December 3, 2017
Worship 11:00 a.m.
Matt Gaventa Preaching
Evening Worship 7:00 p.m.
UPC Fellowship Hall
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The Chancel Choir sings a setting of the hymn, “Watchman, Tell Us Of the Night”, by Armenian-American composer Alan Hovhaness. Also,
Miriam’s Daughters, the quartet comprised of Jennie Chao, Kim Vitray, Liz Wright, and Meg McReynolds, sings Michael John Trotta’s “Veni, Veni Emmanuel”. They are assisted by Jessie Hsu and percussionist Caleb Jackson.
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Advent Devotionals Now Available Pick one up in the narthex or on the table outside the church office. The devotional, from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, is
Finding Christ at the Center of Our Advent Journey.
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Don't Miss the Advent Experience!
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December 3, 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
UPC Youth Room, Upper Level
Intergenerational exploration of the Advent season and Christmas story through fun, multi-sensory stations and crafts. Children, youth, and adults welcome. Advent wreath kits, advent candle packs, snacks, and family advent devotionals will also be available.
Special treat:
Laudate Children's Choir sings!
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The Advent Experience
Early Start Time: 9:00 a.m.!!!
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Don’t worry, you don’t have to be an opera star to spread the spirit of Advent. This annual event is great for any age or ability level. Join the Deacons on December 10 after church for a quick lunch followed by an afternoon of Christmas carols to some of our members. Don’t sing? Grab some jingle bells and come anyway!
Please RSVP to Jennie Chao at
jenbc@chaosweb.net or sign up at the Alternative Gift Market. Let a Deacon know if someone in your life needs some caroling. Thanks!
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Why I Sing
by Nicole Taylor
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There are so many benefits to singing:
- It releases endorphins giving you that “runner’s high” or euphoric feeling. Nice!
- It’s kind of a miraculous thing that the human body can do.
- You can express yourself
- It relieves stress
- Singing in choir gives you the opportunity to make friends/family.
- If church is really crowded, you have reserved seating.
- Also, consider that God considers the choir pretty valuable. When battles went down in the Old Testament, God would have the Israelites bring out the singers and praise dancers for battle. Remember the Battle of Jericho? The walls came down with a shout!
Reasons why I sing
There is no one answer for me. Singing is so much a part of who I am. Even when I neglect it or try to put it away in a drawer and hide it, it won’t stay quiet. If I am not careful in that situation, it will burst forth without provocation. When I sing regularly, no matter what is happening in my life, at that moment, I am free. So, there is a famous song by Kirk Franklin and his group at that time known as The Family. They produced one of their very first hits in the early 90s called, “The Reason Why I Sing.” I love that song. The chorus is pretty simple. It says,
“I sing because I'm happy
I sing because I'm free
His eyes are on the sparrow
That's the reason why I sing
Glory Hallelujah
You're the reason why I sing”
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Why do I sing at UPC?
The simple reason is because I love the hearts, souls, and voices that I get to worship Christ with. I believe that God has gifted me with a voice to sing. Sometimes, I don’t do all I think I should be doing with it. But, I do believe that when I get to sing at UPC, I am using my voice for His Glory doing what he gifted me to do. I don’t have to sing solos all the time. But the privilege and honor of praising Christ with other saints who love him is something that I cherish. Honestly, there is nothing else like it in the world. It is a little taste of heaven on this side. The Bible speaks of a great chorus of people singing and praising God. We get to practice that now. To sing in rhythm and in tune in step in heart and mind and voice with people who also love Jesus is so very awesome. I would highly recommend it.
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Come Sing with Nicole!
If you'd like to sing with Nicole in the UPC Chancel Choir, contact Ara Carapetyan at
512-795-8699 or speak to any choir member. We'd love to have you sing!
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Nominating Committee Call for Nominations
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The UPC Nominating Committee is beginning the work of putting together next year’s slate of church officers. Do you know somebody who might be called to serve our church with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love? Let us know! We’d love to hear from you! You can send your nominations to Kay Bryant at
kaybryant56@gmail.c
om
or
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It's Almost Tamale Time!
brought to you by Manos de Cristo
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It is not too late to order tamales on line from Manos de Cristo. Go to
manosdecristo.org/tamales
and place your order. If you select University Presbyterian Church in the drop down menu on the order form, they will be included in our order and will be distributed on December 10th. Tamales are $15 a dozen and $8 goes to support the
programs of Manos de Cristo.
Fresh tamales can be picked up at UPC after 3:00 p.m. Friday, December 8. The reset will be available cold or frozen on Sunday, December 10.
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Equal Exchange (EE) is a fair trade, worker-owned cooperative following ethical business practices while turning a profit. For example, no worker at EE earns more than 5 times the lowest paid person. That includes the two founders of EE (1986).
