First United Church of Brighton December 2016

First United Church of Brighton December 2016

Rev. Dr. Sherry L. Parker-Lewis, Lead Pastor

When I was a child, my mother and father would share their Christmas memories. Both grew up in poverty, my father on a farm north of Lexington and my mother in the city of Port Huron. My father would talk about receiving humble gifts and a good meal on Christmas Day. My mother learned that it was best to keep Christmas expectations low. She was told by her mother, a single parent, that the only gifts they would receive would be socks and under-wear passed out by the Old Newsboys. Their Christmas dinner would come out of a food box donated by a nearby church. If there were more gifts for my mother and her brothers and sisters, it was because a distant family member might send a little money to help. The childhood Christmas memories that my mother shares today are because of the generosity of others, people she would never meet or know. I wonder if, back in the 1940’s in Port Huron, Michigan, those who gave the gifts of food and clothing knew what impact they would have on my mother. Did they realize that they were offering the gift of hope, hope for a full life, hope for blessing, hope for abundance? In this Christmas season, we are very aware that God sent Jesus to walk among us. God took on flesh in Jesus so that we could come closer to understanding the depth and breadth of God’s love for us. God has come near in caring, healing and extravagant grace. In this Advent and Christmas season, as we celebrate that Jesus was sent, we are called to remember that we are the ones who are sent now. We are sent to deliver gifts of hope. As “The Sent”, we offer hope in gifts to mission and being in gracious relationship with others. Please join me in not only celebrating that God chose to send Jesus, but recognizing that we are now sent into a hurting world to bring God’s love.

Delivering the Gi of Hope

Keeping Connected

In keeping with the United Methodist tradi on of community involvement and connec on to the

greater church family, some of Pastor Sherry's pastoral ac vity extends beyond First United Meth-

odist Church.

December 1 – VCI Clergy Mentoring Group, Brighton First

December 1 – Brighton Ministerial Associa on, Chilson Hills Church, Brighton

December 10 – Facilitator, Vital Church Ini a ve Phase One for Large Churches, First UMC, Howell

December 30 – January 1 – Vaca on

Brighton First News—December 2016

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Advent Study

“Delivering the Gift of Hope at Christmas”

Join a short-term study group in Advent and learn what the

Christmas story can teach us about being sent into the world in

Jesus' name. Groups will being in late November. Watch for more

informa on about joining a class.

Faith Formation at Brighton First

News for 2017 Our winter semester of classes and small groups begins in February 2017. You will

have the opportunity to register for groups and classes in January. Our fall classes and

groups had over 160 people par cipa ng. We look forward to con nuing to grow in the

faith together.

In March 2017, our all-Church Lenten study “Forgiveness” by Margorie Thompson.

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Sent: Delivering the Gi of Hope at Christmas Advent Worship Series Begins November 27

We celebrate the gi of hope, Jesus, at Christmas. This Advent we ex-plore how we are “sent” to deliver that gi of hope to the world. We are called to offer the gi of reconcilia on and freedom to others as Jesus offers it to us. We will be reminded that God’s gi s of new life and pres-ence are gi s worth sharing. Are you interested in not only receiving, but giving this season? Then you are sent. Let’s join together in preparing to give and receive God’s gi of

hope. November 27: “Jesus Reconciles”; December 4: “Jesus Sets Us Free”; December 11: “Jesus is God with Us”; December 18 “Jesus Brings New Life”.

Christmas Eve 5:00 pm – Family Worship with Children’s Na vity Parade 7:00 pm, 9:00 pm - Candlelight Worship 11:00 pm – Candlelight Communion Worship

Special note about Christmas Eve Worship Christmas Eve at First UMC is an evening filled with tradi onal carols and candle-light. Worship begins at 5:00 pm with special service for families. All children in a endance, 3-years-old through 5th grade are invited to wear costumes and join the Children’s Na vity Parade. Both the 7:00 and 9:00 pm Candlelight worship services will include inspiring music and a message. We will sing “Silent Night” by candle-light. We will see Christmas Day in with Holy Communion and candlelight at our 11:00 pm worship service. Please invite neighbors and friends who do not have a church home to join you for Christmas Eve worship.

One Combined Worship Service

at 9:30 a.m. Christmas Day and New Year's Day

Because Christmas and New Year's Day both fall on Sunday,

there will be a single combined worship service at 9:30 a.m.

each of those Sundays. Holy Communion will be served.

