It’s a new year. So what? Does the completed orbit of the earth around the sun really matter that much? I think it does. In Ecclesiastes 3:1 we read, “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” The words are attributed to King Solomon, to whom God gave “very great wisdom and understanding, and knowledge as vast as the sands of the seashore.” (1 Kings 4:29 NLT) Our marking of time on calendars is more than a convenient social convention to coordinate school schedules and the growth and harvest of farm goods. The marking of years is one way God has given us to reflect on where we stand in the seasons of our lives.

I’ve never been big on New Year resolutions, but this year I’m impressed by the need to observe the passing of the year with something more than just eating junk food while watching whatever glittery frivolity happens to be on television. At 58 years old, I realize that I’m well past the midpoint of my life. My youngest has been alive for a quarter of a century. For the first time in my life, the idea of going back to school no longer appeals to me. My medicine cabinet is filling up and I’m taking a more active role in planning my retirement. This isn’t all bad, of course, but each little change signals a change in the season of my life. I feel a need to pause and take stock before I’m swept up in the rapid progression of days that will make up 2020.

This year I’m contemplating three things during the weeks bracketing New Year’s Day, starting with one thing from my past that’s been weighing me down. As much as we’d sometimes like to do so, we can’t erase our painful pasts. As Anna Nalick says so well in her song Breathe, ‘'Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable; And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table.” We can, however, choose to learn from our past. We can also choose to lay down burdens like un-forgiveness, bitterness, and regret. Is there one thing from your past that you can learn from or let go of in 2020?

The second thing I’m pondering is milestones I anticipate with hope. That’s one of the reasons I spread my vacation time throughout the year, always leaving something to look forward to. It’s one of the reasons I invest time pursuing my hobby of wildlife photography. I’m always looking forward to photographing a new bird or landscape and learning be a better photographer. There are the bigger hopes as well, such as becoming a grandparent, but it’s the ones nearer to today that give me the most fuel for living. What’s one thing you’re looking forward to with hope in 2020?

The third consideration in 2020 is what in my present that I’m especially grateful for. The present moments are all we really have with any certainty. Too often I waste my present moments with regret over the past or anxious dread of the future. I really do believe that each day has blessings that we can choose to embrace or ignore. How about you? What’s one thing you’re especially grateful for today? Instead of setting yourself up for failure with unrealistic New Years resolutions, take some time to reflect on these three things. May God surprise you with wisdom and joy as you come to a fuller appreciation of where you’ve been, who you are, and your hopes for the future.

New Year’s Blessings, Pastor Bill

Newsletter

January 2020

8:15 am • Joyful Praise Worship 10:30 am • Celebration Worship Coffee Fellowship & Education • 9:20-10:20 am

Three Things

Worship Times 8:15 Joyful Praise 10:30 Traditional

Sunday, January 5

Joy on the Other Side of Christmas

Luke 2:21-32 Luke 2: 33-40

Holy Communion

Sunday, January 12 Love Mercy Micah 6:6-8

Matthew 5:7; 18: 32-34 Handbells @ late service

Sunday, January 19

Walk Humbly Isaiah 57:15, 66:2

Matthew 5:3 UM Human Relations

Sunday Offering

Sunday, January 26 Do Justice

Genesis 13:19 1 Samuel 15:22

1st Grade Faith Stepping Stone

Mission Statement …serving people for Jesus Christ so that we all may know joy!

Office Hours: (Closed Mondays) Tuesday-Thursday – 9 am to 3 pm; Friday – 9 am to 1 pm

Phone: 763-682-3538 E-Mail: Office@BuffaloUMC.com

Website: www.BuffaloUMC.org

Find us on Facebook

Buffalo UMC is part of the Minnesota Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.

