VOLUME 194 ISSUE 25
DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 20, 2014
VOLUME 194 ISSUE 25
DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 20, 2014
WESLEY H. WACHOB
SENIOR PASTOR
You are cordially invited to witness and celebrate
the marriage of
Drexel Gilbert
and
Dr. Wesley H. Wachob
Sunday, the Twenty-Eighth of December
Two Thousand Fourteen
at Four O’clock in the Afternoon
First United Methodist Church
6 East Wright Street
Pensacola, Florida
Reception immediately following ceremony in The Wright Place
CONGRATULATIONS
IN LOVE AND REMEMBRANCE
Sarah and Michael Fox on the birth of their son, Emmett
Michael Fox, born November 13, 2014. Proud grandfather
is Bob Lane.
Laura Wiggins on the death of her husband, Bill. Bill died
November 19, 2014.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
JANE KULBETH
BRIAN MORRIS
MARILYN MULLEN
CHARLES and JENNIFER RAMSEY
PAGE 2
Linda Wilson on the death of her aunt, Roberta Fell.
Roberta died November 20, 2014 in Hazlehurst, MS.
Lil Vaden on the death of her brother, Jesse Clark. Jesse
died November 20, 2014.
Richard and Linda Doelker on the death of their son, Eric
Doelker. Eric died November 23, 2014.
Lou Maygarden on the death of his sister, Ruth McDonald.
Ruth died November 29, 2014.
www.FUMCPensacola.com
VOLUME 194 ISSUE 25
DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 20, 2014
ADVENT at First Church
SUN
07
WED
10
FRI
12
SUN
14
WED
17
SUN
21
Second Sunday of Advent – The Candle of Love
Great Day of Giving
9:00-10:30 a.m.
The Wright Place
Come share in the spirit of the season through giving. Help pack
food boxes, adopt a child from the Angel Tree, write letters to our
military families, make ornaments for the homebound, donate
money to various service organizations and more. All ages are encouraged to attend.
White Christmas Concert
5:00 p.m., Main Sanctuary
An evening of festive Christmas music presented by the children,
tween, and youth choirs of First Church. An offering will be collected to benefit the United Methodist Children’s Home.
Wednesday Night Dinner
5:00 p.m., The Wright Place
Menu: Meatloaf, Mac & Cheese, Field Peas, Salad, Bread, Dessert
Service of Lessons & Carols
6:00 p.m., Wesley Abbey
Originating in the year 1880, this special service includes Scripture
readings interspersed with the singing of Christmas hymns.
Friday Night Wright
6:00 p.m., The Wright Place
An evening of food and fellowship with Big Band Music by
Joe Occipinti and friends. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
Reservations are required. See the article on page 6 for more.
Meals cost $6.00 per adult and $3.00 per child with a family max of
$18.00. Reservations are required each week by Tuesday at 1:00pm.
Third Sunday of Advent – The Candle of Joy
Christmas in the Abbey
5:00 p.m., Wesley Abbey
Join us for a delicious “Christmas Breakfast for Dinner” meal
prepared by the ICON Worship Planning Team. Following dinner,
everyone is invited to An Electric Christmas Concert at 6:00pm.
An Electric Christmas
6:00 p.m., Main Sanctuary
Rick and Heidi Branch, along with some of their talented friends
from First Church, will be performing music from the popular
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas albums Nursery provided.
Wednesday Night Dinner
5:00 p.m., The Wright Place
Menu: Spaghetti, Salad, Bread Dessert
Church-Wide Caroling
6:00 p.m., meet in Wesley Abbey
All ages, preschool through adults, are invited to join us for an
evening of Christmas caroling. We will gather in Wesley Abbey
before breaking into groups and visiting with some of our
homebound members.
Meals cost $6.00 per adult and $3.00 per child with a family max of
$18.00. Reservations are required each week by Tuesday at 1:00pm.
