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Be a Good Host
How To Make Christmas at Tucker
an Enjoyable Experience
Invite a Friend
Advent and Christmas at
Tucker First
Longest Night Service
(Blue Christmas)
Wednesday, December 19
7 pm • Chapel
The Christmas season is an extraordinarily
difficult time for some of us. We may look
up and realize that our lives during this
season are marked more by broken
hearts and shattered spirits than by
holiday joy. This special service is for all
who are sad, lonely, hurting, or suffering
from loss of any kind. In this service
we will offer our pain to God and seek
comfort in the Christmas message. All
are welcome.
Advent and Christmas Worship
Monday, December 24
Christmas Eve • Sanctuary
All services have communion
4 pm – Children’s Worship Service
A sharing of the Christmas story, with a
children/family friendly focus. Children
will be participants and leaders in the
worship service.
8 pm - Traditional worship service with
communion.
11 pm – The Christmas message told in
a series of readings interspersed with
carols.
Sunday, December 30
One unified worship service
11 am •Activities Center
Join the family in a service with traditional
Christmas carols and a love feast.
Although this will not be the traditional
Moravian love feast, we will dip back
into our Wesleyan roots to capture some
of the essence of this special worship
style. We will celebrate with brunch type
food, light fellowship and joyful worship
to celebrate the arrival of Jesus Christ!
Please bring a light breakfast item
(two individual items per person) and
children are encouraged to bring all
their crinkled up wrapping paper for the
children’s moment! Normal Sunday
School schedule. NO 8:30 am worship
service.
Thank you for your fantastic response for Christmas at
Tucker, our music and drama celebration on Sunday,
December 16. Here are some tips that will help you
make the night a success for Tucker First and our
invited guests.
Non-Ticket Holders, Please Come! Non-ticket
holder seating will begin fifteen minutes before each
performance on a space available basis. If you know
someone without a ticket who would like to attend, encourage them to come and they will be
seated during that fifteen minute window.
Extra Tickets. If you have any extra tickets, please contact Rosemary Rose at rosemaryrose2010@
hotmail.com and let her know that you are planning to turn in some tickets. She will be able to
notify the next person on the wait list. You can turn them in on Sunday in the Gathering Room.
Please Check Your Tickets. GREEN tickets are for 5 pm and RED tickets are for 7:30 pm.
Arrive Early. If you have a ticket, arrive early. The doors will open 45 minutes before the
performance. It is open seating.
Childcare. There is childcare available for ages six months to five years of age. If you gave tickets
to someone who needs childcare that night, please contact Mimi Sanders at
[email protected] with the number of children and ages.
Go Green, Carpool . If you have invited people who may have trouble driving at night, offer to
drive them to the performance. If you can't drive them that night, see if someone in your Sunday
School class would offer to pick them up. If you have invited a large group, you might consider
carpooling. You can squeeze in some extra fellowship time in the car.
Extra Parking at First Baptist. The nice folks at Tucker First Baptist have allowed us to use
their parking lot. Please utilize it if you are able.
Encourage Persons with Limited Mobility to Use the Elevator. It is really easier for those
persons to come into the church on the ground floor and take the elevator to the Gathering Room.
Consider using the lower parking lots or dropping off passengers at the music center door for
those requiring elevators.
Please Don't Linger Too Long After the 5 pm Performance. We have a tight “turn” between
performances this year, so please do not linger after the first performance. Our team of volunteers
needs to be able to clean up the Sanctuary and welcome the next set of visitors quickly. We also
need your parking space for the next group. The cast is sequestered between performances and
unavailable to come out to meet you.
A Word About Cell Phones and Photograpy. Remember to turn off all cell phones and electronic
devices before the performance begins. To maintain the dignity of this sacred program and out
of respect for the performers, we respectfully request that no photography or recording occurs
during the performances
Salvation Army
Help Ring the Bell for the Salvation Army
Tucker First has volunteered to ring the Salvation Army bells at Northlake Mall
on Wednesday, December 19 and Saturday, December 22. We will ring the
bells at the main entrance, Macy’s upstairs entrance and the food court. Bell
ringers are needed working in two hour shifts from 10 am -12 noon, 12- 2 pm, 2-4 pm, 4-6 pm and
6-8 pm. There will be a sign up board in the Narthex and it will also be possible to sign up online at
http://tinyurl.com/tfumcsalvationarmy.
