Hiawassee United Methodist Church 1139 U.S. Highway 76 P.O. Box 609 Hiawassee, GA 30546

Sam Hamby, Pastor

Our Mission: Worship Jesus Christ;

Grow as Disciples;

Serve Others

Web : www.hiawasseeumc.org

Ema i l : humc@hiawasseeumc.org

Phone : 706.896.2818

Of f i c e Hour s : Monday—Thursday

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

“GLORY TO THE NEW BORN KING”

It is hard to believe that Advent season is already here and we are just around the corner from celebrat-ing Christmas. Where has the time gone? I guess many of us could ask that question about our lives too. It seems like only yesterday I was a child anticipating the Christmas season and experiencing the

traditional rituals of my family’s celebration of the season. Of all the traditions and rituals I experienced growing up, my most fond memories are of going out to sing Christmas carols. Have you ever looked into the history of the traditional carols we sing every year? Many of them are now hundreds of years old and have been crafted and shaped over time to become what we now know them to be today. I am sure you have your favorite carols you love to sing this time of year. One of our most treasured carols today is, “Away In A Manger.” This song is not terribly old as it was first published in 1885. However, there is plenty of mystery around this song because it is not known who wrote the words. The first per-son to publicly sing it is also not known. The song was first seen in “Martin Luther’s Evangelical Lutheran Sunday School Collection.” The third stanza of the song, "be near me Lord Jesus" was said to be written by Charles H. Gabriel in his book “Gabriel's Vineyard Songs.” William J. Kirkpatrick composed the music to “Away in a Manger” in 1895. The hymn tells the story of the birth of Jesus. Some have thought that the song tells the story in an odd fashion, but it has gained a place in our hearts as one of the most known and loved Christmas carols. One of my most favorite Christmas carols is, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” This song was written by Charles Wesley, but that is not necessarily why I love this hymn. I love this hymn because of the story of Salvation brought to us by Je-sus. This song was originally written by Wesley in 1739, but was not necessarily intended to be a Christmas song. It was written for Wesley’s book of hymns and sacred poems. The version we know today was not the same version that Wes-ley originally wrote as it was later set to upbeat music by Dr. William H. Cummings in the mid 1800s. While this hymn is mostly sung in churches, synagogues, and homes during the Christmas season, it has become one of our favorite carols this time of year. Have you heard the story of Jesus’ birth this year? Have you shared the story with someone else including your family, friends, neighbors, and strangers? These hymns take us back to that simple story of God entering into this world and offering himself to set us free from all the sin that we cling to. Take time to sing these hymns and breathe in the story once more. You might realize you needed to hear the Christmas story more than you thought. Be Blessed,

Pastor Sam

HUMC Mountain Messenger

During the weeks leading up to Christ-

mas, the church makes a spiritual jour-

ney— a pilgrimage into the birth of

Christ. We begin at a distance from the

coming of Christ in Bethlehem, and each week we draw closer

to His birth. Therefore worship during the first two weeks of

this season, beginning December 1, emphasizes the second

coming of Christ and our need to prepare for His return. The

preparations we make for the second coming of Christ are

similar to the preparations Israel made for the coming of the

Messiah. Terms such as hope, eager anticipation, longing, and

looking toward the day all express the kind of feelings Israel

had as it waited for the Messiah. Those descriptive terms

likewise capture the feelings we Christians have as we await

the consummation of history and the redemption of all things.

Starting with the third week of Advent, the emphasis

shifts to the feeling of joy. Since the day of His appearing is

coming closer, the accent falls on what Christ will do in His

coming. Both His first and second comings are related to

salvation, redemption, and the renewal of Creation, which

includes the restoration of all things to the Father and the

sure destruction of evil. Hallelujah! The pink candle on the

Advent Wreath represents joy.

In the fourth week of Advent, we are brought closer

to the event of Jesus’ birth: God with us. We rejoice with

those immediately involved in the events surrounding the

miraculous conception of Jesus Christ: the angel announcing

to Mary (the Annunciation), and Mary’s great response (the

Magnificat).

Our Christmas Eve celebration focuses on the coming

of this great Light into the world to dispel the darkness of

sin. The heart of Christmas is the Gospel - the Good News:

Jesus came to overthrow evil and establish God’s reign in our

lives. HALLELUJAH!!! We have so much to celebrate …

don’t let the world’s craziness dilute the real celebration of

Jesus!

