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WHAT’S INSIDE:
This Week in Worship
2
A Year with God 2
Advent 3
Announcements 5
SCRIPTURE CARD November 12-24
TH Judges 2:6-15
F Psalm 123
S Matthew 12:43-45
S 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
M Psalm 83:1-4, 9-10, 17-18
T Exodus 2:1-10
W Matthew 24:45-51
TH Genesis 48:15-22
F Psalm 100
S Matthew 12:46-50
—by Becki Leeland Remember 2019 before this bazaar year began? I sure do! I was looking ahead to 2020 which seemed so promising! The calendar presented itself to line up a pretty amazing 12 months of great potential: Cinco De Mayo actually fell on a Tuesday, Halloween would be on a Saturday, Christmas would fall on a Friday, what could go wrong? Well, who would have thought 2020 would turned out like it did, right? A global pandemic, multiple hurricanes, racial unrest, wildfires, a tumultuous election season, just to name a few. As difficult as 2020 has been, it hasn’t all been challenges. Looking at Apex UMC, there have been amazing things happening to care for our community and our world! It reminds me of the Ralph Waldo Emerson quote, “Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” When I look back at all the ways Apex UMC Missions have left (and continue to leave) a trail in 2020, it astounds me! So many folks have adjusted to this “new trail” by finding ways to serve in the midst of the pandemic, not only finding new ways to do things, but making wonderful kingdom impacts. Even with the few short remaining weeks left in this year, there are ways you can help make impacts: 1. Art & Gift Market: The 3rd Annual Gift Market is virtual this year at
apexumc.org/giftmarket. Check out our local vendors and do a little Christmas shopping online while supporting small businesses from across the area.
2. WWCM: In lieu of Thanksgiving bags, we committed to provide funding for 400 Thanksgiving meals. You can donate $25 or $50 gift cards from Compare Foods, Food Lion, or Walmart; write a check to the church; or donate through the WWCM website. Please make sure you note AUMC on your donation so we can keep track as we work to reach our goal.
3. Family Promise: We continue to support the wonderful work of Family Promise as they help families achieve secure housing. During our host week, which begins Nov. 15, we will provide funding for meals. Contact Pam Keenan ([email protected]) if you would like to help.
4. Christmas Store: Typically Apex UMC provides 600 gifts to children in the community through the Christmas Store. Gifts can be purchased and dropped off at New Horizons Fellowship or toys can be purchased through Amazon or any online store and sent to New Horizons Fellowship Church. Find out more at apexumc.org/christmasstore.
[continued...]
November 12, 2020
Giving this Advent Season
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November 15: The Broken Hallelujah of Change When disaster strikes, when our world is upended, when change is thrust upon us, we enter a season of grief. We grieve for what we lost, we grieve over our lack of control, we grieve over our lost dreams. Today’s Scripture passage gives us tools to help us grieve well, so that we can find hope and purpose in God’s future. Welcome Pastor Owen Barrow! 2020 is a year of celebrating the 150 years of Methodism in Apex! As we celebrate throughout the year, each month we will host guest and former pastors to preach. This week, Owen Barrow will lead in both of our worship services. Owen served the Apex UMC Family from 2007 to 2019. He, Chambliss, and their three children live in Fuquay-Varina where he serves as the senior pastor of Fuquay Varina UMC. Stay Connected in Worship Join us this Sunday for worship by visiting our Livestream page (apexumc.org/livestream), YouTube channel (youtube.com/apexumc), or on Facebook (facebook.com/apexumc). In whatever way you choose to join us, we look forward to worshipping with you again this Sunday at 8:15, 9:35, and 11:00. Be sure to sign our Connect Card so we know you were with us!
This Week in Worship
Spiritual Discipline for November - Submission Submission is not popular today. It’s easy for us to think that in submission we give up our power and authority. We look around and we see instances where submission has been used as a cover for oppression. Submission in Christ is different though because submission in Christ is rooted in love and us honoring one another. Jesus teaches about this in Matthew 16:25 when he says, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. Submission in Christ means aligning our will and freedom with God’s will and freedom, that we would learn to esteem and honor others first. When we learn to practice the spiritual discipline of submission we put ourselves in a place of giving up control to God so He can lead us where he wants us to go. Challenge for the Month We are often so concerned with being better, smarter, stronger than others, we forget Jesus’ call to put others’ interests before our own (Philippians 2:4). Who are we to point out the splinters in others’ eyes when there are logs in our eyes? The discipline of submission helps us focus more on our own goals and our areas of growth rather than those of others. We encourage you to sign up for a Connect Group at apexumc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/551882 to help you with this challenge.
