THIS WEEK JA N UA RY 2 6 | 2020
CHRIST PANTOCRATOR from Saint Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai
www.myersparkumc.org 1501 Queens Road Charlotte, NC 28207
704.376.8584 info@mpumc.org
8:30 a.m. Sanctuary Worship 8:45 a.m. Church In The Round 9:45 a.m. Sanctuary Worship 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary Worship
WE LCO M E To O u r C h u rc h !
We are the body of Christ, growing in faith and serving others.
TODAY
The Sacrament of Holy Baptism: Receiving the sacrament of Baptism at the 9:45 service are Levi Raymond Chesson, son of Kelli and Ben Chesson; and Anna Winscott Hodges, daughter of Katie and William Hodges. Being baptized at the 11:00 service is Fielding Van Early Reavis, son of Ashley and Gray Reavis. The Flowers on the Altar are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Robert I. Dalton by his family. Blood Drive Signup, today, 9:00 a.m., Lobby: Reserve your time to donate blood on Sunday, February 2. Details: Parish Nurse Lauren Smith at lsmith@mpumc.org. Parenting Through the Phases, today, 10:00 a.m., Jubilee Hall: Join us for a monthly series of coffee and conversation that will focus on different developmental phases in a child’s life. This month’s session: Preschool (ages 3 and 4). A panel of experts, including Susan Wade, Diane Sadow, Dr. Andy Shulstad, and Katherine and Cliff Coley, will be on hand to answer questions and offer tips. Details: Amy Harriman at aharriman@mpumc.org.
BEAUTY AND THE ARTS, tonight, 7:00 p.m., Francis Chapel: Join Dr. Howell and Dr. Jeremy Begbie, a musician and theologian at Cambridge University and Duke University, for this conversation. We are grateful for the generosity of the Snyder-Fisher-Fellowship Sunday School class for sponsoring this event.
Discover Myers Park, today, 11:00 a.m., Francis Chapel: Come learn about our church and the beliefs and practices of our denomination. There is no obligation to join and child care is available for children ages 8-weeks-old through those not yet in kindergarten. Beauty and the Arts, tonight, 7:00 p.m., Francis Chapel: Join Dr. Howell and Dr. Jeremy Begbie, a musician and theologian at Cambridge University and Duke University, for this conversation. We are grateful for the generosity of the Snyder-Fisher-Fellowship Sunday School class for sponsoring this event. Sunday Night Youth Group and Confirmation, tonight, 6:45 p.m.-7:45 p.m., Jubilee Hall: Join us for fellowship and fun. Dinner will be pizza, salad, and dessert for $8.
UPCOM ING Armenia Information Meeting, tomorrow, 6:30 p.m., room 105: All interested travelers are invited to join us to learn more about our July 18-30 Armenia Mission Trip. Details: Chris Lepore at c.note.lepore@gmail.com. Centering Prayer, Mondays, 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m., room 024 or Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.11:00 a.m., Francis Chapel: Come as you are to learn and practice a form of wordless prayer alongside others. Details: Rev. Uiyeon Kim at ukim@myersparkumc.org.
OPPORTUNITiIES FOR YOGA AND PRAYER, Sundays, 6:15 p.m.-7:15 p.m., and Mondays, 9:15 a.m.-10:15 a.m., room 031: All ages and abilities welcome. We ask for a $5 donation and we have mats available for your use. Details: Rev. Taylor Pryde Barefoot at tbarefoot@mpumc.org.
H.O.T. Wednesday, Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Jubilee Hall: Join us for dinner at H.O.T. Wednesday. This week’s menu is turkey, dressing, gravy, green beans, cranberry sauce, salad, rolls, desserts, and ice cream. Register by calling 704-376-8584 no later than Tuesday at noon or on realm by Monday at 11:59 p.m. Middle School Small Group, Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Hubee D’s: Join us for fellowship, food, and faith. Can’t come every week? Come when you can. Bring your money, bring a friend, and let’s hang out and talk about life and Jesus! Details: Sarah Simmons at ssimmons@mpumc.org. Young Professional Women’s Bible Study, Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., room 110: Come meet other women who are in their 20s and 30s and see if this group might be a great fit for you. We are currently studying the book of Hebrews. Details: Laura Wong at lebaker01@gmail.com. Super Bowl Party for Young Families, February 2, 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Raiford residence: Join the Agape Sunday School class to watch the game until halftime. Kids are welcome. Email Ana Raiford at ana.raiford@gmail.com to sign up to bring an appetizer or dessert to share. Young Adults Super Bowl Party, February 2, 6:00 p.m., 4122 Windmill Place: Plan now to join us to watch the Super Bowl. Go to www.myersparkumc.org/young-adults to RSVP and sign up to bring your favorite game food. Forward, February 2, 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m., rooms 239-240: 4th and 5th graders are invited to Forward, a ministry designed to help them grow spiritually as they journey toward middle school. Forward meets the first Sunday of each month through April. Details: Amy Harriman at aharriman@mpumc.org.
