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FUMC has WIFI!!!
Password is: fumcwifi
The Communicator
First United Methodist Church
702 Avenue A Opelika, AL 36801
334-745-7604
www.fumcopelika.org
Sunday Services
9:45am – Sunday School
11:00am – Traditional Worship
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
To our Church Family:
With Christmas comes faith, hope, and love. We wish all these things for you and
your family during this Christmas season and for the New Year.
The staff of FUMC: Randy, Scott, Rick, Ric, Nicole, Laura, Maudie, Sunny, Bruce,
Don, Beverly, Sharon, Mary Virginia, Tina, Andy, Drew, Julia, John
FUMC Staff:
Rev. Randy Woodham
Senior Pastor
randywoodham@fumcopelika.org
Rev. Scott Kaak
Executive Pastor
scottkaak@fumcopelika.org
Rev. Rick Lane
Associate Pastor, Student Ministries
ricklane@fumcopelika.org
Rev. Ric Smith
Associate Pastor
smithrw@auburn.edu
Holiday Office Hours
Today, Wednesday, Dec. 24th: 8:00am – Noon
Christmas Day, Thursday, Dec. 25th: Closed
Friday, Dec. 26th: Closed
Monday, Dec. 29th: 8:00am – 4:30pm
Tuesday, Dec. 30th: 8:00am – Noon
Wednesday, Dec. 31st: 8:00am – Noon
Thursday, Jan. 1st: Closed
Friday, Jan. 2nd: Closed
Ms. Nicole Agostino
Pianist
Mrs. Laura Boggs
Administrative Assistant
lauraboggs@fumcopelika.org
Ms. Maudie Evans
Church Maid
Mrs. Sunny Hahn
Organist
sunnyhahn@fumcopelika.org
Mr. Bruce Heath
Sexton
brchth@gmail.com
Mr. Don Lawrence
Facilities Supervisor
donlawrence@fumcopelika.org
Ms. Beverly Marlett
Christmas Eve Services of Candlelight and Communion
Tonight at 5:00 & 11:00 p.m. (A nursery will be available at the 5:00
p.m. service for children ages 3 year old and younger.) Celebrate the
birth of our Savior with the singing of carols, the hearing of the
Christmas Story, the taking of Communion, and the lighting of
candles.
Church Secretary
beverlymarlett@fumcopelika.org
Ms. Sharon McKinnon
Director of Hospitality
sharonmckinnon@fumcopelika.org
Ms. Mary Virginia Norris
Director of Music Ministries
marynorris@fumcopelika.org
Sunday, December 28th
9:45am – Sunday School
11:00am - Worship
Mrs. Tina Roberts
Financial Secretary
tinaroberts@fumcopelika.org
9:00 Worship Service will not meet in the month of December. Our
new service will begin on Jan. 4th @ 10:45am.
Mr. Andy Snyder
Sound Technician
Mrs. Drew Speakman
Director of Sonshine Preschool
Asst. Director of Children’s Ministries
drewspeakman@fumcopelika.org
Mrs. Julia Stutts
Director of Children’s Ministries
juliastutts@fumcopelika.org
WEDNESDAY CONNECTION will resume on January 7th!!!
God’s Creation Calendars are available in the church office for $10.00.
Help the youth raise money. Buy a calendar!
Mr. John Vedder
Help Wanted –Director of Hospitality. If there is anyone in the church family that is interested
College Ministries
jvedder@fumcopelika.org
in this part-time position, please contact Rev. Scott Kaak.
FUMC CALENDAR
Wednesday, December 24
7:00am – Men’s Devotion
8:00am – Noon – Church Office Hours
5:00pm – Candlelight Communion Service
11:00pm – Candlelight Communion Service
Thursday, December 25 Christmas Day
Sonshine Preschool Closed
Church Office Closed
Friday, December 26
Church Office Closed
Sunday, December 28
9:45am – Sunday School
11:00am - Worship
Monday, December 29
8:30am – 4:30pm - Church Office Open
Sonshine Preschool Closed
Tuesday, December 30
8:30am – Noon - Church Office Open
Sonshine Preschool Closed
Wednesday, December 31
8:30am – Noon - Church Office Open
Thursday, January 1 New Year’s Day
Church Office Closed
Sonshine Preschool Closed
Friday, January 2
Church Office Closed
Saturday, January 3
Sunday, January 4
8:30am – Worship
9:45am – Sunday School
10:45am – Contemporary Worship
11:00am – Worship
5:00pm – 7:00pm – Disciple III (#308)
5:15pm – 6:15pm – Wesley Ringers
NO Sunday Night Youth
YOUTH NEWS
SM Youth every Sunday at 10am on the
4th floor!
Merry Christmas!
No SN Youth next week on 12/28/14.
