Topeka EDITIONincludes Lawrence, Manhattan, Emporia & Holton

December 2016

FREE!TAKE ONE!

C E L E B R A T I N G F A I T H , F A M I LY A N D C O M M U N I T Y I N N O R T H E A S T K A N S A SCelebrating 10 years!VOLUME 11 • NUMBER 4

Page 13 CHRISTMAS WITH THE WRIGHTS

facebook/metrovoicenewsor metrovoicenews.com

The Area’s Most Complete Event Guide

VISIT US AT

TO ADVERTISE, CONTRIBUTE, SUBSCRIBE OR RECEIVE BULK COPIES, CALL 785-235-3340 OR EMAIL VOICE@COX.NET

churchguide

See inside back cover!

NEW RESIDENT

BuckCreekBible

Church

Shoe Drive tobenefit Central

Americans

The Hospitality Committee at FaithTemple Church -Topeka is doing anon-going shoe drive to raise money fora remodeling project within thechurch. The church is partnering withan organization called Funds2Orgs,who will purchase each pair of shoescollected. For this reason, FaithTemple’s goal is to collect as many pairsof “gently used or new shoes” as possi-ble. The shoes can be brought to thechurch or by contacting Cookie at 785-640-415 for a “free pickup!” Just calland leave your name, telephone num-ber and a brief message regarding aconvenient time for your donation tobe picked up. The shoes can be formen, women or children. Donated shoes will be redistributed

throughout the Funds2Orgs networkof partners in developing nations, suchas Haiti, Honduras and other nationsin Central America. Funds2Orgs willin turn help impoverished people tostart and maintain businesses withintheir countries to sell the refurbishedshoes. The proceeds will be used tofeed, clothe and house their families. So

In a stunning rebuke of polls and pun-dits, Donald J. Trump has won the presi-dency of the United States with the mostevangelical votes in this election; morethan any election in polling history. Exitpolls show he did it with the support of81 percent of white Evangelicals and 60percent of white Catholics. But the victory was also fueled by evan-

gelicals and Catholics of color. Trump sawa 20 percent increase in support fromHispanic Catholics over Mitt Romney in2012 and out-performed other previousRepublicans. Surprisingly, Trump out-per-

formed Bush and McCain among Jewishvoters. Exit polls also show that Trumpout-performed Mitt Romney among

black voters and earned almost 30 percentof all Hispanic votes cast in sharp contrastto media predictions. In addition to

Christian and Jewish voters, Trump alsoperformed better among other faiths, beat-ing every Republican nominee since 2000.The lone exception is Muslim voters.Despite those predictions that

Democrat Hillary Clinton held anElectoral College advantage heading intoElection Day, the Republican nomineeswept a bevy of key swing states with 306Electoral votes – more than John F.Kennedy received in1960, Nixon in 1968,Carter in 1976 and the 2000 and 2004elections of President George W. Bush. Infact, Trump’s electoral count is just 24 shyof President Obama’s 2012 rout of MittRomney.Another group that supported Trump:

rural voters. In Missouri, Clinton wonjust three counties, and in Kansas she won

Evangelicals Vote in Record Numbers in 2016 Election

nn Please see EVANGELICALS page 24nn Please see SHOE DRIVE page 2

Make the season brightwith the Metro Voice

annual Christmas Guide

IT’S CHRISTMAS!

For American children with anincarcerated parent, Christmas can bebittersweet as they are separated fromtheir imprisoned parent – often bymore than 100 miles.Prison Fellowship is working hard

through local churches to make a dif-

ference in the lives of these children.The nation's largest prison ministry isoffering over 140,000 families ofincarcerated men and women a freekid's Adventure Bible this Christmasseason. Through the Angel Tree pro-gram, local church volunteers are able

to present gifts to the children onbehalf of their imprisoned parent.For the first time ever, Prison

Fellowship is now able to offer everyfamily of incarcerated prisoners that itserves through its Angel Tree

nn Please see ANGEL page 3

Memorial Wallto add names

The Heart of America MemorialWall for the Unborn will be gettingmore names added soon.Barbara Saldivar of Christians for

Life, the facilitator of the wall,announced that another batch ofnames will be engraved in the next fewweeks. She is asking for anyone whowants to place a name on the wall tocontact her now. The cost to engrave a name is

around $125, but Saldivar said that forthose who can't afford it, a donation ofjust $5 will be sufficient. If you are interested in placing a

name on the Memorial Wall, call 785-267-5777 to request an application.The Wall is located at 1216 SERepublican in Topeka. For more infor-mation go to www.heartofameri-cawall.org

Members of the clergy lay handsand pray over Republican presi-dential nominee Donald Trumpat the New Spirit Revival Centerin Cleveland Heights, Ohio.Jamie Dean & Dwight Widaman

Self-described evangelicalslikely helped the GOP

nominee to an upset victory

2 • December 2016 ____________________ MetroVoiceNews.com __________________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews _________________________ Topeka Metro Voice

don’t “throw them away” – “give themaway,” and help someone less fortunate!Most people have shoes in their closets

that they no longer want and/or have out-grown. This fund-raiser will not onlybenefit the church’s remodeling project,but will also aide those who are less fortu-nate in becoming self-sustaining. It is a“win-win" for everyone! By donatingyour gently used and/or new shoes, you

are also partnering with Funds2Orgs tosupport micro-enterprises in those coun-tries to positively impact the lives of oth-ers by giving them opportunity to have a“second chance” in life! For more infor-mation contact Cookie Johnson at 785-640-4165, or jassieone55@gmail.com

Christmas lights are starting to framehouses as trees begin to sparkle proudlyin the windows. The stores have beenencouraging “the perfect gift” for twomonths and somehow lists seem to growlonger and longer with each passing day. My son and I got out the old nativity

set today. One by one the figurines wereunwrapped and he gently placed them inthe bed of hay. We talked about the shep-herds and wise menand noticed how theyall held gifts in theirhands to present toJesus. I asked my five-year old, “If you wouldhave been there alongwith these men, whatgift would you havebrought for Jesus?”Zechariah didn’t hesi-tate; his gift would behis love. Most of us can attest

that Christmas seemed magical as a child.So much wonder to behold with all thetinsel and glitz, and of course the greatanticipation of what would be foundunder the tree early Christmas morning.As adults, I think many of us long to feelthe same excitement we felt during theseason as a child. We think of what we cando different this year to make sure weslow down long enough to enjoy, insteadof bustling constantly to and fro. Wemight also ponder how we can make ourholidays more Christ-centered, deter-mined to not get caught up in the mod-ern-day commercialism and burnout thatgoes along with it. Instead, we think, we’llplan deeds of goodwill that will surelyshow Christ how much we care aboutHim and the celebration of His birth.Perhaps we adopt a family in need or vol-unteer to serve at an organization reach-ing out to those who are homeless orpoor. Maybe we attend a specialChristmas program or make a point tomake it to a church service on ChristmasEve. We might even forgo gifts for our-selves to bless others instead. While those

are all wonderfulthings that mightmake us feel goodand cause us tocatch a glimpse ofthat childlike glee,do they really havelasting signifi-cance? Just as the Christmas lights willeventually come down, so will the highwe felt when we did something extra forsomeone else. But there is one thing theBible says will never fade away. It’s the onegift we can all give, to Jesus, and to others.

It’s the gift my littleboy would havegiven on the day ofChrist’s birth, andthe gift he still wantsto give today. Love.According to scrip-ture, it never fails (1Corinthians 13:8). What does that

look like for youtoday? Perhaps itmeans devoting yourlife to Jesus, not just

during this season, but throughout theyear. Perhaps it means demonstratingthat devotion through daily relationshipwith Him, not just through ritual on aSunday morning. Perhaps it meansextending that love towards another… anenemy, a stranger, a forgotten relative, anestranged friend… not just with aChristmas card or gift, but an action thatwill change the course of your relation-ship and possibly their lives. What hap-pens when we step out and love in thisway? I believe it brings the abundant lifethat Jesus came to give. And along with itcomes joy, peace, and an abundance offruit birthed through relationship withHim.

If you feel as though something ismissing each year as Christmas comesand goes, maybe it is. And maybe this isyour time to fully embrace the gift of lifethat Jesus was born to give. Talk to Him.Give Him your life. Give Him your love.And watch as your Christmas is trans-formed once again to a time of childlikewonder and joy, freely given for all toreceive.

Jessica Hosman

A GIFT FOR JESUSLife Lessons From a Little One

by Jessica S. Hosman

SHOE DRIVEcontinued from page 1

Companies FOR "Christmas"Ace Hardware�AFA ONLINE STORE: AFA.NETBanana RepublicBarnes & NobleBass Pro Shops�Bath & Body WorksBed Bath & Beyond�BelkBig Lots�Books-A-MillionBronner’s CHRISTmasWONDERLAND�Cabella's�Christmasplace.comCRACKER BARRELDillards�Dollar TreeHSN.comHallmark��HOBBY LOBBYHome DepotHy-VeeJC Penney�JoAnn Fabrics & Crafts �Kmart

Kohl's�KIRKLANDSKroger�LOWE’SL.L. BeanLehman’sMacy’sMarshall’sMeijerMenard's�MICHAEL'S STORES�Neiman MarcusPier One Imports�QVC.com�Rite AidSam's ClubScheel’s Sporting Goods�SearsSuper D DrugToys R Us�True ValueWAL-MARTZappos.com

Companies marginal on "Christmas"Amazon.com

Best Buy�CVS PharmacyDick's Sporting GoodsOld NavyStarbucksTJ Maxx�WalgreensWhole Foods

Companies AGAINST "Christmas"Academy SportsAmerican Eagle OutfittersBarnes & NobleDollar GeneralFamily DollarFoot LockerGap StoresLimited BrandsMaurice'sNordstrom’sOffice DepotOffice MaxPetsmart�Radio ShackStein MartVictoria's Secret

2016 listing of top retailers and how they recognize ChristmasCompanies in All CAPS and BOLD enthusiastically acknowledge Christmas

Which companies made the naughty list this Christmas?Have you grown sick and tired of

national retail chains bowing to the verysmall anti-Christmas minority?If so, then take a good look at the list

below, and use it to fight back when youdo your Christmas shopping!The American Family Association and

Liberty Council have each released theirannual “Naughty-or-Nice” list that cate-gorizes retailers and how they approachthe Christmas season. Some of the names that made the

“nice” list are well known companiessuch as Walmart, JCPenney, Kmart, andLowe’s. Others fell into a “marginal” list,meaning that they rarely or infrequentlyreferred to Christmas.The two organizations reviewed up to

four areas to determine if a company was"Christmas-friendly" in their advertising:print media (newspaper inserts), broad-cast media (radio/television), websiteand/or personal visits to the store. If acompany's ad has references to itemsassociated with Christmas (trees,wreaths, lights, etc.), it was considered asan attempt to reach "Christmas" shop-pers.If a company has items associated

with Christmas, but did not use the word"Christmas," then the company is con-sidered as censoring "Christmas."AFA continually updates the list, so

check afa.net for updates. Want to reporta company? Send your detailed report to

christmas@afa.net. AFA has also begun its "Keep Christ in

Christmas" campaign. AFA PresidentTim Wildmon announced that his groupis offering wristbands with messagesabout the battle against "secular liberals."There are also yard signs and buttons fea-turing the "Merry Christmas" messageavailable at www.afa.net

"You might ask why we think this is animportant battle. Well, secular liberals inour nation are bent on minimizing andeven removing any mention ofChristianity from the public square. Andno other time of the year reminds peopleof Jesus Christ and America's Christianheritage more than the Christmas sea-son," Wildmon explained.Liberty Counsel also monitors cases

across the U.S. where there is intimida-tion by officials and groups to removethe celebration of Christmas in publicand private spaces.These threats include atheist groups

seeking to ban nativity scenes from pub-lic property, senior living centers thatprohibit residents from singing

Christmas carols, public schools that banstudents from wearing the Christmascolors of red and green, school officialswho censor religious words fromChristmas carols, and retailers whichprofit from Christmas while pretendingit does not exist, according to the group'sstatement.Liberty Counsel provides a memoran-

dum to offer guidance regarding publiclyand privately sponsored religious holidaydisplays, religious holidays in publicschools and the rights of public schoolstudents in the context of religious holi-days. For example, publicly sponsorednativity scenes on public property areconstitutional so long as there is a secularsymbol of the holiday in the general con-text. Privately sponsored nativity scenesor religious symbols are also permissibleon public property that has been openedto the general public for expressive activ-ity. No secular symbol is necessary."Celebrating Christmas is legal in

public schools and in public venues. Inthe private retail market, consumers canchoose to patronize stores that recognizeChristmas and refuse to buy from thosethat pretend it does not exist," said MatStaver, founder and chairman of LibertyCounsel.More information is available at the

website, www.lc.org. You can also stay upto date on the subject and participate inthe discussion by visiting the Liberty

Topeka Metro Voice _________________________ MetroVoiceNews.com _________________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews ____________________ December 2016 • 3

The monthly C5Alive "POWERLuncheon" will be a ChristmasCelebration held at AldersgateVilage, 7220 SW Asbury Dr., onDec. 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.Christmas music,

games and fun willbe the order of theday.Mitch Langley,

worship pastor atNorthland ChristianChurch, will providea devotional and music for theoccasion.The cost to attend the luncheon

is $10 for C5Alive members andfirst-time guests who RSVP, and$12 at the door. Non-members andother guests pay $15. C5 luncheonsare open to the public and every-one is welcome to attend, organiz-ers said. RSVPs and inquiries canbe sent to info@C5Alive.org.

C5Alive is an organizationfounded in 2009, dedicated todeveloping and uniting ChristianLeadership in the community,involving businesses, non-profitsand churches.

In addition to monthly“POWER” luncheons held on thesecond Thursday of each month,C5 also hosts periodic businessfairs and other events, includingthe annual Topeka Easter Paradeand Family Fun Fest, held in GagePark on the day before Easter. The luncheons are held in differ-

ent locations around the CapitalCity each month.C5 members may also sponsor

luncheons and other events as away to promote their organiza-tions. For more information aboutC5, go to C5Alive.org,facebook.com/C5Alive, or call785-640-6399.

Topeka Metro has announced twopromotions. First, Topeka Metro hasalready begun the holiday campaign,“Shop and Ride – Free After 5,” effectivethrough December 31, 2016. This is agreat way to get a couple of hours in todo your holiday shopping and havesomeone else do the driving. Secondly, the 4th Annual Winter

Fling/Families Ride Free campaign iscoming back by popular demand.Families can ride all fixed routes free ofcharge from December 21, 2016,

through January 3, 2017. Topeka Metropartners with businesses throughoutthe city of Topeka to provide either freeor discounted entertainment and foodfor families over the holiday break.Families of at least one adult and onechild can board the bus for free andobtain the coupons for family-friendlythings in Topeka. “During this busy season, let Topeka

Metro make life a bit easier for you. Hopon the bus, take the stress out of dealingwith traffic and searching for a parking

space,” Topeka Metro General ManagerSusan Duffy said. “During our FamiliesRide Free, visit our promotional part-ners for family fun time. We’ll see youon the bus!”For route and scheduling informa-

tion, visit topekametro.org or call (785)783-7000.

Topeka Metro Announces Free Ride Promotions C5Alive Christmas Luncheonto celebrate with music, games

Mitch Langley to provide music, devotional

LangleyChristmas program a free copy of theAdventure Bible by Zondervan's chil-dren's imprint, Zonderkidz, to go alongwith the donated gifts they will receive."What better way to show kids the true

meaning of Christmas than to offer themGod’s word as they open their Angel Treegifts?” said James J. Ackerman, presidentand chief executive officer of PrisonFellowship. “We are appreciative ofZondervan, which has partnered withPrison Fellowship to make this possible.”Every Christmas in all 50 states, Angel

Tree mobilizes churches to minister tohundreds of thousands of children bydelivering a gift and the gospel messageon behalf of their incarcerated parents.Last year, the program provided morethan 300,000 children with Christmasgifts. Since 1982,Angel Tree has deliv-ered more than 10million gifts to chil-dren on behalf ofnearly 4.2 millionimprisoned parents.“ P r i s o n

Fellowship’s AngelTree program hasalways been near and dear to the hearts ofour team at Zonderkidz,” said AnnetteBourland, senior vice president of pub-lishing. “To be able to present TheAdventure Bible, in both English andSpanish, to young readers who will findcomfort and strength in God’s messagefor them is a tremendous joy for ourteam.”In addition to the gifts that the over

300,000 children will receive this year, the140,000 households that they live in will

receive a voucher to receive a free copy ofthe Adventure Bible, either in English orSpanish.All the caretakers or children have to

do receive the bible is fill out an informa-tion card and send it back to PrisonFellowship by mail.Ackerman said that providing a kids

Bible provides a better chance that thebibles will be read by multiple membersof the family, as opposed to a moreadvanced Bible where higher literacy skillsare required to comprehend the message."It is a really beautiful Bible. It has lots

of graphics and lots of fun facts and lotsof maps and pictures and things like that,"he said. "Hopefully because theAdventure Bible is so engaging, the chil-dren will read it as a regular thing, not justas a Bible but as an exploration of God'struth."Ackerman credits the thousands of

donors who chip in to make PrisonFellowship's goal to provide a Bible toeach Angel Tree household this Christmasa reality."It ranges from people who donated

$25 to people who donate hundreds of

thousands of dollars," Ackermanexplained. "But look, $25 buys a fewbibles. So, it's money well spent."In organizing the Angel Tree Christmas

gift-giving program, Ackerman said thateach year there are more and more kidsthat are in need of gifts because the prisonpopulation keeps increasing. Somechurches, Ackerman said, provide asmany as 800 to 1,000 kids with gifts.Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree is the

only nationwide, year-round programthat reaches out exclusively to childrenwho have a parent in prison. Throughcollaborations with local churches andcommunity organizations, hundreds ofthousands of children receive a gift eachChristmas on behalf of their incarceratedparents. In addition, partner churchesmeet the physical, emotional and spiritu-al needs of prisoners’ families throughyear-round ministry, such as campingevents and mentoring."We are doing really well this year but

there is still a gap to be closed and we arestill looking for donations," Ackermansaid.If your church does not yet have an

Angel Tree program, you can find outhow to start one. To learn more abouthow to get involved, visitwww.angeltree.org or www.prisonfellow-ship.org.In both Missouri and Kansas, the

Salvation Army also operates an AngelTree Program locally. To get involvedthrough them, visitwww.salarmymokan.org or call 816-756-1455. In Topeka, the local number is 785-233-9648.

ANGELcontinued from page 1

- - -

ABOUT ANGEL TREE• Prison Fellowship's Angel Tree is a ministry that serves incarcerated parents bystrengthening and restoring prisoners' relationships with their kids and families.• There are 2.7 million American children with an incarcerated mom or dad —that's one out of every 28 kids.• Holidays like Christmas are bittersweet as children are separated from their impris-oned parent—often by more than 100 miles. Angel Tree programs mobilize churchesto minister to hundreds of thousands of children by delivering a gift and the gospelmessage on behalf of their incarcerated parents. • Last year, the program provided over 300,000 children with Christmas gifts. • This year, Prison Fellowship's Angel Tree program is able to offer every angel Tree

A child shows joy after receiving a Christmasgift donated by a volunteer through PrisonFellowship's Angel Tree Christmas program.

KANSAS CRIMINAL JUSTICE OVERVIEW• 1 in 55 adults are in the criminal justice system• Taxpayer burden: $18,207 per prisoner per year• Adults in prison: 9,763• Adults in jail: 6,971• Adults on probation: 17,021• Adults on Parole: 5,126• Rate of juveniles (per 100,000) in residential placement: 254

CHANGING PRISON CULTUREPrison Fellowship, through a partner-

ship with World Impact’s The UrbanMinistry Institute, equips prisoners tobe spiritual leaders who help trans-form prison culture and the urbanareas to which they return after incar-ceration. The four-year programincludes 16 ten-week courses in thefollowing subject areas:

• Biblical studies• Urban mission • Christian ministry• Theology and ethics

Each of the 16 seminary-level cur-riculum modules requires students tostudy for approximately 30-40 hoursoutside of class. Upon completion ofthe program, students receive aCertificate in Christian LeadershipStudies.For more information contact Mary

Flin in Topeka at (785) 431-6000 ormaryflin@hotmail.com

4 • December 2016 ____________________ MetroVoiceNews.com __________________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews _________________________ Topeka Metro Voice

Areas of expertise:• Marriage & Relationships• Depression • Addictions• Anxiety • Grief-Loss• Adoption • Foster Care

COUNSELINGYOU CAN TRUST

North Star Steakhouse hasannounced that they have reopenedand will continue to present family-friendly, interactive murder mysterycomedies. Their holiday show, onDecember 11, 2016 will be present-ed by Levity Players Group. Thetitle of the show is “Beefing with theWellingtons.” The Wellingtons arean eccentric, wealthy, hilariouslydysfunctional family who combinetheir annual family holiday partywith the annual shareholders meet-ing of their large ranching corpora-tion. Before the shareholders meet-ing can truly get underway, FillmoreWellington, the C.E.O. of WellingtonEnterprises, makes an early exit.Each family member must present tothe shareholders his or her argu-ments regarding why he or sheshould be elevated to the C.E.O.position. Greg Marino, the Producer of

Levity Players Group, states, “Beefingwith the Wellingtons is a funny,witty, heartwarming show for theholiday season. We are thrilled to

again be performing at North StarSteakhouse. They have deliciousfood and this will be a memorableshow!”The show includes a delicious

three course dinner from North StarSteakhouse featuring House Salad,Entrée Choice of K.C. Strip, FriedShrimp Extraordinaire, or 3S

(Super-Sized) Sizzling Chicken, allserved with North Star’s famous friesand gravy, New York Style HouseMade Cheesecake for Dessert, andComplimentary soft drinks and cof-fee. Admission price is forty dollars.To make reservations, call 785-354-8880.

