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Advent and Christmas Sermon Series Information Generation to Generation: We are invited to look at the characters in our scriptures and wonder: What did each character pass on or contribute? How did each character participate in God’s liberation and love? What is our role now? What is our generation’s task? What will we carry forth, and what should we leave behind? In the midst of narratives, policies, and rhetoric designed to divide us, what does it look like to practice belonging to one another? The work of God is always unfolding—in and through us. This Advent season, how will we carry it forth? 2024 Advent Devotional HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS: GENERATION TO GENERATION Join us for this holiday season kick-off event from 3:00-5:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 1. This is a great way for ALL AGES to start the Advent and Christmas season. Join us for things to make, things to eat, games to play, and so much more as we celebrate Christmas through the ages. UWFAITH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON ALL women are invited to the United Women in Faith Christmas Luncheon on Tuesday, December 3 at 12:00 p.m. in the Family Hall. Come for a fabulous lunch, door prizes, and entertainment by the RHS Chromatic Choir. Lunch is $10.00 and can be paid at the door. CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PAGEANT Join us in the sanctuary on Wednesday, December 4 at 6:00 p.m. for our annual Children’s Christmas Nativity Pageant. Enjoy our children’s re-enactment of the Christmas story, complete with familiar hymns! You won’t want to miss it! This will be Wednesday night programming for that night for SLAM, Surge, Impact and Adults. UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH HOLIDAY TOUR OF HOMES The UWFaith of Russellville First is excited to invite the community to be a part of the 2024 Holiday Tour of Homes Fundraiser on Sunday, December 8 from 1:00-3:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased from any UWFaith member or from the church office. LESSONS AND CAROLS As we shop, as we plan, as we wait, and as we gather, let us look forward and consider the gifts we have to offer in response to God’s incredible gift of Love? Join us for Lessons and Carols Sunday, December 15 in the sanctuary at 6:30 p.m. We will end by raising lighted candles as we sing “Silent Night.” NEIGHBORHOOD CAROLING Please join us for a night in the Neighborhood! Family Caroling will be on Wednesday, December 18th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. We will fellowship together with warm soups to start, venture out into the church neighborhood to sing Christmas carols, and return back for hot chocolate, popcorn and to watch "A Charlie Brown Christmas" as we warm up from caroling. JESUS’ BIRTHDAY PARTY Celebrate Jesus’s birthday with us! All children and youth are invited to the Family Hall during the Sunday School hour (9:40-10:30 a.m.) Sunday, December 22 to join in the party for Jesus. Breakfast, games, crafts, and more! COMMUNITY BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICE We're joining together with Central Presbyterian and All Saints' Episcopal Church on Sunday, December 22 at 5:30 pm for a Blue Christmas service, which will be held at Central Presbyterian Church, 400 W. Main Street. Snacks and fellowship time will be before the service at 5:00 pm. While the Christmas season is often one of joy and celebration, it can also be a time of grief and sadness. The Blue Christmas service will acknowledge the challenges the come with the holiday season and it will be a time for worship, prayer, and reflection. CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE We will gather Tuesday, December 24 at 5:00 pm. for our Christmas Eve worship service in the Sanctuary. Come together with carols and Holy Communion. COMBINED WORSHIP SERVICE We will celebrate the First Sunday After Christmas on December 29 with a combined worship service at 10:40 a.m. Advent & Christmas Pop-Up Sunday School Class ADVENT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS TAUGHT BY PASTOR LAUREN Join Pastor Lauren for an Advent study on the book "Wanting More," a study written by former FUMC associate pastor, Rev. Michael Roberts, and contributed to by Pastor Lauren. This will be a 6-week study on Sunday mornings beginning Sunday, December 1 from 9:40-10:30 am in the Cornerstone Classroom, Room 211. You will need to order your own book, which can be found on Amazon. If you have questions, please contact Pastor Lauren at lauren@russellvillefirst.org .

UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH Faith. Action. Sisterhood Driven by God’s love and united in sisterhood, we work to improve the lives of women, children and youth. Every day, we show up. We take action. We get it done. And we invite you to join us. Who We Are We are women like you, a powerful, fearless force driven by God’s love and united in sisterhood. With a focus on women, children and youth, we act for justice and transform communities. Join us because love in action can change the world. Our Circles We have six small groups ("circles") that meet monthly January through May and September through December. GIRLS OF GRACE--meets monthly, varies FAITHFUL FRIENDS--meets 3rd Thursday at 4:30 p.m. FAMILY LIFE--meets 3rd Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. JOY SEEKERS--meets 2nd Monday at 6:00 p.m. MORNING GLORIES--meets 3rd Thursday at 10:00 a.m. SUNSHINE GANG--meets 1st Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. Love In Action We are a group of women dedicated to supporting women, children, and youth both locally and around the world. We actively participate in programs within the church, our community, and our state. Make a Meaningful Impact Put your talents, energy and ideas to work. You’ll find flexible opportunities for spiritual growth and ways to act for social justice, support your community, live your faith and enrich your life. Visit russellvillefirst.org/women to learn more about United Women in Faith at Russellville First United Methodist Church.

