As of the publication time of this newsletter, it is uncertain as to whether a West Coast storm headed east will bring us snow this weekend. If snow falls and we are unable to clear the parking lot and sidewalks for worship services on Sunday, change notices will be broadcast on television channels 6, 8, and 12, and we will put a message on the church voice mail, 359-6041, announcing the necessary changes. Further, an electronic message will be sent to those who receive The Reveille Window electronically, and the announcement will be added to our website at www.reveilleumc.org.

Your safety is our biggest concern, and that will be the determining factor as to whether our worship service schedule will be changed.

Worship

December 26, 2010

8:30 and 11:00

Preacher: Dr. Jim Noland

Scripture: Hebrews 2:10-18

Matthew 2:13-23

Sermon: "The Shadow of Christmas"

9:30 - The Point

Preacher - Rev. Stephen Coleman

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

Theme: "What Child is This?"

Important information about 2010 donations

Are you planning to make donations to Reveille in late December that you plan to claim on your 2010 income tax return? If the answer is yes, End of Year Giving following are the details you need to know. Donations must be delivered or mailed and postmarked on or by December 31, 2010 in order to claim a charitable contribution deduction for 2010. Checks that are placed in the church offering during the first worship service in 2011 will not qualify for a charitable contribution deduction in 2010, even if the check is predated to 2010 or was actually written in 2010. However, checks that are written, mailed, and postmarked in 2010 will be deductible in 2010 though they are not received by Reveille until 2011. If you have any questions, please call Glynis Holcomb, financial manager, 359-6041, ext. 118.

Notice of staff Christmas holiday dates

The church office will be closed on December 27 and 28.

Reveille Window to take short holiday break

There will be no January 2 issue of The Reveille Window. The deadline for the January 9 issue is Thursday, December 30. Please submit articles to carrington@reveilleumc.org.

Bag lunches for Friends of the Homeless

Second through fifth graders will be preparing bag lunches for Richmond Friends of the Homeless as part of their Sunday school lesson this Sunday, December 26. Adults who would like to lend a hand are welcome to join them in room 200 at 9:30 a.m.

Altar flowers dates available

Many dates are still available to place flowers on the sanctuary altar. Especially needed at this time are donors for the following Sundays: January 9, 16, and 30, and February 6 and 27. To give flowers on any of these or other available dates, please contact Cheryl Arrington at carrington@reveilleumc.org or 359-6041, ext. 114.

Worship

January 2, 2010

8:30 and 11:00

Preacher: Dr. Jim Noland

Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-6

Matthew 2:1-12

Sermon: "Another Way"

9:30 - The Point

Preacher - Rev. Abigail Kocher

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Theme: Star of Bethlehem

New study offering for adults

Have you recently thought, "Wow, I wish I could go back through confirmation now that I'm older and more experienced in life. I wonder if I might have a different perspective on the material we covered?" Well, we have an opportunity for you.

Each Wednesday for four weeks beginning January 5, our youth director, Dwayne Stinson, will offer a class for adults covering some of the basics of Christian and Methodist history and theology. This is not a new member class, just a chance to hear again some of the foundational parts of our faith.

The class will meet at 9:30 a.m. in the church parlor on January 5, 12, 19, and 26 and will cover themes such as sin, grace, and the means of grace. Feel free to join any or all of the classes. There is no registration; just show up.

Youth group will not meet on December 26. Enjoy celebrating Christ's presence with your family and friends, and have a safe break!

"You're invited...." Everyone loves to get an invitation. For the next few weeks, youth group is going to Youth Group News 65% focus on invitation. We will talk about what it means to be invited to be part of Christ's ministry, and what it means to offer hospitality to those we invite. On Sunday, January 2, we will focus on what it means to invite or to be invited. Our schedule is normal:

4:30 p.m. middle school youth group/high school choir

5:30 p.m. dinner ($3.00)

6:00 p.m. high school youth group/middle school choir

Children's Sunday school for January

Stories Jesus Told

Sunday school children During January the children in Sunday school will be exploring four parables:

January 2 The Story of Two Builders, Matthew 7:24-28

January 9 The Mustard Seed, Matthew 13:31-32

January 16 The Unforgiving Servant, Matthew 18:21-35

January 23 The Lost Sheep, Luke 15:1-7

January 30 The Forgiving Father, Luke 15:11-32

Bells ring for UMFS

Hark! How the bells, sweet silver bells, all seem to say, "Throw cares away."

Did you know that each Christmas season, Reveille's handbell choirs take their bells into the community to share Christ's love? On December 6, the Reveille Ringers and Reveille Ensemble rang in some good cheer for teen residents and their counselors at United Methodist Family Services (UMFS). Yet they received so much more in return.

"You were our best audience ever," Director Cathy Armistead said after the concert. Not only did the Reveille Ringers receive its first ever standing ovation, the audience eagerly accepted the invitation to try out the handbells.