North Star Steakhouse Has Reopened Under New Ownershipand Is Now Presenting Interactive Murder Mystery Comedies

A Roman Catholic priest who hasbeen helping Christians, Yazidis andother religious minorities facinggenocide in Iraq and Syria saidIslamic State militants separate fami-lies who live in terrorist occupiedland by taking newborn babies andvirgin girls while killing fathers andforcing young boys to plant bombson the streets.Father Patrick Desbois, a Paris-

based priest who for decades hasbeen researching the Holocaust andfighting anti-Semitism through hisYahad–In Unum global humanitarianorganization, has in recent yearsturned to helping minority victims ofthe ISIS genocide in Iraq and Syria,specifically the Yazidi people.Desbois said in a phone interview

with a Christian news organizationthat ISIS, which he noted has alsokilled thousands of Shia Muslims andChristians, uses a "very special" strat-egy to carry out its decimation ofentire people groups."They dislocate the families, they

take the newborn babies, and theyput them in Islamist families,"Desbois said, noting that elementary-age children are trained as terrorists,and "forced to put bombs" on streets."The young girls who are virgins

are selected by doctors and sold," headded, referring to the terror group'shuman trafficking and sex trade,which has seen many thousands of

women and children sold to jihadists.The men, on the other hand, are

often shot in pits, he said, evidencefor which are the many mass gravesbeing discovered in territory newlyliberated from ISIS’ grasp.The priest, who is a professor at

Georgetown University inWashington D.C., explained that ISIS"dislocates families according to age,sexuality," and said that "every mem-ber of the family" is used "in a special

way.""I've never seen that, it's very

organized, there is no improvisa-tion," he added.Desbois and his organization have

interviewed hundreds of Yazidi sur-vivors who have escaped ISIS captivi-ty, including some who have man-aged to flee the besieged city ofMosul, currently the target of a coali-tion military campaign seeking toliberate it from ISIS control.Many of these interviews are

shared in Action Yazidis, an initiativeof Yahad-In Unum, which as itexplains on its website, does not seekto advocate for "political, economicor military action," but serves touncover "facts of genocidal practiceswherever they are found and provide

a voice of protest on behalf of all vic-tims and potential victims of geno-cide."Desbois, who recently released his

book The Fabric of Terrorists: Intothe Secrets of Daesh, based on hisinvestigations into ISIS, shared eye-witness accounts that confirmreports that the terrorist organiza-tion is using human shields in itsattempts to hold on to Mosul —including civilians.He shared that the jihadists "use

prisoners as human shields," and thathis organization has "many testi-monies of girls who say they havebeen used as human shields."These eye-witness accounts have

been crossed-referenced with othersources, the priest explained, in orderto paint an accurate picture of theatrocities that people are being sub-jected to.The plight of Christians under the

extremists has also been a heavy one— hundreds of thousands of believ-ers have left their ancestral home-lands across Iraq and Syria, withDesbois noting that "there are nearlyno more Christians under ISIS,"except those held as prisoners in cap-

tured territory.He said that all signs of

Christianity are actively beingdestroyed, explaining, "any Christiansymbol is being erased," withChristians also losing their houses,their belongings, and everything thatISIS demands, which is leading to a"total destruction" of the faith group.Comparing the ongoing genocide

to those of the past, like theHolocaust, Desbois said ISIS is using"very modern" methods, such as theirheavy reliance on social media, wherethe jihadists spread propaganda mes-sages, including graphic images andvideos of human rights abuses.Desbois suggested that Christians

"have a responsibility to help" refugeefamilies that are fleeing the warzones, and called on the governmentto help victims find work, and helpthose that have been traumatized byforced conversions to Islam.The priest emphasized that today

people can help in many differentways, with one option being donatingto organizations that are workinghard to assist people suffering as aresult of ISIS' actions."We try to help concretely," he

said, and pointed out that in theBible, God asks people to help theirbrothers and sisters.

ISIS taking newborns, young children in rampage to annihilate Christians, says Catholic priest“Christians have aresponsibility tohelp refugee

families that arefleeing the war

zones, and call onthe government to

help victims.”

Yazidi youngsters, terror on their faces, huddle in a camp near the Iraq-Syrian border as ISIS terrorists advance. It is not known what happened tothese children after the photo was taken.

i moreinformationOrganizations Serving

Victims of ISISSamaritansPurse.orgWorldVision.orgRescue.org

PreemptiveLove.org

From Heart to HomeInfant Adoption Program

877-581-5437 www.kcsl.org

For over 120 years, adoption has been a core service throughout KCSL’s history. Let us help

fulfill your dream of having a child.

An adoption agency you can trust.

Topeka Metro Voice _________________________ MetroVoiceNews.com _________________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews ____________________ December 2016 • 5

Christmas is the best. You getto hang stockings, shop for yourfavorite people, and potluck likea champ. There’s no other timeof the year quite like it. That’swhy it’s so easy to get carriedaway with your seasonal shop-ping!In fact, 2014's annual Gallup

poll found that nearly a quarterof Americans anticipated spend-ing $1,000 or more onChristmas. That’s a decent chunkof change for any budget. Whileit’s perfectly okay to spend extramoney around the holidays, youdon’t want to end up with theunwelcomed gift of credit carddebt come Christmas morning.Be prepared for the holiday

season with Dave’s online budgettool, EveryDollar. Now you canplan, save and track every dollaronline. No more pen and paperneeded! And when you’re outand about shopping, you can seehow much you have left to spendon Aunt Sally with yourEveryDollar app. Talk about anupgrade!Here’s how you can use

EveryDollar to make yourChristmas budget brighter:1. Figure out how much you canspend on Christmas.Let’s go ahead and address thequestion on everyone’s mind:How do you figure out yourChristmas budget? This is whereEveryDollar shines. Start byplugging in your normal month-ly expenses, like gas, utilities,insurance and groceries. Thentake a closer look at your flexiblespending budget groups, likedining out and fun money.If you typically spend $300 on

restaurants in a month, why notcook a few extra meals at homeand divert an extra $200 towardChristmas savings? Or if yourpersonal money is partying it upat $150 a month, why not holdoff (temporarily) and put anextra $100 into your Christmasstash? Smart budgeting now canfree up more money for whatyou want later—like Christmaspresents!2. Divide your Christmas budgetinto categories.Once you’ve figured out how

much you can spend onChristmas, do some dividing.Take your number—let’s say$500—and think over your sea-sonal expenses. You’ll needmoney for travel ($50), a treeand trimmings ($50), a fewpotlucks and parties ($50), andsome extra giving ($50). Thenthere’s the Big Kahuna:Christmas gifts ($300).As long as you plan where

your money will go before youspend it, there’s no right orwrong way to split up yourChristmas budget. Plus, if thatevergreen goes on sale, or youeconomize on your potluck gro-ceries, that means more moneyto splurge on your loved ones.3. Write down who you need tobuy gifts for.Now that you know exactly howmuch you can spend on gifts,decide who gets what. Make alist of everyone you’ll buy forthis year. And we mean every-one—coworkers, church friends,your parents, your kids, yourgrandkids. Next to each name(or category, if you’re budgetinga treat for the office), write aspecific dollar amount.If you don’t have enough

money to cover everyone onyour list, rethink how muchyou’ll spend on each person.Maybe you can agree to only buyfor the kids. Or perhaps you candraw names, instead of buyingfor multiple families. And thenthere are always baked goods orhomemade crafts! Who doesn’tlove a gift that comes fresh outof the oven or straight from theheart?

You can carefully havethe Christmas budgetyou’ve always wanted

DAVE RAMSEYFinancial author,radio host, televisionpersonality, and motivational speaker

davesays

• Incorporation• Occupational License• Government tax �ling applications• Prepare & E-�le your taxes online• Accounting and reporting based on each individual company needs• Preparation of individual, partnership and corporate income tax returns• Business Tax Preparation for Corporations, S-Corp and Partnership• Electronic Filing and Fast Refund service available for individuals• Tax advice and planning• Monthly accounting and bookkeeping services• Quick Books set up, train and support• Small Business Bookkeeping• Monthly Sales Tax• Payroll Services

Keeping your own books and

records can be a real challenge,

especially if you aren't well

versed in the fundamentals

of accounting. When you want

help, you can always turn to

our dedicated experts.

Get help with:

Simplify Your Bookkeeping

300 SE 29th, Suite C Topeka, KS 66605(785) 286-7899

Simplif epingekkeokoour By Yy Your BSimplifSimplify Y eping

on ts turyaou can alw, yhelp

anou when yW. tingouncof ac

talsersed in the fundamenv

ellt w'enou arespecially if y

eal challengeds can be a rorecr

wn books and our oKeeping y

tan

,eal challenge

wn books and

e and planningax advicTTor individualsailable fve avic ser

ast Riling and Fonic Ftr• Elecp and PorC-, Stionsaporor C

or tion faeparrax PTTax P• Business ome tax re inctaporor and c

, partion of individualaeparr• Py needsompan each individual c

ting based on eporting and rouncc• Aes onlineour taxe & E-�le yeparr• P

t tax �ling applicanmenervo• Gensetional Liccupac• O

tionaporornc• I

or individualsefundast R

tnershiparp and Por

nseturome tax rtnership , par

y needsting based on

es onlinetionst tax �ling applica

(785) 286-7899

et help with:

S 66605a, Ka, KS 66605ekeka, KopTTope C 300 SE 29th, Suit

G

. tsxpered etour dedica

on ts turyaou can alw, yhelp

e C esviceroll Syra• P

axTTaxales thly Son• Mkeepingook• Small Business B

ain and suppor, trooks set upuick B• Qesvickeeping ser book

ting and ouncthly acon• Me and planningax advicTTax advic•

keepingtain and suppor

“Specializing in Entrepreneurial Training in the Maintenance Field”

Learn How to Operate Your Own Cleaning Business

You will learn:

• Getting Started• Creating a Business Plan• Prospecting for Clients• Equipment & Supplies• Simple Bookkeeping• Insurance• Small Business Help from US Government• Legal Assistance• And Much More...

workshop.janitorialtraining.co(785) 234-3907

WorkshopsFilling UpFast!

eneurial Teprizing in Entr“Special

e Your Own Cleato Opera How tLearn

Equipment & Supplospecting fospecting for Clients Pr•

usiness Planeating a B Cr•ting Started Get•

n:ou will learYYou will lear

aining in the Maintenance Field”reneurial Teneurial Tr

sning Businese Your Own Clea

Equipment & Supplor Clientsusiness Plan

ting Started

aining in the Maintenance Field”

s

(785) 234-3907.janitorialworkshop

And Much Mor• Legal Assistance•

usiness Help fl B Smal•ancensur I•

ookk Simple B• Equipment & Suppl•

(785) 234-3907aining.cotr.janitorial

e... And Much Mor Legal Assistance

ernmentvom US Gorusiness Help f

eepingookkies Equipment & Suppl

ernment

By Peggy BeasterfieldOwner, Peggy’s Tax and Accounting Service

Beginning in 2017, anew law approved byCongress requires theIRS to hold refunds ontax returns claiming theEITC or the ACTC untilmid-February. The IRSmust hold the entire refund - even theportion not associated with the EITCand ACTC -- until at least Feb. 15. Thischange helps ensure that taxpayers getthe refund they are owed by giving theagency more time to help detect andprevent fraud.

"This is an important change assome of these taxpayers are used to get-ting an early refund," IRSCommissioner John Koskinen said."We want people to be aware of thechange for their planning purposesduring the holidays. We don't wantanyone caught by surprise if they gettheir refund a few weeks later than inprevious years."As in past years, the IRS will begin

accepting and processing tax returns

once the filing season begins. All tax-payers should file as usual, and taxreturn preparers should submit returnsas they normally do. Even though theIRS cannot issue refunds for some earlyfilers until at least Feb. 15, the IRSreminds taxpayers that most refundswill be issued within the normal time-frame, less than 21 days, after beingaccepted for processing by the IRS. The“Where's My Refund?” tool on IRS.govand the IRS2Go phone app remains thebest way to get this status of a refund.If you cannot wait for your refund or

are just looking to start the year off withsome cash flow, then look to a TaxpayerRefund Advance from Peggy’s Tax &Accounting. (300 SE 29th, Suite C,Topeka, KS 66605) There are three tiersyou can qualify for: $500, $800 or$1,200. The advance can be direct deposited,

added to a prepaid card, or a check canbe sent to Peggy’s Tax. There are feesassociated with all Advances, and any ofPeggy’s Tax preparation fees will bededucted from the Advance. ContactPeggy’s Tax & Accounting, at (785)286-7899, for more information.

Some Tax Refunds to be Delayed in 2017

ÂVÉÅx ã|à{Åx uç çÉâÜ@

áxÄäxá àÉ t Öâ|xàÑÄtvx tÇw zxàáÉÅx ÜxáàAÊ

`tÜ~ IMFD

6 • December 2016 ___________________ MetroVoiceNews.com __________________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews _________________________ Topeka Metro Voice

MANAGING EDITOR

LeeHartmanLHartman3@cox.net

Offices: 2611 SW 17th St.Correspondence & Payments:

P.O. Box 5724, Topeka, KS 66605Phone/Fax:. 785-235-3340

Voice@cox.netMetroVoiceNews.com

facebook.com/metrovoicenews

NEWS & FEATURES

CONTACT INFO

Metro Voice is published monthly and servesthe communities of Topeka, Lawrence,Manhattan and other communities in NEKansas. It is available primarily by bulk andsubscription distribution to over 500 locations,including grocery stores, churches, schools,restaurants, bookstores, libraries, businessesand other retail outlets. Yearly subscriptionsare available by mail at a cost of $24.95.Written materials submitted become propertyof Metro Voice. The content of this publication,including all stories, advertising or other graph-ic symbols, may not be reproduced in any way,shape or form for commercial purposes oradded to any web site without the express per-mission of Metro Voice. Advertising in MV isopen to anyone wishing to reach the Christiancommunity and the family market with family-friendly advertising. MV reserves the right torefuse any advertising deemed unsuitable.

Topeka Metro Voice is a member of the Christian Newspaper Association.

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS

ASSISTANT EDITORS

Paige Eckhoff 785-414-0785paige.metrovoice@gmail.com

Shannon Davinci 773-964-2046

Shannon@TopekaAds.com

Lee Hartman785-640-6399; Voice@cox.net

LAYOUT & DESIGNJoe Boothe, Lee Hartman, Dwight Widaman

Jessica Hosman, Carolyn Cogswell, JohnPotter, Rob Mooney, Phil Boatwright, MarieAsner, Kharissa Forte, Alan Goforth, LeilaniHaywood, Dwight Widaman, Lee Hartman

Nick Hartman, Dwight Widaman

Got an Opinion? Share it with the Metro Voice!go to facebook/MetroVoiceNews, or email Voice@cox.net

-

On the eve of history’s first Christmas,the Jewish people were filled with cen-turies of hope, rooted in the propheciesof their religious writings. Hope that oneday a King would rise up from amongthem to deliver their people from theoccupation of the Romans. All the non-Jewish people in the world did not havesuch a hope. If they faced a similaroppressive government, all they had torest on was their own efforts at forgingchange. In a sense, for all the world, it wastruly the dark ages. Outside of an inwardhope or personal heroism, how would

the darkness of the nations be turned tolight?In approximately 4 B.C. a divine

earthquake caused a split right down themiddle of human history – the birth ofJesus Christ. It was like the rising of thesun that meant a new day, a new era formankind.The Jewish prophet Isaiah, 700 years

earlier, foretold about the coming of aMessiah who would become the hope ofall nations. Isaiah wrote, “For to us achild is born, to us a son is given; and thegovernment shall be upon his shoulder,and his name shall be called WonderfulCounselor, Mighty God, EverlastingFather, Prince of Peace. Of the increase ofhis government and of peace there willbe no end” (Isa. 9:6-7).As Jesus grew up and settled into His

heaven-sent role, the public respondedand a movement was built around Himthat evolved into a revolution of sorts.However, His followers became disillu-sioned at His messaging. He was notbecoming the national Savior they envi-

sioned.He told the crowds His purpose was to

“seek and save the lost”. He said if theywanted to follow Him they must “denythemselves”, meaning give up pursuingtheir agenda and take up God’s. All thiswas much different then what theyexpected.Jesus' focus was the hearts and souls of

mankind. He purposed to deliver themfrom the bondage of sin and lead themto spiritual freedom. He came to governthe lives of precious souls, not a nation.Still today, the world is looking to

political leaders and government forsocietal change. And if that does not sat-isfy they escape into entertainment,addiction or self-determination. The les-son of Christmas teaches us that real andlasting hope is found in one place, Jesus.He brings us spiritual freedom, where weno longer have to be a slave to our sin.This kind of freedom the world longs for.It can only be found in the Christ child.

Clint Decker is President &Evangelist with Great Awakenings, Inc.cdecker@greatawakenings.org

CLINT DECKER President andEvangelist withGreatAwakenings, Inc.

hopefortoday

LOOKING FOR A KING

If you are like me, there’s relief that theelection is over, if only for the lack of tele-vision commercials or robo calls. Forsome there was jubilation Wednesdaymorning, Nov. 9, as the news networkscalled it for Trump. For others there wassadness and trepidation. Trepidation thatcontinues on the streets as young peopleprotest the outcome of a time-testeddemocratic process. A lot of the focus seems to be on

America’s college campuses where“snowflakes” (a term describing youngpeople who, for the first time in their lives,didn’t get their way and can’t cope) arebeing offered “crying rooms”, counselingor comfort dogs as was the case at theUniversity of Kansas in Lawrence. Otheruniversities cancelled classes and provid-ed rooms where college students couldplay with children’s building blocks or fillin coloring books featuring Barney, MyLittle Pony and other comforting imagesfrom their childhood.But the response of many of these

spoiled, self-centered offspring is in con-trast to their contemporaries in otherparts of the world–areas of our globewhere tears are shed by young people notfor an election loss but for the loss of fam-ily members at the hands of ISIS, hunger,disease or bombs raining from the sky.

For me that’s what is most embarrass-ing about this election. While the mediatells us a world of “haves” is aghast at aTrump victory, I see a world of sufferingmasses, the “have-nots”, looking with con-fusion as entitled and naive Americanprotesters riot only to return to homesthat are NOT burned-out, with Chipotlecarry-out in hand, to lay in a warm bedfor an evening of Netflix binging.Yeah, these American youth have it so

bad.So how has the election result been

received in some of these areas that manycollege students cannot find on a map?The New York Times reports that

Iraqis, who endured years of Islam beingused to justify mass killing, publiclyvoiced optimism in “Mr. Trump as atruth-teller in calling out Islam — or acertain brand of it — as the problem.”The Times shares how Iraqi Shiites

believe Trump will take a harder line onSaudi Arabia, which is seen as fomentingan extreme form of Islam–Wahhabism.“The victory of Trump is the begin-

ning of the end of extremist Islam andWahhabism,” said Mouwafak al-Rubaie,an Iraqi lawmaker and the country’s for-

mer national security adviser.“We have no concerns about the policy

of Trump because he is against extrem-ism,” said Saad al-Hadithi, the spokesmanfor Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi ofIraq. “We think we are facing one enemy,and that is fighting ISIS. Therefore, I donot think there are fears or concernsabout a new American policy.”Mr. Abadi made it a point to call

President-elect Trump and affirmed theircooperation against the Islamic State. Then there are the regular folks on the

front line and pay with their lives.According to the Haym Salomon

Center, a Yazidi couple in Iraq whose fam-ily suffered at the hands of the IslamicState named their newborn child“Trump” within minutes after Republicannominee became the U.S. President-elect.The new mother was reportedly in laboras the U.S. presidential election vote countrolled in. An hour before Trump officiallywon, she gave birth to a baby boy.“We have been going through a never-

ending genocide over the last two years atthe hands of ISIS, and Obama failed totake out ISIS or help liberate the thou-sands of Yazidi women and children thatare still enslaved by ISIS,” said the father ofthe new baby boy Trump. “I hopePresident Trump will at last take out ISISso we can return home and rebuild ourlives.”And in India, also suffering from a

wave of terrorism at the hands of Islamicinsurgents, President-elect Trump hasbecome somewhat of a hero. So much sothat Hindus declared Trump the winnereven before the voting ended.A news report says that “with drums

banging and speakers blaring, the HinduSena, or Hindu Army, gathered at JantarMantar - New Delhi's answer to London'sSpeakers' Corner - to proclaim to a knotof TV crews that Trump had ‘already won’the Nov. 8 vote.”"Trump's victory is confirmed early,

due to his thoughts against Islamic terror-ism and love for India and Hindus," saidVishnu Gupta, the Hindu Sena's nationalpresident.In October, Trump had uttered the

memorable phrase "I love Hindu", a kindof Two Corinthians moment, at an eventorganized by Indian supporters of hiscandidacy. While awkward, his sincere

Post-election protesters enabled by colleges

viewpoint

DWIGHTWIDAMANPublisher andManaging Editor ofthe KC Metro VoiceNewspaper

Anti-Trump protesters carry the Communist flag in Seattle.

Baby Trump.

“He came to governthe lives ofprecious souls,not a nation.”

continued on next page

Topeka Metro Voice _________________________ MetroVoiceNews.com _________________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews ____________________ December 2016 • 7

Rep. Mike Pompeo, Wichita Republican,is Trump’s pick for director of the CIA Rep. Mike Pompeo, Wichita

Republican, chosen by Trump to headCIAPresident-elect Donald Trump

announced on Nov. 17 his nominationof U.S. Rep. Mike Pompeo, a WichitaRepublican, for the position of CentralIntelligence Agency director.“He has served our country with

honor and spent his life fighting forthe security of our citizens,” Trumpsaid in a statement, calling Pompeo “abrilliant and unrelenting leader” forthe intelligence community.Pompeo said, “I am honored and

humbled to accept the President-elect’s nomination to lead the CentralIntelligence Agency. This was a diffi-cult decision. I have genuinely lovedrepresenting the people of Kansas inCongress—working to make our com-munity stronger and more prosperous.But ultimately the opportunity to leadthe world’s finest intelligence warriors,who labor tirelessly to keep this nationand Kansas safe, is a call to service Icannot ignore. Pompeo has a reputation as a hard-

line conservative with hawkish viewson Iran, and opposition to the closureof a prison at Guantanamo Bay inCuba. During an interview with TheTopeka Capital-Journal in April,Pompeo stressed the importance ofkeeping Guantanamo Bay open forintelligence gathering.Pompeo must be confirmed by the

U.S. Senate before taking office.Kansas’ senior senator, Pat Roberts, aformer chairman of the SenateIntelligence Committee, said he sup-ports Pompeo, calling his nominationa “good and wise selection” by Trump.“Kansans can be proud Mike

Pompeo will lead the CentralIntelligence Agency and will be in a

position to protect our national secu-rity at a time of increasing and varyingglobal threats,” Roberts said.U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins, a Kansas

Republican, said Pompeo’s “experienceand Kansas roots will serve him well asthe director of the CIA.” Former U.S.Sen. Bob Dole said Trump “couldn’thave made a better pick.”Gov. Sam Brownback, a Republican

and former senator, called Pompeo “awonderful pick” and predicted he willlikely be confirmed by the Senate.“I think so, but nothing’s easy any-

more,” Brownback said. “Mike wasnumber one in his class at West Point.He was number one in his class atHarvard. He’s been a congressman.He’s been on the IntelligenceCommittee. He’s smart and tough. Ithink it’s a tremendous pick by theincoming Trump administration.”Pompeo is a stalwart defender of the

Patriot Act and bulk surveillance whoconsiders National Security Agencywhistleblower Edward Snowden a trai-tor deserving of the death penalty. Hehas opposed efforts to reform thenation’s surveillance gathering in thewake of Snowden’s revelations.The American Civil Liberties Union

said Pompeo's positions on surveil-

lance and Guantanamo Bay raise civilliberty concerns.“These positions and others merit

serious public scrutiny through a con-firmation process,” said ACLU execu-tive director Anthony Romero. “Hispositions on mass surveillance havebeen rejected by federal courts andhave been the subject of several law-suits filed by the ACLU.”Pompeo, as a member of the House

Select Benghazi Committee, co-wrotea report, which accused the Obamaadministration of misleading the pub-lic and failing to protect Americans.He called former Secretary of StateHillary Clinton’s behavior “morallyreprehensible.”Pompeo is an Army veteran who

graduated first in his class from WestPoint in 1986. He later graduated fromHarvard Law School, where he waseditor of the Harvard Law Review.After returning to his roots in SouthCentral Kansas and founded ThayerAerospace, where he served as CEO formore than a decade providing compo-nents for commercial and military air-craft. He then became President ofSentry International, an oilfield equip-ment manufacturing, distribution andservice company.

