Christmas Eve Worship Thursday, December 24, 2015

Transcription

1 THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH DECEMBER 2015 OF HOWARD COUNTY ISSUE 11 Dr. O. Morton Harris, Jr. Co-Pastor Dr. Sue Lowcock Harris Co-Pastor The Rev. Ruth Bell Parish Visitor The Rev. T. Webster Brenner Parish Associate The Rev. Stephen Mann Parish Associate Virginia Callegary Director of Christian Education James Galdieri Director of Music Ministries Caroline Smith Executive Assistant Patricia Travers Bookkeeper Woody Collins Church Sexton Marla Youkers Child Care Coordinator Kathy Moore Godly Play Coordinator is now available online! from the menu bar of and on Christmas Eve Worship Thursday, December 24, 2015 Children s Worship Service, 5:00 p.m. Traditional Festival Service with Candlelighting, 7:00 & 9:00 p.m. Candlelight Communion Service, 11:00 p.m. Invite your neighbors and bring your friends! From the Pastor It seems to me that the end of the year ought to be something like the Sabbath of the year. If I think about it this way, the work of planting in the spring, the work of growth in the summer, and the harvest of the fall, leads naturally to the end of the cycle and a time for rest, reflection, enjoyment and gratitude a time of sabbath. Yet, we no longer live in a predominantly agricultural society, and so those metaphors of planting, growth and harvest have less significance for us. Perhaps that is why the end of year doesn t really seem so restful and sabbathlike. Parties, shopping, end of year close-out sales, plays, concerts, travel, gatherings with family, events event events, and what kind of gifts to buy, find or make for everyone. Budgets, reports, final exams. A return home after a semester away. Charities and giving and special collections for the needy. Dancing, catching up, eating out, working late, rising early. Turkey or ham or beef this year? And should I make that Brussel sprout dish with the pancetta you like so well? We have filled the season with things to do, things to finish and things to decide. Is it sabbath-like? Is it restful? Is it a time for reflection and enjoyment and gratitude? It could be. It can be. There is no reason for it not to be. You can find rest and gratitude at a party if you look around yourself and silently bless all the people with you as you enjoy their presence. You can find joy and reflection as you prepare a meal and wrap a gift if you give thanks to God for the people who receive it, and for the fact that they are in your life. Celebrate the holiday as you choose: Be busy or be still; Be loud or be quiet; Be in a crowd or be alone. But don t be frantic. Don t be upset by the calendar. Take a spirit of calm, grateful peace. Take a spirit of busy joy, of grateful wonder, of satisfied rest and this can be the Sabbath of the year: still. And bright. Merry Christmas to all! Morton

2 P a ge 2 T idings D ecember 2015 Advent at a Glance Compline Wednesdays, December 2, 9, 16, 23 at 7:00 p.m. Hanging of the Greens Saturday, December 5 at 9:00 a.m. Alternative Gift Fair Saturday, December 5, 10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Sunday, December 6, 10:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. (see page 7 for more details) Poinsettia Order Deadline Sunday, December 6 Christmas Concert Sunday, December 13 at 5:00 p.m. Quiet Days Wednesday Friday, December :00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Saturday, December 12 9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Children s Christmas Pageant Sunday, December 20 at 5:00 p.m. Longest Night Service Monday, December 21 at 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Services Thursday, December 24 (see front page) Extra Nursery Helpers are needed at all Christmas Eve Services! First Sunday after Christmas Worship & Brunch Sunday, December 27 at 10:00 a.m. No Sunday School or Worship Bridge Nursery Care & Godly Play will be available Brunch at 11:00 a.m. Advent and Christmas Advent Compline Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. December 2, 9, 16, 23 It can be hard to hear the voice of God speaking peace to the world through the din of traffic, shopping, and sales announcements. During Advent, we invite you to set aside 30 minutes on Wednesday evenings to gather together for a short worship service called Compline. Compline is the ancient word for Night Prayer, what English-speaking Presbyterians call Prayer at the Close of the Day. It comes from the Latin word completorum which means complete. So we complete our day in prayer. Christians have been praying together at the end of the working day since the days of Benedict. It is a quiet service, where we make peace with God, peace with our neighbors, and pray for the peace of the world. Whether you are on your way home, or on your way to work, or on your way back out for evening activities come and gather for Advent Compline as we watch and wait for the presence of peace and love in our dark world. Hanging of the Greens Saturday, December 5 th at 9:00 a.m. Hanging of the Greens is a merry, jolly time of decorating our church for Advent. There is much to be accomplished. Come lend a hand to make our sanctuary ready for Christmas! Christmas Concert Sunday, December 13, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. All the church music groups join with special instruments to celebrate the Sounds of Christmas! A reception will follow in Lyle Buck Hall.

