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Published Monthly www.firstumcrochester.org December 2017

The Messenger

Annual Christmas pageAnt

On Sunday, December 24th, as we gather for our 10AM worship service, we will again be treated to our annual Christmas pageant. The pageant has undoubt-edly become one of the favorite worship experiences of the holiday season. In the past, we have limited partici-pation to our Sunday School children and youth. This year we are expanding to include any and all children, youth, and adults! Kaitlin Lindsay will be coordinating/directing us, and will be looking for volunteers! We need Mary and Joseph, shepherds, angels, Magi and more! Please speak to Kaitlin, Kevin Lindsay, or Pastor Jeff for more information and to sign up to be a part of the all-star cast.

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Dear Friends,

When I was younger and a member of the school band, I enjoyed receiving sheets of music containing wonderfully festive tunes for the holiday season. Since leaving my elementary, middle and high school experiences long ago, I still have a linger-ing love for new music in preparation for Christmas. That is one of the best parts of singing in the church choir! It feels a lot like Christmas itself to open my folder of music and find the new songs we will be rehearsing for our Advent and Christmas worship services. The same is true for the tunes and lyrics I hear on the radio. Some people don’t like the fact that several stations play Christmas songs 24/7 from Thanksgiving until Christmas day, but I do. My only disappointment is when the stations resume regular programming as soon as Christmas is over! I first heard the song “Mary Did You Know” during one of these seasons a number of years ago, and it quickly became one of my favorites. I still feel excitement wash over me when I hear the words: The blind will see, the deaf will hear and the dead will live again. The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb. Jesus promises this list of miracles to come in Matthew 11. It is a message of hope in a time when hope is needed, and hope is a significant theme throughout the Ad-vent and Christmas seasons. For most of us, hope does not appear in the form of a miraculous healing like is described in these lines from Matthew’s gospel, or from a song that many enjoy. Nor does it appear like the climactic moment in a cheesy holiday movie, which I tend to enjoy as well. Instead, for many of us, in the midst of months of transitions and challenges, we find hope and comfort in the love of family, reuniting with friends, and even just enjoying music of the season. No mat-ter what is going on in life and in the world, Christmas comes each year without fail. In that fact alone, we can find hope. The people of God had been waiting and praying for the arrival of the Messiah. Mary and Joseph were just trying to be faithful; God’s people were hoping in the midst of a time of great despair. What they discovered in their seeking for hope was the reality that hope had already found them.

No one knows what is in store for us in the future. What we do know is that Christ-mas is coming, and because of that there is always hope for the future. May you find hope in this season of expectancy, or perhaps more accurately, may the bless-ing of hope find you.

Peace and love, Jeff

Feed the Need

To being disciples, living and teaching the Word of God

PASTOR’S CORNER

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DECEMBER WORSHIP THEMES (continued)

Please note: The 10AM worship service will be our traditional Christmas Pageant with a slight twist. This year we are inviting anyone of any age to be a part of the pageant. Any who would like to participate are encouraged to be in touch with Kaitlin Lindsay, Kevin Lindsay, or Pastor Jeff.

Date: December 24 Christmas Eve Services Detail: Advent 4 Texts: Isaiah 9:2-7; Luke 2:1-20 Title: “Oh, What a Night!” Theme: This is a night for rejoicing—a night to sing a new song to God, a night to celebrate the salvation brought through the birth of Jesus, a night to embrace the light that shines in the darkness. God’s light and salvation shines forth through a child who will rule with jus-tice and righteousness. This is night to sing with all creation the glori-ous salvation of our God. 7PM - A traditional Service of Lessons, Carols, and Candlelight 11PM - Carols, Candlelight and Holy Communion Date: December 31 Detail: 1st Sunday After Christmas Texts: Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Luke 2:22-40 Title: “Do Not Keep Silent” Theme: Joy emerges as a common theme today’s scripture readings. Isaiah rejoices in God’s glorious victory. In our Gospel reading, Sime-on and Anna, who awaited the Christ’s arrival, praise God when they finally meet Jesus. This is a season of joy and praise!

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DECEMBER WORSHIP THEMES

Date: December 3 Detail: Advent 1, Holy Communion Texts: Isaiah 64:1-9; Mark 13:24-37 Title: “Time Out” Theme: Pay attention! Christ may appear at any time. God’s silence will end, bringing dramatic signs of God’s presence in our midst. Watching, waiting, stay-ing alert, and paying attention are the themes of this Sunday, and of Advent in general. Take the time to see the signs and accept the grace that is already trans-forming our lives. Date: December 10 Detail: Advent 2 Texts: Isaiah 40:1-11; Mark 1:1-8 Title: “Go On Ahead” Theme: Advent is a time of waiting and longing for the day of righteousness and salvation promised by God. We are called to wait with patience and persever-ance, even as we look forward to the time when faithful love and truth shall meet, and when righteousness and peace shall kiss. Slow down, embody peace, and share comfort in an impatient and harried world.

