STEWARDSHIP

Renewed in the Spirit

STEWARDSHIP DEDICATION SUNDAY
NOVEMBER 17TH

Why should a pledge be made to the 2003 budget?
When a person commits to membership in the church, there is acceptance of the responsibility to support the ministry of the church through stewardship of time, talent and resources. The apostle Paul spoke plainly and boldly of the need for Christians to give generous support to the church so that the church could, in turn, minister to the needs of its members and others.

Pledging gives the church a priority in our lives. It is part of our covenant of faith. Since as Christians, we believe that God gave us the greatest gift possible in God's Son, Jesus, our response to God should be first, not last. Making a commitment in the form of a pledge helps us to be regular and systematic in our giving and lets our congregation know that it can count on our financial support barring any unusual circumstances. Our commitment becomes planned and not just a part of what is left over after all our other pledges are met.

Regardless of what our assumptions or motivations may be for the choices we make with what we have, what we do, and when we do it, everything belongs to God. All that we have belongs to God and all that we do is for God, regardless of circumstances.

At the annual congregational meeting held on October 20th the following were elected to the:

Additional Business:
1. Approved a change in the bylaws for the addition of a youth elder for a one year term. This automatically changes the bylaw of the number of elders from 13 to 14.

2. Revise section 4.12-Outreach Committee of the By-laws as follows:
(a) add a last sentence to the section to read: "This committee shall be responsible for oversight of the church's world wide web site."

3. That the by-laws be amended to include the section titles "General Policies & Procedures" and that said section be included in the table of contents.

   
COMMUNITY WIDE THANKSGIVING SERVICE
Sunday November 24th - 6:00 PM

The Rockwall Ministerial Alliance is sponsoring the 2002 Community Wide Thanksgiving Service with First United Methodist church of Rockwall hosting.
Alan Clark is the choir director for the service. Choir members from participating church will present an anthem.
A time of fellowship will follow the service.

PRIZES AWARDED

CHILI: 1ST - Tim Layendecker, 2nd - Bob Cotti, 3rd - Mike Tennent,
honorable mention, David Crutchfield.

ICE CREAM: 1st - Aimee Herring, 2nd - Melanie Logue, 3rd - Laura Slackney
PUMPKIN CARVING: 1st - Crutchfield family, 2nd & 3rd - Gascoigne family.

COSTUME: 1st - Jack Gordon/Kaitlyn Culmo, 2nd - Jonelle Gascoigne, 3rd - Kelly Case.

I would like to extend a personal thanks to everyone who participated in the Fall Festival from the children who participated to the other committee's members who helped setup and tear down and everyone who contributed goodies for the cakewalk.
A special thank you to the judges and the youth who manned the games. We could not have done it without you.

Jill Culmo, Moderator
C.E. Committee

CONFIRMATION FOR YOUTH 7TH GRADE AND ABOVE

An information sharing meeting was held October 27th following worship for students and their parents who desire to be confirmed in 2003. Confirmation classes will be held in conjunction with youth group. Eighth graders who have been confirmed will mentor those who are seeking to be confirmed. Each meeting will include dinner with the senior high youth, games, devotional time, and prayer time. If you missed the informational meeting and wish more information regarding the process, please call Kathy at the church.

NOVEMBER YOUTH SCHEDULE

POST ON YOUR REFRIGERATOR

November 3 4:00 PM R.O.C.K. GROUP, will meet at the church Sun., for a trip to the Corn Maze east of Rockwall.

November 3 6:00 PM Pizza Night (Junior & Senior High - grades 7-12)
Bring $3.00

November 10 6:00 PM dinner - Tunnell Family

November 17 6:00 PM dinner - Vaughan Family
Program following for grades 7-12

November 24 Rockwall Community Thanksgiving Service

Looking forward to December

December 1 Family Advent Festival and Hanging of the Greens
Youth should attend this special time in the church's life.

ATTENTION!

