FARMVILLE UNITED METHODISTCHURCH

Transcription

1 FARMVILLE UNITED METHODISTCHURCH God s Calling for FUMC: For the Glory of God Empowered by the Holy Spirit We Passionately Seek God s Truth and Boldly Share the Grace and Love of Jesus Christ. December 2016 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Message from Pastor Steve. Events at FUMC. Front Page (1) Message from Pastor Dunn Page 2 Hurricane Matthew Information Away Day Information Giving Tree Information Christmas for Back Pack Pals UMWomen s News UMMen s News Birthday Party for Jesus Page 3 Church-Wide Caroling Information Mike s Farm Information Prayer Request Message from the Trustees December Birthdays Back Page (4) Fellowship & Refreshments Message from Finance Committee Reminder Address of Shut-in Merry Christmas from Staff Inserts Service Page & Calendar Kid s Page Dear eight pound six ounce, newborn infant Jesus, don t even know a word yet, just a little infant, so cuddly Thus begins an utter mockery of prayer in Will Ferrell s comedy, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. Ferrell s NASCAR racing character makes abundantly clear his preference for an eternally manger-bound Jesus, a small and powerless Jesus, a Jesus who cannot possibly challenge the ways in which we choose to live our lives. Viewers of this film are meant to laugh at the total absurdity of such a prayer. I must confess that even ten years after the first time I heard it, it still makes me chuckle. But I am also haunted by the spiritual reality of this faux prayer. I wonder how many of us would also prefer a cuddly Jesus too small and weak to tell us how to live our lives? I suspect that many of us fail to see the incredible demands placed on us by this holy infant so tender and mild. The truth is that Christ demands that we should imitate him, even in the Christmas story. We see in the manger one who gave up every comfort and luxury of Heaven in order to be associated with the overlooked and scorned of society: an unwed pregnant teen, a lowly uneducated carpenter, shady shepherds, and international refugees fleeing violence. If Jesus willingness to join such company as this fails to challenge us, we surely have failed to pay attention. Advent and Christmas are seasons for the Church to remember our mission. As we remember Christ s dwelling among those whom others ignored, we remember our calling as well. Who might you have been too proud to be associated with? Is there anyone you have simply overlooked or forgotten? May you appear in the flesh and dwell among these, for this is Christ s mission and ours. I hope you will be an inviting and welcoming community of God s love in the weeks ahead. Please offer a seat beside you, and even a ride if you are able, to our 5pm Christmas Eve service of candle light and Christmas hymns as well as our 10am service of Holy Communion on Christmas morning. I eagerly anticipate hearing each of your beautiful voices (and new ones!) joined in worship of our God. Yours in Christ, Pastor Stephen Dunn 1