3 D ecember 2015 T idings P a ge 3 Activities 2015 Quiet Days Wednesday Friday, December 9, 10 & 11 9:00 a.m. 9:00 p.m. Saturday, December 12 9:00 a.m. 12:00 pm. In the midst of all the busy-ness of the Christmas season, we re making space for you to pause, take a deep breath, gather strength and energy to live the wonder and love we Christians find at the heart of Christmas. The canvas labyrinth will be laid on the floor. The Youth Prayer Tent will be in Branch Hall. There will be other places around the labyrinth for you to read, pray, light candles, draw, - simply time to find peace, light and courage this season. Children s Christmas Pageant Sunday, December 20, :30 p.m. Children meet in Sanctuary for dress rehearsal 5:00 p.m. Pageant begins 6ish p.m. Dinner & Birthday Cake in Lyle Buck Hall. Please bring a dish to share. Rehearsals will take place during 9:30 a.m. Sunday School on November 22 nd, December 6 th, 13 th & 20 th. Speaking roles will be cast after the December 6 th rehearsal. Please encourage your child/grandchild to attend Sunday School rehearsals and participate in the pageant; all are welcome! Longest Night Service A Service of Hope and Prayer for Healing and Peace Monday, December 21 at 7:00 p.m. We ve had a tradition of gathering for what we called the Blue Christmas service for several years. This year, we re moving this service to the night of the Winter Solstice the Longest, Darkest Night of the year. We re recasting our service to include a broader range of grief and grieving our losses although grieving the loss of spouses, partners, parents, children and friends retains a central place in this Service for the Longest Night. And every year, we ll gather on December 21 st, whenever it falls during the week. This year, the Longest Night is Monday, December 21. We invite everyone who is carrying a heavy load this Christmas to come and join us for worship. Some of you are grieving personal loss, broken relationships, a difficult diagnosis. Some of you and your colleagues live or work under stress. Some of you must give your attention to terrible and troubling situations around the globe, and must bear this burden quietly. All of us are deeply moved by the coming of Christ into a world that is filled with violence, terror and oppression. The Service for the Longest Night is a time of sharing in hope. We sing, listen to scripture, and share in silent reflection and pray for a world of peace. Following the service we gather for a warm supper and conversation in Lyle Buck Hall. Please come and join us. If you or someone you know has experienced a loss in the past year, or someone who is carrying a quiet burden or a silent grief, please come, and encourage them to come, as well. First Sunday after Christmas Worship Sunday, December 27, 2015 One service at 10:00 a.m. All are welcome to the End of the Year Brunch at 11:00 a.m. in Lyle Buck Hall. If you would like to volunteer to help with set-up or clean-up, please contact discipleship@firstpreshc.org

