2015 December Communicator

A Publication of Sardis Presbyterian Church December 2015 Building God’s Kingdom Through Worship ● Service ● Fellowship ● Evangelism ● Discipleship

ADVENT AT SARDIS November 29

The Lighting of the Prophet’s Candle

Sacrament of Holy Communion at both services Dr. McKechnie meditation “Overexposed”

December 6

The Lighting of the Bethlehem Candle

Special Christmas music at both services Dr. McKechnie sermon “Peace Personified”

December 13

The Lighting of the Shepherd’s Candle Dr. McKechnie sermon “Prep Time”

December 20

The Lighting of the Angel’s Candle

Dr. McKechnie sermon “What’s in a Name?”

December 24

Christmas Eve Services

Dr. McKechnie sermon “Inn-Sight” 4:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall A family worship service – childcare available 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary Candlelight service – childcare available 9:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary Candlelight service 11:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary Candlelight service Our worship services will include musical selections such as “Dormi Jesu” and Egil Hovland’s “The Glory of the Father”.

The Communicator ~ December 2015 Sardis Presbyterian Church · 6100 Sardis Road · Charlotte, NC 28270 · 704‐366‐1854 · www.sardis.org

Church Life

Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do.

Lessons & Carols:

Church‐wide Christmas Caroling

A Gently‐Paced Service

Sunday, December 20, 3:30‐6 p.m.

Sunday, December 6 at 3‐3:30 p.m. in the Chapel

Bring your family and friends and join us for an

This service includes Holy Communion and is specially

afternoon of spreading Christmas joy! We will

designed for persons who have conditions that limit their

gather at 3:30 p.m. in the dining room for some

ability to sit for an hour‐long service. Families are

snacks and fellowship. Then, we will divide into

encouraged to invite senior relatives and those with

groups to carol to members and others who might

disabilities.

need a little extra Christmas cheer this year. All levels of singing experience are encouraged to

Taizé Service: Slow Down and Reflect

come. Grab your kids, parents, and neighbors and

join us as we share the birth of Christ through

Sunday, December 13 at 6 p.m. at Sardis Baptist Church

song.

Are you stressed by life, running ragged, needing to slow

down? Join our wider community as we rest in God’s peace. Come to Sardis Baptist Church on December 13 at 6

If you’d like more details, contact Katie Harrington at katie.harrington@sardis.org.

p.m. for the Taizé Service, a service of gentle music and quiet reflection.

A Service of Hope & Remembrance

Wednesday, December 16 at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary This is a service that recognizes that for many the wondrous season of joy at Christmas is also a season marked with sadness. Some enter the season with grief

The Sound of Christmas Community Christmas Concert

that a loved one will not be present at family gatherings,

Sardis will host The Sound of Christmas, a free

for others the season might emphasize alienation or

community Christmas concert on December 5 at 7

depression. At this service we affirm that even in personal

p.m. The concert will feature choirs from Sardis

darkness we have sure hope through the grace and mercy

Baptist Church, St. Stephen UMC, and Sardis

of Jesus Christ.

Presbyterian Church with special appearances

The service this year, as in the past, includes a time for lighting a candle in memory of loved one who has died and for lighting a candle to claim our hope in darkness through Christ. A new aspect of the service this year is the inclusion of the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. All are invited to participate in this service of Scripture, prayer, reflections, candle lighting and claiming at the Holy Table

from Sardis’ children and youth choirs. You will enjoy musical selections like ʺDormi Jesuʺ and Egil Hovlandʹs ʺThe Glory of the Fatherʺ. We encourage you all to invite your family, friends, and neighbors to come and enjoy this free concert.

Childcare will be available. Please call 704.926.1599 to make arrangements.

the hope that is ours in Christ’s body broken for

Questions?

us. Childcare will be provided for preschoolers.

jared.daugherty@sardis.org.

2 The Communicator ~ December 2015

Contact

Jared

Daugherty

at

Church Life

Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do.

Friendship Connection

The Friendship Connection, a fellowship group for retirees,

Sardis College

will meet on Tuesday, December 15 at 11 a.m. in the Sardis

Christmas Party!

House. We will enjoy a program by our own “Throne Together” men’s musical group.

This will feature music of the season, followed by lunch at noon. Lunch is $8 per person and reservations are required

by Friday, December 11. To make lunch reservations call

Calling All College‐Age

704.926.1590 to pay at the door, or register and pay online at

Sardis Members!

www.sardis.org.

Questions? Contact Rev. Alice Johnson at 704.366.1854 or

Please join us for an evening of fun, fellowship

alice.johnson@sardis.org.

and food. All current college students are invited! Just bring yourselves and reconnect with old friends.

Sunday, December 20 at 6 p.m., at the home of Kim and Mark Weber, 908 Sydney Drive, Charlotte.

Please invite all your Sardis college‐age friends!!

