First United Methodist Church of St. Cloud
December 2021 Newsletter
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From the Desk of Pastor Cathy
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Dear friends,
This year’s Advent/Christmas sermon series is called “The Light of the World” based on the book by Amy-Jill Levine. John’s gospel begins, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” John 1:1-5 (NRSV) It seems we have been through a lot of darkness the past two years with the COVID pandemic, losing loved ones and friends, not being able to be together, political polarization, racism, lots of anxiety and risk! Jesus came to bring light to our darkness, and we certainly need it in this day and time!
I hope you will plan to attend all the Christmas celebrations this season. Wednesday, December 8th we will show the movie, “The Polar Express” for the Children and Youth; have a delicious Christmas meal of ham, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, green beans, and pies! The meal will be served from 5:15 PM- 6:00 PM. We will then show our movie outside, or you may sing Christmas Carols in the Family Life Center. Our Christmas Concert will be Sunday, December 19th at 4:00 PM. The Chancel Choir and Praise Team have been working on special Christmas music pieces for you! Some of our children will also be singing this year! On Wednesday, December 22nd the Youth and Children will be going out into our church neighborhood Christmas Caroling! Everyone is invited to come and join us! That starts at 6:00 PM.
Our Christmas Eve services will be at 5:00 PM - Children and Family Friendly Service with the children telling the story of Christmas and Candle-lighting outside in the Family Life Center parking lot (weather permitting) and 7:00 PM - Lessons and Carols Christmas Eve Service with Candle-lighting.
It’s a busy time of year. Take some time to pause and give thanks to God for this season. I hope you and your families have a wonderful, blessed Christmas season and remember that Jesus has come to be the Light of the World! The angel said, “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’” Luke 2:10b-14 (NIV)
I am blessed to be your Pastor!
Pastor Cathy
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Our youth passed out treasures of Hershey's Nuggets during the Heavenly Treasure Stewardship Series.
Pictured: Sophie Spivey, Wyatt Scarlett,
& Olivia Seigel
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Introducing Vivien Kravitz
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Vivien Kravitz has been attending First Church for about nine years. Vivien and her husband, Nick found our church after visiting other area churches when they decided to return to St. Cloud as residents instead of snow birds. They were snow birds for about ten years.
Vivien and Nick met while they were in the US Air Force toward the end of the Vietnam War. Vivien grew up in St. Cloud and went to nursing school in Orlando. The Air Force was desperately in need people with medical backgrounds so she joined for a two-year stent.
The happy couple will celebrate their 54th anniversary in March. They have three grown children who live in various states; Colorado, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania. Their two grandchildren live in Pennsylvania. Vivien is looking forward to having all of their children visit for Christmas this year.
Vivien has been involved in the ministries of the church for many years. She has worked with the Food Pantry and for the past three years has been leading the Smooth Stones Bible Study twice a month on Monday mornings.
When asked what she likes most about FUMCSC she said that it is an open, inviting, and inclusive church. She said that First Church of St. Cloud offers a lot of opportunities for Christian growth. She also loves the people who attend this church. She says it truly feels like a church “family”.
In her spare time Vivien enjoys working on crossword puzzles. She claims that once you learn the style of the person who created the puzzle, they become much easier to complete. Each author has a different way of doing their puzzles.
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Bags of Love Items are Needed
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We continue to need items for the Bags of Love lunches. Our numbers continue to go up! You can help supply the need by bringing any of these items to the Church office; Vienna sausages, canned tuna or chicken, Beanie-Weanies, bags of chips, cookies, peanut butter or cheese crackers, fruit cups, pudding snacks, applesauce, bottled waters. Thank you for helping us serve the community!
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Thanksgiving Community Dinner
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FUMCSC hosted a bountiful Thanksgiving Dinner which was served to around 100 people with food insecurity in our community on Thanksgiving Day. Many volunteers helped to make this a festive occasion. We are planning on doing the same type of dinner on Christmas Day. This is one of many opportunities First Church offers for you to volunteer in helping others in the St. Cloud area. Contact the church office if you are interested.
