The combined December 2024/January 2025 edition of First Family should now be in your homes (or will be there shortly). The online version on this website, is viewable, downloadable, and sharable, and has all the information you will need as we enjoy Duluth’s Winter, Christmas, and New Year activities. It’s also a time filled with music, celebrations, and memories. You can find information on all of these things, as well as a photo album of FUMC’s November adventures in this issue. You want to go back and find something specific, you can also find years ofFirst Family, available in the archivesat any time.
This Sunday is the first Sunday in Advent and we will be lighting the candle of Hope. At this service Pastor Jeanine Alexander’s sermon will be “How Does a Weary World Rejoice?: We Acknowledge Our Weariness.” While the service will be streamed and available at any time following, we hope you will be able to attend in person. It is truly an enhanced experience. Thank you to the Livestream Team for making this online service possible.
A nursery for children ages 5 and under is on the lower level and will include a Bible lesson. Sunday School for children K-5th grade will be held in the upper-level Children’s Lounge following the Children’s Message. Please pick up your kids in the Lounge after worship.
For those who will watch the service online, either live or later, please use the Connect Card. If you are attending in person, you may also record your attendance using this card. If you need help or have questions, please call the church office at 218-727-5021. You can find all our online services on the Worship Service Video Bulletin Archive page and our YouTube Channel.
The Ardath Gibson Scholarship Selection Committee is inviting all eligible students attending college or university in the United States to apply! The scholarship, established in 2012 for individuals who are pursuing an undergraduate or graduate level degree in health care, the physical sciences, engineering, or business, is $1,000 and will be awarded on Sunday, December 29.
Ardath Gibson (1915–2012) practiced her faith as a United Methodist, ultimately making First United Methodist Church in Duluth her home. As a business professional, she recognized the importance of higher education, establishing this scholarship for individuals pursuing degrees in business or the sciences.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Ardath Gibson Scholarship, one must be a member of First United Methodist Church or have family who are members. The Ardath Gibson Memorial Scholarship Selection Committee will have discretion in determining if the applicant’s studies meet these criteria. To apply, candidates must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and are pursuing an undergraduate or graduate level degree in health care, the physical sciences, engineering, or business.
Applying
The application packet must include:
• The completed AGS application form.
• A brief statement about how the candidate believes their education/career choice would benefit the community.
• High school and/or college transcript(s).
• Current letters of recommendations from two parties, unrelated to the applicant, who know the applicant well.
The application form should be downloaded from the First United Methodist Church website (Link found below), fumcduluth.com, filled out and submitted with all documentation by November 22, 2024:
• by mailing or delivering to FUMC, 230 E Skyline Parkway, Duluth, MN 55811, OR
• by emailing to Pamela Brown, pr.brown1906@gmail.com
Questions may also be submitted by email to Pamela Brown
We’ve noticed that some browsers and pdf readers have difficulties with certain elements of the fillable form. We recommend Downloading the form and using Adobe Acrobat Reader to fill it out. There are many other apps that will also work well.
Attention College Students:
The 2024 FUMC Lennon-Berini Scholarship is here!
by Terry Wallin
The Lennon-Berini Scholarship Committee has changed back to December for awarding the scholarships. Some logistics played a
roll in the decision and I personally know Mr. Joe Berini enjoyed handing out the awards around Christmastime.
The criteria for applicants are: 1. Be a member of Duluth’s First
United Methodist Church 2. Have completed at least two
years of college 3. Be pursuing a people-centered
career
Application forms will need to be fully completed and turned in by 4pm on Friday, November 22.
Applicants will need to compile all materials (completed application form, transcripts, recommendations, and candidate statement) into a single electronic file and send to Terry Wallin at teto62@charter.net. Previous scholarship recipients are expected to provide letters of recommendation that have not been previously submitted.
The Lennon-Berini Scholarships for 2024 will be $2,000 each.
Incomplete applications will not be considered. The scholarships will be awarded during a worship service at the end of December.
We’ve noticed that some browsers and pdf readers have difficulties with certain elements of the fillable form. We recommend Downloading the form and using Adobe Acrobat Reader to fill it out. There are many other apps that will also work well.
We worship in person in our Sanctuary every Sunday at 10am and online on YouTube every Sunday morning at 10am. The service can also be watched anytime after 10am Sunday morning.
November 3: All Saints Sunday – We will name, light a candle, and remember those from our congregation who have died this past year. We will also celebrate Holy Communion. Our sermon will be “Jesus’ Way #7 – Living Peace.”
Remember that Daylight Saving Time ends, so set your clock back an hour.
November 10: Consecration Sunday– You will be asked to make estimates of your financial giving to the ministry and mission of our church for 2025. You will receive a bowl of soup following worship to enjoy at church or at home (see article in First Family for more information). We will also recognize Veterans Day and the concluding sermon in our series will be ” Jesus’ Way #8 – Following Jesus’ Way (Discipleship).”
November 17: We will learn about our Advent/Christmas Mission Project. The sermon will be “The Kingdom of Heaven Is Like… ”
November 24: Thanksgiving Sunday – Our sermon will be “Making OurWay to Thanksgiving.”
The combined December 2024/January 2025 edition of First Family should now be in your homes (or will be there shortly). The online version on this website, is viewable, downloadable, and sharable, and has all the information you will need as we enjoy Duluth’s Winter, Christmas, and New Year activities. It’s also a time filled with music, celebrations, and memories. You can find information on all of these things, as well as a photo album of FUMC’s November adventures in this issue. You want to go back and find something specific, you can also find years of First Family, available in the archives at any time.