In His Steps. Follow Us in our Journey to Follow Him. Corry First UMC

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1 December 2016 Monthly Newsletter of Corry First UMC In His Steps Corry First UMC Rev. William R. Beatty Pastor Follow Us in our Journey to Follow Him To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. I Peter 2: Worth Street Corry, PA PHONE: (814) FAX: (814) Office@corryfirst.org OFFICE HOURS: Monday Friday 9:00am 3:00pm WORSHIP: 9:00 AM Sunday School 10:00 AM Morning Worship 11:00 AM Coffee & Fellowship 11:11AM Contemporary Worship WEEKLY SCHEDULE: Tuesday: See Committee Schedules on Main Calendar Wednesday: 6:00PM Life Group 6:15PM Handbell Choir Thursday: 11 & 6:00 PM Bible Study 7:10 8 PM Choir Rehearsal Friday: 7 10 PM Friday Night Flood The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (Schedule is subject to Change)

2 In His Steps Waiting Advent is a funny season in the church. We spend the four weeks before Christmas essentially saying, Wait! Christmas is coming, but wait for it! I m terrible at waiting, especially for good things. Waiting is not really a part of our culture, either, is it? I m not just talking about microwaves and smart phones we can have our snack and a world of information at our fingertips (or play some Candy Crush ). I remember as a kid if I didn t know something I just didn t know it. I had to find some knowledgeable person or look it up in a book probably in the library. Now if I don t know something I Google it and in seconds I know it. No more waiting. Amazon can ship things overnight, I have access to my own medical test reports sometimes before my own doctor gets them. We don t have to wait for the 6:00 news anymore to find out what is going on in the world because the news will be on Twitter or Facebook or Instagram before CNN can even load the footage But there is value in waiting. I had a friend who was incredibly gifted musically he could pick up virtually any instrument and play it competently in days or even hours Everything about playing music came easily to him. But if you know anything about the music industry, it s all about waiting and working hard and still it s often being in the right place at the right moment with the right talent. He couldn t understand why getting a big break wasn t as easy as picking up a guitar or mandolin or trumpet and just playing it Isaiah says, Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31 NKJV) Waiting. I hate it. But it is a valuable discipline. Rhae Brown shared a prayer request and a praise at the 11:11 service about a friend of hers who needed a heart transplant three years ago, but was unable to receive it. They were managing his condition, but that began failing and now he has a new heart. Three years later. Imagine waiting for that. But God provides those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. So this is a time of waiting. Never mind that our culture pushes the consumer end of Christmas from November 1 st with lots of sales and doorbusters and Black Friday deals, this is our season of waiting and anticipating. I read this this week: Advent is not a time of pretending that Jesus has never been born; it is a time of preparing for what that birth might mean for us today. It is not a denial, but a darkroom: a chance to allow the fullness of God s love to develop in our lives and to be revealed in glorious Technicolor. (Magrey R.deVega, Awaiting the Already) So here are some questions to ask yourself this Advent Season as we wait (based on questions from Rachel Held Evans):

3 1. Why do I need a Savior? Which areas of darkness are in need of light? 2. Why does the world need a Savior? Which places of darkness are in need of light? 3. Where do I need patience, waiting and anticipation in my life? What can the waiting of Advent teach me about this waiting? 4. How can I prepare myself and my family and friends for the arrival of Jesus not baby Jesus in a manger, but the return of King Jesus? 5. How can I create moments of peace and quiet during this busy season? Waiting. Anticipating. Hoping. That s what Advent teaches us. I pray that blessing on all this season. In Christ s Love, Pastor Bill December 24 7:00pm Contemporary Candlelight Family Service With our Praise Team and Special Music 11:00pm Traditional Candlelight Service What: Caroling Party When: Dec.17th Where: Meet at the FUMC Time:3:00pm-5:00pm We will leave the church at 3:00pm and sing at homes before traveling to Calvin and Dody Kerstetter's home Refreshments. Please sign up in the Narthex or make your reservations by contacting Pam Millspaw at millspap@gmail.com or by calling Beginning Saturday January 7 th at Corry FUMC Membership cost: $90 See Pam Millspaw or call to register by Dec. 10 th December 10 th from 6:30-8:30pm will be a preview night In the Family Life Center * Preview December 10 th 6:30pm*

