Good Afternoon Church,

This Saturday we will start handing out Christmas packages to our sponsored neighbors. All are welcome to come help distribute, pray with families, and hang out! In the late afternoon, our children and youth will be together for crafts and fun.

Then, on Sunday we will light the second Advent candle, which represents the peace we receive through Jesus Christ. I hope to see you at any of our services this Sunday – 9am, 10:45am, 11am, or 2pm – as we enter into this season of preparation and waiting for Christ our Lord.

Grace & Peace

Pastor Caitlin     

WEEKLY E-NEWS 

WECARE: Christmas Distribution

We will be distributing our WeCare Christmas Packages this Saturday December 7^th beginning at 10am, and Monday December 9^th starting at 6:30pm. Please call/text Susan Fox if you can help! 704-502-9852

SOUPER SATURDAY FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH!

Our Agape Youth will host our Terrific Toddlers and Wonder Kids for a fun day of Christmas Activities on Saturday December 7 from 4:00 pm to 5:30. We will make Christmas Crafts, fit our costumes for the Christmas Cantata on December 15 and have a MERRY good time!

ATTENTION Agape Youth, on Saturday December 7 we will continue our fun together after the toddler and children event has ended. Please plan on staying with us until 9:30 while we have our own Christmas fun and prepare soup to sell on Sunday December 8. A JOLLY good time will be had by all. Looking forward to seeing your smiling faces!

Looking for a SOUPER way to support our Agape Youth? On Sunday December 8 the youth will be selling a lunch of Chicken Tortilla soup and dessert to go before and after each service. Lunch for

$10! Wow, what a bargain! All proceeds will go to help with youth expenses for the Winter Retreat

February 28 - March 2 at Mount Shephard. We will also be accepting donations. 

Combined Service Christmas Cantata

Our Christmas Cantata will take place on Sunday December 15th at 11am. There will be no other services that day. Come and hear the Nativity story told anew through word and song!

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.

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.

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.

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. 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 for your class or small group.

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.