Youth Ski Trip to Cataloochee is
January 1 - 4, 2015! Cost is $325. Does
not include food money which is $100.
Deadline to sign-up with a $100 deposit
is Sunday morning, Dec. 28th. See Ms.
Beverly for paperwork!!! Money &
paperwork due by 2:00pm on Monday,
Dec. 29th.
No SN Youth next week (1/4/15)
WN Youth starts back up on 1/7/15!
MATT is from 4:30 - 6pm and small
groups from 6 - 7pm.
On Line Giving Is Here!
Simply follow these easy steps:
1. Visit the church website at
www.fumcopelika.org
2. Click on the Online Giving button,
3. Click on the Create Profile button, then
4. Follow the onscreen instructions to
create an online profile and to schedule
your recurring contributions.
Save your
Campbell's
labels!
OUR LIFE TOGETHER
December 21, 2014
Attendance: Sunday School – 174
Worship – 413 (100/313)
GENEROUS GIVING
Designated Funds
Given this week: $ 5,429
Given this YTD: $257,647
General Fund
Given this week: $ 28,619
Given YTD:
$1,092,624
Need YTD:
$1,191,615
Total Debt:
$ 710,860
College Ministry
Bible Study and snacks every Sunday morning at 10am in Condon Hall,
we are going through a study on the stories of the Bible from the kid’s
books and scripture versions!
Worship on December 28th is at 11:00am.
We have a lot of work projects to be working on so call John Vedder if
you have some free time to help.
MEMORIALS: A gift has been given in loving memory of:
Lydia Ingram by Anna & Harris Asbury; Dee Dee Harper.
Henry Stern by Friends to Israel.
HONORARIUMS: A gift has been given in honor of:
Melba Cosby by Auston Cherry & Kathryn Spicer.
Sara Nan Levins by Auston Cherry & Kathryn Spicer.
Dan & Beverly McKeever by The Bible Basics Sunday School Class.
Searchers Sunday School Teachers by Searchers Sunday School Class.
Sara Jane & Tim Tatum by Hattie & Scotty Lett.
Jeanette Torbert by Hattie & Scotty Lett.
Servants in Christ + + + Sunday, December 28, 2014
Greeters: Payton & Myles Tatum; Myles, Jr. & Banks
Pre-Service Music: Carl Mathews
Crucifer: Adam Cason
Acolytes: Susan Gaston; Lola Grossman
Ushers: Jim Levins (Captain); Claud Brown (Co-Captain); Newell Floyd; Jason
Halverson; Bob Humphries; Richard Moreman
Sound: Andy Snyder
Media: Chuck Wacker
Transportation: Martha Hicks; Leslie Anabtawi
Nurturing Notes: Sarah Wilson
Welcome Notes: Pat Brown
Monday Visitation: Patty Allen & Leisa Story
Monday Flowers: Claud Brown; Nell & Bill Samford
Prison Ministry: Fay Burns; Nann Ogletree; Margaret Rogers; Danielle Goff;
Rev. Scott Kaak
Hospital Visitor: Mon., Dec. 29th & Wed., Dec. 31st – Ginger Perkins; Tue.,
Dec. 30th - Mary Carol Hitchcock
What an Advent!
This Advent season at FUMC has been an incredible busy one for the Music Ministry area. The
children provided their voices for the Hanging of the Greens service, and their lovely singing added a
new chapter to the life of this historic service. One Accord led us in the musical portions of the Festival
of Nine Lessons and Carols. Their hard work and commitment to this ensemble provided the
congregation with a special worship service to culminate our Advent celebration. The Wesley Ringers
grew over the past few months in number which allowed them to tackle some more difficult music.
They did so ably and added a special “course” to the Feast of Carols. The Chancel Choir not only sang
during our morning worship services throughout the season, but they also presented a special concert
that became a unique worship experience for those in attendance.
Overall, it has been a busy, but worshipful and joyous season for the worship community at FUMC.
Our ensembles will take a break for a week or two, but will start again after the New Year. If you, a
friend, or a family member want to join any of our ensembles in 2015 and participate in the worship life
of our community, contact Mary Virginia at marynorris@fumcopelika.org.
Worship starts in the Parking Lot!
On Sunday, January 4th 2015, FUMC will begin its Parking Ministry. A team of volunteers headed by
Shey Knight will have the opportunity to be the first persons to offer the love of Christ to the people
who come to FUMC.
This ministry team will help:
 manage the flow of traffic by ushering cars into spaces in a safe and feasible manner
 protect the safety of our pedestrians
 provide easy access from the parking lot to the church building by using a shuttle service
 welcome people with a warm, friendly greeting and the love of Christ
FUMC is starting a new ministry called Celebrate Recovery.
