First Christian Church(Disciples of Christ)

Non­Profit 2810 E. 14th Street, Greenville NC 27858 Phone: 252 / 756­3138 fccpastor@embarqmail.com

Mail: PO Box 2366, Greenville NC 27836­0366 fccadmin@embarqmail.com

Rev. Reece Jones, Minister Marilyn Lee, Editor Volume XI, Issue 12 December 2015

ANNUAL CONREGATIONAL MTG.SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6TH – NOON

GREENVILLE CHORAL SOCIETY “Joys of Christmas”

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6TH – 3PMFree Admission

CYPRESS GLEN LUNCH GROUPWEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16TH – Noon

“LUNCH BUNCH”THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17TH –11:30AMHWY 55 RESTAURANT – BELL’S FORK

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICEDECEMBER 24TH – 5:30PM

RALLY NIGHT! December 2nd 9th 16th*

*Santa will visit!

Annual Congregational Meeting The Annual 2015 Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, December 6th, following the worship service. The agenda items will be the approval of the 2016 operating budget and the election of church officers for 2016.

CYPRESS GLEN LUNCH GROUP WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16TH – NOON

This will be our monthly get together with the church residents of Cypress Glen. It will be Dutch treat. Please RSVP to Jewelle Boone (752­4422) by Friday, December 11th.

“LUNCH BUNCH”THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17TH –11:30AMHWY 55 RESTAURANT – BELL’S FORK

DISCIPLE MEN’S (CMF) BREAKFAST

We will not meet in December. Please mark your calendar for Sunday, January 24th, 2016 – our next meeting.

FINE CRAFT AND ART SALEThe Eighth Annual Fine Craft and Art Sale was a successful and fun

event. The dedication and support of the congregation and the public is gratefully acknowledged. We experienced our largest crowd of shoppers this year and can expect the event to grow because of the positive environment. The bake sale items were quickly snapped up by enthusiastic buyers. We sold out of Brunswick Stew early Saturday morning! The combination of the Sale and the BBQ filled the FLC on Saturday. Your support, presence and enthusiasm make these two days a positive event for all! THANK YOU!

SAVE THE DATE!Following worship on Sunday, January 10th, we will hold a Backpack Pals

packing event. Food will be bagged for the 60 students at Elmhurst Elementary School. Please plan to help!

Brandon, Judy, Sally & Wanda

January 6th RALLY Night resumes!January 9th–10am­4pm Church Cabinet RetreatJanuary 10th Installation of Board Officers, Elders & Deacons (during worship)January 10th Backpack Pals packing event following worship

6th – 12th Sunday “Salt & Light”December’s Sunday Salt & Light will meet on Sunday, December 13th @ 5:30pm at the home of Avis & Stephen Wicher! This will be an awesome night, so make

plans to attend! Bring a friend, a healthy appetite and an open mind!!! Be ready to grow spiritually through new relationships and fellowship! See you on December

13th!!

WHO: All 6th­12th Youth WHAT: Sunday Night Salt & Light

WHEN: Sunday, December 13th @ 5:30pmDINNER: Wings, Fries and Corn on the Cob

WHERE: Avis & Stephen Wicher 3404 Wyneston Ave. Greenville, NC

**If you need transportation, please let us know – don’t miss out**Dawn & Tim Manning Avis & Stephen WicherKaren & Whit Brown Stacey & Jeremy Cook Josh Gentry

FROM OUR YOUTH DIRECTOR. . .Cell: (336) 416­8361Hello Friends,It has been an amazing year so far in the life of our church. As, we enter into this Advent year, I am always reminded of the Hope, Love, Peace, and Joy that move

through this time of the year and throughout our lives. I rejoice with praise through the many blessings that the Lord has provided for me. Luke 1: 46­47 says, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” During the season of Advent, where there should always be songs of praise and Joy, sometimes those don't always come easy because there are times of uncertainty and awaited anticipation. In these moments, we all are called to follow God and sing songs of praise for where and how God is moving in our lives. God has Hope for us and my heart is full songs of praise to walk side by side with my God. “ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Blessings, Rev. Josh

REMEMBER WITH PRAYERS, CARDS, CALLS AND VISITS IN ASSISTED LIVING/NURSING HOME/ FACILITIES Scrappy Proctor and Nell Speight

