828.684.0352
Thursday, November 29 , 2018
Click for bulletin .
Click for sermon recording.
JOIN US FOR BRUNCH BETWEEN SERVICES
THIS SUNDAY
to welcome The Rev. George Tuttle and his wife, Donaleigh , and enjoy food and fellowship. Pastor George joins Nativity to serve as our Interim Senior Pastor on December 1. Click here to read more!
This Sunday's Brunch is provided by our neighbors and partners in ministry at Trinity View Retirement Community . Many Nativity members call Trinity View home. If you want to learn more about Trinity View and their living options, visit www.trinityview.net or call 687-0068.
NATIVITY OUTDOOR LIGHTS
Crew Needed!
This Sunday, December 2 , between services and after the second service. Have some refreshments at the Trinity view reception, and then join us outside. Help is needed to make our church a light on the hill this Advent and Christmas season.
GUEST PREACHER
THIS SUNDAY
The Rev. Mary M. Finklea
Pastor Mary lives in Florence with her husband, Wade, and three "kids", goats Lolly, LuLu, and Leroy. She is a graduate of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary and served twelve years as the pastor of Cross and Crown Lutheran Church, Florence, SC. On a break from congregational ministry, she is enjoying time with her family and volunteer work. Her work in the community includes having served on the boards of Francis Marion University, Lighthouse Ministries, and Lutheran Services Carolinas. She is the former president of Women In Philanthropy of the Pee Dee. As the ecumenical representative of the SC Synod of the ELCA, she enjoys learning about traditions different from her own, and is delighted to be always learning something new.

Joyce Horner
June 5, 1928 - November 23, 2018

We are saddened to inform you that Nativity member Joyce Horner died on Friday, November 23, 2018 at the Elizabeth House in Hendersonville. The family will be holding a private service at a later date. Please keep Joyce's husband, Dick , and their friends and family in your prayers.
Looking for a way to serve Nativity? There is an immediate need for several "jobs" around the church. Some tasks are one-time only, some are temporary, and others need a longer term commitment. Please consider giving of your time and talent to help! Click here to learn more!
The Great Pie Plate Mystery!
Due to everyone's generous response in saying "Goodbye with Pie" to the Hoffman's, many pie plates came and went last Sunday. There are a few pie plates left in the kitchen to be picked up and possibly a couple of mix-ups. One blue pie plate of significant sentimental value may have gone home to the wrong house. If you brought a pie on Sunday, please make sure the right plate went home with you! Thanks!
Children's Christmas Pageant
Christmas Pageant rehearsals will THIS SUNDAY, December 2 at 3PM. If you have not already let Ashley Hammack know you want to participate, there is still time. Please reach out to her or come and join us for the first rehearsal and we will find you a place. If you cannot make the first rehearsal, but still want to participate, please reach out as soon as possible so we can make adjustments to roles. The rehearsal schedule is as follows:

  • Sunday, Dec 2 from 3PM - 4PM
  • Sunday, Dec 9 from 3:30-4:30PM
  • Sunday, Dec 16 from 3:30 - 4:30PM
  • Wednesday, Dec19 from 5:30 - 6:45PM
STEWARDSHIP FOR ALL SEASONS
Thank you to those who have turned in Commitment Cards for 2019.
As of Thursday, November 29 totals are:

Operating Fund
90 Households for a total of $323,158
Organ Fund
  41 Household for a total of $18,586

Receiving Commitment Cards helps the church plan well for the future, and making a commitment helps our households make intentional plans for supporting the church. If you have not yet turned in your card, we invite you to join in making your commitment! Cards can be found in the church pews and you can place your card in the offering plate. You can complete it electronically by clicking here . We hope to have all commitments in by Sunday, December 9 . We would like to receive responses as soon as possible. After December 9 we will begin contacting those from whom we have not yet heard.
 
Thank you for being in prayer for Nativity in 2019, and for committing yourselves to being part of God's work here in this place!
The Endowment Fund was established by the members of Lutheran Church of the Nativity in 2004. We are blessed to have a program that allows members and friends of Nativity to apply for funds that will enable new ministry initiatives outside the scope of the normal operating budget, help nativity reach out to the community and larger church, and build the church for future generations through scholarships for seminarians, contributions for youth to attend camp, and education for college students (at a Lutheran school) who are affiliated with Nativity. Applications are available in the Church Office or on the website. We will be accepting completed applications through December 23rd. You can email the completed applications to  asheville2002@gmail.com  or bring them to the Church Office and place in the Endowment Committee mailbox.  
Celebrate the joy and magic of the holiday season with an evening of live music, dance, and comedy that's sure to become an annual tradition! This family-friendly, Broadway-style show features the finest performers from Asheville and Western North Carolina and special guest artists. Directed by musical theatre veteran and funnyman Mario Morin, and choreographed by former Radio City Rockette Lucinda Morin, this professional production presents Christmas favorites including  Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, O Holy Night, Let it Snow, and  Go Tell it On the Mountain . Relax, unplug, and take time to share the joy, laughter, and peace of the season with your friends, neighbors, and families at the   Asheville Christmas Show!

