The document outlines the December calendar of events for Oakland United Methodist Church, including youth group meetings, Sunday school activities and practices for a Christmas program, worship services, and other special events like a movie night and children's Christmas program. It also provides the monthly birthday list, notices about nursing home visits and remembering service members, and a brief recap of the Administrative Board meeting in October.

1. OAKLAND UNITED METHODIST NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
CHURCH U.S. POSTAGE PAID
200 North Main
PO Box 606 OAKLAND,
Oakland, IA 51560 IOWA
Phone: 712-482-5530
Parsonage ph. 712-482-5539 PERMIT NO. 5
E-mail: oaklandumc@frontiernet.net
www.oaklandiaumc.org
Address Service Requested «Mailing label»
«Address1» Vol. 18, No. 12 December 2010 A Newsletter to Inspire and Celebrate Oakland United Methodists
«Address2»
«City State» «Zip code»
"We invite all persons to be a part of our Community of Faith by participating in worship, education, fellowship and Christian service."
Disciple Express
December Calendar of Events
Wed, Dec. 1 6:30 8:00 p.m. Jr. & Sr. High youth groups
Sun, Dec 5 9:00 a.m. Choir practice & Sunday School
10:00 a.m. Worship w/Communion
11:00 a.m. Koinonia & Finance Committee meeting
11:15 a.m. Adult Sunday School w/Merlin Jones & Confirmation class
Wed, Dec 8 6:30 8:00 p.m. Jr. & Sr. High youth groups
Sun, Dec 12 9:00 a.m. Choir practice & Sunday School
10:00 a.m. Worship
11:00 a.m. Koinonia
11:15 a.m. Adult Sunday School w/Merlin Jones & Confirmation class
Wed, Dec 15 6:30 8:00 p.m. Jr. & Sr. High youth groups
Thu, Dec 16 7:00 p.m. NO Administrative Board meeting
Sun, Dec 19 9:00 a.m. Choir practice & Sunday School
10:00 a.m. Worship w/ Children s Christmas Program
11:00 a.m. Koinonia
Wed, Dec 22 NO YOUTH GROUPS
Thu & Fri Dec. 23 & 24 The church office will be closed
Fri. Dec 24 10:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service
Sun, Dec 26 9:00 a.m. Choir practice /NO Sunday school
10:00 a.m. Worship
11:00 a.m. Koinonia
11:15 a.m. Adult Sunday School w/Merlin Jones
Wed. Dec 29 NO YOUTH GROUPS

2. Disciple Express Disciple Express
STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE YOUTH MATTERS
The junior and senior high youth groups have begun
Sunday School News To celebrate this year s theme It s a wonderful life
at church come be a part of it! we are
their regular meetings on Wednesdays with a meal at
6:30 p.m. Each youth is asked to donate $1 for the
sponsoring a Family Movie Night featuring the film
The holiday season is fast approaching. Her e are some The Santa Clause .
meal. This money is used throughout the year for
special projects or activities. Food coordinator for
dates to keep in mind. Plan to attend Saturday, December 11 at 6:30 September through December is Carol Wilson.
PM. Refreshments will be served at intermission Because of the holidays the youth will not meet
Sunday, November 28 Sunday School students will be for a free will offering. This is open to all who November 24 or December 22 and 29. When school is
singing during the worship service 10 a.m. would like to attend so invite called off because of weather, the groups will not meet.
neighbors, family and friends Senior High Youth
Sunday, December 5, 12, 19 Practice for Christmas let s pack the sanctuary.
Thanks are due to these persons serving as senior high
counselors this fall--Kristy Bane and Tammy Forrester
program during Sunday School. (9 am) (September), Penny Anderson and Suzanne Johnk
(October), Sheila Applegate and Amy Gleaves
Sunday, December 19 Sunday School Christmas Pr ogram PLEDGE CARDS (November), and Paul and Debbie Rollins (December).
during worshi p service 10 am If you haven t completed your pledge card, please Merlin Jones is their assistant.
do so as soon as possible and remember to fill in This group has participated in several service activities
the information on the back and return them. including work in the memory garden and decorating
pumpkins and delivering them for display at Oakland
Adult discussion group - you are welcome to come as you
are while your child(ren) are in Sunday School. F eel free to
HARMONY CIRCLE Manor.
