“To glorify God and love others through worship, study, and service.” James A. Cason Senior PastorScott Harris Assistant Pastor

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION - TONIGHT

First United Methodist Church will again host the annual Community Christmas Celebration featuring our Chancel Choir and the choirs of Georgia Southern University in concert this Sunday, December 6. Performances will be given at 3:00PM and 6:00PM. Nursery will be provided for both performances.

The program is entitled “Considering the Characters of Christmas” and will take the listener on a journey from the various perspectives of some of the major figures of the Christmas story. The First United Methodist Chancel Choir, the Georgia Southern University Chorale, the Georgia Southern University Singers, Southern Gentlemen, and Fermata the Blue will all offer selections, both individually and in several group numbers.

Invite your friends and neighbors to open the Christmas season by hearing some familiar Christmas tunes as well as some new selections that are sure to become favorites!

Pierce DickensDirector of Music

December 6, 2015 Worship Services: Sunday School:Sanctuary: Fellowship Hall: Classrooms:8:30AM & 11:00AM 9:01AM & 11:00AM 10:00AM

Sunday, December 6, 20158:30 & 11:00AM Traditional - Rev. Jimmy Cason

“It's a Wonderful Life: Hope In It” - Isaiah 11:1-10; Matthew 3:1-129:01 & 11:00AM Revive - Scott Harris

“It's a Wonderful Life: Hope In It” - Isaiah 11:1-10; Matthew 3:1-12

Our Faithfulness in Worship (Sunday, November 29, 2015)Morning Worship: 494 Sunday School: 264

8:30AM: 55 9:01AM: 128 11:00AM: 195 REVIVE: 116Offering Received: $17,405.20 Preserving God’s House: $1,840.00

Special Offering - Student Day: $395.00

Our Church Family

Statesboro First United Methodist Church

Please pray for John Gould who is home recovering.

Please pray for Peggie Herrington who is home recovering.

Please pray for Tammie Dickens who is home recovering.

Please pray for Donald Allen, Holly Eckle’s father, who is in hospice.

Please pray for Alice Budack who is home recovering.

Please pray for Barbara Hood who is home recovering.

Please pray for Jimmy Hood who is home recovering.

Please pray for Susan Renfrow who is home recovering.

Please take time to welcome our new member:Ms. Anne Lomax1865 Lakeview RoadStatesboro, GA 30461Phone: 912-587-3939Anne, who is a teacher at Bulloch Academy, joins our church on transfer from a local church of another denomination. She grew up in this church, and she is the daughter of Margaret Ann Johnston. She has three children, Annsley, who is a junior at Georgia Southern, Pate, who is a freshman at Georgia College and State University, and Joseph, who is in the 10th grade at Bulloch Academy.

Volunteers for December 6, 2015 (First Sunday of December)Prayer Warriors: Don & Nancy Marsh8:30 Lay Liturgist: Joyce Bohler8:30 Ushers: Buck Ford, Brian Harrison9:01 Ushers: Alice Hall, Sarah Hall, Stephanie Owens, Daryl Hopkins11:00 Lay Liturgist: Anthony Waters11:00 Ushers: John Ray, Bill Moore, Jim Campbell, Ronnie Ruffo, Brett Morgan, Hoke Brunson, Tal Johnson, Steve Harper (Balcony: Olin Lovett, Ronnie Hodges)Parking Lot Greeters: Janet MathisFront Door Greeters: Betty F. Hodges, Carol Ruffo, Martha RayMeals on Wheels (December 8): Pam Powell, Janice Wilbanks

Christmas Gift Wrapping - An Annual OutreachIt’s that time of year, and First Methodist is wrapping presents again at Beall’s on December 19, from 10:00AM - 4:00PM. Put on your favorite Christmas sweater and come spread joy & cheer as you wrap gifts for shoppers. You don’t have to stay the whole time, just come for as long as you can. If you can, bring your own scissors but tie a ribbon on them. We will supply aprons. Please call Eleanor Schneider if you can help, 682-3426.

