The Chimes. A Publication of Ann Street United Methodist Church. "Making disciples of Jesus Christ by the sea and throughout God's creation.

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1 A Publication of Ann Street United Methodist Church The Chimes Rev. Taylor Mills Pastor Telephone: "Making disciples of Jesus Christ by the sea and throughout God's creation. The Combined Choirs of Ann Street UMC will present the Christmas cantata, Morning Star by Joseph Martin on Friday, December 7th, at 7:00 pm and again on Sunday, December 9th, at 5:00 pm. Come join us as we begin the celebration of Advent with the sound of music. The family of Elizabeth Vick would like to thank our Church Family for all the thoughts, prayers, and special cards we have received during the difficult time of our mother s illness. Thank you to Pastor Mills for the visits and support, and to the wonderful ladies of the church who provide meals. We are truly blessed to be a part of such a loving caring church. The Vick family The family of Dolena Bell would like to thank everyone for the prayers, cards and hugs we received when she passed away. The meal was delicious and very much enjoyed by the family. A special thank you to Rhoda Allred for her many visits and to Pastor Taylor for honoring Mom/Nonnie so elegantly at the funeral. We are thankful and blessed to be a part of Ann St. United Methodist Church. Ann Street United Methodist Church will host an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Monday, December 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Schedule an appointment to donate by visiting redcrossblood.org or calling We want to offer homemade treats for the donors to enjoy after donating. You can help by making a dozen cookies or brownies and bringing them to church on December 9. There is still a critical blood shortage after the storms. One unit of blood can assist three people. Thank you for your help. The church office will be closed Tuesday, December 25th through January 1, The office will reopen on Wednesday, January 2nd. Christmas poinsettias will be placed in the sanctuary to honor or remember loved ones. Poinsettias are $10 each. Checks should be made payable to the Grace Eure Circle. Please indicate poinsettia in the memo line. On Saturday, December 15th, poinsettias will be placed in the sanctuary. You may pick up your poinsettia on Christmas Eve. Please complete the following form and return to the church office by Sunday, December 9th. CHRISTMAS POINSETTIA Please reserve (number please) Poinsettia(s) for December 16th worship service. in honor of: New Chrismon Tree Many thanks to Norman and Linda Gruschow for sponsoring a new Chrismon Tree for our sanctuary. in memory of: This year our Advent collection will go to provide funds to the Hurricane Disaster Rebuild Fund. By:

2 Disaster Rebuild Center Needed The disaster response ministry of the North Carolina Annual Conference of the UMC is looking for a suitable Carteret County location for a "Rebuild Center." This would be a hub for United Methodist work teams from around the country to stay for a week or two as they help rebuild homes affected by Hurricane Florence. The center would likely operate for at least two years. Though the center will be managed by our annual conference disaster response ministry, they are looking to Ann Street UMC for help in finding a suitable Carteret County location. The very best conceivable location would have room for over fifty volunteers to sleep (the conference will build in bunk beds and room dividers if needed), a kitchen, bathrooms, and some space for tool and building supply storage. It would have room for several cars and pickup trucks to park. A donated space would also be ideal. The disaster response ministry would still be interested in a space that does not have all of the aforementioned qualities. They have a kitchen trailer and a shower trailer to supplement a facility if needed. And if a space is ideal but not donated, they are still interested in talking with the owner. If you have such a space, know someone who does, or know of a space that you believe should be considered, please notify Taylor Mills by or through the church office; or Curt Barry at cbarry@fcbco.com or Small Group Ministries Among the objectives and goals that emerged from the church vision process this year was the need for: "A discipleship-focused small group for everyone including (1) new discipleship-focused small groups and (2) a process to help existing groups be discipleship-focused." I am very happy to share with you that Linda Hevner has graciously accepted the task of helping us launch a small group initiative at the start of 2019! This will be a vital component of our work to make disciples of Jesus Christ by the sea and throughout God's creation. What is a discipleship-focused small group? It is a close-knit group of people who, in their gathering, encourage and support one another in intentionally following Jesus. Such groups are known by several markers that we find in Acts 2:42 which tells us that the early Christians "devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." We would hope to find these practices in any discipleship-focused small group at Ann Street UMC or any church. Watch for upcoming information on a discipleship-focused small group ministry at Ann Street UMC as we work to cultivate a culture of intentional disciple-making together! Rev. Taylor Mills Pastor's Anniversary Vacation Taylor and Betsy Mills will celebrate their twentieth wedding anniversary on January 9th. They will be on a vacation from January 3rd through 12th. Arrangements will be made for the congregation's pastoral needs while they are away. We wish them a very Happy Anniversary! Love feast There will be a Love feast on Sunday, December 31 in a combined worship service at 10:30AM. There will not be a congregational lunch to follow but enjoy the sweet buns and coffee during the Love feast along with testimonials from the congregation. Mark your calendar for January 17th! Soup s On will resume at 11:30 am on Thursday, January 17th chaired by the Soupers.

