WEEKLY CONNECTION VOLUME 46 No. 45 DECEMBER 21, 2016

ADVENT 2016

CHRISTMAS EVE—SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24

Candlelight Services God With Us: Jesus—Isaiah 9:2-7; Luke 2:1-20

*4 & 6 p.m.—Sanctuary *4 p.m.—Wesley Hall

10:30 P.M.—"The Mystery of the Incarnation" presented by the Chancel Choir and Orchestra will be broadcast on WTVA.

CHRISTMAS DAY—SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25

10 a.m.—Worship—Sanctuary NO SUNDAY SCHOOL The Word Became Flesh—John 1:1-14

NEW YEARS DAY—SUNDAY, JANUARY 1

10:00 a.m.—Worship—Wesley Hall NO SUNDAY SCHOOL

*Make note of the correct time of 4 p.m.

This is the final newsletter for the 2016. Normal publication will resume on Wednesday, January 4. The deadline for this publication will be Tuesday, January 3 at noon.

MARK THESE DATES FOR 2016:

Wednesday, January 4: 5:30-7:30 p.m.—Family Ice Skating at BancorpSouth Arena

5:15 p.m. Endowment Fund Dinner and Meeting (Please look for more information in your Sunday bulletins.)

Wednesday, January 11: Refresh Meals and Study Begins

As part of our vision for the next 150 years, we are promoting the Permanent Endowment Fund of First United Methodist Church of Tupelo, Inc. On January 4, 2017, we will host a Wednesday night program with Mike Hicks, Executive Director of the Mississippi United Methodist Foundation. He will present the congregation with information about the many ways that members and friends of FUMC-Tupelo can contribute to the future mission of the church through planned giving including bequests in wills, trust provisions, naming the church as a beneficiary of all or part of an insurance policy as well as giving gifts now in memory or in honor of a loved one or friend. Dinner will be at 5:15 p.m., followed by Mike’s presentation at 5:45 p.m. The event is for members and church friends of all ages. Please RSVP to the church office by Thursday, December 29. Think of the gift with which we can endow future generations! Please plan to attend on January 4.

FUMC Endowment Fund Dinner and Meeting

A new book on the history of Christianity The Children of One God by FUMC church member Julian Prince will be available at Reed’s Book Store at a book signing from 11:30 a.m.—1 p.m. on Friday, De-cember 23. Book sales are dedicated to benefit the Tree of Life Free Clinic.

"The Mystery of the Incarnation" presented by the Chancel Choir and Orchestra will be broadcast on WTVA on Christmas Eve at 10:30 p.m.

Stewardship 2016 “…upon this rock, I will build my church!” -Matthew 16:18

As of Tuesday, December 20 there are 283 households that have pledged to our Operat-ing Fund, totaling $2,147,522.04. If you have not yet turned in your pledge card, please prayerfully consider what God is leading you to give. Fill out and return the card to the church personally or via mail (FUMC, P.O. Box 854, Tupelo, MS 38802). You may also email your pledge to Shannon Turner at shannon@fumctupelo.com or Suzanne Ratliff at suz-anne@fumctupelo.com if that is more convenient.

Thank you again for your gifts of financial support to the work of Christ’s Church!

A Word from the Sesquicentennial Committee Fun Fact for Wednesday, December 21 – Did you know that our Christmas Eve service has included Communion and Candlelight since Reverend Prentiss Gordon started these traditions in 1983? We invite you to prioritize attending one of the services on Saturday, December 24 at 4 p.m. (Traditional and Invitation services) or 6 p.m. (Traditional ser-vice).

