This quarter’s board meeting was monumental. All members agreed unanimously to move forward with the design of a new apartment building. This decision is a shift from our original plan to replace the nursing wing of the premier rehab building. As I mentioned last month, we are believing that this is God’s plan. This is all I have to share at this moment. More information of things like building location, features, amenities, room layout and sizes will be shared at a later date. This new building and it overhead will be substantial, however, after some study and analysis, financially it will support itself as well as position MV to support a future addition to the Lodge building.
As mentioned last month, the board is evaluating and developing a strategy for initializing a capital campaign. More information will be forthcoming. Please pray for how you can help us. We will need volunteers, spokespersons, prayer warriors, and most of all contributors. What can you do?
I would ask you to consider making Maranatha a beneficiary in your estate. There are many avenues of giving to Maranatha including: Qualified Charitable Distribution, Charitable Remainder trust, Charitable gift annuity, Charitable Bequest and Donor-Advised fund. Each of these has different benefits. Please speak with your personal advisor to determine which would be best for you. I am praying that God place giving to Maranatha on your heart today.
-Brian Miller CEO
H I S ‘ N T H A T
TBINGO
Join us for Bingo on Wednesdays at the Community Center. We meet in the Activities Room at 1:30PM. Bingo is not just about winning candy or other prizes but is a great time for fellowship with your friends and neighbors. We always have fun at Bingo with lots of laughs and smiles all around! Please contact Lora if you would like a ride (417-833-6104 or lmassey@mvlife.org). Transportation starts at 1:00PM.
No sign-up required!
PODIATRIST
Dr Rose Butler will be at the Community Center on Wednesday, December 10 starting at 9AM for appointments. To schedule an appointment, please contact Lora (417-833-6104 or lmassey@mvlife.org). Don’t forget to bring your insurance card with you to your appointment!
CHRISTMAS CHOIR CONCERT
The Maranatha Village Choir will hold their Christmas program in the Village Chapel on Sunday, December 21 at 6PM. For more information, please contact Chaplain Oberg (417-8330016 EXT 1420 or soberg@mvlife.org).
MV KERN LIBRARY
Happy almost-winter! December would be a good time to check your shelves for Kern Library books and DVDs that you’ve had for quite a while and bring them back to the library. While we have no “due dates,” we are asking that you keep books and DVDs no longer than a month or two, so that others can enjoy them as well. Thanks for your help!
If you live here at Maranatha, this is your library! Come on up, and you’ll find it’s a cozy place to do a puzzle, play a game with friends, or just sit in a comfy chair, read, and relax. There are also free Christmas cards available for MV residents!
LUNCH AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER
The Community Center Dining Room is serving a buffet lunch each Wednesday. The buffet is available 11:30AM-1PM and the cost is only $5 per person. No reservations are required and you are welcome to bring guests. A full menu will be emailed and available for pick up at the Community Center. We are also interested in your ideas for the menu. Please contact Lora if you would like to share a suggestion or if you need a ride to lunch (417-833-6104 or lmassey@mvlife.org). Pick up starts at 11:15AM.
CHRISTMAS MOVIE MARATHON
Tiss the season to watch Christmas movies! On Thursday, December 18 from 9AM-4PM, the Community Center will host a movie marathon. Catch one movie or stay for all three! No sign up is required! See the movies and times below:
9:30AM White Christmas
12:30PM How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Original) followed by A Charlie Brown Christmas
2:00PM Christmas Child, A Max Lucado Story
A hot cocoa bar will be available throughout the day as well, along with popcorn at the 2PM movie showing.
WEEKLY WALMART TRIP
Each Friday morning we take the bus to Walmart at 8:30AM. Stock up on groceries, visit the pharmacy, or simply window shop. If you would like to take advantage of this service please contact Lora (417-833-6104 or lmassey@mvlife.org).
UPCOMING TAX SEASON
Peggy Horn has confirmed she will be back in 2026 to do taxes for our Independent Living residents. This is a free service and is for Maranatha Village residents only. Please do not call to schedule appointments if you do not live at Maranatha. More information and a schedule will be in the January Messenger.
BAGEL BAR
This month the Bagel Bar will be Thursday, December 18, come & go from 9AM-11AM and will be set up in the dining room. It will coincide with our Christmas Movie Marathon so feel free to grab your bagel and catch a flick while you’re here! Not interested in a movie? No worries! Just enjoy the coffee, bagels, & fellowship!
