in the mailboxes.

Check the delivery boxes in the

Fellowship Hall several time during the

month of December for your cards.

There will be envelopes with each mem-

ber’s name; please remove your cards

and leave the envelopes for more deliv-

eries. Please contact any Friends in Faith

Circle member if you have questions.

All proceeds will benefit local

needs and ministries.

I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

Welcome New

Members 2

Save the date!

Children’s

Ministry

Christmas

Events

3

Food 2 Kids 4

Veteran’s

Sunday and

Veteran's

Honor Flight

5

GROW 6

GIVE 7

Lay Servant

Ministry 8

PRAYER 9

December

Calendar 11

“The Back

Page”

Pastor’s

Report

12

Christmas Card Mailboxes are BACK!

The Grapevine Clarkesville First United Methodist Church

D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 5

Did you know you can send

Christmas greetings to active church

members for only $1.00 for 5 cards?

Mail your Christmas cards beginning

November 29th through December

16th. Mail Boxes will be located in the

Fellowship Hall, the Connection, and

the foyer in front of the Sanctuary.

Simply address your cards with the

church member’s names, and place

them (alphabet, please) with payment

Upcoming Ladies Advent Luncheon

Ladies, mark your calendars for this year’s Advent Luncheon, ―Have Your-

self a Mary Christmas,‖ Saturday, December 5th in the Fellowship Hall at 11:00am-

12:30pm, hosted by the Hearts of Grace and Friends in Faith UMW Circles. Tickets cost $10, and they are available from any circle member or in the Church Office.

Proceeds will support families in need during the Christmas season.

Red Cross Blood Drive Thursday, December 3rd

The American Red Cross will conduct the second blood drive of the year

hosted by CFUMC on Thursday, December 3rd, 2:00-7:00pm in the Fellowship Hall.

You can help save a life by giving a pint of blood. The life you save might be a friend or neighbor. Pre-register online at www.redcrossblood.org using keyword

cfumc, or contact the Church Office to make an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome,

but pre-registration guarantees your donation time. For more information, contact

Michael Carroll, CFUMC Red Cross Liaison or the Church Office, 706-754-2677.

Advent Outreach Project: “The Mitten Tree” Fondly named ―the Mitten Tree‖ years ago, we are reviving an old tradition of decorating a Christmas

tree during the Advent season with warm winter items to be sent to the Red Bird Mission Conference in Ken-

tucky. Socks, long underwear, hats, scarves, and of course, mittens, are all items that can be clipped to the tree, which is now up in the Fellowship Hall. From infants to adults, items of all sizes are welcomed as winter

holds the mountain communities of Kentucky in its icy grasp. Donations gratefully accepted until Dec. 20th.

2

Prison Ministry: The Prison Ministry is Lee Arren-

dale’s Women’s State Prison. Three churches, including

CFUMC, Cornelia UMC, and Sautee-Nacoochee, visit the

96-100 women in the Faith and Character Dorm. We visit

quarterly, spring, summer, fall, and Christmas. We provide

cookies and punch. The women perform skits, songs, po-

etry, and dance to Christian music.

A signed and notarized release form is required

prior to any prison visit, and this form allows for 2 visits

per year. For the 4 visits, a class must be taken in order to

get a ―Locator Badge,‖ and these classes are given each

month. Although the Christmas visit form deadline has

passed, release forms are available in the Church Office

for our spring visit. Date and time are TBD. All are invited

to participate in our ―Stuff the Bags‖ event on Wednesday,

December 2nd in preparation for our Christmas visit.

For more information or to express interest in up-

coming visits, please contact Ellen Boyd, CFUMC Prison

Ministry Coordinator, 770-540-1771.

Jetsetters: The Jetsetters combine with the Good News

Class for their November/December Christmas gathering.

This year’s Christmas gathering will be at Western Sizzlin’

in Cleveland on Tuesday, December 8th. Meet at the

Church Office to ride the bus at 10:45am.

Walk to Emmaus: The Soque Fishers will be

hosting our monthly Walk to Emmaus Gathering in the

sanctuary, December 11th at 7:30pm. Everyone is invited

to join us and celebrate the season! Christmas carols are

back by popular demand, and Pastor Brian will share one

of his Christmas stories. Fellowship and refreshments to

follow. Nursery will be provided during the program. Join

us for an evening of holiday praise and worship!

Connectional Ministry Update: Coming up on

Sunday, December 6th is our last Connectional Ministry

Meeting of 2016. We will gather at 3:00pm at The Con-

nection at CFUMC, and refreshments will be provided by

our Hospitality Committee. This gathering will be a plan-

ning meeting for 2016, as well as a celebration of 2015.

