2011 Nov NEwsletter3

Pastor’s Perspective:

Electronic Giving Program Is Coming!

The First Church Finance Committee is excited that we will begin to offer an electronic giving program in January 2012 as a way to automate your regular church offerings. Electronic giving offers convenience for individual congregation members and provides much-needed donation consistency for our congregation. We anticipate that electronic giving will appeal to many church members – from longtime church members who will appreciate an alternative to frequent check writing to younger members and others who prefer to pay or donate by electronic means whenever possible. We will be offering Direct Debit Giving which automatically transfers funds from your checking or savings account to the church’s bank account. If you already use direct debit to pay your mortgage and car payments or to pay utility bills, you know how convenient it is. As you contemplate future contributions, please consider electronic giving. See Pat in the office for more information.

Online Edition

November 2011

The Bell Newsletter

First Church

Following Christ

Inside this issue:

Worship Highlights

Church Directory

2

UMW Christmas

Bazaar

3

Christmas Cantata

Newcomer Fellowship

4

Food Collection

Office News

5

Craft Show

Thank You

6

Christmas Workshop

OWLS

8

Calendar

Birthdays

9,

10

The Monthly

Newsletter of

Auburn

First United

Methodist

Church

As we head into the month of November take a few

moments to consider what you are thankful for. It is a great time of the year to focus on the blessings we

have in our family of faith and the blessing in your own family.

It has been fun to read the cards in the Fel-

lowship Hall of the names and stories of thanks. We have had a chance to thank God for the many people

who volunteer and serve. We are blessed with a unique caring family of faith.

It has been neat to hear that our college stu-dents, shut ins, pre-school and SS classes have been

adopted. What a blessing of love to others this is.

I have enjoyed the great music in worship in a variety of styles and this enriches our spiritual life. (I know that the Cantata practice has

already begun and this is a special musical blessing we can be in and listen to in Decem-ber.) We can be thankful for the many ways our spirit is inspired each Sunday.

I thank God for each visitor that comes to worship. We have a number of newer

people coming to worship this fall. It seems like I am meeting and trying to remember new names each Sunday. What a great thing to see that we are reaching out and wel-

coming newer people in our lives. Take time this month to “count your blessings” and be filled with thanks. See

you in worship. In Christ’s Love, Ted

WORSHIP HIGHLIGHTS FOR NOVEMBER

Vision Mission Update

Page 2

The Bell Newsletter

We will gather on Sunday, November 6 to celebrate Communion to-gether. The message will be entitled, “Wisdom for Each Generation,” based on Proverbs 4. On Sunday, November 13 and November 20 we will be looking at the Five Goals we set as a part of being a vital congregation. The messages will be based on Acts 11. We will be collecting food for the food banks in our area on Sunday, No-vember 20. Bring all your items into the gathering area. We will have our chil-dren and families bring the items forward into the sanctuary on that Sunday. We begin “Advent,” the season of preparing our hearts in the Christmas season on Sunday, November 27, with the lighting of our Advent Candle and having our sanctuary decorated. The theme for our messages in Advent is “The Unexpected!” Come and join us at this wonderful time of the year!

First Church is making disciples for the transformation of the world by inviting people to Believe, Grow and Impact. The five goals we set at Charge Conference are as follows. More will be shared on these goals and how we as a congregation will develop plans to meet these goals. May the Lord guide us as we make disciples.

Believe 15 Professions of Faith in 2012 *This is measured by youth or adults who join the church by a profes-sion of faith.

Grow 350 people as an Average Worship Attendance in 2012 *This is measured by the attendance count at our worship services.

27 Small Groups in 2012 *This is measured by the 22 current small groups and 5 new groups to be started.

Impact 40 people engaged in mission in 2012 *This is measured by the children, youth or adults who give of their time in a Christian ministry in a local, na-tional or international mission/outreach setting.

$100,000 given to mission in 2012 *This is meas-ured by the Conference tithe, Advance Special giv-ing and all monies given beyond our needs from all the groups of First Church.

Many of you have already signed up for your portrait session

for the new church directory, but there are still plenty of ap-

pointment times available. Just one more week remains to

sign up in Fellowship Hall for directory photos. The sign-up

table will be available from 9:30-10:00 a.m. When you have

your portrait taken at the church by Lifetouch Directories and

Portraits, you will be entitled to a free 8 x 10 photo, plus a

directory.

If you were unable to sign-up for photography in Fellowship

Hall, you may still sign up for your photo session on-line until

right before the photography is scheduled in mid-November!

