Come celebrate the coming of Christ with your church family.

Advent Worship December 1, 8, 15, & 22 8:30 & 11:00 A.m.We await once more the coming of the Christ child. Advent is a time to slow down and reflect in this busy season as we prepare for Christ to come into our hearts and our world. A symbol of the season is the Advent Wreath, a symbol of life without end. The lighting of a candle on the wreath each week marks our journey through the four weeks. Hope! Joy! Peace! We look with hope for the second coming of Christ. We pray for the light of Christ to fill us with joy and peace in believing.

old-FAshioned FAmily ChristmAs pArty Sunday, December 1 3:00 p.m.Our young families bake cookies, make ornaments, and decorate the Fellowship Hall together.

FestivAl oF nine lessons & CArols Sunday, December 15 3:00 p.m.Join the choirs of Mount Vernon as they present a traditional service of scripture lessons and carols. This service is an ideal time to slow down, bring a friend, and enjoy the songs of expectation and joy. (No sermon or communion.) The service will feature the Aldersgate and Epworth Choirs and the Aldersgate and Wesley handbell choirs.

Children’s ChristmAs pAgeAnt Wednesday, December 18 6:45 p.m.Our children and youth will present “The Man and the Birds” (a Christmas tale originally told by Paul Harvey) with drama and beautiful songs!

ChristmAs eve CAndlelight Communion serviCe Tuesday, December 24 5:30 p.m.A simple and beautiful celebration for the whole family with scripture, carols, communion, and candles.

“ O Come, All Ye Faithful, Joyful and Triumphant ”

Fellowship Sunday School ClassThe Fellowship Class is currently discussing Richard Foster’s “Celebration of Discipline”

as part of the church-wide book reading. They are an eclectic group with varied interests. In the past they have studied “Parables from the Backside,” by J. Ellsworth Kalas, and “Rekindling the Flame,” by Bishop William Willimon. At times they pursue the International Lessons, and they have frequently focused on specific passages from the “Serendipity Bible for Study Groups.” The class meets in the Winn Chapel at 9:45 a.m. – Dr. Frank Wickers, Leader

Brunswick StewSaturday, December 7Thank you for your support of our youth group as they raise money for the summer 2014 mission trip. Stew tickets are available after church on Sunday, at Wednesday dinners, and in the church office during the week. Cost is $5.00 per quart. Stew can be picked up at 11:15 a.m. on December 7.

Please mark your 2014 calendar for a meeting of all church

committee members and chairpersons. Saturday, January 11 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

A list of all of our lay leaders will be included in the January 2014 newsletter.

Decking the HallsFriday, December 6, at 9:30 a.m.Please plan to join us for wreath making in the Fellowship Hall. This is a time-honored tradition at Mount Vernon, and we always have a good time making the 14 evergreen wreaths to decorate the outside doors of our church. We’ll have coffee, juice, and snacks. Remember to bring your clippers and gloves. Men are welcome to assist in this work. A good turnout will ensure an early finish. – Peggy Wright

UMW General MeetingMonday, December 9, 10 a.m. – noonAll members of Mount Vernon’s United Methodist Women are invited to the annual General Meeting. New officers will be installed, and children from Children’s House will provide some holiday spirit.

November 24: Welcome to Four New Members!

Nik and Samanthe Tiver Belanger

Nik (our youth program assistant) is tranferring his membership

from Asbury UMC, in Lafayette, Louisianna. Samanthe is transfer-ring from St. Mary’s of the Lakes (Roman Catholic), Medford, NJ.

843 Pine Street Danville VA 24541

Samanthe: (609) 234-3734; Nik: (434) 709-4953.

Jean and John are transferring their membership from Waituku Union Church, in Maui, Hawaii.

146 Greencroft Place Danville VA 24541

(434) 793-3765 Jean and John Wilt

Children and Youth Music Schedule

Parents, please mark your calendar:Children will sing in the 11 a.m. services

on December 1, 8, 15, 22.Youth will sing in the 11 a.m. service on

December 15.Christmas Pageant Rehearsals:

December 4, 11, 17 (6:00 p.m. dress rehearsal on the 17th).

Children’s Christmas Pageant: Wednesday, December 18

Contact Beth Bauman, 793-6824, or bbauman@comcast.net for more information.

