What a joy-filled Sunday we had yesterday! My heart was full the whole morning from Sunday School to a witness ministries lunch after worship, and the incredible worship with the Children's Christmas Pageant in between. If you did not see yesterday's worship, go back and watch it. You will not be disappointed. And if you did see it, watch it again, the joy of our children is so uplifting!

If you haven't already submitted your 2025 pledge, please send it in as soon as possible. Church Council is working on the 2025 budget, and your pledge helps us to make thoughtful and wise plans for the ministry in the year ahead.

Pledging is easy. You can email your planned giving for 2025 to the church office at admin@Faumc.net or you can submit it through the church website.

December

22 Paul Cousin & Carol Dallman

29 Jennifer Root, Brian & Nita Hanson

January

5 Tracy Smith, Ron & Terri Ausen

12 Muriel Olson, Adam & Eileen Clift

19 Aaron & Denise Buesing, Brad & Dana Neuhauser

26 Verena Van Fleet Jacob & Holly Hugart

Below is the first draft of this program year's Coffee Hour Schedule. There are some new names on the list, if you are a new member or regular attender, check to see if you have been added. If you would like to be included, but don't see your name, please reach out to the church office and we would love to add you to the schedule.

Coffee Hour servers bring treats to share and set up and clean up the coffee time with lemonade and coffee between Sunday School and Worship (Sept-May) and after worship (June-Aug.) Wherever possible, people are assigned to their birthday month.

Mark Your Calendars: Look out for these upcoming events at FAUMC!

• December 22 - Advent Quilt Show before and after worship.

A Joyful Welcoming Community

• Wed School Dinner Help Needed! Volunteers are needed to prepare, serve, and clean up for Wednesday School Dinners. We are hoping to have a rotation of volunteers throughout the program year. There is a team prepping proteins, to minimize the work to prepare the meals. And you can create a menu of your choosing! This is an important and fun way to be community. Sign up for a time that would work for you.

Igniting Hearts and Minds

• Sunday Night Bible Study - Sunday Night Bible Study will be on pause until January 5 as we make our way through the final couple of weeks of the Advent Season. Sunday evenings at 6:30-7:30pm. (Every week except the first Sunday of each month.) Come when you can. We will begin with this week's lectionary reading and discuss future readings. This Bible study will give tools to help you read the Bible on your own as well as dig deep into the context of scriptures and encourage discussion. This Bible Study will meet in the Wesley Room.
• Sunday Night Quiet - The first Sunday of every month at 6:30 pm Pastor Shawna will lead a time of contemplative prayer and meditation. Feel free to bring a yoga mat or pillow if prefer to sit on the floor. Sunday Night Quiet will meet in the sanctuary.
• Adult Sunday School- Sundays at 9:00 am in the Wesley Room, All Ages Intergenerational Sunday School. There is No Sunday School Dec 22 and 29.
• Confirmation for Adults - This Wednesday all are invited to dig deeper into the core teachings of Christianity and faith practice as a United Methodist. Whether you were confirmed years ago or never at all, this class will offer opportunities to think deeply about your faith. We will meet Wednesday evenings from 6:30-7:30.
• Followers Youth Activities - For all rising 6-12th grade youth. Join activities throughout the winter! For more information, contact Cindy, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, at 763/321-8077 or email cindy@faumc.net.
• Upcoming Events:

• Davanni’s Followers Youth Service-Mission Trip Fundraiser! Tuesday, 12/10, between 4 - 8 PM, come to Davanni’s on Grand (Cleveland and Grand Aves) and dine-in or take out only. No paper is necessary. Where fellowship and fundraising meet.

Two ways to order:
1) In-Person: State before/during order: “This is for a fundraiser for Fairmount Ave.
Followers”

2) Online orders for take-out: type “Fairmount Ave. Followers” in “special instructions”

**Free Davanni’s cheese bread bite–to go or stay as a thank you!**

• Y.A.M. Activities - For all young adults (ages 18-30). Join in activities throughout the fall! For more information, contact Cindy, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, at 763/321-8077 or cindy@faumc.net.
• Sunday, December 22:
• 11:45 AM - 1:00 PM: Y.A.M. Cafe & Comfort Chat at Hot Hands Pie & Biscuit: Let's share what is on our hearts and support each other for the day-to-day journey of life. Those at church, we can walk together; others just meet us there.
• 3:45 - 6:30 PM, Service Project at Provincial House: Where: Provincial House, https://maps.app.goo.gl/XZvtfYX3aFGMx4af8
• RSVP: Directly to Cindy (cell: 763-321-8077) or cindy@faumc.net.
• What to Expect: Meet in the parking lot or arrange a carpool with Cindy Radtke (cell: 763-321-8077); We will check in with the chef and help set up the dining area and/or help the chef with simple kitchen tasks. Serve the guests, then clean up with the industrial washer.

For God's Work

• Worship Volunteers Needed! We need volunteers to assist as ushers, greeters, liturgists, and to serve on the Worship Committee. Volunteering is flexible to your schedule. Contact the church office if you think you can help by emailing admin@faumc.net.
  

• First Fruits - We’re so grateful to all who have recently signed up to volunteer. If you are interested in delivering food donations to Keystone Community Services after our monthly donations, please contact the church office or click here: Help Collect and Deliver First Fruit Donations to Keystone

• Adopt-A-Drain– Sign up to Help! We are looking for volunteers to clean the storm drains near the church: 3 at the corner of Fairmount and Saratoga and 2 on Fairmount just east of Snelling. Volunteers are asked to pick up and clear trash, leaves, snow and debris to allow water to drain. Please go to Fairmount Ave UMC: Adopt a Drain Signup to sign up for a month. If you have any questions, please contact Nita at nitahanson@gmail.com.

• Help Serve a Meal at Provincial House - Project Home is looking for volunteers to serve meals as a part of its weekend meal teams at 1880 Randolph Avenue. There are four shifts available every weekend on Saturday and Sunday for lunch and dinner. This opportunity is great for groups of 3-6 people. Currently the way it works is for one person to sign up for the shift and then bring another 2-5 others with them to help. The link for more information and to sign up: https://tinyurl.com/PHMealTeams2023

Worship Resources for Online Worship:

• Be sure to follow Fairmount Avenue United Methodist Church on Facebook.
• Subscribe to Fairmount Avenue UMC's YouTube Channel. We will be using YouTube to offer other creative learning experiences as well as publishing our weekly worship.

Giving online is easy through our PayPal Giving Fund page. Click the image on the left to check it out!

"A joyful, welcoming community; igniting hearts and minds for God's work."

Email: pastorshawna@faumc.net
Website: www.faumc.net
Location: 1523 Fairmount Avenue, Saint Paul, MN, USA
Phone: 651.699.1335
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fairmount-Avenue-United-Methodist-Church-133875616634215/