First United Methodist Church - 72 Lake Morton Drive, Lakeland, FL |
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Christmas Eve - Thursday, December 24
First United Methodist Church
5pm - on the front lawn with David McEntire
*7pm - in the Sanctuary with David McEntire
(reservations required, masks required, social distancing will be observed)
Change of Venue Due to Weather
9pm - in the Sanctuary with Melissa Stump
* 11pm - in the Sanctuary with Andy Whitaker Smith
(reservations required, masks required, social distancing will be observed)
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27
8:15am on the Lawn
Rev. Andy Whitaker Smith
Masks must be worn; bring a chair; social distancing observed
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9:30 and 11am
Children of the Light
I Thessalonians 5:5-6
Rev. David McEntire
Mask must be worn.
Social Distancing observed
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Prayers & Praise
Hospitalized:
Paul Alley
Doris Beal
Lori Dettmer
Robert Paulsen
Judith Seaver
Deaths:
Thomas Milligan, 12/3
Michael Clayton, 12/11
Roger Burns, 12/16
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Our Giving Tree Bookstore and Gift Shop
Our Giving Tree is decorated for Thanksgiving and Christmas and open for safe shopping by appointment!
Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays between 10am and 1pm
Wednesdays between 5 and 6:30 p.m.
For an appointment (2 shoppers at a time, masks required), email bookstore@firstumc.org or call 863-686-3163 and press *248 when the receptionist begins speaking. The message you leave on the phone will go directly to the bookstore managers at home. All proceeds go to Missions!
Our Giving Tree is creating a mailing list to inform patrons of Our Giving Tree regarding news in the store, especially about new or re-stocked items that are popular, such as premium olive oils, Salt Sisters seasonings and seasonal books. Our Giving Tree is a gift shop and bookstore, located in the Welcome Center, run entirely by volunteers and benefiting missions.
If you would like to receive occasional emails or texts from Our Giving Tree, please email bookstore@firstumc.org and let us know! Include your cell number to receive texts.
Our Giving Tree is open by appointment only at this time, on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 10-1 and Wednesday evenings from 5-6:30. Email to make an appointment or call 863-686-3163 and enter *248 when the receptionist’s message begins.
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Virtual Sunday School Rooms
Faith Formation
To continue our discipleship and learning during this time when we cannot meet face to face, please check our online faith formation page at https://www.firstumc.org/onlinefaithformation/for available resources for you and your family.
We have Bible study and faith formation resources for all ages available on our website at firstumc.org/grow. For more information on these opportunities, email Warren.
Sunday School for Adults
Many of our Sunday School classes are meeting online. Check the start times as some have shifted to accommodate in-person worship times. Visitors are welcome to participate in any of these classes. For more information on connecting with a particular class, email Warren.
BYKOTA (Be Ye Kind One To Another)
Rev. Dr. Doug Hallman will teach an Epiphany series called “Interviews from the Bible.” The December 27 lesson is Matthew 1:18-24 - “Joseph’s Recollections of the Birth of Jesus.” Meets via Conference Call to (863) 250-1152 or online (email Warren for link). NOTE MEETING TIME: Class starts at 9:00am Sundays.
Genesis
Is journeying through an Advent study of Let Us Go Now to Bethlehem, meeting outdoors at the church, socially-distanced, in the fountain courtyard. Bring your own chair and hand sanitizer. Masks are required. NOTE MEETING TIME AND LOCATION: Class starts at 9:15am Sundays in the fountain courtyard.
Homebuilders
This our longest-running Sunday school class, having started in the 1940s. Rev. Brian Tiffany teaches from the Standard Lesson Series Bible study. December’s theme is “Call in the New Testament” with texts from the Gospels, Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians, and Hebrews. Meets via Conference Call to (863) 250-1141 or online (email Warren for link). Class starts at 9:30am Sundays, call is open starting at 9:20am.
