December 08 Journey by stpauls

DECEMBER 2008

CRISTO EN EL MUNDO/CHRIST IN THE WORLD

hrist in the world” is St. Paul’s theme for Advent and Christmas this year. To help us get a sense of another part of the world and its Christmas traditions, we have selected Latin America and, in particular, Guatemala, for our sanctuary décor and music.

What will be different? Instead of the traditional European symbols of the season÷evergreens and holly, for example÷the visual arts team (Shirley McNeal, Suzie Dutton, Katy Crow and Matthew Lischer) will fill the sanctuary with red poinsettia, bright colored Guatemalan cloths, pomegranates, stars, paper flowers, nativities and traditional items from Guatemalan and our other Latin American neighbors. The Guatemala mission team brought back wonderful fabric and garlands, and the V-A team found additional fair-trade imported items at 10,000 Villages in Overland Park. Worry dolls are common in Latin America, and you’ll see two worry doll wreaths. The cross will be decorated with a bright colored-paper flower garland. Each Sunday we’ll incorporate one Spanish-heritage carol into the services, and the chancel choir will sing some Christmas songs with a Latin rhythm. What will be the same? We’ll still have a Christmas tree up front with Chrismon ornaments. We will still light candles each Sunday on the Advent wreath. We’ll still sing familiar carols. Our readings and carols this year will emphasize the presence of angels in the Christmas story. We may be more aware this year that we share a common lectionary (order of readings) with our Christian brothers and sisters around the world. We will hold our Christmas Eve services at 4, 7 and 9 p.m. The four ‘clock service is designed especially for young children and their families. The 7 and 9 p.m. services include communion and a closing candle-lit “Silent Night.” continued on page 2

VOL.15,

NO. 12

J UR JO U NE N Y INSIDE

BOOK CLUB

PRESCHOOL NEWS

PJ&E TIP

LIFTING OUR PRAYERS

YOUTH FUNDRAISER

GIFTS FOR GIVING

FAMILY LIFE

YOUTH AUCTION

INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY

STEWARDSHIP NEWS

ADVENT CALENDAR

CRISTO EN EL MUNDO/CHRIST IN THE WORLD continued from page 1

On the evening of December 21, we will again hold a Longest Night service. Although anyone is welcome to come, this service is particularly designed for those who are just not ready this year to be all joyous and bubbly over the birth of a child. This service is for you if you have suffered a loss – through the death of a loved one, the breakup of a marriage, the loss of a child, the end of a relationship or the loss of a job. Will there be special events? Of course! At 4 o’clock on December 14, our children’s choirs will present a Christmas musical called “Radio J-O-Y!” written by Terry W. York and Vicki Hancock Wright. This delightful Christmas musical retells the nativity story through songs and stories of those who shared in the glorious event of Christ’s birth. Radio studio “J-O-Y” sets the stage where a local children’s choir and their pastor present the Christmas story while being interviewed by disc jockey celebrity “Dee Jay.” Throughout the on-air show, characters from the Christmas story share how their lives were touched by the Savior’s birth. Come celebrate with Radio J-O-Y- where the Best Songs are Songs about Christmas. On December 21, at the 8:15 and 10:45 services, the chancel choir will present “Holy Night of Miracles,” a Christmas cantata. Composer Lloyd Larson writes: his holy night, the night of Jesus’ birth, is recalled annually in our churches and homes as we celebrate the sights, sounds and spirit of Christmas. “Holy Night of Miracles” is a reminder that the hope born on that first Christmas night is sill needed today and ultimately found in the miraculous child born in Bethlehem so many years ago. Blending familiar carols with new Christmas anthems, this work is a timely reminder that the hope born on that first Christmas night is still needed today and ultimately, found in the miraculous Child born in Bethlehem. Heart-warming music, inspiring narration and congregational singing make this a moving worship experience for choir and congregation alike. Why are we doing this? Once in a while, it’s important that we take a moment – or in this case, a month – to remember that Jesus and the story of Jesus is not just our story, but the world’s story. We hope that this Advent and Christmas will be a way to let a little Latin-American culture reach into our lives and touch our hearts in a new way. We will hold our Christmas Eve services at 4, 7 and 9 p.m. The four ‘clock service is designed especially for young children and their families. The 7 and 9 p.m. services include communion and a closing candle-lit “Silent Night.”

