The Outlook. Central Presbyterian Church 402 N College Street Waxahachie, TX 75165

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December 2017 The Outlook Central Presbyterian Church 402 N College Street Waxahachie, TX 75165 Christmas time is here.once again the magic of Christmas is here.

Maybe you are helping with the set of our Children s Nativity Program or you re working with your kids to learn their lines.

Maybe you actually fall into all the categories above. Whatever you find yourself doing this Christmas season, make sure to do it with the anticipation of the birth of the Christ Child.

December 1, 2,3, 8, 9 and 10 th (6:00 to 9:00 p.m.) Take a step back in time and witness the reenactment of the birth of the Christ Child at Bethlehem Revisted.

December 9 th Common Grounds Shopping with Dignity event. December 10 th The 2 nd Sunday of Advent will be a great time of worship.

December 18 th - Christmas Concert at the High School Fine Arts Center, CPC chancel choir and other local church choirs will join the WHS choir in a Christmas Concert to remember!

1 December 2017 The Outlook Central Presbyterian Church 402 N College Street Waxahachie, TX Christmas time is here.once again the magic of Christmas is here. You may find yourself busy shopping for Christmas gifts or writing out Christmas cards. You may find yourself busy volunteering with or Night of Wonder. Maybe you are helping with the set of our Children s Nativity Program or you re working with your kids to learn their lines. Maybe you long for Christmas break to get here so you can enjoy some lazy mornings in bed or maybe you long for Christmas break to be over so you can send your kids back to school. Maybe you actually fall into all the categories above. Whatever you find yourself doing this Christmas season, make sure to do it with the anticipation of the birth of the Christ Child. We have several ways here at Central Presbyterian Church to help get you ready for Christmas morning. Here are some opportunities for you to worship, celebrate and help spread the good news! December 1, 2,3, 8, 9 and 10 th (6:00 to 9:00 p.m.) Take a step back in time and witness the reenactment of the birth of the Christ Child at Bethlehem Revisted. December 3 rd Join us for the 1 st Sunday of Advent where the children will process in with poinsettias and hang chrismons on the Chrismon Tree. The Lord s Supper will be served. December 9 th Common Grounds Shopping with Dignity event. December 10 th The 2 nd Sunday of Advent will be a great time of worship. December 17 th The 3 rd Sunday of Advent will include a nativity presentation by the children of the church followed by a festive bring-a-dish hosted by the choir. December 18 th - Christmas Concert at the High School Fine Arts Center, CPC chancel choir and other local church choirs will join the WHS choir in a Christmas Concert to remember! December 19 th Night of Wonder December 24 th You will have two opportunities to worship. In the 11:00 a.m. morning service we will celebrate the 4 th Sunday of Advent. In the evening our traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will begin at 7:00 p.m. with carols as we gather for worship. The Lord s Supper will be celebrated and we will close with the singing of Silent Night by candlelight. WNF December 6 th and 13 th. Dinner begins at 5:30, followed by discipleship for everyone at 6:15. On December 13 th you are invited to bring your favorite holiday food and join us for a pot-luck dinner! Blessings to you on your journey to the stable! Annette

