930north December 2014

A PUBLICATION OF FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Preparing for the Christ Child

December 2014

TRANSFORMING LIVES BY ENGAGING OUR MEMBERS TO CELEBRATE AND SHARE GOD’S LOVE IN JESUS CHRIST

Bernard Terrace Volunteer Russell Bender Heritage Ranch Volunteers David and Jack Savario Connections For Life Volunteers: Becca Wharton, Annie McRae, Judy Foust, Brenden McGee & Clay McGee

HOPE Ministries Volunteers Mimi Walke and Madison Foust

Our life together

13 Agencies in the Greater Baton Rouge Area were served by FaithWorks, FUMC’s Sixth Annual Community Workday The Purple Cow Volunteer Bill Coffey

McMains Children’s Developmental Center Volunteers Brenda and David Zeringue

HOPE Ministries Volunteers Adrienne Frith and Meredith Monk

December 2014

Table of Contents

Meet Adrienne!

5

A Letter from Reverend Brady Whitton

4

The Meeting Place: Adrienne Frith After School Program Volunteer Coordinator

5

Advent How to use your Table Advent Table Tent Tent 7

Vision Update 11

Advent Table Tent (Remove and put on your table!)

7

Vision Update

11

Light After Darkness 12 with excerpts from Lulu Wemple and Laura Wolf Congregational News

Light After Calendar of Events Darkness

12

6

14 15

From Rev. Brady Whitton Senior Pastor

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ, Many Christians are becoming increasingly negative about the way Americans celebrate Christmas. We’re too materialistic, they say. Santa has replaced Jesus, they say. We eat and drink too much. We should return to simpler days.

Not many people know it, but the critique of Christmas is as old as the celebration of Christmas itself. In the 4th century C.E. a man named Libanius wrote about Christmas, “The impulse to spend seizes everyone. He who the whole year through has taken pleasure in saving and piling up his pence becomes suddenly extravagant.”

In 1659, the Colony of Massachusetts outlawed any Christmas observance, including a fine for hanging decorations.

It seems some people have always wanted to throw a wet blanket on poor old Christmas’ head.

For me, however, our cultural celebration of Christmas is full of “holy” things. Lights hung on homes remind me of Christ who is the light of the world.

Senior Pastor Rev. Brady Whitton

A Publication of First United Methodist Church 930 North Blvd.

Baton Rouge, LA 70802 225-383-4777

Associate Pastors Rev. Katie McKay Simpson Rev. Pattye Hewitt Rev. Ann Trousdale Editor Caroline Tyler Images Provided By: Natalie Marionneaux Ashley Rodrigue Karen Stagg

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The sensible giving and receiving of gifts reminds me of the gift of the Christ child. (Even our extravagance can be a reminder of the extravagance of God’s love!)

Family feasts and gatherings are a wonderful time to share common faith and love. The Church’s songs are played in shopping malls and department stores.

People all over the country, who normally don’t go to church, will go to Church and hear the gospel proclaimed. As someone once said, “God whispers ‘I love you’ in every candle, every carol, and every card.”

I’m not saying we shouldn’t be careful about falling into mindless excess during this season – we should. But neither should we fear rightly celebrating and enjoying the blessings God has poured into our lives.

So celebrate. Enjoy. Don’t let the Christmas critics get you down. This truly is “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”

Yours in Christ,

To request to be added to our 930north Magazine mailing list, join our photography team, or to have information included in a future edition, please call 383-4777.

About the Cover “Keep your lamps burning” (Luke 12:35) and be ready for the coming of Christ!

The Meeting Place What’s your position at FUMC?

Director of the After School Program, HYP E (Helping Youth Prepare for Excellence).

Where did you grow up?

Born and raised in good ole Baton Rouge!

C lassroom management and Adr ienne Fr it h educational psychology, at Southeastern, where I am studying elementary education (grades 1-5). I will graduate May 2015.

Favorite class in school?

What is your favorite thing to do when you are not working?

