WITH CHRIST AT THE CENTER
DECEMBER 2024
CONNECTIONS
JOIN US ON DECEMBER 24 FOR ONE OF OUR THREE CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES! OUR FAMILY NATIVITY SERVICE IS AT 10AM, OUR CAROLS, COMMUNION, AND CANDLELIGHT SERVICE IS AT 5PM, AND OUR CANDLELIGHT IN THE CHAPEL SERVICE IS AT 11:30PM. WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE! INVITE FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS TO JOIN US!
From the Senior Pastor
This Christmas will be my first Christmas without my dad, who died back in March after living for many years with dementia. A milestone like this naturally nudges a person to do some reflecting and reminiscing. Specifically, it has made me think back to what was easily the most unexpected— and, therefore, most amazing— Christmas present I ever received.
To say that I lived and died with UNC basketball and football when I was 13 years old may be an understatement. I knew rosters, statistics, records, and I never, ever missed watching a game on TV unless there were circumstances beyond my control (which, when you’re 13, there often are).
The 1983 Tar Heels were supposed to be a really good football team. They started off fast—and were, at one point, ranked as high as number 3 in the country—before fading down the stretch. They ended up getting invited to play Florida State in the Peach Bowl. I looked forward to watching the game on TV. Turns out, I didn’t watch it on TV.
Instead, on Christmas morning, I opened a little box from my parents. Inside were two tickets to the Peach Bowl. It took me several long seconds to process what I was seeing because, in my experience, Canipes didn’t go on trips to Atlanta. Canipes didn’t spend the night in hotels. And Canipes for darn sure didn’t go to bowl games.
I can’t adequately convey how miraculous this gift was. I certainly hadn’t asked for it. That would have been pointless—like asking my parents for a pair of tickets to the moon. That’s how far-fetched this gift was. Completely out of the blue. Honestly, I still can’t believe that it actually happened.
But it did. Dad and I left Greensboro on December 30 early in the morning, drove to Atlanta, and found our seats in the end zone. I remember it being freezing cold and windy. (Through the wonder of the internet, I can confirm 26 degrees and 9 mph wind at kickoff.) Carolina lost 28-3. We stayed till the bitter-cold end. I have probably never treasured a football game experience more. The pennant that
I bought at that game hangs on the wall in my older son’s room.
I now understand that most Carolina fans there were probably disappointed to be at just the Peach Bowl when they had started off the season dreaming of a New Year’s Day game.
But for me? The whole experience was (borrowing from Winston Churchill here) like a miracle wrapped in a dream inside of an impossibility. I got to go to a UNC bowl game with my dad—and 41 years later, I’m still amazed by that unexpected blessing.
So, I don’t have any great theological points to make here. This is just a story I felt moved to share about a Christmas gift from a long time ago. My hope is that each of you will make some happy memories of your own this Christmas season. May the peace of Christ be with you!
Ministry at Providence
ADULT DISCIPLESHIP
Blake Kendrick, bkendrick@providencebc.org
Advent Devotion Guide
For the upcoming Advent season, the Adult Discipleship Ministry would like to offer an Advent Devotion Guide from Living Compass, which will be made available on the Adult Discipleship page on our website. This guide includes daily devotions, reflections, quotes, and practices to help us prepare for Christmas.
College Student Welcome Breakfast Welcome back, college students! As you journey home for Christmas break, we invite you to join us for breakfast on December 15 at 9:15am in the Activity Center lobby. Come spend some time with your peers and reconnect with one another with delicious food and fellowship! The Student Minister Search Committee will also be in attendance.
ACTIVITY CENTER
Michelle Hitselberger, mhitselberger@providencebc.org
Activity Center Closings
The Activity Center will be closed from December 24-26 for the Christmas holiday.
