Tabernacle Times. Pastor John. Merry Christmas to you all!

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1 Tabernacle Times DECEMBER 2017 Donald Dugan tells about his 4 year old daughter, Nancy. He and his wife had tried to prepare Nancy for Christmas by talking to her about the real meaning of Christmas and why the family celebrated it. Christmas morning, of course, was magically wonderful. There were lots of presents and toys all around. A few days later she was talking with her older sister about what a great Christmas she had. Then she said, I sure hope Joseph and Mary have another baby sometime! Nancy understood the connection between Christmas and the baby Jesus, but she missed the point of it all. At four that s understandable. Sadly, though, some folks much older than Nancy still make the same mistake. This Christmas why not slow down long enough to celebrate the birth of the One whose coming is all we need?! And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, Fear not. For I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let us go up to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about. So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:8-20 Merry Christmas to you all! Pastor John

2 Throughout Advent, we will be focusing our attention on those gifts that make for a great Christmas - giving the gifts of presence, joy, compassion and hope. Our special events will remind us that this Good News is for all people. Join us as we hear about the power of God s love and forgiveness given as a free gift to all by the Christ-child, Jesus. BREAKFAST WITH SANTA December 9 th 9:00am Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus lane Bring your little ones out on December 9 th for Breakfast with Santa! We will have pancakes, crafts and more!! Santa will be joining us during breakfast so get your Christmas lists ready!! STAR OF WONDER CHILDREN S CHRISTMAS MUSICAL/DRAMA SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10 TH AFTER CHURCH-WIDE LUNCHEON Join us for this heavenly Christmas children s musical about the Star of Wonder, the star that helped mark the miraculous birth of our Savior! You ll meet bright luminaries such as Superstar, Shooting Star, Rock Star, and a constellation full of other stars (the kids choir) as they anxiously watch the biggest announcement in history unfold the birth of Jesus Come for a great meal and watch our kids shine the light of Jesus like never before. This event is designed for folks of all ages, so make a special effort to invite a friend and join us for this special time. The Wonder of Christmas CHRISTMAS CANTATA Sunday, December 17 th, 600 p.m. (in the evening) Our adult chancel and youth choir plus guest orchestra invite you to share in the worshipful celebration of the birth of Christ through the music and joy of a celebration of songs and carols. The Christmas season evokes so many emotions in us - awe and majesty, the glory and pageantry, calm reflection and resounding joy, for some even a sense of loneliness, but always, the quiet assurance of hope. This year s music will stir your soul to remember Christ s mercy, hope & grace. As you hear the timeless story, may you grasp hope with all your heart and experience the rich abundance of God s presence, which is the true gift of this season! IF YOU WOULD LIKE OUR CHURCH TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION FOR YOU TO COME, PLEASE CALL THE CHURCH AND LET US KNOW!

3 BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICE Thursday, December 21 st at 7:00pm Blue? Yes, blue as in the blues. As in "I am feeling blue." Not everyone is up and cheery for the Christmas holidays. Dealing with the death of a loved one, facing life after divorce or separation, coping with the loss of a job, living with cancer or some other dis-ease can make cheerful parties and gatherings painful for many. Christmas can be a time for many when we wonder how we will get through the holidays. The Service of Wholeness and Healing with the theme of Blue Christmas will be on Thursday, December 21 st at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Those looking for comfort, hope, wholeness, and renewal will join together for a time of quiet reflection and meaningful words and music as we remember the good news of God with us: Immanuel! TABERNACLE UNITED December 24th One single Christmas worship service on Sunday Dec. 24 th at 10:30am (Combined Adult Sunday School in the Chapel at 9:30am) It s not the ALIVE service.it s not the Traditional service it s a TABERNACLE UNITED service. This unified service will blend the styles and music of both services and allow us to worship together as one whole church family as we prepare for the birth of Jesus Christ. That day promises to be full of joy and celebration. We ll meet for worship at 10:30 a.m. and enjoy a time of reflecting on God s greatest gift to us, his own Son, Jesus Christ. CHILDREN S NATIVITY SERVICE Christmas Eve 5:00pm in the TUMC Chapel All children are welcome to come and help present the Nativity story in this joy-filled service fit for all families. When your children arrive, they will be costumed for the various roles then help lead us through the story of this most wonderful and holy night. Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service Sunday, December 24th, 11:00 p.m. You are invited to bring your family (come as you are) on Christmas Eve, as we will celebrate the coming of the Christ child with a special candlelight communion service which begins at 11:00 p.m. This service will be a time of prayer, reflection and meditation. Familiar Christmas music and candles will help provide an atmosphere of reverence as we ponder the miracle of this holy night. PLEASE NOTE: If you would like to come to the service but aren t comfortable driving after dark, please call the church office ( ). We will be offering door-to-door service for anyone needing it!

