thecommu nic ator - Francis Asbury United Methodist Church

We are thankful for:
``
“Welcome Christmas! Bring your cheer! Cheer to all Whos far and near!
Christmas Day is in our grasp! So long as we have hands to clasp!
ATTENTION ALL “WHO” WILL LISTEN!!!
Join us for Worship in the Gym on
Sunday, December 7th at 11am for the
Presentation of “The Grinch that Stole Christmas”
followed by a Who-ville Feast. Service led by
SWAG Youth. We will also share Communion with
the Whos. Kids will be invited to visit the Grinch
for a Christmas Treat during the Who-ville Feast.
All are welcome for this Who-tastic Day for all!!
“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before!
Maybe Christmas... He thought" Doesn’t come from a store.”
“Maybe Christmas"Perhaps" Means a little bit more!”
Francis
Asbury
United
Methodist
Church
THE COMMUNICATOR
FRANCIS ASBURY
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
725 ASBURY ROAD
PO BOX 67
CANDLER, NC 28715
828.667.3950
[email protected]
www.FAUMC.com
December 2014
Volume XXX Issue 6
Growing
Spiritually,
Praising God
and Reaching
Neighbors…
Rooted in Christ
the Foundation
IN MINISTRY
Minister
Lay Leader
Music Director
Organist
Admin. Asst.
Custodian
Nursery
Ushers:
Greeters:
Veranita Alvord
Charlie Kooles
Jess Mills
Kevin Bryant
Danya Sellers
Glenda Shook
Amy Dayton
Pam Hall
Jean Jones
Emily Malloy
Betty Wilson
The Darby Family–
Jim, Anita, Anna & Ally
District Superintendent—Dr. John S. Boggs
Resident Bishop—Dr. Larry M. Goodpaster
CHRISTMAS FOR NEEDY
FAMILIES AT ENKA MIDDLE
You can
help by
choosing a
stocking or
2 from the
bulletin
board across from the Ladies
Bible Class. Please record your
choice(s) on the Master List.
Please return wrapped items with
stocking(s) by Sunday, Dec. 14th.
FAB Women are hosting an
ADVENT
TEA
Sunday,
Nov. 30th
at 3 o’clock in
the Fellowship
Hall.
Our Speaker is Rev. Jessica Dayson
Dayson of
Piney Mountain Davis Chapel UMCs.
Music will be provided by our own
Jess Mills IV with guest Soloist,
Soloist
Linda Henley.
Henley The food, message
and company will be delicious.
Please RSVP at 665665-7877
by Monday, Nov. 26th
ALL LADIES WELCOME!!
The Francis Asbury Choir will present
“Love Came Down at
Christmas”
Sunday,
Dec. 14th
at 5pm
Please bring
Sweet &
Savory
Finger Foods for the time of
Fellowship afterwards.
WOW CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON
Monday, Dec. 1st
11:30 am
CHRISTMAS
EVE
All the ladies of the church are
invited for a wonderful time
of fellowship at Ryan’s
Steakhouse on Brevard Road.
CANDLELIGHT
SERVICES
Grinch Christmas Play Practice
Wed, Dec. 3rd
5:30-6:30pm
Dress Rehearsal
Fri, Dec. 5th at 6pm
SWAG
Youth
Delivery
Service
Open for Business Nov. 30th
5 PM & 11 PM
Join us for
Carols & Cocoa
in the
Fellowship
Hall
Sunday, Dec.
28th at 11am
Hey FAB GirlsPlease don’t forget
to bring your
15 items for the
Gift baskets for
the Ladies at
First Step Farm by
Sunday, Dec. 7th!
FAB CHRISTMAS
GATHERING Friday, Dec. 12th
Appetizers begin at
6pm at the home of
Veronica Crook.
Don't forget to bring a
tasty dish to share, a
wrapped Christmas
ornament for the
ornament exchange &
make a donation
to the Pastor’s
Discretionary
Fund!!
ALL LADIES ARE
WELCOME!!!
