Swepsonville United Methodist Church

Transcription

1 Swepsonville United Methodist Church Newsletter December 2016 OUR VISION: FROM THE PASTOR I was recently visiting a friend, who had gone with her son to a recording of the radio comedy show "Wait, wait, don't tell me!" I had heard of it, but never listened to it, but I was excited and amused just by the title. "Wait, wait, don't tell me" brings to mind the mental picture of someone laughing so hard that they are on the verge of tears, hardly able to speak, excitedly anticipating the end of a joke or funny story, but also not wanting the story (and their related feeling) to end. (As I'm writing this, I'm listening to a clip of the show, where they quiz country singer Garth Brooks, and its pretty funny. I'm now a fan.) To be a beacon of God s light in the church, to the community and the world. OUR MISSION: To be open to the leadings of the Holy Spirit. To nurture the people of the church with the love of Jesus Christ. To reach out to the community around us and offer God s love. This is how we should feel about the season of Advent. We really don't like to wait...which is part of why we NEED the season of Advent, but it is a time of excitement and anticipation...but not just ANY anticipation. Not the same kind of anticipation we have to see the children's eyes light up at their presents or read "The Night Before Christmas". Those things are good, but that's not the same as holy anticipation of the coming of God to dwell among us. I never get over the awe of the fact that God Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, came to share in our earthly life...and not only did he come, but he came in smallness, in weakness, in vulnerability. To me, that is astounding. And when I quiet my heart and my mind and my spirit enough, especially during Advent, I get tingles. I discovered a quote a few years ago that helps me to understand the sacredness of Advent waiting, and what differentiates HOLY anticipation from any other kind. Holy Anticipation, that breathtaking space in- between what has been, what is, what is- to- come. Where winter dreams reveal secret longings and winged angels announce the coming of Love. You draw us to the edge of Advent possibility like the song of angels drawing shepherds eyes wide and breath held waiting, watching. Come, settle into our living for awhile and do not let us settle for too little. Amen. - Pamela C. Hawkins Holy anticipation. When I stop and reflect on Advent, I get tingles of holy anticipation. God has been from the beginning. God is with us now, but during Advent the church asks us to pause and remember that JESUS is coming...as a baby and in glory. I pray that all of us will take the time to be still enough to experience the holy anticipation in which God moves in us, is present to us, and inspires us to the mission of the Prince of Peace. Wait, wait, don't tell me...the Son of God comes to live among us, Word become flesh, power in weakness, creator in smallness, mighty power in peacefulness. May you have holy anticipation this Advent season. OUR CORE VALUES: Love, warmth and fellowship Focus on youth Reaching out to those in need Being family to one another Swepsonville UMC Newsletter 1 December 2016

2 PRAYER CONCERNS Freddy Shebester, who lost several friends recently. Etta Mae Beale Blake Scott, who will have additional surgery to remove 2 lymph nodes on December 14 th. If you would like to send Blake a card, send it to 2407 NC 54, Graham, NC Glenda Payne Cindy Isley Judy Burge s niece s husband who has cancer. Lisa (Brenda Wilson s daughter). Priscilla Rice (Deborah Shebester s mother). Cecil Terry (Carolyn Allen s brother). Baby Aubree Hiptboldt, who is back in the hospital. OUR SINCERE SYMPATHY TO: The Family of Jack Rudicill (Betty Gray s sister), who passed away in November. The Family of Joe Lister, who passed away on Thanksgiving Day. PRAISES FOR: Pryce Lovette, who was named a 1 st grade Terrific Kid! Presley Lovette, who was named Terrific Kid in November for her self discipline! Vicki Isley (Pat Maynor s daughter), who is doing well following a recent illness. Olivia Payne (Glenda s granddaughter), who now has a diagnosis and is improving. Lydia Donley, who has been accepted into a special program at Duke. Josh (Betty Hall s grandson), whose high school theater group was rated excellent in a recent competition. CONGRATULATIONS TO: Cecelia Burger, who welcomed great- grandson Brandon Michael Burger to the world in November. Melissa Hadley, who will graduate from nursing school at UNC- Charlotte on December 17 th! Treasurer's Report Month Ending October 2016 Offering Income: $11, Expenses: $8, Net GAIN: $2, Apportionments for October have been paid. Nov. 6 Nov. 13 Nov. 20 Nov. 27 Attendance & Giving Worship Offering $2, $2, $2, $3, HURRICANE MATTHEW RELIEF There is still a great need for workers in Eastern NC for repair from Hurricane Matthew. A team from our church plans to do a one- day trip to help in late January, on a Saturday. Please contact Brenda Moss at heelfanz67@gmail.com or if you are interested in joining. DECEMBER CALENDAR Swepsonville UMC Newsletter 2 December 2016

