828.684.0352
Thursday, December 6 , 2018
IN THE EVENT OF
INCLEMENT WEATHER

To check the status of a service or other scheduled events, please visit our website at www.nativityarden.org  or call the Church Office at 684-0352 for a recorded message. We also post on WLOS. When possible, a special e-news will be sent.
Click for bulletin .
Click for sermon recording.
Christmas Worship Schedule
Monday, December 24
5pm
Christmas Eve Service with Children's Christmas Pageant and Holy Communion
10pm
Candlelight Christmas Eve Service with Holy Communion

Sunday, December 30
10am (one service only)
Lessons & Carols
Many thanks for the great response to the immediate need for volunteers at Nativity. Many "jobs" have been claimed and a few more have been added . 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!
will be continuously updated, so please check back often!
Pub Theology's last gathering of 2018 will be TONIGHT , 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!
Dear Nativity Family, 
 
Thank you so much for the beautiful farewell on Nov. 25th. The Goodbye Pie was delicious, and the fellowship was warm and meaningful. Thank you also for the cards, gifts, and well-wishes as you sent us off. We give thanks for the time we spent in ministry with you all and for the blessing you were to us. We continue to pray for you all and the ministry and blessings you will be called to in the future. 

We are settling in at Grace in Rock Hill, and already we can see ways our experiences at Nativity will help us be better pastors here. Thank you for being a blessing to the larger church and to us personally through the time we shared in ministry with you! 
 
We wish you a grace-filled Advent and a Merry Christmas, 

Pr. Gregg & Pr. Rachel 
Dear Nativity Family,

Thank you so much for your prayers, phone calls, cards, visits and food following my recent accident. 

God’s blessings to all of you,
Tom and Irma Allison
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.  
STEWARDSHIP FOR ALL SEASONS 2019
Thank you to those who have turned in Commitment Cards for 2019.
As of Thursday, December 6, totals are:

Operating Fund:
93  Households for a total of  $328,078
Organ Fund:
42 Households for a total of  $18,636
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 on Sunday. Or, 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!
2019 First Quarter Envelopes
will be available for pick up in the Fellowship Hall this Sunday. Please help us save postage by taking yours home with you! Thanks!

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 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!
+ nativity book group
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.
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 at auntannieh@gmail.com or (828)774-5102. To volunteer, sign up online or at the Welcome Desk in the Fellowship Hall.
Before it heads to Goodwill!!
Free! Nechhi Model 522FB in-cabinet sewing machine.
Not sure if it is in working condition or not. Please contact the Church Office at if you are interested.
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.
Scripture Readings beginning December 9

Sunday      Luke 3:1-6
Monday            Malachi 3:1-4
Tuesday            Luke 1:68-79
Wednesday     Isaiah 35:3-7
Thursday          Philippians 1:3-11
Friday             Isaiah 40:1-11
Saturday          Psalm 126  
Sunday             Luke 3:7-18
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