First United Methodist Church 123 West Church Street Barnesville, Ohio 43713 740-425-3245

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Barnesville, Ohio 43713 Permit #3

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First United Methodist Church 740-425-3245

Pastor John Partridge secretary@barnesvillefirst.com pastor@barnesvillefirst.com

Wow! In just a few weeks it will be Christmas. I have been

fighting a deadline to write papers and complete assignments for

my application for ordination. They were all due on December

1st so by now I have either turned them in (I hope!) or asked to

postpone my application until next year. What deadlines are you

fighting? I know many of our high school and college students

have busy schedules and many class assignments that they have

been working on and many adults are in the middle of planning,

baking, decorating and making other preparations for the upcom-

ing holidays. Have we left anything out?

Amid all the gift exchanges, dinners and Christmas parties that

we will attend at work, church, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Rotary,

Kiwanis, and many other clubs and organizations to which we

belong, have we scheduled time to be with God? I don’t mean

just to plan on attending church on Sunday or coming to our

Christmas Eve service but finding time to remember the story of

Christmas. Many of us have heard the events of that first Christ-

mas repeated so many times we can almost recite them, but has

everyone? The events surrounding the birth of Christ two thou-

sand years ago remain so amazing even today that we can only

read them with wonder and amazement. The Christmas story, or

at least parts of it, is familiar to many of our friends and neigh-

bors even if they have never attended church and yet, this story is

fundamental to everything that we believe as Christians. Because

our neighbors and friends are at least passingly familiar with the

story, and because even the unchurched are celebrating a holiday

they may not completely understand, this is an ideal time to con-

nect with them and explain what it’s all about. Continued on page 2

Page 1

Front Door

5 Ron & Carol Preston 12 Joanne Cook & Liz McKelvey 19 Joanne Cook & Liz McKelvey 24 To be announced 26 Joe & Doris Brown

Mary Martha

5 Tom & Mary Lou Michelli 12 Tom & Mary Lou Michelli 19 Dave & Marsha Ward 24 To be announced 26 Dave & Marsha Ward

5) Steven & Thomas Ervin

12) Karlee & Kaylee Wehr

19) Abigail Starr & Madyson Little

26) Payne Johnson & Kyden Anderson

5) side table: In Loving Memory of Gladys Ackerman By: Myron 5) side table: In Loving Memory of Bernard Groves By: Carol Groves & Family 12) POINSETTIAS 19) POINSETTIAS 26) POINSETTIAS

DECEMBER

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MISSIONS (LOCAL BENEVOLENCE) & H. I. S. (Hearts In Service)

FAMILIES TO HELP AT CHRISTMAS

PLEASE HAVE ALL GIFTS WRAPPED AND THEIR NAMES ON THEM AND INTO THE

CHURCH OFFICE BY DECEMBER 15, 2010

Kay Allison Kay was at the coat give-away 166 Pine Lane Barnesville, Ohio 43713 425-3850 Her daughter (Kim) lost her job and has children Kim & Kay’s sizes are medium women’s Kay’s grandchildren: Shayla-Age-10 – shirt & pants size girls 10-12, shoe size women’s 6 Interests are music, likes to draw and any girly stuff Kavone-Age 4-shirt & pants size boys 6, shoe size boys 1 Interests are trucks and cars little boy is requesting a used 16inch bicycle with training wheels if anyone wants to get rid of one.

