In This Issuep. 3Advent Schedule 2016

p. 4Ingathering - How to Give

p. 8Open Arms Food Pantry Needs Your Help

November 2016Giving ThanksJoin us on Wednesday, November 16th for our Annual Churchwide Thanksgiving Dinner! The dinner will be at 5:00 pm in the Christian Life Center’s Cupp Hall.

We will provide turkey, dressing and all the trimmings. Please bring desserts to share with your church family!

This is a wonderful evening of fellowship and fun for all. We will take a love offering to help defray the cost and the rest will go to our Open Arms Food Pantry. We hope to see you all there!

Hanging of the GreensBegin the Advent Season at with us at the Hanging of the Greens Service! The annual Hanging of the Greens service will be on Sunday, November 27 at 6:00 pm in the Sanctuary. Join the church family to celebrate the ceremonial hanging of the ornaments and decorations in the Sanctuary!

Bereavement Committee RecipesOur Bereavement Committee appreciates all those who help and cherish the faithfulness our church members have shown to our church and to the families of our congregation. They will be publishing recipes that members have prepared for the family meals and receptions each month.

Joy Holtz’s Fall Apple CakeCake:3 eggs 2 tsp cinnamon1 c. oil 1/2 tsp. salt1 tsp. vanilla 4 c. apples, chopped2 c. flour 1 c. nuts (optional)

Beat eggs and oil until foamy. Add sugar and vanilla. Sift together flour, cinnamon, salt and soda and add to above mixture. Add apples and nuts; mix well. Bake in a greased 12 x 9 x 2 inch pan at 350 for 50 to 60 minutes.

Icing: 2 (3 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese 3 T. butter, melted 1 tsp. vanilla

Mix all ingredients together and ice cake while still hot.

Don’t Miss!November Events

Sunday, November 27Hanging of the Greens

6:00 pmSanctuary

Wednesday, November 16Church Thanksgiving Dinner

5:00 - 7:00 pmChristian Life Center

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Counting Our BlessingsCyndee Metcalf |cmetcalf@fumchs.com | 501.623.6668 ext 102

Historically, the 3rd quarter (July, August, September) yields our lowest giving of the year. This year was certainly no exception. However, we can anticipate a strong 4th quarter (October, November, December) as this is always our most abundant giving period.

General Church Operations September 2016 Year-to-Date Tithes and Offerings $94,737.44 Tithes and offerings $1,245,884.63Monthly Expenses -$162,235.05 YTD expenses -$1,287,526.34Monthly Net Income -$67,497.61 YTD net income -$41,641.71 Missions and Memorials September 2016 Year-to-Date Mission Offerings $3,411.25 Mission Offerings $81,135.88Memorial Offerings $960.00 Memorial Offerings $19,125Mission Disbursements $8,812.84 Mission Disbursements $91,602.97Memorial Disbursements $0.00 Memorial Disbursements $3096.6

There are many options for giving to your local church. Were you aware that IRA owners who are at least 70 1/2 years old can make a qualified charitable distribution of up to $100,000.00 directly from an IRA to a charity without having to include the distribution in taxable income? Your spouse can make a donation, too. For more information, contact your financial advisor.

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2016Advent

Sunday, December 25 @ 10:45 am in the Sanctuary

Sunday, November 27 @ 6 pm in the Sanctuary

Saturday, December 10 @ 6 pm in the Sanctuary

Sunday, December 18 @ 6 pm in the Sanctuary

Saturday, December 24

The ConneXion Service - 2 pm in the Christian Life Center

*with hot chocolate bar!*

Traditional Services - 4 & 6 pm in the Sanctuary

Hanging of the Greens Service

A Grand Central Christmas Concert

Longest Night Service

Christmas Eve Services

Christmas Day Unity Service

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Adult Discipleship Rev. Teresa Holt |tholt@fumchs.com | 501.623.6668 ext 116

Joining Our Neighbors in Worship We are partnering with our Wesleyan brothers and sisters at Visitor’s Chapel AME and Haven UMC. We would like to encourage committed members of our church to worship not only here on Sundays, but also with Visitors Chapel (319 Church Street) on Sunday, November 13 at 11:00 a.m., and Haven UMC (107 Burroughs) on Sunday, November 20 at 11:00 a.m. Last month we had approximately 18 members who worshipped with our neighbors! Please prayerfully consider extending your time to worship and be an active participant in getting to more fully know our neighbors. For more information, contact Teresa Holt, 501-623-6668, ext. 116.