For more information, contact Michael Carroll, Connec-

tional Ministry Liaison.

Ladies Lunch Bunch: Join the bunch on Tuesday, De-

cember 8th! We will dine at Macaroni Grill and then wan-

der through the Christmas wonderland at the Mall of Geor-

gia, have a chat with Santa, or finish up your own Santa's

helper list. Meet at the Church Office at 10:30am to car-

pool. Please RSVP by Monday, December 7th.

United Methodist Men: The United

Methodist Men will not meet in December.

Thank you to all who supported the Fruit Sale.

Fruit will be delivered to the church after Thanksgiving.

The next gathering of the United Methodist Men is Thurs-

day, January 7th, 2016 at 7:00pm in the Fellowship Hall.

Our UMM also gather every Thursday morning at

7:30am at Crossroads Café in Clarkesville for food and

fellowship.

Sunday Night Fellowship: We meet weekly

at 6:30pm at different local restaurants. It’s informal fel-

lowship at its best. Buy your own meal, sit wherever

you’d like, and get to know others in our church family.

December 6th Mishima

December 13th Chicago’s

December 20th El Patron

December 27th Captain D’s

United Methodist Women: Our UM

Women would like to invite you to visit a

UMW Circle and enjoy the fellowship of other

women united in mission:

Kite Stribling: Meets monthly on the 1st Thursday at a

member’s home. This month, Kite Stribling will gather on

Thursday, December 2nd for Christmas lunch at noon at

the home or Marilyn Davis.

Contact: June Givan

Hearts of Grace: Meets monthly on the 1st Sunday at

5:30pm (December 6th; Fellowship Hall).

Contact: Lisa Nicholson

Morning Joy: Meets monthly on the 2nd Monday the

Connection. This month, Morning Joy will gather on Mon-

day, December 14th for Christmas Lunch at Crossroads

Café in Clarkesville at 11:30am. If you would like to car-

pool, please meet outside the Connection at 11:15am.

Contact: Gloria Howell

Friends in Faith: Meets monthly on the 3rd Tuesday at

7:00pm. (December 15th; Admin Building).

Contact : Brenda Waters

FELLOWSHIP We invite you to be involved!

Welcome New Members! What a blessing it is to welcome new members into the congregation of Clarkesville First UMC! Jack and Frieda

Powell joined November 1st at the 11:00 Classic Service. Please welcome the Powells into our church family!

3

Youth and Children’s Ministries Our Children's Ministry had a great Sunday

FUNday event! We hosted over 150 people for a

BBQ lunch and games. We had six stations of

games for the children to participate in, as well as a

hay ride. Everyone had a great time! We appreciate

all of the volunteers and Sunday School classes that

helped make this event so great. Thank you!

We have an exciting Christmas season

coming up for our Children’s Ministry !

On Wednesday, December 9th we will have our

Christmas Nativity Scene at the church. The time

is still TBD. We will also be performing our

Christmas Nativity at the Clarkesville Downtown

Christmas, at 7:00pm on Saturday, December 12th. It gets better! We

ALSO have a Children’s Christmas play at 7:00pm on Wednesday, De-

cember 16th.

Our youth have had a great month as well! We got lost at the

corn maze at Jaemor Farms. We also were able to use their apple can-

nons and play other fun games. The youth will have their Christmas

party on Sunday, December 13th at 6:30pm.

The youth worship team have done such a wonderful job! They

are practicing hard and their work is paying off. They have done a fan-

tastic job leading worship. Our worship team includes Abbie Butler,

Christine Budd, Kirk Griffin, Tyler Purdee, Katelyn Stratton, Hanna

Zeigler, and Chris Quillen.

Brian Butcher, Director of Youth and Children’s Ministries

During November the children at CFUMC preschool

learned about thankfulness. The children were asked to name peo-

ple and/or things for which they are thankful and they made a "We

are Thankful" tree. We celebrated God's blessings with a pizza

feast on November 19th. Pastor Brian Butler and Brian and Josey

Butcher joined us and wished the children a Happy Thanksgiv-

ing. Thanks to Mrs. Pat Foster for providing two cookie

cakes for our celebration. The children loved the cookie

more than the pizza!

During December, the children will learn about the birth of Jesus.

On Thursday, December 17th, we will have a Christmas program at noon in

The Connection. The church family is invited to attend and hear the good news

through the voices of preschoolers.

Thank you for your support of the CFUMC Preschool! Susan Weidner, Director CFUMCP

CFUMC Preschool “Rooted in faith, growing in love”

Save the Date!

Upcoming Youth Prayer

Breakfasts:

December 8th, 7:00am at the

Clarkesville DQ.

