First Edition Newsletter - November 30, 2011

A Newsletter Publication of First United Methodist Church, Jackson, Tennessee

November 30, 2011 | Volume 10 Issue 20 jacksonfumc.org

SEEKING GOD | KNOWING CHRIST | SHARING HIS LOVE

FIRST EDITIONFIRST EDITIONDOWNTOWN JACKSON

Hot Chocolate StationCompliments of Jackson FUMC

Downtown Christmas ParadeCome and Join us… December 5

First United Methodist Church

5:30 p.m. Pizza in Clayton Hall6:15 p.m. Caroling on the Church Steps6:45 p.m. Parade Begins

DISC

OVER

HOP

E TH

IS C

HRIS

TMAS

AT

FUM

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December 4“People Get Ready”

David Hollis, preaching • Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

December 11“By Whose Authority?”

Dan Camp, preaching • Scripture: John 1:6-8, 19-28

Sunday, Dec. 11 • 4:00 p.m. • SanctuaryRead more on page 5

Sometimes “Merry Christmas” is just “Not So Merry”

Blue Christmas Service:A Service of Healing and Hope

Guest Minister: Rev. Steve Atkins

Sunday Worship Services

First Edition November 30, 2011 page 2

Greeters for Sunday, December 4Frank and Charlotte Zerfoss, Larry and Joyce Sanders, Gene and Joyce Smith, Wes Clayton, David and Kelly Barnes, Kyle Atkins, Sharkey McClelland, Delores Bosco

Greeters for Sunday, December 11Chris & Bria Pittman, Hugh & Sue Harvey, Jimmy & Rita Carmichael, Kelly Nye, Greg & Allycin Alexander, Esther Milam, Pat Scott, Pat ScanlonIf you are unable to greet, please find a replacement.

Greeters

NEW MEMBERS & BAPTISMS

Mary McKay Hise received the sacrament of baptism Sunday, November 27. Her parents are Tripp & Lauralee Hise, and brother, Chase. Her grandparents are Patrick & Wanda Scanlon and Jimmy & Brenda Hise. In the same service her father, Tripp Hise, joined FUMC.We welcome Mary McKay into the household of God and Tripp as a new member!

FUMC FOUNDATION“Some corporations have programs to match gifts that are made to charities of their employees. This is a way of effectively increasing your gift to the Church, if it is available. Ask your employer.”

To learn about FUMC’s Foundation and Planned Giving, contact Jim

Scott, Chairman. 668-4775 or e-mail [email protected]

SympathySympathy is extended to: •MarkWallsinthedeathofhismotherMildredWallsinTupelo,MS.

Harrison Wesley Harpole and Sarah Grace Harpole received the sacrament of baptism Sunday, November 13. Their parents are Heath & Sherry Harpole. Their grandparents are Ted & Beverly Harpole. We welcome Harrison and Sarah into the household of God!

You’re invited to a service of

Carols andCandles

with Choir and Orchestra

Sunday, December 18

6:00 p.m.Sanctuary

Reception to follow

Get Ready!A new women’s Bible study

is beginning in January!

Watch this space for more details.

Women’s Ministries

Mugs & Muffins


CONFIRMAND READERSTrevor Spencer - December 4My name is Trevor Wilson Spencer. My parents are Nathan and Angela Spencer and Rachel Powell. My siblings are Powers, Hollen, Savannah, and Mia. I was born on April 24, 1999. I play football and basketball. I hope to one day be able to play the guitar. My other hobbies are tennis, drawing, and swimming.

Cade Bishop - December 11Hello. My name is Cade Bishop. I play a lot of tennis and run cross country. My mother is Wendy Bishop. I go to the University School of Jackson where my grandfather, Donald Newmon, is a math teacher. I have been a member of FUMC for my whole life. I enjoy peanut butter, Dr. Pepper, and rap music.

Based on the book by Adam Hamilton

Sundays, 10:00-10:50 a.m.Through December 18

Clayton Hall Conference Room

Open to all interested

Date/InstructorDec 4 - Dan Camp

Dec 11 - Mary Beth BernheiselDec 18 - Mary Beth Bernheisel

Join Us for...

