First United Methodist Church Newton, North Carolina

Loving People into the Kingdom of God in the Heart of Catawba County

First United Methodist Church exists to glorify God as we Welcome persons into the body of Christ,

help them Grow as disciples of Jesus Christ and Send them to serve in the world.

The Chancel Choir (and 12 piece Orchestra)

Present

A Christmas Cantata

Sunday, December 14

11:00am (one combined service)

Christmas Eve Worship

∗ 4:00pm Spontaneous Children’s

Pageant & Candlelight Service (see below)

∗ 7:00-8:00pm Come and Go

Communion

∗ 9:00pm Candlelight

Communion Service

Holiday ServiceHoliday ServiceHoliday ServiceHoliday Service Sunday, December 28th

11:00am

sanctuary

Children’s Spontaneous Candlelight

Christmas Pageant Wednesday, Christmas Eve

December 24th

4:00pm

• Christmas story told

• No rehearsals or special training is needed

• Children will be able to join in the live story

as angels,

shepherds or

wise men

• All children

invited to par-

ticipate

On this holiday weekend,

First Methodist will be celebrating

with one combined worship service

at 11:00am in the sanctuary.

WELCOME persons into the body of Christ

Tour of ChurchesTour of ChurchesTour of ChurchesTour of Churches Sunday, December 7 from 2:00 pmSunday, December 7 from 2:00 pmSunday, December 7 from 2:00 pmSunday, December 7 from 2:00 pm---- 6:00 pm6:00 pm6:00 pm6:00 pm Mark your calendars for this very special afternoon. Each church participating will present different events during the tour. FUMC is proud to present our chancel choir along with additional seasonal music. The tour is free. Each church will have a donation box for The Corner Table and ECCCM.

WELCOMING FOR CHRIST THROUGH COOKIES

Welcome people to First Methodist with a home made cookie and warm apple cider during the Tour of

Churches on Sunday, December 7 from 2:00-6:00pm. Cookies, apple cider, and hosts are needed for the refreshment table which will be set up in front of the Sanctuary. You may drop off your cookies to the church office anytime before12:00 noon on December 7. If you are interested in serving as a host or hostess for this event, please contact Leslie Benson at 828.310.7370.

First Methodist Youth want to thank all of you who have given donations to our annual Community Christmas Party project. Forty-Two youth and 8 brave adults spent our recent Lock-Out shopping and wrapping Christmas gifts for 30 children from 12 families of South Newton Elementary School.

The families who are receiving these gifts will join us for a Christmas dinner and party on Friday, December 19th. It is not too late to be involved in this special event. If you would like to assistIt is not too late to be involved in this special event. If you would like to assistIt is not too late to be involved in this special event. If you would like to assistIt is not too late to be involved in this special event. If you would like to assist with the party, please contact Julie at 464with the party, please contact Julie at 464with the party, please contact Julie at 464with the party, please contact Julie at 464----8422 or j8422 or j8422 or j8422 or julieb.fowler@gmail.comulieb.fowler@gmail.comulieb.fowler@gmail.comulieb.fowler@gmail.com . You may still . You may still . You may still . You may still donate to this very worthy fund, which helps make Christmas possible for so many.donate to this very worthy fund, which helps make Christmas possible for so many.donate to this very worthy fund, which helps make Christmas possible for so many.donate to this very worthy fund, which helps make Christmas possible for so many.

Preparing for the Community Christmas PartyPreparing for the Community Christmas PartyPreparing for the Community Christmas PartyPreparing for the Community Christmas Party

GROW as disciples of Jesus Christ

Children's Sunday School Sundays 10:00 am

December's Theme is Advent & Christmas

Matthew 1:18-25, 2:1-2 Luke 1:26-58, 2:1-20

Kids 4 Christ Wednesdays 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm

Activity Room

We will be celebrating the Christmas spirit all month with

music, crafts, games and special snacks.