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Another opportunity for you to volunteer will be on December 12th starting at 12:30 PM until 3 PM when our church hosts and serves a meal for the unemployed and underemployed of our community in the Family Life Center for Elmer's Kitchen. Elmer’s Meal Kitchen Ministry got its name back in November 1999 when an anonymous man donated $25,000.00 for the sole purpose of providing a soup kitchen for the homeless, lonely elderly people, unemployed and underemployed people in our community of St. Cloud and with the other local churches working together to cook, serve and clean up after the meals. If you are interested please arrive early to help cook and prepare to serve.
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Bicycle Program
The Boy Scouts recently donated several bicycles to our church for our bicycle program. Used bicycles are refurbished and given to the less fortunate and homeless in our community who do not have transportation. David Daniel is in charge of this worthwhile project.
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David Daniel with the bicycles from the Boy Scouts
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Tony & Kathy Deleonardo made a generous donation of jackets, socks & underwear to our Mercy Ministries.
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Our Wednesday Church Wide Dinner was held on November 10, 2021. After the dinner everyone enjoyed playing Bunco.
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Barbara Watson, Eileen Perez, and Ruth Nye
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Frank & Gwen Gulinello with Jerry Bergeron and Darlene McLand
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Caleb Meyers, Myrna Lee, Joyce Perkins, and Pat Rudd
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Myrna Lee, Ruth Upthegrove, Pat Rudd, Joyce Perkins
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Olivia, Rijean, Amber, Sophie & Jessica
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John & Barbara Fry, with Rusty Thacker
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Lou Murray with Jim and Jo Kledis
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Fellowship with friends: Chuck McClendon, Gwen Gulinello, Frank Gulinello, Jerry Bergeron, Darlene McLand.
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Myrna Lee, Kelly Deatherage, Jerry Bergeron, Bob Nye (standing) & Jaynee Yocum
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All four tables having lots of fun playing Bunco
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Each month we hold a church-wide Wednesday night dinner.
It is a great time to get to know your church family. Please plan on joining us for the next dinner on December 8 at 5:15 PM. Plan to stay for the Polar Express movie which will be shown outdoors
starting at 6:00 PM.
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(Photo Above) - Russell with Pastor Cathy and his parents, Celia & Jared Dorn
(Photo to the Right) - Clarence Thacker, Brock & Celeste Hankins, baby Russell, Celia & Jared Dorn
Jo Thacker, Melissa & Henry Thacker
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Russell Emmett Dorn Baptism
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The Dorn and Thacker families were blessed, welcoming a new baby into their family. Russell Emmett Dorn was born on August 18, 2021 and baptized on October 31, 2021.
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A New Bible Study is starting at FUMC of St. Cloud beginning on Thursday, December 2, 2021 at 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM. It will be held in the Family Life Center upstairs in the Children’s Room. We will be meeting weekly on Thursday afternoons through February 10th. (Due to the Christmas holiday, we will skip the last two weeks in December and resume in January.) All are invited to attend this nine-week study on 1st & 2nd Thessalonians. This video-based study is presented by Beth Moore and led at our church by Jaynee Yocum. There are also five independent study days throughout each week. If you are interested, please call Jaynee Yocum at (407) 922-1613 and leave a message.
