Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 10 p.m. Welcome New Members: The Thurman Family

Transcription

1 Midway Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) December 2017 Church Staff: Rev. Heather McColl Minister Joni Burchett Secretary Teena Chinn Music Director Peter Bostrom Accompanist Jestine Johnson Custodian Sunday Worship 9:30 AM: Sunday School 10:55 AM: Worship 123 East Bruen Street PO Box 4548 Midway, KY Fax: an.org Office Hours: Mon-Thurs 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. O Come, All Ye Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 10 p.m. Faithful! Welcome New Members: The Thurman Family Epiphany Dinner 2018 Saturday, January 6th We are so happy to announce that Ian, Stacy, Chase and Clara have transferred their membership to Midway Christian Church! NEW LOCATION! Due to the exciting growth in population and activities at Midway University, the dining room is not available on January 6th this year. So, we are having a smaller, more intimate Epiphany Feast at Midway Christian Church s fellowship hall, following a very special Epiphany program in the sanctuary. FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEE THE INSERT IN THIS CONTACT. Cards of welcome may be sent to 134 Old Towne Walk, Midway, KY Food for the Soul (Dinner Church - light supper & simple communion) Sunday, December 3rd, 6:30 p.m.: Continuing the Conversation: Why Does Privilege Make People So Angry? Sunday, December 17, 6:30 p.m.: The Longest Night Service This traditional Christian service, held around winter solstice when nights are at their longest, recognizes the darkness of grief and pain of those suffering with loss. Visit us on the web: an.org The office will be CLOSED on Monday, December 25th. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Budget Update Budgeted to date: $56, Received to date: $60,239.26

2 PAGE 2 THE CONTACT MIDWAY CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) Worship Themes You are encouraged to read and contemplate the text for the day in advance Worship News and Notes Serving This Month Elders: Susan Shelton & Etta Manor Deacons: Cindy Batts, Phil Dare, Bobbie Dare, Susan Mooney, Mary Sayre, Bob Settlemire, James Batts, Alex Woodruff December 3 December 10 December 17 December 24 December 31 Bobbie Dare Ray Clark Anne Burford TBA Dan Roller December 3 First Sunday of Advent Hanging of the Greens Scripture: Luke 3: 1-16 Title: Hope: Repairing What s Broken December 10 Second Sunday of Advent Scripture: Isaiah 11: 1-11 Title: Peace: Keeping the Vision Alive December 17 Third Sunday of Advent Scripture: John 1: 1-9 Title: Joy: Celebrating What Unites Us December 24 Christmas Eve Scripture: Luke 2: 1-20 Title: Love: Widening the Circle December 31 New Year s Eve Lessons and Carols Service No Sermon ALL ARE WELCOME! Sunday School begins at 9:30 a.m. with Joys & Concerns, and light refreshments (or breakfast). Heather will teach Sunday School in December - the topic will be around the Advent Theme Making Room at the Manger. (See Page 3) ***Please let Cindy Batts know if you can help with bringing breakfast foods or with leading a future class.*** Advent Devotionals - Available in the Narthex To "prepare for Christmas" in our society is to be sucked into a vortex of indulgence, from decor to gifts to calorie-rich foods. Layer upon layer of tinsel, lights, chocolate drizzle, and wrapping paper create the illusion of abundance, disguising the feeling of emptiness in our souls. The arrival of the Messiah, by contrast, is true abundance disguised by the impression of scarcity. Training our eyes to see through the rough stable, the adolescent mother, and the anxious escape to Egypt, we can see in that poverty and powerlessness the wonder of God's abundant life and grace coming down to dwell among us. This powerful devotional by best-selling author Walter Brueggemann includes daily reflections on the Scriptures and stories of Advent in order to invite us to see beyond the world's faux extravagance and realize the true feast laid out before us. Twelve prayers are also included for the twelve days of Christmas. Acolytes Willa Michel, Alex Woodruff, Hannah McColl, Jonathan McColl