Church Office Closings:

The church office will be closed at noon on Thursday, December 24, and all

day on Friday, December 25 and Monday, December 28 for the Christmas holiday. Any closings or delays due to inclement weather will be announced on WSOC‐TV, WCNC, and WBTV, an email to the congregation, and on www.sardis.org.

M&M’s are Invited to Come Eat, Sing, and Be Merry

Mature and Marvelous is a Sardis social group for those 55 years of age and older. All M&Ms are invited to eat, sing, and be merry with “The Piano Man” on Friday, December 4 at 6 p.m. in the Sardis House. Enjoy fellowship and live music. Bring your favorite side dish to share. The main course and dessert will be provided. The cost is $5. Please RSVP to Anne Sweeney (Annesween13@gmail.com or 704.443.7063) by Tuesday, December 1.

Interested in Joining Sardis?

A New Member Class begins on January 10.

Classes are held during the Sunday School hour and span four weeks. Remember! The first Sunday, January 10, will encompass our new class, “Hello, My Name Is Sardis.” This initial class is intended for prospective new members and anyone who would like to learn more about our church home. For more information contact Rev. Alice Johnson at 704.366.1854.

The Communicator ~ December 2015 3

Church Life

Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do.

End‐of‐Year Reminders from the Finance Office As you complete your 2015 commitments and gifts and make your pledge for 2016, please keep in mind the following helpful hints from the Finance Office:

• All 2015 contributions must be postmarked by the U.S. Post Office by no later than

December 31, 2015. Any donations received with a postmark of January will be credited to 2016. Contribution statements will be mailed in December showing your 2015 giving activity from January 1‐November 30. Your tax statement with your complete contribution record should be mailed by January 15, 2016.

• We appreciate all gifts given to Sardis during this time of year. If you wish to donate

stock, please contact David Cauble of Transitions Wealth Management, LLC, at 704.272.1969, or call the church office, and we will be glad to send a form with all the information you need. This form is also available on the “Give” tab at www.sardis.org.

Finance Update

The year is rapidly coming to a close with just two months remaining in our current budget year. In addition, we are in the midst of stewardship season and the budgetary process for next year. Unfortunately, as of the end of October, our pledge receipts are $101,000 under budget for the year to date, which has resulted in an abnormally low cash position. If you are behind on your pledge for the year, please consider catching up by the end of November, so we reduce the budget shortfall and improve our cash position. We typically have a strong December, but that is already built into the budget, so it is extremely important to bring our pledges up to date.

Thanks for all you have done and continue do for Sardis.

Session Highlights can be found online at www.sardis.org.

October Financial Highlights

October

October Expected

This year so far

This year so far expected

Pledges, gifts, and other revenue

$156,880.14

$165,352.57

$1,631,661.14

$1,724,602.63

Expenses

$189,853.35

$183,687.53

$1,792,241.11

$1,852,844.67

Net Total

($32,973.21)

($18,334.96)

($160,579.97)

($128,242.04)

Annual Budget: $2,266,000

Our Church Family Our Christian Sympathy to: the family of Dallas Allison and to the family of Harold ʺHalʺ Jaus.

4 The Communicator ~ December 2015

Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do.

Church Life

Resolve to Read the Bible in 2016

In January, we will have a way to join together in reading the Bible as a congregation. We will be led by the guide, The Year of the Bible: An Enhanced Guide to Reading Scripture Together, by James E. Davison. This resource provides a schedule for reading each day. The day’s reading includes a chapter from the Old Testament and a chapter from the New Testament. For each month of the year there is a 4 page chapter that provides background and commentary on the books of the Bible that will be read within that month.

Sunday School classes, Mustard Seed Groups, Circles, Fellowship Groups, and individuals are encouraged to participate in this reading program. Reading the Bible can be difficult and our comprehension is expanded when we share our questions and understandings with one another.

The reading guide, The Year of the Bible, costs $6. Copies will be ordered in December and will be available for pickup on December 20. To reserve a copy, contact Rev. Dr. Jane Fobel by December 4 at jane.fobel@sardis.org or 704.366.1854.

A Change is Coming…Glory to God!

The session has approved the purchase of the new Presbyterian Hymnal, Glory to God, which was released in

2013. This new hymnal has over 850 hymns and songs where we will find the beloved and familiar, as well as some new and challenging hymns.

BUT WHY A NEW HYMNAL? I have treasured the 1990 Presbyterian Hymnal. It’s the only one I’ve known and I have loved playing it on the organ and piano. It has accompanied me through weekly worship, seasons of despair and joy, and many other meaningful days. We sing all kinds of songs, not because everything ʺfloats our boat,ʺ but because all of it together ʺfloats a larger boatʺ of the community. The excitement of the new hymnal supports diversity that will engage us in amazing ways in worship. Leaving an old friend is not easy. Trusting a new friend takes time. With perseverance and patience, we will continue singing and giving Glory to God!

Please, stay alert for more information on Glory to God. If you have any questions on this exciting adventure please contact Kaitlyn Davros at kaitlyn.davros@sardis.org. To make a donation for a hymnal, in memory/honor of those most special to us, please fill out the form below and mail to the church office.

NEW HYMNAL ORDER FORM

1. Please fill out one order form for each memorial/honorarium hymnal ordered.

2. Please PRINT clearly 3. Make check payable to Sardis Presbyterian Church. Cost: $25 each

Given to the Glory of God and in honor of:_____________________________________________________________

Given to the Glory of God and in memory of:___________________________________________________________

Purchased by: ______________________________________________________________________________________

The Communicator ~ December 2015 5

Church Life

Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do.

Until He Comes—2016 Sardis Women’s Retreat Friday, February 26‐Sunday, February 28, 2016

Make your plans for the 2016 Women’s Retreat. We will get away for two nights at the Dogwood Retreat Center in beautiful Lake Norman, NC Friday, February 26 through Sunday, February 28. Allison Barnhill will lead a study of I Thessalonians. Leading us in music and worship will be Richard Ramsey. The cost is $140 for a double occupancy room or $200 for a single room (space is limited). You may download the registration form at www.sardis.org or pick one up from the church office. Payment may be made to Sardis Presbyterian Church and mailed to 6100 Sardis Rd., Charlotte, NC 28270.

Questions? Contact Canon Moore at canonmoore@carolina.rr.com.

Spaghetti Sauce by the Truck Load!

January Red Cross Blood Drive

Thank you for donating your extra spaghetti sauce

Our next American Red Cross Blood Drive is Jan. 31,

(and pasta too) to our neighbors at Loaves and

2016 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sign up on Sardis.org or

Fishes. Last month, we collected and delivered 90

redcrossblood.org or email Suzanne Fernandez at

pounds of sauce!

Suzanne@HomesSoldBySuzanne.com.

Thank you to our Charlotte Family Housing Volunteers!

A number of Sardis members have given their time and talents to help Charlotte Family Housing fulfill their mission to empower homeless families to achieve long‐term self‐sufficiency through shelter, housing, support services and advocacy. Contact Jill Smith at jillsternsmith@gmail.com for more information or if you are interested in providing your talents to this local organization.

Room In The Inn

Our first night for RITI is Wednesday, December 2, and we invite anyone interested in learning more about this ministry to visit us any Wednesday or Sunday evening through March 30. We still need a few…Well, more than a few… good men and women to fill vacancies on our teams. All positions welcome. There is an urgent need for Owls and Roosters, so please give this prayerful consideration. Just serving one time in one of those positions would be a tremendous blessing to us.

We also need donations of socks and men’s and women’s underwear, sizes large and extra‐large. Other clothing items are available for the Neighbors at Crisis Assistance. You can leave the socks and underwear in a labeled box in the Sardis House along with your extra PG or PG‐13 DVDs.

To those of you who are already serving RITI on a team, driving the bus, or with food preparation, THANK YOU! Please continue to spread the word, and bring a friend.

6 The Communicator ~ December 2015

“Let the little children come unto me.”

Annual Children’s

LOGOS Second Semester

Christmas Program

Begins on January 13, 2016

The LOGOS program is a mid‐week faith and fellowship program for ministry with children and their families in our church. It’s a structured “retreat every week” or weekly Vacation Bible School.

Children and adults make bonds of friendship that can last through a child’s experience at our church. You may register online at www.sardis.org.

The annual Children’s Christmas Program will be presented on December 13 at 10 a.m.

(during the Sunday School hour). The

Faith and Sexuality

children have been working hard to prepare

Program for 5th and

a meaningful program for you. Please join

6th grade students

us in the fellowship hall for this special gift

Our fourth grade students will

will be held Friday

to

participate in an 8‐week Catechism

and Saturday, April

class January 10‐February 29, 2016.

22‐23, 2016.

you

from

the

children

congregation.

of

our

Sardis Weekday School Update Registration for the 2016‐

Please join us for our Christmas Pageant and

Thanks to you, and another

2017 school year begins in

PAC sponsored Bake Sale on Thursday,

successful

January!

December 17 at 11 a.m. in the fellowship hall.

Sale, Alfred the Elf will be

All are welcome!

visiting our classrooms with

For

more

information,

please contact Louise Lippi at louise.lippi@sardis.org or 704.366.9681.

Consignment

gifts! We are

so

grateful!

The Communicator ~ December 2015 77

The Communicator

Published monthly by

Sardis Presbyterian Church 6100 Sardis Road Charlotte, NC 28270 www.sardis.org

Non‐Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Charlotte, NC

Annual Christmas Dinner featuring a children’s nativity and special music by Linda McKechnie

Traditional roasted turkey holiday dinner with all of the trimmings.

Wednesday, December 9

6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall Adults: $12 Children: $4 We will be collecting donations for the Urban Ministry Center. Please bring items such as:

Warm hats, gloves, socks, and coats (used items are great) and gift cards in small amounts ($5-$10).

8 The Communicator ~ December 2015 Reserve and pay online at www.sardis.org or call 704.926.1590 by Monday, December 7