Volume 34, Issue 11 December / Deciembre 2019

WORSHIP

December 1, 2019 First Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 2:1-5 Psalm 122 Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:36-44

8:45 a.m. Awakening Service - Fellowship Hall 9:50 a.m. Sunday School

10:55 a.m. Blended Service - Sanctuary 11:00 a.m. Hispanic Service -Chapel

December 8, 2019

Second Sunday of Advent Isaiah 11:1-19 Psalm 72: 1-7, 18-19

Romans 15:4-13 Matthew 3:1-12 7:30 a.m. United Methodist Men Breakfast

8:45 a.m. Awakening Service - Fellowship Hall 9:50 a.m. Sunday School

10:55 a.m. Blended Service - Sanctuary 11:00 a.m. Hispanic Service -Chapel

December 15, 2019 Third Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 65:17-25 Psalm 118 2 Thessalonians 3:6-̀ 3 Luke 21:6-19

8:45 a.m. Awakening Service Fellowship Hall 9:50 a.m. Sunday School

10:55 a.m. Blended Service Sanctuary 11:00 a.m. Hispanic Service Chapel

December 22, 2019 Fourth Sunday of Advent

Jeremiah 23:1-6 Luke 1:68-69 Colossians 1:11-20 Luke 23:33-43

8:45 a.m. Awakening Service Fellowship Hall 9:50 a.m. Sunday School

10:55 a.m. Blended Service Sanctuary 11:00 a.m. Hispanic Service Chapel

December 29, 2019 First Sunday after Christmas

Isaiah 2:1-5 Psalm 122 Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:36-44

8:45 a.m. Awakening Service - Fellowship Hall 9:50 a.m. Sunday School

10:55 a.m. Blended Service Sanctuary 11:00 a.m. Hispanic Service Chapel

January 5, 2020 Epiphany Sunday

8:45 a.m. Awakening Service Fellowship Hall 9:50 a.m. Sunday School

10:55 a.m. Blended Service -Sanctuary 11:00 a.m. Hispanic Service Chapel

December 1 - Make Room for Hope 8:45, 10:55 & 11 AM (Hispanic)

December 8 - Make Room for Peace 8:45 & 11 AM (Hispanic)

Traditional Christmas Cantata -10:55 AM “The Winter Rose”

December 15 - 10:55 & 11 AM (Hispanic)

Contemporary Christmas Cantata - 8:45 AM “All Is Well”

Make Room for Others - 5:30 PM Bilingual - A Service of Las Posadas

Saturday, December 21 - Make Room for Newness

5 PM Blue Christmas Service

Sunday, December 22 - Make Room for Love

8:45, 10:55, & 11 AM (Hispanic) Christmas Brunch from 9:30-10:45 AM 4 PM Churchwide Christmas Caroling

Tuesday, December 24 - Make Room for Jesus

5 PM Family - “This Little Light of Mine Family Worship” in the Fellowship Hall followed by hot chocolate & cookies

7 PM Candlelight Communion Service in the Sanctuary

Sunday, December 29 - Make Room for Life 10:55 AM Combined Service of Lessons and Carols

Special Christmas Presentations at The Gathering: A Wednesday Night Dinner Church - Dinner at 5 p.m.

December 4 – Toddler Christmas Pageant & Alternative Christmas Market 6 PM

December 11 – Kids of the Kingdom Christmas Musical “Chimes in the Night” 6 PM

December 18 – CROSSFLAME Community Youth Choir “A CROSSFLAME Christmas” 6 PM

MISSION STATEMENT “Living to Communicate God’s Love to Our Neighbors”

VISION STATEMENT “Meeting the Earthly and Spiritual Needs of All People Through the Transforming Work of Christ”

Wedding Bells

Sarah Roberts and Greg Martin were married on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at Hidden Hill Venue and Conference Center in Burke County. Sarah is the daughter of Bill and Mildred Roberts and Greg is the son of John and Wanda Martin of Denver, NC. Rev. Patricia Bahr (Sarah’s paternal aunt) officiated. The couple will reside in Hickory.