Children K-6th grade are invited to join in the fun.

Saturday

December 6

10:00AM to 12:00PM

Activity Room

Families are invited

to bring your chil-

dren for a morning of crafts, music and story

time. We will create and learn about the

special "light" that surrounds us at Christ-

mas. If you would like to assist with this

event, please contact Julie at 464-8422

or julieb.fowler@gmail.com .

Youth Events for December

Friday, Dec. 19th: Community Christmas Party Please meet in the Fellowship Hall at 5:00 pm

Sunday, Dec. 21st: Caroling at Abernathy Laurels Vespers Service And Youth Christ-mas PARTY ! Meet at the church van at 3:00 pm. We will sing carols and assist residents to Vespers til 5:00 pm. The church van will transport the youth to our party destination (to be determined). Please bring an inexpensive (less than $5.00) Christmas gift to swap and an appetizer to share. You may leave gifts and food at the church; we will get it to the party. Parents, please pick up from the party by 7:30 pm.

Get ready . . .Get ready . . .Get ready . . .Get ready . . . Winter Retreat, Saturday-Monday January 17-19, 2015 Camp Cedar Cliff at the Cove This is a great weekend where we join youth groups from Waynesville, Asheville and Char-lotte to connect with God and one another. Everything is included in the cost of $125 per person. Scholarships are available. Registration and $75 deposit due by Monday, January 5th. Contact Julie at 464-8422 or julieb.fowler@gmail.com with any questions.

GROW cont’d

New Advent Study at Journey The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas by Ann Voskamp

Sunday, December 7 at 12:30pm Sundays, December 14 and 21 at 4:00pm

New York Times best-selling author Ann Voskamp celebrates the majesty of God’s greatest gift to us - His Son, Jesus Christ - through the timeless Advent tradition of the Jesse Tree. This year, come Christmas morning, you won’t feel like you’ve missed Christ. You will have unwrapped the greatest gift ever given.

Christmas at Billy Graham LibraryChristmas at Billy Graham LibraryChristmas at Billy Graham LibraryChristmas at Billy Graham Library

Tuesday, December 9Tuesday, December 9Tuesday, December 9Tuesday, December 9thththth

We may still have room, please contact Julie Fowler at the church office, 464-8422 if you are interested in attending.

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYSDECEMBER BIRTHDAYSDECEMBER BIRTHDAYSDECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

DECEMBER WEDDING ANNIVERSARIESDECEMBER WEDDING ANNIVERSARIESDECEMBER WEDDING ANNIVERSARIESDECEMBER WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

