NOTE FROM BRO. WADE. Sunday, December 14th 8:30 a.m. Potluck Breakfast - Christian Life Center 11:00 a.m. One Worship and Cantata - Sanctuary

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1 A biweekly publication of First United Methodist Church December 10, 2014 issue Pastoral Staff Rev. Wade Cox Senior Pastor Rev. Grace Phelps Minister of Outreach and Program Care Staff Dr. Faye Beckett Congregational Care Kendy Erwin Hospitality Care Program Staff Sara Palm Youth Ministries Charlotte Quinley Children and Nursery Ministries Dr. Bonnie Wright Director of Music Office Support Staff Sandy Burgess Receptionist/ Printing Secretary Holley Mills Morris Admin. & Financial Secretary Musician Justin Hanson, Organist Facilities Rebecca Paris Custodian Kenny Summers Maintenance NOTE FROM BRO. WADE And Mary said, My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. (Luke 1:46-49) God is still doing great things! An angel came to Mary and said that she had found favor with God. She would bear a son whose name would be called Jesus, the Son of the Most High. She travels to her cousin Elizabeth, who is also pregnant (with John the Baptist). The baby in Elizabeth's womb leaps for joy and Mary responds with the words above. In the world in which we live dominated by headlines of tragedy and uncertainty, we can be certain of one thing: God is still doing great things. That is why I love to share with you on Sunday mornings the response, "God is Good, All the Time." In times of fear, sadness, or celebration we can claim God's goodness. In the most unlikely situations, through the most unlikely people, God is working and revealing himself. I saw it Saturday morning at the Bread of Life and Sunday night in the children at the Christmas play. I hear about it through your trips to Reelfoot. It happens through your toys to Carl Perkins Center and your time at the Boy's and Girl s Club. I anticipate it on Sunday morning through the cantata and our worship. God is doing great things at and through Covington FUMC. Thanks for letting me be a part! Holy is His name, Wade P.S. Please consider the Christmas offering entitled, "The March to the Manger" focusing on two priorities: Roof Repair in the Cockrill- Gift/New Beginning Classroom and/or the Good Samaritan Fund. This special offering will be received in addition to the regular weekly offering on Sunday, December 21 or at the Christmas Eve services. Sunday, December 14th 8:30 a.m. Potluck Breakfast - Christian Life Center 11:00 a.m. One Worship and Cantata - Sanctuary

2 Page 2 Page 2 THE FOCUS CHURCH PHOTO DIRECTORY Photos are now being taken until December 13 th in the New Beginnings Classroom. It s not to late to be included in the directory. Visit the church website at and click on the link to schedule your portrait session. For more information, contact Sandy Burgess at the church office, sburgess_fumc@att.net or call Non-perishable food items may be brought in to benefit our Food Pantry. To thank you for your gift, you will receive $5.00 off any portrait purchase. MorningSong December 14 One Service at 11:00 a.m. December 21 Sara Palm and Joey Caldwell Workers Traditional Service December 14 Brenda Moss, Charlotte Quinley, Earl Beckett, Lydia Anderson December 21 Charlotte Quinley and Stefanie Beasley WORKERS MorningSong December 14 Potluck Breakfast 8:30 a.m.; Cantata at 11:00 December 21 Annette Maxwell and Meredith Owen Traditional Service December 14 Shellie Hendren, Christal Fisher, Neely Turner December 21 Margaret Chind and Haylee Timberlake OPEN HOUSE Rev. Wade and Susan Cox invite you to the parsonage at 1335 Roane Street, Covington for an open house, Sunday, Dec. 14 th from 2-3:30 p.m. UMW ACTIVITY AT BOYS & GIRLS CLUB United Methodist Women held a cookie decorating activity with children at the Boys & Girls Club. What a joy to see their smiling faces as they make their creations!

