Welcome! December 17, 2017

Prelude “Jazz the Halls” and “Come on Ring Those Bells Winds of Praise, Bellaires

Welcome Grace Chalela Please sign and pass the Register located in the pew. Guests please stop by the Welcome Center in the church lobby for a gift.

Worship in Song “O Come All Ye Faithful” UMH #234 (vs. 1,3) “Joy to the World (Unspeakable Joy)” “Thrive” Wings of Spirit

Blessing—Walmart cards for teachers

Joys & Concerns/Lord’s Prayer Don Tomko Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who tres-pass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. AMEN

Offering & Anthem Voices of Praise “Do You Hear What I Hear?” led by Darrell Day

Celebration of Community—meet new and greet current friends

Message: JOY: God lifts us up Luke 1:46-55 Series: Christmas Promises pastor Jerry Lighting of the 3rd Advent Candle

Response “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” UMH #240 (vs. 1-ladies, 2-men, 3-all)

Postlude Pat Deighton

Pianist: Clara Jane Bidwell Assistant: Rosie McKay

Order Of Worship Today’s Focus

Nursery (off of lobby)

Children’s Worship (Children’s Worship Center)

Have you decided which Christmas Eve service to attend? Don’t forget to

invite family and friends.

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“Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.” - Psalm 119:105

MY NOTES:

Luke 1:46-55 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mind-ful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remem-bering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” ___________________________________________

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We welcome everyone including those who are single, married, divorced, crying newborns, tired parents, and doting grandparents. We welcome those who are “just browsing” and those who know every hymn and praise song ever written. We welcome those who think the earth is flat, can’t spell, or because grandma is in town—you wanted to go to church. You have found a perfectly imperfect church filled with perfectly imperfect people who worship our perfect Lord. First time guests - please pickup a welcome gift at the wel-come desk in the lobby. Once again, welcome!

Practice The Pause When in doubt , pause. When angry, pause. When stressed, pause. And, when you pause… Pray!

Please lift your neighbors in prayer…

Praise: for a wonderful weekend of celebration and outreach at our church.

Concerns: Jeff, Josh, Jessica, Sam, Phyllis, Siera, Su-san, Joan, Helen Webster, Bob Simon, Corban, Kit and Paul, Gail Waller, Bob, Grace, Carol Yewcic, Clair Zeran, Wink Van Knowe, Chet and Betty Kosko, Sharon Bi-alecki, Joyce, Dick and Tina Durfee, Marilyn Minick, Helen Bates, Don and Fran, Rick Barrett, Joan Mel-larkey, Mary Ellen Arnold, Valerie Rogers, Joy Christen-son, Barbara Groger, Lea Bohanon, Helen Webster, Barbara Badali, Cora Williams

Joys or Concerns? Email: jerry@HudsonFirstUMC.org

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Going back to school or just starting out? The church Scholarship Com-mittee would like to help you. Schol-arship applications and renewals are

due Dec. 18th. accompanied by a recent transcript. Forms are available on the church website or in the office.

ENVELOPES ARE HERE! You will be able to pick up your 2018 envelopes in the church lobby before and after service starting today and every Sun. through Dec. and first part of Jan. Envelopes may be picked up in the Finance office during regular office hours.

Teachers typically use their own resources to buy the school supplies needed for the school year. We want to provide $50 Walmart Gift cards for Hudson Elementary’s

47 teachers. If you would like to participate, simply pur-chase one or more Walmart Gift Cards valued at $50 each or make a donation in any amount. If you choose to write a check, make it out to Hudson FUMC and mark “Walmart Gift Card” in the memo field - by December 19th.

Volunteers needed to volunteer in a vital min-istry of our church at the Hudson First UMC’s

Thrift Store. You will love the store and the people you meet. Please contact Laura Arnold, 727-863-0176, for information.

NEW WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY—All day, every day, an invisible war rages around you. The “Armor of God” is an action plan for putting it on and developing a personalized strategy to secure victory. Join Rita Nelson for this 7 week study, in the Children’s Worship Cen-ter, Thursdays, 10am, beginning Jan-uary 18th.

Sign up in the Church lobby or call the Church office no later than January 8th.

USING FAITH TO REDUCE STRESS

Faith provides a sense of purpose. Also, prayer provides stress relief in a variety of ways. A prayer for help is a great source of comfort and relief because a person does not feel they have to bear their burden alone. Often when people are hurting or confused, they can feel as if there is no one to talk to or depend on. A prayer during these tense times relieves that feeling of loneliness. The belief that God is listening to your prayers and will help you is a source of hope. With hope comes the strength to carry on.

Most caregivers feel socially isolated , stressed and dis-connected with the world as their tasks become all-consuming. Especially, during and after Christmas. Join-ing a support group may help because caregivers can connect with people who are in similar situations and receive information to guide them on the caregiver jour-ney. We meet here the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 10:30 AM.

