THETOWER. December, From the Pastor s Desk...

Transcription

1 THETOWER Bethel Presbyterian Church 563 Bethel Green Road Staunton, Virginia or Website bethelpresbyterianstaunton.org December, 2013 From the Pastor s Desk Dear Friends, During the Middle Ages, few people knew how to read. There were few books anyway. And all the books were written in Latin. Every church service was in Latin. The gospel story was taught to the population through Morality Plays & Parables. On Sunday, December 8th, we will reclaim this wonderful history by having the Sermon be the I Don t Believe It Pageant. Everyone is invited to participate. There is no age limit or requirement. There are no lines to learn. All you have to do is decide who/what you want to be and EITHER design & dress up in a costume you make OR come to the Fellowship Hall to be outfitted from the costumes that will be gathered there. Come between 10 & 10:45 am to claim an outfit. We will need: Mary, Joseph, Fred the Donkey, Angel Gabriel, Inn Keeper, Shepherd(s), Sheep, Heavenly Host, Stars, 3 Wisemen, a camel. After being costumed, take your seat in the Sanctuary. At sermon time, the Narrator will tell the story of the Nativity. And the Stage Manager (that s me!) will arrange all our players as their turn comes up. We will have a wonderfully fun AND spiritual time this 2nd Sunday of Advent. This same day we will celebrate and collect the Christmas Joy Gift Offering of our denomination. A Potluck Luncheon will follow in the Fellowship Hall, after Worship. See you in church. Phil Sommer

2 As I See It The Advent Season is the Christian s way to fight back! Fight back all the secular commercialism and political correctness that seems to dominate from Halloween through New Year. (By the way, where did Thanksgiving go?!). We stay centered by using our cherished symbols & actions that carry our anticipation on our journey to Bethlehem each year. From the centuries old tradition of placing candles in our windows to show the way to the Christ child; to the round wreaths of evergreen that speaks of eternal things; to our Hanging of the Greens and all the symbolic Chrismons; to the lovingly designed and constructed home & church decorations; to the Caroling to the Homebound. The list becomes endless, as we move once again to embrace the holiest night with music & candlelight and the telling and hearing of the ancient story of God s plan for our Salvation. For me it includes that Salvation Army Red Kettle that has been manned by multiple generations of my family. What is your personal act that makes this list yours?

3 December Worship Schedule December 1, st Sunday of Advent 11:00 am Read: Isaiah 2:1-5 Psalm 122 Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:36-44 Children s Time: The Journey Lighting of the Advent Wreath Hanging of The Greens Holy Communion December 8, nd Sunday of Advent Christmas Joy Gift Offering 11:00 am Read: Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalm 72:1-7; Romans 15:4-13 Matthew 3:1-12 Children s Time: The Journey Lighting of the Advent Wreath I Don t Believe It! Pageant Christmas Joy Gift Potluck Luncheon December 15, rd Sunday of Advent 11:00 am Children s Time: The Journey Lighting of the Advent Wreath Read: Isaiah 35:1-10 Psalm 146:5-10 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11 Sermon: Guest Preacher December 22, th Sunday of Advent 11:00 am Children s Time Lighting of the Advent Wreath Read: Isaiah 7:10-16 Psalm 80:1-7; Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-25 Sermon: Mary 4:00 pm Christmas Caroling to Homebound December 24, 2013 Candlelight Service 9:00 pm

4 Class of 2016 Officers New officers for the Class of 2016 were elected at the Congregational Meeting on October 27th after the worship service. The following people were nominated and elected to the Class of 2016: Elders Deacons Derek Almarode Tabby Moore Trustees Laura Barmore Bob Olson Dan Gano Dan Gano Chris Schooley Billy Wade Tom Whitaker Dale Thompson The annual Hanging of the Greens program will be held on December 1st during our regular worship service. Please make plans to attend this wonderful and meaningful service. Advent Workshop Sunday, December 1st, 2013 Advent is a season of anticipation and preparation for the coming of Christ. This workshop consists of lunch following the morning worship service, craft activities representing each Sunday of Advent and an Advent wreath to be used during the Advent Season. We invite everyone to be a part of this Advent Workshop. If you would like to help or have questions, please see Peggy Smith. Bethel Presbyterian Church needs a logo! The Bethel Communications Committee requests your submissions/suggestions for a logo for Bethel that would be used on our website, Facebook page, t-shirts, caps, letterhead, etc. Please submit your creative design and tell your friends! Give your submissions to any member of the Communications Committee (Tabby Moore, Tim Turner, Jill Webb, and Joyce Miller) by Sunday December 1, 2013.

