the MESSENGER WHAT S YOUR REASON FOR THE SEASON? First United Methodist Church of Toms River Sunday Worship Services and Sunday School

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1 the MESSENGER DECEMBER/JANUARY WHAT S YOUR REASON FOR E SEASON? Two ladies were shopping at the Mall when they happened upon a large Nativity scene in one of the big Department Store windows. In disgust, one turned to the other and said, Just look at that. Now even the CHURCH is trying to horn in on Christmas! Do we have our priorities out of place, or what? Amazing, yet true for a growing number of Americans, is that the entire Christmas experience has become almost completely secularized (absent of God). When you ask people on the street, What does Christmas mean to you?, usually you hear answers which are filled with candy canes, good meals, family reunions, and presents..don t forget those presents. In fact, for many people, it just wouldn t be Christmas without presents. (Wall Street is really banking on that sentiment this year!) But as the air turns colder and the calendar has opened to the last month of 2016, believers can take heart and feel secure in a single Truth. Sunday Worship Services and Sunday School WIOUT JESUS, IT JUST WOULDN T BE CHRISTMAS! The truth is: God loves you so much that He didn t only want to love you from His throne in Heaven. He wanted to love you UP CLOSE. So He came in the person of Jesus and lived among the people of the first century for a few years. However, He didn t come to simply cheer us on, or pat us on the back for doing such a good job with our lives. The fact is we haven t done a good job. Instead, He came to bridge the gap between people and God, which we created by our own choices. He actually came to die in our place (death is the penalty for our bad choices) so we could have the chance to always be close to him. And this forever relationship changes everything. Eternal LIFE, Never Ending JOY, Certainty of PURPOSE, Total FORGIVENESS, and Perfect PEACE. The world couldn t offer these things even with a million presents. Truly WIOUT JESUS, IT REALLY WOULDN T BE CHRISTMAS If you haven t experienced a REAL Christmas yet, consider making this your first one. All you have to do is receive the forever gift God longs to give you. I love you. Happy Christmas, Pastor Ed 9:00am Contemporary () 10:30am Traditional (Sanctuary) Sunday School 9:00am Preschool 5th Grade & Adults 10:30am 6th-12th Grade E MISSION of our church is to; Invite people of all ages to know Christ; Give them the resources to become Christ s disciples; Create an environment where they are empowered by the Holy Spirit; and Motivate them to do God s will through acts of love and service in both the local and global communities. First United Methodist Church of Toms River

