Mary - First United Methodist Church of Clifton, Texas
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The Clifton Connection
December 2021
Mary
A Character Study
“For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and now generation after generation will
call me blessed. For he, the Mighty One, is holy and he has done great things for
me.” Luke 1:48-49 (NLT)
Imagine having an angel appear before you with the message that you have been chosen to perform a special task
for the Lord! You would probably react much as Mary did: “Who, me? Surely I am not qualified!” Mary exhibits a
humble spirit when the angel tells her that she has been selected to give birth to the Son of God. Yet ultimately she
does not allow her sense of humility to keep her from accepting the Lord’s will for her, even though saying yes will
mean being misunderstood by many people, including her fiancé, Joseph. In this way, Mary demonstrates for us the
right response to God’s call upon our life.
Mary the worshiper
Mary believed that God’s intention was to do good to her. She knew that God exalts the humble and shows mercy to
those who trust in the Creator. In spite of the problems she would undoubtedly face, she recognized that her faithful-
ness would ultimately bless others: the covenant people and, indeed, the whole world.
Learning from mary
God determines whom to choose for a special task, and we must learn to depend on God to accomplish God’s will.
It was the Lord who chose Mary to bear the Messiah, and she had to be willing to simply obey.
Mary held nothing back from the Lord when called upon to serve him. By obeying God, Mary risked her reputa-
tion and her future, yet she still chose to follow. May we, like Mary, be willing to surrender all our plans and hopes to
the Lord, trusting in God’s provision for us.
Following the example
When we are in the middle of trying circumstances, it is difficult to see them as potential blessings. Yet Mary, who
faced public embarrassment and even punishment for accepting God’s will, was able to praise God for the blessing
on her life. Think about problems you have gone through that you thought were too difficult to handle. How has God
used you to bless others through these troubles? When you find yourself struggling to accept God’s will, stop and
remember that the Lord
makes no mistakes. Thank
the Lord for what God is going
to do for you through the cir-
cumstances that you face.
Like Mary, go forward to meet
your task with confidence and
joy.
Reprinted from the Praise and
Worship Study Bible, New Living
Translation, p. 1255, Tyndale
House Publishers, Inc.;
Wheaton, Illinois, 1996.
Page 2 DECEMBER 2021
POINSETTIA Poinsettia Order Form
ORDERS The last day to place your poinsettia order is Sunday, Dec. 12!
As part of our Christmas
celebration, the sanctuary # of Poinsettias ordered _______ #_____ x $12.00 = Total $_______
will be decorated with
poinsettias. Using the These plants are given: (please circle one)
order form to the right, you may purchase one or In memory of In honor of In celebration of
more poinsettias which will be displayed begin-
ning Sunday, Dec 19. The flowers may be tak- _______________________________________
en home after worship or left in the sanctuary for
the Christmas Eve candlelight service.
_______________________________________
Poinsettias cost $12 each. Given by: _______________________________________________
Please attach payment with form.
Payment must be turned in with order to
place the order.
Support the Clifton Angel Tree Ministry
Every Christmas, our church family sponsors several low income families with children by
purchasing new clothing and a toy for each child in addition to a full Christmas meal for the
family. If you’d like to support this ministry, kindly write your check to FUMC and note in
the memo line “Angel Tree” or use the Online Giving option here on the our website. It’s in
the black banner above.
Sunday, December 12, will be the last day you can support the Angel Tree ministry as our church ladies will
go shopping on Monday, Dec 13. Last year our church sponsored four families with a total of ten children.
Many thanks to Lori Culp and Debbie Moody who make the purchases for these families on behalf of our
church.
Candlelight and Communion Worship Service
Services in Person and Live Streamed
at 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM
A Special Offering will be taken for the Methodist Children’s Home in Waco, Texas
For Online, go to www.fumcclifton.com, then click “Worship Live Stream” in the black banner at the top of the page.
Page 3 DECEMBER 2021
The Clifton unit of United Methodist Women met on Monday,
November 8, to elect new officers and fill out pledge cards.
Congratulations to our new officers! They are President, Char-
lotte Turner; Secretary, Shawna Bradley, and Treasurer, Betty
Outlaw.
