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MANTENO CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE

698 N. Locust – P.O. Box 698, Manteno, IL 60950-0698 Phone: (815) 468-8946 – Fax: (815) 468-9420

E-Mail Address – mkrueger@ Published Monthly – Volume Sixteen – Issue Number 12 – December 1, 2010

From the Pastor’s Keyboard

The angel caused there to be great joy among the people. How did the angel do it? Luke 2:  8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,  14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,   and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Every year the same questions are asked. What do we get the guy who doesn’t need anything? What can we buy for a gift that our loved one won’t have to take back and exchange? Often times gifts are well received and may even be something that is needed. But all of us know all too well that many gifts are destined to be returned or put in a drawer and ignored.

But there was this one Christmas when an angel came on the scene and shared a gift that had the potential to bring great joy to everyone. It was the news that a savior had been born. The Messiah had come in the form of a baby. No longer would people have to wait and hope and pray. Jesus was born in Bethlehem and this baby would be able to bring peace, love and joy to everyone who put their trust in Him.

What if you could be guaranteed that your gifts would bring joy? What if you could give gifts that would have eternal significance? I have two suggestions for givers of great gifts. The first has to do with our sagging economy. Every year I have had people come to me and ask me to share some Christmas cheer with a needy family. It may be a bonus they receive or just Christmas money saved that they want to help a family with special needs. Those gifts, given in the name of the Lord, are always significant and I believe have eternal value.

The other is the Jesus film. In the history of the church there has never been an evangelistic tool as successful as the Jesus film. For just a few dollars you can play the role of the angel in the Christmas play. Consider the Jesus Film Harvest Partner's value proposition: Over the life of the ministry, for every $3 invested, 1 person makes a decision for Christ. JESUS Film Teams Have Reported:

• 57,462,141 Evangelistic Contacts • 10,218,273 Decisions for Christ

• 3,667,752 Initial Discipleship Follow-ups • 24,756 Preaching Points

•  Stats as of November 2010

Continued on the next page…

From the Pastor’s Keyboard Continued.

There are gifts that just never miss. Whether you want to stay local or make a difference on a far away mission field…give the gift that keeps on giving. Give the gift that has eternal significance.

The Pastor

Sunday School Ministries

- Marian Pollard, S.S. Director

 

Well, it is that time of year when we start turning our thoughts toward Christmas.  Goodness, where does the time go?  It just seems as though I put away the Christmas tree and decorations a few months ago! A few weeks ago, I watched some people putting up lights and decorations in the 70 degrees weather. Not me, I want to wait until it is cold and the wind is blowing!  Maybe there will be another warm day in December.  Time will tell on that one.  The Hallmark channel has been showing Christmas movies since the second week in November.  Most of these movies I have already seen but I will watch them again. One of the movies was called The Ultimate Gift.  Now, it just happens I have not seen this one.  When I saw the name of the movie, my thoughts immediately turned to Jesus.  He is the ultimate gift.  There is nothing under a tree that will compare to the gift of Jesus and His love. I am finding this year that Christmas has come early in the gift of three healthy baby girls born into our family in the past six months.   A loved one hearing sounds for the first time in years is another special gift that won't be found under a tree!  Another special friend finding out that the disease is in remission.  No more chemo treatments!  Praise the Lord!!!! Another special gift was the entire Pollard family being together for Thanksgiving since my Daddy passed away!  There is no purchased gift that can compare to these gifts!  Yes, I will be putting up a tree, decorating, giving gifts to loved ones, and spending time with special people in my life.  But the best gift of all is the love that fills my heart because of the relationship with my Lord and Savior.  He died for me a sinner.  Now, I will rejoice and be glad in Him.  I pray as I prepare for Christmas that Christ will be the center of my thoughts and actions.  Open my heart, mind and soul to you and your love, dear Jesus! 

How are you going to prepare for Christmas? We have Sunday School teachers who will be sharing Jesus and His love through their teaching.  Please join us in Sunday School, Sundays at 10 a.m., to learn about the love of the Ultimate Gift, Jesus! We have classes for all ages.  If you have any questions, please contact me.   Merry Christmas to all. 

Loving you through Jesus,

Marian

 

NO SUNDAY SCHOOL DECEMBER 26TH. 

The three trees

According to legend, three trees grew near Jesus’ manger; an olive tree, a palm tree and a fir tree. The olive offered its fruit to the newborn King, and the palm tree gave its dates.