Youth Christmas Party

Sunday, December 13th

Children’s Nativity and

Children’s Play at CFUMC

Wednesday, December 9th

(time TBD) and Wednesday,

December 16th at 7:00pm,

respectively

Downtown Clarkesville

Christmas and Nativity

Saturday, December 12th,

7:00pm

Youth Ski Trip

Friday, February 26th-

Sunday, February 28th ($50

deposit due December 17th)

4

Food 2 Kids: December is our first delivery

month of the school year! If you and a buddy

can help deliver bags of food to the schools

on December 4th, 11th or 17th, please contact Jennifer

Boydstun, Community Ministries Director, in the Church

Office. We need 3 teams of two people each on the 4th

and 11th, and can use even more on the 17th, which is a

double bag delivery day for the holidays. We are up to

177 bags weekly now!

Stephen Ministry: Stephen Ministry is

grounded in Jesus’ command to love one an-

other. Through one-to-one caring and confi-

dential relationships, those who are hurting receive the

love and care they need to support them. We welcome

newly commissioned Stephen Ministers Alison George,

Kevin Smith, and Wanda Westmoreland! This month,

our Stephen Ministers will meet on Monday, December

7th at 6:00pm in the Connection Ministry Center. For more information or a confidential referral to

a Stephen Minister, please call Stephen Ministry Team

Leader, Ron Waters, or the Church Office.

CommUnity Thrift: Our November

giving was $1500 to the CFUMC Building

Fund, $400 to Sharing &

Caring, $200 to the Habersham

County Senior Center, and $900 to

Meals on Wheels. The store will be

closed December 25th-26th.

There are great Christmas bar-

gains to be found at the

store. Look! Even Santa shops here!

Nursing Home Visitation: Join us at the Haber-

sham WEST Nursing Home at 6:00pm monthly on the

third Monday night (December 21st) and the Habersham

EAST Nursing Home at 6:15pm monthly on the fourth

Monday night (December 28th) for singing and fellow-

ship with a sweet group of folks. For more information,

please contact Sandy Shell or call the Church Office, 706-

754-2677.

Prayer Gatherings Tuesday Morning Prayer: Our Prayer Group has a

lovely room in The Connection Ministry Center, and our

group meets every Tuesday at 9:30-10:30am. Come and

join this wonderful group of prayer warriors! God loves

a praying church!

Skeins of Love Prayer Shawl Ministry: If you knit or

crochet, or would like to learn, you are invited to The

Connection, room C-11 at 10:00am on Thursdays to

make prayer shawls. All skill levels are welcome, and

supplies are available. If you would like to request a

shawl to comfort or celebrate someone you know, please

call the Church Office.

Meals On Wheels: Our church has delivered

meals for one week each month for 30+ years, and we

are the ONLY church in Habersham to make this com-

mitment each month. Our December drivers are Phil and

Lu DeMore. Many thanks to those who help with this

ministry, including our November drivers, Frank and

Teresa Dean! We hope to build our driver base so that

several teams may share in one week's deliveries. If you

feel you might be interested, please contact the Church

Office, 706-754-2677, or Elizabeth Pratt, CFUMC Meals

on Wheels Coordinator, 706- 754-1574.

Clarkesville Soup Kitchen

DATES TEAM CAPTAINS

1st Thursday Sandy Blake

2nd Tuesday Connie Wilbanks

3rd Tuesday Sue Trotman

4th Tuesday Elizabeth Pratt, Arthur Davis,

Brenda Sonafelt

5th Monday Phil & Peggy Brownrigg

5th Saturday Hearts of Grace UMW Circle

♦To help at the Clarkesville Soup Kitchen, call 706-754-

6539 or the Church Office, 706-754-2677.

♦To help at the Cornelia Soup Kitchen, call 706- 968-

9954 to volunteer.

SERVE We lend a hand in our community!

Operation Christmas Child: Thank you, CFUMC! Church family, our sincere

appreciation and gratitude to all of you who helped make the Operation Christmas Child shoebox drive a

splendid success! Together, we donated 187 boxes to Operation Christmas Child, our opportunity to bring happiness

to a child through ―witness‖ and the gift of Jesus Christ. You should all be very proud. My sincere thanks & gratitude

to Josey Butcher and Wanda Westmoreland for being an amazing help.

Jana Flury, CFUMC Operation Christmas Child Coordinator

5

The Prayer Ministry would like to thank everyone who participated in the making Veteran's Sunday a very special

day for our Veterans! From the Hospitality Committee, to the people who brought food, those who participated in the wor-

ship service, and of course our honored veterans and their families, it was a very special day. Everyone played an impor-

tant role in making this day a great success, and we are thankful for you!

