The United Church of Los Alamos
 
 
 

United Chimes:  Vol. 41, No. 12, December 2004

Table of Contents
Front Page News
Advent Christmas Activities
Please Take Note
Advent and Christmas Santuary Decorations
For Our Children & Youth
Children’s Worship
KAC
Gifts for Truchas
Operation Christmas Child
December Youth News
Spotlight on Sunday School
Church News and Announcements
December Sunday Worship Themes
Church Attendance
Coffee Hosts for December
Reminders!
Chimes Newsletter Deadline
No Lunch Bunches or Circle Meetings
Holiday Highlights Refrigerator Calendar
Moms and More
Bazaar News
Sanctuary Flowers
Ladies Night Out
United Church Library News
Member of the Month
Chimes Newsletter
Prayers, Praises, Thanks and More
Prayer Concerns
Prayer Letter
Grief Support Group for the Holidays
 
 

Advent Christmas Activities
November 27th     Gathering of the Greens. Meet at 10:00 a.m. in the Church
   at 10:00 a.m.      Parking lot. Contact person: Kathleen Logan.

November 28th     Advent Worship
     at 9:30 a.m.      First Sunday in Advent
                                 Alternative Giving

     at Noon              Advent Workshop. Lunch provided with activities to follow.
                                 Bring cookies to share.
                                 Contact Person: Pamela Massey

December 2nd       Decorate the Sanctuary. Helpers are welcome!
    at 9:30 a.m.       Contact person: Dorothy Crawford.

December 3rd        KAC kids in grades 3-6 will gather to make decorations for
    at 6:00 p.m.       the Sanctuary Christmas Tree. Contact person: Jean Picard

December 5th        Second Sunday in Advent
   at 9:30 a.m.        Children’s Christmas Service with the fifth and
                                 sixth graders and Junior Choir and Joy Singers
                                 Alternative Giving
December 6th       Women’s Christmas Potluck for all women of the church
   at 6:00 p.m.        and their friends. Contact person: Ann Wadstrom

December 12th     Third Sunday in Advent
   at 9:30 a.m.        Moravian Love Feast Service
                                To help serve Contact person:  Garth Reader
                                Alternative Giving
                                Contemporary Christmas Music - Praise Choir
   at 11:00 a.m.     Christmas Puppet Show
                                Items for Truchas are due in the office.

December 18th     Senior High “Mall Expedition”

December 19th     Fourth Sunday in Advent
   at 9:30 a.m.        Lessons and Carols - Sanctuary Choir
                                 Alternative Giving
   11:00 a.m.          Bake a Birthday Cake for Jesus
     7:00 p.m.           Mid High Youth Lock-In

December 24th      Decorate for Jesus Birthday Party, place farolitos and
   11:00 a.m.           practice for Christmas Eve 7:00 p.m. service

                                4:00 p.m. traditional Christmas Eve Worship
                          7:00 p.m. Birthday Party for Jesus (Family Service)
                         11:00 p.m. traditional Christmas Eve Worship

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Please Take Note
The next CHIMES  deadline is Sunday, December 12th at 12:00 noon for  the Christmas/January  2005 issue.  Articles may be sent via email to:  UCChimes@hotmail.com (note new email address) or put in the CHIMES Editor’s mail box in the Church Annex (room just outside the Church Office).

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Advent and Christmas Santuary Decorations
Poinsettias placed in the sanctuary during the Advent and Christmas season
may be dedicated as a memorial, celebration or gift. The cost is $10 each.
Acknowledgements will be on Sunday Dec. 19th and Christmas Eve. Please
call the church office with your request, 662-2971.

The altar flower committee will be providing the decorations for the sanctuary
and fellowship hall and your help is needed!!! More information from Dorothy 
Crawford.

