2018 Christmas Season

Transcription

1 2018 Christmas Season Volume ISSUE 14 December, 18 #67 #25 Beer and Carols It s back folks! We enjoyed the singing and fellowship together last year so much we decided to do it again! Make sure you clear your afternoon on December 16th from 4:30-6:30 pm and join us at Logan s Pub downtown. Kathy Grady will be helping us sing as she plays along with her guitar to some Christmas carols! (Food and drinks will be available for purchase.) Blue Christmas Christmas is not the most wonderful time of the year for everyone. Join us for a quiet worship service in the Sanctuary on Wednesday, December 19th at 7 pm, especially if you have lost a loved one in the past year and this is the first Christmas without them. Join us if it s been a hard year because of work, marriage, parenting or illness, and you need to be reminded that God s promises ring true even in the darkness. Come if you want to support others in your community who need to know they are not alone. Join us for worship as we remember the light that shines in the darkness, and that the darkness will never overcome it. Advent/Christmas Decorations Many of our members and friends wish to contribute toward the cost of decorating our Sanctuary during the holiday season. Wreaths, swags, and poinsettias are used to add to the beauty of our Colonial building. Contributions may be made in memory of, or in honor of a loved one or friend and will be noted in the bulletins on December 23rd and 24th. Donations must be received by Sunday, December 16th. Postcards for gifts are available in the pew racks for putting in the offering plate or they may be returned to the church office. Christmas Event Calendar Advent - The Journey during worship and Adult Education December 16th - Mary s visit to Elizabeth December 23rd - From Nazareth to Bethlehem Beer and Carols - December 16th at Logan s Pub at 4:30 pm Blue Christmas - December 19th at 7:00 pm Family Candlelight Service - December 24th at 5:00 pm Organ Recital - December 24th at 7:30 pm Candlelight Lessons and Carols Service - December 24th at 8:00 pm

2 Character Builders December 16th & 23rd: We will continue to meet in the Fellowship Hall for the Advent series The Journey. Adult Seminar December 16th & 23rd: Join Pastor Jessie Commeret Myers as we continue our conversation about The Journey and what the true meaning and story is behind Christmas. The Flock News Advent is off to a joyous start filled with hope at First Presbyterian Church. Children shared the light with members of the church on our first Sunday of Advent. We will continue to have children distribute paper candles that have been lovingly colored each Sunday until Christmas. Also, illustrated Advent Wreaths were sent to families for children to color and construct at home and enjoy all through the Christmas season. What a beautiful way to share the light and remember the reason for the season. For our school-aged Sheep: Godly Play Godly Play will begin its Advent time of getting ready on December 9th during the 9:30 am service. This will be a meaningful time of joyous anticipation as we move panel by panel, week by week, lighting candles as we move toward the birth of Our Savior Jesus. During Advent s Faith Formation time, started on December 2nd, children will be engaged in a junior version of The Journey, as part of the church-wide Advent experience. We will be exploring the story of Jesus birth with fresh eyes and ears in an effort to discover the real meaning of Christmas. On the first Sunday of Advent, we explored Mary s life a little further. We baked bread, made our own Madonna and Child masterpieces, and talked about how to say yes to God as Mary did. Next time, we will be learning about Elizabeth Grow in Faith and Mary as well as Mary s song of praise to God. We will explore how we praise God, make Halvah balls, and prepare for baby Jesus birth by making rattles. Godly Play Children s Choir The Godly Play Children s Choir began rehearsing on Sunday and sounded amazing! Adults and children joined together to sing songs in anticipation of the Christmas Eve Family Service. It s not too late to include your family in the merriment! We will be rehearsing once more on Sunday in the Choir Loft following the 9:30 am service and then sing on December 24th at 5:00 pm during the Family Christmas Service. Come join the fun! Christmas Godly Play Children s Choir For our Little Lambs: Little Ones Room Our Little Ones Room opens at 9:20 am for drop-off of children who are 3 years old or younger in Room 333. There is a pager system and trained volunteers to care for your little ones while you enjoy the service. Presbyterian Performance Women s Corner When considering your year-end giving, please consider a gift to the Presbyterian Women Thank Offering. The Thank Offering began over 100 years ago as a thank offering to our Lord. Medical areas receive 40% of the offering and new creative ideas for mission receive the remaining 60%. Many of you have heard of our local agency called Hope House. This Agency was a recipient of a gift from the PW Thank Offering at its inception. Thank Offering envelopes can be found in the pews of the Sanctuary. From Cora Kerr When counting my blessings and remembering to thank God from whom they all come, there is a prominent place on the list for P.W. I am thankful for our evening Joy Circle, organized many years ago when working women and moms with little ones at home were not able to participate in daytime activities held at church. I am thankful for events like our annual Harvest Dinner that welcome all the women of the church. I am thankful for our MVP-PW Spring and Fall Gatherings where we have the opportunity to worship, enjoy an informative program and share a meal with our sisters in faith. I am thankful for the special Synod and Church-wide events available to us. I am especially thankful for our wonderful Horizons Bible study, God s promise - I am with You. And, of course, I am thankful for each of you who share my passion for P.W. Happy holy days and Thanks be to God! Our Joy Circle will meet next on Tuesday, January 8th, at 6:30 pm in Room 330 at the church. We will begin with some fellowship time and then jump into Chapter 5 of the Bible study, God s Promise, I Am with You. Our Sarah Circle will meet next on Friday, January 18 at noon in Room 112 at the church for lunch, fellowship and Chapter 5 of the Bible study, God s Promise, I Am with You. Dana Bourne, Moderator, danalyndbourne@aol.com

