DECEMBER 15-16, 2012 ANNOUNCEMENTS

DECEMBER 15-16, 2012 ANNOUNCEMENTS

IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

ADDITIONAL PRAYERS:  Emily Swisher, Irene Floyd, Chuck Walter, Joyce McCarty, Norm Norton, Beth Northway, Florence Agan, Jolene Frahm, Marilyn Simpson, Susan Scott, Frances Jones, Lela Todd, Chuck Beadles, Phyllis Barnett, service people and families.   

PRAYER CHAIN MINISTRY

Contact Dorothy Danner at 641-842-2557. 

E-PRAYER CHAIN

If you would like to sign up for the e-prayer chain to receive an e-mail any time a request is made for a prayer, please contact Heather at fumchurch@iowatelecom.net or 641-842-3712 with your name and e-mail information.  

THIS WEEKEND

SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

The Children’s Christmas Program will be Sunday at 5:00 p.m.  The Youth Group has taken the lead on producing the play and also providing the music for the evening.  Come join the children and youth as they provide a great night of hearing what Christmas is truly about!!  A short reception of cookies and punch will follow in West Fellowship Hall.

NATIVITY DISPLAYS

The Nativity scenes will be displayed during the Sunday School Christmas program and reception in East Fellowship Hall. 

WEBSITE:  WWW.KIFUMC.ORG

E-MAIL:  FUMCHURCH@IOWATELECOM.NET

FACEBOOK:  www.facebook.com/firstchurchknoxville  

NEW THIS WEEK!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Volunteers are needed to help distribute Christmas baskets on Wednesday, December 19^th from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. at FUMC.  If you are able to help please contact Larry or RoseAnn Rowley at 842-2382 (you may leave a message).  Thank you. 

YOU CAN HELP!!!

The bereavement committees are updating their volunteer lists.  Would you be willing to help with funeral luncheons and/or provide a salad or cake?  Please call Bonnie Crook at 828-8750 (ok to leave a message) and tell how you are willing to help.   Bless you for your contributions!

GIVING TREE

Reminder - Gifts need to be returned to the church office by December 18^th with tags attached.  If you have questions, please contact Bev Sterling at 641-842-5286.

MSPS CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Join MSPS on Thurs., Dec. 20 at 9 a.m. for the Christmas Concert/Program.  The kids are anxiously awaiting their big day to perform all their songs.

ADVENT silhouette

We will follow the book “The Journey” through sermons this Advent Season.  Each week you will receive in the Bulletin a different silhouette that is highlighted in the sermon.  As you set down with your family to color the figures discuss with them the importance of each and how they fit into the Christmas story.  Be sure to attend services every weekend in December and on Christmas Eve to receive all the characters to complete your Nativity scene!

LECTIONARY:  December 22-23, 2012

Mic. 5:2-5a Luke 1:47-55 or Ps. 80:1-7 or UMH 199 Heb 10:5-10 Luke 1:39-45, (46-55)

PASTOR’S SERIES:  Luke 2:1-7

ATTENDANCE/GIVING December 8-9, 2012 Worship attendance:  200 Giving:  $5403.05 --------------------------------------------- THIS WEEK… Sunday December 16, 2012 8:30 & 10:45a    Worship                            Services 9:30a                Sunday School 9:30a                Purvis Small Group – Music Room 11:30a-3:00p     WFH –                            Reserved 5:00p                Children’s Sunday School Christmas Program – Sanctuary/WFH Nativity Display – EFH Monday December 17, 2012 1:00-3:00p         NHN – Act Cntr 3:00-6:00p         Almost Free Shop 5:30-6:30p         Cub Scouts – WFH Tuesday December 18, 2012 7:00-8:00a         Early Birds – Hardees 9:00a-Noon       Almost Free Shop 9:30a                Staff Meeting – Conf Rm 6:00p                  Staff Christmas Party – EFH

Wednesday December 19, 2012 SHARON OFF Noon                Wings – Conf                            Rm 1:00-3:00p         NHN—Act Cntr 4:30p                Girl Scouts –                            Preschool 5:30p                Cub Pack Mtg – Library 5:30-6:30p         Christmas Basket Distribution – WFH 5:45p                Bell Practice – Bell Choir Room 7:00p                Jr. Optimists – Youth Rm 7:00p                Chrisman Small Group – EFH Thursday December 20, 2012 8:00a                Late Birds – Mr. C’s 9:00a                MSPS Christmas Program – Sanctuary/WFH 11:30a              Homebuilders – Godfathers 7:00p                Rebecca’s Circle - EFH Friday December 21, 2012 9:00a-4:00p       Almost Free Shop Saturday December 22, 2012 HEIFER PROJECT 5:30p                Chapel Service 5:30-8:30p         Annex – Reserved Sunday December 23, 2012 HEIFER PROJECT 8:30 & 10:45a    Worship Services 9:30a                Sunday School

WELCOME VISITORS…

We welcome you and invite you to participate in all activities of the church.  Listed are all of the events taking place in our church this week.  We realize that newcomers may not be familiar with all the programs or people of the church so for explanations and more complete descriptions we encourage you to visit our website at, www.kifumc.org  and www.facebook.com/firstchurchknoxville, email fumchurch@iowatelecom.net, or call 641-842-3712.

