Pastor’s Reflections
Our Patron Saint
When I got married I not only became a husband, but also a step-father. A few of you reading this know what that’s like. I wouldn’t assume we all have had the same experiences, but I would imagine most of us struggle for an identity within the family. Quite often there are limits on what we can say or do as far as the kids are concerned, with our authority very dependent on our spouses. And, in many cases we are not quite trusted. Step-parents, throughout history and literature, often play the villain, and people kind of remember that.
But sometimes we are heroes, and people should remember that as well.
The most famous step-parent of all time was Joseph, from the Christmas story, and he was clearly a hero. His intended bride was expecting a child, he knew the child was not his, yet he came through for them both. He claimed the child as his own, stood by the young girl he barely knew, found shelter for her and the baby on Christmas Eve, led them all to safety when King Herod was after them, worried and fretted when the boy Jesus went missing while they were visiting Jerusalem.
And two thousand years later we still honor his poise, his courage, his wisdom and his dedication. I bet he has inspired a lot of step-parents.
I nominate Joseph as the Patron Saint of FUMC this particular Christmas season, and here’s why: We are receiving news about some unexpected children in our midst. Dani Ortega and her brilliant volunteers are telling me we may have over twenty children taking part in the Christmas Pageant scheduled for the evening of December 14. And like the baby Jesus, they have not come into our lives in the traditional manor. Very few can be said to have grown up in our church, almost all have been coming for less than two years. Some are accompanied by their immediate families, but most are neighborhood children coming with friends, or children from our Hispanic ministry, or grandchildren brought by grandparents.
But what they all are, I want to say, what they all have in common … is that they are children who very much need to be claimed as our own, regardless of their origin.
You know, Joseph understood his step-parenting as a sacred calling. According to Luke “an angel of the Lord” appeared to him, and told him he would be part of God’s great plan for the world if he would be willing to take on this role. I hope and trust we see ourselves as having a sacred calling this holiday season, and are glad of the responsibility. No less than Joseph himself, when we welcome these children into our hearts and church home, we are welcoming Christ.
What an honor.
John Wagner
A Special Day for First UMC
The Middletown Ministerial Alliance will soon be announcing that on January 18th, the day before Martin Luther King, Jr. day, the annual community wide ecumenical service honoring Dr. King will be held at our church. Furthermore, we are especially please that Bishop Gregory Palmer, the United Methodist Bishop of West Ohio, has been asked to deliver the sermon that afternoon. We will of course need extra greeters and hosts, and there is a reception following with light refreshments, and we will need help with that as well. Please make plans now to be in attendance. Bishop Palmer is one of the truly outstanding preachers in Methodism, and you won’t want to miss him. His sermon will be the first by a bishop in 35 years (according to our records) so let’s put our best foot forward. The service will start at 4:00pm on Sunday, January 18th.
FUMC Hosts Middletown Civic Chorus’ 75th Anniversary Performance Of “Messiah”
We are so honored to be the host for the 75th anniversary of our community’s presentation of “Messiah”. The Civic Chorus is a group of ecumenical and community singers who enjoy promoting choral music in the community and are sponsors of this yearly event. Accompanied by organ and strings, the chorus has added portions of the music normally sung during the Easter Season and always includes the Hallelujah Chorus! Admission is free to the public and there will be an offering taken. Our Handbell Choir will be providing the pre-concert music. Concert begins at 3pm (Handbells begin at 2:30pm) with a reception following.
Children’s Christmas Program
Don’t miss the Christmas Story as told by our children on Sunday, December 14th. We have been blessed with so many children this year in our congregation and it’s just not Christmas without that classic tableau of the ‘manger scene’ featuring the youngest ones in our church family. What a blessing it is to witness their participation in this sacred story!! Our old-fashioned POTLUCK begins in the Fellowship Hall at 5:00 and the Program follows immediately afterwards. The church will provide the Entree (chicken), drinks, and table service. Bring your favorite dish to share! Please RSVP to the office by phone or on your attendance card on Sunday.
Candlelight Service Christmas Eve
Follow the luminaries made by our youth group into our sanctuary for our celebration of Christ’s birth. We will sing many traditional Christmas carols with piano, organ, and handbells and the choir will present a portion of Vivaldi’s “Gloria” and other Christmas offerings. Pre-service music begins at 7:00 and service starts at 7:30. (Nursery for children 4 and under.) Communion will be offered as part of the service.
As in years past, we will end the service with candlelight and the singing of “Silent Night.” What a beautiful moment in our Christmas season!
Trustees Year-in-Review
Thanks to your offerings and the gifts of past members we were able to complete several maintenance projects in 2014:
¨ Room A/C units were purchased
¨ A “cry room” with CCTV was set up in the bride’s room
¨ Electricity was routed to the Hispanic ministry computer lab
¨ A parking lot sign hung
¨ A new roof was installed on the Wesley House offices
¨ Shelving for the Historical room and the Whiz Kids supply room was purchased
¨ Windows are being replaced in the basement (Shalom office)
Several projects are scheduled for 2015. It is a pleasure to maintain such a beautiful church!
Special thanks to Harold Byrd for his years of service as chairman and to Greg Cooper who does much of the work!
A Word About Jaime
It falls on me to relay the news that Jaime Albaugh, our much loved and respected office manager, is leaving us. Many of you know her well and will miss her terribly, as will the staff and I. Jaime and her husband have been working for years to start and build up questCHURCH, an independent congregation located on the east side of Middletown. They have grown to the point where she can be employed full time. We knew this day was coming, and are so glad for Jaime, but so very sad for us. There will be a celebration of her ministry and a chance to contribute toward a parting gift at a reception following worship on Sunday, December 28th. Jaime will be leaving our staff (but not our hearts!) soon after the first of the year.
