What is Happening This Week 12/10-12/13/20
  Howdy, Holy Covenant Family! I miss you all so much! During this strange time, it has been so easy for me to be completely consumed with everything going on outside of my window – things that loom large and that are far from my control. At other times, my world has shrunk so much that the day-to-(Groundhog)-day minutia has filled every square inch of my view. I have found myself vacillating from anxiety and depression to anger and restlessness. I also recognize through all of this that my experiences are flowing through a very privileged filter. So how do I battle the COVID Funk and find re-find my center? – I practice a great deal of mindfulness. I allow my thoughts and feelings to come, acknowledge them, and then let them pass without judgement. I try to stay in the present moment and be intentional with my movements. I try to give grace to myself and others and remember that everyone is in their best attempt at life. – I try to remember that I may never get this quiet time with just my little family again. – I ask myself what am I am doing when I am happiest in life, COVID or no COVID. For me, I am praying, exercising, and eating healthily. I am (trying) to keep my house tidy. I am making my bed every day. I am trying to insert little nuggets of enjoyment throughout the day – crocheting a project, reading a fun book, talking to my Mom, or watching a show with my hubby. – And when I don’t feel like doing those self-care things, I do them anyway. I put one foot in front of the other, even if I am not finding joy in that moment. Because this too shall pass. Things can always get better if you allow them the time to do so. My goal is to emerge from the pandemic in as good of shape as possible so that I can tackle my best life the moment I walk through the post-COVID door. My prayer for you is that you do the same. Hang in there, friends. You are so very loved. Melissa Beard “Yeah if you’re goin’ through hell, keep on movin’. Face that fire, walk right through it. You might get out before the devil even knows you’re there.” – Rodney Atkins  We hope you are joining us for online worship on Facebook Live. We will be on Facebook again this Sunday at 10:30 am. If you have missed any of the services, or do not use Facebook, you may also find them on our website hcumc.org. Outside Worship – Suspended  OUTSIDE WORSHIP – Will be suspended until weather warms up. December 13, Second Sunday of Advent Theme: PREPARE for the Light Scripture: Matthew 1:18-23 Prayers of the People  Please keep the following people in your prayers this week: Our friends at Atria Carrollton. Those who have lost employment. And continued prayers for the following: Carlos Ponce; Ginny Long; Mary Luce; Nikki Holmes; Max and Nicole Thomas; Paul Fincke; Charles Hinton; Janet Trumble; Barbara Wright; Aletha Craven; Mary Harrison; Tyler Ackerman; Jojo Sain; and Mike Gilbert. Highlights This Week  Blood Drive Sunday, December 13 8:30 am to Noon HCUMC parking lot COVID-19 Antibody Testing is available for all donors. All donors will be entered to win a brand new 2020 Chevrolet Trax! Give blood and get Mavericks gear! Carter BloodCare observes social distancing guidelines.  Advent Study Mondays at 6:30 pm via Zoom Join us for an Advent Study, Mondays at 6:30 pm. We will base it on the Adam Hamilton book Incarnational, Rediscovering the Significance of Christmas. You do not have to read the book to join. December 14 – Emmanuel in the Midst of a Pandemic December 21 – The Light of the World January 4 – Epiphany – Falling on our knees This year may be a difficult one to find Christmas Joy. My prayerful hope is that we will discover it together. We will remind each other of wonder of the season. You are welcome for one or all of these sessions. I will look forward to “seeing” you on Monday! Pastor Cheryl is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: HCUMC Advent Study Time: 06:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada) Every week on Mon, until Jan 4, 2021 Dec 14, 2020 06:30 PM Dec 21, 2020 06:30 PM Jan 4, 2021 06:30 PM Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system. Weekly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZ0lcO2qrT4uHtZ95mrs6y3IJSnbPYaRqwTA/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGhpjwuGNeQtB2FRpx5Go_CLOrztiVbgrdnxUroETMFe1DfHNFMMIJGEerB Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89874235442?pwd=WU1mbXRQTDQ2MDhjOFlETVBaMnVUQT09 Dial by your location +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 876 9923 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C) Meeting ID: 898 7423 5442 Passcode: 941506 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kjx0xulY2  Food Pantry Our last Food Distribution before Christmas will be Sunday, December 20th from 1-3 pm. You may sign up on signupgenius.com or contact Lois Eaton at 214-862-8683 or [email protected]. We would like to give out hot chocolate mix and marshmallows at that Distribution. If you would like to donate either, please bring them to the church office on Thursday or Saturday. Someone will be at the church on Saturday from 10:00 am-noon to accept your donations. We need: Pasta Sauce Instant Mashed Potatoes Soup Hot chocolate Mini marshmallows Dog and cat food Thank you for your continued support of the Food Pantry. Preschool Registration  Holy Covenant ECDP is now registering students for the Spring 2021 semester. Classes available for students ages 3 thru Kindergarten. For more information email interim director Erin Shepardson at [email protected] or call 972-492-1371   Finances  We are coming to the end of the year so it’s a good time to catch up on your pledge! If you typically write a check, please consider online giving or mail your check to: Holy Covenant UMC, 1901 E. Peters Colony Rd., Carrollton, TX 75007 November Regular Donations/Pledge Payments: Projected $34,365 FINAL $25,723 December Regular Donations/Pledge Payments: Projected $46,365 TO DATE $13,459 Walk to the Manger $850 Remember, your pledge helps us plan our ministries for next year. If you have not yet sent your pledge or submitted it online, please turn in your 2021 pledge TODAY!  Online Giving Donate Here. You may even set up regular giving by choosing the Donation Frequency.  Volunteers Needed! Would you like to help with our online worship? We need volunteers for our worship streaming ministry. You will be asked to commit to 2 worship services per month to operate either a video switcher or a camera. Experience welcome–but not required! There will be training. If interested, please contact Tim Shepardson at [email protected]. |