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

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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 SENTINEL v o l. c x x x v i, n o. 1 1 D e c e m b e r Two Great Events at FUMC November abounded with opportunities to gather for holiday spirit, mission giving, growth and fellowship! The youth members of our Children s After School Theater (CAST) program put on 2 great performances of As You Like It and our hard-working United Methodist Women (UMW) pulled off another impressive Holiday Boutique to raise funds for missions. Photo of the Month Our Annual Charge Conference was a meaningful event on November 6. Our Venezuela Covenant Missionaries Eunice & Luis shared their experiences with the gathered participants ending with a song, making for a powerful witness. Highlights Horizons December Events.. 4 Community Holiday Worship.. 6

2 Horizons b y Senior Minister I don t think any of us was quite ready for Advent to start the last Sunday of November this year. Despite Christmas merchandise appearing on store shelves in early October, we re not ready for it to really be soon upon us. Maybe it was always so, long before marketing gurus were plotting the best approaches into our wallets. Maybe that s why the Scripture readings for the early days of Advent seem to shout at us: Get ready! Wake up! Pay attention, people! The Savior is coming! The fact that we re never ready is proof positive of just how much we need the annual rituals of Advent worship and prayer. They help us slow down, if just for a moment. They encourage us to pay attention, when our attention is scattered in a million directions. They remind us to watch for the light in the darkness. They encourage us to renew our hope and trust in God s promised Savior heralding a new reign of justice, reconciliation and peace. May our Advent Devotional, the Christmas Concert, the Thursday evening Advent Study using my little book SHINE!, Sunday worship, Christmas dinners and gatherings all help us make ready, once again this year. Marantha, as the early church said. Come, Lord Jesus. Patricia Farris The Home We Build Together Our 2012 Annual Financial Giving Campaign came to a close on Consecration Sunday, November 27 - but that doesn t mean we re done! If you haven t yet turned in your giving card for 2012 please be sure to do so as soon as possible. Simply fill out the card which can be found in the pew racks, in the church office, or on our church website, and drop it in the offering plate on Sunday morning or deliver/mail it to the church office. Thanks! Sunday Flowers for Worship The dates available for donating flowers as of the printing of this issue are: December 25. Please call the church office to reserve a date in Donations to the flower fund in any amount are welcome. This will ensure that we have flowers in the Sanctuary each week for worship. Mission Trip to Haiti This coming January, five members of our church family are joining a group from Hollywood United Methodist Church on a mission trip to Haiti. The trip will depart on January 12, the second anniversary of the massive 7.0 earthquake that caused widespread destruction and loss of life near the capital city, Port-au-Prince. Our team is participating in the efforts to rebuild the areas affected by the earthquake, begun by the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). UMCOR asks that each work team contribute $350 a person to go specifically to the supplies and labor needed at each work site. These funds are used to purchase things like concrete, lumber or other essential materials used in the re-building effort. Along with your prayers and spiritual encouragement, you can help our First United Methodist team by making a tax-deductible contribution. All checks can be sent into the church office made out to FUMC and in the memo line please write Haiti Mission Team Thank you for your prayers and your generousity. Standing Together Project Beginning in January, 10 members of our congregation will be participating with 10 members of our local Muslim community in a 7-week series on Sunday afternoons from 2-4 pm. The program is intended to help bridge the gap between Christians and Muslims by building understanding, fostering loving and compassionate relationships, and engaging the participants with one another about their beliefs and practices. Rev. Patricia Farris is putting together a diverse, intergenerational group of 10 from FUMC. If you are interested, please contact her in the church office or via at p.farris@santamonicaumc.org. Look What