In December of 1994 I was serving a small church in southwest Arkansas, Bradley UMC.  As a 22 year old I was still learning so much about ministry, and also learning a lot about life (or what not to do in life).  That December happened to be one I would not forget, because it was my first year to be away from my family on Christmas Eve, because Christmas was on a Sunday.  I had a family in the church who felt so sorry that I could not be with my family, and they invited me in to experience Christmas Eve with them.  And for that I am so grateful.  Even sitting in the living room with this beautiful family and their joyful traditions, it felt so surreal.  I knew that I should have been having so much fun and enjoying myself, but on the inside I was deeply grieving.  I remember going to bed that night with tears in my eyes over a part of my life that I knew had been forever changed. I had come to the realization that there would be many more Christmas Eves I would not make, because of serving as a pastor in a church.  This is not a “poor me” story, because I would eventually be blessed to marry Lori, have two beautiful children and go on to experience some of the most powerful Christmas Eve services that one could be part of, and for that I am so thankful.  But I have to tell you, I really grieved for a while over giving up a part of my Christmas tradition.  Even though I gave up some of my traditions, I did not give up my memories.  I will always remember what my Grandparent’s house on South Worthington in West Memphis felt like on Christmas Eve!

We too are walking into new Advent/Christmas territory this year.  In a similar way I am grieving over the loss of packing a sanctuary on Christmas Eve, or other traditions that we have had to adjust because of health concerns.   The grief is real, but so is the hope at this time.  Let me explain.  On the first Christmas Eve, the conditions were not ideal in any way.  It was not the way Mary or Joseph had envisioned their first child would enter the world.  They did not have family to surround them with support during this special and holy time.  But yet it still happened.  Jesus was born, even though the conditions were not perfect by human standards.  With all of our changes this year, Christmas will still come!  We celebrate a savior who came to a broken world in such a humble, but powerful way.  Yes we will grieve the changes, but we will also celebrate a God who overcame darkness with eternal light!  

Grace and Peace,  

Bro. Keith  

Join us for food, faith and fellowship every Wednesday at 5:30pm. WNL (Wednesday Night Live) is our Wednesday night ministry event. WNL will include dinner, followed by a devo with Bro. Keith for adults as well as children's and youth activities. For more information, contact Michelle or Laura or you can call the church office!

Advent is here! We hope that you are joining Brother Keith for the series "Incarnation". This series is based upon the Adam Hamilton book by the same name. It was written with this year of 2020 in mind and all the struggles that come along with it. Join us as we rediscover the significance of Christrmas.

We will be watching "Elf".  Bring your chairs and/or blankets abd we will be watching the movie on the big screen in the gym.  Wear Christmas attire or your Christmas pajamas!  We hope to see you there!

Greetings all! It’s been awhile since I’ve spoken to you through the newsletter and I’m humbled to have this opportunity!  However, it’s difficult because of all the changes and adjustments we’ve had to make in music ministry due to Covid-19.  And so, I’m writing to let you know, sadly there will be no musical or cantata from your Chancel Choir or Ladies Ensemble.  We had hoped to present on Dec. 11 & 13th a program of favorites from the past years that our Ladies Ensemble could prepare.  However, as you are aware, the guidelines have changed as the virus has become more prevalent in our state. It has been cancelled for this year. We will continue to sing for you as we can on Sunday mornings, with small groups, solos, and ensembles, but we will be out of the loft as a group.  We will be masked at all times until such time when guidelines change.  We will also continue to be your Prayer Warriors and any time any of you need or know of special prayer needs just let us know! WE’RE ON IT! IT’S WHAT WE DO! We love you all and love serving in the music ministry of our church! 

God Bless You All!

Stay Well,

Terre

Wednesday, Dexcember 16th will be our final WNL for the year.  We want to go out with a bang so join us for a Family Christmas Sweater Party!  Wear your favorite sweater (there will be prizes) and join us for a celebration that will include dinner, dessert, hot cocoa and hot apple cider! We will also be having our annual Baby Jesus birthday Party that night so bring an unwrapped baby gift.  These will be donated to DHS and given to families in need. 

If you plan on participating in this event, please register for this event.  This will give us an idea how much food and drink we will need.  You can register with the link below.

