Every year on the first Sunday of November, we celebrate the Feast of All Saints, a time to remember those saints who came before us in the community of faith. We remember the well-known saints whose names we recall and whose stories we tell. We remember the anonymous saints, the unnamed women and men who quietly and faithfully lived out the gospel. We remember the saints of our own lives, those individuals who gave us a glimpse of God’s love through their words and actions. And we remember the saints of our congregation, especially those who have died in the last year.
Remembering the saints who have gone before us helps us keep perspective on our time and place. We are in a time of soaring anxiety as a country. We look around and see division and discord in nation, in our communities, and sometimes in our own families. We are weary of a long and contentious election season, and fearful of what may follow. When anxiety begins to rise, I find it helpful to recall that Christians have lived faithfully through fearful times before. In times of empire and oppression, war and disaster, our ancestors sought to live out their trust in God. Their example guides us as we discern how to live faithfully here and now. How do we love God and love our neighbor in our particular time and place?
Encouraged by the faithful who have gone before us, may we join together in prayer for our nation this month, drawing on words from our Book of Common Worship:
Lord, keep this nation under your care. Bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth. Help us as good citizens to respect neighbors whose views differ from ours, so that without partisan anger, we may work out issues that divide us. Help us elect trustworthy leaders, contribute to wise decisions for the general welfare, and thus serve you faithfully in our generation, to the honor of your holy name; through Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
Then, at communion tables and Thanksgiving tables, may seek unity and peace with one another.
Grace and peace,
Leanne
Glorify God
Consecration Sunday, October 30
On Sunday, October 30, we will celebrate Consecration Sunday. Please make plans to join us for a special service of worship at a special time -- 10am instead of our usual 11am! Following worship, join us for a celebration brunch at the Forbes House, provided by the Mission & Stewardship team. We’ll enjoy fellowship and a delicious meal, including a pancake station for the kids (or the kids-at-heart)!
Daylight Savings, November 6
Remember that Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday, November 6, so turn back your clocks and enjoy an extra hour of sleep before church!
All Saints, November 6
On Sunday, November 6, we will celebrate the Feast of All Saints when we remember all those who have come before us in the community of faith. We will also welcome new members and celebrate the baptism of Quintin Chandler and Wyatt Jones.
Community Thanksgiving Service, November 6
You are warmly invited to Montevallo’s annual community Thanksgiving service on Sunday, November 6 at 6pm at University Baptist Church. The Rev. John Adams, Pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, will preach. Let’s join with our neighbors in worship and thanksgiving for God’s many gifts!
Poinsettias
Would you like to give a poinsettia to the church in honor or in memory of a loved one? Poinsettias may be ordered for $10 each by signing up at the church or by contacting David Haws at david@montevallopcusa.org. Please order by November 13. The poinsettias will be placed in the sanctuary for the first Sunday of Advent, November 27 and may be taken home following the Christmas Eve service.
Advent Breakfast and Decorating the Chrismon Tree
Join us on Sunday, November 27 at 9:30 am for a special Advent breakfast and decorating the Chrismon tree. The Chrismon tree, placed in the sanctuary throughout the Advent and Christmas seasons, features white and gold ornaments that represent aspects of our Christian faith. Coffee and juice will be provided; please bring a breakfast item to share if you are able. Please note that Sunday School will not meet on this day.
Advent Devotional
Like a Cat Asleep on a Chair: Reflections for the Season of Advent Based on Poetic Fragments is a new Advent devotional by MPC’s own Wayne McLaughlin. In the busyness of the season, this devotional serves as an invitation pause each day to find your center in God. Devotionals are available at the church this month. A $10 donation per book is appreciated; 100% of the proceeds will go to MPC’s music program.
Coming up soon!
