Southport UMC Newsletter

Dear Friends, I am writing this letter for the November newsletter in the third week of October.   As I am writing this letter, my mind is on the Advent and Christmas season.   Why?   One of the reasons is that I have just finished writing my sermons for all of Advent.   When I am writing Christmas sermons, it is hard not to think Christmas! So, since I’m in the Christmas spirit, let’s talk about something we are going to do once again this year. Over the past three years we have observed Operation Christmas Transformation.   Let me explain for those who are new to that term.   At Christmas time we spend a lot of time and money doing things for ourselves, family and friends.   That’s OK but whose birthday is it anyway?   The answer would be Jesus.   While we are taking care of ourselves at Christmas time, maybe we should think about giving Jesus a birthday gift as well. Operation Christmas Transformation is an opportunity to do just that.   We encourage people to spend a l

Make a Difference in Our Community Through Homecroft Elementary! The 2014 – 2015 school year is already well underway!   (In fact, the children are already back from fall break.)   If you were in worship September 25 or September 28, you saw and heard how we are partnering with Homecroft Elementary to make a difference.   Part of what we do is financial, and your gifts to FAITH PROMISE help support not only our ministry to Homecroft Elementary but other ministries are supported by FAITH PROMISE as well. However, our relationship with Homecroft Elementary is more than financial; it is also about making connections and relationships!   Here’s how: After School Achievers Club – the last two years on Thursday afternoons, we have had between three and eight people go to Homecroft to help children with homework (and just be an adult role model to them). H.O.P.E Mentor – Perry Township has a program called H.O.P.E. (Help Our Pupils Excel).   Last school year, we had fi

November brings several opportunities for serving, and many talents and gifts will be needed. Your participation in the following ministries will require a variety of responsibilities and time commitments. Additional information is available by contacting the church office, 784-9508. Beginning Sunday, November 2, we welcome guest families who are part of INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK. For a two-week period our church is their home in the evenings and overnight. We provide transportation to and from the IHN Day Center, an evening dinner, and adults from church who are hosts during their stay. In the mornings before the families leave for the Day Center, they have breakfast and prepare sack lunches. How can YOU help? ·   Transportation – driving the IHN van morning or evening ·   Preparing a dinner and enjoy eating with the families ·   Hosting during the evening spending time with the families ·   Hosting overnight providing a presence as families sleep (accommodations

Through HEALTH MINISTRY you can   share the “gift of life” at our next BLOOD DRIVE   Sunday, November 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Gathering Place. You can register at the Next Steps table November 13/16 and 20/23. A Health Ministry leader will be glad to answer any questions you may have about blood donations

JUBILEE CHRISTMAS is Saturday, December 13, and preparations are well underway. Through Jubilee we partner with over 25 Perry Township families so that they may experience some of the joy of the holidays. Since families have needs all year long and not just at Christmas, we continue the relationship throughout the year. Jubilee Hosts begin relationships with their families, listen for any immediate needs or hardships the family may have, and invite their Jubilee family to events and activities at church throughout the year. Jubilee children are invited to Vacation Bible School, families to the Community Fall Festival, seasonal opportunities, and to worship services and Children’s Church.   How can YOU help? Be a Jubilee host or partner with another Host. This is a great opportunity to show Christ’s love as you interact with your Jubilee family, be in relationship, and be their connection with our church. Shop for toys, wrapping supplies, personal care items, and a variety

There are many ways one can join the music ministry.  1) Join Chancel Choir.  The Chancel Choir sings for our traditional service at 8:15 a.m. Sunday mornings.  We will also be singing for our Christmas Eve Service at 11:00 p.m. with special    music provided at 10:30 p.m.  We could use all four parts in the choir: soprano, alto, tenor, bass.  There are no auditions. Everyone is welcome. Rehearsals are held each Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the Music Room. 2) Join Handbells:  The Handbells play approximately once a month for our traditional service on Sunday mornings at 8:15 a.m.   We will also be providing special music for our Christmas Eve service at 11:00 p.m. with special music provided at 10:30 p.m.  There are currently six members in our handbell, choir and we cordially invite more people to join so that we can grow our group.  We rehearse Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the music room.  There are no auditions, but knowing how to read music or an interest in l

On Sunday, November 9, 2014, the Boy Scouts from Troop 39 will have a table set up in the Gathering Place to hand out stars from retired American flags to veterans.   If you are a veteran, please stop by the boy scout table to receive a gift of gratitude for your service.

The final collections for the 2014 year are upon us.  So this is a reminder of the November and December donations.                 The November donations are saltine crackers and beans for soup.  They will be collected October 30 and November 2. The December donations are canned pastas.  They will be collected December 4 and 7.  And just a reminder of why we do these collections.          Christ Has No Body         Christ has no body but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours.  Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.