January A Publication of First Presbyterian Church,

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1 January 2019 Epiphany Step away from the Christmas tree! Do not stuff it back into the box. Christmas is not yet over. The wreaths and decorations need to stay where they are for a few more days. As the song says, there are actually 12 days of Christmas. The Christmas holiday season begins on December 25 and ends on January 6 Epiphany. Contrary to what retail stores think, Christmas does not start in October. Epiphany is one of those churchy words we do not hear too often outside the sanctuary. While I am not fond of quoting the dictionary, the definition of Epiphany is helpful: A sudden intuitive leap of understanding, especially through an ordinary but striking occurrence; a revelatory manifestation of a divine being. On the Christian calendar, Epiphany is the day we celebrate the magi s visit to Jesus as described in Matthew 2. Most scholars agree that Epiphany occurred when Jesus was a small child, after the birth in the manger and visit from the shepherds. After all, the magi had to see the unusual A Publication of First Presbyterian Church, astrological signs, travel from the east, inquire about where the king of the Jews was to be born from Herod and the religious leaders and eventually find the family. Matthew also notes the magi visited a house, not a stable. All of that would take some time. It is also striking that the magi likely journeyed in a huge caravan with supplies and armed guards. Travelling in those days was dangerous, especially when you were carrying valuables. They were not individuals, royally dressed with their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh at the stable as portrayed in Christmas pageants. The Epiphany of the magi story is that the Messiah came for all people. He came for unnamed, powerful magi in the east. He came for the tired and lonely. Mary stated it like this after hearing about her child and visiting Elizabeth: He has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things This year, Epiphany falls on a Sunday. We will celebrate with communion and a special emphasis on this glorious event. Three mysterious magi from the east suddenly appear at Mary and Joseph s house with royal gifts. What a surprise! As the magi and family talked, I am sure there was an epiphany for all of them. Come explore this story with us. Perhaps you will have an epiphany of your own. On January 7, you can stuff the tree back into the box and take down the decorations. As you carefully put the ornaments back into their boxes, remember that the Messiah came for all of us no matter who we are. Happy Epiphany! Pastor Jonathan

2 Happy New Year! 2 First Presbyterian Church 211 South Main Maryville, MO Sunday School 9:00 Worship 10:30 pbymaryv@embarqmail.com churchstaff2@gmail.com Church Web Page: Youth Web Page: January 2019 Youth Facebook: Lectionary Readings January 6 Epiphany of the Lord Isa. 60:1-6; Ps. 72:1-7, 10-14; Eph. 3:1-12; Matt. 2:1-12 January 13 Baptism of the Lord Isa. 43:1-7; Ps. 29; Acts 8:14-17; Luke 3:15-17, January 20 Isa. 62:1-5; Ps. 36:5-10; 1 Cor. 12:1-11; John 2:1-11 January 27 Neh. 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10; Ps. 19; 1 Cor. 12:12-31a; Luke 4:14-21 First Presbyterian Facebook: firstpresbyterianchurchmaryvil lemo Church Staff Hours Rev. Jonathan Mitchell, Pastor 8:00 AM-Noon Monday Thursday Vicki Wainscott, Administrative Assistant 8:00 AM noon Monday Thursday Larry Mannasmith, Music Dir. Merlin & Kay Atkins, Custodial Care Inside This Issue Pastor Jonathan s Message Lectionary...2 January Schedules Book, Congregational Meeting, Poem. 4 G.R.O.W Women on Fire 6 Budget Session Highlights.. 9 Youth Page..10 Kid s Page...11 Cartoon...12

3 3 January 2019 Birthdays Brock Pfost Shepherd's Kitchen Crew Kay Atkins Al Turner Anniversaries Karen and Brock Pfost Ron and Diane Brown January 3 January 10 January 17 January 24 Karla Rusco, Karen Pfost, David Wooten, Lois Dawson, Dianne Goodall Hope Lutheran Church Northwest EM Club Diane and Ron Brown, Pam and Ron Petersen, Richard Fulton, Bruce and Janis Roorda Ushers David Wooten Diane Goodall Kay and Merlin Atkins January 31 TBA Fellowship Sunday This month s fundraiser will be January 6. Come to the Parlor after worship for Scandinavian Treats, Coffee and Tea

4 4 Book for January Located in Fiction First Presbyterian Library Congregational Meeting After worship January 20 Winter warmth This is a collection of sermons by Martin Luther King Jr. Many people think of Dr. King primarily as a civil rights leader; but first of all, he was a Baptist minister, thoroughly trained in systematic theology and philosophy. This collection of sermons (capped with an article about the development of his "pilgrimage to nonviolence") makes it abundantly clear that Dr. King's work for civil rights and his principles of nonviolent resistance were rooted in his deep Christian faith and careful theological reflection. (Library Thing) O God, you give the winter s cold, as well as summer s joyous rays. You warmly in your love enfold, and keep us through life s wintry days. Samuel Longfellow

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9 9 Session Highlights December 2018 Session passed the 2019 budget. Details will be forthcoming. The Congregational Officer Nominating Committee has started the process of filling vacancies on Session Council and other positions for Session decided to observe the Lord s Supper on Sunday Dec. 23 rd rather than at the Christmas Eve service at the advice of Pastor Jonathan. Session also approved communion dates for Session reviewed the membership list as required in the Book of Order. Session recommended the Pastor s Terms of Call to be approved by the congregation at the annual congregational meeting following worship on Sunday, January 20. The next Session Council meeting will be Thursday, January 24 th at 6:00 pm. The focus will be on training for new and newer elders. Annual reports are due by 8:00 AM Tuesday, January 15.

10 10 Heartland Presbytery Activities Annual Youth Event January 21st 9:00 AM 1:00 PM $40 MLK, Jr. Day of Service & Tubing Fellowship with Heartland Presbytery Information and Registration here event? oeidk=a07efwn71fv7cb066dc&llr=7stinjdab Triennium July 15-20, 2019 Online Registration at Deadline: December 31, 2018 Thanks to the generosity of our members and congregations, the shared Mission Giving makes each person eligible for a transportation subsidy, which brings our per participant cost to $580. Follow this link for scholarships, information or to register! oeidk=a07efe5lm8sb08e7700&llr=7stinjdab Play Promo Video

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