<Last Week Next Week>> (Update 12/14/03 1:40 PM)

Sunday, December 14, 2003

(Update at http://donredding.com/reader.html)

We missed you at the Thompson Breakfast and are sorry you missed some good fellowship. Sydnor (with Harriette’s help!) did his usual outstanding job with hospitality and the lesson.

Sydnor used the International Series and talked about “Preparing the Way.” He concluded the session by saying, “We have (today) talked about what we know of those who have gone before. We have talked about what we can do to be preparers of the way, but each of us must have an idea what we can do individually to help in preparing the way for others.”

During the discussion, the names we mentioned included John the Baptist of course, Martin Luther King, Bonnie Cone, and Billy Graham; and in our class/church we mentioned Dr. Ownbey, Harry Jones (Ownbey Class first teacher), Nancy Akers, Stan Brookshire, Herbert Hitch, Dick Thigpin, Julian Aldridge, and Sydnor Elkin for his work with Room in the Inn.

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You will be glad to know Skip reported that this week an anonymous giver contributed $1,500 to our Helping Hands Project Fund in addition to the amounts reflected in Carol Douglas’ report on pages 5 and 6. It was done by giving appreciated stock to the church and allocating a portion to Ownbey. Bless you. Thank you.

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Also, you missed a visit by the famous composer Giuseppe Verdi (Aida, La Traviata, Otello) who was in town to make a special presentation to Harriette Thompson. We were honored to have him visit the Ownbey Christmas Breakfast.

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Remember to come early next week (12/21) for fellowship and food with the Genesis Class next door and then listen to Lou’s Christmas Readings. We will provide ham and sausage biscuits, and Genesis is going to bring surprises also. We will be setup in the Hall. I will be calling this week to get an idea of the number. See you Sunday.

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“There are few events so satisfying as the pleasurable anticipation of the coming Christmas in the silence of the cold and snow without, and the warmth and happiness within.” For sure, this was true on 12/05 and 12/14!

Thanks to Tasha Tudor and Chick Thompson

Thompson’s Home at Christmas.

Hatfield’s Home at Christmas.

A) Welcome to Breakfast at the Thompson’s. Thanks to Harriette and Sydnor for the warm hospitality and to Sydnor for the lesson.

B) This Week: Breakfast at Thompson’s, H & H and HH Reports, Treasurer’s Report, Verdi visit, hymns, lesson.

20031228.html for script. Also, Celebration tapes are available from Santa and Don R.

D) News: :

1) Breakfast at Thompson’s, yeh!

2) Christmas Party: Great time Friday 12/05 at the Christmas Party at the Hatfield’s. Good crowd, but some folks missing. Food excellent, and Hatfield hospitality outstanding. Check out some fun pictures and Santa at http://donredding.com/pi.htm and then on Photo Island click

On” ‘03OwnbeyChristmasParty12/05”.

3) Lessons:

¨ 12/14 Sydnor provides hospitality and the lesson. 12/21 is the famous “Christmas with Lou” Bledsoe, and the Genesis Class from room 109 will join us for food, fellowship, and the lesson. We end the year 12/28 with Don Hammer’s surprise “Teachers Choice.” A schedule for the first three months of 2004 is being developed and will be available soon.

¨ Hope all will try to attend our December classes - bring house visitors with you.

2) Thanks to Chick for the Christmas Posters. They were a big hit at the Christmas party and in the Reader.

3) New church wide study event for lay leaders (that is all of us as far as I am concerned) January 10, 2004 based on book, Transforming Congregational Culture, by Anthony B. Robinson. Are you curious, as I am why some church authorities object to endowments? Or why “Discernment” is recommended over “democratic” decision making in churches. Might be a good book for us to study, quick read at 136 pages. See a review or order $13 at Amazon or Goodness Gracious $18.

4) Health and Happiness:

¨ Ellen Chason broke a rib last week but was at the Church Saturday morning working.

¨ Carol Needy still cannot shape the flu or cold big. She did receive a great doctor report 11/26.

¨ Allen Maxwell and Joe Hamrick were in class recently and looking good.

¨ Nancy Hatfield’s mom is having a hard time, and we appreciate the Hatfields hosting the Party during such a tough week.

5) Adults Plus!

¨ 12/03-04: Next meeting is music by Les in Sanctuary 12/17 10:30. Call Monday for lunch reservations.

