First United Methodist Church - 72 Lake Morton Drive - Lakeland, FL 33801 |
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Sunday, December 20, 2020 |
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8:15am on the Lawn
Bring a chair
Social Distancing will be observed
Must wear a mask
Rev. David McEntire
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9:30 and 11am
Mask must be work.
Social Distancing observed
A Christmas Carol:
How to Keep Christmas
James 5:13-20
Rev. Andy Whitaker Smith
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Hospitalized: as of December 14
Roger Burns, Anita McElhose,
Roger McFadden and Judith Seaver
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Advent Time of Prayer
Pastor Andy Whitaker Smith will lead this Time of Prayer on Tuesday, December 22, from 10-10:30am. Due to safety reasons Holy Communion will not be offered. This will still be a Come-and- Go time. We will observe Covid instructions.
• Enter the Narthex using the North doors off Walnut Street or the South doors from the Fountain Courtyard.
• Enter the Sanctuary through the center doors and leave the Sanctuary by the outside aisles and through the Narthex.
• All those choosing to attend will agree to wear a mask.
• Hand sanitizer will be provided before entering and must be used upon entry to the sanctuary.
• Physical distancing of 6 feet or more will be required except for members of the same family.
• Sit in the designated areas.
This is open to all. As you share with others, remind them that we are still observing Covid regulations. For those who prefer not to attend in person, the slideshow with music will be provided at the same time on the church's Facebook page.
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Celebrate Rev. Lee Lallance
Sunday, December 20, 2:30pm
Rev. Lee Lallance has served as the Minister of Music and Fine Arts at First United Methodist Church for over twenty years now! In addition to serving First United Methodist Church, he has served numerous other churches and communities during his epic career. We will honor Lee and his ministry during a special retirement celebration this Sunday at 2:30pm. Watch on Livestream or click here to make a reservation to attend the celebration in person (limited space available and safety protocols will be observed.) Don’t miss this opportunity to honor Lee and his incredible ministry.
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If you missed the Sights and Sounds Concert, you may watch it throughout the rest of the Christmas season here
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Family Christmas Eve (Eve)
Family Christmas Live is one of our favorite events during the Advent season. This year it will look a little different, but we are excited to present Family Christmas Eve (Eve). Join us December 23, 4:30 and 7pm on our Facebook page as we tell the Christmas story in a fun and unique way. You might even recognize a few familiar faces!
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Christmas Eve
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)
9pm - on the Front Lawn with Melissa Stump
* 11pm - in the Sanctuary with Andy Whitaker Smith
(reservations required, masks required, social distancing will be observed)
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We have assembled a list of resources to help you observe a meaningful and Holy Advent. You will find digital devotionals, online retreats and courses, and resources for family faith formation. We pray that these resources will be a blessing to you during this season.
We have Bible study and faith formation resources for all ages available on our website. 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.
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BYKOTA (Be Ye Kind One To Another): In December, Rev. Dr. Larry Rankin will teach “Navigating Life’s Storms with Mark” on the Gospel of Mark. Meets via Conference Call to (863) 250-1152 or online (email Warren for link). NOTE MEETING TIME: Class starts at 9:00am Sundays.
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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.
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Homebuilders is 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.
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Koinonia 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.
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Searchers Advent study is Light of the World by Amy-Jill Levine, led by Sunny Zimmermann. Trace the Christmas narrative through the stories of Zechariah and Elizabeth, Mary, the journey to Bethlehem, and the visit from the Magi. 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.
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Sendero is studing Almost Christmas by Magrey DeVega. In 1741, John Wesley preached his famous sermon titled "The Almost Christian" in which he encouraged people to follow Christ wholeheartedly. We should not be satisfied with being almost Christian but rather strive towards being altogether a Christian. This study explores how we can make the same commitment to Christ during Advent, connecting our Wesleyan heritage with the traditional Advent themes of Love, Hope, Joy, and Peace. Videos are available through Amplify Media. Contact Warren for more information. Meets via Conference Call to (863) 243-6668. Class starts at 9:30am Sundays, call is open starting at 9:20am.
