First Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 205 East Lake St., South Lyon, MI A TIME TO PONDER

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1 December 2014 The First Word Page 1 The And Mary said, Vol. 16 No. 11 December 2014 First Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 205 East Lake St., South Lyon, MI A TIME TO PONDER My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants for ever. ~ Luke 1:46-55, NRSV The passage above is referred to as the Magnificat, or the Song of Mary. A pregnant Mary speaks these words upon her visit with her cousin Elizabeth, who is also pregnant with John. Through Mary s song, we are reminded of God s faithfulness as God is about to break forth into human history once again. As Mary waits for the arrival of her son, our Lord and Savior, she ponders many things in her heart. Advent is a time for us to ponder as well. It s a time for us to ask ourselves what it means to experience the incarnation. What does it mean when we hear the Gospel writer John say to us, God did not send His only Son to condemn the world, but that through him, the world might be saved. We often get too caught up in our own holiday trappings the shopping, the parties, the (continued on next page 2)

2 Page 2 The First Word December 2014 food, even the Christmas music to take time out to ponder the awe and wonder of the season. We become so stressed out by all that there is to do, that we forget what it is that we are truly celebrating. Having read Mary s song over and over again, I wonder what God really thinks about the way we celebrate the coming of God s Son into the world. The hungry still go unfed, the homeless are still on the streets, violence is still rampant in our cities, nation is still at war with nation. Yet, we overstuff ourselves with food, over spend, over commit to the point that once Christmas is over, we cannot wait for life to return to normal rather than to allow Christmas to transform us. During this Advent season, I invite each of you to take time each day to ponder the meaning of Christmas. Read Scripture, sit in silence, take time to pray. During the week of December 15th, several prayer stations will be set up throughout the Sanctuary. I invite all of you to come and work through these stations. The intent of these stations is to provide you with quiet time for mediation and self-examination as we await the coming of our Savior. With Peace and Grace, Pastor Mike SOUTH LYON PRESENTS COOL YULE 2014 Make sure to mark your calendar the first weekend of December (6th) for the Cool Yule. Just a few of the events are as follows: Gingerbread Open House/Nativity Display - Saturday, December 6th from 2pm-8pm at First Presbyterian Church. See unique, color and sweet creations entered by local builders. You will be able to cast your People s Choice vote. While you are voting on your favorite Gingerbread House, don t miss our Nativity Display, many of which were purchased in different parts of the world. It s surely a sight to see! Fun Run and Parade of Lights - at 5:30 pm in downtown South Lyon. The parade starts at Pontiac Trail and runs between Whipple and Dorothy streets. Activities at the Historical Village start immediately after the Parade of Lights with the annual tree lighting, followed by visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Hot chocolate, cookie sale, events and more.

3 December 2014 The First Word Page 3 CHILDREN S CHRISTMAS SERVICE SUNDAY, DECEMCER 21ST Mark your calendars for this very special event! All children and youth are invited to share in our Children s Christmas Worship Service at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 21st. Youth who are participating will read the story of Christ-mas from scripture, and children participating will serve as the Holy Family, angels, shepherds, and magi. There will be one practice on Saturday, December 13th at 10:00 a.m. with a light lunch following. CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE December 18th 7p.m. For some, these darkening days are particularly challenging, whether it be missing someone who is far away or separated through death, mourning relationships, jobs, or simply the lack of sunlight as we approach the longest night of the year. On Thursday, Dec. 18th, First Presbyterian Church of South Lyon will host a Blue Christmas service to give space and voice to some of these trying feelings around the Christmas season. Please feel free to join us at 7PM in the Sanctuary for this beautiful service of remembrance and hope. Be sure to join us on Wednesday, December 24th at 10:30 p.m. for this very special service as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Familiar carols will be sung, candles will be lit, and Communion will be served.

4 Page 4 The First Word December 2014 ADOPT-A-FAMILY THIS CHRISTMAS The deacons are again, this Christmas season, sponsoring the adopting of two local families through Active Faith. The first family, there are four children with boys ages 13, 12 and 4 and a girl age 11. The second family has two children with a boy age 9 and a girl age 13. The giving tree with the ornaments is set up in the Parlor. The ornaments will have the children s wishes attached. When taking a wish off the tree, please remember to sign the log book with your name and phone number next to the item you selected. When the item is brought back to church, sign the log book that the item is returned. Unwrapped gifts and the ornament need to be returned no later than Sunday, December 14th. We will be accepting monetary donations to be used towards a gift card to Kroger for the families. Wrapping paper donations are needed and will be taken to the families when the gifts are delivered. If you have any questions, please contact Marci Mulligan, Jack Rae, or Gwyn McClintock. SOCK IT TO ME! The newly rededicated South Lyon Presbyterian Women have launched a mission project for Christmas collecting new socks for the 2 nd Mile Center and Everyone Eats in Detroit. Our goal is to collect 500 pairs of socks that will be given for distribution to those in need of socks. Bring your Socks to church and put under the Christmas Tree in the Parlor from November 30 to December 14. Everyone is invited to participate and Sock It To Me! This year the Mary Stephen Circle is sponsoring the Mitten Tree outside the sanctuary. Please bring in new mittens, gloves, hats, scarves, and socks for children and adults who are in need. We will donate the items to Active Faith and other agencies that serve our area. Let s make sure none of our neighbors are cold this winter!