United Methodist Women Meeting The next meeting of the Clifton Unit will be Monday, December
13 at 1:30 PM in the Conference Room. All interested women
Monday, December 13 are welcome to attend. Men may attend also! We will have a
Bible study and a brief business meeting. Members, bring your
1:30 PM in the Conference Room ideas, keep our unit in your prayers, and eat before you come!
Celebrate recovery
Christ-centered recovery for any of life’s hurts, hang-ups, and habits.
Clifton Celebrate Recovery meets every Sunday evening begining with a worship celebration at 5
PM in the Sanctuary, followed informal community time and women’s and men’s share groups.
CR meets every Sunday
5:00 PM Celebrate Recovery Worship in the Sanctuary
5:50 PM Celebrate Recovery Men’s and Women’s Share Groups
7:00 PM Women’s Step Study
Currently, a Women’s Step Study Group meets every Sunday at 7 PM in the Conference Room. New Step Study
Groups will be added as needed at times separate from Sunday’s CR gatherings. Call 254-675-3984 for more infor-
mation.
Find out more about the international Celebrate Recovery movement at https://www.celebraterecovery.com.
Thursday Morning Bible Study
10—11:30 AM
in the Conference Room
Thursday morning Bible study is in session! Class time is every Thursday morning from 10 to 11:30 AM . The
class, led by Pastor Mary Gean, is currently studying Old Testament prophecies about Jesus.
Bring your Bible and a friend; join in the fellowship, discussion, and prayer opportunity this class offers to all who
attend. Everyone is welcome. There is no cost to participate.
Page 4 DECEMBER 2021
PASTOR’S
CHRISTMAS GIFT
Each year at Christmas the church family secretly
takes up a collection for the Pastor. If you’d like to
Jo Bowman, Hal Case, and Randy Hayes participate in this gift, please designate your dona-
tion to “Pastor’s Gift”. We will put all the money in
Our Church Family is Growing! one fund and write a check to Pastor Mary Gean for
the total amount. The deadline to turn in your
Pastor’s Gift to the church office is Wednesday,
Dec 15. The gift will be presented to Pastor Mary
Gean during worship on Dec. 19th.
Words cannot express the
feelings in our hearts.
Left to Right: Our newest church members: Jo Bowman, Hal Case, Thank you for being with
and Randy and Tricia Boswell Hayes us during this difficult
time.
Jo Bowman joined our church family by transfer from anoth- Your thoughts, generosity, kind words, and
er denomination on Sunday, September 5. Jo is Connie Bal- cards of sympathy are greatly appreciated.
ch’s sister. She is excited to be active in our church’s minis-
tries and has already joined United Methodist Women and The John Fair Family
volunteered to co-chair a funeral meal group.
Hal Case has attended First United Methodist Church, Clif- SPECIAL OFFERING FOR
ton on a regular basis for several years. He made his mem-
bership official by joining the church on Sunday, October
17. He is active in the JOY (Joyful Older Youth) Group.
Every year during our Christmas Eve worship service,
Randy Hayes began attending worship with his wife, Tricia, we take up a special offering benefiting the Methodist
and mother-in-law, Patricia Boswell, back in the summer of Children’s Home in Waco. If you’d like to support this
2020. They all attend the early morning worship service to- ministry, kindly write your check to FUMC and note
gether. Tricia joined our church in September of 2020, “Methodist Home” on the memo line. Thank you for sup-
while Randy joined on Sunday, November 7. porting the Methodist Children’s Home of Waco, Texas.
Important Finance Deadline!
The last deposit for the 2021 fiscal year of Clifton First United
Methodist Church will be made Wednesday, Dec 29.
All monetary gifts for which you wish to receive credit on
your 2021 church financial contribution statement must be in
the church office by NOON on Wednesday, December 29.
All gifts received after this date will be deposited in 2022 and will
show only on your 2022 contribution statement. Thank you for
your faithful, generous giving in 2021 and your wonderful re-
sponse to our fall stewardship campaign!
