The angels that appear in the story of Jesus birth would have been very comfortable in our world of tweets, posts, and hashtags. Their messages were often short and to the point their favorite line being, #DoNotBeAfraid. As we hear the stories of these winged messengers to Zechariah, Mary, Joseph and the Shepherds, and their reactions to them, we will contemplate what messages we who follow Jesus can offer that will counteract a culture of fear and chaos and celebrate that Jesus brings #morehope, #morepeace, #morejoy, and #morelove to the world. Advent at Dilworth Church: Angels Among Us: #DoNotBeAfraid Special music, messages, and drama will bring the angels important messages to life for us in worship on December 3, 10, 17 and 24, at both The Loft and the Traditional service. The Explorers, Open Door, youth, 45.1 and SPARK classes will be studying the accompanying small group study at 10:00 each week. Join us each Sunday for a very special Advent season! Sunday, December 3: Make Ready a People: #morehope 1st Sunday of Advent Worship with Holy Communion 9:00 and 11:00 Advent Study begins 10:00 Christmas Fellowship Luncheon, Angels Display and Advent Workshop in Langford Hall 12:15 Sunday, December 10: Nothing Is Impossible: #morepeace 2 nd Sunday of Advent Worship 9:00 and 11:00 Advent Study continues Blessing of the Animals at the Manger 4:00 (Latta Park Pavilion) thehideout 5:30 Sunday, December 17: Do Not Be Afraid: #morejoy 3 rd Sunday of Advent Worship 9:00 and 11:00 Advent Study continues Candlelight Concert 6:00 Sunday, December 24: This Will Be a Sign: #morelove 4 th Sunday of Advent Worship 10:00 (No Sunday school/advent Study) Christmas Eve Family Service 4:00 Christmas Eve Candlelight and Carols Service 5:30 Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service 11:00 (Terry Chapel) Sunday, December 31: Get Up And Go: #morelife Worship 9:00 and 11:00 Advent Study concludes 10:00
Special Worship Opportunities During Advent The Longest Night Service Dec. 21 Christmas Candlelight Service Dec. 17 Once again, Dilworth Church s beautiful celebration of Advent will feature the Christmas Candlelight concert on Sunday evening, December 17, at 6:00 in the Sanctuary. All the choirs of Dilworth Church will sing and play the music of Christmas, interspersed with scripture readings that tell the story of the coming of the Christ child. Invite friends to join you for this special holiday celebration. The Christmas season can be sad, lonely, or difficult for some. The loss of a loved one or a job, being away from family at the holidays, illness, depression, worry, or other challenges of life may make it hard to join in the celebratory atmosphere of the holiday. Dilworth Church will once again offer The Longest Night Service a service of light piercing the darkness on Thursday evening, December 21, at 6:30 in Terry Chapel. Please invite friends you know who would find hope and comfort in this service, and join us as we remember: he is the light of the world, and the darkness did not overcome the light. Christmas Eve at Dilworth Church Christmas Eve falls on Sunday this year. On Sunday morning, December 24, we will celebrate the 4 th Sunday of Advent with one worship service at 10:00 in the Sanctuary. This will be the 4 th in our series, Angels Among Us, as we hear the angels message for us of #morelove. There will be no Sunday school that morning. Our Christmas Eve services begin with the relaxed family service at 4:00 in the Sanctuary. It will include a Pickup Christmas Pageant so that everyone who wants to can help tell the story of Christmas. At 5:30, the traditional candlelight and carols service will be held in the Sanctuary. Then, at 11 pm in Terry Chapel, the beautiful communion and candlelight service will help us usher in the first moments of Christmas. Invite all your friends, neighbors and family to join you in celebrating with us the good news of Jesus birth! Our Christmas Eve offerings will be given to Crisis Assistance, to provide help to our neighbors in need in 2018. New Year s Eve Worship On Sunday, December 31, we will return to our regular two worship services: The Loft at 9:00 and the traditional service at 11:00, with Sunday school classes at 10:00. The classes that are using the Advent study for Angels Among Us will conclude the study that morning. Come give thanks for the year just past and thank God for what God will do in the year ahead as we worship and learn together.
