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TRANSCRIPT
Volume 7 Issue 12
December 2016
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Page 1
What the Healthy Church Initiative and Why You Should Care
The phrase “Healthy Church Initiative” (HCI) has been mentioned repeatedly from the pulpit and in the church newsletters, so you already know that First’s HCI group has been meeting over the last four months to discuss the future of First Roswell. This article will express to you some reasons for the HCI discus-sion and will give you some reasons why you should be interested in what the group is doing. Times have changed in our country and the world we live in. People no longer go to church just because it is expected of them or because
all their friends go. Many younger folks have found other things to do on Sunday morning and attend-ance at mainstream Protestant Churches has declined. Take a look at these statistics for the United Methodist Church in New Mexico. First Church Roswell reflects the
same trend. Many churches around the country, and here in Roswell, are struggling to stay open, and some have closed. The reason is almost entirely because as the more “churched” generations have gotten older, many in the younger gener-ations have disappeared. Take a look at the box which shows the ages of the active con-gregation of First Church as we begin to close out 2016. We have an active congregation of about 200. (Those who attend or give or serve or stay connected in some way.) Your pastors have been told that many younger families choose to attend non-denominational church-es in Roswell for one reason or another, and many just stay home. Why is that? And what can First Church do better to serve those younger families who are the future of the church? That is what the Healthy Church Initiative is all about, asking questions and making plans. The good news is that First Church is still strong, viable, and has committed lay and pas-toral leadership, but we must plan for the future and do our best to listen to how God will use this church.
Pastor Laird
As United Methodists this is our mission: to make new disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Worship Times
Sunday School - 9:15 AM
Sunday Worship - 10:30
1991 2013 2015 Membership 55,912 33,784 32,362
Weekly Attend 20,207 13,628 12,025
Baptisms 1,037 384 359
Prof of Faith 1,171 546 472
SS Attendance 11, 227 5,032 4,205
FUMC Active Church Members
Grouped by Age
90’s - 10
80’s – 40
70’s – 51
60’s – 45
50’s – 27
40’s – 9
30’s – 12
20’s - 2
Under 20 – 30 to 35
With very grateful hearts the Wor-
ship Team, which plans and produces
the annual veterans program, thank
those who helped to make this year’s
program, United We Stand, an out-
standing success.
This includes our musicians, staff, choirs, members of the Fellowship
Team, those who helped set up the stage, our sound and light members,
participants in the program, and our wonderful church staff.
Thank you to Pastors Laird and Tina Marie Cross for your support
and encouragement of this valuable program.
We appreciate all of the help that participated in the program, and
made it a success. Many of those attending who are not members of
our church, thanked us for doing this to honor our veterans. We are also
indebted to the staff and cadets from New Mexico Military Institute, who
enthusiastically join us each year with this program.
God Bless each of you, and may you have a wonderful holiday sea-
son.
John R. Fuss Bettie Lou Cheney
Director of Music Ministries Script Writer
Page 2
Poinsettia Order Form
You are invited to help adorn our sanctuary
this Christmas Season by purchasing a
poinsettia in memory, or in honor, of a friend
or loved one. The price of each poinsettia is $22. They will
be displayed in the Sanctuary from Sunday, December 18th
through Christmas day. Please complete this order form
and return it, with your payment, to the church office by De-
cember 11th. Please use a separate form for each poinset-
tia being ordered (extra forms in the office).
ORDERS DUE BY 12/11/16
In Memory of: ___________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
In Honor of: _____________________________________
_______________________________________________
Given by: _____________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Phone: _________________________________________
Payment accompanies my order.
Cash Check # _______________
I will take my poinsettia after the Christmas Day Service.
Please deliver my poinsettia to a shut-in or nursing home.
The Mission Team has again tak-
en names for the Angel Tree Pris-
on Program. These gifts will be
handed out at the Angel Tree par-
ty on Thursday, December 15th.
If you weren’t able to take a
name, you can still help. Dona-
tions of cookies for the party and
monetary donations are gladly
accepted. If you are giving a
check, be sure to mark Angel
Tree in the memo portion of
checks.
You may contact Kelly Cockrell
at 575-626-2298 for questions.
Page 3
First United Methodist Church acknowledges the following:
COWBOY BELL MEMORIALS
In Memory of Mary Grantham By: Lee and Joanne Harvard In Memory of Bobby Clements By: Brad Houston In Memory of Bert Marley By: Kathy Marley In Memory of Audrey Hill By: Nancy and Gary Smith In Memory of Dr. Bob Bond By: Mr. and Mrs. Robert G Armstrong Bill Bonham Nancy and Robert Corn Pat and Dick Goodwin Joanne and Lee Harvard Jan and Chuck McNear
In Memory of Bill Tarter By: Mary Beth Tarter Curt & Sue Tarter, Steve & Dorothy Tarter Ken & Tamara Fresquez In Honor of Joe and Maggie Phillips By: Pat and Dick Goodwin
GENERAL MEMORIALS
In Memory of Frances Jennings By: The Jennings family In Memory of Allen Lovelace By: Bill & Makala Wright In Memory of Dr. Bob Bond By: Judy Armstrong In Honor of Parker Ballard By: Carolyn Ballard In Honor of Joe & Maggie Phillips By: Judy Armstrong
December
December 7: Meatloaf, Baked Potatoes, Green
Beans, Salad, Rolls, Drinks & Desserts
December 14: Ham, Candied Yams, Broccoli,
Salad, Rolls, Drinks & Desserts
Christmas Break Wednesday, December 21, 28
Dinners resume next year….January 4th!