4 Tabernacle U.M.C. Newsletter DECEMBER 2017 What s Happening in our Children s Ministry? Regular Children s Ministry Weekly Schedule God s Little Zoo -ages 3-5yrs- Lessons & 4:30pm Children s Choir -K-5th Grade- 5:00pm Kingdom Kids -K-5th Grade- 5:30pm, Lessons & 6:00pm December 2017 December 3rd Normal GLZ & KK schedule December 9th Breakfast with Santa & Christmas Play Practice following December 10th Children s Choir Christmas Play Star of Wonder held as a CLC Luncheon Fundraiser directly after 11am service! No GLZ or KK this evening. December 17th NO GLZ or KK, but PLEASE come and enjoy the annual Christmas Worship Concert at 6:00pm as a family! December 24th Special Interactive Children s Christmas Eve Service! NO GLZ or KK this evening December 31st NO GLZ or KK this evening And one tiny baby... Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! changed the whole world.

5 Poinsettias will be displayed on December 17th! Poinsettias lend such beauty to our sanctuary s Christmas decorations and symbolically remind us of the birth of Christ. ANGEL TREE UPDATE So far, 50 children have been adopted from our Angel Tree. And, there have been about 20 more requests that have just recently come in. Please stop by the Angel Tree, located in The Commons and pick an angel, as this should be our last Sunday we ll have it up. They are now available for order. You may place one in honor or in memory of someone. The cost is $10 each. You may earmark your check for Poinsettias. Please complete the form found in the Narthex or The Commons area and place it in the offering or drop it by the church office. Thank you so much for your generous support of this ministry to the children in our community, and please return all gifts to the church by December 17th.

6 Operation: Christmas Child Christmas Shoeboxes This year, Tabernacle is again collecting shoeboxes full of gifts for Operation: Christmas Child! Please begin packing your boxes, using the guidelines listed below or find more information on their website: operation-christmas-child/pack-a-shoebox/, then deliver them to the church either by Sunday, December 3rd for the Prayer Over The Shoeboxes during the 11am service! Labels and packing suggestions are available in the Narthex and Commons. You may use your own shoebox, or a pre-printed box that Tabernacle provides. Please contact Youth Minister Savanah Aldridge with any or saldridge@tabernacle-umc.org! How To Pack A Shoebox: See our gift suggestions according to age and gender listed below for other fun toys, hygiene items, and school supplies to fill the shoebox. 1. Find a Shoebox- Start with an average-size cardboard or plastic shoebox. If you want to wrap it, cover the box and lid separately. 2. Girl or Boy? Decide whether you will pack a box for a girl or a boy, and the age category: 2 4 yrs old, 5 9 yrs old, or yrs old. 3. Fill with Gifts- Select a medium to large wow item such as a soccer ball with pump or stuffed animal, then fill with other fun toys, hygiene items, and school supplies. 4. Attach the label & Shipping Donation- Attach the provided labels, and a check for $9 (for each box you provide), to cover the cost of shipping, to the outside of your unsealed box. 4. Pray- Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift. You can also include a personal note and photo. 5. Deliver the shoeboxes to TUMC. DO NOT INCLUDE: Candy; toothpaste; used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives, or military figures; chocolate or food; seeds; fruit rolls or other fruit snacks; drink mixes (powdered or liquid); liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans.

7 6-12th Grade December rd- Youth 5:00pm 9th- Shoebox Ministry packing trip to Charlotte see below! 10th- Attend Children s Play, then Angel Tree 5:00pm! 17th- Christmas 5:00pm 19th- Clapp s Nursing Home 5:15pm, back by 7:45pm SMALL GROUPS MEET YEAR-ROUND, WEEKLY! (unless specified by group leader) Girls Wednesdays 4:30-6:00pm (Teresa Ehrhardt ) 6219 Monnett Road, Julian HS Girls Wednesdays 6:00-7:30pm (Savanah Aldridge ) 3520 Old Climax Road, Climax HS Guys Thursdays 7:00-9:00pm (Roger Kendrick ) 7039 Old 421 Road, Liberty 24th- NO Youth Group Merry Christmas! Christmas Eve Service- 11:00pm 31st- NO Youth Group Happy New Year! Youth Group will pack Shoeboxes on December 9th! We will meet at the church at 7:30am to travel to Charlotte, then return home by 4:30pm. If you are 13 yrs or older and would like to participate, please sign up by following the link below:

