TIMES Harvest United Methodist Church | Volume 18, Issue 11 | December, 2015
Merry Christmas! No wait…first comes Advent. Happy Advent! We’re always anxious to get to Christmas, but Advent makes Christmas all the more meaningful. The season of Advent is the four weeks prior to Christmas and it’s a time which calls for us to draw near, to approach. Advent celebrates that God draws near to us in Jesus Christ who then calls us to draw near to him. This season, we invite you to keep your eye on the star to help you find hope and uncover who you are and what it means to believe and to follow. And as you listen to Christmas carols to prepare your heart, you might make this song by Paul Baloche your theme song for this year. And follow that star! Follow That Star In the quiet of the night Under the wide expanse of sky I am alone and asking questions, why What’s this longing in my heart? What’s the reason for my life? And this solitary light is shining, calling Follow that star, follow that star Uncover the mystery of who you are I’ve searched for a lifetime, I’ve come from afar And discovered my destiny is to follow that star Like the light of early dawn I see the promise there beyond And the hope within begins to rise
Love is calling to my heart Reaching deep within my soul And reveals to me the reason for living Like the light of early dawn I see the promise there beyond And the hope within begins to rise Love is calling to my heart Reaching deep within my soul And reveals to me the reason for living What joy, what hope, what good news He brings to me and you
HARVEST
LAKEWOOD RANCH CAMPUS 14305 Covenant Way, Lakewood Ranch
Thursday 6:48 PM sixfortyeight Worship Sunday 9 AM Traditional Worship Sunday 10:30 AM Contemporary Worship Sunday 5 PM Harvest Youth HY5
BAYSHORE CAMPUS Worshipping at Lee Middle School 4000 53rd Avenue West, Bradenton
Sunday 10:30 AM
Follow that star, follow that star, follow that star
Looking forward to worshipping with you and sharing a wonderful Advent and Christmas season together!
WORSHIP AT
Rev. Catherine Fluck Price Co-Pastor
WANT MORE? facebook.com/harvestumc harvestumc harvestumc welcometoharvest.org
[email protected]
HARVEST TEAM Catherine Fluck Price Steve M. Price Co-Pastors
Jennifer Potter Bayshore Campus Pastor Brad Baten Interim Youth Minister Connie Campbell Children’s Minister Terry Cox Executive Assistant to the Pastors Janet Davis and Teresa O’Connell Accompanists at 9 AM Carin Doddroe Operations Administrative Assistant Dan Funk Comptroller Stacey Gadeken Discipleship Assistant
TUESDAYLIVE! AT LAKEWOOD RANCH CAMPUS
Are you looking for a daytime Bible Study for women where you can have a more in-depth group study while enjoying the fellowship of
Alan Hensley Facilities Manager
other Christian women? This is for you!
Mike Kennedy Director of Discipleship Interim Director of Operations
TuesdayLIVE! meets every Tuesday morning from 9 - 11:30 AM during
Dave Lewis Choral Music Director
each other, and ultimately grow closer to God. We begin with a light
Jesus Maldonado Custodian Callie McLeod Sprouts CDC Director Allison Merriot Director of Worship Arts Robert (Bob) Migliore Custodian Sarah Mitchell Communications Associate
the school year. Women learn from each other, support and care for brunch and fellowship time in the Harvest Centre. After our morning devotions, we transition to a small group time as the week’s reading is discussed among your friends. The winter/spring 2016 semester will offer two options for women. One study will be Jonah, which involves 12 weeks of study with lessons led by a DVD series with the author Priscilla Shirer. The other will be A Disciple’s Heart, which the entire church will be encouraged to experience during Lent. Women who select A Disciple’s Heart as part
M.E. Reich Accompanist at 10:30 AM
of TuesdayLIVE! will journey through The Upper Room daily devotional
Catherine Sykes Youth and Children’s Ministry Administrative Assistant
be your choice as to which study you would like!
guide before and after A Disciple’s Heart takes place during Lent. It will
Michelle Weger Director of Communications Bayshore Campus Worship Leader
Sign-up and preregistration begin on November 29. You may sign up
Dan Whissell Associate Worship Leader
meeting will be on January 12 and continue through May 17.
Brenda Wilson Nursery Ministry Coordinator
More Info: Melissa Gurchiek | 812.890.1069
[email protected] welcometoharvest.org/tuesdaylive
Staff can be reached via email at
[email protected] (ex.
