2017 December Communicator

The Communicator ~ December 2017

Church Life

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

December Friendship Connection Friendship

Connection,

a

fellowship

group

A Gentle Service for Our for

retirees, will meet on Tuesday, December 19 for a program at 11:00 a.m., followed by lunch. The program will be a special program of Christmas music presented

by Sardis’ Minister of Music, Jared Daugherty, and Associate Music Director, Kaitlyn Davros. Reservations are needed for lunch, $10 per person, and need to be made by noon on Friday, December 15. You may make your reservation online at www.sardis.org or call the reservation line, 704.926.1590.

Homebound Members On Sunday, December 10, at 3:00 p.m., we will have our annual gently‐paced service of Lessons and Carols with Communion. This service is held in the chapel, is 30 minutes in length, and is designed to be comfortable for people who have limited mobility or memory issues. This service is offered not only for our Sardis members, but also for those in our community who would welcome a gently‐paced service in the Christmas season.

Welcome, New Sardis Members!

We are proud to welcome our new Sardis members, Kelly and Paul Creech, and their daughters Madelyn and Kathryn. The Creech family joined in October.

Let’s help to make them feel welcome!

PERUSA Financial Support PERUSA is joint initiative of the Network of Joining Hands‐Peru (Red Uniendo Manos‐Peru, or RUM) and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to help improve the lives of impoverished populations in rural Peru, working jointly with short‐term volunteer teams from the USA. PERUSA currently consists of a director, Miriam Laura, and two PCUSA Mission Co‐workers, Sara Armstrong and Rusty Edmundson. Sara and Rusty are supported by Sardis Presbyterian Church by our Mission Interpretation Ministry’s annual funding.

In addition to our support for the Mission Co‐workers, the Mission Interpretation Ministry approved a request in October to provide funds of $2,250 to support the first year of operation of PERUSA until they can become self‐sustaining through funds from visiting teams. This initial year will establish new partnerships between

PC(U.S.A.) and the member organizations of RUM, and we wish them all the best as they work on expanding the Regis network.

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The Communicator ~ December 2017

Church Life

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

2018 Women’s Retreat Registration is now open for the 2018 Women’s Retreat. Join us as we get away for two nights at Camp Dogwood in beautiful Lake Norman, NC on Friday, February 9 through Sunday, February 11. Allison Barnhill will lead a study on “From Fear to Faith: A Study of Sarah.” Leading us in music and worship will be Jacob Hare.

The cost is $150 for a double occupancy room or $215 for a single room (space is limited). You may register online or pick up a registration form from the church office. Payment may be made to Sardis Presbyterian Church and mailed to 6100 Sardis Rd., Charlotte, NC 28270. Questions? Contact Suzanne Weston at srweston216@gmail.com.

Holiday Closings

CDs Available for Purchase

The church office will close at 11:00 a.m. on

Linda McKechnieʹs CDs are now

Friday, December 22, and will be closed all day

available for sale at the front office

Monday, December 25 and Tuesday, December

at Sardis during office hours. All

26 for the Christmas holiday. Any closings or

CDs

delays due to inclement weather will be

www.lindamckechnie.com to order

announced on WSOC, WCNC, and WBTV, in

online with a flat shipping fee of

an email to the congregation, and on sardis.org.

$8.

are

$8

each.

Check

out

It’s Not Too Late to Pledge!

Jeff Wilkinson

“I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.” – Maya Angelou In November we had the opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to Sardis and to those in the community and world that Sardis supports by submitting our pledges for 2018. It is through these pledges that we establish the annual operating budget which determines the level of spending that is available for items such as worship, mission, adult and youth Christian education opportunities, property needs, congregational care and many more items.

This year’s campaign theme is focused on “Sharing the Love.” As you prayerfully consider your 2018 pledge, please take the time to reflect on how your faith has grown through the Sharing of Love at Sardis and the opportunities that you have had to impact the lives of those around you through the love of Jesus Christ.