3 12/10/2014 THE FOCUS Page 3 FRIENDSHIP CLASS The Friendship Class will be disbanding at the end of this year. The class was organized in 1949 as a couples class with 25 charter members led by Von Howard and Martha Lindsey. There have been many teachers of this class including, Johnny Alston, Neal Atkins, Ermon Bryant, Arnold Bull, Horace Cooley, Charlie Elam, Sr., Louise Elliston (45 years), John Franklin, Shirley Hensley, George and Becky May, Cookie Parr, Oscar Rector, David Ruffin, Alison Simonton, Sr., and Nell Kirkpatrick Whitson just to name a few. Over the years, membership had reached 30 to 40 members. There are many fond memories of projects such as the nativity scene, donation to the prayer room, purchasing nursery toys and cribs, supporting families in the community and moving a donated piano to the third floor of the Education Building. This class has contributed so much to the church and we bless the remaining members as they move to other classes. UMW CHRISTMAS DINNER United Methodist Women held their annual Christmas dinner on December 4th. It was an evening of great food, fellowship and entertainment by DeBach n G. REELFOOT RURAL MINISTRIES by Sandy Burgess I recently had the opportunity to travel with a wonderful group to Reelfoot Rural Ministries to deliver toys collected by The Go Class. I was extremely impressed by how the ministry was sorting and organizing the toys to get ready for the opening of their Christmas toy store, December 8 th. This store gives families pride in the ability to shop for gifts for their children at a minimal cost. I also visited the building (yes, building!) that houses their food pantry. Volunteers were hard at work re-stocking the shelves with all the donations received. Through our support and generosity Reelfoot Rural Ministries continues to grow to serve the needs of families in northwest Tennessee and southwest Kentucky. If you have never visited this ministry, I encourage you to make the trip. You won t be disappointed in seeing God s plan in action!

4 Page 4 THE FOCUS 12/10/2014 THANK YOU FOR YOUR COAT DONATIONS! Our Share the Warmth coat closet is now well restocked thanks to your generous donations! With a combination of donated funds and many coats given, we were prepared to re-open the coat closet December 6th to help those who need a warm coat be able to get one. Special thanks to the students and faculty of Tipton Christian Academy who did a coat, hat and mitten drive. Also a special thanks goes to Tom and Lisa Rogers who were able to make our donated funds STRETCH by purchasing over 100 brand new coats on our behalf at a reseller/ liquidator. Hand knitted scarves and caps have also been donated. Since the coat closet opened November 1 st, we ve distributed 289 coats 128 adults and 161 kids. Thanks to the faithful volunteers who work with folks on Saturday morning to assist them with coats. This is our fourth year to offer a coat closet to food pantry patrons who come to the church. Brighton pantry patrons are provided information about the coat closet so they may come as well. There are figures on the persons served in previous years: Year Households Coats Distributed God bless you for your warm and generous hearts! DECEMBER 10 TO DECEMBER 30 December 10 Maurice Smith December 12 Faye Hughes Caroline Payne Leigh Smith December 13 Peter Bierman Ellen Clark Norman Crittenden Kaye Smith December 14 Sharon O Connor December 15 Davis Cox December 16 Sheri Gilbreath Spencer Steward Walter Whitley December 17 Katelynn Aday Dot Butler December 18 Mary Louise Ezell December 19 Jansen Hunter December 20 Nathan Burdette December 22 Larry Davis Ashley Frizzell December 23 Ethan Carpenter Betty Glass Keith Winberry December 24 Mary Eve Dawson Erin Hall Rhonda Patton Paul Pemberton Stephanie Pugh December 26 Wayne Hughey Martha McDaniel Hannah Patton Britton Rogers December 30 Kinley Escue Tommy Pullen

5 12/10/2014 THE FOCUS Page 5 SHARE YOUR HOLIDAY BAKING Kendy Erwin, the hospitality coordinator, wishes to share your holiday baked goods with new visitors to the church and to those returning home from the hospital or medical rehab. As you prepare your breads, cookies, cakes and pies for Christmas, please consider making extra to bring in to Kendy so she may share them with the households she visits. If you wish to help with this, please contact Kendy at the church office at or on her cell at UMW CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS The vision of UMW is faith, hope and love in action for the women, children and youth of the world. You can help support that vision by purchasing one or more of the NEW 2014 Christmas ornaments featuring a picture of our church that includes our beautiful CLC. Proceeds from each ornament sold will provide an afternoon meal and craft activity for 1 child at the Boys and Girls Club for 5 months (1 meal/craft per month). Make a difference in the life of a child by purchasing your ornaments today. They make wonderful gifts! MARCH TO THE MANGER This year, the church will again receive a special Christmas Offering entitled The March to the Manger Offering. The Finance Committee has set the priorities of the offering for Mission and Outreach through the Good Samaritan Fund and Repair and Waterproof the Roof over the New Beginnings/Cockrill-Gift Classroom. The latter was requested by the Trustees of the church. This special offering will be received in addition to the regular weekly offering Sunday, December 21 st during both worship services and during Communion at Christmas Eve Services. If you are unable to be present to these worship opportunities, you are welcome to give at any time to the church office. Thank you. METHODIST-PRESBYTERIAN NURSERY SCHOOL PROGRAM You are invited to the MPNS Baby Jesus program Monday, December 15 th and Tuesday, December 16 th at 11:00 a.m. both days. The program will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in the Sanctuary.

