Saxapahaw United Methodist Church
December 9, 2020
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Message from
Rondell Holloway
and the Sax UMC Youth
Spread Christmas Cheer
for a Family in Need
Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s that time of the year again, where joy is in the air and the spirit of love and giving is overwhelming and upon us. As it is our tradition, the Saxapahaw United Methodist Church and the Youth Group are participating in the Christmas Cheer Program and adopting a family for the Christmas Holiday. Unfortunately, due to the Pandemic and the short time frame, we are only adopting one family this year. The plan this year is to provide the family with Christmas dinner and gifts to be delivered on the evening of December 20.
Our Christmas Cheer Family is a part of our community and consists of a mother, father, young adult and four youth. For those who chose to participate there are two ways to contribute. To donate a gift, either sign up online here or take a tag from the Christmas Tree set up in the lobby of the church (area behind the double glass doors). You can donate one or more gifts. Please return the unwrapped gift marked with a label to the lobby no later than December 18. If you’d like to contribute funds instead, please visit our website giving page here and select the Christmas Cheer option on the form.
The Saxapahaw Community has always been in the forefront of showing neighborly love and support. We look forward to making this holiday season memorable for our chosen family.
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Third Sunday of Advent
December 13
John 1:6-8, 19-28
John the Baptist: Witnessing to the Light
Worship Indoors & Online
Zoom (Video) or by phone: Dial +1 646 558 8656, enter, meeting ID: 98064557041
**Tithes and Offerings: To support the mission and ministries of Saxapahaw UMC via saxumc.org, click here. (Form has been recently updated).**
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Altar Flowers, Church Cleaning, and Lay Readers ~ Volunteers needed starting in January!
Click on the links below to sign up to bring altar flowers,
clean the church (one person sometime during the third week of the month),
or serve as a Lay reader (can be done in person or from home via Zoom).
You will receive a reminder email several days ahead of time that it's your week to serve.
If you prefer, you can sign up to serve by talking with
Margaret Jordan (flowers),
Lorraine McNamara (church cleaning),
Sue Eldon (Lay readers)
Thank you so much for your loving service at Saxapahaw UMC!
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Upcoming Events
Bible Study-Church Lobby
Wednesdays, 10 am
Pastor Mitzi continues this study based on Abingdon's Adult Bible Series. This winter's focus is "Hope." All are welcome. Face masks and distancing required.
Youngish Adults
Wednesdays, 8:15 pm
Pastor Mitzi is leading a study on "Animate: Bible." by Sparkhouse. This week, we'll discuss "Canon: Mining for the Word" and view a video by Eric Elnes.
Questions? Contact BJ Privett.
Zoom All Ye Faithful Recording Session
Thursday, December 10, 6 pm
Finance Committee Meeting
Sunday, December 13, 2 pm
In person at the church
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Youth Group Schedule
5-6:30 pm, Sundays
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December 13 - "White elephant" gift exchange; Christmas movie and popcorn at Mary's
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December 20 - TBD
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December 27 - No Youth Group
Questions?
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Opportunities to Participate and Worship this Christmas
Spend Time in Daily Devotion
Stop by the church narthex and pick up a free daily devotional to prepare your heart and mind to celebrate Christ's birth. Each day's reading, from December 1 to Christmas Day, is based on the Revised Common Lectionary and includes the Scripture, a short devotion, and a brief prayer.
Pastor Mitzi's Favorite Christmas Stories on Video
Join Pastor Mitzi and others, virtually, around her family's Christmas tree for a reading of her family's favorite Christmas stories. Parents and grandparents may choose to play it for your young ones any time in the Advent season. (Hint: Great for Christmas Eve or any time you need a moment to help the elves wrap their presents). Click here to view the video.
Christmas Eve Worship ~ Indoor Worship, 6:00 pm
Those with limited access to technology are invited to attend this small Christmas Eve service in the sanctuary. Due to Covid gathering restrictions, we will open the sanctuary to 10 people and 5 in each side room. Please sign up here or register with Laurie Newlin.
