WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY, THANK YOU, YOUTH GROUP, CHRISTMAS AT MORNINGSIDE, AN ADVENT DISCIPLINE OPPORTUNITY, GIFTS OF SECURITIES, HANDBELL CHOIR, WINTER DRAMA CAMP, SHEARITH ISRAEL SHELTER FOR WOMEN, MEDITATION GROUP FORMING, VOLUNTEER ON MLK JR. WEEKEND, CONGRATULATIONS TO, CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AT MORNINGSIDE, THIS WEEK AT MORNINGSIDE, GIVING AND ATTENDANCE UPDATE

Life@Morningside

December 16, 2012

Baron Mullis preaching

"What to Do?"

Texts: Zephaniah 3:14-20; Luke 1:39-55

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 Nancy and Andy Anderson, Sarah and Richard Brownlee, Carolyn Cobb, Nancy Coomes, Bonnie Daneker, Lynn Daniel, Philip Hawkins, Linda Jenkins, Georgia Marshall, Guerry Mashburn, Ruthlyn Newell, Doug Self, and Lynn Young. Their tireless hours of preparing our sanctuary and building create the wonderful environment we enjoy!

YOUTH GROUP

This evening the youth will help with setup and serving for the Soup & Chili Dinner following the Christmas Pageant. After tonight the youth will be on Christmas break resuming regular meetings on January 6. For more information, contact Chris Peters chrispeters@morningsidepc.org.

CHRISTMAS AT MORNINGSIDE

- PAGEANT & CAROL SING THIS EVENING
All are invited to attend the Annual Christmas Pageant this evening at 5 p.m. Doors open at 4:30. Be sure to allow time for parking and getting seated before lights go down. Then enjoy a simple meal of soup and chili followed by our Carol Sing led by Walter Huff in Fellowship Hall. We will collect new or gently used gloves, mittens, scarves, hats, women's coats, slippers, socks, Kosher coffee, tea, and hot chocolate for the women at Shearith Israel Shelter. Please bring items tonight or place them in the Welcome Center baskets through January 6.
- 4 P.M. EARLY CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP FOR FAMILIES
Elementary age children are invited to participate in the 4 p.m. Christmas Eve service as liturgists and nativity scene characters. You must be able to make a practice on Sunday, December 23,  from 3 to 5 p.m. and arrive at 3 p.m. on the 24th. If your child would like to be a part of this family-friendly service, contact Melinda Sandkam msandkam @morningsidepc.org by tomorrow, December 17. Children and grown-ups of all ages are welcome to attend! (A nursery is provided.)
- 8 P.M. CHRISTMAS EVE 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. (Doors open at 7:15 p.m.; childcare is  provided.)

AN ADVENT DISCIPLINE OPPORTUNITY

An Advent Meditation booklet, Branches of the Tree, by Jeff Stone is available in the Narthex and Welcome Center. Pick-up your copy and take a couple of quiet moments each day during Advent for reflection, contemplation, prayer and escape from the bustle of the holidays.

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. 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, email randyparrish@bellsouth.net or call 770.690.4745. We thank you for your continuing support of the work and ministry of Morningside.

HANDBELL CHOIR

The Morningside Handbell Choir starts a new rehearsal cycle January 3. Handbells are a great way to meet more people at Morningside and to contribute to the Music Ministry.  If you’re interested or have questions, please contact Jeff Peters, jeffcpeters@gmail.com.

WINTER DRAMA CAMP

Calling all 1st-5th graders! MPC is offering a Winter Drama Camp with four practices mid-January and a performance at the Congregational Lunch on February 3. The children will perform Max Lucado's “You Are Special” led by preschool teacher and theater major Amy Lowe. Registration form and $35 fee is due no later than Friday, January 3. Contact Program Director Melinda Sandkam regarding scholarship or for further details. The forms can be found on the MPC website or the bulletin board across from the nursery.

SHEARITH ISRAEL SHELTER FOR WOMEN

We continue to support the Shearith Israel Shelter for Women by providing volunteers each evening for 10 days in January. We will be providing two volunteers each night January 5-14, 6 to 10 p.m. to welcome the residents, serve dinner, clean up and prepare lunches for the following day as well as visit with the ladies. To sign up, see the bulletin board across from the office or contact MPC shepherd Becky Medearis becky.m.medearis@wellsfargo.com.

MEDITATION GROUP FORMING

Meditation is an ancient and widespread practice for calming the mind and clearing our perception. It is an effective, some would say indispensable, stepping stone into a deeper spiritual life and has been practiced in Christianity, as well as other traditions, for millennia. Members and guests of Morningside Presbyterian now have the opportunity to take up this valuable practice in a group setting that provides instruction, warm support, and benign discipline. We will begin Sunday, January 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Welcome Center. Contact Ken Sharpe kensharpe@bellsouth.net with questions.

VOLUNTEER ON MLK JR. WEEKEND

MPC will participate in assisting seniors with yard work, cleaning and small household repairs through Decatur’s MLK Service Project on Saturday, January 19, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.  Contact shepherds Jack Klotz jacksklotz@gmail.com or Lloyd Prince lloydprince@comcast.net to volunteer.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Andrew and Rebecca Stewart of the birth of their son, Joseph Henry Stewart, on December 3, 2012.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AT MORNINGSIDE

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS—9:45 A.M. IN ROOM 201

Next Sunday, December 23, our class will be led by Drew Stockstill, and his topic will be The History and Theology of Advent. Everyone is invited to join Morningside's Adult Sunday School class.

CHILDREN'S CLASSES

This Sunday, December 16, the Preschool Class will hear about the Wise Men and their journey in the story An Amazing Star. K-1st and 2nd-3rd grade will read Luke 1:26-38 to learn more about Mary. The Older Elementary Class will learn more about the Offering as a part of Worship.

THIS WEEK AT MORNINGSIDE

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16

9:30 a.m. Coffee & Conversation

9:45 a.m. Church School for all ages

11 a.m. Worship

12 noon Fellowship

1 p.m. Elders Training

2 p.m. Venture Crew

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

MONDAY, DECEMBER 17

9 a.m. MPP

6 p.m. Session Dinner and Meeting

7 p.m. Mandolin Society

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18

9 a.m. MPP

6:30 p.m. Weight Watchers

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19

9 a.m. MPP

7 p.m. Chancel Choir

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20

MPP Winter Break

6:30 p.m. Prayer Group

7 p.m. Handbell Choir

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21

MPP Winter Break

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22

Virginia Highland Christmas Run

9 a.m. AA Meeting

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23

9:30 a.m. Coffee & Conversation

9:45 a.m. Church School for all ages

11 a.m. Worship with Baptism & Handbells

12 noon Fellowship

12:15 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal

2 p.m. Venture Crew

3 p.m. Children’s Christmas Eve Rehearsal

GIVING AND ATTENDANCE UPDATE

Needed Weekly—$14,151

Received 12/9/12—$17,552

Needed Year to Date—$707,547

Received Year to Date—$699,419

WORSHIP COUNT—303