Could use sheets (King size & Full size) & Towels & washcloths ********************************************************************************************************************

Angela Stephens 435 S. Lincoln Apt. C-7 Barnesville, Ohio 43713 740-238-8817 Ethan Giesey-age 7-size boys 10-12, shoe size-4 Emma Giesey-age 4 - size 8, shoe size 1

MISSIONS (LOCAL BENEVOLENCE) & H. I. S. (Hearts In Service)

FAMILIES TO HELP AT CHRISTMAS

Aaron & Shannon Koher & Family They were at the coat give-away

32211 S. Leatherwood Rd. Barnesville, Ohio 740-630-3051 Aidan Koher- Age 7- shirt & pant sizes 10, likes video movies

Jami Garey Family (single mom) they will be moving Woodsfield sometime in the future Jami was at the coat give-away 111 Mackey Drive 501 Woods St. Apt 14 Woodsfield, Ohio 43793 Barnesville, Ohio 43713 Use Barnesville address for Christmas 425-1416 Zackri Groves Age 14 - shirt size –men’s small, pant size 28-30, Zackri’s interests are hunting, fishing & videos

PLEASE HAVE ALL GIFTS WRAPPED AND THEIR NAMES ON THEM AND INTO THE CHURCH OFFICE BY DECEMBER 15, 2010

Masyn Koher- Age 3- shirt & pant sizes 4T, likes trucks & cars

Laci Garey Age 6 – shirt size girls 8, pants size 10 likes any kinds of girly stuff

December Birthdays 4 Grace Stephen 6 Royann Brill 6 Ethan Samuel Geisey 7 Vicki Van Horn 7 Dal Wildman 9 Amanda Ervin 10 Melissa Doan 10 Melinda Lemke 11 Theresa Lemasters 11 Stephen Harris 12 Nicole Miller 12 Ryan Keadle 12 Ron Menges 12 Evan William Woodward 13 Gina Carvin 13 Lori Pisula 13 Darren Rinehart 14 Kelsey Secrest Van Dyne 16 Lauren Hoffman 16 Amy Crosier 16 Beverly Gray

17 Nancy Wells 20 Teresa Valine 22 Beth Brill 23 Brian Yarnall 24 Angie Kemp 24 Natalie Doan 24 Carol Stukey 25 Mary Ann Cheffy 27 Terence Carpenter 27 Max Plumly 27 Justin Valine 27 Dean Wehr 28 Brady Rockwell 29 Ryan Daniel Wehr 29 Barb Pfeffer 30 Brad Gray 30 Sherry Angelo 30 Aaron Corder 31 Olivia Starr

December Anniversaries 2 Jerry & Tammy Rush 8 Greg & Cheryl Pohl 12 John & Jean Barker 26 Carl & Joann Smith 31 Jeffrey & Elizabeth Reed 31 Adam & Candi Eccleston

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Continued from page 1 This Christmas I hope that we will all remember to find time to remember Jesus. I hope

that we will take the time to read the story, to re-familiarize ourselves with it, and to read

it to our children and grandchildren. I hope that while we wish our neighbors a Merry

Christmas that we will also ask them if they understand why Christians celebrate and

then explain why the story fills us with joy and hope. Who knows where these conversa-

tions might go, but there’s a chance that our friends might just want to know more about

Jesus when you’re done.

Jesus would like nothing better for his birthday, than for each of us to introduce our

friends to him. May God richly bless each of you.

Merry Christmas,

Pastor John

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ST.VINCENT DE PAUL IN NEED Below is a list of foods or health items that will be

needed before the winter months begin.

NOODLES PORK & BEANS

CANNED BROTH CANNED FRUIT

CEREAL PEANUT BUTTER

CORN CANNED PASTA

JELLO

PUDDING

MIXED VEGATABLES OR ANY CANNED SOUP

We appreciate any non-perishable items

December 5, 2010 December 12, 2010

December 18, 2010

The Mission’s Committee will be collecting food each Sunday for

St. Vincent de Paul. Please bring in your donations on these dates and put them in the wooden box in the parlor OR if you cannot get out to bring them

in yourself, please call the Church Office at 425-3245 and we will make arrangements to pick the items up. THANK YOU!

MISSIONS COMMITTEE: The committee will meet Sunday November 14, 2010. Lay Leader Janet Smith complimented Chairman Ron Preston on his report at the Charge Conference. PASTOR’S REPORT: Pastor John reported that there are 16 young people in the Confirmation class, which includes the Main Street UM Church and Somerton UM Church. After a discussion of our increase in our Sunday school classes, Chuck Groves moved to adjourn the meeting. The next scheduled meeting will be Monday December 13, 2010 at 7:00pm in the Edith Bishop Nims Fellowship Hall.

