1. shopping
2. gifts

The Star of Christmas
2
Christmas Eve Service
3
Turkey Mission Dinner
4-5
Small Group
6
Music Notes
7
Student Ministries
8-9
Many years ago, the day before Thanksgiving, we were in
Children’s Ministries
10
downtown Chicago. After passing the map back and forth
Winter Puppet Program
11
several times, praying and looking for familiar landmarks, we
UMW
12
arrived at the Navy Pier. The sights and sounds of Christmas
Family Focus
13
filled the mall. Just outside was a 200-foot Ferris wheel. Once
Stay Connected
14-15
Birthdays & Anniversaries
16
Contact Us
515-967-2991
Pastor John Gaulke
[email protected]
Steve McLellan
Minister of Creative Arts
& Pastoral Care
[email protected]
Brandon Lindsey
Children’s Ministry Director
[email protected]
Cameron Scott
Youth Director
[email protected]
LeAnn Gaulke
Director of Small Groups
& Assimilation
[email protected]
Jane Burns
Project & Special Event Coordinator
[email protected]
Trina Nickel
Administrative Assistant
[email protected]
December 2013
Volume 54 Issue 12
Dear Friend,
the kids spotted it, we had to go up!
We were near the top when suddenly our seats lurched forward as the Ferris wheel broke away from its frame. We were
completely out of control, rolling down the Navy Pier. People
were running and screaming, trying to get out of our way,
and we were heading straight for the John Hancock building.
I knew our only chance of survival was to take a right on
Lakeshore Drive. I yelled to all the people on the Ferris wheel,
“Lean to the right side—everybody to the right!” I spotted a
large flagpole at the corner of Lakeshore Drive. With everyone leaning to the right, I had Jordan and Josiah hold my
feet as I flung my body out of the seat and grabbed the flagpole. I latterly pulled the Ferris wheel around the corner. By
now, several fire trucks and police cars were traveling beside
us. I knew I had to stop the Ferris wheel quickly, but how?
Heather Mahoney
Executive Assistant
[email protected]
Gary Nelson
Financial Manager
[email protected]
Continued on Page Two
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Volume 54 Issue 12
Sound unbelievable? Well, you are right. For the most part, it isn’t true. We did go to
Chicago. We did go to Navy Pier. And we did ride the 200-foot Ferris wheel. But nothing out
of the ordinary happened.
Did you ever think that the nativity scene could use some embellishment in order to be
more marketable? Why not change the dirty manger into a beautiful palace. Or how
about having the first visitors be kings instead of shepherds. What if the bed of straw was a
golden cradle filled with silk.
Maybe that is why the people of Bethlehem were oblivious to what was happening just
outside town that first Christmas. For God chose not to adorn the arrival of his Son with a lot
of fanfare. It wasn’t a story to be embellished; it was a life to be lived. It wasn’t glory to be
sought, but a life to be given. God was not writing a story of fiction but one of fact.
I encourage you to reread the Christmas story this holiday season and discover again the
simple yet powerful message of God becoming flesh.
Celebrating Christ’s birth with you,
Pastor John
The Star of Christmas
December 15, 2013
8:15, 9:45, & 11:00 a.m.
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Volume 54 Issue 12
Worship Services 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., & 7:00 p.m.
Each service will be approximately one hour in length.
Christmas Eve Offering
Each year, the offering collected on Christmas Eve
goes to help children in our community and around
the world. Last year's Christmas Eve offering was
distributed to six organizations: Home for Street
Children in India, Children and Family Urban
Ministries,
Native
American
Hospital's Children's Behavioral Unit, Amor y Paz
Ministries,
Lutheran
Children's Ministry
Department, and Iowa Homeless Youth Center. Every penny of this year's
Christmas Eve offering will again go to bless children so please give
generously.
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Volume 54 Issue 12
Extraordinary Mission
Meal at Altoona UMC
By: Katie Dawson
Every church hosts an annual dinner… but what
if you could host an extraordinary meal that was
a foretaste of the Kingdom of God?
In the past, Altoona UMC fell into the routine of
putting on
their annual meal to pay the church bills and would raise
about $5,000 each time. Even that amount is pretty
remarkable for most church dinners, but Pastor John Gaulke
began to imagine something greater. “I felt a nudging from
the Spirit that this meal could become something great, but
it would have to change,” he said.
