December
2018
AT-A-GLANCE
DAVIDSON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | PO BOX 718, 233 S. MAIN STREET | DAVIDSON, NC 28036
A TIME OF HOLY DISCONTENTEDNESS Rev. Shane Page Imagine walking into the church sanctuary for an Ash Wednesday service, the official launch of the Lenten season. Instead of ashes on the altar, you spot lilies; and instead of crosses, images of butterflies. The liturgist comes forward, issues the formal greeting, and then motions everyone to stand for the opening hymn, Christ the Lord Is Risen Today. Christ the Lord Is Risen Today? On Ash Wednesday? Easter is still several weeks away. What's going on? It would, of course, seem more than a little strange to celebrate Easter on such a solemn occasion as Lent. Yet, that is almost exactly how we treat the season of Advent! We think Advent is Christmas, or at least its close relative. Advent is to Christmas what Lent is to Easter: the fast before the feast, the solemnity before the
joy, the confessions before the carols, the labor before the birth. Christian tradition has understood Advent more as a miniature Lent, a 4-week period of self-denial, waiting, and discipline. Advent is the time when we confess all is hardly right with the world or ourselves (so let's stop pretending otherwise); and that redemption, when it comes, must come from something or someone outside ourselves. Advent is a time of holy discontentedness and sanctified impatience with life as we know it. Yes, the joy of Christmas shall greet us. The Christmas carols in worship will soon be on our lips. Until then, however, I pray you will join us these next few weeks and observe a holy Advent. Wait with us. Long with us. Be truthful about the world and ourselves with us, so that the coming Christ might be born in all of us.
Christmas Eve Eve Service
An early Christmas Eve worship alternative, this family-friendly, contemporary, candlelight service will be at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Holy Communion will be served. Childcare provided.
Christmas Eve Services
All services will be candlelight and include beautiful music. Childcare will be provided for all services, except 11:00 p.m. Holy Communion will be served at all services. 1:00 & 3:00 p.m. services will be led by our Children’s Choirs. 5:00, 5:15 (Chapel) & 7:00 p.m. services will be led by the Chancel and Middle School Choirs. 11:00 p.m. service will be led by Senior High & Alumni Choirs and Schola Cantorum. Midnight Pancakes All college students, former youth home for Christmas, and other young adults are invited to welcome Christmas morning with pancakes and fellowship. Join Rev. Sarah Belles at 12:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall!
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS COOKIES WITH SANTA Saturday, December 8 10:00 a.m. - noon ● Chapel Bring the kids for a visit with Santa! Sponsored by Christian Mothers United, monetary donations will be accepted for Children’s Hope Alliance. MISSIONS MALL Sunday, December 9 ● Fellowship Hall Find something unique for everyone on your shopping list while supporting many missions of our church. UMW CHRISTMAS BRUNCH Tuesday, December 11 10:00 a.m. - noon ● Fellowship Hall All women of the church are invited. RSVP at www.davidsonumc.org/eventregistrations. ADOPT-A-STUDENT CHRISTMAS POTLUCK Sunday, December 16 ● Fellowship Hall All adopters, adoptees, and their families are invited!
WAYS TO BE IN SERVICE JOY STORE December 14 & 15 ● Fellowship Hall The JOY Store provides an opportunity for neighbors with limited means to purchase gifts for their children. Sign up to help with the special Christmasshopping experience. ROOM IN THE INN There are LOTS of ways to help with this important ministry for our homeless neighbors; see link below. PROVIDE/SERVE LUNCH First Sunday Monthly Donate food items ahead of time and/ or serve lunch at the Men’s Shelter of Charlotte. Sign up at www.davidsonumc.org/eventregistrations
SPECIAL WORSHIP SERVICES PLANNED SERVICE OF HOPE & HEALING Sunday, December 9 ● 7:00 p.m. ● Chapel This will be a time of peace for those wanting to experience light in the darkness. Childcare will be provided. “GLORIA” Sunday, December 16 during all worship services The Chancel Choir and Carolina Brass will present a premiere of “Gloria” by Michael John Trotta. This piece was commissioned as part of a consortium. SERVICE OF LESSONS & CAROLS Sunday, December 23 during all worship services Nine Scripture lessons will be followed by a song that reflects each message. This service features familiar Christmas carols and anthems. For Saturday Night Worship, this service will be on December 29. COMPLINE SERVICE Wednesdays ● 7:40 p.m. ● Sanctuary Escape the hectic holiday rush with an evening prayer service that includes readings, chant, and music. Childcare is provided.
