9
NOVEMBER 2015 Bring People to Jesus to know Him and make Him known Hi there! Wasn’t the Devotion great today?! HAPPY NOVEMBER! HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I hope you are having an absolutely amazing day! Thanks for helping us focus all our resolve and resources on “Bringing People to Jesus to Know Him and Make Him Known!” with all our people, programs and property! Thanks for helping us push aside all the “lesser things” so we can bring the full-force and focus of The Church to his GREATER THINGS! Thanks for helping us “Bring People to Jesus!” by “Bringing Jesus to People!” If you’re a like me, you’re looking ahead to spending some special time of Thanksgiving! It’s not supposed to be just a day celebrated by eating too much! It’s meant to be a day of radical gratitude! The more deeply we experience God’s love, the more grateful we’re going to be and the more generous we become! SSSSSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOO...what does it mean for you and me to be radically grateful?! GREAT QUESTION! Thanks for asking! The Bible says, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus!” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) It is giving thanks in and for “all circumstances” because that’s God’s will for you and me! NNNNOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWW...That’s radical gratitude! How is that possible?! We can thank God in every circumstance because God is always in control! He can bring good out of bad! He can turn around the stupid mistakes we sometimes make! No matter what hap- pens, God isn’t going to stop loving us! There are a hundred things to be thankful for in any circumstance, even when the circumstance stinks! We can be radically grateful because he is a radical God! By God’s definition, radical gratitude is being thankful in all circumstances! AAAAANNNNDDDD...it is God’s will because it creates deep connection with other believers! What do we mean by that?! Gratitude always builds deeper relationships between you and me and lots of other people and most importantly, between you and me and God! Radical gratitude builds radical friendships and fellowship! The Righteous Brothers once sang, “You've lost that lovin' feelin', Whoa that lovin' feelin', You've lost that lovin' feelin', Now its gone, gone, gone whoaohoh!” If we lose a connection with a loved one , we need to start doing what we did when we were working to create that connection! Write little notes of kindness and en- couragement! Make calls or text during the day, just to say “Thanks!” Radical gratitude grows radical love! One reason we can lose that “lovin’ feeling” is because we stop doing the things that created it, and we begin take family, friends and folks for granted! Do you want to create deeper fellowship in your Small Group? During the week, text them, email them, call them, write them. Say, “I’m so grateful for you!” We’ll find that the more grateful we are for others, the more we will bond together! For you and me to become more and more like Jesus Christ we have to “resolve to know nothing while we’re here except Jesus Christ!” (1 Corinthians 2:2) When we fully focus on knowing Christ we can more easily identify all the “lesser things” that are stealing our time, talent and treasure from God’s GREATER THINGS! Let’s give all we are and all we have so we can “Bring People to Jesus!” Now that’s...RADICAL! Bill

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Page 1: HAPPY NOVEMBER! HAPPY THANKSGIVING! - Amazon S3€¦ · Thanksgiving Potluck Picnic Join us to join to gather with the other Meth-odist Churches for a Family Thanksgiving Pot-luck

NOVEMBER 2015

Bring People to Jesus

to know Him and make Him known

Hi there! Wasn’t the Devotion great today?! HAPPY NOVEMBER! HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I hope you are

having an absolutely amazing day! Thanks for helping us focus all our resolve and resources on “Bringing

People to Jesus to Know Him and Make Him Known!” with all our people, programs and property! Thanks for

helping us push aside all the “lesser things” so we can bring the full-force and focus of The Church to his

GREATER THINGS! Thanks for helping us “Bring People to Jesus!” by “Bringing Jesus to People!”

If you’re a like me, you’re looking ahead to spending some special time of Thanksgiving! It’s not supposed to

be just a day celebrated by eating too much! It’s meant to be a day of radical gratitude! The more deeply

we experience God’s love, the more grateful we’re going to be and the more generous we become!

SSSSSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOO...what does it mean for you and me to be radically grateful?! GREAT

QUESTION! Thanks for asking! The Bible says, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in

Christ Jesus!” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) It is giving thanks in and for “all circumstances” because that’s God’s will

for you and me! NNNNOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWW...That’s radical gratitude!

