
	December 27, 2018


	Christmas Carol Sunday! ONE Worship Service at 10:00 am No Sunday School This Week


	Join us this Sunday at 10 am as we gather together in one service of worship for Christmas Carol Sunday! Pastor Clark is traveling so Jenny Gee will lead us in worship and song. It's a special service -- hope to see you there!


	Sunday's Announcements: Read them here! Did you miss a sermon? We have an archive! (Scroll to the bottom of the page.)


	Merry Christmas! 697 people worshiped here on Christmas Eve! We hope that you found peace, hope, love and peace here, and that you'll continue to be a part of this community of faith all year long. "May the light and the fire from these candles burn away everything that is preventing the God of hope and peace and joy and love from being born among us… Brothers and sisters, be not afraid, even now - even now – the light of Christ is overwhelming the world!"


	Gretchen Knapp's Calling Hours A member of this church family since 2012, Gretchen Knapp passed away on Sunday, surrounded by her family. Calling hours will be held at Busch Funeral Home in Parma on Saturday from 2 until 4 pm. Pastor Barbara Bartholomew will lead the family in a private prayer service before calling hours. Please keep Gretchen's family in your prayers.


	Poinsettias for Hunger Your poinsettia dedications raised $500 for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank! Thank you for helping to feed our neighbors in need, for bringing cheer to our shut ins, and for helping beautify the Sanctuary. See the dedication list here.


	Walk The Labyrinth In need of an escape from the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season? Visit the Labyrinth in Fellowship Hall today through December 28 for a return to center. Your walk is self guided. The building opens at 8:30 (M - F) and will be open this Saturday from 10 am until 7:30.


	Friendly Year End Giving Reminder To be credited to your 2018 giving, gifts must be received in the church office by December 31. Year end giving statements will be mailed to your home address by January 19. (Do you need to update your address?) The outside of the envelope will be marked “Important Tax Documents Enclosed.” Don’t miss it! Can’t wait for the mail? You can quickly print your own statement anytime from our secure online portal. It’s easy as 1, 2, 3! 1. Log in to www.onrealm.org/BrecksvilleMethodist. Your e-mail address is your login. Your password is known only to you. If you can’t remember it, follow the instructions to re-set. 2. Click Giving on the main menu. 3. You can view your past giving, see scheduled giving or even schedule a recurring gift. Click the print icon to print a copy. In January 2019, a quick print “2018 Giving Statement” button will appear on the right side of the page. Need help? Call Leslie or Melanie, 440-526-8938 Monday to Thursday 8:30—4:30 or Friday 8:30—12:30


	Five Fun Things to Do on Your Winter Break Become Sensory Certified. Learning is fun! Hand feed a chickadee Mini-Movers at the Brecksville Library Dinner and a movie in the Metro Parks. Fun and Free Activities to do at home!


	Tasty, tasty pancakes! Everyone's invited to come enjoy a delicious breakfast together in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, January 6 at 10 am. Jenny and George Gee have made this an annual tradition as a way to say "thank you" to all of our church volunteers. Hope you'll plan to be there!


	Youth Ministry New Year Planning Session. Join us January 6 at 6 pm in the Youth Room (406) as we map out what is ahead for 2019, think of creative ideas for growing our programming, and have a lot of fun. Everyone's welcome and we'd love to hear your ideas and dreams for our youth ministry. Hope to see you there!


	Fill the Christmas Food Tree! We’re collecting non-perishable foods, personal hygiene items and household cleaning supplies for our brothers and sisters in need. Our Food Tree is located in the church lobby this year (on the second floor.)The most needed items include: Canned Fruit, Soup, Cereal, Canned Meats (like tuna and chicken), Peanut Butter and Jelly, Personal Hygiene Items, Household Cleaners, Laundry and Dish Soap, and Paper Towels. Please hold the cranberry sauce, green beans, and corn. Thank you!


	RECYCLE PAPER = FIGHT HUNGER! Bring your old newspapers, magazines, and (broken down) cardboard to church. THANK YOU for supporting hunger ministry by recycling at Brecksville United Methodist Church! This year to date, we've recycled over 37,223 pounds of paper!


	2019 Offering Envelopes have arrived! Have you picked yours up? They're on the bench outside of the church office. If you didn't already order a set, but would like one, simply reply to this e-mail and we'll have them ready for you on Sunday.


	Thursday, December 27 8:30 Church offices open until 4:30 pm Friday, December 28 8:30 Church offices open until 12:30 pm Saturday, December 29 2 - 4 Calling hours for Gretchen Knapp, Busch Funeral Home, Parma Sunday, December 30 10:00 Christmas Carol Sunday. One Worship Service! Mon Dec 31 New Year's Eve 8:30 – 12:30 Church Office Hours 8:30 – 10am Al-Anon Pre-Meeting, 201 10 – 11:30am Al Anon, Parlor 11am – 1am Brecksville Squares NYE, FH Tue Jan 1 Happy New Year! Church Offices Closed Wed Jan 2 6:30 – 7:30am No Dawnbreakers today. 3 – 9pm Clark Piano Studio, 206 5:30 – 8:45pm AA Meeting, Brecksville Wednesdays, 301 5:30 – 6:30pm Girl Scout Troop 70341, 201 7 – 8pm Brecksville Wednesday PM Al-Anon, 302 Thu Jan 3 Paper Recycling Pick Up 9 – 11am Sanctuary Cleaning 11am – 12pm AA Women, 301 3:30 – 4:30pm Organ Rehearsal - Brown, Sanctuary 5 – 6pm Men's Small Group, Parlor 6:15 – 7:30pm Bell Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary 7:30 – 9pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room Fri Jan 4 9:30 – 11:15am Mom's Club of North Royalton, Parlor & Crib and Toddler Room 11am – 1pm AA Women, 301 8 – 9:30pm AA, 301 Sat Jan 5 Nothing Scheduled in the Church Building Sun Jan 6 Communion Sunday 8:45 – 9:45am Worship - With Live Band 10 – 11am Volunteer Appreciation Pancake Breakfast, FH 11:15am – 12:15pm Worship - With Traditional Hymns 6 – 7pm High School Homework Time, Quiet Room 6 – 7pm Middle School Youth Group, Youth Room 7 – 8:30pm NA, Courage To Change, 301 7 – 8pm High School Youth Group, Youth Room 7 – 8pm Middle School Homework Time, Quiet Room 7:30 – 9pm Troop 175 Boy Scout Leaders, 403 For up-to-the-minute information, visit the calendar on our website www.brecksvilleumc.com See more at www.brecksvilleumc.com


	Our Welcoming Statement Brecksville United Methodist Church is called to the ministry of reconciliation. We embrace diversity as a gift. We celebrate our human family’s diversity of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, age, faith history, economic status, marital status, physical and mental ability, and education. We affirm that all people are created in the image of God and as beloved children of God, all are worthy of God’s love and grace. We welcome the full inclusion of all people in the life and ministries of Brecksville United Methodist Church as we journey toward reconciliation through Christ.


	There's good news in the world, if you just know where to look. Here are three stories we found this week: Woman's late husband's train collection on display in Independence Two Lost Souls lead youth in rebuilding community 5 Keys to Living a More Meaningful Life in the New Year Are you a "good news" spotter? Send your good news headlines to Melanie and we may share them here! Thanks for reading! Be kind to each other - and to yourself!