We had another great Lessons & Carols live on WDAV this past Tuesday! What a great way to begin this special season. Thank you, Linda Crowder, for the picture! |
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In this week's Family News (Scroll to Learn More):
- Sharing Good News While Waiting
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Lunch with Santa THIS Sunday!: Register here
- God's Work, Our Gifts: Understanding Generosity
- Christmas Mailboxes for Neighbors & Friends
- Men's Shelter Service this Month on December 20
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Parents Night Out on December 20: Register here
- The Advent of God's Gift: Resurrection Living
- Winter Collection for WNC Continues
- Happy Birthday!
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Room in the Inn: Sign up here
- Youth Events in December
- Church Basketball Game Schedule
- One Voice Charlotte Holiday Concert
- Prayer List, Sympathy, Thanks, and Celebrations
- Financial Update & Hurricane Helene Fund Update
- Minister On Call Schedule
- Staff Contact Info
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Sharing Good News While Waiting
by Dennis W. Foust, Senior Minister
Prior to reading my article this week, please read the Gospel of Luke 1:5-25, 39-56.
On one of my visits to Israel, I visited Ein Karem, a small village southwest of Jerusalem. This is the traditional place where John the Baptizer was born, a significant part of the Advent story.
Walking into a small house, I imagined myself being a close friend of the family living there two thousand years earlier; a couple named Zachariah and Elizabeth. The small house is elevated from the street and sits in the center of this village, about ninety miles from Nazareth where a young woman named Mary heard the good news that she was to birth a child. Mary had already rejoiced in her anthem of praise we call The Magnificat. Then, Mary journeyed to this small village of Ein Karem over three to five days to share her news with her distant cousin, Elizabeth. Two women living in small towns. At this small house, Mary and Elizabeth blessed one another with news of what was developing within them; promises of God were being fulfilled through them. While they were waiting, they were sharing their good news.
During my afternoon in Ein Karem, few tourists meandered to this small courtyard. Most tour buses skip this site. This reality caused me to ask questions which I now pass along to you:
“Where are the unnoticed sacred places in my journey where God has bestowed big blessings in seemingly small ways?” If you could ask Elizabeth or Mary questions about those days, what would you ask? If you wait for positive and hopeful days to arrive, how do you share the good news you anticipate?
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Lunch with Santa
THIS SUNDAY December 8 after Worship
Have lunch with Santa after worship on December 8 from 11:30am-1:00pm.
Lunch is free. Monetary donations to our church’s Designated Fund for Hurricane Relief will be accepted.
Save your spot with Santa by TODAY!
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GOD’S WORK – OUR GIFTS:
UNDERSTANDING GENEROSITY
by Dennis W. Foust, Senior Minister
When I met Esther, I was spiritually transformed by her story. Her compassion was overflowing. Her sensitivity was infectious. She had been raped by a man in her community. As a result of that violent action, she was forced to live with AIDS. Esther chose to invest her life in caring for other women who were also living with AIDS as well as the children who were birthed with AIDS. What motivated Esther to give her life away in this manner?
In Esther’s nation of Zambia, prevention of AIDS was not a priority. Women and children were victimized, and the politicians provided little or no attention to this challenge. Esther had been reached by some mission personnel of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. They had visited a small village in a remote area of Zambia and discovered how Esther ministered to the women and children. Esther’s generosity of spirit was inspiring.
Through the years, have you found your spirit of generosity renewed by the compassion expressed by people who live sacrificially despite their suffering? Research shows that people who are financially poor are proportionally more generous than people with higher incomes. Lower-income Americans give proportionally more of their incomes to charitable causes than upper-income folks, in part, because they are more attuned to the needs of others and more committed generally to the values of egalitarianism. However, when people of higher income do give more, it is because they are – to quote Jesus – “poor in spirit.” To be poor in spirit is to be humble, aware of one’s own spiritual poverty, and accepting of personal dependence on God. Numerous research projects have proven that compassion is increased among people of higher income when they hear stories of people in need, experience mission immersions, or see videos that engender empathy.
My beloved St. John’s, in this season of making financial commitments toward St. John’s vision for 2025, please know how grateful I am to witness your generosity. Some of you give sacrificially amidst your own challenges, limitations, and suffering. You express generosity because you know how the numerous ministries of St. John’s alleviate the suffering of others. You are ‘poor in spirit.’
As residents of our nation continue to expand the gap between the rich and poor, the local church will need to teach financial stewardship continually. Stories of people in need must be told. Fewer and fewer people of financial means will be able to cross over the generosity bridge through being ‘poor in spirit.’ Increasingly, people of higher incomes will develop a perspective of self-sufficiency. One of the purposes of the Church is to make disciples. Another is to bear witness of discipleship.
When I returned from Zambia, people asked me what made the deepest impression on me. Of course, I could have just told the story of Esther. But what I settled on was this: “In Zambia, I met people who have less than nothing, yet they are willing to give you everything.”
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The Christmas Card Mailbox for St. John’s Neighbors & Friends
The Christmas Card Mailbox for Neighbors and Friends will be up in the Main Entrance foyer (outside the gym) from Sunday, December 8 until Sunday, December 22. A list of 35 Neighbors & Friends, for whom you can write Christmas Cards and put in the mailbox, is attached to the Family News below. You can buy your own cards to put in recipients' mailboxes or use some of the blank cards provided.
All cards need to be turned into the mailbox by the end of worship on December 22.
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Want to give a Christmas present to the homeless men at the uptown shelter?
We serve their evening meal, Friday, December 20 and we need 10 banana puddings for that night. You can volunteer to make one here. The link will give you all the information you need.
Thank you in advance.
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Parents' Night Out in December
Friday, December 20, 2024 6:00 pm Gym Parents, drop your kids off at church from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Friday, December 20, where we will jump in bounce houses, play games, and watch The Grinch!