4 P a ge 4 T idings D ecember 2015 Christian Education Parents Night Out Friday, December 4 th 6:15-9:00 p.m. PNO is open to all families in the church. It s a night of fun and crafts for the children while their parents have a few hours of free babysitting to do whatever they need at such a busy time. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED for children ages 4 through 5 th grade. Call the church office, or churchoffice@firstpreshc.org by Monday, November 30 th so enough supplies will be available for the craft projects. Activities for the children will start promptly at 6:30 p.m. Pick-up children at 9:00 p.m. Contact the church office for more info. Mid-High Bowling & Lock-in (following Parents Night Out) Friday, December 4 th Saturday, December 5 th 9:30 p.m.-8:00 a.m. Mid-High activities, 9:30 p.m. 8:00 a.m.: Bowling, movies, talking, games, sleeping, breakfast Pick-up is at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday Please bring: $25 for dinner & bowling Signed permission postcard Sleeping bag, pillow, pajamas Change of clothes Toiletries (toothbrush, etc.) Snack or drink to share Last names A-M bring snacks Last names N-Z bring drinks Optional: Extra money for games or snacks at the bowling alley Sweatshirt (church gets cold!) Contact the church office for more info. Youth Activities Calendar Tuesday, December 1 SMLT Meeting 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 3 Confirmation Class bring your notebook to turn in for review! 6:45-8:30 p.m. Friday, December 4 Parents Night Out 6:15 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday-Saturday, December 4-5 Mid-High Lock-In & Bowling (after Parents Night Out) 9:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. Saturday, December 5 Day Trip to Washington, DC Senior Highs Meet at church at 9:00 a.m. We will walk around the mall and have lunch Return to church by 3:00 p.m. Thursday, December 10 Confirmation Class 6:45-8:30 p.m. Christmas Break! Remember to do your Christmas Break project! Next class is Thursday, January 7 th! Sunday, December 20 Mid-High Fellowship 6:30-8:30 p.m. Movie Night Senior High Fellowship 6:30-8:30 p.m. Real Talk about Sex & Relationships Thursday, December 24 Christmas Eve Services Friday, December 25 Christmas Day

5 D ecember 2015 T idings P a ge 5 Snow Ball 2016 One of the favorite events each year for the Senior High School students at First Presbyterian is the Snow Ball. On January 9, 2016, the Snow Ball is a low-stress, highfun, dinner and dance party for senior high youth (grades 9-12) of the church. Each year the basic rules are refreshed: No dates; No new dresses or jackets; Everyone dances with everyone! Those who are comfortable dancing help teach those who are still getting the gist of it. And you must dress up. Girls gather together at one house to do hair, nails, and dresses. Guys gather at another house to learn how to tie our ties and try to get the hair to stay in place. A candlelight dinner is served by members of the church, with non-alcoholic drink-makers in elegant tuxedos. The music is loud and the selection rigorously debated. We learn how to dance. Oh! And we have a Royal Court! Selected at random, the Court comes in to the sound of Lorde s Royals. And it is all just funnnnnnnnnnn! Thanks to the youth advisors and friends of youth in the church for all the help to make the annual Snow Ball such a memorable evening! The Annual Snow Ball Dance is coming soon, on January 9, The youth do need some parent volunteers to help plan and/or prepare the dinner. We are also looking for get ready houses, one for the boys and one for the girls. If you can help out with dinner or offer your house for dressing up, please contact Virginia Callegary or christianed@firstpreshc.org. Youth Save the Date Mission at Massanetta Our Spring Retreat will be a Mission weekend at Massanetta Springs. We have reservations for April 15 thru 17, Mark your calendars so you don t miss out! We will need extra work able adult chaperones for this trip, so interested adults should see Morton Harris or Virginia Callegary for more information. Discipleship and Caring Ministries invites you to Discipleship Hour every Sunday at 11:30 a.m. Here are some upcoming highlights: Alternative Gift Fair Sunday, December 6, 2015 Coffee Fellowship, hosted by Mary Martha Circle Sunday, December 13, 2015 Coffee Fellowship, hosted by Lydia Circle Sunday, December 20, 2015 Christmas Brunch Sunday, December 27, 2015 All are invited to Lyle Buck Hall for Brunch following the 10:00 a.m. service (one worship service this week!) Everyone is invited every week! See you there!