Extending the Lord’s Table

Jesus’ words regarding the sharing of Holy Communion are simple but profound: “Do this inremembranceofme.”Whenwegathertoshare this meal, we are reminded of Christ’s presencewithus.Moreover,wearedrawntogetherasonechurchbodyaswereflectontheunity of the bread and cup.

But something is missing every time we celebrate communion, because not all the members of our church family are able to share at the table of the Lord with us. Therefore, Christ compels us to go share the meal with those who are unable to come, reminding them that they belong to the body of Christ also and are missed.

Several months ago, we started doing this withincreasedintention.Wenowhavetenteams who take elements, which are blessed

during one of the worship services, to those who are homebound or in assisted living. The homebound communion ministry has been a blessingtothosewhoserveandreceive.FUMChas even gained a new member because of this open sharing from the table.

Wearealwayseagertoexpandsothatmorepeople can be seen for longer amounts of time. Those who serve are asked to volunteer for an hour to an hour and a half every other month. The lists of people to visit are divided so that there is no guesswork. This sharing, like Christ’s words commanding us to do so, is simple but profound.

If you would like to serve in this growing ministry or you know of someone who would benefitfromreceivingcommunionathome,please let us know. You may contact David Hollis at [email protected] or Tricia Odom at [email protected] – both at 422-4002.

Mid-Week Downtown

Worship ServiceSanctuary

Wednesdaysat Noon

Singing • ReflectionScripture • Communion

Need some quiet time from the “busyness” of

the season?


2012 Altar FlowersWanttosignuptoprovideAltarFlowers for a Sunday in 2012? Now is the time to do so. In the next few weeks, there will be an Altar Flower Calendar in Disciple Hall for those interested in providing Altar Flowers for the upcoming year. Please sign your name and phone number so that we may contact you regarding details. Also, if you have reserved a particular date on an annual basis, please make note of that as well so that we can make surewehavethatinformationonfileforfuturecalendars…flowersareawonderful way to honor or memorialize a loved one, family member or simply to the Glory of God.

Note of AppreciationWelcome back Terry McRoberts, FUMC organist. Terry served for two months as a guest faculty member and visiting professor of piano at universities in China.

Many thanks to these musicians who assisted in worship during Terry’s absence:

Mission Notes

Salvation Army Bell RingingSaturday, December 17

Looking for a Family Christmas Project?Sign up in Clayton Hall or Disciple Hall and Mark Johnstone will contact you about serving at one of the three sites available (Kroger Stonebridge, Macys, and Sam’s Club). Make it fun by dressing up, bringing your dogs, playing music, singing carols and/or wearing FUMC apparel! Bring the family! For more information call Mark at 668-1812, Ext (302), or e-mail [email protected]

Sign up to volunteer atjacksonfumc.org

http://www.hannahs-hope.org/

Hannah’s Hope is an adoption agency located in Bartlett. As a church in the Memphis Annual Conference, we support Hannah’s Hope by our apportionment giving and offer other ways of assisting them in their work. Their mission statement is as follows: “We develop and administer programs designed to promote the welfare of children. Our focus is on assuring that children are able to live with loving parents who offer acceptance and the security of a permanent home. If you wish to adopt a child, or if you have made the difficult decision to find a permanent adoptive home for your child, we can help.”

December Mission Focus:Birth Mother Needed Items•AlwaysSuper(MegaPack) •AlwaysOvernight(MegaPack)•DermaplastSpray •NursingPads(Plaxtexi,Lansinoh,etc.)•TuckPads •Bath&BodyLotion•ToteBag

Comfort Items•PedicureSet(Slippers, Nail Polish, •SmallCandle Polish Remover, Emery Boards, •SweetTreat Toe Separators, Nail Clippers)

Please place items in or near the Mission Chests located in the church lobbies.StanWarren

Stan BrunnerJanet Furness

Amy Eickhoff Groff

Helen Redding


Adult OpportunitiesContact Pam Jaco, [email protected], 422-4002

A once in

a lifetime

ROCK & ROLL

ADVENTURE

February 18, 2012 2:00 p.m.

Orpheum TheatreExperience the music and story of our “hometown hero”, Carl Perkins, along with Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash.

