Join us for worship in December as we prepare our hearts and minds for hope, love, joy and peace. Join us as we prepare for the Christ Child.

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1 The Monthly e-newsletter of First United Methodist Church of Mont Belvieu The season of Advent, which comes from the Latin word adventus meaning "coming" or "visit," begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year for Christians. Advent began in France in the fourth century. In various times and locations of the church, it has been observed for three, four, and six weeks leading to Christmas. Although we are accustomed to celebrating Christmas on a single day, in both Christian tradition and on the Church calendar, the Christmas season lasts from sundown on December 24 (Christmas Eve) through Epiphany of the Lord (January 6). This is sometimes popularly referred to as "the twelve days of Christmas." During Advent, we prepare for, and anticipate, the coming of Christ. We remember the longing of Jews for a Messiah and our own longing for, and need of, forgiveness, salvation and a new beginning. Even as we look back and celebrate the birth of Jesus in a humble stable in Bethlehem, we also look forward anticipating the second coming of Christ as the fulfillment of all that was promised by his first coming. In a season of holiday haste and hustle, Advent calls us to slow down and prepare. In a world of darkness and violence, the church proclaims a message of light and hope. In a world of division and fear, the coming of the Christ child reminds us of the healing power of love. Join us for worship in December as we prepare our hearts and minds for hope, love, joy and peace. Join us as we prepare for the Christ Child. Please join us every Sunday at 9:00 a.m. for our Casual Worship or 10:45 a.m. for our Traditional Worship

2 Mark your Calendars! Needle Arts, Dec 5:30p The Prayer Shawl Ministry is done through our Needle Arts Ministries which meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month in Room #1 UMW Christmas Party, Dec 6:00p Bring a $15-$20 gift and a covered dist. Family Ministry Meeting, Dec Noon We will meet in Room #1 to start planning our Sweetheart Banquet. XYZ Game Day, Dec 12:00noon Our Senior Adult Ministry invites all to come and enjoy a potluck lunch, games and great fellowship. Meeting in the Fellowship Hall XYZ Out to Lunch, Dec 12:15p We will be meeting at Iguana Joe s for fun, food and fellowship! Combined Worship Services, Dec 10:00a We will have ONE worship service in the Sanctuary to ring in the New Year!

3 It starts with a Gift Time to order Poinsettias!

4 UMW Christmas Party XYZ Upcoming Outings

5 Come join us... United Methodist Church s History Book is now Digitized and in the Chambers County Library! Check it out!

6 Spotlight Member - Phyllis Ray Phyllis Johnson Ray is a homegrown Barbers Hill girl who graduated as a BH Eagle and then went on to Lee College and Panola College in Carthage, Texas where she studied criminal justice and psychology. Her internship was with Houston Judge Tony Polumbo's acclaimed juvenile court. She also worked in marine transportation for ten years. Before moving back to Mont Belvieu in 1991, Phyllis raised her family in Carthage. A daughter, Stephanie, lives in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and a son, Beau, resides in Mont Belvieu. Phyllis has 3 grandchildren. At Christmastime 2010, Phyllis suffered a stroke which left her with some physical limitations. Her childhood friend, Janeice (and husband Pat) Shults Williams built a master suite onto their home, so that Phyllis could reside with them. One day when she returned from physical therapy, a tiny ball of fur greeted Phyllis! She bottle-fed her new baby kitten for 8 weeks and feels that focusing on the care of this new pet was an important part of her recovery. Chugarkat is a special part of Phyllis' family. Phyllis is the very capable wedding coordinator for FUMCMB. She orchestrates weddings in both the church sanctuary and Fisher Chapel. She is also active in United Methodist Women's activities. Congratulations Chase & Taylor! Our FUMCMB Nursery Coordinator, Taylor Ambler, became Mrs. Chase Farris in a beautiful ceremony on November 11. Taylor and Chase met through his friendship with her brother after Chase's family relocated to this area from Idaho! Taylor is also employed by HEB, and Chase works with Exxon-Mobil Security. Best wishes for a long and happy married life, Chase and Taylor! DID YOU KNOW...that FUMCMB has an aspiring young minister among our membership? Clayton Hall, our Lay Member to Annual Conference and Chairperson of the Family Ministries Team, was presented and approved as a ministerial candidate at the Charge Conference Meeting in Highlands on November 12. Clayton first felt the nudge toward entering the ministry when he was a junior or senior in high school. He went on to college and holds a bachelors degree in English and history. He will be entering the "second career" program as an exploring candidate at the Candidacy Summit of the Methodist Church soon after the first of the New Year. His family is strongly supportive of this decision. Mindy Hall is very involved in the children's ministries at FUMCMB--great experience for a future pastor's spouse! - Janelle Harvey, Membership Secretary