First Row: [L-R] Lee Hobart, Carl Flury, Ron Waters, Scott Trotman, Richard Reynolds, Charles Pratt.

Second Row: [L-R] Etsel Shell, Ken Iossi, Mack Barry, Steve Blake, John Bussler, Jack Foster, Holmes Harrison.

Third Row: [L-R] Tom Hawks, Garnett Hulsey, Frank Mutton, Pat Stryker

Honored, but not pictured: Jim Staples, Kathy Molnar, Lewis Glover, Paul Hopper, Frank Dean, Stephen Wilks, Jerry Medlock,

Lamar Dean, and Frank Hemphill.

Thank you for your service to our country!

Veteran’s Sunday Recap

This year has been a new experience for the Hospitality Committee at the Clarkesville Methodist Church. We

have been very busy throughout the year and have more yet to do. Our Hospitality Group consists of: Marjorie Waters,

Lynda Petty, Lea Cohen, Emily McGahee, Annaclair Kiger, Jinx Haley, Marcia Martin, Brenda Sonafelt and for the Vet-

erans Day event we had Wanda Westmoreland lend a hand. All of our decorations are carried out by the very talented

Marjorie Waters and Lynda Petty. We are so grateful for their talent. They have put in many hours decorating for all the

events.

We have provided refreshments for the Pre-School class this year for their ―Open House‖ and will treat them and

their families in December during their Christmas event. We have provided refreshments for the Connectional Group

during the year at the 5th Sunday Night Singing at our church and had help from many of our church ladies as well.

Thanks to all of you as we could not succeed without your help. We also helped serve at Sunday FUNday, the Children’s

Ministry luncheon and our largest event yet, and the most recent Veteran’s Day Luncheon. A special ―Thank You‖ goes

out to Jerre Harvard for washing all of those dishes for us. We also wish to thank Mary Wilbanks for helping out and for

making sure we have the supplies we need for each event. So yes, we have been busy this year!

We want to say a very special ―Thank You!‖ to our Hospitality Committee for their hard work, long hours and

dedication to this church. It could not have been done without your help and wonderful attitudes. We are so delighted

you are all part of our team!

Pat Foster and June Givan, Co-Chairs for the CFUMC Hospitality Committee

Thank you, Hospitality Committee!

Etsel Shell’s Veteran Honor Flight On September 30th, Etsell Shell, a Korean War Veteran, traveled to Washington, D.C. on

an Honor Flight. While in Washington, he visited the WWII, Korean, and Vietnam War memo-

rials as well as the Iwo Jima Memorial, the changing of the guard at Arlington, and the Air Force

Memorial. Linda Camp served as his guardian on the trip. Honor Flight is a non-profit organiza-

tion whose goal is to get Georgia's WWII and Korean War veterans to Washington to see their

memorials. There is no cost for the veteran. If you are a veteran and would like to go on an

Honor Flight, please contact Linda Camp for an application.

6

December 20th Emily Thompson /

Jacob Grady

December 27th Whitney Martin /

Layne Kafsky

Ushers:

8:30 The Taylor Family

11:00 Blaine Boydstun, Dean

DeLaigle, and Jerry Medlock

Altar Flowers:

December 6th Emmaus

December 13th Holiday Greenery

December 20th Holiday Greenery

December 27th Holiday Greenery

Evangelism Ministry Visitation

Teams:

December 6th

Gloria and David Agnew

December 13th

Mary and Warren Lanier

December 20th

Mary and Calvin Wilbanks

December 27th

Beverly and Jerre Harvard

Trustees Sunday Lock-Up:

Unlock: Jerry Medlock

Lock: Gail Burke

Sunday Morning Fellowship

Breakfast:

Volunteer hosts or hostesses are

needed to set up and clean up the

Fellowship Breakfasts. Refresh-

ments are always provided. Dona-

tions are greatly appreciated too.

FELLOWSHIP HALL (9:30am)

Garnett and Jean Hulsey will host

for the month of December.

CONNECTION (8:45am)

Brian and Josey Butcher will host

for the month of December.

Coordinator: Jean Hulsey

This Month’s Service Volunteers Liturgists in Worship:

December 6th TBD

December 13th TBD

December 20th TBD

December 27th TBD Coordinator: Michael Carroll

Children’s Church 9:00/11:00

Worship:

December 6th Candice Holcomb

and Katie Grady / Hotard Family

December 13th Youth

December 20th Connie Wilbanks

and Jean Hulsey / Shelley Wilbanks

and Kelly Carroll

December 27th Dulcie Ariail /

Linda Angel

Coordinator: Kelly Burgess

Acolytes, 8:30/11:00 Worship:

December 6th Hannah & Grace

Johnson / Audrey & Abigail Hotard

December 13th Joseph & Mitchell

McGahee / Maebree Holcomb

GROW Learn with us on Wonderful Wednesdays!

