ALCOA 1stNEWSDecember 1 ~ 31, 2019

First UMC Alcoa Vision

Inspired by God’s unconditional love, we unite in worship, grow in discipleship, and serve in love.

OUR CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY IS EXPRESSED TO...Mike & Jane Jenkins in the passing of Jane’s father, Harry Rakestraw on November 12.

MEMORIALS & HONORARIUMS

Mercy FundIn memory of Janet Murrian, by Lea Ann Leming, David & Da-runee Lawson

Bill Bailey Scholarship FundIn memory of Tom Harding (Doris’s nephew), by Doris Bailey

Music MinistryIn memory of Martha Cobb, by Dick & Peggy Abbott

Building FundIn honor of Todd & Liz Chancey, by David & Darunee Lawson

Youth MinistryIn memory of all who supported our youth in the past, by Marian Rodgers & Edward Smith

Miscellaneous ContributionsIn memory of Harry Rakestraw, by Pamela Young & Tom Klein

AttendanceNOVEMBER 3 8:30 Worship......................................11511:00 Worship......................................147Youth Festival........................................52Sunday @ Six........................................20Total Worship.......................................334Sunday School.....................................143

NOVEMBER 10 8:30 Worship......................................116 11:00 Worship......................................202Charge Conference..................................7Sunday @ Six........................................21Total Worship.......................................340Sunday School.....................................125

NOVEMBER 17 8:30 Worship........................................9611:00 Worship......................................123Sunday @ Six........................................27Total Worship.................................... ..246Sunday School.....................................130

NOVEMBER 24 8:30 Worship......................................10311:00 Worship......................................128Sunday @ Six........................................24Total Worship.......................................255Sunday School.....................................134

First United Methodist Church Alcoa617 Gilbert St. ~ Alcoa, TN 37701

865-982-5551Office Email: greel@alcoafumc.com

Staff Emails: firstinitiallastname@alcoafumc.comChurch Office Hours

Monday – Thursday8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Friday8:30 am - 12:00 pm

Church StaffREV. J. TODD CHANCEY Pastor

423-290-3999

BROOKE STRAYNDirector of Children’s Ministries

and Special Events

GENIA HEWITT REELAdministrative Assistant/Secretary

JOHNNY WALKER Church Business Administrator

and Director of Visitation

PAUL WALKERInterim Custodian

BETH GREEN Director of Music Ministries

and Worship Coordinator

NATHAN STRAYNMiddle School Youth Director

CARLA TAYLOR Pianist

JOHN TATE Church Accountant

BROOKE GUNNING Media Technologies

LIZ CHANCEY & DEBBIE WEST

Media Technologies Support

LINDA JACKSON Nursery Supervisor

Dec. 1: Sarah ClinardDec. 2: Carol McClusky, Sandy Stuart, Sarah GarrisDec. 4: George BalshuweitDec. 5: Stephen Dison, Ryan FerrellDec. 6: Peyton PiercyDec. 7: Erin Chamberlain, Jamie DulanyDec. 8: Haley Jackson, Blakely PearceDec. 9: Trish Gunning, Lily Dunn, Susan MilaniDec. 11: Sandy GreeneDec. 13: Donna Shipley, Audrey Roach, Lillian ClinardDec. 15: Willow Givens, Zach GerhardtDec. 18: Nathan StraynDec. 19: Isabella SaundersDec. 20: Jenna RogersDec. 21: Jim CobbDec. 22: Terry MullDec. 23: Kaitlyn Beavers, Jodi EmmettDec. 24: Caroline BuchananDec. 25: Nikki Abbott, Joe EllisDec. 26: Tim MizysakDec. 30: Caroline Sudhoff, Linda ReedDec. 31: Ainsley Pfieiffer, Josh Piercy, Elaine Bowers

“Happy Birthday!”

Advent Worship Schedule

First Sunday in Advent ~ December 18:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Zachariah’s Story

4:45 p.m. AFUMC Christmas Dinner (Covered Dish) 6:00 p.m. Annual Hanging of the Christmas Greens Worship Service

Second Sunday In Advent ~ December 88:30 a.m. Choir Christmas Cantata “Mary Did You Know?”

11:00 a.m. Mary’s Story6:00 p.m. Choir Christmas Cantata “Mary Did You Know?”

