1. art and entertainment
2. music
3. music genres
4. religious music

First United Methodist Church
2600 East Main Street
Gatesville, TX 76528
(254) 865-2520
Non-Profit Org.
U. S. Postage Paid
Gatesville, TX
Permit No. 74
Change Service Requested
First United Methodist
SP TLIGHT
Gatesville
December 2014
The mission of our church is to raise up disciples of Christ through love, service, and example.
My Word
Advent is a confusing season
Of all the seasons of the Christian year, Advent is the most confusing. While the rest of the world is
setting up nativity scenes, illuminating stars and watching sheep by night, the Church seems to be
preparing for the end of the world.
Look at the recommended scripture readings for the First Sunday of Advent: Mark 13:24-27. Here
we find Jesus describing the signs of the end of the world. The sun and the moon will go dark.
Stars will fall from the sky. The Son of Man will make his entrance on a cloud. He wraps it up by
saying that since no one knows when this is going to happen, you need to ‘Keep awake!’ The second Sunday is not much cheerier. In Mark 1:1-8 we find John the Baptist dressed like a wild man,
preaching repentance to the crowds that have come out to see him. No wonder there are not many
Advent songs.
Christmas Eve Candlelight
Services
6:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
If Advent is not meant to be the opening act for Christmas, what is it meant to be? The word Advent
means "coming." It is far more than simply marking a 2,000 year old event in history. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to
God. That is why scripture readings for Advent reflect this emphasis on the second Advent, including themes of accountability for faithfulness at His coming, judgment of sin, and the hope of eternal
life.
Advent also symbolizes the spiritual journey of individuals and congregations, as they affirm that
Christ has come, that He is present in the world today, and that He will come again in power. If we
were to take Advent with the gravity intended, Christmas might take on a new meaning and not be
so commercial. If Christmas is the celebration of God’s breaking into history with the Incarnation,
then Advent must be the anticipation of a future consummation to that history for which "all creation
is awaiting its redemption."
This year, take time to celebrate Advent before Christmas. Remember that the twelve days of
Christmas begin on December 25 – not end. It is right to remember the first Advent, Christ’s birth
but we need to prepare and live for the second Advent, Christ’s return.
I’ll see you in church on Sunday.
From the staff at First Gatesville
Rev. Gene Gurley
[email protected]
Attendance
Birthdays
November 2
Sunday School
8:30am Worship
10:30am Worship
32
38
65
November 9
Sunday School
8:30am Worship
10:30am Worship
45
50
98
1
2
3
3
4
5
5
5
8
10
13
16
20
21
21
23
24
26
26
28
29
30
November 16
Sunday School
28
8:30am Worship 27
10:30am Worship 114
November 23
Sunday School
49
8:30 am Worship 40
10:30 am Worship 94
November 30
Sunday School 40
8:30 am Worship 56
10:30 am Worship 84
SERVANT ROSTER
Military
DATE
8:30 AM
Madeline Necessary
Tim Martin
Sydney Farrell
Michael Kaibas
Tom Leib
Jon Brown
Bill Hutka
Michael Patterson
Gene Gurley
Sarah Gomez
Nancy Ashcraft
Doug Peevey
Nathanial Wood
Ashley Chapa
Justin Latham
John Lee
Becca Luedtke
M.H. Shepherd
Denise Bartlett
Kay Silver
Jeff Peevey
Mikala Bryson
10:30 AM
GREETERS
USHERS
LITURGIST
GREETERS
USHERS
LITURGIST
Dec. 7 J. McClesky
J. Peevey
P. Smart
R. Jones
D. Rhoads
Ivys
B. Self
K. Riddle
V. Riddle
T. Edwards
L. Scott
C. Logan
J. Majusiak
Lees
N. Ashcraft
Silvers
G. Sadler
Dec. 14 J. Maxwell
Lovelaces
C. Smith
B. Brown
J. McClesky
J. Peevey
P. Smart
L. Lovelace
R. Sullins
Shirleys
A. Miller
Graces
T. Edwards
L. Scott
C. Logan
H. Theaker
Dec. 21 D. Nichols
D. Peevey
B. Barton
J. Maxwell
Lovelaces
B. Brown
W. Wall
Lovelaces
B. Hansson
J. Smith
N. Sheldon
R. Sullins
Shirleys
L. Scott
Dec. 28 M. Ivy
B. Self
Riddles
J. Pruitt
D. Nicholds
D. Peevey
B. Barton
R. Jones
N. Ashcraft
Silvers
L. Klontz
L.. Necessary
Lovelaces
B. Hansson
J. Smith
J. R. Atkins
Lloyd Brown, Jr.
