EXPLAINING CHRISTMAS TO A YOUNG PINE TREE

by Sharon Simons
Hello, Little tree. You seem so small and insignificant, growing here at the
edge of the forest; but you have a heritage, a great purpose that you are
now old enough to understand. You did not come here by accident.
Through their own lives your ancestors made certain that your family
tradition is continued.
Because you are ever-green you represent eternal life. Some think it was a
pine, like you, that God planted in the Garden of Eden and called the Tree
of Life. God even described himself to the profit Hosea, saying, I am like
an evergreen pine tree. That is, God is eternal.
Long before God came to us in the birth of Jesus, the Christ Child, the
Romans built roads to move their armies to almost the extent of the
known world. It was by these roads that the news of Jesus birth, His
teachings, crucifixion and resurrection were carried. This good news
eventually reached pagans who worshipped the pine tree as a symbol of
eternal life, and when those people became Christians they brought the
tradition of their sacred tree with them, and called it the Christ Mass tree.
The Holy day they celebrated, the Christ Mass, which we have come to call
Christmas, is now the most widely celebrated festival in the world.
Its a day for joy, for giving, but mostly for love. It was by this love that
Jesus came into the world. For God so loved the world that He gave His
only begotten Son. God gave. He gave freely to us in love, so we give
freely in love to each other at Christmas.

December 6, 2015
From the Pastor
Today our Advent journey continues as we focus on Joseph, who leads a
virtuous life, as we see in Matthew 1:18-25. Rev. Don MacNicoll, our new
Assistant Pastor for Congregational Care, will be preaching at both the 9:00
and 11:00 services today. Were grateful for Dons service to our
congregation in this new role. At our staff meeting on Wednesday, where
we always talk about the scripture coming up in worship, we discussed how
we hear no words from Joseph but we learn a lot from his example. Thanks,
Don, for bringing your insights to our focus on Joseph.
Today Rachel Miller, Director of Ministries with Young People, and
members of our youth group, will be attending a Virginia United Methodist
senior high retreat at Eagle Eyrie, near Lynchburg, Virginia. Also providing
leadership on staff will be our own Ashley Oliver, a freshman at Liberty
University, and Zach Hubbard, a sophomore at Shenandoah University.
Were very proud of all of our youth and young adults and know theyll
have a meaningful time together.

It is your destiny, your mission, Little Tree, to remind us every Christmas

that the greatest gift we ever received, was not laid under a tree, but in a
manger.

Thanks to all who help with last Sundays Advent Brunch as over 90
gathered around the tables in between our worship experiences. This was
a great time to be together as a church family and we appreciate Robin
Oliver and Tina Shiffletts leadership as Member Care and Hospitality CoChairs.

Combined Service

Its not too late to pick up an Advent Devotional, compiled by Pat

MacNicoll, or to sign up online at www.cvaumc.org. Thanks for being a part
of the worship experience today as we continue our Advent journey
together!

December 20 at 10am

Join us as we worship together with Christmas carols,

special music, and the anticipation of our Saviors birth.

Grace and peace,

Scott
Rev. Scott Davis, Pastor
scottdavis@cvaumc.org

Angel Tree Deadline is Today

Please remember to return all to AUMC today. Gifts for the Salvation
Army youths should be unwrapped, and gifts for the seniors do need
to be gift wrapped or gift bagged. If you have any questions, please
contact Ann Brown at 434.882.2533. Thank you for your generosity to
those less fortunate.

Bibles for Africa

"I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive
it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." With
these stirring words of hope, the prophet Isaiah looks forward to what
we know now as the season of Advent ... expecting the second coming
of our Lord. Would you be willing this Advent season to share such
Good News by providing one or more Bibles to the 2,000 people of
Liberdale United Methodist Church in Mozambique? Their Pastor,
Rev. Joao Sambo, and our Assistant Pastor for Congregational Care, Rev.
Don MacNicoll (friends since 2004), are working together to raise funds
for 400 Bibles in the local Xitswa dialect. The Bibles cost $13 each. If you
can help, write your check to AUMC and notate it "Bibles for Africa."

