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

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 23, 2018

We are glad to have you worship with us.

Christmas Blessings!

Luke 2:10 says, "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people." The Angel's message to the shepherds has four important messages for us today:

1. This good news is deeply personal, and it is a message that has a bow around it. The news of Christ's birth is a gift that is personally addressed to YOU!

2. This is POSITIVE news. The message is good news that will cause great joy. When was the last time you had good news that made you break out into your own "Snoopy dance"?

3. The message is for all people. No one is left out from this great celebration. Everyone can enjoy this good news and celebrate, not just on Christmas Eve, but every day of the year!

4. It brings GREAT joy. This is a joy that transcends our situations and predicaments. Christ came to save us from our sins.

So, maybe around your home this year you can practice how you can rejoice (jump straight up in the air) and celebrate Jesus' birth.

Gina and I thank you for your cards, letters, prayers and support this year. We wish you a joyous and blessed Christmas, 2018. God bless you, my brothers and sisters!

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 23, 2018 — 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary

Fourth Sunday of Advent

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 — He is Born (Arr. Molly James) LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES Thomas Fowler and Tillman Fowler

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH Lee and Faith Pinnell Sam and Shaw

*HYMN OF PRAISE #230 — O Little Town of Bethlehem (v. 1 & 4) PASTORAL PRAYER Rev. Dr. Jerry A. Roe, Jr.

CHORAL RESPONSE — Fivefold Amen (Burrows)

BAPTISM OF BANKS EVAN MOBLEY ANTHEM — Where Will We See Him? (Price; Besig)

Chancel Choir Directed by Dr. Frank Lowrey

TITHES, OFFERINGS and COMMUNICATION CARDS OFFERTORY PRAYER Rev. Dr. Jerry A. Roe, Jr. OFFERTORY — Christmas Medley (Weishaupt, Arr.)

Handbell Solo, Sylvia Roland *DOXOLOGY #95

3K to 2nd Grade Children dismissed to Children’s Church with Rachel Arnold and Katie Duncan.

*HYMN #217 — Away in a Manger

*SCRIPTURE — Luke 2:8-20 Rev. Dr. Jerry A. Roe, Jr.

THE MESSAGE — JOY, JOY, JOY! , Part 3: Joy at Birth Rev. Dr. Jerry A. Roe, Jr.

*CLOSING HYMN # 364 — Because He Lives (v. 1 & 2)

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

*POSTLUDE Mark Watford, Organist

Ricky Arnold, Audio Tech Ellen Hanson, Visual Tech

Americus First United Methodist Church

CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP

December 23, 2018 8:55 a.m.

Joy, Joy, Joy!, Part 3: Joy at Birth Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Rev. Dr. Jerry A. Roe, Jr.

Lighting of the Advent Wreath George and Shay Torbert, Gray and Georgia

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

Debra Donnelly, Audio Tech

Johnny Ferguson, Visual Tech

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

Kelli Starlin and Karin Owens immediately before the message.

Refreshments provided by Angelyn Tripp.

BRING YOUR FAMILY AND JOIN US FOR OUR CHRISTMAS EVE COMMUNION AND CANDLELIGHT SERVICE Monday, December 24, at 5:00 p.m.

The Christmas Eve offering will be divided between

the Americus-Sumter Transitional Housing Ministries, Inc., and the Harvest of Hope Food Pantry.

ESCAPE Americus

You’re locked in a room. You must solve the puzzles

In 60 minutes to escape.

WILL YOU MAKE IT OUT IN TIME?

Assemble a Team ~ Pick a Date ~ BOOK NOW!

WWW.ESCAPEAMERICUS.COM FACEBOOK.COM/ESCAPEAMERICUS

The church has hired a new Worship Arts Director. His name is Sam Morris. Here is his address so you

can write and welcome him. Sam Morris

848 Apple Valley RD Commerce, GA 30529

David Warlick’s address has changed.

Please call the church office for his new address.