3 Thoughts on Intergenerational Ministry It s me again, Nicole Cramer, your Coordinator of Children s Faith Formation, and I m very excited to share ideas with you that are coming to life here at First Presbyterian Church. I was very fortunate to attend workshops recently with other Christian Educators about the future of faith formation and how children fit in. It has become even clearer to me that embracing our church family and creating new bonds, strengthens connections we ve already made. After much time and energy spent dreaming, planning, and praying, I think we are ready to begin steps to include children even more into the worship experience. On January 6th, as the New Year begins, we will begin a new experience, as well. There will be a prayground, a table near the front of the Sanctuary with quiet activities for children to engage in, while adults listen to the sermon. This will be an intentional time for children to create, to see closer-up, and to be a part of the body of Christ. This area will be open to children and their adult friends together. We hope families will take advantage of this new space once a month, as their children gain time in worship, learning how to worship, with their church family. On this Sunday, Godly Play will not take place, but enriching faith formation time will occur after the 9:30 am service. The Little Ones Room will be open for our youngest friends (0-2 years). Jesus wants us to Let the children come to me. For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. As we baptize children into God s family, we also need to worship with them. Pray with them. Make them a part of God s family. Also, children learn to worship by experiencing it and seeing their moms and dads do it. By hearing and feeling the music as the organ is played and everyone sings. To learn from trusted adults why we worship and how we worship. Because this is how faith continues and grows. We seek families to worship with us and join us on Sundays, so let s truly embrace them. All of them. I pray for your support and encouragement of young families, as they teach their children one of the most valuable lessons of their lifetime: how to worship together with their church family. Let s lift each other up in prayer and in person. Let s truly embrace family and our calling to love one another and lead the next generation of First Presbyterians toward a meaningful relationship with the Lord. I also pray for your trust and patience as I introduce new ways for us to worship together and encourage you to strike up new relationships with our youngest worshippers. I am always here to answer questions and to hear your thoughts and ideas, so please reach out if I can be of help. Nicole@findlayfpc.org