6 Page 6 THE FOCUS 12/10/2014 To the Congregation of First UMC, Regretfully, I did not present Covington First with its 100% apportionment payout certificate during charge conference on November 9th. On behalf of the conference and the District, I send my sincere appreciation to the members of Covington First for your continued efforts of paying 100% of your apportioned giving. I know this has long been a priority for Covington First. It is further testimony of the church s dedication to ministry beyond the walls of the local church and into the community and the world. May God bless you in your ministry. And thank you. In Christ, Rev. Tim Carpenter Asbury District Superintendent CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES AND COMMUNION 2014 CONTRIBUTIONS Christmas Eve services will take place Wednesday, December 24th. Join us in the Sanctuary as we re-enact at 5:00 p.m. and celebrate at 9:00 p.m., the Christmas story of Jesus, both through scripture and song. The service ends with a candlelight singing of Silent Night, and includes the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Contributions to the church must be turned in by December 31st. Due to an IRS ruling, in order for your contribution to be counted in 2014, they must be given in This means that all contributions must be in the church office by December 31, 2014 or postmarked by that date. Thank you. ATTENDANCE AND GIVING November 30, 2014 December 7, 2014 MorningSong - Sunday School - Traditional Worship - Bread of Life Worship - MorningSong Offering - Traditional Worship Offering th Saturday $3, $7, Morning Song - Sunday School - Traditional Worship - Bread of Life Worship - Morning Song Offering - Traditional Worship Offering $5, $19,283.00

7 12/10/2014 THE FOCUS Page 7 STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENT Thank you to those who responded to our 2015 Stewardship Campaign. As of December 10 th, 120 commitments to prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness have been received and $459, has been pledged. If you have been unable to respond, blue stewardship cards are available in the pews. Please fill one out and place it in the offering plate or drop it by the church office during the week. ADVENT PROCESSIONAL OFFERING Thank you for your generous gifts of $ given at the Advent Processional Service. This offering will benefit the Good Samaritan Fund. YOUTH FUNDRAISER The youth of FUMC have a very exciting opportunity to attend the National Methodist Youth Conference called Youth 15 in Orlando, FL. This conference only happens once every four years and is an amazing opportunity for the youth to be part of the greater connectional church. Envelopes are still available. Please contact Sara Palm, or sara.r.palm@gmail.com. Bread for the Journey Devotions available from ushers or on our website YOUTH ACTIVITIES Youth will have a Progressive Dinner beginning at 5:30 p.m., Sunday, December 14 th. Please meet at the church at 5:00 p.m. A Lock-in will be held December th. Events on the 29 th are: 8:30 a.m. - Meet at Church 10:00 a.m. - Noon - Ice Skating at MidSouth Ice House 12:30-1:30 p.m. - Lunch at CiCi's Pizza in Cordova 2:00-3:30 p.m. - Photo Scavenger Hunt at The Galleria 4:00 p.m. - Bartlett Cinema 7:30 p.m. - Return to Church for Lock-in Cost for the day and lock-in is $ Lock-in only is $ Sign up sheets for all activities are available on the youth bulletin board in the Education Building. For more information, please contact Sara Palm at or sara.r.palm@gmail.com.

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9 12/10/2014 THE FOCUS Page 9 SAMARITAN FUND 2014 TOTALS November 22 through December 5, 2014 January 1, 2014 to Date # of Awards Amount Type of Assistance # of Awards Amount Type of Assistance 0 0 Bus Ticket 0 0 Food 5 $ Lodging 0 0 Miscellaneous 3 $ Rent 16 $ Utilities 1 $25.00 Vehicle Gas 25 $1, Totals 1 $ Bus Ticket 8 $ Food 157 $9, Lodging 9 $ Miscellaneous 41 $2, Rent 312 $16, Utilities 26 $ Vehicle Gas 554 $ Totals Children: Senior Adults: Adults: Total Individuals: Fixed Income: Lost Jobs: AS OF DECEMBER 5, 2014 Children: Senior Adults: Adults: Total Individuals: Fixed Income: Lost Jobs: Samaritan Balance: $5, ROUND-UP UTILITY ASSISTANCE REPORT November 27 through December 5, 2014: 8 households interviewed CES: 6 interviews Approved 2 households totaling $ Declined 4 households totaling $ CGWS: 4 interviews Approved 2 household totaling $ SAMARITAN STORY: A woman came to the church this week looking for utility and food assistance. She works two part-time jobs and her husband was recently laid off. We were able to help her some toward her utility bill and provide her with a good sized distribution of food. She remarked that the children would be so excited that there was food when they got home from school. We were not able to address all the issues she was dealing with, but offered some hope that someone cared. We prayed together before she left and she said, We re not giving up! We ll get through this.

