Hymn. Chamber Orchestra s. Christmas Concert. Join us Sunday, December 9th at 3:00 pm

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1 n o ti 8 Edi 1 20 r be m e c e D Advent Hymn Festival Volume ISSUE 30 November, 18 Hymn Festival First Presbyterian s Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending Advent Hymn Festival is on December 2nd at 9:30 am. We hope you can come to sing many Advent hymns. Come sing with the Chancel Choir, Handbells, Brass and Organ to start your personal Findlay High School Advent Season! Make sure you mark Chamber Orchestra s your calendars and DON T MISS our Christmas Concert Sunday worship. Join us Sunday, December 9th at 3:00 pm in the Sanctuary for a wonderful perforthis year is the 200th anniversary of the mance by Findlay High School s ChamChristmas carol, Silent Night. In honor of ber Orchestra. It is our turn to host their this well-loved carol, Director of Music annual Christmas Concert. The program Brent Neuenschwander has written an ar- will feature numerous pieces based on ticle about its story. Turn to page 4! Christmas carols, general Christmas music, and a duet for violin and organ. Silent Night Story 1 Mission this Holiday Season #67 #24 Time is running out! This is the last week to bring in soap to donate! Beginning in November, we are collecting liquid laundry detergent for the holiday gift boxes that our local Salvation Army gives to families in need in our community. Please bring in approximately oz. bottles and put them under the Christmas tree in the entry way. Our goal is to collect 500 bottles! We also will be looking for volunteers to help put these boxes together on Thursday, December 13 from 6-8 pm at the Salvation Army. Join us for time together, sharing God s love by providing for others basic needs.

2 Character Builders December 2nd: We begin the Winter Quarter of our Present Word Bible study, Our Love for God, with the lesson Love and Devotion that is based on Deuteronomy 6:1-9. In this second law, we will read of the Commandments being repeated to the Hebrews along with the Shema that begins Hear, O Israel, the LORD is our God, the LORD alone. Tom Bronder will be our discussion leader. Come join us as we reflect upon the foundations of our faith. December 9th: The Class will not meet for three weeks in order to join the congregation-wide study based on the book, The Journey: Walking the Road to Bethlehem. Adult Seminar December 2nd: Join Lynn Child, CEO of Aardvark, Inc., as she shares the most common tactic for cyber theft and how they are using the gullibility and knowledge gaps regarding online threats. December 9th: Join us for part one of our congregation-wide study of Adam Hamilton s The Journey: Walking the Road to Bethlehem. Our story this morning will focus on Joseph and his journey. The Flock News For our school-aged Sheep: Godly Play We are beginning our Advent journey on December 2nd with the Hymn Festival at 9:30 am. Children will be joining their family and the rest of the congregation as we lift our voices to God and sing favorite Grow in Faith hymns together. 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 moving toward the birth of Our Savior Jesus. During Advent s Faith Formation time, starting 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. Godly Play Children s Choir Join our Godly Play Children s Choir as we begin practicing beautiful music for Christmas. Rehearsals are held in the choir loft after the 9:30 am service and parents are encouraged to join in with children and members of the adult choir. Children will be rewarded with ribbons for their stoles as they practice and sing during services. Practices will occur on December 2nd, 9th, and 16th. The choir will sing on December 24th at 5:00 pm during the Family Candlelight Service. 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 Women 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. Christmas Performance Godly Play Children s Choir 2