Help Wanted
Aldersgate United Methodist Church, an intergenerational congregation
in Charlottesville, Virginia, is seeking a part-time Business Manager to
effectively manage the churchs finances. Such duties would include,
but not limited to, monitoring/oversight of A/R, A/P, general ledger, and
audit schedules and reports. Knowledge and well-proven skills in
accounting, financial management and audit procedures are essential.
The candidate must possess a bachelors degree in accounting and have
at least five years of work experience and/or a bachelors degree in a
related field and ten years of job experience in not-for-profit finance.
The Business Manager must know and follow United Methodist
procedures and Aldersgate Church policies and procedures. Resumes
and cover letters may be emailed to Rev. Scott Davis,
scottdavis@cvaumc.org.

If you are currently not an AUMC we will have plenty of

costumes available on the day of the Nativity. If your child has sensory
difficulties please know that he/she will not be forced to wear a
costume to be in the Nativity. Before the Nativity we will sing through
the songs a few times with the children. If they are not comfortable
singing or are non-verbal they are welcome to stand with the other
children but do not have to sing. If you and/or your child(ren) would like
to see the space before the Nativity to make sure its accessible to your
needs and so that its not overwhelming to be in a new space on
December 20th please contact me and Id be happy to schedule a time
for you to check us out in person.
Following the Nativity, EVERYONE is welcome to join us for a
Christmas Potluck Meal together! You can drop your items for the
potluck off in the fellowship hall before the Nativity. And, of course,
well
have
our
traditional
Birthday Cake
for
Jesus!!
I look forward to celebrating the Birth of Jesus and all the abilities
of the children in our church and community with you! Thank you!
Rachel Miller, Director of Ministries with Young People, AUMC
(rachelmiller@cvaumc.org or 434.973.5806)

Caroling!
"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!" -Elf

Everyone of all ages is invited to join us on Friday, December 11th at

AUMC at 6pm. We will gather at the church and then head out to the
neighborhoods around the church to sing Christmas Carols. We also
plan to make a scheduled stop by Our Lady of Peace to spread the love
of the Christmas season! After caroling we'll head back to AUMC for
Christmas treats and hot cider. Please RSVP to Rachel at
rachelmiller@cvaumc.org or (434) 973-5806. If you're able, please bring
some holiday treats to share. And, of course, please invite friends!

Come to Bethlehem Childrens Nativity

Sunday, December 20 at 4pm
Youre invited to Come to Bethlehem this year on Sunday,
December 20th. The annual Aldersgate Childrens Nativity will be
presented at 4pm and will be followed by a pot-luck. Our children will
once again act out the Birth Narrative of our Savior from Scripture. This
year we look forward to joining together in song and praise thanks to
the Aldersgate Chancel Choir, the Aldersgate Hand Bell Choir, the
Aldersgate Instrument Ensemble, the Aldersgate Youth Praise Band, the
Aldersgate Praise Team, Higher Voices, and the Joyful Noise Singers
along with the children from our community! This year there will be no
rehearsals for the children. All children (and their guardians) should
arrive at Aldersgate at 2:30pm to put on costumes, learn simple lines
from Scripture, and practice traditional Christmas music. Teens and
adults from Aldersgate will help guide them during the Nativity.
Our Nativity this year is especially geared towards making sure we
are inclusive to those with different abilities and special needs. We
welcome all children, roughly ages 4-11, to participate and children,
teens, adults of any age watch. To make the presentation more
enjoyable for our friends with special needs, the lights will stay at one
level and the music will not be extremely loud. Children who may
express themselves with loud sounds, spinning, flapping, or other forms
of stemming are all welcome! Children who would like to participate but
need an aid or parent to guide them, push them in a wheelchair, or
carry them are ALL welcome to participate EVERY child should have
the opportunity to celebrate the birth of Jesus by participating in, or
watching, a Nativity at Christmastime!
If you are currently an AUMC member and would like your child
(ren) to participate, please be sure to see Mrs. Lynn Bremer during the
Advent season so your child can be fit for a costume before the big day.
Youll also want to make sure your child(ren) participates in Childrens
Church and Joyful Noise Singers rehearsals (Sundays at 10am in room
106) to learn the music.
Continued ...

