The Word A publication of Dyersburg First United Methodist Church Volume XL Pastoral Thoughts December 17, 2014 Dr. David Russell, Senior Pastor Rev. Dell King, Associate Pastor The Congregation, Ministers Music, Music, Music The great Protestant Reformer Martin Luther has a famous quote about music: “Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise. The gift of language combined with the gift of song was given to man that he should proclaim the Word of God through Music.” After experiencing all of the wonderful music this past Sunday in our Christmas cantata “Appalachian Winter” by the Chancel Choir, and our Children’s Christmas musical, “Meet Me at the Manger;” I agree with Luther’s sentiment. I find the music of Christmas particularly moving and feel almost compelled to sing along whenever I hear a Christmas tune that portrays the wonder, the beauty, and the mystery of Christmas. Now I am not talking about “Frosty the Snowman” or “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer,” rather those Christmas carols with messages that ring loud and clear in my mind with words like: O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie; Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. Copy 51 Sunday Servants SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21 8:30 A.M. 10:50 A.M. ACOLYTES Caroline Gentry Kate Thompson CROSS BEARERS Olivia Hayes Porter Jenkins SMALL TALK Melissa Melton PRAYER WARRIORS Amy Perkins Sandy Prince SOUNDBOARD Steve Guttery Catherine Moore VIDEO DIRECTORS Patti Lou Parker Josie McLaurin VIDEO RECORDER David Wagner PEW PADS FOR DECEMBER Janie Putman Bubba Hendren Or Methodism’s contribution to the carols of Christmas, written by Charles Wesley: Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King; peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies; with th’angelic hosts proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!” SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28 8:30 A.M. 10:50 A.M. ACOLYTES Mattie Gregson Jaden Pugh I just love the expression and excitement Wesley puts on the joyous celebration of Christ’s birth. I want to invite you to come join in our continued celebration of “Glory to the newborn King!” in our worship services this Sunday morning, December 21 at 8:30 and 10:50 a.m. Also plan to join in the worship celebrations on December 24, Christmas Eve, at the Children’s Christmas Service (adults are welcome too) at 5:30 p.m. and the Candlelight Christmas Service at 11:00 p.m.; where we will hear the Christmas story, receive Holy Communion, but also sing and celebrate that “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” CROSS BEARERS Joshua Caldwell Parks Johnson SMALL TALK Amelia Wilkes PRAYER WARRIORS Harold and JoAnn James Louise Anderson SOUNDBOARD Steve Guttery Catherine Moore Peace, VIDEO DIRECTORS Patti Lou Parker Josie McLaurin VIDEO RECORDER Ray Lowrance …Mrs. Betsy Lomas and family in the death of her husband, Dr. Russell Lomas, who died December 10. Dr. Lomas was a member of First United Methodist Church. ...Mrs. Bonnie Holt and Mr. Jeff Holt and family in the death of her husband, his father, Mr. Harold Holt, who died December 15. Mr. Holt was a member of First United Methodist Church since 1990. RECORD OF LOYALTY ATTENDANCE 12/14/14 10:50 A.M. Worship Sunday Evening Sunday School Salt and Light Meals Served Salt and Light Class Attendance 430 N/A 229 147 186 OFFERING Annual budget 2014 $1,024,413.00 Spent to date 889,752.38 Received to date 953,171.52 “Imagine No Malaria” This Week 1050.00 Total to Date 6,381.89 Congratulations to Jay and Tish Roney on the birth of their daughter, Austyn Riley Roney, who was born December 7, in Hendersonville, TN. She was welcomed home by her big sister, Aiden. Bob and Peggy Mayfield are her grandparents of our congregation. Advent Family Sunday, December 21 8:30 A.M. The Devon Gregson Family 10:50 A.M. The Marc Thompson Family DVDs OF CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS There are DVDs of our Chancel Choir Christmas cantata “Appalachian Winter” and of our Children’s Choir program “Meet Me at the Manger.” Copies of the cantata for the Chancel Choir are in Rawles Hall. Everyone else should contact Patti Lou Parker for “Appalachian Winter” and for “Meet Me