(excerpted from Rediscovering the Christian Feasts by Robert E. Webber p.12)

Director of Music & Worship: Hope Horkavy

DECEMBER SCHEDULE: COMPUTER MIXER

Dec 1 Irene Curt

Dec 8 John Tommy

Dec 15 Aaron Mike

Dec 22 Irene Aaron

Dec 24 John Aaron

Dec 29 Irene Curt

How Great Our Joy! Annual Christmas Musical featuring

our Choir and Handbells.

Our children will

provide a manger

scene tableau!

Sunday, December 15th

10:45 am!

Tuesday, December

24th

Our annual candlelight

service

5:00 pm

Come and worship the

newborn King!

Sunday, December 29th @ 10:00 am:

Christmas Coffee and Donuts in the

Welcome Area before our service.

Come and fellowship!

SPECIAL WORSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:

Church Member Services Directory Massage Contact: Geri Baker 706-896-6108

Coin Collecting Club and Stamp Collecting Contact: Tayo Leduc 706-896-6001

12/4 @ 9 am Trustees 12/5 @ 2 pm Finance meeting 12/6 @ 6:30 pm Blessings Seminar 12/7 @ 8:30 am Blessings Seminar 12/8 @ noon Fellowship Luncheon 12/15 @ 10:45 am Christmas Musical 12/20 @ 1 pm Gift Wrap & Bake Sale 12/21 @ 9 am Gift Wrap & Bake Sale 12/24 @ 5 pm Candlelight Service 12/25 Christmas Day, Office Closed 12/29 Fifth Sunday Coffee & Donuts Weekly: Tuesdays @ 10:45 am Bell Choir Wednesdays @ 11 am Ladies Prayer Wednesdays @ 6 pm Bible Study Wednesdays @ 7 pm Choir Practice Thursdays @ 9 am Men’s Prayer Thursdays @ 10:30 am Bible Study

The Going Solo Ladies Group is sponsoring their 2nd Annual

Gift Wrapping & Bake Sale

Dec. 20th from 1 to 5 pm Dec. 21st from 9 am to 1 pm

They are asking for all bakers to help

provide Christmas Cakes & Pies. Please sign up at the side table in the

Welcome Area..

Dear Church Family,

Thank you for all your calls and

cards and gestures of Friendship

and caring during my extended absence. I am

praying to be back by mid-December. Big hugs

and hello’s to all!!! Thanks and Blessings to

you!!! …….Petie

Fellowship Luncheon

Sunday, December 8th

The church will provide turkey and ham. Please bring a side dish or dessert and plan to attend. This is a great time of

fellowship with your church family. Guests are welcome!

Operation Christmas Child

The amazing journey of a shoebox gift begins with you

and results in Evangelism, Discipleship, and Multiplica-

tion. Boxes are sent to more than 100 countries, sharing the Gospel message, and blessing children. This year HUMC packed 46

boxes!

Thank you for your support.

Chili Supper

November 8th

Many Thanks to all who helped to make this a success!

Can you help one

Sunday each month?

Beginning in January, we need 2 new ushers

(preferably men) to serve one Sunday

each month. If you can help, please

contact Wanda Gray at

706.896.6964.

Fish Fry

Thank you Terry & Janice Simpson for the

great time on Saturday 11/16. Sometimes

impromptu events are the

best! The fish was wonder-

ful, everyone contributed

sides and all enjoyed a

great afternoon.

Christmas titles now available in the HUMC library:

In Books:

Three Titles by Melody Carlson: The Christmas Shoppe. (Fiction);

Christmas at Harrington’s. (Fiction); The Gift of Christmas Present (Fiction).

Thomas Kinkade. A Christmas to Remember. (Fiction)

Amy Clipston. A Plain and Simple Christmas. (Fiction)

In DVDs:

Christmas Blessing.

Christmas Shoes.

**There are several new books in the Fiction section. These might be good reading into January.**

Please check out your book or movie and leave the card, found in the back of the book or movie, in the box in the library on the shelf near the return box. This gives us an opportunity to find out what is being used and we can send you a gentle reminder

if you have forgotten to return a book or movie. A listing of titles in the library is now available online.

Go to our website for a direct link under “News” then click on Library and choose either Books or Movies.

HUMC Library Notes: Dawn Lamade

Quiz Answer: Johnathan.

