DECEMBER The First Methogram Making Disciples for Jesus Christ through Love and Service!

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1 DECEMBER 2018 Dear Friends, It is hard to believe that we are quickly approaching the last weeks of 2018! I am thrilled with what God has done in our midst this year and eagerly anticipate that 2019 will hold even greater mission opportunities and blessings yet to come. I do hope you will join us this for our special sermon series titled Faithful: Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph. When Christians reflect on the birth of Jesus, we most often turn to the stories of his mother Mary and the amazing faithfulness of this young woman to submit to God s will and way in her life. We don t often focus much on Joseph, perhaps in part because we know so little of him from the Gospels. This, we invite you to join us as we zoom on the life and faithfulness of this stepfather, even as we once again reflect on his role in helping the world receive the greatest gift of all. In this season where we participate in annual traditions with the giving and receiving of gifts, I also want to encourage you to prayerfully consider FUMC Graham in your year-end giving. As some may know, our congregation has faced some unexpected challenges this year, and our year-to-date expenses have exceeded gifts by approximately $35,000 as of the end of October. Though we historically have had very generous Decembers in previous years, our stewardship team has a desire to be fully transparent in sharing this current need. All gifts, no matter how large or small, go a long way to helping us continue our mission and outreach to this community. Thank you ahead of time for considering this request. As we move toward the hope, peace, and light of Christmas, I encourage you all to set aside time with your family to pray, worship, and play together. In a season when we tend to rush around, make sure to take time to stop, breathe, and give thanks. For those among us for whom the holidays prove difficult because of loss of or distance from loved ones, I encourage you to lean on and spend time with your sisters and brothers in faith for we are all the family of God together. From the Baker family to all of you, may God grant you a blessed and a Merry Christmas. In the words of Tiny Tim, God bless us, everyone! Hope, Joy, Peace, and Love be yours this season, Pastor Kevin FUMC-Graham 303 North Main Street Graham, NC / Pastor G. Kevin Baker The First Methogram Making Disciples for Jesus Christ through Love and Service! DECEMBER 2018 Every member a Minister Page 1

2 Worship Evangelism Message Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Timothy 4:2(NIV) This holiday season, we will celebrate 29 years of joining our neighboring church families from First Baptist and Graham Presbyterian churches to present an evening of music to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. This year, the service will be on December 16 at 7pm at Graham Presbyterian Church. Our choir will join with the choirs from the other two churches, along with piano, organ, brass, wind, and percussion instruments, to present beloved Christmas hymns: We Three Kings, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence; classic anthems: How Great Our Joy, Christmas Lullaby, Christmas Dreams, and spirituals: Come, Follow That Star and Glory, Glory, Glory. We hope you will be able to join with us and our Christian friends from the Graham community as we give thanks to God for the precious gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. Sunday, Dec. 2 First Sunday of 9am and 11am services Message: A Carpenter Named Joseph Sunday, Dec. 9 Second Sunday of 9am and 11am services Message: Whose Child Is This? Sunday, Dec. 16 Third Sunday of 9am and 11am services Message: Raising a Child Not Your Own 7pm Festival of Carols Graham Presbyterian Church Sunday, Dec. 23 Fourth Sunday of 9am and 11am services Message: The Journey to Bethlehem Monday, Dec. 24 Christmas Eve 4pm Family Christmas Eve Candlelight and Communion Service in Stafford Hall 11pm Candlelight Christmas Eve Communion Service in the Sanctuary Want to go deeper during Pastor Kevin s sermon series? You can pick up a copy of Adam Hamilton s book Faithful: Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph from the breezeway or the coffeeshop for a reduced price of $10. Page 2 Every member a Minister DECEMBER 2018

3 Connect DECEMBER EVENTS Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun REFUGE Regular Meeting REFUGE Regular Meeting REFUGE Christmas Party Christmas Eve Eve NO REFUGE New Year s Eve Eve NO REFUGE Looking Ahead: January Lock-In 12.2 Emma Royal 12.3 Nichole Durham 12.3 Emma Snyder 12.4 Annabelle McCoy 12.5 Jim Albright 12.5 Grayson Mueller 12.5 Joan Webster 12.7 June Gayle Turner 12.8 Brad Taylor 12.9 Rodney Dixon Ashley Hill Barbara Pattishall Jeff Kerr Haley Grafton James Fogleman Barbara Crissman Steve Fenton Meagan Long Rock Perry Eddie Chrismon Kaden Long Kathryn Cummings Mikayla Tate Hillary Griffin Candice Harrod Bob Wisse Wendy Ferrell December Birthdays 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 Beth Crissman Elizabeth Isley Kendall Tekely Guy Brantley Pam Hurt Contact church office 336/ with additions and corrections. FUMC Christmas Banquet Ride the church bus To see Twin Lakes Christmas Light Display Meet in Albright Avenue parking lot Sunday, December 2 4pm Refreshments served afterwards Thursday December 13, pm Hors D oeuvres Dinner $ /Ticket Must present ticket at door Adults only Entertainment by Graham High School A Cappella Choir under the direction of Jennifer Wells New Short-Term Small-Group Video Study on Faithful: Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph by Adam Hamilton Led by Pat Morgan in Room 134 Begins Sunday, December 2 at 10am (between worship services) Designed to go along with Pastor Kevin s sermon series DECEMBER 2018 Every member a Minister Page 3