The church began by deciding to give half of the proceeds away to missions in 2010. Spurred on by
the momentum and the excitement it generated, in 2011 they took a leap of faith to give away ALL
of the money raised at their Turkey Mission Dinner and set an outrageous goal of $10,000. Pastor
Gaulke said, “wouldn’t it be cool if this meal, a meal to help others, could be my most expensive, so
I challenged the congregation to join me in making this our best meal.” The church served more
than 750 people that year and they shattered their goal
by raising over $25,000 to provide 125,000 meals for
Meals from the Heartland.
They were part of a miraculous multiplication… the
loaves and the fishes coming alive right in front of
them! The idea stuck. Last year, they decided to
support Bethel Mission, a local homeless shelter and to
The Altoona UMC youth group were waiters
and waitresses for the Turkey Mission dinner.
dig three wells in South America.
Continued on Page Five
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Volume 54 Issue 12
Again, the Holy Spirit took their wildest dreams for the meal and surpassed them.
This fall, Altoona UMC continued the tradition. As Pastor Gaulke wrote in a letter to the
congregation:
This Turkey Mission dinner is a meal of opportunity. It is an opportunity for us to lovingly
serve together. It is an opportunity to give and share our resources with those in need. It
is an opportunity for hope to be realized by those who receive our gifts. Some will receive mosquito nets and have the opportunity to finally sleep in peace, not worrying if
the next bite will inflict them with malaria. Some, already battling malaria, will receive
the necessary medicine that stops malaria dead in its tracks- an opportunity to get
healthy. Three families will receive new homes – a promising new future- an opportunity
that will change their lives and their neighborhoods forever.
On November 9, the church was set and ready to go.
Over 1,000 homemade rolls had been baked, the turkeys were
trimmed and the tables were set. And the Lord of the harvest
multiplied their expectations once again as over $90,000 was
raised in that one night for mission. $30,000 of that amount will
go to support the Iowa Annual Conference efforts to Imagine
No Malaria and the rest will be used to help build three houses
through Habitat for Humanity.
The basis of the Imagine No Malaria campaign is Ephesians 3:20 – “God can do anything, you
know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it
not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.” (MSG)
God can do anything… and thanks be to God that Altoona UMC opened their hearts to the let the
Spirit in.
Taken From inmiowa.org
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Page 6
December is our month to recruit hosts
to facilitate our next church-wide study
in homes, the church or any other
comfortable setting. Would you
consider hosting a group for our
“FEARLESS” study this winter?
Volume 54 Issue 12
“FEARLESS”
Host a Small Group (the weeks of) February 9—March 16, 2014
FEAR, it can imprison us and swallow the key to our door of escape. Wouldn’t it be great to break free and walk out?
Imagine your life void of worry and sleepless nights. What if faith, not fear, was your initial reaction to a layoff, a bounced
mortgage payment or global upheaval? Can you imagine a month, a week or even a day without fear?
Dive into “FEARLESS” with a small group this winter and experience the awe of Jesus that diminishes fear. Max Lucado
mentions in this study that fear has touched all of us in some shape or form—whether it has entangled us or completely
enchained us. How we respond to fear or to whom we turn to for a way out is what matters.
This six-week study will begin the week of February 9 and conclude the week of March 16. If you are interested in hosting
a small group for this study, please contact LeAnn Gaulke at 967-2991 or [email protected] or complete a Host
Home form at the WELCOME CENTER. All you need is a heart for people, a place to meet, and a TV/DVD. The
church will provide the DVD-based teaching by Max Lucado. An accompanying study guide will provide the scripture and
discussion questions.
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Volume 54 Issue 12
The 2012 Chancel Choir, Bell Choir,
Orchestra, and Praise Band rehearsing
a version of "I Heard the Bells" from the
recent
Casting
Crowns
Christmas
album. This year's production also
features Choir, Children's Choir, Bell
Choir, Christmas orchestra, and the
Praise Band along with the pageantry
of Christmas with a children's cast of
25. The production uses LED lighting from our recently upgraded lighting system. The
2013 concert is driven by an interesting mix of of contemporary Christmas music with
some
traditional
choral
sounds.
We
are
excited
about
the
potential
the
"RE" (remodel) project will have for productions such as this one. The RE project will
add somewhere around 100 square feet to our platform adding additional choir and
instrument space as well as bringing the actors & actresses closer to the audience. The
organ speaker chambers were also redesigned for better sound distribution.