Friday, November 30th &
Saturday, December 1st, 2018
 at 7:30 PM
419 McDowell Street
Asheville NC 28803
Click here for more info and tickets!
 
This show is produced, directed and choreographed by Nativity's own  Mario & Lucinda Morin .
To benefit victims of Hurricane Florence
Skyland Fire Department
Community Room
THIS SATURDAY
December 1
7:30am until 11:00am

$8 Adult | $6 Child
At the door

sponsored by Farm 2 Fender Cafe
and the Rotary Club of Arden
G I V I N G   Update
 Your faithful giving contributes 
to our mission of 
Making Christ Known .

For the month of October 2018
Budgeted to receive: $46,268
Actual received: $38,253
Budgeted to spend: $47,746
Actual spent: $33,767


October 2018 Council Minutes

Thank you for your support of the ministry we share! If you have any questions, please contact our Financial Secretary, Carrie Dahlberg ,  by clicking    here .
FAITH FORMATION SCHEDULE

Sunday, December 2
No classes
Sunday, December 9 & 16
Class as scheduled
Sunday, December 23 & 30
No classes
Sunday, January 6
Classes resume
We hope you'll join us on Sunday mornings between worship services, from 9:40 to 10:40, to learn and grow in faith. This year, we have 7 classes. Click to read descriptions!
At Calvary Food Pantry, all are welcome! Thank you for your support of this vital outreach ministry. The pantry is open every Saturday from 8:30AM until 11AM to provide groceries, prayer, and encouragement.
To find out more, contact Ann Harvey . To volunteer, sign up online or at the Welcome Desk.
Pub Theology's last gathering of 2018 will be on Thursday, December 6 at 7:30pm at Mills River Brewery. Come join us for a refreshing beverage (wine and non-alcoholic beverages also available) and lively discussion. Then, watch for dates in 2019!
THE NATIVITY WOMEN'S GROUP will gather on Thursday, December 13, at 11:00AM in the Fellowship Hall. We will enjoy a bag lunch, meet the Syrophoenician Women (Matthew 15:21-28 and Mark 7:26) in a short Bible study, and decide on next year's Bible study. All women are welcome - just come!
 
THE NATIVITY CARD MINISTRY will meet on Thursday, December 13, at 12:30PM in the Fellowship Hall. All are welcome to come and help make the beautiful cards we send to our members on the prayer list.
LADIES LUNCH BUNCH will next meet January 24, 2019. Nancy Seekamp will be our hostess and more information will be coming in January through the Nativity e-news. All women are welcome to attend this group to enjoy a meal at a local restaurant and get to know your sisters in Christ.
+ nativity book group
The December meeting of the Book Discussion Group will be on Thursday, December 6 at 2PM at the Ivory Road Restaurant on route 191, just north of the Long Shoals intersection with Rt. 191. We will enjoy an English Tea as we discuss Love Without Limits by Jacqueline Bussie. Reservations are necessary to have enough places and food for everyone. The cost of the tea is $20. You may attend and not purchase the tea, but you must still let us know if you are planning to attend by November 15. Call Peggy Oehm , 828.964.2656 or Linda Blake , 684.8378.
January's meeting will be on Thursday, January 17, at 2:00PM in the Fellowship Hall to discuss The Hamilton Affair by Elizabeth Cobbs.
All are welcome to join this group at any time.
Scripture Readings beginning December 2

Sunday           Luke 21:25-36
Monday            Jeremiah 33:14-16
Tuesday            1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Wednesday       Nehemiah 9:6-15
Thursday          Revelation 22:12-16
Friday              Malachi 3:5-12
Saturday          Psalm 25:1-10  
Sunday             Luke 3:1-6  
TAKING FAITH HOME This weekly devotional handout is also available on the Welcome Desk. "Taking Faith Home" is a production of Milestones Ministry, LLC, and is created by a team led by an ELCA Pastor.
Lutheran Church of the Nativity
2425 Hendersonville Rd. | P. O. Box 208
Arden, North Carolina 28704
www. nativityarden.org | 828.684.0352