¹⁵ The people were filled with expectation, and everyone wondered whether John might be the Christ. ¹⁶ John replied to them all, “I baptize you with water, but the one who is more powerful than me is coming. I’m not worthy to loosen the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. ¹⁷ The shovel he uses to sift the wheat from the husks is in his hands. He will clean out his threshing area and bring the wheat into his barn. But he will burn the husks with a fire that can’t be put out.” With many other words John appealed to them, proclaiming good news to the people. (Luke 3:15–18 CEB)

The tradition of the church is to celebrate Advent with the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. It’s a time of preparation for celebrating the birth of Christ. Yet, our tendency is to jump from Thanksgiving, or even Halloween, straight to Christmas. We miss the opportunity to prepare for the real depth and meaning of Christmas. Therefore, it’s imperative now more than ever that we set aside a season to ready our hearts and lives in order to maximize our holiday experience.

This process is two-fold. Advent comes from the Latin adventus for arrival or coming. In the first sense, it is our way of initiating the Christian Year with the Incarnation of Christ. In the second sense, it is a reminder of his promised return. Either way we celebrate, we must prepare the way for the Lord.

We read in the gospel stories about a man, a prophet and religious figure, named John whose mission was to prepare the way. He was foretold by the prophets of old as a voice crying out in the wilderness. Many wondered if he had the spirit of Elijah on him. He certainly had the Spirit of the Lord in him. He is believed to be a cousin of Jesus. His ministry was one of repentance and baptism. They called him the Baptizer. He even baptized Jesus!

However, when asked if he was the one the people were waiting for, if he was the promised Messiah, the King who would free God’s people, he responded, “Not I, but one more powerful is coming!” Then he pointed his followers toward Jesus. He prepared them so that when they met Jesus, they knew to follow.

I believe there are some great lessons for us to learn from the life and ministry of John the Baptizer. He challenges our theology. He encourages our holiness. He was relevant for the people of his day and for us, today. More than all, he teaches us what it means to embrace Christ in every aspect of our life. 

Now, filled with expectation we await the return of Jesus. We pray for his return and make an annual celebration and feast commemorating his birth. For this advent season, let’s prepare the way for the Lord in our hearts and lives. 

So, I invite you to prepare your heart and life to experience Jesus in a profound way this Christmas. Together, we will worship these Advent Sundays, with the Christmas Fellowship Meal and Baby Jesus shower, with the Road to Bethlehem Choir Cantata, with the Longest Night Blue Christmas service, and on Christmas Eve. I encourage you to invite your friends to come worship with you, together, as we all prepare the way. This Advent, we’re focusing on what it means to prepare the way and to be prepared for Jesus Christ, so that when that day arrives we won’t be left the same. 

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Daniel

We are so pleased to welcome Kyra Anthony to our ministry team here at First United Methodist Church Mountain Home!  Kyra is our new Director of Student Ministries! 

Kyra was born in Atlanta Georgia and grew up in many places around the country with her Dad in the Army, her Mom, and her older brother. She graduated from Montoursville Area High School in 2016 in Montoursville, PA. She then went on to Eastern University where she graduated in 2020 with her BA in both Youth Ministry and Biblical Studies. After that she participated in a residential graduate program through CYMT (The Center for Youth Ministry Training) where she got her certificate in youth ministry and graduated in 2023 with a Masters of Art in Youth Ministry from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Kyra is excited to be working with the youth at FUMC and when she is not working you can find her in a comfy spot reading a book, playing board and card games with her friends, or enjoying a good movie or TV show and some snacks. 

Kyra began her new position with us officially on November 14th. We had a welcome reception for her on Sunday November 19th. If you were unable to attend, please be sure to welcome Kyra when you see her or send her a welcome email. We are so excited to have Kyra as part of our church family here at FUMC Mountain Home and can't wait to see what she has planned for our youth!  

Stewards:
Jill Chandler
Michele Elders
Ann Maus

9:00 Crossroads servers:
Kathy & Ray Bauer
Fran & Daniel Thueson

11:00 Traditional servers:
Bernice & Gary Bell
Kellye Cannon & Daniel Thueson

If you would like to order a poinsettia to honor or memorialize a special person in your life, fill out a form at the office or Hospitality Desk and attach your payment or call the church office to order. You can also order online using the button below. The price is $18.00. The deadline for orders is Monday, December 11th. The poinsettias will adorn the main sanctuary beginning on Friday, December 15th for the first performance of the Cantata and will be split between the Contemporary Worship Center and the sanctuary for the Christmas Eve morning blended service in the CWC and the Christmas Eve service in the sanctuary. 

Advent is a time of preparation for celebrating the birth of Christ. This Advent, we’re focusing on what it means to prepare the way and to be prepared for Jesus Christ, so that when that day arrives we won’t be left the same. Join us this Advent for Prepare the Way, a new Advent series with Pastor Daniel that begins December 3rd. 

