Wishing you and our community a joyous Christmas this year,

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Berenice Stone
5 years ago
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In the Bible, angels are God s great inviters. The angel Gabriel invited Zechariah to joy and gladness at the birth of John, and then invited Mary into God s plan to enter the world in a Son.

was doing. This year, CPC is trying something new in celebration of Jesus birth.

The doors will open at 4pm for a festive hour in Fellowship Hall, with live music and cookies, a hot chocolate bar and Christmas photo-op center, and a craft station for making a frame for the photo.

1 In the Bible, angels are God s great inviters. The angel Gabriel invited Zechariah to joy and gladness at the birth of John, and then invited Mary into God s plan to enter the world in a Son. The night Jesus was born an angel told shepherds, See I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people (Lk 2:10b), inviting not simply shepherds but everyone into the wonder of what God was doing. This year, CPC is trying something new in celebration of Jesus birth. We re taking a cue from the angels and becoming God s invitation people for a Christmas Eve celebration worth welcoming people to. The doors will open at 4pm for a festive hour in Fellowship Hall, with live music and cookies, a hot chocolate bar and Christmas photo-op center, and a craft station for making a frame for the photo. It will be the kind of event most anyone would enjoy. Then at 5pm, the family-friendly Christmas Eve Service will begin, with carols, the story of Jesus birth, time for kids, and a quiet candle-lit ending. It s called Christmas in Chesterland with Christ Presbyterian Church. It ll be a gathering in which the doors and the joy are open to all people, as the angel said. On Sunday, December 2 and throughout Advent, there will be invitation cards available to take from church and give away. They ll be best given as though by angels who aren t pushy but just simple and genuine, which are hallmarks of the love of God that includes everyone. I m spending Christmas Eve in Chesterland. It ll be a great time and a meaningful night, and I thought you might like to come. That or something like it is how God s angels talk today, and how God brings others into good news of great joy for all the people. Wishing you and our community a joyous Christmas this year,

God comes into today s world much the same way: humbly, unexpectedly hidden. This world, with all its mess, is precisely the place to receive the Savior.

2 Sunday Worship Preaching Series: The World Is a Manger The world has never known neat and easy times, not in Jesus day and not today. At Jesus birth, Mary wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger. A manger was messy and humble, hardly the place one might expect God to come. God comes into today s world much the same way: humbly, unexpectedly hidden. This world, with all its mess, is precisely the place to receive the Savior. Longest Night Service December 21, 7pm For many, the days around Christmas are filled with shadows along with light, perhaps grief, disappointment, loneliness or some sense of loss. In this quiet service, we ll join with those that know how the holidays can feel blue. We ll come to God honestly with silence, prayer, and other ways of seeking God s hope, claiming the Christmas carol s message: in dark streets shineth the everlasting Light. Christmas Pageant: The Savior s Birth December 23, 10:30am With Christmas carols and enactment of the greatest story ever told, the kids of CPC will lead the church back to Bethlehem where the Savior came into the world in a most unexpected way Christmas Eve in Chesterland 4:00pm Doors Open Gather with friends and neighbors for cookies, a hot chocolate bar, a family photo center, kids crafts, and live music. 5:00pm Candlelight Service Join in a family-friendly service of Christmas carols, the story of Jesus birth, a brass ensemble, and a message of joy and hope.

3 Intergenerational Sunday School Family Round the Table December 2, 9, 16, 23, 9:30am Fellowship Hall Designed for preschool through adults. A time to study, pray and play together with our church family. Advent Journey Coloring Posters & Devotional Sunday Morning Coffee Hour & At Home God s children of all ages can journey through Advent together coloring Bible-passage-themed posters at tables during Coffee Hour in Fellowship Hall. A devotional, Advent Journey, gives weekly Bible passages for reflection on the poster themes at home. Christian Meditation Group 7:00 a.m. every Saturday Find your quiet center in God during what can be a hectic season. Christian meditation is an ancient form of prayer that seeks God in silence and stillness beyond words and thought. The meditation group meets for an hour to learn and practice this form of contemplative prayer.

In the runnersup category, I would list Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is coming to Town, and Frosty the Snowman.

4 Do you have a favorite children s Christmas show? When I was a kid, mine was definitely How the Grinch Stole Christmas. I loved it when the Grinch smiled so big that it extended as far as the tuft of hair on top of his head! In the runnersup category, I would list Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is coming to Town, and Frosty the Snowman. Those Christmas shows were certainly fun, but they really weren t meant to convey much about the meaning of Christmas beyond the anticipation of a magical sleigh carrying gifts. That is, until A Charlie Brown Christmas came on, and young Linus took the stage declaring, Sure, Charlie Brown. I can tell you what Christmas is all about. And he did. CLICK HERE to watch Linus share the message I d like to think that our church is a little like that voice of Linus. While the cyber deals tempt us and the rush begins, Christ Church wants to bring families together for a slower time of remembering the story and reflecting on its meaning for us and our world. I hope that you ll take a look through the Advent insert and find what speaks to you. But for young families, there are a few programs that I d especially like to highlight. The first is our intergenerational 9:30 a.m. Sunday school program, Family Round the Table, which begins this Sunday, December 2 nd. This will be a time for all ages to interact for Scripture reading and reflection, singing, praying, and a meaningful Advent activity that extends the lesson beyond our brief 50 minutes and into homes. The second is an opportunity to slow down and create together. We have found some beautiful posters depicting the journey through Advent, and we hope friends of all ages will sit down together at coffee hours and help bring these pictures to life with color. A related take-home devotional booklet is also available to help explore their themes further. Finally, on Christmas Eve, we re bringing our church family together for an old-fashioned celebration before we gather for worship. There will be hot chocolate and cookies, music, a craft for the kids, and a photo booth for families to pose for a picture that they can take home with them that evening! I know that it can be a struggle for parents to find a voice that will speak to their children on what Christmas is really all about. We think we ve found some ways to help do that. Bring friends, and let s experience the Christmas story together. God Bless.

