Connexion E-News FUMC Taylor 12/23/2016

CONNEXION E-NEWS FUMC TAYLOR, DECEMBER 23, 2016

Christmas
Saturday, December 24, 2016
6:00 P.M. Christmas Eve Service
Sunday, December 25, 2016
No Sunday School
10:30 A.M. Christmas Day Service (One Worship Service)

Joy to the world! The Lord is come.

Let earth receive her King

Let every heart

Prepare Him room

And heaven and nature sing

And heaven and heaven and nature sing.

For many, if not all of us, we have a favorite Christmas hymn or two that we just love to hear and sing. For me, it is Joy to the World and Hark! the herald angels sing. Not only does the lyrics warm my heart, but it also forces me to reflect on Christ, the season, the world, and my role as a disciple. Have I truly shared this joy with the world? Have I sincerely opened my heart and made room for my Lord who has come into the world? Have you? These are the thought provoking words that we sing this season.

We may also have Christmas traditions that have been passed down from previous generations that we are keeping up with for various reasons. For others, new traditions are beginning. Yet, for some, there are no traditions; we just go with the flow. Christmas can also be elegant and extravagant as we want it to be or as small and homely as simply staying at home or gathering with a few close friends. While all these traditions or non-traditions are great and may be representative of who we are or becoming, may we always remember the reason for this season and the role we play. While we can pause and listen to the angels proclaim “Glory to the new born king!” may we also remember that we too are called to share this good news with everyone we meet and the world.

Where ever you may be this Christmas, may you have a joy-filled day with family and friends. If you are in town, come hear the story re-told and celebrate the birth of Christ with us in church on Christmas Eve and again Christmas morning.

As we say in our Tongan language, 'Ofa keke ma'u ha Kilisimasi Fiefia mo ha ta'u fo'ou monu'ia! I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

God’s blessings!

Sela

In Honor Of

Our Family given by Mike, Leslie & Kirk Moss

Our Family given by Debi & Glynn Tucker

Our Family given by Linda & Kennith Dismukes

Charles Chenault given by Scarlett Cooley

Rev. VR Whittington given by Scarlett Cooley

Millie Whittington given by Scarlett Cooley

Debby Vester given by Betty Brown

In Loving Memory Of

Edward A. Ryan given by Vesta Ryan

Family & Friends given by Merton & Vada Rose

Crawford Daniel given by Gayle Daniel

Cheryl McAlister given by Ginny & Don McAlister

Russell & Phyllis Neiswander given by Jaci & Bob Walker

Guy & Ruby Walker given by Jaci & Bob Walker

Ruth Latham given by Geneva Cochran

Lester & Mary Alyce Stiles given by Stiles Family

Joseph Noble Atkins given by Debi & Glynn Tucker

Our Family, given by Mike, Leslie, Kirk Moss

Ronnie given by Scarlett Cooley

John given by Scarlett Cooley

Grandparents given by Scarlett Cooley

Uncle Clyde given by Scarlett Cooley

Bill & Myrtle Clark given by Jean & Leland Stevens

Wesley & Leila Stevens given by Jean & Leland Stevens

Melton Drummond given by Lisa & Mitch Drummond

W.C. "Bill" Stiles given by Lisa & Mitch Drummond

Elizabeth & Margie given by Lisa & Mitch Drummond

Please remember, you may take your poinsettia(s) home after the Christmas Eve service or leave it at the church to be donated to area shut-ins.

Thank you to all of you who donated to our Red Santa joy drive. The fire department arrived on Monday morning to pick up your generous giving. Several members ventured out in the cold morning to meet with our very own, Bobby Copeland and the Taylor Fire Fighters and helped to put our gifts on the fire truck sleigh.

Edna Cowan
Don Hughes
Charlotte Underwood
Steven Lee
Florence Finn
Carolyn Briggs
Melissa Hill
Charles Chenault
Vera Schwartz
Jamie Avery
Mary Pearl Sutton
Elissa Ray
Suzie Barber
Carol Bullion
Alfred Urbanek Family
Jerry Davenport
Terry Dyer and Family Homebound
Fred Switzer
Florence Finn
Paula Douglass
Corene Dodson
Millie Whittington
Betty Ashworth
Sarah Schwartz

*Names will remain on the Prayer List for 6 weeks unless requested otherwise.

Thank you everyone for your generous giving!

Shepherd’s Heart Food Pantry

The Food Pantry provides much needed assistance for those in need living in the Taylor area. Our church collects non-perishable items on an ongoing basis in the shopping cart located in the Fellowship Hall. Every year FUMC members take their turn to volunteer at the Taylor Food Pantry. Our date is December 31^st. Please contact Debi Tucker if you are able to help from 8:30 to 11:30 or for more information on how you can help.

