FELLOWSHIP MESSENGER

Transcription

1 FELLOWSHIP MESSENGER Dave s Devotional It s hard to believe the Advent Season is fast approaching! Every year goes by faster than the one before. Now is a good time before Advent comes to give some thought as to how we might choose to spend this final season of the Church calendar year! If we don t take control of the season, it will take control of us and leave us weary, stressed and less happy. Perhaps we should begin with asking the question, What do we want out of Christmas this year? If we want Advent to mean something more to us, perhaps a great beginning to answer that question is to attend all four Sundays of Advent: December 3, 10, 17 & 24. The first Sundays of Advent will be a typical Sunday at Christ Moravian Church. However on December 17 we will have one of our candlelight Lovefeast services and on December 24 a service of readings and carols during our 11 AM worship before many of us return for our two Lovefeast services that day (4 PM 7 7:30 PM). I encourage all to come to worship God these Sundays of Advent. Hopefully we will leave less weary, less stressed, and happier. December 3 December 10 December 17 December 24 Candle Lighters for Advent Eleanor Butner Bella Newsom Hunter Riddle Kayleigh Bitancor (11 AM Service) David Marcus, III (4 PM Service) Kyra Smith (7:30 PM Service) ============================================ Christ Moravian Church Congregational Christmas Lovefeast and Candle Service Sunday, December 17, :00 AM (Band prelude 30 minutes prior to the service.) =========================================== Christ Moravian Church Christmas Eve Lovefeasts and Candle Services Saturday, December 24, :00 PM and 7:30 PM (Band prelude 30 minutes prior to the service.) (Lit Luminaries will line the sidewalks for the 7:30 PM service.) With the joy of serving Christ together, The Rev. Dr. David A. Marcus, Jr. All items to be included in the newsletter must be submitted to the church office by the 20 th of the month.

2 News From the Leadership Board The Leadership Board met on November 13 th at 7 PM in the Fellowship Building. Committee reports were given and the following was approved: Modern Tree actually trimmed 11 trees on the church property. Continued work on getting the church office ready for sale is being done. The tanks and the boiler were removed, painting has been done and pressure washing has also been done. Funds collected during the Christmas Eve Lovefeast Services will be split ½ to the church and ½ to Sunnyside Ministry. Our next meeting will be Monday, December 11 th at 7 PM in the Fellowship Building. Women s Fellowship News Our Candle Trim Dinner is Tuesday, December 5, at 6:30 PM in the Fellowship Building. Please plan to attend as this is a wonderful, fun evening of food and fellowship. A sign-up sheet is on the Church Family Life Bulletin Board. Please remember our shut-ins and special friends with calls, letters and visits during the holiday season. These gestures of love and kindness mean so much to them. Please continue to bring in Salemtowne bingo prizes as often as possible. There is a box in the hall behind the sanctuary. Regional Conference of Churches (RCC) Update On December 19, the Petersbrook RCC will sponsor a Christmas Lovefeast at the Overflow Shelter for homeless men at Augsburg Lutheran Church at 7:00 PM. We will serve a meal, sing carols, have a Lovefeast and visit with the gentlemen. If you would like to help in any way, please see Pastor Marcus. Marvelous Moravians The Marvelous Moravians have planned a trip to Salemtowne on Tuesday evening, December 12, to hear the Advent-Hopewell Band in concert. Plans are to leave the church parking lot at 6 PM for Salemtowne and the concert begins at 7 PM. A sign-up sheet has been posted on the Church Family Life Bulletin Board so that we may get a headcount for transportation purposes. Last day to sign up is Sunday, December 10. ADVENT ACTIVITIES ADVENT EVENT Our annual Advent Event Luncheon will be after Sunday, December 3, following worship in the Fellowship Building. The CE Committee will provide the roast beef and chicken and the congregation is asked to bring the sides and dessert. CANDLE TRIM DINNER The Candle Trim Dinner is Tuesday, December 5 at 6:30 PM in the Fellowship Building. The sign-up sheet is on the Church Family Life Bulletin Board. CHRISTMAS LOVEFEAST Join us at Christ Moravian Church for a Christmas Lovefeast during the worship service on Sunday, December 17, at 11 AM in the Sanctuary. CHRISTMAS CAROLING Sunday, December 17 For those who wish to go caroling, we will have lunch after worship in the Church Office and then go caroling. Christmas Card boxes will also be delivered during caroling. Members of the congregation are invited to go along with the youth. A sign-up sheet has been posted on the Church Family Life Bulletin Board so that we may get a headcount for lunch and for transportation arrangements. CHRISTMAS EVE LOVEFEASTS Sunday, December 24 at 4 PM and 7:30 PM. The luminaries will line the walk and driveway for the 7:30 PM lovefeast on Christmas Eve. ======================================== 2018 UNITY PRAYER WATCH The Moravian Church has experienced spiritual renewal and strength through a covenant of prayer. In 1727, the church in Herrnhut, Germany covenanted for an hourly intercession: which continued for 100 years with great blessing to the entire Moravian Church. As we prepare for observing the prayer watch across our province, please consider opportunities for members and friends to pray at home or coming to the church to pray during the assigned period of prayer. Christ Church has been assigned the date of Friday, January 5, 2018 from 8 AM 4 PM as our local observance. A complete list of 2018 Unity Prayer Watch Topics will be on the counter outside the sanctuary on December 24. 2

