Bi-Weekly XLXV No. 23, November 20, 2013

faith friendship fellowship followership fruitfulness

www.firstsayyes.com

I remember hearing my

grandmother sing the chorus

“Something good is going to

happen to you...this very day,

Jesus of Nazareth is passing

your way.” It was a song that

was sung at the beginning of

a Christian TV program she

used to watch. It planted the

idea that if you looked for the

“good” in life you would find it,

in Christ.

I believe that. It is easy to

see the glass half empty, to

think that we have a personal

rain cloud that follows us eve-

rywhere we go, or just give in

to the drain of life when things

get messed up or go wrong.

And it is true, life does have

its challenges. But there is

good news. Amazing news.

God who made life, came in

Jesus to LIVE among us. He

came to experience what we

experience. He didn’t have it

easy just because he was

God. He had friends betray

him, and others desert him.

He saw loved ones die and

he touched the hurts of hu-

man beings all around him.

Yet he found the goodness of

life, too.

Goodness does not exist in

the absence of bad or tragic

things. I believe it exists in

the midst of such events and

experiences. It is the calm in

the eye of the storm. It is the

peace in trouble. And it is the

assurance that God will be

with you through it all. A God

who has been there, is among

us and will never leave us,

ever!

What would happen if we dis-

covered that Jesus of Naz-

areth was walking with us

through our day. We just

might gain a heavenly per-

spective on earthly things.

We, too, might begin to believe

that something good can and

will happen to us, in this life

and the next!

A new season in the Christian

year is coming upon us. It is

ADVENT. It is the season of

preparing for God’s entry into

our world. He came not only

to be with us, but to live inside

of us. He came to be in rela-

tionship with you and me. So,

when the IF in LIFE gets large,

even overwhelming remember

the song, “something good is

going to happen to you. Jesus

of Nazareth is passing your

way. God is with us. We are

not alone!

See you at the goodness

place this weekend! Jimd.

Leading People to aN active faith in Jesus christ

Fir

sT United M

ethodist Church of Sedalia

SSOMETHINGOMETHING G GOODOOD ISIS G GOINGOING TOTO H HAPPENAPPEN TOTO Y YOUOU!!

One of the most simple prayers

is known as "dinner prayer". It

goes like this "God is great.

God is good. Let us thank Him

for our food. Amen." This sim-

ple prayer holds profound

truths. In November we will

use Psalm 145 and this prayer

to experience the amazing

character of God. Join us and

invite friends to Saying Grace:

The Dinner Prayer.

TTHANKSGIVINGHANKSGIVING OOFFERINGFFERING A thankful heart is a heart close to God, and we have much to be thankful for at First United Methodist Church. This year’s Thanks-giving Offering has been designated to support the following missions: Six United Methodist Special Mission causes, Tools of Hope (Blanket Sunday), and People in Need. Your gift can be an invest-ment in the lives of people for time and eternity. This is one way to say thank you to God for the blessings of a church family, our forever friends. For your conven-ience, a Thanksgiving Offer-ing Envelope is available from the back of the church Sanctuary, and from the Welcome Centers. Please turn it in in the offering, church office, or mail it to 1701 W. 32nd St., Sedalia, MO 65301. Your generos-ity is appreciated!

L.O.T. Sunday School Class will be coordinating the decorating for Ad-vent/Christmas of our downtown sanctuary on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 24 at 1 p.m. following the Youth Thanksgiving dinner. We in-vite anyone who would be interested in helping to come at 1 p.m. It nor-mally takes about an hour to accom-plish. Come and see our beautiful sanctuary before & after decorating.

SSANITYANITY S SUPPORTUPPORT A SANITY Support Group-Setting Boundaries With Your Adult Chil-dren 12-week group study be-ginsThursday, November 21st 6:00-7:30 at the Celebration Center (LOT Classroom). Space is limited so please register soon. For more infor-mation call Barbara Rippey at 473-6753. Book & workbook cost $35.

FFREEREE Y YOGAOGA C CLASSESLASSES Free Yoga Classes taught by Irene Renauld are offered at the Celebra-tion Center (Fusion Aerobics Room) on Saturdays from 2 to 3 p.m. (Nov. 16-Dec. 28) and on Tuesday & Thursdays from 4 to 5 p.m. & from 5:30—6:30 p.m. (Dec. 10-Jan. 2). Wear loose clothes (elastic or draw-string waistband) and bring a mat (or double mat) and a friend.