2 Highlights from the November 16th Stated Session meeting: The session approved splitting the Christmas Eve candlelight service offering equally between the church and the Pastor s Discretionary Fund to aid those in need. The session approved the following dates: Jan. 7, ordination and installation of new ruling elders; Jan. 13, session retreat; Jan. 28, annual congregational meeting. Commendations Bill and Marilyn Abbott for their faithful and generous contribution to Fellowship Park, in remembrance of Ellie Abbott. Pat Merrill, Drew Sambell and the ROTC from Red Oak for the annual Old Glory ceremony. Susie Sambell: Always working! Karl Goss for coordinating the speakers for the Why Church campaign. A Message from the Finance and Stewardship Team Dear Church Family, Did you know that you can have your church contributions sent directly to the church from your bank or financial institution? You can do this by using bank draft, EFT or Bill Pay methods. Regular direct deposits to the church help you to be a faithful giver and help the church with cash flow during slow giving times. Also, if you are eligible for or receiving a required distribution from your IRA or 401K, you can direct an amount to the church without having to pay income tax. If you wish to donate or make pledge payments using the IRA tax-free arrangements, please contact the church office for the bank routing and account number for Central Presbyterian Church and arrange the direct withdrawal with your financial institution. To learn more, please contact the church office. Arlene Hamilton and Mike Tull FINANCIAL UPDATE October 2017 Results October 2017 YTD Favorable/ (Unfavorable ) Variance Actuals Budget Favorable/ (Unfavorable ) Variance Income Actuals Budget Pledged Offerings $ 23,411 $ 23,250 $ 161 $ 225,302 $ 232,500 $ (7,198) Unpledged Offerings $ 1,858 $ 2,500 $ (642) $ 20,670 $ 25,000 $ (4,330) Other Income (Weddings & Royalties) $ 659 $ 925 $ (266) $ 5,382 $ 9,250 $ (3,868) Total Unrestricted & Other Income $ 25,927 $ 26,675 $ (748) $ 251,354 $ 266,750 $ (15,396) Note: Our year-to-date Pledged and Unpledged Offerings are behind Budget. Other Income is unfavorable to budget YTD mainly due to fewer weddings and lower oil & gas prices, placing pressure on Royalty income. With two more months left in 2017, we ask that Pledges are caught up so that our budget is prepared for the gifts made during Christmas.

For us to earn money, you must go to Amazon by clicking on the Amazon link on our CPC web site. Do your normal shopping, and we will earn a portion of the qualifying sales. It is that easy!

3 Shop on Amazon and support our Church! CPC is now a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. For us to earn money, you must go to Amazon by clicking on the Amazon link on our CPC web site. Do your normal shopping, and we will earn a portion of the qualifying sales. It is that easy! Fellowship Park Update Submitted by: Mike Tull Fellowship Park Planning Team is meeting regularly and as many of you can see, progress is being made in tree trimming and cleanup of the park area. Plans for completion of the park are being finalized and we will be posting drawings for information soon. Karl Goss and team recently removed the old shed and are relocating some wood fencing for use in the new park plan. Bobby McMillian is supervising the tree work. The team is evaluating refurbishment of existing playground equipment and making plans for new landscaping and equipment. Thank you to the entire team working on Fellowship Park. If you have any questions, please contact Mike Tull, Karl Goss or Bobby McMillian for more information. Give a Meal a Month Challenge Results Well, you can t say this congregation doesn t rise to the occasion when it is challenged to do something good. CARE asked us to donate 400 cans of sweet potatoes and yams for their Thanksgiving packages. You came across with 526 cans; yes, about one third more than they asked for. Total weight is 850 pounds. This will also go a long way to help with their Christmas projects. But what about the Great Yam Challenge? The Andrews and Singles & Doubles classes challenged each other and the congregation to see which group could bring in the most cans. And the winner is (drum roll) the Singles & Doubles class. They will be furnished a breakfast cooked by the master chefs Brent Rutan, Pat Merrill and John Hamilton. Please consider continuing your support of the Yellow Bags. Take your kids or grandkids and let them experience personal mission or just do it yourself. As always your checks are also welcome. Make them out to CPC with CARE on the memo line. Canned ham Mixed Vegetables Canned peaches Box of potatoes au gratin or similar side Give a Meal a Month Menu for December 2017 Optional items may always be included such as Milk, Jelly, Fruit Juice, etc. Checks are always welcome payable to CPC memo to CARE.

