Cross Talk

Dear Church Family, I realize that it’s almost mandatory for pastors to bemoan the commercialization of Christmas, but retailers do seem to have turned the season of gift-giving into the season of debt-getting for too many people. With the annual holiday shopping frenzy loom-ing once again, I can’t help wondering, “How does spending more than I can afford on things that people don’t really need honor the one whom Christmas is supposed to celebrate?” It’s ironic that the biggest retail season of the year is based on the birth of someone who shunned materialism and urged his disciples to simplify their

lives. So, what’s a Christian to do?

As you may know, I’m a big fan of alternative gifts. That’s when a charitable donation is made in someone’s name instead of buying a tangible gift. So, for instance, I might make a donation to the animal shelter as a gift for my niece who loves animals instead of buying her a useless tchotchke. Or I could make a gift to Habitat for Humanity in honor of my carpenter friend Phil rather than buying him a sweater he doesn’t need. Or I could spare myself the stress of trying to figure out what to get my sister (perhaps the most difficult person in the world to buy for!) by making a dona-tion to the emergency fuel assistance fund in her name. You get the idea. Think of alternative giving as the best kind of “re-

gifting”.

This Christmas, consider cutting back on unnecessary gift-giving and use the money you save to purchase alternative gifts. You’ll not only be doing something thoughtful for the recipient; you’ll also be helping out those who are most in need. And I think Je-

sus would like that very much.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Arlene

Bangor First United Methodist Church

703 Essex Street , Bangor Maine

For Information...

Phone: 207-945-9567

Email:

fumcbgr@myfairpont.net

Website:

www.fumcbangor.org

(Sermon podcasts available)

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/Bangor

First

This ‘n That 2-4

Community meals 4

Meetings & Prayer Requests

5

Birthdays 6

Worship Assistants 7

Youth Group News Advent Series

8

10

Calendar

11

Included in this

issue….

DECEMBER, 2016

ADVENT EVENTS

Advent Sermon Series: Each Sun-day at 10:30 during Advent.

Christmas Eve December 24:

Christmas Eve Family Service:

6:00 pm

Christmas Eve Candlelight

Service: 9:00 pm

Thursday evenings at 6:00

Informal

Worship

Service

2016 Church Fair

Thanks to everyone who

helped in any way with the

Church Fair. It was a huge

success because so many

hands worked so hard. God

Bless!

PAGE 2 CROSS TALK

PRAISE Song Group

Sundays

9:45-10:15

In the

Youth Room

VOICES OF ADVENT

A Reader’s Theater Drama

By Jeri L. Shumate

December 18, 10:30 service

She gave birth to her firstborn child, a son, wrapped him snugly, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in

the guestroom.

Luke 2-7, Common English Bible

This ‘N That...

Coffee Fellowship Schedule

January: Trustees

February: Piburn

March: Worship

April: SPRC

May: UMW

June: Choir

July: Sunday School

August: Mission

September: Handbells

October: Finance

November: Evangelism

December: Administrative Council

Snacks should be ready by 11: 15.

Groups need to make sure all dishes are

washed and the dishwasher turned off

when finished.

Fundraising While You Shop

The Scrip fundraising program enables people to raise

money for their non-profit organization. Scrip is just an-

other way to pay for everyday purchases using gift cards in

place of cash, checks, and credit cards and support the

church through your purchases.

Scrip Center offers over 300 of the country’s big-

gest brands, including grocery, department stores, gas sta-

tions, restaurants and the like.

If you are interested in ordering a card from the

Scipt Center, contact Rachel Downs via email at

fumcbangorscrip@gmail.com or by phone at 249-5719.

Orders go out every other Monday.

Family Enrollment Code: 4F488C5A49938

We are currently looking for volunteers for the

next session. Sunday school...teachers, assis-

tants, nursery volunteers and substitutes.

We follow the FUMC Safe Sanctuary Policy

that requires 2 certified adults in each class-

room and the nursery. All workers in our

Christian Ed groups must have Safe Sanctuar-

ies training and training sessions are ongoing

as needed.

If you are interested in volunteering during

the year, please speak with Co-Christian Ed

Directors Nancy Isaacs or Rachel Downs.

