In the hopes of catching some of you before you travel and celebrate Thanksgiving, we are sending this week's edition of Faith News a couple days early.

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There's a great series of books written by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Arthur Howard. In them, an elderly man named Mr. Putter and his fine cat Tabby get into some mild misadventures. They're often accompanied by his neighbor Mrs. Teaberry and her fine dog Zeke.

I read one book in the series to the preschool kids this week. When he is socked in by a big snow, Mr. Putter resolves to write a mystery novel. He comes up with a great title. But he spends so much time preparing snacks and taking naps, he accomplishes little else. When stumped on what to write for his novel, Mr. Putter starts compiling a list of the things for which he's thankful instead. He writes and writes and writes.

Mr. Putter is embarrassed when he shares his list with Mrs. Teaberry. He so wanted to be a mystery writer! Mrs. Teaberry gives him a healthier perspective. There are plenty of mystery writers in the world, she reassures him. But writers of good things are few and far between.

Like Mr. Putter, I hope you are mindful this week of the many good things God has put into your life. At church, we've compiled a long list of reasons for gratitude just in the past few weeks. More wonderful opportunities await.

In our recent Charge Conference meeting, I got a chance to look back on the blessings of 2024 and look forward to 2025. Should you wish to read the Report of the Pastor I submitted, it can be found HERE.

Yours in gratitude,

Pastor Matt

Sunday, December 1 marks the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is that season of prayer and preparation in the Christian year for the four weeks leading up to Christmas. Enjoy all the sights, sounds, smells that help make this time of year special.

Our theme for worship this year during Advent is “Come Let Us Adore Him.” What makes Jesus so worthy of our adoration? The gifts that the Magi (a.k.a. the Wise Men) brought give us revealing clues.

This Sunday we'll see why the Wise Men brought Jesus gold. That’s a gift fit for a king. Like the Wise Men, we adore Jesus is because he was the Messiah, an anointed king in the line of King David. Though many believed Israel would never have a rightful king again, the Prophet Isaiah held out hope that one day a new branch would spring from the old royal stump. Christians believe that hope was fulfilled by Jesus.

One of the highlights of the Christmas season is when our children help tell the Christmas story in worship. This year our children and youth will do so on Sunday, Dec 22 at 10:35 AM.

The kids will continue their work to prepare during worship this Sun. Parents, please bring your kids for rehearsals every Sunday that you can during that time frame.

We're excited that Jake Hemminger is collaborating with Lindsey Stanley to add more music to this year's children's program. Contact Lindsey to learn more at lindsey.stanley@faithisalive.org or 704 942-6725.

The CREW (our ministry to youth from grades 6-12) has lots of fun in store.

We are riding in a float in the Indian Trail Christmas Parade this Sun, Dec 1.

We're going to Carowinds' Winter Fest next Sun, Dec 8.

Finally, we're going to have a bonfire at Faith before going caroling in Lake Park on Sun, Dec 15.

We're still finalizing details for all these events. For the latest scoop, reach out to Pastor Matt at 704 882-6623 or matt.smith@faithisalive.org.

Next Thu, Dec 5 at 11:30 AM is our Faith Over 55 Christmas Luncheon. All mature adults are welcome to bring a side dish or dessert to accompany the ham we'll provide.

Our Children of Faith will be performing selections from their upcoming Christmas program for us prior to the meal. After the meal, we'll play some fun Christmas games.

The Women of Faith are having their Christmas celebration on Thu, Dec 12 at 6:30 PM. All the church's women are welcome to join them in the Community Building at that time.

Bring three dozen of your favorite homemade cookie, copies of your recipe, and a $10 ornament (if you wish to participate in an ornament swap).

In our recent worship series, we were reminded that we serve a God who has blessed us with “infinitely more than we can ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20).

If you missed any of the Sundays in the series, click HERE to revisit them.

In conjunction with this series, Faith members and friends were mailed materials related to our annual Stewardship Campaign. One is a commitment of time and talents where you may indicate the ways you are willing to serve God and neighbor with Faith Church in the year ahead. If you didn't receive that document, a hard copy is available at church or by PDF HERE.

THANK YOU to everyone who turned in their commitment of time and talents as a special act of worship last Sunday. We will continue to gladly receive them in the weeks ahead.

The other document many Faith members and friends returned in worship was their estimate of giving for 2025. Some folks find these cards helpful in turning their intentions to give generously to God through the church into reality.

If you didn't receive this card, you may pick up a hard copy at church this Sunday or view the PDF version of that document HERE. If you aren't able to be in worship soon, feel free to mail a physical copy or scan either document and email them to Dianna Boyadjian (dianna.boyadjian@faithisalive.org) in the church office.  

As we focus this Thanksgiving on all with which God has abundantly blessed us, may it spur our generous response!



Giving & Budget Update



Initial weekly need in 2024 - $6,517

Revised weekly need in 2024 - $6,040

Received for the week ending Nov 10 - $4,196

Received for the week ending Nov 17 - $7,391

Received for the week ending Nov 24 - $6,632

For those who wish to give to God and make a powerful impact on their community, Faith Church offers a variety of ways to give.

• Everyone is of course welcome to give a gift by cash or check in person during a worship service or by bringing them at a convenient time during the week to the church office.
• Checks can be mailed to Faith United Methodist Church | 3708 Faith Church Rd | Indian Trail NC 28079.
• More and more people are enjoying the convenience of giving online. Our secure EasyTithe giving page can be accessed HERE. One-time and recurring gifts are welcome there. If viewing this email on a desktop computer, you may also scan the QR code below with your phone.

If you have any questions about giving, reach out to Marie Allmon, our Church Treasurer, at 704 301-7534 or marie.n.allmon@gmail.com.