Simpson - Amazon S3€¦ · Simpson Church Messenger Page 3 work he had done at Simpson in all...
Transcript of Simpson - Amazon S3€¦ · Simpson Church Messenger Page 3 work he had done at Simpson in all...
United Methodist Church
Simpson M
esse
nge
r Words from our Pastor
Christmas is a strange time of year. Proba-
bly you've heard many times that this is sup-
posed to be a religious holiday, but it's long
since been co-opted by society at large to
turn it into a secular thing, about materialism
and artificial good cheer. The truth is,
though, that we co-opted it first. Long be-
fore Jesus showed up, the winter solstice was
the center of all kinds of pagan holidays.
The theme of them was all basically the
same, though: we have survived the longest
night of the year—the solstice itself, around
about December 21st—and in this is the hope
that we can survive the long winter months
still to come.
Listen, Jesus almost certainly wasn't born in
the winter. The details don't work out. The
Romans assessed taxes in the spring, during
planting season, when people had to be close
to home and thus easy to find. Whenever
exactly he was born, it was probably in the
spring. But when the church spread through
Europe for the first time centuries later, it
faced a lot of challenges. One of them was
what to do about the many, many festivals
that made up the imperial year. This is the
world before people had weekends off, mind
you: the festivals, often as much as a week
long, where work necessarily stopped for
most people, were a necessity of life in the
ancient world, but nearly all of them were
tied up with paganism in one way or another,
this being the world before we decided reli-
gious conviction could somehow be separat-
ed from the rest of one's life. So the church
was at a crossroads. It certainly didn't want
to take away an important part of how
people stayed healthy and sane in the mer-
ciless economy of the late empire. But at
the same time, they knew that they could-
n't just go along with what everybody else
was already doing, or the roots of pagan-
ism would live on forever. So what they
did was to reframe the season: to try to
keep the theme of the old festivals alive by
matching them to Christian stories that
spoke to the same human experience.
The early church believed Jesus birth, his
appearance here with us as a human being,
spoke to that same kind of hope: a promise
that, while the winter wasn't over, that a
spring of new life was coming on the other
side of it. So it seemed like a natural fit
for the time of year when people were spe-
cifically thinking about just that kind of
hope. And gradually, century by century,
Christmas came to displace all of those
pagan festivals, mostly by swallowing
them up. That's why we light up pine
trees, like pagans in Northern Germany
would do during Yule. And it's why we
gather for big feasts, usually of either
roasted bird or pig, like pagans in the em-
pire would do during Saturnalia. But the
trappings of it were just set-dressing: what
mattered was the love and promise of God
in flesh, Jesus, born as one of us in order
to save all of us.
But time rolls on, and everything old is
new again. The church squandered a lot
continued page 2
December, 2019
Simpson Church Messenger Page 2
of what we had over fifteen hundred years or so.
And today the empires are secular again, and once
again, most of the world around us is celebrating
something other than Jesus in December. So if you
find yourself frustrated at this time of year, about
how little attention Jesus gets, or how much certain
jolly old elves get instead, remember that we bor-
rowed it first. And if we want Christmas to be
about Christ, we're going to have to do what the
church had to do a millennia and a half ago: we're
going to have to convince people that Jesus offers
them some hope, greater than anything Kris Krin-
gle, artificial cheerfulness, sappy Hallmark original
movies, and budget-unfriendly gift-swapping could
ever hope to give them. If we, a world full of
church people, just go along with what the world is
doing, the roots of paganism will live on forever.
If we want Christmas to be triumphant again, just
like the last time, we've got to reframe the season.
We've got to find ways to make this a time of year
about putting people drowning in hopelessness in
touch with the life-changing hope of the gospel.
We've got to be less worked up about the trappings
and the set-dressing, and more worked up about
finding how to convince a tired and cynical world
that there is still so much love and promise in a God
who meets us where we are, who becomes one of us
in order to have the chance to save all of us.
What can we do today to make the hope of Jesus
more real for the people around us, whether that's
people we don't know, struggling in need, or people
we do know, around us all the time? How can we,
first of all, make this a season when we celebrate
the awesome gift of grace in Jesus by showing that
same grace in the world around us?
