First United Methodist Church ~ 301 Church Street ~ Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482 Phone: 903.885.2185 ~ Fax: 903.885.4540 ~ www.ssfumc.org

December 2014

Merry Christmas

Church Staff

Rev. Pete Adrian Senior Pastor

Rev. Dean Libby Associate Pastor

Carol Allen Director of Worship Arts

Jason Dietze Youth Director

Adrienne Lilley Children’s Director

Jill Dietze Nursery Director

Paul Glover Business Administrator

Jennifer Philo Media Services

Nancy Kirkpatrick Administrative Assistant

Mike Dodd Handbell Director

Ken Hanushek Pianist

Deanna Spraggins Organist

Sam Gilbreath Building Maint. Supervisor

Billy Elam Custodian

Virginia Massey Weekend Custodian

Cassie Webb Nursery Attendant

“Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these

members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each

member belongs to all the others.

Romans 12:4-5

PETE’S PLACE

DEAN’S DESKTOP

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This article is the “State of the Church” which I will present on Nov. 30th at our charge conference. Many if not most of you will not be in attendance but I think it is important for you to know what I think on this subject. So…happy reading.

In a sentence: It is good. Several things have been accomplished or at least changed this year. The first thing is our new associate pastor Dean Libby. Dean came to us in July and has proven to be a very valuable asset. His ability to lead the Ignite service is welcomed and he brings many other needed traits as well. Maybe the best is the rest of his family-what a treasure. The congregation has fallen in love with all five of them.

The Ignite service is growing under Dean’s leader-ship. The band has really filled out to include a bass and drum set in addition to the lead guitars and keyboard. The music is excellent.

We completed the installation of the columbariums about mid year. We have several niches sold and people are looking at some others. We continued the reduced price of $2,000 through the end of the year.

Dinner Bell is still going strong. We continue to serve 100+each week. A new addition is Panda Express. They have volunteered to serve and fur-nish the meal twice since they came to town. We thank them for that! We also thank the many, many volunteers that continue to help selflessly each and every week.

Terrific Tuesdays continues to be a wonderful out-reach of this church. Serving the Alz-heimer\dementia patients is a great and needed ministry. Thank you for all the volunteers that con-tinue to work each week and the volunteers that

serve a wonderful meal each week to Terrific Tues-day.

We continue to provide communion to our home-bound on the first Sunday of every month. We visit, pray, and provide the sacrament-a true bless-ing.

Of course our Children’s Ministries continue to grow. All ages from nursery to youth age are active and learning about God on Wednesday nights, Sun-days and special trips and activities.

Our Youth Ministry is also growing. We worship on Wed. evening, Sunday morning and have bible studies on Sunday night. The SS Work Camp is a big part of the life of the youth department as are all of the camps throughout the summer and winter.

Our Music Ministry is the best around. It is truly a ministry and not just a choir or hand-bell choir. It provides a great praise and worship environment each and every Sunday.

Stephen Ministry has become an important part of the church. They care for people who need listen-ers. People that are going through tough times and need support have found comfort through this min-istry.

Camp Braveheart is a ministry for children grieving the loss of a family member and\or pets. This ini-tially started with two children the first year and has grown to around 10.

Empty Stocking, Clothing Drive, Backpack Bud-dies, Early Responders, Texas Ramps, and youth and adult Mission trips are just a few of the addi-tional ministries that are alive and well and growing in the church. The church (you!) is doing what a church should do. We are in GOOD shape. Thanks to all of you for what you do.

Our Advent season started a week early for me! Even though the season does not officially start until Sun-day, November 30th, the outpouring of love and care for our community expressed by those who participat-ed in the “Be the Service” project on November 23rd started me on an anticipatory journey to Christmas. THANK YOU! Since entering into full-time ministry, I look forward to December each year. There are worship opportuni-ties that only happen this time of year. There are mission opportunities that only happen this time of year. There are outreach efforts that only happen this time of the year. And I love it! This December I am looking forward to worship in Ignite because we will have a special opportunity to hear the songs of the season set in a modern context. Join us for our “Christmas Classics” series, beginning De-cember 7th, where we will explore some of the most beloved Advent/Christmas hymn texts set to modern arrangements so that a new generation can fall in love with them too. I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again – thank you for welcoming Debbie, Caitlyn, Logan, Luke, and I into your FUMC family! We are grateful to God for the opportunity to be in ministry here in Sulphur Springs with all of you. I look forward to seeing all of you in worship and in ministry this month!