Staff Pastor Rev. Bill Reinhart PastorBill@buffaloumc.com Lay Associate Minister Laurie Schroeder Laurie@buffaloumc.com Youth Coordinator Curtis R. Rieck Curtis@buffaloumc.com Children’s Coordinator Debra Bishop Debbie@buffaloumc.com Administrative Assistant Michelle Jones Office@buffaloumc.com Bookkeeper Patty Steer Patty@buffaloumc.com Custodian Ryan Highberg Chancel Chimes Director Jill Starr Nursery Attendant Angie Masteller

Leadership Team Members Jim Norrix, Member at Large 763-263-5499 Larry Frink, Member at Large 218-398-1066 Kris Uter, Member at Large 952-201-5211 Peter Bedker, Lay Leader 763-276-7435 Dexter Lehman, Treasurer 763-229-0335 Martyn Dibben, Finance Chair 763-684-0527 Dave Sieberg, Property Chair 763-682-4734 Gail Hurley, Staff Parish Chair 612-559-9659 Lori Goth, Faith Formation Rep 763-515-3749

The Joy Connection is a monthly publication for members and constituents of Buffalo United Methodist Church. The deadline for

newsletter articles is the third Thursday of each month.

Worship About Buffalo UMC

Church Leadership

Worship Attendance Early Late Total Nov 24 130 58 188 Dec 1 107 33 140 Dec 8 153 87 240 Dec 15 108 79 187 Dec 22 145 60 205 Dec 24 201 117 318 Dec 29 81 30 110

Love. Walk. Do. New Series Begins

Upcoming Worship Events Jan. 5 Holy Communion Jan. 19 UM Human Relations Offering Jan. 26 Faith Stepping Stone 1st Graders

Guest Speaker January 26 The Founder and Executive Director of Terebinth Refuge, Cynthia (CeCe) Terlouw, will speak at BUMC between services on Sunday, January 26. Terebinth Refuge is a Christ-centered shelter and home for previously trafficked and sexually exploited women located near St. Cloud. The refuge provides safe housing as women transition to a healthy, independent lives. Come and learn how God is working through the ministries of Terebinth to bring about healing and freedom for survivors of sex-trafficking and their children! The Adult Discipleship Vision Team (ADVT) will be coordinating a collection of household goods for Terebinth Refuge during the month of February. ADVT feels CeCe's topic is best suited for adults and senior high youth. However, we hope everyone will participate in the collection of much-needed items!

Financial Peace University Class Create a way toward generosity and peace from financial burdens by intentionally creating a budget, reducing debt, saving and investing in the future, living simply, and setting goals. You can do all that through the 9-week Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University class, a Christian-based plan that lays out steps to follow for financial planning and management. The class is offered at church Thursday evenings January 16-March 19 from 6:30-8:00 p.m with experienced FPU teachers Randy Whitcomb and Pam Sieberg. Open to all—BUMC or the community for $130 per household, including class materials, workbook and one year Financial Peace membership with coaching, a budgeting app, financial tools, and access to livestreams. Free child care provided. Sign up and submit payment to the church office by January 5.

New “Christianity 101” Discussion Group Do you have basic questions about the how and why of Christianity, church, or the Bible that you’re either embarrassed to ask or never found the right group in which to ask them? Now’s your chance! Craig Lilja is convening an informal conversation group on Sunday mornings between services where you can explore basic questions about what it means to follow Jesus. There is no formal curriculum, although you are encouraged to bring your favorite Bible. Don’t have a Bible? No problem! The emphasis of the group will be a mutual exploration of our faith together (rather than a formal teaching of traditional church doctrine). The first session is Sunday, February 2. We’ll get introduced and decide some of the topics we want to explore. Pastor Bill is available to join the conversation occasionally. Talk to Craig to learn more.

Women’s Retreat Save the Date!! Ladies, mark your calendars now for a women’s retreat on April 24-26, 2020 at Camp Koinonia with a theme of Caring for Creation and for Ourselves. More details coming soon.

New Year Devotionals Start the new year right by making time for a daily/weekly devotional. There are many online devotionals out there these days, so it’s pretty easy to find one that can inspire you. A couple you might want to check out can be found at: www.upperroom.org/devotionals (UM based) www.maxlucado.com www.guideposts.org (men’s or women’s) www.terryhershey.com/sabbath-moment (weekly) Sabbath Moment by Terry Hershey

Human Relations Offering We will receive the Human Relations special offering on Sunday, January 19. This offering supports neighborhood ministries through community developers; provides community advocacy in the United States and Puerto Rico through the United Methodist Voluntary Services; and works with at-risk youth through the Youth Offender Rehabilitation Program. This is one of six annual UM special offerings.

