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Pastor's Note
Dear friends,
This Sunday, we begin the season of Advent, that time of waiting and preparation leading up to the celebration of Christmas. We observe Advent during the darkest season of the year, when the days are short and the nights are long. We mark our hope and expectation by the lights of the Advent wreath. Each week in worship during Advent, we will sing and pray and light another candle on the Advent wreath. The frame of the Advent wreath is a circle, reminding us that in our changing world, God is eternal. The evergreen leaves, which stay green through winter, point us to life even in the midst of death. The light of the candles remind us of Christ, the light of the world, the One who is coming.
In this season, may the growing light of the Advent candles remind of us our own calling to bring light into dark places in the world.
Grace and peace,
Leanne
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Meet MPC’s newest members!
On November 6, we gladly welcomed two new families into membership: David, Erin and Quintin Chandler, and Vicki, Wendy and Wyatt Jones. It was a special joy to celebrate the baptisms of Quintin and Wyatt!
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Vicki, Wendy and Wyatt Jones
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David, Erin and Quintin Chandler
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Glorify God
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.
Intergenerational Christmas Pageant, December 11
On December 11, join us for worship as we celebrate the nativity of Jesus through story and song. All ages will have a chance to participate in our no fuss, no rehearsal intergenerational Christmas pageant. You won’t want to miss it!
Advent Music Program, December 11
Also on December 11, join us at 5pm for “Advent: Awaiting the Arrival of Jesus,” a special joint music program featuring choirs from MPC and three other Montevallo congregations. The service of lessons and carols will be held at Montevallo First United Methodist Church, with a soup supper following in the fellowship hall.
Christmas Eve Communion Service, 5pm
All are welcome to our candlelit service of lessons, carols and communion on Christmas Eve at 5pm.
Christmas Day Worship
Join us at 10am for an informal service of Scripture and carols on Christmas Day.
New Year’s Day Worship, 10am
What better way than to begin the new year than in worship together? Come at 10am for a service of Scripture, poetry, music and reflection.
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Grow as Disciples
MPC Church Christmas Party, December 18 at 5pm
Come celebrate the season with our MPC community! Join us at 5pm at the Forbes House for a festive celebration with a potluck dinner and carol singing. Volunteers to help set up and clean up will be appreciated. Please sign up at the church if you plan to attend, and bring a dish to share if you are able.
Consecration Sunday Worship and Celebration Brunch
The Stewardship Team is profoundly grateful to all who helped make our church's annual stewardship emphasis a time for all of us to grow as disciples--to understand better the role of giving in our faith journey. We appreciate those who gave personal accounts of their own giving journeys--Jane Clayton, Casey Pilgrim, and Judy Rogers. In their accounts, we could see some of our own struggles and goals. We appreciate our pastor, Leanne Reed, who in her Consecration Sunday sermon gave powerful testimony about why she gives. And we truly appreciate all who made financial commitments to MPC for 2017. So far, twenty-five households have made commitments totaling $99,445.
We are also grateful to those who helped make the Celebration Brunch a joyful and enjoyable occasion--to Michele Pawlik for making Forbes House a beautifully inviting place with her table arrangements, to Gene Lightfoot for delicious homemade cinnamon rolls, to Joan Pickett for fresh eggs from her hens (scrambled by Mary Blakeley), to Thomas Reed and his parents for the pancake bar, and to individual members of the Stewardship Team who prepared other parts of the menu (Don and Mary Blakeley, Jim Chomicz, Judy Rogers, Dorothy Grimes). And most of all, we are grateful to all who attended. Thank you!
Adult Sunday School
In December Brian McLaren will guide us as we make our road by walking through the Advent Season. Join us as we come alive in preparation for the birth of our Savior.
Children's Sunday School
MPC kids continue exploring God's Big Story on Sundays at 10am. 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
Our Covenant Bible Study will meet on November 29 and December 13 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.
Women's Fellowship Dinner, December 14
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, December 14. Bring a friend!
Men's Fellowship Breakfast, December 10
MPC men gather for coffee and fellowship on the second Saturday of the month. Join us this month on Saturday, December 10 at 8am at the Eclipse on Main Street in Montevallo.
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Care for People and Creation
Christmas Gift Options
Having trouble deciding on a gift for friends or family? We have several options available in the fellowship area.
- Lovely handmade ornaments made and donated by Robin Metz
- Like a Cat Asleep On a Chair, reflections on advent written and donated by Wayne McLaughlin
- Beautiful necklaces made by women of the Presbytery to support our Mission in the Congo
- Explore the Presbyterian Giving Catalog for truly meaningful and impactful gift ideas.
- Consider donating in honor or memoriam to one of MPC’s missions held dear by your loved one.
First Light, November 5
Many thanks to all those who helped prepare and serve dinner at First Light on November 5! The dinner of ham, macaroni & cheese, glazed carrots, salad, rolls and desserts was a huge hit with the residents. Your service makes a difference for our neighbors in need!
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!
Christmas Joy Offering: THE WONDROUS GIFT IS GIVEN
On Sunday, December 18, MPC will receive the Christmas Joy Offering. This offering supports the Board of Pensions providing financial support and grants for current and retired Presbyterian church workers in their time of need. This year 500 households have received assistance in the form of income or housing supplements made possible by the 2015 Christmas Joy Offering.
With its historic commitment to higher learning, PC(USA) has long promoted education and leadership development through the establishment and support of racial ethnic schools and college. The Christmas Joy Offering also supports these institutions.
- McNaul School, Albuquerque, NM where 98% of graduates go to college.
- Presbyterian Pan American School, Kingsville, TX welcomes a diverse international student body with 26 countries represented in the last 25 years.
- Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, AL has ranked among the top tier schools in U.S. News and World Report for more than a decade.
By giving to the Christmas Joy Offering, we recognize the wondrous gift Christ has given us, not just in himself, but also in raising up leaders within our church. Please give generously.
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