Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas Calendar 2017

Sunday, November 19: 6:00 PM, Community Thanksgiving Service at First United Methodist Church in Sylva
Please bring finger-foods to share for the reception that will follow the service. Childcare will be provided.

Wednesday, November 22: No evening activities

The church office will be closed on Wednesday, November 22 through Friday, November 24

Saturday, December 2: 3:00 PM, Sylva Christmas Parade; 6:00 PM-9:00 PM, Adult Choir Practice

Sunday, December 3: 3:00 PM, Youth to Pack Food Bags for United Christian Ministries

Friday, December 8: 6:00 PM, Youth and Family Trip to see ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ in Franklin

Sunday, December 10: 10:30 AM Worship Service featuring our Children’s Choir & Drama Troupe as they share the Christmas story; 4:00 PM, Western Carolina Community Chorus Concert in the sanctuary

Wednesday, December 13: 6:00 PM, Moravian Love Feast in the Mission and Fellowship Center—Join us for an affirming and uplifting program of carols, hot cocoa and sweet pastries!
*This will conclude our Sylva First Wednesday programs for 2017. Wednesday Night Activities will resume on January 3, 2018

Sunday, December 17: 10:30 AM Worship Service featuring our Adult Choir as they share songs of the season.

Friday, December 22: 7:00 PM, Youth Lock-In

Sunday, December 24: 5:30 PM, Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

The church office will be closed on Monday, December 25, Tuesday, December 26, Friday, December 29 and Monday, January 1.

UCM Fruit Cups

Please color the image above and put it on your refrigerator as a reminder to buy fruit cups for UCM!

United Christian Ministries needs 108 fruit cups for Christmas break bags
There are 450 children in Jackson County Schools who are eligible to receive free lunch and breakfast but who will not receive them during the long Christmas break. UCM will provide a special bag of food for each one. Churches have been asked to provide items selected for this purpose. We have been asked to provide fruit cups. The deadline is Nov. 26 to have them in the Loving Kindness room. 

Smoky Mountain High School Football Lunch

Bob Holquist shared an inspiring message of faith with the SMHS Varsity Football team before Senior Night for the Mustangs.

Ruth McConnell led the ministry to the varsity football team's pre-game ministry/meal prior to Senior Night for the Mustangs.

We are thankful for the leadership of Ruth and Bob, as well as everyone else who helped with the luncheon for the SMHS Varsity football team!

Children Learn About Baptism

Pastor Jeff has been meeting with our after school children to talk about making a profession of faith and being Baptized. The children have been invited to fill out an activity book on Baptism. These two children completed their book and are receiving a small cross as a reminder of God’s love for them. Please be in prayer for our children and their families as they consider God’s invitation to follow Jesus. And if your child has not received a Baptism book, please see Pastor Jeff as he has many to distribute.

Words of Gratitude from Lorie Meservey

During the month of November, we will be demonstrating our gratitude to our church staff. Some of our staff members will be offering their own words of gratitude for our church in the Chimes each week. We pray that these words of thanksgiving will model for us a spirit of appreciation for our church and for one another.

This week, we will hear from our Church Organist, Lorie Meservey, and Linda Stewart.

Why I am Grateful for the First Baptist Church of Sylva
By Lorie Meservey

I love First Baptist Church because of your loving kindness toward me these 10 years as your organist. I also want to thank you for your kindness toward my husband Norman and accepting him as one of your own, especially the Men's Sunday School Class. 

During this time as your organist I've learned so much from Dr. Bob Holquist, such as learning to play different styles of music, giving me wonderful opportunities, and his patience in helping me through difficult rhythms.

In the 59 years of my career and the many places I've played, never have I found (outside of my "home" church where I grew up) a more loving, tolerant, and forgiving congregation as you.

Thank you for the honor of serving God in this house of worship. 

Words of Affirmation for Lorie Meservey
By Linda Stewart

When I think about Lorie, several words come to mind - talented, faithful, dependable, dedicated - to name a few. 

Lorie has faithfully served our Church for almost ten years. She has ministered to us through her music as well as endearing herself to so many of our Church family. She leads us in worship every Sunday. She dedicates herself to practice and is always well prepared and willing to play whatever music is required of her. Her faithfulness is outstanding, as she seldom ever takes time off. 

I know how much Lorie loves playing for our Church and choir, and how much she loves using her God-given talent to serve her Lord. It has been a joy for me to get to work with her and I always enjoy playing our duets. We are indeed blessed and fortunate to have someone as talented and trained as Lorie to play the organ and piano for our Church. Oh, and the name Lorie, means crowned with laurels. And I believe she is!

Christmas Offering

If you're looking for a Christmas gift for a loved one, choose to give a gift in honor or in memory of someone special through our Christmas Offering! Income we receive from this offering will be divided equally between our local mission partners, namely: Jackson County Neighbors in Need, AWAKE, Circles of Hope, and Blue Ridge Health Jackson. When you make a contribution to this Christmas Offering, the church will send an informative–and handsome!–Christmas card to the person you are choosing to honor. Christmas Offering envelopes are available in the pew racks in both our sanctuary and in our church office.

Appalachian Shoe Boxes

To quote a favorite hymn, “Because I have been given much, I too must give.”  You have been very generous in providing for children in Africa through Operation Christmas Child.  This is the first year our church will also participate in the Appalachian Shoe Box ministry.  These boxes will go to McCreary County, KY, the poorest county in the U.S.!  Many children there receive no other Christmas gifts.  If your heart is willing and your pocket book able, please consider giving to this cause using the list below.

Appropriate for all boxes:  toiletries and grooming supplies (any bottles of liquids should be put inside a zip lock bag), travel size products, fine warm hats, gloves and scarves, school supplies such as pens, pencils, pencil sharpeners, etc.

For K-6 possibilities:  markers, crayons, balls, toys, hair bows, hair clips, card games, Legos, books, $5-$10 gift cards from Dollar Tree or Dollar General

For high school: gift cards from Dollar Tree or Dollar General, deodorant, body lotion, perfume, balls, wallet, socks, nail polish, lip gloss, flashlight.

Please label the box according to  the intended age.

Any candy should be in a separate bag for distribution.

There’s an area in the Loving Kindness Room for gathering the boxes by this Sunday, November 19.  Church member, Teresa Manring, has kindly offered  to deliver the boxes during a business trip to Kentucky in early December.

Book Sale

Please join our own Karen Monteith in The Fellowship Center on Sunday, November 19 from Noon - 2:00pm for a Book Signing Party!
Just in time for CHRISTmas gift giving, Karen will be happy to sign and dedicate her book which is perfect for your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and those special children in your life.
Karen is generously donating all proceeds to 1st Explores.
CHRISTmas Treats to Eat will be provided by The Dorothy Edwards Circle.

Community Thanksgiving Service

Our Community Thanksgiving Service will be held on Sunday 19th at 6 PM at First United Methodist Church. Come join us in worship and fellowship!

A Note from Circles of Hope

Dear Fellow Friends of God,
Your most generous donation to Jackson County Circles of Hope is greatly appreciated. We have a new class in progress. Due to people like you and your blessed donations and receiving special grants, Circles of Hope are able to hire a part-time Case Worker for our organization starting in January 2018. Our summer class graduated and are on their way to accomplish their goals and success.
Through these classes and being matched with mentors of our community has helped our endeavor to address underlying causes of poverty and helping people attain economic stability. 
Truly, you are demonstrating your loving compassion for others. We thank you and encourage you to stay involved with Circles of Hope; our community needs enthusiastic and caring people like you! 
Sincerely,
Laura Wallace
*Praise God & have a blessed day!