Shut Ins and Military

Over the next few weeks the youth and members of the church will be visiting shut ins and people in assisted living facilities. We will be Christmas Caroling. We have so many people in the church who must stay at home or at a nursing home. Please remember these people. They need our thoughts and prayers. It is especially difficult to be confined to your home during the Christmas season.

We also need to remember those serving in our military protecting our freedom. Several of these people will be away from their families during the holiday season. The people in the military from our church are Jeff Hartley, Michael Hartley, Brittany Smith, Russell and Malena Rathbone, and Trent Waller.

Prayer Requests

We have so many people on the prayer request list right now that it is overwhelming and we add more people every Sunday. Richard and Wanda Gross were recently added, as were Coley Johnson, Diane Hold, and Jim Julian. Please pray for these people and the people who have been on the list for a while. It is especially difficult to be dealing with sickness or other issues around the holidays and we are so blessed.

Christams Caroling

The youth will be going Christmas caroling with students from Catawba College on Thursday night. The youth will meet at 6:30 pm to travel together and sing at Genesis Nursing home. Please plan to attend if you can.

Upcoming events

12/10 Harry Steele Christmas Party 6pm
12/11 UMW Christmas Party 6pm (date change)
12/12 Methodist Men at Farmhouse 8am and Angel Tree gifts due
12/14 Friendship Club 10:30 am
12/19 Christmas Program

Thoughts about angels explained by children

* Angels work for God and watch over kids when God has to go do something else. Mitchell, 7
* Angels don't eat, but they drink milk from Holy Cows. Jack, 6
* My guardian angel helps me with math, but he's not much good for science. Henry, 8

I thought these were so cute. I am really glad we have thoughts for the week in our bulletin every Sunday.

Upcoming Events for the youth

The youth and children will begin practicing for the Christmas play within the next couple weeks. If you would like to be in the play, please see Sara Gettys.

The youth will also work at the Operation Christmas Child packaging center in December.

College group will meet December 17th at the Gaskill's house for a Christmas party from 6-10pm. Please bring a $5-10 gift to exchange and a side dish if you wish.

RHM Boxes

Boxes will be needed again this year for RHM West. We will need to fill ten boxes with items for a holiday meal. If you would like to donate for this project, please see Renae Brown.

Angel Tree

A few names are still on the Angel tree in the Narthex. These kids are from Woodleaf Elementary and West Rowan Middle. Please select a name from the tree and sign your name beside the corresponding number on the Master list. Please have all gifts wrapped and attach the angel and return to church by December 12th.

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas...

I love this time of year. It seems like people are in a better mood and everyone seems so happy looking for the perfect gifts. There are several things that are showing us how close we are to Christmas, even though it is only November. I am so excited to see a few houses already lit up and decorated for Christmas. I know we put our Christmas trees up earlier than ever this year. (My family and I get really excited about Christmas...) Today at church, we even sang Christmas songs; including "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" and "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus." Today was also the beginning of advent.

Remember, we are at the start of the Christmas season. Be merry and show God's love to others during this wonderful season!

Today's events

The Witness Committee will meet today at 4pm. Please attend if you are on the committee as we will be discussing plans for New Year's Eve. Last year we had this event and the turn out was great. We would like to have even more activities planned for this year, so come with some ideas.

The Samaritans Purse shoe boxes were due today. If you were unable to bring them this morning, please bring them to the church this afternoon.

The Youth and Children will not be meeting today due to Thanksgiving but will be going Christmas caroling on Thursday at Genesis.

RHM Needs

The Rowan Helping Ministries is in desperate need for items right now. Please help by donating any of the following items: peanut butter, jelly, dried beans, canned vegetables, canned and dried milk, flour, and sugar. Please help RHM get ready for the Holiday season and help feed people in our community.

UMW Christmas Party

The United Methodist Women will have their Christmas party on December 11th at 6pm. (This is a new date so be sure to change your calendars). Please see Dee Angel if you plan to attend the party. Also, please bring a white elephant gift to the party.

Next Sunday's helpers

Financial Secretaries for next Sunday (December 5th) are:
Robin Lingle and Wilma Waller

Nursery Helpers for next Sunday are:
Janie Mills and Jean Bell

Children's Church leaders for next Sunday are:
Denise Foutz and Melissa Miller

We are so fortunate to have such great volunteers at our church. Please show your appreciation!

Advent

Today marked the first Sunday in Advent. We lit the candle of Prophecy and Hope during the Children's alter today. It was really special to allow the children to participate in the ceremony.

Guest Speaker

The preacher was out of town this morning so we had a quest speaker. I special thanks to Joe Barbee for delivering the message this morning. You did a great job and we really appreciate it!

Upcoming Events

12/10- Harry Steele Christmas Party at 6pm

12/12- Methodist men breakfast at 8am and angel tree gifts are due

12/14- Friendship Club meeting at 10:30 am

12/18- United Methodist Women Party

12/19- Christmas Program and Christmas Party!!

Christmas is quickly approaching!

Thank you note

A thank you note was received from the volunteer coordinator at Rowan Helping Ministries West to tell the church how much they appreciate our gifts. They were so thankful for the food we brought and for volunteering our time to serve food. Thanks for all you do. Keep it up Gay's Chapel UMC!

Christmas Shoulders

The Methodist Men are cooking bar-be-que shoulders for Christmas. A sign up sheet is in the Narthex. Please sign up if you would like one. The pick up date for these is December 18th. Please support the Methodist men in this fundraiser.

Activities for tomorrow

Sunday School and church is tomorrow!

The Witness Committee will meet tomorrow at 4pm to discuss plans for New Year's Eve. Please make sure you attend if you are on this committee.

Samaritan Purse shoe boxes are due tomorrow as well.

Shut Ins

We have several members of the church who are confined to their homes. Please try to visit them this holiday season. Also, pray for these people. Some of the shut ins are Ruth and Vernon Ridenhour, Kay Pinkston, Sarah McClamrock, Helen Bringle, and Ola Mae Livengood.