Work Party – Thursday, December 2, 9:30 AM

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Children’s Worship
December 5th       No Children’s Worship
                          Children will be participating in worship service

December 12th     Advent 3 & 4

December 19th    Christmas / Meeting the Christ Child

December 26th     No Children’s Worship

January 2nd          No Children’s Worship

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KAC
The next KAC event for kids in grades 3-6 will be Friday, Dec. 3 from 6:00- 7:30 p.m.  We will meet in Graves Hall for some fun games and a delicious dinner.  We will also make decorations for the Sanctuary Christmas tree.  Invite a friend to this fun event.  The cost is $3.  Call the church office, 662-2971 by Thursday Dec. 2 so we will know how many are coming for dinner.

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Gifts for Truchas

We are collecting small stuffed toys, hats, mittens and candy for our friends at the Truchas preschool.  We are also collecting calendars, hats, mittens and socks for the Seniors.  The deadline for bringing in items is Sunday, December 12th.  Items can be brought to the church office.

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Operation Christmas Child
Thank you!  Thank you!. Thank you!
Over 65 boxes were wrapped, filled and delivered in November for Operation Christmas Child.  These boxes will be delivered by Samaritans Purse to needy children all over the world.  A special thank you to Betty Apperson for organizing this project. Thanks also to Courtney Apperson and Mardel Schmiedicke for helping collect items and hauling boxes.

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December Youth News
Youth Group will continue to meet on Sunday nights at 7 p.m. so come and join the fun!

Date Event/Sponsors:

December 5th        Meet the Minister/Jean Picard
December 12th      ???Sue Tonelli and Angie Chipera (You’ll have to come to find out!)
December 18th      Mall Expedition for High Schoolers
December 19th      Lock-in for Mid High Youth
December 26th      NO YOUTH GROUP

If you are interested in helping with youth group please contact Jean Picard or Rusty Gray  (CE Board co-chair).

Don’t forget Discipleship class begins in January.  Are you ready for the Journey?

Sunday School continues at 11:00.

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Spotlight on Sunday School
The 5th and 6th graders have been busy this fall.  Pat Slentz has been leading this active group through the different parts of our worship service.  With help from Kathleen Logan, Suzanne Johnson and Deb Worley, they have planned a worship service for December 5th.  This promises to be a special and meaningful service.  I hope you will all be able to attend.

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Church Attendance
 

Date	8:00 Service	9:30 Service
October 24th	19	180
October 31st	26	189
November 7th	30	188
November 14th	24	135

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Coffee Hosts for November

December 5th:  John & Terry Fritzpatrick

December 12th:   ???

December 19th:  ???

December 26th:  ???
 

If anyone can be the Coffee Host for December 12th, 19th or 26th, please call Irene Powell at 662-5877.  Thank you!

If you get to the church by 9:00, that should be time enough to have the coffee ready by 10:30.  Please let Mardel know if you run out of things.  Be sure to give the Elders room for preparing the trays for communion on those Sundays.  Many thanks!  Irene Powell

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Reminders!
Liturgists for December:  5th & 6th Grade, Art Cox, Bernadette Lauritzen

Greeters for December:  Chuck & Janet Tallman, Don & Sandie Tolmie, Gary & Nina Thayer, Bob & Wilma Cowan, The Foley Family, Gerry & Georgia Strickfaden

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Chimes Newsletter Deadlinet8:00 Service
Christmas / January 2005 deadline is Sunday, December 12th, 2004 12:00 Noon

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No Lunch Bunches or Circle Meetings
There will be no Lunch Bunches or Circle meetings in December.  Instead, please plan to attend the annual Christmas Potluck Dinner on Monday, December 6th.  We want this to be a great welcoming party for our new pastor’s wife, Janice Childers.  Look for more information in this issue of the CHIMES.