It is not too late! If you have not submitted your pledge yet, please do so as soon as possible so Sardis can continue to offer the extremely valuable programs and ministries outlined above. I also encourage you to view the video provided by Pastor Actionnel Fleurisma at www.sardis.org/give/stewardship. In the video, Pastor Actionnel explains how our focus of Sharing the Love through our contributions of time and money have impacted the

community inup Bayonnais, Haiti. It is through the contributions of money, time and talents of each member at ster at sardis.org or pick a Sardis, that we can truly make a difference in the lives of all!

The Communicator ~ December 2017

3

Church Life

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

Year-End Giving As you complete your 2017 commitments and gifts and make your pledge for 2018, please keep in mind the following helpful hints from the Finance Office: 

All 2017 contributions must be postmarked by the U.S. Post Office no later than December 31, 2017. Any donations received with a postmark of January will be credited to 2018. Contribution statements will be mailed in December showing your 2017 giving activity from January 1‐November 30. Your tax statement with your complete contribution record should be mailed by January 16, 2018.



We appreciate all gifts given to Sardis during this time of year. If you wish to donate stock, please contact David Cauble of Cauble Schrift 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.

Charitable Giving Through Your IRA Individuals 70½ or older may donate up to $100,000 annually to qualified charities through their traditional Individual Retirement Accounts. Donations are made directly from the IRA plan administrator. These distributions can count toward the IRA owner’s “required minimum distribution” (RMD) but arenʹt included in your adjusted gross income.

If you think you might benefit from this form of giving, please contact your financial advisor, accountant, or tax preparer for more information.

Session Highlights can be found at www.sardis.org under the News & Events tab.

Financial Highlights October

October expected

This year so far

This year so far expected

Pledges, gifts, and other revenue

$148,474.80

$144,795.52

$1,626,341.33

$1,595,539.81

Expenses

$166,458.29

$157,348.01

$1,658,906.27

$1,698,106.05

Net Total

($17,983.49)

($12,552.49)

($32,564.94)

($102,566.24)

Annual Budget: $2,076,000

Our Church Family Our Christian Sympathy to Sally Robinson on the death of her mother, Nancy Robinson, to Katie Harrington on the death of her grandfa‐ ther, Roger Hackett, to the family of Bill Proctor upon his death and to the family of Jane Keziah upon her death.

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The Communicator ~ December 2017

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

Lay Ministry

Want an Easy Way to Volunteer?

Did you know that Sardis feeds upwards of 150 homeless neighbors the first Sunday of every month at the Salvation Army Center of Hope Shelter for Women and Children? Would you like to help? Here’s how: Bring food to church just four Sundays a year. A frozen lasagna, some fruit, or a dessert. Other volunteers cook it at the Salvation Army Center of Hope Women and Children’s Center. If interested, contact Kathy Templeman at dgktempleman@carolina.rr.com or 704.302.3829.

Room In The Inn Needs Volunteers Do you have just three hours from December 3 – March 28 to volunteer at our Room In The Inn ministry? We need help making beds, fellowship at dinner, directing laundry and showers, socializing after dinner, keeping watch overnight, serving breakfast, giving out lunches, and showing hospitality to 13 homeless neighbors on Sunday and Wednesday nights during those months. Families are welcome! Here are the times for each group: Greeter: 5:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.; Social 7:45 p.m. – 10:45 p.m.; Owl 10:45 p.m. – 4:45 a.m.; Rooster 4:45 a.m. – 6:30 a.m.

For further information contact Marilyn Taylor at mtaylor6604@gmail.com. To volunteer for dinner and/or lunch preparation, contact Jane Tilley at jtilley8084@gmail.com, To volunteer as a team host, sign up online at www.sardis.org. Click on the “serve” tab and choose “Service Opportunities”, then “Room in the Inn.”

Great job! At the Red Cross Blood Drive on October 22, 21 units of blood were collect‐

Year Two For Our Newest Advent Tradition!

Last year, we began a new tradition with the “Reverse Advent Calendar.” We had a great response, and people found it a meaningful way to celebrate the Christmas holidays and the gift of a Savior born for us. We are invited to mark the days of Advent with “The Reverse Advent Calendar.”

The Reverse Advent Calendars use two 12 bottle wine boxes. Wine boxes with dividers are often available at your local grocery or wine store, or in room 218 (while supplies last).