8 Blanket Blessings Ministry now has items available for sale! The Fellowship Circle has blankets in varying sizes: twin, sofa, and twin bed... fleece blankets with crocheted edging, baby blankets with matching bonnets packaged in a gift bag ready for giving, and pet blankets for your favorite furry friends! All items can be monogrammed with initials or a picture. If you have a special request or want specific colors, we can do that, too! Call Gayle Price at to order. Profits to the CLC Fund. We are now collecting cold-weather gear like hats, gloves, and SOCKS, and are especially in need of sizes 1X-4X jackets, 2-man tents, sleeping bags, blankets, and bottled water. There is a collection box in the Commons area for drop-offs, or you may call Steve for large donations pick up. Thank you for your support! CHILI COOK-OFF AND SILENT AUCTION SAVE THE DATE and NOW ACCEPTING REGISTRATION FOR CHILI COOKS! The 2018 Honduras Missions Team will host a Chili Cook-Off/Silent Auction, Saturday, January 27, 2018! Do you have the best chili in town? If so, we want you! We are now actively accepting registration for chili cooks! Registration forms are available at the Church Office, in The Commons, and at the ALIVE service, and are due along with a $25 entry fee by January 7, Space is limited to the first 25 who sign up and pay their fee so get yours in today! Tickets for the event will go on sale in December, so save the date and stay tuned for further info! Please contact Cheryl Kendrick at or kendrickx5@gmail.com with any questions.

9 Congregational Care Committee Have you heard? There is a new committee At Tabernacle... let us introduce you to the Congregational Care Committee! This committee will begin serving TUMC in January 2018, and the vision is two-fold. The first part of the vision is to keep people who attend Tabernacle from falling through the cracks. This will be done by organizing a means of keeping in touch with people who attend our church who may be facing challenging times, many of whom may no longer be able to attend church. This could be due to illness, surgery, death or relocation. The CCC will rely on information shared through designated Sunday School and Small Group contacts. Once the committee has been made aware of such individuals, committee members will reach out to them find out what we, as a church, can do to help. The CCC will also ask the congregation to be aware of those who sit around them every Sunday, and complete a Who s Missing? Card, found on the Hospitality table and in the pews, for anyone who hasn't been seen for 3 weeks or more. The second part of the vision is to provide opportunities for those who attend the ALIVE services and the traditional service to fellowship together. Be on the lookout for more information and for ways that you may be able to assist as the New Year approaches. We are excited to c0-chair this committee and pray that our vision will bless and serve all who attend Tabernacle UMC. Teresa Ehrhardt and Margee Wrenn Attention Ladies: Beth Moore is coming to North Carolina! If you d like to attend this live Beth Moore Living Proof Worship event in Boone, NC on March 9-10th, as a group, please contact Heidi or mikeheidibrown@yahoo.com ASAP as we need to purchase tickets by December 10th! The cost is $59 for both days for 10 or more attendees. Hotel & meals are additional. (*Hint-men, this would make an awesome Christmas gift!)

10 Just a friendly health reminder As we enter into the cold and flu season, please be respectful of those around you during church activities and worship. If you have symptoms of a cold or the flu (fever, sneezing, cough, running nose), avoid some of the friendly contact many of us like to share (like shaking hands, hugs, etc.) until those symptoms have been gone for at least 24 hours. Though we would miss you, it may even be more loving for your own health, and the health of those at church, for you to stay home to rest and recuperate until all clear. SAVE THE DATE/MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW for the TUMC Golf for Honduras Missions Tournament June 2nd, 2018 at Country Hills Golf Course! What better reason to dust off those clubs than to help send two missions teams to Honduras and in turn benefit the Honduran people? More details to come, but start putting your teams together for a great morning of golf, for an even greater cause. $50/golfer - $200 per/foursome. Price includes greens fee, cart, and lunch.

11 TUMC STAFF LOVE OFFERING As you look around the campus at TUMC and witness all the activity, it is clear that 2017 has been a great year, with tremendous strides being made in all areas of ministry and worship! This success does not happen without the great efforts of, not only the congregation of TUMC, but our outstanding Church Staff. During the month of December, we encourage each of you to consider showing your appreciation for the Staff by contributing to the Staff Love Offering. You may either take your contribution to the Church Office or place it in the offering plate; just be sure to earmark it as STAFF LOVE OFFERING. Our church staff - Pastor John Woods, Kimberly Cripps, Savanah Aldridge, Carla Ely, Richard Dunn, Antonella Frashëri, Joyce Sosnowski, Allen Haywood, Ashley Walters- will receive this love offering at the SPRC s Staff Appreciation Christmas Dinner in January. Your support is greatly appreciated! ~TUMC Staff Parrish Relations Committee And, another reminder... According to the Internal Revenue Service policy, any gifts given to TUMC that you wish to be reflected on your 2017 Giving Statement must be received in the church office (or postmarked, if being mailed) by Sunday, December 31st.

