At The Crossroads
December 2017 Newsletter from Crossroads UMC
Advent is a Season of Prayer
A woman at a seminar on spiritual growth said, “People who aren’t comfortable praying either don’t know how to pray or they don’t know to whom they are praying." I chewed on that awhile. You should, too.
I know a lot of people who aren’t comfortable praying. The comedian Garrison Keillor said, “Methodists believe in prayer, but would practically die if asked to pray out loud.” It’s true. I find that when I ask for someone in a group to bless the food or close the meeting there is always dead silence. I adapted the old “spin-the-bottle” party game to “spinning the pencil” to decide who should pray after a Bible Study.
The Apostle Paul said, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Phillipians 4:6. I took his advice and prayed about how to address our discomfort around prayer. A four-week series on prayer was born. Coincidently, four weeks of Advent begins this Sunday!
This year Advent squeezes in its last week on Christmas Eve Day. Christmas feels even more rushed as a result. There is no better time to prepare ourselves for Christmas than by focusing on prayer. This will stand in contrast to how we prepare for Christmas rushing around buying gifts, attending parties, and organizing family gatherings. Prayer slows us down and invites us to have the most important conversation you’ll ever have—a prayer to God.
Each week we will look at prayer in a variety of ways:
- December 3rd is Advent Prayers—In Despair
- December 10th is Advent Prayers—Through our Tears
- December 17th is Advent Prayers—With Great Joy
- December 24th is Advent Prayers—For All God’s Children
I will also be adding a special act of worship this Advent—Candle Lighting. It is like the old practice of lighting a candle for someone. You may have seen this practice in Roman Catholic or Episcopal churches. Each week at our church, prayers of the people will have extended time. During prayer time you will have the opportunity to light a candle as symbol of your prayer to God.
Prepare the way of the Lord with prayer this season of Advent.
In Christ,
UPCOMING EVENTS
United Methodist Children's Home Wish List
Breakfast for Dinner with Santa
Come and enjoy Breakfast for Dinner with Santa, Wednesday, December 6th, 5:30pm-7:00pm. Kids will enjoy games, having a photo made with Santa, making crafts, and secret shopping for parents gifts! The cost is $5.00 per person and $15.00 per family. In place of our regular Wednesday Night Supper, you can come have Breakfast for Dinner with Santa! Volunteers are needed. Sign up in the Narthex if you would like to help. All volunteers should be here by 5:00pm on December 6th.
Oxford Carolers to Sing December 10th
The Oxford Carolers, a talented group of teenage musicians in grades 10-12, will provide special music during the 11:00am worship service on December 10th. The ensemble is sponsored by the Arts Association of Newton County and is directed by Mary Lynn Luke.
Pastor's Open House
Address: 2107 Tuck Dr. Conyers, GA 30012. Carpool to save parking space in our cul-de-sac.
United Methodist Women Christmas Party
Chancel Choir Christmas Cantata
The Chancel Choir of Crossroads UMC invites you to its presentation of “Come Let Us Adore” on Sunday, December 17th. This beautiful Cantata is accompanied by a short drama telling the story of how a grandfather’s prayers and an old nativity set changed a young girl’s life forever.
Homemade Christmas cookies, coffee, and ‘wassail’ will be served in the Youth Room beginning at 6:00pm. The Quilters will display beautiful Christmas Quilts throughout the halls and several nativity scenes will be on display in the Sanctuary.
The musical portion of the evening will begin at 7:00pm. Come enjoy a special night of music and fellowship!
Crossroads Youth News
Dec. 6th Service Opportunity: 5pm-7pm--Helping out with Breakfast for Dinner with Santa
Dec. 13th Regular Gathering 5pm-7pm--Healthy Relationships
Dec. 19th Tuesday Christmas Party--5pm-8pm
- The Priess' are hosting: 1128 McCoy Drive, Conyers, GA 30094. Tacky Christmas Sweater Night is the theme! Girls responsible for appetizers and the boys responsible for dessert.
Dec. 27th Christmas Break--Not meeting
January 3rd--Regular Gathering 5pm-7pm--Topic to be determined
Christmas Eve Services
Sunday, December 24th at 10:00am will will have a combined worship service
At 4:00pm we will enjoy a night of candlelight worship and communion. It will be a night for the whole family to come and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.
ONGOING MINISTRIES
Men's Club Breakfast
Rockdale County Emergency Relief Food Bank.
On the 1st Sunday of each month we collect donations for the Rockdale County Emergency Relief Food Bank. If you would like to donate, please leave your items on the cart in the Narthex Sunday, December 3rd. For the month ofDecember, items that are most needed are:
Stuffing
Chicken Broth
Gravy
Instant Mashed Potatoes (Mashed, Au Gratin, or Scalloped)
Cranberry Sauce
Carnation Evaporated Milk
Pumpkin Pie Mix (Canned)
Grits (Individual Packets)
Ramen Noodles
Elbow Noodles
Fruits
Spaghetti Sauce & Pasta
Jello or Pudding (Boxed)
HAPPY HEARTS
Retired and inspired members of the church normally gather the 1st Friday of every month at O'Charley's. Join us Friday, December 1st at 11:30am.