Stewardship Campaign UpdateAs of Monday, November 25, we had received 118 pledges, totaling $359,522. Thank you to all who have pledged so far. In 2013 we received 120 pledges for $335,036. We are ahead of last year!Together, we can close our deficit gap and move confidently toward God’s future for us. – The Stewardship Committee

The Children’s House Board. L to R: Elizabeth Ware, Beth Bauman, Joyce Underwood, Leah Cooter, Ely Foster, Lindsay Payne, Fran Ashby, Leslie Navis, and Ann Hurt. (Not pictured: Dan Newell) Children’s House was founded in 1976. Ely Foster has served on the Board since its founding, and Fran Ashby for 34 years! Leah Cooter began serving 15 years ago. All three of these long-time members are rotating off the Board, and we want to express our deep appreciation to them for their service to Children’s House. We will miss their wisdom and passion for our program, and we wish them well. – Lindsay Payne, Board Chairperson

News from Children’s HouseChildren’s House is excited to announce that next fall, we will offer before-school and after-school care so that parents have the option of full daycare! Half-day preschool will be offered as well. To put your child on the waiting list, please call Leslie Navis, Director, 713-2169.A crib/toddler class will start on Thursday, December 5. This class is one day a week from 9:25 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and will be led by our caregiver Carey Lewis. We have one opening left for anyone interested. To register for this class or to find out more information, contact Leslie Navis.Thank you to everyone who participated in our Yankee Candle Fundraiser! The final total we raised was $942.00, very close to our goal of $1,000.00! Look for information updates in the Sunday bulletin on when the candles will be ready for pickup.

UMW Circle 2 Christmas DinnerBring your spouse or a friend for good food and

fellowship at the United Methodist Women, Circle 2, covered-dish Christmas dinner on Sunday, December 22, at 6:30 p.m.

We would like to have everyone who is interested in Circle 2 join us at Bill and Bonnie Griffith’s home, 161 Westhampton Avenue. Please call Bonnie for more information, 791-3249.

Thank you, Nell Jefferson!Nell Jefferson has provided an outstanding service to Mount Vernon for many, many years by scheduling “memorial flowers” for the sanctuary every Sunday of the year, and taking care of all the necessary details. Now she says it’s time to “turn over the files” to someone else. Thank you, Nell, for doing this job so well for so long. If you think you might be interested in taking over the “flowers” and would like to know what is involved, please contact Nell, 793-7349, or the office, 793-6824.

The Missions Committee thanks all members for filling 58 Christmas boxes for Operation Christmas Child!! These were delivered to the local distribution point on November 21.This year our Advent Offering will be supporting three local agencies: Free Clinic, God’s Storehouse, and Salvation Army – Danville Unit.

Please bring gloves/mittens, hats, scarves, and school supplies to the Mitten Tree, outside the fellowship hall. December 9 is the Mitten Tree deadline.

In memory of: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Given by: _______________________________________________________________________________________

or

In honor of: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Given by: _______________________________________________________________________________________

Total amount: __________________

It’s time to order poinsettias for decorating the sanctuary for Christmas, in memory or in honor of those in our hearts during the holiday season. Plants are $15.00*. Forms are available outside the church office, or you may mail this form (107 W. Main St., Danville VA 24541) with your check. Please write “poinsettia” on the memo line of your check.Orders must be in by Monday, December 2! Plants may be taken after the December 22 service. * $12.00 for the poinsettia, plus $3 which will be added to the 2013 Advent Offering

Wednesday Dinners and Programs

December 1, 2013first sunday in advent

Scripture: Luke 10: 1 – 11 Sermon: “The Advent Conspiracy” – Rev. Barry Foster

December 8, 2013second sunday in advent

Scripture: Galatians 4: 1 – 7 Sermon: “The Right Time” – Rev. Barry Foster

December 15, 2013third sunday in advent

Scripture: Malachi 2:17, 3: 1 – 7 Sermon: “Refining and Fulling” –Rev. Barry Foster

Sunday Worship ServicesDecember 22, 2013

fourth sunday in advent

Scripture: John 1: 1 – 14 Sermon: “For and With” –Rev. Barry Foster

December 29, 2013 first sunday after christmas day

Scripture: Micah 4: 1 – 7 and 5: 2 – 5a Sermon: “Naming the Love” –Rev. Barry Foster

January 5, 2014epiphany sunday

Scripture: Ephesians 3: 14 – 21 Sermon: “The Soul of the World” –Rev. Barry Foster

December 4 Covered Dish Dinner. “Confession and Worship,” Barry Foster, FH; children’s pageant rehearsal

December 11 Mushroom chicken, hash-brown casserole, green beans, dessert. “Guidance and Celebration,” Barry Foster; children’s pageant rehearsal