A Year with God
5. ZOE Soup: ZOE soup comes in 3 flavors: beef, curried lentil, and vegetarian. The price is just $10 and has the directions on the jar. It comes with a gift bag and I also have ZOE brochures if you are buying as a gift for someone who might not know about ZOE. Free porch delivery to anyone with an Apex address with a 2-jar minimum. Free delivery to the surrounding areas with a 5-jar minimum, or a $5 delivery fee that also goes to the ZOE fundraiser. Contact the ZOE team for orders or questions at [email protected].
As difficult as this year has been, the good work of our church family has brought such hope to me! Watching the ways people have cared for one another has given me a renewed sense that we are going to be okay. Romans 5:3-5 reads, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Thank you for pouring out your love to those around you and around the world, leaving a trail of hope. There is still great work to do in this year! Grace and peace to you all!
Giving this Advent Season (cont.)
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Sermon Series - Keep Watch For centuries God had promised to come near to us. Prophets told us to pay attention. And yet, when Jesus was born to Mary, few could believe it. This promise remains true today. God continues to be born in places we cannot imagine, but we, too, struggle to see it and to believe it. The season of Advent gives us the opportunity to practice. This season calls on us to keep alert, awake to the possibilities of what God might do within us and our world. All Family Worship Service Join us for an All Family Worship Service on the first Sunday of Advent, Nov. 29, where Bishop Hope Morgan Ward will preach, and pastors, worship leaders, and laity from across the Apex UMC Family will lead us in worship. This special service will be shown at our regular worship times. Advent Studies We have three Advent studies to choose from this year!
1. Incarnation: There are two opportunities to join Adam Hamilton’s new study, Incarnation. Join the Pilgrim’s Sunday School class on Sundays at 9:35 a.m. or join Beth and Jack Rosko on Wednesdays from 7-8 p.m. Both offerings will be held via Zoom. Register online for Sunday (apexumc.churchcenter.com/groups/classes/incarnation-by-adam-hamilton-sunday-mornings) or Wednesday (apexumc.churchcenter.com/groups/classes/incarnation-by-adam-hamilton-wednesday-evenings).
2. Because of Bethlethem: A study on Max Lucado’s Because of Bethlehem begins Wednesday, Nov. 25, from 9:30-11 a.m. Register online (https://apexumc.churchcenter.com/groups/classes/because-of-bethlehem).
3. Low - An Honest Advent Devotional: Christians tend to read the Bible retrospectively, knowing beforehand how the story ends. But what if we viewed the Christmas story from ground level, imagining how it looked and felt from the low places of ordinary lives? What did it really look like when “divinity came low enough to inhabit humanity?” God came to meet us in the low places of our lives: not just in the joy but also in the grieving; not just in celebrations but also in sufferings; not just in belief but also in doubt; in the good days AND the bad days. Join Kara Matthews and Ellen Rose as we share this Advent devotional experience by John Pavlovitz that “meets us where we are, reminds us we’re not alone, and helps us navigate the hardships of the season.” Register online (apexumc.churchcenter.com/groups/classes/low-an-honest-advent-study) to receive a study guide with Scriptures and questions for each day of Advent, beginning Nov. 22. Read each day; then meet via ZOOM with Kara and Ellen on four Sundays beginning Nov. 29, at 5 p.m. to discuss the week’s readings. The study ends on Dec. 20. Questions? Contact Pastor Ellen at [email protected] or call the church office at 919-362-7807 to leave a message.
Family Advent Box Add spiritual focus and fun to the Advent Season at home with your children. Our Children’s Ministry is packing a box full of the supplies and instructions you need to easily incorporate two favorite faith traditions into your holiday season: the Advent Wreath and a Birthday Party for Jesus. Boxes include a metal wreath ring, candle set, garland, Advent devotional, cake mix, frosting, candle, and craft. $20 per box. Register online (apexumc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/589783) through Nov. 17. Questions? Contact Ellen Griffin at [email protected]. Spiritual Discipline Boxes for Youth We're offering Spiritual Discipline boxes that come with resources, special challenges, and other tools to help our youth dig into what these spiritual disciplines mean and what it looks like to practice them. Each box costs $20 and the December box registration is open until Nov. 20. Order online (apexumc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/491203). Jingle Jam – this year it’s not just for kids, it’s for EVERYONE! Everyone is invited to a spectacular drive-through light and live nativity experience around the Apex UMC campus on Friday, Dec. 4, from 5:30-7 p.m. Follow signs and directions to enter on Moore Street and loop around the church office before entering the Crossroads Circle. Families with children will be given instructions and supplies to participate in our virtual “Jingle Jam” video experience on your own at home. It’s free and no registration is necessary. Come out and safely get in the spirit of Christmas! Spread the word to neighbors and friends!