6 P a ge 6 T idings D ecember 2015 December Adult Church School Options Advent Sundays December 6, 13 and 20 Make connections. Grow in grace! There s definitely a place for you in Church School for Grown-ups! There are three new options for Advent, and one continuing course. New Classes beginning December 6 Kaleidoscope: The Old Testament Readings for Advent taught by Kathy and Barb December 6 20: three weeks Kaleidoscope Bible Study is a method of reading, listening and sharing together that enhances community interaction in building an inclusive community. Each week, Barb and Kathy (who have used and led this method for several years with adults and Mid Highs!) will help you to focus on one of the Old Testament lectionary texts for the Advent Season. The Doctrine of the Incarnation Taught by Morton Harris December 6 20: three weeks God was in Christ. That s the message of Christmas and so we ll spend three weeks exploring the doctrine of the incarnation that God became enfleshed in a human person, Jesus. Practicing Faith: Thoughtful Traditions with Sue Lowcock Harris December 6 20: three weeks Let s figure out together how to keep Christmas in a way that helps us honor the sacred moment in the midst of the festivities we love. Sue will share ideas about what some call ALTERnativity and everyone in the class will add to the ideas. We are a congregation from all over the world, of many ages and families, so we should be able to share, invent, create some really great ways to keep Christmas. We will create a best practices book we can share with everyone in the congregation, one we can add to and expand over the coming years. Continuing: The Bible in Depth taught by Doyle Continues all year all are welcome to join in at any time Clark Parlor GRAB-N-GO COFFEE is available at the Wake-Up Station on the second floor across from the Parlor. Get a cup of coffee and head to class! Please return the cups to the drop off bins. Enjoy! This is a lively conversational study of four Old Testament texts: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther and Job. These texts are about the Israelites following captivity in Babylon. Some are rebuilding Jerusalem, which lies in ruins. Others are spread throughout the new, powerful Persian Empire. And all wonder about the place of God in a world of chaos, hardship and suffering. Doyle facilitates the discussion. Everybody is welcome. Church School Christmas Break Church School for Children, Youth and Adults will go on break December 27 th and January 3 rd. This will allow teachers to enjoy attending Sunday morning worship service with their family. Nursery & Godly Play will be available. The ARK, L.I.F.E., Mid Highs, Senior Highs and Adults will reconvene on January 10 th. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and thanks to all our Church School teacher and leaders.

7 D ecember 2015 Mission Opportunities Alternative Gift Fair Saturday, December 5 th, 10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Sunday, December 6 th, 10:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. T idings P a ge 7 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN will host its SIXTH ALTERNATIVE GIFT FAIR on Saturday, December 5, 10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 6, 10:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. In addition to alternative gifts, the Fair will feature fairly traded items and a Children s Corner (your child will be escorted to a separate section of the fair where s/he can pick out and wrap gifts for loved ones without you seeing what they purchased!) All items in the Children s Corner are $12 or less. The Presbyterian Women will be holding a bake sale on Saturday, too. The Fair is open to the public; be sure to invite your friends and family to join you for a good time for a good cause! For more information about the Fair contact the church office. Want to volunteer? Check out the sign-up sheet in the Welcome Center or the Lower Commons area. Cold Weather Shelter 2016 Monday, February 8 through Monday, February 22, 2016 The Cold Weather Shelter is a joint venture among Grassroots Crisis Center, the Howard County Government and 16 Howard County churches and synagogues. Our guests will be with us each night from Monday evening, February 8 th through Monday morning, February 22, As always, we will need lots of help with set-up on Monday, February 8 th, take-down on the February 22 nd, daily cleaning of the shelter, daily laundry, evening hosts, overnight hosts, dinner preparers, and emergency coverage during the day in the event of a blizzard. Descriptions of each job are next to the sign up sheets in the Lower Commons. For any questions, please contact the church office. No experience necessary! Christmas Joy Offering Promises Made, Promises Kept For God who has promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 The Christmas Joy Offering honors God s promise by making and delivering upon meaningful promises of our own: to church workers through assistance in their time of need and racial ethnic education and leadership development. Watch for bulletin inserts in December. See pcusa.org for more info. Your gift changes lives. Please give generously to the Christmas Joy Offering on Sunday, December 22 nd.

