The Messenger December 2018

SOUTH HILLS CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)
December Calendar:
OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY- THURSDAY 9AM TO 4PM & FRIDAY 10AM TO 2PM
WORSHIP SUNDAY- 8:30AM & 10:30AM
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES 9:30AM
SAT- 1
SUN - 2
MON- 3
TUES - 4
WED- 5
THURS- 6
FRI- 7
SAT- 8
Congregational
Meeting 9:15am
Congregational
Meeting 11:30am
Staff Meeting
1:30pm
Disciples
Women
Ministry Circles
10am
Room in the Inn
5pm
Choir
Rehearsal
7pm
Church
Women
United
Advent
Celebration
10:30am
Refugee
Services of
Texas Style
show 12pm
SUN - 9
MON- 10
TUES - 11
WED- 12
THURS- 13
FRI- 14
SAT- 15
Paul Demer
Worship Music
All Church
Brunch 9:30am
Elders Meeting
11:30am
SUN - 16
Ladies Senior
Singles
Luncheon
11:30am
Staff Meeting
1:30pm
MON- 17
Disciples
Women
Ministry
Luncheon 12pm
Faithful Vice
7pm
Room in the Inn
5pm
TUES - 18 WED- 19
Choir
Rehearsal
7pm
THURS- 20
Las Posadas
6pm
FRI- 21 SAT- 22
All Church out to
Lunch 12pm
Youth Christmas
Party 6pm
Staff Meeting
1:30pm
Symphonic Band
Concert 7pm
Room in the Inn
5pm
Choir
Rehearsal
7pm
SUN - 23 MON- 24
TUES - 25
WED - 26 THURS- 27 FRI- 28 SAT- 29
Christmas Eve
Service in the
Park 7pm
Christmas Day
office closed
OFFICE CLOSED
Christmas Eve
Service 11pm
SUN - 30
MON- 31
5th Sunday
Service projects
OFFICE CLOSED
Worship 11am

WORSHIP
DECEMBER 2
Rev. Dottie Cook, preaching
Psalm 25:1-10, Luke 21:25-36
“If not now, when?”
Nancy Rowe, Chris Maier, Barry Johnson
DECEMBER 9
Rev. Dottie Cook, preaching
Malachi 3:1-4, Luke 3:1-5
“Clearing the Path”
Ronnie Wilson, Sharon Beaucond, Lucy Maier
DECEMBER 16
Rev. Dottie Cook, preaching
Isaiah 12:2-6, Luke 3:7-18
“Opening the Doors”
Emily Gabehart-Weuste, Ed McMahon,
Leighton Clark
DECEMBER 23
Rev. Dottie Cook, preaching
Micah 5:2-5a, Luke 1:39-45
“Welcome without seeing”
Sydney Wirsdorfer, Arch Mayfield, Nancy Rowe
DECEMBER 30
5th Sunday Service Projects 9am
Lessons and Carols 11 am
Julliette Fowler (in Dallas) worship, meet at the
church at 2pm
IN OUR PRAYERS
Tamica Branch graduated from Air Force Tech
School Fleet Management
The family and friends of Saundra Buckingham
memorial service held October 17th
The family and friends of Maureen Sullivan,
Memorial Service held November 17th
Deacons
8:30am Service
• Sarah Guenther
10:30am Service
• Suzanne Ashmore
• David Gabehart-Weuste
• Bradleigh Taylor
• Diane Malone
• Felicia Taylor
• Karen Dungan
MEAL COORDINATOR
Sharon Beaucond
01
THE MESSENGER | WORSHIP