QR code for smart phones that will take you

directly to the FUMC electronic donation

page.

PAGE 3 CROSS TALK

And he will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty

God, Everlasting Father, Prince

of Peace...Isaiah 9:6b

Coffee and Conversation

Wednesdays from 2:00 - 3:00 PM

Tim Horton's on Broadway

This month's selection is

"Falling Upward" by

Richard Rohr.

KEENAGERS

December 19 at Noon

Lunch will be served at a cost of

$5.00

FOOD CUPBOARD FOCUS FOR

DECEMBER

During the month of December we are asking for dona-

tions of the following items for the food cupboard:

Canned tuna, chicken & Vienna sausages

Boxed Mac & Cheese or Hamburger Helper

Spaghetti Sauce & Pasta

Canned Veggies

Baking supplies….sugar, flour,

Mustard, ketchup, relish, dressings,

Also toiletry items are always in demand.

Please place items in our food cart in the narthex.

Check the Sunday bulletin inserts

for need changes.

DECEMBER MEALS

December 1: Chicken casserole

December 8: Seafood Chowder

December 15: Breakfast for Dinner

December 22: Beef Stew

December 29: Pot Luck

DECEMBER NEEDS

December 1: Desserts

December 8: Desserts

December 15: Desserts

December 22: Christmas themed desserts

December 29: Desserts

COMMUNITY MEALS FOR DECEMBER

PAGE 4 CROSS TALK

Mission Trip Donations

The Missions Committee is

asking for donations to send a

representative to the Domini-

can Republic in January. You offering can go in the

offering plate, be mailed, or dropped off at the office.

The total cost is $2000 per representative. Thanks

for your support!

The heart of the

giver makes the gift

dear and precious.

Luther

December Meetings / Events at Bangor First UMC

Events:

Informal Worship Thursdays at

6:00

Sundays at 8:30: Pathways to God

Sundays at 9:15: Bible Study

Sunday School/ Christian Educa-tion 10:45 (2nd-4th Sundays)

Children’s Christmas Even Ser-

vice: Dec. 24 at 6:00 pm

Candlelight Christmas service:

Dec. 24 at 9:00 pm

Ongoing Group Meetings

Food Addicts in Recovery

meet each Monday at 6:30

Bangor Community Chorus

rehearses every Tuesday at

6:30 (Sept-May)

Toymakers meet each Mon-

day evening at 6:00

Cub Scouts meet on Wednes-

days at 6:00 (Sept-June)

Delta Kappa Gamma meets

monthly (Sept–June) on the

first Monday.

EAAA Café: Tuesdays; Noon

Since Joseph belonged to David’s house and family line, he went up from the city of Naz-areth in Galilee to David’s city, called Bethlehem, in Judea. He went to enroll together with Mary, his wife who was with child. While they were there, the time came for Mary to have her baby. She gave birth to her firstborn child, a son, wrapped him snugly, and laid him in

a manger, because there was no place for them in the guestroom.

Luke 2: 4-7

Meetings:

Dec. 4: Worship Committee

Dec. 10: UMW

Dec. 15: Piburn; 1:00

Dec. 18: Missions

Dec. 8 DCOM; 9-3:00 and

DMT; 6--8:00

Into your hands Heavenly Father we entrust these people

who are in need of your healing touch, knowledge of

your presence, and your comfort.

Sustain them in good days and bad. Help them to feel

your loving presence with them during every difficulty,

for you are always there ahead of any circumstance.

Watch over all those who are in need. Help them to feel

that you are always near them and know that all they

need do is look to you for comfort and for strength.

In Your loving name we pray. Amen

Page C.

Tom C.

Mary Jane T

Dawn R.

Nancy C. & daughter

Eliana

Bob L.

Lonna, Chuck & Family

Bill & Tammy

Family of Marsha C.

Sister of Rachel

Parker W.

Marie & Sherwood

Stephen T.

Bob C.

Benjamin C.

Peg S.

Rozario family

Dennis & Pat S.

Family of Fred S.

Family of Pat B.

Family of Louise B.

