DOWNEY CHRISTMAS PARADE 5 EVENTS & UPDATES 6 CALENDAR

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1 Newsletter Volume 29, Issue 12 The Year 2012 Presbyterian First Presbyterian Church of Downey Press Press The Month of December And his name will be the hope of all the world. Matthew 12:21 INSIDE THIS ISSUE CHRISTMAS JOY 2 CHURCH WORLD SERVICE 3 ANGEL TREE CHRISTMAS 3 PEACEMAKING 4 DOWNEY CHRISTMAS PARADE 5 EVENTS & UPDATES 6 CALENDAR 7 THANKS & PRAYERS 8

2 Christmas Joy BY ANNA MARIE BRISLIN The Christmas Joy Offering supports racial ethnic education at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges, where students develop their gifts and find their calling. It also helps families of active and retired church workers meet unexpected needs through the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions. 50% allows Cook Native American Ministries in Tempe, AZ, Knoxville College in Knoxville, TN, Menaul School in Alburquerque, NM, Presbyterian Pan American School in Kingsville TX and Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, AL. These schools and colleges continue their ministries with the help of your gifts. 50% of the Christmas Joy Offering honors the faithfulness of current and retired church workers in their hour of greatest need by providing funds to help them through life s challenging circumstances. Eligible retired church workers may also receive financial assistance through the Board s Housing Supplement program in order to remain in their own homes or move to retirement facilities in cases where their incomes do not support their housing needs. Last year s offering (2011) was $ As we celebrate the good news of great joy and open our hearts to God s love in Jesus, may our gifts bear joyful witness to that uncontainable love. Thank you for your contributions. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." Luke 2:10

3 BY ANNA MARIE BRISLIN CHURCH WORLD SERVICE BLANKETS What a great opportunity to purchase blankets as a gift from Church World Service Program! These blankets will be distributed in more than 80 countries worldwide, supporting the sustainable self-help development of poor people. This small but important gift will provide warmth or shelter from rain, a needed pillow, tent or covering for a doorway. To a refugee or disaster victim, a Church World Service blanket provides welcome warmth, protection from the weather, and something even more ~ the gentle comfort of knowing that someone somewhere cares. Think what a $5.00 gift can do. You can supply that need for others with your $5.00 gift. Look for the time and place to purchase your gifts in our Sunday bulletins: December 2, 9, and 16. For more info, ask for the Mission Team on Sundays or call the church office: (562) ANGEL TREE CHRISTMAS BY KANDICE MILLOY Reach out to the children of inmates and their families with the love of Christ. This year will mark FPC s sixth year participating in Prison Fellowship s Angel Tree Christmas. We have received our Angel s names and are currently getting in contact with their Caregivers. This year we particularly need English and Spanish speaking volunteers to demonstrate God s love through helping deliver gifts prior to Christmas. Thank you in advance for your faithfulness to our Prison Ministries and Angel Tree. To give or volunteer to help, please contact Kandice (562) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

4 Peacemaking BY ANNA MARIE BRISLIN We live in a world that is filled with conflict and strife. Every level of society is affected. In the midst of such incessant discord, God calls people to be peacemakers. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God. Each of us who follow Christ are called to be peacemakers. But what can we do to bring peace? Each of us can prayerfully seek God s wisdom and serve as peacemakers in our homes, our congregations, our communities, and our world. The Season of Peace culminates in the receiving of the Presbyterian Peacemaking Offering, traditionally taken on World Communion, Sunday, which in 2012, was on October 7. Last year s (2011) total was $1, This year s (2012) total was $1, Many thanks to all! For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

5 "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11 Advent Family Activities A big thank you note to the following people for the cash donation, volunteering their time, and helping the kids with the Advent activities: Dar Harris Delia Heine Chelsea & Nikki Heine Donna & Rick Huff Alice Rogers Cynthia Stender Henry & Elizabeth Wales

