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December 2016
Dear Church Family,
On behalf of the church staff I would like to wish all of you a very blessed Christmas! In church in December, we will be hearing stories (in sermons and personal testimonies) of how Jesus invites us to know God personally. I pray that in these coming weeks you and your loved ones will remember and experience the reassuring presence of God through Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Please take time to read through this issue of the Voice and be aware of all that is being offered at church this month. These are opportunities not only for your own encouragement and edification, but also to invite friends and neighbors into God’s community. Here are some highlights:
- Worship in December – especially geared for friends and visitors
- Primetimers Christmas Luncheon – Saturday, December 10, noon luncheon, at the church; for older adults and friends 55+
- Children’s Nativity and Music – Sunday, December 11 in worship
- Christmas Eve Candlelight service – Saturday, December 24, 7pm
- Christmas Day Worship – Sunday, December 25, 11am
I invite you to be selective with your time, to focus on what is really important, and to seek God as the center of this busy holiday. Like calm after the storm (or even in the eye of it!), I hope you will experience the grace, peace, hope, and love that only God can bring. Finally, I hope that wherever you spend this Christmas Day, gift giving, treasured memories, warm fellowship, and family time together will remind you of the great gifts God has given us through His Son, Jesus Christ.
In Christ,
Robert
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UPCOMING SERMON TEXTS & THEMES
December 04: LOVE: Called in Love (Mark 10:17-27)
Jesus invites us to come to him (however hard that may be for us) because he loves us.
December 11: JOY: The Joy of Childhood (Mark 10:13-16)
Jesus invites us to come simply, with wonder, joy, and childlike faith.
December 18: PEACE: Peace with God (Romans 5:1-5)
Jesus invites us to come to come to him that we might have peace with God
December 24: Christmas Eve (Lessons and Carols)
A telling of the Christmas story through a series of scriptures and songs.
December 25: Christmas Day: Jesus Has Come to Us (John 1:9-14)
We can come to Jesus because in him God has first come to us. |
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DEC events
in addition to weekly events
04: 4:00pm: Youth Group
04: 5:00pm: Art Sanctuary Group
05: 6:00pm or 7:00pm:
Alison Littauer Bible Study
06: 9:15 am: Women's Morn Bible Study
06: 6:30pm: Preschool Christmas Program
06: 7:00 pm: Women's Eve Bible Study
07: 9:45am: Book Club
08: Men's Music & Fun Night
10: 12:00pm: Primetimers' Christmas Luncheon
11: 4:00pm: Youth Group
12: 6:00pm or 7:00pm:
Alison Littauer Bible Study
13: 9:15am: Women's Morn Bible Study
14: 9:00am: Crisis Assistance
16: VOICE Deadline
18: 4:00pm: Youth Group
18: 5:00pm: Art Sanctuary Group
24: 7:00pm: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
25: 11:00am: Christmas Day Service
26 & 27: Office Closed
31: New Year's Eve
A LOOK AHEAD...
Jan 01: New Year's Day
Jan 03: 7:00pm: Women's Eve Bible Study Resumes
Jan 04: 6:00pm: Church Dinner
Jan 09: 6:00pm or 7:00pm: Alison Littauer Bible Study Resumes
Jan 10: 9:15am: Women's Morn Bible Study Resumes
Jan 11: 9:00am: Crisis Assistance
Jan 22: 3:00-5:00pm: Kid's Club
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DEC service
communion:
Shelley Northcutt (captain)
Mary Robinson (preparer)
usher captain:
Jonathan Hetterly
Ray Ball
youth: Robin Hetterly
youth: Kaitlyn Hetterly
lay assistant:
04: Robin Orr
11: Savannah Ball
18: Todd Pearce
25: Jane Chiseck
advent readers:
04: Gwen Ingram & Bobby White
11: Mike, Brenda, & Josh Lampson
18: Paulette & Olivia Austin
25: Royallen & Cynthia Wiley
children's message:
04: Melissa Lancaster
11: Melissa Lancaster
18: Melissa Lancaster
25: Volunteer needed!!!
children's church:
04,11: None
18: Cynthia Wiley
25: None
nursery:
04: Megan Butler,
Calista Ball
11: Angela Hinton,
Maddie Buchmann
18: Kim Kinken, Lily Orr
fellowship time:
04: Eric & Lisa VanderHeide
11: Jim & Linda Terrell
18: Barbara Thomson
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DEC birthday
02: Cynthia Wiley
06: Luther Baker
07: Elijah Larson
08: Emily Cook
09: Leigh Jenkins
12: Ian Meeks
13: Royallen Wiley
14: Rick Bean
14: Barbara Kennedy
17: Charlie Hutton
17: Grant Kreutzer
18: Aiden Gallant
20: Zach Hatfield
21: Bill Sewing
21: Mike Slade
22: Luke Butler
23: Madeline Buchmann
25: Christina White
26: Robin Blacker
26: Trevor Harrington
28: Janice Woods
If we have missed anyone, please let us know so we can update our records!
