A Message from the Minister – I write these words on the day of first snow for the fall of 2007.  Already we are at the threshold of the season of Advent.  Forms to provide the Church with poinsettia plants have already found their way into our worship bulletins.  On Sunday, November 25, members will gather for the Hanging of the Greens following worship at 12:30 PM. This event has come to include purposeful activity for all ages, and leaves the church looking festive for the many worship opportunities that will follow.  Among the latter are:

a Children’s Pageant on Sunday, December 2, at 5:00 PM;

our annual Vespers Service on Sunday, December 16, at 5:00 PM;

and three services of worship on Christmas Eve including

a Family Service at 5:00 PM,

a Service of Seasonal Music at 9:00 PM and

a Midnight Service beginning at 11:00 PM.

Decorations will remain up through the Sunday following Christmas, when we will meet for a single service of worship at 10:00 AM that will include Questions from the Pew.

I have a little note to myself that pops up on my PDA calendar this time of year that says: "Limit Sweets and Activities." There are typically so many extra treats to snack upon brought to the church office this time of year, and lots of extra Christmas gatherings to which I get invited. If I eat everything I want I am sure to balloon to such proportions as are ill-suited for the clothes in my closet. If I add extra social events I am sure to run myself ragged (which explains why our Staff Christmas Party is typically held in June). So far I have not heeded my PDA reminder too well, but there is still time to make a correction before things get out of hand.

Maybe now is a good time to remind ourselves to "Prepare the way of the Lord," as John the Baptist put it just prior to Christ’s arrival on the scene. How do we do that? The answer is always the same: by drawing near to God’s Holy Word. Perhaps we should make a mental note to ourselves to be extra faithful to our pews, or participate in the Bible Study opportunities available on Sunday morning and throughout the week. Maybe a personal devotion is in order. I just came across a Family Advent Wreath Devotion developed by the United Methodist Church at http://www.cummingfirst.com/adventdev.html (we will also have families lighting our Advent Wreath at worship services throughout the four Sundays in Advent and Christmas Eve). We can subscribe to have a free daily Advent devotion emailed to us throughout the season of Advent at http://www.goshen.edu/devotions/Lenten_Devotions (if you stay subscribed you will also received daily Lenten devotions when that season of the Christian year arrives). What a good way to start each day.

The Church in Aurora will also make available many ways for us to embody the Word by remaining mindful and responsive to the needs of others through service opportunities and special offerings. In these and other ways we will "Prepare the way of the Lord" this Advent Season. In the meanwhile, I will look forward to greeting you as brothers and sisters in the Household of God where we are always about the good work of "Raising Up a Family of Faith." -Bill

December 2 – Rev. Schnell

December 9 – Rev. Schnell

December 16 – Rev. Schnell

December 23 – Rev. Horak

December 24 – Rev. Schnell (Christmas Eve)

December 30 – Rev. Schnell

October 28 – 9:30 - 156; 11:00 - 158; Total – 314

November 4 – 9:30 - 176; 11:00 - 108; Total – 284

November 11 – 9:30 - 179; 11:00 - 109; Total – 288

November 18 (Honor a Friend Day) – 9:30 - 175; 11:00 – 203; Total – 378

First Time Visitors – (10-21) Barbara & Harl Evans of Berea (10-28) Annie Lewis of Utah, Martin & Martha Vanek of Chagrin Falls (11-11) Nicholas & Lisa Trudick of Aurora, Joan Wilson of Bratenahl, Kurt & Renee Hanna of Aurora, Daniel Wilt of Bratenahl (11-18) Mary Zalewski of Streetsboro, Marie Roder of Aurora, Dianne Demer of Aurora, Lori Blair of North Canton, Jan Yanky of Solon, Ellen Flint of Aurora, June & Bob Popham of Maryland, Elaine Kuebler of Hudson.

Births – Chloe Sutter, daughter of Liz & Josh Sutter, granddaughter of Donna Curtis

Baptisms – Nathan Robert Laslo, son of Robert & Ann Laslo; Edward Cadyn Wurm;

Memorials – Ruth Brown, mother of Andi Siewiorek;

Evan Jones was the top finisher for the boys of AHS at the Division II state cross country meet.

John Kudley is writing a second volume of Aurora’s history.

29 of our youth are on the Harmon Honor Roll for this first nine weeks.

Thank You for the Thank You – Pastor Appreciation Month has come and gone this year, but the many expressions of kindness shown both of us continue to linger in our thoughts and warm our hearts. We feel so blessed to serve such an affirming and supportive congregation. You really stand out in that way, and we thank God for you! Most Sincerely, Bill & Kevin.

