December 20, 2013

Our Mission Statement

As United Methodists our mission is to make

disciples of Jesus Christ for the transfor-mation of the world.

Volume 3, Issue 26

Our church has been very blessed, especially during this year. We are grateful for all of God’s gifts to us. More than anything, of course, we are thankful for God’s gift of Jesus Christ, whose incar-nation we celebrate. In the spirit of giving, the Administrative Council has deter-mined that we will give away our Christmas Eve offerings. All un-designated offerings collected at the Christmas Eve services will

be given as a gift to Rivers of Life shelters. It is good and right that we can give in honor of Christ, who is God’s gift to us. We multiply our gift and our impact on the community when we give in this manner. Our Christmas Eve services will be punctuated with special gifts, espe-cially the gift of music from our Chancel Choir, Heaven ConneXion choir, and children’s choirs, and from guest artists. Former Roswell native, Elena Chavez is one of the guests who will sing on Christmas Eve. Now a resident of Nashville, Elena will be doing a concert at Rivers of Life; and in recognition of the gift we are making to that ministry, she will join our services and offer a gift of song. I look forward to seeing you this Sunday, when we consider Joseph and his dream. And I especially look forward to seeing you on Christmas Eve, at 7:00 pm or 11:00 pm, for the joyous services of celebration.

Merry Christmas,

Dr. Mills

7:00 PM - Family Christmas Eve Service

Featuring Choirs, Candlelight, Communion

11:00 PM - Traditional Christmas Eve Service

Featuring Carols, Candlelight, Communion

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29TH

Old Fashioned 5th Sunday POT-LUCK

Use those leftovers to make a dish and bring it to share on the Sunday after Christmas. The church will supply the drinks, and ask those attending to bring a dish to share. It’s an “old fash-ioned pot-luck, so what you bring is what we will eat! So bring a meat, vegetable, salad, or dessert!

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Have you heard that New Beginnings helps those few brave women who leave their abusers and start over? Now FUMC has a way for you to help those families. Bring your SAVER STAMPS (from Albertsons) to the

Church office. We will use them to provide New Dinnerware for these families. December 26 is the last day to get a stamp with each $10 purchase of groceries at Albertsons. For ques-tions, or to have your stamps picked up, please call Michaela Robertson, 637-5966.

BLANKETS AND COATS A warm winter THANK You!! to those who have donated new and good used Blankets and Coats. They are being distributed to people in need, as we receive them. So far we have given 46 Blankets and 45 Jackets. We will continue to receive them, as long as you bring them.

Christmas Decorations in the Sanctuary

We need volunteers that want to be involved with next year’s Christmas Sanctuary decorations. Sound easy? Not so fast. Wouldn’t it make sense if those who took down the decorations were the same people to put them up next year? Think of it. They would know what boxes the specific decorations are in and where they were stored. It becomes very confusing to the people putting up the decorations if they don’t know where to find them in the first place. We need a few good ladies and gentlemen to start the process on January 7th 2014. at 10:00 am. This should be a fun day for you folks that love decorating, we’ll even provide lunch. Please help us make this en-joyable and easy for next year.

2013 Financial Pledges

There are just a few weeks left to complete your 2013 pledges especially if you want to use them for 2013 Federal and State Income Tax deductions. It would be a help to the church and to you. Help the church to end the year in the black. We have had a great year but with all the improvements

and unforeseen expenses like a new roof, new parking lot etc. we find our end of year position, as of the end of November, to be approximately $30,000 in the red. Now is that bad? No. Because December is traditionally a high giving month and with your help that tradition will continue. The church needs your help.

Feasibility Study

We are hoping that all members of the church have received a copy of the study and are in the process preparing them for return. If you still haven’t received one please stop by the church office for a copy. They are due to Rev Coon by the 20th or to the church office by the 18th for collective packaging and mailing to Rev Coon. Future needed church projects depend on results. Thanks for your concerns and efforts.

The gift of generosity 

This holiday season, we thank everyone who has supported First United Methodist Church this past year with their time, talent and financial contributions and look forward to support from all of our members in the year ahead. If you need a con-venient way to make regular offerings or if you plan to make an additional gift before the end of the year, we encourage you to look into our electronic giving options. As the pace of life speeds up, especially around the holidays, you may find elec-tronic giving a most welcome way to make contributions. Visit www.fumc-roswell.org or contact the church office for more information.