Brighton First News—November 2016

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December 11

Christmas Dinner

and a Musical!

Children visit with Special Guest-Santa!

First Steps Preschool Christmas Program Tuesday, December 13, 6:15 pm and 7:00 pm

In December, teachers and students will prepare for a joyous holiday season as they learn about the birth of Jesus, Christmas traditions and Santa. Children will bring in new hats and mittens which will later be donated

to needy families in Livingston County. Pastor Sherry and Bob Fuchs will share the Christmas story with students. Enjoy Christmas music and movements by the 3-year-old students at 6:15 p.m. and a traditional Nativity pageant staged by the 4-year- old students at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 13 in the Sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church. Family and friends are encouraged to attend. Cookie socials will follow the programs in the Fellowship Hall and in the Community Room. The Preschool will be celebrating Christmas with a break from classes starting on Monday, December 19, 2016 through Monday, January 2, 2017. Parent-Teacher conferences will take place on January 3-6, 2017. Classes will resume on Monday, January 9, 2017.

Have a joyous holiday season! Lisa, Sue, Sharon, Jane, Amy and Hilary

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Our eighth annual blood drive is on December 23 Give the Gift of Life this Christmas—Brighton First’s Blood Drive

Brighton FUMC will sponsor its eighth American Red Cross Christmas season blood drive on December 23! Livingston County’s demand for blood continues even as 2016 winds down, and December is a particularly critical time for blood supplies. Last year, Brighton First United Method-ist Church helped the Red Cross obtain 64 units of blood! If you ever knew anyone that needed blood, you know how important it was to receive those units. The Christmas season may be a very busy time, but we have an opportunity to give someone the gift of life by spending just a few hours helping maintain blood supplies around the Christmas holi-day. Please consider being a volunteer and/or a donor in order to make this year’s blood drive an-other success! The Red Cross will accept donations from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Volunteers will be needed for unloading, greeting, escorting, serving and loading. Juice, cookies and other light refreshments will also be needed for our donors and volunteers. During this season of giving, help us give something the recipient wants and needs! More information is available at www.givelife.org. To volunteer, please contact Greg Guise at tele-phone 810-772-9970, or e-mail [email protected].

Christmas Mission Opportunities

Bringing Gi s of Comfort and Joy

To Mill Pond Manor in Brighton

As we con nue to reach out and form

rela onships with the residents of Mill Pond

Apartments, we are offering a gi basket to each

resident. Our goal is to give all 61

residents an iden cal gi basket that costs $30 to

assemble. Please consider giving a gi of friend-

ship by December 11. A sample of the gi basket

is in the Community Room.

Gi s of Hope: Making a Brighter Christmas

For Livingston County Foster Care Families

Bring Christmas joy to a foster child in Living-

ston County. You can become one of Santa's

helpers and provide approximately $100 worth

the gi s for a child, who may not otherwise

receive them. You can shop from a child's wish

list, donate money, or purchase a gi card to

help make Christmas dreams come true. Last

year, because of your generosity, 94 children

had a wonderful Christmas and a warm winter.

Sign up in the Community Room. Gi s are due

unwrapped to Missy's office by December 11.

Would you like to help distribute the Gi s of Hope to the foster parents? We are in need of

volunteers to hand out the gi s to the parents on December 13 from 9am-noon,

December 14th from 6pm-9pm and December 17th from 9am-1 pm. Contact Missy Se y

with ques ons, [email protected]


Christmas Eve Gi s for the Community

On Christmas Eve, we will have boxes of homemade cookies for worship-

pers to take out to those who are working on Christmas Eve and Christ-

mas Day. If you would like to contribute some homemade cookies to this

outreach effort, please bring them to the church office by December 23.

For more informa on contact Deacon Lore a, lore [email protected]

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Sing Carols with the Choir At Greenfield Village Join the Brighton First Choirs, Echoes of Praise and Pinckney Pizzazz on the evening Saturday,

December 17th to sing and ring in Christmas at the Green-

field Village "Holiday Nights" celebra on. Passes are lim-

ited, so contact [email protected] or call 517-376-

2215 to reserve your space today.

Fun Family Photos for Christmas! Photo Booth at Brighton First on December 4

Families and Friends can have their pictures taken

(in Christmas costumes if they choose!) on Sunday,

December 4. A Photo Booth will be available all

morning. Digital copies of the photos will be available

upon request.

