DECEMBER 19, 2023

MESSAGE FROM JIMMY

As we enter this last week of the Advent season, our focus turns toward Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations. Have you completed your shopping list? Are the Christmas cards in the mail? Did you remember to grab that inevitable, last-minute gift? By the way, don’t forget to hit the pause button a few times this week to breathe and allow the presence of the Lord to come bringing needed peace.

Here are a few suggestions to consider. First, observe a few minutes of quiet devotional time to read through Isaiah 9-11. These chapters contain some insightful background on Israel’s Messiah from the perspective of the prophets. We believe Jesus is the fulfillment of these hopes for a long awaited king that would redeem God’s people. Listen to John 1 in your favorite Bible app. Hearing the Word of God helps us to absorb the poetry of the Bible. Next, give a random gift to someone this week. For instance, pay for the meal of the person behind you in the drive through or leave something for the mailperson or sanitation department workers. Finally, light a candle and ask for the light of his presence to come in that moment. Spend a few moments in prayer listening for God’s voice. I believe Jesus wants to make himself known to us in this season. Hit the pause button and be still and know that He is God.

This coming Sunday there will plenty of opportunities to gather with our spiritual family and biological families to worship. There will be one combined service at 10:00 AM in the sanctuary Sunday morning. Our focus will be on lighting the fourth candle of Advent representing the gift of love. Sunday afternoon from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM we will have “Come and Go” Communion in the sanctuary. Katie and I will be here to serve your families the sacrament before you head off to your family gatherings. Christmas Eve will conclude with our Candlelight Communion Service at 5:00 PM. This is one of my favorite services of the entire year! I can’t wait to share it with you as we worship and proclaim – The Light of Christ has come into the world!

Jimmy

TOP 2 AT FIRST UMC

ADVENT SCHEDULE

Join us as we usher in the birth of Christ this Advent Season! Make sure to invite a friend or two, as we make room for those who need to hear the Good News!

December 24

10 AM: Combined Sunday Worship (Sanctuary)
December 24, 3-4:30 PM: Come and Go Communion
December 24, 5 PM: Candlelight Christmas Eve Service

December 31

10 AM: Combined Sunday Worship (Worship Center)

Please note, the church office will be closed on December 25th, 26th, and January 1st. There will be no kids or youth Sunday school December 24th or 31st. This will be the last edition of The Voice for 2023!

UNITED NIGHT SNACK SUPPER

Each Sunday night, our youth gather together for a night of worship, small groups and fellowship. One of the ways that we fellowship together is by eating a meal together, just as the disciples did with Jesus. Every Sunday that we meet, a Sunday school, family or individual graciously provides the students with a snack supper. As we look toward the new year, we are beginning to schedule out our meals. Would you be willing to feed our students and small group leaders one Sunday night? If so, simply click here to sign up. Feel free to email Katie with any questions.

MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK

YOUTH MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT

By Katie Giedd

On December 10th, our students came together for a fun night of fellowship as we finished out the semester. Many thanks to the Beckmanns for hosting. This season, we collected canned goods to take to the Southern Miss Wesley Foundation's food pantry. They have a large number of students that utilize it, particularly during the holiday season. We are glad that we were able to help!

CONGREGATIONAL CARE

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If you have a prayer request or if you or someone you know has a need, complete a short request form (click on button). These requests will be reviewed by our Pastoral team.

Please review the prayer list download. If you would like to add to the prayer list, please continue to use our digital form for submission which can be accessed by clicking on the link in this email or on our website.

Prayer Request Update: If you have requested a loved one or friend to be placed on the church wide prayer list and they no longer are needing prayers, please call the church office or email [email protected] for removal. The people who are on the Church Prayer Request are added by the request of church members.

Pastoral Care Line 601-460-0570

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