Cost: $105. Includes charter bus, theatre ticket, and “a-whole-

lot-of-shaking!”

Tickets now available for purchase. Call the church office, 422-4002, and reserve yours.

Program 11:00 a.m. • Luncheon 12:00 noon • Clayton Hall • $6.00/personTo make reservations, call the church office at 422-4002.

Call 422-4002 to make reservations by 9 a.m. Dec. 12. Please remember to call and cancel your reservation should you be unable to attend.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16

Altar Guild MemorialsTheFUMCAltarGuildisnowacceptingmemorials and honoraria for use in decorating the church during the Advent season. If you would like to make a gift in memory or honor of a loved one, please mail or bring your contribution to the church office by Friday, December 2.

Names will be listed in the Christmas Newsletter, December 14, and the Sunday bulletin, December 18. Please mark your check “Christmas Decorations” and include a notewiththename(s)asyouwouldlikethemto appear. Contributions may be sent to: FUMC, Attn. Charlene Barnett, 200 S. Church St., Jackson, TN 38301.

If you have any questions, please call Charleneatthechurchoffice,422-4002oremail [email protected].

STEPHEN MINISTRY CORNER by Tharon Kirk

Just about everywhere you may go these days you hear Christmas carols and songs about being merry, jolly, and happy, for Christmas is coming. But Christmas comes in the midst of life and for some people the reality oflifethisyearisnotoneofgreatjoy.ManypeoplewillbefacingaChristmas without a loved one. Others are dealing with broken marriages or relationships that are strained by addictions or other painful issues.

Still others are struggling to make ends meet as our economy remains sluggish. Christmas celebrationmaybedifficultformanyinourmidstthisyear.

FUMCandStephenMinistryonceagainareprovidingaBlueChristmas Service for those who are struggling at this time. Thisserviceprovidesatimeforreflection,acknowledgingthatChristmas is hard this year, and an opportunity to move from the darkness of grief, loneliness, broken relationships into the light that only Christ can give. It can be a time for healing and hope.

We invite everyone in our church to be a part of this service on December 11th at 4:00 pm. Wealsowanttoencourageyoutoinvite,bring,ortellotherswhomightbenefitfrom being part of this service to be here. As you go about your own celebrations this season, I hope you will be supportive of those you know who may be hurting at this time. Letting someone know that you care and remember their pain during this season is one of thegreatestgiftsyoucangive.ThanksforyoursupportofourStephenMinistry.

“for some people the reality of life this year is not one of great joy”

Experience

“The Wonder

of Christmas”with

Darian and Joy Krimm


Weekly Opportunities

Sunday, December 4 9:00AM Communion 9:00AM FirstAwakeningService 10:00AM SundaySchool 10:00AM TheJourneySundaySchool

Class 11:00AM Communion 11:00AM TraditionalService 5:00PM “Current”UMYChristmas

Party 6:00PM MitchellBasketball

Monday, December 5 3:30PM MartinBasketballPractice 5:30PM HotChocolateMinistry 6:15PM HotChocolateMinistry-

Caroling 7:30PM Men’sBasketball

Tuesday, December 6 7:00AM UMMBibleStudy 4:15PM Zumba 5:30PM MartinBasketballPractice 6:00PM FirstAwakeningBand

Rehearsal 6:30PM Women’sMinistryTaskForce

Meeting 7:00PM BoyScouts-Troop12

Wednesday, December 7 12:00PM Mid-WeekDowntownWorship

Service 3:30PM WINGS(WitnessingINGod’s

Sanctuary) 3:45PM GirlScoutMeeting 4:00PM ConfirmationReading

Rehearsal 6:00PM PrimeRingers 7:00PM SanctuaryChoirRehearsal

Thursday, December 8 2:00PM ChristmasatOpryland 4:15PM Zumba 6:00PM WesleySundaySchool

Christmas Party

Friday, December 9 11:00AM Grandmother’sLAP(Loveand

Praise)Group

Saturday, December 10 9:00AM Drop&Shop 4:30PM RoomintheInn

Sunday, December 11 Room in the Inn 9:00AM FirstAwakeningService 10:00AM SundaySchool 10:00AM TheJourneySundaySchool

