Rev. Dr. Jerry A. Roe, Jr. .................. Senior Minister Kim Hale ...........................................Preschool Director Rev. Noel C. Perez ..................... Associate Minister Doug Gatian ............................... Church Administrator ......................................................................................... Elaine Smith ..................................... Finance Secretary Stephanie Updike .. Director of Children’s Ministries Lyn Dozier ....................................................... Secretary Johnny Updike ... Director of Youth and Outreach Lacey Fulton ................................................... Secretary John Teate ............................... 8:55 Worship Leader Sylvia Roland...................................... Church Hostess Mark Watford .................................................. Organist Jarvis Pitts ...................................................... Custodian Alwen Yeung .................................................... Pianist

Americus First United Methodist Church

200 South Lee Street Americus, Georgia 31709 229-924-3169

www.americusfirstunitedmethodistchurch.org facebook.com/AFUMCBrightBeginnings facebook.com/fumcamericus facebook.com/AFUMCKids facebook.com/AFUMCYouth

February 16, 2014

December 2, 2018

We are glad to have you worship with us.

Advent 2018 Dates to Remember

Greetings, my Beloved. Welcome to the 2018 Advent season. As you know, Advent is the season where we remember the birth of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Advent is also a time to prepare for His triumphant return. I thought it might be handy to have a “one stop” place to see what is going on at AFUMC leading up to Christmas. Here are some of the important dates to remember:

December 9 at 10:15 a.m. and December 10 at 7:00 p.m.: AFUMC Chancel Choir presents, “The Coming of God.”

December 16 during the 11:00 a.m. service of worship, the Children’s Choir will sing.

December 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary – Bright Beginnings Christmas program.

December 24, Christmas Eve, 5:00 p.m. in the sanctuary, Christmas Eve Communion and Candlelight Service.

December 25, Christmas Day, Community-Wide Christmas Dinner in the Social Hall.

During the season of Advent we will not have Wednesday Night Supper or Growth Groups. Also, our Church Office will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Check out our church Facebook page (Americus First United Methodist Church) to read a daily Advent devotion starting Saturday, December 1. Come, Lord Jesus, Come! Pastor Jerry

Welcome, Guests, to Americus First United Methodist Church! We are glad you are here and hope you worship with us again.

We invite you to join our congregation. If you are interested in membership, call Pastor Jerry at 924-3169.

Americus First United Methodist Church

MORNING WORSHIP December 2, 2018 — 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary

First Sunday of Advent / Holy Communion

WELCOME GREETING AND WELCOME CHORUS — Surely the Presence ANNOUNCEMENTS

(Please fill out your communication card and place it in the offering plate later in worship.)

PRELUDE — The First Nowell (arr. Lani Smith )

Piano Duet: Alwen Yeung and Mark Watford LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES Reeves Young and Turner Simmons LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH Matt and Leslie Stewart, Katie and Wiley

*HYMN OF PRAISE #196 — Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

PASTORAL PRAYER Rev. Dr. Jerry A. Roe, Jr.

CHORAL RESPONSE — Amen (Schubert)

ANTHEM — Prepare the Way of the Lord (Rowan)

Chancel Choir—Ken DiNella, Soloist

TITHES, OFFERINGS and COMMUNICATION CARDS OFFERTORY PRAYER Rev. Dr. Jerry A. Roe, Jr. OFFERTORY — Ding, Dong! Merrily on High

Piano Duet: Alwen Yeung and Mark Watford *DOXOLOGY #95

3K to 2nd Grade Children dismissed to Children’s Church With Rebecca Ferguson and Lisa Whitaker.

*HYMN # 204 — Emmanuel, Emmanuel

*SCRIPTURE — Psalm 30:5; Jeremiah 31:13; Habakkuk 3:17-19 Rev. Dr. Jerry A. Roe, Jr.

THE MESSAGE — JOY, JOY, JOY! Rev. Dr. Jerry A. Roe, Jr. SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

A gluten-free option is available from Jerry at the center altar rail.

*CLOSING HYMN #211 — O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Verses 1 and 4)

*BENEDICTION Rev. Dr. Jerry A. Roe, Jr.

*POSTLUDE Mark Watford, Organist

Sammy Bledsoe, Audio Tech Casper Speegle, Visual Tech

Servers: Reeves Young, Turner Simmons, Sonny and Mary Lynn Shealy Serving those in the pews: Rev. Dr. Jerry A. Roe

Americus First United Methodist Church

CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP

December 2, 2018 8:55 a.m.

Joy, Joy, Joy! Scripture: Psalm 30:5; Jeremiah 31:13; Habakkuk 3:17-19

Rev. Dr. Jerry A. Roe, Jr.

