The Story January 2021 - First United Methodist Church, Lexington, NC
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The Story
January 2021
310 S. Main Street • www.fumclex.org • 336-248-2886
Welcoming the New Year First UMC receives 15 Year Service Award from
Whew! What a crazy year it has been! Never in our Operation Christmas Child
lives have we lived through such a year—pandemic, The Carolinas Regional Office of Operation Christmas
protests and politics have affected our lives like never Child is celebrating 15 years of partnership together as
before. I’m sure I’m not alone in looking forward to our church has faithfully served as an OCC Drop-off
midnight on January 31, and yet we all know the issues location. Over the past 15 years, First UMC has been
of 2020 won’t magically disappear with the striking of instrumental in collecting 35,654 shoeboxes in our local
the clock. How we approach 2021 will make all the area. 35,654 children are grateful for the part you have
difference, and what better way to begin than reflecting played in their shoebox story!
on the gifts that Christmas brings. I am reminded of a
poem by the great modern mystic, Howard Thurman, You are invited to stop by
entitled The Work of Christmas…. the display case in the
When the song of the angels is stilled, Reception Area to view
when the star in the sky is gone, the statue and read the
when the kings and princes are home, letter from the Carolinas
when the shepherds are back with their flock, Regional Office of Operation
the work of Christmas begins: Christmas Child.
To find the lost,
to heal the broken, Thank you, Judy Deal, our
to feed the hungry, shoebox lady, for your
to release the prisoner, years of service with this
to rebuild the nations, annual campaign.
to bring peace among others,
to make music in the heart.
Even as people around the world are taking down their Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!
Christmas decorations and turning into the new year As we come to the end of a tumultuous year, Kirk and I
with hope for better days, we as Christians know the would like to take a moment to simply say, “Thank
work of Christmas is just beginning. It’s up to us to live you!” To say this has been an appointment change like
out the promise of the prophets, to believe in the power no other would be an understatement, and yet you all
of the Christ child, to manifest the justice and peace of have been nothing but supportive, helpful, caring and
God’s kingdom. As we anticipate the light at the end of gracious during our move to Lexington and First UMC.
the pandemic tunnel, let’s continue to care for one This Christmas we have been truly blessed, and would
another by wearing our masks, checking on our neighbors, like to take this opportunity to thank you for all the
and praying with those who mourn. Let’s roll up our cards, gifts and goodies you have brought us. We are
sleeves to get our vaccines, but also to get to work in looking forward to the New Year and to the new
our community. How can we as a church be a light to opportunities that lie before us as the body of Christ in
the people around us? How can we find, heal, feed, re- this community. Merry Christmas to you all, and may
lease, rebuild, bring peace and make music? How can the spirit of peace and love the Christ child brings
we, like Jesus, restore and make whole? It’s 2021—let remain with you and yours throughout the new year.
the work of Christmas begin!
Blessings,
New Year Blessings, Cheryl & Kirk
Pastor Cheryl
Operation Christmas Child 2020 Update Luminaries for the Foster Children
Submitted by Judy Deal First UMC received $500.00 in donations for the
The total of Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes luminaries benefitting the Foster Elves project.
collected for 2020 from First UMC was 117. Due to
the pandemic, I think this is a wonderful total. 117 Thank you to the Teens
children will receive a special gift and the chance to of Life Youth Ministry for
learn about God and his love from our shoeboxes. preparing and placing the
luminaries in honor of the
The total of Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes foster children in our
received by our Relay Center at FUMC for 2020 was community on Sunday,
1,959. This number was down by about 400 for our December 6.
area but once again, with the pandemic and the number
of churches who were unable to participate or who Thank you for your
participated but didn't have as many shoeboxes, we are support!
grateful for each shoebox.
Our Changing Lives...A Quarter At A Time campaign
was a success even with the pandemic. OCC shoe- Flower Calendar for the Altar and Narthex 2021
boxes were filled with these monies that would not The flower calendar is displayed on the
have been filled otherwise. bulletin board in the main hallway. You
Based on the success of this campaign, we will continue are invited to sign up as soon as possible
collecting quarters in 2021. You may pick up a medicine to place flowers on either the altar or in
bottle on the table near the workroom or use a the narthex in honor or in memory of a
medicine bottle and any container/bag you may have at loved one, celebration or event. Please
home to collect your quarters in. Turn in those monies contact Donna Huskins regarding the
to Judy Deal at any time. information to be printed in the bulletin
for the date(s) selected.
In addition to the quarters, we will be collecting monies
this year in a new way (found out about this from one of
our newer members). Take a look at your folding money Nominations Report 2021
($1, $5, $10, etc.) and in the serial number if there is a The report lists all persons serving on Church
"0" or "O", a "C", an "S" or a star, save that money and Council and ALL teams within the church and
donate it to Judy Deal at any point. It will be a fun way can be found in the display racks located at the
to collect even more money to fill Operation Christmas entrances of 4th Avenue and State Street. You
Child shoeboxes for 2021. may view/print the report from our website—click the
Members tab and enter the password. Please contact
As you know, a simple gift such as your shoebox can Donna Huskins by email: dhuskins@firstumclex.org
change a life! Thank you for your continued support of or phone (336) 248-2886 to receive the password.
Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. If you have any
questions, feel free to contact Judy Deal (336) 956-
6150. Wednesday Prayer Gathering at NOON
Returns on January 13th! Please wear a mask and
Adult Sunday School Quarterlies are located in the enter the sanctuary at the 4th Avenue entrance. Wash
Reception Area on a table beside of Donna’s office. your hands as you enter and allow the usher to show you
These are for December, January, and February. Please to a socially distanced seat. When the
pick up your copy Monday-Friday during office hours. service has ended, you will be asked by
the usher to leave one pew at a time.
2021 Tithing Envelopes are available Only remove your masks once you are
for pick-up in the main hallway just outside safely in your vehicle.
of the workroom. Gentle reminder:
Please destroy all previous years of
envelopes and use the current year
envelopes to reduce the chance of
errors occurring.
JANUARY 2021 CALENDAR
Worship Weekly Meetings Monthly Meetings Events
Adult Sunday School Prayer Breakfast United Methodist No events scheduled.
Join us Sundays on Zoom! Wednesdays Women
9:30a Adult Fellowship Email and regular mail with Thursday, January 14 (2p)
9:30a Agape devotion. Join us on Zoom & Fellowship
10:00a Faith & Friends Hall (10 person capacity)
9:30a Genesis Mid-Week Prayer
9:30a Koinonia Gathering Newsletter Articles Due
9:30a Spruill/Wesley Beginning January 13th January 15 for February
Wednesdays (12 noon) Issue
The Adult Sunday School Sanctuary
directory is located on: Member Care
• Weekly Reminder email Weekly Reminder Sunday, January 17 (2p)
Check your email on Fridays (2p) Join us on Zoom & Fellowship
Friday afternoon Check your email Hall (10 person capacity)
• Website — Members tab
• Click Serve meal at Crisis
• Enter password Ministries
• Scroll down Tuesday, January 19 (5:45p)
Missions Team
*In-Person Morning Contact: Kim Miller
Worship
Each Sunday (11:00a) United Methodist Men
Sanctuary Thursday, January 21 (7p)
*Due to COVID-19 social Join us on Zoom!
distancing & indoor capacity
guidelines, contact the Church Office Closed
church office weekly to Monday, January 18 for
make reservations.* The Rev. Martin Luther
King, Jr.’s Birthday
View Sunday Morning Observance
Worship Services LIVE
You can find us on: Church Council
• Website (Click BIG Sunday, January 31 (4p)
Banner—Sermons on Join us on Zoom!
YouTube)
• YouTube LIVE at 11:00a
Search for:
First UMC Lexington NC
Bulletin
You can view or print from: FUMC Inclement Weather Policy For events during the week, if
• Weekly Reminder email the Lexington City Schools are dismissed early or closed for winter
• Website (Click BIG weather, all activities, day and evening, will be canceled. If a decision
Banner—Sermons on is made to cancel Sunday morning services and/or evening events, the
YouTube) announcement will be posted as soon as possible.
—————
If you don’t have access to Look for closing and/or cancellation announcements on WFMY 2, FOX 8,
a computer? WXII 12, Facebook and www.fumclex.org.
• Contact the church At the heart of this policy is a deep concern and care for the safety of our members, friends
office to sign-up for the and staff. And as always, we encourage everyone to use their best judgment when making the
Weekly Mailer—a bul- decision to venture out.
letin with the sermon
manuscript
Calendar Events are subject to change—Refer to the Weekly Calendar in the bulletin or visit us on the web at www.fumclex.org
Our Stewardship for God’s Work Everyone is a part of
God’s stewardship. You may send your tithes and offerings by
mail, drop by the church office and
online.
Online Giving For mobile
device users, the QR (Quick
Response) code will take you to a
secure mobile site for Online Giving
from your smartphone or tablet.
On your first visit, you will need
to create a profile.
Finance Team Income and Expense Report
Date YTD Income YTD Expenses Net Income (Loss)
12/6/2020 $434,538.88 $454,626.63 ($20,087.75)
12/13/2020 $440,418.88 $460,653.63 ($20,234.75)
12/20/2020 $455,129.31 $469,182.66 ($14,053.35)
12/27/2020 $463,852.99 $484,599.88 ($20,746.89)
Church Staff Kimberly Leonard, Nursery Staff
Rev. Cheryl Skinner, Minister Kelly Leonard, Nursery Staff
skinnerrev@hotmail.com Jill Michener, Nursery Staff
Rev. Kirk Tutterow, Minister Claire Norris, Nursery Staff
kingtutt65@gmail.com Alma Carlton
Lee Mabe Financial Secretary
Director of Music and Youth acarlton@firstumclex.org
maestromabe@gmail.com Donna Huskins
Phyllis Jones Administrative Assistant
Organist dhuskins@firstumclex.org
musician@att.net
Amanda Bostick
Children’s Ministries Coordinator
aebostick@gmail.com
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