The Warrenton Presbyterian

Transcription

1 Warrenton Presbyterian Church The Warrenton Presbyterian November 2015 Session s Corner Report from the October Session Meeting Warrenton Church Membership Summary: 495 Active Adult Members Old Chapel to be decorated and opened to the public on Fridays & Sunday during the Advent Season Called a Special Congregational Meeting on December 13, 2015 in the Sanctuary, immediately following the 11am Service of Worship for the purpose of hearing the Report of the Church Nominating Committee and to elect Elders, Deacons, Trustee and Members-at-large to the Church Nominating Committee Service of Comfort & Hope, December 13, 2015 at 12:30pm in the Sanctuary to include Holy Communion Christmas Eve Service Times: 4:30pm Early Service 7:30pm Candlelight Service of Lessons & Carols 10:00pm Candlelight Communion in the Old Chapel Session Members will submit their pledges early in support of the 2016 Budget and 2016 Ministry The PNC is hard at work reviewing resumes. Looking Ahead to Advent Poinsettias 2015 We have ordered 80 Poinsettia plants 40 red and 40 white, you may order in honor or in memory of family and friends, until Sunday, December 6th. I / We would like to order Red White # of plants x $7.00 each = (total amount enclosed) I / We would like to contribute for the other Christmas sanctuary adornments: $ Please place the form along with your check, payable to Warrenton Presbyterian Church in the offering plate, or bring it to the church office. In Honor Of: In Memory Of: Ordered by: Name: Phone: Please pick up your Poinsettia plant after the 11:00 AM service on Sunday, December 22nd or after the Christmas Eve Services, on December 24th. Thank you and God Bless - The Worship Committee Congregational Meeting, Sunday, December 13, Noon The Warrenton Presbyterian Church is called to a Special Meeting of the Congregation on Sunday, December 13, 2015, immediately following the 11:00 am Service of Worship in the Sanctuary, for the purpose of hearing the report of the Church Nominating Committee and electing Church Officers. By order of the Session, Laura Cline, Clerk

2 Dear Friends. A Message from the Interim Pastor Just saying November and my mind always goes into Thanksgiving mode. But not just about our National Holiday, we ll get to that in a moment. As a Pastor/Christian my first thought goes to November 1 st AND the 1 st Sunday of the month as it is All Saints Day. This is a marvelous time set aside in our liturgical calendar to remember, prayerfully and fondly, all who have gone on before. And not just those who have died in the past twelve months, but also for generations who have shown us the way. From Biblical saints to historical faithkeepers, to our own family and friends and fellow church members who taught us, teach us, live the way of Christ for us, to follow and benefit from. And as good Presbyterians, we know our discipleship is to be lived in the world and nation. And so we look forward to our duty on the first Tuesday of November to vote. And on November 11 th to remember and honor our veterans who have faithfully served and the ones who died that we might live in the land of the free and the home of the brave. And then there is Stewardship Sunday, November 15 th, this day of celebration of the active ministry that is Warrenton Presbyterian Church; the day we make concrete commitments of prayers and time and experience and talents and money to God s work as it surrounds us and stretches before us into the future. Hopefully, we have matured enough to get beyond they are asking for money again attitude, to a response motivated by a grateful rejoicing in the Abundance of God s gifts bestowed upon us, never earned, all free. And then, before we have time to think, its hurrah for the pumpkin pie day, our National Day of Thanksgiving. Again, remembering heritage and counting our blessings and cramming as much family tradition that will fit. And then, guess what? It is the 1 st Sunday of the Season of Advent on the 29th. Oh, November!!! See you in church, Phil Sommer As I See It During the Transition period between permanent Pastors, congregations and their members ride the roller coaster of interim(s), mission studies, appointed liaisons, staff resignations, visiting preachers, etc, all while trying to a maintain strong and vital ministry. This time period has its ups and downs and turn-arounds, that help feed some anxiety, frustration, and even uncertainty. It is also not unusual for a church s finances to feel the effects of this process. Warrenton has lived through all of the above including the effects of decreased financial support. And yet, it has maintained an extremely high level of ministry, worship and fellowship, and caring one for another. Usually as things move toward a positive future, as we are seeing now in Warrenton, most things, even finances seem to right themselves. Warrenton s financial picture has gotten unusually bleak in It is my prayer and positive hope that this will correct itself in the last quarter of this year AND that the Stewardship Commitments for 2016 will be strong as we anticipate the coming of the new Head of Staff God has in mind for this strong congregation. And That Is How I See It.