12 DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS Evan Aldridge 02 Chad Edmondson 02 Wendy Fogleman 03 Tom Brawley 03 Kim Worthington 03 Beverly Calhoun 03 Calli Medlin 03 Doug Wyrick 04 Dick Wrenn 05 Jackie Neece 06 Joe Turner 08 Kallee Lambe 09 Cheryl Kendrick 09 Alan Branson 09 Gaynell Faulk 10 Forrest Brothers 11 Heidi Brown 12 James McKnight Jr 12 Katie Kendrick 13 Rebecca Shaffer 15 Tanner Greeson 16 Dale Giddens 17 Debbie Gill 17 Patsy Helms 18 Nora Moss 18 Steve Swain 18 Kenan Cox 19 Teresa Ehrhardt 19 Chris Helms 19 Rusty Vick Scott Redmon 20 Gail Causey 20 Cathy Webster 21 Jesse Pratt 21 Marie Byrd 22 Thomas Griffin 23 Dwayne Shaffer 23 Bill Early 23 Carson Lee 24 Ally Hardie 24 Arleen Giddens 24 Mark Wheeler 24 Linda Hoskins 25 Cameron Scott 25 Richard Winquist 26 Bob Coyle 26 Rosie Brien 26 Kirsten Braxton 28 Greyson Ehrhardt 28 Vicky Wheeler 29 Kaleb Lambe 30 Karen Moore 30 Zach Ely 31 Nate Ely 31 Rubianne Ely 31 Dee Smith 31 If your birthday or anniversary is not listed appropriately, or is omitted, please call the church office right away so we may correct it: ! DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES Steve & Karen Redmon 16 Tom & Jame Rousey 18 Warren & Paula Ginn 18 Paul & Deborah Holt 19 Lacy & Laura Fogleman 26 Ronald & Dianne Hinson 26 Chris & Amy Ehrhardt 27 Glenn & Jan Hancock 28 Harry & Mary Griffin 22 Bill & Jennie Jones 23

13 DECEMBER 2017 CALENDAR Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 Drop-n-Shop- 4-8p Sounds of the Scouts Court Backpacks Adult Fellow- Food Pantry Breakfast Season Concert- of Honor 6p 10a ship 9a 11a with Santa 7p! Chapel Friendship 9a PG Parade 3p Circle 7p Youth Shoebox Trip 7a Kid s Christmas Scouts 6:30p Fellowship Backpacks Food Pantry Sears Retiree Musical/Meal Circle Outing 10a 11am Luncheon 7a Fundraiser 4p Bethany 12p Circle 11a Church Council UMM 6:30p 7pm Last Day for Angel Tree Scouts 6:30p Sunshine Backpacks 10a Food Pantry 11am Daycare Closed Cantata 6p Circle 7p Youth Carol- Blue Christ- ing 5:15p mas Serv in Evangelism 7p the Chapel 7p Trustees 7p Combined Office & Office & Food Pantry Adult Sunday Daycare Daycare 11am School 9:30a Closed Closed Tabernacle United Serv 10:30a Kid s Christmas Eve Serv 5:30p Candlelight Serv 11p 31