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Holiday Highlights Refrigerator Calendar
 

November 24	7 pm	Thanksgiving Eve Service with the Jewish Center at United Church
November 25-26		Thanksgiving - Church Office Closed
November 27	10 am	GATHERING OF THE GREENS, CE Building
November 28	8 & 9:30 am 12 Noon	FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT ALTERNATIVE GIVING ADVENT WORSHOP, Graves Hall
December 1	8:30-12:30 7 pm	THRIFT SHOP OPEN SANCTUARY CHOIR, Sanctuary
December 2	9:30 am 3 pm 4:15 pm 7:30 pm	FLOWER COMMITTEE, Sanctuary WCSS BOARD MEETING, Lounge JUNIOR CHOIR, Chapel GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP, Lounge
December 3	6:45 am	MEN’S FELLOWSHIP, Lounge
December 4	12:30 pm	DRESS REHEARSAL for Sunday Service
December 5	8 & 9:30 am 6 pm 7 pm 7 pm	SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT ALTERNATIVE GIVING STEPHEN MINISTRY CONTINUING EDUCATION, Lounge STEPHEN MINISTRY SUPERVISION, Lounge YOUTH GROUP, Craig Hall
December 7	6 pm 7 pm	CHRISTIAN EDUCATION BOARD, Lounge ALL CHURCH BOARD TRAINING, Graves Hall
December 8	8:30-12:30 4 pm  7 pm	THRIFT SHOP OPEN SOMBRILLO WORSHIP, Sombrillo SANCTUARY CHOIR, Sanctuary
December 9	4:15 pm 7:30 pm	JUNIOR CHOIR, Chapel GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP, Lounge
December 10	6:45 am	MEN’S FELLOWSHIP, Lounge
December 12	8 & 9:30 am 10:30 am 11:00 am 12:00 pm 4:30 pm 7 pm	THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT CONTEMPORARY MUSIC SERVICE WORSHIP JOY SINGERS, Room 101 PUPPET SHOW, Graves Hall CHIMES NEWSLETTER ARTICLES DUE PRAISE CHOIR, Sanctuary YOUTH GROUP, Craig Hall
December 14	12 Noon	STAFF LUNCH, Graves Hall
December 15	8:30-12:30 7 pm	THRIFT SHOP OPEN SANCTUARY CHOIR, Sanctuary
December 16	4:15 pm 7:30 pm	JUNIOR CHOIR, Sanctuary GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP, Lounge
December 17	6:45 am	MEN’S FELLOWSHIP, Lounge
December 19	8 & 9:30 am 4:30 pm 7:00 pm	FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT ALTERNATIVE GIVING PRAISE CHOIR, Sanctuary YOUTH GROUP, Craig Hall
December 22	7 pm	SANCTUARY CHOIR, Sanctuary
December 23	7:30 pm	GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP, Lounge
December 24	4 pm 7 pm 11 pm	CHRISTMAS EVE ALTERNATIVE GIVING WORSHIP SERVICE, Sanctuary FAMILY WORSHIP SERVICE, Sanctuary CANDLELIGHT WORSHIP SERVICE, Sanctuary
December 25		CHRISTMAS
December 26	8 & 9:30 am	WORSHIP SERVICE
December 29	7 pm	SANCTUARY CHOIR, Sanctuary
December 30	7:30 pm	GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP, Lounge
January  1		NEW YEAR’S DAY
January  2	8 & 9:30 am 4:30 pm	WORSHIP SERVICE - Installation of Officers PRAISE CHOIR, Sanctuary
January  4	6 pm 6:30 pm	CHRISTIAN EDUCATION BOARD, Lounge FINANCE BOARD, Library
January  6	7:30 pm	GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP, Lounge
January  9	7 pm	ANNUAL REPORTS DUE TO THE CHURCH OFFICE SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR EVERYONE YOUTH GROUP, Craig Hall
January  13	4:15 pm 7 pm 7:30 pm	JUNIOR CHOIR, Chapel TRUSTEES BOARD, Library GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP, Lounge
January 16	8 & 9:30 am 7 pm	WORSHIP SERVICE YOUTH GROUP, Craig Hall
January 17		CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED – MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY
January 18	6:30 pm 7 pm 7 pm	FINANCE BOARD, Library ELDERS BOARD, Lounge MISSION BOARD, Room 115
January 23	8 & 9:30 am Noon	WORSHIP SERVICE CHIMES NEWSLETTER ARTICLES DUE
January 25	7:30 pm	EXECUTIVE BOARD, Lounge
January 27	4:15 pm	JUNIOR CHOIR, Chapel
January 30	8 & 9:30 am 11:00 am	WORSHIP SERVICE ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING/SOUPER BOWL Graves Hall

