"First Sunday in Advent
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(Click on Scripture Passage)
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“Advent” means “coming” or “arrival.” During the season of Advent, we celebrate Christ’s coming into the world and watch with expectant hope for his coming again. In its historical origins, the season of Advent was patterned after the season of Lent, a six-week period of penitence and preparation for Easter. Similarly, the four weeks of Advent present an opportunity for communal discernment and personal examination, as the church prepares to celebrate the Nativity of the Lord and looks with hope for Christ’s return.
An excerpt from the Companion to the Book of Common Worship (Geneva Press, 2003, 96)
In Advent we expectantly wait for the One who has already come. We anticipate the promised justice of God’s new world, yet we praise God who raised the “righteous branch” to rule with justice and righteousness. We hope for the restoration of the afflicted, the tormented, and the grieving, yet we delight that healing has come in Christ. We long for the beating of swords into plowshares, yet we rejoice that the Prince of Peace has appeared. We yearn for the barren deserts of our inner cities to flourish, yet we laud the desert Rose that has bloomed. We dream of the land where lions and lambs live in harmony, yet we acclaim the child born to lead us into the promised land.
Christ has come! Christ is risen! Christ will come again! In Advent, we are living between the first and the second coming of the Lord. The dialectical tension of maranatha [alternately translated “Come, our Lord!” or “Our Lord has come”] — placing us between memory and hope, past and future — may strengthen our Advent liturgies. Perhaps we need to cling to the ancient cry of maranatha! and its paradoxical meanings so we may freely embrace “the new thing” prophesied by Isaiah (Isaiah 43:19) that God is doing among us right now. The tension and paradox we find in Advent shapes our celebrations during the season.
Join us for worship on Sunday at 10:30 AM as we light the first Advent candle and hear a message of hope.
Blessings and peace,
Danny
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It’s Time to Order Poinsettia’s for Christmas
It’s the perfect opportunity to remember a loved one who has passed away or to honor a special person in your life. The cost per plant is $10. Order forms are per individual plant but you are still encouraged to honor or remember as many people as you would like. You will find forms at the end of your pew. Please complete the information and place in the collection plate with a check or cash attached, or drop off at the church office. The final day to order will be Monday December 2nd.
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2020 Worship Leaders
As 2019 comes to a close, and 2020 is ready to hit, it is almost time to start creating the 2020 "Worship Leader" calendar. I have the list of names of people who have done it. That is not a final list! If YOU would like to step up and help in any way - Greeter. Offering [did we talk about separating one place or another???], Worship Leader, Children's Time, Nursery, and Lock-up - do let me know as soon as possible.
Either email me,
kmrobinson51@gmail.com
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or call 704 435-2756 and leave a message. I would like to add some new people to our lists. If you need to come off the list for some reason please let me know as well. Thanks. - Kathy Robinson
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Did You Know?
Sandy Eldridge teaches music and voice on Thursday afternoons in our choir room to a group of young people from the Lincoln County Homeschool Educators.
On Saturday November 23rd they had their Fall Recital for parents and friends in the sanctuary. Thank you Sandy for your ministry and for opening our doors to the community!
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December 1st
Greeters & Offering
Mort Wadsworth and John Carpenter
Worship Pam Sipe
Joyground Mary Smith
Children’s Time Kathy Robinson
Lockup John Carpenter
Refreshments Judy Roberts
Communion:
Preparer Mary Smith
Servers Jamie Hodges and Pam Sipe
December 8th
Greeters & Offering
Pam Sipe & Mary Smith
Worship
Kathy Robinson
Joyground
Anna Gilbert
Children’s Time
Christine Thomas
Lockup
Pam Sipe
Refreshments........Alice Gene Abrams, Pat Carpenter, Evelyn Ross
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f you cannot serve, please find your own replacement and notify the office of the change.
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Mark Eldridge
Becky Forester,
Friend of Pam Sipe
Helen Fox,
Evelyn Ross' mother
Ralph Freeman
Ann Haire
Jake Harkey
, preschool student
Judy Holland
Rev. Don Jafvert,
Jane Rollin's father
James Johnston,
Kim Fitzpatrick’s father
Barbara Jones,
Becky Beatty's mother
The Lafferty Family
Torie Lykins,
Bill Thomas' great niece
Julia Moore,
friend of Pam Sipe
Bonnie Mullen
Bryan Ross,
Jim Ross' son
Eric Sipe
Keith Talley,
friend of Pam Sipe
Brenda Yu,
friend of Jan Duncan
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Pastor’s Bible Study – Looking Toward Sunday
Join me downstairs in the Choir Room on Tuesdays at 12:30 pm for a study of the Scripture texts for the following Sunday. This Tuesday, December 3rd, we will discuss Isaiah 11:1-10 and Matthew 3:1-12. Feel free to bring lunch or just come as you are for an hour of fellowship and study. – Danny
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Christmas Giving for
Christian Ministry of Lincolnton
Christian Ministry has begun preparing for Christmas! They have asked area churches to collect the following items to distribute as need increases during the holiday season and winter months.
canned beans, bar soap,
laundry detergent, cooking oil,
spaghetti sauce,
canned meats, rice, grits,
toilet paper, plastic grocery bags
Please bring to the church and place on the pew by the office. The Christmas giving program will run through Sunday December 8
th
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Fall Handbell and Children’s Choir Schedules
Nov. 24 Children 9:30 AM Choir Room
Dec. 1 and 8 Handbells 9:30 AM Choir Room
Dec. 15 and 22 Children 9:30 AM Choir Room
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