The Flaming Times
December 2009
Houlton United
November 29, First Sunday in Advent: Isaiah 60:2-3- For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
We light this candle a
symbol of Christ our Hope.
May the light sent from God shine in the darkness to show us the way of
salvation.
December 6, Second Sunday in Advent: Mark 1:4- John the Baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
We light this candle as a
symbol of Christ the Way.
May the Word sent from God through the prophets lead us to the way of
salvation.
December 13, Third Sunday in
Advent: Isaiah 35:10-
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to
We light this candle as a
symbol of Christ our Joy.
May the Joyful promise of Your presence, O God, make us rejoice in our
hope of salvation.
December 20, Fourth Sunday in Advent: Isaiah 9:6-7- For a child has been forn for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Might God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His Authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
We light this candle as a
symbol of the Prince of Peace.
May the visitation of Your Holy Spirit, O God, make us ready for
the coming of Jesus, our hope and joy.
Light the Advent Candle
Light the Advent candle, one:
Light the Advent candle, four:
Now the waiting has begun;
Think of joy forever more;
We have started on our way
Christ Child
in a stable born,
Time to think of Christmas day.
Gift of love that Christmas morn.
Light the Advent candle, two:
Light the Christmas candles, now:
Think of humble shepherds,
Sing of donkey, sheep, and cow;
Who filled with wonder at the
sight
Birthday candles for the King,
Of the child of Christmas night.
Let the alleluias ring.
Refrain
Light the Advent candle, three:
Candle, candle, burning bright,
Think of heavenly harmony;
Shining in the cold winter night;
Angels singing “Peace on Earth:
Candle, candle, burning bright,
At the blessed Savior’s birth. Fill our hearts with Christmas Light.
From the United
Methodist Women
Thank you!
We thank the kitchen
crew
For the delicious
stew.
And for perfect
cookies
There were quite a
few!
We thank God for
nimble fingers
Who weave the yarn
and thread
And all who had the
patientce for
Baking biscuits and
the bread.
We thank you for
washing dishes
And vacuuming the
rugs
And all those who
waited on tables
Deserve a warming
hug.
We thank God for the
wreaths,
The candles and the
mittens
The items sent to
Grandma’s
Had many people
smitten.
To each one of you
many blessings
For all the work
you’ve done with care.
It doesn’t mean the
dollars
It means the love you
share.
With hearty thanks
and blessings to you!
Happy Birthday!
December 5
Emily Gendron
December 6
Eric Richards, Mary Wilson
December 9
Anna Hogan
December 10
David Hutchinson
December 14
Daniel Collins
December 17
Brenda Richards, Heather Gomm
December 24
Herschel McIntosh, Dawn Matthews
December 26
Alexandra Tonzi, Susan Richards, Donald Brushett
December 27
Anne Brown
December 30
David Brushett
Happy Anniversary!
December 30
Mary Miller and Mike Swallow
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The ecumenical
hand bell choir has been busy practicing for their annual Christmas visit
to Gardner Health Facility on Sunday, December 6 at 2:00 PM.
All are welcome to
come hear the bells play your favorite Christmas carols.
The advanced bell
ringer group will be participating in a concert at the former UMC of
Smyrna
on Sunday, December 13
at 4:00 PM for the benefit of the Merrill Historical Celebration.
Refreshments will
follow in the dining room of the former UMC of Smyrna.
To Keep in Prayer
Fighting Serious Illness:
Jeanette Anderson, Christine Beaton, Marie Bernache, Edna Karnes,
Anita Lambert,
Continued Healing:
Tessa Albert, Stan Ballard, Irene Burton, Dylan Campbell, Don Collins,
Al & Marion Cowperthwaite, Mary Cummings, Pam Davis, Grace Decker, Jean
Decker, George Erff, Gerald Folsom, Jean Garcelon, Evelyn Goding, David
Green Jr., Mark Hemingway, Phil Howe, Jessica Hutchinson, Meredith
Jessie, Clarence Jones, Gil Karnes, Dr. Stanley Konefal, David Long,
Michael McCluskey, Jim McGillicuddy, Janice Mooers, Ruth “Bunny” O’Hara,
Sandi Petro, Irene Quinn, Justus Scott, Lonai Slater, Russell Socoby,
Jean Stover, Jerry Wilson, Samantha Wortman, Donald Woods.
Madigan Estates:
Jean (Tracy) Brown, Theresa Cameron, Thetis Churchill, Eleanor
Gellerson, Althea Lloyd, Leroy & Christine O’Hara, Lona Pomeroy, Emma
Sanders, Winifred Seiders, Autice Socoby, Mary Wilson, Dorothy Wilde
Homebound:
Dorothy Adams, Charlotte Currie, Lillian Currie, and Zella
MacDonald.
Please keep the Huntley family in your prayers on the
death of Arlene.
All those serving in the Armed
Forces and their families at home.
Please pray for all
those families who have been affected by factory closings, especially in
our area.
Un-saved loved
ones, all those battling hurts, habits, & hang-ups.
(If changes need to be made to the Prayer List, please contact Mellissa in the Church office at 532-3332 or at secretary@houltonumc.org),
Prayer Chain: If you or someone you know is in need of prayer intervention, please notify the prayer chain by calling Rhoda Veysey at 532-6418.
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For unto us a child is born ... Isaiah 9:6
Mabel Clare Thomas
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I do not
ask for riches, Lord,
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Kid’s Corner
We Celebrate Advent
We wait...
Jesus, I will prepare my heart for you by...
We wait...
Jesus, I will share this waiting time with...
We wait...
Jesus, I will share this time with others by...