How is that possible?! We can thank God in every circumstance because God is always in control! He can

bring good out of bad! He can turn around the stupid mistakes we sometimes make! No matter what hap-

pens, God isn’t going to stop loving us! There are a hundred things to be thankful for in any circumstance,

even when the circumstance stinks! We can be radically grateful because he is a radical God!

By God’s definition, radical gratitude is being thankful in all circumstances! AAAAANNNNDDDD...it is God’s

will because it creates deep connection with other believers! What do we mean by that?! Gratitude always

builds deeper relationships between you and me and lots of other people and most importantly, between

you and me and God! Radical gratitude builds radical friendships and fellowship!

The Righteous Brothers once sang, “You've lost that lovin' feelin', Whoa that lovin' feelin', You've lost that lovin'

feelin', Now its gone, gone, gone whoaohoh!” If we lose a connection with a loved one , we need to start

doing what we did when we were working to create that connection! Write little notes of kindness and en-

couragement! Make calls or text during the day, just to say “Thanks!” Radical gratitude grows radical love!

One reason we can lose that “lovin’ feeling” is because we stop doing the things that created it, and we

begin take family, friends and folks for granted! Do you want to create deeper fellowship in your Small

Group? During the week, text them, email them, call them, write them. Say, “I’m so grateful for you!” We’ll

find that the more grateful we are for others, the more we will bond together!

For you and me to become more and more like Jesus Christ we have to “resolve to know nothing while we’re

here except Jesus Christ!” (1 Corinthians 2:2) When we fully focus on knowing Christ we can more easily

identify all the “lesser things” that are stealing our time, talent and treasure from God’s GREATER THINGS!

Let’s give all we are and all we have so we can “Bring People to Jesus!”

Now that’s...RADICAL!

Bill

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NOVEMBER 2015 INDIAN RIVER CITY UMC NEWS

Brown Bag Blessings

“Brown Bags” will be available for Thanksgiving again this year on No-vember 7 & 8. Pick up an empty brown bag at church and return it November 14 & 156 filled with the following items:

2 - 12 oz. jars/cans turkey gravy 2 - 15.25 oz. cans of corn 2 - 14.5 oz. cans of green beans 2 - 6 oz. boxes of stuffing mix 1 - 14 oz. can of cranberry sauce 1 - 19.5 oz. box brownie mix 1 - 13-15 oz. box of instant potatoes 1 - 40 oz. can of Sweet Potatoes/Yams 1 Bag of Mini Marshmallows 1 - $15.00 Wal-Mart Gift Certificate

Volunteers will be needed to finalize the brown bag blessings for distribution on Tuesday, November 17, 1 PM. If interested in helping please contact Sandi Bledsoe at 267-7922 x14. The Bags will be prayed over and available for dis-tribution on November 21 & 22.

Cluster Churches Family Thanksgiving Potluck Picnic

Join us to join to gather with the other Meth-odist Churches for a Family Thanksgiving Pot-luck Picnic on Saturday, November 7, 2:00 - 5:00 PM at Fox Lake Park. Turkey and drinks with will be provided. Everyone please bring their favorite salad, vegetable, side dish, or dessert with enough to share for 6-8 people. Join us for food, fellowship, inflatables, fun and Saturday evening worship at the park. The Cluster Church Conference with the five churches will also be held during this time.

Family Advent Event

Please join us for our Family Advent Event on Sunday, November 29, 4:00 - 5:30 PM in Wesley Hall. This will be a time of fellowship, fun creating a beautiful Christmas wreath for the coming Advent season, sweets, and music! This event is for families of all ages! You must sign up on the Welcome Sheet to be sure there are enough supplies. Donations of homemade cookies or Christ-mas sweets would be appreciated. If you would like to make cookies please contact Linda Benson at [email protected] or 267-7922.

Happy Thanksgiving! from Your Indian River City Church Staff

Decorating for the Christmas

The Christmas season is one of the most special times of the year, please join us in decorating the campus for the season on Sunday,

November 22, in Sanctuary beginning at 10:30 AM and Wesley Hall after the 11 AM worship service. Many hands will help with the task go faster. Everything will be provided just need the peo-ple to help. Watch for more information in the bulletin and sign up on the refrigerator sheet.

