The Messenger
First United Methodist Church of Mexico
November, 2008
Celebrating 200 Years: 1808-2008
From the Pastor

     There is a story told about a well-known preacher who was taking his children to the Christmas Eve service. On the way his son asked: “Dad, are you going to let us enjoy this Christmas, or are you going to try to explain it to everybody?”  At the heart of this story lies the truth that we all need to recapture a more child-like approach to Christmas. What other time of year is so magical? The lights, the music, the gifts all combine to enchant and excite us, don’t they? It’s a time when family, and friendships, and love for others seem very important. We
gather to sing the old, familiar carols and to hear again the ancient words of the Christmas story: “…and she gave birth to her firstborn son, and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger…” (Luke 2).  Another story of Christmas-one of my favorites-tells of a man, alone on Christmas Eve.  He’s alone because he sent his wife and children off to church for the Christmas Eve service; he doesn’t mind that they go, but he just can’t bring himself to go along with them.  This whole business about God sending His Son to live on earth seems to the man silly-foolish, even!  Why would God, who knows everything, why would God send His Son to earth, just to have people ultimately reject and then kill Him?  It makes no sense!  So, the man sits home, alone, watching the growing snowstorm outside the living room windows. Suddenly, a little “thud” brings the man’s attention to the window. As he looks out into the storm, he sees a small bird lying in the snow
below the window; and then another “thud” as another little bird crashes into the window, and falls dead below.  And then, another!  The man is horror-stricken. Can’t these birds see that their flight into the brightly-lit window is killing them?  How can he make them stop?  If only he could find a way to show them how to fly safely away, if only he could find a way to communicate to them the danger that they faced. But…to do that, he’d need to be just like them.  He’d need to be one of them.  And all at once the man knew-he knew with his heart-how God must have felt, as God looked at all of us.  All
at once, the man knew the “why” of Christmas!  My dear friends, I wish for each of you the same things I wish each year at Christmas: music, and lights, and presents, and peace, and joy, and the knowledge that God loves each of us so much that the only way to show us was to send Jesus to live with us, to love us, and to lead us back to God.

Have a wonder and a blessed Christmas season.

Sincerely,

Bill

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A Giving Tree has been set up in the Narthax of the church by the women of the Friendship Circle. If you are able please donate and place new gloves, mittens, and/or scarves on the tree that will in turn be given out to charitable organizations to be distributed to local families in need at Christmastime. This is another way we at First United Methodist Church 'spread the love and warmth of God' around to those in need in our neighborhood.

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CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS
Christmas poinsettias are available to purchase in honor or in memory of a loved one.  The poinsettias will be placed on the alter during the holiday season. The poinsettias are six and one half inch wide and are available in red, white, and mixed. The cost of each plant is $10 and the proceeds will go to the Grace E. Moore Scholarship Fund.  An order blank will appear in the worship bulletin or orders may be given directly to Carolyn Hiler at 963-7481 or by calling the church office at
963-3066.
Thank you.

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On November 16, Walter L. Snyder visited our worship service to introduce Person to Person an organization that advocates for people with developmental disabilities throughout Central New York. The Person to Person organization creates relationships between a community volunteer and a developmentally disabled person at risk of isolated due to their disability. If you are interested in the possibility of giving of yourself and your time to Person to Person, or if you simply have questions about the organization please contact: ???

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Sunday, December 14th, will be our annual Women's Christmas Party hosted  by the women of the Friendship Circle. Right after the Church Worship Service that day all women of the church (all ages), are invited to
 join in the fun in the Fellowship Hall. After a delicious lunch of a variety of  homemade soups and sandwiches we will participate in our annual Christmas caroling and gift exchange. Gifts are all provided by the Friendship Circle. All you need to bring is your appetite and a desire to have fun and share in the Christmas Spirit with other women of our church.

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This advent season members of our congregation are welcome to join in giving a ONE, ONE, ONE gift. This gift, which costs nothing in dollars and only one minute a day in time, is a gift that can make a difference for eternity.  ONE, ONE, ONE is a prayer project in which each person prays for the soul, or Salvation, of ONE person, for ONE minute, at ONE o'clock every day during Advent. ONE, ONE, ONE cards are available to all those desiring to give a gift that requires no money, no shopping, and no wrapping. The card will serve as a reminder to pray everyday at one o'clock in the afternoon.  This gift takes only thoughtful consideration about one person that you would like to know Jesus as you know Him. Then,
it is one minute of prayer a day during the Advent Season.