5:30pm Dinner Join us on Wednesdays at 5:30pm for warm

fellowship over a home-cooked, Southern-style meal

prepared by our friends at Chef’s Touch Bistro in

Cornelia. Fill out a pew card on Sunday morning or

call the Church Office by Monday noon to make/

break a reservation.

Weekly Menu

(Adults, $7; Kids, 12yrs-under, $4)

December 2 Spaghetti, salad, bread, and dessert

December 9 TBD

December 16 TBD

December 23 No Wednesday Night Activities

December 30 No Wednesday Night Activities

6:30pm Discipleship Hour

Nursery and K-5 children gather upstairs above the

Fellowship Hall in the Children’s Department.

Youth meet in the Connection Ministry Center for

games and Bible study.

Music meets in the Music Room for Men’s or

Women’s Ensemble (meets on alternating weeks) at

6:30pm and Chancel Choir for Men and Women at

7:30pm.

Adult Class is an Advent Study called, Under Wraps:

The Gift we Never Expected. Michael Carroll is teach-

ing this class, and the class will meet Wednesday nights

at 6:30pm in the Good News Classroom through De-

cember 16th. Curriculum is available in the Church Of-

fice.

We are trying to organize small groups for

times other than Wednesday evenings or Sunday morn-

ings. Small groups allow for a greater variety of group

formats; times and details are flexible and yet to be de-

termined. If you are interested in participating in or

leading a small group, please contact Gloria Agnew or

call the Church Office, 706-754-2677.

7

General Budget

Total 2015 General Budget: $491,887.00

Monthly Need (Avg Per Month) $40,990.58

Budget Offering thru 10/31/15: $366,039.00

Budget Expense thru 10/31/15: $385,845.00

Future Facilities Fund

Balance as of 11/22/15 $404,611.36

Scan and Donate!

Online contributions are even

more convenient. Now you

can use your smart phone

scanner app to scan the code

and make a donation!

Stewardship Update: I would like to bring a few items before you. I want to keep the information concise

and to the point concerning the financial state of the church:

General Expenses: With the growth of our church, specifically in the area of physical plant, our operating expenses

have increased. The new Connection Ministry Center has an antiquated heating and air system which is impacting

our expenses and the trustees and the finance committee will be moving toward improving that system and reducing

costs. Most line items within our budget have been steady and within budget, but utilities expanded beyond what we

anticipated. We continue to pay all of our bills in a timely manner as well as our outreach and apportionments. Over-

all we operate this church in a very conservative manner and that translates into having the ability to meet unex-

pected needs and expenses.

Future Facilities: This fund continues to be in excess of $400,000. It is used to work toward new facilities and was

used to purchase and improve the Connection Ministry Center. The growth rate of this fund has declined in compari-

son to past rates of increase. Any improvements to the Connection Ministry Center will come out of this fund.

Time to Step Up-2016 budget: The church council approved the general budget for 2016 on November 16th. The

new budget is the largest in the history of the church and reflects our growth as a congregation. The general budget

for 2016 is $565,682.00 and is a 13% increase from the 2015 budget. The increase is largely based on a rise in ap-

portionments, increased utility costs and salary costs. Let me be clear on staff salary, in 2009-2010 staff salary ac-

counted for roughly 66% of our budget while the 2016 budget will see salary accounting for 48.5% of the budget.

Our pledge campaign for the 2016 was very successful. As of November 19th, roughly 62% of the general budget

had been pledged. We hope that pledge cards will continue to flow in thus allowing us to meet 70% of the budget

pledged. Thank you for your support during the general budget pledge campaign!

Our church is strong financially due to each of you. Your prayers and gifts allow the church to do a great number of

things from guiding the youth, to feeding the hungry, to providing the moral clarity needed in this world and a whole

host of other items in constant need. Credit also goes to the various committees within the church that honor and protect

your gifts, they are needed stewards of the church. The finance committee will always work from a conservative position

and will assist the pastor in implementing his vision of the congregation and the community.

Your brother in Christ,

William J. Spivey, Finance Chair

GIVE Thank you for your generous giving!

Good Samaritan Fund: We need assistance to give assistance! Our Good Samaritan Fund, which is used for

community benevolence, has helped many of our neighbors over the last few years. So many, in fact, that now the fund

is depleted. To help is simple, just mark your financial gift to the church "Good Sam Fund" and we'll see that it assists a

neighbor in need. Thank you!