Advent
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Christmas Eve: Although Christmas Eve will look very different this year, we are excited to share our offerings with you! • Drive Through Communion: Our pastors will be on campus from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. to share the
Lord’s Supper with you. This will be a festive event with live music and we will give out candles to take home to use as we sing Silent Night in our online Christmas Eve services. Register online (apexumc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/602889) for communion, and register once for each car and indicate the total number of individuals planning to attend. Gluten-free and allergen-free options will be available. Simply follow the traffic signs to enter the circle outside Crossroads.
• Worship: Join your church family for our online, family-friendly contemporary service at 5 p.m. or traditional service at 7 p.m. Both services will also be available on-demand beginning at 12 p.m. to share with your family whenever you choose.
Cantata/Music Sunday On Sunday, Dec. 27, we will share one online worship service at 10 a.m. This service will offer music from both our CLC and Sanctuary spaces, including the Chancel Choir Christmas Cantata recorded in December 2019 - Heaven’s Child by Pepper Choplin. Join us to celebrate our Savior’s birth through the beautiful music of this special season! Christmas Store The Community Christmas Store (christmasinapex.com) will be held Dec.11-12 at New Horizons Fellowship Church (NHFC). They have created COVID safety guidelines and clients will shop from their vehicles virtually. They are encouraging online shopping and gifts can be shipped to NHFC or dropped off. This will be the 21st Christmas that our church has helped provide gifts for financially-challenged families with children ages 0-14. We cannot put tags on Christmas trees since we are not meeting in the church. We need your help, and you can participate by accessing information from any of these links. The Amazon link gives gift suggestions. Feel free to order from there or use it for gift ideas and shop wherever you want. Financial donations are also needed. Questions? Contact Mary Morris at [email protected]. • Christmas Store website: christmasinapex.com • Christmas Store Facebook page: facebook.com/TheChristmasStore • Amazon Profile and Ideas page: amazon.com/gp/profile/
amzn1.account.AFAPKSRVJZKC3CFZLVKL5LZDZKZA?preview=true&pldnSite=1 ZOE Soup ZOE soup comes in three flavors: beef, curried lentil, and vegetarian. The price is just $10 and has the directions on the jar. It comes with a gift bag and a ZOE brochure if you are buying as a gift. Free porch delivery to anyone with an Apex address with a two-jar minimum. Free delivery to the surrounding areas with a five-jar minimum, or a $5 delivery fee that also goes to the fundraiser. You can also do a porch pick up. Contact Lee Riddick ([email protected]) for more information. Decorations Needed for Jingle Jam Children’s Ministry needs strings of lights, other large outdoor holiday decorations, and extension cords to use in our Jingle Jam light and nativity drive-through experience on Dec. 4. We only need to borrow them during the week of Dec. 4, so you can have them back in time to use at home! If you have something you are willing to loan, please email Norma Wallace ([email protected]).
Advent
Announcements - Our Prayer Concerns and Celebrations Please Pray For All serving in the military; Michael Bereman; Benjamin Webb; Charlotte Reynolds and family; Dana Hall’s mother; David Kelder; Jenny Freiling’s parents; Bill Harper. Confidential prayer requests can be made online at apexumc.org/prayer. Sympathy Sympathy is extended to Phil Herold and family at the death of his mother. Celebrating Pastor Tim! We will have a drive-through celebration for Pastor Tim and the entire Catlett family in the Crossroads Circle on Sunday, Nov. 29, from 2-4:30 p.m. Please write a letter to Tim and bring it with you! Celebrating Pastor Ellen Rose! Join us for a drive-through celebration for Pastor Ellen Rose on Sunday, Dec. 6, during Drive-Through Communion. Please write a letter to Ellen and bring it with you! Ellen has asked that in lieu of gifts, donations be made to the Memorial Garden project, which is near and dear to her heart.
Preaching in the Circle Join pastors on Sunday afternoons in the Crossroads Circle at 1 p.m. for a simple, in-person, outdoor service of preaching and prayer. Preaching in the Circle begins Nov. 15 and will continue through the end of the year, except when we have Drive-in Communion. Registration is required; capacity is limited. Registration will open online at apexumc.churchcenter.com/registrations on the Wednesdays prior.