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Moms and More
Moms and More is a group of Moms who meet every Friday morning in the Church Lounge from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM for fellowship, food, to learn from speakers, and to dooccasional service projects for the church. On December 3rd ,Christine Hazard PhD, a Clinical Psychologist, will come speak to us about raising young children and how childrenaffect marriage. On December 10th, Deb Worley will be organizing our last service project for the year. We will also be discussing the schedule and program for January through May of 2005; bring your ideas. On December 17th, it is almost Christmas and we would like to invite all those grandmotherly and grandfatherly types who would like to informally adopt some small and local grandchildren to come and start a relationship or two with our children. We are planning a Christmas party for all with games, crafts and a snack. All are welcome, even if your children don’t need the child care provided, as noted below. Come join us.

Childcare is always provided during Moms & More, and a $2.00 per child contribution is greatly appreciated.

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Bazaar News
The bazaar was held November 6th.  Over $5,900 was raised to help support WCSS mission projects. A special thank you to all who helped! The bazaar depends on church members to help, donate items and shop. It is a special rewarding experience to work with other members of the church to raise this money.  If you would like to get in on the ground floor we are currently looking for people who want to be involved in the bazaar next year. Contact Jean Picard, 672-3046 if you want to make Bazaar 2005 a reality.

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Sanctuary Flowers
Thank You for the Beautiful Sanctuary Flowers

The altar flower committee wishes to thank the following for flowers in November and December.

Jean and Norm Wilson, Wilma and Bob Cowan, Laura and Bill Parker, Hugh Rich, Deb and Chris Worley, and Linda Goforth. Also, the altar flower committee provided the Thanksgiving arrangement to reflect our thanks for the bounty we have received.

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United Church Library News
New Books

“The Add Answer” by Dr. Frank Lawlis:  Dr. Lawlis has proven alternatives for ADD instead of using drugs.

“A Table in the Presence” by Lt. Carey H. Cash:  There are some places where you don’t expect to find GOD. Lt. Cash was the Chaplain who accompanied the 1st Marine Division as they made the initial invasion into Iraq.  He tells of the difficulties as they slowly travel in convoy north toward Bagdad.  He also tells of their spiritual needs.  Lt. Cash tells of the men’s courage and a testament of faith under fire that is as stirring as it is eloquent.  Ina Coulter recommended this book.  She considers this a “must read”.  I concur with her.  Jan Sinclair

“A Christmas Promise” by Thomas Kinkade.  His newest book in his series.

“A Victorian Christmas Quilt” by Catherine Palmer

“Christian Reflections” by C.S. Lewis

“Come Thirsty” by Max Lucado:  “Deprive your soul of  spiritual water, and it will tell you.
Dehydrated hearts send desperate messages.  Snarling tempers.  Waves of worries.  Growing guilt and fear.  Hopelessness.  Resentment.  Loneliness.  Insecurity.  You don’t have to live with all these things.  GOD invites you to treat your thirsty soul”.

Children’s Books

“The Ideals Treasury of Best-Loved Christmas Stories”:  This book is beautifully illustrated.  This volume is perfect for bedtime reading to little ones.  Young and old will like this book.

“Puncinello and the Most Marvelous Gift” by Max Lucado
“Bear Stays Up for Christmas” by Karma Wilson
“Stranger in the Woods” by Carl Sams

Other Books

“Walking the Bible” by Bruce Feiler:  This is an illustrated journey for kids through the greatest stories ever told.

