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“In the silence of a midwinter dusk there is far off in the deeps of it somewhere a sound so faint that for all you can tell it may be only the sound of the silence itself. You hold your breath to listen… 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, Whistling in the Dark
Dear Friends,
While the headlines speak of Black Friday and the promise of increasing holiday sales… while the streets are decorated with Christmas lights and Santa Claus begins his annual appearances… while our calendars begin to be cluttered with holiday happenings… we in the church begin the season of Advent.
Every year, I offer an explanation of the season of Advent. The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word “adventus” which means “the coming.” This is the season when we wait for the coming of Christ. If we are true to our Christian heritage, on the first Sunday of Advent we would greet one another with “Happy New Year” since the Christian year begins with Advent.
As seasons go, Advent is relatively new. In the early church there were only three important dates in the life of Jesus – Easter, Pentecost, and Epiphany. On Easter, believers celebrated the resurrection of Christ. On Pentecost, believers celebrated the establishment of the church. And on Epiphany, believers celebrated both the birth and the baptism of Jesus. While the celebration of Christmas began in the 4th century, the celebration of the season of Advent did not begin until the 6th century.
Like the forty days of Lent as a time of preparing for Easter, the season of Advent came into being as the forty day season of preparation for Epiphany. In the church, we mark the four Sundays of Advent with lighting candles on the Advent wreath and singing songs of preparation for Jesus’ birth. The scriptures challenge us to wait expectantly for the moment when the world will be made new again with the coming of Christ.
As seasons go, I have to tell you, Advent is my favorite. I love the music, the candles, the stars, the story. But more than anything, I love the feeling that something extraordinary is about to happen. Like watching the Northern Lights dance in the midnight sky, Advent is amazing.
Last year, we were invited to a holiday gathering with new friends. After a cup of hot wassail and sharing of simple conversation, we were invited to put on our coats and head out into the winter’s night for Christmas caroling. We followed our hosts out into the fog. We could see our breath as we sang and walked several hundred yards to an old granary. The door was opened and we stepped inside to a room hung with evergreen boughs and twinkling lights and warmed by a wood stove. A simple yet beautiful table was set ready for us to share food and fellowship. There was a sense of awe and mystery and profound thanksgiving as we anticipated the birth of Jesus. The extraordinary was happening.
The extraordinary is happening. I want to invite you to find some ways to celebrate the season of Advent this year here at First United Methodist Church. In addition to worship, plan to be a part of the Advent Festival on Sunday, November 28th. Volunteer to help as we welcome the families of First Place Family Shelter and don’t miss the Christmas Dinner we share with those families on Sunday, December 12th. Take a ride in a horse-drawn wagon as we sing carols throughout our neighborhood on Sunday, December 19th. And for those of us who find this season to be a struggle due to a sadness that you have experienced, come join us for a Blue Christmas Service.
The time of waiting as begun. Hold your breath and listen. The extraordinary is happening. See you in worship. Debbie
Sunday, November 28th
First Sunday of Advent
10 to 10 Songs and Celebration
10:00 a.m. Worship
“All Church Advent Festival”
11:15 a.m. in Fellowship Hall
Begin Advent with your church family by participating in activities preparing us for the coming of Christmas.
Children and Family Ministries
by Dody Hansen
FUMC Children’s ADVENT News
We have been learning about Courage, Divine Energy, Expressing Gratitude and more with our new curriculum in First Fun Sunday School! This curriculum is the first one for children from the Center for Progressive Christianity. It is filled with Bible stories, and inspirational stories from all walks of life, affirmations, games, projects and fun activities.
In Advent, the time of light, love and joy, our classes will be preparing for the coming of humble baby Jesus by learning music, bells and readings to share on December 24th at the 4 p.m. service and on December 26th at the 10 a.m. service. If you are not going to be here for these events, your child is still welcome to come and learn about Advent through music! If you have something special, i.e. music, poem, dance, your child would like to share at either of these services, please call Dody Hansen at 541-345-8764.