Holly Jolly Christmas
SWAG Youth
will meet at
the Church
on Friday,
Dec. 5th at
5pm to go to
Black
Mountain for
"Holly Jolly Christmas"
for dinner and to hangout.
Yummy desserts following at
the Jackson's home.
Bring a WRAPPED $10.00
gift (nice not gag) for the
fun exchange.
The family of
Walter Russell, uncle
of John & Walter
Russell, who passed
away on Oct. 20th.
And the family of
Mary Merritt, mother
of MC Shipman,
who passed away
on Oct. 30th.
Our Deepest Sympathy &
Christian Love to these
families.
Acton UMM Christmas Tree Sale starts Saturday,
Nov. 29. Trees 6’-7’-$30; Wreaths-$20.
Discount for Pre-orders. Free delivery
within 5 miles of Acton UMC.
Call Ken Baughn 275-6453; Tony Wilson
230-4676; Jim Young 665-1616.
Calling All Donators and Givers!
This CHRISTmas season Emily Malloy and Paige
Stack are teaming up with AHOPE's Homeward
Bound and are creating a "Street Store."
Founded in January 2014 and created by
Max Pazak, the first Street Store was done in
Capetown and now people all over the world are
creating Street Stores – Stores created on the
Street where the needy can come browse
through the donated clothes and "Shop" for
FREE. This Street Store has become a big hit
and Emily and Paige are creating one on the
Streets of Asheville. They need clothes, shoes,
purses, scarves, gloves, hats, and coats by
Dec. 10th. To volunteer or know more,
please contact Emily Malloy or go to
www.thestreetstore.org. The Street StoreStoreWhere people come Hang Up & Help Out
Welcome to
Pat Parker
who joined FAUMC
on October 26th.
Please see Pastor V to become
an official member of FAUMC.
Congratulations to Tammy & Keith
Henry on the arrival of granddaughter,
Sophie Addison
Bishop,
who was born
on Oct. 20th to
Brandon & Lauren
Bishop.
Congratulations to Walt & Arlyn Martin
on the arrival of granddaughter,
Grace Annalyn Kriner, who was born
on Oct. 23rd to Evelyn & Gary Kriner.
SnipSnip-it from Sandy:
I say a little prayer before I start typing out my Snip It. I pray for inspiration, I pray for God's words, not mine. I had
almost completely written out my ideas for this newsletter, but when I re-read it, it was just depressing. There's been
too much sadness lately. I prayed again for inspiration. Then it came...directly to my door.
It was after 8:30 p.m. and it was Michael, our neighbor. He's a smart, friendly,
happy guy. He was voted as the Homecoming Representative for the Jr.
class! He's 17 and is usually in the bed by 8:30. He is obsessed with
running! He runs 2 or 3 times a day! He sometimes gets up and runs before
school! He runs because he wants to be physically fit and because he enjoys
it. **Please note, if you ever see me running, it is because I am after a thief or
because a large, growling, wild animal is chasing me!**
Michael was on fire. He was on fire for Jesus! He had had kind of an
epiphany about his life and suddenly, he wanted to share Jesus with everyone!
He wanted everyone to "get on the Jesus train!" as he said! He said that he
had been calling himself a Christian...but he really wasn't one. So, we began
a short discussion. He said that many that are acting immorally are so bold,
so strong in their beliefs! He said that Christians should be bold and strong about their beliefs and he is right! How
can you call yourself a Christian and still be compromising your beliefs of right and wrong? I hugged Michael as he
left and thanked him for sharing his happiness in Jesus with us. He thanked our family for everything we had done
for him. Afterwards, I prayed again and then the holy spirit broke in and took over my fingers...so here it is.
People are constantly bending what they KNOW is the truth, what they KNOW is right and wrong to fit their agenda! I
know all about this bending of the truth thing, because I used to do it myself. I used to pray, "Oh God, I am at a fork
in the road. Show me which path to take!" Deep down I knew what I needed to do. Did I do it? Nope. And Satan
smiled. I kept on with my deceitful ways until God convicted me. He showed me that the road to Hell could be paved
with good intentions! He showed me that my new good works would not get me into Heaven. He kept putting people
and circumstances in front of me until I could finally see the truth! He convicted me so harshly that I fell to my knees
in gratitude finally realizing that Jesus DIED FOR ME! Yes! He DIED FOR ME! And then God smiled!
