First United Methodist Church

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1 First United Methodist Church Th M December November 15, 15, Volume 69, Issue 23 A Taste of What s Inside 2, 7 Church Facts 3 Youth news 3 Newgate Christmas challenge 4 Smart Conference Sager Brown Music Notes 5 Children s Corner 6 Lead@First Retreat 7 Puppets for Jesus News Mark Your Calendar 2 Next Newsletter, Jan Youth Christmas, Dec Youth Council, Jan. 5 3 Newgate deadline, Dec Smart Conference, March 29 4 Sager Brown, March Candles and Carols, Dec Wonderful Wednesday, Jan. 8 6 Lead@First, Jan Christmas Eve Service, Dec. 24 The other day I was looking over Susan s shoulder as she was putting together a new list of her students for the next six weeks grading period. As part of the basic data on the card, there is a place for his or her birth date. It hadn t dawned on me until just that moment that these sixth graders are members of a transitional class. They were all born after January 1, It is a bit of shock to realize that from this point on no one below that class level will be born in a time when there wasn t a 2 at the beginning of their birth year. All this to say; none of us who have reached a certain age will hesitate to say that time rushes on. So it is crucial that we grasp every opportunity we have and make the most of the days, hours, minutes, even seconds which become more precious as time moves on. So, the time has come to assess our future, both as a corporate body and also as individuals. The challenge and at the same time the joy of it all is that we have an opportunity to remake our future as we live with purpose in the present. The best guiding hint we can receive in planning for our future is a simple one. I recall in the Old Testament passage from Joshua 24, as Joshua, who had received God s blessing as the one in charge, was directing the people in the new land. In our case these same words can apply to a new year, a new attitude, a rethinking of priorities, a new action, or whatever needs to be adjusted to make the day a blessing and the future a time of excitement and hope no matter the circumstances. The passage I am remembering is Joshua 24: 14 to 15. Do your best to make this applicable in our own lives and in our own times: Now therefore revere the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. In other words take a definite faithful stand and form the direction of your life in this time and in the years ahead so that the service rendered to the Lord, in other words, the focus of life, will define who you are, what you do, and where you go. See you Sunday if not before Regards and God Bless Richard Mission Statement: First United Methodist Church of Gilmer strives to minister to all in need of Christ through nurturing, education, evangelism, missions and recreation. Contact Us 105 N. Montgomery St Gilmer, TX Pastor, Richard Laster pastorlaster@etex.net Secretary, Carol Craddock fumcsect@etex.net Financial Secretary, Lamon Geddie fumcacct@etex.net

2 Page 2 WE SHOW OUR LOVE By Our Prayers... Karen Bullard, Don Clark, Beemer Crombie, Ann Davis, Sarah Greene, Roy Helpenstill, Becky Ojeman, Gary Patterson, Jennifer Patterson, Cody Stansbury, family of Harris Teel, Sr., Nell Tyl, Wade Wilson Remember ongoing prayers for loved ones with serious illnesses, our shut-ins, family and friends in the military service and the leaders and staff of our church and our country. Remember to check our Web Site for up-to-the-minute prayer requests. Prayer Ministry Don t worry about anything; instead pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don t forget to thank Him for His answers. -- Philippians 4:6 Submit requests to Church s web page: Or Call: Church Office Jane Wilson Joined December 8, 2013 Jerry and Eva Lou Harkrider 5053 FM 1650, Gilmer, TX Like us on Fac ebook First United M ethodist Church of Gilmer Our Worship Service is broadcast on ETEX, Channel 999, Sunday, 6 p.m. and Monday, 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Our Presence Date Sunday School Worship Visitors Average Year to Date The next newsletter will be sent on or before January 15; there will not be a January 1st issue. Average Last Year Our Presents Month Total Income Total Expenses Income Over/ Our Deepest Sympathy to Nelson and Nell Tyl, November $32,102 $32,239 -$1,137 Year to Date $363,230 $381,571 -$18,341 on the loss of their son, Brent Tyl

