It is an incredible honor to serve in this place and among

YOU… the congregation of 1st UMC-Maryville. We love YOU

and wish YOU joy in your heart, peace in your home, and

laughter in all your gatherings!

Merry Christmas

and Happy New Year!

Issue 41 December 16, 2013

(Triple edition)

COMING NEXT SUNDAY!

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES!CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES!

DECEMBER 24THDECEMBER 24TH

5:00 PM5:00 PM

7:30 PM7:30 PM

10:00 PM10:00 PM

Sherri

Denise

Amelia Mark

Asa Stephen

Larry Brenda

Ginny

Terry Susan Bryan

Jane Paul

Clayton

Happening at 1st

December 22, 2013 - December 28, 2013

Sunday, December 22, 2013 *Family Promise Host Week 7:35 AM Morning Glory Chorus rehearsal, 249 8:15 AM Morning Glory Worship, Asbury Hall 9:15 AM Sunday School 10:30 AM Traditional Worship, Sanctuary 10:30 AM The Crossing Christmas Program, Asbury Hall 6:00 PM Youth, Wesley Hall 6:30 PM 12 Steps for Christians, 213 Monday, December 23, 2013 *Family Promise Host Week Tuesday, December 24, 2013 - Christmas Eve *Church Office Closed *Family Promise Host Week 5:00 PM Christmas Eve Worship, Asbury Hall 6:30 PM Christmas Eve Covered Dish Dinner, Wesley Hall 7:30 PM Christmas Eve Worship, Sanctuary 10:00 PM Christmas Eve Worship, Sanctuary Wednesday, December 25, 2013 - Christmas Day *Church Office Closed *Family Promise Host Week Recovery at Maryville (Christmas Worship), Asbury Hall 5:30 PM Light Meal, Asbury Hall 6:30 PM Celebration Service, Asbury Hall 7:45 PM Sharing Groups (assigned rooms) Thursday, December 26, 2013 *Family Promise Host Week *Church Office Closed 5:00 PM Welcome Table, Asbury Hall Friday, December 27, 2013 *Family Promise Host Week

THE CHURCH BELL Page 2

Sunday, December 29, 2013 7:35 AM Morning Glory Chorus rehearsal, 249 8:15 AM Morning Glory Worship, Asbury Hall 9:15 AM Sunday School 10:30 AM Traditional Worship, Sanctuary 10:30 AM “The Crossing” Modern Worship, Asbury Hall 6:30 PM 12 Steps for Christians, 213 Tuesday, December 31, 2013 - New Year’s Eve *The church office will be open and Mark Blodgett will be available from 9 am—3 pm to assist you with year-end giving matters. Wednesday, January 1, 2014 - New Year’s Day *Church Office Closed Recovery at Maryville, Asbury Hall 5:30 PM Light Meal, Asbury Hall 6:30 PM Celebration Service, Asbury Hall 7:45 PM Sharing Groups (assigned rooms) Thursday, January 2, 2014 9:45 AM Circle 1, Sanctuary 5:00 PM Welcome Table, Asbury Hall

Happening at 1st

December 29, 2013 - January 4, 2014

Happening at 1st

January 5, 2014 - January 11, 2014

Sunday, January 5, 2014 7:35 AM Morning Glory Chorus rehearsal, 249 8:15 AM Morning Glory Worship, Asbury Hall 9:15 AM Sunday School 10:30 AM Traditional Worship, Sanctuary 10:30 AM “The Crossing” Modern Worship, Asbury Hall 6:00 PM Youth, Asbury Hall 6:30 PM 12 Steps for Christians, 213 Tuesday, January 7, 2014 5:30 PM Girls Scout Troop Meeting, 118 6:00 PM Primary Players, 249 Wednesday, January 8, 2014 Recovery at Maryville, Asbury Hall 5:30 PM Light Meal, Asbury Hall 6:30 PM Celebration Service, Asbury Hall 7:45 PM Sharing Groups (assigned rooms) Thursday, January 9, 2014 5:00 PM Welcome Table, Asbury Hall Friday, January 10, 2013 6:00 PM CMAT Saturday, January 11, 2013 10:00 AM Primary Players, Wesley Hall

Wishes for the New Year - Over the past year there has been tremendous growth in our online presences. A revamped website launched in February and 1st UMC has joined Google+, Foursquare and Instagram. The growth on Facebook and Twitter has also been astounding. In 2014 we hope YOU will connect even more to 1st UMC through all of these online avenues. Right now we have 414 “Likes” on Facebook. Can you help make that 500 by the end of the year? We’ll be giving out “prizes” to the 450th and 500th “friends.” So help spread the word!