Page 5 DECEMBER 2021
Prayer Requests
The Family of Myra Clark Georgia Bell George York
The Family of John Fair Shawna Bradley Norida Culp
The Family of Jim Ross Don & Nancy Benda Josh Ramsey
Lea Ann Parrish Emma McDougal Jo Cash
Hugh Gaither PD Wallace Nancy Wallace
Lynn and Phill Bowers Julie Hinote Harold Coursey
Vernon Reynolds Matthew Kleibrink Rhonda Patton
Pauline & Bill Rose Aaron Anderson Russell Hall
Allen & Anna Oliphant Natalie Cannon Opol Hargraves
8-year-old Tyler Robert Rarden Nick Lowry To the Glory of God,
Sara-Lyn Jorgenson Nancy Wall Doris Thiele financial gifts have been given
Buster Mangham Ursula Ramirez Cleo Jones in loving memory of the following saints:
Robert Hanlon, Jr. Lexie Van Tassel Ralph Bailes
Randy Barnett Johnny Bradley, Sr. Scottie Patterson Chester Posey
Olga & Eppie Torres Mark Vitters Erik Benda Given by: Cleon & Carolyn Flanagan
Jack Burgess Jamie Braddock Daryl Miller
Nelan McMichael Kristina Truelove Jade Weaver Bert Downing
Ron and Eva Green Fred Heffernan Given by: Cleon & Carolyn Flanagan
Afghanistan & Haiti
Hurricane, Flood, Tornado, & Fire Survivors Ken Van Tassel
Nursing Home Residents and Staff Given by: Cleon & Carolyn Flanagan
Medical Personnel and First Responders
Our Military and Leaders John Fair
Given by: Tom & Dana Henderson
To put someone’s name on the prayer list, contact Frances at 675-
Cleon & Carolyn Flanagan
3984 or email her at fumcclifton@gmail.com. Please ensure that you
BC & Leslie Bennett
have the person’s (or family’s) permission before submitting their name
and/or circumstance for the prayer request list. John & Debbie Moody
Faye Wallace
Given by: Peggy Berry
Tom and Dana Henderson
Dinner Church Penny Blue
An hour of worship through Given by: Tom & Dana Henderson
dinner, fellowship, scripture and Cleon & Carolyn Flanagan
discussion
Give Thanks to the Lord
Two Thursday Nights, Two Locations. For He Is Good
Thursday, December 2 from 6-7 PM
at First United Methodist Church, 303 S. Avenue E, Clifton
(The new Bush’s Chicken is not open yet!)
Thursday, December 16 from 6-7 PM
at Breaking Bread Bakery
Located at 120-A N. Avenue D in downtown Clifton Make It a Daily Thing in Life
Page 6 DECEMBER 2021
RICHARD HOSEY, DIRECTOR
Student and Family Ministries
817—975—1742
RichardH.fumcclifton@gmail.com
Winter Camp is set for 6th through 12th graders to attend at Glen Lake Camp and
Retreat Center in February, 2022. It’s a weekend retreat, a time apart for youth to
strengthen relationships and grow as a community through Jesus’ love in a small group
setting. Our youth will experience passion-filled worship, hear dynamic speakers, and February 2022
form authentic relationships with God and each other. 6th—12th Grade
To sign your youth up for Winter Camp, call Richard at 817-975-1742 or email him at RichardH.fumcclifton-
@gmail.com. All youth are welcome. Don’t let finances keep your youth from attending. Scholarships are available.
If you’d like to support our youth in attending Winter Camp, please write your check to FUMC and mark “Youth
Ministry” in the memo section. It costs $150 per person for a youth to attend Winter Camp, which begins on a Fri-
day evening and ends at noon on a Sunday.
UM Army Mission Trip 2022
First United Methodist Church, Clifton will participate in a work mission trip in the summer of
2022! We are partnering with other United Methodist churches to attend a mission trip un-
der the United Methodist Action Reach-out Mission by Youth (U.M. ARMY) Program.
U.M ARMY provides Christ-centered missions that serve people in need and promotes spiritual
growth and leadership development in youth and young adults, similar to Central Texas Confer-
ence Youth in Mission (CTCYM). Our church’s group will participate in a High School & Mixed Age Mission
Team. The trip is open to youth who have completed grades 6-12 and adult volunteers.