Christmas stood triumphant over paganism once
before, and it certainly can do it again, but only if
the church has the will and the determination to see
it done. Time rolls on, and everything old is new
again. And as always, for as long as human beings
have been telling stories, people have shivered in
the dark and the cold of the longest night, looking
for the light and the hope that will tell them that,
while the long winter months may only have begun,
the worst the dark had to throw at us is over, and
there is light and life and warmth and spring waiting
on the other side. A people shaped by the gospel
already know that story, and already know that the
light the world is looking for is, in fact, the Light of
the World: Jesus.
May God bless you all this Christmas season, and
always afterward!
Yours, In Christ,
Pastor Ben
December Community Meal
Because Christmas falls on the fourth Tuesday this
month, the December Community Meal will
be Tuesday, December 17 from 5:30 - 7:00.
Requesting donations of Christmas Cookies for
Dessert
Poinsettias
Poinsettia orders are being taken. Please place your
order in memory of or in honor of on the forms in
the annex. Cost of the poinsettias - $9. Please
make your check payable to Simpson Church.
Simpson Church Messenger Page 3
Caroling Sunday, December 21st @ 5:30 PM. Please
let us know if you will be joining us, and if so, how
many will attend. Also, if you know of anyone we
should visit, please share their name, address and
phone number. Please include your own name and
number as well so we have a contact if needed.
UMW News
UMW has been busy the past few months. Our Fall
Gathering was held at Cornerstone UMC in Sept. A
hands-on project of making hand-knotted fleece blan-
kets for residents of the Lucille Raines home in Indy.
During Fall Festival UMW members helped make
the onion straws as well as work in the booth.
In Nov. some members attended and helped with a
Mini-Mission U sharing some of what we learned at
Mission U in July. Our speaker was Cecelia Whit-
field who shared about her ministry called Use What
You've Got Prison Ministries--Keeping Families
Connected, giving families rides to visit family mem-
bers in prisons in Indiana.
On Dec. 7 our Breakfast with Santa program was a
success. The pancakes were good and Santa had a lot
of small admirers who helped him sing songs and
told him their wishes. Thanks to everyone who
helped make it a fun time!
We will soon start a new year with new projects and
we invite all women of the church to attend one of
our circles and find out what a great legacy UMW
has had and continues to have.
UMW also had the privilege of honoring Anthony
LeBarron with a Special Mission award for all the
work he had done at Simpson in all areas of mis-
sion work, including the food pantry, trustees, ad-
ministrative team, community meals, and heading
the Fall Festival booth.
Mary Ruth Circle
The Mary Ruth Circle will have their Christmas
Party on Tuesday, December 17. We will meet at
11:30 at Western Ribeye. Bring your Christmas
Spirit and your appetite. See you there!
The Children’s Christmas program will be
Sunday December 22nd at 10 a.m. downstairs in
the fellowship hall area. We encourage everyone
to come and support the
children of Simpson UMC.
Please accept our invitation
and stay for cake and punch
following the program.
The West Side Food Pantry is seeking additional
board members. If you would be interested in
serving please see Grant Hartman
Page 4 Simpson Church Messenger
The Hub on Franklin is
looking for your help! Do
you have time to stop and
get a cup of coffee and vis-
it with the folks that fre-
quent the coffee shop? Do
you have ideas for out-
reach, classes or ways to
utilize our space at The Hub on Franklin? Could
your small group utilize the space at The Hub on
Franklin occasionally? At the very least take just a
moment and like The Hub on Franklin's Facebook
page. When you see a post from The Hub on
Franklin share it. Spread the word about our mis-
sion and what's happening at The Hub on Franklin.
Mission Council
2020 is fast approaching and with the new year
comes the formation of the Missions Council at
Simpson Are you in charge of a mission currently
at Simpson? Do you have a passion for a mission
that we are involved in? Is there a mission that
you'd like to see the church get involved in? The
Missions Council will be making sure that Simp-
son is working to the best of its ability to accom-
plish our mission and outreach goals. Please let
Lindy Floyd or
Karen Owens know if
you have ideas to share
or you would like to be
a part of the missions
council at Simpson.
Weekday Christian Education
Weekday Christian Education has 780 students in
the city of Evansville. Please be in prayer for the
kids and the teachers as they disciple these pre-
cious children. Three hundred and seventy-five 4th
graders will receive bibles this year.
