The
"What Gifts
Will You Bring?"
Lamplighter
December, 2013 ● Volume V ● Number XII
Christmas is almost here! Where did the year go? Finding and giving the best gift for each
person on our list is on everyone's mind. From the youngest to the oldest, we share the same
thought, "What's for Christmas?" Most of us try to select gifts that fit the need and/or the personality of the people for whom we shop. Some of the more creative among us even make the
gifts they give. The rest of us will shop "'til we drop" for that “perfect” gift. All of us want to
give gifts that our people will want. None of us want to give gifts that collect dust in the bottom of someone's closet.
How do we know what that perfect gift will be? It is certain that if each of us gave a gift to
the same person, each gift would be different. The second chapter of Matthew tells about
three special visitors who brought gifts to the holy child. Each brought a different gift; one
brought Gold; a second, Frankincense; the third, Myrrh. The gifts represented great wealth in
Jesus’ world and have been interpreted symbolically in our time. Whether they are seen financially or philosophically, the gifts were especially chosen and brought by the giver to the
Christ Child. If we were to have the chance to bring gifts to the Christ Child, what gifts would
we bring?
Interesting Question…What gifts would we bring? Gold is now, and has been, very valuable.
Frankincense and Myrrh were used to cover/mask odors. Their perfume was reserved for use
by the wealthiest of persons, and often as a spice to anoint a body for burial. Knowing this,
what were Joseph and Mary’s reactions to such gifts? What value did they see in them?
Within hours an angel would instruct Joseph to take Mary and the child to Egypt…a place
where death was worshiped and the spices would be marketable at a premium price…enough
to provide for a modest family for years. The treasures’ value was much more than sales figures. It was centered in what value it would serve.
When you examine your life, where are your values? What is important to you? Jesus instructed a very wealthy young idealist to let go of his possessions and to follow him, that is,
Jesus. (Matthew19:16ff) The story closes with a very sad young man walking away, unable
to let go of things. Instead he kept his things and let go of people. In the end, his treasure was
worthless.
Treasures come in all shapes and sizes. What are your treasurers? Will you share?
For the servants who received talents to use while the master of the house was away. When
they returned the treasure to the master with earnings equal to the trust, the master gave them
the treasure back with these words: (Matthew 25:21) "His master replied, 'Well done, good
and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of
many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' Both the original trust and the earnings were returned to the servant.
As 2013 closes with its holy holidays, remember the gifts and treasurers you have received
and those you have shared. Which was more a joyous event…receiving or giving? May you
find in this holy season, the joy of the greatest treasure of all time, the coming of Jesus into the
center of humanity and into our lives.
What gifts will you bring to the Christ Child? We still have time to give a little more thought
to them. See you at the place where gifts are made with the greatest value.
Merry Christmas!
Rev. Danny Allen
MERRY
CHRISTMAS!
Inside This Issue…
Senior Pastor’s Article _______ 1
Associate Pastor’s Article ____ 2
Birthdays _________________ 3
KidsKorner ________________ 4
MYF Moments ____________ 4
Women’s Conference ________ 5
Library News ______________ 6
Haiti Mission ______________ 6
UMW Circles ______________ 7
Wednesday Night Menus ___ 7
Childcare _________________ 8
Christian Sympathy _________ 9
Letters __________________ 9
Parish Health News ________ 10
Senior News ______________ 10
Calendar _________________ 11
Prayer _______________ BACK
First United Methodist Church, Washington NC (established 1784)
L a mp l i g h t e r
Page 2
From Your Associate Minister...
...
Letters to Santa or Prayers to God
With Christmas rapidly approaching, I know we are trying our very best to get everything in order from house decorations to buying presents
for every member of the family, including that one weird uncle nobody is quite sure is actually in the family. Christmas music is on every
station and is actually tasteful with the exception of that hippopotamus song. We all have a few things that are our favorite parts of the
Christmas season. One of my favorite things about Christmas is kids writing letters to Santa. I imagine many kids are mailing letters to the
North Pole with lists of all the things they want. I remember stuffing my letter in the envelope, grimacing at the taste of cheap adhesive as I
sealed it good and shut, and dropping my letter in a big red mailbox downtown to be delivered to Santa. And then…waiting ensued. Oh, waiting really is the hardest part!