Anyone who has taught in the rotation classes this year or will be teaching in the near future or would like to share their faith with children and youth: Important teachers' meeting Wednesday November 6th at 7:00 PM.

(SEE YOU AT THE CONFERENCE TABLE)

Lord of the Dance
Intergenerational Advent/Christmas Program
December 15, 2002
11:00 a.m. Worship

Our rotation for the month of November is entitled Lord of the Dance. In our hymnbook, you may be familiar with the hymn by the same title. In approximately five verses of song, Lord of the Dance, tells the story of Jesus' life. What better way to celebrate Christmas and Advent then to rehear the story of Jesus' life.

Our Christmas Program in December will be Lord of the Dance, an intergenerational telling of Christ's life in song and dance. During the Christian Education hour we will be preparing for the program by learning the story in Scripture Tent, the song in Music Workshop, making props in Art Workshop, and learning simple movements in Theater Workshop. There will be parts for all children including our preschoolers in Mrs. Reeves' class. There will also be parts for some of our youth and adults. This will be presented on December 15th during worship.

REHEARSALS WILL BE AS FOLLOWS:
Sunday, December 8th during the Christian Education Hour 9:45-10:45 a.m.
Saturday, December 14th at 9:00 a.m.
Sunday, December 15th during the Christian Education Hour 9:45-10:45 a.m.

Your support is needed by having your children attend regularly throughout November so they will get full benefit of the learning process and be comfortable in the performance.

Peace and Grace,
Kathy Collier

NEEDED: Someone to help make very simple costumes.
Someone to help and oversee simple backdrops made of cardboard.

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS

LADIES NIGHT OUT: will meet Monday November 4th, 7:00 PM at the Doc's Lake (formerly the Ranch House) Restaurant in Rockwall.

MORNING CIRCLE: will meet Thursday, Nov. 14th, 10:30 AM at the home of
Marinell Martin. All women of the church are invited
to attend.

EVENING CIRCLE: will meet Thursday, Nov. 21st 7:30 PM at the home of
Felie Cotti.

BETTER THAN HOUSEWORK (and friends): Wed., Nov. 6th…let's do lunch!
Meet at the church at 11:00 for a trip to Garland for lunch at the tearoom on the square.

BAKE SALE: The Presbyterian Women's monthly Bake Sale is Sunday, Nov. 10th.

RED STOCKING TEA: All women of the church and guests are invited to the home Janet Catlin on Sunday, December 8th at 3:00 PM.

Again we will share our good fortune with the patients of Terrell State Hospital. Please bring small unwrapped gifts. Personal care products are needed: soap, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, combs, brushes, etc. Cash donations are also appreciated; checks should be made out to "Volunteer Services of Terrell State Hospital."

SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGERS

It's time to volunteer to be a Salvation Army Bell Ringer. Ringers from
local congregations man the kettles, and 100% of the funds collected on those days remain in Rockwall and are administered by Helping Hands. There is a sign up sheet on the counter in fellowship hall.

ADVENT CALENDAR OF SUNDAY ACTIVITIES

Sunday Dec. 1st Family Advent Festival with the "Hanging of The Greens."
dinner at 6:00 PM
Sunday Dec. 8th Advent Program followed by dinner, 6:00 PM
Sunday Dec. 15th the Children's Christmas Pageant during worship
Sunday Dec. 15th Advent Program and dinner, 6:00 PM
Sunday Dec. 22nd During worship the Sanctuary Choir will present
a Christmas Cantata.
Sunday Dec. 22nd Christmas Caroling Hayride at 5:00 PM

Tuesday Dec. 24th Candle Light Christmas Eve Service at 7:00 PM

POINSETTIAS

We will be using Poinsettia Plants to decorate the sanctuary during the Christmas season. If you would like to order a plant, please fill out the following form (CLICK HERE for printable form) and return it to the church office with a check for $10. Orders must be in by Friday, December 6th.