THIRD QUARTER FINANCE UPDATE The Finance Committee met on October 23 to review our 9-month results. General Fund receipts came in at $2.061M, which is 63% of the Annual Budget. This is shy of our goal of 75% and resulted in a $230K deficit for the first 9 months of 2018. The staff has done a great job of holding expenses to 70% of budget, which helped to reduce the 9 month shortfall. The fourth quarter is always our strongest revenue quarter, and the committee has faith we will close the deficit by year end. We have multiple ways to make giving easier through bank drafts, online bill pay, etc. Check the church website (www.davidsonumc.org) under the GIVE tab for further information or contact Patti Waldeisen, Director of Finance and Operations (
[email protected] or 704-892-8277). The 2019 Budget was passed by the Finance Committee and the Administrative Council. The revenue and expenses of $3.446M reflects a 5.6% increase over the 2018 budget.
END-OF-YEAR GIVING Please initiate transfers for gifts of securities by Friday, December 14. All other gifts must be postmarked or received by 5:00 p.m., Monday, December 31. You may also make a credit card or ACH contribution. On the church website (www.davidsonumc.org), under the GIVE tab, click on “Make a Secure Payment.” Note that ACH gifts take 2 business days to process. Questions? Contact Patti Waldeisen, Director of Finance and Operations (
[email protected]).
SERMON REWIND Mondays ● 6:30 p.m. ● Room 206/208 Explore, expand, and extend the message beyond Sunday's sermon. No preparation is required other than listening to the sermon, either in worship or online (posted Monday mornings), then join Beth Quinn and Jerry Hancock for an engaging follow-up discussion. Consider attending at least once before the end of the year - and bring a friend!
WELCOME DANIELLE LITTLE INTO HER NEWST ROLL DUMC's Staff Parish Relations Committee is pleased to announce the hiring of Danielle Little as our Interim Saturday Worship Leader. Danielle was baptized at DUMC as an infant. An active participant in church programs from an early age, Danielle has discerned her gifts in the ministry of music. She has participated in our choral and handbell programs and is an accomplished pianist and organist. Danielle has been a member of our Saturday Night Worship Band since 2016. In this role, she will take over leadership of that group in an interim capacity as we continue to search for a permanent worship director. Please welcome Danielle to her new role on the DUMC staff!
2019 - 20 PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION Registration for DUMC’s Weekday Preschool will be held February 1 - 15, 2019. Our program offers classes for children ages 2 years (by 8/31/19) through TK (age 5 by 8/31/19). Application forms for the lottery will be available on the website or in the Preschool Office (Room 119) beginning January 14. All applications must be received by 12:30 p.m. on Friday, February 15. The lottery will be held on February 18. Detailed information about the Preschool, tours, tuition, and a meeting for parents of prospective TK students, is available at www.davidsonumc.org/weekdaypreschool.
Did you know… Text to Give is Available! Simply text 704-457-5083 with the amount you would like to contribute to DUMC’s General Fund. (You will need to set up an account the first time you login, but not for subsequent transactions.)
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2019... NEW YEAR LABYRINTH WALK & RECOMMITMENT SERVICE Sunday, December 30 ● 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. ● Chapel Experience a lovely, candle-lit labyrinth prayer walk as a way to release the past and imagine the year ahead. Come and depart as you are able through 6:00 p.m. (Please wear/bring socks.) A service for those drawn to recommitting their lives to Christ will follow at 7:00 p.m. Questions? Contact Lisa Marion (
[email protected]) or Don Carroll (
[email protected]). CHRISTIANITY AND WORLD RELIGIONS: WRESTLING WITH QUESTIONS PEOPLE ASK First and third Sundays for 6 sessions, beginning January 6 ● 5:30 p.m. The Ditto Bible Study group will be reading and discussing this book by Adam Hamilton. Anyone interested in joining the group is welcome! Contact Heather Smith (704-892-8277 or
[email protected]). GETTING TO KNOW THE BIBLE Sundays, January 6, 13, & 20 Watch for registration details. RELIGIOUS AWARD CLASSES FOR SCOUTS God & Me (Grades 2 & 3) Sundays, January 13, 20, and 27 (register by January 6) ● 12:15 - 2:30 p.m.
PRAYER LIST
Names remain on this list for two issues, unless otherwise requested. To add your name or that of a friend or loved one, contact Jonna Eichorn (
[email protected] or 704-892-8277).