Maxine’s Men’s ClubMondays, @ 5:30 pmMaxine’s, 700 Central AvenueThis small group is for men who want a supportive place to share their stories of faith and to connect with God and other men through Bible study, prayer, and good food and drink. No registration needed, just show up!

Living the Wesleyan Way Wednesdays @ 6 - 7 pm Christian Life Center, Room 207A small group study for adults to coincide with the 6th grade Confirmation class. Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about our Wesleyan heritage and beliefs: how we study scripture, how we worship, how we live our daily lives as a disciple of Jesus, and what makes us a unique people.

Ingathering 2016On Sunday, November 13, 2016 our Church will take the annual Ingathering offering to support local outreach projects and the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) in 2017. The Outreach Committee thanks you for your outstanding support in the past and asks you to be in prayer for the offering, which does so much good in Hot Springs and for disaster relief worldwide.

The support for UMCOR this year includes a special gift for the flooding in Louisiana and funds for their ongoing disaster relief program. Our local outreach this year includes 450 health kits for Jackson House, Samaritan Ministries, Open Door at Jones Mill, Oaklawn Chaplaincy, and CCMC; school and clothing supplies for

Langston School children; children’s disaster kits for Rice Depot; and funds to support the Sunday Love Lunches now at the Salvation Army and the Open Arms Food Pantry at our Church. In 2017 we are planning to continue support for the very successful Getting Ahead program at CCMC to help people out of poverty to sustainability. With your generous giving for the Ingathering Offering, our Church and the Outreach Committee will continue to serve those in need in our community and beyond. Please be sure to mark your gift for Ingathering.

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Join with FUMC’s Outreach Committee in volunteering to staff a red kettle for the Salvation Army. We’ll be ringing the bells at the Kroger store located at 4407 Central Ave. (near Hobby Lobby).

This year our dates are:Thursday, December 1stSaturday, December 3rdThursday, December 8th

Saturday, December 10th

We’ll begin at 10:00 am and end at 7:00 pm each day. The days are divided into nine shifts of one hour each and we need two or more volunteers for each hour. Families are encouraged to participate with their children. It’s a great way to get a large dose of Christmas spirit.

Your first chance to sign up will be at the FUMC Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday, November 16th. Sign-up sheets will also be available at all three church services on Sunday, November 20th. For more information or for early sign-up, call Claire Wisman at (501) 609-9616. Happy ringing!

Ring in the Christmas Season

Outreach MinistriesCandy Poirier |christianed@fumchs.com | 501.623.6668 ext 117

Dinner & A Movie Come join us for our next “Dinner and a Movie, Thursday, December 1st at 4:30pm. We will meet in the Christian Life Center’s Shelton Room for a light supper and then enjoy the movie and popcorn. The cost is $5 per person.

The movie will be announced in November. Call Candy Poirier at (501) 623-6668 ext. 117 by November 30th for reservations. See you then!

The Pack Shack is Back!Be at the Christian Life Center on Wednesday, December 7 at 5:00 pm for pizza and our 2nd Pack Shack Event! This is a great opportunity to give back to the community by making 15,000 meals for those in need. This great mission and all ages can help. If you missed it the last time, be sure you are here this time.

We will have the jars out for your loose change to pay for the meals which are 25 cents a serving and there are 8 servings in a bag. Or if you would like to make a donation by check be sure you designate “Pack Shack” on your check. Thank you all for your support!

Samaritan’s Purse—Operation Christmas ChildSince 1993, Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes have delighted over 135 million children and opened doors

for the Gospel in some of the most remote places on earth. Every gift is an opportunity for the Gospel. Many boys and girls also participate in their 12-lesson discipleship course, The Greatest Journey, where they learn how to faithfully follow Christ and share Him with others after receiving a shoebox. You may pick up your shoebox brochure in the Christian Life Center’s Welcome Center or in the Welcome Center located in the back of the Sanctuary. The brochure explains the details of what may go in the shoebox and how to pack your gift. All boxes are due at the Christian Life Center by Friday, November 18th to be delivered to Little Rock. Thank you for your support of this ministry and blessing so many.

XYZ (Extra Years of Zest)XYZ will meet on Thursday, November 10th at 11:30 am in the Christian Life Center’s Shelton Room for their Annual Thanksgiving Dinner. Please join us for fellowship, fun and to start off the holiday! We hope to see you then.

Ingathering 2016

In OurPrayers

Christian Sympathy goes to...