3 PAGE 3 THE CONTACT MIDWAY CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) Advent Theme Each year, as I get ready to set up our family s nativity scene, one question always comes to mind... Who gets to be near Jesus? Spread out before the wooden stable are an array of various characters, some distinguishable and some not, all ready to be placed, all ready to find their space at the manager next to baby Jesus. The Mary figurine is the easiest to be placed. After all, she is the mother and should probably be the closet to the baby. But when we think about Mary s story, is she really the type of person we want near Jesus? She is an unwed mother, someone who would not have been welcomed by the majority of people during that day and time, let alone celebrated by the religious institution. And yet, there she is, placed close to Jesus, loved and empowered to sing of God s prophetic grace. Next come the shepherds. In our modern day manger scenes, they have been cleaned up and sanitized. But in real life, the shepherds would have been covered in dirt and grime while wearing the lovely fragrance of eau de sheep and other animal. Shepherds would not have been welcomed in most houses. They were poor. They were the lowest of the low of the job professions and yet, they were key figures in the telling of the Good News! The shepherds were the first to hear that a child had been born unto us by a heavenly chorus of angels. Next come the wise men. They are decked out in gold, looking all important, bearing gifts for the new born king, ready to make their entrance into our humble manger scenes. On the surface, they are exactly the type of people who should be near Jesus important, royalty, people who understand the significance of this moment. Yet when we take another look at these wise men characters, we notice something else. They look differently from everyone else. They were foreign outsiders, coming to Bethlehem from other countries. They were Gentiles who would not have been embraced by Israel. And yet, they were the only ones who understood the meaning of the new star in the sky. All the others, the religious leaders, the powers that be, the insiders had to be reminded of the prophecy which stated and you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel. These outsiders have a place of honor, close to the baby Jesus, all because they understood how God was at work in that moment bringing healing and wholeness for all of God s children while the insiders trembled in fear. Our manger scene is almost complete. Only a few pieces remain to be placed, you know the occasional sheep, the donkey, maybe a goat or two. But wait we left a figure out of the scene. Thankfully, he is marked on the bottom with the name Joseph. Otherwise, how would we know? This figure could easily pass for a shepherd or the inn keeper. There is nothing to distinguish him from all the other characters in our manger scene, which is sad really, because without Joseph, this scene doesn t work! Joseph is the needed piece of the puzzle. He is the one with the royal lineage, tracing it all the way back to King David, the promised line from which the Messiah will come. Yet, even with the right credentials and the right background, Joseph still doesn t quite fit in. After all, he broke with tradition. He took Mary as his wife, even after he knew she was with child, something that would have excluded him from certain circles. But in the manger scene, he is welcomed, all because he did as the angel commanded. In this most holy, sacred moment, we experience the power of God s love. It brought together a group of people, from different countries, from different backgrounds, from different social classes, God s love brought all of them together to experience the wonderful gift of this baby lying in the manger. And for us, as people of faith, it has the power to do the same still today. It gathers all closer to Jesus. It calls us to make room for all of God s people. Or as one person put it [The story of] Christ s birth, [the story of] the manger reminds us of the choices we have when facing our neighbors. Yes, it s easier to declare no room in the inn, especially for the unruly, the burdened and destitute. But when we make up our minds to find space at the manger [for all of God s people], the true face of Christ has the opportunity to emerge. This year, I want to invite everyone to join us on our Advent journey as we make room at the manger for all so that everyone can find their place close to Jesus.