“IF” By Maggie Phillips
If you need a smile borrow one from Martha Bean, or Amy Johns. If you wish you were more talented, spend some time with Dorothy Peterson, Sue Tarter, Bettie Lou Cheney, and Tina Cross. If you want to hear the voice of God, listen to John Fuss sing. If you want to increase your energy and devotion, spend time with Judy Arm-strong and Mike Puckett. If you wish you could be more con-stant, spend time with Caroline Love-lace, Bill Bonham, Kay Motto, Pat Good-win, Amy Johns, and Brian & Paula Cooper. When I was secretary of the Search-ers class (several years ago) one of my duties was to introduce new members to the class, and repeat it for three weeks. I chose to use the word association method in order to be sure of the name. Jean and Ken Primrose (just think Prim-rose Lane). On the second week, I intro-duced them as the Lanes. So much for word association. If you want to be a dumb bunny, hang out with Maggie. If you need courage and fortitude to face the week ahead, stay seated in your pew and listen to the beauty that Michelle Olson is sending out to us as she plays the postlude.
YOU DID IT AGAIN! Your giving of loved filled shoe boxes filled with your gifts for children topped last years giving. The gifts are a way of getting the child’s attention so he or she will hear the gospel message, also included in the box. God’s love for them is the important gift.
In 2015 Samaritan’s Purse collected 8,765,637 gift filled shoeboxes in the United States. The gifts went to 109 countries and the United States is included in that number
I give you my thanks for sending 45 gift boxes this year. That was 17 more than last year. The ministry is growing and that is very impressive.
My heart felt thanks to Beth Hansen and Norma Rohwer for do-ing an outstanding job promoting Operation Christmas Child and a huge thank you to all who gave so generously to make it a true success.
Onita Barkly Ahlen
NON PROFIT ORG.
US POSTAGE PAID
ROSWELL, NM
PERMIT #58
FIRST NEWS
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
200 N. Pennsylvania Ave.
ROSWELL, NM 88201 Phone: 575-622-1881 - Fax: 575-622-6751
Church Email: [email protected]
Church Web Site: www.fumc-roswell.org
Return Service Requested
Page 4
STAFF
Ministers:
All Members & Participants of FUMC
NWT. Conf. Bishop Rev. W. Earle Bledsoe
Dist. Superintendent: Rev. Jane Vaughan
Rev. Tina Cross [email protected]
Rev. Laird Cross [email protected]
Director of Operations: Don Armstrong [email protected]
Office Manager: Kay Motto [email protected]
Director of Music Ministries: John Fuss [email protected]
Director of Youth & Children: Stella & Jaime Martinez
Organist: Michelle Olson
Receptionist: Pat Goodwin [email protected]
Cowboy Bell Secretary: Kati Yates [email protected]
Finance Secretary: Kati Yates [email protected]
FUMC E-mail [email protected]
If you have an e-mail and
wish to receive our weekly
updates, by Pastor Laird,
please e-mail us to get
on our list! Our e-mail address is
PARENT’S NIGHT OUT
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9
5:30 - 9:30 PM
Call the office for reservations at 622-1881 or E-mail
OPEN HOUSE
ROOM 215
DECEMBER 11 - 9:00 AM - 10:15 PM
Hosted by
Searchers & Joyful Noise Sunday School Classes
EVERYONE IS INVITED!
