
Brandt & Tammy Davis & Family
Griffin Roberts
30
Barbara & Gene Tassie
Richard & Sharon Dibert
Pat Muyskens
Carley Dibert & Family
Week 3
Sharon Dorr
Jeff Dyer & Family
This is a THANK YOU to the workers and contributors to the HARVEST
SUPPER. It takes the effort of many to plan, prepare, cook, serve, and clean
up. We hope we haven't missed the names of any helpers.
Phyllis Bronson
Loren Burlingame
Martha Eberhard
Ellen Arey
Alan & Amber Herman
Kelley Fast & Family
Beth Arey
Curt & Ruth Proctor
Bob & Dora Fast
Marty & Emily Chard
Gayla Turgeon
Richard & Sharon Dibert
Renita Wallen
Week 4
Wayne & Karen Miller
Tammy Hoppe
Melissa Fischer
Bob & Dora Fast
Joyce Shaffer & Steve
Deb Geiger & Family
Dianne Parkison
Ron Wells & Marianne Guthrie
Katie Geiger & Steve Locker
Doc & Mary Rosenberry
Eric Tundevold
Keith & Dawn Gillaspie & Family
Carol Read
Becki Spooner
Deborah Gorski & Family
Dave & Helene Wright
Kylie Spooner
Dean & Shirley Brooks
Pam Smith
Brady & Deidre Swartzle
Barbara Brott
Val Schlubatis
Sara Brewer
Ben Chard
Diane Haley
Page 3
First Sunday of Advent
November 29, 10 am
“Advent I: Our ‘God Moments’ ”
Bringing of the Crèche
Candle of Hope—Josie & Simon Swartzle
Second Sunday of Advent
December 6, 10 am
“Advent II: Living in The World of Tiberius, Caiaphus and John”
Pew communion
Candle of Peace—Jordan Chard and Murcie Wallen
26th Annual Community Christmas Sing
Sunday Dec. 6th 6 pm
Assembly of God Church
Featuring choirs from local churches
Special performance from combined church choirs
Third Sunday of Advent
December 13, 10am
“Advent III: Why Call it the ‘Good News’?”
Children’s Christmas Play-A different kind of baby
Candle of Love —Jeffrey Harvey
Friday and Saturday, December 18 and 19
Pack and Deliver Community Christmas Baskets
Friday, 6pm-Pack Christmas Baskets
Saturday, 9am-Deliver Christmas Baskets
Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 20, 10 am
“Advent IV: God and Family”
Celebration in Music and Song
Candle of Joy—Ethan Neveraski and Jack McQuown
Christmas Caroling & Soup 6pm
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
December 24, 11 pm
Celebrating the Birth of Christ
“The Story for Our Time”
Bell Choir at 10:30 pm
Candle of Christ —
Nominating Committee for 2016
It’s that time of year again! The Nominating Committee is looking for new members to serve on
our church boards. If you have never served on a board, please consider the possibility of
joining a board. It is a great way to become better acquainted with your church family, have
some fun, while at the same time helping our church be a strong, functioning, faithful place. You
will get as much as you give! There is a display on the bulletin board in the social hall to sign-up
Please talk with any of the following members on the nominating committee to get “the scoop”
on how your service will enrich your life:
Bob Fast - Music and Worship Representative
Beth Arey - Deacons Representative
Eric Tundevold - Christian Ed Representative
Dean Spooner - Trustees Representative
Tammy Hoppe - Shalom Representative
Deanne Rathburn - Moderator Elect
Meeting night for the Boards is on the fourth Thursday of each month. The Boards
meet from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. There are no meetings in the months of June, July,
and December. The Annual Meeting is considered the Board meeting for the month of January.
Only eight meeting nights--give it a try
Officer Descriptions:
Moderator Elect-preside at church council and meetings of the church
Clerk-record council and church meetings
Financial Officer-pay expenditures, keep accounts, and prepare monthly statements
Treasurer-receives all monies, deposit funds, provide statements to contributors
Memorial Fund Treasurer-same as above for all memorials given to church
2 Delegates to MI Conferences/SW Association-represent church at these meetings
Board Descriptions:
Deacons: responsible for the ministry of the church, assist in preparation of communion, assist with church
worship services, responsible for ushers and greeters at services, and organize an evaluation of the church.
Trustees: responsible for business affairs, maintain the property of the church, authorize expenditures for
boards, conduct Stewardship campaigns.
Shalom-plan and direct ministry of church in wider community and world, programs of outreach and
missions like Prison Fellowship Angel Tree, Community Christmas Baskets, Family
Promise, and administer special UCC offerings.
Christian Education-responsible for planning and instructing Sunday School
lessons. In charge of Vacation Bible School, Wednesday Night Friends, Chat Cafe,
and special topic, Adult bible study sessions. Sponsors youth mission trips, camp
and scholarships. Collect for worldwide missions like Trick or Treat for Unicef, The
Syrian Outreach Packages, and the Heifer Project. Also, offers occasional fellowship
outings.