All are invited to our annual church-wide Christmas Fellowship Meal on December 13th at 5:30 pm in the CWC (Contemporary Worship Center). We will be having a ham dinner with all the fixin's. Dinner will be followed by a sing-a-long of Christmas Carols.  The children will be performing a couple Christmas songs as well. Following dinner and the sing-a-long we will have our Baby Jesus Shower. So bring your appetites, your Christmas Spirits and an unwrapped baby gift for the shower! Donations towards dinner are also appreciated. We hope to see you there! If you have not already signed up, please RSVP using the button below so we can be sure to have enough food.

After the Christmas Felllowship Meal and sing-a-long, we will have our annual Baby Jesus Shower complete with Ms. Shirley Poynter cupcakes!  Please bring an unwrapped gift suitable for a baby boy or girl. These gifts will be distributed to babies in need in our local community. 

Bethlehem seemed an unlikely destination for the fulfillment of God's promise to send a Messiah. Bethlehem. Why would anyone--especially the Creator of the universe--choose a little remote village? But as Scripture records, the road to Bethlehem was the road that ultimately led to God! The Chancel Choir is excited to present Lloyd Larson's The Road to Bethlehem.  Our hope is that the the music and the narraration will help you meditate on the coming of the Messiah and the remarkable possibilities that can occur in seemingly unremarkable places. Join us as we embark upon the journey leading to Jesus' birth on the road to Bethlehem. 

There are two opportunities to experience The Road to Bethlehem so mark your calendars! 
Friday, December 15th at 7:00pm 
Sunday, December 17th at 11:00am

Dealing with the death of a loved one, facing life after divorce or separation, coping with the loss of a job, living with cancer or some other dis-ease, and a number of other human situations make parties and joviality painful for many people in our congregation and community. We are creating sacred space and time for people living through dark times. Blue Christmas, also called Longest Night is a service of hope through dark times. Join us for this special service as together we reach for healing and hope.

Choose an angel from the Angel Trees in the Narthex.  These are names of our homebound brothers and sisters as well as those in nursing homes.  Be a blessing to them this Christmas by sending a card, gift or just calling or visiting them over the holidays. A huge thank you to Susan Podsiadlik for our beautiful crochet angels this year!

Donate hats and/or mittens of all sizes for children in need by placing them on the Mitten Tree in the Narthex.  The items will be distributed after Christmas to children in need in our local community.

Because Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday this year, we will have only one Sunday morning service. It will be a blended service at 9:00am in the Contemporary Worship Center. This is the final Sunday of Advent. That evening, we will have our usual Christmas Eve Service at 5:00pm in the sanctuary.

One of the most beautiful and reverent traditions in this church is our Christmas Eve service. We are so happy to be back to our usual service this year! Filled with familiar Christmas carols, special Christmas soloists, a special Christmas anthem by the Chancel Choir, and a special musical piece by one of the handbell choirs, it’s quite spectacular!  The service will end with candlelight as we sing "Silent Night” to commemorate the light coming out of the darkness. Please join us as we honor the Christ-child on Christmas Eve

New Year's Eve is on a Sunday this year and we will have one blended service in the sanctuary at 11:00am. Let's worship together before we ring in the new year! Have a safe and happy New Year!

On Thursday, January 4th Thursday Morning Joy Women's Fellowship & Study Group will begin a new study entitled  “ Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World” by Joanna Weaver.  This  10-week study will focus on “Finding  intimacy with God in the Business of Life” and will include a 20 minute video lesson each week.  We will be using the main book for this study (not the study guide) which costs $10.00 if ordered through class.  Thursday Morning Joy meets Thursday mornings at 9:30 AM in the Seeker’s Classroom, #213.  New members are always welcome -  just come, listen and try us out.  It’s a great way to spend a Thursday morning!  Call or text Sandra Bainbridge at 656-3950 for more information or to order a book.

Hello Families!

Advent is here which means it's officially the Christmas season!  I love Christmas!  It's my favorite time of year.  You may have noticed we have not talked about a Christmas program this year. Due to my shoulder surgery, we won't be having one this year.  However, we will be performing a couple Christmas songs during the Christmas Fellowship Meal on December 13th followed by a sing-a-long of carols! Please make plans to stay for dinner that day.  You can RSVP for the meal using the link in this newsletter. We are also planning to go caroling accross the street at Southern Meadows that same afternoon with the kids and youth.  Ms. Shirley Poynter will be playing the piano for us. After the meal on December 13th, we will be having our annual Baby Jesus Shower.  Please bring an unwrapped gift for a baby boy or baby girl.  The gifts will be to children in need in our local community. We will have Ms. Shirley Poynter cupcakes and hot cocoa too! That will be our final Wednesday ministry day until January.  Our first Wednesday back will be Wednesday, January 10th.

Thank you to everyone who helped out in my absence due to my shoulder surgery and COVID!  You are all amazing!  I have missed the kids terribly and am so very happy to be back. Let us remember this holiday season that Jesus is what it is all about. Advent is about preparing for His coming. Keep your heart and eyes open to opportunities this season to bless others. Some ideas for this if you are interested are our Angel Tree and Warming tree.  You can read about those opportunities in this newsletter.