Third Sunday in Advent ~ December 158:30 a.m. Mary’s Story

11:00 a.m. Children’s Christmas Play “The Christmas Express”6:00 p.m. Worship with Holy Communion

Fourth Sunday in Advent ~ December 228:30 and 11:00 a.m. Joseph’s Story

6:00 p.m. Service of the Longest Night

Christmas Eve ~ December 24NOTE: Special Offering Received for VBS 2020 at all services

11:00 a.m. Jesus’ Story – Carols, Word, Sermon & Holy Communion6:00 p.m. Jesus’ Story – Carols, Word, Sermon, Holy Communion & Candlelight11:00 p.m. Jesus’ Story – Carols, Word, Sermon, Holy Communion & Candlelight

First Sunday After Advent ~ December 298:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. The Magi’s Story6:00 p.m. Worship with Holy Communion

.Christmas Eve @ Alcoa 1st UMC

(Special Offering to Fund Local Kids VBS) Christmas Eve is a special time for family, friends and worship. Join us on Christmas

Eve as we celebrate in sharing “Jesus’ Story.” We will gather for three worship ser-vices at 11:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. All services will include music, prayers,

scripture, homily, and Holy Communion. The 6:00 and 11:00 p.m. services will include candle lighting. We will also celebrate with a special offering for all three services. This

year’s Christmas Eve offering will be designated to fund a local mission as we reach out into the Springbrook Community and Alcoa School Systems. We are hoping to fund the 2020 Vacation Bible School through this year’s Christmas Offering. Many children and youth from our community and local school system enjoy Vacation Bible School at Alcoa 1st UMC. By designating this year’s Christmas Eve offering to help fund the 2020

VBS, we will assure every child in our community that wants to attend VBS will be provided all they need for a fun filled week. In Acts Chapter 8 vs. 1 – Jesus tells us to

GO and be in mission at home, across the street and around the world. Help us fund the 2020 Vacation Bible School needs through the Christmas Eve offering. Your generosity

will go a long way this summer as we provide for the kids in this community.

MUSICNOTESFROMBETH

HaveyounoticedthattheRogersOrganwhichwaspurchasedbythechurchin2001isbackinthesanctuary?We’resopleasedthatitwillsoonbeusedforsomeofthemusicinourTraditionalWorshipservices.ItisablessingthatwealreadyhaveanamazingpianistinCarlaTaylor...butsheisalsoanaccomplishedorganist!Carlahasalreadystartedpracticingontheorganforfuturemusic.ThelateSamLowry,whowasourpianistformanyyears,soldRogersOrgansatthetimeandhelpedAFUMCfindjusttherightoneforoursanctuary.ThelateMarthaCobbmadebeautifulmusiconthatinstrument,asdidSam.Whenwemovedintoourpresentsanctuary(2008)wehadalittleworkdonetore-voicetheorgananditsoundedbeautiful.Overtheyears,theorganhasbeeninneedofattentionandeventuallywasmovedfromthesanctuarybecausetherewasnoonetoplayit. ImaginemyexcitementwhenIfoundoutthatourpianistgraduatedfromCarsonNewmanCollegewithaBachelor’sDegreeandMaster’sDegreebothinChurchMusicandOrganEmphasis!Immediately,thewheelsstartedturningandwewereabletogethelpinmovingitback!ThenIcontactedthegentlemanSamworkedforwhenhehelpedusbuytheorganandheputmeintouchwithhis“...bestorganrepairmaninthebusiness.”ThegentlemancameallthewayfromWaynesville,NCtoworkontheRogersanddidalotofrepairs.Timehaddonesomedamagebutmovingithadalsocauseddamage.Withallthatwasdone,itnowsoundslikenew!I’mthankfulthatit’singoodworkingordernowsothatwemayuseitforMarthaCobb’sMemorialOurtotalbillfortheworkwas$1,035.WhenIworkedwithourChurchBusinessAdministrator,JohnnyWalker,onhowtopayforthepartsandlaborhedirectedmetotheDesignatedMusicAccountinourbudget.Theexactamountinthataccountwas$1,035!!!Now,tellmeGoddoesn’tknowexactlywhatweneed,exactlywhenweneedit!DuringChristmas,musicsortof‘makes’theholidaysmorespecial.TherewillbelotsofcarolsforustosingduringAdventandChristmas.Worshipwithus!!!OurChancelChoirisworkinghardonourChristmasCantata.“Mary,DidYouKnow”willhavetwopresentationsonSunday,December8that8:30a.m.and6:00p.m.Wehopeyou’lljoinusforoneofthoseservices.We’reexcitedthatourPraiseBandwilljoinusforthepresentationaswell.

