FUMC Newsletter

The scripture Lesson for this Sunday Is from Romans 15:4-13

4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, 6 so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

‘Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles,

and sing praises to your name’;

10 and again he says,

‘Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people’;

11 and again,

‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,

and let all the peoples praise him’;

12 and again Isaiah says,

‘The root of Jesse shall come,

the one who rises to rule the Gentiles;

in him the Gentiles shall hope.’

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

ChurchWide Christmas Cantata

Children will meet promptly at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings in the choir room with Ms. Jane, Ms. LeeAnne, and Ms. Michelle as we prepare for our special Christmas Cantata to be presented on Sunday, December 14, in the morning worship service! We’ll be learning joyful new songs and assigning parts-so come ready to sing, learn, and be part of the celebration!

 

An Invitation to You

As we continue through Advent toward Christmas, Lisa and I want to express our thanks for the welcome you have given us as we have moved into your community and your church. More than making us feel welcome, you have made us feel right at home, and we are both very grateful.

One way you have done this is by providing an attractive and comfortable parsonage that we can call home during our time as your clergy family. Final touches of deep cleaning were taking place even as Lisa and I moved in this past July. Since then the interior of the parsonage has been freshly painted along with the exterior entryways, the carpets and upholstery were professionally cleaned, new lighting and ceiling fans were placed in the den and master bedroom, lovely touches like new lampshades were added, the yard is maintained to perfection . . . the list goes on and on! You have not only spoken words of welcome, you have shown your welcome by the great care you have given in these and other ways.

To show our thanks, Lisa and I would like to show off the parsonage with a holiday open-house. On Sunday, December 14, from 3 to 5 p.m., we invite you to drop by the parsonage (523 McCall Drive) for some light refreshments and see the lovely home you make possible for your pastor and family. Because our driveway is steep, we have arranged to use our buses as a shuttle service between the church and parsonage, allowing you to avoid walking up the hill. But, if you aren’t daunted by the climb, you should be able to find plenty of parking along McCall Drive.

Allow me to say a word of thanks to the good folks of our church who have volunteered to make goodies for this open house! While Lisa is looking forward to doing some holiday baking for this event, the willingness of these church friends to add to the refreshments will help to make this a wonderful celebration. We thank you!

It is a blessing to be your pastor, and Lisa and I couldn’t be more pleased to be a part of the Forest City community. We hope this open house will allow us to say thank you for the love you have shown us, will allow us to show off the home you make possible for us, and will allow us to grow in fellowship and love as we continue through Advent and enter the season of Christmas. We look forward to having you in our home, and we look forward to serving the Lord with you for many years to come.

The Lord be with you!

Rev. Bill Roberts

 

Cookie Decorating Party! 

Mark your calendars! Our annual Cookie Decorating Party will be held this Wednesday, December 3, at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We’re looking for a few volunteer bakers to help by cutting out and baking cookies ahead of time. If you are willing to help, please contact Kristin to receive supplies and instructions.

This fun and joy-filled tradition brings our church family together in the spirit of Christmas—thank you for being part of it!

 

Church Calendar

  • Cookie Decorating – This Wednesday, December 3, at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
  • Finance Committee Meeting – This Monday, December 8, at 5:30 p.m. in the Men’s Bible Study Classroom.
  • Admin Council Meeting – This coming Monday, December 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the Men’s Bible Study Classroom.
  • The More or Less Circle will meet this coming Tuesday, December 9, at 11:00 a.m. in the church parking lot to ride the bus to Patti Hopper’s for lunch. Please bring candy for eight shut-ins, and cash for Abounding Grace‘s Christmas event.  We will make gift bags for our shut-ins and distribute them. Please text Kristin at 828-447-1223 if you plan to ride the bus.
  • The Grace Circle will have their Christmas Covered Dish Lunch next Tuesday, December 9, at 12 noon, at Joanne Eaker’s house. 
  • Wonderful Wednesday – Christmas Wonderfulness happens next Wednesday, December 10, at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
  • Christmas Cantata – Sunday, December 14, at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary.
  • Parsonage Open House – Sunday, December 14, from 3-5 p.m. There will be a shuttle from the church to the parsonage.
  • Preschool Christmas Program – Wednesday, December 17, at 10:00 a.m.
  • The WoW Factor will have a Christmas luncheon on Wednesday, December 17, at 11:30 in the Fellowship Hall.
  • Moravian Love Feast – Sunday, December 21, at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary.
  • Christmas Eve Service – Wednesday, December 24, at 5:00 p.m.
  • The Ladies Sunday School Class is studying the series Advent by JD Greear – Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in the room 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, will meet every Tuesday through December 9 from 10-11:30 a.m. in the Choir Room to prepare for the Christmas Cantata on Sunday, December 14. If you are interested in joining this group next year, 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. 
  • 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 be at 6:30 on December 3 and 10 for Cookie Decorating and Wonderful Wednesday.
  • He-Brews Coffee and Conversation meets on Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. at Hope House Coffee Co. 1066 S. Broadway in Forest City. Our new study, Advent by J.D. Greear, goes beyond the sentimental myths and peaceful manger scenes. It is the powerful good news of God entering the darkness of our world. Through a four-session series, we’ll explore Jesus as Emmanuel, our Wonderful Counselor, the Everlasting Father, and the great “I Am.” When you truly know Jesus, you’ll see that Christmas is more than just a story. The arrival of Jesus changes everything. We look forward to your participation. 

 

Advent Calendar at a glance

  • This Sunday, December 7 – 2nd Sunday in Advent -10:30 a.m. worship service.
  • Next Sunday, December 14 – Children/Youth/Adult Christmas Cantata
  • Sunday, December 21 – Moravian Love Feast
  • Wednesday, December 24 – Christmas Eve Service at 5:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, December 28 – Christmas Brunch and Worship in the Fellowship Hall 

 

FUMC Youth

  • This Sunday, December 7 – Meet at 5:00 p.m. to go shopping for the Christmas Outreach Program.
  • Next Saturday, December 13 – Meet at the church at 5:00 p.m. for the Christmas Party at the Hopper’s.
  • Next Sunday, December 14 – No UMYF
  • Sunday, December 21 – No UMYF
  • Sunday, December 28– No UMYF

 

Income and Expenses 

Weekly Budget Needs: $8,479.33

Tithes and Offerings November 17-30 – $15,512.79

Expenses November 17-30 – $14,340.77

Received YTD – $354,931.96

Budget needs YTD – $398,528.51

 

Worship Helpers

This Sunday, December 7

Lector – Cathy Hoyle

Finance – Scott Webber, Michele Smith

Greeters – Russ & Cherry Garmon

Ushers – Baxter Carpenter, TBD

Head Usher – TBD

Communion Stewards – Sharon Shipley, Keely Somerset

 

Next Sunday, December 14

Lector – Cooper Flack

Finance – David Eaker, Mike Gavin

Greeters – L.A. & Suzan Rhyne

Ushers – Tyler Brown, TBD

Head Usher – TBD

 

 

The food item for Yokefellow Sept.-Dec. is any variety of canned beans. Please bring items to the office.

 

December Birthdays

Norris Phillips             12/04

Matthew Bright           12/04

Bette Newton              12/05

Meredith Street           12/07

Shirley Shehan           12/09

Michael Earley            12/09

Ken Collins                  12/11

Sharon Shipley           12/13

Felicia Beaver             12/14

Rebecca Humphries    12/15

Hallie Sims                 12/16

Jane Hill                      12/17

David Smith                12/19

Robbie Iwerks             12/19

Diony Hernandez        12/20

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

 

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!

Services are livestreamed on our YouTube Channel.