VISIT OUR WEB
www.fumc-
roswell.org
Activities for the Advent Season
Sunday, December 4 th
10:30 a.m.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Holy Communion
Friday, December 9th
5:00 p.m.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FUMC Choirs perform at Christmas Railway
Saturday, December 10th
All Day. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Silver Chords sing at Landsun Homes
Sunday, December 11 th
10:30 a.m.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Children’s Choirs Christmas Music
Wednesday, December 14 th
5:45 p.m.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kaler Bells’ Christmas Concert
Thursday, December 15 th
5:30 p.m.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Angel Tree Christmas Party
Sunday, December 18 th
11:35 a.m.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Third Sunday Holy Communion
3:00 p.m.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A Vivaldi Christmas Concert
Monday, December 19 th
9:30 a.m.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Silver Chords sing at Correctional Center
3:30 p.m.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Children’s Choirs’ Caroling
Tuesday, December 20 th
3:30 p.m.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Youth Caroling
Wednesday, December 21 st
5:30 p.m.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Blue Christmas Service
Activities for the Christmas Season
Saturday, December 24 th
3:00 p.m.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Informal Candlelight Communion Service
5:30 p.m.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Traditional Candlelight Service
11:00 p.m.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Liturgical Candlelight Communion Service
Sunday, December 25 th
11:00 a.m.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christmas Day Worship
12:00 p.m.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Annual Christmas Dinner
Saturday, December 31 st
11:00 p.m.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Watch Night Service
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1
10:30 AM Women'sBible Study/Rm110
12:00 PM EmmausMeeting/Rm 111
5:15 PM WeightWatchers/Rm 215
6:00 PM BibleStudy
(Homes)/ContactMike Puckettfor Details
2
8:30 AM YogaClass/FH
12:00 PM AlAnon/Room 111
3DowntownElectric LightParade
49:15 AM S.School
10:30 AM Worship
Glory RingersTime TBA
Heaven ConneXionTime TBA
Ring On/TBABell Room
UMY TBA
5
7:00 AMMethodist Men'sBreakfast/LosCerritos
6:00 PM AdCouncil/Rm 111
6:00 PM MasterWork Chorale
6 2:00 PM SilverChords/Casa Maria
5:15 PM MissionTeam/Library
6:30 PM Prayer Shawl Ministry/FH
7:00 PM BoyScouts Trp 2
810:30 AM Women'sBible Study/Rm110
12:00 PM EmmausMeeting/Rm 111
5:15 PM WeightWatchers/Rm 215
6:00 PM BibleStudy(Homes)/ContactMike Puckettfor Details
9
8:30 AM YogaClass/FH
12:00 PM AlAnon/Room 111
5:30/Kaler Bells/Christmas
Railway
5:30 PMParent's Night
Out
10
7:45 AM Silver Chords/Artesia and Carlsbad
119:15 AM S. School
10:30 AM/ChildrensChristmas Programduring Worship
Glory Ringers/TBAHeaven ConneXion /TBA
UMY/TBA
12
7:00 AMMethodist Men'sBreakfast/LosCerritos
11:30 AM WalkerMuseum/ Rm 111
6:00 PM MasterWork Chorale
13
2:00 PM Silver
Chords/Mission Arch
7:00 PM BoyScouts Troop2/Scout Hut
14 15
10:30 AMWomen's BibleStudy/Rm 110
12:00 PM EmmausMeeting/Rm 111
5:15 PM WeightWatchers/Rm215
5:30 PM Angel
Tree Party/FH
16
8:30 AM YogaClass/FH
12:00 PM AlAnon/Room 111
17
9:30 AM UMWCluster
Meeting/Peachtree
18 9:15 AM
Sunday School
10:30 AM Worship
3 PM/Vivaldi/Christmas Program
197:00 AM MethodistMen'sBreakfast/LosCerritos
7:30 AM SilverChords/CorrectionalCntr.
3:30 PMChildren'sCaroling andPeter Pipers
6:00 PM HCI/Rm111
20
1:00 PMPrayer ShawMinistry/Room110
21 22
12:00 PM Emmaus Meeting/Rm 111
5:15 PM WeightWatchers/Rm
215
23
8:30 AM YogaClass/FH
12:00 PM AlAnon/Room 111
24 3:00 PMChristmas EveCandlelight &
Communion
5:30 PMTraditionalCandlelightService
2511:00 AM
ChristmasMorning Worship
12:00 PMChristmasDinner/FH
26
7:00 AM
Methodist Men's
Breakfast/LosCerritos
27 28 29
12:00 PM EmmausMeeting/Rm 111
5:15 PM WeightWatchers/Rm215
30
12:00 PM AlAnon/Room 111
31
New Year's Eve
11:00 PMChristmas Eve Candlelight & Communion
11:00 PM Watch Night Service
7
Wednesday Schedule on Reverse Side
Office Closed
Office Closed
Office Closed
No Activities
Office Closed Office Closed
5:15 pm - Dinner/FH
5:45 pm - Bell Concert/FH
5:30 pm - Blue Christmas/Sanctuary
7:15 pm - Chancel Choir
UMY TBA
Ring On/TBA
6:45PM/CBS
6:45PM/CBS
Heaven ConneXion/Bells/TBA
2016
3:30 PM Youth Caroling
4:30 PM - Cherub Choir/Room204
5:15 PM - Fellowship Dinner/FH
5:15 PM - CLM Prayer Mentors/Room 111
5:30 PM - Kid’s Playground Open
5:45 PM - Wesley Singers I/ Room 114
5:45 - 6:15 - Kids Activities/Upstairs
6:00 PM - Homework Cafe'/Youth Room
6:00 PM - Bible Study - Room 110
6:05 PM - Kaler Bells/Bell Room
6:15 PM - Wesley Singers II/Room 114
6:15 PM - Kids Activities/Upstairs
7:15 - Chancel Choir - Choir Room
WEEKLY WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE
December 14
5:15 pm - Dinner/FH
5:45 pm - Kaler Bell Concert/FH
December 21
No Dinner
5:30 pm - Blue Christmas Service - Sanctuary
DECEMBER EXCEPTIONS
CHILDREN/YOUTH ACTIVITIES TBA ON THESE DATES