Sermon Ideas
One of the great ideas that I heard on our trip to the Church of the Resurrection was that Adam Hamilton periodically asks the congregation for their thoughts on what he should preach on. He takes those thoughts on retreat, prays about them, and starts to develop sermon outlines for the coming two years. I loved this idea, and hoped that you could share with me your thoughts on the following questions:
1. What life situations would you like to see addressed in the sermons?

2. Are there parts of the Bible or theological questions you would like to explore?

3. Are there places in your life where you’re hurting and
need guidance?

4. What do you feel are your spiritual deficiencies?

5. Are there subjects that your non-churchgoing friends would come to listen to?

Please send your thoughts to me at sermons@mmumc-dc.org, or drop them in the box in the Narthex marked “Sermon Ideas.” I’m looking forward to hearing from you!

Blessings,

Rev. Dr. Charles Parker

MESSIAH Rehearsals!
Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. - 8:15 p.m., Music Room
The Metropolitan Oratorio Choir will offer the Christmas portion of Handel’s beloved oratorio, MESSIAH, on Sunday, December 7 during the 11:15 a.m. worship service. MESSIAH will be performed with choir, soprano, alto, tenor, and bass soloists, 10-piece baroque orchestra, and organ.  The service will conclude with the glorious Hallelujah Chorus from the end of Part II of the oratorio.

Everyone who desires to be a part of the choir is invited to Thursday evening rehearsals from 7:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. in the music room which is located in the Anne D. Dougherty Music Suite on the lower level of the education building. All voice parts will be needed: soprano, alto, tenor, and bass.

There will be a final rehearsal with orchestra and organ on Saturday, December 6 from 10 a.m. until noon in the sanctuary.

If you have any questions or wish to arrangements for childcare, please contact Bruce Caviness, Organist Choirmaster, at 202.363.4900 x 15.

Clean-Up Fix-Up Touch-Up
Saturday, November 15, 9:30 a.m.
The Board of Trustees of the Church is planning a work day on Saturday, November 15 from 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. to address some needed chores around the facility. Activities will include cleaning the kitchen, cleaning and polishing the sanctuary furniture, gardening work outside, and touch-up painting. Please plan to come and spend whatever time you are able to contribute.

NEW CLASS - Exploring Faith
Sundays, 10:10 a.m., Fireplace Room
Join the newly-formed Exploring Faith class on Sunday mornings at 10:10 a.m. in the Fireplace Room. Exploring Faith, a place to connect and grow our faith as we journey through a variety of shorter-term Bible and book studies. The class will take a look at the polarization of America and the ever-hardening positions held by people less and less willing to listen to one another. Adam Hamilton, pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, KS, one of the country’s most dynamic and distinctive congregations, offers a solution in his recently published book, "Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White: Thoughts on Religion, Morality, and Politics." Hamilton’s book will be the basis for our discussion on how thinking persons of faith can model for the rest of the country a richer, more thoughtful conversation on the political, moral, and religious issues that divide us. Books are available for purchase for $20 (scholarships available), or you may order a copy online through Cokesbury.com or Amazon.com. Questions? Contact Rev. Sandy Rector.

The Living Faith Sunday School
Sundays, 10:10 a.m., Christie Room
The Living Faith Sunday School class has embarked on a very interesting study of the New Testament in its historical context through a thought-provoking video series by Professor Bart D. Ehrman. The following is a list of upcoming lectures:

Nov 16 - The Historical Jesus - Solutions and Methods
Nov 23 - Jesus the Apocalyptic Prophet

Please join us in the Christie Room on Sundays at 10:10 a.m.!

Science & Religion Lecture
"How the Brain Learns to See the World:  
Why Meditation is Important in a Sensing Brain"
Sunday, November 16, 10:10 a.m., Great Hall
The members of the Science & Religion class invite you to join us on Sunday, November 16 at 10:10 a.m. in the Great Hall for a discussion led by M.I.T. neuroscientist Dr. Christopher I. Moore. The class has been discussing the unity of brain/mind activity and how deep meditation brain scans are yielding important insights for scientists learning how the brain works. Dr. Chris Moore has many intriguing insights to share. Dr. Moore is an Associate Professor at M.I.T. at the McGovern Institute for Brain Research, and has held other appointments at the UC San Francisco Keck Center, the Martinos Center at Harvard Medical School, and the Marine Biological Lab at Woods Hole. His publications include articles in such journals as Cell, Neuron, Brain Research, Neurophysics, Neuroscience, Nature, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. In the last two years he has presented seminars at more than 2 dozen academic gatherings, including Johns Hopkins, Harvard, Dartmouth, Yale, Columbia, Paris, Helsinki, and EPFL in Lausanne Switzerland.

New Member Luncheon
Sunday, November 16, 12:30 p.m., Great Hall
Join us for a new member luncheon and orientation on Sunday, November 16 at 12:30 p.m. If you have just joined Metropolitan or are interested in joining, or have been unable to attend past new member classes you are invited to this interesting and informative session. Please RSVP to Jeff Clouser, Director of Communications and Outreach by Thursday, November 13.

IONA Senior Services presents National Memory Screening Day 
Tuesday, November 18, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
4125 Albemarle St., NW
Confidential memory screenings through the IONA Adult Day Health Center in conjunction with the Alzheimer's Foundation of America's National Memory Screening Day. Free. Call 202.895.9448 for more information.