The Reverse Advent Calendar guides will be available in room 218 where an example of a completed Reverse Advent Calendar will be on display. For each day, December 1 – 24, the guide will list an object to be placed in the corresponding numbered slot. The objects may be toothbrushes for Room In The Inn or spaghetti noodles for Loaves & Fishes. With each day there will also be listed scripture to be read and a prayer request.

After Christmas, return the boxes to Room 218 by January 7, 2018. Community Service Ministry will sort and deliver the contents to the appropriate agencies, as designated within the Reverse Advent Calendar Guide.

As we engage in giving back this Advent, we look forward to making the new year brighter for those in our community who are in need.

The Communicator ~ December 2017

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Youth ministry

“…set an example for the believers… 1 Timothy 4:12.”

Calling All College-Aged Sardis Members!

Please join us for an evening of fun, fellowship, and food! All current college students are invited to a Christmas Gathering at the home of Karen and Chuck Bohlen on Monday, December 18. Invite your friends to join you at 5525 Providence Glen Road, Charlotte 28270 at 6:30 p.m.

Contact Karen Bohlen via phone or text at 704.222.6298 or email at kbohlen@earthlink.net with questions or to let her to let her know you will be attending. This is a great chance for our college members to re‐connect during the holidays. Hope to see you there!

Sunday Night Fellowship Our Sunday Night Fellowship program is winding down for the semester. We have been led by our theme of “Following Jesus” examining what Jesus told the disciples and early followers, trying to apply these teachings to our lives. Even though we only have a couple of Sunday Night Fellowships left for 2017, we will start back on January 7, 2018.

We hope all 6th through 12th grade students will join us for this meaningful time on Sunday evenings this year.

For more information, please contact Adrian Martin at 704.366.1854.

Star Wars Episode 7: The Force Awakens

Star Wars Episode 8: The Last Jedi Thursday, December 14 7:00 p.m.

Cinebarre in the Arboretum

Wednesday, December 13 6:30‐9:00 p.m.

Fellowship Hall

Contact Adrian Martin at

Free of Charge and open to the

704.778.6432 to see if tickets are still available.

congregation and friends. Please bring something to sit on

and a snack to share.

High School Ski Retreat The High School Ski Retreat will be Friday, January 26 through Saturday, January 27.

Join us for this retreat as we spend time in fellowship on the ski slopes and in devotion. Please register by Christmas Eve to reserve your place. You may find more information on our website at www.sardis.org/ministries/youth.

We hope to see you on the slopes!

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The Communicator ~ December 2017

“Let the little children come unto me.”

December 3 - Childrenʹs Advent Workshop Have you ever heard of a Christingle?

Come learn about the meaning of Advent as we participate in hands‐on Advent crafts including an advent wreath,

ornament

making,

cookie

decorating, card making, games and more! Children will also make their own Christingle to bring home and share with their families! Meet in room 205‐206, 4:30‐6:00 p.m.

Sardis Weekday School Happenings!

The families and staff of Sardis Weekday School were proud to participate in providing Thanksgiving dinner for 20 local families in need through a wonderful charity called Families Forward Charlotte. To learn more about this great cause, visit www.familiesforwardcharlotte.org.

Registration for the 2018-2019 school year begins on January 2! Community registration begins on Monday, January 22. For more information, please contact Louise Lippi at Louise.lippi@sardis.org or 704.366.9681.

Please join us for our Christmas Pageant and SWS sponsored bake sale! On Thursday, December 14 at 11 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. Come by prior to or after

The families of SWS will be Christmas caroling for local shut‐ins on December 22! If anyone would like to join in, contact Kelly Cruse at kellymcruse@yahoo.com.

the program to purchase some holiday sweets. All proceeds go to SWS. All are welcome!

The illusive Alfred the Elf, who hails from the North Pole, is sure to make his yearly visit to SWS! The only evidence of his arrival would be the Christmas presents left in each classroom!

The Communicator ~ December 2017

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The Communicator

Non�Profit Org.

Published monthly by

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Sardis Presbyterian Church

Charlotte, NC

6100 Sardis Road Charlotte,

NC

Permit #1059

28270

www.sardis.org

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The Communicator ~ December 2017