Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church. Living for Christ through Worship, Discipleship, Service and Fellowship. To the Saints of Holy Trinity Presbyterian:

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1 19251 North Tamiami Trail, No. Ft. Myers, FL Phone: THE MESSENGER Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church Dec., 2018, Volume 2018, Issue 12 Website: Living for Christ through Worship, Discipleship, Service and Fellowship To the Saints of Holy Trinity Presbyterian: Quick! What Christmas hymn is brought to mind by the following? Dec. 3 Dennis Daley Dec. 6 Polly Timberlake Dec. 9 Sally Beyer Dec.10 Andrea Helms Dec.10 Ann Rule Dec.11 Ed Hall Dec.16 Paul Brewer Dec.16 Marley Weightman Dec.17 June McDonnell Dec.19 Jerry Strohmenger Dec.21 Paul Kleinmann Dec.23 Joyce Sigler Dec.26 Bill Milligan Having a Birthday This Month? Sign up to greet so we can say Happy Birthday! And why not celebrate the many blessing in your life and be a blessing to Holy Trinity, too? Contribute to the birthday fund to help us pay for special projects like the Keep Cool Fund. ** Suggested donation is $1.00 per year of age. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it. Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy at the presence of the LORD, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity. Isaac Watts wrote the celebrated Christmas hymn I am referring to in He wrote it as a paraphrase of the above words from Psalm 98, but he did not write it for Christmas use. In fact, other than one use of the word Lord, there is no reference at all to Jesus or the circumstances of his birth! Nevertheless, Watts did give the hymn his own title: The Messiah s Coming and Kingdom. So it is appropriate for us to sing the hymn at Christmas and, indeed, at other times of the year as well. Have you figured out which hymn I am referring to? Maybe you need some more information, which I will give by way of a detour There is a perpetual tug-of-war in our musical hearts as we move past Thanksgiving and enter the season of Advent. Everywhere we go we will hear Christmas music, and we all will be bring out our Christmas records and CDs. It is natural to want to play the music of Christmas that brings us such pleasure. But in the church in our worship services we have a different theme going. Advent is a time of preparation for the celebration of Jesus birth. It is a season before the season of Christmas and, as such, it has its own music: music of waiting and anticipation, music of fulfillment, music of longing for God to make the world right again. This is why we should not be too quick to sing Christmas hymns early in December. We need to dwell in this period of getting ready; to spend time preparing room for the Christ in our hearts. There! I gave you a hint. And we will sing that hymn on December 16, as well as Christmas Eve. I look forward to journeying through the Advent season with each and every one of you! Joy in Christ, RC Smith Support the people and causes you love through your will!

