WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY, ADVENT SEASON, WELCOME GUEST SOLOISTS, CHRISTMAS PAGEANT, CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES, HOLIDAY SHOPPING FOR MISSION, MPC WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS, WINTER ITEMS NEEDED FOR SHEARITH ISRAEL, CHRISTIAN EDUCATION, CALENDAR

Life@Morningside

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Sunday, December 13, 2009

Great Music of Christmas 2

Choir, Organ, and Soloists

Walter Huff, Organist/Choirmaster

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ADVENT SEASON

Today is the Third Sunday in Advent. Help yourself to an Advent Devotional today in the Narthex, Welcome Center, or Fellowship Hall. There are also fliers with details about all our holiday events including Carols and Coffee with Morningside Presbyterian Preschool this Wednesday at 9:15 a.m., Christmas Pageant and Carol Sing on Sunday evening, December 20, and two Christmas Eve services (4:30 and 8 p.m.).

WELCOME GUEST SOLOISTS

We welcome Carolyn Kahl and Jason Hardy as our guest soloists today. Carolyn has performed leading roles with Seattle Opera, Opera Cleveland, Berkshire Opera, and Atlanta Opera. A graduate of the University of Michigan and the Cincinnati Conservatory, she has just returned to the U.S. after a six-month residence in Germany, as a Cultural Ambassadorial Scholar for Rotary International. Jason has performed leading roles with New York City Opera, Opera de Montreal, Baltimore Opera, Atlanta Opera, and many others. He has given numerous performances at Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, and Avery Fisher Hall. Mr. Hardy has made appearances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, National Symphony Orchestra, and the New York City Ballet. Jason is a graduate of Emory University and the Peabody Conservatory.

CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

Costumes are being sewn, props being built, and practices continue. Contact Tony Fishpaw at 404.597.5485 if you can help with props, setup or cleanup. Contact Melinda Sandkam at 404.876.7396 x 15 if you can help backstage this Saturday, December 19, 9-11 a.m. and Sunday, December 20, 4-5:30 p.m. All are invited to attend the pageant at 5 p.m. which is followed by a chili and soup dinner. We then sing Christmas Carols together in Fellowship Hall under the leadership of Walter Huff!

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

Please join us for services at Morningside on Christmas Eve. This year we will have two services. At 4:30, we will offer a Family Friendly Service with Handbells, Child Liturgists and Children’s Choir. A nursery will be provided. At 8 p.m. we will have our traditional Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols (doors will open at 7:15 p.m.). This service features our Chancel Choir, instruments, soloists and a meditation from Joanna Adams. Childcare will be provided.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING FOR MISSION

Knock out hostess gifts and Christmas card purchases this Sunday while supporting the Mission Ministry of Morningside.  MPC Cookbooks are $12 and make a great gift for family, teachers or neighbors during the holidays.  Save yourself a trip to the store and send Christmas cards with a beautiful photograph of our sanctuary during last year’s Christmas Eve service.  The cost is $15 for a box of 15 cards.  Both these items are also available for purchase in the church office throughout the week.

MPC WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS

Last Sunday, December 6, Morningside welcomed the following new members and their families: Curt Barrett; Kelly Goldsmith and her son William; Tami Giusto; Becky and Clay Haskins; Rebecca and Craig Kier; Nancy Lane; Melissa and Terry Lawson and their two children Cade and Emma; Melanie and Jim McKelvey and their three children Anna, Sarah and Matt; Kerri and Thomas Markovic and their two children Jackson and Sophie; Becky and Alan Medearis; Elizabeth Rice; and Joan Starks.

WINTER ITEMS NEEDED FOR SHEARITH ISRAEL

Next Sunday, December 20 at the Christmas Pageant and Carol Sing, we will collect women's winter items to benefit the women at the Shearith Israel homeless shelter. Please bring hats, gloves, scarves, and slippers to help our neighbors have a better winter. For additional information, contact Amy DeBaets at amy.debaets@gmail.com.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AT MORNINGSIDE

ADVENT THROUGH THE EYES OF THOSE WHO WAITED

Next Sunday, December 20, Morningside's Bible Class will conclude our annual Advent series, this year titled, "Advent Through the Eyes of Those Who Waited." This four-week series has led us from the Old Testament prophets to the powerful words of two expectant mothers, Mary and Elizabeth. Next week: the prophetic pronouncements of Elizabeth and Simeon herald the coming of a new age, marked by new possibilities for all people! The Morningside Bible Class meets each Sunday at 9:45 a.m. in Room 201 and is taught by Associate Pastor Chris Henry.

CHILDREN’S CLASSES

On each Sunday in December, all of the children’s classes hear the stories of Jesus’ birth. Today, the preschoolers enjoy the story of the angels at the manger (Luke 2:8–18) and elementary children learn about the angel appearing to Mary, telling Mary that she had found favor with God and would bear a son, Jesus. (Luke 1:26-38)

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13

Third Sunday in Advent

9:30 a.m. Coffee & Conversation

9:45 a.m. Church School

11 a.m. Worship/Great Music of Christmas 2

12:15 p.m. Officer Training

12 noon Fellowship

7 p.m. Couples Group

MONDAY, DECEMBER 14

7 p.m. MLPA

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15

6:30 p.m. Weight Watchers

7 p.m. Bridge

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16

9:15 p.m. MPP Carols and Coffee

7 p.m. Chancel Choir

7:30 p.m. Venture Crew

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17

6:30 p.m. Prayer Group

7 p.m. Handbell Choir

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18

12 noon Staff Christmas Luncheon

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19

8:15 a.m. Weight Watchers

9 a.m. Christmas Pageant Rehearsal

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20

Fourth Sunday in Advent

9:30 a.m. Coffee & Conversation

9:45 a.m. Church School

11 a.m. Worship/Baptism

12 noon Fellowship

5 p.m. Christmas Pageant, Chili Dinner, and Carol Sing