Sunday, December 5th at 10:00 a.m.
Special offering for Interfaith Shelter Families. Watch for the envelope with the “Green Christmas Tree”.
Tuesday, December 7th at 6:30 p.m.
Dody will be doing crafts and games with the shelter kids. If you would like to come too, you may! If you would like to sign up to lead an activity with the kids at the shelter, please contact the church office 541-345-8764.
Sunday, December 12th & 19th at 10:00 a.m.
SOCK IT TO MISSIONS
During the service this day all families will receive a Christmas stocking. This is to collect money for missions around the world. It is fun to hang this stocking up and talk about how this is your gift to baby Jesus.
(more details on the back of the Dec. calendar)
Monday, December 20th, 5:00 – 8:30 p.m.
M&M’s (Meaningful Moments for 2nd-5th grade)
We will be having a gift exchange and making gifts for our families and loved ones! We will also play games and watch a movie!
Friday, December 24th at 4 p.m.
Family Christmas Eve Service
Music and readings by and for children! There will be warm candle light and fun costumes for all. If your child has something special to contribute to this service, please let Dody know. Bring a friend!
Youth Ministries
by Jessi Rich
E.F.U.M.C.Y.
(Eugene First United Methodist Church Youth)
Advent means coming, a time for hope of good things beginning. For the last couple of weeks we have talked about ways to “Make it Better” and fight apathy; now with the holiday season upon us, we have an opportunity to put our words into action. During this Advent season the youth group will be making it better by delivering poinsettias to church members, decorating Station 7, and leading activities for children at the Interfaith Shelter.
I would also like to encourage all the youth at FUMC to make better connections at home, by doing some type of advent devotional with your family, or even on your own. And by attending one of the Christmas Eve services with your family on December 24th.
Please remember to sign up on the youth bulletin board or e-mail Jessi at youth_first@yahoo.com for these activities so we have enough transportation and adult sponsors. Also, if you have any questions about any of these activities, please call or e-mail.
Decorating Station 7
Saturday, December 4th, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Station 7 is the homeless shelter for youth in Eugene. The youth group has been decorating Station 7 for over 10 years. We will meet at Station 7 and decorate the inside for the holiday season. Please bring at least 2 ornaments or Christmas decorations to Station 7. Pizza will be provided.
Poinsettia Delivery
Sunday, December 5th, 2:00-5:00 p.m.
We will deliver poinsettias to people in our faith community who need some extra love this holiday season.
Interfaith Shelter
Friday, December 17th, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
We will lead games and do activities with the children while their parents are shopping.
All – Church Caroling – Horse Drawn Wagon
Sunday, December 19th, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Sign up for a time to come and sing with your family and friends!
Advent Schedule
Sunday, November 28th—First Sunday of Advent-Prophet’s Sunday
10 to 10 Songs and Celebration; 10:00 a.m. Worship
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 11: 1-10
Anthem “Keep Your Lamps”, Thomas
11:15 a.m. All Church Advent Festival
Begin Advent with your church family. This is a GREAT family event!
