And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Transcription

1 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:10 Lasting Peace By David McCasland Excerpt from "Our Daily Bread" Ministries He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation. Ephesians 2:14 On Christmas Eve 1914, during the First World War, the guns fell silent along a 30-mile stretch of the Western Front. Soldiers peered cautiously over the tops of trenches while a few emerged to repair their positions and bury the dead. As darkness fell, some German troops set out lanterns and sang Christmas carols. Men on the British side applauded and shouted greetings. The next day, German, French, and British troops met in no man s land to shake hands, share food, and exchange gifts. It was a brief respite from war that soon ended when the artillery and machine guns roared to life again. But no one who experienced The Christmas Truce, as it became known, would ever forget how it felt and how it fueled their longing for lasting peace. In Isaiah s prophecy of the coming Messiah we read, His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6). By His death on the cross, Jesus removed the no man s land between us and God. For He Himself is our peace (Eph. 2:14). In Jesus we can find lasting peace with God and harmony with each other. This is the life-changing message of Christmas! INSIDE THIS ISSUE: p. 2 Announcements, Mission news, thank you's! p. 3 Thinking of the Homebound, From the Organist s Bench p. 4 Notes from the Session p. 5 December Calendar

2 PIANO & ORGAN FESTIVAL ENJOYED BY ALL! The Piano and Organ Festival on November 5th was a success! Seven churches participated with five guest soloists plus our own organist, Dylan Benavidez. Dylan also did much of the organizing of this event. About 55 to 60 people were in the audience. Great job, everyone! Thank you to the ladies that provided cookies for the refreshments after the recital and to some that helped serve and usher. Thanks to: Beth Schultz, Becky May, Pam Cochran, Barb Brumbaugh, Carolyn Workman, Kristie Cass, Connie Espel and Barb Wiggins. Above: The Sunday school class is learning to prepare for the birth of Jesus by being kind & faithful, praying, helping, and reading the Bible. Happy December Birthday! The Deacons and Jr. Sr. High class want to send out a big Thank You for all of the donations we received to take to the Pantry. We took several sacks to the Pantry four times, quite a load! They weren t able to weigh the sacks because they were busy getting the Thanksgiving donations ready. Many prayers were answered and several families had a blessed Thanksgiving because you cared. It was reported that we donated 32 school kits to Church World Services and they were delivered to the Presbytery offices at Stronghold at the Presbytery meeting on November 8th. -Thank you from the Presbyterian Women Finally, a big Thank You from the Mission Committee for all of the Christmas Shoebox donations! We delivered 29 shoeboxes to the collection church in Peru. We received shipping money for the boxes also. Margaret Stiles 3rd Jeanne Hutchinson 13th Luke Schultz 24th Len Brumbaugh 24th THE YOUTH CHRISTMAS PROGRAM WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18 th! BRING YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS ~ EVERYONE IS INVITED! Happy Anniversary! Brad & Jan Powelson Dec. 9th Jim & Pam Cochran Dec. 26th

3 Members and Friends at Home: Emma Krase & Jan Edgerley Members and Friends at Retirement Communities: Greenfield Home: Ruth Davis 500 Park Ave. E Ann Mickow 509 Park Ave. E, Rm 168 Colonial Hall: Norma DeRose 515 South Bureau Valley Parkway Millcreek Care Center: Marilyn Pryor 3319 Ginger Creek Rd Springfield, IL Liberty Village: Lil Johnson 140 N. 6th Street Helene Gleason and Diane Seidel 140 N. 6th Street Bounce Back Lane CHRISTMAS CAROLING Sunday, December 11th JOIN US FOR Christmas caroling! We'll meet at the church at 3:45 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11th. From the Organist s Bench Hello Everyone, I am so thankful to be entering our season of Advent here at the First Presbyterian Church. I have of many things going on this month that I would like to share. As some of you may know, on Monday, December 5 I will be giving a recital in Chicago's Methodist Temple. I have a lot of music picked out for that, that I would also like you to know I have the privilege of playing for you this month as well! Advent is such a special topic to me as it isn't just about remembrance and love, but all in itself, what is the deeper meaning? To me, it is a rebirth, a cleansing almost if you will. We all start anew with the approaching year. I have several groups in the county I will be accompanying as well. To me this is my rebirth, entering a new world of opportunities and talent. Through my hectic schedule this month, I will be providing some of the most Sacred pieces that the organ can offer; the pieces are ones that not only symbolize the coming of a new, but also Fanfarelike pieces that symbolize our Lord Christ Jesus' reign. This is something I wouldn't want to miss! I also have the privilege of announcing that I will start studying with Dr. Joe Galema, a great friend of mine, and Organ Professor at Denver University. Together, we will study via Skype and we will work on Sacred Techniques, Advanced Improvisation Skills, Sight Reading, and an in depth course of Repertoire Enrichment. We are also working on a plan for me to come out this summer and study with him as well!! This truly is something I am proud of not only for the experience but for his expertise and what he brings to the table. This truly is my gift of our Advent Season. God Bless, Dylan

4 The Session met on October 18, 2016 for a regularly scheduled meeting. The meeting opened with prayer and the minutes of the last meeting were approved as corrected. The treasurer's reports for August and September were approved as written. The number of persons who were served communion on the first Sunday in October was 29. The number of home communicants was 5. Pam Cochran will take communion to the home bound in November. " The Christmas Eve service will be held on December 24th at 5 pm." Chuck Stiles will represent our church at Presbytery on November 8th. Carolyn Workman read a note from Mary Jeanne Brown thanking the church for sending her and a friend to Stronghold this summer. The Batiste's from Athletes in Action at Northern Illinois University will be sent in November our annual mission pledge of $ and the receipts of "Lunch in the Park" of $ The Stewardship letters will be coming to the congregation soon and the 2017 budget will be voted on by the session in November. The annual meeting will be held in February 2017 with a review of the reports and the budget. The investment committee reported good growth in their investments. Carolyn Workman will be a liaison between this committee and the session. The annual Christmas program will be held on December 18th during the worship service. The shoe box program is underway and the school bags (32) filled in the early fall will be delivered to Presbytery in November. The Christmas Eve service will be held at 5 pm on December 24th with a pulpit supply doing the service. The Christmas day service will be held at 10:30 on the 25th with hymns and bible verses presented by the session. The organist, Dylan Benevidez, will play the organ in a continuing probation period. The session is actively looking for an interim minister. The nominating committee to secure new deacons and elders for the 2017 church year will meeting in November. They will replace retiring members of both committees. The meeting adjourned with prayer given by Gavin Finefield ADVENT WREATH CANDLE LIGHTERS: Nov. 27 Kenn & Lora Corban Dec. 4 - Len & Barbara Brumbaugh Dec Bob & Dorothy Oaks Dec Jim & Pam Cochran Dec Pulpit Supply Deacon: Barbara Brumbaugh Ushers: 4 & 18 - Chuck & Margaret Stiles 11 & 25 - Lisa & Kaitlyn Bettner Lay Leaders: 4- Chuck Stiles 11- Lisa Bettner 18 - Hailey Hilmes 25 - Karl Schultz THOSE SERVING IN DECEMBER Communion: 4th - Susan Barlow, Pam Cochran

5 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Choir Practice 6:00 p.m Worship Service Communion 11 Worship Service Evening Circle Barbara Brumbaugh's Christmas Caroling at 3:45 p.m Session 7 p.m Youth Christmas Program "Our UMC :00 p.m. Service Service REMINDER: No on December 25th or January 1st.