HELPING ALONG CHRISTMAS
I remember a wonderful moment from my first Christmas here. Bobbi and I were at a Christmas luncheon with the Ruth Northcutt Circle at the home of Jay and Laura Whorton. Dear Nancy Miller was there and wore a  beautiful hand-knitted sweater. It had lots of colorful figures and embroidery and on the back, hand sewn, was the greeting, "Merry Cristmas." We teased Nancy about the misspelling but she was unfazed (and said that she'd never noticed it)! She explained that the sweater was hand-made in Peru and that someone there apparently didn't spell very well. She said, "When people see it, they just read 'Merry Christmas.' They don't notice that it isn't perfect."
I think Nancy was onto something, something vitally important about Christmas. We agreed that indeed we have to help Christmas along from time to time. Too many of us have the perception that Christmas is supposed to be perfect, that everyone should get along, that all family members show up on time and in good spirits, that all of us should gather at the same table, and that somehow there is plenty of money and all the gifts are perfect.
The truth is that Christmas can be difficult for many of us. The truth is that families don't always see eye to eye and not everyone shows up for the family meal. There are empty chairs where loved ones sat, carols and stories that loved ones loved to sing and tell, and empty places in our hearts. Some of us spend too much time alone during the holidays,
convinced that everyone else is at the party.
So we "help it along," as Nancy suggested. Through faith and hope, forgiveness and reconciliation; with the church family, we fill in the missing letters and the missing experiences. We smile anyway and we sing in spite of the challenges. We give, sometimes from our own need, and we show up to pray and to light the candles on Christmas Eve in spite of the darkness in our own lives. We "help it along."
So let's remember that Christmas is not wonderful because all the circumstances work out and all the words are spelled correctly. It is wonderful because it is a gift from Heaven, directly from the heart of God. It is wonderful because unto us is born on that day, in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.
And I'll see you this Sunday.
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Sing Noel! Sunday, December 18, 5 p.m., Sanctuary. A festive evening for all ages singing familiar Christmas carol with cookies and punch to follow in the Hospitality Room. (Bryan Black, ext. 7815)
Parent's Night Out. Friday, December 9, 6-9 p.m. for children ages infant through 5th grade. Cost is $10/child with a $20 family cap. Enjoy a night out while your children enjoy seasonal crafts, games, pizza and a movie. RSVP by Wednesday, December 7 to
kellyduncan@mariettafumc.org.
Power 45 Christmas Celebration is Sunday, December 18 from 4-6 p.m. 4th and 5th graders are invited for an evening of games (prizes!), Christmas Carols and cookies. In lieu of a gift exchange, please bring nonperishable food for the church food drive. Invite friends, all are welcome! (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)
Homebound Worship is Sunday, December 11 at 5 p.m. in the Reception Hall. If you would like to volunteer to help, or if you have a loved one or friend who would like to attend, please RSVP to Erin Kimbrel at
erinkimbrel@mariettafumc.org or ext. 7813 by Tuesday, December 6. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)
Discovery Weekend 2017 (February 3-5) is coming quickly! Our annual weekend retreat featuring great music, off-campus adventures, and dynamic college/high school leaders will have your students excited for days. Early Bird Registration is $65.00 and ends December 10th for 6th-8th graders. Early Bird cost is $40 for 9th - 12th graders until December 31. Register Now! (Mike Smith, ext. 7808)
Save the date for Youth events:
December 11 (Faith in Action), and December 18 (ice skating, $10) (Jessica Ferguson, ext. 7822)
To give electronically during worship to support the ministries of MFUMC, text any dollar amount to 84321.
Congregational Care volunteers needed!
Are you willing to visit a homebound member of our congregation once a month? We provide flowers and you provide friendly conversation. Our list of members needing care keeps growing. Join us in this important ministry. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)
Cornerstone, a gathering of Young Adults in their mid-20s to mid-30s, meets Sundays at 10:10 a.m. in room 255 in the Discipleship Building. (Rev. Brian Smith, ext. 7840)
Support Groups are available here at the church for a variety of concerns: grief, caring for a loved one with dementia, addiction, or other needs. Visit
www.mariettafumc.org/support for meeting times and details. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)
Interested in MFUMC's history? Helping in our Archives is a great way to learn (and help preserve our past). Please contact Milli Robinson at
millirobinson@mariettafumc.org or ext. 7857 to volunteer.
Help restore lives impacted by human trafficking in our area. Volunteer at the Marietta Treasure Store, a consignment store which benefits
Wellspring Living located at 800 Whitlock Avenue, Marietta 30064.