Class 11:00AM TraditionalService 4:00PM BlueChristmas 5:00PM UMY“StudyBreak”

Monday, December 12 1:30PM StaffMeeting 3:30PM MartinBasketballPractice 5:30PM Sr.OlympicBasketball 7:30PM Men’sBasketball

Youth News & Events

Registration for Breakthru has come and gone BUT it’s not too late to register! Call, text, or email Mary Beth to let her know you want to go and she’ll make it happen. You don’t want to miss this!Church office [email protected]

Youth Christmas Party!December 4 • 5:00-8:00

Come and bring all of your friends. We’ll be decorating the Youth Center for Christmas, eating, and playing games.

Room in the Inn—WearehostingRoom in the Inn on Saturday, December 3. Please be here by 4:30tohelpsetup.We’llbedoneby 8:00 p.m. This is a great time for us to be in mission to the least of these in our neighborhood, which is pretty much exactly what Jesus told us to do. So come do it!

Jackson Christmas Parade—December 5, 5:00-7:30 p.m. Come at 5:00 p.m. to help us set up, then eat pizza and pass out hot chocolate.

Study Break!—December 11. No programming. Just dinner and games to help you de-stress before all of those nasty tests you have to take. Yuk. 5:00-7:00 p.m.

You should also bring the following:•ADirtySantagiftthatcostsnomorethan$10•OneofthefollowingtodonatetoARM: $5 Subway Gift Card $5 BK Gift Card Bus pass purchased from JTAMan-sizedglovesandtoboggans•LastnamebeginswithA-M,bringasidedish•LastnamebeginswithL-Z,bringdrinksoradessert•AnornamentortwofordecoratingtheChristmastree

First Edition November 30, 2011

page 7

Weekly Opportunities

Tuesday, December 13 7:00AM UMMBibleStudy 4:15PM Zumba 5:30PM MartinBasketballPractice 6:00PM StephenMinistry

Wednesday, December 14 12:00PM Mid-WeekDowntownWorship

Service 3:30PM WINGS(WitnessingINGod’s

Sanctuary) 4:00PM ConfirmationReading

Rehearsal 6:00PM PrimeRingers 7:00PM SanctuaryChoirRehearsal

Thursday, December 15 4:15PM Zumba 6:00PM FirstAwakeningBand

Rehearsal 6:00PM MotherLibertyFoundation

Banquet

Friday, December 16 11:00AM AdventuresinLearning 3:30PM MartinBasketballPractice

Saturday, December 17 9:00AM Rehearsal/Carols&Candles

FUMC Kids’ NewsProverbs 22:6 - Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

The Christmas Project for the Children’s Ministry will be a Peanut Butter Tree! We will donate jars of peanut butter to help fulfill a constant need for RIFA. Please bring any donated jars of peanut butter to the children’s wing upstairs to put under the tree! Tie any plastic bags to the tree branches-RIFA needs these too!

Drop N Shop!! Parents leave your kids with us Saturday, December 10th, from 9:00am-1:00pm. We will provide food, fun, and fellowship. Please sign up by December 7th with Alyssa [email protected] or 422-4002. This event is for Nursery-5th grade and a medical release form is required!

Come see the Kids Who Care Club in the lobby of the church on Sundays during December! We are making scarves to donate to Area Relief Ministries! Want to be a part of the fun? You can bring any gently used scarves or drop a dollar or two in our bucket so that we can make more scarves!

The children will be singing songs from their Christmas Musical “The Reluctant Innkeeper” in both the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. service on December 18th.

