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+ worship update
This Sunday we will explore the joy-filled tasks God gives us in the midst of our waiting. The season of Advent is already halfway complete, and this week's Scripture readings lift up the ways in which our loving God has empowered us for bold witness in the world.
Anointed as beloved children of God, we are sent into a weary world as signs that the Holy Spirit is still moving.
For an update on the music program's continuing role, click here.
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+Care
We extend our heartfelt prayers of Christian sympathy to the family and friends of Jane Schroeder, especially remembering to hold in prayer Tim, Carolyn, Sarah, and Ben Anderson.
Jane died peacefully at Universal Health Care with her daughter, Carolyn,
by her side.
Jane's life will be celebrated this Saturday evening, December 10 at 4:00 pm.
Her funeral service will be set in the format of her favorite liturgy, Holden Evening Prayer. The family will receive friends afterwards in the Fellowship Hall at a dessert reception.
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ADVENT 2016
A TIME TO . . .
Advent continues into the third week, beginning this Sunday. For a copy of the Nativity Advent Brochure, click here.
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Stewardship 2017
During Advent, as we await the gift of the Christ Child, we'll consider the many other gifts that God has given us, and how we are called to offer those gifts back to God.
Each Sunday, we'll hear stories from different members of our congregation about the ministries of Nativity. As you listen, consider also how Nativity has impacted your life and faith. Consider also the potential Nativity has for growth and service in the future.
This past Sunday, we heard from one of our members who wishes to be anonymous. To read their story, please click here.
Stewardship Packets have been mailed. Your 2017 Pledge Card is included, and you'll have the opportunity to turn in your pledge each week during worship. Our final pledge Sunday will be January 8th.
If your household didn't receive a Packet, please see Pastor Rachel.
Please faithfully consider how God is calling you to give to the ministry of Nativity. Your pledge enables us to live our mission statement, "Making Christ Known."
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+Noisy Offering
T
his week's Noisy Offering will go to Interfaith Assistance Ministry (IAM), a crisis service center which supports our neighbors in Henderson County. IAM provides "hope, food, warmth, medication, and support," and they "are the hands that distribute what the heart of the community provides." Thank you for helping IAM help our neighbors in need this Christmas season.
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+ welca
Women of Nativity will meet to study on Thursday, January 12th at 11:00 am in the Fellowship Hall. Bring a bag lunch, if you wish, and join in the discussion with your sisters in Christ.
All women are welcome.
Nativity Card Ministry will meet to make cards for our members on the prayer list on
Thursday, January 12th at 12:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Your hands are needed to assemble the cards with easy to follow directions. Stop by and check out the results.
All are welcome to participate.
Ladies Lunch Bunch will next meet January 26.
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Want to get
the word out?
Please submit your communications, articles, events,
by noon on Wednesday
for weekly
Nativity Notes
and
Son Times
.
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Click
here
to see who's celebrating their birthdays in December.
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+ check us out
on social media!
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CHURCH OFFICE
HOURS
Mon-Thurs
9am-2pm |
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At Our Congregational Meeting
on Sunday, Dec 4, 2016, the congregation voted to
Approve the 2017 Budget!
Thank you to those who were able to attend, and thank you to those who worked on the creation of this Budget.
We look forward to another year of Making Christ Known in 2017!
of the approved 2017 Budget.
If you have questions,
please contact the church office.
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+ Special guest musician this week
We welcome Kimberly Cann as our guest musician this week
(Gary Mitchell is away fulfilling a previous commitment).
Kimberly is a concert pianist, educator, and social advocate. She has served as a board member of the Asheville Symphony Orchestra and she is the director of Asheville Piano Lab Studios (for more info, click
here). Kimberly lives in the area, along with her husband and two young children. All are invited to join us this Sunday for worship and fellowship as we welcome Kimberly.
