Messenger 12:1:17
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The Journey of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany<br />
Our journey begins December 3rd, the first Sunday of Advent. We mark the four Sundays of Advent<br />
with scriptures filled with anticipation and wonder as we prepare for the coming of the Messiah.<br />
Along our journey we will encounter the signposts of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. The world of the<br />
first Advent and today are not so different -in deep need of restoration and wholeness. We travel<br />
through Advent guided by familiar scriptures, joyous music and images that remind us of the power<br />
of God’s presence and that Emmanuel, God is with us, now and forever.<br />
Worship Opportunities<br />
DECEMBER 3 DECEMBER 10<br />
First Sunday of Advent: Hope<br />
Sunday Worship Services at 8:30 and 10:50<br />
Special music at 10:50 features,<br />
Christa Engel on viola<br />
DECEMBER 13 DECEMBER <strong>17</strong><br />
Wednesday Evening : Advent Shadows 7 pm<br />
A service of prayer, remembrance, silence and<br />
communion.<br />
The holidays can appear to have no room for us<br />
to express our grief or acknowledge the losses<br />
our world has experienced recently. This evening<br />
we pause in the midst of the busy season to offer<br />
prayers, to acknowledge our feelings and call<br />
upon God’s strength and comfort.<br />
DECEMBER 24 DECEMBER 31<br />
Second Sunday of Advent: Peace<br />
Sunday Worship Services at 8:30 and<br />
10:50<br />
Third Sunday of Advent: Joy<br />
Sunday Worship Services at 8:30 and<br />
10:50<br />
Special Music at 10:50 – the Choir’s<br />
Christmas Offering<br />
Fourth Sunday of Advent: Love<br />
Sunday Morning Worship –<br />
One service at 11 am<br />
5th Sunday<br />
Prayer Service at 11 am in the Sanctuary<br />
Christmas Eve Services<br />
7 pm in the Community Park<br />
11 pm in the Sanctuary<br />
The <strong>Messenger</strong> / 01
The Journey of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany<br />
DECEMBER 3<br />
All Church Brunch and Congregational Meeting<br />
9:30 am Fellowship Hall<br />
Fellowship Opportunities<br />
DECEMBER <strong>12</strong><br />
Disciples Women Fellowship Luncheon<br />
<strong>12</strong> noon in the Parlor<br />
DECEMBER 18 DECEMBER 21<br />
Symphonic Band Christmas Concert and<br />
Reception<br />
7 pm Fellowship Hall<br />
DECEMBER 24<br />
Gathering for Coffee and<br />
Conversation<br />
10:30 am in the Parlor<br />
Mission Opportunities<br />
Los Posadas – South Hills Elementary<br />
School and SHCC<br />
6 pm gathering in the Fellowship Hall<br />
Visiting homes and caroling in the<br />
neighborhood<br />
Return to the Fellowship Hall for goodies<br />
DECEMBER 3<br />
Youth Angel Tree to Hulen Mall<br />
Noon (bring money for lunch or snack)<br />
WEDNESDAYS IN DECEMBER<br />
Room in the inn<br />
DECEMBER 31<br />
5th Sunday Service<br />
Projects begin at 9 am, Prayer service at 11 am<br />
Projects include –<br />
• Chuck wagon sack lunches<br />
• Visiting at Wellington Oaks<br />
• Goodie bags for John Peter Smith Hospital, and more!<br />
The <strong>Messenger</strong> / 0<strong>12</strong>
SOUTH HILLS CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)<br />
December Calendar:<br />
OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY- THURSDAY 9AM TO 4PM & FRIDAY 10AM TO 2PM<br />
WORSHIP SUNDAY- 8:30AM & 10:50AM LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES- 9:45AM<br />
FRI - 1 SAT- 2<br />
SUN - 3<br />
MON- 4 TUES - 5<br />
WED - 6<br />
THURS - 7<br />
FRI- 8 SAT- 9<br />
All Church<br />
Brunch &<br />
Congregational<br />
Meeting<br />
9:30am<br />
Youth Angel<br />
Tree @ Hulen<br />
Mall <strong>12</strong>pm<br />
Disciples Women<br />
Ministry Circles<br />
10am<br />
Staff Meeting<br />
2:30pm<br />
Room In The<br />
Inn 5pm<br />
Choir Rehearsal<br />
7pm<br />
“Faithful Vice”<br />
@ David &<br />
Emily Gabehart-<br />
Weuste’s home<br />
7pm<br />
Personnel<br />
Committee<br />
meeting <strong>12</strong>pm<br />
SUN - 10 MON - 11<br />
TUES - <strong>12</strong><br />
WED- 13<br />
THURS - 14<br />
FRI- 15 SAT- 16<br />
Senior Singles<br />
Luncheon<br />
11:30am<br />
Disciples Women<br />