4 In His Steps As the Christmas season is in full swing (if you re me, it s been in full swing for three months ), things are busier than ever, right? There are gifts to be bought, goodies to be baked, parties to attend, families to care for, and the list goes on and on! It seems like we re busier than ever at H20, too, because we strive to mobilize teens to serve the community, the church, and each other throughout the Christmas season. There are so many great opportunities for us to serve in different ways during this time of year this month we ll be having Christmas parties, delivering Christmas cookies to Snyder Circle, shopping for Christmas gifts for Salvation Army s Angel Tree, and acting out our living nativity scene in the park - to mention just a few! But in the midst of all the busy-ness, it s so easy for the true meaning of Christmas and the birth of Jesus to be lost. At Friday Night Flood this month, we re doing a message series called Rogue (taken from the new Star Wars movie Rogue One that ll hit theaters December 16 th ) and it s about remembering why Jesus came to Earth as a baby in the first place because the world needed someone to save us from the rogue (Satan)! I m beyond thankful each time I remember the reason that Jesus came to the Earth as a human being so long ago. As we move into the Christmas season, let s make every day of advent count by doing the things that matter most in eternity. Let s be families that focus on Jesus and the reason that He came. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. Jesus (John 10:10) Make each day of this advent season count by using the Advent Calendar on the following page with your family! Blessings, ><> Sarah

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6 In His Steps Birthdays and Anniversaries If we have missed your Birthday or Anniversary or there is a correction, please let the church office know. Every good gift and every 01 Rachel Beatty, Barb Sproveri 02 Tina Freeman, Erin Bricker 03 Michele Hunt, Lucas Zimmerman 04 Lillian Devaney, Ella Greenwalt 07 Myriah Burns 08 Danielle Pognant 11 Christopher Fawcett 12 Lee Curtis 13 Amy Hromek 14 Derrick Stine 17 Diane Chitester, David Swarm 18 Andrew Carpenter, Katrina Harrington 19 Louise Miller, Pam Millspaw 20 Dick Lee, Gail McFarren, Russ Mitchell 21 Jalen Shearer 22 Dylan Craft 23 Ellie Saltsman 24 Neil Pognant 26 Thomas Harrington 27 Dawson Schwabenbauer 28 Megan Anderson, Thadd Graves 29 Andy Kerstetter, Holly Wittmer 30 Judy Grace, Matthew Leofsky 31 Jon Andrus, Marilyn Wood Anniversaries 04 Tom & Lois Labowski George & Mary Valletti 06 Lee & Laurie Curtis 13 Kim & Sue Forrest 26 Gary & Linda Hajec 30 David & Sue Culver 31 Aaron & Heather Costello, Elmer & Mary Wittmer perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17 Attendance & Financial Giving for November Average Attendance for October Monthly Giving November 10am & 11:11am Worship 150 General Fund $ 20,376 Sunday School 61 (Needed Weekly: $6,297 For the Month: $25,188) Missions $ 2,625 Bldg Maint. Fund $ 22 *We are still collecting Missions Pledges & General Fund Pledges for 2017! I would like to financially contribute to First United Methodist Church of Corry Please provide me with a supply of offering envelopes: I will pick these envelopes up: Please mail me envelopes: OR: I will contribute on-line at: OR: I will contribute through my, financial institution, bill-pay program; mailing the check to: First United Methodist Church 650 Worth Street Corry, PA Name: Address: Thank you!

