THIS SUNDAY
November 7, 2021
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“When Christmas Isn’t Christmas”
COMMUNION SUNDAY
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In Person
Rev. Bud Reeves
Special Music “How Shall We Know Him?”
Rylee Norton, Soloist
Nancy W. Vernon, Organist
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In Person, 6pm Premier on Facebook and YouTube
Mr. Michael Mings
“Garments”
“O Come O Come Emmanuel”
“Prepare The Way”
“Show Me Your Glory”
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In Person, Facebook Live, YouTube, and FM 103.5
Rev. Bud Reeves
Anthem “And the Glory of the Lord”
Anthem “Of the Father’s Love”
Chancel Choir
Gaye Mings, Chancel Choir Director
Nancy W. Vernon, Organist
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Sunday, December 5
8:30 am Chapel Service
9:30 am Holy Grounds
9:45 am Sunday Small Groups
11:00 am Connexion Worship, In Person,
11:00 am Sanctuary Worship, In Person, Facebook Live, YouTube & FM 103.5
4:00 pm Staff Parish Relations
5:30 pm Called Charge Conference
6:00 pm Connexion Premier on Facebook & YouTube
Monday, December 6
6:00 pm Scouts
7:00 pm NHS Holiday Concert
Tuesday, December 7
10:00 am UMW Christmas Coffee
7:00 pm Young Adult Ministry, St. Paul UMC
Wednesday, December 8
9:15 am Advent Study Class, Fireside Room
10:00 am Ladybells, Bayliss Hall
10:00 am Casserole Group, Aldersgate
5:00 pm Wonderland Wednesday, Fireside Room
5:30 pm Evening Prayer, In Person and Facebook Live
6:00 pm Advent Study Class, Friends Room
6:30 pm Praise Band practice, The Great Hall
7:00 pm Chancel Choir, Choir room
Thursday, December 9
10:00 am Knitters & Knotters, Fireside Room
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In Baptist Hospital:
In Mercy Hospital:
In CHI Hot Springs Hospital:
Loss of loved ones and friends:
- Jake Keifer - nephew of Dolores Chitwood.
- Robert Owen - cousin of Beth Watson.
- Sharon Norwood - aunt of Amanda Turner.
- Steve Cobb - husband of B.J. Cobb and father of Joe Cobb (Hannah), George Cobb (Courtney), Emma Cobb and Matthew Cobb.
- Merrill Mankin - son of Nina Mankin.
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A DIFFERENT KIND OF ADVENT
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Usually Advent in the church is a somber season, a time of prayer and preparation as we await the coming of the Messiah. Advent is often called “little Lent,” because the themes of preparation and prayer are so similar.
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As such, Advent stands in sharp contrast to the cultural celebration of Christmas--the parties and activities and decorations and general frivolity of the season. The theme of the cultural Christmas is excess--excess food and drink, excess commercialism (begun about mid-October), and excess spending.
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While not abandoning the deep spiritual truths of Advent, this year we are taking a little different approach. We are using as a theme for Advent the classic children’s Christmas story by Dr. Seuss, How The Grinch Stole Christmas. (The 1966 animated version or the more recent movie versions should be on various TV outlets about a million times this December--look for it!) Though intended for an audience of children and families, Dr. Seuss’ parable of Christmas has deeper meanings that resonate with the good news of Advent. Ted Geisel (Dr. Seuss) intended a story that would deal with the cultural misunderstandings of Christmas, and the themes of materialism, forgiveness, reconciliation and love are woven throughout the story.
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Why would we dedicate such a significant time in worship to a children’s story? Your pastoral team thought it sounded like fun! After the last year-and-a-half of struggle and disruption, we felt like something light-hearted was in order. What better time than during the holidays? We are hoping that interest will be piqued by the theme, and families will want to come see what this is all about. What a great time to invite a friend or family member to come see what is going on at First Methodist. And what a great time to enjoy being back together again.
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Sometimes the simplest stories open up the deepest parts of our lives, and God can do amazing things when we are open. We can understand better the message of faith, and maybe our hearts will grow three sizes, too.
