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Please Note: This will be the last newsletter of 2022. The weekly newsletter schedule will resume on January 4, 2023.
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Hello!
Merry Christmas! Or, in the Swedish tradition in which I grew up: God jul! Tradition is so very important for the holidays. My fondest memories of Christmas as a child center around our family’s Christmas Eve tradition which began several days before with the preparation of the lutefisk. (Lutefisk, if you’re not familiar with it, is one of the traditional courses served at a Swedish Christmas Eve meal. Lutefisk is cod that has been dried, soaked in lye for several days, and then thoroughly soaked in water before being cooked. The odor of the lutefisk as it soaked in the garage during those days was… distinctive.)
Grandma Nelson arrived early on Christmas Eve day to prepare the dinner courses. Rinsing and re-rinsing the lutefisk. Stuffing sausage casings with a meat/potato mixture to make the potatis korv. Making brown beans, or bruna bönor. Mixing the ingredients for the traditional desert, rice pudding, or risgrynsgröt, which was topped with lingonberries.
We would begin the meal early in the evening and, in between courses, Dad would run next door to perform the early Christmas Eve services at church. Upon his return, Santa always made an appearance with a bag full of gifts. After the gifts were shared and opened, Santa (a.k.a. Uncle Howard) would read the annual Christmas letter from Cousin Lillian who lived on the west coast and was never able to join the family for the evening. Combining Santa/Uncle Howard’s grand sense of humor with Cousin Lillian’s annual list of her deadpan woe-be-to-mes was often the highlight of our celebration. Tears of laughter and joy were often shed. The evening closed with the 11pm late service, which we all attended, where Ruth Watson sang “Sweet Little Jesus Boy,” and the brass trumpeted “Joy to the World,” and we ended by lifting our candles high singing “Silent Night.”
And now, though the kids and cousins are spread out across the United States and Europe with children of their own, new traditions have arrived into our family life. Just as rich. Just as special. May it be so for you and your kin…
I wish you a Merry Christmas!
Rev. Eric
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Sunday Worship begins each week at 10am, in-person and online, streaming via Facebook. Click HERE to go to our Facebook page.
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To see information about the songs we will be singing in our upcoming worship services, click here: http://www.hazelwoodchurch.org/worship-songs-this-week/
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Christmas Eve Worship Service
Join us at 7pm on December 24 for a festive service of lessons and carols as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. After the service, be sure to stop by Sulanke Commons for Cookie Fellowship provided by our Elders.
For those of you joining us online, click HERE to find the bulletin for the Christmas Eve Service.
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Christmas Day Worship Service
On Sunday, December 25, at 10am, we will gather for worship and brunch in Cartwright Hall. You may bring your favorite breakfast item to share with others, or just come and enjoy the worship (if you do decide to bring any food, please arrive early as worship will begin at 10am). So, after the kids or the grandkids are already bored with their new toys, bundle them up, pack them in the car, and bring them to Hazelwood for Christmas & Quiche!
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New Year's Day Worship Service
Ring in the New Year with us on Sunday, January 1, 2023, at 10am. Rev. Ron Allen will be filling the pulpit while Rev. Eric is away, bringing us a message based on Genesis 1:1-2 & Luke 5:1-11.
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To read last Sunday's Pastoral Prayer and Sermon, click HERE.
To watch past services, you may go to Youtube by clicking HERE.
To see just the scripture and sermons from each week, click HERE.
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Disbursements
- $300 for Christian Ministries' Sleeping Room Gift Cards
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Christian Ministries' Sleeping Room
Volunteers are needed to help provide meals for the Men's Sleeping Room during the week of January 15-21. Each day, Hazelwood will be providing two meals: breakfast from 6-7:30am and supper from 6-7:30pm. Volunteers are encouraged to bring food already prepared- you can choose to stay and serve the food, or they will serve it there for you. If you prefer to make a monetary donation to provide enough food for breakfast and supper, financial help is always welcome (please write a check separate from your regular offering, and be sure to mark “Sleeping Room” on the memo line). We will need to know when you sign up if you are providing food for your meal.