Each person or group of persons who signs up should provide the name and cell number of
at least one contact person in the event of a change in schedule. Contact Don Andersen at
[email protected].
The Rev. Jimmy Moor
Who Does That? Part 2
'Tis the Season
We come to this season where we celebrate the mystery of the incarnation,
the stunning story of the God of the universe choosing to come and be
among us. The stories we hear over Advent and Easter are a rich mixture of
the holy and the earthly, the beauty of God and the beauty and messiness
of life here on earth. In this spirit I offer these brief thoughts.
We have a number of services offered this month to help us connect with the Christ who comes.
The biggest is surely Christmas at Tucker, and I hope you are coming and bringing your friends
and neighbors to this creative sharing of the Good News of Christmas. But Christmas at Tucker is
not our whole story! We have church every Sunday morning, and in these weeks we are focusing
on key characters in the biblical story leading up to the birth of Jesus. We still have encounters
with John the Baptist and Elizabeth to come. Our Longest Night Service on December 19 is
especially planned for all who are grieving, hurting, or are lonely during the holiday season. And
don’t forget Christmas Eve, with services at 4 pm, 8 pm, and 11 pm. The earliest is particularly
oriented toward families and children while the 8 pm will be a service of word on table, with a
homily, communion, and wonderful music. The 11 pm service will feature the Christmas story
in word and song as well as communion. This is a night for song and candles and mystery. On
December 30 we will have one worship service in the Activities Center with a "Love Feast" as its
centerpiece. All of these times are opportunities for us to experience God afresh this year. And
each is a wonderful chance to invite someone you know to join us for worship.
During this month we also think of financial matters. We want to finish 2012 on a strong note
financially like we did in 2011, so all are encouraged to complete their pledges for the year,
although some will want to go beyond. Every gift makes a difference. To receive credit for gifts in
2012, contributions must be in our office by 4 pm on December 31. Please call John Kilpatrick
if you need to discuss making a gift. We also are trying to finish our budget planning for 2013,
so we ask all members and friends who have not yet made a commitment for 2013 to do so as
soon as possible. Cards are available through the church office, or you can call or email John
Kilpatrick to share your commitment (770-938-3030, x4035, [email protected]). Your
generosity blesses you and helps us be the church we are called to be.
Our Church Campus
New Parking Signs in the Wesley Center Parking Lot
You may have noticed some new signage in the Wesley Center parking lot. Tucker First does not
own the entire Wesley Center parking lot and those signs have been put there by the owners of
the businesses near the parking lot. They use those parking slots for overflow parking. Tucker
First is allowed to use the parking slots in the evenings and on weekends.
Starts in January
New Beth Moore Bible Study on the Apostle John
Explore with Beth Moore, the life of the apostle John who must have thought that he had seen
everything. Having been with Jesus all the years of His ministry, John witnessed more miracles
than he could count, saw more displays of power than he could comprehend, and experienced
more love than he could fathom. As the other disciples were martyred one by one, John remained
to write his sublime Gospel proclaiming Jesus's identity as the eternal Word of God. In his three
letters, John left a legacy of divine love to ignite the passion of future believers. And while exiled
on Patmos, John recorded His risen Lord's glorious revelation of victory and hope.
Beloved Disciple - An eleven-week Bible Study by Beth Moore
Choose one of three sessions
Wednesday mornings
9:30 am beginning January 9.
Have you ever wondered who changes
all the inside signs throughout the church
every week? While your Tucker First
communications committee is responsble
each week for developing the messages,
committee member, David Urda designs
and changes the acrylic signs each week.