Fourth Sunday of Advent – The Candle of Peace
Sanctuary Choir Concert
7:30 p.m., Main Sanctuary
A traditional evening of classical Christmas favorites presented by
our Sanctuary Choir. A full professional orchestra will accompany
the choir. Nursery provided. Reception following.
www.FUMCPensacola.com
PAGE 3
VOLUME 194 ISSUE 25
DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 20, 2014
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
WACCI End-of-Semester Party
Director of Children’s Ministry:
Lisa Bond
LBond@pensacolafirstchurch.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
2:00 – 5:15 p.m., Wesley Abbey
Participants of Worship Arts Children’s Choirs Inc. (WACCI), our Wednesday
afternoon worship arts program, will celebrate the end of the semester with a
festive party.
Baby Recognition 11:00 a.m. Main Sanctuary Service
Babies born into our First Church family during the past year will be recognized
during our regular 11:00am Main Sanctuary service.
Dec 7 - Great Day of Giving
White Christmas Concert
Dec 8, 15 - Chill Time
Dec 10 - Service of Lessons & Carols
Dec 11 - Mom’s Bible Study
Dec 17 - Church-wide Caroling
Dec 21 - Baby Recognition
See page 3 for more church-wide Advent activities.
TWEEN MINISTRY
Director of Tween and Mid-High Youth Ministries:
Confirmation
There will be an informational meeting about confirmation for 6th graders
and their parents January 4th at 9:30am in The Wright Place. Historically, in
our congregation, a student’s sixth grade year is when they participate in
Confirmation. Confirmation is a class designed to help the young persons
make a decision for themselves about being a follower of Christ. Please contact
Denise Van Atta if you have any questions regarding confirmation.
Denise VanAtta
DVanAtta@pensacolafirstchurch.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
Dec 7 - Great Day of Giving
White Christmas Concert
Dec 10 - Service of Lessons & Carols
Dec 17 - Church-wide Caroling
December Schedule for Tweens:
There will not be normal Sunday evening activities in December. Please join your church family for the concert series
beginning December 7th with the children’s and youth White Christmas concert at 5:00pm.
Wednesday evenings we will participate in events for the entire family. On December 10th, we will participate in the
Lessons and Carols service; It includes Scripture readings interspersed with the singing of Christmas hymns. December
17th is church-wide caroling. Join your church family as we sing carols and visit some of our homebound members.
See page 3 for more church-wide Advent activities.
COOKIES AND CHRISTMAS TINS
We are in need of cookies and Christmas tins for our home-bound members
We will have a church wide night of caroling on Wednesday, December 17th, at 6:00pm. We would like to take a tin
of Christmas cookies to all our home bound members as well as those in area facilities. Our Fifty Forward Council will
deliver cookies and we will take cookies with us for those homes we carol.
Please bring baked cookies, 1-2 dozen, to the church by Monday, December 15th. You can turn them into the church
office. If you bring them in early we will freeze them so they stay fresh. Please consider joining us for the caroling!
PAGE 4
www.FUMCPensacola.com
VOLUME 194 ISSUE 25
DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 20, 2014
YOUTH MINISTRY
Minister of Youth:
Clay Farrington
CFarrington@pensacolafirstchurch.com
Senior High Progressive Dinner
UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday, December 13th, beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Join us for a tacky Christmas sweater party December 13th. Wear a tacky Christmas
sweater (or shirt, tie, whatever) as we travel to three homes and have appetizers,
dinner and dessert. At our final house we will have a white elephant gift exchange.
Bring something you already have at home, wrapped with no name on it. Please do
not buy anything! Let us know if you will be attending by Wednesday, December
10th so we have plenty of food and enough transportation. Cost of the event is $6.
Dec 7 - Great Day of Giving
White Christmas Concert
Dec 10 - Service of Lessons & Carols
Dec 13 - Sr High Progressive Dinner
Dec 17 - Church-wide Caroling
Letter from Clay
The other morning I came across Isaiah 7 during my morning reading. Isaiah writes most of his prophecy to Jerusalem and her
leaders during a time just before and during the Assyrian invasion of the northern Tribes. In ch 7, King Ahaz of Judah realized that
the kings of Aram and Israel had allied themselves against him and Ahaz was in great fear.
