PILGRIM ROADRUNNER Page 1

BIRTHDAYS – DECEMBER 4

CARE MINISTRIES 2

CHURCH CALENDAR – DECEMBER 7

CHURCH INFORMATION 3

CHURCH COMING EVENTS 5, 6

DEACONS’ CORNER 4

MEN’S CLUB 4

MISSIONS BOARD—CHRISTMAS 4

PASTOR’S MESSAGE 1

SWEAT SHOP SORORITY 4

SYMPATHY TO . . . LIST 4

THANK YOU NOTE 2

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP 3

Christmas is a firmly theological time.” We can so easily cover up the heart and core of Christmas with all the commercial and social aspects of the season. We need to always remember that Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus. He is the very revelation of God himself. John in his gospel declares; “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Jesus is the Word, the second person of the Godhead; Jesus is the wonder of Emmanuel, God with us, God come down to earth to live among us, and to die upon the cross for our salvation.

A very blessed and merry Christmas to all of you and your families.

Your minister and friend, — Brian Anderson

I know that some of the local radio stations are already pla yin g Ch ris t m a s s on gs continually, and when I went past the outlet mall at Anthem the other day, I saw that they have their huge Christmas tree up and decorated, and [as I write this] Thanksgiving is st ill a week away. A lady came to chat with her minister and seek his help in selecting the hymns for the women’s group within their church. They worked their way through the hymn book choosing such carols as “The First Noel”, “Silent Night! Holy Night!”, “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and “It Came upon the Midnight Clear.” Finally she said to the pastor, “All of those carols are firmly theological, aren’t they?” The minister thought about it for a moment and then said “I suppose that you are right.

DECEMBER 2015 — VOLUME 28 — ISSUE 12

NEWS OF TH E C ONGREGATI ONAL CH URC H OF SUN CITY 1 8 4 0 1 N . 9 9 T H A V E N U E — S U N C I T Y , A R I Z O N A 8 5 3 7 3

P A S TO R ’ S M E S S A G E J U S T T H E R I G H T T I M E “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law.” Galatians 4:4”

Page 2 PILGRIM ROADRUNNER

CARE MINISTRIES “MERRY CHRISTMAS” and “HAPPY NEW YEAR” from your CARE Ministries. We appreciate our volunteers for their time and talents helping others. Thank you, God bless!

— Bev Eilken, Coordinator

Senior Minister — Dr. Brian Anderson Music Director — Jane Higgs Organist and Substitute Accompanist — Christine Kyhn Accompanist, Memorial Services Organist and Substitute Organist — Marg Burg Senior Custodian — Mike Rush Assistant Custodian — Glenn Ankrum Administration Manager — Bonnie Shetley Administration Assistant — Mary Stoll

Church Moderator

Church Council Clerk Moderator Elect

Council Members at Large [1 year] [2 years] [3 years]

Board of Trustees Chair Treasurer/Finance Committee Chair

Deacons’ Board Chair Membership Board Chair

Missions Board Chair Columbarium Board Chair Women’s Fellowship Chair

Men’s Club Chair Flower Committee Chair

Sweat Shop Sorority Chair Needle Chatters Chair

CARE Ministries Coordinator Prayer Chain Teams Coordinator

Church Website Team Church Bridge Group Coordinators

Roadrunner Folding Team

Sound System Engineers

◊ Sue Dawson ◊ Pat Canfield ◊ Carl Wolkenhauer ◊ Bill O’Neill Ula Miller Art Hamilton ◊ Ron Smith ◊ Dick Ohnstad ◊ Sharon Smith ◊ Howard Cripps ◊ Nancy Asendorf ◊ Jean Brenn ◊ Joyce Dudley ◊ Dick Clauer ◊ Ginger Hamilton ◊ Norma Sandvig ◊ Sharon Smith ◊ Beverly Eilken ◊ Bonnie Shetley ◊ Joyce Dudley, Chris Palmer ◊ Sara Givens, Ann Short ◊ Marian Buchanan, Sharon Crafton,

Annie Hall, Phyllis Krusenstjerna, Wilma Schroeder, Sharon Smith ◊ Paul Adams, Ralph Canfield, Norman Dufresne, Jane Higgs, Mike Rush

To contact our pastor when he is away from the office, call Dr. Anderson’s cell phone: 1-781-534-5701

The Congregational Church of Sun City 18401 N. 99th Avenue

Sun City, AZ 85373 -1650 Phone 623-977-4241 — Fax 623-977-0008

Currently, the Roadrunner is published 9 times a year. Call the church office if you have a question regarding an item printed in the Roadrunner. • Sunday worship services October thru May: two worship

services, 8:30 and 10:30AM; June thru September one service at 9:30AM.

