December 2017 Newsletter

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December 2017 Our Mission: To fulfill our call to be the physical presence of Jesus Christ... by worshipping God with passion, intentionally growing in faith, proclaiming the gospel with grace, and humbly serving in love.

Contents:

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Christmas at Weddington THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE MESSIAH

Page 1:

Christmas 2017

Page 2:

Monthly Reflection

Page 3:

Missions and Outreach

Join us this Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

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Pastoral Care

Page 5:

Adult Ministries

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Adult Ministries

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Adult Ministries

Fourth Sunday of Advent Services - December 24 9:30 AM Praise and Worship with Praise Bands in the Family Life Center* 10:00 AM Bilingual Worship at the Monroe Campus 11:00 AM Traditional Worship with Chancel Choir in the Sanctuary* 11:00 AM Traditional Worship at the Bonds Grove Campus

Page 8:

WCP & Children

Page 9:

WCA & Youth

Page 10: Music & Evangelism Page 11: Announcements Page 12: Church Information

Christmas Eve Services 3:00 PM Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary with Chancel Choir, Children’s Choir, Brass and Percussion Ensemble* 5:00 PM Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary with Chancel Choir, Children’s Choir, Brass and Percussion Ensemble* 6:00 PM at the Monroe Campus 7:00 PM Praise and Worship in the Family Life Center with the Praise and Worship Bands* 9:00 PM at the Bonds Grove Campus 11:00 PM Candlelight Service in the Sanctuary with soloists, Brass and Percussion Ensemble *Childcare available for children ages 4 and under in the nursery wing.

WELCOME TO WEDDINGTON UMC The Weddington UMC family is a vibrant and growing congregation, and we invite you to become a part of this exciting and dynamic church, as we seek to serve as the Body of Christ in our world. God is doing great things in and through this church. We offer a variety of worship styles and ministry opportunities.

We would love to have you join us for worship, ministry, and service. As the church, we are a family. To learn more about WUMC, attend a Meet Weddington session to get to know the staff and learn more about the church. For more information on Meet Weddington see page 11.

Monthly Reflections - Rev. Dr. Terry L. Moore Christmas: The Christ Mass It is almost Christmas. We are “making our lists and checking them twice.” We are decorating our homes.

The Altar Guild beautifully decorated the church. We are celebrating the gift of the Christ Child. We are preparing to receive this gift from God once again. It is almost Christmas.

Christmas means the Christ Mass. It is the celebration of the Christ or Messiah. Christ and Messiah mean the same thing, “the anointed.” The Old Testament was written in Hebrew. Messiah is the Hebrew word. The New Testament was written in Greek. Christ is the Greek word.

In the Old Testament, kings were anointed. When the people wanted a king, God called Samuel, the priest, to go and anoint Saul as the first king of Israel: 1 Samuel 10:1 (NRSV) 1 Samuel took a vial of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed him; he said, "The LORD has anointed you ruler over his people Israel. You shall reign over the people of the LORD and you will save them from the hand of their enemies all around. Now this shall be the sign to you that the LORD has anointed you ruler over his heritage: Later, Samuel anointed David who became the greatest king in all of Israel: 1 Samuel 16:12b-13 (NRSV) 12 The LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; for this is the one." 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward.

As time went on, Solomon was anointed king. But the people and their kings began to turn away from God. Israel was divided into Israel in the north and Judah in the south.

The Assyrians would conquer Israel.

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Jerusalem and the South would later fall to Babylon. The people would be taken into captivity. By the time of Jesus, Rome was occupying Israel.

God did not forget the covenant. God had promised that God would provide a new king in the line of David who would establish the kingdom of God. This would be the Messiah, the Christ. The people of God needed one anointed by God to deliver them, to offer forgiveness and salvation. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son (John 3:16). God’s only son himself would be the long awaited Messiah, God’s anointed king. The Son of God would be the King of king and Lord of lords. God would provide the Savior, the Messiah, the Christ, the Lord.

Luke 2:10-12 (NRSV) 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah [Christ], the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger."

Christmas is the celebration that God has offered to the world the savior. Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, is the Christ, the Messiah, the anointed one of God. This King is willing to die on a cross for us. Through this amazing gift, we are offered forgiveness, deliverance, and everlasting life.

We are offered hope, peace, joy, and love.