-Stewart McMillan

1 Erin Bounds Doug Clark

Brenda Swords Houston West Joseph West

2 Jay Becker Jerry Long

3 Josh Abraham

Richard Alvarez Terri Armstrong

Joe Bailey Mary Kate Burk

Art Hopmann Will West

4 Patsy Hutson

Stewart McMillan Frances J. Williams

5 John Brady Kim Coffin

6 Ava Babb

Nat Leathers Jon Paul Rhea Betsy White

7 Emmy Cartwright Lindsey Crenshaw

Toby Hedges Austi Long

8 Emison Adams

9 George Menetre

Buzzy Mize Parker Morris Lacey Short

10 Missy Ewing Rich Heyer Sims Peters

Anna Sinclair Reid Spencer

Anna Katherine Williams 11

Betty Hancock 12

Elna Barber Annie Condit Ross Epting

Patton Thompson Bebe Yarbrough

13 Jack Spencer

14 Charlie Decker

Hugh Harris Robert Smith, V

15 Liz Rice

Parker Spencer 16

Clark Atkinson Lauren Babb Scott Ramsey

17 Martha Fleming

Eugene Robinson Lynwood Wright

18 Turner Bingham

Glenda Burk Ken Gillentine Lee Herman Lacey Lowe Bob Pilgrim Judy Spencer

19 Nancy King

Bill Rice 20

Tatum Collins Josh Hewitt

John Hill Will Hodges Tim Roach

21 Jane Rather Lilee Rose

22 William Mize

23 Ginger Bland Jake Hughes Lynn Mote

Cissy Powell 25

Morgan Abraham Kathryn Griswold

Mike Marlin

Georgia Russell 26

Alice Virginia Daniel Sara Edwards Cooper Ogg

Sam Williams 27

Cate Babb Emma Kate Davis

Chip Harris Harry Sumner Suzy Williams

28 Madison Denton

Carol Lake Joanne Prince Marion Rice Norma Ruff Roy Ryan

Susan Showalter 29

Gary Beadles Aimee Hawkins

Stephen Lake 30

Jim Karrant 31

Mike Bryan Todd Davidson Amye Gousset Jodie Osbirn Pryce Partin Jo Van Dam

1 M/M Gary Beadles

2 D/M Mark Shepherd

3 M/M Jon Bryan

5 M/M Mitch Hester

7 D/M Brian Condit M/M Kevin Tate

8 M/M Butch Dendy

M/M Todd Hunt 9

M/M Tom Wicker M/M Jim Zuelzke

11 M/M Henry Dodge

14 M/M Brian Pund

15 M/M Jimmy Bingham M/M Derek Sinclair

16 M/M Pat Beasley

18 M/M Calvin White

19 M/M Phillip Dobson

22 M/M Bob Pilgrim

24 M/M David Copenhaver

25 M/M Jim Moore

D/M Richard Warriner 27

M/M Hamp Hughes

30 M/M Harvey Bailey

31 M/M Carl Brangenberg

D/M Ed Gore

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES

…Loretta Monts By: Kathryn Stephens M/M Mickey Elliott Virginia McDonald M/M Larry Todd M/M Buddy Stubbs Ginger Bland Ray Davidson & the Handy Kenlin Group M/M David Brevard Jo Anne Harris M/M Guy Mitchell D/M John Burk Betty Nash

M/M Mitch Ellett D/M Doug Clark M/M Robin McGraw M/M Bobby King M/M John Lovorn M/M Henry Dodge D/M Jack Foster M/M Charles McGill M/M Ray Reed M/M Mickey Akers Jo Mark M/M Howard Hinds M/M Bob Laney M/M Roger Bland

M/M Mike Ferris Covenant SS Class D/M Swan Burrus M/M Pat Caldwell …Jack Reed, Sr. By: Betty Nash …Fred Strange By: M/M Mitch Ellett M/M John Lovorn M/M Henry Dodge D/M Jack Foster M/M Ray Reed

M/M Howard Hinds D/M Swan Burrus …Cinnie Aycock By: M/M Bob Laney …Lon Adam Wyatt, III By: Jo Mark

MEMORIALS

Given in Honor of: …D/M Jack Foster By: Dorothy Fairbank …Mary Ryan Metcalfe By: M/M David Brevard …D/M M.E. Bernstein …M/M Eugene Bernstein …The Tom Bernstein family …Dana Foster …M/M Mike VanBuskirk By: M/M Gary Beadles …R/M Fred Britton By: R/M Andy Ray …D/M Hughes Milam …Gennie Adams … M/M Chauncery Godwin, Jr …D/M Danny Sanders …M/M Shane Spees … M/M Steve Simons … M/M Harold Kay …M/M Eddie Powell …D/M Steve Brister …D/M Doug Clark …D/M Dick White …M/M Tom Foy …D/M Richard Warriner …M/M Joey Hutto By: D/M Rich Heyer

…M/M Joe Bailey …M/M Mitch Ellett …M/M Mickey Elliott …M/M Howard Hinds …Jane Riley By: Jo Mark …M/M James Threadgill By: M/M Eddie Barber …R/M Roy Ryan …R/M B.F. Lee …R/M Roy McAlilly By: R/M Bill Carroll …M/M Howard Hinds …M/M Mickey Akers …M/M James Williams …M/M BB Hosch …M/M Mickey Elliott …Jo Mark …Adrian Caldwell …M/M Chuck Imbler, Sr. …Trentice Imbler By: M/M Mitch Ellett …D/M Swan Burrus …M/M Charles Johnston …Jo Mark …M/M Mitch Ellett By: Jane Riley …Lisa Hawkins By: The Biltmore Girls

