December 2, 2022
Gratitude and Generosity
Perhaps it's a happy accident of history that Christmas follows Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a celebration of gratitude. Christmas inspires a great deal of generosity, even for those who do not celebrate it as a religious holy day. Gratitude and generosity are the two sides of the same coin. And each year we get to experience this tandem in these holy days.
 
Thanks to Richard Rohr's daily devotionals, I recently I came across a writing by Lakota activist and author Doug Good Feather about the connection of gratitude and generosity. He writes, "Gratitude and generosity are similar virtues, but they differ in that gratitude is an internal characteristic and generosity is our external expression of our sense of gratitude. Basically, gratitude is how we feel, and generosity is how we express that feeling out in the world..." That is a beautiful idea that gratitude is the internal experience and generosity is the externalize expression of that experience. Perhaps, one without the other is incomplete.
 
In this writing, called Think indigenous: Native American Spirituality for a Modern World, Good Feather also explains that gratitude loosens where we are stuck by disrupting negative thoughts. It aligns us with the Creator, he says, as gratitude allows us to see everything as a gift. If that is true, then generosity allows us to put those thoughts into action and be a part of God's active love. And in doing so, it allows the gratitude to grow in others.
 
Thanksgiving loosens all our stuck-ness from the year through this overwhelming sense of gratitude. And then we immediately shift into a season where we externally express it through our generosity. Sure, this season is often marked by busy-ness, overconsumption, and making sure we're picking out just the right gift. But instead of an exercise in stress and frustration, I pray these holy days are filled with this tandem of gratitude and generosity for you and yours. I pray that God's love comes to life in you and that you make that love come to life in others.
 
Gratefully,
David
Happy Holy Days! Advent Events & Services
 
Sunday, December 4,9:00 and 11:00 am, Holy Communion.
10:00 am Advent Fair (Church-wide).
 
Sunday, December 11, 11:00 am, Christmas Back on Center Street--Our annual choir presentation returns in person with some of the most beautiful music in the area.
 
Sunday, December 18, 9:00 and 11:00 am, A Moravian Love Feast-- many of our most coveted Christmas traditions come from Moravian Christians, and this day we'll share a Love Feast in both services.
 
Wednesday, December 21, 6:00 pm, Service of the Longest Night.
 
Saturday, December 24, Noon, Family Friendly worship in the Cokesbury Center.
6:00 pm, Candlelight and Communion Service.
11:00 pm, Candlelight and Communion Service
 
Sunday, December 25, 10:00am, Churchwide Brunch and potluck in the Fellowship Hall.
11:00 am, Worship in the sanctuary.
 
Sunday, January 1, 11:00 am, Worship in the Sanctuary with Holy Communion.
 
From Holidays to Holy Days Advent Study
Want to take a walk during Advent? Willing to take a 10-15 minute stroll from the comfort of your favorite chair? Then join us as we explore From Holidays to Holy Days, a book of daily Advent devotions by Albert Holtz. Holtz is a Benedictine monk who touches on every-day themes as diverse as wreaths, holiday recipes, Christmas lights, wrapping paper, and the post-Christmas letdown. Phil Reemes, a member of our church who is also a Benedictine oblate, will lead the discussion on Holtz’s reflections. We will meet Monday nights at 6:30, starting on November 28. Click here to sign up, email news@fumclr.org, or call the church office at (501) 372-2256
Community Café to Open December 1
The First Cup Community Café will open again on December 1. The café is a safe place for our unhoused neighbors to come and rest during the harshest times of year (winter and summer). We offer WiFi, a phone, snacks, coffee, and a cozy place from 1:00-3:00 on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. We also apply for housing, Medicaid, and EBT benefits. We are looking to add a few more volunteers to our team. Volunteers help with coffee and snacks as well as be a face of hospitality and grace. Please contact Rev. Haley to learn more about the Café and ask about volunteering! 