s Under Foot We are thrilled to report that after 30 years our Sanctuary carpet has been replaced. Thanks to the Trustees for their support in time, earthy color picks, and partial funding, we joined with frugal use of our operating resources to invest in this home we build together. We hope it shows positively to all in our outreach and hospitality now and many years to come for the sake of the mission and ministry of the church. We Are What We Do Action #20: Make sure your investments have the same values as you. Unless you check that your retirement fund is ethically invested, chances are you re supporting industries and companies you don t agree with. Just ask your provider to ensure that your investments don t harm the planet or hurt your fellow man. from the book Change the World for Ten Bucks

3 Christmas Concert Join us on Sunday December 4 at 7:30 p.m. for An Evening of Carols, Etc. The concert will feature the Chancel Choir; Christoph Bull, organ; The Mark Twain Ringers; the Da Camera Brass Ensemble; Amy Wilkins, harp; and Patricia Farris, spoken words. Suggested donation at the door: $10/$5 seniors and children under 12. Advance tickets are not being sold this year. This festive program will help you get into the Christmas spirit! Don t miss it! Advent Study All are invited to a special Advent series on the four Thursday evenings in December (1, 8, 15, 22) at 6:30 pm in the Fireside Room. Each evening will include discussion of the Advent Study guide that Rev. Patricia Farris wrote entitled Shine! Light for All People. And, of course, we will gather for fellowship and light refreshments as well. The book is available for purchase for only $7 during Coffee Fellowship on Sunday mornings in Simkins Hall in the Shelby Center. Add this to your calendar of Advent events for a meaningful season. Poinsettias Beautiful poinsettias will adorn the Sanctuary for Christmas beginning on Sunday, December 18. Poinsettias may be donated in honor or memory of loved ones and the dedications will be printed in a special insert in the Order of Worship on December 18. To dedicate, please contact the church office. The plants are $12 and they may be taken home after the Christmas Eve services. The deadline for ordering is December 13. CAST Presents: Charlotte s Web Based on the classic children s book by E.B. White, CAST presents Charlotte s Web, the story of Some Pig named Wilbur and his special friendship with a spider named Charlotte, December 2-3, Show times are 7 pm Friday, and 2 pm Saturday. Charlotte s Web is a perfect fit for audiences of all ages as it teaches about the strength of friendship between two unlikely friends. Tickets are $5 for Children/Seniors and $10 for Adults at the door. Alternative Christmas Fair The Alternative Christmas fair sponsored by our Missions Council will run for 3 Sundays in December (4, 11 & 18) during Coffee Fellowship in Simkins Hall in the Shelby Center. Be sure to stop by after worship to walk through the displays, learn more about each project being supported, and choose which ones you d like to give to this year. Donations to these projects make meaningful gifts for loved ones (cards and description inserts are available) and are a wonderful way to share the true spirit of Christmas. The projects being supported this year are: Nicodemus Fund, Good Samaritan Medical Dental Institute, Children Youth and Family Collaborative, Family Place and Family Shelter, Mark Twain Ringers, Harvest Home, Heifer Project, Central Asia Missions Actions of the Heart, InnerChange, UMCOR, Haiti Hot School Lunch Program and OPCC. LOOKING AHEAD Angel Tree The Angel Tree Project for 2011 has begun! We are once again supporting Family Place of Upward Bound House with much-needed items for the families and their apartments. Please stop by the Angel Tree table during Coffee Fellowship on Sunday morning in Simkins Hall in The Shelby Center to choose a gift (through Sunday, December 11). Then bring the wrapped gift back to the table by December 18. Santa Monica Nativity Scenes Not only will FUMC once again be participating in the Santa Monica Nativity Scene tradition along Ocean Avenue, but this year there will only be THREE displays and ours will be one of them. Congratulations to Chuck Kearsley and his team of helpers for being selected! The display will be assembled on December 10 and they officially open on December 11. Be sure to stop by and check it out. And don t miss our church creche display in the Courtyard that received a few refurbishing touches this year. New Year s Day Worship: Join us at 10 am for a Family Service (no Sunday School) on New Year s Day, January 1, 2012! We will share in the Sacrament of Holy Communion and a special service of Covenant Renewal. F U M C S e n t i n e l - D e c e m b e r P a g e 3

