volume 51, issue 7 december 2020/ january 2021 the ...2020/12/12 · inside this issue: volume 51,...
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DECEMBER 2020/
JANUARY 2021
Special points of
interest:
Electronic giving
Publication Deadline
Spire Deadline
Annoucements 2
Online Events 3
Birthday &
Anniversary Corner 4-5
Inside this issue:
Volume 51, Issue 7
@FirstChurchMesa
Download our
FUMC Mesa app!
www.firstchurchofmesa.com
THE
SPIRE
A WORD FROM OUR PASTOR Isaiah 40:1-5 1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins. 3 A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD ; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. 5 And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
The season of Advent is upon us! This the season in which we look hopefully toward the birth of our Savior, the Christ child on Christmas day. The season is marked by hope, love, joy and peace as we wait expectantly for the arrival of the “light” of the world to enter into the darkness that our lives can often experience. We look forward to the “new life” that is offered in a renewed encounter with God, and a fulfilment of God’s promises of restoration and reconciliation.
The scripture from the prophet Isaiah was a reminder of God’s promises to the Israelite people who had suffered so many times of tribulation and struggle. It’s a promise of God’s restorative power providing comfort in a time of turmoil that if the people should heed the cry, and “prepare a way,” that the LORD will make everything “normal.” There is a promise that all of God’s people will see this time of restoration together. This is just the type of message that we need during this Advent season! We need to know that God is making all things “normal.”
We can rest assured in the promises of God just as the Israelite people did so many years ago. We know that God has seen our time of suffering and will fulfil the promise of restoration. God is faithful to God’s promises as we “prepare the way” to receive God’s blessings.
During this season of Advent let us prepare the way for the coming of the Lord by attending to Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace with one another. Let’s keep the hope that God is still at work among us and knows our fears and concerns. Let’s keep love for God and love for one another, although it may be difficult during this time of social distancing. Let’s keep the joy of the Lord in our hearts as we look toward the joy of Christmas day and the light of the world coming into the darkness. Let’s keep the peace of the Lord, which surpasses all understanding, as the peace that sustains us. Let’s be reminded that God will restore all things!
God bless you all through Advent and into Christmas! Rev. Khalif A. Smith Sr. Pastor
http://fumcmesa.org/
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Page 2
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CHURCH OFFICE
HOURS
M-TH:
9 am to 3 pm
PH: 480-969-5577
(currently closed
due to COVID 19
but phone will be
answered during
office hours)
Missions Team Update The Clothing Closet, POWWOW, UMW & Ugly Quilt Group: These ministries require occupation on the church campus so are all on hold at the present time due to the COVID-19.
Save the Family: Items needed for Christmas gifts for teens are earbuds, simple jewelry, gift cards, etc. They continue to be in need of household items like kitchenware and sheets (queen and twin).
Blessing Bags for the needy: As of this printing these items are needed:
Travel size grooming items, snack items, water & Gatorade. Thanks from the Missions Team to all who donated in 2020.
Tithes & Offerings We understand that these are very challenging times which are putting a tremendous financial strain on many of us. We are asking that you continue to support the church financially as you are able. Please continue to make your contributions via mail or online:
Option 1. Mail to: 15 E 1st Ave Mesa AZ 85210
Option 2. Online at: https://pushpay.com/g/firstunitedmethodistchurchofmesa
Option 3. By Text: Text the word firstchurchmesa to 77-977
Option 4. Direct bank payment: Send payments to First United Methodist Church of Mesa through your online banking (may require some setup through your bank).