It was in response to this fear that Isaiah gave one of the most recognizable messianic prophecies in all of scripture: “Therefore
the LORD himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel.” Isa 7:14.
This semester the youth group has gone through the entire Old Testament from Creation to Christ, taking a birds eye view of
God’s Big Story. It’s a simple outline really. God made everything good. We messed it up. So the rest of the Bible is a story of God’s
rescue operation of humanity. We see God’s plan unfolding throughout the OT, as he chose a family to be his ambassadors to
creation. He rescued them from slavery and established them as a great nation. Over and over Israel rebelled. And over and over
God forgave, until finally God himself came to clean it up. And it struck me as I read Isaiah 7 that the sum total of scripture can be
reduced to just one word.
Immanuel. God with us.
This is the message of Advent. It’s the message of the gospel, God’s love personified in Christ. When times are plenty, God is with us. When times are hard, God is
with us. When the diagnosis comes back, God is with us. When the whole family
gathers for the holidays, God is with us. When mom and dad can’t make it work,
God is with us. When life doesn’t turn out like we expected, God is with us. Even
when we run and don’t want him to be, God is with us.
It’s a simple story, really… a story of God rescuing and reconciling all creation to himself. As we enter the Advent season, I can think of no better storyline. God with us.
Immanuel. And I’m thankful to be sharing that story with the family of First Church.
May you see God’s presence in your life this Christmas. -Clay
ANGEL TREE
Each year our church family joins with NB Cook, our
Adopt-A-School partner to provide toys and clothes
for families in need. If you would like to help bring
Christmas to these children, stop by our Angel Tree
located in The Wright Place and Perry Home on Sundays
or during the week , come by the front office. All gifts
should be brought in by December 15th.
www.FUMCPensacola.com
Wilderness Trail
Don’t have previous hiking experience?
That’s fine. WT will provide the tents, food,
and backpacks, and you will hike about 45
miles of the Appalachian Trail. Trail this year
is June 19-26. Trail registration begins January 11th and is open to students who have
completed 6th through 12th grade.
Questions- contact Denise Van Atta.
THE LONGEST NIGHT SERVICE
6:00 p.m., Chapel of the Good Shepherd
Christmas can be a painful time for some, especially for
those who are grieving or in despair. On December 21st,
the longest night of the year, you are invited to come
share in healing prayers, scripture, and music that acknowledge that God’s presence is for those who mourn
and for those who struggle.
PAGE 5
VOLUME 194 ISSUE 25
50 FORWARD
Director of 50 Forward Ministry: Debra Tallman
DTallman@pensacolafirstchurch.com
Fifty Forward Lunch Out
Thursday, December 11th at 11:30am
We will gather at the Yacht Club on December
11th at 11:30am. Let us know you are coming by
calling the church office at 432-1434.
Friday Night at The Wright Place
DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 20, 2014
MUSIC
Minister of Music: Rick Branch
RBranch@pensacolafirstchurch.com
SANCTUARY CHOIR
CHRISTMAS CDs FOR SALE!
We made a professional recording of our 2013 Sanctuary Choir Christmas Concert with Orchestra. CDs can be
purchased in the front office for $12. They make a great
Christmas present!
December 12th 6:00-8:00pm
YOUTH CHOIR TOUR FUND RAISERS:
Come on and join us for a fabulous evening. Joe
Occcipinti and friends will entertain us in a BIG way
on Friday evening, December 12th from 6:00-8:00pm.
We will provide ham, green beans, and rolls and are
requesting that you bring hors d’oeuvres and desserts
to share! This will really be a fun evening so make plans
now to attend. Reservations are appreciated and you
can call the church office at 432-1434 to let us know
you’ll be coming. The cost is $7.00 per person. You
won’t want to miss the fun!
Santa’s North Pole Casserole
$20 – Family Size Breakfast Casserole
(sausage, eggs, cheese, bread, half and half )
Available for pick up Sunday, Dec. 14, Wednesday, Dec. 17
and Sunday, Dec. 21.