10 Page 10 THE FOCUS 12/10/2014 MEMORIALS AND TRIBUTES In Memory of George Garner Baddour In Memory of Si Brock Reelfoot Rural Ministry Food Drive Fund by Stephen and Kaye Parr Smith In Memory of Evelyn Elam Good Samaritan Fund by Carol and Eddie Daniel In Memory of Lillie Mae Glass In Memory of Ruth Glass In Honor of Bill Grose Bread of Life Food Pantry Fund by First Baptist Couples Sunday School Class In Memory of Maral Karakurt Good Samaritan Fund by Rodney and Faye Hughes In Memory of Kenneth Kugler In Memory of Mary Max In Memory of Eugene McDaniel In Honor of Sara Palm Youth 15 Conference Fund by Tom and Shirley Bready In Memory of Davie Peeler Good Samaritan Fund by Carol and Eddie Daniel In Memory of Clara Jane Phelps In Memory of Russell Phelps In Memory of Lynn Sanders In Memory of Bill Simonton In Memory of Shirley Smith In Memory of Leslie Trumbo In Memory of Ann Vaughan Good Samaritan Fund by Carol and Eddie Daniel In Memory of Lisa Wakefield In Memory of Landon Yarbrough

11 12/10/2014 THE FOCUS Page 11 PRAYER REQUESTS Nina Anderson Donna Beard James Boyd Tom Bready Shirley Bready Terry Clay (husband of Rev. Sandra Clay) Phronia Dailey Janice Sloan Faulk Alma Ford Mike Fleming Rebecca Harrison Bob Hastings Carl Holland Susan Huffman Carole Hughey Ricky Hunt Greg Knox Lori Butler Lindley Nancy Lindsey Wayne Locke Peggy Massey Edith McBride Charlie Moss James Neely Rachel Neely Peggy Nyberg Jim Raynor Bettye Shelley Lauren Smith Micah Soard Betsy Sullivan C.H. Sullivan IV Suzanne Tipton Jimmy Turner Ashley Whaley Camille Whitley Jo Wigington Debbie Wilson Martha Yarbrough CONDOLENCES Retired Major Lloyd O'Neal Kimery, brother of Shirley Bready, passed away Saturday, December 6 th. Please keep O'Neal's wife & children in your prayers. Also, prayers are needed for safe traveling for the family members. Shirley and Tom s mailing address is 823 Irene Circle, Covington. COUNSELING Counseling is available for individuals or couples. Fees are based on ability to pay. Faye Beckett, D.C.C. Doctorate in Christian Counseling, Master of Science in Psychology. For an appt. call the FUMC office , ext. 19. Cindy Pease, M.H.S.P., Licensed Professional Counselor, Nationally Certified. For an appt. call the FUMC office , ext.18. CONGREGATIONAL CARE SILVER LINK TEAM The Congregational Care Silver Link Team focus their care ministry on homebound and senior members of the church. If you know someone that you would like them to visit, please contact Faye Beckett at or fbeckett_fumc@att.net. WORSHIP BROADCASTS Live radio broadcast of the Traditional Worship on WKBL AM 11 a.m. Delayed broadcast of the Traditional Worship on KBJ Cable TV, Channel 5 (city) and 19 (county) - Sundays at 1:00 p.m.; Tuesdays at 12 Noon. MorningSong broadcast is on Mondays at 6:00 p.m. Also, live streaming of the traditional service is available at as well as streaming of past services, at any time.

12 Page 12 THE FOCUS FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Traditional Worship 11:00 a.m. Morning Song SERVICE OF PRAISE 8:30 A.M. AT THE CHRISTIAN LIFE CENTER DECEMBER 10, 2014 UPPER ROOM PRAYER SCHEDULE December 21 MorningSong Service Ray and Janice Newbill December 28 MorningSong Service Frank and Barbra Racy January 4 MorningSong Service Ellen Clark Doris Ann Gray A BIWEEKLY PUBLICATION OF FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH HURCH ST. 145 W. CHURCHC COVINGTON,, TN (901) Traditional Service Phyllis Richmond Brenda Wrather Traditional Service Sandra Naifeh Nancy Peeler Traditional Service Arnold Bull Tom Rogers MISSION STATEMENT OF FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Leading Others to Christ, Learning to Be Disciples, Loving through Service. WEBSI TE: NGT ONFUM C.COM CO VI NGTONFUM C@ATT.NET