CELEBRATION SERVICE ADVENT SERIES: WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

WHAT ARE YOU

Waiting FOR?

oin us for our 9:30 AM Sunday Celebration Service Advent sermon series “What Are You Waiting For?” Waiting is never easy, expecially when we want something...an answer, healing, comfort, an open door...Pastor Sandra Cox will explore what it means to “wait” and will ponder what exactly it is that we might be waiting for. We will take a closer look at the human condition and God’s expected or oftentimes unexpected response.

PRESCHOOL NEWS

Sing the News! Spread the News! God has sent his Son!

f you come to the preschool area during December you are more than likely going to hear this song being sung as we prepare for the baby Jesus’ entry into our world once again. Preschool is so much fun and Christmas time is an especially joyful time to share our savior’s story with the children. Our Good Shepherd staff, Deborah Reiman, Shannon Mullen, and Kim Langstraat have wonderful lessons to present that include hands-on materials such as various nativity pieces to provide a meaningful experience of the Christmas story. Our school also shares with the children how Jesus wants us to take care of others. In response to this, the preschool children will be bringing non-perishable food items to be given to local pantries as our holiday mission project. The preschool teachers are intentional about helping children understand the value of giving to others and this year with the struggling economy this lesson seems extra important. We welcome the congregation’s help in supporting our efforts in any way you can. Our preschool Christmas program will be on December 19. We will be doing two performances, at 6:00pm. and 7:00pm., and will involve performers from our seven preschool classes. Anyone is invited who would like to attend. Our friends from Lenexa Assisted Living will be attending. The preschool will be closed for the Christmas holiday from December 22 through January 2. On behalf of the staff of St. Paul’s Preschool, we wish you the joy and excitement that the birth of Jesus brings to our lives!

PJ & E TIP: OBTAIN A LIVE CHRISTMAS TREE AND HELP THE ENVIRONMENT!

ansas City WildLands, in partnership with Johnson County Park and Recreation District, is offering the public an opportunity to remove invasive red cedars and take them home to decorate for the holidays! Volunteers are needed for this popular annual event. Saturday, December 6, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Shawnee Mission Park, Shawnee, Kansas. When you take home a tree, you’ll not only make your house smell great but you’ll be helping restore these wild places to their original health! For more information or to volunteer, contact Linda Lehrbaum, 816-561-1061, x116 or linda@bridgingthegap.org.

LIFTING OUR PRAYERS We extend our deepest sympathy to Dave Platt, upon the loss of his aunt, Jackie Day. We extend our deepest sympathy to Susan Fussell, upon the lost of her mother, Lois Torpy. We joyfully celebrate the baptism of Hannah Leigh Singhal on November 16, 2008.

YOUTH MISSION TRIP FUND RAISER COME AND JOIN US AT RED ROBIN 95TH AND METCALF COME ON OUT AND HELP SUPPORT ST. PAULS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AND THEIR YOUTH MISSION TRIP ON DECEMBER 2ND, TUESDAY NIGHT, FROM 4PM TO 10PM. 10% OF ALL SALES ASSOCIATED WITH ST. PAULS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH WILL BE GIVEN BACK TO SUPPORT THE YOUTH MISSION TRIP THIS YEAR!! IT WILL BE AN EXCITING NIGHT WITH GREAT FOOD AND A FUN ATMOSPHERE WHILE SUPPORTING A GREAT CAUSE.