Reach Out The Advent Season looks a bit different this year. Although we are not able to meet in person, please take the time to call and check on other church members, friends and family who may be feeling alone during this time. When we reach out to others in love, we extend the hand of God! SPRC After over ten years of dedication and service to First Church, Katie Mozurkewich, our Office Administrator, has decided to begin a new chapter in her professional life. We have been so blessed to have her as part of the First Church staff. Katie's skills, talents, kindness and commitment will be greatly missed. We wish her all the best and thank God for the blessing she has been to our church. Katie’s last day will be December 26. In Appreciation It has been my very real pleasure to work for First UMC of Mesa for over 12 years. First in the preschool for two years, then as your Administrator for over ten. I feel as though so many of you have become not only my friends, but family. It is with much sadness, but also eagerness for the future, that I must end my employment with First Church; and begin my exciting new career in real estate. Paul and I will always consider ourselves a part of the First Church family, and we can't wait for the day when we can all be together again. God bless you and keep you. Katie Mozurkewich, EXP Realty www.agentAZmoz.com
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Page 3
Publication Deadlines
Sunday Bulletins /
Announcements
Wednesday Noon
Spire Deadline
January 10th
ONLINE EVENTS
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Page 4
Electronic Giving
Electronic giving is a
direct debit program
where your contribution
is debited automatically
from your checking or
savings account, either
weekly or monthly. This
is an easy way to fulfill
your stewardship
commitment, even when
you are unable to attend
church. You can pick up
an authorization form in
the church office, and
talk to our finance
secretary for further
details. CHECK OUT our
new option to give with
a debit/credit card on
our website at
firstchurchofmesa.com
or on the
First Church Mesa app.
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
12/01 Hakaumotu, Lima
12/01 Tongring, James
12/02 Duffey, Marie
12/02 Jones, Gabriel
12/02 Ogawa, Al
12/04 Rizzo, Chloe
12/05 Kuck, Aaron
12/06 Gorin, Janet
12/06 Portis, Joseph
12/06 Tinsley, Jordyn
12/07 Adams, Asher
12/07 Downin, Don
12/07 Placko, Eden
12/07 Robinson, Kevin
12/09 Haines, Lois
12/09 Harris, Jeff
12/09 Schreiber, Mason
12/09 Stevens, Ben
12/10 Connolly, Cynthia
12/10 Peck, Jean
12/12 Neher, Carolyn
12/14 Cummings-John, Harriet
12/15 Hitchcock, Sheila
12/17 Lewis, Pete
12/18 Ripley, Pam
12/20 Carbone, James
12/20 McBride, Joyce
12/20 Miller, Sonny
12/20 Robinson, Scott
12/21 Wheeler, Doris
12/22 Dodds-Horey, Barbara
12/22 Kirby, Lorraine
12/22 Mozurkewich, Nova
12/22 Sellers, Winter
12/23 Ramsey, Malia
12/23 Tripoli, Lillian
12/25 Ramsey, Michelle
12/25 Robinson, Laura
12/27 Blais, Tracy
DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES
12/05 Thompson, Alan & Vicki
12/14 Rennick, Amanda & Phil
12/27 Schreiber, Corrie & Mason
12/27 Stockwood, Randall & Terry Wilson
12/28 Boggess, Barbara & Ken
12/27 Parker, Wendy
12/29 Gardner, Kevin
12/29 McTevia, Richard
12/30 Green, Marie
12/30 Jones, Janna Jennison
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Page 5
JANUARY BIRTHDAYS
01/01 Bell, Anna
01/01 Robinson, Justin
01/03 Vossler, Rebekah
01/04 Buscas, Isabella
01/04 Craig, Rachael
01/04 Kilgore, Sue
01/04 O'Neal, John
01/05 Sublett, Naomi
01/08 Cummings, Geoff
01/08 Lewis, Tom
01/09 Friederich, John
01/10 Woodcock, Amanda
01/13 Day, Ella
01/13 Ferguson, Debbie
01/14 Royer, Jaden
01/15 Snodgrass, Joshua
01/18 Phillips, Matt
01/19 Sikalu, Sepi
01/20 Ramirez-Davis, JoAnn
01/20 Sikalu, Ruby
01/20 Snodgrass, Adam
01/20 Woodcock, Jaxon
01/21 Lackore, Cecil
01/21 Standage, Caleb
01/21 Standage, Kyle
01/22 Chenier, Larry
01/22 Haines, Dylan
01/24 Barber, Anson
01/24 Barber, Ayla
01/24 Hansen, Cindy
01/24 Likens, Matt
01/27 Parker, Jessie
01/28 Schreiber, Warren
01/30 Portis, Devon
01/31 Fendelander, Paul
JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES
01/06 Huffer, Jeannine & Carroll
01/10 Simpson, Lisa & John
01/24 Miller, Herb & Carol
It’s not too late to mail in your
2021 pledge cards!
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