Mark your calendar for these special opportunities:
Grow as Disciples
--Learning--
Adult Sunday School
Our Adult Sunday School class continues a biblical journey using Brian McLaren’s book, We Make the Road By Walking as our guide to a fresh introduction to Christian faith. In his introduction McLaren says,
“It may seem as if it’s too late to keep hoping, to keep trying, to keep learning, to keep growing. But to be alive in the story of creation means daring to believe it’s not too late.”
“As in Genesis, life today is full of rivalries and conflicts. We all experience wrongs, hurts, and injustices through the actions of others-and we all inflict wrongs, hurts and injustices upon others. If we want to reflect the image of God, we will choose grace over hostility, reconciliation over revenge, and equality over rivalry. When we make that choice, we encounter God in the faces of our former rivals and enemies. And as we are humbled, surrendering to God and seeking to be reconciled with others, our faces, too, reflect the face of God. We come alive as God’s image bearers indeed.”
Please join us on our journey. There’s no preparation required and books are provided.
Children's Sunday School
MPC kids continue exploring God's Big Story on Sundays at 10am. This month, join us as we discover more about three prophets in the Old Testament: Jonah, Isaiah and Jeremiah. Children from 4K through elementary school are welcome in Sunday School, while our nursery provides childcare for infants through 2nd grade every Sunday from 9:45am until following worship.
Covenant Bible Study
This month, our Covenant Bible Study will meet on November 8 and November 15 at 1pm at the Forbes House. With these two sessions, we will complete “Creating,” the first of three parts of the Covenant Bible series. The weekly videos featuring conversations with a variety of Biblical scholars have sparked engaging discussions and deepened our understanding of the God’s covenant with us.
--Fellowship--
Women's Fellowship Dinner, November 9
Come enjoy good food and good conversation at our women's fellowship dinner! We'll gather at El Agave on Main Street in Montevallo at 7pm on Wednesday, November 9. Bring a friend!
Men's Fellowship Breakfast, November 12
MPC men gather for coffee and fellowship on the second Saturday of the month. Join us this month on Saturday, November 12 at 8am at the Eclipse on Main Street in Montevallo.
Book Discussion Group, November 20
This fall, join our book discussion group for Conversations on Justice, Race and Faith. We'll be reading three books that explore contemporary issues of race in our justice system and in the church. While these books explore a common theme, you do not have to attend all three discussions – come when you can! And as always, you are welcome in the conversation even if you haven't read the book.
Recent events in the United States have provoked not just a willingness to discuss issues of racism in this country but a desire to do something meaningful to confront it. Race in a Post-Obama America offers concerned Christians the chance to clarify terms and issues around racism and discern how to respond.
The reader will learn the basic definitions and history around racism in the United States, be presented with current thoughts on institutional racism and what is to be done to end it, and learn about specific actions individuals and churches are taking. Designed for individual or group study, the book includes questions for reflection and discussion.
Care for People and Creation
First Light, November 5
As the year draws to a close, we offer many thanks to everyone who has helped serve meals, prepared food and/or donated money to our First Light mission. We are blessed to have "More than Enough" which we can share with the women at First Light who never seem to have enough. This is such a worthwhile and important mission for our church and, if you haven't participated in the past, pIease consider getting involved. Our next meal to prepare and serve will be November 5th. The sign-up sheet for servers and menu items is on the table in the fellowship area. Many thanks to Jim Chomicz who has coordinated MPC’s service with First Light. Beginning in 2017, Carla Smith will be directing our First Light program. Please contact Carla with any questions, comments, or ideas to make First Light even better.
Open Table, December 1
On Thursday, December 1, MPC will host Open Table, our weekly lunch for University of Montevallo students served every Thursday 11:30am-1pm. On this last Open Table of the fall semester, we’ll serve up breakfast for lunch -- a meal that is always a hit. If you can help serve or contribute food, please sign up at the church.
SEA Project Christmas
Each year, MPC partners with Shelby Emergency Assistance to provide Christmas gifts for children in need in our community. For each child we sponsor, we receive a list of needs such as clothing, shoes or a jacket, as well as a few wishes for toys or games. Be on the lookout at the church later this month for an opportunity to select gifts. You can help brighten someone’s Christmas!
