Meridian Street Weekly

Meridian Street Weekly Nov ember 15, 2018 Worship T imes 9:15 a.m. in t he Chapel and 10:30 a.m. in t he Sanct uary Gratitude and You Last week we looked at how we personally can become more grateful. I suggested that we need to move from a debt/duty understanding of gratitude to one of gift and response. Our acceptance of the debt/duty model is so pervasive that we often don't even realize how it is a part of our life. But what about gratitude in a communal sense? Sunday, I made the bold statement that we as a society are failing miserably at gratitude. The question I will wrestle with this week is, how do we become more of a grateful society. Even though we struggle with gratitude on a personal level, most of us experience personal gratitude regularly. Studies suggest that 78% of us report feeling grateful every week. But that gratitude doesn't seem to seep into our public square. I will attempt to offer some reasons why we struggle with social gratitude and some steps we might all take to become more grateful. Read: Matthew 5:1-11 Prayer: Loving God, thank you for having created us and given us to each other in the human family. Thank you for being with us in all our joys and sorrows, for your comfort in our sadness, your companionship in our loneliness. Thank you for yesterday, today, tomorrow and for the whole of our lives. Thank you for friends, for health and for grace. May we live this and every day conscious of all that has been given to us. Amen. ************************************************************************************ Sermon Series - Recordings and Manuscripts Available A number of people asked if we could combine all six messages that Matt and I preached last month on FAKE NEWS: Things That Really Aren't In The Bible. Mary Sue has been able to put all six sermons on two CD's and has also put together all

six manuscripts. If you would like a copy contact Mary Sue in the church office. Adv ent A dv ent Schedule Join us as we mov e t hrough A dv ent t oward Christ mas Day! Throughout Nov ember Nov ember 25, December 2, 9, 23 Nov ember 28, 5:30 p.m. December 3-7 December 10, 11:30 a.m. December 16 December 17, 5-7 p.m. Chri st mas Ev e * * * Fl et cher Pl ace Chri st mas S t ore Adv ent S ermon S eri es Donat i ons of new cl ot hi ng and t oys and gi ft s "Is There Room at t he Inn? * * * Adv ent W orkshop One S t arry Ni ght * * * Fl et cher Pl ace Chri st mas S t ore V ol unt eer t o hel p wi t h S et up or t he shoppi ng day * * * S eni or L uncheon Honori ng our heri t age members who are ov er 80 Chri st mas Cant at a "S i ng Joy t o Al l t he W orl d" 9:15 and 10:30 a.m. Chancel Choi r and Orchest ra, Peggy Marshal l, di rect or * * * Hol i day Fami l y Ni ght A ni ght of fun at t he ML K Cent er - wi t h a v i si t from a l i v e rei ndeer! Fami l y W orshi p - 5 p.m. S anct uary Candl el i ght S erv i ces at 9 and 11 p.m. Communi on offered 10:15-10:45 p.m. ***For det ails on t hese ev ent s see below S anct uary Chapel Daily Advent Devotionals During Advent again this year we will be sending via email a daily devotional written by the staff and members of Meridian Street. If you would like to participate and contribute a devotional, please contact Mary Sue in the church office at mmcalister@meridianstreet.org or 317-253-3237. Your devotional can be a favorite poem, it could be about a favorite bible verse, or could even link to a favorite hymn or Christmas Carol if you choose. Please contact Mary Sue no later than November 26, and plan to turn in your devotional by December 1.

Coming Ev ents Bishop's Call to Prayer and Conversation this Sunday November 18, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm at Castleton UMC (Note the address : 7101 Shadeland Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46256) Do you have questions about the upcoming February 2019 General Conference or the plans that have been proposed? Bishop Julius Trimble and members of the Indiana Conference will be in the Central District to present information about the proposals from the Commission on the Way Forward. This will be an opportunity for Indiana United Methodists to congregate with their neighbors to pray, reflect, and share in an open and healthy dialogue around the work of the Commission on the Way Forward. Churches are asked to let the district of f ice know by Friday, November 16 how many from their church will attend so there are sufficient materials available. Contact Mary Sue in the church office at mmcalister@meridianstreet.org or 317-253-3237 if you plan to attend. Holiday Luncheon for our Senior Members Monday, December 10, 11:30 a.m. On Monday, December 10 we are planning a holiday luncheon in honor of our senior members. Enjoy a delicious meal, holiday music, a short worship service, and of course the fun and conversation of long time friends. The luncheon is for our members who are 80 and over or who live in a Senior Living facility. We want to include everyone and we may not have your birth date in our database so please RSVP before December 3 to Mary Sue McAlister in the church office at 317-253-3237. If transportation is an issue, let her know and arrangements will be made to pick you up and take you back home after the luncheon. Hope to see you at the luncheon! Serv ing our Community and the World Fletcher Place Christmas Store Meridian Street will be helping Fletcher Place Community Center with their Christmas Shopping Day. Dates for this year's event are December 1-8. Donations of new clothing, games, toys, and household items are collected, sorted, and prepared for the Shopping Day when adults can come to the store and shop for their family.