Sunday commitments for December 22, 2013

Prepare for Worship

Isaiah 7:10-16

Psalm 80: 1-7,17-19 (UMH 801)

Romans 1: 1-7

Matthew 1: 18-25

Kids Own Worship

Preschool:

Ryan & Amber Warner

Elementary:

Darby & Emily Abbott

Staff on call:

Please contact

Brenda (414-8493)

or Larry (414-8494)

Parsonage (233-2712)

Greeters:

8:15 Morning Glory

LeRoy Rud

Ray Pack

Ed & Ginger Waters

10:30 The Crossing

William Russell

John & Sally Thierbach

10:30 Sanctuary

Brad & Patsy Lunde

Dallas & Amber Monroe

Acolytes:

Sara Kate White

Delaney White

Sunday commitments for December 29, 2013

Prepare for Worship

Isaiah 63: 7-9

Psalm 148 (UMH 861)

Hebrews 2: 10-18

Matthew 2: 13-23

Kids Own Worship

No Kids Own Worship:

Greeters:

8:15 Morning Glory

Mike & Cookie Crowson

Jerry & Frances Hodge

10:30 The Crossing

Randy & Laney Lambert

The Brinkley Family

10:30 Sanctuary

Mike & Julie Anderson

Scott & Tina Meadows

Acolytes:

TBD

Sunday commitments for January 5, 2013

Prepare for Worship

Isaiah 35: 1-10

Luke 1: 47-55 (UMH 199)

James 5: 7-10

Matthew 11: 2-11

Kids Own Worship

Preschool:

Dave & Jen Flynn

Elementary:

Summer & Chip Webb

Greeters:

8:15 Morning Glory

Mitchell & Gail Flynn

Clerinda Mynatt

10:30 Sanctuary

TBD

10:30 The Crossing

TBD

Acolytes:

TBD

Special preview coming on January 5th!Special preview coming on January 5th!

We have been granted permission to show the first lesson of The Legacy Journey to the congregation before it all begins. This will give YOU a chance to see what this course has to offer. Everyone is invited to this preview during the Sunday School hour (9:15 am) on January 5th in Wesley Hall. This preview is FREE!

(8 weeks starting January 12th, Cost is $115)

Sundays @ 4:00 pm

Sundays @ 6:00 pm

Mondays @ 7:00 pm

Tuesdays @ 7:00 pm

Wednesdays @ 7:00 pm

Thursdays @ 10:00 am

Thursdays @ 7:00 pm

(9 weeks starting January 5th, Cost is $95)

Sundays @ 6:00 pm

Wednesdays @ 7:00 pm

Register online at www.1stchurch.org or:

Call 865-982-1273!

THE CHURCH BELL Page 3

THE CHURCH BELL Page 4

More than 1300 people came out this year to see Do You Hear What I Hear?, the Chancel Choir Cantata for 2013. This year’s production included familiar carols like O Holy Night and Joy to the World, as well as the song The Friendly Beasts, a crowd pleaser for all ages. On Saturday and Sunday nights, the Tennessee Wesleyan College Chorale joined the Chancel Choir and orchestra with an interesting combination of Lo, How a Rose e’er Blooming and the pop tune The Rose. You can find a couple of video clips from Saturday night online on our Facebook page

and website (under 1st Look!). It will also be televised on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Christmas Eve, December 24th Noon-1pm on MyVLT (15)

Christmas Day, December 25th 6:00 am-7:00 am on WVLT (8)

4:00 pm—5:00 pm on WVLT (8) 5:00 –6:00 pm on WVLT (8) Catch the Cantata on TV!

MUSIC MINISTRY START-UP DATES

January 2014

Adults: Morning Glory Chorus: Sundays, 7:35 am Chancel Choir: Wednesday, January 8 – 7:30 pm Evensong Handbells Sunday, January 12 – 5:15 pm Asagao Handbells Thursday, January 16 – 10:15 am

Youth: Youth Handbells (both) (7

th-12

th)

Sunday, January 5 – 4:30 pm Celebration Singers (7

th – 12

th)

Sunday, January 5 – 5:10 pm Youth Praise Band Sunday, January 5—3:30 pm

Children: Primary Praise Singers (K-1

st)

Monday, January 13 – 3:15 pm Merrymakers (2

nd/3

rd)

Monday, January 13 – 3:15 pm Joy Singers (4

th-6

th)

Monday, January 13 – 3:15 pm Note: There are no children’s choir rehearsals on Monday, January 20!

