Dear Families, Incredibly it's already time to start thinking about the Christmas program. Following is a schedule for you to add to your calendars. If your child will miss a practice, please let me know. Becca's emailThis year's Christmas program is scheduled for Sunday, December 18, 2011 during Worship Service (10:15 a.m.) I'm really excited to get to work on this year's program; the kids always do such an incredible job. I appreciate all of your hard work and effort in helping your child/ren get ready. As usual, if your child has been given a speaking role, then they will need to memorize their lines. So I guess...Away we go! Christmas Program Rehearsal Schedule: 11/13/11 Scripts will be handed out during Sunday School. 11/19/11 9:00-10:30 a.m. First Rehearsal 11/30/11 6:00-7:00 p.m. Rehearsal 12/10/11 9:00-10:00 a.m. Rehearsal 12/17/11 9:00-12:00 p.m. Dress Rehearsal - *ALL children must attend* 12/18/11 9:15 a.m. Christmas Program Sunday School dates to be aware of:11/20/11 Advent Wreath handout 11/27/11 We will be having Sunday School the Sunday following Thanksgiving 12/3/11 9:30 a.m. - Hanging of the Greens - there will be a tree for the children to decorate in the church's basement, as well as crafts for them to do. 12/18/11 4:45 p.m. Caroling (Family Ministries activity) Meet at the church 12/25/11 NO SUNDAY SCHOOL, MERRY CHRISTMAS! 1/1/12 NO SUNDAY SCHOOL, HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Bust out your costumes and your mad game playing skills because we are less than one week away from the 2011 LUMC Fall Carnival!!
We recognize something when it works, so much of last year's format will remain the same, but we've got a few game change-ups and some definite fan favorites are making a return. So let's get onto those details!
When: Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Where: Laurel United Methodist Church 307 West Fourth Street (church basement)
Fees:
There will be NO admissions fees
Tickets to play games (which can also be used at the concessions stand) will be 25 cents a piece OR 25 tickets for $5.00
Receive 3 tickets free when you bring any number of canned food items
Food: We will be serving hot dogs, chili dogs, a meal deal option which includes a dog of your choice, chips, cookies, and a beverage.
Popcorn will also be available
Games: Lots of games and activities are planned including the scary maze, bobbing for apples, cake walk, face painting, and so much more!
We hope to see you there; tell a friend, bring a friend, and come enjoy our Fall Carnival frenzy this Saturday!
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**ATTENTION ADULTS**
Even if you are not involved with a committee, we would love to have you come and help us at the Fall Carnival. Float around to various booths and lend a helping hand - I promise, it's tons of fun! Hope to see you there.
Alice Brown has dedicated her Sunday mornings to the Laurel United Methodist Church and its children for the past 45 years. Recently she decided it was time to take a few things off her plate as she approaches her 89th birthday. Sunday, October 2, 2011 we will say farewell and thank you to Mrs. Brown for her love and caring of nearly five decades.
Recently, I had opportunity to just sit and be in the nursery for a spell. As I sat there, reflecting on the things that have changed since I played in this very nursery as a child; like the carpet and the toys (with the exception of a few die hards that have stood the test of time), there are two things that have remained. It was the chair that I sat rocking away the morning in and Mrs. Brown who I can remember rocking me in that very chair.
This chair with its green pattern sits in the corner and continues to be a place where Mrs. Brown sits and rocks the littlest loves of our church and will do so for the last time on October 2, 2011. This chair might have a few more squeaks and creeks than when it first found its home in that special room, but still it stands and rocks and comforts a new cycle of little ones growing through our church.
It's not just about the chair, obviously. It's Mrs. Brown, such a special and giving woman who made each child who spent time in her care feel loved. It's extraordinary to think of the hours she's devoted to the families of our church.
For me, it’s a sense of being known, remembered, and dare I say treasured by this phenomenal human being. Incredibly she remembered the child I once was and it filled my heart with gladness when she remarked about the bits of me that she recognized in my daughter. I will never forget as my daughter began to blossom in her time spent in the nursery, when Mrs. Brown would tell me, “It’s so wonderful to watch her grow and really come out of her shell.”
Words cannot describe the feeling of knowing that your child is safe and loved in another’s care. There are countless families and children who have been blessed by Mrs. Brown’s service to this church.
Thank you Mrs. Brown, happy retirement!
We've had some changes happening in our church this summer and as we head into our Fall/school year schedule; it is indeed a time of New beginnings and fresh starts.
To start, if you haven't caught the buzz, our highly anticipated and long awaited updated sound and video system has been installed and is up and running! This is a very exciting step for our church and it's been wonderful to be able to clearly follow the sermon and the worship service at large.
We got the message loud and clear last year: 8:30 a.m. is too early to start for Sunday School. With that in mind, the Administrative Council got together over the summer and with incredible feedback from our families, we were able to choose a much more family-friendly schedule.
Sunday School will now begin at 9:00 a.m. with Chapel Time from 9:00-9:15 and the kids being released to their classrooms from 9:15-10:00 a.m.
With the new Sunday School schedule established, that meant that Worship Service would need to be adjusted as well. We will now meet from 10:15 - 11:15 a.m. All of this will begin on Sunday, September 11, 2011.
