Mid-week Advent Service: Please join us on Wednesday, Dec. 13, for a light supper at 6:15 p.m. followed by worship at 7:00 p.m. In this year’s series, Together in Advent, we celebrate together as the family of God the coming of his Son for our salvation. Each week in the series focuses on a different activity for our “to-do list” that is centered on giving and sharing instead of on materialism. The theme for Week 2 is: Send Peace. Beyond sending cards to loved ones this Advent season, we do all we can as the family of God to send peace to one another because the Prince of Peace is on his way.
Liturgy Questions: Why do we respond to the Pax Domini with “Amen” instead of “And also with you?” Answer: The first part of the Communion Liturgy or Service of the Sacrament, the Preface, begins with a dialog between the officiant and congregation. The congregation replies to the officiant’s greeting, “The Lord be with you,” with, “And also with you.” (2 Tim. 4:22) Later in this part of the liturgy, the Pax Domini, “The peace of the Lord be with you always,” is offered as a blessing. The response of the congregation, receiving this blessing as though it comes from the mouth of God, would be “Amen” meaning “may it be so.” (John 20:19)
Helping Our Neighbors: A Christmas “Sharing Tree” We want to share a Christmas wish from Mr. Hammonds, School Counselor and advocate for the “storm kids” at Lumberton Senior High School: give each of the 50 students in the program a $25 Visa gift card for Christmas so they can buy a gift for themselves or for others in their families. Please bring gift cards this Sunday, December 10 so we can get them to the school before Christmas break. If you didn’t get an envelope from the “Sharing Tree” last week, they will be available on Sunday.
PORCH collection for this month will be on Monday, December 11.
Christmas Cards to Your Advent Family: You are invited to bring (or send) a Christmas card to your Advent Family and post it on a bulletin board on the hallway. We will make sure push pins are available.
Host for Pastor and Janis McDaniels: December 24 is on a Sunday this year. We will celebrate the 4th Sunday in Advent at our morning worship service and Christmas Eve that evening at 7:00p. Pastor McDaniels is currently scheduled to lead those services. We are looking for someone to host him and Janis between the services and overnight. If you are interested, please talk with Peggy Earnhardt or Dave Neely.
Call Committee: Save the date! Pastor Scott Lohman will be arriving sometime the week of January 15. The installation service will be on Sunday, January 21, 4:00 p.m. Rev. Dr. John Denninger, President of the Southeastern District, will be preaching for the installation service. Please continue to pray for Pastor Scott and his family as they plan their transition from Chicago to Chapel Hill.
Worship Leaders: Pastor James McDaniels – Dec. 10, Dec. 24, and Advent Mid-Week Services; Pastor Greg Williamson – Dec. 31; Pastor Larry Lineberger – Dec. 17.
Sunday Adult Bible Study Leaders:
Dec. 10 – John Stow
Dec. 17 – Bob Serpas
Dec. 24 – Dave Neely