P laying soccer and beach volleyball.

What is your dream vacation spot?

Bora Bora!!

Earliest memory of knowing you wanted to work with children?

My mom managed a daycare, so I have been around children my entire life. I have always watned to be that teacher who makes a difference in a students’ life.

What is something quirky about you?

I’m super paranoid about keeping my feet on the ground when I’m sitting down.

If you could have dinner with one person in the whole world, who would it be?

I can’t choose just one! But if I had to, I would pick the artists at Bethel Music.

I am obsessed with their music!

December 2014 | 930 North Magazine

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How to use your Table Tent: The next page is a removable table tent.

1. Remove the following 4 pages (this will be one piece of paper total).

2. Place on your dining room table, or another place in your home that is visible.

3. Use the 25 Days of Kindness and Bible Verses to help prepare you and your household for the coming of the Christ.

4. The 25 Days of Kindness and Bible Verses to read are suggestions for that day. Feel free to change up the order to personalize it for your family! Or brainstorm other creative ways to share with your family this holiday season.

6 930 North Magazine | December 2014

Sunday

7 The Gratitude Visit: Think of someone you never properly thanked. Write them a letter, and read it aloud to them.

8 Spend on a friend: Get together with a friend or coworker and go for a walk, play a board game, or go to dinner!

Monday

1 Phone a friend: Call an old friend and chat about the good old days!

9 Give of yourself: Create a gift that doesn’t cost any money; get creative! Use everyday stuff to make something special.

Tuesday

2 Give out five compliments: Ideas! Neighbor, spouse, the shy person at the office, or the supermarket cashier.

10 Thank the mailman: On a card, write a brief thank-you in the spot where you’d write the address (that way, they will actually see it!).

Wednesday

3 Give some love to a furry friend: Feed the ducks, take a dog for a walk, or donate to an animal shelter.

11 Love your environment: Go outside, find at least one piece of trash, and put it in a trash receptacle.

Thursday

4 Be kind to yourself: Watch your favorite movie, turn off your electronics, take a bath, or spend time outside.

12 Refriend your frenemies: It may not be easy, but send a Christmas card, or make a phone call to say “hi, we haven’t talked for a while”.

Friday

5 Be a secret santa: Leave candy, a greeting card, or festive poinsettia to a coworker, janitor or librarian.

13 Borrow from a neighbor: Ask someone else to do a kind act for you.

Then surprise them later with a gift or thankyou note.

Saturday

6 Pay it forward: Buy coffee for a stranger, pay the parking meter, or buy a gift card to give to a teacher.

25 Days of Kindness

The Month of December

25 Days of Bible Verses

Friday

10

11

12

13

Saturday

Thursday

Wednesday

Matthew 1:22-23

9

Tuesday

Matthew 1:21

“...they will call him ‘Immanuel’ which means ‘God with us’.”

Monday

Matthew 1:20

“...He will save people from their sins.”

Luke 2:8-11

Sunday Luke 1:46-55

“an angel of the Lord appeared to [Joseph] in a dream and said...”

Isaiah 9:6

8

6

Matthew 1:18

“..His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation..”

Luke 2:7

7

5

Luke 1:26-28, 31 “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about...”

Luke 2:6

“For to us a child “...Today in the is born, to us a town of David a son is given...”

Savior has been born to you...”

4

“...you will be with child and give birth to a Son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.”

Micah 5:2

“…[Mary] wrapped [Jesus] in cloths and placed him in a manger..”

3

Luke 2:5

“While they were [in Bethlehem], the time came for the baby to be born...”

2

Luke 2:4

“...out of you will come for me, one who will be ruler over Israel...”

1

“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth...”

“[Joseph] went [to Bethlehem] to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him...”

The Month of December

“....Magi from the east came to Jerusalem.”

“...For my eyes have seen your salvation...”

22

21

Matthew 2:1

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel...”