The cost of the event is $10 per child, which will help cover the costs associated with dinner.
Childcare for babies - two years of age will be provided by Mon Aye and Zebb Young, WDS teachers.
Sign up by December 16!
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The Advent of God's Gift: Resurrection Living
This Advent, we express our worship to The Living God through the theme, "The Advent of God’s Gift: Resurrection Living." This year's devotional booklet (found below, on our website, and in hard copies) is to help you reflect on the meaning of this season.
- On December 8, during ‘Hanging of the Green’ we interpret conflict through God’s gift of peace.
- On December 15, we focus on God’s gift of joy through music by our Chancel Choir.
- On December 22, we renew our commitments to embody the Advent of God’s gift of love.
- On Christmas Eve, we celebrate God’s Gift of Resurrection Living from a manger to an empty tomb.
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Winter Collection for Western North Carolina
As we continue to support those affected by Hurricane Helene, we are asking you to:
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Donate winter wear such as coats, hoodies, gloves, hats, and scarves.
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Donate self-rising flour and sugar. We have been made aware that these items are needed in Mars Hill and surrounding areas.
All items can be placed in the Giving Nook in the Main Entrance Lobby.
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Happy Birthday to Caleb on December 8!
He is the son of Amber and Ryan Carney.
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Volunteer with Room in the Inn
For the 2024-25 season, St. John's and Caldwell Presbyterian Church will host 8 homeless neighbors from Roof Above within the Room in the Inn (RITI) program on 10 Friday/Saturday nights, starting December 27. Caldwell volunteers will host on the third Saturday night of December through March while St. John's volunteers will host on the second and fourth Fridays of those months.
RITI hosting at St. John's will begin on Friday, December 27 and runs through Friday, March 14, 2025. St. John's members are needed to drive our van for BOTH churches on all 10 hosting nights and the following mornings.
Please contact Dale Johnson at 704-454-8931 or Alice Wirz at 704-222-6208 if you have any questions on any of these tasks.
Sign up below.
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2024-25 Church Basketball Games
This season of church basketball officially begins with games starting this Saturday! Please come out and support our teams.
December 7:
- 6u Co-Ed - 1:15 at St. John’s
- 8u Boys Cardella - 3:15 at St. John’s
- 8u Boys Allen - 2:15 at St. John’s
- 8u Girls - BYE
- 10u Boys Short - 10:00 at St.John’s
- 10u Boys Barnhardt - 11:00 at St. John’s
- 10u Girls - 12:00 at St. John’s
- 12u Girls - 12:00 at Trinity Episcopal School
- 18u Girls - 12:45 at Mt. Harmony
December 14:
- 6u Co-Ed - BYE
- 8u Boys Cardella - BYE
- Boys Allen - 1:45 at St. Paul Baptist
- 8u Girls - 1:30 at St. Stephen UM
- 10u Boys Short - 1:15 at St. John’s
- 10u Boys Barnhardt - 3:15 at St. John’s
- 10u Girls - 10:00 at St. John’s
- 12u Girls - 1:15 at Sardis Pres
- 18u Girls - 3:45 at Providence Baptist
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One Voice Chorus of Charlotte
Holiday Concert on December 13 and 14 at First UMC
Who: One Voice Chorus of Charlotte
What: OVC's Holiday Concert - Pride & Joy
When: Dec. 13th at 7:30pm, and Dec. 14th at 2pm and 7:30pm
Where: First United Methodist in Uptown
Why: To celebrate our LGBTQIA+ lives through song and to help spread our mission of kindness, acceptance, and love in our community. And of course, a bonus perk is a little dose of our favorite carols! Join us after for a free reception with complimentary beer (from NoDa Brewing), wine, NA drinks, and all the holiday cookies you can imagine!
Price: $20 to $35. Please use the discount code: PJ24EB to save $5 on each ticket purchased! If you know of someone who'd love to attend but may have financial constraints, please do not hesitate to have them get in touch with Micah Deer here.
To learn more and reserve tickets: www.onevoicechorus.com/events
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Prayers, Thanks, and Celebrations
Current Prayer Concerns: Shirley Ballard, Nancy Burgess, Arnold Philemon, Bill Roseman, Ken Sanford
Continuing Prayer: Tom Bryson, Pauline Funderburk, Carolyn Hall, Mary Rickenbaker, Anne Sutton, Jeck Warren
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Financial Update
2024 Full Year Budget: $1,211,000
Income Received Through December 2: $1,017,399 (84%)
November Income/Expenses to be reported later in December
2025 Draft Budget (Total Expenses): $1,233,000
2025 Pledge Goal: 150 Commitments, $900,000
2025 Pledges Received: 94 Commitments, $614,000
2024 Pledge Total: 140 Commitments, $884,000
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Staff On-Call Rotation
- Dec. 2-8: Russell
- Dec. 9-15: Lee
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Staff Contact Information
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Rev. Dennis Foust, PhD, Senior Minister - 704-359-7234 (cell); 704-333-5428, ext. 2012
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Rev. Lee Gray, Minister for Congregational Care - 704-333-5428, ext. 2015; 704-451-1309 (cell)
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Rev. Kheresa Harmon, Minister for Children & their Families - 704-333-5428, ext. 2018; 910-890-3392 (cell)
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Russell Nelson, Minister for Worship & Music - (980) 228-6244 (cell)
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Mallory Brown, Media Coordinator - 704-477-3349 (cell)
- Chloe Hall, Children's Choir Director
- Noel Lance, Organist
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Amanda Morrison, Church Administrator - 704-333-5428, ext. 0
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Lydia Olmsted, Weekday School Director - 704-333-5428, ext. 2039
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