We are family friendly with a well equipped nursery, a full play room, and bathroom for your use.  Please feel free to use our family oriented nursery.   These areas are sound proof from the sanctuary, but you can turn on the speakers and hear the service if you would like.  Large print bulletins are available for the 8:30 service.

Assisting with Services: 

8:30 - Liturgist:  Bonnie Crook

10:45 - Praise Band

USHERS:     

Saturday -  Mike and Dorothy Larson

8:30 – Jim Butler, Dave Johnson, Dan Russell, John Scott, Jim Young, and Kay Jensen

10:45 – Don and Cinda Synhorst; Park Woodle

GREETERS:

Montgomery Street

8:30 – Joel and Barb Johnson

10:45 – Kyle and Johnna Kincaid

Fourth Street

8:30 – Darlene Kline

10:45 – Roberta Orr

COMMUNION:                    

8:30 – Jim and Sharon Young

HOSPITALITY:                   

8:30 – Peg Stevenson and Kay Jensen

Enter to Worship, Depart to Serve

Our Mission:  "To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world."

WORDS OF WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS

ORGAN PRELUDE

+CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader:   As Mary entered the house of Zechariah and Elizabeth the child in Elizabeth's womb leaped for joy!

People: And as we enter your house today, O God, our hearts leap for joy just thinking of our Savior's birth.

Leader:   Blessed is Mary among women, and blessed is  the fruit of her womb.

People: And blessed are we, O God, to be called into the salvation of Mary's child.

+ HYMN      “O Come, All Ye Faithful”    #234 (vs. 1, 2, & 5)

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE

      Dave and Peggy Johnson

CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE (All Sing)

Light the Advent candle, three:  Think of heavenly harmony; angels singing “Peace on earth” at the blessed Savior’s birth. 

Candle, candle, burning bright, shining in the cold winter night; candle, candle, burning bright, fill our hearts with Christmas light.  

Time with Young Disciples

HYMN            “To a Maid Engaged to Joseph”                #215

SCRIPTURES          Scripture Luke 1:39-45

MESSAGE

OFFERING

Let us offer ourselves and our gifts to God.  

+DOXOLOGY #95

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  Amen.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

+ HYMN                     “Joy to the World”                             #246

+ SENDING FORTH WITH BLESSING

+ POSTLUDE

(+) Those who are able are invited to stand.      

*Communion is available following the service where consecrated elements are distributed in the front of the sanctuary

DECEMBER 2012 NEWSLETTER

After reading The Journey: Walking the Road to Bethlehem, you will feel much differently about the Christmas story; much differently about Christmas itself.In just 130 pages, Pastor Adam Hamilton skillfully reintroduces you to Mary and Joseph.  With each turn of the page, you begin to think of this young couple in ways you may not have before. You soon find yourself in the Holy Land, retracing the steps of the Holy Family on their journey—a journey they never wanted to take.  You begin to feel what they must have felt; the frustration, the pain, and the unanswered questions as God worked to redeem the world. Toward the end of their journey, Hamilton paints a beautiful picture of the weary travelers reaching Jerusalem just a few short hours from Bethlehem.

Hamilton writes: “imagine how they must have felt as they saw the Holy City spread out before them.  It was a city set upon a hill—actually multiple hills—but the eye was naturally drawn to one hill, Mount Moriah, where the Temple rose high above everything else. Every time I come to Jerusalem, I find my heart beats faster. I am mysteriously drawn to this place. It represents God’s earthly dwelling place—a symbol of God’s presence—and the place where so much that is important to my faith took place.”

Mary and Joseph likely felt the same way. The story culminates with Mary in labor—where you see hope born in the midst of disappointment. Hamilton writes: We want to whisper to Mary, “Don’t cry. God is here even among the animals, and people will draw hope from your story until the end of time.”

Adam Hamilton’s writing is accessible, his storytelling is descriptive, and you cannot help but be drawn in. He wants you to really know Mary—who she was, where she has been, and the relevance she has for us today.