It is almost Christmas. On Christmas Eve, we will celebrate this anointed one of God with the Christ mass. We will join with Simon Peter and proclaim, "You are the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of the living God." Matthew 16:16 (NRSV).

Merry Christmas, Rev. Dr. Terry L. Moore, Senior Pastor

Missions . Rev. Rocio Ávila-Ramírez.

Missions

Foreign Mission Chairperson .

Bob Consoli

Local Mission Opportunities Advent is a joy filled time! The Holy Spirit is inspiring hearts, minds, and bodies. This December, know that there will be many opportunities for you and your family to serve God and neighbor through your love and presence. All are welcomed!

• Angel Tree (opportunity to give gifts to children): available in Helms Hall, FLC, and Bonds Grove Campus • Room In the Inn (hosting our homeless neighbors): weekends of December 8-9 and 15-16 at the Hemby House • Gift of Giving (Christmas Shop for children): December 9 from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. in the Monroe Fellowship Hall • Operation Sandwich (partnership with Urban Ministry): December 9 at 9:00 a.m. at the Weddington Fellowship Hall • Christmas Caroling in Monroe: December 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the Monroe Campus Fellowship Hall • Posada: December 8, 15, and 22 at 7:00 p.m. at the Monroe Campus Sanctuary/Fellowship Hall • Christmas Feast: December 16 at 6:00 p.m. at Turning Point and Monroe Campus Fellowship Hall This year, God has been very generous and provided us with a gift of 200 hams to serve to the community! Each ham serves 4-5 people. Turning Point, a domestic violence women’s shelter, is welcoming us to their dinner and kitchen. Due to delicate needs, only a handful of people will be able to serve at that location. However Turning Point is a block away from our Monroe Campus where we will serve as many people as we are able to. We will have carolling in the Sanctuary for those waiting for a table and the Fellowship Hall will be a warm and welcoming dining area. Although we expect to serve many, we also expect some left over hams. The following day, December 17 at 4:00 p.m., we plan to walk an area of the community a bit further out and deliver hams door to door. For some, this may be the ham they need for their Christmas meal for their homes.

For further information on any of these service opportunities, please call the office. Also know that spaces will fill quickly especially for the Christmas Feast. Call as soon as you are able to sign-up! Feliz Navidad/Merry Christmas!

Costa Rica Mission Trip 2018 The WUMC Costa Rica Building Team will be going to Belen, Costa Rica to build an addition onto the church school. The 1st Team will leave on Friday, January 19, 2018 and return on the 26th. The 2nd Team will leave on January 26, 2018 and return on February 2. The cost of the trip is $1,200 which includes airfare, transportation, breakfast & lunch, and hotel accommodations.

No building experience is necessary. Please call Bob Consoli at 704-968-2300 if you are interested in joining the team.

Kenya Mission Trips 2018 God’s Grace for All Nations – 10th Anniversary July/August - Come join the Kenya Mission Team as they help celebrate this important milestone. The Team will work with the children at the Orphanage, conduct a regional VBS for hundreds of local children, feed remote villages in the Samburu, worship with Pastors of the GGFAN and experience unconditional love.

March – We are considering a spring trip that would include a communications team to focus on increasing GGFAN’s social media reach and preparing materials for the 10th Anniversary celebrations. Vision/health screening is also being considered.

Contact Bradd Blocker/Paula Burnett to reserve your spot: dblocker@carolina.rr.com or paula@ wellsfargochamionship.com.

We are looking for anyone interested in joining us that would be interested in teaching VBS, working with the children at Home of the Good Shepherd with a tutoring program, taking the children to a National Park, working with the Famine Relief program, working on information technology, and any other need that God has planned for us.

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Pastoral Care Pastoral Care Ministry . Rev. Ed Briggs GriefShare Testimony "After seeing the banner for GriefShare at our church over the years, my curiosity finally got the better of me. It was announced one Sunday that a new session was beginning the following Wednesday, so I finally decided to go.

My grief was rather delayed… by 26 years. I was curious if I had properly dealt with my grief or had I just bottled things up over the years. As I began to experience additional grief over my father’s death and the death of two friends, I worried that my grief was mounding.

