Epistle We are a small congregation, part of God s larger family, teaching and living God s Word, and sharing God s love throughout the community.

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1 Epistle We are a small congregation, part of God s larger family, teaching and living God s Word, and sharing God s love throughout the community. Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church of Valatie Reverend Kathi L. Jones, Pastor P.O. Box 267, 3212 Church Street, Valatie, NY ifirstpresbyter1@nycap.rr.com Website: December 2018 From the Pastor s Pen It might be easy to run away to a monastery, away from the commercialization, the hectic hustle, the demanding family responsibilities of Christmas-time. Then we would have a holy Christmas. But we would forget the lesson of the Incarnation, of the enfleshing of God the lesson that we who are followers of Jesus do not run from the secular; rather we try to transform it. It is our mission to make holy the secular aspects of Christmas just as the early Christians baptized the Christmas tree. And we do this by being holy people kind, patient, generous, loving, laughing people no matter how maddening is the Christmas rush... Fr. Andrew Greeley We seem to want it one way or the other. Either we enjoy the secularness of certain aspects of life or we are wanting the holy to be kept. But life isn t compartmentalized that easily. We live in the world a very secular world, even more so than 50 years ago and yet, we choose to have the holy in our lives in the recognition and acceptance of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and our personal Savior. Life is real only when both are recognized and included. The challenge and joy is to see that we can live in this far from perfect world with the absolute assurance of a life protected, overseen, known by God. The mystery of that is awe inspiring. God-is-with-us. Pondering that in all its complexity is a life-long endeavor for we learn as we experience first-hand what life has to offer. It cannot be taken in in one sitting or totally understood in just the lessons of school. God unveils Godself to us as we are ready to behold such revelations. The waiting of Advent helps us prepare for that unveiling. Allowing ourselves preparation time for the coming of Christ in the child is more important than the preparations for a family dinner and the perfect gifts. Our faith, our experience, our life will grow when we take time to be holy. May you take time to be holy that your experience of Advent and Christmas may be awe inspiring and unlike any before. Kathi

2 Christian Nurture The church and fellowship hall were decorated Saturday, December 1 in time for the first Sunday of Advent. Thank you to all who came and helped. A fun time for all. The children s Sunday school class will provide a music program during the worship service on December 9 th. They have been practicing and they are excited! It will be a special program. Please join us after the worship service for a coffee hour hosted by the Deacons. Christmas Services There will be a regular worship service at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 23 rd. Our traditional service of Lessons and Carols will be held on December 24 th at 8:00 p.m. Please plan to invite friends; it is a special service to celebrate our Savior s birth. There will be no Sunday school classes on Sunday, December 30 th. Winter Worship Service Schedule Please note that our winter worship services will be held in the Fellowship Hall from January 6, 2019 through March 31, It is a way for us to conserve and reduce the amount of heating oil that is needed for our worship services. First and Third Sunday Coffee Hours in the New Year Please sign up to prepare a coffee hour on either the first or third Sunday of the month. Hertha Matuszek has a schedule and she will be happy to explain what is needed. These coffee hours are meant to be easy to prepare with one baked good (purchased at the store or homemade), a cold beverage (juice or ice-tea etc.) and coffee. We will be undecorating the sanctuary on January 13 th. Many hands make light work. Our next meeting will be held on December 3rd at 10:30 a.m. Advent Study There will be an Advent study for 3 weeks; Thursdays, December 6, 13, and 20. We will begin at 6:30pm. We will look at the many names for the Messiah used by the prophet Isaiah 9:2-7. Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. What do these titles mean to you? We will look at each one and see how the people understood it then, how Jesus did or did not fulfill the title, and how Christians interpret Jesus as representative of each title today. When we are done, our own knowledge will take on a new depth and our understanding will be enhanced as to who Jesus was and is. Join us for this time of study and discussion. If you would like to join us and need a ride, please speak to Nancy Pienta or Pastor Kathi. Members of our Church family will provide the entrée for the St. Luke s Outreach Dinner on January 8 th. We will need a volunteer to be the chairperson and also other volunteers to assist with the purchasing and food preparation. Please see Pastor Kathi if you can help.