Gospel of Mark by Lisa Harper This Lent! Watch for details on this 7-week Gospel of Mark study which will be offered during Lent, starting the week of March 1!

Faith Formation—Adults

Sunday School Update Thank you to all the parents, teachers, staff, and volunteers for making the Christmas program and the Happy Birthday Jesus party so wonderful! What beautiful ways to share the good news of Jesus’ birth!

First Grade Faith Stepping Stone Our first graders will learn about prayer in a Faith Stepping Stones class during Sunday School hour on Sunday, January 19. Parents and teachers will soon receive a letter in the mail about this. How special it is that parents and their 1st grade children can learn about prayers together. Then on Sunday, January 26 the students will receive prayer books and a congregational blessing during worship. They each receive a special gift from the church to remind them what prayers are, why we pray and all the different prayers there are. We ask that parents please make a special effort to attend. Any students in 2nd grade who did not attend last year are also encouraged to attend (please notify the church office of your plans).

“Coffee Talk” for Parents Do you wish you had an easy way to meet other parents at church? Please join us in Classroom 109 the second Sunday of every month for coffee, treats and conversation! Coffee Talk is a casual opportunity to make connections with other parents, all while the kids are in Sunday School! Come every month or whenever you can – no attendance taken! We hope you will join us on Sunday, January 12. Also, coffee drinking is NOT required – tea, hot chocolate and water will be provided as well. Please stop by!

Sunday School Calendar Jan. 5 Sunday School resumes Jan. 12 Coffee Talk for Parents Jesus Rocks rehearsal Jan. 19 1st Grade Prayer Instruction Class (during SS) Jan. 26 Jesus Rocks Rehearsal Jan. 26 1st Grade Faith Stepping Stone Blessing Jan. 25 – 26 Confirmation Retreat Feb 9 Preschool – 1st gr. sing in church Coffee Talk for Parents

Confirmation Schedule Wednesdays from 6:00-7:30 pm unless indicated Jan 1 No Class – Winter Break Jan 8 Focus Night Jan 15 Focus Night Jan 22 Focus Night Jan 25-26 Confirmation Retreat at Koinonia Jan 29 Focus Night

Confirmation Retreat Jan. 25-26 Students, parents and faith partners, mark your calendars now for the Confirmation Retreat on Saturday, January 25. Faith partners spend the entire day with the students, and youth also stay overnight Saturday. This is a mandatory event for students. If you have not turned in your payment for this event, please turn it in no later than January 5.

Confirmation Retreat Chaperones We currently need one male and one female to chaperone the January 25-26 confirmation retreat. You can drive over in the evening. The retreat is located at Koinonia Retreat Center in South Haven and is a required event for the confirmation program. Please contact the church office if you can volunteer for this ministry.

Faith Formation—Children

Faith Formation—Confirmation

Meals on Wheels February Reminder Don’t forget that February is our month to provide drivers for Meals on Wheels delivery in Buffalo! Check your calendar and watch for the sign-up sheets posted this month in the entryway.

Christmas Day Dinner Report We served around 205 people at this year’s dinner. Thanks to everyone who helped in any way with food donations, decorating, setting up, cooking, serving and clean-up. Be sure to thank key leaders Del Smith & Glenda Vidmar when you see them because this couldn’t happen without them! Many of our guests expressed their appreciation for having a place to go to enjoy a wonderful meal and not be alone. We don’t have to go far to serve others in the name of Christ!

Help Make Soup on February 1 Debbie Bishop has scheduled a soup-making day for Saturday, February 1 at 9:30 am. We will be making soup for the Frozen Meals ministry as well as helping the youth with their “Soup-er” Bowl Sunday fund raiser. A sign-up sheet is posted on the bulletin board, so please sign up and let us know if you’d like to help. We will also have a donation signup sheet for supplies soon. If you’ve wanted to join us, but never have before, now’s the time! It’s not only a great gift to others, but a fun time of fellowship as well.

