Greetings:
Once again, we began our journey toward Bethlehem with the beginning of Advent. Christmas will soon be upon us. However, are we open to receive God’s gift? What I mean by that is beyond the story of His coming, Jesus seeks to imbue us with the Spirit. Hence, each week leading up to Christmas we hear about different aspects of God’s Spirit which we are invited to receive more fully into our lives. This week we heard about hope. Not just a lighthearted sentiment, but a quality that we can count on. For instance, the prophets proclaimed the hope and expectation of a Messiah. They were not sure what that would look like, they did not have the benefit that we do to look back in history to the event of His coming. Yet they were convinced. Are you open to hope in your life? Or does fear, rationalization, doubts and cynicism keep hope from growing in the soil of your soul? Perhaps this Christmas season is a time for getting rid of some weeds and letting the Spirit of God take greater purchase in your life.
Blessings, Pastor Dan
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Our annual Charge Conference is tomorrow, Thurs. Dec. 6th at 7pm. Everyone is welcome to come! It is an all church meeting with the United Methodist of the PNW District Superintendent, to vote on some church policies and give them an overview of our year here at FUMC.
As the year is coming to an end our finance team is working on creating a new operating budget for 2019, this gives us an idea of how we are able to allocate funds to different areas of ministry. We are needing all of the pledge cards sent out last month to be returned so we can complete this. If you have not turned in your pledge card please bring it into the office, drop it in the offering plate, or send it by mail. We appreciate your generosity!
The new 2019 Directory is finally here! There will be copies placed throughout the church for you to take home (feel free to take multiple copies if needed!) If you are unable to come pick up a copy please reply to this email with your mailing address and we will send one out to you!
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Advent season is upon us! We will have special music each Sunday throughout advent, leading up to Christmas Eve!
December 9th: Classical guitar and cello duet of festive Christmas music before praise hymns
December 16th: Stephanie will be singing Christmas music along with praise and worship hymns
December 23rd: Special focus on Children– sing along and children’s program
December 24th: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7pm
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Charge Conference: Thursday Dec. 6th 7pm
Maureen Bibler Memorial Service: Wed. Dec. 12th 10:30am
Maureen passed away Sunday November 25th at the age of 96. She was a member here for over 40 years. Her service will be held at Puyallup First Methodist. There will be a light lunch to follow.
Maureen Bibler Memorial | Dec. 12th 10:30am
Evelyn Piercy Memorial and Celebration of Life: Dec. 14th 1pm
Evelyn was a former member of the Church. She passed away on May 26th at the age of 92. Her family is holding a memorial here, in her honor.
Evelyn Piercy Memorial | Dec. 14th 1pm |
XYZ All Church Potluck and Christmas Party: Sat. Dec. 15th 12pm
Hosted by the Urschel's, this Christmas Party and Potluck is open to everyone! Come join the fun and festivities and bring a dish to share!
XYZ Party and Potluck | Sat. Dec. 15th Noon|
Christmas Caroling: Wed. Dec. 19th 3:30pm-6pm
We will be visiting some of our home bound members and sharing the Christmas spirit through carols! Adults and children are welcome and encouraged to come! Meet at church by 3:30 pm, we will split into groups and head out! Potluck will happen upon returning fro caroling!
Christmas Caroling | Wed. Dec. 19th 3:30-6pm |
Church Family Night Potluck:
Every Wednesday, bring a dish to share, everyone is welcome!
Because the strategic planning and transition team are being dissolved, there will now just be the potluck at 6pm, a time to enjoy our church family and share a meal!
Church Family Night Potluck | Wednesday's 6:00pm |
Faithbooking:
Faithbooking is keeping a book that focuses on our personal journey of faith. Starts after the potluck at 6:45 in the old nursery downstairs.
For questions call Myrna Slater 253-564-5371
Faithbooking | Wednesday's 6:45pm |
Small Groups:
Tuesday Morning – 10:30 a.m. In upstairs parlor, bring a sack lunch.
Sunday Morning - Meets after fellowship time in the upstairs parlor.
Monday Afternoon - On break until Feb. 4th 2019.
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Fellowship Time: Weekly volunteers are needed to set up coffee, and bring treat/sweet bread and fruit. Sign up sheet is in Lobby! (Funds are available if the expense is a hardship to volunteers!)
Clothing Closet: Open weekly Thursdays 12-2pm Always taking donations! Please contact Sandy, or Lena at the office to schedule a donation drop off!
Emergency Food Network Donations: We have placed donation bins for EFN in the Lobby, any nonperishable foods can be donated! This goes to their many food trucks and food banks throughout Pierce County!
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EFN Repack: Dec. 8th 12:30-2:30pm
Emergency Food Network has a repack opportunity scheduled at their distribution center on 92nd Street S in Lakewood, Saturday, December 8th from 12:30 to 2:30 pm. Repacks could involve everything from putting 50 lbs of rice or beans into 2 lb bags to sorting orchard bins of apples to sorting store donations. They cannot serve all of the food pantries and meal sites without this important volunteer effort.
Emergency Food Network Mobile Truck: Dec. 18th 12:30 – 3pm
FUMC provides the volunteer staffing for the Nourish Pierce County (aka FISH) mobile food truck at the STAR Center, 66th and Adams, every 3rd Tuesday of the month. We have a loyal team of volunteers, but would like to see more people helping. If you would like to participate in this important ministry, please call Pat Thompson at 253-566-1883
Prayer Partners: Kenyan District Superintendent Joe Kamau presented our District Superintendent Rich Lang with a list of 20 churches that want to be in connection with congregations in the US. The offer is to simply pray for each other. If anything else emerges from that connection, all to the good. We have been asked to link up with a specific congregation in Kenya and pray for each other. We have been partnered with the Baruk UMC ---Pastor Kuria, in turn, they will pray for us. Over time the hope is that once the link is made, correspondence can occur and the prayers can become more focused and specific.
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All week I've had a song stuck in my head called Love Rev. It's from my old fav Israel Houghton, and its based off this verse, Romans 8:31. He compares the privledge most of us have in teh US compared to the struggle of God's people all around the world. Sings "God is for us, we are for them". I loved his spin on this classic verse. If no one can be against God's people, then don't we all have to be for each other? Loving each other? What we need now more then ever, not just in the world but in the church, is a love revolution. Think of what we as believers could accomplish if we are for each and every one of God's people, no matter our differences!
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Check out Israel Houghton's song Love Rev here!
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