THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY! GOD’S HOUSE CAPITAL DRIVE: A little over a month ago, we shared a financial need for the maintenance and upgrading of our church building, and within that month our church has rallied to cover that need. Your generosity has made it possible to fully fund: a new roof, 9 brand new HVAC units and repair of issues from the previous installation over 20 years ago. If additional monies are donated beyond our original goal of $225,000, these will be used to repair and restore the exterior of our over 120 year-old building.

Introducing Redesigned First News: We hope you enjoy the new easier-to-read format! The new layout is designed to help you find information faster with bold headlines, dates, times and locations, and condensed content. Even in color, the letter-sized format is also more economical to print. We will keep First News to one page of highlights each week, but you can find additional details in the weekly email and on the new News & Events page on the website. You can continue to send your submissions to announcements@troyfumc.org or use the new online form on the News & Events page at www.troyfumc.org/news-events.

 JAM (Jesus & Me ) Update for 11AM Service: Children up to 3rd Grade are now welcome to join us at the beginning of the 11AM Service in the Nursery of the Traditional Bldg. We will have a Bible story and craft each week. Children are still welcome to attend the opening of the service. Please feel free to bring them back to the Nursery at any time during the service.

Welcome, Evan Beach! New Treasurer of Troy First: We are excited to announce that Evan Beach has joined us as the new Treasurer of Troy First. Evan, along with his wife Christina and their two sons, Dylan and Jacob, have been actively involved in the life of our church for over two years now. His passion for serving others and his expertise in financial management makes him an excellent fit for this important role. As Treasurer, Evan will oversee the financial affairs of the church, ensuring that we remain good stewards of the resources entrusted to us. Please join us in congratulating Evan and welcoming him to this new position. We look forward to the impact he will have as we continue to serve and grow together as a church family.

The Christmas Cookie Shoppe:  Don't forget our Cookie Shop on Sat., Dec. 7, from 9AM-Noon at First Place. Profit goes to 13 local missions. We still need your help though. We need MORE cookies donated so we have enough for everyone to buy. Cookie drop off is Fri., Dec. 6, from 9-3PM. We will gladly accept any amount that you can donate. We also need you to shop.

Kyle & Forest School Christmas Families Project Reminder: The Outreach Committee would like to remind everyone to bring to church the unwrapped Meijer gift card donations and wrapped clothing or toys for the Kyle & Forest School Christmas Project by Sun., Dec. 8. That gives us just one week to verify everything is in, buy the food, and set up for the gifting event! Thanks for your generosity!

Partners in Hope Christmas Shop: There will be a blue barrel placed in the Gathering Room in the Traditional Building to collect items for Partners in Hope. The items we are collecting for
 them are: new toys, toiletry items, wrapping paper, tape, soaps/lotions gift sets, large print books. Please visit www.partnersinhopeinc.org for a complete list of items needed for their annual Christmas Shop. Final collection date: Sun.,Dec. 8.

First Place Food Pantry Advent Giving Calendar: First Place Food Pantry hopes you and your family or a group of friends will consider using the Advent Giving Calendar this Christmas season. Copies and a collection spot are in the Connection Corner in both buildings. We will be serving close to 10,000 families this year – a new record. We so appreciate your support.  Final collection date: Sun., Jan. 5

Fish of Troy and the RENT: While Fish of Troy is registering 85 families for complete turkey dinners each serving 4-6 persons, our community continues to be in need of rent assistance. And Fish of Troy stands ready to help. During October, Fish pledged $13,316 to give rent relief to 47 households in our community. Please know that affordable housing is needed in this community. Local housing areas and apartment complexes are being bought by large out of town real estate businesses who are raising rents and will not work with clients on payment. But Fish is there to help. You can be a part of the Fish-ing by donating to Fish of Troy. We have no paid employees, no office, we Fish and we are volunteers called to help those in need.

Preschool Wishlist: Here is a wishlist of items that would be greatly appreciated for the preschool: https://a.co/8bfSC40. Purchasing any of these items will support our classroom activities and help create a nurturing environment for our little learners.

Troy First Youth, Every Sunday, 6-8PM, First Place Basement: We invite all teens, 6th grade and up to come join us for an incredible time of hanging out with friends, praising God for all that He is doing, and engaging in a teen-centered worship service. Adults, if you are interested in volunteering, please contact Mike Smith.

Faith Talks, Sun., Dec. 1, 6-8PM, First Place: All women are welcome to come to the table just as you are. We will have a potluck and short message. Then, a guest speaker will share about a ministry that turns scraps into treasures for those who need them most. If you have any scrap material from a sliver to whole yards that you’d like to donate to someone, this is your time!

First Friday Fellowship, Fri., Dec. 6, 6-8PM, First Place: Young adults... couples, singles, and families with young children, this one’s for YOU! This month we will enjoy a Christmas dinner together. You are welcome to bring a dish. Those who want to participate in a White Elephant gift exchange can bring a small fun, funny or thoughtful gift. Everyone is invited to join us for this opportunity to relax, have fun and make new friends. Childcare will be available. Thanks for making 2024 an incredible year!

United Women in Faith, Christmas Luncheon, Tue., Dec. 10, 11:30AM, Agape Room: Cost $10.95. Reservations needed by Dec 2nd so meals can be ordered. The Spot is catering. Instead of a token Christmas gift, please bring donations for the food pantry. Call Diana Shellenberger or Lois Group with reservations.

Soul Sisters, Wed., Dec. 11, 10-11AM, Agape Room: Come just as you are and join us for a special time of fellowship and faith where all women are welcome in the circle of love. Soul Sisters meet the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month from 10-11AM in the Agape Room of First Place. Please use the Cherry St. entrance. The door will open for entry at 9:45AM. Our next meeting will be Wed., Dec. 11, and it will be our only December meeting due to the holidays. We will meet again in the New Year 2025 on Wed., Jan. 8. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Evelyn West at 631-455-7392 or ewest0345@gmail.com. Deep blessings to all.

To submit news and events, use the online form below or email to announcements@troyfumc.org.