PASTORS’ BIBLE STUDY, Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., room 108: Join Rev. Nancy Watson as she leads us in our next study titled “Understanding the New Testament.” To reserve child care, email Lisa Ross-Smit at lrsmit@mpumc.org.
Vacation Bible School Registration, opens February 3: Register online for Knights of North Castle, set for June 22-25, 9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Children born on or before May 31, 2016–current fifth graders are eligible to attend. Details: Amy Harriman at aharriman@mpumc.org. Let’s Gather, February 5, 12:00 p.m., Community Matters Cafe: Join the missions team for lunch to support a community partner and discuss the importance of gathering and intentional mission in Charlotte and beyond.
UPCOM ING CONTINUE D
Family Movie Night, Friday, February 7, 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Jubilee Hall: Join us for a screening of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax. Bring a picnic supper and a blanket to sit on. We’ll provide popcorn and drinks. The movie will start promptly at 5:45 p.m. Details: Leslie Lowery at llowery@mpumc.org. Middle School Mayhem, February 7, 6:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.: Join us for a Charlotte Checkers Game. Cost is $25, plus money for food. Register online at www.mpumcyouth.org. Middle School Wonderfully Made Part 2, February 9, 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.: Remember Wonderfully Made in 5th Grade? 7th and 8th graders are invited to join us for Wonderfully Made Part 2: the middle school edition. The purpose of this workshop is to teach youth that they can live faithful lives of sexual integrity by valuing others and valuing themselves. Parents are not required to attend the event; however, the curriculum is available to view upon request. Sign up is required at www.mpumcyouth.org. Details: Sarah Simmons at ssimmons@mpumc.org. Myers Park Readers, February 9, 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., room 123 (DA Lounge): Join this book study, currently reading The Two Towers from the Lord of the Rings series. All ages are welcome. Details: Grace Pressley at gpressley@gmail.com.
ACCLAIMED TENOR IN CONCERT, February 9, 5:00 p.m., Sanctuary: Limmie Pulliam will perform selections ranging from opera to musical theatre to spirituals. Our Dr. Jennifer Hough and Chamber Singers will be featured. Free event. No tickets required. Details: Nancy Hamff at nhamff@mpumc.org.
Summer Fun Days Registration, opens February 10-11: Summer Fun Days is July 13-17 and July 20-24. Preschool is 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and costs $175 per week/per child. Elementary is 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and is $250 per week/per child. Children born on or before August 31, 2018-current fifth graders are eligible to attend. Registration is online and open first to church members on February 10. Registration opens to the public on February 11. Details: Amy Harriman at aharriman@mpumc.org. Mindful Mondays, February 10 and April 20, 10:30 a.m., room 108: Join Bill Roth and Lauren Smith for an opportunity to establish and deepen your mindfulness practice. Registration: Carmen Rivera at crivera@mpumc.org. Dinner Theatre: An Evening of Love Songs, February 16, 8:00 p.m., Jubilee Hall: Attend an evening of dinner and music presented by the Opera Carolina Chorus Association. Hors d’oeuvres and silent auction begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $30. Questions and reservations: Bradford Holshouser at 704-399-3309.
MISSIONS TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES April, May, July, and September: View our world through a lens of fellowship, love, and service. Join us for our upcoming mission trips to Costa Rica, Mexico, Kenya, Armenia, and Malawi. For information about each trip, visit myersparkumc.org/beyond-the-walls. Details: Britt Yett at byett@mpumc.org.
Marriage Matters Workshop, February 22, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., room 108: Bill Roth will use Dr. John Gottman’s Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work and ideas from noted therapists Sue Johnson and Terry Real. Learn the latest research on what makes marriage work and meet the premarital counseling requirements for persons getting married at MPUMC. Register in Realm or email crivera@mpumc.org. Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, Tuesday, February 25, 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Jubilee Hall: Come enjoy hot pancakes with a topping bar, King Cake, mask-making, and fun music! $8 per adult, $6 per child, $28 cap per family. RSVP online by noon on Thursday, February 20. Details: Christine Mull at cmull@mpumc.org. Race Reconciliation Group: Join a group prayerfully trying to understand and deconstruct systemic racism in our city. Details: Ron Knape at ronknape@icloud.com or John Clarkson at jclarkson@med.miami.edu. ENOUGH: Transformative Giving 2020: Pledge cards for your 2020 estimate of giving can be returned via mail to 1501 Queens Road, Charlotte NC 28207, in the Sunday offering plate, or online at www.mypersparkumc.org/give. Your commitment to the operating budget and Jubilee Plus! matters. Through our generous GIVING, we continue to TRANSFORM lives of those inside and outside the walls of our church.
