PRAYER CONCERNS

If you or a loved one would like to be added to the prayer list, please contact Lorna McCullough at 336-259-5814. If you put a name on the list, please keep in touch to let us know how that person is doing, as names are removed after three weeks. During the coming week, please pray for:
All Military Personnel
Our UM Missionaries
Dee Ellis
Rick Schartiger
Bob Templeman
Tracy Brinkley
Dallas Hutchens
Ann Worsham
Bob Monohan
Chris Eddinger
Jerry Barker
Ann Chappell
Jacqui Butcher
David Conant, Sr.
Faye Kanoy
Steve Whitten
Allen G. Ervin
Tony McCullough
Harold Faulkner
Sue Branson
Alice Causey
Peggy Atkins
Linda Childers

OUR CHURCH FINANCE FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER

Total Expenses as of 10/31/18    $759,006.27
Total Income as of 10/31/18        $677,595.23
Net Deficit as of 10/31/18           ($81,411.04)

Qualified Charitable Contributions from IRAs and New Tax Laws for 2018

If you are 70½ or over and take Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from your Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), or if you want to make other distributions from your IRA, you can take advantage of a law (for 2016 and later years) allowing you to designate part or all of your Required Minimum Distribution or other distributions (up to $100,000) each year to a qualified charity. Rather than receive a distribution check made out in your name, you would ask the administrator of your IRA to make a check out to a qualified charity. The designation to a charity reduces the income that you would normally have to report. You cannot claim the amount as a charitable donation; however, if you normally claim a standard deduction rather than itemizing deductions, you could find this to your tax advantage—especially since the standard deductions for 2018 and later years have generally been almost doubled.  Also, you may have a number of other circumstances where reducing your income would be to your tax advantage. Contact your tax advisor for further information.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT FELLOWSHIP SUPPERS & PROGRAMS

WEDNESDAYS (BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 12)
5:30 PM  DOORS OPEN
5:45 PM  SUPPER BEGINS
6:10 PM  PROGRAMS / STUDIES

PLEASE NOTE: A SMALL CHANGE FOR THE SAKE OF COMMUNITY!
Doors open for fellowship at 5:30 PM, and food service begins at 5:45 PM.
If you arrive early, please feel free come on in and find a seat and spend some time meeting some new folks or catching up with some old friends! At 5:30 PM we will begin ANNOUNCEMENTS and BLESSING for the food.  Food will be served at 5:45 PM in order to accommodate those who want to join us, but need a little extra time to get to church after work. Thank you for your cooperation with this change that we hope will offer more opportunities  to get to know your neighbor(s)!!!
Programs and Studies begin at 6:10 PM.
Invite a friend and bring a neighbor!

[formidable id=”10″ title=”1″]If you do not want to make a reservation with the above form, please feel free to use these methods as well:
STOP BY: 101 Randolph Street (let our Receptionist know about your reservation)
CALL: (336) 472-7718

COST
$8 for Adults/Youth (12 yrs. & up),
Free for Children (6-11 yrs.) **dining with an adult**
$20 max per family

UPCOMING PROGRAMS
NOVEMBER 21 – NO SUPPER
NOVEMBER 28 – Walking with Jesus from Advent to Easter (Begins NOW!!!)

OTHER WEDNESDAY NIGHT OPPORTUNITIES
6:00 PM  Children’s Choir (3rd Floor, Main building) For more Info contact Lynda Hepler
6:30 PM  Children’s Bible Study (3rd Floor, Main Building) For more Info contact Lynda Hepler
6:00 PM Middle School Small Group (2nd floor, CEC) For more Info contact Rodney Denton
6:00 PM High School Small Group (2nd floor, CEC) For more Info contact Rodney Denton

WEDNESDAY NIGHT MUSIC OPPORTUNITIES Please join us!
7:35 PM  Chancel Choir Rehearsal For more Info contact Danny Frye
7:00 PM  MUMC Handbell Ringers Rehearsal For more Info contact Norris Norwood

THANKSGIVING BREAKFAST

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22
8 – 9 AM
CHRISTIAN ENRICHMENT CENTER

The Memorial Youth want to thank our church for all that you do for us throughout the year!   It is because of your prayers, time, and financial gifts that we are able to go on retreats, participate in service projects, invite our friends to the church to play games and learn about God.  We are thankful for the way that you give to us and this breakfast is intended to be a small token of appreciation and a way that we can give back to you!