Pizza with the Pastor You are invited to join us for Pizza with Pastor Sherry on Sunday, December 4 at 12:15 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. If you are new to Brighton First, or just want to know more about the church, this is the place to be. It will be a great time to find out about the church's vision, how to get more involved, or have your questions answered. Childcare will be provided. Sign up on your Connection Card.


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4th‐6th grade Youth Group: Meets the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month in the lower level of the church! Youth Group begins October 9th at 5pm for 4th‐6th grade. 4th‐6th Grade Youth Group Dates: December: 4th January: 8th, 22nd February: 12th, 26th March: 12th April: 9th, 23rd May: 7th

7th‐12th grade Youth Group: Meets every Sunday at The Well from 5pm‐6:30pm beginning October 2nd! 7th‐12th grade meet at the same me, same loca on, but split into smaller groups by grades. 7th‐12th Grade Youth Group Dates: December: 4th, 11th January: 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th February: 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th March: 5th, 12th, 19th April: 2nd, 9th, 23rd, 30th May: 7th, 21st, 28th

Dinner is provided each Sunday from 6pm‐6:30pm for ALL YOUTH GROUPS. Want more informa on? Email Alyssa Tumolo at [email protected]

JUNIOR CHURCH NEWS: The first Sunday of each month, all the children meet in one classroom for their very own worship service. This includes songs, ac vi es and guest speakers as well as joining the congrega on for communion.

YOUTH GROUPS

We are in need of more Sunday School teachers, especially part time. If you are able to help out one Sunday a month, or would like to be added to our substitute list, please contact Missy and get your background check com-pleted. All of our teachers are active parents and

grandparents and we try to make schedules work. If you are called to work more closely with the children our 11 o’clock ser-vice needs teachers. This is a service and fellowship based Sunday School program, offering hands-on service to our community. They work with the Mill Pond Manor ministry, Fleece and Thank You and the hygiene kits minis-tries, to name a few. Contact Missy for more information. [email protected]

Sunday School Teachers needed!

Youth Appalachia Service Project

ASP 2017 dates have been set! We will be traveling to Kentucky July 9th-15th. ASP is our annual youth mis-sion trip. Contact Laura Kelly if you have any ques ons about the trip @ [email protected]

Missy Se y

Children’s Ministries

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United Methodist Women December 2016 The purpose of the United Methodist Women’s group is to develop a crea ve, suppor ve fellowship among our church women, and to par cipate in the global missions of our church. We look forward to seeing you at any of the following events. For informa on about UMW or any of these mee ngs please call Pauline Schaffer (810)229-4643 [email protected]

Calendar of Events Dec 5 (Mon) Mission Team Mee ng 1:00 p.m. Dec 6 (Tues) Dorcas – 6:00 p.m. Dine Out Dec 7 (Wed) Sarah Lewis – 9:30 am Church Fellowship Hall

Pot Luck Program: Christmas Music H – C Davis. Y Taylor, J Tomlinson D – C May

Dec 7 (Wed) Sojourner Truth –1:00 p.m. Room 127 Program: “Gleaners” – Mark Wood D – D Thompson Dec 8 (Thurs) Rebekah 10:00 a.m. Fellowship Hall General Christmas Mee ng Dec 8 (Thurs) UMW Noon Luncheon – Church Fellowship Hall “A Memorable Christmas” Hosts: The Mission Team Dec 9 (Thurs) Phoebe – Christmas Gathering – Tracy Pearsall Dec 16 (Fri) 2:00 Hickory Haven Monthly Birthday Party Gail Harkiewicz, Joan Tobel, Carol McClements

The next newsletter deadline is Sunday, December 4, 2016. This is for the January 2017 newsletter.

Worship in January In the Bleak Midwinter: The Joy of Connecting with God and others

The first Sunday in 2017 falls on New Year's Day. We will have one combined worship service at 9:30. We will see the new year in together sharing Holy Communion. On Sunday, January 8, our congregation will celebrate Epiphany. This is the tradition-al Sunday when we remember that the Magi fol-lowed a star to find Jesus, and that all are wel-come to know the Emmanuel, God with Us. Through the rest of the Sundays in January, we will find connection with one another, the world and God through the worship series “In the Bleak Midwinter”. The worship series, based on the hymn by Christina Rossetti, celebrates that even in the darkest of times, God blesses us with the gift of each other and the gift of divine light in Jesus Christ.

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Advent Sermon Series

and

Adult Book Study

Beginning November 27

Documents

First United Church of Brighton December 2016