Shane Clark
Tom Cushing
John Decker
Dylan Hartmann
Tyler Hartmann
Mike Loftus
Robert Miller
Larrett McCoy
Matt Mohler
Joe Patterson
Anthony Pemberton
Fredrick Ralls
Stephan Sowders
Nathanial Wood
Prayer Concerns
Susan Archie
Karen Arnold
Jamie Batson
Pam Beeson
Mary Berras
Suzanne Calhoun
Bobby Cole
Patty Courtney
Joseph Daniel Fam.
David Fleetwood
Brandon Floyd
Phyllis Head
Kim Herring
Betty Hughston
Doug Hutton
Dennis Krumlauf
Vickie Mata
Charlotte Matthews
Don McCrea
Tammy McHargue
Frankie Meeks
Sophie Melbern
Lilly Paxton
Tonya Rose
Casey Shirley
Tim Sonnenberg
Dayle Squyres
Adelle Todd
Diane Torres
Linda Ussery
Rebecca Williamson
Our President
Our Pastor
Memorials
EDWIN POWELL
Monte & Gay Comer
Gaye Sadler, Dillon & Shannon Martin &
Jack & Katie Doyle
EVELYN ROBERTS
Charles & Melinda Ivy
PAUL FOUST
Betty Brown
Ruth G. Jones
Phil Sheldon
Anne Ramminger
Kenneth & Velva Riddle
Carol Smith
JAN JONES
Kenneth & Velva Riddle
Inez Arnold
Jamie & Corinne Erwin
Doug & Johnnie Peevey
Carol Smith
Norman & Carolyn Erskine
Bob & Carolyn Brown
JOHN FOWLER
John, Sherri & Cassidy Young
BENNIE HANSSON
Ruth G. Jones
CHRISTMAS EVE OFFERING
MIDNIGHT CANDLE SEVICE
You will have two opportunities for worship on
Christmas Eve. First at 6:30 p.m. when we will
begin with Christmas Carols, then at 11 p.m.
concluding at midnight. Communion will be
served at both services and the community will
be invited. Special music and a Christmas
message will be a part of the service. The
highlight of the service will come as we light up
the darkness with candles while singing Silent
Night. This year, all of the Christmas Eve Offering will be divided between the Care Center
in Gatesville and The Heifer Project – an international charity.
This year, 100% of both Christmas Eve
Offerings will be given away to two charities. It will be divided between The Care
Center to support our community food
pantry and The Heifer Project, an international charity that supplies livestock to families with the goal of ending poverty and
hunger in a sustainable fashion. This is
one of Ann’s favorite charities and is very
popular among children’s groups across
the nation. Please give generously on
Christmas Eve.
CELEBRATE DISCIPLESHIP STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN UPDATE
Thanks to your participation, Celebration Sunday was a success. As of this week, 77 families
or individuals turned in Estimate of Giving cards totaling pledges of $251,280. That, combined
with the consistent giving by those who did not complete cards and other misc. offerings indicates that contributions to the church will total about $309,637. This is an increase of $3,883
over last year, Thanks to your generosity, more ministries can be funded in 2015.
