Author: UMC

Black River Falls
United Methodist Church
100 North Fourth Street
Black River Falls, Wisconsin 54615
Return Service Requested
54615
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INWHA SHON, PASTOR
Worship Service: 9:00am
Sunday School:
9:15am (September - May)
6-7pm Children’s Class
Office Hours:
8:00am - 4:00pm
Monday-Friday
Telephone:
715-284-4114
Website: brfumc.org
“You Tube Live:
BRFUMC

THE BLACK RIVER
FALLS
UNITED
METHODIST
CHURCH
NEWSLETTER
"To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world ."

THE BLACK RIVER FALLS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
NEWSLETTER, DECEMBER 2022
“
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” - Ephesians 2:8-9
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus at BRF,
Peace be with you all. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends despite the pandemic and the cold weather.
Advent season began this past Sunday. The word advent is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival.” In the Christian calendar, Advent begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas. It is the season when we look back to Christ’s first coming, as a baby born in Bethlehem, and look forward to his second coming when He will return to renew and redeem every part of fallen creation. The advent season is, therefore, a time to reflect upon the promises of God and to anticipate the fulfillment of those promises. It is a time for remembering and rejoicing.
From Jesus’ genealogy in the book of Matthew, we find that the gospel is good news, not good advice. The story of Jesus does not begin once upon a time. It starts with a genealogy that is history, not a fairy tale. Jesus’ genealogy reveals what is rooted in history. Jesus Christ did not come to show us how to live so that we could save ourselves. Jesus lived and died in our place in order that God could put the penalty of our sins on Him rather than on us, and we could be saved by his Grace.
Secondly, Jesus’ genealogy tells that the gospel turns the values of world upside down. In the old days genealogy was like our resume. That resume bragged about the people in one’s family who were well known or great. In many cases, one thing that was kept out of genealogy was anybody who wasn’t quite right or wasn’t respectable. Skeletons in the closet were not included. However, in Jesus’ genealogy, we find that there were four women who were gentile or prostitutes. As you might know, in those patriarchal times, women were never included in genealogy. Jesus is not ashamed of these people. He is saying that anyone can be a member of his family. We are not saved by our pedigree or by our respectability. We are saved by grace. Jesus’ genealogy does not say that men are better than women, or the moral are better than the immoral, or the Jews are better than non-Jews. Jesus’ genealogy in the gospel is speaking to us of grace. All people are sinners and all people can be recipients of grace. Pedigree, credentials, money or beauty should not matter to us as Christians because they do not matter to God.
No matter who and what you are, if you turn to Him, you can be a member of Jesus’ family. God doesn’t care what you have done in the past. By God’s grace, we have true hope. May the grace and peace of God fill your hearts.
In Christ,
Pastor Rev. Inwha Shon
_________________________________________

PAGE 3 BRFUMC NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2022

DECEMBER

DECEMBER 2 Marguerite Paulin
DECEMBER 5 Lori Holcomb
DECEMBER 6 Jean Lovlien
DECEMBER 7 Eugene Krohn Jessa Ammann
DECEMBER 8 Mary Loveland
DECEMBER 12 Charlene Galston
DECEMBER 13 Roxie Hostrawser
DECEMBER 14 Sally Burgau
DECEMBER 15 Howard Gomer
DECEMBER 17 Samantha Hansen
DECEMBER 20 David Jelinek
DECEMBER 21 Sharon Nemec
DECEMBER 22 Elroy Dahl
Kathie Boehm
DECEMBER 24 Renee Nosbisch
DECEMBER 25 Karolyn Gjerseth Ryan Ransom
DECEMBER 26 Jason Breining
DECEMBER 27 Darrell Armbruster
Lisa Perry
DECEMBER 28 LeRoy Amborn
DECEMBER 29 Ellen Hieb
DECEMBER 30 Marcia Hagen
DECEMBER 31 Kristin Breining
Patrick Brauner

DECEMBER 11 Jeffrey & Cheryl Dolsey
DECEMBER 17 Rod & Katrina McGillivray
DECEMBER 18 Don & Evangeline Stender
DECEMBER 20 Richard & Judy Lee
DECEMBER 30 Robert & Selma Laubach
DECEMBER 31 Wallace & Linda Atkinson

DECEMBER 2 Riley Johnson
Anna Johnson
DECEMBER 16 Iris Zenz
DECEMBER 20 Charley Boehm
DECEMBER 23 Dylan Dutton
DECEMBER 25 Ella Peterson