Christmas Eve Zoom Service, 7:30 pm
Join our church family live online on Zoom on Christmas Eve for a different kind of service. We'll hear the Christmas story, pray together, hear Christmas carols, and light our own "Christ candles" at home. You'll also have the opportunity to show us your favorite Christmas ornament or decoration or show off your Christmas tree! Click link to Join Zoom Meeting on Christmas Eve: https://nccumc.zoom.us/j/8479646631 +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) Meeting ID: 847 964 6631
O, Zoom all Ye Faithful Christmas Play
In lieu of the traditional Christmas play/soup luncheon, children are invited to participate in a recording the Christmas play "O Zoom All Ye Faithful". The play will be presented as a part of the Sunday, December 20 worship service. Please contact Pastor Mitzi mjohnson@nccumc.org for more details.
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Opportunities to Give This Christmas
Snack Pack Christmas Tree for S.A.F.E.
Saxapahaw UMC and Saxapahaw Village Kids (SVK) are building a Snack Pack Christmas Tree for the Kids Snack Pack Program at S.A.F.E.! Our goal is to collect lots and lots of items on this list for children in our community:
- Individual applesauce cups
- Individual juice
- Individual fruit snacks
- Individual cereal bars
- Individual packs of crackers-various nabs (ex. peanut butter crackers, cheese crackers)
- Individual bags of chips
- Canned Chef Boyardee or substitutes
Bring in your donations by Sunday, December 20.
Spread Christmas Cheer for a Family in Need
See details at the top of the e-news.
Christmas Offering to Support our Children
Once again, our Christmas offering will support our children. Your gift will feed hungry children in our community through SAFE and empower orphans in Zimbabwe through ZOE Empowers. Give any time before the end of the year. Please write Christmas Offering in the memo line of your check or you can donate online at https://www.saxumc.org/giving-1 to donate through our GivePlus form and select the Christmas Offering selection.
ZOE Friendship Soup Mix
We still have limited amounts of Beef Friendship Soup and Vegetarian Friendship Soup mix in festive jars available for purchase. To purchase, go to the church and pick up the desired number of jars ($10 each) from the front pew and drop your check in the offering box (write Zoe on memo line) or pay online by clicking here to pay through our GivePlus form and select the Zoe Empowers selection. If these remaining jars all sell, we will be able to send almost $700 to support our Zoe family in Zimbabwe!
Give a Gift to the Church in Honor or in Memory of a Loved One
These gifts support the mission and ministry of this congregation and, with our Tithes & Offerings, undergird all of the many ways we seek to know Christ and make Christ known. Write "In honor/memory of ___" on the memo line of the check. Alternatively, you can give online by clicking here to donate through our GivePlus form and select the Tithes & Offerings selection. If you give online please email Laurie Newlin at saxumcbulletins@gmail.com with the amount of the gift and a note referencing to whom the gift is given in honor/memory of.
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Financial Peace University
BJ Privett has a friend at work who will be facilitating a Zoom-based Financial Peace University class starting on January 13. Our church has facilitated one a few years back and it was transformational for many of those who attended.
Weekly (9 weeks) starting Wed January 13 at 7-7:40 pm
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Financial Support for Those in Need
Saxapahaw UMC offers two financial resources for local families and individuals in need:
Micro Loan Program - Loans of $250 to $2,500 along with relational support. During the pandemic health crisis, all or part of the loan may be forgivable. Loan applications confidentially reviewed by Pastor Mitzi Johnson and our Finance Team. To learn more, click here.
Pastor's Discretionary Fund - Smaller grants ($30 and $150) for one-time crisis assistance (utility bills, medicines, etc.)
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Need Someone To Talk With?
Pray With?
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Contact Pastor Mitzi
919-522-5540 (voice or text)
Pastor Mitzi observes Sabbath on Mondays but can still be reached in case of immediate need.
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Have Information for the E-Newsletter, Calendar, Bulletin, or Prayer List?
Contact Laurie Newlin, Administrative Assistant
336-266-0743 (voice or text)
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Saxapahaw United Methodist Church | PO Box 268 | Saxapahaw, NC 27340 | 336-525-2545 |
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