WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY, SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM, CHRISTMAS PAGEANT, CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES, WINTER ITEMS NEEDED FOR SHEARITH ISRAEL, HOLIDAY SHOPPING FOR MISSION, STEWARDSHIP UPDATE, UNDECKING CREW OPPORTUNITY, A NEWSLETTER BREAK, TAI CHI, OUR SYMPATHY TO, CHRISTIAN EDUCATION, CALENDAR

Life@Morningside

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Sunday, December 20, 2009

Joanna Adams preaching

"In the Flesh"

Texts: Luke 1:39-45, Luke 1:46-56

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SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

Locke Arthur Attwood will be baptized this morning. Locke is the son of James and Eleanor Attwood.

CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

All are invited to attend the pageant at 5 p.m. this evening 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.

WINTER ITEMS NEEDED FOR SHEARITH ISRAEL

This evening 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 coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and slippers to help our neighbors have a better winter. For additional information, contact Amy DeBaets at amy.debaets@gmail.com.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING FOR MISSION

Knock out last minute 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.

STEWARDSHIP UPDATE

Morningside is blessed with over 165 households that have made a stewardship pledge for 2010.  Some have made a sacrifice in these difficult times to put the church first.  But we are still short of our goal.  If you are able to make a pledge, this week would be the time.  Please call the church office, or the Stewardship Chair, David Wingert (404.377.9008), with any questions.  Tomorrow evening, the Session meets to decide what MPC can do in the year ahead.

UNDECKING CREW OPPORTUNITY

Please help us un-decorate our Sanctuary on Tuesday, December 29 at 9:30 a.m. Un-decking is faster, requires somewhat less talent than decorating, and you can still serve in this important aspect of Life at Morningside. Please contact Georgia Marshall at 404.909.3477 or gkmarshall@gmail.com.

A NEWSLETTER BREAK

The activities of the Christmas season coupled with Joanna Adams’ retirement have combined into a January pause for the Morningside Messenger.

TAI CHI

There will be two Tai Chi practice classes meeting at the church once a week for eight weeks, beginning January 20, 2010.  The morning group will meet Wednesdays 10:30-11:30 a.m.  The evening group will meet Wednesdays 7-8 p.m.  The instructors will be Bob Wells and Doris Williams.  The "tuition" will be $50 for the eight weeks.  For further information or to get on the sign-up sheet, contact Barbara Ray, 404-876-7892, barbray@mindspring.com.

OUR SYMPATHY TO

Charles Bittick on the recent death of his mother.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AT MORNINGSIDE

The Bible Class

“Happy Holidays? Advent and Incarnation”

Next Sunday, December 27, Morningside's Bible Class will have a post-Christmas discussion on the meaning of the holiday season theologically and in our own lives. Has your attitude toward Advent and Christmas changed over the years? Hear the story of a man who plans 'the best Christmas Eve ever' and share your ideas for next year's celebration. The class will be led by Daisy Ottmann. The Morningside Bible Class meets each Sunday at 9:45 a.m. in Room 201. 

CHILDREN’S CLASSES

On each Sunday in December, all of the children’s classes hear the stories of Jesus’ birth. In today’s lesson for the preschoolers, the story tells about the wise men following the star to Bethlehem. (Matthew 2:1-12) The elementary age classes learn about the angels announcing the birth of the Messiah. (Luke 2:1–20)

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

MONDAY, DECEMBER 21

6 p.m. Session Dinner and Meeting

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22

6:30 p.m. Weight Watchers

7 p.m. Chancel Choir

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24

Church Offices Closed

4:30 p.m. Children and Family Christmas Eve Service

8 p.m. Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25

Church Offices Closed -Merry Christmas!

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26

8:15 a.m. Weight Watchers

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27

9:30 a.m. Coffee & Conversation

9:45 a.m. Church School

11 a.m. Worship

12 noon Fellowship