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Mark Your Calendar
Upcoming Events
December 2 - Beth Moore Bible Study (FLC) ~ 1:00 - 3:00 PM
December 8 - Church Wide Dinner ~ 5:15 PM
December 8 - Polar Express Movie or singing ~ 6:00 PM
December 9 - Beth Moore Bible Study (FLC) ~ 1:00 - 3:00 PM
December 12 - FUMCSC hosts Elmer's Kitchen ~ 2:00 PM
December 14 - Christmas Preschool Program (virtual) ~ 6:00 PM
December 15 - Children and Youth Christmas Celebrations - 6:00 PM
December 16 - Beth Moore Bible Study (FLC) ~ 1:00 - 3:00 PM
December 19 - Christmas Concert ~ 4:00 PM
December 22 - Christmas Caroling in the Neighborhood ~ 6:00 PM
December 24 - Children & Family Christmas Eve Service ~ 5:00 PM
December 24 - Traditional Christmas Eve Service ~ 7 PM
December 25 - Christmas Day (Celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ)
Regular Meetings
Sunday
- Traditional Worship Service ~ 8:30 AM
- Serendipity Sunday School Class ~ 9:00 AM
- Blended Worship Service ~ 10:00 AM
- Newcomer's Luncheon ~ 3rd Sunday Quarterly, 11:00 AM
- Elmer's Kitchen ~ 2:00 - 3:00 PM (FUMCSC - 5th Sunday)
Monday
- Power Hour Prayer Group ~ 8:30 AM
- Seasoned Souls ~ 1st & 3rd Monday, 10:00 AM
- Smooth Stones Bible Study ~ 2nd & 4th Monday, 10:00 AM
- Boy Scouts ~ 7:00 PM
Tuesday
- Bags of Love ~ 9 - 11 AM (Hot Breakfast to Go)
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Online Bible Study with Pastor Cathy - 7:00 PM; Please join using your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://us04web.zoom.us/j/4346020464 use passcode: 62397
- Cub Scouts ~ 7:00 PM
Wednesday
- Church-wide dinner served outdoors (2nd Wednesday) ~ starting at 5:15 PM
- Youth Group ~ 6:00 - 7:30 PM
- Children's program ~ 6:00 - 7:30 PM
- Adult Choir Rehearsal ~ 7:00 PM
Thursday
- Bags of Love ~ 9 - 11 AM (Hot Burritos to Go)
- Beth Moore Video Bible Study (8 Weeks starting Dec. 2) ~ 1 PM
Please Note: Our Church Services can be viewed on
FACEBOOK LIVE on our FB page or later on our YouTube
Channel. Click on the links at the bottom of this newsletter to
find these videos.
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OUR CHILDREN'S CHOIR IS BACK! With the recent go-ahead for children's covid19 immunizations, we have now restarted the Children's Choir. By the time you read this, our Children's Choir will have performed at the Nov. 21 and Nov. 28 services. We have started learning some Christmas music too, with the thought that the children can sing a number at the Christmas concert as well as at regular services.
Speaking of which, our Christmas concert will take place December 19 at 4:00 PM, so mark your calendar. The choir will present a variety of religious and secular traditional Christmas songs. Then Scott will lead the praise band in a collection of contemporary Christmas songs. We plan for it to be a real celebration. You'll see info about our Christmas Eve service elsewhere in this newsletter. I'm always open to comments or suggestions.
Thanks for listening.
Lou Murray, Music Director
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Chancel Choir at the Traditional Service
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Our Talented Musicians at the Blended Service
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Children's Choir at the Blended Service
Lou Murray (music director on keyboard), Layla Revels, Mackenzie Deatheridge, and Lucy Knowles
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Scott Weyrauch (Worship Leader), Sabrina Brooks on bass, and Safin Karim on keyboard
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December 2021 Preschool News
November was a short month! The classrooms were busy with Thanksgiving preparations and very thankful students and teachers. Each classroom held their own Thanksgiving mini-feast, and the smell of delicious foods was in the air. The children collected bottled water and mini chip bags as well as clothing for the Bags of Love program. In addition, they have been decorating the bags that are used for the program with plenty of color and unique designs.
December snuck right up after break and gears were switched to festive songs about Christmas and plenty of lists. The children will be performing a virtual Christmas program that will be released on our Facebook page as well as YouTube. You can see the performance once it’s released on the evening of December 14th. School will be closed for Christmas Break, 12/15-12/31. Classes will resume on Monday, January 3, 2022.
On behalf of the students, parents, and staff, I’d like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and safe New Year. God Bless us Every One!
Smiles,
Ms. Denise
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On November 27th Volunteers Decorated the Sanctuary for the Advent Season
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Yvonne Allen setting out the nativity
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Barbara Watson and Amy Allison
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Myrna Lee and Vicki Mauro decorating pews
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Debra Orlanski working on windows
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The Meaning of the Chrismon Tree
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Chrismons, meaning "Christ monograms," traditionally are white and gold designs made from Christian symbols that signify Christ. Often displayed on an evergreen tree during the Christmas season, symbols such as stars, crosses, fish, crowns, chi rho, and the alpha and omega remind us of Christ's identity, his story, and of the Holy Trinity.