3 An invitation From the Author Adam Hamilton: It is one of the Western civilization s best-known stories. For two thousand years it has been told and retold, preached and sung about. We celebrate it every year with Christmas trees and lights, with gifts and cards, carols and hymns. And yet, its very familiarity may keep us from fully grasping its riches. The purpose of this book is to explore the story of the birth of Jesus with fresh eyes and ears. We will walk through the Holy Land and retrace the steps of those involved. We ll draw upon insights gained from historians, archaeologists, biblical scholars, theologians and from walking in the places the story occurred, all in an effort to discover the real meaning of Christmas. Pick up a book this Sunday morning in the office or during the week and get reading! Join us in this All-Church Study of The Journey, Walking the Road to Bethlehem. Pastor Jessie will be leading this class in Fellowship Hall at 10:45 am. December 9: Joseph of Bethlehem, Chapter 2 December 16: Mary s Visit to Elizabeth, Chapter 3 December 23: From Nazareth to Bethlehem, Chapter 4 There s nothing like talking about the meaning and purpose of Christmas, especially in a world where we are flooded with an inordinate amount of stuff. God has come to us in the most vulnerable way. This year, let us approach the child in the manger God-with-us having journeyed with intentionality and faithful reflection. Join us! 3

4 The Story of Silent Night This Christmas Eve marks the 200th anniversary of the beloved carol, Silent Night. In honor of this milestone, we are celebrating with the story below and the use of several settings of the carol at the 8:00 pm Candlelight Lessons and Carols Service on December 24th. While a few details may have been taken with liberties due to small details not being recorded closely, especially when the organ became unplayable, the account is a close representation of the story. I hope it helps you celebrate the coming Advent and Christmastide Seasons! It was a quiet Christmas Eve morning in 1818, and the church of St. Nicholas in Oberndorf, Austria was getting ready for the evening candlelight services. Parishioners were hanging the greens and placing the candles, while the church organist, Franz Gruber, was busily preparing the music. The head priest of the parish, Father Nosler, someone who often found himself not enjoying life, was stressing about every detail, while the junior priest, Josef Mohr, whom everyone actually loved, was spending the morning down by the riverfront singing with the dockworkers in the local bars. As Gruber sat down at the organ console to run through the music one more time, his son pumping the bellows to give life to the organ, the carols began to ring through the nearly empty church. All at once, the organ stopped. It was a known fact that the organ was in dire need of repair and parts of it were no longer playing. The organ was annually repaired, tuned and all of the other necessary work done each summer to keep the organ in working condition. Sadly, the organ repairman had come through the town the summer before, but the penny-pinching Father Nosler had not allowed him to do his work because Gruber was not on site as he was tending to his other duties at the local school. Who knows, but the fact that the old church had issues with mice may have played a part in the decay of the organ, as they may have had a feast with the leather inside the organ. But now the organ was completely unplayable on Christmas Eve, of all days! The disheartened Franz Gruber and his son walked sadly down the organ loft steps and by this time, Father Mohr had returned to the church. They began exchanging ideas of what to do to salvage the music for that evening. After all, the entire town was looking forward to hearing yet again about the birth of Jesus and singing the familiar carols. But what were they to do? As they talked back and forth, Father Mohr reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper with a poem he had jotted down over the past two years. Still the night. Holy the night. Mohr was saddened by the years of war and strife in the region, and he wrote this poem as a prayer for peace. He asked Gruber if he could set it to music and use this with a guitar later that night. But what about Father Nosler who had no sense of humor and no inclination to use an instrument that was found in the local bars which he detested. Would he even allow them to finish? Gruber began jotting down some ideas on some staff paper as the snow fell just outside his family s living room window. Little by little, a tune that had been running around in his head began to meld with the words that Mohr had written. And slowly but surely, a Christmas carol began to take shape within the walls of the musician s humble home. Later that evening as the townspeople made their way to the church beautifully decked out with the greens, wreaths, garlands and candles, the choir finished preparing the new music. Would anyone like this simple carol? Father Nosler ended the service by reading the account of Jesus birth as told by St. Luke and the choir filed in for one more gift to the people. The premier of Silent Night. As the first strains of the guitar began and the simple yet captivating melody and harmony were heard for the first time, everyone sat in silent wonder. The words, the descriptive cadences, that gentle melody. This is what makes Christmas come alive! Though simple, born of necessity, and written in the humblest of circumstances, it truly described the birth of the Savior that each person had come to celebrate. And, it touched the people in a way that no other carol ever had. The simple yet humble carol was not a one Christmas hit. It was discovered by the organ repairman the next summer when he finally arrived to fix the organ. Eventually, singing families began to sing the carol in concert settings. Little by little it began to earn its place within the annals of hymnody and popular Christmas carols. It was not so popular with Father Nosler. He reportedly had Mohr moved to a different parish in retribution for bringing a guitar into the church. Mohr spent the rest of his ministry high in the mountains selflessly spreading Gods love in his unique way. Gruber was suspended until the organ builder arrived the next summer. At first, no one knew who wrote the music and it was even attributed to Michael Haydn. It took quite a while for this to be righted and it was Gruber s son during a music class in Saltzburg, who was finally able to clear up the confusion once and for all. While the church of St. Nicolas is long gone because of the regular flooding of the river Salzach, the site of the church remains. There is a small chapel memorializing the composer, writer and Silent (Continued on page 5) 4

