Peggy’s Ponderings
Is Christmas over? At midnight on Christmas Day, the radio stations stopped playing Christmas carols. There don’t seem to be Christmas advertisements on TV any more – and people – and stores – are taking down their decorations. Christmas seems to be over – or is it?
Well I think it depends on how you think of Christmas and how you celebrate Christmas. For Christmas, our focus is on Christ – and Christmas is just the beginning of our story. Yes, we celebrated his birth and talked about the prophecy of Jesus – and the angel Gabriel – and the trip to Bethlehem to register as required by King Herod. Last Sunday, we talked about the wise men. We are continuing the story. All year we will continue to tell the story that began with Christmas. We will never stop telling the story. It will continue – in our lives and in our hearts.
But Christmas is even more. There is the Spirit of Christmas. Haven’t you seen it and felt it? It’s the Spirit that causes people to go to the homeless shelter to cook food. It’s the Spirit that causes us to open our wallets and donate to non-profit organizations. It’s the Spirit that causes us to smile at strangers – say a kind word – give a hug. It’s that kind of Spirit that never ends.
We are beginning a new year – 2012. It is a brand new beginning. Together – with God – we will fill the days. Each day is unique and special. Once that day has passed, we will not see it again. So, I pray God’s blessings on our days in the next year. May we fill them with love and kindness – with faithfulness – with strength and the courage to do God’s will and God’s work.
I share this thought with you for the New Year. It is a poem by Helen Steiner Rice.
GIVE LAVISHLY!
LIVE ABUNDANTLY!
The more you give,
the more you get;
The more you laugh,
the less you fret;
The more you do
unselfishly,
The more you live
abundantly.
The more of everything
you share,
The more you’ll always
have to share.
The more you love,
the more you’ll find
That life is good
and friends are kind.
For only what
we give away
Enriches us
from day to day.
So let’s live Christmas
through the year
And fill the world
with love and cheer.
Peggy
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THANK YOU!
You are such a generous church! Thank you for the Christmas staff donation – as well as the presents and cards. Thank you for taking the time to think of me during Christmas. I love you all.
Peggy
WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY
Sunday School – 9:45 a.m.
Worship Service – 11:00 a.m.
January 8, 2012
Baptism of the Lord
Scripture: Mark 1: 4-11
Sermon “Jesus is Baptized”
“In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.” (Mark 1: 9)
January 8 Worship Assistants:
Steward: Bob Samuels
Ushers: Sarah Rhodes and
Ruby Agnew
Acolyte: Jonathan Beaver
Nursery: Kay Little
Counters: Perry Beaver and
Jackie Samuels
ROOM-IN-THE-INN
2011-2012
These are some changes for the Room-In-The-Inn mission this year.
The Hmong’s will host on December 11 and Febraury 5. I bring them up because they may need some help setting up and serving for the evening time. I have volunteered myself for both of their nights.
Our nights of responsibility will be January 15 and February 19. I chose those dates because the following Mondays are holidays and many will be out of work and school. Children’s help welcomed.
Another change is Betty Davis (Kilgo host) is cutting back her responsibility. Each church will provide their own hosts. Donna will be our host.
RESPONSIBLITIES FOR
ROOM-IN-THE-INN
EVENING
4:00 to 7:00 P.M.
Greet guests, help them settle in, prepare supper, make bag lunches for next day, set tables, make coffee, set dessert table, set up serving table, lay out bacon on parchment for breakfast, clean kitchen.
OVERNIGHT PEOPLE
Two people needed for each night.
NEXT MORNING
4:15 to 6:30 A.M.
Cook breakfast, make coffee, serve, make sure dirty lines are ready for pick-up, check bathrooms and empty trash, clean kitchen and mop floor.
OUR STEWARDSHIP
SUNDAY SCHOOL
CHURCH ATTENDANCE
DECEMBER 25, 2011
No Sunday School
Church 24
CHURCH GIVING
DECEMBER 25, 2011
Honorariums, Memorials,
and Budget $2377.00
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SUNDAY SCHOOL
CHURCH ATTENDANCE
JANUARY 1 2012
Sunday School 10
Church 24
CHURCH GIVING
JANUARY 1, 2012
Budget and Honorarium $941.00
THANK YOU!
Thank you so much for my generous Christmas staff gift.
Thank you for my Christmas presents, the Christmas cards, and your kind words. They meant so much to me. It is a joy and blessing to be your secretary.
Happy New Year! God Bless one and all.
Margie
HONORARIUMS
In Honor of Frances Pridgen
By: Frances and Ron Lynch
In Honor of Mable Davis
By: Sarah and Sam Haigler
In Honor of Sarah Rhodes
By: Virginia Odom
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MEMORIALS
In Memory of R. C. Pridgen
By: Melodie and Jack Wilson
By: Sarah and Sam Haigler
By: Donna and Thomas Nasko
By: Frances and Ron Lynch
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NEW DIRECTORY COMING
The New Directory is coming soon. Let us know as soon as possible of any address or phone number changes.
OUR PRAYER LIST
Phyllis Baker, Emma Grace Barnes, Milton Burgess, Bobbie Denny, Joann Fitzsimmons, Nancy Godfrey, The Gulledge Family, Bobbie Hagler, The Hardy Family, Sandy Hirsch, The Jackson Family, David Jones, Scott Keever, Jennie Kehoe, Martha Lee, Anne and Sarah Lever, Lucille McConnell, Evelyn McRae, Stephen Mims, Jackie Nolan, Edna Ormand, Charles Page, The Pridgen Family, Bill Richardson, LaVerne Roberts, Leonard Robinson, Hannah Rushing, Larry Shepherd, Edith Simmons, Lynne Skelton, Gerald Smith, Tara Snider, Nancy Schwaiger Stacey, Jim Trollinger, Cathy Weaver, Margery Weaver, O.J. Weaver, Mabel Winn, Jerry Wood
CARE FACILITY RESIDENTS
Mable Davis, Dorothy Fitzpatrick, Maxine Kincaid, Hazel Lands, Judy Ledwell, Ann Pike, Ralph Stephenson, Jean Stoneman, Ellen Williams
PLANNING FOR 2012
There are 2 meetings that you need to attend. If you are an officer in the church or on one of our main committees – you are encouraged to attend “Vitality Rally” on Sunday, January 22, 2012 (See information on the back page of our newsletter.)
The second meeting each of you should attend is on Sunday, January 29, 2012 from 12:30 – 3:00 p.m. This is a church-wide meeting – not just Committees or Administrative Council. It is a time to look at our financial situation – our facility – our programming to see what we need to do to reach people for Christ. This meeting is “New Beginnings.” Come and share your ideas as we plan for 2012. It’s going to be an exciting year.
Your lunch will be provided for the meeting – but you need to sign-up so that we’ll know how many to provide for. Sign-up sheets are in the narthex or you may call the church office to sign up.
Please make a commitment to attend this meeting. It will be important for you and for the church.
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JANUARY DATES TO REMEMBER
United Methodist Men
Sunday, January 8
8:00 a.m. - Fellowship Hall
Blood Pressure Check
Sunday, January 8
9:15 a.m. - Fellowship Hall
Wesleyan Circle
Tuesday, January 10
12:30 p.m. - Fellowship Hall
Room-In-The-Inn
Sunday, January 15
4:00 p.m. - Kilgo UMC
District Leadership
Vitality Rally
Sunday, January 22
2:45 p.m. - Myers Park
Committee Meetings and Administrative Council
Sunday, January 29
12:30 – 3:00 p.m. – Fellowship Hall
(Lunch provided)