2 Page 2 December 2018 SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THE MONTH Dec. 2 Sermon: Jeremiah 33:14-16; Liturgist: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36 Dec. 9 Christmas Cantata Dec.16 Sermon: Luke 3:7-18; Liturgist: Zephaniah 3:14-20; Philippians 4:4-7 Dec. 23 Sermon: Luke 1:39-55; Liturgist: Micah 5:2-5a; Hebrews 10:5-10 Dec. 30 Sermon: Luke 2:41-52; Liturgist: Isaiah 11:1-9; Colossians 3:12-17 Prayer Chain Warriors Ushers & Greeters for November If you cannot serve on the Sunday you are to usher, please call the Usher Captain. 1 st Service: Alice Clarcq nd Service: Mary Ann Chamberlin We have very good warriors on our prayer chain at Holy Trinity. If you have a prayer request, please contact any of the following and the name of the person you want us to pray for will be put on the prayer chain. Nancy Rad Roger Smith Kelly Dickey Ann Sosa Joyce Schmidt Wilma Jenkins Billie Sonderman Nancy Walker Ruth Rickard Joy O Dell MISSIONS The Mission Committee met on Oct. 24 th. After much discussion, it was agreed to send funds to the Presbyterian Disaster Fund for the Florida victims from recent hurricanes. We are also making a contribution to the Suncoast Community Center for the needs of people in our area. It was agreed to add Bill & Nancy Apple as members of our committee. As a major interest of our church is shoes for children in Immokalee sponsored by Presbyterian Women, it was decided not to ask the congregation to fill boxes for needy children sponsored by Samaritan s Purse, but several committee members will be doing this on their own this year. Our final meeting for the year will be on Nov. 28 th. Larry Raber, Chair Dec. 2 Dec. 9 8:30 A.M. Service Communion Nancy Rad Carol Dant Joan Ostrander Andrea Helms Fran Cokins Eva Ferrell Rosemarie Prud homme Alice Clarcq Dec. 16 Saundra Staigle Dan Putnam Luanne Putnam Alice Clarcq Dec. 23 Debbie Sanders Sue Springer Judy DeLonge Ralph Jeka Dec. 30 Debbie Sanders Sue Springer Alice Clarcq Nancy Rad Christmas Eve - Dec. 24 5:00 PM Nancy Rad Bonnie Anderson Judy DeLonge Ralph Jeka Dec. 2 Dec. 9 10:30 A.M. Service Communion Marty Rudo John Strickland Judy Steele Charles Schnuth Beverly Smith (Choir) Margaret Lloyd Sue Buckhout Charles Schnuth Judy Steele Dec. 16 Sue Buckhout John Strickland Judy Steele Charles Schnuth Dec. 23 Betty Robertson Scotty Robertson Sue Buckhout John Strickland Dec. 30 Joan Hall John Strickland Judy Steele Roger Smith Christmas Eve - Dec. 24 7:00 PM Joyce Lee Sue Buckhout Judy Steele Paul Conkle

3 Page 3 December 2018 Pastor Nominating Committee Report As of November 7, 2018, The Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) has received 34 Personal Information Forms (PIF s). Twentyfive were received through the Church Leadership Connection (CLC) and nine were self-referrals. The PIF includes resume information, leadership competencies, and questions requiring an essay format response from the candidate. Utilizing the Pastor Characteristics as identified through our Mission Study and the Leadership Competencies, each member of the PNC is thoroughly reviewing each candidate s PIF in the order it was received. We are each tasked to read, make comments, and rank each of the candidates who were assigned for that week s meeting. The PNC as a group comes to a consensus regarding the ranking of a candidate. Those who are potential candidates, remain in the pool for further consideration. Those who do not appear to be a good match for HTPC are sent letters by , thanking them for their consideration of our position and wishing them well in their pastor search. The search for a called pastor is time and work intensive. After all candidates have gone through the first round scoring, the PNC will request additional information from the top candidates, review websites, check references, and conduct interviews. The PNC is searching for the best candidates for our called pastor position. HTPC Pastor Nominating Committee Evangelism The Pictorial Directories for 2018 have arrived, and are being distributed to those who have had their picture taken. Additional copies are in the process of being ordered for new members. The Communication Report stated that a new small business phone system is being purchased with a main console for the church office, an extension deskset for the Pastor's office, and two cordless handsets for CR#4 and Fellowship Hall, respectively. The Ring Door Bell Camera system, which allows the office to see who is at the door to the church, is being completed with a transformer installation to keep the bell battery charged. The "Trinity on the Go" outing to the Morris Museum in Winter Park was cancelled due to lack of interest. The Mote Laboratory & Aquarium trip in Sarasota took place on November 15 th. The trip on December 17 th will be the Florida Christmas Light Train/Bus/Boat ride to and in Punta Gorda Isles. Total cost is $100 for this excursion. Six new members completed the Membership Matters Classes on November 11 th. One new member met with Session on 11/10, and the remaining five met with Session on 11/11. The Five were presented to the congregation after the second service on Sunday 11 th. The remaining member was presented to the congregation on November 18 th. The Christmas Eve Candlelight Services and the Christmas Cantata inserts were delivered to the community Newsletters in the Southern part of N. Fort Myers. Beverly Smith, Chair CHURCHES VISITED Pat & Paul Kleinmann brought us a church bulletin from The Hermitage Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), of Heritage, TN. where they attended service on October 28, A statement in their bulleting read as follows: We gladly welcome all to worship this morning! Whether you are a guest or a life-long member, let us join together as one part of Christ s body to joyfully worship the LORD our God! The following article was submitted by Betty & Norman Jones: The first church the Jones visited was the Ackworth Methodist Church where they have worshipped each summer for the past 26 years. Their friends always give them a warm welcome. Attending the Communion Service at Adwick St. Lawrences Church of England was most enjoyable. They both attended St. Lawrences as small children and Norman was a Choir boy when he was seven. The Church was built around the year 1100 and in the 1500 s it was attended by the ancestors of George Washington. The stars & stripes can be seen etched in the tops of five tombstones. Their visit to the Doncaster Salvation Army was a real treat. The church was filled as usual and the service began with the Hymn, Praise My Soul The King Of Heaven, accompanied by the Church Band (we raised the roof with that one). They also attended the Woodlands Parish Church where They were married and shared our 65 th Wedding Anniversary with the congregation. Barbara Nase