Music and Worship-responsible for organizing worship services and matters
pertaining to the use of music and liturgy in the church, and recommend candidates
for musical staff positions.
Make a difference this holiday season by donating canned goods & nonperishable food items and/or monetary donations for our 33rd Annual
Community Christmas Basket Project. These baskets are distributed to
local families in need during the holiday season. Baskets will be packed on Dec.
18th starting at 6pm at the First Congregational United Church of Christ located
at 410 N. Broadway and delivered on Dec. 19th starting at 9am. Please drop off
monetary donations to Miller’s Pharmacy. Please drop off food donations to
Jack’s Grocery, Miller’s Pharmacy or Southern Michigan Bank & Trust. Please
make checks payable to UC Community Christmas Basket Project. Checks can be
mailed to UC Comm. Christmas Baskets PO Box 21 Union City MI 49094. For
more information or to add a name to the list of recipients please call Bruce
269-716-3093 or 741-3604; Kim or Doreen 741-3334 or email
[email protected]
Page 7
A Different Kind Of Baby
You are invited to join our children in worship on Sunday, December 13.
The Pilgrim Choir will be singing and we will present the play, A Different
Kind Of Baby. It is the traditional Christmas story of the birth of Jesus.
We will be practicing during Sunday School. Your child’s attendance is
important. If you have questions, please see Deidre Swartzle or Ellen Arey.
UNICEF Collection
Thank you for your contributions to the United
Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund
(UNICEF) as our children paraded around the
sanctuary in their Halloween costumes. The total
collection was $189.
Wednesday Night Friends Schedule
Here is our schedule through the end of 2015. We appreciate your
support of this program for children from ages 2 through 12. All
children of the community are welcome.
December 2—Stone Soup (Send a can of vegetables with your
child)
December 9—Christmas Caroling (Whole family is invited)
December 16—Christmas Party
December 23—No WNF
December 30—No WNF
Christmas Caroling
for all!
Sunday Dec 20th at 6pm,
we will meet at the church
and after caroling we will come back to the church
for some hot soup!
Page 8
Sunday Service Date
General Offering
Weekly Goal
Difference
04/19/15
04/26/15
05/03/15
05/10/15
05/17/15
05/24/15
05/31/15
06/07/15
06/14/15
06/21/15
06/28/15
07/05/15
07/12/15
07/19/15
07/26/15
08/02/15
08/09/15
08/16/15
08/23/15
08/30/15
09/06/15
09/13/15
09/20/15
09/27/15
10/04/15
10/11/15
10/18/15
10/25/15
11/01/15
11/08/15
$2,584
$2,080
$2,959
$2,951
$1,882
$2,967
$2,986
$2,678
$2,208
$2,319
$2,289
$2,281
$2,478
$1,378
$2,238
$2,356
$1,356
$1,999
$2,493
$3,167
$1,921
$2,324
$2,400
$3,292
$1,880
$2,461
$1,836
$1,452
$2,314
$2,727
$2,500
$2,500
$2,500
$2,500
$2,500
$2,500
$2,500
$2,500
$2,500
$2,500
$2,500
$2,500
$2,500
$2,500
$2,500
$2,500
$2,500
$2,500
$2,500
$2,500
$2,500
$2,500
$2,500
$2,500
$2,500
$2,500
$2,500
$2,500
$2,500
$2,500
$84 
($420)
$459 
$451 
($618)
$467 
$486 
$178 
($292)
($181)
($211)
($219)
($22)
($1,122)
($262)
($144)
($1,144)
($501)
($7)
$667 
($579)
($176)
($100)
$792 
($620)
($39)
($664)
($1,048)
($186)
$227 
{Note: This Statement reflects only the Sunday Service General Offerings for our Operating Fund.}
Treasurer & Financial Officer
WHAT IS STEWARDHIP?
Stewardship is not just raising budgets; It’s raising Christians.
Stewardship is not a matter of funds; It’s a matter of faith.
“Your contributions every week help fund our ministries,
pay our bills and help us reach out to the community”—
Thank you for your tithe.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA –Saturday December 5th 9 am
One free family photo
Children's gift from Santa
Please preregister by signing up at the Branch District Library Union Twp. Branch
Call (517) 741-5061
Pancakes, sausage, milk or juice will be served. All ages
admitted FREE! Sponsored by Friends of the Library Dearth/Union Township Library & Sherwood Library
WEDNESDAY NIGHT FRIENDS CHRISTMAS PARTY—DEC 16TH 6PM
All kids are invited to come to the church on Wednesday night, December 16th, to a
Christmas party during the regular Wednesday Night Friends meeting time 6 - 7:30
p.m. There will be special Christmas-theme activities, games, and refreshments.