Memorials & Honoraria

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Edna Algea (Sister of Terry Lovell) Dick Nunn Sunday School Gerald&KatherineWardlow Tom&HopeVoegeli

Dru Martin (Brother of Shay Young) UpperRoomSundaySchool(Pastors’Fund) Hugh&SueHarvey(Music) Ann&ErnestLawrence

Elizabeth Patterson Lee Powers FiteBarbara AnthonyClifford ArmstrongJoel PriceAlice&CarlKirkland(CapitalImprovements)

Barnett Scott (Husband of May Scott) Jackson Country Club

IN LOVING HONOR OF

Larry & Nancy BrookeRay & Liz BryantJim & Pat Scott Larry&MandyWilliams(Budget)

Yoga Pilates Fusion is an integration of both yoga and Pilates “fused” into one to challenge stability, balance, strength, and focus. This class is a multi level class and appropriate for allfitnesslevelsandages.TraditionalPilatestechniquesforthefirst30minuteswithaddedstrengthmovesthatprogresstobuildcorestrengthandflexibility;thelast30minuteswewill practice the basic and intermediate levels of yoga, focusing on balance, strength, and flexibility,whilereducingstressandtoningthebody.Bringayogamatandcomfortable,stretchy clothing.

Instructor:RachelWhiteCredentials: AFFAcertifiedinallgroupfitnesstraining,withconcentrationonYoga,Pilates,andPilatesApparatus;aswellasaLesMillsBodyVivecertification.Cost:$5perclassor$30forcourse(8sessions)

NEW IN2012Yoga Pilates

Fusion ClassWednesday evenings, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.January 11 – March 7 Mezzanine


State of the Churchby Dan Camp

Disclaimer:I always approach some sort of evaluation of the health of the church with a degree of trepidation. One never really quite knows from the typical external and visible signs of health whether things are as they seem.

Almostfiftyyearsagonow,aPhiladelphia congregation watched as three young boys presented themselves for baptism and church membership. Soon after they joined, the downtown congregation sold the building and disbanded—the remaining members joining other nearby churches.

One of those “boys” was Dr. Tony Campolo, Christian sociologist and American Baptist preacher. Tony Campolo was doing research some years later on the health and numbers of his denomination. He remembers, “I decided –for a diversion—to look up the church report for my home church for the year I was baptized and joined the church.” “There was my namealongsideDickWhite’s(nowamissionary)andBertNewman(aprofessor of theology at an African seminary).”

As Campolo concluded reading the report that had been submitted the year he joined the church there was this summary statement:

The Spirit of Our Congregation:

JacksonFUMCremainsastrongand vibrant presence in downtown Jackson. Our membership is composed of a great mix of many talented and busy professionals, retirees, downtown residents and young persons. Like a really great stew, this diversity blends together in a congenial whole. Like any family, wehaveourconflicts.However,ourculture and leadership work together to allow us to “disagree without beingdisagreeable.”Whenwedohave differences of opinion, they are simply viewed as opportunities to be properly informed and make quality decisions.

The diversity which exists in this congregation naturally means that our members represent a broad spectrum of political convictions, theological positions and personal opinion. It is a credit to the leadership and the legacy of this congregation that individuals feel free to express these divergent opinions freely. Our small group studies, Sunday School classes and Wednesdayeveningprogramsprovideopportunities for spiritual growth and fellowship along the way. Our energies and efforts may sometimes be moving in many different directions simultaneously—but—make no mistake, we are moving! As Senior Pastor, I have experienced our congregation to be increasingly engaged and committed to daily discipleship.

[Yet, reports such as these do tend toreflectthepastor’sparticularviewpoints. For an interesting and perhaps more objective view, I invite you to consider this article by the Barna research group entitled: “Surveys show pastors claim congregants are deeply committed to

God but congregants deny it.”]

http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/165-surveys-show-pastors-claim-congregants-are-deeply-committed-to-god-but-congregants-deny-it

As pastor, I am greatly encouraged by our ability to set aside those things which separate us and move forward in unity for the cause of Jesus Christ and the mission of Christ’s church hereonearth.Thereissignificantpositive “energy” in this congregation and, for that, I am so grateful.

Causes for Celebration:

Weareall(atleastbeginningto)understand how radically our society has changed in the last forty years. WiththecontinuedpassingoftheWorldWarIIgeneration,increasingaffluenceandmobility,churchattendance is simply no longer the “acid test” measure it once was of whether a congregation is healthy. (Forabettertreatmentofthisissuesee):http://www.rca.org/page.aspx?pid=7656

So, while weekly attendance in a downtown congregation may appear stagnant or “plateaued”, there are other measures and signs which indicate vitality. Allow me to simply enumerate some of these:

•Ournew“FifthSunday”combinedworship tradition has brought us closer together and minimized the sense that we are two distinct congregations worshipping under one roof.

