ADVENT P. 3 Find out how you can get involved this Advent Season!

Transcription

1 DECEMBER VOLUME 198 ISSUE 24 ADVENT P. 3 Find out how you can get involved this Advent Season!

2 However, everything I described above is what we ve done to Christmas, not what Christmas has done to us. I love the season of Advent when we prepare and wait for the celebration of the nativity of Christ. I love lighting the Advent Candles on each of the four Sundays leading to Christmas. And I love hearing real, live children, youth, adults, and instrumentalists present their Christmas music programs to help us prepare for the real meaning of the season. The first three Sundays of December (Advent) are opportunities for you to enjoy these presentations. I hope you will take a break from the secular distractions of the season and join us! Sunday, December 2, at 5:00pm in the Main Sanctuary: White Christmas Program, presented by the children and youth choirs. PASTORAL LETTER A voice of one calling: In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. (Isaiah 40:3-5) I have a festive Christmas hat that a friend gave me years ago that says Bah Humbug on it. I could try to tell you why that hat doesn t represent me, but I d be lying because I hate preparing for Christmas. I hate the traffic, the crowds, and the general business of the season. At the top of my list is having to listen to the same few songs that play incessantly in all the stores! It all leads me to say, Bah humbug! Sunday, December 9, at 6:00pm in the Main Sanctuary: An Electric Christmas Concert, presented by members and friends of the FUMC Music Ministry. We will present music from the Mannheim Steamroller Fresh Aire Christmas series. Sunday, December 16, at 7:30pm in the Main Sanctuary: Adult Choir Christmas Concert with professional orchestra. To celebrate the 25th Christmas concert that the Sanctuary Choir and I have done together, we are presenting the choir s most favorite anthems from our first 12 years together. (Next year will be their favorite anthems from our second 12 years together.) Bonus Concert! Sunday, December 23, in the Main Sanctuary: Tidings of Comfort and Joy, presented by the Perdido Brass and friends. Watch the next Witness for times (there will be two presentations) and cost. Dr. Rick Branch Minister of Music CHARGE CONFERENCE Monday, December 10 6:00pm Wesley Abbey Charge Conference is scheduled to be held on Monday, December 10 at 6:00pm, in Wesley Abbey. All members of the Church Council are encouraged to attend, but as always, the meeting is open to the congregation. IN LOVE AND REMEMBRANCE TO Wanda Borganelli on the death of her mother in Greenville, MS. FLOWERS You may place flowers in the Sanctuary in honor, celebration or memory of someone. The arrangements are $65.00 each. To reserve a date, call Ginger ( ). The following dates are open: January 20 2 Arrangements January 27 2 Arrangements February 3 2 Arrangements February 10 2 Arrangements February 17 2 Arrangements March 3 2 Arrangements March 10 2 Arrangements March 17 2 Arrangements March 24 2 Arrangements 2 DECEMBER VOLUME 198 ISSUE 24

3 Advent Study - Advent - The Gift of New Hope Mondays, November 19 - December 17 6:00pm Perry Home - Room 101 Hosted by Monday Night Class with Rev. Brandon Bures NEW - Wednesday Night Communal Advent Wreath During Wednesday Night Dinners November 28 - December 19 The Wright Place November 28 // Welcome to Advent 6:00pm Wesley Abbey December 2 // 1st Sunday in Advent 8:00, 9:30, 11:00, & ICON at 11:00am Great Day of Giving 9:30-10:30am Gym White Christmas Concert 5:00pm Main Sanctuary December 5 // Nativity LIVE! 6:00pm Wesley Abbey December 6 // Fifty-Forward - Silver & Gold 10:30am The Wright Place December 7 // Tween Christmas Party 6:00-9:00pm Youth Building Christmas Girl Time and Play & Pray 5:30-7:30pm Education Building December 9 // 2nd Sunday in Advent 8:00, 9:30, 11:00, & ICON at 11:00am Electric Christmas Concert 6:00pm Main Sanctuary December 12 // Traditions Around the World 6:00pm The Wright Place December 14 // Mid-High Christmas Party 5:30-9:00pm Meet in Youth Building Fifty-Forward - Friday Night at The Wright Place 6:00pm The Wright Place December 16 // 3rd Sunday in Advent 8:00, 9:30, 11:00, & ICON at 11:00am Sanctuary Choir Christmas Concert with Orchestra 7:30pm Main Sanctuary December 19 // Church-Wide Caroling 6:00pm Meet in The Wright Place December 21 // Longest Night Service 6:00pm Chapel Senior High Progressive Dinner 6:00pm December 23 // 4th Sunday in Advent 8:00, 9:30, 11:00, & ICON at 11:00am Baby Recognition 11:00am Main Sanctuary December 24 // Christmas Eve Noon, 4:00, 6:00, ICON at 6:00, 8:00, & 11:00pm December 30 // Combined Service 10:00am Main Sanctuary FUMCPensacola.com 3

