December 16 5: 30 p.m. Trustees

December 1 11 a.m. UMW Luncheon-Fellowship Hall

(preceeded by Executive Comm. mtg.)

The Circuit Writer INNER STATE MINISTRIES

NEXT NEWSLETTER DEADLINE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11 , 2008

Office phone: (270) 842-8171 Web Page: Statestreetumc.org

December 4 7 p.m. Faith Builders to “Holiday Pops”

December 10 6 p.m. Children’s Christmas Program

December 9 “Main Street Memories”

Antiquing & Lunch in Glendale, KY

December 24 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service

December 16 7:00 p.m. Administrative Board

December 29 Mission trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico

December 14 10 a.m. Christmas Cantata

(There will not be an 8:08 or 11:30 service)

White Christmas Food Boxes

In December, we will be delivering food boxes to needy families identified through our HELP ministries. Volunteers are needed to assemble the boxes on December 19th and Deliver them on December 20th.

If you wish to help finance this ministry, the cost is $35 per box. Please make checks to SSUMC with 'Christmas Food Boxes' written in the memo line.

We will also have a Mitten Tree to help these families stay warm this winter. Hats, mittens, and scarves for all ages will be distributed with the White Christmas Food Boxes.

Dear Friends at SSUMC, The pastor of a church in California put a sign in front of his church during the advent season that said, "Jesus is the reason for the season. Merry Christmas!" He received a complaint from a woman in the community who took exception with the message. She closed the conversation by saying, "I don't think the church should try to drag religion into every holiday." The center of Christmas, its absolute core, is this: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace…” (Isaiah 9:6) It is in the discovery of this core, this center, that Christmas comes alive in human hearts; hearts often afraid, stunned and lonely. Lt. Gerald Coffee spent seven years as a POW during the Vietnam War. During his second Christmas in camp he made an amazing discovery. He had been stripped of everything by which he measured his identity: rank, uniform, family, money. Alone, in a cramped three-by-seven-foot cell, he began to understand the significance of Christmas. Removed from all commercial distractions, he was able to focus on the simplicity of Christ's birth. Although he was lonely and afraid, he realized that this Christmas could be his most meaningful, because now, more than ever before, he understood the event. May this Christmas be a moment in time when you understand the event as never before! Merry Christmas! In Christ, Pastor Paul A. Fryman Senior Pastor State Street UMC

December 14 6:30 p.m. Healing & Wellness Service

Our Christmas Eve offering this year will go to support our Latvian Congregation

and our mission tip in June 2009.

If you would like to make a lasting gift in memory or honor of someone, we

encourage you to contribute to the Latvia Mission Trip slated for June of 2009. Such a gift will make a lasting

difference in the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

THE CIRCUIT WRITER

Gifts Given to the Church

2

FROM THE CHURCH MAILBOX

December 4, at 7 p.m. “Holiday Pops”

by Western Symphony Orchestra First Baptist Church

We will also help with the

Christmas Food Boxes (food donations, packing, and delivery)

We would like to thank everyone for their prayers, cards, and support during Alan's mother's recent illness and death. We thank everyone for their generous offerings of food during and after the funeral. We especially thank the Martha Alice Evans Circle for the meal they provided after the funeral. We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful church family. Thank you.

Salvation Army Lunches

Salvation Army Lunches are prepared the last Sunday of every month by SSUMC members. The lunches fill a void as the Salvation Army does not serve lunch on Sundays. If you would like to volunteer to help with the lunches please contact Nevil or Sandra Speer at 563-9276. If you would like to donate money toward the purchase of the food for the lunches please mark your check for Salvation Army lunches.

United Methodist Women The UMW will meet for the potluck Christmas salad luncheon on Monday, Dec. 1 at 11:00 in Fellowship Hall. The program will include the installation of the 2009 officers, celebration of Advent, and assembling of chemo kits. The executive committee will meet at 10:00 with lunch served at noon. Open Door Circle will be the hostesses.

SSUMC Mail Delivery Bowling Green, KY

Let us deliver your cards for other church members this Christmas!

Here’s how it works:

• Place the Christmas cards that you have for other church members in the “Mail box” located in the hall

outside the office. • Place your donation for handling the mail in the

designated container. • The cards will be sorted and arranged in

alphabetical order for the recipients to pick up.

Remember to check the mailbox weekly to pick up the cards that were sent to you!

All donations will go to the Food Ministry at SSUMC!

Christmas Card Delivery

HOLIDAY REMINDERS:

The Christmas Cantata is scheduled for December 14 at 10 a.m. There will not be services

at 8:08 or 11:30.

