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First United Methodist
Church
"Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors"
E-MESSENGER
First Sunday of Advent
December 3, 2006
9:00 - All Comers' Choir
10:00 a.m. - Worship (one service)
11:15 - Symposium: "Christmas & Homelessness"
11:15-12:15 - Christmas musical rehearsal
Isaiah 35:1-10
John Pitney preaching |
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MESSENGER |
A Mantra for Today
by Ann Freeman Price
The blessing came.
John says, "In the beginning was the Word."
Mark starts out his gospel saying, "The beginning of the good news of Jesus
Christ, the Son of God."
Luke writes, "And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in
bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for
them in the inn."
Matthew says, "Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way."
They are all accounts of this amazing blessing to the world. And that one
blessing has reverberated around the world and has traveled through time.
The blessing came.
The blessing comes.
If anyone had need of proof of a resurrection, that person could look into
the lives of all those people in whom the Christ is born anew.
The Jesus of Bethlehem was born again in a Francis of Assisi, in a Dorothy
Day and a Martin Luther King, Jr.
The blessing of that nativity comes again in the Christina Rossetti hymn
urging the gift of one's heart.
The blessing comes in the neighbor across the street, in the person in the
grocery, in the stranger far away, in the soul struggling mightily in a very
real prison.
There is no ending. The birth continues in this very moment.
The blessing comes.
The blessing will continue to come.
There is excitement in knowing about forever-ness, knowing that this birth
in Bethlehem will continue in the future.
There is relief in the promise that there will always be nativity beyond the
manger, that God has promised a faithfulness that does not despair and does
not give up-even on a world that seems trapped in transgression.
There is joy-such a joy that in the very midst of working for peace and love
in the present, one can also relish the future.
The blessing will continue to come.
It's a mantra-say it often and believe it in
your heart:
The blessing came.
The blessing comes.
The blessing will continue to come. |
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FROM
THE PASTOR'S PEN |
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The extraordinary
thing that is about to happen is matched only by the extraordinary moment
just before it happens. Advent is the name of that moment.
Frederick Buechner
 Dear Friends,
This Sunday marks the beginning of the Christian year. This Sunday we begin
the celebration of the Season of Advent. So often lost in the midst of the
hectic secular preparations for Christmas, Advent can be a time for us to
pause and reflect and renew our commitment to the One whose birth we
celebrate. Advent can be a time of waiting and watching, of anticipating and
expecting the birth of Christ who brings light to our world.
I invite you to intentionally celebrate the Season of Advent. Just as we
begin each worship service during Advent by lighting candles on the Advent
Wreath, I invite you to bring this practice into your home. You can easily
create your own Advent Wreath with greens from your yard and add four blue
or purple candles in the circle. Place a white candle, the Christ Candle, in
the center. Then at some moment during the day, at a time when all who live
in your house can come together, gather to light the candles.
In our family, we sing a carol and use a short meditation as we light a
candle. One candle the first week, two the second, and so forth until
Christmas morning we light all four Advent Candles plus the Christ Candle in
the center of the wreath. The following is a simple meditation you might
use:
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
Begin with these words:
This wreath of candles and evergreen branches reflects our joy at Christ's
coming. The candles reflect the eternal Light of God, Jesus Christ. The
evergreen branches signify life and hope. This wreath is a symbol of our
faith that the Light of Christ will shine in the darkness.
Then, lighting one more candle each week, use these words:
1st Week
Together, in anticipation of birth of Jesus, we light this candle of JOY.
Let this light shine through us as we bring the light of Christ to our
world.
2nd Week
We light the candle of PEACE as we pray for peace on earth and goodwill to
all people. The second candle reminds us that Jesus, the Prince of Peace is
coming.
3rd Week
We light the candle of HOPE, knowing that we are looking forward to
something special. We wait in hope for God to Surprise us again, breaking
into our ordinary lives with God's extraordinary love.
4th Week
We light a fourth candle, the candle of LOVE. We are ready now to welcome
the Light of the World into our hearts and our lives. As this candle burns
bright, we celebrate God's love born anew in Jesus on Christmas Day. The
light of this candle is a symbol of God's love that is alive in each of us
today.
May this be the year when we get into the habit of Advent. May it be a time
when we anticipate with hope and joy the coming of Christ. May we have faith
that the Light of Christ shines in the darkness.
Debbie Pitney |
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CARING
VISITOR MINISTRY |
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 Be a Caring Visitor...
Get a Free Lunch!