Koinonia
The class welcomes all who desire to grow in their love of God and neighbor. You are invited to join them for life application Bible study using the lectionary scripture texts and the Feasting on the Word curriculum. Rev. Terry Heck leads. Meets via Zoom. Contact Warren for Zoom link and more information. Class starts at 9:30am Sundays, call is open starting at 9:20am.
Searchers
What do Christians believe? Why does it matter? These are some of the questions the Searchers will explore as they study The Apostles’ Creed in Adam Hamilton’s book Creed. Martha Lou Luce leads the study. Videos are available through Amplify Media. Meets via Zoom. Contact Warren for Zoom link and more information. NOTE MEETING TIME- Class starts at 9:15am Sundays, call is open starting at 9:05am.
Sendero
Join in a study of the fourth Gospel with John for Everyone by N.T. Wright, led by John Curtis. The class meets online. Contact Warren for more information. Class starts at 9:30am Sundays.
Storyline
The Storyline class is exploring the book of Revelation, led by Jill Corbett. No book sis required other than your Bible. Contact Warren for more information. Class meets on Sunday Jan 10 at 1:30pm in the Fountain Courtyard.
Vanguard
This class uses the Adult Bible Studies series. December’s theme is “God With Us” and explores the Advent theme of the Incarnation with lessons taught by Bishop Bob Fannin. Study passages come from Psalms, Philippians and the Gospel of John. Supplemental videos for the lessons are available on Amplify Media. Meets via Conference Call to (863) 250-1038 or online (email Warren for link). Class starts at 9:30am Sundays, call is open starting at 9:20am.
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Thank you to all who gave during the month of December! This month, First United members:
“Adopted” 81 children of migrant farmworkers, shopped off of their wish lists, purchased and wrapped their presents, and then dropped them off for us to deliver.
Provided enough toiletries, snack foods and other requested items to fill 300 Christmas gift bags for our friends at Peace River.
Purchased and dropped off more than 3,000 pounds of food to our migrant ministry partners in Mulberry.
Children's Clothes Closet in Need
On January 10, from 1-4pm at the Mission Depot, we will collect clothes for our Children’s Clothes Closet during our monthly food collection. They are in need of jackets, sweatshirts, jeans and pants for boys and girls ages 6-16. All donations are appreciated.
Food and Clothing Collection
Our next collection for our migrant ministry partners - Mulberry UMC Food Pantry and Called to Serve Farmworkers - will be Sunday, January 10, from 1-4 pm at the Missions Depot. Please provide only requested items and NO glass jars:
rice
beans (pinto and black)
Maseca flour
spaghetti sauce
peanut butter
canned tuna and chicken
Vienna sausage
canned vegetables
Jiffy Cornbread mix
breakfast cereal
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Finding Encouragement in Scripture
Caregiving takes on many different forms. Whether it’s caring for a family member with health challenges, parenting children, or even caring for a sick animal, this time of year can be extremely stressful with the added demands of the holidays. It is important to remember where your help and hope ultimately comes from; and to know that the job you are doing is enough. Below are some scripture reminders to help encourage you along your caregiving journey this season.
· God promises that his yoke is easy if we choose to cast our worries upon Him. He can handle the moments that we feel unable to so long as we will allow Him. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.
· During times when you feel alone in your caregiving duties, Joshua 1:9 tells us differently. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
· When you feel worry getting the best of you it can be helpful to turn each specific worry into a prayer to God. In Philippians 4:6-7 we are instructed, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
· For those days when you feel like you could’ve done a better job, been more patient, had more self-control and grace, remember “love never fails,” and the work and care that you provide is acting with love. No one is perfect except the creator of the universe. Leave room for some grace and love for yourself.
· Some caregivers may feel as though they have lost their identity in the busyness of daily demands. Through scripture we can be reminded of who and whose we are. “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.”-Psalm 139:1-3.
· Caregiving is both rewarding and challenging. When caring for a loved one, remember you are doing God’s work here on earth, and nothing could be more important or special. “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me,” Matthew 25:40.
If you, a friend or family member living with memory loss would be interested in learning more about our Memory Ministry or our Connections Zoom group, please contact Vicky Pitner at vpitner@firstumc.org
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