THE MESSENGER the weekly newsletter of Christ United Methodist Church COMMITMENT SUNDAY This Sunday, November 22, is Commitment Sunday, when we ask members to return their estimate of giving cards as we look forward to what God will do through our church in 2016. Throughout November, we ve talked about the importance of starting somewhere, even if that means starting small, and trusting God to transform our gift. We ve examined the impact that Christ Church has made in our city, our region, and our world since the beginning of 2015 and throughout history an impact that would not be possible without your generosity. We ve shared a vision for Christ United Methodist Church and the hope that it will become a place where we truly live out God s kingdom to our surrounding community. And this Sunday, we ll imagine all that Christ Church can be with no limitations. As we continue to dream and hope for the future of Christ Church, it is important to remember that the generosity practiced by the church s members is vital to the success of these dreams and hopes. We ask you to fill out and return an estimate of giving card for two reasons: First, it allows the church to accurately plan for ministries, since the greatest factor in setting our budget is the giving level committed through the cards. Second, by asking you to fill out a card, we are inviting you to set a goal for giving during the coming year. I encourage to you pray about and consider what you can pledge in the coming year, whether you are a generous giver or are just beginning your journey in Christian generosity. It is my hope that you will give a biblical tithe, or ten percent of your income, to the church. If you cannot take that step this year, perhaps you can move toward tithing by increasing your giving over last year. If you are already giving a tithe, I encourage you to consider giving beyond the tithe something in which Lauralee and I find great joy. I know that some of you are reading this even as you struggle financially. We understand that you may not be in a position to give right now, and we care. Our prayer would be that those not struggling will give more significantly because they understand some cannot do as much as they would like. You should recently have received an estimate of giving card in the mail. I ask that you take a few minutes to pray about your giving for next year and fill out the card. Bring it with you to church this Sunday, where you can prayerfully return it during our worship services. If you are unable to be with us on Sunday, you can return the card to the Church Office, bring it to worship on November 29, or fill out your commitment card online at christgreensboro.org/fiveandtwo. Thank you for all you do to bring Christ United Methodist Church closer to a state of abundance. Without you, the church s ministry could not happen. In Christ, Rev. Michael F. Bailey VOLUME 58, ISSUE 45 WORSHIP Sunday, November 22, 2015 Scripture: Mark 14:13 21 Sermon: Five&Two: Abundance SUNDAY SERVICES 8:30am Traditional Service Preaching: Rev. Michael F. Bailey (Sanctuary) 9am Awakening Modern Worship Service Preaching: Rev. Louis Timberlake (Fellowship Center) 9:50am Sunday School for All Ages 11am Traditional Service Preaching: Rev. Michael F. Bailey (Sanctuary) 11:15am Spark Modern Worship Service Preaching: Rev. Louis Timberlake (Fellowship Center)
HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM THE CHRIST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH STAFF! The Church Office will be closed Thursday, November 26, and Friday, November 27, for the Thanksgiving holiday. The office will reopen on Monday, November 30, at 9am. NO WELCOME WEDNESDAY ON NOVEMBER 25 Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, there will be no Welcome Wednesday meal or classes on November 25. Welcome Wednesday will resume on Wednesday, December 2. NOW HIRING: POSITIONS OPEN AT CUMC We are now searching for a full-time Office Assistant and a part-time Financial Assistant to join the staff at Christ Church. Learn more and apply at christgreensboro.org/careers/. CUMC LOST & FOUND If you have lost something here at the church, please check out the Lost & Found drawer in the Church Office. Everything that has not been claimed by November 30 will be donated. ADVENT EVENTS CALENDAR To see a full listing of our upcoming Advent events and services, please visit christgreensboro.org/adventatchristchurch. ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL ADVENT STUDY: WHY THIS JUBILEE? November 29, December 6 and 13 at 9:50am in the Gym Music is such an important part of Advent and Christmas. Can you imagine Advent without O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, or Christmas without O Little Town of Bethlehem, Silent Night, and Joy to the World? Join Rev. Alice Kunka in reflecting on well-known carols and Christmas songs. A devotional guide containing 24 reflections will also be available to serve as a companion for your journey through Advent. MINISTRY UPDATES Attendance for November 15: 660 Sunday School: 374 PRAYERS (as of 11/16/15) Rehab: Ruth Andrews Home: Mike Schorr; Lil West Hospital: Steve Fleming Deaths: Our deepest condolences to Kathy Metzer on the death of her mother, Alma Hardy. CIRCLE OF PRAYER If you, or someone you know, has a prayer request, please email prayer@christgreensboro.org. If you do not have email please call the church at (336) 299-1571 and ask to speak to Susan Pabon. STEPHEN MINISTRY For help during times of trial, a Stephen Minister can help. Contact Rev. Virginia Reynolds at 299-1571, ext. 381. BELLS RINGING, FLUTES SINGING, CHRISTMAS SOUNDS ARE HERE!: CHRISTMAS FLUTE AND HANDBELL CONCERT Sunday, December 6, 3 4:30pm Join us for sacred and secular music for Advent and Christmas featuring the Christ Church flute choir and the Campana, Carillon, and Celebration Ringers.