• Church office hours: Monday thru Friday, September thru May: 8:00AM – 3:00PM, June thru August: 8:00AM – 1:00PM. � Choir rehearsals: held each Thursday, September thru

May at 2:30PM; the choir is on hiatus June thru August. • Church staff email addresses: — congchsc@ccsc.phxcoxmail.com — Church Office

— banderson@ccsc.phxcoxmail.com — Dr. Anderson

— ccscchoirdirector@me.com — Jane Higgs — bshetley@ccsc.phxcoxmail.com — Bonnie Shetley — mlstoll@ccsc.phxcoxmail.com — Mary Stoll � Church Website address: www.ccscaz.org Copies of the Roadrunner are available on our website, or hard copies are available on the counter in the church narthex.

Our Roadrunner is no longer bulk-mailed. Each issue is available via our

website: ccscaz.org, or you may pick up a hard copy from the counter in the church narthex. Please contact the church office if you want to receive a mailed Roadrunner; it will be sent to you via First Class U.S. Mail.

V� � � � � � � � � :

THANK YOU NOTE We would like to thank Rev. Anderson and the congregation. We really appreciated all the prayers, cards and caring thoughts during Steve’s illness.

We feel blessed to be part of this caring church. Thanks again. — Steve and Shari Dransfield

Page 3

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP The Women’s Fellowship Christmas Luncheon is Friday, December 11. Tickets are $12 and available after services on November 29 and December 6. Be sure to get your ticket for this fellowship event. The theme is “Rejoice in God’s Greatest Gift.” Get into the holiday spirit, enjoy the company of your fellow members, indulge in a tasty lunch, invite a friend! You are sure to have a good time. The Angel Tree Project is in process. Select a tag from the tree and provide the gift requested on the tag. You will put a smile on the face of the recipient who may otherwise experience a very meager Christmas. All gifts are to be turned in by Sunday, December 13. Many thanks to those who are participating in this project. Any questions about it, call Jo Hamilton, 623-566-1149. What wonderful bakers we have in our congregation. Not only are they talented but they are generous! Thanks to all who contributed to the Women’s Fellowship Bake Sale. Money earned at the Bake Sale as well as the Rummage Sale enable Women’s Fellowship to support functions within the church and make significant donations to many deserving charities. Know that your efforts have gone to support good causes. Another round of thanks to all who contributed to Christmas For the Troops. Four women from our congregation helped box the donations to send to the troops. Women’s Fellowship donated $500 to help with the postage.

— Deb Teuteberg, W.F. Publicity Chair

BIBLE STUDY ON HIATUS New sessions begin on Wednesday, January 6, 2016. We will begin the next set of Ray Vander Laan DVDs. Be sure to mark your 2016 calendar and plan to attend the 10:00AM classes lead by Lowell Roderick or 6:30PM classes lead by Pastor Anderson. Each class lasts approximately 45 — 50 minutes. YEAR-END GIVING Our year-end contributions need to be in the church not later than Sunday, December 27, in order to be posted and included on your 2015 Annual Giving Statements, which are mailed not later than January 31. 2016 PLEDGE CARDS The annual stewardship letter and pledge cards should have been received in the mail by now. Our thanks to everyone who turned in your pledge card. Stewardship Sunday is December 6. This is the day our pledges are dedicated to the Lord and for His work. We ask those who have not given the church your pledge intention for the coming year to please drop it in an offering plate on Sunday morning, mail it or bring it to the church office. The main purpose of pledges is help our trustees/finance committee/

staff to plan appropriately. TO BOARD CHAIRS, COMMITTEE CHAIRS, STAFF: It’s time to provide the office with your 2015 annual report. Early in December a reports-due memo along with a reference copy of last year’s report page will be mailed to those who are asked to provide a report. Completed reports are due in the office by Friday, January 8. Staff will gladly accept reports before this date. REMINDER: several groups need to provide their group’s financial tracking of funds for the year as part of your report. RETIREMENT OF BONNIE AND MARG On Saturday, January 9, at 5:00PM there will be a farewell dinner for Bonnie Shetley and Marg Burg. This meal will be catered by Jane’s Catering, who have provided delicious meals for Women’s Fellowship luncheons in recent years. Tickets for the dinner go on sale on Sunday, December 13, through Sunday, January 3, 2016. We hope Alexander Hall will be full as we say a loving farewell to both ladies. There will be opportunity to give a card, letter or gift card to Marg and Bonnie, as baskets for this purpose will be available.

