December/January 2019-2020 NewsletterLet’s sing the “Hallelujah Chorus” this season!

December 2019

Merry Christmas Dear, Dear Friend,

December kicks off with the Walk to Bethlehem scheduled for Saturday and Sunday evening, December 7 & 8, 4:30 – 7. Dedicated servants from every church in the parish have been working together to make this a huge outreach event. Next on the calendar is the Children’s Christmas Program: Christmas Presents, December 15th, during the morning worship service, and the Cantata, December 22nd, and we will conclude this season of Advent with the Candlelight service on Tuesday, December 24th at 6:30 pm.

If you’re already dreading Christmas and wishing it was all over take a few minutes in prayer and ask God to help you schedule your time and your resources wisely so you find the true comfort your heart longs for. Plan time for some of the things that will help you focus on the true meaning of Christmas and say “no” to things that aren’t necessary. While so much has changed since the night Jesus was born in Bethlehem I’m especially grateful that during this season of the Christian year we still sing the wondrous songs of the birth of Jesus, just as a choir of angels did in a nighttime surprise long ago to shepherds near Bethlehem.   Since then music and words about Jesus have been in our hearts and voices.  For me, there is no musical masterwork as inspiring and beloved as Messiah by George F. Handel.  This music soars in dynamic splendor and also in quietly moving tenderness. Added to the glory

Hillsboro United

Methodist Church

537 Rountree P.O. Box 26

Hillsboro, IL. 62049217-532-3734

of the music are the texts that take us on a journey through several portions of Scripture that help us to discover for ourselves the significance of the birth of Jesus in bringing hope as brought forth in the biblical texts of the Prophets, the Gospel writers and New Testament letter writers. Yes, Messiah is a masterwork but most importantly it brings comfort to those who listen to the Lord of the Story and accept the invitation to turn to the One who can heal brokenness that the Prophets tell of and who can make what is broken whole. This invitation makes us want to sing the “Hallelujah Chorus.”

Following all the wonderful days of Christmas more exciting things are being planned for MMXX! I look forward to beginning the New Year with you in worship on January 5. You won’t want to miss this service. Thank you for your selfless generosity and the assurance of your prayers for the church family. I am so grateful for the privilege of serving our Lord with you. You’re in our prayers. Hallelujah!

With Christmas Thanksgiving and Joy,Pastor Mike

Anniversaries:

Sandy Morrison was happy to announce the engagement of her daughter, Rebecca (aka Reba) and her boyfriend, John Noto. Congratulation to John & Reba.

December 30, 1961 Nick & Patsy Bourdoumis

Thank You to all that helped at the Community Thanksgiving Dinner, Thanksgiving Day. Over 600 people enjoyed fellowship thanks to wonderful volunteers who wanted everyone to feel cared for, on a day that we have so much to be thankful for. Praise God for such a blessing of sharing and caring.

Walk in Bethlehem

The Walk in Bethlehem will be quickly among us and many have been feverishly working to turn our church into the city of Bethlehem. As the recreation becomes reality please come by and enjoy a walk back into history and see the coming of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Preschool Thankful Stew

On the 20th of November, the morning and afternoon preschool classes held their sing and stew with their family and friends. The students all helped cut vegetables the day before under the careful guidance of Mrs. Brown and

Mrs. Kenny. The stew that had been prepared the night before, was served after the children sang songs of gratefulness in a crowded Sanctuary.

While everyone has been working frantically on the Walk in Bethlehem and the Cantata, please don’t forget we have children working on their Christmas Program, “ Christmas Presents” set for December 15th during worship. Keep these children, Nelma, Mary, and Tami in prayerful thought, as they work hard to bring us their insight to the birth of our Savior, Jesus.

Thank You for the donationsHave a safe and Merry Christmas

God Bless Everyone!

The Cantata is coming December 22nd.

Our Choir and many from the community are practicing to bring us the joy of the birth of Christ in the annual Christmas Cantata. Come listen to a choir of mesmerizing voices as they sing passionately of a King that is born on Christmas morning.

Erin Kistner, a member of the Witt United Methodist Church and a 4-H Hunger Ambassador for Montgomery County 4-H has started a Weekend Backpack Food Donation program. Erin has learned that many students around the county are faced with food insecurity during the weekend and she wants to make a difference. Erin has started the program at Hillsboro High School and is looking for places to put collection boxes, for people to

donate to the program. Each meal will be distributed on Fridays, or the last day of school and each student will have the option of getting 1 complete meal, 2 snacks, and 1 breakfast to put discreetly in their backpack. The meals are packed by the Montgomery County 4-H Youth Leadership Team and they are asking for the communities help with the following items: Individual cups of applesauce, pudding, corn and green beans, packs of Ritz crackers, granola bars, pop tarts, breakfast bars, mini packs of cookies, trail mix, Cheez-its, fruit snacks, and pretzels. Also needed are microwavable popcorn, mac & cheese cups, ravioli, soup and chili (all cans pop top please); and ready to eat pouches of tuna or chicken. For more information you may call Erin at 217-594-7126 or the Montgomery County Extension Office at 217-532-3941. Donations may be left at the church office during the hours of 9am-1pm Monday – Friday.

Emmaus Road Ministries Director Dr. David Becker sends warm greetings from sunny Zambia! While it is dry and the temperatures are ideal, Zambia is dealing with electrical supply issues and power is turned off daily, usually between midnight and 8am, however it may go off any other time. Because of this we are forced to use our generator more which is becoming costly. The economy is also very bad and growing worse, which has also affected our work here. Many meetings have been cancelled with the Churches in the area having significant drops in income. On a brighter note, we had another granddaughter! Annie Cathy Ngulube was born September 1, weighing 8lbs 9.50z! Mwila is Annie’s second daughter and now has two daughters of her own. We thank you for your support, financial and prayers, for us and the work to strengthen the church in Zambia.

