Hanging Ornaments      I love to see beautiful Christmas ornaments.  There are many different styles and themes, and are made from all kinds of material.  Some are hung from Christmas trees and others are placed around the house.  Some are inside the house while others are outdoors.  Some are very humorous, while others carry the beautiful message of the birth of Jesus.

Many years ago our family took a critical look at our Christmas tree ornaments.  We had so many different ones of varied styles and messages.  What embarrassed us was that there was very little on our tree that bore witness to Christ.  There were many themes, but the weakest theme related to our faith.  We decided to change the focus of our tree so that it really proclaimed Jesus as the light of the world.  You might take a second look at your tree to see what message it proclaims in your household.      Last year I spent some time driving around Alexandria looking at the various homes in the neighborhood, especially looking at the homes of the congregation.  I found that most of the homes were missing an opportunity to bear witness in the neighborhood.  When I did find a home that had a nativity scene, a star, or Christmas theme, it was a sharp contrast to the neighbors who had lots of Santas, snowmen, reindeer, Micky Mouse, and other cartoons.  While these were colorful and neat to look upon, they somehow seemed a distraction from the celebration of Christ’s birth.  It challenged me to think about my own yard and the image that our church portrays when people drive by.       Please hang your colorful Christmas ornaments and place your yard displays carefully.  May your tree, your yard, and your face display the message of God’s gift.                           Blessings,        Bro. Don Ross

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY CONCERTS
   The Nicholls Chamber Singers will present Victoria & Edward - An English Christmas Friday, December 5, at 6:30PM
A full evening of music and fun with a multi-course Christmas dinner that begins at 7:00PM. Adult tickets are $35, Children 12 years and under $20.  Intimate couple tables: $40 per person.  Reservations required: 448-4600

CHRISTMAS BONUS
   The Staff Parish Committee wants to remind the congregation that each year we like to express our appreciation to the church staff through a Christmas bonus.  The bonus given is funded only from the congregation’s gifts. The funds raised are a practical way we can show our gratitude and thanks for their dedication and hard work.  So please give generously!  All the funds raised will be shared among the staff.

IMPORTANT MEETINGS IN DECEMBER
Finance Committee, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 6:00PM in Room 403 in the Activity Building.  
Church Council, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 7:00PM in F. Hall.

YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS
Youth Fundraiser for a Missions Group: UMY will be raising money to support the David and Julie Elmore Mission in Alaska.  We will be selling Wall and Pocket calendars for $6, Magnetic calendars for $4 and regular note pads for $2.  Each item has a bible verse on them.  They are great for gifts or to get you organized for the New Year.  We will have a table set up for you to see what they look like or drop by the church office..  We prefer checks and they may be written to FUMC and please specify  Elmore Mission.
Sunday, December 7th The party has been rescheduled so we will have UMY at the regular time.
The Christmas Party has been rescheduled! The party will be held at the West’s house at 712 Quickie Drive on December 19th from 6-9:00PM.  Youth need to bring a party food to share and a White Elephant gift.  (This is either a really good gift or a very silly/poor gift.)
December 21 White Gifts Service.  Youth will attend.
December 28 No UMY
December 31 and January 1 New Years Lock-In.  Plan to be at church all night for games, worship, PlayStation, and tons of food!  More details at a later date.
Volunteers Needed! I am looking for volunteers to help out with the youth group.  If you feel a calling or a desire to work with teenagers, please talk to me. I have plenty of opportunities for you to touch a youth’s life.  I am pleased to say that the youth are mission oriented and would like to do a local mission once a month.  If you know a church member that has work to be done, please let us know so we can respond to their needs.                                            -Nickie

ANGELS WAITING IN ANTICIPATION!
  There are still some “Angel Tags” on the White Gifts Tree, but they are going fast!  If you are considering getting a tag, now is the time to do it.  Please remember to wrap your gift in white paper and trim with gold ribbon and bring your gift to the ”White Gifts Service” on December 21.  If you know for sure you will not be able to attend the “White Gifts Service,” you may bring your gift before then and leave it under the tree in the Narthex of the church.
     The gifts will be sorted and the families will pick them up on Monday, December 22.  If you have any questions, please contact Brenda Cloud at 876-2097.

EVENING SERVICES IN ADVENT
Nov. 30    6:00 P.M.  Hanging of the Greens
Dec.   3    6:30-7 P.M.  Advent Communion Service
           7    6:15 P.M.   Joint Service at Mulberry Baptist
       
        10     6:30-7 P.M.  Advent Communion
        14     5:30 P.M. Chancel Choir Cantata
        17     6:30 P.M. Advent Communion

        21     6:00 P.M. White Gifts Service
        24     5:30 P.M. Christmas Eve Service
                 7:00 P.M. Christmas Eve Service
     The Chancel Choir will present their special Christmas offering, A Ceremony of Candles, by Joseph Martin. 
   Come hear this beautiful word presented on Sunday evening, December 14 at 5:30PM in our Sanctuary.