Amy Logan is a fulltime homemaker who enjoys making visually pleasing scrapbooks out of the stuff we usually cram into our closets. She also enjoys hiking with her husband, Timothy, whose outdoor activities include hunting, fishing and golf. Tim is a Regional Sales Manager for The Hartford Company. The Logans have one daughter, Eva (pronounced eh-vah), who is 1 ½, as well as a cat named Amber and a fish named Fish.

Michelle Brown is also a fulltime homemaker who is immersed in the lives of daughters Hannah (4 ½) and Tyler (2). Her little free time will find her knitting and reading, which is good because her husband, Mason, enjoys writing (poetry and plans for a guide to life for his children). Mason is a Purchasing Manager for ANS Distributing. The Browns have a year-old cockapoo puppy.

Jerry Reichelt is a Plant Manager for Aleris International (an aluminum producer). His interests include fly fishing, woodworking and golf, a pastime he shares with his wife, Lin. She is a former educator who now enjoys knitting, hiking and music at the Cleveland Symphony and Blossom. The Reichelt’s have 2 grown daughters, 3 grandchildren and a grandchild due around Christmas. They just celebrated their 40^th wedding anniversary.

ANNUAL REPORTS DUE – Please note that annual reports from all committees are due in the church office no later than Monday, December 17.

2009 WILL BE HERE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT! The church will celebrate its bicentennial that year and we are already getting ready. Let us know what you would like to see as part of that very special celebration. All ideas and suggestions can be forwarded on to Rev. Horak.

Live Christmas Trees for Sale – Aurora Cub Scouts will be selling trees this holiday season next to Hollywood Video. Trees will be on sale beginning Nov. 24 and ending Dec. 23. Sales are open from 6 – 8:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday evenings, with Saturday/Sunday sales from 10 a.m. to 7 and 6 p.m. respectively.

Trust Me! - Has someone ever told you, "Trust me," and then let you down? Our Stephen Ministers are people you really can trust. They are committed to providing the best Christian care possible to their care receivers. They are people you can trust and depend on.

3H PM.  We will gather on Thursday, December 13, 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Stephen Ministry Room. Prayer shawls, baby blankets, and Chapters 7 & 8 of Believing God. ~ Kathleen Horak, 562-1930.

Caring Tree – It’s time: The tree is up and it will be decorated with caring cards. There are three Sundays, November 25, December 2 and 9, when you can sign up. Gifts can be placed under the tree anytime, BUT MUST BE THERE BY DECEMBER 16. Gifts should be wrapped and have the index card taped to the outside. Be sure to have your selection recorded. Blessings!

Women’s Guild – The Women’s Guild has a wonderful program for December with a visit from Mary Ellin Barrett, Irving Berlin’s oldest daughter. She will be portrayed by Damaris Peters Pike, perhaps known to some of you already. Damaris promises a Christmas sing-along as well,

As is our custom, we will hear a delightful Christmas story by Sally McGill. She always "puts us in the Christmas spirit".

The luncheon will be at the Aurora Country Club on Wednesday, December 12^th, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Reservations are a must and can be made through December 9^th. You can make them between services for the next four weeks or by sending a check to Anne Ramsay at 561 Willard Road. The cost is $18.50 per person.

Circle D will meet on Thursday, December 13^th (note the change of date). We will meet at the home of Eva Homes, 680 Ridgeway Drive, in Walden at 12:00 noon. This will be a Christmas celebration together for lunch and bridge or Skip-Bo

Toddy's Christmas Shoppe will offer gently used Holiday items at very reasonable prices from Sunday, November 25-December 16. Located on the stage in Fellowship Hall, this popular swap is continuing in memory of Toddy Jadrych who loved Christmas and our youth. The proceeds will benefit the Work Camp Fund. If you have items to donate, please contact Flip Eavenson @330-995-6268 for pick-up or further information. HAPPY SHOPPING!

Adult Christian Education Survey – The CE Committee would like your input. If you have interest in a short study on any of the topics below, please contact Toni Harris at 330 562-8266 or cedirector@alltel.net. Be sure to let us know when you are available. Thank you.

Book Group News – The next gathering of the book study group will be on Wednesday, December. 5, from 7:00-8:00pm in the Church Library. This month’s selection is Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia, by Elizabeth Gilbert. For more information, contact Bonnie Niebuhr (995-5084).

Vespers Service – Don’t miss our beautiful Vespers Service on December 16 at 5:00 in the Sanctuary.

All of our choirs will be participating. The service will be followed by a Silver Tea in the Fellowship Hall. Join us for a wonderful holiday tradition of music and fellowship.