MEMBER / VISITOR CONCERNSJason Adams, Dot Baverstock, Muriel Bennett, Sheron Bennett, Bobby Boone, Carlton Corbett, Nancy Corbett, Sylvia Corey, Della Dayson, Elizabeth Deasy, Joanne Ellington, Louis Gaylord, Bob Gurganus, Wanda Cox Harrington, John Heath, Robert Hill, Louise McGinty, Keith Montgomery, Melvin “Big Daddy” Moore, Carrie Oakley, Mardell Remick, Roy Smith, and Raye Troutman.India West is serving in the U.S. Army at Ft. Bragg, NC. OTHER CONCERNSSandra Allen (Karen Averette’s niece), Dawn Bayles (Michelle Smith’s cousin), Val Barnhart (Marla Harrell’s sister), Rachel Bixby (friend of Sally Wheeler), Edna Boone (Jewelle Boone’s mother­in­law), Norwood Bradshaw (co­worker of Alysia Bright & Crystal Gardner), Evelyn Brooks (friend of Alysia Bright), Brenda Brown (Tim Manning’s aunt), Becky Bundy (Dawn Manning’s mother), Angie Byrne (friend of Lana & Chris Warren), Reg Coltrain (friend of the Mannings), Sharon Cox (Wanda Harrington’s cousin), Jean Dornemann (friend of Claudy & Reece Jones), Nicole Doty (Marla Harrell’s niece), Tara Driver (friend of Wanda Harrington), Jean Eber, (Marla Harrell’s mother), Benton Edwards (friend of Marla Harrell), Charles Edwards (Becky Edwards’ father), Savannah Ferguson (Sheron Bennett’s granddaughter), Georgia Godwin (granddaughter of Betsy & Charles Godwin), Charles Griffin (Marsha Griffin’s father), Edwin Hall (Jim Hall’s father), Marty Harrell (Marla’s husband), Ruby Hodges (Joanne Ellington’s sister), Meg Lee (David Lee’s stepmother; Nicolas Lee’s grandmother), Carolyn Marshall (Gladys Chianello’s sister), Tina Martin (Michelle Smith’s sister), Ann Mays (friend of Carolyn Strother and Donna Diehl), Anthony Mayberry (student of Beth Anne Stork), Patrick Milligan (Marsha Hall’s brother), June Montgomery (Keith Montgomery’s sister), Mitzi Moye (friend of Dawn Manning), Melissa Nelson (friend of Holly Jefferson), Parker (patient of Lana Warren), Julie Peaden (co­worker of Dawn Manning), Neva Peaden (friend of Lana Warren), Shamus Phillips (Donna Diehl’s grandson), Gary Pollard (Lisa Oakley’s uncle), Beverly Queen (Bonnie Perkins’ sister), Doug Reid (Robin West’s father), Martha Roberson (friend of Alysia Bright), Emily Robertson, Lillie Rodgers (friend of Sally & Howard Wheeler), Vini Rohrbaugh (Marla Harrell’s brother), Max Scheetz (Donna Diehl's father), Kimberly Schlienz (friend of Wanda Harrington), Melinda Shivers (Dwayne’s mother), Mary Lee Smart (friend of Dawn Manning), Janet Sneed (Sandra Everett’s aunt), George Stewart (Karen Averette’s brother­in­law), Tim Summerlin (Muriel Bennett’s son), Sally Tarkington (friend of the Mannings), John Tilley (Anne's husband), Jay Tripp (Judy Carlton’s son­in­law), Kylie Ward (friend of the Bennetts), Tony Warren (Chris Warren’s father), William Wood (friend of Marla Harrell), Rex Woolard (Sara Kleinknecht’s uncle), and Jackie Yongue (Bonnie Perkins’ niece).

Patsy Perkins was called to Life Eternal on November 4th, 2015. Please keep the Perkins family in your thoughts and prayers.

A ME$$AGE FROM OUR TREASURER. . . Tom Gottschall

As 2015 is drawing to a close, I hope that you will find this information useful.

Monetary Contributions: FCC will comply with IRS regulations regarding the crediting of 2015 contributions. Donors must deliver or mail and postmark contributions by December 31st, 2015 to claim a charitable contribution for 2015.

Mailed contributions do not have to actually arrive in the church office by 12/31/2015, but they must be postmarked in 2015. Contributions postmarked in 2015 will be credited as 2015 contributions. The church office will be open Monday, December 28th, Tuesday, December 29th, and Wednesday, December, 30th.

Stock Contributions: At this time of year, some people complete their planned giving by donating shares of stock. After completing the process with your broker, please call either me (258­9623) or Marilyn at the church office (756­3138) to let us know your gift is coming. This will ensure that you receive the appropriate credit. Otherwise, we will not know who gave the gift.

Staff Gifts: When presenting a financial gift to a church employee, please consider giving it directly to the individual rather than giving it to that person through the church. Here’s why: Based on Internal Revenue Code, the only way your gift can be considered a

“true gift” is for you to give it directly to the employee with “no strings attached.”If you make a check payable to the church and ask that the amount be given

to a staff member, you get credit for the gift on your record of contributions. The church then honors your request regarding distribution. The IRS considers a “gift” given to an employee in this manner not to be a “gift” at all, but supplemental income for which the employee must claim as income.If you give a gift directly to the employee without going through the church, it

will not show up on your record of contribution and the employee will not incur any additional tax liability.