Peter Allen Dylan Joe and Sybil Banks Irene Barr Mita Berry Ellie Bishop Kim Browning Barbara Bruggers Elizabeth Chaney June Cook Hazel Crompton Phyllis D’Agostino Ruth Dagenhart Alex Dahan Avery Doehne Judy Feigl Grant Geis Alison Giacose Jeff Greene Capt. John Graziano Cheryl and Shawn Greenwood Michael Hager Kitty and Herman Hamilton Cliff Hammond Hazel Harrington Barb Hertzel
Scott Hill Norene Holmberg George Jensen Courtney Johnson Margie Younts Klinge Cyndi Knight Margie and Ron Lee Debbie McGraw Brady Mitchell Suzy Moyd Woody Naman Chris O’Neal Fred O’Neal Sophia Schatz Locke Scripps Robert Shirley Sue Shuman Jordan and Billy Smith Dennis Swanick Darryl Swanner Vanessa Turner Maryanne Wabalas Charles Walker Christian Younts Dale Zajac Joyce Zimms
God & Family (Grades 4 & 5) Sundays, February 3, 10, and 17 (register by January 27) ● 12:15 - 2:30 p.m.
SYMPATHY to: Dave Rink in the death of his father. The family of Blaise Howe. Debbie Little in the death of her mother. The family of Thad Chesson. The family of Fern Brazell.
God & Church (Middle School) Friday, January 25 ● 4:30 - 9:00 p.m. Saturday, January 26 ● 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (register by January 13)
THANK YOU to everyone who contributed toward … 730 bags of groceries collected for Harvest Procession 277 winter coats for Crisis Assistance Ministry 1,264 stuffed animals for the Preschool’s Project Hug
God & Life (High School) will meet when several scouts are available (contact Heather Smith by January 13).
A LOVING THANK YOU goes to all 207 people who helped bring the story of Christ's birth to life during Christmas in Davidson: actors, builders, costumers, dancers, hot chocolate servers, shepherds, shopkeepers, soloists, sound technicians, straw haulers, townspeople, wise men, Mary, Joseph, and several baby Jesuses! Our message of God's gift of Jesus to us was experienced by several thousand visitors during the Live Nativity!
Contact Heather Smith (704-892-8277 or
[email protected]). WINTER-SPRING SEASON OF THE DUMC BOWLING LEAGUE Begins Sunday, January 20 ● 6:30 p.m. ● SpareTime, Huntersville The league continues every other Sunday evening for 8 weeks. All adults interested in fellowship while bowling are invited! Skill is definitely not required! Contact Heather Smith (704-892-8277 or
[email protected]). THE BIG SILENCE RETREAT January 20 - 23 ● St. Francis Prayer Center We are all on a spiritual journey in this life, but so much of our journey is spent outside of ourselves. How often do you get away from the distractions of this world to find a holy place within? When was the last time you just hung out with God with no expectations? Maybe it’s time for you to journey inward! Contact Rev. Dianne Lawhorn for full retreat details (
[email protected]).
ARE YOU FACING A TOUGH TIME? Stephen Ministry (confidential, non-judgmental, one-onone Christian relationships) may help. There are many reasons why people seek a Stephen Minister, including: death of a loved one, unemployment, spiritual crisis, chronic illness, aging/nursing home, infertility…. Whatever your circumstance, contact Rev. Linda Zastovnik (
[email protected] or 704-8928277) to learn if Stephen Ministry is a good fit for you.
LIBRARY SPOTLIGHT: GRATITUDE Gail Spach, DUMC Librarian The Library has a wonderful collection of over 300 Advent and Christmas books, CDs, and DVDs for you and your family. Visit whenever the Church Office is open, and on Sunday mornings. Here are a few of the newest children’s books. They all have special shiny covers!
Jesus Calling: The Story of Christmas by Sarah Young This Christmas book teaches children that God’s plan for Christmas began with the creation story.
A Savior is Born by Patti Rokus Patti Rokus tells the story of Jesus’ birth through simple text and illustrations created by artfully arranging rocks.
‘Twas the Evening of Christmas by Glenys Nellist With luminous illustrations and through gentle rhymes, this awardwinning book immerses children in the Nativity story.
DAVIDSON
UNITED METHODIST
CHURCH P.O. BOX 718 ׀233 SOUTH MAIN STREET DAVIDSON, NC 28036 704-892-8277 ׀WWW.DAVIDSONUMC.ORG
