Welcome! November 19, 2017

Prelude “A Thanksgiving Medley” led by Joanne Kelly

Welcome Marilyn Wagers Please sign and pass the Register located in the pew. Guests please stop by the Welcome Center in the church lobby for a gift.

Blessing of the Christmas Child Shoeboxes

Worship in Song “Now Thank We All Our God” UMH #102 “Thank You, Lord” (Children will sing 1st time then congregation joins)

Joys & Concerns/Lord’s Prayer Don Tomko Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who tres-pass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. AMEN

Offering & Anthem Bellaires and Voices of Praise “O Worship the King” led by Joanne Kelly

Celebration of Community—meet new and greet current friends

Message: Open the eyes of my heart pastor Jerry Psalm 116:12, 17 and Ephesians 1:18-19

Response “Come Ye Thankful People, Come” UMH #694 Blessing our 2018 Commitments—bring your 2018 Commitment Card and place it in the basket. Prayer of Dedication.

Blessing by our Pilgrims Don and Theresa Word

Postlude Sheila Neuman

Pianist: Ruth Urbanski Guest Organist: Shelia Neuman Assistant: Heather Yates Instrumentalists: Winds of Praise and Bellaires

Order Of Worship Today’s Focus

Nursery (off of lobby)

Children’s Worship (Children’s Worship Center)

Invite or bring a friend next Sunday! Let’s see what GOOD can come out of a Black Friday.

“Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.” - Psalm 119:105

Psalm 116:12 What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me?

Psalm 116:17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord.

Ephesians 1:18-19 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

MY NOTES:

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We welcome everyone including those who are single, married, divorced, crying newborns, tired parents, and doting grandparents. We welcome those who are “just browsing” and those who know every hymn and praise song ever written. We welcome those who think the earth is flat, can’t spell, or because grandma is in town—you wanted to go to church. You have found a perfectly imperfect church filled with perfectly imperfect people who worship our perfect Lord. First time guests - please pickup a welcome gift at the wel-come desk in the lobby. Once again, welcome!

Practice The Pause When in doubt , pause. When angry, pause. When stressed, pause. And, when you pause… Pray!

Please lift your neighbors in prayer…

Praise: Josh found a job

Concerns: Bob, Jeff, Jessica, David and Sandy Brenner, Cathy Burger, Brian Lott, Morgan Mattix, Betsy Triznadel, Amanda, Gabe, Wink, Paul and Kit, Claire Zeran, Bobbie Cantaffio, Wink Van Knowe, Betty Kos-ko, Sharon Bialecki, Joyce, Dick and Tina Durfee, Mari-lyn Minick, Helen Bates, Don and Fran, Ray Pollard, Sandy Stewart, John Carroll, Carol Yewcic, Doreen Engle, Corban, Chuck Kruise, Manny and Ann Lopez

Joys or Concerns? Email: jerry@HudsonFirstUMC.org

We extend our hearts and prayers to the family of Ron Sieber, who recently joined the church trium-phant.

Sympathy

The office will be closed beginning 12:00pm, Wednesday, Nov. 22nd and reopen Monday morning, Nov. 27th.

FINALLY! THANK YOU MAXINE MUNK-MADSEN for volunteering to be in charge of a new pictorial directory. Maxine needs your help signing people up

for photography appointments! Please call Maxine at 727-863-2732 to volunteer.

NEW MEMBER CLASS, Sunday, December 10th, 2-4pm, Library. If you’ve been attending a while and would like to chat with pastor Jerry about membership, share your faith journey, and learn more about the mission and vision of Hudson FUMC, join pastor Jerry and Lisa for this informal class. Those that choose to join will be received into membership on Sunday, December 17th.

Going back to school or just starting out? The church Scholarship Com-mittee would like to help you. Scholarship applica-tions and renewals are due Dec. 18th. accompanied by a recent transcript. Forms are available on the church website or in the office.

VETERAN’S HOLIDAY WISH LISTS are ready to be filled to help our wound-ed veterans at James A. Haley VA Hospital have a merry Christmas. Suggested items are: Slippers, toilet articles, towels, wash clothes, tooth-paste, tooth brushes, and whatever

items you believe might bring comfort or joy to the veterans who unselfishly served our country. Pick up a few items and return them to the container available in the Church lobby or the Church office no later than December 11th.

Hudson First UMC Fri, Dec. 1, 6-8p

CHRISTMAS WORKSHOP

Pictures with Santa Puppet show

Games Crafts

Cookie decorating Gingerbread house making

Make a family wreath Hotdogs, chips, and a drink

*Special performance by Hudson Elementary Choir!

*Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Singin’ in the rain…

Maybe you remember Gene Kelly’s classic lyrics: “I'm singing in the rain, just singing in the rain. What a glorious feelin' - I'm happy again. I'm laughing at clouds, so dark up above. The sun's in my heart, and I'm ready for love. Let the stormy clouds chase, eve-ryone from the place. Come on with the rain, I've a smile on my face. I walk down the lane, with a happy refrain… Just singin', Singin' in the rain.” Can’t you just see him swinging that umbrella as he dances in puddles and makes the best of the weather?

