Newsletter - First United Methodist Church

November 2016
Dear Friends,
Thank you for your response to the Stewardship
Campaign we just concluded, a campaign in
which we remembered our
vow to participate in the
ministries of this church
by our Prayers, Presence,
Gifts, and Service. If you
have not yet returned a
commitment card to the
church, I invite you to do
so. This is of great help to
the church as we plan for
the coming year.
I also invite you to visit
the church website. This
updated and also offers
the means by which to
contribute to First UMC
electronically. The website
address is
www.fumcmartinsville.net.
Every political season offers its own measure of
unpleasantness; the one
FIRST FRUITS
First United Methodist Church
site has recently been
we now endure seems to
be especially troubling.
We do well at this time to
remember that we, as
believers in Jesus Christ,
have good news to proclaim.
We will do so as we wor-
will also play an im-
ship on election eve, No-
portant part during Bish-
vember 7th, at 7pm. All
op Lewis’ visit to the Dan-
are welcome to a service
ville District on December
Our open invitation to
to an end this Wednesday evening,
in which we will pray,
17th. This is all in addition
be a part of the
November 2. Once Halloween comes,
sing, and share scripture.
to the many other minis-
Chancel Choir’s
it would be a pretty daunting task for
As a gesture of hospitali-
tries held on a regular
Christmas presenta-
ANYONE to learn and polish the work in
ty, we will offer refresh-
basis at the Uptown Min-
tion - “The Winter
the remaining weeks. Sooo, once
ments beginning at
istry Center. When we
Rose” by Joseph Mar-
again, we invite you to “Come Home
6:30pm. We begin a 24
consecrated this Center
tin, accompanied by
for Christmas”!!!
hour prayer vigil at this
just over a year ago, I
full chamber orches-
time as well; please sign
made the statement,
tra and presented on December 18, 11
up for a 30 minute slot of
“Space speaks.” This
AM – must, for obvious reasons, come
prayer if you have not
space speaks loudly and
already done so. The
faithfully to the mission of
sanctuary will be open for
First UMC, living as an
prayer during certain
Uptown Church where all
hours on November 8th.
welcome, worship, and
I am thankful and excited
that the Uptown Ministry
serve – to the glory of
Grace and peace in
seeing greater use for
Christ,
On
November 3rd, the Good
Christian Education Opportunities
God.
Center of First UMC is
exciting ministries.
Come Home for Christmas
Keith
News Jail Ministry will be
holding a banquet there.
On November 5th, we are
partnering with Liberty
Ladies, come to the
you’re missing the spiritual gifts of
between the ages of 20-30 gather in
Uptown Ministry Center
Christmas? The author John Inder-
the Uptown Ministry Center for coffee,
on Tuesdays at noon for
mark helps us find space for the spir-
fellowship, and time studying the Word
a time of fellowship and
itual journey. He looks at the Christ-
of God. We have had a new visitor to
learning. We are study-
mas story as a dramatic and familiar
our group every week for the last 3
ing “Life Principles from Women of
pageant that reminds of Christmas
weeks! We also have a growing chil-
the Bible.” We study a different
pageants past and present. As we
dren’s ministry as we provide childcare
woman each week and try to learn
examine the story, he will help us find
and a lesson to 3 children that accom-
lessons from her mistakes, her faith,
the rest we seek.
pany their mothers each week.
and her courage. Bring your lunch and
University and other
The Young Adult
If you know young adults looking for
Small Group meets
an informal time of conversation and
sume after Christmas.
on Tuesday eve-
Bible study, send them our way. We
nings in the Ministry
would love to have them join us each
Beginning November 29 at noon, Pas-
Center. They gath-
week as we dive into the Word of God.
join the fun! Our last meeting in No-
agencies nearby to host a
vember will be the 15th. We will re-
day-long Health Clinic.
Piedmont Community
Services is using the
space for its employees.
The Danville District Conference will be held in the
tor Keith will have an Ad-
er at 5:00pm, and the study begins at
vent Study based on the
5:30pm
book Setting the Christ-
Ministry Center on No-
mas Stage. Do you feel
vember 13th; the center
so busy with pre-Christmas
preparations that you fear
Worship Schedule for November
November 6
The Communion of Saints
Ephesians 1:11 – 23
All Saints’ Sunday
November 13
God Does a New Thing
November 20
For the Healing of the Nations …
Isaiah 65:17 – 25
Revelation 22:1 – 5
Festival of Thanksgiving; All Choirs Sing
November 27
Walk in the Light of the LORD
Isaiah 2:1 – 5
Advent 1
Hanging of the Green (at 8:45am & 11am services)
Exciting things are happening in our