5 Christmas Season Events and Gatherings Night itself. The carol has gone on to be a favorite of many, and what would Christmas be without the beloved carol! It has brought comfort to many and unified people in a way that few other pieces of music ever have. During the Civil War that tore apart the United States and again during World War I, the two sides engaged in a ceasefire on Christmas Eve and soldiers of both sides sang the comforting carol together. The now famous carol had its beginnings in the humblest of circumstances, born of necessity and even rejected at first, either by the priest or the confusion over who composed it. How like our Savior s birth; born in a stable of all places, rejected by many, but still coming to deliver people in desperate need of redemption, comfort, care and love. What a representation this carol is of Jesus and His love. [This narrative draws information from three sources; a PBS film from the early 1990 s entitled Silent Mouse (from a mouse s viewpoint, but incredibly well made with beautiful scenery and music) and it can be viewed on YouTube at 7fxBdBeYk, the Silent Night Association website: and the Beerand Carols documentary The First Silent Night hosted by Simon Callow and directed by Peter Beveridge.] ~ Brent Neuenschwander Christmas Event Calendar Hymn Festival - December 2nd during Sunday Worship at 9:30 am Artist Series December 9th at 3:00 pm Findlay High School Chamber Orchestra s Christmas Concert Advent - The Journey during worship and Adult Education December 9th - Joseph 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 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 23 and 24. Donations must be received by Sunday, December 16. Postcards for gifts are available in the pew racks for putting in the offering plate, or they may be returned to the church office. 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 4:30-6:00 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 Chapel on Wednesday, December 19 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 its 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. 5

6 Church Business 2018 Pledgers Nominating Committee The session has called for a congregational meeting for the purpose of electing church offers and the at-large nominating committee members for 2019, on Sunday, December 9, in the Sanctuary immediately following worship. The nominating committee will present the following nominations: for elder, class of 2021: Doug Brown Brandi Clark Larry Foster Suzi Healy Susan Russel for deacon, class of 2021: Deb Baker Marty Hards Karen Peschel Cheryl Stahl Congregational Nominating Committee for 2019: Pat Hottenstein George Milligan Janet Holtzscher Betsey Watson Mascaro Linda Weaver Nominated trustees are: Gary Hirschfeld Nancy Wilcynski and they will be brought for election at the annual corporation meeting on January 20, Stewardship Campaign Update Sunday, November 4, 2018 was Commitment Sunday. Thank you to all who have returned your 2019 pledge card. For those of you who have not yet returned your pledge card, we ask you to prayerfully consider how you can support the activities and budget at First Presbyterian Church for Session Notes The session has approved a policy on usage of the new electronic sign. Copies may be obtained from the office during regular business hours. The trustees and the building staff are currently revising the Church policy on facility use for presentation to the Session for review and action. A Way Forward Task Force: A special task force has been organized by session in order to bring a recommendation to Session on how we move forward as a church. Specifically, the task force will focus on the size and staffing model at FPC, as well as the church committee structure. The goal is for the task force to bring a recommendation to session before the end of the year based on research and conversation with the Presbytery and other churches. - Kendra Sponsler, Elder 117 pledged $352, Pledgers 85 pledged $232, pledgers not yet 2019 pledgers 38 persons $119, new Pledgers 6 pledged $3,