December Performance Schedule
December 1
Choir in all three services
December 8
Bell Choir in all three services- “Tidings of Comfort and Joy”
December 14 Choir orchestra, hand bells and tech crew meet from 3-5 p.m.
December 15 “The Star of Christmas” Celebration concerts at 8:15, 9:45 and 11:00 a.m.
December 22 Christmas Musical Surprise
December 24 Christmas Eve services 3:00, 5:00 and 7:00 p.m.
For more information on any music ministry, contact Steve at [email protected] or
967-2991.
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Invasion STUDENT Ministries
Page 8
Volume 54 Issue 12
Hey Guys and Gals,
Four words:
TIME TO GIVE BACK.
WEDNESDAY
JR. HIGH
High school
6:30-7:30PM
7:45-9:15 pm
JR. HIGH ROOM
(BASEMENT)
FAMILY LIFE
CENTER
DON’T FORGET THAT S.W.A.G. IS HAPPENING ON MONDAYS
FROM 8:00-9:00 P.M. ITS SUPER SWAGALICIOUS!!!
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Volume 54 Issue 12
Gents and Gals,
December is here, which means that Christmas is right around the corner! But, who and what is
Christmas truly for? Growing up in the Scott household it was a tradition to watch the Hallmark channel during the Christmas season. I hated that channel. Everything was black and white. Boring. But, I
remember watching one particular movie that would change my way of thinking about Christmas.
The movie was titled, “Miracle on 34th Street.” I loved that movie! It was a story about how a lawyer
felt that he needed to defend Santa Claus by proving he wasn’t crazy, but the real deal. When I
think back to that movie all I can think about is how a lawyer gave a gift instead of receiving one.
Christmas would have been lost for people if Santa Claus wasn’t able to pass out presents.
Though we all know that Santa Claus is not real, we do know that Jesus Christ is. Do you really think
that Jesus was born so that we could get every single gift on our wish list? I hope not because he
was born to give the whole earth a gift. That is the true meaning of Christmas. We should wake up
on December 25th excited to give back to those in need. There are so many people in Altoona that
don’t have much of anything. YOU should be doing something about that!
United Methodist Church has a campaign called “Rethink Church” and this is what they have to say
about Christmas:
“Say the family has an extra $200 they had planned to spend on a Wii, but the neighbors
don’t have heat, or the homeless don’t have food, or a family at church doesn’t have Christmas gifts. Do we want to give the neighbors heat, or the homeless a few meals, or the family
who is down on their luck some stuff they need...or do we go buy the Wii…somewhere along
the way, kids have got to get the message, ‘Let’s stop worshipping the idol of consumerism
and actually start looking at Jesus and the gift God gave us in giving him.”
Just like the lawyer from my favorite Hallmark Christmas movie, we must defend the true meaning of
Christmas. Go out and give back!
Let’s Do It,
Cam
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Volume 54 Issue 12
Page 10
& nativity
8:15, 9:45 and 11:00 a.m.
Sunday, December 15th
DECEMBER NOTES
12/8-Nativity Scene practice is at 1:30 p.m. in Sanctuary.
12/11-Midweek Finale in the Family Life Center 6-8:00 p.m.
Pizza, snacks and drinks! Movie (Polar Express) will begin at 6:15.
Midweek Resumes Wednesday, January 8th 2014!
12/14-Christmas Program Dress Rehearsal In Sanctuary
Pre-K Choir 2:45 p.m.
K-6th Choir 3:00 p.m.
Nativity Scene 3-5:00 p.m.
For more Children’s Ministries information, please contact Brandon Lindsey at [email protected]
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Volume 54 Issue 12
Presented by the
JESUS FREAK PUPPET TROUPES
“GTIE”
(GO TELL IT EVERYWHERE)
ALTOONA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
FAMILY LIFE CENTER
DECEMBER 6 & 7, 2013
7:00 p.m.
United Methodist
UMM Men Christmas Breakfast
December 14th 8:00 a.m.
Family Life Center
All men and their spouses are invited. The McLellan's will lead the singing. Herb Phillips will
present 'Twas the Night'. Gary Parrott will lead the devotions. Adam Brinkman &
Gary Parrott have a special breakfast menu. Please bring quarters for Heifer Project.
