From Pastor Mike
What a blessing it was to share Christmas with my church family at Archdale United Methodist Church. Each expression of your love and caring warmed my spirit and reminded me what a privilege it is to be our pastor. I loved the Christmas cards we received. I was humbled and deeply moved by the gift the church presented to me. I cannot think of any better times of worship than what we all shared together during the Advent and Christmas seasons. I will never forget that wonderful Christmas Cantata with which the choir shared and blessed us. The best summation I can add is one voiced by Tiny Tim in Charles Dickens’ The Christmas Carol, “God bless us, everyone!”
And so, we move forth into the new year with all the excitement and hope generated from our joyous celebrations, we are energized as we look forward to new times of sharing the gospel and making a difference in the lives of those in our community and in our church. I pray that you are anxious to step into new ministries and new opportunities to share the love of Christ’s healing and transformation. The Stephen Ministers will be hosting a series of lunch meetings to highlight areas of mental health care and growth. These will be open to the church membership and friends. There will be more information shared on these meetings later. Our Women in Faith are making plans for new projects going into the new year and our Methodist Men will be meeting and working as well. The Children’s Sunday School class has a surprise gathering planned for the church and they will be sharing more details soon. As you can see, Archdale UMC is moving full steam ahead as we continue to share, minister, and make disciples.
I wanted to highlight these new projects as a way of getting you to start thinking about how you can take part in helping these endeavors be successful. Sometimes, we get comfortable in the few things we do and fail to branch out into something new and exciting. We may be afraid of trying something new. We may be afraid of new tasks because we might have to develop new skills. Maybe we are afraid of failing and someone saying something negative or hurtful to us. However, if we never take chances at new things and new tasks, we lose the chance to grow and develop as disciples. In fact, Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “if we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” I like to think if we will just try new ministries and step out in faith to share with others, Christ will come alongside us and strengthen us and empower us. Maybe that is a great way to begin the new year – doing something new for God so that He can do something new with us and in us. One of the greatest lessons of Advent and Christmas is IMMANUEL – “God with us.” Let’s ring in the new year with an ancient promise that has not lost its power. A promise that still transforms lives.
Churchwide Meeting:
On Sunday, January 8th starting at 6pm, there will be a churchwide meeting in the Fellowship Hall. This meeting is open to everyone to discuss and share their concerns about the issues that are facing the church.
You’re Invited to Lunch!!
Do you have times of sadness or loneliness? Do you have panic attacks or worry excessively? Join us on Wednesday, January 18, at 11:30am in the Fellowship Hall for a light meal and a discussion by Tom Barker, a licensed mental health counsellor with Sanctuary Counseling Group. Tom will discuss how Christian counseling works and who could benefit from it. Tom’s presentation will follow a light lunch. The session is presented by our Stephen Ministry and United Methodist Men. Everyone is welcome.
Stephen Ministers are caring Christian friends who listen, understand, accept, and pray for and with those who are working through a crisis or a tough time. If you would like to talk with a Stephen Minister or know some one who would benefit from having a Stephen Minister meet with them, please contact our Pastor or a Stephen Minister: Peggy Johnson or Greg Mollenkopf.
Our Stephen Ministers are here to care for you!
Where We Were Last Month
| Date | Offering Received | Budget Amount Received to Date | Budget Amount Needed to Date | Week# | Sunday School | Worship Attendance |
| 12/04/2022 | $13,282.00 | $273,262.06 | $305,016.18 | 49 | 92 | 102 |
| 12/11/2022 | $6,561.00 | $279,823.06 | $311,214.00 | 50 | 90 | 105 |
| 12/18/2022 | $11,560.13 | $291,383.19 | $317,465.82 | 51 | 74 | 125 |
| 12/25/2022 | $3,924.00 | $295,307.19 | $323,690.54 | 52 | 46 | 66 |
Building Fund
Given in December: $625.00
Received to date: $18,515.00
Remember our Homebound
Debbie Dean, Charles Dobbins, Amelia Evans, Mandy Forrester, Jack Hensley, Wayne McGavic, Jo Parker, Betty Roach, Nancy Roberts, Mary Jean Smith, Jackie Stroud
Our Homebound Members are very important members of our congregation. We would like to remind them they are remembered and thought of. If you would like to send them a birthday card, thinking of you card, or give them a call, this would mean so much to each of our Homebound Members.
Homebound December Birthdays
Jan 2 Mandy Forrester
c/o The Hope House 836 Joyce Street Asheboro, NC 27203
Please pray for those serving our country.
Matt Cain – US Army (family friend of the McGavics)
Spencer Dyson – US Marines (grandson of Don Miller)
Bryan Hayworth – US Coast Guard (brother of Jami Coggins)
Jospeh Hennessey – US Marines ( nephew & Godson of Steven Durr)
Ginniffer Hobbs – US Navy Sailor ( niece of David McKinney)
Richard Ivy – US Military, Louisiana (Lewis Stroud’s grandson)
Jake Lawrence – US Army (friend of Rebecca Kidd)
Daulton Rogers – US Marines (family friend of the McGavics)
Eric Schneider – Afghanistan (Donn & Rachel Jackson’s son-in-law)
Hailey Tompkins – (friend of Sandy Foster)
Zack Willey – US Army (Chuck & Jane Liebscher’s son-in-law)
“Save us, LORD our God, and bring us back from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.”
