Fir

st U

nit

ed M

etho

dis

t C

hu

rch

20

0 S

ou

th C

oll

ege

Aven

ue

B

luef

ield

VA

2

460

5

AD

DR

ES

S S

ER

VIC

E

RE

QU

ES

TE

D

No

n-P

rofi

t O

rgan

izat

ion

U

S P

ost

age

Pai

d

Per

mit

No

. 7

1

Blu

efie

ld,

VA

Volunteers are needed to serve as acolytes. If interested, please call the church office.

RECORD OF FAITHFULNESS—OCTOBER 2016

DATE 2 9 16 23 30

Joy! Service 20 16 15 13 21

10:30 Worship 101 119 131 112 117

Total Worship 121 135 146 125 138

Sunday School 38 46 47 52 54

Super Sundays 43 46 30 48 —

2016 BUDGET…….………….….…………………..…..$281,000.00

YTD BUDGET Needed……………….…………......…..$234,166.60

YTD BUDGET Tithes and Offerings Received………….$194,756.83

YTD NON-BUDGET Receipts Received… ……….…....$ 47,740.89

CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES YTD……………………....$ 10,045.00

BLUEFIELD FIRST UNITED

METHODIST CHURCH 200 South College Avenue

Bluefield, VA 24605 Phone: 276-326-1466

E-mail Address: info@bluefieldfumc.org Website: bluefieldfumc.org

Like us on Facebook

Dr. Brad Scott, Pastor pastor@bluefieldumc.org 276-722-0346

Carolyn Quesenberry, Secretary info@bluefieldumc.org 276-617-1943

William Elliott, Music Dir./Organist welliott1@frontier.com 304-320-7265

Jack Goins, Choir Director jackrgoins@hotmail.com 276-722-2133

Jessica Cole, Youth Director jessblevins83@gmail.com 865-300-7457

Amy Horne. Dir. Children’s Min. ahorne@tcplweb.org 276-979-6424

Wade Dillon, Custodian wmd342014@gmail.com 276-322-2148

Dr. Don Scott, Pastor Emeritus wmds@wvva.net 304-320-7407

NOVEMBER 2016 NEWSLETTER

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR?

We’ve been talking over the past several weeks about choices. With the election in site and changes going on at the general level of the UMC, we have many choices that need our careful consideration.

But one choice we have each day is not as hard to make, and that’s the choice to be thankful. When we live out of gratitude, we become less stressed, more hopeful, and very much in line with what God wants in our lives. What are you thankful for today?

Here’s my list:

I’m thankful for the smiles on the faces of the children of our church and community. They inspire me as I watch them grow and share the joy of life.

I’m thankful for the faithfulness of the older members of our church, those who are able to attend as well as those who cannot attend any longer. Their love of the church and the people here is a constant source of inspiration.

I’m thankful for the blessing of having enough. Enough food, enough warmth, enough clothing, enough of all the things necessary for life. God has really blessed us.

I’m thankful for the beauty of creation all around us. The changing leaves this fall, the gorgeous vistas of our mountains, the beauty of a crystal stream flowing through a forest; all the ways God reminds us of His love in the natural world.

I’m thankful for the missional awareness of this congregation. We have several good mission projects going on and new ways we are blessing the community and the world at large. I think it makes God smile when we do these things.

I’m thankful for the saints, those who have died, and those who are living, who testify to the grace of God through Jesus Christ. Their lives are our inspirations, and they have given us wonderful examples for how we should live.

I’m thankful for those whose faith continues to be strong even as life throws them difficulties. Those who find strength in spite of suffering are strong examples and leaders for us to follow.

I’m thankful for a free country and the goodness found in people all around us.

I hope you have a list of things to be thankful for. As we celebrate Thanksgiving this month, pause to give thanks. Make a list and read it out aloud to God in your prayer time. Join us as we celebrate Thanksgiving with people in our community on Sunday, November 20, at 6 pm at Fincastle Presbyterian Church over near Graham Middle School. Pastor Gary Jakes of First Nazarene Church will be preaching and the choir of First UMC, Bluefield, Virginia (OUR CHOIR!) will be singing.