4 Page 4 December 2018 Music Department On Sunday December 9 th, the music department will be presenting our Christmas Cantata, Christmas Dreams, with orchestra and choir, services are at 8:30 A.M. and 10:30 A.M. This will be a worship service that you, your friends and neighbors will not want to miss. On December 24 th we will be having our Christmas Eve Candle Light Services at 5 P.M., contemporary, and 7 P.M., traditional. What great worship services to share with the community. Blessings to all, Paul Brewer, Music Director PRESBYTERIAN MEN We had 12 men enjoy a delicious breakfast, fellowship, & Charlie s talk on WWII at our November 2 nd meeting. Our next men s meeting breakfast on Dec. 7 th, which is Pearl Harbor Day. Charlie Schnuth will continue his insightful reflections on WWII at our breakfast meeting in January. Upcoming Events: Join us by signing the sheet in the church Narthex. Breakfast Mtg. Friday, Dec. 7 th 9:00 A.M. Fellowship Hall Breakfast Mtg. Friday, Jan. 4 th 9:00 A.M. Fellowship Hall Please join the Men s Group and get involved. It is only one Friday morning a month. All men in the community are welcome at our meetings. Come and enjoy great food and fellowship! Jerry Strohmenger, Secretary PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN We will be putting up the Angel Tree on Friday, November 30 th at 10:00 A.M., and we will be putting on the ornaments with the information for purchasing shoes for the children at Mission Peniel in Immokalee. These ornaments will be available on Sunday, December 2 nd for anyone who wants to participate to take, purchase the shoes, and return them unwrapped and unboxed under the tree by Sunday, December 18 th. The church will be decorated that morning (November 30 th ) and help is always needed. Many hands make the job go faster and, besides, it's fun to join with fellow church folks in preparing for this special time of the year. Please come join us. UPCOMING EVENTS: Dorcas Circle/Bible Study Wednesday, Dec. 5 th 10:00 A.M. No Rachel Circle PW Council Monday, Dec. 17 th 10:00 A.M. Lunch Magnolia Landing Janet Rivero THANK YOU Thank you to everyone for all the get well cards, and thoughts for my recovery. I also appreciated all the wonderful birthday cards I received for my November birthday. Faye Hall Stewardship Thank you to many of you who completed a Commitment Card for We sincerely appreciate your faithfulness. If you have not made a pledge, we urge you to complete a 2019 Commitment Card as soon as possible. Commitment cards, as well as brochures, are available in the narthex.

