A rocky start: those three words are what Martin Waters laughingly used to describe his

introduction to Myers Park Presbyterian. One of his earliest childhood memories is being pushed

through the hedges of his yard which adjoined the church’s property. Dressed in “a Little Lord

Fauntleroy suit,” he was told by his parents to

attend Sunday School.

From that day forward this church has been

an integral part of Martin’s life. The 88-year-old

describes decades when he alternated serving

as a deacon for six years and then as an elder for

10-year terms. “Today you couldn’t get anyone to

serve for that long. I probably wouldn’t do it either.

But I was honored to do it,” said Martin who has

been elected a church officer six times.

Martin, the active chairman of a real estate development company, has been a go-to- person

“on the money side of the church” working on annual and capital campaigns; served as the

Sunday School superintendent for more than a decade; and even taught youth Sunday School

one year. “I was no better than average. I’m usually good on my feet, but my option was not

renewed,” he said jokingly.

Today Martin is thankful “that so many people in our church have been brought into ministry.”

There is emotion in his voice as he says, “There are times, not every Sunday, but a high percentage

of times, when as worship concludes I want to raise my hands and say man I have been to church

today. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

Ready to engage in ministry and start your legacy? Go to serve.myersparkpres.org for ideas.

Ministry SpotlightMartin Waters

2501 Oxford PlaceCharlotte, NC 28207myersparkpres.org

The Word Sermon Series Dec. 7, 2014

New here? Welcome! Please sign the friendship register as it is passed to you. Also check out Discover Myers Park Presbyterian in the white pocket folders. Questions? Contact Susan, new member coordinator, at stome@myersparkpres.org.

facebook.com/myersparkpres

twitter.com/myersparkpres

instagram.com/myersparkpres

youtube.com/myersparkpres

GET CONNECTED

Breaking news. Exclusive content. Valuable insights. Our church’s online community is growing. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and check out our videos on YouTube. Get started by clicking on the icons at the bottom of the myersparkpres.org homepage.

Main............................myersparkpres.orgAdults.................adults.myersparkpres.org Children & Families....children.myersparkpres.orgCROSS Missions............cross.myersparkpres.org Ministry Opportunities...serve.myersparkpres.orgSermons...............................myersparkpres.orgWeekday School........weekday.myersparkpres.orgWellness............wellness.myersparkpres.orgYouth & Families.......... ..youth.myersparkpres.org

To submit a prayer request email care@myersparkpres.org or call 704.376.3695, prompt 4. If you would like a hospital visit, call 704.376.3695; for an afterhours emergency, select prompt 1.

WEBSITE & RESOURCES

Steve Eason, Pastor/Head of Staff

Von Clemans, Associate Pastor, Adult Education

Deborah Conner, Associate Pastor, Pastoral Care

Julie Hester, Associate Pastor, Children & Their Families

Millie Snyder, Executive Pastor

Michelle Thomas-Bush, Associate Pastor, Youth & Families

Derek Macleod, Director of Outreach

Lee Northcutt, Director of Music Ministries

Michael Grant, Organist

Chuck Jones, Celebrate Music Coordinator

View all of our staff at myersparkpres.org.

STAFF

“Members in ministry have allowed us to multiply our impact here and around the world.”

Myers Park Presbyterian Church: Serve & Grow // Dec. 7, 2014

Women’s Christmas Communion, Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., narthex – celebrate together in this time-honored tradition. The event includes a coffee social; worship led by Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care Deborah Conner; and a light lunch. Childcare is available upon request by contacting saustin@myersparkpres.org.

Dec. 14, 8:45 & 11 a.m., sanctuary and Oxford HallCelebrate the joy of this Advent season with music as we prepare for, and reflect on, the birth of Jesus Christ. Next Sunday, our chancel choir and a full orchestra will lead sanctuary worship, while the Celebrate band and singers retell the story of Christmas through Precious Child in Oxford Hall. Together in worship we can experience the true meaning of Immanuel, God with us.