“...You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:25-32

Luke 2:13-14

15

Monday

Luke 2:12

14

Sunday

“...We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him”

Matthew 2:2

23

“...the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem...’”

Luke 2:15-18

16

Tuesday

“...the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was...”

Matthew 2:9-10

24

“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord...”

Psalm 95:6

17

Wednesday

“...they bowed down and worshiped Him...”

Matthew 2:11

25

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart...”

Luke 2:33-35

18

Thursday

“[He] was named Jesus, the name the angel had given Him before He had been conceived...”

Luke 2:19-21

19

Friday

“...Joseph and Mary took [Jesus] to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord...”

Luke 2:22-24

20

Saturday

25 Days of Bible Verses

Sunday

Tuesday

Wednesday

17 Turn lemons into lemonade: Turn a moment of anger into joy. Cut-off in traffic? Brush it off! Get a frown from the cashier? Smile back!

Thursday

18 Give flowers: It doesn’t need to be over the top: a dozen red roses are great, but it’s way more than necessary!

Find flowers in bloom outside.

16 Post-it, hide it: Write compliments, warm fuzzies, and compliments, and leave them for family and friends!

24 25 Give experience gifts: Camping trips, spa treatments, canoe trip, cooking lessons, recreate your first date with your spouse.

Friday

19 Help the helpers: Show love to a volunteer! Bring hot chocolate to a Salvation Army bell ringer! Collect food for the Food Bank.

Saturday

Have a Merry Christmas!

23 Turn on your kindness radar: Look for an opportunity to help someone. It can be helping them load groceries in their car, or help a coworker.

20 Tip those who never get tips: The garbage man, the bag boy, the FedEx guy, firefighters, butchers. Make sure to put the tip in a card!

25 Days of Kindness Monday

22 Smile at strangers: Smile at friends, your dog, your boss, your kids, your employees, people walking down the street!

14 15 Call a loved one: Thank the I.T. Tell them you guy: were thinking Tell them there about the, and is no problem, you don’t need and it’s all due a special reason to their fabulous to call! work that everything is okay!

21 Quit your complaining: Instead of thinking of what’s wrong with your current situation, ask yourself what’s right about it.

Vision Update

As 2014 comes to a close, we celebrate many strides we’ve made in our first year of living into the Vision of First United Methodist Church.

Here are some updates as to the progress of each of our initiatives: Adult, Youth and Children Discipleship Path: The process continues to create a discipleship path for all persons at FUMC. We are still slated to roll out this plan in August 2015.

After School Program: Currently, HYPE, Helping Youth Prepare for Excellence, has 19 children enrolled. The children have enjoyed their time at FUMC. In addition to their schoolwork, they have also participated in many activities for fun, including growing garlic in the Beauregarden, studying germs and cultures with Mary Lou Potter, and learning about hand washing techniques from Nurse Paula Mercer.

Improving Sanctuary Worship: Two experts have offered professional advice for improvements to the choir loft area and the sanctuary sound system. Results of these efforts will be presented to the congregation after the first of the year.

Member Engagement: Our teams continue to call members informing them of new opportunities to become more deeply involved in the life of the church. The installation of our new database is starting in the beginning of December. We are also assessing the possibility of newer technologies to support our attendance tracking methods.

New Worship Opportunities: We had a great turnout for our first Blessing of the Animals service at City Park. Additional projects launching soon include: Quarterly Worship in Town Square (Downtown on Sunday, December 21st) and a worship/small group presence in Port Allen by February 2015.

Urban Mission Center: Treats distrib Revive 225 is Blessing of thuted at the in full swing e Animals recruiting groups to take advantage of our house rehabilitation ministries. Our first group from Georgia is scheduled to join us in outreach to the Baton Rouge community starting on Easter

Sunday 2015.

December 2014 | 930 North Magazine

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Light After Darkness The Longest Night Service

with excerpts from Lulu Wemple and Laura Wolf

For several years, FUMC has held a yearly service that offers special recognition of the struggles that many people face during the Advent and Christmas Season. It’s a seasonal paradox: a time when we feel we are supposed to celebrate hope, love, joy and peace, and yet a time that may elicit depression and sadness.

