A Broadcaster Writes of Christmas

Transcription

1 The monthly newsletter of Faith Covenant Church December Years of Faith A Broadcaster Writes of Christmas The late Harry Reasoner of CBS Sixty Minutes penned some thoughtful words about the meaning of Christmas, a smattering of which follows: Almost nobody has seen God, and almost nobody has any real idea of what he s like, and the truth is that...the idea of seeing God suddenly and standing in the very bright light is not necessarily a completely comfortable and appealing idea. But everyone has seen babies, and most people like them. If God wanted to be loved as well as feared, he moved correctly here. If he wanted to know his people as well as rule them, he moved correctly here, for a baby growing up learns all about people. If God wanted to be intimately a part of humanity, he moved correctly, for the experience of birth and familyhood is our most intimate and precious experience. So it comes beyond logic. It is either all falsehood, or it is the truest things in the world. It is a story of the great innocence of God the baby, God in the power of man; and it is such a dramatic shot toward the heart that if it is not true, for Christians nothing is true. So, if a Christian is touched only once a year, the touching is still worth it. And maybe on some given Christmas, some final quiet morning, the touch will take.

2 You re Invited Dec. 5 at 10 a.m., Pastor Jim Black preaching Dec. 5 at 7 p.m., Annual, Part 1. Voting will be held on new council members and the 2011 budget Dec. 12 at 9 a.m., Children & Puppets Christmas Program Dec. 24 at 5 and 7 p.m., Christmas Eve Candlelight Services Thank You! Jan Osburn and Jeannie Bowman want to thank you for your participation in the Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts. Thanks to your generosity, Faith Covenant provided 77 boxes from Children s Ministry, 23 donated personally, and 14 from the home-school group which meets at the church on Tuesdays, for a total of 114. These will be distributed to needy children around the world this month by Samaritan s Purse Ministry. A Gift of Flowers The Classical Conversations Home-school children planted the pretty impatiens in the flower beds by the east doors, in appreciation for the church s hospitality. They also planted a row of beans for benevolence in the church garden. Christmas Concert On Sunday, December 5th, at 7 p.m., Pasadena Community Church and five area churches will join together to present: "A Star's Light - A Candle's Glow" This concert will feature the Christmas story narrated by the current Miss Florida, Jaclyn Raulerson and traditional carols sung by a 100-voice choir (including 17 members of Faith Covenant), accompanied by a brass quintet, timpani, grand piano and pipe organ. It will feature the Pasadena praise team and orchestra. There is no admission charge, but a free will offering will be received. With Gratitude THANK YOU from the Cronkites for the prayers, cards and food during Tracey s recent hospitalization and recovery time. We feel very blessed to be loved so much by our church family. ~ Tracey, Mike, James, Jessie, Kelly and Nathaniel Sunday Stats Date Attendance General Fund Designated Giving October , October ,428 1,085 October , November , Dates to Celebrate DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS 1 Ken Johnson 2 Tim Bowman 2 Joe King 2 P.J. Petit 2 Andrew Tallman 4 Chris Coburn 4 Carol Mostellar 7 Hampton Hines 8 Silvia Leeper 8 Amy Pope 8 Dain Stebbins 9 Debbie Wade 11 Kyleigh Noble 13 Janice Beltran 15 David Mostellar 15 Alison Neader 21 Louise Peach Bennett 22 Ed Doran 23 Bryce Unger 24 Amelia Osburn 26 Christopher Liden 30 Shelly Stebbins 31 Sandy Coburn 31 David Massey 31 Peggy Rogers DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES 15 Craig & Karen Hancock (2002) 15 Bill & Jan Osburn (1973) 26 P.J. & Bob Petit (1991) 28 Greg & Teri Pleinis (2002) 29 Jim & Barbara Bowman (1955) 29 Rick & Pat Carlson (1979) 30 Paul & Susan Unger (1983) 30 Carl & Carol Mostellar (1967) If we don't have your anniversary or birthday listed, please let us know so we can include your special dates!