During coffee hour, everyone is invited to join

devotional booklets that follow each week s

Upcoming week s themes: 12/9: Prepare 12/16: Do

News!! This year, Christ Presbyterian Church

6 During coffee hour, everyone is invited to join in coloring this week s Advent journey poster, Keep Awake. Also, look for the take-home Advent family devotional booklets that follow each week s theme. Upcoming week s themes: 12/9: Prepare 12/16: Do not be afraid 12/23: My soul magnifies the Lord OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD OFF THEY GO! Thank you to all who helped to spread the Good News!! This year, Christ Presbyterian Church lovingly packed 50 boxes to minister to children around the world. If you are tracking your box, we would love to hear where it lands. -The Mission Committee

BIRTHDAYS Charlotte Wood 12/02 Lori Zagarskas Grace Moritz 12/02

12/14 Andrew Fondrk Creola Lambert 12/14 12/14 Maridee Bello Eli

12/20 12/25 Matt Reeves Dushan Bouchek 12/25 12/27 Anne McCaslin

12/28 WHEN THE WEATHER OUTSIDE GETS FRIGHTFUL CHECK FOR EVENT

church office: Have you misplaced something recently?

If you can't find your winter apparel, glasses, bracelet, toys,

We might just have what you've been looking for.

8 BIRTHDAYS Charlotte Wood 12/02 Lori Zagarskas Grace Moritz 12/02 12/05 Sue Congdon Heidi Minick Starke Janet Davis 12/06 12/08 12/14 Andrew Fondrk Creola Lambert 12/14 12/14 Maridee Bello Eli Milnar 12/18 12/19 Karen Arp Dave Wunderle Chris Keller 12/20 12/20 12/25 Matt Reeves Dushan Bouchek 12/25 12/27 Anne McCaslin 12/31 ANNIVERSARIES Jim & Darlene Hart 12/27 Ron & Susy Knight 12/28 WHEN THE WEATHER OUTSIDE GETS FRIGHTFUL CHECK FOR EVENT CANCELLATIONS: Your CPC Website: CPC Facebook Call the church office: Have you misplaced something recently? Is there a chance you may have lost it? If you can't find your winter apparel, glasses, bracelet, toys, books ETC, come by the CPC Lost and Found, in Fellowship Hall. We might just have what you've been looking for. PEANUT BUTTER CEREAL RAMEN NOODLES POTATOES (BOXED) HAMBERGER HELPER TUNA HELPER RICE-A-RONI SOUP PAPER PRODUCTS PERSONAL HYGIENE

PAPERLESS OPTION This January, we are once again offering electronic mailing of Year-End Contribution Statements.

If you have not already signed up for an electronic statement, please provide consent by responding "I consent" to the CPC Office.

For those who elect not to consent, a paper copy will be sent via US mail.

2019 pledge envelopes will be available Sunday, December 106h. Please do not use them until the New Year.

Each box of pledge envelopes costs less than $5.00.

For 2019 per capita is $32.41 per member. Contact the church at: 440-729-1688 or office@christpcusa.org for questions or envelopes requests.

9 PAPERLESS OPTION This January, we are once again offering electronic mailing of Year-End Contribution Statements. We are encouraging as many as possible to receive statements electronically, as this will reduce paper usage and cost. If you have not already signed up for an electronic statement, please provide consent by responding "I consent" to the CPC Office. You will then receive your Year-End Statement electronically, rather than by mail, for each year of financial contribution. For those who elect not to consent, a paper copy will be sent via US mail Contribrtions To be included in the 2018 statements of giving, have your contributions completed and turned in to CPC Office by Sunday December 31st pledge envelopes will be available Sunday, December 106h. Please do not use them until the New Year. The 2018contribution statements will be ed to you or mailed out by USPS in mid-january. Note: The initial offering envelope is used to offset the cost of the pledge envelopes only. Each box of pledge envelopes costs less than $5.00. Per capita is an apportionment by which we share in the structural cost of being part of the Presbytery of the Western Reserve, the Synod of the Covenant, and the larger Presbyterian Church. For 2019 per capita is $32.41 per member. Contact the church at: or office@christpcusa.org for questions or envelopes requests. FLORAL ARRANGEMENT If you desire to purchase a special floral arrangement for a Sunday morning worship service, please contact: Shari McCaslin at: or pnsmccaslin@windstream.net COFFEE HOUR If you wish to host a special Sunday morning, Coffee Hour in honor or in Celebration of someone, Please Contact: Amy Rau at: or arau@lincolnelectric.com Church office hours: 8:30 am - 3:00 pm Monday - Thursday Contact Information Christ Presbyterian Church Chillicothe Rd. Chesterland, OH Website: Church Office office@christpcusa.org Pastor Matt's matt@christpcusa.org CPC Financial Update 2018 Operating Budget Difference Month Actual Income Actual Expenses (Income Expenses) Jan-Oct $203, $215, ($11,966.78) Reserve as of Jan 1 ($ 1,488.24) Operating Fund Balance ($13,455.02)

Christ Presbyterian Church

2017 Ted Koozer, one of our Poets Laureate, has a poem, Starlight : Christ Presbyterian Church All night, this soft rain from the distant past. No wonder I sometimes waken as a child. It describes our