•UnderthemusicaldirectionofDarian Krimm, our traditional servicecontinuestoreflectexcellence in music and worship arts while honoring the best of our

“..It has not been a good year for our church. We have lost twenty-seven members. Three joined,

and they were only children.”

MarleneLeFever


tradition.•OurFirstAwakeningserviceis

now under the capable leadership of Jeremy and Allison Tubbs. Their presence has brought new and fresh direction along with a “cohesiveness” of the First Awakeningteamandsignificantrenewed energy in that worship service.

•Wearebecomingmorefaithfulin our giving and the budgetary problems of the last few years are no longer a primary focus.

•Wehaveidentifiedtheneedfor,andreached some consensus on, dealing with issues of deferred maintenance of the buildings. The Capital campaigncommitments(thoughnottotallyfunded)willallowustobegin work on the most pressing of needs immediately.

•Thechurchstaffhasbeenre-alignedin order to more effectively serve its purpose of “equipping the saints.”

•Amuchmoreintentionalapproachto pastoral care-giving is now in place at the staff level.

•Theworkofevangelismhasmovedto a higher priority level –on staff and in the congregation itself.

•Churchgovernancehasbeenstreamlinedandclarified.Our“Key Leaders” group allows for a monthly gathering of all committee chairs and leaders to enable honest conversation on issues of importance in the life of our congregation.

Challenges Before Us:

•Thechallengeofproperlyassimilatingnewmembers(makingsure they are “connected” with a smallgroupandfindingtheirplace)looms large at this particular time in the life of our church at present.

*Related to the above but in a way, adistinctchallenge–wemustfind

more ways to come to know one another.Weareofasizewheresomedeliberatesystems(nametags,etc.)aregoingtobeincreasinglyneeded to combat a culture of “polite indifference.”

•Ouryouthministriesareinatimeoftransitionandre-building.Wemust insure proper resources and expertise are provided.

•Weneedmoresafeandconvenientparking post-haste. To fail to provide this basic requirement often frustrates those who would attend joint services and special services at an almost sub-conscious level.

•Ourstaffmustcontinuetoreshapeitself as personnel changes (retirementsandlifetransitionsoccur).UndertheguidanceoftheStaff-Parish committee, we must focus on incredibly clear delineation of duties and responsibilities as this occurs.

•Ourstaffandkeyleadersmustcontinually be encouraged to continue to expose themselves to “best practices” of other healthy congregations by means of seminars and learning opportunities.

•Ourmissioneffortsmustberampedup.Wemustseektoidentifyatleastahalf-dozenmorelayleaders/“champions” of particular mission efforts in addition to the dedicated cadre we already possess.

•OurChildren’sministriesmustnot only continue operating in the current mode of excellence but seek toemployinnovativeteaching/learning methods. Frequently, these methods are being employed in congregations that are outside theUnitedMethodistfold.Wemust endeavor to learn the latest andbesttechniques(e.g.learningcenters)andemploytheseinacomprehensive fashion in our effort.

•Wemustendeavortore-fashionastrategic plan to serve and guide us

forthenextfiveyears.Thisprocessmust utilize the good minds and talent imbedded in the congregation itself. Ideally, this plan will include nomorethanfivemajorobjectiveswe seek to work toward in our immediate future.

Finally, and of Greatest Importance:

The Psalmist reminds us:

Wait on the Lord;Be of good courage,

And he shall strengthen your heart;Wait, I say, on the Lord!

Psalm 27: 14

A wise person once said, “even if we do the right thing at the wrong time, it is still the wrong thing!” As we prepare to continue our faithful work, let us also be ready to wait and listen—through much prayer—to God’s voice as it relates to timing.

2011 Membership Activity

Baptisms 11

Confirmands 11

New Members 34

Preparatory Joining with Parents

11

Deaths 15


There will be no First Friday Forum in

December 2011.