The Family Ministries Committee is also receiving a fresh start this Fall, as Jennie Gardner has stepped up into the Chairperson's position. Former leader, Kara Thomae, is greatly appreciative to Jennie for taking this on. As always, there are always opening on the Family Ministries Committee and they'll be meeting on Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. Even if you're not currently a member of Family Ministries Committee, but you're a little interested, come to the meeting - that in no way commits you to joining.
Hoping you had a wonderful and blessed summer, we look forward to seeing you in church!
Last year when the church made the transition to having one Worship service year round this caused a change with our Sunday School schedule as well. I’m sure you all remember that we went to an 8:30 a.m. start time, which ultimately caused a major drop in attendance. We were sad not to see all the sweet and smiling faces that we had grown accustomed to seeing each week, and we realized that a change needed to be made. The week after Vacation Bible School is over the Administrative Council will meet with the sole purpose of determining a Sunday School schedule that will best benefit the most families. So, what I need from you is your feedback. Obviously 8:30 is too early, so below you’ll see a spot where you can provide your thoughts. Please return this with your child’s registration form or bring it to VBS and drop it off some time during the week (or you can bring it to the church office anytime). Also, I’m excited to share a new development with you. Gail Richardson will be providing a children’s fellowship time during church for children too old for the nursery, but too young to truly benefit from sitting through church. Roughly first or second grade through fourth graders would be able to utilize this. The time will be spent covering mini lessons, art projects, and otherwise engaging the kids. This will not only be a great thing for the kids, but for the parents as well who are often distracted by their squirmy children. This will follow the Sunday School schedule and she will offer this every Sunday, except for the first Sunday of the month so she can participate in Communion. The kids will be dismissed to her following children’s time. ** To provide your feedback, go to the SURVEYS tab **
Following church on May 22, 2011 we will be holding an open meeting for any who want to attend to discuss the new AV system. The steering committee will share with you our recommendations and hopefully answer any questions/concerns you might have. We are very excited to take the next steps in moving forward in this endeavor - we look forward to bringing everyone into the loop and making forward movement in our plans. General Church Announcements: - The last day of Sunday School is also this Sunday, May 22, 2011.
- VBS dates will be announced in church this Sunday!
- We will also be celebrating the musicians of the church this Sunday following church. So stick around for that and then pop back up to the sanctuary for the church meeting.
 The UMW have announced their 2011 Spring Fling. It will take place on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 11:00 a.m.
What to expect:
- Silent Auction - Which will run from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
- Guest Speaker - Retired Pastor Dick Storment doing his special clown ministry.
- Special Musical Guests
- Attendees are promised a particularly decadent dessert and delicious lunch, door prizes and plants.
- Childcare will be provided at no cost. They will also be provided lunch.
Tickets:
- $10.00 per person OR
- 2 for $15.00
*Tickets will be sold in the narthex or you can call Pat at the church office at 628-6362.
**Tickets will not be available the day of this year, so mark your calendar and get your tickets sooner rather than later! * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
Call for Silent Auction Items: If you have items that you would be willing to donate for the silent auction, please bring them to the church or contact Barbara Karst no later than May 12. They are looking for things such as: - Baked goods
- Crocheted or knitted items
- Other hand-crafted items
- Baskets with soaps, etc...
- Services such as yard work, hours of spring cleaning
- Anything you think would bring a bid or two or three as we seek to raise money for missions.
 On Easter, we normally cancel Sunday School for the day, but this year we thought we'd change things up a bit.
This year we will be having an Easter Egg Hunt for children in Preschool through 5th Grade. However, the older kids are invited to help the younger kids and with the hunt in general.
Before the hunt, each child will receive an egg with silly bandz formed in Easter-related shapes inside, along with a card explaining what each of those symbols stand for.
This is not just your ordinary Easter Egg Hunt, though. In the midst of all these eggs, there will be one egg that is empty - symbolizing the empty tomb. The child who finds that egg, will get a special prize.
Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we'll be able to hold our hunt outside, if not we'll be ready to move it indoors.
We're still ironing out the details of this fun event, so stay tuned, we'll keep you posted!
 April 3, 2011 - On March 27 the key was passed along on its journey to Sharon. Sharon, who recently went through heart surgery and through that experience, she noted she sees God every morning when she wakes up and looks in the mirror. In those moments she is reminded that God is here.
She recalls a brief conversation she had with her daughter prior to her surgery. Her daughter asked her if she was afraid. Sharon responded that she was not because either God would bring her through the surgery and she would be healthier or she would be with God in a better place. Clearly, Sharon commented, "God's not done with me yet."
It was this experience, surviving this life-giving surgery that further compels her to sharing His love with others.
March 27, 2011 - Following the Key presentation on March 20, Jim volunteered to put the key to work in his life for the week, which he shared on March 27.
For Jim, having the key was taking a closer look at how God is working in our world. He noted that he sees signs of God everywhere he looks. In the hawk flying high in the sky - all the beauty around us, and it's amazing that someone designed all of that, piece by piece.
During the week, he saw God at work as he held a baby in his arms and in that moment; his heart, his breathing, everything just started slowing down.
Jim ended his presentation with this thought, "If you need to look for God, start within."
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