First Things J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 8 V O L U M E 7 , I S S U E 0 1

101 E. First North Street Morristown, TN 37814 Phone: (423) 581-2180 Fax (423) 586-9491 Email: fumc@fumcmorristown.org www.fumcmorristown.org

fumcmorristown

@fumcmorristown

fumcmorristown

Worship Times

8:15am Traditional Worship (Sanctuary) 9:15am Sunday School for All Ages 10:30am Traditional Worship (Sanctuary) 10:30am The Connection (Gym)

Bus Ministry

Regency Pick-up times 9:00am & 10:15am Return to Regency 11:45am

Newsletter Online

The newsletter is posted online at www.fumcmorristown.org

F I R S T U N I T E D

M E T H O D I S T

C H U R C H

Dale Wilson, Rita

(Wilson) Maples, Austin

Wilson, Zach Coffey

Hugh Hamill

and Regina Lee

Jackie

Murray

Bob and

Helen Fitts

Terri

McIntyre

Bob

Trinklein

Davina, Parker

and

Kris Gulliver

Oliver

Adams Ryan

Emery

Finley

Surber Walker

Williams

Mike and

Debbie Socotch

Kelly, Olivia, Carl

and Max Frost

Priscilla

Miller

Gene

Etter Darcy

Yarosh Lisa

Weikel

Kelly

Reid

Chris and

Lauren Jacobs

Ann & Bob

Mitchell

Dave, Lori, Kara,

Lucas & James Hotel

Lou

Maloy

Kinley, Amanda,

Payton and

Eric Osborne [not pictured: Steve & Virginia Street]

(Bob not pictured)

Church-Wide Luncheon

Honoring 2017’s New Members

Sunday, January 28 following 10:30am services

Featuring Bulgaria Mission Team Baked Potato Bar

P A G E 2

F I R S T T H I N G S

Dear Friends, I was recently in a meeting with several members of our church staff. One of the items that came up was annoying habits I

tend to exhibit. (I was the one who brought up this topic.). My wife has pointed out words I say all the time. I have worked

hard to ration them when I am preaching. I hesitate to mention the words because I am afraid that once you are listening for

them, that is all you will be able to hear.

This is not the first time I have slid into bad habits. In previous churches, I’ve spoken too much about 1) a dog I used to

own named Penny, 2)the Virginia Creeper Bike Trail, 3) things that annoy me, 4) Dr. Pepper, 5) Emory & Henry College, 6) my

children… The list of topics I’ve overdone is long.

I tell you this because now is a time for resolutions. I would hope that if there are things I could change or improve, you

would share those with me “in love.” I would like to emphasize “in love.” I am more inclined to change when I feel people are

pulling for me.

I would also tell you that I resolve to do better on learning names. Having said that, I will share that I am still struggling.

Thank you so much for your patience and a special word of thanks to those of you who continue to remind me of your names.

Another growth area for me is maintaining my devotional practices. I tend to do well for a while, and then slip when I get busy.

With the frenetic schedule of this church, I have lots of opportunities to slip.

I would also ask for you to consider a resolution. Would you commit to worship this year? In the next few months there

will be many cold and dreary days. There will be many Sundays it will be much easier to pull the covers back over your head

than it will be to make it to church. I just want you to know that we need you. Those of us leading worship get energy from a

full sanctuary. Other people are encouraged when they see you. Those of you with children are helping form holy habits. They

will value worship more if they feel it is a priority for you.

There are a lot of people working very hard to make your worship experience redemptive. We consider it a privilege to

have you here. You have lots of other options on Sunday mornings. Most important, worship is our time to acknowledge the

King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We have all been very blessed. Worship is the least we can to do show God we realize the

source of our blessings.

Hope to see you Sunday,

Walter

Joyful Hearts

Birthday Celebration Celebrate Your Birthday with Joyful Hearts!

Thursday, January 18, 2018

11:00am Gym

Dr. John Weldon (Willie Shakespeare) will

entertain with a magic show. Dr. Weldon is a

Shakespearean actor and retired Carson

Newman professor.

Make your reservations and pay $8 for

your meal in the church office by January 15.

January’s Mission: UMCOR

Un-Decorate the Church

December 31, 2:00pm

Help take down the Advent/Christmas decorations in the sanctuary

on Sunday, December 31, at 2:00pm. Sign up in the narthex

December 24 at morning worship or show up on December 31!