4 ORDER YOUR POINSETTIAS TODAY! NEW COMMEMORATIVE ORNAMENTS A new Christmas ornament is now available! It was commissioned by the Bicentennial Planning Committee and designed by local artist and church member Mitzi Holt. The ornament, featuring the Main Sanctuary, is $15. They are available in the Church Office during office hours and on Sunday mornings. Shipping is also available for additional cost. 4 DECEMBER VOLUME 198 ISSUE 24

5 20 YEARS OF SERVICE A reception in honor of Debra will be held on Sunday, December 16, from 9:00 to 11:00am in The Wright Place A basket will be provided for those wishing to show appreciation to her through a monetary gift or love offering. Cash or checks are asked to be made payable to Debra Tallman. Join us as we thank Debra for her wonderful years of service to this church. IN MEMORY OF Molly Brown By: Silver and Gold OCTOBER 29 NOVEMBER 26, 2018 Tom Cathey By: Watson and Anne Aldridge Camille Barr Don L. Brown Gary and Shelley Frost Henry and Sara Hunt Linda McDade Bonnie Mincey Bob and Sarah Montgomery Betty Olliff Adlai and Margaret Platt Tom and Linda Reed Bill and Ruth Sneed Timber Contractors, Inc Jack and Jean Wallace Karen, Drew and Matt Yeager Annie L. Fravel By: Peggy L. Groves Horace G. King By: Sue Andrews Howard Pilcher By: Frank and Mary Willis Charlotte White By: The Tim Gleason Family IN HONOR OF Anne Aldridge s Birthday By: Bill and Ruth Sneed FUMCPensacola.com 5

