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Denmark Congregational United Church of Christ P O Box 230, Denmark, Iowa 52624 December 2012

Adult Sunday School meets every Sunday at 9:00 am. Contact Pastor Chad at the church office: 528-4465 to know more. On December 2nd Communion will be celebrated at the service. On December 2nd the Girl Scouts are having a Luncheon after church. More details more on page 5. December 3rd at 7:30 is a Planning Committee Meeting for the 5K On December 4th the Standing Committee is meeting at 7:00 p.m. On December 5th, the 12th and the 19th Wacky Wednesday is meeting at 5:30 p.m. December 19th is the Childrens Christmas Party; there will be no more Wacky Wednesdays after that until February. On December 5th, the 12th, the 19th and the 26th the choir is meeting at 7:00 pm.
On December 11th the Trustees will meet at 7:00 pm.

December 12th at 6:45 there is a Christian Ed Meeting scheduled. Enjoy the true meaning of Christmas again this year by seeing our "LIVE NATIVITY" display in front of the church. Our church members provide you with a stable scene from the time of Jesus' birth. The realistic costumes and live animals make the set come alive. Drive by or walk up to this dramatic scene. See Mary, Joseph, and Jesus in the stable along with the wise men, shepherds and angels. Enjoy listening to the story being told and carols each evening. We will provide a fire for your outdoor comfort. This Christmas celebration will be Thurs., Dec. 13 and Fri., Dec. 14. from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

December 16th is the Childrens Christmas Program. Everyone is invited to attend!

You are all invited to a special Christmas event that will be held on Wednesday, December 19th at 7:00 PM at the Denmark Church. We will be having a time of stories, carols, and music. The program will be featuring musical selections by Sandy Lozano, Terry Hoenig, Rev. Chad Savage, Michelle Heckart and the Yeager Family Hand Bell Choir (and possibly others). There will also be readings of Christmas stories by Ray McKee and Eddy Weiss. (Continued on P.6)

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Welcome to December! Honestly, wouldnt you rather be doing just about anything else this month? December always seems to be filled with shopping and cleaning and preparing for that most commercial of holidays, Christmas. Who are we kidding? Christmas isnt about the birth of our Savior; its about Santa and food and presents and parties and family visits. How else can we justify our actions from Thanksgiving on? We get caught up in the frenzy of the season and with the exception of about 5 days (coinciding with Sundays and Christmas Eve) we completely forget that this season is really about celebrating the birth of Christ. So whats the secret? If we are being honest with each other, we know that were not going to get rid of the trappings of Christmas. Were going to continue putting our tree up with the decorations that weve had for years. Were going to buy the gifts and prepare the food. So what are we to do? The secret, if it can be called a secret is attitude. How many of us get really aggravated around the holidays? How many of us get easily irritable because were stretched super-thin trying to get everything done? What we need is a shift in

perspective. Most of the time, thats all we need is to be reminded of what we have and how lucky we are to be able to do what we do. We are Christians. Despite the frenzy, the trappings and the Razzle-Dazzle of the season, in the back of our minds we always know that this season is about a promise fulfilled. Our Savior is not just a man. Our Savior did not descend from heaven as a warrior-king set for battle. Our Savior was born in the most humble of settings, to a poor family. He was small and weak. That small and weak baby, born in humble surroundings, was full of potential. He could have been anything. What he became was a carpenter, a teacher and a Savior. We become spoiled because we know the story too well, so we have to use that to our advantage, looking at the story closer and deeper. Take a little time reading the first 2 chapters of Luke. Ask yourself some questions about what is going on during those stories. I want you to notice whos talking in the passages; and to whom. Get into the nitty-gritty of the text and start seeing more than just the surface story. As the text begins to come alive, Christmas will start feeling a bit more like it should; a celebration of a singular birth. Merry Christmas
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Dec 1 Austin Pranger III Dec 2 Dec 3 Dec 3 Dec 4 Dec 4 Dec 5 Dec 8 Dec 9 Sara Meller Rick Junkins Terry Hoenig Chloe Hoenig Linda Jean Todd Ashley Houston Carolyn Anderson Kennedy Stotts December 2ndJer 33:14-16; Ps 25:1-10; 1Thes 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36 1st Sunday of Advent December 9thMal 3:14-20; Luke 1:68-79; Phil 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6 2nd Sunday of Advent December 16thZeph 3:14-20; Isa 12:2-6; Phil 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18 3rd Sunday of Advent December 23rdMicah 5:2-5a; Luke 1:46b-55 or Ps 80:1-7; Heb 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) 4th Sunday of Advent December 30th1 Sam 2:18-20, 26; Ps 148; Col 3:12-17; Luke 2:41-52 1st Sunday after Christmas Dec 21 Joel & Kjrsten Bobb Dec 30 Bob & Mariellis Hasenclever

