Celebrating a Christmas Milestone

Transcription

1 DECEMBER 2017 The First Methogram Making Disciples for Jesus Christ through Love and Service! Celebrating a Christmas Milestone Christmas Eve 2017 will be a day full of celebrations with two amazing Christmas Eve worship services (4pm and 11pm) and a combined Sunday morning celebration at 10am that will retrace steps of Christmas Eve, Dear Friends, Twas the day before Christmas, and all through the house, many saints were all stirring, including the church mouse. Fifty years ago, First UMC Graham observed a milestone in their continued ministry and growth with the completion of our current sanctuary building on the corner of Main and Albright Streets. The congregation had worshipped in the Stafford Hall (fellowship hall) building for around 11 years and was finally ready to move into the new, finished building. The Pastor at that time, Rev. Christian White, exhorted all present to remember that this day was less about bricks and mortar and more about expanding the congregation s opportunities for mission and ministry: We must remember that our faith is not tied to a certain building, but rather to a person, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ... The sanctuary is a special and holy place, not because it is the only place where we find God, but because here are gathered all of the symbols which help us to center our thoughts and actions on his way and purpose. As we approach this 50-year anniversary of that special Christmas Eve service in 1967, we want to invite you to join us in giving thanks for where we have been, where we are, and where God is calling us to go as we lean forward into God s preferred future. In addition to our two traditional Christmas Eve Services with candlelight and communion, we will also be having a combined Sunday morning service with a continental breakfast in Stafford Hall from 9:00-9:45 with worship to begin at 10am in Stafford Hall. During this special celebration, we will begin the first portion of the service in the fellowship hall and then process as an entire congregation out toward Main Street, down the sidewalk, and into the sanctuary to conclude our worship. This action will literally retrace the steps of our congregation on that Christmas Eve back in The service will include leadership from the Well Praise Team, our Sanctuary choir, and our Praise Ringers. You won t want to miss it! We have a lot of special opportunities for worship, service, and fellowship throughout the month of December. I hope you will take time to look through this month s newsletter for all these events and that you will join us as we move with anticipation and expectation towards the great Christmas Feast. And then, mark your calendars for a Christmas Eve day like no other. You may want to even pull out your vintage hats and scarfs as we gather on this year s Christmas Eve morn. Your pastor is even considering wearing a fedora! Worshipping, Connecting, Serving, and Giving with you, Pastor Kevin FUMC-Graham 303 North Main Street Graham, NC / Pastor G. Kevin Baker DECEMBER 2017 Every member a Minister Page 1

2 Worship Worship for Residents of Peak Resources with First Missionary Baptist Church As we finish out the year, we have one more opportunity to join with our sister church in worship. On Saturday, December 23 at 4pm, we will be joining with Rev. Derrick Thorpe and Deacon Stanley Johnson to Christmas carol and deliver presents to the residents of Peak Resources. Contact Pastor Kevin for more information. For the past 27 years, the choirs from FUMC, First Baptist Church of Graham, and Graham Presbyterian Church have joined together to present a gift of holiday music to our Graham community. This year, our church will be hosting the 28TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF CAROLS on Sunday, December 17 at 7pm in our sanctuary. We invite you and your family and friends to join us for this very special Christmas worship service. Combined with reading of the Christmas story from scriptures will be musical selections including the classics Still, Still, Still, Pat-a-Pan, Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella, What Child Is This? contemporary selections Christmastime, and Come and See, along with arrangements of the carols Gabriel s Message and The Sussex Carol. The choirs will be joined by our Praise Ringers and instrumentalists representing the various churches. Please join us, along with the choirs and ministers of First Baptist and First Presbyterian, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus with our Christian friends from the surrounding community. Sunday, Dec 3 First Sunday of Advent 9am and 11am services Message: Wonderful Counselor Sunday, Dec. 10 Second Sunday of Advent 9am and 11am services Message: Mighty God Sunday, Dec. 17 Third Sunday of Advent 9am and 11am services Message: Everlasting Father 7pm Festival of Carols Sunday, Dec. 24 Fourth Sunday of Advent & Christmas Eve 10 am Combined Service celebrating 50 years of our sanctuary Message: Prince of Peace (No Sunday School; Fellowship Time 9-9:45am) Childcare provided. 4pm Family Christmas Eve Communion Service, Stafford Hall Childcare provided 11pm Candlelight Christmas Eve Communion Service, Sanctuary Did you miss a week in the sermon series and weren t able to watchlive? On our website, we archive recordings of both services, which are usually made available no later than Tuesday each week. Check there to find out what you missed at church. We also stream live events on our new Roku channel via your TV. Send the Geek Squad a message to set that up (media@fumcgraham-nc.org). Page 2 Every member a Minister DECEMBER 2017