Humanity can predict and even control a great deal more today than at any other time in history. But, weather… is an inexact science at best. And, we still cannot control the clouds—either the cumulus in the sky or the dark times that can accumulate in our life. Things still go “bump in the night.” Finances and family, emotional – physical – mental health, in every area of life we experience both desired and undesired change.

I love this quote from Vivian Green: “Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass... it's about learning how to dance in the rain!” She and Gene Kelly seemed to understand Psalm 69:29-30: “I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high. I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.” Have you noticed a “mole hill” becomes a “mountain” when we focus on it? Oh, it’s not that a mole hill isn’t a problem – moles destroy a nice lawn – but a mole infestation can be tackled; a mountain, on the other hand, takes serious equipment to move.

We all face adversity in our life. It's not the adversity, but how we react to it, that determines the joy and happiness in our lives. During tough times, do we spend too much time feeling sorry for ourselves, or can we, with gratitude... learn how to dance in the rain? I know, it sounds simplistic. But, it worked for the Psalm writer… and it works for me and millions of others. Gratitude can change your attitude. I like the way Sarah Breathnach has said it: “When we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that's present... We experience heav-en on earth.”

Have you learned to sing in the rain? There are two ways: pretend or contend. The root is the same in both of those words and life philosophies… “tend” – you have to deal with what’s in front of you. If you “pre”-tend you put a fantasy in front of the issue and act as if it wasn’t there… vacations are good at that. But, if you “con” tend you bring some-thing into the battle with you. For Christians, that something is really Someone… Jesus Christ—God’s Son is in our heart. I’ve never had to splash through a puddle alone and neither do you.

This Thanksgiving, whether the weather is gloomy or the outlook is bright, let’s pull out our umbrella and let our faith help us dance with God. Happy Thanksgiving… pastor Jerry

Hope Link by Pastor Jerry

Acts 28:20

Numbered lists grab our attention. In the checkout aisle or on the internet, we gravitate toward headings such as “10 ways to lose weight by summer!” or “3 simple steps to acing that test!”

Ancient Jewish sages urged people to count out and speak at least 100 bless-ings, or statements of gratitude, each day. What would happen if we inten-tionally listed 100 blessings daily? Can you imagine?!

What if the first blessing we counted was simply the day itself? “Thank you, God, for this brand new day!” “Bless my use of this day, Lord, that I might glo-

rify you.” Scripture encourages such awareness and promises an additional blessing in return: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12, NIV). -Heidi Mann

A grateful THANK YOU to all who volunteered and shopped at our annual Arts & Crafts Fair! Special acknowl-

edgement to Ron Hawthorne for cooking his signature dish- ribs with a side of beans. As usual, our vendors were im-pressed with our friendliness and facility. Slightly over $2,000 was raised to benefit the church Scholarship Fund. Thanks so much for coming! See you next year!

The Scholarship Committee

Lisa and I want to thank everyone for the many beautiful “pastor appreciation” cards and gifts we received in October. It is heart-warming to know that we are appre-ciated. I am grateful that you recognize that Lisa and I are a team – much of what I can do as your pastor is because Lisa is my full-time ministry partner.

Blessings and joy, …Jerry & Lisa Milner

The following is a “snapshot” of the finances as of the end of October. Actual for Oct. Actual YTD Budget YTD Budgeted Income Ministry and Missions 46,927.05 446,698.44 467,657.58 General Offering 2,538.36 22,432.72 36,116.92 Other Income 7,330.77 84,883.05 90,967.50 Total Budgeted Income 56,796.18 554,014.21 594,742.00 Budget Expenses (excluding mortgage) Expenses 56,844.67 582,526.48 616,564.93 Total Budgeted Income minus Expenses (48.49) (28,512.27) Other Income (non-budgeted) Trustees Fund 2,037.00 22,270.98 Building Fund 17,851.00 73,076.33 The Worship Center Mortgage is down to $499,370.09 as of the end of October.

Nancy’s Notes by Nancy Hitt, Church Administrator

Stephen Ministry by Tom Meier

Our object in life should not be so much to get through a great deal of work, as to give perfect satisfaction to Him for whom we are doing the work. -Aitken It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Deuteronomy 13:4 WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ASK FOR HELP FROM A STEPHEN MINISTER? When you ask for help from a Stephen Minister, a Stephen Leader will contact you to talk more about Stephen Minis-try and what it can mean to you. If your needs can be best served by a Stephen Minister, you will be matched with someone who will support you through this tough time. Confidentiality is a top priority for Stephen Ministers. You do not need to be concerned that other people will discover what you talk about with your Stephen Minister. If you would like more information about our Stephen Ministry or how to receive care from a Stephen Minister, please contact our Pastor, or any of the following Stephen Leaders: Dave Viall, Yvonne Noel, Paulette Wetmore or Tom Mei-er. Please remember to notify the church whenever you or a loved one is hospitalized locally so visitation can be made.

