2014 December Communicator

The Communicator ~ December 2014

Church Life

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

Lessons & Carols:

A Service of Hope

A Gently‐Paced Service

& Remembrance

Sunday, December 7 at 3‐3:30 p.m. in the Chapel

Wednesday, December 17 at 7 p.m. in the Chapel

This service includes Holy Communion and is

This service will be a time to remember and give

specially designed for persons who have conditions that

thanks for the life of a loved one who has died; it

limit their ability to sit for an hour‐long service.

will be a time to claim anew the certain promises

Families are encouraged to invite senior relatives and

that are ours through our Savior, whose birth we

those with disabilities.

celebrate.

Taizé Service: Slow Down and Reflect

Church‐Wide

Sunday, December 14 at 6 p.m. at Sardis Baptist Church

Christmas Caroling

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

Sunday, December 21, 4‐6 p.m.

down? Join our wider community as we rest in God’s

Peace. Come to Sardis Baptist Church on December 14th

Join your church family on Sunday, December 21

at 6 p.m. for the Taizé Service. A service of gentle music

from 4‐6 p.m. for an afternoon of Christmas

and quiet reflection.

caroling! We will visit members’ homes, nursing care facilities, and other places to spread Christmas

Friendship Connection

cheer through song. All ages are invited to this intergenerational event!

The Friendship Connection, a fellowship group

We will meet at the church and split into different

for retirees, will meet on Tuesday, December 16

groups to bring happiness through our carols to

at 11 a.m. in the Sardis House. We will enjoy a

members who need it most this time of year. All

program by our Minister of Music, Jared

levels of singing experience are encouraged to

Daugherty, and Associate Director of Music/

come! Grab your kids, grab your parents, and grab

Organist, Kaitlyn Davis.

your neighbors and join us as we visit different

This will feature music of the season, followed by lunch at

homes sharing the birth of Christ through song!

noon. Lunch is $8 per person and reservations are

After we all finish singing, we will meet back at the

required by Friday, December 12. To make lunch

church for some hot chocolate and cookies.

reservations call 704.926.1590 to pay at the door, or

Come brighten someone’s Christmas by sharing the

register and pay online at www.sardis.org.

gift of Christmas carols! For more information,

Questions? Contact Rev. Alice Johnson at 704.366.1854 or

please contact Adrian Martin at 704.778.6432 or

alice.johnson@sardis.org.

adrian.martin@sardis.org.

Church Office Closings:

The church office will be closed at noon on Wednesday, December 24, and all day Thursday and Friday, December 25 & 26 for the Christmas holiday. Any closings or delays due to bad weather will be announced on WSOC‐TV, WCNC, and WBTV, as well as an email to the congregation.

2 The Communicator ~ December 2014

Lay Ministry

The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve.

Room In The Inn

Sunday=Spaghetti Sauce

Don’t forget to continue to bring spaghetti sauce in every Sunday. Drop jars off in the Narthex or Fellowship Hall. Donate a jar to a family in need.

Our New Season Begins Wednesday, December 3

Sardis will once again be participating in the Room In The Inn (RITI) program beginning on December 3, and continuing through the end of March, 2015. We will host every Sunday and Wednesday nights at the Sardis

Habitat for Humanity

House for a total of 34 nights. We still need volunteers

to serve in Owl and Rooster positions and to prepare

You still have time to volunteer to help out with

meals.

the Habitat for Humanity House that is currently in

If you would like to become involved in this exciting

progress! Check out www.sardis.org for more

ministry, please contact Marilyn Taylor at 704.362.2039

information, or contact Dan Norman at

or mtaylor6604@gmail.com. You can also go to

dannoman@northstarvillages.com. This

www.sardis.org, and in the Service Opportunities box

is a fantastic way to give back to our

under Room in the Inn, click “View service opportunity

community and help a family in need.

info,” complete and submit the form.

Christmas Gift Shopping—An Alternative to Shopping Malls!

How many of us ʺenjoyʺ the Christmas rush and the shopping mall crowds? This year, why not avoid the stress and give gifts that not only honor a person on your list, but make an impact on many lives, both locally and around the world. The Sardis Alternative Gift Market is a quick and easy way to get all of your shopping done in just one place. Your gift can help build a better tomorrow for our friends in Bayonnais, Haiti by supporting their education, agriculture, and health efforts. You can also help fight hunger and poverty around the world through a gift from Heifer International. Or, keep it local and help support Loaves & Fishes or Rama Road School by purchasing a “back pack of food.” Find more information online at www.sardis.org. We hope to see you at the Gift Market on one of the following dates: Sunday, December 7th 9:45‐11:15 a.m. · Wednesday, December 10th (during the Christmas Dinner) 5:30‐7:45 p.m.