4 Doug and Clara Bayliff Diane Turner Barnes Virgie Boyle Gretchen Briggs Myra Brown Jane Bryan Priscilla Chrismon Nancy Clark Jackie England Linda Ezzell Michael Few Nancy Fisher Ben Hall Gwen Hall Betty Hardt Velma Hauser Julia Howard Brenda Hudson Elizabeth King Susan King Carolyn Lapham Lynn Lloyd In Our Thoughts and Prayers Barbara Lowe Betty May Michael Melanson Pam McDonald Worth McPherson Marie Moon Revonda Barnwell Mosher Loby Phillips Frances Price Mary Evelyn Rich James Ryan Mimi Saunders Mike Smith Susan Stapleton Janice Stutts Linda and Wayne Triesche Clyde and Marie Ward Max Way Vivian Williamson Sue Willson Dillard & JoAnn Witherow Earl Wood Call the church office (336/ ) or to request changes or additions. Young In Heart Christmas Banquet Tuesday, December 4 11:30am Stafford Hall Lunch catered by Occasions ($10) Entertainment by The Directors Trio Please bring a wrapped gift marked for Male or Female. No Fun Day in December Children s Ministry Christmas Events Sunday December 9 4-6pm ENJOY A FREE FAMILY MOVIE Animated movie The Star in Goley Chapel (Rm. 102) for children up through 5th grade and their families FREE popcorn! Bring comfy chairs or a blanket to sit on. FILL THE MANGER FOOD DRIVE Bring nonperishable food items to the movie All will be donated to a local food pantry CHOOSE A STAR FROM THE CHRISTMAS TREE Each star will contain the name of a homebound church member along with suggested ways your family can share the love of Jesus with him/her during. Page 4 Every member a Minister DECEMBER 2018

5 Serve Library Lowdown for December Want a good read for Christmas? Use FUMC s Web OPAC to find a title. Here s the web address: Just type Christmas and search by keyword. You ll find 115 books and DVDs about Christmas! Here are a few Christmas titles recommended by the Library Ministry Team: Adults Faithful: Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph, by Adam Hamilton The Magic of Christmas Miracles, by Jamie Miller The Spirit of Christmas, by Cecil Murphey Sent: Delivering the Gift of Hope at Christmas, by Jorge Acevedo The Angel Doll, by Jerry Bledsoe Children A Star for Jesus, by Crystal Bowman The Christmas Pageant, by Christy Heno Joy to the World, by Tomie DePaola The Journey: Children s Edition, by Adam Hamilton Pete the Cat Saves Christmas, by Eric Litwin November Additions Try a Little Kindness, by Henry Cole A Perfect Day, by Lane Smith Click, Clack, Quack in School! by Doreen Cronin R is for Rocket: An ABC Book, by Tad Hills Malala s Magic Pencil, by Malala Yousafzai Plants Can t Sit Still, by Rebecca Hirshch A Letter to My Teacher, by Deborah Hopkinson Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger, Sideways Stories from Wayside School, and Wayside School Is Falling Down, three from the series by Louis Sachar The above are children s books donated in memory of Carolyn Seay by Marie Ward. Disunity in Christ: Uncovering the Hidden Forces that Keep Us Apart, by Christena Cleveland, donated by Margaret Skulnik (adult book) The IF in LIFE, by Rashad Jennings, donated by Maycie Lloyd (youth book) I will honour Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all year. Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol DECEMBER 2018 Every member a Minister Page 5

