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IN THIS ISSUE:

Christmas Eve Service Times PAGE

Chrismon Tree PAGE

Worship Concerts, A Taste of Christmas PAGE 3 6 2

Solar Update PAGE 3

Join Us for Advent and Christmas Events • Sunday Worship at 9 and 11 a.m. Advent begins on Sunday, December 1

• Sunday, December 15 9 a.m. Christmas Concert 11 a.m. Christmas Cantata A Taste of Christmas at 10 a.m. and noon

• Christmas Eve Services - New Times This Year 4 p.m. Family Service 7 p.m. Traditional Candlelight 10 p.m. Candlelight, Communion and Jazz with Blaise Lantana

V O L U M E 3 3 , N U M B E R 1 2 • D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9

F I R S T U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U R C H O F P H O E N I X

A Note from Pastor Denny

Dear Friends, This is an important holiday season for all of us. The concept of holidays often originated in connection with religious observances. The word holiday comes from an Old English word meaning holy day. The purpose of the holiday was typically to allow persons to tend to religious duties associated with their particular faith tradition.

Obviously, the word holiday is used to describe many days that are recog-nized as special in the traditions of a particular society or culture. When I lived in London, I noticed that Europeans don’t go on vacations but rather they go on holiday. As people of faith we don’t begrudge the expanding use of the word holiday and celebrate the fact that we and others have time off for relaxation and recreation.

However, it might be good for us as Christians to recall and reclaim the upcoming holiday season as a holy (day) season. Often, we think of this holiday season as beginning with Thanksgiving Day which is a national holiday, but the very concept of thanksgiving is so integral to all faith traditions that we are glad to incorporate it into our holy days.

How might we renew/reclaim the rest of our holy days known as Advent and Christmas? Going on a harangue about the commercialism of Christmas, etc., doesn’t seem predictable and not particularly helpful. To reclaim the spiritual nature of these holy days we might: • Remember the gift that gives us cause to celebrate. The birth of Jesus is a gift to the world. • Teach our children and grandchildren about this gift. Yes, give them their toys but they need to know about Jesus’ birth as the cause for all this celebration and gift giving. • Commit to attend worship and other special activities at the church throughout these holy days so that we understand not just the gift that is Jesus but the gifts of music and fellowship. • Commit ourselves to more time in prayer and devotion. It will help with this hectic time of year. • Be generous with yourselves, your families, your neighbors, and yes, your church. These holy days are a season of gratitude upon gratitude.

In Christ, Denny Silk, Pastor

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Join Us on Sunday, December 15 for TWO Worship Concerts Our 9 a.m. service will be a modern musical celebration featuring all Children’s and Youth choirs, as well as the Praise Choir and Band. Our 11 a.m. service is comprised of traditional and classical music, featuring the Chancel Choir and Organ, joined by Brass Sextet and Timpani. The centerpiece of the service is a gorgeous work called “Christmas Cantata” by K. Lee Scott.

Our annual “A Taste of Christmas” brunch will be held at the 10 a.m. hour and again at noon, so you can plan to stay all morning! And don’t forget to invite your music-loving friends!

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The First United Methodist Church Chrismon Tree The Chrismon Tree will again welcome church members and guests to the Advent season as they enter the Sanctuary. In 1972, the ladies of the church applied for and received permission to produce the Chrismon ornaments. With encouragement from Rev. Mel Pritts and Dr. Richard Cain, many volunteers decorated our first Chrismon tree in 1974. Mrs. Marion Palmer is the only active member from the original volunteer group of First Church. As you will see, the ornaments are white and gold: white for the Lord’s purity and perfection and gold for his majesty and glory. The clear lights on the tree point to Christ as the Light of the World. The current committee will be highlighting a different ornament each Sunday during Advent.

Will You Serve on Christmas Eve? As First Church prepares to welcome new faces to our Christmas Eve services, we hope some of you will volunteer to be extra ushers (working with experienced ushers) or parking lot greeters. Please look for the sign-up easels in the Narthex on Sunday mornings. Please read the instructions so you will know your job. The advantage to you is easy parking because you will arrive about 30 minutes prior to the service. And remember our new times this year: 4, 7, and 10 p.m. Thanks so much.

Solar Update Our Trustees are very happy to report that the solar project in our parking lot is nearly complete. At the time of printing, we are waiting for three final inspections from the solar company and the City of Phoenix before the project will be turned over to APS. Once in the hands of APS, we won’t know when the power will be switched over to solar, but it could be a few weeks to a couple months. Extra lighting will also be installed under the structures to provide safety and security at night. Keep watching our social media and enews for coming announcements.

The Giving Tree Working through the Golden Gate Center (Wesley Community Center) and Southwest Human Development, we have the opportunity to share our blessings with children who may not otherwise receive a gift this holiday. Choose a child’s name from the Giving Tree, located in our sanctuary, on December 1 and return the gift to place under the tree on December 8. If you are unable to shop and wrap but would like to donate, cash gift cards will be accepted.

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UMW Just One Monthly Collection

Each month, the United Methodist Women collect basic items to help families in need. It’s called “Just One.” If each of us would bring just one item, think how much that would be! This month they will be collecting lotion and lip balm. Items may be dropped off at the UMW table on the patio or in the church office on Sunday mornings.