GIVING TUESDAY GIVE NOW Be a part of the #GivingTuesday movement when you give TODAY! WHAT IS GIVING TUESDAY? Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement that unleashes the power of radical generosity around the world. Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past nine years, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. Giving Tuesday strives to build a world in which the catalytic power of generosity is at the heart of the society we build together, unlocking dignity, opportunity, and equity around the globe. Find out more at https://www.givingtuesday.org/

Pastors & Staff Meet Our Pastors Rev. Dr. Tony Griffin Senior Pastor Rev. Lauren DeLano Associate Pastor Rev. Cindy Bright Pa stor to Families Meet Our Staff Page Phillips Director of Children & Family Ministries Christi Burris Director of Youth & Family Ministries Emily Westcott Assistant Director of Youth & Family Ministries Brooke Shamblen Assistant Director of Children & Family Ministries Dr. Katie Rohwer Choir Director Megan Grace TLC Director & Childcare Coordinator Valerie Roys TLC Administrative Support Garrett Snavely Organist Brian Faulkner Praise Band Leader Chris Becnel Director of Communications Becky Worley Office Administrator Mary Collier Administrative Assistant David Condley Facility Manager

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Pathways to Generosity: A New Look at Stewardship Why Talk About Money? It's a Spiritual Issue Stewardship is directly linked to our journey of discipleship. How we use our resources is primarily a spiritual issue, not a financial one. The quality of that decision is determined by the spiritual condition of our hearts. Jesus Talked About It Jesus spoke openly about money and possessions. About two-thirds of the parables and about one in every ten verses in the Gospels address this very issue. As followers of Jesus, We should not be reluctant to talk about giving as an outward expression of our love for Christ. It's Not About the Budget In stewardship campaigns, it can be tempting to approach the financial needs of the church as if we were simply funding the budget. In , we acknowledge that living generously is an inseparable part of our following Christ. God does not need our money; rather, we need to give it as an act of gratitude and trust. It's About Trust As we learn to trust God more and follow Christ's teaching more faithfully, we learn to depend less on ourselves and more on God, relinquishing attitudes and habits that impede our relationship with God. Click Here to Learn More Electronic Estimate of Giving Card GIVE NOW Download the Brochure Download the Monthly Giving Table Download the Giving Illustration Download the Prayer Bookmark VIEW an Estimate of Giving Card

PHOTOS To download your photo, choose one of the options below: 1. Click this link to access your photo from our Facebook Group. (Immediately available for download) Hometown Christmas Photos--Facebook Group 2. Fill out the form below to have your photo emailed to you. (Available in 1-2 business days) Hometown Christmas Photo Email Name Photo Code (if you have it) Send Thanks for submitting!

“Do Unto Others as you would have them do unto you.” – Matthew 7:12 Do Unto Others is a grassroots movement launched by Resurrection, a United Methodist Church in the Kansas City area, to encourage people to be intentional about treating one another with kindness, overcoming the polarization in our country through civility and respect. Jesus taught that we should treat others as we want them to treat us – including those with whom we disagree. Known as The Golden Rule, a version of this teaching can be found in almost every religion in the world. This universal rule holds the power to bring people together again. Daily Devotional The Sermon Series Get Involved Join the Do Unto Others Movement

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Wired Wednesday is an opportunity for you to unplug from the stresses of the workweek and plug into an evening of fun, fellowship, and learning for the entire family. This an excellent way for your entire family to not just make it through the week but to thrive with renewed energy. An affordable meal is served from 5:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. followed by classes and activities for all ages. To find out where your age group meets, contact the church office. Check out the updated Wednesday night schedule beginning August 28: Fellowship Dinner 5:00-5:45 p.m. in Family Hall Discipleship Ministries 6:00-7:00 p.m. Various Locations Choir Rehearsal 6:00-7:00 p.m. Choir Room Children’s C hoir Rehearsal 7:00-7:30 p.m. Children's Chapel Youth Missions 7:00-7:30 p.m. Family Hall/Gym Wired Wednesdays ADULT CLASSES There are several options for adults to participate on Wednesday evenings: Chancel Choir Rehearsal Pastors Bible Study Volunteering to help with Youth and Children 8th-12th GRADERS For youth in grades 8-12, we offer small IMPACT Groups that meet a various locations according to grade and gender. Each group has adult leaders and individualized curriculum to meet the needs of the youth in that particular group. The youth come together throughout the year to fellowship through IMPACT UNITED activities. 5th-7th GRADERS 5th, 6th, and 7th graders meet at the church to experience games, activities, and discussion as part of the SURGE group time. CHILDREN (4 YEARS to 4th GRADE) Children participate in SLAM: S erving G od, L oving Others, A nd M aking Disciples. They take part in a Bible-based curriculum and grow through rotations each Wednesday night in missions, art, drama, and Bible skills & games, all ending with the last rotation, music.