10AM Worship in the tradition of Taize’. Taize’ is a community in France where a monastic community leads worship and retreats for hundreds of thousands of young Christians on a yearly basis. People come from all over the world to be a part of this experience. Taize’ worship is characterized by simple chants and plainsong, scripture, silence and meditation, and candlelight. Date: December 17 Detail: Advent 3 Texts: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; John 1:6-8, 19-28 Title: “Star-Child” Theme: If we are willing to both embrace the vision and to work passionately toward its fulfillment, we can be participants in the joy that God seeks to bring to the world. And that will make for a Christmas worth celebrating! Date: December 24 (Morning) Detail: Advent 4 Texts: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Luke 1:47-55; Luke 1:26-38 Title: “A Little Less of Me” (8:30 AM only) Theme: Mary’s Magnificat echoes Hannah’s song of praise and predicts God’s reign as if it has already happened. Grand mysteries, visions, and hopes are to-day’s theme: ancient promise, royal lineage, power brought down, the poor lifted up, secrets revealed.

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In Our Thoughts and Prayers

Prayers And Condolences

Family of Priscilla Bushway, Family of Lou Nereens,

Family of Derick J. Nigro, Family of Shirley Mitch-

ell, Family of Beverly Cormier

Prayers and Concerns:

Jessie Boucher, Art & Diane Jones, Robert Molinaro &

family, Jeff Hunt, Jeannette Lefebvre Gould, Brandon

Nigro, Chelsea (Molinaro) & Curtis Fournier, Mario

Phillips, Susan Young, Ann Moynihan, Ann Reynolds,

Betty Hughes, Sandy Skammels, Robin Stevens, George

Welch, Connie Wallace, Steve & Diane Smith, Mark

Oliver, Janet Berube, Nancy Eramo

Congratulations & Celebrations:

Charlie & Sue DeVito 32nd anniversary Thursday, Oct.

26th, Celebration of Confirmations, Celebration of

the birth of Pepper Stevie Schafer to Devin & Phala,

Dennis’ granddaughter.

Prayers For The Ministry We Support:

We Support Dr. Belinda Forbes & Family

Sally Dyer Pat Foster

Mike & Joan Brown Edna & Warren Carr

Carolyn Chick Pam Prendergast

Ann Moynihan Judy Saddler

Julie Robinson Jan Keefe

Gary Leughmyer Deb Boynton

Diane Jones Emily Singleton

*Volunteers listed in this Messenger assisted with the collating and

labeling for the previous month’s issue as well as other mailing projects

and office work.

Feed the Need We bring the Word of Jesus Christ to our communities and the world.

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Project Linus There were 206 blankets dedicated on Sunday, November 12th. Thank you all who participated in this amazing ministry. Each blanket is made with love and will comfort a child. There were 509 blankets completed and dedicated for the year 2017 by Pro-ject Linus Team that meets at The First Methodist Church on Monday evenings at 6:00PM and Wednesday morning at 9 AM. The team is made up of people from all experience, all ages, from community near and not so near. All are welcome. Stop by and see what makes all this possible. Cindy Edgerly.

NOTE FROM SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT Greetings! At this writing, we are approaching the end of the Litur-gical Year A and the beginning of Year B. As a church we cover the Gospels and much of the Old Testament over three cycles. Our ele-mentary curriculum follows these cycles which mirror what we learn in our Sunday services. Please ask your student questions. lection-ary.library.vanderbilt.edu Like everyone I am extraordinarily busy! I am looking for someone who can help with superintendent duties. This request is deliberately vague because we can better talk more about what is needed. Please prayerfully consider this opportunity and call me at 603-509-8980. Your sister in Christ—Elaine Menard