Blankets for Beds Donate new or gently used blankets/linens by placing them in the “Blankets” box outside of the church office or if you need them picked up, call Dianne McLain 763-682-2260.

Prayer Shawl Ministry Join this gathering every fourth Monday of the month at Arlene Nelson’s home at Park Terrace at 1:00 pm to knit or crochet shawls for

people who might be homebound, in the hospital, grieving, or in other challenging situations. Call Dianne McLain at 763-682-2260 with questions. This month: Monday, January 27 at 1:00 pm

Coffee Hour Offerings Please continue to support our church budget and Guatemalan coffee farmers and their families as you’re able, by finding the coffee hour fellowship basket on the side counter each Sunday. Thank you!

Help Form a New Women’s Group! Are you a woman looking to make a difference in the world? Join Debbie Bishop between services (9:40 – 10:20) on February 2 to brainstorm ideas for a new mission-focused women’s group. Bring your creativity and help Debbie form this group. One idea is to meet quarterly to complete some sort of service project, but the details will be worked out together! John Wesley invites us to “Do all the good we can” so let’s do some good!! Help make changes in the world, no matter how big or small, one step at a time!

Ministry & Missions

Don’t Miss the Chili Cook-Off and Cribbage Tourney on Sunday, January 26! Check out the details on our annual Chili Cook-Off and Cribbage tournament on the youth page in this newsletter, and mark your calendar now!! More importantly, consider inviting someone you know to participate in this fun event! A great cook could enter the chili contest or a cribbage player the tournament. Bring someone who might enjoy fellowship and friendly competition!

Saturday Awakenings on February 15 The next Saturday Awakenings concert will be on Saturday, February 15 at 7:00 pm with The Heart Strings and friends. They’ll share favorite love songs, old and new, flowers and chocolates just for you! Mark your calendar now, and if you have a sweetheart to bring, mark their calendar, too!

Praise and Coffee Gatherings Praise and Coffee fellowship gathers every first Monday at 6 pm with Sheryl Lehman at Perkins. . The group will gather on January 6.

Thursday Game Gathering Gather in the fellowship hall at 1:00 pm on January 2 for playing games and fellowship. Bring a favorite game and snacks. All are welcome! Call Esther Kiphuth at 763-477-6221 with questions.

UM Men’s Fellowship The United Methodist Men’s Fellowship meets on Saturday, January 18 at 7:30 am for hot breakfast, fellowship, devotions, and service. A crew will also cook and cut up the turkeys for the Christmas Day Dinner following the meeting. All welcome! Call Ivan Erickson at (763) 221-9238.

Women’s Retreat Save the Date!! Ladies, mark your calendars now for a women’s retreat on April 24-26, 2020 at Camp Koinonia with a theme of Caring for Creation and for Ourselves. More details in the months ahead.

Finance Team Report By Dexter Lehman At the end of November our year to date expenses had outpaced income by $3,903. While there is still some uncertainty on what the final numbers will be for December, at this point it is looking like we will likely be able to meet all of our financial obligations for 2019 without dipping into reserves. Final numbers for the year will be in next month’s newsletter. It is through your faithful giving that the ministries of our church are possible. Thank you for your support.

Pledges for 2020 Your offering pledge for 2020 is your commitment to God through the church. Thank you to everyone who has made giving a spiritual priority for the coming year. It’s not too late if you have not yet completed an estimate of giving card. We will happily accept them in January.

Offering Envelopes Available Offering envelopes for 2020 are in the entryway at church for those who requested them. If you want envelopes, write your name on the request sheet in the church entryway and take them home today.

• Christmas Fruit Plates Delivered—Our

senior high youth and drivers delivered around 150 fruit plates to low income housing residents on December 18.

• Christmas Offering—You generously gave more than $7,200 in Christmas offerings this year, which will be split between a Feed My Starving Children meal-packing event in June and to pay our 2019 apportionments, which also help touch lives across the globe.

• Christmas Dinner—You generously donated the food and volunteer hours to serve more than 200 people a lovely dinner on Christmas Day, and as importantly, showed them gracious hospitality, connection and joy.