2 OUTREACH REPORT First United Methodist Church gives its congregation many opportunities to place the MERRY in front of CHRISTMAS by spotlighting church sponsored activities that prioritize need and our giving to fulfill that need during the holiday season. The following is a list of those activities: 1) The UMW sponsored project to collect gloves, scarves, mittens, and children s pajamas for clients of the Hope Center, Providence House, and patients at Children s Specialized Hospital. This drive ends Thursday, December 1. 2) On Sunday, December 4 before each service the following items will be collected to meet the needs of congregants and children in Ocean County: First-we ask congregants for donations of fruit to make fruit baskets for our homebound members. We are also asking members of the congregation to deliver these baskets after each service so that the homebound will get a double treat of delicious fruit and a visit that shows our church s brotherly and sisterly love for each other. Secondly- we are collecting CHRISTMAS GIFTS for needy children in Ocean County as we cooperate with the Hope Center s Star Light, Star Bright CHRISTMAS project to place CHRISTMAS GIFTS under every tree of needy children in the county. FUMC has been the largest contributor of these gifts during the past six years and is responsible for putting a smile on many children s faces during the Yule season. For young children the following gifts are recommended: dolls, action figures, games, arts and crafts, stuffed animals and toys, and for the teenager the following 15 dollar gift certificates are recommended: movie theaters, Applebees, Wal-Mart, Target, and fast food places. Again- let s help place the MERRY in front of CHRISTMAS for our homebound and needy children of Ocean County. The Paula Brown Soup Kitchen will be open for serving people dinners on the following evenings: Tuesday, December 20 from 3-5 P.M. and Tuesday, January 17 and 24 from 3-5 P.M. This is a valuable outreach program at FUMC and all congregants are encouraged to donate needed foodstuffs so the Kitchen can provide nourishing meals to needy citizens of our county. Remember Matthew 25:35 when Jesus said, For I was hungry and you gave me food. We will be collecting food on Sunday, December 11 and Sunday, January 8. Remember one-half of what we collect goes to the Jackson Baptist Church and onehalf goes to the Hope Center. The personal hygiene item for the Hope Center in December is baby diapers, wipes, baby food, and baby shampoo and the personal hygiene item for the Month of January is shampoo. All these items are deeply appreciated by the clients of the Hope Center. Congregants that attend the Contemporary Service can place their donations on the table provided in the and congregants that attend the Traditional Service can place their donations in the coatroom next to the Narthex. During the month of September the Hope Center provided 34 families/individuals with emergency shelter totaling 2085 dollars, helped 6 families with utilities totaling 300 dollars, provided 14 families with gas vouchers totaling 280 dollars, gave 11 families Shop-Rite cards totaling 275 dollars, and served 153 families consisting of 306 adults and 159 children in their client-choice food pantry.(the Hope Center gave a homeless woman that came to our church one Sunday in November two nights of housing at a local motel). All the above programs prove that we are making a positive difference in the society in which we live and also prove, without a doubt, that we truly love our neighbor. As the lights of the CHRISTMAS season remind us of the true joy of CHRISTMAS- the birth of our SAVIOR, may FUMC become more and more through our outreach.

3 STEWARDSHIP REPORT DECEMBER/JANUARY WHO ARE YOU INVITING IS ADVENT/CHRISTMAS SEASON? Last year in Greater New Jersey United Methodist Churches... 25% more people worshipped CHRISTMAS EVE than during a typical Sunday. 15% more people worshipped during the ADVENT season. WHY? 77% TO HONOR JESUS... 9% TO BE WI FAMILY AND FRIENDS... 9% TO HONOR TRADITIONS... 3% TO GET IN E CHRISTMAS SPIRIT Invite a family member or an acquaintance to church during the ADVENT/CHRISTMAS SEASON and begin the process of having him/her put Jesus Christ first in their lives.there s not a better Christmas gift that you can give! If invited, 57% of people who don t attend church would be likely to go at Christmas. It s a God-given opportunity to bring people to Jesus Christ and also build the spiritual outreach of FUMC! Amen! Things to think about concerning STEWARDSHIP... 1) God isn t looking for people of great faith, but for individuals ready to follow Him Taylor 2) God uses men/women who are weak and feeble enough to lean on Him. Taylor 3) It is the duty of every Christian to be Christ to his neighbor. Luther 4) If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, than no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him. Studd 5) The mission of the church is missions. Smith 6) At its best, giving is an act of worship. Dyck 7) What is the chief end of giving? To glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Bakke 8) Seek joy in what you give not in what you get. Anonymous 9) Real charity doesn t care if it s tax deductible or not. Anonymous 10) You can give without loving. But you cannot love without giving. Carmichael 11) I don t know how your theology works, but if Jesus has a choice between stained glass windows and feeding starving kids in Haiti, I have a feeling he d choose the starving kids in Haiti. Campolo