Here are the easy steps to sign-up for your portrait session on

our church web site:

1. Go to www.auburnfirstunited.com

2. When the church web site appears, hover your mouse over

the “Church Directory” tab at the top of the page

3. Click on the words “Directory Picture Schedule” on the

drop-down menu, and the Lifetouch Portrait Session window

will appear

4. Click on the button “Select Number in Group” and choose

how many family members will be in your photo

5. On the calendar, choose one of the available photography

dates (white squares)

6. Choose an available time

7. Fill out the name and contact information on the window

that appears (be sure to make a note of your sign-in ID and

password)

8. Click the “Finalize Portrait Session” button, log out of your

session and you are done!

Wonderful way to connect with your church family!

Page 3

November 2011

UMW CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

2011 UMW Christmas Bazaar **Friday, November 11th 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.**

Serving

Free coffee until 10:00 a.m. Lunch: Hot Chicken Sandwiches, Bean Soup, Chicken Noodle Soup, Salad and Peach Crisp. Supper: Meaty Chili, Hearty Vegetable Soup,

French Bread, Pasta Salad, Apple Crisp Ala Mode.

**Saturday, November 12th 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.** Available both days….

Fresh-From-The-Oven Pecan and Cinnamon Rolls. (Take some to the office, your co-workers will love you!)

Christmas Décor and Unique, One-Of-A-Kind Gifts.

Frozen Homemade Casseroles, Soups, Meat Loaves and Desserts.

(Perfect gifts for the hard-to-buy for senior or stock your freezer for handy meals.)

Bake Shop- Featuring Homemade Cookies, Pies, Breads, Candies, etc.

(Buy ahead and freeze for the holidays.)

Ever-Popular Jewelry Boutique. Much, Much More- come and see what’s new this year!

By shopping at the Christmas Bazaar you will be helping support UMW

missions, including local food banks, UMC Preschool scholarships and UMC camp scholarships throughout 2012.

Page 4

November 2011

Attention All Men!

CHRISTMAS CANTATA Practices for “Shout The Good News” are open to all singers. Rehearsals on Wednes-day evenings at 7:30 and last 30-40 minutes in the choir room on the lower level behind the activity room. Come Join us, all are welcome!

You are invited to join a Men’s Bible Study

that meets on Wednesday nights.

The group will meet November 2, 9, 16.

from 6:30p.m. – 7:30p.m. Room 208.

(Located south of sanctuary.)

We will be studying Ephesians.

Matt Fetter and other men will be guiding

the discussion and group time.

NEWCOMER FELLOWSHIP

There will be Newcomer Fellowship held

on Sunday, November 13th at 9:40 a.m. in

Fellowship Hall. This is a chance to meet

other new people and learn about the minis-

tries at First Church.

Please get your

reading reports to

me by November

13th. You may put

them in my church

mailbox. After that

date send them to

26 Evergreen

Drive, North Ft.

Myers, FL 33917

Dorothy Bonecutter

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR HELP Your help is greatly needed and appreciated. Sign-up

sheets are in the Gathering Area. Mark your calendars

for November 11th & 12th. We are also looking for

used jewelry & purses. Donations may be placed in the

small trunk in Gathering Area. Any questions please

call Tammy Teders at 927-1471.

The time for fresh, hot, pecan and cinnamon rolls is

coming in November. The UMW Christmas Bazaar

Bake Shop will be open for business as usual. Our bake

shop has many other goodies for sale, however. Please

consider making a recipe of one of your favorite cook-

ies, coffee cakes, breads, candies, etc., to donate to our

shop for sale on Friday, November 11. You may contact

the shop's proprietor, Sue Shankle, if you have any ques-

tions at 925-0995 or [email protected].

Page 5

November 2011

FOOD COLLECTION NOVEMBER 20, 2011

NEWS FROM THE OFFICE

Brown Bag Sunday food

collection will be November

20th. Please bring your non per-

ishable food items to church that

day. This is a crucial time of year

to share your abundance with

those in need.

NEWSLETTER DELIVERY INFORMATION

We are fortunate to have vol-unteers to offer to have your newsletter be put in your mail-box. If you would like to have your newsletter placed in your mailbox, please let the church office know.

From the kitchen As a reminder: IF you have taken towels, dish-cloths or aprons home to launder, please return them in a timely manner. Thank you for your help!

We hope you enjoyed

the yummy meal that

we had in your honor

in October. We real-

ly appreciate all the

volunteers who do

various things around

our church. Our

church could not run

without your contin-

ued support. Thanks

you so much.

ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE MEETING

The next Endowment Committee meeting will be

November 8th. Any requests must be in by No-

vember 1st. If you have questions contact Pat in

the office at 925-0885.

