Author: UMC

Glad Tidings
December 2024

The purpose of Rupert UMC is to share God’s unconditional love through our words and actions. We reach up, reach out, and reach in.

Please join us for an ADVENT POTLUCK on Sunday, December 1, 2024 after church. Bring your favorite festive dishes as we celebrate the beginning of Advent and the Christmas Season.

A four week Advent Study will start on Sunday, December 1, 2024, titled “All the Good, A Wesleyan Way of Christmas.” This study follows our Step-Up campaign with prayer, learning, volunteering and sending the church to the world. There is a 31 day devotion book as well as the study book. You may choose to do both the devotion book and the study book, or choose just the devotion book or just the study. There is a sign-up sheet in the Fellowship Hall. Please order your books by November 10th so that we can order the right amount of books. Join us during Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.

Offerings

Is Jesus the only way to salvation through belief in his death on the cross?
John 14:6 says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" This has traditionally been understood that Jesus is the only way to salvation, but what does that mean? Is it only through belief in his death on the cross? Could it be that through the grace evidenced to us through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection salvation was opened to those who love and follow Jesus, as well as those who live lives of love and grace even though they do not yet know Jesus? United Methodists are not a denomination that claims to know all truths. We walk humbly with our God, not presuming to understand the mysteries of our faith.
Only God has the power to grant salvation, and that is offered through grace. We cannot earn our way into heaven. We would all fall short if that were the case. If God is gracious and desires to be in relationship with humanity, and if God has provided a way for us to be in relationship through Jesus, it is not our place to say that God is not powerful or gracious enough to offer grace to other people in other places, who are also attempting to understand a supreme being.
Schubert Ogden was a Protestant Theologian of the twentieth century. He was a professor of systematic theology at Southern Methodist University when I was a student there. In his book “Is There Only One True Religion or are There Many,” Odgen states, “One person or group of people cannot judge another person or group of persons' hearts and how God is speaking to their hearts.” His point was that because our religion is true to us, other religions may be true to other people. We can only speak from our own experience and our own culture. God may choose to reach other people in other ways.
I appreciate Ogden’s theology. It does not limit God and allows for God’s unbounded love to be for all nations. While the only way for me to see and experience God is through Jesus, I cannot speak for other faiths. I have assurance for my own faith, and I have much hope for other faiths!
~Brenda

CHRISTMAS CAROLING
You are invited to go
Christmas Caroling
December 22nd. The time is to be announced later.
We will start and end at the church.
Watch Facebook and our website for further times.

All Are Invited!
There will be a bus provided for anyone who wishes to go to the wedding but would rather not drive, or stay in Boise overnight.
The bus will leave the church at 7:30 a.m. and will leave Meridian at 3:30 p.m. to go back to Rupert.

Richard Jones and Brenda Sene
Invite you to celebrate with them
AS THEY TIE THE BOW
December 28, 2024
11:00 a.m. at the
Episcopal Church of the Holy Nativity
828 W. Cherry Lane
Meridian, Idaho
Instead of gifts, please give to your favorite charity.

Musical Notes

AF Sharps Christmas Concert
Rupert UMC will be hosting the Annual AF Sharps (American Falls Community Choir) Christmas Concert in our sanctuary on December 16th, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. The director will be Dan Bowman and will be accompanied by David Bowman. Several of our own choir members (Gara Cook, Barbara and Mike Noss, Sara Somsen-Fowler, and Jenny Shurtliff) will be singing in the AF Sharps choir. The concert will be followed by a tea provided by United Women of Faith. A love offering for the choir will be accepted.

OPEN HEARTS FOOD PANTRY

CHRISTMAS BOXES
Christmas will be here before we know it and the Open Hearts Food Pantry needs donations of turkeys or hams for the Christmas boxes they will be making for the community. The Idaho Food Bank will not be providing any meat for the holiday this year. Please bring your donations to the church office before December 13th. Thank you!
The Open Hearts Food Pantry will be distributing the Christmas boxes from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 14, 2023.

MOVIE NIGHT
Movie Title: In the Heights
Date and Time: Saturday, December 7th, 2024 at 5:00 PM
Synopsis: Lights up on Washington Heights...The scent of a cafecito caliente hangs in the air just outside of the 181st Street subway stop, where a kaleidoscope of dreams rallies this vibrant and tight-knit community. At the intersection of it all is the likable, magnetic bodega owner Usnavi (Anthony Ramos), who saves every penny from his daily grind as he hopes, imagines and sings about a better life.
FYI: Rated PG-13

The Advent Devotionals, "Prepare," are ready for you to read! They will be distributed on Sunday mornings, as well as being available in the church office. If you are unable to pick one up, let us know and we will be happy to mail one to you. We thank those who contributed devotions:
Peggy Hess Barbara Noss Jackie Hiaring
Brenda Sene Cassidy Bell Marion Weickum
Tim Gregersen Brian Williams Richard Jones
Janice Richards Richard Jones Mary Harmle
Mary Beth Kraemer Stan Bruns Joanne Clark
Joyce Orem Monica Fessenden Ruth Bailes
Rap Howell Joyce Hansen

Financial Update

Income and Expenses 2024
The Finance team would like to share with you each month how the church is doing financially. We have included the table below to give you the information. If you have any questions please let someone on the Finance committee know.