As one Meridian Street member commented, "The Christmas Store is always very well organized with donations from all over the city. Parents are very grateful as they select clothing and toys for their children which they might otherwise not have. The Fletcher Place Christmas Store is definitely an effort worth supporting!" We need lots of volunteers and here is how you can help: Donate new items including: clothing for all age groups, infant to adult, new toys and games, blankets, and household items. Hats, mittens, and underwear are also fine. Gifts for teens such as journals, calculators, and wallets are always in short supply. Collection tubs will be placed at church entrances through November. Help set-up the Christmas Store at Fletcher Place - help sort and organize donations: Saturday, December 1 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Monday, Dec.3- Friday, Dec. 7: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Work at the Shopping Day - assist parents selecting clothes and toys for their children: Saturday, December 8: Shift 1 8: 30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Shift 2 12:30-4 p.m. Contact Pastor Matt if you are able to serve. Questions? Please contact Cheryl Carlson at 317.509.2173 and Kitty O'Donnell at 317.345.7801. Don't have time to shop? Contact Cheryl or Kitty. We love to spend other people's money. Please consider helping with this project. The need is great and we are so blessed! Puerto Rico Mission Trip Informational Meeting Puerto Rico Mission Trip Informational Meeting Would you like to learn more about the upcoming 2019 mission trip to Puerto Rico? Join members of the Mission Team in the Parlor on Sunday, December 2 following either the 9:15 a.m. or the 10:30 a.m. worship service. At this meeting you'll learn more about the mission in Puerto Rico, which is focused on rebuilding following the hurricane. The trip is May 11-18, 2019. If you have questions before the meeting, please

contact David Baker at dbaker8170@gmail.com. Youth and Young A dult Ministry Care Packages for College Students We love college students at Meridian Street. For college students all over the country, the end of the fall semester is coming soon, and for many students at Butler and elsewhere, that means a time of great anxiety. That's why we plan to send care packages to college students during finals time. Whether it's a Butler student who's decided to worship at Meridian Street this semester, or a student who has grown up in the church and is attending college, we want to send them a reminder that their church family is thinking of them during this high stress time. And to do that, we need your help. If you have a student who you'd like to receive a care package early this December, please email Mary Sue McAlister at mmcalister@meridianstreet.org with the student's name and mailing address. If you'd like to contribute to the care packages, you can bring $5-10 gift cards to locations like Starbucks, Papa John's or Subway and bring them by the church office. Please join us in keeping college students in your prayers in the coming weeks. Family and Neighborhood Ministry Advent Workshop: ONE STARRY NIGHT Wednesday, November 28 5:30-7:30 p.m. We are planning this time before Advent begins for us to spend together with our families to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. At

this interactive event, families will explore Bible-times Bethlehem, strike up conversations with townspeople who are hoping for a Savior, follow shepherds to find the baby Jesus, and enjoy hands-on experiences along the way. Get there when you can, eat dinner, then go around to talk with Mary and Joseph at the stable and decorate a keepsake ornament, make a lantern at the Inn, register in the census, get a game from the shepherds, and more! Questions? Please contact Bethany Scott at 317-253-3237 or via email at bscott@meridianstreet.org. Meridian Street Holiday Family Night at the MLKCC Monday, December 17 5-7 p.m. Join us for a Meridian Street and MLK Center Holiday Family Night on Monday, December 17 from 5-7 p.m. at the MLK Center (at Illinois and 40th St). This is a joint celebration with a visit from the reindeer for Meridian Street and MLK Center families at our community center. Enjoy games and crafts, pizza, then a visit from some friendly animals. Everyone is welcome to attend! Contact Bethany Scott at bscott@meridianstreet.org for more information. And in other news... Chancel Bells to perform at the Festival of Trees Tuesday, November 27 On Tuesday, November 27 our adult handbell choir, Chancel Bells, will be performing at the 2018 Festival of Trees event at the Indiana Historical Society. They'll ring Christmas music in Lilly Hall - a 3-story atrium- for 20 minutes at 6:00 pm and again at 7:00 pm. The music will add to your holiday spirit as you enjoy more than 75 theme-decorated trees. Take a stroll through the museum, choose your favorites and hear our bells echo through the halls. The Indiana Historical Society is located downtown Indianapolis in the Indiana History Center at 450 W Ohio Street. St ewardship Updat e