4 December Sunday December 16 8:00 am Spiritual Formation C 8:45 am Prayer Ministry C 9:30 am Traditional Worship S Godly Play S, :45 am The Journey FH 4:30 pm Beer and Carols Logan s Pub Monday December 17 9:00 am NS Christmas Program GR 9:30 am Women of Faith L Tuesday December 18 9:00 am NS Christmas Program GR 6:30 am Men s Breakfast Cafe Marie Wednesday December 19 9:00 am MOPS GIFT 332,107 7:00 pm Blue Christmas S 7:30 pm Chancel Choir S Thursday December 20 8:00 am Miller Men s Group P 7:00 pm Session 209 Friday December 21 Saturday December 22 Sunday December 23 8:00 am Spiritual Formation C 8:45 am Prayer Ministry C 9:30 am Traditional Worship S Godly Play S, :30 am The Journey FH Monday December 24 5:00 pm Family Candlelight Service S 8:00 pm Candlelight Lessons & Carols S Tuesday December 25 Church Closed for Christmas Wednesday December 26 Church Closed for Christmas Thursday December 27 8:00 am Miller s Men s Group P Friday December 28 9:30 am KnitWits 112 Saturday December 29 C: Chapel S: Sanctuary L: Library CR: Choir Room GR: Great Room NS: Nursery School P: Parlor #: Room Number Serve Christmas Joy Offering We will receive the Christmas Joy Offering Sunday morning, December 23rd during worship. This special offering has been a cherished Presbyterian tradition since the 1930 s. The Offering distributes gifts equally to the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions and to Presbyterian-related racial ethnic schools and colleges. The Assistance Program provides critical financial support to church workers and their families. Presbyterian-related schools and colleges provide education and leadership development while nurturing racial and ethnic heritage. This has been a Presbyterian commitment for nearly 140 years Stewardship Campaign Update First Presbyterian depends on gifts from congregational members to operate. The annual stewardship campaign provides church leaders with an indication of the resources available to plan the activities, programs and mission outreach of the church in the coming year. The 2019 Stewardship Campaign is drawing to a close. To those of you who have submitted a pledge for 2019, thank you for your continued support of FPC. If you have not yet filled out a 2019 pledge card, please prayerfully consider how your gift can support FPC and pick up a pledge card in the office. A Word from the Pastor After the first of the year, I want you to know when I m available! You can always call/ /text to set up a time to meet, but I am also establishing permanent office hours if you d rather pop your head in to say hello. I ll be sure to be in the office Tuesdays from 9 am-3 pm and Wednesdays from 9:30 am-12 pm. My day off is Friday, but am always available for any pastoral need. My cell phone is the best way to get a hold of me: Thanks! Jessie Commeret Myers pledged $352, pledged $284, pledgers not yet 2019 pledgers 26 persons $83, new 6 pledged $3,760.00

5 First Presbyterian Church Phone: Fax: FIRST NEWS & VIEWS (USPS # ) is published bi-weekly by the First Presbyterian Church, 2330 S. Main Street, Findlay, OH Periodicals postage paid at Findlay, OH. POSTMASTER: send address change to First News & Views First Presbyterian Church 2330 South Main Street Findlay, Ohio PERIODICAL Visit our website findlayfpc.org Like us on Facebook facebook.com/findlayfpc First Presbyterian Staff Jessica Commeret Myers, Interim Associate Pastor Brent Neuenschwander, Director of Music Nicole Cramer, Coordinator of Children s Faith Formation Stephanie Bryan, Office Secretary Bethany Charlton, Communications Coordinator Dorie Pierre, Childcare Staff Miriam Kroske, Childcare Staff Mercedes Risser, Childcare Staff Amy Wilkerson, Financial Secretary Marna Weaver, Church Accountant Sharon Vaas, Nursery School Director Matt Pfirsch, Facility Manager Amy Ring, Head Custodian Annette Jones, Custodian Kerry Lee Appleton, Custodian Next newsletter deadline is Friday, January 1st. Church Transportation There will be a bus driver available for Sundays December 16th, 23rd, and 30th. Please call (419) , if you need a ride. Financial Results Third Quarter Actual Budget Revenue: $234,681 $201,824 Expenses: $215,713 $205,145 Deficit: $18,968 ($3,321) Year to Date Actual Budget Revenue: $658, $670, Expenses: $733, $752, Deficit: ($74,635.95) ($81,889.68) Sunday Morning 8:00 am Spiritual Formation in the Chapel 8:45 am Prayer Ministry in the Chapel 9:30 am Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary 10:45 am Christian Education Preaching Schedule Dec. 16: Rev. Jessica Commeret Myers Dec. 23: Rev. Jessie Commeret Myers Dec. 30: Diane Adams If you would like a large print newsletter, please contact the church office.