CHILDREN
Elizabeth Maye Hudson, emaye@providencebc.org
Family Advent Dinner
Families of all kinds are invited to join us for our annual Family Advent Dinner! We will gather on Sunday, December 1 at 5pm in the Fellowship Hall. We look forward to fellowshiping and creating this season’s Advent wreaths together! Register on Realm!
Baby’s First Christmas
All babies born in 2024 are invited to their first Christmas party on Sunday, December 8 from 9:30-10:30am! Breakfast will be provided! RSVP to Claire at crevord@providencebc.org
CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Ursula Taylor, utaylor@providencebc.org
Winter Wonderland
On December 12, the CDC will host a Winter Wonderland event where children and their families can make holiday ornaments together! Join us on the lawn of the Child Development Center at 11am.
CDC Closings
For the Christmas holiday, our Half Day program will close December 13–January 1, and our Full Day program December 24–January 1.
MUSIC
Timothy Hill, thill@providencebc.org
Hanging of the Green
Through the centuries, Christians have observed a time of waiting and expectation before celebrating the birth of the Savior at Christmas. Join us as we celebrate the beauty of the season with our annual Hanging of the Green service on Sunday, December 1 at 10:30am!
Songs of the Season
Join us for an afternoon of holiday songs and instrumentals to celebrate the season! We will begin this special time of festive fellowship at 4pm on December 8 in the Sanctuary. There will be hot chocolate and cookies afterwards in the Rotunda!
“Small, Dancing Light” Sanctuary Choir Performance During Worship
The Sanctuary Choir will present “Small, Dancing Light” by Taylor Scott Davis during Worship on December 22. The original text by Terry W. York focuses on the themes of “anticipation” and “revelation.”
The author creates images of these themes in each of the texts, pointing toward the small dancing light in a manger. A daily advent devotional will be sent out via email to accompany this special musical work.
STUDENTS
Kristen Hendrix, khendrix@providencebc.org
Student Minister Search Committee
Listening Sessions
The Student Minister Search Committee will host 2 Listening Sessions as we prepare to search for a new Student Minister. The Student’s Listening Session will be during Faith Formation on December 8, and the Parent’s Listening Session will be at 9:30am on December 15 in the Fellowship Hall.
Student Christmas Parties
Wear an ugly Christmas sweater, your favorite “onesie,” or classic red and green and come join the fun this holiday season! Guys bring a savory snack to share and girls bring a sweet or salty snack to share! Everyone bring a wrapped gift (under $10) for our gift exchange! Sign up on Realm! Middle Schoolers meet 6-8pm on December 11 at the Genett’s home, and High Schoolers meet 6-8pm on December 15 at the Perrone’s home.
Movie Meet-Up
Let’s go to the movies to kick off the Christmas holidays! Mufasa: The Lion King is showing at 1:40pm on December 22 at Cinemark Bistro Charlotte. Please arrive by 1:15pm! Register on Realm by December 15!
SENIOR ADULTS
Wilna Eury, wilna.eury@att.net
PrimeTimers Luncheon
Mark your calendar for December 12! Our next PrimeTimers Luncheon will be at 12pm in the Fellowship Hall! We will welcome back Jeff Perks to entertain us with his musical talents. RSVP on Realm by December 6 or call Wilna at (704) 553-2615. The cost is $7 and our luncheon is open to all!
Altar Guild
The Altar Guild will meet again on January 7 at 9:30am to take down the Christmas decorations. If you’d like to volunteer, contact Wilna via email or at (704) 553-2615.
connections@providencebc.org
Women on Mission
All are welcome to join us in the Mission Center on December 10! Our Prayer and Mission Action Groups will begin at 10:30am to make snack bags for the staff at Randolph Gardens and Waltonwood. At 11:30am, we will hear from a guest speaker from Rebuilding Together. Bring a shareable dish!
Called Church Conference
Join us after Worship on December 15 for a Called Church Conference! We will be taking a churchwide vote on Providence’s 2025 budget and revised Lay Leadership Committees and Ministry Groups.