3 From our Pastor: Advent Anticipation We are almost there! The season of anticipation we call "Advent" is upon us. Our world that so desperately needs God will receive him in the person of Jesus Christ. Angels will announce his coming. Love will be born to us. Here at Ann Street UMC we will continue our cherished seasonal traditions. Their rhythms remind us that the Savior is continuously born into our world and into our hearts. You will find them in this issue of the Chimes: the Christmas Cantata, the Christmas Eve services, and more. But we will also seek the baby Jesus with fresh expressions of our faith: the Blue Christmas service, a new Chrismon tree, a Pastor's Bible Study on Advent, hope for a Disaster Rebuild Center, and more. May God bless you and yours this Advent and Christmas! Let us anticipate the Savior with joy and praise! -Rev. Taylor Mills Spiritual Gifts Assessment If you haven't taken the Spiritual Gifts Assessment as part of our recent series and workshop on spiritual gifts, please do so now! It's just 21 online questions. There are no right or wrong answers. It will simply help you better understand how God has uniquely gifted you as a disciple of Jesus. When you get to the end of the assessment, you will have an opportunity to send your results via . Please put in your own address as well as the following address: AnnStreetGifts@gmail.com. This will send a copy to the church that we can use in the future to help match people's gifts with our church's ministries. Many thanks to Lindsay Allen, Rachel Wyman Dawson, Jeremy Ganey and John McLeod for pulling together this initiative and facilitating our workshops! Here's the link to take the Spiritual Gifts Assessment: goo.gl/lkkajd Pastor's Bible Study Every Tuesday at 11AM in the Fellowship Hall join Pastor Taylor for Bible Study. The next study will be "Advent: Jesus and the City." Meetings will be on November 27, December 11, and December 18. (No Bible Study on December 4 because of the Station Club party.) Topics in 2019 include: Sabbath Life, Acts and the Church, Hymns: Old and New Favorites, Lent: Understanding God's Will, and Resurrection in the Gospels. Topic Summary for "Advent: Jesus and the City" Who is in charge? Whose land is this? Whose people are we? God answered those questions by choosing a specific time and place to come in flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. What does God's choice have to say to us today? Trustee Update Since Hurricane Florence, our fellowship hall has been a center of extensive relief and recovery operations for the community. The Board of Trustees has subsequently reconsidered their original plan to repair and clean the existing carpet. They are now working with a flooring contractor on an alternative product called Luxury Vinyl Flooring (LVF). It should last longer than carpet and be much easier to keep clean. The next Trustee meeting will be December 5th. Blue Christmas Service Your Stephen Ministers and I are providing a simple, casual worship service for anyone with a blue Christmas. People dealing with the death of a loved one, facing life after divorce or separation, coping with the loss of a job, living with cancer or some other disease that puts a question mark over the future or any other human situations...all are invited. Or if you're not necessarily having a blue Christmas but you have a special place in your heart for those that do, please join us on Sunday, December 16th at 2:00 pm. It will be comfortable where all are welcome!

4 Let us remember in our prayers and thoughts those connected to our church family serving our country in foreign lands: SSgt. Joshua W. Jones Rusty Cotterman, (SF) Alexander Heller, USN Michael Hart (NG) CPT. Wade Sololosky, Jr. (US Army) Sarah Heller, USN Reported Monthly Church and Sunday School Attendance November 8:25 am :00 am 451 Sunbeams 26 K-2 NBG's3-5 6 MS/HS 6 Young Adult Challenger Reach Out 14 Quest Thelma Ward--21 Robert Safrit 46 *Spiritual Gifts Workshop for 3 Sundays during Sunday School time. Gift, tithes, and offerings for November $ unavailable Ann Street s Advent and Christmas Services Friday, December 7- Christmas Cantata at 7:00 pm. Saturday, December 8- Candlelight Tour at 5:00 pm. Sunday, December 9- Christmas Cantata at 5:00 pm. Sunday, December 16- Children s Christmas Program at 10:00 am in the Sanctuary. Sunday, December 16- A Blue Christmas Service at 2:00 pm. Monday, December 24-Christmas Eve Communion/Candlelight Service 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm. Sunday, December 30-Combined Service and Methodist Love Feast 10:30 am. There will be no luncheon. Children Make plans to join us Sunday, December 16th, at 10am between services for the Children's Christmas Program. Preparation is taking place now during the Sunday school hour, from 9:45 am-10:30am. We will have a rehearsal on Saturday, December 15th, at 10am. Please make plans to attend Sunday school in December and the rehearsal on the 15th. All children 2 years old - 5th graders are invited to participate. Dec 2nd - 6-8pm - Regular MYF. Youth December Schedule Dec 9th - 5-8pm - Cantata and MYF end of year dinner. Dec 16th - 3-5pm decorating trailer and bus. 5pm-8pm caroling and Christmas party. We are in need of Acolytes for our 7:00 pm Christmas Eve service and our Sunday, December 30th 10:30 am combined service. If you are able to acolyte, please contact Julia Royall. We will break for the holidays! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone. We will return Sunday January 6th!

