1

Church Events Dec. 1: New Member Connect,

11:15 am

Dec. 8: New Member Sunday/

Zoe Gifts, 10 am

Dec. 10: Meeting Night, 7 pm

Dec. 12: UMW Potluck, 12 pm

Dec. 12: “On Call” Men’s

Group, 7 pm, @ Board Room

Dec. 13-14: Photography

Sessions

Dec. 15: Baptism Sunday/

Zoe Gifts, 10 am

Dec. 16: Serendipity Circle, 7 pm

Dec. 17: Leadership Council,

7 pm

Dec. 21: Christmas Box Delivery,

10 am

Dec. 22: JAM Christmas

Program, 10 am

Dec. 24: Christmas Eve

Candlelight Service, 4 pm

Dec. 24-Jan 1: Office Closed

First Christmas

There are ornaments on my

tree for each of my children

that read “Baby’s First Christ-

mas.” Each one holds all the

“feels” of every big moment--

first smile, first step, first word,

and a lifetime of other firsts. I

suspect if Mary had a tree, Je-

sus’s firsts would proudly be

there along with his first miracle

in Cana, first healing of a leper, and first disciple. The begin-

ning of new life holds a promise for all the firsts yet to come.

There is a kindness and tenderness towards those firsts in our

life.

First Christmas is our theme for the Christmas season. We’ll

have with a different message each week from those who wit-

nessed it: Mary, Joseph, the innkeeper, and the shepherds.

Our JAM kids will focus on acts of kindness as part of a daily

Continued on page 2

Pastor Terri Horn

DECEMBER 2019 NEWSLETTER

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF LE SUEUR

2

Continued from page 1

Advent calendar leading up to

Christmas. We invite everyone to

share in the ministry of kindness

throughout this holiday season.

Christmas is a beautiful chance

to meet Christ for the first time,

isn’t it? Or perhaps your relation-

ship with God needs to begin

again. If this marks your first

Christmas with our church family, we celebrate your ar-

rival and share the warmth of Christ with you. If this

marks your anniversary of many Christmases, we treas-

ure your presence among us. Every moment with those

who know Christ is a special Christmas.

We have other firsts to celebrate the birth of Christ this

month. On December 8, we welcome new members

into the church. On December 15, we baptize those at

the very beginning of their life with Christ. Those consid-

ering either, please let us know in advance or come to

the New Member Connect on December 1, after

church. On December 22, the JAM kids share the First

Christmas story with us during morning worship. And, on

December 24, join us at 4 pm for our Candlelight Christ-

mas Eve Service.

May this season fill you with the same awe and wonder

as it did on the first Christmas you knew Jesus.

Terri

Searching for a Resurrection, cont.

Pastor Terri Horn

Vision

Opening doors to share God’s

grace

Mission

Go and make disciples to trans-

form the world

Faith Statement

We are a Christ-centered com-

munity, called to serve, where

you can come as you are, share

who you are,

and experience the power of

God’s love.

Values

Jesus First |Deeper Faith

Strong Community |Serve Others

Discover how the Spirit is

moving in our community

and upcoming ministries to

share with others.

Do you have a story or

upcoming ministry to share?

Send written articles to

info@lesueurumc.org

by the 21st.

If this marks your first Christmas with our church family,

we celebrate your arrival and share the warmth of Christ with

you. If this marks your anniversary of many Christmases,

we treasure your presence among us.

3

Missions Corner

December Missions

Noisy Pig Mission Offerings in December will benefit the Christmas Boxes being

delivered on Saturday, Dec. 21. Please put donations in a pew envelope and

place it in the Noisy Pig Offering collected by the children.

Zoe Christmas

On December 8 and 15, the Missions Team will be selling orna-

ments for Zoe Christmas. Each ornament sold will purchase a

farm animal or seeds for orphans and other children in Africa.

Please visit zoeempowers.org for more information.

Thank you!

Thank you to all who attended, volunteered, and cooked at our annual Thanksgiving meal!

Capital Campaign Update

Construction bids were in by the end of October. The lowest bid was Langer’s Construction, who

specializes in nonprofits and churches. Their bid, $100,000 below others, is lower as they do things

internally. The Building Committee is now in the process of modifying the project make it afforda-

ble.

The congregation felt 3 things were vital to this building project. This is how the Building Commit-

tee is answering those needs.