6 ANNOUNCEMENTS WHAT'S HAPPENING FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH CHURCH-WIDE NATIVITY SCENES NEEDED First Church is in need of gently used Nativity Scenes for this year's Advent Celebration. We need scenes that will fit in a 12 inch Advent table top wreath. Please deliver them to the front Office, attention to Mici Kuba CHRISTMAS CAROLING December 19 6:00pm Invite your Community Group, Sunday School class friends, family, neighbors all are welcome to join us as we spread Christmas cheer to our homebound friends. Contact Lisa Bond at for more information. CHILDREN Contact: Lisa Bond LBond@FUMCPensacola.com KID CONNECT December 5 2:30-5:15pm Please Note, December 5th will be our last Kid Connect until January 23rd. Registration will be updated with new classes soon. PLAY N PRAY December 7 5:30-7:30pm Gym All 2nd-4th grade boys are invited to come hang out with friends in the gym, have pizza and a devotion. Check in and pick up is in the gym and the cost for dinner is $5. Sign up by December 6 by texting Lisa Bond at (850) GIRL TIME December 7 5:30-7:30pm Education Building, 2nd Floor All 2nd-4th grade girls are invited to a night of "Tea Time and Manners". Come have tea, dinner, and a time of devotion and faith sharing. Check in and pick up is in the gym and the cost for dinner is $5. Sign up by December 6 by texting Lisa Bond at (850) CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Contact: Lisa Bond LBond@FUMCPensacola.com CHURCH-WIDE ADVENT STUDIES Mondays, through December 17 6:00pm Perry Home, Room 101 All are invited to join us for our churchwide Advent Study hosted by the Monday Night Class with Rev. Brandon Bures. They will be studying "Advent - The Gift of New Hope", by: Christopher L. Webber. Sundays, through December 23 9:30am Spiritual Discoveries class is hosting a church-wide Advent Study, focusing on The study, "Advent - The Gift of New Hope", by: Christopher L. Webber. All are welcome to join us beginning Sunday, November 25. SUNDAY SCHOOL ADVENT STUDIES Christian Families The Gift of New Hope: Scriptures for the Church Season by Christopher Webber Disciple Names for the Messiah by Walter Brueggemann Duell/Lipscomb The Redemption of Scrooge by Matt Rawle Home Improvement The Redemption of Scrooge by Matt Rawle Intergenerational The Wonder of Christmas: Once You Believe, Anything is Possible by Ed Robb and Rob Renfroe Side by Side Faithful: Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph Spiritual Discoveries The Gift of New Hope: Scriptures for the Church Season by Christopher Webber Wow Prepare the Way: Cultivating a Heart for God in Advent by Pamela Hawkins Young Parents Not A Silent Night by Adam Hamilton FIFTY FORWARD Contact: Debra Tallman DTallman@FUMCPensacola.com COFFEE WITH FRIENDS Tuesdays December 4, 11, & 18 9:30-10:30am Joe Harrell Library A casual outing to see old friends and meet new ones. SILVER & GOLD December 6 10:30am - 1:00pm The Wright Place A special Christmas luncheon featuring a performance by the children of the MCA. Please RSVP by calling the Church Office ( ). LUNCH OUT December 13 11:30am Pensacola Yacht Club All are welcome for this monthly lunch out. Reservations Required. Please RSVP by calling the Church Office ( ). FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE WRIGHT PLACE December 14 6:00-8:00pm The Wright Place A Jazzy Christmas Concert featuring Mitzi Presley and Paul Martin with a special tribute to Debra Tallman. Please RSVP by calling the Church Office ( ). 6 DECEMBER VOLUME 198 ISSUE 24

7 SERVICE TIMES RUTH S KITCHEN Contact: Susie Schmidt SSchmidt@FUMCPensacola.com SUNDAY 8:00am, 9:30am, 11:00am & ICON AT 11:00am MUSIC Contact: Dr. Rick Branch RBranch@FUMCPensacola.com stay connected TWEENS Contact: Mary Bond MBond@fumcpensacola.com fumcpensacola ANNOUNCEMENTS WEDNESDAY MEALS 5:00-6:00pm The Wright Place December 5 Chicken Pot Pie, Roasted tomatoes, Salad, & Dessert December 12 Chicken and yellow Rice, Peas, Carrots, Salad, & Dessert MISSIONS Contact: Brandon Bures BBures@FUMCPensacola.com ANGEL TREE The angel tree has more angels! If you would like to provide Christmas gifts for a child in our community this year, please come by the front office and pick an angel from the tree. Gifts are due back to the Church Office December 18, so there is still plenty of time to shop. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Bullock at (850) or sbullock@fumcpensacola.com WORSHIP COMMITTEE December 1 8:30am We will place the Christmas greenery in and around the sanctuary. Please come help if you are available! SANCTUARY CHOIR Sunday, December 2: Sing at 8:00am Sunday, December 9: Sing at 11:00am Wednesday, December 12 6:00pm Optional Sectional Rehearsals Thursday, December 13 6:15pm Dress Rehearsal with Orchestra Sunday, December 16: Sing at 8:00am Sunday, December 16 6:00pm Warm up for concert YOUTH CHOIR Sunday, December 2 3:30pm Dress Rehearsal Sunday, December 2 5:00pm White Christmas Concert 2ND 4TH GRADE & CLUB 56 CHOIRS Sunday, December 2: Warm up at 4:30pm Sunday, December 2 5:00pm White Christmas Concert KINDERGARTEN & FIRST GRADE CHOIR Sunday, December 2: Warm up, 4:30pm Sunday, December 2 5:00pm White Christmas Concert TWEEN CHRISTMAS PARTY December 7 5:30-9:00pm Youth Building All tweens are invited to come celebrate the Christmas season with your church friends at A Tween Christmas Event - How the Grinch Stole Christmas. It will be a festive time of holiday food, meaningful fellowship and fun games! Contact Mary Bond or Denise VanAtta to RSVP. YOUTH Contact: Denise Van Atta DVanAtta@FUMCPensacola.com MID HIGH CHRISTMAS PARTY December 14 5:30-9:00pm Youth Building All mid-high youth (7th and 8th graders) are invited to come celebrate the Christmas season with your church friends at A Mid-High Charlie Brown Christmas. This event will be a festive time of holiday food, meaningful fellowship, and fun games! Contact Denise VanAtta or Katherine Varnson to RSVP. SENIOR HIGH PROGRESSIVE DINNER December 21 6:00pm All senior high youth (9th-12th graders) are invited to come celebrate the Christmas season with your church friends at our annual senior high progressive dinner. We travel to three homes (the Cook s, Wimberley s, and Kuba s) and have appetizers, dinner, and dessert. At our final house we will have a white elephant gift exchange. Contact Denise VanAtta or Katherine Varnson to RSVP. FUMCPensacola.com 7

