THIS WEEK D E C E M B E R 2 2 | 2019
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY by Lily Fulghum, age 7
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 Sharon Gage Bowen, wife of Paul Bowen, who died on December 16. Paul Edwin Patton, husband of Sue Patton, father of Julia Evans, grandfather of Patton and Carlisle Evans, and brother of Miriam Bundy, and Mary Jo Nelson, who died on December 14. Harold "Dean" Hughes, father of Larry Hughes, who died on December 13. Anne K. (Dubbie) Brinkley, mother of Garrie Brinkley, and grandmother of Matthew, Susannah, and Shannon Brinkley, who died on December 12.
TODAY The Sacrament of Holy Baptism: Receiving the sacrament of Baptism at the 11:00 service is Camryn Whitley Arledge, daughter of Molly and Nathan Arledge. Blessing of the Gifts: Today, we bless the Angel Tree Ministry. The third-grade Sunday School class, led by their teachers Jill Gadd, Anna Givens, Cathy & Bob Howell, Candice Knezevic, Kate Maynard, Melissa Miller, Janet & Joshua Smith, and Lauren Thompson, have written the prayer that they will offer during our worship services. Family Worship Days, today and December 29: There will be no Sunday School for children and youth. Nursery and worship care will be available for children 8-weeksold through those not yet in kindergarten. Questions? Email Amy Harriman at aharriman@mpumc.org. Love Feast: tonight, 6:00 p.m., Sanctuary: Youth Ministry hosts a traditional Love Feast with Moravian Love Feast Buns, Spiced Tea, and handmade Beeswax candles. Join us for this special family friendly service.
UPCOM ING 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: A beautiful chance to come as you are to learn and practice a form of wordless prayer alongside others. Questions: Rev. Uiyeon Kim at ukim@myersparkumc.org. Why Christmas Still Matters…Remembering and Preparing for Advent, tomorrow, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., room 106: Join Rev. Uiyeon Kim as we prayerfully examine the most amazing moment in history. We will follow the footsteps of Mary, Joseph, and others and share life journeys in light of the hope and new life gained with Jesus. No registration or book study required.
GOODNESS GRACIOUS! GIFTS: On December 21, GGG will run from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., the perfect time to get that last-minute Christmas shopping done! Goodness Gracious! weekly hours are Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Friday 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and Sunday 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.. All proceeds support local missions.
Yoga and Prayer, Mondays, 9:15 a.m., Francis Chapel: Start off your week with yoga and prayer. All ages and abilities are welcome as we join movement and faith. Mats are available. Contact Rev. Taylor Pryde Barefoot at tbarefoot@mpumc.org. A $5 donation is suggested. No Pastors’ Wednesday Bible Study: We will resume in January. Young Adult Activities: Events and groups are updated regularly and posted to the website at myersparkumc.org/young-adults. Check it often or contact Rev. Jessica Dayson at jdayson@mpumc.org to be added to the email distribution. Cookies on the Playground, Sunday, January 5, 10:45 a.m., playground: Children’s Ministries invites everyone to come enjoy fellowship and a sweet treat before or after worship. Epiphany Party, Sunday, January 5, 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m., rooms 103-108: Kindergarteners and 1st graders are invited to experience the journey of the Three Wise Men with stories, games, crafts, and King Cake. Please bring new or gently used baby clothing (size 0-3 months) for Baby Bundles. To RSVP, email your child’s name and grade to Leslie at llowery@mpumc.org by January 2. Forward, Sunday, January 5, 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m., room 239: 4th and 5th graders are invited to start the new year with 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: Email Amy Harriman at aharriman@mpumc.org.
LOVE OFFERING: We celebrate nine years of faithfulness and love for our Director of Youth Ministries, Lauren Stines, who will be completing 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.
On Beauty!, Tuesday, January 7, 7:00 p.m.: Join Dr. Howell for a conversation with former Mayor Harvey Gantt, Emmy Award-winning anchor and investigative journalist Molly Grantham, and historian Tom Hanchett on "What's Beautiful about Charlotte?" New Opportunity for Yoga and Prayer: Sundays beginning January 12, 6:15 p.m.-7:15 p.m., Francis Chapel: All ages and abilities are welcome to experience yoga in this sacred space. We ask for a $5 donation, and we have mats available for your use. Please contact tbarefoot@mpumc.org with any questions.
UPCOM ING CONTINUE D Elementary Worship with Rebekah Hutto, Sunday, January 12, 10:00 a.m., Jubilee Hall: We’re excited to welcome children’s author Rebekah Hutto to a special elementary worship. She will read her book Paul and his Friends and will sign copies of the book, which will be available for purchase. The Cherub Choir will also sing. Parents are invited and encouraged to attend. How Has God Wired You to Serve? January 16, 6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. or January 27, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m., room 106: Register for a Wired 4 Ministry class to learn how to make a difference through your unique, God-given design. Registration and pre-class exercises are required. Contact Carol Tate at ctate@mpumc.org to sign up. Register Now for Middle School Winter Retreat: January 17-20: Youth will enjoy engaging preaching, energizing worship, and skiing at Lake Junaluska. For more information go to www.mpumcyouth.org.
