120619E-Newsletter

The Moscow United Methodist Church 126 Church Street Prayers for each Moscow, PA 18444 week of Advent Office: 570 842-7251 Email [email protected] Website www.moscowumc.com e-newsletter Dec 6, 2019 In This Newsletter Week 1, Hope Advent Prayer Dear Jesus, you are the hope in our messy Pastor Lori Letter world. This Advent, help us slow down, listen GUMC/MUMC to your voice, and focus on what’s really Holiday Luncheon important. We place our hope in you as we Moscow UMC Info prepare our hearts to celebrate your birth on Angel Tree Program Christmas. Amen. Call to Serve Week 2, Peace Shavertown Drive Through Dear Jesus, you entered our world on Nativity Christmas as the Prince of Peace. This Advent, Journey to Bethlehem as we strive to become the-best-version-of- Sunday School Mission ourselves, fill us with a deep and abiding Learning Tree Preschool peace. Help us share that peace with everyone we encounter, especially those who need it Sunday School most. Amen. Ad Council Minutes Week 3, Joy Dear Jesus, help us focus on you during this busy season. May we stay aware of the joy you bring into our lives. We want to find you in the everyday moments and come with hearts of gratitude to your manger on Christmas. Amen. Week 4, Love Dear Jesus, may the light of your love always shine in our hearts. As Christmas draws closer, we marvel at your great love for us. Let your love transform every aspect of our lives and touch everyone we encounter. Our hearts are open to you, Jesus. Amen.

PASTOR’S CHRISTMAS LETTER So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:16-20 December is upon us, the month of Christmas, New Year’s Eve, parties, presents, decorations, the list goes on. Throughout this festive month runs the season of Advent, the most wonderful Christian time of the year. Advent, the coming of Christ, is the central focus of this holy season when believers personally prepare their innermost being to celebrate the birth of their Savior on Christmas morning, while too looking ahead to the day Christ comes in final victory. This is a time to remain true to what each of us trusts in, which is most important to the way we communicate with our Lord and with one another. While others may get caught up in the hustle and bustle, the anxious atmosphere of looking, searching, planning for fleeting moments and materialism, the Church is making meaningful arrangements of eternal proportions, spending time (not money) in devotion to God’s Word and achieving God’s will for the Advent of Christ. The above scripture offers a glimpse into that holy night when divine intervention occurred, as had been foretold and promised for centuries. Bethlehem was a busy place with many people there for the census. The lowly shepherds who were out in the fields keeping watch over their flocks where it might have been a bit quieter than in town, suddenly found themselves overwhelmed with heavenly hosts and news that redemption and reconciliation were alive and real. The saving movement of God broke through the barriers of time and space in the form of an infant taking his first breath, not how persons might have imagined this major event to happen, but God doesn’t act in worldly ways. The shepherds ran to witness the gospel of Good News, discovering their long awaited King had arrived in the simplicity of a stable to the most unlikely couple. They knew immediately who Jesus was for joy everlasting overflowed from them. They shared the news of the birth with everyone they encountered and raised glory to God as they headed back to care for their responsibilities among God’s creation. It was a most unforgettable night. Yet, for Mary the scripture states it was a different experience after giving birth to the Messiah. She was certainly overcome with wonder and awe at what was transpiring around her, taking the onset of life transformation in with all of her senses. She however was quiet in her rejoicing as she pondered the holy wholeness of the Christ Child. She treasured the scene, all that came with it, all she was called to do, all the future might hold, and reached out to adoringly nurture her baby, ever continuing to trust in God. Whether your planned celebration on Christmas includes jubilant testimonial shouts of praise or is set to be one of contemplation, considering in stillness the lengths God took to show his indescribable adoration for the world, including you, take time to fully receive the love of Christmas with the hope that it brings. God loves you, so much so, he gave of himself. The divine miracle is yours. Simple as that. Rejoice and be glad in whatever form it may be and wherever you find yourself. Because, plans, well God has a way of changing things up, so don’t be anticipating perfection. If your plans change, feel the love still. It will be in the air, breathe deep knowing you have the greatest gift and God is forever present. Continuous prayers and precious blessings at Christmas and always, Pastor Lori

Join us for our 1st annual GUMC/MUMC Charge Holiday Luncheon Sunday, January 12th, 12:15 PM (inclement weather date: Sunday, January 19th) in the Fellowship Hall - Gouldsboro UMC Fully Catered Lunch includes: Roast Beef Au Jus, Chicken Marsala, Penne Pasta, Mashed Potatoes Green Beans, Cole Slaw, Salad, Rolls, Beverages & Dessert Adults $20 Per Person Children $10 Children under 5 Free Reservations paid in full by Dec. 29th

Moscow UMC Events and Information The Children of the Moscow UMC Sunday School will perform their annual Christmas pageant on Sunday December 15, 2019 during the Worship Service. The Christmas Eve Worship Service will be held on Tuesday, December 24th, at 7:00 PM. The Moscow UMC Adult Choir will perform a Christmas Cantata on Sunday the 29th of December. If you would like to purchase a poinsettia, “In Memory Of, or In Honor Of” someone special, the forms can be found in the bulletin, on the table in the back of the church, or you can call the office at 570-842-7251. Thank you to all who attended the annual Church Conference which was held on November 18, 2019 here at Moscow UMC. All the Administrative and Ministry proposals for 2020 where Approved.