Junior High
Counselors for the junior high group, grades 7-8, are
sit and listen or share as you li ke. Lead by Merlin Jones. Harmony Circle's Christmas Sharon Jones and Rev. Textor. Following the meal the
Sunday morni ngs 9 am. Meet in church basement. Potluck Luncheon young people enjoy game time. This is followed by
lesson and prayer time. This year the young people,
December 2, 2010 with the assistance of Jim Johnson, have been learning
Fellowship Hall about worship and enjoying hands on experiences with
Sunday School 2011 we will plan to cont inue having 12:30 pm
the sound and projection system.
Confirmation
classes before church unless we hear different from you. Six youth, grades 7 and 8, are taking part in
Bring a potluck dish and your own
Please let us know wha t time works best for you and your dishes. The ladies of the church are
confirmation classes, after worship, November through
February. Rev. Textor is the teacher. Students are
children before church (9-9:50 am), after church (11:10- invited. Hannah Hummel, Kyra Martens, Grace Gleaves,
12pm), or during church (10-11am). Please call the church Hayley Haines, and Andrew and Sarah Jones.
office at 482 -5530 or email Oaklandumc@f rontiernet.net with COAT DRIVE
These young people are expected to be actively
your preference. This year we are again collecting coats for the involved in worship. So far they have lit candles,
needy. Please drop off your slightly used, clean served as ushers/greeters, carried the joys and concerns
coats in the box in the entry of the church. microphone, operated the projection system, and read
scripture. When they are not involved in any other way
Thank you so much for sharing your children with us and On a Church's billboard:
they are expected to take sermon notes.
helping them learn about God s love for each of us! "7 days without God makes one weak." On November 21 the group assisted with the Hanging
of the Greens.

3. Disciple Express Disciple Express
NURSERY KOINONIA (No more phone DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS REMEMBER OUR SERVICE
VOLUNTEERS
call reminders) MEN AND WOMEN
Dec. 5 Rollins Girls
3 Gloria Gleaves Dane Nelsen, step-
December Dec. 12 Mark & Lynelle Jeppesen Don Applegate grandson of Daryl &
Dec. 19 need volunteer Lindsey Henderson Rita Henningsen; Matt
5 Kristy Rieken 5 Paul Danker Hackett, great nephew
Dec. 26 No Koinonia Sonya Kinnison
12 Lisa Pierson of Jessie Shiffer; Kristie
6 Chase Roller Copenhaver, John &
19 Gloria Gleaves 7 Chris Hamilton Mary Lou Copenhaver s
SUNDAY SCHOOL 8 Quintin Forrester daughter; Alan Walker;
26 Cyndy Haines
TEACHERS Tyler Krueger Kelly Holdaway; Josh
10 Wayne Hopping Harker; Jeremy Harker; Brad Jefferson, son of Dan
Practice for Christmas Joretta Johnson
program each Sunday unt il & Robin Jefferson; Jared Myers, son of Robert
11 Lauren Anderson Myers and Sid & Tami Skank; Tyler Williamson,
Christmas 12 Bernie Bolton son of Michelle Swope; Jon Reed, son of Phil &
Dec. 26 NO SUNDAY SCHOOL Caitlin Wilson
USHERS, 13 Kelsey Hackett
Denise Reed; Sonja Husz; Lucas Smith, Addie
Mae s grandson; Brian Thornton from Avoca;
16 Austin Wright
GREETER S, Cale Henry
Craig Bintz, grandson of Larry & Judie Danker
serving in Japan; Tyler Clark, Marvin & Carolyn
SR. HIGH YOUTH 17 Jessica Santiago
CANDLELIGHT ERS Clark s grandson serving in Alaska, and other area
COUNSELORS 18 Barbara Schorsch service men and women.