If only I could have some of my letters back so that I could read them now. I wonder what I wrote, what I was absolutely dying to get for
Christmas. I did a little searching online and found some letters that didn’t quite make it to the North Pole but did make it to the internet for
my viewing satisfaction. After reading a few of them, I’ve learned that our prayers aren’t so very different from children’s letters to Santa.
Letter to Santa/Prayer to God #1: “I want…A LOT.”
Blake wrote to Santa (who she’s missed since the last time she wrote Santa) and she wants a few things if he can spare them. Nearly every
sentence begins with “I want…” and ends with all kinds of things like a “rill” live girl puppy for her backyard, play-doh that smells like snow
cones, a new bike, lip gloss, “jolrey” (jewelry perhaps?) crowns, new crayons, and, oh yeah, a new swimming pool. Like me, she’s all over
the board with what she wants. And often, this is how I pray to God. God, I want people to love me. God, I want my volleyball team to win a
rec-league championship. God, I want all kinds of things from a new shotgun, to Carolina Hurricane tickets, to vacation abroad somewhere.
God, I want, I want, I want. And the beauty is that nothing is off limits with God. But rarely do I pray, “God, what do you want for me?”
Letter to Santa/Prayer to God #2: “I would like to know, are you real?”
Deaven believes in Santa, but her friends don’t. So she did what any of us would do, she asked for proof. A few things would do the job nicely, a signed picture of Santa with Mrs. Claus or a bell from his sleigh. Also, she is curious if Santa is “relly fat” or does he diet? All of these
are intriguing “reqests” she would like for him to “anser.” I can empathize with Deaven on this one. “Dear God, I would like to know if you
are real. I believe, but so many people don’t. Send me some kind of sign, some kind of tangible proof to show them. And are you really like
what people say you are like? Are you really forgiving? Are you really loving? Did you really die for me? Write me back.” How much easier
it would be for us if God just showed up one day with some verifiable proof of His existence. And we’ve all prayed for that at some point in
our lives. Looking back, I can see now how God was always present in my life, even when I couldn’t see Him or feel His presence. Now I
pray to trust Him especially when I feel alone.
Letter to Santa/Prayer to God #3: “I’ve done my part…”
In nearly every letter to Santa, kids feel that it’s important to remind Jolly St. Nick that they have been good enough this year (or at least
they’re pretty sure they have) to receive their desired gift, because that’s how this whole gift getting thing works. And this isn’t just some
philosophy, it is a binding legal contract dictating that Santa had better uphold his end because they certainly are doing their part. Yvette says
she deserves a present because she made the “honer role” at school. Keedy says she doesn’t ask for much, so if she doesn’t get at least two of
the items on her list, it’s lights out for Santa and venison stew for the homeless. Little Johnny is curious as to how he ended up with tinker
toys and a crummy pair of socks after locking down the best grades in his school and being a good boy scout. And likewise, we approach life
in the same manner, writing in our hearts some seemingly fair contract we think we sign with God and wonder why God didn’t uphold his end
of the bargain. We might pray, “God, I serve on committees, give money to beggars on street corners, go to church every Sunday, read scripture every day, pray for people, and tithe regularly. God, I’m there for people when they really need me. I encourage them, welcome them,
accept them, and love them. I try to be humble and gracious. I try to be understanding and patient. I try to be forgiving. All of this is enough,
isn’t it? So why do I feel so lonely and broken hearted at times? Why don’t my relationships work out the way I pray they will? Why can’t I
find a job? Why can’t I catch a break? God, why aren’t you helping me?” Life doesn’t always meet our expectations and when it doesn’t, we
begin to question what God is doing or thinking, trying desperately to justify ourselves, saying we’ve done our part. But God doesn’t work
that way, He can’t be manipulated. If we focus only on how things are the way we want them to be, then we will never see how God wants
things to be.
I think that it’s time that I start praying differently. Instead of telling God only what I want, I will thank Him for all that I have. Instead of
wondering where He is, I will trust God to be with me wherever I go, believing that He is all that Scripture says He is. Instead of expecting
God to respond to my goodness, I will ask Him to help me to respond to His grace with goodness and kindness. These are but a few of the
ways I can change how I pray to God. What are some other ways we might need to change as we pray to God?
Merry Christmas and God bless!