3 ADVENT SERIES Read more about it! Want to go deeper during Pastor Kevin s Advent sermon series scheduled for December 3-24? You can pick up a copy of the book Names for the Messiah: An Advent Study either in the coffeeshop (Rm. 125) or the sanctuary breezeway for a reduced cost of $5. Connect CHURCH DIRECTORY APP FOR YOUR MOBILE DEVICES Celeste Argent Penny Augustine Doug and Clara Bayliff Elvin and Anne Briggs Jane Bryan Ty Bunn Curtis Clapp Ella Jean Clapp Nancy Clark Jackie England Alma Euliss Michael Few Pat Hall John Hancock Betty Hardt Brenda Hudson Elizabeth King Ellen Knox Jeff Krummel Carolyn Lapham Barbara Lowe Betty May Pam McDonald Worth McPherson Nell Mooney Revonda Barnwell Mosher Donna Peterson Frances Price Rev. Dennis Ricks Mary Jane Salter John Schweitzer Mike Smith Susan Stapelton Janice Stutts Virginia Sykes Clyde and Marie Ward Max Way Vivian Williamson Sue Willson Dillard and JoAnn Witherow Goley Chapel (Rm. 102) Sunday evenings from Jan. 14-Mar pm DECEMBER 2017 Do you have our online directory on your mobile device? Download Instant Church Directory from itunes or the Google Play Store. (See icon above white church on lime-green background.) Then, all you have to do is to enter your address as it is listed in our directory. You will be ed a one-time password to verify your identity. Once you insert that password into the app, you re all set. While you are there, check your own entry, and make sure we have correct information and an updated picture. If you need to change anything or have any trouble, send an to directory@fumcgraham-nc.org. Young In Heart Christmas Banquet Tuesday, December 5 11:30am Stafford Hall (Rm. 125). Lunch catered by Marg ($10) Entertainment by the Bill Wilson Trio Please bring a wrapped gift marked for male or female. NO FUN DAY IN DECEMBER! We all need a plan for our money. Financial Peace University (FPU) is that plan! It teaches God s ways of handling money. Through video teaching, class discussions, and interactive small group activities, FPU presents biblical practical steps to get from where you are to where you ve dreamed you could be. This plan will show you how to get rid of debt, manage your money, spend and save wisely, and much more! You may register through FPU s website. (There is a cost for FPU class materials.) Kathryn Cummings if you have anyquestions and to reserve childcare (kvanpelt16@gmail.com). Every member a Minister Page 3