FINANCIAL REPORT - MONTHLY FINANCIALS 2024

Item	October	Year to Date
Income	$19,922	$198,900
Expense	$13,255	$195,204
Income/Expense	$6,667	$3,696

October contributions by members to the operating budget were similar to September.
Total expenses were $5,345 less from September driven mainly by the timing of annual payments.
Overall year to date Income / Expense is on average a positive $370 per month. This represents great progress.

Stewardship
The 'Step Up" Stewardship Campaign took place the whole month of October.
Stories, anecdotes and reports from many members of the congregation encouraged our people to step up their commitment to Pray, to Learn, to Volunteer and to Give. As part of the Commitment, members of the congregation filled out and returned Step Up cards stating the ways they would fulfil their Commitments.
Monetary pledges were received in the amount of $91,376.00 for 2025.
Thank all of you who turned in your cards and if you forgot to bring your card, it's never too late!

Online Giving
Finance and the Council have been exploring the ways and costs of offering an online giving option for the church. We hope to have a process in place before the end of the year. Please let a council or finance member know what you think.

Autumn Haven Devotions

Autumn Haven Devotions were presented Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. with 7 United Women of Faith and 12 residents. Peggy Hess gave Patriotic reflections using the Ideals book. She also read a poem from a book of poems written by Janice Richards, which was left for the residents and staff for future reflection. The book is entitled "A Tribute to Those Serving The Red, White and Blue....Remember Me". Janice is a member of our congregation and United Women of Faith. Stan Bruns lead singing of Patriotic songs. It was wonderful to hear and listen to the residents and their joy of having people from our congregation present. They look forward to this monthly program. Peggy closed with a poem and reading of "Dear God, Thank you for Veteran's Day". There were four November birthdays with one being 103 on the 12th!!! Attending this month were Peggy Hess, Stan and Leanna Bruns, Rev. Brenda, Joann Clark, Chris Paulson, Gary Noriyuki and Marion Weickum. Leo Ketterling and Keish Noriyuki, residents, were in attendance. There is such joy in sharing!!
December devotions will be Chancel Choir.

Autumn Haven Devotions ministry
One of our important church ministries is leading a half hour devotion at Autumn Haven nursing home. Each month on the second Monday at 6:30 p.m. a group from our congregation shares an inspirational message with the residents. The church members and residents sing several familiar songs together and close with prayer.
Recently, there has been some difficulty getting a group together each month to do this monthly devotion. The residents of Autumn Haven look forward to these monthly visits. In order for this ministry to continue, we need people who are willing to spend a little of their time and help out.
There is a sign-up sheet in the Fellowship Hall and you are invited to sign up for a month or more when you would like to participate.

Hat, mitten and Scarf Christmas Tree
We are now accepting donations for the hat, mitten and scarf tree. The items can be handmade or store bought. The tree is in the Fellowship Hall. Please bring donations to the office or place them on the tree yourself.
The items will be donated to Food Pantry Clients.

The United Women in Faith met November 12 at the church.
Several concerns were discussed, including the need to reorganize our group since so many members of the current "Circle" organization have passed on or are no longer able to attend meetings. It was decided to invite all women members of the church to be part of our missions and outreach.
We will diligently try to inform and include all of you in our activities. We do the Fall fundraiser dinner; Valentine flowers, cards, and cookies; and help at the Humanitarian Center.
Upcoming events:
November 30, 2024 - Caring and Sharing at the Rupert Civic Center: we provide and serve cookies from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. to people viewing the trees.
December 16, 2024 - Christmas Tea after the AF Sharps Christmas Concert at the Church. Light refreshments are served to all after the concert. The program starts at 7 p.m. Help is appreciated for both set up and clean up.
Thanks, and welcome to the United Women in Faith.
Kris Somsen

The Rupert United Women in Faith invites all ladies of the church to join us.
We meet once a month on Tuesdays, and this month we did our World Thank Offering. This offering celebrates God’s abundance and the joy in our lives. This is how we show gratitude for God’s blessings and a meaningful way to raise funds to improve the lives of women, children and youth here and around the world.
Our annual World Thank offering contributions help make the total program of mission possible including:
• Social justice work • Spiritual growth opportunities • Leadership development events and resources
Scholarships for women studying for career and professional success • Resources to promote Just Energy for All and Interrupting the School-to-Prison Pipeline
Grants for projects developed by our international mission partners • Program support for nearly 90 National Mission Institutions in the United States
Regional Missionaries serving in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Mrs. H.E. Taylor, president of the Lansing District of the Michigan Conference, inspired the first World Thank Offering observance in Lansing, MI, in 1881.
Peggy Hess

CHRISTMAS SHOE BOXES
A big thank you to everyone who donated Christmas Shoe boxes. As of 11:00 a.m. on November 18, 2024 there were 5,122 completed boxes.

Rupert United Methodist Church
605 H St.
PO Box 804
Rupert, ID 83350
Return Service Requested

Nonprofit
U.S. Postage
Paid
Permit No. 14

rumc@pmt.org
www.rupertunitedmethodist.org
ROCA FIRME PENTECOSTES 2:00 PM
DECEMBER 1, 2024 - First Sunday of Advent
DECEMBER 1, 2024 - Advent Study begins - 9:30 a.m.
December 1, 2024 - Advent Potluck - 12:00 p.m.
DECEMBER 16, 2024 - AF Sharps Concert - 7:00 p.m.
DECEMBER 22, 2024 - Caroling with Refreshments Following - TBA
DECEMBER 28, 2024 - Richard Jones and Brenda Sene’s Wedding -
11:00 a.m. Meridian Idaho

Rupert United Methodist Church is ADA Accessible