The CampanileThe CampanileThe CampanileThe Campanile

December 20, 2016 Volume 21, Issue 25

St. Philip’s United Methodist ChurchSt. Philip’s United Methodist ChurchSt. Philip’s United Methodist ChurchSt. Philip’s United Methodist Church

S U N D A Y

S C H E D U L E

Sunday School For All Ages 9:15 am

One Worship Service 10:30am

Youth S.P.Y.R.I.T. 11:30am

less person may find warmth in socks, gloves, a blanket or

warm hat; a hospitalized child might be comforted by a

stuffed animal; or a gi� card may bring hope to someone who

is struggling financially. And there is s ll me to bring your

special Christmas offering to benefit children living at Burne#-

Bayland home. Bring such a gi� on Christmas Day, and we

will make sure it gets to someone who needs it. I hope to see

you and your family as worship together on Christmas Eve

and Christmas Day and extend the peace, hope, love and joy

of Christmas to those in need this season.

And ... the next Sunday is a New Year.

John Wesley introduced the annual covenant renewal service

for use by the Methodist socie es in 1755. Every year, on or

near January 1, the Methodists gathered to renew their cove-

nant with God. The service is a powerful me of self-

examina on and confession that culminates in renewal of

commitment to discipleship. Please join us January 1 at 10:30

a.m. as we renew our commitment to follow Christ.

P a s t o r ’ s P e r s p e c t i v e

The CampanileThe CampanileThe CampanileThe Campanile The wai ng and an cipa on will soon

be over. This weekend, the season of

Advent will transi on into Christmas. I

hope you will invite someone to join us

Christmas Eve at 6 or 8 p.m. Both ser-

vices will include candle ligh ng and

communion. This year is unique in that

Christmas Day falls on a Sunday. What

a joy it will be to celebrate the day in

worship. We will begin the service in

the narthex sharing sweet rolls and

fellowship. Then we will gather in the

sanctuary to sing our favorite carols, share our joys and

present gi�s at the altar. Perhaps there is something that

has brought you comfort at a difficult me, or something

that has brought you warmth or let you know you are

loved. Think how someone in need, someone who is hun-

gry or cold, someone who is lonely, a child who is ill, etc.

might find comfort in a similar gi�. For example, a home-

November Financial Report to the Congrega%on

Christmas is a me when we reflect on the birth of Christ and the many blessings His com-

ing brings. Regardless of our situa on, most of us are “rich” compared to much of the world.

As those who have been richly blessed, we are called to bless others. We have an opportunity

to bless children living at Burne#-Bayland home through our Christmas offering. December

also is a me when we typically “catchup” on our giving to the ministry and mission of the

church. At the end of November, our expenses were about $39,000 more than our giving. It

would greatly benefit our ministry if you can “catch up” on your pledge or, if possible, give a

li#le more.

Remember, please have your year-end contribu ons in the church office postmarked no

later than December 31, if you want it to be counted in 2016 for tax purposes. If you are re-

quired to take a RMD each year, check with your investment advisor about the Qualified Char-

itable Distribu on, a win-win tax opportunity.

And, please con nue to pray for the ministry and mission of our church.

November Financials:

Month Income $22,687

Month Expenses $28,443

Gain/Loss <$ 5,756>

YTD Income $269,804

YTD Expenses $308,648

Gain/Loss <$38,844>

Conference Appor onments are paid through November.

Prayerfully submi#ed, Your Finance Commi#ee

Have a Blessed Holiday!

Church Office will be closed on

December 26, 2016, &

on January 2, 2017.

P a g e 2 T h e C a m p a n i l e

United Methodist Women’s & United Methodist Men’s Christmas Dinner-Dec. 9

“Believe in Christmas” On Sunday, December 11, 2016, Philip's Joy, St. Philip's Praise and Worship Team presented "Believe in Christmas", an electrifying worship experience. Philip's Joy sang a combination of familiar carols with a new twist as well as captivating new songs. The combination of songs made this Christmas worship experience a Christmas delight. Thanks to all the members of Philip's Joy who put in countless hours rehearsing to make the musical expe-rience meaningful to all who were in attendance.

Barbara Jennings

The church-wide dinner/theater on Friday, Dec. 9th was a great success! A big "thank you" to the Methodist Men and the Methodist Women who organized the Christmas dinner and a reception after the musical in the Narthex. A round of applause goes to The Chancel Choir, The Children's Choir and all the actors who presented "Christmas on the Air". The message of giving and receiving was brought to life through the Dove, the Donkey, the Sheep, the Cow, and the beautiful music provided by the Chancel Choir and the Children's Choir. A big "Thank You" to Lyle Tate who directed the musical. Lyle’s theater experience was greatly ap-preciated. Barbara Jennings

“Christmas on the Air” was a Heart– WARMing Experience-Dec. 9

The United Methodist Men and United Methodist Wom-en joined forces this year to host the annual Christmas Dinner. There was turkey, dressing and all the trim-

mings. Over 90 came to this festive event. After the

delicious entrée, the guests went up to the Sanctuary to see the musical and enjoyed

dessert after the show. Marcie Gruetzmacher serving dinner Diane Hollingsworth serving John Guest

P a g e 3 V o l u m e 2 1 , I s s u e 2 5

Addition to Our Publications:

Whenever you see the QR Code on any document, flyer, bulletin, poster or handout, it allows people who have a QR Reader app on their mobile phone or portable device to scan the symbol and pull up the church website. It is very easy to use.