Email your order to YouthChoirTour@mail.com
The 2nd Annual
Women’s Retreat
February 27 - February 28, 2015
Embassy Suites - Miramar Beach (Destin)
Back by popular demand, Ann Platz will
entertain us with her stories and bless us with
her unyielding faith. Mark your calendars now
and tell a friend!
Registration opens January 2, 2015.
Questions:
Wendi Fairchild, wendifairchild@gmail.com
Wendi Best, cwbest@bellsouth.net
PAGE 6
Kids Day Out Christmas Child Care
Saturday, Dec. 20, from 12noon to 5:00pm
Spaces are limited so register soon! Please contact Carol
Tullius with any questions or to register @ ctullius@yahoo.
com
Rick’s (soon to be) Famous Homemade Caramel Popcorn
On sale Sunday, December 21, in the morning and after
the Sanctuary Choir Christmas Concert.
WHITE CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
Sunday, Dec. 7, 5:00pm in the Main Sanctuary
See the front cover for more information.
Sunday, Dec. 7 Warm Ups:
Youth Choir: dress rehearsal from 3:30-4:30pm
All Children’s Choirs and Club 56 Choir: 4:30-5:00pm in
your regular choir room.
AN ELECTRIC CHRISTMAS
Sunday, Dec. 7, 5:00pm in the Main Sanctuary
See the front cover for more information.
SANCTUARY CHOIR
Sunday, Dec. 7: Combine at 8:00am
Sunday, Dec. 14: Combine at 11:00am
www.FUMCPensacola.com
VOLUME 194 ISSUE 25
DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 20, 2014
THE LIVING TRUST
The Living Trust is a special fund set up to receive gifts for memorials that you may wish to give in memory of or in honor of an individual. Special gifts are given to meet extra needs of the church above those of the annual budget. Gifts
should be marked “Living Trust.”
In Memory Of:
Kurt Birdwhistell
By: Lipscomb SS Class
Tom & Elizabeth Mayhugh
Betty Olliff
Virginia Dean
By: Russell & Paula Harris
Bob and Nettie Joseph
Dixon and Jane Moseley
Tom and Jackie Van Matre
Frank and Mary Willis
Carolyn Elzey
By: Jim and Pat Brinson
Roland and Nancy Brown
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Burns
Bob and Sharon Espersen
Bob and Nettie Joseph
Lipscomb SSClass
Betty Olliff
Marie Percy
Berta Shumpert
Ione Gore
By: Beth Blodgett
Les and Sue Butsch
Liz Cauley
Ednell Chandler
Doug and Jane Cox
Ann Eaton DeHart
Bailey Falls
Georgia Falls
Patricia Franklin
Rosemary M. Gee
Dolly Gibbons
Murray and Marilyn Jones
Tom & Elizabeth Mayhugh
Mitzi Miller
Betty Olliff
Marie Percy
Berta Shumpert
Elizabeth Smith
Dr. and Mrs. Clyde Tracy
Kenneth and Jane Weekly
Frank and Mary Willis
Nicki Yeager
Charlie Grantland
By: Bobbi Godwin
Bob and Nettie Joseph
Linda McDade
Tom & Elizabeth Mayhugh
Wil and Jackie Pergande
Marie Percy
Fran Jones
By: Dr. Betty J. Fitzpatrick
David Stanton
www.FUMCPensacola.com
Dr. Henry Payne
By: Linda McDade
Dr. and Mrs. Troy Tippett
Clara S. Wimberly
Pininah Simon
By: Les and Sue Butsch
Murray and Marilyn Jones
Tom and Elizabeth Mayhugh
New Life SS Class
Berta Shumpert
Mary Turpin
By: Berta Shumpert
In Honor Of:
Our Church Staff
By: Walter & Sue Glenn