1. Deferred maintenance –new HVAC system and water cooler

2. Handicap-accessible—Making the family restroom and front of sanctuary handicap-- accessi-

ble and changing of seating to chairs

3. Enhancements to building to help reach people—technology upgrades

Please contact Building Chairman Tyler Sunderman (tylersunderman@gmail.com) with questions.

4

JAM Corner JAM (Jesus And Me)

United Methodist Women (UMW)

UMW Potluck: All women are invited to the annual United Methodist Women Potluck on Thursday,

Dec. 12, at 12 pm. Contact Margo Bjork with questions (612-702-1852/ bjork.margo@gmail.com).

Woolly Blessings: Like to knit/crotchet? Your skills are needed to make hats, mittens, and scarves

for local schools, residents of Emma Norton House, and the Salvation Army. All sizes are needed in

any color or pattern. Patterns and yarn can be picked up or donated in the basket in the Gather-

ing Area. Leave your finished product there. Email Margo (bjork.margo@gmail.com) with ques-

tions.

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, December 4th: Program parts will be going home to JAM kids. If your child did not

sign up for a part but would like one, email Lydia (Youth@lesueurumc.org).

Wednesday, December 19th: Christmas Program Dress Rehearsal, during JAM

Sunday, December 22nd: Christmas Program, All kids in the program need to be at church by 9:15am.

Advent Random Act of Kindness: JAM Kids are invited to partake in the JAM Random Act of Kind-

ness Challenge! Using an Advent Calendar handed out at JAM, the kids are invited to do some-

thing nice for someone. Calendars can be returned to Lydia on January 8th JAM for a treat and

to be posted on the Kindness board! Announcements

JAM Noisy Pig: The kids voted to donate the Wednesday Noisy Pig offering to the American Can-

cer Society. Please remember to send coins or dollar bills to put in the pig each JAM night.

NO JAM Activities: December 25 or Jan 1st. We will return on Jan 8th.

Members of the United Methodist Women made lefse

on Monday, November 18. They went on sale the fol-

lowing Sunday with proceeds to benefit the Seren-

dipity Christmas charities.

5

Announcements Make-A-Wish®

Minnesota

Make-A-Wish® Minnesota has a

volunteer opportunity to create

hope, strength, and joy for a child with a critical illness.

Are you interested? Become a Wish Granter! As a Wish

Granter, you will:

Sign up to work with a child in your area

Meet the child and family

Help determine the child’s heartfelt wish

● Work in teams of two or three

Act as a liaison between the Foundation and the

family

Help make the wish come true!

Did you know? Make-A-Wish Minnesota grants a

wish, on average, every 27 hours! Please email Volun-

teerServices@mn.wish.org or call 612-767-2765 for

more information or questions about volunteering

with Make-A-Wish.

A Note from the

Finance Team

Thank you for supporting our missions with your

monetary gifts. When you are absent, you can

continue your support by mailing your gifts or sign

up for online giving. Please visit our website at

www.lesueurumc.org/give/.

The Stanley Baringer

Scholarship

The Stanley Baringer Scholarship is an annual award of-

fered in memory of Stanley Baringer, a longtime member

of LS UMC. This year’s recipient will be announced in wor-

ship on Sunday, December 1. Congratulations!

Rescheduled

Photography Sessions

Lifetouch is rescheduling for Saturday, December

14, 11 am- 6 pm. The online link is available on our

website (Monday, 9 am -Friday 2 pm) or call the

office to schedule (507-665-2314).

Woolly Blessings

Like to knit/crotchet? Your skills are

needed to make hats, mittens, and

scarves for local schools, residents of

Emma Norton House, and the Salvation Army. All sizes

are needed in any color or pattern. Patterns and yarn

can be picked up or donated in the basket in the Gath-

ering Area. Leave your finished product there. Email

Margo with questions.

Historic Ottawa Church

The Le Sueur Historical Society seeks

to save an historic church in Ottawa.

The cost of repair is estimated to be

$174,500, more than the Historical So-

ciety can afford. They have received

a matching grant up to $120,000 from

the Carl and Verna Schmidt Foundation. For every dollar

the Society raises, the Foundation will donate $2 up to

$120,000.

Therefore, their goal is to raise $60,000 by December 15,

2019.

Donations can be mailed to:

Le Sueur Historical Society

P.O. Box 123, Le Center, MN 56057

Make checks payable to the LCHS.

For more information about the church, visit this website:

https://sites.google.com/site/mnvhlc/home/le-sueur-county/ottawa

Please see the Missions, JAM, UMW, and Capital

Campaign Corners for their Announcements.

6