2 HURRICANE MATTHEW: HOW CAN WE HELP? ADVENT OFERING!! Many of our NC neighbors are suffering from the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. Naturally our first response is to pray for all those who have lost loved ones, property and means of income. The NC Conference Disaster Response Committee is hard at work assessing needs, sending work teams and collecting resources for distribution. (Health Kit Information is on the Information Desk) Advent began Sunday, Nov. 27. The Advent offering this year will be designated to help our neighbors get back on their feet. All monies raised will go to this mission. At any time during Advent you can contribute by using one of the coin folders/boxes available on the information desk in the hallway, using one of the offering envelopes on the back of the pew or by personal check; just indicate on the envelope/check Advent- Hurricane Matthew and drop it in the offering plate. Wanted: Volunteers for Hurricane Matthew work teams! If you have been looking for an opportunity to assist our neighbors in eastern North Carolina following last month's devastating hurricane, this is it. Whether you are a highly skilled demolition specialist or simply a willing and able helper, you have a role in this ongoing recovery. Please Pastor Steve at sdunn@nccumc.org if you are interested. We would love to send multiple teams out from Farmville. We will be working in cooperation with the Sound District of the United Methodist Church in order to bring our skills to the places of greatest need. Any help is appreciated! Away Day Gathering Tue. Dec. 6 10:00am At our meeting in November, Irene Pollard, a volunteer with the Council on Aging, provided us with valuable information about Medicare, Medicare D and Medicare supplements. She explained how important it is for us to look at our options, to compare cost, and benefits each year. After our program with Irene, we put together Hygiene Kits to take to the Domestic Violence and Homeless Shelters in Greenville. We hope to continue this throughout the year. If anyone would like to participate, stop by the information desk and pick up guidelines for preparing a kit. Our next gatheing will be Tue. Dec. 6 at 10:00am. We plan to watch the movie, Amazing Grace. This is a story of John Newton, the person that wrote the hymn Amazing Grace. Bring your favorite Christmas treat to share and join us for a great time of fellowship. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dec. 11 Warming of the Greens for Adult Gifts and Methodist Home for Children Goods Working again with the Methodist Home for Children and the Pitt Co. Dept. of Social Services, we will provide gifts for adults and children. Our Christmas Giving Tree outside the Fellowship Hall contains names of children and adults in foster care in Pitt Co, along with gift suggestions. Some of the names are already taken, there are a few left. Pick out a name, buy a gift, help make someone s Christmas better this year. The gifts are due by Dec 11. For any questions or to make a monetary donation see Cindy Parks or Debra Evans. Christmas is upon us so it s time for Christmas for backpacks. We need 16 cloth grocery type bags, not the smallest but those with a rectangular bottom. We will be placing a small box of cereal, a small jar peanut butter, a small box of poptarts, several protein items that are light weight (mac & cheese, noodle bowls, etc.) snack items that are notorious. We will need to pack by December 12. Thanks for anything you choose to do. You may leave all items in food room on backpack side. 2 FUMW NEWS---- Thanks to all who helped with Holiday Helpers. A special thanks to Marion Stowe who was in charge of the Silent Auction and Beverly Wainwright who gave all proceeds from the sale of her lotions/products. We made over $2,200 to go to local charities. We have 28 going to the Women s Christmas meal on Dec. 6 at 6:00pm. Thanks to Connie Mozingo and Debbie Terrell who organized and Kay Crossen for collecting money. Irene has peanut order finalized. Pickup will be Wednesday, Dec. 7. We will call when ready! UMMEN NEWS----- The UMMen will meet Mon. Dec. 12 at 7:00 for their monthly dinner meeting. All men of the church are members of the UMMen. Come join us for a time of good food and great fellowship. BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR BABY JESUS Sun., Dec (during regular Sunday school time) the children's Sunday school classes will celebrate the birth of the Baby Jesus with a birthday party. Parents are welcome.