See you Sunday,

Pastor Brad

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 1 Carl Burnette 2 Raye Goins 3 Charles Blevins 3 Cathy Payne 4 Kathryn Davis 7 Debra Hickman 9 DeAnna Coon 10 Rosa Johnson 12 Ethel Earls 12 Oscar Figueroa 14 David Williams 14 Joanne Yost 15 Betty Matney 15 Karen Evans 15 Judy Johnson 16 Sarah Elswick

16 Scott Saunders 16 Jacob Britton 17 Gary Cornwell 18 Janette Thibodeau 20 Mariah Spracher 20 Fran Alba 22 Darrell Hicks 22 E. C. Browning 25 James Jones 27 JoAnn Davis 30 J. C. Higginbotham HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! 6 Terry/Bronwyn Owen 9 Roscoe/Betty Matney 29 Bruce/Janette Thibodeau

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERARIES GRAHAM INTERMEDIATE FIFTH GRADE CHORUS ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFETT

Fincastle on the Mountain - November 7, 2016 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Tickets: Adults $14.00 Children Under 11 $7.00 Take Outs Available

For Tickets contact Graham Intermediate at 276-326-3737 or William Elliott at 304-720-7265.

All proceeds benefit the Chorus’ Carowinds Trip on April 13, 2017.

THE TRUSTEES WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A LIST OF ALL PEOPLE WHO HAVE A CHURCH KEY. If you have a key,

please notify the church office so your name can be added to the list. Thank you.

The HEAD START CHRISTMAS PARTY sponsored by the United Methodist Women will be on Thursday, December 1st at 6:00 p.m. in Palmer Hall. Each child will receive Christmas gifts and each family will receive a bag filled with food. If you would like to make a donation to help with this party, mark your donation for Head Start.

Sunday, November 6

IMMEDIATE NEEDS Eddie Abshire, Fran Alba, Andy Anderson, Patsy Arnold, Jim Ayers, Janet Barker, Wilma Barbery, Charlotte Bass, Ben Bates, Catherine Beamer, Dennis Bennett, Phyllis Blankenship, Carol Bohaboy, Suzanna Bovenizer, Doug Coon, Veleda Davidson, Anna Deitrich, Blair Deskins (Jean Miller’s Granddaughter), Richard and Patty Dillon (Wade’s Parents), Darlene Dolin, Linda Douthat, Steve Epperly, Gertrude Farmer, Beth Farrington, Vicki Furrow, Debbie Gillespie, Laura Gooch, Stephanie Gressett, Amanda Griffith, Bill Harless, Gus Hartsock, Millie Hartsock, Susan Hastings, Erinn Hollo, Jim Houchins, Amanda Jessee, Jim Justice, Mary Virginia Lester (Linda Hash’s Sister), Tammy Little, Mary Martin, Owen McGlamary, Penny Sue McKenzie (Keith’s Daughter-In-Law), Louise McVey, Richard Morsan, Ethan Oliver, Phil and Rebecca Peterson, Steve Prout, Johnny Puckett, Evelyn Ragan, Patty Ramage, Brian Rose & Family, Ruby Roten, Deb Sarver, Kenny Sawyers, Suzette Sawyers, Carol Scott, Mary Ruth Scott, Ruth Shrader, Marguerite Smith, Ellie Spencer, Ann Grim Sparger, Roger Stacey, Amanda Stephenson, Russell Synan, Will Thompson, Kim Tinder, Jule & Lee Toliver, Robert Trenton, Dave Trippett (Shirley Saunders’ Nephew), Betty White, Edith Wilkinson, Michael & Susan Williams (Mary Ruth Scott’s nephew)

CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES

OUR MILITARY Ryan Shott, Lucas Graham, Jeremy Woody, and those serving our country

LONG TERM ILLNESS Joe Akers, Marie Anderson, Barbara Bailey, Bobbie Bellamy (Margaret Elam’s Sister), Smokey Blaylock, Edna Bone, Rosa Corte, Joe Davidson, Leon Devor, Ethel Earls, Syd Ellison, Margaret Farmer, Russell Garrett, Shirley Glover, Dr. David Kovach, Charles Miller (Pam Rose’s father), Gary Pardue, Gerrie Porter, Wilma Shay, Nancy Trenton, Irma Webb, Ted Yost

NOVEMBER CHURCH ACTIVITIES/MEETINGS 3 United Methodist Women Martha Circle—10:30 a.m. in Library Lydia Circle—7:00 p.m. in Palmer Hall 13 United Methodist Women’s Sunday—Speaker: Jake Heron 13 Adult Handbell Choir will perform 13 Woolwine Sunday School Class to Wohlfahrt Haus 14 Finance Committee, 6:30 p.m. in Library 16 Men’s Breakfast Devotions: Jack Morgan 19 SPR Training 9 a.m. to 12 p.m./Lay Leader Training 1-4 p.m. Falls Mills UMC—Lunch/Soup and Sandwich Donations For lunch will help fund the new Nursing Home Ministry 20 Pastor Appreciation Sunday 20 Youth Luncheon 20 Community Thanksgiving Service 24 Happy Thanksgiving 27 1st Sunday in Advent

SUPER SUNDAYS—6:00 P.M. WILL RETURN NOVEMBER 6 AND 13.