CLEO's
“CLEO" (Christian Ladies Eating Out) meets the first Tuesday of every month. We will meet this month on December 5th, 12:00pm at Mandarin Garden.
The Walton Gang Breakfast
Children's Choir
Rehersal every Wednesday at 5:00pm for children ages Kindergarten– 5th grade.
Kids Club
Calling All Kids!
Kindergarten through 5th graders meet every Wednesday at 6:00pm. This is a time of fun, games, refreshments and learning the Bible in a fun way. The kids are earning badges for learning their Bible verses and everyone will get a sash to put their badges on so they can wear them each week.
Exploring Arts
The Piecemakers
Promise Keepers Breakfast
December Worship Volunteers
December 3
8:45am
Scripture Reader: Bruce Carey
Holy Communion: Joel & Nancy Crissman
11:00am
Scripture Reader: Pat Harwell
Acolytes: Lily Moon, Sadie Moon
Holy Communion: Stephanie & Marty Boyd, Paul Wine
Audio Tech: Theresa Jones (Kathy Edwards training)
Video Tech: Fred Watson
December 10
8:45am
Scripture Reader: David Copple
11:00am
Scripture Reader: Jim Miller
Acolytes: Mayce Page, Caylee Compton
Audio Tech: Kathy Edwards
Video Tech: Reggie Charles
December 17
8:45am
Scripture Reader: Joel Crissman
11:00am
Scripture Reader: Sandra Rodrick
Acolytes: Ben Helton, Sarah Sinclair
Audio Tech: Debbie Carney
Video Tech: Michelle Sinclair
December 24
8:45am
Scripture Reader: Brandon Thomas
11:00am
Scripture Reader: Julian Harwwell
Acolytes: Savannah Martin, Evan Boyd
Audio Tech: Reggie Charles
Video Tech: Sandra Rodrick
December 31
8:45am
Scripture Reader: Artis Spencer
11:00am
Scripture Reader: Charlene Hutson
Acolytes: Lilly Moon, Sadie Moon
Audio Tech: Susan Smith
Video Tech: Debbie Carney
January 7
8:45am
Scripture Reader: Pat Harwell
Holy Communion: Grady & Roxanne Dukes
11:00am
Scripture Reader: Abbie Walter
Acolytes: Mayce Page, Caylee Compton
Holy Communion: Brenda Edwards, Kim Rowe, Sandra Rodrick
Audio Tech: Theresa Jones
Video Tech: Fred Watson
Crossroads Shut-In List
Many of you have asked about our church members and friends who can no longer make it to Sunday Services and other fellowship events. Below is a current list with contact information if you would like to reach out to them. We ask that you keep them all in your prayers and thoughts. If you would like to add someone to the list, please contact the church office.
Barbara Finlayson
Remington House Apt. 8a
1504 Renaissance Drive
Conyers, GA 30012
678-562-4068
Ruby Straley
1611 Pratt Rd
Covington, Ga 30014
770-786-2599
Nora Pelowski
1358 Manchester Dr
Bristol Village - Room 230
Conyers, GA 30012
770-760-8269
Effe Ashong
1500 Callaway Loop
Conyers, GA 30012
770-760-1075
Donna Peek
131 Vickery Dr.
Central, SC 29631
Happy Birthday! December 2017
December Birthdays
Natalee Dukes 12/04
Sora Rose 12/04
Lianne Ashton 12/07
Rachael Carver 12/08
Martha Hopkins 12/09
David Smith 12/10
Brandon Rose 12/11
Chizo Okafor 12/12
Tim Willis 12/12
Paul Wine 12/12
Taylor Swift 12/13
Amy Childers 12/15
David Lea 12/15
Benjamin Helton 12/16
Devon Silvey 12/16
Tanya Hunt 12/17
Leigh Martin 12/18
Brad Pitt 12/18
Joel Crissman 12/20
Charles Walton 12/21
Allison Luke 12/21
Karen Floyd 12/23
Shiree Nation 12/24
Bonny Watson 12/24
Jesus of Nazareth 12/25
Gerald Dean 12/25
Bobby Hanson 12/25
Jimmy Buffet 12/25
Brenda Hutson 12/28
Joyce Robinson 12/30
Thomas White 12/31
January 2018 Newsletter Deadline
The deadline to get information into the January 2108 Newsletter is Tuesday, December 26th. Submit all articles, information, and pictures to secretary@crossroadsumc.net or call 770-388-7438. If you wish to receive a mailed copy of the church's monthly newsletter, please contact the church office at secretary@crossroadsumc.net or 770-388-7438.
Crossroads United Methodist Church
Office Hours
Monday - Thursday
9:00AM - 2:00PM
Email: secretary@crossroadsumc.net
Website: www.crossroadsumc.net
Location: 2460 State Highway 138, Conyers, GA, United States
Phone: 770-388-7438
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Crossroads-UMC-Conyers/227593134052091