Join us for Christmas at East Heights UMC!
Friday E-News Bulletin
December 12, 2025
JOY OF GIVING STARTS THIS WEEK
2025 JOY OF GIVING campaign at East Heights is December 13th through 17th Please join us to spread some holiday cheer in our community, invite others to Christmas eve worship, and share the love of Christ this season through any of these 3 events:
1. Saturday, December 13 – Boys & Girls Club, Holiday Giving Tree volunteers are needed. We will assist the Boys & Girls Club staff in providing families in need with gifts for the holiday season and we need your help. Starting at 9:30 a.m. we will set up the gym for the shopping day. From 11 until 2 p.m. 10 volunteers will help parents “shop” for their kids, wrap gifts, and pack cars with presents. Signup to help by clicking this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C49A4AC229-60989200-copy
2. Tuesday, December 16 at Reverie Coffee (2202 E. Douglas 67214) – from 7 – 10 a.m. we will offer a free beverage and pastry to customers and hand out candy canes and cards to invite them to Christmas eve worship at East Heights. Email beth@ehumc.org to volunteer for one hour or for the morning!
3. Wednesday, December 17 – from noon til 1:30 p.m., United Methodist Open Door staff will be served a catered luncheon provided by East Heights UMC. Members of our choir will sing Christmas carols for the staff as well. Please contact beth@ehumc.org to volunteer to assist in providing hospitality at the luncheon.
Children’s Christmas Pageant is Sunday, December 14th at 11:00 Service: The EH Kids have been working hard the last month to prepare the traditional Christmas pageant! Please join us for this amazing telling of the Christmas Story!
Second Sunday Snacks is Sunday, December 14th: Stop by the Coffee House to enjoy food and fellowship Sunday, December 14th between 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.! If you would like to provide snacks or help serve Second Sunday snacks on January 11th or February 8th, please contact Carolyn Kretzer, cgkretzer@msn.com or 316-882-5080
Clothes Collection for the Klothes Kloset: United Women in Faith will be collecting gently-used clothing and shoes for the Klothes Kloset Sunday, December 14th. The Klothes Kloset is a division of UM Open Door that provides free clothing for infants, children, and adults. A car with an open trunk will be in the southeast section of the church parking lot 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. to collect your bags of items. Thank you for your donations!
Family Promise Host Week is January 4-11, 2026: While it does seem early to be thinking about this, with the Holiday Season in full gear, we want to make sure our next host week in January is on our radar and we are ready to go.
You may sign up for our hospitality volunteer opportunities here: East Heights UMC: Family Promise Hospitality Sign-Up
Or provide supplies for our grab and go breakfast and lunch as well as shop for special request food items here: East Heights UMC: Family Promise Week Food Needs
We also welcome financial contributions for on-going needs. Please make checks payable to EHUMC with Family Promise in the memo line, give on-line at www.ehumc.org/give or via Venmo.
The hospitality sign-up with more information is also in the Coffee House. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Paige at paige@ehumc.org
Thank you for your continued support of Family Promise.
Help Deliver Poinsettias to the Elderly: If you can help deliver poinsettias to our elderly members, we invite you to pick up one or more flowers and name/address cards after one of the Christmas Eve services or on Sunday after Christmas, or in the church office December 29th or 30th and deliver them as soon as possible.
Advent/Christmas Mission Giving: Each year, our congregation is asked to financially support one of the following mission opportunities during the season of Advent and Christmas. This years options include, United Methodist Open Door, GraceMed Health Clinic, Youthville/Ember Hope, Jefferson School Partnership. You can also help our church meet the goal of paying 100% of our Mission and Ministry Funds (previously known as “apportionments.”) by the end of the year. Our outstanding balance is $33,457.12 and checks can be made out to East Heights UMC, with “Christmas Mission Giving” on the memo line (designate your option if desired), or you may make your gift on our website through VANCO. You can designate the ministries you wish to support, or if no designation is made, we will divide the gift among the five options. Envelopes will be available at the usher stations at each worship service. Please contact Pastor Sam O’Banion (sam@ehumc.org) or Kent Dick (kent@ehumc.org) for more information.
Hats, Gloves, & Coats Collection for Jefferson: We are collecting children’s (Child M to Adult XL) hats, gloves, and coats for students at Jefferson Elementary. Items can be new or gently used. Please place donations in the bin across from the church office.
Save the Date: Chicken Noodle Dinner will be on January 11th at 12:15 p.m. Carry-out of Chicken Noodles only will be available after each worship service that morning.
Holy Grounds: East Heights’ Holy Grounds coffee shop exists to create space for connection and conversation. On Sunday mornings, folks grab a drink, sit at the tables or in the comfy chairs, and catchup with friends or welcome someone new. Holy Grounds is run by congregation members, and we’d love to have you on the team – either on a regular schedule or as a substitute. If you enjoy greeting people and serving others, this is a great place to connect. To learn more or volunteer, please contact Deb Lund at (316) 200-5654
Poinsettia’s Are Back: These Poinsettias are a beautiful way for you to give back to the church in honor or memory of your loved ones. The Poinsettias will be on display during our Christmas Eve services and then after that you can choose to take yours home or donate it to our shut-in ministry. Please see the Poinsettia order form attached to this newsletter. You may also find an order form at the entry way of each worship space. Return the form to the church office by Monday, December 15th.
The Trustees are Looking for Volunteers: Winter is upon us, and the Trustees are asking for your help to keep our sidewalks clear and safe for everyone! We are looking for a few dedicated volunteers to join our snow shoveling team on the east side of the building. If you’re able and willing to lend a hand, your support would make a huge difference in ensuring our community can navigate safely during the snowy months. Together, we can create a welcoming environment for all. If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to Taylor Rohr, our Administrative Assistant, at 316-682-6518 or taylor@ehumc.org Thank you for considering this important service to our congregation.
Upcoming Youth Ministry Events:
o January 11th – Chicken Noodle Dinner
o January 23rd – 24th – Middle School Lock-In
o February 13th - 16th - Ski Trip
Year-End Generosity
Thank you for your generous financial support of East Heights UMC and its ministries. Through your gifts our church has touched the lives of children, youth, and adults in our congregation and community. As the end of the year is now upon us, we’ll soon close the books on 2025 and we need your help to finish strong. We are asking for your financial support of the life changing work through our global ministries. Please consider being a part of our year-end support drive. First, will you please join me in praying that God will stir within us all a willingness to give generously? Second, will you consider your own ability to give what you can to support our mission and ministry goals?
If you haven’t turned in your pledge card yet, turn it in by December 8th.
If giving stocks or funds managed by a broker, contact Kent Dick at the church office.
Use your bank’s bill pay system by December 23rd.
If using Vanco online, transactions should be completed by December 23rd.
If mailing your contribution, it must be postmarked by December 26th.
Bring your gift to the church office by noon, Tuesday, December 30th.
Thank you for helping East Heights complete our goals in ministry in 2025! The infographic below is a snapshot of our financial giving through November. If you would like to financially support our ministries, please contact Kent Dick at the church office or go to our website at www.ehumc.org and press the giving tab where you can give electronically.