#GivingTuesday: Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and #GivingTuesday! UMC #GivingTuesday on December 1st

celebrates people joining around a common cause. There are more than 800 United Methodist-related Advance projects

and more than 300 missionaries. Every gift made online through that Advance on December 1st, 2015 will be matched

up to $1 million. Go to www.umcmission.org/give, browse projects, and donate!

8

Ministers of Faith Our Congregation

Pastor Rev. Brian T. Butler

brian@clarkesvillefirstumc.org

Director of Youth

and Children’s

Ministries

Brian Butcher

brianbutcher@clarkesvillefirstumc.org

Director of

Evangelism and

Communications

Josey Butcher

josey@clarkesvillefirstumc.org

Admin Assistant

and Community

Ministries Coordinator

Jennifer Boydstun, Deaconess

jennifer@clarkesvillefirstumc.org

office@clarkesvillefirstumc.org

Clarkesville First United Methodist Church Staff Music Director Paula Gibson

paula@clarkesvillefirstumc.org

Pianist / Organist Don Griffin

Nursery Teresa Colvin and Marie Rogers

nursery@clarkesvillefirstumc.org

Volunteer

Receptionist Team

Katrina Staples

katrina@clarkesvillefirstumc.org

Linda Allen and Pat Fenton

Custodial, Main Campus

Custodial, The Connection

Maintenance

Ricky West

Carol Ann Rundberg

Ken Iossi

Preschool Staff Susan Weidner, Director

Linda Angel and Karen Taylor

preschool@clarkesvillefirstumc.org

“Becoming” in the UMC The Lay Servant Ministry (LSM)

The United Methodist Church grows as its members ―become‖ more in Christ. The Lay Ser-

vant Ministries (LSM) program is an excellent process for assisting members to ―become‖.

We all ―become‖ at different rates and in different ways. The following are some of the LSM

courses (taught by pastors and certified LSM instructors) that can assist individuals and congregations in

developing the ―become‖ joy in Christ.

Basic course: foundational to all other courses: spiritual gifts, leadership development, etc.

United Methodist Heritage: gifts of theology; witness and organization of the UMC; history and

distinctive emphases needed in contemporary society, etc.

Evangelism: John Wesley’s practices in relational evangelism, sharing and welcoming others into

the faith community through evangelism, etc.

United Methodist Polity: ―why the UMC does the things it does‖

(organization and administration).

Accountable Discipleship: Importance of scripture as divine revelation; Wesleyan understandings

of Grace; etc.

Leading in Worship: Conducting individual, group and congregational prayer.

Leading in Prayer: Growing in confidence and skill in public and personal prayer.

Dancing with Words: Discovering storytelling style, presentation techniques, etc.

Lay Pastoral Care Giving: Improving care-giving skills; life span and dynamics of contemporary

life, etc.

Growing Spiritually Through Daily Disciplines: Guide in discerning God’s direction, practicing

daily disciplines and reaching out in love.

For more information about the Lay Servant Ministry, contact Don Gregg, Director of Lay Ser-

vant Ministries for the Gainesville District (youngharrisdon@gmail.com; C – 706-897-6710, H -706-379-

3478), or Jennifer Boydstun, CFUMC Director of Community Ministries and UMC Deaconess

(jennifer@clarkesvillefirstumc.org; 706-754-2677).

9

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,

present your request to God. Philippians 4: 6

† Praise! Don and Karen McLain celebrate a new granddaughter, Amelia Ivey Franklin, born October 26th.

† Our condolences to Joyce Jones and Loyce Guthrie on the recent deaths of first cousins Mary Lou Fain, Janie Allen,

and Herman Masters (husband of first cousin Betty).

† Health Concerns: Gladys Pickens (pneumonia; recovering at The Oaks), Don Griffin (severe knee injury), Agnes

Ramsey (hospice care at NEGMC), Michael Carroll (double pneumonia; recovering at home)

† Relatives and Friends:

Donna Canup, neighbor of David and Gloria Agnew, metastasized cancer

Anita Adams, sister of George Stabler, ovarian cancer has returned

Ava and Carter Fowler, grandchildren of Jim and Willene Keel, paternal grandfather died October 28th

Dennis Roach, father-in-law to Calvin and Mendy Huff’s daughter, diagnosed with a very aggressive form of

lymphoma

Neil Bruce Chambers, friend of Cariedda Thompson, cancer

Crystal Payton, relative of Cariedda Thompson’s coworker, Mark Price, cancer

Brittany Herlugson, friend of Sally Cougill, had a second brain surgery on November 19th

Treelis Stonecypher, sister of Lea Cohen, bone cancer

Benjamin Brown, friend of Dick and Esta Reynold’s son, David, stage IV cancer

Maribeth Starrett, granddaughter of Charles and Gail Burke, surgery on November 20th

† Our CFUMC Preschool ministry

† Our Stephen Ministry caregivers, their care receivers, and newly commissioned Stephen Ministers, Alison George,

Kevin Smith, Wanda Westmoreland, and Connie Pappas.