[email protected]) Harvest Times | Harvest United Methodist Church | 2
at Hospitality Hub 1. Childcare is also available. Our first TuesdayLIVE!
HARVESTERS Step Back into Florida’s Boom Era On Wednesday, January 20, the Harvesters wil visit a bygone era of luxury and opulence with a tour of the Vinoy Renaissance Hotel in historic downtown St. Petersburg. This Mediterranean Revival-style hotel has a storied past dating back to 1925, the era of Florida’s boom years. The Vinoy was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. The Harvesters will take a one hour docent-led tour of the historic building and its gardens. They will hear about its gala events, famous guests, and multi-million dollar renovation all the while enjoying the restoration of the original finishes of the hotel itself. Following the tour, the Harvesters will be able to dine much as the guests of yesterday as they enjoy a leisurely
luncheon served in the hotel’s restaurant, Marchand’s Bar and Grill. The tour will start at 10:30 AM with lunch following. Carpooling will be arranged from the Bradenton/ Sarasota area. Cost for the tour and luncheon will be $27 a person which includes tax and gratuity. Please join the Harvesters as we explore this outstanding piece of Florida history. You can register and pay online. by Monday, January 11, 2016. More Info: Bob Stark | 231.564.0677
[email protected] welcometoharvest.org/harvesters
GIRLFRIENDS GATHERING
HARVEST BAYSHORE SERVICE DAY
GATHERING FOR YOGA First and third Wednesday | 11 AM - 12 PM Rooms W204-205 at the Lakewood Ranch campus Bring your yoga mat, beach towel, strap, and block (if you have them) Please RSVP by the day before
Turner Tree and Landscape has graciously agreed to donate landscaping materials to our friends at the Boys & Girls Club on 34th Street West. On Saturday, December 12, Harvest volunteer servants will join students from the Club for a beautification project. We will share lunch at the end of the morning as we celebrate the work and build relationships.
GATHERING FOR A CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON (Note location change) December 10 | 11:30 AM University Park Country Club 7671 The Park Blvd, University Park RSVP by December 8 and view menu online
More Info/RSVP: Jennifer Potter | 941.907.7333
[email protected]
GATHERING TO READ No Book Club - Merry Christmas!
More Info/RSVP:
[email protected] 941.681.8466 welcometoharvest.org/girlfriends Harvest Times | Harvest United Methodist Church | 3
HARVEST KIDS DECEMBER EVENTS Harvest Kids Christmas Craft Day Saturday, December 5 | 9 AM - 2 PM A fun Parents’ Day Out for Christmas shopping or just hanging out at Starbucks. All kids birth - 5th grade are invited to attend. The day will include crafts, games, snacks, a service project and a movie. The cost is $15 for one child and $5 for siblings. A family discount for those families registering more than one child will be given at check-out. We have space for 50 kids. If your child’s age group is full, contact Catherine Sykes to be added to a wait list.
Harvest Kids Christmas Play “The Not So Silent Night” Friday, December 11 | 6 PM The shepherds are on trial for disturbing the peace of the first Christmas. Funny and heartwarming, this is a great reminder to all ages of the reason for the season.
LAKEWOOD RANCH CAMPUS
Baby’s First Christmas Sunday, December 13 | 10 AM We will have a Baby’s First Christmas celebration at our Lakewood Ranch campus for all babies born in 2015, and they get to bring their parents and siblings! Brunch will be provided at the Garden Hub and a special gift will be given to all the babies. Come and meet your baby’s peers and get to know the other parents who aren’t sleeping through the night either! Please email Connie Campbell if your family will be attending.