My husband and I lost our first child, our sweet Laura Jane. She was seemingly healthy for the first three months and then began to lose weight. One test led to another, and it was finally determined that she had a brain tumor, a Pilocytic Astrocytoma tumor. Neurosurgery was at four months of age at Duke Hospital. Long- term stay followed at an open ward ICU, where Laura Jane was surrounded by the most critically ill children I had witnessed. It was a true nightmare to see. I was just 26 years old, young and naïve, thinking that all children would be born healthy and have a happy life. It was a devastating blow to say the least. Chemotherapy followed and we continued our stay at Duke. After another MRI months later, we found out her tumor was larger than before surgery and chemotherapy was not working. We stopped all cancer treatments and welcomed Hospice care for the next 18 months. Laura Jane passed away eight days after her second birthday. We had a nine month old baby son at home who needed our care and soon I found out I was expecting another baby. We so longed for normal that the last thing we wanted to do was sit in a room with other parents who had lost a child, so we declined all offers of grief support from Hospice.

Here it is 26 years later and my husband and I are at Grief Share at the Hemby House. The Hemby House is warm and inviting and is the perfect setting for GriefShare. GriefShare is an incredible ministry our church offers. We meet once a week for 13 weeks. Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions. However, if you do miss a session or two, you are not behind, as there is a new topic each week. The most important factor of GriefShare for me is that it is spiritually based.

There are incredible facilitators who lead our group sessions. We begin and end with prayer. We have an object lesson followed by a video and then have a question/answer session. We share our experiences, if desired, and we form friendships with others. We have a workbook with daily exercises to help work our way through grief. Scriptures are read and discussed which allow us to realize God is always with us and how important it is to rely on Him. So, what have I learned? Well, I have learned that there is no perfect way to grieve. I have learned that I did many things right in my grief and there are some things I would do differently now. I have learned the importance of grieving with others. I have learned that helping others helps you. I have learned the importance of gratitude. Give gratitude to God who allowed you the privilege to have had your loved one in your life. I have been reminded that God is the one who sees you through your trials. I have learned that life is a series of trials. If you rely on God, each trial builds faith and character and enables you to help others. I cannot imagine experiencing grief without relying on God and His promise of eternal life. Time will pass. It does not mean that you will not miss your loved one. You always will. However, you will learn to reflect on your memories with a warm smile instead of tears. God will give you strength. Overcoming grief to me is somewhat like having heightened senses. Joy and happiness do return, and when they do, you are so grateful. God is good. God is so good."

-Donna Branham “Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

Alzheimer and Dementia Support Group Taking care of a loved one who has Alzheimer’s or dementia can be physically, emotionally, and spiritually draining. This is why we are seeking to offer a support group for caregivers that would meet once a month beginning in January. We need to know when would be the best time of day to schedule this support group. Please contact Rev. Ed Briggs at the church office to let him know what time of day works best for you.

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Adult Ministries DivorceCare Testimony "The code word was 'Mistletoe.' Borrowed from a movie, it was the signal that we were to make a hasty exit. I had talked myself into and out of attending DivorceCare so many times that, when the day of the first class arrived, I changed my mind hourly. What if I wasn’t ready to speak to people about my divorce? What if I was past the worst of the emotional part, and attending DivorceCare reopened old wounds? What if the others in the class judged me for the choices I have made? That’s where 'Mistletoe' came in. A friend who had attended DivorceCare several years ago convinced me that it would be a positive experience, and agreed to accompany me to the first class, armed with an escape plan. Then, a funny thing happened… I never used it.

I met others who were in the same situation as me… some older, some younger, all from different backgrounds, and all doing our best to navigate one of the most challenging times in our lives. And, it turned out that we were all equally hesitant about being there. The first time it was my turn to speak, I said 'I’ll pass,' and that was okay. There was no pressure and no judgment, only compassion and understanding. The people in the class were also struggling, and looking for support and guidance. It took me a while, but I found myself opening up and telling my story, and finding support and encouragement from the group. I realized I was looking forward to the class meetings and to seeing the six people who have become a very important part of my life. We shared tears over tragic stories, optimism over hopeful stories, and even laughs over funny stories. Even the moderators shared their divorce experiences because they were also one of “us.”