3 Date Liturgist Greeters Nursery 4 Pat Maynor 11 Glenda Payne 18 Greg Dodson 25 David Hadley Linda McAdams Dickie McAdams Janet Walton Brian Paris Al Elsenrath Doug Coon Mary Long JoAnne Wright Beverly Handy Phyllis Norwood Beverly Handy Phil Norwood Children SS Teacher/Helper Lovettes Janet Walton Will Johnson Al Elsenrath Lovettes Brenda Moss No Sunday School Ushers Brian Paris Pete Wynne Hank Kirkpatrick David Hadley **NOTE: For more information on special Advent/Christmas events, please go to the last page of this newsletter. Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat AM Love Feast PM Cantata AM Cantata Practice PM Christmas Cantata 11 AM Assemble Shut- in Baskets 12 Noon Prayers for the Season AM Christmas Cantata 3 PM Children s Christmas Celebration 25 7 PM Blue Salem UMC PM Christmas Eve Candlelight & Communion Service 11 AM Christmas Mini- Service December Birthdays 1 Gwen Lloyd 14 Cindy Lister 3 Jimmy Rogers 21 Judy Wynne 6 Judy Burge 23 Pam Long 8 Martin Clark 28 Jeff Paris 11 Carrie Sue Fogleman 31 Max Morrow 13 Greg Dodson 31 Will Johnson Reminder: If your birthday is not listed, please contact Phyllis Clyburn to add your name to the list Swepsonville UMC Newsletter 3 December 2016

4 UNITED METHODIST WOMEN By Pat Maynor DISTRICT LOTS MEETING: Each year these meetings are filled with information and great ideas and this year was no exception. JoAnne Barbour, NC Conference UMW President, began the meeting with UMW 101 with information and changes for each work area. Officers for 2017 were introduced and when you thought of going green and using the UMW website for information, we were given handouts. The general meeting ended and meetings in individual work areas began where additional information was received. I do have information for work areas and circle leaders. It s good to attend these meetings not only for the information but to meet the Corridor District Officers and find out how they can help you. UMW TREASURER: After three months of seeking someone to assume this position, Cecelia Burger has agreed to become the new Treasurer. She went to the LOTS Treasurer s workshop and received information on the position. Cecelia will begin the treasurer s position in January Until then, I will complete all deposits and forms for Let s keep Cecelia in our prayers and her willingness to become the new treasurer of the Unit. ROAD TRIP TO SOUTHERN SUPREME: On Wednesday, December 7 th at 10:00 am, a road trip is planned to go to Southern Supreme, a store filled with cakes, cookies and candies. We will eat lunch before visiting Southern Supreme. The road trip is open to the congregation [men and women]. If this is a road trip to your liking, please contact Pat Maynor. To carpool, be at the church by 9:45 am to leave at 10:00 am. All are welcome! CALENDAR / December: December 7: Road Trip to Southern Supreme / 9:45 am, Meet at the church to carpool Leave at 10:00 am WORSHIP COMMITTEE By Pat Maynor CLIPBOARD: Thank you so much for the great response for willing workers and helpers to decorate the sanctuary for Christmas. Many hands made quick work of the decorating and we appreciate it so much! Thank you also to those who participated in the Hanging of the Greens service on Sunday, Nov. 27 th. LOVE FEAST: December 4 th at 11:00 am. A Love Feast is like a Communion Service. You receive a love feast bun and hot chocolate. The congregation shares their love and what the Lord has done for you in Music accompanies the Love Feast and celebration of our Lord and savior. CHRISTMAS EVE COMMUNION / CANDLELIGHT SERVICES: December 24 th at 7:00 pm, a service of bluegrass music of Christmas carols, scriptures, communion and the lighting of candles. A service filled with the celebration of the birth of Jesus. CHRISTMAS DAY: 11:00 am, a mini service filled with music, the reading of the Christmas Story and there will be refreshments following the service in the Fellowship Hall. All are welcome! Swepsonville UMC Newsletter 4 December 2016