4 2016 CHRISTMAS FLOWER FUND FORM The Sanctuary and will once again be adorned with Poinsettias this year. The cost of donating to Christmas Flower Fund is $20. If you prefer, you may make a donation to the Building Fund in lieu of or in addition to purchasing flowers. Please select your option by completing the appropriate portion of the form below. I would like to donate $ towards Poinsettia plants at $20 each. In Honor of: In Memory of: Given by: Church Offering Env. #: Phone #: I would like to make a donation of $ to Building Fund In Honor of: In Memory of: Given by: Church Offering Env. #: Phone #: Please make checks payable to First United Methodist Church of Toms River. Place in the offering plate, mail or drop off at the church office no later than deadline of Sunday, December 11. CHESTNUT HILL NURSERY SCHOOL The Holidays will be joyous time at Chestnut Hill. The children are already excited. Soon the halls will be filled with toy soldiers and Christmas angles. The children will make presents for their families and prepare to have a visit from the man in the red suit!!! The Sanctuary is always so beautiful with the pointsettias and the lighted wreaths. It makes the perfect setting for our families to come join us to celebrate the season with our 2nd annual Christmas Night. A long winter s nap will follow as we snuggle in to get ready for parent-teacher conferences in February. January is the perfect time to see just how far our little ones have progressed since September, and how amazingly smart they all are! We love all our families here at Chestnut Hill, we wish everyone a perfect holiday filled with family, friends, peace and love. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. FIRST PLACE 4 HEAL As another New Year approaches, do you find yourself carrying a few extra pounds? Has the winter left you sluggish & feeling blah? If you answered yes... then First Place 4 Health is the Bible study for you! Join us for this 10 week study to discover how much God wants to guide you into complete health & balance. We will be starting Jan 9th and will meet each Monday at 6pm in Thompson Hall. Bible study Books are $25. Please call Patty to sign up or for any questions. Sign up,you ve got nothing to lose (except maybe a few pounds!). FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY Do you struggle with debt? Feel overwhelmed with your finances? Live paycheck to paycheck? Concerned about retirement and saving money? There is a solution! First Church is offering Financial Peace University, a course that teaches about paying off debt, saving money, and giving to others through a Biblical perspective. You will learn the seven step process that leads to being debt free and building wealth. You can register online at classes/ For more information contact Jana and RJ at or janarobyn@gmail.com.

5 E WORSHIP COMMITTEE NEEDS YOUR HELP November 26 - Putting up wreaths & artificial items in church facility December 17 - Poinsettias arrive December 31 - Put away holiday decorations UMW UNITED MEODIST WOMEN have been very busy with Fall Rummage Sale and Holly Berry Bazaar. We thank everyone who worked so hard to make both such a success. Our UMW depends on the proceeds of our two yearly Rummage Sales and Bazaar to fund all of the worthwhile outreach projects we support. A big thank you to Sue Malinowski and Candy Vesce who Chair our Rummage Sales and Jane Laub who Chairs our Bazaar. They do a great job of coordinating all of the different parts involved in each. The Fall Rummage Sale proceeds amounted to $5500 and the Holly Berry Bazaar proceeds amounted to $11,848.03!!. CONGRATULATIONS to JAMES BRIERLEY for winning Toms River Intermediate School Division First Place in Veterans Essay Contest MEMORIALS GIVEN TO MEMORIAL FUND In memory of Helen Green by Vina Coolbaugh In memory of John Frank by Frank Family In memory of Patricia Aldean O Connor by John & Edna Fischer TO MUSIC FUND In memory of Kathleen Hougham, sister of Kris Olsen, by Phoebe Circle TO EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FUND In memory of Kathleen Hougham, sister of Kris Olsen, by Heike & Jim Graef GOLD PLATED BAPTISMAL PITCHER FOR ALTAR IN SANCTUARY Given by friends in memory of Alta Tidball NEW FAMILY LIFE CENTER ATTENDANCE REGISTRATION HOLDERS Given by Edna & John Fischer TO MUSIC CONCERT SERIES In memory of Clyde & Jeanne Applegate, parents of Terry Waterhouse, by James & Bonnie Citta and in honor of Terry for sharing and contributing her talent, voice and love of the Lord so unselfishly every Sunday. TO HEA BUTLER SCHOLARSHIP FUND Remembering Heath by Trevor Knapp DEAS SUSAN KIRK, joined FUMCTR 7/25/07 and died 5/21/16 ELIZABE BAYLES joined FUMCTR 4/3/58 and died 6/18/16 HELEN GREEN joined FUMCTR 10/20/85 and died 6/28/16 ALDEAN PATRICIA O CONNOR joined FUMCTR 1/19/86 and died 7/22/16 ANNE WOLFF joined FUMCTR 1/19/86 and died 9/20/16 STEVEN MINUE joined FUMCTR 6/2/01 and died 10/7/16 ANK YOU The Minue Family is thanking all of those who took part in making this day so meaningful from the message to music and the wonderful luncheon... So overwhelmed with gratitude. We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. Can t thank you enough for making Steven s memorial just perfect

