the first methogram making disciples for jesus christ ...joy to the world, by tomie depaola the...

DECEMBER 2018

“Every member a ‘Minister’”

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 Advent 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 Advent, 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 Advent 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

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

FUMC-Graham—303 North Main Street Graham, NC 27253 336/226-4343

Pastor—G. Kevin Baker

“Every member a ‘Minister’” DECEMBER 2018

This holiday

season, we will

29 years of joining our neighboring church families from First

Baptist and Graham Presbyterian church-es 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 oth-er 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.

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)

Worship Sunday, Dec. 2— First Sunday of

Advent

• 9am and 11am services

Message: “A

Carpenter Named Joseph”

Sunday, Dec. 9— Second Sunday of Advent


Message: “Whose

Child Is This?”

Sunday, Dec. 16—Third Sunday of Advent


Message: “Raising a Child Not Your Own” • 7pm Festival of Carols

Graham Presbyterian Church

Sunday, Dec. 23—Fourth Sunday of Advent

• 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

celebrate

Want to go deeper during

Pastor Kevin’s Advent 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.

DECEMBER 2018


December Birthdays

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 12.10 Ashley Hill 12.11 Barbara Pattishall 12.11 Jeff Kerr 12.11 Haley Grafton 12.13 James Fogleman 12.13 Barbara Crissman 12.14 Steve Fenton 12.15 Meagan Long 12.15 Rock Perry 12.15 Eddie Chrismon 12.15 Kaden Long 12.16 Kathryn Cummings 12.16 Mikayla Tate 12.16 Hillary Griffin 12.17 Candice Harrod 12.18 Bob Wisse 12.18 Wendy Ferrell

12.18 Ashley Fulkerson 12.18 Kathryn Lockamy 12.18 Casey Johnston 12.18 Sharon Riley 12.18 Denise Carpenter 12.20 Paul Johnson 12.21 Kensley Wyatt 12.22 Lillian Bacigalupo 12.22 Mary Beth Evans 12.24 Leslie Evans 12.26 Worth McPherson 12.26 Eric Sherer 12.27 Trevor Koon 12.27 A. J. Moore 12.27 Landon Linens 12.27 Ty Hardison 12.27 Meagan Sisco 12.28 Annie Sykes 12.28 Doris Sugg 12.29 Jane Ferrell 12.29 Erin Snyder 12.29 Garrett Staton 12.29 Beth Crissman 12.30 Elizabeth Isley 12.30 Kendall Tekely 12.31 Guy Brantley 12.31 Pam Hurt

Contact church office 336/226-4343 with

additions and corrections.

FUMC Christmas Banquet

Thursday

December 13, 2018

6pm Hors D’oeuvres

6:30pm Dinner

$13.50

/Ticket—Must present ticket at door

Adults only

Entertainment by Graham High School

A Cappella Choir under the direction of

Jennifer Wells

DECEMBER EVENTS

Looking Ahead: January 11-12

Lock-In

Sun. 12 . 2 5-

6:30pm

REFUGE—Regular

Meeting

Sun. 12 . 9 5-

6:30pm

REFUGE—Regular

Meeting

Sun. 12 . 16 5-

6:30pm

REFUGE

Christmas Party

Sun. 12 . 23 Christmas Eve Eve

NO REFUGE

Sun. 12 . 30 New Year’s Eve Eve

NO REFUGE

Connect

Ride the church bus To see Twin Lakes Christmas Light Display

Meet in Albright Avenue parking lot Sunday, December 2

4pm

Refreshments served afterwards

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 Advent sermon series


Doug and Clara Bayliff Barbara Lowe

Diane Turner Barnes Betty May

Virgie Boyle Michael Melanson

Gretchen Briggs Pam McDonald

Myra Brown Worth McPherson

Jane Bryan Marie Moon

Priscilla Chrismon Revonda Barnwell Mosher

Nancy Clark Loby Phillips

Jackie England Frances Price

Linda Ezzell Mary Evelyn Rich

Michael Few James Ryan

Nancy Fisher Mimi Saunders

Ben Hall Mike Smith

Gwen Hall Susan Stapleton

Betty Hardt Janice Stutts

Velma Hauser Linda and Wayne Triesche

Julia Howard Clyde and Marie Ward

Brenda Hudson Max Way

Elizabeth King Vivian Williamson

Susan King Sue Willson

Carolyn Lapham Dillard & JoAnn Witherow

Lynn Lloyd Earl Wood

Call the church office (336/226-4343) or e-mail

[email protected] to request changes or additions.

In Our Thoughts

and Prayers

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

Young In Heart

Christmas

Banquet

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.

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 Advent.