Tom & Elizabeth Mayhugh
Betty Olliff
The Marriage of
Jean Tharp and
Gary Jacobson
By: Betty Olliff
Betty Olliff
By: Bob & Nettie Joseph
Kenneth Tyrrell
By: Kay Richie and Family
William “Bill” Wiggins
By: Bob and Nettie Joseph
Lipscomb SS Class
Betty Olliff
Carol Young
By: Elizabeth Andrews
The Handbell Choir
Berta Shumpert
Names listed are for gifts
given from November 5
to November 28, 2014
PAGE 7
INSIDE THIS EDITION OF
PUBLICATION INFO FOR
THE METHODIST WITNESS
VOLUME 194 ISSUE 25
DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 20, 2014
CHURCH CALENDAR
SUNDAY, 7 DECEMBER
Advent: Love
7:45 AM - 12:15 PM Childcare Available, Ed Bldg
8:00 AM - Worship Service, Sanctuary
9:00 AM - Great Day of Giving, WP
9:30 AM - Introduction to First Church, PH101
9:30 AM - Service of Word and Table, Sanctuary
9:30 AM - Sunday School
11:00 AM - ICON Worship Service, WA
11:00 AM - Worship Service, Sanctuary
3:00 PM - ECHO Symphony Rehearsal, WP
5:00 PM - White Christmas Concert, Sanctuary
6:30 PM - White Christmas Dinner, WP
MONDAY, 8 DECEMBER
7:00 AM - 5:50 PM Methodist Children’s Academy
7:15 AM - Youth Bible Study, Bagelheads
12:00 PM - AA Support Group, Outreach
2:15 PM - Chill Time for 4th, TCBY
4:15 PM - Handbell Choir
5:30 PM - Cub Scout Pack 99, YMC
6:00 PM - Monday Night Bible Study, PH
7:00 PM - Boy Scout Troop 495, YMC
TUESDAY, 9 DECEMBER
7:00 AM - 5:50 PM Methodist Children’s Academy
9:00 AM - Suit Yourself, Outreach
10:00 AM - Prayer Shawl Ministry, PH101
10:30 AM - Full Staff/ Program Meeting, S118
12:00 PM - AA Support Group, Outreach
6:00 PM - GEMS Talent Squad, FB
7:00 PM - UMW God Stories, Various Home
WEDNESDAY, 10 DECEMBER
7:00 AM - 5:50 PM Methodist Children’s Academy
9:00 AM - R&R, Garages
9:00 AM - Suit Yourself, Outreach
10:30 AM - Women at the Well, PH
12:00 PM - Fellowship Lunch, DH
12:00 PM - AA Support Group, Outreach
2:30 PM - WACCI (Worship Arts Childrens Choirs Inc.), HRAC
5:00 PM - Fellowship Dinner, WP
5:45 PM - 7:30 PM Childcare Available, Ed Bldg
6:00 PM - Bonding with Bible, JHL
6:00 PM - GEMS Talent Squad, FB
INSERT
WEEK OF
DECEMBER 7TH
6:00 PM - Service of Lesson and Carols, Sanctuary
6:15 PM - Sanctuary Choir, ITRH
6:30 PM - Young Professionals Bible Study, The Yard
THURSDAY, 11 DECEMBER
7:00 AM - 5:50 PM Methodist Children’s Academy
9:30 AM - MCA Christmas Program, WA
11:30 AM - Heritage Lunch and Lecture, FB
11:30 AM - Sr. Lunch Out
12:00 PM - AA Support Group, Outreach
12:00 PM - NA Support Group, S117
1:00 PM - Lupton Group Meeting
6:00 PM - GEMS Talent Squad, FB
FRIDAY, 12 DECEMBER
7:00 AM - 5:50 PM Methodist Children’s Academy
8:30 AM - Veritas Homeschool Group, YMC
12:00 PM - AA Support Group, Outreach
5:00 PM - Sacred Harp Singing, WA
6:00 PM - Friday Night Wright, WP
SATURDAY, 13 DECEMBER
9:00 AM - Concert Rehearsal, Sanctuary
10:30 AM - Kappa Delta, DH
12:00 PM - AA Support Group, Outreach
5:15 PM - Pensacola Christmas Parade, Downtown
6:00 PM - Sr. High Progressive Dinner, YMC
L
E
G
E
N
