 “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…” I know the Christmas season approaches: when lights begin to appear on trees and bushes and houses; when the first batch of sugar cookies is placed on the counter to be frosted; when the golden voice of Bing Crosby filters through the sound systems of stores; when the purple of Advent and the greens appear in the church sanctuary; when I start thinking about gift-giving…
…AND …I know the Christmas season approaches when I hear the first cries of the culture wars between “Happy Holidays!” and “Merry Christmas!” I use both. When I say, “Happy Holidays!” - typically to those I don’t know and where I wish to respect what might be their religious observance - I like to think I am blessing an individual to truly have “Happy Holy-days.” I do not have a problem if someone shortens “Merry Christmas” to “Merry Xmas” on notes and cards. The “X” reminds me to put the cross into “Christmas.” And, when it comes to being reminded to put the “Christ” back into “Christmas,” I challenge myself to think of BEING like the “Christ” in “Christmas.”
Merry Christmas!
Rev. Eric
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Sunday Worship begins each week at 10am, in-person and online, streaming via Facebook. Click HERE to go to our Facebook page.
For those of you worshiping online, click HERE after Friday to find the upcoming Bulletin.
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To see information about the songs we will be singing this Sunday, click here: http://www.hazelwoodchurch.org/worship-songs-this-week/
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To read last Sunday's Pastoral Prayer and Sermon, click HERE.
To watch past services, you may go to Youtube by clicking HERE.
To see just the scripture and sermons from each week, click HERE.
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Upcoming Sermons for the Advent Season
December 11: "The Highway" Isaiah 35:1-10
December 18: "The Child" Isaiah 7:10-16
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Advent Season Devotional
 I have taken a couple of sneak peeks at our Advent devotional for 2022, I Am Mary. I delight how the author, Carol Howard Merritt, uses the perspective of Mary, the mother of Jesus, to take the reader through this season of preparation. Merritt writes, “As we enter this Advent season together, may we learn to long and love deeply, and may we get a glimpse of what it means to bear God.”
You may request a copy from the office or pick a booklet up at church. A donation of $4 is suggested to cover the cost.
Rev. Eric
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Christmas & Quiche
What better way to celebrate the birth of Christ than to gather for worship on Christmas day! Yes, Christmas is on a Sunday this year. As we have done in past years, we will gather for Christmas and quiche in Cartwright Hall. You may bring your favorite breakfast item to share with others, or just come and enjoy the worship. If you do decide to bring any food, please arrive early. We will worship at our normal 10 o’clock time. So, after the kids or the grandkids are already bored with their new toys, bundle them up, pack them in the car, and bring them to Hazelwood for Christmas and quiche!
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We will be collecting a Special Christmas Offering on Sunday, December 11 & Sunday, December 18. Our gifts will go to support the work of regional ministries this Christmas. Our regional ministry works to:
- Connect congregations to each other
- Foster faith development
- Gather Disciples in camps, conferences, and assemblies
- Nurture the development of a new generation of pastors
- Assist churches in calling new ministers
- Interpret the global mission of the Church
- Represent the Church in ecumenical gatherings
- Counsel and pray with those who are troubled of spirit
- Lead the Church to address racism
- Inspire leaders to experiment and create
- Witness to the power of God to make things new
Click HERE or on the image above to give directly to the Disciples Mission Fund.
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A Note from Christian Ministries
Dear Friends of Christian Ministries,
As Christmas approaches, we ask that you remember Christian Ministries of Delaware County in your holiday plans.
Our work has a powerful impact not only on the people that we work with directly but also on the larger community as a whole. We are completely reliant on charitable donations in order to be able to continue to provide our services. That is why we ask you to remember Christian Ministries with a charitable gift in support of our important work during the Christmas season.
Please make a donation right now to continue to help us house the homeless, give food to the needy, and provide rent and utility assistance to keep families in their homes. The need is great!
We could not continue to provide these most needed services if it weren’t for the generous donations from YOU, and our supporters. So, please mail a donation right now, or donate via our website: www.christianministriesmuncie.org/donate.
Many Blessings,
Andrea L. Smith, Executive Director
P.S. What greater holiday gift could you give than to feed those who are hungry and shelter those without a home?!? Your support DOES make a difference!
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Mark Your Calendar
Muncie Mission's Annual Walk a Mile in My Shoes will be held on February 11, 2023. Keep an eye on future newsletters for more information as it becomes available.
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Our sympathies go to Jason Hahn and family on the passing of his mother, Helen Hahn, on December 1.
Sympathies also go to Marianna Gill and family on the passing of her grandmother, Anna Stilwell, on December 3.