2019 Sanct uary and Chapel Flower Sign Up We are blessed w ith many generous people w ho donate the flowers that grace the Sanctuary or Chapel on Sunday mornings. I t is time to begin scheduling 2019 dates! I f you w ould like to donate flowers, please sign up on the poster you'll find in the Welcome Center. You'll be contacted sev eral w eeks before your date to get details of your flowers order. Thank you in advance for your gift of beauty! Nov ember Meridian Messenger Here is a link to the November Meridian Messenger. Take some time to read about these and other thiings happening at Meridian Street. Coffee A nyone? The next date for Pastor Matt's Coffee House Office Hours is Tuesday, December 4 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Illinois Street Food Emporium. Join him for a cup of coffee (or tea and pastries) and share what's going on in your life, about the church, or anything in general. The office hours will continue on the first Tuesday of each month. If you would like to schedule another time to meet with Pastor Matt, he is happy to meet with you. Feel free to email him at mlandry@meridianstreet.org to set up a time.

Because We Care Our Joys and Concerns The white roses on the altar on Sunday are in memory of Mary Jo Wallace, who died on November 9; and in memory of Bram Jew et t, who died on November 11. NEW PRAYER REQUESTS JOYS The st udent s from Julie Flint 's JAG group who are traveling home today from the Leadership Academy in Washington D.C. The v ict im s and first responders of t he shooting in Thousand Oaks, CA last week The v ict im s, firefight ers and first responders of t he fires in CA The st udent s from Julie Flint 's JAG group who are traveling home today from the Leadership Academy in Washington D.C. The v ict im s and first responders of t he shooting in Thousand Oaks, CA last week The v ict im s, firefight ers and first responders of t he fires in CA This Week's Calendar THIS WEEK AT MERIDIAN IAN STREET Sunday, Nov em ber 18, 2018 Serve at Soup's On at Roberts Park Away 8:45 AM Celebration Bells Rm 301 9:00 AM Coffee and donuts Welc. Ctr. 9:00 AM Nursery for birth - age 3 Rm 103 9:00 AM Truth Seekers Class Conf. Rm. 9:15 AM Confirmation Rm 308 9:15 AM RE:Confirm Parlor 9:15 AM Worship Chapel 9:30 AM Gospel Ringers Rm 301 10:30 AM 2nd and 3rd grades Rm 305 10:30 AM 4th and 5th Grade Rm 302 10:30 AM Kindergarten - grade 1 Rm 104 10:30 AM Middle School and High School Rm 308 Youth 10:30 AM Preschool Rm 102 10:30 AM Worship Sanctuary 11:45 AM Chancel Bells Rm 301 1:00 PM C4 Rehearsal Sanctuary 6:00 PM Disciple Bible Study Conf. Rm. Monday, Nov em ber 19, 2018 10:00 AM Bible Study Welc. Ctr. Tuesday, Nov em ber 20, 2018 10:00 AM Worship Program Staff Conf. Rm. 10:30 AM Staff Meeting Conf. Rm. 4:00 PM Meridian Street Preservation Conf. Rm.

Commission 6:00 PM Indianapolis Arts Chorale Rehearsal Fellowship Hall 6:30 PM Mission Committee Meeting Conf. Rm. 7:15 PM Choir Rehearsal Sanctuary Wednesday, Nov em ber 21, 2018 7:30 AM Morning @ Meridian Chapel Thursday, Nov em ber 22, 2018 Office Closed for the Holiday Friday, Nov em ber 23, 2018 Office Closed for the Holiday Sat urday, Nov em ber 24, 2018 No Events Scheduled November 28 December 3-8 IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES Advent Workshop "One Starry Night" Fletcher Place Christmas Store Daily Readings Daily Script ure Readings Nov em ber 18 Ezekiel 37:1-38:23 James 1:19-2:17 Psalm 117:1-2 Proverbs 28:1 Nov em ber 19 Ezekiel 39:1-40:27 James 2:18-3:18 Psalm 118:1-18 Proverbs 28:2 Nov em ber 20 Ezekiel 40:28-41:26 James 4:1-17 Psalm 118:19-29 Proverbs 28:3-5 Nov em ber 21 Ezekiel 42:1-43:27 James 5:1-20 Psalm 119:1-16 Proverbs 28:6-7 Nov em ber 22 Ezekiel 44:1-45:12 1 Peter 1:1-12 Psalm 119:17-32 Proverbs 28:8-10 Nov em ber 23 Ezekiel 45:13-46:24 1 Peter 1:13-2:10 Psalm 119:33-48 Proverbs 28:11 Nov em ber 24 Nov em ber 24 Ezekiel 47:1-48:35

1 Peter 2:11-3:7 Psalm 119:49-64 Proverbs 28:12-13 Nov em ber 25 Daniel 1:1-2:23 1 Peter 3:8-4:6 Psalm 119:65-80 Proverbs 28:14 Forward t hi s emai l STAY CONNECTED