November Tumbleweed 02

EDEN PRAIRIE

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

SPECIAL

MESSAGE

FROM YOUR

STEWARDSHIP

MINISTRY TEAM

As you receive this month’s edition of the Tumbleweed, our Stewardship campaign is active and alive, contrasting the natural wonders around us that will soon be covered with a blanket of snow. No matter what time of year, the majesty of God’s creation is evident.

Each member of the congregation has received a letter inviting active participation in the Prairie Church stewardship campaign. Prairie Church has proven to be resilient throughout its history, willing to accept challenges, and share God’s grace. Throughout 2002 the church ministry council and finance ministry team have made tough decisions regarding staffing, to better position us to meet our financial needs. In addition, the conference has acknowledged the potential of Prairie Church by appointing a strong pastoral team. We are certain new possibilities for effective ministry are present as we look to the future. The stewardship campaign gives us a great opportunity to recommit to God and to Prairie Church.

We have chosen “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” as this year’s theme. We hope it will serve as a reminder that spiritual growth intensifies with commitment. We have all experienced this in some form in the past. The more we give, whether of our finances, our time or our thought, the more we grow. What a wonderful opportunity God has given us.

As we consider our commitment this fall, there will no doubt be barriers to committing our resources to God. We don’t have to be told there are lots of other candidates running for the position of God in our lives: self, money, family, success, wealth, fame. When we ask the question “What is my fair share?” God’s challenge is to tithe. Each step we take in the effort to reach the goal of tithing provides infinite and positive results. By risking our treasures and allowing our hearts to follow, we find our priorities will be more in line with our faith.

We may find that emptying our hands of “stuff” makes it easier to receive the grace of God and the embrace of peace. We can all take the first step on a path with tithing as the long-term goal.

While the barriers are substantial, we can overcome them if we trust in God. If we trust that God will be there for us when we need him and will continue to help us meet the challenges we face, this step becomes easier. We have already entrusted our salvation to God, now we need to do the same with our mortal life.

For many of us, stepping onto a path that leads toward tithing will take a great deal of trust in God. As we take that step, the financial struggles of the congregation will fade, our spiritual growth will be endless, and the grace of God will continue to flourish for Prairie Church and the world around us. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Barb Clay Doug Parr

Beth Holland Jim Henderson

WELCOME TO EDEN PRAIRIE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Challenged by Christ’s example to be the embodiment of God’s profound love, Eden Prairie United Methodist Church welcomes everyone regardless of age, creed, ethnic origin or race, gender, mental or physical abilities, sexual orientation, family status or structure. Empowered by the grace of the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves to caring and concern for all.

DECEMBER 2002

DECEMBER 1—Advent 1

4:30 p.m.-Family Advent Celebration

December 7 - 10-11:30 a.m.

Sunday School Program Rehearsal

DECEMBER 8—Advent 2

10:00 a.m.—Sunday School Program

December 14 - 10:30 a.m.

Chancel/Concert Choir rehearsal

DECEMBER 15—Advent 3

9 & 10:30—Chancel Choir Concert

December 20—7:00 p.m.

Blue Christmas Worship-Sanctuary

DECEMBER 22—–Advent 4

DECEMBER 24

Christmas Eve Worship

4:30p - 7:00p - 11:00p

DATES TO REMEMBER

November 14, 7:00 p.m.

Church Conference Meeting

(preceding November Church Ministry Council Meeting)

PURPOSE: approval of pastoral salaries for 2003.

November 17, 2002

Stewardship Consecration Sunday

Silent Auction and Harvest Dinner

November 24, 2002

Christ the King Sunday

November 27, 2002

Thanksgiving Eve Worship

Pie and Coffee following—–served by the choir

January 13, 2003, 6:00 p.m.

Chili Cook-off and Annual Church Conference

The Harvest Dinner and Silent Auction are Coming Your Way! The main Youth “FUN” raiser of the year!

November 17^th

Silent Auction starts at 5:00

Dinner starts at 6:30 (Silent Auction will close when dinner begins.)

Live Auction starts soon after dinner is served.

Registers open at 7:00 to pick up your Silent Auction items.

DON’T MISS THIS WONDERFUL FAMILY EVENT!

Ways you can help:

 Donate food for the dinner (look for lists in the Narthex).