Current & Pressing Prayer Requests Jill Barclay Holly Dougan Kathy Crowson Phoebe Carmody Carson Bryant Beverly Morgan Robert Fox Roxanne Pelton Eisley Henderson Henderson Family Jessie Weaver Angela Schillereff Paul Gaskell Sonya Bolton Duncan Graves Vince Phillips Tacey Raulerson

Ceely Stout Tara Dybas Johna & Cody Blount Juanita Hammond & Family Juanice Tomlinson Ty Funderburk & Family Muriel Lucas Joe & Jane Hellmann Faye Reeves Cari Griggs Ellie Smith Kathe Moriniere Stanbury Family June McGrede Emery Brown Harold (Poogie) Haynesworth

Health Concerns Andy Underwager Richard Clement Henry Preuss Jackson Bouquet Becky Graves Sandy Martin Don Carbonneau Morris Abercrombie

Sympathy We express our heartfelt sympathy to: Kati Voss and family on the passing of her dad Weldon Lucas Peggy Weaver and family on the passing of her mom Joan Nowlin Herbert & Shirley Anderson and family on the passing of his nephew Gary McLarry Lydia Bryant and family on the passing of her mom Patty Moore Juanita Hammond and family on the passing of Huel Hammond

PRAYER CONCERNS

Dec 1 Julie Barrows

Faye Day Patsy Johnson

Dec 3 Carson Fenton Dawn Looney

Dec 4 Wanda Jenkins

Dec 5 Jarred Cowley

Judy Gillis Dec 6

Laura Sandlin

Dec 7 John Feldt

Verdon Graves Sandy Stidham Jace Thompson

Dec 8 Bill Lockhart

Dec 11 Patty Osborn

Jerry Voss Dec 13

Blaine Allen Juliana Bronson

Whitney Morgan

Dec 14 Carol Cowley

Mike Davis Charles Dawson

Dec 16 Dalton Clover Macy Williams

Dec 18 Rebecka Maddux

Dec 19 Max Baxter

Kimberlea Gillem Dec 20

Steven Gilreath Lisa Johnson

Debbie Stinson Dec 21

Jo Ann Johnson David Larkin

Savoy Tutt Dec 22

Justin Ervin Dec 23 Morris Abercrombie

Angie Blount Eddie Jo Edge

Wava Lee Honea Holly Thompson

Dec 24 Peggy Dietze

Dec 25 Will Horton

Mandy Kennedy Bobby Price

Dec 26 Jan Chapman

Dec 27 Ryder Caddell

Mary Cash Sailor Jones

Barbara McKenzie Dec 28

Emily Johnson Sid McClure David Zahn

Dec 29 Larry Crowson Holly Dougan

Tammy Dougan Taylor Harden

Grant Mohesky Dec 30

Janet Hamner Coy Johnson

Morgan Merrell Dec 31

Jonah Foster

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

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CHURCH CONFERENCE Please make plans to join us for the 2014 Church Conference on Sunday, November 30th, at 3:00 pm. We will gather in the sanctuary. All members of the church are invited and encouraged to attend. In addition to approving the 2015 budget and leadership roster it is also a time to reflect and be thankful for the work done in 2014 and look forward to the opportunities in 2015.

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Empty Stocking in Gym 9:30 am Staff Meeting 5:30 pm Stephen

Ministries 7:00pm NETCS

2

9: 00 am Respite Care 9:00 am CBS 1:00 pm Prayer Group 5: 15 Cluck Hens Grp

3 6:45 am Son Rise Grp 9:30 am Beth M Study 10:30 am Pete’s Bible S 12:00 pm Dinner Bell 5:30 Wed. Night Supper 6:00pm UMYF 6:00pm M&M 6:00 pm Adult Bible St. 6:30 pm Covenants 6:30 pm Choir

4 12:00 Rotary

5 8:00 am Casa Cookie Walk

6 7:00 pm Once Upon a Christmas (North East Texas Choral Society Civic Center

7 Fellowship Sunday

8:30 am Communion Worship

9:45 am SS Classes 10:45 am Ignite 10:45am Traditional

Worship 2:00 pm Once Upon a

Christmas (NETCS)

4:00 pm DivorceCare

8

9:30 am Staff Meeting 5:30 pm Stephen

Ministries 7:00pm NETCS Party

9

9: 00 am Respite Care 1:00 pm Prayer Group 5: 15 Cluck Hens Grp 5:15 pm Trustees Meeting

10

6:45 am Son Rise Grp 9:30 am Beth M Study 10:30 am Pete’s Bible S 12:00 pm Dinner Bell 6:00pm UMYF 6:00pm M&M 6:00 pm Adult Bible St. 6:30 pm Covenants 6:30 pm Choir 6:30 pm Disciple II

