www.southwoodmemorial.com 1027 Hwy 58 South, Kinston, NC 28504 (252) 527-8780)

A monthly publication

The Southwood Chalice

Sharing Christ’s Ministries & Missions

December 2018 2015

Each Sunday: 8:45 a.m. Sunday School Assembly 9:00 a.m. Sunday School10:00 a.m. Traditional Worship

CMF Breakfast : Every 3rd Sunday at 8:30 a.m.

Prayer Team:10:00 a.m. Tuesday

Board Meeting Board Meeting – December 3rd 7:00 p.m. in Music Room

Bible StudyEvery Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

Each WednesdayBell Practice: 6:30 p.m. Choir Practice: 7:15 p.m.

CWF Groups SHINE: Dorcas Circle: Young at Heart:

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,These are very busy times in the life of the church. Schedules are maxed out and everyone has somewhere to be. I hope that during the busyness of this month, we make time to appreciate the season. Christmas is coming! This should build excitement and anticipation. Have you ever thought back to your childhood? We longed for Christmas and could hardly contain ourselves. Researchers say that as we age, time appears to move faster because there are less new experiences. Our childhood Christmas seemed to last many days because there was so much newness! Now Christmas disappears with a blink of an eye. Instead of looking forward to the season, we dread the busyness of the calendar. What has happened to us? We have succumbed to the responsibilities which come with age. Instead of hope, joy, peace, and love; we have focused on dread and fear. Fear of forgetting something or someone, fear of disappointing someone… As Christians, this cannot be our focal points. We recognize the anticipation of Advent is forever linked with the hopeful watching for the Second Coming. Rejoice! The reign of God is at hand! We must be vigilant but also diligent. What ways can we help others look for signs of the coming Christ? What can we do in the here and now to anticipate Jesus? My hope is that we all answer these questions by finding our way to church. SMCC is blessed to have many opportunities for all of us to gather and worship. No matter how busy our lives become, let us always make room and make priority for Jesus Christ. Come join us each Sunday for morning worship and for Advent services. Come and join us for weekly bible study. Come and join us in anticipation of the arrival of Jesus Christ!

With great love,

Pastor Andrew

December Birthdays

1st Janet Johnson3rd Jerry Evans3rd Peggy Fordham5th Nic Smith9th F. David Moody

12th Ashlynn Basden16th Jonathan Grant17th Anderson Moody18th David Hodges24th Calvin Carter28th Betty Potter30th Betty Noble

For additions/corrections contact:Kirby or Mary Hardy

H: 522-4689 C: 521-3858

Reminder:  Please submit your announcements and prayer requests to the church office so they may be included in the bulletin.  We want to be respectful of time and

maintain a good flow to our worship on Sunday mornings. 

Please read the special publication concerning the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) special Christmas Offering when it comes out. Your gift to the Christmas offering supports the work of the North Carolina Region.

December 3rd: Board meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the Music Room

December 4th: Still not too late to sign up for the CWF dinner event on Tuesday night at Queen Street Deli. Give Linda Sutton or Faye Grady a call and let them know you plan to attend and bring your check for $17.00 made out to SMCC. All are invited to join us for great food and a joyous Christmas celebration!

December 12th: (date change) The ladies of the church will be preparing the Christmas lunch for the LCPS central office staff members on Wednesday December 12.

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December 8: Mark your Calendars for December 8th: We have a scheduled work day from 9-1 pm for “Days for Girls” in the Family Life Center. Everyone is invited to participate!

December 15: Christmas Caroling starting at 5:00 p.m. with pizza (see insert for details)

Mia Michelle Bullock was born November 6th to Anna & Ryan Bullock. 7 lbs. 13 oz and 20 1/2 inches. Proud Grandparents Scotty & Jody Hill and Aunt Amanda are thankful for this sweet blessing.

Advent Season for 2018 begins today with a celebration starting at 5:30 p.m. in the Family Life Center. We will continue to celebrate the Coming of Christ throughout December (see insert for details).

What is the meaning of Advent season?

The word "advent," from the Latin adventus (Greek Parousia), means "coming" or "arrival.". The Advent Season is focused on the anticipation of the arrival of Jesus as Messiah (Christ or King). The worship, scripture readings, and prayers not only prepare us spiritually for Christmas (his first coming), but also for his eventual second coming.

Advent Services5:30 – 8:00 pm

Family Life Center

DAYS FOR GIRLS

Mark your calendar for work groups to meet on December 8 and December 29th.

Starting January 12th, the team will meet every 2nd and 4th

Saturday.

Christian Women UnitedBy Mary Evans

On Friday, November 2, 2018 I attended the Lenoir County Chapter meeting of Church Women United at White Rock Presbyterian Church in Kinston with various denominations attending. Church Women United was founded in 1941 with the purpose of unity and women in prayerful action.Linda Solomon presented an award to Carl Grant from the United Methodist Church.

We were excited to have a visit from the state president, Emily Sprague who shared some of her experiences in visiting different chapters across the state.

There was an interactive bible study by the twenty women in the meeting and we also sang several songs together. This group encourages growth and needs attendance from area churches.The Lenoir County Chapter of Church Women United will meet at Southwood Church on Friday, May 3, 2019.

Southwood Memorial Christian Church1027 Highway 58 SouthKinston, NC 28504

www.southwoodmemorial.com