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL (9:50am 10:50am) THIS WEEK Aldersgate (Room 213) 2 Samuel, led by Jim Genova Asbury Class (Chapel) Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens (Acts 17:1 4, 10 12, 22 25, 28), led by Ron Eberhardt Christ & Conversation (Room 209) Cokesbury Class (Room 106) The Power of Prayer, led by Bob Ralls Connections Class (Room 207) Dare to Dream Epworth Class (Room 202) Faith Matters Class (Room 215) Fellowship Class (Room 110) Head Scratchers: When the Words of Jesus Don t Make Sense Improv Class (Basement) Koinonia Class (Room 205) Parents of Young Children (Disciple Room) Seekers Class (Room 101) Genesis for Normal People by Enns and Byas, led by Duane Morford Young Adults Class (Basement) CHRISTIAN EDUCATION SAVE THE DATE: MY ONE WORD WITH MIKE ASHCRAFT Join us Sunday, January 9, for this four-hour event (childcare will be provided). Mike Ashcraft is the lead Pastor at Port City Community Church in Wilmington, NC. He has inspired countless people to focus for the year on one word for their spiritual journey, challenging them to pick one word that represents what they most hope God will do in them in the year ahead. ADULT MINISTRY UPCOMING FELLOWSHIP TRIP: TANGLEWOOD LIGHTS Join us on Thursday, December 3, for a trip to the Tanglewood Christmas Lights and dinner at Cracker Barrel. We will leave the church at 4:30pm. Cost is $3, to be paid on December 3. Please make a reservation by contacting the Reservation Line. CHILDREN S MINISTRY SUMMER 2016 DATES TO SAVE Mark these dates for next summer! June 27 30: Vacation Bible School (for current two-year olds through current fifth graders) July 11 14: Day Camp (for current kindergarteners through current third graders) July 24 30: Camp Tekoa (for current third graders through youth). Registration for Camp Tekoa is now open! Register online at www.camptekoa.org. CHILDREN S SUNDAY SCHOOL Our November theme is Blessings and Birthrights, and our Bible verse is Numbers 6:24, The Lord bless you and keep you. Our anchor point is God blesses us. On Sunday, November 22, we will study Jacob s Ladder (Genesis 28:10 22). KIDS GROUP: CAROLING AT FRIENDS HOME WEST We will meet at the church at 5:15pm and travel together to carol at Friends Home West. Please bring $3 for supper. Pick up is at 7:30pm. Please make a reservation by contacting the Reservation Line. YOUTH MINISTRY APPLE PIES FOR SALE Our junior high schoolers are selling homemade apple pies in the Holy Grounds through the first Sunday morning in December. Proceeds will go to presents for the families that the junior high youth adopt for Christmas. Pies are $10 each. CUMC IN THE GREENSBORO HOLIDAY PARADE CUMC will once again sponsor a float in the Greensboro Holiday Parade on Saturday, December 5. The parade starts at 12 noon in downtown Greensboro. This year we are going to be spotlighting our confirmation class and all our youth programs on the float. However, anyone interested in joining us to show your support is invited to participate. There are a number of ways to do so: 1. Put candy in the boxes located around the church. We will use this candy to hand out to spectators at the parade. 2. Participate with us in the parade. You can ride on the float (creative decorators are needed for the Chrismon tree), ride on the church bus, or walk along with the float and hand out candy to spectators. 3. Pray for strength for all those who will be participating, and pray for nice weather, as the parade goes on rain/snow/or sun. If you would like to participate, we will gather in the Fellowship Center at 10:30am on December 5 for donuts, juice, and instructions. We leave the church at 11am to head downtown to get in our position by 11:30am. We should return to the church by 3pm. We are urging all our confirmands and their Friends in Faith to join us. If you are a youth of any age that would like to attend, please contact Katey Blaylock (kblaylock@christgreensboro.org) to let her know you will be attending. For more information, contact Jim Gibson (jim_gibson_61@hotmail.com; 336-402-4915).