…D/M Dick White By: Tracy Peters …Carean Dendy By: Chancel Choir …M/M Bill Deas …M/M George Worthen, Jr. …D/M Hughes Milam …D/M Doug Clark …D/M John Burk …D/M Dick White …M/M John Lovorn …D/D Sam Pace …D/M Joe Bailey …D/M Buddy Wikle …D/M Harry Cosby …D/M Rich Heyer …M/M Guy Mitchell …M/M Bobby Leach …D/M John Bryant …M/M Robert Wasilewski …D/D Jim Whalen …M/M David Bryant …Anita Buchanan By: D/M Richard Warriner …Lynne Mize …Johnna Garner …Emily Mote By: Ellen Curry …Suzye Sheffield

…Kim Hodges …Kim Coffin …Susan Lann …Angela Atkinson …Danna Roper By: Cade Curry …M/M Tom Murry …D/M Richard Warriner …D/M Doug Clark …Jane Riley …M/M David Brevard …M/M John Lovorn …M/M B.B. Hosch …M/M Hoppy Whitaker …M/M Guy Mitchell …M/M Bob Sims …M/M Steve McAlilly …M/M Chris Coffin …M/M Pat Senter …D/M Bill Hilbun By: D/M Joe Bailey …M/M Harold Kay …D/M Rich Heyer …M/M Shane Spees …M/M Eddie Powell …D/M Jimmy Hamilton …M/M Don Coleman By: The Steve Simons family …FUMC Choir By: R/M Andy Ray

HONORARIUMS

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25 10:00 Worship, Sanctuary MONDAY, DECEMBER 26 Offices Closed TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27 7:30 CASA, CLC 8:00-11:30 Clothes Closet Open for Donations 9:00 Invitation Worship Planning, CR WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28 7:30 CASA, CLC THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29 7:30 CASA, CLC FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30 7:00 Prayer Group, Chapel SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31 9:00-12:00 Helping Hands Open SUNDAY, JANUARY 1

10:00 Worship, Wesley Hall MONDAY, JANUARY 2 Offices Closed TUESDAY, JANUARY 3 8:00-11:30 Clothes Closet Open for Donations 9:00 Preschool/Kindergarten 9:00 Invitation Worship Planning, CR 10:00 Faithbuilders, 207 10:30 Staff Meeting, CR 2:30 CASA, CLC WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4 6:45 Youth Prayer Breakfast, Connie’s 9:00 Preschool/MDO/Kindergarten 2:30 CASA, CLC 5:15 Endowment Dinner, WH 5:45 Endowment Presentation, WH 5:30 Ice Skating, BancorpSouth Arena

7:00 Chancel Choir THURSDAY, JANUARY 5 9:00 Preschool/Kindergarten 9:00 Invitation Worship Planning, CR 2:30 CASA, CLC FRIDAY, JANUARY 6 7:00 Prayer Group, Chapel 9:00 Kindergarten 2:30 CASA, CLC SATURDAY, JANUARY 7 9:00-12:00 Helping Hands Open

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH—TUPELO, MISSISSIPPI CALENDAR FOR DECEMBER 25, 2016-JANUARY 7, 2017

SERVING SUNDAY, DECMEBER 25, 2016

TV OPERATORS: David Dillard, Mary Payne Dillard, Ansel Mote TRADITIONAL GREETERS: 8:45: Elsie/Dick White 11: Judy/Billy Spencer TRADITIONAL USHERS: 8:45: Chris Hill, Lindsey Leake, George Rutledge 11:00: Jeff Short

SERVING SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2016

INVITATION GREETERS: Michelle/John Guyton INVITATION USHERS: Todd Buskirk, Donnie Bridges, Jeff McGregor, Ken Waldrip, Jim Zuelzke

STEWARDSHIP

2016 Budget Goal ....................................$2,331,817.43 2016 Needed Weekly ...................................$44,842.65 2016 12-Month Budgeted Amount ..........$2,331,817.43 Last Week’s Offering through 12/15 ............$77,778.30 2016 Offering through 12/15 ...................$2,332,259.04 Spent to Date 2016 through 12/15 ...........$2,301,042.03