College Student Christmas Brunch

9:30 am Sunday, December 23

Educational Building Room 207

All who are attending or have recently graduated from college are invited to a Christmas Brunch during the Sunday School hour in Room 207 Sunday, December 23^rd. We will share fellowship, exam horror stories, and brainstorm ideas for how to create a viable, relevant college ministry here at Reveille for our students both while they are away at school and home on holidays and in the summer.

Please help us reach this population by spreading the word and emailing Jennifer McCluskey or calling her 359-6041 ext. 121 with any updated emails and other contact information.

Bill Wright to Leave Reveille Staff

Due to continuing medical illness, Bill Wright, Reveille's Facilities Manager, is unable to return to work and leaves his position in December.

Bill has given great service to our church during his 12 years on staff. He has helped so many in so many ways to support Reveille's ministries and to support facilities operation during our expansion. We thank him for his outstanding service and pray for his healing and full recovery.

Hopes and Fears

Sacred Christmas carols are a cherished tradition. But during sorrow and struggle, some lyrics may seem hard to swallow. "O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant"? Where is the joy when my loved one has just died? Where is the triumph if I've lost my job? "Silent night, holy night, all is calm ..."? Not in my house; I'm exhausted from the fighting. "The little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes"? Our baby screams with colic for hours on end.

Yet ... listen:    

And you beneath life's crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low ...
Oh, rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing.

-"It Came Upon the Midnight Clear"

Truly, God reaches out to the happy and hurting alike. "The hopes and fears of all the years are met" - and gathered up - in the Babe of Bethlehem, who shares our joys and troubles. There are Christmas carols for us all.

Reprinted with permission; contributed by Cheryl Arrington

What You Need to Know About Year-End Giving

Are you planning to make donations to Reveille in late December that you plan to claim on your 2012 income tax return? If the answer is yes, following are the rules that you need to know.

Donations must be delivered or mailed and postmarked on or by December 31, 2012 in order to claim a charitable contribution deduction for 2012. The office will close at 4:30 pm.

Checks that are placed in the church offering during the first worship service in 2013 will not qualify for a charitable contribution deduction in 2012 even if the check is predated to 2012 or was actually written in 2012.

Checks that are written, mailed, and postmarked in 2012 will be deductible in 2012 though they are not received by Reveille until 2013.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call Glynis Holcomb, financial manager, 359-6041, ext. 118.

Friends of the Homeless

Every month Reveille supports the Friends of the Homeless program through providing 160 bag lunches. We get the privilege of helping pack bag lunches for this organization on December 23 from 10:30-11:00 am in the welcome center. Please join us as we remember the reason we celebrate this Advent season. Take this time to reflect on the new life we have received through Christ's birth and join us in mission to help pack lunches. If you would like to donate items for the December bag lunches please respond to Lori Epps here or 359-6041 ext. 117. The items that we need each month are: 16 loaves of bread, 160 slices of cheese (not individually wrapped kind), 160 bags of individual chips, 160 fruit cups, 160 individually wrapped/bagged desserts and 160 boxed drinks. Thank you for your support as reach out in mission to a hurting world.

Glorious Gifts

If you missed the in-person shopping days for Glorious Gifts, you can still place online orders until December 31. However, if you want cards for your orders by Christmas Eve, you must drop off orders at the church office by 4:30 pm on December 20 or place your orders online by December 21. Cards for orders placed by then will be available for pick-up from the welcome center at all services on December 23 and Christmas Eve.

Youth News

Youth group will not meet December 23 or 30. However both youth Sunday school  classes will meet on December 23 as usual (middle school and high school classes). On December 30 youth Sunday school will combine and meet in the high school room. Have a wonderful, safe Christmas season! Youth group resumes on January 6.

Youth Choir Lock-in!

Our Youth Choir will have its first ever Lock-in on Friday, January 4, 2013, in the Youth Center! We will gather at 7:00 pm at Reveille, then go to Laser Quest! We will return to watch Jesus Christ Superstar, play games, eat food and have a great time! Please sign up immediately by emailing Cathy Armistead or calling 359-6041, ext. 123. The cost for laser tag is $13.