6) December Birthdays – 12/02 Frances Hawn, 12/04 Reatha Andrew and Wilma Miller and Joyce Allen, 12/06 Oscar Moreno, 12/07 Judy Stinson, 12/11 Mrs. Ownbey, 12/15 Mel Halpern, 12/25 Jesus, !2/25 Bob Grogan, 12/31 Mel Allen.

E) Recent Visitor addresses for your Christmas card list. Rebecca Ferrell 6935 Beverly Springs Dr 28270; Yvonne Witner 2209 Cross Creek Rd Gastonia 28056; Ben Smith 515 Fenton Place 28207

F) Ted Bryan has an email address of tbryank51dg@aol.com

G) Carl Hawn - New address is Frances and Carl Hawn, 100 Silver Beach Ave #814, Daytona Beach, FL 32118, 386 257-5156

H) Are there more Corrections? (Corrections to your Yellow 08/10/03 Roster :)

Last	Hers	His	Address	Zip	Home Tel	Email
Andrew	Reatha		6456 Monteplier Rd	No change	No change	No change
Elkins	Grace	Syd	3800 Shamrock Dr	28215	532-7194	elkins3330@aol.com
Harris	Eleanor	Randy	4053 Arbor Way	28211-3803	364-3316	rharris3@carolina.rr.com
Hawn	Frances	Carl	100SilverBeachAve #814 Daytona Beach Fl	32118	386 2573156	none
Miller	Wilma		No change	No change	no change	wilmabmiller@aol.com
Pearce	Marie		3800 Shamrock Rd	28215	532-5367	mlp3306@yahoo.com
Pearce		Bill	3800 Shamrock Rd	28215	532-5367	wep1928@yahoo.com
Stanford	Madeline		4001 Quail Forest Drive, Apt B	28226	366-8586	No change

I) Calendar ++++++++++++++++++++ Please check the latest Cornerstone and on line MPUMC Calendar for lots of dates, events, service opportunities, and happenings. I cannot keep up with all of them right now. Sorry.

J) Remember next Sunday 12/21 is “Christmas with Lou” as he does his famous Christmas Readings. The Genesis Class will join us for sausage and ham biscuits and fellowship. Come early and wear your name tag. I hope you will make it be a crowded classroom.
Financial Info for 2003 – Carol Douglas:

Banking Summary - Ownbey Class 1/1/03 - 12/08/03
INCOME
	Anniversary meals		32.00
	Gift to Church		99.00
	Interest income]		2.78
	Photo Purchases		145.00
	Project Fund		1,705.00
	Transfer from Savings		850.00
	Weekly Gifts		955.25
TOTAL INCOME			3,789.03

EXPENSES
	Anniversary Guest Meals		88.00
	Budget Shortfall Contribution		50.00
	Class Supplies		25.50
	Forwarded to Church		99.00
	Health & Happiness		51.54
	Memorial Transfers		80.00
	Photo Expenses		71.00
	Postage		29.50
	Project Fund Expenses		705.58
	Room in the Inn		35.71
	Socials Supplies		142.62
	Transfer to Checking		850.00
TOTAL EXPENSES			2,228.45

Balance Forward
	Balance Fwd Ownbey Checking		0.00
	Balance Fwd Petty Cash		0.00
TOTAL Balance Forward			0.00
OVERALL TOTAL			1,560.58



Ownbey Class Net Worth-As of 12/8/2003
(Includes Project Committee Assets)
ASSETS
	Cash and Bank Accounts
		Ownbey Checking	519.06
		Savings	1,396.73
		Ownbey Petty Cash	338.74
	TOTAL Cash and Bank Accounts		2,254.53
TOTAL ASSETS			2,254.53
LIABILITIES			0.00
OVERALL TOTAL			2,254.53

Project Committee Cash Flow-1/1/2003 - 12/6/2003
INFLOWS
	Donations		1,705.00
TOTAL INFLOWS			1,705.00

OUTFLOWS
	15 Plates BBQ for Habitat		180.00
	Champion Builders Supplies		64.94
	Grant to Paramedic		100.00
	Habitat Supplies		28.74
	Wheel Chair Purchases		300.00
	Wheel Chair Repair		31.90
TOTAL OUTFLOWS			705.58

OVERALL TOTALS			999.42
Project Committee Net Worth-12/6/2003 Balance
ASSETS
	Cash and Bank Accounts
		Special Projects	1,119.42
TOTAL ASSETS			1,119.42
LIABILITIES			0.00
OVERALL TOTAL			1,119.42

“Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.”

(Have you figured out the images below?)

Thanks to Tasha Tudor and Chick Thompson