If you would like to know more about U.M. ARMY, go to www.umarmy.org. Of course, it you have questions or
need more information, you may contact Richard or Pastor Mary Gean by email (fumcclifton@gmail.com) or
phone (254-675-3984). We have not yet selected the date.
Sermon by Phone
Don’t have a computer or internet access, but would like to hear the Sunday morning
sermon? We’ve got a solution for you! Sermon by Phone!
Dial 254-326-0100 to hear the latest uploaded worship message. It is a local call. No
long distance expense involved. We hope you’ll find this option a blessing! Try it out
and let us know what you think.
Page 7 DECEMBER 2021
Merry Christmas
from Sam & Susie Jo Beebes
The Greatest Gift
In December we will learn about the He wasn’t delivered by reindeer
Birth of Jesus. We will focus our studies Or a little man dressed in red.
and crafts on Christmas. His mother rode on a donkey
To give birth in a stable instead.
We will have a Christmas party complete with a
visit from Santa Claus on Tuesday, December 21 The fearful shepherds did watch in awe
at 10 am. As they sat with their flocks that night.
Lo the angels announced His birth
In the midst of a glorious light.
Preschool will be closed Dec. 22-27 for Christmas.
And the three wise men rode their camels
Memory Verse: From the East, a land so afar.
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” But they knew where they were going.
1 Timothy 1:15 They’d been told to follow the star.
Jennifer Dickens, Preschool Director King Herod was such an evil man;
Phone: 254-675-7722 He feared the babe in the manger.
Website: fumcclifton.com Mary and Joseph had to flee
Email: preschoolfumc@yahoo.com To avoid the eminent danger.
And so, as you enjoy this season,
Listen for his beckoning call.
For God sent the babe, His Son,
To be the loving Savior of all.
SJB-2021
Dec 2—Taylor Kleine Dec 19—Joshua Ramsey
Dec 4—Joshua Whitney Dec 19—Samantha Ramsey
A birthday should be happy Dec 5—Buster Mangham Dec 21—Carolyn Whitney
Just perfect through Dec 5—Bobbi Rhoden Dec 23—Allison Pinkerton
Dec 8—Jennifer Neimeier Dec 24—Eva Donner
and through Dec 14—Jordan Dickens Dec 25—Happy Birthday, Jesus!
Especially when the day belongs Dec 16—Frances Rose Dec 29—David Burden
To someone Dec 17—Frank Smith Dec 29—Rodney Joy
Dec 18—Noah Banuelos Dec 30—Doyle Fehler
as special as You! Dec 19—Robby Billman
Page 8 DECEMBER 2021
Worship Services Available on Website–
www.fumcclifton.com
Newsletter– December 2021 is covered in this newslet-
ter. The Clifton Connection is mailed and emailed to
members and is available on our website.
Facebook Page and Group—We have both a Facebook
page, which provides information and inspiration from
FUMC, and a Facebook group which is for members
and friends of FUMC to share information about what
is happening within and through the congregation.
Both may be accessed through your own Facebook ac- Student Ministry
count. Look for the Facebook Page, First United Meth-
odist Church of Clifton, Texas. “Like” and follow the Sunday School at 9:15 AM
page. Request to “join” the Facebook church group:
First United Methodist Church of Clifton Texas (no Kindergarten—1st Grade Class
comma). 2nd—5th Grade Class
Email Prayer Chain—To add someone to the prayer Youth Sunday School Class
chain, please contact Frances at 254-675-3984 or by
email at fumcclifton@gmail.com. To speak with Richard Hosey,
Email Announcements—If you are not receiving weekly the Director of Student and Family Ministry,
email announcements and would like to, contact call 254-675-3984 or
Frances in the church office. email him at RichardH.fumcclifton@gmail.com.
TEXT IN CHURCH. You may choose to have your
cell phone number added to a list of those who
wish to receive reminders about major events, no-
tices of changes, and emergency information.
SERMON BY PHONE. For those without computer
access to the live 10:30 AM worship service. Dial 254-
326-0100 to hear the latest sermon.