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So join us for the Advent Series, “Grow Your Heart!” continuing through December 19. Bring a friend, and let’s make this an Advent to remember!
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We are quickly approaching the end of 2021. The year has flown by! However, before the year can end, we have ADVENT! This is going to be an exciting time in the life of our church, and especially in the life of First Kids Children’s Ministry!
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First, let’s look back to what a wonderful month November was!
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Fall Fest and Chili Cookoff was a huge success! We saw so many faces we hadn’t seen in a long time. The multigenerational fellowship is a praise in and of itself! We look forward to making this a yearly event.
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Our Advent Workshop was a huge success. A big thanks to all of those who came down and participated. It took a lot of prep work, but I’m so blessed to see everyone come together as a church and prepare for Advent.
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Looking forward to this month, we have Wonderland Wednesdays starting this Wednesday, December 3rd. We will be working through the children’s version of The Heart That Grew Three Sizes. This is an excellent opportunity for parents and children to learn and grow from the same study. Children’s Choir will begin at 5pm, per usual. We will have dinner at 5:45. Our Bible Study will be from 6:15-7:00. Let me know if you plan on your child participating!
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On December 22nd, we will be decorating sugar cookies for Santa! It is going to be so much fun! We will meet together at 9am in the Family Life Center, watch the Grinch, play games, and decorate cookies!
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Finally, we will be delivering Nativity Sensory Bins to the young children of our church (Pre-K and Below). You can expect those to be dropped off around mid-December. If you would like one for your grandchild, or you would like to ensure that I have your child on the list, please contact me!!
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2021 looked different in so many ways. A year filled with change. Work looked different, school was different, church was different. We may even be different. Regardless of these numerous changes, one thing has remained the same…..First United Methodist Church has continued to serve others.
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The ways in which we serve may have changed, but the impact that we have made on others has not. We have continued to feed those that are hungry, help those in need, reach out to those that are lonely or hurting, pray for those in need of prayers. We have cooked casseroles, baked cookies, made cards, collected snacks for healthcare workers, collected blankets for those that are cold, provided Christmas gifts to children that otherwise might not receive gifts. We have given monetary donations to organizations in our community that are also doing great work for others. Through our Ingathering donations this year, we not only collected over 800 books that will be given to local children, we collected funds to help purchase materials for flood relief kits. The list could go on and on. We have taken care of others. It is what this church does well. We see the needs of those around us, and we take action.
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So in remembering 2021, I hope that we remember not the hardships and change that the year brought, but the Goodness that came from it all. It doesn’t always have to look the same. Change can be good.
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Poinsettias for 2021 Advent/Christmas Season
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Ready or not, the Holidays are coming. A tradition we have had here at FSFUMC for many years was to invite our members to purchase poinsettias that would adorn our worship spaces during the Advent season. Your gift gave you the opportunity to remember and honor your loved ones, which were then listed in the Sunday bulletin. There is no doubt this is a special tradition. However, just as so many things have changed…so has our opportunity to provide poinsettias at an affordable price.
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For the 2021 Advent season, we will be placing beautiful silk poinsettia arrangements in our worship spaces. And you will be invited to make a contribution toward the local mission efforts that our congregation is actively involved. We will still be listing those you desire to remember and honor and these names will be placed in the bulletin as always. So this year when you make your contribution, not only will your loved one be listed, but others will be helped as well as our congregation seeks to feed the hungry and help others in our community.
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Poinsettia Forms can be picked up in the church office.
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“Share The Light” Offering for Methodist Family Health
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Since 1899, Methodist Family Health (formerly the Methodist Children’s Home) has helped rebuild the lives of Arkansas children and their families. These children have been abandoned, abused, neglected, and they are dealing with psychiatric, behavioral, emotional and spiritual issues.
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On Sundays, December 12 and 19, we will be taking a Special “Share the Light” Offering for Methodist Family Health to continue its mission of giving the best possible care to those who may need their help.
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Methodist Family Health receives no apportionment support from the Annual Conference. Instead, it relies heavily on donations made through this special offering at Christmas.
Methodist Family Health is an extension of our local church ministries with children and families – one that’s in our backyard.
