MESSAGE FROM RICKY
Dear Friends,
First, let me say thank you for your generous support for our Stewpot Food Drive. As of this week, we've collected 381 items of food and you've given an additional $740.00. This will definitely help Stewpot reach their goal of feeding 800 families for Christmas! We've got some great volunteers delivering the food this week so it can get to those families in time! Thank you!
Thank you as well for your continued generosity toward the missions and ministries of our church. In spite of these challenging times you have continued to give! This has enabled us to meet our obligations and continue to support our commitments around the world. Also, due to the hard work of our staff and the fiscal wisdom of our Finance Committee we are very close to breaking even for the first time in 4 years. Help us to cross that finish line strong!
Finally, I hope that you plan to watch our Christmas Music Program, Sounds of the Season, this coming Sunday, online at 10:00 a.m. Our musicians and production crew have worked very hard to bring to us an uplifting program that will focus our hearts and minds on the true reason for the season. Fix a cup of coffee or hot cocoa and settle in for a beautiful time of worship.
Grace and Peace,
Ricky
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CHRISTMAS MUSIC PRESENTATION ON SUNDAY
This Sunday is our Christmas Music Program. Thanks to all of you who helped make this program possible. There are many people behind the scenes who help make up a program such as this, but I'd like to say a special word of thanks to Tom Edwards and Debb Tubb for their help in setting up and filming the event. Also, I would like to say thank you to all of the musicians and participants for their many hours of hard work that went into preparing this program. Be sure to tune in and watch the program this coming Sunday during the online service at 10:00 am.
Have a great week and I'll see you in the virtual service on Sunday!
In His Service,
Tommy
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BreakThru 2021 Going Virtual
The in person gathering of BreakThru is cancelled. However, the staff at Timber Creek camp are working extremely hard to prepare an online virtual BreakThru 2021 consisting of three video sessions with a variety of segments, worship, and message segments. There will also be various interactive aspects as well for the students. More information will come out for this later, but right now Hunter will plan on doing these over the course of three afternoons (12/30-1/1) via zoom similar to the normal United Nights.
- Due to the conference being online, Timber Creek camp has decided to waive the entire cost, while still offering a t-shirt an armband free of charge.
- If you did not sign your student up for BreakThru and would like to have them participate now that it is virtual, please send Hunter an email.
- If you have not paid any money towards camp yet and would like to make a donation to Timber Creek camp to help offset any expenses they are not able to be refunded for (food, band, speaker, etc.), you can do that 4 ways:
1. Take money to church office to be mailed to camp
2. Mail to BreakThru Ministries, 8113 Morton Marathon Rd. Pulaski, MS 39152
3. Venmo: @timbercreekcamp or PayPal: PayPal.Me/timbercreekcamp
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DNOW 2021 / January 15 - 17
Our group will be a part of a collective DNOW weekend, with all activities and services being held at First Baptist Clinton. The $40 cost will cover event, food, and T-shirt. If you would like more information, feel free to email Hunter Lacefield. This year we will not be doing host homes. Sign up with the button below. Sign-ups will close at the end of December.
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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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OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE OTHERS |
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CHRISTMAS BACKPACKS
Shower Power is a specially designed mobile shower truck. The organization is on a mission to bring hospitality to the streets by delivering mobile hygiene services to people experiencing homelessness. You can help support their efforts by purchasing needed items to supply the shower truck and create backpacks filled with hygiene products and basic clothing essentials. If you would like to learn more about this organization contact Beverly Oliver or Vicki White. You can also visit their facebook page Shower Power MS.
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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
Other Income: $130,600
Total Income: $180,819
November 2020
Total Giving: $85,000
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October 2020
October Giving: $82,788
Other Income: $6,264
Total Income: $89,052
Oct. Expenses: $109,396
October Deficit: ($20,343)
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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. The paperwork is an easy process but does take time and probably should be initiated by December 16. 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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November 29 / Candle of Hope
Isaiah 64:1
“Tear Open the Heavens and
Come Down”
The people of Israel had longed for a messiah, a delivering King, who would rule in justice and peace. Isaiah is a bit bolder in his request. Not just for an earthly ruler, but a Divine King, who would tear open the heavens and bring a bit of down with him!
December 6 / Candle of Love
2 Peter 3:8-15
“A New Heaven and a New Earth”
Peter reminds us that the one who came in Jesus, will come again in Glory. Advent is a time of looking back and looking forward. When Heaven broke out, it wasn’t just to rearrange the furniture, but to remake everything: including Heaven and Earth.
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December 13 / Candle of Joy
John 1:6-9
“The True Light of the World.”
John takes us way back before the manger, to let us in on a world-changing secret, that the one we call Jesus, is a brighter star than all the rest, brighter even than the sun in the sky.
December 20 / Candle of Peace
Luke 1:26-28
“Nothing is Impossible”
When Mary is told she’s going to give birth to the messiah, she can’t believe it, it’s impossible. She’s the first to hear the Good News, that when Heaven comes to earth, anything is now possible.
The Sounds of the Season
Christmas Musical Presentation featuring a String Quartet, Angelicas Ringers, and Special Soloist
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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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