Helping others

During the Saturday and Sunday night Cantata performances there was a special offering that’s become an integral part of the Christmas Season. This year the money given during those times will be dedicated solely to Blount County Good Neighbors and 1st UMC’s 2014 Habitat for Humanity build. Collections for the Christmas Offering will be taken up again during the Christmas Eve services on December 24th in both Asbury Hall and the Sanctuary.

More special music next Sunday!

Stay in the Christmas spirit by coming to “The Modern Worship Christmas Program” down in Asbury Hall this Sunday.

Come together to enjoy a few breakfast treats and plenty of music during this celebration of the coming of Christ! It all gets underway at 10:30 am, this Sunday, December 22nd! Hope to see YOU there!

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Adult Ministries Contact: Ginny West Case, ginnywc@fumc-maryville.org 865-982-1273

Let God break in on Christmas Eve!

The night of December 24th is one of the most magical and meaningful nights of the year. As you prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, please consider coming to 1st UMC for an evening of music, messages and making room in your life for the Messiah!

There are three services and a dinner that evening.

5:00 pm—Asbury Hall

This service will feature a special time where children will help tell the Christmas story. It ends with an opportunity to take the “light” of Jesus out into the world.

6:30 pm— Covered Dish Dinner

Come enjoy great food and time together in Wesley Hall. Please bring a side dish to share and sign up online at www.1stchurch.org or call 982-1273, and tell us how many of you are coming.

7:30 pm & 10:00 pm—Sanctuary

As God breaks into our lives by sending his Son, come experience this wonderful story through worship, communion and candlelight.

Give the gift of “SMiles!” This holiday season why not help out a senior who may find it hard to get around town. The SMiles program is designed for seniors 60+ who live independently, can

walk with assistance of a walker or cane and can communicate with the volunteer driver. SMiles is a membership program that costs $25 per year. In addition to the cost of membership, the advance purchase of four $6 round trip rides is required. Therefore, the initial cost of membership and a set of 4 rides is $49. All charges are paid in advance by check or credit card to Blount County Community Action Agency. After this payment of $49, any number of $6 rides can be purchased in advance with a 4-ride minimum of $24. Gift certificates for parents, relatives, neighbors and friends are available by calling 865-724-1331. If you’re a senior in need of transportation, ask for a gift of SMiles rides this Christmas!

Upcoming trips!

Mighty Musical Monday January 6th @ 10:45 am

Guest performer: Kathy Huber February 3rd @ 10:45 am

Guest performer: KSO Woodwind Quintet

Lunch in Paris (Parisian Apartment in Knoxville)

January 16th @ 10:45 am Enjoy a meal at this unique bistro and tea room where the

tables are set with lovely fine china and themes while taking you on a magical journey to Europe.

Boys and Girls Club of Blount County

January 20th @ 9:45 am Come take the opportunity to visit this organization where

anyone ages 5 and 17 can have a safe place to learn, grow and give back to the community.

Plan ahead for great theatre! (Great Christmas gift idea!)

Cumberland County Playhouse in Crossville

The Dixie Swim Club

February 4th @ 11:00 am

The Foreigner March 18th @ 11:00 am

Diary of Anne Frank

April 29th @ 10:00 am

Cost for each is $40 and includes transportation, ticket and lunch at Cumberland Mountain State Park restaurant.

Circle 2 will not be meeting again until the first Thursday in April. The group will meet again in May and June then meet in August - December. Meetings are at 10 am in room 215.

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All e-mails end with @fumc-Maryville.org unless otherwise noted.

Phone: 865-982-1273

Staff Member Email Extension

Brenda Carroll brendac 111 Larry Carroll lecarroll65@gmail.com 106 Asa Majors rev.asa.lee@gmail.com 107 Mark Blodgett mblodgett 103 Clayton Hensley chensley 100 Ginny West Case ginnywc 105 Terry Wilson sacmusic 109 Susan Daves sdaves 110 Denise Johns djohns 113

Chris Lee clee 116

Jane Sanders jsanders 101 Stephen Nelson 1stumyouth@gmail.com 202

Amelia Geis ameliageis@yahoo.com Dwain Pesterfield DwainP602@bellsouth.net

Paul Brown Sherri Justice Bryan Holder

Website: www.fumc-maryville.org

Staff Directory

Where is God at work?