"A giving option for those over 70 ½" – For taxpayers at least 70 1/2 years old, the Pension Protection Act of 2006 allows up to $100,000 annually in IRA distributions to be made directly to a qualified charitable organization without the contributor including the distribution in Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).  If the distribution is not included in AGI, no charitable deduction is allowed on IRS Form 1040 Schedule A.  This may be the last year for this deduction. Specific questions should be referred to a qualified tax professional.

This could provide a viable means of making a Faith Promise or making donations to the church in general. Faith Promises can also be paid by donating stock to the church through our account with Wachovia. Call Carol Keister (330-562-8266X225) for details.

The Stewardship Committee

The Workcamp Committee would like to thank those of you who enlisted our help for your Fall Chores. We hope you enjoyed getting to know some of our great youths, and we greatly appreciate your generous donations. We plan to offer this service YEAR-ROUND, so if you have any chores we can help you with, please call Jenni Ticer @330-995-9318. THANK YOU!

If you need information about any of our fund-raising projects, please contact the Eavensons at 330-995-6268. Your generosity is helping defray the expenses of an almost $14,000.00 Workcamp Mission Trip. The efforts of these 28 youth and 8 adult, selfless individuals will help enable many elderly, poor and/or physically or mentally challenged family members remain in their 50-60 renovated homes in Wilmington, NC, next July. This will again extend the outreach of the members of The Church in Aurora. Thank you, again!

Circle A will be holding a bake sale of delicious Holiday Breads on December 9 between services and after the 11:00 service in Fellowship Hall. Proceeds will go toward the church library.

3-H Circle December Project: Prepare Men’s Shelter Gift Bags. 3-H Circle will be filling and wrapping our previously-decorated gift bags for the VOA men’s shelters in December. Packing 160 each of hats, gloves and sox will keep us busy…we need many Helping Hands to bring Hope to these men. Won’t you join us in Fellowship Hall at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, December 7? Bring a friend, too. For more information, call Marion Tarbell at 330-571-4500.

Wanted! Used Ink Cartridges and Cell phones—Upgrading your cell phones this holiday season? Don't throw away your old ones! Please save them for the Workcamp Fund. A drop-off basket is in the Great Hall. Large quantity pick-ups of laser print cartridges are available. Contact Kim Williamson at 330-562-4930 for information. HELP SAVE OUR LANDFILLS while providing financial support for Work Camp!

A reminder of two CARE TEAM services brought to you year-round: If you missed a service and would like an audio tape, please contact Flip Eavenson @330-995-6268, or borrow one from the church Library (located in the top drawer of the cherry chest near the door). As the weather changes, please remember members of the CARE TEAM offer parking assistance during Sunday services to those in need. Please contact Flip Eavenson by the Saturday before, if you desire this "service with a smile"! 

In-House Hospice Solutions is seeking volunteers to assist patients, families and staff. The Beacons of Hope Volunteer Program provides free training for those who wish to assist our patients living with terminal illness and their loved ones. Opportunities include direct patient contact, clerical and crafts. You can make a difference in our patient’s lives and their family’s! Please call Jennifer Killby, Volunteer Coordinator, for more information at 888-260-9835.

Mission of the Month – This month the Missions Committee is focusing on World Neighbors and World Vision.

World Neighbors is a not-for-profit community development organization working in partnership with the rural poor in hundreds of villages throughout Asia, Africa and Latin America. Since 1951, they have helped more than 25 million people in 45 nations improve their lives and the communities where they work. Their Adopt-a-Village Program helps sponsor projects specific to one locale.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people.

In December the Missions Committee will be dedicating the Vespers and Christmas offerings to America’s Second Harvest/Cleveland Food Bank and Haven of Rest Ministries respectively.

Behind the Scenes – High School kids these days are very busy – with sports practices, music lessons, part-time jobs, and lots of homework. But isn’t it nice to know that some of them make the time to be involved here at church? Jake Ticer is a regular participant in both church school and youth group. He is currently on the Cabinet for the youth group. He has been described as a great leader among the kids, and a natural mentor for the younger ones. Jake has attended Workcamp three times, and volunteers his time for their fundraisers. Ask Elaine Duncan what a nice job he did of stacking her firewood (with a little help from Stephen Wong). He has volunteered at Nutcracker, working in the parking lot, helping vendors load up and helping to put everything back together on Saturday night. Jake is a member of the high school handbell choir. Thank you, Jake, for all that you have given to The Church in Aurora.

PROMISELAND NEWS

Thank you to our latest teachers of….