David also donates his talents to the many
professional posters you see throughout
the year, most notably Christmas at
Tucker, all youth choir tour posters and
the UMW missions concert posters.
How do you get your message onto
one of the signs? Send your request to
[email protected].
May this season be a blessed one for you.
Sunday nights
5-7 pm beginning January 6.
Here's Your Sign
Wednesday Evenings
beginning January 9
5:30 to 6:30 pm, watching the DVD then
join the discussion from 6:30 to 7:30 pm.
or
6:30 to 8:30 pm discussion followed
by the DVD from 7:30 to 8:30 pm.
This is the second in a series to showcase
our communications committee. We are
pulling back the curtain on the team and
showing you how and why things happen
and who is doing them.
Still Undecided on Taking a
Beth Moore Bible Study?
Read On
I’m constantly struck by the realization that,
because of studying the Bible in depth every
day, my prayer life has become more powerful,
my outlook is different, and I trust God more
and more to lead me in the direction He
chooses. And the women I’ve come to know
and love have brought a wonderful new
richness into my life as we've shared so many
laughs and a few tears together. Part of my
daily prayer is that more women will be led
to discover what Bible study can add to their
lives. Do you realize that well over a hundred
women from many denominations have taken
part in our church’s women’s Bible studies? It’s
humbling to be part of that.
Sisters, if you haven't discovered this, believe
me - you’re missing out on the fun!! Hope you’ll
make the commitment to attend this new study
of John, Jesus’ beloved disciple….Kathryn
Jackson
We Are the Hands and Feet of Jesus
Tucker First Volunteer Bulletin Board
Feed the Homeless at
Trinity Soup Kitchen
Help Tucker First provide soup and sandwiches to the
homeless of Atlanta at the Trinity Soup Kitchen. We will make
sandwiches on Saturday, January 12 starting at 9 am in the
Activities Center. (It's fast and fun for the whole family!) We ask those of you who want
to make homemade soup to please follow one of the provided recipes (http://tfumc.org/
missions#trinity) and bring your soup in Saturday morning as well. We will take and serve
the soup and sandwiches Sunday, January 13. We need thirty-five volunteers for Sunday.
Sign up at the volunteer spot – http://tinyurl.com/trinitysoup. For more information contact
Becky Burnett at [email protected].
Give a Precious Gift This Season.
Give Blood!
Our next blood drive is December 16 from 8 am to 1 pm in the Wesley Center. Your donation
is needed, especially this time of year when donations fall off but the need doesn't.
If you are healthy and are not part of the Christmas at Tucker cast and crew please sign up
to give! To our regular donors who are part of Christmas at Tucker: thank you and please
encourage someone to take your usual spot.
There are three ways to sign up: online at tfumc.org/giveblood; call 1-800-REDCROSS
(1-800-733-2767) or call Evelyn Burkett at 404-727-1582. If you cannot give, you can still
help by praying for our donors and by volunteering to help during the drive. Thank you for
giving the gift of life this Christmas season!
NET Food Pantry Needs Volunteers
In January, Tucker First is responsible for staffing the NET Food Panty with volunteers. The
pantry is located in the Tucker Recreation Center and is not affiliated with the NETWorks
ministry located behind Tucker Baptist. Two volunteers are needed each Monday,
Wednesday, and Friday in January from 10:30 am – 2:00 pm. To sign up, contact Donna
Davis at [email protected] or 404-229-7962.
From the Church Office
A Note About Year-End Giving
In order for your gift to the church to be posted for tax purposes in 2012, it must be received in
the church office by 4:30 pm on December 31. After 4:30 pm on December 31, if you have a
gift that you want credited to 2012, you can mail it at the post office up until the time they close
on December 31. Please have it hand cancelled, and we will consider the postmark as proof of
delivery. Make sure that the date you put on your check (for 2012 credit) is December 31, 2012
or before. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Cheatham at mary_cheatham@tfumc.
org or John Kilpatrick at [email protected].