5 December 2014 The First Word Page 5 SIXTH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF TREES AT ABBEY PARK December 1-31 Be sure to stop by Abbey Park this Christmas season and visit the sixth annual Festival of Trees. Each year, organizations sponsor a charity and decorate a tree on their behalf. This year, FPC is participating in the festival. The charity we are sponsoring is the Second Mile Center of Detroit. Second Mile Center is a mission of the Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of Detroit. Residents and visitors pay $1 to vote for their favorite tree; however, you may vote as many times as you would like. A People s Choice Award will be presented to the group with the most votes on December 14 (vote early!) and the winner of the cash prize will be announced on December 24. If you can t get out to vote, contact Pastor Mike or Joyce Johnson and they will place a vote on your behalf, however, you still must pay for the tickets. PROGRESSIVE DINNER December 20th The Congregational Life Committee invites you to an evening of fun, food, and fellowship at the Progressive Dinner on December 20th at 5:00 p.m. We will begin our adventure at the home of Jack and Donna Rae, and conclude the evening at the home of Mike and Stephanie Horlocker. We will make stops in between as we enjoy different meal courses at each home. Please be sure to make a reservation by either signing up at the Friendship Table, or contacting the church office at ATTENTION SINGERS For the second year in a row, FPC has been asked to lead the community in Christmas caroling at the Cool Yule on Saturday, December 6. Carols are sung just before Santa lights up the city s Christmas tree. Anyone can join us to sing. You do not have to be a member of the choir. Singers can also ride the float during the electric parade. They will be dropped off at the Historic Village where they will lead the caroling. Contact the church office for more information. REMEMBER ACTIVE FAITH During this season of giving, let us also remember Active Faith. Please remember to bring in a canned good or a nonperishable food item for our Active Faith box located near our coat rack.

6 Page 6 The First Word December 2014 MARY STEPHEN CIRCLE Wednesday, December 11th 12:15 p.m. Hostess: Mary Haack Season s Greetings from your Board of Deacons. We have a couple of notes of interest to pass onto everyone. We have the Christmas tree set up in the parlor and it has the tags with the gift requests for the six children we have adopted for this Christmas holiday. There is a log book below the tree to sign, so we can keep track of what is being purchased and by whom. Please be sure to return the tag with you unwrapped purchase. Another important date to remember is December 7 th, when our Meet Your Deacon Potluck will be held after Church service. Your deacon will contact you and we would like everyone to sit with their Deacon and bring a dish to pass. This will give us a chance to get to know each other, so please make an effort to come. Hope to see you there and enjoy this wonderful time of the year. God Bless, Jack Rae, Deacon Mary Haack will provide a hot lunch for the ladies of the circle. Please bring 1/2 dozen of your favorite Christmas cookie to share on our dessert tray. Also, bring along a favorite poem of yours to read aloud. We hope to see everyone there. MEET YOUR DEACON POTLUCK Sunday, December 7th Please join us on Sunday, December 7th, following worship to enjoy a potluck luncheon, and have a chance to eat and chat with your Deacon. You will be contacted ahead of the potluck by your Deacon, and he/she will ask that you all sit together. Remember - your Deacon is always there to answer any questions, or help in any way he/she can.

7 December 2014 The First Word Page 7 Advent Season Study - The Messiah Join us this Advent season, beginning Sunday, November 30th, after worship, as we study Walter Bruggemann s The Messiah. This four-week session takes a critical look at the four royal titles used in Isiah 9:2-7. November 30th: Wonderful Counselor December 14th: Mighty God December 21st: Everlasting Father December 28th: Prince of Peace. We will be challenged to learn how the people understood those titles during Jesus time and discuss how Jesus did or did not fulfill the titles. We will also reflect on how Christians interpret Jesus as representing that title. Study guides for each session are available at the Friendship Table by the Parlor. STEWARDSHIP UPDATE It is the hope of the Administrative Committee that members and friends will make every effort to complete their 2014 financial promise commitment by the end of December. Please remember - if you want your gift to be credited for 2014 your check must be dated and turned in by December 31, Members and friends who have not yet made a financial promise commitment for next year are invited to do so soon. Your help is crucial and your gift is important. If you have misplaced your card, there are cards in each pew, on the Main Foyer Table or if you call the church ( ) a card will be mailed to you. Christmas Greetings The entire staff joins in wishing you and your family a JOYOUS CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR Linda Anderson Ruth Azar Laura Goode Peggy Hart Mike Horlocker Jo Morgan Bob Weinburger SECOND MILE CENTER COMING TO FPC! On Sunday, December 21st, the children from the Second Mile Center will be joining us for worship. They will be hand miming a couple of songs for us during the Children s Worship service. The children will be coming on Saturday evening and then spending the night at the church. If you would like to help provide breakfast for the children on Sunday morning, see Pastor Mike.