PAGE 4 BRFUMC NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2022

FINANCIAL REPORT - For the Ten Months ended October 31, 2022
YTD Balance 2022 YTD Budget % of Budget
Income
Weekly Offerings $ 215,304.92 $ 235,174.00 91.56%
Special Offerings $ 50.00 $ 5,843.00 0.01%
Other Income $ 8,543.80 $ 16,600.00 51.47%
Total $ 223,898.72 $ 257,617.00 86.92%
Expenses
Apportionments $ 18,000.00 $ 36,002.00 50.00%
Programming $ 7,321.92 $ 8,449.00 86.67%
Pastoral Support $ 97,763.88 $ 98,000.00 99.76%
Program & Support Staff $ 47,951.50 $ 59,363.00 80.78%
Operations $ 45,956.19 $ 55,830.00 82.32%
Total $ 216,993.49 $ 257,644.00 84.23%
Difference $ 6,905.23 ($ 27.00)

In the first ten months of 2022, The church’s income is under budget by $33,718.28 or 13.08%. Expenses also are under budget by $40,650.51 or 15.77%. Though the church is doing satisfactorily at this time, we continue to ask that you keep praying for our church finances. We also ask that you prayerfully consider how you might help the church in the coming year.
We thank everyone in our church family for your continued support.

From your BRF UMC Finance Committee:
2022 is quickly coming to a close. I want to remind everyone to complete your Estimate of Giving commitments for this year. In order to get credit for your giving for 2022, your donations need to be in the church office by December 30th.
There are still 4 weeks of giving in December, but we anticipate that our total giving will not meet our total expenses. I say this because we have paid all of our bills, except the major obligation of paying our apportionments. As of the end of October, we have paid only 5 of the 12 installments.
Some of you may remember that this is equal or only slightly more than we have paid in the past couple of years; our goal is to pay the full amount. When local churches do not pay their apportionments, the Conference and national denomination are not able to meet all of their goals and obligations either.
2023 will present some exciting challenges as we continue to grow in faith and work to expand our ministries. Your time and talents along with your financial commitments will make these changes possible. If you have not returned your completed time and talent card(s) or the Estimate of Giving card, please do so. Your cards can be placed in the offering plates on Sundays or returned to the church office.
Jim Hornby
Finance Chair
Appreciatively,
Jim Hornby, Finance Chair

PAGE 5 BRFUMC NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2022

Connections

Wednesday Night Connections are continuing through December 14. Join us for a meal, fellowship and devotions. Meals begin at 4:45pm. Below is the current schedule:
DECEMBER 7 Served by: Imelda Kelley
DECEMBER 14 Served by : United Women in Faith
Thank you all who have made Wednesday Night Connections a huge success.
.

Seeking Applicants for Children’s Ministry Coordinator
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
We are blessed to have younger families with children in our church. The Staff Parish Relations Committee is looking for a person to lead the of Children’s Ministry.
This rewarding 5-10 hour/week opportunity for someone with love and enthusiasm for helping children learn about the Bible, God’s unending love and grace, and what it means to be a follower of Jesus. The coordinator works closely with the Children and Youth Activities Committee to select curriculum for Sunday School and Vacation Bible School (VBS). Additionally, they will help to recruit teachers for Sunday School (grade 4K – 5th grade) as well as coordinate and oversee VBS. Other responsibilities for this paid position, include the ability to evaluate the need for additional programs to support our families and children and work with our music coordinator to provide music for Church School.
If you, or someone you know would be interested in this position, please contact Carol Hornby at 715-896-7684 or chornby@centurytel.net
Katrina McGillivray
Chair, Staff Parish Relations Committee

PAGE 6 BRFUMC NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2022

Class 201: Discovering My Spiritual Maturity.
This class will be continue on Thursday(s) December 8th and 15th. 5:00-6:30. Dinner will be served.
Class 201 is designed to teach you about these simple habits and show you the different steps you can take to mature and grow as a Christian.
Join us for this informative session. Don’t miss out.

We wish you all a very happy start to this joyous holiday season.
"At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving others with God's own love and concern." --Mother Teresa-
Upcoming youth events--
*December 4th Church Celebration Sunday--please join us in worship as we celebrate all of our gifts and talents. Potluck to follow our 9am worship.
*December 4th Church Charge Conference--4pm. All confirmation students required to attend.
*December 5th Circle of Grace (all girls in grades 6th-12th) to join UWF for fellowship and card-making 5:30pm. Moms, aunts and grandmas welcome as well.
*December 7th Youth wrapping presents from 5-8pm for Project Christmas. Supper will be provided.
*December 14th Christmas Party--we will play games, eat snacks and celebrate the Birth of Jesus.
*December 21st NO YOUTH
*December 28th NO YOUTH
We look forward to seeing everyone back in 2023.
Suzanne and Chris
suziegoldsmith@hotmail.com
Suzanne 715-896-0224
Facebook: Black River Falls UMC Youth Group
Website: www.BRFUMC.org

PAGE 7 BRFUMC NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2022

Buying Scrip Cards makes it easier to do personal shopping and gift giving while helping to raise funds for our church. The church buys the cards at a discount and sells them to you at face value. The difference is profit for the church.
We have cards for several restaurants and businesses in the BRF, La Crosse and Eau Claire areas available for sale every Sunday. But even better, we can order cards for other places near and far.
Don't forget, cards cost less to mail to friends and relatives than larger packages.
Contact Marcia at 715-284-3346 if you have any questions.