4 PAGE 4 THE CONTACT MIDWAY CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) NO Community Dinner in December Because the last Monday in December this year is CHRISTMAS DAY, there will be no Community Dinner at MCC this month. Enjoy your holidays and stay safe! An evening service of praise and song! Woodford Co. Caregiver Support Group 2nd Thursday Each Month 10:30 a.m. Homeplace at Midway 2nd Tuesday Each Month 5:30 p.m. Daisy Hill in Versailles Christmas Vespers at Midway University 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 5th Anne Hart Raymond Bldg Free - Open to the Public Epiphany Dinner Tickets Epiphany Dinner is to be held on Saturday, January 6th, 2018 at Midway Christian Church Tickets for the 2018 Epiphany Dinner are on sale now! Don t wait too long to get yours - this event tends to sell out! See the insert in this newsletter for more information about this annual tradition, and how you can help! Poinsettia Orders Due December 6th Community News & Notes Versailles Holly Jolly Christmas: Friday, December 1: Lighting of the Christmas Tree, Story Time with Santa & Mrs. Claus, Christmas Music, Milk and Cookies 5:30 p.m., Community Room, Woodford Co. Courthouse Saturday, December 2: Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast 7-noon, First Christian Church Pony Rides & Petting Zoo 1:30-4:30, 184 Beasley Drive Free Horse & Carriage Rides 2-4:30, Downtown, near Pretty in Pink Versailles Christmas Parade Saturday, 12/2, 5:00 p.m., Main Street Holiday Open House at Equus Run Vineyard Saturday, December 2 Beginning at 12:00 noon 1280 Moores Mill Road, Midway The Homeplace at Midway Volunteer Meetings Volunteer meetings at the Homeplace are normally held on the 2nd Tuesday of certain months. They would like to encourage all volunteers to attend these meetings to stay up-to-date on upcoming events and yearly trainings. The next meeting is: December 12, 11:00 a.m. to noon Call for more information. Please complete the order form on the back of this Contact or in your Sunday bulletin and turn it in to the church office by December 6th. These poinsettias will beautify our sanctuary in honor or memory of your loved ones this Christmas season!

5 PAGE 5 THE CONTACT MIDWAY CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) Youth News *SUNDAYS AT 5:00 P.M. IN UPSTAIRS YOUTH ROOM: December 3 December 10 December 17 December 24 December 31 Discussing Anxiety (Snacks included) Keeping House (Laundry, cooking, dishes, etc.) Dealing with Depression No Youth - Merry Christmas! Gathering and Snacks A party is in the works! Cindy is planning a Christmas or New Year s Party for the Youth, and will need chaperones. More details forthcoming! Locally Grown (Midway Community Youth Group) is a series of weekly gatherings for Midway youth, grades 6 through 12, focused on faith development. Locally Grown meets on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., usually starting at Midway Presbyterian Church and walking to other places in the community. Visit for more info. Fellowship News Keenagers Luncheon Thursday, December 14th 11:30 a.m. Gloria Batts Home 120 Laurel Way Versailles The Keenagers (retirees and friends) will have a special Christmas Lunch at the home of Gloria Batts in Versailles on Thursday, December 14th at 11:30 a.m. Please RSVP to the church by Monday, December 11th if you plan to attend. Congratulations, Retirees! Congratulations to Ron Gruzesky, for retiring on November 17th after 31 years in the US Navy! Congratulations to Carl Rollins, for retiring on December 31st as head of Kentucky s student financial aid agencies. Here s to your next adventure! Board: Sunday, Dec. 3rd Noon Leadership Meetings Care Team: TBA (if needed) Disciples Women Christmas Luncheon Saturday, December 2nd 11:00 Holly Hill Inn RSVP to Bobbie Dare. Admin Team: TBA Joni is taking a Vacation Day on Monday, December 11th Thank you, Adele, for filling in! Worship Team: Monday, Dec. 11th 6:30 p.m. Elders: Monday, Dec. 18th 6:30 p.m. Cabinet: Weds., Dec. 20th 6:00 p.m.