How many times had I heard the story of that little baby being born in a stable and laid in a manger? How many
times had I heard about Jesus' miracles? I could even recite the final 7 phrases that Jesus said on the cross. I had
heard all the stories for years. But it wasn't until God took me down to nothing that I realized that JESUS DIED FOR
ME! All I had to do was to accept him and this free gift! It was that easy!
Now that I am a CHRISTian, I also feel that it is my duty to stand up for Jesus. Sometimes that means hurting the
feelings of another that is still trying to bend the truth. Everyone says that "God is love" and that Jesus said, that we
should "love one another!" That is all true, but don't you remember where it says God is a vengeful God? Don't you
remember when Jesus turned over the tables in the temple because the people were making a mockery of his
father's house? I truly believe that if Jesus were standing here today, he would still say "Love one another" but I also
believe he would say, "Go and sin no more. Go in peace." Am I without sin now? Of course not. I am human and I
still mess up everyday. But I know now, that this precious, perfect baby became a man. And that man's blood was
shed for you and me. It is an unfathomable gift when you think about it!
So as we enter into Advent, I want you to stand up for this little baby born in the manger. Do your very best to love
others, be giving, don't judge, be kind, but to also stand up for God and his divine ways. If you have a dilemma or
you are at a fork in the road...make sure that you take the path that makes God smile! If something seems
questionable, then maybe you should rethink your choices.
I pray tonight that these words touch you deep down to the rawest of your feelings and if you don't believe that Jesus
Christ died for you and that he can forgive you of ANYTHING that you have done wrong, then I urge you to confess
your sins to him, pray, talk to a friend, talk to me, talk to a Pastor. Make sure that you know the peace that passes all
understanding and to keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. In his name...Amen!
Biggest hugs ever! xoxo Sandy
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn
from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
Olivia was born on Christmas Eve in 1997.
She weighed 9 pounds and was 21 inches
long. She arrived in beautiful, healthy flesh
at Crawford Long Hospital in downtown
Atlanta, GA at 6:17 in the evening. After her
birth and before it closed, Joe went to get
me one of my favorite meals at the time—
tomato & corn linguine and chocolate chip
cheesecake from a restaurant named Mick’s
which was right across the street from the
hospital. 17 years later, the name of the hospital has changed to Emory
University Hospital Midtown. Mick’s no longer exists as a restaurant and my
favorite meal is presently chicken biryani with rice and naan (an east Indian
dish). Olivia has changed, but she is still “in the flesh.” Things change over
time, hospitals change names, so do restaurants, street names change and so
do people’s favorite meals. But there are some things that stay the same.
That Jesus came to us “in beautiful flesh” is what we celebrate this Christmas
Season. This fact stays the same…year after year after year.
When somebody says “in the flesh” they are indicating there is somebody here
for real. There is somebody living and breathing, a real presence, a life, a
person who has been announced. This season, we continue to announce that
Jesus has come “in the flesh.” This is the classic, standard, never changing
Christmas announcement. He is born! Jesus is the presence of God embodied
and made holy or sanctified in a human merely being. His birth to Mary and
Joseph long ago never changes and continues to be a sign to us of “God with us
in the flesh, live and in person!” Thanks be to God for this indescribable gift!
Make sure you meet Jesus “in the flesh” sometime this Holiday Season…look
for him in someone you help, a stranger to whom you show kindness or
hospitality. Look for Jesus “in the flesh” of those with whom you live, listen for
him in the Choir’s music, reflected in faces lighted by candlelight at 5 and 11pm
on Christmas Eve and perhaps even disguised as the Grinch, he himself!