8 Page 8 The First Word December 2014 LUNCH AT OLGA S KITCHEN Remember that on the second Sunday of each month, Olga s gives back a portion of your bill to the church. Be sure to pick up an Olga s card at the Friendship Table or cut out the this coupon Grand River Ave. Novi, MI Sun: 11am-9pm Support our Fundraiser At Olga s Kitchen Present this card at the Olga s Novi location on the second Sunday of each month to have up to 25% of your bill donated to support the restoration of the historic FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SOUTH LYON EVERYONE EATS Please join us the third Wednesday of each month as we continue to prepare and serve lunch to the homeless at Spirit of Hope Church in Detroit. Our co-captains, Anne Lyke and Kyle Colley, along with 8-10 volunteers leave FPC parking lot at 9:30 a.m to be ready to serve lunch at noon. If you aren t able to join us at Spirit of Hope church, there is always plenty of food preparation to be done ahead of time here at FPC. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Anne Lyke or Kyle Colley. Christmas Wreaths And Poinsettias WREATH AND POINSETTIA ORDER FORM No. of wreaths x $20 ea. = No. of poinsettias Help decorate our sanctuary for the Christmas season by purchasing a live wreath and/or poinsettia. Dedicate it in memory or in honor of a loved one. Complete the form below and return it to the church office by December 7, with your payment. You may also place it in the offering plate, or mail it to the church office. x $15 ea. = In honor/memory of Name

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10 Page 10 The First Word December 2014 Pray for Mary Docherty s niece, Adrianna Betty Ross Tina Van Ochten Terry Tennant Glenna Clogg Louise Berdan Ann Clifton s friend, Terri Amy Lynn Billie Daily the family of Tony Carbone the family of Dom G. Dan and Kim MacNish s granddaughter, Hope, and Kim s uncle, Alan. Chelsea Bruck, that she will be found safe and her family and community find answers. for those in the world who are hungry. safe trips for all those who are traveling over Thanksgiving. for those who continue to be impacted by the storms on the east coast. for those who work outside or live outdoors in the cold weather. for the family and friends of Ron Smart Mary Bond Our Men Serving in the Armed Forces Ben Bond Kenny Bond Dante Panicacci Brian Peterson Jared Roth Our Shut-ins and Homebound Jane Beckstein Joan Borsh Millie Bunn Bob and Elaine Callsen Bill & Glenna Clogg Eleanor Donley John Fowler Betty Ross Shirley Westacott Our friends under the care of the Presbytery Anne Lyke Ruth Azar Request prayer by calling the church office at (248) or online at Please let your Deacon know how your prayer is being answered. If you do not know who your Deacon is, contact the church office.

11 December 2014 The First Word Page 11 Please update your address for Betty Ross. She has moved to her daughter and son-inlaw s home (Pete and Jan Eichinger.) Betty s new address is: Cartier Drive, Brighton, MI KROGER REWARDS: First Presbyterian Church South Lyon is now enrolled in the Kroger Community Rewards program. To participate, you must have a Kroger Shopper s Card it is the one you use for store discounts in your regular shopping. You may log on to Kroger.com, and pull down the Community menu and select community Rewards. A box will open asking for a few letters of the church name, but ours isn t listed yet, so type in our church ID number: A portion of what you spend will then be dedicated to the Legacy Fund at First Presbyterian Church South Lyon. OR Bring you card to church on Sunday, or to the office when our administrative assistant is in, and we will do the enrollment for you. WORSHIP 10:00 AM FELLOWSHIP TIME 11:00 AM Rev. Michael Horlocker, Pastor mhorlocker1@gmail.com Office Hours: Monday - Thursday Rev. Joanne Morgan, Parish Associate joanne.marie.morgan@gmail.com Office Hours: Wednesday Ruth Azar, Pastoral Assistant azaraccounting@comcast.net Office Hours: Wednesday Laura Goode, Administrative Assistant office@fpcsouthlyon.org Office Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 9-3 Office is closed on Fridays Rev. Linda Anderson, Interim Organist Bob Weinburger, Treasurer Peggy Hart, Custodian Office: Fax:

12 Page 12 The First Word December 2014 First Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 205 East Lake Street South Lyon, MI The First Word is the newsletter of the First Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) of South Lyon, published eleven times a year. The deadline for submission of articles is noon on the third Monday of each month. Check us out on the web at Our Mission We are called to J oyfully E xalt our S avior by U sing our talents to S erve God and others daily. Our Vision We strive to be the Image of Christ in the world: a place where the Son always shines.