Through the 13 weeks of DivorceCare, I have been heard, been supported, been challenged, gained clarity, and realized that things will get better. Best of all, I have gained friendships that will grow as they continue into this new phase in my life, and I have found myself feeling closer to God than I have in a long time. If you are going through a divorce and you too are seeking a little help and you are not sure where to turn, you may want to consider attending DivorceCare – you never know what treasures you might find. And you can always keep an escape plan in your back pocket." -Ann-Mareé Triplett Pettengill

Women's Ministry Lucy Price Circle invites all ladies of WUMC to our December meeting on Tuesday evening, December 12, at 6:30 at Bonds Grove Fellowship Hall as we celebrate the Christmas season with a pot luck dinner, exchanging Christmas ornaments in a fun game of Dirty Santa, and collecting gifts to brighten the season for a family that has a very sick child. Bring a dish to share for the meal that will begin at 6:30, and an ornament or Christmas item in the $10 range for the Dirty Santa game. Gift suggestions for the family will be sent by email to those on our distribution list.

Another event that you are invited to participate in will be on Tuesday evening December 5 when we will host House of Pearls for Christmas at the Billy Graham Library. This is a wonderful time to visit the library. They have carriage rides and a live nativity in addition to the normal tour of the Billy Graham Homeplace and Library. Those interested in joining us can meet in front of the Family Life Center at 4:00 p.m. to ride together or at the Billy Graham Library at 4:30 p.m. Please contact Carolyn Canzonieri if you are interested but were not at our November meeting.

The Lucy Price Circle normally meets on the second Tuesday evening from September through May. For more information, contact Carolyn Canzonieri at cpc.canzonieri@gmail.com.

Susanna Wesley Circle (SWC) Please join us for our Susanna Wesley Christmas Circle meeting on Friday, December 1, from 9:30-11:30 in Helms Hall. We will be celebrating the season with a cookie exchange and some fun and games! Please bring a plate of cookies to share and we will provide the bags so that you can each take home a bunch of fun and tasty Christmas cookies. Childcare is available in the nursery wing from 9:15-11:45 a.m. Please bring a friend (or two! or three!) to share in the great fellowship that SWC has to offer. We look forward to seeing many of you here!

If you have any questions, please contact secretaryswc@gmail.com.

Mary Martha Circle will meet on Friday, December 1, at 11:30 a.m. for a Christmas Luncheon at Bravo Restaurant.

We are still collecting warm hats and gloves for the children who attend Homework Help at the Monroe Campus. We will continue our Bible Series entitled Broken and Blessed by Jessica LaGrone at our January 5, 2018, meeting. We welcome all ladies of the church to join us in 2018 for fellowship and spiritual growth.

Contact Mary Revels at revelsmary@carolina.rr.com or Tommie Craig at tommiecraig@carolina.rr.com for more information.

We wish everyone a blessed and joyful Christmas!

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Adult Ministries . Rev. Mark Curtis Resource Center : Great Books! Staff Recommendation - Carolyn Nelson The Pine Tree Parable by Liz Curtis Higgs Do you even wonder if your family really understands how to bless others at Christmas or how important it really is? This month’s book choice can help by telling a story of how important it is to give to others who are less fortunate than yourself. The book, The Pine Tree Parable, is a delightful story of a farmer and his family. The family nurtures tiny seedlings that becomes fragrant Christmas trees. You can watch the trees grow throughout the book as well as the children! One tree in particular is kept throughout the years and is very special to the mother. As you come to the ending of the book, (don’t worry I won’t give it away) you will read how very special it is to give to others—especially what is most important. The book is filled with sweet and adorable illustrations that help the story come alive. There are also coordinating verses of scripture on each page. These scriptures give the story a biblical aspect that makes the book even more endearing. Take some time to look up these verses as a family while you are reading the book. The author, Liz Curtis Higgs, does an amazing job helping us understand what Christmas really is about and what it means to give a true gift. Take some time this holiday season to read this beautiful story and watch it become a favorite that you will pull out year after year.

You can check out a copy of this Great Book! as well as many other fine Christian resources from the WUMC Resource Center located just off of Helms Hall in Room 212 in the Sanctuary Building or online at www.weddingtonchurch.org/resource-center.

The Resource Center is currently open only on Sunday mornings from 9:15 until 12:15 and is volunteer staffed. If you are interested in helping in this ministry, please contact resourcecenter@weddingtonchurch.org.