4 DECEMBER Thursday, December 1 4 pm CAST Rehearsal - Charlotte s Web, SH Friday, December 2 6:30 pm 10 Great Dates, Rms pm CAST Presents Charlotte s Web, SH Saturday, December 3 2 pm CAST Presents Charlotte s Web, SH Sunday, December 4-2nd Sunday of Advent/Communion Angel Tree in Simkins Hall Alternative Christmas in Simkins Hall 11 am Boy Scout Holiday Wreath distribution, FR 7:30 pm FUMC Christmas Concert, S/FR Tuesday, December 6 12 noon Partnership with God Christmas Lunch, FR Thursday, December 8 Friday, December 9 5:30 pm Preschool Parents Night Out, SH Saturday, December 10 6 pm Family Connection Progressive Dinner, Off-site/FR Sunday, December 11-3rd Sunday of Advent/Baptism Angel Tree in Simkins Hall Alternative Christmas in Simkins Hall 9 am Shareringers Sunday School, Rm 203 Monday, December 12 - Church Office Closed 9:30 am Intercessory Prayer Group, FR 6 pm Men s Bible Study Christmas Open House, Off-site 6 pm Abigail Circle, Off-site Wednesday, December 14 7 pm the bridge Christmas Party, Rm 308 Thursday, December 15 Friday, December 16 3:30 pm Preschool Christmas Worship Service & Party, S/SH Saturday, December 17 6 pm Shareringers Christmas Party, Off-site 10 am - 2 pm UBH Arts & Crafts Sale, FR Sunday, December 18-4th Sunday of Advent Service of Lessons & Carols Angel Tree in Simkins Hall Alternative Christmas in Simkins Hall 11 am Blood Pressure Screenings, SH Tuesday, December 20 7 pm Church Council Christmas Open House at Parsonage Thursday, December 22 Saturday, December 24 - Christmas Eve 4 pm Family Christmas Eve Service, S 11 pm Candlelight Christmas Eve Service, S 12 am College Group Christmas Reunion, FR Sunday, December 25 - Merry Christmas! Family Sunday Weekly at FUMC Church Office Hours Chapel Open for Prayer Tues - Fri, 9 am - 5 pm Mon - Fri, 10 am - 4 pm The FUMC campus, including the church office, will be closed December 26 - December 31. * Sundays 8:45 am Youth Handbell Choir, CHR 9 am Partnership with God, Rm am Lectionary Scripture Discussion, FR 9 am Nursery Care, Rm 204 9:15 am Youth Choir, Rm 300 9:20 am Children s Choir, Chapel * 10 am Worship, S 10:15 am Sunday School, Edu Bldg 10:50 am Cherub Choir, Rm am Coffee Fellowship, SH 11 am Hospitality Table, SH 6:15 pm UMYF, 3rd Floor Edu Bldg 6:30 pm Open Table, Off-site Mondays (Church Office Closed) Tuesdays 7 am Men s Breakfast Bible Study, FR 7:30 pm Amadeus Handbell Choir, CHR Wednesdays 10 am UMW Work Party & Lunch, WR 7 pm the bridge, Rm 308 Thursdays 8 am Women s Bible Study, FR 7:40 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal, CHR * Food Drive for December: Peanut Butter & Other Nut Butters Please refer to the calendar insert in your Order of Worship on Sunday mornings for specifics or changes to the schedule. For more information about groups of the church, special events or for the complete church calendar visit our website. Church Council Meeting & Open House The Christmas Open House will be held at the 19th St. Parsonage on December 20. All Church Council Members are invited. December Coffee Fellowship Dec 4: Congregation Dec 11: Missions Council Dec 18: Trustees Dec 25: Congregation CHR = Choir Room; CR = Conference Room; CY = Courtyard; FR = Fireside Room; L = Library; MH = Member s Home; OS = Off Site; S = Sanctuary; SH = Simkins Hall; WR = Work Room (UMW)

5 Births Congratulations to Ellen and Alex Polamero and big brother Jacob on the birth of Layla Marie Polamero on October 19. Condolences We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of: -Wendell Furnas who died on November 15. A Memorial Service will be held at FUMC, details TBA. -Henry Jex who died on November 14. A Memorial Service will be held at FUMC, details TBA. -Jane Spiegel s mother Betsy Sinden McClure. -Marion Defore who died on November 17. Congratulations -Congratulations to Doris & Wynn Battig who celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on December 16! -Congratulations to Merrill Burnett and Juliet Mendoza who will be honored with the Camp & Outdoor Retreat Ministries Volunteer and Camp Staff Person of the Year awards on December 4 at 5 pm at Aldersgate. If you would like to attend the fundraising dinner, call or Susan Bonaparte at , sbonaparte@cal-pac.org. Tickets are $10 -Congratulations to Tracy Edwards who is part of the Aquaboomers open water swimming relay team that broke the existing record for a Catalina Channel relay