Fellowship<br />
Luncheon <strong>12</strong>pm<br />
Staff Meeting<br />
2:30pm<br />
Room In The<br />
Inn 5pm<br />
Advent<br />
Shadows<br />
7pm<br />
Choir Rehearsal<br />
7pm<br />
SUN- <strong>17</strong> MON - 18<br />
TUES - 19<br />
WED- 20<br />
THURS - 21<br />
FRI- 22 SAT- 23<br />
Symphonic<br />
Band Concert<br />
7pm<br />
Disciples Women<br />
Ministry Board<br />
Meeting 10am<br />
Room In The<br />
Inn 5pm<br />
Preschool Family<br />
Pot Luck- 11am<br />
Los Posadas 6pm<br />
SUN - 24<br />
Christmas Eve<br />
services 7pm &<br />
11pm<br />
MON- 25 TUES - 26 WED- 27<br />
Room In The<br />
Inn 5pm<br />
THURS- 28 FRI- 29 SAT- 30<br />
SUN - 31<br />
5th Sunday<br />
Activities 9am<br />
The office will be closed from<br />
December 25-January 2<br />
The <strong>Messenger</strong> / 03
SHCC YOUTH<br />
THE MONTHLY HAPPENINGS AND UPDATES OF THE SHCC YOUTH!<br />
DECEMBER 20<strong>17</strong><br />
DEC. 3 - ALL CHURCH BRUNCH – NO BREAKFAST CLUB<br />
But don’t forget: Following second service Angel Tree @ Hulen Mall. We will leave the church<br />
following 10:50 worship and return by 2:30 - Bring $ for the tree and some for lunch or a snack.<br />
It’s that time of year! The holly is jolly and the mistletoe is mistletoe-in (is that right?) It’s also that<br />
time of the year we are making final pushes for the end of the semester. With finals and Christmas<br />
concerts quickly approaching, Christmas shopping to do and so much more, we are making South<br />
Hills a place for quiet and peace.<br />
Sunday mornings we are about to kick off prayer partners and spend some time talking about what<br />
Christmas means to us. Rumor has it there may even be a Christmas party in the works.<br />
We have filled all of our breakfast club slots for the rest of the year! Wahoo!<br />
We’d like to give a special thank you everyone who made breakfast for us this in November, your<br />
generous donation of time and sustenance has been greatly appreciated.<br />
We look forward to doing this all again next year!<br />
Peace, Love, and South Hills!<br />
DATES TO REMEMBER:<br />
Youth Breakfast Club!<br />
Every Sunday from 9:45am-10:50am<br />
Contact Mason Wagner, youth@shccfw.org to provide food for Breakfast Club<br />
Mid-Winter Retreats 2018:<br />
Senior Retreat Weekend: January <strong>12</strong>-15<br />
JYF: January 26-28<br />
Chi Rho: February 9-11<br />
CYF February 16-18<br />
The <strong>Messenger</strong> / 04
COMMUNITY MINISTRY<br />
THE MONTHLY HAPPENINGS AND UPDATES OF THE SOUTH HILLS COMMUNITY<br />
MARK YOUR CALENDARS<br />
here are some dates to remember:<br />
• December 9 - South Hills Elementary PTA Winter Craft Fair from<br />
8am-<strong>12</strong>pm<br />
• December 10 - TBA Habitat Build Fundraiser @ Raising Cane’s on<br />
University Dr. from <strong>12</strong>pm-4:45pm<br />
• December 21 - Las Posadas @ 6pm<br />
LAS POSADAS<br />
Las Posadas (Spanish for “the inns”) is an Advent celebration revolving around the concept of<br />
hospitality. It is traditional to hold Posadas during the nine days before Christmas, beginning<br />
December 16 and ending December 24. The Posadas symbolize Mary and Joseph’s long, frustrating<br />
search for a place to stay where Jesus could be born. The tradition re-enacts--with a twist, and a<br />
happy ending--the story told in Luke 2:1-7. We learn from the Posadas that by welcoming the poor<br />
and the needy, we are welcoming Jesus in our midst. (See Matthew 25:40).<br />
The South Hills twist, we will be visiting four homes on Thursday night Dec 21st near the church and<br />
South Hills Elementary, starting around 6 pm and end the evening by coming together in the SHCC<br />
fellowship hall for some time of fellowship.<br />
The SHCC choir will be joined by members of the South Hills Elementary choir in leading us with Las<br />
Posadas songs and caroling.<br />
The <strong>Messenger</strong> / 05
MUSIC MINISTRY<br />
MOUNTAINTOP MUSIC and THE CHRISTMAS CLIMAX or:<br />
(How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the tiny tunes)<br />
There is of course universal consensus that Christmas music before Thanksgiving is the Worst. Abomination.<br />
Ever. With one possible exception. All the times that it isn’t. Explaining to my soon to be 7-year-old that my<br />
