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First United Methodist Church
of Longview
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Be sure to "like" and "follow" us on social media! |
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The Voice
December 15, 2021
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It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! The Haverty's warehouse is filled with presents, and volunteers are shopping, checking bags, assembling toys, and checking each list twice. This year the Haverty's/Newgate Angel Tree is serving 159 families with 470 children ranging in ages from newborns to teenagers. You may not know it, but the Haverty's/Newgate Angel Tree is the only Christmas organization in Longview that serves children over the age of 13 years as long as they are enrolled in school.
While all the toys make the warehouse look very festive, the generous hearts bring the true Christmas spirit. So many volunteers give their time to deliver bags each year and are blessed with smiling faces as they unload the red bags. Other volunteers take the time to select just the right gift to brighten a child's day. All of this is a lot of work, especially the week before Christmas, but we find ourselves stepping into the true Christmas spirit by giving of time and resources. Giving when nothing is expected in return brings us closer to the Christ child and the command to love our neighbor.
However, the needs of our community do not magically disappear on December 26, and neither should our Christmas spirit. Christmas is not something to be packed away with the tree and decorations but should be lived all year. To keep the Christmas spirit throughout the year, find an activity each month that allows you to give yourself. For instance, you could join the FUMC Care Team and visit a church member in assisted living each month. Or you could read to the children at Asbury House, be a mentor to a student at Terrific Tuesday, cook for the youth group, or teach a child's Sunday school class. Whenever you give your time and heart to help someone else, you find yourself back in the stable, sharing the joy of Christmas with all you meet.
If you need a little help finding the Christmas spirit this week, turn off the Hallmark channel, put away the cookies, and head down to the Haverty's warehouse. We start delivering those red bags on Wednesday, December 15, and with all those smiling faces, you are sure to find the Christmas spirit that is more about giving and takes us a little closer to Christ.
In Christ,
Pastor Romnie
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Pistons, Reeds, and Pipes - Bach’s Lunch Concert |
FUMC is hosting a Bach’s Lunch Concert in the Sanctuary on Friday, December 17, 12:20-1:00 PM.
Featuring a trio of talented musicians from East Texas Baptist University, “Pistons, Reeds, and Pipes” will perform an exciting program of festive music to celebrate the joy of Christmas! Please plan to join us!
Admission to this event is free!
The Bach’s Lunch Concert Series is sponsored by the Longview Symphony Orchestra.
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Volunteers needed for the Haverty's/Newgate Angel Tree
We are in need of shoppers and warehouse/delivery volunteers for the week of December 13-18. Contact Pastor Romnie to sign up or for more information.
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We will be having a Confirmation parent meeting on Sunday, January 9th at 9:40 AM in the Purple Room. Please let Jana know if you will be unable to attend! |
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All children in grades 2-5 are invited to participate as an acolyte during Beacon Worship. Parents, please check your calendars and click here to sign your acolyte(s) up to serve! This will allow us to print their names in the bulletin each Sunday. Email Jana at jana@lvfumc.org with questions.
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Children's Wednesday Night Live will resume on January 12 with a kickoff event! Regular meetings for children ages pre-k through fifth grade - including music, dinner, and other activities - will begin on January 19. The children's evening begins at 6:00 PM with music, followed by dinner and activities ending at 7:30 PM. An average of 45 children join us each week, and volunteers are needed to assist with dinner and activities. We welcome all volunteers, and parents are encouraged to volunteer once a month for WNL. If you'd like to volunteer for one or multiple evenings, click here. This link allows you to select the date and age group you'd like to work with. You can be sure to be blessed in your time spent with our children as you guide them on their faith journeys and build important relationships within our church family! |
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Save the Date!
The Rise East Texas Youth Conference 2022 will be January 28 & 29. More details to come soon!
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The Haverty's/Newgate Angel Tree wishlists are LIVE on our website! We hope you will consider adopting a wishlist this year. Click the buttons below to visit our website or Facebook page. |
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Spring Semester Terrific Tuesday Volunteers Needed! |
Interested in doing something fulfilling? Want to make a difference in the life of a child? Interested in a free supply of hugs and smiles? Sign up to volunteer with the spring semester of Terrific Tuesday! Click the button below to sign up or contact Pastor Romnie at romnie@lvfumc.org for more information. |
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Life Together at FUMC Longview |
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Genesis Class Sock Tree 2021
Each Christmas, the Genesis Sunday School Class sponsors the Sock Tree in the Church office. Your gifts of socks, underwear, gloves, mittens, etc. for preschool and school-age children are distributed between Asbury House (children 3-5 years) and The Methodist Home in Waco (children 12-18 years). Also, Asbury House has indicated that Walmart gift cards in $10 or $20 increments would be welcome to be distributed to the parents of the Asbury pupils.
Please bring your donations to the Church Office and place them under the Christmas Tree in the office through December 24th.
Thank you for your support and gifts!
-Genesis Sunday School Class
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Our 2022 Mission Recipient is Longview PAWS, the 501c3 nonprofit, benefitting the Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center and the animals of Gregg County. More details on their mission and ways to support them will be included in your print invitation coming early January, so keep an eye on your mail! |
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If you or someone you know is sick or hospitalized and is unable to attend worship with us, please let us know!
Contact the church office at 903-753-4463 or email us at info@lvfumc.org
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To submit an article for The Voice, please email Megan Hopper at megan@lvfumc.org. Info must be submitted by Friday at
5 PM in order to be in next week's edition of The Voice.
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First United Methodist Church of Longview
400 N. Fredonia St. Longview, Texas 75601
Tel: (903) 753.4463
Email: info@lvfumc.org
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