Blessing Basket Information: The Mission Team is collecting for the Blessing Baskets. The baskets are given to families at Thanksgiving in food and household items. We are collecting: $25 GIFT CARDS from Publix & Winn Dixie. Thank you for your donations!! It helps families in need in our community! God bless you!!

Poinsettia Orders Have Started!!: The poinsettia sign up sheet is in your bulletin to purchase a poinsettia (or more) for Christmas. You may give “in honor of” or “in memory of” your loved one(s). The cost is $8 per plant, and you may take it home with you following the Christmas Eve service. Fill out the form on Sunday morning, attach your check or cash, and put in the offering plate or give to an usher. You may also sign up in the church office during the week. A donation sheet with your loved ones name(s) on it will be in your bulletin during the month of December. Angel Tree sign ups begin NEXT Sunday, Nov. 24, so “pick” an angel from the Christmas “Angel” tree in the lobby, and help make a child’s Christmas happy!

New Christmas Tradition: Beginning December 1, read one chapter of the book of Luke in the Bible each evening. There are 24 chapters. On Christmas Eve, you will have read an entire account of Jesus’s life and wake up Christmas morning knowing WHO and WHY we celebrate His birth!!

Adven Devotionals: We need 8 more devotionals for our church’s annual Advent Devotionals. Sign up today by emailing it to the church office at: sectfumc@tampabay.rr.com

The final deadline to submit devotion to the church office is Friday, Nov. 22.

Young Adult Gathering: Calling all 18-30 year olds to a gathering EVERY Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in the Youth Room. Invite your friend and neighbors! We are meeting for fellowship and to talk about navigating through life. Contact Savannah Rogers, our Youth Director, or Pastor Jim for more information!!

New Small Groups: “Community Groups” meet each Tuesday morning and evening, and each Thursday morning and evening. Sign up on the back of your Connect Card in worship if you are interested or by calling the church office.

TUESDAY
CG 3 - 9:00 a.m. - Leader: Kathy Houser - meet at the home of Rosie Stambaugh (call church office for information)
CG 1 - 6:30 p.m. - Leader: Heather Watkins - Jeff & Tina Dentel’s home

THURSDAY
Disciple Bible Study 1 - 9:45 a.m. - Leader: Ed Fair - Seekers room
CG 4 “Fellowship Builders” - 10:30 a.m. - Leader: Darlene Bruner
CG 5 - 6:30 p.m. - Leader: Pastor Jim Mitchell
JOIN A COMMUNITY GROUP TODAY!

Disciple Bible Study 1 Class: The Disciple Bible Study 1 Class started this past week with Ed Fair as leader and meets on Tuesday mornings from 10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. in the Seekers room. Disciple 1 goes through the entire Bible in 24 weeks. The Old Testament will be studied this Fall and the New Testament segment in January. Sign up TODAY!

kidsPACK Volunteers Needed: We need several volunteers to help deliver the backpacks every Wednesday or Thursday. If you would be interested in helping out, please contact Renee Evans or call the church office. We will start “packing” for kidsPACK in November.

No Hungry Hounds: Our church helps the Auburndale High School with a food pantry and the football team with food and snacks to eat between school and practice/games. The last month of each month, we have designated for collection of the food for that month. We are still collecting PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY . Please bring it on Sunday and put it on the table in the Sanctuary foyer area, or you may bring it to the church office anytime during the week! Your donations are very much appreciated!!

Uniform Closet Now Open: OUR UNIFORM CLOSET IS NOW OPEN - You can get information from the Closet located in the lobby, as we reach out to Lena Vista Elementary School with uniforms, socks, and shoes. Many uniforms are on sale at the various stores this month. Thank you for your contributions!

Knitting Group: If you knit, or have always wanted to learn how, here is your chance! We have a knitting group that meets every Tuesday evening at 4:00 p.m. in the Conference Room. Make plans to come and bring a friend with you! At church on Sunday, look in the basket in the Sanctuary foyer and get a scarf to work on. The scarfs have been started, but need to be finished. Someone will be there to show you what to do if you have any questions.

Attention Singles!!: The “Early Birds” singles group meets every Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. in the Seekers room, then going to a restaurant to eat for lunch. The “Salt Miners” group will meet at 6:00 p.m. in the Seekers room, and then go to a restaurant of choice. So, come to and enjoy good fellowship, food, and fun!! Come to either, or both! All singles are welcome!!

Men's Bible Group: The Men’s Bible Group meets every Thursday morning at 7:00 a.m. at Chamba's Hometown Cafe in downtown Auburndale. All men are welcome for this time of sharing of Food and Word. You order and pay for your own breakfast from the menu. We discuss the Scripture readings of the day from the daily schedule. We pray, and you are on your way by 8:00 a.m. Men, come and join us!

Ways to Give Back to FUMC Through Your Online Shopping: WAYS TO GIVE BACK TO FUMC THROUGH YOUR ONLINE SHOPPING
UMC Market - Go to www.umcmarket.org to register. Shop online at your favorite retailer and a percentage of your purchase from participating retailers is contributed to our Church at no cost to you.
Amazon Smile - Go to www.smile.amazon.com to register and designate “First United Methodist Church of Auburndale” as your charitable organization. Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to the Church.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND LINKS, SEE THE WEEKLY “FIRST FLASH” !

Florida UM Children's Home Donations Needed: The Florida United Methodist Children’s Home is in need of many donations! There is a list of the items needed on the table in the foyer area at the church, and in the church office. If you are able to help out, please stop by and pick up a list. Please bring the items to the church office. All donations will be greatly appreciated!!