GIFTS FOR GIVING Need a Gift for the Person Who Has Everything? Give a Gift Help Someone Who Has Much Less…. GLOBAL IMPACT Heifer International (www.heifer.org) This organization has helped 9.2 million families around the globe by addressing hunger, poverty and sustainability through gifts of livestock and agricultural training. Heifer’s strategy is to “pass on the gift” as people share their animals’ offspring with others. You can make a general donation or “purchase” an animal for a particular family/location! Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (www.cfcausa.org) Founder Bob Hentzen grew up in Lenexa and founded this organization in Guatemala to help families in developing countries put food on the table and send their children to school. You can make a one time donation or sponsor a child or aging friend ($30/ month) with school or medical expenses on an on-going basis. MicroPlace (www.microplace.com) This organization provides you the opportunity to invest dollars to fund organizations that make loans to the world’s working poor. You can choose the developing country in which you invest, the level of your investment and the time frame for your financial return! If you invest a minimum of $20.00 in honor of someone, they can receive a Chilean artisan piggy bank and/or an e-card announcing your investment in their honor! GLOBAL IMPACT WITH GIFT PURCHASES! Ten Thousand Villages (www.tenthousandvillages.com) Located in old downtown Overland Park (7947 Santa Fe Dr.), this store offers folk art, home décor, jewelry, baskets and more! Items are hand-crafted and shares the traditions and cultures of artisans from a developing world. Cojolya Market Place (www.cojolya.org) An association of Mayan women weavers dedicated to the preservation of backstrap loom weaving and the traditions which surround it through the provision of economic incentives to women weavers. Its Guatemala headquarters is in Santiago, Atitlan, where some of the women from the St. Paul’s Guatemala mission team visited in November. Beautiful gift items include purses, scarves and pillow covers. NATION-WIDE IMPACT Society of St. Andrew (www.endhunger.org) This ministry is dedicated to gleaning America’s fields and feeding America’s hungry by providing healthy, nutritious produce to society’s most vulnerable through innovative, cost effective programs. St. Paul’s first Pastor, Jeff Allen worked with Society of St. Andrew for a number of years. They offer a Christmas gift card and advent devotions on their web site.

LOCAL OPTIONS Johnson County Interfaith Hospitality Network (www.jocoihn.org) IHN engages people of faith to empower homeless families. It partners with over 30 churches in Johnson County to provide overnight accommodations and meals for homeless families (up to 14 people) for one week at a time every 3 – 4 months. St. Paul’s is a support church with Shawnee UMC and provides volunteers for meals and overnight stays. It also provides social service assistance to families as needed. Located at 11503 Strang Line Rd., Suite C, Olathe, KS 66062. Phone 345-2121. Heartland Habitat for Humanity (www.heartlandhabitat.org) A grassroots Christian organization dedicated to the elimination of poverty and substandard housing. It builds simple, decent homes and communities in Wyandotte and Johnson counties. Located at 1401 Fairfax Trafficway, Building D, Suite 323, Kansas City, KS 66115.Phone 342-3047. THERE’S A CHILL IN THE AIR…HOWEVER FAMILY LIFE EVENTS WILL WARM YOUR SPIRIT.

nother yoga class has been added to the schedule. No children’s daycare will be available. The class meets early Saturday morning at 7:30am and the cost of the class will be the same as the current Thursday evening class. If you have further questions, please e-mail Deb Humphrey, dlhumphrey@kc.rr.com, or Angela Schaffer, angela@schafferfitness.com. The youth and Family Life would love for you to join us on December 7 when we go Christmas Caroling to shut-ins. Everyone will join together at 5pm and then head off to bring a little Christmas cheer to folks. We’ll meet back at the church around 7pm for a soup and sandwich dinner. This annual event is a great opportunity to do something special this time of year and is a great way to gather with other St. Paulians. If you have any questions, please call Deb Humphrey, 334-2575, or e-mail her, dlhumphrey@kc.rr.com. Looking for something to feed your marriage? Then sign up at the ConneXions Center for the next marriage enrichment seminar tentatively scheduled for February 7, 2009. This all-day event costs $35 per couple. One lodge room has opened up for our retreat to the YMCA of the Rockies next summer July 26-30 of 2009. The lodge rooms sleep six and cost varies according to the number of adult and children that are attending. If you’d like to experience an economical trip for your family that affords lots of variety and family fun, plus the added benefit of Rocky Mountain National Park, please contact Deb Humphrey at dlhumphrey@kc.rr.com and reserve your spot. The opening will be given on a first come, first served basis. Remember to check the ConneXions Center periodically for signups for special Family Life events. The Family Life crew is always looking for special opportunities for our St. Paul’s Family. Look for more information on events in the coming months.