Page 6

November 2011

Holiday Craft Show

The School of Early Learning is looking for crafters for the school's annual Holiday Craft Show Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Proceeds will go toward learning materials for stu-dents. Spaces at approximately 5 feet by 10 feet are available for $35 and will include two chairs. Some electrical space will be available, but crafters must supply their own extension cords. Eight-foot tables may be rented for an additional $10. For a registration form, or if you have any questions, contact Kelly Oswalt by phone at 925-2570 or by email at [email protected]. If you are interested in donating items for our snack shop, email Kelly Oswalt at

[email protected]. Your donations are appreciated! Water Hot dogs hot dog buns 12 oz. cans of Pepsi jar of pickles 12 oz. cans of Diet Pepsi deli meat- ham 12 oz. cans of Sierra Mist deli meat- turkey 12 oz. cans of Mountain Dew bag of apples bananas packages of sliced American cheese singles cookies gift card to Walmart for food purchases Hamburger buns We are also looking for people who would like to volunteer their time for the craft show. Helpers are need-ed on Saturday, Dec. 3rd. Please call or email Kelly Oswalt (925-2570 or [email protected]). Church youth are more than welcome to help, also!

Thank You to Allison Yankey and your Youth for the large donation to the Com-munity Center Food Pantry from the scavenger Hunt. Your support is greatly appreciated! Shirley Johnson RSVP Thank You to Max & Helen Grogg and Lydia Jansen for their volunteerism in the Church Nursery. They have volunteered on a regular monthly basis. Their devotion to helping to nurture our little ones is a blessing! We apprec-

iate having more volunteers for the Nursery as well. There is a sign-up sheet located by the Nursery door. Donna Hinrichsen, Nursery Chairperson Dear Church Family, Thank you so much for my special birthday card that was brought to me. It was beautiful and I really enjoyed it. Virginia Finley

Page 7

November 2011

FUMC STAFF Rev. Ted Jansen - Senior Pastor

[email protected]

Rev. Allison Yankey – Associate Pastor

[email protected]

Rev. Dr. Richard Patton – Worship Arts Director

[email protected]

Rev. Dale Williams – Adult Ministries

[email protected]

Dawn Shoemaker – Children’s Ministries

[email protected]

Pat Kobiela - Office Manager

[email protected]

Bill Kobiela – Supervisor of Building & Grounds

[email protected]

Cathy Vadney – Office Assistant

[email protected]

Phyllis Lahr – Musician

Stephen Johnson - Night-time Custodian

Kelly Oswalt – Preschool Director

[email protected]

Preschool Staff: Andrea Allen, Beatrice Blohm-Hart, Jody Jones

-Kessler, Greta Lude, Darla Marshall, Jill Middaugh, Shalon

Meyer, Mary Mondor, Ellie Slavin, Lynn Stone, Stephanie

Ternet, Stephanie Vose, Harmony Witmer, Katie McClure

Nursery Staff: Donna Hinrichsen, Christine Azzue,

Jody Jones-Kessler

Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Wilbur Yates

Retired Pastor: Rev. Maury Bonecutter

Church Office Hours

8am – 4pm Monday – Thursday

8am – 12pm Friday

Office may be closed from 12pm – 1pm for lunch

Email: [email protected]

Website: auburnfirstunited.com

Phone: 260.925.0885

The SPR announces that Pastor Allison will be on maternity leave mid - November until January. We wish her God’s best as she and Josh (and Calleigh) welcome a new child into their lives!

Page 8

November 2011

CHRISTMAS WORKSHOP

Moms, Dads, Grandmas, Grandpas, and everyone else! Come join us on November 27th for our annual Christmas Workshop. This year we are making it a family affair! We are having a potluck, decorating trees, making crafts, and decorating the church. So mark your calendar for this event sponsored by the Children’s Council and Worship committee. If you have any questions, just ask Dawn Shoemaker at 925-0885 or [email protected] or Nora Maupin at 927-1072. We hope to see you there!!!

==============================================================================================

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON - BRIDGEWATER GOLF CLUB - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2011 - 12 NOON.

Sit down luncheon served at our table, includes: oven roasted roast beef with natural au jus, salad, au gratin potatoes, vegetable, and chef’s special red velvet bread pudding. Special program presented by Sara Gabbard, special Lincoln scholar, to present little known facts about the life and times of Abraham Lincoln. This goes beyond the program presented last thanksgiving! Euchre will be played following the program. COST: $12 AND MUST BE PAID TO THE CHURCH OFFICE BY SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2011. CLEARLY MARK YOU PAYMENT FOR "OWLS DECEMBER 8". SIGN-UP DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 27, 2011.