Come hear Lisa’s latest lecture about Hypertension on Thursday, December 4 at 10:15 AM at the Community Center. You’ll gain valuable knowledge on blood pressure monitoring, learn tips and tricks for maintaining good blood pressure, and have fun fellowshipping with Lisa and your neighbors. Sign up today at the Community Center or contact Lora (417-833-6104 or lmassey@mvlife.org). We hope to see you there!
CHRISTMAS HOME TOURS
Our 2 annual Parade of Homes is scheduled for Friday, December 12 at 5PM. This is a wonderful opportunity to tour a selection of homes, enjoy hot chocolate, and enter into special drawings for amazing gift baskets. Meet at the Community Center and board the shuttle bus. The shuttle will run in loops around the neighborhood following the parade route dropping off and picking up along the way. This event will last from 5-8PM. For more information contact Lora (417-833-6104 or lmassey@mvlife.org). n
CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR’S EVE
No activities will be held on Christmas EveWednesday, December 24 or New Year’s EveWednesday, December 31. This includes Bingo, Exercise, the Wednesday Lunch Buffet at the Community Center, and the Maranatha Mall. Chapel services will continue throughout the holiday season.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Come to the Gardens Aglow at the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Gardens on Fri, Dec 19. The cost is $8 each. There’s a lot of walking but rest areas as well. Bring your walker if needed. Contact Lora to sign up (417-833-6104 or lmassey@mvlife.org). Pick up is at 4:30PM.
OUT & ABOUT
NOVEMBER WAS FILLED WITH FUN OUTINGS AND SPECIAL EVENTS! PLEASE ENJOY SOME PHOTOS FROM OUR BINGO BASH WITH THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB, VETERANS DAY, ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL & LUNCH AT THE TABLE!
MV CORK BOARD
THANK YOU
We want to say thank you and express our appreciation to everyone who made the Veteran's Day lunch and to those who honored the veterans in such a special way. The kitchen staff prepared a delicious meal and personally served each of us. Thank you for honoring the veterans with patriotic music and calling each of them out by name.
-Daryl & June Soey
TRASH
Trash pick up the week of Thanksgiving will be Wednesday Nov 26 & the week of Christmas will be on Wednesday December 24. Please have your trash at the curb by 9AM.
Attn Staff & Residents:
Please be sure to lock your vehicles, and if you are a resident, please also lock your homes, especially at night and when you ’ re out. Although we have 24 hour security and feel safe in our community, we must be vigilant and do our part to protect ourselves! Thanks!
The tradition of sending Christmas cards dates back to the mid-19th century, with its origins in Victorian England. Sir Henry Cole, a civil servant, is credited with popularizing the practice in 1843 when he commissioned artist John Callcott Horsley to design the first commercial Christmas card. This card featured a festive scene of a family celebrating together and side panels depicting acts of charity, accompanied by the message “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You.” Initially, these cards were a luxury item for the wealthy due to their hand-crafted nature and the cost of postage. However, with advancements in printing technology and the reduction of postal rates, Christmas cards became more affordable and widely accessible. By the late 19th century, sending Christmas cards had become a popular tradition in England, and the custom soon soon spread to America and other parts of the world. Today, sending Christmas cards remains a cherished tradition, allowing people to share holiday cheer and connect with loved ones, even across great distances.
PARADEOFHOMES PARADEOFHOMES Christmas Christmas
December12 5:00-8:00 December12 5:00-8:00
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
ALL ABOUT ME
BILLING SPECIALIST
DANIELLEGEISZ FUNFACT
I was front of house manager at Outback Steakhouse in Joplin (where I met my husband) and part of the opening team for Outback in O’Fallon, MO.
I have worked at Maranatha Village around three years and love working with my amazing coworkers and getting to know the residents. I have been married for 19 years to my husband, Dan. We have two beautiful girls, Evie,15, and Cami, 12. We moved to Springfield ten years ago from Joplin. As a family we love to go camping, off roading, and spending time at Table Rock Lake tubing, surfing, and wakeboarding.
MYFAVORITES
Color: Turquoise
Candy: Nerd Clusters
Season: Spring/Summer
Vacation Spot: Colorado
Restaurant: Cafe Cusco
Cereal: I would rather have eggs, bacon, & pancakes!
