Tanner Valley
Voice
Tanner Valley United Methodist Church
November 2014
The Holidays of November
19235 State Road 1
Lawrenceburg, IN
47025-8606
tannervalleychurch.com
Michael Lawson,
Pastor
Church Building:
812.537.4111
Parsonage:
812.577.0641
Sunday School
Sundays—9am
Worship
Sundays—10am
Choir Practice
Wednesdays—7pm
UMW
2nd Thursdays—7pm
In this issue:
November Holidays
1
Parents Day Out
2
Things are heating up
3
OCC Hours
4
Are you aware that there are three holidays in November? Two ecclesial holidays, and one
national holiday with a Christian roots. However, eclipsed by Christmas, and skipped over by
Halloween, the lessons of these three holidays are often overlooked. However, let’s examine all
three and the lessons they have to teach us.
All Saint’s Day (November 1) – An annual celebration that those persons who have
gone on before us in the faith are still very much alive in Christ Jesus! This is a celebration of
the glories of heaven, the angels that surround God’s
throne, and the unbroken friendships and relationship we
have with our departed loved one. In many ways, this
celebration is about remembering our loves one who have
died, and celebrating the family of God. This is a day for
ringing church bells to represent the sounding testimony
of our forebears, lighting candles to represent that their
souls still shine and glow in God’s kingdom, it is a time to
celebrate the eternal nature of love, friendship and family.
Seriously, who would want to miss that?
Christ the King (November 23) – Held on the Sunday before Thanksgiving this is the last
Sunday of the Christian year. It is our New Years Day! It marks that last Sunday before we
begin telling the story of Jesus over again with Advent and Christmas. So what better way to
end the year by looking forward to the return of Christ and the inauguration of an age when a
new heaven and a new earth are formed by the love of God and we will live with God! This
holiday recognizes that Jesus is one day going to return in glory, to bring an end to evil and to
put an end to our suffering. It is a day when we celebrate the hope of all Christina people!
Thanksgiving (November 27) – An American Holiday established officially by Abraham
Lincoln Thanksgiving celebrates the first European settlers sharing a meal of fellowship with the
indigenous peoples of America. It was a rare and beautiful moment of shared fellowship with the
native and transplanted people that sadly, was too rare in American history. However it was a
meal of thanks, in desperate times, to thank God for the mere act of survival. Thanksgiving
carries with it the realization that in good times or bad, we may still be thankful for the gift of life
itself. We can be thankful for the irascible parts of the human spirit that keep pushing through
despite everything.
We have much to celebrate in a month like this. Many important lessons to ponder. The word
holiday itself is derived from the term “Holy Day”. Like all holy things, we can miss the point if we
don’t reflect on the truths behind our celebrations. So I will leave you with the words of this hymn
by Joachim Neander and its’ call to holy reflection:
Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriend thee. Pastor Michael
UMW Update
Buzzards are Circling
As I walked out of the house yesterday, I looked up to see four beady eyed buzzards shifting across the top of our roof as if they were waiting for me to drop dead and furnish them
with lunch. They seemed to be everywhere in the surrounding trees, circling over the house. I
counted as many as 40 sitting at one time. I waved my arms frantically and made loud noises, only to have them look back at me in disbelief. Today I walked out and saw three buzzards
standing on the driveway not 10 feet from the door. Rich says they are after me and I
should make sure I just keep moving. It makes me very uneasy to have those large ugly birds
standing near and flying over head.
Strangely enough I recently read a book by Stan Toler called, "The Buzzards are circling,
but God's not finished with me yet". I really think God is getting my attention with the circling of the buzzards. (Guess what - it is working!) Mr. Toler says that there are times in everyone's life when we are hit by a crisis, one that you didn't see coming. And it may cause your
whole world to crumble like an old cookie hit my a hammer. That's when our faith comes in
and we remember to put our trust in God who gives us peace. Peace is not the absence of
problems; peace is knowing that God is with us as we walk through them. God allows
the buzzard circling times in our lives to develop us, not to destroy us.
So, let the buzzards circle. I am trusting in God and I know God isn't finished with
me yet - I have too much more to learn! Thanks God for the reminder!
Thanks to Sue Sorensen and Billie Stockum we had a great UMW meeting last
month. Our next meeting will be November 13, which is also the time our next RADA
cutlery order will be due. Thanks again to everyone who has already ordered. Cutlery makes great Christmas gifts, so get your orders in before November 13.
Hope to see YOU at our next meeting.
Nancy
Christian Education
The Christian Education Committee is planning a “Parents’ Day Out” event for Saturday, December 13, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. For $5, parents can drop off their children, ages 4-10, for a Bible lesson, crafts, lunch, music, movies and games. More information and registration forms will be provided in the next few weeks. Please be praying for this event and its success. Also, be thinking about what role you can play in this
event.
During the December meeting of the Christian Education Committee, we will be planning our activities for the 2015 year and putting
them on the church calendar. If you have any ideas for events or
programs, please join us on December 15 at 7 p.m. in the Rumble
Room (upstairs classroom) to discuss
Page 2
WORSHIP SERVANTS
October Council Notes
Michael opened with a devotional and prayer. Financial report was read and accepted.
Trustees – 1. A couple of concerns were noted about 304B Trash removal.
2. Air conditioner replacement due at the parsonage. About $5000 to
replace. Also concern about church air conditioner.
3. Tree in front of the parsonage needs to be removed. Cost would be
about $1000. Council approved to ask Memorial committee for the
funds for tree removal.
Christian Ed - Pastor Michael reported that youth group attendance was 10 on
Sunday 10/12.
