Rev Pastor Jon Nelson

Message: Exceeding Great Joy

First Scripture: Micah 5:2-5a

Second Scripture: Luke 1:39-55

Union Church now has Children’s Bulletins available for our littlest worshipers on Sundays! There is an option for 3-7 and 7 and up. Make sure to check them out this week!

What would be more special at this Christmas time than to remember Baby Jesus in the manger? Near the bottom of the tree, you will find an ornament in the shape of a circle with the baby, as Mary and Joseph watch over the newborn child. Through the years this is the manger scene most of us visualize on Christmas Eve. Over the many yeas we might not find all the stories of that Christmas Eve proven as we tell them, but we know a miracle occurred on that first Christmas that brought Jesus into our lives. Another familiar symbol of Jesus is the Christmas rose. You can find a beautiful white rose which is a symbol of the messianic prophecy and nativity. Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaish 35:1 says that the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose at the arrival of His salvation (as we know is Jesus). Our lives are filled with many symbols and sights that keep us aware of God’s great gift HIS SON JESUS.

Union’s 12 Team Members are:

Penny Adkins, Tracy Strobel, Jake Spiegel, Tyrek Dantzler,

Pastor Mike Koepfer & his son Noah Koepfer,

Andrew D. Diskin, Jason E. Menni, Scott K. Davis, and

traveling to Costa Rica from San Cristobal, Guatemala to join us:

Union Missionaries - Obed Zuleta, Evan Zuleta & Jude Zuleta.

We will be serving in La Carpio located in San Jose Province through

Christ for the City International, headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. We contacted Jake Hjemvick, who works at CFCI, to help us set up the trip this past February and now this one.

Union supports CFCI Missionaries in Costa Rica,

Josue Alejandro Sanchez and his wife, Nicole and daughter, Leena.

Union’s Team has an age range from 12 to the 70’s, including a couple retirees! Our in-country costs this year went up to $1,000 per person. That includes in-country travel costs, room/board, meals, laundry, etc. and program expenses such as sandwiches, fruit, drinks for the children during Bible School (VBS) days + youth events.

The airfare last year was $755/person and this year we are tracking costs and hope to get air under $500/person.

The Mission Fund will cover the Zuleta’s thru part of the yearly support donation that we send to them. Obed will pay their airfare.

We will be participating in work projects like last year’s new playground equipment and restoration, painting of additional items. We also take Bible Tracts, Bible School materials in Spanish, plus games (Monopoly in Spanish), inflatable Bounce Tubes & Spikeball.

Team members will pay the bulk of their airfare/costs. Typically, $350/person will be contributed to help travel costs as they give up

8 days of work and home to travel to Costa Rica to serve thru Union.

Any Prayers and Financial Assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Checks/Online Donations: Union Church, Costa Rica Mission Trip.

Contact any member of the Mission Team,

Scott K. Davis 412-370-7899 or Sarah Shaffer 412-849-9082.

A GoFundMe page was set up by a member to support the Team: https://gofund.me/849c821b All donations go to Union Church.