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1 The Light of Love and Hope in Our Community December 2016 A Publication of Bright Star United Methodist Church, Douglasville, Georgia Volume 29, Issue 12 V{Ü áàåtá Xäx fxüä vxá 5:00 pm & 11:00 pm `xüüç V{Ü áàåtá tçw [tññç axã lxtü

2 ... From the Pastor A NEW ADVENT-URE Dearly Beloved, On behalf of Una and myself, I want to take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones a very special Christmas and a very blessed New Year. May the gift of God s amazing grace, so freely available to all, continue to encourage, equip and empower us, not only at this incredible time of the year but always and forever. In addition, let me take this opportunity to remind all of us not to just rush into Christmas, but to take and make some time to think, to listen, to learn, and to contemplate on who we are and where we are right now and as we prepare ourselves both internally and externally to receive the special gifts of grace that God has in store for all of us. You see Advent and Christmas is not just about business as usual. Neither is it a haphazard hurry and scurry to do whatever it is that we must get done. No, it is also, and perhaps more importantly, a very special time of the year for us to stop and to give thanks to God for who we are and to align and to re-align ourselves to God, to others, and to ourselves. Not only that, we must always remember that we are God s beloved and as such we are a people of the way. Not in the way but on the way, a United Methodist movement, following Jesus to and into God s bright and blessed and in many ways, still unknown future. Having said all that, let us continue our new Advent-ure with our sight fully fixed on greater things. As a part of those greater things, I would like to invite and to encourage all of us to continue our prayers for all the ministries of our church. Let us continue to encourage and support each other because we are such a blessed and gifted church, and I know that God has so much more for us to do and to be. So, let us continue to pray, especially for our children s ministry and for the growth and increase of younger families in our church. Let us also be in prayer for the new beginnings of an afterschool care ministry. As you know, my vision and dream for this church is that it will continue to be the star that it has been built and blessed to be. And therefore, I look forward to the day when we will see our debt is eliminated and that this place is buzzing with lots and lots of children and young people and their families. Can you see it, too? I hope you can because as United Methodists, we believe that the best is yet to be. May God bless you with a wonderful Christmas and a wonder -filled New year. Dr. Edwin Edwin and Una will be celebra ng their 40th Wedding Anniversary on January 22. They are looking for ideas and sugges ons about things they can do, places they can go. Any ideas? Send to dredwinjones@gmail.com

3 WELCOME! New Member Idalia Bess Sponsored by : Laura Frank & Judy Strickland New Members Barry & Andrea Long Sponsored by : Ginny Roberts Pictured L-R: Laura Frank, Judy Strickland, Idalia Bess, Una Jones, Rev. Dr. Edwin Jones, Andrea Long, Barry Long, Ginny Roberts The cast of DID YOU GUESS THE IDENTITY OF THESE TWO CLOWNS? From L-R: Brenden Benson, Kim Daniels, Cindi Winstead (Director), Brice Barnes, Tim Plumley, Ka e Plumley, Becky Porter, Jill Perry, John Willis, Meredith Warner (inset). A great produc on and community outreach, over 400 people came to see the Starfish Players over three nights as they presented Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells. Wilfred Milam & Louise Thri Rev. John Ratcliff was Bright Star s pastor in 1974, as well as a professional clown and magician. As a member of a magic club in Atlanta, he recruited other members to join him in A Night of Magic with all proceeds going to the Bright Star Building Fund. Rev. Ratcliff, along with 6 adults & youth, dressed in their best clown ou its and spent Saturday morning in downtown Douglasville and throughout the community adver sing the magic show. Thanks to Louise Thri for the great pics and trivia!

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6 DECEMBER Our mission focus in December is on our Angel Tree and our Backpack Ministry Safe sanctuary training was a success for those who attended on Nov. 13. We had 4 first time members trained. There were 15 in attendance to be recertified. We have 50 or more members who have been certified in the past. Our updated policy in 2014 required that everyone be recertified annually. If you were unable to attend the training last Sunday, please contact Pam landers Recertification has been streamlined so that the process only takes about 20 minutes. If you want to be certified but have never been through the training at Bright Star, the process will take hours. We can try to work out a time before the first of the year, but with everyone's schedule getting busier around the holidays, we may have to wait until the first of the year. If you work with children, youth or visitation to the elderly you might want to know our plan for protecting those who are most vulnerable. Please call me with questions or to sign up for training. Thank you, Pam Landers The Children s Love Offering in our 9:30 am Genera ons service goes toward the Bill Arp Backpack Ministry this month. Bring your spare change! DEADLINE IS 12/5! AT FULLERVILLE MISSION in Villa Rica, some of our Bright Star members helped to serve Thanksgiving dinner. Idalia Bess

7 YOU RE INVITED! DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS 1 Miranda Byrd 1 Susie Munday 2 Darwin Glover 3 Seth Petero 5 Sandy Shiner 6 Kathy Harmon 9 Wilfred Milam 10 Joanne Murdock 19 Tommy Wheeler 20 Bea West 24 Ed Landers 27 Melba Jones 27 Heather Petero 30 Caleb Turner DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES 5 Ken &Kay Green 15 Bob & Nancy Reynolds 16 Leon & Sue Ballen ne 28 Tom & Barbara O Dwyer 30 Randall & Julia Musser Start asking people when their BIRTHDAY is and find out who is sitting at YOUR table! If you have any ques ons about the Birthday Party, please see Kathy Harmon, Una Jones, or Becky Porter. Thank you! Homebound: Dot Driskell Marvienne Pinder PRAYER REQUESTS June Hinson Peggy Helton Requested: Deena Canup Danny Tanner Janice Howell James Tanner