Despite the bitter cold, the room quickly warmed with the holiday spirit. Martha Hodges, who rings in both choirs and who directs the Reveille children's and youth handbell choirs, said, "I could hear them singing along on "We wish you a Merry Christmas." She noticed that the young people became engaged by how much activity goes on behind the bell tables; switching of bells and chimes, four-in-hand ringing, and other percussion sounds created by using mallets and the tables.

UMFS Chaplain Alec Miller agreed. "You're never sure what the youth are going to think about something they haven't experienced before but the effect could not be mistaken! Youth who often have difficulty sitting for more than a few minutes, sat and listened and clapped and smiled for the entire performance. Later on I heard some of the kids talking to each other about how they had never seen anything like that before. Several tried to mimic the tapping that the bell choir did with their sticks. One youth, who professed to hate Christmas music, later told a staff member that it calmed her like she hadn't been calmed before. Clearly the power of music and the openness of the Reveille players helped usher in, with grace, a season that can often be difficult for our youth."

Cathy summed up the experience for members of both choirs. "They were so embracing of what we shared. I received even more from them than I feel that I gave. For me, this was a priceless, transformative gift from God. We were so blessed by their presence, and we all agreed that they have been our most enthusiastic audience!"

In fact, one young lady, who plays in her high school band, suggested that the choirs add a number to the repertoire: "Carol of the Bells." The choirs will explore how to further engage the young residents of UMFS, perhaps through a workshop or other hands-on experience.

Gaily they ring, while people sing, songs of good cheer. Christmas is here!

- Mary Evans

Reveille Today session begins January 9

Reveille Today is an opportunity for new members, those who are considering joining Reveille or those who are just curious to get an overview of our church's worship and ministries in a relaxed class setting. Meeting in the church parlor and continuing for four weeks, the winter session will be held January 9, 16, 23, and 30 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Child care is available. To register, please call 359-6041, ext. 114, or e-mail carrington@reveilleumc.org.

Attendance and Stewardship Report

December 12, 2010

Worship Attendance........................................................................ 531

Sunday School Attendance.............................................................. 284

Projected Collections for 2010................................................ $1,252,884

Amount Received December 12, 2010.................................... $ 12,537

Amount Received Through December 12, 2010........................ $ 964,797

Special Gifts

General Memorial Fund

In memory of Herscell Rochette

Glynis Holcomb

Reveille House Fund

In memory of Herscell Rochette

Mr. and Mrs. C. Lewis Casey

In memory of Mary Helen Smith

Joanne K. Wellford

Advancement Concepts

Calendar of Opportunities

Sunday, December 26

8:30 am Worship* (Chapel)

9:30 am Sunday School for All Ages (Education Bldg)

9:30 am Worship at The Point(Fellowship Hall)

10:30 am Coffee Fellowship (Fellowship Hall)

10:30 am Friends of the Homeless (Fellowship Hall)

11:00 am Worship * (Sanctuary)

Monday, December 27

7:00 am Men's Prayer Breakfast (Fellowship Hall)

Wednesday, December 29

12:30 pm Prayer Ministry (Chapel)

Thursday, December 30

12:30 pm Prayer Ministry (Chapel)

7:30 pm CrossPoint Rehearsal* (Fellowship Hall)

Friday, December 31

12:30 pm Prayer Ministry (Chapel)

Sunday, January 2

8:30 am Worship* (Chapel)

9:30 am Sunday School for All Ages (Education Bldg)

9:30 am Worship at The Point(Fellowship Hall)

10:30 am Coffee Fellowship (Fellowship Hall)

January rev 11:00 am Worship* (Sanctuary)

4:30 pm High School Youth Choir (Choir Room)

4:30 pm Middle School Youth Group (Room 200)

5:30 pm Sunday Night Dinner (Fellowship Hall)

6:00 pm Middle School Youth Choir (Choir Room)

6:00 pm High School Youth Group (Room 200)

Monday, January 3

7:00 am Men's Prayer Breakfast (Fellowship Hall)

6:15 pm Reveille Ensemble (Sanctuary)

7:00 pm Reveille Ringers (Sanctuary)

Tuesday, January 4

9:30 am Staff Meeting (Reveille House Dining Room)

10:30 am Mary Lou White Circle (Church Parlor)

10:30 am Lucy Blanton Circle (Room 209)

12:30 pm Prayer Ministry (Chapel)

7:30 pm Scout Troop 444 (Fellowship Hall)

Wednesday, January 5

9:30 am The Seekers Class* (Church Parlor)

12:15 pm Midday Worship (Chancel)

12:30 pm Prayer Ministry (Chapel)

6:45 pm Outreach Committee (Reveille House Dining Room)

8:00 pm Church Council Retreat Planning (Reveille House Dining Room)

Thursday, January 6

12:30 pm Prayer Ministry (Chapel)

7:00 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal* (Choir Room)

7:30 pm CrossPoint Rehearsal* (Fellowship Hall)

Friday, January 7

12:30 pm Prayer Ministry (Chapel)

Saturday, January 8

9:00 am Liturgical Arts Committee (Sanctuary)

* Child care provided

For more information, call the church office at (804) 359-6041.

Reveille is online at www.reveilleumc.org.