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NOVEMBER 2015 INDIAN RIVER CITY UMC NEWS

Sunday Mornings

We have several great Sunday morning opportu-nities for children: First Steps Nursery, Little LINCS, Kindergarten/1st Grade, and Kid LINCS (2nd-5th grade), SR 56 at 9:30 AM; and First Steps Nursery, Little LINCS, Kindergarten/1st Grade, and Kid LINCS (2-5th grade) at 11:00 AM.

ZIP for Kids

ZIP for Kids workshops are Wednesdays (except November 25), 6:15 - 8:00 PM in Wesley Hall,

the Loft. It is open to ALL children in the community, Kindergarten through 4th Grade. Kids come and enjoy exciting crafts, projects, activities, friendships,

and life lessons. For more information contact Linda Benson at 267-7922 x19 or [email protected].

Like our Facebook page to stay up on current news! www.facebook.com/irckids

SR 56

SR 56, (5th & 6th graders) meets Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM in Wesley Hall, room 217.

Crosstrainers on Wednesday nights (except November 25) for 5th & 6th graders meets in Wesley Hall, room 217. Join in fun activities, crazy games, and learn about the Bible. For more information contact Linda Benson at 267-7922, x19 or [email protected] or Sandi Bledsoe at 267-7922 x14.

Are you expecting and/or the mother of child through elementary age and looking to connect with other moms? Indian River City United Meth-odist Church’s Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS)/MOMSnext welcomes you. This group equips, encourages, and develops moms. MOPS/MOMSnext meets on the second Monday of each month, the next meeting is November 9, 9:30 to 11:30 AM in Wesley Hall. Children can be dropped off starting at 9:15 AM. Playdates will be held on the 4th Mondays of the month at local parks. For more info contact our MOPS/MOMSnext coor-dinator Jennifer at [email protected] or 321/543-0004. Check out their website at www.titusvillemops.weebly.com.

MOPS' Spaghetti Dinner

MOPS Annual Spaghetti Dinner is Friday, November 13, 5 - 7 PM in Wesley Hall, Studio 153 (while the Bazaar is going on). Tickets are $6 for Adults and $3 for Children and will be available on the patio between worship services on November 1 & 8 and in the church office. Proceeds support ministry activities and scholarships. For more information contact Jen-nifer at [email protected] or 321/543-0004.

Thank You

Thank you to everyone who came out and deco-rated their trunks for Trunk or Treat and those who donated the candy. Your generosity made it a successful outreach.

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NOVEMBER 2015 INDIAN RIVER CITY UMC NEWS

Kids Place Corner

Registration is open in all three pro-grams, Toddle Inn for 1 - 3 year olds, Preschool 3 three year old and VKP, and the School Age Before and After Care for the upcoming fall school year. Please call 267-7308

for more information or email Heather Quidort at [email protected].

Thanks to everyone who came out and helped unload the pumpkins from the truck (who knew so many could fit inside an 18-wheeler), volunteered in

the Pumpkin Patch selling the pumpkins, or purchased pumpkins. The Pumpkin Patch is successful due to your support and it is truly appreciated. Thank you again.

Refuge Student Ministries Where Students Connect with God and One

Another

On Sunday Mornings - classes for 7th - 12th grade from 9:15 - 10:45 AM in Wesley Hall, High School is room 215/216, Middle School is room 218. On Wednesday Nights from 6:30 - 8 PM in Wesley Hall. No Refuge Wednesday night No-vember 25.

Christmas Party Youth Christmas Party will be Wednesday, December 2 in Wesley Hall. Mark the date on your calendar and plan to come, bring a friend, and enjoy food and fellowship.

For more information about any youth event, see the website wearerefuge.org contact Heather Trapp, Student Ministry Leader, 362-4408 or 267-7922 x21 or [email protected].

Advent Study - SENT

“SENT – Delivering The Gift of Hope at Christmas” by Jorge Acevedo, Lead Pastor at Grace Church, is available for small groups and individuals looking for an Advent study.

God sent Christ at Christmas. In turn, Christ sends us into the world to be his hands and feet, head and heart. During this 5-week Ad-vent journey discover how, where and why we are sent. Please contact Dawn Schissler, Adult Ministry Leader, at 321/267-7922 x20 or at [email protected] for more information about this or other Advent studies.