Chrismons were first developed in 1957 by Frances Spencer and the women of the Ascension Lutheran Church in Danville, VA.
Many churches today display a Chrismon tree during the Advent and Christmas season decorated with handmade ornaments.
Our church has several Chrismon ornaments but we could use more for next year. If you or your small group would like to make them please let the church office know that you are doing this. Thank you in advance.
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Jaynee Yocum and Myrna Lee deorating Chrismon Tree
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Examples of Chrismon Ornaments
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Debra Orlanski and Sam Glosson putting on the lights
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The Advent Wreath
The Advent wreath began as a German and Scandinavian home devotional practice used to mark the four weeks of Advent. Families would light a candle for each past week and the current week at their dinner or evening time of prayer. Each candle represents an aspect of the spiritual preparation for the coming of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Today during the season of Advent many churches light Advent Wreaths. One candle on the wreath is lit each Sunday as a part of the Advent services. On the first Sunday of Advent one of the purple candles is lit representing hope. The second purple candle is lit on the second Sunday of Advent representing love. On the third Sunday in Advent the pink candle is lit representing joy. On the fourth Sunday in Advent the final purple candle is lit representing peace. On Christmas Eve the white center candle is lit. This is the "Christ Candle" and represents the life of Christ that has come into the world.
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Advent Candle lighting reading by Christi Benton Ash and Mason Ash
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Mason Ash bringing the flame to the first Advent candle
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On the first Sunday of Advent the purple candle is lit representing hope.
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On December 8th following the Church-wide dinner the children and youth will watch the movie, Polar Express. The movie will begin at 6 PM. Everyone is invited for this outdoor movie experience (weather permitting.) This is a family event and those attending are encouraged to wear their pajamas and bring a blanket and/or pillow for the movie and snacks. Those who prefer to stay indoors will have an opportunity to sing Christmas music in the Family Life Center.
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The children of First Church meet on Sunday mornings during the Blended Service after the Children's moment and on Wednesday night for their "B.E.A.C.H. Club" program from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. They are using the Grow Curriculum.
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In November the children and the youth of First Church worked together packing Thanksgiving baskets and bags for families in need of the St. Cloud area.
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Our Youth Group meets each week on Wednesday evenings
from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. They have been busy painting the ceiling tiles in the Youth Room. They are doing a great job!
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On December 15 the children and youth will celebrate Christmas with separate parties enjoying food, fun and games.
On December 22 our children and youth will be participating in the neighborhood Christmas Caroling.
Wishing you a joyous Christmas,
Rijean Smith, Children's Ministry Director
Amber Smith, Youth Leader
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Dec. 3 - Kynsley McConnell
Dec. 5 - Nick Kravitz
Dec. 6 - Adelynn McConnell
Dec. 13 - James Wise
Dec. 17 - Lane Allison
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Dec. 17 - Celia Thacker Dorn
Dec. 21 - Christina Bouaziz
Dec 24 - Frank Salas
Dec. 25 - Pat Hardin
Dec. 27 - Bailey Rojas
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December 17 - Vern and Carol Dorsey
December 31 - Nelson and Jessica Wisky
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Note: If you know of someone whom we have missed in this birthday or anniversary list please notify the Church Office.
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The Word of Our Lord
30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
Luke 1:30-33
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Your safety is our No. 1 concern!
We will continue to monitor the latest guidance from the CDC and new COVID cases. We will re-evaluate in-person worship should anything change. For now, we ask that you continue to practice these essential guidelines:
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Please monitor your symptoms and if you feel sick, stay home if you feel sick.
- Masks or cloth face coverings are optional indoors and outside.
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Every other pew will be closed.
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Please maintain at least six feet of social distance.
- Family units may sit together.
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No congregational singing.
- No passing of the offering.
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Deposit your attendance card and offering in the box at the back of the church when you leave.
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There will be no meet and greet.
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Ushers will seat and dismiss you.
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Please dispose of your bulletin as you leave or take it with you to reference upcoming events.
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The Sanctuary is sanitized after every worship service.
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Staff Members & Email Addresses
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First United Methodist Church of St. Cloud
1000 Ohio Ave., St. Cloud, FL 34769
407.892.3128
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