3 CHURCH-WIDE CHRISTMAS CAROLING. DEC. 14 Church-wide Christmas Caroling, Wed., Dec. 14. We ll meet at the church at 6:00pm and plan on leaving around 6:30pm. If there is a home you would like us to stop by, please call the church office. After caroling, we will come back to the church to enjoy some hot chocolate and treats. If you are planning to participate, please bring a treat to be shared. Mike s Farm - Christmas Lights, Hay Ride, and Dinner, Wed, Dec. 21 st, pm December 21st, we have planned a trip to Mike's Farm near Beulaville. This is open church-wide to any one that wants to go. If you have never been, and want to see what it is like, check out their website. If you are interested, please let Melissa Walters know by Dec. 10th. If you have not been, I promise you, it is worth the trip. Price list and information about the trip--- Adults (12-55) $26.92; Seniors (56 & up) $25.70; Children (7-11) $18.38; Children (5-6) $14.72; Children (3-4) $6.72; Children (0-2) N/C. Price includes hayride through lights, dinner, tax, and gratuity. Deadline to sign up is December 10 th. Meal includes fried chicken, mac & cheese, farm fresh veggies, pork roast and more, all served family style. Make checks payable to FUMC Youth. See Melissa for more information. We have reserved a hayride and dinner for 60. First come, first served. In the past few months you may have noticed the old playground equipment has been removed and a new swing set was installed. The new swing set was a gift given to the church. Thank you to our donor! A big thank you to Bert Warren Sr., Robert Heath, Charles Walston, Buzzy Wells and others for all your hard work. You may have notice the parking lot and church are a bit brighter with new light bulbs, some of these energy saving LED s. If you ever walk the property of the church, you will be less likely to encounter fire ant mounds since a lawn treatment to get rid of the pesky critters! You will be noticing a few more improvements in the future. During Hurricane Matthew while the church was spared major damage water did come in the playground, Sunday School wing door. The most cost effective way to deal with water standing in the playground is to open the wall, make a swale, and install a wrought iron gate. The second improvement we are reviewing is making an accessible bathroom in the west wing (choir wing) of the church. As always all the Board of Trustee members (Choo Eason, Randy Erwin, Anne McGaughey, Garland Mozingo, Charles Walston, Bert Warren, Sr., Beverly Wainwright serves as the Praise Service representative and Mike Tugwell as the traditional service representative) are very willing to hear your ideas and suggestions on how to make our church the very best it can be for all of us. Respectively Submitted by: Cyndi Lauderdale, Board of Trustees Secretary Please Be In Prayer For Rufus Cochran (health), Tracey Smith (health), Minnie Lee Winborn (health), Nellie Lang (health), Billy & Gray Baker (health), Leona Kilpatrick (health), John Sherman (healing), Lamm Family, Mary Allen (peace), Helen Kelly (healing), Jean Padgett, (healing), Melissa Davis (healing), Randall Warren (healing), Wendy Little (healing), John Gurganus (healing), Amy Johnson, (healing), Janice Wilkerson (healing), Jackie Stevenson (healing), Laura Whitehurst (healing), Eric Thomas (recovery), Tommy Bullock (health), Henry Grey Fields (health), Jean Allen, (recovery), family of Bill Monk (grief), family of Gilbert Casey (grief), Charlotte Webb (recovery), Evelyn Doughtie (healing, mother of Ann Rogers). 3 Dec. 3: Jamie Cleveland Dec. 4: Garland Mozingo Dec. 8: Delane Fuquay Dec. 13: Ann Rogers Dec. 14: Bert Warren, Sr. Dec. 15: Walter Jessup Dec. 16: Cindy Parks Dec. 21: Mary Allen Dec. 25: Player Eason Dec. 25: HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS

4 Thank you to everyone who has provided refreshments this Fall for our fellowship time following the Early Service. All December Sundays have been taken care of which is greatly appreciated. A calendar for 2017 is now beside the coffee pot in the fellowship Hall for those who may wish to begin signing up for the New Year. MESSAGE FROM FINANCE COMMITTEE----- Sunday, Oct. 30 was designated as Commitment Sunday. As of today 29 commitment cards has been returned for a approximate total of $119, If you were unable to attend worship on Oct. 30, and would like to make your commitment to the FUMC for 2017, please do so by filling out a commitment card and dropping it in the offering plate, or bring it by the church office at any time. There are commitment cards on the information desk. REMINDER All contributions for 2016 should be in the church office before December 31 to go on this year s statement ADDRESSES---- Leona Kilpatrick 231 Cascade RD. Columbus, GA Hilda Medlin 435 NW Rutland Rd. #207 Mt. Juliet, TN Mary Leah Williamson 1517 Springmoore Cir. Raleigh, NC Nellie Lang 210 Plummer St. Warrenton, NC Minnie Lee Winborn White Stone Masonic & Eastern Star Community # S. Holden Rd. Greensboro, NC Jackie Stevenson Heritage Healthcare of Farmville 4351 N. Main St. Laurel Patton 3377 N. Pitt St. Merry Christmas from the Staff Blessings! From Your FUMC Staff A Sincere Thank You To The Congregation of FUMC For your Love and Support in 2016 Jo Ann Benfield 5990 May Blvd Hazel Jones 6397 US Hwy 13 Sarah Hunt 3248 N. Walnut St. 4

