204 S. Ninth St. Columbia, MO 65201-4818 573-443-3111 www.moumc.org Nov.

30, 2017 Volume 30, Number 46

Worship Looking Ahead

Services
Four unique
worship
Friday, Dec. 1:
Living Windows
Festival 6-8pm -
N DE
Hot Chocolate,

R
opportunities Music, FX Family
are offered on Experience Sunday mornings Travelers
Sunday. Service at 8am, 9:15am Christmas Service
and 10:30am Dec. 20 7pm
Saturday, Dec. Christmas Eve Worship
8am 2: Advent 10am 5pm 7pm
www.moumc.org
McMurry Prayer Vigil an advent sermon series
9pm 11pm

Chapel 11am2pm
Informal worship in the
with a personal Chapel Wonder
touch. Sharing Saturday, Dec. 2: A Baroque Christmas By Fred Leist, Lead Pastor
prayer concerns to Remember at 7pm MUMC Chancel
Theres a delightful story about a little fourth-grade boy
is welcomed. Choir and the Missouri Symphony
who was asked to write a paper about his own life to be
Society Conservatory Chamber
turned in following his Christmas break from school. So, in
9:15am Orchestra (Adult $10/Student $5)
preparing for the project he decided to begin with a very
Saturday, Dec. 2: 20s/30s Group Sip
Sanctuary basic question. He asked his mother, Where did I come
and Serve Meet at Panera on Brickton
Contemporary from?
Road at 7:45am for breakfast/coffee,
worship that His mother, who was busy preparing a holiday meal in
serve at the food bank from 9-11:30am
includes a the kitchen, didnt have time for such a big question.
Sunday Dec. 3: Donut Sunday in
childrens time, So, she defaulted to a standard response, Well son, the
Cornerstone Coffee Shop (Mission of the
Praise Band. stork brought you. Unsatisfied, the boy left and went
Month: Ignite Mission Trip)
Tuesday, Dec. 5: into the living room where his grandmother was reading
10:30am Service for Hope and Healing at noon the newspaper. Grandma, he said, Where did my mom
Sanctuary in the Chapel and at 6:30pm in the come from? And the grandmother didnt want to delve
Traditional Sanctuary into this deep subject with her grandson either, so she
worship with Christmas Party for Ignite College Age said, Why, the stork brought her, of course.
music from the Ministry at 7pm Determined to get a reasoned response, he took it one
choir. Wednesday, Dec. 6: UMW Christmas step further. And Grandma, he said, What about you?
Luncheon at 10:30am in the Multi- Where did you come from? And grandma replied, From
7pm Purpose Room (MPR) the same place your mother and you came from, from the
Cornerstone Monday-Tuesday, Dec. 25-26: Church stork.
Coffee Shop Office closed for Christmas
So, the little boy went into his room and sat down at his
Contemporary Jan. 28-Feb. 11: MUMC hosts Room at
desk to begin writing his paper. And his first sentence said,
worship led the Inn
According to my research, there hasnt been a normal
by the Ignite Jan. 7: MUMC Blood Drive in the Atrium
birth in our family for at least three generations!
College Age 8:30am-12:30pm
Ministry Team. Feb. 16-17: Dr. Shelly Moorman- Christmas is all about a very unusual and special birth;
Stahlman Organ Workshop (7pm a birth so special that over 2,000 years later, were still
Adult $10/Student $5) Lebanon Valley trying to fully understand and appreciated what happened
College organist and professor of music in that Bethlehem manger. This Sunday we will begin our
April 21: Columbia Community Band Advent/Christmas message series entitled, WONDER. We
(7pm Adult $10/Student $5) Missouri chose that theme because a sense of holy wonder is the
composers (continued on page 2)
(continued from page 1)
one consistent experience shared by all those who were
part of the original cast of Christmas. So, throughout the
Advent season, well be looking at Christmas through the
eyes of Joseph, Mary, the shepherds, and the angels.
I dont think an Advent/Christmas season goes by that I
dont read again these words that attempt to describe
what happened on that first Christmas night: Grace
entered gravity and all human spaces were invaded by
love. Those words never fail to hook my imagination and
inspire deep hope.
I look forward to worshipping with you as we celebrate
the greatest wonder of all, the wonder that Gods grace
has entered into our human space in the presence of
Jesus.
With Wonder, Fred
Did you know
Did you know that each week the clergy and staff at
MUMC pray for ten different families who attend services
with us? Pulled from the Member/Attender database,
these families or individuals are lifted up in prayer above
and beyond our weekly prayer requests, and receive a
card letting them know theyve been prayed for. Have you
ever registered your attendance or turned your contact
information in to the church? We want to pray for you,
too!
Make Missouri Your Church Home
If you sense God calling you to join the church by baptism,
transfer, or profession of faith, we welcome you. To
express your interest or ask questions, contact Pastor
Charity at charity@moumc.org.
Sign Up for 2018 Altar Flowers
Once again, for 2018, the entire church family is invited
to join us in ministry by providing altar flowers for our
morning worship services. What a blessing it is to have
fresh flowers on the altar, and then to know that those
flowers will be shared with our shut-ins, to brighten their
days! Beginning this weekend, you will see a signup chart
in the Connector where you can indicate the Sunday you
want to provide one of two sets of altar flowers used each
Sunday. Each set of two vases/arrangements costs $40.
If you cannot attend church to sign up in person, please
contact Adriene Floyd or Laura Bentley at 443-3111.
2 MISSOURI UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Christmas Eve Hospitality
On Christmas Eve those of us who participate in leading
worship will be refreshed in a hospitality room in between
our four services. Each year we ask you to share a dish or
dessert to sustain folks for the hours theyll be serving.
Use the communication card to indicate what youll bring.
Please know the food does not go to waste at the end
rather it is given to Room at the Inn.
Other Opportunities to Serve
Ushers & Greeters for Christmas Eve Share your
hospitality with our guests during the Christmas Eve
services. Contact Pastor Charity at charity@moumc.org.
Ushers & Greeters for MUMC Concert Series Share your
hospitality with our guests during the holiday concerts.
Contact Susan Dickerson at smsdickerson@gmail.com.
Nursery Volunteers - The nursery is in need of volunteers
on Christmas Eve at the 5pm and 7pm services. Must be
Safe Sanctuary certified. Please email Gabriella Miller at
gabriella@moumc.org at nancy@moumc.org.
Golf Cart Drivers - Help us show hospitality on Christmas
Eve at any of the four evening serivces. Contact Jo at 443-
3111 or jo@moumc.org.
Childrens ministry is always in need of Sunday school
teachers. Sign up online at: https://goo.gl/mAkhjD
How to Invite Friends to Church
Lewis Center Director Doug Powe says many people
just dont like inviting other people to church, in part
because faith is so personal and in part because they
fear rejection. He provides four clues for inviting in a
way that is genuine, specific, honest, and expectant.
Read his take on extending an invitation at https://www.
churchleadership.com/leading-ideas/4-clues-for-inviting-
people-to-church-effectively/.
Heifer Advent Gift Info
Volunteers with Heifer International will host a gift
table in the Connector the first two Sundays of Advent,
Dec. 3 and 10. The mission of Heifer is "to work with
communities to overcome hunger and poverty and care
for the earth." Since 1944 millions of families around
the world, including USA, have received animals and
training which have empowered them for better, healthier
lives. The Heifer table will provide gift catalogs and gift
acknowledgment cards so you can honor someone you love
with a gift that will assist a family in need.
Church Family News
Condolences to the family and friends of Robert Bob
Bryant Jackson, 90, who passed away on Friday, Nov.
24, 2017. A graveside service will take place at 1pm on
Monday, Dec. 4 at the Diamond Cemetery in Diamond.
If you would like to announce a church members death or a birth
in a church members family, please send details to messenger@
moumc.org. Submissions will be edited for length and clarity.
Nov. 30, 2017 - Vol. 30, No. 46
Missouri United Methodist Church Periodical
204 S. Ninth St. Postage
Columbia, MO 65201-4899 PAID
Columbia, MO
573-443-3111 USPS No. 355460