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+
Ending well in 2016
There are
3
Sundays
remaining in this calendar year. W
e have made progress towards meeting our giving goal for 2016, but we aren't quite there yet. In order to end well this year, we need to receive
$77,901
before
January
. Please complete your pledges for the year, so that we can end this calendar year well. (Unpledged gifts are also welcome!) Thank you for contributing to the ministry of Nativity!
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+ book discussion group
The December meetings of the
Book Discussion Group will be
Tuesday afternoon,
1:30 pm
,
December 13
in the Fellowship Hall and
Thursday
evening,
6:30 pm
,
December 15
in the Preschool Playroom.
The book under discussion in both meetings is
Me Before You
by Jojo Moyes.
If you are planning to come to the Tuesday afternoon meeting, please call
Linda Blake,
684-8378
.
January's meetings will be Tuesday, January 10 and Thursday, January 12. The book is
Circling the Sun
by Paula McLain. Everyone is welcome to attend either meeting.
For Discussion Guidelines, click
here.
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+ learn
Faith Formation
Intergenerational Faith Formation has a seat open for you! Join us Dec 11th and Dec 18th for conversation and fellowship surrounding our faith. Children 1st grade and younger meet in the Preschool Big Room, and everyone else meets in the Fellowship Hall between services.
Daily Scripture Readings:
Sunday: Isaiah 61:1-11
Monday: Isaiah 63:7-14
Tuesday: Isaiah 63:15-64:12
Wednesday: Isaiah 65:17-25
Thursday: Obadiah 1:1-21
Friday: Zechariah 12:1-13:1
Saturday: Malachi 3:1-7
God's Story, Our Story
Weekly devotional materials relating to the Narrative Lectionary are available on the Welcome Desk.
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+ give
Calvary Food Pantr
y volunteer sign ups are going digital. If you would like to sign up, please click
here to view upcoming weeks and select your volunteer position. A sign up sheet remains at the Welcome Desk.
To learn more about Calvary Food Pantry, contact
Pastor Rachel or
You can help stock the pantry shelves by placing items in the grocery cart in the fellowship hall. Special requests for this month: your favorite breakfast cereal (hot or cold), soups & stews, and foods especially for kids home for the holidays (macaroni & cheese, spaghettios, microwave popcorn, canned fruit, etc.).
Upcoming volunteer dates for
Calvary Food Pantry:
December 10 from 12:45-3:45
(due to Fletcher parade).
Thanks!
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+
Girl Scout Service Project
Advent greetings from Girl Scout Troop 2511 in Fairview. During this season, the girls are working on a service project of giving.
They have chosen to collect supplies for Helpmate, a shelter for domestic violence victims and their children.
During the next month, the girls of Troop 2511 will be placing boxes here at Nativity
(a box near the Welcome Desk)
and at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church
in Fairview.
The troop is collecting:
- wipes and diapers in sizes 2-6
- socks for women and children in all sizes
- underwear for women and children in all sizes
- bath and body wash
- pocket kleenex
- pocket sanitizer
- pajamas for women and children in all sizes
- seasonal items (jackets, gloves, hats) for women and children in all sizes
- shelf staple food/pantry items
For assistance with donations, please contact troop co-leader
Jennie Gillette @
828-707-8343.
Thank you for your help in assisting
Troop 2511 in their service project!
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+ NPK
Nativity Preschool and Kindergarten has been selling Christmas Wreaths during the holiday season, with 50% of the proceeds going directly to NPK.
For those who ordered a wreath:they're here! Come pick up your wreath this week if possible.
Thank you for supporting our school!
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+ council corner
Minutes from previous meetings can be found on the church's website here.
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+
ELCA Good Gifts
Searching for a gift for that person who has everything? Consider giving a gift in their honor instead! ELCA Good Gifts lets you purchase gifts like livestock, equipment, and health care items to send to those in need around the world. There are over 50 options! Click here
to learn more about these gifts, or check out a catalog at the Welcome Desk.
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