Singing, Cooking, Card Making, Advent Chain Calendar. If you made an Advent Wreath last year be sure to bring the base back so you can add the greens and candles. (donation $6)
Sunday, December 5th—Second Sunday of Advent-Shepherd’s Sunday
10 to 10 Songs and Celebration; 10:00 a.m. Worship
Scripture Reading: Luke 2: 8-11
Anthem “Quem Pastores Laudavere, arr. Rutter (Women of the Adult Choirs)
Communion-Handbell Choir
Special Offering for Interfaith Shelter Families
11:15 a.m. First Sunday Symposium: Guest Speaker Bob Welch
2:00-5:00 p.m. Youth poinsettia delivery
Sunday, December 12th—Third Sunday of Advent-Mary’s Sunday
10 to 10 Songs and Celebration; 10:00 a.m. Worship
Christmas Choral Sunday: FUMC Choirs & Oregon Brass Society
“Christmas Cantata”, Daniel Pinkham
“There is No Rose”, Caracciolo
“Coventry Carol”, Levy
“Mary, Did You Know?”, Lowry, Green, & Schrader
Special Offering: Sock It To Missions
(for more details look on the back side of the Dec. calendar)
11:15 a.m. Cookie Walk: Cookies will be available to purchase in the South Lobby
6:00 p.m. All Church Potluck Christmas Dinner with the Shelter Families
Sunday, December 19th—Fourth Sunday of Advent-Joseph’s Sunday
10 to 10 Songs and Celebration; 10:00 a.m. Worship
Scripture Reading: Matthew 1: 18-25
Anthems: “Joseph’s Song,” Strathdee (Men of the Adult Choirs)
“Joseph, Dearest Joseph Mild, ” Walther
Special Offering: Sock It To Missions
(for more details look on the back side of the Dec. calendar)
11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. All-Church Christmas Caroling by Horse-Drawn Wagon
3:00 p.m. Concerts at First: Charpentier’s “Messe de Minuit pour Noël”
by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Eugene Chamber Choir and ByrdSong.
5:00 p.m. “A Blue Christmas”
A contemplative service for anyone who may be grieving, hurting, lonely or simply not connecting to the public joy of the Christmas season.
Friday, December 24th—Christmas Eve
“Christmas Eve Services: Receiving the Gift”
Scripture Readings: Isaiah 9:2-7 and Luke 2: 1-20
4:00 p.m. Music and readings by and for children! There will be warm candle light and fun costumes for all. 7:00 p.m. A candlelight service celebrating the birth of Jesus
Anthem: “On Christmas Night,” arr. Pelz
10:00 p.m. A candlelight service celebrating the birth of Jesus
Anthem: “Christmas Lullaby,” Rutter; Handbell Choir
Sunday, December 26th—First Sunday after Christmas
Children will share Christmas music during this service.
Sunday, January 2nd—Epiphany!
10 to 10 Songs and Celebration; 10:00 a.m. Worship—The Visit of the Magi
Scripture Reading: Matthew 2: 1-12
Anthem: “A New Year Carol,” Britten
11:15 a.m. All-Church Epiphany Party!
Another GREAT family event!
Music Department
Julia Brown, Music Director/Organist
Linda Duffendack Mays, Choral Director
Shira Fadeley, Handbell/Band Director
As we venture into the season of Advent and on to Christmas and Epiphany, we are surrounded by music; in fact, Christmas isn’t just Christmas without singing carols! The music of the season, both familiar and new, helps us explore the symbols and lessons of waiting and expecting during Advent, through the wonder of birth at Christmas. Here at FUMC you will be led by choirs, children, handbells, band members, the pipe organ, brass choir and more. We all will join together with you on Sunday mornings and other times of the week. Please take note of the opportunities highlighted below – a small sample of the full heritage that is given to us. As we hear and sing the art created by diverse groups of musicians and poets, may we be inspired to take the incarnation of Christ seriously and live our lives in the light of God’s love.
FRIDAY NOON ORGAN RECITALS
Continuing to celebrate our new organ console, we will offer noontime organ recitals on three Fridays in Advent: December 3rd, 10th and 17st, from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. The concerts are free and open to all. This is an opportunity to get away from the busy-ness of the season for 30 minutes, whether you are a professional taking a lunch break, a student or a retired person. Come listen, meditate, and fill your soul with the sounds of our wonderful pipe organ.
CHRISTMAS CHORAL SUNDAY
The featured musical centerpiece on December 12th is Christmas Cantata, American composer Daniel Pinkham’s most famous choral work, written in 1957 and scored for choir, brass and organ. Christmas Cantata utilizes traditional Nativity texts (sung in Latin). It is inspired by the Baroque polychoral works of Gabrielli and Schütz, blended with irregular rhythms of Stravinsky. FUMC Choirs, directed by Linda Duffendack Mays, also will sing traditional carols and contemporary settings of Christmas music. The brass ensemble, prepared by Roger Rush, will play seasonal music as well.
