DECEMBER 13, 2023

MESSAGE FROM JIMMY

Series: Making Room

Week 3

Text: Luke 2:8-14

One of my favorite Christmas jingles is “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” One verse goes like this, “All of the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names. They never let poor Rudolph join in any reindeer games.” We can all identify with good ole Rudolph. Being excluded or left out is a terrible feeling.

In this week’s gospel lesson, we will interact with the story of a group of shepherds living near Bethlehem. They represent the ones often forgotten about and left out. One quiet night, they were watching over their sheep out in fields far away from their families and homes. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared bringing good news to them and for everyone. That still night in a lowly manger in Bethlehem the Savior of the world is being born. Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, has come as God’s message of love. No one is being left out of God’s redeeming grace. Jesus is Lord of All! Shepherds and Kings alike find salvation in none other than Jesus. This is the good news of great joy. Let us make room this week to worship and reflect on this gift of Christmas that has reached across time to touch us.

I want to make sure to emphasize two special events this Sunday. The sanctuary choir and orchestra will present their annual Sounds of the Season Cantata at 9:00 a.m. I am excited about hearing them and being reminded that Jesus is the Light of the World! In addition, there will be a special event for families in the worship center Sunday evening at 5:00 p.m. A potluck dinner will be served and kids will reenact the Christmas story. This will be a great event to invite new people to come and hear the simplicity of the gospel at Christmas. Hope to see you Sunday!

Jimmy

TOP 2 AT FIRST UMC

ADVENT SCHEDULE

Join us as we usher in the birth of Christ this Advent Season! Make sure to invite a friend or two, as we make room for those who need to hear the Good News!

December 17

9 AM: Sounds of the Season
5 PM: Kids' Christmas Program

December 24

10 AM: Combined Sunday Worship (Sanctuary)
December 24, 3-4:30 PM: Come and Go Communion
December 24, 5 PM: Candlelight Christmas Eve Service

December 31

10 AM: Combined Sunday Worship (Worship Center)

POINSETTIAS

By Dianne Alford

Our Sanctuary and Worship Hall will be beautiful this Sunday with poinsettias. If you preordered poinsettias and have not paid, you may put a check in the offering plate this Sunday or drop off a check in the church office. The cost of poinsettias this year are $12 per plant. These will need to be paid at your earliest convenience and paid by year end. If you have any questions regarding your order, please call Dianne in the church office.

MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK

LADIES NIGHT OUT SPOTLIGHT

By Katie Giedd

Thank you to all who attended our 2023 Ladies' Night Out. With 29 very full tables, over 30 students serving, and a full kitchen of. both people and food, it was a night to remember! We are especially grateful to all of our wonderful table hostesses. Your table designs were beautiful. We are still calculating numbers, but what we raised will go toward Breakthru this year, as well as other events and activities for our students throughout 2024.

A special thanks to the following people:

Catering: Nel Joyner

Serving and Kitchen Crew: Methodist Men

Ladies' Night Out 2023 Committee: Jami Crews, Anna Prestwood, Krisa Rowland, Melissa Weber, Amy Gough, Amanda Pennington

CONGREGATIONAL CARE

SUBMIT YOUR REQUEST

SHARE YOUR REQUEST

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.

Prayer Request Update: If you have requested a loved one or friend to be placed on the church wide prayer list and they no longer are needing prayers, please call the church office or email [email protected] for removal. The people who are on the Church Prayer Request are added by the request of church members.

Pastoral Care Line 601-460-0570

Download Prayer List