5 Page 5 December 2018 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Thank you to those who attended the Sunday morning adult Sunday School class in October and November. We had some interesting discussions generated by the book, Parables from the Back Side, Bible Stories with a Twist by J. Ellsworth Kalas. An Advent study will be led by Pastor R. C. Smith for the four weeks of Advent, December 2, 9, 16 and 23. Based on the book, The Bible and Handel s Messiah, you can look forward to another interesting and diverse approach to preparing for the birth of Jesus. All classes are held between worship services from 9:35 to 10:15 in Classroom 4. There may still be some Advent devotionals available in the Narthex to help you prepare your mind and spirit to welcome the Christ child into your heart and home this Christmas season. The Committee is planning for adult studies in the coming year. One possibility in January is a series led by Pastor R. C. Smith on preparing for our eventual departure to the Church Triumphant. Watch for more information about future studies being offered in our Sunday morning venue. The Christian Education Committee needs additional members. We meet on the first Thursday of the month at 12:30pm in Room 2. This is a meaningful way to fulfill your obligation as a member of Holy Trinity to become an active participant in the life of the church. Please consider giving us your time and talents in the coming year. You can see me or Committee members Janet Rivero and Wilma Jenkins. We d love to have you join us Janet Daly, Vice-Chair janetdaly@yahoo.com Congregational Care Congregational Care is made up of Care Angels and Deacons. These members watch over our flock or congregation by reaching out with calls, visits, cards and a face-to-face greeting on Sunday morning. We ask everyone in the church to participate in the CARE process. If you know of someone with a need of a call, please let the church office know or contact Joan Ostrander or Luanne Putnam directly. The need can be anything, but usually has to do with health, like an illness or hospital stay. It can also be the celebration of a joy or an answered prayer. We don t want anyone to fall through the cracks. We know God answers prayers. but we must make the prayer known! If you know of a concern, contact Luanne at luanne1019@gmail.com or at Luanne Putnam, Chair WORSHIP COMMITTEE The Christmas Cantata will be presented on Sunday, December 9 th at the 8:30 and 10:30 AM services. The choir is busy preparing for this inspiring service and hope you will be able to attend. Our Christmas Eve Candlelight service will be at 5 P.M. and 7 P.M. on Christmas Eve. Bring your relatives and friends to the service of your choice. There will be no service on Christmas day. We are still in need of a few more ushers for Sunday services. This is a very easy job, and a great way to serve the Lord. If this is something you could do, please see any usher, or Mary Ann Chamberlin to volunteer. 5:00 P.M. and 7:00 P.M. Poinsettias may be $10.00 each. A sign up sheet is available in the narthex. Ruth & Terry Rickard

6 Page 6 December 2018 HOLY TRINITY ON THE GO is on the Go Again! DECEMBER 17, Florida Christmas Light Train/Bus/Boat Trip We did this trip last year and so many have asked to go again because they had such a good time. We will board the train at the Seminole Train Station on Metro Parkway, journey by train to Punta Gorda where we will be picked up by bus to head to Fisherman s Village. We will cruise the canals to see the beautiful lights then back to the train for a delicious 5 course dinner as we head back to Fort Myers. The cost of this trip is $100 which includes everything, including the tip. The only extra would be special drinks. See the sign-up sheet in the Narthex. Betty Robertson, FELLOWSHIP An Advent Luncheon is planned for December 2, 2018, right after the second service. A meaningful menu of Bread of Life, Caesar Salad, Shepherd s Pie and Angel Dessert will be provided. A donation of $5.00 or more would be appreciated. Please do not enter Fellowship Hall until 11:30. The Fellowship Committee along with the Worship Committee will serve a breakfast for Cantata participants ONLY on December 9 th between the services. Beginning in January, Luanne Putnam will be the new chair of the Fellowship Committee, following in the shoes left by Jane Robinson. If you would like to volunteer to serve on the Fellowship Committee, please let Luanne know (luanne1019@gmail.com or ). Luanne Putnam Finance Committee Our finances including income and expenses for October were: Income: $16, Expenses: $19, Shortage: $2, Finance Committee Members are mindful that our surplus dollars took a hit in October, but we are still anticipating finishing 2018 in the black. The Fall Stewardship campaign is on-going so if you have not completed a pledge card it is not too late. To date, we have received only 60 pledge cards compared to the 88 we received last year, but we are hoping that when December arrives we will be able to report a much larger number. The Stewardship committee will be sending a reminder letter with a pledge card in mid-november to members who have not submitted a card. Pledge cards are available in the Narthex. You may put your pledge card in the offering plate, the lovely purple box in the Narthex, or give it to our Treasurer, Andrea Helm. Thanks so much for your continued support to Holy Trinity. Although we have submitted our last mortgage payment we still have not received an official letter stating that this debt has been satisfied. Because so many contributed faithfully in their monthly mortgage envelop and the birthday fund, Holy Trinity was able to pay off this obligation a year early. How wonderful!!! The Finance Committee members reviewed three bids for the AC units needed for Fellowship Hall and voted to award the contract to Weather Control Air for an amount not to exceed $11,500. Please continue your contributions to the birthday fund as all funds will go will go directly toward payment for the new AC units for Fellowship Hall. Additional contributions can also be made to the Keep Cool Fund which is also designated for paying off the cost of the AC units for Fellowship Hall. Our second posting --- HELP, HELP Holy Trinity Needs You we have two teams who count Sunday Collections. Mac MacAllister lead a team for many years, but due to his sudden passing we need help. A team spends about 3 hours every other Monday so it really does not take up tons of time and you will be serving Holy Trinity in a big way. Please see or call or Ed Hall (239) ; edjoanhall@gmail.com. Also, you can contact me at spcolucci@gmail.com. Wishing all a wonderful Holiday Season, Pat Colucci, Chair

