THIS WEEK D E C E M B E R 2 9 | 2019
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.
In Celebration
TODAY The Sacrament of Holy Baptism: Receiving the sacrament of Baptism at the 11:00 a.m. service are Piper Grace Caison, daughter of Megan and Chris Caison; and Walker Choi Mansfield, son of Kathy Choi and Doug Mansfield. Family Worship Day, today: There is no Sunday School for children and youth. Nursery and worship care are available for children 8-weeks-old through those not yet in kindergarten. Questions? Email Amy Harriman at aharriman@mpumc.org.
Madison Elizabeth Norton, daughter of Christy and Joe Norton, sister of Austin and Jack Norton, and granddaughter of Chris and Patty Matthews, who was born on December 18.
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. No Pastors’ Wednesday Bible Study: we will resume in January. 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.
Goodness Gracious! Gifts: 40% off after Christmas sale will be happening from December 27-January 12. All proceeds go to missions, helping to provide resources to our ministry partners locally and around the world. Beauty at the Table Small Groups, coming in 2020: God made us to be in community, to break bread and share our stories together. Registration will begin January 5 for short-term groups that will begin meeting mid-January to connect with one another and grow closer to our God. Learn more at www.myersparkumc.org/small-groups. 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., rooms 239-240: 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. Youth Group Returns: Resumes January 5th, 2020. Martha Circle Date Change, January 8, 10:30 a.m., room 152: Rev. Jessica Dayson will be our speaker, sharing with us her road to ministry and other information. Visitors and members are invited to meet one of our ministers. Note that we are meeting the second Wednesday this month due to New Year’s Day holiday.
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.
Middle School Small Group: Begins January 8th, 5:30 p.m., Hubee D’s: No need to sign up just come and join us for dinner (youth buy), fellowship and exploring our faith. For more information contact ssimmons@mpumc.org. 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 to attend.
UPCOM ING CONTINUE D 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. 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. Discover Myers Park, January 26, 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 up to start of kindergarten. Contact Jeanne Poole at jpoole@mpumc.org for more details.
JUBILEE PLUS! GIVING FUND: 100% of funds given to this second-mile giving fund go out the door to support ministry partners such as CareRing, Faith Ministry, and UMAR. Give generously to Jubilee Plus! year-round online or write a check to the church with Jubilee Plus! in the memo line.
Limited Spaces are Still Available for Women’s Retreat, register now until 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 www.myersparkumc.org/women. Contact Rev. Jessica Dayson at jdayson@mpumc.org for more information. 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. 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.
WHAT IS BEAUTIFUL ABOUT CHARLOTTE, Tuesday, January 7, 7:00 p.m.: Join Dr. Howell for a conversation with Mayor Harvey Gantt, Emmy Awardwinning 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 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 1:00 p.m. on December 31. For information about making a stock gift, contact Linda Edwardsen. 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
A YEAR END MESSAGE Friends,
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.
Christmas is over. And yet Christmas lingers. Howard Thurman wrote, “When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and the princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their flocks, The Work of Christmas begins: to find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to bring peace among people, to make music in the heart.� The work of Christmas has begun, and your year-end gift will insure we complete all our commitments to heal the broken in 2019 and are poised to commence finding the lost and feeding the hungry in 2020. Give online, or via mail, 1501 Queens Rd. 28207; we accept gifts of appreciated stock and other creative forms of giving. Thank you in advance for your generosity in making 2019 another successful year in ministry together! I hope you have a blessed New Year! James Howell Senior Pastor