Using the CTRN Online Directory

For Current Directory Information, go to our website and click on CTRN Online Directory.

Call or email the office for the Mobile Privacy Code & PW

or if you need help logging in.

You can also use the Online Directory on your smartphone by installing the AP.

Call, email or come by the office if you need assistance.

Find us on Facebook as Hiawassee United Methodist

Church. Please LIKE and FOLLOW us. www.hiawasseeumc.org

From Our Lay Leader: Dale Gardner

December 2019! Advent begins. We look forward to the celebration of the Christ Child’s birth and that is a good thing; but, it is in the past, it has already happened although many scoff at the notion of singing angels, a

virgin birth and God born in human form.

Advent should also remind us that we are also looking forward to the second coming of Christ and again many scoff at this notion. We don’t! We believe that the birth of Christ and His second coming and all that has transpired and been record-ed in the Word of God is true; part of God’s salvation plan and assurance of eternal life.

This Advent season I am offering a poem by Ann Weems as it appears in her book “Kneeling in Bethlehem” p.77 entitled “The Cross in the Manger”. I hope you find it as thought provoking and inspiring as I do.

The Cross in the Manger

If there is no cross in the manger, there is no Christmas.

If the Babe doesn’t become the Adult, there is no Bethlehem star. If there is no commitment in us,

There are no Wise Men searching. If we offer no cup of cold water, There is no gold, no frankincense, no myrrh. If there is no praising God’s name, There are no angels singing. If there is no spirit of alleluia, There are no shepherds watching. If there is no standing up, no speaking out, no risk There is no Herod, no flight to Egypt. If there is no room in our inn, Then “Merry Christmas” mocks the Christ Child, And the Holy Family is just a holiday card,

And God will loathe our feasts and festivals. For if there is no reconciliation, We cannot call Christ “Prince of Peace.” If there is no goodwill toward others, It can all be packed away in boxes for another year. If there is no forgiveness in us, There is no cause for celebration. If we cannot go now even unto Golgotha, There is no Christmas in us. If Christmas is not now, If Christ is not born into the everyday present, Then what is all the noise about?

Jail/Prison Ministry: Elaine McEver

Online Giving now available for

Credit Card

Debit Card

ACH transactions

Visit our website: ww.hiawasseeumc.org And click on the icon for online giving.

This month we will be seeking the name of three men in the Bible. They all have the same name. The first is a grandson of Moses who as a young man became a priest in the house of Micah. He would

later be persuaded to become a priest to the tribe of Dan where he served until the fall and dispersion of the north-ern kingdom in 721 B.C The second is a prince of Israel who combined bravery and boldness with modesty and nobility of heart.

His father was king; his friend a future king. Because of this friendship his father once tried to kill him with a thrown spear. The third is the youngest of five sons of of Mattathias and succeeded to the leadership of the Macca-bean revolt after the death of his brother Judas Maccabeus in 160 B.C. There is much more to each man’s story but these clues

should be enough for you to determine their first name.

The change in seasons and especially the new moon seems to have an effect on those who are in jail as well as those living

in Ms Elaine's House. One of the girls who lived at the house for about 6 months was caught slipping out at night so she is no longer with us. A young woman took her place who is about four months pregnant. The house car was being driven by another girl so it has created a reason to change the rules and created a challenge for the House Mother and the Executive Board. They are re-quired to pay a monthly fee, for gas, and simple up-keep. Fast food workers do not make much money so this has been a labor of love for all concerned.

The Spaghetti supper went very well even though it was raining and cold. All of the girls worked together and some former residents came back to help. I was invited to speak at a Celebrate Recovery meeting about the Fund Raiser where there were several men who volunteered some maintenance work. They put up motion lights in the back yard and preparations are being made for repairs on the back deck. (For your information, Celebrate Recovery is the Christian NA/AA meeting.) Thank you for all the help that you give.

Love you all, "Ms. Elaine"

Holly

Holly was first used by pa-gans to decorate for the

festival of Saturnalia. When Christians began cel-ebrating Christmas in hon-

or of Christ, they adapted that decorating prac-tice to reflect Jesus’ life and death. Holly’s point-ed leaves symbolize the crown of thorns and its red berries symbolize Christ’s blood shed on the cross. Because holly thrives and its berries retain their brilliance even in harsh winter conditions, non-Christians saw it as a symbol of eternity —

which is fitting for Christians as well.