Greetings!

As we continue through November, we are reminded of the many ways God calls us to come together in worship, OFFER our gifts, and share His love with others.

Tonight at 6:30 PM, join us in the Fellowship Hall for our Crystal Coast District Worship as we come together with fellow believers in GMC churches in our area.

Saturday at 10:00 AM, wear your PJs for the Operation Christmas Child Pajama Packing Party taking place in the Atrium.

This Sunday, we continue our Seeds of Generosity series with our second focus, Offer, based on Mark 14:3–9. Pastor Sarah will bring the message in the Sanctuary, and Pastor Earl will preach in The Rise.

Thank you for all the Pledge Cards that have been returned to the church office and online. On November 22, we will come together in prayer over the commitments made and the work God will accomplish through our generosity in 2027. Click here to Submit Pledge

Mark your calendars:

(click for quick link)

Nov 12 - Crystal Coast District Worship

Nov 14 - OCC Packing Party

Nov 17 - Annual Charge Conference

Nov 18 - WaveRunners Trolley Tour

Nov 21 - Busch Gardens Youth Retreat

Nov 22 - Decorate the Chrismon Tree

Nov 29 - Kids Family Advent Night

Dec 5 - Singing Christmas Tree

Dec 6 - Lovefeast and Candlelight Service

Dec 7 - Orchestra Concert

Dec 13 - Chancel Choir Cantata

Dec 13 - Journey to Bethlehem

Dec 19 - Christmas Cheer Delivery

Dec 20 - Sing Christmas in The Rise

Dec 20 - Christmas Caroling

Dec 28 - Red Cross Blood Drive

YOUTH & KIDS

SUNDAY NIGHTS

5:30-7:00PM

NOV 15

• High School - Meet at church and go together to shop for Operation Christmas Child
• Middle School - Pack boxes at the church in The Loft
• Kids K-5 - Regular schedule (pack boxes on 11/22)

FAMILY ADVENT NIGHT

SUNDAY, NOV 29

Kids Family Advent Night has become a special tradition at First Methodist! We invite all of our Kids Ministry families to join us on Sunday, November 29, at 5:30 PM as we kick off the Advent season together and prepare our hearts for the celebration of Jesus' birth. Please make sure to register!

Register Here!

MEET & GREET WITH AUSTIN AND AMANDA

Come meet Austin, our new Director of Youth Ministry, and his wife, Amanda, on Sunday, November 15, at 5:30 PM in the Sanctuary! Everyone is invited to get to know Austin and Amanda while giving them an opportunity to meet you.

KIDS CHOIR

Kids Choir continues to learn music on Sunday mornings following the 9:45 Rise Service in the Kids Choir Room on the first floor of the Wallace building. We welcome new members throughout the year. The choir will sing during the Traditional Service at 11:00am on December 6th.

YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Donuts in the Loft! Middle and high school students, join us for Sunday School! We are excited that Youth Sunday School has started for our middle and high school students, led by Heath and Kathryn Carroll and Kevin and Mary Elaine Knight. Youth will worship together during the 9:45am Rise service. After the children’s message, students will head out for their own time of fellowship and devotion.

CHICK FIL A

Pastor Sarah leads small group with the high school youth at Chick Fil A on Thursday mornings. Join her text thread at 910-389-8584 to be in the loop with communications.

YOUTH RETREAT

NOV 21ST

The retreat to Busch Gardens is full and registration is closed. If you have registered for the trip you will be receiving details soon. Please be in pray for our youth and chaperones.

FIRST METHODIST TAKES FIRST!

Congratulations to Fletcher Polk, Jim Matthews, Linwood Brown, and John Boney for bringing home first place in the Habitat for Humanity Golf Tournament with an impressive score of 30 under par! Even better, the tournament raised $35,000 for Habitat for Humanity, helping support its mission of providing safe, affordable housing for families in our community.

ELC MUSIC WALLS IN MEMORY

OF LISA KITTRELL

Congratulations to Cooper for delivering his completed Sound Board Eagle Project to the Early Learning Center at First Methodist Church today! Several scouts from both Troop 8986 and 247 joined in on the fun and brought instruments to play and share with the children. Cooper first presented this project to Mrs. Lisa K. on Veterans Day last year. A special thank you to Jeanne Huntley for helping bring his vision to life and seeing this meaningful project through to completion!

CONGRATS TO PASTOR SARAH!