4 CALLING ALL COOKS! The Marthas need your recipes for the church cookbook we are putting together, and we want everyone to be included. Please fill out the forms that are in tubs around the church in the parlor, the sanctuary, or the office. Better yet, use the church website to enter them directly. Simply go to cpcwax.org and under Quick Links click on Cookbook Project. When it opens, there is a place on the top left under Account Login to enter the User Name: cpcwax@gmail.com and the Password: presby. The next screen shows Title, Contributor Ingredients, and Instructions. A list of standard abbreviations appears on the right. When you have entered all the information for your recipe, be sure to click on Add Recipe at the bottom. It s easy, either way. There are eight categories including Cherished from the Past. L. T. Felty s World Renowned Chili recipe has already been entered, and we d like to include your family s favorites too. If you need any help or have questions, you can call Lynn Stockman at November 2017 Marthas Submitted by Priscilla Clore The Marthas small group met Saturday, November 11th at 8:30 a.m. in the undercroft at CPC for breakfast hosted by Arlene and Priscilla. Work began on the soup of the day, Ten Can Soup, and then we gathered for breakfast and an opening meditation and prayer by Priscilla. Lynn reported that submissions to the church cookbook have been slowing. Please keep your recipes coming! We hope to have the best church cookbook EVER, but we need your recipes to make that happen! Forms are available on the front pew in the sanctuary, in the parlor, and through the church office. You can also go to the church web site, click on the cookbook link at the bottom of the page, and enter your recipe yourself. Letitia reported on the planned bell banner that we hope to make prior to Easter more on that later. Priscilla and Arlene reminded the group that docents are needed for the sanctuary each night during. Following prayer, we adjourned to the kitchen where we completed the soup and baked pumpkin bread, both for the freezer, available for delivery by those visiting our members, friends, and neighbors. Our next meeting will be Saturday, December 9th at 8:30 a.m. At this meeting we will again make soup and bread for winter days and friendly visits.

5 Christmas Eve Service The traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight Service is at 7 p.m. on Dec. 24. The Christmas Eve service begins with carols as the believing community gathers for worship. The Lord s Supper is celebrated, and the service closes with the singing of Silent Night by candlelight. The Chancel Choir will participate in the second annual Community Christmas Concert. This free concert features choirs from several community churches and Waxahachie High School. It was great fun last year and we look forward to it again. The concert is December 18 at 7:00 PM in the high school auditorium. They will be accepting donations for "Toys for Tots" at the event. Thank you. Music Notes Submitted by Michael Bailey Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing. Psalm 100 December, 2017 This season, we have had several members answer the question Why church? Continuing in that vein let s ask Why music? I thought the father of the Reformation, Martin Luther, would be a good person to answer this. Here are some of his thoughts. Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world. Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us. As long as we live there is never enough singing. Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise. The gift of language combined with the gift of song was given to man that he should proclaim the Word of God through Music. I have no pleasure in any man who despises music. It is no invention of ours; it is a gift of God. I place it next to theology. Satan hates music; he knows how it drives the evil spirit out of us. And perhaps my favorite: A person who does not regard music as a marvelous creation of God, must be a clodhopper indeed and does not deserve to be called a human being; he should be permitted to hear nothing but the braying of asses and the grunting of hogs.

His work has been rewarding, said Michael, who loves music, loves to sing, and loves to help people.

the years, before Rev. Curry came. Michael attended Oberlin College, where he was a voice major and also played the trumpet in the band.

Oberlin was interracial since its beginning, and was also the first college in the United States to award bachelors degrees to women.

6 Profile of CPC Choir Director, Michael Bailey Michael Bailey, is beginning his 15 th year with Central Presbyterian Church as our choir director, trumpet player and occasional soloist. Michael initially came to know about a position for a choir director here through a friend of Randy Arey. His work has been rewarding, said Michael, who loves music, loves to sing, and loves to help people. He also sees the choir, which is a close-knit community, to be a source of strength for its members, as well as continuity in the church, through a series of ministers and temporary ministers over the years, before Rev. Curry came. Michael attended Oberlin College, where he was a voice major and also played the trumpet in the band. Oberlin, a music conservatory, was a pioneer in progressive education since its founding by Presbyterian ministers in Oberlin was interracial since its beginning, and was also the first college in the United States to award bachelors degrees to women. His love of music, nurtured at Oberlin, took him to the University of Massachusetts where he continued to study voice. Now retired from his work as an educational director at Brook Mays Music, he sings with the Dallas Arts District Chorale and continues to offer trumpet lessons. Michael, who lives in Rowlett, an hour s commute, on a good day, has been faithfully driving down to Waxahachie twice a week all that time to lead our choir in worship. Since he has been at Central Presbyterian, he has found his time here to be one of the highlights of his week. Formerly a member of Park Cities Baptist Church, he joined Central Presbyterian Church last year. As he continued in his work here, he made the decision to join the church. The decision came to him, not only because he loved his work here as choir director, but because the congregation made him feel welcome and a part of the church community, and CPC felt like his church home. Love books? Love Kids? Love Books AND Kids? This will be the 21st season for. Dates are December 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, 8th, 9th and 10th. There are plenty volunteer opportunities available. God is working to help us keep going. Please contact Patrick Baldeschwiler at for more information. CPC now has 5 Little Libraries around town and we need a volunteer (or two) to be sure they are stocked with books. We have plenty of donated books right now, so it's just a matter of checking them when you are going around town on your normal business. If you can help, please let me know. Blessings. Patty Dickerson pdickerson1@gmail.com

