Greetings: 

Todd JordanThis Sunday concludes our Advent Worship Series with the final reading of our tale, The Gift of the Magi.  Last week we read how Della sold her precious hair to buy Jim an extraordinary gift.  Was it worth it, or does something ironically unexpected take place?  Join me in worship as we explore Matthew 2:1-11 and discover what happens with Della and Jim, what happens with the three wise men, and what happens when we receive The Gift.

 
Dr. Todd Jordan
Senior Pastor
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In This Issue
Celebrate With Us
Help Light the Way
Announcements
Financial Peace University
Adult Class Information
Host Ukraine
Children's Ministries
Peace Study
Made To Crave Study
Young Adults
Love Does Study
Youth Ministries
Fun Day

Happy Birthday
 

Cory Rabalais
12/18
Dennis Wycoff
12/18
Isla Ketchey
12/18
Nancy Garcia
12/18
Kate Mosel
12/19
Adam Mowery
12/19
Terri Sticker
12/19
William Thorpe
12/19
Donna Sitton
12/19
Bill Chenault
12/20
Olivia Cash
12/20
Heather Shull
12/21
Lauren Herink
12/22
Phoebe Dillewyn
12/22
Emily Netemeyer
12/22
Ellen Larson
12/23
Blake Thomas
12/24
Matthew McDonald
12/24
Sandy Trew
12/24

 

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FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY 
   
What is

Financial Peace

University? 
 
We all need a plan for our money. Financial Peace University (FPU) is that plan! It teaches God's ways of handling money. Through video teaching, class discussions and interactive small group activities, FPU presents biblical,  practical steps to get from where you are to where you've dreamed you could be. This plan will show you how to get rid of debt, manage your money, spend and save wisely, and much more!
 
FPU classes meet for around an hour and
a half each week for nine weeks. 
 
Strawbridge is hosting a class next year and we will have an Information Night on Sunday, January 10, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. in the Great Hall.  Child care is provided.
 
The Strawbridge class will start on January 17th.  
For more information, contact Bill McMahon 

   
Adult Class Information
Adult Study-"Secrets of a Teenage Brain"
Join us in the Choir room on Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m. - 11:05 a.m.   We know that parents of pre-teen and teens face challenging issues every day.  Join us as we talk about strategies and solutions regarding social media, communication, respect, bullying and other topics related to guiding this age group.
Questions contact Pastor Beth Chenault at [email protected].
  
Men's Bible Study Class:    Men of Strawbridge-All Ages.  If you are not currently in a Sunday morning class, check us out!  In depth Bible study, hosting Men's Breakfast events, cooking for various church events, involved in church outreach programs and organizing the church Classic Car expo.  We meet upstairs in Room 212 at 10:05 a.m. Contact Jerry Raymond at [email protected] for further information.
 
Parents of Young Children:
Join in the Room 112 (Library) at 10:05 a.m.
Contact Cheryl Burnett with any questions at
 
  
The Seekers Class:
All are welcome to join us on Sunday mornings in Room 151 at 10:05 a.m.  Questions?  Please contact John Paradysz at [email protected] 

New Directions Class:
We are studying "The Case for Christianity Answer Book" by Lee Strobel. This book provides simple. understandable answers to questions you've probably asked or heard about Christianity. Lee Strobel , a former atheist, uses his investigative journalism skills to dig deep into science, history and the Bible to find the truth. He offers what he has learned in an approachable question and answer format. Come join us in room 207, from 10:05 a.m.-11:05 a.m. 
 
Children's Ministries
    
 _______________________ 
NO SUNDAY SCHOOL ON DECEMBER  27TH!
 _____________________
  
Sunday School
10:05 a.m.-11:05 a.m.
All Kindergarten-4th graders will meet in the SAC
at 10:05 a.m. and then go to their age
 appropriate rooms.
_______________________________
Children's Chapel
After the children's conversation  at 11:15 a.m. worship, children 4 years-Kindergarten, may attend Children's Chapel in Room 105.
____________________________________
Kids 1st
Kids 1st- is from 5-7pm. Join us on Sunday, evenings.
 $3 snack supper will be available. 
 Friends are always welcome.
 
_____________________________________________________________________________
 
56 Ministries at SUMC
 
Sundays:
Sunday School: 10:05-11:05am 
  5th and 6th graders will meet in Room 200 for confirmation!  This will be their Sunday School for
Fall and Spring.
_______________________________________ 
Mission 56
 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
5th and 6th Graders join us for a Sunday Night Bible Study and Hangout.  We will have Bible Study, games, and
 snack supper ($3.00)!
Meet us in Room 200!
______________________________________
Mid High Power Hour
 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
Meet in the Strawbridge Activity Center (SAC)
6-8th Graders
 We will take your children to school!
(Permission form must be on file prior to leaving SUMC campus)
   
Questions regarding Children's Ministries contact Pastor Emily at [email protected]
 
 
  
 
The Confirmation Study of Greg Ogden's book Discipleship Essentials will be covered in both Sunday School and Community Group.
 
