FEATURES - Myers Park Baptist Church
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WEEKLY NEWS December 10-16, 2018
Sunday, December 16, 2018
The Fourth Sunday of Advent | The Festival of Advent Lessons and Carols
Lessons and Carols is one of the most loved services of the season. The service intersperses prayer,
carols, choir anthems, and scripture, or "lessons." The entire biblical story of redemption from the
Garden of Eden to the manger in Bethlehem is told. The music that follows each lesson evokes our
emotions and deepens our understanding of the passage. The service will feature all of our choirs. It
begins with a child's solo voice on the first stanza of "Once in Royal David's City" and culminates
with the Offering and Presentation of Gifts singing "O Come All Ye Faithful."
FEATURES
Saying Thank You
But saying "thank you" for all that Chrissy has meant to us and sending her off
to Greystone with our most heartfelt hopes for success is an important part
of learning how to continue to be a healthy and loving congregation. We have
created a number of ways for you to show your love and appreciation for
Chrissy.
First, we are collecting a love offering for her and her family. Donations can be made to the
Church with "Chrissy love offering" in the memo line.
Second, we are collecting hand written notes of thanksgiving for her ministry in the Church
Office.
Third, we are hosting a hail and farewell reception for Chrissy and her family on
Sunday, December 16 in Heaton Hall immediately following our Lessons and Carols
Service. If you would like to contribute a plate of Christmas cookies for this celebration
please let Rainey Underwood know at runderwood@myersparkbaptist.org.
We hope that you will make plans to participate in all the ways that you can to show your gratitude and to help us say goodbye to a phenomenal minister. Advent Podcast Series | Incarnate Throughout the season of Advent, Chrissy and Ben are reading Michael Frost's book, Incarnate, and exploring the trends toward disembodiment in culture as our lives become more digital. Each episode in this series will include strategies and ideas for re-embodying your faith during this holy season of anticipating the incarnation of Christ. Stewardship | Empower Church | Finish Strong Our Church has a 75-year tradition of leading with compassion in our drive for justice. Your financial support keeps this tradition alive and stronger than ever. Help us finish strong with your gift: www.myersparkbaptist.org/online-giving. Coping During the Holidays - Hope vs Despair Gathering Wednesday, December 12 | 6:30 - 8:00p | Cornwell Conference Center How are you coping? Are the holidays almost too much to bear? A prevalent theme during the Advent Christmas season is "hope." Yet, for so many in our society, a prevalent theme is "despair." Feelings of loss, grief, health issues, job pressures, strained finances, and estranged family relationships can be intensified during the holidays both by massive commercialization as well as expectations of family and/or friends. How does one cope? What about self care (guilt free)? What are some decisions you can make to lessen the negative impact of the holiday season on your life? Join us for helpful ideas and suggestions that may strengthen your hope and begin to change how you experience Christmas. Alex Gnilka, PhD, LPCS, Assistant Vice-President of Addiction Services, Atrium Health, will lead our discussion. This event is sponsored by the Stephen Ministry of MPBC. Service of Lament and Loss Wednesday, December 19 | 6:30 - 7:30p | Sanctuary For those who are experiencing grief, the challenge of days with less sunlight, or hurting for our world, this season that is full of laughter can be hard. As a Church we are called to walk together, celebrating the highs, but also sitting with sorrow. At our annual Service of Lament and Loss you are given sacred space to sit with your pain and grief. You are also invited and encouraged to sit with your sister or brother in Christ with their pain and grief. Join us for this holy time.