Discipleship and Education CHRISTMAS MISSION OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER It is hard to believe, but Christmas is just around the corner.

We know there are many other opportunities in which to make a difference in our community and around the world this season, and we encourage you to give, help and make a difference in the places you

7 Discipleship and Education CHRISTMAS MISSION OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER It is hard to believe, but Christmas is just around the corner. CPC will be participating in the following Christmas mission outreach projects this year during the month of December! We know there are many other opportunities in which to make a difference in our community and around the world this season, and we encourage you to give, help and make a difference in the places you feel called. Tis the Season for giving. COMMON GROUNDS TOY DRIVE There will be a large wrapped box placed on the stage in the undercroft in which to donate new unwrapped toys for Christmas with Dignity. The box will be there until December 6 th. CHRISTMAS WITH DIGNITY is an event initiated by COMMON GROUND MINISTRIES many years ago to give parents of the attending students an opportunity to purchase Christmas gifts at a greatly reduced price. CGM offers area schools, businesses, and churches all over Waxahachie the opportunity to donate new, unwrapped toys for this drive. The large wrapped box is set-up on the stage in the undercroft and all donated toys will be picked up on December 6 th and taken to CGM. On December 8 th, from 9-12, volunteers will organize and price all of the donated toys. On December 9 th from 10-2 the Christmas store will be open to parents of attending students so that they might buy Christmas gifts for their children. There are three ways in which you can be a part of this effort: Place unwrapped new toys in the box provided in the undercroft. Simply purchase an extra toy while out shopping for your child, grandchildren, nieces, etc. Then drop the item unwrapped in the box! Sign up to help sort and price the toys on December 8 th. Work the store the day of the event by wrapping gifts after the parents have purchased them. For more information or to volunteer to help sort, price or wrap the gifts, please contact Cheryl Loper at SIGN UP NOW FOR NIGHT OF WONDER Night of Wonder will be held on Tuesday, December 19 th. I have just received the list of children that our congregation will be sponsoring. Many of you have already contacted me and are eager to receive your child so the shopping fun can begin! It costs approximately $50 to sponsor one child. We are still in need of sponsors for the kids and volunteers for the night of the event. Please contact Annette Goss at or gossannetteg@aol.com if you are interested in sponsoring a child or helping with the event. We are blessed to once again partner with Mission75165 in Night of Wonder, where we not only help the families by providing Christmas gifts for their children but also sharing the good news of Jesus, which is the real gift!

Discipleship and Education December 3 rd Join in worship as we celebrate

the poinsettias and the hanging of Chrismons on the Chrismon tree.

bring the Christmas story to life during morning worship.

There will be no Sunday School or nursery available on Christmas Eve or

Sunday School will resume with its regular schedule on January 7 th.

Everyone is invited to bring their favorite Christmas party food and join

8 Discipleship and Education December 3 rd Join in worship as we celebrate the beginning of the Advent Season with the children processing in with the poinsettias and the hanging of Chrismons on the Chrismon tree. December 17 th Children s Advent Program The Nativity The children will bring the Christmas story to life during morning worship. Please join us for a festive bring-a-dish following the service. There will be no Sunday School or nursery available on Christmas Eve or New Year s Eve. Sunday School will resume with its regular schedule on January 7 th. WNF will end the fall semester on December 13 th. Everyone is invited to bring their favorite Christmas party food and join us for a pot-luck dinner at 5:30 pm. There is sure to be lots of fellowship and laughter! Discipleship time will still be held at 6:15-7:15. WNF will resume with its regular schedule on January 17 th.

Members and Friends Directory: Please contact the communication team at cpcwaxnews@gmail.