6 DECEMBER SUN MON TUES WED URS FRI SAT :30pm CHN Nursery School Bd. Emmaus Men & Women at church 4 Collection of fruit & assembling of baskets/ Collection of gifts & gift cards for Hope Center 5 6-9pm UMW Christmas Dinner LaBove Grande Breakfast Setup Breakfast Proceeds go to UMHomes 11 Poinsettia order deadline. Non-perishable Food/ Hygiene items collection pm UMMen Decorate church w/ poinsettias pm Soup Kitchen 6:30pm Board of Trustees 21 6:30pm CHNursery School Christmas party pm & 7:30pm Christmas Eve Services Service in Sanctuary Decorations to be put away. MONDAYS 7:00 pm Boy Scouts TUESDAYS 7:00 pm Praise Team WEDNESDAYS 4:30 Youth Choir (Grades 7-12) 5:30 Genesis Choir (Grades 2-6) Choir Room URSDAYS 5:30 Beginning Bells, Choir Room 6:30 Fellowship Bells, Choir Room 7:30 Sanctuary Choir, Choir Room

7 JANUARY SUN MON TUES WED URS FRI SAT 1 Service in Sanctuary 2 Craft Group 7pm UMW Exec. Board ROOM Emmaus Men & Women at church 8 Non-perishable Food/ Hygiene Items Collection 9 First Place 4 Health 10 Knitters UMMen pm Nine Patchers Financial Peace University MR 12 7pm Perm. Endow. Comm. 13 Breakfast Setup Breakfast Craft Group First Place 4 Health Church Office/ CHNSchool closed pm Soup Kitchen 6:30pm Bd. Of Trustees 18 Financial Peace University MR Emmaus Men Sarah Circle First Place 4 Health 24 Knitters 3-5pm Soup Kitchen 253-5pm Nine Patchers Financial Peace University MR First Place 4 Health MONDAYS 7:00 pm Boy Scouts TUESDAYS 7:00 pm Praise Team WEDNESDAYS 4:30 Youth Choir (Grades 7-12) 5:30 Genesis Choir (Grades 2-6) Choir Room URSDAYS 5:30 Beginning Bells, Choir Room 6:30 Fellowship Bells, Choir Room 7:30 Sanctuary Choir, Choir Room

8 First United Methodist Church of Toms River Christmas Eve Celebration December 24th 5pm - Praise band, candlelight, kid s story time in the 7:30pm - Communion, carols, candlelight, choir, bells, family worship in the Sanctuary fumctr.com FIRST UNITED MEODIST CHURCH OF TOMS RIVER 129 Chestnut Street, Toms River, NJ Phone:(732) fumctr@verizon.net, Website: FUMCTR STAFF Ed Davis, Senior Pastor Wes Ellis, Associate Pastor Linda J. Hendrickson, Director of Music Dr. Harold E. Schmul II, Pastor Emeritus Kathy Newsome, Lay Leader Judy Iovino, Administrative Assistant Kimberly Dillon, Nursery School Director CHESTNUT HILL NURSERY SCHOOL Phone: (732) fumctr@verizon.net Website: The Messenger is posted bi-monthly on the FUMCTR