5 Officer Training Officer Training will be on Friday, December 6th from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm and on Saturday, December 7th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. All Officers (Elders, Deacons, and Trustees) who will be serving in 2014 need to make plans to attend this training. If you will unable to be there please let Pastor Phil know as soon as possible (540/ ; Salvation Army Christmas Tree Watch for the Salvation Army tree which will be in the hallway between the Fellowship Hall and Memorial Hall soon. We need to make sure that all of those gift tags are taken so that the families we are helping can receive the Christmas that they have dreamed of and prayed about. Remember that the gifts will need to be returned to the church by December 8th and will need to be wrapped with the tag attached. Also, don t forget that you can team up to buy gifts (especially expensive ones) if you want to. Thank you so much for your great generosity! Bethel s people can always be counted on to be a blessing! The Session, Board of Deacons, and Board of Trustees will have a joint meeting on Sunday, December 8th, at 5:00 pm. All Elders, Deacons, and Trustees need to plan on attending this meeting. All newly elected officers (returning, ordained, or not yet ordained) will need to make plans to attend for examination by the Session following the joint meeting. If you will not be able to attend, please let Pastor Phil know. Attention! Please remember that the January Tower Deadline will be Thursday, December 12th and the Tower will be mailed out a week early on Thursday, December 19th due to the Christmas holiday. CHRISTMAS CAROLING EVERYONE Let s go Christmas Caroling, on Sunday, December 22nd! Meet at the church at 4:00 pm and we will carpool to the homes of our members who are homebound. We will return to the church afterward for a time of fellowship and a meal of hot dogs, hot cider and snacks. Let s join together to make the Christmas Holidays more special for our homebound members! MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE UNTO THE LORD. REJOICE AND SING PRAISE. - PSALM 98:4

6 Our Christmas Eve Candle Lighting Service will be held at 9 pm. The service is always a moving and beautiful experience as we hear the Good News both read and sung. Come and take part as we sing, as we pray, and as we praise God for the birth of our Savior! Presbyterian Women December 2013 *The Afternoon Circle will meet on Tuesday, December 10th, at 11:00 am (note the time change!). The meeting will be at the home of Libby Smith (180 Howardsville Road; Staunton). Please contact Libby at 540/ if you have any questions. *The Evening Circle will have a Christmas Party on Tuesday, December 10th, at 6:30 pm at the church. We will eat dinner together and exchange gifts. Please bring a dish to share and a small gift. If you have any questions, please call Phyllis Cash at 540/

7 Bethel Christmas Poinsettias or Donations To BERF Bethel is continuing the holiday tradition this year of Poinsettias and/or donations to BERF. You may purchase poinsettias as you have done in the past or instead of purchasing a poinsettia you may make a donation to BERF (Bethel Emergency Relief Fund). If you choose to make a donation to BERF you can still make the donation in honor or in memory of someone just as you would if you ordered a poinsettia. The form to order poinsettias or make a donation follows this announcement. Poinsettias will be purchased from Crosby Crest. *Note: Please fill out the form completely. Sometimes forms come back not completely filled out and it can make things difficult when compiling them for the bulletins. Also, if you would like to order a poinsettia and make a donation please use two forms (one for the poinsettia and one for the donation). Thank you! Christmas Poinsettias and BERF Donations Form You may order poinsettias at a cost of $10.00 (tax included) each or you may make a monetary donation to BERF (Bethel Emergency Relief Fund). The poinsettias purchased and the donations made to BERF will be acknowledged in the bulletins on December 15th, 22nd, and Christmas Eve. Please fill out the form below, attach the check or cash and place in the offering plate or mail to the Church Office: Attn: Church Secretary; 563 Bethel Green Road; Staunton, VA If you are purchasing a poinsettia please make checks payable to Bethel Presbyterian Church. If you are making a donation to BERF please make the check payable to Bethel Emergency Relief Fund. The deadline is Tuesday, December 10th at 3 pm. Number of Poinsettias or Donation to BERF Check or Cash Total Check or Cash Total In Honor Of : Given By: In Memory Of: Given By: Poinsettias will be on display in the church on December 15th, December 22nd, Christmas Eve and December 29th. **Remember to pick- up Poinsettia(s) following the Christmas Eve Service or on Sunday, December 29th, following the worship service.**