Providence Closings
The Providence Campus will be closed from December 25-26 and from December 31-January 1.
CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP AT PROVIDENCE
Join us on December 24 for one of our three Christmas Eve services! Our Family Nativity service will be at 10am in the Sanctuary, our Carols, Communion, and Candlelight service will be at 5pm in the Sanctuary, and our Candlelight in the Chapel service will be held at 11:30pm in the Chapel.
DECEMBER CALENDAR
WEEKLY CALENDAR
Mondays
6:30pm Carolina Shag Lessons
Mondays–Thursdays
2:30pm Open Gym (all ages)
Tuesdays & Thursdays
10am-1pm & Adult Pickleball
7:30-10pm Open Play
Thurdays
12-3pm Cotswold Game ON!
Fridays
9am-2:30pm Pickleball Tournament
Saturdays
12:30-3pm Open Gym (all ages)
Sundays
9:15am Faith Formation
10:30am Worship
1-5pm Open Gym (all ages)
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1
10:30am Hanging of the Green, Sanctuary
5pm Family Advent Dinner, Fellowship Hall
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4
10-11:30am Beginners Pickleball, Activity Center Gym
7pm Charlotte Christian’s Lessons and Carols, Sanctuary
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8
9:15am Student Minister
Listening Session 1, Student’s Faith Formation Classes
Prayer Vigil
You are invited to come sit and pray quietly from 8am-12pm in the Chapel on December 28. Suggested Prayer guides are available.
Faith Formation & Extended Session
On Sunday, December 29, there will be no Faith Formation or Extended Session. We will only gather for Worship at 10:30am in the Sanctuary.
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Monday through Thursday 9am–4pm; Friday 9am–1pm
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8 (CONT’D)
9:30am Baby’s First Christmas, Room 1311 (Activity Center)
4pm Songs of the Season, Sanctuary
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10
10:30am Women on Mission, Missions Center
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11
6-8pm Middle School Christmas Party, Genett’s Home
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12
11am CDC Winter Wonderland, CDC Front Lawn
12pm PrimeTimers Luncheon, Fellowship Hall
6:30pm Endurance Club and Bible Study, Activity Center Parlor
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13
CDC Half Care Closed thru Jan. 1
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15
9:15am College Student Welcome Breakfast, Activity Center Lobby
9:30am Student Minister Listening Session 2, Fellowship Hall
11:30am Called Church Conference, Sanctuary
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15 (CONT’D)
6-8pm High School Christmas Party, Perrone’s Home
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22
10:30am “Small, Dancing Light” Sanctuary 1:15pm Student Ministry Movie Meet-Up, Cinemark Bistro Charlotte
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24
Activity Center Closed thru Dec. 26
CDC Full Care Closed thru Jan. 1
Christmas Eve Services 10am Family Nativity Service, Sanctuary 5pm Carols, Communion, and Candlelight, Sanctuary
11:30pm Candlelight in the Chapel, Gordon Chapel
DECEMBER 25-26
Providence Campus Closed
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28
8am-12pm Prayer Vigil, Gordon Chapel
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29
No Faith Formation or Extended Session (Worship Only)
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31
Providence Campus Closed
The Record We Wrote
Let’s finish 2024 strong! As of November 1, the gap between our giving and our ministry costs is $239,273. Help Providence close this gap! This year, prayerfully consider making a stock gift or a QCD. Every gift matters! Contact the church office for questions.
New Members
October 20
JANUARY 1
Providence Campus Closed
JANUARY 7
Altar Guild Meeting
JANUARY 8
Midweek at Providence Resumes
JANUARY 19
Q1 Quarterly Church Conference
JANUARY 31 - FEBRUARY 2
Student’s Winter Ski Retreat
October 27, 2024
October 20 (Baptism Reaffirmation) ANNA
ONLINE GIVING
November 10
November 10
Do you give online to Providence? On Sundays, pick up an online giving card as you enter the Narthex and place it in the offering plate during worship!
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