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Volume 54 Issue 12
United Methodist Women
UMW
Abigail Circle
December 5th at 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 17th at 6:30 p.m.
Conference Room
Connie Ruggless’ Home
Program: “Cookie Exchange”
We will be having a cookie exchange at our meeting
Martha Circle
December 5th. We are to bring 2-3 dozen cookies.
December 19th at 1:00 p.m.
We will enjoy eating some for dessert and then
Sugar Shack
exchange the remainder to take home. We look
forward to this even each year and invited other
women to join us.
All women welcome!
Our Mission Project: Mittens, hats, socks and
underwear to Bidwell
Top Notchers News
A ministry for adults 55 +
December 10th-Noon Potluck
We will be meeting on Tuesday, December 10th at noon for a potluck in the Family Life
Center. Entertaining us that day will be the Heartland Singers. One of our Top Notchers,
Marla Carr, is a member of that group and will be helping entertain. We have invited them
to join us for our potluck. Therefore, we are asking that you bring an extra dish or a little
extra food to share with our guests. They have all heard about our wonderful potlucks and
are looking forward to joining us. We will be taking a free will offering for our guests to help
with their expenses. Let’s remember to bring a donation for the food pantry that day.
Upcoming Get Togethers
Tuesday, January 14, Noon
*Potluck-Special Guest Skip
Conkling, Mayor of Altoona
Tuesday, February 11
*Visit the Des Moines Botanical
Center (details to follow)
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Volume 54 Issue 12
Family Focus
Introducing...The Downey Family
Introducing the Downey Family—Jason, Tracy, Michiael (14),
Logan (12), Kailey (10), Angel (6), Corban (4), and Tegan (4).
Tracy and Jason are originally from a small town in Indiana.
They moved to Iowa 12 years ago for Jason’s job at Wells Fargo
as a statistician within marketing. Tracy is an instructor at the
Altoona Campus and is attending graduate school in social
work. She is currently in her first internship working at Iowa
Homeless Youth Centers in their Lighthouse program. Michiael is a freshman at Southeast Polk High School
and participates in the drum line with the marching band. Logan is in junior high and enjoys playing Xbox
with friends. Kailey, Angel, Corban, and Tegan attend Clay Elementary and play community sports such as
soccer and basketball. Kailey also likes playing the piano and flute.
Jason grew up Methodist and attended service every Sunday with his family. His family prayed at every meal
and said prayers at night. Tracy attended church off and on growing up with her best friend. Although her
mother is a believer, Tracy’s family did not regularly attend church. Tracy and Jason were high school
sweethearts and would attend Saturday night church services before date nights. However, after leaving
home for college, they lost connection with the church but not with God.
As their family started growing, the Downeys felt Christ drawing them back to church. They wanted their
children to have a strong connection with God at a young age so they visited several surrounding churches
and made AUMC their church family about six years ago. Jason and Tracy attribute the relationships and
warmth they found at AUMC with strengthening their connection with God. Having a close group of friends
where you share beliefs, challenges, God sightings, etc. has been so powerful for the Downey family that
they often participate in small group studies between the churchwide sessions.
For several years Jason and Tracy participated in children’s ministry by volunteering at the midweek program
and teaching Sunday School. A few years ago Jason joined the choir and Tracy began singing with the praise
team. This commitment has renewed the passion for music they had in high school choir and show choir but
with a new purpose. Kailey shares her parents’ musical talents and sings with the kids’ praise team. Angel,
Corban, and Tegan participate in midweek while Michiael, Logan, and Kailey are active in puppets.
After being led to adopt more than once, the Downeys try not to put limits on what God may lead them to do
next. They would like to take their kids on mission trips, locally or abroad, before they are on their own.
The Downey family is an amazing example of Christ’s
compassion and love to this world. Greet the Downeys
with a smile when you see them. They are not hard to find
on a Sunday morning or Wednesday night. With eight
family members active in church activities, you’ll definitely
see at least one of them!
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Volume 54 Issue 12
Pas oral Partners
If you or a family member would like prayer
support or a hospital visit, please fill out a card
on Sunday morning or call the church office at
967-2991 or 707-7833 after hours.
Consider sending a DVD to a homebound friend
or loved one. Contact the church office at
967-2991 with DVD requests.
Contact Steve McLellan at 967-2991 if you
would like to know more about becoming
involved.
