December 18, 2016 Announcements

Note Regarding Year-End Office Closure: The church office will be closed for the Christmas/New Year holidays beginning December 23 and reopening on January 3. The Finance Office will be open for year-end giving assistance only on December 29 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm and on December 30 from 9:00 am to noon. Year-end contributions can also be dropped off in our secure drop-box by the front of the office. Remember all contributions received after December 31 will be applied to your 2017 contribution record. Only donations post-marked by December 31 will be applied to your 2016 record. For any questions or to make an appointment, please contact Lynnette Baez at 456-3993 x15. Condolences to… The family and friends of Frances Smith, who passed on December 8, 2016. The Tullis Sunday school class will not meet on December 25 or January 1. Please check with your Sunday school class to see if they are meeting for class on these Sundays. Advent Special Offering Long’s Chapel has a wonderful tradition of showing “Gratitude to God” and “Generosity to people” through our annual Advent Offering. This year, our Advent offering will be focused on four basic needs for people in our community and beyond. Will you think and pray about what your response could be to these needs? 1. Warmth - Warmth is a basic need and Long’s Chapel has one of the most exceptional ministries to help with this need. Our

Firewood Ministry not only helps invite people to church but also meets a basic need while doing so. Will you help show the love of God by spreading warmth through support of this ministry?

2. Food - God created us with the basic need for food and water which are critical to our health. We would like to continue to help feed children, youth and adults in our community through The Open Door, the Backpack Ministry and by giving gift cards to other people in need. Will you help show the love of God through feeding the hungry?

3. Shelter - 2016 has been one of the worst years on record for flood and hurricane damage in North Carolina and across the na-tion. We want to partner with groups providing shelter for victims/families in North Carolina, Haiti, and other areas hit hard this year. Will you help show the love of God by rebuilding houses to get people out of shelters and off the streets?

4. Christmas Goodies - Can you imagine being a child and waking up on Christmas morning to find there are no gifts under the tree? Our Christmas Angels ministry tries to change the reality of Christmas for local children by providing gifts that also meet basic needs like clothing. For children and youth, even the smallest gift can carry the biggest message of love. Will you help show the love of God through offering Christmas gifts during this holy season?

You can give a gift that will last far beyond December 25! Give an earmarked gift to meet one or more of these needs: you can selectively choose which need you want to meet or give an undesignated gift that will be divided up among the needs. Please ear-mark your gift “Advent Special Offering” and drop in the offering plate or mail to the church office. In this season of giving, please respond to folks in need with love and make a statement that Christ indeed has come for ALL!!!

Thank you in advance for this faithful work of Living Sent. ALL volunteers serving in the life of Long’s Chapel (and their families) are invited to a free “Volunteer Servant Celebration” on Wed., January 4, 5:30-7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. You won’t want to miss this night of great fun with a meal cooked and served by Pastor Chris and the entire staff of the church. RSVP (required) by calling the church office, 456-3993, or email assis-tant@longschapel.com. Childcare available upon request. Publication Deadlines: All deadlines are by noon. Please make all requests by completing Publicity Request form on the LCUMC web page under Re-sources, Forms & Documents. Then email form to officemgr@longschapel.com. For the weekly Chapel Connection: For Jan. 8, deadline is Jan. 3 For the monthly Chapel Chatter: For Jan. 2017 newsletter , deadline was Dec. 2. What to do when it snows on Sunday… When winter weather is a factor, we will post any changes in the worship schedule on the church answering system at 456-3993, ext. 40. Those with internet access are asked NOT TO CALL the church office but to visit our website (LongsChapel.com). You may also tune into WLOS TV and watch for church closings or check Facebook at Facebook.com/longschapel. Changes will be posted no later than 7:40 am. Pastor’s Coffee Scheduled – January 8, 2017 If you are considering joining Long’s Chapel United Methodist Church or interested in learning more about our transforming fel-lowship or our Methodist tradition, you are invited to join our pastors on Sunday, January 8, from 4 to 5:30 pm in room #505 (modular unit). The purpose of the Pastor’s Coffee is to provide guests, newcomers, and those interested in joining the church the opportunity to meet the pastor, ask any questions they might have, discover ways in which to engage in the life of the church, and learn what church membership means. At the Coffee you also will have the opportunity to sign up for a 6-week class called “A Disciple’s Path” that will guide you in your next step along the path as a follower of Jesus. It is a wonderful opportunity for you to connect with other disciples and find support and encouragement as you continue to grow in your faith. Please sign up today for the Pastor’s Coffee by calling the church office. Childcare available upon request.