6 Insert - Page 2 The Contact Midway Chris an Church (Disciples of Christ) Christmas Gift Ideas Disciples Women Cookbooks: This collection of recipes from Midway Christian Church women includes some of the delicious dishes served at the Epiphany Dinner, by Chef Ouita Michel. Cost is $20, available in the MCC office. Fair Trade Coffees, Chocolates, etc.: Help individuals in poor regions of the world earn a living wage by purchasing Fair Trade/Equal Exchange coffees, teas, chocolates, olive oil, etc. Available in the MCC fellowship hall. Please make checks payable to MCC with Fair Trade in the memo line. Heifer International Ark Project: We have purchased two Heifer Arks ($5,000 of livestock for poor villages) in the last five years! Making a donation in a loved one s name for Christmas is a great way to show you care. Heifer cards are available in the MCC office. Make your check payable to MCC with Heifer Ark in the memo line. Blanket Drive: You can donate a blanket, designated in a loved one s name, to the Disciples Women Blanket Drive for the homeless. Special cards are available in the office. Buy Popcorn from Cub Scout Pack #41: See Mary Sayre or stop by Railroad Drug to buy some delicious popcorn and support MCC s Cub Scout Pack #41. Shop Downtown Midway: Find a unique treasure or stylish outfit while supporting local small businesses! Buy Locally Grown/Made Products: Local honey, Weisenberger Mills flour & baking mixes, Midway School Bakery goods, Bluegrass Aquaponics produce, local handmade crafts, etc. You can also do some online shopping at these Fair Trade companies: Eternalthreads.org Shopmira.com Tenthousandvillages.com Handmade jewelry, scarves, baskets, accessories, home décor, toys, and much more! Green Chalice News Have a safe and green Christmas! There will be NO Green Chalice meeting in December. Standing in the Gap: Caring for God's Creation January 11, 2018 from 7:00-9:00 PM Woodland Christian Church (DoC) 530 E High St, Lexington, KY Refreshments and Door Prizes Dr. Leah Schade, Assistant Professor of Preaching and Worship at LTS and author of Creation-Crisis Preaching will be the keynote speaker. MCC is a Cer fied Green Chalice Congrega on!

7 Insert - Page 1 The Contact Midway Chris an Church (Disciples of Christ) Epiphany Feast Saturday, January 6th, 6:30 p.m. C H A N G E O F V E N U E: Midway Christian Church 123 East Bruen Street The Epiphany Program begins in the Sanctuary Follow the Three Wise Men to the Feast in Fellowship Hall Feast of Medieval Fare (menu by Chef Ouita Michel) Reservations: $30 per adult $15 per child age Children under 10 eat free, but must have a reservation (please specify if a highchair is needed). Order tickets online at or call the office at and mail us a check. (The PayPal button will be activated by December 1st). SEATING WILL BE FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. Reservations are not confirmed until payment is received. Sorry, there are no refunds! Deadline to purchase tickets: January 4th (but don t wait - they may sell out!) MCC Members: We need your support! Please be thinking about which of the following job(s) are for you: SERVING CREW: Serve drinks Serve dessert Play host/hostess to the tables KITCHEN CREW: Scrape Plates Wash Dishes BREAK DOWN CREW: Vacuum Sweep Pack up decorations DECORATING CREW: Put linens on tables Fold napkins Set table with napkins Set table with silverware Put candles on tables Set table with glasses Put greenery on tables Set tables with programs Decorating Crew needs to be in Fellowship Hall by 2:30 p.m.