Sunday School 
 (Room 209)  10:05 a.m.-11:10 a.m.
 
Community Group
  Tuesdays 7:30 p.m.- 9:30 p.m
 
All College Students and Young Adults are invited to help the Youth setup the Luminaries on Dec. 24th   12-2 p.m. at SUMC.
 
Some save the date opportunities for Young Adults:
1/5 First Community Group of 2016!  We will reflect on how the group is going and talk about our vision for the New Year.
 
Sharing a meal, creating community and all are welcome!
 
Contact Michelle Ashley at
Youth Ministries
      Strawbridge Youth are now on Remind 101.
  Text "@sumcupdate" then call 81010.
 
 
 
 
Sunday Mornings 
Breakfast & Discussion
10:05 a.m. in Rooms 201/203
 
 
December 20th
Houston Food Bank
Departing 7:40 a.m.-Returning 1:30 p.m.
 
December 24th
Setup for Luminaries
12-2 p.m. at SUMC 
 
REFUGE 2016
January 8-10
Cost: $65
 
CAMP CULLEN 2016
February 19-21
Cost: $110 
Registration is open on both events! 
 
Contact Jon Ashley at
for questions or location information.


 
 
   
 
 
Announcements 
Office Closure-December 24-January 3
In case of emergency, please call 281-360-4500.  A Pastor will be on call.  The office will reopen January 4th at 9:00 a.m.
 
 
TAX INFORMATION FOR CONTRIBUTIONS
Please remember that all 2015 contributions must be dated prior to year-end and delivered to the church office or postmarked by 12/31/2015 to receive credit for the tax year 2015. To ensure your church contributions are tax deductible, do not file your 2015 income tax return until you have received a written acknowledgement of your contributions from the church. Some of your contributions may not be tax-deductible if you file your tax return before receiving a written acknowledgement of your contributions from the church.
 
Year-end contribution statements for 2015 will be mailed by 1/31/2016. 
 
2ND SUNDAY SING-OUT-will be the 3rd Sunday-December 20th. Come Caroling at Brookdale
Kingwood, 2405 Kingwood Drive, from 3:30-4:00 p.m. Questions contact Pastor Laurie at
 
ACTS OF RANDOM KINDNESS Please take a bag off the table in the Narthex to give to someone who is in need. If you would like to help there is a list by the table with items to donate. You may also make a monetary donation and drop it in the box on the same table. Our brochure also has ideas for other forms of Acts of Random Kindness that we can all do every day!
 
THE COFFEE CORNER 
Visitors and New Members meet by the church office at 10:05 a.m.-11:05 a.m., Sundays for coffee and fellowship!
 

ONLINE SHOPPING-www.umcmarket.org
Lots of online retailers will give a percentage of your purchase to
Strawbridge UMC through the UMCmarket! All you need to do is visit www.umcmarket.org and register. Specify the church, "Kingwood Strawbridge".  Then when you're ready to buy, just log into your UMCmarket account and shop at any of the partner retailers and, PRESTO, a percentage of the sale is given to the church. We need $100 in the account before we get a check, so the more the site is used the more the church benefits.
 
Shopping has never been so easy and you don't have to leave home, fight the crowds or find that perfect parking spot!
 
Sign up today at www.umcmarket.org.
 
 


Host Ukraine 
 
Here is an example of how one of our member families grew by stepping out of their comfort zone. What a great opportunity this is to share, live and grow and to be compelled by the love of Christ to make a difference in a world in need one child at a time!
 
Dear Strawbridge,

Our family hosted an orphan from Ukraine for the summer.  We showed him love of a family and had fun showing him Texas.  Little did I understand what God was
doing in my life and my family's life.  Showing God's love to another helped our family to grow in so many ways, and God is teaching our family about love for each other and others. HE has grown my heart to serve the orphans in Ukraine, which  has led me to volunteer with Host Ukraine (hostukraine.org).  I will be traveling to the Ukraine on January 11th and returning on the 22nd.  While there I will be using my background as a school nurse to assist the team in assessing medical needs.

I would like to ask for prayers for the orphans and our team as we travel and share God's love with those in the Ukraine.

Sheela Allen

Strawbridge would like to help Sheela in her efforts by gathering the following donated items for the orphanage in Ukraine.  Please drop your items in the box located in the Activity Corridor and labeled Ukraine Orphans.
 
1) boys/girls underwear (all sizes)
2) socks
3) toothpaste
4) gum
5) coloring books
6) crayons
7) pens
8) pencils
9) bar soap
10) soccer balls
11) bubbles
12) printer paper