Bill Noel 12/1

Anne Richard 12/1

William Cable Jr. 12/2

Dwaine Morgan 12/2

Ruth Richardson 12/2

Billye Roland 12/2

Terra Butler 12/3

Allison Newton 12/3

Chris Speagle 12/3

Christian Underwood 12/3

Anne Brooks 12/4

Debbie Lindler 12/4

Lawrence Punch 12/4

Mark Sitzer 12/4

Amy White 12/4

Ken Campbell Jr. 12/5

Khampan Chanthakouman 12/5

Jordan Jones 12/5

Jan Freeman 12/7

Sara Fletcher 12/8

Carolyn Scronce 12/8

Debbie Bandy 12/9

Bob Carter 12/9

Evaleene Fowler 12/9

Pennye Jones 12/9

Thomas Lowder 12/9

’Pete’ Winbauer 12/20

Rowe Bollinger 12/21

Tucker Clark 12/21

Millie Corn 12/21

Gary Kale 12/21

Rhonda Pawlik 12/21

Tiffany Smyre 12/21

Erick Yoder 12/21

Joelle Clark 12/23

Margaret Reitzel 12/23

Wayne Dellinger 12/24

Howard Smith 12/24

Inez Drum 12/25

Hazel Sims 12/25

Danny Wilson 12/25

Jacob Smith Jr. 12/26

Blake Miller 12/27

Rhonda Noel 12/28

Eric Dellinger 12/29

Mark Killian 12/30

Rob Rights Jr. 12/30

Brooke Roberts 12/30

Shirley Hayes 12/31

Kyle Robinson 12/31

Shera Waller-Smith 12/31

Jeff & Mary Lou Fox 12/2

John & Deena Trivette 12/2

Tim & Leah Hayes 12/4

Brooks & Melba Nichols Jr. 12/12

Gary & Charlotte Barringer 12/16

Brent & Billye Roland 12/21

Moe & Susan Peacock 12/23

Greg & Mary Frances Stanley 12/24

Rowe & Anita Bollinger 12/28

Bill & Amy Cable 12/28

Jim & Wendy Hildebran 12/18

Frank & Susan Reinhardt 12/18

Shawn & Ellen Fountain 12/19

Wayne & Audrey Smith 12/19

Johnny & Beth Isenhour 12/21

Molly Natoli 12/9

Alvin Thornburg II 12/9

Logan Cox 12/10

Charlotte Laney 12/10

John Tate 12/10

Brent Roland 12/11

Lucy Cook 12/12

Billie Shrum 12/12

MaryClaire Caldwell 12/13

Kristy Wooten 12/13

Merv McGee Jr. 12/14

Don Sigmon 12/14

Ashley Dennie 12/15

Ellen Fountain 12/15

Jean Hasty 12/15

Ken Martin 12/15

Jim Mauney II 12/16

Marie Robinson 12/16

Robert Drum Jr. 12/17

Sarah Meshaw 12/17

Zoe Kelley 12/18

Brandy Storms 12/18

Jason Yount 12/18

Joe Hester 12/19

Wayne Meshaw 12/19

Mary Cilley 12/20

Rhythm Guitarist Needed for Praise Team

A rhythm guitarist is needed for The Praise Team which pro-

vides music for the 9:00am Contemporary Worship Service

on Sunday mornings. If you may be able to help and are in-

terested in learning more about this ministry, please contact

Michael Roberts at jasper.angeline@gmail.com.

SEND them to serve in the world SEND them to serve in the world

Peanut Butter and Jelly

Sundays

Bring a new, plastic container of

peanut butter or jelly

for the Backpack Project!

On the first Sunday of every

month, First UMC will cele-

brate PB & J Sunday, a day

designated for everyone to

bring either a plastic con-

tainer of peanut butter or a

plastic container of jelly. These gifts will be

given each month to the Backpack for Kids Pro-

gram at South Newton Elementary School.

The Catawba County Christmas Distribution is coming up

quickly, and we would love to have you serve as a volun-

teer. Volunteers, as many of you know, take applicants around

to each station in the “Toy Shop” and assist them with choosing

items for their children and families. The distribution will take

place on Monday, December 15th and Tuesday, December 16th

at the Hickory American Legion Fairgrounds. The shift times for volunteers are 9am-12noon and 1pm-5pm each

day. Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. Let me know if you’d like to sign up for a day and time. Also, we

need bi-lingual volunteers as well, for our Hispanic and Hmong recipients. Thanks so much .

Cheryl S. Abee

Director, Volunteer Center/Information and Referral

Catawba County United Way

828-327-6851

The custom of exchanging Christmas Cards started in the United Kingdom in 1843 when Sir Henry Cole wanted to test how the new postal system could be used by ordinary people. He and an artist friend designed and printed the first Christmas cards. What a wonderful tradition has de-veloped over the last 171 years. You can experience the warmth of the season by sending cards to our church members who are homebound or living in assisted care facilities. The Care Ministry will have a list of names and bags for each one receiving cards on a ta-ble in the upper level breezeway. Pick up a list, address your cards, and drop them in the bags. How simple! Please have your cards here by Sunday December 21st. If you would like to assist in delivering a bag of cards to one of our members, please contact Julie at 464-8422 or julieb.fowler@gmail.com

There are still a few Angels on the Angel Tree!