11 12:00 Rotary 6:00 pm Messengers

Class Party

12

13 6:00 am Boy Scouts 2:00 pm Distribution

Day for Empty Stocking

14 8:30 am Communion

Worship 9:45 am SS Classes 10:45 am Ignite 10:45am Traditional

Worship 4:00 pm DivorceCare

15

9:30 am Staff Meeting 10:30 am Young at

Heart 5:30pm Stephen Minis-

try Training 6:00 pm Child Welfare

Christmas Party

16

9: 00 am Respite Care 1:00 pm Prayer Group 5: 15 Cluck Hens Grp 5:15 pm Finance

17

6:45 am Son Rise Grp 9:30 am Beth M Study 10:30 am Pete’s Bible S 12:00 pm Dinner Bell 6:00 pm Adult Bible St. 6:30 pm Covenants 6:30 pm Choir 6:30 pm Disciple II

18

12 :00 pm Rotary

19

20 8:30 Emmaus Board

Meeting

21

8:30 am Communion Worship

9:45 am SS Classes 10:45 am Ignite 10:45am Traditional

Worship 4:00pm DivorceCare

22 9:30 Staff Meeting 5:30 pm Stephen

Ministries Training

23 9: 00 am Respite Care

24

Christmas Eve Services

5:00 pm 7:00 pm 11:00 pm

25 Office Closed

26 Office Closed

27

28 8:30 am Communion

Worship 9:45 am SS Classes 10:45 am Ignite 10:45am Traditional-

Worship

29 9:30 am Staff Meeting 5:30 pm Stephen Minis-try Training

30 9: 00 am Respite Care 6:00 pm Care & Nurture Committee Meeting

31

Office Closed at Noon

December 20 14

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MEMORIALS & HONORARIUMS In loving memory of Jaylee Sue Cooey By: Mickey & Barbara McKenzie In loving memory of Louis McGrede By: Clyde & Beverly Browning In loving memory of Kaden Blount By: Darla Bennett, Mickey & Barbara McKenzie In loving memory of Alice McGrady By: Linda Bennett, James & Gina Law, B.F. Hicks, Johnny & Mary Hicks, Tom & Pam Sellers In loving memory of Grace Trieb By: Zelma McCullough, Grace Murray In loving memory of Louise Fox By: Ruth Palmer, James & Gina Law, Darla Bennett, Clyde & Beverly Browning, Lou Jane Bonner, Mickey & Barbara McKenzie, Joe & Janet Wheeler In loving memory of Lynn Massingill By: Mickey & Barbara McKenzie In loving memory of Bailey Toliver By: Phil & Beverly Morgan, Linda Bennett, Mickey & Barbara McKenzie In loving memory of Billie Loftis By: Zelma McCullough In loving memory of Robert Bower By: Mike & Mary Edwards, Bob & Nancy Kirkpatrick, Tom & Pam Sellers In loving memory of Archie Spraggins By: Mike & Mary Edwards, Tom & Pam Sellers In loving memory of Marjorie Clement By: Clyde & Beverly Browning In loving memory of Annie Lou Dickerson By: Clyde & Beverly Browning In loving memory of Modene Huggins By: Clyde & Beverly Browning In loving memory of Lloyd Johnson By: Clyde & Beverly Browning, Jo Ann Johnson and family

In loving memory of Weldon Lucas By: T.C. & Sally Hamilton, Grace Murray, Good News Class, Bob & Nancy Kirkpatrick, Mickey & Barbara McKenzie, Paul & Cerita Glover, Tim & Carol Gee, Tom & Pam Sellers, Ace & Janet Hamner In loving memory of Patty Moore By: Betty Chapman, Freddie & Tony Hughes, Mickey & Barbara McKenzie, Tim & Carol Gee, Tom & Pam Sellers In loving memory of Joan Nowlin By: Jeff & Markeda Fisher, Michael Mitchell, Kayla Price, T.C. & Sally Hamilton, Bob & Ann Gideon, Mike & Mary Edwards, Grace Murray, Bob & Surene Cody, Good News Class, Freddie & Tony Hughes, Bob & Nancy Kirkpatrick, Mickey & Barbara McKenzie, Paul & Cerita Glover, Brian & Leesa Toliver, Linda Bennett, Joe & Nancy Moore, Huel & Juanita Hammond, Tim & Carol Gee, Kay Monahan, Tom & Pam Sellers, Ace & Janet Hamner In loving memory of Lossie Poole By: Paul & Twan Bennett, Bob & Peggy Weaver, T.C. & Sally Hamilton Grace Murray, Bob & Nancy Kirkpatrick, Linda Bennett, Paul & Cerita Glover, Tim & Carol Gee, Tom & Pam Sellers In loving memory of Amy Vandervoet By: Clyde & Beverly Browning In loving memory of Joan Zimmerman By: Joe & Janet Wheeler In loving memory of Huel Hammond By: Tom & Pam Sellers, Joe Perkins, Winston Perkins, Bob & Ann Gideon, Robin Steed, Ashley, Scott and Sara Washburn, Paul & Cerita Glover, Marge Morrison, Mike Morrison, Randy & Donna Morrison, Charlotte Henderson, Ace & Janet Hamner, Bernie & Fran Beers, Messengers Class, Mike & Mary Edwards, Frank Rettmann, Juanita Wallace, Bob & Peggy Weaver In loving memory of James Brunacini By: Mike & Mary Edwards

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS If you would like to place a poinsettia in the Church this Christmas in honor or memory of a loved one, please fill out the information below and place it in the offering plate on Sunday or bring it to the church office. Orders

need to be placed by Sunday, December 7th.