2016 Virginia Annual Conference Representatives

Congratulations to Emily Dahnert and Ashley Oliver who will serve as
young adult representatives from the Charlottesville District to the
Virginia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church when it
meets in June in Roanoke, Virginia. Congratulations also to Rebecca
Wagner, Deb Reynolds, and Rachel Miller who will serve as district
representatives as well.

Busy Hands Fellowship

This group meets once a week and gives crafters, hobbyists and artists
the opportunity to work on their individual projects while enjoying a
time of fellowship. Come join us in the Hospitality Room on Thursdays
from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Bring a handiwork project to work on,
finished pieces for show and tell, and a sack lunch to eat when we take
a break. Regulars, drop-ins and guests are always welcome. For more
information contact Kimberley Roll at 434-973-6382 or
rollwell3@gmail.com

Womens Bible Study Advent Edition!

The Wednesday evening Womens Bible Study group would like to
invite any women who are interested in joining us for our Advent study
to contact Rachel at rachelmiller@cvaumc.org or 434.973.5806 to get a
book. This year were working through a study by James Moore and
we would love for any women in the community to join us! We meet
every Wednesday at 7pm in the Youth Room. Our Advent study will
take place on Wednesdays, December 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 23rd.

Samaritan Fund
The Samaritan Fund offers local benevolence to Aldersgate and
community members. To donate, make your check payable to AUMC
with Samaritan Fund in the memo. Thank you for reaching out.

New Study
The Friendship Class will begin studying David Otto's book, "The
Miracles of Jesus" on December 13. We meet in Room 208 at 9:45 AM
each Sunday.

A Christian Refugee Experience

Advent is a time to slow down and pause, in the midst of often frantic
preparations for Christmas, to focus on the unfolding story of God
choosing to enter into the world as the vulnerable baby Jesus. How did
his birth affect those around him and what was their part in both
preparing for and responding to this outpouring of Gods grace in the
world? Well ponder this and other questions as we move through the
Advent season together, focusing each Sunday on one person in the
biblical narrative whose life was changed forever by encountering the
miracle we celebrate at Christmas.

TODAY The Second Sunday of Advent

Joseph: The Virtuous Life

Sunday, December 13 The Third Sunday of Advent

John the Baptist: The Justice-Seeking Life

Sunday, December 20 The Fourth Sunday of Advent

The Shepherds: The Spirit-Empowered Life

Thursday, December 24 Christmas Eve

Jesus: the Incarnational Life

Sunday, December 27 The First Sunday After Christmas

The Wise Men: The Word-Centered Life

On Sunday, December 13 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Aldersgate will

host a very special program organized by church member Fay Painter.
Fay has been serving as a missionary for about 2 years for a church of
African refugees and immigrants. She is inviting everyone from
Aldersgate to attend. The children will do a Christmas play, and the
Worship Team from Africa Lighthouse Baptist Temple will lead
Christmas hymns sung in Swahili. Following the pageant, you will hear
from Pastor Peter Chege, the stories of three refugees from the Congo,
and learn more about Fays new ministry, ARISE! Alliance for Refugee
and Immigrant Support and Education. Following the program, there
will be African food and fellowship. No RSVP required! For more
information, contact faypainter8@gmail.com.

Donate Your Car to a Newly Arrived Refugee!

For refugees newly resettled to Charlottesville, a donated car can make
all the difference in their path towards self-sufficiency. ARISE!, a
program that Aldersgates Fay Painter is developing, is currently
accepting donated cars that are in good condition and have up-to-date
inspections. These cars are given to the refugee church (Africa
Lighthouse Baptist Church), and the church in turn then gives the cars
directly to refugee families to help them rebuild their lives in America.
Refugees who receive cars are licensed drivers who take full
responsibility for the cars maintenance, repairs, gas, insurance,
registration, and property tax. All car donations are fully tax-deductible.
We know of one refugee who needs a car right now. He was a
translator for the US military in Afghanistan, and his life was in danger
there as a result. He is here on a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) and has a
job offer in Crozet, but cannot get there without a car.
For more information on how to donate a car, please contact Fay
Painter at 434.962.6333 or email faypainter8@gmail.com.