Dec 10 Eileen Nickel Dec 10 Linda Roxberg Dec 10 Becky Avery Dec 11 Sonia Barnes Dec 11 Lydia Mabeus Dec 12 Asa Houston Dec 13 Ian Blanchard Dec 13 Shirley Miller Dec 14 Sue Watson Dec 15 Garrett Pumphrey Dec 16 Ron Hardin Dec 16 Katy Vanniewaal Dec 18 Scott Hasenclever Dec 18 Leslie Stotts Dec 18 David Houston Dec 20 Clayton Whitmarsh Dec 21 Marlene Douthart Dec 22 Betty Houston Dec 22 John Bonar Dec 26 Laci Gathers Dec 27 Gavin & Grant Hasenclever Dec 29 Jennifer Kester

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Standing Committee Meeting Minutes November 6, 2012 Chair Terry Hoenig called the meeting to order at 7:15 pm and meeting opened with prayer. Terry Hoenig, Linda Roxberg, Jeff Weisinger, Sherry McKee, Kjrsten Bobb and Pastor Chad were in attendance. The October 2, 2012 meeting minutes were reviewed and approved as read. Committee discussed putting the minutes in the newsletter: unofficial minutes will be submitted to the church secretary after each meeting. Old business included discussion of the October 21st meeting held at the parsonage. This meeting included representatives from various church committees. Discussion included the committee roles and activities. It was decided for the trustees to take the lead on the multimedia project. Standing Committee will focus on missions and ministry. Also, the Standing Committee will continue to coordinate the work on updates to the By-Laws. The Standing Committee will continue to also continue its work on coordinating the church anniversary celebration and history updates. Sherry gave an update to the Christmas boxes and asked if the youth group will participate. The committee members discussed the timeline for the Christmas boxes and will extend the deadline by one week. Sherry will coordinate putting together the first group of boxes and delivery to Burlington. Terry will coordinate putting together the second (and last) group of boxes and delivery to Burlington. The last boxes must be at the church on Sunday, November 18. Standing committee is sending cards to people in the congregation, such as birth