MISSIONS REMINDER: OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOEBOXES ARE DUE NOVEMBER 22 Packing Shoeboxes For Final Mailing Did you ever wonder how the shoeboxes we pack with Christmas gifts for boys and girls around the world get from CUMC to their final destinations? On Tuesday, December 1, a group of us will undertake a one day mission trip to pack these shoeboxes in large shipping containers for their destinations in countries that are far away geographically but close in shared faith. Our shift is from 9am 1pm. We will leave at 7:15am and ride in the church bus, and will return to the church by 3:30pm. While it is a work day, it is also a fun day and a wonderful way to begin the Christmas season. Please contact Jo Winchester (294-2733) if you would like to be a part of this one-day mission trip. SALVATION ARMY BELL-RINGING Please sign up to ring the Salvation Army red kettle bell this Christmas Season. As in years past, our church will ring at Friendly Shopping Center, at the Macy s entrance facing Belk. We will ring daily from Friday, November 27, through Thursday, December 24, excluding Sundays. The shifts last two hours beginning at 10 am, and the last shift is from 6pm to 8 pm. Sign-up sheets to ring are now posted in the Gathering Space. Contact Bill Trivette (580-2238) with any questions. ANGEL TREE The annual Christmas toy/clothing collection for the Angel Tree has begun in the Gathering Space. The drive, which benefits the Salvation Army, is simple: Visit the tree, select an ornament, purchase the gift, and return it to the tree, unwrapped, by Sunday, November 29. Any questions? Contact the co-hosts: Janet Bassford at jbteach1@triad.rr.com, or Donita Cooper at donitacooper@icloud.com. UNITED METHODIST GIVING TUESDAY On December 2, United Methodists are invited to participate in UMC Giving Tuesday, when gifts made online through The Advance will be matched dollar for dollar. This is a great opportunity to build awareness and maximize support for a project or missionary that is meaningful to you. Visit umcmission.org/give for more information or to donate. GREENSBORO URBAN MINISTRY HONOR CARDS The Greensboro Urban Ministry honor cards with Bill Mangum s beautiful art will be available in the Holy Grounds on Sundays, and in the Church Office weekdays from 9am to 4pm. You may also contact Judy Goodman (292-2018) if you are interested in purchasing honor cards this year. HELP THE HOMELESS: WINTER SHELTER Time is getting short and we need volunteer teams or individual volunteers to join teams to help prepare and serve meals to the 15 homeless men being sheltered this winter at West Market Street UMC. Christ Church is again partnering with Westminster Presbyterian for every Friday evening. Please contact Beth Taylor (b76taylor@gmail.com; 202-8726) for more details and to volunteer and help these men transition out of homelessness. DONATE USED K-CUPS FOR BREAKFAST WITH MARY AND JOSEPH Attention all Keurig owners and users: Breakfast with Mary and Joseph needs your used K-Cups. There is a collection box outside of the Church Library. You can bring your K-Cups cleaned out or still full. Please place all used K-Cups in a bag before placing them in the collection box. OUT OF THE GARDEN Out of the Garden is CUMC s ministry that sends home food every weekend to children who live with food insecurity. Volunteers pack approximately 40 bags each week and take the bags to children at Sternberger and Jones Elementary Schools. We are in need of: protein beans (pinto, black, etc.) canned spaghetti sauce (approximately 24 ounces) spaghetti pasta canned chicken and tuna peanut butter (approximately 15 ounces) crackers in sleeves white rice in big packages for repacking canned Spaghetti-o type meals individually packed snacks such as Lance crackers and granola bars canned green beans canned corn packs of instant oatmeal Donations can be left on the shelf outside of the library.
The Advent Workshop is a Christ Church tradition where all ages can spend time together preparing for the Advent season. Come make crafts and collect devotional materials that will help you and your family celebrate the true meaning of this special season as we prepare for Christmas. COME BEARING GIFTS. Support Out of the Garden, where backpacks are loaded for the weekend to go home with kids in need. Please bring pantry items such as canned vegetables, canned pasta, and canned beans. MAKE GIFTS. SHARE GIFTS. Make an extra to give away. Make Mulling Spice to fill your home with the familiar holiday fragrance of cinnamon, cloves, and oranges. Tied in a bundle, the gift is ready to flavor cider or simply scent your home just like Grandma s. Pinecone Fire Starters share the warmth. Dipped in paraffin, the pinecones are pretty on their own or set ablaze in your fireplace or outdoor fire pit. It only takes a spark TAG THE GIFTS Make Gift Tags: Get creative and go crazy with paper, punches, and buttons. Make a bunch there are no rules! TRIM THE TREE Plenty of supplies are on hand to make an extra ornament for the donation box. Donated crafts will be part of our missions and outreach during the holidays. Ribbon Tree Ornaments: An unexpected combination of crisp, colorful holiday ribbon tied on a twig. Sewing Card Ornaments: Have fun hand stitching sturdy paperboard shapes with colorful floss. Cinnamon Ornaments: These ornaments are delightful to give or receive. Roll the dough, cut the dough, and repeat. SHARE THE STORY. Stay with us as we construct hand puppet nativity characters over the next few years starting this year with the original gift-givers, The Three Wise Men. Choose fabric for the hats, faces, beards, and clothes to make each set unique. One set per family. SHARE THE SEASON. Advent Paper Chain for Kids: Each link has a verse or activity to help distract wee ones from the chaos of December, counting down the days til Christmas morning. Advent Paper Chain for Grown-Ups: Each link has a verse or activity to focus grown-ups amid the chaos of December, counting down the days til Christmas morning. Advent Wreath: Featuring fresh greenery and five candles, this is a tradition worth keeping. There is an extra cost of $7.00 for the Advent Wreath. PRESCHOOL CRAFTS AND WHIMSY Beads, pipe cleaners, and lots of bling are the inspiration for preschool crafts, perfect for small hands. Supplies are on the ready to make a beaded cross Chrismon decoration and delicate beaded icicles.
