Excerpts from the December 2018 UMC Newsletter
Riverview United Methodist Church
4012 W. Court St. Pasco, WA 99301
Mailing address: P.O. Box 2306 Pasco, WA 99302
Phone: 509-547-5981; Office Email: riverviewumcpasco@gmail.com
From the Pastor’s Desk
Hello Friends,
Advent is here which means Christmas is near! December 2nd is the First Sunday of Advent and I begin a seven week sermon series called Prepare the Way! The series will last through Christmas and Epiphany. Through scripture and proclamation we will explore the coming of Jesus and the hope that it inspires in our lives. What is Advent?
Dean McIntyre writes: The season of Advent has been with us since the fourth century, although it has not been a part of the liturgical observance of all denominations and churches. With the mixing of Christmas and Advent during the weeks leading up to Christmas Day, there is often confusion of the two. Here are the basics of Advent:
When. Advent marks the beginning of the church year. It begins with the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day and ends Christmas Eve. If Christmas Day falls on a Sunday, Advent will last four full weeks. If Christmas Day falls on any other day of the week, Advent will last less than four weeks. If Christmas falls on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, all of Advent will be in December. If Christmas falls on any other day of the week, Advent will begin in November.
What. Advent comes from the Latin word, adventus, meaning "coming." It is a season to prepare for the coming of Christ in various meanings: the promised coming of the Messiah to the Jews, the coming of Jesus being born in Bethlehem, the promised return of the risen Christ in final victory, and the continual coming of Christ into the lives and hearts of believers.
Liturgical Context. Advent, which marks the beginning of the liturgical year, is part of the cycle of seasons that includes Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, all related in some fashion to the coming of Jesus. That cycle is followed by Lent, Holy Week, Easter, and the long Pentecost season.
Color. The color for Advent has traditionally been purple. Some churches have adopted blue for Advent. In practice, however, as churches increasingly incorporate the symbols and decorations of Christmas during Advent, more and more we see red, green, and gold appearing. The United Methodist Book of Worship upholds the traditional color of purple for Advent, signifying penitence and royalty; but it also allows blue, the color of hope.
Themes, Images, Symbols, and Practices. There are a number of historic and traditional themes observed during Advent:
• Preparing to celebrate the coming of Christ:
• The coming of the Messiah to the Jews.
• The coming of Jesus into the world at Bethlehem.
• The second coming of Jesus in final victory.
• The continual coming of Jesus into the hearts and lives of believers. • A time of penitence and fasting, austerity, seriousness, reading of Scripture, hearing and proclaiming the Word in sermon and song; waiting and longing for the Messiah's coming.
Pastor Derek
revderekriverumc@gmail.com
509-380-2263
United Methodist Women
Meeting Changes The December holiday meeting time is changed to noon. A soup lunch will be served. We will have a Christmas cookie exchange; cookies do not need to be home baked. We’ll have a short business meeting and Kathy will share a little about her trip to Israel. All are welcome to come enjoy! The January meeting is canceled due to unpredictable weather.
Safe Harbor and My Friends Place The UMW is helping Safe Harbor and My Friends Place provide Christmas gifts to at-risk children and teens in our community. There is a box in the fellowship hall for donations of gifts. Safe Harbor needs the following for infant through elementary age children: small toys, Legos, and books (English and Spanish). My Friends Place is always in need of bus passes, gift cards, movie tickets, and phone chargers. Both places are in need of hats, scarves, mittens, gloves, and socks. All sizes are needed! If you would like to donate , please have items to the church by December 16th.
Fellowship Baked Goods Needed Donations of cookies (2-3 dozen), candy, pies, etc. are greatly appreciated for after-worship fellowship on Sundays. Homemade goodies are great and store-made goodies are just fine too! The following dates are available: December 9 December 16 December 23 December 30 Can you help? If you can, please call the office or sign up in the fellowship hall!
Birthdays Maxine Rogers 12/1 Annamaria Brant 12/6 Joy Beese 12/17 Jean Bookwalter 12/28
Anniversaries Lee and Maxine Rogers 12/27
If we missed your December birthday or anniversary, please contact Janiece and she will get your information added. You can also send your information to: RiverviewUMCPasco@gmail.com
Bite 2 Go for Christmas Vacation Wednesday, December 19 10:00 AM This is the day that the UMW will be putting together bags of additional food to give to those at Twain Elementary that are part of our Bite 2 Go program. These bags will help ensure that the kiddos have plenty of food during the long Christmas break.