MPC Green Team
(Pictured left to right: Geoffrey Bolen, Amy Wilson, Tara Carter, Kevin Durand, Ryan Ahrendt)
On Saturday, October 15--for the second time in 2016--MPC's Green Team hosted an Alabama Water Watch workshop in partnership with the University of Montevallo Environmental Club. The workshop was led by Green Team Leader and AWW trainer Florence Peters.
The workshop provided certification for monitoring both water quality and the microbiology (presence of e-coli). Ryan Ahrendt of the UM Environmental Club assisted with the training, and four UM students were certified. The workshop also certified one participant who traveled from Tennessee and one from Marion, AL.
Training as a AWW water monitor provides citizens who care for creation tools to be a part of a state wide system of monitoring the quality of streams. Through training monitors, MPC carries out part of its mission to “care for people and creation."
Living River
Living River is seeking a new Executive Director. Please check out the position description here and share widely with anyone you know who might be interested in the position. And please keep the search process in your prayers in the days to come.
Third Quarter Financial Update (Jan-Sept 2016)
Budget. Please note that MPC's 2016 budget shows a $27,000 deficit between expected income and expenses. As of Q3 2016, we are on pace to reach 103% of our income budget and should be pretty close to 100% for expenses when the year comes to an end. This will have us finishing the year with a $24,000 deficit. Q4 has historically been a good time of year for giving, so we are optimistic that our actual year-end deficit will be less than the current projection.
Mission giving. Our budget includes annual financial gifts to our partners such as First Light and Living River. We are currently in the midst of making these contributions over the third and fourth quarters of this year.
Giving statements. MPC Treasurer Don Blakeley mailed third quarter giving statements in October. If you did not receive your statement or noticed an error, please contact Don at deblakeley@charter.net.
Online giving. MPC offers an easy option for making your contribution to the church even when you are out of town: secure online giving through our website. If you would like to make a one-time or recurring online gift to MPC, please visit the giving page of our website
Many thanks for your continued generous giving to support the ministry and mission of MPC!
Session Update
The Session of Montevallo Presbyterian Church met for its regular stated meeting on October 18, 2016. Highlights from the meeting include:
Pastor’s Report – Two families have requested to join the church and to have their children baptized: Erin and David Chandler and their daughter Quintin; and Wendy and Vicky Jones and their son Wyatt. Session will meet before worship on November 6 to receive these families into the fellowship of the church. Session approved the baptism of Quintin Chandler and Wyatt Jones also on November 6.
Clerk’s Report – The next meeting of the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Wetumpka on November 10. Elder Jane Clayton will serve as Commissioner.
Worship – The Session discussed plans for the Advent Season. Poinsettias will be available for purchase in honor or memory of friends or loved ones and will be in the sanctuary throughout Advent. On December 11, MPC choir will join with other community churches in a concert at the Methodist church, followed by supper. On December 18, MPC worship will include the intergenerational Christmas Pageant. The church Christmas party will also be on December 18. The Christmas Eve service will be on December 24 at 5:00 at the church. There will be a short worship service on Christmas Day at the church.
Mission and Stewardship – The fall stewardship campaign is underway. Pledge cards will be available on Consecration Sunday, October 30. A brunch hosted by the Stewardship Team will follow at the Forbes House.
Finance – Giving statements for the third quarter have been mailed.
Outreach – Online outreach continues with visits to the church website and the Facebook page. Thirty-day traffic is at an all time high.
Community Opportunities
Free Community Counseling
The University of Montevallo Graduate Counseling Program is launching a free community counseling clinic. Services include counseling for depression, anxiety, grief, anger, recovery and other issues impacting individuals, couples and families. Counseling will be provided for children ages 5 and older, teens and adults. The clinic will be open each Thursday evening, 6pm to 9pm, on the UM campus. To schedule an appointment, please call 665-6377.
