Celebration news 11 15 2013

THIS SUNDAY:

ONE FAMILY -

ONE VISION:

One Generous Hope

Weekly Scripture:

Hebrews 11 Hebrews 12:1-3

Joshua 3:6

Classic Worship 8:20 am

Spirited Traditional Worship 11:00 am

Centro Cristiano Hosanna (Servicio en Español) 12:30 pm

Contemporary Worship 9:40 am

11/17 CHILDREN’S

NATIVITY SIGNUPS 8 am at Noah’s Ark

11/22 HIT PAUSE! 6:30 pm

A family fun night to

focus on the reason for

the Advent Season!

In The Children’s Wing

11/23 ARTS & CRAFTS

EXTRAVAGANZA 9 am - 3 pm in the Gym

NOVEMBER 28TH - 29TH

The Church will be closed

in observance of the

Thanksgiving Holiday.

The Deep Family Worship 2nd Sunday of each month 9:30 am

November 15, 2013 S

UN

DA

MARK YOUR

CALENDAR: Through Jesus Christ, we will transform the world, one life at a time.

CELEBRATION CELEBRATION

T here is still time for your family to get involved in Operation Christmas Child. Use a real or plastic shoebox or pick up one at the Welcome Center or Noah's Ark. Fill it with suggested items listed in the brochure. Often boxes are stuffed so full that you can't

close the lid...make two instead! You can also add a note to the child and maybe a picture of your family. Don't forget to Pray - Ask God to use your gifts to show His love to the child who receives your shoebox.

No time to shop - you can BUILD A BOX at www.samaritanspurse.org.

EVERY BOX WILL RECEIVE A STORY OF THE GOSPEL IN THE CHILD’S NATIVE LANGUAGE!

Please return your boxes this Sunday! Call Beth Hayslett at 704-846-3235 with your questions.

Generosity Changes Everything • Stories of Generosity

CAN MUMC PACK 1000 BOXES?

T he end of the year is the perfect time to reflect and give thanks for the many ways God has enriched our lives. As we remember God’s greatest gift to us, His Son, the upcoming Advent Season is a time to offer gratitude for His grace by making a special gift to our Church. Our gratitude is the only thing we can give back to God that He doesn’t already

have.

One way to consider giving is through IRA Rollover Gifts - In order to help charities further their good work, Congress extended, through 2013, the rules for charitable gifts made from IRAs. If you are over 70-1/2, Federal tax laws allow you to make a gift from your IRA to a charity without claiming any increased income or paying an additional tax. This tax-free rollover gift can be any amount up to $100,000 in one year. There is no clear direction from the government yet as to whether or not this benefit will continue in 2014. Currently, it is not scheduled for renewal. Our new building fund is set up, so if you are considering making a capital campaign contribution toward our next phase of construction, or want to make a second-mile gift to the operating ministry budget, you may want to consider donating in this fashion prior to December 31, 2013. Consult with your professional tax advisor and your IRA custodian to see how a charitable “IRA Rollover” could be a tax-wise gift to give this year.

Please visit matthewsumc.org and click on the Members tab to discover the many ways you can give to the Church!

2013 Year-End

Generosity Opportunities

We matched the money and gave it to a neighbor to buy Kerosene to heat her house. The heater is the only source of warmth in her home. She recently began visiting Matthews UMC and sees all the blessings that God provides. She was so thankful for the generosity from our Church.

Email your story of generosity to [email protected].

O ne of our most beloved annual mission opportunities will be available beginning the Sunday before Thanksgiving. The MUMC Angel Tree is decorated with the names and wish lists of needy children and disabled adults in our community.

PLEASE COME BY THE ANGEL TREE IN THE CHURCH SANCTUARY RECEPTION AREA

AND PICK THE ANGEL(S) THAT YOU OR YOUR FAMILY WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR. (NOVEMBER 24TH AND DECEMBER 1ST)

Angel gifts must be returned by noon on Sunday, December 8th, so that all deliveries can be made before Christmas.

We are not part of the Salvation Army program of the same name, but instead work directly with social service agencies in our community…including children from Union County Health Department, Thompson Child & Family Focus, Matthews Help Center and COS Kids (Christ Our Shepherd Ministries). We also sponsor the disabled adults who are clients of Blessed Assurance Adult Day Care here in Matthews.