Dec. 5 Bernie & Norma Bolton 19 Shirley Textor
December Paul & Deb Rollins Virginia Pitt If you have a loved one in the service and wish to
Hannah Hummel & Kyra Martens 20 Dona Kelly have them listed on our prayer list, please contact
January ReAnn Hildebrand & Barb Schorsch
Abby Taylor the church office.
Candle lighters: Grace Gleaves & Andrew Jones
February Veva Larson & Cathey Grosvenor 21 Ross Stott
Kiley Bentley NURSING HOMES - Remember those in the
Dec. 12 Mark & Mischa Martens 24 Margaret White nursing homes with cards and visits.
Sarah Messerschmidt
Kyra Martens & Sarah Jones SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS Oakland Manor: Mary Applegate, Margaret Alff,
27 Megan Gleaves
Candle lighters: Hayley Haines & Andrew Jones PROGRAM WILL BE DURING 28 Bonni Hering Dorothy Forristall
CHURCH ON DECEMBER 19TH. Tyler Putnam Oakland Heights: Eileen Haines, Lucille Bentley
29 Averi Jefferson Griswold Nursing Home: Merle Davis
Dec. 19 Alan & Connie Gardner 30 Peggy Bentley Primrose: Lois Allen
Tiffany Schutt Harlan: Dorothy Liddell
Andrew Jones & Hayley Haines
Bergynn Kinnison
Candle lighters: Sarah Jones & Kyra Martens 31 Bobbette Beedle
Dec. 26 Jerry Pierce & Suzanne Johnk
Sarah Jones & Grace Gleaves
Candle lighters: Hannah Hummel & Hayley Haines

4. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Disciple Express
YOU TOOK MY PARKING
DID JESUS DRIVE? SPACE AT CHURCH
A young man had just gotten his driver s
permit and inquired of his father, a minister, This should wake us up.
if they could discuss his use of the car. One day, a man went to visit a church, He got
there early, parked his car and got out.
His father said, I ll make a deal with you. You Another car pulled up near the driver got out
bring your grades up from a C to a B average, and said, " I always park there! You took my
study your Bible a little, get your hair cut and place!"
we ll talk about the car.:
The visitor went inside for Sunday School,
Well, the boy thought about that for a found an empty seat and sat down. A young
moment, and decided that he d settle for the lady from the church approached him and
stated, "That's my seat! You took my place!"
offer, and they agreed on it.
The visitor was somewhat distressed by this
After about six weeks they went in to the rude welcome, but said nothing.
study, where his father said, Son, I ve been
After Sunday School, the visitor went into the
real proud. You brought your grades up, and
sanctuary and sat down. Another member
I ve observed that you have been studying your walked up to him and said, "That's where I
Bible and participating a lot more in the Bible always sit! You took my place!" The visitor
study groups. But I m real disappointed since was even more troubled by this treatment, but
you haven t gotten your hair cut. still He said nothing.
The young man paused a moment and then said, Later as the congregation was praying for
You know, Dad, I ve been thinking about that, Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood
up, and his appearance began to change.
and I ve noticed in my studies of the Bible that
Horrible scars became visible on his hands and
Samson had long hair, John the Baptist had on his sandaled feet. Someone from the
long hair, Moses had long hair, and there s evencongregation noticed him and called out,
a strong argument that Jesus had long hair. "What happened t o you?" The visitor replied,
as his hat became a crown of thorns, and a tear
To this his father replied, Did you also notice fell from his eye, "I took your place."
that they all walked everywhere they went?