Remember, all items need to be pull-top or easy open—NO tops requiring a can opener! Also, all items must be shelf-stable, ready to eat, and not require heating/cooking. The following is a list of items that are needed.
Vienna sausage
Ravioli
SpaghettiOs
Beef sticks
Nutrition Bars
Fruit cups/pouches
Peanut butter or cheese sandwich crackers
The more that is donated, the more they can receive!
Bite 2 Go Volunteers Needed Our Bite 2 Go participation and partnership with Mark Twain Elementary has resumed! If you are interested in helping with this activity please sign up on the form in the fellowship hall or contact Bette Ward.
Trustees Corner The following are highlights discussed at the November meeting. The Trustees will not be meeting in December.
Winter Preparations. The snow and ice melt supplies were inventoried and judged to be adequate for the season with 7½ bags on hand. Plans for plowing the parking lot are in place if needed. A member from our sister church ,Iglesia Vida Positiva, has volunteered to provide this service again this year. A big thank you to them for this effort!
Stewardship Brochure. A brochure was prepared that describes opportunities for others to participate in maintaining the church facilities (inside, outside, grounds management, garage update, etc.). The idea is to have a list of volunteers that could be called upon when needed. Brochures are available in the church office.
Safety Issues. This is an on-going review that will include evacuations, training, alarms, risk evaluations and staging area locations. While there are no specific risks considered likely, a periodic review is considered a prudent step.
Garage Renovation. Preliminary plans are being made to cleanup the garage and to install cabinets, shelving and files that would allow equipment items and records to be stored in a protected manner. Any volunteers to help on this one? Lee Rogers Chairman Trustees
Community Comfort Closet Funding from many community resources, that our most vulnerable community members rely upon, has been cut or stopped until further notice. As a result, the church office has received an increase in calls from the community asking for help in obtaining basic self-care care items. To help our community, we will have a small comfort closet supplied with these basic items. Items donated will go into a “community comfort closet” and Janiece will be able to direct the community callers to come the church during office hours to get needed supplies. Items needed: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soap, razors, deodorant, feminine hygiene items, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and toilet paper.
Wednesday, December 19th 7:00 pm—8:30pm All youth 6th –12th grades are invited to attend! We will have games, fellowship and snacks! Please bring a white elephant gift that is valued at $5 or less!
.
Crossover! A Year Long Quest!
Our weekly discussion group begins Monday, December 3rd at 1:30pm Books will be available on Sunday, December 2nd.
Contact Bette Ward or Marilyn Smith for more information.
December 2, 2018—November 24, 2019 Bishop Stanovsky will soon be inviting United Methodists and friends in to join a yearlong devotional study. This study begins with Advent 2018. This study will be based on We Make the Road by Walking, by Brian McLaren. McLaren introduces us afresh to the principles of Christian faith and bible teachings. Each week, in 3-4 pages, he invites us to revisit biblical principles and our lives of faith.
We will be forming several groups at Riverview UMC. More details to come in the eNews and Ministry News announcements. From the Website:
Jesus said that he came so people “could live life to the fullest.” - John 10:10 (CEB) Come with me on a year of Crossing Over to LIFE, beginning with Advent, December 2, 2018.
The journey begins as Brian McLaren leads us on a year-long exploration on the bible and faith in his book, We Make the Road by Walking. I hope that across the Greater Northwest many of you will gather in small groups for this study, but you can do it as an individual if a group isn’t possible for you. I hope you will invite people from across generations and cultures, and from outside as well as inside the church — maybe family members or friends who are curious but-not-committed to Christian faith. I hope that together we can explore and discover new ways to respond to the challenges we face in our lives, in the Church, the nation and the world. Each week, in 3-4 pages, McLaren invites us to revisit biblical principles for living. You’ll receive blog posts to expand your study, with reflections and prayers and a place for comments and conversation. As we journey together, we’ll add opportunities for conversation, further study and action.
