THESENIORPOINT thewoodlandsumc.org // December 2015
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE GOLDENAIRES The Goldenaires have a busy performance schedule during the month of December. TUES, DEC 1
2:30 p.m.
Regent Healthcare
WED, DEC 2
11:15 a.m.
Primetimers Luncheon, Wesley Hall
MON, DEC 7
10:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. 2:30 p.m.
The Gathering Place, Aldersgate Hall Luncheon, Red Phoenix Restaurant Brookdale The Woodlands,The Terrace
TUES, DEC 8 10:30 a.m. 2:30 p.m.
Woodlands Healthcare The Forum
WED, DEC 9 2:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m.
The Broadmoor at Creekside Park Park Manor, The Woodlands
MON, DEC 14 10:30 a.m. Park Manor, Conroe 2:30 p.m. The Conservatory TUES, DEC. 15 10:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m.
Silverado Senior Living Goldenaires Christmas Party
WED, DEC 16 2:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m.
Copperwood Apartments The Village at The Waterway, Happy Hour
THURS, DEC 17 4:00 p.m. Interfaith Christmas Party, St. Simon and Jude Church (The group is invited to share a meal at this gathering) FRI, DEC 18 11:30 a.m. The Gathering Place, The Woodlands Community Presbyterian Church
Every year we can be so eager to get to Christmas that we tend to miss the full meaning of Advent. Advent is the fourweek period of spiritual preparation before Christmas, the celebration of the coming of our Lord. “Advent” means “coming.” Rather than saying “Merry Christmas so soon, perhaps we should say, “Come, Lord Jesus”. This was and is the Advent prayer for faithful Christians. We actually live now between two Advents. At Christmas we celebrate and remember our Lord’s first coming as a baby in Bethlehem. But we also remember that he is the risen, living Christ and he will come again. And so, during Advent, we anticipate his second coming and we pray, “thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” So, in the midst of all of the wonderful traditions that surround us during these days before Christmas, in the midst of the hustle and bustle, the decorating, the shopping, and the stress of “getting ready,” let us pause and take time to pray the Advent prayer, “Come, Lord Jesus. Let your Kingdom come, let your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. And let us be ready for your coming.” May you have a blessed Advent and a very Merry Christmas! Your friend, Don
Barbara Harrison and Marilyn Lashbrook
DeeDee Olbrich and Laura Varley
HOUSTON INTERNATIONAL QUILT FESTIVAL On October 30, thirty-nine members of the Senior Adult Ministry and Craft Circle traveled to the George R. Brown Convention Center for the Houston International Quilt Festival. Everyone enjoyed the beautiful quilts on display and shopping with the vendors.
DECEMBER 2015 SUNDAY
Nov. 29
MONDAY
Nov. 30
TUESDAY
1
8:30 – 9:20 a.m. Senior Exercise (AG)
WEDNESDAY
2
THURSDAY
3
11:15 a.m. lunch Prime Timers (WH)
Please rsvp for Prime Timers by noon today 6
13
4
7 8:45 am – 1:00 p.m. The Gathering Place (AG)
8 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. Senior Exercise (AG)
14
15 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. Senior Exercise (AG)
21
22 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. Senior Exercise (AG)
9 10:00 p.m. Men’s Book Study (IC)
SATURDAY
5
8:30 a.m. Senior Exercise with Christmas Party afterward (AG)
Perspectives Class Christmas Party (WH)
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Good News Class Christmas Social (AG)
Friendship Class Christmas Party (WH)
4:30 p.m. Goldenaires’ Christmas Party (AG) 20
FRIDAY
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
10
11 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. Senior Exercise (AG)
12
17
18 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. Senior Exercise (AG)
19
4:00 p.m. Bus departs for Santa’s Wonderland 16
12:00 p.m. OK Quilters Luncheon (AG)
23
5:30 p.m. Bus departs for “Meet Me in St. Louis” 24
25
26
Merry Christmas!
(Church offices closed)
27
28 (Church offices closed)
Location/Legend:
29 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. Senior Exercise (AG)
30
31
Jan. 1 New Year’s Day
(Church offices closed)
Loft – Craft Circle Rm. JL – Jones Library MS - Music Suite W H – Wesley Hall DC – Dunnam Conference Room AG – Aldersgate Hall RC - Robb Chapel GC – Gallaway Conference Room OB – Otterbein IC – Infant Care Room
2
COMING EVENTS PRIME TIMERS Wednesday, December 2 Join us at 11:15 a.m. for our monthly luncheon in Wesley Hall. The Goldenaires will entertain with their Christmas program. Reservations are due by noon on Monday, November 30, to Joyce and Ken Nesmith at 281.367.5519. The cost is $7 per person and checks are preferred, payable to TWUMC. We will be collecting unwrapped toys for needy children. FRIENDSHIP CLASS CHRISTMAS PARTY Friday, December 4 Hors d’oeuvres will be served from 6:00 – 6:30 p.m. in the Atrium with entertainment by a bagpipe player from Lone Star College. Rumor has it that Santa will make an appearance. Dinner will follow in Wesley Hall with entertainment provided by the The Woodlands Academy Of Fine Arts Men’s Ensemble. Cost is $15 per person. Please RSVP no later than Monday, November 30 to Helen Burgdorf at 381.397.3726 or by signing up in the class. For more information, contact Ferol and Olin Johnson at 713.301.6663. PERSPECTIVES CLASS CHRISTMAS PARTY Saturday, December 5 The annual Christmas Party will be held in Wesley Hall at 6:00 p.m. There will be a catered dinner, a devotional from a pastor, and communion. For more information, contact Steve Powell at 936.273.9679. GOOD NEWS CLASS CHRISTMAS SOCIAL Saturday, December 5 The annual Christmas social will be held in Aldersgate Hall at 6:00 p.m. For more information, contact Lee Ann Sewell at 936.321.8349. THE GATHERING PLACE Monday, December 7 The Gathering Place is an outreach program for adults who have early to moderate Alzheimer’s or dementia. Volunteers arrive at Aldersgate Hall at 8:45 a.m. and our guests arrive at 10:00 a.m. The theme will be “Home for the Holidays.” For more information, contact Connie Norton at 281.292.3875. SENIOR ADULT TRIP Thursday, December 10 We will take a ride through lighted Santa’s Wonderland near College Station and stop for dinner on the way there. The bus will leave the church at 4:00 p.m. Please contact Helen Burgdorf at 281.397.3726 for more information. SENIOR ADULT TRIP Friday, December 18 We will go to dinner at Cracker Barrel and then attend the musical, “Meet Me in St. Louis” at the Owen Theatre in Conroe. The bus will leave the church at 5:30 p.m. GROUPS THAT WILL NOT MEET IN DECEMBER Peggy’s Book Club, Lunch Bunch, An Afternoon at the Movies and Senior Adult Game Night Visit thewoodlandsumc.org for information about church events.