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I want to unpack a couple of Wesley texts that point to the importance of the Advent season for the church and allow us a fuller appreciation for the real message of Christ-mas. We enter Advent and its message of preparing, repenting, waiting and hope; while living in a world obsessed with sales, parties, and a frantic pace that is at odds with the real meaning of Christmas. By allowing ourselves to be open to all that the Advent season can teach us, we become the light in the darkness for those searching for the meaning of Christ. An Advent Hymn that centers me heading into this season is, Lo, He Comes With Clouds Descending, 718 UMH . This Charles Wesley Hymn was originally published in "Hymns of Intercession for all Mankind" (1758) under the title of Thy Kingdom Come. It might seem weird to celebrate the second coming of Christ in conjunction with His first coming, but Wesley does so to provide balance so that the Advent and Christmas themes of Divine love and light don't get turned into cheap sentimentality. The theme comes from Revelation 1:7 and begins and ends calling us to look to the coming King, Jesus Christ, and celebrate the reign of this eternal King who was, is, and is to come. This hymn calls the disciples of Christ to action since we know that the very tool used to silence this radical love (the cross) is now the symbol of our redemption thanks to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For many of us, another Wesley text signals the beginning of Advent, Come, Thou Long- Expected Jesus, 196 UMH. This text from "Hymns for the Nativity of our Lord" 1744 was so popular that there were 20 reprints during Wesley's lifetime. Wesley's use of 6 imperative verbs across the two stanza's (come, release, let, bring, rule and raise) paint a prayer of supplication. Like the psalmist, he uses word repetition to drive home a point. Look how many times born is used. Born to do what? It reveals the nature of Jesus mission to a hurting world. Many other Advent and Christmas texts recount part of the narrative, but Wesley's Theological style of writing invites us to apply this to our everyday lives; much like his famous Christmas text, "Hark the Herald Angels Sing". (240 UMH) Advent is its own unique season rich with, art, symbolism, liturgical practice and music that point the way TO Christmas. Advent candles, scripture and even John the Baptist add clarity to the narrative of the nativity, not detract from it. The shopping malls and media do everything to convince us that Advent doesn't matter in our culture. Our faith and the witness of Charles Wesley teach us something very different. When we fully understand the importance of Come thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free,... then we are embolden to proclaim "Hail the heaven-born prince of Peace! Hail the Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, risen with healing in his wings. Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die, born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth. Hark the herald angels sing, "Glory to the newborn King!" Have a blessed Advent, and a Merry Christmas! Your brother in Christ,

Kevin

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FUMC Heritage Happenings (cont.)

Kent Marzoli, Records and History

5

Notes from the Finance Committee Good day to all and may God’s love surround you. Attached you will find the monthly update that will show you how we are doing with the church budget. Basically it will have the amount that came in as part of the budget and the amount we should have raised. I will also include the attendance for each month. Please look at this and let me know of ways that I can improve it to provide a good clear picture of the data. Thanks

2017 INCOME BY MONTH OCTOBER

INCOME MONTHLY % SHOULD HAVE ATTENDANCE

$214,508 83.33 $236.248 513

As usual it looks like it will be a busy fall season; please do your best to support the fall fundraisers. Thank you Love in Christ Colonel Dan Saucier (RET) Finance Chair.

THE GIVING TREE The Giving Tree has been trimmed and set up in the Wel-come Center. Judy Saddler and Linda Ward will coordinate requests from teachers and other school representatives. Please take a tag, purchase the gift and RETURN gift to office UNWRAPPED WITH TAG ATTACHED by 12/15.

Thank you for all you do!

6

FUMC Heritage Happenings Over the last two months we have been reviewing the redecoration of the sanctuary back in 1934. Thanks to the gen-erosity of Jessie Tanner, a descendant of the Dame family, we now have a copy of the program for the rededication services. There were two services, the 10:30 morning worship and the 7:00 evening worship.

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GRANITE STATE CHORAL SOCIETY AND THE

GRANITE STATE HANDBELL RINGERS

Saturday, December 9, 2017 7:30 PM at Farmington Congregational Church, Farmington, NH

Sunday December 10 at 3:00 pm

in our sanctuary

$12.00 in advance $15.00 at door

Tickets may be purchased at First United Methodist church , Care Pharmacy in Rochester or from any

Choral society members. For more information or ticket sales please see choral or ringers members: Don Brown,

Kevin Lindsay, Donna Downes, Walter Casler, Pat Christian, Sharon Parker, Kandia Watson

For more information: www.gschoralsociety.org

BULLETIN COVERS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON ATTENTION! FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

First UMC Office in need of Bulletin Covers. All Children and Youth of the church are invited to submit bulletin covers to be used throughout the seasons of Advent and Christmas, as well as covers for Epiphany Sunday and Baptism of the Lord Sunday. Covers should be done in black ink on white paper and be no larger than 5”x7.” The child’s name and age should be printed clearly on the same side as the artwork. Please avoid using secular holiday imag-es like wrapped gifts, Santa, stockings and the like. We will use multiple cover images each week throughout the season. All origi-nals will become part of a display highlighting our young artists’ contributions to worship. As a result, we cannot guarantee return of the originals. Thank you.

