A LETTER FROM PASTOR CHARLIE PUMC Weekday Children’s Ministries As we enter Advent and approach Christmas, we think of the newborn Jesus, the Christ Child. In many ways, it is a season for children. I’m reminded of one of the Old Testament passages which highlight life in the reign of God’s Anointed One, Messiah—life as God intends it. Isaiah 11:6 includes the words “and a little child shall lead them.” A child taking the lead is more than just those amusing instances when “kids say the darndest things,” blurting out truths or insights they don’t truly understand. It occurs to me that a child in the lead may have something to do with Jesus saying that “the first will be last and the last will be first.” It may have something to do with Jesus suggesting that the greatest among us will be those who serve. This is what I mean… Those who serve and meet the needs of children are giving of themselves in a rather pure sense because children are the least capable of making any tangible return. Those who align their resources to serve children are helping those with the least power and influence. A person whose heart, spirit, character, compassion, and generosity take tangible action to unconditionally serve and meet 2
the needs of children has truly undergone a godly transformation. So I want to shed some light on one of the powerful ways PUMC serves the children of Plainfield. Our Weekday Children’s Ministries are among the best of their kind in any place. In conversations over the last year, leadership of these programs and PUMC leadership found clarity of purpose and declare that, “The PUMC Weekday Children’s Ministries serve the children of Plainfield with a Christ-focused, safe, learning environment helping families be healthy families.” Sigrid Schuld is the Director of PUMC’s Weekday Children’s Programs, which include Play ‘N Share, Preschool, and Stay ‘N Play. These programs serve approximately 125 children ages 1-5, and daily classes are offered 7:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Play ‘N Share and Preschool operate September - May. Stay ‘N Play operates all year. Details are available from Sigrid, who can be reached at 317.839.2319, ext. 246 and sschuld@pumc.org. Carissa Wooden is the Director of our Kids Connection, which provides year-round service to approximately 37 children Kindergarten through Grade 5. Throughout the school pumc.org
year Kids Connection provides transportation to and from Plainfield Elementary schools. Details are available from Carissa, who can be reached at 317.839.2319, ext. 238 and cwooden@pumc.org. Registration for these programs opens in January and February. Please find the registration schedule elsewhere in this Circuit Rider. You may want to share this information with others. You may also want to help with these ministries in some way. Feel free to contact the directors to learn how you can be involved. Whether it is through our Weekday Children’s Ministries or in some other way, how can you serve the children of Plainfield this season and into 2018? Go in peace. Go with God. And be well. Shalom,
Serving the Children of Plainfield
600 Simmons Street Plainfield, Indiana 46168-2264 pumc.org • 317.839.2319 Sundays
Classic Worship: 8:30, 9:50 & 11:00 a.m. NewDay Praise Worship: 9:50 a.m. Youth Worship (grades 6-12): 9:45 a.m. Bible Explorers (grades K-5): 9:45 a.m. Office Hours: 8:30a.m. – 3:30p.m. (M–F)
Table of Contents Senior Pastor’s Letter 2 Classic Worship Notes 4 Christmas Eve Worship 4 NewDay Pastor’s Letter 5 Children’s Worship 6 New Worship Schedule 8 Angel Tree 9 Christmas In Plainfield 9 Financial Peace University 10 Encore Senior Ministry 11 Worship Arts 12 Mission News 14 Church Council Report 18 Consecration Sunday Results 20 Notes to the Congregation 22
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DECEMBER CLASSIC WORSHIP
From his beginnings as a humble carpenter to his all-important role as the earthly father of Jesus Christ, Joseph’s place in the nativity story is sometimes overlooked but contains valuable lessons for all of us. During Advent in Classic Worship in the Sanctuary the person and story of Joseph will guide our preparation for Christmas. December 3 Celebration of Holy Communion December 24 Regular Sunday morning schedule. Find a full Advent and Christmas Eve Schedule of events below. Weekly Sunday Classic Worship 8:30, 9:50 and 11:00 a.m. – Sanctuary
Dec. 8 Dec. 10 Dec. 21 Dec. 24
Christmas in Plainfield @ Plainfield High School Advent Vespers with Jerry Gillooly - PUMC Concert Series Longest Night Christmas Eve 4:00 p.m. Family Celebration Designed specifically for the little ones & their families.