3 Calendar of Events 12/2 9:00 am West Salem Neighborhood Association Pancake Breakfast (Fellowship Building) Biking Group (Greenway behind Marketplace Mall) 12/3 9:45 am 12:00 pm Opening Worship: 1 st Sunday of Advent Advent Event (Fellowship Building) 12/4 7:00 pm Heritage Woods Lovefeast 12/5 6:30 pm Orientation for New Board Members (Church Office) Candle Trim Dinner (Fellowship Building) 12/6 8:00 am 7:00 pm Men s Breakfast (Cagney s) Choir Rehearsal 12/8 ALL DAY Fellowship Building Reserved) 12/9 Marx-Carr Class & Marvelous Moravians Christmas Luncheon (Fellowship Building) 12/10 9:45 am Opening Worship: 2 nd Sunday of Advent 12/11 7:00 pm Leadership Board Meeting (Fellowship Building) 12/12 6:00 pm Marvelous Moravians Depart Church Parking Lot for Salemtowne to attend Advent-Hopewell Band in Concert 12/13 8:00 am 7:00 pm Men s Breakfast (Cagney s) Biking Group (Greenway behind Marketplace Mall) Choir Rehearsal 12/14 4:00 pm Fellowship Building Reserved 12/16 Biking Group (Greenway behind Marketplace Mall) 12/17 9:45 am 12:00 pm Opening Worship: 3 rd Sunday of Advent / Christmas Lovefeast Lunch at Church Office for those going Caroling Oxford House (Fellowship Building) 12/18 7:00 pm Petersbrook RCC Lovefeast at Augsburg Homeless Shelter 12/24 ALL DAY 9:45 am 4:00 pm 7:30 pm 12/25 ALL DAY ALL DAY Fellowship Building Reserved Opening Worship: 4 th Sunday of Advent Christmas Lovefeast (Sanctuary) Christmas Lovefeast (Sanctuary) Fellowship Building Reserved CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED 12/26 ALL DAY CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED 12/27 8:00 am Men s Breakfast (Cagney s) Biking Group (Greenway behind Marketplace Mall) 12/31 9:45 am 1 Opening Worship: 1 st Sunday after Christmas /Matt Pace Leading Service New Year s Eve Watchnight Service (Trinity Moravian Church, Rev. Jeff Coppage will lead the service Birthdays in December 2 Sherri Buchanan, Tracy Holman & Cackie Rollins 3 Don Binkley & Sarah Pace 4 Ashlee Pace 5 Matt Pace 6 Becky Hill & Sabrina Maksi 7 Ruth Hill 10 Ken Sparks 11 Sarah Grace Vogler 14 Becky Lanier 16 Jane Chitty & Sandra Davis 18 Lauren Walker 23 Maryanne Keller & Carol Wade 24 DeEtte Jarrard 25 Lisa Sheppard 26 Howard Chambers, Jr. 28 Mike Hastings & Rosie Sloan 30 Nita Capone & Candace Jones 31 Diane Saunders FOOD COLLECTION FOR SUNNYSIDE MINISTRY I WAS HUNGRY AND YOU GAVE ME FOOD (Matthew 25:35) Please continue to bring your food donations for Sunnyside Ministry to each church service and place it in the collection bins. The need is great. Also, please check expiration dates on food you bring to donate. 3