ADVENT SERIES:
CHECKING DECKING AND DASHING
What is your favorite day of Christmas? December 26th, when it is
all over. I know that the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping
and decorating energizes many people, but too much can be overwhelming. Perhaps it is time to RETHINK this time of year by focusing on the true meaning of Christmas. Join us every Sunday of Advent as we look at all
the Checking, Decking, and Dashing we do that masks the beauty of Christmas.
Let’s RETHINK Christmas.
Dec. 12th Christmas Party
Home of Ruth Jones. $10.00
gift exchange. Bring food to
share. Invite a friend to join us.
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH TO
OFFER A SERVICE IN THE STYLE OF TAIZE’
Our Taize’ worship continues to grow and improve each
month. In September attendees were treated to a special
service of prayer and ancient music. It is a non-traditional
service but cannot be called contemporary as it has remained essentially unchanged for the last 400 years.
Our next Taize’ worship will be December 17th and every
third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. in the chapel. Bring
your worries to the Lord.
DECEMBER CALENDAR
12/7
12/7
12/7
12/7
12/14
12/14
9:30
3---6
6:00
6:00
10:30
6:00
Angel Breakfast — FLC
Gingerbread House Party
Youth Christmas on the Road (meet at church)
Christmas Music of the Season Morningsong
Christmas Music of the Season Chancel Choir
Youth Progressive Supper (meet at church)
12/24
6:30
11:00
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services
Midnight Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
ORDER YOUR CHRISTMAS POINSETTIA’S
Please complete the envelope enclosed in the FLASHLIGHT if
you would like to order a poinsettia: Be sure to make your
check payable to FUMC. The prices are as follows:
6” Single Poinsettia — $ 20.00
6” Double Poinsettia
in a basket — $ 40.00
The poinsettia’s will be on the altar
beginning, Sunday, December 21st.
Holiday Church Office Schedule
The church office will be closed from December 25, 2014 until January 5, 2015 for the Christmas Holidays. Our prayer for you is that everyone has a very blessed holiday season.
GINGERBREAD
PARTY
The
Gingerbread
House
Party Day will be
Dec. 7th from
3:00-6:00
at
FUMC. The gingerbread walls, roofs,
etc., will be provided, just bring a
cake board and some candy to decorate your house and try not to eat it
before it is complete. Please reserve
your spot by calling Ms. Michelle at
206-1523 or the church office at 8652520.
LAY SERVANT
MINISTRY
This ministry is vital
to the future of the
United
Methodist
Church.
If you
would like to get involved in worship
leadership or would simply like to
know more about the church and its
beliefs, contact Velva Riddles or sign
up for one of the upcoming classes.
Spiritual Gifts: Jan. 10, 2015
8:00 a.m. -- 6:00 p.m.
Where: FUMC, Temple.
Contact: Dr. Barbara Foster
at [email protected]
Basic Lay Servant: Jan. 17, 2015
8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Where: Genesis, Killeen
Contact: Sholando Stone at
[email protected]
UMC Polity: Jan. 24, 2015
8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Where: Taylor 10th St., Taylor
Contact: Dr. Sandra Oliver
[email protected]
Sunday
Evening
from 6-8 PM
DECEMBER 2014
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD —UPDATE
Thank you for taking the lead on the Shoebox ministry!!
The Church responded to your request and thanks to you,
we will turn in 135 shoeboxes for children around the world.
Thanks to everyone at FUMC who helped make this project
so successful.
Sun
Sun
2
GROW YOUR YOUTH GROUP
Invitation is a powerful tool. Your
friends are more likely to come to
UMYF if you invite them. The more
friends you have at youth on Sunday,
the more fun you will have. Be-aFriend Bring-a-Friend. We meet
every Sunday evening at 6 in the FLC.
CHRISTMAS ON THE ROAD
We can’t make it to Bethlehem this year, but we are going to do the next best thing by celebrating
Christmas on the Road. Once again we will visit the Shepherd’s Field, the Inn with no room, Herod’s
Palace and the manger in the stable. Hopefully, the Christmas story will take on new meaning when
we put ourselves in their place as we read these familiar scriptures. Meet at the church at 6:00 p.m.
on December 7. We will have you back by 8:30 following refreshments at the Jordan’s house.
