connections REACHING OUT...IT’S WHO WE ARE!

First United Methodist Church of Dothan Dr. James B. Sanders lll, Senior Pastor | December 19, 2019

Join us for Christmas Eve

Sunday Morning Worship | First Light Chapel Communion 8:15 | Sanctuary 8:55 and 11:00 l The Bridge 8:55

CHILDREN Sunday, December 22 • Children’s Choir Sings, Sanctuary, 8:55 and 11:00 • Rock Solid, 9:20 • Sunday School, 10:00 • No UMKF, Children’s Music, or Snack Supper - Christmas Break Wednesday, December 25 • NO ACTIVITIES - Christmas Break

Respite Volunteers and Care Partners are invited to join us for the annual TWEENS Sunday, December 22 • Sunday Morning Life Groups, 10:00 Respite Anniversary Luncheon Regular programming to resume Jan. 8th Follow us on IG: @tweensfumcdothan Friday, January 31 YOUTH FUMC Fellowship Hall Student Choir resumes Jan. 5th. UMYF resumes Jan. 5th. 11am-Noon, Speaker // Noon—1pm, Luncheon Youth Breakfast resumes Jan. 7th. Youth Bible Study resumes Jan. 8th. “Challenging Behaviors in Dementia” MARRIAGES GUEST SPEAKER: Dr. Rita Jablonski, Carolyne Dennis and Walton Ashwander were married Saturday in the sanctuary. UAB Memory Disorders Clinic Carolyne is the daughter of Mark and Cara Dennis. Contact Margaret at BIRTHS [email protected] or Lauren and Chris Gilbert announce the birth of a son, Dalton Reece Gilbert, born 793-3555 for reservations Dec. 3. Grandmother is Cherisa Hall.

JOYS AND CONCERNS United Methodist Women: Hospitalized: Amanda Slocumb First Meeting of the New Year Our sympathy to: John and Terri Turner due to the death of his January 7th // 11:45am Mother, Kathleen Turner. Fellowship Hall Thanks to all who came out to The Speaker: Cinda Raines to discuss the new prayer ministry at FUMC Promise of Christmas and Christmas with the Harbor. We had wonderful Cost of meal is $7, and all are invited to attend. Lunch reservations may fellowship and received many helpful be made on the attendance registry, calling the church office at donations. 793-3555, or emailing [email protected] Life Group Information Executive Committee Meeting 11:00 // Room 165 Join us in 2020 for a variety of small groups to help you learn and grow in the new year!

DAILY ADVENT

The Military Ministry Committee is looking DEVOTIONALS for names and addresses of any currently deployed service members from our congregation, or family members you know Text that are currently deployed. We’d like to @fumcadv send a care package on behalf of the to 81010 church.

Gene Burnett: [email protected] or Ryan Deaton: [email protected]

First United Methodist Church Office Hours | Monday through Thursday 7:30 to 5:30 | Friday 7:30 to 11:30

Telephone Numbers | Main Office 793.3555 | Daycare and Preschool 793.2179 | Christian Life Center 712.9223

END OF YEAR GIVING December has traditionally been a time when our community of faith has generously given to God’s work in and through our church. Before this year ends, we have the opportunity to faithfully support the wonderful breadth and scope of our life together by making generous contributions to our 2019 Ministry Plan. $182,761 given before December 31 will ensure the fulfillment of all our 2019 ministry dreams and obligations. As the pace of life speeds up around the holidays, you may find electronic giving a most welcome way to make contributions. Visit www.fumcdothan.org or call Carla Barnett at 944-3222 for more information. Thank you for your generosity!

STEP TO UPDATE As of Tuesday, December 17, there were 362 households who had already turned in a 2020 Step To Card. Thus far, our congregation has made financial commitments of $2,124,252.00 toward God’s work in and through our church in 2020. In 2020, our congregation has also committed to pray 566 times a week, participate in worship 3037 times, serve Christ through 1008 different ministry commitments, and invite 279 people to worship! Thanks to those who have

offered their 2020 Step To Cards and to all who will do so this week. UMCH White Christmas Offering: ~ Jim Sanders We have an opportunity to join in the ministry of the UMCH and

make a difference in the lives of countless children and families Pledged Funds Goal across Alabama and Florida. Gifts made by Dec. 31 will be matched to a certain amount by a generous family in our church. $2,507,502.