Christmas Caroling Sunday, December 13 | 12 PM Families are invited to go Christmas Caroling at Lifecare of Sarasota. We will meet there at 12 PM and sing to the residents. More Info/RSVP: Connie Campbell |
[email protected] Catherine Sykes |
[email protected] welcometoharvest.com/harvestkids
SPROUTS UPDATE Our Sprouts students are learning about the meaning of Christmas and about giving to others this Advent season. Children are reading about Jesus’ birth, acting out the story with puppets, and creating gifts for their parents. They are also busily preparing for the Sprouts Christmas show, when children will share Christmas songs with their families. Sprouts families will also have the opportunity to help families in need in Manatee County through our annual Christmas Mitten program. Registration for the 2016-17 school year will begin in February. If you are interested in having your child attend Sprouts next fall, please be sure to add them to our wait list if you have not already done so. Currently enrolled students do not need to be added to the wait list as they are guaranteed a spot the following year, but siblings of currently enrolled students or alumni must have their Harvest Times | Harvest United Methodist Church | 4
names on our list by February 1, 2016 in order to take advantage of the priority status extended to siblings. To place your child on our waitlist, please call the church at and ask to speak to the Sprouts office. We give tours to prospective families on Tuesdays and Fridays by appointment only. Feel free to call us to schedule a tour. We’re looking forward to meeting you! On behalf of the entire Sprouts staff, we wish you and your family a very merry Christmas. May the season be full of joy and love as we celebrate together the birth of our Savior. More Info: welcometoharvest.org/sprouts Callie MacLeod | 941.907.7333
[email protected]
HARVEST YOUTH 12.9.15 Mocha Club
12.20.15 Christmas Campfire All students from 6th – 12th grade are invited to join us on Sunday, December 20 from 5 – 7:30 PM for a Christmas Campfire at the Harvest Lakewood Ranch campus. We will grill hamburgers and hot dogs, make s’mores, play games, and worship together.
12.27.15 No HY5
1.22-24.16 Winter Retreat
The annual Harvest Youth Winter Retreat will be at Camp Wingmann in Avon Park, FL from January 22-24. We look forward to kayaking, worship, warm fuzzies, small groups, delicious meals, games, campfires, and small groups. The cost of the trip is $110 per student; registration is open online.
LOOKING AHEAD We are already looking forward to an exciting Summer in 2016. The school boards are tentatively planning on a shorter summer break this year, so our calendar will be tightly packed with great events. Some of the highlights: Youth Week: June 12-16 Vacation Bible School: June 20-24 Middle School Mission Trip: June 27-30 Summer Camp at Warren Willis: July 4-9 High School Mission Trip: July 16-23 Youth Sunday: July 31
More Info: welcometoharvest.org/youth Brad Baten | 941.907.7333
[email protected]
YOUTH MINISTER UPDATE Harvest is pleased to announce that Brad Baten has been hired as interim youth minister for the church. Brad grew up as a child and youth actively involved here and knows Harvest very well. After graduating from the University of Florida, he returned to the area and to Harvest. He has served as an adult leader since fall 2014 and in September was hired as a part-time staff member to assist with youth ministry in transition. He has done an amazing job and deserves practically all the credit for holding together the nuts and bolts of youth ministry during that time. It has also been a time for him to renew his discernment of where God is calling him to use his gifts and passion. Accepting an interim position that extends through the end of summer 2015 will provide our youth ministry with excellent leadership while also allowing Brad time to continue that process of discernment.
A Message from Brad: I am incredibly blessed to be a part of the Youth Ministry at Harvest. God is transforming lives in very real ways, and I am passionate about being a part of it. As we look towards the future, I’d love to hear from you! What is your vision for youth ministry, and how can your gifts and passions help make it happen? Call, email, or drop in to see me anytime. Together we can provide youth with the means to explore and express their faith, and empower them to serve.
HY5 HARVEST YOUTH
MEETS AT THE
LAKEWOOD RANCH CAMPUS
SUNDAYS AT 5 PM Harvest Times | Harvest United Methodist Church | 5
Advent Message Series Advent: a time of waiting and anticipation. In the church, it is the time when we prepare our hearts and lives for the celebration of Christmas. This year, our Advent worship experiences will invite us to learn from Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and wise men, and John the Baptist how to get ourselves ready for Christ’s coming. Each week, we will hear from a different participant in the story, learning what it meant for each to be faithful as a part of God’s plan to send a Savior into the world. Hearing their stories will help us also consider how we can be faithful as a part of God’s plan for our lives and for the world today.
November 29 | Rev. Catherine Fluck Price (LWR campus) Rev. Jennifer Potter (Bayshore campus) “Hope” (John the Baptist) | Luke 3:1-6 December 3 & 6 | Rev. Steve Price (both campuses) “Search” (The Wise Men) | Matthew 2:1-12 December 10 & 13 | Rev. Catherine Fluck Price (both campuses) “Follow” (Joseph) | Matthew 1:18-25 December 17 & 20 | Rev. Steve Price (both campuses) “Believe” (Mary) | Luke 1:39-55 Christmas Eve | Rev. Steve Price (LWR campus) Rev. Jennifer Potter (Bayshore campus) “Embrace” (The Shepherds) | Luke 2:1-20
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES Invite family, friends, and neighbors and join us for a very special evening as we celebrate the good news of Christmas. This year there are five opportunities to worship on Christmas Eve in two locations.