7 Page 7 December 2018 HOLY TRINITY EVENTS CALENDAR December 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 30 10:00 AM Angel Tree & Decor. 1 11:00 AM Lois Berger Memorial Service & Reception 2 Advent Communion Sunday 7:30 AM Praise Team Rehearsal in Sanctuary 8:30 AM Contemporary SVC 9:35 AM Adult Bible Study irm 4 10:30 AM Traditional SVC 11:30 AM Advent Luncheon 3 10:00 AM Fellowship Committee Mtg. in FH 11:00 AM Evangelism in CR4 4 10:00 AM Club House Ministries 5 10:00 AM Dorcas Circle in CR4 10:00 AM PNC Meeting CR2 6 9:30 AM Finance 12:30 PM Christian Ed in CR2 6:00 PM Dress Rehearsal Christmas Cantata 7 9:00 AM Men's Breakfast in FH 10:30 AM No Communications Meeting - R2 8 9 Christmas Joy Offering 7:30 AM Praise Team Rehearsal in Sanctuary 10 10:00 AM Rachel Circle in CR 4 - Christmas Cards & Gift Wrapping 11 10:00 AM Club House Ministries 1:00 PM Session Meeting 12 10:00 AM PNC Meeting CR :30 AM Christmas Cantata SVC 9:35 AM Adult Bible Study Rm 4 10:30 AM Christmas Cantata SVC Messenger Articles Due 7:00 PM Choir in CR1 16 7:30 AM Praise Team Rehearsal in Sanctuary 8:30 AM Contemporary SVC 9:35 AM Adult Bible Study Rm 4 10:30 AM Traditional SVC 17 10:00 AM PW Council in CR :00 AM Club House Ministries 19 10:00 AM PNC Meeting CR4 3:00 PM Bldg & Grnds CR :00 PM Choir in CR1 First Day of Winter :30 AM Praise Team Rehearsal in Sanctuary 8:30 AM Contemporary SVC 9:35 AM Adult Bible Study Rm 4 10:30 AM Traditional SVC 24 5:00 PM Family Candle Light Service 7:00 PM Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 25 Christmas Day 26 1:00 PM Missions in CR3 27 1:00 PM Worship in CR4 7:00 PM Choir in CR :30 AM Praise Team Rehearsal in Sanctuary 8:30 AM Contemporary SVC 9:35 AM Adult Bible Study Rm 4 10:30 AM Traditional SVC 31 REMINDER. MEET THE NEED SUNDAY IS THE LAST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH!