Our church leaders

The Bangor Area

Street Pastors

Prayer Requests

PAGE 5 CROSS TALK

Happy Birthday to you, to Jesus be true.

God Bless you and keep you the whole year through!

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

Nancy Isaacs

Diane Moody

2

Cynthia

Commeau

3

4 5

6

Jaddah Swett

7 8

Ben Commeau

9

George Wallace

10

Jeff Fister

11

12

Jackie LaFlamme

Susan Leach

13 14

15

David Pelkey

Matt Nye

16

17

18

Bob Worcester

19 20

21

David Swett

Hillson Beal

Joe Haskins

22

23

Phillip Frost

24

Ane Christensen

25

26 27 28

Glenn Mower

Scott Leach

Michael Downs

29 30 31

Sue Edwards

December, 2016

Birthdays

PAGE 6 CROSS TALK

Readers Media & Sound Techs

Sanctuary Door

4 Kerry & Pat Woodbury

11 Dan & Louise Hatch

18 Dale & Julie Brownie

25 Skippy Valentine

Essex Street Back Door

Trustees

Greeters for the 10:30 am Traditional Worship

Jesus,

Light of the world...

Deadline for information

for the January newslet-

ter is December 19.

Information may be

submitted in written form,

via email or by phone.

Pathways to God 8:30

Traditional Worship Service: 10:30

Christian Ed for children at 10:45 (2nd-4th Sundays)

Informal Worship: Thursdays at 6:00

Readers

4 Stephen Ritz-Perkins

11 Lesley Whittington

18 John Haskell

25 Bob Worcester

Trustees

4 Andy Moody

11 Pat Woodbury

18 Andy Moody

25 Gregg Stewart

Media

Geoff Dapice

Wayne Griffith-Hurst

Sound

Jim Burkhart

Worship Assistants for December 2016 ***If you are unable to cover the date for which you are scheduled please arrange for a

substitute or call Sue White.

Newsletter Deadline Worship Schedule

Essex Street Door

4 Polly Goding

11 Sylvia Moore

18 Ruth Shepardson

25 Barbara Warner

Back Door

4 Gary & Jane Shaffer

11 Barbara Wais

18 Charlotte Witham

25 Gary & Jane Shaffer

PAGE 7 CROSS TALK

UPCOMING EVENTS……

PAGE 8 CROSS TALK

Youth Group Leaders: Coralie Cross, Nick & Cheryl Guay,

Pastor Arlene Tully

December 2nd Peer lead Bible Study - Morgan Downs has volunteered to prepare a Bible study for us to read and then talk about. December 16th Christmas Party - We will be doing such things as making crafts, and wrapping presents for Angel Tree. In the New Year'.. January 13th or 14th The Youth Group hopes to host a game night for the church, friends and families. Donations for refreshments will be ac-cepted. January 28th Winter fun - sledding, tubing, ice skating, and building a snow fort in front of the church... Dress warmly! February (around Valentines Day) Youth Group Babysits - Parents can drop their kids off and for a donation the youth group plans a night to entertain them. Age limits and time limits TBD. Parents can then have a date night to celebrate Valentines’ Day. Other ideas for the 2017

• Make a meal for the homeless

• Volunteer at Thursday Night Meals

• Rake Leaves or Basic Lawn/Yard work for Donations

• Faith Linking in Action - Public transportation month in November

• Trampoline Park

• Extreme Adventures/ Playland Adventure

• Bowling

• Hiking

• Crafts

COME JOIN US!

PAGE 9 CROSS TALK

Advent 2016: “Awed & Odd” We Christians believe in “folly” – that there is peace, love, joy and hope in the midst of both the good and the

difficult times. We believe that “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” This

makes us “odd” according to those who proclaim the victory of decline and death all around. It is especially in

this season of expectant hope that we can instead proclaim the awe-inspiring presence of God’s reign that con-

tinually makes all things new. This is a season of odd “juxtapositions” – swords into plowshares, wolves and

lambs resting peacefully together, and those without a voice singing for joy!

