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Week of December 17, 2017

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United Methodist

First Church

INVITE

10:00 a.m. Advent Service, Blended Style 604 Market St., Sanctuary (FEC)

Child-care provided

3:00 p.m.—Early Candlelight Service

604 Market St., Sanctuary (FEC) - Childcare Provided

4:30 p.m.—Children’s Service 601 Market St., Stryker Hall (CLC) - Led by Children & Praise Band

Childcare Provided

6:00 p.m.—Traditional Candlelight Service 604 Market St., Sanctuary (FEC) - The 6:00 and 8:00 services will be identical

Worship online @ live.firstchurch.cc - NO Childcare provided

7:00 p.m.—Candlelight Service 1157 Market St., North Campus - Praise Band, Carols, Communion

NO Childcare Provided

8:00 p.m.—Traditional Candlelight Service 604 Market St., Sanctuary (FEC) - The 6:00 and 8:00 services will be identical

Worship online @ live.firstchurch.cc - NO Childcare provided

NEW MEMBERS

First Church would like to congratulate the following people who are joining

the First Church family on Sunday, December 17: Carnie Datres, Kory Da-

tres, Suzanne Hartley, Canda Metropolous, and Jennifer Wright..

SUNDAY WORSHIP

8:00 am—Traditional

604 Market St.

9:30 am—Blended

604 Market St.

11:00 am—Contemporary

601 Market St.

11:00 am—Contemporary

1157 Market St.

(live streamed message)

4:30 pm—Celebrate Recovery

604 Market St.

WEDNESDAY WORSHIP

5:00 pm—601 Market St.

First Night meal, fellowship, music,

brief message, children’s ministries,

fuse* (youth ministries), First

Friends (special needs group) &

adult small groups.

First Church 604 Market St.

Williamsport, PA 17701

570-322-3572

office@firstchurch.cc

Check us out at

www.firstchurch.cc

Donate

CYCLE OF PRAYER: December 17-23: Joyce Davis; Mike & Rose Marie Day; John & Doreen Decker; Joey, Lara, Cameron, Dominic, Rachel & Rebecca Denune; Ellen Derr; Paul & Molly Derr; Dana Devito; Adam, Deanna, Emerson & Lincoln Dincher; Dan & Shelly Dincher; Ivan & Ann Dinges; Matt, Ali, Katelyn Kelly & Kristen Dinges; Pat & Michelle Dixon; Brian, Deanna & Abigail Dockey; Shirley Doebler; Brian, Jessica, Aidan, Colin & Liam Donnelly; Bob & Kathy Douglass; Mike & Stacey Drawbaugh; Don & Alma Duffield; Sue Duffield; Joe, Lindsay, Garrett, Jackson & Makayla Dunn; Mary Durkee; Eric Durrwachter; George & Shirley Durrwachter; Ken & Janet Durrwachter; Robert & Kristen Durrwachter; Scott Durrwachter; Ray & June Eck; Steve, Crystal, MaKenzy & Michaela Eiswerth; Brett, Nina, Jackson & Parker Em-ery; Joe, Mary, Gabe & Luke Engle; Chelsey Erb.

PRAY

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS TO BE SHORTENED IN DECEMBER Due to the position of Office Manager being vacant, the church office will not be open on Fridays during the month of December. The office will resume normal office hours in January.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR - Leadership Day Feb 24, 2018 Join us at the Christian Life Center for a day of connecting and train-ing. This year, we will have a special guest presenter. J.R. Briggs is a gifted teacher with a passion for growing fruit on other people’s trees and collaborating with others to create good kingdom mischief. He does coaching, consulting, speaking, equipping and writing with a wide variety of leaders, churches, non-profits, companies and denominations across the country. Mark your calendar now so you don’t miss what promises to be a great day for the future of First Church! MONTHLY CHRISTIAN BOOK GROUP

Join us on Tuesday, January, 9th at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Donna Johnson (1701 Clarion Dr.) for the January Book – Joshua by Joseph Girzone (a parable for today). No reservation needed. Come once, come every time!!!! Great discus-sion, good fellowship. “COME AND SEE”.