3 A Gift of Memories As you know, Jan Osburn is retiring from Children's Ministry. The Fellowship Committee is planning to host an event to celebrate Jan s ministry at Faith Covenant early next year. We want to present Jan with a scrapbook of notes and cards from everyone at that event. It would be especially meaningful if you would include a photograph. If you have pictures with you and Jan, if you grew up attending Midway, VBS and/or camp, if you would provide a picture of you then and one of you now... that would be such a great treat! Please send your note/card, and photographs to the church or drop them off to Debbie Wade (in the front office) by January 3rd at the latest. If you want your original photos back, we will scan and return them to you. If you have any questions, contact Susan Delemeester, (727) , or Debbie, (727) Wedding Bells! Miss Morgan Britany McDonald, daughter of Mike and Laura McDonald, married Mr. Michael Lawrence Martell, son of Larry and Melodie Martell of Seminole, on November 20, They were married at the Faith Presbyterian Church in Seminole, where Michael serves in their music ministry. He is a senior at Clearwater Christian College, majoring in Music Education and Bible. Michael will begin his new career next May, as he has accepted the position of Music and Band Director at Calvary Christian School in Clearwater. Morgan recently graduated from the USF College of Nursing and is now a Registered Nurse at a branch clinic of Morton Plant/Mease Hospital in Largo. The new Mr. and Mrs. Martell live at BayBreeze Cove in St. Petersburg. Mark and Joy Larson, of Zeeland, Michigan, are pleased to announce the engagement of their son Steffan to Miss Chelsea Barber of Peoria, Illinois. A summer wedding is planned. Ruth Hill Retires Rev. Ruth Hill has announced that she will step down from her responsibilities as head of the Department of Women Ministries on August 31, Elected in June, 1999, Ruth serves as Executive Minister of Women Ministries. Before being called to Women Ministries, Ruth and her husband, Brad, served as Covenant missionaries to Congo for 19 years. Her family includes two daughters, their husbands, two grandsons and two granddaughters and she is excited about being available to spend more time with them after retirement. Ruth wrote, Brad and I sold our home (in just three weeks!) and moved into a new condo rental near Covenant Offices, all in preparation to moving back to Washington state next year. We wish the Hills the very best in this new stage in their life together. Please keep them in prayer during this time of transition and also be in prayer for the woman whom God is preparing to step into her position. NEW OFFERING ENVELOPES for 2011 will be in the hall outside the Resource Room in mid-december. Please do not use them until January 1st. If you do not find yours, call the church office and we will gladly prepare a set for you. Giving statements for 2010 will be available in mid-january. Directory Updates: Please let the church office know if you have changes in your household information. Pastor Rick and Pat Carlson 4230 Indianapolis St. NE St. Petersburg, FL Marilyn Hopson th St. S, Rm. 410 (4th floor) St. Petersburg, FL mhopson95@gmail.com Mark & Joy Larson 52 Winterhalder Drive Zeeland, MI Christine & Denny Williams th Ave. Circle East Palmetto, FL Cell,

4 December 2010 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 School Youth Group a.m., Worship & Communion; 11:20 a.m., MS 7 p.m., Annual, Part a.m., Pryme Tymers Breakfast at Denny s on 34th St. N.; 8 School Youth Group; Missions Committee :30 & 10:30 a.m., Puppet Christmas Program for area preschools 11 8 a.m., Men & Boys Breakfast for a Buck TBA Kids Rehearsal 12 9 a.m., Children & Puppets Christmas Program; 10 a.m., Worship; Joe s Clothes a.m., Pryme Tymers Party at Winston Park; 15 School Youth Group Last day of public schools 3 p.m., Puppet show for NE Baptist Preschool a.m., Worship a.m., Pryme Tymers ; ; 6:30 p.m., Council & 7 p.m., Christmas Eve Service 25 Merry Christmas! a.m., Worship

5 Faith Covenant Church nd Avenue N.E. St. Petersburg, FL Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 574 St. Petersburg, FL RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED 2010 Newsletter FAITH FOCUS is the monthly publication of Faith Covenant Church, nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33702, (727) Rick Carlson, Senior Pastor Craig Hancock, Youth Pastor Lynette Gill, Accompanist Drew Logue, Worship Coordinator Marilou Keener, Custodian Debbie Wade, Office Manager Church Website: faithcovenantchurch.us Conference: se-conf.org Denomination: covchurch.org Poinsettias Sponsor poinsettias to beautify the sanctuary for Christmas. Plants are just $8 each and are yours to take home after the Christmas Eve candlelight services, to keep or to share with loved ones. Please drop your payment with this form (or a copy) off at the church office by December 15th. Your name: Phone: How many plants? In honor/memory of: Submit information by the 15th of the month to have it included in the on a spaceavailable basis.