Few choices are more simple or more rewarding than the choice to become a
Caring Visitor. We hear it absolutely all the time: "We always get much more
than we give." So we are offering you another chance to be part of our
exciting visitor ministry and we are even throwing in a free lunch.
Our Annual Gathering of Visitors will be one Sunday only this year. January
7, those who want to know more about visiting, along with current Visitors
will meet from 11:30 to 2 pm with a free lunch thrown in. We will share our
experience, honor the lives of those who have died among those we visit, and
do some basic education and training to equip ourselves to be better at what
we do.
Visiting is a great antidote for loneliness and a great way to discover that
there really is room in the Inn, room in your life you didn't know you had.
So, at this important time of year, as we look for the Incarnation of Love,
consider impersonating that kind of love and hope in the life of another.
Join us January 7, you don't need a ticket. Give yourself a gift to start
your journey into the New Year. |
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SPECIAL EVENTS |
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Christmas Caroling
 Sleigh bells ring, are you list'nin'?
In the lane, snow is glist'nin',
A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight,
Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland!
Join us to sing this carol and many others on our 5th annual all church
Christmas Caroling by horse-drawn wagon Sunday, December 17, from 1:00-5:00
p.m. Rides will begin at 1:00 p.m. and run every hour.
Make your ride reservations in the Fellowship Hall on Sundays, December 3
and 10. Everyone is invited regardless of singing ability. Remember to dress
warmly-and enjoy the fun! Donations will be accepted to help offset the cost
of the horses and city permits. Please contact Rebecca Macemon with
questions, 345-8764.
Christmas Dinner Celebration
For our whole church family,
Including our shelter family guests.
A Christmas celebration with
Open hearts, open minds, open doors
and an open table.
6:00 pm, Sunday, December 10
Singing Carols
Ringing Bells
Eating Great Food
& Hearing a Christmas Story
Food details: Ham and dinner rolls will be provided. We need help with the
rest to be sure we have enough food to feed everyone. Each family or
household is asked to bring one of the following:
' A potato, rice or vegetable dish (to serve 12-15),
' A salad (to serve 12-15),
' Or a dessert (to serve 12-15)
For those among us who have difficulty bringing food and would prefer to
help with the cost of the hams and rolls, that help would be appreciated in
any amount that is appropriate for you. Your presence is the most important
gift. Whether you can help with the meal or not, please come.
Transportation: If it would be easier for you to attend the Christmas dinner
if you had a ride, please let the church office know and we will try to
arrange it. If you would be willing to give a ride to someone in your
vicinity, would you also please let the church office know?
Church Phone #: 345-8764
 Cookie Walk
Sunday, December 10
Proceeds benefit
UMW mission projects
Our annual UMW Cookie Walk is Sunday, December 10 starting at 8:30 a.m. and
continuing until after the 2nd service or until all the cookies are sold.
Our own United Methodist Women "cookie baking angels" will have a heavenly
array of delicious, mouth-watering delicacies awaiting your selection on
Sunday. For only $8 you will either fill or buy a large box of cookies, plus
you will be supporting women and children in need by your purchase. Please
drop off cookies at church on Saturday, Dec. 9, between 9-11 a.m. or bring
them by 8 a.m. on Sunday. Remember, everyone in the church is welcome to
contribute cookies to this wonderful event. |
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JUSTICE
AND MISSION MATTERS |
The effort to make peace in the Darfur
continues to need help:
www.savedarfur.org asks us to call Congress and demand they fund
peacekeeping operations before they adjourn. Congress can help bring peace
to Darfur by appropriating funding for peacekeepers. The African Union
Mission in Sudan (AMIS) has been plagued by inadequate equipment, supplies,
and technology. ˙AMIS is in desperate need of additional financial support.
A new Congress has been elected - but the current Congress still has to
finish up the appropriations bill for fiscal year 2007. The Foreign
Operations appropriations bill, which includes the funds for the AMIS, only
has enough money to sustain AMIS until January.
