What is Happening This Week 12/2-12/5/21
 Happy Advent! The season calls us to wait. Many of us think of waiting as passive, sitting still, and twiddling our thumbs (or more likely scrolling through our phone). In the scriptures waiting is not passive. Those waiting are actively waiting. The waiting is a conviction that a seed has been planted, something new is about to appear. Henri Nouwin writes, “active waiting implies being fully present to the moment with the conviction that something is happening where we are and that we want to be present to it. A waiting person is someone who is present to the moment, believing that this moment is the moment.” In the moment, we will see, feel and know that God’s Spirit is present and active in our lives, in this Advent season. The waiting is a blessed time of preparing. I hope you will join us on Sunday to celebrate Holy Communion and the second Sunday of Advent. I look forward to greeting you at church. Shalom Blessings, Pastor Cheryl Murphy 8:30 am Sunday Worship  We have moved 8:30 worship inside to the sanctuary until warmer weather.  10:30 am Sunday Morning Worship In-person and Livestreamed We hope you are joining us either in-person, or 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. Sunday, December 5 Scripture: Luke 3:3-10 Second Sunday of Advent – Peace Prayers of the People  Please keep the following people in your prayers this week: Sharon Harris; Skip Trimble; Patsy Taylor; Helma Gentry’s mother; Travis Williams; Mary Harrison; Matthew, family friend of the Guests; and our friends at Atria Carrollton. Sunday School  Sunday School 9:15 am Kinder to 2nd – Upstairs 3rd to 5th – Upstairs Confirmation – Youth Room Youth – Youth Room Infants to PreK – Nursery For more information or questions, contact Laulie Eckeberger at [email protected] If you are interested in teaching or helping with Sunday School, please sign up HERE.  Children’s Choir 11:30 am to 12:30 pm For K through 5th Education Building Room 206 Led by Melanie Luce. Contact Laulie Eckeberger [email protected] for more information.  Pledge Update for 2022 Thank you to everyone who has already submitted your pledge for 2022! If you haven’t turned in your pledge yet, it’s not too late. Pledges Received: 72 Annual Total $341,784 % of Budget 66% Happening Now  Angel Tree Through December 12 You are invited to take an angel representing a child in need in our area. We are again asking for either Amazon or Walmart gift cards, or you can make a monetary donation to the church which will be used to buy gift cards. You can have the cards mailed to the church, or you can drop them off Sunday mornings at the tree or during the week in the church office. And you can give online and designate “Angel Tree” for your donation.  You Are Invited! Preschool Christmas Program Thursday, December 16th 10:00 am Come and see the ECDP Christmas program on Thursday, December 16th at 10:00 am in the sanctuary. Our music teacher, P.E. teacher and Spanish teacher have worked very hard with our students to showcase some great holiday music and a Nativity. It is sure to get you into the spirit of the Christmas season! Please wear a face mask that is fitted over your nose and mouth, our school is still requiring them for all who enter.  Food Pantry Pantry Hours: Tuesday-Thursday from 10-2 2nd and 3rd Sundays from 12-1 pm. Currently, we need: hearty soups, large pasta sauce and dog/cat food. The Missions Team thanks you for always being there to support the Food Pantry with your donations, your time, and your prayers.  Coming Soon Blood Drive Sunday, December 19 8 am to Noon HC Parking Lot December donors to Carter BloodCare will receive: -Antibody testing -$10 Amazon gift card -A chance to win a Chevy Spark!  Greeters Needed for Christmas Eve 5:00 pm or 7:00 pm Worship Please contact Rev. Cheryl Murphy [email protected] if you are available to greet for either Christmas Eve service. Finances  You may send your checks to: Holy Covenant UMC 1901 E. Peters Colony Rd. Carrollton, TX 75007 Or you may submit your offering electronically through online giving. November Regular Donations/Pledge Payments: GOAL $54,930 Given to Date $24,887 Gather & Give Auction $24,437 TOTAL $49,324 (90%) Four Sundays left in 2021 – We need $77,083 to cover the 2021 Budget.  Online Giving Donate Here. You may set up a regular pledge payment by choosing the Donation Frequency. |