MeRrYChRiStMaS!Beth Green Music&WorshipDirectoratAFUMCMyemailisbgreen@alcoafumc.comMycell#is(423)331-7451Work#(865)982-5551

1st UMC AlcoaMusic

Ministry

Children's MinistryNews

Alcoa First United Methodist Church

D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9 I S S U E

December Announcements andImportant Dates

12/1- Church Wide Christmas Dinner @ 4:45pm Hanging of the Christmas Greens @ 6:00 pm12/4-Children's Christmas Party during Kids Club

5:30-7:3012/8-Play Practice 9:35-10:30

Christmas Cantata @ 8:30 am/6:00 pm12/11-Morning View Village Kids Christmas 

performance at 6:00 pm12/14-Kids Christmas Play/Dress Rehearsal @ 9:00 

am (meet in sanctuary)12/15- Children's Christmas Performance @ 11:00am12/18-1/7- NO KIDS CLUB (Resume January 8,2020

Merry Christmas 

Christmas EveServices:

December 24, 2019

11:00 am6 pm (nursery

provided)11:00 pm

DON’T BE LEFT OUT IN THE COLD!

Join us for

GAME DAY!Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019

10:00 amFood, Fun & FellowshipLight lunch served at noon.

Please call 982-4354 if you have any questions.

BINGO@Asbury Acres Monday night

Dec. 2 at 7:00 pm Please join us as the residents play

BINGO and WIN prizes!Items needed are Kleenex,

SMALL sizes of chocolate bars, hard candy, sugar-free candy

and cans of Pringles, unscented lotions & soaps! The items can

be placed in the plastic tub in the hallway outside the Green Room.

Thank you for your support!!!

First UMC AlcoaIn the event of snow, ice or other hazardous

weather…

The church office will be closed and all evening functions cancelled in the event hazardous and unsafe

road conditions close Alcoa Schools.

When Sunday morning services must be cancelled, a Calling Post message will be sent out as soon as

the road conditions have been assessed. We will also communicate with the local TV stations to have our cancellations and/or delays listed, and you can check

our website, alcoafumc.com

We love you and your safety is extremely important to us, so please use care and caution when getting out

or driving and don’t take any chances.

Benefit your taxes and your church...

For those 70 & ½ or older you are required to take what is called a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) each year. You can transfer all or part of your 2019 RMD to Alcoa First at any time as a donation. The donation counts as your required minimum distribution but doesn’t increase your adjusted gross income, which can be particularly helpful if you don’t itemize and can’t deduct charitable contributions. Also, keeping some or all of your RMD out of your adjusted gross income could help you avoid the Medicare high-income surcharge or help make less of your Social Security benefits taxable. You can’t double-dip this tax break and deduct the charitable contribution.

The money needs to be transferred directly from the IRA to the church in order to be tax-free and it must be done by December 31, 2019. If you have any questions, please talk with your tax preparer.

Alcoa First General Missions Moments

Happy December Church!!! We are quickly approaching the end of 2019 and what a year it has been. Anymore it seems that time truly does fly when you’re having fun. Especially when we’re about doing The Lord’s work.

In the November Newsletter, we share with you the list of missions that your Mission’s Team works very hard to sup-port. We have met our 3rd quarter Missions obligations, so our account is now nearly empty once again.

Some may thing this is a bad thing, but to be honest, we think it is awesome how God “always” provides just when we need it. As a reminder, our quarterly obligations are $6,000. This allows us to support each of our commitment locally, domestically and internationally. We are thankful that you allow God to use you and your contributions to fund and support these ministries and missions.

As most of you know, in September we had an opportunity delivered to our doorstep in meeting a need at Louisville Christian Assistance Center. God has an incredible way of using His people and, you church, answered His call. There were 2,075 jars of peanut butter collected. What a gift that will provide food for many families during the holiday season. We can smell the peanut butter cookies and the many other treats that families will now be able to make for their families. What a celebration, amen!!!

Each year, Charlene Reynolds works closely with Henderson Settlement to collect toys and gifts for the children of Henderson. On December 11th, Charlene and a team from Alcoa First will be delivering these collected gifts to Hen-derson. If you are interested in providing gifts, please reach out to Charlene Reynolds (865) 982-5427. She would be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding this ministry.