Six Weeks to a Simpler Lifestyle begins  

Sunday, January 6, 2013

7-week study, Sunday Evenings 5:00-7:00 pm

Education Building Room 210

Jan 6 - Feb 10

Do you feel overworked and overextended? Does your life feel overloaded? Are you tired of being too busy? This study by Barbara Degrote-Sorensen and David Allen Sorenson concentrates on moving deliberately toward a simpler, more satisfying life through prioritization, daily Bible readings, daily journaling, and group discussion. This study will be facilitated by Jonathan Brabrand. To register, click here. For questions, email Jennifer McCluskey or call her at 359-6041 ext. 121. Childcare provided.

Journey 101: Knowing God begins January 6, 2013

6-week study, Sunday Evenings 5:00-7:00 pm

Education Building Room 209

This 6-week journey to knowing God, facilitated by Rev. Katie B. Anthony, will help you gain a better understanding of the essentials of Christian faith, experience new Bible study tools and resources, discover more about the church and Methodism, discuss ethics and our Christian response, and understand more about God's will in your life. To register, click here. For questions, email Jennifer McCluskey or call her at 359-6041 ext. 121. Childcare provided.

Wednesday Night Bible Study begins January 9, 2013

Beth Moore: Living Beyond Yourself

6:45-8:30pm, Sr. High Room

January 9-March 20

This 11-week, interactive study featuring the videos and writings of noted teacher and author Beth Moore and facilitated by Stormy Noland focuses on developing the fruit of the Spirit within you through maintaining an intimate relationship with the Spirit of God. To register, click here. For questions, email Jennifer McCluskey   or call her at 359-6041 ext. 121. Childcare provided.

Women of Spirit Study: Christianity's Family Tree: What Other Christians Believe and Why  

by Adam Hamilton

Begins Wednesday January 16, 9:30-11:30am

Education Building Room 210

In this video-based series from the renowned pastor of Church of the Resurrection UMC, Adam Hamilton, discover the rich diversity of Christian belief and practice. Mary Anne Noland will facilitate this study. To register, click here. For questions, email Jennifer McCluskey or call her at 359-6041 ext. 121. Childcare provided.

Joys and Concerns

IN MEMORIAM

Robert Slater Greer

December 17, 2012

SYMPATHY

The Reveille family extends Christian love and sympathy to Andy Weaver and family on the passing of his mother, Miyoko Weaver, on December 9; to Vivien Ely and family on the passing of her sister, Betty Ann Pickel, on December 10, in Memphis, Tennessee; to Sharon Humphreys, Kevin Humphreys, Lori Salmon and their families on the passing of their grandfather on December 17; and to the family and friends of Bob Greer.

Wonderful Wednesday Takes a Break

Discerning Membership at Reveille?  

Learn More at Reveille Today

Music Specials Coming in 2013

On January 15 we will celebrate Terrific Tuesday, in place of Wonderful Wednesday for  just this one week. The Cornell University Glee Club is coming to Reveille to perform the final concert on their winter tour at 7:00 pm in our sanctuary.

This 45-voice all-male a cappella group was formed in the mid-1800's and has toured all over the world. In the early 1960's, they toured Asia and performed for 100 million people. This is a must-come opportunity: be sure to see this dynamic group live in our sanctuary!

Jesus Christ Superstar will be performed at Reveille in July 2013 by our youth choir and YOU! Please sign up online here or contact Cathy Armistead to be part of this monumental event! Rehearsals will begin January 6, and you may CHOOSE to come to the choir room at 5:00 pm or 6:30 pm, or let Cathy know if a week night would be better for you. The cast already numbers 62; let's make it 62 more!

Issues and Deadlines for The Reveille Window

Staff

Jim Noland, Senior Pastor

Katie B. Anthony, Associate Pastor

Stephen Coleman, Associate Pastor

Cathy Armistead, Director of Music Ministries

Tamara Nicely, Assistant Director of Music Ministries

Lori Epps, Director of Children's Ministries

Jennifer McCluskey, Director of Adult Ministries

Dwayne Stinson, Director of Youth Ministries

Kaarina Jobe, Worship and Music Leader for The Point

Anne Stratton, Administrative Manager

Cheryl Arrington, Pastoral and Congregational Care Secretary

Glynis Holcomb, Financial Manager

Thomas Goodall, Custodian

Darius Stokes, Custodian 

Elaine Kastelberg, Director of Weekday School