The King Family Band

Transcription

1 Pastor Paul s Post We are in the thanksgiving season of! Like many people I look forward to this time of the year when Christmas is in the air. In we celebrate waiting for the coming of God in Jesus Christ. One dictionary definition has: The coming or arrival, especially of something extremely important. It is interesting to think that we can be thankful about waiting for anything! But when something is coming or arriving, especially something extremely important, then we will endure and possibly enjoy whatever we have to for the. We know who we are waiting for and around us we know who we are waiting with. We are in this season together, helping one another when it is easy to wait and also when it is difficult to wait. We remind ourselves weekly in worship at church of the Christ who is King who has defeated death on the cross and resurrected on the third day so that we all will be with him in glory. The theme of the readings, preparing us as Christ s people, is surprises. The Lord surprises us with good things. Each week will tell of different people who were surprised by God at the first Christmas. The readings are in modern language to draw listeners into the story and another perspective to look at the situations and relationships of those close to the birth of Jesus. We have our stories as well of being surprised by God and of the way we have been blessed with good things. Thanks be to God for this season of lives and stories of surprise of our Lord Jesus. The King Family Band If you brought the Von Trapp family from The Sound of Music to America and taught them fiddle and banjo, you would end up with the King Family Band. The group boasts two state of Illinois banjo champions and two #1 RAA radio hits. They will be leading worship during the service Nov 30th, we are very glad to have them as it has been a couple of years since they have been here. All are welcome to attend! If you would like to know about the King Family Band, go to their website:

2 Children s Ministry Currently the Sunday school children are enjoying singing, practicing, and creating the set for their Christmas Pageant, Charlie Brown Christmas, during Sunday school. Also making some beautiful Christmas ornaments at the end class. A BIG Thank You to Kaylin Westray for finding the program and directing it. We hope you can make it on December 14 to see our wonderful children in the church sing and perform. There will be no Sunday school on December 21 st and 28 th due to Christmas break. The Clown Report By Butterfly the Clown The Holidays will soon be here, and our Christian clowns are very busy because there is so much to do! But the most important item on their to do list is to wish everyone a blessed Christmas and a joyous New Year. We pray that 2015 will be good, to all of you! Best wishes from our troupe Brian and Paula Connelly Tristan Fox, Barb Lintner Lyle Morrison Janice Shiffer, Jim and Cyndy Witt Allene Vezina Vicky Vezina Blue Christmas Service Despite its joys, Christmastime can evoke feelings of hurt for some individuals experiencing difficult life situations. Suffering from an illness or loneliness can cause depression during the holidays. You are not alone. Our church offers inspiration and help through a "Blue Christmas" service on December 18th at 7pm. Jesus was not only fully divine but also fully human. He understood human emotions and suffering and also experienced heartache, as we do, during this life on Earth. Never give up on yourself and never give up on God, who will never give up on you. Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown! This year's Christmas Pageant is A Charlie Brown Christmas! The familiar tale will be acted out by the children of our church. We will not be covering the entire special but focusing on a few scenes to help remind us of the reason for the Christmas season. This will naturally involve the congregation singing along to carols used in the play. We look forward to seeing the play! Volunteer Ringers Needed! You have the opportunity to serve your community this Christmas season in a very practical way. The Salvation Army kettles will be placed around Piatt County. We need bell ringers to man the kettles. The only skills needed are a willing heart and a smile! All money raised in Piatt County stays in Piatt County to meet the needs locally. Saturday dates needed are: Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13, & 20. The sign-up sheet is located on the bulletin board, so sign-up today!

