Gracenotes: December 2018

Transcription

1 Gracenotes: December 2018 Advent is the season four weeks before Christmas in which we prepare for the coming of Christ. It begins on Sunday nearest to 30th November. Advent is the period of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus and its name comes from the Latin word adventus, which means "coming". The season also celebrates Christ's anticipated coming again in the fullness of time to rule triumphantly over life in heaven and earth, as well as the coming of Christ as the infant Saviour whose birth we celebrate at Christmas. And because the season emphasizes Christ's comings and not just his birth, it s more than just a time to get ready for Christmas. It is a penitential season but is no longer associated with the strictness of Lent. Nevertheless Advent reminds us that the question is not whether Jesus will return to judge the earth, but when. The season of Advent came into being toward the middle of the sixth century. At first, the Advent Season was determined as the six Sundays leading up to Christmas. This was then reduced to four Sundays by Pope St. Gregory the Great ( ). Before the seventh century, Christmas was a secondary feast, especially in Rome, but as it came to take on more and more importance, so the season of Advent evolved in a similar manner. Advent became more solemn and its orientation changed. From just being a time to prepare for Christmas, it became a time to look to the glorious return of the Lord and now the Sunday s of Advent reflect this double perspective of waiting for the Second Coming of Jesus (First and Second Sundays) and the immediate preparation for the feast of Christmas (Third and Fourth Sundays). The Roman Catholic Church summarises Advent by saying, "When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present the ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for, by sharing in the long preparation for the Saviour's first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for His Second Coming." God s first intervention within our history came not in the form of some instant or earth shattering event, but instead God chose to come into the world as we all do, to be born as a baby in the midst of a chaotic world. By our own impatient standards this seems such a slow way to bring salvation to the world. But God may not always choose the easy answer or the quick fix. But by His earthly incarnation He demonstrates a total commitment to the very core of humanity. A commitment, to its day by day routines and challenges, a commitment to humanity from the cradle to the grave and beyond. And in that same incarnational way, God comes to us day by day, through the working of the Spirit, through His Word and Sacrament, making the ordinary extraordinary; making the broken whole; and redeeming and restoring the past, present and future, whatever they hold. This is a message which is clear in the gospel reading today. History, myth, belief and imagery come together to create a vision, the strength of which is not in trying to understand the detail of Christ s second coming but in catching a glimpse of the message of salvation and healing being completed. We should not spend our time worrying about the timing of God s arrival or about the distraction of what might happen in the meantime. God s reign has already broken into our world through the incarnation, death and resurrection of Christ. His Kingdom is near and it is coming, even as it is already arrived but not fully realized. We are to remain watchful, and aware, and to be prepared for the final coming, which is likely to arrive any time that God s love is shared with uncommon grace in a world so desperately in need of that love. It is through us, and through the very imperfect Church that bears His name that His love and grace continue to come and spread, at Advent and through the Christian year ahead as we look to His coming in glory. There is much about Advent to enjoy, the Advent wreaths found in our churches where they have four candles to be lit each Sunday and one for Christmas Day. But in the midst of our church we know that just as we prepare for Christmas, so we have to make ready to welcome Jesus in our lives. Are you ready for the coming of Jesus? From: ThisisChurch.com (

2 December Anniversaries December Birthdays New Beginnings Thrift Store Time to Celebrate THRIFT SHOP REPORT Received in October $1, Donations in October - 2 gift cards, clothing valued at $20.00 Received in September - $ Gift Card given - 1 Donations of $40 in supplies given Looking for a great personal mission project to undertake in 2019? Consider volunteering at the New Beginnings Thrift Store once or twice a month. Come and be part of this wonderful project, which not only raises funds for church mission projects, but also provides a valuable and much needed service to our community. Reach out to Carol Roberts to get details of this exciting opportunity. 2 nd Dorian Bunting-Cliffe 11 th Anita Schmitz 17 th Marjorie Lewis 17 th Paul Niles 18 th Paula Gifford 26 th Sherri Welsh 26 th Rhonda Stearns 12 th Evelyn and Martin Baker ADVENT TRYST - Thursday, Dec. 13 th Nominating Committee Thank you to all who have volunteered to serve as an elder or deacon. Installation will be held during worship on January 6 th. The Annual Advent Tryst for Presbyterian Women will happen on Thursday, Dec. 13th at 6 p.m. at the home of Evelyn Baker, Greenlawn Ave. for a covered dish meal. We will take care of some end of the year business, and then Take a Trip to Bethlehem and sing a few carols. Please bring your own table service and a dish to share and come join us on this special night. Feel free to call Paula Gifford, or Evelyn Baker if there are any questions.

