WORSHIP

Senior AdultLunch Bunch& XYZ-Page 3

ChristmasParadePage 2

Celebrate &Decorate theTrees-Page 2

Volume XXXIII November 23, 2011 Number 47

ADVENT FAIRSunday, November 27th, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

11th STREET GYMJoin us, don't miss the fun!

The Advent Fair is an inter-generational event organized to make Christmas ornaments, happies,paint wooden nativity scene pieces...all to take home, as we begin celebrating the season ofGod's greatest gift to us the gift of Jesus Christ!

We will also use this opportunity to make gifts for our homebound, (we are still in need of crackers, candies, etc.) and nature feeders, etc. for our feathered friends! We will have chili and nachos to eat. Bring a party snack to share!

CURRENT EVENTS

DOWNTOWN CHRISTMAS PARADE - DECEMBER 3rd - 5:00 p.m.

Central will once again open our church doors to both members and the community during the DowntownChristmas Parade on Saturday, December 3rd. We also offer soup, popcorn, hot chocolate, train rides andvisits with Santa. It is a time of fun and fellowship. Because we open our doors to the community, we needworkers to take part in this community hospitality event. Volunteers are needed to help serve and help withtrain rides. If you can help with this event, please contact Sabrina at sabrina@cumcmdn.org. PS...FootballFans: The SEC Championship game will be playing on the big screen in the Fellowship Hall!

CELEBRATE AND DECORATETis’ the season to celebrate and decorate the trees in the FellowshipHall. Join us Sunday, November 27th, at 2:00 p.m. Please use the 22nd

Avenue entrance. If you have any questions, please contact TereseStuckman at 601.485.8408.

ADVENTuring Towards ChristmasAdvent Devotions for this year will be available by email. Each day, including Saturdays and Sundays, you canreceive an email with the scripture for the day, a picture related to the scripture and a short thought from one ofour staff persons, designed to help you on your personal adventure towards Christmas. These emails will alsoprovide a link to a blogsite where you can add your own comments and read comments from others. If you wouldlike to receive these devotions send an email to bob@cumcmdn.org or anita@cumcmdn.org and we will make sureyou receive your devotions. Suggest this to others who may be interested as well. They do not have to be amember of Central. If you do not have email or a computer available call the church office and we will find a wayto provide printouts of the devotions as they are published.

ARCHAEOLOGIST TO SPEAK AT CENTRALCentral UMC is in for a special treat on December 4th as we welcome archaeologist/author Dr. Charles Page IIfor the day. Dr. Page has spent much of his life excavating and teaching in Israel. He is a respected andgifted teacher. He will speak at both worship services and a special Sunday School session on December 4th. The schedule is:

• 8:30 worship - Dr. Page speaks on "The Nativity from Mary's Perspective"• 9:45 Sunday School - Dr. Page lectures on "The Archaeology of Nazareth and Bethlehem"• 10:55 worship - Dr. Page speaks on "The Nativity from Joseph's Perspective"

This is a unique opportunity for Central and our community. Invite an unchurched friend to join us onDecember 4th!

THIS WEEK AT CENTRAL

FINANCE AND STEWARDSHIP

SENIOR ADULT MINISTRY

FH=Fellowship Hall AAR = Adult Activities RoomSunday, 11/27/11 8:00 a.m. - Breakfast 8:30 a.m. - Worship Service - FH 9:30 a.m. - Sunday School 10:55 a.m. - Worship Service 2:00 p.m. - Decorate Christmas Trees 4:00 p.m. - Advent Fair 4:30 p.m. - Youth Praise Band Monday, 11/28/11 Tuesday, 11/29/11 9:30 a.m. - Women’s Bible Study - AAR 6:30 p.m. - Praise Band Practice - FH

Wednesday, 11/30/11 6:00 p.m. - Youth 7:00 p.m. - Choir Rehearsal - Choir Room 8:00 p.m. - College Bible Study - Annex

Thursday, 12/01/11 12:00 p.m. - LILIES(Ladies Lunch) - AAR

Friday, 12/02/11 11:30 a.m. - Lunch Bunch Saturday, 12/03/11 5:00 p.m. - Christmas Parade

One of the most miraculous transformations that God works in the heart of the Christian is, in a culture of consumption andmaterial aggrandizement, is the transformation from seeing the world as essentially "mine" to "thine."

William Willimon, Bishop of the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church

Stewardship Thought"What shall I give to the Lord for all his goodness to me?”

Psalm 116:12 (Good News)

Have you remembered Central UMC in your will?Consider tithing 1/10 of your estate to your church.

LUNCH BUNCH - 11:30 a.m.- Friday, December 2nd, 9th, 16th

Lunch Bunch will not meet December 23rd or December 30th. It will resume on January 6, 2011. Adult Act. Room - $5.00 XYZ - 10:45 a.m. - Tuesday, December 6th - Fellowship HallProgram: Robert & Michelle Mayfield - Christmas Concert &

Jane McWilliams Mosley, Meridian Author and Artist

Meal: Beef stew, yellow rice, broccoli casserole, green salad, cornbread, rolls, chocolate cake/icecream

Date of the next XYZ: Tuesday, January 10, 2012. Meals are $6.00

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

MISSIONS & EVANGELISM

YOUTH MINISTRY

NO PRACTICE THIS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2011Liturgical Dance, Boomwhacker and Elementary Choir Rehearsal for Praise Band Christmas will not practice this Sunday.Practice will resume Sunday, December 4th.

