In His Steps. Follow Us in our Journey to Follow Him. Corry First UMC

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1 December 2017 Monthly Newsletter of Corry First UMC In His Steps Corry First UMC Pastor Jonathan Fehl Lead Pastor Follow Us in our Journey to Follow Him To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. I Peter 2: Worth Street Corry, PA PHONE: (814) Office@corryfirst.org OFFICE HOURS: Monday Friday 9:00am 3:00pm WORSHIP: 9:00 AM Sunday School 10:00 AM Traditional Worship 11:00 AM Coffee & Fellowship 11:11 AM Modern Worship WEEKLY SCHEDULE: Wednesday: 6:00 PM H20 Life Group 6:30 PM Choir Rehearsal Friday: 7 10 PM H20 Friday Night Flood (Schedule is subject to Change) The birth of the baby boy Jesus 2000 years ago wasn't an accident or a surprise it was the next step in the divine plan of bringing hope to a world that had wandered away. Through the ages leading up to Jesus birth, God made promises to his people promises of hope. Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Moses, King David, and Isaiah all received God s words of one who would come to set the human race free. Through Advent we will explore what the messages meant to the generations who were waiting for the Promised One, and what they mean for us today.

2 In His Steps We re finally into the Christmas decoration season. I know Walmart has been pushing Christmas trees and ornaments since their back-to-school sales, but now it actually seems appropriate. My wife and I have always subscribed to that unwritten rule that Christmas decorations go up after Thanksgiving. Well actually, we don t work ahead that much. We just try to make sure they are up in our house at least a week before Christmas! And sometimes we haven t even gotten them up that early. Apparently, we passed this unwritten rule on to our children, because even in elementary school they sound like grumpy old men complaining as we see houses lit up in October and early November. These kids these days, decorating their houses earlier and earlier! Why don t they just put the lights up on the Fourth of July and be done with it! Despite my kids complaining, a colorfully lit house or apartment is a beautiful thing. In the wintertime, it s always a welcome sign of warmth. As the days get shorter and shorter while the darkness grows, the light brings cheer. The lights are also a sign of hospitality, like when Tom Bodett says, We ll leave the light on for ya. Christmas lights remind us of an even deeper truth: that in Jesus, the true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world (John 1:9). Followers of Jesus are people of the light. So we can celebrate the light this season, whether it s with candles, white icicle lights, or flashing red and green strings of bulbs. When we live differently from what the world expects, we shine out. What if this season you were to spend as much time decorating your heart as you do decorating your home? What if you plan your time with Jesus as intently as you plan your holiday party? What might that look like? Paul writes that when we are keeping in step with the Spirit, our lives will be decorated with the fruit of the Spirit love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-25). There s no denying it: those characteristics are beautiful. They look good with any outfit, they don t clash with any color, and they are attractive to almost everyone. Like light in the darkness, those characteristics stand out because they are not normal in this world. They are unusual because it is much easier for us to live in jealousy, selfish ambition, discord, envy, and hatred (Galatians 5:19-21). If we decorate our lives with the fruit of God s Spirit, we are truly celebrating the season. And that décor will shine yearround! In Christ s Love, Pastor Jonathan

3 I love the movie A Charlie Brown Christmas. My parents had me watch it every single year (multiple times a year ) since I was born and I still get emotional when Linus shares about the true meaning of Christmas. I ve watched it so much that I ve actually had Linus reciting of Luke s account of the Christmas story memorized to a T since the age of 6! I m so grateful today that my parents knew how important it was to instill in me an understanding of the real reason for the Christmas season. But even though we, as the church, KNOW the reason for celebrating this season, we can still be guilty of overlooking about the real meaning of Christmas as we get caught up in the hustle and bustle and commercialism of the holiday or in the stress of planning Christmas events for teenagers (or is that just me?)! How do we keep sight of the true meaning of Christmas during this time of year? The story of Jesus birth says SO much about God but primarily that He is a humble, loving God who wants to dwell WITH us. Jesus was like no other earthly King He did not come to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45). At H20, we have really been trying to focus on planning activities and events that remind us of the true meaning of Christmas and imitate the servant attitude of Jesus during this holiday season focusing on others instead of us! Last month, we took part in Operation Christmas child, which delivers shoeboxes full of Christmas presents to impoverished children around the world (thank you to everyone who was a part of that!). This month, we ll be acting out a Living Nativity scene in the park, participating in Salvation Army s Treasures for Kids, having a birthday party for Jesus, and really digging in to the Christmas story each week in our small groups. Praying that we could all live out the life of Jesus this Christmas ><> Sarah