STRESSED, DEPRESSED, or OVERWORKED? Celebrate Recovery is for you! The holiday season can be a stressful time. Those who feel alone, who are experiencing tense relationships with family and friends, or who are just going through a difficult time can find healing, support and friendships at Celebrate Recovery (CR). The CR family welcomes anyone 18 years or older, whether they are lonely, mentally struggling, grieving or angry. CR aims to help others find peace during a time that may be personally challenging. The group walks with those going through the recovery process, showing that it is possible to experience the joys of the season and leave stress and emotional baggage behind, even for a short moment. This progress begins with making a commitment to seek help; CR welcomes all with open arms. Celebrate Recovery meets at First Evangelical Center Sundays beginning with worship at 4:30 p.m., followed by open share groups and a time of fellowship. Newcomers are always welcome!" Note: On Christmas Eve CR will join with the North Campus for worship at 7:00 and will offer Open Share groups after the service.

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES In the ancient world, various peoples would light fires to mark the lessening of light during the winter season and to pray for the return of the light. The church has Christianized that practice in the lighting of the Advent candles. Since we are a people who find our hope in Jesus Christ, these candles are signs of the growing light of Christ who is coming again in all fullness into the darkness of our world. Until the dawning of that Great Day, we watch and wait, with the Holy Spirit, for Christ’s 2nd coming into the darkness of our world. We do this by lighting candles of hope, peace, joy, and love; and by remembering with prayer, the promises of God: those fulfilled in the Christ’s 1st coming among us, and those promises yet to be fulfilled when Christ comes again.

CHILDREN’S CHOIR Children’s Choir will be singing “Angels We have Heard on High” in worship on Dec 17 at 9:30. Children 3 years-5th grade will start in with families in worship. After the choir sings there will be a short message for kids and then children’s ministry volunteers will walk kids across Market Street for Sunday School. Parents can pick up from Sunday School classes in the CLC. Nursery will be available in the FEC for kids under 3 years old at 9:30.

CHRISTMAS CAROLING Join in the fun of Christmas caroling. There will be pizza in the lobby immediately after worship at the North Campus on December 17th, then we will go caroling in the neighborhood around the North Campus. It will bring some Christmas cheer and will help us get to know folks in the neighborhood.

INVITE UPCOMING EVENTS

WELCOME GRAND FRIENDS (60+)! Grand Friends will meet on Tuesday, December 19th (note this is the 3rd Tuesday) @ Hoss’s Steak & Sea House. We will start at 12:00 p.m. This meeting will have music provided by Tom Shellenberger. If you know someone who would be interested in our group, please invite or bring them along. RSVP to Carol Cassidy @ 570-323-5596, no later than December 17th.

SMALL GROUP MATERIALS The “Locker” is looking to be fed by all small group materials that may be in your home, office, or other favorite spot to stash away such items. The Locker is especially looking for materials that were purchased by First Church, but would welcome personally purchased DVDs, Studies, or Small Group Leader books that you have used and would like others in the church to have access. Materials for the Small Group Resource Locker may be left in the designated baskets at the First Church office (business hours) or the First Evangelical Center coat room at the Ross St. door. You may also make arrangements with christinejohnson81@gmail.com.

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN Join the United Methodist Women for their Christmas Program on Wednesday, December 20th at 1:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Room at North Campus. All women are welcome!

DISCIPLE’S JOURNEY STEP 3 – COMING IN JANUARY At First Church, we want to create multiplying disciples of Jesus Christ. We are excited to raise up disciple individuals committed to the vision of “Transformation in Christ, Changing Lives Inside and Out” and are equipped to live out their faith in the context of their network. One of the ways that we equip individuals is through the Disciple’s Journey process. In January, we will be offering our first ever “Disciple’s Journey – Step 3.” This 12-session experience will focus on sending people out who fully em-brace God’s call on their life. If you have completed Disciple’s Journey Step 2 or Equipping for Transformation, you are ready for Step 3. Are you ready to embrace God’s call? Please pray for those who will be taking a next step in their discipleship as they move through the Disciple’s Journey process. Questions? Contact Pastor Janet at jdurrwachter@firstchurch.cc.