5:00 p.m.
Lessons & Carols Reverent, inspiring and uplifting. (Sanctuary)
5:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve Celebration with NewDay Praise Christmas Eve celebration with a contempory feel (Worship Annex).
7 & 9:00 p.m. Candlelight Worship with Choir & Orchestra Traditional Christmas Eve celebration.
11:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve Worship with Candles & Communion Traditional Christmas Eve celebration.
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A LETTER FROM PASTOR ELIZABETH What child is this? What Child is this Who laid to rest On Mary’s lap is sleeping? Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherds watch are keeping? Throughout the month of December (the church season of Advent) we will be preparing for the Christmas holiday. To make this a memorable occasion for friends and family we will shop for and wrap gifts. We will bake special treats and cook grand feasts. We will travel to see family. We will clean and decorate the house to host loved ones. We will go to holiday themed shows and parties, listen to seasonal music, and (likely) both enjoy and lament the hustle and bustle of the season. And in NewDay Praise Worship we will pause each Sunday to ask, “What child is this…” whom we prepare to welcome and celebrate on Christmas? Who is he that he commands vast
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amounts of our time, energy, effort, and resources every December? Who is he to the world? To God? …. To me? Invite your friends and family to join you at NewDay Praise for the Christmas season. Discover – or rediscover – who this Christmas child is for you and for others. NewDay Praise Worship is every Sunday, 9:50 a.m. in the Worship Annex at PUMC. And we celebrate on Christmas Eve at 5 p.m. with refreshments, music, and candle-lighting. In NewDay Praise Worship we seek to create a space and an experience where people who don’t know Jesus can meet him, those who do know Jesus can grow in that relationship, and everyone can find a warm welcome and a safe place to ask questions and talk about faith. I hope you’ll join us sometime soon! Blessings,
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Children’s Worship
Amanda Norton, Director, anorton@pumc.org
PUMC Bible Explorers Celebrate Christmas! It’s getting cold outside! T h is means it’s time for spreading warmth and blessings! Two ways you and your children can make this Christmas meaningful is through PUMC’s Mitten Tree and the Angel Tree. The Mitten Trees can be found outside the main office door (near door #2) and in the Main Lobby. If you have any new or gently used scarves, hats, gloves, mittens, bring them in and hang them on one of the trees. They will then be taken to those in need at Fletcher Place Community Center and Van Buren Elementary school. Angel Tree, a program of Prison Fellowship, reaches out to the children of prisoners and their families with the love of Christ. This unique program gives you an opportunity to share God’s love by helping to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the families of prisoners. The trees can be found in the Main Lobby on Sunday mornings. Please, take a tag to buy a gift or sign up to help bake cookies, sort or deliver the gifts! And as you and your children give 6
and serve in these ways, you can talk about the greatest gift of Christmas – God’s gift of Jesus. Very special worship is planned for young children and their families on Christmas Eve. The 4 p.m. worship experience is designed especially for the youngest worshipers among us! Nativity costumes will be available for those who wish to dress up to help tell the Christmas story during worship with both words and songs. This year’s Christmas Eve will be extra special with the Bible Explorers singing Christmas Hymns in the Sanctuary along with the Pipe Organ. Rehearsals will be held during Bible Explorers Sunday School, 9:45 a.m. on December 3 and 24. CDs will also be sent home for extra enjoyment! If you have any questions about Bible Explorers (grades K-5) or the Christmas Eve program, please contact Amanda Norton, Director of Children’s Ministry, at anorton@ pumc.org. pumc.org