AN EVENING WITH KATHY IZARD, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Francis Chapel: Kathy Izard, award-winning speaker and author of The Hundred Story Home, who helped transform Charlotte homelessness, housing, and mental health, will share her story and read her children’s book, A Good Night for Mr. Coleman. Children will make sandwiches for the Urban Ministry Center. For those attending with children, please make reservations. Details: Amy Harriman at aharriman@mpumc.org.
E NGAG E M E NT OPPORTUN ITI E S
Vehicle Needed: South Tryon Community United Methodist Church, our partner church in Charlotte, needs reliable transportation for church-related business. If you have a vehicle you would consider donating, please contact Nathan at narledge@mpumc.org. Sort Donations at Loaves & Fishes, Second Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Loaves & Fishes warehouse: We meet monthly at the warehouse at 648 Griffith Road to sort donated food. Details: Laura Weller at lauraoweller@yahoo.com with questions. January Collection, now-January 31, collection bins in Lobby: We are now collecting food items for the school food bags, specifically boxes of mac and cheese and oatmeal. Details: Julie Wentz at jwentz@mpumc.org. High School Winter Retreat, registration closes today: High School Winter Retreat moves to Asbury Hills Camp from January 31-February 2. Cameron Moore is back as our worship leader, and we will have another amazing senior send-off. Whether you have done many retreats or this is your first, we want you there! Details: visit www.mpumcyouth.org or contact Jason Rhymer at jrhymer@mpumc.org.
DEADLINE CLOSING FOR WOMEN'S RETREAT, register by January 31: The retreat is February 21-23 at the Caraway Conference Center. Our theme is Wholehearted: Real Life/Real Faith. Double room $250/single room $280. Register and pay online at myersparkumc.org/women. Details: Rev. Jessica Dayson at jdayson@mpumc.org.
CO N N E C T WITH US ! F o l l ow u s o n s o c ia l m e d ia @ my e r sp a r k u m c
V i s i t o u r we b s i te w w w. mye r s p a rk u m c .o r g to find small groups, ways to serve and engage, how to give, and plug in with other members of our church!
NANCY HAMFF: WE ARE GRATEFUL After nine years as our indispensable Music Ministry Administrative Assistant, Nancy Hamff will retire in early February. As “Mother Nancy” begins her transition, we want to share how much we will all miss her, and thank her from the bottom of our hearts for her great work - work that will resonate for many years beyond her time here. We hope you all will join us in wishing Nancy nothing but the best as she moves into the next chapter of her life. Her spot in the choir, in hand bells, and in our hearts will remain forever. Thank you, Nancy!
JASON RHYMER TAPPED AS NEW YOUTH DIRECTOR
OUR CLE RGY Dr. James C. Howell Senior Pastor Rev. Nathan Arledge Pastor of Missions & Community Engagement Rev. Taylor Barefoot Pastor for Emerging Ministries Rev. Jessica Dayson Pastor for Young Adults & Lay Involvement Rev. Uiyeon Kim Pastor of Discipleship Rev. Bill Roth Pastor of Congregational Care Rev. Nancy Watson Executive Pastor
Our Staff Parish lay leadership along with our senior staff prayerfully discerned that, in the wake of Lauren Stines’s decision to be a stay-at-home mom after 9 years with us, we should invite Jason Rhymer to succeed her as our Director of Youth Ministries. He accepted, and began as Director January 1. He has been much-loved and successful as a volunteer and then as our senior high staff guy, and he’s excited to lead now as we continue with the vital, exciting and excellent things going on in youth ministry. From Jason: “I am beyond grateful and honored to be the next youth director. It is an incredible privilege to work with Ellen, Sarah and our Ministry Partners each day. Lauren established a wonderful legacy that we will strive to continue to grow. Thank you so much to youth that have believed in me and shown up to serve, pray and love one another.” Congratulate Jason, and keep him and our youth ministry in your prayers!
BRITT YETT JOINS MISSIONS TEAM It is with great excitement that we share with you that Britt Yett has joined our Mission Ministries team. She began her official work on staff in early January. As many of you know, she has been an incredible volunteer and leader within Mission and Youth Ministries and we are excited to see the continued collaboration with all ministry teams, church family, and our Charlotte community. Please join us welcoming and celebrating her gifts and graces with and for God’s Kingdom work.
TALK WITH A PASTOR
LAUREN STINES: WE’LL MISS YOU
A pastor on staff stands ready to respond to your question or concern. Those needing immediate pastoral help should call 704-376-8584 and follow the prompts to the pastor on call.
We celebrate nine years of faithfulness and love for our former Director of Youth Ministries, Lauren Stines, who completed her time with us on December 31. A love offering is being collected to show our gratitude for her and her family. Please make your check out to the church with Love Offering in the memo line.