Hindus celebrate Trump victorywith a birthday cake

meaning was understood by Hindus.As far as Hindu Sena is concerned, the

feeling is mutual.Its celebration featured posters bearing

the slogans, "India Loves Trump" and"Trump Our Only Hope". “One supporter held up a portrait of

Trump with a tilak, or religious mark, onhis forehead and held a sweet to hismouth,” the news story reported, alongwith photos of birthday cakes with

Trump’s name on them.So why do the worlds most oppressed

see hope in Donald Trump? Just as he rana campaign on representing America’sforgotten middle-class, the world’s mostvulnerable also see him as representingthem¬–listening to them. Strange, Iknow. Or maybe not so strange.Perhaps America’s privileged college

liberals can stop crying for a momentlong enough to listen themselves.

continued from previous page

newsbriefsCanadian court: Law Society must accept Christians(WNS)--The Law Society of British Columbia must recognize Trinity

Western University’s (TWU) future law school graduates, according to aunanimous opinion the British Columbia (B.C.) Court of Appeals issuedNov. 1. “The TWU community has a right to hold and act on its beliefs,absent evidence of actual harm,” a five-judge panel wrote. “To do so isan expression of its right to freedom of religion.” The decision is the lat-est chapter in TWU’s years-long battle to open Canada’s first Christianlaw school. In December 2013 the provincial law society approved theuniversity’s plans, but a 2014 members referendum revoked it over con-cerns that the TWU community covenant—which holds students toorthodox Christian behavioral standards, including heterosexual mar-riage—is discriminatory. The B.C. appeals court ruled Law Society thatdiscriminated.

Danger follows Christian refugees to Germany(WNS)--The situation of

Christian refugees inGerman shelters is“unbearable” according toan updated report releasedin October and co-authoredby Open Doors Germany.The report documents 743cases of discrimination,death threats, and physicalassaults against Christians by Muslim refugees between February andMay of this year and claims the findings are only “the tip of the iceberg.”The study also highlights the challenges of reporting about religiouslymotivated attacks. European politicians have cultivated a climate withtwo extremes: Much of the political and media establishment ignores orwhitewashes attacks carried out by Muslim refugees under the guise ofpolitical correctness, while the far-right wants to exploit the statistics forits own political gain. Open Doors said those risks should not lead tosilence: “The human right of religious freedom and protection of victimsin a country like Germany—that is a constant admonisher of humanrights abuses on an international scale—should not be sacrificed forpolitical objectives or the interests of individual groups.”

Euthanasia advocates celebrate victory in Colorado(WNS)--Coloradans voted to legalize physician-assisted suicide on

Nov. 8, a decision critics call a “dangerous step for Colorado’s medicallyand socially vulnerable citizens.” Nearly 65 percent of voters said “yes”to the measure with almost all votes counted the next morning. The con-troversial initiative will allow terminally ill adults with six months or lessto live the right to access a physician-prescribed lethal drug. Coloradojoins Oregon, California, Montana, Vermont, and Washington in legalizingassisted suicide. All six states modeled their measures after Oregon’sDeath with Dignity Act, passed in 1997.

Pompeo’s past comments aboutIslam may draw questions duringSenate confirmation hearings. He hassaid Muslim religious leaders can beconsidered “potentially complicit” interrorist attacks for failing to denounceviolence.Pompeo, 52, was elected to Congress

in 2010 and has been re-elected by siz-able margins every two years since. Aspecial election will be held to choosehis successor.Under state law, the governor must

announce the date of a special electionfive days after a congressional seatbecomes vacant. The Republican andDemocratic parties in Kansas will eachchoose a candidate. Other Kansas politicians rumored

to be in contention for positions inthe Trump administration includeBrownback, Sen. Jerry Moran andformer Reg. Tim Huelskamp forSecretary of Agriculture; and KansasSecretary of State Kris Kobach for anunknown position. Kobach was anadviser to the Trump campaign onimmigration issues. Brownbackwould name Kobach’s replacement ifKobach joins the Trump administra-tion. Adopt Kansas Kids works to connect foster and approved adoptive families with children throughout Kansas who

need adoption. This service is provided by the Kansas Children’s Service League through a contract with the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF).

www.adoptKSkids.org 877-457-5430

Every child deserves a loving, caring home. A family they can call their own. A place where they belong. With people who will be there for them always.

8 • December 2016 ________________________ MetroVoiceNews.com _________________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews ______________________ Topeka Metro Voice

CELEBRATING A CHRISTIANCHRISTMAS AT HOMEBy Zeta DavidsonLittle did I know in 1975 the impact

attending a “Celebrating a ChristianChristmas At Home” coffee would

have on all our fami-ly’s Christmases tofollow. Since then,planning activitiesand decorating forthe holidays arefocused. No, we arenot fanatics. Pure joyhas been ours to

hunt and find Christ-honoring waysto celebrate the Savior’s birth. In thoseearly days, when our children weresmall, their father and I were inten-tional in conversations. When ouryoung son, Jay, exclaimed, “What pret-ty lights,” we explained the very firstChristmas decoration was a star shin-ing brightly over the manger. Our daughter, Paige, remembers

only when we tell her, “You were babyJesus in our home drama in themanger scene with friends and theirchildren.” Now, a generation later, the grand-

children have grown up knowing thatlighting an Advent wreath, readingverses from Isaiah, Matthew and Luke,plus sharing how we might have felt ifwe were a shepherd or angel on thatlong ago night are part of Christmas atgrandparents’ house.Another delight and blessing has

been searching for Christian motifs touse in decorating. Our first nativityscene—ceramic—had been a craftproject done by elderly at a local nurs-ing home. At our house we love snow-men, reindeer and Santa Claus; how-ever, you simply won’t find them asyou go from room to room. You willfind a collection of manger scenes, aScripture tree, and a missions memo-ry tree. The Scripture tree is the resultof each family member identifying sixfavorite Bible verses, printing them onsmall cards then placing them amongthe branches of a miniature evergreentree. The missions' tree? Trinkets frommissions we’ve supported and photosof missionaries we know have becomethe ornaments—our way of remem-bering.So it has been and will again be in

2016—“Celebrating a ChristianChristmas” at home is a tradition, ahabit and also our goal!

THE FAMILY GIFTOF A SIMPLIFIEDCHRISTMASBy Dee ChestnutIt happened to

me. The year Grinchtried to stealChristmas. We

warm-hearted people in Whoville areon guard for the conspicuous Grinch;that grumpy, cave-dwelling creaturewith a heart “two sizes too small.”

On this particular year the Grinch’smasterful plan evolved around myperfect storm. Seasons of holiday retailwork to cover gift costs for a house fullof people, while working in education,wasn’t a problem since it was my ideato contribute in this way. But the tedi-um of store holiday music, crowds,conspicuous consumption, theft, messat shift’s end, driving home in dark,working weekends and doing my bestNOT to push opening store creditonto customers crept up on me. Putting so much emphasis on giv-

ing perfect gifts, gift exchanges atwork, office parties, white elephantgifts, ugly Christmas sweaters andevent dressing, exchanging bakedgoods with neighbors, church activi-ties, juggling calendars to schedulefamily visits, baking, meal prep, addedgrocery expense, housekeeping andmonitoring checking account balancecarefully took its toll.Mandatory exposure to extended

family who were Grinches in training;Last StrawDigging heels in, I declared I wasn’t

celebrating Christmas. That felt great.Then I pulled my emotional resourcestogether and declared I’d change theholiday game instead. Minimize andgive practical gifts. Be selective regard-ing people and their energy. Knowthyself. Decompress. Allow myself tobe less involved. Spend less time in thekitchen. Meditate. Pray.On Christmas Day we packed one

door wreath, kettle of chili, cornbread,Frito bag, brownies and one, wrappedgift for each child. After driving forty-five minutes to a modest cabin in thewoods, my family tried to warm upwith a chili feast. Waiting for cabin toget toasty, we walked through thewoods, laughed, tumbled down hills,listened for wildlife and synchronizedboth chilled air and sunshine on faces.Returning to hot chocolate in a

warm cabin wrapped up our familygift of a simplified Christmas. Soon weevacuated the cabin and drove homeslowly. Turning to my husband I slow-ly said, “Best... Christmas… Ever.”

MOM’S LASTCHRISTMAS GIFT By Dave GordonSacrifice is an

attribute of the sin-gle-mom. So it wasfor Nellie Mae, anunmarried, 39-yearold professional

woman, expecting her first child. Inthe mid-1960’s, there was nowhere tohide. After Davey arrived, Nellie Mae

only had her aging mother and a cou-ple of close friends to help out. So, shemade the choice to give up her careerand focus on raising her son. Dedication was Nellie Mae’s plan as

she invested all of her limited

Chestnut

Davidson

Gordon

Readers share special memories

What’s Christmas without the birthof our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?He is the true meaning behind the rea-son we celebrate this special occasion.Now you can read the biblical accountyourself.

The Birth of Jesus ForetoldIn the sixth month of Elizabeth’s

pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabrielto Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to avirgin named Mary. She was engagedto be married to a man named Joseph,a descendant of King David. Gabrielappeared to her and said, “Greetings,favored woman! The Lord is withyou!”

Confused and disturbed, Marytried to think what the angel couldmean. Don’t be frightened, Mary,” theangel told her, “for God has decided tobless you! You will become pregnantand have a son, and you are to namehim Jesus. He will be very great andwill be called the Son of the MostHigh. And the Lord God will give himthe throne of his ancestor David. Andhe will reign over Israel forever; hisKingdom will never end!”

Mary asked the angel, “But howcan I have a baby? I am a virgin.”

The angel replied, “The Holy Spiritwill come upon you, and the power ofthe Most High will overshadow you. Sothe baby born to you will be holy, andhe will be called the Son of God.What’s more, your relative Elizabethhas become pregnant in her old age!People used to say she was barren, butshe’s already in her sixth month. Fornothing is impossible with God.”

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’sservant, and I am willing to acceptwhatever he wants. May everythingyou have said come true.” And then theangel left.

Mary Visits ElizabethA few days later Mary hurried to

the hill country of Judea, to the townwhere Zechariah lived. She entered thehouse and greeted Elizabeth. At thesound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’schild leaped within her, filling with theHoly Spirit.

Elizabeth gave a glad cry andexclaimed to Mary, “You are blessed byGod above all other women, and yourchild is blessed. What an honor this is,that the mother of my Lord shouldvisit me! When you came in and greet-ed me, my baby jumped for joy theinstant I heard your voice! You areblessed, because you believed that theLord would do what he said.”

The Magnificat: Mary’s Song of PraiseMary responded, “Oh, how I praise

the Lord. �How I rejoice in God mySavior!�For he took notice of his lowlyservant girl, �And now generation aftergeneration�Will call me blessed.�Forhe, the Mighty One, is holy, �And hehas done great things for me. �Hismercy goes on from generation togeneration, To all who fear him.�Hismighty arm does tremendous things!�How he scatters the proud andhaughty ones! �He has taken princes

from their thrones�and exalted thelowly.�He has satisfied the hungry withgood things�and sent the rich awaywith empty hands.�And how he hashelped his servant Israel! �He has notforgotten his promise to bemerciful.�For he promised our ances-tors — Abraham and his children —�to be merciful to them forever.”

Mary stayed with Elizabeth aboutthree months and then went back toher own home.

The Birth of JesusAt that time the Roman emperor,

Augustus, decreed that a census shouldbe taken throughout the RomanEmpire. (This was the first censustaken when Quirinius was governor ofSyria.) All returned to their own townsto register for this census. And becauseJoseph was a descendant of KingDavid, he had to go to Bethlehem inJudea, David’s ancient home. He trav-eled there from the village of Nazarethin Galilee. He took with him Mary, hisfiance, who was obviously pregnant bythis time.

And while they were there, thetime came for her baby to be born. Shegave birth to her first child, a son. Shewrapped him snugly in strips of clothand laid him in a manger, becausethere was no room for them in the vil-lage inn.

The Shepherds and AngelsThat night some shepherds were in

the fields outside the village, guardingtheir flocks of sheep. Suddenly, anangel of the Lord appeared amongthem, and the radiance of the Lord’sglory surrounded them. They were ter-ribly frightened, but the angel reas-sured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said.“I bring you good news of great joy foreveryone! The Savior — yes, theMessiah, the Lord — has been borntonight in Bethlehem, the city ofDavid! And this is how you will recog-nize him: You will find a baby lying ina manger, wrapped snugly in strips of

cloth!”Suddenly, the angel was joined by a

vast host of others praising God:“Glory to God in the highest

heaven,�And peace on earth to allwhom God favors.”When the angels had returned to

heaven, the shepherds said to eachother, “Come on, let’s go toBethlehem!” Let’s see this wonderfulthing that has happened, which theLord has told us about.”

They ran to the village and foundMary and Joseph. And there was thebaby, lying in the manger. Then theshepherds told everyone what hadhappened and what the angel had saidto them about this child. All who heardthe shepherds’ story were astonished,but Mary quietly treasured thesethings in her heart and thought aboutthem often. The shepherds went backto their fields and flocks, glorifyingand praising God for what the angelshad told them, and because they hadseen the child, just as the angel hadsaid.

Jesus is Presented in the TempleEight days later, when the baby was

circumcised, he was named Jesus, thename given him by the angel evenbefore he was conceived.Then it was time for the purification

offering, as required by the law ofMoses after the birth of a child; so hisparents took him to Jerusalem to pres-ent him to the Lord. The law of theLord says, “If a woman’s first child is aboy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.”So they offered a sacrifice according towhat was required in the law of theLord.

When Jesus’ parents had fulfilledall the requirements of the law of theLord, they returned home to Nazarethin Galilee. There the child grew uphealthy and strong. He was filled withwisdom beyond his years, and Godplaced his special favor upon him.––Taken from The Book, Luke chap-

ters 1:26-2:40.

Remember the true reason for the season

nn Please see MEMORIES on page 15

Topeka Metro Voice ________________________ MetroVoiceNews.com _________________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews _____________________ December 2016 • 9

I am a girl who loves Christmas. I lovethe day, I love the season, I love reveling inthe wonder that God’s Son came to earthto save us as a tiny baby. My third childwas born on December 17, and when Icuddled him as a newborn, it madeChristmas extra-special. I tried to imagineMary cuddling and nursing her newbornchild and trying to wrap her mind aroundthe fact that this tiny baby whose life fornine months had totally depended on herwould now be saving her. And all of us.The Messiah as a swaddled babe!Incredible.

I have never had a Christmas seasonthat was not filled with joy. But I know, aslife twists and turns, that one day theremay come a December when I don’t feellike celebrating. Where life will be hard.Where I will be in such turmoil thatChristmas lights and tinsel might seem

like an assault to my very being.I’ve never celebrated such a

Christmas. But I know someone who has.Seven years ago, my sister-in-law’s

father was diagnosed with leukemia onDecember 5. It was a “do-not-pass-go,head directly to the hospital to startchemotherapy” deal. By the timeChristmas came along, he had been closeto death several times. His family had saidtheir goodbyes once even … but he hungon. For our whole extended family, it washard to feel exultant joy that Christmas.My niece who was nine at the time, wrote“Please, Jesus Please” on the chalkboard inmy parents’ home. My mother left it therefor years, that sweet plea of a child to herSavior. It was a Christmas of intercessionmore than anything else.

Christmas evening that year, I arrivedhome weary after our multiple familyChristmas celebrations. We had a wonder-ful day, but we were all “Christmased out.”

Then I sat down at the computer and readthese words from my sister-in-law’s moth-er. They are words I will never, ever forget.She wrote:“Our family Christmases have always

been filled with traditions. That is not abad thing. It helps bind families together.

This year all the traditions that wereso important have been set aside. Nothingis the same. And yet, Christmas came.Quoting from Dr. Seuss, How the GrinchStole Christmas, “It came without rib-bons. It came without tags! It came with-out packages, boxes or bags! He hadn’tstopped Christmas from coming. It came!Somehow or other it came just the same.”

We know the reason it came isbecause of God’s indescribable gift to us.Jesus left the glory of heaven to come as ababy in a manger. His every physical needhad to be cared for by another. Whathumility! He came to go through the ugli-ness of death on the cross so that we canhave life everlasting.

We understand a little more this yearabout what Jesus did for us. Jerry’s physi-cal needs have to be met by others. It is

humbling. We have seen physical death allaround us in the Marrow and Blood unitat the hospital. It is ugly! All of whichmakes the birth and death of Jesus moredear to us as we focus on the hope (cer-tainty) of heaven.

We are rejoicing with you this day thatChristmas is so much more than what weusually make it. It really is all about Jesus,God’s indescribable gift to each of us.”

Christmas is so much more than weusually make of it.

We make it about presents and lightsand amazing Pinterest creations.

But it is about Jesus, God’s indescrib-able gift to each of us.

Maybe this year you are experiencinga trial at Christmas. Maybe you have lost aloved one, or are yourself fighting for yourlife. Maybe one of your children or yourspouse has broken your heart.

My friends, what I learned from mysister-in-law’s courageous family is this: Itis the trying and devastating times in ourlives that make Christmas all the morejoyful, beautiful and wondrous.

Because of Christmas, all those trials

will work together for good. Because ofChristmas, we will one day be in a placewhere none of earth’s ill can befall us.Because of Christmas, what’s broken canbe made whole.

Because of Christmas, we are blessedwhen we mourn! This is the good news wecan cling to in the midst of trials … evenwhen we are covered in tears at the foot ofour Christmas tree.

– By Jenny Rapson

Celebrate the joy of Christmas during trying timesChristmas still comes when we don’t feel likecelebrating, and that may be the best part

by Jenny Rapson

Celebrate the holidays with 24 days of Christmas funChristmas with little ones is always an

exciting time. There are Christmas listsand Santa visits and more Christmasdinners than should be humanly possi-ble to eat. With a brand new baby and 6-year-old, my husband and I are juststarting getting started on our ownChristmas traditions.We want to be careful with teaching

our children the reasons we celebrateChristmas and how our church cele-brates the message of Christmas all year– not just December 25. We want to

make sure our daughter and our sonunderstand that Christmas is not justabout the presents under the tree. It’s atime to celebrate family and a way for usto share our many blessings with thoseless fortunate. We have a calendar that counts down

the days to Christmas, which ourdaughter eagerly changes every daybeginning Dec. 1 .We also do the elf on a shelf . Seeing

her face light up each morning as shesees what her silly elf, Sprinkle Heart,did the night before has provided uswith so many memories.

We’ve also done a new book each day,but her book shelf is bursting at theseams.This year I wanted to do something

more involved. Something more familyoriented. Something that encourages usto turn off the television and do thingsas a family. So I devised a plan, broke out the

construction paper and popsicle sticksand created a Christmas activities calen-dar – 24 days of Christmas activities.Each day, she will pull the popsicle stickwith the right date on it, unfold theactivity. We’ll do the activity as a familyand hopefully create some “core memo-ries.”Here are the activities we came up

with. Some of them are a little lessinvolved – particularly on days that shehas a school or sporting event. And, thisis only a fraction of the activities wehave planned this year. Taking in theChristmas lights and productions willpop up too. First and foremost, we’ll include a

daily Bible verse – focusing on doing forthe others and Jesus, the greatest gift ofall.

Operation Christmas Child– Preparea shoebox to donate to children in need.We deeply want our children to under-stand how important it is to give back.This is a great opportunity to teach herabout children who feel real needs.Popcorn Garland – Make garland for

one of the trees out of popcorn. Thiswas an activity I remember doing withmy mom and something I think mydaughter will love doing as she sneaks afew kernels here and there.Christmas Crafts – We have about 10

days of various Christmas crafts.Everything from ornaments to home-made gifts and our own wrappingpaper. Random Act of Kindness – My

daughter will get to do something nicefor someone she doesn’t know. We’ll layout the parameters for her while teach-ing her again that we should always seekto do for others.Christmas Karaoke – My husband

and I love Christmas music and will lis-ten to it in our cars for weeks. So a nightof singing Christmas songs is right upour alley.Red and Green Dinner – Our supper

this night will be all red and green foods– on our red dishes. Scavenger Hunt – Our kids will have

a list of Christmas-oriented items tofind.Sleepover under the tree – Our

daughter loves camping out in the livingroom, but this one will include the twin-kling of the Christmas tree lights.Gingerbread House – We’ll get a kit

to make our traditional gingerbreadhouse.Hot Cocoa for Breakfast – Our

daughter loves hot chocolate and will beover the moon at the prospect of havingit for breakfast.Pet Treats – Our pets are important

members of our family, so we’ll maketreats to put in their stockings.Cookies – Baking is an important

part of Christmas, and we always havefun making cookiesChristmas Memories – Each of our

Christmas activities will be in a box thaton Christmas Eve we will fill with ournew memories. Each of us will write ourfavorite memory from the holiday sea-son so we can revisit them in years tocome as we add more each year.

by Stephanie L. Boothe

I’ve always been a strict “no Christmasuntil after Thanksgiving” kind of person.Maybe it’s because Thanksgiving is myfavorite holiday, or because I love the falland don’t want to rush it, but I’ve justnever wanted Christmas to creep intoNovember. This year, however, was differ-ent.

It’s been a hard few months, and I’vefound myself turning on Christmas musicon the days when I just needed a littleextra cheer. I’ve wandered into theChristmas sections of stores (which wentup right after Halloween…) and even

picked up a few things to get a head starton decorating.

I’ve found myself craving Christmas.“I don’t want to wait to celebrate the

Joy to the world,” Stephanie Bryant,(in)courage writer, said in her recent arti-cle “Permission to Celebrate ChristmasEarly This Year.” I don’t want to wait thisyear either. It feels like our weary worldneeds a reason to rejoice. We need a thrillof hope. We need to be reminded that oursoul only finds its worth when Jesusappears. We need to daily celebrate thatholy night that Christ was born, becausethat night changes everything for ustoday.

“I’m not going to hold Christmas backto its spot on the calendar post-Thanksgiving,” Bryant writes. “Instead,I’m flinging the door open wide to ourhearts and home for Christ and His com-ing. There will be room here. Christmasisn’t a 25-day countdown, but an adven-ture in celebrating that gives this divinemoment the time and attention itdeserves.”

Every year, I look forward to theAdvent season that paves the way toChristmas. It always feels like I need toslow down this time of year and reallyreflect on the gift that Jesus coming toearth is for me as a believer, and intention-

ally moving through Advent helps me dothat. While as a kid, it was fun to breakopen a new square on the calendar everyday to get to the treat inside, I now findthat Advent really is an adventure in cele-brating Christ daily and giving him mytime and attention.

