Dear Friends,

Advent Blessings to you and your family during this holy season. I wanted to take a few moments on this Friday to lift up some things of importance to our life together:

My hope and prayer for you and your family is that Christ will truly be born in us in new and transforming ways this Christmas. Merry Christmas from my family to yours.

Hope, Joy, Peace, and Love to you and Yours,

~ Pastor Kevin

Seeking Applications for a New Volunteer Position

The lives of people 18-29 have changed so dramatically over the years that a new stage of life has developed that some have called "emerging adulthood." My own 20-something kids call it a season of "adulting." :-)

Rather than marrying and becoming parents in their early twenties like previous generations, many people in industrialized societies now postpone this transition until their late twenties, and instead spend their time in self-focused explorations as they try out different careers and relationships.

FUMC Graham is now looking for applicants for a volunteer position for this new emerging ministry area. If this ministry is of interest or even an area of passion for you, please consider joining our team to reach this generation in new and exciting ways. A tentative ministry description is here. If you are interested, please email a resume and short paragraph or two of why of you feel God may be calling you to this ministry to me or Brian Yoder. I also would like to ask all of you to join us in prayer as we seek to faithfully reach out with more intentionality to the young adults in our community.

Charge Conference and a Look Ahead to 2018

Every year our Church has an annual meeting called the "Charge Conference" where we reflect together on the previous ministry year and set goals and leadership for the coming one. This past November, our church gathered with other United Methodist Churches around our district to worship, celebrate Holy Communion, and meet with our District Superintendent. At that annual meeting we celebrated milestones and looked ahead to 2018. Here are some of the reports for those who were unable to attend, including our Lay Leadership for 2018 (see link below):

A Christmas Gift you Don't have to Wrap

I want to express deep gratitude for all of you who have given generously to the mission and ministry at FUMC Graham this fiscal year. In many ways we stepped out in faith this year and I believe God has blessed those efforts as we have expanded ministry to youth and outreach. Thank you!

As we approach the end of 2017, I want to again ask you to prayerfully c onsider an extra gift to FUMC-Graham before the end of the year. My prayer is that we can end the year strong and I am confident that with your help we can and will meet all our ministry needs and end the year in the black.

If you are struggling to give financially, I invite you to find an area to serve our church in the months ahead. Giving of time and energy is just as important as giving monetary gifts. I also invite  all of you to consider joining us in 2018 for our next class of Financial Peace University. (Stay tuned for more details!)

Celebrating a Christmas Milestone

Twas the day before Christmas and all through the house, many saints were all stirring, including the church mouse. Fifty years ago, First UMC Graham observed a milestone in their continued ministry and growth with the completion of our current sanctuary building on the corner of Main and Albright Streets. The congregation had worshipped in the Stafford Hall (fellowship hall) building for around 11 years and was finally ready to move into the new finished building - our current sanctuary. As we approach this 50-year anniversary of that special Christmas Eve Service in 1967, we want to invite you to join us in giving thanks for where we have been, where we are, and where God is calling us to go as we lean forward into God’s preferred future.

On Sunday, December 24th we will be having a combined Sunday morning service with a continental breakfast in Stafford Hall from 9:00-9:45 with worship to begin at 10AM in Stafford Hall. During this special celebration, we will begin the first portion of the service in the fellowship hall and then process as an entire congregation out toward Main Street, down the sidewalk, and into the sanctuary to conclude our worship. This action will literally retrace the steps of our congregation on that Christmas Eve back in 1967. The service will include leadership from the Well praise team, our Sanctuary choir, and our Praise Ringers. You won’t want to miss it!

Christmas Eve Services

After you join us for our special celebration Sunday morning, make sure to come back and be with us for two very special Christmas Eve Services of Communion and Candlelight!

Did you miss previous Enotes from Pastor Kevin? 

Click here and scroll down the page to see a few of the others.