Lights of Hope A community holiday light family festival started last year at Sand Point Park on weekends in De-cember! Many volunteers are needed to help with set up as well as serving during the nights of the event. Indian River City Church Children’s Ministry will be hosting the Craft section for the event. Other leadership roles are needed too, the event has many fun sections. The dates for Set up are during the weekends beginning Friday, November 6 until Sunday, No-vember 29. The event begins Friday, December 4th and runs each weekend night (Friday, Satur-day and Sunday) from 6:00 pm till 10:10 pm with Sundays ending by 9:15 pm. For info please contact Jennifer Taylor at 321-267-7922 X17 or [email protected].

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NOVEMBER 2015 INDIAN RIVER CITY UMC NEWS

Library News Just wondering if you have stopped by the library lately? Our longtime library team member, Barbara Wellington, has provided us a beautiful fall display. Be sure and stop by and take a peek at our leaves and tell Barbara how much you appreciate her time and talent. Thank you Barbara, you are awesome!

Book Chat

We invite you to join us on the 3rd Friday @ 11am in the Indian River City UMC library. We gather for fel-lowship and book discussion on a different book each month. Plan to join us as we are sure you will enjoy the hour you spend with us. We publish our Library Tidbits monthly, which has the current book we will be reading and a highlight of some NEW ARRIVALS. Stop in and pick up your copy or let us know and we will email you a copy. Easy as that.

New Arrivals

Memory Weaver by Jane Kirkpatrick Based on true events. The Memory Weaver is New York Times Bestselling author Jane Kirkpatrick’s latest literary journey into the part. A historical novel is one thing, a historical novel based on a true story, well you won’t want to miss this one. The Pilgrim by Davis Bunn This slim little novel, only 164 pages, packs quite a message. Through Hele-na and the others we see how God forgives us even the most grievous of sins and uses those broken bits to speak to others. Where Treasure Hides by Johnnie Alexander Working with the Dutch underground during WW II, artist Alison Schuyler devotes herself to working in her family’s renowned gallery, protecting priceless works of art, and sheltering Jewish children. She’s certain that romance could only lead to heartbreak...could Will a dashing British army captain persuade her to change her mind.

Reminders Come and visit our Christmas collection to begin your celebration of the season. As a shopping tip, for that person who has everything...how about a book in their honor. We, the library team, welcome your sugges-tions on books you would like to see in YOUR library. If you would like to learn more about our library please stop by or contact Linda Stuck 321-368-4006.

Car Care Ministry

Car Care ministry meets all Satur-days in November except Novem-ber 28 (Thanksgiving weekend) from 9:00 AM - Noon in the west

parking lot providing inspections and minor re-pairs on cars owned by single moms, widows, and others in need. The ministry is in need of donated cars for those in need to be able to get to work. To do-nate or for more information contact Alice at [email protected].

I would like to thank everyone for the thoughts, cards, gifts, food and especially the prayers during my knee replacement surgery and recovery. I feel so blessed to have a church family like Indian River City UMC. Betty Loudermilk

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NOVEMBER 2015 INDIAN RIVER CITY UMC NEWS

Ministry Spotlight

The Prayer Shawl ministry at Indian River City Church is essential to car-ing for hurting people and being part of their healing process. It is made up of about 42 ladies who generously give their time, talent, and treasure to bless others. The shawls are woven with love and prayers for the person who will receive them. To put it into per-spective, here are some remarkable statistics about the work they do: Total # shawls/throw made since May 2012: 801 Total # shawls/throw given out since start of May 2012: 702 Number of people making shawls/throws current-ly: 42 Number of hours to make one shawl/throw: roughly 30 hours Cost per shawl/throw (includes yarn & packag-ing): $18 (varies by yarn) This means that together the prayer shawl minis-try has invested about 24,000 hours and over $14,000 in prayer shawls. Of course, some of the yarn has been donated, but the great majority has been purchased by them! These numbers are amazing, but far more amaz-ing is the difference these shawls have made in other’s lives. These ladies have been the hands and heart of Jesus to people in need of His loving touch. Thank you ladies for all your hard work for God and his people! Lisa Baggett Care Leader, [email protected]

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Indian River City Church has both an evening and daytime gather-ing. Everyone, experienced or new learner, is invited to knit or

crochet prayer shawls. The Daytime Gathering is on Wednesday, No-vember 11, 10 AM—Noon in Wesley Hall, Studio 153. For more information contact Judy Reyn-olds, 267-1722; [email protected]. The Evening Gathering is Tuesday, November 17, 6:30—8:30 PM in Wesley Hall, Studio 153. For more information contact Debbie Miner; 269-1926; [email protected]. Note the date changes for November. They are a week earlier due to Thanksgiving holidays. If you know of someone needing the encourage-ment of a prayer shawl or throw, contact Judy Reynolds at 267-1722 or [email protected].

