December 14, 2006

Happy Birthday!…You are invited to a very special 5^th Birthday celebration!  In 2001, with the permission of Dr. Seuss’ estate, direct mail postcards bearing the image of the Grinch announced the birth of a new church in Charlotte’s South Perimeter.  Recipients were invited to worship with Church of the Beloved and experience that Christmas is “something more than can be found in a store.”  In the five years since the Grinch appeared on Beloved’s direct mailer, this faith community has grown to over 200 people!

Church of the Beloved’s 5^th Birthday Celebration will begin on Christmas Eve and will continue through the Twelve Days of Christmas ending with the Epiphany Pageant on January 7^th.  Special birthday party favors will be an added treat.  If you are in town, we invite you to be a part of any or all of these festive celebrations:

• 7pm, Christmas Eve “Christ Mass” (December 24: seasonal music begins 30 minutes before worship and hot cider and Christmas cookies will be served afterwards)
• 5:30-9pm, 5^th Day of Christmas Open House (Friday, December 29^th, Harbin home)
• 9:30am, 7^th Day of Christmas New Year Blessing (December 31: bring your calendars, planners or PDAs to be blessed)
• 9:30am, Epiphany Pageant followed by a birthday party for Jesus (January 7)

Please note:  This year, December 24^th is both the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve.  Though Sunday morning’s worship will not be a Christmas celebration, please join us for worship and for the “Greening of the Church” (decorating) afterwards!

Around Beloved…Congratulations to Director of Music Dan Hood and Anna Napier who have announced their engagement to be married!  A June wedding is planned.

As Beloved’s significant birthday approaches, we invite you to consider giving a birthday present to Jesus.  Since its 2001 inauguration, annual gifts to Giving to Christ at Christmas have made a dramatic impact for the gospel of Jesus Christ ($31,500+), both here and around the world.  Our efforts have reached far beyond Charlotte to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, and to Africa.  We have assisted those in our community who lacked food, shelter, clothing and basic utilities.  The physical survival and spiritual lives of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of children and adults around the world have been forever transformed by these generous gifts to the Christ Child! To see where these dollars have gone, click here.

This year, a friend of Beloved, celebrating this milestone birthday and passionately believing in Beloved’s mission and future, has given a $15,000 gift to Jesus, designated for the future work of Beloved, with a challenge to match or exceed it.  Would you consider a $5, $50 or $500 birthday gift to the Christ Child this year to be used by Beloved to reach others in Charlotte’s South Perimeter with the love of Jesus?  As part of our collective gratitude for the Spirit-led growth of Beloved, a tithe of the funds received will go towards a new church to be planted in North Fredericksburg in the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia.

Last Sunday…Attendance: 104; Basket Offering: $4,619

Serving at God’s Altar this Sunday…Angel Army Team 5 (Captain: Steve Todd; Administrator: Frank Reid; Pastor: Mary Reid; Convener: Tom Friend); Acolytes: Forrest Boylston, Hailey Boylston, Ashley Fox, Emily Scheppegrell; Altar Bread Baker: Kris Leinenkugel; Lay Eucharistic Ministers: Al Krantz & Kris Leinenkugel; Offertory Basket Passers: Joseph Duty; Hannah Friend; Emma Kraft, Katie Kraft; PowerPoint: Miles Harbin; Presenters: Dave & Penny Crawford; Reader: Liz Wilson

This Sunday’s Scripture Readings…Zephaniah 3:14-20 & Luke 3:7-18

In our Prayers…Michelle Dezzutto‘s sister, Joan…Carson King…Ben Doyon…Elizabeth, Shari Wynn‘s sister…Bob, Lee Frickhoeffer‘s uncle…Phyllis, Linda Mellon‘s mother…Mike, Dick Reif’s brother; Joe, Michele Nichol’s father; Melissa, Donna Elyea’s cousin; Viola, Todd Atwood‘s grandmother…Emily, Nancy and Tony Hodgson's granddaughter…Michel, Catherine Atwood’s father…those serving in Iraq, especially Bob, Clifford King Harbin‘s nephew, Jared, Wes and Michele Nichols’ nephew; Ron, Marilyn Doyon‘s brother-in-law...Palmer, Betsy Fox’s teenage cousin…Jessie Powell, Janie Lownes...Bertie, Bonnie Lowder’s mother…Ed and Jean, Dick Reif's parents…Penny Crawford and Chris Morley as they seek permanent employment...the staff and students of Community House Middle School.

Upcoming Calendar…click here