7 7 December Sunday December 2 8:00 am Bible Study C 8:45 am Prayer Ministry C 9:30 am Hymn Festival S Godly Play S, :45 am Character Builders 209 Adult Seminar FH Sermon Talk-Back 211 Monday December 3 9:30 am Women of Faith L Tuesday December 4 6:30 am Men s Breakfast Cafe Marie 6:30 pm Joy Circle 330 Wednesday December 5 9:00 am MOPS GIFT 332,107 2:00 pm Hope House Client Christmas Party GR 6:30 pm Chamber Choral S 7:00 pm Chancel Choir S Thursday December 6 8:00 am Miller Men s Group P 6:30 pm Worship Committee 209 7:00 pm Community Dinner Committee 117 Friday December 7 Newsletter Deadline 8:00 am Christian Clearing House Brunch GR Saturday December 8 7:30 am Community Food Pantry GR 8:00 am Community Dinner Prep GRK Sunday December 9 8:00 am Bible Study C 9:30 am Traditional Worship S Godly Play S, :30 am Adult Seminar 209 Community Dinner GR 3:00 pm Artist Series S Monday December 10 9:30 am Women of Faith L FPC Book Club P 6:30 pm Symposium FH Tuesday December 11 6:30 am Men s Breakfast Cafe Marie 6:00 pm Personnel Committee 116 Wednesday December 12 9:00 am MOPS GIFT 332 Handbags that Help GR 10:30 am Communion Worship at Birchaven 4:00 pm Nominating Committee 116 6:30 pm Chamber Chorale S 7:00 pm Chancel Choir S Thursday December 13 8:00 am Miller s Men s Group P 9:30 am Christian Education :00 am Open Arms Christmas Party GR 5:30 pm Stewardship & Finance 209 7:00 pm Mission Committee 117 Trustees 214 Serve Friday December 14 9:30 am KnitWits 112,107 Saturday December 15 C: Chapel S: Sanctuary L: Library CR: Choir Room GR: Great Room NS: Nursery School P: Parlor #: Room Number KnitWits/Scarf Ministry At our Community Dinner on November 11, the members of KnitWits provided a wide selection of handmade scarves, hats, mittens, dishcloths, baby blankets and car-seat blankets for guests who were in need of warm clothing. We were happy to see our year long effort to knit, crochet and sew for our neighbors happily and gratefully received. The few items that were left were donated to Chopin Hall. Planning is already underway for next year. We have also been asked to help supply hats and scarves for local school children. Thank you to everyone who donated their time and talent to this ministry. KnitWits will meet again on Friday, December 14 at 9:30 am in Room 112 Join us! Upcoming Musical Performances Dec. 9th, 3 pm Findlay High School Chamber Orchestra s Christmas Concert Dec. 24th, 8:00 pm Candlelight Lessons and Carols March 31, 2019, 3 pm Kathy Grady and Friends (Jazz and Voice) Mobile Food Pantry Please join us from 7:30 am - 10:00 am on Saturday, December 8th to serve our neighbors in need! WE NEED YOU to make this mission happen! We help unload the big truck of food, organize the food and box up an assortment for each family. Then we put large boxes of food into their cars. Youth and families are welcome! Sign up in the hallway outside the office or pastor Jessie at jessie@findlayfpc.org.

8 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, December 7th Church Transportation Dave Reynolds or Dave Martaus will be your bus driver for Sundays December 2nd, 19th and 16th. 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: $545,380 $556,589 Expenses: $589,755 $615,434 Deficit: ($44,375) ($58,845) Church Office Closed The Church office will be closed Monday, December 10th for our staff Christmas lunch from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm. Preaching Schedule Dec. 2:Advent Hymn Festival Dec. 9: Rev. Jessie Commeret Myers Dec. 16: Rev. Jessie Commeret Myers If you would like a large print newsletter, please contact the church office. 8