Methodist Messenger Our Mission: Welcome All, Win to Christ, Equip to Follow, Serve Christ’s Mission

Your Monthly Source of Information & Inspiration from Clanton First United Methodist Church December 2014

Rob West Senior Pastor Barbara Brewi Associate Pastor Jeff Herron Youth Minister Greg Faulkner Minister of Music Christi Mitchell Children’s Minister Elisabeth Smith AdministrativeAssistant Lynn Best Office Manager Mary Morris Accompanist/ Organist Linda Niles Preschool Director Barbara Lewis Treasurer Doris West Kitchen Coordinator Judy Holley Custodian Deanna Bonagura Cynthia Childers Elaine Johns Jessie Webb Nursery Staff Office Hours 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Office Phone (205) 755-0490 Care Line (205) 755-3455 FAX (205) 755-0840 Worship Services 8:15 AM Traditional 9:30 AM Hydrate 11:00 AM Traditional 11:30 AM Hispanic Sunday School 9:30 & 11:00 AM

Greetings in the name of our Lord!

I am writing this just after we met for Charge Conference with the District Superintendent,

and I can’t tell you how proud I was of our church. There was a tremendous feeling of

excitement and purpose as our lay leaders reported on all of the wonderful things God is

doing through CFUMC. What a responsibility and privilege it is to be used by God to feed

His sheep.

We are now entering the “whirlwind of the Christmas season”. I must confess that I do

love Christmas, some people don’t and I can understand their reasons. There is a lot

about the commercial side of Christmas that is nauseating, but let me share what I have

come to appreciate.

I have known a lot of different kinds of Christmases – in “plenty” and in “want”- with

“family” and “alone”- with “joy” and “sorrow”. It hasn’t been a smooth ride and (with the

exception of seeing my children on Christmas morning) no, I don’t want to go back and

repeat any of it. However, in the midst of all of this, God has been scraping away at all of

my selfish expectations and focusing me on the one thing that is necessary. Jesus is

born, thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! Even if my “to do list” doesn’t get

completed, my house doesn’t look like Southern Living and after the gifts and tinsel are

gone- it will still be Christmas.

Despite all of the “folderol” and “noisy hype”, time has been set aside to give the world a

chance to reflect on this indescribable gift! Our children enact the story of the nativity, the

choirs sing to the glory of God, and the sanctuary is decorated in traditional symbols to

remind us of this miracle. We light candles, pray and sing the familiar carols- all to focus

us on the good news that Jesus is born – so that we can reflect that message back to a

world in desperate need of that good news. Can we, as Christians, be louder than all the

hype?

I do hope that each of you will bring others and join in during this season of love and

hope. The traditional “Hanging of the Greens” begins the season on Nov. 30 at 6:00 pm

in the sanctuary, followed by a pancake dinner. You will find the rest of the calendar

inside this newsletter.

Oh, come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!

Barbara

A Stocking Stuffing Party will be December 1 at 5:00 pm in Crossroads Café. Please come and help stuff the stockings with goodies, as we prepare to ship all of them overseas!

Clanton First United

Methodist will present

“Treasure of Carols” on Dec. 13!

Doors open at 5:30 pm,

Cantata will begin at

6:00 pm. Please come

by or call the church office to receive your free ticket

(required for admission).

Dear FUMC,

Thank you so much for allowing the DAV and the

DAV Auxiliary to use your facilities for our

Leadership Seminar. It was a perfect Venue for

this event. Your generosity will not be forgotten.

Thank you for helping us veterans.

God Bless You!

Laird & Rebecca Culver

Come join the fun:

Christmas Caroling Wednesday, Dec 17

5:15 pm- Activity Center

7:00 pm- Dinner

Join us afterward for a soup fellowship!

First Methodist

Volunteers will deliver

December 15-19.

Thank you for your

ministry!

The M&M’s Senior Group invites you to join them Wednesday, Dec 17 for a trip to Columbiana’s Civil War Museum and lunch at Bernie’s Restaurant. Please contact Faye Brown to reserve your seat on the bus at 280-4960.

Please join us for

Christmas Eve Services

5:00 pm – Contemporary Candlelight

(Helen E. Parrish Activity Center)

6:00 pm – Traditional Candlelight (Sanctuary)

Oh, Come Let Us Adore Him!

The Giving Tree Clanton FUMC has adopted five local children for Christmas. If you would like to purchase a gift for one of them:

Please visit The Giving Tree in Crossroads Café

On a star or angel you will find an item listed - take the star or angel

Purchase and wrap the gift

Return it with the star or angel to the tree by December 17.

If you have any questions, contact Lynn in the church office at 755-0490. Thank you!

Thank you to everyone for their participation in

the Soup, Craft & Bake Sale! It was every

person’s hard work and efforts that made this event

a success. Thank you to those who came and

supported our efforts. Local and international

missions will be blessed by your generosity.

Thank you! – The United Methodist Women

Dec 31- New Year’s Eve Service This service will be at 6:00 pm. Reverend Rob West will bring the message of the Wesley Covenant Renewal Service. We hope that you will come hear and make a covenant with Christ for the new year. Lord, I am not longer my own, but Yours. Put me to what You will. Rank me with whom You will. Let me be employed by You or laid aside for You. Let me have all things. Let me have nothing. I freely & heartily yield all things to Your pleasure and disposal.