announcements, get well cards, and others. Members of the congregation are encouraged to request a card to be mailed from the church by asking a Standing Committee member. Sherry will coordinate getting the cards mailed out. Sherry will also be adding Christmas cards to the Christmas shoebox ministry boxes. Committee discussed the Trunk or Treat and all deemed the event a great success. Thanks to all who participated. Committee discussed upcoming Fort Madison Community Thanksgiving event and possible ways to help the event. The photo directory has been submitted to the printer. A proof will be made available for review by the photo committee before final printing. New business included placing a historical register plaque on the church near the front door. Committee is in agreement to place the plaque before the anniversary celebration. Linda is researching plaques and costs. Linda and/or Sherry will inform Trustees so that they are aware of the plaque. Terry brought up that Christian Ed committee is tithing 10% of all fundraisers and giving to the church general budget. Committee applauded the Christian Ed committee for doing this and will consider for future fundraising efforts. Committee discussed upcoming December events including nativity scene which is tentatively scheduled for December 13 and 14. Also discussed having a Christmas music night and this date is to be scheduled with the guest singer. Jeff will open the church in November and December. Next Standing Committee meeting is scheduled for December 4, 2012 at 7 pm. Meeting adjourned with the Lords Prayer. Respectfully Submitted, Kjrsten Bobb, Secretary
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possibility of replacing them. Ben and Ray will present a drawing at the next meeting. Trustee Minutes October 16, 2012 The Trustees met on October 16, 2012 at 7:00 pm. Present were Joel Bobb, Scott Weisinger, David Houston, Laurel Klopfenstein, Ben Heckart and Ray McKee. Minutes of the previous meeting were approved on a motion by David and seconded by Scott. The financial reports were approved on a motion by Ben and seconded by David, A short discussion was held on the 2013 budget. The budget will be determined at the November meeting. OLD BUSINESS: The contract for the parking lot included pea gravel to be used. Chipped rock was put on it by mistake. The contract price was $7957.50, but they will do it for $4500.00. The cement stops for the parking lot need to be replaced. Ben will look into prices for new stops. The Trustees thank whoever leaned the shed before Gods Portion Day. Thank you to Ike Blint for fixing beside the front doors. NEW BUSINESS: The front steps need repair and a discussion was held on the The Girls Scouts are holding a luncheon on Sunday, December 2nd as a fund raiser for their trip to the east coast (New York, Washington DC, Baltimore and Boston) next (2013) summer. The menu will include lasagna, salad and dessert. A free will offering will be taken. Please join us after church on the 2nd for food and fellowship.
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The sanctuary ceiling needs to be repaired again. The old air conditioner needs to be removed before the ceiling can be fixed. Dave Houston will do snow removal. Representatives of the Trustees, Standing Committee and Christian Ed will meet October 21st after church at the pastors home for a work session. The next meeting will be November 13, 2012 at 7:00 pm. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm. Pastor Chad led us in the Lords Prayer. Respectfully submitted, Laurel Klopfenstein There will be no Scrapbooking this month.

This is the last month of the year, if you have any donations that you want to be considered in this year, they must be submitted by December 30th.

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We have a few new books in the library. Check them out: Historical items: The Iowa Band Sermon preached by Rev. John D. Rose, D.D. at the First Congregational Church, Burlington, Iowa, Sunday, September 8, 1963. Autobiographies: Life Without Limits by Nick Vujicic. It is an inspiring book by an extraordinary man. Born without arms or legs, Nick Vujicic overcame his disability to live an independent, rich, fulfilling life, becoming a model for anyone seeking true happiness. Richard Paul Evans: Lost December is a modern holiday version of the biblical story of the prodigal son, a powerful tale of redemption, hope, and the true meaning of love.

Thank you to everyone for their generous gifts for Operation Christmas Child. We collected 110 shoeboxes this year; 11 more than last year. Our goal was 125, but got off to a late start. Next year well collect even more. (Continued from Front Page) This program is appropriate for all ages and the nursery will be open for those with small children. Kids are invited to come to Wacky Wednesday at 5:30 PM and join up with their families for this very special event. The event is free; however a free-will offering will be collected to assist with the recovery efforts for those on the east coast impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Refreshments will be served after the program. Invite a friend! Everyone is welcome. We hope that you can join us!

The Annual Reports are due no later than December31 . The Annual Report must be ready by January 6th. Pastor Barb is the Interim Minister for St. Paul UCC in Kahoka, MO. Her address is St. Paul UCC, 323 North Washington, Kahoka, MO 63445. Phone # (660) 727-3611 or her cell# (563) 271-8436.
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Worship is scheduled on Christmas Eve at 5:00 and at 9:00 pm.

December 30th is Wii Night. The Wacky Wednesday Kids will play from 4-6 pm., and the SHPF Kids (including Middle School) will play from 6-9pm.

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Please call Sue Watson at 5284494 or the church office at 5284465 with any prayer concerns. We are praying for: Patty Dochterman Tony Haeffner Sandra Parrish Chris Jackson Clayton Whitmarsh Mike & Carol Smith Rick Goldie Babe Grossman Elsie Crabtree Ryan Parson Jan Hales Erin Ross The Family of Jan Kester Soney Nickel Joan Hanawalt The Family of Connie Haley The Family of Henry Miller Robert Burke Denny Blint Sherry Yaley Mayfield Becky Avery