We exist to connect all people with Jesus Christ.

We do this by welcoming enthusiastically, growing deeply and serving courageously. /MissouriUMC

Prayer Vigil on Saturday

Stop by the Chapel any time between 11am and 2pm on Saturday, Dec. 2 for a quiet time for prayer and reflection,
praying ourselves and our congregation into Advent. The Christ child is waiting for you.

This Sunday at MUMC

2018 Altar Flower Signup
Beginning this weekend, you will see a signup chart in the
Connector where you can indicate the Sunday you want to
provide one of two sets of altar flowers used each Sunday.

Donut Sunday
Come by Cornerstone Coffee Shop for Harolds Doughnuts!

Heifer International Gift Catalogs

Volunteers will be in the Connector with gift catalogs and
information about alternative gifts for Advent that benefit
missions.

Poinsettia Dedications
Forms are available in the bulletins and
the Connector to dedicate a plant in
honor of memory of a loved one.

Advent Calendars
Available
Pick up a calendar for yourself
or take one to give to a friend
to invite them to any of our
upcoming events or worship
services!
Photo Disclaimer: Services and events hosted by the church are considered public. The church has permission to use images of church members for promotion, publicity and
outreach materials unless advised through a non-consent form. The church will not attach names to the photographs of individuals or groups unless prior permission is given. To obtain a
non-consent form, please contact the church office.

Want to get the Church Newsletter via email? Have you changed email addresses? Go to: www.moumc.org/subscribe to subscribe or update.
The church provides bus transportation to the 10:30am Sunday worship service.
Call 443-3111 before noon on Fridays. Bus service is available to all.
The Messenger (USPS No. 355460) is published weekly except the last week of the year by Missouri United Methodist Church at 204 S. Ninth St., Columbia, MO. Periodical postage paid at Columbia, MO.
POSTMASTER: for change of address, send to Missouri United Methodist Church Messenger, 204 S. Ninth St., Columbia, MO 65201-4818, Nov. 30, 2017
Staff: Lead Pastor Fred Leist. Laura Bentley, Administrative Assistant; Adam Bordoni, Facilities; Tim Coday, Director of Music Ministries; Debbie
Craighead, Finance Assistant; Joan DeBoe, Pastor of Worship & Administration; Adriene Floyd, Office Manager; Courtney Gaunt, Director, Discovery
Days; Teressa Gilbreth, Director of Communications; Charity Goodwin, Pastor of Discipleship; Jacqui Jamieson, Assistant Director, Discovery Days;
Katja Jones, Director of Childrens & Youth Ministries; Gabriella Miller, Nursery Coordinator; Jo Lee, Events Coordinator;Kim Parker, Pastor of New
Generations; Preston Williams, Tech & Facility Steward;Music Staff: Craig Datz, Organist; Kaye Miller, Director of Wesleyan Ringers; Rochelle Parker,
Associate Organist; Marilyn Rowe, Serendipity Choir; Rachel Blomquist, Grace Notes Choir