Be on guard; stand firm in Faith; be courageous; be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13

by Laura Arnold

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GIVEN BY: IN MEMORY OF: IN HONOR OF:

Kenneth & Nancy Mills Our parents Our family Janet Smith W. Ralph Smith Sharon Scheiblein Jayne Scheiblein, Martha Oliver, Pat Behr Barbara Badali Parents, Mary & Frank Shulaw Don Martineau Deborah Watkins Sandra Nixon Frances Miller Susan Barrett-Staley Carl Miller, Jerry Papin Clara Mathias Robert Mathias Chester & Naomi Seeley, Jr. Loved Ones Deb & Don Martineau Nancy Gray Jeannette Taegder Harry Geiger, Ted Taegder Carol Jones Paul Jones Jerry & Lisa Milner Our parents Our staff Ann Heckman Edwin Heckman Ruth Walters Jerry and Jim Dick & Clara Jane Bidwell Karen Bidwell Norris Phil & Mary Jane Reed Son-in-law, Franz Moser Ruth, Brian & Michelle Lott Charles Lott, Loved ones Maxine & Poul Munk-Madsen Paul King Melanie Crawford & Herb Blair Mavis Blair Melanie & Tom Crawford Hank & Lidie Cordero, Mildred & William Crawford Nancy Neumar Husband, Bill Neumar, Parents, Norma & Frank Oliva Marilyn Skirtich Husband, George Robert Slep Wife, Mary Jane and son, Bobby Scott David & Kathleen Paul Mr. & Mrs. Erwin Paul, Mr. & Mrs. Austin Wright Cheryl Lach Edward L. Sanders

Edie Sanders Mom, Dad and Brother, George Gwen Bandy Bill Bandy Lois Heroux Sister, Carol Baenaga Paulette Meifert Ken Meifert Doug & Connie Katz Pat Katz. Rose Miles Tom Meier Lois Oster-Meier Rex Wagers Ruth Wagers Bonnie Kraemer William H Kraemer Yvonne Noel Loved Ones Marilyn Glanzman Wagers Paul Glanzman Norma Boffa Frank Boffa

Thank you for helping to beautify our sanctuary for this holy season. The poinsettias have been given in honor or in

memory as follows:

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FORGIVE, LET GO, AND LET GOD DO THE REST!

Question: Which is easier – to forgive someone or to ask for forgiveness? For me, it is easier to forgive someone, because if I ask for forgiveness I usually have to humble myself and admit that I am wrong! In fact, as a Christian you may have to ask for forgiveness first – even when the other person should really be the one who should ask forgiveness from you!

Why forgive? Matthew 6:14-15 says, “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” From this verse, we forgive to “get” something. “If I don’t forgive my sister, God won’t forgive me!” But this was BEFORE the cross. After the cross: Ephe-sians 4:32 says, “Forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ”. Here, we forgive because Christ for-gave us. We forgive because we are already forgiven!

People like to say, “I can forgive, but I cannot forget.” Have you heard that before? It’s not in the Bible! Nowhere in the Bible does God tell you to forgive and then to forget. The devil is adding something here to make the whole thing burdensome. God only tells us to forgive because God in Christ has forgiven us a debt we cannot pay. When we do this, we do ourselves a favor because harboring bitterness and unforgiveness can sometimes destroy our health! So just forgive, let go, and let God take care of the rest.

When you forgive, forgive by faith, not by your feelings. We walk by faith, not feelings. (2 Corinthians 5:7) Some peo-ple are waiting for feelings—“I am waiting, Father, for the right emotion to come on me to forgive that person.” That “right emotion” may never come! No, forgive by faith, and do it once and for all. Once you forgive by faith, you will see the sting of bitterness removed from your heart.

As we prepare for the coming of the baby Jesus this Advent Season, think about who you need to forgive. Or think about what friend or relative you need to call to ask forgiveness for not being a better friend and staying in touch. Pray, call, then pray again. Forgive or ask forgiveness, let go, and let God do the rest!

Don’s Desk by Don Tomko, Program Director

THANK YOU! Betsi LaRock from Schrader Elementary School presented Pastor Jerry and Loraine Cors a “thank you Christmas tree” from the children that partic-ipated in the concert at Hudson First UMC Saturday, December 2nd. In their own creative ways, each child said thanks for allowing them to sing, and for the gift we shared with them! Check out the tree for yourself in the church sanctuary.

