Notes of Appreciation
Tabor Congregation, thank you for your input during Faith Formation on November 15 when we took time to respond to the resolution that was passed at the recent Western District Conference Assembly. Deacons and Pastors are continuing to process the feedback that was submitted. In response to the feedback, one of our hopes for the future is to provide opportunities for sharing stories with one another. If you have affirmations, questions, or concerns, please talk to a Pastor or Deacon. ~Pastors and Deacons
Congregational Announcements
Pizza Plus Trimmings: The Menno Brothers will bring their best pizza on Wednesday evening, December 9, served by board members of the Mennonite Heritage and Agricultural Museum with thankful hearts for your gifts this year. There’ll be tossed salad and delicious cookies too. All proceeds will benefit the museum.
Christmas Brass: Plan to join us at 7pm next Sunday, December 13, at Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church for an evening of Christmas Brass! The evening will feature the McPherson Community Brass Choir under the direction of Jerry Toews. Additionally, the Elbiata singers from Goessel High School will provide some special music, and we will all have a chance to join our voices together in singing some favorite Christmas carols. An offering will be received to support the ministries of the Goessel Ministerial Alliance. We hope to see you there! ~Goessel Ministerial Alliance
Christmas Eve Celebration Service! Plan to join us at Tabor on December 24 at 7pm for a special Christmas Eve Celebration Service! The Celebration will include music from the Sonbeams, Children of Light, and Adult Choir, dramatic scripture readings, and an intergenerational reenactment of the Christmas story! We will end the service with candle-lighting. An offering for MCC Infant Care Kits will be received. Please make checks payable to Tabor Mennonite Church with MCC Kits on the memo line. (There will not be a service at Tabor on Christmas morning this year.)
Advent Devotionals: During the week before each Sunday of Advent, the worship planning team invites you to read and reflect on the upcoming Sunday’s scripture passages. If you have email, you are receiving scripture references and questions on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. If you do not have email, a weekly devotional booklet is placed in your church mailbox. Extra copies are available on the table in the foyer.
Stories & Stuff: Thursday, December 10, at 9:30 a.m. Come to the Tabor South rooms to share fun, fellowship, stories and stuff! Sign up on the bulletin board so I have an idea of how many cinnamon rolls to make. Hope to see you here! ~Pastor Rosie
What’s Cookin’? will meet on December 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the Tabor Church Fellowship Hall to share Christmas cookie recipes. Everyone is invited to bring their favorite recipe along with samples to share. (Or just come for ideas and enjoy tasting!) We will demonstrate a few recipes along with tips for quick and economical Christmas goodies. What’s Cookin’? is sponsored by the Tabor Food Pantry and is open to anyone in the community. RSVP requested but not required.
Tabor Mennonite Women: The Christmas Breakfast is December 19 at 9:00 a.m. Norma Peters Duerksen will be talking about “Lessons from our Dolls”. There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board. Please sign up by December 13.
The Tabor Mennonite Youth Fellowship will share their annual living nativity, Night in the Barn, on December 19 and 20 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The llama that gives kisses, the big cow with her little calf, the sheep wearing bells, and the donkeys that share their love of people—these are a few of the critters who will assemble in the barn of Maynard Knepp and Carol Duerksen between Goessel and Hillsboro. The come-and-go event will feature a program in the barn, Christmas carols around a bonfire, hot drinks and snacks. Admission is free. Donations to the youth group will be accepted. From Goessel: 3 miles north on Hwy 15, 4 miles east on 150th, ¾ north on Falcon. Information, call 620-386-0709.
Tabor Leadership Retreat: “Anyone can lead, anytime, anywhere.” This is one of the leadership principles promoted by the Kansas Leadership Center, and it is true of our congregation. We are all leaders in the church. Therefore, I invite everyone to mark January 15-16 (Friday evening & Saturday morning) on your calendars and plan to attend our annual Leadership Retreat at Tabor Mennonite Church. At the retreat, we will spend time reflecting, praying, and dreaming together. I hope to see you there! ~Pastor Phil
The 2016 Tabor Marriage Enrichment Retreat will be held on February 5-6 at Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church and The Hotel at Waterwalk in Wichita.