SHCC YOUTH
With this being the season of advent we are eagerly awaiting the birth of Christ, and so the youth will
be waiting and celebrating the only way we know how. With a Christmas party of course! The party will
be December 16th at 6pm in the youth room. We will be doing a white elephant gift exchange as well as
listening to our favorite Christmas music. There may even be a corgi shaped reindeer there but who's to
say? We will also be examining our Christmas traditions and where they come from by studying the birth
narratives in the New testament, as well as some outside sources on the history of the season.If your youth
are interested or planning on coming to the party on the 16th please email me at youth@shccfw.org so I
can get an early head count. Have a merry Christmas, and a happy new year!
MIDWINTER RETREATS:
Senior Retreat- January 11-13
JYF- January 25-27
Chi-Rho - February 1-3
CYF- February 15-17
THE HOLIDAY SEASON
ROB LANEY
I want to share this message from monthly musical
contributor Paul Demer, to his colleagues and fans:
"A friend once told me, "you don't have to be old to be old."
I think what he meant is that it doesn't take long before
we get boring (wink). The simple joy of human being is
replaced with the sometimes soul-crushing work of human
doing. When we were kids everything was brand new - the
sunset was magic, the music made us move, and we were
all artists. Somewhere along the line we lose that. Whether
it's overwork, relational stress, or crushed dreams, we lose
the wonder. We get old. But I don't want to lose the magic.
I'm convinced that wonder is a daily choice. Do we see
life as a burden to be escaped, a game to be won, or a gift
to be received? Childhood can teach us about gratitude.
Kids may not always be grateful, but they are always the
recipients of gratis provision. Before we learned to work,
we learned to receive. And, if Christmas morning is any
indication, there is wonder in a gift received. If wonder and
gratitude are related, perhaps gratitude is a path to life. I
wrote this song because I long to experience each day as
a gift - to finally see the way that I used to. Teach me how
to wonder, that I might practice gratitude, and, from the
abundance of that gift, share a glimpse of life with those
around me.
Peace,
Paul"
This holiday season we are blessed to have the
pianistic collaborations of my dear wife Emily Laney
and the also talented Mamie Snead. The Chancel
Choir’s Christmas contributions include, back by
popular demand, opportunities for the congregation
to sing along with the choir on a special arrangement
of the opening hymn.
Please plan to join us when we sing Christmas
carols through the neighborhood for Las Posadas on
Friday evening December 14th. The event recalls the
journey of Mary and Joseph to find a place for the
birth of our savior. We meet in the Great Hall @ 6pm.
The Fort Worth Symphonic Band, under the direction
of our own Paul Smith, returns to the Great Hall on
Monday evening December 17 @ 7pm. They never fail
to cheer, entertain, inspire and are not to be missed.
A splendid time is guaranteed for all!
May this season help us all to remember the sacred
gifts of Hope, Love Peace and Joy. -Rob
THE MESSENGER | SPIRITUAL LIFE 02

DISCIPLES WOMEN MINISTRY
Upcoming Dates:
12/4: Lesson 4-
Lydia, positioned for
purpose”
Scripture: Acts 16:11-
15, 40
Circle 1 Study:
Worship: Mary
Maxine Palmer
Church Parlor Hostess:
Sydney Wirsdorfer
Circle 2 Study:
Worship: Peggy Verdery
Hostess: at the home of Dianne Taliaferro
10/11:
Christmas Luncheon in the Parlor
Guest: Sharon Beaucond presents “The Preacher’s Soprano
Kid”
Hostesses: Marilyn, Shirley, and Dianne
Outreach/Service December Focus:
• Salvation Army Angel Tree - gift bags for two
children. (Children assigned by circle - circle
callers will provide specifics)
ROOM IN THE INN
Starts: Wednesday, December 5 5:00 pm
Our Inn opens on Wednesday, December 5th! Once
again we will open our church building to host
guests without a home, for 13 Wednesday evenings
& Thursday mornings of December, January &
February!
• The online Room in the Inn Volunteers SignUp
link has been reset for our Winter dates (type in
http://signup.com/go/YEkqato & then bookmark
it for future reference!)
• Volunteer opportunities are now available
from Wednesday, December 5th thru Thursday
February 28th.
As you plan holiday travel or look forward to
welcoming visitors for the season, consider which
Wednesday evenings or Thursday mornings you
might include in your festivities, helping to create a
welcoming Inn. Invite a friend, family members, or
your group to serve with you as a meaningful way
to celebrate the hospitality of Christmas & the New
Year!
We love to share the joy of RITI with others ~ New
volunteers are always welcome!
Questions? Feel free to contact:
• Margie Lawrence: email- mlawr3703@aol.com;
phone- 817-266-4407
• Trisha Stanfill: email- stanfill@flash.net; phone-
817-294-9868
Access the SignUp link on our www.
shccfw.org website, or bookmark this link
for easy reference:
http://signup.com/go/YEkqato
RITI Donation Wish List:
• inexpensive reading glasses
(various strengths)
• current magazines
• chapstick
• bottled water
Travel-sized only:
• shaving cream
• deodoran
• body powder
• hand sanitizer
03
THE MESSENGER | SPIRITUAL LIFE