-Pastor Chris
Volume V, Issue XII
Celebrating the gift of life during the month of December:
1st
Howard Tanner, Charlotte Hambleton
2nd
Dan Edwards, Marc Brookshire, Montgomery McClure, Daniel Crozier
3rd
Rita Tetterton, Bob Snapp, Arlene Peele, William Wilson, Susan Futrell, Charles Inabinett
4th
David Weitz, Courtney Howard, Collin Jones
5th
Ruby Niles, Judy Griffin, Emily Anne Carr, Natalie Deak
6th
Ramona Cayton, Keith Woolard, Seth Talley, Nan Futrell, Noelle Gargaro
7th
Sandra Whitley, Samantha Gray McClure
8th
Bessie LaVictoire, Callie Peele, Rose Griffin
9th
Jane Page, Sandy Matthews
10th
Louise Fisher, Alice Pfeiffer
11th
Amy Gerard, Casey Edwards, Eric Crozier, Allison Krygoski
12th
Keith Purvis, Ella Miller, Tracy Jones, Kristen Smithwick, Jonathan Moody
13th
Horace Mayo, Scott Schad, Molly Moore, Scott Kendall, Callie Landen
14th
Kay Moore, Brenda Singleton
15th
Ike Czuhai, Janet Carpenter, Sherry Correll, Marilyn Daw, Josh Harriett, Dakota Morgan
16th
Charles Spain, Dixon Davis, Emma Harris
17th
Larry Smithwick, Anna Shadle
18th
Joyce White, Ed Anderson, Amy Moody, Caleb Woolard, Abbie Bhalla
19th
Billy Everette
20th
Anita Rish-Hodgkins, Emme Davis, Leyton Long
21st
Bill Bowes, Elizabeth Sweatland, Nancy Wilkes
22nd
Emily Lobos
23rd
Dennis Alexander, Kay Smith, Laurie Weston, Kelli Heverley, Hodges Tubaugh
24th
Beth Page
25th
Bill Peebles, Weston Brown, Emily Deck
26th
Billy Carter, Susan Gerard, Carol Rawls, Donald Vosburgh
27th
Erica Hege, Jonathan Coburn
28th
Chic Gurganus
29th
Ruth Gardner, Deborah Carter, Sonny Swanner, Karen Chrisman, Leighton Blount
30th
Sue Godwin, John Ashley, Lisa Gargaro
31st
Pat Talley, Anne Corey
Page 3
Page 4
Lamplighter
December Events:
• Dec. 1: No Kingdom Players! Happy Thanksgiving
• Dec. 8: Christmas Musical Dress Rehearsal 4:30pm in Wesley Hall
• Dec. 11: Christmas Musical 6:30pm in Wesley Hall
• Dec. 15: Mark Shultz Concert! Christmas Concert with Mark Shultz in Wesley Hall!
• Dec. 18: Hay Ride and Christmas Caroling; Last Wed. Night of the Year
Looking Ahead:
• Jan. 8: Choir and JAM Start Back
Facebook Group
• FUMCW Children’s Ministry
• Check regularly for updates and news
Missions our kids are doing:
• Pop tops for Eagle’s Wings
Nursery Wish List:
• Coloring Books
• Individual juice boxes/bottles
• Goldfish crackers, Nilla Wafers, and/or other small snacks (preferably individually wrapped)
• Baby Wipes
• Thank you to everyone who donates these items!! Our nursery workers are very appreciative.
For information on any Children’s Ministry activity, contact Leslie Keely (945-1222) [email protected] or the church office
(946-3311, ext. 204)
December Events:
• Dec 1: No Youth! Happy Thanksgiving!
• Dec 8: Christmas Party, Hay Ride and Christmas Caroling
• Dec. 15: Mark Shultz Concert! Christmas Concert with Mark Shultz in Wesley Hall!
Looking Ahead:
• Jan. 12: Youth Group Starts back
• Jan. 19: No Youth Group
We’re on Twitter!
• Follow us for updates @ FirstUMCYouth
Facebook Group
• First United Methodist Youth of Washington, NC
• Check regularly for updates and news
For information on any Youth activity (6th-12th Grades), contact Leslie Keely (945-1222), [email protected], or the church
office (946-3311, ext. 204).