5 By Phil & Phyllis Norwood YOUTH NEWS November was our traditional Pilgrimage trek to Fayetteville. This year Nolan, Sienna, and Morgan represented our youth as the senior leaders. They did not disappoint, as they helped our group open minds and hearts to the hard concepts of discrimination, bullying, and privilege. Sweps Methodist should be proud of our fine young adults as they navigate muddy waters and look to what Christ intended for us to do. ~ always ~ Many thanks to our parents and alums, Matthew and Alli, for sharing in our joy and fellowship. We finished the month with an incredible Thanksgiving service at Swepsonville Baptist Church and a confirmation of Sienna and Jace. Phil and Phyllis cannot begin to express our thankfulness for the youth, our parents and our Christi for helping us walk in the light. May you all search for and find his grace in the coming Advent Season. Swepsonville UMC Newsletter Visit our Web swepsonvilleumc.org 5 December 2016

6 ADVENT DEVOTION By Rev. Jerry Chism Oh Immanuel, God with us, truly in this Advent season we celebrate that you are not hidden in some faraway cloud, but you chose to be with us in the blur and mystery of our lives. In the midst of lists and rush, you are with us as a song that echoes in our minds, as the light of a candle, as a card from a friend. They are signs of your presence. We turn to you this season and pray that you would birth joy and healing, blessing and hope in us. Let something wonderful begin in us something surprising and holy. May your hand be upon us. Let your love fill us. Let your joy overwhelm us. Let our longing for you be met on a coming holy night. Immanuel with us once again. Amen. ADVENT REFLECTION By Henri Nouwen This is an Advent reflection by Henri Nouwen, a priest and spiritual writer, whom I knew in the community where I lived with people with disabilities in Canada. His reflection seems ever- fitting for our situation. May you keep your eyes on the Prince of Peace. Keep your eyes on the Prince of Peace, the one who doesn t cling to his divine power; the one who refuses to turn stones into bread, jump from great heights and rule with great power; the one who says, Blessed are the poor, the gentle, those who mourn, and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness; blessed are the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers and those who are persecuted in the cause of uprightness (see Matt. 5:3-11); the one who touches the lame, the crippled, and the blind; the one who speaks words of forgiveness and encouragement; the one who dies alone, rejected and despised. Keep your eyes on him who becomes poor with the poor, weak with the weak, and who is rejected with the rejected. He is the source of all peace. Where is this peace to be found? The answer is clear. In weakness. First of all, in our own weakness, in those places of our hearts where we feel most broken, most insecure, most in agony, most afraid. Why there? Because there our familiar ways of controlling our world are being stripped away; there we are called to let go from doing much, thinking much, and relying on our self- sufficiency. Right there where we are weakest the peace which is not of this world is hidden.... Claim that peace that remains unknown to so many and make it your own. Because with that peace in your heart you will have new eyes to see and new ears to hear and gradually recognize that same peace in places you would have least expected. Swepsonville UMC Newsletter 6 December 2016

7 SWEPSONVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 1307 E. Main Street Graham, N.C ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED This newsletter sent with God s blessings to: ADVENT/CHRISTMAS CALENDAR Sunday, December 4 11:00 a.m.: LOVE FEAST Sunday, December 11 6:00 p.m.: CHOIR CHRISTMAS CANTATA Monday, December 12 11:00 a.m.: Helpers to assemble shut- in CHRISTMAS BASKETS. Volunteers will deliver baskets during this week. Monday, December 12 Salem UMC: BLUE CHRISTMAS A service of hope and healing for anyone sad or struggling during the holidays. Salem UMC is located at 4924 Salem Church Rd., Haw River, NC Thursday, December 15 12:00 noon: PRAYERS FOR THE SEASON A time of peaceful prayer in the sanctuary. Need rest, encouragement, hope? Sunday, December 18 11:00 a.m.: CHOIR CHRISTMAS CANTATA Sunday, December 18 3:00 p.m.: CHILDREN S CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION All children welcome for games, crafts, activities, treats, and the Christmas story. Saturday, December 24 7:00 p.m.: CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT AND COMMUNION SERVICE Bluegrass music! Sunday, December 25 11:00 a.m.: CHRISTMAS DAY Mini service of hymns, Christmas story. Refreshments to follow service in the Fellowship Hall. Sunday, January 1 11:00 a.m.: 2017 NEW YEAR S DAY - - Communion Swepsonville UMC Newsletter 7 December 2016