Standing in the season of Thanksgiving and leaning into Advent, I continue to be thankful for your
generosity, the tremendous work done by the staff and congregational leadership in my absence and the
warm welcome home.
COOK'S CORNER
from the desk of
rev. Dottie Cook
There is so much to share, I struggle to know where to begin. Who wants to hear about ordinary things like
the refinishing/painting project that I was certain I would complete during this time. Well…… when I was in
FW, either the mosquitos refused, no matter what I did, to allow me time outside to work or it was raining or
about to rain or had rained and the wood couldn’t be worked on. Tomorrow is another day.
One place I would like to begin is with the daily devotional guide we shared. I was quite surprised at times, by
the fact that the reading for the day addressed perfectly where I was and what I was doing. There is no way I
could have planned those moments of intersection. Perhaps they came because of my perspective that day in
reading. Perhaps they were God speaking to the moment. I often think happenings like that are samples of
God’s sense of humor. I look forward to having some conversations about your experiences of the devotional
guide, after the first of the year. (Wow that once seemed so far away!)
In addition to our devotional guide, another book that has shaped my daily reflections is the Celtic Daily
Prayer book. I have wandered through this book for years and now having visited some of the places
referenced and even met some of the contributors, as a result, this book has taken a whole new turn in my life.
As we are looking at expanding our learning opportunities at the beginning of the year, another book I would
love for us to explore together is The Lord is My Shepherd, healing wisdom of the 23rd Psalm, by Rabbi Harold
Kushner. I received this book as a thank you from part of my adopted family who stayed with me recently.
The author’s wisdom, insights and experiences are gifts to us all.
I will be sharing more and more about my journeys during our time apart, both physical and spiritual. There
are photos, not professional or semi-professional, by any means. And there continue to be stories. Yours and
mine.
Grace and Peace,
Dottie
THE MESSENGER | SPIRITUAL LIFE 04

DATES TO
REMEMBER:
12/4/2018:
TARRANT CHURCHES
TOGETHER EVENT
10:30AM
12/8/2018:
REFUGEE SERVICES
OF TEXAS STYLE
SHOW 12PM
12/14/2018:
LAS POSADAS 6PM
12/17/2018:
SYMPHONIC BAND
CONCERT 7PM
12/24/2018:
CHRISTMAS EVE
WORSHIP
7PM & 11PM
12/30/2018:
5TH SUNDAY SERVICE
PROJECTS 9AM
COMMUNITY UPDATES
DON TATLOCK
TARRANT CHURCHES TOGETHER HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
People moving to change their lives often need additional encouragement and
help. TCT’s Home for the Holidays banquet of caring provides an opportunity to
help ward off loneliness and depression for individuals and families who have
recently moved off the streets into transitional supportive housing.
Home for the Holidays Meal-
• If you are interested in helping with meal items (dressing, mash potatoes,
etc.), please sign up to bring Thanksgiving- style food items that
will be served to individuals and families who have recently transitioned
out of homelessness. The sign up and meal items information is: https://
www.signupgenius.com/
go/70a0848aea822a6f58-
home
• Or you can contact Lindsay
Klatzkin directly at 817-888-
6388
Warm food will be delivered to Western Hills United Methodist Church (2820 Laredo
Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76116) on December 4, 2018 between 10:00-10:30 am to the
parking lot near the courtyard gate. Call Lindsay at 817-888-6388 for questions or
help.
Date: 12/04/2018 (Tue.)
Time: 10:30am - 11:00am CST Location: Western Hills United Methodist Church,
2820 Laredo Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76116
LAS POSADAS
Friday night December 14th at 6 pm
Join us for our community Las Posadas as we go caroling around the
community with the South Hills elementary choir and PTA families.
Afterwards, we will gather in the fellowship hall for some hot chocolate and
cookies and continue singing Christmas songs.
THE MESSENGER | COMMUNITY CONNECTION 05