Lots of holiday fun is being planned! Please Note: We will not meet Dec. 23rd or 30th
Every Christmas, thousands of churches like ours help to brighten the lives
of countless children through Angel Tree. Angel Tree is a program of the
Prison Fellowship Ministry, which gives our church an opportunity to share
Christ’s love by helping meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of
the families of prisoners. Angel Tree Christmas works by connecting
parents in prison with their children through the delivery of Christmas gifts.
Purchasing, wrapping and delivering gifts to the prisoners’ children on their
parents’ behalf delivers not only the message of love from parent to child,
but also the true meaning of Christmas-and Good News of Jesus Christ.
Please watch for our “Angel Tree” at the back of the sanctuary, we are sponsoring fifteen children this year,
plus some local children from the schools. If you are interested in sponsoring a child in this program please
call our Angel Tree Coordinator, Tammy Hoppe at 741-5581 or 517-227-7192
Men’s Fellowship available to help with preparing for
winter: If any church member or elderly community member
you may know of is in need of help preparing their homes for
winter with things such as lawn maintenance or minor outside
winter repairs, (for example: eaves trough repair or cleaning, removal of patio furniture,
window sealing, general stuff to get your home and lawns ready for winter), please contact
Tammy at 741-5581. Thanks!
It's that time of year again when Annual Reports are due.
The absolute last day that you can turn them in is
January 3, 2016
Thanks for your cooperation in this matter. I am unable to open any extensions
from Mac computers (like pages), so please save your work in a pdf or word
format (doc). Word is preferable but not mandatory, as well as having them
emailed to me, but again not necessary!
Page 10
December 2015
Sun
Advent II 6
Choir 8:30am
Worship/Comm/
SS 10am
Mon
Tue
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
Prayer Ministry 6pm
UCAMA 8am
Vespers 7pm Game Night 6pm
AA 8pm
Choir 6pm
WNF 6pm
(Stone Soup)
3
Bible Study
3:30pm
4
5
Breakfast with
Santa
9am
7
8
9
Prayer Ministry 6pm Game Night 6pm
Vespers 7pm
Choir 6pm
AA 8pm
WNF 6pm
(Christmas
Caroling
10
Bible Study
3:30pm
150th Mtg 7pm
11
12
14
15
16
Prayer Ministry 6pm Game Night 6pm
Vespers 7pm
Choir 6pm
AA 8pm
WNF 6pm
(Christmas
Party)
17
Bible Study
3:30pm
18
Pack Christmas
Baskets 6pm
19
Deliver
Christmas
Baskets 9am
Christmas Sing at
Assembly of God
6pm
Advent III 13
Choir 8:30am
Worship/SS 10am
Deliver Angel Tree
Gifts through 19th
Wed
Students and Volunteers to help get Community Christmas Baskets around for packing and delivery
Advent IV 20
Choir 8:30am
Worship/SS 10am
Men’s Fellowship
11:15am
Christmas
Caroling 6pm
21
Church
Reserved
for Em
Chard
5-8pm
27
NO Choirs
28
22
23
Prayer Ministry 6pm
Choir 6pm
Vespers 7pm Game Night 6pm
AA 8pm
NO WNF
29
Prayer Ministry 6pm
AA 8pm
Christmas Eve
24
Choir 10pm
Bells 10:30pm
Candlelight
Service 11pm
30 New Year’s Eve 31
Christmas 25
26
The Advent Christmas Season is upon us, and there
are many special musical plans in the works.
Pilgrim Choir: the children will be singing during
the Worship Service for all 4 Sundays of Advent.
They will also be responsible for lighting of the
Advent candle each week. Alison Harvey will be
assisting, and will be singing several solos. Rehearsal during Advent will be
at 9:15am in the sanctuary.
Chancel Choir: In addition to our Sunday morning rehearsals at 8:30am, we
will be rehearsing on Wednesdays during December, at 6pm. The choir will
be featured on Sunday, December 20, in a Worship Service centered around
Christmas music. Guest vocalist Deb Thenen will join us, and there will be
special instrumentalists.
Christmas Eve: the 11pm candlelight service will include special choral
music by our choir. In addition, Jordan Smith will be featured as flute
soloist.
There will be no rehearsals on December 27/January 3. Our regular
schedule will begin on January 10, with Chancel Choir rehearsals at 8:30
and Pilgrim Choir rehearsal at 11:15am.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE SPECIAL EVENTS:
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6: Community Christmas Concert, 6 pm, Assembly of
God Church. Our Chancel Choir will be participating.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13: Children’s Christmas Program during morning
Worship Service.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20: Chancel Choir Special Music Sunday
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 11pm
SUNDAY, JANUARY 10: Epiphany Breakfast. The 10am Worship Service will
be held in the fellowship hall.
