WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY, BAPTISM THIS SUNDAY, YOUTH GROUP NEWS, THANK YOU, ADVENT/CHRISTMAS SEASON, GIFT OF SECURITIES, BIBLE SERIES, RETHINKING WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS, SHEARITH ISRAEL, FELLOWSHIP IN JANUARY, TAI CHI, CONGRATULATIONS TO, CHRISTIAN EDUCATION, THIS WEEK AT MORNINGSIDE, GIVING UPDATE, PLEDGE UPDATE

Life@Morningside

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Sunday, December 18, 2011

Dr. Baron Mullis preaching

"Here Am I"

Texts: Luke 1:26-38; Luke 1:46b-55

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BAPTISM THIS SUNDAY

Alexander Stuart Holland, son of Betsy and Jason Holland, will receive the sacrament of baptism this morning.

YOUTH GROUP NEWS

This Sunday, December 18, MPC Youth will help serve dinner following the Christmas Pageant, meeting from 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m. MPC Youth will not meet December 25 or January 1. Happy Holidays!

THANK YOU

Our sincere thanks to the Morningside Flower Guild for the amazing decorations you see around you!  Please take a moment to personally thank Georgia Marshall, Robert Marshall, Philip Hawkins, Nancy Coomes, Nancy Chambers, Nancy Anderson, Andy Anderson, Sarah Brownlee, Richard Brownlee, Miranda Brownlee, Ruthlyn Newell, Lynn Daniel, Anne Menefee, and Doug Self.  Their tireless hours of preparing our sanctuary and building create the wonderful environment we enjoy!

ADVENT/CHRISTMAS SEASON

Carol Sing at Soup & Chili Dinner

Following the Christmas Pageant this evening at 5 p.m., we enjoy a delicious chili and soup dinner with a Carol Sing led by Walter Huff in Fellowship Hall. Come enjoy a simple meal and the spirit of the season!  You are also invited to bring coats, hats, scarves, gloves, and slippers to the Carol Sing for the women at Shearith Israel Shelter.

Church Office

The church office will be closed Friday, December 23 and Monday, December 26 in observance of the Christmas holidays.

Children’s Christmas Eve Service

All are welcome to this family-friendly service with Handbells, Young Liturgists and a story by Baron Mullis at 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 24 (nursery provided).

Saturday-December 24, 8 p.m.

Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols

Experience one of Atlanta’s great Christmas Eve traditions as our Chancel Choir, choir alumni and guest instrumentalists combine in offering an evening rich with variety, drama, and the beauty of our candlelit sanctuary. Childcare provided.

Sunday-December 25, 11 a.m.

Coffee and Conversation begins at 10:30 a.m.; Family Worship at 11 a.m. (no children’s programs; nursery available.)

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GIFTS OF SECURITIES

A number of Morningsiders choose to fulfill their annual pledge or make special gifts to Morningside through the gift of stock or other securities rather than cash.  We are always happy to accept such gifts; we ask only that you notify MPC Treasurer Randy Parrish when you initiate a transfer of securities so that we can make sure you receive proper credit for your gift.  Should you have questions or wish to make a gift of securities, e-mail Randall.parrish@inginvestment.com or call 770.690.4745. We thank you for your continuing support of the work and ministry of Morningside.

BIBLE SERIES

While this series is taking a short break for the remainder of the year, class will resume Sunday, January 8, 2012 with a study of the Pauline letters, starting with Paul's letter to the Romans which is one of the hallmarks of his writings. Class begins at 9:45 a.m. in Room 107. All are welcome.

RETHINKING WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS

The women of Morningside and friends from around the neighborhood and the city are invited to join Joanna Adams in a new Bible Study beginning in January.  Mark your calendars for: January 11; February 8, March 14, April 11, May 9, and June 20. Bible study brochures with more information are available in the Narthex and Welcome Center.  The class will meet in Room 201 at 10 a.m. Childcare provided by reservation. Contact Anna Best in the church office.

SHEARITH ISRAEL

This year, MPC will provide overnight volunteers to support the SIS women’s shelter for 10 days in January (Jan. 7 through Jan. 16). Volunteers stay at the shelter 6 p.m. to 6:45 a.m. To reserve your favorite night or for more information, contact MPC Shepherd Becky Meadearis at Becky.M.Medearis @Wellsfargo.com or sign up on the Mission bulletin board.

FELLOWSHIP IN JANUARY

MPC pilgrims to Haiti will share about their October trip during Fellowship Hour on January 8.  Plan on staying to hear about their experiences.

TAI CHI

Tai Chi instruction and practice at MPC resumes  Tuesday, January 10, 2012. Instruction by Bob Wells and Doris Williams will be at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays in Fellowship Hall for eight weeks. We will build on what we have learned in previous classes. For further information or to sign up, contact Barbara Ray, 404.876.7892 or barbray@mindspring.com.

CONGRATULATIONS TO:

Kim and Hal Nuckols on the birth of their daughter, Caroline Ann Nuckols, on December 9 (Big sisters are Anna, Brooks, and Katharine.); and, to Patricia and Corbet Daniel on the birth of their daughter, Brenna Giuliana Daniel, on November 27. Big sister is Sophia and grandparents are Gaga and G-daddy (Lynn and Tom Daniel).

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AT MORNINGSIDE

Adult Sunday School Class

Next Sunday, December 25, we will not have Adult Sunday School Class; however, we will continue on January 8 with the curriculum “Feasting on the Word.” This curriculum explores the scripture reading that will be used in worship that morning.  It is edited by Barbara Brown Taylor and David Bartlett, both of whom have been guest preachers in our pulpit. The class meets at 9:45 a.m. in Room 201. All are welcome.

Children’s Classes

This morning, the preschool class will hear about the Wise Men and their journey in the story An Amazing Star. The K-1 and 2-3 grade classes will learn more about the shepherds visit with the newborn Jesus. Double Digits will consider how the shepherds might have celebrated Jesus’ birth.

THIS WEEK AT MORNINGSIDE

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18

Fourth Sunday of Advent

9:30 a.m. Coffee & Conversation

9:45 a.m. Church School

11 a.m. Worship with Baptism

12 noon Fellowship

12:15 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal

5 p.m. Christmas Pageant followed by Chili/Soup Dinner and Carol Sing

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19

9 a.m. MPP

6 p.m. Session Dinner and Meeting

7 p.m. Mandolin Society

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20

9 a.m. MPP

6:30 p.m.  Weight Watchers

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21

4 p.m. Children’s Christmas Eve Rehearsal

7 p.m. Small Group Bible Study; Chancel Choir

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22

6:30 p.m. Prayer Group

7 p.m. Handbell Choir

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23

Church Office Closed in observance of Christmas Holidays

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24

Christmas Eve

4 p.m. Family and Children’s Christmas Eve Service

8 p.m. Candlelight Christmas Eve Service of Lessons and Carols

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25

Christmas Day

10:30 a.m. Coffee & Conversation

11 a.m. Family Worship

GIVING UPDATE

Needed Weekly—$13,845                

Received 12/11/11—$21,371

Needed Year to Date—$692,263

Received Year to Date—$647,913

PLEDGE UPDATE

Number of current pledges-161

Amount currently pledged-$627,000

New increase-$15,000

New pledges-$73,000

Pledges not received-$107,000