The poor fir, having nothing to give but worship, raised its boughs in adoration, and the angels hung stars on its branches. So the fir became the first Christmas tree.

| 3 |Serena Bennett |13 |Rylie Stroud |23 |Robert Day |

| 3 |Carol Bump |14 |Rachel Randall |24 |Cheryl Paarlberg |

| 4 |Jake Lathus |15 |Mike Kelsey |24 |Susan Armstrong |

| 6 |Jon Gladkowski |15 |Matthew Diedrich |25 |Tyler Baldwin |

| 8 |Jeff Nogoda |19 |Joyce Hale |25 |Arden Chandler |

| 9 |Danielle Williams |19 |Madison Pettet |26 |Andy Rueff |

| 9 |Madison Norvell |20 |Karla Pralle |28 |Davis Testerman |

|11 |Rick Ouwenga |21 |Marge Howe |29 |Roger Hale |

|11 |Josh Stauffenberg |21 |Terri Secrest |29 |Katie White |

|13 |Melanie Ipema |21 |Abby McCormick |30 |Anna Bishir |

December

December Anniversaries

4 - Bob and Bonnie Austell

5 - Steve and Debby Skoglund

5 - Jon and Melanie Gladkowski

27 - Kevin and Sharyl Whittington

27 - Aaron and Alison Chandler

28 - Mike and Becky Kelsey

28 - Erick and Rebecca Karl

29 - Jim and Linda Stauffenberg

Dear Friends at Manteno,

After John called me, and Heather, to tell us his mom had passed away, my first thought was – “I need to call my/our Manteno family.” You knew Edie and welcomed her to many events over the past 24 years and prayed for her and us often. For those prayers; your friendships; the cards; meals; the plant and the ones who came to the viewing/funeral we say – “thank you” once again for your love and concern.

John and Debbie – Heather and Brandon

Dear Pastor and Congregation,

I bring greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ from beautiful Colorado Springs and Nazarene Bible College.

I want to thank you for your support of the NBC Annual Offering. According to our records, Manteno Church of the Nazarene is a Gold Donor Church for the 2009-2010 Annual Offering Year.

Please accept our gift of appreciation for your strong support of Nazarene Bible College. Your contribution helps us fulfill our purpose to glorify Jesus Christ as Lord by preparing adults to evangelize, disciple, and minister to the world.

Peace be with you,

Harold B. Graves Jr., President

NAZARENE MISSIONS INTERNATIONAL (NMI)

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM YOUR NMI COUNCIL:

Alice Ferren, Diane Ferris, Sharon Bellomy, Ruth McCrary, April Richmond, Lauralee Nothstine, Karla Pralle, Lynette Yantes, Jeff Pettit, and Janice Carlson.

DECEMBER EMPHASIS – NAZARENE COMPASSIONATE MINISTRIES

Christians can help feed the world’s hungry and meet disaster needs through Compassionate Ministries. We can provide prayer, money, Crisis Care Kits, and School Pal Paks.

MISSIONARY MEETING –

Monday, December 13 – NOTHSTINE CHAPTER, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Come help us roll bandages for the Mission Hospital in New Guinea and learn more about missions. Call Ruth McCrary about lunch plans.

PRAYER REQUEST 

Pray for God’s peace to reign in the country of Mexico. Pray that people will be kept safe from violent situations, especially those related to the drug cartels, and for Christians to be a source of light in areas where darkness lives.

Please pray for our Missionaries children as many are traveling home from school at Christmas time.

Our LINKS Missionaries, Kim’s and Perry’s.

JESUS FILM

Needs: A field leader has secured a matching gift of $10,000 from a church for handheld personal evangelism devices to be used in the Horn of Africa for outreach in gospel resistant areas. Each device is $400. Twenty-five (25) gifts of $400 are needed for the $10,000 matching gift. Please pray God will touch the hearts of our partners to meet this matching opportunity.

"His neighbors will object," said the team member in Indonesia. "We were showing the JESUS Film in private homes. Mr. H asked us what we were doing. We told him about the film and he said he would like to see it. We showed the film to him in his home and he chose to give his heart to Christ. Pray for Mr. H, as he lives in a difficult area where the people will not support his decision." Pray for those like Mr. H who face personal hardships and persecution for their faith in Jesus.

CRISIS CARE KITS – please pick up a few items for these kits while you are Christmas shopping. A list of items and sizes is on the missionary table in the church foyer.