As with all missions and ministries, this time of year is very special. We begin to think about all the new special mo-ments to be had and, also, about all those special memories of the past. There will be laughter, joking, football and the tearful celebration of joyful memories of friends and family who are no longer here.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are the times of year that families gather from near and far. It is also the time of year that we have an opportunity to share our gifts with others. As you approach your holidays, please consider how you as an individual, as a family and as a church can provide a blessing to those that are dependent on our support. Many of our missionary friends will celebrate the holidays in the mission’s field and they’re sole support is through local churches like Alcoa First UMC. There are many in our church who not only provide monetary gifts to missions, but they also provide service to missions. We have people like Charlene Reynolds who has a heart for Henderson Settlement. We have Tony and Pam Graf, Lenny and Janine Juckett who strongly support LCAC in Lewisville. We have Ava and Al Neubert whose daughter, Allison, serves as a Campus Outreach volunteer at the University of Memphis. The Norton’s do so much to support and communicate with the Fogleman’s. The youth and entire church reaching out to the Spring-brook Community and many are involved with taking breakfast to the teachers in our Alcoa schools.

The list can go on and on, but you see that Alcoa First has a heart for missions in our community and throughout the world. Who would have thought that our little church could be the hands and feet to share God’s love and God’s world all over the world! Building a wall of peanut butter doesn’t sound as daunting anymore, does it!!

We share all of this to ask and remind you that we are not down yet!!! We have not finished the job of supporting the missions that God has placed before us. There are many scriptures that relate to serving and one of those ways is your financial support. As you prepare for gifting family and friends this holiday season, please consider our missions budget this season. The church budget does not include funding for missions. All missions support comes from your generosity and gifts. We are all about using your gifts wisely and to honor and glorify God. Remember to mark your Mission’s gifts for “Alcoa General Missions Fund”.

As a reminder, we will have the Willis family from China visiting with us the first Sunday in January 2020. The date is January 5th, 2020 that the Willis will come to share regarding the ministry in China where God has called them to serve.

Thank you to everyone who supports Alcoa First Missions. Your faithfulness and support are greatly appreciated. If you have any questions/concerns or something you’d like to see included in the “Mission’s Moment” section, please feel free to send an email or write, in a letter, and deliver to the church office. Currently, please send emails to: allen-garrett1651@gmail.com. In our next mission moment, we will provide an email address for Alcoa Missions.

Blessings,

Your General Missions Committee

GOOD USED ITEMS…Henderson Settlement is in dire need for good used items for their Thrift Store (children & adults), household items, toys and games, etc. Good used clothing is especially requested. These items should be bagged and brought to the church no later than noon on December 10.

URGENT NEED…wrapping paper and scotch tape are desperately needed to hand out with the gifts so family members can wrap gifts for their children.

On December 11 we will leave the church at 8:30 to go to Henderson Settlement to be there when parents come to the settlement to select toys/gifts for their children and youth. Anyone wishing to go can call Charleen Reynolds (982-5427).

Monetary contributions may be made to Henderson Settlement by drop-ping a check or envelope in the offering plate December 1st or 8th.

Please indicate Henderson Settlement on the memo line.

THANKS FOR YOUR GIVING SPIRIT!

Women of Alcoa FUMC

SPECIAL THANKS from our Mission Ladies...Many thanks to the ladies of our church for contributing 314 gently used or new bras to the “Free the Girls Organization”.

Something this simple is a vehicle for freedom and hope to the women in Africa, helping them to become more respected and less likely to be attacked. We will never know just how much

our efforts have impacted these women and how much we have blessed their lives!

December Calendar

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1 8:30 am Traditional Service, Communion 9:35 am Sunday School 10:30 am Fellowship: Coffee & Donuts 11:00 am Contemporary Service, Communion 4:30 pm Bell Choir Practice, Choir Room 4:45 pm Church Wide Family Christmas Dinner (covered dish) 6:00 pm Hanging of the Christmas Greens MONDAY, DECEMBER 2 9:00 am Monday Prayer Group 7:00 pm BINGO, Asbury Acres TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3 6:00 pm Youth @ the Chancey’s 6:30 pm Centennial Committee Meeting, Library WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4 5:30 pm Intercessory Prayer, Library 6:00 pm Cherub & Children’s Choirs 6:30 pm Kid’s Club/Christmas Party 6:30 pm Bible Studies 6:30 pm Praise Band Practice 7:30 pm Chancel Choir Practice SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 9:00 am Chancel Choir Cantata Rehearsal & Lunch SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8 8:30 am Traditional Service/Christmas Cantata 9:35 am Sunday School 10:30 am Fellowship: Coffee & Donuts 11:00 am Contemporary Service 6:00 pm Christmas Cantata MONDAY, DECEMBER 9 9:00 am Monday Prayer Group TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10 3:00 pm Grief Support, Nova SS Classroom 6:00 pm Youth @ the Chancey’s WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11 8:30 am Henderson Settlement 5:30 pm Intercessory Prayer, Library 6:00 pm Cherub & Children’s Choirs, MVV 6:30 pm Bible Studies 6:30 pm Praise Band Practice 7:30 pm Chancel Choir Practice SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14 9:00 am Children’s Play Rehearsal SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15 8:30 am Traditional Service 9:35 am Sunday School 10:30 am Fellowship: Coffee & Donuts 11:00 am Contemporary Service/Children’s Christmas Musical 4:30 pm Bell Choir Practice, Choir Room 6:00 pm Sunday @Six Worship Service MONDAY, DECEMBER 16 9:00 am Monday Prayer Group TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17 6:00 pm Youth @ the Chancey’s