Please contact the following with any questions… Sue Sproat at 704-847-3994 or [email protected]; Clare Walton at 980-819-7894 or [email protected] ; or Debbie Vehr at 704-661-5626 or [email protected].

Sunday School: 9:40: Grade-level classes 11:00: combined classes. Check the signs posted across from the elevator for your classroom!

UMYF Sunday night— Sunday Youth Fellowship schedule is: Café & program at 6 pm- bring $2 for Café. C-groups (Caring Groups) for 7th - 9th grades will meet from 6 - 8 pm, and A-teams (Accountability Teams) will meet from 6 - 8:15 pm. See you there!

Youth are always welcome-If you haven’t visited UMYF yet, please come join the fun!

Youth Ministry traveled with over 275 persons to Cedar Cliff for a fall retreat last weekend. It was an awesome weekend of spiritual revival and play! A huge Thank You to all adult leadership that went to the Cliff!!!

Operation Christmas Child Boxes Please fill and return your boxes to the Church no later than Sunday, November 17th.

“Like” us on Facebook: Matthews UMC Youth

Follow us on twitter: @youth_MUMC

Youth Ministries Website: youth.matthewsumc.org.

For questions regarding Youth Ministries, call a Youth staff member at 704-847-6261.

8th Grade Event-Aw Shucks will be November 16th from 3:30-7:30 pm.

Look for more details in the mail this week.

12th Grade - Pajama Party November 16th from 6-8 pm.

Look for more details in the mail this week.

Basketball Practices Coaches will be calling their teams, as

practices will be starting soon. Games begin on Friday, December 6th.

Delia Lemmond Circle - the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm in Room 158. December: Baking and organizing for “A Cup Of Christmas Tea,” and kitchen service for “Walk

Through Bethlehem.” As we look to the next year, be in prayer about our service to Bright Blessings, the Bethlehem Center, and our Global Missions. Continue to collect Labels for

Education (labelsforeducation.com). Please put labels in the bin near the Welcome Center. Contact Elaine Kiker at 704-847-9998 for details.

Rehobeth Circle - the first Thursday of each month at 9:30 am. This group of Christian women of varying ages and backgrounds gathers together in each others’ homes for sharing and nurturing. Monthly meetings consist of study, service projects and fellowship.

Contact Debora Lamb at 704-846-0786 for location and details.

Tea & Reading Presentation of the book. Bring your favorite cup or use one provided.

Mission: $1 donations for Living Water, International, www.water.cc

MUMC Angel Tree

Men, our next breakfast meeting will be Saturday, December 7th, at 7:30 in the Dining Room. This is a great venue to make new friends and catch up with old friends. Pastor Stephen will join us and share a little about himself and his vision for 801South. Breakfast will start at 7:30 and end around 9:00. Contact Rich at 704-236-6657 or [email protected] if you have any questions.

Our men host a cookout the second Wednesday of every month at Hoskin's Park. On Wednesday, December 11th, we will meet at the Church at 4:30, depart at 4:45 and serve dinner at 6:00. Contact Bo Bobrowski at 704-408-2160 or [email protected] if you would like to be a part of building relationships with the men of Hoskin’s Park.

Men meet for a Bible Study on Thursday nights at 7:30 pm to discuss topics that are faith based, and the challenges that men face every day. This is a great way to develop friendships through faith-centered discussions. Contact Bo at 704-408-2160 or [email protected] if you would like to learn more about this group.

ROOM IN THE INN

Donations needed. Please visit our

website!

Matthewsumc.org

Hoskin’s Park Ministry

38TH ANNUAL CITYWIDE INTERFAITH

THANKSGIVING SERVICE

Tuesday, November 26th

7 pm (6:30 Musical Prelude)

Covenant Presbyterian Church

[email protected]

November 19th

Program and

lunch $7 per

person. Begins

at 11 am.

Reservations

required by

midnight

Sunday.

Call 704-815-1982.

CALLED CHARGE CONFERENCE

To recommend Hunter Ross as a

Candidate for Ministry. November 25

th

7:00 pm In Room 94

Poinsettias

Envelopes will be available November 17th - December 1st

to purchase poinsettias, in honor or in memory of a loved one, to be used to decorate the

Sanctuary for Advent.

