FELLOWSHIP MESSENGER

Transcription

1 FELLOWSHIP MESSENGER Dave s Devotional The season of Advent, which comes from the Latin word adventus meaning coming or visit," begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year for Christians. Liturgical is a word that comes from liturgy, which means the forms and functions of public worship. During Advent, we prepare for, and anticipate, the coming of Christ. We remember the longing of those long ago for a Messiah and our own longing for, and need of, forgiveness, salvation and a new beginning. Even as we look back and celebrate the birth of Jesus in a humble stable in Bethlehem, we also look forward anticipating the second coming of Christ as the fulfillment of all that was promised by his first coming. As we enter this season of Advent, I share with you these words from Saint Gregory of Nyssa as he discussed the subject matter of perfection in Christians. His words are as follows: The life of the Christian has three distinguishing aspects: deeds, words and thought. Thought comes first, then words, since our words express openly the interior conclusions of the mind. Finally, after thoughts and words, comes action, for our deeds carry out what the mind has conceived. So when one of these results in our acting or speaking or thinking, we must make sure that all our thoughts, words and deeds are controlled by the divine ideal, the revelation of Christ. For then our thoughts, words and deeds will not fall short of the nobility of their implications. What then must we do, we who have been found worthy of the name of Christ? Each of us must examine our thoughts, words and deeds, to see whether they are directed toward Christ or are turned away from him. During the season of Advent, may our thoughts, words and deeds reflect the love of our Savior whose birth we remember and celebrate in the weeks to come. With the joy of serving Christ together, The Rev. Dr. David A. Marcus, Jr. CANDLE LIGHTERS FOR ADVENT December 2 December 9 December 16 December 23 December 24 (4 PM) December 24 (7 PM) Eleanor Butner Keenan Newsome Hunter Riddle Bella Newsome Tinley Riddle Kyra Smith ========================================= 2019 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 Saturday, January 5, 2018 from Midnight to 8 AM as our local observance. A complete list of 2019 Unity Prayer Watch Topics will be on the counter outside the sanctuary on December 30. ===================================== PLEASE NOTE OUR MAILING ADDRESS The Christ Moravian Church mailing address and the address for Ray of Hope-Michael Tesh mail is: 919 W. Academy Street Winston-Salem, NC 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 Monday, November 12 in the Church Office. Committee Reports were given and the following was discussed: Church Council on November 11: Our Church Council went smoothly. Three new members were elected to the Leadership Board: Diane Holleman, Debbie Jones and Carol Wade. Pastor s Vacation Pastor Dave will be on vacation December 26, 2018 January 2, The next meeting will be Monday, December 10 at 7 PM in the Fellowship Building. Women s Fellowship News Our Candle Trim Dinner is Tuesday, December 4, 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. Pecans (halves and pieces) are available for purchase in the Resource Room at $10 per bag. Women s Fellowship Circle #1 will meet on Monday night, December 17 at 7 PM in the Fellowship Building. ======================================================= Marvelous Moravians The Marvelous Moravians have planned a trip to Salemtowne on Tuesday evening, December 11, to hear the Advent-Hopewell Band in concert. Plans are to leave the church parking lot at 6:15 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. This is the last day to sign up. ADVENT ACTIVITIES CANDLE TRIM DINNER The Candle Trim Dinner is Tuesday, December 4 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 16, at 11 AM in the Sanctuary. CHRISTMAS CAROLING Sunday, December 16 For those who wish to go caroling, we will have lunch after worship in the Fellowship Building 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 Monday, December 24 at 4 PM and 7:00 PM. The luminaries will line the walk and driveway for the 7:00 PM lovefeast on Christmas Eve. Band prelude 30 minutes prior to the services. ======================================== TOYS FOR TOTS PROGRAM For Christmas, the CE Committee will be collecting NEW, unwrapped toys for the Toys for Tots Program. Collection boxes will be in the hallway through December 9,

