MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Wednesday, December 3 – Bible Study – 6:30 pm
Sunday, December 14 – Poinsettia Orders Due
Wednesday, December 24 – Christmas Eve Service – 4 pm @ Eldred, 7 pm @ Smethport
POINSETTIAS
Orders are being taken for the poinsettias for the Christmas season. If you would like to order a RED poinsettia for the church this year, fill out the order form in the bulletin and return it to the office by December 14. The poinsettias will be in the church on Sunday, December 21 and Christmas Eve. You may take your poinsettia after the service on December 24. The cost is $6.99 for small and $16.99 for large.
ADVENT FOLDERS
The Advent Folders are in the Narthex. Please take one and start putting in a quarter each day until Advent ends and then place it in the offering plate. Monies received will go into the current expense account.
ALL SAINTS’ DAY
The following persons who have passed away will always be remembered but especially on this All Saints’ Day:
Kama Cleveland, Kaye Little, Flo Carter, Robert McBride, Elzy Younkins, Timmy B. “Tim” Hess, Dorothy “Jeanie” Swartz, Francis E. “King” O’Connell, Randy J. Aiello, Ruby Burt, Emery Gallup, and Arvilla Gallup.
FLOOD BUCKET PROJECT
During 2025, we will be buying supplies for flood buckets. Each month we will collect a different item:
January – 32-64 oz. bottle liquid laundry detergent.
February – 16-40 oz. bottle liquid concentrate household cleaner (no spray cleaners).
March – 4-8 oz. pump spray air freshener liquid, not gel.
April – 6-14 oz. pump spray insect repellent or pack of 10-20 wipes.
May – Scrub brush, with or without handle.
June – Re-usable cleaning wipes, no terrycloth, microfiber, paper towels – need 18. Scouring pads – no stainless-steel pads w/soap in them – need 5.
July – Clothespins – 36-50.
August – Clothesline – cotton or plastic line – need 50-100 ft.
September – Heavy-duty 33-45 gal. trash bags – 24.
October – N95 particular respirator dust masks (1-3 mm thickness – no surgical masks – need 5 each).
November – Kitchen gloves – durable for multiple uses 2 pair.
December – Work gloves – cotton with leather palm or all leather – 1 pair each.
ONLINE GIVING
Online giving is up and running. If you are not going to be at church in person and still want to support our ministries, you now can give through tithe.ly. More information will be posted as it becomes available.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sunday School will resume September 7. If you are interested in helping with Sunday School, please see Adrianna Woodruff.
LAY READERS
December 7 – Gail McBride
December 14 – Donna Puller
December 21 – Ronda Wian
December 28 – Linda Ness
If you would like to be a Lay Reader, please let Janet know so you can be added to the schedule.
USHERS/GREETERS
Ushers/Greeters are needed. There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex or call the church office (814-887-2455) or call Gail McBride (814-887-2135).
PRAYERS NEEDED
Please keep Dodie Young in your prayers.
Please keep Don Ross in your prayers. His address is:
Mr. Don Ross
Bluebird Retirement Community
145 Colemans Crossing Blvd. – Ste 304
Marysville, OH 43040-7122
SMETHPORT MINISTERIUM
The Smethport Ministerium is active in our community. Information will be posted as it becomes available.
CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY SERVICES
All during the month of November we will be accepting donations of paper products, cleaning products, personal care items, and diapers for CCS. The CCS basket is in the Narthex every Sunday for your donations.
John’s Turkeys – Again, this year, CCS will be accepting donations for turkeys for the less fortunate in the Smethport area. Just mark “John’s Turkeys” on your envelope and drop it in the Sunday morning offering basket.
Hours: Monday through Wednesday, 10-11 am.
MEMORIAL FUND
When you give money to the Memorial Fund, please include the name and address of who should be receiving notice that a memorial has been given. Barb Ball is the secretary/treasurer of the fund and needs this information. You may send your donation directly to her at 102 E. Main St., Smethport, PA 16749.
NEW MEMBERS WELCOME
Anybody who is interested in joining the church should talk to Pastor Len.
CHARGE CHANGE
Beginning July 1, 2023, we will become part of a 3-church charge – Resilient Charge. This means that worship times are changing. Pastor Len will be traveling to the various churches and worship times will be as follows:
Ceres – 9 am
Eldred – 10 am
Smethport – 11:15 am (Effective October 15, 2023)
NUTURE & OUTREACH
The Nurture and Outreach Committees continue to sponsor projects to reach out to our members and our community. Watch for more information as it becomes available. Thank you.
TRUSTEES AND CHURCH COUNCIL
The Trustees normally meet the fourth Tuesday each month at 6:15 pm.
The Church Council normally meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:15 pm.
CONNECTIONAL APPORTIONMENT
The 2025 Connectional Apportionment of $11,027 is paid in full. Next year for 2026, the apportionment will increase to $11,093.
PRAYER CHAIN
If you have a prayer concern, please contact Betty Fetter at 887-2116.
UPPER ROOM
The “Upper Rooms” are in the rack inside the entrance to the Narthex. Please take a copy if you are interested.
SECOND MILE GIVING
Money collected in the basket on the last Sunday of the month is for the Second Mile Giving. Money collected goes to the Special Mission Fund. Thanks for your support of this fund.
UMCOR SUNDAY
Every other month on the second Sunday, you will find a basket in the Narthex in which you may contribute money to UMCOR for health kits. If you would rather purchase some items for the kits, these are suggested: combs (large and sturdy, not pocket sized, at least 6″ long), finger-nail clippers, and bath-sized bar of soap (3 oz. and up). All items must be in original package. As you may know, the health kits are always needed somewhere and the UMW will use the money received on these Sundays to buy items needed for the kits.
SMETHPORT UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
The Smethport United Methodist Women normally meet the second Thursday of the month, September-May at 1 pm.
The Smethport UMW gladly accept donations year-round for Health Kits, which are always needed somewhere in the world. UMCOR is also in need of birthing kits.
RULES OF BEING METHODIST: do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God.
What’s New?
Do you have an event or other news item that you would like to share with the United Methodist Church of Smethport Church Family?
If so, contact Ronda Wian, Communication Director, at 814-887-2047. Thank you.