Shelbey Bradshaw and Justin Bolter were married at St. Luke’s on Saturday, November 16, 2019. She is the daughter of Russell and Maria Bradshaw and he is the son of George and Deidre Bolter. Rev. Joe Westfall officiated.

Welcome To Our Newest Members We welcomed to the our congregation of St. Luke’s Ericka Jannet Gonzalez on November 10, 2019 at the 11:00 a.m. Hispanic Worship Service. She is married to Francisco Valerio Silverio and they have four children: Leonardo Valerio, 3rd grader; Pamela Valerio, 1st grader; Alexa Valerio, Pre-K; and Francisco Valerio, almost 1.

We also welcome Gloria Ramirez and her sons Zabdiel Ramierez, an 11th grader, Ivan Hernandez a10th grader and Said Hernandez in junior high

The Annual Christmas Gathering, Tuesday, December 3rd beginning at 6:00 until 8:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Bring your favorite dishes

to share with your friends.

St. Luke’s Hosted Western North Carolina UMC Week Day Preschool Conference October 24 - 25

Thank you to the many volunteers who spent the two days showing hospitality, ferrying from one end of the campus to

the other, serving lunch and snacks, directing, docenting and assisting in the various classes.

We received a note from the Chairperson, Barbara Jackson that read…

I wanted to thank you all for everything each of you did to make the Preschool Conference a huge success. I have never seen such a dedication to “helping you”

church. It was truly appreciated. In His Love, Barbara Jackson

CROSSFLAME’S ANNUAL THANKSGIVING

BAKE SALE

SUNDAY, November 24th, before the 8:45 a.m. service and following the 10:55 a.m. service.

Get your holiday treats here! All proceeds benefit

CROSSFLAME.

Community

Thanksgiving

Worship Service

Tuesday, November 26,

7:00 p.m. Grace Chapel

Lenoir-Rhyne University

This is a combined Service of Words and Songs of Thanksgiving and Praise with Holy Community that is hosted by numerous Catawba County congregations in varying traditions: Presbyterian, United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church, Episcopal Church,

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. An offering will be taken to support NETworX Catawba, a ministry of Greater Hickory

Cooperative Christian Ministry.

Community Thanksgiving Service

Thursday, November 28, 2019

10:00 a.m. at Corinth Reformed Church

Guest Preacher - Rev. Joshua Barrett, Senior Pastor

First Baptist Church, Hickory

CROSSFLAME Mini Tour To Winston-Salem. December 14 is a busy day! At 10 a.m. we will sing

our Christmas Concert at Winston-Salem Rescue Mission’s Thrift Shop. The Shop helps support the

Mission, which offers several services to the homeless and marginalized in Winston, including a food pantry, medical and dental care, and a Transformers Program

(12 month recovery). At noon we will work in a neighborhood with the City Lights Ministry, which serves homeless children in the inner city. With City

Lights we will bring a Bible story, play games, feed and present our Christmas Concert to a group of 75-100

children in one of the neighborhoods. After lunch, we will sing at one of the retirement centers in Winston, and

then in the evening we will head to the Tanglewood Festival of Lights for a hayride through the lights

before coming home that evening. For more information contact Marie Denig,

marie@slumc.org or (828)327-9837, ext. 206.

Christmas Cantata This year’s Chancel Choir cantata is

“The Winter Rose,” by Joseph Martin with narration by Pamela

Martin and orchestrations by Brant Adams. It explores the Nativity Story through scripture, narrative, traditional songs and new compositions by Mr. Martin. Soloists will include members of CROSFLAME: Charlotte Zimmerman, Conner Johnson, and Breianna Sisk, members of Kids of the Kingdom: Max Williams

and Gabe Denig. Ric Vandett serves as narrator.

The Choir began work on the music in August and enjoyed a day Retreat earlier in November to work more extensively. We will complete preparations with a dress rehearsal December 7 with the Choir, Orchestra, Soloists and Narrator to be ready to lead worship December 8 with this beautiful work and other regular

worship elements.

Please join us the second Sunday of Advent for this heart touching and glorious piece of music that the Choir has worked

so hard to prepare.

