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December
THE BEACON 2021
THE BEACON IS MONTHLY NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED BY
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF CROWN POINT, IN
Church Cookie Sale
Drive-Thru Breakfast
with Santa
Community Help
Network Coat Drive
Longest Night
Service
Christmas Eve
Services Merry Christmas
New Year’s Eve Ice
Skating Party
@CP.FirstMethodist
@FUMC_CP
@fumc.crownpoint
To View Our Live Stream Service on Sundays @FUMCCP
Unlocking the door
It seems strange for me now to reflect on the fact that when I was growing up, the worst kept
secret in Merrillville, Indiana was where the Wilkins family kept the spare key to their house. Like
many families, we had hidden a spare key in our garage in case we found ourselves locked out of the
house. Over the years, the location of this key had been leaked to my friends, my brother’s friends,
and the various “comers” and “goers” to our home. The result being many times we arrived home
and were greeted by a group of friends who had already “let themselves in”. Some would be
lazying by our back yard swimming pool, some watching whatever game was on TV, while others
would be sitting around the living room, having helped themselves to the contents of my mother’s
famous cookie jar.
As odd as this sounds now, somehow, my parents put up with it, and as a result our home was
generally filled with noise, cheerful chaos and people who probably should not have been there but
somehow had been made to feel at home.
In a way, I think this is what God did at Christmas. For centuries, we had been resident aliens-
we lived in the great creation He had given us. Yet, we had made ourselves aliens from the love,
from the peace, from a relationship with the giver of that home. However, then came Christmas,
when God did not simply tell us where to find the key, but went far beyond that in throwing open
the door to His love and inviting everyone in. He populated the Christmas story with cast offs, the
alienated, and in general the very people you and I would most like to lock our door against. Yet, He
invited them in, always with acceptance and love. He opened His story, His heart to all “comers”,
and in that relationship, He BECAME our home.
That is still my dream of Christmas. It is, quite simply, “An invitation home.” An invitation
home to all those outside these walls. An invitation home to those who may have been away for a
while, but to all “comers” the door is flung open, and our heart, His heart is open to us. This
Christmas, my hope is that you will feel free to come home. Some may have specific health reasons
for staying at a distance, and we affirm and respect that. However, for the rest of us, the invitation is
extended to come back to love and peace. The Christmas story is much more than good information
to be dispensed- it is an invitation to relationship, with God and with one another.
The door is unlocked- in fact, this extravert and unreasonably, loving God has opened it wide.
I hope that you will come inside to Christmas, and to the One who is our home.
In My love and His,
Pastor Mark
Please Join Us
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21ST
4:00PM HANGING OF THE GREENS & PIZZA PARTY
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29TH
ADOPT-A-FAMILY GIFT CARDS NEED TO BE TURNED IN
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH, DECEMBER 7TH, 14TH & 21ST
10:00AM AND 6:00PM IN CHURCH PARLOR
ADVENT BIBLE STUDY: “INCARNATION”
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11TH
9:00AM – 11:00AM DRIVE-THRU BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12TH
SUNDAY SCHOOL WILL MEET UP AT LINCOLN PARK ZOO
“ZOO LIGHTS” 5:00PM
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19TH
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS” PARTY 9:30AM SUNDAY SCHOOL
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21ST
6:30PM – LONGEST NIGHT SERVICE & DINNER
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24TH
5:00PM: CANDLELIGHT SERVICE @ COURT HOUSE SQUARE
9:00PM: CONTEMPORARY CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
11:00PM: TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
MONDAY, DECEMBER 27TH
3:00PM – 7:00PM VERSITI COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE – DOWNEY HALL
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31ST
NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION
OFFICE CLOSED – CHRISTMAS EVE & NEW YEAR’S EVE
The Missions Committee of our church will be highlighting
missions served by First United Church of Crown Point in
the Beacon over the next few months. The members of our
congregation are able to designate part of their giving for
local, national, and international missions. The Missions
Committee would like to introduce you to these deserving
organizations.
Clinica Esperanza
It’s statements is: Giving Hope to all of the Bay Islands.
The clinic is under the direction of Ms. Peggy Stranges. Started in 2001.
It provides
- Family Health - Dentistry
- Pharmacy - Pediatrics
- International Elective - Women’s Health
- Eye Exams - Community Outreach
No patient is refused due to lack of funds. Located in Sandy Bay with mainly the residents of La
Colonia who are displaced with little education, employment, and basic necessities such as
running water.