CHURCH INFORMATION

PILGRIM ROADRUNNER Page 4

OUR DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

12/4 Ginette Grosz 12/5 Don Holtzee 12/9 Marlene Wagner 12/10 Ralph Canfield 12/14 Rosalie Craven Jo Hamilton Dottie Massey Jan Orr 12/17 Vera Esperseth Mary Miller 12/18 Robert Mohr 12/20 Jane Hummel 12/20 Winnie Holick 12/21 Ed Srsen 12/22 Randy Asendorf Jack Tuerk 12/23 Mel Jenkins 12/25 Rosemary Underhill Mary Wolkenhauer 12/27 Laura List 12/28 Howard Frink 12/30 Glenda Burnham Arlene Ohnstad

SWEAT SHOP SORORITY The Arts & Crafts Fair is over and December is upon us. Four additional vendor tables were sold, which added to the profits. Bev Davis, a new church member, bravely accepted running the silent auction. Again this year, a check for $1,000 was presented to Hospice of the Valley to help with their wonderful services. In November, Hospice of the Valley worker, Pat Stilton visited us. She always brings goodies for us to use creatively. November was so busy that we are taking December off, except for a Christmas Party on December 7.

— Jean Brenn Sweat Shop Sorority Member

MEN’S CLUB A sincere thank you to EVERYONE who participated in our annual Rummage Sale this year. Together, we raised $12,273 for our church. Next year’s sale dates will be on October 21 and 22, 2016.

MEN’S CLUB BREAKFAST is Tuesday, December 8, at 8:00AM in Alexander Hall. We moved our meeting from December 1 because the church parking lot is being resurfaced in early December.

We will serve breakfast but we will NOT have a speaker as this is our meeting to elect officers for next year. Please attend this important meeting and support your Men’s Club. Please add your name to the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in Alexander Hall. — Dick Clauer, Men’s Club Chair

MISSIONS BOARD Our Christmas offering this year will be divided 50/50 to DOVES and Benevilla. Both organizations need our support all year but especially at Christmas.

DOVES is a comprehensive program that assists adults aged 50 and older who are victims of late-life domestic violence or elder abuse. Abuse could be physical, sexual, or emotional. DOVES provides a safe haven, case management and critical support services tailored to meet the unique needs of older victims of abuse. Services include late-life domestic violence support groups, emergency housing, as well as transitional and interim housing.

BENEVILLA is a West Valley nonprofit focusing on helping seniors stay independent and in their homes as long as possible. By cultivating a caring community of neighbors helping neighbors, Benevilla is able to provide extensive support for older adults, adults with intellectual disabilities, children, and the families that care for them. Adult daycare provides social, physical, and mental stimulation. Benevilla also operates a child development center. The children interact with seniors through planned activities. Through its food services, whether delivering meals or groceries/sundries, Benevilla helps people stay in their homes.

— Nancy Asendorf, Missions Board

OUR SYMPATHY: - To family and friends of Scott DeLong. He passed away at the age of 95 on Sunday, November 15. His memorial service will be held next summer in Anoka, Wisconsin.

DEACONS CORNER At this time we would like to thank each and every person who has given their time, talent and knowledge volunteering for the different positions that keep this church united in Christ.

May the message of Christmas fill your life with blessings and joy from above. Wishing you and your families a very Merry Christmas. PEACE ON EARTH, GOOD WILL TO MEN! — Sharon Smith, Deacons’ Board Chair

LETTER TO OUR CHURCH FAMILY: Dear Friends, Tom Witzel left his earthly home on Friday, November 6, at 1:35PM at St. Joseph’s Hospital here in Marshfield, Wisconsin, with family members and myself by his side. I would appreciate your prayers for strength in the coming days. He was cremated and a private family memorial service will be held in the springtime at Spring Green, Wisconsin. Unfortunately, I am unable to continue written correspondence but would love to hear from you by phone (715-384-1764). I want to thank you for your love and support over all these years.

Love in Christ,— Sara Witzel

PILGRIM ROADRUNNER Page 5

è

PILGRIM ROADRUNNER Page 6

DECEMBER DATES TO REMEMBER

Thursday, December 3: Hanging of the Christmas Greens Monday, December 7: Deacons’ Board meeting, 9:00AM Desert Brass Concert, 7:00PM Tuesday, December 8: Men’s Club Breakfast meeting, 8:00AM Wednesday, December 9: Membership Board meeting, 8:30AM Friday, December 11: Women’s Fellowship Christmas Luncheon, 11:00AM

Also, last Sunday for the Christmas Angel Tree outreach project. Thursday, December 17: Trustees’ Board meeting, 8:30AM Thursday, December 24: Church office is closed. Christmas Celebration Fellowship: 4:00PM [in Alexander Hall] Christmas Eve Service at 5:00PM. Friday, December 25: Church office is closed. MERRY CHRISTMAS Monday, December 28: Take Down the Christmas Greens Thursday, December 31: Church office is closed. New Year’s Eve Friday, January 1, 2016: Church office is closed. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

è

Page 7 PILGRIM ROADRUNNER

Please save this calendar for your reference use.

Page 8

USE FIRST CLASS

POSTAGE

PILGRIM ROADRUNNER

PILGRIM ROADRUNNER

18401 N. 99th Avenue Sun City, AZ 85373 Phone: 623-977-4241

From:

Pastor Brian,

Jane,

Christine,

Marg,

Mike,

Glen,

Mary,

Bonnie