Honoring 2017 New Members

and

Bulgaria Mission Team

Baked Potato/Salad Bar Fundraiser

Sunday, January 28 following 10:30am

services

P A G E 3 V O L U M E 7 , I S S U E 0 1

Slowing Down

Slow down.

Take a deep breath.

What’s the hurry?

Why wear yourself out?

Just what are you after

anyway?

-Jeremiah 2:25

So, I’m one of those weird people that

loves winter. I have always had an affinity for

winter though I didn’t have a way to explain

why as a younger person. I took a pastoral/

personal care class in seminary that related

somewhat to the seasons talking about the

seasons of life. That class helped me give

language to what had been inside me: winter

is a natural time for all of creation to

rest. While we often think about winter as

everything “dying,” winter is actually just a

season for nature to rest and prepare for the

glory of blooming in the spring time.

And as the created world slows down

around us we push forward to keep a steady

pace of life and activity. December is an

especially busy time. And in some ways we

do slow down in January, but we keep

working and playing sports and doing all of

our activities. We really go against the grain

of creation.

I want to invite you to listen to the

rhythm that God has placed in creation. Slow

down a little bit. Give yourself time to rest in

the quiet moments that God gives to

you. Slow down. Take a deep breath. Enjoy

the glory of God even in these cold winter

months.

Peace,

Asa In the event of inclement weather, cancellations will be

made by 7:00am on that day. For the latest updates,

call the church office and follow the phone prompts.

Text alerts will also be sent. To sign up for FUMC text

alerts, please text "fumctext" to 74574. You may also

tune in to WCRK (1150am) on your radio or Channel

6 (WATE) for notices.

· Call the church office and follow phone

prompts

· Sign up for text alerts (text "fumctext" to

74574)

· Listen to WCRK (1150am) on your radio

· Check the FUMC website

· Check Facebook

Snow Policy

for Sunday Morning Worship

Music

Good Friday/Easter Choir

Handel’s Messiah

Rehearsals start Wednesday, January 10, at 7:15pm for

our Good Friday and Easter music. This year we will sing

selections, from parts 2 and 3, of Handel’s Messiah for both

services. Those selections are generally less heard than the

Christmas section. We will be accompanied by orchestra.

This is always one of the most moving services of the

year and is made even more meaningful by singing in the

choir. Join us!

P A G E 4

F I R S T T H I N G S

Kids Choir

Mini Handbell Intensive (for grades 3-5)

Anyone may participate whether you have handbell experience or not! This is a fun way to learn to read music.

Rehearsals: Wednesdays, January 10-31, 5-5:45pm. Performance: Sunday, February 4

Kids Choir Spring Kickoff on February 7

Families of children watch next month’s newsletter for more information.

North Pole Breakfast

P A G E 5

Revelation Youth Choir

Summer Music & Missions Tour

New Orleans

June 3-9

Home Concert Sunday, June 10

A $50 deposit and registration forms are due at the

meeting on Sunday, January 7. You may use funds from your

fundraising account for the non-refundable deposit.

Our hope is that most of our choir will join us for the

tour as we sing in churches, retirement centers and more.

Not sure if you can join us for the tour? If you think you

“might” want to participate in the tour, we encourage you

to join us for the January 7 mandatory Choir Tour Meeting

at 4pm. This meeting is for both students and parents.

Youth Handbells

Handbell Boot Camp!

Sundays January 7-28

5:50pm- 6:50pm

Join us on Sundays, January 7-28, from 5:50-6:50pm, for

NEW handbell ringers. These Sundays will be for

those who have rung handbells for one semester or

less. It will be a month of rigorous training in handbell

techniques and note reading necessary for successful

ringing.

Sundays, February 4 and following: ALL Handbell

Ringers will begin proper handbell choir rehearsal

with a full contingent for a three or four octave

handbell choir

Sign up at: fumcmorristown.org click “sign up forms” then “Resurrection 2018: Jan 19-21, 2018

Only $40

V O L U M E 7 , I S S U E 0 1

P A G E 6

F I R S T T H I N G S

Online Giving—You now have the

opportunity to give your tithes, offerings and other contributions

online. You may elect to make a onetime contribution, or set up

your giving to be repeated. Also, you may designate your giving

to a specific ministry of the church. Please visit our website and

select the “Give" tab. If you have any questions, please contact

Donna Brewster in the church office. Thank you for being

faithful to God’s Kingdom work.