Pate 5

ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD MINUTES NOVEMBER 8, 2010 Attendance:

Ron Preston Chuck Groves Greg Pohl Fran Wilkins

Pastor John Bill Hill Helen Detling Carol Stukey

Brian Yarnall Janet Smith Pauline Doudna

Chairman Ron Preston called the meeting to order. Pastor John opened the meeting with prayer. The minutes were read from the October 11, 2010 meeting. Pauline Doudna moved to accept the minutes, seconded by Fran Wilkins, motion carried. FINANCE REPORT: Chairman Brian Yarnall gave the following report. OCTOBER RECEIPTS: $10,586.30 OCTOBER DISBURSEMENTS: $12,350.79 Giving of $10,000.00 from the Lloyd Ward Estate. NET GAIN: $8,235.51 Chuck Groves made a motion to establish a Youth Activity Account which will include Pastor’s Pals funds along with Methodist youth fund, seconded by Janet Smith, motion carried. As recommended by the Finance Committee, Brian moved that the Christmas Offering go toward the Youth Activity fund, seconded by Janet Smith, motion carried. Bill Hill moved to accept the Finance Report, seconded by Fran Wilkins, motion carried. TRUSTEES: Chairman Chuck Groves gave the following report. The heat tape has been replaced above the doors. The privacy fence at the parsonage is on hold. Up-coming projects are replacing the ballast in the Edith Bishop Nims Fellowship Hall and hanging an awning above the elevator door. WORHSIP COMMITTEE: Chairman Pauline Doudna gave the following report. November 21, Joe Miller will prepare a Thanksgiving Luncheon following the worship service. Pastor John will mail out 26 invitations to those who registered for the coat giveaway on November 4, 2010 to come to our Thanksgiving Luncheon. The Mis-sion’s Committee will deliver meals to the shut-ins after our Thanksgiving Luncheon Sunday, November 21, 2010. November 28, 2010 is the 1

st Sunday of Advent. Fami-

lies will do the Advent readings. December 12 will be Music Sunday and Hanging of the Greens. A Tasting Fair will follow the worship service in the Edith Bishop Nims Fellowship Hall. Christmas Eve Service will December 24 at 11:00pm.

Page 4

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS ******************************************************************************************STUDENT OF THE MONTH for December is Lily Rockwell. We

would like to let our college students know that we are thinking of them while they are attending college. Liily is the granddaughter of Wilma Truax and the late Clyde Truax. She attends Mount Vernon Nazarene University. If you would like to send her a thinking of you card, you may do so with the information we have provided. Liily Rockwell, R3063, 800 Martinsburg Rd., Mt. Vernon, Ohio 43050

H. I. S. (HEARTS IN SERVICE) ANNOUNCEMENTS

The next scheduled meeting will be Sunday December 5, 2010. ******************************************** Thank you to all who donated recipes for our Church Cookbook. We are ex-pecting to be shipped December 13, 2010. If you would like it by Christmas there is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board in back of the church sanctuary. They will call the ones on this list first. They will be $10.00 each. There were over 200 recipes received. ******************************************** We will be planning a one day bus trip to Grace Brethren Church in Columbus, Ohio sometime around the first week in December. For more Information contact Nancy Detling at 425-3418. ******************************************** We will be collecting individually wrapped cookies, candies and Christmas treats until December 12, 2010 for the Shut-Ins. The Missions (Local Benevolence group will purchase the fruit from the Barnesville F. F. A. The Sunday School classes will be decorating boxes for the Shut-ins.