 Donate tickets/prizes/vacations/events for the Silent Auction

 Help with your hands at the Silent Auction registers, set-up, clean-up, or

Harvest Dinner food preparation.

 BUY YOUR TICKETS FOR THE DINNER!!!!!!! (In the Narthex)

If you have any questions or want to help with the Silent Auction, please call Kathy Jarvis (944-5509) or Elizabeth Hummel (996-9192).

If you have questions or want to help with the Harvest Dinner, please call Kate Prestly (545-6364).

This is the biggest “fun” raiser of the year for the youth and will help send the Sr. High Youth and Confirmation Youth on a Mission Trip in the Summer of 2003 as well as fund events and overnights for the younger youth!!!

Please support our youth!

November and December Youth News:

Genesis

Nov 6: How in the world do we trust in God when things go wrong?

Nov 13: Can you learn about thankfulness from lepers? Come find out!

Nov 17: Harvest Dinner

SIGN UP ON THE KIOSK TO HELP OUT!!!!

Nov 20: Thanksgiving Basket Outreach

Bring $20 (We will be buying groceries for hungry people.)

Nov 27 No Genesis

Dec 4: Happy Church New Year! Let’s Party!

Dec 11: Come make cookies for Our Saviour’s Families!

Dec 18-Jan 1 No Genesis

Compass

Nov 6 A God Who Opposes Sin

Nov 13 A God Who Works Miracles

Nov 17 Harvest Dinner : COMPASS Youth get to serve at the dinner!

SIGN UP ON COMPASS SIDE OF THE YOUTH BOARD

Nov 20 Thanksgiving Basket Outreach—

Bring $20- We will be buying groceries for hungry people

Nov 27 No Compass

Dec 4 Happy Church New Year! Come party with us!

Dec 11 Come decorate cookies for Our Saviour’s Families!

Dec 18-Jan 1 No Compass

Confirmation

Nov 1-3 Retreat at Koinonia. Meet at church on Friday at 5:45pm havingalready eaten dinner. Arrive home by 3:00pm Sunday. Cost is $90.

Please call the church if you need a scholarship.

Nov 6 Sponsor Night: “Following Jesus”

Nov 8 Visit the Temple of Aaron Synagogue (Parents are invited to attend!)

Nov 13 Jesus

Nov 17 HARVEST DINNER—

SIGN UP ON THE YOUTH BOARD TO HELP WITH DINNER!

Nov 20 Holy Spirit

Nov 25 Serving a meal for SOAR: Meet at the church by 4:30!

(Parents are invited to attend!)

Nov 27 No Confirmation for Thanksgiving

Dec 4 Sponsor Night: “Why the Church?”

Dec 11 The Church

Dec 18-Jan 1 No Confirmation

Higher Grounds

Nov 3 CORN MAZE (bring $9): Dress warmly and meet at 3:00PM at Church!

Nov 10 Faith Study

Nov 17 Harvest Dinner— all hands on deck!!! SIGN UP ON THE HIGHER GROUNDS SIDE OF THE YOUTH BOARD.

Nov 24 Thanksgiving Basket Brigade: Bring $20

(We’ll be buying food for hungry families!)

Dec 1 No Group

Dec 8 Happy Christian New Year!

Come find out what crazy calendar Christians use!

Dec 15 Bring your singing voices for a night of caroling and hot cocoa.

Also: Don’t forget to bring a gift for Toys for Tots!

Dec 22-Jan 7 No Higher Grounds

***Sunday School is available for 7-8^th Graders in the Library and for Sr. High in the Youth Room at 10:30 am on Sunday mornings. 5-6^th Graders are part of the rotational Sunday School.

HARVEST DINNER INFO for Youth and Parents:

All youth are asked to help in some way to prepare, carry out, and clean up after the Harvest Dinner and Silent Auction.

Typically, 5-6^th Graders help decorate and run errands;

7-8^th Graders help to serve the meal;

9-12^th Graders help in the kitchen and with the Silent Auction.

All youth help set-up and clean-up!

There is plenty that needs to be done! The proceeds go to fund a lot of the Youth Ministry in this church. Parents, please encourage and assist your youth in being involved. This is the main fundraiser for all youth in the church.

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