8 Financial Stewardship Offerings 2013: It is requested that offerings for 2013 be made no later than Sunday, December 29th, Thank you for your continued support. Pledges 2014: 33 pledges for a total of $92,100 have been received. Thanks to those who pledged. If you have not already pledged, please prayerfully consider pledging now for it is not too late. A pledge card is included below and they are also available at the church. Send completed cards to the church (Attn: Receiving Treasurer), or put in the Receiving Treasurer mailbox in Memorial Hall or in the offering plate any Sunday. Offering Envelopes 2014: Beginning Sunday, December 15th, numbered offering envelopes will be available in the vestibule. If you received numbered envelopes in 2013 you will have the same number reserved for If you do not currently use envelopes but would like to, please contact the Church Office with your request. NAME(S) ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENT FOR 20 Grateful for God s love in Jesus Christ, I (we) make the following commitment to support the mission of the church through our congregation, presbytery, synod, and General Assembly. $ per week month other (This commitment may be increased due to changing circumstances) I (we) wish to receive information about giving through Estate Planning Keep this portion as a record of your financial stewardship commitment for the year 20. My (our) financial stewardship commitment $ per week month other (This commitment may be increased due to changing circumstances)

9 Christmas Dinner and Sounds of the Season featuring Harpist Kris Cushman and Classical Guitarist Rafael Scarfullery December 6, 2013 Massanetta Springs Harrisonburg, VA 6:00 Dinner - Historic Hotel 7:00 Concert - Wellford Room Dinner $18.00 Adults $12.00 Children Ages 6-12 Dinner and Lodging Reservations through December 2nd conferences@massanettasprings.org Zacchaeus Kitchen Program 2013 Hats, Socks, Gloves, Mittens For 2013, churches in the Shenandoah Presbytery celebrate the Advent Season, in part, through the ministry of the Zacchaeus Kitchen Program, a presbytery program that supports the homeless through the former DC Central Kitchen program in Washington, DC. This program gives churches the opportunity to share warm NEW clothing (hats, socks, gloves, mittens) with families who are in need. Please deliver all items no later than Friday, December 13th (before 4:30 pm) to the Shenandoah Presbytery Office (1111 N. Main Street - Harrisonburg, VA). Please bring all items to the Presbytery Office in garbage bags. It is easier to pack for delivery. Used winter coats and boots IN LIKE-NEW CONDITION will also be accepted. If you have questions please call Carl Moore, Timber Ridge and Fairfield Churches at (540) or call the Presbytery Office. Cold Feet - Warm Hearts Sock donation for the needy (all ages) In cooperation with the Valley Mission Empty your sock drawer of gently worn or new socks you never wear (fasten with a safety pin) and drop off at Grandma s Bait at 24 E. Beverly Street in downtown Staunton. Thank you for your generosity!

10 The Church Office will be closed for the Christmas holiday season from Monday, December 23rd through Friday, December 27th and on Tuesday, December 31st and Wednesday, January 1st for New Year s. Please contact Elder Ken Miller at 540/ or Elder Bill Brubeck at 540/ if you need anything. Thank you! SESSION NEWS The Session met Sunday, November 10th, 2013 with ten members and the Moderator present. We will welcome into Bethel s membership Brian and Penny Lee. As many of you know, Penny is the daughter of Dale and Kay Thompson. Four of their children, Harleigh, Cameron, Bayleigh and Lydia were received as baptized members and their son Trever will be baptized at a later date. The following events were announced: Officer Training December 6th and 7th Joy Gift Program, Offering, & Lunch December 8th Joint Meeting of Session, Deacons, & Trustees December 8th Christmas Caroling December 22nd Family Fun Night January 19th, 2014 There will be a meeting of the icare program on Friday, November 22nd, at Bethel. A representative will present information to raise awareness of the needs at the Gore Home for Children in Ethiopia. More details will be forthcoming. The status of Incorporation for Bethel Church was recently presented to all Church Officers. The implementation will be handled by the Stewardship & Finance Committee. The Bethel Youth and Children will be Christmas Caroling on Sunday, December 22nd, More information is available on page 5 of the Tower. Receiving Treasurer Report General Fund: Estimated Budget through 11/1/2013: $156,735; Receipts $130,709; Expenses $126,580 Capital Finance Campaign: Received through 11/1/2013: Pledges 40; Pledged $56,390 (The Capital Finance Campaign has been established to support the 21st Century Renovation Fund.) 21st Century Renovation Fund: Received through 11/1/2013: $80,103; Expenses $3,520; Account Balance $76,583