The Poinsettias in the Sanctuary & Venue are given...

In Memory of: Celia Medford by Brooks Medford; Truett Medford by Patsy Medford & Family; Mr. & Mrs. C. G. Medford by Lilli-an M. Howard; Charles A. Ferguson by Claudia Ferguson & Family; John Farley (father) & Carmen Farley (mother) by Zelda Hanson; Carolyn Dickens by Al Dickens; Frances Edwards by Jane High, Katie & Nash; Gerald Jacobson by Janis Jacobson & Family; Their parents by The Tomlin Family; Their grandparents by The Tomlin Family; Al Brock by his wife Bonnie, Betsy & Guy Ward, and Tim & Melody Brock and boys; Richard Tupper and Joan Lowell by Julie Coombs-Tupper; Rutledge Corvette by Margaret Corvette & Family; Rusty Corvette by Margaret Corvette & Family; Raymond & Susie Loun by Allen & Betty Lou Loun; Chester & Ethel Leishear by Allen & Betty Lou Loun; Jean Loun by Allen & Betty Lou Loun; Leo Villarrubia by Lynda & J im Matthews; Charles & Peggy Hightower, Elizabeth Austin, Mazzie Sanford and Elizabeth Thompson by Edwin & Wanda Austin and Andrew Roach.

In Honor of: Rev. Woody & Lucy Adams by the Tullis Sunday school class; Lillian Howard by Danny, Eleanor , Addison & Sophie Howard

Decorations in the Sanctuary, Venue and Gathering Area: The Christmas Trees in the Sanctuary and Venue: were donated in memory of John and Rozell Nesbitt by Don & Jan Nesbitt, Jamie & Andy Francis and Logan & Ashley Nesbitt. What do the symbols on our Chrismon tree mean? Our tree is decorated with the symbols from Christian history. Pick up a special Chrismon brochure located in the Gathering Ar-ea to find out what each symbol means and how we use them.

The Big Nativity: Mary and Joseph were given in memory of Bill Greenleaf by Dorothy Greenleaf. The Angel has been given in memory of Barbara Frogge.

Thank you: Our thanks and appreciation go to all the volunteers that met in the middle of this busy holiday season to decorate our Sanctuary and Venue so beautifully for Advent. Thanks also go to all who have purchased poinsettias in memory or in honor of a loved one. Poinsettias may be taken home on Dec. 25 and on Jan. 1 after the 11:00 worship service.

Holiday Service Schedule

3:00 & 7:00 pm: Christmas Eve Candlelight-Communion Worship (Venue) Join the eleven05 Worship Team as they lead us in a joyful-modern celebration of the birth of the Christ Child. Nursery provided for the 7:00 service for children 5 and younger.

5:00 pm: Christmas Eve Candlelight Nativity Worship (Sanctuary) Join our children as they lead us in remembering the story of Christmas through music, readings and the living nativity. This service will be interpreted for The Deaf. Nursery provided for children 3 and younger.

7:00 pm: Christmas Eve Candlelight-Communion Celebration (Sanctuary) Join our combined choirs, musicians and arts team as they lead us in the beautiful music and message of Christmas. This service will be interpreted for The Deaf. Nursery provided for children 5 and younger.

11:00 pm: Christmas Eve Candlelight-Communion Vigil (Sanctuary) Join us for a quiet, meditative worship experience as we anticipate and welcome the birth of the Christ Child in the stillness of the mid-night hour.

Additional Holiday Worship Services 11:00 am Dec. 25: Christmas Morning Worship (Sanctuary) One place, one time, one worshipping congregation celebrating Christmas together. Our choir will lead us in the joyful singing of Christ-mas carols and hymns. Interpreted for The Deaf. No nursery or children’s program.

