Subject: What is Happening at Holy Covenant This Week

Beloved Community,   Our new Christian year begins with this first Sunday of Advent.   Advent is a time of waiting, preparing for the arrival of Emmanuel, God with us. When my son was little, he called Jesus, “God with skin on”. We are preparing for God to burst into our lives; to arrive here with us.   Henri Nouwin reminds us we must stand ready, stay awake, stay alert, stay tuned to the world of God. We must be able to stand confidently (with trust) in the presence of God together in our beloved community. “The attitude of waiting allows us to be people who can live in a very chaotic world and survive spiritually.”   We begin our Advent season with HOPE! Hope that as we walk through this chaotic Christmas holiday, we will weave together joy with our sadness, laughter among our tears, light that is not overcome by the darkness, for our faith in the presence of God, the Spirit of God, will see it us through it all.   Join us at 9:15 for Sunday School; 10:30 for Holy Communion Worship, followed by lunch and an Advent Festival with Advent activities and Christmas crafts the children have created.   I look forward to greeting you on Sunday!   Shalom Blessings, Pastor Cheryl Murphy   10:30 am Sunday Morning Worship In-person and Livestreamed Join us either in-person, or for online worship on Facebook Live. We are on Facebook Sundays 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 3 First Sunday of Advent Ushers: Spiritual Journey Class     It’s not too late!   Thank you to those who have already turned in their 2024 pledges! You may still bring them this Sunday and place them in the offering plate, mail them or submit your pledge ONLINE.         Sunday School 9:15 am Kinder to 2nd – Room 206 3rd to 5th—Room 202 Confirmation – Room 207 Youth – Youth Room Infants to PreK – Nursery   Adult Classes: Daughters of Shalom – Room 208 Seekers – Room 210 Pathfinders – Room 211 Spiritual Journey – Room 212 Travelers – Room 213 – starts at 9:30 am   Wear Your Nametag! Be sure to wear your nametag this Sunday to help our guests learn names. If you need a nametag, please add your name to the sign-up sheet on the nametag table.    Prayers of the People   Please keep the following people in your prayers this week: LaRae Pritchard and family; Mary Mitchell Trimble; Jean McDonald; Rob Evans; Lisa Hunsaker; Sharyn Yetman; Sharon Harris; John Webb; Ed Webb; Claudia and Marshall Masser; Karen McGuffin; Charles Hinton; Sadie Garcia; Debbie and Bob Schulter; Sara Bunch; James Baxter; Karyl Sarver; Tom Yull; Matthew Perry; and our friends at Atria Carrollton.   Happening Now   Angel Tree Through December 10   The Angel Tree is now up in the narthex. Each angel on the tree represents a child in need in our area. Please take one (or more!) and give a monetary donation or purchase Walmart or Amazon $25 gift cards. We will also accept cash donations to buy gift cards on your behalf. You may also donate online at Angel Tree.   Clothes Closet Needs We need the following for the HCUMC Community Clothes Closet: -Coats (all sizes) -Men’s clothes (all sizes) -Baby clothes -Shoes (all sizes, specifically work shoes, heavy duty shoes) -New underwear and socks (all sizes) -Mini shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, lotion   Please bring clothes to the church office Tuesday – Thursday between 10 am and 2 pm or Sunday mornings.   Highlights This Week   Blood Drive Sunday, December 3 9:30 am – 12:30 pm Carter BloodCare will be accepting donations in our parking lot. Donors in December will receive a fleece blanket. Please consider donating!     Advent Festival & Craft Fair Sunday, December 3 11:30 am – 1:30 pm Join us for our annual Advent Festival to kick off the Advent season! We will have lunch, games, and crafts! The kids and youth will be putting on a Pop Up Lil’ Flea Market, this time, Christmas themed! Come by to get your homemade Christmas ornaments, cards, treats and more!   Food Pantry   Reverse Advent Calendar December 1-31   Consider helping restock our Food Pantry this Advent season. Each day of December, you and your family are invited to purchase a food item for the Food Pantry. The calendar below lists items not typically available from the North Texas Food Bank.     Pantry Hours: Tuesday-Thursday from 10-2  2nd and 3rd Sundays from 12-1 pm (in December)   Donations may be dropped off Tuesdays through Thursdays between 10 am and 2 pm. In addition to that, we accept donations on Sundays before and after worship. There will be carts outside the Pantry for your donations. We thank you for always being there to support the Food Pantry with your donations, your time, and your prayers.   Highlight Next Week   Parents’ Night Out Friday, December 8 5:30 – 8:30 pm   Drop your kids off for a night of dinner, activities and a Christmas movie! Do some last-minute shopping or spend some quality time alone or with friends amidst the busy holiday season!    Holy Covenant is Having a Birthday Celebration! 2024 will be Holy Covenant’s 50th anniversary and we will celebrate April 13-14, 2024. We invite you to celebrate your church when you celebrate your birthday. Whenever your birthday falls, consider making a gift to HCUMC. Just mark your gift “Birthday Offering” and put it in the offering plate on Sunday or give ONLINE.       Tuesday Take Five Tuesdays at 12 noon  Facebook Live  Take a few minutes out of your Tuesday for spiritual growth and an uplifting message for the week with Laulie Eckeberger.              Finances   You may give ONLINE or send checks to: Holy Covenant UMC 1901 E. Peters Colony Rd. Carrollton, TX 75007     Online Giving   Donate here or use the QR code. You may set up a regular pledge payment by choosing the frequency of donations.