Building a community guided by the Holy Scriptures, preparing it to reach out in word and deed, with faith, joy & compassion, spreading the message of hope through Jesus Christ while celebrating God’s everlasting love & grace.

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December 2015

CandleCandleCandleCandle----Trimming Trimming Trimming Trimming WorkshopWorkshopWorkshopWorkshop

December 6thDecember 6thDecember 6thDecember 6th

Light lunch served.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Handbell PracticeHandbell PracticeHandbell PracticeHandbell Practice Dec. 6th and 13th after worshipDec. 6th and 13th after worshipDec. 6th and 13th after worshipDec. 6th and 13th after worship

Dress Rehearsal on Dec. 20th if needed Questions? Speak with Ginger Bowman

December December December December

3, 4, & 5th3, 4, & 5th3, 4, & 5th3, 4, & 5th Volunteers

are needed for set-up, sales,

break-down and clean-up Call the church office

to volunteer!

Children’s Christmas Pageant!!Children’s Christmas Pageant!!Children’s Christmas Pageant!!Children’s Christmas Pageant!! ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~

Play RehearsalPlay RehearsalPlay RehearsalPlay Rehearsal Saturday, December 5th, 10 a.m.

Sunday, December 6thSunday, December 6thSunday, December 6thSunday, December 6th Children should be in the

Toddler Time classroom at 10:15 Toiletry Drive for “A Child’s Place”Toiletry Drive for “A Child’s Place”Toiletry Drive for “A Child’s Place”Toiletry Drive for “A Child’s Place”

toothpaste—deodorant—lotion—body wash deadline: this Sunday, the 6th

Congregational Congregational Congregational Congregational Christmas Love FeastChristmas Love FeastChristmas Love FeastChristmas Love Feast

Sunday, December 13th, 5 p.m.Sunday, December 13th, 5 p.m.Sunday, December 13th, 5 p.m.Sunday, December 13th, 5 p.m. ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~

Christmas Eve Love FeastsChristmas Eve Love FeastsChristmas Eve Love FeastsChristmas Eve Love Feasts 4:30 p.m. And 7:00 p.m.4:30 p.m. And 7:00 p.m.4:30 p.m. And 7:00 p.m.4:30 p.m. And 7:00 p.m.

Watch Night Silent Communion ServiceWatch Night Silent Communion ServiceWatch Night Silent Communion ServiceWatch Night Silent Communion Service December 31st, 7December 31st, 7December 31st, 7December 31st, 7----7:30 p.m.7:30 p.m.7:30 p.m.7:30 p.m.

The perfect time to thank God for the blessings of 2015,The perfect time to thank God for the blessings of 2015,The perfect time to thank God for the blessings of 2015,The perfect time to thank God for the blessings of 2015, and look ahead to 2016.and look ahead to 2016.and look ahead to 2016.and look ahead to 2016.

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children, ages 3-4 years — December Theme: A King is Born! Circle Time, Craft, Music, Bible Story, , Snack G.P.S.—children, Kindergarten through 4th grade December Theme: The Real Meaning of Christmas

youth, grades 5th through 8th Faith through Film, Talk Sheets, current events (will not meet on Joyful Noise Sundays)

9:30 a.m. each Sunday Wednesdays, 7-8 pm watch for the next offering of this class. Wednesdays, 7-8 pm ends 12/2

Classes for Every Age—Young & Old!

Morning Star Practices

begin Dec. 6th, at 9:45 a.m. in the

sanctuary for all children who

are interested in singing this beautiful hymn at our Christmas Lovefeasts.

Please email Jill Peters at jillian.peters@yahoo.com

if your child would like to participate.

