The scripture Lesson for this Sunday Is from Matthew 2:1-12
1 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,
2 asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
6 “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.” ’
7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ 9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
Making The New Year Meaningful
Throughout my ministry, I have often heard people say that they wish they knew the Bible better. What’s funny to me is that they say this as if it were a problem without a solution! All it takes is two simple steps. Step one: open your Bible. Step two: read it.
But, for some reason, we have made the Bible out to be some mysterious and unfathomable book. Nothing could be farther from the truth! It is actually one of the most understandable books ever composed. It even comes with its own helpful Guide whenever we search it for meaning. Who is that Guide? Here’s a hint: Every Sunday I lead us in a prayer before we read the Scripture Lesson which says “Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that as the Scriptures are read and your Word proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us today.” That prayer works effectively for us in Sunday worship, and it also works when we open our Bibles to read throughout the week. The Holy Spirit wants us to understand God’s Word, and wants us to find divine meaning in God’s book, and the Holy Spirit will guide us whenever we read the Scriptures.
Years ago, I had a church member, Mr. Cam Cook, who was well in his nineties when I moved to that congregation. He had retired from farming decades before I met him, but still kept the most beautiful flower garden. It was a place of meditation for him on the warm days of the year.
But, there was another place he went every day whatever the weather. Every day, Mr. Cook would read his Bible. He told me he began that daily practice day he retired and he read the Bible every day after that. He began with Genesis 1:1 and when he had read through to the end of Revelation, he would write that day’s date in the back cover of the Bible. Then he would return to Genesis 1:1 again. When I first visited him in the early days of my ministry there, he showed me where he had marked the date of completion fifteen times in the back of that Bible, and he was well over halfway toward finishing his sixteenth reading on the day of that first visit. For this old farmer, reading the Bible wasn’t a chore. It was a gift he gave himself each and every day.
It is a gift I want you and I to enjoy each day, just like Mr. Cook. I can’t think of a better way to do this than as a church family, making the journey through Scripture together in 2026. My brother, Doug, has been excited that his church shared this journey together in 2025. Using the book The Bible Year: A Journey Through Scripture in 365 Days by Magrey R. deVega, Doug’s church in Greensboro has read through the Bible together. Their pastor, Rev. Jeremy Troxler, led them in a church-wide conversation every other week to help discuss what his folks were learning. Doug’s enthusiasm for this journey has been infections, so that now I want to share that journey with each of you. I encourage you to purchase a copy of deVega’s book for yourself and your family. Hard copy versions are available from Cokesbury, and both hard copy and Kindle versions are available from Amazon. You may find it from other retailers as well. The book breaks down the readings into daily segments and also gives some wonderful explanatory notes for each major section. However, if you aren’t interested in owning the book, we will include the daily readings in the newsletter each week so that you can follow along with or without the book. The newsletter will also keep you posted on when we will meet for our conversations on what we have reading. (Don’t worry! There won’t be a test. Just a friendly conversation!)
But, the most important tool you will need to make your reading of the Bible effective is the companionship of the Holy Spirit. I will not promise that you will understand each and every detail you read, but I will guarantee that the Spirit will make your reading fruitful. You don’t need to be an expert on the Bible, you simply need to know that the Lord will meet you in its pages. Once you realize this, you may become like Mr. Cam Cook, receiving the Bible’s gifts each and every day. I can’t think of a better way for us to spend 2026 together. We may well read through to the end of Revelation, write the date in the back of the book, and start journey all over again!
Here is the first week of readings (and slightly beyond) for our study of The Bible Year: A Journey Through Scripture in 365 Days beginning January 1. I extended up to January 11 to conclude the week on Sunday.
Day 1 Thursday, January 1, 2026 Genesis 1:1-3:24
Day 2 Friday, January 2, Genesis 4:1-5:32
Day 3 Saturday, January 3, Genesis 6:1-9:17
Day 4 Sunday, January 4, Genesis 9:18-11:32
Day 5 Monday, January 5, Genesis 12:1-14:24
Day 6 Tuesday, January 6, Genesis 15:1-17:27
Day 7 Wednesday, January 7, Genesis 18:1-20:18
Day 8 Thursday, January 8, Genesis 21:1-23:20
Day 9 Friday, January 9, Genesis 24:1-25:18
Day 10 Saturday, January 10, Genesis 25:19-28:9
Day 11 Sunday, January 11, Genesis 28:-30:43
The Lord be with you!