Registration Schedule for PUMC Weekday Children’s Programs Play ‘N Share, Preschool, and Stay ‘N Play. Summer 2018 Registration Registration for Current Parents: 1/8/18 - 1/19/18 Priority Registration for PUMC Attendees (who are not current parents): 1/19/18, 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. Registration opens to the Public: 1/22/18 (remains open until all classes are full) Fall 2018 Registration Registration for Current Parents: 1/29/18 - 2/2/18 Priority Registration for PUMC Attendees (who are not current parents): 2/2/18, 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Registration opens to the Public: 2/5/18 (remains open until all classes are full) These programs serve children ages 1-5, and daily classes are offered 7:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Play ‘N Share and Preschool operate September - May. Stay ‘N Play operates all year. Details are available from Director, Sigrid Schuld, who can be reached at 317.839.2319, ext. 246 and sschuld@pumc.org. Registration Schedule for Kids Connection Summer 2018 Registration Registration for Current Parents 1/8/18 - 1/19/18 Priority Registration for PUMC Attendees (who are not current parents) 1/19/18, 4:00-6:00 p.m. Registration opens to the pubic 1/22/18 and (remains open until full). Fall 2018 Registration Registration for Current Parents 1/29/18 - 2/2/18 Priority Registration for PUMC Attendees (who are not current parents) 2/2/18, 4:00-6:00 p.m. Registration opens to the public 2/5/18 (remains open until full). Kids Connection provides year-round service to children Kindergarten through Grade 5. Throughout the school year Kids Connection provides transportation to and from Plainfield Elementary schools. Details are available from Director, Carissa Wooden, who can be reached at 317.839.2319, ext. 238 and cwooden@pumc.org.
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Worship Schedule Changes at PUMC in 2018! The New Year will bring a new schedule to PUMC’s worship ministry. In PUMC’s desire to give the greatest opportunity for people to experience the full love and grace of Jesus through the worship ministries of PUMC - without burdening worship and ministry teams - January will see an adjusted worship schedule. This new schedule will: • Maintain PUMC’s high quality Classic Worship ministry • Open up more opportunity for people to experience NewDay Praise Worship • Add a creative opportunity for people to experience a message of hope from the Word This new schedule will not: • Significantly disrupt the majority of worship and Sunday educational programming (Adult Sunday School and Adult Small Groups, Children’s programming, youth worship) • Burden leadership and serving teams with additional duties Beginning January 7, 2018, PUMC’s Sunday morning worship schedule will be adjusted in the following ways: • Classic Worship will be at 8:45 and 10:00 a.m. • NewDay Praise Worship will be at 8:45 and 10:00 a.m. • A new “Preaching Chapel” will be held in the sanctuary at 11:15 a.m. • This 30-minutes experience will include a hymn, prayer, and message in a more casual, intimate style • This experience will not require tech or media support, and limited hospitality and music support. • Children and Youth programming will be 10-11:00 a.m. Existing Sunday Adult Groups and Classes may choose to meet at any time that best suits the members of their group, being mindful that children and youth programming and support is primarily at 10-11:00 a.m. Note: Infant and Toddler care will continue to be available throughout the morning for 8:45 and 10:00 a.m. Worship and for 11:15 a.m. Preaching Chapel. PUMC’s Worship ministry is of the highest quality, engaging, and relevant. Invite and bring a friend to join you for worship in January so that they can also experience the full embrace of the grace and love of God in Jesus Christ through worship at PUMC.