Riverview United Methodist Church
4012 W. Court St. Pasco, WA 99301
Mailing address: P.O. Box 2306 Pasco, WA 99302
Phone: 509-547-5981; Office Email: riverviewumcpasco@gmail.com
From the Pastor’s Desk
Hello Friends,
Advent is here which means Christmas is near! December 2nd is the First Sunday of Advent and I begin a seven week sermon series called Prepare the Way! The series will last through Christmas and Epiphany. Through scripture and proclamation we will explore the coming of Jesus and the hope that it inspires in our lives. What is Advent?
Dean McIntyre writes: The season of Advent has been with us since the fourth century, although it has not been a part of the liturgical observance of all denominations and churches. With the mixing of Christmas and Advent during the weeks leading up to Christmas Day, there is often confusion of the two. Here are the basics of Advent:
When. Advent marks the beginning of the church year. It begins with the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day and ends Christmas Eve. If Christmas Day falls on a Sunday, Advent will last four full weeks. If Christmas Day falls on any other day of the week, Advent will last less than four weeks. If Christmas falls on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, all of Advent will be in December. If Christmas falls on any other day of the week, Advent will begin in November.
What. Advent comes from the Latin word, adventus, meaning "coming." It is a season to prepare for the coming of Christ in various meanings: the promised coming of the Messiah to the Jews, the coming of Jesus being born in Bethlehem, the promised return of the risen Christ in final victory, and the continual coming of Christ into the lives and hearts of believers.
Liturgical Context. Advent, which marks the beginning of the liturgical year, is part of the cycle of seasons that includes Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, all related in some fashion to the coming of Jesus. That cycle is followed by Lent, Holy Week, Easter, and the long Pentecost season.
Color. The color for Advent has traditionally been purple. Some churches have adopted blue for Advent. In practice, however, as churches increasingly incorporate the symbols and decorations of Christmas during Advent, more and more we see red, green, and gold appearing. The United Methodist Book of Worship upholds the traditional color of purple for Advent, signifying penitence and royalty; but it also allows blue, the color of hope.
Themes, Images, Symbols, and Practices. There are a number of historic and traditional themes observed during Advent:
• Preparing to celebrate the coming of Christ:
• The coming of the Messiah to the Jews.
• The coming of Jesus into the world at Bethlehem.
• The second coming of Jesus in final victory.
• The continual coming of Jesus into the hearts and lives of believers. • A time of penitence and fasting, austerity, seriousness, reading of Scripture, hearing and proclaiming the Word in sermon and song; waiting and longing for the Messiah's coming.
Pastor Derek
revderekriverumc@gmail.com
509-380-2263
United Methodist Women
Meeting Changes The December holiday meeting time is changed to noon. A soup lunch will be served. We will have a Christmas cookie exchange; cookies do not need to be home baked. We’ll have a short business meeting and Kathy will share a little about her trip to Israel. All are welcome to come enjoy! The January meeting is canceled due to unpredictable weather.
Safe Harbor and My Friends Place The UMW is helping Safe Harbor and My Friends Place provide Christmas gifts to at-risk children and teens in our community. There is a box in the fellowship hall for donations of gifts. Safe Harbor needs the following for infant through elementary age children: small toys, Legos, and books (English and Spanish). My Friends Place is always in need of bus passes, gift cards, movie tickets, and phone chargers. Both places are in need of hats, scarves, mittens, gloves, and socks. All sizes are needed! If you would like to donate , please have items to the church by December 16th.
Fellowship Baked Goods Needed Donations of cookies (2-3 dozen), candy, pies, etc. are greatly appreciated for after-worship fellowship on Sundays. Homemade goodies are great and store-made goodies are just fine too! The following dates are available: December 9 December 16 December 23 December 30 Can you help? If you can, please call the office or sign up in the fellowship hall!
Birthdays Maxine Rogers 12/1 Annamaria Brant 12/6 Joy Beese 12/17 Jean Bookwalter 12/28
Anniversaries Lee and Maxine Rogers 12/27
If we missed your December birthday or anniversary, please contact Janiece and she will get your information added. You can also send your information to: RiverviewUMCPasco@gmail.com
Bite 2 Go for Christmas Vacation Wednesday, December 19 10:00 AM This is the day that the UMW will be putting together bags of additional food to give to those at Twain Elementary that are part of our Bite 2 Go program. These bags will help ensure that the kiddos have plenty of food during the long Christmas break.