Rev. Bill Roberts
Church Calendar
- The Administrative Council will meet next Monday, January 12, at 6:30 p.m. in the Men’s Bible Study Classroom.
- The Ladies Sunday School Class begins a year-long series Women of the Bible by Ann Spangler & Jean E. Syswerda. This study, with inspiring stories, reflections, and devotions, focuses weekly on 52 remarkable women of the Bible. Study begins this week at 9:30 a.m. in the workroom across from the pastor’s office.
- Dementia Caregivers Support Group meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
- FUMC-ERHS Baking Ministry – happens on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays from 8:45-10:45 a.m. in the kitchen.
- The Mountain Dulcimer Group – taught by Gene and Anna Feagin, meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 10-11:30 a.m. in the Choir Room, and will resume on January 6. If you are interested in joining this group, please contact the church office.
- Choir Practice is on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the choir room. If you would like to join this group and sing with the choir on Sundays, please see Jane. Rehearsals will resume on January 6.
- The Brookdale Visitation Team meets at Brookdale at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. This is a special interactive time of fun and worship for the residents. Call the church office for more information.
- Handbells rehearse on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. If you would like to join this group, please see Jane. Rehearsals will resume in January.
- He-Brews Coffee and Conversation will begin a new Bible study on Thursday, January 8, meeting at 10:00 a.m. at the Hope House Coffee Shop on Broadway. All are welcome to join us for fellowship, conversation, and study. Our upcoming study is The Gospel of Luke: Part 1 by J.D. Greear. In this eleven-session series, Pastor Greear guides us through the first half of Luke’s Gospel, offering an orderly and compelling account of Jesus’ life and ministry. Through Luke’s writing, we are invited to consider a central question: How do you respond to Jesus? This study explores who Jesus is, what He did, and how those around Him responded as He moved toward people with love and grace. Luke reminds us that Jesus came to seek and save those in need—including us—and calls each of us to respond. Come enjoy good coffee, meaningful discussion, and a deeper look at the life of Christ.
FUMC Youth
- This Sunday, January 4 – Regular UMYF at 5:00 p.m.
- Next Sunday, January 11– Regular UMYF at 5:00 p.m.
Income and Expenses
Weekly Budget Needs: $8,479.33
Tithes and Offerings December 15-21 – $18,392.00
Expenses December 15-21 – $1,546.43
Received YTD – $392,195.96
Budget needs YTD – $423,966.50
Worship Helpers
This Sunday, January 4
Lector –
Finance –
Greeters –
Ushers –
Head Usher –
December Birthdays
Mark Holmstrom 12/21
Jonathan Humphries 12/21
Collin Eaker 12/23
Sharon Porter 12/25
Linda Greene 12/25
Deborah Smith 12/26
Chuck Summey 12/28
Lois Hasty 12/29
Ashley Garland 12/30
Marilla Okpych 12/31
January Birthdays
MacKenzie Brown 01/01
Micaela Brown Endicott 01/01
Ronda Eaker 01/01
Jamey Anderson 01/04
Sharon Still 01/05
Anna Feagin 01/10
Angela Flack 01/10
Margaret Brooks 01/11
Frances Hernandez 01/11
Elaine Wolf 01/13
Braxton Flack 01/15
Trent Parris 01/15
Keely Somerset 01/16
Jim Still 01/16
Tonya Wright 01/21
Judith Harrill 01/24
Emersyn Tate 01/24
Zachary Eaker 01/25
Caleb Hoyle 01/27
Patti Hopper 01/29
Matthew Trout 01/30
The FUMC Newsletter
This page on the church website is the permanent home of the newsletter. Text-to-speech apps will work on this page. Older newsletters are archived, and the current newsletter will always be at this address. This mobile-friendly format is much more accessible and allows for immediate updates to information. Feel free to check by as often as you like. The goal is for major updates to happen on schedule by Wednesday, and a print edition will still be sent via US Mail to those who request it. Please let the church office know if you no longer wish to receive the printed copy.
May the Peace of the Lord, and His Blessings be with you all, and we hope to see you on Sunday!
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