What is Happening This Week 12/3-12/6/20

                   WARNING Several people have received emails and/or texts that look like they are from Pastor Cheryl. They are requests for gift cards. These messages are NOT from Pastor Cheryl. This is a scam. Please disregard any emails asking you to send money, gift card information or credit card information to Pastor Cheryl.  
The fake email addresses given are gmail accounts: [email protected] or [email protected].  
Again, these are NOT from Pastor Cheryl.     

It’s Advent 2020, and we find ourselves in the depths of all the misery and pain this Covid year has had to offer. Yes, there have been occasions of beauty and joy along the way, but I have been reminded more than once of a teacher I worked with who always referred to the time frame encompassing January and February of the school year as the “Dark Ages.” I understood completely. There is something about those cold, dreary months that can overwhelm our feelings of hopefulness and send us tumbling instead into various levels of despair and gloom. The analogy seems more than currently apropos.  

I often remind my clients and students that there is a purpose for the “Dark Ages.” There is much for us to learn about ourselves in those extended moments when we are not on top of the world, when we experience times of despondency, when life itself feels desolate. Those are “soul” moments, according to theologian and author Thomas Moore – i.e., a time for us to discover much about the mystery and meaning of our lives. Whoever said it is always darkest before the dawn must have had a finger on the pulse of life itself, understanding that in sculpting our lives in a positive manner we have to utilize the mud of our darkest hours.  

The contemporary Catholic priest, Richard Rohr says it more succinctly: “God teaches the soul most profoundly through darkness – and not just light!” So during this Advent season, it would behoove us to consider that we get through the bleak times with the help of our faith and by our willingness to learn about ourselves as we slog through the mire. With “Jesus as the Light of the World,” the darkness becomes a teachable moment.  

Hal Barkley  

 
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 6, Second Sunday of Advent
Theme: WATCH for the Light
Scripture: Luke 1:39-45  

Prayers of the People   Prayer 2
Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:
Carlos Ponce who is undergoing radiation. Our friends at Atria Carrollton. Those who have lost employment.   
And continued prayers for the following:
The Brooks-McCutchen family; Ginny Long; Mary Luce; Nikki Holmes; Max and Nicole Thomas; Paul Fincke; Charles Hinton; Janet Trumble; Barbara Wright; Aletha Craven; Mary Harrison; Florence Richter; Tyler Ackerman; Jojo Sain; and Mike Gilbert.  

Angel Tree
Time is running out! Holy Covenant and Connecting the Community plan to serve boys, girls and families in the Carrollton area this Christmas. Due to COVID, we are working with connectingthecommunity.org to offer a virtual Angel Tree. Instead of buying gifts, we invite you to instead purchase gift cards. Go to connectingthecommunity.org and choose Amazon or Walmart gift cards, or you can make a cash donation to the church which will be used to buy gift cards. You can have the gift cards emailed to the church, mailed, or you can drop them off at the church office.  
All gift cards need to be received at Holy Covenant by Sunday, December 6.  

Food Pantry
Our next Food Distribution will be Sunday, December 6th from 1-3 pm. You still have time to sign up to pack food on Friday or Saturday or to work at the Distribution on Sunday. 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 our Distribution on December 20th. If you would like to donate either, please bring them to the church office on Thursday or Saturday.  
We need:
Pasta Sauce
Instant Mashed Potatoes
Soup
Hot chocolate
Mini marshmallows
Dog and cat food  

Someone will be at the church on Saturday from 10:00 am-noon to accept your donations.   Thank you for your continued support of the Food Pantry.        

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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  


Advent Study Mondays at 6:30 pm via Zoom
Join us for an Advent Study, Mondays at 6:30 PM We are basing it on the Adam Hamilton book Incarnational, Rediscovering the Significance of Christmas. You do not have to read the book to join us, it will just serve as a beginning point. This week’s class invites us to reflect on our need for having a Savior and being saved. We will begin our conversation with defining sin. We will wind around to Wesleyan’s understanding of grace. All are welcome. Look forward to “seeing” you on Monday! December 7 – The Savior & our need for saving
December 14 – Emmanuel in the Midst of a Pandemic
December 21 – The Light of the World
January 4 – Epiphany – Falling on our knees   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, 6 occurrence(s)        
Dec 7, 2020 06:30 PM        
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  

Highlights Next Week  

Blood Drive
Sunday, December 13
8:30 am to Noon
HCUMC parking lot
COVID-19 Antibody Testing is available for all donors. Give blood and get Mavericks gear! Carter BloodCare observes social distancing guidelines.    

Christmas Eve Worship  
                     

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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 Received $23,543   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!  

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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].