YEAR END GIVING We are so grateful for the generous heart of this church, and we want your giving experience to be seamless. Here are a few reminders as you prepare your 2017 year-end gifts:

• If you would like your year-end gift to be included on your 2017 Contribution Statement, it must be received at the church by Sunday, December 31, or postmarked by midnight on Saturday, December 30.

• With online giving, you can give quickly, set up scheduled gifts, and easily track and adjust your giving online at www.firstchurch.cc/give. One-time gifts intended for 2017 year end must to be initiated by Tuesday, December 26.

• You can also give with your smartphone by texting 570-260-3535 with the amount you would like to contribute. Make sure to include the dollar sign before the amount. Example: $25. Within a few minutes, you’ll be sent a text with a link to register. Click on the link and enter your cardholder name and debit card information. Once your registration is complete, you will receive a text verification and a receipt via email. For future giving, simply send a text with the amount you wish to give, and it will process automatically! One-time gifts intended for 2017 year end must to be initiated by Tuesday, December 26.

• When giving gifts via the

offering plate, please remember to use your offering envelopes to be sure that your contribution is credited correctly.

• You will receive your 2017 giving statement in the mail by Wednesday, January 31. Remember, we’re here to help. If you have any questions at all, let us know at office@firstchurch.cc or 570-322-3572. Thank you for all you are doing to bring about Transformation in Christ, changing lives inside and out.

IJM-GHANA AND FIRST CHURCH PARTNERSHIP 2018

Pray for children rescued out of slavery on Lake Volta in Ghana as we enter the Christmas sea-son. After rescue, we locate the families of each child and assess whether they will be able to return home safely to their communities. The goal is to reunite children with their families and help parents to provide care and send their chil-dren to school. That process takes time, and in the interim, children receive protection and care from our aftercare partners in Ghana. Please pray for healing and peace for the children who are not yet reunited with their families. Pray that they would be comforted by the dedicated aftercare partners who care for them, and that they would sense the love and presence of their heavenly father.

TEACH

SEND

FACILITIES MANAGER POSITION AVAILABLE First Church is currently seeking a part-time Facilities Manager. A general knowledge of building maintenance, general carpentry, plumbing and electrical is preferred. A job description is available in the church office. Those interested should apply at the church office between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified. For more information, contact Shelly Dincher at sdincher@firstchurch.cc or 570-322-3572.

OFFICE MANAGER POSITION AVAILABLE

First Church is currently seeking an Office Manager for 32 hours per week with extra hours as needed. The position is Monday through Friday and includes benefits. The successful candidate will:

• View the position as a ministry opportunity, keeping and lifting up the vision of the congregation.

• Possess strong organizational, leadership, management and communication skills.

• Demonstrate skill in the use of office equipment, computers and related software including Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and Publisher).

• A willingness to learn new software applications as relates to database management and electronic communications technologies.

• Possess experience in office management or as an administrative assistant A full job description is available in the church office. Those interested should apply at the church office between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified. For more information, contact Shelly Dincher at sdincher@firstchurch.cc or 570-322-3572.

SECOND MILE GIVING

The Second Mile Giving for November and December is Missionary Support. First Church supports the following missionaries: • Missionaries Phil (doctor) and

Linda(nurse) Byler spent 20 years in Williamsport and are now working in South Sudan in a remote village sharing the gospel with an unreached

people, the Laarim tribe. • Missionaries Jordan and Kate

Egli are missionaries currently serving on the Greek Island of Lesvos where 80% of refugees first arrive in Europe.

JordanandKateEgli.blogspot.com Please make checks payable to “First Church” with “Missionary Support” in the memo line.