SMALL GROUP MINISTRIES GOLDENAIRES CHOIR The Goldenaires rehearse each Tuesday afternoon from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. This is a group of folks who like singing together and provide music for various functions such as Prime Timers, funerals and visits to senior facilities. There is no need to audition. For more information, or to get involved, contact Ed Wandling at 281.355.0053. The annual Goldenaires Christmas Party will be held in Aldersgate Hall at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 15. It will be a potluck dinner. MEN’S BOOK STUDY Join us for a men’s book study, which meets on Wednesday, December 9 at 10:00 a.m., in the Infant Care Room at the church. We are studying the book I Love Getting Older But I’ll Never Grow Old by J. Ellsworth Kalas. Contact Judith or Frank Wilson at 936.273.2597 for more information. SENIOR EXERCISE Join us to exercise Tuesdays and Fridays 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. in Aldersgate Hall. This is a muscle toning workout featuring strength training and some stretching using hand weights, tubes and chairs. Lite body sculpting is an unintimidating, less strenuous class with modifications for any fitness level. Segments include warm-up, strength, stretching and cool-down. There is no charge. Please wear comfortable clothes and tennis shoes. For more information please contact Jackie Martini at 281.451.3844. Plan to stay after class on Friday, December 4 for a Senior Exercise Class Christmas party! OK QUILTERS Our annual Christmas luncheon will be held at noon on December 16 in Aldersgate Hall. For more information, contact Joyce Nesmith at 281.367.5519.
SUPPORT MINISTRIES ELDERRIDE Contact Ken and Linda Keith at 936.271.3810 if you need a ride to a medical appointment. Please call at least 48 hours in advance. SHEPHERD CARE Shepherd Care is our ministry of friendship for our members who are in local nursing homes, senior adult residences and private residences. New shepherds and new lambs are always welcome. For more information, contact Karen Freeman at 858.204.0011. COMPUTER SUPPORT MINISTRY The Computer Support Ministry has helped over twenty people since it was established a year ago by Jerry Barney, a member of The Woodlands United Methodist Church. If you need computer assistance please call Jerry at 281.826.3232 (home) or 915.373.3707 (cell). There is no charge.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED To sign-up or for more information, contact Liz Rookstool at lrookstool@twumc.org or 281.297.5918.
The Woodlands United Methodist Church 2200 Lake Woodlands Drive The Woodlands, Texas 77380 281.297.5900 thewoodlandsumc.org
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FREDERICKSBURG On September 30 and October 1, a group traveled to Fredericksburg and Kerrville. We enjoyed a tour of the LBJ Ranch Home and grounds. We visited the Grape Creek Winery, which included a tram ride through the vines, then on to the crush pad, tank room, barrel room and cellar. That evening after dinner we visited Lukenbach, population of 3, looked through their General Store and listened to the evening’s entertainment. The second day we went to the National Museum of the Pacific War and enjoyed lunch along Main Street in Fredericksburg. The last stop was in Kerrville at the new James Avery Factory Visitor Center and Store. We enjoyed a presentation of the history of James Avery as well as shopping.
Helen Burgdorf and Virginia Cray
SANTA’S WONDERLAND IN COLLEGE STATION Thursday, December 10 4:00 p.m. Depart the church 5:30 p.m. Dinner along the way (dutch treat) 7:00 p.m. Take a Hay Ride through Santa’s Wonderland 10:00 p.m. Return to the church
Santa’s Hayride Tours offer the total quality Texas Christmas Experience at Santa’s Wonderland. The views on a hayride tour are absolutely spectacular with open visibility, festive holiday music, freshly bundled hay and raised seating for better views during your tour of millions of dazzling holiday lights. $32 per person which includes transportation and Hayride Tour. Checks are preferred, please make payable to TWUMC. Deadline for sign-up is December 7.
“MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS” THE OWEN THEATRE IN CONROE Friday, December 18 5:30 p.m. Depart the church 6:00 p.m. Dinner at Cracker Barrel (dutch treat) 8:00 p.m. Performance begins 10:30 p.m. Return to the church
$30 per person, includes transportation and admission to the theatre. Checks are preferred, please make payable to TWUMC. Deadline for sign-up is December 15.
For both trips, contact Helen Burgdorf at 281.397.3726 or hcburgdorf@comcast.net for more information and to sign-up.