Resource Center We are delighted to expand our collection of works by C.S. Lewis. He is considered by many to be one of the great Christian theologians and apologists of the 20th Century. Yet, it is perhaps his works of children’s fiction such as The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe that truly captured our hearts and touched our souls. Merry Christmas from all of us at the WUMC Resource Center!

Life Group Launch Life Group Launch - Sunday, January 14 in the Family Life Center 4:00-5:30 p.m.

Our Life Group Launch will allow you to find out more about our Life Group ministry! But most importantly, this is your chance to get the real scoop from different Life Group leaders about what their group is all about and which one fits you best! Do they pray together? Socialize together?

Study a book of the Bible together? Are they women/ men/co-ed? Do they have children? And when and how often do they meet?

Get answers to all of your questions about Life Groups in one place! For more information contact Rev. Mark Curtis.

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Adult Ministries Kings & Queens . Sandra McKee The Kings & Queens will meet on Thursday, December 14 at 10:00 a.m. in the Multipurpose room of the Family Life Center. Justin Lineberry, Director of Praise & Worship, will do a program of Christmas music for us. Come and enjoy the music, fellowship, Bingo, and a delicious home cooked meal. All are invited.

Myrtle Beach Trip: December 5-7 We will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 5 at the back parking lot of the Fellowship Hall at our Weddington Campus. We will have lunch at Cracker Barrel on the way. Dress is casual.

Golden Corral Luncheon Wednesday, December 20 at 11:30 a.m.

The Harmony Road Quartet at the November meeting: R-L, Ron Reingardt, Neil Wetz, Marty Westover, and Wally Drexler

United Methodist Men (UMM)

Upcoming Bible Study

Men’s Connection Breakfast The United Methodist

New study Everyday Conversations will begin January 13, led by Rev. Amy Hutchison. The study will last 9 weeks, on Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. Location TBD. To register for this study, please go to our website or contact Rev. Amy.

Men meet in the Youth Center of the Family Life Center from 7:30-9:00 a.m. twice a month on Sunday for food, fellowship, and to discuss various topics. All men are welcome!

December Meeting UMM will only meet once in December on the 10th, due to Christmas.

Elections were held in November and all existing officers agreed to serve another term. Planning begins in December for the 2018 year's programs. Anyone wishing to contribute or learn more can contact Keith Long at kblong68@yahoo.com.

Adult Sunday Classes and Studies

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Weddington Christian Preschool . Emily Campbell, Director News and Announcements During this time of faith and family, may the True meaning of Christmas fill your heart with His Love and Perfect Peace. Merry Christmas from WCP! WCP Advent Program December 7 You’re invited to be blessed by our 4 and 5 year old classes as they tell us through song about the incredible gift God gave us that first Christmas! Our Weddington Campus Program is at 11:30 a.m., and our Bonds Grove Campus Program is December 11, at 6:00 p.m. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year!

Registration for the 2018-2019 school year will open to our church members on December 15. Registration for families currently enrolled at WCP will be handled through backpacks January 2 through 18, 2018. Registration for the community will be made available through an Intent to Register Form that may be printed from our website January 2-18, 2018. This form may also be picked up and turned in during facility tours offered in January. Please visit our website for important dates, forms, and details. All forms due by January 18, 2018.

A WCP Weddington Campus Tour will be offered on December 6, , January 3, 9, 17, and 31. Please R.S.V.P. to 704-849-7628 or wcp@weddingtonchurch.org to attend, and please be sure to leave a contact phone number. Tours will start at the main WUMC sanctuary entrance near the fountain at 2:00 p.m. To respect the privacy and security of children and families enrolled at WCP, tours will be offered on the Bonds Grove campus by appointment only. Please call 704-843-6785 or email BGCPS@weddingtonchurch.org.

Connect with WCP Be sure to Like WCP on Facebook for all of the latest news, info, and more!

Children’s Ministry . Carolyn Nelson News and Announcements Here this Advent Season! Have you heard about the Elf on the Shelf? Well, we have "The Shepherd on the Search." Meet Pablo! This little guy is looking hard everywhere to find baby Jesus. Will you join him on the search? Join us on our Facebook Group (“The Ark Children’s Ministry”) and follow us on Instagram (@thearkwumc) to follow him on his search throughout the week. Look at the KidCheck Station for your clue to find him on Sunday mornings. You just might find a special gift that he has just for you!

