Sunday, December 2 Monday, December 3 at 7:00 pm Monday, December 3, at 7:00 pm

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1 I thank God for you I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you. - Philippians 1:3 During this season of giving as we celebrate the birth of Christ and as we end another year I give thanks for you and your faithfulness as followers of Jesus Christ. Over the past few weeks I have once again been blessed by the ways in which you take your faith seriously in your relationships with the church and with one another. At Thanksgiving we learned the sad news that Franklin Nathaniel had died unexpectedly. Then I watched you surround Leela and their four girls with the literal and virtual arms of compassion and mercy. You graciously shared the love of Christ with their immediate and extended family. On the Sunday prior to that many of you renewed your commitments to Christ with your estimates of giving for the 2019 Ministry Budget. To date, 97 families have committed $490,081 to the ministries of the church for I am incredibly grateful for their leadership and support. If you have not yet turned your card in, please do so soon. It can be mailed to the church or placed in a sealed envelope in the offering during worship. If you need a card to fill out, they are available at the Ministry Center. I am excited about our future. Our staff has been talking about our goals for 2019 and the call of God upon our lives as individuals and as a church. We are close to announcing a new Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministries for our church and we are working toward the re-launch of our church in the Fall of This is an exciting time, but along with the excitement is the reality that we must manage our expenses very carefully. To date, revenues in 2018 have not matched our needs and our expenses, and while we have made cuts in our spending and managed the resources you have entrusted to us very carefully, income is still behind expenses for the year. Every single gift counts! So, we invite every individual and family to review their giving to date and catch up or remember your church with an extra 13 th Month year-end gift as we come to the end of We will receive gifts for 2018 through December 31. I thank each of you for your support in so many different ways. May you have a blessed Advent and Christmas season! Faithfully, Will Reed, Pastor

2 View the charming tale of the Nutcracker from a new perspective! The Nutcracker is a delightful and whimsical Christmas classic that holds a special place in our cultural Christmas celebrations. This study explores the story to help us understand God s greatest gift of the Christ child, and the kingdom Christ came to establish. One of the biggest reasons why people don t participate in Bible studies or small groups is the lack of time in their already busy schedule. Online Bible studies provide flexible discussion times, a chance to read and interact with all posts, as well as a guilt-free environment when you get a little behind on reading or homework. Online Bible studies allow you the flexibility to slow down and spread the homework out as you see fit. You can even pause the weekly videos to answer the phone, switch out the laundry, or head to work without interrupting an entire group. With an online Bible study, you control the pace. You can interact, discuss, and re-watch the video at any point along the way. Anyone who is available and would like to go, we will gather for dinner and go see The Nutcracker and the Four Realms on Thursday, December 27. A more specific time will be announced as it gets closer and we can see movie times. The bible study will begin on Sunday, December 2. Join us at There is a link in the group where you can find the book and order it. Monday, December 3 at 7:00 pm As we start the journey into the busiest and most festive time of the year, we remember that for many of us, these celebrations come in the midst of grief, sadness and loss. Mark your calendars now and join us Monday, December 3, at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary for our Service of Hope and Healing. This will be a time of prayer for the healing of our world, our community and ourselves. Please contact Mireya Martínez at MireyaMartinez@FirstPasadena.org for more information. 2

3 Poinsettias Poinsettias are available for purchase in memory or in honor of a loved one and are $13 each. All orders must be received by Sunday, December 16. Signed, Sealed, Delivered is an Advent worship series that delivers the news of good tidings and joy to all who prepare the way. This holiday season, allow your address to be updated to receive the message of hope and joy. Sunday, December 2 Signed Sunday, December 9 Sealed Sunday, December 16 Sunday, December 22 Painting with a Twist Saturday, December 8, 4:00-6:00 pm, Gym Join us for a relaxing afternoon of painting with Teri Rojas as she guides us step by step through an angelic themed acrylic painting project. The class fee will include your paint, canvas, brushes and snacks. At the end, you will take home your painting. Registration is available at the Ministry Center. Cost: $30 per person 2