3 URGENT NEED 2 Overnight Women's Shelter Staff (Part time)... Capital City Rescue Mission's Emergency Shelter for Women is scheduled to open on December 3rd, but we need your help to make it happen... Staff members must be women and are responsible for hospitality and oversight of the guest s needs from 6:45pm to 6:30am. With the help of volunteers, staff will get the ladies settled and help them understand the shelter guidelines. Snacks will be served including cookies, popcorn, coffee and other drinks. A recliner is available for dozing. Can't commit to a staff position? Volunteer spots are also available and greatly needed. Volunteers may sign up for one night only or be put on a regular schedule. To get on the calendar or for more info, please contact Rachel at vcoordinator@albanymission.com or Mary at mmmalone2017@gmail.com. New Officers Elected On November 11, at a congregational meeting held after worship, new officers were elected. In the Class of 2022, for Elder, Nancy Pienta and Chuck Shattenkirk were elected to each serve another 3 year term. In the Class of Rosalie Hemingway and Alicia Albertson were also elected to succeed themselves as Deacons and Melissa Barton was elected to the Class of 2021 to fulfill the unexpired term of Deacon Cheryl Fitzgibbons who moved and had to resign. We look forward to their leadership and pray for them as they continue or begin to serve this congregation. Finance and stewardship The Turkey Dinner was once again a huge success! We served 542 meals and after all was said and done, we netted $6,602. Many thanks to everyone who helped to make it such a success, especially Chuck Shattenkirk, for his excellent leadership. It is a lot of work, but also a great community event, looked forward to by hundreds of people each year. Just a reminder! Basic Shared Witness (formerly known as per capita) is $43.00 per member. That means we share with the larger church (presbytery, synod and general assembly) from our budget $3, this year. While we write that amount into our budget each year, we ask each member to consider paying it so that we have more in our budget for other things we need to do. So far, this year, we have received $473.00, which is less than usual. Perhaps you have been meaning to write that check to the church and just haven t yet. Please do so before the end of the year. Make the check out to First Presbyterian Church and earmark it Basic Shared Witness or per capita. Thank you in advance. Also, there are just a few short weeks left to the end of the year. If you are behind on your pledge, please bring it up to date by December 31 when we close the books for the year. Pledge responses have been coming in slowly. So far, we have received 25 cards including 3 new pledges. We are encouraged by the increases many have made. If you have not yet sent in your Pledge Card for 2019, please do so as soon as possible. We would like to have a response from every member by the end of the year so we know what we have to work with in the new year.

4 Deacons Doings If you need transportation to a doctor s appointment, Church or any other necessary trip please contact Pastor Kathi ( ) and she will make the necessary arrangements. Prayer List We pray for: Victims of fires and natural disasters Victims of mass shootings People who are grieving Those who are homeless, hungry and cold Those who are away from family and friends Safe travel during the holidays Respectful support of all religious beliefs and celebrations DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS 19 - Randy Albetson 21 - Marge Laurie 23 - Tamara Armstrong 30 - Bill Ring 31 - Rev. Stark Jones DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES 6 - Sharon and John Coons 7 - Kate and Alfred Austin 12 - Nadean and Bill Behrens CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL If we have missed your Birthday or Anniversary on our list, please give Naomi in the office a call. We want to celebrate with you and let others know about your special day. If you are reaching some other significant milestone let us know. We are thankful for: The stars and moon The season of anticipation and celebration The congregation and community s generosity Annual Reports It s not too early to think about Annual Reports. If you chair a committee, are a treasurer, a moderator or secretary/clerk responsible for an annual report please note that the deadline is January 10. It s important that the deadline is honored so that the office has enough time to put the full report together. So, give yourself a Christmas present and get it done before the end of the year. The first report in will be given bragging rights for efficiency. And the office will thank you! LECTIONARY FOR DECEMBER December 2: Jeremiah 33:14 16 Psalm 25: Thessalonians 3:9 13 Luke 21:25 36 December 9: Malachi 3:1 4 Luke 1:68 79 Philippians 1:3 11 Luke 3:1 6 December 16: Zephaniah 3:14 20 Isaiah 12:2 6 Philippians 4:4 7 Luke 3:7 18 December 23: Micah 5:2 5a Luke 1:46 55 or Psalm 80:1 7 Hebrews 10:5 10 Luke 1:39 45 (46 55) Christmas Eve, December 24: Isaiah 9:2 7 Psalm 96:1 13 Titus 2:11 14 Luke 2:1 14 (15 20) December 30: 1 Samuel 2:18 20, 26 Psalm 148 Colossians 3:12 17 Luke 2:41 52