GLOW Is Coming Join us on Friday, December 1 from 6:30-9:00 p.m. in the FLC for a night of Christmas fun. We will play Christmas games, eat pizza, sing Christmas songs, and hear a Bible message using a candy cane.

Christmas Eve Helpers Needed Childcare helpers are needed in one of our three nurseries for our Christmas Eve services at 3:00, 5:00, and 7:00 p.m. Will you and your family come and serve? Please reach out to Emily Gray at emily.weddingtonchildcare@gmail.com to learn how you can bless our littlest angels.

Christmas Eve Schedule On December 24 we will have nursery and Sunday morning classes through 4 year old class. Children in Kindergarten through 5th grade can join their family in worship.

Christmas Eve Nursery Care available at the 3:00, 5:00, and 7:00 p.m. services for children up to age 4.

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Children's Ministries Weddington Christian Academy . Adell Keen, Principal Merry Christmas from WCA! The Christmas season is a special time at WCA. During this holiday season the students and families of WCA express the love of Christ by collecting shoeboxes filled with goodies for Operation Christmas Child, collecting Toys for Tots, providing gifts for Angel Tree children, and collecting items for the homeless.

The teachers and staff of WCA would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!

2017-2018 School Year Theme: 1 Corinthians 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. #ManyPartsOneBody

WCA students praying for outgoing Operation Christmas Child boxes

Christmas card signed

by WCA staff

Youth Ministry . Charlie Brown & Rev. Meredith Hinton Sunday Night Youth begins at 6:30 p.m. There are

programs for Jr. and Sr. High students, with Bible study and games. Afterward, everyone comes together for worship.

Youth Bible Study Join us on Wednesdays from 7:00 8:00 p.m. in the Youth Center. Doors are open from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Girl's Blanket Party Girls in grades 6-12 are invited to

join us for a service project Friday, December 8, from 6:00 8:30 p.m. in the FLC Youth Center. We will make blankets for children in need while enjoying Christmas music, hot chocolate and Christmas cookies. Bring $2 for pizza, fabric scissors, and 2 pieces of fleece (each 2 yards long). We look forward to seeing you there!

November Reflections December is here and we are

excited to be in the midst of the Advent season. We have plenty of things to be thankful for after a great November.

Our Fall Retreat was an incredible experience. Our theme was “Misfits” and our students learned about how we are, as Christians, called to be set apart and different. We are called not to follow the crowd but to lean into community. Our retreat was full of worship, deep conversations, play, learning, and relationship building.

We are launching a new 6th grade girl’s Life Group on Sunday, December 3. If you, or someone you know is interested in joining, please email Rev. Meredith Hinton for more information.

Confirmation is a time of intentional preparation that

gives youth the opportunity to reflect on the most basic elements of our faith. It is a special time to begin a journey of faith that nurtures and challenges youth to think about the nature of God, the life of Christ, and learn about United Methodist beliefs. The classes are offered annually starting in January to youth, 6th grade and above. To learn more and to register for Confirmation 2018, please go to our website.

On January 21 at 6:00 p.m. in the FLC Multipurpose Room prospective confirmation students and their parents are invited to an Introduction to Confirmation class where we will explain the process of confirmation and have a special time to get to know our pastors and church staff.

2017 Fall Youth Retreat Page 9

Music & Arts Ministry. Dr. Reginald Houze Comfort & Joy Music Concert Welcome the Advent season with Carols presented by Dr. Reggie Houze, Manna KnJoi, Judith Porter, and Dr. Rob Ridgell this Sunday, December 3 at 5:00 p.m. Reception following in Helms Hall.

Charlotte Catholic High School Choirs in Concert on Tuesday, December 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary with Dr. Robert Ridgell, Music Director. All are invited.

Church-wide Christmas Caroling in the Monroe Campus neighborhood.

Members and friends from all the WUMC Campuses sing carols with the Brass Quintet on Friday, December 15 at 6:30 p.m. Reception following in the Monroe Campus Fellowship Hall.

Christmas at Weddington Concert Join us for The Many Moods of Christmas and Wynton Marsalis Jazz Carols performed by the Chancel Choir and Orchestra in the Weddington campus Sanctuary on Sunday, December 17 at 7:00 p.m. Reception following in Helms Hall.

Evangelism Ministry. Rev. Amy Hutchison Silent Witness What does it mean to be a Silent Witness? It means going out into the community and witnessing to others without ever having to say a word. We have two ways to be involved with our Silent Witness program.

