MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

for 139 years shining the light of God’s love and grace 3900 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70115

504-899-3431 www.raynenola.org Sunday Worship at 8:45 and 11 am

December 4, 2014December 4, 2014December 4, 2014December 4, 2014

We Welcome All!We Welcome All!We Welcome All!We Welcome All!

We warmly welcome all to worship on Sundays at 8:45 or 11 am, to Sunday School at 9:45 am, and to any of our events or activities. We invite you to participate fully in the life of this community of faith and love and to become a member of this congregation. Rayne welcomes and embraces all people regardless of race, class, gender, or sexual orientation with open hearts, open minds, and open doors!

Welcome Welcome Welcome Welcome to Rayne!Rayne!Rayne!Rayne! Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service

2014 Operating Budget2014 Operating Budget2014 Operating Budget2014 Operating Budget $974,845

Needed Weekly $18,747 Weekly Average to Date 16,063 Received 11/30/14 20,130 2015 Pledges-to-Date: 120 for 563,059 Second Harvest Food Bank 641

Contribute Online at www.raynenola.orgContribute Online at www.raynenola.orgContribute Online at www.raynenola.orgContribute Online at www.raynenola.org

ACH ContributionsACH ContributionsACH ContributionsACH Contributions You may authorize automatic monthly contributions from your checking account using the form found on the tables of the church or downloaded from the web-

site. Call 899-3431 to request a mailed form!

Second Sunday Second Sunday Second Sunday Second Sunday of AdventAdventAdventAdvent

The Celebration of the Lord’s Supper and the Hanging of the Greens

The Advent Wreath Candles of Hope and Peace

� Luke 2:10-12

“The angel said, ‘Don’t be afraid! I bring good news to you…’”

� Message by

Callie Crawford “T� ! W "" B$ a S %& for Y()”

���� Holy Communion

at 8:45 and 11 am in The Hannah Chapel

with musicians Marcus St. Julien,

Joseph Tate and Ebonee Davis

� The Chancel Choir at 11 am directed by Leonard Raybon

Annabelle Louise Mathieu

Baptized on November 30, 2014

� Those wishing to become

members of Rayne are encouraged to contact

our pastor at callie.crawford @raynenola.org

Join us for the Annual

Children’s Christmas Pageant

The Sounds of Christmas Sunday | December 14 | 5pm

Homemade Gumbo by Owen St. Amant

Potato Salad and Beverage

Enter and Enjoy a Cookie Contest

Introducing Music of the Opera Creole

Hear the Joyful Noise of Our Children as they retell

the Story of Jesus’ Birth through Sound and Song!

Seating is limited! Tickets will be sold

Sundays, December 7 and 14. Adults $8 Children $5

It is not too late to make your pledge for 2015! Cards are located

on the tables of the church.

Thank

You!

To learn more about Blessing Home of the

Thailand Methodist Mission visit

h@p://thailandmethodist.org/blessing.html

Michael BarrMichael BarrMichael BarrMichael Barr Teacher at

Hope Secondary School

in Bethlehem, Palestine

To read about Michael’s mission go to

h9p://carefulabandon.wordpress.com/2014/10/02/

west-bank-definitely-not-gretna-louisiana/

To continue their work, both Katie and Michael still need our support! To contribute to their mission, memo your

contribution to Rayne: Katie and/or Mike

StewardshipStewardshipStewardshipStewardship of the Earth Earth Earth Earth | StewardshipStewardshipStewardshipStewardship of RayneRayneRayneRayne

Solar Panels Solar Panels Solar Panels Solar Panels for Your HomeYour HomeYour HomeYour Home

Find out how you can get solar panels for your home,

get $1000 back for Rayne.

Go to: www.joule-energy.com/rayne/

Rayne is happy to announce a new partnership with Joule Alliance, a program by Joule Solar Energy of New Orleans. Rayne will receive a $1000 donation for each one of our supporters that goes solar with Joule!

If you would like a free estimate for your home simply follow the link above. Your solar system will pay for itself in just four years with money you would otherwise lose to your utility company.

No upfront cost! Includes financing- no payments or interest for 12 months.

It is not too late to make a 2015 pledge!

sample pledge card

Sponsored by the Rayne Caring for Creation Commi9ee

Alternative Gift Shopping at the

Christmas Mission MarketChristmas Mission MarketChristmas Mission MarketChristmas Mission Market Sundays, December 7 and 14

Support our mission projects

by shopping at the Mission Market for

alternative gift cards, art, handcrafted

items, homemade jellies, jams, baked

goods, and quilted items, jewelry,

cards, and more!

Enter a platter of your favorite cookies at our contest during the

Children’s Christmas Pageant Sunday, December 14

5 pm in the Fellowship Hall!