There will be no Wednesday Night Gathering on December 24 & 31.

The Christmas Eve service will begin at 6 p.m.

Pastor Paul will be on vacation from Dec. 25—January 1.

Dr. Rice will be available if needed (780-0369)

The office will be closed from Dec. 24-January 2 (Suzy will be on vacation. ) The Ministry Staff

will be in and out of the building during the week.

In Memory of ...

Mary L. Nold Given to the Endowment Fund by Kim and Don Williams

Rose Maxwell Stamps Given to the Endowment Fund by the Couples Bridge Group, Mr. & Mrs. Dan Riley, Mr. & Mrs. Leo Eggle-ton, Mr. & Mrs. Tom Pearce, Dr. & Mrs. Randy Capps, and Mr. & Mrs. Rex Galloway

THE CIRCUIT WRITER 3

Birthdays

Happy Anniversary

B.G. RETIREMENT CENTER Gertrude Bale Kathy Cockrill Ann Travelstead Eleanor Dotson Mary Agnes Faulkner Virginia Ayre

CHRISTIAN HEALTH CENTER Lucy McGruder

COLONIAL MANOR Lillian Renfrow Madeline Elmes Ohm Pauli Magdalene McGaffey Bill Floyd Helen Jones

VILLAGE MANOR Hazel Ryan Frederica Williamson Mozie Hatcher Roy & Helen Almond Mary Emma Kincaid Mary Jo Littleton Harry & Genevieve Petry

ROSEWOOD MANOR Effie Lovelace Lois Smith HOPKINS(Woodburn) Helen Smith

Please Remember Our Special Friends in Prayer:

HOMEBOUND Sidney Carpenter Margaret Clagett Deloris Floyd Nancy Hoffman Evelyn Kiel Charles Mathison Sally Mayfield Bill McCormack Naomi McGinley Blanche Parrent Ina Ree Wright

OWENSBORO Erma Hunt

Isaac Buck 1 Charles Mathison 8 Kaitlyn Snyder 9 Emily Penn 11 Mary Alice Hildreth 13 Minerva Westray 14 Lucy Ballesteros 15 Tanner Cummings 18 Will Kilgore 19 Barbara Mauline 21 Lou Sepulveda 21 Hannah Hall 23 Will Pride 23 Clarice Scarborough 24 Anna Jo Johnson 25 Rick Shreve 26 Antrina Harbison 27 Ginna Chappell 30

Danielle & Eric Smith 1 Cindy & Ron Grim 11 Lucy & Marco Ballesteros 15 Tara & Ben Martin 16 Leslie & Chris Watkins 16 Nancy & James Kinsner 27 Kim & Derrick Potter 28 Madge & Tom Bailey 31

Our Annual White poinsettia orders need to be made by

December 14th.

If you would prefer to make a lasting gift in memory or honor of someone, we encourage you to contribute to the Latvia Mission

Trip slated for June of 2009. Such a gift will make a

lasting difference in the lives of our brothers and sisters in

Christ.

Prayer Requests Recent Requests: Shayla Canter Dean & Scarlett Weber On Going Requests: (Church Family) Mike & Sherry Powers Paul & Ellen Fryman Susan Shreve Jane Parker Brooke DeCesare Bill & Deloris Floyd Jim & Nina Bennett Bill Pegues Anne Grubbs Lucy Neal Magruder Ann Travelsted Kathy Cockrill Homebound Rest Home Members

On-Going Requests: (Friends & Family) Kelly, Matt & Joseph Taylor Moore Norma Jean Henry Mike Craft

Our Military: S. Sgt. (A.F.) Eric Dawkins M.J. (A.F.) David Grilley Lt. Col. Albert Stahl Jamie Stern (Army) Capt. Audrey Stern (Army) Staff Sgt. Jeff Puryear Jeremy Abell MP-(Iraq) James Portale (Marine) Alden & Aaron Lynch Pat Chism (Navy) Carlos Freeman (Army-Iraq) Rob Wall (Army) Kate Feeley Stuart Martinez-(Iraq) Lucas Casada (Army-Iraq) Michael Kerr (Navy) Cody Pardue (Navy) Brett Hightower (Army-Afgh) Patrick Martin (Navy) Michael Bonham (A.F.-Iraq) Danielle Denny (A.F.-Japan) Brian Harrell (Army-Iraq) Aaron Rice (Iraq)

Missions: Toby Roberts—El Salvador Corazones Cristianos Latvia Methodist Church Puerto Rico Mission Team

Prayer Requests: Prayer request cards are located in the pew racks and on the prayer boxes that are located in the narthex and across from the church office. You may drop them in the boxes or the offering plates or hand them to Pastor Paul. Please Note: The names of persons for whom prayer has been requested will remain on our prayer list for one month unless we are notified otherwise. The names of the homebound and ill of our church family as well as our church leaders and military will be kept on our list indefinitely.