Today: Sunday, November 19 8:15-11:15am Nursery (0-5yrs) 8:30am Living Love-CE10 8:45am Children’s Ministry-CWC 8:45am Refuge Youth class-CE1 8:45am Young Adults class-LIB 8:45am Seekers-CE4 8:45am Galileans-CE9 8:45am Searching Christians -HH 8:45am New Generation-Prayer Room 10:00am Children’s Worship-CWC 10:00am Worship-WC 11:15am Thanksgiving Celebration-FH 6:00pm Refuge Activity-FH

Monday, November 20 9:00am Quilters-CWC 10:00am Morning Flutes-WC 9:30am Flex & Balance-HH-Cancelled 12:00pm Al-Anon-CE10 1:30pm Afternoon Flutes-WC

Tuesday, November 21 7:00am Business Referral Network 9:15am Prayer Warriors-CE10 10:00am Stitches-CWC 10:30am Caregivers Support-CE10 5:00pm Finance Committee-CE10 6:00pm Open Gym 6:30pm Council-CE10 7:00pm Boy/Girl Scout meetings

Wednesday, November 22 6:30am Men of Promise-BWR 9:00am Food Pantry Distribution-HH 9:30am Gentle Yoga-WC OFFICE CLOSES AT NOON

Thursday, November 23 HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Office Closed

Friday, November 24 Office Closed 9:30am Flex & Balance-CWC-Cancelled

Saturday, November 25

BWR - Beacon Woods Rest. CE - Christian Ed. Bldg. COL - Church Office Lobby CWC - Children’s Worship Ctr FH - Fellowship Hall HH - Howard Hall LIB—Library OCH - Oasis Coffee House SU—Sunnyside Up WC - Worship Center

Please call or send a card to… 11/19 Marie Sieber 11/20 Ted Lowenberg 11/21 Sharon Bugelli 11/21 Linda Ritenour 11/22 Barbara Bryant 11/22 Bob Williams

Connecting with a small group is vital to your spiritual growth. It has been said being in a group also impacts people’s daily lives. Group members feel closer to God (69 percent), understand the Bible better (74 percent), trust God more (66 percent), and become more loving in their relationships (48 percent).

Discipleship on Sundays, 8:45am... Galileans, Room CE9—Dave Smith Humanity Beyond the Fall

Living Love (8:30am), Room CE10—Doug Doan September, October, November Covenants with God

Searching Christians, Howard Hall—Chris Kreiler Study of Ruth

Young Adults, Library—Jerry Milner Beginning September 17th BIG Questions: clear answers to confusing questions

Seekers, CE4—Loraine Cors October, November—Overview of Paul’s Letters

New Generation, Prayer Room—Josh & Shanah Moore God’s Not Dead Study

11/23 Edie Sanders 11/24 Jeff Meyer 11/24 Marilyn Sheatz 11/24 Alexis Vicari 11/25 Marcelle Clement 11/25 Loraine Cors 11/25 Rich Reed 11/25 Paul Yewcic Corrections: 868-6178

Connections - Faith, Friends, Fun, & Fitness

Heart-to-Heart Women 9:30-11a, 3rd Saturday monthly Contact Fran Scerbo: 727-597-3727 Open to all women—faith and friendship blend together in a time of Christian fellowship.

Care Givers Support Group 10:30a 3rd Tues of month in CE10 Contact Laura: 727-863-0176 Care for caregivers—a place to laugh, learn, share, and care.

Encouragers Group 10:00a 2nd and 4th Thurs of month in CE10 Contact Ruth or Betsy: 727-868-6178 A safe place to share your grief or loss of any kind.

Special Sundays (K-8th) Sundays: 8:45a Children’s Worship 10a Children’s Church Contact Cheryle: 868-6178 (K-5) Contact Fran: 868-6178 (6-8)

Thrift Store Hours: Winter hours: Mon-Sat 10:30a to 4:00p Summer Hours: Tues-Sat 10:30a to 3:30p Donations appreciated—adult clothing, jewelry, small kitchen items, and some furniture.

Wednesday, 9a - 12p Howard Hall Entrance Serving households in zip codes 34667, 34668 and 34669 with food and spiritual nourishment. We serve with joy for Jesus. Donations appreciated.

Hudson Emmaus Men - 8am 3rd Saturday monthly Sunnyside Up Restaurant. Women - 11:30am 2nd Friday monthly CARES Café. Contact Dave Smith 727-247-9242

Exercise with Fran 9:30a Mondays—Flex and Balance 9:30a Fridays—Flex and Balance Contact Office: 727-868-6178 Cost? Bring a canned good for the Food Pantry!

New Generation 8:45a Sundays, Prayer Room 6p, 3rd Sat., Oasis Coffee House Shanah Moore: 607-429-8826 Encouraging and enriching the lives of young adults 18-35.

Refuge Ministry 6p Sundays, Life group “hang time” and activity.

Acts 29 (9-12th gr.) 8:45a Sundays, Discipleship 5:30p Wednesday, Small Group, CE2 Where young people encounter Christ in themselves and their world.

Wacky Wednesdays: 5:00p Dinner 5:30p Kings Kids (1st.-5th gr.) 5:30p E.X.C.I.T.E. (6th-8th gr.)

6:15p Kids of Praise Choir Wings of Spirit Dance

The Encouragers