UMW LUMW LUNCHEONUNCHEON First United Methodist Women will meet on December 10th at 12:15 p.m. with a Salad Luncheon and meeting. All women of the church are invited and if childcare is needed, please call Carolyn Miller at 660-527-3792.

HEARTBEATS

Christmas Musicals College Kits Decorating Downtown Sanctuary

Make plans now to attend our 2013 Christmas Musical Presentations. ~Our Kid’s Musical is entitled, An-gels, Lambs, Ladybugs & Fireflies and it will be presented at 6 p.m. on Sunday, December 8th at the Cele-bration Center. ~Our Adult Musical is entitled Changed by a Baby Boy. It will be presented on Sunday, December 15th at the Downtown Church. In-vite a friend and come share in the message of the Christmas season. Tours of the downtown church be-gin at 4:15 p.m., festive music be-gins at 4:30 p.m., and the Choral Presentation begins at 5 p.m. fol-lowed by refreshments.

MMOMOM’’SS

GGROUPROUP Join moms of all ages for fun and encouragement on the second Sat-urday evening of every month from 6:45—7:45 p.m. at the Celebration Center (Gathering Place). Our next Mom’s Group event is December 14th. Whether your kids are 2 or 42 - you are welcome! Childcare is provided for children up to age 5.

MMASTERPIECEASTERPIECE

PPOTLUCKOTLUCK An Older Adult potluck will be held December 2nd @ 6:30 pm at the Celebration Center in the Gathering place. Bring some food and be ready for the spectacular Sedalia Christmas Pops concert (Sedalia Symphony) to follow in the Sanctu-ary. Tickets are $10 @ the door.

Our 8:35 a.m. Sunday Ser-vice is signed for the hear-ing impaired. Please tell your friends who might benefit from this ministry! If you are dealing with a conflict right now in your lives, let one of our trained Stephen Ministers help pro-vide emotional and spiritual care. Call Don Brandes, 827-6455, or the church office, 827-2993.

Meals for Moms is a minis-try at First UMC to help with meals the first few weeks once mom and the baby come home from the hospital. Please contact Jennifer Cor-dia at 826-1574 with contact information or questions.

L.O.T. Sunday School Class will be assembling K.I.T. (Keeping in Touch) packages for college stu-dents on Sunday morning, Nov. 24. Please submit names and addresses of college students attending a 2 yr or 4 yr program by noon, Friday, Nov. 22. Do-nated items for the packages can be left in the church office or monetary donations to help cover cost of postage can be given.

YEstoday today today today Bookstore Bookstore Bookstore Bookstore Hours:Hours:Hours:Hours: Sat. 4-7 pm Sun. 8-11am

Nov. 24 Cassie Rapp, Kari Hall, Linda Schroeder, Colton Easter, Roger Vo-gler, Cathy Green, Blaine Hanson Nov. 25 Jeri Doak, Donovan Bock, Melanie Huffman, Jim Lambirth Nov. 26 Kennedy Brown, Danielle Steele, Lavera Harrell, Ryan Smith, Amy Rambo, Patrick Hofheins Nov. 27 Betsy Charles, Natalie Smith, Larry Fowler, Allison Tester, Bryan Durant, Gavin Soderberg Nov. 28 Linda Dickinson, Paige Downum, Kaffy Wilhoit Nov. 29 Sean Pilliard, Katherine Gleason, Deborah Arney, Thomas Todd, Dick Kinshella Nov. 30 Camilla Sisemore, Blake Gerke, Bill Rabourn, Neal Janney, Victoria Dugan, Emma Tuller, Anna Ward Dec. 1 Tanya Allen, Pat Sturges, Ken Ott, Kelly Davis Dec. 2 Emma Mosier, Frances Trauschke, Joshua Valtos, Mike Mugg, Brandon Martin, Jordan Cairer, Carma Messerli, Bailey Parkhurst Dec. 3 Daniel Layton, Terry Bickers, Hailey Heimsoth, Nick Bailey, Elizabeth Rooks, Alan Thomas, Genevieve Gilgour, Cheryl Hibbard, Joshua Hibbard, Annie Howe, Jared Anderson Dec. 4 Janis Ragar, Keith Buescher, Taylor Pollitt Dec. 5 Mary Alice Hinshaw, Alice Fairfax, Linda Mayes, Mike Davidson, Shelly Graf, Brady Ragan, Mindy Ruckman Dec. 6 Lisa Flores, James Mor-row, Travis VanDorn, Rance Walters, Jason Thompson, Ashley Howard, Jay-den Archibeque, Dec. 7 Lisa Thompson, Toby Pierce, Ashley King, Samantha Melby

Leading people to an active faith in Jesus Christ.