8 P a ge 8 T idings D ecember 2015 The Deacons Page JUST ONE CAN. PLUS!!! December - POWERFUL Food The Board of Deacons campaign in December will focus on donations of POWERFUL proteinrich food for our continuing efforts against Hunger in Howard County. Imagine how hard it can be to have a Happy Holiday when you barely have enough to eat. Recommended items that have the power to bring a smile to a child s face are: Peanut Butter Beans Dried or Canned Canned Meat/Tuna/Chicken Canned Soups Infant Formula Baby & Toddler Foods. Please leave your contributions in the Just One Can wooden cart in the Upper Commons. As always, the generous support of the congregation is greatly appreciated. Christmas Stockings Please stop by the Lower Commons Sunday, November 29 th through December 6 th to select a Christmas Stocking or Gift Bag to fill for a child in need. This year we will share the joy and spirit of Christmas with families in our community through FIRN, the Salvation Army and Head Start. Deacons will provide Christmas Stockings or Christmas Gift Bags for children. Stockings for the Salvation Army are due on December 6 th ; all others must be returned by December 13 th. If you would like additional information, please contact the church office. Thank you for bringing joy to children this Christmas! Advent at Home App Church member Clarence has written an app for us to use at Advent! Download the brand new Advent at Home app for daily scripture readings, morning and evening prayers, photo-a-day challenge and more. The app is available for download on Apple, Android, Blackberry and Windows smartphones and tablets.

9 D ecember 2015 T idings P a ge 9 Session Meetings Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) 2016: January 26, February 23, Thursday, March 10, April 26, May 24, Saturday, June 25, August 23 Happy Birthday to Everyone with a December Birthday! Guatemala Fund Drive Surpasses Goal Funds for one more scholarship came in under the wire, just before we informed the Presbytery Executive Committee in Guatemala of the number. This put our total up to 75 scholarships for the new school year beginning in January. Many thanks to the many members and friends of our church who gave their support to the Guatemala Scholarship Fund drive. Thank you for sharing your gifts. Praise God for opening your hearts to this global program. And special thanks to the Chancel Choir, whose members continue their special support for this mission.

10 D ecember 2015 T idings P a ge 10 Annual Response Program (ARP) FEARLESS GENEROSITY A profound THANK YOU for your Fearless Generosity! Truly our church exhibits a congregational culture of generosity! Presently the Session is in the process of formulating the 2016 church budget based on the Pledged Gifts we have received so far. If you have not yet submitted your Estimate of Giving Pledge IT S NOT TOO LATE for you to have a positive impact on the Church s budget next year! This is a pivotal year for our church. Pledged gifts are the largest source of funding and therefore impact many church areas and activities such as: MISSION PROGRAMS BUILDING Cold Weather Shelter Bridges to Housing Stability Mission Outreach WestVirginia Cuba Guatemala Mission Coworkers in Central Africa Mexico Peru Musical Programs Guest Musicians New Education Curriculum Scholarships & Chaperones for Retreats such as Massanetta Triennium Montreat Camp Hope Discipleship Hour Head Start Earth Forum Electricity Salaries Heating & Cooling Nursery Communication System Mortgage Building & Grounds Computers & Audio Visual Insurance Please submit your Estimate of Giving Card by placing it in the Joash box in the sanctuary, or take it to the church office, or mail your response. As another option, you can send an with your Giving Estimate to the secure address pledges@firstpreshc.org. This should include your name, address, phone number, and pledge amount per week/month/quarter/or year. You will receive an automated response once you send the to provide instant assurance that it was received by the church. Let us rejoice in the gifts the Lord has provided, and prayerfully consider how much we can give back to God for the immeasurable grace and mercy we are given every day. God is generous! THANK YOU for returning a portion of what God has given, enthusiastically, earnestly and joyfully. Together, with the grace of God, there is no limit to what we can achieve. You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us. 2 Corinthians 9:11

