WELCOME VISITORS If you are worshiping here for the first time today, welcome! We are glad to have you with us. Please fill out a visitor information card, located on the right as you enter the chapel.
GUEST PREACHER ROBERT GAMBLE Today we are honored to welcome to the pulpit the Rev. Dr. Robert Gamble, Director of This Child Here, a ministry to displaced Ukrainian families and children. He is accompanied by Program Manager Olya Balaban. Following the service, you are invited to remain for a brief time of Q&A, during which we will have the opportunity to see very brief videos of the work being done by This Child Here, a validated ministry of the Presbyterian Church USA.
OFFERING Plates are available just inside the doors to the chapel as you enter and exit. Our gifts take many forms: open-hearted presence here, voices lifted in song, the prayers that rise in us, the material gifts we share with neighbors, and our willingness to live in a world as allies and advocates for those whose needs are overlooked. The monies we bring symbolize the offering of our lives in all circumstances.
A separate labeled basket is available each week to receive Our Daily Change offerings, formerly known as Five Cents a Meal hunger offering.
STEWARDSHIP Stewardship season is underway. If you did not receive a letter in the mail this week, additional copies are available in the narthex that include the form to indicate your commitment. There are also copies of the budget and a box to receive your completed forms. We are grateful for all the ways you show your support and love in this place.
ADULT EDUCATION CLASS Together we read books, watch videos, listen to speakers, and have lively conversations. It’s a great opportunity to get to know folks better and expand our knowledge and perspectives. All are welcome. We meet Sundays at 9:30 in the Adult Education class at the end of the hall in the administration building. Please contact Beth Meriwether at (828) 777-2867 or bethmeriwether@gmail.com if you have questions or need more information. Join us!
COMMUNITY JOYS AND CONCERNS: If you would like to add or update a prayer request, please contact the church office.
We celebrate: Sharon Lytle and her team of willing companions who offered a lovely soup luncheon after church last Sunday ⸰ Sarah Anne Eller for updating photos for our online church directory.
We remember in prayer: Vernon Daugherty, Derron’s father, now receiving hospice care ⸰ all who continue to be affected by damage and loss caused by recent storms. In our congregation, we are aware that the homes of Andrew Tripp, Cindy and Dennis Riley, and Jackie Wintle sustained catastrophic damage, as did Bob, the father of Natalie’s partner Jeff ⸰ Donna Eagle Joslin, who broke her wrist on Oct. 6 and had a metal plate inserted on Oct. 18. ⸰ Amanda Branscombe, as she continues to recover from spinal fusion surgery ⸰Bill Christy, as he continues to heal following a heart transplant ⸰ Susan Laney, receiving therapy at home ⸰ Bubba Lytle, Rodney and Sharon’s son, making excellent progress recovering from a serious motorcycle accident ⸰ Thurman Slone, Joyce Cucinella’s brother, now under Hospice care ⸰ Carol Lee Joslin, Blake Joslin’s mother, suffering from Alzheimer’s ⸰ Jackie Ligon Cole ⸰ Pat Crumpler ⸰ Vernon Daugherty, Sr. (Derron’s father) ⸰ Martha Dugger ⸰ Rick Garrison ⸰ Houston Huggins (Beth Meriwether’s brother) ⸰ Erika Lytle ⸰ Fran Roberts’ sister-in-law,Linda Briggs ⸰ Jon Hettrick and his family⸰Marjorie Hettrick ⸰ Shane Reece (Nancy Garrison’s son) ⸰ Pat Wilson’s son,Kell
HURRICANE RELIEF The session has set up a designated fund to provide support to neighbors (within Buncombe County) most affected by Hurricane Helene. Initial allocations have been within the church and college community, but we are not restricted to those populations. You may give online or by check by designating Buncombe County Disaster Assistance. There is a longer handout in the narthex, which explains additional giving opportunities through the presbytery and denomination’s Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Fund.
TOGATHER “Come, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,” Matthew 11:28 – Jesus invites us to come to him and to come together to share our burdens and find rest. You are invited to join Beth Meriwether for a new group, Togather, meeting Thursdays, 6:30 to 7:30, in the Chapel Parlor, for a time of sharing, contemplation, and prayer. If interested, contact Beth at (828) 777-2867 or bethmeriwether@gmail.com.
HABITAT VOLUNTEER DAYS: NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER Volunteer work on Habitat House of Faith #4 in Arden has started and will continue through Dec. 14. Anyone willing to help is welcome and will be given tasks appropriate for them. If you have questions or would like to know more about this important mission project which our Church has supported for a very long time, please talk to Larry Griswold or contact him at larrygris@gmail.com.
FAITH COMMUNITIES ORGANIZING FOR SANCTUARY is re-forming to stand in solidarity with immigrant neighbors as challenges emerge in the coming months. If you would like to be part of this leadership team, you may contact the Reverend Sara Wilcox (Land of the Sky UCC) at sara@landoftheskychurch.org. See Jamie Dale for additional background information.
A/V TRAINING We are hoping to build a team of folks who are available to run the soundboard and live stream for our Sunday morning services. If you’re curious to know whether that might be a fit for you, training will be offered for 30-45 minutes after worship on December 15. If you have questions, see Margaret, and she’ll point you in the right direction.
DIRECTORY UPDATES We are working on updating our online directory, and we’d love to have you particiapte. Please review the paper printout in the narthex to see that your contact information is current. We’ll add any information you record there. We’d be glad for updated pictures. You may email a photo to Andrew in the office at andrew-tripp@warren-wilson.edu or see Sarah Anne Eller to have your picture taken today in the narthex!
NO THANKSGIVING DINNER AT THE CHURCH THIS YEAR Since we are without potable water, and the college will be serving a festive meal in the dining hall on Thanksgiving Day, we will not plan to host this year, but we hope to resume this tradition in 2025!
WASSAIL Come enjoy Wassail on Dec. 8th and meet Rev. Dr. LaurieFurr-Vancini,our new Transitional Pastor (as of January 1). Bring finger foods (h’ors d’oeuvres) to share, Congregational Life will be serving the Wassail punch. All are welcome!
COOKIES AND CAROLS On December 15 at 4:00 we will celebrate a festive holiday tradition: Cookies and Carols! Enjoy delicious Christmas treats and join in singing some favorite Christmas songs with the Warren Wilson Community.