tears were a reaction to the ambush of joy felt by complying with his Christmas song request. That’s why my<br />
“voice got quiet down to half” in the middle of Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. File under Songs That Can’t Be<br />
Sold. This holiday season may we pray for that small reminder of focus on …<br />
Hail, the heav’n born Prince of Peace! Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!<br />
Light and life to all He brings, Ris’n with healing in His wings<br />
Mild he lays His glory by, Born that we no more may die<br />
Born to raise them from the earth, Born to give them second birth<br />
(may that next eternal refrain echo in our hearts and minds all year long)<br />
(now take that still small voice, and give it second birth)<br />
Show an act of kindness, To the person nearest you after you read this<br />
Inspire any group of people, Co-workers, friends, family<br />
To build life, light and healing into more and more Peace and Righteousness!<br />
Pray that song spreads from South Hills to the greater city<br />
Maybe our collective voice will grow louder by doubling itself and “go viral”<br />
That surprising chorus of Holy joy could expand into our nation lift all of humankind into heralds of thanks and<br />
praise to the child in Bethlehem.<br />
This year we are combining the Chancel Choir, Paul Demer, varied instrumentation, and your participation in a<br />
special offering Sunday, <strong>12</strong>/21 @ 10:50. Celebrate with us that morning through Christmas music both familiar<br />
and not quite so.<br />
IF YOU PLAY GUITAR you are allowed to hide your talent no longer!!! See me to join rehearsals in December.<br />
We will be accompanying carolers for Las Posadas <strong>12</strong>/21/<strong>17</strong> and assisting worship for our Christmas Eve<br />
service in the Community Park @ 7pm.<br />
— Peace Through Music<br />
SHCC PRESCHOOL<br />
Tamale Fundraiser Tamales are available for pick up Sunday, December <strong>17</strong>.<br />
Thanks for supporting SHCC Preschool.<br />
School Family Potluck Lunch Thursday, December 21 we will have our<br />
school family Christmas potluck lunch. Shhhh! Santa may be there as well.<br />
Merry Christmas!<br />
The <strong>Messenger</strong> / 06
Room In The Inn (RITI)<br />
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT<br />
Our Inn opens December 6th!<br />
In community partnership with First Congregational UCC, we open our church building and staff it<br />
with volunteers, who cook dinners & breakfasts, make beds, serve as overnight Innkeepers, drive<br />
our guests to & from E. Lancaster, offer table fellowship & do laundry. These small individual acts of<br />
service transform our rooms into a space of generosity & hope.<br />
You are invited to be partners in this trans-formative ministry. Keep our homeless friends in your<br />
prayers; remember to pick up a few extra items from the RITI donations wish list for the 65 male<br />
guests we will welcome; and as you make holiday plans, make time in your schedule to share God’s<br />
love with our neighbors by volunteering to be part of the “Inn crowd”!<br />
THINGS TO NOTE:<br />
• RITI Online sign-up is ready for you to pick a<br />
spot (or two!) Go to shccfw.org & click on the<br />
Room in the Inn Volunteers link to see all the<br />
info!<br />
• Questions? Contact Trisha Stanfill 8<strong>17</strong>-294-<br />
9868 or Margie Lawrence 8<strong>17</strong>-266-4407.<br />
TRAVEL SIZE ONLY:<br />
Shaving cream<br />
Deodorant<br />
Body Powder<br />
Mouthwash<br />
Shower Gel<br />
Hand Sanitizer<br />
ROOM IN THE INN<br />
WISH LIST<br />
Toothpaste<br />
Lotion<br />
Disposable Razors<br />
Chapstick<br />
Reading Glasses<br />
Men’s socks<br />
Twin-size sheets/<br />
blankets<br />
The <strong>Messenger</strong> / 07
COOK’S CORNER<br />
Traveling is an amazing endeavor. Some do it so easily – living with a bag packed and ready to<br />
go on a moment’s notice. For others, traveling is a chore that must be endured in order to reach the<br />
people and place they want to see. We speak of traveling through life. A simple journey to etsy or<br />
pinterest and you can find all kinds of sayings about journeys on decorative wooden signs for your<br />