LAKEWOOD RANCH CAMPUS: 3 PM: A 50-minute service designed especially with families who have young children in mind. Come sing familiar carols and celebrate Jesus’ birthday. We’ll conclude with communion. There will be no candlelight at this service.
5 PM: A great option for persons of any age who want to gather early in the evening. Worship will include a time especially for children, upbeat music led by our Harvest praise band, a message of hope, communion, and a candlelight closing.
7 PM: Right in the heart of the evening, it’s a great time to come and join the Harvest family for a Christmas Eve celebration. Worship will include a time especially for children, upbeat music led by our Harvest praise band, a message of hope, communion, and a candlelight closing. Harvest Times | Harvest United Methodist Church | 6
9 PM: As the evening draws to a close, come and prepare your hearts for Christmas with a service of worship that will bring back fond memories. Worship will begin with the sound of familiar carols and will include special music from our adult choir, congregational singing with piano and organ, a message of hope, communion, and a candlelight closing. Childcare for children under 3 years old will be provided at 3, 5, and 7 PM in the Harvest nursery. Doors will open to the Harvest Centre for seating 30 minutes before each service.
BAYSHORE CAMPUS: 5 PM: Worship will include a time especially for children, music, a message of hope, communion, and a candlelight closing at Lee Middle School. Childcare for children under 4 years old will be provided.
GIFT WRAPPING AT WALMART You’re invited to share the joy of Christmas with the families of Falkner Farm at our annual Christmas Party at the farm! For over 10 years, Harvest has celebrated Christmas with families at Falkner, a local farming business that houses and employs migrant workers who labor hard to bring food to our tables. The people of Harvest and families of Falkner Farm spend time together at the party enjoying food, music, crafts, story-telling, and games. Harvest invites you to bless the children who live at Falkner Farm in a new way this year. Visit the Angel Trees in the Gathering Area and our website to find out how you can get involved. More Info: welcomeotharvest.com/falkner Gary Hansell | 908.487.0173
[email protected]
HARVEST ENDOWMENT The Harvest Endowment Fund has been established to provide long term support for the church in key areas of need such as facilities, scholarships for students in early childhood, college, and seminary, support for hunger ministries, support for disaster outreach, and the Memorial Garden. Endowment income provides the church a source of stability for ministries that are ongoing and key to serving less fortunate populations. Endowment support does not replace the annual giving program and other operational needs of the church. Contact your pastors or the Chair of the Endowment team, Jim Davis for more information or to express interest in contributing to the Harvest Endowment. More Info: Jim Davis | 540.539.9415
[email protected]
OCTOBER VITAL SIGNS
WORSHIP ATTENDANCE 2015: 700 2014: 620
Harvest is reaching out to our community this Christmas by offering free gift wrapping at the Walmart on SR 70, Lakewood Ranch. We are looking for volunteer servants who enjoy wrapping presents, as well as volunteers to greet shoppers and help them with their packages. We will be at Walmart on Saturday, December 19 from 10 AM - 6 PM and Sunday, December 20 from 12 - 6 PM. We anticipate volunteers working a two-hour shift. If you are interested in serving, please sign up at Hospitality Hub 1 at the Lakewood Ranch campus by Sunday, December 13. Because of your generosity last year, we only need cardboard boxes to use for wrapping gifts, gift tags, and bows. If you can help with these supplies, please drop them off at Hospitality Hub 1, by December 17. More Info: Ken Cerny |
[email protected] Melinda Cerny |
[email protected] 941.254.4099
LIFT IN PRAYER We invite you to lift in prayer the following Harvest family: Brenda Venhuizen and Allison Moe - Brenda’s mother Joyce passed away in November.
GOD OF MERCY, HEAR OUR PRAYERS
SMALL GROUPS 2015: 425 2014: 455
TITHES AND OFFERINGS 2015: $ 19,835 2014: $20,587
IMAGINE THE FUTURE 2015: $5,222 2014: $11,878
Numbers reflect weekly averages.
Harvest Times | Harvest United Methodist Church | 7
14305 Covenant Way Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED 941.907.7333 welcometoharvest.org
Non–Profit Organization U. S. Postage PAID Manasota, FL Permit No. 69
