Weekly Reminders

Sometimes wonderful events happen that are so incredibly unlikely that there is no explanation for them other than the gracious hand of God. Such an event happened on or around March 16, 1621, when a Native American named Squanto stepped out to greet the Pilgrims at Plymouth, Massachusetts. Squanto greeted them speaking English. Squanto would welcome the Pilgrims to his land, teach them how to survive, and would help negotiate a peace treaty with surrounding tribes that would last for a generation. Governor of the Colony, William Bradford, would later write that Squanto was “a special instrument sent by God for their good beyond their expectations.” Join us Sunday as we reflect on the Pilgrims bad luck and stubborn faith, on Squanto’s amazing journey, and on God’s amazing providence. What an awesome God we serve!

Blessings,  Pastor John

Thank You!
Because of your generosity, First Methodist was able to pack 138 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child! Samaritans Purse will deliver these children in more than 100 nations!

Special Music This Sunday
This Sunday, November 23, we will be blessed with a special solo from Henry Heydinger during the 11 a.m. Worship Service. Henry will be singing “The Lord’s Prayer.”

Henry holds a B.A. in Voice Performance and an M.A. in Choral Conducting, and we are grateful to have him share his gifts with our congregation.

We hope you’ll join us for this meaningful time of worship!

Help us decorate the church!
On Monday, November 24, we invite you to join us as we decorate the church for Christmas! We will meet at 2 p.m. in the Overflow Room, then break out into the Sanctuary, Fellowship Hall, Chapel, and Crossroads Connection Center. This is a fun and festive time for all!

Office Closed for Thanksgiving
The Church office will close at noon on Wednesday, November 26 for the Thanksgiving holiday. Normal hours will resume on Monday, December 1.

Staff Christmas Bonus
Dear EFMC members:
Elberton First Methodist has so much to celebrate this Christmas!! God is leading us to be the best we can be, and we are working hard to do His will.
Our church staff is doing a fantastic job without complaint, and with pride and enthusiasm. In appreciation, SPRC would like to reward our staff with an End-of-Year Bonus. If you would like to contribute, simply write "Staff Christmas" in the note section of your check. The deadline for donations is December 15.
When you see Staff members around the church, thank them !!!  A lot of work goes on behind the scenes that makes things go as smoothly as they do.

In Christ - Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee

Eagles Gate Farm Christmas Party
Margie Beeson & Fritz Bronner wish to invite you to join them for the 5th annual Eagles Gate Farm Christmas Party! The party is Saturday, December 13, 2025, starting at 6:00 p.m., located at 1037 Bakers Ferry Rd. Elberton, GA 30635. RSVP by calling (818) 694-9277 or (818) 694-9266, or just come! You can read more about Eagles Gate Farm at www.eaglesgatefarm.com.

Enjoy good food, great conversations, and the Holiday Spirit!

On November 30, we will have a combined service at 10 a.m. in the Crossroads Connection Center, followed by a Playground Dedication at the new playground, and Fellowship Soup Lunch in the Fellowship Hall. A sign-up sheet will be passed around this Sunday for those planning to attend the lunch. Our guest speaker for that Sunday will be Rev. Andy Postell, the North Georgia Global Methodist Church Conference Superintendent.

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In 1959 Bill Gaither graduated from Anderson College, Indiana, with a bachelor's degree in English and a minor in Music. He went to work as an English teacher, pursuing music on the side. In 1963 he was asked to play the piano for a revival meeting in the area that featured the preaching of Dr. Dale Oldham. The meeting went well and afterwards Dr. Oldham asked Bill to write a song that included the words, “He touched me.” Gaither, who would later say that “songs are like whispered answers to questions of the heart”, took the words from Oldham as the theme of his first hit song, “He Touched Me.” This song would later be recorded by the Imperials, Elvis Presley, Tennessee Ernie Ford, and, more recently, Steven Curtis Chapman. Bill Gaither might have been writing about the woman that Jesus made whole in Luke 13:10-17.

We are looking at the Luke passage this week and the spiritual wholeness that Jesus wants to bring to us all.

Blessings,
Pastor John