11 P a ge 11 The Green Page 2015 UN Climate Change Conference France is hosting the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change from November 30 to December 11, The expected outcome is a new international agreement to build a Paris Climate Alliance, capable of keeping the average global temperature rise below 2 C, compared to preindustrial levels, and adapting society to the existing disruption from climate change. According to the organizing committee, the objective of the 2015 conference is to achieve, for the first time in over 20 years of UN negotiations, a binding and universal agreement on climate change from all of the nations of the world. These 20 years of negotiations date from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, and currently the only international climate policy agreement with broad legitimacy. This agreement has been followed by a series of conferences and agreements, including: the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, which established obligations for developed countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions; the Cancun Agreements in 2010, which stated that future global warming should be limited to below 2 C (the United States has not ratified the Kyoto Protocol); the UN Climate Change Conference in 2011 in Durban, South Africa, which adopted the "Durban Platform", agreeing to "develop a protocol applicable to all Parties", due to be adopted at the 21st Conference in 2015; and the 2012 UN Climate Change Conference in 2012, in Doha, Qatar, which agreed to extend the life of the Kyoto Protocol until 2020, and to ratify the 2011 Durban Platform. The plan for the Paris Climate Alliance is to have four components: the negotiation of a universal agreement in accordance with the Durban platform, T idings D ecember 2015 Going green and living more sustainably are becoming increasingly necessary as well as more attractive and satisfying. This Green Page will look at one sustainability topic each month, with ideas to consider and steps to use individually and as a congregation to care for and honor God s amazing creation. to establish mechanisms to remain within the 2 C limit; the report by all countries of their past activities, in order to demonstrate that all States are moving forward, based on their national realities; finances, enabling support for developing countries and financing of the transition towards low-carbon, resilient economies before and after 2020; and the strengthening of the commitments of civil society and non-governmental stakeholders, in order to involve all stakeholders. ~Jeff Earth Forum of Howard County Sunday, January 17, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. Dr. Danny Richter Legislative and Science Director Climate Change impacts the vulnerable and poor disproportionately in the U.S. and throughout the world. What can we do? Listen as Dr. Danny Richter illustrates how CCL s forward-thinking proposal for a U.S 100% revenue-neutral, bordercorrected carbon fee and dividend is a just and fair energy solution for all people. It can pave the way to a more secure living for people in need, and can be a part of a more sustainable future on planet earth. Dr. Richter will also explain how CCL s strategic advocacy for the proposal is winning advocates and votes in Congress. Following the program, enjoy tasty and nutritious refreshments, then view interesting information tables and learn more about environmental activities, events and programs in the area. The Earth Forum is free and open to all. Information at Contact us at earthforum@firstpreshc.org or call See us on Facebook. No Earth Forum in December

12 P a ge 12 T idings D ecember 2015 Looking to the New Year Sanctuary Flowers for 2016 Presbyterian Women Annual Procrastinator s Christmas Dinner Save the Date! Wednesday, January 20, 2016 in Lyle Buck Hall Watch for details! Would you like to help put flowers in the Sanctuary? There are two ways you can help 1. If you want to give money Look at the Flower Chart in the Lower Commons Choose a Sunday and sign up. (there is a limit of two arrangements each week) You will be contacted for the dedication information for your flowers. The donation is $ If you want to give time You can be a flower arranger. Contact the Church Office. You can sign up for as many Sundays as you like. On Saturday you will obtain flowers (the church has an account at Wilhides.) Arrange the flowers using the vases in the kitchenette in Lyle Buck Hall Place the flowers on the flower shelf in the sanctuary. You can do both! Contact the church office. Annual Chili Cook-off at First Pres The Annual Chili Cook-off is coming on January 24! It's cooling off outside, but things are heating up at First Pres. Start working on your special recipe and join us during Discipleship Hour for the hottest chili contest in town. The winner gets to go to the big event* (with help, of course)! Proceeds will benefit Bridges to Housing Stability. *Save the Date! 6 th Annual Chili Cook-off Sunday, March 6, 2016

