First Things F I R S T U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U R C H V O L U M E 7, I S S U E 1 1 N O V E M B E R

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1 F I R S T U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U R C H First Things 101 E. First North Street Morristown, TN Phone: (423) Fax (423) fumc@fumcmorristown.org V O L U M E 7, I S S U E 1 1 N O V E M B E R fumcmorristown Worship Times 8:15am Traditional Worship (Sanctuary) 9:15am Sunday School for All Ages 10:30am Traditional Worship (Sanctuary) 10:30am The Connection (Gym) Bus Ministry Regency Pick-up times 9:00am & 10:15am Return to Regency 11:45am Newsletter Online The newsletter is posted online at

2 P A G E 2 Dear Friends, For just two people, my wife Lisa and I certainly have accumulated a lot of stuff. We were proud of ourselves when we moved to Morristown because we thought we had really downsized. We were wrong. Our goal was to unpack everything and get our house organized. Before that happened, we grew tired and quit for close to a year. Beginning this past summer, we finally started painting some of the rooms in our house. I have been working on one bathroom for weeks. Every time I inspect, I see things I missed. This morning, I finally decided to trim one of the cabinet doors that was not closing properly. Of course, that was easier said than done. I almost lost hope when it appeared I broke a bracket on one of the doors. I would not have wanted to be judged on my Christian maturity at that moment. Throughout my life, I have had many moments when I looked at the tasks ahead of me and did not see any way through them. The obstacles were too great. Invariably, I will have moments of inspiration when I make a lot of progress and then there will be other moments when I throw my hands up in the air and tell the Lord that life is too tough. Thankfully, God has been faithful and reminded me that He will be with me until the end of the age. God has provided others to help when I did not have the skills needed. I cannot think of a time when I was left devoid of resources. November is a time to consider giving thanks. Some blessings such as family and home come quickly to mind. Today, I would also ask you to give thanks for blessings disguised as challenges. Through it all, God is present. God is good. God is love. ~ Walter Remember, it is not too late to turn in your Financial or Volunteering pledge cards. Every dollar and volunteer counts. Thank you for all you do. Veterans Sunday November 11 On this day we are glad to honor all of our veterans. Please send your military information (branch of military and years served) to the church office by Wednesday, November 7, so all of our veterans can be included. Daylight Savings Time Ends Nov. 4th Remember to turn your clocks back one hour before going to bed on Saturday night. Decorate the Church for Christmas Sunday, November 25 2:00pm Sign up to help in narthex or back of gym on Sundays November 11 and 18. Join members of the Traditional and Connection Worship Teams as they decorate the church for Christmas. We can use several helpers, especially those with good strong backs and those who will climb ladders! We ll see you there! Some who help decorating will also be asked to help in our new Hanging of the Greens service which will take place during the December 2 10:30am Traditional Service. Hanging of the Greens Service Sunday, December 2 10:30am Traditional Worship Service We will enjoy this worship experience for the second year as we begin the Advent season. A Hanging of the Greens service draws attention to the Christian symbolism in our decorations as we place the different pieces into the sanctuary as part of the service. The Hanging will take place during the first part of this morning worship service. F I R S T T H I N G S