Janice Carlson – NMI President

Children’s Ministries

- Pastor Bekah

“No Wonder” Christmas Musical

Parents: A reminder that the kids will be performing for Gift of God Church on 5th Ave in Kankakee. This performance will be on December 4th. We will be meeting here at our church parking lot at 4:00 p.m., to carpool over to Gift of God Church. If you will be meeting the group at Gift of God church, notify Shelly Stroud to be sure she knows. The kids will have the opportunity to help with dinner and will be performing their musical. Also, as this church is a street ministry, they are in need of items such as toothpaste, soap, shampoo, conditioner, razors, shaving cream, etc. If you are able to bring any of these items it would be much appreciated.

Here are musical practice dates for the remainder of the program:

Sunday, November 28: 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 5: 10:00-10:50 a.m. and 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 11: Possible practice from 9-10:30 a.m. (this is dependent on how the kids are doing in previous practices)

Thanks so much to all the kids and parents for their dedicated hard work!

The FX brings kids and parents together for a "high octane” experience that rivals any family event. These 1-hour productions use music, dance, video and a clubhouse full of insanely funny characters that make it a blast for the entire family.

Each production highlights one core virtue such as honesty, self-control, and gratitude. It’s fast-paced extreme fun with a purpose! Don’t miss out on the hot new family entertainment that everyone will soon be talking about!

If you are interested in being a part of this dynamic ministry, we need teen and adult volunteers who like to sing, dance, act, run video, sound, lights, build and paint sets, organize costumes and props, or help with food! Please talk to Pastor Bekah if you want to be involved! Our first FX is scheduled for February 5th! The countdown begins…

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Pastor Bekah needs volunteers for both preschool and elementary kids’ church starting in February. If you are interested in helping for one month out of the year, please contact Pastor Bekah. This is an awesome opportunity so don’t miss out! You will get complete training and support and will be rewarded with the relationships you get to build within the Power House Kidz Ministry.

Continued on next page…

Children’s Ministries continued.

Some Star-Studded fun!

Brighten up the dark winter nights by trying these joy-filled, Christ-based experiences with your family and friends:

• Follow the Star- Hang a trail of stars throughout your house, and at each star, place a nativity scene figure. Hang the last, largest star over a cake with three candles, and place baby Jesus by it. Then follow the stars. Stop at each one and talk about the role of that person or animal. At the final star, light the three candles. Say, “These candles represent the star of Bethlehem that shone brightly over baby Jesus; Jesus, the light of the world, who was born into a dark night; and how God wants us to be a light for others and point them to Jesus.” Sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus and share the cake.

• Star Square- This game, which is ideal for play with extended families, is a reminder of the wise men who followed the Christmas star to find Jesus. With masking tape, divide an 8x8 foot space into four squares. Tape a construction paper star in one quadrant. Put one person in each square, and have everyone else stand in a circle around the quadrants. The “star” square starts play by tapping the ball into another square. Players tap the ball into another square whenever it enters theirs. Play continues until someone misses, and then that person steps out and a new player rotates in from the circle. Players rotate clockwise toward the star. Whenever a player steps into the square with the star, he or she should share one thing about Jesus or Christmas.

YOUTH EVENTS

December 4 – Street Ministry Partnership, at 5th Avenue Gift of God. Meet at Gift of God

at 4:30 p.m., or the church at 4:00 p.m. We will serve dinner and help clean up.

We should be done around 6:30 p.m.

December 17 – Manteno Christmas Baskets, 5-8 p.m., we will help pass out Christmas baskets

to families at Manteno Fire Station.

December 22- Family Communion at the church, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

December 30 – New Year’s Eve Party, 7 p.m. – midnight, cost $5 (bowling, pizza, surprise stop

and dodge ball).

January 21-23 - District Snowball Retreat – Devil’s Head Resort, Kalahari Water Park

Madison, WI – leaving the church on Friday at 5:00 p.m., returning Sunday,

by 4 p.m., signup sheet in the Youth Room. Must sign up by January 5.

NYC Fundraisers The proceeds from this will go to help the youth attending NYC.

Oberweis – 840 Kinzie, Bradley – December 17, 6-10 p.m., our youth will receive 30% of sales, must use a coupon, see one of our youth or Pastor Aaron to get a coupon.

Culvers in January”, watch for details in the Sunday bulletin.

December Events

Christmas House Walk/Progressive Dinner

Friday, December 3

Our Women’s Ministries is hosting this event where we will travel from house to house for a progressive dinner. At each location you will be served a portion of the meal. If you have any questions please contact Melody Grimm or Sue Toepper.

“Journey of Hope: the brith of the Savior”

Sunday, December 5

at 8:30 a.m. and again at 6:30 p.m.