They learned, shopped, & packed…They learned, shopped, & packed…They learned, shopped, & packed…They learned, shopped, & packed… 54 shoeboxes! 54 shoeboxes! 54 shoeboxes! 54 shoeboxes! (more photos on back page)

Poinsettias

in memory or honor of someone

$14.00 each

Deadline to order: Dec. 13th

Romans 8: 37-39 NIV

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from

the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

In our world in the 21st century, there probably is no more used and misunderstood word than love. The very concept of it often gets lost in the emotion which can cloud what it really is, and in the misuse of it, folks are often left broken. For people of the “Cross,” our marker is one of pledge and promise. Love that is dependable is a love that is true! Surely there are retreats or advances on either side of center; nevertheless the reality is that real love always returns from the edge, time and time again. Advent and Christmas are stark reminders of not only what real love is but what real love does. In this season of joy, we remember the One who has come to be one of us so that He ultimately can free us to be who God intended us to be, free from corruption and all the worldly concerns that hold us back. As the star rose in the East all those years ago and people looked to the heavens for redemption, we can rejoice once again in the sure knowledge that Emmanuel has come! In His Shadow, pC

Regional Council of Churches Regional Council of Churches Regional Council of Churches Regional Council of Churches NEWSNEWSNEWSNEWS

For the second time in as many years, our RCC participated in a wonderful Christmas Lovefeast at Taylor Glen Community, Concord. Thanks to all who helped. Palmetto Fellowship is having a Love Feast for the church that allows them to use their facilities on December 6th at 6 p.m. They are asking for volun-teers to help in various capacities, so if anyone is available, please join us at 233 Church St., Spartanburg, SC. Our 3rd Annual Chili Bowl for our RCC will be on February 6th, 2016 right here at New Beginnings. Please mark your calendars to taste award-winning chili and fellowship with our brothers & sisters. Questions? Speak with Judy Watkins or Rod Frye.

For a local family of four. Father is working full-time. Mother was very sick, hospitalized, and lost her job. They have two little children, and mom is asking for winter clothing for her babies. The struggle is real. How can you help? — choose a gift tag from the tree, purchase the item, and return it to the church by December 13th, UNWRAPPED, with the gift tag taped on. If we run out of gift tags? — purchase the gift of your choice and put it—UNWRAPPED—under the tree! Questions? Speak with Mac Goodrum.

CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS

MISSION MISSION MISSION MISSION

OPPORTUNITYOPPORTUNITYOPPORTUNITYOPPORTUNITY

HHHH EEEE AAAA LLLL TTTT HHHH BBBB EEEE AAAA TTTT

December is SAFE TOY and GIFTS MONTH In 2013, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimated that hospital emergency rooms across the country treated 265,700 toy-related injuries, compared to 265,000 the year before. And, 73 percent of those injuries were to children under the age of 15. In fact, approximately 83,700 were to those under 5 years of age. As with previous years, the most commonly injured part of the body is the head and face area, with the most common injuries being lacerations, contusions, or abrasions. The top three specifically identified toys associated with the most estimated injuries for all ages in 2013 were non-motorized scooters, toy balls and toy vehicles. Prevent Blindness, the nation’s oldest non-profit eye health and safety group, is offering tips to buy-ers to help make sure all gifts are safe, especially those intended for children.

Before purchasing a toy or gift, Prevent Blindness suggests: • Avoid toys that shoot or include parts that fly off. • Ask yourself or the parent if the toy is right for the child's ability and age. Consider whether other

smaller children may be in the home that may have access to the toy. • Avoid purchasing toys with sharp or rigid points, spikes, rods, or dangerous edges. • Buy toys that will withstand impact and not break into dangerous shards. • Look for the letters "ASTM." This designation means the product meets the national safety stan-

dards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). • Gifts of sports equipment should always be accompanied by protective gear (such as a basketball

along with eye goggles). • Don’t give toys with small parts to young children. Young kids tend to put things in their mouths,

increasing the risk of choking. If any part of a toy can fit in a toilet paper roll, the toy is not appropriate for children under the age of 3.

• Do not purchase toys with long strings or cords, especially for infants and very young children as these can become wrapped around a child’s neck.

• Always dispose of uninflated or broken balloons immediately. • Read all warnings and instructions on the box. • Always supervise children and demonstrate to them how to use their toys safely.

Source: Prevent Blindness : Purchase Safe Toys for the Holidays November 23, 2015.