December 18 Ham, vegetables, dessert. Children’s Pageant

December 25, January 1, January 8: NO DINNERS OR PROGRAMS

January 15 Covered Dish DinnerThe Mitten TreeNov. 24, 2013

ALTAR GUILDDecember: Libby Spainhour, Tommie Blackmon,

Jan SutherlandJanuary: Jan Sutherland, Carol Williamson,

Margaret Harden

In Our Thoughts and Prayers . . . At home: Bill Hardy, Zane Kinn, Margaret Powell

At Roman Eagle: Zula Callahan

At Riverside Healthcare: Greg Read

At Stratford House: Newton Ray, Sr., Becky Farthing, Marjorie Hood

At Our Lady of Hope (Richmond): Alyce Roach

USHERSDecember 1 8:30: John Morris, Jim Bucklew 11:00: Bill Griffith, David Fuquay, Tommy Hodges,

Tom Leggett, Tom Underwood, Frank Davis (alt.)December 8 8:30: Darrell Williamson, Tom Savastano 11:00: Frank Grogan, J. G. Hurt, Budge Kent, John

Ranson, Gene Saunders, Coleman Hylton (alt.)December 15 8:30: Bill Booker, Tom Booker 11:00: Tom Leggett, Andrew Farley, David Fuquay,

Tommy Hodges, Bill Smith, Frank Grogan (alt.)December 22 8:30: Tom Savastano, Darrell Williamson 11:00: Tom Leggett, J. G. Hurt, Charles Sampson,

Bill Smith, Tom Underwood, John Ranson (alt.)December 29 8:30: John Morris, Jim Bucklew 11:00: Tom Leggett, J. G. Hurt, Charles Sampson,

Bill Smith, Tom Underwood, John Ranson (alt.)January 5 8:30: John Morris, Jim Bucklew 11:00: Bill Griffith, David Fuquay, Tommy Hodges,

Tom Leggett, Tom Underwood, Frank Davis (alt.)

$9,2276,7025,9174,133

8:30 11:00 Contributions

November 3November 10November 17November 24

24343736

87122121197

Week of

January

December Birthdays

1 Emma Tatum Rich 2 Betty Ann Berry Bill Fuller 3 Brad Hodges 5 Kate Newell 6 June Thomas 8 Suzanne Fisher Al Hill Tom Leggett Sam Swanson, Jr.13 Robin Crews Kathy Fowler Jim Moyer14 Eric Bucklew Christine Ethington Clinton Wickers Joe Cornett16 Jan Sutherland 17 Michael Chandler Lucia Waters20 Margaret Scott21 May Carter Bergman22 Christian Clifton Kate Wickers23 Marilyn East24 Sue Lea Ashley Marley Ann Williamson25 Mary Hawkins Catharine Meador Whit Williamson

1 Bernard Thomas 2 Catherine Adkins 4 Paige Johnson 5 Lee Searcey 6 Kathryn Baer Mike Beasley Bill Griffith Cheryl Sule Amy Echols 7 Ruth Callahan Bonnie Griffith Andrew Long 8 Karen Miller 9 Betty Leggett10 Ann Hurt12 Sue Wickers13 Leah Cooter14 Patsi Compton Joyce Fuquay Stephanie Keck Kandiace Newhouse

Income through October: $395,383*Expenses through October: $384,684 Balance $10,699

* Includes $66,000 from the Foundation (Dot Rich Fund)

Our Worship Assistants

Gluten-free communion bread is available at Mount Vernon. Please contact the pastor, at 793-6824, before Communion Sunday

if you would like gluten-free wafers.

Attendance,Tithes Gifts

27 John Cornett28 Fran Ashby Zan Womack29 Neil Allen Thomas Booker Mark Milam Ann Stuart Ray

A gift in memory ofCarole L. Stephens

has been received from Dawn Davis.

Year-to-Date Report

The next Church Council meeting will be on Monday, January 27, at 7:00 p.m.

Live Art for Children

November 10

Live Art

At the Live Art workshop our children prepared to lead the Children’s Sabbath worship on November 24. With

Shona songs, beautiful banners, and balloons, our children and youth welcomed Dr. Tendai Paul Manyeza, a United

Methodist missionary and the Medical Director of the Old Mutare Hospital in Zimbabwe. Dr. Manyeza expressed deep

appreciation for the warm welcome he received.

Children’s Sabbath November 24

Dr. Tendai Paul Manyeza

MOUNT VERNON United Methodist Church 107 West Main Street, Danville, VA 24541(434) 793-6824 Web: mtvernonumc.org e-mail: mtvernonumc@comcast.net

Rev. Barry Foster, Pastor Parsonage/Cell: (434) 709-0093

Sunday Services of Worship: 8:30 and 11 a.m.

Sunday School: 9:45 a.m.