9 Members and Friends Directory: Please contact the communication team at for member access to our online directory Sign up for CPC updates and reminders by by contacting: Subscribe to our YouTube channel CPCWAX and you will receive an notifying you whenever a video is posted! Go to and click the red "subscribe" button. CPC Recycles! Follow CPCWAX on Twitter Please use the bins for plastic and cans downstairs in the undercroft. We recycle paper in the church office and bulletins and hand-outs after services in the bin on the front pew. Also, this is a good time to clean out at home - recycle clothing, shoes and household items in the blue bin across the street from the office. CPC receives $.12/pound and the items go to needy families around the Metroplex. Too many toys after Christmas? Share with others by recycling at CPC! Remember your children's book donations, too. There's a donation box in the cottage. We support five Little Libraries around town. Thanks for all your efforts to care for our earth. Earth Care Congregation Ministry Team Welcome Center On Sunday, September 3 rd, a Welcome Center opened to greet visitors, members, and all who enter the Narthex (the front of the church) with coffee and juice. The Welcome Center will be open from 9:15 until 10:45. If you notice a visitor entering the ramp entrance, please help them find the Welcome Center. Cheryl Arey, Worship Team Leader Are you still receiving the CPC Monthly Newsletter, The Outlook, by mail? Sign up for -only delivery by contacting the office at cpcwax@gmail.com and help save on printing and postage. Thank you. SENIOR SERVICE We talked about occasional maintenance or repair needs senior members of our congregation have around the house or yard and right away, the Second Saturday Service ministry team stepped up to offer helping hands. Please call me at ( ) or me (pdickerson1@gmail.com) with a list of chores you need help with to get on their schedule. A representative from that group will contact you to set up a date. All are welcome to participate in this service opportunity and meet some very special members of our church. ~Patty Dickerson Committee for Weddings and Funerals Central Presbyterian Church has a committee for weddings and for funerals. Both are headed up by Winnie O Donnell with assistance from Kary Meade on weddings and Larry & Glinda Felty, and Kary Meade on funerals. The committees stand by ready to assist any member of the church. Reminder Please have your Newsletter contributions/submissions to both Nancy Post at ntposttx@gmail.com and Johnna Breedon at cpcwax@gmail.com by the 20th of each month. No computer? No problem. Please just submit to the office. Thank you!

com Pastor: cpcwaxpastor@gmail.com Web: www.cpcwax.org www.youtube.com/cpcwax Facebook: www.facebook.com/cpcwax Twitter: www.twitter.

10 402 N. College Street P O Box A Waxahachie, TX Sunday School Worship Service Office hours: Monday-Thursday 9am-3pm Friday 9am-Noon Phone: :45 am 11:00 am Office: cpcwax@gmail.com Pastor: cpcwaxpastor@gmail.com Web: Facebook: Twitter: December 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 3 9:30 am Prayer 9:45 am Sunday School 10:15 am Music 11:00 Worship Service 10 9:30 am Prayer 9:45 am Sunday School 10:15 am Music 11:00 Worship Service 17 9:30 am Prayer 9:45 am Sunday School 10:15 am Music 11:00 Worship Service Children s Nativity Prog Bring-a Dish 24 9:30 am Prayer 9:45 am Sunday School 10:15 am Music 11:00 Worship Service 7:00 pm Christmas Eve Worship Service 31 9:30 am Prayer 9:45 am Sunday School 10:15 am Music 11:00 Worship Service 4 6:30 Jubilate Ringers 11 6:30 Jubilate Ringers 18 7:00 pm Community Christmas Concert At the High School 25 Christmas Day 5 6 5:30 WNF 7:15 Chancel Choir 12 9:30 Women s AM Circle 6:15 Women s PM Circle 6:30 Personnel 19 Night of Wonder 13 5:30 WNF 7:15 Chancel Choir 20 7:15 Chancel Choir :30 Finance MT 21 6:30 Session :30 am Marthas

The Outlook Central Presbyterian Church 402 N College Street Waxahachie, TX 75165

The Outlook Central Presbyterian Church 402 N College Street Waxahachie, TX 75165 August 2017 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. Ecclesiastes 3:1 One day