Join us Sunday Night December 20th at 6:30pm for a night of worship led by the youth, children, and their families. Join us as we tell the Christmas Story and experience the story in a new way! The Youth Worship Team will be leading worship and there will be special music. We will also stream the night on our Facebook page. Get ready for a night of Christmas music. It will be fun for the whole family!

This year we will have limited indoor seating for our Christmas Eve Service.  However we will also be streaming it live on our website and on television.  We will be showing the sevivce on the big screen in the parking lot as well.  It may look a bit different, but we hope that it is meaningful to you and your family and a part of your 2020 Christmas experience.  Rest assured, we will still have Candles, Communion and Carols.  We have flameless candles for everyone and there will be an opportunity for those who plan on participating from home to pick up bulletins, communion elements and candles prior to Christmas Eve.  If you have not already done so, please fill out the Christmas Eve Survey (one survey per family).

On Sunday, December 27th will be Unity Sunday.  There will be one service at 11:00am in the sanctuary.

This year, due to Covid19, we are doing things a little differently with our Angel Tree.  This is where we choose a name and bless one of our homebound or nursing home bound church family members during the Christmas season.  Instead of putting up the tree, please contact Kathy if you would like an Angel. She has given some to one of our Life Groups and has saved a few extra for you.

Kathy can be reached at 870-701-0886 or kdavis@fumcmh.org

You may have noticed we do not have our mitten tree up in the Narthex.  However, we are still collecting hats and mittens for children of all sizes.  If you would like to participate in this program, simply drop your donations off at the church office.

Hello Church Family!

Well it is Advent which means it's officially the Christmas season!  I love Christmas!  It's my favorite time of year.  I know this Christmas looks different than most but I hope that you can all find ways to keep some of your Christmas traditions intact.  By now, all the families with children and youth should have recieved your "Advent in a box"!  We are so excited to be able to do this for you and we hope this will help you have a wonderful Advent! Your box includes activities for everyday of December leading up to Christmas! We have done our best to include a variety of activities including crafts, traditional Christmas activities for the family and even some service projects!  Don't forget to take pictures when you are doing activies from your box and share them on social media with the hashtags #adventinabox and #fumcmh so we can see how you are celebrating Advent at home as a family.  Every picture you post with these hastags will enter you in a surprise drawing!  Don't miss our Family movie night this Friday, December 6th! Don't worry about the cold because we will be inside this time.  Still bring your lawn chairs and/or blankets and we will be social distancing in the UMAC.  Feel free to wear your festive Christmas outfits or pajamas.  We will be showing the movie "Elf" and we hope you will join us! December 16th will be our final WNL for the year and we will be having a Christmas sweater party for everyone! Wear your favorite Christmas sweater and join us in singing Christmas carols and having hot cocoa.  We will even begiving out sweater prizes so we hope you will be a part of this night.  We will also be doing a Christmas Worship experience December 20th at 5 pm! We will be telling the Christmas Story as well as singing worship songs! Every child who comes will receive something special! 

God bless & have a very Merry Christmas!

Laura Law

If you have questions about the children's ministry you can email me here:

We hope that you are enjoying your Advent in a Box and we hope that doing your Advent Activities from your Advent Calendar.  Don't forget to post pics on social media with the hashtags:

#adventinabox and #fumcmh

If you know in advance that you will be attending, please register by Thursday mornings. You can register for up to 4 weeks in advance.  Register using the button below or by visiting the website and clicking on the red news alert banner. Please know that if you have not registered for church but would like to attend in person, you are absolutly welcomed to do so. You will need to give your name to the volunteers upon entering. We do ask for your help in continuing to practice proper social distancing, and that a face covering is required to attend worship. Thank you for adhearing to these guidlines to help keep your fellow church members safe and healthy. 

We are looking for volunteers to add to our rotation schedule of Temp Takers and Name Takers for Sunday Morning Services at both 9:00  & 11:00. If you are interested in serving in this manner, please contact the church office at 870-425-6036 or call Kathy Davis on her direct line at 870-701-0886.