This is a great opportunity to help those who are less fortunate than we are. Prayerfully consider where you can help. You can sign up after worship on Sunday, January 1.
For more information, contact Shirley Bookout at 765-744-1207.
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Looking Ahead
Christian Ministries' Food Pantry
January 24-27 are Hazelwood's days to work at the Food Pantry from 8:45am-12:30pm. This is a great opportunity to help with a worthy community project. If you are able to help or would like more information, please contact Shirley Bookout at 765-744-1207.
Muncie Mission: Walk a Mile in My Shoes
Muncie Missions' annual Walk a Mile in My Shoes will be held on Saturday, February 11. All proceeds support the Muncie Mission. The purpose of the walk is to take a step into the struggles facing the homeless.
Sign up to walk or to support a walker with a contribution begins Sunday, January 22, after worship (please write a check separate from your regular offering, and be sure to mark “Walk a Mile” on the memo line).
~Blessings & Gratitude from the Missions & Benevolence Team
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Congratulations to Monty Matuka and Courntey Michelle Shoemaker on the birth of their son, Messiah (Siah) Zaire Matuka, on November 30. Proud Hazelwood grandparents are Yeno and Nlandu Matuka.
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Prayers requested for these Hazelwood participants (alphabetical by last name):
- David Cartwright
- Jeff Clary
- Ruthanne Devroy
- Jeane Garrett
- Mariangella Glaze
- Lois Gross
- Louise Maley
- Marcia Miller
- Pat Patterson
- Jairen Rees
- Bill Ritchie
- Leah Ritchie
- Ron Smith
- Judy Thomas
- Mark Wages
- Molly Wantz
- Annie Yingst
Prayers requested for these friends and family of Hazelwood participants:
- Donna's Dye's granddaughter, Heather Kruger
Note, the friends and family list will re-set at the first of every month. At that time, we request confirmation that the one being named has given permission to continue to be listed on this newsletter prayer list, in order to honor their personal agency and privacy. Thank you for understanding the importance of this in the digital age.
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Notes of Appreciation
Thank you for the prayers, cards, and flowers after my grandmother passed away. I am so thankful for the love and comfort of my church family!
~Marianna Gill
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Mildred Hunter, now living at Westminster Village, wanted Hazelwood to know how much she appreciated her poinsettia. She is doing well and loves being at Westminster.
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Lori Rhoden's Christmas Joy Album
Digital Downloads of Lori Rhoden’s Christmas Joy album are now available at Amazon.com (click HERE to purchase the MP3 or CD through Amazon Smile). You can also purchase a physical copy of the CD directly – see Ann Wolfe after the service.
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A 2023 Encounter with God’s Word in the Gospel of Matthew…
The lectionary Gospel reading for the year 2023 is the Gospel of Matthew. [The lectionary is a three-year cycle of reading scripture. In 2023, Year A, the Gospel of Matthew is read. In year B, the readings come from the Gospel of Mark, and in year C, the readings come from the Gospel of Luke.] Reverend Eric will be primarily preaching on the Matthew readings from the lectionary during 2023.
So, why not join Rev. Eric in study and reflection on the Gospel of Matthew, and read one chapter of the Gospel every two weeks? In this way, the Hazelwood congregation can encounter the Word of God together throughout the year.
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Bible Study
Weekly Bible Study (both in-person and on Zoom) continues today, December 21, at 10am in Cartwright Hall. Rev. Eric will be facilitating. We continue our study of the Gospel of Mark, studying Chapters 7 & 8. You may participate every week or as you are able; each week’s study will be independent from the others.
Please note: Bible Study will not meet on December 28.
If you would like to participate via Zoom, click HERE to let us know.
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Sunday School
The Sunday School class is on holiday hiatus until Sunday, January 8, when we will complete our study of Resurrection Now with Fr. Richard Rohr.