Page 3

Tradition is an important part of life. As the years pass, each family

develops their own traditions. The season of Advent/Christmas is especially rich in

tradition. As we celebrate this wonderful season year after year, we develop a

series of traditions that have meaning for us individually, for our family, and for our

church. The “Hanging of the Greens” is a service that celebrates and explains the

important traditions that are associated with the season of Advent and Christmas.

Please join us for this special service on Sunday December 12, at 10:30am.

This service will combine the “Hanging of the Greens”, “Christmas Music Sunday”

and the “Children/Youth Christmas Program”. All people in our church

congregation and participating in the program are encouraged to wear their holiday

sweaters/sweatshirts to help make this a festive service.

As a continuation of the “Hanging of the Greens” service, in the Edith Bishop

Nims Fellowship Hall there will be a “Tasting Fair”. Everyone is asked to bring their

favorite holiday dessert (including cookies, candies, cakes, pies, etc.), their favorite

holiday cheese ball, holiday salad, vegetable tray, cheese tray, fruit tray or

appetizer.

A LITTLE BOY IN CHURCH

A little boy in church today is a busy little lad.

He often tries the patience of his mother and his dad. He fumbles in his pockets; he needs some gum to chew. He whispers something funny; he’s underneath the pew.

He draws a picture of a cat; it looks more like a bird, The preacher preaches on; he hasn’t heard a word. But try one’s patience he will, he’s lovable and dear,

He can’t sit still for very long, but aren’t we glad he’s here.

The above may sound really familiar to many of us. And I know that sometimes parents feel as if they are hindering others in worship. Just

remember that this is the best place to train our children to worship God! You cannot train them to worship outside of the Assembly. So just keep

up the good work and train them in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6). You would be surprised at what they are learning from

you! !

ANNOUNCEMENTS *******************************************************************************************

DECEMBER OFFERING WILL GO TO THE YOUTH ACTIVITY FUND ******************************************************************************************* If you would like any and all contributions given to the church to show in 2010 please have them in by December 20, 2010. ******************************************************************************************* The Mission’s Committee sent in 9-pair of eye glasses, 3 glass cases, that were delivered to Lens Crafters. 50 egg cartons taken to Rosie Clark. 12 lb. greeting card fronts to St. Jude. ******************************************************************************************* Our church’s Newsletter is now available on line at barnesvillefirst.com then hit the link for Newsletter. ******************************************************************************************* 2011 Offering Envelopes are ready to be picked up on the table in the parlor. If you do not see your name listed or want offering envelopes, please contact Nancy Smith at 740-425-1095. ******************************************************************************************* Thank you so much for everything. . . We are so grateful! The Family of Connie Wyscarver ******************************************************************************************* I wish to thank Pastor John for his visits to the hospital when I was there. Also thank you to those for the get well cards and prayers. All was greatly appreciated. Carol Groves *******************************************************************************************We want to thank all the members and friends of you church who have so gen-erously donated to our food pantry. You are a truly caring group of God’s peo-ple and we could not do our work without your help. May God continue to bless your families and thanks again.

St. Vincent de Paul, Virginia Waggle ******************************************************************************************* Thank you for all your cares and concern during and after my surgery. Thank you to Pastor John, and all who sent cards, made phone calls, visits and Especially for all your prayers. Thank You, Roger Wehr

Safely Home I am home in Heaven, dear ones,

Oh, so happy and so bright There is perfect joy and beauty

In this evening light.

All the pain and grief is over, Every restless tossing passed;

I am now at peace forever, Safely home at last.

Then you must not grieve so sorely,

For I love you dearly still; Try to look beyond earth’s shadows,

Pray to trust our Father’s will.

There is work still waiting for you, So you must not idly stand;

Do it now, while life remaineth— You shall rest in Jesus’ land.

When that work is all completed,

He will gently call you Home; Oh, the rapture of that meeting,

Oh, the joy to see you come!