Quick Note from Your Simpson Finance Chair
Below is a quick view of where we are with the gen-
eral operating fund as of the end of June.
As we close out this year I would ask for your pray-
ers, for your church and all of its missions that it sup-
ports and for all of the people of the church and for
the people who do not yet know us and in the hope
that the good news of our church and its missions
spreads to more and more and we continue to get all
of the help we need to continue all of the missions we
do here
Blessings to you all and your families
Your Finance Chair
Anthony LeBarron
Fall Festival
Be on the look out for the final giving report next
week as the meeting was on Thursday the 11th
Thank you to all who have helped and to all who will
continue to help in the coming year
Month Receipts Disbursements
January $21,929 $20,115
February $18,100 $23,273
March $36,897 $21,802
April $12,890 $26,473
May $16,862 $21,964
June $30,947 $23,555
July $18,846 $25,234
August $17,257 $23,466
September $21,496 $22,060
October $21,199 $21,812
November $26,503 $23,079
Total $242,926 $252,834
Page 5 Simpson Church Messenger
Children's Ministry is looking for volunteers.
Would you be interested in helping with Sunday
School, leading Junior Church during first or sec-
ond service, being a nursery attendant, coordinat-
ing children's events or maybe you’re interested in
helping with youth group. The children and youth
at Simpson UMC are very important. Volunteer
your time and show these children just how im-
portant they are to us.
Combined Service, Sunday, January 5th
On Sunday, January 5th Pastor Ben will be on va-
cation. Lindy Floyd will be leading this service
and it will be a combined service at 11:00 a.m.
Communion will be postponed until Sunday,
January 12th.
January Administrative Team Meeting
On January 21st we will be having our first Ad-
ministrative Team Meeting for 2020. This meet-
ing will also be a calendaring meeting. Please be
sure to bring all of your 2020 dates to this meet-
ing.
As we kick off the 2020 year, thank you for being
willing serve and help plan for a successful year.
~Karen Owens
Nursery
When we lived in Vincennes, I remember being
a little embarrassed when my young children
made a beeline for the cabinet in the church
nursery where the animal crackers were stored.
But one of the older ladies reassured me that
this showed my children felt at-home at church!
What a perspective and a blessing! I hope
young children and their families can feel that
same kind of welcome and comfort here at
Simpson.
Helping in our nursery during worship is an
important form of ministry to families of our
youngest children. It’s a great opportunity to
welcome and get to know the kids and their
families. (On the other hand, an un-staffed
nursery does not make a warm impression, es-
pecially to newcomers!) Also, it’s easy - no
lesson to prepare - and you are never the only
adult in the room.
To volunteer, please sign up on the sheet out-
side the nursery for the dates you can help.
Volunteers must be age 18 - 100, have had a
background check completed within the last 5
years, and have completed Safe Sanctuaries
training. (Contact Kim Reich in the office for
background check, and/or Pastor Ben for Safe
Sanctuaries training if needed.) If we have a
few more volunteers, a regular rotation may be
set up if that is preferred.
Thanks again to those who are already volun-
teering!
~ Carman Kercher
Each Sunday:
8:45 am Traditional Worship
Service
10 am Sunday School
11 am Contemporary Worship
Service Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
Communion Sunday
6 pm Babb Group
1st Sunday of Advent
2
Pastor’s Sabbath 6 p.m. HOPS Meeting
3
6 am Men’s Bible Study 4
6:30 pm Musgrave
Group
5
Noon—Senior Lunch 6 7
8:30 a.m. Breakfast with
Santa
8
6 pm Babb Group
2nd Sunday of Advent
9
Pastor’s Sabbath 10
6 am Men’s Bible Study 11
6:30 pm Musgrave
Group
12
Noon—Senior Lunch 6 p.m. Fall Festival
Meeting
13 14 2-6 p.m. Open House @
The Hub
15
10 am UMW Board
Meeting
6 pm Babb Group
3rd Sunday of Advent
16
Pastor’s Sabbath 17
6 am Men’s Bible Study 11:30 p.m. Mary Ruth
Circle Christmas Party
5:30 p.m. Community
Meal
18
6:30 pm Musgrave
Group
19
Noon—Senior Lunch 20 21
22
5:30 p.m. Caroling
6 pm Babb Group
4th Sunday of Advent
23
Pastor’s Sabbath 24
11 p.m. Christmas Eve
Candlelight Service
Christmas Eve
25
Christmas Day
26
Noon—Senior Lunch 27 28
29
10 am AD Team Special
Called Mtg.