First Sunday of Advent – November 27

“Peace in the Midst of Conflict”

Isaiah 2:1-5 and Psalm 122

To keep awake is to open our eyes in awe at the works of the Holy in our midst and to the promises of God to

continually make all things new. We introduce the theme of “Awed & Odd” for this season of anticipation and

expectation. This first Sunday of Advent we focus on the practices of peace to which we are called, making us

“odd” in the eyes of a world that lets fear drive our actions toward one another.

Second Sunday of Advent – December 4

“Love in the Midst of Hate”

Isaiah 11:1-10 and Matthew 3:1-12

The Hebrew word translated in the First Testament as “fear” is probably closer to our word “awe”. Those who

are open to the awe of God will be delighted at the love they witness blooming where once was fear and ha-

tred. Isaiah’s prophecy of unlikely combinations (wolves and lambs, calves and lions, cows and bears) can point

us toward the awesome power of God to create more love and understanding in the world.

Third Sunday of Advent – December 11

“Joy in the Midst of Despair”

Isaiah 35:1-10 and Luke 1:46b-55

We wonder what one person, or one church, can do, and we despair at the injustices of the world. When help-

lessness makes us feel weak in the hands or feeble in the knees, we are reminded of the power of the “lowly

servants” as Mary’s prophetic voice rings out in the “Magnificat” (the song of one awe-struck young woman!).

Things in the reign of God are topsy-turvy. As the Body of Christ, we must be “born again” this Advent into the

awe of God that leads to the joy of liberating service.

Fourth Sunday of Advent – December 18

“Hope in the Midst of Hopelessness”

Sacred Drama: “Voices of Advent”

Isaiah 7:10-16 and Matthew 1:18-25

Nothing about this pregnancy was “usual.” Add to that signs and wonders and angel visits and the birth of Je-

sus can be called “odd” at best. But the message is clear – things can be born when you least expect it. So it is

ADVENT….2016

PAGE 10

Bangor First United Methodist Church Calendar for…...

December, 2016

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1

4:00 Commu-

nity Meal

6:00: Worship

6:45 Bells

2

10:00 My

Friend’s Place

3

4

8:30 Pathways

10:30 Worship

11:45 Worship

committee

5

Bible Study 1:00

4:00 DKG

6:00: Toymakers

6:00: FAIR

6

10:00: My

Friend’s Place

12:00 EAAA

Cafe

6:0o BCC

7

9:00 Memory

Joggers

6:00 Scouts

7:00 Choir

8 9-3:00 DCOM

4:00 Commu-

nity Meal

6:00: Worship

6:30: DMT

6:45 Bells

9

10:00 My

Friend’s Place

10

UMW 9:30

11

8:30 Pathways

10:30 Worship

10:45 Christian

Ed

12

Bible Study 1:00

6:00: Toymakers

6:00: FAIR

13

10:00: My

Friend’s Place

12:00 EAAA

Café

6:00: BCC

14

9:00 Memory

Joggers

6:00 Scouts

7:00: Choir

15

1:00 Piburn

4:00 Commu-

nity Meal

6:00: Worship

16

10:00 My

Friend’s Place

17

18 8:30 Pathways

10:30 Worship

10:45 Christian

Ed

11:45 Missions

committee

19

Keenagers; 12:00

Bible Study; 1:00

6:00 Toymakers

6:00 FAIR

20 10:00: My

Friend’s Place

CLOSED

12:00 EAAA

Café

6:00 BCC

21 9:00 Mem-

ory Joggers

CLOSED

6:00 Scouts

7:00 Choir

22

4:00 Commu-

nity Meal

6:00: Worship

6:45: Bells

23

10:00 My

Friend’s Place

CLOSED

24

Christmas Eve

Services

6:00 and 9:00

25 8:30 Pathways

10:30 Worship

10:45: Christian

Ed

26

Bible Study; 1:00

6:00 Toymakers

6:00 FAIR

27

10:00: My

Friend’s Place

CLOSED

12:00 EAAA

Café

28

9:00 Memory

Joggers

CLOSED

7:00 Choir

29

4:00 Commu-

nity Meal

6:00: Worship

6:45: Bells

30

10:00 My

Friend’s Place

CLOSED

31

CROSS TALK