the PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHes Millersburg FIRST Presbyterian and ClArk Community

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1 the PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHes Millersburg FIRST Presbyterian and ClArk Community NOVEMBER 2016 newsletter Pastor B s Corner: Impatiently Waiting for Jesus A year ago, I started using the Narrative Lectionary to pick out Scriptures for preaching. A lectionary is simply a list of Scripture readings for each Sunday of the year. By moving methodically through the Old Testament and the New Testament, the Narrative Lectionary strives to give the big picture of God s plan of salvation as presented in the Bible. From September 11th to December 11 th, the readings from the Narrative Lectionary are from the Old Testament; from December 18 th to April 23 rd the readings are from the Gospel of Luke; from April 30 th to May 14 th the readings are from Acts; and from May 21 st to June 4 th the readings are from Galatians. Now, I love the Old Testament, and I love to preach the Old Testament because it is our Scripture it is the Word of God to us here and now. I love the stories of the imperfect Mothers and Fathers of the faith. I love the Psalms with their honest and impassioned pleas and praises. I love the way that the prophets speak to their time and to today. However, I must confess that after a month or so of preaching nothing but Old Testament I am ready for some Gospel readings for some Jesus stories. I m ready for Jesus to break into the world to fulfill all that was written in the prophets about him. I m ready. As I read the Narrative Lectionary readings, I find myself impatiently waiting for Jesus. As I pondered this today, a thought came to me: If I, who know that Jesus will be born, am impatient waiting to read his story, then how more difficult it must have been for the people of the Old Testament to wait. There are hints of God s promise of a coming Messiah in our Narrative Lectionary passage from 2 Samuel 7:1-17. There are more hints more prophesies in the words of the major and minor prophets. The people of the Old Testament knew that a Messiah was coming, but they didn t know when, where, or how he would come. They waited for the Messiah to come. They didn t have the benefit of knowing the whole story as I do. They lived each day in anticipation. Reading, praying, and preparing heart and home for the Messiah to come. Maybe, that is the benefit of these three months spent preaching from the Old Testament. In a day and age when we don t want to have to wait for anything, including waiting until Christmas to celebrate Jesus birth, reading from the Old Testament until the fourth Sunday of Advent, makes us slow down and wait. It helps us see how everything every one of God s promises kept led to God in Jesus breaking into the world leaving it, and us, forever changed. Reading the Old Testament for three months grows our anticipation, so that on December 18 th, when we finally read the story of the angel Gabriel coming to Mary to announce Jesus Birth, our excitement at the fulfillment of God s promises is as great as Mary s. I don t know if we ll use the Narrative Lectionary next year. It will end in June 4 th However, this year, we will stick with it; though we may take a couple of breaks. We will let it guide us (me and you) through the rhythms of Scripture. We will let the passages build our anticipation and tell us again the story we love the story of God s love for us from creation and fall to Jesus and the church triumphant.

2 Millersburg First Presbyterian News Millersburg First Presbyterian Church Congregational Meeting on December 4: There will be a congregation meeting immediately following worship for the purpose of electing officers. This will be a short meeting. Please make all effort to attend. Upcoming Events November 6: All Saints Day and Change Day Offering for Friends in Need November 5:45 PM: Youth Group at Millersburg First Presbyterian November 6:30 PM: Joint Session Meeting at Clark Community Presbyterian Church November 5:30 PM: Thursday Night LITE December 4 (immediately following worship): Congregational Meeting December 6 PM: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service December 10 AM: Combined Christmas Day Service at Millersburg First Presbyterian Change Day Offering on November 6: On November 6 th, we will be taking up our Change Day offering to benefit our Friends in Need Program. Friends in Need provides people in need with gas and grocery cards. Please save up your change (coins and bills) and help this wonderful outreach to our community. All Saints Service on November 6: On November 6 th, we will have our annual All Saints Day Service. This is our service of remembrance for all who have passed this year. Please join us for this special service.

3 Millersburg Participants November Liturgist Nursery Ushers 6 John Estill Tom & Laurie Vaughn Ron Schie, Sam Steimel 13 Sam Steimel Richard & Susan Haun Ruth & Kevin Vaughn 20 Carole Norman Ruth & Kevin Vaughn Sam Steimel, Jim Wilson 27 Tim Fair Vicki Wile Tom Vaughn, Jr. Vaughn Millersburg November Birthdays 1 Grant Haun 2 Rick Parrish 2 Kenton Trubee 3 Eldon Neuman 4 Brogan Steimel 5 Rich Rittenour 6 Mark Schaad 6 Karen Fair 8 Phyllis Neuman 9 James Wilson 10 Holly Durst 13 Ann Rochford 14 Keli Taylor 17 Denise Estill 17 Debbie Allison 20 Burnetta Armour 20 Connor Roach 22 Sam Steimel 23 Bob Shedron 26 Laurie Vaughn 27 Carole Norman The 7th Annual Candlelight Church Walk will be held, Friday, Dec. 9th from 6-8. The culminating event will be at our church this year and it begins at 8:15. West Holmes Chamber Choir will provide Christmas music. Please plan to be a greeter or help in some other way that evening. There will be sign-up sheets in the Narthex. We hope many of you will get your holiday season off to a great start by participating the evening of Dec. 9th.