3 The November Sermon Schedule November 1, 2015 All Saints Day/Remembering Loved Ones 8:45 & 11:00 am Sacrament of Holy Communion Read: Isaiah 25:6-9 Revelations 7:9-17 The Rev. Anne M. Ross, Pulpit Supply November 8, nd In Ordinary Time 8:45 & 11:00 am Read: Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 Psalm 127 Hebrews 9:24-28 Mark 12:38-44 The Rev. Nicole Ball, Union Seminary, Richmond, Pulpit Supply & teaching Phil s class November 15, rd Sunday In Ordinary Time Stewardship Sunday 8:45 & 11:00 am Children s Time: Find Your Spot & Christian Ten Apples Read: I Samuel 1:4-20 I Samuel 2:1-10 Hebrews 10:11-25 Mark 13:1-8 Sermon: God s Upside Down World November 22, 2015 Christ The King/Thanksgiving Sunday 8:45 & 11:00 am Read: 2 Samuel 23:1-7 Psalm 132: 1-12 Revelation 1:4b-8 John 18:33-37 Children s Time: Find Your Spot & Christian- Hurrah For The Pumpkin Pie Sermon: Chocolate Covered Cherries November 29, st Sunday of Advent/Advent Wreath Lighting 8:45 & 11:00 am Read: Jeremiah 33:14-16 Psalm 25: Thessalonians 3:9-13 Luke 21:25-36 Sermon: God s Timing John and Suzi Barber have moved to Winchester. Their new address is 191 Prominence Circle, Winchester, VA Their new phone number is Their new address is jsbarberml@comcast.net. We will miss seeing them in services but hope they will stay in touch.

4 Mission News Thou Shalt Love Thy Neighbor As Thyself - Matthew 22:39 Living Missionally 2015 November is Stewardship Month at WPC Judy Pease Mission Elder By Living Thankfully, and Engaging in Mission Beyond our Doors, We are Committing Our Time, Talents and Gifts As Symbols of Love and Signs of God s Grace. Ways WPC is seeking thoughtful solutions to the challenges of our time: Fauquier Community Food Bank s Thanksgiving Dinners: The Kid s Club of Warrenton Presbyterian Church is collecting turkey gravy packets for the Fauquier Food Bank for the Thanksgiving baskets they will be distributing to 800-1,000 families in Fauquier. We have baskets in the Narthex (in front of the turkey ) to collect your donations. Will you please bring in turkey gravy packets by Nov. 15? We need to collect gravy packets because nobody else has and we stepped up for the challenge. Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks and we thank you if you would help us get gravy. Thank you friends and families of the Warrenton Pres Church! ~~(Your) WPC Kid s Club members The commitment to mission of these elementary-age Kid s Club members (and their parents) is remarkable and inspiring! Community Garden Update: The Fauquier Community Food Bank has accepted 1178 lbs. of produce from the WPC Community Garden. We ll begin harvesting fall crops in a few weeks, extending the supply of fresh produce for the residents of the Haven and for the Fauquier Community Food Bank into early winter. CROP Walk: We walked for CROP on Sunday, October 18 th because WPC is a Community Responding to Overcome Poverty. This year s event was dedicated to the memory of Jack McTarnaghan whose commitment to CROP Walk and to WPC was wonderfully memorialized by Joan Broughton before the Walk began. The fellowship was amazing! Our many, many thanks to Joan Broughton for her commitmen to the CROP Walk program, and to the mission of this church in all ways, always. Joan would like to thank our walkers, volunteers, sponsors, and those providing treats. Your support, thoughtfulness, and kindness are sincerely appreciated. A final report of donations raised will be reported later. God bless you. Thanksgiving Offering: Offering envelopes will be available in the church pews for those committed to Human Kind (formerly Presbyterian Homes and Family Services and the Family Alliance). Donations made to Human Kind will further their programs in Early Childhood Development, Economic Empowerment, Mental Health Services, Residential Care, Safe and Healthy Living. Salvation Army Bell-Ringers: We have agreed to fill a one-day shift ringing bells to benefit the programs of the Salvation Army. We are awaiting a date and place. We ll pass along the information as soon as we have an assignment and we hope you will join us for an hour or two this is a wonderful fellowship opportunity! Come and stand with people you ordinarily sit with on Sunday offering new opportunities for bettering lives in our community through one of our local mission partners, the Salvation Army. Adopt a Child for Christmas: We have once again committed to filling Christmas wishes for 75 local children whose families have been identified by Social Services as in need of Christmas assistance. Details will be forthcoming.