Sunday, December 14th 9:45‐11:15 a.m. · Sunday, December 21st 9:45‐11:15 a.m.

“God’s Light is Shining”

Our Advent booklet, with a schedule of Bible readings, is now available. There is a lesson for each day of Advent, background information for each reading, questions for reflection and a special devotional for each Sunday of Advent to be used with a family service of candle lighting.

Copies are available in the Narthex and Gathering Place. It will also be posted online, www.sardis.org. Also, on the church website, you may sign up to have the day’s reflections sent to you automatically each day. If you wish to have a copy mailed to you, contact the church office at 704.366.1854.

The Communicator ~ December 2014 3

Church Life

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

Welcome New Members Ryan and Meghan both joined by Reaffirmation of Faith. Ryan works for Accenture and Meghan is an Occupational Therapist at Carolinas Medical Center‐Pineville. They have a four‐month old daughter, Grace Elizabeth.

Marlond joined by Profession of Faith. He is employed at Consolidated Investment Advisors.

April joined by Reaffirmation of Faith and she works for Wells Fargo.

Meghan and Ryan Suntich

Marlond and April Meadows

Session and Diaconate highlights can be found online at www.sardis.org.

October Financial Highlights Thanksgiving is upon us, and Christmas just a quick four weeks later. November and December are critical months for the financial health of Sardis Church. Over the past several years, these two months have accounted for an average of 21% of our yearly total pledged giving. We need your personal assistance and prayers in making these last months of the year financially successful for the church.

While October income exceeded last year’s total, it still was below expectations. Expenses remain well controlled with our cash position better than it has been at this time during the past several years. Thank you again for your faithfulness to the ministry of Christ at Sardis Church.

October

October Expected

This year so far

This year so far expected

Pledges, gifts, and other revenue

$154,347.25

$170,003.33

$1,572,492.83

$1,632,636.30

Expenses

$177,576.64

$174,822.33

$1,653,931.61

$1,775,948.30

Net Total

($23,229.39)

($4,819.00)

($81,438.78)

($143,312.00)

Annual Budget: $2,129,993

Our Church Family Our Christian Sympathy: to Moyer Kethchie upon the death of his sister, Helen Ketchie Beaty, to the family of Beth Livingston, to Mary Lambeth upon the death of her brother Warren ʺRandyʺ Tyler, to Kathy Nenninger upon the death of her mother Katharine Mayurnik, and to Jeanne Harper upon the death of her sister, Barbara Wagner.

Sardis College Students– Christmas Dinner We are excited to have you home for the holidays! We hope you will join us for the College Student Christmas dinner on Monday, December 22, hosted by Nancy and Steve Benton (3327 Lakeside Drive, 28270). This is a great chance to reconnect with your Sardis family! We would also love your participation during the 11:00 p.m. worship service on Christmas Eve as candle lighters. You would meet in the youth room at 10:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve. If you would like to participate in either of these events, please RSVP by texting Dean Bowen at 704.763.7760.

4 The Communicator ~ December 2014

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

Church Life

Stewardship—Making the Choice to Give

Thank you to everyone who has turned in a pledge card for 2015! If you haven’t turned in yours yet, you can mail it to the church office, leave it in the offering plate, or pledge online. We encourage you to consider the following guiding principles as you finalize your plans for financially supporting God’s work at Sardis in 2015.

Stewardship Guiding Principles

1. Stewardship is built on the generosity of God. Deut. 6:10‐12 – When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you—a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant...

2. Stewardship helps us to understand our relationship with God. Genesis 2:15 – The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

3. Stewardship is measured by faithfulness, not by accumulation.

Matt. 6:19‐21 – Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth...but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven...for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

4. Stewardship implies a sharing of our blessings in our lives.

Luke 12:48b – From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

5. Stewardship is spiritual.

I Cor. 4:1‐2 – Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

6. Stewardship is an act of love as Jesus allows us to love others as he loved us.

I Peter 4:7‐10 – Each one should use whatever gift they have received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.

7. Stewardship transcends all ages.

John 6:8‐13 – Parable of Jesus feeding the masses.

Stewardship encompasses a person’s time, talents, and financial resources, as well as a person’s heart.

Mark 12:41‐44 – They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

6. Stewardship accents the positive in that we reserve the best for God. I Chron. 29:3a – Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver.

10. Stewardship demonstrates the strengths of Sardis by spreading the good news of salvation.

End‐of‐Year Reminders from the Finance Office As you complete your 2014 commitments and gifts and make your pledge for 2015, please keep in mind the following helpful hints from the Finance Office: • All 2014 contributions must be postmarked by the U.S. Post Office by no later than December 31, 2014. Any donations received with a postmark of January will be credited to 2015. Contribution statements will be mailed in December showing your 2014 giving activity from January 1‐November 30. Your tax statement with your complete contribution record should be mailed by January 15, 2015.

