Practical Tips for Advent

3^rd Sunday of Advent
Just these lines, my friends …

… to say that there were two things I hope you were able to see this past Sunday.

First of all, I wish you could have seen our hallways lined with gifts from the Angel Tree. Then all our volunteers, led by Elizabeth Wetmore, getting them ready to be picked up by our community partners to share with families all over the region.

Secondly, I wish you could have seen all the families gather on Sunday evening in the parking lot watching The Grinch. It was a perfect night of fun and family activity! Thank you, United Kids and United Youth, for making it all happen. I noticed many guests from the community joining us for this splendid evening.

This past Sunday morning in worship, we were touched by beautiful arrangements of O Come, O Come, Emanuel (our Song of the Season) in all our services. If you missed gathering with us, you can watch here.

Below is a summary of the activities, events, and worship services of the Advent season.

The Glory of Christmas

You will not want to miss The Glory of Christmas this Sunday, December 12 at 7:00 pm in our Sanctuary. The evening features nearly all the music groups that so wonderfully fill our hearts week after week with beautiful, inspiring music.

Wednesday Devotional

I also hope you’ll take a few minutes to watch my devotional for the second week of Advent titled “Practical Tips for Advent.” Please click here to watch.

Estimates of Giving for 2022

Thank you to so many of you who have made your estimate of giving for 2022. If you have not yet done so, please fill out your estimate by clicking here. Your estimates of giving are the primary way our Finance Committee has to accurately plan for all the ministries and programs God is calling us to do next year. Thank you!

Christmas Eve Offering

We believe that the Church should be FOR the Community and FOR the World.  As we do every year, we’ll be giving 100% of our Christmas Eve offerings to help local & global organizations.  This year the offerings will go to the Matthews HELP Center, Hoskins Park and Wings of Hope. You can make an offering anytime during the Advent season in worship or online. Give online on REALM & select “Christmas Eve” on the drop down Fund menu. If giving by check, please write “Christmas Eve” in the memo line.

Let’s Finish Strong!

As my dad always told me, “Son, finish on your toes, not on your heels.” Church, let’s make our 2021 financial finish on our toes with a generous, sacrificial December. Currently, we need just under $400,000 to meet our financial commitments to our Operating Budget. You are an amazing community of faith that responds so devotedly when the need is known. If you can make a special gift, please know every gift, no matter how big or small makes a difference and takes us closer to our goal.

This Sunday in Worship

We invite you to join us this Sunday in person or online at 8:15 am (traditional – in person only), 9:30 am (contemporary), 11:00 am (traditional) or 12:30 (Spanish – in person only).

In our Spanish-speaking CCH community, Pastor Roldan continues in the Advent series, Something Good is Yet to Come. This Sunday he will be preaching from Isaiah 55:1-7. His sermon title, Wake-up Call.

In our morning services, we arrive at the beginning of the 3rd week of the holy season of Advent. We are seeking to deepen our understanding to several of the sacred Songs of the Season. This week…the joyous The First Noel. I’m pleased to announce our bishop, Ken Carter will be preaching for us. Bishop Carter is the bishop of the Western North Carolina Conference and the Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church. A profoundly spiritual man, he is one of our most thoughtful and engaging leaders. We are so fortunate to have him with us this Sunday morning.

As always, I look forward to seeing you on Sunday. If you have gotten out of the habit of worship, why not make Advent the time to get back in the habit? Invite someone to church, or back to church; you never know who might want to enjoy some intentional connection as we seek and sow sacred dreams for our lives and our world.

And now, as always, during these strange, uncertain, tumultuous, perilous, and hopeful days of pandemic remember … God does God’s best work in moments like this.

We are in this … together,
Dr. Charles (Chuck) W. Wilson II

Did you know that Servants Heart Circle donated 32 pairs of pajamas and folded almost 100 pairs with only 7 ladies present at their Promise Pajamas Folding Party on November 16? This circle focuses on ways of servicing in our community.

Did you know that a grand piano was donated to the church and is now resting in the Sanctuary Reception area?! It is also a player piano and will be playing Christmas music starting this Sunday. Come by and enjoy it!!

Did you know that our church website is undergoing a redesign process as part of Our Faithful Next Steps initiatives? Our goal is to launch the new user-centric experience before Christmas! Keep an eye out for this exciting development.

Did you know that over 40 kids joined us for dinner, games, treats and crafts while their parents enjoyed some well deserved time off during our Parents Night Out on Friday.  The event was organized by United Kids and the Couples in Christ Marriage Ministry.

Playing “Ho Ho Ho Limbo”

Did you know that David and Mary Lou Brown celebrated their 50^th Anniversary on November 6? Way to go, Dave and Mary Lou!

Did you know the MUMC Men’s Group presented $5,000 to the Matthews Police Department last Saturday as part of the Secret Santa Ministry?  Fifty individuals or families will receive a $100 bill to help them out this Christmas season. This is our gift to the local community, while showing support for our local law enforcement officers.

Did you know that several men from CCH and MUMC gathered at the church on Saturday to construct the manger in the courtyard? Many thanks to this group of men: Hugo Hernandez, Chris Oldham, Clark Holmes, Brian Brown, Ramon Vivero, Joe Bates and Fernando Dominguez. Please go through the courtyard when you’re at church this holiday season!