home. Things like: “Life is a journey, not a destination.” Or”Life’s a journey, enjoy every moment” Or<br />
perhaps, my favorite: “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in<br />
an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, body thoroughly used up, totally<br />
worn out, screaming ‘WOO HOO what a ride!’”<br />
As we begin the Advent season, there are images of journeys all around. Joseph and Mary<br />
traveled to Bethlehem for the census. Advent calendars mark the days until Christmas. We light<br />
Advent candles each Sunday to mark our Advent time of waiting. This journey is about anticipation<br />
and waiting. We live in a time of instant messaging, phones never go unanswered, and internet<br />
searches that are to answer our every question fully and immediately. Have we forgotten how to wait?<br />
Thank goodness there are still things for which we must wait – like the birth of a child and the<br />
changing of the seasons.<br />
Advent is a season of waiting – a time for us to remember the importance of patience. Life is<br />
full of journeys that take us where we never intended to travel. That is often where we encounter the<br />
Holy.<br />
Looking forward to our journey together.<br />
Grace and Peace,<br />
Dottie<br />
The Monthly Musings of the Rev. Dottie Cook, Senior Minister<br />
The <strong>Messenger</strong> / 08
WORSHIP LEADERSHIP<br />
DECEMBER 3<br />
Isaiah 64:1-9<br />
Mark 13:24-27<br />
“The Journey Begins in Hope”<br />
Sharon Beaucond, Barry Johnson,Guy Sawyer<br />
DECEMBER 10<br />
Psalm 85: 1-2, 8-13<br />
Mark 1:1-8<br />
“Traveling in peace can be dangerous”<br />
Jeff Cooper, Ed McMahon, Lisa Barnett<br />
DECEMBER <strong>17</strong><br />
Psalm <strong>12</strong>6<br />
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11<br />
“Joy in the Midst of Weariness”<br />
Choir Christmas Offering 10:50<br />
Ronnie Wilson, Karen Dungan, Becky Fancher<br />
DECEMBER 24<br />
Luke 1:26-38<br />
Luke 1:46-55<br />
“We never journey alone”<br />
Guy Sawyer, Leighton Clark, Ed McMahon<br />
DECEMBER 31<br />
5th Sunday Service:<br />
9am Service projects<br />
11am Worship Service<br />
Deacons<br />
8:30am Service<br />
IN OUR PRAYERS<br />
Stella Mae Barber, Betty Carter, Grace Richter, Jim Scarborough,<br />
Maureen Sullivan.<br />
Victims of Violence<br />
Those continuing to struggle with the aftermath of natural disasters<br />
• Marshall Gardner<br />
10:50am Service<br />
• Nathaniel Cook<br />
• Joan Stiver<br />
• Maddie Berry<br />
• Suzanne Ashmore<br />
• Claudia Slayter<br />
• Ken Slayter<br />
MEAL COORDINATOR<br />
Joyce Gifford<br />
The <strong>Messenger</strong> / 09
THANKS<br />
FOR<br />
READING!<br />
INSTANT CHURCH DIRECTORY<br />
http://www.instantchurchdirectory.com/shcc<br />
We want to keep our directory as up to date as<br />
possible, but we need your help. Please send<br />
any email, address, phone changes to the church<br />
office. Also you can email photo updates – just<br />
attach one to your email. We are setting up a<br />
time to take photos on Sunday morning. Let us<br />
know if you would like a photo taken on Sunday<br />
morning.<br />
MINISTERIAL STAFF<br />
Rev. Dottie Cook Senior Minister<br />
Rev. Don Tatlock Community Minister<br />
Rob Laney Music Director<br />
Mason Wagner Youth Minister<br />
SUPPORT STAFF<br />
Kaye Reynolds Office Administrator<br />
Bob Chilton Property Manager<br />
Nathaniel Cook Media Coordinator<br />
Claudia Slayter Preschool Director<br />
Maria Barrios Nursery Care<br />
BOARD OFFICERS<br />
David Gabehart-Weuste Moderator<br />
Tony Lilburn Vice Moderator<br />
Nadia Lahutsky Secretary<br />
Janet Swan Financial Secretary<br />
Marybeth Guenther Treasurer<br />
Please email updates and changes to<br />
media@shccfw.org<br />
ONLINE CALENDAR<br />
http://shccfw.org/news-events/calendar/<br />
South Hills Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)<br />
3200 Bilglade Rd.<br />
Fort Worth, Texas 76133<br />
Phone: 8<strong>17</strong>-926-5281<br />
Email: office@shccfw.org<br />
Web: www.shccfw.org<br />
Facebook<br />
@shccfw<br />
Instagram:<br />
@shcc_fw<br />
Twitter:<br />
@shcc_fw
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