Mid-Week Updates
December 2, 2020
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From the Pastor - Surviving the Election
Pastor Jim Bell shares how we can deal with the angst we are still feeling after last month’s election. Anxiety, anger, fear, and conflict fatigue are common symptoms of what mental health professionals now call Post-Election Stress Disorder.
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"Leading Lives of Holiness"
December 6, 2020
The theme of our worship service this Sunday, December 6, at 10:00 a.m. is Leading Lives of Holiness. The scripture lessons are Mark 1:1-8 and
II Peter 3:8-15a. This sermon launches a sermon series on Advent that will help us prepare for the Messiah and celebrate Jesus’ birth. During Advent we prepare for Jesus with expectant, holy and godly lives. A copy of the Order of Worship can be found here.
We need to be vigilant. Nash County is now in the Orange Category – substantial community spread of COVID-19. If you do not feel safe in attending worship or if you are experiencing symptoms, please stay home and worship online.
Please make a reservation for worship through our new church app. You may download the app here. The reservation is in case we need to contact you if a worshiper later tests positive for COVID-19.
Please note: To get an accurate account of those planning to worship indoors
on December 6, we will need for each person/youth/child to register individually. You may register here, via our church app above or call the church office.
There are two entrances open at the rear of the sanctuary. To avoid congestion at the Sunset Avenue door, you are invited to utilize the ramp door under the steeple into the narthex (along Church Street). Parking is available in the gravel lot south of the church, adjacent to Bulluck Furniture Company.
The rosebud on the sanctuary altar this Sunday is given to the glory of God and in honor of Elizabeth Lois Nester, infant daughter of Helen and Antonio Nester by her grandparents, Bob and Margaret Mitchell.
The poinsettias in the Fellowship Hall and Sanctuary are given to the glory of God. (Click here for the Christmas booklet of honorariums and memorials.)
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Going Forward . . .
Please plan on one service at 10 a.m. on Sunday mornings in the sanctuary.
The Horizon and William Whitehead Sunday school classes will
meet together at 9 a.m. in the annex on Sundays.
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Help Wanted
An Opportunity to Serve . . . No skill required,
just a willing heart!
We will be decorating the church for the Advent season Thursday and Friday, December 3 and 4, around 9 a.m. Helpers are needed for a couple of hours. If you can help, please contact Lucy Hinson (252-903-3556 or hinson.lh@gmail.com). This is a fun job and can be done quickly with lots of help!
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Monday Morning Community Breakfast
For the last couple of years, the congregation has graciously given money so that we can give Piggly Wiggly Gift Cards to our friends at our Monday Morning Community Breakfast. To continue a tradition started by our sweet Emmy White, we will again receive donations for these gift cards. Please note on your contribution that it is for MMCB Food Gift Cards. The deadline to give is Monday, December 14.
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Pastor Bob Bergland is Retiring!
The Reverend Robert Bergland, a former pastor here at FUMC from 2005 to 2012 and who is currently serving at First UMC in Wilson, is retiring at the end of this year. His last Sunday at First UMC-Wilson will be December 27. The congregation in Wilson is hoping to collect cards and notes to make a basket of good memories and well wishes for him. Please share with him your memories and funny stories for his retirement. Children's drawings and pictures are also appreciated. If you would like to send a card/note to Pastor Bob, please mail by December 18 to:
First UMC
ATTN: Retirement
P. O. Box 1423
Wilson, NC 27894-1423
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Weekday Morning Prayer
Join Pastor Matt for Morning Prayer! Monday through Friday at 7 a.m. Get your day started with 10 minutes of prayer and scripture readings with Pastor Matt.
Morning Prayer has now moved 100% to podcast. Find it wherever you get your podcast. Or click here. You may listen to it on your phone or computer.
You may send prayer requests to Pastor Matt and the rest of the staff by emailing prayer@fumcrm.org.