3 MISSION REPORT: Greetings from your Mission Committee. We trust that your past month has been blessed with the knowledge that God loves us and that is what we can all be truly thankful for. We would like to say, thank you, for your participation in the Operation Christmas Child program. There were 36 boxes collected on Sunday, November 23rd. Many children all over the world will be able to receive a gift, as well as the true meaning of Christmas. The 2015 Mission Yearbooks should be in as I send this to you. We will put them out on the book rack for anyone interested. Also, the Christmas Joy Offering will be collected on Sunday, December 21st. This special offering is taken in support of the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions and PC(USA) Racial-Ethnic Leadership Development. May your holiday season be a joyful and blessed one that brings you peace. Your Mission Chairman, Andrew Lamb On December 2, 2014 the world comes together to give. Join your fellow Presbyterians and participate in the third annual #GivingTuesday supporting mission and ministry at home and around the world. The Presbyterian Mission Exchange makes it easy to do all of your online giving in one place. Give to your home church Give to the Christmas Joy Offering and the One Great Hour of Sharing Give to Presbyterian mission workers in the countries you care about Give to the 1001 New Worshiping Communities church-planting effort Give to your Presbytery s work in your community Give to another Presbyterian-related mission organization How it Works Charitable organizations around the world will participate in #GivingTuesday encouraging contributions from current and new donors. Women s Retreat and Secret Sisters Nineteen women attended a one-day retreat on Saturday, Nov. 15 at the home of Julie Clodfelter. The retreat, Too Blessed to be Stressed, was led by Jeanette Hoss, executive director for Love in the Name of Christ of Vermilion County and a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Danville where she has facilitated the women s retreat for four years. Janice Shiffer organized the meals, and treats were provided by Kathy Price and Lynn Ivall s daughter. The retreat included the reveal of Secret Sisters. Secret Sisters is a ministry of caring and sharing with other sisters in Christ. Each woman participating is given the name and profile of a sister and commits to praying for her daily as well as sending encouraging notes, cards, and small gifts. Once-amonth contact is suggested, as well as remembering the sister s birthday, anniversary and other special occasions. Each sister keeps her identity secret until the reveal, usually a year from the start of the program. Women participating in the 2015 program have filled out their Secret Sister profiles, and names for new sisters will be drawn soon. For more information, contact Maggie Schwarzentraub.

4 Please note: The Church Office will be closed from December due to the Christmas holiday! Greening of the Church We will be decorating the Christmas tree after the service on November 30th. Please stay and help if you can! Kids Christmas Caroling for Monticello Fighting Hunger Celebrate the holidays by joining us for fun evenings singing Christmas carols to neighbors and raising funds for Monticello Fighting Hunger! Schedule and 6pm Points: The story of Christmas comes alive! Christ Lutheran Church will be presenting a drive thru Live Nativity. Come and experience the angelic host, the shepherds with their flocks, and the wise men following the star. Most of all, see the nativity come to life! Christ Lutheran Church will also be accepting items and monetary donations for the Community Food Pantry. Come experience the Christmas story! Where: Christ Lutheran Church, 779 Old Rt. 47, Monticello, IL When: December 6 from 5-8 pm Dec. 9 Front of Turtle Creek on County Farm Road Dec. 11 Front of Ridge Point on Washington Dec. 16 Charter Street south of the High School Dec. 18 Lincoln School playground * Children under 12 should be accompanied by an adult Adult Choir Christmas Cantata Among all the great and Christmas hymns we enjoy this season we will be blessed by our choir again with the annual cantata. This will feature traditional favorites and is a real treat for all who come to worship that day. The cantata will be performed during worship on December 21! FPC Christmas Caroling Come caroling the bus leaves the church at 2:00 pm, Sunday, December 14th. Bring your jingle bells and wear your Santa hat or reindeer antlers.

5 December 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 30 1st Sunday of King Family Band Greening of the Church 1 2 Giving Tuesday 3 9:45 am Ministerial Alliance Mtg. 2:00 pm Pastor Paul at Maple Point Service 4 Red 8 pm TN Group pm Betty Ploeger Student Recital RW 11:30 am Monticello Christmas Parade 5-8 pm Christ Lutheran Church Live Nativity 7 2nd Sunday in Communion Congregational after Worship 11:15 am Deacon s Mtg. 3 pm Milliken Vespers 8 7 pm Mary- Martha Circle 9 6 pm Friendship Circle 10 7 pm CE 11 Red 7 pm Missions 8 pm TN Group rd Sunday in Children s Program 2 pm Christmas Caroling :30 pm Stephen Ministers 17 7 pm Session 18 Red 2:00 pm Pastor Paul at PCNH Service 7 pm Blue Christmas Service 8 pm TN Group 19 Deadline for submitting TT articles and events 20 10:30 am Cantata Dress Rehearsal 21 4th Sunday in Adult Choir Christmas Cantata Christmas Eve 7 pm Christmas Eve Service 25 Christmas Day Church Office Closed January Tower Tidings Mailed New Year s Eve