Each Poinsettia is $7 and must be purchased by

December 8th.

Advent Wreath Signup

Please stop by the Welcome Center on

November 17th or November 24th

and sign up to light the Advent Wreath

during December Worship Services.

This is a wonderful opportunity to serve, and it is an important element of

worship during Advent.

For more information contact Elaine Swaim at 704-815-1997 or [email protected].

Join us for Prime Time Adult's meeting Wednesday, November 20th. We'll meet at 5:45 pm for fellowship and appetizers, then enjoy a delicious dinner

and program. Vocalist Marty Vanderlip will entertain with a variety of music - gospel, country, and rock 'n roll. All adults are welcome!

Please make reservations by noon, Monday, November 18th,

by calling the Prime Time line at 704-815-1944.

Call Rachel at 704-366-5839 or Billie at 704-366-5839 if you have questions. We look forward to seeing you!

Wh

at’s

Tre

nd

ing

at

Community Thanksgiving Service

Tuesday, November 26th

, at 7 pm

All are welcome to worship. Pie fellowship immediately following the service.

Thank you to all who volunteered in the Pumpkin Patch! Wesley sold over $10,000 in

pumpkins and is able to give more than $3000 towards missions.

WESLEY

Advent Devotionals

are now available at

the Welcome

Center.

We deeply appreciate

the $1 donation

to defray the cost.

CCH Intercessory Prayer Meeting: Saturdays from 5:30 - 7:00 am in the Sanctuary. Everyone is invited to join us to pray for our own families, this Church and this Nation.

PR

AY

ER

CO

RN

ER

Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.

Isaiah 55:6

For care and protection, we lift up all the men and women serving in our Armed Forces throughout the world.

The Celebration newsletter is a weekly publication for the families and friends of Matthews United Methodist Church.

The deadline to submit an article is noon each Monday, the week of publication. If you would like to submit information for publication,

please e-mail your articles to [email protected] or drop them off at the Church Office with “Celebration request”

noted on the envelope. Please note that all articles are subject to editing for space and content.

MATTHEWS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH ∙ www.matthewsumc.org 801 S. Trade Street Matthews, NC 28105, (704) 847-6261, Fax (704) 845-2830

Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter & Instagram, and Watch us on Vimeo @MatthewsUMC!

The next class will be Tuesday, January 28th 7 - 9 pm. Childcare is available if requested prior to class.

Register online by visiting Become a Member under the New Here tab at MatthewsUMC.org, or contact Karen Schultz at

704-815-1901 or [email protected].

Interested in Interested in

becoming a member?becoming a member?

Please remember in your prayers: Robin Loker upon the death of her father; and all those in our Church family with special needs and concerns.

stu di es gro ups Advent Study: Christmas Is Not Your Birthday, Led by Adele Spil, Thursdays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm, November 14th - December 19th; Cost $8. In five short, engaging sessions be inspired to approach Christmas differently, and be transformed in the process.

BEAR ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS...

In Galatians 6, Paul tells us to “carry each other’s burdens, and

in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

At MUMC our Stephen Ministers have been trained and organized to do just that. They provide confidential,

one-on-one care, prayer, and support to those who are going through a difficult time.

If you would like more information

contact Pastor Paul Craig at 704-847-6261.

For questions or to register for a study, contact Kim Layton at 704-815-1913 or [email protected]. Confidential scholarships are available.

Childcare may be available if requested in advance.

Global Impact Prayer Point: Please pray for the ministry of the newly-opened Redemption House in Philadelphia.

Please join us in celebrating: the birth of Caleb Gibson, son of Sarah and Mark.

Generosity

Pick up a stack of flyers at the Welcome Center

to distribute to your friends and neighbors.

Marriage Mentors: Ready To Serve! Would you like to better understand the complexities of married life, i.e., conflict resolution, needs, differences and more? Connect with an experienced marriage mentor couple who is ready to help you navigate through the seasons of marriage.

Contact [email protected] for more information.

“Hit Pause” - A Family Advent Night Friday, November 22nd ~ 6:30 - 8:30 pm ~ Children’s Wing

What is Advent? - Make & take a wreath

Chrismons? - Make & take one

Come join the music, storytelling! Receive family service ideas!

Enjoy cookies & hot chocolate! Orange Family