While I’m still trying to intentionallypractice gratitude every day (which feelsespecially relevant as Thanksgiving nears),I’m also daily celebrating the divinemoments as Christmas draws close.

“I’m extending the time I have torefocus on that holy night and givingthanks right in middle for all the goodnessGod is and brings to my life,” Bryant says.

“Grace to savor as long as I need to. I wantto encourage you to not dread this adventseason but enjoy the beautiful adventureleading to THE miraculous day. Whetherthat’s starting in November or December.”

The holidays can often rush by in ahurry, and we can easily get distracted byall of the hustle and bustle, but I want tobetter carve out time to spend celebratingmy Savior in this season.

This year, I’m not waiting to celebratethe true Joy of our world. I’m not waitingto think about that holy night whenChrist was born-- I’m going to daily enjoythis glorious season both of gratitude andcelebration, starting now.

Why I’m not waiting to celebrate Christmas this yearby Rachel Dawson

10 • December 2016 ________________________ MetroVoiceNews.com _______________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews _______________________ Topeka Metro Voice

As we enter the Holiday season, thedowntown renovations have beenpretty much completed! It’s a newlook for Topeka! People are getting inthe Christmas Spirit!Christmas shopping in Downtown

Topeka can be fun, with all the uniqueshops and a bit of nostalgia in the air.It might remind you of a time whenshopping was more exciting, morepersonal, and less of a chore. Following are some tidbits from

some of your friendly downtownmerchants. Why not take a trip down-town and visit them?

Delicious Treats for All to Enjoy

No one wants one of their guests tofeel left out during the holiday gather-ings and by shopping for your bakedgoods at Shana Cake, 435 S KansasAve, you can find delicious items thatare safe for all to enjoy! From donutsand pound cake, cookies and cup-cakes to waffles and loaves of bread -you can find allergy-friendly items forall your gatherings at Shana Cake.All products are made from scratch,

in house, and are free of wheat,gluten, dairy, corn, soy, nuts, treenuts,casein, artificial colors and flavors and

GMO's. Frostings and cakes are madewith real fruit and taste so amazingthat your guests without dietaryrestrictions won't even notice andthose with special dietary needs willbe thrilled to join in on the fun!Call 408-1272 or order online at

shanacake.com for all your holidaygatherings!

A Full-Service Florist & Gift Shop

Absolute Design by Brenda, 629 S.Kansas Avenue,offers hand-selected flowersand exquisitedesigns withd e l i v e r ythroughout theTopeka area.They have an

expansive line of gifts, jewelry andhome decor for all your holiday andyear-round needs.

Save $5.00 by using the couponon this page!

You can also order or wire flowers24 hours a day at the website:www.absolutedesignbybrenda.com.

Personalized screen printing

You can get those personalized tee-shirts you’ve been wanting at ReliantApparel, located at 631 S Kansas

Avenue. Check them out for all yourholiday creative printing needs!

A little bit of Heaven

Working side-by-side at CashmereGourmet Popcorn, Bill and AngieAnderson’s goal is to create a high-

quality product in every handcraftedbatch of popcorn, and provide it toyou with unmatched customer serv-ice. Faith and family is the drivingforce behind this amazing company.

In fact, their family motto has alwaysbeen, and will always be, "Thanks BeTo God!" Along with daughters Aleigha and

Emily, they produce, package andmarket the popcorn. With abouttwenty flavors to choose from, you’llfind a little bit of heaven in every bag.

Hard to describe...

Have you been in to see FabtasticFurniture at 628 S. Kansas Avenue?It’s an amazing place! It seems ownerRenee Herrera always has somethingnew and unique each time we stop in.It might be something RePurposed,Shabby Chic, Rustic or just somethingcompletely amazing. The store spe-cializes in chalk painting and repur-posing, but they also reupholster andrefinish. The quaint store has both finished

and unfinished pieces of furniture.You can pick out the piece you want,she will work with you to design a oneof a kind statement piece for yourhome or office. You can also bring in

a piece of your own, or somethingyou have that you never had time towork on yourself and she will finish itfor you. Fabtastic Furniture is openTuesday through Friday 10 am to 5pm, and Saturday from 11 to 3. Stopin for a fun time. You can also findthem on Facebook.

VxÄxuÜtàx à{x [ÉÄ|wtçá |Ç WÉãÇàÉãÇ gÉÑx~t4

Topeka Metro Voice ________________________ MetroVoiceNews.com _________________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews ____________________ December 2016 • 11

Get a souvenir!

Ginny's Gift Shop, at 929 S Kansas,is a quaint little shop that has somegreat "KANSAS" items for Christmasgifts for family or friends. Ginny, theowner, also features T-shirts, jewelry,

Wizard of Oz items, shot glasses,cards of all kinds, and a selection ofKU & K-State mugs & other items.

When you need a break...

Juli’s Coffee & Bistro located off 8th& Kansas in the Gizmo/ThacherBuilding is the place to be in down-town Topeka! Serving legit coffee &espresso drinks, breakfast & a globallunch menu with daily specials. For

your special events, Juli’s offers boxedlunches, full catering menu & a beau-tiful historic venue. Order online orsee our menus at www.juliscoffeeand-bistro.com. Open M-F 7 AM – 5 PM& Saturdays 8 AM – 2 PM.

Diamonds are Forever

With the Christmas season in fullswing, you'll find many specials andgift ideas at David's Jewelers, 623 S.Kansas - a family business that hasserved Topeka for four generations.Diamond rings, pendants and ear-rings usually top the list but they alsooffer vivid colored gemstones inunique settings, watches, clocks, stat-ues and fine crystal. "Gifts can start at $20.00 and go

from there," said Mitzifrom behind the count-er at David's. "We willbe glad to help you find that specialgift for that special someone."

One of a kind

For an eclectic selection of new andused items, check out Trails Market &Gallery at 109 S. Kansas Ave. JeffHisey has assembled a large selectionon two floors, where artists and

traders can come together, create andshare their ideas and passions withothers and provide a unique experi-ence and gifts for everyone. A widevariety of items, many of which areone-of-a-kind! You owe it to yourselfto check it out!

[ÉÄ|wtç `xÅÉÜ|xá?XäxÇàá?9 Z|yà \wxtá4 Check out the many Downtown Renovations and all the Holiday Events!

While you’re making your wayaround the downtown area, check outall of the new features! And watch forthese downtown events coming up:

FIRST FRIDAYS ART WALK –Dec. 2. Various locations Dowtwonand in NOTO arts district. Enjoyarts, antiques, fine crafts, and andtreats.

COOKIE WALK – Dec. 2, 5 - 8pm, Downtown Topeka, part ofFirst Friday Art Walk

GOD GETS THE GLORY LITUR-GICAL DANCE CONCERT - Dec.2, 8pm. Topeka Performing ArtsMuseum. Free will donationsaccepted.

FREE CHRISTMAS DANCECONCERT - Dec. 2, 8 pm, TPAC.Free concert of Liturgical dance.The beauty of movement to con-temporary Christian music lifts &encourages all ages for a joyousholiday. Barbara's Conservatory ofDance.

A CLASSIC ROCK CHRISTMAS -Dec. 3, 8pm, TPAC. Classic carolsin the style of your favorite classicrock bands performed by some of

the top classic rock musicians of alltime. Fun for the entire family.785-234-2787

TOPEKA WINTERFEST - Dec. 3,10-3, Downtown Topeka. Have afamily photo with live reindeerbefore visiting local shops & ven-dors. Take a horse-drawn carriageride for $1 then sip some cider asyou chat with Tiny Tim & otherfavorite characters. Free adm. Infoat bit.ly/2fadyfo

CHRISTMAS WITH CANTUS -Dec. 4, 3-5pm. Grace Cathedral

Topeka. Dinner, readings, and aconcert. Tickets and information:greatspaces.org

THE NUTCRACKER - PRESENT-ED BY KANSAS BALLET - Dec. 9:8pm; Dec. 10: 2pm & 8pm; Dec.11: 2pm, TPAC. Tickets availablethrough TPAC, Ticketmaster or atBarbara's Conservatory of Dance.Featuring a Live Choir and theTopeka Symphony Orchestra

HEARTSTRINGS BALLROOMDANCE - Dec. 16, 7 to 10 pm, 6thAvenue Ballroom, 117 SW 6th Ave.Couples $30; singles $15. Free formembers of the dance club. 215-6615

Register to Win a $2500 Diamond Pendant!

12 • December 2016 _______________________ MetroVoiceNews.com _________________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews _______________________ Topeka Metro Voice

Ed Popkess

35% OFF Burgers!

NOTO Community Arts Center935 N Kansas Ave, Topeka, KS

Register for classes at notoartsdistrict.comFor information: 785.608.6738 or email

NOTOartscenter@gmail.com

The North Topeka area has a lot goingon this time of year! Of course, NOTOArts District has been a hub of activity fora while now, but there are also many otherevents going on north of the river.All the stores are decorated for the

holidays, Christmas lights are on, andmany of the shops are open extendedhours. The holiday spirit is in the air!Here are just a few of the special

events going on in December:

WINTER CRAFT FAIR - Dec. 2-3, 9-3pm. The Cottages of Topeka Clubhouse.

SANTA ARRIVES ON UNIONPACIFIC TRAIN - Dec. 4, 1-3pm, GreatOverland Station, 701 North KansasAvenue. Childrencan explore the sta-tion, ride the minihandcar, have funballoon twisting,face painting, makea special holidaycraft, singChristmas carolsand have their

photo taken with Santa. 785-232-5533

THE GIVING TREE - Dec. 7, 8am-5pm. Mother Teresa Catholic Church.

Coordinated by theMTCC Youth Group,an opportunity tosupport those whowill be celebratingChristmas at theTopeka RescueMission and Handsof Hope this year.Each item will benefitan individual in need.Take one or more

ornaments from the tree and return theunwrapped item to the Giving Tree on orbefore December 7th

NORTH STAR CHRISTMAS DIN-NER THEATRE - Dec. 11, 6pm. NorthStar Steakhouse. $40. For info and reser-vations: 354-8880

Of course, there is also the monthlyNOTO Market on First Friday with arts,antiques, crafts and flea market items, aswell as entertainment.

Christmas is Special in North Topeka!VxÄxuÜtàx à{x [ÉÄ|wtçá |Ç aÉÜà{ gÉÑx~t4

CONCERTSTOPEKA ACOUSTIC MUSIC JAM - First Sat. of ea. month,3-5pm, Potwin Presbyterian Church (enter south door),400 S.W. Washburn. Information: 286-0227 orhagen1525@gmail.com.THE BERRYTON PICKERS - First Sat. of ea. month, 7-9pm, Berryton Baptist Church. Bring snacks and havesome fun!KEITH & KRISTYN GETTY IRISH CHRISTMAS - Dec. 3,7:30-9:30pm, Grace Community Church--Overbrook, 310E. 8th St, Overbrook, KS. Accompanied by the Getty'sband of top bluegrass and Celtic folk musicians andstep-dancers, the evening is a unique blend of modernhymns, Irish folk music, and some favorite Christmascarols. 785-665-7117CHRISTMAS CONCERT WITH THE WRIGHTS – Dec. 4,10:45am, Oakland Nazarene, 939 NE Oakland St. 289-8905. thewrightsministries.comCHRISTMAS CONCERT WITH THE WRIGHTS – Dec. 4,7pm, Our Savior's Lutheran Church Banquet, 2021 SW29th St. 289-8905. thewrightsministries.comTOPEKA A CAPELLA UNLIMITED SWEET ADELINE'SSHOW - Dec. 10, 2pm. Topeka VA Hospital, 21st andGage, building 24CHRISTMAS CONCERT WITH THE WRIGHTS – Dec. 10,7pm, Christ Comm. Church, 1100 Kasold Dr., Lawrence.289-8905. thewrightsministries.com

SPECIAL CHURCH EVENTSHARVESTER'S PROGRAM FOR SENIOR CITIZENS - everysecond Sat., takes place at Christian Lord Ministries,2421 SE California. Call 266-4979.FIRST SATURDAY BREAKFAST BUFFET – First Saturdayof every month, 7:30-10am. Shawnee Heights UnitedMethodist Church. Free will offering.FREE WEEKLY COMMUNITY PANCAKE BREAKFAST –Sundays at 10am sharp, at Oakland Church of theNazarene: 900 block of NE Oakland, followed by churchservices at 10:45am with Pastor John Menkveld - whichis in turn followed at noon by The Hope House FREECommunity Food & Clothing Banks.. BINGO AT FAIRLAWN HEIGHTS ASSISTED LIVING - 3pm,1st Sat. of ea. month. Facilitator: Pastor CaroleSPIRITUAL PAUSE - Every Wed., 12-12:30pm, CaroleChapel at Washburn Univ. Informal worship service.785-233-1844LIFEFEST – First Thu. of the month, 10am-12:30pm,Covenant Baptist Church, 5440 SW 37th St. Seniorsministering to seniors – celebrating with fellowship, fun,food, learning & entertainment. Potluck lunch at noon. Iftransportation is needed, call 354-4994 or 478-1729SENIOR FIT & FUN PROGRAM - every Mon., Wed., &

Fri., 1:30pm, Rolling Hills Christian Church, 4530 NWHiawatha Place (US Hwy 75 & NW 46th St.) 785-286-0601 or office@rhcctopeka.org SHOE DRIVE - Faith Temple Church's HospitalityCommittee is doing an on-going shoe drive to raisemoney for a remodeling project within the church, andpartnering with Funds2Orgs. Donated shoes will beredistributed throughout the Funds2Orgs network ofpartners in developing nations, such as Haiti, Hondurasand other nations in Central America. Funds2Orgs willin turn help impoverished people to start and maintainbusinesses. The shoes can be brought to the church ora “free pickup!” The shoes can be for men, women orchildren. For info contact Cookie Johnson at 785-640-4165, or jassieone55@gmail.comFIRST FRIDAY EXPLOSION! - Dec. 2, 7pm, 1162 SWLincoln St., Faith Temple Church (Corners of Lincoln &Munson Streets). Old School Holiness being broughtback to the church! There will be testimony service,choirs; good old Holy Ghost Preaching and Teaching, allwrapped up in Praise and Worship of our Lord, whereJESUS IS THE MAIN ATTRACTION!. Pastor R. K. Lassiter,Jr., and First Lady Chantel Lassiter will be the featuredspeakers. ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BAZAAR & LUNCHEON - Dec. 3, 9-1pm. Crestview United Methodist Church, 2245 SWEveningside Dr. Chili or soup and a sandwich. $7 permeal. Cookies and candy $7 per pound. Crafts, silentauction, and theme baskets.CHRISTMAS DINNER - Dec. 3, 5-10pm. Mother TeresaCatholic Church. Must register in advance, and only 2spots are still available! To register: 246-0207CHRISTMAS WITH CANTUS - Dec. 4, 3-5pm. GraceCathedral Topeka. Dinner, readings, and a concert.Tickets and information: greatspaces.orgWOMEN'S MINISTRY LOL CHRISTMAS - Dec. 5-6, 6-10:30pm. Two locations: Mulvane Auditorium(live) andCollege Auditorium(simulcast). Tickets are free but mustbe picked up in advance.COMMUNITY DINNER - Dec. 7, 5 - 6:30pm, TecumsehUnited Methodist Church. Lasagna, salad, vegetable,dessert and drink. Free will donationANNUAL COOKIE WALK - Dec. 10, 8 am to noon,Wanamaker Woods Nazarene Church, 3501 SWWanamaker Rd. $6 per pound. Proceeds support mis-sions. For info: 273-2248ANGELIC CHRISTMAS SWEET SHOPPE & CRAFTS - Dec.10, 9am-3pm, Highland Park UMC, 2914 S.E. Michigan.Cookies by the pound, Candy/Crafts. Purchase yourbaked items and gifts for the holiday. Contact: DonnaBeaver at dmbeaver@swbell.netGERMAN LANGUAGE CHRISTMAS SERVICE - Dec. 11,4pm. First Congregational Church, 1701 SW Collins.Authentic German dinner to follow at 5pm. $10 inadvance, $12 at door. Children under 12 are half price.For info: 233-1786

DRIVE-THRU LIVING NATIVITY - Dec. 11, 5 to 7pm, FirstLutheran Church, 1234 S.W. Fairlawn. (785) 272-5302,1stlutherantopeka@sbcglobal.netQUARTER MANIA - Dec 13, 7pm, Potwin PresbyterianChurch, 400 SW Washburn Ave. Quarter Mania is across between an auction and BINGO where people“bid” to win a product/prize of brand new goods donat-ed from various home business vendors participating inthe event. Bids on these new items are from 1 to 4quarters. So Don't Forget to Bring Your Roll of Quarters. CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM - Dec. 15,10:30am. Bethel Baptist Church, 4011 N Kansas Ave.For info: 286-0467LHTC CHRISTMAS PROGRAM AND SILENT AUCTION -Dec. 16, 10:30-2. Lowman United Methodist Church,4101 SW 15th St. AN EVENING OF HOLIDAY CHEER - Dec. 16, 7-9 pm,First Lutheran Church, 1234 SW Fairlawn. Cole Bellamy,Kolby Van Camp, & Samantha Williams. Free Adm. Non-perishable food items will be collected on behalf ofHarvesters Community Food Network LASER TAG - Dec. 17, 3pm, Antioch Family Life Center,1921 SE Indiana. Play some laser tag during ChristmasBreak. Bring your friends & family for a totally differentway to play laser tag – no vests, multiple game styles.$7.50 each JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM DRIVE THRU INTERACTIVENATIVITY SCENE - Dec 17-18, 6-8pm, MeridenThreshing Bee Grounds Northeast of Meriden on Hwy 4.A drive thru progressive and interactive Nativity Sceneput on by Jefferson Assembly of God of Meriden. (785)484-1010; jagfellowship@gmail.comCHRISTMAS SERVICES - Dec. 18 & 25, Bethel BaptistChurch, 4011 N. Kansas Ave. . On the 18th - children'sChristmas program at 10:30 am. and on Christmas Daya special service at 10:00 am. For info call 286.0467.ADORE: CHRISTMAS NIGHT OF WORSHIP - Dec. 18,5pm & 7pm. Topeka Bible Church, Mulvane Auditorium.Tickets must be picked up in advance. CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES - Dec. 24, at 5pm, 7pm &10pm, Prince of Peace Lutheran, 3625 SW WanamakerRd. 785-271-0808CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE - Dec. 24, 6-7pm. CrossRoads Wesleyan Church, 2121 SW Harrison. CHRISTMAS SERVICES - Dec. 24, 3pm(Mulvane),4pm(College), 5pm(Mulvane), 6pm(College) and Dec.25, 10am(Mulvane). Topeka Bible Church.CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP SERVICE - Dec. 24, 5pm.Christ Lutheran Church, 3509 SW Burlingame Rd. Withcommunion. For info: 266-6263CHRISTMAS SERVICES - Northland Christian Church,3102 NW Topeka Blvd.Sat, Dec 24, 2016 2:30p Christmas Eve Traditional Service w/CommunionSat, Dec 24, 2016 4:00p Christmas Eve Contemporary Service w/CommunionSun, Dec 25, 2016 11:00a - 12:00p11:00 AM Christmas Day Worship ServiceFor info: 286-1204CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES - Dec. 24, 4 PM FamilyPageant Service, and 11 PM Candlelight Service.Christmas Day service begins at 10:30 AM on Sunday.We invite everyone to bring their pets! FirstCongregational Church, 1701 SW Collins. 785-233-1786

SEMINARS & CONFERENCESMEDICARE EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS - Dec. 1 at 1pm.Learn the basics of Medicare and all of its options.Seminars are designed for those becoming eligible forMedicare as well as those considering making a changeduring open enrollment. Seminars are free & open to thepublic, and will be held at Century Health Solutions, adivision of Stormont-Vail Healthcare, 2951 SW WoodsideDr. For info: 233-1816 or info@century-health.com.Light snacks & beverages provided.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENTSMEDICARE MONDAYS – First Mon. of ea. month, 1-3pm. Topeka/Sh. Co. Public Library (Menninger Rm 206),1515 SW 10th. Senior health insurance counseling. Forinfo: 580-4545 or nhonl@tscpl.orgWOW - WORKIN' OUT ON WEDNESDAYS - 5:30 pm everyWed., south steps of the Capitol building. Free, fun andfamily-friendly. A combination of aerobic & strengthtraining exercises, coupled with a fun line dance to endeach experience. www.makinmoves.com

SAFE STREETS COALITION MEETING – First Wed. of themonth, 11:45am-1pm. Great Overland Station. For info:266-4606 or jwilson@safestreets.orgCOUNTRY AND BALLROOM DANCING - Thursday's 6-9pm. Croco Hall. Info: Edwina 379-9538 or 478-4760.NOTO MARKET ON FIRST FRIDAYS – NOTO arts district.Arts, antiques, fine crafts, flea market items. SAVING DEATH ROW DOGS ADOPTION BOOTH - EverySat., 11am - 2pm, Petco, 1930 SW Wanamaker SHAWNEE SWINGERS SQUARE DANCE LESSONS -Wednesday's, 7pm, Croco Hall, 6115 SE Highway 40,Tecumseh. Call Don at 785-966-2765TOPEKA FOLK DANCERS CLASSES - Sundays, 2-4pm,2637 SE 41st St. Dances from 20 countries. No partnersor experience necessary. No fee. 215-0968. FESTIVAL OF TREES – Dec. 1-2, 9am-4pm, Dec. 3,8am-4pm; Dec. 4, 11am-3pm, Ag Hall. Features trees &wreaths beautifully decorated by talented designers.Enjoy performers from local schools and groups. Holidaydécor and gifts for sale. Tickets $5, seniors $3, 12 &under free. 233-2566.GOD GETS THE GLORY LITURGICAL DANCE CONCERT -Dec. 2, 8pm. Topeka Performing Arts Museum. Free willdonations accepted. BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD TOUR - Dec. 3, 7-10pm.White Concert Hall, Washburn University. Tickets:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/behold-the-lamb-of-god-tour-tickets-26485731536%20/t%20_blankWINTER CRAFT FAIR - Dec. 2-3, 9-3pm. The Cottagesof Topeka Clubhouse. FREE CHRISTMAS DANCE CONCERT - Dec. 2, 8 pm,TPAC. Free concert of Liturgical dance. The beauty ofmovement to contemporary Christian music lifts &encourages all ages for a joyous holiday. Barbara'sConservatory of Dance.COOKIE WALK – Dec. 2, 5 - 8 pm, Downtown Topeka,part of First Friday Art Walk

WINTER CRAFT FAIR - Dec. 2-3, 9-3pm. The Cottagesof Topeka Clubhouse. 3RD ANNUAL BRYSON'S BATTLE BOWLING TOURNA-MENT & SILENT AUCTION - Dec. 3, 1 pm, Gage Bowl,4200 SW Huntoon. $20 a person or $80 for a team of 4. 3RD ANNUAL SWEET SHOP AND CRAFT SHOW - Dec. 3.8am-2pm, Mater Dei School in the gym, 10th & Clay.Breakfast served 8:30-10:30am: biscuits & gravy,donuts, coffee, juice & milk. Santa will be there 9-10:30am! Lunch served 11am-1:30pm: burritos hotdogs, chili dogs, chili & nachos. 8th grade class will beholding a craft shop for the little ones as well - dona-tions accepted. All sweets sold at $6/lb.36TH ANNUAL KARATE SPECTACULAR - Dec. 3, 9am -3pm, Central Park Community Ctr, 1534 SW Clay. Tots(7 years & under) Mini Pee Wee (8-9years old) Pee Wee(10-11years old) Junior (12-13years old) Teen (14-16years old) Adults (17 years & over) Lightweight (Lt) is165 pounds & under; Heavyweight (Hvy) is 166 pounds& over. 785-251-2965CRITTER CARE SANTA PICTURES - Dec. 3, 10-5; Dec. 4,1-4, Fairlawn Plaza. Bring your dog, your cat, your kids...climb in the big red sleigh with Santa Claus for a visitor a $5 photo! Such fun to watch... and proceeds go tofund low-cost spay and neuter services for animalsthrough Critter Care.A CLASSIC ROCK CHRISTMAS - Dec. 3, 8pm, TPAC.Classic carols in the style of your favorite classic rockbands performed by some of the top classic rock musi-cians of all time. Fun for the entire family. 785-234-2787KANSA PRAIRIE QUILT SHOW - Dec. 3, OskaloosaMiddle School, Oskaloosa, Ks. Kansa Prairie Quilt Clubshow in conjunction with a holiday open house & craftshow. In addition "Not a creature was stirring" is anopportunity quilt that will be given away that day. Showis free and chances on the quilt are available @ thedoor. 785-331-7017.