ADVENT LUNCH AND ANGEL DISPLAY On Sunday, December 3, as we begin our Advent series, Angels Among Us: #DoNotBeAfraid, we will gather as a congregation in Langford Hall at 12:15 for a Christmas fellowship lunch and beautiful display of angels of all shapes, sizes and materials. This display will be from our own collections of angels. If you have some angel decorations, sculptures, ornaments, paintings, jewelry, statues, or other depictions of angels and are willing to share them for this display, please drop them off at the church by Friday (12/1). Please put your name on the piece and include any special memories associated with the angel. We will take good care of them and return them to you after the lunch that day. Reading Women Meet December 13 & January 16 Reading Women, our monthly book discussion group that reads books by and about women, will meet on Wednesday (note the different date), December 13 at 7:00 for our Christmas party and to discuss Waiting for Wonder. Pastor Karen has a few more copies of the book for any who have not yet gotten it. In January, we will return to our regular schedule of the third Tuesday of each month. On January 16, we will discuss Revenge: A Story of Hope, by Laura Blumenfeld. THE ANNUAL CIRCLE 9 AUCTION AND LUNCHEON IS TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5 A cordial invitation is extended to the Church Family to join in the fun at this festive holiday event. This is the place to be to find a treasure trove of delightful and unique trinkets and gifts as well as delicious baked goods to enjoy and share. Mark your calendars now for Tuesday, December 5th in the Multipurpose Room. The luncheon will begin at noon; auction will follow. This event is the circle s major fundraiser for the year with all proceeds donated to missions. News From MOD The Men of Dilworth book club will take a break during December, and meets again on Sunday, January 21st at 5:30 to discuss Final Rounds by Greensboro, NC author Jim Dodson. Find the book at Amazon, the local library, or your local bookstore and enjoy reading this award-winning tribute to father-son relationships. BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS AT THE MANGER (AT LATTA PARK) This year s wonderful Blessing of the Animals at the Manger will be held at Latta Park Pavilion on Sunday, December 10 at 4:00. Friends and neighbors are invited to join us with all our pets for a special Christmas celebration and blessing of pets and families. Hot cider, treats for pets, the Christmas story, and Christmas music will round out the event. All who attend are invited to bless the pets of neighbors in need by bringing dog or cat food to be donated to Loaves & Fishes. Invite your friends for a different Christmas event! It s Not Too Late to Be Part of What God is Blessing! On November 19, we celebrated Consecration Sunday by bringing our Estimate of Giving cards, Time & Talent forms, and ourselves to the altar, offering ourselves to be part of God s blessings to and through Dilworth Church in 2018. If you were not able to be with us, it s not too late. Send your cards and Time & Talent forms to the church, care of Gary Bost. All pledges are confidential. The sooner we hear from everyone, the sooner we can make plans for all the ways we can be a blessing to others and experience the great harvest of blessings God has in store for us!
CHRISTMAS AT THE MEN S SHELTER: Our day to volunteer at the Men s Shelter in December is Christmas Day. A wonderful BBQ meal has been planned and will be prepared by the DUMC Men s Group and served up by the Warfle/George Family. We would also like to provide them with yummy desserts as an extra special treat to the expected 400 neighbors who will be attending. In order to serve that many quickly and efficiently, the goodies need to be something that s easy to separate and serve. Suggestions include cookies, cakes (already sliced) and cupcakes. We would need them delivered to the church by Friday, Dec 22nd and labeled with any names on containers that need to be returned to the owner. Please help us spread God s love and blessings to our neighbors on this holiest of days! VOLUNTEER FOR OUR ROOM IN THE INN MINISTRY Please help us show our love to our guests by participating in this wonderful ministry during the cold months of December through March. You can help in a variety of ways to help provide our guests with a warm, safe place to sleep and 2 hot meals: driving the van, setting up beds, doing laundry, cooking a meal, or staying the night. Check out all the dates and options on the sign up board in the Jones Building or online: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/904054ea4aa2eab9- room. We would love for every slot to be filled before Christmas. Please sign up! BETHLEHEM STARS: CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR CHILDREN: Every year the Bethlehem Center requests support from local churches to participate in their Bethlehem Center STARS program, which provides Christmas gifts to children in Charlotte. The Dilworth Chapter of the United Methodist Women founded the Bethlehem Center in 1940. Their mission is to provide educational opportunities for low income children and families to improve the quality of their lives. The UMW of Dilworth Church needs your help to make this holiday season special for these children. STARS are available for adoption on the bulletin board located at the Information Table in the Jones Building Lobby. Gift items should be put in gift bags (not wrapped as in previous years) with the STAR S complete information secured to the bag. Please place all gifts in the collection bin by the main entrance doors in the Jones Building Lobby by Sunday, December 10th. If you have questions, please email Betsey Smith at betseyrsmith@aol.com. SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EVE OFFERING As in years past, our Christmas Eve Offering will support Crisis Assistance Ministry of Charlotte. One hundred percent of this special offering will be used to provide emergency financial assistance. Most folks who walk through the ministry doors are employed, yet their income is low enough that they are caught between paying the family grocery bill and not having enough left at the end of the month to cover utilities. You may give by sending a check in the mail to Dilworth Church or by putting it in the offering plate at one of our Christmas Eve Services. Designate the check, Christmas Eve Offering.