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Angel Tree PUMC shares God’s BIG Love with the children of incarcerated parents each Christmas through the Angel Tree (Prison Ministry) Mission as we provide gifts, cookies, and Bibles for these children. Members of the congregation choose a child from the “Angel Tree” in the main lobby, purchase and wrap the gift. Once returned and sorted, these gifts are delivered to the children on behalf of their incarcerated parent. There are many opportunities to be home. The kids love to eat them while opening their Christmas gifts! Deliver involved with this mission: cookies to PUMC by 5 p.m., December Choose a name and buy a gift. 15. In the main lobby in the coming weeks Volunteer to sort or distribute (Nov. 19 & 26 and Dec 3) pick a name gifts and cookies off of the Angel tree and purchase a gift Sunday, December 10, 1 p.m. using the info on the angel. Wrap the gift in a box. Return the single, wrapped If you have questions please contact item to PUMC by noon December 10. Steve Brizendine through the church office. Bake Cookies. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! Two and one-half dozen homemade 2 Corinthians 9:15 cookies are delivered to each Angel Tree
Christmas in Plainfield You are invited to join friends from the community at the Plainfield Church Federation’s “Christmas in Plainfield.” On Friday, December 8 at the Plainfield High School Auditorium, at 7:00 p.m., groups from ten area churches will present holiday music. Invite friends and family to join you at “Christmas in Plainfield” to welcome the Christmas season.
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Save the dates for these special worship experiences through the end of 2017! December 21, 7 p.m. Longest Night Worship (Worship Annex) This worship invites those who struggle with darkness and grief during this traditional ‘season of joy’ to find comfort in a worship experience that recognizes both their loss and the hope we all have in Jesus. December 24, Sunday Morning Regular Sunday morning Worship schedule December 24 Evening Christmas Eve Worship at 4, 5, 7, 9, and 11:00 p.m. (Find details on page 4)
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Encore Senior Ministries
Dinner at Spaghetti Factory Tour of Festival of Trees Tuesday, December 5, leave PUMC at 4:15 p.m. Cost $6; Dinner at your own expense. This is such a special time of year! Why not spend it with special Encore friends and in special places? Join Encore to enjoy dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory and then visit the Festival of Trees display at the Glick Historical Center where you will see the beauty of over 80 trees which have been uniquely decorated. You will have opportunity to visit the many displays throughout the Center and enjoy the carolers as they serenade you! If you
Serving the Children of Plainfield
choose to visit the Cole Porter Room, be prepared to hear the Porter classics shared by talented performers. December 5 will be our last Encore event until February 2018. It’s been a great year of meeting new people, visiting exciting places, and learning new things. We hope you will join us in 2018 as your schedule allows and if you are 50+ years young! Any questions may be directed to Sue Hylton, 317.839.2946 or shylton@indy.rr.com.
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Worship Arts
Michael Pettry, Director, mpettry@pumc.org
Sing on Christmas Eve
Advent
Vespers Advent Vespers with Jerry Gillooly As part of PUMC’s celebration of the completion of the pipe organ construction, we have invited back to the church all people who have served as organist over the years. We are honored to welcome organist Jerry Gillooly back to PUMC this month. Jerry will play a one-hour pipe organ recital of music for Advent and Christmas on Sunday, December 10, 4:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. The concert is free and open to all people. This event also marks 60 years of music ministry by Gillooly, and you may consider this a good opportunity to bring others from throughout the community to enjoy the music and celebrate Jerry’s fine musical ministry.
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“O Little Town of Bethlehem” and a few movements from Handel’s Messiah will grace PUMC’s Classic Christmas Eve worship at PUMC, and we hope you will join the Adult Choir that evening! The Adult Choir will sing at 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Worship, and we have room for more people to join the Choir – generally persons in grade 8 through adult will feel right at home. Because December is a busy time for everyone, there are only three rehearsals, but we guarantee you will feel prepared and comfortable by the time Christmas Eve arrives. Rehearsals are on Thursdays in December from 7:30-8:15 p.m. in the sanctuary and the final dress rehearsal is on Thursday, December 21, 7:00-8:30 p.m. There is no audition and all are invited to join us. Email director of music Michael Pettry with questions: mpettry@ pumc.org.