YOUTH AUCTION

nce again, a “Youth Auction” fundraiser is underway for the UMYF group planning to participate in a Mission Trip during the summer of 2009. UMYF members have filled out Bid Sheets which are posted on a table in the entryway of the church. Members and friends of St. Paul’s can bid on a variety of services and goods that the youth are willing to provide to one or more bidders in exchange for fees that will help them pay for their Mission Trip-related expenses. Please take some time to browse the Bid Sheets and perhaps find some things of interest. Please note that this fall’s Youth Auction closes December 7. The youth will contact you to schedule delivery of the services or goods and/or collect the agreed-upon fees by no later than January 10, 2009. Please direct any questions to Roger or Leslie Williams, 745-5781. JOHNSON COUNTY INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK UPDATE

oCoIHN is currently hosting 4 homeless families (17 people). St. Paul’s partners with Shawnee United Methodist to provide food and a warm place to sleep for a week every 3 months. Volunteers are needed to provide meals, evening fellowship & overnight stays. The next Volunteer Training for JoCoIHN is Tuesday, December 2, 6:30-9pm at Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church. Please contact Pat White, 894-5891, for more information on how to get involved with homeless families or visit their website, www.jocoihn.org. JoCoIHN needs help providing Christmas baskets for 17 families--four are currently homeless & the others “graduated” from the program this past year. Your gift of a $10 (or more) gift card will help make their Christmas a little more special. Use BAG It! Bucks to purchase a Walmart, Kohls, or Target card. Hyvee or Price Chopper or any gas card would also be appreciated. Please drop off your gift cards to the ConneXions Center by Sunday, December 8. The families will be receiving their gifts & food baskets on Sunday, December 14. Please call Pat White, 894-5891, for more info on JoCoIHN or visit their website, www.jocoihn.org. ST. PAUL’S BOOK CLUB When: 7:00 pm, Monday, January 26 Where: Linda Stoner’s home 12803 W. 50th St. What: Great discussion of Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War by Nathaniel Philbrick. Open to everyone who wants to join the fun! For more information, contact Linda Stoner (lindastoner@kc.rr.com)

WORSHIP READINESS CLASS January 11 to May 3, 2008

hat is religion, who is John Wesley and what are the sacraments of Baptism and Communion all about? These are all topics that will be discussed in St. Paul’s Worship Readiness Class that is geared towards 2nd grade students. We also recommend this class for 3rd and 4th grade students that have not taken it. The Worship Readiness Class is designed to help children better understand the worship service so they can easily transition from Children’s Church and join in the adult worship service. The class will also cover a little history of the United Methodist Church. The 17-week class will begin on Sunday, January 11, at 9:30 a.m., during the Sunday School hour. The final class will be held on Communion Sunday, May 3, when the students will celebrate the sacrament of communion at the 10:45 a.m. worship service. To fully enhance your child’s understanding of the worship service and its value, we encourage him\her to attend class regularly. Parents and adults are welcome to join us also. Class Topics: January 11

What is Religion? What is a Christian?

January 18

What is Worship? Why do we Worship?

January 25

Who is John Wesley?

February 1

Church Seasons, Colors and Holidays (Advent, Christmas, Epiphany)

February 8

Church Seasons and Colors (Lent, Easter and Pentecost)

February 15

Vocations within the church

February 22

Membership, Preparatory Membership, Constituent Membership

March 1

History of the United Methodist Church, Who are United Methodists?

March 8

Prayer/Creeds/Affirmation of Faith

March 15

Bible Readings/Sermon

March 22

Hymnal/Music/Singing in Church

March 29

Baptism

April 5

Baptism

April 12

Easter (no class)

April 19

Communion

April 26

Communion (Last Supper)

May 3

Communion Celebration at the 10:45 a.m. Worship Service

Contact Claudia Vines, 268-9551 or Gina Taylor, 438-2287 if you have any questions.