In joining this Journey you might expect to learn something new, a fresh retelling of a 2,000-year-old story. You may expect to have some holes filled in that Scripture left out. What you will joyfully discover by reading this book, is how your own journey with Christ is shaped by this story of God’s love.

 

SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGING

Marion County gets to keep 90% of the funds raised by the Marion County Salvation Army Bell Ringers to assist those in need.   Last year over $44,000 was raised but those funds are now completely depleted.  The need is now greater than ever.  The bell ringers began ringing during Living Windows in Knoxville November 15^th and will continue throughout the Christmas season. You can help again this year in two ways:   1) If you would like to help those in need in Marion County please go to www.kifumc.org and select the Bell Ringers Marion County link.  This will show the times and places available for bell ringing.  To share your gift of time for those in need this Christmas Season, please contact Merna Furney at 641-842-3072 or 641-218-8026.   She keeps the master list and will gladly add your name to the list.   2)  Give generously.  Every penny adds up.

WHOSE BIRTHDAY IS IT?

To help keep the right spiritual focus during the holiday season we are once again challenging all to refocus our giving/spending this season by calculating what we are spending on ourselves and family and to give the same amount to Jesus. How might we give to Jesus? By giving to a charity or organization that is loving and caring for others the way Jesus invites us to do. Now there are many wonderful charities, the important thing is to support them, as we do this we are spreading the love of Jesus. If you feel you can't equal a gift to Jesus in the amount what you spend yourself and family, at least give a tithe (10%) gift to Jesus or 15, 20, 25%..., whatever you believe is appropriate.

Again this year you can also give a special gift through the Church by simply marking your gift:  We will be dividing the offering in 3 ways this year: 1) In support of special ministries in our church, 1/3 will be divided between the Basketball Academy and MSPS for scholarships. 2) 1/3 will be giving to a local mission agency Neighbor Helping Neighbor. 3) 1/3 will go to a world mission project, the Malawi provisional conference, to help develop their conference farm that helps train people to improve agricultural techniques.  Let's Give Jesus the gift he so freely gave to us, love for others.

CHRISTMAS BASKETS

We want to let those in our church and community know that God cares for them this Christmas Season. Our goal with your financial support is to spread the true meaning of Christmas through feeding his sheep by providing Christmas Dinner baskets to large families in need.  If you would like to donate to this cause please indicate “Christmas Basket” in the memo of your check or on your love envelope. 

CHRISTMAS DAY DINNER

The Community Christmas Dinner will take place on December 25 at noon in WFH.  We are asking for cooks helpers, servers, and cleanup.  Food supplies are needed to feed 100+ guests.  Cash donations would be greatly appreciated.  If you would like to volunteer, please contact Cora and Sam Rathmel.  If you would like to make a donation, mark a love envelope or your check memo “Community Christmas Dinner”.  

NATIVITY DISPLAYS

You are invited to exhibit your Nativity set at church in the West Fellowship Hall.  You may set up your Nativity set on Saturday, December 15 from 1:00-3:00 p.m.  Please prepare an information sheet including your name, date acquired, interesting notes, etc.  The Nativity scenes will be displayed during the Sunday School Christmas program.   You may pick up your display following the reception on Sunday, December 16^th or on Monday morning December 17^th.  Please contact Merna Furney with any questions at 641-842-3072. 

DECORATE THE SANCTUARY

Join our church family members Saturday, December 1^st at 9:00 a.m. for the fellowship as we help decorate the sanctuary and church for the Christmas season. 

F.U.N.

Luke 10:2  He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”  Are you interested in becoming more involved in church activities and the opportunities to serve Christ in the community?  If so we would like to invite you to Godfathers for lunch following the second church services on Sunday, December 2.  The FUMCs Fellowship Uniting Neighbor (F.U.N.) outreach program will be making plans for new outreach activities for the community for 2013.  

MSPS CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Join MSPS on Thursday, December 20 at 9:00 a.m. for our Christmas Concert and Program.  The kids are anxiously awaiting their big day to perform all their songs.

SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

The Children’s Christmas Program will be Sunday, December 16 at 5:00 p.m.  The Youth Group has taken the lead on producing the play and also providing the music for the evening.  Come join the children and youth as they provide a great night of hearing what Christmas is truly about!!  A short reception of cookies and punch will follow in West Fellowship Hall.