We are excited to share that Pastor Sarah has been appointed as Chair of the Board of Ministry of the NC Conference for the Global Methodist Church. Our annual conference covers our whole state and includes 406 churches and 325 active and retired clergy people. In addition, there are 148 candidates still working through the process to become ordained. The BOM is responsible for helping individuals discern and pursue a call to ministry which is done by evaluating theology and leadership skills in our candidates. In addition, becoming chair of the BOM also includes becoming a part of the strategic leadership team that meets monthly to make decisions about the function and future of our conference. 

CHRISTMAS CHEER

We have families to adopt through Project Christmas Cheer! Stop by the Atrium on Sunday where you can adopt a family and learn how you can share the joy of Christmas. Our church adopts around 50 families each year. Delivery day is December 19th. Contact Maria McLaughlin, Gini Winstead or Doris Wade if you have any questions. If you would like to serve by helping with the family adoptions on Sunday mornings or help in the Fellowship Hall the week before delivery day, please click the link below.



Click to Help with Family Adoptions

GMC CRYSTAL COAST DISTRICT

WORSHIP - NOV 12

The Crystal Coast District of the Global Methodist Church is hosting Worship on Thurs, Nov 12th at 6:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. One of the beautiful things about being part of the Global Methodist Church is the connection we share with fellow believers and congregations beyond our own walls but in our coastal area. We are especially honored to welcome Kari Howard, Conference Superintendent for North Carolina, as we gathered in worship. 

EMMAUS REUNION GROUP

THUR, NOV 12

The Emmaus Reunion Group is open to those who have completed The Walk to Emmaus, Cursio or Chrysalis. We will meet the second Thursday of each month from 4:00-5:00 for fellowship and a Fourth Day service and communion. 

Please contact Susan Santoli for additional information at coachsps@bellsouth.net or 251-709-1581.

Information about the Coastal Carolina Emmaus group can be found at ccemmaus.org and you can be added to the email list by contacting the Registrar at Registrar@ccemmaus.org. 

OPERATION CHRISTMAS

PACKING PARTY - NOV 14

Pajama packing party! Wear your Christmas PJs and join us for the OCC Shoebox packing party on Saturday, Nov. 14th at 10:00am in the Atrium. OCC boxes are also available throughout the church for you to pick up and pack your own! Fill a box with gifts and essentials that will help share God’s love with a child around the world.

ANNUAL CHARGE

CONFERENCE - NOV 17

First Methodist's Annual Charge Conference will be held on Tuesday, November 17th, at 6:00pm. The Charge Conference is the primary governing and accountability meeting of a local church. All church members are encouraged to attend as we reflect on the work God is doing through First Methodist and look ahead to the year to come.

WAVERUNNERS

NEW BERN TROLLEY TOUR

WED, NOV 18

The Trolley Tour trip is currently full. We’ll leave the church at 10:30 AM and enjoy lunch at Persimmons Waterfront Restaurant at 12:00 PM. At 2:00 PM, we’ll board the trolley for a 90-minute guided tour of historic New Bern. The cost is $20 per person and is non-refundable. The deadline to sign up is November 12th.

SOJOURNERS

BEHOLD THE SAVIOR

THUR, NOV 19

As we think about preparing for the holidays, we invite you to prepare your hearts for Advent with a 4 week Bible study of Chapters 1 and 2 in Luke. We will meet in the Stanley Harrell Room at 10:00 on Nov 19, Dec 3, Dec 10 and Dec 17. We will use the book, Behold the Savior by Lifeway Women. It can be ordered through Amazon or Lifeway. There is no video. Plan to join us!



Register for Advent Study

Order Book from Amazon Here

Order Book from Lifeway Here

DECORATE THE

CHRISMON TREE

SUN, NOV 22

Mark your calendar to decorate the Chrismon Tree, Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall on Sunday, November 22nd at 12:00pm in preparation for the Advent season. Lunch will be provided.

WAVERUNNERS

SINGING CHRISTMAS TREE

WED, DEC 5

Open to all Church Members. Join us for the Singing Christmas Tree at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church in Fayetteville on December 5! We’ll leave the church at 10:30 AM, stop for lunch in Kinston, and attend the show at 4:30 PM. Register online or in the church office. Deadline for tickets is November 10th.



Register for Singing Christmas Tree

MORAVIAN LOVEFEAST

SUN, DEC 6

Experience the Moravian Lovefeast and Candlelight Service on Sunday, December 6, at 6:00 PM in the Sanctuary. This tradition brings us together for sweetened coffee and authentic Moravian buns, accompanied by Christmas carols and lighted candles wrapped in red ribbon.