Volume V, Issue XII
Page 5
Our preschool was delighted to be able to take a field trip to the firehouse! All age groups were included; many
of the children had parents with them. We learned about crawling under smoke, “stop, drop, & roll”, and saw a
puppet show about fire safety. A fireman showed us his gear – but he didn’t actually put it on! We had our pictures taken with the fire engines, too!
We helped with filling shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child and dedicated our gifts at Chapel. We filled a
lot of boxes!
We are learning so many new songs and getting ready for our Thanksgiving Feast. We will tell everyone what
we are thankful for and praise God for our blessings!
WASHINGTON WOMEN’S CONFERENCE
Please join us for the Washington Women’s Conference on January 24th from 7-9 pm
and January 25th from 9-noon for a weekend of wonderful fellowship and spiritual
renewal at FUMC! We are so excited to welcome Lisa Harper as our speaker this
year! Lisa tours with the Women of Faith conferences and is a frequent speaker at
conferences around the world. Author Max Lucado says Lisa is “one of the best Bible
tour guides around.” Lisa is a hilarious storyteller and theological scholar all rolled
into one wonderful speaker! Seating is limited so sign up early. Registration forms
are available outside Wesley Hall and the sanctuary. For more information, go to
www.hearttoheartconference.org or call Beth Page 946-4385.
Page 6
Lamplighter
Parents: Libraries are more than a place to store books. Your children could find the following in your church library:
1. A lesson on responsibility by checking out a book and bringing it back on time.
2. Lessons about important values, like honesty, love, compassion, sharing.
3. Stories about other cultures that entertain and inform.
4. Laughter and wonder.
5. Help developing a closer relationship with JESUS.
Not bad for only the cost of a few minutes in the library whenever you are at the church.
New Books:
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD by Franklin Graham. Do you ever wonder about the children that receive the Samaritan’s Purse shoe boxes that we pack? This book, published this year, tells those stories. It is a compilation of
short stories and beautiful pictures that can take you around the world. You might enjoy reading it to your children.
REDISCOVERING GOD IN AMERICA by Newt Gingrich. A signed copy of the New York Times Bestseller takes the
reader on a tour of our National Monuments in Washington, DC and documents from our history bringing the clear story of how our country is a nation under God. A fast, deep and compelling read.
BIBLE on CD
We have added a complete set of CD’s of the Old and New Testament being read. It can be found in the reference section of
the library. It is available for someone that would like to hear the King James Version read to them. It can be borrowed for an extended time. Please talk to Pat Vore to arrange for a length of time. Otherwise it can be checked out for 3 weeks.
Books may be self- checked out....just follow the instructions on the circulation desk.
Donation for Haiti Mission
Thank you to all of you that have already donated medical supplies.
The HAITI MISSION TEAM is collecting medical supplies for our next trip in February. We would like to take items such
as gauze pads, gauze rolls, ace wraps, band aids all sizes, hand soap, triple antibiotic ointment, ibuprofen (children’s or
adult), Robitussin Cough Syrup (children’s or adults), tape, cold packs etc. They will be used by the nurse in the new clinic
at the community center in Michaud, Haiti. Please place any donations in one of the boxes marked Haiti outside the sanctuary or Wesley Hall by January 7, 2014.
Financial donations may be made out to FUMC marked Haiti. These will be used to buy items in Haiti for the clinic or to
buy rice/beans/ and oil to feed families.
Pat Vore-975-3773 or voresp @ embarqmail.com
Haiti Scholarship Endowment Fund. Please consider making a donation to this permanent endowment fund. When it has grown we will be able to use the proceeds to give
scholarships to children at the Ryan Epps Home for Children or the school in Michaud
Haiti. REHC will probably only go to sixth grade. Our scholarships will help enable
qualified children to attend middle school or high school, university or trade school.
Mark your donation for Haiti Scholarship.
Volume V, Issue XII
Page 7
First United Methodist Women Circle News
UMW Executive Board Meeting - Monday, December 2, 2013,
10:30AM, Asbury Conference Room
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
General Dinner Meeting, 7PM
Circle Meetings
Agape Circle
6:15PM, Parlor
Kaye Buckman Circle
6:15PM, Choir Room
Lucille Carter Circle
6PM, Women’s Bible Classroom
FUMC AND THE BRIDGE
PRESENT
MARK SCHULTZ
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15TH
7PM
WESLEY HALL
Platinum selling artist Mark Schultz
will ring in the holiday season with his
upcoming Christmas tour,
“What Do You Give A King?”