BIBLE STUDY—WEDNESDAYS, 6:00 P.M.

ADULT HANDBELL REHEARSAL—WEDNESDAYS, 6:15 P.M.

CHANCEL CHOIR REHEARSAL—WEDNESDAYS, 7:00 P.M.

ADVENT STUDY Wednesdays—6:00 p.m.

Starting November 30 through December 21

During 10:30 a.m. Morning Worship Service

Bible Stories—Interactive Learning—Games—Crafts For More Information Or To Volunteer, Please Call Amy Horne at 276-979-6424

The Staff Parish Relations Committee would like to give you an opportunity to express your appreciation to Pastor Brad Scott for his commitment to our church. We are asking for

love gifts for him that will be presented to him on Sunday, November 20, 2016 during Morning Worship. If you would like to participate with a special gift offering, please mark your check for “Pastor Appreciation”. Thank you in advance for your help in recognizing Pastor Brad.

COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING SERVICE at Fincastle Presbyterian Church on Sunday evening, November 20 at 6 p.m. Gary Jakes of the First Church of the Nazarene will speak, and our choir will sing.

IN MEMORY OF PAT JONES OCTOBER 2016

To: UMCOR By: Dr. S. K. and Dr. K. Chopra

To: Children’s Ministries By: Lou Freeman

To: Assistance Fund By: Jerry/Debra Hickman

To: Organ Fund By: Ben/Barbara Bates By: Walter/Linda Shroyer

To: Music Fund By: Jim/Ruth Brewster By: Ryland/Stephanie Musick By: Bob/Shelby Clendenen By: Jim/Jackie Wilkinson By: Cheryl Sudderth By: Bob/Lori Moss By Darrell/Betty Hicks By: Lonnie Quesenberry By: Glen/Colleen Page By: Pete/Virginia Rowlett By: John/Cathy Payne—Libby Perry, Millie Raynor and Families By: Robert/Carol Black and Deborah Coons

Holston Conference has asked all its churches to take up a special emergency mission offering for the people of South Sudan, where we have been in mission for several years. Fred Dearing, who used to be a pastor at Ebenezer is working there and asks for our prayers especially for the children there who are under threat from war that has broken out there. If you would like to make a special offering for this cause, mark your check "SOUTH SUDAN" .

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The United Methodist Men are sponsoring a MISSION PROJECT FOR BLUEFIELD UNION MISSION. The men are collecting food each month at their breakfast meeting. The Mission is in need of canned meat (tuna, spam, ham, etc.), canned fruit (peaches and apple sauce). If you would like to donate, please bring your food to the church office.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NEW MINISTRY COMING TO NURSING HOME AND ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES IN TAZEWELL DISTRICT CHURCHES. This is an outreach of the Elk Garden School Community Ministries. Rev. Mary Chapiewski will be visiting nursing homes and assisted living facilities throughout the district. This new ministry will provide supplemental visitation to folks from your churches. It will also include support to facilities by offering Bible study or prayer meetings if desired. The are calling on churches to help. They are in need of the following items to put together care package to be left with each resident that Mary visits and to each resident during the holidays. They also need financial assistance to purchase items. Donations can be made to Tazewell District UMC with a notation to GEMS on the memo line. CARE PACKAGE ITEMS HOLIDAY PACKAGES Travel Size Kleenex Footies with rubber soles Travel Size Deodorants Pens & Paper Pads Travel Size Lotion & Sanitizer Large Print Devotionals Tooth Brushes/Travel Size Toothpaste Small Lap Blankets Lip Moisturizer Christmas Cards

Razors/Travel Size Shaving Cream Small Gift Bags

Boxes of Greeting Cards (Thinking of You)

Pocket Prayer Clothes

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

Information for packing a shoebox has been placed at each entrance to the church. Decide whether you will pack a box for a girl or a boy, and the age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. There will be 2 trips to the Processing Center in Charlotte, NC : November 29 leaves at 12:30 p.m. (21 slots) December 5 leaves at 6:30 a.m. (21 slots) Sign up sheets have been placed on the bulletin board outside the office. Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift. You can also include a personal note and photo.