Good Afternoon Church,

Many thanks to you all for your generosity in offering your time, contributions, and gifts to our neighbors for our We Care Christmas Distribution! It was a joy to see faces of adults and children light up as we filled their cars.

This Sunday December 15^th , we will come together as ONE church for our Combined Service Christmas Cantata at 11am! Dress Rehearsal will take place for those with parts in the play from 11am-12:30pm on Saturday December 14^th.

Grace & Peace

Pastor Caitlin     

WEEKLY E-NEWS 

The Chosen Christmas!

All are invited to participate in a viewing and discussion of The Chosen Christmas episodes starting at 6pm on Wednesday December 11^th in the Trinity Room. Reach out to Tom and Susan Fox or the church office if you have any questions.

Offering Envelopes for 2025

Offering Envelopes are available in the narthex of the Sanctuary and lobby of the Family Life Center.

Staff Love Offering

From SPRC: It is that time of year when we express our thanks for the staff we have here at HGUMC. Please send in your Love Offering as soon as possible. Mark your gift as “Love Offering.” Thanks!

FINANCIAL REQUEST

From Randy Bunnell, Finance Chair: We are coming to the end of our calendar and fiscal year. Unfortunately, we are quite a bit behind our budget and financial requirements to keep the church operating. We are asking for you to first, pray hard for our church and then secondly, see if it is possible for you to give a bit more before the end of the year to our General Fund. Our target is $42,000. We have approximately 150 active members at HGUMC. If each member could give $280 over their normal giving, we can hit our target and start 2025 without a deficit. Thank you in advance for your consideration and assistance - may God bless you and your families this holiday season

Wednesday Night Bible Study

All are invited to join us every Wednesday night for Bible study and reflection on Zoom @ 7:30pm. The Zoom meeting ID# 81541770673 and Passcode: 522533. Reach out to Pastor Colston or the church office if you have any questions.

HGUMC Young(ish) Adult Small Group meets weekly in a virtual format using Google Meet on Mondays at 7pm. Our next meeting will be in the new year when we will go through the Gospel of Luke. Reach out to Pastor Caitlin or the church office if you have any questions.

“Connecting to Creation:” A Creation Care Ministry Workshop

This workshop will be led by Heather Bennett, Director for Blessed Earth Tennessee. In this workshop, you will learn about: Biomimicry and Eco Theology. It will take place on Saturday March 1, 2025 from 9:30am-2:30pm at Harrison UMC in Pineville, NC. The cost is $25 per person. The deadline to sign up is February 1, 2025. You may click here to register.

Join Bishop Carter and Friends for a One-Year Journey Through Luke and Acts

This Advent season, you are invited to join Bishop Carter and other leaders from our Conference and denomination on a transformative journey through two of the most impactful books of the New Testament—Luke and Acts. Together, they make up 52 chapters, nearly 30% of the New Testament, and offer a compelling narrative of hope, salvation, liberation, forgiveness, and healing. You may click here to learn more. Contact the church office if you want to purchase a book ($1.50 each) for your class or small group.

Upcoming Christmas Schedule:

Combined Service Christmas Cantata: Sunday December 15^th at 11am (Sanctuary)

Latino Ministries Christmas Celebration: Saturday December 21^st at 6pm (Family Life Center)

Advent 4 Worship: Sunday December 22^nd (Regular schedule at 9am, 10:45am, 11am, 2pm)

Latino Ministries Christmas Dinner: Sunday December 22^nd at 5pm (Gym)

Christmas Eve Service: December 24^th at 4pm (Sanctuary)

Combined Service Wesley Covenant Renewal: Sunday December 29^th at 11am (Sanctuary)

Watch Night Service: Tuesday December 31^st at 10pm (Sanctuary)

WECARE: Food Needs

Please help us restock the shelves at WeCare:  mixed vegetables, carrots, peanut butter, and peas. Our WeCare Food Pantry and Clothing Closet will be closed during the month of December.

SNACK Pack

Please consider making a financial donation to the SNACK pack program to help 48 Hickory Grove Elementary School students. If you have any questions, please call Jennifer Stribling at 704-617-2520.

Ways to Help: WNCCUMC Disaster Response

For the latest update on how you can help respond to Hurricane Helene victims can be found on the WNCCUMC website HERE.

January Edition of Grove Echoes

Article submissions for the January 2025 newsletters are due by Friday December 20^th.

The Church Office will be Closed December 24^th – January 1^st in observance of the Christmas and New Year holidays.