Tickets are available in the
church office for $15 each
Circle of Faith
4PM, Wesley Hall Kitchen
Circle of Hope
6PM, Asbury Conference Room
SATURDAY,
DECEMBER 7
10AM—5PM
Upcoming Wednesday Night Supper Menus
12/4/13
12/11/13
Chicken casserole, rolls, peas, dessert
Soup, cheese sandwich, dessert
Please remember to
sign up by Noon on
Mondays!
CHRISTMAS
HISTORIC HOME
TOUR
First United Methodist
Church will again host
visitors from the tour.
For tickets, contact the
Beaufort County Arts
Council
at 252-946-2504
$20 in advance
$25 the day of the event
Eagle’s Wings Item of the Month:
Soup
Cooking Oil, Coffee, & Tea
Lamplighter
Page 8
As I begin my second month as Director of the Child Care Program, I must say there have not been two days alike. I
must confess each day brings a new adventure. The children are wonderful. The Child Care staff has welcomed me and I
think they are the best!
There have been changes made in the classrooms. Please feel free to stop by and look. Lots of colored objects on the
walls in the Infant – 2 year old classroom and “centers” have been added to the 2-5 year old classroom. Our children are
learning their colors, their numbers, shapes and patterns, and even some sign language.
We took the children on a field trip to Briley’s Pumpkin patch. They had a fantastic time seeing the different animals,
feeding the ducks, milking a cow, and picking out pumpkins. They enjoyed the playground too! The huge sliding board
was not only a hit with the children; I even slid down the slide a few times.
We have started taking the 2-5 year olds across the street to the library on Tuesday mornings for story time. The children
love this adventure and so do the teachers. We are also collecting shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. The Child
Care will also be adopting a family for Christmas this year.
As we reach out to those in need, I would like to make a plea from our church members and friends to consider making
a donation to our Scholarship Fund for the Child Care. At the end of December 2013 there will not be any more funding
in this fund. We have been able to help four families this year, but we are anticipating others will need assistance in the
New Year. Any amount you would want to donate would be greatly appreciated. We gladly take money orders, cashier’s
checks, cash, and checks. Please make your checks payable to FUMC Child Care.
~Vickie Wilkinson
Child Care Director
Stroke, Vascular Disease & Heart Rhythm Package
4 tests for only $139
LIFE LINE SCREENING
PACKAGE 2
Add an Osteoporosis Screening for only $10 more
5 tests for only $149
WHERE: First United Methodist Church
SPONSORED BY: Vidant Beaufort Hospital
WHEN: Friday, December 6, 2013
PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
Stroke/Carotid Artery Screening—$60
Heart Rhythm Screening (Atrial Fibrillation) - $60
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening—$60
Peripheral Arterial Disease Screening—$60
Osteoporosis Risk Assessment—$35
To ensure you receive the special $10 package discount PLUS a
matching $10 donation to First United Methodist Church, you MUST
pre-register through one of the exclusive Helping Hands sign-up methods:
PHONE:
1-800-324-9458,
or
ONLINE:
www.helpinghandsforhealth.com OR FAX: 1-866-628-4857
PACKAGE 1
CHRISTMAS PRAYER TREE
The idea: leave a bowl of spare baubles next to your Christmas tree.
Attach a Christmas gift tag to each bauble to give people space to write
a prayer or the name of someone they’d like to pray for. Use the following instructions…
Take a bauble from the bowl and write a prayer on the gift tag.
You may like to give thanks for what God has done in your life this year.
You may like to write the name of someone you’re praying for at the moment.
You may like to ask for God’s guidance or provision or presence during
the Christmas season.
You may like to leave the gift tag blank.
Hang your prayer on the tree and take a moment to pray.
(contributed by the Monday Intercessory Prayer Group)
Page 9
Volume V, Issue XII
Dear Reverend Allen,
On behalf of the staff, residents and board of
Ruth’s House we would like to thank you for your
generous contribution. It is through donations such
as this that we are able to continue to provide shelter, services and support to the women and children
who are victims of domestic violence.