Carolyn Watts in the death of her brother, Harold Terral; Ann Hill in the passing of her mother, Eileen Crafton; Rev. Michael & Judy Mattox in the recent death of Michael’s brother, Gerald Mattox; the family of Ruby Scott in her recent death; Phyllis and Max Wittman in the recent death of Phyllis’ sister, Ruth Snotzmeier; the family of Mary Gibbs in her recent passing; and the family of Marie Pamplin in her recent passing.

Please keep these families in your prayers at this time.

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Children’s MinistriesMichelle Wilkins |cminister@fumchs.com | 501.623.6668 ext 130

Celebrate the true meaning of Christmas by helping spread the love of Jesus through the gift of giving to a child in need! · Pick an angel from the tree (located in the Christian Life Center atrium beginning Wednesday, November 16th)· Purchase 2 toys, (or 1 large toy…example bike) AND 1 complete outfit - shirt, pants, & shoes (socks and underwear are also appreciated)· Please DO NOT WRAP the gifts. Our kids and youth will be wrapping the presents for their December mission project on December 11th· Wrapping paper, gift boxes, and/or gift bag donations are greatly appreciated to help us wrap the gifts!· PLEASE be sure to attach the angel to the gifts and write the angel name and number on each gift box.· You may drop the gifts off anytime on, or before December 4th, in the Christian Life Center Welcome Center area. · FINAL DEADLINE to drop off gifts is Sunday, December 4th

November & December Children’s Offering Children are encouraged to bring an offering and place it in the “Offering Well” each Sunday morning during the Sunday school hour @ 9:30am. The “Offering Well” is located next to Jesus Rocks Café, upstairs in the Christian Life Center’s children’s wing. Our November & December offerings will go to help feed families in need this Christmas season.

FUMC Kidz, WAK & CLUB 45 Calendar Changes Due to the upcoming holidays our FUMC Kidz Wednesday after-school programs, WAK & CLUB 45, will NOT run on the following dates:

· November 23rd for Thanksgiving· December 21st & 28th for Christmas Break· January 4th for New Year’s

WAK & CLUB 45 will have regular programming on all other Wednesdays not listed above in 2016. We will resume after the holidays on January 11, 2017 and will run each Wednesday through April 26,2017, with the exception of the Wednesday, March 22, due to Spring Break.

Coat Drive We will be collecting 50 new coats for the children of Langston Elementary in November! Contact Michelle to find out how you can help!

Mark Your Calendars!Thanksgiving Dinner will be Wednesday, November 16 from 5 - 7 pm in the Christian Life Center. Bring your whole family!

Hanging of the Greens Worship Service on Sunday, November 27 at 6 pm will feature the children’s choirs. Begin the Advent Season with the church family!

Pack Shack will be on Wednesday, December 7 at 5 pm in the Christian Life Center with pizza after!

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Kidz ROCK in November: “Widening Your Circle”Join us on Sunday, November 13th in the Christian Life Center from 5 - 6:30 pm to help build and paint a “Buddy Bench” for one of our local schools!

Our Kidz ROCK Directors Stacey McKuin and Leslie Sarver are working hard throughout this school year to teach us how to “Widen our Circle”. Widening Your Circle means reaching out to those outside of your usual friendships to create and build new relationships with those in your school, neighborhood, or community. This is the core vision of our church to “connect people to God, to each other, and to the world”.

In scripture, we find numerous examples of how Christ wants us to reach out to those around us, not just our immediate friends and family, but more importantly to the unchurched, the oppressed, the lonely…This simple idea of building a bench where all children can go to build new friendships is an example of how our younger generation of disciples are learning to lead others to Him through words of kindness, encouragement, and adoration.

Please pray for this project and for those that are working to create a space where children feel welcomed and loved.

Children’s Ministries cont.

Underground Youth ScheduleLiz Robinson |lrobinson@fumchs.com | 501.623.6668 ext 131