3 Page 3 Youth News by Matt Potter Hello everyone! The youth have one more big Wednesday event before Christmas gets here. Wednesday, December 18, from 6:00-8:00 p.m., we will have our MYF Christmas Party here at the church. We ask that everyone who attends please bring a gift (less than $20), because we plan to have a white elephant gift exchange. We also plan to have an Ugly Christmas Sweater contest, so that evening, dig those sweaters out and throw them on. The following two Wednesdays after the Christmas party, which are Christmas Day and January 1 st, we will not have MYF. We will start MYF back up on Wednesday, January 8th at 6:00 p.m. Please mark your calendars: Sunday, January 5 th, right after worship, the Youth Council will meet in the Coffee House. We will discuss many of the activities and plans for the spring so please be sure to attend. I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and really takes the time to think about the real reason we celebrate the season! Matt One of the Random Acts of Christmas Kindness Caroling! The youth had a great time at Santa Land! Newgate Christmas The Mission Team will be collecting items for Newgate Christmas gift bags. There is a Christmas tree in the hall which they will decorate with these items. After Worship on Dec. 22nd, the MYF Youth will pack the items, and on Monday, Dec. 23rd, they will deliver the items to Newgate and serve the meal. On Christmas Day those who have breakfast at Newgate will have a Christmas Service and each person will be given a gift bag of the items listed. Please help make a good Christmas for Newgate Mission attendees. Items needed for the bags are: Scarves, gloves, socks and warm caps for men, women and children; health and hygiene items (small size); toiletries; hard candies; toys and items appropriate for children under 12; combs; nail clippers.

4 Page 4 Join Dave Ramsey and other thought leaders from around the country. For the first time ever, Dave Ramsey will host an all-star cast of speakers in a daylong conference that will help you take control of the key areas in your life. You'll learn how to win with money, strengthen your marriage, become a better parent, and excel in your career. Dave Ramsey, America's trusted voice on money, has helped millions of families secure their futures. He's the host of The Dave Ramsey Show airing on more than 600 radio stations from coast to coast. A New York Times number-one bestselling author, Dave battled back from bankruptcy in the early 90s to grow a company voted one of the best places to work in Nashville six times! Saturday, March 29, 8:30 a.m. Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie Dallas, TX Seating available Starting at $19 EVENT DETAILS Reserve your seats today and learn how to live a smarter life. Plus, for a limited time only, we're offering early-bird pricing on passes for this one-of-akind event. But hurry! These special offers won't last long. The first 1,000 seats are only $19! Prices go up from there. Dear Friends, This is a great opportunity for us. Dave Ramsey is a great speaker and has put together a wonderful event. The tickets are only $19 for a limited time. If you are interested in attending this event please me by December 23rd (that is next Monday) and I will order tickets for you. We will take the church vans and spend the day learning more about marriage, family, money and parenting. This event is scheduled for March 29th in Dallas. Don't miss it! Joyfully, Steffani chapsa@earthlink.net Sager Brown 2014 It s that time again. The Mission trip to Sager Brown is scheduled for March 23 28, There are 8 places reserved but more can be available. Our first deposit of $115 per person is due January 23, If you have never been to Sager Brown, this could be the time! It s very rewarding, packing supplies for unfortunate and needy people. The fellowship of working with people from other states and other parts of Texas is most enjoyable. The fee covers all meals and comfortable dorm rooms. Make your decision to go, and please call Sarah Monk for more information soon.

5 The Methodist Page 5 Messenger Music Notes by Lora Robison Hats off to members of JUBILATION who presented our Christmas Concert on December 8. I want to personally thank Grant Woodson for his excellent ringing as a substitute for Misti Monk when she was on leave ministering to her father in Louisiana and to Bill Taylor who covered Randy Monk s bells when he was out with Misti and her family. Also a big thank you to Bill for building bell table stands so the concert could take place in the choir loft. Thanks to Buzzy Green who borrowed bells from First Baptist Church and learned a most difficult part for The Nutcracker Suite. Thanks to Barbara Williams and Lamon Geddie for table covering designs and to Bill Marshall for his usual wonderful organ playing. Thanks also to Annette Breazeale and Frank Breazeale who came early to light candles and pass out programs. Thanks also to Carol Craddock for bulletins for the bell concert as well as for all of our December concerts. For those who stayed and helped us strike the set after the concert we all say Thanks so much! Everyone helping a little certainly made a huge job much easier. Our Chancel Choir Concert on December 15 th featured soloists Molly Sullivan, Annette Breazeale, Darren Richardson, Shelbi Herndon, and Brent Heatherington, along with Bill Marshall, piano and organ. The choir presented five wonderful anthems including A German Christmas by Tucker accompanied by bells. Candles and Carols by Mark Hayes will be presented on December 22, at 6:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. This lovely narrated work will feature the Chancel Choir and special guest vocalists including Shelbi Herndon and Cori Beasley singing a lovely duet for two sopranos Gesu Bambino by Yon. The choral work will be narrated by Richard and Susan Laster and accompanied by Bill Marshall and instrumentalists from The Longview Symphony and our own Brenda Brannon on flute. We continue to enjoy lighting our Advent Candles every Sunday. We have especially enjoyed hearing God s Word spoken by Dr. David Jenkins each Sunday in preparation for lighting our candles. We hope that each of us can find a special way to keep Christ in Christmas this year as we attend worship services at First United Methodist Church. We especially hope that you will draw near to God as you focus on His spoken word and in the music during this Christmas Season! In Christ s love, Lora Children s Corner by Chandra Sorrells Wonderful Wednesday Choir, Bible Study and Fun! Resumes Jan. 8, 2014 We had a wonderful evening at Cookies, Cocoa and Puppets. Scouting for food was a huge success. The boys collected 1040 pounds of food!