You can call your member of Congress by contacting the Capitol switchboard
at 202-224-3121.˙Please ask your member of Congress to: Support at least an
additional $60 million in the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill for
African Union peacekeeping in Darfur in fiscal year 2007. Please also give
the State Department the authority to transfer those funds to the UN account
when a UN deployment to Darfur occurs. |
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THE
GIVING TREE |
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 As the holidays approach, we will again be welcoming the
Interfaith Shelter families as they call our church "home" just before
Christmas. Last year through the generosity of this congregation we were
able to give them a "Parents Night Out" when we gave them stockings which
included a substantial gift certificate for each family member, and a
parents' night out to shop for their family Christmas gifts while our church
youth entertained the IFS children. They were unbelievably grateful! We'd
like to do this again, and we need your help-and it couldn't be easier! Come
to the Giving Tree table on the next three Sundays and sponsor one or more
family members with a $25 per person (or whatever you can spare) donation
directly to the Gift Certificate fund, or take an envelope off the Giving
Tree and donate secretly whatever you can afford (great for kids donations).
We are also looking for volunteers to help take the parents shopping. We
will then pool our resources and purchase gift certificates so that the
elves can leave them in Christmas stockings for each family the night of the
shopping trip. We hope this will be a festive and fun way to help our guests
enjoy the holidays. Thanks in advance for helping us out.
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CHILDREN'S MINISTRY |
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Toys for children of
homeless families: The Sunday school classes collected toys to be used
as game prizes for children living at the church as guests during our
shelter weeks. Toys can still be brought in this Sunday, December 3rd.
Sunday School & Charlotte's Web: During January our children's Sunday
school classes will be using Charlotte's Web as a study in giving,
friendship and miracles. It would be a good time to be reading Charlotte's
Web with them, giving them the book for Christmas and even considering going
to the movie that will be released just before Christmas. We will have clips
from the movie to show in the classrooms.
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ADULT
EDUCATION |
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Sunday, December 3, 11:15 am, Sunday Symposium, Christmas and
Homelessness: If Joseph and Mary came to Lane Country to be counted, who
would take them in? Terry McDonald, director of St. Vincent dePaul's will be
here to speak with us and help us reflect on the current reality of
homelessness and where churches can fit into solving structural problems and
attending to those with no where to go. The JAMM work area urges you to
attend to better understand the plight of the homeless in anticipation of
our hosting them Dec. 4-18.
Adult Ed classes: December 10 & 17:
The Book of Luke with Larry Gruman
Introduction to the Old Testament with Debbie Pitney
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MUSIC
MINISTRY |
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 We begin a new church year on December
3 with the 1st Sunday in Advent. We have the opportunity to experience
afresh this short season of anticipation and preparation, as we await the
arrival of the Christ-child. I invite you to travel through this season of
expectancy, hope (even longing) and preparation as we hold back and fully
embrace the tensions and meanings of the Advent season. The music and
liturgy will carry us through the invitations of "Come, Lord, come" to the
beloved, joyful Christmas carols as we stand at the manger. I invite you all
to "hold back" and fully embrace Advent as the world and culture around us
are going wild, so that we can celebrate more fully the arrival of
Christmas.
The following is a brief listing of the music we can all enjoy together this
December:
Sunday, Dec 3 - One service at 10 a.m. Come sing "Advent Cry" in the
intergenerational all-comers choir, accompanied by the Oregon Brass Society,
harp and flute. The Oregon Brass Society will also provide music for
prelude, postlude & communion.
December 10
1st service - Hannah Douglas sings "Mary's Lullaby" by Devlyn Young; small
group will sing "Bring A Torch, Jeannette, Isabella"
2nd service - "The World Sings Noel" - the Children's and Youth choirs bring
the Christmas story through a musical of global songs arranged by Hal
Hopson.
December 17
1st service - "The Holly and the Ivy" Praise Choir
Chimes of Glory play a postlude.
2nd service - "Gesu Bambino," Duane Hildebrand, soloist with Sanctuary
choir. "Once in Royal David's City" with boy soprano Alex Menzel; Meredith
Beck plays recorder; Tower Chimes play bell anthem.
Concerts at First - Eugene Sacred Harp Singers present "A Christmas
Concert & Shape Note Singalong" starting at 7 p.m. in the chapel. Come
listen to and participate in this old-time American style of hymn singing.
December 24
10 a.m. service - Praise & Sanctuary choirs sing Vivaldi "Gloria" with
orchestra, conducted by Pat Knaus. Corelli's Christmas Concerto and a
movement from a Telemman trumpet concerto with Chris Peters.
Christmas Eve
4 p.m.: This Christmas eve service for all ages will include a spontaneous
pageant. (See page 8 for more information.)
7 p.m.: Communion service with Praise choir; Ben Douglas & Roger McKimmy,
guitars.