Lighting of the Advent Wreath John and Rebecca Ferguson, Ellie and Evan

Sacrament of Holy Communion A gluten-free option is available from Jerry at the Table.

Servers: John and Rachel Shealy and Jerry & Gina Roe

Praise Team

John Teate, Worship Leader, guitar and vocals Kalynn VanLandingham, keyboard and vocals

and Hannah Mitchell, guitar and vocals Rebecca Ferguson and Beverly Huffman, vocals

Nathan Bateman, bass guitar

Lee Wright, Audio Tech

Johnny Ferguson, Visual Tech

Children (3k-2nd Grade) are invited to Children’s Church with

Valerie Duff and Stephanie Updike immediately before the message.

Refreshments provided by Lynda Lee and Frank Purvis.

Sunday, December 9, 2018 Combined Worship at 10:15 AM

No Sunday School or 8:55 Worship

Tuesday, November 27- Chapel with Bright Beginnings- We talked about being thankful for all of God's many blessings! Wednesday, November 28- "Deck the Halls"....we will be decorating all the classroom doors, AFTER music practice for our Christmas song being sung on Sunday, December 16! Sunday, December 2- "Explore the Bible" in Sunday School Four friends believed that Jesus could heal their friend, so they carried their friend to Jesus. A house overflowing with people did not stop these friends. The kids learned that Jesus is all-powerful! He rules over sin. Bible story in Mark 2:1-12. Sunday, December 2- Children's Church In the month of December, we will have "Advent Adventures" in Children's Church each week. Today, we will explain Advent to the kids, helping them to understand that our need for a messiah is very real. In other words, Christmas is not just an excuse to get presents! Wednesday, December 5- We will put finishing touches on the Christmas Parade float AFTER music practice. Thursday, December 6- Be at the church by 5:45 p.m. so we can load up and get our float to our spot in line for the Christmas Parade (we have to be "in line" by 6:15 pm) . Bundle up good!!! Upcoming: Wednesday, December 12- We will have our Birthday Party for Jesus, AFTER music practice. Come celebrate with us....6-7 p.m. Sunday, December 16- the kids will sing "Hallelujah" in the 11 a.m. service.

THANKFUL this holiday season! Stephanie

YOUTH - FALL SCHEDULE

Youth Praise Choir- We will have praise choir practice on Wednesday Nights after Bible study from 7:30-8pm. Wednesday Bible Study Schedule: 12/5/18- Regular WNS 12/12/18- Regular WNS- Last Wednesday Night for 2018 *Praise Team Practice is on Wednesday's from 5-5:30 in The Foundry **Core and Lead Team Meeting Wednesday, December 5, at 7 p.m. in the Foundry. ***The Foundry and game room are now open on Wednesday's at 3:30 p.m.. All youth are welcome to come hang out after school, play games or work on homework until we head upstairs for Wednesday Night Supper. Come join us on Wednesday's!!!! Prayer Breakfast- We will meet on Wednesday's at Hardee's at 7a.m.! Please make a note of when it's your turn to do devotion. If you would like to join us and need a ride, I'll be more than happy to take you to school when we finish! 12/12/2018 will be our last Wednesday Prayer Breakfast for the Year. We will start back on Wednesday January 9, 2019. 12/5/18- Addison Starlin 12/12/18- Delaney Comer ** We are trying to compose a youth master list and we need your info! If you're not receiving weekly text messages from me, that means I don't have your number. Please send me a text with your name and grade to 229-942-8961. I need parents numbers as well. If you don't have a cell phone, please call the church and leave your information with Lyn or Lacey, 229-924-3169.

Thanks! Johnny

Upcoming Events- 12/16/18- Core and Lead Team Christmas Dinner 1/1/2019 6PM UNTIL 1/2/19 8AM- YOUTH LOCK-IN in The Foundry @ FUMC

IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

Cuyler Barr, Sue Bailes, Sherrell Bailey, Mike Bledsoe, Nancy Carlan, Beth Carroll, Joe Caldwell, Mary Davis, Sheryl Dickens, Freddie Dudley,

April Duke, Sue Dupree, Sharon Dutton, Margie Easterlin, Gertrude Forehand, Mandy Fitzgerald, Marion Franklin, Amy Hamrick, Ruth Jones, Pam Law,

Imogene McLendon, Floyd Martin, Ted and Brenda McMillan, Brooks Starlin Mechler, John Morgan, Vicki Partain, David Peak, Charlene Sanders,

Jessica Segovia, Don Smith, Walter Stapleton, Calvin Starlin, Richard and Diane Swope, Betty Trammell, Liz and Bill Turpin, Billy Tye,