December 10 During December at SPARK, we'll be following our Angels Among Us series and learning about the angels' announcements in creative ways. You'll also receive car hangers to continue learning as a family. Join us each Sunday in the 605 Room. Join us for thehideout in December as we celebrate Advent and Christmas together on December 10 from 5:30 to 7pm in the SPARK Room. thehideout is a multi-sensory, inclusive family worship gathering where people of all ages and abilities can experience God's love as part of a family. We worship through creative stations, storytelling, and music in ways that are sensory-friendly and meaningful for both adults and children. Spread the word and invite friends. OTHER EXCITING FAMILY EVENTS PLANNED: Blessing of the Animals at the Manger (see page 3 for details) Christmas Eve Family Worship in the Sanctuary (see page 2 for details) Join us for a Family Advent Workshop on December 3rd after the Fellowship Lunch in Langford Hall. We ll celebrate the Advent season together by creating a mural, Advent calendars, and wreaths as we prepare for Jesus birth. Parents and children of all ages are invited to celebrate together. Helping families love God with their heart, soul, strength and mind to become a sign of Christ s love for the world.
THE Dec. 10 - Blessing of the Animals Dec. 16 - Christmas Supper Club CALENDAR THESE DATES December 10 Christmas Angel Shopping December 17 Real Dil Christmas Gift Swap January 5-7 Ja Ski Retreat to Winterplace, WV January 13 MLK Day of Service February 4 Chili Bowl Sunday Questions? Details? Contact Sallie Anna Barton sallieanna.barton@dilworthchurch.org Jan. 13- MLK Day of Service Banter & Brew will take a break on Dec. 27th and will resume on Jan. 3rd. Check your weekly bulletin for location and "Topic on Tap.
2018: The Year of Living Faithfully A disciple is one who learns and practices what is learned. We who follow Jesus Christ are his disciples, called to learn his way of life and engage in the practices that will help us love him more deeply. We have the opportunity to grow in our discipleship in 2018 by participating in Dilworth Church s Year of Living Faithfully. For two months at a time, we can sign up to participate in a particular discipleship challenge attending worship, tithing, reading the Bible, serving others, praying, and inviting others. Sign up for one challenge or sign up for them all. For each challenge, Dilworth Church will provide a small gift or keepsake and encouragement to help you grow in that area of discipleship. January 7 is the big kick-off for the Worship Challenge. We will have sign-up tables at worship on December 31 and January 7. Step up to the challenge, and watch with anticipation how God will grow us individually and as a church as fully devoted disciples of Jesus! New Ministries Council Leadership Retreat The 2018 leadership team of Dilworth Church will go on retreat together on Saturday, January 27th, to grow spiritually and in church leadership skills, and to set the direction for our church for the new year. The retreat will be led by Dr. John Dyer, a world-renowned process improvement consultant and member and leader of Williamson s Chapel UMC. Please be in prayer for our leaders and our church! Life Lessons: Good Marriage Join us on Sunday, January 28 at 5:30 for the next Life Lessons discussion. This month s topic is Good Marriage (in the Midst of the Mess of Life). Led by our own Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, this will be a fun, informative discussion of how to keep a good marriage strong in the midst of changing family and work demands and life stages. Designed for young couples, those starting families, those with children or teens, and those whose nest is emptying, we ll all learn something helpful and find friends to share the journey. Child care will be available. RSVP to carol.biddy@dilworthchurch.org.
Dilworth PLAYers Announce 2018 Musical Performances To Be May 17, 18, 19 You can t stop the beat in this big and bold musical about one girl s inspiring dream to dance!. It s 1962 in Baltimore, and the lovable plus-size teen, Tracy Turnblad, has only one desire to dance on the popular Corny Collins Show. When her dreams come true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star!. She must use her newfound power to dethrone the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob, Link Larkin, and integrate a TV network all without denting her do. The Dilworth PLAYers are beyond excited to be bringing this story of courage, love, and acceptance to the DUMC stage and hope you will join us for our 5 th Anniversary Production as we tell a story that will leave your feet tapping, your hands clapping, and your heart swelling. Auditions will be open to anyone high school age and up and there are many, many roles for individuals of all ages and abilities. This story will be told best by those who are young at heart no matter how many birthdays they ve had. There are tons of opportunities backstage in terms of set building, costume alterations, organizational skills, spotlight operators, ushers, ticket sellers, etc. too. So, if you have ever wanted to be involved, we will find a place for you and all of your DUMC and non-dumc friends and family. If interested, reach out to Wes Curry or Sallie Anna Barton. Help us spread the word. Audition dates coming soon! Our wish to you and yours for a blessed Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year! Your Church Staff: Rev. Karen Easter Bayne, Pastor karen.easter@dilworthchurch.org Sallie Anna Barton, Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries sallieanna.barton@dilworthchurch.org Jared Stewart-Ginsburg, Director of Children, Family & Adult Ministries jared.ginsburg@dilworthchurch.org Bob Pritchard, Director of Music Roxanne Holt Watson, Organist Lois Kilkka, Loft Musician Kelly Roney, DCDC Director kellyroney@carolina.rr.com Mary Beth Allred, Weekday School Director marybeth.smith@dilworthchurch.org Gary Bost, Financial Manager gary.bost@dilworthchurch.org Carol Biddy, Office Manager carol.biddy@dilworthchurch.org Ray Minter, Facilities Manager and Custodian Steve Clark, Sunday Custodian Caitlin Foster, Nursery Coordinator Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Pastoral Counselor,