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Christmas Eve Worship Services
Join us as we celebrate the coming of the Christ-Child, Saturday, December 24 during 2 services:
Intergenerational Service @ 4pm
Lessons, Carols & Candlelight @8pm
Don’t forget our 10 am worship service on Christmas Day! ALL ARE WELCOME!
Annual Angel Tree
Our Annual Angel Tree will be located in the Narthex from November 27 – December 11. Please stop by and choose an Angel (or several) off the tree to help make the holidays brighter for children and youth at Hearts and Homes for Youth (HHY). ). HHY is a non-profit that provides care for youth who are in need. Some of the youths are expectant teens or new mothers; and some are in foster care, group homes, or emergency shelters. They are all receiving assistance and support through the HHY program.
On each Angel you will find details (such as first name, gender, age, and clothing/shoe sizes) and a wish list indicating preferences for gifts. Please DO NOT feel obligated to fulfill all the wishes on the list – do what is practical for you. After you select an Angel, please place your gift(s) in a gift bag, UNWRAPPED, with the Angel attached and place the gift under the Angel tree. For gift cards, place them in an UNSEALED envelope with the Angel attached and give it to Ms. Marie. All gifts are due bySUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2022. Gifts can be bought on Sundays or delivered to the church office during business hours. Thank you so much for participating. Your gifts will bring great joy to the youth at HHY as they may be the only gifts the youth receive this year! Questions? Contact Rebecca McGinnis at rgwmcginnis7@gmail.com or Ms. Marie Matthews at mmatthews@silverspringumcp.org
Advent Festival & Live Nativity December 4, 4pm-6pm
We invite all to join us for our Advent Festival and Live Nativity, which will take place on Sunday, December 4th, from 4:00 – 6:00. Bring the whole family and come walk around our Live Nativity scene that will be brought to life by Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, the Wise Men and Shepherds in costume and real live animals. After you take in the sights of the Live Nativity, join us in the Fellowship Hall for a time of food (sandwiches and drinks), fellowship, and fun as we make Christmas crafts and gingerbread houses (Please note: There is one gingerbread house per family). Plus, wear your Christmas sweater for an UGLY sweater contest. For our homebound members, college students, and those in the military, we will make Christmas cards and wrap delicious boxes of cookies for them to enjoy. Questions? Contact Ms. Marie at mmatthews@silverspringumcp.org
Interim Director of Music Ministries Announcement
Welcoming our new Interim Director of Music Ministries, Leona Lowery Fitzhugh!
Several months ago, our Staff Parish Committee announced that Mary Ann Willow, our Music Director and Organist for the past 43 years, would retire, effective November 20th. While the completion of Mary Ann’s service in our Music Ministry will be difficult for us, we will celebrate with her a well-deserved retirement and a legacy of excellence in music ministry at Silver Spring United Methodist Church. More information about celebrations of Mary Ann’s ministry will be shared with our congregation next week.
Today, our Staff-Parish Committee is delighted to share that we have hired Mrs. Leona Lowery Fitzhugh as our Interim Director of Music Ministries. The Search Team was impressed by conversations with Mrs. Fitzhugh and with her technical, interpersonal and leadership skills. We believe that she understands and will fulfill the needs of our congregation as the interim Director of our Music Ministry.
Leona Lowery Fitzhugh has music degrees from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Catholic University, and is candidate for the Master of Sacred Music at Westminster Choir College. She was a Fulbright Scholar in Japan. She has a distinguished background as a music educator and choral director with Prince George’s Public Schools and Catholic University. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of Washington Women’s Chorale. For 22 years, Mrs. Fitzhugh currently serves Director of Music at Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Washington, DC. Leona is excited about Music Ministry and looking forward to her retirement from education to devote her work in glorifying God in song and music. One of her favorite Bible verses is Psalm 33:3 “Sing to Him a new song, play skillfully with a shout of joy”. She will begin her duties on November 21st, 2022.