6 Page 6 6 Page Saturday, January 11, 2014 Leadership Retreat Camp Gilmont Saturday, January 11th is an important date in the life of our congregation. The 2014 leadership team of our church will be meeting offsite at Camp Gilmont for an all-day retreat. We will begin with a light breakfast at 8:30. Lunch will be served on site and we will finish at 6:00 in the evening. We are fortunate to have Dr. Craig Gilliam coming to help us as we discern God s will for this church in the coming year and into the future. Dr. Craig Gilliam is the director of the Center for Pastoral Excellence for the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. He is an adjunct instructor at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, and consults with churches and other organizations across the country. Craig has 24 years experience serving in the church. All chairpersons of our committees are being asked to invite one or two people from their committees who would like to attend this planning retreat. For those of you who will not be participating in this leadership retreat we ask for your prayers and your support as we work together to make Christ s presence known through our congregation in Gilmer. In His Service, Steffani Chapman chapsa@earthlink.net Recent happenings at FUMC... Filling the Thanksgiving Food Boxes, all 50 of them! Senior Friends Christmas Luncheon Women s Christmas Tea Christmas Tea holiday finery

7 P age 7 Page 87 Flowers for December 1 Rob and Lora Robison December 8 Melvin and Jo Reynolds December 15 Buzzy and Sue Green December 22 Sarah Greene December 29 James and Kathy McClain Ushers for December Sue Green, Bob Lansdale, Larry and Berita Morse The Sanctuary Flowers for December 1 were by given by Rob and Lora Robison, In honor of Bill Marshall, Organist and in honor of Annette Breazeale, Pianist. December 8 were given by Melvin and Jo Reynolds in honor of Frank and Annette Breazeale and Larry and Berita Morse. Deadline for Newsletter Articles January 10, Noon Puppets for Jesus College Scholarship applications are now available on the table outside the church office. If you have graduated from high school, are continuing your college education, and are a member of FUMC, please stop by and pick up an application. The deadline for submission is Thursday, 5:00 p.m., January 2, If you have questions or need additional information, please call Carol in the church office at Please Join Us December 22, 6 p.m. Candles and Carols with Chancel Choir and Longview Symphony Orchestra Ensemble December 24, 6 p.m. Christmas Eve Worship Service No doubt we have all done our share of sighing. If you have teenagers, you've sighed. If you've had your motives questioned or your best acts of love rejected, you've been forced to take a deep breath and let out a painful sigh! There's a sigh of relief, a sigh of expectancy, even a sigh of joy. This puppet director sighed a BIG sigh of relief, joy and happiness when Puppets for Jesus gave their annual performance of Celebrating HIS Christmas Presence on Sunday, Dec.1st in the Christian Life Center. Cookies, Cocoa, Puppets and Santa were all presented in a beautifully decorated holiday theme. From the Dowel Stick presentation of "The First Noel," the Clown Ministry act of "The S-I-N Box, to an assortment of holiday puppet characters who told the story of Jesus' birth from many different views, they all shared a story about HIS Christmas Presence in each of the unique acts. "The children were busy with puppets in hand, telling the story of God's love for man. As the program was ending, I looked through the place, and was moved by the joy I could see on each face..." I would like to say a BIG "Thank You" to: Nick Sorrells, Lucas Smith, Ray Sorrells, Jeff Sorrells, and Ceci Crombie for their excellent performances. Special "Thanks" and Appreciation also to: Dick & Steffani Chapman, Marc Smith, Louise Stracener, Chandra Sorrells, Lora, Dolly, & Todd Robison, Penny Taylor, Fred & Jennifer Anderson, Staff of FUMC, Lauri and Robin Woodson. You will discover that although the Savior was born 2000 years ago, He can still "light the way" today. The magic of Christmas is not in the presents...but in HIS presence! Blessings, Babs by Babs Crombie Li k e u s o n F acebook - Fir st Unit e d M ethodi st Ch urch o f Gi lmer