† Missionaries associated with our church family: Jeff & Holly Higgins Robinson in Tanzania (Shari H. Collins),

Petrit & Meredith Kemp Lleshi in Albania (Rev. & Mrs. Tony Kemp)

† All men and women of the Armed Forces

† The leadership of our church and our government

† United Methodist Missionaries and Mission Centers we support:

Nancy Carew - missionary in Liberia

Rev. Chuck Jack - missionary in Redbird Missionary Conference in KY

Wallins UMC - small church on a circuit in the Redbird Missionary Conference in KY

Joy Center - Community Center in the Redbird Missionary Conference in KY

To make an addition or update to the prayer list, please fill out a Prayer Request card

in the pew pocket on Sunday morning, call the Church Office,706-754-2677, or email the Prayer Ministry,

prayer@clarkesvillefirstumc.org.

P R A Y CFUMC Prayer Ministry meets weekly at 9:30am to pray in one accord

as requests are lifted up to the group. Prayers are for persons, church

ministries, and activities listed in the prior Sunday bulletin and for those

requesting non-published prayers. If you would like to be a regular part

of this group, come to the Prayer Room in the Connection on Tuesdays.

PRAYER Join us in prayer for our Family of Faith

10

DECEMBER Birthdays and Anniversaries

We don’t

want to leave

you out!

Submit your

birthday/

anniversary

to the

Church

Office if it is

missing from

our lists.

SHARE We share life together in community!

8 Bryan and Elizabeth

Cummings

14 James and Jennifer

Jennings

16 Bob and Becky Farmer

16 Bruce and Judy Forbes

17 David and Adonica Budd

20 Frank and Teresa Dean

21 Ned and Nancy Mountain

23 Dean and Chris DeLaigle

26 Jim and Marilyn Watson

27 Al and Wanda

Westmoreland

28 Ed and Kimberly Brown

28 Dale and Sandi Dean

31 Holmes and Reba

Harrison

31 Chuck and Elizabeth Pratt

I deeply appreciate the hand-

made pillowcase which is a

symbol of God's peace made by

the Morning Joy Circle and

thanks for all the prayers and

good wishes made by those

people who signed it. It is

really beautiful and when I

look at it, it gives me a spiritu-

ally uplift which I badly need a

lot of times.

Tom Hawks

To all of you who worked so

hard to honor our Veterans on Sunday, November 8th—it

was wonderful! Thank you so

much!

Etsel and Sandy Shell

2 Bob Farmer

2 Pat Foster

5 Jack Lipold

8 Phoebe Budd

8 Alison George

9 Herman Nicholson

9 Pam Owen

10 Don Fry

11 Hampton Hotard

12 Arren Taylor

17 Bill Duff

18 Patsy Hinely

18 Jake McGahee

19 Jack Foster

19 Sue Trotman

20 Pam Spangler

23 Gloria Agnew

23 Debbie Echols

24 Agnes Nichols

25 Rose McNair

26 Jeremiah Bartlett

26 John Bussler

26 Bobby Fede

26 Millie Flury

26 Clay Kafsky

27 Jean Hulsey

28 Sawyer Burgess

28 Melissa Charles

29 Sarah McNair

30 Henry Burgess

31 Denise Duff

31 Mary Spearman

31 Cami Taylor

The Mailbox Save the Date!

11

Regular Sunday Morning Schedule*

8:30am Classic Worship Service—S

9:00am Celebration Worship Service—C

9:30am Fellowship Time—FH

10:00am Sunday School Hour (Children, Youth, and Adult Classes)

11:00am Classic Worship Service—S

December 1

9:30am Prayer Ministry –C

5:30pm Trustees Meeting—AB

December 2

**Regular Wednesday Schedule

10:00am Prison Ministry ―Stuff the Bags‖ Event—FH

December 3

7:30am Men’s Breakfast—Crossroads Cafe

10:00am Skeins of Love Prayer Shawl Ministry—C

12:00pm Kite Stribling UMW Circle—Marilyn Davis Home

2:00pm Red Cross Blood Drive—FH

December 4

TBD Prison Ministry Visitation

12:30pm Bridge Club—C

December 5

11:00am Ladies Advent Luncheon—FH

December 6—Communion

2nd Sunday in Advent

*Regular Sunday Morning Schedule

3:00pm Connectional Ministry Meeting—C

5:30pm Youth Worship Team Practice—C

6:30pm Youth—C

6:30pm Sunday Night Fellowship Supper—Mishima

December 7

6:00pm Stephen Ministers Meeting—C-16

December 8

7:00am Youth Prayer Breakfast—Dairy Queen (Clarkesville)