“FILL THE MANGER “ FOOD DRIVE • Bring non-

perishable food items to the movie

• All will be donated to a local food

pantry

DECEMBER 2018


Library Lowdown for December

Serve

Want a good read for Christmas? Use FUMC’s Web OPAC to find a title. Here’s the web address:

https://16638.rmwebopac .com . 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


In Memory Of By

Nell Mooney Ed and Carolyn Barnes

Nell Mooney Jane Ferrell

Nell Mooney Mildred Huey

Nell Mooney Barbara Lowe

Nell Mooney Don and Dot Lee

Nell Mooney Jimmy and Millicent Linens

Nell Mooney Preston and Judith Burgess

Bruce Bell Peggy Jenks

Bruce Bell Ed and Carolyn Barnes

Carolyn Seay Clyde and Marie Ward

Rev. Dennis Ricks Lydia Ricks

Phyllis Ricks May Lydia Ricks

Ralph Pike Gene and Elaine Caudill

Ralph Pike Jane Ferrell

Ralph Pike Don and Dot Lee

Ralph Pike Peggy Jenks

Ralph Pike David and Carol Steele

Ralph Pike Sherrie Moore

Ralph Pike Janet Woody

Ralph Pike Ray and Debra Dorsett

Ralph Pike Charles and Camille Staton

Ralph Pike Men’s Prayer Breakfast

Ralph Pike Julia Howard

Ralph Pike Gordon Painter SS Class

Ralph Pike Jerry and Diana Cummings

Ralph Pike Ed and Carolyn Barnes

Rev. & Mrs. Robert Mooney, Jr. Jandy Mooney

Rev. & Mrs. Robert Mooney, Jr. Bob Mooney

Phil Richards Sherrie Moore

Phil Richards Charles and Camille Staton

Phil Richards Steve and Sue Peterson

Phil Richards Ed and Carolyn Barnes

Winfield Brumble David and Carol Steele

Winfield Brumble Peggy Jenks

Winfield Brumble Charles and Camille Staton

Winfield Brumble Jerry and Diana Cummings

Winfield Brumble Ed and Carolyn Barnes

Memorial Gifts

Give 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 $797.50.. Thanks also to all who worked the sale. You made it a fun day for all of us. Peggy Jenks

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.

Seeking

Donations—

Church Secretary Office Facelift

DECEMBER 2018


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 Advent activities. One hundred percent of your $10 gift will go to benefit survivors of Hurricanes Florence and Michael.

UMW MISSION FOCUSES FOR DECEMBER

Women’s Shelter

NEEDS: 1. Paper towels 2. Feminine products Veterans

NEEDS: 1. Warm gloves 2. Heavy socks

POINSETTIAS 2018

Poinsettias will decorate

both of our worship

spaces December 16-

24. 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.

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


The First Methogram—(USPS 715-740) Periodicals Postage Paid at Published Monthly by Graham, North Carolina 27253 First United Methodist Church 303 N. Main Street Postmaster: Send Address Changes to: Graham, North Carolina 27253 The First Methogram 303 N. Main Street Graham, North Carolina 27253 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

Advent

7am Men’s Breakfast

3pm Family Christmas Eve Service Videoing

4pm Christmas Lights at Twin Lakes

5pm Youth

5pm First Place

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

5 6:30pm Handbells

7:30pm Choir

6 8:15am Thursday Prayer Breakfast

6:30pm Girl Scouts

7pm Praise Team

7

1

8 6:30pm

New Horizons

class party

9 2nd Sunday of

Advent / “Meet and Greet” 4pm Children’s Ministry Family Movie

5pm Youth

6pm Girl Scouts

10

11 5:30pm Exchange Club

7pm Board of Directors

7pm Cub Scouts

7pm Boy Scouts

7pm Crochet

12

6:30pm Handbells

7:30pm Choir


6pm Christmas Banquet

6:30pm Girl Scouts

7pm Praise Team

14 15 January Methogram deadline

8am Boy Scout/Cub Scout Christmas Banquet

2pm Festival of Carols rehearsal

16 3rd Sunday of

Advent

5pm Youth Christmas party

5pm Girl Scouts

7pm Festival of Carols

17

18 5:30pm Exchange Club

7pm Finance

7pm Cub Scouts

7pm Boy Scouts

7pm Crochet

19 6:30pm Handbells

7:30pm Choir

20

8:15am Thursday Prayer Breakfast

6:30pm Administrative Council

6:30pm Girl Scouts

7pm Praise Team

21

22 4pm Peak Worship

23 4th Sunday of

Advent

6pm Girl Scouts

24 Christmas Eve 4pm Family Communion

11pm Candlelight Communion

25 Christmas Day

26 6:30pm Handbells

7:30pm Choir


6:30pm Girl Scouts

7pm Praise Team

28

29

30 6pm Girl Scouts

31 New Year’s Eve 6:30pm Missions Committee

the first methogram making disciples for jesus christ ...joy to the world, by tomie depaola the...

Documents