By Our Attendance

November 3, 2019 8:45 Awakening Service ............................. 79 Sunday School ........... 189

10:55 Blended Service ................................ 216 Westview ...................... 83

11 Hispanic .................................................. 28 TOTAL ........................ 406

November 10, 2019 8:45 Awakening Service ............................. 84 Sunday School .............. 144

10:55 Blended Service ................................ 212 Westview ....................... 63

11 Hispanic .................................................. 25 TOTAL ............................ 384

November 17, 2019 8:45 Awakening Service .............................. 88 Sunday School ................ 155

10:55 Blended Service ................................ 171 Westview ....................... 70

11 Hispanic .................................................. 38 TOTAL ............................ 367

PRAYER CONCERNS (Also see House of Prayer List.)

By Our Service: Nov. 2019 - January 2020

November 24, 2019

Altar Guild: Judy Cain Debbie Cashion Candy Sapp Jamie Smith

Sanctuary 10:55 am Keevan Johnston, Captain

Jim Hollomon Mike Lowman

Mark Romeo Andrew Straw

Nursery - Donna Ferber

December 1, 2019

Altar Guild: All Altar Guild Volunteers

Sanctuary 10:55 am Richard Chevrier & Carolyn Henson, Co-Captains

Dennis Bell Steve Brown David Craft

Gary Henson Ernie Sills

Nursery - Jeanna Kerley

‘

December 8, 2019

Altar Guild: All Altar Guild Volunteers

Sanctuary 10:55 am Richard Chevrier & Carolyn Henson, Co-Captains

Dennis Bell Steve Brown David Craft

Gary Henson Ernie Sills

Nursery - Donna Gerrard

December 15, 2019

Altar Guild: All Altar Guild Volunteers

Sanctuary 10:55 am Joe Kerley, Captain

Roy Brown Mack McLeod Phillip Mosteller

Mike Smith Gary Stafford Doug Winders

Nursery -

December 22, 2019

Altar Guild: All Altar Guild Volunteers

Sanctuary 10:55 am Joe Kerley, Captain

Roy Brown Mack McLeod Phillip Mosteller

Mike Smith Gary Stafford Doug Winders

Nursery -

December 29, 2019

Altar Guild: All Altar Guild Volunteers

Sanctuary 10:55 am Jeff Kerley, Captain

Will Arant Steve Brown Bill Roberts

Carl Starnes Tom Watson

Nursery -

January 5, 2020

Altar Guild: Mary Renner Jane Pekman Bill Pekman Beth Moore

Sanctuary 10:55 am Jeff Kerley, Captain

Will Arant Steve Brown Bill Roberts

Carl Starnes Tom Watson

Nursery -

Peggy Hulick

Doug Trent

Joann Billingsly

Ernie Sills

Bill Whittington

Bill Weese

SERVANT MINISTRY To love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to make disciples of all people for the glory of God.

Mike Loyd

Pat Garrett

Sharon & Greg Coley

Ernestine Battle

Chip Chipley

Daniel Helton

Ryan Eaton

Jeff Milam

Bill & Dot Jarvis

Mary Bradshaw

Dianne Thompson

Lee Jackson

Christian Sympathy Sincere sympathy of the pastors and congregation to the families of Vicky Villanueva in the homegoing of her sister, Bernarda Castillo on October 20 in Rio Bravo, Mexico.

Congratulations We celebrate with Pat McKim the birth of her granddaughter Ella McKim on November 6, 2019 to Aaron and Jesse McKim of Lexington, NC.

Menu - November 27 Let’s Give Thanks

Turkey or Ham Green Bean Casserole

Corn Pudding Mashed Potatoes with Gravy

Stuffing & Rolls (No Salad Bar)

Beverages & Desserts

Menu - December 4 A Night in Bethlehem

with CDC Children Breaded or Grilled Chicken Tenders Scalloped Potatoes & Green Beans

1 Trip Salad Bar Rolls, Beverages & Desserts

FELLOWSHIP

MEAL begins

at 5:00 p.m.

