December Inside this issue: Message from Pastor K. Advent and Fasting Money Challenge 3. Happenings at The Road UMC

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1 December 2014 Welcome Visitors The Road UMC is the place to be! The mission of The Road UMC is to become a community of believers committed to helping all people to personally know Jesus Christ by delivering a biblically based teaching and preaching of the gospel to those saved and seeking Christ and thereby developing disciples, families and communities through the power of the Holy Spirit. If you are new to our community and looking for a church home or desire to explore your spirituality, please consider us. At The ROAD, we are engaged in the L4 experience: Loving God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and loving neighbor as thyself Living a life that is Christ-centered and biblically oriented. Learning to be a disciple of Jesus Christ as we live counter to the culture following A Christ-centered Church where we are loving, living, learning and leading in the kingdom of God Inside this issue: wholeheartedly after God in a broken world. Message from Pastor K 1 Leading others to experience God; being light in darkness and salt in a decaying Advent and Fasting 2 environment Money Challenge 3 Happenings at The Road UMC 4 Internship Opportunity 5-6 News in the Pews 7 us at stmarysrd@theroadumc.org Celebrations 8 See one of our greeters or ministers after the worship service Prayer Warriors 9 Kids Korner 10 December Calendar 11 Welcome Visitors 12 If you would like to enter into fellowship with The ROAD UMC Come during the Invitation to Discipleship See our pastor or a member after church Call the church office and schedule an appointment to speak with the pastor This is the working church! The lazy church is down the street! James R. King, Jr., Resident Bishop Cynthia Williams, Lay Leader Rev. Dr. Buddy Cooper, District Superintendent Willie Belfield, Associate Lay Leader The SMRUMC Staff Shea Ellis, Receptionist Jacqueline McCall, Administrative Assistant Jacquelyn Egins, Director of Music Debra Alexander, Youth Musician stmarysrd@theroadumc.org F/B: The ROAD UMC Pastor s Office Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Tuesday Thursday (and by appointment) PastorK@theroadumc.org Telephone Number: (706) St. Mary s Road Columbus, GA (706) stmarysrd@theroadumc.org f/b: The ROAD UMC Rev. Dr. L.K. Pendleton, Pastor Hang on the mistletoe, I'm gonna get to know you better, this Christmas. And as we trim the tree, how much fun it's gonna be together. This Christmas, fireside is blazing bright, we're caroling through the night, And this Christmas will be, A very special Christmas for me. The song above, This Christmas, by Donnie Hathaway, reflects how we can have a Merry Christmas. Some of us have already begun celebrating with Christmas cheer in our various spheres! Some have shopped to exhaustion, others have attended a few office parties, and the industrious have decorated their homes to aplomb! But what is having a Merry Christmas really about? With the annual approach of this holiday, retailers began their array of commercials before Halloween trying to capitalize on the consumer s season buzz seeking the best deals at Christmas. What about the opponents who voice their objections against celebrating Christmas because it is non-christian to do so? They say that Christians should not celebrate Christmas because of the name of the holiday, that it is over commercialized, or because of the use of the abbreviation. First, this objection to the name Christmas pertains to its derivation. Christmas represents the combination of two words, Christ and mass. The word means the mass of Christ. The root meaning of Christ-mass is to send Christ, or Christ is sent. The Apostle Paul tells us in Galatians 4:4 that in the fullness of time, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman. Moreover, the Savior spoke often of him who sent me. This term Christmas, while we cannot find it in the Bible, accurately represents what the holiday is all about. Christmas is about the sending of Christ. The use of the abbreviation Xmas does not take Christ out of Christmas. Representing Christmas as Xmas is not an irreverent modern substitute for Christmas. The abbreviation represents the substitution of X (which means the unknown quantity) for Christ. X in the Greek alphabet is called Chi which is the first letter in the Greek word Christo. In many manuscripts of the New Testaments, X abbreviates Christos (Xristos). The scribes used the abbreviation simply to save time and space. We use abbreviations for the same purpose today as witness by TI, D.L. Hughley, J.R. Tolkein, and H.G. Wells. How can we have a Merry Christmas? The first thing we can do is count the many ways God has kept us from dangers seen and unseen this year. Count the many times when the hearse s wheels rolled right on by your house. Be thankful and bless his name, for the Lord is good and His mercies are forever. Be thankful that things are as well as they are and remember as long as there is Christ, we can hang on to hope, jump for joy, we can press our way pass our problems and claim our peace in Jesus name. We can have a Merry Christmas, because the Savior has come!