Wellspring Living helps victims of Human Trafficking move forward with their lives through group resident and independent living programs. For more information, contact Forrest Cate.
To sign up to volunteer, click here.
We invite you to serve with our Parking Ministry on Sunday mornings in half-hour and one-hour shifts from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Help members who have difficulty walking to and from worship and Sunday School. Training is provided. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)
The Hospitality Ministry is looking for friendly, creative and energetic volunteers to help greet on Sundays, provide special event setup and décor and be helpers at Church Family Supper on Wednesdays. (Beth Dawson, ext. 7829)
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Want more information about Restore To Glory! and its progress?
Visit its Web site
, which includes the latest news about projects with photos to show our progress. There, you will also find information about
how to donate or make your pledge.
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Wonders of the Nativity is this Friday, December 2 through Sunday, December 4 in the Family Life Hall. Come view beautiful nativities from around the world. The event will be open:
- Friday, December 2, 6-9 p.m. (with coffee, desserts and music from 6-8 p.m.)
- Saturday, December 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sunday, December 4, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (with special music)
(Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)
Open Door Sunday School Class's annual poinsettia sale will be held this Sunday, December 4 on the Bridge and in the Family Life Hall lobby. Poinsettias are $15 and will decorate the church during the Christmas season. For more information, contact Pat Snider at
psnider2@gmail.com.
All are welcome to experience the village of Bethlehem as it might have been on the night of our Lord's birth. We will participate in the Bethlehem Walk, hosted by Mountain View UMC on Sunday evening, December 4. This free event takes place outside, so dress appropriately for meandering through the venue. We will depart from the Polk St. lot at 6:30pm. (RSVP to Rev. Ethridge, ext. 7835)
December Food Drive. Share in the Christmas season's abundance by stocking the MFUMC Food Pantry. Bins are placed around the church. Visit
www.mariettafumc.org/abundance for a list of most-needed items. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)
Advent Sunday School continues this Sunday at 10:10 a.m. in the Hospitality Room. A 4-week study of The Redemption of Scrooge, this class is great for anyone not yet involved in a Sunday School class. (Rev. Brian Smith, ext. 7840)
Sign up to be a Christmas Angel this Sunday on the Bridge or by visiting
www.mariettafumc.org/christmasangels. This is an opportunity to sponsor a family or child-identified by the City of Marietta Schools-who would not otherwise be able to afford Christmas gifts. (Forrest Cate, ext, 7806)
Advent Devotionals
are available around the church. This is a wonderful guide for our church family as we prepare for Christmas.
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Connect Through Table Fellowship
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Wednesdays at
5:15 p.m.
in the Family Life Hall
$6 (adults) and $4 (children from 3 to 11)
with a $20 family cap
The final Church Family Supper in 2016
is next Wednesday, December 7.
Suppers will resume in January.
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For more information about events
at First United Methodist Church of Marietta,
Food Drive
During December
(bins will be located throughout the church)
Forrest Cate, ext. 7806
forrestcate@mariettafumc.org
Serve Supper at the Women's Extension
Serve Lunch at MUST
Friday, December 2
Open Door Sunday School Class Poinsettia Sale
Sunday, December 4
10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
The Bridge and Family Life Hall Lobby
Parents Night Out
Friday, December 9
Nursery Hall
Jenna Scanling, ext. 7865
jennascaling@mariettafumc.org
Service of Nine Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 11
Both Worship Services
Homebound Worship and Dinner
Sunday, December 11
5-6 p.m.
Reception Hall
Senior Adult Ministry Catered Luncheon
Wednesday, December 14
11:30 a.m.
Reception Hall
Rev. Lori Ethridge, ext. 7835
Men of the Church Serve
Supper at the Men's Extension
Thursday, December 15
7 p.m.
Sing Noel
Sunday, December 18
5 p.m.
Sanctuary
Bryan Black, ext. 7815
Power 45 Christmas Celebration Sunday, December 18
4 p.m.
Family Life Hall
Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812
kellyduncan@mariettafumc.org
Longest Night Service
Tuesday, December 20
7 p.m.
Sanctuary
Children's Nativity Christmas Eve Service
Saturday, December 24
3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Sanctuary
Candlelight Communion
Christmas Eve Worship
Saturday, December 24
4 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Sanctuary
Christmas Day Worship
Sunday, December 25
11:15 a.m. only
Sanctuary
Church Offices Closed
in Observance of Christmas
Monday, December 26
and Tuesday, December 27
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