• Joy Ornaments—Many of you shared our handmade joy ornaments and greetings.

Thanks for truly spreading the Good News of Great Joy this Christmas season!

Fellowship & More Ministry Team Updates

Celebrations

ALL STUDENTS GRADES 7-12

are invited to gather EACH Wednesday from

6:00-7:30 pm!

PARENT REMINDER: Remember to send dinner money with your students

when they come on Wednesday evenings.

Pizza $1/slice; POP .50/can!

January 8—Christmas Party January 15 - Perfection January 22 - Perfection

January 29 - The Easy Book

What we do today is more important than what we plan to do

in the future.

Happy New Year!

This January Parents of Senior High Youth

“Where Everybody Knows Your Name!”

CURTIS R. RIECK Curtis@buffaloumc.com

(The guy who should know stuff)

NO DOTS NO STARS

It’s our annual Cribbage Tournament and Chili Cook-Off!! As always, participate in one or

more of the following ways:

1. Simply come and eat! Even if you don't enjoy chili, there will be soup and crackers available. Enjoy a meal and some good company.

2. Play in the one-day cribbage tournament. No one is eliminated from play and all games will be finished at the same time, with a winner declared by 2:30 pm.

3. Enter a pot of your favorite chili in the Chili Cook Off Contest to vie for the Golden Ladle Award.

Chili Cook-Off &

Cribbage Tournament Sunday, January 26

11:30 am - 2:30 am

GRADES 9-12 CHRISTMAS

GIFT EXCHANGE! All grade 9-12 students are welcome to

attend! Bring a gift, and enjoy the fun!

Non-Profit Organization

US Postage PAID

Buffalo, MN 55313 Permit No. 31

609 8th Street Northwest Buffalo, MN 55313 763-682-3538 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Don’t Miss… Chili Cook-Off and Game Day

Sunday, January 26 11:30 – 2:30

A chili cook-off fundraiser will be hosted by our senior high youth and we will present the 2020 Golden Ladle award to the winner! Soup and chili lunch is followed by our annual cribbage

tournament and favorite board games for all ages. Don’t miss the fun and fellowship. All proceeds will support the

summer mission We Can Be the Change activities.

Scripture Reader Schedule Joyful Praise Service 8:15

January 5 James Dorado January 12 Christy Eckenrode

January 19 Rita Varner-Otness January 26 Bonnie Kelly Jr.

Scripture Reader Schedule Traditional Service 10:30

January 5 Gloria Farwick January 12 Julie Bedker January 19 Jerry Ford January 26 Mary Johnson

Looking Ahead… Items to Put on Your Calendar

February 2 Park View Worship Service

February 15 Saturday Awakenings Concert —Love Songs

February 26 Ash Wednesday Worship Lenten Dinners & Worship Series begin - every Wednesday

March 22 One Great Hour of Sharing/UMCOR Sunday

Feb 29 5th Grade Communion Class

March 1 5th Grade FSS Blessing

April 5 Palm Sunday

April 9 Holy Thursday Worship

April 12 Easter Sunday

Devotional Resources Current issues of the Upper Room are available in the entryway for a nominal donation.

Prayer Requests Call the office or use the cards available in the pews to make prayer requests. Turn them in to the pastor before services on Sunday morning for inclusion in announcements.

Prayer Circle Please call the church office at 763-682-3538 with prayer concerns or to be part of the prayer circle.

Please let the church office know: • If your telephone

number, e-mail address or mailing address change.

• When a member of your family is hospitalized or in need of pastoral care.

• If you would like Holy Communion brought to you at your residence.

• If you know of someone in the congregation that could use a delivered meal.

