Saxapahaw United Methodist Church
December 16, 2020
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Message from Pastor Mitzi
Witnessing to the Light: A Farewell Message from Pastor Mitzi
As I climbed into my Ford Escape after Sunday’s worship service to make a pastoral care visit, my phone dinged the arrival of a text message. “By far, the best service since you’ve been at Saxapahaw! … Excellent.” It was from my husband who worships with us every week from home. I blushed with pride – not for myself - but for YOU. The truth is, at this service, I played the smallest role I’ve played in any service since I’ve been here. What made our worship shine so brightly is that thirteen of you led the congregation in witness to the light of Christ, embodying the sermon in a way words could never convey. THIS was the spirit of the Saxapahaw UMC you have so often told me about, but I had struggled to bring into focus as a pandemic and an often sparsely populated sanctuary limited my vision to “see through a glass darkly” (1 Cor 13:12).
Last Sunday, Barbara played our prelude, and doxology, and called the children to worship as she so often does, never asking for recognition or fanfare. Sue Eldon sang a traditional Advent hymn. Nancy and Debra lit the advent candle along with Barbara. The Jordans passed the peace to our at-home folks through a video we shot a few weeks ago when trees were still green and temps were mild. As Megan Reed read a stirring, much practiced passage from Isaiah, the little drummer boy played in my memory. Our finest gifts we bring, Pa rum pum pum pum. To lay before the king, Pa rum pum pum pum. Stephanie reached into her family’s trove of books and read Papa Panov to our children who haven’t had Sunday school in 9 months. Margaret sang “Sweet little Jesus Boy,” because what’s Christmas without a spiritual to speak our spiritual longings for us? Ed and BJ beautifully entreated God to “Build Your Kingdom Here” in a place where darkness fears; Mel stood with John the Baptist, witnessing to the light in her rendition of “Christ be Our Light.” Bill reminded us to “Hark the Herald” in his bluesy, soulful way. And Don, as always, lit the candles bringing the light of the world into our midst and reminding us to take it out with us again when we leave.
Thank you for giving me this Grand Canyon sized vision of who you are before my time here comes to an end. This week, Dec. 20, will be my last Sunday in the Saxapahaw pulpit, where I will also lead worship on Christmas Eve. Please know how much I treasure our time together. With Paul, “I [will] thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now.” Grace and Peace to you in the name of our God and our Lord, Jesus Christ.
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Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 20
Luke 1:26-38, 46b-55 CEB
"Mary: Faith in the Real World"
Worship Indoors & Online
If you are able to worship online, please consider doing so to allow those who have limited access to worship in person.
As a part of worship, we will be sharing, "O Zoom All Ye Faithful," the Christmas pageant prepared by our children.
This is Pastor Mitzi's last Sunday leading worship.
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.
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Pastor Sue will be
back in January!
Let's welcome her back with
your gift of service: Altar Flowers,
Church Cleaning, and Lay Readers
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
Youngish Adults
Wednesdays, 8:15 pm
Pastor Mitzi is leading a study on "Animate: Bible." by Sparkhouse. Tonight we'll discuss "History: Parchment to Pixel" and view a video by Phyllis Tickle. Questions? Contact BJ Privett.
Youth Group
Sunday, Dec. 20, 5 -6:30 pm, Fellowship Hall
This will be the final youth group attended by Pastor Mitzi.
Bring a dish to share. Potluck, games, fellowship, Talking about Mary (mother of Jesus, not Cardinale) and more. No youth group on Dec. 27.
Bible Study-Church Lobby
Wednesday, Dec. 23, 10 am
This will be the final study led by Pastor Mitzi. The study is based on Abingdon's Adult Bible Series, and this winter's focus is "Hope." All are welcome. Face masks and distancing required. No study on Wednesday, Dec. 30.
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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
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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.
Christmas Cheer Presents Due by Friday December 18
Thanks to your generosity, we are able to present Christmas Cheer gifts to a family of two parents, a young adult, and four youth. If you have signed up to donate gifts, please return your labeled unwrapped gifts to the plastic bin in the church lobby no later than December 18. You may also help by joining Mel at church for a gift-wrapping party on Saturday, December 19 at 5 p.m.
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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