• 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 that you need. This form is also available on the “Give” tab at www.sardis.org.

The Communicator ~ December 2014 5

Church Life

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

Midweek Study in the New Year

Do you have questions about what it means to be a Christian in a world of great diversity? Do you have questions about what other religions teach and believe? You will begin to get answers in a new study based on Adam Hamilton’s book, “Christianity and World Religions: Wrestling with Questions People Ask.” Adam Hamilton is the pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. His church is one of the largest and fastest growing congregations within the Methodist denomination. The study will include video presentations and handouts prepared by Rev. Hamilton. It will meet on Wednesday evenings, January 7 through February 11, from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. His book is not required to participate in the study, but it is highly recommended that participants have a copy to read in preparation for class each week. The books are $9.50 and may be purchased through Jane Fobel. In order to insure that enough copies are ordered, please order by Friday, Dec. 19. Order by calling 704‐366‐1854 or email jane.fobel@sardis.org.

Sardis Weekday School Registration 2015‐2016

IN JANUARY, we have crib room openings for children ages 6 months‐11 months on Mondays.

Registration for the 2015‐2016 school year begins in January! NEW for the 2015‐2016 school year: ALL classes will have a 5 day option! SWS will begin school on August 25 for the 2015‐2016 school year and will end on June 9, just like CMS, adding three weeks to our school year!

New registrations will be accepted in the Director’s office beginning at 9:30 a.m. on the following dates:

We are also adding a Monday option to our Wednesday Toddler class offering. If you are interested, please contact Louise Lippi at 704‐366‐9681 or louise.lippi@sardis.org.

Please join us for our Christmas Pageant on Thursday, December 18 at 11 a.m.

Currently enrolled children and

January 5: their siblings

Thanks to another successful Consignment Sale,

January 26: Church members not currently enrolled

all of our classrooms!

Alfred the Elf will be visiting SWS with goodies for

January 27: Community Crib (6 months – 12 months) 1 day (Monday) 2 day (to be determined)

Toddlers: must be one by August 31 2 day (Tuesday/Thursday) 3 day (Monday/Wednesday/Friday) 5 day (Monday – Friday)

Three year olds: must be three by August 31 3 day (Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday) 4 day ( Monday – Thursday) 5 day (Monday – Friday)

Four year olds: must be four by August 31 4 day (Monday – Thursday) 5 day (Monday – Friday)

Two year olds: Must be two by August 31 2 day (Tuesday/Thursday) 3 day (Monday/Wednesday/Friday) 5 day ( Monday – Friday)

**Relink your Harris Teeter VIC Card with Sardis Weekday School #3452** facebook.com/SardisWeekdaySchool

Questions? Contact Louise Lippi, Director, at 704.366.9681 · www.sardisweekdayschool.org 6 The Communicator ~ December 2014

“Let the little children come unto me.”

Zone 4/5: Share a Joyful Noise at Plantation Estates!

Sunday School Reminder

December 28.

Attention Zone 4/5 members! Join us for

There will be no children’s or youth Sunday School held on

Christmas caroling at Plantation Estates on December 14! Meet at 12 p.m. for lunch in the Sardis House and make Christmas cards. We will carol at Plantation Estates and pass out

LOGOS Second Semester Begins on January 14, 2015

cards from 1‐2 p.m. and then at 2:30 your

The LOGOS Program is a midweek faith

parents will pick you up at Sardis House.

and fellowship program for ministry

Please bring $5/child for lunch.

with children and their families in our

church. It is a structured “retreat every

RSVP to Jenni Smith at jennivsmith@aol.com.

week,” or a weekly Vacation Bible

We look forward to seeing you there! Make

School type experience! Children and adults make bonds of

sure to wear festive Christmas attire!

friendship that can last through a child’s experience at our church. You may register online at www.sardis.org.

Breakfast with Mary and Joseph

Please join us in the Fellowship Hall on Saturday, December 6 at 9 a.m. for the Breakfast with Mary and Joseph. Come for a light breakfast, the children will participate in a interactive telling of the Christmas story, and a craft time to create a Christmas triptych— it really is easy! The cost is $10/family or $4/person.

Please register at www.sardis.org. We hope to see you there!

Advent Devotional Book Coming!

Be sure to look inside the Advent

Sardis Christmas Pageant!

Devotional booklet that is coming, for

a guide on a family Advent Wreath

Sunday, December 14

devotion each week.

During the Sunday School Hour The Communicator ~ December 2014 7 7

The Communicator Published monthly by Sardis Presbyterian Church 6100 Sardis Road Charlotte, NC 28270 www.sardis.org

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