Joseph in Egypt

The story of Joseph continued in our November workshops as he became a trusted servant in the house of Potiphar. This story, found in Genesis 39, explored Joseph’s life in Egypt. In the beginning of the story, we see a dysfunctional family with too many self-interests. Here we find sibling rivalry at its worst (how many siblings actually get to sell off their annoying little brother?), compounded by the brothers’ lie to their grief stricken father that his favorite son has been killed by a wild animal.

Once in Egypt, Joseph is taken as a servant into the household of Potiphar, a high ranking Egyptian official. Joseph’s intelligence and charm soon earn him a promotion, as well as the attentions of Potiphar’s wife. When he refuses her advances on moral grounds, she sees that he is thrown into prison. There, in the midst of despair in yet another pit, he becomes acquainted with his cellmates, both of whom had been Pharaoh’s servants. Through the interpretation of their dreams, he eventually finds his way into Pharaoh’s presence, who himself is having disturbing dreams. Pharaoh’s dreams are ones of feast and famine. Joseph interprets those dreams, and offers a plan to conserve food during the feast years so that there will be adequate grain during the famine years.

It comes to pass as Joseph had predicted, the famine hits not only Egypt, but Canaan where Joseph’s father and brothers are also starving. They have heard that there is food in Egypt. When they arrive, they do not recognize the official in charge of food distribution, but they know he is powerful and bow to him (a fulfillment of one of Joseph’s childhood dreams). Joseph recognizes them.

Joseph now has a choice: revenge or redemption. He has the power to persecute or starve them. God has worked in Joseph’s heart while he was in both pits and palaces. He has seen how God has used the experiences in his life, the good and the bad, to bring him to the place where he stands before his brothers, their very lives in his hands. Joseph will not allow harm to come to his brothers. He does however put them to a test. Once he has determined that their hearts are changed, he reveals himself to them, and they find reconciliation. It is through this action that the people of Israel are saved from starvation. They stay in Egypt and prosper, thus setting the stage for the next movement in salvation history.

Thank you to these teachers………

Our Cooking Workshop this month is being taught by several of our Youth Group members, namely Christene Buonpane, Sarah Poe and Samantha Rubino. All of these teens were very active leaders in this past summer’s Vacation Bible School. Our young children love them and respond well to their leadership. In this class, the children are making 12 Tribes Trail Mix, learning how these 12 separate brothers united as the 12 Tribes of Israel. They are learning about Jacob’s blessings and discussing the role of blessings in their lives.

June Lucal has returned for another art workshop, Created by the Spirit. In this class the children are creating Egyptian relief plaques, depicting the scenes of Joseph’s life in Egypt.

In Mary & Martha’s Bed & Breakfast, Benjamin (Rodger Shaulis), the youngest of the twelve brothers, is telling his story to the children and how he nearly spent his life in prison.

Our Puppetry Workshop is a beehive of creativity, as Dana Shively leads the children in creating puppet shows to visualize the dreams of Joseph’s cellmates and the Pharaoh. Big dreams of visions are contemplated, including Dr. Martin Luther King’s I have a Dream speech.

Christmas Around the World

Beginning December 2

The foundation for Christmas is found in the scriptures and in the reality that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah, the Christ, the Savior. The story is found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, each delivering different aspects directed to different audiences. From the start, the scriptures realized that various cultures would interpret this mysterious arrival of God on earth within the contexts of their own world views. One of the names for Jesus is Immanuel, meaning "God With Us". As God chose to become incarnate and walk among us as a human, the mystery of this opens the door to many local interpretations.

As the Gospel of Jesus Christ spread throughout the world, the scripture was indeed interpreted to reflect the local cultures. Often, the Christmas story was associated with a festival that was already in existence at the time and was pagan in origin. Some cultures focus on the birth narrative; the Posada in Mexico remembers the plight of Mary and Joseph in their journey to find a place to sleep. Some focus on Epiphany, the arrival of the three magi to the nativity. And almost universally, a figure has emerged who hands out presents. Whether named Santa Claus, Befana, Baboushks, Christkindl, Papai Noel, the legends connect the gift giving of the magi and the generosity of spirit among people of faith. Rather than deal with the reality of Santa, it is easier and safer to simply refer to him as a figure who emerged after the scriptures were written. Without making judgments, we can evaluate celebrations as to their basis in scripture or their glorification of God.

It is easy for the legends that are post-scriptural to become commercial. Wrapped in the purchase of presents and the display of decorations, the focus of Christmas can be so secular that one might not even know that it is associated with Jesus. It is important to ponder how our own family traditions celebrate the birth of the Messiah.

There is a wonderful resource that promotes images of the Holy Family from around the world. It is Building Bridges Images (800) 325-6263 or www.bridgebuilding.com.

Coming in January……

The Samaritan Woman at the Well

From all of us to all of you…..