at the Manger.” HOLIDAY SCHEDULE Sunday, December 21 Christmas Sunday, poinsettias will be displayed Wednesday, December 24 5:30 p.m. Children’s Christmas Eve Service 11 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service Wednesday, December 31 4—6 p.m. Come and Go Communion MAKE SURE YOUR RECORDS AND THE CHURCH’S RECORDS MATCH To insure that your 2014 church contributions are deductible, please do not file your 2014 income tax return until you have received a statement of your contributions from the church. Your records and our records should match, but it is wise to wait for this year’s contributions statement to be sure that the deductions you claim match the records the church has of your giving. 2014 CONTRIBUTIONS MUST BE TURNED IN BY END OF DECEMBER Due to IRS rules, in order for your contributions to the church in 2014 to be claimed as a deduction on your 2014 tax form, they must be given in 2014. If they are mailed, they must be postmarked by December 31, 2014. Only those contributions received by the church, or if mailed postmarked by December 31, can be credited and claimed for tax purposes in 2014, regardless of when the check is dated. 3rd Sunday Communion December 21 at 9:30 a.m. in the Chapel THANK YOU The Plum Pudding Committee would like to thank: Dr. and Mrs. David Russell, Rev. Dell King, Patti Lou Parker, Mr. and Mrs. George Goldsby, Debbie Hill, Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Anderson, New Beginnings Sunday School Class, Beth Feith, All the Gentlemen who served, and All those who helped clean up. Salt and Light News THERE WILL BE NO SALT AND LIGHT UNTIL OUR WINTER SESSION BEGINS ON JANUARY 14, 2015. Y C O R N E R Heather Kauffman O As I write this newsletter article, I sit at a desk surrounded by remnants of a busy year U messy in the youth ministry at FUMC. Although my to-do for this week includes cleaning up the mess, I T list cannot help but take some time to reflect on all that H is in front of me. Just like what oftentimes happens in our lives, the messiest places are the ones where we see God the most. So, before I check this one thing off of my to-do list, I want to spend some time in awe and wonder of the past year and share in this time of praise with you. To the left of my desk, I have DVDs with copies of the pictures from our summer mission trip to Servants in Faith and Technology in Lineville, Alabama. I think about our students experiencing life in the simulations of the Global Village and the Haitian slum. I remember God’s presence with us as our students got to share the love of Christ with children in a local trailer park. To the right of my desk, I see leftover copies of the schedule from our fall retreat. This brings back the memories of three incredible retreats with the youth since my time here. Those wonderful times of students making decisions to follow Christ in new ways come to mind as well as those times where students heard God speaking to them. These are memories the youth will hold onto forever. I also see copies of the skit from one of our Youth Sunday services in the past year. How incredible to reflect on these two services planned by the youth! To see all of their gifts, talents and passions all come together to make each service possible has left me amazed. We are incredibly blessed by these youth as a part of our church. It nearly brings me to happy tears remembering the places where God has moved this past year. Although these are just a few great reminders, there are so many precious memories we have as a youth group that could probably make up a book! I thank you for sharing in the joys of our youth ministry and ask that you continue to pray for us as we move into a new year of even greater joy together. Blessings! Heather Sunday, December 21st Youth Christmas Party & Progressive Dinner 4:30-9 PM (end time is approximate)- Drop off and pick up in Upper Parking Lot *Wear a tacky Christmas sweater and bring a $1 wrapped gift for the Dirty Santa gift exchange. Please note: Regular UMYF will resume January 11th and Dayspring will resume January 14th! We will have an Open Gym on January 4th. Russ Maher—Dyersburg Healthcare and Rehab., Room 211 Nita Jones Carole O. Whitnel Janice Stafford—home Sue Whitkopf—home Jane Cole Brenda North