November 2025 - Gratitude and Grace
November is here and Advent is right around the corner, but we’d like to take some time in this season of transition to reflect on gratitude and grace. Read on to see what’s on the calendar at Main St UMC this month!
A Word from Pastor Rich
With the Thanksgiving holiday coming up we often pause in November to give thanks. What is it that you give thanks for? We have many things like family, friends, food, shelter - the list could go on – and it is good to give thanks for these wonderful things in our lives. I like the fact that the month of Thanksgiving starts with All Saints Sunday, which Discipleship Ministries describes as,
“One of the most precious [days] in the life of a community of faith. It is an opportunity to celebrate beloved members of the church and to acknowledge a worldwide connection with those who claim the name of Christ. This standalone worship theme invites us to bear witness in the name of those who have gone before by standing firm in the faith and growing in love and discipleship. We give thanks to the saints we revere by living as saints in the world today.”
I look forward to worshipping with you as we celebrate and give thanks for the Saints at Main Street Church. However, All Saints Sunday is only the beginning of November. In the “church” calendar, November is the end of the year. November 23 we will celebrate the Reign of Christ Sunday or as many of us may know it Christ the King Sunday. This is the last day of the Liturgical calendar and following Sunday begins the new liturgical year with Advent.
“We are bringing Liturgical Year C to an end with this series. Instead of dwelling on the end, however, we are encouraging a look ahead. We return to the promises of God; the promise of a new reality, a new hope, and an ongoing presence that will usher all of creation into this new kingdom and kin-dom of relationship and joy. It is, in a way, a pre-Advent anticipation that ends with a celebration of the Reign of Christ. Though this series is grounded in the Hebrew scripture lectionary texts, Christ is the center of our worship and the ground of our hope. Let us be reminded that the days are surely coming when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”
As I write this, I am painfully aware that the government shut down continues and there are many people in our area that are impacted significantly and in need of assistance to make through these difficult days. You will see in this Messenger that there are many ways that Main Street Church is responding. Please find a place that you can help make a difference. Thank you for the many ways you have already been a light shining in the darkness.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Rich
November Worship Schedule
Sunday, November 2nd - Love Increasing - Luke 19:1-10 - All Saints Sunday
Sunday, November 9th - The Latter Splendor - Haggai 1:15b-2:9
Sunday, November 16th - Rejoice Forever in Creation - Isaiah 65:17-25
Sunday, November 23rd - Woe to the Shepherds - Jeremiah 23:1-6
Sunday, November 30th - Signs and Times - Matthew 26:36-44 - Combined Worship Service @ 10:00
Supporting Our Neighbors In Need
As many members of our Suffolk community continue to be impacted by the government shutdown and funding cuts to federal food assistance programs, we as a congregation have been asked to step in and help fill the gap! Our missions partners at the Suffolk Christian Fellowship food pantry are experiencing a steep rise in the number of folks asking for assistance, and we will be collecting the following shelf-stable items throughout the month of November:
Dried rice, beans, and legumes
Boxed dinners/sides (instant mashed potatoes, hamburger helper, mac & cheese, etc)
Canned/powdered gravy
Peanut butter and jelly
Instant oatmeal
There will be a large collection barrel in the Atrium entrance for you to drop off your donations, and we want to challenge you to drop off a food donation any time you stop by the church throughout the month. Together, we can help lend a hand to our neighbors in need!
Greetings from Georgia!
This is your brother in Christ Jimmy Cooper writing to you from Atlanta, GA with a seminary update! It was great to see some of you a few weeks ago when I was back in town for Fall break, and I’m looking forward to the next time I’ll be able to worship with you during Thanksgiving weekend. As you can imagine, a lot has happened in the last three months since I began my seminary journey, so I’ll do my best to give you a short summary of what I’ve been up to.