4 Movie Under the Stars Christmas is such a wonderful season. We reflect on the goodness of God, and often see the best in humanity come to light during this season. Join us for a double feature of Christmas classic cartoons at First UMC Pasadena on Saturday, December 8, at 6:30 pm. We will watch the 1966 original of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and then join Charlie Brown and his friends as they reflect on the meaning of Christmas in the 1965 "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Come in your favorite Christmas pjs, bring a lawn chair, your favorite drink and maybe a comfy blanket! We will have pizza and hot chocolate available to purchase and serve complimentary popcorn. *We will meet outside in the parking lot. If the weather is bad, we will move this event inside. Holiday Games You are invited to join the Pastors and Staff on Tuesday, December 11, from 10:00 am-11:30 am in the Fellowship Hall for cookies, punch, and some games. This is a great time to fellowship with the Pastors and staff, and to enjoy some friendly competition. We look forward to spending time with you! For more information, please contact Pastor Mireya at MireyaMartinez@FirstPasadena.org. Dates to mark on your calendar Sunday, December 2 Monday, December 3 Saturday, December 8 Saturday, December 15 & Sunday, December 16 Saturday, December 22 Sunday, December 23 Monday, December 24 Sunday, December 30 The Gift of the Nutcracker Bible Study begins Hope and Healing Service at 7:00 pm Christmas Painting Workshop at 4:00 pm Movie Under the Stars at 6:30 pm Untraditional Christmas at 7:00 pm Live Nativity at 7:00 pm 9:00 am Contemporary Service 10:00 am Sunday School (English) 11:00 am Lessons and Carols and Sunday School (Spanish) 12:30 pm Spanish Worship Service Children s Christmas Eve Service at 4:00 pm Candlelight Christmas Eve Services at 7:00 pm and 11:00 pm One Traditional Worship Service at 11:00 am No Sunday School Spanish Worship Service at 12:30 pm No Sunday School 4

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6 Saturday, December 22 at 7:00 pm Join us on the front lawn of the church as we celebrate the story of Jesus birth with costumes, live animals and carol singing. Sunday, December 23 at 11:00 am in the Sanctuary 6

7 Journeys of Paul Bible Study In October of 2018, Pastor Mireya took a trip with Educational Opportunities, a faith-based travel company, to Greece, Malta, and Italy in which she retraced some of the footsteps of the Apostle Paul. It was a powerful experience for her, making the life and ministry of Paul come to life in ways that weren't possible before. Pastor Mireya is excited to offer a Bible Study based on her trip! Join her on Thursday evenings, beginning at 6:30 pm, from January 17-February 28, as she shares photos and insights from her travels and lectures given by Guest Speaker Rev. Dr. Jaime Clark-Soles, Professor of New Testament at SMU's Perkins School of Theology. The schedule is as follows: January 17: Athens, Greece / Acts 17 January 24: Corinth, Greece / Acts 18 January 31: The "Logic" of the Cross / Paul with the Corinthians February 7: Malta / Acts 28 February 14: Rome, Italy / Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls February 21: Neither Jew Nor Greek / Galatians 3 February 28: The Legacy of Paul *March 7 for those interested: Death Rituals in early Christianity, Catacombs in Citta Vecchia, Malta and Catacombs of St. Sebastian in Rome, Italy *This class is free. *Please bring your Bible and a notebook if you wish to take notes. *There is no homework for this study. Each class functions independently of the others. *Please Pastor Mireya at MireyaMartinez@FirstPasadena.org if you will be participating, or sign up in the Ministry Center beginning December 30. *Class location TBD Capital Campaign Update Summary Report November 2018 DEBT as of May 31, 2016 $2,309,007 as of December 31, 2016 $2,205,112 as of December 31, 2017 $1,411,916 Capital Campaign Commitments $1.5 million (Note 1) Total Paid on Commitments through August 31, 2018 $1,014, DEBT as of October 31, 2018 $1,206, (Note 2) REDUCTION in DEBT since May 31, 2016 $1,254, (Note 2) Note 1 - In addition to signed capital campaign commitments of $1.42 million over three years (April 2017-March 2020), there are several church members and friends making regular contributions to debt reduction. We estimate that over three years these contributions will add over $100,000 to our campaign for an anticipated total commitments and payments of over $1.5 million. Note 2 Through your generosity in helping reduce our debt, we have reduced the number of years it will take to pay off the debt. Also, you have saved the church an estimated $250,000 in interest over the remaining life of the loan. Thus, it is highly possible that our church could be debt free in 23.