CHRISTMAS SERVICES Sunday, December 23 Christmas Family Service | 11:00a | Sanctuary This service allows children from 1-92 to experience the magic of Christmas. Children get to participate by placing figurines in the creche and they will be singing in worship. There will be familiar carols, the sound of children singing, candle lighting, and the service will end with all singing "Silent Night." Monday, December 24 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Prelude begins at 5:30 and Worship at 6:00p | Sanctuary This beautiful service offers beloved carols, along with music by organ, harp, Chancel Choir, and soloist Todd Geer singing "O Holy Night." Rev. Ben Boswell will preach "The Embodiment of Love." And we will celebrate Communion. The service will end in candlelight as we all sing "Silent Night." Monday, December 24 Nativity Tableau | 7:30 - 8:00p | Sanctuary On Christmas Eve we will celebrate and say farewell to the long tradition of our Nativity Tableau. As part of the celebration, we will offer a professional family photograph of all Church families and community families who have made attendance at the Tableau a Christmas Eve tradition. Photographs will be taken by John Bambach, in the Chapel from 7:30 - 8:00p. Families will receive their photograph through email so that you may duplicate in whatever size and quantity you wish. Families will also receive an updated Christmas Eve Nativity Tableau booklet listing participating Holy Families over the past sixty-five years. COMMUNITY Taizé Service - Celebrate the Changing of the Seasons Sunday, December 16 | 5:00-5:45p | Chapel To mark the beginning of winter, along with its chilly moisture and darkness, we will gather in the Chapel on Sunday, December 16, from 5:00-5:45p. Come away for a time, from the noises of the world, to participate in contemplative worship amidst candlelight that includes silence, singing, readings, prayers, and Communion. You are welcome to walk the Labyrinth beside the Cornwell Center either before or after the service. Bring a friend with you. PHOTO Connections with John Bambach Wednesday, December 19 | 7:00-9:00p Cornwell Conference Center For this end-of-year gathering, what better assignment than "Your Best of 2018?" The only criteria is that you must have made the photo during 2018. December is also our holiday gathering so you're invited to bring some seasonal food to share. Yum! Email you entries to jbambach@cornwellcenter.org by noon on Tuesday, December 18.
Plans for a Columbarium Expansion Our Columbarium is an outdoor burial and garden. It provides spaces, or "niches," in a wall and sites in the ground for the cremated remains of deceased Church members and their families. It is a peaceful setting for remembrance, prayer, and meditation. All niches in the existing Columbarium have been reserved, and the Ministry of Facilities Management is in the process of planning for an expansion. You can see the plan drawing in Heaton Hall Foyer. It is our hope to meet the final resting place needs of our congregation for many years into the future. We are gathering interest and need before we commit to moving forward. If you would be interested in reserving a space in the Columbarium expansion, please contact Leigh Anne Hagerman (704.334.7232 x 116 or lhagerman@myersparkbaptist.org). Room In The Inn (RITI) Every Saturday Through March 30, 2019 Each winter, MPBC participates in this temporary shelter program through the Urban Ministry Center. We open our doors on Saturday evenings and provide warm food, beds, facilities, and fellowship for our neighbors who are homeless. YOU make it happen! Here is an opportunity for everyone to participate - make a bed, bring a meal, drive the van, be a host for our guests. Oatmeal and Staples Food Drive Collecting through Tuesday, January 15 Our 12th annual drive supports Charlotte's homeless shelters and hurricane relief. We are collecting oatmeal (old fashioned preferred), flour, grits, all types of canned goods and non-perishables (no glass, please), and 5 lbs. or larger sugar (white or brown). For information about drop-off locations or to make a monetary donation, click the oatmeal icon at www.myersparkbaptist.org or contact Bob Bishop at food4thehomeless@gmail.com. CHILDREN Parent's Night Out | Pajama Jam and Movie Night Friday, December 14 | 6:00 - 9:00p | Cornwell Center Gym Parents, you deserve a Friday night out! Leave the childcare to us. Kids will enjoy a fun-filled night including play and exploration, pajama jam movie, dinner and selfies with Santa. This is a drop-off event for children ages 6- weeks and older. The cost is $25 for the first child and $10 for each additional child in the same household. Register through the Cornwell Center website. Cancellations must be received by December 12 by 5:00p (call 704.927.0774) or a $5 charge will be placed on account per child registered. Children Prepare to Sing in Family Christmas Service On December 23, children ages 3-years-old through 1st grades will sing in worship. Charlotte Judge and Anna-Catherine Fowler will be visiting their Faith Formation classes on Sunday mornings to teach them the song "Dance and Sing." In addition to our Faith Formation and Children's Choir friends, we will include children from Through-The-Week School. Charlotte will be working with the TTWS children throughout December. Please make plans to have your child(ren) attend Faith Formation during the month so that they can learn the song with us. If you would like more information, please contact Charlotte at cjudge@myersparkbaptist.org.