From prophecy to fulfillment to the expectation of our Lord’s retrun, it sets to music the chronological retelling of God’s eternal purpose in the birth of his Son. You’ll hear some new songs along with some familiar favorites. Many of your favorite soloists will be featured along with our wonderful choir.

Cookie Sale

Saturday, December 11

8 a.m. – Noon

This annual cookie sale is a fundraiser for our Women’s Ministries which provides the means for the organization to function. Each person is asked to bring up to 10 dozen HOMEMADE cookies to the Family Life Center on Friday, December 10, by 5:30 p.m. These delicious and festive cookies will be placed on trays and then sold the next day at the sale.

Children’s Christmas Musical

On Sunday, December 12

11 a.m., service

Our children will present the musical, no Wonder! When a group of church kids decide they want to go to the mall to sing for Christmas but are turned down, little do they realize what God had in mind. Hear the story and stay amazed at God's wonderful Christmas gift!

Men’s Ensemble Concert

Sunday, December 12

Musical Mosaic a variety Christmas Concert will be presented by the Men’s Ensemble on Sunday, December 12, at 7 p.m., in the sanctuary. A free will offering will be taken to benefit the Manteno Interfaith Christmas Basket project.

Church Board Open House

Pastor and LeAnn would like to extend an invitation to the Church Board Members and their families to an open house at their home, on Monday, December 13, 6:30 p.m.

Christmas Open House

At

Pastor Jack and LeAnn’s

255 S. Poplar St. – Manteno

Sunday, December 19, 2-5 p.m.

During this beautiful season as we celebrat the birth of our Savior, we invite you and your family into our home for a time of fellowship. Please feel free to stop by at your convenience.

Directions from the church: South on Rt 50 to Adams Street (street is just past Doc’s Drugs), go four blocks to S. Poplar, turn left, their home is on the right side of the road.

Candlelight Family Communion

Wednesday,December 22, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

During this evening, families or a group of friends are encouraged to come into the sanctuary, have a quiet time of meditation then come to the altar to be served communion by one of our pastors. For those who can not kneel you may sit on the front pews and one of the pastors will come to you.

Christmas Eve Service

On Christmas Eve we will have a candlelight service in the sanctuary at 11:30 p.m. This year we will also light a special candle in memory of our loved ones who have passed away.

Church office closed at noon on December 23, will reopen on Monday, December 27

Merry Christmas!

December 26, one worship service at 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, December 29, No services

Church office closed at noon on December 31, will reopen on Monday January 3

Happy New Year!

|Sun |Mon |Tue |Wed |Thu |Fri |Sat |

| |1 |2 |3 |4 |

| | | |MOPS | |

| | | |9-11:15a | |

| | | | | |

|A Savior has been born to you… | | |Women’s Ministry |Kids & Youth at |

| | | |House walk |Gift of God, 4p |

|5 |6 |7 |8 |9 |10 |11 |

|Choir Musical 8:30a &| | | | | |Cookie Sale |

|6:30p | | | | | |8-Noon, FLC |

| | | | | | | |

|11a Contemporary | | | | | | |

| | | | | |Cookie Sale | |

|Service | | | | |set up 5:30p | |

|12 |13 |14 |15 |16 |17 |18 |

|8:30a Traditional | | | | |MOPS | |

|Service | | | | |9-11:15a | |

|11a Children’s | | | | | | |

|Musical | | | | | | |

| |6:30p Church Board | |7p Children help | |5-8p Youth help | |

|7p Men’s |Open House | |w/Christmas Baskets | |w/Christmas Baskets | |

|Ensemble | | | | | | |

|Concert | | | | | | |

|19 |20 |21 |22 |23 |24 |25 |

| | | | | |Church Office Closed | |

|2-5p All Church Open| | | |Church Office Closes | |[pic] |

|House at McCormick’s | | | |at Noon | | |

| | | | | |11:30p | |

| | | |5:30-7:30p Family | |Candlelight Service | |

| | | |Communion | | | |

|26 |27 |28 |29 |30 |31 | |

|10a – Worship | | | | |Church Office closes | |

|Service | | | | |at Noon | |

| | | | | | | |

| | | | | | | |

| | | |No Services | | | |

| |Sunday Services: |

|…he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 |8:30a – Traditional |

| |10-10:45a – Sunday School |

| |11a – Contemporary |

| | |

| |Wednesday Services: |

| |6p – Kid’s Quizzing |

| |7p – Children |

| |7p – Bible Study |

| |7p – Youth |

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MANTENO CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE

2010

December

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