Dinner served in

Fellowship Hall

5:45 p.m. Dinner

Time Fun

& Devotion

Dinner Cost:

By Donation

Menu - December 11 Chimes of the Night Kids of the Kingdom

Ham, Penne Pasta in Alfredo Sauce Steamed Broccoli & Corn

1 Trip Salad Bar Rolls, Beverages & Desserts

Menu - December 18 A Very Merry Christmas

CROSSFLAME Youth Choir Apple Butter Pork Loin Parsley New Potatoes

Green Beans 1 Trip Salad Bar

Rolls, Beverages & Desserts

Qué esta pasando

Miercoles 6:30 - 7:00 p.m. Oracion

7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Estudio Biblico

en La Capilla

9:45 Escuela Dominical en La Capilla

Todos Los Domingos y Servicio De

Adoración a Las 11 a.m

Programa de Eventos

Bautizos, Celebración De Cumpleaños Y

Accion De Gracias El Dia 24 Noviembre

En El Santuario a Las 12:15 p.m.

Posada Anual El Dia 15 De Diciembre

A Las 5:30 p.m. En El Salon Social

Invitacion Al Servicio De Navidad

El Dia 24 Diciembre En El Santuario

A Las 7:00 p.m.

WHAT IS THE CHRISTMAS BUREAU?

CAN YOU HELP THOSE IN NEED

HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS?

The Christmas Bureau is a program sponsored by the Catawba County United Way and the Salvation Army along with a united

effort among local citizens, other agencies, and sponsors in Catawba County to coordinate the sharing of Christmas gifts with those in need. This year the gifts will be given out at the American Legion Fairgrounds on December 16th and 17th.

Last year in Catawba County approximately 1400 children were served in addition to 360 teenagers. Thank you very much for

all the wonderful support St. Luke’s members provided last year and the many donations.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Sign up by calling United Way to set up the Toy Shop at

the Fairgrounds. Set up dates are December 9th through

December 10th.

Assist parents as they “shop” for their children on

December 16th and December 17th. Call United Way to sign

up. Individuals who speak Spanish are especially needed.

Pick 1 or more “Angels” from the Angel Tree located in

the Family Life Center and buy gifts.

“Ring the Bell” at the Salvation Army Kettles during November

and December, helping the Salvation Army not have to pay

individuals to ring the bell.

Take slightly used coats of all sizes to be cleaned free of

charge at participating dry cleaners. The coats will be picked

up by the Salvation Army staff.

Fill Christmas Stockings with toys for children aged 0 to 13.

Stockings with instructions are available in the Lobby of the

Family Life Center.

Give money for Teen Christmas so that volunteers can buy

new clothes and “toy” items for the teenagers. Make checks

payable to Catawba Co. United Way and earmark for Teen

Christmas. Financial assistance is needed because no other

funds are available except by donations.

Rose Arant (828-495-1291) and Julia Hudson

(828-459-1094) coordinate Teen Christmas and will

take monetary donations.

Coy Hudson (828-459-1094) coordinates Bell Ringing,

Christmas Stockings, and the Angel Tree Program.

Deadline for all items and money is Sunday,

December 8th.

PLEASE SUPPORT THIS VERY IMPORTANT MINISTRY IN

CATAWBA COUNTY.

If you have any questions, contact one of the people above.

Warming Station 2019-20 I thank you for your "Love thy neighbor" spirit. Especially now that those months of cold nights are upon us once again. But what an opportunity to continue representing Christianity with its sleeves rolled up!

Our Warming Station usually becomes active when the temperature is expected to be 32 degrees or lower by 10:00 PM on any given Sunday evening. On those eve-nings we will need a driver(s), volunteers to cook a warm dish or two for our guests, along with some kind voices and friendly faces. (And please be reminded that sometimes a cold night rain can make even 38 degrees feel like 30.) So please let us know that you are willing to join us this year, as we sincerely thank you in advance.

RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can. PLEASE play nice, PRAY for one another, check on your neighbors, be blessed, and BE a blessing!

