Volume 69, Number 42, November 21, 2017 First Presbyterian Church Chartered in Church Street, PO Box 100 Neenah, Wisconsin

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1 The Church Bell THE CHURCH BELL (U.S.P.S. # ) is published weekly for $1 per year by First Presbyterian Church, 200 Church Street, Neenah, WI Periodicals postage paid at Neenah, WI. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 100, Neenah, WI Volume 69, Number 42, November 21, 2017 First Presbyterian Church Chartered in Church Street, PO Box 100 Neenah, Wisconsin Sunday, November 26 th Christ the King Sunday Baptism Communion Scripture Readings: Revelation 1:4b-8; John 18:33-37; Psalm 100; Matthew 25: :00 a.m. Worship in the Chapel 8:30 a.m. Joyful Noise Handbells in the Music Rm 9:00 a.m. Adult Christian Education in the SPY Rm, 2 nd Flr Disputed Scriptures Apocryphal Acts with Dr. Kathleen Schuhart FaithTime Sheep and Goats Matthew 25: :15 a.m. Chancel Choir in the Sanctuary 10:15 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary Five Second Steward As I walked through the church lobby on Sunday, I was greeted by excited children who were putting on a bake sale, selling tie blankets, dog treats and bandannas. They were working together to raise money for the Neenah Police Department s canine unit. Two weeks ago, attendees of FaithTime for Everyone got to meet Cedric, Neenah s canine police dog. Last Sunday, the children worked on tie blankets, bandannas and thank you cards. This week, donations of baked goods were brought in and the smiling children were excited to sell everything. The children really set a good example for everyone in the congregation they heard of a need in our community, worked together to figure out how to raise funds, and executed that plan. When we work together, we can really make a difference in our community. Officer Cedric of the Neenah Police Dept K-9 Unit

2 Upcoming Events... Congregational Meeting There will be a Congregational Meeting on December 3 rd after the 10:15 a.m. service to elect a Pastor Nominating Committee and two Deacons to complete unexpired terms. Women s Outdoor Adventure Group Join the Women s Outdoor Adventure Group on Tuesday, November 28 th for a potluck and craft project. We ll begin at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, enjoy dinner together, then work on creating something new out of an old window. There are so many things that can be done with old windows, and Kathy Devereaux has generously offered to provide all the windows for this project! Some ideas include: painting the windows (maybe in a Christmas or winter scene, maybe like our cloister windows are painted each Advent?), using the windows like picture frames, or turning one into a serving tray! Check out Pinterest for more ideas. So here s a recap: November 28 th, beginning at 6:00 p.m. with a potluck. Please your RSVP (chuxtable@new.rr.com or kdevbaker@aol.com) and please invite a friend! Does Santa need to get some Christmas shopping done without the kids? Drop the kids off on Friday, December 15 th 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and we ll watch them at no charge! Please RSVP with the number of children attending and their ages to Gina Struensee (text to or gstruensee@firstpresneenah.org) by Wednesday, December 13 th. Storied Past, Faithful Future A special musical offering took place on November 13, It was a performance of Benjamin Britton s A Ceremony of Carols, Opus 28, sung by the Downers Women s Chorus of Lawrence University.

3 Upcoming Events Getting Ready for Christmas This year Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday, so our worship schedule will be a bit different than it was last year. We will have only one morning worship service on Sunday, December 24 th at 9:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary. In the evening, we will have two Christmas Eve services. The first will take place at 4:00 p.m. with a candlelight service and offer something extra for the children. The second service at 9:00 p.m. will also be a candlelight service that includes communion. We hope that you will join us for one or more of these worships. The King and I Saturday Matinee Tickets All are invited to attend a special Saturday Matinee of The King and I on January 27 th at 2:00 p.m. followed by dinner at Pullmans Restaurant. Cost is $63.00 and includes show tickets on the main floor, bus transportation departing at 1:00 p.m. from the Highlands at Mahler Park, and queso dip and chips and cookie/bar at Pullmans Restaurant. Each person will order and be responsible for paying for their own dinner and beverages. Reserve your ticket now by contacting Debbie Griffith (debbiegriffith34@gmail.com or ). Please make checks out to Debbie and be sure she receives by Tuesday, December 5 th. Recipes... Amy Fosters Crockpot Chicken Served by Mary Hooper and Debbie Griffith at the November Friend s Class. 4 large boneless skinless chicken breasts 1 can (15 oz) black beans 1 can (15 oz) corn frozen or canned 8 oz block of cream cheese 1 jar (15 oz) salsa whatever your favorite is Place chicken at bottom of crock pot. Drain beans and corn and use them to cover the chicken. Pour salsa over the top. Cook on low for seven hours or on high for five hours. Take chicken out of crockpot and shred. Put chicken back in crockpot. A half hour before serving, place block of cream cheese on top of shredded chicken in crockpot. Once melted, mix and serve. Member News... Baptism On November 12 th we celebrated the baptism of Asher Douglas Cebulski, son of Vanessa and Bradley Cebulski. Welcome, little one, to the family of God!

