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The Church LOVE Grows by
Putting faith into action - Enjoying friendship with Christ - Connecting with communities

 
This week's news:
> Pastor Reflections
> Nov 18 Turkey Build Night
> Nov 19 Children's Ministry Volunteer Luncheon
> Nov 20 Thanksgiving Potluck
> Nov 20 District Charge Conference
> Nov 21 Surviving the Holidays
> Happy Thanksgiving!
> A Way to Give That's Effective & Smart
> Searching for Music Ministry Director
> Dec 3 Chili Chow Down & Auction
> Dec 7 Blue Christmas Service
> Dec 11 Christmas Choir Cantata: Miracle of Christmas
> Note From the Board
> Advent Season Book Info & Order
> Mid-Week Advent Worship Services
> Christmas Service Schedule
> Submit a Prayer Request
> Ways to Give
> November & December printable calendars

As we enter one of my most favorite times of year, I am so grateful for the lives that intertwine with mine.   Though we may not locally have the tapestry of color in our trees there are plenty of reminders nonetheless all around us.   Often anxiety, uncertainty, and related fears get in our way of seeing the multitude of blessings that surround us.  I pray that in the midst of a potentially stressful week, you will make time to be quiet and breathe in gratitude.   May it give an inner strength that allows your thankfulness to spring forth joy and build you up in Christ’s love.   From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!   Pastor Laura

Come have some food and fellowship while you and your family make memories of thankfulness on a wooden turkey to decorate your home this holiday. Supper starts at 5:30 and the building begins at 6. Materials and supplies will be provided, but please bring a hammer for your family.

If there are any food concerns, you might want to bring a little something for you or your loved one who needs it.
We will be a part of an in-person Group Charge Conference on Sunday, November 20, at 3:00 p.m. at Northwest Hills UMC, 7050 Village Center Dr. in Austin.

The plan is to move through the agenda items quickly to allow space for a ministry component, connecting time, and message from newly-elected and appointed Bishop Laura Merrill.  This scheduling means that all your agenda items should be completed and approved by your church council or leadership team prior to November 20.

We will then adjourn to the Family Life Center for refreshments and fellowship.

Please let Pastor Laura know if you are going or if you need a ride.   It will be good to have Board and church members attend.  

If you have lost a loved one and are wondering how you will get through the weeks surrounding Thanksgiving and Christmas because everything seems to have changed, this on e evening seminar is designed for people who are grieving a loved one's death. During the seminar you will:

  • Watch a video with real-life stories of people who have navigated the season after their loved one's death, and find practical tips for surviving the holiday season
  • Receive a copy of the Griefshare Holiday Survival Guide
  • Talk with others about how they are dealing with this time now or in the past

Surviving the Holidays is sponsored by the Griefshare program, a 13-week grief support group. It is open to people of all faiths, as well as those who do not practice a faith. You do not have to be a part of the Griefshare program to attend.
We hope your Thanksgiving Day is full of love, warmth, and gratitude for the wonderful things God has provided for you (including lots of yummy food)!

Also, friendly reminder that our office will be closed Thanksgiving Day and the following Friday.
There may be a way to make a gift or gifts that both supports Jesus' ministry through LUMC and has tax advantages for you. 

-- If you are of a "certain age" - usually 72 or older
-- And if you are required to withdraw from your retirement account(s) to satisfy federal tax rules;
 
Julie Ramsey has done this for several years. Here's what she has to say:
"If you are at the age that you are required to take a minimum distribution from your investment account, you can designate all or part of that distribution be sent to a non-profit of your choice and avoid paying taxes on that amount.  It's called a Qualified Charitable Distribution.  Each Fall, I contact my investment firm and tell them that I want to send a specified amount to Leander UMC and another charity or two.  They send checks for that amount directly to the church or other charity and then handle the rest of any required distribution in the manner that I have specified.  It's very easy to do.  Personally, I take a look at my LUMC giving commitment for next year and "prepay" the whole amount this way.  You just need to let Harriet Dunne know how you want it handled.  Super easy and saves those tax dollars!" Julie

We're seeking a Director of Music Ministries whose role is to organize the church’s music ministry.   Work includes directing choir and accompaniment of worship services. If interested, please submit your resume to Pastor Laura at laura.becker@leanderumc.org.
Chili Chow Down & Auction is coming on December 3rd from 2-5 pm.  This year it will coincide with Leander's Old Town Christmas Festival, so it's a great opportunity to invite the community in.
 
We're looking for around 25 items to offer people to bid on in the Silent Auction.  Items should have a starting minimum bid of $20 with a value of $50 or more.  These should be unique quality items or experiences. For experiences, it can be in the form of a voucher, reservation ticket, or certificate for the experience.  We will start collecting these items in the fellowship hall on Sunday, Nov 20th.  Please contact Karen Saxer (karen.saxer@gmail.com) for silent auction items.
 