FREE LISTINGS! E-mail your events to: Voice@cox.net; mail to Metro Voice, P.O. 5724, Topeka, KS 66605; or fax to 785-235-3340

t h e e v e n t scalendarThe Area’s Most Complete guide to the Events and Concerts You Want to See!Topeka Metro Voice _________________________ MetroVoiceNews.com _______________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews ___________________ December 2016 • 13

4:30 pm

14 • December 2016 ____________________ MetroVoiceNews.com _________________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews _________________________ Topeka Metro Voice

ADOPTION EVENT AT BRIGGS SUBARU - Dec. 3, 10am-1pm. Join Helping Hands Humane Society & celebratethe Share the Love campaign. The HHHS MobileAdoption Unit will be there with adoptable pets lookingfor a new home in time for the holiday season. If youpurchase or lease a new Subaru now through Jan. 3,you can have $275 donated to HHHS!TOPEKA WINTERFEST - Dec. 3, 10-3, DowntownTopeka. Have a family photo with live reindeer beforevisiting local shops & vendors. Take a horse-drawncarriage ride for $1 then sip some cider as you chatwith Tiny Tim & other favorite characters. Free adm.Info at bit.ly/2fadyfoKIDS IN THE KITCHEN: HOLIDAY TREATS - Dec. 3,11am-12:30pm and 3-4:30pm, Hy-Vee. Deadline toregister: Dec. 2. Join your Hy-Vee dietitian for thishands-on cooking event. You will get to make and eatSanta Sandwiches, Banana Snowmen, Mini BagelVegetable Ornaments, Rudolph Energy Bites, and youwill get to decorate your own Gingerbread Man. Plus,you will get to make a Hot Cocoa Gift jar to take homeand give to someone special! Earn an "I Tried It!"sticker by sampling everything we prepare.Recommended age range is 4-11 years old. Tickets areonly needed for the child. Adults are welcome to stay& help their child.OLD FASHION CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR AND BAKESALE - Dec. 3, 9-3pm. Crestview Community Center,4801 SW Shunga Dr. For info: 251-2960CHRISTMAS IN CARBONDALE - Dec. 4, 11am-5pm,downtown Carbondale. Vendors, lunch, Santa, Libraryopen house and more!SELF-DEFENSE FOR WOMEN - Dec. 6, 6-7:30pm. BGAcademy of Martial Arts, 6500 SW 26th Ct. Hands-onself-defense class for women. $10. Ages 13 and up.RMHC ANNUAL COOKIE WALK – Dec. 6, 8-Noon; Dec9, 9am-5pm, Ronald McDonald House Charities, 825SW Buchanan. Cookie Walk & Confectionery Delightssale. Homemade cookies & candies $5/dozen.Specialty cookies, cupcakes, cakes, pies & breadsindividually priced. Donated items can be baked off-site and dropped off at the Ronald McDonald House.All proceeds support keeping families close to theirhospitalized children! For info or to donate bakedgoods, contact Mindee Reece at mindee@rmhctope-ka.org or 785-235-6852.HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE - Dec. 6, 4-6pm, Mulvane ArtMuseum. Check out the Museum Open House, plushors d'oeuvres & hot apple cider!THE GIVING TREE - Dec. 7, 8am-5pm. Mother TeresaCatholic Church. Coordinated by the MTCC YouthGroup, an opportunity to support those who will be cel-ebrating Christmas at the Topeka Rescue Mission andHands of Hope this year. Each item will benefit anindividual in need. Take one or more ornaments fromthe tree and return the unwrapped item to the GivingTree on or before December 7thCHRISTMAS CONCERT - Dec. 7, 7-8pm. White ConcertHall, Washburn University. NIGHT OUT SHOPPING SPREE - Dec. 8, 5-9 pm at theAuburn Civic Center. Featuring home-based business-es. Hosted by Auburn Lion's Club.TBC LIGHT SHOW - Dec. 9 - Jan. 1, Topeka BibleChurch, A free live performance combining talentedsingers, musicians and a spectacular light display.Our gift to the Topeka community! Live shows at 6, 7,8, and 9 PM, Fri.-Sun. 12/9-12/11; automated showsat the same times 12/12 thru 1/1. THE NUTCRACKER - PRESENTED BY KANSAS BALLET- Dec. 9: 8pm; Dec. 10: 2pm & 8pm; Dec. 11: 2pm,TPAC. Tickets available through TPAC, Ticketmaster orat Barbara's Conservatory of Dance. Featuring a Live

Choir and the TopekaSymphony OrchestraRED STOCKING BREAK-FAST - Dec. 10, 7:30-10:30am. CarlosO'Kelly's MexicanRestaurant. $15 inadvance, $18 at door.Children 10 and undereat free. SWEET ADELINES ACAP-PELLA CHRISTMAS -Dec. 10, 2pm, ColmeryO'Neal VA Center

Auditorium, 2200 SW Gage Blvd. Sweet Adelines,Topeka Acappella Unlimited presents an AcappellaChristmas Celebration. $15 Adm., $12 Seniors &Students. Special guests include: Capital City Chorusmen's barbershop. For info: 785-286-1946 orwww.acappellaunlimited.comOLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS PARTY - Dec. 10, 3-6:30pm, Auburn Community Center. Fun for all ages!Chili cook-off and feed. Suggested donation of a canof food or cash to benefit the Auburn food pantry.CANDY CANE HUNT/S'MORES WITH SANTA - Dec. 10,5:30-7pm. Crestview Community Center. Childrenunder age 7 welcome. $7 per family. NORTH STAR CHRISTMAS DINNER THEATRE - Dec. 11,6pm. North Star Steakhouse. $40. For info and reser-vations: 354-8880MEMORY TREE COMMUNITY MEMORIAL SERVICES –Dec. 11 at 11:30am, 1pm, 2:30pm and 4pm atMidland Care, 200 SW Frazier Circle. For grieving fami-lies to remember their loved ones. For more info call785-232-2044 or visit www.midlandcare.orgSENIOR CITIZENS LUNCH - Dec. 12, 11am, PerryCommunity Bldg. Ham & scalloped potatoes. Bring acovered dish to share, your table service and $1.Entertainment by the PLHS Singers. Christmas cookies& punch follow concert. Health screenings begin at10:15 am.GO RED FOR WOMEN LUNCHEON - Dec. 13, 10am-1pm, Capitol Plaza Hotel Maner Conference Center,1717 SW Topeka Blvd. help fight Cardiovascular dis-ease! Tickets $80. Attire is business casual, redattire encouraged. Silent “Purse-onality” Auction!Plus guests can relax and be pampered in the DivaLounge and have their photos taken in the Pictureand a Promise area before the luncheon presenta-tion which will feature the success stories of theBetterU Challenge women as well as a survivorstory. For info or tickets: www.topekagoredfor-women.org or Lance Wilson at 785.228.3435 orLance.Wilson@heart.org.KSDE DRIVE-IN WORKSHOP - HEALTH, BIOMEDICAL &BIOCHEMISTRY - Dec. 14, 9:00 am. Free Workshop @Flint Hills Technical College in Emporia, KS for allHealth Science, Biomedical and Biochemistry teach-ers. Lots of networking opportunities and sharing oflessons & projects.https://goo.gl/forms/YNm9YUaAxqAA9knl1 WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION MEETING- Dec. 15 at 1pm, at the home of Frances Wood, 3342SW Chelsea Circle. The program will be "ChristmasMemories." Come, share your memory and viewalmost 50 nativities. Guests welcome. Info - call271-9320. ANYONE CAN COOK - Dec. 16, 4-5 pm, Lingo StoryRoom., Topeka Library. Kids. For anyone who loves toeat but can’t cook. Learn to follow a recipe, planhealthy and delicious meals and snacks and exploredifferent styles of cooking. [All ages]HEARTSTRINGS BALLROOM DANCE - Dec. 16, 7 to 10pm, 6th Avenue Ballroom, 117 SW 6th Ave. Couples$30; singles $15. Free for members of the dance club.215-6615HARK! TOPEKA CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR! - Dec. 17,4:30-9:30, Capital Plaza Hotel. Event tickets $50, or$75 with wine tasting. For info: 230-0795

MEETINGS & CLASSESC5Alive “CHRISTMAS” LUNCHEON – Dec. 8, 11:30-1at Aldersgate Village. Christmas music, fun & games!Music by Mitch Langley!• Cost: $10 for C5 members & first-time guests who

RSVP, $12 at the door• $15 for non-members & repeat guests.• Please RSVP to info@C5Alive.org, so we know howmuch food is needed!Open to the public – Put POWER in your life with greatfood, great speakers and great company! Invite afriend to join you! SAVE THE DATE: Jan. 12, 11:30-1, C5Alive “POWER"Luncheon. Details to be announced. WOMEN’S CONNECTION “Merry Christmas” LUNCH-EON – Dec. 8, 11am, T&SC Public Library, 1515 SW10th Ave. $14 for lunch, no charge for program. Opento all women. RSVPs by Dec. 5 to Ann at 785-554-3617. SPEAKER: Andy Vogel, Director of Young life.MUSIC: Seaman Show Choir under the direction ofAndrew Huff, will share Christmas music. FEATURE:Brenda Price with Absolute Design by Brenda willbring beautiful Christmas designs for us to enjoy. DADDY'S GIRLS EMPOWERMENT MEETINGS - Weeklyat various times & locations. Daddy's Girls*Inc. is afaith based non-profit organization that encouragesyoung ladies to make wise choices by providing bibli-cally based education & mentoring. Enjoy hanging outwith other young ladies striving to reach their highestpotential through the power of Jesus Christ!Remember: Modest is still the hottest and Virgin is stillHis standard! Call to find a meeting location nearyou:785-969-0491, daddysgirlsinc.com;daddys_girls_inc@ymail.comCONCERNED WOMEN FOR AMERICA MEETING - Joinother concerned individuals to pray and unite in actionfor Shawnee County and our Nation. For info aboutmonthly meetings: 785-260-5659 or go toks.cwfa.org.THE HEAT - Free fitness classes; learn and buildhealthy social & eating habits. Held at TrinityPresbyterian Church, 4746 SW 21st St. Sun. - 4-5pmYoga; Mon. - 12-12:45pm Zumba; 5:30-6:15pmKickboxing; 6:15-7pm Pilates Fusion; Tue. - 12-12:45pm Yoga; 5:30-6:15pm Zumba; 6:15-7pm CardioInterval; Wed. - 12-12:45pm Kickboxing; Thu. - 12-12:45pm Pilates; 5:30-6:15pm Cardio Interval - Lowintensity; 6:15-7:00pm Cardio Interval - Moderateintensity; Fri. - 12-12:45pm Kickboxing; Sat. - 8-8:45am KickboxingTOPEKA TREASURE HUNTERS CLUB - 3rd Sun. ofeach month, 7pm, Papan’s Landing Senior Center,618 NW Paramore St. Family Memberships includechildren & grandchildren up to 18 yrs. A place to meetfriends to discuss all aspects of Metal Detecting, clubbusiness, plus socializing & entertainment.STEP UP – BUILDING THE SMART STEP-FAMILY –Every Sun. 11am, Northland Christian Church, Room 4,3102 NW Topeka Blvd. Focusing on the challengesfacing step-families and blended families. ContactThomas Munker at 249-3054 for info.BOY'S TRAIL LIFE & AMERICAN HERITAGE GIRLSTROUPS - Every Mon. 6pm, Cornerstone Comm. Ch.,7620 SW 21st. Faith-based scouting programs kidsage 5-18. Register at cornerstonetopeka.com. 478-2929. INNOVATIVE NETWORKING GROUP OF TOPEKA - everyother Wed. 11:20am - 12:30pm. www.INGTopeka.com- go to Event page to see meetings, locations & regis-terTIBA NETWORKING GROUP - 2nd Tues, 11:30a.m.-1p.m. MUST RSVP: taradimick@gmail.com. Lunch is$10. www.topekatiba.orgDEAF WORSHIP SERVICE – 3rd Sun., 3pm, FaithLutheran Church, 17th & Gage. Also, every Sun.9:30am service is interpreted.FAMILY EXPERIENCE (FX) – Every Sun., 6:01pm,Fairlawn Church of Nazarene, 730 Fairlawn Rd. A timeof high intensity, action packed, skit mania, worshipmusic all centered around the word of God for 45 min-utes. A free family worship event. For info: EmilyMoore, 272-6322 or fxthelawn@gmail.com.LADIES' SMALL GROUP – Every Sun., 6pm, BethelBaptist Church, 4011 N. Kansas Ave. Studying thebook of Esther, using the DVD series "It's Tough Beinga Woman" by Beth Moore. All welcome. Info: 286-0467.THE FIRST PLACE 4 HEALTH PROGRAM – Mon.,6:30pm or Sat., 8am, Topeka First Assembly, 500 SW27th St. This program points members to God’sstrength & creates a compassionate support groupthat helps members stay accountable in a positiveenvironment & delivers faith-based health & weightmanagement instruction. To join or start a new group,contact Jan Norris, 972-0582 or norris.jan@sbcglob-al.net or visit firstplace4health.com.THE FORCE (Students Taking Action) – 1st Mon. &3rd Tue., 6:30-8pm, Safe Streets, 2209 SW 29th St.Committed to being alcohol & drug free. Associatewith like-minded peers, plan activities & get involvedin the community. All youth ages 12-18 invited. 266-4606.HEARTLAND HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODS – 2nd Mon.,11:45am-1pm. Promoting neighborhood well-being bymobilizing people, ideas & resources. 233-1365.TOPEKA LINCOLN CLUB – 1st Tue. of month, 7pm,Topeka Public Library. Discussing our greatestPresident, Abraham Lincoln, and his times. The publicis welcome. For info, contact Kirk Nystrom 235-6977.KC TRAUMA AND PTSD SUPPORT GROUP - Every Tue.10am and Thu. 6:30pm. Call Denise at 816-885-9530.OUR LADY OF THE FAITHFUL – Every 1st Tues.,

6:30pm Mass followed by Dinner, Most Pure Heart ofMary Catholic Church. A Catholic group for those intheir 20-30s. For info: Michelle Ann 580-3071 or ourla-dyofthefaithful@gmail.com. Facebook: "OurladyoftheFaithful." SUNRISE OPTIMIST CLUB – Every Tue., 6:30am,Sunrise Optimist Complex, 720 NW 50th St. 246-1291.MENNINGER BIBLE CLASSES - Tuesdays Noon -1pm.Amerus Room, YWCA, 225 West 12th. A new studygroup for Year One of Flo Menninger’s course on FourYears through the Bible. Read and discuss Genesisthrough First Kings. Nominal charge for materials. Forinfo call the YWCA at 233-1750 or Clara Gamache at785-408-5433. O.W.L.S. (Older Wise Loving Saints) - meets the sec-ond Tuesday of the month. Location varies and can befound at www.faithfamilylife.comS.W.A.G. (Spiritual Warriors Anointed by God) youthgroup -Wed at 7:00 p.m. 3710 NW Topeka Blvd.AWANA – Every Wed., 6-8pm, First Southern BaptistChurch, 1912 SW Gage Blvd. Bible based program forchildren & youth ages 3-HS. For info: 272-0443.AWANA – Every Wed., 6:30pm, Bethel Baptist Church,4011 N. Kansas Ave. Bible based program for children& youth ages 3-HS. For info: 286-0467.AWANA – Every Wed., 6:30-8pm, Auburn ChristianChurch. Bible based program for children & youthages 3-HS. For info: 256-2515.MACHINE EMBROIDERY CLUB – 1st Wed., 9am–3pm,Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 2021 SW 29th Street(east door). Anyone with an Embroidery machine isinvited to attend, there are no dues or formal meetingagenda. Lunch is on your own. Teach each other, enjoyfellowship & complete projects. Call 379-5159.SAFE STREETS MEETING – 1st Wed., 11:45am, GolfPark Blvd, 2 blocks west of Adams. For info: 266-4606.STUDENT IMPACT – Every Wed., 6–8pm, FirstSouthern Baptist, 1912 SW Gage Blvd. Youth games,teaching, worship, small groups. For info: 272-0443.CHRISTIAN CHALLENGE – Every Thurs. 7–9pm, FirstSouthern Baptist, 1912 SW Gage Blvd. Worship for col-

lege students.FULL GOSPEL BUSINESSMEN’S FELLOWSHIP – 3rdThurs., 6pm meal, 7pm meeting, Coyote Canyon,Huntoon & Wanamaker. Kirk Nystrom, 235-6977.iMOM – 1st & 3rd Thurs., 9-11:30am, Topeka BibleChurch Fellowship Hall, 1135 SW College. For allmoms, helping them to be intentional! For info: 234-5545.LIFE FEST – 1st Thurs., 10am-12:30pm, CovenantBaptist Church, 5440 SW 37th St. Celebrate SeniorLife. For info: 273-2811. OPERATION BACKPACK – 1st Thurs., 6pm, LymanLearning Center, Lyman and N. Kansas Ave. Volunteersgather to assemble Weekend Snack Sacks for low-income students. Sponsored by Topeka NorthOutreach. For info: 286-1370. SINGLES BIBLE STUDY – 2nd & 4th Thurs., 7pm,Heartland Worship Center Church of God, 1401 NWHarrison. For info: 232-5503.TOPEKA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY – 4th Thurs., 7pm,Topeka Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 SW 10thSt. No program in Nov. or Dec. Promotes & stimulatesthe education, knowledge & interest of the member-ship & the public in family history, genealogicalrecords & research. For info: 233-5762 ortgstopeka.org. KINGDOM ADVISORS TOPEKA AREA STUDY GROUP –3rd Thu., 11:30am, Northland Christian Church, 3102NW Topeka Blvd. Christian financial professionals:financial planners, accountants, attorney’s & insur-ance agents invited. For info: kingdomadvisors.org orJim Hanna, james.c.hanna@ampf.com or 357-6278x19.TOPEKA (Downtown) OPTIMIST CLUB – Every Fri.,noon, Top of the Tower. Serving the youth of Topeka.Anyone welcome. For info: 272-1099 orfostern60@yahoo.com.TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) -- Every Fri. 8:30to 10:00 am at 3221 SW Burlingame Road. 800-932-8677. Support for your weight loss journey. tops.orgVIP LUNCHEON FOR SENIORS – Every Fri., Noon, NorthTopeka Baptist Church, 123 NW Gordon. FREE lunch

Dec. 10, 7:30 - 10:30 a.m.Carlos O'Kelly's Mexican Cafe

Topeka Metro Voice _________________________ MetroVoiceNews.com _________________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews ___________________ December 2016 • 15with Christian fellowship, devotions & entertainmentprovided by Topeka North Outreach. Free blood pres-sure checks the last Friday of every month, and birth-day celebrations the 4th Friday. For Info: 286-1370.A GOOD YARN CLUB – 2nd & 4th Sat., 9-11am,Wanamaker Rd Baptist Church, 2700 SW Wanamaker.Doing Good for Others: Knitting & Crocheting for LocalCharities, free yarn, needles, hooks & patterns. All arewelcome. Info: Anne, 272-9249 or kittens812@att.netBIBLE QUIZZING – 1st Sat. Learn God's Word & havefun with area Christian youth age 9-19. YFC/YEA stylequizzing & rules. 913-593-6427 or biblequizzer.org.MONTHLY SCORE MEETING – 1st Sat., 8-9:30am,Washburn Tech, 5724 SW Huntoon (enter east doorsfacing Huntoon). No RSVP or fee is required. Smallbusiness owners are invited to a BreakfastRoundtable discussion with members of SCORE(Service Corps of Retired Executives). For info: 234-3049.TOPEKA LOVE AGLOW – Once a month on Sat. morn-ing. A time of worship, prayer and encountering God.Call Tawny Barton at 785-409-0232 or Linda Williamsat 785-267-0600 for details.FREE ENGLISH CLASSES – Every Sat. 9-10:30am,Central Congregational Church, 1248 SW Buchannan.For info: 235-2376. RUSSIAN HOUSE OF PRAYER – Every Sat., 4pm,Williamstown Assembly of God, 1225 Oak St.,Perry/Williamstown. For info: 597-5228.SINGLES PLAY CARDS SR. – 1st Sat., 6-9pm, St.Peter’s UMC, NW 35th & Hwy 75 SAVING DEATH ROW DOGS ADOPTION & EDUCATION -every Sat. 11am-2pm, Petco, 1930 SW Wanamaker.UPPER ROOM COMMUNITY – second Sat., 10 am,Capitol Building

SUPPORT GROUPSMIDLAND CARE GRIEF SUPPORT Groups: Building A,200 SW Frazier CircleEvery Mon., 4-5pm: 12 Week Adult Group for RecentLoss1st and 3rd Thu., 10:30am & 5:30pm—Ongoing AdultGroup1st and 3rd Thu., 5:30pm: Ongoing Young Adult Group(4-18 years of age)For All Groups: Call for start dates and info packet.Group and individual grief support available uponrequest. For info: 785-232-2044 ext.341ABORTION RECOVERY SUPPORT – Providing servicesfor women & men who suffer from Post-AbortionSyndrome…we can help mend a broken heart! Forinfo: Kay Lyn at KLCarlson20@cox.net.AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS – for friends & families ofalcoholics. For info: 785-409-3072 ortopekaalanon.orgPURSUIT FOR SEXUAL PURITY – Men struggling withpornography & sexual addiction. This bible study/accountability group uses the Pure Desire book by TedRoberts. For info: 249-9509. All inquiries confidential.ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUPS – Monthly supportgroup meetings for caregivers of individuals withAlzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. For info:Alzheimer’s Association, Heart of America Chapter,271-1844 or email cindy.miller@alz.org."HEALING HEARTS" support group/Bible study – Forwomen whose husbands struggle with pornographyaddictions or have had affairs. Videos & workbook willgive you hope for your marriage & emotional healing.For info: Jane Goble, 249-0983.BIKERS AGAINST CHILD ABUSE – NE Kansas Chapter