5 December 2016 USHERS Dec. 4: Brad Durrett Dec. 11: Charles Eason Dec. 18: Dewey Fuquay Dec. 25: Bob Ginn Jan. 1: Tommy Hardy ALTAR FLOWERS Dec. 4-25: Christmas Decorations Jan. 1: Frank & Anita Powell ACOLYTES Dec. 4: Bailey Walters Dec. 11: Ushers Dec. 18: Molly Williams Dec. 24: Meghan Williams Jan. 1: Ushers SANCTUARY GREETERS Dec. 4: Bob & Anne McGaughey Dec. 11: David & Mary Monroe Dec. 18: Garland & Connie Mozingo Dec. 25: David & Marion Stowe Jan. 1: Mike & Paula Tugwell WELCOMING GREETERS Dec. 4: David & Marion Stowe Dec. 11: Mike & Paula Tugwell Dec. 18: Hunter & Melissa Walters Dec. 25: Buzzy & Margaret Wells Jan. 1: Hugh & Kirkie Williams KID S Korner Dec. 4: Dec. 11: Teresa Parent Dec. 18: Mike Wainwright Dec. 25: Joy Fields Jan. 8: Ashley Matthews NURSERY INFANTS TO AGE 5 Dec. 4: Paula Tugwell & Catherine Dec. 11: Kirkie Williams & Molly Dec. 18: Tracie Durrett & Bailey Walters Dec. 25: Mary Monroe & Emily Jan. 1: Jean Allen & Molly Williams FELLOWSHIP MEALS No Fellowship Meals for Dec. YOUTH MEETING/SUPPER SCHEDULE Dec. 4: Youth Kachman Family Dinner Dec. 11: Youth Benfield Family Dinner Dec. 18: Youth Joy Fields Dinner Dec. 25: No Youth Jan. 1: No Youth CHILDREN S SUNDY SCHOOL TEACHERS Dec. 4: Sara Peterson Dec. 11:Teresa Parent Dec. 18: Celebrate Jesus Birthday Dec. 25: No Sunday School Jan. 1: Debra Evans BACK PACK PALS Dec. 7: Kay Crossan Dec. 14: Ann Joyner & Anita Powell Christmas Boxes. Statistical Report November 2016 Ave. Sunday School Attendance Ave. Worship Attendance Ave. Offerings $3, Need to Date $268, Raised to Date $190, CHILDREN S MESSAGE Dec. 4: Dec. 11: Margo Sherman Dec. 18: Melissa Walters Dec. 25: Brad Durrett Jan. 8: Maggie Williams

6 December 2016

7 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat nd Sunday of Advent :30am Praise & Worship 8:30am Fellowship & Refreshments 10:00am Sunday School 11:00am Traditional Worship 6:00pm Youth Kachman Dinner 6:30pm Admin Council 10:00am Away Day 7:00pm Men s Group No Fellowship Dinner 7:00pm Chancel Choir 7:00pm Praise Team 3rd Sunday of Advent :30am Praise & Worship 8:30am Fellowship & Refreshments 10:00am Sunday School 11:00am Traditional Worship 6:00pm Youth Benfield Dinner 7:00pm UMMen 7:00pm Men s Group 6:00pm Church-Wide Christmas Caroling 7:00pm Chancel Choir 7:00pm Praise Team 7:00pm Finance 4 th Sunday of Advent :30am Praise & Worship 8:30am Fellowship & Refreshments 10:00am Sunday School 10:00am Jesus Birthday Party 11:00am Traditional Worship 6:00pm Youth Fields Dinner 7:00pm Men s Group 7:00pm Mike s Farm Christmas Lights, Hay Ride, and Dinner, Wed, 7:00pm Chancel Choir 7:00pm Praise Team Office Closed 5:00pm Christmas Eve Candle Light Service MERRY CHRISTMAS No Sunday School 10:00am Combined Worship No Youth Removing the Greens (all decorations should be removed before Jan. 1) 7:00pm Men s Group No Rehearsals Office Closed New Year's Eve