11 Deacons Notes: The Deacons have been working on renovations to the Manse over the last month. Exterior painting was completed, wood floors were refinished downstairs, the screen porch has been repaired and much of the interior has been painted. We have a few areas, including the kitchen and the bathroom, that require some updating but we will wait until we have a Pastor to help make some of those selections. We hosted a Manse tour on November 17 th for the Congregation. The 21 st Century Renovations Committee also made great progress the last month. The Northside Moisture Infiltration project has been completed, with waterproofing of the foundation on the cemetery side of the building and grading improvements. The Tower project is now underway, with painting and masonry improvements continuing throughout November. So far, we have raised over $80,000 for the project for this initial phase. We hope to continue with a second phase in the spring. The successful tree planting project in 2011 considered the future removal of some of our existing trees. It has become apparent that the large oak tree between the 1963 addition and the playground needs to be removed. Only about 25% of the tree remains alive at this point. The Deacons will remove the tree in December and split for firewood. If you would like to help or if you need any firewood, please contact a Deacon. Bethel Prayer List Louale Almarode (Derek Almarode s mother), Evan Annese (Riverhead s Elementary School student), Summer Barmore (studying in Spain this semester), Evie Blacka (great niece of Joyce Miller), Covie Brandt, Polly Bundy, Dr. David Burgess (Med Mission), Lorine Caldwell (Dean Caldwell s mother), Jean Callison, Murray Campbell, Friends and Family of Herman Cook (Kathy Swisher s father), Jim and Betty Crosby, Jarod Davis, Bobbye D Orsi and her daughter and son-in-law Pam and Jim Boone (Jill Webb s neighbor), Jessie Earhart, Doug Goodson, Danielle Hanger, Rev. Marilyn Heishman (Pastor - St. John s Reformed UCC), Joe Heizer, Family of Mary Stuart Hemp, Steve Kyle, Charlie Lamb, David and Flora Law, Frank Law, Margaret Liptrap, Meade Loomis (sister of Anne Jones), Moggie Moffett (Mo Kyle s mother), Judy Olson, Howard Pilson (John Pilson s brother), Pam Prickett and her Florida parents, Joe Sholes and Family (coworker of Derek Almarode), Jerry Shultz, Jonathan Smith (firefighter), Frankie Sours (policeman), Charlotte Swortzel, Richard Turner (Greater Augusta), James Williams of Fishersville (Wayne Swisher s friend), Rev. Rob Woodfin (Pastor - St. Paul s UMC), the people of Ethiopia and our missionaries the Rev. Michael Weller and Rachel Weller, the Pastor Nominating Committee, the New Pastor whom God has chosen for Bethel, and Bethel as we prepare for the new pastor Our sympathies and condolences to Kathy Swisher and her family on the passing of her father Herman Cook on November 5th.

12 Bethel welcomes Brian and Penny Lee and their children who joined the church on November 17th! Brian and Penny Lee Harleigh, Cameron Moose, Bayleigh, Lydia, and Trever 540/ (Brian) 540/ (Penny) 345 Berry Farm Road Staunton, VA

13 Progress on 21st Century Renovation - Our contractor, the Mathers Construction Company, began work on renovations including North Side Moisture Infiltration, part of the Tower renovation, and Painting and Window Repair. This work package included underground waterproofing and drainage between the north side of the building and the cemetery ($25,000), specific Tower work ($39,874), and Painting and Window Repair ($5000). This work will be paid for using available funds in the 21st Century Renovation Fund.