4 december EVENTS 12.3 Sun. 5-6:30pm REFUGE Regular meeting Sun. 4-7pm Fri. 6-10pm Family Christmas Caroling Peak Resources Followed by free pizza! (All youth bring a drink.) Emma Royal Nichole Durham Emma Claire Snyder See article below for more 12.4 Annabelle McCoy information Jim Albright Christmas party! 12.5 Grayson Mueller Youth Commons (Rm. 206) 12.5 Joan Webster 12.7 June Gayle Turner 12.8 Brad Taylor 12.9 Rodney Dixon Attend one of the Christmas Bill Mitchell Eve communion services at church Ashley Hill See information on p Barbara Pattishall No regular meeting Haley Grafton James Fogleman Barbara Crissman Steve Fenton Meagan Long Rock Perry Eddie Chrismon Kaden Long Kathryn Cummings Mikayla Tate Sun. 5-6:30pm REFUGE Regular meeting Sun. 4pm or 11pm Sun. No regular REFUGE meeting. Wedding Shower for Rebecca Pratt and Zachary Baker (son of Pastor Kevin and Denise Baker) Sunday, December 3 1-3pm Parlor (Room 104) The couple is registered at Target. See becomingbaker2017 for gift ideas. December Birthdays Hillary Griffin Bob Wisse Wendy Ferrell Ashley Fulkerson Kathryn Lockamy Casey Johnston Sharon Riley Denise Carpenter Paul Johnson Kensley Wyatt Lillian Bacigalupo Mary Beth Evans Leslie Evans Worth McPherson Eric Sherer Trevor Koon A. J. Moore Landon Linens Ty Hardison Meagan Sisco Annie Sykes Doris Sugg Jane Ferrell Erin Snyder Garrett Staton Elizabeth Isley Kendall Tekely Guy Brantley Pam Hurt Please contact the church office with changes and additions (336/ ). Family Christmas Caroling FUMC Graham Children and Youth Ministries are sponsoring a Family Christmas Caroling Event on Sunday, December 10 from 4-5:30pm. All ages are invited to wear festive attire. We will meet at Stafford Hall (Rm. 125) and walk or drive to Peak Resources, our community nursing care facility located near the church, to sing Christmas carols to residents. We will then return to the church to enjoy free pizza. Families with children are asked to please bring cookies to share. Youth families are asked to bring a drink to share. Page 4 Every member a Minister DECEMBER 2017

5 Serve UNITED METHODIST WOMEN READING PROGRAM 2018 New books have been added to our library that are part of the UMW Reading Program. Each year, the UMW sponsors a reading program that promotes missions, prayers, study, and action. If you are interested in reading for plan participation, see Carol Steele or check in the library in the special section marked for UMW. You do not have to be a member of the UMW to join the reading program. The program runs until August 1, 2018, so you have plenty of time to read and report. Books from (marked on the book spine with blue tape) qualify for the program. We encourage YOU to be a part of this educational study. New books added this year and their categories: NURTURING FOR COMMUNITY Detained and Deported: Stories of Immigrant Families under Fire, by Margaret Regan Good Health, Good Life: 12 Keys to Enjoying Physical and Spiritual Wellness, by Joyce Meyer I Am a Bear, by Jean Francoise Dumont (CHILDREN) SOCIAL ACTION: Hospitable Planet: Faith, Action, and Climate Change, by Stephen A. Jurovics (BONUS BOOK) LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: 50 Women Every Christian Should Know: Learning from Heroines of the Faith, by Michelle DeRusha Hollow Faith: How Andy Griffith, Facebook, and the American Dream Diluted the Gospel, by Stephen Ingram Feathered, by Deborah Kerbel (YOUTH) SPIRITUAL GROWTH: Bus to Corinth, by Ladine Housholder The Pilgrim Messiah: A Novel Drawn from the Gospel of Mark, by Dr. Richard C. Cheatham EDUCATION FOR MISSION: Hiding in the Light: Why I Risked Everything to Leave Islam and Follow Jesus, by Rifqa Bary Massacre at Sand Creek: How Methodists Were Involved in an American Tragedy, by Gary L. Roberts (BONUS BOOK) Without You, There Is No Us: My Time with the Sons of North Korea s Elite, by Suki Kim Growing Peace: A Story of Farming, Music, and Religious Harmony, by Richard Sobol (CHILDREN) The Reading Program encourages members to think critically about current issues through an annual selection of memberreviewed books. It offers an excellent opportunity to deepen your spirituality and to broaden your understanding of our mission work. UMW Website ( Give PLAYSCHOOL WISH LIST Faye Waddell, our amazing Playschool Director, needs to replace the computer in her office. If you would like to help with this project, please contact Cathy Padgett, Playschool Board Chair (cathy_padgett@unc.edu). FUMC Graham Playschool ministry serves 144 children and their families from within our community. Praise the Lord! FUMC Playschool DECEMBER 2017 Every member a Minister Page 5

