The Thanksgiving holiday is now behind us. Most of us had plenty to eat; plenty of time with friends and family. Hopefully, you also took time to simply be thankful; to sit back for a moment and thank God for all your blessings.

I am thankful that as a congregation, we expressed our thanks in many ways: we gathered Thanksgiving Eve to worship; we distributed food to over 30 families and fruit baskets to nearly 20 shut-ins. I am thankful for the other churches and civic organizations that came alongside us in these efforts.

We are not only caring for physical needs. Each week close to three dozen of us gather for a time of prayer and Bible study. I am thankful for the youth who gather in our church on Tuesday and Sunday evenings and for those who continue to teach and mentor them. This month we had three new teens join our youth meetings. And at a recent Skybachers Flag Football tournament, over 30 children (ages 9-18) requested and were given a Bible!

And Christmas morning, dozens of children will open gifts, thanks to the generosity of folks in our faith community. God has been so good to us!

As we move into the season of Advent, we begin a time of great anticipation. Do you remember the excitement of the days leading up to Christmas in your childhood years? Do you remember comparing “wish lists” with your friends; the longing for that one special “must-have” toy? Do you remember the feelings of anticipation that built up to that one special day – Christmas morning? If you have children (or grandchildren) in whom you can see this enthusiasm, count your blessings; share their joy!

In contrast to the joy experienced by children, for many of us this is a season of anxiety. Finding and putting up the Christmas decorations; the annual challenge of getting the lights to work; an ever-growing and ever-more-costly list of gifts to buy, the task of making the house especially clean, preparing the Christmas meal, all can be overwhelming. This is also the season in which financial struggles are magnified. And let us be mindful of those who are facing their first Christmas without a certain loved one. Some in our community may not feel much like celebrating.

The community into which Jesus came was likely not in the spirit of celebration. Luke's gospel tells us that the Roman emperor Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. The purpose of a census was to register citizens for military service and for taxation. This would have been similar to our April 15 th tax deadline; for most of us, not a time in which we celebrate. While the emperor issued the decree, it was God who was in charge; for it was this decree that drove Mary & Joseph the 80 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem to fulfill the requirements of the government – and to fulfill prophecy.

God's word had promised that a child would be born to a virgin in Bethlehem. This season we celebrate the fulfillment of that promise – the birth of baby Jesus. Jesus came to lead God's people out of their darkness. Jesus came as the light of the world, and light always overcomes darkness. I encourage you to live in the light of Jesus this Advent season. I encourage you to look beyond the chores and expectations, to give thanks for the gift of a Savior, to embrace this season of anticipation.

From the rousing choruses of O Come, All Ye Faithful, to the moving candlelight of Silent Night, may you feel the presence of the holy, living Christ, whose birth we celebrate; who has come, who is risen, and who will come again in power and glory.

O come all ye faithful, O come all ye not-so-faithful, O come all ye seekers - come meet the Christ-child, come join us in worship and fellowship! Come let us all adore him, Christ the Lord. May you have a peaceful and blessed Christmas. Thank you for the blessing of being your pastor this Christmas season.

In Christ's Love,

Pastor Doug

Christmas Eve Worship

Family Worship Service - 7:00 pm
Worship with Communion - 11:00 pm

If you would like a ride from the Freedom parking lot, please notify the Church Office
- 724-843-0862.

Interested in Membership?

In January we will be receiving new members into the life of our congregation. If you are interested in becoming a member, please contact Pastor Doug or the Church Office.

Angel Tree

If you have taken a tag from the tree to purchase a gift for a child in need please remember to return your gift by Sunday, December 12th . Remove the price tags and place in an envelope. Return the tag & envelope with the gift. Do not wrap your gift.

Nancy Liston is coordinator.
Thank You!

New Bible Study

Our Tuesday classes are nearing the end of their study of the book Lord, Give Me Patience … and Give It to Me Right Now!

So, you may be wondering, “what's next?”

On January 3 rd we are beginning a study of the Book of Romans. This will be a nine-week study, using the Short-Term DISCIPLE Bible Study curriculum.

We have a group that gathers Tuesday mornings @ 10:00 in the Bills Room and another than meets @ 7:00 pm in the Conference Room. Our first session will be an overview of the course, so if you merely want to see what the class is like, please join us. Questions? Contact Judy Cantner, Elmira Hollingshead, or Pastor Doug.

Sunday School - Lori Calve, Sunday School Superintendent

Fall is here and almost over with the holiday's fast approaching us. Let us all give thanks for all of God's Blessings now and in the future. It is also truly a blessing to gather together to share God's word in Sunday School. Our young people have been studying in the old testament learning about Abram. However, after the lesson on November 20 th they switched to begin their lessons preparing for Christ's birth during Advent. Please join us individually or as a family for this amazing time of the year! There will be no children's class on Christmas Day or New Years Day. Our incentive winner for October was Isabelle Fronzaglio, Congratulations! We hope to see you in Sunday School and have a Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year!

Junior Youth . . . Mark and Tonya Mohrbacher, Phil and Chris Ziter

If you know any youth in the 5th grade thru the 12th grade that you would like to bring to youth they are always welcome. We will be meeting every Tuesday night from 6:30pm – 8:00pm.

The youth have been working on flood buckets and are doing a great job of getting everything that is needed to put in them. We have about 12 buckets that they have put together.