Please join us for Hanging of the Greens on November 30! 4:00 pm Decorate classrooms 6:00 pm Special service in the sanctuary-

Please join us afterwards for a pancake dinner in the fellowship hall!

Join us Dec 3 at 6:30pm in the Fellowship Hall as we share a devotion and make our own

Advent wreaths! Cost is $5

donation to help cover the cost of the wreath materials and candles. We will also need lots of greenery.

If you happen to have evergreens (pine, cedar, holly, ivy, camellias, etc), please bring enough to share!

Clanton FUMC Youth invite

you to:

Christmas Comedy Tour with Travis Crim Wednesday, December 10

6:00 pm Travis Crim explodes onto the stage with excitement, energy and a genuine love for

students in the hilarious night of comedy that is appropriate for all ages!

You are cordially invited to a:

Memorial Dedication & Flag Raising Ceremony

Saturday, December 6

1:00 pm

Cedar Ridge Veterans Home

325 County Road 271

Clanton, Alabama

The Children’s Advent Service will take

place on Sunday, December 7 at 6pm in the Sanctuary. Come and see our Preschool and K-6th Choirs as they perform their Christmas musicals. Join us afterward for a Cookie Fellowship! Please plan to bring a plate of your favorite cookies to share.

Dear Clanton FUMC, Thank you for your generosity and for caring so much for our veterans. Your efforts do not go unnoticed. May God keep you safe and blessed. Melanie Pritchard & Staff of Cedar Ridge Veterans Home

Memorials

Gifts have been given in loving memory of:

Rita Martin ( Doris Reynolds’ Sister)

by Mr. & Mrs. Johnney McKinney

Alton & Mittie Godbold

By Landy Godbold

Helen Reeves (Mau McCallum’s Mother)

By Annella Smith, Joyce Vaughn

Jack Allen

By Joyce Vaughn

Mrs. Pat Moore

By Joyce Vaughn

Mrs. Mary Popwell (Elizabeth Byrd’s Aunt)

By Joyce Vaughn

(10/19 – 11/16)

December Celebrations

Happy Birthday!

1 Susan McKinney, Erica Smith 2 Janice Blaise 3 Kayla Marsh, Tommy Niles 4 Ross Jenkins, Chuck Kalanick, Kenleigh Smith, Shae Edge 5 Brady Pendley. Keaton Sullivan 6 Jane Leach 8 John L. Chancellor, Craig Cleckler, Stephanie Harris, Jeanna Mims,

Howard Thomas, Katelyn Lovett 9 Lisa Green 10 Carrie Cleckler, Wendy Dale, Elizabeth Eason 12 Benny Gibson, Brent Robinson, Amy Trentman 13 Elizabeth Byrd, Anna Calhoun, Agnes Ellison 14 Jeff Williams 15 Lane Kalanick, Willetta Mulhorn 16 Sarah Swanner 17 Mau McCallum 18 Gail Foster 19 Amber Darnell, Maxwell Hargrove, Larry Utendahl, Art Zuelzke, Jake

Moore 20 Parker Porter 21 Ava Robinson, Leelah Penley 22 Ada Robinson 23 Linda Niles, Cole Watley, Larry Webb, Brian Wyatt 24 Aiden Smitherman 25 HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 26 Regina Bryant, Bud Esposite, Trent Tatum 27 Don McAfee 28 Ava Jones, Emily McKinney 29 Candace Hight, Jacob McKinney, Robert Bucklew 30 Katherine Jones 31 Brandee Barnes, Forest Grubbs, Jerry Jones, Owen Tanksley Traditional Ushers Ken Baldwin, Max Scott, John Schmith, Wayne Giles

Acolytes 12/7- Morgan Wilkins, Abbi Calhoun, Kailee Williams , Bella Collins 12/14- Wesley Williams, Joshua Simms 12/21- Mason Zuelzke, Brandon Hight 12/28- Hannah Ellison, Olivia Tanksley

Happy Anniversary

5 Mr & Mrs Gary Dale (Wendy) Mr & Mrs George Moore (Linda) 6 Mr & Mrs Claude Leach (Jane) Mr & Mrs Brian Wyatt (Shannon) 10 Mr & Mrs Ray Sosa (Doris) 16 Mr & Mrs Mike Ellison (Raynette) 16 Mr & Mrs Jimbo Patterson (Lori) 17 Mr & Mrs Craig Cleckler (Corley) 24 Mr & Mrs Ron Blaise (Janice) 28 Mr & Mrs Leo Phillips (Karen) 29 Mr & Mrs Tommy Lenoir (Suzanne) Hydrate Greeters: 12/7- Chuck & Lane Kalanick, April Teel, Candace Hight 12/14- Doug & Robin Thompson, Amy Trentman, Karen Smith 12/21- John Cornelius, Drew & Jennifer Zuelzke, Stephanie Gibson 12/28- Phil & Jan Davis, Ron & Nancy Dovey Traditional Greeters- Home Improvement Class

Of all the gifts bestowed this year… first be the gift of loved ones near. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from First United Methodist Church

First United Methodist Church U.S. Postage Paid 207 8th Street North Permit No. 77 Clanton, AL 35045 Non-Profit Org.