8 Six East Wright Street, Pensacola, Florida (office) (fax) inside this edition... The Methodist Witness is a biweekly newsletter published by First United Methodist Church of Pensacola. If you have information to be included in an upcoming edition, or you have any questions or comments regarding The Methodist Witness Please contact the editor. Please Note: all information to be included is subject to approval and must be submitted by the appropriate deadlines. Kelsey Seager Editor of The Methodist Witness KSeager@FUMCPensacola.com...and more.

9 WHAT'S HAPPENING FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2 First Sunday of Advent 7:45am Childcare Available EB 8:00am Worship Service Sanctuary 9:00am Perry Home Coffee House PH 9:30am Advent Study PH101 9:30am Great Day of Giving HRAC 9:30am Introduction to First Church PH101 9:30am Sunday School Various Locations 9:30am Worship Service Main Sanctuary 11:00am ICON Worship Service WA 11:00am Worship Service Sanctuary 5:00pm White Christmas Concert Sanctuary 7:00pm White Christmas Dinner GH MONDAY, DECEMBER 3 7:15am Senior High Bible Study Panera Cordova 9:00am Sewing Ministry FB 9:30am MCA Preschool Chapel WA 10:00am Centering Prayer Community Group S120 11:00am Serving The Hungry Plus MBP 12:00pm PAMA DH 4:15pm Hand Bells ITRH 5:30pm Cub Scout Pack 99 YMC 5:30pm Fitness and Faith Group Front Lawn 5:45pm WR Community Group PHCB 6:00pm Advent Study PH101 6:00pm BTWHS Cheer Banquet GH 7:00pm Boy Scout Troop 495 YMC TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4 7:15am Senior High Bible Study Bagelheads 9:00am Suit YourSelf OB 9:30am Bridge Group PHCB 9:30am Coffee with Friends JHL 10:00am Prayer Shawl Ministry PH101 10:30am FUMC Staff Meeting S117 12:00pm Staff Christmas Luncheon DH 2:30pm MCA 3rd Grade Bible Study Bayou Chick-fil-A 5:30pm Five Flags Dog Training Club FB 6:00pm UMW Friendship Group PH WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5 7:00am - 5:50pm Methodist Children's Academy 7:00am Joe Harrell Men's Bible Study DH 7:30am Dad's Bible Study Panera Cordova 9:00am R&R Garages 10:30am Women at the Well PHP 12:00pm Fellowship Luncheon DH 2:30pm Kid Connect WA&EB 2:45pm 5th Grade Bible Study Dunwoody Park 3:00pm UMW Board Meeting S117 5:00pm Advent Fellowship Dinner WP 5:30pm Five Flags Dog Training Club FB 5:30pm Weight Watchers S120 5:45pm Kids Gym & Childcare Available HRAC 6:00pm Adult Sanctuary Choir ITRH 6:00pm Nativity LIVE! WA THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6 8:15am Mid High Bible Study Panera Cordova 9:00am Suit YourSelf OB 9:00am Yoga E203 10:00am Study of Prayer PH101 10:30am Silver and Gold Christmas WP 11:00am Serving The Hungry Plus MBP 3:15pm 3rd Grade Chill Time at TCBY Bayou 5:30pm ICON Praise Band Practice WA 5:30pm Fitness and Faith Group Front Lawn 5:30pm CoDA12 Step Study FB 6:00pm Addiction and Grace PH201 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7 6:30am Senior High Bible Study Bagelheads 6:45am Mid High Bible Study Bagelheads 9:00am Church Women United S106 5:30pm Girl Time EB 5:30pm Play-n-Pray HRAC 5:30pm Nursery for Marriage Class EB 5:30pm Marriage Class GH 6:00pm Tween Christmas Party YMC SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8 9:30am CoDA 12 Step Study FB 5:15pm Winterfest Christmas Parade CALENDAR DECEMBER VOLUME 198 ISSUE 24 FUMCPensacola.com INSERT