Reminder

The Church library has the book “The Polar Express” by Chris van Allsburg

Magazine Review

The Church library is taking the “Soujourners” magazine.  It was recommended by Ken & Mary Freese.  “Soujourners” is a Christian ministry whose mission is to proclaim and practice the biblical call to integrate spiritual renewal and social justice.  In response to this call, we offer a vision for faith in public life.  If you want to know more about this magazine, read the masthead page.  All magazines can be checked out for 3 weeks.

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Member of the Month
     Krik (Nerses) Krikorian was born in Turkey and immigrated to North America with his parents as a child.  At the time of their departure from Turkey, the Ottoman Regime occupied the Balkans and gave the Christians the choice of execution or exile.  Partly because of his own experience with Christianity, Krik has studied extensively the early days of the Church in Russia, the Balkans, and other European-Asian countries.  He and Pat have visited several of the early churches on their trips overseas and have collected art depicting the early Christian churches.
     Krik is a charter member of the United Church, having joined in 1947.  This pleasant man remembers fondly the early days when he and several other members of United Church worked feverishly for thirty days to raise $15,000 to buy the Chapel from the Atomic Energy Commission.  He was involved in some capacity with all the church buildings.
     Except for the Board of Trustees, Krik has served United Church on every Board, even the Music Board, and has served as the President of the Church Council.  He served on at least two pastoral search committees, helped Bob Brownlee with the stained glass windows, helped organize the Ghost Ranch weekends, supported our yearly Thanksgiving with the Jewish Community, and basically helped out whenever he was asked.
     Although he moved to Los Alamos to work on the Manhattan Project in 1943, he was quite busy in projects in the community.  As a strong believer in the YMCA, he helped get the land, the initial YMCA building, and served as the President of that organization.  He was the vice-president of the Choral Society and served on the Commission to govern Los Alamos and write its Charter.  He also performed Light Opera-Gilbert and Sullivan-and did some shows at the Don Juan playhouse.
     Krik met his wife, Pat, in Los Alamos.  She was serving her country as a WAC.  They’ve lived here their entire married life, and have one daughter, who, like her parents, has made a career of serving her country.  Before her recent retirement, she was a member of the UN inspection team in Iraq and made at least fifteen missions into Iraq for several weeks to months at a time.
     Krik is currently enjoying the Men’s Group.  One community project he is still strongly committed to is the J. Robert Oppenheimer Scholarship Award; he helps with the interviews.
     Having been in Los Alamos for the birth of the United Church, he’s proud of the Church we’ve become.  United Church has always been a community facility, being free for all groups.  Our mission outreach is incredible.  Even our stained glass windows tell an inspiring story of the depth of the spiritual connection between scientists and God.
     He recalled many of the young people that grew up in United Church and have now gone on to serve the Lord as pastors.  What a fantastic and inspiring thing to be able to say about your parish!
     Krik hopes to inspire young people to get involved in the Church.  The young have more energy, sure, but service in the Church is a manifestation of one’s beliefs.  The sacrifice of time enlarges the spiritual and Christian base, and he’ll guarantee that you’ll get more growth from service than you will by just attending for one hour on Sunday.
     Praise the Lord and thank him for people like Krik, who are so devoted to God and his work.

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Prayer Concerns
Norris Nereson

Virginia Stovall

Ann Thomson

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Prayer Letter
The United Church Prayer Letter will be sent out every two months.  To receive the letter or to add a prayer concern, please contact Jane Phillips.

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Grief Support Group for the Holidays

The United Church staff and volunteers will be offering a grief support group focused on helping with the additional stresses of the holidays. Grief may be from the death of a loved one, divorce, national events, work related and other losses.  The group continues to meet each Thursday, for any in need.  The time of the meeting will depend on the participants, please contact the church office 662-2971, or Dorothy Crawford.

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