Over(short) Over(short) NeededtoreachMonth Budget Actual Month-to-date Year-to-date annualbudget Jan $120,314 $116,522 (3,792) (3,792) $1,448,033Feb $93,248 $120,646 27,398 23,607 $1,327,386Mar $114,369 $106,484 (7,885) 15,722 $1,220,902Apr $138,776 $118,257 (20,519) (4,797) $1,102,645May $134,395 $164,292 29,897 25,100 $938,353Jun $101,696 $138,370 36,674 61,774 $799,983Jul $97,628 $127,331 29,703 91,478 $672,651Aug $123,756 $94,706 (29,050) 62,428 $577,945Sep $118,124 $103,495 (14,629) 47,799 $474,450Oct $125,634 $124,157 (1,477) 46,323 $350,292Nov $141,279 $123,998 (17,281) 29,041 $226,295Dec $255,336 (255,336) (226,295) $226,295 Total $1,564,555 $1,338,260

2011Tithes&OfferingsReport

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.”

Note the sequence in this familiar John 3:16 passage: Because God loved, He gave. What a divine example!

A BIG “SOUP KITCHEN” THANK YOU TO ALL THE SUNDAY SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS IN 2011!

Did you know that RIFA is open every day of the year?

Our Sunday School classes serve on the third Sunday of every month.This is only possible with dedicated volunteers!The classes rotate and the sign up board is downstairs in the gathering area outside the adult rooms.A big thanks to our youth volunteers this past month, Natalie Sullivan and Powers Spencer.

Questions? Susan Crocker 984-7111

Christ has no body now but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours

Yours are the eyes, through which He Looks compassion on the world.

St. Teresa of Avila

Great things are happening

with our kids!You don’t have to be a parent to be

a part of all the excitement!Interested in helping? Volunteering?

Contact Alyssa McLoughlin, Director of Children’s Ministry,

at [email protected] or 422-4002

page 10

Christmas Service

10:00 a.m.December 25, 2011

Joint WorshipSunday School will not meet

GloryGodto


Christmas Eve Services with Communion

December 24, 2011Worship: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Associate Pastors David Hollis and Mary Beth Bernheisel

Sanctuary

“Meet Us at the Manger”Kid Friendly

Communion Only: 5:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m.

FUMC Tradition

During this Advent season, take a moment to reflect on this beautiful tree in Disciple Hall. These Chrismon ornaments were designed by Elsie Harris and a team of women several years ago. Many thanks to Jackie Rheney, Keelen Yandell, and Elsie (not pictured) for decorating this tree.

Want to know more about the meaning behind each ornament? Pick up a booklet near the tree.

Need to communicate FUMC events in the

newsletter?Contact Bobbie Mays, 422-4002,

or [email protected] needed by noon Mondays

before publication. The next newsletter is Dec. 14.

Want to Know What’s Happening Each Week at FUMC?

Sign up for Weekly E-Blasts to receive in your inbox on Fridays!

To subscribe to this and e-mail newsletters, go to jacksonfumc.org and click the envelope icon.

page 11


NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDJACKSON, TENN.PERMIT NO. 116

jacksonfumc.org

Sunday Morning Worship

First United Methodist Church200 South Church StreetJackson, Tennessee 38301 Address Service Requested(731) 422-4002

A Stephen Ministry Congregation

A Safe Sanctuaries Congregation

Traditional Worship ServiceSanctuary • 11:00 a.m.

First Awakening Contemporary Worship Service Clayton Hall • 9:00 a.m.

Sunday School

10:00 a.m.

DOWNTOWN JACKSON

Like us on FacebookFUMCJacksonTN

Follow us on Twittertwitter.com/jacksonfumc

SundayDecember 11

Second Sundayof Advent

Third Sundayof Advent

SundayDecember 4

“People Get Ready”David Hollis, preaching • Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

“By Whose Authority?”Dan Camp, preaching • Scripture: John 1:6-8, 19-28

Next newsletter publication is Dec. 14

SEEKING GODKNOWING CHRISTSHARING HIS LOVE

The rosebud on the altar on December 4th is in honor of the November 14th birth of Cooper James Tate, son of Rev. Sara Corum Tate and Rev.CraigTate.CooperJamesisthegrandsonofPhoebeandTilmanCorumandRev.BillandMarciaTateandthegreat-grandsonofFrancesFrankland.

First Edition Newsletter - November 30, 2011

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