Praise God for the following joys received:Pastor Mike received good news during his monthly visit with his oncologist in October. Blood test results and a recent CT scan indicate the treatment is effective and will continue for 6 more months, praise God.Son Clayton would like to express his thanks to everyone that has helped him after the devasting fire that destroyed his business and home. Son said everyone has been very kind and giving as he lost everything in the fire. Please keep Son in prayer as he still continues to move forward. Chris Gutierrez had a joy/concern, while unfortunately being in a motor vehicle accident that totaled their vehicle, Chris said all the airbags and the seatbelt did the job of keeping him protected as he was able to walk away from the accident with bruising and muscle strains. Margie Ward’s daughter-in-law’s surgery went well. Nick and Patsy Bourdoumis are proud Great Grandparents of twins, Mary Ellen Rose and Corena Adeline Bourdoumis. Both twins and mother are doing well. Marty Niehaus thanked everyone for their prayers and said Patty’s foot surgery went well.

Laura and Roy Sturm received good news from the MRI Roy had on his Kidneys. The cyst is benign, and he does not need treatment. Roy’s knee and lower leg are much better also. However, Roy still need prayers for his breathing issues. As we praise God for joys, we graciously ask him to hear our prayer request and lift us up:Patsy Bourdoumis has requested prayers for her cousin, Tammy Miller of Litchfield, who has leukemia, and her good friend, Robin Myers, whose cancer has returned in her other lung. Robin has had one lung removed and began Chemo October 21st.Sandy Morrison ask for prayer for David Bigley who had a heart catherization on Veterans Day and will be admitted to have heart surgery. Tina Furness ask for prayers for her aunt, Betty O’Guinn of Hillsboro, who is expecting to be put on hospice. Dave Ball ask for prayers for “Sat’s” Father, Mother, and Sister, “Dingy” Donnett. Sandy Morrison ask that everyone keep Reba and all graduating MPs in prayer as they deal with the loss of a Drill Sargent whom committed suicide. The young woman was the best friend of Reba’s platoon Drill Sargent. Dick and Judy James ask for prayers for their son, Rick as he is facing some unrest with his employment and needs prayer for job security. Chris Gutierrez ask for prayers for his friend, Dave Knudson, who has had multiple shoulder surgeries and has been unable to work for over 8 months. Betty Rhodes would like prayers for her brother, Bernard Huber, who needs open heart surgery. Kathy Reeves ask for prayers for the family of her Aunt Norma who passed away November 6 th. Bobbi McPhail, daughter of Susie, ask for continued prayers for Nathan Smith and his parents. Peggy Cooper ask for prayers for her niece, Isabella, who had a biopsy November 13 th. Tina Furness requested prayer for her friend, Lahys Altenberger, who had a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery November 14th. Michelle Brown ask for payer for Sherri Hilt, who was in a serious automobile accident November 14 th. Kathy Reeves ask for prayer for her sister and her sister’s husband. Dave had surgery November 25 th and her sister still has no resolution to her hearing issues. Lyssa McClennan ask for prayer for Scott Bregenzer, who has many issues going on and needs prayers. Please pray for the families of William “Bill” Protz, Jackolyn Protz, their granddaughter, Jenna Protz, and her friend Holly Lidy, whom all passed in a horrific accident near Coffeen. Please also pray for Michael Jones, the great nephew of Janet Blackburn, who was also involved in the horrible accident above, as he continues his long recovery. Please keep those in prayer that remain silent or that we may have accidently omitted.

December Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1Jordyn Helgen

2 3 4Janet Ward

5 6 7

8Judy James

9Rick James

10Dennis Graden

11 12Rev. David BigleyColby Cooper

13 14Jase Cooper

Margie

Paige CullisonVince Walch

Ward

15 16 17Susie Galer

18Blake CullisonCourtney Rhodes

19Sara Province

20Shirley Charles

21

22 23Carolyn Loveless

24Christma

s Eve

25

Jesus

26Christopher Wood

27Roberta Buttol

Tim Carpenter

28

29 30 31

Terri PopeTommy Stokes

Ushers: Brandon Trader, Steve Cullison, Jerry Moler, Brett ReynoldsLay Leaders: Chris Gutierrez, Peggy Cooper, Janet Ward, Melissa Wood, Janet WardNursery: Ruth Ernst, Samantha Reynolds, Childrens Program, Peggy Cooper, Gabler/Herschelman

January Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3Mary Lou Fowler

4

5 6Jean Snow

Brecken Trader

7Cooper Holcomb

8BIBLE STUDY 6PM

9Janet Carlyle

10 11Kenley Brown

12 13 14Alexis (Pope) Walch

15BIBLE STUDY 6PM

16Bill ChristianJulee SatterleeTyler Sperry

17Brittney (Reynolds) Frank

18

19 20Karen Ball

21 22Tatum Christian

BIBLE STUDY 6PM

23 24Duane Walker

25Brett Reynolds

Stacey Ward

26 27 28Mason Cooper

29Terri Logsdon

BIBLE STUDY 6PM

30 31

Ushers: Gary Satterlee, Chris Gutierrez, Mike Bergbower, Jason WoodLay Leaders: Carol Booher, Peggy Cooper, Janet Ward, Chris GutierrezNursery: Anne Mclaughlin, Kathy Reynolds, Nikki Northcutt, Mindi Armbruster

Thank You to all the Volunteers, for all you have done!!!Missed Sunday Worship? Did you know if you miss a Sunday Worship or want to hear the message again you can visit HillsboroUMChurch.org/sermons.