SpecialGifts

In Memory of Martha Magnolia “Maggie” Adkins Hamby From Joan Adkins & the Ya-Ya’sIn Memory of Shirley Meyer From Mr. & Mrs. Larry G. Stepehens, Sam & Liz StathakisIn Memory of Sarah Ramick From Larry Miller, Kay Provus, Rocky & Susan FratesiIn Memory of Daniel West (Grandson of Ann Shelton) From Penny Formby, Bitsy & Wilda ChadickIn Memory of Christine Laney (Dixie Warren’s Sister in Law) From Doug & Allison Miller, Bruce & Nitalynn SigmanIn Memory of Eileen Crafton (Mother of Ann Hill) From Ann Shelton, David & Rynne BelkIn Memory of Ruth Snotzmeier (Sister of Phyllis Wittman) From Rick & Mary Roper, Bill & Bernard Cluck, Priscilla Harper Cook, Ann Shelton, Kay Provus, LaDonna Twyford, David & Rynne BelkIn Memory of Ronald W. Bailey From Sam & Liz StathakisIn Memory of Cecil Cupp Jr. From Sam & Liz StathakisIn Memory of Derek Johnston From Sam & Liz StathakisIn Memory of Jamie Calhoun From Sam & Liz StathakisIn Memory of Hazel Cohen From Sam & Liz StathakisIn Memory of Ruby Scott (Mother of Kay Carnes) From XYZ, Reba NickelsIn Memory of Gerald Mattox (Brother of Rev. Michael Mattox) From Bruce & Nitalynn SigmanIn Memory of Ron Formby From Bitsy & Wilda ChadickIn Memory of Harold Terral From Bitsy & Wilda Chadick, Inquirers Sunday School ClassIn Memory of Marie Pamplin From David & Rynne Belk

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Open Arms Food Pantry is a ministry of the church that has grown significantly in the past three and a half years. We help over 300 families each month with food, hygiene products and prayers.

The holidays are approaching and we will be seeing many that are in need of help! We will be collecting donations of winter coats and blankets through November and December. Look for the designated donation box in the Christian Life Center Atrium.

Monetary donations are also needed to help buy food for the pantry, which we get from our local food bank here in Hot Springs at a third of the cost of the grocery store. You may send checks to the church office or put in the offering plate. Please be sure to mark checks and donations with “Food Pantry”. Thank you all for your help with this ministry. God’s blessings to you all.

Open Arms Food Pantry

Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! to the many people from the church who made the CDC Flapjack Fundraiser a success: Bridget and Dale Kincheloe and members of the CDC Board who volunteered their time, and church members who bought tickets and attended and made a donation.

LesLee Jones, CDC Director, says thanks to the staff members who work five days a week, and were still willing to be there on Saturday morning. And of course, thanks to Shannon Jones, Assistant Director, who made those delicious flapjacks from scratch. No way was she going to use a mix!

The CDC Flapjack Fundraise is another example of the strong connection between First United Methodist Church and the Child Development Center.

Child Development CenterLesLee Jones|ljones@fumchs.com | 501.318.1377

November 2016 @ FUMCTuesday, November 1Outreach Meeting 1:30 PMOpen Arms Food Pantry 2:00 PMGenesis Class 6:00 PMStephen Ministry Leadership Meeting 5:30 PMStephen Ministry Supervision Meeting 6:00 PMConneXion Music Rehearsal 7:00 PM

Wednesday, November 2Pilates 8:30 AMHo Hum Low Impact Exercise 9:00 AMIntercessory Prayer Group 11:30 AMRomeo 11:30 AMSpiritual Formation Class 11:30 AMWAK/Club 45 3:30 PMWednesday Night Meal 5:00 PMWednesday Night Youth 5:00 PMAdult Handbells 5:15 PMDisciple Bible Study I 6:00 PMKids Choir & Handbells 6:00 PMLiving the Wesleyan Way 6:00 PMConfirmation Class 6:00 PM Choir Rehearsal 6:30 PM

Thursday, November 3Entrusted Study 9:30 AMHandbells 11:00 AM

Friday, November 4Pilates 8:30 AMHo Hum Low Impact Exercise 9:00 AM

Sunday, November 6All Saints DayDaylight Savings EndsTraditional Worship 8:15 AMDisciple Bible Study-Fast Track 9:00 AM Sunday School 9:30 AM Confirmation Class 9:30 AMTraditional Worship 10:45 AMConneXion Worship 10:45 AMEvangelism Team Meeting 12:00 PMYouth Choir 4:00 PMSunday Night Youth 5:00 PMDisciple Bible Study 5:00 PM

Monday, November 7Pilates 8:30 AMEmmaus Women’s Group 9:00 AMGifts of the Dark Wood 10:30 AM

Tuesday, November 8O’Brien-Thornton Circle 10:00 AMHelen Wilson Circle 10:00 AMJane Murphy Circle 12:00 PMOpen Arms Food Pantry 2:00 PMConneXion Music Rehearsal 7:00 PM