11:00 am Jan. 1: New Year’s Morning Worship (Sanctuary) Together as one worshipping congregation, we will enter the New Year by celebrating the Lord’s Table and committing ourselves to “living sent” through the Wesley covenant prayer. Our Praise Team and eleven05 Worship Team will lead us in a time of meaningful worship. Nursery provided for children 5 and younger. Interpreted for The Deaf. Congregational Care For immediate prayer use our TELEPHONE PRAYER CHAIN by calling: Eliza Mathewes, 456-1948 or Sylvia Beasley, 734-5015 (9 am until 9 pm daily.) Continuing prayer for: Bud Wilson, David Sutton, Wayne Oak, Marshal Hall, Ed & Linda Morrison (Er ic Morr ison’s parents), Mary Jane Cobaugh (John Hargrave’s sister), Marti Stiles, Gail Thompson, Dan Wilmot, Mike Krezek, Mary Wright (Charles Cline’s mother), Neal Ross, Jerry Southard, Wayne Ebinger, John Dodson (Brad Dodson’s dad), Evelyn Laycock, Al Lucas, Kathy Moore, Marie Reppert, Jenny Brady, Bill McNeill, LaRue Allen, Debbie Hale, Katherine Davis, Gil Poppenhagen, Mary Bickerstaff, DeEtta Eberhardt, R.L. Brown, Frank Foran, Julia Tate, Frances Smith, Jennifer Smith, Sonny Lescalleet, Ron Lee (Lynnette Baez’s dad), Diane Brown, Ashley & Paula Calhoun, Sam Teague, and others we might not know about. (If you’d like your name or a family member listed here for prayer or to remove a name from the current list, call 456-3993.) Calendar of Events Sun., December 18

8:20, 9:40 & 11:00 AM Sunday School

8:20 AM Contemporary Worship Sanct

9:40 AM Contemporary Worship Sanct/Venue

11:00 AM Traditional Worship Sanct

11:00 AM eleven05 for Kids Venue

11:05 AM eleven05 Worship Venue

12:00 PM THS holiday bag stuffing #503

2:00 PM Girl Scout #30586 mtg #202/204

3:30 PM Confirmation information mtg UG

4:00 PM Revolution Youth UG/100/101 Mon., December 19

9:30 AM Intercessory Prayer group #204

10:00 AM Women’s Bible study - Psalms #210

5:30 PM Cub Scouts K-Group #102/5

5:30 PM Girl Scouts #30098, #1791, #30032 mtgs #108/202/210/Venue

5:00 PM Building Committee mtg #505

6:00 PM Children's Christmas Eve rehrsl Sanct

6:45 PM Cub Scouts mtg #101/2/5/8/202/210 Tues., December 20

7:00 AM Men’s Bible study #101

5:30 PM JCreek Ladies Bible study (off campus)

5:30 PM eleven05 Musicians mtg Venue

6:00 PM Spirit Builders Men’s group #210

7:00 PM Boy Scouts mtg #101/2/5/8 Wed., December 21

5:00 PM Pure in Heart class #102/5

6:15 PM Bell Choir rehrsl Bell Room

6:30 PM Youth Life grps UG/MH/501/502/204

6:30 PM Parent Education course #202

6:30 PM Christmas Eve dress rehrsl Sanct

7:30 PM Choir rehrsl #413 Thurs., December 22

10:00 AM Knitting Ministries #210

5:30 PM eleven05 Band rehrsl Venue

6:00 PM Christmas Eve dress rehrsl Sanct Fri., December 23

7:30 PM Fresh Start NA mtg #210 Sat., December 24

3:00 PM Christmas Eve Joyful Modern worship Venue

5:00 PM Christmas Eve Candlelight Nativity worship Sanct

7:00 PM Christmas Eve Candlelight-Communion Celebration Sanct

7:00 PM Christmas Eve Joyful-Modern worship Venue

11:00 PM Christmas Eve Candlelight-Communion Vigil Sanct