8 Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church North Tamiami Trail North Fort Myers, FL Phone: Website: NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID FORT MYERS, FL PERMIT NO. 67 Living for Christ through Contemporary Service Adult Bible Study Traditional Service Sunday Schedule 8:30 A.M. 9:35 A.M. 10:30 A.M. December November 30 th : Decorate the Church December 1 st : Lois Berger Memorial & Reception December 2 nd : Communion Sunday Start of Advent Advent Luncheon December 7 th : Men s Breakfast December 9 th : Christmas Cantata - Both Services December 17 th : Xmas Light Extravaganza By Train, Bus, Boat December 24 th : Christmas Eve 5 P.M. & 7 P.M. December 25 th : Happy & Merry Christmas Day Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church would like to remind everyone of our Church Web Site, You will find most of our Pastor s recent sermons there, and also find it interesting to listen to them once again in a quiet and peaceful setting. Also, you are invited to visit us on Facebook.

9 Celebrate God's Love at Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church N. Tamiami Trail N. Ft. Myers, FL (239) Interim Pastor: RC Smith Website: Join Us For OUR CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICES MONDAY, DECEMBER 24 TH at 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM OUR CHRISTMAS GIFT TO YOU Christmas Dreams A Cantata by Joseph M. Martin and Heather Sorenson With an Orchestra and Choir directed by Paul Brewer Sunday, December 9, 2018 Presented at 8:30 AM and 10:25 AM Check our Website and Events Calendar for Any Changes

10 A WARM WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS! Helen Cheatham Helen s former home was Streator, IL, once Glass Capital of the World. Her hobbies include sewing/quilting, reading, line dancing & shopping, plus traveling. She is interested in being a good resident and neighbor to those in Horizon Village and participates in their many activities. James Conrad Jim, originally from Sheboygan, WI., resides in Pine Lakes. He enjoys golf, swimming, bocce ball, fishing and country music. Jane Fredenburg Mary Jane Fredenburg has lived in Florida for 20 years. She moved here from Manitowoc, WI. Jane keeps busy with bowling, choir, deacon, Heron s Glen golf, and doing light for all entertainment, chorus. Linda Green Linda hails from Marinetta, WI. and now resides in Pine Lakes. She loves to be outside with nature and gardening. She especially enjoys farming, country music, family and camping. Geri Paris Geri and husband, Myron, reside in Heron s Glen, originally from Buffalo, NY. She says Buffalo is cold and snowy, but beautiful in the Fall, Spring, and Summer. Reading, baking and cooking are among her favorite things to do. Myron Paris Myron states he is just happy to be here! While enjoying himself in Heron s Glen, he is especially interested in woodcarving.

11 Congress makes Qualified Charitable Distributions from IRAs Permanent If you ve been considering donating part of your IRA to a charity to satisfy your required minimum distribution, now is the time to act. Congress passed the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, permanently allowing IRA owners who are at least 70 ½ years old to give up to $100,000 directly from an IRA to a charity without having to include the distribution in taxable income for the tax year. Donating IRA funds directly to qualified charities (such as Holy Trinity) allows the IRA holder or beneficiary to avoid taking possession of the funds and the tax bill that comes with them. It also allows the extra income to be excluded from tax formulas for Medicare premiums or for the Pease limitation on itemized deductions. In brief, a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from an IRA can be made only by an IRA owner or beneficiary age 70 ½ or older, and can total up to $100,000. A spouse age 70 ½ with an IRA could give up to $100,000 as well. A QCD can be used to meet your required minimum distribution. The funds, which cannot come from active SEP or SIMPLE IRAs, must be sent directly to the qualified (IRS-approved) 501(c)(3) charitable organization, which Holy Trinity is. This information is from Raymond James, a financial services firm. As always, please check with your own financial advisor before making any financial decisions. Andrea Helms, Treasurer