Children's Ministry Opportunities
Our children's ministry is for families with children birth - fifth grade. With
trained paid staff and volunteers, we want every child to know that they are
prepared for and cared for each time they are on our campus. Here is what
your family can expect in December:
During the Faith Formation hour (9:45 - 10:45a), our three-year-olds -
fifth graders will learn the Christmas story.
During the Worship hour (11:00a - noon), children in kindergarten and younger experience
the beginning of worship in the Sanctuary and then go to their classrooms for play and fun.
Our first - fifth graders continue their Children's Worship experience as they learn how
Advent worship prepares them for Christmas.
On Wednesday evenings, our kindergarten - fifth graders will prepare to lead us in worship
on December 16 during Lessons and Carols and on December 23 at our Family Christmas
Service.
While children are in choir, parents are invited to Coffee Chat, a time for community
building and sharing our lives together.
To learn how your family can be involved, please contact Rev. Carrie Veal, Minister of Children and
Community Life (cveal@myersparkbaptist.org | 704.334.7232 x 118) or Charlotte Judge, Associate
Director of Music (cjudge@myersparkbaptist.org | 704.334.7232 x 121).
YOUTH
Youth Christmas Festivities | Sunday, December 16
Youth Choir Caroling at Southminster | 3:00-5:00p
This is a fun and fulfilling annual event for our youth and the residents at
Southminster Retirement Community. If you or a family member would like us
to stop by your room, just let Charlotte Judge know
(cjudge@myersparkbaptist.org). We'll bring our Santa hats and bells!
Youth Ministry Christmas Party | 6:00-7:30p | Off Campus
All youth are encouraged to join the festivities! There will be food, fellowship and a gift exchange.
Please bring a dessert to share. For more information contact Allen Davis
(adavis@myersparkbaptist.org).
Kanuga 2019 | January 18-20
Music, laughter, and snow! This January, youth in grades 6-12 will retreat to
the Kanuga Conference Center in the North Carolina mountains. Join us for
this wonderful weekend of fellowship and community as we share and learn
together while having fun. We will have small and large group sessions with
free time throughout. We leave Friday, January 18 and return on Sunday
around noon. Sign up through myMPBC.
CELEBRATING TODAY | ENSURING OUR FUTURE
2018 Donations
As the year comes to a close, please note the following deadlines for
donations: cash received by noon on December 31 will be credited on 2018
contribution statements; checks postmarked by December 31, 2018 and
received by January 5, 2019 will be credited on 2018 contribution statements; and stock gifts
received by our advisor by 3:00p on December 31 will be credited in 2018.
Barbara Mishoe Shares Memories of Dr. Marney and a
Special Christmas Eve
Barbara began worshiping at Myers Park Baptist while she was in college at
Winthrop in 1962. She shares remembrances of Dr. Marney including a story
of a special Christmas Eve broadcast on CBS in 1965.
Read her story here: www.myersparkbaptist.org/barbara-mishoe.
SCHEDULE
Looking for Our Schedule of Activities and Meetings?
An always-current calendar is available on our website, through myMPBC, and the
ChurchLife App (find out how to get the app here:
www.myersparkbaptist.org/about-us/mympbc-member-directory).
Myers Park Baptist Church, 1900 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC 28207-2582
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