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First United Methodist Church acknowledges the following:

COWBOY BELL MEMORIALS In Memory of: Jim Ballard By: Keith & Joletha Alford By: Tom & Becky Conner By: Chester & Phyllis McClain By: Patsy Miller By: Joe & Maggie Phillips By: Nanette & Rod Schumacher By: Glen & Analee Craft By: Daryl & Clara Locker In Memory of: Dorothy Huckabee By: Keith & Joletha Alford By: Hervey Gilliland By: Mary Guinn By: Lee & Joanne Harvard By: Allen & Caroline Lovelace By: Patsy Miller By: Joe & Maggie Phillips By: Nanette & Rod Schumacher By: Scottie Grassie By: Bill & Connie Wolf By: Carolyn Ballard By: Billie Marlatt In Memory of: Richard Knowles By: Robert & Nancy Corn In Memory of: Fred Milsap By: Lee & Joanne Harvard In Memory of: Roetta Overstreet By: Mark & Paula McClellan In Memory of: David Roe By: Robert & Nancy Corn In Memory of: L.C. Stiles Robert & Nancy Corn In Memory of :Evelyn Deck Key By: Bill Bonham In Memory of: Sheri Heine Magill By: Patsy Miller In Honor of: Edna Anderson By Robert & Nancy Corn In the Name of: Bill Marley By: Lou Torres In Honor of: Ann Garrison By: Nona Barnett In Honor of: Ginny Burton By: Nona Barnett

GENERAL/ MUSIC FUND In Memory of: Jim Ballard By: Albert Ballard Boy Scout Troop #2 In Memory of: James “Jim” Ballard By: Hervey Gilliland In Memory of: Dorothy Huckabee By: Tomellen Burnett Music Ministry (Silver Chords) In Memory of: James Ballard By: Vera Moon

THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR

SUNDAY, December 22, 2013 Sunday School ....................................................... 9:15 am Journey to Bethlehem FH Morning Worship .................................................. 10:30 am Dine-A-Mite ......................................................... 11:45 pm Heaven Connection .............................................. 12:15 pm United Methodist Youth .......................................... 1:15 pm Joy To The World Concert .................................... 3:00 pm MONDAY, December 23 Men’s Prayer Breakfast ......................................... 7:00 am Los Cerritos - N. Main St Silver Chords - Correctional Center ..................... 9:00 am Children’s Choir Rehearsal .................................. 2:00 pm TUESDAY, December 24 Staff Meeting ....................................................... 10:00 am Children’s Choir Rehearsal—Sanctuary .............. 10:00 am Family Christmas Eve Service ............................... 7:00 pm Carols, Candles, and Communion Service ......... 11:00 pm WEDNESDAY, December 25 Office Closed Annual Christmas Dinner—FH ........................... 11:30 am No Wednesday Night Activities THURSDAY, December 26 Office Closed Weight Watchers Rm—215 ......................... 5:15 pm FRIDAY, December 27 Yoga Class/FH ............................................ 8:30 am Al Anon Rm 111 ........................................................ Noon SATURDAY, December 28 Weight Watchers—Rm 215 ....................... 9:30 am

CALENDAR WEEK OF December 29

SUNDAY, December 29, 2013 Sunday School ............................................. 9:15 am Morning Worship ........................................ 10:30 am Dine-A-Mite ............................................... 11:45 am Pot Luck After Service Youth Winter Retreat—Santa Fe MONDAY, December 30 Men’s Prayer Breakfast ............................... 7:00 am Los Cerritos - N. Main St. TUESDAY, December 31 Staff Meeting ................................................ 10:00 am EMMAUS - Gallery ....................................... 4:00 pm Community Bible Study .................................. 6:30 pm Boy Scout Troop 2 - Scout Hut ..................... 7:00 pm WEDNESDAY, January 1 Office Closed THURSDAY, January 2 EMMAUS Reunion Groups ........................ 12:00 pm Weight Watchers Rm 215 ........................... 5:15 pm FRIDAY, January 3 Yoga Class - Fellowship Hall ......................... 8:30 am Al Anon-Rm111 .................................................. Noon SATURDAY, January 4 Weight Watchers - Rm 215............................ 9:30 am