MOVIE NIGHTThe children [K - 5th grade] will watch a movie entitled “Polar Express”, Friday, December 9th at 6:00 p.m. in the Central Park Room. Popcorn and drinks will be provided. Please come in your pj’s and bring your sleeping bag.

BREAKTHRU - January 13th - 16th at Timbercreek. A $50.00 deposit needs to be turned in no later thanDecember 1st.

CARVER MIDDLE SCHOOL CHRISTMAS LUNCH FOR THE TEACHERS AND STAFFPlease help us provide a lunch for the hardworking staff at Carver Middle School.

When: Wednesday, December 14th at 11:00 a.m.Where: Carver Middle SchoolWhat: Donate or prepare food to be used at the luncheonHow: Either drop off your prepared food at CUMC in the kitchen no later than 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday,December 14th OR bring directly to Carver Middle School that day before 11:00 a.m. OR make a donationfor the purchase of a ham, drinks, & paper products.

Thank you for your help. This dedicated staff never gets treated to anything like this. They will beexcited. God is truly making a difference at Carver Middle School this year. May we all continue topray for the staff and the students. If you have questions or would like to participate, please contactJulia Green at 601.527.1160 or jrgjbg@bellsouth.net

SPIRITUAL FORMATION & GROWTH

SPIRITUAL FORMATION & GROWTH

WORSHIP

Attendance

8:30 S.S. 10:55

224 267 153

FOOD FOR THE JOURNEY[suggested Bible readings for November 28 - December 4, 2011]

Mon. Nov. 28Tue. Nov. 29Wed. Nov. 30Thu. Dec. 1Fri. Dec. 2Sat. Dec. 3Sun. Dec. 4

MorningPsalm 47Psalm 48Psalm 49Psalm 50Psalm 51Psalm 52Psalm 53

NoonJohn 9John 10John 11John 12John 13John 14John 15

Evening1 Peter 52 Peter 12 Peter 22 Peter 31 John 11 John 21 John 3

OUR SYMPATHY TO:

~ The family of Homer Kerr, former CUMC member, who passed away Friday, November 18, 2011 in Starkville.

Central UMC in Meridian MS is seeking a part-time Director of Music. The person in this position will haveprimary responsibilities for leading the Sanctuary Choir in rehearsals and in the 10:55 Worship Service.Additionally, this person will assist in developing other musical opportunities at Central such as handbells,children and youth choirs. Salary depends upon experience and ability. If you have questions, contact BobPeden, Pastor for Worship and Technology at 601.693.1521 or bob@cumcmdn.org. Send resumes to StaffParish Relations Committee, Central United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 1706, Meridian, MS 39302.

Special Sundays:• November 27th is the First Sunday of Advent and the beginning of a new Christian year.C December 11th will be a Sunday of special music presented by The Praise Band and The Sanctuary Choir.C Christmas Eve Candle Lighting and Communion Services

at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. this year.C Christmas Day, we will have one worship service at

10 a.m. Come appropriately but casually dressed for a service of singing carols and hearing the Word of God.

On Call PastorNovember 25 - November 27, 2011

Wesley PepperCell: 662.209.6495

Home: 601.485.5487

CUMC MEMBERS IN BOLDShay AdamsBrad BeckerAshley BellAndrew BootheEdith BroomeChoxie BrownEmily BryanGypsy CarnsAnnie W. CherryLayton DausmanPeggy Eakes

John & Betty ElliotTara FeddenJerry GentryHarold GrissomBob HammondPaul HarrisDavid MurrayElton & Leah ReedLinda ReedHarold RobinsonBarry Skelton

Cathy StephensonBob ThomasLes TilleryTodd TuckerJack TynerTracy WaddellMike WareBaker WhitcombPaul WilcoxAnita YeatmanJ.T. Young

Marshall Jones as he continues his mission with “Campus Crusade for Christ” at USM in HattiesburgThaddeus Quarles as he works in Haiti

MILITARY PERSONNEL SERVING OVERSEAS:Central MembersDoug Grant (son of Freddy & Linda Grant)

Family & FriendsEric Dollar, nephew of Becky SollieJason Freeman, friend of Glenda ThomasDustin Gerald, cousin of Amy Wall & nephew of Andre' WallAndy Hollingsworth, nephew of Richard & Faye HollingsworthTommy Steven Horne, nephew of Charlie & Beverly RayChris Lafferty - son of Christie RainerJoseph London III, friend of Kathy WatkinsBrantley Pace, cousin of Glover Family (Brantley is serving in Afghanistan)Jeremy Woodard, nephew of Vicki Dyer (Jeremy is serving in Afghanistan)All U.S. Military personnel

PRAYER CONCERNS