Pastor Parrish – Discussion about Pastor compensation. Base salary will stay the
same but change made to reimbursable accounts. Total reimbursable
still the same.
Missions –
Reports handed out. Faith promise pledges from Sunday were about
$7000. We will have a speaker for the kick off of OCC 11/16.
UMW –
$300 profit from cutlery orders to go to the paving fund.
Pastor Michael – Setting up youth directory. Forms for youth emergency care
should be filled out for youth group attendees.
Bonﬁre Night—Nov 1
J J O O Family Bonfire !!
I 3:00 pm November 1
N U S I N U S At Tanner Valley UMC
All invited, come Join US
Setup 2pm
Cleanup 5pm
November 2
Greeter
Dick & Clara Lewis
Acolyte
Harry Hanneken
Reader
Larry Delp
Nursery
B. Delp, T. VanVolkenburgh
GIC
Nancy & Billie
November 9
Greeter
The Schmidts
Acolyte
Wyatt Maxfield
Reader
Dorothy McCool
Nursery
Peg Delp, Donna Morgan
Ushers
The Hesses, The Dorsels
Children’s Message
Pastor Michael
GIC
Annalee and Erin DeLuca
November 16
Greeter
Emma Schwebach
Acolyte
RyleighOffutt
Reader
Kim Schmeltzer
Nursery
Amy Delp, Joy Offutt
Ushers
M.Schmid, M.Mitchell,S.Goble, B.
Knox
GIC
D. Morgan, Veronica Loring
November 23
Greeter
Stan & Sue Sorensen
Acolyte
Wyatt Maxfield
Reader
Nancy Hesse
Nursery
Bryan Delp
Ushers
Vandermuellens & Beckmans
Children’s Message
Pastor Michael
GIC
J.Schmeltzer, P. VanDyke
November 30
Greeter
The Carpenters
Acolyte
Kelsey Offutt
Reader
Pam VanDyke
Ushers
The Robertsons & Hannekens
Nursery
P. Delp & Terri VanVolkenburgh
Page 3
We’re on the web:
tannervalleychurch.com
JESUS CHRIST...
...MAKING DISCIPLES OF
[email protected]
E-mail:
Phone: 812.537.4111
Lawrenceburg, Indiana 47025-8606
19235 State Road 1
Tanner Valley United
Methodist Church
Time for Operation Christmas Child
November 17-24
Tanner Valley UMC
We will be needing volunteers to help
package and organize our boxes. Our doors
will be open as a drop-off location the
following hours:
Nov. 17 Mon: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Nov. 18 Tues: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Nov. 19 Wed: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Nov. 20 Thurs: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Nov. 21 Fri: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Nov. 22 Sat: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Nov. 23 Sun: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Nov. 24 Mon: 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
More details will follow later.
“The Back Page”
11:30 Moms in Prayer
26
27
28
Light lunch
Greens
10-1pm Hanging of the
29
22
6pm—Knife & Fork
Newsletter Deadline
15
8
NOVEMBER IS CANNED FOOD MONTH DRIVE
26-Karen Juffman; 30-Marlene Schmid
Bonnie Cline; 27-Maria Gosmeyer; 27-Mark & Jenni Walker
25
2pm Bonfire setup
3pm Family Bonfire
5pm Bonfire cleanup
1
saturday
muellen; 16-Amy Delp, Nelson Hanneken; 18-Avery Wuestefeld; 20-Kelsey Offutt;
24
21
14
7
31
friday
ANNIVERSARIES: 3-Clyde & Peggy Dawson; 17-Steward &
30
7pm-Heart House
20
7pm –UMW
7pm—Heart House
13
6
30
thursday
BIRTHDAYS: 3-Nancy Carpenter; 11-Henry Delp, Greg Huffman; 15-John Vander-
1st Advent Sunday
23
6:30-Feed My Sheep
1:30pm Nursing Home
19
11:30 Moms in Prayer
12
6pm PPR
11:30 Moms in Prayer
11:30 Moms in Prayer
7pm—Christian ED
18
7pm Council
Election Day
9am Election Cleanup
5
11:30 Moms in Prayer
29
wednesday
Aurora UMC
17
16
11
4
28
tuesday
November 2014
2:30 Charge Conference
10
7pm Missions
9
9am Election day setup
3
2
Open House
27
26
1:30pm Parsonage
monday
sunday
OF JESUS CHRIST...
...MAKING DISCIPLES
New Year’s Eve
26
27
8pm cleanup
26-Derrick Robertson
22-Steve & Candy Feller; 26-Larry & Peg Delp; 30-Rose Jones
31
Merry Christmas
25
10am Setup
6pm Dinner & Variety
20
Day Out
10-3pm Parents
13
6
saturday
15-Diane Goodwin; 17-Alex Walker; 26-Ryleigh Offutt;
30
and Communion
10pm Candle lighting
24
19
12
5
friday
ANNIVERSARIES: 21-Janet Rupel; 22-Charles & Lois Blodgett;
29
28
23
7pm—Heart House
18
7pm—UMW
7pm—Heart House
11
4
thursday
BIRTHDAYS: 4-Pam VanDyke; 9-Samantha Maxﬁeld; 10-Mary Schneider;
22
21
6:30pm—Feed My Sheep
17
11:30am Mom's in Prayers
11:30am Mom's in Prayers
1:30pm Nursing Home
16
7pm—Council
10
7pm—Christian ED
15
14
9
6pm PPR
11:30am Mom's in Prayers
3
wednesday
Newsletter Deadline
8
2
1
7 pm—Missions
tuesday
December 2014
monday
7
sunday
OF JESUS CHRIST...
...MAKING DISCIPLES