Refugee Services of Texas Style Show
December 8th 12pm
Come and visit with RST families and see the handcrafted
clothes made by refugee women
RST is looking for community members to sponsor
refugee families' holiday Wish Lists! This is an
awesome opportunity for families to play Santa
and give back to the community! We have about 12
families and 14 single clients who still need to be
sponsored.
The basics:
• Each family member gets to write down a want, a need and all their clothing and shoes sizes. We then
inform them that they will receive at least one of the items they write down.
• We aim to have each individual gift be under $50. So, a family of 4 should cost about $200 to sponsor.
• You as the community member decide how many families you can commit to sponsoring and I pass along
their wish lists on Monday 11/19.
• We ask that all gifts are purchased by Friday December 14th as we will have a delivery party on Saturday
December 15th!
• All gifts will be delivered to client's homes Dec 15 between 10 am and 2 pm. We will be having a delivery
party that day in the office with hot chocolate and cookies!
>If you cannot deliver them on this day, or if your client does not want the gift delivered due to
confidentiality reasons, we ask that you drop off the gifts at our office by Friday 12/14.
If you are interested to sponsor a family, please contact Ayesha Hassan, Volunteer Coordinator at Refugee
Services of Texas. Her email is: ahassan@rstx.org;
Or contact Don Tatlock for more information.
5TH SUNDAY
December 30th, 2018
In addition to our JPS goodie bags and Wellington Oaks activities, we will make “white” gifts to take to
Juliette Fowler Communities. Please bring white bags and white wrapping paper as well as hygiene items
(soap, toothpaste, deodorant, etc) to wrap as gifts.
On Fifth Sunday, we will be leading the worship
service at Juliette Fowler Communities. We will meet
at the church at 2 pm to head over to Dallas.
06
THE MESSENGER | COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Disciples Of Christ -
A movement for wholeness
in a fragmented world
INSTANT CHURCH DIRECTORY
http://www.shcc.org/
We want to keep our directory as up to date
as possible, but we need your help. Please
send any email, address, phone changes to
the church office. Also you can email photo
updates – just attach one to your email. We
are setting up a time to take photos on Sunday
morning. Let us know if you would like a
photo taken on Sunday morning.
MINISTERIAL STAFF
Rev. Dottie Cook Senior Minister
Rev. Don Tatlock Community Minister
Rob Laney Music Director
Mason Wagner Youth Minister
SUPPORT STAFF
Kaye Reynolds Office Administrator
Bob Chilton Property Manager
Nathaniel Cook Media Coordinator
Maria Barrios Nursery Care
BOARD OFFICERS
Tony Lilburn Moderator
Tim Malone Vice Moderator
Nadia Lahutsky Secretary
Janet Swan Financial Secretary
Marybeth Guenther Treasurer
Please email updates and changes to
media@shccfw.org
ONLINE CALENDAR
http://shccfw.org/news-events/calendar/
South Hills Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
3200 Bilglade Rd.
Fort Worth, Texas 76133
Phone: 817-926-5281
Email: office@shccfw.org
Web: www.shccfw.org
Facebook
@shccfw
Instagram:
@shcc_fw
Twitter:
@shcc_fw