Women of Advent: Ladies, please join us for the Women of Advent’s Annual Christmas Breakfast Buffet tomorrow, December 1, at 9:30 a.m. at the home of Carolyn Hinkle, 185 Saxapawhaw Run, Chapel Hill, NC 27516. RSVP to Carolyn (919-967-3609 or cbhinkle@msn.com.)
Condolences to Beth Benham whose father, Leonard Wachsmuth, passed away on November 20. You can read his obituary here. Beth’s home address: 6699 Quail Lake, Mason OH 45040
Commitment Cards: Thanks to all who returned their 2019 commitment cards. They are helpful for planning next year’s budget. If you haven’t returned one, it’s not too late. Bring it to church this Sunday or mail it to the church.
Poinsettias: Order your poinsettias to decorate the church by Sunday, December 9. Print and use this form or pick one up at church.
Advent Services: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us)” Matthew 1:23. Join us for our Advent worship series, “God with Us.” Each week will focus on a different word picture of the coming Christ found in the poetic and prophetic words of Isaiah and will reveal how Christ continues be present with us even now. Light Supper at 6:15 p.m., Worship Service at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Wednesday, December 5: Our Potter (Isaiah 64:8): God is with us as our Potter, who shapes according to his will.
Wednesday, December 12: Our Shepherd (Isaiah 40:11): God is with us as our Shepherd, who carries us close to his heart.
Sunday, December 16: Children’s Program during worship, “Starry, Starry Night“
Wednesday, December 19: Our Living Branch (Isaiah 11:1): God is with us as our Living Branch, who died and rose to give us eternal life.
Sunday, December 23: Our Guide (Isaiah 2:3): God is with us as our Guide, who leads us according to his Word.
Hurricane Relief – Helping Our Neighbors: Check out this great video on the outreach page of our website about current needs and relief efforts in Lumberton from the SED featuring Pastor Williamson.
Hope Buckets: Thank you to all who donated cleaning supplies and helped pack “Hope Buckets” for families working to recover from flood damage in Lumberton. Your thoughtfulness and generosity make a real difference. The buckets will be delivered this week.
Christmas Sharing Tree: Pastor Williamson and Mr. Hammonds, a Guidance Counselor at Lumberton HS, are working together to give us a list of younger children to help at Christmas time. We hope to share that list soon.
Gift Cards: We continue to collect Walmart and Lowe’s Home Improvement gift cards or cash each Sunday through December and will send your donations to Pastor Williamson in Lumberton at the end of the month. Look for a collection spot in the narthex. Contacts: Carolyn Jones and Lydia Berrong.
New Praise and Worship Band: There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 Love to sing? Love to play instruments? Love to worship the Lord? Then we are looking for you! Contemporary worship at Advent is starting up. Make plans to join The New Praise and Worship Band. All musicians are welcome to join: singers, instrumentalists, computer-based musicians, sound techs, guitar, bass, drums, percussion, piano, flute, violin, cello, saxophone, etc. Please let Pastor Scott know how you would like to help. Don’t forget to ask your friends, family, and neighbors too! They may know someone who might be interested.
Sunday Adult Bible Study Leaders: Dec. 2 – John Stow; Dec. 9 – Bob Serpas; Dec. 16 – Dave Neely
Readings for Sunday, December 2, First S. in Advent: For those who wish to prepare for Sunday’s lessons, please read Jer. 33:14–16, Psalm 25:1–10, 1 Thess. 3:9–13, Luke 19:28–40 or Luke 21:25–36