The Breakfast is by donation ONLY and stick around at 8:45 AM for a very brief Thanksgiving devotion to help us focus on being thankful on this very special day!  We hope to see you and look forward to showing you our gratitude!

THOMASVILLE CHRISTMAS PARADE

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24
11 AM – 1 PM (This the official parade time!)
ARRIVE 9:20 AM TO RIDE ON THE FLOAT
MAIN STREET THOMASVILLE

This year MUMC will have a float in the THOMASVILLE CHRISTMAS PARADE!  We will be promoting this year’s Journey to Bethlehem event (Dec 7 – 9)!

HOWEVER, we want to invite YOU to join us in passing out flyers and candy along the parade route!  No prior experience necessary!  We just want to give you a chance to help us promote our event and get to meet all sorts of fun people!  PARK & MEET AT THE CHURCH AT 9:20 AM to get a ride to the parade starting point!  For more information or to sign up, please contact Katie Conant!

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN CHRISTMAS GATHERING

NOVEMBER 26
6 – 8 PM
FELLOWSHIP HALL

The UMW invites EVERYONE – Women, Men, Children, and Guests – to the CHRISTMAS GATHERING, NOV. 26, 6-8 PM.

The children of the church will present “The Nativity Story” under the direction of Pastor Lynda Hepler, Doris Link, and Paige Hepler. 

The cost is $8.00 for the meal.

Please RSVP to Lynda Stone by Nov.19 (336-882-6046 or lyndamstone@gmail.com).

Childcare and transportation are available. Please let Lynda know of your needs when you RSVP.  We hope that you will join us for this joyous event!

CHRISMON SERVICE

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2
4 PM – Rehearsal for the kids
5 PM  – Worship Service
6 PM – Hot Dog Supper
MAIN SANCTUARY

Advent begins on December 2 this year and Memorial will kick off its Advent Season with our annual Chrismon Service!  Come and see the beauty of our Sanctuary all decorated and prepared for the Advent season.  We will have special music and readings focusing on the many different images found on our Chrismon Tree.  Come and find out the significance of all of those ornaments that we call “Chrismons” and prepare to enter into the season before Christmas with a renewed heart and a right spirit!!!

There will be a casual hotdog supper to follow the service in the Fellowship Hall!  We hope to see you there!

TOY DRIVE

THROUGH DECEMBER 6

The Missions Committee is sponsoring the CCM Toy Drive to help 50 families this season (over 100 children), and we need YOUR help!  We are seeking unwrapped toys ($25-30) for boys and girls ages 12 and under.

In coming weeks we will have collection boxes strategically placed throughout the church campus. We are sponsoring this drive instead of an angel tree.  Please make donations by Dec. 6.

LIST OF TOYS NEEDED FOR CHILDREN AGE 12 AND UNDER:  

• sports equipment (basketballs, soccer balls, baseball gloves, outdoor games)
• educational toys for children ages 6-24 months
• board games and card games
• stuffed animals
• jewelry making kits (ages 6-10)
• craft kits (ages 6-10)
• blocks and Lego’s
• remote control vehicles
• toys related to: Disney, Pomsies, Fingerlings, Barbie, super heroes, Elmo
• toys related to: Paw Patrol, Transformers, furReal, Hatchimals, L.O.L. Surprise
• robots and interactive baby dolls and animals
• dress up kits
• books
• Nerf toys, toss games, dart boards

What Child Is This…Journey To Bethlehem

DECEMBER 7 & 8
6 – 9 PM
DECEMBER 9
5 – 8 PM
MUMC PARKING LOT

Excitement is building as our journey draws near. Every member of Memorial can join in this inspiring reenactment.

How? …
Do all that you are physically able to do.
Invite family and friends to drive through the village.
Support this endeavor with encouragement and understanding when traffic patterns and parking change.
Pray for this gift to our community that it might be an inspiration to all.
Commit to this celebration of the birth of Jesus.

YOU CAN BE A PART OF THIS EXPERIENCE without even making a plane reservation. (Church members devote this one weekend to the journey.) This trip is completely FREE. Simply load up the family car and come to Memorial United Methodist Church on December 7, 8, or 9. The hours are 6 to 9 PM, and on Sunday Dec. 9, the hours are 5 to 8 PM.