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18 5:30 pm Intercessory Prayer, Library 6:30 pm Bible Studies 6:30 pm Praise Band Practice 7:30 pm Chancel Choir Practice THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19 10:00 am Game Day, Green Room SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21 3:00 pm Celebration of Life for Martha Cobb SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22 8:30 am Traditional Service 9:35 am Sunday School 10:30 am Fellowship: Coffee & Donuts 11:00 am Contemporary Service 4:30 pm Bell Choir Practice, Choir Room 6:00 pm Service of the Longest Night MONDAY, DECEMBER 23 9:00 am Monday Prayer Group TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24 CHRISTMAS EVE, CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED 11::00 am Christmas Eve Communion Service 6:00 pm Christmas Eve Communion Service 11:00 pm Christmas Eve Communion & Candle Light Service CHURCH OFFICE CLOSINGS TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28 7:30 am UMM Breakfast Meeting SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29 8:30 am Traditional Service 9:35 am Sunday School 10:30 am Fellowship: Coffee & Donuts 11:00 am Contemporary Service 4:30 pm Bell Choir Practice, Choir Room 6:00 pm Sunday @Six Worship Service MONDAY, DECEMBER 30 9:00 am Monday Prayer Group CHURCH OFFICE CLOSINGS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1 THURSDAY, JANUARY 2 FRIDAY, JANUARY 3

Ministry Assistants For December

Please contact Pat Scott at 681-8156 if you would like more info or you feel called to serve in this ministry.

December 1 Traditional Service

Drive Thru Door: Dick & Peggy Abbott Front Hall: Mary Gross

Host: Pat Scott Drive Thru Door for SS: Francis Gross

Contemporary Service

Drive Thru Door: Jim & Diane Hafner Front Hall: Clint & Darlene Abbott

Sanctuary Door: Chris & Becky Lohr Host: Janet Bledsoe

Early Nursery: Charleen Reynolds SS Nursery: Jama Boyd

Late Nursery: Lindy Hill

December 8 Traditional Service

Drive Thru Door: Dick & Peggy Abbott Front Hall: Ron & Pat Scott

Host: Larry Willis & Barbara Stinnett Drive Thru Door for SS: Margie Davis

Contemporary Service

Drive Thru Door: Joe Van Cleave Front Hall: Ed & Karen Pershing

Sanctuary Door: Josh & Emily Piercy Host: Robert Gibbs

Early Nursery: Waverly Maples SS Nursery: Heather Davis

Late Nursery: April Hawkins

December 15

Traditional Service Drive Thru Door: Dick & Peggy Abbott

Front Hall: Bill & Carolyn Daugherty Host: Pat Scott

Drive Thru Door for SS: Ron Scott

Contemporary Service Drive Thru Door: Janet Bledsoe Front Hall: Josh & Jama Boyd Sanctuary Door: Norma Jones Host: Lenny & Janine Juckett

Early Nursery: TBD SS Nursery: Christy Buchanan

Late Nursery: Ava Neubert

December 22 Traditional Service

Drive Thru Door: Dick & Peggy Abbott Front Hall: Bob & Carol Henry

Host: Darryl & Linda Reed Drive Thru Door for SS: Tony Graf

Contemporary Service

Drive Thru Door: Allen Garret Front Hall: Don & Andi Heinemann

Sanctuary Door: Emmit & Betty Rawls Host: Cindy Joy Garrett

Early Nursery: Brooke Givens SS Nursery: Heather Davis

Late Nursery: Cheryl Varitek

December 29 Traditional Service

Drive Thru Door: Dick & Peggy Abbott Front Hall: Terry & Marsha Brown

Host: Elaine Bowers Drive Thru Door for SS: Francis Gross

Contemporary Service

Drive Thru Door: Joe Van Cleave Front Hall: Clint & Darlene Abbott

Sanctuary Door: Paula Patterson Host: Janet Lidvall

Early Nursery: Waverly Maples SS Nursery: Heather Davis

Late Nursery: April Hawkins