13 D ecember 2015 T idings P a ge Vouchers Deadline All vouchers for expenses in 2015 must be turned in by December 1, If you re spending money in the month of December the deadline is December 31 st. Place vouchers with receipts in Ministry Area Voucher folders so they can be signed. Thank you Annual Reports Due Ministry Area Chairs and Church organizations please send your 2015 Annual Report to Caroline Smith, Executive Assistant by Monday, January 4, them to execasst@firstpreshc.org. You can even send them before Christmas and enjoy your holidays! SNOW AND SEVERE WEATHER POLICY: In the event of snow, ice or other severe weather, on Sundays, the Home Page of the church website, and the church answering machine will have a special message to inform you whether worship services or other activities have been changed or canceled. The decision will be made by 6:30 a.m. with a goal to notify the radio stations (WBAL Radio, WRBS Radio, WJZ TV, WMAR TV) and to put a message on the church answering machine by 7:00 a.m. Call the church office at for updated messages. Christmas Office Hours The building will be closed on Christmas Day, Friday, December 25, 2015 Monday & Tuesday, December 28 & 29, 2015 Church Office will be open on Wednesday, December 30, 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. & Thursday, December 31, 9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Church Office will be closed on New Year s Day, Friday, January 1, All bulletin information for Sunday, December 27, 2015 is due by noon on Monday, December 21, 2015 due to the Christmas holiday. January 2016 Issue 1 is Thursday, December 10 th To be mailed Wednesday, December 16 th Please send articles to churchoffice@firstpreshc.org before or by the due date! Please keep us up to date with your current home and address so you won t miss a single issue of Tidings! Changes can be sent to churchoffice@firstpreshc.org Sign-up to receive your monthly issue of Tidings via and save some trees and money! Thank you to many who have signed up already! Send your address to churchoffice@firstpreshc.org and next month you ll see Tidings in color in your inbox!

14 The First Presbyterian Church Of Howard County December 2015 Issue Presbyterian Circle Columbia, MD Phone: Fax: Growing deep and wide! December 2015 Sunday Morning Worship 8:30 & 10:30 a.m. Worship 9:30 a.m. Christian Education Hour 11:30 a.m. Discipleship Hour December 6 Second Sunday of Advent Communion Sunday Luke 3:1-6 Are We There Yet? A Conversation about Advent with Melissa Wales and Sue Lowcock Harris December 13 Third Sunday of Advent Luke 3:7-18 Preaching: Morton Harris Christmas Concert at 5:00 p.m. December 20 Fourth Sunday of Advent Meet Me at the Stable: Lessons, Carols and Stories for this Season of Joy Children s Christmas Pageant at 5:00 p.m. December 27 First Sunday after Christmas One Service at 10:00 a.m. Preaching: Sue Lowcock Harris End of the Year Brunch at 11:00 a.m. in Lyle Buck Hall Special Advent and Christmas Services Every Wednesday, including December 23 Compline at 7:00 p.m. Monday, December 21 Service for the Longest Night, 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Christmas Eve, December 24 5:00, 7:00, 9:00 & 11:00 p.m. The Church Office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CHURCH BULLETIN DEADLINE is every Wednesday at 9 a.m. churchoffice@firstpreshc.org TIDINGS ARTICLES DUE DATE: Next issue: Thursday, December 10 th by 9:00 a.m. tidings@firstpreshc.org or fax: