This Week at Myers Park United Methodist Church | December 15-21

THIS WEEK D E C E M B E R 1 5 | 2019

WOMAN & CHILD by Gary Melcher

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 Beauty: This Advent, we continue our series on the theme of Beauty. Dostoevsky said “Only beauty will save the world.” Through worship and arts we’ll focus on what is beautiful, the beauty of the Church, the beauty of our city, and even the beauty in suffering. Send us photos, quotes or stories of beauty and we’ll share them on Instagram, Facebook and in our bulletin. Your submissions can go to James at james@mpumc.org or to Taylor Pryde Barefoot at tbarefoot@mpumc.org.

Blessing of the Gifts: Today, we bless the Alternative Gift Market. The second-grade Sunday School classes, led by their teachers Stephanie Briggs Evans, Angie Murphy, Mason Rankin, Elisabeth & Joel Toms, Cutchin & Greg Wiley, and Abbie Zollinger, have written the prayer that they will offer during our worship services.

GOODNESS GRACIOUS! GIFTS: On December 14 and 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.

Christmas Concerts, Tonight, 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 501 N. Tryon: Join us for either of our two concerts. The 150-voice chorus, composed of our adult, youth, and children’s ensembles, will join with a full orchestra featuring our own Myers Park Strings and Myers Park Bells to ring in this season. This is a free event with free parking. Shuttle from MPUMC will be available starting at 2:30 p.m. No tickets required. Onsite childcare for ages 3 and under will be offered for the 4:00 p.m. concert only. Spaces are limited. Register with Lisa at lrsmit@mpumc.org by December 9. To reserve seating at the 4:00 p.m. service for ASL Interpretation, contact Rev. Nancy Watson at nwatson@mpumc.org.

UPCOM ING Yoga and Prayer, Mondays, 9:15 a.m., Francis Chapel: Start your week off 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.

Why Christmas Still Matters … Remembering and Preparing for Advent, Mondays, through December 23, 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 will share life journeys in light of the hope and new life gained with Jesus. No registration or book study required.

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.

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.

Walk the Labyrinth During Advent, Francis Chapel: We invite you to make intentional space this Advent to encounter God and spend time in prayer. The Labyrinth is available throughout the month of December, whenever the church is open and no other events are scheduled in Francis Chapel. Please call 704-376-8584 to verify your time.

No Pastors’ Wednesday Bible Study: We will resume in January.

Christmas Party for College-Age Students, December 19, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., 2726 Lemon Tree Lane: Anyone college age is welcome to join us for holiday snacking and socializing with friends from church. Sign up online at myerspark.org/young-adults or by contacting Rev. Jessica Dayson at jdayson@mpumc.org.

GOT ART? We invite you to submit your original artwork that engages with the worship life here at Myers Park to display in our hallways. This Advent, we are collecting art for our church-wide theme of Beauty. All skill levels and mediums are welcome. Contact Rev. Taylor Pryde Barefoot at tbarefoot@mpumc.org for more information and submission details.

Family Worship Days, Sunday, December 22 and Sunday, December 29: There will be no Sunday School for children and youth. Nursery and worship care will be available for children 8-weeks-old through those not yet in kindergarten. Questions? Email Amy Harriman at aharriman@mpumc.org.

A Service of Lessons and Carols, December 22, 8:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m., and 11:00 a.m., Sanctuary, 8:45 a.m., Jubilee Hall: Join us for these special services. Lessons and Carols, a service featuring our Chancel Choir, Chamber Singers, and da Capo Brass will take place during all Sanctuary services. Church in the Round will feature Christmas in Word and Song, which will include Scripture readings, music, and visual art.

UPCOM ING CONTINUE D Christmas Eve Offering: 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. 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 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: Director of Children’s Ministries Amy Harriman at aharriman@mpumc.org.

JUBILEE PLUS! GIVING FUND: We are grateful for the mutually intentional partnership that we have with South Tryon Community UMC. This year, we re-imagined our local grant-making process. Each grant recipient was asked to include our neighbors in the Brookhill Community. Earlier this month, we all gathered to break bread at the Community Resource Center in celebration.

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.

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 704-295-4842.

LOVE FEAST, December 22, 6:00 p.m., Sanctuary: Join us for a special service hosted by Myers Park UMC Youth Ministry.

This is a family friendly traditional Love Feast with Moravian Love Feast Buns, Spiced Tea, and handmade Beeswax Candles.

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.

E NGAG E M E NT OPPORTUN ITI E S

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?"

Angel Tree, Lobby: Working with Prison Fellowship Ministry, MPUMC will have an Angel Tree in the lobby with names and ages of local children whose parents are currently incarcerated. Stop by the tree to pick up your angel. If you’re interested in volunteering with this ministry, contact Doug Caldwell at dougcaldwell@bellsouth.net.

Alternative Gift Market, now-December 23: Support local and global missions by buying gifts in honor of your family and friends. All purchases are donations to church partner organizations who work with children here in Charlotte and around the world.

Choose from a variety of gifts in a range of prices so that you can find something for everyone on your list. Visit www.myersparkumc.org/alternative-gift-market to learn more.

December Collection, now through 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.

Make Sandwiches for Urban Ministry, 3rd Mondays, 9:00 a.m., Jubilee Hall: Call Martha Abbey at 704-264-6892 for details.

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

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

A WORD FROM DR. HOWELL In the season of giving I am reminded of Shel Silverstein’s book, The Giving Tree. It occurs to me that you and I are part of the great giving tree of God’s people, bringing life to God’s good world by our generosity together. We have had very good giving in response to my plea late summer – so thank you for your thoughtfulness! We still (as always) need a strong rally here in the last month of the year to fulfill our ministry dreams and obligations. Give via mail to 1501 Queens Rd. 28207, or online by visiting www.myersparkumc.org/pledge. And don’t forget making a special gift to Jubilee Plus!, our 100% out the door mission fund.

What a way to honor God, to be with God together, sharing in God’s dream for us all.

It’s a joy during this season to be Your pastor, James

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. 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.

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.