The “Share the Light” Offering is one way we can show our support of this vital and historic ministry.
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“Seeing The Light” Commitments Coming In
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We had a great response to our “Seeing The Light” generosity emphasis in November. As of December 1, we have received 160 estimates of giving totaling $870,855.
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There is still plenty of time to get your estimate in, so you can be a part of the celebration of supporting the ongoing ministry of our church. The better our response is, the more we will be able to do in 2022! Mail in your estimate card, bring it by the church office, or fill one out online at the church website. Thank you for your faithfulness to our mission!
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We want to thank everyone for all of the love and support we’ve been given over the past several weeks as we celebrate Judah’s arrival! We are so grateful for our church family, and we trust that because of you, we are not alone in raising and discipling our children
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Judah is doing very well! He’s growing every day and has gotten into a good rhythm of sleep. Thank God!! Mira is already a proud big sister who loves here baby brother very much. Mom has healed quickly, and dad is enjoying extra time to be with his wife and kids! Glory to God!
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Nancy Jane Sickmann transferred her membership from another United Methodist Church. Nancy is retired and married to Bob Sickmann, who is also a member of FUMC.
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Brandon Woodward joined our church by profession of faith. He drives for Werner Truck Lines and he is married to Ashley Woodward, who is already a member. We baptized their sweet baby, Aria Leona, on
November 7.
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Josh Bell transferred his membership from another United Methodist Church. He is married to Logan Bell, who is already a member. He is a homemaker, currently remodeling their home. We baptized their sweet baby, Luca on October 17.
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In Memory of:
Henry & Melissa Udouj
Barbara Kennedy
Ron Garner & Brenda Partin
Larry & Sheila Smith
Joel & Sandy Parker
Jack & Louanna Green
Charles & Jeanne Ledbetter
Randy & Jane Bittle
Rebecca Faldon
Ben and Karen Baker
Marlin & Janet Fretheim
Dennis Grimes
Jeff Allred
Jeff Neil
John Bernardo
Don & Nancy Castling
Scott & Jennifer Faldon
David & Sherri Staggs
Allen Tillery GMC, Inc.
Billy & Peggy Higgins
Janice Friery & Family
Melissa Bailey
David & Joanne Phillips
Sally Ware
George & Carole Beattie
Discussion Sunday School Class
Jeffrey & Amy Evans
Tony & Lynnell Leraris
Henry & Melissa Udouj
Joe & Carla Byars
Bancorp South
Harry & Eleanor Foltz
Skip & Billie Rutherford
Taylor & Mary Prewitt
Dr. John & Garnet Watts
Kelly & Marilyn Newton
Marianne Thompson
Robert & Nadine Miller
Suzanne Beauchamp McCord
Suzanne Beauchamp McCord
Tony & Lynnell Leraris
Kelly & Marilyn Newton
Marvin & Linda Mumme
James & Barbara Saviers
Tommy & Blanche Donoho
George & Carole Beattie
Robert & Mary Young
Beshears Construction
Janna Newton
Ann Smith
Joe & Carla Byars
Richard & Jan Beauchamp
Jane Parker & Family
Kelly & Marilyn Newton
Marianne Thompson
Robert & Nadine Miller
Suzanne Beauchamp McCord
Taylor & Mary Prewitt
The Floyd E. Sagely Family
James & Jane Walcott
Nancy Wenderoth
Bancorp South
Harry & Eleanor Foltz
Clay & Lynn Gilliland & Dwight Curry
Mike & Kelly Jacimore
Clay & Lynn Gilliland
Rebecca Yarbrough
David & Leanne McClanahan
Robert & Nadine Miller
Suzanne Beauchamp McCord
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Pastor on Call
M-F 8:30 AM-4:30 PM: (479) 782-5068
Weekends and Evenings: (479) 459-5060
When there is a hospitalization, a death in the family, or any other time you may need urgent pastoral care, we encourage you to use these numbers. The pastors rotate on-call responsibilities to assure that one of them is always accessible.
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FIRST UNITED METHODIST NEWS published weekly except the last week of the year by First United Methodist Church 200 North 15th Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901.
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