Young Adult Ministry here at First UMC.
Each Tuesday night, 6-8 young adults
Pray for Our Nation
First UMC will be holding a 24-hour
You are invited to sign up for half hour
Thank you for your help with this min-
prayer vigil from 7pm, November 7, to
segments of prayer within these 24
istry of prayer.
7pm, November 8. The purpose of this
hours. Please call the church
prayer vigil is to seek God’s guidance,
office to do so. We have sign
comfort and peace during this national
up sheets available. (There
election. As we come to the conclusion
will also be a service of wor-
of what has been a chaotic and trou-
ship in the sanctuary on
bling election campaign, we wish to
Monday, November 7 at
remember we belong to a God of order
7pm.)
and peace.
Page 2
FIRST FRUITS
Children’s Page
District Conference Mission Project
The JAMZ kids will meet at the Uptown Ministry Center after worship until 2:30pm on November 6, 13, and 20. We are
The District Conference is Sunday, November 13 at 3pm in the Uptown Ministry
learning about “10 FOR LIFE” – 10 Bible verses to commit to memory for life.
Center.
This year's District Conference will include a mission project that all churches are
encouraged to be a part of. We will be assembling UMCOR Cleaning Buckets to
replenish UMCOR's supply in order to serve areas affected by natural disasters. The
The JAMZ enjoyed the fall scenery on
buckets will go to help families affected by Hurricane Matthew and flooding in West
October 23 as they visited a log cabin.
Virginia and Louisiana. Please join us on November 13th.
They roasted marshmallows, played on
the zip line, and had a good time!
The Christmas Parade will be November 19, and we will again be handing out hot chocolate during the
parade. We need several people to help with this project. We need people from about 4:30pm until the
end of the parade (usually around 7). If you want to help, please call Nancy Bryant at 252-7069, after
4pm. Thank you.
Reception after the Children's Christmas program: We will again have a reception after the
Children's Christmas program on December 4. We need people to provide sandwiches, cookies, and
cheeseballs. If you would like to contribute a food item or money to purchase some food items, please
let me know by calling 252-7069, after 4pm please.
Children’s Sabbath was on October 16. Here are some photos of this special service.
Thanks, Nancy Bryant
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Ten 3rd graders receive Bibles!
Birthdays
First Hand Experience
Children’s Puppet Team
performed UPTOWN
CHURCH.
Nov em ber 2016
Page 3
Charles Vaughn
11/15
Anniversaries
Fred Compton
11/01
Will Vaughn
11/15
Joe & Mary Sherwood
11/03
Rebecca Smith
11/01
John Adams
11/15
Tripp & Mary Smith
11/04
Elizabeth DeVault
11/01
Harry O'Dell
11/16
Fred & Jackie Compton
11/07
Ted Tudor
11/02
Ann Nichols
11/17
Brandon & Maegan Mitchell
11/08
Lucinda Mallinak
11/03
Amy Tilley
11/17
George & Lisa Lyle
11/09
Kay Finch
11/04
Richard Martin
11/19
Kenneth & Loes Williams
11/12
Beverly Davis
11/04
Kerrington Tillery
11/19
George & Skye Hodges
11/12
Lena Parker
11/04
Eva Gendron
11/21
John & Stephanie Roberson
11/14
Jim Roberts
11/05
Ruby Gibson
11/21
Brian & Teri Nichols
11/14
Kim Snyder
11/05
Lisa Anderson
11/23
Colin & Marie Ferguson
11/16
Karl Sharp
11/07
John Roberson
11/25
Robert & Gail Vogler
11/20
Jeanie Curlee
11/08
Laura Elkins
11/26
Rick & Lee Lovorn
11/21
Miranda Givens
11/08
Carson Rigney
11/26
Ray & Kerrington Tillery
11/23
Lewis Riddle
11/08
Betsy Holsinger
11/27
Robert & Franz-Hahr Phillips
11/24
Keith Ritchie
11/10
Mary Rosser
11/28
Charles & Doris Gunter
11/25
Sid Allen
11/11
Steven Southworth
11/28
David & Tamara Stone
11/28
Margaret Dietrich
11/11
Don Hodges
11/28
John & Betsy Jones
11/29
David McConnell
11/13
Sam Benson
11/29
Jennifer Falls
11/14
Melissa White
11/30
Abby Blankenship
11/14
Nov em ber 2016
Page 4
Non-Profit Org.
Fi rst Uni ted Methodi st Church
U.S. Postage Paid
Good News Club
Permit No. 112
The members of the Good News Club
try, and we are always looking for
are excited to get back to work bring-
extra members for our team. If you
ing the word of God to children at Ax-
are interested in being a part of this
ton Elementary School. Starting
great ministry, please contact Linda
Wednesday, October 26, we will be
Adams for more information.
146 E. Main Street
Martinsville, VA 24112
Return Service Requested
Phone:276-638-8733
Fax: 276-638-8598
E-mail: office@fumcmartinsville.net
Website: fumcmartinsville.net
sharing memory verses, Bible stories,
and prayers with the students each
First Fruits
Wednesday afternoon.
This is an exciting after school minis-
Put label here
Uptown Ministry Center Naming Plaques Are In Place
As the Uptown Ministry Center of First
UMC was being built, the opportunity