Ryan Lowrance Marilyn Legan—home Jane Sharpe Carl—Susan Hedge’s mother Bob & Peggy Mayfield Bonnie Holt Gary Hall Dennis Miller Destiny Kennedy—Brian and Sandi Stahl’s granddaughter Peg Schwartz—Sandi Stahl’s mother Helen Haynes—Jack Haynes’ mother, Canterbury Place Renee Young—Sarah Sullivan Deere’s mother William Paul Enoch Braxton Farrow—St. Jude Cynthia Blevins—Desiree Dolan’s mother John Yarbro—Lee Campbell’s brother Ethan Woodruff Naomi Rushing Melissa Langston Labone Stewart—Mary Well’s sister Chris Bell Jane Yates Moll Marie Hardy (mother of Elaine McCormick) Ryan Breedlove Carol Hendren Disney Please remember our homebound members. A list of homebound members will be included in the newsletter periodically. Please call the church with updates for the prayer list when someone becomes sick or their health improves. Due to the holidays, the church offices will be closed December 24th - 26th. December 31, the church offices will close early. MITTEN TREE Have you seen our Mitten trees? They are filling up nicely yet we still need socks and underwear for primary school aged children. Thanks for your gifts for the little children. MEMORIALS/HONORARIUMS PASTOR’S DISCRETIONARY FUND In memory of: Given by: Billy Yates James and Betty Cooper In honor of: James Cooper Sue Nicks John Palmer Bobbie Webb The Yates Family Given by: Outpost Sunday School Class Outpost Sunday School Class Outpost Sunday School Class Outpost Sunday School Class James and Betty Cooper GENERAL FUND In memory of: Dr. Russell Lomas Winifred Newsom Billy and Dorothy Wells Given by: Jere Ozment Jere Ozment Jere Ozment REELFOOT RURAL MINISTRIES In honor of: Given by: Dr. David Russell Thursday Morning Bible Study CHILDREN’S MINISTRY FUND In honor of: Given by: Edie, Woods, and Bennett Allmon Damaris Cook MUSIC FUND In honor of: Chancel Choir Given by: Mr. and Mrs. Dawson Whitkopf PANTRY FUND In memory of: Dr. Russell Lomas Winifred Newsom Given by: Roy and Sharon Campbell Roy and Sharon Campbell In honor of: Acts 29 Sunday School Class Given by: Dr. and Mrs. Jim Horner Sunday, December 21, 2014 Fourth Sunday in Advent (blue) 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Luke 1:26-38, 46-55, Romans 16:25-27; SUNDAY SERVICES 9:45 A.M. Sunday School 8:30 & 10:50 A.M. Worship Luke 1:26-38 “The Best Re-Wrap, Ever!” Rev. Dell King, preaching No Evening Worship FAMILY LIFE CENTER NEWS From Andy Fisher UPWARD® UPDATE I know you have heard about our Upward® Basketball and Cheer League. At this point, we need individuals to give a devotion at half time of the games, with most games being played on Saturdays starting January 10, 2015. Our 4th-6th grade boys will play on Thursday nights starting January 8, 2015. We will provide 9 devotions each week of play. The devotion lasts anywhere from three to four minutes. This is a time to share your stories, faith and personal testimonies. These devotions are geared towards the adults, because the kids meet with their coaches at halftime. Please start to gather your devotional information now, so you can tell us the dates you will be happy to spread God’s word. This Friday will be our 35th day of prayer. Even if you are not on a prayer team, please continue to pray for this program. SENIOR CIRCLE CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON Senior Circle and the Family Life Center of First United Methodist church will have a Christmas party on Thursday, December 18, in the Fellowship Hall. If you are a Senior Circle member or if you are the age of at least 50, you are cordially invited. Lunch will be served at 11 a.m. with Christmas caroling to follow. Please bring a covered dish to serve 8-10 people to compliment the meat. You may also invite a friend to come with you. RSVP by Monday, December 15 to 285-4794 or 2872101. Come and enjoy the food, fellowship, and entertainment. The Family Life Center will be closed for the Christmas holiday starting this Friday, December 19 through January 4, 2015. Send form #3579 to The Word, P.O. Box 452, Dyersburg, TN 38025, FUMC Weekly published by First United Methodist Church 100 McGaughey, P.O. Box 452, Dyersburg, TN 38024 Church: 731-285-6454, Family Life Center: 731-285-4794 Web Page—www.fumcdyersburg.com #13490 Periodicals Paid at Dyersburg, TN
© Copyright 2024