Merry and Bright to You! Veranita
DECEMBER
SU DAY
30
TUES
MO
2014
WED
THURS
2
3
3
4
6 Fellowship Hall
Reserved: LC Group
6:30PM
Gym Reserved:
Crook
11:30–1
Welcome Table
Volunteers Needed
5:30 Grinch Practice
6:30 Choir Practice
4:45-6PM
WorkWeight
Day
Watchers
SWAG Christmas
Card Delivery Begins
11:30 WOW
Christmas Lunch at
Ryan’s Steakhouse
7-9 PM BVA in Gym
6-7 Community Meal
at Montmorenci UMC
7 Advent 2
8
9
10
9:30 Coffee/Snack
9:45 Sunday School
11:00 Worship in
Gym: Grinch Play
12 Whoville Feast
2:30 Pisgah Villa
5:30-9:30PM
BVA in Gym
6-7 Community Meal
at Montmorenci UMC
6 Fellowship Hall
Reserved: LC Group
6:30PM
Gym Reserved:
Crook
11:30–1
Welcome Table
Volunteers Needed
6:30 Choir Practice
14
18
15
16
17
9:45 Sunday School
11:00 Worship
1-3 Hope to Home
5PM “Love Came
Down at Christmas”
Cantata/Finger Foods
12:30
Staff Christmas @
6 Fellowship Hall
Reserved: LC Group
6:30PM
Gym Reserved:
Crook
11:30–1
Welcome Table
Volunteers Needed
21
22
23
24
6-7 Community Meal
at Montmorenci UMC
6 Fellowship Hall
Reserved: LC Group
6:30PM
Gym Reserved:
Crook
Welcome Table
Closed
29
30
31
7-9 PM BVA in Gym
6-7 Community Meal
at Montmorenci UMC
6 Fellowship Hall
Reserved: LC Group
6:30PM
Gym Reserved:
Crook
Advent 3
Advent 4
9:45 Sunday School
11:00 Worship
28
ABCCM Sunday
9:45 Sunday School
11:00 Worship in
Fellowship Hall
Carols
& Cocoa
Chocolate Lounge
5:30-9:30PM
BVA in Gym
6-7 Meal at MUMC
667-3950
FRI
1
Advent 1
9:45 Sunday School
11:00 Worship
3PM Ladies Advent
Tea
Francis Asbury
United Methodist
Church
SATURDAY
5
6
5PM SWAG Youth
Holly Jolly Outing &
Christmas Party
6PM Grinch Play
Dress Rehearsal
7-10:30 Breakfast
@ Reeve’s Chapel
11
12
13
4:45-6PM Weight
Watchers
6PM FAB Women
Christmas Party
at Home of
Veronica Crook
All Ladies Welcome
7-10:30 Breakfast
@ Pleasant Hill
Habitat
1-5:30PM in
19
Gym 9PM Club Gravitopia
Gym &
Fellowship Hall
Reserved
20
Trip for SWAG Youth
& FROG YA
4:456PM
WW
Glenda Faye Shook
Peggy Milroy
Lila Malloy
William Wilds
R.D. O’Donnell
Bill Moody
DeeAnn Henderson
Kathy Brown
Christopher Davis
Olivia Tarpley
Lily Deel
Gwen Rand
Joan Shuford
Brandi Turner
Jacob Bratsch
Ally Darby
Happy Anniversary to..
25
Merry Christmas
26
CHURCH OFFICE IS
CLOSED
Christmas Eve
Candlelight Services
At 5PM & 11PM
NEW YEAR’S
EVE
1
2
5
6
7
10
19
21
21
24
25
25
26
30
31
31
27
7
9
26
28
30
31
Dewey & Paula Davis
Wayne & Linda Miller
Bob & Virginia Harrell
Dick & Connie Green
Walt & Arlyn Martin
Robert & Bettie Smith
CHILDREN’S CHURCH TEACHERS
12/7: No Children’s Church
12/14: Jenny & Bryce
Shook
12/21: Veronica Crook
12/28: Cindy & Adam Crook
ACOLYTES:
12/7: Russ & Rafe Conner
12/14: Sydney Roberts
12/21: Bryce Rudisill
12/28: Adam Crook