(B.A.C.A.) 3rd Sun., 4 pm American Legion, 3800 SEMichigan. Open to the public. For info: 817-5801.FRIENDS WITH M.S. – 3rd Mon., 6:30pm, Our Savior'sLutheran Church, 2021 SW 29th St. (Enter East door).A Multiple Sclerosis support group. Donna, 266-7383.BOUNCE BACK SELF-HELP – 3rd Mon., 6:30pm, OurSavior’s Lutheran Church, 2021 SW 29th St. For thoseliving with multiple sclerosis. For info: 273-0799.INCARCERATED PERSONS & FAMILIES – 1st Mon.,6:30–7:30pm, YMCA, 421 Van Buren. 286-2329.COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS/BEREAVED PARENTSGROUP – Meets 4th Mon. in Formation classroom atMost Pure Heart of Mary, 17th & Stone. Discussionstarts 7pm; fellowship & refreshments 8:30. 272-4895GRIEF SUPPORT – Sponsored by Heartland Hospicefor those dealing with death or major loss:1st Mon., 5:30-7:30pm, Individual appointments;other times are available. Call Terry Frizzell at(785)230-6730.3rd Thurs., 11am, Lunch After Loss, Paisano’sRistorante, Fleming Place, SW 10th & Gage Blvd,.Dutch treat luncheon to meet new friends who havesat where you are sitting. For reservations or info:785-271-6500.OVEREATERS / UNDEREATERS ANONYMOUS:MON., 7pm – Westminister Presbyterian, south door,upstairs in Library; 233-6724.WED., 7pm – St. Francis Hospital meeting room 6, 2ndfloor; 234-8020.SAT. - 9am – St. Francis Hospital meeting room 8,2nd floor; 862-2326.For info: 357-8774; sunflowerintergroup.oa.org.NAMI TOPEKA – Every 2nd Tue., 6:45pm, lower level ofValeo, 330 SW Oakley. If door is locked, call 608-1317to get in. The 1st hour is often a discussion of animportant topic or video. The 2nd hour is usually a sup-port talk time, w/ separate consumer & family groups.608-1317.OSTOMY SUPPORT GROUP - First Tue. each month atSt. Francis Health, 1700 SW 7th St, Meeting Room,2nd floor, 6–7:30pm. Anyone with an ostomy mayattend. The goal is to provide education and ongoingsupport for individuals with an ostomy. Contact TeresaKellerman at 785-295-5555 for info.GRANDPARENT/RELATIVE CAREGIVER SUPPORTGROUP – 3rd Tue., 6:30-8pm, 2nd floor meeting room,St. Francis Hosp, 1700 SW 7th. For info: Sharla, 286-2329; Jennie (English/Spanish) 231-0763.THE GREATER TOPEKA MULTIPLE MYELOMA – 3rdTue., 7-8:30pm, Faith Lutheran Church, 17th St. &Gage Blvd. Open to Multiple Myeloma patients, theirfamily members & friends. Share support, informa-tion,& friendship. For info: Donna, 903-918-9553. "HEALING AFTER THE SUICIDE OF A LOVED ONE"("HEAL") – or Survivors of Suicide" (SOS). 1st & 3rdTue., 7-8:30pm, Pozez Education Center of StormontVail Hospital, 1505 SW 8th St. Serving anyone who haslost a loved one by suicide.PRISON OUTREACH MINISTRY – Every Tue., 7-9pm,Topeka Women’s Prison, 815 Rice Rd. Reaching out tothose who can’t come in, finding freedom behind bars,inspiring inmates to seek salvation during a difficulttime. Providing support & guidance through the HolySpirit to offer strength. Director: Don Garner, 286-0489 or faithfamilylifeministries@gmail.com.GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS – Every Wed, 7pm, St.Francis Hospital, meeting room #8.JAYHAWK AREA AGENCY ON AGING – 4th Wed., 1pm,Rosehill Place Clubhouse. Monthly support group forcaregivers of seniors. For info: 235-1367 ext.30.MOMS-IN-TOUCH PRAYER GROUP – Every Wed., 2:30-

3:30pm, Library at Cair Paravel-Latin School.Experience God’s power through prayer as we lift ourstudents, teachers, staff, administrators & board upto the Lord. For info: 357-0369.DIVORCECARE PROGRAMS – (For updates checkwww.divorcecare.org) locations and times:WED. – 6:30pm, Topeka Bible Church, 1101 SWMulvane. Cost: $15. Child care provided. For info: 379-0505 or www.divorcecare.org.WED. – 6:45 – 8:45pm, Walnut View Christian Church,3634 SE 37th St. (just East of 37th & Croco). Cost:$10 registration (scholarships available). The videoseminar series featuring some of the nation’s fore-most experts on divorce and recovery topics, combinedwith support group discussion of the materials.Complimentary child care children up to the fifthgrade. Info: 266-7550 or walnutviewcc@att.net.Contact: Pastor Thornton.WED. – 6:30pm, Northland Christian Church, 3102 NWTopeka Blvd. No Cost . 286-1204, www.northland.ccNAMI WASHBURN – 4th Thurs., 6-8pm, Spirit BuildingRoom, University United Methodist Church, 1621 SWCollege Ave. NAMI is a student-run, student-ledorganization that provides mental health support,education, & advocacy in the Washburn Univ. setting.A support group is also available during this time.PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP – 1st Thurs.,7pm, Saint Francis Hospital 2nd floor conf. room ofthe cancer unit. For info: 266-9533.NICOTINE ANONYMOUS – Every Fri., 6:30pm, Town &Country Christian Church Renaissance Room, 4925 SW29th St., use west door cross red foot bridge. A fellow-ship of men & women helping each other to live freeof nicotine. No fees. 402-321-486;Laboomaha@att.net.CELEBRATE RECOVERY – Every Fri., 6pm, 1912 GageBlvd. A Christ-centered program, based on 8 princi-ples found in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Applyingthese Biblical principles, become free from addictive& dysfunctional behaviors. 220-0017 or crtopeka.org.TOPEKA NAR-ANON FAMILY GROUP – For families &friends who are affected by someone else’s narcoticaddiction. Every Sat. – 1005 SW 10th, next to OxfordHouse, noon-1:15 pm. www.naranonmidwest.orgCOVENANT KEEPERS – 3rd Sat. Group for people whowant to see their marriage saved when their spousewants out. For info: 816-453-0884 or 816-966-0927.

MEMORIEScontinued from page 8

resources into giving him a chance. Toher, she had no option but to sacrifice thefree life of a single-woman and focusevery waking hour on caring for her son’swellbeing and potential. She taught Davey the difference

between a need and a want; buying thewarm coat he needed – not the moreexpensive leather jacket he wanted.She made sure he never missed a

sports event; cheering with him for pro-wrestlers, racecar drivers and demolitionderbies. If a boy should be there, NellieMae made sure Davey was there. Shewas both Mom and Dad to her son. So, it only figures that Davey’s lasting

Christmas memory involves NellieMae…my mom.Mom was getting weaker and weaker.

She told me it was the lingering flu. Thephone can hide the truth when you live athousand miles apart. A September 25thcall from her neighbor revealed she wasgone.Growing up, Christmas was a small

but, extraordinarily special time. Mommade it that way. So, I wanted the samefor my family. I wanted to be the kind ofDad my Mom was. That first Christmas without Mom

was hard. It was before our boys wereborn, so Kerry and I were with her fami-ly in Indiana. Gifts had been opened,hugs and laughs had been shared, whenKerry said, “there’s one more present.” As she passed it to me, I could tell it

had been wrapped with care. Kerryshared how she found it hanging inMom’s closet – still wrapped in thedepartment store bag. She knew it wasfor Davey.Inside was a leather jacket. Three months after leaving, in a room

full of tears of joy, I received my Mom’slast Christmas gift. No longer a want – inmy heart, that special jacket was a need.

As the year’s busiest shopping sea-son begins, the American FamilyAssociation has compiled a list of 10cases to showcase why Target’s bath-room policies that allow male cus-tomers who identify as female to gointo women’s bathrooms and dress-ing rooms is a threat to women andchildren.

“The overwhelming evidencecontinues to pile up against Target’spolicy to allow men into women’srestrooms and dressing rooms in itsstores,” AFA President Tim Wildmonwrote in November..

Target has defended its decisionby stating: “We welcome transgenderteam members and guests to use therestroom or fitting room facility thatcorresponds with their gender iden-tity. ... Everyone deserves to feel likethey belong.”

But Wildmon argued that whatthis means is that a man can simplystate that he feels like a woman onany given day, and go in to use thewomen’s restroom.

“Target’s policy is exactly howsexual predators get access to theirvictims. And the proof keepsmounting,” he said.

“Clearly, Target’s dangerous poli-cy poses a threat to wives and daugh-ters. Over 1.4 million people havepledged to boycott Target storesuntil protecting women and chil-dren is a priority.”

AFA then listed 10 headlines thispast year of men found recording,taking photos, or peering intowomen’s restrooms at Target storesnationwide:• Man wanted for taking photos

inside Target changing room• Transgender woman caught

filming in Target changing room• Man seen reaching under stall

with phone in Target dressing room• ‘Peeping Tom’ reported in

Target dressing room• Teen girl reports dressing room

peeper at Target• Police Looking for Target

Peeper• Target peeping Tom pleads

guilty• Man Arrested for Taking

Photos of Woman in TargetBathroom• Peeping tom caught filming

women in Brentwood Target dress-ing rooms• ‘Peeping Tom’ took pics of peo-

ple in Target bathroomIn one case, a transgender

woman was arrested in Idaho backin July for recording an 18-year-oldgirl in the Idaho Falls Target store.Shaun Smith, the accused, lateradmitted to having recorded thevideos for “the same reason menlook at pornography.”

AFA has said that it will not beending its boycott until Targetreverses its policies, and said that theproposed plan by the retail giant toadd one unisex bathroom at each ofits 300 stores in the United Statesthat don’t already have one stilldoesn’t do anything to protectwomen and children.

“Unisex bathrooms are fine, butour request has always been thatTarget maintain the gender-specificbathrooms as well — if the companyis interested in guaranteeing thesafety and privacy of women andgirls who patronize the retailer’sstores,” Wildmon previously said.

Target’s same-store transactions,which is how traffic is measured, fell2.2 percent in the second quarter ofthis year. Overall, sales fell 7.2 per-cent to $16.2 billion.

Target sales decline as sexcrimes increase in stores

Transgender Bathroom Policy Leads to 10 Crimes Targeting Girls

Families across Kansas finalizedtheir adoptions on National AdoptionDay, Nov. 19. Following tradition,many judges opened their courthouseto complete adoptions and bringsmiles to the faces of children andadults alike. In total this November,nonprofit KVC Kansas helped to facil-itate the adoptions of nearly sixty chil-dren in the Kansas City area, Topekaand other parts of eastern Kansas.

There are more than 100,000 U.S.children in foster care waiting to findpermanent, loving families. In Kansas,there are approximately 350 childrenwho need adoptive families. InMissouri over 1,000 children wereavailable across the state. O n ehappy story is that of Bob, a 17-year-old who was in foster care and won-dered if he was “too old to be adopted.”Thanks to a video shared on socialmedia that showed his easygoing per-sonality and his desire for a family, his

story reached the perfect couple. JerryGross and Keira Jones respondedimmediately and Bob became a per-manent part of their family this fall.The heart-touching story of how thefamily surprised Bob with their desireto adopt him is online athttp://bit.ly/2eHWBSR.“For the adoptive families and

especially for the children, it is theculmination of a lot of hoping, wait-ing and hard work,” said DanielleBartelli, President of KVC Kansas. Weare thankful for the families that stepup to the plate to become a perma-nent, loving family for children whohave experienced abuse and neglect.We’re also thankful to the judgesthroughout Kansas who bring atten-tion to the need for more adoptivefamilies.”To learn more, visit www.kvck-

ansas.org or contact Kerry Hamel at(913) 956-5370 or khamel@kvc.org.

Sixty kids find their ‘forever homes’

16 • December 2016 ____________________ MetroVoiceNews.com _________________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews _________________________ Topeka Metro Voice

MOVIES, BOOKS, MUSIC & MORE!

[Editor’s Note: Metro Voice does not

make it a habit to review R-rated films. Attimes, though, a film is importantenough to review because of its portrayalof historical events in which the atrocitiesand violence of the subject manner can-not be ignored. It is part of a story thatmust be told. We realize that if accuratelytold on film, most of the Old Testamentwould also receive a similar rating. It israre that an A-lister Hollywood directorpresents faith and sacrifice in such anoutstanding production, that event themost liberal of his or her peers stand in a10-minute ovation and cheer at its pre-miere. Such was the case with MelGibson’s “Hacksaw Ridge”. This is not afilm for the faint of heart nor for children.It is a story that shows the brutal sacrificethat our fathers (my own father ElleryWidaman served in the Pacific in WWIIand re-enlisted to serve in Korea) andgrandfathers gave in preserving our free-doms. For that reason, a film like this can-not be judged solely by its film rating.–Dwight Widaman] The Bible calls it a burning lake, a blaz-

ing furnace. Dante imagined it as ninecircles of Sisyphean torture. Bosch col-ored it with our darkest nightmares. It'sbeen called Abaddon, Gehenna, Tophet,Hades.Perhaps those who took part in the

Battle of Okinawa have another name forhell: Hacksaw Ridge.It's the waning months of World War

II. Germany has surrendered but Japanfights on, contesting every inchof land with ferocious tenacity.

And as

the United States military pushes evercloser to the Japanese homeland, thefighting grows more desperate, morehorrific.The U.S. turns its guns on Okinawa,

just 340 miles from Japan. It pounds theisland with fire as soldiers and marinesscurry ashore. Japanese soldiers hideunderground, determined to push theAmericans into the ocean. HacksawRidge is one of the island's most contest-ed points, and soon the ground liessmoking. Bodies litter it like autumnleaves; blood pools in foxholes and foot-prints; sounds of agony fill the sky.Countries may fight for this patch ofland, but it's Death that rules here. Deaththat wins.But into that black, blasted game

board scurries one slight, skinny man. Hecarries no gun: Indeed, he fought the U.S.Army for the right not to. Bandages, notbullets, fill his pockets. He alone seems towalk upright in this land of crawling,screaming flesh. He alone dares all in thisdoomscape of the dying."Please Lord," he prays, his clothes

soaked in the blood of others, his handsripped open from the burn of rope. "Letme get one more."Desmond Doss finds another man,

almost dead—skin torn

away, muscles ripped open, boneexposed. He gives the man a shot of mor-phine—American, Japanese, doesn'tmatter—and hoists him to his back,returning to the face of a cliff where,below, lies sanctuary. There, at the top ofthe ridge, he secures the man to a ropeand slowly lowers him down, the ropecutting deeper into his hands as he does.Once the man is down, Desmondbreathes deep and turns his head again tothe smoking ruins of Hacksaw Ridge."Please Lord," he says again. "Let me

get one more."And into hell he goes again.Hacksaw Ridge is based on the true

story of Desmond Doss, the first consci-entious objector to receive the Medal ofHonor. The character that we meet hereis pure, unalloyed hero.Like many young men of the day,

Desmond took the bombing of PearlHarbor "personal" and was on fire to vol-unteer. Even though he could've stayedhome if he wanted to, Desmond didn'tthink it was right to stay behind whileothers fought in his place.But Desmond also promised God that

he'd never carry a weapon or kill anotherhuman being. And as you might expect,that creates a few problems once he andhis squad move to the shooting range,preparing for war. Desmond explains tohis superiors that he volunteered to savelives as a medic, not take them.And even under threat of a court mar-

tial, and despite the pleas of those closestto him, Desmond refuses to violate thosepersonal convictions."With the world so set on tearing itself

apart, it don't seem like such a bad thingto me to put a little bit of it back togeth-er," he says.Desmond's commander, sergeant and

the rest of his company find the pacifistsoldier's stance to be peculiar at best,cowardly at worst. But Desmond proves,through his actions at Hacksaw Ridge,that he is no coward.Desmond's stance on killing people

stems from his deep religious convic-tions. As a fervent Seventh Day Adventist,he keeps his Saturday Sabbath. He readshis Bible constantly, even asking someoneto retrieve it for him from a battlefield.His fellow soldiers sometimes mock him

for his piety—sometimes it's friendlyteasing, sometimes more serious—but henever wavers. The closest Desmondcomes to a spiritual crisis is amid the bat-tle on Hacksaw Ridge after seeing a closefriend die."What is it You want from me?" he asks

of God. "I don't understand. I can't hearYou."And then he hears the cry of "Medic!"

and Desmond knows what he has to do.Desmond's convictions took root

early. A poster featuring the Lord's Prayerand the Ten Commandments adorns thefamily home. And as a boy, Desmond isparticularly drawn to the commandment"Thou shalt not kill," which his mothertells him is the worst sin.But it's also clear that other deeply

faithful people have come to differentconclusions about that commandment.One tells Desmond, "I believe in [theBible] as much as any man."Desmond's brother volunteers for the

Army and, apparently, has no such anti-weaponry qualms. Dorothy, his loveinterest back home, cautions Desmondabout his stubborn streak: "Don't confuseyour will with the Lord's," she says.Desmond's mother sings in a church

choir. Desmond compares the choir toangels … though not necessarily musicalones. A bombed-out church stands on ableached battlefield. Someone wears across, putting it in his mouth during bat-tle. Desmond recites a portion of Isaiah40.And then there’s the gore. Hacksaw

Ridge features some of the most brutal

depictions of war ever put to screen. It'simpossible to overstate the level to whichwe see men turned to meat.Okinawa's battlefield provides a fitting

stage for director Mel Gibson, given hisproclivity for violence in his movies.From Braveheart to The Passion of theChrist to Apocalypto, Gibson bathes thescreen in blood, often using pain anddestruction as a catalyst for stories aboutfreedom and redemption. Gibson, alongtime Catholic, seems to believe quiteliterally in the saving power of blood.Which makes Gibson's selection of his

newest on-screen hero—the conscien-tious objector Desmond Doss—an inter-esting one. A director long fascinated by violence

tells the story of a man who eschews it.Instead of giving us a hero who would diefor his people, he gives us a hero wholives—and lives to save others.Hacksaw Ridge is riveting cinema. But

it's also bloody—as bloody as we've seenon screen for a long, long time. And whilethe horror and gore we see may impressupon us the depth Desmond's heroism,these images nevertheless assault us withtheir unblinking depiction of this hellishbattle's carnage.

[From the editor: There is a strong andundeniable Christian message of sacrificehere. If one can make it past the graphicdepiction of the brutality of war, it isworth seeking that message and remem-bering those that sacrificed for it.¬–Dwight Widaman]

entertainmentby Pluggedin.com

film411HACKSAW RIDGESTARRING: Teresa Palmer, AndrewGarfield, Sam Worthington,RATING: RRUNTIME: 135 minutesDIRECTOR: Mel Gibson

Hacksaw Ridge makes us confront the brutality of war, and the redeeming work of God

The upcoming family-friendlyChristmas movie "Believe" is about aclose-knit Virginia community whosehardships bring them together."Believe" will be in select theaters

nationwide on Dec. 2. The movie's synopsis reads, "For

years, the fictionalsmall town ofGrundy, Virginia,has relied on thePeyton family toprovide the high-light of the year— the annualChristmas pag-eant. WhenMatthew Peyton(Ryan O'Quinn)inherits the familybusiness, theresponsibility of

the Christmas pag-eant also falls on hisshoulders."As the movie

progresses, viewerswill see financialhardships fall onthe town and themain characterMatthew findshimself over-whelmed. His busi-ness profits plum-met and his work-ers begin a strike.

When Matthew is forced to make adecision between selling the familybusiness and cancelling the belovedpageant, he faces a rapidly decliningloss of popularity in the communityand is attacked.That's when Matthew meets

Clarence (Issac Ryan Brown), a boywho believes in God and miracles,and his mother Sharon (DanielleNicolet). "His newfound friendsimpact Matthew's life in a way henever thought possible and teachhim to believe and give faith achance."

Christmas film 'Believe' brings families of all races together through faith 'Believe,' A story offamily, loyalty andlove, comes out in

December

“His newfoundfriends impact

Matthew's life in away he never

thought possibleand teach him tobelieve and givefaith a chance.”

Topeka Metro Voice _________________________ MetroVoiceNews.com _________________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews ___________________ December 2016 • 17

Wow, it’s that time of year, already?Can’t say, at this writing, it’s beginning tolook a lot like anything other than spring,but maybe it’s changed when by the timeyou’re reading this.Regardless, there are some fun things

to get excited about, in line with enjoyingthe celebration of Christ’s birth. For one,the K-Love Christmas 2016 tour, includ-ing Crowder, Mac Powell of Third Day,and Unspoken will be here on Dec 10, at7 pm at the Sheffield Family Life Center!This will be a great opportunity to gath-er with friends and family and enjoy acelebration of our Savior’s birth withsome wonderful music. For more infor-mation, please visitklove.com/events/christmastour.And you won’t want to miss Selah’s

Christmas Tour coming to Blues SpringsAssembly, Dec. 4 at 6 pm. Selah’s music

has a unique ability to touch lives andtransform hearts. Over the course of 17years in ministry, Selah has seen thatpower over and over again. For ToddSmith, Allan Hall, and Amy Perry, it’sboth humbling and excit-ing to be part of a forcethat inspires, entertains,and encourages and itshines through in thismust-see Christmas cele-bration. Tickets availableat itickets.com.Another great thing

about this time of year ispulling out all of those classic albums tolisten to while making hot chocolate, ordecorating the tree, or… decorating the

tree with hot chocolate.From Amy Grant to

Andy Williams; Bing toBono, there are someincredible recordings worthchecking out. Here are afew to consider this holidayseason…Michael Crawford:

Christmas Album revealssome of the most incredible pipes everset to a recording. Crawford, knownoriginally for his performance inPhantom of the Opera, weaves a beauti-ful tapestry of Christmas music on this

album. His rendition of “O,Holy Night” gives me chillsevery year.Another one not to miss

this season is MercyMe TheChristmas Sessions.Including the songs 'GodRest Ye Merry Gentlemen','Silent Night', 'WhiteChristmas' and 'Winter

Wonderland,' MercyMe puts their spinon some wonderful holiday classics, witha few special guests thrown in. It’s also

listed as a “HighlyRecommended” release onAmazon.Amy Grant, Steven

Curtis Chapman, ThirdDay, Chris Thomlin,Pentatonix, Michael Bubleall have some festiveChristmas albums to offer,too.