2 The Season of Advent marks the time of preparation and hope for the coming of the Christ in Western Christianity. The traditional Advent period begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day and lasts through Christmas Eve (December 24th) unless Christmas (PK Eve Message) falls on a Sunday. The start of Advent changes from year to year. This year, the four Sundays of Advent are as follows. Page 2 Newsletter Four Sundays of Advent: November 30, 2014 Hope December 7, 2014 Peace December 14, 2014 Joy December 21, 2014 Love ~ December 2014 ~ Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat TRUSTEES ON CALL FOR DECEMBER West Dryden (706) James Jones (706) B/P, Diabetes and Cholesterol screenings Children s Church 1 Worship Mtg. August Calendar Trustee Meeting 8 Finance Mtg. Married Couples 2 12:00 p.m. Children/ Youth Choir Prayer 6:15 p.m. Unity 7:00 p.m. Central UMC in Atlanta, GA Advent 7:00 p.m Kids Night 6:00-7:00 p.m. 4 Zumba 5:30 p.m. 11 Zumba 5:30 p.m FOOD BOX DEADLINE 6 Boy Scout Mtg. Golden Agers 1:00 p.m. 13 UMM 8:30 a.m. 14 Christmas 6:0 p.m. 15 ROCK Ministry 11:30 a.m Children/ Youth Choir Prayer 6:15 p.m. Unity 7:00 p.m. 18 Zumba 5:30 p.m. FOOD BOX PICK 12:00 p.m. 19 NEWSLETTER DEADLINE 20 Boy Scout Mtg. Children and Youth Christmas Celebration 11:00-2:30 p.m. 21 B/P, Diabetes and Cholesterol screenings Children s Church Children s Christmas 8:30 a.m. 22 Council Meeting CLOSES AT 1:00 p.m. 25 CLOSED MERRY CHRISTMAS 26 CLOSED Baby Dedication CLOSES AT 1:00 p.m. Vital Signs for November 2014 A: Attendance B: Offering Week 1: 247 $15, Week 2: 237 $10, Week 3: 225 $8, Week 4: 215 $5, Week 5: 220 $6, TOTAL FOR NOVEMBER: $45, TOTAL NEEDED: $46,500.00

3 THE 52 WEEK MONEY SAVING CHALLENGE IN 2015 In Luke 16:1-3, we are told the parable of the good stewards. In essence this story informs us that if we have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust us with true riches (v11). In summary, what does the Bible say about managing money? The answer can be summarized with a single word wisdom. We are to be wise with our money. We are to save money, but not hoard it. We are to spend money, but with discretion and control. We are to give back to the Lord, joyfully and sacrificially. We are to use our money to help others, but with discernment and the guidance of God s Spirit. It is not wrong to be rich, but it is wrong to love money. It is not wrong to be poor, but it is wrong to waste money on trivial things. The Bible s consistent message on managing money is to be wise. If you do not presently have a savings plan in place, in 2015 I would like for you to consider the 52 Week Money Challenge. The idea is simple: deposit $1 into your savings account on week one of 2015, followed by a $2 on week two, $3 on week three, etc. until you reach week fifty-two where you make your last deposit of $52. Your final balance at the end of the year is $1,378. It s a simple way to save almost $1, What s the point? This challenge is habit-forming. The challenge places you into the act of saving. This means you ll have to establish a place to put the money and determine where the money is going to come from. This challenge also leads you into establishing good financial habits like spending less than you earn and finding ways to increase your income and your giving. Let s do it!