TOYS FOR TOTS Please consider supporting Toys for Tots Marine Corps Reserve Campaign. Make Christmas a bit brighter for many tots of families throughout Lycoming County. Toys collected locally stay locally. All toys donated should be new and unwrapped. Donations may be left in boxes at the following locations until Sunday, December 17th: Christian Life Center - the Market Street entrance; Evangelical Center - the Ross Street entrance; North Campus – by the Information Center.

MISSIONS UPDATE The Missions Committee would like to thank everyone who participated in our recent outreach projects. There was 75 bags of food that were collected for our Thanksgiving food drive. What a blessing to help with the Thanksgiving baskets and to then be able to restock the shelves of the Food Pantry with the extra! The Angel Tree gifts were turned in to the Salvation Army last Wednesday. We filled 76 tags this year! How wonderful to think our gifts will help make a local child’s Christmas brighter! Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Thank you for being a blessing by giving to the less fortunate in our community!

MISSION ITEMS NEEDED Local Food Pantry — pasta (all shapes), hamburger helper, jell-o, pudding. Shepherd of the Streets — deodorant, diapers (all sizes), wipes, baby shampoo. Donations for these missions may be left in the baskets at the following locations: Christian Life Center - the Market Street en-trance; First Evangelical Center - the Ross Street entrance; North Campus - Lounge. PLEASE DO NOT PLACE OPENED OR EXPIRED ITEMS IN THE BASKETS.

Sermon Outline Outline: Finding Hope (Advent 3)—In God’s Wisdom and Identity

Isaiah 11:1-10

Pastor’s Page Christmas Reminders

First Church, It is a wonderful time of year! Soon Christmas will be upon us followed by a new year. Hopefully you will be finding some extra time to spend with family or simply taking time to appreciate the blessings God has given us. In light of all that is coming our way, we want to make sure you are aware of our upcoming schedule at First Church. On Dec 24, we will have one combined worship service in the morning at 10:00 in the FEC Sanctuary. This will be the fourth Sunday of Advent and thus will be a different service from all the other services that day. We have some special elements planned for the morning service, including a baptism, Youth Ensemble, and carol sing. The morning sermon will be different from all of the other services and we will not be lighting candles among the congregation in the morning. 10:00 Advent Service, FEC, Child-care provided

The schedule for the afternoon and evening services on Christmas Eve will be similar to recent years and Pastor Matt will be delivering the message in person at all services.

3:00 pm Early Candlelight Service FEC, Child-care provided

4:30 pm Children’s Service, CLC, Child-care provided

6:00 pm Traditional Candlelight Service, FEC, NO child-care

7:00 pm Candlelight Service, NC, NO child-care (Praise Band and

Communion)

8:00 pm Traditional Candlelight Service, FEC, NO child-care

The 6:00 and 8:00 services will be identical

If you are not able to be physically present on Christmas Eve, you can join us online @ live.firstchurch.cc at 10:00, 6:00 and 8:00 pm. On December 31, we will offer our regular worship schedule, with 4 morn-ing worship services and Celebrate Recovery at 4:30 pm. First Night will pro-vide a free meal and brief worship experience throughout the holiday season. Please join us in worship as we celebrate the hope that is found in Christ alone. In Christ, Pastor Matt

I. Two things this passage in Isaiah teaches us about the King that is to be born that offer hope:

A) The ______________ of the King B) The ______________ of the King II. At Christmas we see an ____________________of the paradigms of the

world’s wisdom III. Only this God is both the _________ of Jesse and David and the

___________ who in human form comes from the lineage of Jesse and David

IV. The One born in the manger is not just human or just divine. He is the ______________________ V. Christmas means the wisdom and identity of God has been revealed to offer hope through the miraculous ____________of God’s Son among us

Life Reflection: Where in my life do I most live out God's wisdom? Where do I most struggle with God’s wisdom over my own? Where in my life do I most recognize God’s identity? Where do I most struggle with God’s identity over my own? How can embracing God’s wisdom, and identity bring HOPE in my life? In the world? How can I learn to embrace the coming of Jesus as a baby boy more as the God-man event it was rather than a sentimental Christmas story?

Scripture Reflection: Isaiah 11:6 The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.