Please contact Jeri Hilsabeck (512-653-4114 or jerihilsabeck@gmail.com) if you'd like to help in any way.  Sign up sheets for chili and desserts will be posted soon.
We invite you to come to the church and welcome in the Christmas season with the choir. From the miracle of prophecy to the miracle of the Savior’s birth, this Cantata blends familiar carols with original compositions in rich harmonies and blend to create a celebration that is moving, fun and inspirational. Please join us to celebrate the miraculous and wondrous story of Jesus birth!
During our November 9th LUMC Board meeting, by way of consensus, we affirmed our commitment to The United Methodist Church and our desire to spend our time and resources on strengthening our local mission as an extension of a larger diverse connection of faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.   We, the LUMC Board have come to this affirmation after diligent prayer and research in the issues presented by the exodus of some of our sister churches.   We do not believe it is good stewardship of our financial resources to pursue disaffiliation nor is it fruitful for the unity of our church body.  Our desire is to be faithful to Christ in our love of neighbor and pursuit of holy living by God’s grace.   Please reach out to a Board Member or Pastor Laura if you have any questions.   We are grateful to be in this family of faith in Christ.   Sincerely, LUMC Board
During the upcoming season of Advent, we will be using resources by Dan Wilt from Seedbed Ministry Team.  Sermons will explore the ‘Roots’ of Jesus and our connection to Jesus’ story.  In addition, you are invited to purchase a 25-day devotional book for use during Advent.  Click here to order your books!
About the Book
We all come from someone, somewhere, and something—a people, a place, and a story.
So does Jesus.
The heart and mission of Emmanuel, God with us, is more profoundly understood by exploring the well-watered roots that flowered into Jesus’s life as the Word of God made flesh (John 1:14). The roots of Jesus are his family tree and its characters, the land of Israel and its towns and terrain, and the incredible faith-story of God’s covenant people, the Jews.
In Roots: Advent and the Family Story of Jesus, we rediscover that Jesus—born naturally of a mother from a family line herself, and nurtured by a father who knew the names of his own kin many generations into the past (Matthew 1:1–17)—comes from the family vine of the great King David, the son of Jesse, and from a long line of faithful men and women .
The idea known as a “Jesse Tree” will be our map. A Jesse Tree is an approach to the preparation season of Advent, leading us toward Christmas, that encourages us to revisit stories from the Hebrew Bible to help us gain insights into the family line of Jesus and the spiritual mandate of the child born to save the world.
We will draw from both Jesus’ genealogical ancestry and his faith heritage, as we walk together on a journey through the stories of saints and sinners woven into the family line of the Son of God.
About the Author
Dan Wilt is an author, worship leader, teacher, and encourager of pastors and creative leaders. Dan has impacted thousands over his three decades in ministry, across diverse streams of the Church in the US, UK, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and Brazil. He serves on the Seedbed Farm Team as a creator and minister to leaders.



Mid-Week Advent Worship
“There is Room for Every Story”
Wednesdays, Nov 30, Dec 7, Dec 14, Dec 21
Noon-1pm in the Sanctuary and Live Stream
This mid-week advent worship will incorporate Lectio Divina, Visio Divina, latin for “divine seeing,” is a method of meditation, reflection, and prayer through a process of intentional seeing. Visio Divina extends the 6th century Benedictine practice of Lectio Divina by the use of visual imagery. Traditionally, Visio Divina was accompanied by Benedictine iconography and illuminations, however, different faith traditions have adapted the process over time, utilizing both secular and non-secular images.



Blue Christmas Service of Lament, Hope, and Healing
Wednesday, December 7th 6pm
For those of us experiencing loneliness, sadness and loss, the Christmas season can be especially difficult— we can feel singled out by the programmed happiness of “the most wonderful time of the year.” But we are not alone. Many people experience at least some sadness and loss in this season. All of us have experienced loss. Please join us in a simple worship of song, scripture readings and a reflection of God’s hope for us.  All are welcome!


Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Schedule
Saturday, December 24th
5pm – Family Friendly Service, a service with young children in mind
7pm – Traditional Candlelight and Holy Communion
 
Sunday, December 25th
10am – Casual Worship with Carols and Storytelling “Word of God in the Flesh”
 
TEXT TO GIVE
Simply send a text to 833-843-1316 with the amount you would like to contribute. Make sure to include the dollar sign before the amount. Example: $25.

Within a few minutes, you’ll be sent a text with a link to register. Click on the link and enter your cardholder name and credit or debit card information. Once your registration is complete, you will receive a text verification and a receipt via email.

For future giving, simply send a text with the amount you wish to give, and it will process automatically!
 
 


Leander United Methodist Church
107 S West Drive
Leander, TX 78646

www.leanderumc.org

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