JUBILEE PLUS! GIVING FUND: 100% of funds given to this second-mile giving fund go out the door to support ministry partners such as Marie G. Davis School and Zoe Empowers. Give generously to Jubilee Plus! year-round online or write a check to the church with Jubilee Plus! in the memo line.
High School Winter Retreat Bible Boot Camp: January 31-February 2, registration now open: High School Winter Retreat moves to Asbury Hills Camp. 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! Visit www.mpumcyouth.org to learn more. Registration Continues for Women’s Retreat, now-January 31: The retreat is February 21-23 at the Caraway Conference Center. Double room $250/single room $280. Register and pay online at www.myersparkumc.org/women. Contact Rev. Jessica Dayson at jdayson@mpumc.org for more information. End of Year Giving Reminders: Financial contributions to the church received or postmarked by December 31, 2019 will receive 2019 tax credit. Checks dated on or before December 31, 2019 can be mailed to 1501 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC 28207, dropped in the Sunday offering plate or dropped off at the church by 1pm on December 31. You can also make a gift online at www.myersparkumc.org/give. For information about making a stock gift, contact Linda Edwardsen at lindae@mpumc.org or 704295-4842. ENOUGH: Transformative Giving 2020: Pledge cards for your 2020 estimate of giving can be returned via mail to 1501 Queens Road, Charlotte NC 28207, dropped in the Sunday offering plate or made 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. Beauty at the Table Small Groups, coming in 2020: God made us to be in community, to break bread and share our stories together. Stay tuned for short-term groups that will begin meeting mid-January to connect with one another and grow closer to our God.
ON BEAUTY!, Tuesday, January 7, 7:00 p.m.: Join Dr. Howell for a conversation with Mayor Harvey Gantt, Emmy Award-winning anchor and investigative journalist, Molly Grantham, and historian Tom Hanchett on "What's Beautiful about Charlotte?"
E NGAG E M E NT OPPORTUN ITI E S Beating Guns: Hope for People Who Are Weary of Violence, January 11, 12:30 p.m., Jubilee Hall: Join us as we welcome Shane Claiborne from Red Letter Christians and Mike Martin, Executive Director of Raw Tools, as we discuss the impact of gun violence on families and communities across our nation. Special guest speakers will be Rev. Sharon Risher and Councilman Malcolm Graham, who both experienced personal loss to gun violence. December Collection, now-December 31, collection bins in lobby: We are collecting warm coats, gloves, scarves, and hats for children and adults. Please bring new or gently used items to be given to our partner agency, Crisis Assistance Ministry. Details: Call Roland Elliott at 704-551-7064. College-Mexico Mission Trip, registration now: All college-age students are encouraged to join our mission team traveling to Reynosa, Mexico, May 24-30 to work alongside our mission partner, Faith Ministry, to build relationships and work on our latest construction project. Sign up at www.myersparkumc.org/college-mexico.
ROOM IN THE INN, Every Thursday and Friday night, now through March 31: We open our doors and hearts to provide warm meals, warm beds, and warm fellowship for homeless neighbors. There are various opportunities for all to participate such as driving the van, preparing and serving a meal, and staying overnight with our guests. For details, contact Greg Wells at greg@willisengineers.com.
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
Beauty 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!
This Advent, we began a sustained series on the theme of Beauty. Dostoevsky said “Only Beauty will save the world,” and “There is one truly beautiful face, that of Christ.” Through the worship, and the arts, we’re focusing on what is beautiful, the beauty of the Church, the beauty of our city, and even beauty in suffering. On Tuesday, January 7 at 7:00 p.m., Join Dr. Howell in Jubilee Hall for a conversation with former Mayor Harvey Gantt, Emmy Award-winning anchor and investigative journalist Molly Grantham, and historian Tom Hanchett on "What's Beautiful about Charlotte?" On Sunday, January 26 at 7:00 p.m., Join Dr. Howell and Jeremy Begbie, Professor of Theology at Duke University, for a conversation on Beauty and the Arts.
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
On Monday, February 10 at 7:00 p.m., Join us as we welcome Raymond Barfield, Professor of Pediatrics and Christian Philosophy at Duke University, in a conversation with Dr. Howell on Beauty and Suffering. On Sunday, February 23 at 7:00 p.m., We will welcome American artist and sculptor Chas Fagan to engage in a conversation with Dr. Howell on Public Art and Beautiful Lives. Beauty at the Table Small Groups, coming in 2020: God made us to be in community, to break bread and share our stories together. Stay tuned for short-term groups that will begin meeting mid-January to connect with one another and grow closer to our God.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES Please join us for one of our Christmas Eve services celebrating the joy of the season and the birth of our Lord! Visit our website at www.myersparkumc.org to learn more about what's happening at Myers Park UMC throughout Advent!
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.
Each year, our Christmas Eve Offering enables us to support our school partnership and Zoe Empowers. Your gift, whether monetary or service, helps ensure generational transformation. This Christmas, we challenge you to give generously by determining what you spent on gifts for your family and giving the equivalent amount on Christmas Eve.