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS CHRISTMAS PARTY!
 The “Let’s Talk About It” Sunday School Class will have their Christmas Party on Saturday,  December 13, at  6:00 PM, at the home of Anthony and Phyliss Martin.   Their address  is 111 Brinwood Circle.
    Please bring party food, drinks  and a White Elephant
gift.  Questions?  Call Donna Sammarco or Phyliss Martin.

THANK YOU FOR THE GIFTS OF LOVE TO:
Apportionments Fund by M/M Charles Blake and in memory of Elyse McGuyre by M/M Larry Babin.
Louisiana Disaster Recovery Fund  by M/M Bill Thibodeaux.
Building Renovations Fund  by M/M Paul Sammarco,
M/M David McMath, and M/M Melvin Childers.
Music Fund by M/M David McMath.  In memory of Elyse McGuyre by M/M Bud Geoffroy.  In memory of Elyse McGuyre, Stephen Eschete, and Bobby Aycock by M/M Paul Sammarco.
UM Student Day Offering by M/M Wayne Reid, Julie LeRoux, M/M Ray Moore, M/M Bill Thibodeaux, M/M Larry Matherne, M/M Tillman Gillaspie, M/M Howard Barker, M/M Todd Punch and Juana Woodard.  In memory of Bobby Aycock by M/M Gene Milford.

The Advent Wreath
   The Advent wreath is a symbol of watchfulness and increasing joy as we anticipate Jesus’ birth.  The wreath’s circular shape symbolizes eternity, or life without end.  The candles remind us that Jesus is the Light of the World–he brought light and life to a dark work (see John 1:4-5).  On each of the four Sundays of Advent, we light a new candle.  As the light grows, so do our hope and joy.  
                -NewsletterNewsletter

SALSA MAKES A GREAT STOCKING STUFFER!
 We’ve got Salsa to please everyone’s taste!
    Just a Tad Warm (for the faint of heart!)
    Pretty Darn Hot (not for the faint of heart!)
   Sizzling Tail Feathers (includes beans and corn!)
    Holy Cow It’s Screaming Hot (hot as heck!)
 The Salsa is made by the La. Methodist Children’s Home in Ruston and all sales go to benefit the children     

SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR ALL AGES
Nursery Class–For Infants -4 year olds
   (Meet in the Nursery.)
Children’s Class for K-3rd Grade
   (Meet upstairs in Room 209.)
Children’s Class for 4th-6th Grade
   (Meet upstairs in Room 206.)
Youth Sunday School Class
   (Meet upstairs in the Activity Building Youth Room.).
Let’s Talk About It
    (A discussion based class for adults of mixed ages, led by Donna Sammarco, meets in the Fellowship Hall.)
Disciples Class
   (A class for people who are interested in theological debate meets in the Fellowship Hall Parlor.)
Discovery Class
   (This class for people who are interested in becoming Christian Disciples meets in the Activity Building Chapel.)
Fellowship Class
   (This class of retirees is interested in fellowship.  They sing for a while and have a lesson taught by either Ed McCarty or Frank Porter.  They meet in Room 403 in the Activity Building.)
Class of Mixed Ages
_(This class, led by Jimmy Hardin, meets in Room 206)

What’s So Amazing About Christmas?
   Consider this: God loved the world so much that he came visiting.  God slipped into the world as a helpless baby, without fanfare or heraldry.
   Think of it: The baby, born of humble parents, the man a carpenter, the woman still in her teens, scholars say.  Jesus was born in a backwater town called Bethlehem, in a stable reeking with animal smells.
   It took years before people fully comprehended God’s self-revelation.  Even John the Baptist, sitting in Herod’s prison, sent a message to Jesus asking, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?”  (Matthew 11:3, NRSV).  Jesus then explained that he was working miracles and bringing good news to the poor.
   That became even more clear when Peter concluded that Jesus was “the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16, NSRV).
   What’s amazing about Christmas is that it began in a manger.  And today more than 2 billion people around the world celebrate Jesus’ birth.                                                       -NewsletterNewsletter

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS CHRISTMAS PARTY!
 The “Let’s Talk About It” Sunday School Class will have their Christmas Party on Saturday,  December 13, at  6:00 PM, at the home of Anthony and Phyliss Martin.   Their address  is 111 Brinwood Circle.
    Please bring party food, drinks  and a White Elephant gift.  Questions?  Call Donna Sammarco or Phyliss Martin.  

Christmas Eve Worship -  5:30 PM Service,  7:00 PM Service

VOICES OF LIGHT AND HAND BELL CHOIR NEWS!