Fresh Expressions

Fresh Expressions is a move-ment that is cultivating new forms of church alongside existing con-gregations in order to reach a

changing world. Begun in England 10 years ago, it has spread to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and is also taking shape in the US. Vision Day is a great way to discover more about Fresh Expressions in an interactive format. Hear how Fresh Expressions is renewing the church. Talk about the development of Fresh Expressions US. Learn more about the Mission-Shaped Church and discover tools to start Fresh Expres-sions in your area. Saturday, October 21 at St. Luke’s UMC , 4851 S. Apopka Vineland Rd. Orlando. 9 AM - 3 PM Cost: General Admission is $35 per person. To register log on to www.freshexpressionsus.org and register for the Vision Day under training and events.

Give the Gift of Life

Giving blood is a simple thing to do, but it can make a big difference in the lives of others. Plan to donate

blood at the Blood Mobile on Sunday, November 8, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM on the campus in front of the Sanctuary.

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INDIAN RIVER CITY UMC NEWS NOVEMBER 2015

Missionary News

Fawzi was here last month and shared with those at a special din-ner the details of his work in the Middle East. Newsletters are available in the worship center lobbies if you want to know more about his work. Supporting the refugees is the primary focus of his work now and with winter starting, he asked for funds to be able to pur-chase shoes and blankets for those who have lost everything. Your donations can be made to Indian River City and added to the offering for Fawzi.

Good News Club The Good News Club is an after school club where children choose to attend. The Gospel message is taught by volun-teer teams made up of people from dif-ferent area churches. The awesome op-

portunity is now present for us to expand and have a Good News Club at the last two remain-ing schools in North Brevard -Imperial Estates and Apollo. The schools have to request the club and volun-teers must be raised up. We’re still adding volun-teers to be able to begin the club at Imperial in January. Please consider joining. Skills of coor-dinating, teaching, handling snacks, and music are needed and training is provided. For more information contact Cindy Manire at [email protected] or 385-1130 (home phone).

Coquina Volunteers

Coquina needs reading and office volunteers on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9 -10 AM and Wednesday from 11:50 AM -12:50 PM. Volunteers are needed to help with reading skills in the 5 kindergarten classes. Blessing the teachers and the children will be a joy and great-ly appreciated! Background checks are required. If interested in serving, please contact Jennifer Taylor at [email protected] or 267-7922 x17.

Christmas Float

Titusville’s Christmas Parade is an opportunity to share joy and invite the community to join in the activities of Indian River City Church. CJ Geh-lman is our Parade Float Leader for the Decem-ber 12 Parade. Additional volunteers are need-ed to help with the construction of the float. Walkers will be needed to walk the parade route with the float and hand out candy and postcards. After Halloween is a good time to stock up on candy at 50% off for the parade. To help with the float construction contact CJ at [email protected] or 321-591-7168.

Work Day at the Church

Come and join us in this opportunity for service! Get some exercise and enjoy the company of your church friends as we spruce up the church grounds together on Saturday, November 14, 8:00 AM - Noon. Please bring your lawn rake, power washers, pick up trucks, work gloves, pruning shears, and a smile. For more information about the Work Day contact Frank Boger at 268-5804. The church is in great need of a working gas pressure washer at least 3000 psi with wand and

washing tip for the maintenance team. If interested in providing one or for more information, please con-tact Joe Onovi at 267-7922 x18.