5 A Perfect Gift this Advent Season In the lead up to Christmas, many of us spend time in search of the perfect gift the gift that communicates to friends and family how much we know and love them. We search our memories for indications of what gift might cause the faces of our loved ones to light up. We scour the stores and shops, hoping to come across the thing that will communicate a depth of love that our words cannot. As important as gifts to loved ones are, we have an opportunity to give gifts that help many people we do not know through the Christmas Joy Offering. These gifts in particular draw us back to the manger and God s perfect gift to us Jesus Christ. Jesus came to live among us, bringing light into darkness, and reconciliation to God and to one another. A perfect gift from a gracious God. During this Christmas and Advent Season, we celebrate leadership; past, present and future through support of the Christmas Joy Offering. We do so because church leaders greatly impact our lives of faith, walking with us down the path to be more like Jesus. We want those church leaders and their families who find themselves grappling with a critical financial need to have the resources they need which are provided through the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions. We also support the offering to help our future leaders in the church and world, like those educated at our Presbyterianrelated schools and colleges equipping communities of color. Supporting these students helps the whole church develop leaders who reflect the wideness of God s intended diversity. For those supported through the Christmas Joy Offering, this help is truly a gift from above. May our gifts, and the leaders who receive them, point us always to the truth of the one whose birth we celebrate, Jesus Christ the truly perfect gift.

6 From the About You and Yours The wants to thank everyone who donated food or sent contributions to help with the Thanksgiving baskets that were distributed on Monday and Tuesday November 19 and 20. Congratulations to Jerry Dymond and Amanda Dejulio on their engagement. They are planning an April 2020 wedding. Wally and Lenore Brough are on their way to Bradenton, FL for the winter. They expect to return before Easter. Have a warm and safe time! Place your order in the offering plate or mail it to the church at 3212 Church Street, Valatie, N.Y by December 14th, Please make checks payable to the First Presbyterian Church. Any questions call the office at Phone Number: Given by: home after our Christmas Eve Service. For your holiday enjoyment, please arrange to bring your plant Ruth and Paul Fuhrmann will also be leaving for the warmer climate of Florida before the end of the month. We ll miss you and look forward to your return in the spring My Plant is given in honor of: My Plant is given in memory of: Total due (Please fill out one tribute per plant) Red $20.00 each 2018 CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS White They were able to provide 129 baskets of food and gift cards for the protein part of the meal (turkey, ham, etc.) which gave 537 people in the Ichabod Crane School district a very happy Thanksgiving. We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. Winston Churchhill

7 First Presbyterian Church, Valatie December 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 1st Sunday of Advent 9:30 Sunday School Adult Education 11:00 Worship Sacrament of Holy Communion 12:15 Coffee & Fellowship 12:30 Deacons Meeting 9 2nd Sunday of Advent 9:30 Sunday School Adult Education 11:00 Worship - Sunday School Program 12:15 Coffee Hour 16 3rd Sunday of Advent 9:30 Sunday School Adult Education 11:00 Worship - Pledge Sunday 12:15 Coffee & Fellowship 23 4th Sunday of Advent 9:30 Sunday School Adult Education 11:00 Worship 12:15 Coffee Hour 30 No Sunday School/Adult Ed 11:00 Worship 12:15 Coffee Hour 3 10:30am. Christian Nurture 12-2pm pm pm. 24 Christmas Eve Closed 8:00pm. Worship for Christmas Eve Boy Scouts 7;00pm. Buildings & Grounds Boy Scouts Finance & Stewardship Boy Scouts :00pm Session 6:00 6:00pm. 6 11:00am. Presbyterian Women Meeting & Christmas Lunch 6:30pm. Advent Study 6:30pm. Advent Study 20 2:00pm. Warm Up America! 6:30pm. Advent Study :00am. 5:00pm. Winter Walk and Parade 9-11am. Church Street Pre-School meets Monday through Friday from 9:00am. to 11:30am. December Hours Mondays - 12noon to 2pm Wednesday - 12/5,12/19, & 12/2 6-8pm Saturday, 12/8 & 12/22, 9-11am

8 3212 Church Street P. O. Box 267 Valatie, NY Phone: TIME SENSITIVE INFORMATION-PLEASE DELIVER PROMPTLY Join us for a Service Of Lessons and Carols Christmas Eve at 8:00 pm. Sandra Hohneker, Treasurer Bill Ring, Financial Secretary Naomi Handley, Secretary Melissa Barton, Clerk of Session Ardelle Stewart, Organist Virginia Becker, Sexton