Adult Basketball
AUMC
Adult
continues!
Basketball
Join us in the
Family Life Center on
Altar Flowers
Sign up at the Welcome Center
to provide altar flowers in honor
Monday nights at 6:30 p.m.
or in memory of loved ones or to
for some pickup games!
celebrate a special day.
No prior NBA experience necessary!
Contact Cameron at 967-2991
or [email protected] for more
information.
Joy Boxes have been a great tradition for our church family at
Christmastime. As you know, our Joy Boxes are given to the local
food pantry, Caring Hands, to be distributed to those in need
during the holiday season. Last year the food pantry informed us
that it would be more advantageous for them to receive the Joy
Boxes in the spring when supplies are typically depleted. We have
decided that we will connect our Joy Boxes with the Easter season
this year. They will still be wrapped in Christmas paper because the birth of Christ and the
resurrection are so intricately connected. Empty Joy Boxes will be available for you to fill in
early March 2014.
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Volume 54 Issue 12
If you would like to receive our weekly updates via email, please go to the church website,
www.altoonaumc.org. Under the Resources tab, choose E-Newsletter Signup, enter your
email address, choose the Weekly Newsletters list, and you will begin to receive our weekly
newsletters on Thursday afternoons in your email box!
If you would like to be included on our new email prayer chain list, please go to the church
website, www.altoonaumc.org, choose Prayer Chain Signup under the Resources tab,
enter your email address, and choose the Prayer Chain list.
If we have missed your birthday or anniversary, please contact Trina in the office at
[email protected] or 967-2991.
AUMC Office Hours
Tuesday, December 24
Open
Wednesday, December 25
Closed
Thursday, December 26
Closed
Friday, December 27
Open
Tuesday, December 31
Closed
Wednesday, January 1
Closed
Thursday, January 2
Open
8:30-3:00p.m.
8:30-3:00p.m.
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Volume 54 Issue 12
Happy Birthday
1. Elizabeth White
1. Braylee Gellerman
2. Signe Hinde
2. Amy Kruse
2. Danielle Malaise
3. Janis Herman
3. Linda Keller
3. Dianne Norris
5. Emory Braunsweig-Norris
5. Jeannie Nutter
6. John Hageman
6. LeAnn Stout
7. Courtney Jones
8. James Kleveland
8. Evelyn Long
8. Roberta Sporrer
9. Jon Hubbert
9. Millie McDowall
9. Rebecca Watters
10. Gage Gaul
10. Bill Good
10. Matthew Hess
10. Mary Wood
11. Karen Overturf
11. JoAnn Viggers
12. Caitlin Berry
12. Shelene Billups
12.
13.
13.
13.
15.
16.
16.
17.
17.
18.
18.
18.
19.
19.
19.
20.
20.
20.
20.
21.
22.
22.
22.
23.
23.
23.
24.
Deanna Nolte
Rita Carroll
Chad Kruse
Jan LeCroy
Denise Cooper
Sydney Harter
Cheryl Russell
Marv Cole
Jane Wendel
Carol Dillow
Kate Lay
Brandon Lindsey
MacKenzie Bills
Nathan Henderson
Phil Sandquist
Kevin Bennett
Aaron Cory
Heidi Dibbet
Bella Newell
Cheryl Timmins
Machenzie Gallegos
Rylan Gaul
Pam Lageman
Terry Benda
Bryan Foster
Kristi Hasek
Jeff Hand
24.
25.
25.
26.
26.
27.
28.
29.
29.
29.
30.
30.
31.
Rhonda McFadden
Hunter Hinde
Sam Swaim
Mary McClaflin
Doug Workman
Abby Reed
Mary Ballagh
Leah Carr
Matthew Collison
Alyssa VanFosson
Tessa Cassler
Josh Quick
Haley Olson
Happy Anniversary
2. Dale & Janice Hartgraves
3. Jamie & Tricia Mootz
4. Duane & Shirley Hunziker
6. Aaron & Kellie DeCamp
9. John & Rosemary McClain
13. Bud & Jamie Harter
17. David & Jane Wendel
19.
20.
23.
28.
29.
30.
David & Nancy Dunfee
Dana & Meta Gowin
Jim & Cheryl Dickerson
Cory & Elsed Paul
Jamison & Rachel Rigley
Bob & Beverly Merkle
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