— submitted by Martha Hauser

Around the Province… Laurel Ridge has set its Camp Schedule for 2016: All the regular camps will return again this year, and three new camps will be hosted from Higgins Lodge — Music Camp, July 10-16 for middle high students; J.O.Y. Camp, August 1-4 for “just older youth,” and the Adult Mission Camp, August 7-11 for those who want to help in n the High Country. Leadership Focus—Living the Essentials, February 27th at Fairfiew Moravian Church, W-S Bold Like Jesus: An Ecumenical Conference, January 21-23 at Christ Lutheran Church, Charlotte; Program details, schedule and registration info available at BoldLikeJesus.WordPress.com Lunchtime Lecture, December 10th, 250th Anniversary of Salem, part 2—Richard W. Starbuck; 12:15 at the Spaugh Lecture/Recital Hall, Archie K. Davis Center.

Treasurer’s Report — October 2015

Income:

Regular Offering $10,156.30

Building $100.00

Joyful Noise 77.42

Misc. 131.33

Total Income: $10,465.05

Expenses:

Admin. $ 8,435.65

Christian Education 66.01

Flowers 100.19

Insurance 994.02

Joyful Noise 50.00

Misc. 216.44

Mission 50.00

Mortgage 1336.00

Nursery 40.00

Office supplies 500.47

Postage 68.60

Telephone 162.25

Tithe 2,299.25

Utilities 403.50

Total Expenses $14,722.38

Budgeted Income YTD $164,610.00

Actual YTD 131,984.09

Budgeted Expenses YTD $164,610.00

Actual YTD 151,095.74

Change of schedule or closure will be announced on WBTV, and when possible, an email will be sent out as well. If you know someone without internet, please give them a call just to be sure they’re aware of the schedule change!

From Your Board: this year’s theme for devotions was Cooperation & Ministry.

Cooperation in Ministry With so many different biblical and theological interpreta-

tions in this world, for God’s word to flourish there must

exist an environment of mutual respect, courtesy and most

importantly, a love for one another. Our thoughts and

feelings may differ and that may cause fear, moreover just

as we observe differences in the natural world it should be

cause for joy and celebration. It is all part of the tapestry

and fabric of HIS design and by HIS presence, the church

in all its diversity is welded together in unity.

Cooperation makes it possible to join with others to re-

spond in loving action and share HIS love by imparting

our unique talents and gifts. The spiritual gifts are given

to equip believers for the work of ministry, to build up the

body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith

and of the knowledge of the son of God.

Loving Each Other Is Like Loving God

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and

with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great

and foremost commandment. Furthermore Jesus said

in Matthew 22:39, The second is like it "You shall love

your neighbor as yourself".

An opportunity to serve our Lord in any capacity is para-

doxically a chance to receive a spiritual gift from God.

The apostle Mark wrote in chapter 9 verse 40 …For who-

ever is not against us, is for us. (41) Truly I tell you, any-

one who gives you a cup of water in my name because you

belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.

So Cooperation is essential to unity as we are building a

community guided by the Holy Scriptures, preparing it to

reach out in word and deed, with faith, joy and compas-

sion, spreading the message of hope through Jesus Christ,

while celebrating God’s everlasting love and grace.

From the hymn “You’re our Strength and Motivation:”

Make our goal, our guiding aim,

that Jesus' church would thrive.

—submitted by Scott Snider

A Word from our Provincial Treasurer: Year End Contributions – If you would like to make a year-end donation to the Church, please remember that in order for a charitable contribution to be deducted in 2015, it must be “delivered” in 2015. This means that year end checks must be dated in 2015 and either physically delivered to the Church by year end or mailed and postmarked by December 31, 2015. Checks that are dated in 2015 but not mailed or delivered to the Church until 2016 should be treated as 2016 contributions. They should not be reflected on 2015 giving statements or deducted in 2015.

Page 6 New Beginnings Moravian Church

New Beginnings Moravian Church PO Box 2278 201 Seagle St. Huntersville, NC 28070-2278

“Stuff” this month…

December 3-5th— Christmas in Davidson

December 5th— Children’s Play Rehearsal, 10 a.m.

December 6th— Worship / Children’s Christmas Play, Candle Trimming

Toiletries for A Child’s Place deadline

December 13th— Worship /New Member Sunday

Congregational Christmas Love Feast, 5 pm

Poinsettia Ordering deadline

Hope Match Gift deadline

December 24th—Christmas Eve Love Feasts — 4:30 & 7:00 p.m.

December 31st — Watch Night Communion Service, 7:00 p.m.