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Today: Sunday, December 17 8:15-11:15am Nursery (0-5yrs) 8:30am Living Love-CE10 8:45am Children’s Ministry-CWC 8:45am Refuge Youth class-CE1 8:45am Young Adults class-LIB 8:45am Seekers-CE4 8:45am Galileans-CE9 8:45am Searching Christians -HH 8:45am New Generation-Prayer Room 10:00am Children’s Worship-CWC 10:00am Worship-WC 6:00pm Refuge Activity-FH

Monday, December 18 9:00am Quilters-CWC 9:30am Flex & Balance-HH 10:00am Morning Flutes-WC 12:00pm Al-Anon-CE10 1:30pm Afternoon Flutes-WC

Tuesday, December 19 7:00am Business Referral Network 9:15am Prayer Warriors-CE10 10:00am Stitches-CWC 10:30am Caregivers’ Support-CE10 5:00pm Finance-CE10 6:30pm Council-CE10 7:00pm Boy/Girl Scout meetings

Wednesday, December 20 6:30am Men of Promise-BWR 9:00am Food Pantry Distribution-HH 9:30am Gentle Yoga-WC 12:00pm Al Anon-CE10 2:00pm Empowerment-CE10 4:00pm Adult Liturgical Dance-CWC 5:00pm Kids dinner-FH 5:30pm Kings Kids (K-5th)-CWC 5:30pm E.X.C.I.T.E. (6-8th)-CE4 5:30pm Acts 29 (9-12th)-CE2 6:15pm Worship Arts (all ages)-CWC 7:00pm Choir-WC

Thursday, December 21 7:15 Hudson Elem. Breakfast

Friday, December 22 9:30am Flex & Balance-CWC

Saturday, December 23

BWR - Beacon Woods Rest. CE - Christian Ed. Bldg. COL - Church Office Lobby CWC - Children’s Worship Ctr FH - Fellowship Hall HH - Howard Hall LIB—Library OCH - Oasis Coffee House SU—Sunnyside Up WC - Worship Center Please call or send a

card to… 12/17 Karen Bostek 12/18 Barbara Mathias 12/18 Steven Stolp 12/19 Barry Grover 12/20 Kendall Johnson 12/20 Lisa Milner 12/20 Julie Rockwell

Connecting with a small group is vital to your spiritual growth. It has been said being in a group also impacts people’s daily lives. Group members feel closer to God (69 percent), understand the Bible better (74 percent), trust God more (66 percent), and become more loving in their relationships (48 percent).

Discipleship on Sundays, 8:45am... Galileans, Room CE9—Dave Smith December, January, February Isaiah’s Messianic Hope

Living Love (8:30am), Room CE10—Doug Doan December, January, February Faith in Action

Searching Christians, Howard Hall—Chris Kreiler Study of Ruth

Young Adults, Library—Jerry Milner BIG Questions: clear answers to confusing questions

Seekers, CE4—Loraine Cors Overview of Paul’s Letters

New Generation, Prayer Room—Josh & Shanah Moore God’s Not Dead Study

12/21 Griff Givens 12/21 Phil Trott 12/23 Jennifer Aud 12/23 Carol McGrane-Thomas 12/23 Lloyd Nelson 12/23 John Sheley 12/23 Paulette Wetmore Corrections: 868-6178

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Connections - Faith, Friends, Fun, & Fitness

Heart-to-Heart Women 9:30-11a, 3rd Saturday monthly Contact Fran Scerbo: 727-597-3727 Open to all women—faith and friendship blend together in a time of Christian fellowship.

Care Givers Support Group 10:30a 3rd Tues of month in CE10 Contact Laura: 727-863-0176 Care for caregivers—a place to laugh, learn, share, and care.

Encouragers Group 10:00a 2nd and 4th Thurs of month in CE10 Contact Ruth or Betsy: 727-868-6178 A safe place to share your grief or loss of any kind.

Special Sundays (K-8th) Sundays: 8:45a Children’s Worship 10a Children’s Church Contact Cheryle: 868-6178 (K-5) Contact Fran: 868-6178 (6-8)

Thrift Store Hours: Winter hours: Mon-Sat 10:30a to 4:00p Summer Hours: Tues-Sat 10:30a to 3:30p Donations appreciated—adult clothing, jewelry, small kitchen items, and some furniture.

Wednesday, 9a - 12p Howard Hall Entrance Serving households in zip codes 34667, 34668 and 34669 with food and spiritual nourishment. We serve with joy for Jesus. Donations appreciated.

Hudson Emmaus Men - 8am 3rd Saturday monthly Sunnyside Up Restaurant. Women - 11:30am 2nd Friday monthly CARES Café. Contact Dave Smith 727-247-9242

Exercise with Fran 9:30a Mondays—Flex and Balance 9:30a Fridays—Flex and Balance Contact Office: 727-868-6178 Cost? Bring a canned good for the Food Pantry!

New Generation 8:45a Sundays, Prayer Room 6p, 3rd Sat., Oasis Coffee House Shanah Moore: 607-429-8826 Encouraging and enriching the lives of young adults 18-35.

Refuge Ministry 6p Sundays, Life group “hang time” and activity.

Acts 29 (9-12th gr.) 8:45a Sundays, Discipleship 5:30p Wednesday, Small Group, CE2 Where young people encounter Christ in themselves and their world.

Wacky Wednesdays: 5:00p Dinner 5:30p Kings Kids (1st.-5th gr.) 5:30p E.X.C.I.T.E. (6th-8th gr.)

6:15p Kids of Praise Choir Wings of Spirit Dance

The Encouragers

Wed., 9:30-10:30am Diane Fenrich—727-262-8216

GENTLE YOGA