· United

Methodist

Women

· Unit Planning Meeting All unit officers, circle

officers and circle members are invited to a

planning brunch on Saturday, January 6, 9:30am

at Margaret Thornton’s home. Please let

Margaret know if you will be attending.

· Ruth Circle will meet on Monday, January 8, at

11:30am in the Community Room. Contact Bev

Moon for more information.

· Deborah Circle will meet Tuesday, January 9,

at 6:00pm in the Cornerstone building. Contact

Barbara Crawford for more information.

· Mary Martha Circle will not meet in January.

They will resume their quarterly meetings in

February. Contact Alice Starnes for more

information.

· Elizabeth Circle will not meet in January.

They will resume meeting on Thursday,

February 1, at 10:30am at Regency. Contact

circle leader Alice Starnes for more information.

Fence Ministry Needs You!

The Fence Ministry needs your help

in two ways: volunteering and giving.

Donations of hats, gloves, scarves and

socks for all ages are needed. Socks

need to be thermal if possible. Money is

always appreciated. A collection box for

donations is located on the main floor

by the elevator.

Volunteers are needed to assemble

bags periodically throughout the winter and to check the fence

and replenish the bags. If you have questions or want to

volunteer, please contact Leigh Travis (423-736-3031) or Nancy

Renner (423-312-3616).

Sign Up for 2018

Altar Flowers

A sign-up chart for the 2018 Altar Flowers is in

the narthex on Sunday mornings and in the

hallway near the elevator during the week. The

two arrangements on Sunday mornings are $35

(for the two) and provided by the Blossom Shop.

They may be placed in memory, in honor or just

because and a line will be printed in the bulletin

each Sunday. Reserve your Sunday now.

UMW 2018 Officers

Pictured left to right: Gaye Scalf, Paula Waldron,

Betty Purkey, Julie Compton, Alice Starnes,

Christine Bean, Jessie Goddard, Barbara Crawford,

Margaret Thornton. Not pictured: Cindy

Stelzman, Bev Moon, Phyllis Hime (parish nurse),

Shirley Brooks, Bettie Crowell, Garry Brooks

(auditor)

Welcome New Members!

Eric & Amanda Osborne joined the FUMC Church Family on

December 17 at The Connection service. They have 2 children,

Payton & Kinley Massey, who will be added to the Preparatory

Roll.

P A G E 7 V O L U M E 7 , I S S U E 0 1

Looking Ahead

· The Church office will be closed December 25 & 26 (for

Christmas), January 1 (for New Years) and January 15 (for the Martin

Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday.)

· Church Financial Books will close Friday, December 29. Monies

received after that date will be credited to 2018.

· Deadline for the February 2018 newsletter is January 18. Please bring

your completely written articles, including pictures, to the church

office or email them to fumc@fumcmorristown.org.

· The FUMC Finance Committee will meet Tuesday, January 9, at

5:30pm in Room 207.

· Game Night is Friday, January 12, at 6:00pm in the Community Room.

· Church Council will meet Tuesday, January 16, at 5:30pm in the

Cornerstone building.

Our Discipleship Together

November 11/05 11/12 11/19 11/26

Worship 388 403 388 387

Sunday School 243 263 250 222

Budget Offering $15,939 $12,741 $19,066 $24,063

Faith Promise $1,286 $400 $82 $690

Worship at FUMC

Traditional Worship

8:15am & 10:30am

(Sanctuary)

and

The Connection

10:30am (Gym)

January 7

Well Pleased

Traditional Worship: Walter Weikel

One More Powerful

The Connection: Asa Majors

January 14

Can Anything Good Come from Here?

Traditional Worship: Walter Weikel

Can Anything Good Come from Here?

The Connection: Asa Majors

January 21

Dropping Their Nets

Traditional Worship: Walter Weikel

Dropping It All

The Connection: Asa Majors

January 28

The Pain of Healing

Traditional Worship: Asa Majors

What Do You Want With Us?

The Connection: Walter Weikel

Congratulations to…

· Mary Trombley who turned 105 on December 4.

Condolences to…

· To Mrs. Sammy Carver in the death of her son, Michael C. Carver, on

November 25. A Memorial Service was held on December 16 at

Stetzer Funeral Home.

· To Rita Maples in the recent death of her father.

Have you remembered

the church in your will?

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

First United Methodist Church

101 East First North Street

Morristown, TN 37814

Reaching, Growing, and Serving

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