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3RD ANNUAL

A HOME TOWN CHRISTMAS

A Musical Event Filled With All of Your favorite

Christmas Songs

FEATURING MECA WITH VERY SPECIAL GUESTS

G.R.A.S.P. AND

THE WITHERELL BELLS

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2ND 7 PM

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

TICKETS $8.00 (UNDER 12 FREE)

REFRESHMENTS /MEET & GREET FOLLOWING SHOW

PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT FUMC COMMUNITY

OUTREACH PROGRAMS

FOR MORE INFO: (603) 332-9353

7

FUMC Heritage Happenings (cont.)

8

ADVENT BOOK and BIBLE STUDY

Pastor Jeff will again be offering a 4-week Advent Bible/Book Study for all who are interested. This year we will be looking at The Redemption of Scrooge by Matt Rawle along with corresponding biblical texts. There will be a sign up sheet on the Welcome Center table. A limited supply of books will be available for purchase for $10. The book is also available through Amazon, Christian Book Distributors, and Cokesbury. Classes will take place each Wednesday evening, beginning after Prayer Group at 6:45, as well as Thursdays at 12:15PM.

Is redemption possible for Ebenezer Scrooge? Pastor and author Matt Rawle believes so as he

discovers the teachings of Jesus in the words of the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol.

Rawle dives deep into the dark, sad, greedy world of Scrooge and discovers a man in dire need of a second chance. Along with Scrooge, we meet the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future and in the process learn about living with and for others in a world blessed by Jesus. Rediscover and reinvigorate your Christian faith this Advent and Christmas season and look at this familiar classic through the lens of faith.

Chapters include: 1) Bah! Humbug! 2} The Remembrance of Christmas Past 3) The Life of

Christmas Present 4} The Hope of Christmas Future

PRAYER MEETING Many of you may recall when it was common for congregations to gather during the week for prayer. In some churches prayer meetings still happen, but it is definitely a practice that, in many others, has gone by the wayside. How unfortunate! Because of our believe that prayer is important, and because we believe prayer can and does make a dif-ference, we have decided to bring back regular prayer meetings to the life of FUMC. As a result, beginning during the first week of Advent (appropriately the start of a new year in the church) we will be meeting on Wednesdays at Noon and 6PM for a 45 minute time of prayer in our chapel. During this time, we will pray over the concerns and cele-brations shared in both the bulletin and prayer book on the previous Sunday, pray with those present who may share personal intentions, and pray specifically for our church, our communities, our nation, and the world. Healing prayer with anointing oil is also an option if desired. We are always delighted to receive new prayer concerns or celebrations, so feel free to call the church office, email, or text pastor Jeff prior to Noon on Wednes-days. All are welcome to join this gathering at any time. Some of our prayers will be shared aloud, but those uncomfortable doing so may just listen. Many of our prayers will be shared in silence. Candles will be lit, devotional material will be available, and partici-pants may want to bring a Bible, notebook or journal, and something to write with. Pew Bibles and Hymnals will be available as well. Please prayerfully consider this opportuni-ty. Contact Pastor Jeff if questions arise.

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DECEMBER 2017

ALTER GUILD—Lorie Tweedy COMMUNION— Bill & Carol Casey December 3 Greeters 8:30 Julie Wood 10:00 Kate Marcotte & Ushers Team B Caroline Chick Acolyte Sound Tech Dan Henderson Liturgists: 8:30 10:00 Jane Combs December 10 Greeters 8:30 Sharon Muffett 10:00 Cook Family Ushers Team C Acolyte Sound Tech Kent Marzoli Liturgist 8:30 10:00 Bob Lefebvre December 17 Greeters 8:30 Mike & Mary Fortier 10:00 Gerry McDevitt & Ushers Team D & Dottie Longo Acolyte Sound Tech Sam Tweedy Liturgist 8:30 10:00 Decembeer 24 Greeters 8:30 10:00 Lorie & Sam Tweedy 7:00 pm Diane Marzoil & Mark Leahey 11:00 pm Elaine and Gary Leughmyer Ushers Team E (morning)& F (evening) Sound Tech Dan Henderson (morning) 7:00 pm Kent Marzoli 11:00 pm Charlie Devito Liturgist 8:30 Sharon Parker 10:00 December 31 Greeters 8:30 Rick Wachter 10:00 Mayotte Family Ushers Team A Sound Tech Sam Tweedy Liturgist 8:30 10:00

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UMW NEWS CHRISTMAS “MAIL BOX”

Once again people are invit-ed to “mail” their Christmas cards free through the church’s mail box. These cards are to mailed to church members only. The box will start November 26. Each week the cards will be sorted

and available for delivery the following Sunday. Please make sure the cards are addressed with first and last names! The last Sunday to bring in cards will be December 17th. Those cards will be available Christmas Eve or the following Sunday.