Information

January Schedules

Usher Schedule Joyful Praise Service 8:15

January 5 Mike & Barb Sande

January 12 Kris Wurtzberger & Kady Sturm January 19 Claudia Rudenberg & Vicki Kath January 26 Georgia Pollock & Norm Grimme

Usher Schedule Traditional Service 10:30

January 5 Ivan Erickson & Lester Hamann January 12 Linda Bostic & Jeremy Carlson January 19 Susan Sorsoleil & Linda Bostic January 26 Ivan Erickson & Lester Hamann

Communion Helper Schedule January 5 Joyful Praise Service 8:15

Assistant Pam Croft

Server Andrea Dorado Server Jacob Goth Server Jade Goth

Server Jean Metcalf

Communion Helper Schedule January 5 Traditional Service 10:30

Assistant Gloria Farwick Server Marcia Wilson Server Kris Uter Server Susan Sorsoleil Server Sally Peterson

Coffee Serving Schedule January 5 UEC Don & Jeanne Wermager January 12 Georgia Pollock & Art Peterson January 19 Natalie Roeser & Barb Odenthal January 26 Lisa McConnon & Darla Frink

January 2020 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Schedule (through May 19) 8:15 am Joyful Praise Worship 9:20-10:20 am Fellowship & Education 10:30 am Traditional Worship

1

2 1:00 pm Thursday’s

Gathering 6:30 pm AA Women’s

Group 6:30 pm Adult Bible

Study at Paulette’s

3

4 7:30 am Worship

Design Team Meeting

9:00 am AA

5 Holy Communion

Sunday School resumes 7:30 pm AA (FH)

6 9:00 am

Commodities 10:00 am AA 6:00 pm Praise &

Coffee @ Perkins 7:30 pm AA

7 10:30 am AA 6:30 pm Weight

Watchers 7:00 pm Property

Team Meeting 7:30 pm AA

8 8:15 am Weight Watchers 2:00 pm Guest

Connections Meeting 6:00 pm Confirmation

Focus Night 6:00 pm Sr High Youth 7:00 pm Handbells

9 6:30 pm AA Women’s

Group 6:30 pm Adult Bible

Study at Paulette’s 7:00 pm Disciple Fast

Track Bible Study

10

11 9:00 am AA

12 9:30 am Coffee Talk 10:25 Jesus Rocks

Rehearsal 7:30 pm AA

13 10:00 am AA 6:15 pm

BeFrienders 7:30 pm AA

14 10:30 am AA 6:30 pm Weight

Watchers 7:00 pm Leadership Team Meeting 7:30 pm AA

15 8:15 am Weight Watchers 6:00 pm Confirmation

Focus Night 6:00 pm Sr High Youth 6:30 Handbell Rehearsal

16 6:30 pm AA Women’s Group 6:30 pm Adult Bible

Study at Paulette’s 6:30 pm Financial

Peace University 7:00 pm Disciple Fast

Track Bible Study Newsletter Deadline

17

18 7:30 am UMM 9:00 am AA

19 Human Relations Day

Offering 9:20 pm 1St Grade FSS

Class 7:30 pm AA

20 10:00 am AA 7:30 pm AA

21 10:30 am AA 6:30 pm Weight

Watchers 7:00 pm SPRC Meeting 7:30 pm AA

22 8:15 am Weight Watchers 6:00 pm Confirmation

Focus Night 6:00 pm Sr High Youth 6:30 Handbell Rehearsal

23 6:30 pm AA Women’s

Group 6:30 pm Adult Bible

Study at Paulette’s 6:30 pm Financial

Peace University 7:00 pm Disciple Fast

Track Bible Study

24

25 8:45 am

Confirmation Retreat

9:00 am AA

26 1st Grade Faith Stepping

Stone Blessing 9:20 am Human

Trafficking Session 10:25 Jesus Rocks

Rehearsal 11:30am Cribbage & Chili

Contest 7:30 pm AA

27 10:00 am AA 1:00 pm Prayer

Shawl Ministry 7:30 pm AA

28 10:30 am AA 6:30 pm Weight

Watchers 7:00 pm Finance

Team Meeting 7:30 pm AA

29 8:15 am Weight Watchers 6:00 pm Confirmation

Focus Night 6:00 pm Sr High Youth 6:30 Handbell Rehearsal 7:30 Joyful Praise

30 6:30 pm AA Women’s

Group 6:30 pm Financial

Peace University 6:30 pm Adult Bible

Study at Paulette’s 7:00 pm Disciple Fast

Track Bible Study

31