Christmas Poinsettias
Contribute to the Christmas Poinsettia fund in honor or memory of your loved ones. Your $15 gift will make possible the poinsettias that adorn the chancel. All the proceeds from the flowers will be given to the Bo Adair Fund at the Child Development Center. The Bo Adair Fund benefits Child Development Center staff in emergency situations. The funds have been depleted over the last couple of years, so your contributions will be greatly appreciated!
 
Your gift will be listed in the December 19th bulletin. If you would like to contribute, please fill out the Journey Card in the bulletin and place it in the offering plate or contact Lanie Konecny in the church office at 372-2256 or via email at officemanager@fumclr.org by Dec. 13th. Please make checks payable to FUMC and note ‘Christmas Poinsettias’ in the memo section.

CDC Angel Gift Cards Due December 11
If you signed up for a CDC Angel, please remember to bring your gift card inside of a Christmas card by Sunday, December 11. We will deliver all of them to the CDC early the following week. Please email Rev. Haley with any questions at hjones@fumclr.org.
 
Sanctuary Flowers – Reserve yours today!
What better way to honor friends and family members than to donate the Sanctuary Flowers in their name on a Sunday in the next year? The 2023 calendar is open. Our flowers are re-arranged each Monday by the Flower Girls who take them to members in hospitals and homes -a true example of adaptive re-use and sustainability! Your gift of $75 will cover the cost of the two large arrangements in Sunday services. You may reserve your date by phoning 372-2256 or emailing Lanie Konecny (officemanager@fumclr.org).
Have you made your 2023 Commitment?
Thank you for your prayerful consideration!
KIDS@FIRST
Children's Dates to know: 

December 
Sunday, December 4 at 10 a.m: Family Advent Fair 
The entire family is invited to a fun, interactive event where you can learn more about how to celebrate Advent at home! 
 
Sunday, December 11 at 4 p.m.: Parents/Kids Christmas Party
Two parties in one night! Kids are invited to a fun and sweet party in the Gym! Parent's are invited to gather in the First Cup Cafe for a party of their own. 
 
Sunday, December 18 at 10 a.m.: Nativity Pageant 
Gather at 10 a.m. to get dressed and rehearse our super fun Christmas Pageant! The pageant will be a part of the 11 a.m. worship service. 
 
Saturday, December 24th at 12 pm, 6 pm and 11 pm: Christmas Eve Worship
All services will include carols, communion, and candles BUT our noon services will be particularly family friendly! 
 
Sunday, December 25- Sunday, January 8: NO SUNDAY SCHOOL 
We will not be offering Sunday School during winter break
 
January
Friday, January 28- Sunday, January 30: Mom's Retreat
Sign up by January 12 to reserve your spot! 
FRIENDS & FAMILY
Congratulations on Baptism
Congratulations to Joey and Jennifer Fleming (and big brother Nolan) on the baptism of Caroline during First Tradition on Sunday, November 27th.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Nathan and Ellen Coulter on the birth of their son, James Nathan, on November 8th. Nate and Nathalie Coulter and Hope Coulter are the grandparents.
Sympathy
To Amy Freer, following the death of her mother, Marcia Adams, on December 1. 

To Adam, Jennie, and Hayden Kirby following the death of Adam’s mother, Debbie Kirby, on November 22.
 
To Mike and Mary Jane Cole, following the death of Mike’s mother, Mary Frances Cole-Ask, on November 25.
To Jessica and Doug Szenher and family following the death of her mother, Clara Cowart, on November 20th

To Betty Wallace and family following the death of her son, Scott, on November 19th.
5 WAYS TO GIVE
Following are ways you can give your tithes and offerings:

■ Mail: You may still mail to the church office.
723 Center Street, Little Rock, AR 72201.

■ Bank Draft: Contact our Finance Director, Sonja Taylor Larkowski by phone at 501-372-2256 Ex. 209 or email stlarkowski@fumclr.org.

■ Online: Visit fumclr.org/give to give by credit card or ACH.

■ Church App: Click Give in the church app. To download text FUMCLR App to 77977. Or search for FUMCLR in your App Store.

■ Text: Text FUMCLR to 77977. Follow instructions in reply.
Being good neighbors to make Little Rock a place where children THRIVE.