6 pm Babb Group
30 31
New Year’s Eve
Pastor on Vacation, Church
Office, WSFP & Clothes Closet
Closed for Holidays
Church Office, WSFP & Clothes Closet Closed for Holidays
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
New Year’s Day
Church Office, WSFP
& Clothes Closet
Closed
2
Noon—Senior Lunch 3 4
5
11 am Combined Service
6 pm Babb Group 6
Pastor’s Sabbath
6 pm Trustee’s Meeting 7
6 am Men’s Bible Study 8
6:30 pm Musgrave
Group 9
Noon—Senior Lunch 10 11
12
Communion Sunday
6 pm Babb Group 13
Pastor’s Sabbath 14
6 am Men’s Bible Study 15
6:30 pm Musgrave
Group 16
Noon—Senior Lunch 17 18
19
10 am UMW Board
Meeting
6 pm Babb Group
20
Pastor’s Sabbath
Martin Luther King
Day—WSFP & Clothes
Closet Closed
21
6 am Men’s Bible Study
6 pm Finance Team
7 pm AD Team
22
6:30 pm Musgrave
Group 23
Noon—Senior Lunch 24 25
26
6 pm Babb Group 27
Pastor’s Sabbath 28
6 am Men’s Bible Study
5:30 pm Community
Meal
29
6:30 pm Musgrave
Group 30
Noon—Senior Lunch 31
Pastor on Vacation
Pastor -
Vacation
Each Sunday:
8:45 am Traditional Worship
Service
10 am Sunday School
11 am Contemporary Worship
Service
1/15—Marcia Jourdan
1/16—Claire Fehrenbacher
1/18—Rick Guill
1/18—Tracy Keller
1/20—Jean Hartman
1/22—Joe Hahn
1/24—Tom Reisinger
1/26—Isabella Larson
1/26—Orren Floyd
1/28—Gary Brawner
1/29—Weston Babb
Anniversaries
12/9—Bud & Judy Howard
12/26—Terry & Susie Babb
12/29—Terri & Will Spradley
1/5—Lindy & Jonathan Floyd
1/18—Tony & Marcia Jourdan
1/23—Jamie & Jerry Feldpausch
If you do not see your birthday or anniver-
sary listed, please call the church office at
423-7636 so we may correct our records.
Birthdays
12/3—Sarah Babb
12/5—Beth Fehrenbacher
12/8—Barb Gisler
12/10—Sue Spradley
12/10—Kylan Keller
12/11—Paul Wilsman
12/11—Joan Steele
12/12—Janet Scott
12/14—Janice Pease
12/16—Karen Will
12/19—Barb Fosse
12/22—Jennie Kelley
12/23—Liam Babb
12/24—Angela Higgins
12/26—Bev Hasenour
12/29—Carolyn Samples
12/30—Christy Nuffer
12/31– Abigail Powers
1/11—Nathan Nolan
1/11—Nancy Schneider
1/12—Carole Siesky
2201 W. Illinois Street
Evansville, IN 47712
Return Service Requested
Phone: 812-423-7636
Fax: 812-422-9241
E-mail: [email protected]
www.simpsonchurch.net
Pastor & Staff
Pastor
Rev. Ben Dilworth
Music Worship Leader
Jane Scarlett
Pianist, Organist
Teri Nolan
Director of Family &
Community Ministries
Lindy Floyd
Administrative Assistant
Kim Reich
Custodian
Harold Cross
Sunday School
10:00 a.m.
Traditional Service
8:45 a.m.
Contemporary Service
11:00 a.m.
Mission Statement
Through the power of the holy Spirit
our mission is to SEEK OUT and WIN
people to Christ through our words
and actions, MAKE DECIPLES who are
learning and growing in the faith, and
EQUIP PERSONS TO SERVE Christ.
Win, Disciple, Serve