8 Starting in January, the Sewing Ministry will be meeting on the first Wednesday of the month from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm. And on the third Saturday from 9:30am to 12:30 pm. We meet in our new room at the end of the hall under the Sanctuary. You don't have to sew, but we can teach you. You don't have to know how to cut fabric, but we'll show you. We need people who can iron, come up with a few new ideas and love being in a group that has fun. (Don't forget - we play with a power tool and sharp blades). So this isn't just for the ladies!!!!! We would love to see you there! Douglas County Pregnancy Resource Center 3030 Chapel Hill Road, Douglasville, volunteer@partnersofprc.com Get Ready for Baby Bottle Fundraiser Yes, it s time to start thinking about the Baby Bottle FUNdraiser drive to support PRC Medical s FREE Ultrasound Program that will kick off January 15, Last year Bright Star UMC generously donated over $1,000 to the campaign, enough to pay for more than six ultrasound procedures. It has been shown that when a woman can actually see her baby through a sonogram, 97% of the time she will choose to give it life. So please help us by gathering up any empty baby bottles you have and putting them in the boxes in the narthex and Hunter Hall foyer for the fundraiser in January. And be sure to keep some for yourself, family, friends, and coworkers to fill with coins, bills, and checks. Thank you for your support! PRC Medical Appreciates Volunteers! Of the nearly 80 persons who serve at PRC Medical, only six are staff members. There s room for you to volunteer, too! Thank you! The West Atlanta / Douglas Choral Society (WADCS), Inc., will present A Family Christmas Variety Concert Tuesday, December 6 at 8:00 p.m. at Douglas County High School (DCHS) Performing Arts Hall (Mashburn Theater) Tickets are $10 and may be purchased from chorale members, Kroger Stores Service Desks in Douglasville, at the concert if available, or after service on Sunday, 12/5. See Waverly Rainey or Mary Faye Otwell for details. PRAYER SUPPORT Pray for the Clients, Board, Staff, Volunteers, and needs of PRC Medical. ADVOCATE Work with women in crisis pregnancy situations and share the love of Jesus. PARENTING MENTOR Teach women about their pregnancy and parenting utilizing a program curriculum. MALE MENTORS Mentor young men and fathers while encouraging abstinence and/or positive parenting as appropriate. RECEPTIONIST Greet clients, answer phones, and schedule appointments. MOMMY BOUTIQUE WORKERS Work in the Mommy Store to keep it organized and inviting for our clients. LAUNDRY Re-wash donated baby and maternity clothing. Contact Paula Payne for more information: volunteer@partnersofprc.com

9 Finance/Stewardship Monthly Operating Budget Required:.$33,890 Fiscal YTD Operating Budget required thru November.:......$169,450 Report thru November 30, 2016 Operating Budget Received MTD:..$31,845 Operating Budget Received Fiscal YTD:..$171,692 Average Sunday School Attendance Average 9:30am Worship Attendance Average 11:00am Worship Attendance Financial Facts Refinanced Mortgage Balance: 10/28/16 $1,593,893 New Monthly mortgage pymt...$8, Additional principal donated to date.....$17,402 DECEMBER 12/2 Live Nativity-7pm 12/2 Young Adult Open House-8pm 12/3 Live Nativity-7pm 12/4 Cantata/Live Nativity-7pm 12/5 Private Party-DH 12/5 Stewardship Mtg-7pm 12/5 DEADLINE-Pop Tabs 12/6 Trustees-7pm 12/8 Gideons-6:30pm 12/8 Private Party-HH 12/8 Finance-7pm 12/8 Mentor training for Bill Arp 12/9 Girl Scout Party-HH 12/9-10Scout camp-in-gym 12/12 Private Party-HH 12/12 Youth Meeting-6pm 12/13 Staff-6:15pm 12/16 Cub Scout Party-HH 12/17 EVERYBODY S Birthday Party!- 6pm-HH 12/18 Backpack ministry dinner-6pm 12/19 ASP mtg-6:30pm 12/23 office closed 12/24 Christmas Eve- 5pm service Christmas Eve- 11pm service 12/25 No Sunday School One service at 11am 12/26 office closed JANUARY 01/06 Staff at parsonage-7pm 01/07 Council planning-9am 01/07 Emmaus Team mtg-8:30am 01/14 Emmaus Team mtg-8:30am 01/20 Girl Scout camp-in-gym 01/22 Council-12p 01/24 Floors polished-dh (office closed) 01/29 Covered dish-12p Sign up for the 2017 Flower Calendar NOW!

10 The Bright Star Beacon Published monthly by Bright Star United Methodist Church 3715 Bright Star Road Douglasville, Georgia (770) FAX: (770) brightstarumc.org BRIGHT STAR STAFF - READY TO BE OF SERVICE TO YOU! Rev. Dr. Edwin Jones, Pastor Kim Daniels, Office Manager Josh Lowery, Custodian Sara Denham, Nursery (770) Matt Holloway, Interim Youth Director Katie Plumley, Director of Music/Drama Ivan Winslett, Assoc. Director Of Music Richard Jacobus, Stephen Ministry Referrals Sunday School and Worship 9:30-10:30 Generations Worship Service 9:45-10:45 Sunday School 10:45-11:45 Sunday School 11:00-12:00 Traditional Worship Service NEWSLETTER DEADLINE The deadline for the next newsletter is December 16, 2016 BSUMC is a Stephen Ministry congregation OUR PURPOSE OFFICE HOURS: Monday - Friday 8am - 12pm As a beacon of light, we will bring people to Jesus Christ, create disciples, share and develop our spiritual gifts, and live a life that magnifies God. Be sure to check out our newsletter in FULL COLOR online at