Vince & Salema Mells

A special place of play and learning Sundays at 8:45 a.m. Awakening Service

Pray Ground Ambassadors are needed. Servants needed to put out items for the Pray Ground each week and re-stock items as needed. Greet families with children and share with them about the area and make sure area is

cleaned up following the service. Please contact Pat McKim if you can help 828-327-9837 Ext. 216

The Gift of Jesus But the angel said to them. “Do not be afraid; for see-I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.” Luke 2:10

All Kindergarten-5th graders are invited to come open the gift of Christmas!

December 1—Art with the Golden Bible Class

December 15—Birthday Party for Jesus!

December 22—Christmas Brunch

December 29—Games

Breakfast for Families @ Ms. Pat’s on January 5

Mark Your Calendars for Camp E.D.G. E.

Adventure Coming Summer

2020 July 27-30!

In December

JOY Kids will meet

during the 10:55 a.m.

service on December 1,

December 15 & 29

The theme for December for 3 & 4 year olds and Toddlers is “Celebrate Jesus.”

This Little Light of Mine Family Christmas Eve

5:00 p.m. Fellowship Hall

All families are invited to join together for a interactive family Christmas Eve worship experience. Step into the story as a visit to the manger comes alive!

Hot chocolate and cookies and gathered family and our call to share the light of Christ will be our focus

Save the Date

Lake Junaluska

Destination

Marriage Retreat

Coming May 1-3, 2020

Joe Westfall, Senior Pastor

Raymundo Villanueva, Hispanic Pastor

Monica Childers, Associate Pastor

Pat McKim, Director of Children’s Ministry

Marie Denig, Director of Music & Arts Ministry

Jessica Stamey, Associate Director of Music &

Creative Arts

Lisa Lail. Church Administrator

Paulette Gregory, Church & Membership Secretary

Steve Spivey, Hospitality Coordinator

Cindy Schonewolf, Childcare Coordinator

Dawn Huffman, Director of Child Development Center

Garry Hill, Building & Grounds Maintenance

Greg Knight, Pianist

Tom Spiggle, Organist

CONTACT INFORMATION

Tel .(828) 327-9837 Fax: 828-327-4043 web: slumc.org Church Office Hours…..Monday thru Thursday, 8:30 am - 5 pm CLOSED FRIDAY

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE………Thursday before printing Eblast Deadline………………….………..Wednesday, 4 p.m. Bulletin Deadline………………..………..Wednesday, 4 p.m.

St. Luke's & The Hickory

Christmas Parade Friday,

November 22nd Parade starts

at 6 PM and loops downtown. We will need people to

ride and wave, decorate, and walk alongside and give out candy and

Church information. To sign up or if you have any questions, contact

Jessica Stamey at jessica@slumc.org or call the Church Office (828) 327

-9837.

St. Luke's & The Hickory Christmas Parade

Friday, November 22nd

6 PM Downton

Joe Westfall, Senior Pastor

Raymundo Villanueva, Hispanic Pastor

Monica Childers, Associate Pastor

Pat McKim, Director of Children’s Ministry

Marie Denig, Director of Music & Arts Ministry

Jessica Stamey, Associate Director of Music & Creative Arts

Lisa Lail, Church Administrator

Paulette Gregory, Church & Membership Secretary

Steve Spivey, Hospitality Coordinator

Cindy Schonewolf, Childcare Coordinator

Dawn Huffman, Director of Child Development Center

Garry Hill, Building & Grounds Maintenance

Greg Knight, Pianist

Tom Spiggle, Organist

CONTACT INFORMATION

Tel .(828) 327-9837 Fax: 828-327-4043 web: slumc.org Church Office Hours…..Monday thru Thursday, 8:30 am - 5 pm CLOSED FRIDAY

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE………Thursday before printing Eblast Deadline………………….………..Wednesday, 4 p.m. Bulletin Deadline………………..………..Wednesday, 4 p.m.

Join us for

Christmas Eve

Services

Tuesday,

December 24th...

5 p.m. This Little Light of Mine

Family Christmas Eve in the

Fellowship Hall

Or

7 p.m. Communion Candlelight

Service in the Sanctuary