4 CHRISTMAS CARD BOXES FOR SPECIAL FRIENDS CE Committee Report: The CE Committee did not meet in November or December. The next CE meeting will be Sunday, January 7, following the service. Youth: The Youth will be going Christmas Caroling and delivering Christmas Card boxes on Sunday, December 17. We will have lunch after the service in the church office and then go caroling. Anyone who would like to join the youth is welcome. Children/Youth Music Rehearsals: Jeanie Rothrock is rehearsing music for the Christmas Lovefeast on December 17 with the youth at 10:25 AM on Sunday mornings after a brief lesson. It is very important that the kids be at in time for their lesson and music rehearsal. Lovefeast Bun Orders: If you would like to order lovefeast buns for the Lovefeast on December 17 at 11 AM or one of the Christmas Eve Lovefeasts at 4 PM or 7:30 PM, please let Sabrina Maksi know. End of Year Reminder from the Treasurer: In order for your contribution to count in 2017, the contribution must be received or postmarked 12/31/17 or before. Any contributions received or postmarked after 12/31/17 will be counted as ===================================================== Marx-Carr Class and Marvelous Moravians Christmas Luncheon The Marx-Carr Class and Marvelous Moravians will have a Christmas luncheon on Saturday, December 9, from 12-2 PM n the Fellowship Building. ===================================================== 2017 New Year s Eve Watchnight Service The Salem Congregation Moravian Watchnight Service will be held on Sunday, December 31, 2017 at 11 PM at Trinity Moravian Church, 220 E. Sprague Street, Winston-Salem, NC. The Rev. Jeff Coppage, Pastor at Fries Memorial Moravian Church will bring the message. Greet the new year with hymn singing, sacred music and the sharing of a simple meal. Christmas is a time for getting in touch with friends and family and letting them know that you are thinking about them. Once again there will be decorated boxes for our Special Friends and you may put Christmas cards in the boxes. The boxes will be delivered during the December Christmas caroling (December 17). Ralph Abee Elise Adams Forrest Ader Lydia Brown Lucille Coker HALEY CONRAD Jake & Polly Davis John Denham Rosa Gaddy Toby Phillips Mary Thomas Phyllis Swicegood =============================================== SHARE THE LIGHT AT CHRISTMAS It is time again to purchase a luminary in memory or in honor of loved ones or special people. The luminaries will line the walk and driveway for the lovefeasts on Christmas Eve. An insert will be included in the ode listing whom the luminaries are for. The luminaries are $3 each. There is a box in the Resource Center to put your luminary list and money in or you can contact the church office at All proceeds go to the youth and their mission projects. In Memory of: Given by: In Honor of: Given by: DEADLINE IS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17 =============================================== MEMORIALS (October 23, 2017 November 25, 2017) In Memory of Julia Denham Almon Carr Sandra Davis In Memory of Nancy Marshall Jo Brown Mr. & Mrs. Phil Kane Elizabeth Moore WF Circle #1 Ann Frye The Marshall Family The DePrey Family (Brenda DePrey Jeff DePrey & Family Ryan, Debbie & Family Lindsay DePrey/Thomas & Family) In Memory of Lois Gray Rowdy & Kaye Powers In Memory of Cathy Saunders Maravelous Moravians 4

