First United Methodist Church
of Longview
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The Voice
November 11, 2020
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

The Advent Season is upon us. We have a fun and engaging Advent experience planned for families of all ages: The Manger Project - an opportunity for families to prepare their hearts and minds for Christmas. There will be manger building in the Faith Center, Christmas cookies and a hot chocolate bar in the Heritage Room, and gingerbread house decorating in the Cook Foyer. We will be providing the gingerbread houses, but ask that you bring decorating supplies from home. You will also receive an Advent calendar for your children, complete with parent prompts for meaningful discussion each day. This is a come and go event, and feel free to participate in one or all of the stations! All of the manger building supplies will be provided; we just ask that you bring your own hammer from home.

You will take the manger home with you as a constant reminder of Jesus' birth in the days leading up to Christmas. Throughout Advent, we encourage you and your child(ren) to fill the manger with items that an infant or young child could use (i.e., diapers, pull-ups, baby food, etc.) and continually pray for the child that will receive these items. Bring your filled manger to the Children's Christmas Eve worship service as an offering or drop it by the church office any time during Advent. These mangers and the items will be delivered to local women's and children's shelters, including Mercy Manor, Highway 80, House of Hope, and Buckner Women's and Children's. The mangers will act as a reminder of Christmas's true meaning, and they will feel the love from the community when they receive this unexpected blessing.

We look forward to safely gathering together on Sunday, November 29th. There are limited spots available as we will be enforcing social distancing. Please visit manger.lvfumc.org or the sign-up section of the church app to register for The Manger Project. Please contact Loren Buchanan with any questions at 903-753-4463 or [email protected].

Prayers for health and safety for each of you. 
In Christ,
Loren Buchanan
Where are you connected?
This past Sunday was Open Membership Sunday - and we were overjoyed to add 10 new members to our church family! If you see these new members around, be sure to give them a bit FUMC welcome!
Duane and Janet Bielling
Sean and Kennedy Stacy
Preston and Erika Rader with children Abigail and Benjamin.
Marion Phillips
Not pictured: Sarah Carr.
Join us beginning November 29 for our Advent Worship series, "Views of Good News" in all worship services!
Due to possible COVID-19 exposure, the Color War and all youth activities through November 28th are CANCELLED. Contact Janice with any questions.
We hope to reschedule the Color War in the spring.
Mark your calendars for Hanging of the Greens 2020!

This year, Hanging of the Greens will be on November 29th. Please note that this is the Sunday after Thanksgiving. High school seniors will have the opportunity to be a part of this special worship service.

There will be a rehearsal at 3:00 PM on Saturday, November 28 in the Sanctuary. We strongly encourage attendance at this only rehearsal.
GOBBLE WOBBLE IS GOING VIRTUAL!
As is called for during these times, Newgate Mission's annual Gobble Wobble event will be going virtual this year. Although they love the fellowship and community gathering the event provides, they are dedicated to the well-being and safety of everyone who participates. Register here.

HOW WILL IT WORK?
  1. Register!
  2. Visit the event page here and RSVP!
  3. Complete your walk/run with your group anytime and any place between Nov. 14 and Nov. 21 and post your photos to the event page!
  4. Or, email your photos to [email protected] so they can post them for you!
The Haverty's/Newgate Angel Tree is going virtual this year! Be sure to like our Facebook page (facebook.com/HavertysNewgateAngelTree) and stay tuned for a website with more information on how this yearly tradition will operate this year.
The next Food Distribution date is Friday, November 13 from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM at the Longview Fairgrounds. Meet at the Church of Christ on the Loop at 7:30 AM. Contact Pastor Romnie with questions or to volunteer.

We also need volunteers for other upcoming food distribution day on December 11. This will be at the same time and location as previous distribution days.
We are in need of outdoor light-up Christmas lawn ornaments for our drive-through nativity event - Bethlehem Night - on December 12. We will only need these items for one night, but they will need to be dropped off in the church office the week of December 7-11. Be sure to label your items that you will be loaning so that we can return them the next week.

If you have any items you'd like to let us borrow, contact Pastor Romnie at [email protected] or at 903-753-4463.
Order Your Red Poinsettia TODAY!
It's time again for the Chancel Choir's annual poinsettia sale! Your purchase can be in honor or memory of a loved one. Poinsettias are 6.5" tall and come in a decorative pot, and can be ordered for home, work, or to be displayed around FUMC during the Christmas season.

Poinsettias are $15, and all money raised will go to the Music Ministry. Order forms can be found in the Welcome Center, outside the church office, or from Paul Roberts.
Life Together at FUMC Longview
FUMC Longview has launched our very own app!
We are excited to announce the FUMC app is now available for you to download. Follow the steps below to download the app, and check our Facebook page for an instructional video on how you can do things like check-in on Wednesday nights or on Sundays, fill out forms, and so much more!

To download the app:
  • Go to either the Android or Apple app store and search for "Church by MinistryOne." Once you have found the correct app (the icon should be purple with a white cross), you will hit "download" or "get."
  • Once the app has downloaded, launch the app.
  • Now you will want to search for "Longview First United Methodist Church." Our church logo and address will then populate. Tap on "More," and then "Select this church."
  • At this point, you will get a pop up asking if you would like to allow the app to send you notifications.
  • Once FUMC is your selected church, you will log in. To do this, tap "Profile," and then type in your email and cell phone number. You will then be prompted to validate your account via text or email. You will select how you want your code sent, and then once the code is received, you will enter the code into the app.
  • Once you are logged in, you will be taken to your profile! This is where you can make changes to your profile (such as phone number changes, address changes, and even add a payment method for giving!).
We are replacing the hymnals for our Sanctuary!
If you would like to dedicate a hymnal in honor or in memory of someone, click one of the buttons below to either download the order form, or to order and pay online. You may bring or mail the completed form & payment to the church office if you'd prefer to not order online. Call the church office with any questions at 903-753-4463.
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 [email protected]
To submit an article for The Voice, please email Megan Hopper at [email protected]. Info must be submitted by Friday at
5 PM in order to be in next week's edition of The Voice.
First United Methodist Church of Longview
400 N. Fredonia St. Longview, Texas 75601
Tel: (903) 753.4463
Fax: (903) 236.7608