LOOKING FORWARDChristmas Poinsettia Sale, now through Dec. 10 – decorate the worship spaces for the Advent season by purchasing a poinsettia in honor or memory of a loved one. Forms can be found in the narthex, welcome center, or online.

Why Religions are So Attached to the Winter Solstice, Dec. 18, 11:45 a.m., Covenant Presbyterian Church – attend this Mecklenburg Ministries’ Food for Thought presented by Rabbi Jonathan Freirich.

Wellness Gift Certificates – give the gift of fitness this Christmas. Stop by the outreach center front desk to purchase a gift certificate for a wellness membership or personal training sessions.

Ballroom Dance Classes, Jan. 5, 6 & 7 p.m., outreach center – surprise your spouse by learning a new dance together. The beginner class starts at 6 p.m. and intermediate begins at 7 p.m.

Parent Meeting for Youth Summer Trips, Jan. 11, 2015, 9:45-10:45 a.m., room A-104 – mark your calendar for this informational meeting on summer 2015 youth and mission trips.

Consignment Sale, Feb. 28, 2015 – save the date.

Serve &

Grow

ADDITIONAL SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

…where your greatest passion meets the world’s greatest needs

EVERY MEMBER HAS A MINISTRY Offering – contribute to today’s 10-Cents-A-Meal loose offering; see details in far left column.

Global Gift Catalog, 9:45-11 a.m., – answer real needs with life-changing gifts from the global gift catalog. Instead of giving a sweater or tie to a loved one, consider a gift in their honor that will bless our brothers and sisters in Christ. Catalogs are available at the reception desk or online at serve.myersparkpres.org/world/global-gift-catalog. Note that individuals who purchased global gifts of $25+ can pick up their Hungarian honey in the welcome center after the 8 a.m. service and before the 11 a.m. service.

Book Discussion, 12:15-1:30 p.m., room A-102 – join this discussion of Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammed Cross the Road? led by Associate Pastor for Adult Education Von Clemans.

First Sunday Food Drive – drop off your food donations today in the labeled welcome center bins and help restock the pantry at Loaves and Fishes.

Confirmation, 5-6:30 p.m., Providence Hall – hear Associate Pastor for Adult Education Von Clemans share his faith story.

Youth Class Dinners, 5-6:30 p.m., locations vary – share a meal and fellowship with your grade. Find out where your grade is meeting at youth.myersparkpres.org/youth-activities/class-dinners.

COMMIT 2015 – remember that there is still time to make your 2015 financial commitment online at myersparkpres.org/give. You also may return your commitment card to the church office or place it in the offering plate. Note that the next pledging partner list will be distributed on Dec. 14. Thanks to all who are continuing this church’s legacy of generosity. Questions? Contact Sean at smitchell@myersparkpres.org.

TODAY

Did you know?

• Today’s 10-Cents-A-Meal offering funds hunger relief and at-risk youth programming.

• All donations will go to organizations within the boundaries of the Charlotte Presbytery including Mecklenburg, Union and Cabarrus Counties as well as four other neighboring counties.

• Local beneficiaries include Charlotte Family Housing, Charlotte Rescue Mission, Urban Ministry Center, Samaritan House, Loaves and Fishes, A Child’s Place and many more.

• In 2013, our church raised $23,952 for 10-Cents-A-Meal. That year, the program raised a total of $214,000.

Want to help fight hunger and support at-risk youth? Donate to today’s loose offering. Last week $2,808 was collected for the Jubilee Christmas Store to benefit Charlotte Family Housing families.

We extend our sympathy to Linda Lee Stanley on the death of her mother

Billingsville Leadership Academy Reading Buddies NeededTake the challenge and help improve a child’s lifelong ability to learn. Our goal: providing reading buddies for 40 Billingsville third-graders. Just one hour of your time weekly is required, Monday-Thursday, from 12:15-1:15 p.m. The next training session will be Dec. 10, from 12-1 p.m., in the school’s media center. Sign up by contacting Shontilia at shontilia.guy@cms.k12.nc.us.