Best regards,
Kim Etheridge
Ruth’s House—An Alternative to Domestic Violence
Dear Caring Christian Carpenters,
Thanks so much for the wonderful ramp that you recently built at my home for my mother. It is indeed
a blessing to have this convenience while my mom is
living with us. May God bless you and strengthen you
as you give of yourself to others.
Frank Tatem, Jr.
ALTAR FLOWERS
Placing flowers on the altar is a wonderful
way to honor someone you love, their memory
or to honor GOD and his glory.
Dear Pastor Danny and Ruble/Howard Scholarship
Committee:
Please accept my sincere thanks for the recent generous scholarship. I am in my third year in the
Weekend Course of Study at Duke Divinity School
and expect to finish the third year in March 2014.
Your generous scholarship award will help defray the
costs of books, supplies and travel; your generosity is
assisting me in making a dream come true, that of
serving as a simple country preacher.
Again, thanks so much for your assistance!
Blessings,
Phil Ryals
There are many Sundays open on the flower
calendar this year. If you are interested in
providing flowers for the 8:30 or 11:00 service, please notify the church office.
US Flag Etiquette
The flag should not be
draped over the hood, top,
sides, or back of a vehicle,
railroad train, or boat.
REV. CHARLES SMITH LEADING WORSHIP
DECEMBER 1
Christian sympathy is
expressed to…
The Family of Lucile Geoghegan Cheshire
The Family of J. Milford Tetterton
The Family of Dr. Neal Trueblood
Our own Charles (better known to many as Charlie
Mike) Smith who grew up in our church and retired here with his wife, Barbara, in 2008 will be
leading our worship services December 1. We'll
sing three familiar Advent hymns and do something different for Communion: he'll sing the
Prayer of Great Thanksgiving with all of us responding with "Alleluia, alleluia" at the end of each
verse and we'll be using the familiar tune for "For
All the Saints." Come and bring your Thanksgiving
guests.
Page 10
Lamplighter
Parish Health News
“One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.” Luke 18:1
NLT
Are you overbooked for this month? Do you look at your schedule and start to panic? How can you possibly do
everything? There are meetings, birthdays, gifts, decorating, parties and too many other things, not including
work, family and church.
It’s time to trim your list instead of the tree. Consider fewer gifts, fewer decorations and not so many parties. Find quiet time to spend with devotional materials and in prayer. The only way to get to the heart of
Christmas is with Jesus. All of the other things are fine, but they aren’t necessary.
Practice some stress busting techniques. Here are some ideas:
• Leave. If the noise level is too much or the crowds are closing in, just leave. You don’t have to stay in the
toy store with all of the screaming youngsters, and you don’t have to converse with the know-it-all at the
party. You can walk away.
• Close the eyes. Take a break from the lights and activities. Closing the eyes is a great way to get recentered.
• Try some solitude. In the middle of so much activity it helps to have time alone. Use the quiet time to
set priorities, to pray, or to count your blessings.
• Go outside. Fresh air and sunshine can make a difference in how you feel. Being in God’s creation and going for a walk can help find extra energy.
• Locate some water. Listen to it, watch it, drink it or sit in it. Water refreshes in so many ways. He
knows what we need; maybe that is why God put so much on earth.
• Breathe! Remember to exhale occasionally. When the shoulders are up to the ears, it’s time to take some
deep breaths. Fill the lungs completely from the bottom to the top. Pause for a couple of seconds. Exhale
letting all of the air out of the lungs from the top to the bottom. Repeat three or four times. Your shoulders have relaxed with the rest of the body. Stress causes shallow breathing. Deep breathing releases it.
• Listen to music. Choose whatever type makes you happy. Sing along. It’s amazing how good this can make
us feel.
Give yourself the gift of peace in the midst of a world in chaos. Have a great holiday and share your peace
with those around you. (Source: www.mayoclinic.com)
Please contact me if you have any questions or suggestions on this or any other
health related topics. I am eager to serve with you and grow with you.
In the Healing Christ, Ann Warner, Volunteer in Health Ministry (phone 252-946-5301)
SENIOR ADULT MINISTRY
“DAY TRIP TO THE THEATER!”
Anyone of any age is welcome to come be a part of the Senior Adult Ministry “Day Trip” to College of the Albemarle to see
Charles Dickens’ Christmas Classic “A CHRISTMAS CAROL.”