**Remember that you can access our church calendar online anytime at http://gspccalendars.
blogspot.com
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FINANCE report
November was full of stewardship, pledge letters, Thanksgiving and in case you didn't know, we are thankful for YOU! Thank you for making Good Shepherd the church that it is. Thank you or your time, talents and tithing to help us expand God's kingdom. Thank you for being present and for caring for one another. Please note that 2017 pledges are requested to Diana Horne as soon as possible. To date she has only heard back from 20% of the congregation. How can you respond?...
1. Fill out and mail the enclosed slip from your pledge letter to Diana Horne, c/o Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, 3307 Rea Rd., Charlotte, NC 28226. If you no longer have it, Diana Horne can provide past giving info and receive the information about intended 2017 giving (see below).
2. E-mail Diana Horne at finance@gspc.net and include your intentions for giving
3. Call Diana Horne at the church (704-364-1234) and she will make a note of your intentions
4. You may also give online and even set up recurring giving at our secure online giving site here: bit.ly/gspc-giving (if you have any questions about that, Diana can help you set that up)
Thank you,
Shannon Klar
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MEN'S ministry
Men’s Ministry
We plan to put renewed focus on building friendships and support among the men of Good Shepherd. To get this started, we plan to have monthly opportunities to get together, relax and have fun. We will generally meet on the 1st or 2nd Thursday of each month. Later in 2017, we plan to have a men’s retreat to the mountains.
December 8 – Music and Fun Night
On December 8 at the home of Jeff Buchmann, the men of the church will get together to play music and hang out. You don’t need to play an instrument….just come, listen and enjoy. Feel free to bring snacks and beverages to share. Please contact Todd Pearce at toddspearce@yahoo.com for more information.
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PREschool
Kid's Club
Kid's Club will not meet in December. We hope you have a wonderful Advent season preparing for Christmas in your home. Save the date for January Kid's Club, January 22nd from 3-5pm. Bring a friend to start the New Year with us at Kid's Club. |
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CHRISTMAS shoppe
GSPC is again joining with a number of our neighborhood churches to provide a very Merry Christmas to children in our area who may not otherwise have a bright Christmas. We hope to help 250+ children this year (infant through high school). It's not too late to volunteer to help with the Christmas Shoppe this weekend - December 2-3!! We still need people to help in all areas of volunteering during the actual Shoppe. Contact Chris Orr if you can help out (call or text 704-617-2712 or e-mail chris.orr@ymcacharlotte.org).
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CHRISTMAS fun
On Saturday, December 10, 2016, the Primetimer's will gather at the church for their annual Christmas Luncheon. We will meet from 12:00-2:00 pm for good food, fellowship, and entertainment. David Hoag will provide us with songs and stories. Please sign-up on the sheet on the counter in the Welcome Area by December 7th. A free-will offering will be accepted to off-set the expenses. Any questions or concerns, please contact Jane Chiseck 704-560-5251.
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THANK you
Thank you so much for participating in the Operation Christmas Child shoebox ministry this year! The boxes that you donated will be delivered all over the world. For more information on Operation Christmas Child click here. For a link to their Christmas Catalog, where you can purchase gifts like medical supplies, warm coats, farm animals, or educational materials for a family in need, click here. To read the recent amazing story of a little girl who, 14 years later, married the little boy who had sent her a OCC box, click here. |
MISSION opportunity
Charlotte Rescue Mission Ladies Auxiliary Association has a yearly fundraiser selling nuts to help change lives in the Rebound and Dove's Nest Programs. The pecans and walnuts are now here! If you did not sign the pre-sale sheet, and now want some, please do sign up on the sheet in the Welcome Area and we will see that your order is filled promptly. Call Barbara Thomson at 704-362-0736 or Jane Chiseck at 704-560-5251. |
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