Thanksgiving Baskets

In Memory of Jim Ellis

Margaret Ellis

In Honor of Mike & Judy Kuenzli

Carl & Umeca Pickett

Building Fund

In Memory of Dorothy Rhea

Dorothy Spivey

Backpack Food 4 Kids

In Memory of Peggy McCracken

Bill & Mary Margaret Pearson

In Honor of Terre, Shirley & Samantha

Don & Debby Stanuch

In memory of Lawrence Baer

Calvin & Sissy Czeschin

General Fund

In Memory of Dorothy Rhea

Carl & Umeca Pickett

In Memory of Nelson Law

Bill & Bette Gould

In Honor of JR Ketchum's Birthday

CJR

In Honor of Keith Dodson

Ruth Clark

Crossroads Worship

In Memory of Dorothy Rhea

Bill & Mary Margaret Pearson

Prayer Shawl

In Memory of Dorothy Rhea

Charleen Aherenstorff

In Honor of Nancy Buel

Margaret Ellis

Children's Ministry

In Honor of Kellye Cannon

Heather Loftis

Don & Mary Ann Cox

Don & Debby Stanuch

Music

In Memory of Peggy McCracken

Bill & Mary Margaret Pearson

During this time of anxiety and isolation it is more important than ever to keep up with our spiritual health. Like the last issue, The Upper Room Daily devotional guide for November/December are available for pick up at the front door by the office.  If the tub is not sitting outside, simply ring the door bell (during office hours) and someone will get you a copy.

Prayers After Loss:

John Beecroft & Family (on the loss of Kay Beecroft)

Kathy Davis & Family (on the loss of sweet Allison)

The family of David Kelley (on his loss)

Carla Campbell (on the loss of her father)

Concerns:

Gail House (11/29/20)

Bev Kilmer (11/29/20)

Sandra Bainbridge (11/15/20)

Jerry Wilkinson (10/25/20)

Grant Hill (9/6/20) (George & Paulette Hill’s son)

Gerry Howard-Marth (7/28/19) (John Howard & Sue Keplinger’s mother)

Arlene Gawrys (8/30/20) (Susan Podsiadlik’s cousin)

Robert Nisbet (8/23/20) (Mike & Judy Kuenzli’s grandson)

Darcy Sherrod (8/23/20) (Don & Debby Stanuch)

Melissa Duncan (8/16/20) (Mike & Judy Kuenzli’s daughter)

Arlene Neale (7/26/20) (Betty Bennett’s sister)

Mike Dionisi (7/26/20) (Patty Budolfson’s brother)

Monica Drzewiecki (6/28/20) (Susan Podsiadlik’s aunt)

Bud Keirn (6/7/20)

Scott Cain (6/7/20) (Jill Chandler’s son)

Bill Gould (5/17/20)

Paul Thane (5/10/20) (Sharon Fabich)

Robin Sancho (3/8/20) (Paulette Hill)

Sherri Krouse (2/16/20) (Marti Gilbert)

John Lefler (2/2/20) (Judy Kuenzli’s brother)

Teri Owens (1/26/20) (Don & Kay Owens’ daughter-in-law)

Susan Moore (1/19/20) (Niece of Phil & Vicki Garner)

Bob & Paula Cockburn (1/12/20) (Linda DeMass)

Brad Kasuls (1/5/20) (Brother of Gail House)

Julian Toler (11/3/19) (Ashley Hardy’s brother)

Bonnie Salasek (11/3/19)

Beverly Quick (10/27/19)

Debbie Dilella (10/27/19) (Zo Holley’s niece)

Melanie Kelly (9/29/19) (Paulette Hill)

Beth Griggs Miller (9/29/19) (Larry & Debbie Griggs)

Nira Wilkinson (9/22/19)

Bruce Burr (8/25/19)

Lacey Campbell (8/18/19) (Darcie Reed)

Kathy Holloway (8/11/19) (Bonnie Salasek’s daughter)

Bettye DeJarnette (6/9/19)

John Siebrandt (6/2/19)

Bob Remington (5/3/20)

William McClendon (4/7/19) (Cathie Bodenhamer)

Alice Johnson (3/31/19)

Greg Kostka (3/31/19) (Bill & Bette Gould’s son-in-law)

Alan Erickson (3/3/19)