Looking Ahead...
As our last session for the current study with Fr. Richard Rohr will end on January 8 of 2023, the Sunday School group is turning its eyes to what to do next… All are welcome and invited to join us after worship on Sundays…
Love the musical Les Miserables? Have you managed to read Victor Hugo’s 1,500-page book from cover to cover? From January 15, 2023 to Lent (6 weeks) we will study The Grace of Les Miserables by Matt Rawle. The church can pick up copies on Amazon for $9.69. Please email the church if you would like the church to order a copy for you and have it available here for pick up. Hope to have everyone join in the discussion!
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A Conversation Between Two Wonderful Teachers!
Rev. Eric Highly Recommends This 2-part Podcast…
Love Brené Brown? Love Fr. Richard Rohr? Brené Brown sat down with Fr. Rohr this month to engage in a wide-ranging conversation about Fr. Rohr’s books, Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps and Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life.
You can listen to the podcast and read the transcript here:
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Calendar
Wed., December 21: Bible Study, 10am, Cartwright Hall & Zoom; Choir Rehearsal, 7pm, Sanctuary
Sat., December 24: Christmas Eve Service, 7pm, Sanctuary
Sun., December 25: Worship Service & Brunch, 10am, Cartwright Hall
2023
Sun., January 1: Worship Service, 10am, Sanctuary
Wed., January 3: Bible Study, 10am, Cartwright Hall & Zoom; Elders, 5:30pm, Zoom
Click HERE to see events further out on the calendar.
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There are two “Christmas” stories about the birth of Jesus in scripture. The Gospel of Matthew has the angel appear to Joseph to announce the divine conception. Nothing is said about the circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus. Some time later, wise men from the east come in search of the new king following a star that stopped over the location of the child in Bethlehem. On entering the house, they knelt down and paid him homage.
The Gospel of Luke tells the story that is more often found in Christmas pageants. The angel appears to Mary. Emperor Augustus calls for a census. The inn in Bethlehem is full. The baby Jesus is laid in a manger. Angels appear to the shepherds who go to see this wonder that has taken place.
The Gospels of Mark and John have no birth stories.
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A Note from Our Bookkeeper
All offerings must be received in the office or postmarked by December 31 in order to be counted toward your 2022 giving.
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YTD Receipts through November 2022: $250,732.30
YTD Expenses through November 2022: $260,444.76
YTD Outreach Disbursements through November 2022: $48,846.73
New Church Development: $571.15
Easter Offering: $905
Reconciliation Offering: $1,282
Thanksgiving Offering: $175.00
Christian Ministries' Food Pantry: $110.66
Sleeping Room Project: $590
Winnie's Kids: $24,570
Week of Compassion: $2,456.16
Muncie Afghan Refugee Resettlement Committee: $13,170
Feed My Sheep: $250
Sulanke Trust Outreach: $5,766.76
-Christian Ministries of Delaware County: $431.76
-A Better Way: $400
-YWCA: $400
-Second Harvest Food Bank: $400
-Motivate Our Minds: $400
-Children's Clothing Center: $400
-Muncie Mission: $1,635
-Habitat for Humanity: $400
-First Choice: $400
-Muncie Soup Kitchen: $400
-Special Olympics: $200
-Love Gift: $300
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To make a financial gift online via Givelify, click here:
https://giv.li/cv3bky
After you are in the Givelify site, to designate a gift to something other than the general fund, choose "Other" and then type in the message box to let us know to which fund you are donating.
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Please submit items for the newsletter by Monday at noon each week.
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Rev. Eric Brotheridge, Senior Minister
Stefanie Petty, Office Administrator
Rhea Morgan, Bookkeeper
Marianna Gill, Worship Coordinator
Lori Rhoden, Organist
Brooklyn Wolf, Youth Ministry Assistant
Angela Lopez, Director of Weekday Preschool and Extended Learning Center
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