***Rehearsals for the play will be held on Sunday, December 9 at 4:00 p.m. and again on Saturday, December 15 at 4:00 p.m. in the church sanctuary.  If your child would like to participate in the program please attend at least one of the rehearsals.***

ADVENT DEVOTIONALS

This year we are using devotional booklets provided by the Society of St. Andrews entitled “Joy to the World!” for our Advent devotions for the advent season Dec. 2 – Dec. 25.  This program is designed to draw participants closer to God’s loving gift to the world – Jesus.  This unique devotion booklet, based on Luke 1:44. “For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy” can be used as a personal devotion booklet or as a catalyst for bringing about conversations within your Sunday school classes, small groups, or family on what makes each one of us leap for joy as we prepare to welcome the Christ Child into the world this Christmas.  As we welcome Immanuel into our lives this Holy Advent Season, discover through the words of many writers how they share the joy of Christ during the Christmas season and throughout the year. Through the scripture readings, daily devotions, and prayers, the Advent devotions program will nourish your spirit while also providing an opportunity to feed our hungry neighbors.  Booklets are available at the church office window ledge.

ADVENT silhouette

We will follow the book “The Journey” through sermons this Advent Season.  Each week you will receive in the Bulletin a different silhouette that is highlighted in the sermon.  As you set down with your family to color the figures, discuss with them the importance of each and how they fit into the Christmas story.  Be sure to attend services every weekend in December and on Christmas Eve to receive all the characters to complete your Nativity scene!

YOUTH GROUP NEWS

The Youth Group will be meeting the following days in December and January:

Ø  December 2 - 4 to 6 pm

Ø  December 9 - 4 to 6 pm  (Rehearsal and short meeting after)

Ø  December 16 – 4 pm to ?? pm - Christmas Program with short reception to follow – Youth will meet at Godfathers after program clean up is completed 

Ø  December 23 – No Youth – Merry Christmas!

Ø  December 30 – No Youth – Happy New Year!

Ø  January 6 – 4 to 6 pm

Ø  January 13 – 4 to 6 pm

Ø  January 20 – 4 to 6 pm

LIVE CONCERT

Saturday, January 26 – Make plans now to join the Youth as we attend Winter Jam at Wells Fargo Arena.  Artists this year include Toby Mac, Red, Jamie Grace, Newsong, and others.  More details to come or ask someone in Youth for details!

BIRTHDAY PARTY

The family of Hubert Hollingshead would like to invite you to his 90^th birthday party on Sunday, December 9, from 2-4 p.m. in WFH.  Please no gifts.  If you are unable to attend but wish to send him a card, his address is:  1828 185^th Place, Tracy, IA  50256.

CONDOLENCES

Condolences to Folmer and Norma Petersen and family on the passing of their sister-in-law.  

Condolences to Leona Steele, Diane McCombs and Melody Walters and family on the passing of their brother/uncle. 

Condolences to the family of Palmer Krichau on his passing. 

THANK YOU

Thank you for the privilege of having been your custodian and for all of the cards and best wishes.  I truly feel blessed to be a part of FUMC.  Folmer

We would like to thank the congregation for their generosity.   FUMC was able to pass out 60 Thanksgiving baskets providing a Thanksgiving dinner and more for 231 family members. Thanks to everyone and those assisting with the distribution.

The Harvest Dinner would not have been possible without the support of each and every one of you. Thanks be to God.   Because of all your generosity we were able to feed between 225 to 250 people for $347 - what a deal!   FUN will be sharing over half of the proceeds by providing MSPS with $750.  God said “Just ask and you will receive”  we did – Thanks to everyone for your support of the Harvest Dinner. There were several in need who received a good meal. 

Thanks to everyone that has donated paper towel and toilet paper tubes!  We have filled our supply box for now.  Thanks again!!  

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to Jipe and Evelyn Pearson who will be celebrating their 60^th wedding anniversary on December 6^th!

CHURCH OFFICE CLOSURES

The church office will be closed Monday, December 24 and Tuesday, December 25 for the Christmas holiday.  In addition, the church office will be closed Monday, December 31 and Tuesday, January 1 for the New Year holiday. 

ADDRESS CHANGES

For those of you who winter in a different location other than your usual residence, please contact the church office at 641-842-3712 or fumchurch@iowatelecom.net  and let us know your winter address so we can continue to send you the monthly “Link”.

inclement weather

If school has been cancelled, evening meetings will be cancelled.   KNIA will be the primary source for weather related cancellations.  Worshipers please use your discretion.  If you are worried, that may be an indication you may need to stay home.  

SERVICE RESPONSE

Service response forms are still available on the church window ledge.  If you have not completed one, please do so and drop it off at the church office. 

2012 HOLIDAY CHECKLIST!

ü   Children’s Christmas Program December 16 at 5:00 p.m. with refreshments immediately following.
ü   MSPS Christmas Program December 20 at 9:00 a.m.
ü   Christmas Eve Candlelight Services December 24 at 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
ü   Community Christmas Dinner  December 25 at Noon in WFH