10 p.m.: Candlelight service with Sanctuary Choir, Bell Choir, organ
December 31, one service at 10 a.m. - "I Wonder As I Wander," Guy
Aydelott, tenor |
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STEWARDSHIP |
Optional Automated Giving
Program
Now that you have made your pledge for 2007, we would like to offer you a
new alternative for fulfilling your general fund pledge. We have been
testing automated giving for several months, and we are confident that we
can now handle it through our bank (Pacific Continental). Many churches
offer this service with great success.
If you would like to participate, you can fill out the form in the enclosed
brochure, attach a voided check or a deposit slip, and have deductions made
automatically from your checking or savings account monthly. No more need to
write checks.
This is a service that has been requested by many of our younger members
(and a few of us older members) who tend to pay most of their monthly bills
this way. We see this as a way to put the church first in your financial
priorities, to simplify your life, and to help increase stability in our
giving patterns. Call Jan Sears in the church office if you have questions.
Jim Larson, Finance Chair
 A Matter of the Heart
As our yearly Stewardship campaign finishes, I'd like to extend a BIG thank
you to everyone who helped! A special thank you to our hard-working
Stewardship team: Linda Abraham, Patty Hine, Kathy Kingsbury, Jim Larson,
Debbie Pitney, Ann Stanley, Kristina Unfred, and Gerri Widdicombe! Your
time, effort and loving talents were much appreciated!
Currently (as of Nov. 28), 172 households have responded with pledges for
the regular church program totaling $350,754. The capital campaign total to
date is $68,612 with our final goal at $101,000. If you weren't able to be
at the Consecration Service on Nov. 19, we'd love to have you make and
return your pledge as soon as possible, so we can begin preparing for next
year's programs. We have extra pledge cards available at church. Your card
can be brought to church or mailed.
Our sincerest thanks to those who have made their pledges. It's not too late
to return your pledges if you haven't done so. Remember, together with God's
help, we can accomplish great things. It's actually quite simple: it's a
matter of the heart.
Ruth Copely, Stewardship Team Chair
. . .THROUGH OUR PRAYERS:
No one reported in the hospital.
Healing for: Portia Foster suffering with shingles; Janelle Gilham; Holly
Bashor; Michael Robertis; comfort and solace to those with physical or
emotional pain; a husband and father with cancer; Al Stockstad in chemo
treatment for cancer; Jane Gregory, Hal Rockey, Kurt Sundahl and Sarona
Wilde after recent surgeries.
Guidance and presence: Dave Oldfield; may we let go of expectation, may
worry be welcome, and may we love what we have.
Comfort and peace: Lois Phelps; Dee Kingsberry and family at the death of
her husband, Jack; a niece who lost her mother.
Thanksgivings: birthday blessings for Ginger Jones; the return of Catherine
Jones to Cascade Manor after a recent illness; blessings on Ebony, Hunter
and Emily, at the time of their baptisms; for love found unexpectedly; for
special times with families; for Emily's restored health and many happy
adventures; for Walt and Nancy Meyer and their family.
Peace and justice for the world around us: may leaders in all nations work
for peace.
...THROUGH OUR PRESENCE:
Attendance at worship November 26, 2005 - 323
...THROUGH OUR GIFTS:
Offering on November 27, 2006 - $4,224
...THROUGH OUR SERVICE:
Thanks to Gloria Bailey and Dave Lund for serving as lay readers on Sunday.
Thanks to all the children who brought toys to be used as game prizes during
shelter weeks. |
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YOUTH
MINISTRY |
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 The Advent/Christmas
season is a very important one for our youth ministry. It is a time of year
where we help spread holiday cheer to those in our church community and in
the larger Eugene community. I hope you all make it a priority to
participate in these events. Remember this Christmas season that it is
better to give than to receive!
Dec. 3 Poinsettia Delivery Project, 2-5 pm
Dec. 10 Decorating Station 7, 3-5 pm
Dec. 14 Youth night at the Interfaith Shelter, 6-8.
We will play games and do activities with the children while their parents
are shopping for gifts.
Dec. 17 All Church Caroling, 1-5 pm. You can sign up and do this with
your family.
Dec. 19 Youth-In-Service; Work at Food for Lane County - Grass Roots
Garden, 11:00am-2:00pm. We will meet at the church.
Dec. 22 Christmas Movie Marathon, 12-6 pm
A special thank you to all the Sunday school teachers who have taught so far
this year: Barbara Roberts, Deb McGee, Jane Falls, Gerrie Widdecombe, Ben
Douglas, and Teresa Callahan.