Prayer Requests:Prayer Requests:Prayer Requests:Prayer Requests: Please remember these persons in your prayers: Nelda Rhyne, Brian Whalen, Donnie Krejci, Shelly Walk-er, Bax Shelby, Amelia Kelso, Michael Walling, Linda Ruppelt, Amanda Vizcaino & Family, Ann Evans, Jared Rogers, Patrick Calhoun, Gary & Diane Seagle, Gladys Coleman, Hurley Criner II, Jackson, Frances Mengel, Sherrie Hill, Damon Robinson, Ghaleb Tahsildar, Zhenmin Qian, Shelly Straub, Bill Strickland, Joe Little, Peggy McGowan, Walter Boyd, Ximena Townsend, Ca-sey Creamer, Marc Barentine, Ava Duncan, Norman & Carmen Molina, Linda Kirk, and Steve Frazier. Condolences to: Sandra Arnold and the family of Carl Arnold in the death of Carl. Members of the armed forces: Ann Behrends, Andy Greenhill, Thomas Tomaini, Austin Meyer, Ron Schoon-over, Jeffery Wells, Dalton Dottie, Walter Coffee, Ro-chelle Fuller, Iris Vance & Robert Rueter. For Our Homebound Members: Cliff Ater, Walter Boyd, Pennie Butler, Marilyn Curtis, Ava Duncan, Lean-na Ellis, Marshall Hatch, Lee Hartwell, Ruby Jurden, Ruth King, Earl & Dixie Kirk, Ann Link, Peggy McGow-an, Lea Oliver, Vivian Oliver, Lee & Ann Schrock, Betty Spargo, Christina Wilkinson, and Gladys White. First Responders: Christopher Szkody, J. D. Norman, Ruben Johnson, Barry Curtis, Bryan Curtis, Seth Cap-pen, Roslie Hutchison, Joanna Abad, Anthony Vale, Matthew & Laurie White, and Rick Buckner. Have a prayer request? Please call Prayer Ministry Chairperson Marcie Gruetzmacher at (713) 775-9880.

Would you like to join our Prayer Team?

At St. Philip’s we are committed to the power of prayer. Through prayer God transforms our hearts and deepens our love for one another. Team members lift up those on our list daily and receive regular updates each week. To join, call Marcie Gruetzmacher or the church of-fice at 713-666-2175.

Join us as we review this classic work by the Nobel prize winning author.

We meet from 9:30 — 11:00 am in room 103.

St. Philip’s Saturday Book Club Saturday, January 21st

Travels with Charley: In Search of America In 1960 at the age of 58, John Stein-beck set out with some misgiving, not sure his health would stand up to the 10,000-mile journey he envi-sioned. As he traveled, the years sloughed off him, and the eager pag-es in which he writes about what he found and whom he encountered frame a picture of our human nature in the twentieth century which will not soon be surpassed.

Christmas Eve Services

Saturday, December 24 Sermon: “Manger of the Heart”

6:00 pm Contemporary Service led by Philip’s Joy

8:00 pm Traditional Service led by Chancel Choir

Both services will have Communion and Candlelight. (Poinsettias donated may be taken home after the service you attend.)

Christmas Day Service Sunday, December 25, 2016 10:30am

Sermon: “A New Day” Revelation 21:1-5

Please check with the teachers to see if your

Sunday School class is meeting.

Get Ready for 2017 Mark your calendars Monday, Jan. 2nd — Church office closed. Trustee’s Meeting, 7 pm,103 Tuesday Jan. 3rd — Outreach Meeting, 7 pm, 103 Monday Jan. 9th — Finance Meeting, 7 pm, 103 Tuesday Jan. 10th — UMW meeting, 9:30 am, FHO Worship Committee, 7 pm,103 Sunday Jan. 15th — Administrative Council 2017 Training, 3 pm, FHO Sunday Jan. 29th — Youth Luncheon, FH, 11:30am

New Years Day Service

Sunday, January 1 10:30am

Sermon:

“Will You Have a

Happy

New Year?”

Scripture:

Philippians 4:10-13

DATED MATERIAL– December 20, 2016

St. Philip’s United Methodist Church

5501 Beechnut Street

Houston, Texas 77096

Voice 713.666.2175

Fax: 713.666.2349

Email: staff@spumc.com

Church Staff

Lisa Callaway, Pastor

Barbara Jennings, Director of Music Ministries

Shelley Foreman, Administrative Assistant

Marc DeRome, Youth Director

Deanna White, Treasurer

Theresa Burnett, Day School Director

Deadline for next Campanile January 6, 2017

Find us at www.spumc.com

Non-Profit Org.

U. S. Postage Paid

Permit No. 65

Bellaire, Texas

Family Fun-Dec. 4: We played games, made crafts, sang songs, watched a movie and decorated Christmas

cookies and special letters for a peace banner.

Dayschool Christmas Music Program, December 15 : We had our annual Christmas Music program for PreK, Preschool, and Mother’s Day Out children and families. We sang our favorite Christmas Carols, and had a surprised visit from Santa. Our school will be closed from December 16 through January 3 for Christmas Break. Classes will resume on January 4. Day School Director, Theresa Burnett