ORCHESTRA CONCERT

MON, DEC 7

Join us for a magical evening of music featuring youth and adults from both our church family and community as the Merrytime Community Orchestra performs on Monday, December 7th at 6:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. It’s the perfect way to kick off the holiday season! 

BLOOD DRIVE

MON, DEC 28

Give something that means something. Give Blood and receive an exclusive Red Cross Long Sleeve T-Shirt.



Register for Blood Drive

WAVERUNNERS

CHINESE LANTERN FESTIVAL

TUE, JAN 5

Join the WaveRunners for a trip to the Chinese Lantern Festival in Cary, NC, on Tuesday, January 5! We will depart the church at 11:30 AM, enjoy lunch along the way, and arrive when the gates open at 4:30 PM to experience the beautiful illuminated lantern displays. The cost is $28 per person, and the deadline to sign up is December 28th.

Register for Chinese Lantern Festival

BEHOLD! THE SEASON IS COMING

Nov 29 - 5:30pm

Kids Family Advent Night

Dec 6 - 6:00pm

Lovefeast and Candlelight Service

Dec 7 - 6:30pm

Orchestra Concert

Dec 13 - 8:30 & 11:00am

Chancel Choir Cantata

Dec 13 - 6:00-7:00pm

Journey to Bethlehem

Dec 19 - 10:00am

Christmas Cheer Delivery

Dec 20 - 8:30 & 9:45am

Sing Christmas at The Rise

Dec 20 - 3:00-5:00pm

Christmas Caroling

Dec 24 - 4:00, 5:00, 7:00, 11:00pm

Christmas Eve Services

A LOOK BACK AT GENERAL CONFERENCE

Pastor Earl and Pastor Sarah shared highlights from the Global Methodist Church General Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, during a special lunch gathering. They provided insight into the decisions made at General Conference and shared their experiences worshiping alongside delegates from around the world. If you missed the presentation or would like to revisit it, we invite you to watch the video and explore the links below for handouts and additional information.

Link to Book of Discipline, Articles of Faith and Draft Liturgies:

https://www.globalmethodist.org/our-beliefs---governance

CHURCH COUNCIL

The Church Council is the main leadership body that guides the overall ministry and mission of the congregation. Members of the Church Council includes the pastors, lay leaders, and the church council chair, along with representatives from major ministry areas such as worship, discipleship, missions, finance, and trustees. Click the link below to read minutes from the most recent meeting.

ALTAR FLOWERS

THE FLOWERS AT THE ALTAR are dedicated to the glory of God and given in loving memory of Carol Andrews Southerland, by her husband, Ike.

MEMORIAL GIFTS

Memorial Gifts were given  in memory of Becky Lail, Prentiss Scott and Mildred Lancaster. Through the generosity of family and friends, the memory of those we love continues to make a difference in the life of our church and community.

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL

We are excited to welcome new members to our Adult Sunday School Classes! Classes are open throughout the year and meet at 9:45am on the second floor of the atrium building. To find the classes, simply use the stairs or elevator and follow the hallway to the office reception area. From there, take the hallway to the left and you will find the following Sunday school classes in the order listed below:

Library - Jackie Eure Class: Vivian Forehand

Classroom 1 - Faith and Life: Fletcher Poulk

Classroom 3 - Buck Matthews Class: Diane Hardee

Classroom 4 - Stanley Harrell Class: Stanley Harrell

Large Conf Room - Bible Study Class: Jay Smith

We hope you will join us for a time of learning and fellowship!

WEDDING CELEBRATION

OF FLETCHER AND LIZA

Fletcher Poulk and Liza Baker have invited our church family to share in the joy of their wedding ceremony via livestream on Sunday, November 15th following the 11:00am worship service. Click here to view.

Our Church Leadership Roster, including those who faithfully serve on our committees, is now available for you to view. We are grateful for each person who serves and helps lead our church community.

Carolina East Singers Present Annual Christmas Concert

The Carolina East Singers, under the direction of Susan Gillis Bailey, will present their annual Christmas Concert on Saturday, December 5, and Sunday, December 6, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Morehead City.

This year’s concert will feature the 50+ voice choir John Rutter’s Magnificat along with many other seasonal favorites. The choir will be accompanied by a live orchestra, making this a festive and uplifting holiday event for all ages.

Tickets are $10.00 and may be purchased from any choir member or at the following local businesses:

• Morehead City: First Presbyterian Church, Sea Paws, The Pool and Patio Store and Williams Hardware
• Beaufort: Pet Provisions

Come join the Carolina East Singers as they celebrate the joy of the Christmas season through music!