6 POINSETTIAS 2017 It is time to purchase poinsettias to place in our worship spaces during the holiday season in honor or in memory of your loved ones. A complete listing of these dedications will be included in the December 17 bulletins. Poinsettias will be in the church for all services on December 17, 24, and 31. This year, the red poinsettias are $8 each. Look for a form in your bulletin on Dec. 3 and Dec. 10 to fill out and place in the offering plate along with your payment. You will also be able to download a form from E-News on Nov. 30 and Dec. 7 to turn in to the church office. Extra forms will be available in the coffeeshop (Rm. 135) the sanctuary breezeway, and the church office (Rm. 113). Deadline for purchase is noon on Monday, December 11. November Memorials and Honoraria In Memory Of Ron Peterson James Cameron Abbie Worrell In Honor Of Steve & Mary Ann Van Pelt Joan and Alvis Webster By James and Linda Fogleman Mike Bason Peggy Jenks Mattie Pierce Bill and Fran Bryant Bill and Sue Bradshaw Janet Woody Jimmy and Millicent Linens Ray and Debra Dorsett Eddie and Priscilla Chrismon Jerry and Diana Cummings Gordon Painter SS Class Charles and Camille Staton Tommy and Judy Hayes Donald and Penny Hardie Roger and Marsha Jones Donald and Penny Hardie Alex and Susan Brink By Sally Nanney Peggy Jenks During this Christmas season, we would like to show our love and appreciation to our Church Staff for their hard work and dedication. If you feel led to share in this gift, please make your donation no later than December 17 and place it in the offering plate marked Staff Love Offering. Thank you, Staff Parish Committee Page 6 Every member a Minister DECEMBER 2017

7 To the UMW of First UMC Graham, On behalf of the cancer survivors of the island of Eleuthera [in the Bahamas], I want to thank you for the beautiful scarves. As a 3x cancer survivor myself, I can t tell you how meaningful this kind gift will mean to the ladies on the island. I have been going to Eleuthera since 2004, first with the students from Clemson Wesley [UM campus ministry] where I had the opportunity to meet Pam [Spurrier]. Most recently we have led a team from St. Mark UMC of Seneca [SC] We will be taking our 6th trip in the spring. I will take the scarves with me and take some pictures. The Bahamian ladies love bright colors, so I know they will be a hit. Gratefully, Lynn Dobson Dear Ladies, What a beautiful thing you have done for our patients! Be assured your gift will bring pleasure to the ladies that wear them & be a useful item in their wardrobe. Thank you for your thoughtfulness to us. We are very grateful. With much appreciation, Affie Ray, volunteer Resource Room Cone Health Cancer Center Thank you to my church family for all the goodness, sweetness, and love you showed me for my birthday. I appreciate the cards, calls, and visits. I appreciate and love all of you. Vivian Williamson Need a Christmas gift idea? Don t forget about the FUMCG cookbooks available in the sanctuary breezeway and the coffeeshop for $20. They are filled with tasty treats Perfect for someone on your list! Thank you so much for all the cards and visits after my recent hip surgery. I am doing much better! Bob Wisse Dear Graham FUMC, Thank you so much for being a donor to the Classroom Closet! I shopped there this Saturday and was able to get books for my class library and those items you always seem to run out of (paper towels, wipes, erasers). Thank you for helping me to stock my classroom so that my students can learn! Ellen Myers What a wonderful youth group! And their leaders are outstanding! They brought smiles into our home and they were infectious!! What fun! Thanks for showing us your love in this way! Don and Dot Lee Thank you so much for your donation to and support of the Classroom Closet. I was able to get so much for my new classroom. Thanks again, Anna Bruner, SAHS Parade Goodies! FUMC Scout Troop 41 will be selling sausage biscuits, hot chocolate, and coffee in front of the church on Saturday, December 2 at 8am. UMW MISSION FOCUS for DECEMBER Women s Crisis Center 1. Pocket calendars 2. Toilet tissue 3. Individual snacks 4. Paper towels 5. Hygiene products Homeless 1. Thick, warm blankets 2. Thick, warm gloves 3. Warm socks Hat, Scarf, and Mitten Tree Bring items to church office (Rm. 113) or give directly to Jeanne Owen. Would you like to help keep needy children and adults warm this winter? We are collecting new stocking hats, knit scarves, and gloves or mittens in children and adult sizes. Please bring your donated items and hang them on our tree located in Stafford Hall (Rm. 125). Children s sizes will be donated to the South Graham Elementary School clothing closet, and adult sizes will be distributed to the needy and homeless in Alamance County. Want to dedicate your donation in honor of a loved one? Donation cards are available on the poster beside the tree. Take a card to fill our and mail or give to your honoree. Monatary donations are also welcome to enable us to purchase these items. Please make checks payable to the New Horizons Sunday School Class and indicate Mitten Tree on the memo line. Checks may be placed in the offering plate or delivered to the church office until December 28. Thank you for your support of our Christmas Mission Project. New Horizons Sunday School Class DECEMBER 2017 Every member a Minister Page 7