3 V O L U M E 7, I S S U E 1 1 P A G E 3 All Saints Sunday November 4 On Sunday, November 4, we will observe All Saints Day in the 10:30am Traditional Worship Service. During the service, we will have a silent processional with the All Saints banner. The banner will be located on the main floor, near the elevator, during the last two weeks of this month. You are invited to come by any day and pin a bell on the banner in memory of the saints in your life. The bells and pins are provided. There is no charge and no list is made. As the banner is carried in on All Saints Sunday, the sight and sound of the bells are vivid reminders of those we love, those who have been a significant part of our Christian growth. Offer a prayer of thanks for each one as you pin your bells on the banner. Fence Ministry Needs You! The weather has suddenly turned cool and we are gearing up for another season of the Fence Ministry. We already have an entire fence load ready for when the weather forecast shows 2 or more consecutive nights of lows near or below freezing. Thanks to your generous donations over the past three years, there are some items we ARE NOT IN NEED of right now. Items we NEED MOST: Women s fleece or other WARM gloves. NO THIN, KNIT GLOVES Women s socks wool blend or thinsulate Boys and Girls socks wool blend, thinsulate, thick, sturdy CREW socks. Items we DO NOT NEED: Men s items (hats, gloves, socks) Women s hats Boys and Girls hats NO ANKLE SOCKS. Boys and Girls fleece or other WARM gloves. NO THIN, KNIT GLOVES THICK, WARM scarves Both of these lists are subject to change. We will keep you up-to-date on the ongoing needs throughout the cold season. Contact Leigh Travis ( ) or Nancy Renner ( ) with any questions or ideas. Contact Lindy Potter ( ) if you would like to be added to the volunteer contact list. Thank you for your support! Gratitude. Gratefulness. Recognition. Appreciate. Acknowledgement. Praise. Grace. Thanksgiving. These are words that come to mind for us in the month of November as we lead up to Thanksgiving on November 22. I m sure many of you will enjoy Thanksgiving style meals to include turkey, ham, dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans (casserole), and of course cranberry sauce. And perhaps your meals will be topped off with a pumpkin pie or pecan pie or some other fall delicacy. We feast to remember God s bounty in our lives and to give thanks for all that God has given to us. Our first Thanksgiving feast at FUMC will take place on November 4th as we celebrate Holy Communion in both of our worship services on All Saints Sunday. It will also be the beginning of our sermon series: Attitude of Gratitude. We will give thanks to God for those who have come before us and the ones who have helped shape our faith. The next Sunday, Veterans Day, we are inviting first responders from our community to come and be recognized in worship. We want to give thanks for those who help; veterans, service persons, police, fire fighters, and EMTs. We are working to provide a lunch for those persons as well as a sign of our thanks and support. We will look forward to you joining us on November 14th for our Community Thanksgiving meal and the Reverend Amy Aycock will bring our message that evening. Amy is the pastor at Noe s Chapel UMC and Central UMC. It will be a great night to give thanks to God! We will finish our Attitude of Gratitude series on November 18. We will give thanks for one another and we will give thanks for the love God has given us to share. One tradition that has become popular on social media is for people to share that which they are thankful for each day. So, for those who use social m e d i a, p l e a s e u s e t h e h a s h t a g #FUMCattitudeofgratitude18 so we can be connected to each other s Thanksgiving moments. We are looking forward to living in this season of gratitude with you! See you Sunday, ~ Asa

4 P A G E 4 Old-Fashioned Christmas The Children s Music Ministry Presents Mr. Pfister's Christmas Time Travelers Hop aboard Mr. Pfister s Time Traveling Machine for an unforgettable journey to the heart of Christmas! Kids Choirs Wednesdays at 5:15pm (Kids Bells will continue at 5:30pm through November) Performance Sunday, December 2 (Old-Fashioned Christmas) 6:15pm (Gym) following the church-wide potluck meal F I R S T T H I N G S

5 V O L U M E 7, I S S U E 1 1 P A G E 5 Revelation Youth Choir Sunday Rehearsals 5-6pm Church-wide Thanksgiving Dinner & Celebration November 14 Dinner at 5:15pm, followed by worship at 6:15pm Members of Bethel UMC, Noe s Chapel, Central UMC and Centenary UMC have been invited to join us. Rev. Amy Aycock, pastor of Noe's Chapel, will bring the message. Jersey Girl will cater our meal of Turkey & Dressing, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Green Beans, Cranberry Relish, Yeast Rolls, Beverages, and Dessert. Cost is $8 for an adult-size plate and $4 for a child-size plate. The supper line will open at 5:15pm, with worship at 6:15pm. Make reservations by signing the last column of the Friendship Register at the traditional service, or the card in The Connection, on Sunday mornings or call the church office during the week. You may also make and pay for your reservations online on the church s website. Reservations are due by noon November 8. If you make reservations and find that you cannot attend, please call the office and CANCEL your reservations by November 19.

