MESSAGE FROM RICKY
Dear Friends,
As we approach Christmas, I wanted to share with you the various ways we are worshipping and celebrating the joy of this day as a church family. While, things look different this year for all of us, the reason for our celebration remains the same: Jesus is born!
On Christmas Eve, we will gather for an outdoor candlelight and communion service at 5:00pm in front of the Sanctuary. Bring a chair, bundle up, and join us for a time of carols, candlelight and communion. Please bring a mask for the safety of others, and we encourage you to spread out and only sit near your immediate family. We will pass out pre-packaged communion elements as you arrive. It looks to be a cold and clear night, perfect weather for celebrating the light of the world!
We will also have an online option available on our website, facebook, and YouTube channel. This brief service also includes communion, candle lighting, and the singing of Silent Night. It's the perfect option for those gathering at home. The service will be available for viewing anytime after 4:00pm on Christmas Eve. Also, if you'd like to pick up some candles and communion elements for your at home experience, please drop by the office anytime before Wednesday at Noon. A storage tote will be placed just outside the main office with your service supplies.
Then on Christmas morning, we're sharing an old fashioned family Christmas special. This program will be a light-hearted time of songs and a bit of silliness. It will be available anytime after 8:00am Christmas morning. Put it on after you make breakfast and open presents. It's just some fun to hopefully bring a smile to your face.
Then on December 27, we will have our online worship service at 10:00am. We'll share some of the "Best of Christmas" from our worship services throughout December and, if you're lucky, some blooper reels from all the filming we've been doing. Also, be on the lookout next week for some updates about our plans to return to in-person worship in January.
In the meantime, wherever and however you gather this week, my prayer is that you will know the hope, love, joy, and peace that comes from Jesus our Savior.
Merry Christmas,
Ricky
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Church Office will be closed on December 24 - 25
and will re-open on Monday, December 28 at 8:00am.
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PRAYER FOR A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS
I hope that you all enjoyed last Sunday's Christmas music program. In this time of the Covid-19 pandemic, it was a blessing just to be able to share some Christmas music with our congregation. It is my prayer that each of you have a wonderful Christmas with those whom you love and that you all continue to be safe in your coming and going.
I'll see you on Christmas Eve at 5:00pm for our outdoor service. Have a blessed week!
In His Service,
Tommy
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Completed Form and
$60 Registration Fee
can be turned in to church office Monday – Friday 8AM to 4PM
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MMO SPRING OPENINGS
The Mother's Morning Out Program has enrollment openings for the Spring Semester (Jan 4 – May 27)
Program Details:
$140/ month for two days a week
$60 registration fee
Openings:
One Year Old’s
Tuesday/ Thursday
8:45AM – 1:45PM
Two Year Old’s
Monday/ Wednesday
8:45AM – 1:45PM
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SHARE YOUR REQUEST
Our church continues to serve our congregation and community during this season. 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.
Pastoral Care Line 601-460-0570
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December 2020
December 6: $27,846
December 13: $22,373
December 20: $28,762
Other Income: $130,600
Total Income: $209,581
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November 2020
Nov. Giving: $81,565
Other Income: $7,998
Total Income: $89,563
Nov. Expenses: $100,676
Nov. Deficit: ($11,113)
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2020 Year to Date
Through November
YTD Giving: $931,461
Other Income: $94,458
YTD Total Income:
$1,025,919
YTD Expenses: $1,148,810
YTD Deficit: ($117,891)
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YEAR END GIVING MESSAGE
Around this time of the year, you may have questions about end-of-year giving. First United Methodist receives a lot of contributions near the end of the year and we hope you will consider what you can do and here’s a brief summary of ways to give before year-end:
Giving Online
The fastest way to give is our secure online giving option. If you give online, all contributions made before midnight on December 31 will be listed in your 2020 contribution statement.
Giving by Check or Cash
If you are planning to give using a check (or cash), then your contribution must be received in the church office before January 1. The last Sunday offering of the year will be December 27.
Checks that are mailed to the church must be postmarked by December 30 to be listed in your 2020 contribution statement. You can also bring your contribution to the church office instead of mailing it, however the contribution must be received by 4:00pm on December 30 to be counted in your 2020 contribution statement. The church office hours for December 30 will be 8am to 4pm.
Giving of Appreciated Securities
A contribution of appreciated securities is a great way to give. For income tax purposes you receive a charitable contribution deduction and avoid capital gains tax. Please call the church office should you have questions about this contribution option.
Giving from Your IRA
For those of you have an IRA and are over 70 and ½ years old you may want to consider making a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) to the church. All or a portion of your annual required minimum distribution from your IRA can be made as a QCD up to $100,000 annually. The paperwork for initiating a QCD is easy and you will not pay income taxes on the distribution as long as it is sent directly from the IRA administrator to the church.
If you have any questions about any of the above ways to give, please feel free to contact the church office. Finally, if you have not turned in a 2021 estimate of giving card, please download the card and submit or come by the church office to get your card. DOWNLOAD GIVING CARD
The decision to give to the church with your first gifts and best gifts is a commitment of loyalty and love. We are always grateful for your generosity that makes it possible for our church to be in ministry and mission in Clinton and around the world.
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Thank You For Your Continued Generosity! |
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Missed last week? You can catch up online! |
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In the midst of all the glitz and glitter of the season, we may lose sight of the earth-shattering news (literally) that in Jesus we see Heaven on Earth. As we prepare our hearts to once again rejoice over this Good News, perhaps we can be on the lookout for glimpses of heaven breaking out among us. |
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AVAILABLE NOW TO WATCH
The Sounds of the Season
Christmas Musical Presentation featuring a String Quartet, Angelicas Ringers, and Special Soloist
December 24
Outdoor & Online Service
The outdoor service will take place in the front parking lot of the Sanctuary. Bring your own chairs & blankets. We will have communion and candlelight beginning at 5pm. The online service will be available at 5pm on our website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel. Please come by the church office if you would like to pick up communion and candlelight supplies for your in home experience.
Supplies can be picked up until noon on Wednesday.
December 25
Old Fashion Family
Christmas Special
Enjoy this creative presentation on Christmas morning. The broadcast will be available at 8am on our website and YouTube Channel.
December 27
The Best of Christmas
Online Service at 10am.
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JANUARY SERMON SERIES
“Best Year Ever”
Let’s begin 2021 by deciding it will be the Best Year Ever (I mean, it can’t get any worse, right?) What we’ve learned from 2020 is that so much is beyond our control, but what we learn from the Bible is that for those who choose to follow Jesus, we can choose to have the Best Year Ever!
January 3 The Best Direction
(The Epiphany)- Matthew 2:1-12
The Wise Men make several choices: they choose to watch the sky, they choose to follow the star, they choose to offer worship to a child king, they choose another way home. They could have ignored it all, but their choices led them to a savior. They had their Best Year Ever!
January 10 The Best Name
(Baptism of the Lord)
Mark 1:4-11
January 17 The Best Vision
John 1:43-51
January 24 The Best Job
Mark 1:14-20
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The Voice is our weekly update for the latest announcements, ministry activities and event information at First United Methodist Church.
Want to know more about us? Head on over to our website, Facebook page or follow us on Instagram. If you missed last week's sermon, you can catch up by visiting our sermon archives. See You on Sunday!
We are so glad that you are interested in the ministry of First Methodist Clinton!
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PASTORAL CARE INFORMATION
If you have an emergency need or need to speak
with a pastor please feel free to call.
Pastoral Care Number: 601-460-0570
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