The Longest Night Service is designed to be soothing, and to encourage attendees to not dwell in grief or inspire melancholy. This service is often held on, or around, December 21, the winter solstice, or the day with the least amount of sunlight. This coincidence helps remind those who attend, that light does overcome darkness; which can be very symbolic of the process of healing. Lulu Wemple, the leader of the Widow’s Walk group, said that several members of the group went to the service together last year, “in various stages of grieving [their] losses.

We found grace and comfort. After the dark comes the light, which we receive in the gift of Jesus at Christmas Time.”

Laura Wolf, attended the Longest Night Service after the death of a colleague, and found comfort in the service. We asked her a few questions about the significance of the service to her and her grieving/ healing process.

What were the reasons that drew you to the Longest Night Service in past years?

The Longest Night of the Year service is actually my favorite service offered by our church. I make it a point to attend every year. I first starting attending the service after the death of one of our beloved neurosurgeons, who had passed away the month before. He had a larger than life presence on the unit and his death was shocking and left a huge void in my life because it made no sense. I had heard of the service before and that it helped with those who are grieving.

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How did it (if it did) help you prepare for Christ to fully enter your heart at Christmas - even if it is a grieving heart?

Everything in the service is centered around the grieving process. The music, prayers, message, and memorial candle lighting are all tied in together. It reminds you that Jesus didn’t enter the world in a magical, wonderful way. He was born in a hay stall to young unmarried parents. There was nothing glamorous about the way He entered the world. But even with humble beginnings, great things were done with His life. It reminds me that in my ugly, brokenness, I can still be made great and that Jesus and I pretty much started out the same way.

Do you believe experiences like this in the church help people find hope in hopeless places in their life? If so, why?

Absolutely. One of the reasons that it is my favorite service is because it is the church acknowledging more fully the brokenness of the world. Other times of the year, the church mentions brokenness kind of just in passing. In this service, the brokenness is front and center, loudly proclaimed. This service kind of lets you wallow in your grief with no shame and then gives you just a speck of hope to hang on to. It’s the church coming together as a whole to break the stillness and loneliness of grief (whether from a death, divorce, illness, etc). You’re there with others and you can see you’re not alone.

The Longest Night Service isn’t just for those who have experienced a death, but also those who have recently lost a job, who are separated from their loved ones, or who are experiencing depression, and may find comfort in the anthems sung, and words spoken. Every year brings new faces, as everyone’s journey is different. If you or a friend are searching for the Light this holiday season, we extend an invitation to join us as we search for the Light after darkness together.

The Longest Night Service will be December 18th at 7:00pm

December 2014 | 930 North Magazine

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Congregational News Celebrating the Baptism of...

Welcome New Members!

Juilette Elaine Daughter of Rebecca & Kris Klar William Reza Son of Leila & Beau Braswell Luke Allen Son of Brenda & Rik Griffiths Julia Catherine Daughter of Natalie & Matt Thomas

Sympathy to the Families of...

Nancy Claitor Al Schroeck

Annie, Tony & Fischer Berrigan

Lauren Hudson

Celebrating the Birth of...

Madison Joy Daughter of Megan & Joe Gendron Ian Bradley Son of Shannon & Andy Venuto Benjamin Drost Son of Annie & Tony Berrigan

Kelly Lott

Michael Luneau

Kevin Miller

Early Learning Center tial

Center Closed 24th, 25th, 26th & 31st

Samuel Ridge

Financial Report As of 9/30/2014: Actual YTD Income $ 2,811,714 Expense $ 3,211,358 Net Income ($ 399,644)

Budget YTD Variance $ 2,778,691 $ 33,023 $ 3,271,557 ($ 60,199) ($ 492,866) $ 93,222