Wednesday, November 9Pilates 8:30 AMHo Hum Low Impact Exercise 9:00 AMRomeo 11:30 AMKnitwits Meeting 12:30 PMIntercessory Prayer Group 3:00 PM WAK/Club 45 3:30 PMPraying For Revival 4:30 PMWednesday Night Meal 5:00 PMWednesday Night Youth 5:00 PMAdult Handbells 5:15 PMKids Choir & Handbells 6:00 PM

Living the Wesleyan Way 6:00 PMConfirmation Class 6:00 PM Choir Rehearsal 6:30 PM

Thursday, November 10Entrusted Study 9:30 AMHandbells 11:00 AMXYZ Luncheon 11:30 AM

Friday, November 11Pilates 8:30 AMHo Hum Low Impact Exercise 9:00 AM

Saturday, November 12Ingathering 9:00 AM

Sunday, November 13Traditional Worship 8:15 AMDisciple Bible Study Fast Track 9:00 AMSunday School 9:30 AMConfirmation Class 9:30 AMCoffee with the Pastors 9:30 AMTraditional Worship 10:45 AMConneXion Worship 10:45 AMYouth Choir 4:00 PMSunday Night Youth 5:00 PMDisciple Bible Study 5:00 PMSPRC Meeting 5:00 PM

Monday, November 14Pilates 8:30 AMEmmaus Women’s Group 9:00 AMUMW Board meeting 1:30 PMYAC 4:00 PM

Tuesday, November 15Methodist Men’s Breakfast 7:30 AMOpen Arms Food Pantry 2:00 PMNew Legacy Circle 5:30 PMConneXion Music Rehearsal 7:00 PM

Wednesday, November 16Pilates 8:30 AMHo Hum Low Impact Exercise 9:00 AMIntercessory Prayer Group 11:30 AMRomeo 11:30 AMWAK/Club 45 3:30 PMChurchwide Thanksgiving Dinner 4:45 PMWednesday Night Youth 5:00 PMAdult Handbells 5:15 PMConfirmation Class 6:00 PMChoir Rehearsal 6:30 PM

Thursday, November 17Entrusted Study 9:30 AMHandbells 11:00 AMChild Development Center Thanksgiving Luncheon 11:30 AM Grace in Action Circle 11:45 AMDinner & A Movie 4:30 PM

Friday November, 18Pilates 8:30 AMHo Hum Low Impact Exercise 9:00 AM

Sunday, November 20No Stress SundayTraditional Worship 8:15 AMDisciple Bible Study Fast Track 9:00 AMChapel Communion 9:30 AMSunday School 9:30 AMConfirmation Class 9:30 AMTraditional Worship 10:45 AMConneXion Worship 10:45 AMChildren’s Council 4:30 PMSunday Night Youth 5:00 PMDisciple Bible Study 5:00 PM Monday, November 21Pilates 8:30 AMEmmaus Women’s Group 9:00 AMUMW Board Meeting 1:30 PM

Tuesday, November 22Open Arms Food Pantry 2:00 PMConneXion Music Rehearsal 7:00 PM

Wednesday, November 23Pilates 8:30 AMHo Hum Low Impact Exercise 9:00 AMIntercessory Prayer Group 11:30 AMRomeo 11:30 AM

Thursday, November 24Happy Thanksgiving!

Friday, November 25Office Closed

Sunday, November 27Traditional Worship 8:15 AMDisciple Bible Study-Fast Track 9:00 AM Sunday School 9:30 AMConfirmation Class 9:30 AMTraditional Worship 10:45 AMConneXion Worship 10:45 AMSunday Night Youth 5:00 PM Disciple Bible Study 5:00 PMHanging of the Greens Service 6:00 PM

Monday, November 28Pilates 8:30 AMEmmaus Women’s Group 9:00 AM

Tuesday, November 29Open Arms Food Pantry 2:00 PMConneXion Music Rehearsal 7:00 PM

Wednesday, November 30Pilates 8:30 AMHo Hum Low Impact Exercise 9:00 AMIntercessory Prayer Group 11:30 AMRomeo 11:30 AMWAK/Club 45 3:30 PMWednesday Night Meal 5:00 PMWednesday Night Youth 5:00 PMAdult Handbells 5:15 PMKids Choir & Handbells 6:00 PMConfirmation Class 6:00 PMChoir Rehearsal 6:30 PM

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First United Methodist Church1100 Central AvenueHot Springs, AR 71901

CONNECT WITH US (501) 623-6668 (phone) | www.fumchs.org

Daylight Savings Ends!

We don’t want you to miss church so don’t forget to

turn your clocks back to the correct time on Sunday,

November 6!