The Clifton Connection
is a bimonthly publication of
First United Methodist Church
located at 303 S. Avenue E, Clifton, Texas
Send correspondence to
PO Box 529, Clifton, Texas, 76634
Email: fumcclifton@gmail.com
Website: fumcclifton.com
(254) 675-3984
Page 9 DECEMBER 2021
Chancel Choir Rehearses on Wednesdays
Chancel Choir rehearsal are being held every Wednesday at 6:00 PM in the Sanctuary. Rehearsal
lasts about an hour. Members now sit in the choir loft on Sunday mornings, and it’s exciting to
have our choir back in the Chancel during worship.
If you'd like to join our choir or at least see what it's all about, then come to rehearsal. No audi-
tions necessary. No previous experience required. All adults are welcome to participate in the
Chancel Choir, which is just another way to worship the Lord!
If you have questions or need more information, kindly email Don Parrish, Music Director, at dparrish06@embarq-
mail.com or call him on his cell phone, 817-996-5354.
Jehovah jireh—God will provide ADONAI—Lord, Master Elohim—God
Jehovah Rapha—The Lord that Heals Jehovah Shalom—The Lord is Peace
El Olam—The Everlasting God Jehovah Nissi—The Lord My Banner Elohim—God
Jehovah Raah—The Lord My Shepherd El Elyon—The Most High God
On our church website, www.fumcclifton.com, there are a couple of wonderful resources available to you. On the left-hand side of our
home page, there are some links listed. All of them are valuable. Two that might not be obvious to you are RightNow and Amplify.
Each of those is a media service to which we subscribe. Each of them is a collection of videos - Bible and other studies from leading pas-
tors, theologians & teachers; presentations, lectures, speeches, humor, and children's programming. There are thousands of resources
available. Take a few minutes, go to our website, and check out Amplify and RightNow. The resources are there for you whenever you
want to access them. You might find the inspiration, assurance, uplift, challenge, or information you need.
Get your financial house in order. Ramsey Plus Financial…Go to fumcclifton.com and click on Ram-
sey Plus Financial.
PASTOR’S LIST OF OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE
Clifton Food Bank: The Food Bank is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 AM to Noon, and Sundays from 12:30 to 2:00 PM. Our
turn in the rotation of churches comes up about once a month. If you have questions or want to volunteer, please call or text me on my
cell 972-816-9143 or call at church 254-675-3984. I will get you hooked up.
Mobile Food Pantry & Food Box Distribution: If you can help with Mobile Food Pantry on the second Wednesday of every month at the
high school stadium, please let me know and I will give you more information. Same thing with the bi-monthly food box distribution.
Technical Skills Needed: If you have some technical skills, like putting together Zoom meetings, etc, and the Lord is calling you to use
those skills in God's service, please talk to me!
Do you have a heart for those laboring under a too-heavy burden of the hurts, habits, or hang-ups of life? Talk to me. You might be
somebody's lifeline. Look at Celebrate Recovery and see if that ministry speaks to you.
Fishing: If you enjoy fishing or other outdoor activities, art, cooking, automobile maintenance, gardening, or other pursuits, and God is
leading you to share that joy with a younger generation, talk to Richard or to me.
Are You Being Called to be part of the faith-wave which is building momentum out at sea right now? This time of Covid-19 shutdown
has pushed several marvelous opportunities to online platforms and made them accessible and affordable to us. Various ones of us have
been “attending” some of these online, there are other opportunities being offered. Let me know.
Page 10 DECEMBER 2021
Leah Demaree Douglas IMAGINATION Foundation
Founded in 2019, the Leah Demaree Douglas Imagination Foundation is committed to promot-
ing childhood literacy benefits in Bosque County by providing fun, engaging books to local
families with children under five years old. The Leah Demaree Douglas Imagination Founda-
tion helps create a love of reading and supporting early childhood development in Bosque
County by offering free books.
How does it work?
It sounds almost too simple to be true, but by reading regularly with your children during their
preschool years, you are giving them the biggest boost toward a successful education they will
ever get.