7 Read Through the Bible for December 1. Daniel Nehemiah Esther Second Sunday of Advent 4. Job Isaiah Isaiah Isaiah Isaiah Isaiah Isaiah Third Sunday of Advent 11. Isaiah Isaiah Jeremiah Malachi Malachi Malachi Malachi Fourth Sunday of Advent 18. Mark Matthew Matthew Luke Luke Luke Luke Christmas Day 25. John Luke Titus Titus Titus Revelation Revelation Linda Brown is our Nursery Coordinator. If you would like to help us in volunteering with the Nursery, please contact her or the church office. Volunteers for December December 4 December 11 December 18 December 25 Bonnie Antalek Sheri Williams Beth Oyer TBD Beverly Lindstrom is our main teacher for the Children s Church Ministry. We appreciate those that volunteer to help her. We are always looking for more volunteers if you would like to volunteer, please contact Charla Thomas, volunteer coordinator or contact the church office. Volunteers for December December 4 Margaret Higley December 11 Maxine Pellican December 18 Nancy King December 25 TBD

8 December 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 11:00 AM-Bible Study 6:00 PM-Bible Study 7:00 PM-Choir Rehearsal 2 3 5:00 PM-Clergy Christmas Party 7:00 PM-Friday Night Flood 4 9:00 AM-Sunday School 10:00 AM-Morning Worship 11:00 AM-11:11 Worship Service 11:00 AM-Fellowship Time 3:00 PM-Community Music Fest 5 7:00 PM-Mary Circle 6 7:00 PM-Worship Meeting 7 11:00 AM-Martha Circle 1:00 PM-Deborah Circle 6:00 PM-Life Group 6:15 PM-Handbell Choir Practice 8 OFFICE CLOSED AT NOON 11:00 AM-Bible Study 6:00 PM-Bible Study 7:00 PM-Choir Rehearsal :30 PM-Preview Financial OFFICE CLOSED Peace 7:00 PM-Friday Night Flood 11 9:00 AM-Sunday School 10:00 AM-Morning Worship 11:00 AM-11:11 Worship Service 11:00 AM-Fellowship Time 1:00 PM-Piano Recital 12 7:00 PM-UMW Meeting :00 PM-Life Group 6:15 PM-Handbell Choir Practice 15 11:00 AM-Bible Study 6:00 PM-Bible Study 7:00 PM-Choir Rehearsal :00 PM-Friday Night Flood 3:00 PM-Caroling Party 18 9:00 AM-Sunday School 10:00 AM-Morning Worship 11:00 AM-11:11 Worship Service 11:00 AM-Fellowship Time :00 PM-Life Group 6:15 PM-Handbell Choir Practice 22 6:00 PM-Bible Study 7:00 PM-Choir Rehearsal :00 PM-Candlelight Service 11:00 PM-Candlelight Service 25 9:00 AM-Sunday School 10:00 AM-Christmas Morning Service Combined Service 26 OFFICE CLOSED HOLIDAY :00 PM-Life Group 6:15 PM-Handbell Choir Practice 29 6:00 PM-Bible Study 7:00 PM-Choir Rehearsal 30 31