CONCERTS AT FIRST
On Sunday, December 19th at 3 p.m. Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Christmas Mass will be performed by the Unitarian Universalist Chamber Choir and orchestra of original instruments, directed by Tom Sears. This delightful Messe de Minuit pour Noël dates from around 1690 and is based on popular carols of the time (Noëls). A cappella madrigals and instrumental Noëls also will be featured in the program. Tickets are $5.00 (proceeds go to FUMC music program).
Dear Member of Eugene First United Methodist Church:
I want to express my appreciation to your church for your gracious hospitality in hosting the Choral Extravaganza! The festival was lively and inspiring and I was touched and impressed by the talent of vocalists, directors, and musicians who came with the goal of giving moral and financial support to the Wesley Center. We are blessed by these young people and by the leadership of the Rev. Warren Light. Thank you for supporting campus ministry in the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference! In Christ’s Shalom, Bob Hoshibata
Announcements
First Sunday Symposium: Sunday, December 5th sponsored by the Health Ministry Team
“Working with God on my ‘Bucket List’”
Bob Welch, an award-winning columnist from the Register Guard, will be one of our guest speakers. He will share insights and responses to his column “How Do You Want To Die?” and how that reflects on living life to the fullest.
Bob Granger, a recently retired UMC pastor from New York and now a part of our church family, will help us prepare to receive the gifts of love, anticipation and renewal that Advent represents. Thus, we can live our life, whether for a short or long time, as a gift, not only to ourselves but to others and as a gift given back to our Creator God.
There will be time to interact and ask questions of our two Bob presenters, as well as take home our own bucket with the desire to fill it with God’s loving plan for our life.
INTERFAITH SHELTER UPDATE: We’d like to extend a great big “Thank YOU” to the many folks who volunteered to serve during Shelter Weeks. We still are looking for some overnighters, van drivers, family activities people, breakfast cooks, and a couple of dinner cooks. If you haven’t ever participated in shelter weeks before, this can be a very rewarding experience for all concerned, as FUMC opens its doors to provide a home for families who need a warm bed, food, and a bit of Christmas cheer. Give us or the church office (541-345-8764) a call if you can help with one of these jobs. We will be taking up a special offering on December 5, the proceeds of which will go toward Fred Meyer gift certificates for each family member. Thanks in advance for being generous with your time and other resources. See you around the Sanctuary! Lisa Young (541-344-2157) and Karen Ziros-Smith (541-912-1158)
OUR OFFERING OF LETTERS DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE: Bread for the World news release:
“In 2008 our letters supported House and Senate bills urging the administration to carry out a thorough review of developmental policies and institutions. In 2009 our Letters focused on reforming foreign assistance to strengthen it and make it more effective. One of the Offering’s major objectives was met when President Obama ordered a complete review of all U.S. development programs across several federal agencies and dozens of offices. On September 22nd, 2010, President Obama released the country’s first Global Development Policy – a coherent strategy that directs the government on how to handle development issues.” Thanks FUMC for your participation.
The results are in! We are excited to report that the October 3rd Eugene/Springfield CROP Hunger Walk raised $19,594 total for local and international hunger relief! This is such an impressive total this first year of reviving the walk and you all deserve huge thanks! We were so pleased with the participation and the number of walkers, and this fundraising success is just one more thing to be thankful for. 75% of the proceeds will go to Church World Service for their work overseas, and 25% will go to FOOD for Lane County. FUMC raised $1,815.00!