However, it is not too

late to help. The tree is

located in the upstairs

breezeway near the ele-

vator where you may

stop by and pick up

your angel. Social Ser-

vices will make its final

pick up on Wednesday,

December 3rd, so please have your gifts back by

that date. Make sure to attach the angel to your

unwrapped gift. If you have any questions, con-

tact Jo Anne Hewins at 464.8500.

Thanks so much for your help.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fr i Sat

1 9:00 Preschool 2 9:00 Preschool 3 9:00 Preschool 11:00 Women’s Luncheon at O’ Charley’s 3:00 k4C 7:30 Choir

4 9:00 Preschool 1:00 Prayer Shawl

5 9:00 Preschool 6:30 Preschool Christmas Program (sanctuary)

6 10:00-12:00pm Advent Fair (activity room)

7 12:30 Journey 2:00-6:00pm Tour of Churches 6:00 Disciple III

8 9:00 Preschool kitchen reserved 6:00 Trustees

9 9:00 Preschool kitchen reserved 3:00 Billy Graham library

10 9:00 Preschool 3:00 k4C 7:30 Choir

11 9:00 Preschool 1:00 Prayer Shawl 2:30 Gomedela Room reserved

12 9:00 Preschool 13 Activity Room reserved

14 (one service) 11:00 Cantata 4:00 Journey 6:00 Disciple III

15 9:00 Preschool 16 9:00 Preschool 5:00 Gomedela Room reserved

17 9:00 Preschool 3:00 k4C 7:30 Choir

18 9:00 Preschool 1:00 Prayer Shawl 7:00 Finance Committee

19 9:00 Preschool 6:00 Community Christmas Party (fellowship hall)

20

21 2:00 Ad Council 3:00 Caroling 3:00 Youth 4:00 Journey 6:00 Disciple III

22 23 24 Office Closed 4:00 Spontaneous Christmas Pageant 7-8:00 Communion 9:00 Christmas Candlelight Service

25 Office Closed

26 27

28 (one service) 11:00am Holiday Service

29 30 31

First United Methodist Church

December 20 14

Welcome, Grow, Send

8:30am Informal worship in the sanctuary

9:00am Contemporary service-Fellowship Hall (entrance off of Ashe Ave.)

10:00am Sunday School for all ages

11:00am Formal worship in the sanctuary

Nursery is provided during all worship services and Sunday School.

FEATURING HISTORIC

CHURCH SANCTUARIES

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2014

2:00 - 6:00 PM

Abernethy Memorial United Methodist 2:00-6:00

Christmas Music, Refreshments and Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus will be visiting from 3:30 - 6:00 p.m.

Beth Eden Lutheran 2:00-6:00 Organist and Harpist will be playing throughout the evening. Handouts will be given; Pastor Marcus

Ollis will be speaking on the history of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Calvary Baptist Church 2:00-4:00 Viewing of the windows, Retired Pastor Fred E. Thompson will speak about the history of Calvary

Church (formerly Grace Reformed) at 3:00 pm. Refreshments will be served.

Concordia Lutheran Church, Conover, 2:00-6:00 Participating this year for the first time. There will be ongoing music, handouts, tours of the iconic

Odell-designed Church and Chapel, the restored Brian Long Center for Family Ministry (Former

home of the President of the old Concordia College) and history Rooms.

Episcopal Church of the Epiphany 2:00-4:00

Will do handouts and will have an advent calendar.

First United Methodist 2:00-5:00 Cookies and Hot Cider will be served. The Choir will present their Cantata from 3:00 - 5:00p.m.

There will be handcrafted ornaments from the afterschool program for visitors to take as they wish.

First Baptist Church 2:00-6:00

There will be various Christmas musical offerings and refreshments throughout the afternoon.