Announcements - Worship
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Interested in Membership? Our new member class is for those interested in uniting in membership, whether new to the faith, new to Methodism, or lifelong Methodists. Join us virtually on Sunday, Nov. 15 from 3-4 p.m. Register online at apexumc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/500886. Children’s Sunday Sing Along On Sunday, Nov. 15 at 4 p.m., K-5th graders are invited to join our children’s choir directors, Mr. Todd and Mrs. Cathy, for another virtual time of singing and fun with music! Register online (apexumc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/595683) to have your K-5th grader participate. Questions? Contact Todd Arant at [email protected]. Finding Hope - Coping with Anxiety Events of the past few months have led many of us to fear the unknown and feel like we're drowning in uncertainty. Join Rev. Kara Matthews and Pastor Ellen Rose as they explore what anxiety is, how to get help, and the role of the Holy Spirit in helping you journey toward peace and calm. This 3-part class is on-demand. Register online (apexumc.churchcenter.com/groups/classes/finding-hope-coping-with-anxiety-on-demand). Coping With Loss During the Holidays Are you dreading the holidays because someone you love won't be with you? Maybe you're struggling with the death of a loved one; maybe COVID means you can't be with family as usual. Whatever your loss, there are decisions you can make to lessen your grief. Follow along with Pastor Ellen Rose in this 11-minute video to hear some specific ways to cope with the upcoming holidays. On-demand. Register online (apexumc.churchcenter.com/groups/classes/coping-with-loss-during-the-holidays-on-demand). New Encore (55+) Newsletter Our inaugural newsletter for Encore, our ministry for people 55 and up, will be sent the week of Dec. 14. This will be the easiest way to stay on top of information about upcoming events and opportunities. Please fill out this form (apexumc.churchcenter.com/people/forms/187915) by Dec. 13 to ensure you’re on our mailing list!
Announcements - Connect
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Church Directory As part of the move to Planning Center, we now have the ability to create an online church directory. To alleviate any privacy concerns around sharing information this way, and to make it truly opt-in, we have created a form for those who are interested in being a part of the directory. Once you fill out the form at apexumc.churchcenter.com/people/forms/181034, you will receive an email invitation to the directory. From there, you will be able to enter any missing information, make sure all the information already there is correct, select what information you would like shared for each member of your family, and upload individual and household pictures. Questions? Email Dana Hall at [email protected]. Confirmation 2021 Confirmation is a journey where students work through sessions that deal with the fundamentals of Christianity, what being part of the church looks like, and what it means to be a United Methodist. We learn what it means to be part of the Body of Christ and how, together, we strengthen each other’s faith. With the challenges of COVID-19, we have made some changes to Confirmation: • Online: Because of safety restrictions and to ensure a more cohesive experience, we are moving
confirmation online. Each week there will be an online teaching video, taught by one of our youth staff from across our Apex UMC Family, and some small group discussion via video calls that will be campus-specific.
• 8th Grade and Up: Over the last several years our youth staff team has wrestled with moving the age Confirmation begins because of developmental differences between 6th and 8th graders and where they are within their own faith formation. This year, with moving Confirmation online, we felt the need for this change was accelerated.
We ask that parents serve as a Confirmation partner alongside their students. We know that parents have the greatest potential to shape and develop the faith of their children, and this is an opportunity for them to walk alongside their students through this mile-marker of faith. We understand that sometimes that is not possible and recognize that there might be other adults close to the family who could serve in this capacity. The Confirmation Partner is not expected to know all the answers; instead, they serve as a guide who can help them throughout the process. Registration opens Nov. 1, and you can register online (apexumc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/584645) to be a part of our 2021 Confirmation Class through Dec. 13. On-Demand Core Classes We have created on-demand courses for our Core Classes taught by our campus pastors. How to Read the Bible (Pastor Kyle), What Methodists Believe (Pastor Angelo), and Discover Your Gifts (Pastor Laura) are now available for you to access anytime, anywhere! Take the classes individually or as a group, whatever works best with your schedule. Video lessons and an application guide, complete with reflection questions, will be sent to you after you register online (apexumc.churchcenter.com/groups/classes).