14 Bethel s nine member Pastor Nominating Committee began weekly meetings on May 29. By the end of July we had prepared a description of our church that was approved by Session and Presbytery. In early August, the Presbytery displayed our document on a PCUSA website to be seen by potential candidates. To date, more than 558 people have seen Bethel s church description. The PCUSA computer automatically matches candidates to churches. From the system, we ve received more than 40 applicants, and about 44 more have come from people who referred themselves to us, giving us at least 84 people to consider. Whomever is called to Bethel, it must be someone who loves our church as much as we love the pastor. Bethel does not meet location qualifications for all candidates. We interviewed a particularly fine applicant who loved everything about Bethel, but his family wanted a different setting. Location concerns kept us from pursuing another candidate. In the last 26 weeks, we have learned a great deal about pastor qualities, seminaries, faith, finances, and more. We are optimistic about upcoming discussions with qualified applicants. All the while we are keeping the congregation s concerns in mind and praying for guidance from the Holy Spirit. Please address your questions to any member of the PNC: James Williams, Katie Johnson, Jug Smith, Irene Elliott, Derek Almarode, Jill Webb, Tammy Barbour, or Joyce Miller,.

15 Schedules December 2013 Nursery December 1st - Bruce and Linda Lamond December 8th - Mac and Emily Williams December 15th - Cindy Almarode; Karen Koogler December 22nd - Evelyn LaPorte; Libby Smith December 29th - Joe and Sally Williams Transportation December 1st - Rhonda Johnson December 8th - Dave Schooley December 15th - Tom Heizer December 22nd - Chris Schooley December 29th - Shirley Heizer Flowers December 1st - Bettie Swisher - Communion - First Sunday of Advent December 8th - Bettie Swisher December 15th - December 29th - Christmas Poinsettias Deacons Offering Schedule Charlie Johnson Chris Schooley Joe Williams Mac Williams

16 Congratulations to Michael Tuennermann and Machenzie Mace who were united in marriage on October 18th! Machenzie recently graduated from Tidewater Community College as a registered respiratory therapist. She is employed by Sentara Leigh Hospital in Norfolk. Michael earned his BS degree in business/finance from Old Dominion University in He is employed at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth. They are residing in Suffolk. Michael is the son of Karen Koogler. Congratulations to the Crosier family on the birth of Fritz Hansford Crosier who was born on October 2nd and weighed 8 lbs, 6 oz. He is the son of Darren and Liesel Crosier and the grandson of Lois Crosier. Congratulations on this new addition to your family! Thanks From Adrienne Barker, Officer Manager, to the following people who made my job a million times easier throughout 2013: A special thank you to all the ladies who have helped me fold the Tower during 2013: Jackie Law, Evelyn LaPorte, and Joyce Miller. You ladies are absolutely wonderful and make my job so much easier! I could never get the Tower mailed without you! Also a special thank you to Ken Wilkinson who faithfully proofreads the Tower every month before publication. A special thank you to Ken and Joyce Miller for ing and adding photographs to the version of the Tower every month. Also, thanks to Ken for ing important Congregational News and Prayer Requests. A special thank you to the Communications Committee - especially Tim Turner and Jill Webb for all their work on the Bethel website and the new Bethel account. BANNER SERVICE - Thanks to all the youth and adults who helped with the Banner Service! The youth and their parents were treated to lunch at Cici s Pizza after the worship service. Thanks to all who participated in the fundraiser at Cici s! Ten percent of the receipts were donated to Bethel Church for the 21st Century Fund. Special thanks goes to St. John s for their support and large number of participants!

17 HARVEST FESTIVAL Thanks to Susan Smith for a wonderfully planned Harvest Festival! The children and adults had a great time as they carved pumpkins, played games, decorated cupcakes, and enjoyed crafts. The evening was concluded with Trunk or Treat and a piñata. It was a fun filled evening for all! A big THANKS to everyone who helped make it a success! From the Mission/Witness Committee Thanks so much for everyone s support of the Mums for Mission! We raised $ for next year s Baja Mission Trip. Laura Barmore did a great job of putting this fundraiser together! Thanks, too, for all the donations that have been made to Kingsway! year when the most people visit Kingsway, so keep them coming! This is the time of Many thanks to everyone who provided a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child this year. Twenty-six shoeboxes were collected for needy children. Thanks for all the support for this worthwhile project! - Peggy Smith

18 Don t Forget! December 21st - First Day of Winter December 24th - Christmas Eve December 25th - Christmas Day December 31st - New Year s Eve Church Website: Don t forget to Like us on Facebook! Open House at the Bethel Manse