We as a mission committee are helping the clinic in our yearly budget. They are now having a
fund raiser to build a satellite building on the island.
PLEASE JOIN WITH US AND OTHERS AT OUR ANNUAL
LONGEST NIGHT SERVICE & DINNER
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21ST @ 6:30PMTHE LONGEST NIGHT GATHERING IS A WAY OF
RECOGNIZING THAT IN THE MIDDLE OF WHAT SEEMS TO BE A HAPPY CELEBRATION FOR MANY,
SOME OF US ARE EXPERIENCING DIFFICULT AND COMPLEX EMOTIONS. NO MATTER WHAT
CAUSES THIS STRUGGLE IN YOUR LIFE, WE INVITE YOU TO GATHER WITH US. THE GATHERING IS
CASUAL, OPEN TO ALL AGES, AND FOR ANYONE SEEKING COMFORT.
PLEASE RSVP WITH THE OFFICE BEFORE DECEMBER 14
November 2021
Dear Members and Friends:
As you may know, the Staff Parish Relations Committee typically asks for your
assistance for donations for a Christmas Gift for our Church Staff. All donations will be
distributed to the staff as a way of thanking them for their dedication and hard work
during the past year.
This year we realize everyone’s finances may well be tighter than usual due to the
increases in the cost of living, so any donation you may be able to contribute would be
deeply appreciated.
If you would like, you can contribute to the Church Staff Christmas Gift by…
• Place your donation in the weekly collection during one of the three services.
Simply put your contribution in one of the pew envelopes and mark the envelope
Staff Christmas Gift.
• Mail your donation to the church directly: FUMC of Crown Point | 352 S Main St.
| Crown Point, IN 46307. Please mark your envelope Staff Christmas Gift.
The deadline for contributions is Sunday, December 19th.
The Staff-Parish relations Committee would like to thank you in advance for your
continued support of First United Methodist Church of Crown Point and the staff.
Yours Truly,
Edward Warren,
Chair, Staff-Parish Relations Committee
New Beginnings
“Christmas is joy, religious joy,
an inner joy of light and peace”
Pope Francis
This year and until further notice all the New Beginning’s Luncheons will require that you reserve your
place through the church office. The reason is that all food will be catered, and place settings will be
provided. Our December luncheon will be on December 6th, noon rsvp by December 1st. It will be
in Downey Hall. Entertainment will be the preschool and “The Noteables”. There will be no luncheon
in January.
Crafty Grannies:
We meet every Friday morning at 9:30-11:30am Downey Hall. There will be no Crafty Grannie’s
from December 17-January 14th,2022.The Grannies have been preparing Christmas bags for Meals
on Wheels a total of 76 clients being served from our church daily. We would like to thank our
church congregation on our “Turkey Dinner “, silent auction. The winners of our two baskets were
Barbara Hamner and Brian and Jeannie Gray. We will be having a silent auction December 14th in
Downey Hall. Two complete ham dinners and cookie baking basket. Also, small gifts for teachers,
parents, friends and grandparents. All of our money raised is to support the 12 different missions we
support. We’re a blessed group of ladies.
Thanksgiving meals were delivered November 23rd, to 90 folks in our community. Which includes
the fire and police department whom were serving us instead of being with their families. Thank you
Lisa Hargraves, Gay Blech, Carol LaBaji, Louise Moore, Pastor Mark and myself.
I would just like to wish everyone
a blessed Christmas and a Happy
New Year.
It’s God’s Blessing to serve Him.
Carla Smolek
Christian Caregivers:
Will now meet 1st and 3rd Thursday of the
month in Downey Hall. Our group sends cards
of encouragement to our church family and
community.
Breakfast Club: (Pictured to the Right)
3rd Monday of the month,9am, at Schoops
Restaurant. Everyone is welcome to join us for
great Christian Fellowship.
Actively Fit:
Every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday
10 am-10:45 am. Come join us for low impact
chair exercise.
WE WILL NOT BE HAVING BUS
TRANSPORTATION FROM
DECEMBER 2021 – MARCH 2022.
2021 has been a busy year in spite of COVID. 2022 is shaping up to be even busier. The
Buddy Bag Program has expanded into twenty schools in four school districts all
throughout South Lake County. This “little” project that started here at Crown Point First
UMC in 2017 has become a program that is helping feed over 750 food insecure students.
Presently we are seeking donations to help us reach our goal of $5,000 towards an
anonymous matching grant. Please visit www.communityhelpnet.org to make a donation.