On-Going Requests: (Friends & Family) Ennis Jent Lilly Faught Ryan Shoemaker Joyce Whittinghill Jackie Ballard David Dickerson Margaret Simpson Shannon Smith Allen Dovie Stewart Billy Pride Stuart Forney Sue Thomas Jessica Carnathain Jane & Ron Grabruck Wendy & Gene Weigel Julie Jernigan Sean Chappel Helen Pride Shawntel Ensminger Jeff Crisp Frank Pittman James Napper DeWanda Brown Patsy & Brittany Carter Carol Whatley

THE CIRCUIT WRITER 4

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given...

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Christmas Play!!!

Wednesday Dec. 10th 6:00p.m.

Wed. Dec. 3rd Confirmation

Meeting 7:15-8:00

SSUMC Children’s Ministry

BE THERE!!!! Wednesday

Dec. 17 We will watch the

Christmas Play During WNG!!!

Parent’s Afternoon Off Sunday Dec. 21st

1:00-4:00pm Ages 6 months—6th Grade

A day sponsored by Student Ministries for you to take some time and do some last minute

Christmas Shopping.

You MUST sign up!!! See Courtney or Carla for

details!!

THE CIRCUIT WRITER THE CIRCUIT WRITER 5

Sunday Night youth

Sunday, December 7th – “Christmas Jeopardy” . . . 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Kick off your Christmas season with our annual Christmas jeopardy game. It will be a ton of fun that you don’t want to miss.

Sunday, December 14th – “Nashvegas Shopping Day” . . . No Regular youth

Please check out the details below.

Sunday, December 21st – “Parents Afternoon Off” . . . No Regular Youth Please check out the details below.

Sunday, December 28th – No YOOTS . . .Christmas Break

Special Events for DECEMber

Sunday, December 14th – “Annual Nashvegas Trip” . . . 11:30 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. We will start the day at Opry Mills. You can eat your choice of foods at the food court. Then have time to shop, see a movie

or visit the ice sculptures at Opry Land Hotel. We will not be ice skating this year because the rink is closed on Sundays. Please bring appropriate money for this day. You do not have to visit the Winter wonderland display.

Winter Wonderland - $12 / Shopping, Food & Refreshments - ???

Sunday, December 21st - “Parents’ Afternoon Out Baby Sitting Service”. . .1:00 until 4:00pm An afternoon of service from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. for our parents and children in the church family.

I need your help to provide this Christmas service. This is our December mission project. Thank you for giving of your time this Christmas season.

Sunday, December 21st – Register for Winter Blitz Youth Conference

Winter Blitz is the annual conference for youth of the UMC. The conference will be in Louisville on January 23rd-25th. The total cost is $70. Please let Courtney know if you would like to go. If we get 8 people registered then we will attend the con-

ference.

For unto us a child is born, to us a son is

given

Wednesday Night gatherings

December 3rd ~ Deck the Youth Room- 6-7:15 p.m. December 10th ~ Children’s Musical – “M.K.Christmas

Special” . . . 6-7 p.m. December 17th ~ A Little Grinch in all of Us. . . 6-7 p.m. December 24th ~ “Church Wide Christmas Eve Service” .

. . 6-7 p.m. December 31st ~ No WNG- Christmas Break

THE CIRCUIT WRITER PAGE 6

Luke 2: 10-12

“And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’”

Lumps From The Potter’s Lathe Adam H. Potter - Minister of Intentional Discipleship

Worship - Community - Fellowship - Mission

“The Exodus Community” The Modern Worship Experience of

State Street UMC

Advent Sermon Series “The Gifts of Christmas”

Sunday, November 30th:

‘The Gift of Hope’ Luke 2: 25-35

Adam Potter Speaking

Sunday, December 7th: ‘The Gift of Love’

Luke 2: 1-7, Isaiah 9:6-7 Paul Fryman speaking

Sunday, December 14th: ‘The Gift of Joy’

Luke 2: 8-11, Isaiah 7: 10-14 Adam Potter Speaking

Sunday, December 21st: ‘The Gift of Peace’