Sunday School teachers still needed!! Please contact Rebecca if you are
willing to teach one six-week session of youth Sunday school, or if you
would like more information. |
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MEMBERSHIP & GROWTH |
Advent
. . . is a great time
to invite a friend to church!
Go ahead, pick up the telephone.
Call that old friend or co-worker
you haven't seen in awhile.
Or, walk next door to your neighbor's house.
Say this: "I would love for you to come to church with me and listen to some
of the best music and hear our pastor."
Show them the lineup of Advent and Christmas events on this page, and help
them pick the one best for everyone.
Remember, they won't come if you don't ask! |
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DECEMBER WORSHIP NOTES |
 "The World Sings Noel"
a musical presented by the
Children and Youth of FUMC
Sunday, December 10, 11:05 a.m.
Listen to the Christmas story through song, dance
and spoken word.
Directed by Pat Knaus and Dody Hansen
Christmas Eve
4:00 Worship: The Gift of Jesus' Birth
For children and adults, 4:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve can be a good time to
stop and remember whose birthday we are celebrating. This service will
include an opportunity for children to act out the Christmas story in a
simple, unrehearsed manner that will help all of us in the service to see
and feel the joy of the Christ Child's birth. The worship will include
songs, prayers, scripture and candles as ways to help us focus and
celebrate. All are welcome.
POINSETTIA ORDER FORM - click here for a
printable form.
Poinsettias will grace the chancel area of our church during the holiday
season. If you would like to purchase one in memory or in honor of a loved
one, please fill out this coupon and return it to the office. Please make
checks payable to First United Methodist Church.
In honor of________________________________________
In memory of _____________________________________
Given by ________________________________________
Suggested donation: $10/plant
Total enclosed $___________
(place in offering plate or mail to the church) |
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ANNOUNCEMENTS & REMINDERS |
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Lament and Hope: Feed My Lambs, Advent
Reflection Book is available on-line at the church's web site:
www.eugenefumc.org. Click on it to get a wonderful daily reflection to guide
you through the Advent period.
Remember to turn in your 2007 pledge if you haven't yet done so. We
are starting to build next year's budget based on the figures we have!
 Do
you have gloves and/or hats you are not using? Our many homeless
visitors often need more warm clothing, especially gloves. Please bring your
donations to the office. Thank you!
Rev. Paul Jeffrey, a UM missionary and photojournalist from
Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference, received two awards of excellence, one for
writing and one for visual design, for "Sighs Too Deep for Words" in
Response Magazine at the annual meeting of the UM Association of
Communicators held in Indianapolis, IN, in mid-October. Congratulations,
Paul!
If you are a Caring Visitor, a teacher, a lay reader, an acolyte, an
usher..., please put January 7 on your calendar as a training date! Yes, we
plan to use this date as a time to go through all the details of each of
these responsibilities. Lunch will be provided. Watch for details coming
soon!
Cascade Manor Update: The following FUMC members are living at the
Manor: Ada Bardossi, Vern and Phyllis Barkhurst, Lahoma Cox, Lorie Cross,
Harry and Loma Haines, Catherine Jones, Dennis and Neva Mullins, Hal and
Erna Rockey, and Marjorie Young.
Board Members are Glenn Biehl and Nia Fleck. Rev. Mullins is the Resident
President. Gloria Bailey is on the Cascade Manor Foundation Board. Mike
Sanderson is the new Facilities Manager.
Information concerning the Manor and Pacific Retirement Services is
available for use in the FUMC Church Library.
- submitted by Glenn Biehl |
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FUMC STAFF
Debbie Pitney, Senior Pastor, Lyda Pierce, Associate Pastor
John Pitney, Associate Pastor, Julia Brown, Music Director
Pat Knaus, Choral Director, Rebecca Macemon, Youth Director
Dody Hansen, Cherub Choir & First Bells Director
Nathan Alef, Music Intern
Warren Light, Wesley Foundation Campus Minister
Greg Klabouch, Benedicto Penaloza, Colin Paddock, Custodians
Chrystal Jolicoeur, Tiffany Sanderson and Maria Penaloza, Child Care
Linda Abraham, Office Manager & Messenger Editor
Jan Sears, Financial Secretary
Andrea Allen Sis, Web Page Editor
First United Methodist Church
1376 Olive Street
Eugene, OR 97401
email: eugenefumc@eugenefumc.org
web page: www.eugenefumc.org
541-345-8764
fax 541-485-5025
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