The Community Help Network Household Pantry has also been quite busy. We have nearly
fifty families that benefit from the pantry. The pantry provides paper products, cleaning
supplies and hygiene items to low-income families in South Lake County. These are all
things that cannot be purchased with Food Stamps.
Upcoming Events
Saturday December 11th from 9-11 (Use Downey Hall Entrance C): Breakfast with Santa! $5
per meal. Tickets on sale in church office or may be purchased the day of.
Saturday December 18th from Noon til 4:00 pm (550 East Burrell Drive, use red door by
loading dock) Coat Giveaway for the Entire Family. Sponsored by Community Help
Network and Coats for Kids.
Sunday, January 30th: Annual Soup and Chili Cook Off, Downey Hall, Fundraiser for
Community Help Network/Buddy Bags. Set up at 5:30pm, Judging begins at 6:00pm,
Winners determined at 7:00pm. $10 Entry Fee for contestants, $5 Entry Fee for observers
and tasters. Cast your ballot by putting money in the soup/chili makers collection bin.
Contestant with most money in their bin wins. Prizes will be awarded for the top three
winners.
Friday, March 11th in Downey Hall. Fundraiser for Community Help Network/Buddy Bags.
Doors open at 5:30pm, Show starts at 6:00pm, Dinner served at 7:00pm. “Selections from
Stage and Screen: Showtunes, Movie Themes and Comedy”
Ticket Price is $30. Menu and entertainment to be announced closer to the date.
Saturday, April 30th in Downey Hall, Trivia Night. From 6:30pm-8:30pm. Teams of 4 to 6
people. $40 per team entry fee. Fundraiser for Community Help Network/Buddy Bags.
Prizes awarded to the top three teams. Observers welcome for an entry fee of one food
item for Buddy Bags. Snacks and Refreshments will be offered.
GROW Advent
Check us out on facebook! @FUMCCP.SundaySchool We’ll
be posting a bedtime story and a family devotional every
evening until Christmas!
GROW Sunday School
We are doing live Sunday School every Sunday! However, if your child has to miss a
week or two, we are still providing Online Sunday School every Sunday. This will allow
them to keep up as we make our way through the Bible!
Children’s Ministry Outings
We invite all families to join us for these opportunities for
fellowship and fun! We will meet at each of these locations!
December 12th - Zoolights - 5PM
January 16th - Craft Kits for Buddy Bags 600 Bags - 2 PM
February 20th - Tie Blankets - 2 PM
March 13th - Cards for Christian Caregivers - 2 PM
April 24th - Craft Kits for Buddy Bags 600 Bags - 2 PMAmped Student Ministry meets on Sundays at 3-5pm for “Pulse Society” our outreach ministry
which encourages fellowship and relationship amongst one another and with Christ. Thursdays
from 6-8pm we meet for AMPED Youth Group where we study God’s word and share together with
one another in a small group atmosphere and games that focus on our connection with Christ and
His Word. Both Events meet in Downey Hall throughout the fall and winter months. Hope to see
all of you who are 6th grade through Senior High School. Come join us for some fun times and
diving into the Word of God!
Amped students and young adults gathered together Friday
following Thanksgiving to deliver our “Stock the Food
Pantry” items. We delivered over 300 bags of groceries to
the Love Pantry in Cedar Lake. Many families will be
blessed by all the generosity that our church has provided.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to serve and to love
some struggling families. We pray that you had a wonderful
Thanksgiving and shared with your family and friends a
special day of Thanks. Please continue to pray for the Love
Wednesday’s at 7:30 our Pantry as they continue to serve the struggling people of
young adults (graduates our community.
through…young adults) meet
to discuss our study of “The
Shack”.POINSETTIA SALE
Please order __________ Poinsettia(s) to beautify the Sanctuary (Worship Center) on Christmas
Eve at $10 each. Payment should be enclosed with this order. Use a pew envelope and mark it
"Poinsettia."
Note: The flowers given in memory or honor of others are for the beautification of our sanctuary
for Christmas Eve and not be available to be picked up until after the last Service on Christmas
Eve (midnight). If it is inconvenient for you to pick
them up at that time, they may be picked up any day the next week. Poinsettias not picked up
will be used to decorate the sanctuary during the remainder of the season. THE DEADLINE FOR
ORDERING IS Monday, December 13.
FINANCIAL UPDATE – AS OF 11/14/21
WEEKLY YTD
BUDGET: $12,458.00 $573,068.00
RECEIPTS: $ 7,389.38 $507,326.84 YTD = (-65,741.16)You can also read