7 SWCA Christmas Program SWCA Upcoming Events

8 Prayers & Celebrations Kid s Beach Club Katherine DeLoch Brock Thompson Matthew Johnson Andres, Tyler, Harlee Nelms Jim Hardy Cyndi Lashley Fraysur Family Freemon Family Neda Workman Stephanie & Beau Ray Gwen Finley & Family Mike Kammerer Margaret Hook Delilah O Brien Praying for those in the military: Taylor Gates, Son of Terina Babb Salter To add to or update the prayer list please send an to office@mb.com, call the Church Office at or add to our CONNECT CARD on Sunday mornings Doug Jones 12/2 Kendall Shaw 12/2 Lori Thompson 12/2 Jennifer Haymon 12/3 Summer Johnson 12/3 Araceli Gil 12/4 Ashlea Sherman 12/6 Chris Brandon 12/7 Carl Rainey 12/7 Derek Wallace 12/8 Marilyn Fraysur 12/11 Crystal Heller 12/13 Cirby Manchaca 12/13 Jacob Tovlin 12/13 Marge Bercaw 12/17 Gabby Fraysur 12/19 Josh Presnall 12/19 Nicholas Bercaw 12/20 Connie Salak 12/21 Dennis Enloe 12/22 Meghann Hall 12/23 Lindsey Hall 12/23 Tori Hook 12/25 Deanna Wallace 12/26 Taylor Dean 12/27 Calyn Kraus 12/27 Matthew Heller 12/29 Kacie Ann Heller 12/29 Peggy Meyers 12/29 Kelli Anderson 12/31 Brad Batson 12/31 Tina Coffey 12/31 Will & Corinna West 12/1 Shannon & Carle Dickens 12/3 Joey & Lori Presnall 12/4 Jerry & Kathy Johnson 12/11 Charles & Diane Cauthen 12/15 Jim & Patty Hardy 12/21 Robert & Judy Barrow 12/22 Domingo & Araceli Gil 12/22 Bill & Charlotte Smith 12/26 Gary & Lisa Holmes 12/30 Matt & Lori Thompson 12/31

9 Last Chance for your End of Year Giving! Christmas is a Time of Giving As we enter the sacred season of Advent and Christmas, we celebrate God's great gift of the Christ Child. As we experience the tremendous joy of God's blessings upon us, you may be looking for ways to give back and support our church and other charities that help those in need. For many, end-of of-year giving can also provide tax benefits. The most popular gift is cash, but there are many other ways to give, including gifts of stocks, bonds, securities, mutual funds, life insurance, real estate and more. For some, life income deferred gifts, donor advised funds, charitable trusts or annuities may make sense. Act now to make certain you have accomplished your charitable goals for the year! The conference's financial partner, Heartspring Methodist Foundation, can help with year-end end charitable planning: , 3780, or office@heartspringmethodist.org. The West Chambers Food Pantry served 47 families in November Current needs are spam, pancake mix, canned pears, peaches and fruit cocktail. -Pantry Team FUMC MB Staff: Rev. Melody Kraus, Pastor, melody@mb.com Tina Coffey, Administrative Assistant, office@mb.com Jan Hutcherson, Financial Secretary, jan@mb.com Judy Master, Director of Music Ministries, music@mb.com Taylor Ambler, Nursery Coordinator, nursery@mb.com Phyllis Ray, Wedding Coordinator, weddings@mb.com Michelle Comeaux, Director of SWCA, swca@mb.com Tanya Sandefur, Co-Director of SWCA, swca2@mb.com