9:30am Prayer Ministry—C

10:30am Ladies Lunch Bunch—Macaroni Grill (Mall of GA)

10:45am Jetsetters/Good News Class Christmas Lunch—

Western Sizzlin’ (Cleveland)

6:30pm Future Facilities Committee Meeting—AB

December 9

**Regular Wednesday Schedule

TBD Children’s Live Nativity

December 10

7:30am Men’s Breakfast—Crossroads Cafe

10:00am Skeins of Love Prayer Shawl Ministry-C

December 11 12:30pm Bridge Club—C

7:30pm Walk to Emmaus Gathering—S

December 12

7:00pm Children’s Nativity on the Clarkesville Square

December 13—Chancel Choir Christmas Cantata

3rd Sunday in Advent

*Regular Sunday Morning Schedule

12:00pm Covered Dish Luncheon—FH

6:30pm Youth Christmas Party—C

6:30pm Sunday Night Fellowship Supper—Chicago’s

December 14

11:30am Morning Joy UMW Circle Christmas Lunch—

Crossroads Café (Clarkesville)

6:00pm Finance Committee Meeting—AB

December 15

9:30am Prayer Ministry—C

7:00pm Friends in Faith UMW Circle—AB

December 16

**Regular Wednesday Schedule

7:00pm Children’s Christmas Play—S

December 17

7:30am Men’s Breakfast—Crossroads Cafe

10:00am Skeins of Love Prayer Shawl Ministry—C

12:00pm CFUMC Preschool Christmas Celebration—C

December 18 12:30pm Bridge Club—C

December 20

*Regular Sunday Morning Schedule

6:30pm Youth—C

6:30pm Sunday Night Fellowship—El Patron

December 21

5:00pm Grapevine deadline

6:00pm Habersham WEST Visitation

December 22

9:30am Prayer Ministry –C

December 24—Christmas Eve

Church Office Closed

6:00pm Christmas Eve Service—S

11:00pm Christmas Eve Service—S

December 27

*Regular Sunday Morning Schedule

6:30pm Sunday Night Fellowship Supper—Captain D’s

6:30pm Youth—C

December 28

6:15pm Habersham EAST Visitation

December 29

9:30am Prayer Ministry –C

December 31—New Year’s Eve

Church Office Closes at 12:30pm

Regular Wednesday Evening Schedule**

5:00pm Joybells

5:30pm Wednesday Night Meal—FH

6:30pm Adult Classes

6:30pm Children’s Faith Quest Class

6:30pm Youth—C

6:30pm Ensemble Practice

7:30pm Chancel Choir

FH = Fellowship Hall C= The Connection S = Sanctuary AB = Admin. Bldg

Attention! Community use of facilities is not listed on calendar due to space limitations. To minimize scheduling conflicts, please check your proposed date &

time with the office’s main calendar before scheduling an event or meeting.

Don’t forget to buy your

Christmas Poinsettias ($7/

each) in honor of or in

memory of those you love!

Orders are due December

3rd. Poinsettias can be taken

home, following the

Christmas Eve Services.

12

The Grapevine, December 2015

Clarkesville First United Methodist Church 1087 Washington Street, P.O. Box 365, Clarkesville, GA 30523

Office: (706) 754-2677 FAX: (706) 754-1276

Parsonage: (706) 754-5903

e-mail: office@clarkesvillefirstumc.org

Website: www.clarkesvillefirstumc.org

Office Hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Thursday

Closed for lunch 12:30-1:00pm

Return Service Requested

The Back Page Pastor’s Report

This has been a great year serving our Lord Jesus Christ. You, as a church,

have reached some new heights, and we are always praising the Lord for

that... with record numbers in Sunday School, more Operation Christmas Child shoe-

boxes than ever before, and worship attendance and membership both on the rise. God

is good and we give Him praise!

Yet, though we love to emphasize the high marks of life, we are forever mindful

that our Lord Jesus Christ stepped down from the heavens to be born in a lowly stable.

So we must never become proud. Since the Lord was willing to come serve humankind

in such a humble way, then we too must humble ourselves in His presence and offer

ourselves as faithful servants.

Let us grow spiritually as a people committed to God during the seasons of Ad-

vent and Christmas. Let us pray and seek how God would have us do acts of mercy to-

ward others at this glorious time of the year.

My family and I wish you all a Merry Christmas!

Love in Christ,

Rev. Brian T. Butler, Pastor