happening this week
Intro to Handbells, August 18, 2-3:30 p.m., room 035, Snyder Building: Join us for a fast and furious hands-on intro to the world of making music with handbells led by Brian Childers. Previous ringing experience is helpful but not required. Click here to learn more and sign up.
Everywhere is Jerusalem: Experiencing the Holy Then and Now with Dr. James Howell, August 21, 11 a.m. in Assembly Hall and 7 p.m. in Francis Chapel: Join Dr. Howell as he takes us behind the scenes of his new book and shares his sense of why place matters to God, and to us, from Israel to Italy to Alabama to Charlotte. The book is available for purchase in Goodness Gracious. Dr. Howell will sign copies after the presentation.
Marriage Workshop, August 25, 9:45 a.m.-12 p.m., room 108: Couples preparing for marriage, join this workshop led by Rev. Taylor Pryde Barefoot for a time to connect and create a strong foundation for marriage. Email Julie Williams at jwilliams@mpumc.org to register.
Hospitality Team Meeting, August 25, 11 a.m., room 108: We are looking for people to volunteer in various capacities on Sunday mornings and at special events. Email Rev. Jessica Dayson at jdayson@mpumc.org to let us know of your interest and to RSVP for the meeting.
American Guild of Organists Concert, August 25, 7 p.m., Sanctuary: We are hosting the final recital of the American Guild of Organists Summer Recital Series. Evan Wesley Currie, organist, and our Chancel Choir, directed by Dr. Hugh Ferguson Floyd, will perform. A freewill offering will be accepted at the recital to support the Stigall Scholarship Fund, which helps offset private organ instruction tuition for organ students in grades 6-12.
this week for youth and children
Crucifer, Acolyte and Bible Carrier Trainings, August 24, 10 a.m., August 25, 12 p.m., and September 8, 12 p.m., Sanctuary: 5th-12th graders are invited to serve as bible carriers, acolytes, and crucifers during sanctuary worship services. Parents, if your family is new to the ministry, you must attend the training with your child to learn important information about scheduling and procedures. Click here to register. Email Katharine Willis at katharinecwillis@gmail.com or Peg Broughton at peg@mpumc.org with any questions.
New - Choose-Your-Own Adventure for 9th Graders, August 23: Food, fun, and fellowship - what more could you ask for? Meet on the third floor of the Center of Hope at 4 p.m. to choose different adventures to have with Jason and return to the same spot at 10 p.m. for pickup. The cost is $50 and includes dinner and other surprises. Questions? Email Jason at jason@mpumc.org for more information...but not too much information. Click here to sign up.
New - Quest Weekend for Rising 6th Graders, August 24-25: Middle school can feel like one big adventure full of fun, laughter, and the quest to discover who God has created you to be. Rising 6th graders are invited to join us for Quest Weekend, where we will jump into all of that together! The cost is $100 and includes transportation, all meals, the Middle School Back-to-School Bash at Frankie’s Fun Park, and more. Click here to learn more and to register.
New - Back-to-School Bashes at Frankie's Fun Park, August 24, 2-5 p.m. (Middle School) and August 25, 2-5 p.m. (High School): Cost is $25. Bring your own money for food and drinks. Come to the church and ride with us or meet us at Frankie's; just let us know your plans on your registration. Click Middle School Bash or High School Bash to learn more and to register.
New - Transition Sunday for 6th Graders, August 25, 8:45-10:45 a.m.: Rising 6th graders and their families are invited to join us for our Transition Sunday Celebration during the 8:45 a.m. worship service in Jubilee Hall during which 6th graders will be recognized by their church family as they move from Children’s Ministries to Youth Ministries. A breakfast bar for youth and information meeting for families will follow the service. Click here to sign up if you will attend Transition Sunday, but not Quest Weekend.
Transition Sunday for Kindergarteners, August 25, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.: Rising kindergarteners and their parents are invited to join us on the Queens Road playground to receive a gift bag and a special stone to mark the important milestone of starting kindergarten. Popsicles will be served! Click here to let us know your family will be there. Email Leslie Lowery at llowery@mpumc.org with any questions.
coming soon
Missions Summer Book Club: Join us in August as we read Through the Eyes of Santiago by church member Pedro Salazar. We will meet August 28 at 6:30 p.m. for discussion, reflection, and fellowship. The book is available for purchase in Goodness Gracious. Click here to learn more and to RSVP.
New - Let's Gather for Breakfast, September 1, 9:45-11 a.m. Jubilee Hall: Chef Adam is whipping up a delicious breakfast so we can all gather for a meal together as a church family before or after worship. RSVP to help us plan, but we will welcome walk-ins. Click here to register.
Join the Music Ministry This Fall! We have choirs and handbell ensembles for ages 5-95! We also have a string ensemble and opportunities to lead in our 8:45 modern worship service. Our choirs also participate in our annual Christmas Concert, held this year on December 8. Visit the Music Ministry website to learn more and to register. We hope to see you in September!
New - Living the Questions, Sundays at 9:45 a.m. or Wednesdays at 6:15 p.m.: Join us beginning September 8 to explore what it means to be on this journey of the Christian faith, discuss how we read the Bible, think theologically, and interpret Jesus' life and ministry. Child care is available on Wednesdays. Email Rev. Jessica Dayson at jdayson@mpumc.org to learn more or to join.
Sign Up for the Fall Bible Retreat, by September 10: Join Rev. Nancy Watson and Dr. Hugh Floyd October 16-18 at Lake Junaluska to experience the music of our faith. Music has been part of worship since the days of Abraham, and it connects us with God and with one another in ways that transcend our understanding. This promises to be a great time of connecting! $295 per person for a double occupancy room or $590 for a single room. Click here for details and to register. Email Julie Williams at jwilliams@mpumc.org with any questions.
New - Old Testament Bible Study, Wednesdays, 6:30-8 p.m.: Beginning September 11, join David Dulin to deepen your understanding and knowledge of the Old Testament scriptures. Participants will need to purchase the Disciple Fast Track Old Testament Study manual from Goodness Gracious. Email Dr. Uiyeon Kim at ukim@mpumc.org for details.
Save the Date: Blood Drive, November 24, 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Mark your calendar now for the Health Ministry Team’s annual Memorial Blood Drive in partnership with the Red Cross. Stay tuned for more information.
pastor's programs
The Election, Your Spirituality, and the Soul of Our Nation: Join Dr. Howell as he unfolds thoughts on the election, your spirituality, and the soul of our nation in his biweekly emails. If you do not currently receive Dr. Howell’s emails, click here to subscribe. If you missed Dr. Howell's program and conversation on August 7, click here to watch it now.
Maybe I’m Amazed Podcast: Dr. Howell discusses the state of the church, technology, and AI with Tim Dalrymple, President and CEO of Christianity Today. Before joining Christianity Today, Dalrymple was the founder and CEO of Polymath Innovations, held multiple leadership positions at Patheos, and was a teaching fellow at Harvard University. He has degrees in Philosophy and Religious Studies from Stanford, an MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a PhD in Religion from Harvard’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Click here to listen and subscribe.
giving
Your ongoing generosity to our church Operating Fund and our Mission & Outreach Fund makes it possible for our church family to connect through worship, fellowship and prayer and support our most vulnerable neighbors near and far.
We are the body of Christ, growing in faith and serving others