8 This Advent Season, we invite you and/or your families to participate in collecting items to donate to members of our community through the Society of St. Stephen. As you collect items each day, and place them in a box, pray for the family that will receive these items. Before delivering the box to the church on Christmas Eve, please consider writing a note to encourage the persons receiving this gift. Remind them that they have been "signed, sealed, and delivered" by the power of the Holy Spirit, and signs of God's love swirl all around them. Here's what to do: Mission-Focused Advent Calendar Each day, add an item to a box. Pray for the family receiving this item. On Christmas Eve, bring your box to the church and place it in the North Atrium. December 1- box of cereal December 2- peanut butter December 3- $2 for Society to purchase bread December 4- boxed potatoes December 5- macaroni and cheese December 6- canned fruit December 7- canned tomatoes December 8- canned chicken or tuna December 9- jelly (preferably a squeeze bottle) December 10- jar of applesauce December 11- canned sweet potatoes December 12- cornbread mix December 13- canned beans December 14- box of crackers December 15- package of rice December 16- package of oatmeal December 17- package of pasta December 18- spaghetti sauce December 19- canned soup December 20- tomato soup December 21- canned corn December 22- canned mixed vegetables December 23- canned carrots December 24- canned green beans For more information, please contact Kelsey Hewitt at kcolbert0214@gmail or Pastor Mireya at MireyaMartinez@FirstPasadena.org. 8

9 Calendar of Events Sunday, December 2 Monday, December 3 Wednesday, December 5 Saturday, December 8 Tuesday, December 11 Thursday, December 13 Saturday, December 15 & Sunday, December 16 Tuesday, December 18 Wednesday, December 19 Saturday, December 22 Sunday, December 23 Monday, December 24 Sunday, December 30 The Gift of the Nutcracker Bible Study begins Hope and Healing Service at 7:00 pm, Sanctuary Prayer Ministry at 7:00 pm, Parlor Women s Circle of Faith Christmas Party at 11:00 am Friendship Class Christmas Party at 1:00 pm, Fellowship Hall Christmas Painting Workshop at 4:00 pm, Gym Movie Under the Stars at 6:30 pm, Parking Lot Holiday Games at 10:00 am, Fellowship Hall Governing Board Meeting at 6:15 pm, Cornell Conference Room One Way Class Pot Luck at 5:30 pm, Fellowship Hall Untraditional Christmas at 7:00 pm, Sanctuary Soup Ministry at 8:30 am, Kitchen First Friends Christmas Play at 10:00 am, Sanctuary Prayer Ministry at 7:00 pm, Parlor Live Nativity at 7:00 pm, Front Lawn 9:00 am Contemporary Service 10:00 am Sunday School (English) 11:00 am Lessons and Carols Service Sunday School (Spanish) 12:30 pm Spanish Worship Service Children s Christmas Eve Service at 4:00 pm Candlelight Christmas Eve Services at 7:00 pm and 11:00 pm One Traditional Worship Service at 11:00 am No Sunday School Spanish Worship Service at 12:30 pm No Sunday School Please note: Men s Breakfast will not meet on Thursdays, December 20, 27 and January 3. We will start back up on Thursday, January 10. 9

10 CHURCH CONTACT INFORMATION w w w. F i r s t P a s a d e n a. o r g PHONE: FAX: Office Hours: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Thursday Society of St. Stephen Assistance Ministry Monday - Thursday 10:00 am - 1:00 pm First Friends Day School Monday - Friday 7:00 am - 6:00 pm Christian Life Center PASTORAL STAFF Dr. Will Reed, Pastor, ext WillReed@FirstPasadena.org Rev. Mireya Martínez, Pastor, Outreach and Discipleship, ext MireyaMartinez@FirstPasadena.org Rev. Ruben Olivares, Pastor, Hispanic Ministries, ext RubenOlivares@FirstPasadena.org DIRECTOR OF WORSHIP ARTS Nicole Gray ext NicoleGray@FirstPasadena.org ORGANIST Daniel Miner DanielMiner@FirstPasadena.org CONTEMPORARY ASSISTANT WORSHIP LEADER SPANISH WORSHIP LEADER Miriam Tello MiriamTello@FirstPasadena.org DIRECTOR, FIRST FRIENDS DAY SCHOOL Penny Buckert ext PennyBuckert@FirstPasadena.org BUILDING MANAGER Bryan Dudley ext BryanDudley@FirstPasadena.org BUSINESS MANAGER Amanda Horton ext AmandaHorton@FirstPasadena.org COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR Colly Enochs ext CollyEnochs@FirstPasadena.org DIRECTOR OF SOUND Matt Pettit MattPettit@FirstPasadena.org MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR Margie Kearns ext MargieKearns@FirstPasadena.org WEDDING COORDINATOR Carol Wilson CarolWilson@FirstPasadena.org YOUTH AND CHILDREN ASSISTANT Rayna Carter RaynaCarter@FirstPasadena.org Welcome Gene and Judy Griffin, Leah Ibarguen, Earl Krause, Amanda Palacios and her daughter Angie, Rebecca Parker and her daughter Emmalyn, Jose Rodriguez and Jiobel Rodriguez, Arelys Castillo and their daughter Melissa to our church family! Gene and Judy Griffin Rebecca Parker and her daughter Emmalyn Amanda Palacios and her daughter Angie Jiobel Rodriguez, Arelys Castillo and their daughter Melissa