6 Give In Memory Of Bruce Bell Bruce Bell Carolyn Seay Rev. Dennis Ricks Phyllis Ricks May By Jane Ferrell Mildred Huey Barbara Lowe Don and Dot Lee Jimmy and Millicent Linens Preston and Judith Burgess Peggy Jenks Clyde and Marie Ward Lydia Ricks Lydia Ricks Rev. & Mrs. Robert Mooney, Jr. Rev. & Mrs. Robert Mooney, Jr. Phil Richards Phil Richards Phil Richards Phil Richards Memorial Gifts Gene and Elaine Caudill Jane Ferrell Don and Dot Lee Peggy Jenks David and Carol Steele Sherrie Moore Janet Woody Ray and Debra Dorsett Charles and Camille Staton Men s Prayer Breakfast Julia Howard Gordon Painter SS Class Jerry and Diana Cummings Jandy Mooney Bob Mooney Sherrie Moore Charles and Camille Staton Steve and Sue Peterson David and Carol Steele Peggy Jenks Charles and Camille Staton Jerry and Diana Cummings Thanks to First United Methodist Church of Graham. Thanks for all your prayers, cards, and visits while I was hospitalized and in rehab. May God bless you, Pat Hall Dear Church Family, Thank you for your prayers, gifts, and support. We were so glad to see so many of you at the baby shower. Thank you, Lisa Hoosier & Judy May Thanks to everyone who contributed those wonderful goods for our bake sale. Because of you, our sale was a huge success as we took in $ Thanks also to all who worked the sale. You made it a fun day for all of us. Peggy Jenks Seeking Donations Church Secretary Office Facelift A donor is making a significant contribution to jump start this project. If sufficient additional contributions are made, all of the following will be implemented: install a workspace counter top along one wall with base cabinets and doors underneath for storage, paint the room, install plantation blinds in the window, purchase a couple of appropriate chairs to serve as a reception area for the church staff visitors, install ceiling tile and new floor treatment. Our goal is to collect the funds by January 15. Identify your contribution to GFUMC by writing Church Sec Office Facelift on the check memo line. Any size contribution will be gladly accepted. Ray Dorsett is leading this project. His contact information is in the church directory if you have any questions. Page 6 Every member a Minister DECEMBER 2018

7 POINSETTIAS 2018 Poinsettias will decorate both of our worship spaces December These flowers may be purchased for $6 apiece in honor or in memory of loved ones. Forms for ordering poinsettias will be in bulletins Sunday, December 2 and December 9 and may also be found in the church office or downloaded by clicking the button in E-News. Deadline for ordering is noon on December 10. Hands & Feet Tree Would you like to keep some little hands and feet warm this winter? Help us decorate our Hands & Feet Tree with new or clean, gently used gloves, mittens, and socks in children s sizes. We will distribute donated items to needy children at South Graham Elementary. Please bring your donated items and hang them on our tree in Stafford Hall (Rm. 125). Want to dedicate your donation in honor of a loved one? Donation cards will be on a poster beside the tree. Monetary donations are also welcome. Please make checks payable to the New Horizons Sunday School Class and write Hands & Feet Tree on the memo line. Place checks in the offering plate or deliver to the church office until December 23. Thank you for helping to keep needy children warm this winter. Honor Cards for Sale This year, Honor Cards to benefit UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) will be sold for $10 each on November 18 and 25 and December 2 and 9 before and after the 11 o clock service in the sanctuary breezeway. They will also be sold on November 25 during Wesley Wares and during other activities. One hundred percent of your $10 gift will go to benefit survivors of Hurricanes Florence and Michael. 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 16 and place it in the offering plate marked Staff Love Offering. Thank you, Staff Parish Relations Committee UMW MISSION FOCUSES FOR DECEMBER Women s Shelter NEEDS: 1. Paper towels 2. Feminine products Veterans NEEDS: 1. Warm gloves 2. Heavy socks DECEMBER 2018 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: SUNDAY SCHEDULE: The Well Service 9am, Sunday School: 10am, Traditional Worship Service: 11am Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2 1st Sunday of 7am Men s Breakfast 3pm Family Christmas Eve Service Videoing 4pm Christmas Lights at Twin Lakes 5pm Youth 5pm First Place 6pm Girl Scouts 9 2nd Sunday of / Meet and Greet 4pm Children s Ministry Family Movie 5pm Youth 6pm Girl Scouts 16 3rd Sunday of 5pm Youth Christmas party 5pm Girl Scouts 7pm Festival of Carols 23 4th Sunday of 6pm Girl Scouts 30 6pm Girl Scouts 3 11:30am UMW Circle 2 11:30am UMW Circle 3 7pm UMW Friendship Circle 4 11:30am Young In Heart Luncheon 5:30pm Exchange Club 7pm Cub Scouts 7pm Boy Scouts 7pm Crochet :30pm Exchange Club 7pm Board of Directors 7pm Cub Scouts 7pm Boy Scouts 7pm Crochet :30pm Exchange Club 7pm Finance 7pm Cub Scouts 7pm Boy Scouts 7pm Crochet 24 Christmas Eve 4pm Family Communion 11pm Candlelight Communion 31 New Year s Eve Missions Committee 25 Christmas Day 5 Handbells 7:30pm Choir 12 Handbells 7:30pm Choir 19 Handbells 7:30pm Choir 26 Handbells 7:30pm Choir 6 8:15am Thursday Prayer Breakfast Girl Scouts 7pm Praise Team 13 8:15am Thursday Prayer Breakfast 6pm Christmas Banquet Girl Scouts 7pm Praise Team 20 8:15am Thursday Prayer Breakfast Administrative Council Girl Scouts 7pm Praise Team 27 8:15am Thursday Prayer Breakfast Girl Scouts 7pm Praise Team New Horizons class party January Methogram deadline 8am Boy Scout/Cub Scout Christmas Banquet 2pm Festival of Carols rehearsal pm Peak Worship Page 8 Every member a Minister DECEMBER 2018