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Advent Sermon Series:
"Preparing for Messiah"
December 6-27, 2020
During Advent, we remember with wonder how God utilized angels and people like John the Baptist and a young teenager named Mary to prepare the way for the ministry of Jesus. These Advent sermons based on the lectionary will help us prepare for the Messiah and then to celebrate his birth.
December 13: "The True Light"
John 1:6-8, 19-28
We prepare our hearts to receive Jesus, the true light,
who is coming into the world.
December 20: The Rev. Ismael Ruiz-Millan,
Heritage District Superintendent, will be preaching.
December 27: "Beholding the Salvation of God"
Luke 2:22-40
We honor Jesus as we recognize him as our Savior.
Worship themes are prayerfully and carefully selected.
Make regular worship a priority in your life.
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Christmas Eve Services
You may be wondering what Christmas Eve will look like for our Church this year and will COVID have us doing things differently. Well, the short answer is “yes.” However, I am excited to share with you that we will have three different and unique services this year.
Here are the options to join us for a Christmas Eve Worship Service:
1) There is a 3 p.m. Contemporary Service in our Church Parking Lot. This
service will feature the telling of the Christmas Story by costumed children and Candy Canes. Click here to sign up for that service.
2) There will be a 5 p.m. Blended Worship Service here in our Sanctuary. This service will feature both contemporary and traditional worship components as well as the lighting of candles. Click here to sign up for that service.
3) The final service of the day is a 9 p.m. Traditional Candlelight Communion Service that will be in in our Sanctuary. This service will look very much like it traditionally has. Click here to sign up for that service.
**Regardless of which service you plan to attend,
we need for you to sign up.**
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Christmas Eve Offering
The offering at the 3, 5 and 9 p.m. worship services on Thursday, December 24, will go to the Pastor's Benevolence Fund. This fund will provide support for various needs throughout 2021. Please prayerfully consider contributing to this fund.
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Local Missions moving forward during COVID Season
Monday Morning Community Breakfast: We will continue a modified "drive-thru and pick-up" breakfast on Mondays, 7:30-8:00 a.m.
Backpack Buddies: We are delivering backpacks to Johnson School, Fairview and Swift Creek.
Please pray for leaders of local missions as they continue to find creative ways to meet the needs of Rocky Mount and the surrounding areas.
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Thanksgiving Community Meal - Our Thanks
THANK YOU to all who helped provide a Thanksgiving meal to individuals in our community! It would not have been possible without the help of so many of you! Whether you donated money, cooked, served in the kitchen or distributed food, all the efforts came together beautifully!
We served over 175 individuals in drive-by/pick-up lines and were greeted with plenty of "smiling eyes." Food was also delivered to 28 people at the Bassett Center, and 35 plates were taken to the Homeless Shelter. It was truly a very blessed day and could not have been any better!
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Online Giving
Did you know that one-third of our congregation gives electronically? And the majority of those who give electronically have chosen to maximize their impact by setting up a recurring donation which automates their gift to give on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly schedule. We give thanks for your continued support and for sharing the love of Christ to others during this time of great need.
To set-up your recurring gift, or to give a one-time gift, visit our website at fumcrm.org/give; give via our church app (see below how to download); or by sending your check to:
First United Methodist Church
100 S. Church Street
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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CDC & NCDHHS Recommendations
For essential practices you can do to reduce the impact of COVID-19, click on the links below:
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Our Church Family
Celebrations
Congratulations to Helen and Antonio Nester of Chapel Hill on the birth of their daughter, Elizabeth Lois Nester, October 31, 2020. Proud grandparents are Bob and Margaret Mitchell.
Prayer Concerns
Please lift up in prayer:
- Kinnie Pruden
- Patricia Rogers
- Barbara Taylor
- Renee Lovell
- Kathy Alston
- Milton and Gaye Mann
- Steve Pernell
- Bob Allen
- All Hospital/Medical Personnel and First Responders
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Contact Info
First United Methodist Church
252-977-0400 Office
252-977-0475 Preschool
252-977-1748 Fax
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