HAPPENING this afternoon
Music Ministry Christmas Concert, December 3, 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church: Join us for our annual Christmas Concert, featuring our adult, youth and children's ensembles and a full orchestra. No reservations or tickets are required. Drive to and park at First UMC, or park at Myers Park UMC and ride the shuttle to First UMC. The shuttle will begin running at 3 p.m. Learn more about the concert on our website.
Today is the Last Day to Purchase Make-at-Home Advent Wreath Kits, which are $15 and include candles, candle cups, greenery pins, foam, and a tray. Please note that greenery is not provided. Kits will be available for pickup in the Parish Life Building lobby. Supplies are limited. Click here to order.
HAPPENING THIS WEEK
Advent Study Group, beginning December 4: Join us for our Advent series as we discuss how Christmas transformed our world. There is no book to purchase. We will focus and reflect on specific Gospel lessons. This three-week series will meet in person and online. Click here for details. Email Dr. Uiyeon Kim at ukim@mpumc.org with any questions.
Last Chance to Purchase a Poinsettia or Wreath to decorate the church in honor or memory of a loved one. Poinsettias are $20 each, and wreaths are $30-$50 each. Click here to order online or send a check to the church along with the name of the person you are honoring/remembering. Order by December 6. Dedications will be shared in the December 17 worship bulletin.
Family Movie Night, December 7, 5:30-6:45 p.m.: Your family is invited to join us for a screening of A Charlie Brown Christmas. The Ben & Jerry’s hot chocolate cart will be onsite for you to purchase a warm beverage. Learn more and RSVP on our website.
Sole Friends, December 9, 9 a.m., McAlpine Greenway: Join us to step out in nature and explore the beauty of God’s creation together. All fitness levels are welcome! Click here for more information and to register. Email Parish Nurse Lauren Smith at lsmith@mpumc.org with any questions.
More Events & Opportunities
Festival of the Crèche, December 10, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3-5 p.m.: Come stroll through the lobby of Jubilee Hall where church members’ personal nativity sets/creches will be on display for you to admire while enjoying a cup of coffee or hot cider.
Kneeling at the Manger, December 10, 4 p.m., Jubilee Hall: Join us for this annual service of story and song. Children may dress as their favorite nativity character.
Service of Hope and Consolation, December 11, 6:30 p.m., Sanctuary: For those who have suffered loss, the holidays can be especially challenging. Join us for this service of remembrance and healing.
New - Hidden Valley Elementary Christmas Wishlist: The team at our partner school has identified 100 children who need a little love and support this holiday season. Please select a child or children from the tree in the Parish Life Building lobby or using these links (Female List and Male List) and purchase at least two wishlist items per child. Please gift wrap (no gift bags, please) and deliver the wishlist items to the Missions office by December 17. Email Julie Wentz at jwentz@mpumc.org with any questions.
Love Feast, December 17, 7-8 p.m., Sanctuary: Everyone is invited to this youth-led worship service featuring spiced tea and Moravian buns.
Advent Labyrinth, Francis Chapel: During this season of waiting, come to the labyrinth for a uniquely prayerful experience. A special setting and printed materials will be available to guide you in a walk of preparation for Christmas. Please call 704-376-8584 before coming to the church to ensure Francis Chapel is available for your walk. Email Rev. Taylor Pryde Barefoot at tbarefoot@mpumc.org for more details.
New - Shop the Alternative Gift Market: Come honor friends and families with gifts that support our community partners and neighbors around the world. Click here to shop online to make donations directly to partner agencies. If you need shopping assistance, come by the Missions office Monday-Friday, and we will help facilitate your giving!
Children’s Ministries’ Advent and Christmas Devotional Booklet: Peace on Earth, Children’s Ministries' 12th annual devotional booklet featuring children's artwork and devotions from clergy, staff, and ministry friends, is available around the church. One per family, please. A digital edition is also available on our website.
New - Goodness Gracious: Making your list? Checking it twice? Let Goodness Gracious take the stress out of gift-giving this year. Stop by the shop to find a wonderful selection of seasonal gifts perfect for hostesses, teachers, neighbors, and anyone else on your list. All sales support outreach! To stay up to date on all the latest news in the shop, follow us on Instagram @goodnessgraciousgifts
Join us for morning worship to mark the Fourth Sunday of Advent:
8:45 a.m., Church in the Round, Jubilee Hall
9:45 a.m., Sanctuary
11 a.m., Sanctuary
Then join us in the afternoon for one of our Christmas Eve services celebrating the joy of the season and the birth of our Lord!
12:30 p.m., Jubilee Hall: Music and carols with a Jazz twist
2 p.m., Sanctuary: Carols, candlelight, children’s Nativity tableau
4 p.m., Jubilee Hall: Casual, contemporary, acoustic
6 p.m., Sanctuary: Carols, candlelight, children’s Nativity tableau
8 p.m., Sanctuary: Choir, carols, candlelight, with Holy Communion
11 p.m., Sanctuary: Choir, carols, candlelight, with Holy Communion
New - And His Name Shall Be Call-ed: In Dr. Howell's Advent series, we’ll explore and sing together in worship Isaiah’s prophecy of the fabulous name of the one Israel longed for, the one whose coming we celebrate and still long for: God with us, Emmanuel, who’ll be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. If you don't already receive Dr. Howell’s biweekly emails, click here to sign up. And be part of our four worship services, one on each pair of these names, in person or online!
Maybe I’m Amazed Podcast: In October, Dr. Howell and Dr. Mark Holland, co-founder and executive director of Mainstream UMC, an advocacy group working for unity in the Body of Christ and the United Methodist Church, talked about where the United Methodist Church is right now, what's coming up at General Conference in May, when our future will be decided, what’s at stake, and how we can be involved. Click here to listen and subscribe.
New - Rev. Bill Roth Retiring: In a letter to the congregation this week, Dr. Howell announced that our longtime and much-beloved pastor Rev. Bill Roth will retire at the end of June 2024. In the letter, Bill shared "For the past twenty-four and half years, serving as your Pastor of Congregational Care has been my great privilege and joy. However, the time has come for me to retire from full-time ministry and spend more time with my family." We will have opportunities to celebrate his ministry and express our gratitude to him. Join us in prayers of thanksgiving for Bill’s life and ministry, for blessings in his retirement, and for our church, which is God’s church, as we move forward, as always, in hope. Click here to read the full announcement.
Beyond Enough: Check out information about our 2024 Stewardship Campaign, and prayerfully consider your commitment to our church Operating Fund and Mission & Outreach Fund for the upcoming year. Commitment cards can be returned via mail to 1501 Queens Road, Charlotte NC 28207 or submitted online.
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.
Wayland Henry Cato, Jr., husband of Marion Rivers Cato and father of Clarice Cato Goodyear, Catherine Evelyn Cato, John Pickens Derham Cato, Thomas Edgar Cato, and Joseph Courtney Cato, who died on November 4.
Barbara Earl Crisp, mother of Andy Crisp (Katie) and grandmother of Anna Kate and Charlotte Crisp, who died on November 26.
Thomas Black Murdock, husband of Grig Murdock, father of Brian Murdock (Laura), and grandfather of Colin, James, and Adam Murdock, who died on November 25.
Mark Tsai, father of Trish Cameron (Jason) and grandfather of Emma and Grant Cameron, who died on November 26.
We are the body of Christ, growing in faith and serving others