CR is a Christ centered recovery program for everyone. If you have a Hurt, Hang-up or Habit,
CR is for you. If you would like to learn more about this World Wide Ministry that has helped
thousands of Christians lead a happier, healthier life contact Scott Kaak or Chuck Wacker
through the Church office at 745-7604.
WOMEN’S CELEBRATE RECOVERY 12 STEP STUDY
A women’s 12 Step Study is scheduled to begin in January. The study is open to all women who
would like to deepen their faith in God and to work on their hurts, hang-ups and habits. The group
meets once a week and works together through 4 study guides; the entire study takes a commitment
of 9 months to a year. The day of the week and the time of the day will be determined by the
group. If you would like to register for the class or would like additional information, please call
the church office (334-745-7604).
!!!IT’S A GIRL!!!
Congratulations to Jean & Bruce Heath upon the birth of their granddaughter, Sadie Virginia
Heath. Sadie was born on December 20, weighing 6 lbs and 191/2 inches long. Sadie is the daughter
of Stacey & Will Heath and they live in Leeds, AL. Her great grandmother is Jean Meadows.
PRAYER CONCERNS (as of Wednesday, December 24
th
)
EAMC: Walter Boucher; John Waldrip
UAB (Birmingham): Leslie Gaston (Mike & Becky Gaston’s cousin)
Home: David Alexander (Marcia Alexander’s husband); Barbara Allen; Don Allen (friend of Tori Beth
Thompson); Marlo Burdette; Genevieve Canonica (friend of Leigh & Michael Bass); Beverly Collins; Rossie
Culley; Virginia Cumbie; Judy Dorris (friend of Corinne & Jimmy Hurst); David Eastridge, Jr. (Rhonda Boothe’s
nephew); Shirley Flora; B J Horn; Charles Huling; Malcolm Humphries; Joan King; Paul Knight (Shey Knight’s
father); Amanda Mayhall (Sonshine preschool mom); Charles Orange (friend of Gene Smith); Carly Parker;
Joan Salter; Tammy Samford (friend of Patty Allen); Celia Satterwhite (Ruth Meadows’ mother); Gene Smith;
Martha T. Smith; Mary Rose Smith; Doris & Bill Southers (Laurie Williams’ parents); Travis Spraggins (friend
of Kate Larkin); Ileta Sumners (Arbor Springs); Merle & Quinton Walton; Alice Williams
Out of Town: Bob Bowen (Julia Moreman’s brother-in-law); Dorothy Jean Bush (Paul Bush’s aunt); Sharon
Dennis (Sandra Holloway’s sister); Ned Grove (friend of Jennifer & Clay Harper); Vernice Hart (Pam Hope’s
step-mother); Morgan Hasty (friend of Ginny Gaberlavage); Bryan Hoch (Sue Bentley’s nephew); Penny
Krennerich (friend of Wei Beach); Sam Lowery (friend of Nell & Bill Samford); Donna Martin (Becky Bailey’s
sister-in-law); Frieda & Anthony Meacham (Emily Finck’s parents); Bob Miller (Sam Bailey’s brother-in-law);
Robert Mills (Becky Bailey’s son); Ray Ramage (friend of Joyce Windsor); Kenny Reding (friend of Allen Blythe);
Willie Mae Roberts (Lybbi Epperson’s grandmother); Marian Rogers (Emily Finck’s grandmother); Carolyn Sell
(Jo Vaughan’s daughter); Jeff Shipman (Todd Shipman’s brother); Jim Short (friend of Jerrell Askew); Greg &
Skip Wheelus (Ginny Gaberlavage’s father & brother); Grover Worth (Bobby Worth’s father)
Military: Josh Beasley (Ann & David Canon’s grandson); Lindsey Cooper (Mary Rose & Albert Smith’s
granddaughter); John Dukes (Trinchua & Keith Dukes’ son); Michael Fischer & T J Fischer (friends of Phyllis
& Jim Mayfield); Robert Groszmann (Bob Ingram’s nephew); Garrett Guess (Becky Mills’ nephew); Samuel
Hayes (Sharon & Ron Rooks’ son-in-law); Drew Hill (friend of Kate Larkin); Trey Long (Becky Mills’ nephew);
Harry & Jake Meadows (Tamara & Bill Meadows’ sons); Steven Olaveson; Alex Pendergraph (Janet Taylor’s
grandson); Jacob Ramus (Phyllis & Jim Mayfield’s son-in-law); Frank Rielly (friend of Phyllis & Jim Mayfield);
Kennard R. Smith (friend of Anne & Sheldon Whittelsey); Ronnie Snyder (Arden & Dave Snyder’s grandson);
Patrick Thompson (Laura Boggs’ nephew); Jim Whaley (Beverly Collins’ grandson)
Missionaries: Orphanage Emmanuel: Burrows family
Orphanage Emmanuel: Abdi Abisai Casco (young son of the mechanic and driver that takes our team to & from
the airport)