To enter, call Natalie at 504-899-3431 natalie.derham@raynenola.org

Advent Study Open to All!

All are welcome!

Not a Silent Night Sundays | 9:45 am

Friendship Classroom Led by Sue McMahon

Alternative Gift Cards Alternative Gift Cards Alternative Gift Cards Alternative Gift Cards at the Mission MarketMission MarketMission MarketMission Market

As a gift for someone special, make a $10 donation to one of Rayne’s mission projects

and receive a gift card to let them know that they were remembered in this

compassionate way.

Luke’s House Free ClinicLuke’s House Free ClinicLuke’s House Free ClinicLuke’s House Free Clinic Crescent City CaféCrescent City CaféCrescent City CaféCrescent City Café

SALT SALT SALT SALT &PEPPER Comfort Food Cook TeamsPEPPER Comfort Food Cook TeamsPEPPER Comfort Food Cook TeamsPEPPER Comfort Food Cook Teams The Open TableThe Open TableThe Open TableThe Open Table

The School The School The School The School for Contemplative LivingContemplative LivingContemplative LivingContemplative Living

Crescent City Café

Saturday| December 6 7–10 am

Fellowship Hall

To donate or volunteer, visit

www.crescentcitycafe.com

Young Adults Compelled by Love Serving With Dignity and Grace

Advent 2014 Sunday, December 7

8:45 and 11 am HDEFGEF of the GHIIEJ

MGJJGKE MDHLIM and 5 pm

CNHGJMODJ CDHKPGEF

Sunday, December 14

8:45 and 11 am CNDEQIP CNKGH PHKFHDO

MGJJGKE MDHLIM and 5 pm

“SKSETJ KU CNHGJMODJ” PDFIDEM

CNHGJMODJ EWI CDETPIPGFNM CKOOSEGKE

5, 7, and 11 pm Support Support Support Support the NOLA Wesley Spring BreakNOLA Wesley Spring BreakNOLA Wesley Spring BreakNOLA Wesley Spring Break

Mission Trip Mission Trip Mission Trip Mission Trip to GuatemalaGuatemalaGuatemalaGuatemala

$2000 is needed by December 4.

Contributions may be made through Rayne

or by visiting:

h@p://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/

NOLAWesley/hsp

All Are Welcome! This mid-week,

daytime Bible Study opportunity, led by experienced teacher,

Mal McLetchie, will resume for 8 sessions on January 14. Join us!

Wednesdays, 10 am

Room 201

Confirmation Begins! Sunday | January 11 | 9:45 am | Room 209

Open to all 5th-7th grade youth. Both youth and parents should attend

this first meeting!

Primetimers Christmas PartyPrimetimers Christmas PartyPrimetimers Christmas PartyPrimetimers Christmas Party Wednesday, December 17

Noon, Home of Juanita Pradel 5219 Pi@ Street

$6 Members $7 Guests Music by Cathy and Al Carriere

RSVP: 899-3431

Conference on Christians Conference on Christians Conference on Christians Conference on Christians Facing Persecution Facing Persecution Facing Persecution Facing Persecution in the Middle EastMiddle EastMiddle EastMiddle East

Tuesday, December 9 9 am-Noon with lunch

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral For information: 899-2200

Interfaith Service Interfaith Service Interfaith Service Interfaith Service in Memory of the Homeless

Who Have Died on Our Streets

Sunday, December 14 4 pm,

St. Joseph Church 1802 Tulane Avenue

Second Sunday Second Sunday Second Sunday Second Sunday of AdventAdventAdventAdvent

Worship LeadersWorship LeadersWorship LeadersWorship Leaders Altar Guild Nancy and

Bob Hopkins, Jan Jeter, Trish Rauls

Head Ushers Bob Moffe9, Gary Kennan, Jim McArthur

Head Greeters Mable Thomas, Susie VanderKuy, Barbara Clark, Carol Thiele

Sound System Amy Pertuit

Sundays 5-7 pm Youth Fellowship 5-6 pm Women’s Covenant Group 6 pm NOLA Wesley Worship

Mondays 10 am Staff Meeting 5:30 pm Centering Prayer 6 pm Ministry Meetings 6:30 pm Stop 22 Young Adults 6:30 pm AA Meeting

Tuesdays 1 pm Intercessory Prayer Group 3:30 pm Open Table 6-8 pm Luke’s House Free Clinic 6:30 pm Covenant Group

Wednesdays 9:30 am Mom’s Bible Study 6 pm Children’s Choir seasonal 6 pm Wednesday Classes 7 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Thursdays 9:30 am Sacred Yoga Parker UMC