1- Shop! We have items available through the Lands’ End store and through our Information Centers. We have Lands’ End items for sale at the Information Center from now through the end of the year. Also, when you sign up through the Weddington Lands’ End store, you can shop on the Lands’ End Business site and have the option to add a Weddington UMC logo.

Members of the Silent Witness Team at CrossFit Weddington's Row-a-Thon on November 19

2- Serve! Our Silent Witness Team serves at both on and off-campus events representing the church. Throughout the past year this team has hosted Upward families, been present at Weddington Food Truck Friday, and participated in CrossFit Weddington’s Row-a-Thon. Sign up for as few or as many events as you would like, wear a WUMC shirt, and be ready to answer the question: “Why do you love Weddington UMC?” To sign up for this team or if you have ideas for events this team may serve at, contact Sandra McKee at the church office.

WUMC Support Groups NA Tuesdays, 6:00 p.m., Fellowship Hall Room 2 Contact: CJ, coytjr@gmail.com or 704-207-9430

NA 1st Saturday monthly, 3:00 p.m., Fellowship Hall Contact: Wayne, jrstillson@msn.com or 704-458-6090

AA Wednesdays, 6:00 p.m., Fellowship Hall

Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m., Marvin Campus Fellowship Hall Contact: Rev. Ed Briggs

Contact: Don, hanssally@aol.com or 704-243-0765

Fridays, 10:00 p.m., Fellowship Hall Room 2 Contact: John, slashtwentyfore@gmail.com or 252-643-3551

Contact: Sarah N. (704) 654-8529; sjn2003@gmail.com or Chris R. (704) 904-6849; cgr1057@aol.com

Saturdays, 8:00 p.m., Fellowship Hall Contact: Heather, hfhicks13@yahoo.com or 704-290-4290 Page 10

AL-ANON Thursdays, 7:00 p.m., Hemby House

Food Addiction Saturdays, 8:30 a.m., Fellowship Hall Room 2, Contact: Joyce, 704-606-4061

Church Announcements Meet Weddington Sessions

Wednesdays @ Weddington

Interested in becoming a part of the Weddington UMC family? As your clergy, program staff, and fellow Christians, it will be our privilege to grow and serve together. We request that anyone interested in membership attend one of our Meet Weddington Church sessions.

Join us for a church-wide fellowship meal in the Family Life Center on Wednesdays September through May. Meals are served from 5:00-6:15 p.m. Cost is $5 per person, $20 max for families. No reservations are necessary. All are welcome!

At Meet Weddington you will enjoy an informal time of fellowship, meet the pastoral and ministry staff, hear an overview of the ministry and mission of the church, and get answers to any questions you may have about Weddington UMC. Meet Weddington Church sessions are usually held on the 4th Sunday of each month at 5:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center Multipurpose Room. Due to Christmas, we will not have Meet Weddington in December.

*Due to Christmas, we will only meet twice in December.

December Menu • Dec. 6 - Lasagna, breadstick, salad bar, and cookies • Dec. 13 - Chicken and dumplings, broccoli salad, and cherry pineapple dump cake

Adult Formation Retreat Heart, Soul, and Strength: A Formation Retreat for Adults Kathryn McElveen, Retreat Facilitator February 23-25, 2018 St. Francis Springs Prayer Center in Stoneville, N.C. This Circle of Trust® retreat offers you a rare, focused and reflective space in the company of other adults to explore your own faith journey and what it means to love God with all your heart, soul, and strength. You’ll learn principles and practices for deeper listening, wholehearted decision-making, joining “soul” and “role,” and building trustworthy relationships. Together, we will engage in large and small-group conversations and have space for solitude, reflection and sabbath. We will make use of stories, forms of creative expression, and the beauty of St. Francis Springs Prayer Center to deepen our understanding of the relationships between who we are, whose we are, and what we do.

Online registration now open at: www.weddingtonchurch.org/adult-retreat.