There won’t be a meal at church this night, so eat before you come.
8:30 Worship
9:30 SS
10:30 Worship
6:00 UMY
2:30 Hillside
4:00 Meadows
9
78:30 Worship
9:30
SSBreakfast
Angel
10:30
8:30 Worship
6:00
9:30 UMY
SS
10:30 Worship
3:00 Gingerbread
Houses
4:00 Meadows
6:00 Christmas On
The Road—UMY
Mon
Mon
3
6:30
1 AA
6:30 AA
10
6:30
8 AA
6:30 AA
16
17
10:30
14 One Service 6:30
15AA
Pausitive
Bank to
8:30 Worship
perform
9:30 SS
Thanksgiving
10:30 Worship
Dinner
6:00 Progressive
6:00
UMY —UMY
Dinner
6:30 Charge Conf.
@ Foundation
UMC-Belton
23
8:30 Worship
21
9:30
8:30 SS
Worship
10:30
9:30 Worship
SS
6:00 UMY
10:30
Worship
6:00 UMY
Tue
Tue
4
2
6:30 Not A
Silent Night
Advent Study
11
5:30
9 United
Methodist
5:30 United
Women
Methodist
Women
6:30 Not A
Silent Night
Advent Study
18
6:00
16United
Wounded Warrior Methodist
8:30 LifeMen
Line
Cookie Pick-Up
Screening-FLC
6:00 Harvest
6:30 Not A
Festival Mtg.
Silent Night
6:30 AA
Advent Study
24
6:30
22AA
25
23
6:30 AA
Wed
Wed
5
3
YOUTH FELLOWSHIP
We will meet Sunday mornings at 9:30 in the youth room for praise, prayer and devotion.
All youth are invited to attend.
30
Student
28 Day
8:30 Worship
9:30 SS
10:30 Worship
6:00 UMY
29
6:30 AA
Proverbs
31
4
(Formerly
HOT
Proverbs
31
Moms)
(Formerly HOT
Moms)
6:30 Children’s
Council
12
10Tutoring
13
11
5:30 Prayer
and
Tutoring
Bible
Study
5:30
Prayer
and
6:00 Choir
Bible Study
6:30
AA
6:00 Choir
6:30 AA
19
17Tutoring
5:30 NO
Prayer
and
Tutoring
Bible
Study
5:30
Prayer
and
6:00 Choir
Bible Study
6:30
AAChoir
6:00
7:00
Taizé
6:30
AA
Worship
7:00
Taizé
Worship
26
NO24
tutoring
6:30 and 11:00
Christmas Eve
Candlelight
Worship
30
6
Tutoring
5: 30 Prayer
and
Tutoring
Bible
Study
5: 30
Prayer
and
6:00 Choir
Bible Study
6:30
AA
6:00 Choir
6:30 AA
PROGRESSIVE DINNER
The Progressive Dinner is back by popular demand. We will start at the church on Dec. 14th at 6:00
and eat our way across Gatesville. The food is guaranteed to be as good as it was last year. Don’t
miss it!!
Thu
Thu
31
6:30 AA
12:00 Carter
Blood Drive
20
9:00
18Proverbs 31
(Formerly
HOT 31
9:00 Proverbs
Moms)
(Formerly HOT
6:00Moms)
CAFE
Game
6:00Night
Staff @
Dairy
Queen Dinner
Christmas
Fri
Fri
7
5
6:30 AA
14
6:30
12AA
8
7:00-2:00
6
Harvest
Festival
15
13
6:30 AA
CAFE
Christmas
Party at the
home of Ruth
Jones
21
6:30
19AA
22
20
6:30 AA
27
28
Thanksgiving
Day
Church
25
26 Office
Church
OfficeDay
Christmas
Closed
Office Closed
until January 5th
Sat
Sat
Closed
6:30 AA
29
27