10 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9 Second Sunday of Advent 7:45am Childcare Available EB 8:00am Worship Service Sanctuary 9:00am Perry Home Coffee House PH 9:30am Advent Study PH101 9:30am Ministries of First Church PH101 9:30am Sunday School Various Locations 9:30am Worship Service Sanctuary 11:00am ICON Worship Service WA 11:00am Worship Service Sanctuary 2:00pm Girl Scout Troop 110 EB 4:30pm Second Sunday Feeding Loaves and Fishes 6:00pm Electric Christmas Concert Sanctuary MONDAY, DECEMBER 10 7:15am Senior High Bible Study Panera Cordova 9:30am MCA Preschool Chapel WA 10:00am Centering Prayer Community Group S120 11:00am Serving The Hungry Plus MBP 4:15pm Hand Bells ITRH 5:00pm Real Soul Sisters PHP 5:30pm Cub Scout Pack 99 YMC 5:30pm Fitness and Faith Group Front Lawn 5:45pm WR Community Group PHCB 6:00pm Charge Conference WA 7:00pm Boy Scout Troop 495 YMC TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11 7:15am Senior High Bible Study Bagelheads 9:00am Suit YourSelf OB 9:30am Coffee with Friends JHL 10:00am Prayer Shawl Ministry PH101 10:30am FUMC Staff Meeting S117 2:30pm MCA 3rd Grade Bible Study Bayou Chick-fil-A 5:30pm Five Flags Dog Training Club FB 6:00pm District Christmas Party WP WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12 7:00am Joe Harrell Men's Bible Study DH 7:30am Dad's Bible Study Panera by Cordova 9:00am R&R Garages LEGEND 10:30am Women at the Well PHP 12:00pm Fellowship Luncheon DH 5:00pm Advent Fellowship Dinner WP 5:30pm Five Flags Dog Training Club FB 5:30pm Weight Watchers S120 5:45pm Kids Gym & Childcare Available HRAC 6:00pm Adult Sanctuary Choir ITRH 6:00pm Traditions Around the World WP THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13 8:15am Mid High Bible Study Panera Cordova 9:00am Suit YourSelf OB 9:00am Yoga E203 9:30am MCA Christmas Program WA 10:00am God s Stories Group PH 11:00am Serving The Hungry Plus MBP 11:30am 50 Forward Lunch Out Pensacola Yacht Club 5:30pm ICON Praise Band Practice WA 5:30pm Fitness and Faith Group Front Lawn 5:30pm CoDA12 Step Study FB 6:00pm Addiction and Grace PH201 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14 6:30am Senior High Bible Study Bagelheads 6:45am Mid High Bible Study Bagelheads 5:00pm Mid High Christmas Party YMC 5:30pm Sacred Harp PH 5:30pm Girls of Grace YMC 6:00pm Friday Night Wright Christmas Celebration WP SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15 9:30am CoDA 12 Step Study FB 11:00am Kappa Luncheon DH S - Basement of Sanctuary EB - Education Building FB - Franklin Building HRAC - Henry Roberts Activities Center ITRH - Ike Terry Rehearsal Hall JHL - Joe Harrell Library OB - Outreach Building PH - Perry Home PHCH - Coffee House WP - The Wright Place DH - Wright Place Dining Hall GH - Wright Place Great Hall WA - Wesley Abbey YB - Youth Building MBP- Miss Barbara's Place DECEMBER VOLUME 198 ISSUE 24 FUMCPensacola.com INSERT