The 2013 Flower Calendar is Posted
If you would like to give a Sanctuary flower arrangement in honor or memory of someone, or
to recognize family events, person(s), or groups then you are invited to sign up on the flower
calendar in the church office. Arrangements are $35 each and you can make your check out
to Tucker First UMC and designate "Flowers" in the memo line. If you see that the slots you
wanted are full, please see Sarah Cann in the church office or call 770-938-3030 about placing
an arrangement in the Narthex or Gathering Room.
Worship Committee Needs New Christmas Decorations
Tucker First is in need of new Christmas decorations for the main Sanctuary (pre-lit tree, garlands,
bows, wreaths) for next year. The wires on our decorations are breaking off and this is the last year
we are able to use what we have. If you have a connection to a decorators warehouse where we
may purchase a 9-10 foot tall pre-lit tree, and other goodies on the wish list, on discount then
please email Laurie Golding at [email protected].
Welcome to the World
Lindley Claire Emrich was born November
5. Parents are Greg and Summer Emirch,
grandmother is Sandra Emrich.
Emma Joy Shaw was born November 19.
Parents are Adam and Angela Shaw, great
grandparents are Grayson and Myra Mills.
Harrison Parker Kuebler was born December
7. Parents are Chris and Lisa Kuebler.
Welcome to the Family
James Turner
3142 Wanda Woods Drive
Doraville, GA 30340
Jason and Jennifer Merchant
Arianna, daughter
946 Post Road Circle
Stone Mountain, GA 30088
Sympathy is Extended to
Myra Mills on the death of her husband,
Grayson on December 5.
Joyce Turrentine on the death of her brother,
Lawrence Nutt, on November 6.
Rene Markel on the death of her son, Joshua
Markel.
Alice Shepard on the death of her grandson,
Joshua Markel.
Evelyn Morrison on the death of her sister-inlaw, Katherine Burks.
Brenda Colley-Gilbert on the death of her
mother, Charlene Colley
Attendance Pew Pads Donation
Tucker First is grateful for the donation of new
attendance pew pads given in memory of
Dorothy Staton by Ruth Caylor, Gail Cook,
and Jill Hanson.
Lunch Buddy Update and Thanks
All volunteer slots for Winter break Lunch
Buddy program have been filled. Thank you
Tucker First!
Donations to the Lunch Buddy program are
still gratefully accepted all during the holidays
so that we can continue the ministry into
2013. Donations support not only breakfast
and lunches during school holidays, but also
Saturday Sacks on non-holiday weekends to
kids who live at Northlake Inn on Northlake
Parkway. The number of children served
weekly varies, but averages about twenty a
week. Thanks for generously supporting this
outreach ministry of Children First Committee.
NONPROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE PAID
TUCKER, GA
PERMIT NO 9
First United Methodist Church
5095 LaVista Road
Tucker, GA 30084-3502
(ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED)
December 2012 issue
The Rev. Jimmy Moor
Senior Pastor
The Rev. Owen Skinner
Associate Pastor
Church Office 770-938-3030
Church Office Hours
Monday-Thursday: 8:30 am–4:30 pm
Closed for lunch: 12:00 pm–1:30 pm
Closed on Friday
The church office will be closed on Monday,
December 24 and Tuesday, December 25.
Got an idea, blurb or story for the next
newsletter? Submit your info to
[email protected].
Newsletter deadline for the next issue is
Thursday, January 3
By the Numbers - Christmas at Tucker Costume Edition
49
Number of pieces that were
newly created for this production.
64
Number of items were able to
be re-used from previous
productions without alterations.
10
Number of seamstresses who helped
create the Christmas at Tucker costumes.
20
Number of pieces that were altered
in some way to fit new actors this year.
41
Total number of actors this year
(including both babies).
A satisfied customer.
133
Total number of individual sewn-from-scratch
costume items—which includes
robes, vests, belts, hats, etc.
540/810
Number of feathers in the Angel Gabriel’s
wings. Half of the feathers are
actually doubled so there are 810
pieces of fabric in the wings.