Once again the Moscow UMC Family is participating in the Angel Tree program. This program gives our Church Family an opportunity to share Christ’s love with the families of prisoners. Angle Tree connects parents in prison with their children through the delivery of Christmas gifts given on the parent’s behalf. Each Angel Tree Child receives a minimum of one gift valued at approximately $20.00. Gifts are kept comparable in families to avoid inequity among siblings. The Angel tree tags can be found on the tree in the Narthex. All of the families are in the local area! Greeters Ushers Readers Acolytes John Wesley said “One of the principal rules of religion is, to lose no occasion of serving God.” Moscow UMC is in need off members to help serve by assisting during Worship Service! There is a need for Greeters, Ushers, Readers and Acolytes. Everyone is welcome to serve….no experience necessary we will teach you. If you are interested the sign up sheet is located in the rear of the church.



Journey to Bethlehem Journey to Bethlehem by Wagon *Free wagon rides leave every 15 min. * *8 scenes enacting events surrounding the birth of Jesus *Free hot beverages & cookies December 13 & 14 6:00-9:00pm Tunkhannock United Methodist Church Corner of Church and Warren Streets, Tunkhannock PA 18657 Tunkumc.org

Sunday School Mission for December the Sunday school will be collecting for the NP Dry Goods Pantry. There is a need for winter weight socks for all ages, esp. for men. Gloves (Not Mittens) for all ages, esp. for adults. Coloring Books and crayons, (Preferably Crayola)

Moscow UMC Learning Tree Our themes for the month of November was Thank You Veterans, Turkeys, and Celebratin g Thanksgiving Today and Long Ago remind us we have a lot to be thankful for, therefore, our Pre-k, Preschool and Mommy and Me classes will all explore these same topics. The first week our students will create a red, white and blue banner to adorn our classroom while we remember and honor our country's veterans. Mid-month the students will learn about the very intelligent Eastern wild turkey and each class will make a special turkey craft. And before school is out for the holiday break each class will perform their very own Thanksgiving Parade in our classroom using various instruments.

This week we learned about the story of how a Shepherd separates sheep and goats, and how people can be like sheep or goats and what that means to God. The Sunday School delivered the donations to the veterans which were given by the Moscow UMC Family, to the Commons in Scranton. The Sunday School also had an opportunity to sit and chat with these veterans and have a pizza lunch with them.

Moscow United Methodist Church Administrative Council Meeting Minutes Monday, October 21, 2019 Attendees: Pastor Lori Robinson, Paulette Fotta, Howard McIntosh, Kim Havenstrite, Linda Verrastro, Steve Phillips Pastor Lori opened the meeting with a prayer. Paulette made the motion to accept the September 16th minutes. Linda seconded the motion and all were in favor. Budget Report Linda stated that there will be available funds in the account after October bills have been paid. It was agreed that we will pay two month’s worth of ministry shares. This will catch us up to April. Pastor Lori announced that there will be a charge conference at 6:30 PM on Monday, November 18th. This is the scheduled time for the monthly Ad Council meeting. We will schedule a short meeting after worship on November 3rd to approve the paperwork needed for the charge conference. If needed, we can schedule another Ad Council meeting later that month. Paulette made a motion to accept the monthly budget report. Second by Steve and all were in favor. Pastor Report Pastor Lori has been busy meeting church families and doing funerals. Sunday, October 20th was her first visit to St Mary’s Villa for worship service. Everything went very well there and she ended up connecting with a former member of Moscow Methodist Church. November 3rd will be All Saints Sunday. She is compiling a list of individuals who passed away this year to be honored during worship. She also plans to send out the spiritual gifts with the stewardship letters at the end of the month. Safe Sanctuaries – Many of the people listed on the charge conference paperwork will not be returning to their roles this year and Pastor Lori was concerned about what names she can put on the paperwork. Any committee chair who works with children needs to be certified. Pastor Lori will find a current list of members who have completed this training. The Ad Council discussed a few people who they thought may be interested in taking charge of the Safe Sanctuary training. Lay Leadership – It is very unlikely that many of the open positions will be filled before the charge conference. A few names were discussed as well as what the duties of the lay leadership entails. Pastor Lori reported that no one from the church signed up to attend SPARK. The pastor suggested the possibility of creating a church directory. The process began a couple years ago when the church wanted to have an online directory. Church members were sending photographs to be used in the directory. Pastor Lori will look in the church office to see if the photos are still there. The finance meeting held at the church went very well but Pastor Lori was surprised by the low attendance. There needs to be more volunteers for greeters and ushers. Someone suggested passing around the clipboard during worship service for people to sign up. However, this can be distracting during church. Instead of passing the clipboard, church members should make phone calls asking for volunteers. SPRC: Jennifer Scott is looking to set up for the Christmas Cantata this year. Paulette made a motion to set

the cap at $400 for the cantata expenses. Second by Howard and all were in favor. Trustees: Two new hearing aid devices went missing. Pastor Lori will put something in the church bulletin. Preschool: The People’s Security Charitable Foundation is interested in partnering with us for the 2020-2021 school year. They believe that they may have some funds available for needy children enrolled this year as well and will be sending applications. The Preschool plans to hold a “Cookies and Cocoa with Santa” fundraiser this year for both preschool families and the community. The Preschool board plans to have a meeting in early November. Howard made a motion to adjourn. Second by Steve – all were in favor.