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

SUNDAY

Children’s Sunday School classes include Nursery (ages 0-2), Preschool (ages 3-5), Elementary (ages K-5th), Middle School and High School.

Children’s Church is during the 10:30 a.m. service.

MOTHER'S DAY OUT

MDO will be closed for Christmas Break until January 3, 2017!

We hope everyone have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

YOUTH MINISTRY
We are growing and we want you to come grow with us. We meet in the Youth Room each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and we are in the process of holding weekly gatherings.

We are currently seeking a Director of Youth Ministry. If you're interested or know someone who may be interested, please visit our webpage for a job description and requirements. Thank you

Sunday School Class Lessons

The Mighty Mini Methodists (3-4yr.) – Fruit of the Spirit
Elementary & Youth Groups – Fruit of the Spirit
The Builders (Adults with Rev. Bob Walker) –The Journey, Walking the Road to Bethlehem
The New Horizons (Adults with Lisa & Mitch Drummond) - The Wired Word
New Adult Class (Rev. Sela Finau, substitute) –
Do you feel called to lead an Adult Sunday School class? If so, contact Pastor Finau.

Weekday Lessons
Will resume in January 2017!
Monday, 9:15 a.m. Meets in the Fellowship Hall. Currently discovering the Book of Acts.
Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. Meets in various homes and church. This group will reconvene after the first of the year.

Red Santa Drive
Many thanks to all of you who helped us with our Red Santa Drive. It was a great success! Bobby Copeland and the Taylor Fire Department stopped in on Monday morning to pick up our Red Santa Joy Donations Box.

Chime Choir
Many thanks to Belinda Moss and the chime choir team for sharing their gift with us this past Sunday. It was very appropriate for the season and beautiful!

Freezing Temperature
Although it was below freezing most of the day this past Sunday, many of you still showed up in church. I am truly grateful for your faithfulness. Thank you. Please keep our elderly in your thoughts and prayers during this cold season and beyond. Occasionally check in on them if you are able. Many thanks.

Canned Food Drive
Many thanks to everyone who have been contributing to our canned food drive. Your generosity is very much appreciated.

Keep Our Earth Clean
We need volunteers to take our recycles to the Recycling Center here in Taylor. It will only require being taken one or two times each month. Please call the church office to sign up for your month.

To date, $10,000+ in pledges are outstanding. If you pledged your giving for 2016, you still have 1 week to finish your commitment from the 2016 Stewardship Campaign. All tax-deductible contributions for 2016 will be accepted until December 31^st.

If you are unsure of how much remains of your 2016 giving pledge, or where your giving stands, please contact Joanne in the church office Mon-Thurs, 9am-3pm and she would be happy to provide that information to you privately.

If you did not pledge, please consider giving to your church for 2016.

December 18, 2016

Worship Attendance: 71 | Sunday School: 25

Counters
12/25 Sandra/Jim

Finance to Date
2016 Budget $166,818
Income: $144,512
Expenses: $144,544

Wayside Chapel

Wayside Chapel is open to the public during the week, Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Need to spend time alone in prayer and in church, come to the chapel.

December
Saturday, 12/24 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Sunday, 12/25. 10:30 a.m. One Worship Service Christmas Day
Monday, 12/26 Church Office Closed
Saturday, 12/31 Shepherd’s Heart Food Pantry Work Day

January
Sunday, 1/1 10:30 a.m. One Worship Service New Year's Day
Monday, 1/2 Church Office Closed

Stay connected with your church via text message. Just follow the instructions above.

Red Santa Toy Drive

Chime Choir

"A Pocket Prayer" Thank you Vada Rose and the Prayer Shawl Ministry.

Thank you Lisa Drummond for this box of Safety Pins.

Sunday Announcement
If you have announcements for Sunday morning, please let the pastor know ahead of time if possible. If the announcement is relevant to the majority of the congregation and pertinent to visitors, by all means share your exciting news or mission highlight. Otherwise, it may be best to share the information via other platforms such as this newsletter. If you'd like your news shared here, please send them to the office: office@fumctaylor.org.

Thank you for your consideration.
<><
To view more photos, please visit our Facebook page.

<><
For Pastoral Emergencies after hours,
contact Rev. Sela Finau
817-874-3533 | sela@fumctaylor.org.

First United Methodist Church
907 West Lake Drive
Taylor, Texas 76574
www.fumctaylor.org
512-352-2593 | office@fumctaylor.org

Forward