Psalm 106:47
Memorials
In Memory of Leonard Stroud
Given by:
Friendship SS Class
Bobbie Finch
Linda Game
Ed & Carolyn Lawrence
In Memory of Goldie Buchanan
Given by Ed & Carolyn Lawrence
In Memory of Norma Smith
Given by Ed & Carolyn Lawrence
In Memory of Martha Shives
Given by:
Betty Rader
Ed & Carolyn Lawrence
Honorariums
In Honor of Harold Shives
Given by Betty Rader
In Honor of the George Elder Sunday School Class Teachers:
Blain Alwran, Tom Anderson, Norman Askew, Sally Hord, Gary Hunt, Kay Nichols, & Marilyn Holtham
Given by the George Elder Sunday School Class
01/01 Sharon Crist
01/01 Trang Phan
01/01 Cade Hamilton
01/02 Mandy Forrester
01/03 Brittany Lax
01/04 Larry Lawson
01/05 Matthew Habib
01/07 Caleb Byerly
01/07 Marsha Gentry
01/07 Rory O’Connor
01/07 Zachary Orr
01/07 Marsha Sparks
01/08 Erica Graves
01/08 David McKinney
01/08 Charles Snyder
01/08 Kara Westmoreland
01/10 Robin Causey
01/11 Riley Beck
01/11 Noah Hunt
01/11 Dan McNally
01/12 Ryan Bradley
01/12 Fletcher Gallimore
01/13 Butch Robertson
01/13 Hannah Smith
01/14 Marcia Guffey
01/14 Brian Lowe
01/14 Gary Mitchell
01/14 Ben Walker
01/15 Jeremy Boles
01/16 Brook Herring
01/16 Tess Herring
01/16 Mark Prince
01/16 Carly Tickle
01/18 Rodney Dabbs
01/18 Charles Eurillo
01/18 Charles Gentry
01/18 Carol Hamilton
01/18 Marilyn Holtham
01/18 Conner Stanley
01/19 Bert Stone
01/19 Cymbre White
01/20 Libby Walters
01/21 Taylor Beck
01/21 Evelyn Habib
01/21 Lance McCall
01/21 Phil McDonald
01/21 Beth Ritter
01/23 Christa Webster
01/24 Denise Askew
01/24 Charles Brannon
01/24 Brooke Johnson
01/24 Rebecca Kidd
01/25 Donna Gross
01/25 Bob Kennedy
01/26 Steve Gaskey
01/26 Lauren Roberts
01/26 Steve Simpson
01/27 Finley O’Connor
01/28 Elizabeth Brannon
01/28 Kayla Dabbs
01/28 Pat Wood
01/29 Sophia Billings
01/29 Lindsay Grimmett
01/29 Jessica Page
01/30 Blain Alwran
01/30 Neal Eason
01/30 Tammy Gallimore
01/31 Merle Beverley
The Women in Faith have Apple Crisps (sugar & sugar-free) available in the church office for $10 each.
CONDOLENCES
– Kara Bingham, age 40, passed away December 8, 2022. Kara was the daughter of the late Rev. Keith Bingham and is survived by her mother, Rebecca “Becky” Bingham. Keith was the AUMC Pastor from 1986-1992. Becky was the AUMC Children’s Director During the time Keith was pastor. Kara is also survived by her sister, Jennifer Tosi. The Bingham Family have entrusted Roseboro’s Mortuary & Crematory in Charlotte.
– AUMC member, Trip Hale, lost his brother in law, Reginald “Reg” Keith Thigpen December 12, 2022. He was the brother of Trip’s wife, Donna. A celebration of life was held Tuesday, December 20, 2022 in Berry Hall at the Canterbury School in Greensboro, NC.
We sincerely express our deepest sympathy to these families and all who have lost a special loved one during 2022.
MEMBERSHIP
The annual membership report for 2022 will be due in early 2023. It is time to update all the Sunday School classes and church groups to prepare for this report.
During January contact will be made with all the classes and groups to update Archdale United Methodist Church records. We will need the member names and if they have actively participated during 2022. Your assistance in providing this information is crucial to accurate reporting for AUMC.
Shirley Cecil
Membership Secretary
JANUARY CALENDAR
JANUARY CALENDAR
Jan 2: New Year Holiday (Church Office Closed)
Jan 8: Churchwide Meeting at 6pm (Fellowship Hall)
Jan 12: Stephen Ministry at 7pm (Wesley Room)
Jan 14: Women in Faith General Meeting Both Circles will meet in the Community Room at 11am
Jan 18: Lunch & Presentation at 11:30am in the Fellowship Hall Presented by the Stephen Ministry & United Methodist Men
Every Sunday:
Sunday School – 9:45am
Worship Service – 10:45am
Every Wednesday:
Choir Practice – 7pm