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Look for coffee, tea, and chocolate at the Alternative Gift Market.
Give Equal Exchange products for Christmas!
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The Parenting & Faith class joins the Faith & Life class for the first three Sundays in December. Sunday, December 3, we will meet at 9:30 a.m. Room 201, upper level. See topics under
Faith & Life.
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Faith & Life Series:
Advent
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Please join us for the next three Sundays as we welcome members of the Parenting & Faith Class and a wonderful line-up of topics and speakers for this special season of Advent:
December 3 -
Sarah Gaventa
,
Lectio Divina and Advent: A meditative hour of scripture, poetry, and prayer
December 10 - Eric Wall
,
My Soul Cries Out: Music and Advent
In a month filled with music, what does the church sing? In this class, we’ll explore songs of the season – or rather, the seasons. How do Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany relate to each other in musical terms? What must we sing and hear so that we, as the church, can better offer words of hope and peace to a waiting world?
December 17 - Beverly Gaventa,
Mary in the Christmas Stories
We look forward to seeing you all throughout the month of December!
Grace and peace,
The Faith & Life Class planning group:
Madelyn Mitchell, Bobbie Sanders, Randal Whittington, Suzanne Wofford, Melinda Wofford, Elaine Wagner, Dave Jensen
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Welcome to The Way!
The Way is a new Sunday School class that offers an introduction to the Bible and is open to all.
The Way meets at 9:30 a.m. Sundays in Fellowship Hall. For more information,
email Jon Eddison or call
512-988-0333.
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Tuesday Evening Bible Class
will meet Tuesday, November 21. Class will hold its last class for the semester Tuesday, November 28 .
We will discuss the parables of the sheep and the goats and of the rich man and Lazarus. For more information, contact Jon Eddision:
jbeddison@mac.com or
512-988-0333.
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The Present Word
Room 3, Lower Level
Sundays, 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
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The Present Word Class is a discussion-based class that meets from 9:30 to 10:45 every Sunday. Our background material is provided by the curriculum that gives the class its name. By using the provided scripture readings, we ensure that we are engaging with the whole Bible over time. However, this is not a Bible study class. The scriptures and weekly lessons are our starting point for lively discussions that include the week's events, current issues, and our own Christian journeys. During the fall quarter we have been exploring Covenants with God - historical, contemporary and in our own lives. The class is led by Roscoe Overton. We would love to have you come learn, share and pray with us.
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Every Tuesday morning, UPC volunteers provide some food and coffee, hygiene items, and occasional financial assistance for our clients. While all donations are welcome at any time, here are some items to consider bringing to worship this week.
Thank you for your incredible support of this UPC mission!!
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For this week's grocery cart
- 10 lb. box of oatmeal (not instant)
- Large jars of jelly or preserves
- Breakfast bars
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Special Time! November 30, 7:00 p.m.
Fellowship Hall
Needleworkers, who normally meet the first Thursday of the month, will meet
this Thursday, November 30, to prepare some of our work for selling at the Alternative Gift Market next Sunday. It's a great time to come meet new friends, bring a bit of hand work and get an early peek at some beautiful scarves, hats, and other items. Please join us!
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Circle Meetings
in December
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Martha Circle
will meet in Fellowship Hall Saturday, December 9, 11:30 a.m. Virginia Park will be the hostess and Winnie Gage will lead the lesson. We hope to see you there for the last PW study of the year!
If you have questions, contact Karen Grice at (512) 926-7844 or
Ruth-Dorcas Circle meets December 12, 2:20 p.m. at the home of Dottie Penn. For more information, please call the church office at 512-476-5321.
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Please pray for
Christa Jeffers and her brothers
as they make medical decisions for their very ill father, Kim Ortiz. He has been in failing health and dealing with depression for some time now. Unfortunately, due to complications from a GI procedure, he is now on life support and completely unresponsive. Please pray for peace, strength and God’s wisdom to guide them as they make decisions for what may very well be the end of his journey here on earth.
A letter from David Evans to the friends and family of Linda Evans can be found here on her
Caring Bridge page.
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To pray for those on our prayer list, download the
Celebrations and Concerns folder for November 26, 2017, or pick up a copy in the narthex or outside the church office.
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If you'd like to be part of UPC's Prayer Chain, please
email the church office. You will receive emails asking that you pray specifically for people who have requested to be on the prayer list.
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To have a deacon pray with you, look for the
Deacon of the Day
on the pulpit side front of the sanctuary any Sunday following the postlude.
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Contact
University Presbyterian Church
2203 San Antonio Street
Austin, Texas 78705
512-476-5321
Rooted in worship
Growing through education & service
Connecting to campus & community
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