11 Ongoing Ministries & Church Events Bus Ministry Sundays, 8:00 am Church Parking Lot Traditional Worship Sundays, 8:30 am & 11:00 am Sanctuary Contemporary Worship Sundays, 9:45 am Sanctuary Contemplative Worship Sunday, December 16, 9:45 am Log Cabin Sunday School for All Ages Sundays, 9:45 am (English) and 11:00 am (Spanish) Spanish Worship Service Sundays, 12:30 pm Sanctuary Grief Support Group Sundays, 2:00 pm Parlor Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Sundays, 6:30 pm Fellowship Hall First Fitness Exercise Class Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 am Gym Breakfast With Bill (Alcoholics Anonymous) Tuesday-Friday 7:00 am, Saturday 7:30 am Log Cabin Un dia a la vez Al-Anon (Hispanic Al-Anon) Tuesday 6:00 pm and Saturday 10:00 am Room 226 Ladies Night Out Bible Study Tuesdays, 7:00 pm Fellowship Hall 2 Guys Night Bible Study Tuesdays, 7:00 pm Fellowship Hall 4 Contemporary Praise Band Rehearsal Tuesdays, 7:00 pm Sanctuary Levites Maintenance Ministry Wednesdays, 8:00 am Log Cabin Hand bell Rehearsal Wednesdays, 5:30 pm Adult Wing Youth Dinner and Discussion Wednesdays, 6:00 pm Café Choir Rehearsal Wednesdays, 7:00 pm Choir Room and Sanctuary Spanish Prayer and Bible Study Wednesdays, 7:00 pm Parlor and Fellowship Hall Spanish Service Rehearsal Wednesdays, 8:30 pm Sanctuary Men s Prayer and Study Breakfast Thursdays, 7:00 am Fellowship Hall 4 Spanish Youth Group Fridays, 7:00 pm Away Spanish Women s Prayer Group Thursdays, 1:30 pm Parlor Women s Al-Anon Meeting Saturdays, 11:00 am Cornell Conference Room Ongoing Activities Strawberry Squares Square Dancing Mondays, 7:00 pm Log Cabin Junior High Open Gym Tuesdays, 4:00 pm Gym Boy Scout Troop #199 Tuesdays, 7:00 pm Log Cabin Prime Timers Luncheon Wednesday, December 5, 10:30 am Fellowship Hall Senior High Open Gym Wednesdays, 4:00 pm Gym Open Gym for all ages Thursdays, 4:00 pm Gym 11

12 First Friends Day School is a week-day ministry of First United Methodist Church and has been in operation since the early 1980 s. We are licensed by Department of Family and Protective Services so be sure to look on their website to see our compliance history we are listed as First United Methodist Preschool. We have great teachers (two in each classroom), a Christian atmosphere, Chapel once a week, music classes twice a week, and a loving, caring environment for your child to learn and grow in! Openings in our classrooms are: Infant 2 (8 months-13 months) 4 spots Toddler 1 (14 months-18 months) 2 spots Toddler 2 (18 months-24 months) 3 spots 2 s 1 spot 3 s 8 spots 4 s 6 spots Please call the School Office for more information ( ) or stop by for a tour of our fine school! Feel free to pass this information along if you know someone in need of good, quality childcare.