Judy Updike, Stephanie Updike, Evelyn Wages, David Warlick, Julian Webb, Ginny Whaley, Juanita Wilder, Al Womack

GREETERS and USHERS for December 2, 2018

8:55 Inside Greeters: Lynda Lee and Frank Purvis 11:00 Inside Greeters at Front Door: Jane Arnold and Virginia Watson

11:00 Inside Greeters at South Door: Jenny and Bob Lashley

11:00 Ushers: Carson Walker, Captain; Andrew Austin, Greg Austin, Taylor Austin, Jim Buchanan, Paul Fitzgerald, Jim Gatewood,

Leon Holloway, Sam Hunter, Zac Jennings, Randy Jones, Mark Pace, Brian Simmons, Jimmy Whaley, Jimmy Williams

No Wednesday Fellowship Suppers in December!

Please join us when suppers resume on January 9, 2019.

David Warlick’s address has changed. Please call the church office for his new address.

Sunday, December 2, 2018 8:30 a.m. Chapel open for prayer 8:55 a.m. Worship in the Social Hall 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary 5:00 p.m. Prayer Connection in the Parlor 6:00 p.m. Bible Study on the Revelation to John in the Social Hall Monday, December 3, 2018 1:30 p.m. Staff Meeting in the Parlor Tuesday, December 4, 2018 9:00 a.m. Preschool Chapel in Campsite 1 10:00 a.m. Nimble Fingers in Campsite 2 6:00 p.m. Epworth Class Party at the Pope Center, SGTC Wednesday, December 5, 2018 7:00 a.m. Prayer Breakfast at Hardee’s Decorate Children’s Float for Christmas Parade 6:00 p.m. Youth Bible Study & Worship in the Foundry 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal Thursday, December 6, 2018 1:00 p.m. Bulletin Crew in the Epworth Classroom Sunday, December 9, 2018 COMBINED WORSHIP AT 10:15 AM

10:15 a.m. Chancel Choir Christmas Musical “The Coming of God”

HAPPENING THIS WEEK

CHAPEL OPEN FOR PRAYER 9a-5p Mon-Th

9a-12p Fri

Poinsettias for the Sanctuary Poinsettias will grace both worship services beginning December 9. If you wish to purchase a poinsettia in honor or in memory of a loved one, please complete this form, include your check and drop it in the offering plate or mail to the church at 200 S Lee Street. We will order 80 poinsettias at $15.00 each. Poinsettia sales are also used as a fund-raiser to help with flowers in Sunday services throughout the year.

Deadline is Monday, December 3. Make checks payable to First UMC & note poinsettias on the memo line.

In honor of _______________________________________________________

By _______________________________________________________________

In memory of ______________________________________________________

By _______________________________________________________________

Will pick up after Christmas Eve Service _________

Use my check as a donation to the Flower Fund __________________________

In honor of ________________________ In memory of ___________________

By ______________________________________________________________

Membership: 1012 Total Worship Attendance November 25: 223

3

8:55 Worship Attendance. ............. 85 Youth Wednesday ............... Thanksgiving 11:00 Worship Attendance .......... 138 Children—Team KID ............ Thanksgiving Budget Giving ....................... $9,381 Sunday School Total ........................... 130 YTD Budget Giving ........... $685,665 YTD Expenditures .............. $741,227 Benevolence YTD .................. $6,788

Reminder: You can make donations to the church by automatic draft.

Just call Elaine in the finance office.

OUR RECORD OF FAITHFULNESS

Calendar Dates 2018

Sundays 8:55 a.m. Worship in the Social Hall

10:00 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 Worship

in the Sanctuary 5:00 p.m. Prayer Connection

In the Parlor 6:00 p.m. Bible Study on The Revelation to John

Social Hall

Tuesdays Nimble Fingers Quilters

10:00 a.m. in Epworth Classroom Bell Choir Rehearsal

5:15 in the Bell Choir Room

Wednesdays Fellowship Supper

5:30 p.m. in the Social Hall TeamKID

Youth Growth Groups

6:00 p.m. in the designated rooms

Chancel Choir Rehearsal 7:00 p.m. in the Choir Room

Sunday, December 9 Christmas Musical

10:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary

Monday, December 10 Christmas Musical

7 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Wednesday, December 19 Bright Beginnings

Christmas Program 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Monday, December 24 Christmas Eve Communion

and Candlelight Service 5 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Tuesday, December 25 Open Hands Community

Christmas Dinner 12 p.m. in the Social Hall

Church Office Hours

Monday-Thursday: 9:00a to 5:00p

Friday: 9:00 a.m. to noon

Friday is Jerry’s, Stephanie’s and Johnny’s day off.

Finance Office Hours Monday - Thursday:

9:00a -3:00p