God Bless & Have a Very Merry Christmas!

Love you all!

Laura Law

Hello FUMC Mountain Home! I am so thrilled to be here and for all of the amazing things that are to come for the church and 605 Student Ministries. I wanted to take some time to introduce myself and say hello. 

My name is Kyra Anthony. My family is me, my older brother Bud, my mom Robyn, and my dad Jim. We also have three little dogs Jasper, Duke and Oscar. I graduated from Montoursville Area High School in 2016. Then from Undergrad at Eastern University in 2020 and Grad school at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 2023. 

I have served in youth ministry for many years. I started volunteering in church when I was about 13 years old and have been hooked ever since. I have worked in churches, summer camp, helped lead retreats, and just about every ministry possible. 

Here are just some fun facts about me. I love Harry Potter. My favorite color is purple. My favorite superhero is superman. I love to read and play/listen to music. I sing and pay the flute and dance although not well when not choreographed. I will choose dogs over cats, I love sushi and Chinese and would eat them for every meal. I really like breakfast food, but for dinner. 

I am so excited to be here with all of you and I cannot say THANK YOU enough times or loud enough to express how grateful I have been for all of you during this time of transition for me. The way you have all helped me and received me, especially so far from home, means the world to me and I am so thankful to have found such a great church to be a part of. 

I am ready to keep getting to know everyone and to get working with the ministries of the church. 

Kyra Anthony 

Some Important Information: 
 
• Veritas is coming up! Registration paperwork will be available and need to be returned by December 17th so I can get us registered. 

• Ozark Mission Project information will be coming out soon. After the turn of the year we will begin planning for that. 

• Please email me any important information for your students activities, I would love to be able to attend those. 

GENERAL FUND
In memory of Kay Wilson (Allison Booth's mother)
Marilyn Allen
In memory of Vaska Cope
Janell Gerbitz

BACKPACK FOOD 4 KIDS
In memory of Rose Dethloff
Work In Progress Life Group
In memory of Beverly Quick
John & Betty Luther

THANKSGIVING BASKETS
In memory of Rose Dethloff
Doug Dethloff

Prayers After Loss:
Carolyn Whisenant and family on the loss of her brother in law, Greg Wild. 

Concerns:
Calvin Czeschin (11/30/23)
Vicky Parks (11/30/23)
(Kelli Camp)
Ursula Fry (11/21/23)
(Carolyn Densmore)
Gwen Zoch (11/20/23)
Doug Dethloff (11/13/23)
Johnny Brown (11/13/23)
(Gail House)
Mackenzie Cole (11/09/23)
(Christine Rohr)
Barbara Sandberg (11/05/23)
Sue McMillan (11/05/23)
(Sheila Partee)
Bonnie & Darrell Benham (10/31/23)
Joe Wallace (10/29/23)
(Jean Wallace)
Marilyn & Fred Kobialka (10/29/23)
Russel Jones (10/29/23)
Gene Rowland (10/29/23)
(Paula Bodenhamer)
Abby & Kolton Kincaid (10/22/23)
(Laura Law)
Sam Rhoades (10/22/23)
Ashley Thompson (9/24/23)
Andrea King (9/17/23)
Sue Daigle (9/17/23)
Charleen Ahrenstorff (9/3/23)
Shirley McDowell (9/3/23)
Umeca Pickett (9/3/23)
Carolyn Whisenant (7/30/23)
Clark Knight (7/30/23)
(Tommy & Brenda Knight’s grandson)
Cathy Millison (7/9/23)
(Christine Rohr)
Janice Callicott (6/25/23)
(Umeca Pickett’s sister)
Glenda Small (5/7/23)
(Kellye Cannon)
Sissy Czeschin (4/30/23)
Joan Beckham (4/23/23)
(Kevin Beckham’s mom)
Peggy Pawlak (4/23/23)
(Sheila Partee)
Ron Czanstkowski (4/23/23)
(Sheila Partee)
Susie Welby-Bennet (4/16/23)
(Sue Storm)
Carol McKee (4/9/23)
Bob Dickerson (4/9/23)
Deborah Harrison (3/26/23)
Kristine Doornbos (3/12/23)
(Bill & Donna Kimes’ daughter)
Kim Miller (2/26/23)
(Justin Long)
Scott Cain (2/5/23)
(Jill Chandler’s son)
Ruth Clark (1/8/23)
Lyn Yarborough (11/27/22)
(Christine Rohr)
Rexene Watson (11/13/22)
(Dr. Tom Yoder’s sister-in-law)
Jackie Knight (11/6/22)
Nancy Reed (10/16/22)
(Mary Margaret Pearson)
Nira Wilkerson (10/3/21)
Doug Engle (9/4/22)
(Beth Pierson’s brother)
Bobby Myers (8/14/22)
(Gail House’s cousin)
Terri Chapman (6/26/22)
(Cindy Long’s sister)
Denise Rohr (5/22//22)