8 PAGE 6 THE CONTACT MIDWAY CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) Retreats, Seminars, Workshops... Christmount Programs Winter Solstice Yoga Retreat: December 1-3, 2017 The weekend will be supported play and rest, time to connect with others, and full of internal reflection and outer movement such as yin yoga, restorative yoga, slow flow vinyasa, and meditation. College Retreat: January 3-6, 2018 College Students and college-aged people come to deepen their faith walk and be challenged to think seriously about how their faith influences their life choices. Activities include speakers, discussion, worship, recreation, mission project, bonfire, and ghost stories! Winter Fun Weekend: January 12-15, 2018 Christmount retreats generally offer time for worship, study, fellowship, music, rest and reflection, as well as opportunities for hiking, shopping, and sight-seeing in the North Carolina mountains. For youth groups and adults: Christmount will help you plan a ski package, snow tubing, Fun Depot time, or winter area tours. Evening activities will include worship, organized games, and time around the fireplace. Meditation Retreat: January 30-February 1, 2018 Rev. Jamie Brame leads spiritual retreats incorporating eastern religion s meditation techniques with ancient Christian prayer. This peaceful winter retreat will include a wine and cheese social on Wednesday evening. Elders & Deacons Workshop: March 9-10, 2018 Intense training for church leaders: Gain a deeper understanding of the work lay leaders do; Learn specific skills such as home visits, strengthen the ministry of their pastors, deepen their spiritual lives, how to talk about faith and the major issues of the modern world; Fellowship and share concerns with other Elders and Deacons. College Alternative Spring Break: March 11-17, or March Christmount offers a great place for a college fellowship group, fraternity or sorority, service club, and others to stay while doing service projects in the Asheville area. Work with Christmount, Habitat for Humanity, Asheville Youth Mission, or other local service organizations. For more information or to register, call or visit Lexington Theological Seminary Series January 13th, 1:30-3:30 - Online or at LTS Fee: $10 per log-in (unlimited participants) Topic: Church Communication & Promotion in the Information Age by Mrs. Beth Goins, Owner & President of Blue Sky Communications, and Long-time Member of the Christian Church (DoC) Learn about tools you can use to keep up with the changing expectations of today s information consumers and equip members to spread the church s message to your communities. To register, go to or contact Deena Ainslie at or dainslie@lextheo.edu

9 PAGE 7 THE CONTACT MIDWAY CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) December Mission Payments Mission News and Notes Historic Second Christian Church Historic Second Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was established in 1852, and is believed to be the oldest African-American church in the nation. It was first located in a log building on the property of the Kentucky Female Orphan School (now the campus of Midway University). Alexander Campbell, while still a slave, served as Second Christian s first pastor. In 1906, the church moved across East Stephens Street to its present location on Smith Street. Regional Green Chalice Green Chalice is Kentucky Disciples connecting Christian faith, spiritual practice and environmental consciousness in order to demonstrate the fullness of God's shalom. Green Chalice was called into being in 2007 to help Kentucky Disciples live sustainable lives in harmony with all creation. (from CCK web site) Christmas Special Day Offering Collecting Sunday, December 24th The Christmas Offering supports Regional Ministries. In 32 regions across the U.S. and Canada, ministers are nurtured and congregations are provided opportunities for work and worship. 5th Sunday Offering December 31st Your Fifth Sunday Offering will be sent to Christian Care Communities, Kentucky s largest faith-inspired, non-profit provider of senior living communities and longterm care. Please make checks to MCC with 5th Sunday in the memo line. Disciples Women Blanket Drive Please bring new or clean, gently-used blankets to the box in the fellowship hall (under the big wooden table). The Disciples Women will get them to a shelter in Lexington to help keep the homeless and needy warm this winter. Christmas Shoebox Project MCC members are once again sponsoring 15 underprivileged kids from Northside Elementary families who might not otherwise get Christmas gifts (thank you, Wilda, for coordinating this mission!). If you have not already done so, please bring all unwrapped gifts in a bag with the family s number on it by this firm deadline: Sunday, December 3rd. Woodford Friends of Refugees (FOR) News On November 13th, Fatuma and her family all obtained their sealed envelope of health certifications - a necessary part of the green card application process. This was an exciting day, and thanks to the generosity of FOR. The next step is a meeting with the attorney, which is scheduled for December 13. End-of-Year Donations Please remember Midway Christian Church s General Fund, and the Midway Ministerial Association s Emergency Assistance Fund, as you re planning your end-of-the-year, tax-deductible donations! THANK YOU! Box Tops for Northside Please save your box tops and turn them in to the church, or directly to Northside Elementary. Blessing Box at MCC Take What You Need, Give What You Can Thank you for helping keep the blessing box stocked with non-perishable foods and toiletries. Please check the dates on foods, and please black out or remove the bar codes on everything.

10 Midway Christian Church 123 East Bruen Street PO Box 4548 Midway, KY Return Service Requested 2017 Poinsettia Order Form NAME: I wish to purchase $10 each, for a total of $ In HONOR of: In MEMORY of: Order deadline: Wednesday, December 6th Please make checks payable to Midway Christian Church with poinsettia in the memo line.