YOU. What are. Thankful for?

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1 What are YOU Thankful for? Thirty days of thankfulness challenge give thanks to the Lord every day for some blessing God bestows to you. Post that thankful prayer on social media, tell a friend or loved one or if you want to be more private, write it down in a journal. At the end of November, you will look back and will be amazed at how many blessings are in your life right now! November 2017

2 Thank you for the excellent response to the Stewardship Emphasis Free to Give, Free to Serve. You are showing your love for God and this congregation by your offerings that enable Fairhope Church to Love Boldly, Casting the Light of Jesus into the world. If you have not yet turned in your pledge of support, you may do so either by obtaining an estimate of giving card or online at Often times in the month of November our minds turn to gratitude as we approach the Thanksgiving Holiday. We are encouraging everyone to take time each and every day to think about at least one blessing God has bestowed to you. It is interesting how this exercise will brighten your outlook on life. You may want to post your prayer of thankfulness on social media to share with others the appreciation that is in your heart. The Fairhope Film Festival is widely known and it brings in people from all over the country. This year, our own Christian Life Center will be a venue to view one of the movies being shown on Friday, November 10 at 6 pm. The film, Becoming Who I Was, is a movie of discovery set in Tibet. Hosting a film is an opportunity to show hospitality to persons who may never set foot on our campus. I hope that many from our church will come to see the movie and welcome others. You may purchase tickets at the Film Festival website, at the Fairhope Visitors Center, or at the CLC the night of the film. Coming to interpret the film on November 10, and to preach at our worship services on November 12 is a good friend of mine, Reverend Steve Horswill-Johnston. Steve is the Executive Director of Marketing and Brand Strategy for the United Methodist General Board of Discipleship. He is the producer and director of the popular Chuck Knows Church series as well as creating other films and videos that have enabled him to receive five Emmy awards in recognition of his talent. Our church will be blessed to have Steve and his lovely wife Michelle with us. I hope you will make plans to come to the film festival at our church on November 10 and to come experience what Steve will bring to us that Sunday. I am truly blessed to be a part of this community and this church where so many wonderful things are happening! I feel better already offering thanks thinking about that great blessing I am enjoying in this place. Thankfully yours, Ed

3 Finally, as the calendar turns to November, we are beginning to experience fall in Fairhope. And just as surely as November rolls around, we begin to think about celebrating a season of gratitude in our church. We are beginning a 4-part worship series called, Thankful. We have established #fumc30days so that you can participate in a communal sharing via social media of those things for which your heart overflows with gratitude. And while it is always nice to post things for which we are grateful, we as the church always want to be about DOING specific acts that reveal and celebrate our thankful hearts. Here are a few thoughts on how you can show your gratitude during the month of November. 1. Smile Perhaps we forget the power of a spontaneous and warm smile to make another person feel seen and appreciated. Make a smile your fashion go-to during the month of November and you are bound to spread gratitude around you. 2. Listen There is nothing that makes another person feel quite as appreciated as really paying attention to what they have to say. Good eye contact and reflective listening skills will show that you are engaged and you care, as will putting your phone away and ignoring all the bells and dings. You get extra credit for practicing this with the people closest to you. 3. Spend Time (Not Money) One of the greatest commodities we have is our time. Spend it wisely by putting aside all distractions and choosing to make relationships a priority over some of the other things that rob you of precious moments. 4. Use Words Let someone know you are grateful TO them, FOR them, by describing in detail why they mean so much to you the specific things they do, the way they treat you, the things that make them special to you. 5. Put it in Writing Send a hand-written note using grammatically correct whole sentences to express your love and appreciation. The art of the well-written note is worth preserving! 6. Don t Complain Constant complaining can suck the life out of your relationships. Let God give you eyes of gratitude and try putting away the whining during November this year. 7. Volunteer Find a ministry in the church or an organization in the community that does work you admire and give your time. 8. Take Care of Yourself Show gratitude for the body God has given you by taking care of yourself. Schedule that wellness exam or take a long walk or swap fast food for healthy meals and by so doing, recognize the amazing creation that is YOU. 9. Donate Recognize the abundance in your life by giving away clothing you don t wear, toys your kids don t use, furniture taking up space in your attic anything that could make someone else s life happier or better. Make a donation above and beyond your pledge to a ministry in the church you particularly appreciate. 10. Pray Express your gratitude to God in prayer. Pray for the people who are important to you. Pray for the work and ministries of the church. Pray that God will give you eyes of gratitude and reveal to you exactly how you can live a life grounded in mindful appreciation, not taking for granted a single day or opportunity or relationship you have been given. Happy 30 days, friends! See you in church with shared grateful hearts. Rev. Laura Parker