Tuesday, December 18: Some of our kids visited Magnolia Manor and Perfect Care to give out Christmas cards and gifts. They even shared Christmas songs with a few groups. What big hearts these kids have! Sunday, December 23: Children’s Church: Advent Week #4. The kids will be learning and sharing

about how they can share God’s love at Christmas. “Explore the Bible" in Sunday School: The birth of Jesus is an exciting event

for us to celebrate. Like the shepherds, we rejoice in the news that our Savior came to earth. Jesus came for a reason. He came to rescue us from our sin. Jesus is the good news!! from Luke 2:11

The children’s song “Christmas Hallelujah” was beautiful and meaningful to everyone last Sunday. Thank you, kids, for sharing God’s love!

In Him, Stephanie

YOUTH 1/1/2019 6PM UNTIL 1/2/19 8AM- YOUTH LOCK-IN in The Foundry @ FUMC Wednesday, January 9, 2019: Youth activities start back! Thanks! Johnny

The Wesley Sunday School Class presented a check for $2,900, the proceeds from their County Store, to the Transitional Housing Ministry at their board meeting on Tuesday, December 12. Class members George Ellis and Frank Lowrey joined Judy Tott in the presentation. This amount includes an additional anonymous donation. Thanks to the Wesley Class members and all who attended for making this annual event successful!

Gift in Memory

Mary Walden

From Bill and Jan Bird

IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

Cuyler Barr, Sue Bailes, Sherrell Bailey, Mike Bledsoe, Sammy 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, Doug Gatian,

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,

Eugenia 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, Ginny Whaley, Juanita Wilder, Al Womack

GREETERS and USHERS for December 23, 2018

8:55 Inside Greeters: Angelyn Tripp 11:00 Inside Greeters at Front Door: Jane Arnold 11:00 Inside Greeters at South Door: Mary Comer

11:00 Ushers: Ginger Starlin, Captain; Karen Austin, Sherrell Bailey, Jan Bird, Mara Durham, SuSu Eskedor, Lydia Ann Fowler, Nancy Jones,

Sara Kate Shorter, Catey Simmons, Judy Tott, MaryLen Walker, Janis Webb

The flowers in the Sanctuary and Social Hall during Advent

Dear UMW Members, Thank you to those who make the prayer shawls. I really liked that mine was blue and white! Thanks especially to Leslie Stewart, as I understood she made mine. I will be headed to Atlanta on January 2. I will keep everyone up to date on my recovery. Love and thanks, Kellette Wade

Dearest Church Family, No words can express our appreciation for the love, prayers, and support you have shown us over the years, especially this past year. We are so blessed to have each of you.

Again, thank you and Merry Christmas! God Bless† Ginger and Calvin

Don’t forget our

Christmas Eve Communion

and Candlelight Service

at 5:00 p.m.

December 24, 2018

Sunday, December 23, 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 Monday, December 24, 2018 Bright Beginnings Closed Office Closed 5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Communion and Candlelight Service—Sanctuary Tuesday, December 25, 2018 Bright Beginnings Closed Office Closed 12 noon Christmas Community Dinner in the Social Hall Wednesday, December 26, 2018 Bright Beginnings Closed 9a-5p Office Open Thursday, December 27, 2018 9a-5p Office Open Bright Beginnings Closed 1:00 p.m. Bulletin Crew in Epworth Classroom Friday, December 28, 2018 9a-12 noon Office Open Bright Beginnings Closed

HAPPENING THIS WEEK

Membership: 1012 Total Worship Attendance December 16: 365

3

8:55 Worship Attendance. ............. 62 Youth Wednesday ................................25 11:00 Worship Attendance .......... 303 Children—Team KID ..............................54 Budget Giving ..................... $33,692 Sunday School Total ...........................143 YTD Budget Giving ............ $758,341 YTD Expenditures .............. $794,409 Benevolence YTD ................... $7,162

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

Just call Elaine in the finance office.

OUR RECORD OF FAITHFULNESS

Wednesday Fellowship suppers

resume on January 9, 2019.

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

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