Remember, all items need to be pull-top or easy open—NO tops requiring a can opener! Also, all items must be shelf-stable, ready to eat, and not require heating/cooking. The following is a list of items that are needed.
Vienna sausage
Ravioli
SpaghettiOs
Beef sticks
Nutrition Bars
Fruit cups/pouches
Peanut butter or cheese sandwich crackers
The more that is donated, the more they can receive!
Bite 2 Go Volunteers Needed Our Bite 2 Go participation and partnership with Mark Twain Elementary has resumed! If you are interested in helping with this activity please sign up on the form in the fellowship hall or contact Bette Ward.
Trustees Corner The following are highlights discussed at the November meeting. The Trustees will not be meeting in December.
Winter Preparations. The snow and ice melt supplies were inventoried and judged to be adequate for the season with 7½ bags on hand. Plans for plowing the parking lot are in place if needed. A member from our sister church ,Iglesia Vida Positiva, has volunteered to provide this service again this year. A big thank you to them for this effort!
Stewardship Brochure. A brochure was prepared that describes opportunities for others to participate in maintaining the church facilities (inside, outside, grounds management, garage update, etc.). The idea is to have a list of volunteers that could be called upon when needed. Brochures are available in the church office.
Safety Issues. This is an on-going review that will include evacuations, training, alarms, risk evaluations and staging area locations. While there are no specific risks considered likely, a periodic review is considered a prudent step.
Garage Renovation. Preliminary plans are being made to cleanup the garage and to install cabinets, shelving and files that would allow equipment items and records to be stored in a protected manner. Any volunteers to help on this one? Lee Rogers Chairman Trustees
Community Comfort Closet Funding from many community resources, that our most vulnerable community members rely upon, has been cut or stopped until further notice. As a result, the church office has received an increase in calls from the community asking for help in obtaining basic self-care care items. To help our community, we will have a small comfort closet supplied with these basic items. Items donated will go into a “community comfort closet” and Janiece will be able to direct the community callers to come the church during office hours to get needed supplies. Items needed: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soap, razors, deodorant, feminine hygiene items, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and toilet paper.
Wednesday, December 19th 7:00 pm—8:30pm All youth 6th –12th grades are invited to attend! We will have games, fellowship and snacks! Please bring a white elephant gift that is valued at $5 or less!
.
Crossover! A Year Long Quest!
Our weekly discussion group begins Monday, December 3rd at 1:30pm Books will be available on Sunday, December 2nd.
Contact Bette Ward or Marilyn Smith for more information.
December 2, 2018—November 24, 2019 Bishop Stanovsky will soon be inviting United Methodists and friends in to join a yearlong devotional study. This study begins with Advent 2018. This study will be based on We Make the Road by Walking, by Brian McLaren. McLaren introduces us afresh to the principles of Christian faith and bible teachings. Each week, in 3-4 pages, he invites us to revisit biblical principles and our lives of faith.
We will be forming several groups at Riverview UMC. More details to come in the eNews and Ministry News announcements. From the Website:
Jesus said that he came so people “could live life to the fullest.” - John 10:10 (CEB) Come with me on a year of Crossing Over to LIFE, beginning with Advent, December 2, 2018.
The journey begins as Brian McLaren leads us on a year-long exploration on the bible and faith in his book, We Make the Road by Walking. I hope that across the Greater Northwest many of you will gather in small groups for this study, but you can do it as an individual if a group isn’t possible for you. I hope you will invite people from across generations and cultures, and from outside as well as inside the church — maybe family members or friends who are curious but-not-committed to Christian faith. I hope that together we can explore and discover new ways to respond to the challenges we face in our lives, in the Church, the nation and the world. Each week, in 3-4 pages, McLaren invites us to revisit biblical principles for living. You’ll receive blog posts to expand your study, with reflections and prayers and a place for comments and conversation. As we journey together, we’ll add opportunities for conversation, further study and action.