We wait...
Jesus, as I get ready for you, I will pray...
Come, Lord Jesus!
From Revelation 22:20
My Prayer Goes On
How will you get ready for Jesus?
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Don’t Forget!!
Christmas caroling: December 11
at 5:00
meet at church, fellowship to follow.
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Weekly Events
Darlings of God:
(formerly the
Special Needs class) every Sunday at 8 am.
Choir Rehearsal:
Sunday morning at 9:00 am
Sunday School:
Teens and Adults
at 9:00 am ~Sunday School:
Preschool through 6th grade at 10:30 am
Youth Fellowship:
every Sunday at
4 pm
Celebrate Recovery:
every Tuesday, 6:30 to 9:00 pm
Choir Rehearsal:
every Wednesday at 6:30 pm.
Bible Study:
every Thursday at 1 pm
Men’s Bible Study: every Thursday at 5:30 pm
Prayer in the Sanctuary: every Monday – Thursday at 6:45 a.m
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MYF FUNDRAISER |
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Ongoing
through the month of December, Maine Hand Made Hardwood Quality Clock
with Bear, outdoor scenery, and Fishing Net available for silent
auction. Please call in a bid, see Dave, or email them to
dave@houltonumc.org Bids
go to benefit the MYF (Youth Group). Items are available for viewing at
HUMC. See Dave. Open to
the public! SO be early!
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When Mary's baby was
born
Calendars were renumbered
The heavens applauded
And a new star appeared in the sky.
The angels sang,
And shepherds came running into town.
Inquiring wise men brought gifts and unwittingly
Frightened King Herod when Mary's baby was born.
When
Mary's baby walked this earth
People came from miles around to sit at his feet
And hear the wisdom that could only come from God.
They brought the sick, the lame,
And those who were troubled
In their minds.
The winds and the seas had to obey him
Because he was Emmanuel, God with us.
Formidable demons trembled
And ran away screaming
When Mary's baby walked upon this earth.
When
Mary's baby died,
Even the earth was grieved,
The sun hid its face and refused to shine,
And the ground staggered and lost its footing
(Some called it an earthquake.)
While Roman soldiers
Confessed that Mary's baby, Jesus, was the Son of God.
But
now,
Mary's baby lives again
And is seated in heaven.
Mary's
baby lives again
And is praying for you.
Mary's
baby lives again
And makes it possible for you to have joy!
Upcoming
Events
Finance Committee
Meeting:
Friday, December 4 at 11:30 a.m.
Trustees Meeting:
Tuesday, December 8 at 6:30 p.m.
Charge Conference:
Wednesday, December 9
Education
Committee Meeting:
Thursday, December 10 at 6:30 p.m.
Caroling with fellowship following:
December 11 at 5:00 p.m.
Ad Council
Meeting:
Monday, December 14 at 6:30 p.m.
Men’s Club Supper:
Saturday, December 19 at 4:30 p.m.
Children’s
Christmas Program: December 20
at 10:30 a.m.
SPPRC Meeting:
Monday, December 21 at 6:30 p.m.
Christmas Eve Service: December 24 at 6:30 p.m.
Children’s Christmas Program Sunday, December 20 at 10:30 am
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It’s snowing hard out as I write this. Many
things here at HUMC are changing and developing. God sometimes needs to
“shake things up a bit” for change to occur. Change is often not bad, just
different. Like the snows that come, season’s change and we adjust to them.
Not unlike life itself. Necessary, and sometimes we dread the coming winter
snow, but it comes just the same and we manage. I don’t see my leaving this
position as a difficulty, although some seem to be quite upset by it. God
causes the seasons to change and He helps us adjust, just as He helps us
adjust through life. He promises never to leave us and is ultimately in
control. We merely need faith to know His will is always best.
Sherry, Russ and I have been very happy here
and have made many friends. Of all the special people here that we care
about deeply, two ladies stand out that have made me feel especially welcome
and become very dear to me. Mrs. Edna Karnes and Mrs. Audrey Green have
taken the extra time to make me feel very special and I believe God put them
in my life at a time when I really needed them. With my mom’s dementia
progressing, I feel that they are filling a void that needed filling. To
them, I thank you. Many others are very dear to me also and are too many to
mention here. But you know who you are and I thank you for your friendship
also.
Wherever God leads us now, I hope that you all
will be praying for me and my family, as I will be praying for you. I don’t
always understand God’s ways, but He does know best. Know that I am and will
be always asking for His guidance and He alone will guide me and my family
to where He sees fit. Like He did when he brought me here and will do so
until I join Him in Glory.
So, this most likely will be my last newsletter
article, late to Mellissa, but from my heart. I love you all and wish you
the very best. We plan on being here for a time, until God sees fit to move
us along. And that has always been the plan. I mentioned to the hiring
committee that I planned on being here for at least three years,
unless, God had another plan.
And another plan He does. I could remain here, comfortable in a job that is
a very good one, but it is not meant to be. I will be faithful and go where
He leads me, despite others feelings against it.
Take care all and keep in touch. Our love and
prayers will be with you and this church for success in all it’s ministries.
See you in church!
Dave
The
Flaming Times
Houlton United
(207) 532-3332
PASTOR:
Rev. Naomi Sam-Kpakra
Pastor’s
Office Hours: Mon., Tues., Thurs. 9 a.m. – 12 noon
Wed:
Visitation Day 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Friday: Off
David
Socoby, Director of Children, Youth & Family Ministries
dave@houltonumc.org
Friday: Off
SECRETARY: Mellissa Fuller
Secretary Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. – 12 noon
HOULTON UNITED
HOULTON, ME 04730