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Prayers requested for these Hazelwood participants (alphabetical by last name):
- David Cartwright
- Jeff Clary
- Ruthanne Devroy
- Jeane Garrett
- Mariangella Glaze
- Lois Gross
- Louise Maley
- Marcia Miller
- Pat Patterson
- Jairen Rees
- Bill Ritchie
- Leah Ritchie
- Ron Smith
- Judy Thomas
- Mark Wages
- Molly Wantz
- Annie Yingst
Prayers requested for these friends and family of Hazelwood participants:
- Donna's Dye's granddaughter, Heather Kruger
Note, the friends and family list will re-set at the first of every month. At that time, we request confirmation that the one being named has given permission to continue to be listed on this newsletter prayer list, in order to honor their personal agency and privacy. Thank you for understanding the importance of this in the digital age.
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Thank You!
Big thanks to all who helped to decorate the church for the Advent season last Sunday: Mary France, Tony & Marianna Gill, Jeff & Kelly Heavilon, Jay & Mary Ann Matchett, Lori Rhoden, and Dave & Laura Rowe. A beautiful job!
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2023 Offering Envelopes
If you would like offering envelopes for 2023, click HERE to fill out a Offering Envelope Request form. Envelopes will be available to be picked up at the name tag table in Sulanke Commons this Sunday, December 11 for those who request them.
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Lori Rhoden’s Christmas CD Is here!
Physical copies of Lori’s Christmas CD Christmas Joy have arrived and are available on Sunday, December 11 after church or by contacting her directly at LoriEllenRhoden@gmail.com. (Copies of her previous hymn CD Shall We Gather are also available as well.) Each CD is $10. Digital downloads should be available soon.
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You're Invited!
Ready for some delightful holiday choral music? Masterworks Chorale performs on December 17th at 7:30pm in High Street United Methodist Church. Tickets are $10 for adults and free for students and children under 18, and are available at the door and at www.munciemasterworks.org.
Hazelwood members Don Crose, Jeff Heavilon, and Ann Wolfe will be participating.
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Bible Study
Weekly Bible Study (both in-person and on Zoom) continues today, December 7, at 10am in Cartwright Hall. Rev. Eric will be facilitating. We will be studying Chapters 5 & 6 in the Gospel of Mark. You may participate every week or as you are able; each week’s study will be independent from the others.
If you would like to participate via Zoom, click HERE to let us know..
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Pastor's Class/Sunday School
Our class (both in-person and on Zoom),continues this Sunday, December 11, after worship in Cartwright Hall.
The class is engaging in a 6-week study by Richard Rohr titled, “Resurrection Now.” All are welcome, and you may attend any or all of the sessions.
If you would like to participate via Zoom, click HERE to receive the link.
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Calendar
Wed., December 7: Bible Study, 10am, Cartwright Hall & Zoom; Elders, 5:30pm, Zoom; Choir Rehearsal, 7pm, Sanctuary
Fri., December 9: Praise Band Rehearsal, 1pm, Sanctuary; Preschool Christmas Program, 6:30pm, Sanctuary
Sun., December 11: Sunday School, 11:15am, Cartwright Hall & Zoom
Wed., December 14: Bible Study, 10am, Cartwright Hall & Zoom; Bell Choir Rehearsal, 6:30pm, Sanctuary; Choir Rehearsal, 7pm, Sanctuary
Fri., December 16: Praise Band Rehearsal, 5pm, Sanctuary
Click HERE to see events further out on the calendar.
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…the titles for the Roman emperors, the Caesars, included: Lord, Son of God, Bringer of Peace, and Savior of the World…
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YTD Receipts through November 2022: $250,732.30
YTD Expenses through November 2022: $260,444.76
YTD Outreach Disbursements through November 2022: $48,846.73
New Church Development: $571.15
Easter Offering: $905
Reconciliation Offering: $1,282
Thanksgiving Offering: $175.00
Christian Ministries' Food Pantry: $110.66
Sleeping Room Project: $590
Winnie's Kids: $24,570
Week of Compassion: $2,456.16
Muncie Afghan Refugee Resettlement Committee: $13,170
Feed My Sheep: $250
Sulanke Trust Outreach: $5,766.76
-Christian Ministries of Delaware County: $431.76
-A Better Way: $400
-YWCA: $400
-Second Harvest Food Bank: $400
-Motivate Our Minds: $400
-Children's Clothing Center: $400
-Muncie Mission: $1,635
-Habitat for Humanity: $400
-First Choice: $400
-Muncie Soup Kitchen: $400
-Special Olympics: $200
-Love Gift: $300
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To make a financial gift online via Givelify, click here:
https://giv.li/cv3bky
After you are in the Givelify site, to designate a gift to something other than the general fund, choose "Other" and then type in the message box to let us know to which fund you are donating.
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Please submit items for the newsletter by Monday at noon each week.
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Rev. Eric Brotheridge, Senior Minister
Stefanie Petty, Office Administrator
Rhea Morgan, Bookkeeper
Marianna Gill, Worship Coordinator
Lori Rhoden, Organist
Brooklyn Wolf, Youth Ministry Assistant
Angela Lopez, Director of Weekday Preschool and Extended Learning Center
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