Clanton, Al

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Youth

News

& Notes Dec 3- Youth Advent Service at 5:48! Come find out what Advent is. Dec 7- Small Groups at 4:30 pm Dec 10 5:00 pm - Drama Practice 6:00 pm – Youth invites the church to Christmas Comedy Tour with Travis Crim. You DO NOT want to miss this fun night of comedy. Dec 14 4:30 pm – Small Groups

6:00 pm – Worship Band Dec 17 Church wide Christmas caroling at 5:15 pm. We will come back at 7:00 pm for our YOUTH CHRISTMAS PARTY! Dec 21- No Small Groups Dec 24- Christmas Eve Services 5:00 pm- Contemporary Candlelight 6:00 pm- Traditional Candlelight Dec 31- New Year’s Eve Service at 6:00 pm in the Sanctuary WINTER TRIP- Jan 17, 18, 19 Will leave Saturday and come back Monday afternoon for “STRENGTH TO STAND” in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. We will be staying in a private chalet. Sign up now and reserve your seat for $75. Total cost of $150 is due by Dec. 15.

Christmas

Find and circle the hidden words.

ANGEL BELLS BETHLEHEM CANDLES

CANDY CANE CAROLS DECORATIONS EGGNOG FAMILY FRANKINCENSE FRIENDS

FRUITCAKE GABRIEL GIFTS GOLD

GREETING CARDS HOLLY ICICLES JESUS JOSEPH LIGHTS

MANGER MARY MISTLETOE MYRRH

ORNAMENTS POINSETTIA SANTA SHEPHERDS SKATES SLEIGH

SNOWFLAKES SNOWMAN STABLE STAR

STOCKING THREE WISE MEN TOBOGGAN TOYS TREE WREATH

Office Hours- 8:00 AM- 4:30 PM Mon- Fri

Office Phone- (205) 755-0490

Fax #- (205) 755-0840

Care Line- (205) 755- 3455

Worship 8:15 & 11:00 AM (Traditional),

9:30 AM (Hydrate)

Sunday School 9:30 & 11:00 AM

San Juan Hispanic Service 11:30 AM

View our Newsletter online at

www.clantonfumc.org

Children’s Page

A Publication of FUMC Children’s Ministry

December 2014

Join us on November 30, 2014 for the Hanging of the Greens service at 6pm in the sanctuary. Both our preschool and K-6

th choir will sing at

this service. Everyone is invited to stay for supper afterward.

AWANA STORE will take place on December 3. K-6th grade will shop from 6:00-6:30. Cubbies (pre-K) and Puggles (toddlers) will shop from 6:30-6:45. Join us afterward as we make Advent wreaths! The Cubbies and Puggles may either choose to make wreaths with their families or enjoy snacks and movies in the Activity Center Classroom.

Your family is invited to join us on December 3 at

6:30pm in the Fellowship Hall as we share a family devotion time and make our own Advent

wreaths. An Advent wreath makes a lovely addition to your family’s table. We will give out

booklets of nightly scripture readings to accompany the lighting of the Advent candles each evening. Children love to participate in this beautiful tradition that focuses on the true

meaning of the season. We are asking for a $5 donation to help cover the cost of the wreath

materials and candles. We will also need lots of greenery. If you happen to have evergreens (pine, cedar, holly, ivy, camellias, etc), please

bring enough to share!

The Children’s Advent Service will take place on Sunday December 7 at 6pm. Come and see our Preschool and K-6th Choirs as they perform their

Christmas musicals. Join us afterward for a Cookie Fellowship! Please plan to bring a plate of

your favorite cookies to share.

The Christmas Comedy Tour is coming! Join us Wed. December 10 at 6pm in the gym!

ATTENTION CONFIRMATION CLASS:

Looking for a service opportunity?

Join us on December 1 at 4:30pm as we

stuff stockings for soldiers and

prepare them for mailing!

Preschool Sunday December 14

Our Weekday Preschool children will be performing at the 11:00 service. They will meet in the chapel before the service. After they perform, they will attend Sunday School downstairs. If you are able to help teach from 11:20-12:00 on this day, please contact Christi Mitchell—we will be blessed with 2 additional classrooms of children!

While the children are on school break, AWANA clubs, GAP Bible studies, and Children’s Choirs will not meet. We will resume regular Wednesday night activities on January 7.

Christmas Caroling: December 17 The whole church is invited to spread Christmas cheer to our shut-ins by singing Christmas carols to them! Bring your family and a pot of soup—we will depart at 5:15pm, sing, and return to the church to enjoy a meal together.

Children’s Sunday School Christmas Parties will take place on Sunday, December 21. If your child would like to bring goodies to share, please let Christi Mitchell know by Thursday December 18.

Blue Lake Elementary Winter Retreat will take

place Feb. 6-8. Online registration is now open at bluelakecamp.com. If you register before

December 15, cost is $100.

Merry Christmas