Announcements - Connect
Church Work Day Grab your work gloves and come work (safely distanced, of course) at the church to spruce up our campus! Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. No experience necessary. Choose from a number of different tasks. Register online (apexumc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/601092). Confirmation Prayer Partners When we baptize a child, our church makes a commitment to walk alongside the family in raising that child as a disciple of Christ. During Confirmation, parents and Confirmands will be walking through some of the foundations of our faith as they discern whether they want to affirm their baptism vows and be Confirmed. We are looking for congregational prayer partners to pray for our Confirmands as they are on this journey. The commitment would be praying daily for one of the Confirmands throughout the Confirmation season, as well as sending a note or card to them weekly. We will send you prompts each week for prayer and communication ideas. Register online (apexumc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/600615). Family Promise Once again, Apex UMC has the privilege to “host” Family Promise by providing meals for the week of Nov. 15. We are working with a local caterer who attends another Family Promise host church and who has volunteered his free time each day to cover the evening meals. If you have questions about how you can support Family Promise meals, please reach out to Pam Keenan at [email protected].
Announcements - Involve
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Western Wake Crisis Ministry Thanksgiving In lieu of Thanksgiving bags this year, WWCM will collect 400 gift cards for our neighbors in need. They are asking for gift cards from Food Lion or Walmart in $25 or $50 increments. You can bring cards to the Gather with the Saints event on Nov. 1, you can mail them directly to WWCM (1600 Olive Chapel Rd, Suite 408, Apex, NC 27502), you can donate online at wwcm.org, or you can bring them to the church office and put them in the white, locked box by the front door (#1). Please donate by Nov. 18. Adopt-A-Highway Mark your calendars for Saturday, Dec. 5, at 8:30 a.m. and join us as we continue a 30-year commitment to keep Apex the “Peak of Good (and clean) Living!” We will meet at the Peak at 8:30 a.m. and finish around 10 a.m. All the safety protocols will be followed (wear a mask, socially distanced, etc). Contact Chris Finch ([email protected]) to register or for further details. Art & Gift Market Goes Virtual! The Art & Gift Market, like so many other things in this pandemic, will look different this year. Our 3rd annual event will be held as a virtual event with some pretty incredible vendors! What could be better than supporting local artists and doing some Christmas shopping - all from the comfort of your home? Start shopping online now at apexumc.org/giftmarket! Western Wake Crisis Ministry Needs Pasta sauce, peanut butter, applesauce (especially the individual serving size), and canned meat (tuna/chicken). Donations of any non-perishables are always appreciated. To help hand out food to clients, WWCM needs reusable grocery store bags and paper grocery store bags. Please place items in the marked bins in the Crossroads circle. Thank you! WWWCM also needs volunteers to serve one, 2-3 hour shift a week, assisting with food organizing, shelving, and receiving. Sign up online (signup.com/go/ymwBAiR). (*WWCM observes all COVID protocols including regular temperature taking, mask wearing at all times, limited people in the building and maintaining social distancing.)
Announcements - Involve
Thank You! Thank you for investing in the mission and ministry of Apex UMC by making a pledge of giving for 2021! Your ongoing commitment will ensure our church continues our mission to invite and equip all to follow Jesus in transforming the world. Submit your pledge today at apexumc.org/pledge. Financial Update Every time we give to Apex UMC, we are making a way for others to experience the love of God that we have experienced here. It is our desire to provide you with full transparency and clarity regarding the finances of the church. To see our current financial status, visit apexumc.org/finance. Questions? Contact Pastor Laura ([email protected]) or our finance office ([email protected]).
Announcements - Invest
100 South Hughes Street Apex, NC 27502 100 South Hughes Street Apex, NC 27502 100 South Hughes Street Apex, NC 27502 100 South Hughes Street Apex, NC 27502 100 South Hughes Street Apex, NC 27502 100 South Hughes Street Apex, NC 27502 100 South Hughes Street Apex, NC 27502 100 South Hughes Street Apex, NC 27502
Laura Johnson, Pastor – [email protected]
Sheila Ahler, Associate Pastor – [email protected]
Ellen Rose, Pastor of Congregational Care – [email protected]
Todd Arant, Traditional Worship Arts – [email protected]
Ellen Griffin, Children’s Ministry – [email protected]
Dana Hall, Youth Ministry – [email protected]
Brad Hoffman, Facilities – [email protected]
Becki Leeland, Missional Discipleship – [email protected]
Marcus McClellan, Youth Ministry & Church Strategy – [email protected]
Jacqueline Schechter, Communications – [email protected]
Corey Vevera, Contemporary Worship Arts – [email protected]
Norma Wallace, Children’s Ministry – [email protected]
Alta Whitt, Director of Senior Adult Ministry – [email protected]
Will Wilson, Custodian – [email protected]
Joette Winberry, Organist – [email protected]
Apex Campus Staff