3 Service /Stewardship Ushers / Greeters / Liturgists/Communion Servers Date Ushers/Greeters Liturgists Billie Jo Northrop and 12/2 Carol Roberts Paul Cliffe 12/9 Howard and Sherri Welsh Paula Gifford Mary Ellen Whitmore and 12/16 Ellen Bosworth Mary Ellen Whitmore 12/23 George and Paula Gifford Joe Bianchi 12/30 Mike and Lori Davidson Kira and Sammy Davidson Eileen Bianchi The Giving Tree The Missions Committee has once again put up The Giving Tree in the narthex. We ask that the congregation consider taking a tag (with specific clothing items noted) and/ or a bag with a list of needed items, that will be donated to the three B-G schools. The items on the tags are given to the school nurses for students in need during the school day. Items in the bags will be donated to the Bobcat Boutiques located in all B-G locations. The Committee asks that all donations be returned under the tree by Sunday, Dec. 23 rd. Thank you for being part of this wonderful mission project we are able to do each year.

4 CHURCH CALENDAR DATE TIME EVENT 12/2 11 a.m. Rev. Patty Wolff. Communion served 12/5 9:30 a.m. Adult Yoga fellowship hall 12/9 11 a.m. Rev. Patty Wolff. Decorating of the Christmas Tree & Coffee Hr. follows 12/11 7 p.m. Session Meeting 12/12 9:30 a.m. Adult Yoga fellowship hall 12/15 3 p.m. Presbyterian Youth present: The Star Free Community Movie Matinee! Christmas Eve The Christmas Eve Service will begin at 7:30pm this year with prelude music starting around 7pm. If you would like to play at this service, please contact Cheryl Nages. Everyone is welcome!! Bible Study Opportunities Patty offers 2 bible studies in East Guilford and you are all invited. Wednesdays at 8am and Thursdays at 2:30pm. Contact Patty for more information revpattywolff@gmail.com or just show up at one of the gatherings to experience the fellowship and learning! 12/16 11 a.m. Rev. Patty Wolf. 12/16 3 p.m. Blue Christmas Service at UMC 12/19 9:30 a.m. Adult Yoga fellowship hall 12/23 11 a.m. Rev. Patty Wolff. Christmas Joy Offering 12/24 7 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 12/30 11 a.m. TBA THE STAR movie matinee Coming soon to a Fellowship Hall near you! Our youth will be hosting a movie matinee of The Star on Saturday, Dec. 15 th at 3 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. This movie presents the Nativity Story from the perspective of the donkey. The youth will also be doing cookie decorating, making a donkey Christmas ornament, giving out a small gift to all attendees and offering snacks. This event is free and open to all members of the community. So please pass along an invitation to everyone you know and help our youth to share the true meaning of Christmas this year!

5 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord. -Ephesians 5:19 Adult Choir The adult choir will be singing on December 9 & 16 this month. If would like to sing please join us on Sunday mornings before worship for rehearsals at 10:15 am. New members are always welcome at any time. Come use your talents to praise God and lead our congregation in worship of our Lord. If you have any questions, please don t hesitate to call me (Cheryl Nages ). Hope to see you in choir! Date Choir Organist 12/9/2018 Choir Sings Diane 12/16/2018 Choir Sings Diane 12/23/2018 No Choir Paula 12/30/2018 No Choir Diane Directory Update An updated directory will be available in January. Please give any updates (including births) to Cheryl Nages. Do you have a special Nativity set, especially one that has a broken piece or two? By popular request, Ann Baier will once again be placing Nativity sets in the sanctuary windows again this year, but with a new theme: showing that we are all broken in some way. If you have a set you would like to share with the congregation, please leave at the church for Ann between 12/2 and 12/9. Ann will also be accepting monetary donations for flowers and greenery to decorate the sanctuary for Advent and Christmas. If you would like to donate, please give to Ann by 12/16.