We still have wall calendars and pocket organizers if you have not yet gotten one.

United Methodist Women - Elmira Hollingshead, President

We invite all women to join us at our monthly meeting and Christmas covered dish dinner on Monday, December 5th at 6:00 pm. Everyone is welcome! We will reveal those who were “secret sisters” for 2011 and exchange names for 2012. There will be no meeting in January.

UMW is gathering cookies, hard candy and large candy bars for the inmates at the jail. Items need to be brought in to church by December 18 th .

New officers for the 2012 year are:

President - Elmira Hollingshead
Vice President - Carol Flickinger
Secretary - Lisa Lewis
Treasurer - Fern Blue
Spiritual Growth - Jo Shane, Janice Smith & Cookie Lucente

The group adopted new missionaries Tom & Anna Smith, formerly of Burry's church, who are now serving in the mission field.

Missions – Jo Shane

Happy Holidays! Remember the shut-ins and missionaries this holiday season with cards and letters. I've included some addresses to help you out.

We heard from Darlene Rimer, who is in the Dominican Republic. She had been busy this summer with vacation bible school at the Cien Fuegos church, where over 300 children attended. Praise God! She also participated in a ladies retreat for 29 ladies, where they were challenged to make an impact on the people around them. At their four day camps they had around 500 children between the ages of 6 – 15. Thirty five of those children accepted the Lord before camp was over. What a blessing! Darlene has reported that there are three new ministry opportunities. She is working on getting a one page e-mail newsletter sent out on a monthly basis to the Sunday school teachers. She will be working with Sunday school teachers from Los Girasoles church on a weekly basis and will observe them teaching twice a month. Los Yaguita needs more help with their school and she and Holly will be working closely with them. Pray that the Lord will continue to use her to reach others for Him.

Keep Darlene in your prayers regarding her health concerns with her thyroid. She has been on medication for a couple of months due to small nodules on her thyroid. She saw the doctor again and the nodules have shrunk and the blood work was better. She goes back to the doctor in March.

Darlene has been a missionary for 35 years and God has been faithful in supplying her support. With the increase in prices and medical insurance, she is lacking around $300 per month support. If you would like to give $10 or $20 per month to help support the Lord's work, you can let her know. You can reach Darlene at the following address or e-mail:

Darlene Rimer darlene.rimer@crossworld.org
Unit 3059-CWDR
3170 Airmans Dr.
Ft. Pierce, FL 34946

-or-

CrossWorld
10000 N. Oak Trafficway
Kansas City, MO 64155

The addresses of our other missionaries are:

Breakfast With Santa

 WHERE: Unionville United Methodist Church Family Life Center

WHEN: December 11th , 2011

TIME : Immediately following church

AGES : Infants to 5 th Grade

(Parents & Grandparents Welcome)

We will provide a delicious breakfast for the children. The menu will be Chocolate chip pancakes & sausage, juice and hot chocolate!! (Adults menu will be egg casserole, sausage, juice & coffee) Crafts, Singing, Story Time and your child will even be able to share some time with Santa!

Let this be a cherished memory for you and your children !

You can contact Tammy Goehring, Amanda Chaousy or Paula Boyd for more details!

Skybacher Ministries

Play – Dodgeball, Kickball, Gator Ball, Capture the Flag
Pray for – your family, your, friends, your grades!

Organized open gym time! Open to 5 th thru 12 th grade!

Sunday December 4th Sunday December 11th

2nd – 4th Grade Program
Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 3 rd 8 weeks
After school at Big Knob 3:30p – 5:15p
Cost is $40/child

K-1st Grade Program
Thursdays, beginning Jan. 5th 4 weeks
After School 3:30p – 5pm
Cost is $25/child

Broomball Blizzard Tournament

Brady's Run Ice Arena
December 9th @ 9:45pm
The Greatest Show on Ice!

skybacherministries.org

December 2011 / January 2012 Liturgists, Acolytes and Children's Church Schedule

Acolytes Needed!

Please contact us in the office if you know of someone who would like to be an acolyte.

Blood Drive

Tuesday, December 13, 2011 - Unionville Family Life Center - 2:00 to 7:00 pm.

Sign up with Jack Boyde.

Sub Sale

Thursday, December 15th - Please order by Monday, 12th.
Thursday, January 19th - Please order by Monday, 16th.

Sign the clip board at church or call Nancy Liston - 724-846-5513
The profits from the sub sales will benefit the United Methodist Women.

Breakfast Buffet

When - Saturday, December 3, 2011 and Saturday, January 7, 2012
Where - Unionville UMC Fmily LIfe Center
Time - 8:00 to 11:00 am

Due to rising costs, the price of the Adult breakfast will be $7.00 beginning in January. The children's price remains the same.

Thank You for your continued support!

Order Your Poinsettias

We will be decorating our sanctuary with poinsettias and you may order in honor or memory of your loved ones. Each 6 ½ inch poinsettia is $7.50 each. Please place your order form along with payment in the offering plate. All orders must be received by Sunday, December 4 th . The poinsettias may be picked up following the Christmas Eve Service.

Prayer - Elaine Gunniers

Blessed Savior, May the celebration of your birth be an expression of praise for all you have done for us.
When we think of all that is ours because you came – abundant and eternal life – love and forgivness – peace and power.
How can we ever begin to thank you.

 Thought for today
Life begins with Jesus – Give yours to Him today.