A Season of Transition, A Season of Prayer – join the elders in churchwide prayer at 11:30 a.m. each day. No matter where you are or what you are doing, we ask that you join us in seeking the guidance and will of God during this time of transition. The prayer list for the upcoming week is as follows: Dec. 8 - individuals experiencing grief/loss; Dec. 9, Presbyterian Women; Dec. 10, Weekday School; Dec. 11, Sunday School teachers; Dec. 12, Bible study groups; Dec. 13, church staff; and Dec. 14, chancel choir. If you would like to receive a free text message reminder each day at 11:30 a.m., text the word @aseason to 81010.

Breakfast with Santa, Wednesday, 7:30-9 a.m., Oxford Hall – join the Weekday School for Christmas festivities and get your picture taken with Santa.

Holiday Hoopla: Art Show & Open House, Wednesday, 5-7 p.m., ArtWorks Studio at Urban Ministry Center – shop at this art show, holiday sale and 20th anniversary open house.

Youth Leader Christmas Party, Thursday, 7-9 p.m., LaFar home – celebrate at this adults-only Christmas party. Please RSVP by Dec. 9 to Kristal at youth@myersparkpres.org.

Photo Directories – pick up your directory at the reception desk today or this week .

Check out ongoing weekly activities at myersparkpres.org/events.THIS WEEK

Thank YouNote that your generous Jubilee Store donations enabled hundreds of Charlotte Family Housing families to budget, select and purchase Christmas gifts for their loved ones. Store proceeds will be recycled back into their microloan fund to help families during financial emergencies.

Men’s Tuesday Morning Bible Study, Tuesday, 7:15-8:15 a.m., room A-102 – explore the meaning of the Christmas story with an Advent study led by Associate Pastor for Adult Education Von Clemans. Join us Tuesdays in Decemeber, as we study the birth narratives of Jesus.

Sprout Outreach & Birthday Party for Jesus, Dec. 12, Providence Hall, 5-6:30 p.m. Foster a willingness to help the least of these by taking part in this family event. After a quick dinner, children – three years old through third-grade – and their parents will assemble care kits for our Room in the Inn guests and the Men’s Shelter of Charlotte. A brief birthday party for Jesus will follow. Donations of kit items should be placed in the welcome center bins by Dec. 11. Childcare will be available for younger siblings. Visit http://goo.gl/CHmNFx to register.

Supplies for Congo Feminine Hygiene Kits NeededPut your fabric remnants to good use. All-cotton fabric scraps will be used to help make hygiene kits for our Congolese sisters. Other items needed include gallon-sized press-and-seal Ziploc bags; colorful girls underwear, sizes 10-12; thin washcloths; and hotel size soaps. Place items in the labeled welcome center bin. Questions? Contact Frances at fquerywillis@gmail.com.

HOLIDAY SCHEDULEService of Remembrance and Hope, Monday, Dec. 8, 7 p.m., sanctuary – join us as we remember those whom we have lost and look to the hope we have in Jesus.

Christmas Festival, Dec. 17, 6 p.m., Oxford Hall – experience the Christmas story through our children’s choirs, handbell ensembles and Christmas pageant. Due to this event, there will be no Wednesday night dinner. Childcare will be provided.

Travelers’ Christmas Service, Dec. 18, 7 p.m., sanctuary – worship before holiday travels begin. Communion will be served and a reception will follow. Childcare will be available. Christmas Eve Services, Dec. 24, 2, 5, 8 and 11 p.m., sanctuary and Oxford Hall – worship in a family-friendly format at 2 and 5 p.m. with lessons, carols, our chancel choir and the Celebrate band. Experience candle lightings and traditional worship at 8 and 11 p.m. with the chancel choir and A Brass Act. Communion will be served at all services. Childcare will be available at 2 and 5 p.m.

Alternate Forms of GivingConsider donating your highly appreciated securities to the church as you plan your year-end giving. Another option would be utilizing the tax-free IRA distribution of up to $100,000 that can be given to a 501(C)3 organization like our church. For more information on creative year-end giving opportunities, contact Jim at 704.816.7297 or jholladay@myersparkpres.org.