Luke 2: 11-20, Micah 5: 2-5 Adam Potter Speaking

Sunday, December 28th: ‘The Gift of Giving’

Matthew 2: 1-2 Adam Potter Speaking

Please Pray for Our Mission Team Traveling to San Juan & Coamo, Puerto Rico

December 29 - January 7, 2008

Tom Cannon, David Douglas, Mary Alice Fields, Wade Gaynor, Hannah Hall, Josh Huddy, Sara Huddy,

Nicole Long, Katie McCurdy, Andy Norvell, Sarah Parrish, Adam Potter, and Matt Wallace

“Acciones y Verdad - Actions & Truth”

• June 18th - July 2nd, 2009 • $2,500 per person - All Inclusive • Deadline to Register– Dec.15, 2008. • $250 Deposit Required

A Ladies Daytime Adventure !!!

“MAIN STREET MEMORIES” Antiquing & Lunch in Glendale, KY

Tuesday, December 9th ~ 9 am until 4 pm CST ~

Mission To Liepa, Latvia

Please REGISTER and reserve your seat on the bus by Sunday, December 7, 2008

… Only $15 per person … All lunch and travel costs are included!

Sign up in the office our with Adam adam.potter@insightbb.com or 270.779.0501

Lunch at the new Tony York’s On Main (formerly the Depot Restaurant)

They are opening just for our group, serving us an early lunch at 10:30 am CST

You may wish to pack a small afternoon snack.

Antiques & Shops on Main Street Most shops are within walking distance located on

the same block. We will depart at 3:00 pm CST

MAIN STREET STORES: Bennie’s Barn Antique Mall, Glendale Antique Mall,

Green Top Antiques & Collectibles, Home Sweet Home, Side Track’s Shops Antique Mall, Seasons of Elegance,

Through the Grapevine, The Kentucky Shop, The Raspberry Shop, The Village Shoppe,

Where Dreams Come True

THE CIRCUIT WRITER 7 THE CIRCUIT WRITER 7

Lee Young, Minister of Traditional Worship singinghispraises@earthlink.net

Don’t forget to pick up your 2008 Advent Devotionals!

A special thank you to Brenda Roberts for typing the devotionals and to the

Worship Committee for choosing the entries. We

hope you enjoy a trip down memory lane.

Join the Music Ministry and share more than just a song. Share in fellowship, friendship, worship and community.

Lee’s Lyrics

Children’s Choirs Schedule: Wednesdays

5:45-6:15 Cherubs (Pre-K) 6:15-6:45 Carolers (1st-3rd)

6:45-7:15 Choristers (4th-6th)

December Schedule:

3rd - All choirs rehearse in Sanctuary for Christmas Play (6:00-7:15) 7th - Choristers sing during 10:00 service 2:00-4:00 Final Play Rehearsal 10th - CHRISTMAS PLAY

“The MK Christmas Special”

Adult Hand Bell Choir Plays on December 14th

Special Rehearsal on Thursday,

December 11th @ 5:30

Join us on December 14th during the 10:00 service as the

Music Ministry presents:

“How Great Our Joy” By: Lloyd Larson

The Chancel Choir will be joined by a chamber ensemble and the hand bell choir as they share the Joy of

Christmas through song.

The Circuit Writer

State Street United Methodist Church 1101 State Street

P.O. Box 3340 Bowling Green, KY 42102-3340

Return Service Requested

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Permit Number 325 Bowling Green, KY

Our State Street Staff

Senior Pastor ~ Dr. Paul Fryman

Minister of Visitation ~ Dr. Robert Rice

Pastor of Corazones Cristianos ~Marco Ballesteros

Minister of Children and Modern Worship ~ Carla Schooler

Minister of Student Development ~ Courtney Potter

Minister of Intentional Discipleship ~ Adam Potter

Minister of Traditional Worship ~ Lee Young

Children’s Music Intern ~Caitlin Denman

Organist ~ Julie Pride

Church Secretary ~ Suzy Muzyka

Finance Manager ~ Tricia Hendrix

Church Hostess ~ Betty Lee

Housekeeping ~ Rhonda Gentry

Custodian/Student Intern ~ Brian Sergent

A Christmas Blessing

May you have the Spirit of Christmas, Which is Peace, The Gladness of Christmas, Which is Hope, The Heart of Christmas, Which is Love, The Gift of Christmas, Which is Christ. -Ada Hendricks

Merry Christmas!

Adam Paul

Betty

Tricia Court

Julie Rhonda

Caitlin

Lee

Suzy

Bob Brian Carla