_____ $2,500,000 _____ $2,250,000 Vital Conversations: $2,124,252.00 Meaningful Conversations on Race ______$2,000,000 _____ $1,750,000 ______$1,500,000 Join us as we take part in guided table talks on race, _____ $1,250,000 culture, and justice. ______$1,000,000 _____ $750,000 ______$500,000 Saturday, February 1 // 9am-11am _____ $250,000 Robertsdale UMC ______$0 Tuesday, February 4 // 6pm-8pm St. Mark UMC (Pensacola) Monday, February 17 // 6pm-8pm Dothan First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall Sunday, March 1 //4:30pm-6:30pm Auburn United Methodist Church

Weekend Emergency Pastor on Call Telephone 334.796.9937 | Friday @ 11:30 a.m. until Monday @ 7:30 a.m. First United POSTMASTER Connections: Methodist Church (USSR 199-080) Published weekly except 4th of July week 1380 West Main and Christmas week by the Dothan, AL First United Methodist Church 1380 West Main Street, Dothan, Alabama 36301 Postmaster: Send Address Changes to First United Methodist Church • • • • • 1380 West Main Street www.fumcdothan.org Dothan, AL 36301 334.793.3555

Volume 9 Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World! 12/19/19 Issue 50

GIFTS AND MEMORIALS

Honorarium Memorial Marie Johnson Susan Hart Paul & Dolores Angeloff Charlie & Nancy McDaniel Ann & Charles Baker Sha’nah Martin Judy Harris Roy Watford Rosalyn Timbie Leanne & Page Todd Mc Daniel & Associates, P.C. Gloria Sorrells Philip & Debra Dozier Neil & Jane Shelor Martha Brennan Brenda & Don Mendheim Leanne & Page Todd Jan Rollins Roslayn Timbie Leanne & Page Todd Paeske Family Trust Jim Mincey Rob & Wanda Emblom Cindy & Clay Torbert Sue Bridges Jan Rollins Judy Harris Jan Rollins Danna & James Holland Jean Allen James Sawyer, III Warren Rollins Nancy Harrell George & Mary Alice Veale Mary Kaye & Dan Bailey Gloria Sorrells Leanne & Page Todd Jan Rollins Jan Rollins Sandra & Eustace Bishop Mary Ann & Marbury Spann Manning Sanders Ron & Nancy Harrell George & Debby Wilson Children of C.M. Clements Mitzi & William Watson Leanne & Page Todd Rosalyn Timbie Jan Rollins Dorothy Clark Jane Williams Marion Spivey Jim & Danna Holland Iris Anne Wilson Betty Coleman Jane & Tom Ziegenfelder Leanne & Page Todd Clay & Cindy Torbert Rosalyn Timbie Martha & Bob Cooper Randy Church Marcene Taylor Jean Hufham Steve & Annette Wilson Gail Fain Adee Leanne & Page Todd Leanne & Page Todd Roy Watford Jan Rollins Hank & Susan Gerards Sue Cobb Cos Thagard Jeannine Jones Debbie & Tim Gilmore Judy Harris Mary Ann & Marbury Spann Roy Watford Judy Harris Leanne & Page Todd Catherine Waid Alan & Susan Livingston Ruth & Rabon Harrison Betty Gaines Leanne & Page Todd Rosalyn Timbie Susan & Pervis Hester New Beginnings Class Lenore Hilbert Fred Garrett Sherry Hyche Leanne & Page Todd

WEEK AT A GLANCE

Sunday, December 22 8:15-8:45 First Light Communion (Chapel) Thursday, December 26 8:55-11:00 The Gathering OFFICE AND CLC CLOSED 8:55 Sanctuary Worship 8:55 The Bridge Worship (Fellowship Hall) 10:00-10:50 Sunday School for all ages Friday, December 27 11:00-12:00 Sanctuary Worship 8:00-5:00 Gym Open

Monday, December 23 8:00-7:00 Gym Open 9:00-11:30 In Christ’s Name (Room 134) 10:00-2:00 Respite Care (Rooms 152, 153, 154, 158) 1:30-3:00 Ladies Fellowship Bible Study (Room 131)

CHRISTMAS EVE Tuesday, December 24th 2:30 Experience Bethlehem (Fellowship Hall) 4:00 Traditional Candlelight Service (Sanctuary) 5:00-6:00 Come and Go Communion (Chapel) 5:30 Traditional Candlelight Service (Sanctuary)

CHRISTMAS Wednesday, December 25 OFFICE AND CLC CLOSED

1380 West Main l Dothan, AL 36301 l www.fumcdothan.org l 334.793.3555 l Public WiFi: fumC1380!