6 P A G E 6 Joyful Hearts Congratulations to Laura & Michael Blair on the birth of Finley Rose on October 9. Mr. & Mrs. Clay Kesterson (Maggie Brown) married October 27 in Knoxville. Joyful Hearts will join other senior adults throughout the Mountain View District for the Wild & Wonderful annual festival. Our very own Gregg Harrell will be the Storyteller; Ben Stapleton will be the worship leader with the choir of Bethel UMC, Morristown; Devotional leader is Dan Duggar. Registration forms are available in the church office. Cost is $15. The deadline has passed so get your reservation in ASAP! You won t want to miss this! United Methodist Women Elizabeth Circle will meet Thursday, November 1, at 11:00am at Regency. Their program will be the World Thank Offering. Contact Alice Starnes for more information. District Annual Meeting FUMC-Newport; 10:00am. Contact Margaret Thornton for more information. Ruth Circle will meet Monday, November 12, at 11am in the Community Room for brown bag lunch, coffee, cookies. Deborah Circle will meet November 13, at the home of Margaret Thornton for their annual Thanksgiving meal. Their program will be the World Thank Offering. FUMC Unit meeting (all circles are invited) Saturday, November 17; 10:00am in Cornerstone. Ruth Circle are the hostesses. Mary Martha Circle will provide desserts and help serve beverages. Mary Martha Circle will present the Call to Worship and will share their mission trip reports. All women in the church are invited! Mary Martha Circle - We will tally our Penny and a Prayer Offerings for Missions after lunch. F I R S T T H I N G S

7 V O L U M E 7, I S S U E 1 1 P A G E 7 Looking Ahead Everyone is invited to Game Night Friday, November 9, 6:00pm in the Community Room. Bring a snack to share. FUMC Quilting group will meet Tuesday, November 13 & 27, at 1:00pm in Room 117. Deadline for the December newsletter is November 15. Please your completely written articles including pictures to fumc@fumcmorristown.org or bring them to the church office. The Finance Team will meet Thursday, November 15, at 5:30pm in Room 207. Church Council will meet Tuesday, November 20, at 5:30pm in the Cornerstone building. Condolences to Marilee North in the death of her husband, Bill, on September 19. A funeral service was held at the church on September 21. The family and friends of Betty Davis. Mrs. Davis passed away on September 22. Nancy Hall in the death of her sister, Marjorie Kennary, on September 17. Lauren Jacobs in the recent death of her grandfather, Calvin White, in Texas. The family and friends of Nelle Dyer. Nelle passed away on October 10. A memorial service was held on November 4. Blain Potter and family in the death of his brother, Matthew Potter, on October 14 in Marion, NC. Funeral services were held October 16 in Marion. The family and friends of Ken Gass. Ken passed away on October 22. Funeral services were held October 25. Worship at FUMC Traditional Worship 8:15am & 10:30am (Sanctuary) and The Connection 10:30am (Gym) Sermon Series: An Attitude of Gratitude November 4 All Saints Sunday Holy Communion Gratitude for Those Who Came Before Traditional Worship: Asa Majors The Connection: Walter Weikel November 11 Veterans Day Gratitude for Those Who Help Traditional Worship: Walter Weikel The Connection: Asa Majors November 18 Thanksgiving Sunday Gratitude for Each Other Traditional Worship: Walter Weikel The Connection: Asa Majors Lunch reception in the Gym for first responders, immediately following the 10:30am worship services. November 25 Christ the King Sunday Traditional Worship: Walter Weikel The Connection: Asa Majors Our Discipleship Together September 9/02 9/09 9/16 9/23 9/30 Worship Sunday School Budget Offering $12,221 $14,407 $13,174 $8,884 $20,286 Faith Promise $120 $203 $650 $230 $1,240 Have you remembered the church in your will?

8 First United Methodist Church 101 East First North Street Morristown, TN Reaching, Growing, and Serving RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Church-wide Thanksgiving Dinner and Celebration November 14 Dinner at 5:15pm, followed by worship at 6:15pm see page 5 for details