december newsletter
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Oak Grove Moravian Church December 2012 newsletterTRANSCRIPT
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Congregational Text for 2012: Jesus said to Simon and Andrew,
“Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” and immediately
they left their nets and followed him. Mark 1:17-18
Oak Grove Leaves Oak Grove Moravian Church
120 Hammock Farm Road
Winston-Salem, NC 27105
336-595-8167 E-mail: [email protected]
Rev. Matthew W. Allen
Pastor Angie Renigar
Editor
December 2012
Oak Grove Mission Statement
Our mission is to glorify God through worship, bring people to faithful
discipleship in Christ, equip them for ministry in the church and the
world, and grow in our love for one another through fellowship.
FROM YOUR PASTOR
We’ve had such a good year in 2012. We have been celebrating our 125th anniversary all year and have enjoyed many fun events. Everything we have done has been well supported and well at-tended. Some highlights include Heritage Night, dedicating the new graveyard fence and arch, completion of a Prayer Garden, Old Fashioned Lawn and Birthday party, Oak Grove History Mo-ments, and the Anniversary Lovefeast. Sometimes it is good to just celebrate and be together as a church family. This Advent and Christmas season will give us many opportuni-ties for fellowship and service. There will be activities at the church, such as Candle Trimming, Choir Cantata, Advent Family Night, Children’s Christmas program, and the Christmas Eve Lovefeast. We will also be doing ministry and service in the com-munity. We will provide lovefeasts at Arbor Acres, Trinity Glen, and the Rescue Mission. We will participate in the Walkertown Parade, and we will Christmas carol to shut-ins. Advent and Christmas is a busy season and it gets busier every year. Whether or not that’s a good or bad thing, it is reality. And so we must be more intentional and work that much harder to experience Christ in Christmas. When we are in worship the four Sundays of Advent may we empty our minds of everything except the Christ Child. May we experience joy, hope, peace, and love represented by the four candles in the Advent wreath. May the four weeks of Advent truly prepare us for Christmas Eve and the celebration of the birth of Jesus. In “Joy to the World” we sing “let every heart prepare Him room.” In this secular world in which we live and all the things that com-pete for our time and attention, we must make room for the Christ Child. Make room in your heart for the Lord Jesus and may you experience His grace, love, and mercy anew this Christmas. As we lift our candles high on Christmas Eve may the love and light of Christ shine in us and may it glow for all to see. Merry Christmas and I’ll see you in church!
Matthew
3. Mark Disher
Jamey May
4. Linda Holt
5. Christian Day
Bobby Wolfington, Jr.
6. Samuel Grindstaff
9. Clarence Sell
11. James D. Marshall
15. Gray Comer
Billy Comer
17. Wesley Vanhoy
5. David & Athena Weavil
6. Arnold & Andra Reeves
9. Wayne & Tangee Stevens
14. James & Elizabeth Marshall
17. Harvey & Betty Seivers
Keith & Linda Miller
23. Jerry & Geraldine Ellegood
Bill & Marie Motsinger
27. Frank & Whitney Marques
DECEMBERDECEMBER
18. Marty Homstad
19. Amy Davis
20. Laura Jane Styers
24. Judy Dillon
27. Hanna Smith
29. Gary Marshall
30. Noah Kirby
Mark Buchanan
31. Mitchell Styers
Alan Priddy
Newsletter Notes
From around the Southern Province Last year’s statistics for the Province have been published, and as is our custom, we want to cheer the churches that showed gains in all three categories of confirmed communicants, total membership, and average attendance. Accolades this time go to Macedonia, Christ the King, New Beginnings, King, Rural Hall, Fulp, Covenant, Ardmore, Friedberg, Trinity, and Union Cross. Eleven church-es! Let’s see that trend carry over into this year.
On the down side, though, prayers of concern must go out for Bethania, Little Church on the Lane, Leaksville, Enterprise, Grace, New Hope (N.C.), Mizpah, Bethesda, Fries Memorial, Home, Immanuel New Eden, Messiah, and Providence, all showing decline in all three statistical categories. May they be in-spired by the 11 showing gains.