4 Prayer Warrior On-Call for the month of December Sheila Woodbury (706) Prayer Concerns Raven P.K. Arnold 108 Inlet Drive, Elizabeth City, NC (619) Harold Claytor 926 Celia Drive, Columbus, GA (07) (706) Jameka Claytor 307 Garfield Drive, Trenton, NJ (706) Rev. Frederick R. Gray 3601 Springside Drive, Decatur, GA (404) Francine Joyner 1290 Thelbert Drive, Fayetteville, NC (910) Lester Lewis 1693 Bunker Hill Road, Columbus, GA (07) (706) George Liggins 1204 Rainey Street, Longview, TX (903) David & Susie Simmons NW 110 Avenue, Reddick, FL (352) The Blackwell Family 6787 Ironstone Drive, Columbus, GA (07) (706) Wendy Solomon 7553 Parkland Bend, Fairburn, GA (706) John & Delores Thomas 6801 Playfield Drive, Columbus, GA (07) (706) Emily Walker 5410 Kennedy Street, Columbus, GA (07) (706) Please call the church office at (706) to notify the staff of any known illnesses, hospitalizations or deaths. Trustee Alert Rental of church facilities (Sanctuary, Fellowship Hall, and Classrooms) must be approved by the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees will meet on the first Monday of each month unless there is holiday. Request (s) to rent the church facilities should be submitted in a timely manner to allow the coordination with all concerned parties. Please refrain from giving money to people who approach you on our campus. We have ministries in place to respond to persons in need. If you have any articles, announcements, or important events you would like to share with the church, please contact one of the editors or the church office. Pictures are also wanted! Moreover, we will appreciate any suggestions that will help make our newsletter better. FOOD PANTRY ITINERARY Food Pantry Order Deadline: Friday, December 12, 2014 Food Pantry Distribution Date: Thursday, December 18, 12:00 p.m. NEWSLETTER DEADLINE DATES December 19

5 Happy December Anniversary Lenwood and Bernice Copenny~17 th Allen and Benita Lewis~18 th Kenneth and Susan Cooper~21 st (30 Years) From the Food Pantry Ministry We would like to thank those persons who contributed toward purchasing the turkeys for the Thanksgiving boxes. God always answers prayer. He answered in a big way allowing us to bless 25 families with a Thanksgiving dinner. We pray that each of you will continue to be blessed. THANK YOU!!! To My Beloved Road UMC! Thanks for all of your love and support on my birthday and every day! Your Sister On The Way, Pastor K Kimberly McRae-1 st Deanna Jackson- Derrick Snell-4 th Bahaia Wilkins-10 th Happy December Birthday Eddie McAdams-26 th Carol Weng-27 th Amari Conwell-29 th Sandra Winder-31 st The family of Michael Elton Fannin is eternally grateful and thanks St Mary's Road for your expressions of love, support, and other acts of kindness shown during the passing of our loved one. From the Milliner, Fannin, McGee and Crawl Family Congratulations to Whitley Cooper, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Cooper. She is graduating on December 16, 2014 with a Degree in Communications with a concentration in Broadcast Journalism. Congratulations to Aiyana Egins! She represented the State of Georgia in the National All American Miss pageant in Anaheim, California. Aiyana competed with a bully prevention platform and began a personal campaign, I m Somebody, You re Somebody, Bully Me Not, to education the community about bullying and received awards recognition for being a National Finalist, Talent, and Casual Wear Modeling. Ethnic/Minority Young Adult Summer Internship deadlines For ages from United Methodist minority caucuses, Central Conferences to work at social-justice placements in U.S. capital. Page 5 Contact: Wayne Rhodes Director of Communications General Board of Church & Society The United Methodist Church (202) / wrhodes@umc-gbs.org WASHINGTON, D.C. Deadlines have been announced to apply for a 2015 Ethnic Young Adult (EYA) Summer Internship in social justice placements in the U.S. capital. The EYA program is for persons, ages from United Methodist racial/ethnic minority caucuses and Central Conferences, who have an interest in exploring issues of public policy, social justice advocacy and social change. Sponsored by the General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) and the denomination's Inter-Ethnic Strategy Development Group, the summer internship, May 27-Aug. 1, is for young adults representing the five ethnic minority caucuses of The United Methodist Church: Native Americans, Pacific-Islanders, Hispanic/Latinos, African Americans and Asian Americans. The program, administered by GBCS, also seeks to attract United Methodist young adults from the Central Conferences of Africa, Philippines and Europe. Applicants must be full members in The United Methodist Church. Deadlines to submit applications for internships are the following: Dec.1 for applicants outside the United States. Feb. 1 for applicants in the United States. Interns participate in weekly devotions and topical seminars to supplement their daily work experience. Interns also will visit the United Nations office of GBCS in New York City. They will participate in seminars that educate interns about the international advocacy work The United Methodist Church does at the United Nations. Concern for social justice Applicants must be in good academic standing at their college or university, demonstrate evidence of their concern for social justice through extracurricular activity, academic study and have some history of involvement in their church and/or community. If employed full-time, applicants must show active leadership and participation in their local church and community, including involvement in social-justice activities. GBCS will provide round-trip transportation to and from Washington, D.C.; housing during the internship; commuter stipend for travel to work sites; and $1,500 for each intern for the eight-week period. Applications will be evaluated on an applicant's passion and potential to engage in broad-based social justice ministries. Priority will be given to an applicant's commitment to public policy, demonstrated leadership and potential for leadership within The United Methodist Church and society.