Wednesday Night Dinner - Jan. 8 Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy

Green Beans, Salad & Dessert January 15

Carved Roast Beef Potatoes, carrots, & Green Beans

Salad and Dessert

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!

https://www.facebook.com/#!/      pages/First‐United‐Methodist‐    

                     Church/115674565129113

The compassion and solidarity of faithful friends like you, UMCOR is able to provide com-fort to those impacted by disasters like earth-quakes and storms, food for the hungry, and healthcare to those who otherwise would have none. These are just a sampling of the good works that gifts like yours make possible. One hundred percent of your gift will go directly to the people who need it most. Thank you for giving so generously.

Disaster Response United States $10.00 Typhoon Haiyan Philippines $425.00 Imagine No Malaria Africa $658.25

Thank you to all those kind people that have given their time to help with the prepa-ration of mailing the Church Newsletter: June Emmons, Jean Rogers, Mary Beth Tarter, Grace Hervey, Lynn Moore, Jane Dempsey, and Betty Smith. And thank you to all those who helped at the two recent funeral receptions. You helped with serving and making cookies. Nancy Corn, Zelma Wilcox, Nora Barnett, Sandy Johnson, Peggy Ormseth, Nanette Schumacher, Sue Carter, Kim Joyce, Christi Mills, Joletha Alford, Jacquetta Finley & Diane, & Veronica & Mike Puckett. Forgive us if we omitted anyone.

Staff

Ministers: All Members and Participants of FUMC

NWT. Conf. Bishop

Rev. W. Earle Bledsoe bishopbledsoe@nmconfum.com

Dist. Superintendent: Rev. Jane Vaughn newmexicoprreacher@yahoo.com

Pastor: Rev. W. Douglas Mills, PhD srpastor@dfn.com

Special Assistant to the Pastor: Kay Motto chmomkay@dfn.com

Director of Family Ministries: Christine Manchaca fumcyouth@dfn.com

Director of Music Ministries: John Fuss music@dfn.com

Organist/Music Assistant: Michelle Olson organist@dfn.com

Director of Operations: Don Armstrong operations.fumc@dfn.com

Homebound Visitation: Jim McDevitt

IT/Receptionist Tanya Montoya

montoya.tanya@dfn.com

Receptionist: Pat Goodwin dickgc@cableone.net

Cowboy Bell Secretary: Kati Yates bell@dfn.com

Custodian: Ilie Rimbea

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: firstroswell@dfn.com Church Web Site: www.fumc-roswell.org

Return Service Requested

Worship Times

Sunday School – 9:15 AM Sunday Worship - 10:30 AM

Sunday, December 22

Sermon Title: “Joseph’s Dream” Dr. Douglas Mills

Pennies From Heaven

Pennies by the Mile for CASA. How many does it take? If pennies were laid side by side, there would be 84,480 pennies in a mile. Each penny is 3/4 inch wide. There are 63,360 inches in a mile and the UMW Cluster believes our three churches together can collect a mile of pennies. You will find a container on the table in the Narthex for your contribution. CASA thanks you and the UMW Cluster thanks you.

Parents,

We are having a Journey to Bethle-hem during the Sunday School hour Sunday, December 22. If you would like your child to participate please con-tact Martha Holloway (622-9208), Ve-ronica Puckett (624-2171), or Vicki Clark (624-1187), or the church office at 622-1881. Sunday School begins at 9:15 a.m., so please have your children here by 8:45 to meet and get costumes.

We will meet in Fellowship Hall.

CHRISTMAS DINNER DECEMBER 25 – 11:30 AM FIRST UNITED METHODIST

CHURCH FELLOWSHIP HALL

The church will supply the turkey, dressing, mashed po-tatoes, gravy and drinks. Those who attend are asked to bring a vegetable, salad, or dessert to share. Please call the church at 622-1881 to RSVP.

ALL ARE WELCOME