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NOVEMBER 2015 INDIAN RIVER CITY UMC NEWS

11/02 Bruce & Lucy Paulson 11/08 Paul & Doris Dunfee 11/11 Mel & Elsa Hall John & Sharon McClelland 11/12 Kyle & Wendy Miller 11/13 Lisa & Richard Dobbs 11/15 Douglas & Cynthia Hercules Jr. 11/16 Jan & Lourdes Cary 11/19 Marty & Sybil Hamilton 11/20 Gregory & Cynthia Elwood 11/21 Jim & Claire Boland 11/22 Todd & Tina Baker 11/24 Mark & Kathleen Peterson

Barry & Elizabeth Gainer Rob & Jennifer Wolfinger Jr. 11/26 Gary & Paige Leslie 11/27 Walter & Maryann Covington 11/29 Sandy & Mike McCarty

Women Alone

Women Alone, a group for women who have lost a spouse, meets Sunday, Novem-ber 22, 3:00 - 4:30 PM in Wes-

ley Hall, Studio 153. This group meets monthly for a time of fellow-ship, activities, and snacks. For more infor-mation contact Sharon McClelland, facilitator, 383-8868.

United Methodist Women

Bazaar & Bake Sale

Annual Bazaar & Bake Sale is Friday, November 13, from 9 AM - 7 PM is the United Meth-odist Women’s Annual Bazaar and Bake Sale in Wesley Hall.

There are handmade crafts and items and awe-some baked goodies. All proceeds from the ba-zaar and bake sale go to local mission projects. Come join us and do some holiday shopping.

Unit Meeting Next Unit meeting is December 1, 10 AM in Wes-ley Hall. This will be a covered dish with the Exec-utive Board furnishing the meat. The new 2015 officers will be installed. So mark your calendars.

Advent by Candlelight

All women are invited to attend Ad-vent by Candlelight on Sunday, December 6, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. In Wesley Hall with registration. Reg-istration will be on the patio on No-

vember 8 & 9. If interested in being a table hostess please contact Dawn Schissler or Sandi Bledsoe at 267-7922 or [email protected] or [email protected].

Advent by Firelight

Men's Ministry Advent by Firelight is Sunday December 6, 6:30 PM at the church in the west parking lot. All men are invited to come for fellowship and food (the “Silver Turtle”). Just bring your own chair. For more information contact Mark Peterson at 321 693-2816 or Steve Allen at

Surviving the Holidays

Separated or Divorced? Come and participate in fellowship, dinner and a special program “Surviving the Holidays” on Friday, Novem-ber13, 6:30 PM at Park Avenue Baptist in the conference room. The cost is free. Childcare is available by contacting Cheryl Gil at 269-6702 ext. 252. For more information contact Jean-nette Ahmie at 626-9320.

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NOVEMBER 2015 INDIAN RIVER CITY UMC NEWS

November and Thanksgiving is our national time to be thankful. One of the things I am thankful for is that a leader of this country (Abraham Lincoln in 1863) actually decided to set aside a day to be thankful. It gives us a day to be intentionally thankful about our lives. This year it may be big events or small, new people or people who have been around for a while, new places or places we have been all our lives. No matter what, we all have some-thing to be thankful. As the year starts coming to a close, we historically get an upswing in general giving. Giving is typically slower at the end of summer, and November and December help to catch us up. If you would like to see where you are in your giving, just let me know. I can be reached in the church office, or by email at [email protected]. And one of the things that I am thankful for? I am thankful that God has led me here to Indian River City UMC. Laurie Blair Church Accountant

Thanksgiving Facts throughout History

Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national bird of the United States. Sarah Josepha Hale, an American magazine editor, persuaded Abraham Lincoln to declare Thanksgiv-

ing a national holiday. She is also the author of the popular nursery rhyme "Mary Had a Little Lamb" Abraham Lincoln issued a 'Thanksgiving Proclamation' on third October 1863 and officially set aside the

last Thursday of November as the national day for Thanksgiving. The annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade tradition began in the 1920's. In 1939, President Roosevelt proclaimed that Thanksgiving would take place on November 23rd, not

November 30th, as a way to spur economic growth and extend the Christmas shopping season. Congress to passed a law on December 26, 1941, ensuring that all Americans would celebrate a unified

Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November every year. Since 1947, the National Turkey Federation has presented a live turkey and two dressed turkeys to the

President. The President does not eat the live turkey. He "pardons" it and allows it to live out its days on a historical farm.