10 am Space for God 7 pm Al-Anon/AA Meetings 7-9 pm Luke’s House Free Clinic

Saturdays 9-11:30 am STAIR Tutoring

Each W

eek A

t R

ayne

Each W

eek A

t R

ayne

Each W

eek A

t R

ayne

Each W

eek A

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ayne

Meetings Coming UpMeetings Coming UpMeetings Coming UpMeetings Coming Up

Monday, December 8 6 pm Childrenʹs Team 6 pm Staff-Parish CommiEee

� Wednesday, December 10

Noon, RECP Advisory Board

Let Us PrayLet Us PrayLet Us PrayLet Us Pray —for Katherine Gage, Peggy Parr, Bill Hutchinson, Debbie Strickland, Sue Aspinwall, Fran Flurry, Carol Kennan, Parker Schneidau, Buel Humphreys, George Caldwell, Judy Wa@s, Laura Coatney, Jeanne Seidenspinner, Clarence Braud, Anne Aten, and Bryan Slate.

We Share the JoyWe Share the JoyWe Share the JoyWe Share the Joy —of the Coatney Family in the birth of Ellio@ Tyler Coatney on December 2!

We Share the SorrowWe Share the SorrowWe Share the SorrowWe Share the Sorrow —of Sue Aspinwall in the death of her mother, Marguerite Aspinwall.

Thank YouThank YouThank YouThank You —to all those who have taken the leap of making a financial pledge to the mission of our church in 2015! —to Brenda Frey, Susie VanderKuy, Donita Qualey, Unique Lee, Sue Aspinwall, Leah Todd, Carol Coutant, Lyle Colombo, and Babs Mollere for handcrafting the lovely Angel Tree ornaments bearing the names of our 2014 newborns! —to all who helped to decorate! —to the Weekday Women’s Covenant Group who helped host the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service! —to Elizabeth Hu@on for the gift of the new crèche which will be on display in the Sanctuary!

The Salt TeamThe Salt TeamThe Salt TeamThe Salt Team will prepare a meal on

Sunday, December 7 Noon, Church Kitchen

to be served at

The Open TableThe Open TableThe Open TableThe Open Table serving those in need on Tuesday, December 9

3:30 pm 2700 Louisiana Ave.

Isaiah 40:1-11

Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13

2 Peter 3:8-15a

Mark 1:1-8

Comfort Food MinistryComfort Food MinistryComfort Food MinistryComfort Food Ministry

If you want to serve, come on December 9 and 23 at 3:30 pm

to 2700 Louisiana Avenue!

Children’s Choir!Children’s Choir!Children’s Choir!Children’s Choir! Allison Way, Directing

� � � � Wednesdays, 6Wednesdays, 6Wednesdays, 6Wednesdays, 6----7 pm7 pm7 pm7 pm

December 10

Your contributions of canned meats, stews, hearty soups, peanut bu@er and other imperishable foods will be gratefully received!

Winter Winter Winter Winter

Food PantryFood PantryFood PantryFood Pantry

Open TableOpen TableOpen TableOpen Table Holiday ScheduleHoliday ScheduleHoliday ScheduleHoliday Schedule

A Christmas Meal will be provided

by our combined cook teams to be served at The Open Table on

Tuesday, December 23 3:30 pm

2700 Louisiana Avenue

To qualify for a 2014 charitable income tax deduction, your gift must be made by December 31, 2014. Complete your gift today and you will receive the tax benefits as well as the satisfaction of supporting your favorite ministries!

To: Rayne

You Are Invited!

Introducing Introducing Introducing Introducing the TorahTorahTorahTorah Sundays | 9:45 am

Library

Gary Uhl, Teaching

All Are Welcome!

Poets, Prophets Poets, Prophets Poets, Prophets Poets, Prophets and

MysticsMysticsMysticsMystics Among UsAmong UsAmong UsAmong Us

The School School School School

for ContemplativeContemplativeContemplativeContemplative

LivingLivingLivingLiving

Come explore the wisdom of

a retreat leader

and spiritual director

as

Sr. Janet Franklin, SSJ, Sr. Janet Franklin, SSJ, Sr. Janet Franklin, SSJ, Sr. Janet Franklin, SSJ, shares guidance from

classical and modern authors

who are helping us find

Spirit among us.

Maybe you will discover

there is a bit of

a poet, prophet, and mystic

in you.

Saturday, December 6Saturday, December 6Saturday, December 6Saturday, December 6 9:30 am9:30 am9:30 am9:30 am----1:30 pm1:30 pm1:30 pm1:30 pm

Parker UMC, 1130 Nashville AvenueParker UMC, 1130 Nashville AvenueParker UMC, 1130 Nashville AvenueParker UMC, 1130 Nashville Avenue