New Christmas Eve Option PUMC will offer a brand new, additional worship opportunity for you and the community this coming Christmas Eve. In addition to our traditional offering of Christmas Eve worship across the evening, we are adding a 5:00 p.m. Lessons & Carols worship experience in the sanctuary. Reverent, inspiring and uplifting. The one-hour worship experience pumc.org
features Scripture, choral music, Christmas carols, and the Christmas story. We hope you will consider trying Lessons & Carols this year for the first time, and invite others to experience the Christmas story in a new light, as well.
Handbell Choir News Lynn Blosser, Director, lblosser@pumc.org
Christmas Bells Are Ringing! From the time of Moses when bells were sewed to the hem of the priest’s garment; to the present-day church bells, sleigh bells, cow bells and wedding bells; bells are a part of our culture. You might hear this saying at Christmas: “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.” Most people remember this saying from the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.” But over a hundred years ago, this was a very common saying amongst kids. Back in those days, kids believed that making noise was just a part of Christmas. And bells were an easy way to make that noise. Bells were inexpensive musical instruments that people could take with them caroling or wassailing and almost every family had one or more. Bells also provided a bright and cheery sound and were acceptable to parents as proper tools to celebrate and make noise at Christmas. Bells play an important part in other areas of celebrating Christmas. Some people probably picture Santa’s Serving the Children of Plainfield
reindeer with bells draped over them for decoration. Santa might also use bells to help find the reindeer in the dark or in the fog or snow. And bells have always had a place in Christmas songs. The famous Christmas hymn I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day began as a poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in the 1860’s. Christmas bells are remembered in classic holiday songs such as “Jingle Bells,” “Silver Bells,” and “Christmas Bells are Ringing.” Bells make a happy sound and are enjoyed in “ringing out the old and ringing in the new” each season as has been done in times past. This December here at PUMC, the Chancel Bells and Joyful Praise bells will be ringing handbells to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ! You can ring, too! Look for the “bell Christmas tree” in the Main Lobby, choose a bell and ring it!
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Mission News
Ruth Ellen Stone, Committee Chair, missions@pumc.org
Family Promise PUMC joins the Plainfield Friends’ congregation to host Hendricks County Family Promise (Homeless Outreach) the week of December 24-31. Special activities and events are being planned to make this a special time for families in the program. Please visit the display in the Main Lobby to donate or serve. Thank you for showing God’s BIG Love to our homeless neighbors this Christmas!
Mitten Trees and Blankets
Cold weather has arrived! Please help provide warmth for children in the local area by adding gloves, hats, mittens, scarves, etc. to the Mitten Trees in two locations at PUMC (Main Lobby and door #2). Clean, used or new, blankets would be appreciated by PUMC’s Homeless Outreach Ministry. Purdue Wesley Foundation These may be placed in the Donation Serves Area Residents Depot across from the main office This Fall the Purdue Wesley (near door#2). Share God’s BIG Love Foundation served their neighbors with gifts of warmth this season. by helping area residents get ready Thank you! for winter. 136 Work Teams (1,795 UM Missionary Tim volunteers) used 1,057 rakes to assist Crawford Says, “Thanks! 349 West Lafayette area residents prepare their yards and homes for Tim Crawford, one of the United winter. This help was much appreciated Methodist Missionaries supported by by the persons assisted in this way by PUMC, recently sent a letter thanking the college students! Learn more at PUMC for their donation of UPCs wesleyfoundation.org. and box tops that were redeemed for school and mission supplies. Tim is the Development Director for Red Bird Mission, located near Beverly, Kentucky. Learn more at rbmission. org. 14
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Thank You for Coats and Mittens! Report from the Plainfield Church Federation indicates that 253 people were assisted with 230 coats, 80 jackets, and countless scarves, mittens, gloves, and hats at a recent distribution event. Thanks to all who helped provide needed warmth to children and adults. “The children smiled so much, and refused to take off their coats, even on a very warm day,” reported one of the helpers from that event.
Homeless Outreach • Madina Village School, Madina Village, Sierra Leone • PUMC Last Saturday Lunch, free community meal • Family Promise (Hendricks County Homeless Outreach) No driving, no parking issues, no lines - just lots of joy. Visit the display in the Main Lobby at PUMC on Sundays in December.
