Dear Friends,
edition of Messenger 2006 find you in worship and awe of the Savior and King who has come down from heaven for you and me as a tiny Babe. Let's come and worship Him this Christmas with our family and friends. And let's prepare to usher in the New Year 2007 as we seek the Lord and His blessing.
May all the blessings that Christ has brought be ours that we may know and respond to the amazing love of God and follow Christ now and always!

With joy,
Pastor Julia YH Yim

COMING IN JANUARY 2007:

• Ministry Leaders Dedication - Sunday, January 7th. As we start the New Year, we seek God's grace and want to renew our commitment and dedicate ourselves to Christ and His purpose.
• Day of Prayer for the New Year - Sat, January 20th

SUNDAY SCHOOL PROJECT: We need your old 2006, 8x10 or larger paper wall calendars for a Sunday school project. Calendars can be dropped off in the Sunday school office or in a box in the South Transept. Thank you!

PLEDGE CARDS: If you have not had a chance to express your financial support for the church by submitting your 2007 pledge card, you can still do so. You may drop it in the offering plate or mail it to the Church Office. Pledge cards are available at the Office.

NURSERY SCHOOL REGISTRATION: for September 2007 classes is Thursday, January 18 at 9:30am in the Bike Room for church members and presently enrolled students. Open registration is Friday, January 19 at 9:30am in the Library. We have programs for children 18 months through 4 years old. Class times and rates are available in the Nursery School Office and flyers are posted throughout the building. Please call the Nursery School Office at 516-293-9078 for more information.

LITURGISTS/COMMUNION STEWARDS/USHERS/ GREETERS: Those who wish to assist in worship in these capacities for the year 2007, please call the Church Office.

DEADLINES for printed announcements are as follows: Messenger: Mondays 2:00pm; Bulletin Insert: Wednesdays, 2:00pm.

LEADER TO LEADER WORKSHOPS: Jan. 27th 8:30am-12:00pm at the Smithtown UMC. Open to all ministry leaders. The purpose of these workshops is to help congregational leaders, both laity and clergy, to enhance their skills and bring new vitality to their committees and congregations. Please call the Church Office is you wish to attend. Following are the workshops offered:

• Missions - five things every church can do to energize your church through mission and outreach ministry.
• Finance - discussion of employment tax issues and other tax and accounting matters.
• Trustees - understanding the responsibilities of a local church trustee and how those responsibilities can be integrated with and balanced by Christ-centered discipleship.
• Conflict Resolution - ways of understanding and managing the inevitable conflicts in the church.
• Healing Ministries - speaker from the "Open Door Healing Ministry".
• Staff Parish Relations - explains the role of the committee in the smooth operation of staffing issues in the church.
• Clergy Sexual Ethics: The Basic Course for Laity
• The Great Warming - a faith-oriented discussion on global climate change; environmental & social justice concerns.

IN NEED OF PRAYERS THIS WEEK: Kyli Abbinanti, Emily Brown, Carmen Capoziello, Mabel Greenidge, Bob Greening, Peggy Lopez, Ruth Mace, Tom Maldonado, Carolyn Minn, Baby Daniel Mungavin, Evelyn Occena, Ann Robertson, Barbara Simpson, Lou Volla, Mary Anne Wolling and our troops in harm's way.
*If you know of someone in the hospital, or someone who wishes a pastoral visit, please call the Church Office.

OUR STEWARDSHIP UPDATE:
Based on 2006 Pledges

• Where We Are (as of Dec. 17th): $173,174.00
• Where We Should Be: $173,955.14