Stewardship Sunday - One Worship Service at 10 a.m.
Sunday, November 23
Join us for worship and a luncheon on Stewardship Sunday beginning at 10 a.m.!

Service Ministry Retreat
Monday, December 1, 6 p.m., Great Hall
The Service Ministry team is holding a retreat on Monday December 1 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Great Hall.  The retreat is open to all Metropolitan members and dinner will be provided.  The purpose of the retreat is to discuss ways to focus our service ministries and to increase participation. Specifically, we will: 1) Identify common themes for our service projects based on our current projects, congregational interest, and community needs; 2) Develop criteria for judging new projects and for making budget recommendations; and 3) Discuss ways to increase participation in our service projects. To inform the retreat, we’ve created a survey that we’d like members of the congregation to complete by clicking on this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=7yUGyXJM8vLsf3j_2bX_2fXaIQ_3d_3d

Please RSVP to Lee Crockett by November 26 so that we order enough food.

Wesley Theological Seminary Presents Dr. Lauren Winner
December 5, 2008, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Wesley Theological Seminary welcomes Dr. Lauren Winner, author of Girl Meets God and Mudhouse Sabbath, for an Advent reflection on the rituals of Sabbath and spiritual practice on Friday December 5, 2008 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Dr. Winner is Assistant Professor of Christian Spirituality at Duke Divinity School. She has written widely on Christian practices, the history of Christianity in America and Jewish-Christian relations. There is no cost and lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to Sara Sheppard. Please include your name, church affiliation, and e-mail address. This event is underwritten by the Making Connections Initiative and the Lilly Endowment.

Annual Christmas Coat Drive—SHOP EARLY!
Starts December 7
It's time once again to start planning for the annual Christmas Coat Drive.  The Living Faith Sunday School Class is collecting new coats, hats and gloves for needy DC children (sizes 24 months to 16). Collection boxes will be placed in the lobby of the new building on Sunday mornings from December 7 through December 28.  Receipts will be available at the collection boxes.  Although we encourage you to donate the above items, cash contributions are also welcome and we will shop for you.  Please make checks payable to Metropolitan Memorial and annotate on your check that it is for the Coat Drive.  If you are uncomfortable leaving your cash contribution in the box, you can instead mail it to:  Debbie Gustowski, 2924 33rd Place NW, Washington DC 20008; your receipt will then be mailed to you if you so desire.  
Many thanks for your gifts that will help keep the children warm this winter.   If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Gustowski. 

Metropolitan Memorial Christmas Crèche Exhibit
Sunday, December 7, 10 a.m.
Share your cherished Nativity Scenes with the congregation by signing up for the Christmas Crèche Exhibit to be held Sunday, December 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Great Hall. Setup will be Saturday, December 6, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. We hope to have lots of Crèches! We will be glad to set up your scene for you and take it down. To participate, please email Mary Rynearson, or Marilu Wood, or call Connie McWorkman at 301-320-4242.

United Methodist Women's Recognition Luncheon
Sunday, December 7, 12:30 p.m.
We are delighted to announce that four outstanding women have been selected for special recognition at our annual recognition event in December. As always, there are many, many women in our church who contribute in countless ways. The four women we will recognize this year are Rev. Sandy Rector, Pam Settlage, Helen Simon and Martha Turner. Each one of these women has made significant contributions to our church, our community, and beyond. We look forward to hearing much more about each of their achievements and contributions at the Recognition Luncheon on December 7 beginning at 12:30 p.m. in the Vestry. In addition, we will welcome new UMW members, recognize babies born in our church family, as well as honor the lives of women in our church family who passed away within the past year. It promises to be a special day of celebration for all United Methodist Women.

Youth Connection Christmas Party
Sunday, December 7, 2008
5 p.m. - 7 p.m. at the parsonage
(3311 Nebraska Ave.)
Deck the Halls at the parsonage. Jimmy and Lesli invite all youth and their parents to join us for a Christmas gathering at our home. We’ll have food, drink, music, games and fellowship. Please RSVP to Jimmy by December 7. You can RSVP by e-mailing jsherrod@mmumc-dc.org or text 865.805.5373.

All Church Dinner & Carol Sing
Fun for All Ages!
Tuesday, December 9, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Join us for a family style dinner and carol sing in the Great Hall on Tuesday, December 9 at 5:30 p.m. Bring cookies to share!

Advent Workshop
Sunday, December 14, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Vestry
Join us for our annual Advent Workshop! The children will have time for fellowship and art, fun and learning. We will also share lunch with each other before leaving for the afternoon at 12:30 p.m. This is always a great invite for children of all ages, so mark your calendar and bring a friend! We need 3 or 4 parent helpers this morning for the workshop. If you are available to lend a hand, please contact Kay Jacobi.

-Click Here For This Month's Calendar-

Our Clergy Staff:

Dr. Charles Parker / Rev. Sandy Rector / Rev. Jimmy Sherrod

For more information, go to our main website http://www.nationalchurch.org.

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-Click Here For This Month's Calendar-

Our Clergy Staff:

Dr. Charles Parker / Rev. Sandy Rector / Rev. Jimmy Sherrod

For more information, go to our main website http://www.nationalchurch.org.

Top