Christmas Shopping Made Easy PUMC Mission Committee is offering Alternative Christmas Gifts again this year! Make a donation to one of the following PUMC Missions Projects in honor of your gift recipient and receive a card to give describing the project your gift is supporting... • PUMC Family Assistance (financial aid to local families) • Feed the Hunger, PUMC Serving the Children of Plainfield
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New Adult Study
JOHN: The Gospel of Light and Life The Gospel of John is often considered the most de e ply spiritual of the four Gospels. T h is w r it i ng is filled with rich images and profound truths, but John notes that his aim in writing the gospel is that readers will not only believe in Jesus Christ, but that they “may have life in his name.” In Adam Hamilton’s six-week, DVD-series, John: The Gospel of Light and Life, you’ll follow the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus through the Gospel of John and understand the context of some of the best-known verses in the New Testament. In this study Hamilton considers important questions of life, reality, and truth. He explores not only what Christians believe, but also why they believe it and why it You are invited to join John Miller, discussion leader, in the Wesley Room (#21) on Sundays at 9:45 a.m. starting December 3 for this timely study. All are welcome!
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Christmas Turtledoves by Marge Welker
I’m sure everyone is buzzing around getting ready for Christmas. Let’s stop for a minute and talk about turtledoves. When Christ was born, Mary and Joseph offered up a sacrifice to God of two turtledoves according to the law. We find this in Leviticus 12:8. The record of the offering is in Luke 2:24 (NRSV) “…and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.’” The Bible says the dove is an emblem of affection and timidity, of harmlessness, also that it is an emblem or token of truth and innocence. The dove can be a symbol for the Spirit of God who brings comfort and peace. Place this symbol of love and peace on your Christmas tree to keep in mind the true meaning of Christmas. Christ was born in a manger as our Savior and many people came to worship. Also angels brought the message of Christ’s birth, saying: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” (Luke 2:14, NRSV) Merry Christmas, to all!
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Christmas Eve Poinsettia Orders I wish to order
poinsettia(s) at $9/plant to grace PUMC’s
worship areas for Christmas worship. Included with my order is $ Name: Email or Phone: In memory of: In celebration of: Please enclose cash or check for the correct amount with your order. Make checks payable to PUMC and note “For Poinsettias” on the memo line. Orders are due no later than December 11. Your dedication will be printed in the December 24 Sunday Worship Folder. Please help us avoid errors in publishing by printing clearly. In order that all may enjoy the beauty of these plants, we ask that you pick up your plant(s) any time after 11 p.m. Christmas Eve worship. Plants remaining after December 31 will be dispersed.
Holiday Volunteers Needed Christmas Eve Worship brings many friends, families and guests to PUMC and many opportunities to serve. Please indicate which of the following ways you can serve and return this form to the church. Thank you! Usher at one or more Christmas Eve Worship experiences: 4 p.m. 5 p.m. 7 p.m. 9 p.m. 11 p.m. Help tidy the sanctuary and main lobby after each Christmas Eve worship Provide nursery care on Christmas Eve while parents attend 7 & 9 p.m. worship Greet and distribute candles on Christmas Eve 4 p.m. 5 p.m. 7 p.m. 9 p.m. 11 p.m. Name: Email/Phone: Serving the Children of Plainfield
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Church Council Report
Nikki Shoultz, Committee Chair, churchcouncil@pumc.org
The Church Council met for its regular monthly meeting on November 8, 2017. In addition to hearing devotions and praying, receiving regular reports from committee chairs and lay leaders, the Council celebrated Glory Sightings, evidences of God’s work for good around us. Additionally, the Council received the following reports and made the following actions: Mary Raver, PUMC Lay Leader related to Missions Committee, reported that • $2505 was collected for hunger relief through the CROP Walk. • PUMC will host Family Promise (Hendricks County Homeless Support Network) the week of Christmas Jim Rodarmel, Head Usher, answered questions about a report from the Safety Task Force that was presented at the October Church Council Meeting. Report included: • Proposed safety upgrades to building and safety processes. • Proposed Response Guide Jim provided clarity about how tasks and procedures will be distributed to various groups and building users. The Safety Committee Guide was voted on and approved by the Church Council. The Safety Task Force will continue to meet regularly to implement the content 18