In it all we must remember: We, not just the ministers, are Christ’s best ambassadors. It’s our opportunity to invite a friend, acquaint-ance, neighbor, co-worker to come with us to church, and then make our newcomer feel as at home as we are in our worship.
One of our ministers reports: “We’re having lots of visitors with many of them continuing to come back! In a time when mainline Protestant denominations, including the Moravian Church, are expe-riencing continuing decline in membership, we are fortunate to be growing again. We are still a small congregation, but we are doing an incredible amount of ministry and outreach with so many of you roll-ing up your sleeves and working together.”
So pat yourselves on the back, blessings of Advent and Christmas to all, and let’s step into a New Year of renewal and growth in Christ’s little Moravian Church.
Richard W. Starbuck
Moravian Archives
JOINT BOARD REPORT November 13, 2012
The Trustees presented the 2013 budget to the Elders and it was unanimously approved by the Joint Board. Many thanks to Johnny Vanhoy, David Hester, and Harvey Seivers for preparing the budget.
BOARD OF ELDERS REPORT
The board spent time in prayer for the various needs of members and friends of the church. Offerings for Thanksgiving and Christmas were designated. Committee reports were given. The CEC has been busy with many programs and activities this fall. The CEC wants to start using the curriculum The Story with youth and adults on Wednesday nights and the younger children on Sunday mornings for Sunday School. The Story is a dynamic curriculum that presents the story of the en-tire Bible and all age groups study the same lesson at the same time. It is hoped that this new curriculum will get more people coming on Wednesday nights and bring forth much spiritual fruit. The Advent and Christmas schedule was reviewed.
Hebrews 10:25
Let us not neglect our church meetings, as
some people do, but encourage and warn
each other, especially now that the day of
his coming back again is drawing near.
Robin Hancock will be practicing
“Morning Star”
with the children immediately following Worship on
12/9 and 12/16 for 10 minutes in the Blessed Begin-
ners (K-2) classroom. If your children are interested
in singing for the Christmas lovefeasts, please have
them report there before Sunday School/Christmas
play practice.
ACOLYTES 2. Katrina Stevens
9. Hayley Wolfington
16. AmyLynn Colona
23. Sidney Hooker
30. Sam Peddycord
FLOWER CALENDAR
2. Margaret Hoerner
9. Jane Farmer
16. Pam Ellis
23. poinsettias
30. available
USHERS
Mike May
Steve Price
Gerald Peddycord
Bobby Wolfington, Jr.
CRISIS CONTROL MINISTRY
DONATION
Canola Oil (24 oz.)
CD MINISTRY
2. Georgia Brown
9. Loretta Snow
16. Lib Westmoreland
23. Bonnie Peddycord
30. Betty Seivers
NURSERY WORKERS
2. Eric & Anita Linville
9. Patrick & Carrie Linville
16. Jane Farmer & Bonnie Peddycord
23. Susan, Sarah & Laura Price
30. Hazel Beasley, Marion Clark & Hanna
Smith
December Workers
Building Campaign Memorials
and Honorariums In memory of:
Don Barneycastle
Mr. and Mrs. G.M. Barneycastle
Mr. and Mrs. L.S. Thomason
Mozelle and Alvin Snow
Delmore Ernest Hester
In honor of:
All the Children in Our Church
Erin Hedrick’s Birthday
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
Continuing The Vision……..
……..Building The Future
Update on Capital Campaign Funds
From the beginning of our Campaign we have total donations of
$248,248.55. There is a pledge balance of $34,797.00 that has yet to
be received.
Please continue to support our Campaign with your prayers and mone-
tary gifts.
John 1:17
The law was given through Moses;
grace and truth came through
Jesus Christ.
To the Oak Grove Congregation:
Thanks to all of you for the kind and thoughtful
deeds: the calls, cards, visits and especially your
prayers. A special “thanks” goes to the Wom-
en’s Fellowship for the two quarts of stew which
saved me from several trips to the dining room!
It all helps me through some difficult times.
Willie Disher
Thank you
Christmas Eve Lovefeast and Candle Service
Oak Grove Moravian Church
December 24, 2012 7:30 p.m.
Band prelude at 7:00 p.m.
Christmas Lovefeast Arbor Acres
December 4, 2012 7:00 p.m.
