THIS WEEK F E B R UA RY 2 | 2020
THE EMPTY CROSSES by Anita McIntosh
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.
Our Deepest Sympathy Philip Marshall Van Hoy, husband of Sylvia Van Hoy, and father of Travis and Marshall Van Hoy, who died January 25. Lena B. Atkins, mother of Larry Atkins, who died January 25. Charlotte Thorne Grant, mother of Jay Grant, and grandmother of Julia and Bo Grant, who died January 24.
TODAY The Sacrament of Holy Baptism: Receiving the sacrament of Baptism at the 8:30 a.m. service is Maggie Sue Carpenter, daughter of Christie and Rory Carpenter. Being baptized at the 9:45 a.m. service is Aiden James Copeland, son of Shadie and Mike Copeland. Being baptized at the 11:00 a.m. service is Emma Benson Carter, daughter of Bess and Craig Carter. The Flowers on the Altar are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Sherrill Biggers and John Mark Biggers by Eleanor Biggers and family. The Flowers in the Chapel Narthex are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Philip Marshall Van Hoy by his family. Blood Drive, today, 7:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.: Donate blood today in the Youth Building Gym. Details: Parish Nurse Lauren Smith at lsmith@mpumc.org. Forward, today, 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. No Sunday Night Youth Group or Confirmation Tonight: We look forward to seeing everyone next week on February 9. Super Bowl Party for Young Families, tonight, 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 RSVP and to sign up to bring an appetizer or dessert to share. Young Adults Super Bowl Party, tonight, 6:00 p.m., 4122 Windmill Place: 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.
BEAUTY AND SUFFERING, February 10, 7:00 p.m., Jubilee Hall: In a world of suffering, it can be hard to find hope and it can be even harder to find beauty. Dr. Ray Barfield offers a theology of beauty based on his experience of being a pediatric oncologist and will join Dr. Howell in this conversation. This event is for all who have known suffering, who have wondered where God is, and how beauty matters in the face of our sorrows. We are grateful for the generosity of the Snyder-Fisher-Fellowship Sunday School class for sponsoring this event.
UPCOM ING 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. 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. 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 pasta primavera, grilled chicken breast, salad bar, garlic bread, desserts, and ice cream. Register by calling 704-376-5520 no later than Tuesday at noon or in Realm by Monday at 11:59 p.m. 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.
PASTORS’ BIBLE STUDY, Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., room 108: Rev. Nathan Arledge welcomes special guest Angelica “Lica” Garnett. Nathan will share his experience in El Salvador, and Lica will share her experience as an immigrant, discussing the biblical call to care for this vulnerable population. To reserve child care, email Lisa Ross-Smit at lrsmit@mpumc.org.
Middle School Mayhem, Friday, 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.
UPCOM ING CONTINUE D New Evening Group for Young Adults, Sundays, February 9-March 8, 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m., room 149: Let’s spend Sundays together in conversation and community. We will dive into conversation and ask questions about our faith as we journey deeper into God’s grace together. We will have dinner the first night, so please sign up at www.myersparkumc.org/ young-adults. Details: Rev. Jessica Dayson at jdayson@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 of The Lord of the Rings series. All ages are welcome. Details: Grace Pressley at gpressley03@gmail.com. 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.
GREETER MINISTRY, Sunday mornings, 8:30 a.m., 8:45 a.m., 9:45 a.m., and 11:00 a.m., Sanctuary or Jubilee Hall: Be an ambassador of hospitality at our church by sharing warmth and kindness at the door. Serve once per month in the Sanctuary or Jubilee Hall. Details: Ed Boardman at meboard4911@gmail.com.
Walk the Labyrinth, February 10-16, Francis Chapel: Be intentional in 2020 about spending time apart with God. Labyrinth hours are posted online at www.myersparkumc.org/ contemplative and are subject to change as needed during this week. Call 704-376-8584 to verify. Mindful Mondays, February 10 and April 20, 10:30 a.m., room 108: Join Rev. Bill Roth and Lauren Smith for a monthly opportunity to establish and deepen your mindfulness practice. Details: 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. Details: Bradford Holshouser at 704-399-3309. Marriage Matters Workshop, February 22, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., room 108: Rev. 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 and meet the premarital counseling requirements for persons getting married at MPUMC. Register in Realm or email crivera@mpumc.org.
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.
Caregivers Support Group, February 25, 11:30 a.m., room 107: Share the challenges and rewards of the experience. Details: Parish Nurse Lauren Smith at lsmith@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 (of two adults and three or more children). RSVP online by noon on Thursday, February 20. Details: Christine Mull at cmull@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.
YOGA AND PRAYER, Sundays, 6:15 p.m.-
7:15 p.m., and Mondays, 9:15 a.m.-10:15 a.m., Francis Chapel: 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. Tonight’s class will not meet, but will resume next week.
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. February Collection, now-February 29, collection bins in Lobby: We are now collecting donations for the Salvation Army Center of Hope, and baby items such as diapers, wipes, onesies, and formula. Details: Britt Yett at byett@mpumc.org. Border Pilgrimage, March 17-21: Join our mission team traveling to the US/Mexico border led by Rev. Nathan Arledge. Our border pilgrimages serve to draw awareness to the proximity of our sisters and brothers seeking asylum, migrant workers, and the journey of the immigrant in our everyday lives. For trip registration details, go to www. myersparkumc.org/border.
AC C L A I M E D T E N O R I N C O N C E R T, 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.
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!
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
TALK WITH A PASTOR 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.
REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS EVE The season of Advent has passed but the memory of that most Holy celebration echoes through our halls. 7,000 + worshipers walked through our doors and online to attend one of our six services. We joyfully share that 100% of our Christmas Eve offering goes right into the hands of our beloved partners. We are grateful and delighted to announce a collection of $40,000 will be split between our two ministry partners, Marie G. Davis and Zoe Empowers. Your gifts bear witness to the fact that God calls us to live differently and close the gap between the way things are and the way they ought to be. Joyfully, we give this resource to these partners because they are making generational impact. And with this extra boost in their ministry, we are excited to see the transformative work that they’ll do in the coming year(s). Locally, we provided half of the donations to the Weekend Food Bag ministry at Marie G Davis school, a Title 1 school with 100% of their scholars qualifying for free lunch. Recognizing that scholars often went without adequate food on the weekends, Julie Wentz in our Missions department worked to expand an existing food ministry to provide a bag of food every Friday for each and every scholar in the school. In October, our church packed 5,000 bags in one beautiful afternoon. Your contributions ensure that the ministry can continue to feed 390 children and families per weekend through the end of the school year. We continue to celebrate our global partnership with Zoe Empowers and your donations on Christmas Eve will continue to support 14 working groups in Kenya, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. Zoe Empowers equips children orphaned by war, disease, and poverty with tools and training to overcome life-threatening poverty for good. The children are empowered to dream of an independent future of their own making. An important way to further celebrate and support these organizations is a donation of time. Please contact our Missions office to learn about opportunities to come alongside our most vulnerable children. You can read with a child at Marie G Davis or support teachers and staff at this under resourced school. There are upcoming opportunities for travel with a team to Kenya or Malawi this year to see Zoe Empower’s amazing empowerment model in action and provide witness to children changing their future.