CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

Instead of one Congregational Meeting, the Session is now calling two. The first will be this Sunday, December 4, at 10:15 AM in Fellowship Hall (immediately following the 9:45 AM Fellowship Brunch), for the purpose of changing the call of Blake Harris from Assistant Pastor to Associate Pastor and also to hear a report from the Session on the pastoral transition process. The second Congregational Meeting will be on December 18 at 9:45 AM in Fellowship Hall for the purpose of electing church officers. The Elder nominees are: Brian Beckett, Brent McClenny, Jack Morris, Karl Poythress, and Thomas Prettyman. The Deacon nominees are: Woody Armstrong, Al Foster, Trey Holmes, Matt Jackson, Jon Peters, Josh Putman, Bill Sommer, and Ed Wofford. 

CHRISTMAS AT THE PARK

Join us this Sunday at 5:00 PM, as we light the Christmas tree, drink hot chocolate and enjoy some family fun. 

LESSONS & CAROLS - DECEMBER 11

Our annual Lessons and Carols Service, will be on Sunday, December 11 at 6:00 PM. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Please bring a homemade Christmas sweet to share (enough for 25 people) and drop it off in the kitchen. Doors will open for seating in the Sanctuary at 5:15 PM. You will not be able to save seats before this time. (Note: we will provide seating for kitchen workers.) Childcare will be provided through age three for the service.   

ON THE ROAD TO BETHLEHEM FAMILY DEVOTIONALS

On the Road to Bethlehem is a weekly Advent family devotional created by AVPC members. Copies are available in the Parlor and Welcome Center. You can also find a link to the devotional HERE.

DECEMBER SUNDAY SCHOOL

December 4: Congregational Meeting to call Blake Harris as Associate Pastor; Pastoral Transition Presentation. 

December 11: Q&A time regarding the Pastoral Transition Process; ways to serve at AVPC.

December 18: Congregational Meeting to elect officers; Children’s Christmas Pageant.

December 25 & January 1: One worship service only at 11 AM; no Sunday School; no childcare provided. (The Lord’s Supper will be celebrated on January 1.)

PASTORAL TRANSITION FAQ DOCUMENT 

Curious to know what the latest news is from our Pastoral Transition Committee? If so, we encourage you to check out the FAQ document which can be found in the parlor and in the Welcome Center. There will also be informational meetings regarding the pastoral transition during the Sunday School hour on December 4 and 11. We encourage you to attend those meetings. An electronic version of this document can be found on the church website or by following THIS LINK.

BECOME A FRIENDSHIP PARTNER

The world has come to the United States and to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). It is said that 70% of the international students who study in the U.S. never get invited to an American home. You can help lower that number by becoming a friendship partner. Being a friendship partner to an international student or scholar represents a unique opportunity to reach out to the world by inviting the world to your doorstep. International students are anxious to get to know Americans, and it is a great way for you and your family to learn about other countries, cultures and peoples. International students and scholars possess decent English skills, so communicating with them can be fun and easy.

If you have never been a friendship partner before, you must attend a Briarwood Friendship Partner orientation, since we are working with the International Outreach ministry of Briarwood Presbyterian Church. The orientation dates for the upcoming UAB Spring semester are December 14 on ZOOM and January 5 at Briarwood. You do not have to attend an orientation if you have previously attended one. Also, everyone must fill out a new application. Applications should be submitted no later than December 31.

If you have questions and/or want an application, please contact AVPC Outreach team member, Tom Hinke at thhinke@gmail.com.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

God’s House Kindergarten is looking for a part-time music teacher for our preschoolers from 8:30 – 12:30 each day from 3 to 5 days a week beginning in February. Please contact Susan at susan@avpc.org or call GHK at 967-7611 if you are interested. 

GENERAL FUND BUDGET

Hard copies of the Proposed 2023 General Fund Budget are available for your review.

These can be found in the Parlor and Welcome Center. Electronic copy can be found HERE.

COVID PROTOCOL

Beginning this Sunday, the Sanctuary and the Parlor are mask-optional in both the early and late services

OUR MISSIONARY OF THE WEEK is Jean Legters, who serves the people of Mexico in the Yucatan Peninsula. There she teaches music at San Pablo Seminary and helps run a summer youth camp.