6 Church Family Thanksgiving Dinner December 2 DOWNEY CHRISTMAS PARADE We will have a booth on the front church lawn. Buy $1 raffle tickets to help defray the cost of our booth. If you would like to help, please see Alfredo. The parade starts at 1:30 p.m. Bring family and friends and make it a tradition. December 16 SPECIAL CHOIR PRESENTATION ~ SUNDAY, DEC. 16 It s not Christmas at FPC without special music! Don t miss the worship service and special choir presentation on Sunday, Dec. 16. December 23 CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING has been a Presbyterian tradition for almost 70 years. It provides congregations direct ways of supporting specific causes that help those in need. Please watch the bulletin, the Press newsletter and mail for more info. The offering will be collected on Sunday, Dec. 23. December 24 CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES ~ MONDAY, DEC. 24 A play written and directed by Alanna Regalbuto will be presented at our 5pm Christmas Eve Service on Monday, December 24. Our Candlelight Christmas Eve Service will be at 11 p.m. Let s celebrate Jesus together! Invite family and friends! December 25-26, 31 MERRY CHRISTMAS! Church office will be closed. Updates OUR STEWARDSHIP DISPLAYED MONTHLY INCOME & EXPENSES: 2012 MONTH INCOME EXPENSES NET INC/ (EXP) Y-T-D INCOME Y-T-D EXPENSES Y-T-D NET INC/(EXP) OCT. 28,655 34,827 (6,172) 290, ,331 (9,368) A gift of $28, for Student Ministry and Music Ministry Staff was transferred in whole during January and will be expensed at one twelfth per month January through December 2012.

7 Sunday December Saturday ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT 1:30 p.m. DOWNEY CHRISTMAS PARADE ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT SPECIAL CHOIR PRESENTATION TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING Monday 1 pm CIRCLE 1 CHRISTMAS AT OLIVE GARDEN CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES 5 P.M. 11 P.M. Tuesday 7:30 pm BAND 7 pm ALL TEAMS 7:30 pm BAND 7 pm DEACONS 7:30 pm BAND MERRY CHRISTMAS! Wednesday 6:30 am PRAYER 6:30 am PRAYER 6:30 am PRAYER Thursday Friday 7 pm Spanish Bible Study ELEKTUS 7 pm Spanish Bible Study ELEKTUS 7 pm Spanish Bible Study ELEKTUS 7 pm Spanish Bible Study ELEKTUS WHOLE CHILD OFFERING Happy Birthday! DECEMBER 1 Rosa Torres DECEMBER 6 Anna Marie Brislin Ruth Ruckman DECEMBER 7 John Persich DECEMBER 8 Angel Chacon DECEMBER 9 Hani Nawwar DECEMBER 10 Johanna Hernandez DECEMBER 11 Daisy Garcia DECEMBER 18 Ian Redford DECEMBER 21 Marco Evangelista DECEMBER 22 Rachel Stender DECEMBER 23 Deanna Regalbuto DECEMBER 26 Brian Gasdia Sousa Nawwar DECEMBER 28 Lonna Dayhoff DECEMBER 29 Frances Barnes 2012 DECEMBER 30 Michael McCaughan

8 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Luke 2:12 OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY Margie McDonnell passed away Nov. 8. Cards can be sent to: Diantha Walls (niece): 5134 Via Angelina, Yorba Linda CA Dottie Kidd, Lizzy Redford s grandmother, passed away Nov. 22. Ed Potter passed away Sunday Nov. 25 in the morning. He was at home. He said that he was ready. He went peacefully in his sleep. A memorial service will be held at the church on Saturday, Dec. 1. HANGING OF THE GREENS Special thanks to those who helped with the Hanging of the Greens! Robert Camarena Angel Chacon Abiezer Delgado Steve & Rebecca Greving Rick Huff Bruce McCaughan Gary McCaughan Jerry Scott Michael Terasaki Eddie Torres PRAY FOR SHUT-INS Dolly Fisher Silverado Sr. Living, Alhambra Margie Kalie Hacienda Grande, Long Beach Miyo Yokota Sunrise Senior Living, Hermosa Beach Beth Moritz Terrace View, Fullerton SPECIAL THANKS My mom, Francisca Ramirez is doing much better now. I want to thank all the people that prayed for health to be restored. May God continue giving you strength and the enthusiasm to do what you do at FPCD. Love, Esther Aguilar FPC ~ Thank you so very much for the prayers, flowers, cards and phone calls during the two months I was incapacitated at home. God is my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. He is good all of the time! Love, LaDoris Rutherford First Presbyterian Church of Downey PO Box 5069, Downey Avenue Downey, CA (562)