6 Session met on October 2nd at the East Guilford Presbyterian Church. Elders were shown the video capabilities that they use during worship and other events. - the consent agenda was approved with exceptions - September Minutes and Treasurer's Reports and Pastor's Report were received - Thank you received from Town Recreation for the use of the facility during the Summer Meal program - approved purchase of camp stove for use in cooking during harvest dinner, and rental of chafing dishes if needed - approved paying half of steeple job up front. - no reports were received from Spiritual Nurture, Anniversary, Nominating or Personnel - Devotions were shared by Paula Epply - brief report from Presbytery Meeting was given - closing prayer offered by Cheryl Nages and meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m. to meet next on November 13th. TREASURER'S REPORT September Income - $4, September Expense - $2, Please remember your Per Capita payment. Next meeting: 12/11/18, 7 p.m. Session met on November 13th and the following occurred: - opened with prayer and lighting of a candle - approved the agenda and consent agenda - met with a member of the Deacons - learned that Advent/Christmas plans were in place - learned of Christmas event for youth on Dec. 15th - approved Session Minutes for Oct. 2 and 21, approved Treasurer's report and heard Thrift Shop report - learned that over $9,000 has been disbursed from Thrift Shop Mission money - extended the Missional Agreement with Rev. Tom Vance and the Manse to May 1, heard Thank you notes from the Robertsons, Carole Beach, the TruthPharm and Town of Bainbridge (some posted on Bulletin Board) - approved sending $50 to Presbyterian Historical Society to aid in their efforts of preservation of records - learned that Session Records have been approved without exception - had devotions shared by Rev. Patty - approved payment for hymns used with words by other authors - approved request by WIC to use our fellowship hall on the 4th Tuesday of each month for their program (formerly held at the Town Hall) - approved Mission requests in amounts of $1,000 and $ adjourned at 9 p.m. to meet next on December 11th. TREASURER'S REPORT Received in October $ 4, Expenses in October $15,069.00

7 Communication Please use the list below as a reference. As you can see we have many ways to communicate with our church family and the community. Don t assume that the people below already know what is going on, send them meeting dates and other information that you would like publicized. (Please note that there have been some changes to contacts! Need to contact Rev. Patty Wolff, revpattywolff@gmail.com Session Evelyn Baker evelynmartinbaker@gmail.com Prayer Chain/ Announcements Paula Gifford pjggifford@yahoo.com Facebook Paula Epply paulatillapaugh@ymail.com Cheryl Nages cnages@stny.rr.com Newspaper Paula Epply paulatillapaugh@ymail.com Paula Gifford pjggifford@yahoo.com Gracenotes submissions to bainbridgepresbyterianchurch@gmail.com Church Website Mary Ellen Whitmore mencw29@gmail.com Cheryl Nages cnages@stny.rr.com Bulletin Karen Roszkowski kkdrosz@yahoo.com, (please all requests to add someone to the bulletin prayer list to Karen) Sanctuary Flowers Ann Baier albstoneterrace@gmail.com Notices and other information USHERS AND GREETERS Thank you to all members who continue to serve in these capacities. It is your service that makes our church a welcoming community that operates smoothly during each service! Please remember that if you are scheduled to serve as an Usher/Greeter, liturgist, or communion server on your scheduled date, reach out to another member of the congregation to switch dates or secure a replacement. The Spiritual Nurture Committee has decided to continue with 2 people per Sunday, who will greet as they hand out the bulletins and perform the other usher duties (light candles, place a glass of water on pulpit for the pastor, count attendance, and collect the offering). If you are currently not an usher/greeter but feel called to be part of this ministry, please contact Carolyn Williams at gcwilliams30@yahoo.com or by phone at Bulletins If you have any announcements, prayer requests, flower dedications, etc., please them to Karen Roszkowski, kkdrosz@yahoo.com, at the beginning of the week. Karen will also be notifying the liturgists of their readings and organists of the hymns as early as possible each week. If you do not receive your information for your assigned week by Thursday, please reach out to Karen. Our Church Website is frequently updated please take some time to explore it.

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