Throughout the Advent season, please donate food for our Food Bag Ministry. Each day we hand out 10 bags of food to hungry people in our community. Please donate: Box fruit drinks, fruit or pudding cups, vienna sausages, individually wrapped crackers, granola bars, plastic spoons, small boxes of raisins and gallon-sized ziploc bags. If you are unable to provide the food items, PLEASE consider a monetary donation to help re-establish the needy assistance fund. Please mark your donation with the words “Food Bag Ministry.” Thank you for your continued efforts to care for the people in our community.
Keep your car’s tires properly inflated and save up to 5 percent on gas. If you fill up at BIO-Sequential, mention FUMC. The church gets a rebate of 5 cents on every gallon!
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 in the offering plate or to the church office by Sunday, December 5th. Please make checks payable to First United Methodist Church.
In honor of ________________________________________________________________________
In memory of ______________________________________________________________________
Given by __________________________________________________________________________
Suggested Donation: $10.00/plant
Sock it to Missions
The Sock it to Missions Special Offering taken on Sunday, December 12th AND Sunday, December 19th will have three recipients. Unless you specify otherwise, your offering will be divided equally as follows:
1. The Cambodia Mission, with which Betsy Guinn has family ties, will continue. The primary thrust so far has been to support two teachers in two different villages where the salaries are only $500 per year. Learning English is a primary goal, providing greater opportunities for school graduates. A longer term goal is to build medical clinics. None exist in either village now although a foundation has been poured. Some of the teenagers are disabled but would not have been if medical treatment had been available when they were younger.
2. No More Deaths is a humanitarian aid organization that works to end the suffering and death of migrants on the US/Mexican border. Five FUMC members spent a week in the Tucson area this September, hiking the trails to help those in need, leaving water, and witnessing the dangers. More than 250 bodies were found last year. Individuals have died from lack of water, food , sickness, or from minor injuries that caused them to become lost as they tried to walk from the border to Tucson (about 5 nights of walking). Volunteers save lives, hear stories, witness the conditions and come to understand the many perspectives on the issue. Contributions provide water, food, and medial supplies, as well as transportation in the desert and support for volunteers in their work. No matter your stand on illegal immigration, I hope you will support the work of those trying to end the death and suffering of people trying to make a better life for their families.
3. The Guatemala Mission Team in May of 2011 will be putting in ONIL STOVES that are more than 80% efficient over the traditional three rock open fires which cause lots of respiratory and eye problems and are responsible for many severe burns to children. These stoves also help with the deforestation problem in Guatemala (Guatemala is a native word for Land of Many Forests), as well as freeing up to one hour a day for women who work all day long and well into the night for their families. Many of these subsistence farming families have to buy their firewood which takes up to 40% of their budget. They will also be installing WATER FILTERS in homes. This will help eliminate the diarrheal diseases that give Guatemala the highest infant mortality rate in Central and South America. This will also help eliminate other acute and chronic infectious diseases. Some of the homes will also get whitewashed inside and get concrete floors both to further decrease infestations and parasites.
Office: 541-345-8764 Fax: 541-485-5025
Office Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
email: eugenefumc@eugenefumc.org
Home Page: www.eugenefumc.org
Visit us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=128911920648
FUMC STAFF
Debbie Pitney, Senior Pastor
John Pitney, Associate Pastor
Jessi Rich, Youth Director
Dody Hansen, Children & Family Ministry
Julia Brown, Music Director/Organist
Linda Duffendack Mays, Choral Director
Shira Fadeley, Handbell and Band Director
Warren Light, Wesley Foundation Campus Minister
Greg Klabouch, Benedicto Penaloza, Colin Paddock, Custodians
Maria Betancourt, Tiffany Sanderson, Xana McCrea, Child Care
Andrea Allen Sis, Web Page
Jan Sears, Financial Secretary
Sue Sanderson, Office Manager/Messenger Editor
Our Mission at First United Methodist Church is to:
Receive, by welcoming all people into a community of love and acceptance;
Transform, by helping all people experience God’s love in Jesus Christ; and
Send, by empowering all people to be Christian servants in the world.
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