Because we value Marriage Enrichment in our community, the Tabor Deacons are generously contributing about 30% of the total cost, making the cost to you only $140/couple. This includes Friday dinner, Friday night in a deluxe King room with a fireplace, continental breakfast, light lunch, inventory costs, and an honorarium for the presenters. Please talk to or email Pastor Phil to sign up for the retreat by January 3rd. Please do not let cost get in the way of you attending the retreat! Additional scholarships are available. Pastor Phil and Mary are facilitating this retreat, so please contact one of them if you have further questions. We look forward to this wonderful enrichment opportunity!
Annual Reports and Directory updates will be due in the church office by January 3. Email your updates and reports to kfunk or place in the secretary mailbox.
Community Announcements
The Christmas Giving Tree will be at the Crossroads Credit Union with tags available beginning on Tuesday, December 1. All gifts must be brought back to the Credit Union by Monday, December 14. Thank you for helping to make this a wonderful Christmas for families in our community. This project is sponsored by the Goessel Ministerial Alliance.
Old Time Gospel Piano CD’s make excellent Christmas presents.$20 with ALL $20 going to MCC. See Jerry Toews.
Retirement Reception: Marjorie Shoemaker will be retiring as Director of the Mennonite Heritage & Agricultural Museum at the end of this year. We would like to invite friends in the community for a “come and go” reception honoring Marj on Saturday afternoon, December 19, 12-4 p.m., in the Museum Store.
Conference Announcements
Prayer Requests:
« Western District Conference: Pray for the WDC Ministerial Leadership Commission as they offer support and accountability for pastors in WDC.
« Mennonite Mission Network: Join MMN in thanking God for the safety of five international workers based in Paris, France, during the November bombings. Pray for wisdom as French Mennonites and others discern how to respond to these tragedies and to the violence that occurs in other countries on a daily basis.
« Mennonite Education Agency: Mennonite Early Childhood Network ask God to help adults honor the young children in their lives by generously sharing with them the gifts of time and attention above materials goods, thereby experiencing the joy of giving.
You’re invited to the MCC Christmas Open House – bring your friends, family and neighbors to our open house on Tuesday, December 15 from 4pm-6pm. The come-and-go event will feature live music, lots of delicious Christmas goodies and snacks and at 5pm hear MCC alumni reflect on Christmas traditions in Bosnia Herzegovina, Bolivia and Cambodia. Please plan to drop by to enjoy some Christmas cheer! Questions? Call 316.283.2720.
Christmas Gathering for Summer Staff–Over the past 67 years, any number of people have worked at Camp Mennoscah as summer staffers. Summer staffers, their spouses, significant others, and kids are invited to gather on December 19 at Camp Mennoscah in the dining hall at 2:30pm. (We’re not being picky about the definition of “summer staff” and we’re not collecting invitations at the door.) We’ll have coffee and other hot drinks to go with some cookies. You’re welcome to bring a snack to share. It’s a time to gather, catch up with folks and share stories. Questions? Call 620-297-3290.
Longest Night Service: For the last number of years, Shalom Mennonite Church has recognized the role of pain, grief and darkness in the Christian faith journey at a Longest Night Service. The longest night of the year is always on December 21. We invite you to join with us in a service of remembrance December 21 at 7 pm at 800 E. First Street in Newton. All are welcome.
Join us to Commemorate Human Rights: Thursday, December 10, 5:30 p.m. At Douglas Ave. Bridge in Wichita (by Drury Hotel). Sponsored by People of Faith for Peace – Wichita. In 1950, the United Nations General Assembly called for the establishment of Human Rights Day – each year on December 10. This will not be a protest but a statement of our support for the human rights of all beings. People of Faith for Peace are encouraging you to be with us for an hour on Thursday, December 10. We will have a banner and several other signs, displaying our support. Feel free to bring your own banner or sign. Some suggested slogans are: #RefugeesWelcome; #OpenToSyria; #WelcomeWorld; #RefugeeCrisis; Home is a Human Right; UN Human Rights Day
Bethel College 30th annual Lighting of the Green Sun., Dec. 6, 8 pm.