Dear Members and Friends,
The time of year is here when we reflect on what we are thankful for and how we can make time spent with family and friends special and full of memories. United Women in Faith would like to thank those who have helped support our mission giving and those who remind us in often simple but meaningful ways of our ongoing support of women, children and youth here at home and around the world
The UWF magazine, response, shares many stories of how UWF dollars impact the lives of families. If you would like to meet families UWF has connected with and also how UWF units are involved with their communities and countries around the world, response magazines can be found on the bookshelf in the Wesley Room. When you have finished with the magazine, thank you for returning it for others to enjoy.
Include on your calendar our Monday, December 5 meeting at the church. We will meet at 5:30pm with a Potluck and Circle of Grace hosting. Our young women in Circle of Grace are sure to share a special Christmas program with us. We will be making Christmas cards to send out to our church members and friends. We hope you can join us.
Wishing you a Blessed Christmas,
Luane Meyer

PAGE 8 BRFUMC NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2022

Black River Falls United Methodist Church
Mission Outreach Committee report
Share some of your Christmas Spirit
Your Mission Outreach Committee invites you to join us in spreading the joy of Christmas. We are collecting Bingo prizes for Pine View Care Center and Meadowbrook Nursing Home. The holiday spirit will last into the New Year as the prizes are distributed into 2023.
A large “gift box” will be in the Gathering Area throughout December. Please check the suggested prize list below, add some items to your shopping list and bring them unwrapped to our “gift box”.
Thank you for sharing Christmas joy this year.
Preferred Prizes:
Crossword Puzzle books Suduko puzzle books
Word search puzzle books Small bottles of lotions
Small bottles of perfume Deodorants
Shampoos Jewelry
Packer items (pencils, erasers) Window hangers
Candy bars Individually sized bags of chips
**MISSION OUTREACH**: Has learned that the Friends' Food Shelf needs canned vegetables, canned fruit and peanut butter. There is a box in the Gathering Area for your donations. The box will remain in the Gathering Area through December 4. This is a good season to share with those who need food items. Please be sure that your donations are not out-of-date.
VOLUNTEERS are still wanted to ring a bell at Red Kettle Campaign by Salvation Army at Walmart or Hansen’s IGA, Nov. 19th -Dec. 24th. 9am-7pm. Contact the office if interested.

PAGE 10 BRFUMC NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2022

What happened on this day of Dec. 3
The Power of a Hero
December 3
Never underestimate the influence of your child’s heroes. Sixteen-year-old Francis Xavier moved to France from northern Spain, enrolling in the University of Paris and gained a reputation for being “charming, witty, urbane, athletic, musical, good-looking, successful with women, and somewhat vain… a complete worldling until one day he met… Ignatius Loyola.”
Loyola sought reformation within the Roman church. Loyola’s convictions so affected Francis that for the rest of his life he knelt when writing to Loyola or reading a reply. Together the two men established the Society of Jesus—the Jesuits—in 1534.
In the late 1530s Loyola and Xavier set off as ministers to Venice where they preached and worked in hospitals. Then with the blessing of Pope John III, Xavier left Europe as a missionary to the Orient. Arriving in India in 1542, he walked throughout the countryside, wearing poor clothing, incessantly ringing a little bell, and calling the inhabitants to turn from paganism to Christ. He focused on the children, advising a coworker, “I earnestly recommend to you the teaching of the children… since the grown-ups have no hankering for Paradise.”
Xavier journeyed on to Japan where he laid aside his rags, put on expensive clothing, and publicly debated Buddhist monks. Numbers of Japanese entered the Christian faith, but Xavier felt that the key to winning Japan was to first win the Chinese; so he set off for China. Waiting for an audience with the Chinese emperor and permission to preach, Xavier developed a fever, weakened and died on December 3, 1552.
Francis Xavier is the father of modern Catholic missions. He started life spoiled, but became one of the most courageous figures in missionary history. He laid the groundwork for the Catholic evangelism of the Orient and did it all in just a ten-year period.
Such is the power of a hero.
“Wise friends make you wise, but you hurt yourself by going around with fools.
You are in for trouble if you sin, but you will be rewarded if you live right.”
- Proverbs 13:20-21
Morgan, Robert J., On This Day