Lastly, but surely not theleast of the list, isCellofourte’s newest release,A Cellofourte Christmas.Currently on tour in Europewith Skillet, CarnegieMellon University CellistTate Olsen offers his secondsolo recording, this one forthe holiday season.Cellofourte was founded in2004 “with the goal ofblending high level classicalmusic training with a mod-ern performance aestheticand sound.”A Cellofourte Christmas

presents a collection of

beautifully re-imagined classic instru-mentals with a modern twist (okay, thatsounds a little corny). Honestly, when Iwas sent this release, I wasn’t sure what toexpect, but dynamic wasn’t something Iexpected to feel when I popped it in theCD player. Olsen’s mix of upbeatrhythms and traditional stylings trulymakes this a classic.

It is the type ofChristmas album onecould easily have playingin the background duringa holiday party, but at thesame time it would jivewith any of the Trans-Siberian Orchestraalbums, too. This disc ishighly recommended. Formore information onCellofourte, please visitthem at cellofourte.comHave a wonderful

Christmas, and take amoment to dwell on theincredible gift God sentus.

musicscene

D.C.JeanesMetro VoiceMusic Critic

CHRISTMAS MUSIC RELEASES ABOUND THIS YEARAnd don’t forgetthe live concerts toring in the season

Since the killings of Philando Castileand Alton Sterling by police officers,Lecrae has openly become an advocatefor racial reconciliation and has used hisvoice and gifts to spread awareness.Despite his efforts, the Texas native sayshe's often misunderstood for his positioneven by fellow Christians, as can be seenby responses to his book suggestions."Not sure why as a Christian, you con-

tinue to let race define you," oneFacebook user wrote on his post.Another defended Lecrae and

responded, "It impacts him, his childrenand brothers and sisters in Christ in verypractical ways....race defines him partial-ly because others including the systemhave defined him by race...being aChristian doesn't automatically take thataway".In a recent open letter to Huffington

Post, he talked about seeing "so muchfakeness" in his brothers and sisters as hetraveled on tour.He also shared about where he cur-

rently is in this season of his life, and con-fessed that he has beenbattling depressionbecause of the loss ofblack lives."I can't even read

comments on socialmedia anymore. Allthe slander is toomuch for any one per-

son to digest. They don't get me," hepenned.The Anomaly emcee went on to clari-

fy his stance on police and white peopledespite what his critics might think. Heshared that his mother and others in hisfamily work in law enforcement."Just as I don't hate cops, I'm not mad

at white people. But I am disturbed at thesupremacy and disparities that still exist.And what's ironic is that I'm so botheredbecause JESUS actually challenges me to

not only care for the souls of all human-ity, but to feed the hungry, aid the sick,regard the stranger, visit the prisoner, andlove my neighbor in tangible ways," hestated.He added, "Honestly, the pains of

humanity have been draining me."The 37-year-old wrote a song about

his rough season and released it as his lat-est single. The song is called, "Can't Stop Us,"

and according to Billboard, Lecrae hasnever been more honest on a track."I've wanted to quit. I told myself I

can't be a leader and a figure of integrity

and wisdom until I become whole andnot have to always be the one withanswers. I'm not who they want me tobe. I never will be. That's where I foundmyself. And that's where God found me.I'm only one man. I stress MAN.Human. Fallible. Fallen.Susceptible. Vulnerable. Hang out

with me long enough, and I'm bound tolet you down. But I'm working on me.Well, God is. And as He is, I hope forgrace and mercy and prayers from allthose who really care," his letter main-tained.

Lecrae suggests books for white Americansto read in effort to heal racial divide

"Books that have helped my white friends 'get it,'" Lecrae captioned aphoto on Facebook with the names of all the books listed below.

A DIFFERENT MIRROR: A History of MulticulturalAmerica Revised Edition by Ronald Takaki

BETWEEN THE WORLD AND ME by Ta-Nehisi Coates

THE CROSS AND THE LYNCHING TREE by James H. Cone

DIVIDED BY FAITH: EVANGELICAL RELIGION AND THEPROBLEM OF RACE IN AMERICA by Michael O. Emerson

JUST MERCY: A STORY OF JUSTICE AND REDEMPTION by Bryan Stevenson

LET NOBODY TURN US AROUND: AN AFRICAN AMERICAN ANTHOLOGY BYManning Marable

MORE THAN JUST RACE: BEING BLACK AND POOR IN THE INNER CITY(ISSUES OF OUR TIME) by William Julius Wilson

THE NEW JIM CROW: MASS INCARCERATION IN THE AGE OFCOLORBLINDNESS by Michelle Alexander and Cornel West

THE WARMTH OF OTHER SUNS: THE EPIC STORY OF AMERICA'S GREATMIGRATION by Isabel Wilkerson

WHY ARE ALL THE BLACK KIDS SITTING TOGETHER IN THE CAFETERIA: ANDOTHER CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RACE by Beverly Daniel Tatum

Lecrae

Mariah Carey Is 'Deep Into the Bible,'Says Ex-Husband Nick Cannon

Actress Mariah Carey, star of the film"Precious: Based on the novel 'Push' bySapphire," poses with her husband NickCannon at the AFI Fest 2009 gala screen-ing of the film in Hollywood.Nick Cannon has revealed that along

with making him wait until they weremarried before they had sex, his ex-wife,Mariah Carey, is "deep into the Bible."During an interview with the New York

City-based "Breakfast Club" morningshow on Thursday, Cannon was askedwhether or not the international superstarmade him wait until marriage to have sex.He responded by saying, "absolutely.""We were both on the same page

because I was in a place where I was beingcelibate at the time, and I think that's oneof the ways that we bonded for the firsttime," Cannon told co-host Charlamagnethat god who insisted on hearing all of thedetails behind their decision to wait.Carey never talked about her vow of

abstinence until marriage, but Cannonhas often shared their story in hopes that itmight inspire other girls who look up toCarey."The first time we actually sat down and

met it was on some spiritual stuff. We werepraying and all that type of stuff and I waslike, 'Whoa, I didn't know Mariah had thisside to her.'"Cannon said Carey often joked during

their six-year marriage that she wouldleave him for a billionaire, and now she'sengaged to one.Although the Grammy Award-winning

singer often talks about romance andheartbreak in her music, Cannon saysmany don't really know the real Carey."A lot of people don't know, she's really

a good girl and conservative when itcomes to that and deep into the Bible.People just wouldn't think about that, sowe had that connection," the successfultelevision host said of his ex-wife.Cannon and Carey were divorced this

year and have twin children together,

Monroe Cannon and Moroccan ScottCannon.Even though Carey isn't a Christian

singer, she occasionally features a gospelnumber on her extensive catalog of music.On her latest album Me. I AmMariah...The Elusive Chanteuse, thesinger showcases "Heavenly (No WaysTired / Can't Give Up Now)" a passionategospel number encouraging those listen-ing to not give up. Carey can also be heardsinging the Bible verse, "The Lord is closeto the brokenhearted and saves those whoare crushed in spirit," found in Psalm34:18.Carey has credited her faith with help-

ing her recover from a breakdown afterthe failure of her 2002 album Glitter. It hasbeen widely reported that after losing herrecord deal with Virgin Records, she waspicked up by Rev. Clarence Keaton whohelped her rebuild her life.According to an article in American

magazine Cosmo Girl, Carey said: "I dobelieve that I have been born again in a lotof ways. I think what I've changed are mypriorities and my relationships with God."

18 • December 2016 ___________________ MetroVoiceNews.com _________________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews _________________________ Topeka Metro Voice

Conversation Starters: 20 Questions to Ask Your ParentsWe care for our parents every

day, in the most intimate of ways.But how well do we really knowthem? Our parents are the mostfamiliar people in the world butalso, sometimes, the most myste-rious. Who are they as a person?What were they like when theywere growing up? What experi-ences most impacted their lives?What were their hopes anddreams and regrets?As adults, so many of us don't

ask enough about our parents.Yet there's no better way tobecome closer to a person, even ifyou've known her all your life.AgingCare.com has gathered alist of questions that our eldercare experts and editors wouldmost like to ask their own par-ents. Try them out for yourself.You might gain a new perspectiveon your parents and learn some-thing new about yourself.

Interview Questions for Elders

In what ways do you think I'mlike you? And not like you?

Who is the person who influ-enced your life the most?

Do you have a lost love?

Which new technology haveyou found most helpful in yourlife? Which do you find to be themost annoying?

Is there anything you havealways wanted to tell me butnever have?

Is there anything you regret nothaving asked your parents?

Do you wish anything hadbeen different between us, orwould you still like to changesomething?

What was the happiestmoment of your life?

What are you most proud of?

How did your experience in themilitary mold you as a person?

What are the most importantlessons you've learned in life?

What is your earliest memory?

Did you receive an allowance asa child? How much? Did you saveyour money or spend it?

Who were your friends whenyou were growing up?

What was your favorite thingto do for fun (movies, beach,etc.)?

What was school like for you asa child? What were your best andworst subjects?

What school activities andsports did you participate in?

Do you remember any fadsfrom your youth? Popular hair-styles? Clothing?

What world events had themost impact on you?

How would you like to beremembered?

(StatePoint) The holiday seasoncan be one of the most stressfultimes of the year and you may havenoticed you’re more prone to coldsand upset stomach when you’restressed. Stress tends to slow thedigestive process. What’s more, 70percent of the immune system liesin the digestive system, accordingto findings reported in “Clinical &Experimental Immunology.”

Unfortunately, one of the moststressful seasons coincides with oneof the most indulgent. To help,Vincent Pedre, MD, author of thenew book, “Happy Gut: TheCleansing Program to Help YouLose Weight, Gain Energy, andEliminate Pain,” is offering usefultips to lessen digestive upset andkeep your gut healthy over the hol-idays.

• Pack healthful snacks. Whentraveling, people tend to grabunhealthy foods for convenience.Pack nutritious foods like carrots,apples, almonds and frozen yogurtto keep the body strong. Foods likeyogurt, which contain probiotics,not only address digestive issues,but are said to help stave off colds.One study found that those whotook a probiotic supplement with

Lactobacillus rhamnosus, a type ofhealthy probiotic bacteria, recov-ered earlier and reported less severesymptoms.

• Eat mindfully. Eating in a hurryis a major no-no for good guthealth, and makes you more likelyto overeat, since it takes the brainabout 20 minutes to recognizewhen you’re full. Plus, eatingquickly can cause gas, acid indiges-tion and bloating.

“When we stop and really enjoywhat we’re eating we’re less likely tooverdo it, and we’ll avoid issues likeemotional eating,” says Dr. Pedre.

• Relieve stress. Take some “metime.” Maintaining an exercise rou-tine and practicing deep breathingrelaxation techniques can do won-ders for mental and digestivehealth, and help alleviate stress’negative effects on the digestivesystem, such as gas, acid reflux andstomach cramps.

• Maintain a sleep routine. Get anadequate night’s rest of at leasteight hours nightly. Your body andgut like predictability. Plus, stayingup late could make you more likelyto visit the fridge and eat that piece

of chocolate cake that’ll lead to anupset stomach.

• Help your body naturally.Overeating or drinking is easy todo this time of year, but it can causestomach distress. Check out localnatural product retailers, whichoffer homoeopathic medicines likeNux vomica to relieve nausea,heartburn, acid indigestion or full-ness associated with overindul-gence of food or drink. While theseuses have not been evaluated by theFood and Drug Administration forefficacy, Nux vomica is one of themost popular homeopathic medi-cines. It’s also easy to take. The pel-lets are quickly absorbed under thetongue without water, as opposedto being absorbed through thestomach, which may not be func-tioning at its peak. As a homeo-pathic medicine, it has no knownside effects such as constipation,diarrhea, gas or drowsiness.

To learn about relieving a vari-ety of acute stomach issues,explore the Boiron MedicineFinder app. This free resource,available on Android and iOSdevices, allows users to find theright homeopathic medicine formany everyday conditions.

Both the stressand the fun of theholiday seasoncan take a toll ongut health -- takeextra steps thisseason andbeyond to feelyour best.

5 Tips for Good Gut Health During the Holidays

Topeka Metro Voice _________________________ MetroVoiceNews.com _________________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews ___________________ December 2016 • 19

Question: : Can I complete business with

Social Security online?

Answer: There are many things you

can do on Social Security’s web-site. You can conduct most ofyour Social Security businesswith us online at www.socialse-curity.gov/onlineservices. Youcan get an estimate of futurebenefits, find out if you qualify for ben-efits now, and even apply for benefits.You can complete a number of othertasks online, too. You can estimate yourretirement benefit using ourRetirement Estimator, which allowsyou to get an instant, personalized esti-mate of your future benefit based ondifferent retirement ages and scenarios.You can even open your own my Social

Security account to plan for and man-age your benefits. In some areas, youcan even request a replacement SocialSecurity card using your my SocialSecurity account. Open or access yourmy Social Security account today atwww.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

Question:I am receiving Social Security retire-

ment benefits and I recently went back

to work. Do I have to pay SocialSecurity (FICA) taxes on myincome?

Answer:Yes. By law, your employer

must withhold FICA taxes fromyour paycheck. Although you areretired, you do receive credit forthose new earnings. Each yearSocial Security automaticallycredits the new earnings and, if

your new earnings are higher than inany earlier year used to calculate yourcurrent benefit, your monthly benefitcould increase. For more information,visit www.socialsecurity.gov or call usat 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

RETIREMENT

Question:I want to estimate my retirement

benefit at several different ages. Is therea way to do that?

Answer:Use our Retirement Estimator at

www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator to

SOCIAL SECURITY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS get an instant, personalized retirementbenefit estimate based on current lawand your earnings record. TheRetirement Estimator, which also isavailable in Spanish, lets you createadditional “what if” retirement scenar-ios based on different income levelsand “stop work” ages.

Question: I plan to retire soon. When are

Social Security benefits paid?

Answer:Social Security benefits are paid

each month. Generally, new retireesreceive their benefits on either the sec-ond, third, or fourth Wednesday ofeach month, depending on the day inthe month the retiree was born. If youreceive benefits as a spouse, your bene-fit payment date will be determined byyour spouse’s birth date. Here’s a chart showing how your

monthly payment date is determined:Day of the Month You Were Born

Social Security Benefits Paid On1st-10th S e c o n d

Wednesday11th-20th Third Wednesday21st-31st F o u r t h

WednesdayFor a calendar showing actual pay-

ment dates, see the Schedule of SocialSecurity Benefit Payments atwww.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.

DISABILITY

Question:I am expecting a child and will be

out of work for six months. Can Iqualify for short-term disability?

Answer:No. Social Security pays only for

total disability — conditions that ren-der you unable to work and areexpected to last for at least a year orend in death. No benefits are payablefor partial disability or short-term dis-ability, including benefits while onmaternity leave.

-------------------------------------

For more information, Contactyour local Social Security office(www.socialsecurity.gov/locator). InTopeka, it is at 600 SW Commerce Pl.,Topeka, KS 66615. The local officephone number is 1-888-327-1271.HARVESTER'S PROGRAM FOR SENIOR CITIZENS - every second

Saturday, at Christian Lord Ministries, 2421 SE California. Call 266-4979.

VIP LUNCHEON FOR SENIORS – Every Fri., Noon, North Topeka BaptistChurch, 123 NW Gordon. FREE lunch with Christian fellowship, devotions &entertainment provided by Topeka North Outreach. For Info: 286-1370.

MEDICARE MONDAYS – First Monday of every month, 1-3pm. Topekaand Shawnee County Public Library (Menninger Room 206), 1515 SW 10th.Senior health insurance counseling. For info: 580-4545 or nhonl@tscpl.org

LIFEFEST – First Thu. of the month, 10am-12:30pm, Covenant BaptistChurch, 5440 SW 37th St. Notice: Seniors ministering to seniors – celebratingwith fellowship, fun, food, learning & entertainment. Potluck lunch at noon. Iftransportation is needed, call 354-4994 or 478-1729

SENIOR FIT & FUN PROGRAM - every Mon., Wed., & Fri., 1:30pm,Rolling Hills Christian Church, 4530 NW Hiawatha Place (US Hwy 75 & NW46th St.) 785-286-0601 or office@rhcctopeka.org

MEDICARE EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS - Dec. 1 at 1pm. Learn the basicsof Medicare and all of its options. Seminars are designed for those becomingeligible for Medicare as well as those considering making a change during openenrollment. Seminars are free & open to the public, and will be held at CenturyHealth Solutions, a division of Stormont-Vail Healthcare, 2951 SW WoodsideDr. For info: 233-1816 or info@century-health.com. Light snacks & beverages

SENIOR CITIZENS LUNCH - Dec. 12, 11am, Perry Community Bldg. Ham& scalloped potatoes. Bring a covered dish to share, your table service and $1.Entertainment by the PLHS Singers. Christmas cookies & punch follow con-cert. Health screenings begin at 10:15 am.

senior news/events briefs

More important than living in KANSAS iswhere you will live forever. Just as you wouldlook at a map of KANSAS to find your way, soyou must look at the Bible to find your way toheaven. The Bible says, “Narrow is the way,which leadeth unto life, and few there be thatfind it.” (Matt. 7:14). Jesus said, “I am the way,the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto theFather, but by me.” (Jn. 14:6). Jesus is theonly way to Heaven and He gave these direc-tions on getting there.

1. Realize you are a sinner. Everyonestarts the same place spiritually. “For all havesinned and come short of the glory of god.”(Rom. 3:23). Sin’s penalty keeps you out ofHeaven and condemns you to Hell, separat-ing you from God. Romans 6:23 says, “Thewages of sin is death.” Sin brings both physi-cal & spiritual death. “And death and hell werecast into the lake of fire. This is the seconddeath.” (Rev. 20:14).

2. Realize Jesus paid the penalty. JesusChrist’s death, burial, and resurrection provid-ed a way for you to go to heaven and restoreyour relationship with God. “But God com-mendeth his love toward us, in that, while wewere yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom.5:8). Since Jesus, God’s Son, was the onlyOne who could pay for our sin, He is the onlyWay to Heaven.

3. Repent of your sin and receive Jesus asyour Savior. In order to go to Heaven fromKANSAS, or anywhere else, you must acceptChrist by calling on Him in prayer. He tells usin Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall callupon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”Use the following prayer, or one similar to it, toreceive Him now:

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. Ibelieve that you died and rose again for me.Please forgive me of my sin, become Lord ofmy life, and take me to heaven when I die. Iam trusting you completely, and in nothing Ican do. Thank you Jesus! Amen.

Specializing in all your CPAP needs

512 SW 6th AvenueTopeka, KS 66603

785-289-3188Fax 785-783-3599

20 • December 2016 ___________________ MetroVoiceNews.com _________________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews _________________________ Topeka Metro Voice

The end of the college football season isfast approaching which means teams arejockeying for position and the yearlycoaching carousel has already begun. It actually began earlier in the season

when LSU fired Les Miles and moveddefensive line coach Ed Orgeron intothe top spot on an interim basis. LSUstood at 2-2 overall when he tookthe reins and they went 5-2 after hetook over, for a current record of 7-4. As soon as Texas finished their game

against TCU in yet another loss, theLonghorns fired coach Charlie Strong andhired Houston coach Tom Herman, whoimmediately brought several of his assis-tants with him from Houston. This is

where I have a problem.How can a school recruit and hire a

coach from another school during theseason? Why are there no penalties fordoing so? Last I saw, Houston was gearing

up for a bowl game. Theyannounced that defensive coordi-nator Todd Orlando will be theinterim coach.This just doesn’t seem right to me.

If a player moves to another school, hehas to sit out a year, but coaches can comeand go as they see fit. In addition howmany times have we seen a program, bas-ketball or football, get into trouble withthe NCAA and put on probation or finedand the coach leaves and the sanctionsdon’t follow him? I guess it’s all about the

money, which is why Texas let Strong go.Strong inherited a team of players with

questionable character. He cleaned houseand now, at least from the outside lookingin, his players are more accountable fortheir actions. As a result, they went 5-7and Strong is 16-21 overall at Texas. It’s nosecret that big money and big boostersdrive big time programs. I guess that yourleash is short when championships arethe goal. This guy is a good coach.Remember, he built up the Louisville pro-gram where he went 37-15 in four years,including 23-3 his last two years there. Hewill coach again and he will be successful. So now that leaves us with Houston

looking for a coach. Do they hire fromwithin or do they go out and make asplash by signing a big name, like Miles?Would Miles even go there? He will prob-ably be the most sought after coach thisoffseason. Will he jump to the NFL? Somany questions concerning the coachingcarousel that’s about to hit full speed. Iwonder which coaches will get thrownoff!

World Series MVP Ben Zobrist:'God Doesn't Measure

Us by What We Do'Even though Chicago

Cubs all-star Ben Zobristhas won two WorldSeries in the last two sea-sons and even earned thetitle of World SeriesMVP last Thursday, heknows that God does notmeasure his success bythe number of champi-onship rings on his fin-gers.After the Cubs won

the World Series lastThursday, the evangeli-cal nonprofit organiza-tion Awana published anaudio interview withZobrist that was con-ducted before the end ofthe regular season inwhich Zobrist talkedabout his Christian upbringing andwhat it is like to be a famous anddevout Christian athlete.The 35-year-old Zobrist, who also

won the World Series in 2015 as amember of the Kansas City Royals andis a three-time all-star, explained thateven though he has earned much suc-cess in his 13-sea-son MLB career,he does not placehis hope solely inbaseball."As a ballplayer,

there is noChristian way toswing a bat. Thereis no Christianway to swing orthrow," Zobristexplained. "You are either good oryou're not at whatever your job is. Andit is more important that you under-stand the grace and love and peace youhave in Christ, whether you are goodor bad at whatever you are doing everyday.""We are just so thankful that Christ

does not measure us by what we do.God is not measuring us by that, He ismeasuring us by our faith in Christ,"Zobrist added. "We are perfect.According to God, we are perfect, yetwe know that we are sinners. Webelieve in the fact that we are bothsaints and sinners at the same time aswe live in this world."Even though Zobrist is the son of a

pastor and has a national platform as amajor league baseball player, he said hedoesn't feel like he needs to alwayswalk around proclaiming his faith inChrist, saying that "if you are walkingwith Christ, they can tell."