5 Treasurer s Report Year-to-Date October 31, 2017: Actual Budget Difference Offerings/Plate* 176, , (6,435.70) Expenses 197, , (5,666.65) Net Income/(Loss) (20,971.25) (20,202.20) (769.05) *Does not include memorials Monthly expenses averaging $19, Monthly offerings averaged $17, Average Shortage per month = $2, Transfers to cover expenses: $14,000 from Money Market Capital Improvement (to be paid back by year end) Account Balances (Actual Cash in bank or Investments): 09/30/17 10/31/17 ACCOUNTS FOR CHURCH OPERATIONS: Operating Account 7, , Ameriprise Investment Account 242, , Money Market Account at Capital Bank 45, , TOTAL 295, , Less: Restrictions * (150,236.50) (140,587.58) Use/Non-restricted 144, , ACCOUNTS OF OTHER GROUPS (not in Operating Budget): Outreach (Pastor s Discretionary) Account Mission Account 1, , M Tesh Mission Account Christian Education Account 7, , Youth Account 1, , Petersbrook RCC Fund (in Youth Account) RESTRICTIONS *: Capital Improvement Fund of $113, is spread among the Operating Account, Ameriprise Account and Money Market Account Organ Fund of $26, in Money Market Fund Smaller Funds totaling $ in Operating Account (Choir, Lovefeast, Labyrinth) IMPORTANT NOTE: If you give a cash donation (even if just a couple dollars), please put it in an offering envelope (located in the pews) with your name on the outside in order to receive credit for the contribution. The Leadership Board periodically reviews membership status which includes all 3 types of stewardship: time, talent and treasure. Respectfully submitted Sabrina L. Maksi Treasurer 5

6 STEWARDSHIP OF SERVICE Date Greeter Ushers Nursery Children s Church Opening December 3, 2017 Doug Conrad Skip Johnson Page Crater Annie Fry Avis Gray Joey Gray Page Crater Robbie Disher Avis Gray Trish Gray Nancy Reid Lou Saunders December 10, 2017 Jo Brown Ronnie Lanier Bradley Conrad Phil Kane Bob Peddycord N.T. Russell Kenny Wright Jo Brown Elizabeth Peddycord Trish Gray Sabrina Maksi December 17, 2017 Angie Conrad Nancy Reid Mark Crater Skip Johnson Joey Gray Lee Wilmoth December 24, 2017 Matt Pace N.T. Russell Herman Critz Sam Dixon Jeff Glance Jim Hill Jack Sparks Debbie Jones Rebecca Rath Kay Butner Mary Ferguson December 31, 2017 Donna Tesh Carol Wade YOUTH Carol Wade Donna Tesh NONE-LOVEFEAST NONE SPECIAL SERVICE Sabrina Maksi Dear Christ Moravian Church: On behalf of the family of Nancy Fry Marshall, we would like to convey our sincerest appreciation for your prayers and support for our family during this truly difficult time. Thank you so much for your phone calls of concern and offer of prayers during mom's illness and following her passing. We are blessed to know that she is in the presence of our Lord. Thank you Pastor Marcus for your support and prayers, it meant so much to all of us. We want to personally thank the band for playing at her burial, she loved the wonderful sound of the Moravian band. We'd like to offer a heartfelt thank you to the women who prepared and served the delicious meal to our family following the service. Your kindness and service in the Lord is a blessing. With love in Christ, Nancy's daughters (Charmaine, Robin, Valerie, Gloria) and their families" LOOKING AHEAD IN WORSHIP The word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. Psalm 33:4 December 3, 2017 December 10, 2017 December 17, 2017 December 24, 2017 December 31, 2017 Preparation for the Underprepared (Philippians 1:3-10 & Mark 13:24-37) U Turns on the Road of Life (Mark 1:1-8 & 2 Peter 3:8-15) Christmas Lovefeast Christmas Eve Service of Readings and Hymns New Year s Eve Matt Pace, Acolyte will be guest preacher