5. Disciple Express Disciple Express
Administrative Board Meeting October 21, 2010 Pastor Textor in Atlantic for Cluster Charge Conference
Present: Merlin Jones, Richard Merkle, Jean Blackburn, End of Daylight Savings Time
Bernie Bolton, Norma Bolton, Gloria Gleaves, Mischa 11/11 Finance Committee 7:00 p.m.
Martens, Barb Schorsch, Pastor Shirley Textor and Peggy 11/18 Ad Council 7:00 p.m.
Bentley
11/25-26 Church Office Closed for Thanksgiving
Chairman Bernie Bolton opened the meeting at 7:03 p.m. 11/27 Chili Supper & display of nativity sets 5:00-7:30
Pastor Shirley led us in prayer. p.m.
In Need of Prayer: Audrey Hartje, Kelly Bentley, Bill 11/28 1st Sunday of Advent
Bailey, Shirley Frizzell and area farmers during harvest. 12/11 Movie Night 12/19 Children s Christmas Program
Secretary s Report: The September meeting minutes during worship
were distributed. Peggy thanked Norma for filling in as 12/24 Candlelight Service at 10:00 p.m.
secretary in her absence. Peggy motioned to approve the Youth: Pastor Shirley reported that the Jr. High youth are
minutes as read. Gloria seconded the motion and the learning to use the sound board/projector system with
minutes were approved. Jim s assistance. There have been 10-12 members in
Treasurer s Report: Richard Merkle attendance weekly. On 10/20 the group (along with 4
explained the Treasurer s report and answered drivers) went to Treynor for an assembly on
any questions. Norma motioned to approve the report, Unconditional Love.
Peggy seconded the motion and the report was approved. Merlin reported that the High School youth have been
Finance: Barb Schorsch reported that the committee is working hard on the Memory Garden and it is now seeded
working on Fill-A-Pew Sunday and getting the Pony and ready for winter. This past week, they decorated
Express drive ready to distribute. Sheryl Sindt will help pumpkins and will deliver them to the nursing home
with the envelopes and names that get returned to the residents next week. There have been approximately 10-
office. Kickoff date is 10/31 at church. The service will 15 students in attendance each week.
include chose-your-favorite-hymn time, music and a short Missions: Mischa reported the following monthly projects
presentation on the projector. The committee hopes to and offerings.
The Sunday school students had fun dressing up for
complete the drive within a 2 week time frame. The
Halloween. August: 16 flood buckets were prepared with the money
committee has also completed a brochure for the church
outlining what is available. given. September: 127 blankets were purchased. October
is Ingathering: $369.00 was collected and 70 layette kits
Some upcoming projects include November 27th Nativity were assembled. November will be shoebox angels.
viewing and chili feed; December 11th movie night with
One Sunday the older It s a Wonderful Life being the movie. The movie will Old Business: Form A was reviewed by Pastor Shirley
kids talked about their be open to the public. New Business: Advent/Christmas: November 21st was
strengths and
Trustees: No report. The committee will meet in chosen as the day for the Hanging of the Greens. We will
weaknesses. They stay after church to decorate and lunch will be provided.
then dressed up as November to finish year s work.
Plans will be finalized at the next Administrative Board
biblical people and Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee: No report. meeting.
discussed their
Pastor s Report: As there was no other business to come before the board,
strengths and
weaknesses. Pictured Dates To Remember: Merlin made the motion to adjourn the meeting, Norma
is Shyenna and Cicily 10/31 Worship Songfest to kick off financial campaign. seconded the motion and the meeting was adjourned at
as Abraham and 7:57 p.m.
11/4 SPRC 7:00 p.m.
Sarah. To the right are some of the Oakland Methodist Bernie closed the meeting with prayer.
11/6 Deliver layettes to Ingathering
Sunday School children that went to the Dollar
General store on Sunday, November 14th to 11/7 Begin use of Communion Sunday Lay Reader Respectfully submitted,
purchase items for the local food bank. All Saints Memorial Observance Peggy Bentley, Recording Secretary
First confirmation class for 7 & 8 grades after worship

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