BOOK CLUB NEWS & ADVENT BIBLE STUDY

Book Club News- During the season of Advent, the book club invites you to attend the Advent Bible Study “The Redemp-tion of Scrooge”. a study based on the Charles Dickens clas-sic “A Christmas Carol” on Wednesday evenings at 6:45. For more information see page 8.

9

From N.O.W. (Nurture, Outreach and Witness)

DECEMBER MISSION OF THE MONTH

Donations of personal care items to be distributed at Raider Station Student Pantry and also to United Methodist Economic Ministry in Salem, Maine for such as soaps, shampoo, deodorants, shavers, toothpaste/toothbrushes brushes & combs, nail clippers, cleaning wipes, hair items such as barrettes & ponytail holders/headbands, bandanas, hankies and feminine hygiene products for the girls. December we will also be collecting food donations for Christ-mas Baskets. Any donations of fresh produce like potatoes, apples or oranges can be brought in on Sunday December 17 the Sunday before baskets are distributed.

Souped up Sundays will be Jan 21, Feb 18 & March 18. There will be a Free Will offering with monies going towards Mission trips and Scholarship given by NOW. November Blood drive was a success. Thank you to Elaine Menard and Sharon Muffett for helping out. The next Blood Drives will be March 24 & June 23. December Mission of the Month is personal care items. We will also gather 10 food baskets for Christmas dinners to be given out. Holiday Fair ~ Thanks to everyone for setting up, sorting, pricing, donating, baking, crafting, working , cooking and serving lunch, be-ing our bankers & clean up. Thank You all so very much! It is al-ways a great pleasure to work alongside all of you to make the fair the success it is! You are appreciated beyond words.

NOW Committee meets the third Sunday of each month after second service. Blessings—Pat Hewitt

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CHRISTMAS WISHES FROM THE SPPRC

Everyone on the Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee (SPPRC) would like

to wish everyone at First United Methodist Church a very Merry Christmas

and good health now and in the year ahead.

As we approach Christmas we have so much to be thankful for at First UMC.

It is at this time the SPPRC would like us all to remember our Pastor and all

the Church staff. We will be presenting the staff with a Christmas gift at the

10:00 am service on December 17th as an expression of our sincere apprecia-

tion for their tremendous efforts in the life of this church.

If you would like to make a contribution to these gifts, please see one of the

SPPRC members. The gifts will be distributed to the entire staff unless other-

wise specified. The members of SPPRC are Diana Craggy, Dottie Bickford-

Longo, Jo Ellen Meehan, Judy Saddler, Dennis Schafer, Mary Fortier and my-

self.

May the Lord bless you this Christmas season.

Dawn Nester—SPPRC Chair

MEDITATION CLASS - DECEMBER 13—TIME CHANGE

CLASS WILL BE HELD FROM 6:00—6:45.

Ongoing classes will be from 6:30—7:30 pm. Cost is $10.00. If

you’d like to know more, contact Cindy Simon or see notice in

the Welcome Center.

SAVE YOUR

CHANGE

We will continue to collect

change through the end of

December. Those quarters,

dimes, nickels and pennies

add up!

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DECEMBER birthdays

Dec 2 Jonathan Murphy Richard Parker Dec 4 Lynnette Molinaro Dec 5 Hans Walter Dec 6 Sarah Fortier Dec 8 Alisha Youch Dec 10 Jacob Henson Janice Wolforth Ivonne Wowor Dec 11 Carolyn Chick Michael Fortier Bonnie Saucier Dec 12 Lucille Corson Dec 13 Elizabeth Smith Dec 16 Danielle Robinson Dec 17 Christopher Marzoli Kandia Watson

Dec 18 Carole Sheehan Dec 19 Cameron Molinaro Dec 20 Steven Noel Dec 21 Theodore Blackey Dec 22 Jesse Stevens Dec 23 Sue Devito Dec 24 Kelly Hughes Dec 27 Shannon Burke Jacqueline Young Dec 28 Marianne Gustafson Dec 29 John Bryant Mitchell Genkinger Elaine Leughmyer Dec 30 Charles Karcher Jordan Watson Dec 31 Michelle Pyrich

MYF December Schedule December 2nd- Set up/ Build Church float for parade- time TBA

December 3rd- March in Parade with Church Float- Parade meet at SHS at 1:30pm. December 10th- No MYF

December 16th- Christmas Party 6-9pm December 17th- Italian Night Planning Meeting 12-2pm

December 24th- Usher Christ-mas Eve Service/ No Meeting December 31st - No meeting