First Presbyterian 2:00-6:00 Music periodically from 2:30-5:30p.m. Randy Miller will play the Dulcimer from 2:00- 4:00p.m.

There will be refreshments & handouts.

Grace Reformed United Church of Christ 2:00 - 6:00

Music with the Moravian Love Feast and refreshments.

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church 2:00-4:00 Will be explaining the Chrismon Tree and giving a history of the Church. They will be celebrating

their 109th year and will be serving refreshments.

Faith Lutheran 2:00 - 6:00

Will be doing a welcoming and there will be Christmas duets (one youth, one adult) performing from

3:00-3:30 p.m.

A Word from the Pastor …

Dear First Methodist Family

I came across an interesting study (National Study of Youth and Religion)

a few days ago about what makes for the greatest influence on the spiritual

development of youth and children. What do you think it is? Many parents think

that it is the influence of a pastor or the participation in a youth group and/or Sunday

school class. These are helpful religious activities, but the single greatest factor for the faith

formation of a young person is the influence of his or her parents. One researcher in the

study noted that nothing else “comes remotely close to matching the influence of parents on the

religious faith and practices of youth.” One big take-away from this study is that deep faith is forged in the

lives of young people as they see their fathers and mothers “walk the talk” of the Christian faith in their

everyday lives. This study is a reminder that one of our big tasks is to help equip and encourage parents

(and grandparents for that matter) for this awesome responsibility.

During this holiday season there is so much in which to be grateful. I am deeply grateful for the support

that so many people offer to make ministry possible. I can’t begin to describe how proud I am of this church for

the ministry being done. Just recently a memorial garden was planted at Conover School by some of our members

and another wheelchair ramp was built by our Love Labor ministry led by Bob Saunders. Our Veteran’s Day ser-

vice was one of the best I’ve ever attended. Thank you to the choir and to Julie Fowler and Norris and Gail McRee

for making it so special. I don’t know when I’ve had a Thanksgiving meal that tasted any better than the one the

Faith and Fellowship class served us recently. And the music shared during the meal by Bob Fowler, Leslie and

Rolen Benson, Chase Boston and Damion Setzer was delightful. Let me also offer a great big kudos to Rose, Julie

and the other adult volunteers in the Kids for Christ program for the way our kids opened the 11:00 am worship

service on November 16.

I am so excited about all of the ministry opportunities that are coming up for Christmas. Be sure to look

over this newsletter and mark your calendar and share the information with your neighbors and friends. This

year’s Christmas Cantata is going to be fabulous! It will take place on Sunday, December 14 at the 11:00 am

service (there will be only one service that day). The choir has been practicing since early September, and they

will be accompanied by a 14 piece orchestra. You’ll want to get here early that day for a good seat.

Please remember to pray for our youth as they prepare for the 2014 Community Christmas Party for 29

deserving children from South Newton Elementary School. It is one of the highlights of our youth program and a

very spiritually rewarding experience for everyone involved. It is not too late for you to be a part of this year’s

celebration. Please contact Julie or Willis at the church office if you would like to volunteer at the party or make a

financial contribution. You’ll be delighted to know that our congregation was recognized this past spring by the

Newton-Conover City Schools system for this annual Christmas outreach program.

Lastly, let me offer a few words about giving. First, thank you so much to everyone

who has already submitted their financial pledge for 2015. If you have not done

so, please prayerfully consider what you believe God is asking you to do in

the coming year. You can mail your card to the church office or

place it in the offering plate on Sunday. Secondly, please

don’t forget the church during this busy and hectic time of the

year. Historically, the month of December has been a time for

many of our church members to catch up on their giving so

I hope you’ll do so in the coming days.