The Young Adult Sunday school group has been talking a lot about “incarnation” lately. This past Sunday, the question was asked, “Do we believe we are the only actors in our lives or does God still work in our lives?” This question led to an invitation to look for signs of the “Incarnation, ‘God made flesh’ “ - every day. Where do we see God at work? Come join the discussion on Sunday mornings at 9:15 am where we will share some of these sightings and continue to look at the “Incarnation” in the coming weeks and who this Jesus person truly is.

Trivia changes

As a result of the way the holidays fall this year, we need to move trivia dates in January. New Year’s Day falls on the usual Wednesday trivia night - so we’ll wait a week and have our “first Wednesday” trivia on January 8th! It will then get back on track with the regular schedule on the third Tuesday, January 21st. If you have not had the opportunity to come test your trivia knowledge with this group, why not? It is a time filled with challenge and a great time to catch up with friends or make new ones.

Wednesday, January 8th

7:00 pm

Smoky Mountain Brewery

Tuesday, January 21st

7:00 pm

Smoky Mountain Brewery

Contact: Asa at rev.asa.lee@gmail.com 865-982-1273

New year, new study!

January is always a time of reflection and self-evaluation. It is a time for setting new goals and working on ways of achieving them. As we begin 2014, you are invited to come and do some self-searching as well as we look at Altar ego, a DVD study aimed at helping you explore what God might have in store for you this year. Coffee

and sweet treats are included, Sundays at 9:15 am in room 128. Hope to see you soon!

Feeding the need!

The Welcome Table ministry continues to be a great opportunity for 1st UMC to serve as the hands and feet of Christ in the Community. This past month volunteers served 814 people in Asbury Hall. The month included a meal on the evening of Thanksgiving. A special thanks goes out to everyone who help make this ministry possible.

Special Christmas worship!

Christmas falls on a Wednesday this year and that means it will coincide with Recovery at Maryville. If you are looking for an uplifting and highly energetic worship experience on Christmas Day - consider coming to Recovery that night! You’ll be glad you did.

5:30 pm—Light Meal

6:30 pm—Celebration Service

7:45 pm—Sharing Groups

The RACKing continues

Following a weekend of hard work directing the Chancel Choir Cantata, Terry Wilson got a little thanks from the children of Kids Own Worship . The door to his office was covered with crosses, trees angels and much more, all a sign he’d been RACK’d (which stands for Random Acts of Christmas Kindness.)

Terry wasn’t the only one in the building to be greeted by these wonderful expressions on their door. Youth Director, Stephen Nelson also had a great display on his office door.

May these “surprises” inspire YOU to conduct your own random acts of kindness this holiday season and beyond!

For more information on any of these events, please call Denise at For more information on any of these events, please call Denise at

982982--1273 or e1273 or e--mail her at djohns@fumcmail her at djohns@fumc--maryville.org .maryville.org .

What are your children learning?

Each week we try and bring you a closer look at what your child is learning during Sunday School. This “column” will

return in the first edition of “The Church Bell” next year. Until then, you can learn much more about the Sunday School

curriculum at

Team Meeting

The Children’s Ministry Action Team will have the first meeting of the new year on Friday, January 10th at 6:00 pm. If you have any suggestions or ideas about the children’s ministry program please contact Denise Johns at 268-2921 as she would love to hear your feedback.

Children‘s Corner

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Got the

volunteer spirit?

The children’s ministry program could not exist without the help of numerous volunteers. As the New Year approaches would you consider making children’s ministries a priority in your life? Volunteers are needed on Sunday mornings and at all our activities. Please contact Denise and tell her how YOU want to share your talents with the children.

A word from the children’s ministry director...

I would love to become a part of your child’s life be-yond the walls of the church. If your child is involved in a sports program, a performance group, etc. let me know. I would enjoy attending their games or perform-ances to show them my support for them. Please give me a call at 268-2921 and leave me a message or text me at 679-0247.

Denise

Year End Giving

Thank you for your faithful support of the ministry and mission of First Church! We still need your help. There are several ways that you can contribute:

Checks/Cash

Online Giving: www.1stchurch.org

Appreciated Stock: The church has a brokerage account for stock transfers. Please contact Mark Blodgett for more information.

IRA Charitable Donation: An individual that owns an IRA with a required minimum distribution is able to transfer a gift directly from their IRA to the church in the form of a qualified charitable distribution. This offers significant tax savings for donors.

In order for contributions to be posted to your 2013 giving record, they must be received at the church or postmarked on or before December 31st.

The church office will be open and Mark Blodgett will be available on December 31st (9 am—3 pm) to assist you with year-end giving matters.

804 Montvale Station Rd.

Maryville, TN 37803

865-982-1273

www.1stchurch.org