D
The Wright Place, WP
Perry Home, PH
Wesley Abbey, WA
Joe Harrell Library, JHL
Ike Terry Rehearsal Hall, ITRH
Outreach Ministries Center, Outreach
Henry Roberts Activities Center, HRAC
Education Building, E
Basement of Sanctuary, S
Franklin Building, FB
www.FUMCPensacola.com
VOLUME 194 ISSUE 25
DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 20, 2014
CHURCH CALENDAR
SUNDAY, 14 DECEMBER
Advent: Joy
7:45 AM - 12:15 PM Childcare Available, Ed Bldg
8:00 AM - Worship Service, Sanctuary
9:30 AM - Ministries of First Church, PH101
9:30 AM - Service of Word and Table, Sanctuary
9:30 AM - Sunday School
11:00 AM - ICON Worship Service, WA
11:00 AM - Worship Service, Sanctuary
2:00 PM - Girl Scout Troop 110, Ed Bldg
3:00 PM - ECHO Symphony Rehearsal, WP
4:30 PM - Feeding at Loaves and Fishes
6:00 PM - An Electric Christmas, Sanctuary
MONDAY, 15 DECEMBER
7:00 AM - 5:50 PM Methodist Children’s Academy
7:15 AM - Youth Bible Study, Bagelheads
9:00 AM - Sewing Ministry, FB
12:00 PM - AA Support Group, Outreach
4:15 PM - Handbell Choir
5:30 PM - Cub Scout Pack 99 Blue & Gold Banquet, GH
6:00 PM - Emerald Coast Bead Society Meeting, FB
6:00 PM - Monday Night Bible Study, PH
7:00 PM - Boy Scout Troop 495, YMC
WEEK OF
DECEMBER 14TH
6:00 PM - Bonding with Bible, JHL
6:00 PM - Christmas Concert Rehearsal, Sanctuary
6:00 PM - Church Wide Caroling
6:00 PM - GEMS Talent Squad, FB
6:00 PM - UMW Grace Group, Library
6:30 PM - Young Professionals Bible Study, The Yard
THURSDAY, 18 DECEMBER
7:00 AM - 5:50 PM Methodist Children’s Academy
12:00 PM - AA Support Group, Outreach
12:00 PM - NA Support Group, S117
6:00 PM - GEMS Talent Squad, FB
FRIDAY, 19 DECEMBER
7:00 AM - 5:50 PM Methodist Children’s Academy
8:30 AM - Veritas Homeschool Group, YMC
12:00 PM - AA Support Group, Outreach
5:00 PM - Duell Class Party, WP
5:00 PM - Gallery Night, Downtown Palafox
SATURDAY, 20 DECEMBER
12:00 PM - AA Support Group, Outreach
5:00 PM - Office Pride Christmas Party, WP
TUESDAY, 16 DECEMBER
7:00 AM - 5:50 PM Methodist Children’s Academy
9:00 AM - Suit Yourself, Outreach
9:30 AM - Bridge Group, PH
10:00 AM - WW (Women’s Woodworking), R&R
10:30 AM - Full Staff/ Program Meeting, S118
12:00 PM - AA Support Group, Outreach
5:30 PM - UMW Mary and Martha, PHCB
6:00 PM - GEMS Talent Squad, FB
6:15 PM - Milk and Honey Board Meeting, PH101
WEDNESDAY, 17 DECEMBER
7:00 AM - 5:50 PM Methodist Children’s Academy
9:00 AM - R&R, Garages
9:00 AM - Suit Yourself, Outreach
10:30 AM - Women at the Well, PH
12:00 PM - Fellowship Lunch, DH
12:00 PM - AA Support Group, Outreach
4:00 PM - 50 Forward Council Meeting, S118
5:00 PM - Fellowship Dinner, WP
5:45 PM - 7:30 PM Childcare Available, Ed Bldg
INSERT
L
E
G
E
N
D
The Wright Place, WP
Perry Home, PH
Wesley Abbey, WA
Joe Harrell Library, JHL
Ike Terry Rehearsal Hall, ITRH
Outreach Ministries Center, Outreach
Henry Roberts Activities Center, HRAC
Education Building, E
Basement of Sanctuary, S
Franklin Building, FB
www.FUMCPensacola.com