Happy Advent!  
 
It is hard for me to believe we are in the last month of 2018. This year has flown by. I would like to thank everyone who has been very supportive of Children's Ministries this year. We started many new programs this year and they would not have been successful without you!
 
Advent season is in full swing! We had a great group of about 100 people come to the Advent wreath making workshop. Advent is the season of preparing our hearts and mind for the arrival of Jesus. It is very easy to get caught up in Christmas festivities and lose focus on preparing for Jesus. I encourage you to help your family take a step back and reflect on what Mary and Joseph were going through during their journey. A great way to help our children with this is participating in an Advent devotional, Advent wreath, or Advent calendar together. I have copies of a devotional and calendar. If you are unable to get to the church on a Sunday morning let me know. I can send it to you digitally. As a group we will be learning about Advent and doing an outreach project together. Children's Ministries is collecting items to make bags for the seniors of the Sterling Community. We are asking children in K3 - 5th grade to bring the following items to place in bags: fresh fruit, cans of soup, granola bars, ramen noodles, sugar-free candy, individual packs of mac and cheese, Lance crackers or a sleeve of crackers, and individual cups of applesauce or fruit. Collection boxes will be outside of the classroom doors. The children will pack the bags during Sunday School on  December 9.
 
Children's Ministries and the Music Department are busy getting ready for the Christmas Pageant. The pageant occurs during the 4:00 PM Christmas Eve service. Children in 3K through 5th grade are invited to participate in the pageant. There are no sign ups, just come to rehearsals. Rehearsals are on Wednesday nights from 5:15 - 6:00 PM. We will meet in classrooms on the 2nd floor of the Parish House on Dec 5, 12, and 19. If you have any questions you can contact Donald Duncan.
Childcare in the nursery wing will be provided during the Christmas Eve Service at 6:00 in the church.
 
Please note there are some changes in offerings for Children's Ministries on Sunday mornings in the month of December and January:  
December 23 : No Sunday School, Nursery, or FaithSteps. There will be Children's Church during the 10:30 church service.
December 30 : No Sunday School, Nursery, FaithSteps, or Children's Church.
January 6 : No Sunday School, Nursery, or FaithSteps. There will be Children's Church during the 10:30 church service.
January 13 : We will be back on schedule with Sunday School, Nursery, and FaithSteps. We will not have Children's Church due to having baptisms during the service.
 
Blessings, Hedrick Lewis
 
Song of the Month

Advent Colors (sung to the tune of "Clemetine")
Advent colors, Advent colors,
They are lovely-what a sight!
Can you name some Advent colors
Looking festive, looking bright?
(Blue, pink, white)

 
Welcome November's Bundle of Joy!
 
Everett Henry Smith, proud parents are Lauren and Hudson Smith.

 
Upcoming Events

Soup Sales: Sunday, December 9, 9:30 AM - 12:15 PM, McCall Parlor
Don't miss out on Karen's delicious soups. This month we are offering Karen's FAMOUS Tomato Basil Soup, Sweet Corn, Peppered Bacon and Shrimp Chowder, and Beef Brisket and Ale Three Mushroom Soup. 
   
Mothers' Bible Study: Thursdays, 12 noon - 1:00 PM, Graham Library 
The bible study is open to all moms. We are reading Becoming a Peaceful Mom: Through Every Season of Raising Your Child by Teresa deBorde Glenn. Childcare is provided for infants - 4K.  
 
Rhythms of Grace: Sunday, December 16, 3:00 PM, Markley Chapel 
This service is designed for children and families with special needs, but it is also a wonderful service for younger children. The service will last about forty-five minutes and includes signing, storytelling, hands-on exploration of the story, Eucharist, and fellowship time. This is a great way to introduce your child to a church service where it is okay if they cannot sit still or are loud.
 
Parish Christmas Dinner with St. Nicholas : Sunday, December 16, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Join St. Nicholas in the All Saint's Center this year for his much anticipated appearance this year as we serve a traditional Christmas dinner of Turkey and Gravy with Joyce's Mac n' Cheese, green beans, and pecan pie for dessert. This year we will also have parishioner's participate by decorating table tops. There will be a friendly competition to see which team of elves gets the most likes. Cost: $9 per Adult & Youth, $6/child 3 - 12 years old and Infants through 2 year olds are free.  
 
Meals on Wheels Outreach Event: Thursday, January 3, 9:00 AM - 12 noon
RSVP to Hannah Flack by Thursday, December 13 
Youth (4th-12th grade) join us for Meals on Wheels outreach. Meals on Wheels of Greenville relies on a strong network of volunteers to deliver so much more than a meal to every homebound citizen in our community. Come join our team to assist with this incredible organization!