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is god's will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

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Sunday, December 14th, will be our annual Women's Christmas Party hosted  by the women of the Friendship Circle. Right after the Church Worship  Service that day all women of the church (all ages), are invited to join  in the fun in the Fellowship Hall. After a delicious lunch of a variety of  homemade soups and sandwiches we will participate in our annual Christmas  caroling and gift exchange. Gifts are all provided by the Friendship Circle. All you need to bring is your appetite and a desire to have fun and share in the Christmas Spirit with other women of our church.

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As the year 2008 draws to a close, so too ends this year of commemorating our church's 200th birthday with various celebrations and activities. We looked back to the year 1808, when Jonathon Huestis rode into this little village with his Bible and hymnal to hold the first Methodist service in Mexico at the Ames cabin. We learned of the building of a little
brick church on Main St. in 1833, which was destroyed by fire 17 years later. Then in 1852, the beautiful church in which
we worship today was built. A chapel and wing built in 1883, were removed and a new annex took its place in 1926. There
has been other changes to our building.

Over the last 200 years there have been men and women of foresight and devoutness who have worked hard to spread
the word of God locally and to far lands. We are forever grateful for their mighty efforts. 

At a recent Sunday service, Pastor Bill stated "We have a glorious past, but now we look to the future." And so we will.
Our third century for the First United Methodist Church of Mexico of mission and ministry begins.

As the ASAP committee strive to make our church facilities more accessible and safe for all, with some very ambitious projects, we must join them with our time, talents and pledges in order to succeed. We will continue to make our services the answer to those who come to worship. We too will continue to reach out to the community in many ways.

"As our fore fathers and fore mothers gave so much to establish the church here, and to help it to grow over time, now is OUR time. It is our opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with our community and with all the world.......My prayer for us as we begin our third century together is that we, each of us, are open to the fresh wind of God's Spirit as
it blows over and through us here in Mexico"*

*excerpted from Pastor Bill's letter in the 2008 /abbuversart booklet.

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Special Thanks go to;

Granger's Tree Farm for sponsoring the November issue of the Messenger They wish everyone a Merry Christmas.
All who worked so hard to install lighting in our new parking lot.
The individuals and groups donating to ASAP.
All who filled shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child.
Madelyn Schmidt for 12 months of Mexico Methodist history in writing.
Those organizing and participating in Pedals, Pipes, and Pizza.
Those who served at Unity Acres on Thanksgiving Day.

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RECIPE CORNER: This month's recipe, by Kathy Rose, appears in our church's Bicentennial Cookbook, “Treasures From Heaven”. Kathy discovered this recipe years ago and used it with the children at BOCES. She suggests using a small milk carton for a foundation although it is not necessary. The surface area that the graham cracker house is built
on is best covered with tin foil. Enjoy!

GRAHAM CRACKER HOUSES

7 Graham cracker squares 3 cups powdered sugar 2 egg whites

One-half teaspoon cream of tartar 2 teaspoons water Candy, pretzels, cereal, nuts

Cement icing: with an electric mixer, beat together until foamy the 2 egg whites, water, 2 teaspoons water and half teaspoon cream of tartar. Gradually add 3 cups sifted powdered sugar, beating constantly until stiff. Use at once. Makes enough for 6-8 houses.

Houses: Place one square on wax paper. Apply cement to bottom and side edges of house front, back and walls; fit these together on a firm surface. Let stand a few minutes for icing to set, then apply icing to top edges; set 2 crackers on top
for roof. Seal roof peak with frosting. Decorate, let dry.

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Gift Cards Available in Honor or in Memory of Family and Friends

The Christmas Season is here and most of us will busy trying to keep up with shopping, cooking, visiting and special church events. Many of us will be asked by our children, grandchildren or parents, “What do you want for Christmas?”. One suggestion is that you would appreciate a monetary gift given in your name to our ASAP (Accessibility and Safety Achievement Project) fund. This gift can be in any amount and coupons for request are below. Please either bring, or send, the completed coupon and check to the church office. Upon receiving the request from someone, a card will be sent to either the giver to present to the person they are honoring, or directly to the recipient – whichever you desire.

(Note: An ASAP pledge campaign fund will begin in January but donations are welcome as the 2008 year ends.)

ASAP Gift Card Request

I request a gift card in honor or memory (please circle one)

Name:____________________________________

Occasion:__________________________________

Address:__________________________________

____________________________________

Amount:_________________________________

Please deliver this form and check to the church office or mail it to:

Mexico First United Methodist Church, PO Box 255, Mexico, New York 13114

Please designate “ASAP” in the memo section of your check. Thank you.

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“For God so loved the world, that
He gave His only begotten Son,
That whosoever believes in Him should not perish,
But have everlasting life. John 3:16

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