July 18, 2004

ATTENTION: The OWNBEY CLASS will return to our regular classroom Sunday, July 18^th; Chick Thompson will lead our review of MERE CHRISTIANITY by C. S. Lewis.

BIRTHDAYS: Ace Walker ~ 19^th; Carolyn Reeder ~ 21^st.

REMEMBER…in your thoughts and prayers these folks, others you know, and especially their caregivers…

>Ellen Chason had hand surgery earlier this week and will require some recuperation…

>Randy Harris continues to receive Hospice care at home…

>Karla Hauersperger is recuperating from additional surgery…

>Wilma Miller reports that her mother has perked up and taken an interest in life…

>Others you know…

LAST WEEK:

>>July 11 ~ We had 30 class members check in with Nhora Moreno before attending Steve James’ presentation on “Living the Gospel in a Pluralistic World”

>>July 15 ~ The SEJConference reported 5 new bishops to replace the 6 retiring bishops elected by the 13^th ballot: they are Hope Ward Morgan, Will Willimon, James Swanson, Al Gwinn & Dick Wills.

THIS WEEK: July 18 - 24

>>>July 18 ~ Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

>>>July 18 ~ Back to the Classroom! Chick Thompson resumes our review of MERE CHRISTIANITY by C. S. Lewis. An option is Summer Sunday School in Jubilee Hall with Bill Roth & Ken Poe leading “Funerals: Can We Talk?”

>>>July 18 ~ All WOMEN who made reservations will be attending the “BEACH PARTY” in Jubilee Hall, 5 – 7:30 p.m. Featured will be a “Picnic” buffet catered by Green Tomato Catering and entertainment by Two Blondes and a Piano.

>>>July 20 ~ PRIMARY ELECTION DAY – Vote Your Conscience!

>>>July 21 ~ Ship Heintzelman has called a meeting of the Helping Hands Committee at 7 p.m.

>>>July 24 & 31 ~ See A Special Invitation below about Meeting Your Muslim Neighbors.

>>>Invite a FRIEND to come to class with YOU this Sunday!

LOOKING AHEAD:

>>>>July 25 ~ Reatha Andrew will conclude our review of MERE CHRISTIANITY.

>>>>July 25 ~ Summer Sunday School in Jubilee Hall will feature Lisa Howell & Susan Mobley leading “Ways to Communicate Our Health Wishes to Loved Ones”

>>>>August 15 & 18 ~ Adult Sunday School Class Fair & ASSC Teacher Recognition.

>>>>For other opportunities read the announcements & opportunities in the Sunday Worship Bulletin and The Cornerstone, or check the email announcements and the MPUMC web site.

>>>>A Special Invitation coordinated by the Muslim Women of the Carolinas to Meet Your Muslim Neighbors offers four opportunities “to break bread…at a series of OPEN HOUSES” where you can visit a Masjid (House of Worship) and ask questions about the American Muslim community and Islam.

July 24 ~ Saturday, 6 – 8 p.m., Islamic Center of Charlotte – South, 559 N. Polk St., Pineville (behind Arby’s).
July 31 ~ Saturday, 6 – 8 p.m., Islamic Center of Greater Charlotte, 7025 The Plaza (near

W. T. Harris).

YUM! YUM! It IS finger-lickin’ good!

The Ownbey Class BBQ is planned for Friday, Sept. 24^th, 6:30 p.m., at the COPELAND’s. The cost has increased to $13. 00 per person to be paid to Linda Myers (704-522-8373); a check is preferred, but cash is acceptable! Signups will begin in August; deadline for paid reservations will be Sept. 19^th as the caterer needs to know how many to prepare for not later than the 20^th.

DATES YOU WILL WANT TO MARK ON YOUR CALENDAR…

>>>>>Sign up for DISCIPLE BIBLE STUDY classes this fall. Make the commitment you’ve thought about and grow in both faith and knowledge! Registration begins in August!

>>>>>Mary Katherine Vass, our class member who describes herself as a “member who attends everything at church except Sunday School” wants to let everyone know that she and Barbara Lee will be facilitating “Jesus in the Gospels”, a second-generation study to DISCIPLE, on Tuesday mornings, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. this fall.

>>>>>Sept. 19 for ~ James Howell’s introduction of his new book and a challenge to participate in a series of studies based on the book.

>>>>>Sept. 26 ~ Dr. Tom Hanchett will participate in the 75^th Anniversary Celebration of our beautiful Sanctuary.

>>>>>Oct. 1 – 2 ~ Dr. Elaine Pagels, author of The Gnostic Gospels and Beyond Belief, books we have reviewed, will be appearing at Myers Park Baptist Church. Check www.mpbconline.org for additional information and times.

>>>>>Oct. 24 ~ Dr. Allen Verhey will be featured as a speaker. Topic to be announced.

>>>>>Nov. 7 ~ Dr. Ben Witherington III will be with us again for another interesting presentation. He does have a new book entitled THE GOSPEL CODE: Novel Claims About Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and Da Vinci, published by InterVarsity Press. Christianity Today, June 2004, has an article, Why the ‘Lost Gospels’ Lost Out, based on the book by Dr. Witherington. The magazine is available to be read in the Church Library.

TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES: Check the lisiting of Senior United Methodist Travel Opportunities (available on the Adult Ministry Table outside of the Adult Education Office) for a variety of day trips, overnighters, and extended trips offered through cooperation among Myers Park UMC, Matthews UMC, Mouzon UMC, and Providence UMC. Please note that the Callaway Gardens/Stone Mountain Holiday on Nov. 18-20 is offered by Mouzon UMC and Myers Park UMC Adults Plus! is offering a similar trip two weeks later at a savings of $94.00/person double.

>>>>>It is STILL not too late to sign up for the SEJAOA Conference on Older Adult Ministries, Aug. 9-12 at Lake Junaluska. Brochures are available on the Adult Ministry Table.

>>>>Sept. 10^th is the deadline for signing up for the Adults Plus! Spiritual Life Retreat & Great Smoky Mountain Train Ride through the Natahala Gorge on Oct. 11-14 at Lake Junaluska. Go by the Adult Education Office (Barbara Barden’s office) and sign up today! We do have a limited number of rooms available, and we have opened registration to folks from Providence UMC, Mouzon UMC, and Matthews UMC. >>>>FIRST COME ~ FIRST SERVED!<<<<

>>>>>Dec. 2-4 ~ Christmas in Georgia, the Adults Plus! trip to Callaway Gardens, Stone Mountain, and other places south! Check the board for information, or stop by the Adult Education Office table for additional information. Registrations now being taken.