4 REPORT ON SESSION MEETING - October 19th Deleted Marguerite Mason from the church roll. She passed away October 4 at the age of 87 yr. in Lake Wales. FL September financial report received. Ending balance was $11,385. Thirty-four received Communion on October 2. Four were served in home-bound Communion on October 6. Christmas Eve service will be at 6:00 pm this year on Saturday, December 24. Pastor Burnetta proposed that we have one service for the two churches, Clark and Millersburg on Christmas Day, held here at 10:00 am. The Personnel Committee will be authorized to write a job description for the hiring of a Christian Education Coordinator by the first of the year. Vicki Wile was also asked to serve on this assignment. Sunday, December 4 was selected to have the congregational meeting to elect church officers. The MOM Committee is sponsoring a couple of projects, Share-A- Christmas and the Samaritan s Purse Shoe-box gifts for children around the world. "Change Day" for the Friends in Need ministry will be Sunday, November 6. The joint meeting with the Clark Session will be Tuesday, November 15 at 6:00 pm at the Clark Church. The terms of call will be voted on. IN MEMORY Marguerite Mason passed away on October 4 at the age of 87 years. Marguerite joined the Millersburg Church in 2004 and attended in the summer months. She spent her winters in Florida and for the last several years lived there most of the time. Our sympathy is extended to her family and friends. She is survived by a son, two daughters, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Her husband, a grandson and a sister died previously. Services were held on October 13 at Alexander's Funeral Home SAMARITAN'S PURSE SHOE BOX GIFTS Once again we are asking members to fill "shoe boxes" with special gifts for children around the world. These boxes go to 150 countries and many children have never received gifts concerning the meaning of Christmas. There is a brochure accompanying the box to advise on the kind of gifts that are suitable with three age ranges and whether it is for a boy or a girl. $7.00 should go with each box for shipping charges. The boxes are due at the church on Sunday, November 13. We will have brief service of dedication during the worship service.

5 We will be responsible for 300 boxes or bags of pasta. If we can get more, that would be great, but our obligation is 300. The food will need to be delivered to the Baker Building at the new fairgrounds on Sunday, November 27 th from noon to 1:30. They always need help divide up food and items for families, so if anyone is able to stay and help, it would be greatly appreciated. ADVENT IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!! The Deacons will again host a light lunch after Worship November 27 followed by decorating the church for this special time. It went so well last year and we had such good participation, we decided to do it again! A special service that morning will include Lessons and Carols for Advent with the Deacons bringing in decorations toward the end and together lighting the first Advent Candle. We look forward to sharing the time with all. LOVING REMEMBRANCES The Deacons are offering a listing of remembrances for friends and family members no longer with us. The firm deadline for receiving names is December 11. You may send the form below to Debbie Allison, 380 Walkup Street, Millersburg, Ohio Two silk arrangements will be on display through Advent and we will gladly accept your donations toward floral purchase, upkeep and for general use in reaching out to others. Checks can be made to First Presbyterian Deacon's Fund. CHRISTMAS FLOWERS In Memory of: Your Name:

6 Clark Community Presbyterian church News November 5:45 PM: Youth Group at Millersburg First Presbyterian November 6:30 PM: Joint Session Meeting at Clark Community Presbyterian Church November 5:30 PM: Thursday Night LITE at Millersburg First Presbyterian Church December 6 PM: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service December 10 AM: Combined Christmas Day Service at Millersburg First Presbyterian All Saints Service on November 6: On November 6 th, we will have our annual All Saints Day Service. This is our service of remembrance for all who have passed this year. Please join us for this special service, which will be held in our Memorial Garden. On November 6th

7 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Al-Anon 7:30 p C QUILTERS 8-11 C- CHOIR 7 P M - CARD FELLOWHIP M Bible Study M - AA 7:00 p WORSHIP CLARK 9:30 AM ADULT SS 9:30 AM MILLERSBURG 11:00 M DEACONS 6 Al-Anon 7:30 p C QUILTERS 8-11 C- CHOIR 7 P M - CARD FELLOWHIP M Bible Study M - AA 7:00 p. Felicia Parrish dining room afternoon WORSHIP CLARK 9:30 AM ADULT SS 9:30 AM MILLERSBURG 11:00 M -YOUTH 5:45 Al-Anon 7:30 p C- JOINT SESSION 6:30 C QUILTERS 8-11 C- CHOIR 7 P M - CARD FELLOWHIP M Bible Study THURSDAY NIGHT LITE 5:30 M - AA 7:00 p WORSHIP CLARK 9:30 AM Al-Anon 7:30 p C QUILTERS 8-11 C- CHOIR 7 P M - AA 7:00 p. M Polen kitchen & dining area ADULT SS 9:30 AM MILLERSBURG 11: WORSHIP Al-Anon 7:30 p C QUILTERS 8-11 CLARK 9:30 AM C- CHOIR 7 P

8 ADULT SS 9:30 AM M CHOIR 5:15 MILLERSBURG 11:00

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11 Clark Community Presbyterian Church Millersburg First Presbyterian Church 90 South Clay Street Millersburg, Ohio Website: millersburgfirst.org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Clark November Liturgists 6 Becky Baker 13 Gary Wagers 20 Sandy Wagers 27 Ann Stotler US POSTAGE PAID Non-Profit Organization Permit No. 46 Millersburg, OH Please Deliver To: November Clark Birthdays 2 Gary Wagers Sr. 4 Rick Fox 5 Chloe Jones 5 Devone Polen 6 Whitney Croft 9 Sharon Betts 15 George Shernit 15 Gracy Gregory 20 Burnetta Armour 21 Savannah Yoder 23 Marlene Whetstone 29 Ann Stotler 29 Colton Garver Clark s 35 th Bazaar 10-2 on Saturday, November 5 th Serving same full menu Vegetable soup will be available along with hot mustard sauce & Juanita Bucklew s famous relish. Bake sale & limited amount of crafts