First UMC Weekly Update for December 7 📬

Check out all that's happening at our church this week!

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How does one prepare to receive good news? Seems like a ridiculous question to ask, right - just give us the good news already, we can all use some!
But what if the good news is the Good News; the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Would that change your answer?
Mark’s Gospel opens with a unique introduction to the story of Jesus’ ministry. There is no manger; missing are the angels, the shepherds, the magi, etc. Instead, there is just messenger in the wilderness crying out, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”
John the Baptist plays the role of the setup man - the one who sets the stage for Jesus’ ministry. The Good News is not just something we can receive without preparation. Our hearts need to be ready to receive it, and those who have received it need to prepare others, so that Christ can enter their lives.
Join us for worship and fellowship on this second Sunday of the Advent season as we hear the story of John as told by Mark and prepare to receive the Good News .

Below is a summary of our missions and ministries. To add an item to our update, please contact Pastor Dave or Cath by Wednesday. Have a blessed week!

On Sunday we will welcome Eric Drew back to our worship service. Eric is a worship leader, song writer, and coach, and serves as the Director of Worship for the Greater New Jersey Annua Conference. Eric will be joining our praise team to lead us into worship through music.

Join us for Worship!
Sundays at 10:00 am
in the Sanctuary

Lunch with Santa
Sat 11:30-1:30

Worship Team
Sun @8a;

Worship Sun @10a;

United Methodist Women
Sun After Church

Advent Bible Study
Wed@7p
Thu @10a

Stephen Ministers
Thu 12/14 @7p

Donate Online

Facebook

Website

Lunch with Santa this Saturday!

Join us for a Christmas treat with good food, great company, holiday music, and a visit from the jolly man himself to hear the children’s Christmas wishes. December 9 from 11:30-1:30 The menu will consist of hot dogs chips, drinks and dessert - all for only $5 per person. Reservations appreciated to ensure we have enough for everyone. To RSVP, contact the church office at info@firstumcblairstown.com or 908-362-6693.

Youth Group Christmas Movie Night

Youth Group will be hosting a Christmas Movie Night for youth and their parents at the Presbyterian Church Outreach Center this Saturday night, December 9, from 6-10 p.m. Hot Chocolate and pizza will be served as well as snacks. There will also be cookie decorating for everyone! Bring a friend and enjoy some Christmas Spirit with your friends. Contact Pastor Dave FMI.

Our Winter Newsletter is Here!

Our Winter edition of Good News, our quarterly newsletter, is here! Be sure to check your email inbox or mailbox for your copy. Copies are also available at the church or on our church’s website at http://firstumcblairstown.com/index.php/newsletter/. Contact the church office if you would like to be on our mailing list for future editions. Happy reading!

Be Santa for a Local Senior or Veteran

Thank you to everyone who adopted a senior or veteran this Christmas season - all of our recipients have found a sponsor! A reminder that unwrapped items need to be brought to the church by December 10. Contact Claire Smith FMI

2018 Pledge Drive Update

We want to say “Thank You” to everyone who has shared their Estimate of Giving for 2018. Through December 3, you have pledged $41,824 to our ministry needs in 2018, and $6,280 towards our 20/20 vision campaign. We still have a ways to go to meet our budget. If you haven’t had a chance to turn yours in, please take a moment and prayerfully consider how God is calling you to be a part of our ministry in the upcoming year. Your donations will help us share the Good News with our community!

Advent Bible Study: Awaiting the Already

Each Gospel, in its own way, leads us on the Advent journey of preparation for Christ's coming. This Advent, join us for a 4-week journey through the four Gospel narratives that announce Christ's birth or make way for his ministry. Discover what parts of the Christmas story come from which Gospel, recognizing an invitation from each Gospel writer to prepare for a fresh experience of Christ in the past and the future. Wednesdays at 7p & Thursdays at 10a from November 29 - December 21. Contact Pastor Dave or Jean Charles FMI.

2018 Offering Envelopes

2018 offering envelopes will be available in Fellowship Hall beginning on November 19. If you did not receive envelopes in 2017, and would like to receive them for next year, please contact the church office.

A Truckload of Christmas Spirit!

Sixteen states, 21 cities, 23 days, 500+ volunteers, 16,400 cups of cocoa and just one purpose: to help people unwrap the true meaning of Christmas. The United Methodist Church is hitting the road this month in a gift‑wrapped touring truck, decked out to share fellowship from city to city. The True Meaning of Christmas Tour kicked off in Waco, Texas, on Dec. 2; follow along at UnwrapChristmas.org. Bring this Christmas outreach effort to your town by hosting your own hot cocoa fellowship event!

Give the Gift of Life on January 20

On January 20 from 9-2, our church will be hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive sponsored by the MOMS Club of the Greater Blairstown Area. 40 minutes of your time will enable you to save up to three lives! To sign up, go to redcrossblood.org.

Multiply Discipleship Study

Our Multiply study will be taking a break for the holidays to make way for our Advent study. We will resume on Wednesday, January 3 at 7:00.
Multiply is a simple, practical, biblical, and personal study to help you understand what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and live as the church. Through relevant readings and engaging conversations, you will learn about Scripture, how it gives meaning to our existence, our daily lives, and to every other story on earth; and about Jesus Christ, and the significance he has for humanity and the entire world.

Early Response Team Training Sessions in 2018

Amid disasters like Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy, UMCOR Early Response Teams are at the scene. The time to think about trainingto respond to these disasters is now, before the next disaster strikes. Several Early Response Team (ERT) Training sessions for disaster response will be held in January, March, and April of 2018. Click here for event details, dates, and further info. Click here to learn more about GNJ's disaster relief efforts.

United Methodists in GNJ have many close ties to our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico. Working with the Methodist Church in Puerto Rico we are developing special resourcing and support for those in need after Hurricane Maria. Visit https://www.gnjumc.org/disasterresponse/esperanzaforpr/ to Learn how you can make a difference.

Red Bird 2018 - Save the date!

The 2018 Red Bird Mission trip will be from July 14-21, 2018. Please be sure to reserve this spot on your calendars if you wish to join us for this opportunity to serve others and be blessed in the process!