Lori, Kayleigh & Kynleigh Rhymer

Weekly Attendance Week of Sunday, October 5

Week of Sunday, October 12

Week of Sunday, October 19

Week of Sunday, October 26

Worship 1,038 Sunday School 509 Total 1,547

Worship 1,072 Sunday School 466 Total 1,538

Worship 1,058 Sunday School 469 Total 1,527

Worship 978 Sunday School 460 Total 1,438

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DECEMBER Calendar of Events Weekly

Special WEDNESDAY - 12/3 5:00 pm Hanging of the Greens and Christmas Bags

SUNDAYS 8:30 am 9:00 am 9:40 am 10:20 am 11:00 am 5:00 pm 6:30 pm 6:45 pm

Worship Café 930 Sunday School Hospitality Coffee Worship Youth & HIGH 5 Worship Prayer Ministry

MONDAYS 9:30 am 3:30 pm

Prayer Ministry After School Program

TUESDAYS 9:00 am

9:30 am 10:30 am 12:00 pm 3:30 pm

WEDNESDAY - 12/10 11:30 am Senior Adult Luncheon 5:00 pm The Andy Griffith Show “The Christmas Story”

Knitting Men’s Bible Study Fit @ First Women’s AA AA After School Program

SUNDAY - 12/14 8:30 am Music Sunday 5:00 pm Youth Christmas Party 5:30 pm Downtown Pilgrimage

WEDNESDAYS 9:30 am The Bible; Every Day 12:10 pm Worship – Chapel 3:30 pm After School Program 4:00 pm Illness Support Group 4:00 pm Member Engagement

Phone Team Meeting 4:30 pm Care Team 5:00 pm The Gathering Meal 5:45 pm Worship 6:30 pm The Gathering 6:00 pm Woodland Ringers 7:00 pm Chancel Choir THURSDAYS 9:00 am 10:00 am 12:00 pm 3:30 pm

Thursday Group Widow’s Walk AA After School Program

For more dates & events, visit our website: www.firstmethodist.org

Monthly Lectionary Texts

FRIDAY - 12/5 4:00 pm Festival of Lights SATURDAY - 12/6 9:00 am Christmas Preparation Station

December 1 Isaiah 40:1-11 2 Peter 3:8-15a Mark 1:1-8 Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13

MONDAY - 12/8 6:30 pm Church Council Party

WEDNESDAY - 12/17 5:00 pm A Charlie Brown Christmas THURSDAY - 12/18 7:00 pm The Longest Night Service SATURDAY - 12/20 9:00 am Christmas Food Box Filling Party SUNDAY - 12/21 6:00 pm America Street Service Carol Night (North Blvd. Town Square) WEDNESDAY - 12/24 Christmas Eve Services at 11 am, 5 pm, 7 pm & 11 pm THURSDAY - 12/25 FUMC OFFICE CLOSED FRIDAY - 12/26 FUMC OFFICE CLOSED 6:00 am Youth Ski Trip Leaves THURSDAY - 1/1 FUMC OFFICE CLOSED

December 8 Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 John 1:6-8, 19-28 Psalm 126 December 15 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 Luke 1:46b-55 Romans 16:25-27 Luke 1:26-38 December 22 Isaiah 61:10-62:3 Galatians 4:4-7 Luke 2:22-40 Psalm 148

FRIDAY - 1/2 FUMC OFFICE CLOSED

December 2014 | 930 North Magazine

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First United Methodist Church

NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE PA I D Baton Rouge, LA PERMIT 63

930 North Blvd.

Baton Rouge, LA 70802 Change Service Requested

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Sundays

8:30 am Sanctuary Worship 9:40 am Sunday School for all Ages 11 am Sanctuary and America Street Worship 6:30 pm Ory Parish Hall Worship

Wednesdays

12:10 pm Aldrich Chapel Worship & Holy Communion 5:45 pm Worship @ The Gathering Nursery Care is available on Sundays from 8:15 am to 12:00 pm and from 5:00-7:30 pm

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