of the guide. Additional questions and request for a copy of the Guide may be directed to Jim Rodarmel via the church office. The Church Council received the report from the Lay Leadership (Nominations) Committee with 2018 Proposed Leadership. The Council affirmed and elected the list of Proposed Leaders. A full leadership listing will be published in early 2018. Consecration Sunday will be November 12, 2017, onsite at PUMC. Worship will be at 10:00 a.m. in both the sanctuary and the worship annex. Rev. Greg McGarvey will be the guest preacher. Picnic Lunch will follow onsite. Transforming for Tomorrow PUMC and Transforming for Tomorrow leadership hosted Questions & Answer Sessions in September and October. Interested persons at these meetings were invited to join a working team to further investigate needs and proposed projects. These groups are currently meeting. Leadership clarified the following as related to this initiative: • 10% of gifts received for this (proposed) project will be set aside for future major facility needs • Finance expenses related to the pumc.org
project (necessary for cash flow management) will be paid out of the project fund-raising • Leadership is considering a five-year rather than threeyear campaign • Intent is to have projects complete at the end of five years without any lasting debt The Council approved an amended motion to commence with this project; the motion to be circulated prior to, and presented at, a future Church Conference when approval is sought for this initiative. T he Cou nc i l received a recommendation from the StaffParish-Relations Committee for clergy compensation for 2018. In preparation for PUMC’s Charge
Conference on November 28, the Council approved the proposed compensation recommendations. (NOTE: At a special Church Council meeting on November 16, at the recommendation of the Finance Committee, clergy compensation for 2018 was reconsidered and finalized.) Council approved Shannen Shortt, PUMC member, application to be certified as an Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Certified Lay Servant, commending her for leadership in the local church, the district and the conference. Thank you for your ongoing prayerful support of the ministry and mission of the Church Council and PUMC.
Staff News and Updates In gratitude for his ministry and service over the last four years, in November PUMC received Michael Norton’s (NewDay Praise Worship Leader) resignation, effective the end of November. Pastors and worshipers, alike, thank Michael for his music ministry and wish him well in his next ventures. PUMC will post the Praise Worship Leader’s position in mid-January. To learn more about this part-time position or make an application, visit pumc.org, (Staff; Available Positions) after January 15. Inquiries may be directed to jobs@pumc.org.
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Statistical Report on Consecration Sunday Results Thank you for your generous and sustained giving to PUMC and its ministries through the Basic Ministry Budget. Based on responses to Consecration Sunday (November 12) and best estimates of unpledged giving along with loose offerings, (as of November 29, 2017) 2018 giving in support of the Basic Ministry Budget will be approximately $1,007,874. Our 2017 Basic Ministr y (operating) Budget is $1,052,434. This budget was balanced to last year’s estimated income based on Consecration Sunday responses. For 2018, we currently anticipate falling $44,560 short of the 2017 budget. This has been an unusual year with a loss of $50,000 in giving due to death and relocation of PUMC members. Nearly 50% of those who have completed a pledge card
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increased their pledge for 2018. We have a challenge and an opportunity in 2018. The Finance Committee and Council will be working to prepare a budget that will meet our estimated 2018 giving, but doing this while maintaining all of our current ministry will be difficult. We hope not to make significant changes in things that we provide and enjoy as a congregation. Has God called you to reconsider your pledge or to make a special one-time gift? Thank you for your prayerful stewardship of your giving and for your generosity. If you would still like to participate and complete an Estimate of Giving Card, please find one at the back of the sanctuary, the Welcome Center desk, or the Church Office. Additional updates will be made as additional commitments are received.