Please call me at 258­9623 if you have any questions.

CYF MIDWINTER CAMP CAROLINE

February 5 ­ 7, 2016 Registration forms are available in the narthex or from Rev. Josh, Youth Director. This event is for 9th – 12th grades.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH . . . Christmas Tag Tree is up in the narthex. These gifts will go to Pactolus School

students and participants of the Creative Living Center. Each tag will list the name of the recipient on the back along with three or four gift suggestions. Please purchase ALL gifts listed. Fill out the perforated bottom portion of the tag and leave in the box. We need to know who took the tags. The gifts need to be back to the church by Sunday, December 13th. If you do not want to shop, give the tag and money (for Pactolus gifts) to Deborah Price.

Gifts for the 140 Foster Children in Pitt County (Foster Youth Holiday Cheer Fund) can be placed in the big box in the Narthex (new, unwrapped gifts). The gifts are due back to the church by Sunday, December 13th.

Community Crossroads Shelter Honor (Christmas) cards are available for sale in the church office. Please make checks payable to “Greenville Community Shelter”. All proceeds will directly benefit the Shelter.

Food Bank of Eastern and Central North Carolina – please place your nonperishable food items in the big basket in the Narthex.

Last, but not least: Hope Lodge – Some of the needs are: waterless hand sanitizer, 23 watt light bulbs, white copy paper, WHITE bath and hand towels, white washcloths, individually wrapped snacks, hand soap in pump bottles, WHITE twin sheet sets, Clorox wipes, phone cards, canned goods. As always, there is a need for toilet paper,

WHITE dishtowels, napkins, paper towels, plastic knives, forks and spoons, WHITE twin blankets, Zip­lock bags – all sizes as well as grocery/gas/pharmacy gift card, restaurant gift cards and Bingo prizes.

I am sure there is something on this list you can bring to church and put in the big bucket in the narthex to help with this project.

Deborah Price and Jewelle BooneOutreach Mission Team Co­Chairs

FROM OUR MINISTER . . . cell: (252) 883­4495 Shortly after you receive this newsletter, we will begin the season of Advent. In my article last month, I shared with you some of the characteristics of Advent and the way that this season provides us with an opportunity to reflect on what it means to live in an in­between time; on one hand, looking back to Jesus’ first coming and, on the other hand, looking forward to his Second Coming in power and glory. During Advent, our worship services will revolve around this theme and attempt to help us as we live into the meaning of the Advent season.

Of course, Christmas then is right around the corner. And for many of us, Christmas is a challenge. We love the fun and festivity, the presents and the carols, the family and the trees. Christmas is a lot of fun. As Christians, though, it is important that we not lose sight of what Christmas is really all about. Christmas is when we celebrate and acknowledge that God, in human flesh, entered our world in the person of Jesus. He came to us, not as a king or conquering hero, but rather as a little baby in a manger. For so many reasons, how he came is important. For one thing, it signifies God’s desire to identify with us in our humanity. One of the cardinal doctrines of our faith is that Jesus was fully divine, but he was also fully human. And as a human being, he discovered what it’s like to be us; to hurt like we hurt, to cry like we cry, to struggle like we struggle, to have fun like we have fun. In other words, Jesus became one of us so that we could understand better who God is and how we can know and love God in a personal way.

This year at Christmas, I want to encourage you to focus on the theological meaning of Christmas. Have fun, open presents, drink eggnog, hang out with friends and family members; but stay involved at First Christian Church as well, reflect on what Christmas is all about, take time to thank God for the gift he gave when he gave us himself. As I mentioned in the first paragraph, our worship services during Advent and Christmas are a great way to stay focused on and involved in the meaning of Advent and Christmas. Take advantage of those opportunities. Each Sunday, we will emphasize an important aspect of Advent and then on Christmas Eve, we will bring all that together. So, have a Merry Christmas and I hope to see you a lot during the month of December.

Grace and peace, Reece

The Story of Christmas,Relived and retold. . .

The Bethlehem miracle,Centuries old. . .

God's gift of His SonFree to all who receive. . .Beyond understanding. . .

And still we believe

ATTENDANCE / COMMITMENT/ EXPENSES IN OCTOBER 2015AVERAGE WEEKLY WORSHIP ATTENDANCE: 172

MONTHLY YEAR­TO­DATE

Contributions: $17,074.31 Contributions: $177,165.41 Expenses: $22,088.02 Expenses: $232,462.97