Stewardship Below is a chart of operating revenues and expenses for 2008 as well as YTD equity. 2008 Operating Revenue and Expenses 600000 500000 400000 Revenue

300000

Expenses

200000 100000 0 Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

June

Jul

Aug

Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

YTD

2008 Operating Budget Equity

ct O

t Se p

Au g

Ju ly

e Ju n

ay M

Ap r

ar M

b Fe

Ja n

Equity

Be g

in ni ng

25000 20000 15000 10000 5000 0

October pledged contributions were received at 85% of budgeted and expenses were expended at 98% of budget. YTD pledged contributions as of end of October are running at 86% of budget ($58,018). We continue to run behind on pledged contributions at about the equivalent of one month’s expenses so your continued stewardship is very important to our ministries. In October we did bring income into budget from the auction which did help offset some of the amount we are running behind on revenues. Also the 4th quarter for St. Paul’s is typically very strong; I would expect that to follow past history and continue to be true. Below is a chart of debt reduction revenues and expenses for 2008. 1st Qtr. 2nd Qtr. 3rd Qtr. Oct . Pledge Revenue $ 55,170 $ 48,489 $ 74,795 $10,196 Rental Revenue $ 12,160 $ 11,410 $ 10,610 $ 4,070 Loan Payments – Interest $ 39,926 $ 38,405 $ 37,135 $12,100 Loan Payments – Prin. $ 20,207 $ 21,728 $ 23,000 $ 7,945 Rental Expenses $ 0 $ 4,693* $ 961 $ 225 *½ half property taxes

YTD $ 189,190 $ 38,250 $ 127,566 $ 72,880 $ 5,879

Total collected to date for 3 year Debt Reduction $421,555 (42.90%). This does not include rental income. The current balance on our building loan is $1,842,309.

december 2008 sunday

wednesday thursday

friday

31 days of giving

saturday

tuesday

Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and save 25 gallons a month.

monday

Send old books to booksofafrica.org, a national nonprofit that funnels books to schools and libraries.

Donate your old cell phone to victims of domestic violence at ncadv.org.

3 Shop online for gifts through a charitable search engine such as iGive.com.

Rake leaves or shovel snow for an elderly neighbor.

Instead of giving the party hostess a bottle of wine, donate to a local charity in her name.

Mentor an at-risk teen online at icouldbe.org.

Volunteer to babysit for a single parent.

Tutor a budding writer at 826national.org.

Bring a carload of newspapers, towels and blankets to an animal shelter.

Give a loved one a list of the “Top 10 Cherished Memories” you’ve shared together.

Give your old eyeglasses to people in developing countries who can’t afford them at Uniteforsight.org.

Give up your seat for someone on the bus or metro.

Help protect half an acre of rain forest in South and Central America at rainforestalliance.org.

Put a quarter in someone’s expired meter.

Vaccinate people around the world against deadly diseases with a donation at

doctorswithoutboarders.org.

You don’t have to change the world to brighten a corner. Here are 31 things most anyone can do this month to help another, show appreciation and spread random acts of kindness.

Visit an elderly resident at a nursing home. Many people do not have loved ones to spend time with during the holidays.

Forgive someone.

Send your old computer Use recyclable bags to grocery shop to an underprivileged today. child in one of 61 countries at

worldcomputerexchange.com.

When you hear a siren, say a little prayer for the person(s) in need.

Buy local fruits and vegetables at localharvest.org.

Help fund supplies and field trips to underfunded public schools at donorschoose.org.

Pay for the person behind you at the toll.

Volunteer – inside or out – at a national park. Go to nps.gov.

Save energy by Find projects that help people in your area at shutting off your computer at day’s end. dosomething.org.

Start a little league in your community.

Hold the door open for Help someone learn the person behind you. English at Literacyvolunteers.org.

Donate your frequent flyer miles to families of injured soldiers at heromiles.org.