4 Member News... New Members Vanessa Cebulski is married to FPCN member Brad Cebulski. She and Brad welcomed their first child, son Asher, into the world on July 29, They also have a dog, Ivy, and a cat, Cooper. Vanessa enjoys all things outdoors and loves to travel. Since Asher was born, she is very excited to grow in her faith and spirituality. Melissa Kading is married to FPCN member Jim Kading. She and Jim have one daughter, Camille. The Kadings live in Fox Crossing and Melissa works for One America. Melissa enjoys knitting, quilting, playing softball and bowling as well as coaching a youth bowling team. Alyssa and Joseph Vosters live in Neenah with their two month old son, Elliott. They enjoy traveling, being outdoors, and love being part of the community. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Sunday, Nov. 26 th, 9-10am High School and Adult Class SPY Rm, 2 nd Flr Disputed Scriptures Apocryphal Acts Led by: Dr. Kathleen Schuhart Did you know that Jesus had a twin brother? Or that Paul the Apostle traveled and preached with a young woman named Thecla who also preached alongside him? Thecla was a young woman who battled with wild beasts in the arena while crowds of women cheered, ready to make the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of her faith. Several of these books also made early canonical lists and were popular early Christian novels, which ended up on the cutting room floor. FaithTime Sheep and Goats, Matthew 25:31-46 Middle School Luke 2:49 Wee Worship Good Samaritan Dale Winkler June 15, 1943 November 14, 2017 We extend our sympathy to the family of Dale Winkler, who passed away on Tuesday, November 14, Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. Isaiah 43:1

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6 UPCOMING EVENTS Dec 3 Congregational Mtg to elect a Pastoral Nominating Committee and two Deacons Dec 10 One service of worship at 10:15 a.m. with Advent Brunch to follow Dec 24 One morning service of worship at 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Family worship service 9:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion worship service Now Thank We All Our God, with Hearts and Hands and Voices! I ve been reminded this fall of the first statement under LEARN in your LEARN, LOVE, SERVE Mission Statement: We praise and honor God through music, providing musical education for all age groups. What s reminded me of this statement are the anthem notes that Steve Sieck has started including in the bulletin. I really do learn from those! I find myself listening more attentively and with more understanding, rather than passively absorbing the beautiful sounds. Plus, I don t know if you ve noticed, but it seems as though we ve been doing more and more participatory anthems, in which the whole congregation has a role. As Steve has pointed out more than once, theologically speaking, we are all the choir not just the ones who are up in the chancel. Those folks are simply there to strengthen the singing and worship of the whole Body. That, they do. I am grateful for a church that has such a solid understanding of music and of worship. I m grateful that you all are so willing to stretch and grow in singing new music in new ways. I m grateful for the gifts of those who are up front Steve and all of the singers who help to make the rest of us better and more confident singers, so that we can praise God with gusto. In this season of thanksgiving, you are each yet another reason for thanks! Blessings, If you haven t already done so, please send in your 2018 pledge card as soon as possible! This helps greatly as the Session begins to plan the mission and ministry of this church for coming year. First Presbyterian Church 200 Church St., Neenah WI Phone: Website: facebook: Interim Pastor: Terry Hamilton-Poore Associate Pastor: Paul Huxtable Director of Christian Education: Gina Struensee Director of Music: Steve Sieck