St. Arbucks Chapel - December 4, 2024 - Chapel Hill United Methodist Church

St. Arbucks Chapel – December 4, 2024

As you read this, I will be in Jacksonville, with our son Drew, watching our son, Luke, play in the second stage of the PGA Q school. Our family really appreciates your prayers and your words of support. Thank you!
Our annual Service of Loss and Hope is scheduled for December 11^th, Wednesday, at 12:15 PM and 6 PM in the evening. You will have the opportunity to light a candle to name the loss you’ve experienced. Loss includes but is beyond death. Any loss of any kind (physical, spiritual, emotional, mental and relational) creates for pain and grief. I will be preaching my favorite verse of the 23^rd Psalm….”Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me, Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Both services will be in the sanctuary because our elevator to the chapel is out of order, with parts ordered but likely not to be repaired in time for the service.
Speaking of loss, as shared in previous e-news articles, two of our valued staff members: Julie Hey and Kellie Ochsner have resigned to pursue a great opportunity and to help care for elderly parents, respectively. Thank you, Julie and Kellie for your many years of faithful service. You will be missed but always highly appreciated for the value you brought to the mission and ministry of Chapel Hill. Thank you!
Future classes I will be teaching: Neal Whitlow, our Director of Adult Discipleship will provide links in time to enroll or you are welcome to email Neal at nwhitlow@chwichita.org or call the church office at 316-684-1117.
Chapel Hill 101 for those who are new or newer to Chapel Hill and want to hear more about our mission and what makes Chapel Hill distinctive. January 5^th – 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. Child care will be provided upon reservation by emailing Neal at nwhitlow@chwichita.org
The Enneagram as a tool for Spiritual Growth – January 8 through April 2 – Wednesday evenings – 6 to 7:30 PM.
Parenting and Grandparenting with Love and Logic – Sunday, January 12^th from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM.
Methodism 101 – Sunday, January 19^th – 1:30 PM to 3 PM. Based on interest, this intro class could become a series of 4 additional classes.
S.H.A.P.E – Do you know your SHAPE for ministry? Sunday, January 26^th from 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM. This class will help you identify your spiritual gifts, heart (passion), abilities, personality, and experiences as a way of making a difference in our world.

- Thought for the Week in light of my sermon this past Sunday and the Season of Advent – the Season of Hope.
  - Hope looks for the good in people instead of harping on the worst.
  - Hope opens doors where despair closes them.
  - Hope discovers what can be done instead of grumbling about what cannot.
  - Hope draws it power from a deep trust in God and the basic goodness of human nature.
  - Hope “lights a candle” instead of “cursing the darkness.”
  - Hope regards problems, small or large, as opportunities.
  - Hope cherishes no illusions, nor does it yield to cynicism.
  - Hope sets big goals and is not frustrated by repeated difficulties or setbacks.
  - Hope pushes ahead when it would be easy to quit.
  - Hope puts up with modest gains, realizing gains, realizing that “the longest journey starts with one step.”
  - Hope accepts misunderstandings as the prize for serving the greater good of others.
  - Hope is a good loser because it has the divine assistance of final victory.
    - James Keller