14 DECEMBER SERVANTS Serving in Worship 1st Week 2nd Week 3rd Week 4th Week 5th Week Offering Counters Gaynell Faulk Pete Stephens Gaynell Faulk Pete Stephens Gaynell Faulk Pete Stephens Gaynell Faulk Pete Stephens Gaynell Faulk Pete Stephens CD Delivery Carolyn Hall June Sofley Betty Marley Anne Lambert Kay Kiger Sound Pete Cox Brian Williamson Andy Griffin` Brandon Burke Pete Cox Acolytes Abbey Stewart Libby Newman Kaylee Keating Charlotte Stewart Marielle Ely Brandi Shaffer Lilly Stewart Isley Morrow Bailey Dunn Jenna Ely Hospitality 9am- Chris & 9am- John Bradley, 9am- Chris & 9am- John 9am- Chris & Amy Ehrhardt, Kirston Braxton, Amy Ehrhardt, Bradley, Chris & Amy Ehrhardt, Steve Redmon, Chris & Amy Bryan Newman, Amy Ehrhardt, Bryan Newman, Gil Strader, Ehrhardt, Steve Swain Steve Redmon, Steve Redmon, Steve Swain 11am- Janie Cockman, Katie Kendrick, Steve Redmon, Gil Strader 11am- Jay Gordon, Betty Marley, Pete & Brenda Stephens 11am- Jay Gordon, Steve Swain 11am- Dick & Nancy Brown, Jay Gordon, 11am- Jay Gordon, Bruce & Dee Kay Kiger, Jay Gordon, Chelsea Kiger, Kay Kiger Wolff Bruce & Dee Betty Marley, Betty Marley Wolff Bruce & Dee Wolff Town of Pleasant Garden 37th Annual Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting Sunday, December 3rd, 3:00pm. GriefShare Recovery Group will be held Wednesdays from 6:30-8:00pm, for 13 weeks, at Brick Reformed Church, and will be led by Brenda Williams, a member of our community who, having experienced grief herself and finding healing, is passionate about walking alongside others as they journey through their own grief. Contact the church for more details. Pleasant Garden Elementary will host a Blood Drive Tuesday, December 19th from 2-6:30pm in the Multi-purpose Center. Please call the school office to register: or and search for Pleasant Garden Elementary School Blood Drive.

15 ONGOING PRAYER CONCERNS Carolyn Allred, Ed Barber, Katie Berrier, Edd Bigham, Diane Boit, Sarah Jane Bowers, Rosie Brien, Averi Burke, Gail Causey, Mary Claiborne, Sam Clapp, Carolyn Cox, Amy Cruthis, Red Dunlap, Carol Dyson, Brookie Eddinger, Lisa Faulkner, Milton Ferguson, Pat Ferrell, Lacy Fogleman, Sandra Greeson, Paige Hedrick, Don Helms, Susan & Matt Henney, Herb Jones, Anna Karavally, Susan King, Carrol Knight, Nathan Koonts, Linda Lambe, Carol McGuire, Edwin Mirise, Tressie Nelson, Rasheda Noel, Cookie Sheffield, Jewel Shephard, Richie Winquist, Ralph Worley, Buffy Youngs, Kelly Younts Ministers: The Tabernacle Congregation Pastor: Rev. John Woods (cell: ) Church Office: Daycare: Website: Rev. John Woods (Pastor) Savanah Aldridge (Minister of Youth) Kimberly Cripps (Children s Ministries) kcripps@tabernacle-umc.org Carla Ely (Music Ministries) cely@tabernacle-umc.org Richard Dunn II (Worship Leader) richardldunn@me.com ADDED TO PRAYER LIST THIS WEEK: Caitlin Little- health OUR SUPPORTED MISSIONARIES: Sandra Raasch (Honduras), Kenya Partners, Alger & Joyce Morris (Cambodia) OUR MILITARY: Luke Rebertus, Jason Caesar Wolff, Joel Woods, Conner Worthington Antonela Frashëri (Pianist) Joyce Sosnowski (Finances) Allen Haywood (Maintenance) Ashley Walters (Office Administrator) afrasheri@tabernacle-umc.org jsosnowski@tabernacle-umc.org ahaywood@tabernacle-umc.org tabernacle@tabernacle-umc.org OUR SHUT INS: Irene Blake, Bob & Mary Claiborne (Friend's Home West, #5102), Bill Early (Abbottswood, #B-315), Nancy Fisher (Abbottswood, #C-306), Martha Love (Brooksdale NW, #9), Meralyn Meadows (The Laurels, #E-201), Vernon & Jean Penry (Abbotswood, #A- 216), Julia Sosnowski (Morningview), Sandra Greeson (Clapp s, #303-B), Betty Varner (Abbotswood, # C-124), Frances Whitt Stephen Ministers are available to pray with you each Sunday after the 11:00am service, in the Dyar Library. NEWSLETTER / BULLETIN DEADLINES: The deadline for the Friday News Flash is Thursday by 12pm noon. The deadline for the Sunday Bulletin is Wednesday by 12pm noon. The deadline for the Monthly Newsletter is the 20th of the month. Please make requests to the Office Administrator for all upcoming events/meetings, even if it is an annual event. Please specify date/time, area(s) needed, sound (including specific equipment), and if kitchen facilities or vehicle(s) are required.

16 Tabernacle United Methodist Church 5721 Methodist Road Greensboro, NC umc.org T a b e r n a c l e U M C i s a p l a c e t o P r a i s e G o d G r o w D i s c i p l e s S e r v e t h e W o r l d