See you Sunday,

David

November Memorials

Neil Love Garden Fund

Neil Love Community Christmas Party

John Caldwell Capital Building Fund

Margie Powell Music Fund

Margie Powell Robe Fund

Margie Powell Capital Building Fund

Jerry Sowers Capital Building Fund

November Honorariums

Tom & Margaret Dixon Garden Fund

Bill Flake Garden Fund

Betty & Merv McGee Garden Fund

Wanda Propst Garden Fund

David & Jean Propst Garden Fund

Missy Rosenbaum Garden Fund

Bob & Brenda Saunders Garden Fund

Bill & Diane Shillito Garden Fund

Sonny & Cheryl Canipe Garden Fund

Marty Burrows Garden Fund

K. Wayne Smith Community Christmas Party

A calendar is being prepared for those wish-ing to furnish altar flowers in 2015. Please fill out the form below and return it to the church office to reserve the Sunday of your choice.

I will furnish altar flowers in 2015 as follows:

Date_______________________

In Memory/Honor of ____________________________________

By__________________________________

“Lights of Love” Tree Our Youth will again be sponsoring the “Lights of Love” Tree this Christmas. This tree with white lights will be placed in the church garden and will come on each night during the Ad-vent Season. The cost to place a light in memory or in honor of someone is $2.00. A book-let will be published on Sunday, December 21st with all the names listed. Deadline for submission is Sunday, December 14th. Thank you! In Memory of________________________________________________________ or In Honor of__________________________________________________________ By_________________________________________________________________

Please use a separate form for each name.

Women’s Holiday Luncheon

The Methodist Women will meet for lunch at O'Charley’s on

Wednesday, December 3rd at 11am. We welcome non-

members and encourage you to join us for a delicious

meal. If you plan to attend, please contact your group leader

or Martha Sowers (464- 6954) by tomorrow, December 1st.

We hope to see you there. The fellowship we enjoy will be a

great way to usher in the holiday season.

Share the joy

of the season

with First

Methodist’s

homebound

members.

Carry the

beautiful music of traditional carols to those un-

able to join the congregation in worship. Meet in

the Gomedela Room at 3:00pm Sunday, De-

cember 21. Thank you for giving of your time

and presence!

Address for Rusty Thomas: 7825 NC 68 North

Stokesdale, NC 27357

First United Methodist Church Staff

David Greene, Senior Pastor

cell: 828-461-5910

Lara “Willis” Greene, Associate Pastor

cell: 828-461-5918

John Coffey, Organist

Brent Roland, Music Director

Michael Roberts, Director of Praise Service

Rose Bibeau, Children’s Music

Julie Fowler, Director of Children’s Ministry

Ann Cook, Administrative Assistant

Kayla Sigmon, Nursery Ministry

Julia Macemore, Preschool Director

Church office phone: 828-464-8422

Website: www.fumcnewtonnc.org

First United Methodist Church

300 N. Main Ave.

PO Box 926

Newton, NC 28658-926

Return Service Requested

December 2014

Sharing Our Gifts

Sunday Attendance Tithes and

Offerings

Capital Bldg.

Fund

November 2 269 12,562.75 540.00

November 9 299 8,663.06 270.00

November 16 274 7,298.00 1,110.00

November 23 253 7,316.00 870.00

November 30 219 7,077.00 765.00

IN MEMORIAM

“Blessed are the dead who died in the Lord for they

cease from their labor and their works do follow them.”

F. E. Thornburg, Jr. August 5, 1925 - November 8, 2014

IN MEMORIAM

“Blessed are the dead who died in the Lord for they

cease from their labor and their works do follow them.”

Margie Powell July 8, 1925 - November 12, 2014

The family has requested that memorials be given to: First United Methodist Church

P.O. Box 926 Newton NC 28658

or Catawba Regional Hospice 3975 Robinson Rd. Newton, NC 28658.

YEAR END GIVING

According to the IRS, individuals are allowed to deduct

charitable contributions from their income during the

year in which the donation was delivered. This means

that we will need to receive your contribution for 2014

in the church office by noon on December 31. If a do-

nation is mailed, we will use the postmark date on the

envelope to determine whether it will be applied to 2014

or 2015.