3 Calendar of Events 12/1 8:00 a.m. West Salem Neighborhood Association Pancake Breakfast (Fellowship Building) 12/2 9:45 am Opening Worship: First Sunday of Advent 12/4 6:30 pm Cndle Trim Dinner (Fellowship Building) 12/5 8:00 am 12/9 9:45 am 12:00 pm (TOYS FOR TOTS ENDS) Opening Worship: Second Sunday of Advent FELLOWSHIP BUILDING RESERVED 12/10 Leadership Board Meeting (Fellowship Building) 12/11 6:15 pm Marvelous Moravians depart Church parking lot for Salemtowne to hear Advemt-Hopewell Band in Concert 12/12 8:00 am 12/16 (LUMINARY MONEY DUE DATE) 9:45 am 12:00 pm Opening Exercise Worship: Third Sunday of Advent / Congregational Christmas Lovefeast & Candle Service Christmas Caroling & Deliver Card Boxes (meet in Fellowship Building for light meal) 12/17 WF Circle #1 Meeting (Fellowship Building) 12/19 8:00 am 12/23 9:45 am 12/24 ALL DAY 12:00 pm 4:00 pm 12/25 ALL DAY 12/26 8:00 am 12/30 9:45 am Opening Exercise Worship: Fourth Sunday of Advent CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED HOLIDAY FELLOWSHIP BUILDING RESERVED Christmas Lovefeast & Candle Service Christmas Lovefeast & Candle Service CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED HOLIDAY FELLOWSHIP BUILDING RESERVED Opening Exercise Worship: First Sunday after Christmas 12/31 11:00 pm New Year s Eve Watchnight Service (Calvary Moravian Church) 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 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 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 MEMORIALS (October 21 November 20, 2018) CE Committee Report: The CE Committee did not meet in November. The next CE meeting will be Sunday, January 6, 2019 in the Church Office following the service. Youth Fellowship: We have some Youth Fellowship activities coming up for the remainder of this year and we hope all of you can join us. Please add these to your calendars: Sunday, December 16 Christmas Lovefeast at 11 AM followed by lunch and then Christmas Caroling and delivering card boxes. Monday, December 24, following the 4 PM lovefeast put out luminaries; pick up luminaries after the 7 PM service. We don t have the schedule for 2019 yet but will let you know as soon as it is available. Remember, parents and grandparents are always invited to join us. Youth Lunch: The next Youth Lunch will be on Sunday, January 13, 2019, following the service. The menu will be homemade soups. A love offering will be collected to help the youth with their programs. LOVEFEAST BUN ORDERS If you would like to order lovefeast buns for December 16 or Christmas Eve, please let Sabrina Maksi know by December 9. Her cell phone number is and her address is smaksi@triad.rr.com. END OF YEAR REMINDER FROM THE TREASURER In order for your contribution to count in 2018, the contribution must be received or postmarked 12/31/18 or before. Any contributions received or postmarked after 12/31/18 will be counted as ===================================================== 2018 New Year s Eve Watchnight Service The Salem Congregation Moravian Watchnight Service will be held on Monday, December 21, 2018 at 11 PM at Calvary Moravian Church, 600 Holly Avenue, Winston-Salem, NC with the band prelude starting at 10:30 PM. The Rev. John D. Rights, pastor of Konnoak Hills Moravian Church, will bring the message. Greet the new year with hymn singing, sacred music and the sharing of a simple meal. In Memory of Mary Thomas Tommy Anderson Toby Phillips Bobbie Queen Wayne & Martha Walker Jo Brown Bonnie Edwards Jane Moore Marx-Carr Class Carol Wade Carol Johnson Judith Lynn Ray Ken & Pat Sheppard Archie Walker Doug & Sandy Crater Ann Frye Clay & Nancy Reid Lee & Herman Critz Kelly Wade =============================================== CHRISTMAS CARD BOXES FOR SPECIAL FRIENDS 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 put out beginning November 18. The boxes will be delivered during the December Christmas caroling (December 16). Elise Adams Ruth Cheek Lydia Brown Lucille Coker Haley Conrad Jake & Polly Davis John Denham Rosa Gaddy Toby Phillips Marie Talley 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 16 4

5 Treasurer s Report Year-to-Date October 31, 2018: Actual Budget Difference Offerings/Plate* 151, , (23,257.30) Expenses 200, , (5,813.08) Net Income/(Loss) (49,448.22) (32,004.00) (17,444.22) *Does not include memorials Transfers to cover expenses: $8, from Money Market Fund Account Balances (Actual Cash in bank or Investments): 09/30/18 10/31/18 ACCOUNTS FOR CHURCH OPERATIONS: Operating Account 18, , Ameriprise Investment Account 258, , Money Market Account at Capital Bank 143, , TOTAL 420, , Less: Restrictions * (201,552.60) (183,176.78) Use/Non-restricted 219, , ACCOUNTS OF OTHER GROUPS (not in Operating Budget): Outreach (Pastor s Discretionary) Account Mission Account 1, , M Tesh Mission Account 1, , Christian Education Account (includes Band/Orchestra fund of $3,773.78) 4, , Youth Account 1, , RESTRICTIONS *: Capital Improvement Fund of $155, is spread among the Operating Account, Ameriprise Account ($23,545.28) and Money Market Account ($12,000) (NOT affected by any monies from parsonage sale or office construction) Organ Fund of $26, in Money Market Fund Smaller Funds totaling $1, 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 Maksi - Treasurer 5

6 STEWARDSHIP OF SERVICE Date Opening Greeter Ushers Nursery Children s Church December 2, 2018 Angie Conrad Fred Howell Page Crater Annie Fry Avis Gray Trish Gray Nancy Reid Lou Saunders Decenber 9, 2018 Donna Tesh Skip Johnson Bradley Conrad Phil Kane Bob Peddycord N.T. Russell Kenny Wright December 16, 2018 Elizabeth Peddycord Ronnie Lanier Mark Crater Skip Johnson Joey Gray Lee Wilmoth December 23, 2018 Avis Gray N.T. Russell Herman Critz Sam Dixon Jeff Glance Kay Butner Mary Ferguson Carol Wade Donna Tesh Jo Brown Jennifer Pace Debbie Jones Rebecca Rath Jim Hill December 30, 2018 Becky Lanier Martha Walker Adults & Youth Elizabeth Peddycord Page Crater Sabrina Maksi Robbie Disher Donna Tesh Rebecca Rath NONE Matt Pace Sarah Pace Donna Tesh Debbie Jones LOOKING AHEAD IN WORSHIP December 2, 2018 December 9, 2018 December 16, 2018 December 23, 2018 December 30, 2018 SIMPLE DIRECTIONS FOR LIVING (1 Thessalonians 5:16-24) PROFILE OF AN EVANGELIST (Luke 3:1-6) CHRISTMAS LOVEFEAST & CANDLE SERVICE THE FORGOTTEN FIGURE (Matthew 1:18-25) Matt Pace, Guest Preacher