The performance is at 2:00 PM on Thursday, December 12. Tickets are $15 for those who buy them right away as a part of
the group or $19 at the door. For advanced tickets please make check out to “FUMC” and put “Senior Adult Ministry” on
memo line.
We will eat together at the Golden Corral in Elizabeth City and then sit together as a group for the performance. We will
use both church vehicles and private cars, so transportation will be as comfortable as possible. Wheelchair accessibility and
seating is available throughout.
Call Rev. Scott Wilkinson for tickets or more information: 252-916-6808. Lunch will be $8.00. We will meet at the church
parking lot at 9:15 AM and leave by 9:30 AM. Hope you can join us.
First United Methodist Church
Meetings & Activities Calendar
Sun
Mon
ECDF
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
4
9am Malachi Bible Study
2pm Just Friends
4pm Senior Adult Planning
5:30pm, Wed. Night Supper
6pm Children’s Choir
6:30pm JAM
7pm Chancel Choir
5
9:30am TEACH Co-op
9:30am Thurs. Bible Study
5pm Weight Watchers
6pm Relay for Life
6:30pm Pack 99
7pm Praise Team
6
9am Lifeline
Screening
7
10am Christmas
Historic Home
Tour
10
10am Staff Meeting
11:30am TEACH Co-op
7pm Praise Team
7pm BSA Monthly Meeting
11
9am Malachi Bible Study
2pm Just Friends
5:30pm Wed. Night Supper
6:30pm Christmas Musical
7pm Chancel Choir
12
9:30am TEACH Co-op
9:30am Thurs. Bible Study
5pm Weight Watchers
6:30pm Pack 99
6:30pm Childcare Board
13
10:30am Beaufort County
Government
Christmas Party
14
4pm Cashion
Piano Recital
16
10am Upper Room Study
12:30pm Prayer Group
5pm Chancel Bells
5pm Women’s Conference
Prayer
7pm BSA Meeting
17
10am Staff Meeting
6pm YoungLives
6:30pm Preschool Board
Meeting
7pm Praise Team
7pm Troop 99 Committee
Meeting
18
9am Malachi Bible Study
2pm Just Friends practice
6pm Children’s Hayride and Caroling
7pm Chancel Choir
19
9:30am Thurs. Bible Study
5pm Weight Watchers
6:30pm Pack 99
6:30pm Preschool Christmas
Pageant
6:30pm Health and Welfare
20
21
22
Fourth Sunday of Advent
5pm Kingdom Players
6pm Youth Group
23
Preschool Winter Break
Begins
12:30pm Prayer Group
7pm BSA Meeting
7pm Praise Team
24
25
26
27
28
29
5pm Kingdom Players
6pm Youth Group
30
12:30pm Prayer Group
7pm BSA Meeting
7pm Praise Team
31
10am Staff Meeting
1
First Sunday of Advent
5pm Kingdom Players
6pm Youth Group
2
10am Upper Room Study
10:30am UMW Executive
Board Meeting
12:30pm Prayer Group
5pm Chancel Bells
6:30pm Pack 99 Leaders
7pm BSA Meeting
3
8
Second Sunday of Advent
5pm Christmas Musical
Dress Rehearsal
6pm Youth Hayride,
Caroling, and Nursing
Home
9
10am Upper Room Study
12:30pm Prayer Group
4pm Newsletter Deadline
5pm Chancel Bells
5pm Women’s Conference
Prayer
6pm, Missions Committee
7pm BSA Meeting
15
Third Sunday of Advent
7:30am Methodist Men
Breakfast
7pm Mark Schultz
Christmas Concert
Circle Meetings
10am Staff Meeting
7pm UMW Christmas Dinner and General Meeting
7pm District BSA Meeting
Christmas Eve
5pm Christmas Eve Service
9pm Christmas Candlelight
Service
Christmas
Day
Church Office
Closed
Church Office
Closed
A CHRISTMAS PRAYER
By Robert Louis Stevenson
Loving Father,
Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.
Close the door of hate and open
the door of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift
and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing
which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.
May the Christmas morning
make us happy to be thy children,
and Christmas evening bring us to our beds
with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven,
for Jesus’ sake.
Amen.
(contributed by the Monday Intercessory Prayer Group)