In Honor of: ______________________________________________ In Memory of: ______________________________________________

Given by: ______________________________________________

# of Poinsettias: ________ x $10 = _________

Please include payment (marked “poinsettia”) with your order.

WELCOME HOME

David and Debra DeGroff joined on November16th by transfer of membership from Stonebriar Community Church, Frisco, Texas. David & Debra we are so excited to have you as a part of First United Methodist Church!

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THE BEST IS YET TO COME The worship ministry teams at FUMC are in the final weeks of preparation fro the Prelude to Christmas on November 30th, the first Sunday of Advent. All hands on deck as we present the music and scripture surrounding our Advent Christmas season. A special feature of this worship service will be the inclusion of some thoughtful information about some of our Crismon orna-ments. The children’s choir will be singing, hand bells are ringing, sanc-tuary choir is singing, the Ignite team will play and sing and we will have a special visit from Hannah Kirby. Hannah will sing in the worship service . Advent begins with a bang this year! We turn our attention now to the coming of the Christ Child. Make plans now to bring your family and all those friends you have always planned on inviting to a special service. This is the per-fect one to do just that!

Tickets are

$10 in advance and $12 at the door.

Tickets are available from any NETCS

Member

Come be a part of the #soldoutcrowd

Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Wednesday, December 24th

5:00 pm, 7:00 pm and 11:00 pm

MISSION POSSIBLE KIDS Last month, our MPKids collected bandanas and made 73 Bandana Buddies for children in Ghana! Our special

agents were excited to give something to children who have so little, and who work so hard. They learned that most of these children do not have clean water and have to walk up to two miles to bring their family water from a muddy pond or river. Our agents are grateful for the op-portunity to send a little encouragement to some of God’s children in other countries.

FAMILY ADVENT NIGHT-DECEMBER 10TH, 6-8PM

If you have ever searched for a fun and easy way to bring meaning to your family’s daily activities during Advent, this night is for you! Family Advent Night will feature several Advent and Christmas themed stations for your family to go through at your own pace. Stations will include crafts, activities, food and Christmas ornaments! If you would like to bring your family’s food and eat with other families, we will meet at 5:30 in Fellowship Hall for supper. This is also our final Wednesday night of the semester. It’s going to be a Very Merry Christmas !

December Calendar:

Wed 3rd: Youth Christmas Adventure (6pm-8pm) *Bring $5-$10, Meet at the Church Fri 5th: Tim Hawkins Concert *Must have already purchased a ticket Wed 10th: Christmas Awakening (6:30-7:30) *NO meal. Drop off and pick up at Heritage Park. * Bring a “new” children’s book for Empty Stocking. Wed 17th: Christmas Movie Night (6:00-8:00) *Join us in the youth room if you do not need to study for finals Mon 22nd: HOLIDAY IN THE PARK (info to come) Wed 24th: Christmas Eve Service (5:00, 7:00, or 11:00) Thurs 25th: Merry Christmas to all!!!!

Who’s Getting Older This Month:

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CHRISTMAS AWAKENING! We will have our annual Christmas Awakening, alongside our fellow youth groups throughout the city and county on Wednesday, Dec. 10th, 6:30 – 7:30 at Heritage Park. This is a date change from the original schedule of Dec. 3rd. Come out, dress warm, and share in the message of the “true reason for the season”! Parents are to drop off and pick up at Heritage Park. Asking each person to bring a “new” children’s book to be given to Empty Stocking to distribute to those in need.

YOUTH CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE We will have our Youth Christmas Party on Wednesday, Dec. 3rd at 6:00. In lieu of bringing a gift, we are asking each child to bring $5-$10 for a special donation we will be sharing that night.

SAVE THE DATE, MONDAY DECEMBER 22ND

Watch for more info to come!

7th: Jase Thompson 17th: Rendall VanBenthem 27th: Ryder Caddell

13th: Violet Altenbaumer 18th: Rebecca Maddux 28th: Emily Johnson

16th: Dalton Clover 20th: Shelby Aulsbrook 29th: Taylor Harden

Non Profit Organization

Permit #168

Sulphur Springs

Texas 75482

First

United

Methodist

Church

301 Church Street Sulphur Springs,Texas

75482

903.885.2185 www.ssfumc.org

Office Hours Mon-Thurs 8am-5pm Friday 8am-12pm

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Date Sensitive—Please deliver by November 28, 2014