In early August I moved into the Wesley Residential Formation Community here at Candler School of Theology, and I’m currently serving as the community facilitator for Wesley House. Candler’s off-campus formation communities are focused on intentional living and organized around different denominations/areas of interest, and our group is for residential Methodist students. We have weekly fellowship meetings, retreats, group spiritual direction, and one-on-one advising with a chaplain, so we have all been able to enjoy growing spiritually and communally over the course of the semester.
This community has been a source of both joy and accountability as I settled into the rhythm of classes and my other responsibilities. I’ve been taking classes on the Old Testament, Methodist History and Doctrine, a first-year preparatory course, and a hands-on contextual education class that involves volunteering at a nearby food bank. I’m also working in the Methodist Studies Office as a student worker, assisting the department with day-to-day tasks, conference visits, and events. I have been loving my classes so far, and my jobs as community facilitator and as a student worker have been engaging and sustaining work.
Amidst all of this, I still am able to enjoy some time with my new friends and explore what Atlanta has to offer. I’m truly grateful to have this opportunity to pursue my call to ministry here at Candler, and without your support through your faithful prayers and generous donations, I would not have been able to have such a great start to this next stage of my life. Thank you so much for uplifting me over these past three years while I’ve been on this path, and please know that not a day goes by where I don’t miss sitting alongside you in the pews or joining you in fellowship back in Suffolk.
Making Young Disciples at Main Street!
“Hatching Faith” Cohort with the Virginia Conference
As we continue to make our way through the “Hatching Faith” process, we have started to reflect on and analyze where we are as a congregation - and where we would like to see the church be in the future. This process will involve surveys, interviews, and intentional conversations with members of the community, and we want to encourage you to share your ideas and dreams with the team!
If you would be interested in joining our church’s Hatching Faith team - or simply want to learn more about this exciting opportunity - please reach out to Andy Millman at amillman@mainstumc.org.
Outdoor Family Movie Night : “A Bugs Life” - Nov 9th at 5:00pm
It’s time for another community movie night, and we’re mixing things up this time around with an outdoor screening of the animated classic “A Bug’s Life”! Bring a friend and a chair or blanket to make yourself comfortable, and we’ll provide seasonal snacks and warm beverages to keep the chill away. The movie we are screening is rated “G” and approved for all audiences, and everyone in the community is welcome!
If you plan on attending the movie screening, please sign up here so that we can be sure to have enough food and drink for everyone - or let Andy know at amillman@mainstumc.org!
Approaching Advent
As November comes to a close and we prepare the church for Advent and the coming Christ, there are a number of opportunities for you to help decorate the grounds, serve, study scripture, and engage in the traditions of our faith!
Decorating the Chrismon Tree - November 23rd
On Sunday, November 23rd at 2:00pm we will have a team of volunteers gather to put up our Chrismon Tree in the sanctuary. If you’d like to assist us in putting up the tree this year, please reach out to Andy Millman at amillman@mainstumc.org. To learn more about the history of the “Chrismon Tree”, watch the video below!
Combined Worship Service and Advent Celebration
Because the first Sunday of Advent falls in a month with five Sundays, we will be having a single combined worship service at 10:00am followed by an Advent Celebration in the Atrium. Light snacks will be provided, and we will have supplies for folks of all ages to create advent wreaths to light throughout the season!
Advent Bible Study: “Voices of Advent” by Matthew Skinner
Joe Webb will be leading our annual Advent study, and this year we will be diving into the different voices present in the Advent story through the work of Matthew Skinner. Our first meeting will take place on Sunday, November 30th at 4:00pm, and then subsequent sessions will be held on December 2nd, 9th, and 16th at 7:00pm. Books have already been ordered and will arrive soon with a recommended donation of $10. To learn more or to reserve yourself a copy of the book, please contact Holly Richardson at hrichardson@mainstumc.org.
Volunteer Bell Ringers Needed!