Page 12
Michigan Annual Conference
A Delegate’s Report
The theme of the UCC Michigan Annual Conference, held October 23 rd and 24th, 2015, was “WE
ARE OVERJOYED!” And oh, was there Joy. The agenda included business sessions, hearings
on the budget and a resolution, and special recognitions. There were three talks of continuing
education presented by Rev. Cameron Trimble, a dynamic and insightful speaker. And each
day ended with a very meaningful worship service.
I was randomly selected to participate in the budget hearing. There was joy to be found even in
that process. The budget included $150,000 (a 20% increase) for new church starts. There are
three new UCC starts within Michigan next year. The monies are coming from a “new church
starts” endowment that has not been used in years.
In her first talk, Rev. Cameron pictured life as a centrifuge. As it continues to increase in speed,
the centrifuge is throwing us away, separating us from our core self. The best thing a
congregation can do is to build and maintain relationships (ties) – with family, with the church
and with the community – to keep us close to God’s purpose for us.
She also said that people don’t come to church to learn about God. They can Google God.
People come to church to experience God. People will experience God in many individual ways.
There is a place for many forms of worship and different doctrines. It is not unusual for new
Christians to be drawn to a church by the form of worship, and to change churches as their
needs for doctrine mature.
In her final talk, Rev. Cameron stated that our best days as a church are ahead of us. We are
at a critical time. The decisions we make in the next five years will determine the state of the
church for the next fifty years. She shared that at this time only 16% of the active clergy are
under the age of 50. There will be a large number of retirements that we must have a strategy
to fill. She also stated that planning for church growth as a goal is meaningless. Church
growth is a by-product of a vital ministry.
There were workshops to choose from on Saturday. I attended the “Surprised by Joy”
workshop. There we learned that joy is a gift. Joy is never in our power. Desiring to control
joy takes away the possibility of having joy.
There was a presentation on Our Church’s Wider Mission. OCWM monies come from the local
churches and are used for administration and programs at the state (70%) and national (30%)
level. Union City UCC was recognized as a Top Ten church in per capita giving to OCWM.
Many times in those two days, when suggestions were made as to what missions the local
congregation could or should do, I was able to say to myself “Yes, we do that at Union City.”
Our congregation is involved in God’s work in so many ways, that it was a JOY to represent us
at Michigan Annual Conference.
—Respectfully submitted, Dale Muyskens
Ron & Chickie's
Festival of Lights!
The lights are on and ready for viewing
Nov. 26 - Dec. 26
The house is decorated and ready for touring!
Come one come all! Inside tours from
6:30pm-9pm.
878 N. Snow Prairie Rd.
Union City, MI 49094
Phone: 517-741-7915
Santa is coming to town!
Sat. Dec 13, 2014
5:30pm-9:00pm (at Ron & Chickie’s)
Parents, grandparents, friends and families, gather the children
for a fun filled evening with Santa
Santa will be arriving at 5:30pm with toys for Kids and treats
for ALL!
The line forms outside, dress warm! Hot cocoa & donuts will
be served for those in line.
Looking forward to sharing with you!
—Ron & Chickie Morris
Volume 6, Issue 12
Rev Daniel Kidder-McQuown
410 N Broadway
Union City MI 49094
Office: 517-741-5581
Home: 741-8985
Cell:517-554-8212
Email: [email protected]
No matter where you are on life’s journey...
you are WELCOME here!
Growing in Spirit! Serving God’s World! Sharing the
love, grace and peace of Jesus with all!
Administrative Assistant: Tammy Hoppe
Cell: 517-227-7192
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.firstcongunioncity.org
Worship: 10am
Sunday School & Nursery provided
Your help is greatly appreciated! If you are unable to perform
your duties as scheduled please find someone to replace you and
inform one of the following people: Lou Bishop for Ushers;
Deacons for Liturgists; Ellen Arey for Greeters If you are
interested in volunteering please see one of the above people.
DATE
SPEAKER
LITURGIST
USHERS
GREETER
COFFEE HOUR
Dec 6
Rev. Daniel KidderMcQuown
Craig Hoppe
Craig Hoppe
Joyce Shaffer
Esther Circle
Rev Daniel KidderMcQuown
Barbara Brott
Bonnie Smith
Esther Circle
Rev Daniel KidderMcQuown
Deb Geiger
Ellen Arey
Esther Circle
Rev Daniel KidderMcQuown
Karen Miller
Barbara Brott
Esther Circle
Rev Daniel KidderMcQuown
Dianne Parkison
Sally Bishop
Trustees
Dec 13
Dec 20
Dec 27
Jan 3
David Wright
Curt Proctor
Doc Rosenberry
Mary Rosenberry
Joyce Shaffer
Tom Rathburn
Mark Hitchcox
Loren Burlingame
Jim Troust