6 Initial criteria for selection will include a substantial written response, evidence of leadership within the denomination at the local church, conference or general church level. Academic achievements and a readiness to apply university study to the internship will also be considered. The EYA Interns are expected to return to their schools, churches and communities with an increased commitment to working with and on behalf of marginalized groups in society. Interns are also expected to share their experience with others. Ethnic Local Church Grant EYA is funded through GBCS s Ethnic Local Church Grant program. More details about the internship and application forms are available at 2015 Ethnic Young Adult Internship. The recommendation form is available at Recommendation. For more information, contact the Rev. Neal Christie, assistant general secretary, Education & Leadership Formation, General Board of Church & Society, 100 Maryland Ave. NE, Washington, D.C , (202) , or send to eya@umc-gbcs.org, or the Rev. Doris Warrell, EYA program coordinator The General Board of Church & Society is one of four international general program boards of The United Methodist Church. The board s primary areas of ministry are Advocacy, Education & Leadership Formation, United Nations & International Affairs, and resourcing these areas for the denomination. It has offices on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and at the Church Center at the United Nations. Note to editors: A copy of this release is available on the General Board of Church & Society website at Ethnic Young Adult Summer Internship deadlines. Exchange Your Change Beginning today, deposit your change in the Faith Well each week before or after service. This money will be used to fund our Sunday Breakfast Ministry! We need you to assist with one of the following: Cooking Staff, Kitchen Staff, Grocery Shopping, Transportation Ministry Contact: Sheila Woodbury, Sherry Lark, or Robert Montgomery. Thank you for all you do! Learn What Happens When You Say Yes To Jesus! A brief booklet by Pastor K entitled: The L3Xperience: A New Lord, A New Love, and A New Life. Get yours free today! Contact the church office. Get Ready! Get Ready! Get Ready! More information to follow. Bishop King's vision for The South Georgia Conference is to Know & Grow, Acts 2:42. The focus is for each local parish to increase discipleship and that we study the Gospel of Mark. We will begin our church-wide study of Mark beginning in January. See small group facilitator for more information. Brandice Arlene Martin Scholarship Fund All members are encouraged to give a financial contribution to the Brandice Arlene Martin Scholarship Fund. Active church members who are high school seniors may apply for this scholarship through the United Methodist Women. Please make checks payable to United Methodist Women and notate Scholarship Fund in the memo line, or give cash donation to Pamela Shaw-Grant, UMW treasurer. Joseph J. Gosha Scholarship Fund To: Family and Friends of the late Joseph Gosha - A scholarship fund has been established in memory of Joseph J. Gosha at Spencer High School where Joseph last served as Principal prior to his retirement. Your support of this scholarship fund is greatly appreciated.. Monetary donations should be made payable to Spencer High School. In the Memo or For line, please indicate: "Joseph J. Gosha Scholarship Fund" and mail to: Spencer High School 4340 Victory Drive Columbus, GA His wife, Joyce, and daughters, Tonya and Alicia, thank you in advance for your generosity!