We will once again be partnering with the Salvation Army to ring bells and collect donations in front of the Walmart on Main Street in order to support the services that they provide for our neighbors in need. MSUMC has volunteered to take shifts on December 1-5 from 4:00-7:00pm, and we’d love your help! If you’d like to learn more, speak with Keith Johnston in the Atrium on Sunday mornings or email Andy Millman at amillman@mainstumc.org.
Upcoming Events At Main St UMC
“The Chosen” Bible Study - Tuesdays 6:15-7:30
Join Pastor Rich as he facilitates a group discussion about Season 5 of the hit television series every Tuesday evening from Sept 23 until Nov 18. All are welcome to bring dinner or a snack and join in the conversation!
Friends of Barnabas Fundraising Luncheon Sunday, Nov 2 at 12:15pm
Outdoor Family Movie Night: “A Bugs Life” - Sunday, Nov 9 at 5:00pm
“Friends of Music” Appreciation Recital & Dedication - Sunday, Nov 16 at 3:00pm
“Please join me for a special afternoon recital and thank you to all who support our music ministry. There will be solo organ music, congregational hymns, and special guest soloist Amber Garrett. During the recital there will be a special moment to honor and dedicate the new organ bench donation by George Stebe in memoriam of Nancy Stebe. Thank you so much for all your support and I look forward to sharing this sacred music with you!” - Julie Heard, Organist/Accompanist
Thanksgiving Week Office Closures - Wednesday, Nov 26 - Thursday, Nov 27
First Sunday of Advent & Advent Celebration- Sunday, November 30th
Advent Bible Study: “Voices of Advent” - Sunday, November 30th at 4:00pm; Tuesdays, Dec 2nd, 9th, and 16th at 7:00
For a full calendar of events at Main St UMC, click here!
November Birthdays and Anniversaries
11/1 - Richard Meiser
11/2 - Jimmy Holland, Aaron Mizelle
11/3 - Steven & Karen Gunter (anniversary), Carey & Meredith Michael (anniversary)
11/4 - Laura Holshouser, Ron Williams, Bo & Jodi Browne (anniversary), Edward & Martha Trapani *anniversary)
11/5 - Midge Callis, Elaine Davis
11/6 - Carl Hardee, Tracey Medeiros
11/7 - Bo Browne
11/8 - George Birdsong, Sara Harp, Michele Pettway
11/9 - Kristi Hicks
11/10 - Grace Van Orden, Michael & Robin Casey (anniversary)
11/12 - Meredith Webb, Tom & Jackie Williams (anniversary)
11/13 - Karen Savage
11/14 - Nicole Duke
11/15 - Troy Barnes, Lu Bowman, Darrell Hurst, Lexie Redd
11/16 - Andrew & Maggie McCauley (anniversary)
11/17 - Kelly Drewnowski, Bob Funkhouser
11/18 - Steve Huber, John Wagner
11/19 - August Astorga, Toppy Palmer
11/20 - Cole Russell
11/22 - Daniel & Elizabeth Totten (anniversary)
11/23 - Steven & Brenda Beck (anniversary)
11/24 - Kelly Franklin, Kristi Kilborn
11/25 - Cheri Anthony, Steve Webb
11/26 - Cross Birdsong, Michele Bossick, Calvin Caron
11/28 - Janice Harper, Jackson Ray
11/29 - Robbie Barnhill, Anne Higinbotham, Trey Parker, Karen Scott, Riane Smith, William & Nancy O’Berry (anniversary)
11/30 - Thomas Beale, Betty Michael
Going Forth With Gratitude
As we make our way closer and closer to the Advent season, we leave you with this recording of United Methodist Hymn #437 “This Is My Song” as an invitation to reflect on the grace we have received and the gratitude that we can share with our neighbors. The accompanying music “Finlandia” was originally written by Jean Sibelius at the turn of the 20th century, and lyrics were later added by a public school teacher named Lloyd Stone in the turbulent period between WWI and WWII. It brought a message of hope and unity in a troubled time, and still speaks to us as people of faith to this day.