Author Unknown THOSE WHO WERE CALLED HOME TO BE WITH THE LORD

Betty Hasbrouck 10-26-2010 (Member of our Church Family)

London Renee’ Hodge 11-07-2010 (Great Niece of Roy & Becky Steele)

Connie Timmons Wyscarver 11-09-2010 (Wife of Ronnie Wyscarver) (Member of our church Family)

December 2010 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 9:15am BAMA Mtg At Main St. UMC

5:30pm Confirmation Class Main St. UMC

2 6:00pm Hand Bell

Practice 7:00pm Chancel Choir

Practice

3 Wedding Rehearsal for

Lindsey McKelvey & Kyle McGlumphy

4 3:30pm Wedding for Lindsey McKelvey &

Kyle McGlumphy

5 9:00am Trustee Mtg (Pastor’s Study)

HOLY COMMUNION 2nd Sunday of Advent 6:30pm H. I. S. Mtg

6

7:00pm Pastor John Village Council Mtg

7 Pastor John

Chaplain on Call

8

5:00pm Girl Scout Leader Mtg

9 Pastor John 9:30am Cluster Group Mtg.

2:45pm Daisy Troop Mtg

6:00pm Hand Bell Practice

7:00pm Chancel Choir Practice

10 11

12 9:00am Mission’s Mtg (Edith Bishop

Nims FH) 3rd Sunday of Advent 2:00pm Pastor John

Barnesville HCC

13 2:30pm Brownie Mtg Amanda McEndree

6:30pm Finance Mtg

14

Pastor John Chaplain on Call

15 16

6:00pm Hand Bell Practice

7:00pm Chancel Choir Practice

17 2-9:30pm Olan Mills will be taking pic-tures for the people who signed up for the church directory

18 9:30am-5:10pm Olan Mills will be taking pictures for the peo-ple who signed up for the church directory

19 Tom & Lydia Young will become members of our

church family

4th Sunday of Advent

20 21

Pastor John Chaplain on Call

22 23

24 7:00pm Christmas Eve Service at the

Presbyterian Church

11:00pm Christmas Eve Service at the First United

Methodist Church

25

26 NO WORSHIP

COMMITTEE MTG

27 28

Pastor John Chaplain on Call

29 30 31

December 2010 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 9:15am BAMA Mtg At Main St. UMC

5:30pm Confirmation Class Main St. UMC

2 6:00pm Hand Bell

Practice 7:00pm Chancel Choir

Practice

3 Wedding Rehearsal for

Lindsey McKelvey & Kyle McGlumphy

4 3:30pm Wedding for Lindsey McKelvey &

Kyle McGlumphy

5 9:00am Trustee Mtg (Pastor’s Study)

HOLY COMMUNION 2nd Sunday of Advent 6:30pm H. I. S. Mtg

6

7:00pm Pastor John Village Council Mtg

7 Pastor John

Chaplain on Call

8

5:00pm Girl Scout Leader Mtg

9 Pastor John 9:30am Cluster Group Mtg.

2:45pm Daisy Troop Mtg

6:00pm Hand Bell Practice

7:00pm Chancel Choir Practice

10 11

12 9:00am Mission’s Mtg (Edith Bishop

Nims FH) 3rd Sunday of Advent 2:00pm Pastor John

Barnesville HCC

13 2:30pm Brownie Mtg Amanda McEndree

6:30pm Finance Mtg

14

Pastor John Chaplain on Call

15 16

6:00pm Hand Bell Practice

7:00pm Chancel Choir Practice

17 2-9:30pm Olan Mills will be taking pic-tures for the people who signed up for the church directory

18 9:30am-5:10pm Olan Mills will be taking pictures for the peo-ple who signed up for the church directory

19 Tom & Lydia Young will become members of our

church family

4th Sunday of Advent

20 21

Pastor John Chaplain on Call

22 23

24 7:00pm Christmas Eve Service at the

Presbyterian Church

11:00pm Christmas Eve Service at the First United

Methodist Church

25

26 NO WORSHIP

COMMITTEE MTG

27 28

Pastor John Chaplain on Call

29 30 31