What’s Up at the Weekday School? The Weekday School is bustling as we gear up for winter and the holidays! We are looking forward to our annual Christmas dinner on December 10, then our holiday break. We would like to remind everyone that we will be closed December 23 - January 3. School will resume on January 6. The school is also hosting a Vehicle Day on February 7. If you or someone you know has a cool vehicle that our little friends would enjoy seeing, please email natasha@firstchurch.church. We wish all of you safe and happyholidays and we will see you in the new year!

SENIOR BIRTHDAYSCelebrating 90 years or more

Bob YoungDecember 1Ruby GerickDecember 11Don ShearerDecember 25

ANNIVERSARIESJeff and Gail ShankDecember 6, married 55 yearsJoseph and Marie GarberDecember 23, married 52 yearsDon and Sandy HillegassDecember 28, married 52 years

We Pray for Everyone on Our Prayer List Muriel Hume-Pieper, Barb Johnson, Becky Johnson, Vickie Johnson, Ronda Klein, Elizabeth Mitchem, Mila Murlless, Jeannette Oliver, Mike Pearson, Gilbert Peterson, Herb Sliger, Bob Roths family, Ed Obert family, Steve Garceo, Alicia, Beverly Johnston, Bob Califano, Lynn, Lisa, Stacey Elaine Marrs, James Wilson, Phyllis Pickett, E. Nick Makres, Wanda Makres family, Edward Hall, Thearthur Hall, David Ulate, John Holmes, Bob Granese, friend, Frank Gordon, Vanessa Marie Sierra, daughter, Nancy Strong, our Earth, our nation and government, our first responders, our United States military, James Shroyer, Osias and Desiree Segura-April, our First Church, Phoenix

Parade season is here! Mark your calendars for these events along Central Avenue.December 7: Electric Light ParadeDecember 28: Fiesta Bowl Parade

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UMOM Tribute Cards We’ve got it ... that perfect gift. It’s a UMOM TRIBUTE CARD! When you make a direct donation to UMOM New Day Center, you can provide:

• A Day of Shelter for a woman ($25)• A Week of Shelter for a youth ($50)• A Day of Shelter for a family ($100)

You will receive a holiday card with an insert to tell your loved one of the donation you have made in his or her honor (no monetary amounts are disclosed). Donations for the UMOM TRIBUTE CARDS will be on the Friendship Patio 10 – 11 a.m. through December 8.

United Methodist Women News

A gala Christmas party for both Eve and Rachel Circles will be held in Asbury Hall on Thursday, December 12 at 6 p.m. Eve Circle will host by bringing potluck for all. We will be donating white socks for men and stamps for the folks at Justa Center. We will also have a white elephant gift exchange, either funny or something you have around the house you don’t want any more. Table service and drinks will be provided.

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Thank You from the UMW: Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the bakers, buyers and eaters who supported the UMW Bake Sale. With your support, we were able to give an additional $250 to each of the following local missions: UMOM, Wesley Community Center, Project Cure and The Inn. Thank you!

Afternoon Book Group We do not meet in December. On Tuesday, January 28, we will discuss Silent Patient at 1:30 p.m. in room #116. A successful painter shot her beloved husband, then never spoke of it again, even to defend herself in court. The author of this psychological fiction is Alex Michaelides.

Sharing the Gift of Life in an Emergency Many thanks go to those who participated at November’s blood drive. The heroes are: Dixie Swan, Stacy Harvey, Stephanie Espinoza, Merrill Davison, Aimee Allen, Jack Sneathen, Tom Rice, Mandee McGennis, Jennifer Schwarz, Brenda Schrader, Diane McCarthy, Bruce Smidt, Brent Hildyard, M. Marfan, Andrea Andrist, Delores Garcia, Ry Sideman and Tom Pickrell.

“Enjoy Lunch” First ... At First All adults are invited to “Enjoy Lunch” on Wednesday, December 11 at 11 a.m. in Asbury Hall. Our guest speaker is a crowd favorite, Sherry Koopot, docent from the Phoenix Art Museum. She will share “The Art of Keeping Christmas,” get it? The slides of famous art will be wonderful and educational. But due to a scheduling hiccup, lunch ($6) will be early this day and the program will follow, so please arrive hungry. We need to know if you will attend lunch and program, lunch only or program only. Please call the church office at 602.263.5013 to make your RSVP no later than noon on Monday, December 9.

STAFF TELEPHONE EXTENSIONSPastor Denny Silk 1102Cathy Fuentes 1100Jen Heffington 1108Russ Morrow 1106Robin Spencer 1107Joshua Elder 1115

GOOD NEWS AT FIRST CHURCHFirst United Methodist Church5510 North Central AvenuePhoenix, Arizona 85012SUNDAY SERVICES9 a.m. Contemporary Worship10 a.m. Activities for all ages11 a.m. Traditional Worshipchurch office: 602.263.5013weekday school: 602.230.0646web: firstchurch.churchemail: Info@firstchurch.churchfacebook.com/firstumcofphoenixfacebook.com/weekdayschool#FirstChurchPhoenixTwitter: @FirstUMCPhoenixInstagram: FirstChurch.ChurchLivestream: Livestream.com/firstchurch

Submit articles before the15th day of each month toinfo@firstchurch.church.

Christmas Eve Services - New Times• 4 p.m. Family Service• 7 p.m. Traditional Candlelight• 10 p.m. Candlelight, Communion and Jazz with

Blaise Lantana

5510 North Central AvenuePhoenix, Arizona 85012Return Service Requested