Leah Demaree Douglas Imagination Foundation has partnered with Dolly Parton’s Imagination
Library to help your child love to read just by having print books at home, reading yourself, and
setting aside time daily for your children to read. Every child will have books of their own, at
not cost to you, thanks to Leah Demaree Douglas Imagination Foundation and Dolly Parton.
Each month a new, carefully selected will be mailed in your child’s name directly to your home.
Your child can look forward to new and exciting reading adventures from the Imagination Library until they turn five
years old as long as you live within Bosque County.
The books are a gift to your child! All you have to do is read often to inspire a lifelong love of reading.
Who is eligible?
Children under the age of five living in Bosque county.
What are my responsibilities?
Be a resident of Bosque County.
Submit an official registration form, filled out by the authorized adult.
Notify Leah Demaree Douglas Imagination Foundation any time your address changes. Books are mailed to the
address listed on the account. Note: If your child’s address changes, you must contact the Foundation to continue
receiving books at support@LDDIF.org
Read with your child and have fun!
How do I register my child for this program?
Go to https://www.lddif.org/regstration/ and fill out the registration form.
When will I receive books?
Eight to ten weeks after your registration form has been received, books will begin arriving at your home and will
continue until your child turns five or you move out of Bosque County.
How can I help?
Do you know a preschool child in Bosque County? Give their caregiver a registration form and encourage them to fill
it out or go online to enroll. Telling them about this free-to-the-family program can make a huge difference in their
future.
If you know of a business, organization, or individual who would like to donate funds to support this program, dona-
tions can be made online (LDDIF.org) or mailed to the Leah Demaree Douglas Imaginations Foundation, PO Box 18,
Clifton, Texas, 76634.Page 11 DECEMBER 2021
SCAM ALERT
The Social Security Administration will never threaten, scare,
or pressure you to take an immediate action.
If you receive a call, text, or email that...
Threatens to suspend your Social Security number, even if they have part or all of your
Social Security number
Warns of arrest of legal action
Demands or requests immediate payment
Requires payment by gift card, prepaid debit card, internet currency, or by mailing cash
Pressures you for personal information
Requests secrecy
Threatens to seize your bank account
Promises to increase your Social Security benefit
Tries to gain your trust by providing fake "documentation," false "evidence," or the name of a real
government official
Do not give scammers money or
personal information – Ignore Them! ...it is a SCAM!
Protect yourself and others from Social Security-related scams
Try to stay calm. Do not provide anyone with money or personal information when you feel pressured,
threatened, or scared.
Hang up or ignore it. If you receive a suspicious call, text, or email, hang up or do not respond. Govern-
ment employees will not threaten you, demand immediate payment, or try to gain your trust by sending
you pictures or documents.
Report Social Security-related scams. If you receive a suspicious call, text, or email that mentions Social
Security, ignore it and report it to the SSA Office of the Inspector General (OIG). Do not be embarrassed if
you shared personal information or suffered a financial loss.
Get up-to-date information. Follow SSA OIG on Twitter @TheSSAOIG and Facebook @SSA Office of the
Inspector General for the latest information on Social Security-related scams. Visit the Federal Trade Com-
mission for information on other government scams.
Spread the word. Share your knowledge of Social Security-related scams. Post on social media using the
hashtag #SlamtheScam to share your experience and warn others. Visit oig.ssa.gov/scam for more infor-
mation. Please also share with your friends and family.Page 12 DECEMBER 2021
Bells Noel
North Pole Candles
Candy Cane Cards
Reindeer Santa
Celebrate Season
Chimney Sleigh
Christmas Joy
Rudolph Merry
Stocking Tree
Mistletoe
Wreath
Elves
Frosty
Gift
Giving
Greetings
Holiday
Jolly
How many words can you make from the
letters in Word Scramble
Merry Christmas ? 1. dnorewadnl
2. Escrogo
_____________________
_____________________
3. Asnat lacsu _____________________
4. Teesrnsp _____________________
5. Uhrdplo _____________________
6. Ejssu _____________________
Sunday, January 9 7. Mashcrist eert _____________________
at 10:30 AM 8. Gnwraipp _____________________
9. Yollh _____________________
We’re Celebrating Jan 9 10. Tooeicadrns _____________________
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