End-of-Year GivingAs of the end of November, church expenses have exceded contributions by $92,204.24. This means we have spent more than has come in by almost $100,000. While this is not unusual for this time of year, it is a lot more than last year at this time. At the end of November in 2014, we had spent $10,021.36 more than was contributed. Please consider giving an extra year-end gift in December. The church needs to have contributions of around $200,000 in December in order to “break even” for 2015. We appreciate all you do for SFUMC all year long and we wouldn’t be able to provide the quality ministries, missions, and services that we do without you

Youth Ministries News

Our Church CalendarSunday, December 68:30AM - Traditional Service, Sanct.9:01AM - 901 Service, FH10:00AM - Sunday School, Classrooms11:00AM - Traditional Service, Sanct.11:00AM - REVIVE Service, FH3:00PM - Christmas Celebration, Sanct.3:30PM - Youth Band Practice, Youth Rm.5:00PM - Sunday Night Surge MS, Youth Rm.6:00PM - Christmas Celebration, Sanct.7:00PM - Sunday Night Surge HS, Youth Rm.

Monday, December 77:00AM - Youth Breakfast Club, 3062:30PM - Charlene Black Bible Study, Lib.6:00PM - Trustees Board Meeting, 3076:30PM - Young Adult Bible Study, 3066:30PM - Gideons Meeting, 1038:00PM - Revive Band Practice, FH

Tuesday, December 88:00AM - Morn. Glory Emmaus, Lib.

10:00AM - Armor of God Study, 2122:00PM - UMM Mtg & Food Prep, Kitchen6:00PM - AA, 2066:00PM - Al Anon, 201

Wednesday, December 98:00AM - Praying Partners Emmaus, Lib.9:00AM - ACTS, Outreach Center(offsite)6:30PM - Children’s Christmas Musical7:00PM - Chancel Choir, Sanct.

Thursday, December 106:00PM - Toole Bible Study, 2016:00PM - Chancel Ringers, 3056:30PM - 901 Practice, FH7:00PM - Youth Mission Trip Training, Youth Rm.

Friday, December 119:00AM - ACTS, Outreach Center(offsite)

Saturday, December 1212:00PM - Christmas Bundles Soup Kitchen (Sponsored by SFUMC )

Sunday Night Surge – December 6We are back to our regular Surge times this week. Middle School meets from 5:00PM-6:30PM and High School meets from 7:00PM-8:30PM in the Youth Room. This will be our last regular Surge for the semester so encourage your student to come!

Statesboro First United Methodist Church

Youth Christmas Party – December 13Our Christmas party will be for both Middle and High School students from 6:00PM– 8:00PM on December 13. We are asking students to bring food to share (we will provide drinks) and a gift ($10 max) to swap. Please let Becca know what food item you would like to bring so we can avoid too much of one thing. Thank you in advance!

Angel Tree“Angel Tree” is a ministry of our church in partnership with Prison Fellowship which provides Christmas gifts for children of prisoners in our area. The tree is ready to have names picked up and will continue until all names are taken. Each gift should cost between $15.00 - $25.00. Please wrap your gift and place the “Angel” sticker on the gift so we can get it to the correct child. Also, please fill out the form on the table so we will know who has taken which “Angel”. Volunteers will be needed to help sort and deliver packages so if you feel lead to help serve in this ministry, please contact Nancy Martin, 912-690-1042 or metterbetter500@yahoo.com, or Hilda Dutrow, 912-764-6609.

Breakfast Club – December 7This will be our last Breakfast Club of the semester so encourage your student to come! We will meet in Room 306 to enjoy breakfast, fellowship, and a devotional.

Sunday, December 6, 2015

Children’s Moment (11:00 Traditional)Martha Ray

Kids Worship:9:01: Sarah Akins, Jodie Hendrix, Avery Parker11:00: Sarah Akins, Jodie Hendrix, Megan Yawn

Statesboro First United Methodist Church101 South Main Street, PO Box 2048

Statesboro, GA 30459Main Church Phone: 912-764-7589 Church Email: mail@statesborofirst.comJimmy Cason, Senior Pastor: 912-764-1875 Church Website: www.statesborofirst.comScott Harris, Assistant Pastor: 912-764-1874 Church FAX: 912-764-7638

Children’s Ministries News

Happy Birthday Jesus Party, next Sunday Children’s Sunday school classes will celebrate Christmas with a birthday party for Jesus during Sunday school hour on December 13. Please let children’s ministry staff, Sarah or Jodie, know if you can help with refreshments for your child’s class.