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Vanguard 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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Christmas Celebration Fun TONIGHT at 6:30pm on Zoom: Join us for some Christmas fun! For more information or Zoom link, contact Cristi
Virtual Sunday School Rooms
Join us for Sunday School. You can attend Sunday School at a time that is convenient for you. There are rooms for each age level that include Bible stories, activities, games, devotions and much more. For more information, contact Cristi
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 for available resources for you and your family.
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Reducing Fall Risk in Those Living with Dementia
For the senior population, taking precautions to prevent falls is pertinent in maintaining health and independence. More than one out of four older adults age 65 or greater experiences a fall each year. For those living with dementia, this risk is increased. Challenges such as decreased safety awareness, visual-spatial deficits, balance issues, and muscle weakness are just some of the reasons behind this heightened risk. Below are some strategies you may incorporate at home as a caregiver, to help prevent a fall for your loved one with dementia.
• Fear of falling can lead to an individual becoming more sedentary, although they may not be able to verbalize this fear. Try to encourage supervised activity and exercise as tolerated in order to maintain their level of independent mobility. Maintaining strength and endurance will aide in preventing falls.
• Because of a decreased ability to judge the safety of certain situations, be sure to hide any “hazards” that may be within sight. These could include, electrical cords in a walkway, cleaning supplies left out, or medications on a counter.
• People with dementia can have proprioceptive issues, or difficulties in knowing where their body is in space and this will affect balance. An individual may have a difficult time walking from one type of flooring in the home to another (i.e. carpet to tile floor). Rugs can also be easily tripped over by an individual who tends to “shuffle” when they walk versus clearing the floor with their feet.
• If your loved one with memory challenges uses an assistive device for balance, simple verbal or visual reminders (placing the walker in front of them or gently prompting them to pick it up) are helpful for when they stand and are ready to ambulate.
• Some medications for dementia can predispose individuals to falls with side effects such as dizziness or drowsiness. Individuals may see more than one physician and it can make organizing prescriptions more complicated. Make a point to sit down and go over each medication with his/her doctors to ensure they are taking only what they need and the least risky medications possible.
• The home is one place the caregiver can modify to improve overall safety. Installing grab bars, raised toilet seats, and shower chairs are a few modifications that can be brought into the home to make it a safer environment.
• Not all individuals have the same challenges. Come up with the strategies that work for your family and make your own individualized plan for success and safety at home.
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
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A Month of Giving
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.
What a blessing our church has been to so many of God’s children in need!
Gleaning in 2021
During the Christmas holidays please take a few minutes to register with Society of St. Andrew for gleaning opportunities throughout 2021. Click here. After you are registered, you'll enter your email address and name on subsequent visits and go straight to the Florida gleaning calendar. SoSA requires all volunteers to sign up through this system. Keep an eye on the gleaning calendar. Events are added frequently. Please let Forrest know whenever you sign up to glean in case there is a last-minute change in plans. Gleaning is a great way to serve for people of all ages. Children are welcome to serve with their parents! In 2020, SoSA Florida gleaned and moved more than 10.5 million pounds of food.
Mobile Food Pantries
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Feeding Tampa Bay (FTB) Polk Mega Pantry – On Monday afternoons, we help with this distribution at the Lakes Church (1010 E Memorial Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33801). Arrival time is 3:05pm and we should be done by 6pm. Minimum age is 13. Masks required. Enter Lakes Church off Memorial. Go left. Continue toward the back of the church. You'll see FTB trucks as the road curves right and volunteer parking is straight ahead. FTB feeds about 900 families each week through this distribution. Sign Up
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Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA) – Second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 4-6:30pm at 4441 Academy Drive, Mulberry, 33860. First opportunity to serve in 2021 is January 13.
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Salvation Army Lakeland – First and third Thursday, from 8:30am-12:30 pm. First opportunity to serve in 2021 is January 7
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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 and breakfast cereal
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Children's Clothes Closet in Need!
Also 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.
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