5 UMW Matters I thank my God for every remembrance of you. Philippians 1:3 Secret Sister Program The Secret Sister Program is an UMW outreach ministry open to ALL women in our ASUMC fellowship. All ladies are invited AND ENCOURAGED to participate. If you participate you will draw a name and that woman will become your Secret Sister for the year. You will become her silent prayer partner and her secret up-lifter. She doesn t know who you are. Likewise, someone will be caring for you in that way, also. Secret Sisters are about encouraging, praying for, and supporting each other in small ways. How do I get a Secret Sister? You will complete an ALL ABOUT ME form (to be available in this issue of The Chimes, and January s Church bulletins). Return your completed form to the box which will be provided in the church office by Sunday, January 13 th. On Sunday, January 20 you will have an opportunity to draw one of the forms and that person will become YOUR Secret Sister. (If you are unable to pull a form that day, you may do so at the church office the following week.) The program chairman, Anna Stanley, will be the holder of our Secret Sisters. She will record the name of your sister and then file the information away secretly until it is time to reveal the names. If a snag develops, she manages and resolves the issue. Secret Sisters will be revealed at our Annual UMW Banquet. What responsibility do I have as a Secret Sister? Once names are drawn you can immediately begin sending notes, cards, or special greetings that can continue throughout the year. If during the year you wish to give a special gift to your Secret Sister, there will be a place in the Eure Building where they may be dropped off. Please be modest in your gift-giving. Keep in mind, it is the thought that counts : something homemade, a sweet treat, or a simple gift is an appropriate way to say: You are in my thoughts Make an effort to get to know your Secret Sister, quietly and discreetly, (...you don t want to give yourself away). Get acquainted during Sip-n-Chat, at meetings, or church activities. If you don t know her, ask someone to point her out or check the church directory. Pray for your Secret Sister. Keep her in your thoughts. Please remember to contact her in some way, at least once a month. It will be so nice to receive those notes saying you re being thought about or being remembered in a special way on holidays, or occasions like her birthday, anniversary or other life changing event- details that will be available on your copy of her All About Me form. Your faithfulness in doing that is what will make the program successful. Above all, enjoy the experience of giving and receiving the love and grace of Jesus Christ through each other. Look for details in future installments of UMW Matters.

6 All About Me Name Phone Number Address City Zip Birth Date Age (circle) Marital Status If Married, Anniversary Date I am (circle) Employed/Retired/Homemaker Employer/Occupation Children/Grandchildren. Share any information you wish: I have the following pets Hobbies Favorites: Color Candy Desert Comfort Food Holiday Authors/Books TV Program Hymn Scripture The following prayer request and/or concerns are often in my heart:

7 The Chimes December 2018 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Permit # 10 Beaufort, NC Sunday Worship and Study Opportunities 8:25 AM and 11:00 AM Worship Services 9:30 AM-9:45 AM Sip and Chat 9:45 AM-10:30 AM Sunday School Ann Street United Methodist Church 417 Ann Street Beaufort, NC Church office hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30 am -noon 1:00 pm -4:30 pm Friday 8:30 am-noon OFFICE and STAFF INFORMATION office, FAX, Preschool address: office@annstreetumc.org Web page: Polly Conrad, Administrative Secretary, Rhoda Allred, Assistant to the Pastor for Visitation, Kathy Ausband, Financial Secretary, Julia Royall, Children and Youth Director, Cathy Brandt, Preschool Director, Joe McCreary, Director of Music, Kandice Davis, Organist, Lee Jones, Custodian