"My hope is not inhow well I am living orhow glorifying I ambeing to the Lord," hecontinued. "[My hope]is in what Christ hasalready accomplished forme. If that is my hope,then I will worship theLord and I will want tolive the life that He wantsme to live."As many parents strive

to groom their childrento become successfulathletes, lawyers, doctorsor business professionals,Zobrist warns that peo-ple shouldn't be so will-ing to sacrifice their fam-ilies and even their faithjust to achieve their ownpersonal dreams."I think the goal for us

is to be faithful, notfamous," Zobrist said. "Our culturewants us to be famous. Everybodywants to be famous. You want to be thebest you can possibly be and I want tobe the best I can possibly be but onlywithin what makes sense for a believ-er.""I think people sacrifice for their

job. They sacrificetheir family, theysacrifice theirfaith, they sacri-fice everythingthat should benear and dear tothem for theirsuccess in this life,and for moneyand fame andwhatever else they

are seeking after," Zobrist added. "Thatis a tragedy. I think we have to remem-ber that we do want to give our kidsprivileges and pursue something butremind them that more than anything,success is what God says it is."Zobrist reminded listeners that the

biblical definition of success is sacrific-ing one's self for the benefit of others."According to the Lord, the most

glorified person in the Bible is Jesus.What did He come to do? He came tosacrifice and suffer for our sake,"Zobrist said. "Success is really notabout us rising to the occasion asmuch as it is about us dying to theoccasion and giving to someone else.""To me, if I play baseball and I

become a great athlete and I winWorld Series and I'm an all-star and allthis stuff that I have accomplished, andyet I sacrificed other people or I sacri-fice my family on the altar of my ownpersonal success, then I have just really

blown it," Zobrist emphasized. "[God]can rescue anybody, but the point isthat is not my goal. My goal has got tobe a godly view of what does God wantme to use this gift and ability for. Itshould be to give to others and to sac-rifice and to bear my cross for whatev-

er He has called me to."His wife, Julianna Zobrist, is a

Christian musician, and Zobrist usesher song “Alive” as his walk-up song.Julianna Zobrist could be seen closelywatching Ben at bat during the WorldSeries matchups.The couple has written a book

together about their Christian faith

and career journeys titled Double Play.“The biggest thing is, I’m still

learning,” said Zobrist. “I still have alot to learn about what the love ofChrist is like – that it's not justknowledge ... but it's allowing thetruth to change you – allowingChrist's message of grace and hopeand love through the cross, that thatmessage is the message that changesthe way we look at everything in ourlives."

USA TODAY Sports/Charles LeClaire

Samuel SmithChristian Press

“I want people toknow that grace isfor everyone. We allneed grace. We all

need Christ.” Ben Zobrist

1034 S. Kansas Avenue - (785) 232-1111www.hanoverpancakehouse.com

Hanover Pancake House...need I say more?

For Breakfast and Lunch it’s...eakfast and Lu BrForFor Br nch it’eakfast and Lu s...nch it’

.hanoverpancakehouse.comwww1034 S. Kansas

.hanoverpancakehouse.com111venue - (785) 232-1AAvenue - (785) 232-1

Pancake House...need I say morHanoverHanover Pancake House...need I say mor Pancake House...need I say more? Pancake House...need I say mor

Topeka Metro Voice _________________________ MetroVoiceNews.com _________________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews ___________________ December 2016 • 21

(Family Features) As the holidayseason approaches and you’re taskedwith hosting family and friends, itcan be a little overwhelming to imag-ine all the work that has to take placefor a successful celebration.

However, there’s no reason thehost can’t join in the fun. To helpkeep calm and have your home readyfor the party, follow these tips.

CleaningMore often than not, the first step

to readying your home for a housefull of guests is to clean. Start bygoing room to room seeking outtrash, recyclables and things that canbe stored away – anything to clear upmuch-needed space. Once the clutteris cleared, work from the top downto clean surfaces, so any dust ordebris that hits the floor can be vac-uumed or swept neatly away.

Remember to steer clear of harsh orhighly fragrant chemicals, which maybe an irritant to some guests.

UpgradingDon’t try to sneak by with old

appliances this time around. Instead,upgrade your most importantresources throughout the house inorder to find success when it comesto playing host. For example, swap-ping out your old, cluttered refriger-ator for a Whirlpool French DoorRefrigerator with industry-firstinfinity slide shelves is a useful way tocreate more space in the kitchen. Itspantry-inspired layout lets familiesfit and find all their edible favorites.Every section, shelf and bin in therefrigerator was redesigned to deliversmart organization with panoramicshelves and unique features to store30 percent more than other leadingFrench door bottom mount refriger-ators. Perfect for a big shopping runbefore a party, the refrigerator fea-tures dedicated spaces places like theTreasure Bin, Platter Pocket andSmall Items Bin to give maximumvisibility and easy access when it’stime for the food prep to begin.

PlanningStaying organized and

having a precise plan arevital to putting togetherthe perfect night withfamily and friends. Makesure to nail down thespecifics, such as thenumber of guests, whatfood will be brought,what needs prepared inadvance and what canwait until the big day.Making lists and involv-ing others in the family tohelp can make a seem-ingly insurmountablevolume of work feelinstantly manageable. Asyou think through yourplans, remember toanticipate the unexpect-ed and have an emer-gency party kit on handto quickly respond to pit-falls, like spills or brokenglass, before they derailthe festivities.

DecoratingWith all the energy

you put into planningand upgrading, don’toverlook the importanceof taking time to make

your home shine with a creative touch.Go festive with holiday-specific decoror keep it classic with timeless decora-tions placed throughout the home tomake it really sparkle. For close familyand friends, consider adding personaltouches like mementos of holidays

past. Or go with a themed approachwith similar colors and textures thatyou carry throughout the house.

For more ideas to upgrade yourkitchen, visit whirlpool.com.

Prepare Your Home for Holiday

22 • December 2016 ___________________ MetroVoiceNews.com _________________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews _________________________ Topeka Metro Voice

Email your ads to Voice@cox.net. Payment inadvance required: $12 for the first 25 words;25 cents for each add'l word.

(classified ads also go immediately online)

HOUSE FOR SALE – Owner occupant of 57 yrsselling well-maintained & neat 2 (potentially 3)bdrm, 1 ba for $63,500. Full bsmt & floored atticadd much space, along w/detached garage ondeep 2-lot grass property. Move in ready w/manyupgrades. 2240 SE Maryland Ave in HighlandPark, Topeka, KS (785)832-9289 WANTED: EMPORIA DELIVERY PERSON –Metro Voice needs someone to take 2 bundlesof papers to Emporia each month. If you’re goingthat way, we’ll give you $20 for gas and yourtrouble. Baldwin City and Ottawa also possible.WANTED: VOLUNTEERS - Caring Pregnancy

Options has openings for volunteers. Call 785-249-6130 for info or stop by 2041 SW McAlisterAve, Mon - Thur 10-5. Ask for Kathy Hart.WANTED: VOLUNTEER WRITERS - MetroVoice needs volunteer writers or interns who canserve as area correspondents for church andcommunity news around the metro area. Call235-3340 or email voice@cox.net. Some perks.WANTED: DELIVERY PERSON - Metro Voiceneeds someone to help distribute papers tochurches and other locations in Topeka for gasmoney and some other perks involved. Call 235-3340 or email voice@cox.net. SPACE AVAILABLE FOR CHURCH SERVIC-ES - Free space available for a small or growingchurch to use for services on Sunday mornings,with other small rooms available for breakouts or

small groups. For info call Will at 430-1657. PART-TIME ACCOUNT REP – Work your ownhours. Generous commission on all ads youplace; no base. Call on businesses, churches &non-profits about their ads in Metro Voice. Call235-3340 or email Voice@cox.net.

FOR SALE: KANGAROO GOLF CART– Self-propelled push cart for your golf bag. Seatincluded. Hillcrest model. $75. Call 640-6399.

HAIR, NAILS, WAXING, FACIALS, MASSAGE— You'll get the best service ever….or it's FREE!Avenue Hair Styling…630 S. Kansas Ave…785-233-5225

GOSPEL SINGER: I sing gospel for donationsonly, (big band, country, etc.). Please call 785-220-1636.

PLACE YOUR CLASSIFED AD WITH US! CALL 235-3340

1. The Great I AM ChurchBreaking TraditionsNon-Denominational

Pastor Cordell Fischer2523 SE Indiana(785) 861-0422

www.greatIAMchurch.com

2. CHRISTIAN CAVALRYMINISTRIES INT.

Pastor Beaux Bryantc/o Seaman Baptist Church

2015 NW Buchanan, Topeka Ks 66608785-224-5419 • www.church4bikers.org

Sun. School 9:30 amSun. Service 10:45 am

Wed. Prayer & Bible Study 7pm

3. TOPEKA BIBLE CHURCH1101 SW Mulvane St., Topeka

785-234-5545Worship: 8:00 - 9:30 & 11am

Sunday School & Bible Studies:9:30 & 11am

www.discovertbc.com

4. NORTHLAND CHRISTIAN CHURCH

3102 NW opeka Blvd., Topeka286-1204

Wed. 6:15 pm: Children/Youth/Adult programs

Worship Sun. 8:00, 9:30 & 11amwww.northlandcctopeka.org

5. FAIRLAWN CHURCH OF THENAZARENE

730 SW Fairlawn Rd., Topeka, KS(785) 272-6322 • www.FairlawnNaz.org

Sunday Worship: 10:40 amAdult, Youth & Children’s Sun. School 9:15

6. FIRST SOUTHERN BAPTIST1912 SW Gage, Topeka, KS

272-0443 www.fsbctopeka.orgSunday Services:

8:30 AM Traditional Worship9:45 AM Bible study--all ages11 AM Contemporary Worship

7. TOPEKA BAPTIST CHURCH“Finding NEW LIFE in CHRIST”

Sunday Worship 9:30 & 10:45am, 5pm~ Sunday School for all ages ~4500 SW Gage Blvd., Topeka

785-862-0988www.topekabaptist.org

8. WANAMAKER ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH

“Being and making disciples of Jesus Christby the power of the Gospel, to the glory of God”

2700 SW Wanamaker Rd., Topeka(785) 272-9323 www.wrbctopeka.com

Traditional Sunday Worship 10:30am & 6pmSunday School 9am • Wed. Prayer 7pm

9. GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH310 E 8th St (E. US 56 Hwy)

Overbrook, KS; 785-665-7117Elvin Dillard, Senior Pastor

Sunday School 9 am; Worship 10 amwww.gccinoverbrook.com

office@gccinoverbrook.com

10. LORD’S HOUSE CHURCH300 SW Roosevelt, Topeka KS 66606

Pastor Marilyn Hahn McGinnis10 a.m. Sunday (Non-traditional Service)

See “About Us” at our websitewww.kawriverkeruv.com

Questions? kawriverlordshouse@att.net

11. COMMUNITY CHURCH1819 SW 21st St., Topeka

233-3537 www.CommunityChurchKS.com

Sun. 9:30am - Sunday School for all agesSun. 10:30am - Worship & Word, Children

Wed. 6:30pm - Children, Youth, Adult~ Nursery care for all services ~

12. BUCK CREEK COUNTRY CHURCHMeeting at Buck Creek School House

5 mi. east of Perry on Hwy 24, 13th & Phillips Rd.Childrens Sunday School - 8:30 a.m.

Worship Service - 9:00 a.m.Contacts: Logan Barnett 785-597-5498,

Scott Bond 423-0406, Jack Snavely 760-3513

13. WANAMAKER WOODS NAZARENEServing Christ - Loving People

3501 SW Wanamaker Rd • 273-2248Dr. L.D. Holmes, Sr. Pastor

www.wwnaz.orgSun. Worship: 9am (Hymns) & 11 am

Children’s Worship 9 & 11 amSunday School 10 am, all ages

Sun. Evening Various Children’s Programs6 pm Life Groups; 6:30 pm Teen ServiceWed. 6:30 pm Adult & Teen Life Groups

Wed. 6:30 pm Kids University~ Nursery care at all services ~

15. OAKLAND UNITED METHODISTCHURCH

801 NE Chester, Topeka, KS 66616235-1010 • oumc@att.netShawn O'Trimble, Pastor

Sunday School 9:15am, Worship 10:30amChildren's worship time 10:30am

Hear us on WREN Radio Sun. 10-11amLike us on Facebook!

All are welcome - Come and see us!16. HOUSE OF THE LORD CHURCH

A Spirit-filled, Word-centered church2531 SE Wittenberg Rd., Topeka

Sunday Worship 11am & 6pmWed. Prayer & Praise 7pm

785-266-LOVE (5683)J. Michael Borjon, Pastor

17. HIGHLAND HEIGHTS CHRISTIANCHURCH

Sunday Services: 8:30 and 10:00 AM785-379-5642

Jars of Clay Children's Center now openTaking registrations: 785-379-9098

2930 SE Tecumseh RoadTecumseh, Kansas 66542

18. CHRIST THE KING CATHOLICCHURCH

Voted 2015 Best Church in Topeka!5973 SW 25th St.

Topeka, KS 66614 ● 273-0710Reconciliation: Sat 3-4pm

Weekend Masses: Sat 4:30pmSunday 7:30, 9, 11am, 6pm

www.ctktopeka.org Fr. Mitchel Zimmerman, Pastor

Fr. Jaime Zarse, Associate Pastor

19. SEAMAN COMMUNITY CHURCHIndependent Christ-Centered Bible Church

2036 NW Taylor, Topeka, KS354-8777 • www.seamanchurch.comAdult Sunday School - Sun. 9:30am

Sunday Worship: 10:30amChildren's Sunday School: 10:30am

Youth group 1st & 3rd Sundays 4-6pm

20. HERITAGE BAPTIST CHURCH1937 NE Madison St,

Topeka, KS 66616 • 785-506-4594 Pastor Dale Stockburger

Sunday Worship: 10 am and 6pmJunior Church for kids: Sun 10am

Wed. Evening Worship: 7pm

21. HARVEST FAMILY FELLOWSHIPMeets at 522 SW Polk

785-220-5418Pastor Rey Rodriguez

Sun. Worship 10 amwww.topekaharvest.vpweb.com

22. NEW CITY LIFE CHURCH5221 SW West Drive

Topeka, Kansas 66606Sunday Services - 10:00 am

Pastor Kathy Crofford23.EAST SIDE BAPTIST CHURCH

4425 S.E. 29th St., 379-9933.Sunday Worship 10:45am & 6:00pm

AWANA Sunday at 5:45 p.m. See our website for info on our

Student Ministries & Kid Citywww.esbcks.org

New ResidentChurch Guide

First Southern BaptistChurch

Part-Time Income

Work flexible hoursCall on businesses, churches, and non-profits about advertising options in Metro Voice.

Generous commission paid on any ads placed.Call 235-3340 or email voice@cox.net

11

Topeka Metro Voice _________________________ MetroVoiceNews.com _________________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews ___________________ December 2016 • 23

A SPECIALADVERTISING

SECTION OF THEMETRO VOICE!CALL 235-3340

TO BE FEATUREDON THIS PAGE!

2611 SW 17th St.Offices & SuitesEvent Space

Conference RoomsVirtual OfficesMailbox Service785-430-1657

Sometimes you can get more foryour money with locally-owned busi-nesses by having a local person to dealwith when you have problems later Jim Driggers, owner of The

Computer Store, says he offers quickturn-around time on your computerrepairs and the most experienced tech-nicians in Topeka. Most big-box storessend your computer out of town forrepairs, and you never even get a chanceto talk directly to the technician doingthe work on your computer. "It's the difference between getting

your computer back in a few days by usor a few weeks!" Driggers said.

If you need a new computer, TheComputer Store will build one foryou, with a warrantee, and it will beserviced locally in the store if ever nec-essary. They have used computers andlaptops for sale also.The Computer Store now also

repairs all mobile devices like cell

phones, tablets and iPads, includingdamaged screens. Driggers said the newservice is available at a very reasonableprice, and has been very well received.The Computer Store has been in

business since 1999, and is located at21st and Gage in Seabrook Center. Youcan reach them by phone at 785-267-3223, or visit their website online atwww.thecomputerstoreks.com.The Computer Store is a member of

the Greater Topeka Chamber ofCommerce, the Capital City ChristianChamber of Commerce and theTopeka Independent BusinessAssociation.

Why is CAGE Gymnastics right for your child?The management team at CAGE

Gymnastics is there because they love thesport of gymnastics, love the athletes andare thrilled to pass on their knowledgeand passion to the next generation offuture coaches and athletes. CAGE hasbeen operating under their currentname and ownership since 2001. Thefacility itself has been serving Topekasince 1987.CAGE Gymnastics offers programs

designed to promote age-appropriateskill development in a fun and safe envi-ronment. Your child will be able to buildan athletic foundation for all sportsthrough the strength, flexibility, andcoordination that only the challenge ofgymnastics can offer. As your child pro-gresses, CAGE seeks to develop suchprinciples as goal setting, time manage-ment, sportsmanship, dedication anddiscipline – all of which are importantlife-skills taught in each and every one oftheir programs. All of these aspects of

learning contribute to a positive self-image and personal success. From beginners to advanced students,

the friendly staff will help you find theclass or activity to meet you and yourchildren’s goals.CAGE Gymnastics preschool classes

and lesson plans were designed with thedevelopmental milestones of your pre-schooler in mind. All of their preschoolgymnastics classes are taught in their“tots” room with some introduction intothe main gym which will allow yourchild to feel more secure and to bettermaintain focus. Your child will partici-pate in age-appropriate activitiesdesigned to enhance coordination,strength, flexibility, hand-eye coordina-tion and exploration while learninggymnastics on specially-designed equip-ment just their size.Once your child enters Kindergarten,

they will be part of CAGE Gymnastics'recreational program. All of their care-

fully thought-out classes are designed tofoster your child's love of physical fitnessand gymnastics in a fun, challengingenvironment. Emphasis is placed onbody awareness, speed, agility, flexibilityand strength. The athletes will train onall four gymnastics apparatuses everyweek & be evaluated on their progress 4times per year as they move up throughour program.If you are looking for a way to get your

child to engage with others in a fun,physically active environment, thenCAGE Gymnastics is the answer for you.

Get more for your money than with the big box stores

ELECTION ROUNDUP

just two counties.Trump’s triumph was an emphatic

exclamation point at the end of nearly600 days of a brutal presidential cam-paign that divided family, friends, andcountrymen, and upended every notionof a traditional political campaign.There have been questions about how

pollsters define “evangelical.” In thiscase, it appears they allowed voters sim-ply to self-identify as evangelicals or saythey’d been born again. It is possible thatthe support among Evangelicals is evenhigher since the term, as used in themedia, is often derogatory and somevoters may not have self-identified assuch just as many pundits now sayTrump supporters kept their supportprivate until they voted.Still, it’s likely that plenty of true

evangelicals joined the Trump con-stituency, whether reluctantly or enthu-siastically. It’s an issue that has deeplydivided many evangelicals grapplingwith whether they should support acandidate with a deeply compromisedmoral character. Even as Trump consid-ers how to build coalitions in a fracturedRepublican Party, many Christians facebreaches to repair among themselves.For those wondering whether the

thousands of Trump supporters showingup at rallies would show up at polls, theanswer appeared to be a resounding yes.

Among Trump’s many challengesnow: balancing his populist vision thatcaptured many blue-collar workers withthe more traditionally conservativeapproach of some Republican lawmakers

— including those who distanced them-selves from him during his campaign.In an acceptance speech, Trump

struck a conciliatory note, even withClinton, saying, “We owe her a major

debt of gratitude to our country.” Heappealed to voters who hadn’t supportedhim in the past: “I am reaching out to youfor your guidance and help so we canwork together and unify our great coun-

try.”And he ended his speech with the kind

of lofty promise he began his presidentialbid with last year: “America will no longersettle for anything less than the best.”

EVANGELICALScontinued from page 1

Evangelical Turn-Out Seen as Key to Election Victories Across NationHOW AMERICA’S COUNTIES VOTED

The Great Divide:Urban vs. rural and small town voters show

stark contrast

“The triumph of Donald Trump may signal ‘the last hurrah’ of whitemale evangelicals in America, or it may mean that their influence isonce again on the rise. We will have to wait and see.”

–Tony Campolo, former spiritual adviser to President Bill Clinton,

“This response to Trump’s victory reveals why Trump was victorious. Because those who dopolitics these days — the political establishment, the media, the academy, the celeb set —are so contemptuous of ordinary people, so hateful of the herd, so convinced that the mass ofsociety cannot be trusted to make political decisions, and now those ordinary people havegiven their response to such top-down sneering and prejudice.”

– Brendan O'Neill writing for the U.K.’s The Spectator on the response to the Trump victory.

"I'm going to kill the PresidentElect. Bring it secret service."

– Former CEO of cyber securityfirm Packetsled, Matt Harrigan in a

Facebook post. He was subse-quently visited by the Secret

Service and forced to resign by his board of directors.

Chris Evans @ChrisEvans��This is an embarrassing night for America. We've

let a hatemonger lead our great nation. We've let abully set our course. I'm devastated. 11:16 PM - 8Nov 2016

–Captain America actor Chris Evans in a tweet

“Now is the time to rise up as people of faith and as an inde-pendent voice that holds political leaders on both sides of theaisle accountable to policies that don’t aim left or right, buttoward righteousness and justice, for all. Chief of which remainsour concern for religious liberty, the sanctity of life, immigrationreform and racial unity. We pray for the safe keeping of ourdemocracy as we transition to the new Donald Trump administra-

tion and we pray that God will continue to bless and prosper our nation in the comingmonths and years ahead.”

–Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic ChristianLeadership Conference

“As a Christian who believes in the ultimate sover-eignty of God, I have to believe He allows our circum-stances to fulfill His plans. As the prophet Daniel said,‘He changes times and seasons; He removes kings andsets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowl-edge to those who have understanding.’ The nation hasspoken. I pray that God grants us the grace and wisdomto seek His heart for all people made in His image, the

preborn, the elderly, progressive and conservative, each one of us. I amreminded His son Jesus Christ died for all.”

– Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family

“One thing is for sure, weneed to pray for our new presi-dent, vice president, and ourother leaders every day –whether we agree with them ornot. They need God’s help anddirection. It is my prayer that

we will truly be ‘one nation under God.’ Will you com-mit with me to pray for them every day?”

–Franklin Graham “We commit to pray for the new Trump administration. We pray that God might have mercy on our nationand that our leaders might know and fear Him, for as the Scriptures say, blessed is the nation whose Godis the Lord. This is a time when we must hold fast to our calling to be good citizens and to be the salt ofthe earth and the light of the world, pointing those around us toward our hope in Christ and breathing lifewherever there is despair. Presidents come and go, but our God remains forever and he will be on histhrone on November 9 as he was on November 8 and as he will be for all of eternity.”

–David Jeremiah, founder of Turning Point, senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church inCalifornia and member of Trump’s evangelical advisory board.

“People have to Die”–Anti-Trump protester calling for violence on CNN.

Let’s remember that God has the final say in who ascends toseats of power and who does not. God has decided the outcome.“We the People” have voted in 2016, advancing a shift for thesanctity of life, family and community. The election is over. Nowwhat?

“Everyone must submit to governing authorities; for all author-ity comes from God, and those in positions of authority have beenplaced there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority isrebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be pun-ished.” Romans 13:1-2

For "in spirit and in truth" Christians what happens movingahead is our focus. Yesterday is now history.

–Dr. Alveda King, neice of Martin Luther King, Jr. and activesupporter of the candidacy and presidency of Donald Trump

“Clinton Wins!” –Turkish paper

NATIONAL REACTION TO ELECTION IS DIVIDED“Donald Trump is elected President in stunning repudiation of the establishment” - New York Times Headline. 3 A.M. Nov. 9