on October 12. It was the 7th fastest relay of all time! When A Member of Our Family is in Need... We continue to pray for Jeffrey Hughes and his family as Jeffrey undergoes chemotherapy treatments. An informational website has been established for family and friends where you can receive updates regarding Jeffrey and any needs he or his family might have that you can assist with. The website is: Additionally, our vision is to find 30 individuals or families to commit to the same date every month to lift Jeffrey and his family in prayer. If you are willing to be a part of this outreach, please Rev. Camille Mattick at c.mattick@santamonicaumc.org. Jeffrey pictured with his parents Jeff & Annie Hughes Thanks On behalf of the Westside Food Bank, I would like to thank you for your congregation s recent donation of $820 in support of our hunger relief efforts. The donation is being used to purchase a wide variety of foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, rice and beans, dry milk, baby food, and canned and packaged meats. Since we are able to translate each donated dollar into five pounds of nutritious food, FUMC s generosity will touch many lives. Deepest thanks, Bruce Rankin, Executive Director UBH Art & Craft Sale Come visit the Fireside Room on Saturday, December 17, from 10 am - 2 pm to take part in a fundraising Arts & Crafts Sale for Upward Bound House. There will be artwork by Ruth Leaf as well as jewelry, pottery, glass and ceramic works, pillows and quilts! Celebrate Patricia s 60th by Helping Mozambique! In honor of Rev. Patricia Farris s 60th birthday, the SPRC would like to invite you to assist the Nazareta UMC in Southern Mozambique. In lieu of birthday gifts, Patricia prefers that our congregation raise funds for 60 Bibles and 60 Hymnals that are sorely needed by the Nazareta church. Rev. Jossias Jordao Jose is the pastor at Nazareta UMC, a congregation of about 570 members, located in the Morrumbene South District. Currently, the church s chapel and parsonage are semi-permanant. Plans are moving forward to build permanent structures and they are in the fundraising stages to make that happen. The pastor has to travel great distances to serve the parish. Locals fetch water from a nearby well and can only receive medical care in the nearest village, about a kilometer (.62 miles) away. Disease, hunger and illiteracy are major concerns throughout the region. Nazareta UMC is lacking in both Bibles and hymnals. The books serve as valuable tools, not only in worship, but also in learning to read and helping to reduce illiteracy. The ones we send will be provided in the local language. Bibles and hymnals will make all the difference in the world to this church. Each Bible is $9.82 and each hymnal is $5.82. Make checks payable to FUMC and once all donations have been collected, we will send the full amount. Please assist us in making Patricia s 60th extra special by sending the Word and song to our brothers and sisters in Mozambique. --Your Staff-Parish Relations Committee FUMC Sentinel - December 2011 page 5

6 worship Westside Food Bank Collection: Peanut Butter & Nut Butters Sunday Worship at 10:00 am December 4 2nd Sunday in Advent Holy Communion Sermon by Rev. Patricia Farris December 11 3rd Sunday in Advent Sacrament of Holy Baptism Sermon by Rev. Patricia Farris December 18 4th Sunday in Advent Service of Lessons & Carols December 25 Christmas Day Family Service (no Sunday School) Sermon by Rev. Patricia Farris Shine! Light for All People December 24 Christmas Eve Family Service, 4:00 pm A No Muss, No Fuss Christmas Pageant for all ages. Costumes will be available at the door for all children to participate. Candlelight Service, 11:00 pm Join us for our beautiful annual service of light, music, and the Christmas story as read from scripture Eleventh Street, Santa Monica, CA info@santamonicaumc.org NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID MAILED FROM ZIP CODE PERMIT NO. 100 Senior Minister Rev. Patricia Farris p.farris@santamonicaumc.org Youth & Intergenerational Rev. Robert English r.english@santamonicaumc.org Children & Family Life Rev. Camille Mattick c.mattick@santamonicaumc.org Music Jim Smith djes@roadrunner.com L. A. District Superintendent Rev. Cedrick Bridgeforth Bishop Mary Ann Swenson Business Administrator Christina Eddy c.eddy@santamonicaumc.org FUMC Preschool Charleen Smith, Director c.smith@santamonicaumc.org Office Manager Nancy Perov n.perov@santamonicaumc.org Communications Rachel Eaton r.eaton@santamonicaumc.org Nancy Thompson, Office Assistant n.thompson@santamonicaumc.org