Chandler F.U.M.C.
by Linda G. Keeling

"But we do see Jesus -- who for a while was a little lower than the angels -- crowned now by God with glory and honor because he suffered death for us. Yes, because of God's great kindness, Jesus tasted death for everyone in all the world. And it was right and proper that God, who made everything for his own glory, should allow Jesus to suffer for in doing this he was bringing vast multitudes of God's people to heaven; for his suffering made Jesus a perfect Leader, one fit to bring them into their salvation." - Hebrews 2:9-10

"When my father died, my mother went into a depression and at times did not seem to know what she was doing. One night my father appeared at the foot of her bed and said, 'Mama, come go with me.' Hearing me get up, he said, 'Daughter must not see me, so I will wait for you on the porch.' Mother never made it to the porch, but I believe that God sent my father to let her know that he was all right. Many years later when Mother lay in the hospital dying, I would spend the night with her and my sister would come to the hospital at six in the morning so I could go home to get ready for work. During one night Mother and I were sitting up talking, when she said, 'I am going to walk with Jesus.' I thought this was strange since Mother never talked about religion or her beliefs. A few days before her death, again we were sitting and talking when she said something I did not understand, so I asked her a second time, 'What did you say?' Now my mother was a small feisty woman of about eighty pounds. She suddenly sat up and said in a strong voice, 'I am going to walk with Jesus; he told me I could a long time ago, and you cannot go.' A few days later when I arrived at the hospital and my sister was getting ready to leave, Mother stopped breathing. That is when she had her walk with Jesus and of that I have

no doubt." -- Contributed by Helen Reese, Member since 1993. Has attained the blessed age of 79 and is a member of Discipleship II.

Not quite in the mood for Christmas yet? Then put on your calendar, Sunday evening, December 3, at 6 p.m. for the "Hanging of the Greens." Christmas carols, poinsettias, Christmas tree, greens, candles and Christian fellowship will surely get your family in the holiday spirit.

The poinsettias are still on sale. They will be placed in the sanctuary in memory or in honor of someone special to you or taken home immediately. If you choose to leave them in the sanctuary they may be picked up Christmas Day, following the service.

The Annual Women's Unity Fellowship is sponsoring the Christmas Tour of Homes, Sunday, December 3 from 2:00 till 5:00 p.m. and Monday, December 4 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. The tickets are $10 and are available at the Chandler Drug Store and Chandler Library. In addition, the Christmas Tour of Trees with a display of nativity scenes

plus a Christmas market of unique gifts will be held at Heritage Hall, First United Methodist Church. Attendance is free for this event and refreshments will be available. So come join the fun and share in the holiday spirit.

Happy Anniversary: Freddie and Janice Cade, Mike and Patrice Carmichael, Chris and Billy Martin, and Daniel and Dorothy Newsom. "Pure religion is love in action. " What better definition of a good marriage.

Happy Birthday to Patrice Carmichael, Lyn York. Shirley Ann Bradbeer, Jack Irwin, Roy Martin, Lindsey Johnson, and Elizabeth Crawford. "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" also means to love yourself well, treat yourself with kindness, and be gentle with self criticism.

Thought for the Week: "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul."

-- I Peter 2:11

"For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and Spirit against the flesh; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would." -- Galatians 5:17