—Rev. John Wagner
A Visit From The Boss In Nepal
Update from Dr. Les & Debbie Dornon, missionaries to Nepal working in
the Tansen Hospital
We just enjoyed a very short visit from our “boss” from New York! Over our 14 ½ years here, Becky’s visit is only the second time that we’ve had an official visit from someone from the General Board of Global Ministries.
Becky’s time in Nepal was less than a week. So, we decided she should fly – and made plans accordingly. Debbie got a vehicle down to the closest airport (Bhairawa), leaving Tansen about 7:15 am and arriving at the airport 2 hours later. (It’s probably only 60 or 70 km, but down steep mountain roads.) Even though it was a beautiful day, the plane was delayed. Why? No one really knows… So – Becky arrived 3 hours later than her scheduled time. After getting lunch and driving back to Tansen, it was already 4 pm.
Poinsettias in bloom in the Dornons garden
Becky could only stay one night, so we sent her back around 2 the next day for her 5pm flight – which finally flew around 8 pm! Maybe that’s why no one comes out to visit us!
We were so pleased to have her – and to be able to show her around the hospital and where we live. We are thankful for the staff at GBGM who support us – and even more thankful for churches like FUMC who enable us to be here through prayer and financial support. As the poinsettias in our garden and on the hills come into bloom, we’ll be remembering the beauty of Christmas in Ohio and praying for the joy of Christ’s birth to remain in your hearts throughout the coming year.
In Him,
लेस (Les) and देबी (Debbie)
P.S. To see more photos and stories, please check our blog: http://dornonnepalmission.wordpress.com/
Remember, every third Sunday of the month we collect donations to support Les and Debbie’s work in Nepal.
You may drop your donation in the collection jars or add it to your regular offering using your envelope; just write “Dornons” along with the designated amount.
Music Notes by Mary Ellen Clinard
It’s Caroling Season!
Please consider joining us in caroling to members of our congregation who can’t get to church during this special time of year. We visit individuals as well as care facilities in the name of Christ and our church family. The experience is one of the most meaningful parts of our seasonal offerings. We welcome people of all ages (and vocal talent!!) and will meet at the church and carpool to each location. It’s a wonderful time of fellowship and joy… (and getting to wear reindeer hats just adds to the fun!) There are two days of caroling (Dec 21 & 22, 2-5pm), you can come for both if you like…we meet in the Commons to depart.
UN—Hanging Of The Greens
The WORST part of Christmas is taking down the decorations….UNLESS you do it with friends and family all around!! Join us immediately following the church service on Sunday, January 4th to take down and put away our Christmas decorations. A light lunch will be provided. Everyone is invited!
First Friday Concert Series 2014
DECEMBER 5 CHRISTMAS SING-A-LONG
More singing! More trivia! More jingle bells and silly hats! Our “Crazy Christmas Sweater” contest was lots of fun and we know there’s more ugly sweaters lurking in closets across Ohio! Win a gift certificate and buy a new one! Bring your friends as our community ushers in the Holiday Season together.
JANUARY 2 JIMMY ROGERS
We kick off the year with our traditional honky-tonk piano man, Jimmy Rogers. Always a favorite!!
This concert series wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Middletown Community Foundation, the Miriam G. Knoll Charitable Foundation, The Barnitz Fund and the congregation of First United Methodist Church, Middletown. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for helping us make downtown Middletown a destination for the arts!
Giving Tree
We are helping with Christmas gifts for children of less fortunate families this year…which is one of our most joyous traditions! Please take a tag & leave your name at the Giving Tree in the Commons and return your gift(s) by December 17. If you have questions, please contact the church office or see Rose Morgan.
—Giving Tree Coordinators
Winter Wear Tree
Please continue to leave hats, gloves, scarves & socks on the tree in the Commons.
Highview Partnership Ministry Update
Dear FUMC Congregation,
The Highview Ministry Team wants to make sure you know that we have let go of our partnership with Highview Sixth Grade Center. There had been some changes in leadership and leadership style at the school, and in spite of what we believe were our best efforts, as well as the good intentions of many of the staff and teachers, we began to realize it wasn’t working any longer, and not really the partnership we had hoped for at the beginning. After several sincere attempts to forge a new way forward, we felt it best to let go of this kind of ministry at this location.
We also give many thanks for your generous support during those years—the time given, supplies, and monetary gifts. Highview SGC came to know us as a caring, generous church who were faithfully ministering to the needs of our community.
Sincerely,
Highview Ministry Team
December Birthdays
1 Pat Lyke
3 David Irwin
7 Sue Day, Fred Sander
8 Mary Lou Bennett, Helen Hackney
8 Jared McDaniel
9 Bob Fultz
10 Henry Folgoso
11 Esther Johnson
13 Don Stamper
14 Terry Hines
16 Marcia Greenham
17 Rev. John Wagner
18 Carrie Ingram, Dorothy Youtsler
20 C.M. Jenkins, Kelli Wilson
22 Kathy Wright
23 Joyce Thompson
24 Tom Buchert
25 Rick Lyke, Miriam Melloh
26 David Young
27 John Nichols
28 Dee Markle
29 Nita Driscoll
30 Duane Gordon, Belinda Hausman
30 Matthew Youtsler
January Birthdays
6 Sylvia Maynard
9 Glenna Combs
10 Dave Kramer, Sr., Bev Urso
12 Bobby Beagle
13 Kathy Hieber
18 Jim Hogg
19 James Irwin
22 Pat Schaefer
23 Vikki Jones
25 Phyllis Lolli
26 Alex Mills
27 Dr. Walter Roehll
28 Andrew Youtsler
30 Carolyn Tucker
31 Dixie Davis