4 In His Steps If we have missed your Birthday or Anniversary or there is a correction, please let the church office know. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the LORD Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. Malachi 3:10 01 Rachel Beatty, Barb Sproveri 02 Tina Freeman, Erin Bricker 03 Michele Hunt, Lucas Zimmerman 04 Lillian Devaney, Ella Greenwalt 08 Danielle Pognant 11 Tanner Murphy 12 Lee Curtis, Sarah Southworth 13 Amy Hromek 14 Derrick Stine 17 Diane Chitester, David Swarm 18 Andrew Carpenter, Katrina Harrington 19 Louise Miller, Pam Millspaw 20 Dick Lee, Gail McFarren, Russ Mitchell 21 Jalen Shearer 22 Dylan Craft 23 Ellie Saltsman 24 Neil Pognant 26 Thomas Harrington 27 Dawson Schwabenbauer 28 Megan Anderson, Thadd Graves Birthdays and Anniversaries 29 Holly Wittmer 30 Judy Grace, Matthew Leofsky 31 Jon Andrus, Marilyn Wood, Jim Wood Anniversaries 04 Tom & Lois Labowski George & Mary Valletti 06 Lee & Laurie Curtis 13 Kim & Sue Forrest 26 Gary & Linda Hajec 31 Aaron & Heather Costello, Elmer & Mary Wittmer Attendance & Financial Giving for November Average Attendance Monthly Giving 10:00am Worship 140 General Fund $ 19, :11am Worship 23 (Avg. Needed for Nov.: $25,188) Total Avg. Attendance 163 Sunday School 55 Read Through the Bible for December 1. Mark Mark First Sunday of Advent 3. Mark Mark Isaiah Isaiah Isaiah Isaiah Isaiah Second Sunday of Advent 10. Isaiah Isaiah Isaiah Isaiah Isaiah Isaiah Isaiah Third Sunday of Advent 17. Isaiah Isaiah Isaiah Isaiah Luke Luke Luke Fourth Sunday of Advent 24. Luke Christmas Day 25. Isaiah Luke Revelation Revelation Revelation Revelation Numbers

5 Martha Circle Christmas Luncheon: All ladies of the church are invited to a Christmas luncheon on Thursday, December 7 at 11:00am at Gigi s Diner. Please call the church office at or Janet Munn at by Monday, December 4 to place your reservation. Parsonage Christmas Open House: Parsonage Christmas Open House: We (Pastor Jonathan, Katherine, and our children) would like to invite you to an open house at the parsonage this Christmas season. Friday, Dec. 8, 5:00-7:00 pm; or Saturday, Dec. 9, 2:00-5:00 pm. Come by for some refreshments and fellowship to celebrate Jesus' birth! Please sign up for a time slot on the clipboard in the vestibule or call the church office so we have an idea how many to prepare for. Salvation Army Angel Tree Gifts: Would you like to share the joy of Christmas with a child in our community that may not receive gifts otherwise? We are participating in the Angel Tree Program once again this year. There are 25 tags with names, ages, and their wish list available in the vestibule. Gifts need to be back to the church no later than December 13. Please DO NOT wrap your gifts thanks! Financial Giving: During the holidays, our church becomes aware of needs in our congregation and in our community. The Pastor s Discretionary Fund is one of the ways we can help people during this time. If you would like to give toward the fund, please mark Discretionary Fund on your envelope or check made out to CorryFirst! Prayer: Jesus was born so that everyone could know the love and grace of God, and Christmas is a reminder of that message. Come to a time of prayer focused on reaching out to our community this Christmas. We will call out ot God, asking him to move in the hearts of our neighbors, friends, and colleagues. Tuesday, December 12 at 7:00pm join us in the sanctuary. Invite a friend to our Christmas services: We can t wait for our Christ Eve services this year consider inviting a friend, coworker, or family member. We have three services available morning worship at 10:00am, or join us for our evening worship services at 6:00pm and 11:00pm.

6 December 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 11:00 AM-Funeral 7:00 PM-Friday Night Flood :00 AM-Fellowship Time 2:30 PM-Christmas Music Fest 4 6:00 PM-Celebrate Recovery 7:00 PM-Mary Circle 5 6 1:00 PM-Deborah Circle 6:00 PM-Life Group 7 11:00 AM-Impact 11:00 AM-Martha Circle Christmas at Gigi s 8 5:00 PM-Christmas Open House 7:00 PM-Friday Night Flood 9 9am -7pm S.A. Red Kettle Bell Ringing at Sanders Market 12:00 PM-FLC in Use 2:00 PM-Christmas Open House 10 11:00 AM-Fellowship Time 12:30 PM-Church Conference 1:00 PM-Family Life Center In Use 2:00 PM-Piano Recital 17 11:00 AM-Fellowship Time 11 6:00 PM-Celebrate Recovery 7:00 PM-United Methodist Women 18 6:00 PM-Celebrate Recovery 12 7:00 PM- Prayer Service 13 6:00 PM-Life Group 14 11:00 AM-Impact PM-Life Group at Nancy 11:00 AM-Impact Dingfelder s 15 7:00 PM-Friday Night Flood :00 AM-Combined Worship 6:00 PM-Family Christmas Eve 11:00 PM-Candlelight Service :30 PM-Carpenters for Christ 11:00 AM-Impact Christmas Eve 31 New Year s Eve

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