4 Ten Commandments of Parenting (Continued) As parents, we want to do the right thing raising our children. However, as we ve all learned, parenting can be tricky. Here are some great rules we can follow. Check the October Link for the first five if you missed them. 6. Do not kill. While this may seem like a simple law, because you do not kill others, this commandment means to show respect for life. Show respect for your own life by taking care of yourself physically. Take care of your child s health as well. If there are animals in the household, encourage your child to participate in their care. Nov 29 BREAKFAST AT THE MANGER Saturday, December 2 8:30am - 10:30am in the CLC See details on back cover 6:15pm Spanish Fort United Methodist Church s Youth Puppet Team will perform in the CLC gym for Pier, Pier34 and SWIFT. Everyone is invited to join us! 7. Show love and respect to your partner. Your child will witness that love and respect, and hopefully, he or she will do the same thing when he or she is married. Loving each family member is not an easy task because we are all human, but asking God to be a part of our family s life is a way to begin. God will be with you and help you in this process. 8. Do not steal. Very few of us openly steal, but we often steal in small ways. Perhaps you have tried to pay less for something, arguing with a store clerk your child might have witnessed this. Learn to be fair and honest in all your dealings. Remember to be the person that you would like your child to grow up to be. 9. Do not lie. Don t lie to your child. The child, however young, will probably be able to catch you in your lies. Be honest and forthright in your dealings with others and with your child. Of course, there will be situations which are not appropriate for your child to know about or for you to openly discuss, but there is no need to lie about them. Simply tell the child that is something she or he does not need to worry about. 10. Be happy and grateful for what you have. Explain to your child that you have much to be thankful for, and express your gratitude to God in front of your child. Do not covet the new cars or technological devices your neighbors have. Show appreciation for what you are able to have, and teach your child stewardship by taking care of your resources. Written by Kerry Blackwood in Taken from Grow, Proclaim, Serve Elementary Sunday school curriculum. February 2-4, 2018 Blue Lake Winter Retreat For 3rd, 4th & 5th graders This is a great weekend for children who have not yet experienced Blue Lake Camp! Consider it a preview for summer camp in June! Stay tuned for info on online registration!

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8 It s Never too Late to Join a Choir! Joy Choir Sings Sunday, November 12 Combined 11:00 am at The Gathering Chancel Bells Sunday, November 12 8:30 Traditional Service Youth sing November 12 8:30 Traditional and 11:00 Combined Service (CLC) Christmas Rehearsals It is not too late to join the Christmas Choir BEHOLD THE STAR! Rehearsal CD s are available for all parts. Rehearsals are every Wednesday night 6:30-7:30 (B203) (except Wednesday, Nov. 22) Please contact Lisa Simon (251) or lisa.simon@fairhopeumc.org if you have any questions. Christmas Music Sunday December 17, at the 8:30am and 11:00am Traditional Service A Communion Team is needed in the Traditional Service. The Worship Team is looking for a group of people who will commit to helping with Communion preparation and clean up in the Traditional services. With a Communion Team, the commitment could only be once, to a couple times, in a year. Communion is served on the first Sunday of every month and a few special services during the year. Please prayerfully consider making a commitment to serve in your worship service Contact Betsy Adams, Worship Chair, betsyadams@gmail.com or Lisa Simon, lisa.simon@fairhopeumc.org to sign up. thanksgiving day service thursday, november 23 sanctuary, fairhope umc featuring the African Universal Choir 9:00am *eat-in or take out thanksgiving dinner, 11 am-1 pm fellowship hall, christian life center *see page 11 for more details

9 NOVEMBER 5, 2017 RE- NEW ADVENT BOOK STUDY begins MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6 1:00PM FUMC LIBRARY Marjorie Allsman Roy Butgereit Libby Byars Emmitt Cox Floyd Enfinger, Sr Mildred Engstrom Louise Estes Voncil Faust Marjorie Garrick Langdon Garrison Emily Goff Rebecca Quintana Hammitt Cecil Harvell Bob Hays Jane Jensen Rick Lawton Mavis Love Lawrence Lynam Jane McPherson Mary Montgomery Martha Northcutt Lyman Phil Phillips Mary Ann Ross Charlie Sixbury Bob Smith Kitty Stanford Betty Vance Henry Wise Faithful: Christmas Through The Eyes of Joseph From his beginnings as a humble carpenter to his all-important role as the earthly father of Jesus Christ, Joseph s place in the nativity story is sometimes overlooked but contains valuable lessons for all of us. Join Adam Hamilton as he examines Christmas through the eyes of Joseph. Absent from much of the biblical narrative, Joseph never spoke a word, but his courageous actions were crucial to the birth of Christ and God s salvation plan for humanity. As you read this book, you will understand how Joseph s story is much like our own. In life, we encounter circumstances that we would never have chosen for ourselves. At times it can be tempting just to walk away. Joseph provides us a great example of humbly obeying God even when we don t understand and faithfully moving forward in the strength that God provides. November Birthday Celebration Nov 8 10:00-11:30am Ann s Home Each month we will be celebrating members birthdays that are taking place within that month. An invitation will be sent with the time & date of that month s celebration. You are requested to RSVP by the day before the gathering.

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12 Join us for our annual BREAKFAST at the MANGER Saturday, December 2, :30 am - 10:30 am christian life center ENJOY A PANCAKE BREAKFAST HOSTED BY OUR FM3 MEN S MINISTRY - $5.00/ PERSON LISTEN AS SANTA READS THE STORY ABOUT THE NIGHT JESUS WAS BORN! EXPLORE FAMILY ACTIVITY STATIONS IN THE GYM SMILE BIG FOR PICTURES WITH SANTA AT THE MANGER ALL CHILDREN RECEIVE A SPECIAL GIFT TO TAKE HOME This event is open to everyone! Invite your family and friends! PUBLICATION INFORMATION FOR THE LINK The LINK is a monthly newsletter published by Fairhope United Methodist Church of Fairhope, AL. If you have information to be included in an upcoming edition, or if you have questions or comments regarding THE LINK please bobbi.hobbs@fairhopeumc.org We are Social, check us out!

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15 NOVEMBER Caring Ministry Weekly Meetings and Support Groups MEETINGS CHILDREN S MINISTRIES DATES ATTENTION ACOLYTES!!

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