Band prelude at 6:30 p.m.
Christmas Lovefeast Trinity Glen
December 12, 2012 2:00 p.m.
Band prelude at 1:30 p.m.
Christmas Lovefeast W-S Rescue Mission December 18, 2012
7:00 p.m.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Financial Update
The Board of Trustees last met on
Tuesday, November 13, 2012.
Financial reports were discussed
and approved .
A drain pipe has been installed on
the gutters at the west side of the
Fellowship Hall. A hanger has been
installed for the water hose outside
the kitchen door at the faucet.
The proposed church budget for
2013 was discussed and approved.
The next board meetings will take
place on Tuesday, January 8th.
Christmas Play Rehearsal Schedule
Sunday, December 2 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 12 6:30 p.m. Sunday, December 16 11:00 a.m.
Final Dress Rehearsal—To be determined
(December 18, 21 or 22)
Christmas Play Sunday, December 23rd 11:00 a.m. Fellowship Hall
7th Annual Advent Family Night
Moravian Christmas Trivia, Name That Christmas Carol
Stories and Crafts for the younger ones Decorating the Fellowship Hall Christmas Tree
Sunday, December 9th, 2012 Supper served at 5:00 p.m.
Christmas Gift Idea! Oak Grove Moravian Church Collectible Plates!
There are two styles to choose from, one pictures the old church and the other pictures
the current church. $20 each. Give the pair for a lovely commemorative
display. Checks may be written to Oak Grove with “plate” written on the memo line.
Oct. 2012 Jan.-Oct.
Operating Income $ 11,880.00 $140,053.85
Operating Expenses $ 15,240.83 $147,708.93
Ahead (Behind) ($ 3,360.83) ($ 7,655.08)
OCTOBER
STEWARDSHIP
ATTENDANCE
7th…….80
14th…….86
21st…….95
28th…….87
Do you sometimes wonder if God hears your prayers? Do you ever ask yourself, “What is the point of pray-ing”. Do you long to experience the power of prayer in your daily life? The Women’s Bible Group is starting a new book entitled,
“The Essentials of Effective Prayer”.
The group meets monthly on the se-cond Saturday of each month in the Margaret Hammock Class at 10:00 am. Please join us as we learn the key principles of prayer and gain a deeper understanding of how prayer can draw you closer to His heart.
You are invited to go
Christmas Caroling
To the Shut-ins
Sunday, December 16, 2012
4:00 p.m.
The Walkertown
Community’s
67th Annual
Christmas Tree
Lighting Service
Love’s United Methodist
Church
in Walkertown on
Sunday, December 2, 2012 at
7:00 p.m.
CHRISTMAS
CANTATA
presented by
OAK GROVE
MORAVIAN CHURCH
ADULT CHOIR
December 16, 2012
9:45 a.m.
“Shout the
Good News”
by Lloyd Larson
DECEMBER 2012
There is a compelling sentence in an article found in
the December issue of Stewardship:
“Let us not be ashamed to have the Lord
look not only at our gifts, but also into our
hearts.”
Christmas, of course, is basically all about giving.
Christians understand that the first Christmas giver was
God. As the Gospel of John puts it, “God so loved the
world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes
in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John
3:16).
It is because of that incomparable gift that we Chris-
tians are stirred to be givers ourselves. We give because
God has given to us greatly and generously. We respond
to God’s blessed gift to us by giving back to God
through God’s church and Christian institutions that
strive to meet the needs of those suffering from various
causes. Christmas inspires us to also give to others: fam-
ily members and friends whom we love and cherish.
We need to remember that we give because God has
given to us first. We give because our hearts are greatly
appreciative of what God has given to us: our families,
our lives, our talents, and so forth. But we give mainly
because of the gift God gave us in Christ who saves us,
sustains us, and who gives us meaning, hope, and joy as
we live out our life’s journey from now to eternity.
Prayer: Loving God, we rejoice in your bountiful gifts
to us day in and day out. We thank you most of all for
your matchless gift of Christ our Lord, whose birthday
we joyfully celebrate again. In his name we pray. Amen
Inspiring a deeper understanding of true givingInspiring a deeper understanding of true givingInspiring a deeper understanding of true giving
A Stewardship Moment