JAARS Day Learn how Jesus is the Prince of Peace to all Fixing It For Christ who know him. Travel by our JAARS "boat" to three countries in the space of a few hours to learn more about those who still need Jesus. Hear, see, and taste the cultures of Senegal, India, and Solomon Islands through stories, activities, crafts, and food. Passport to Christmas is a unique, hands-on learning adventure with your child. Friday, December 8 from 1:30-5:00 p.m.; Saturday, December 9, 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1:30-5:00 p.m. at JAARS. Designed for kids, ages 6–12 years, accompanied by an adult. Each session is identical so plan to attend just one. Space is limited and registration is required. Contact us to get started or download the registration form at www.jaars.org.

Love the idea of participating in mission work, but not so crazy about the idea of traveling far from home to do so? Look no further!

Fixing It For Christ is an annual local four-day long Christian community service project that is based in the greater Waxhaw area. Volunteers work to make much needed improvements on homes in the community, such as trimming shrubs at the home of an elderly shut-in, roof replacement and repair, painting, and electrical and plumbing repair.

If this is of interest to you or anyone you know, please contact Tammy McGee at tmillsmcgee@gmail.com for further information. Keep an eye out for our first meeting date.

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Sunday Worship Times

In Concert: The Many Moods of Christmas

8:15 a.m. Traditional (Sanctuary) 9:30 a.m. Praise and Worship (Sanctuary) 10:00 a.m. Bilingual Worship (Monroe Campus)

Sunday, December 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary

10:10 a.m. Acoustic Praise and Worship (FLC)

A Christmas reception will follow in Helms Hall.

11:00 a.m. Traditional (Sanctuary) 11:00 a.m. Traditional (Bonds Grove Campus)

*Childcare will be available

4:00 p.m. Waltonwood Retirement Community Rev. Dr. Terry L. Moore, Senior Pastor terry.moore@weddingtonchurch.org

JoAnn Horstman, Business Administrator joann.horstman@weddingtonchurch.org

Rev. Mark Curtis, Teaching Pastor mark.curtis@weddingtonchurch.org

Elizabeth Mitchell, Director of Communications elizabeth.mitchell@weddingtonchurch.org

Rev. Ed Briggs, Minister of Pastoral Care ed.briggs@weddingtonchurch.org

Ruth Cooley, Executive Assistant ruth.cooley@weddingtonchurch.org

Rev. Rocio Ávila-Ramírez, Missions Pastor rocio.avila@weddingtonchurch.org

Sandra McKee, Admin. Assistant sandra.mckee@weddingtonchurch.org

Rev. Amy Hutchison, Evangelism Pastor amy.hutchison@weddingtonchurch.org

Linda Caskey, Financial Assistant linda.caskey@weddingtonchurch.org

Dr. Reginald Houze, Director of Music & Arts reginald.houze@weddingtonchurch.org

Lisa Keeler, Admin. Assistant lisa.keeler@weddingtonchurch.org

Charlie Brown, Youth Minister charlie.brown@weddingtonchurch.org

Tonya Tapp, Admin. Assistant tonya.tapp@weddingtonchurch.org

Rev. Meredith Hinton, Youth Minister meredith.hinton@weddingtonchurch.org

Adell Keen, WCA Principal akeen@weddingtonchristianacademy.org

Carolyn Nelson, Children’s Minister carolyn.nelson@weddingtonchurch.org

Emily Campbell, WCP Director wcp@weddingtonchurch.org

Jamie Nader, Children’s Ministry Associate jamie.nader@weddingtonchurch.org

Jamie Edmondson, WCP Assistant Director bgcps@weddingtonchurch.org

Rev. Leroy Henry Affiliated United Methodist Clergy

Jan Williams, Mother’s Morning Out Director jan.williams@weddingtonchurch.org

Justin Lineberry, Director of Praise & Worship justin.lineberry@weddingtonchurch.org

Mike Carver, Facilities Manager mcar1973@earthlink.net

Dr. Robert Ridgell, Organist and Music Associate robert.ridgell@weddingtonchurch.org

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Kim Veith, Food Service Director kim.veith@weddingtonchurch.org

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Church Office Hours: Monday - Thursday: 8:30 - 5:00 p.m.

Friday: 8:30 - 12:00 p.m.

704-846-1032 Campuses Weddington Campus 13901 Providence Road Weddington, NC 28104 Sanctuary Building and Family Life Center (FLC) Bonds Grove Campus 8215 Bonds Grove Church Rd Waxhaw, NC 28173 Marvin Campus 9914 New Town Rd Marvin, NC 28173 Monroe Campus 520 Engleside St Monroe, NC 28110