The Bethlehem Project – Children’s Christmas MusicalKids JAM (children’s choirs) will present a special Christmas program this Wednesday evening, December 9, at 6:30PM. Please join us in the Fellowship Hall for coffee and dessert as we experience the wonder of the Christmas story shared by children. Those participating in the program should arrive by 5:30PM, dressed for their part, and meet in the choir room. All children will get to enjoy cookies with Santa following the program!

Statesboro First United Methodist Church

A Big Thank You!Thank you to everyone who helped decorate the church for Advent: Cole Brown, Jim Campbell, Jewel Dabbs, John Groover, Greg Hendrix, Pat Hill, David Johnson, Ellen Lanier, Mary Emmye Lewis, Olin Lovett, Tyce Lovett, Nancy Martin, Janet Mathis, Sarah Mathis, Rawls Neville, Natalie Neville, George Rountree, Eleanor Schneider, Rick Smith, Pam Smith, Arnold Stephens, Ricky Turner, Beth Turner, Lee Walker, Debbie Walker, Matthew Walker. We had the biggest turnout of volunteers we have ever had!

Christmas Caroling at Willow Pond Sunday, December 20, children’s Sunday school classes will travel to Willow Pond Assisted Living to share smiles, carols, and candy canes with the residents. We will leave the church at 10:05AM. More details to come.

Christmas Eve Nativity Children in Pre-K through 5th grade are welcome to participate in the family Christmas Eve service held in the Sanctuary at 4:00PM. Children will read scripture and dress as part of the nativity scene. Please let Sarah Akins know by December 13 if your child would like to have a special part in this service (sakins@statesborofirst.com).

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015LITURGICAL COLOR: PURPLE

GATHERINGLIGHTING OF CANDLES

PRELUDE & MEDITATIONThe Huron Carol

arr. Jason KrugChancel Ringers

*CALL TO WORSHIPLet us make a place for God in the wilderness of our hearts.Let us make a way for him in the desert of our emotions.Let us make room for him in the mad rush of the season.

Let us worship him now with praise and singing!

*HYMN OF PRAISE Hymn #203 Hail to the Lord’s Anointed

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITHThe Apostles’ Creed #881 Hymnal

I believe in God the Father Almighty,maker of heaven and earth;

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord:who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried;the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven,

and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

*GLORIA PATRI Hymn #71

PASSING OF THE PEACE AND REGISTRATION OF ATTENDANCE

LIGHTING OF THE SECOND ADVENT CANDLE8:30AM: Eric, Jennifer, Ian and Dane Wyles

11:00AM: Todd, Jennifer, Ben and Addie Becker

PROCLAIMING THE VISIONWhy does Statesboro First United Methodist Church exist?

To glorify God and love others through worship, study, and service.

CHILDREN’S MOMENT (11:00AM Service)Martha Ray

(Following the Children’s Moment, children in Pre-K through 4th grade are invited to Kids Worship in Room 306.)

ANTHEM (11:00AM Service)Angels Singing Peace on Earth

by Craig Carnahan

PASTORAL PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER

GIVING OF TITHES & OFFERINGSOFFERTORY PRAYER

8:30am Joyce Bohler; 11:00am Anthony Waters

OFFERTORYA Midnight Cleararr. Sondra Eithun

Chancel Ringers

*DOXOLOGY Hymn #94Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures here below:Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts!

Praise Jesus Christ, whose power up-lifts!Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

*SCRIPTURE READINGIsaiah 11:1-10; Matthew 3:1-12

MESSAGE“It’s a Wonderful Life: Hope In It”

Rev. Jimmy Cason

*HYMN OF COMMITMENTHymn #196 Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

*BENEDICTION

*CHORAL BENEDICTION (11:00AM Service)O Come To Us

arr. Pierce Dickens

POSTLUDEPraise Ye the Lord of Hosts, from “Christmas Oratorio”

Camille Saint-Saens/arr. Diane Bish

*Congregation standing if able during this portion of the service.Please ensure your cell phone is silenced during the service.A children’s bulletin with Bible puzzles and activities is available in the Gathering Area on the first floor and also in the back of the Sanctuary’s balcony on the second floor.

The Sanctuary is equipped with a hearing assistance system. Please ask an usher for a receiver.

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