The entire city of Thomasville and surrounding communities are invited to join you on this trip.

ENTRY:
You will enter Second Avenue from Taylor Street and proceed toward Bethlehem. At the entrance you will be greeted by the census takers and their camels resting nearby. You then proceed through the city where you may see wise men, prophets, tax collectors, and lots of people just milling about trying to find out about the bright star … the child that has been born … and where they can see all of this that is happening. Those making this trip with you will be able to visualize what could have been happening some 2000 plus years ago. Sheep, goats, or donkeys can be seen grazing nearby, and the wealthiest bringing their camels. Roman soldiers may be moving about on horseback. As you continue you will be led to the Star shining brightly above. There you will find baby Jesus, wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in the trough.

WANT TO HELP?
Preparation and behind the scenes work is already in progress to make this event come alive.  YOU can be a part of this exciting and inspiring weekend!

VILLAGE SET UP:
DECEMBER 2
2 PM
Contact Roger Bryant

WANT TO BE A CHARACTER?
Contact Leslie Gibbs

For other information, concerns or questions:
Call the Church Office: (336) 472-7718
OR Contact Dr. David Williams

CHRISTMAS EVE COMMUNION

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24
5:30 PM
MAIN SANCTUARY

Our Christmas Eve Communion Service will begin at 5:30 PM. We will have a brief service with special readings and blessing of the Communion elements.

Following the service, Communion will be available for anyone to receive in a “come-and-go” format until 7:30 PM. This means that even if your Christmas Eve plans prevent you from being at the church 5:30 PM, please feel free to drop by and receive Holy Communion at anytime between 5:30 and 7:30 PM!  Bring your family and make this a new Christmas Eve tradition!

We hope to see you and celebrate this beautiful sacrament on the Eve of Christ’s birth.

“WELCOME TO MEMORIAL” WINTER CLASS

SUNDAYS, JANUARY 6 – 27
10 AM
CHRISTIAN ENRICHMENT CENTER

If you’re a visiting Memorial, and would like to know more about the congregation, plan to attend our next Welcome to Memorial Class. The class is scheduled at 10:00 am in the Christian Enrichment Center on four successive Sundays, from January 6 through January 27.  This is your opportunity to learn more about our wide range of ministries and our church governance, meet some of our key church leadership, and get answers to your questions about United Methodism and our basic beliefs.

Pick up a brochure in either the Narthex or in the Jarrett Hall foyer for more detailed information.  If you have particular questions, talk to one of the ministers or call Tim Lyons at 476-1117.

UPCOMING EVENTS

NOV. 18 STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY (Luncheon to follow)
NOV. 22  THANKSGIVING BREAKFAST (8 AM)
NOV. 26  UMW CHRISTMAS GATHERING
DEC 1  JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM SET UP
DEC 2  CHANCEL CHOIR ADVENT CANTATA (11 AM)
DEC 2  CHRISMON SERVICE (5 PM)
DEC 9  CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP ADVENT PROGRAM (8:50 AM)
DEC 7 – 9  WHAT CHILD IS THIS? Drive through Nativity
DEC 12  CHILDREN’S FUN NIGHT
DEC 23  LOVE FEAST (7 PM)
DEC 24 CHRISTMAS EVE COMMUNION (5:30 PM)

IF YOU HAVE A CHURCH EVENT THAT YOU WOULD LIKE ADDED TO OUR CALENDAR, PLEASE CONTACT SUSAN FRYE.

LOVE FEAST LUMINARIA SALES

DEADLINE: DECEMBER 16
CHURCH SIDEWALKS

HONOR or REMEMBER a loved one this Christmas with a LOVE FEAST LUMINARIA. The Luminarias will be used to light the path to the Love Feast on December 23. ALSO, you and your loved one’s name will appear in this year’s Love Feast bulletin!

You may purchase your Luminaria at the Sales tables following the Sunday morning and Wednesday evening services OR through the church office by filling out the ORDER FORM and return it to the church office.

SALES BEGIN Thursday, November 22 and END Sunday, December 16.
Contact Rodney Denton for more information (472-7718)
Cost is 1 for $2 or 3 for $5.  Sales go to support the Youth Ministry.

Thank you for your support