was offered to have certain places
within the Ministry Center named in
in their respective places. As I look at

Youth Room given in honor of all
The Warming Kitchen given in
Church, past, present and future
loving memory of Mr.& Mrs. J.
by Diane & Jeb Bassett
Mrs. H.E. Kiser, Jr. by Ed and Kim
honored and remembered and for the
Snyder
generosity of those who have given to

Classroom in gratitude for the
grace of God by Jim and Eliza
Severt

Announcements
Lobby in loving memory of J.
Lawson Dyer by Mark and Rebecca
Crabtree
Below is a listing of the plaques.

Don Holsinger
Reid Troxler and in honor of Dr. &
way for the faithful lives lived by those
ly.
master Ed Dietrich by Betty and
youth of First United Methodist

these plaques, I am grateful in a new
the ministries of First UMC so gracious-
Scout Room in honor of Scout-
and in loving memory of Mr. &
children
week, plaques remembering and hon-

Hall is given for the glory of God
Mrs. Irving M. Groves, Sr. by their
honor or in memory of loved ones. This
oring these loved ones were mounted
Gathering Hall—This Gathering
The Uptown Ministry Center—

fellowship hall. The program will be packaging candy for food bank. The
Coffee Bar in the spirit of hospi-
menu will be a traditional Thanksgiving meal ($3/person).
tality this coffee bar is given in
Given for the glory of God and in
Stephen Ministers will meet on Thursday, November 3 at 5:30pm.
loving memory of Jinky Critz to the
loving memory of J. Clyde Hooker,
Jr. By Mrs. J. Clyde Hooker, Jr. &
Daughter Katherine
Seniors Unlimited will meet Wednesday, November 16, at noon in the

glory of God
We will host Bonnylee Witt (hospital chaplain), who will give
Food Pantry Given for the glory
4:30pm continuing education. There will be no small group
of God by Virginia and Bernie
supervision on this night due to Church Council at 6:00pm.
Becker
On Thursday, December 1, we will have our annual Christ-
a lesson on grief. On November 17, we will only have our
mas celebration and dinner at 6:00pm at the Simmon’s
House.
Church Council will meet Thursday, November 17 at 6 pm.
Youth Group and JAMZ
Staff Parish will meet Thursday, November 10, at 5 pm.
Sunday Afternoons, 12:30-2:30pm
Join us for our Prayer Walk Wednesday, November 2, at
Uptown Ministry Center
10am, We will be walking to the YMCA.
Youth Group – For all students in 6th – 12th
The Wesley Guild is selling pecans again this year! Price is the same
grade.
as last year- $12 per pound. Pecans are due to arrive on November 9.
To purchase pecans, you may contact any Wesley Guild member or
JAMZ (Jesus and Me Zone) – all in 3rd-5th grade.
Page 5
Lewis Riddle at 638-8567 or Sandra Vaughn at 632-2222 (Reflections).
FIRST FRUITS
Blessings to
you from all
of us at the
Early
Learning
Center.