POINSETTIAS & LUMINARIES To order a six-inch red poinsettia for the Sanctuary or Fellowship Center, or a luminary for our driveway, please complete the applicable form below and return it with your payment to the Church Office. POINSETTIA ORDER FORM $12 per poinsettia. Please make a separate check payable to Christ United Methodist Church with poinsettia in the memo line. Orders are due December 8. In Honor of: In Memory of: Placed by: Phone or email: Poinsettias will be placed in worship spaces on December 13 and December 20. LUMINARY ORDER FORM $5 per luminary. Please make a separate check payable to Christ United Methodist Church with luminary in the memo line. Orders are due December 13. In Honor of: In Memory of: Placed by: Phone or email: Luminaries will be placed along the church drive for the Candelight Lessons & Carols Service on December 20.
CALENDAR OF CHURCH EVENTS for the week of NOVEMBER 22 SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22 8:30am Traditional Service Sanctuary 9am Awakening Modern Worship Fellowship Center 9:50am Sunday School for All Ages 11am Traditional Service Sanctuary 11:15am Spark Modern Worship Sanctuary 2pm Flute Choir Choir Room 2:30pm Advent Workshop Gym 4pm YMAC Handbells Music Room 4:30pm Yoga Youth Building 5pm Youth Choir Music Room and Sanctuary 6pm UMYF Gym/Youth Building 6:15pm Choristers Rehearsal Room 101 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23 7:30am Pilgrimage Reunion Group Parlor 9:15am Tai Chi Youth Building 10am Exploring the New Testament Study Disciple Room 1:45pm Chair Yoga Youth Building 2:30pm Senior Adult Council Parlor 4pm Pilgrimage Reunion Parlor 6pm SPRC Meeting Parlor 7pm Women's Bible Study Disciple Room 7pm Carillon Handbell Rehearsal Music Room TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24 9am Celebration Ringers Music Room 9:30am Tuesday Morning Bible Study Disciple Room 10:30am Simply Fit Older Adults Exercise Youth Building 10:30am Prayer Shawl Ministry Gathering Space 5pm Campana Ringers Music Room 6:30pm Young Adult Bible Study Room 2015 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25 7am Men s Bible Study Parlor 7:30pm Senior High CUMC Basketball Team Gym THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26 All Day Church Office Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27 All Day Church Office Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday 7am Men s Bible Study Parlor SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28 10am Contemporary Worship Practice Fellowship Center 11am Spark Rehearsal Fellowship Center LOOKING AHEAD Commitment Sunday: November 22 Advent Workshop: November 22 Adult Fellowship Trip to Tanglewood Lights: December 3 Bells Ringing, Flutes Singing, Christmas Sounds are Here! Handbell and Flute Concert: December 6 KIDS Group Caroling at Friends Home West: December 7 Welcome Wednesday Christmas Music Program: December 9 Breakfast With Mary and Joseph: December 12 Blue Christmas Healing Service: December 13 Prime Timers: December 15 Children s Christmas Pageant: December 20 Lessons & Carols Service: December 20
THE MESSENGER Postmaster: Change of address to: The Messenger 410 N. Holden Road Greensboro, NC 27410 The Messenger (USPS 073 460) is published weekly, except for weeks of July 4 and December 25, by Christ United Methodist Church. The weekly newsletter of Christ United Methodist Church. Periodical Postage Paid Greensboro, NC CONTACT US Christ United Methodist Church 410 North Holden Road Greensboro, NC 27410 christgreensboro.org Church Phone (336) 299-1571 Church Fax (336) 299-7866 Reservation Line (336) 299-1571, ext. 333 reservations@christgreensboro.org Weekend Emergency Line (336) 337-5633 Childhood Enrichment Center cecgreensboro.org (336) 294-9080 Kids Ahead (336) 299-5006