"The White Elephant in the Room - #checkyourheart"
Advent Series- Blessed Hopr Church
"The best things in life are free..." You've heard that before right? Of course you have! We all know that money isn't the most important thing in life, but seriously...we'd be lying if we acted like it wasn't pretty important. We get it, life is expensive - gas is steep, groceries cost money, things break down - and don't even get us started about Christmas! Every year, despite our best intentions - we end up turning Christmas into some graduate level study on consumerism. We spend money we don't need (half of which will be regifted or returned)! And in all of that - we've forgotten what Christmas is really for. But, what if this year we could refocus a little? What if we could recalibrate ourselves and learn what God really means when He says that it's more blessed to give than to receive? So...if you're ready to do it different this Christmas season, be sure to join us at Blessed Hope as we tackle the subject of money and generosity in our new advent series, "The White Elephant in the Room - #checkyourheart".
12/2 - 10 truths about money and the stuff it produces
12/9 - SPECIAL SERVICE (children's program) & Check your heart - longing for Christmas
12/16 - Living generously - the gifts of the Magi
12/23 - The greatest gift
Wesley United Methodist Church
Advent is the expectant coming of Jesus, celebrated each year during the four weeks prior to Christmas Day. Join us this year at Wesley UMC as we celebrate.
December 2nd — 1st Sunday of Advent- Hanging of the Greens Service - 9:00 am Through many generations we have had reminders of Jesus’ birth in the beautiful symbols of music, customs, and tradition so that we will not forget what our God has done. In the Hanging of the Greens, we share with Christians through the ages the memory and anticipation of Christ’s coming. We festively decorate our church with the symbols of life, joy and hope and sing the traditional hymn of the season. December 9th — 2nd Sunday of Advent- Worship - Youth Sunday - 9:00 am Come join us for worship as we anticipate and prepare for the coming of the Christ Child. The youth will be performing a skit to make you think, What If? Along with the skit, the youth will be leading worship and reading. December 16th — 3rd Sunday of Advent- Children’s Program - 9:00 amCome join us for worship as the kids perform a Christmas story with singing and PUPPETS! We are bringing out some old and new puppets that the kids will be using to help tell a story about the real meaning of Christmas. Please come enjoy the show that the kids have been preparing to share with you this Christmas season!
December 1, Saturday
Santa Paws
From Noon-4:00 p.m. stop at the Friends of the Shelter, Inc. located at 211 W. 4th St. in downtown Vinton. Bring along your pet for a picture!
The cost is $5.00 for a 4X6 photo.
Proceeds support FOTSI.
December 8th, Saturday
Breakfast with Santa
From 9:00-11:00 a.m. Kids can have Breakfast with Santa.
This event includes breakfast, a visit with Santa (a photo op for parents!), coloring book and crayons and a special treat from Santa! All family members welcome. Must pre-register!
LOCATION: Skate & Activity Center FEE: $5/person
Cookie Walk & Howliday Bazaar
On Saturday, December 8th, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., there will be a Cookie Walk & Howliday Bazaar at the Kirkwood Linn County Regional Center located at 1770 Boyson Road in Hiawatha.
There will be holiday shopping and 350+ dozen cookies all in an effort to save animals in the area.
Twelve animal welfare organizations will have booth space at this event to showcase the good work they do and sell handcrafted items to fund their programs.
All monies raised will help animals.
For only $8 a pound, you get your choice of more than 350 dozen homemade cookies, candies, and bars. This year, we will have even more holiday-themed baked goods than before. For more information, see our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/arfiowa.
Be sure to shop early for the best selection of baked goods!
Part of the support raised will benefit Vinton's Friends of the Shelter, Inc. (FOTSI)
December 9th, Sunday
Blessed Hope Church
9:30 a.m. There will be a SPECIAL SERVICE (the children's annual Christmas program) & Check your heart - longing for Christmas
Family Game Night
For a night of family fun, join us at the Skate Center on Sunday, December 9, 2018 from 5:00 PM 7:00 PM
We'll have a night of board game fun! Bring your own or play one of ours!
Held at the Skate Center.
Cost is free!
Main Street Holiday at Center Point Depot
The Main Street Holiday will take place at the Depot Museum and Strait Log Cabin. This is a free event, that will take place from 5 – 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 9.
Refreshments include cider hot off the wood stove and snack at the Cabin by lamplight; Christmas music will be played on the console record player and player piano at the Museum. This will be the last chance to see special medical/veterinary displays.
December 16, Sunday
Wesley UMC
December 16th — 3rd Sunday of Advent- Children’s Program - 9:00 amCome join us for worship as the kids perform a Christmas story with singing and PUPPETS! We are bringing out some old and new puppets that the kids will be using to help tell a story about the real meaning of Christmas. Please come enjoy the show that the kids have been preparing to share with you this Christmas season!
Soup & Santa
On Sunday, December 16th, there will be Soup and Santa from 4-7:00 p.m. at the Urbana-Polk Twp. Fire Department, sponsored by the Urbana Visioning Committee.
There will be a choice of Chili, potato or chicken noodle soup, a hot chocolate bar, a cookie frosting station, kids crafts and horse drawn carriage rides.
This is a free event, however, freewill donations are greatly appreciated.
There will also be a box for “Coats for kids” on site.
December 24, Monday
Community Christmas Service
On Monday, December 24, Blessed Hope Church and Revolution Church will host the annual Christmas Eve Service at Tilford Elementary auditorium, located at 308 E. 13th St.
There will be a photo stations for Christmas photos, Christmas cookies and hot chocolate.
There will be a candlelight service of musical worship, prayer, and a relevant message from Pastor Matt & Pastor David. The service will run from 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Everyone is welcome to attend!
The Christmas Mass schedule for the Heart of Mary Cluster is as follows: Monday, Dec. 24th - 4:00 p.m. - St. Mary, Vinton Monday, Dec. 24th - 6:30 p.m. - St. Mary, Urbana Tuesday, Dec. 25th - 8:00 a.m. - Sacred Heart, Walker Tuesday, Dec. 25th - 10:00 a.m. - St. Mary, Urbana
December 31, Monday
New Year's Eve at Noon for K-5th Grade
If you want to ring in the new year, but you don't want the kids to stay up so late, here's a fun alternative.
Bring the kids to the Skate Center!
There will be rollerskating, pizza, games, party favors and fun! Held at the Skate Center. Grades: K-5th.
Cost is $7/person, must pre-register.
Contact the Vinton Skate Center
Toy Drives
The annual Koop's Sales and Service Christmas Toy Drive is under way. Jeremy Koopman and his staff at the auto dealership have begun collecting donated toys for distribution through Horizons.
All the toys will stay here in Benton County, says employee Beckie Hobbs.
"I love doing this," says Beckie. "Each year we collect more and more toys, and I wish I could see the faces of the kids that get them."
Last year, the donations were "fantastic," says Beckie.
"It took the girls from Horizons a few trips to get all the toys picked up," she recalls.
Residents are invited to bring unwrapped toys for all ages up to age 16-17 through Dec. 18.
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