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Because God Gives, We Give. Thank You for You Generosity! Brenda Barnett, PUMC Financial Administrator, reports the following giving in Sept-Oct 2017, to ministry and mission beyond the Basic Ministry Budget. Give easily and safely online any time at pumc.org. Thank you for your generosity, PUMC Homeless Outreach: $ 985.00 Madina Village School, Sierra Leone: $ 1,150.00 Henderson Settlement (UM Mission in Appalachia): $ 1,220.00 PUMC Youth: $ 240.00 PUMC Music Ministry: $ 3,315.00 PUMC Last Saturday Lunch Outreach: $ 20.00 PUMC Family Assistance Fund (direct aid to local families in need): $ 2,739.00 Family Promise of Hendricks County: $ 20.00 PUMC Memorial Gifts: $ 50.00 United Methodist Committee on Relief – Hurricane Relief: $ 9,370.00 PUMC Food Drive: $ 50.00 Africa University: $ 1,000.00 World Communion Sunday Offering : $ 689.00 PUMC Bell Choir: $500.00 Friendly Planet Missiology: $ 350.00 Kairos Prison Ministry: $ 50.00 PUMC Kids Connection (Out of School Program): $ 70.00 Van Buren Elementary School Outreach: $ 20.00 Total Giving in Sept-Oct, 2017, beyond the Basic Ministry Budget: $ 21,838.00
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In the Hospital this Past Month • Mary Strong
Prayer Blankets • Debbie from Marty Williams with prayers for strength, comfort, and healing. • Tom from Scott and Marty with prayers for healing, comfort, and strength.
Love & Sympathy • the Bob Howard & family on the death of his wife, Sharon Howard. • the family of Carroll Lemonds on his death.
Notes to the Congregation Thank you for your continued support of the Food Pantry and Christmas Shop at Skillen Elementary IPS #34. Through your contributions, we are able to help many families each month with a box of food. Families will have a brighter Christmas because of your donations. A huge thank you to the Missions Committee, Rachel Circle, Mary Martha Circle, Hope Circle, FUN class, and the Friday morning Bible Study. Your continued support is invaluable to our families. Thank you for your kindness! Jennifer Beutler, Social Worker, Eleanor Skillen Elementary School #34 22
Do you want to order a prayer blanket Prayer blankets and bandannas are tang give those in need comfort and support would like to order a blanket or bandann cfoxworthy@att.net or 317.838.7588. Bla check payable to PUMC and mark it Pray pumc.org
Ways to Connect eNews from PUMC Visit www.pumc.org to sign-up for free weekly eNews and digital delivery of the monthly newsletter, “The Circuit Rider.” Follow PUMC on /PlainfieldUMC /NewDayPraise /PUMCBibleExplorers PUMC weekly sermons available in the Plainfield UMC App. Bible Reading Plan available in the Plainfield UMC App.
Ways to Give Give in person in worship on ACH Sunday morning. IN-PERSON
CASH/CHECK
IN-PERSON
CASH/CHECK
ONLINE SECURE
ACH IN-PERSON
CASH/CHECK
ONLINE SECURE
AUTOMATED
ONLINE
AUTOMATED
Online at pumc.org or via ACH SecureGive on your mobile device. SECURE
BANK DRAFT
AUTOMATED BANK DRAFT
Phone Brenda Barnett in the Church Office to set up, 317.839.2319.
BANK DRAFT
Give through the Plainfield UMC App. Get the app on your mobile device at pumc.link/getapp
t or bandanna? gible ways to express God’s love and from the PUMC congregation. If you na, please contact Carol Foxworthy at anket: $20; Bandanna: $10. Make your ayer Blanket Ministry. Serving the Children of Plainfield
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Serving the Children of Plainfield
December 2017 Plainfield United Methodist Church 600 Simmons Street Plainfield, IN 46168 Time Sensitive Material Return Service Requested