8 The First Methogram (USPS ) Periodicals Postage Paid at Published Monthly by Graham, North Carolina First United Methodist Church 303 N. Main Street Postmaster: Send Address Changes to: Graham, North Carolina The First Methogram 303 N. Main Street Graham, North Carolina WE THANK GOD FOR: Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 3 1st Sunday of Advent 7am Men s Breakfast 1pm Wedding Shower 5pm Youth 10 2nd Sunday of Advent / Meet and Greet 4pm Christmas Caroling 17 3rd Sunday of Advent 5pm Youth 7pm Festival of Carols 24 4th Sunday of Advent 10am Combined Worship 4pm Family Christmas Eve Service 11pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service am Circle 2 2pm Circle pm Friendship Circle 18 6:30pm Missions Committee SUNDAY SCHEDULE: The Well Service 9am, Sunday School: 10am, Traditional Worship Service: 11am 5 10:30am Young In Heart Luncheon 5:30pm Exchange Club Project 7pm Crochet 7pm Boy Scouts 7pm Cub Scouts 12 5:30pm Exchange Club Project 7pm Crochet 7pm Board of Directors 7pm Boy Scouts 7pm Cub Scouts 19 5:30pm Exchange Club Project 7pm Finance Committee 7pm Crochet 7pm Boy Scouts 7pm Cub Scouts 6 6:30pm Handbells 7:30pm Choir 13 6:30pm Handbells 7:30pm Choir 20 6:30pm Choir Christmas Party 7 8:15am Thurs. Prayer Breakfast 6:30pm Girl Scouts 7pm Praise Team 14 8:15am Thurs. Prayer Breakfast 6pm Christmas Banquet 6:30pm Girl Scouts 7pm Praise Team 21 8:15am Thurs. Prayer Breakfast 6:30pm Girl Scouts 7pm Administrative Council 7pm Praise Team 25 Christmas Day :15am Thurs. Prayer Breakfast 6:30pm Girl Scouts 7pm Praise Team pm REFUGE Youth Christmas Party 8 2 7am Scouts Biscuit Sale Girl Scout Lock-In pm Festival of Carols rehearsal 6pm Scout Christmas Dinner pm Peak Worship with First Baptist Page 8 Every member a Minister DECEMBER 2017