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10 WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE? Returning to the field in September coincides well with the school year but sure makes time fly. Between getting settled in, greeting people, starting up programs, etc. time seems to have vanished for me. Perhaps time has vanished lately for you as well with all your holiday preparations. May God bless your holiday season and fill you with His peace as you reflect on Him and the awesome gift He gave us- Himself. GETTING FROM HERE TO THERE It is much easier to get around these days with this car God has blessed me with (thanks to a fellow colleague) and this new motorcycle to replace my aging and less reliable one. WHERE IS THE LAUGHTER OF THE CHILDREN? Due to SIM s recently imposed strict child safety rules on all its members, getting programs off the ground has taken more time and become much more complicated for me. It has seemed strange not to hear children playing in the yard while I do other menial tasks and has added to my feelings of isolation. Despite this, I have gotten many programs going. 2 youth Bible studies (one with new participants and one a continuation of the old Bible study group- (at their request) 16 students enrolled in computer and 8 in English classes teaching Sunday school students are continuing with the written correspondence courses and encouraging their friends to enroll, learn God s Word and earn a Bible for themselves kids club- twice a week in my courtyard (this has proven to be a special challenge with a large turnover in the kids who are participating). When there are 30- some new kids who are not used to the house rules and are all vying for the same games; it can be interesting to say the least. Seeing several kids put forth a real effort to grasp the Biblical lessons and concepts and knowing that God is sowing His seed in their hearts makes the challenging moments more than worthwhile. WEEKLY RADIO PROGRAM SUSTAINED BY LOCAL PEOPLE While I was on home assignment, I asked my fellow Burkinabé to fulfill their part of their agreement with me to help pay the fees for our weekly 1 hour radio program. They have done well and are hoping a few more will join the team so they can pay for a 1 hour program on another area radio station. PRISON MINISTRY TEAM EXPANDS Despite some administrative challenges, the team has moved forward. In my absence, the team has added 5 new members who are very dedicated to this ministry (coming by moto from over 30 km away). We were also trying to get someone fluent in fufuldé on the team. I m pleased to say that we now have a dedicated Fulani Christian on the team. UPCOMING TEACHING We (Timothé, Suzanne and I) plan to do 3 kids ministry seminars (for the pastors who were unable to participate the first time) in order to complete this pastoral training in our region. We plan to start the first of these kids ministry seminars along with the first of our 10 day Sunday school teacher training sessions in January. YOUTH CENTER UPDATE After over 2 years of work by Bill (a missionary colleague), André (a Burkinabé pastor) and lots of prayers, we received the go ahead from a local office to start construction. With all the paper work in and approved, we only need the official rubber stamp from Ouaga. Pray that we will be able to get a wall up around the perimeter of the property before the deadline runs out (when the funds could tentatively be withdrawn). Funds have been received to cover the cost of the land, taxes, the building of a wall, a well, solar panels and perhaps a shed. Pray that the necessary remaining funds will come in for the second phase of the project which includes a duplex and the actual ministry center building. DENGUE FEVER This mosquito born sickness has made a comeback here in Burkina. Although not usually fatal, it has recently claimed the life of our fellow missionary, Carolyn. Pray for her family and for quicker diagnosis and treatment. FAITHFUL FRIENDS While recently talking to someone in the States, I was told of an old family friend s death. I am happy for her as she s in the Lord s presence, but I immediately thought, Oh, no! She s one of my most faithful prayer supporters (as she assured me occasionally that she prayed for me at least daily). Then, I was reminded of how many faithful prayer and financial supporters God has blessed me with. Thanks to all of you! HARVEST TIME Thanks also to those of you who have prayed for rain here in Burkina. This year, unlike many previous ones, has been a good harvest year. The spiritual harvest is doing well also. Since my arrival, God has given me the privilege of leading 4 kids to Himself. Serving the Master, Beverly Hutchison

11 Of Corry, Union City & Spartansburg Love In the Name of Christ enables churches in a community to coordinate their resources and services so that those in need are not turned away. As churches join together to show the love of Jesus to their neighbors, communities see exciting results: People in need receive immediate and long-term help. Church members use their unique gifts and talents through specific, manageable opportunities to serve others. Local churches work together, across denominational lines, modeling unity of the Body of Christ. Lives and communities are transformed. Imagine the difference churches can make by joining with other churches in their community to help those in need. When the Body of Christ works together, the results can be miraculous. We look forward to continue bringing our churches together in 2016, but cannot do it without your help. Some ways you can help: Consider making a year-end tax deductible donation. Volunteer- we are in desperate need of volunteers in our office and to provide rides for clients to appointments. Prayer- Your prayers are always welcome and appreciated! Love INC of Corry, Union City & Spartansburg 903 N. Center St. Corry, PA (814) Our mission is to mobilize the Church to transform lives and communities in the Name of Christ. Beginning December 11 th 9:00am In the Kneeling Christians Class Most Asked Questions About the Bible Led by Mike Andrus Join us! Poinsettia s for Christmas Cost: $9 Order by December 16 In Memory of In Honor of By: Paid

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