FIRST STEPS

Nov. 9-10, 2013 Sunday School 141 Worship 896 Amt. Rec’d for Ministry $ 10688.98 Building 868.48 Special 1406.85

Nov. 16-17, 2013 Sunday School 125 Worship 889 Amt. Rec’d for Ministry $ 9718.87 Building 1432.00 Special 888.17

If you would like additional

information about the church

attendance or finances, please call

the church office (827-2993).

Our Family

Our Prayers for: Betty Rose Thompson, Norma Tullis, Steve Emory, Louise Lentz, Rosalee Bur-gess, Darlene & Virgil Bur-gess, Sue Coleman, Fran-ces Goldsmith, Jacob Gerken, Clifford Smith, Charles & Jennie Cheffey, Mac McBride, Brittany Blake, Norma Jean Knowles, Kathy Gardner, Ruby Brummett, Clayton Fidler (Soldier in Afghani-stan), Strong Tower Haiti Orphanage, and Our Military Families

~Our hearts go out in Chris-tian love and sympathy to . . ~ Cliff McBride & family in the death of his father, Wal-ter (Grandpa Mac) McBride on Nov. 5, 2013, ~Kyle Smith & family in the death of his mother, Marga-rett Smith, on Nov. 10, 2013, and ~Jami Schroeder & family in the death of her husband, Richard Schroeder, on No-vember 13, 2013.

WWEE C CELEBRATEELEBRATE THETHE D DAYAY YOUYOU W WEREERE B BORNORN

CCONGRATULATIONSONGRATULATIONS TOTO . . . . . . ~Kelsey Ehlers and Christian Hardesty who were united in marriage on No-vember 8th, 2013, ~Missy & Toby Pierce on the birth of a son, Wyatt Pierce, on November 9th, 2013, Cathy & Bob Pierce are the paternal grandparents, and ~Candice & Teddy Kearney on the birth of a son, Bentley Kearney, on Novem-ber 12, 2013. Sheilah & Dale Kearney are the paternal grandparents.

A NA NEWEW C CONVENIENTONVENIENT WAYWAY TOTO G GIVEIVE At the Welcome Center for your convenience we now have an iPad with a credit and debit card reader attached. Here individuals can make offerings to the general budget or building fund as well as pay for events and goods.

If your birthday is not listed, please let us know so it can be added!

TTHANKHANK Y YOUOU:: (On display at Welcome Center Bulletin Board)

We received a thank you from : Jerry Iuchs

WWELCOMEELCOME N NEWEW M MEMBERSEMBERS

Chantry Alexander & Kristen Parker Brooklynn Severa & Jasper Parker 106 W. 5th St. Unit C Sedalia, MO 65301 660-619-2294

Irene Renauld 2405 Killion Dr. Sedalia, MO 65301 827-0443

Downtown, 4th & Osage

//Worship Sunday 10:50am

Celebration Center, 1701 W. 32nd St

// Worship Saturday 5:30pm // Sunday 8:35

9:45am East & West & 12:30 pm

Listen on the Radio at 1490AM Sundays 10:30am

or on Website at www.firstsayyes.com

First United Methodist Church

Office: 1701 West 32nd Street

Sedalia, MO 65301

Non-Profit Organization US POSTAGE PAID SEDALIA, MO 65301

Permit #208

FirsT United Methodist Church of Sedalia

RETURN ADDRESS REQUESTED

Everyone Invited to our . . .

AANNUALNNUAL Y YOUTHOUTH S SPONSOREDPONSORED

CCHURCHHURCH--WWIDEIDE

TTHANKSGIVINGHANKSGIVING D DINNERINNER SSUNDAYUNDAY, N, NOVEMBEROVEMBER 24 24THTH

12 12 NOONNOON——DDOWNTOWNOWNTOWN Our love offering supports the youth summer

mission trip! Plan now to attend!

PPITCHITCH ( (CARDSCARDS) ) ANDAND C CHILIHILI P PARTYARTY Saturday November 30th at 6:45 in the First Family Room (CC) we will be having a Church-Wide Pitch (cards) and Chili party. Please sign up on the blue card (weekend bulletin insert) and let us know how many people will be attending, what side dish or dessert you would like to bring and if you will be needing childcare (yes it will be provided). If you have questions regarding this event please contact Angie Kroeger 660-473-1190 or angie@firstsayyes.com.

Come join us for a great time of fun and

fellowship!