Advent Season 2007
Family and children’s Advent Devotional Guides are available on Information Tables at the Church.
Table Fellowship: Regretting the necessity, because of
2008 Operating Budget restraints, of eliminating our weekly
Wednesday meal, let’s gather (5:45-6:45p.m.) on the
second and fourth Wednesdays of January (9th and 24th).
We’ll order-in from Chic-fil-A and BC Pizza / Salad...Some
of us are working on plans to continue the meals, at least
twice a month, through the new year.
Wednesday, December 12th, is the final dinner prepared
by our Kitchen Coordinator, Sherry Galloway. We’ll thank
her for 10 years of faithful service by presenting a
monetary gift. Let’s also “shower Sherry with cards” of
appreciation. Bring yours along December 12th or mail it to
the Church.
Christmas Worship At The Stable:
The cost of “renting” animals for the Living Nativity ($575 for a donkey, calf and sheep!)
has become prohibitive. So a different approach:
Meet at The Pavilion, 5p.m., Dec. 23rd for a
20 minute worship experience (caroling, the
Christmas story, Dudley’s message, “Gifting
the Right Child," etc.) followed by:
Taking meals to 3 area families in need (food
prepared by the Youth Group and the Go-Go’s);
Along with canned goods and other non-perishable
foods collected on December Sundays through
adult Sunday School classes;
And Christmas gifts for the families – select the gift
you’ll purchase from the special tree in Heritage Hall.
Araminta Montague and the Children’s Choir gift us with the Christmas musical,
“Three Wise Men and a Baby" in the Anchor,
6:45p.m., Wednesday, December 12th,
following dinner prepared by Sherry Galloway and the Kitchen Staff.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Services:
December 24th,
5p.m. Service, combined choirs, Dudley’s sermon, “Claim Your Inheritance"…
11:15p.m. Service, special music, Dudley’s message, "Jesus’ Toy Engine."
Sunday Worship, 8:30 and 11a.m.:
December 9th: creative readings written by MPC’s Jill Shedd, as Zechariah,
Mary and the shepherds tell of their experience
December 16th: Rachael preaching, “A Pottery Barn Christmas,"
Youth Choir and Handbell Choir, Christmas Joy Offering received
December 23rd: Dudley’s message, “Christmas Is for Children," Cherub Choir
December 30th: Dudley preaching, “A Reality Check," new members received.
“NOW CONCERNING THE OFFERING…" (I Corinthians 16)
End-of-Year financial gifts (fulfilling 2007 pledges and /or
providing extra giving) will assure we “close the books"
December 31st meeting the Budget.
DESIGNATED GIVING POSSIBILITIES
The proposed 2008 Operating Budget ($740,000) has
eliminated some line items in order to stay within projected
receipts. We are invited to designate additional money, above
our 2008 pledge or planned giving, to support the following
budget items that have been “cut:"
1. Capital Replacement ($12,000), the fund we “set aside4
annually in order to have money available for
unplanned, “emergency” physical needs (roof repairs,
new AC / Heat units, etc.);
2. Kindness Fund ($5,000), our ministry to area folks in
need that will, unless the Fund is restored, depend
exclusively on other gifts;
3. Christmas Bonus ($2,500), end-of-year financial “thank
you” for our paid staff;