Page 9

November 2011

NOVEMBER CALENDAR

Tuesday Nov 1

9am UMW Executive Board

9am Shawl Ministry

Wednesday Nov 2

See BIG Wednesday Schedule

8am Men’s Breakfast at Richards

9am Women’s Bible Study

2pm Senior Adult Council

6:15pm Grief Discussion Group

6:30pm Men’s Group

6:30pm Faith Foundations

Thursday Nov 3

No activities scheduled

Friday Nov 4

Youth Retreat- off site

11am AA

Saturday Nov 5


Sunday Nov 6 – Communion


8:30am & 10:45 am Worship

9:40am Sunday School

9:40am Faith Foundations

6:30pm Women’s Bible Study

Monday Nov 7

8am Monday Prayer Group

6pm Girl Scouts

6pm Heaven Bound

Tuesday Nov 8

9am Nellie Weaver Circle

9am Shawl Ministry

6pm Gifts & Memorials

6:30pm Endowment

6:30pm Trustees

Wednesday Nov 9



8am Quilt Guild



6:30pm Children’s Council

6:30pm Men’s Group

6:30pm Faith Foundations

Thursday Nov 10

UMW Bazaar Set up

6:30pm Finance Budget Meeting

Friday Nov 11

7am – 7pm UMW Bazaar

11am AA

Saturday Nov 12

8am – 2pm UMW Bazaar

Sunday Nov 13



9:40am Newcomer Fellowship


Monday Nov 14 Newsletter Deadline

Church Directory Photos


6pm Girl Scouts

6pm Heaven Bound

Tuesday Nov 15


9am Shawl Ministry

6:30pm Worship/Music

7:30pm Staff Parish Relations

Wednesday Nov 16




9am Maxine Coleman



6:30pm Finance Meeting

6:30pm Men’s Bible Study

7:30pm Volunteer Training

Thursday Nov 17

No activities scheduled

Friday Nov 18

11am AA

Set up for UMW Officer’s school

Saturday Nov 19

UMW Officer’s school

Sunday Nov 20 Food Collection



9:40am Newcomer’s Meeting

5:30pm Movie Night


Monday Nov 21


6pm Girl Scouts

6pm Heaven Bound

6:30pm Ad Council

Tuesday Nov 22

9am Shawl Ministry

Wednesday Nov 23

NO BIG Wednesday tonight



Thursday Nov 24

Thanksgiving Holiday

Building Closed

Friday Nov 25

Thanksgiving Holiday –

office closed

Directory Photos

11am AA

Saturday Nov 26

Directory Photos

Sunday Nov 27



12pm Potluck/ Advent Fair/

Hanging of the Greens

Monday Nov 28


6pm Girl Scouts

6pm Heaven Bound

Tuesday Nov 29

9am Shawl Ministry

Wednesday Nov 30





BIG Wednesday

5:30 - 6pm Children’s Choirs

5:30 – 6pm Beginning Bells

6 – 6:30pm Meal 11/2: Chile & Hot Chicken Sandwiches

11/9: Lasagna 11/16 : Soup/Sandwiches

11/23: NO BIG MEAL

11/30: Pizza

6 – 7:15pm Middle School Youth

6:15 – 7:15pm Wed Eve Bible Studies

6:15 – 7:15pm Rhythm Ringers

7:30 - 9pm Sr Hi Youth

Online Edition

Auburn First United Methodist Church

1203 E. Seventh Street

Auburn, Indiana

Phone: 260-925-0885

Email: [email protected]

Stay connected with First Church news!Stay connected with First Church news!

Bookmark our website:

auburnfirstunited.com

November Birthdays

11/01 Al Marley, Bob Marsh,

Jeffrey Friend

11/02 Brandon Dunham

11/04 Kevin Althouse,

Greg Hartman

11/05 Gwen Ankney,

Sue Widner, Jessica

Bryant, Seth Vetter

11/06 Kelly Coffman, Kevin Laher, Mason Baker

11/07 Helen Grogg, Jeff Long, Grant Treesh

11/08 Rich Gibson, Pam Anspaugh,

Missy Barber

11/09 Carole Carmer, Landon Scott, Megan Markarian

11/10 Duane Sparkman Kennedy Marquardt

11/11 Marilyn Johnson, Alisa Smith

11/12 Dorothy Curie, Susan Moon, Calleigh Yankey

11/13 Sharon Zimmerman, Lecia Brow, Ross Gramling,

Carly McKean, Nathaniel Oswalt

11/15 Garcile Myers, Lois Scogin

11/16 Alice MacDonald, Zach Washler

11/17 Melissa Liddell

11/19 Carolyn Hart, Trace Dean

11/20 Tina Bassett, Emily Reed

11/21 Neil Sutton, Jan Garrison

11/22 Wyatt Derrow

11/23 Shawn McDaniel, Brian Lutter

11/24 Jerry Friend, Michele Harper

11/25 Max Grogg, Richard Dunn, Jennie Hartman,

Ethan Reed, Nathan Immel

11/27 Melanie Muehlmeyer

11/28 Andrew Hodges, Mariah Shatto

11/29 Wade Hantz, Scott Armstrong

11/30 Madison Schultis

from JoyfulNoiseletter.com

Reprinted with permission

Documents

2011 Nov NEwsletter3