5 Mission News (cont d) FISH Weekend Power Packs: We are committed to ending hunger for children in Fauquier County whose families lack nutritious food to feed them over weekends, holidays, and school vacations. 25% of the students in Fauquier County are enrolled in the Free and Reduced Lunch program. An all-volunteer group has formed within the FISH organization to provide backpacks of food to send home with the 120 students identified by 16 out of the 20 public schools in Fauquier. The student then returns the empty backpack on Monday so it can be refilled for the following Friday. The level of participation is up to you! All donations are appreciated! We will be given a wish-list of food items that we will include with the monthly list from FISH. On the first Sunday of each month, your donations will be sorted by the Kid s Club food for the FISH food bank from food for the Power Pack program. WEEKEND POWER PACK NEEDS Please, NO glass containers Spaghetti noodles: 1 lb. packs (check out Wegman s & Walmart s family packs for best value!) Spaghetti Sauce: MUST BE CANNED (usually Hunts, one size, generally costs $1) Jelly: IN PLASTIC CONTAINERS (any flavor, brand, or size, squeezable ok, too) Peanut Butter: 40 oz. PLASTIC JARS (check out Wegman s family pack for best value) Fauquier FISH Food Pantry donation request list for November 1 and 8. Low sodium cans of: Corn, Green Beans, Black Eyed Peas Annual Ethiopia Partnership Banquet The Ethiopia Partnership Committee of Shenandoah Presbytery invites all members and friends of its congregations to the Annual Mission Banquet on Friday, November 20, 2015, at the Woodstock Presbyterian Church. It is at the Annual Banquet that the presbytery celebrates the mission and ministry shared with our partners of the Illubabor Bethel Synod of the Ethiopia Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus. ALL ARE INVITED. ADVANCE REGISTRATION is needed in order to arrange enough food for all. Registration Forms are available online at: Registration deadline is Thursday, November 12, Stewardship and Commitment As you consider your church commitment (pledge) to WPC we would like to address any questions you may have regarding the mission committee s oversight of 10% of our general budget for mission, which includes local, national, and global projects, as well as per diem expenses for mission trips (but not travel expenses), youth camps and some youth projects. The mission committee budget also pays the church s obligation to the Mission & Ministry of Shenandoah Presbytery and the work of the denomination- an amount over $18,000 in Our commitmen to this church is that we, your mission committee, seek to use God s gifts of material goods, personal abilities, and time to reflect our faithful response to God s self-giving in Jesus Christ and Christ s call to minister to and share with others in the world (from the PCUSA Book of Order). You are always welcome at our meetings (lasting one hour, usually the third Monday of each month) or we will add you to our list for copies of our agendas and meeting re-caps. For those able to participate in the many additional mission opportunities not fully funded by our mission budget, e.g., filling FISH back packs with back to school supplies, or the upcoming Adopt a Child for Christmas project, we thank you very much. Please accept our appreciation for all of the time, talent, and gifts you share to complete these mission projects. Every additional gift you give is important; no gift is too small.

6 Membership Committee News Interested in learning more about membership? - Call the church office or simply check Interested in Membership on the attendance pad and we will contact you. Membership Committee: Elder Laura Cline (cline83@comcast.net) and Mary Hall (mary.hall@wpcva.org). Beginning on November 22 nd and running through December 20 th, Mary Hall and Laura Cline will lead an Advent study with an emphasis for new members. Susanne Taylor and Chris Gatti will assist as needed. We highly encourage all who are new to our congregation and/or the denomination to attend, but the class is open to all. We will study the symbols and meanings of Advent and Epiphany. This is a hands-on class with take-home activities. Mark your calendars: Food & Fellowship Opportunities Sunday, November 15, Coffee Hour in the Fellowship Hall at Noon, hosted by the Stewardship Committee. Everyone is asked to bring a finger food to share. Beverages and paper products will be provided by the church. Sunday, December 6, Ham Dinner, at 5 PM (reservations are required; see the reservation form in this newsletter and in bulletins starting November 8th). The dinner will be followed by the Christmas Pageant at 6 PM. Sunday, December 13, Service of Comfort and Hope at 12:30 PM followed by a meal at 1 PM. This service and meal is for those who have lost loved ones in recent years. Reservations are required for the meal but not the service. 40+ FABULOUS AND FUN FELLOWSHIP GROUP Meeting when Inspired So far we have attended a play and a concert. There will be lots of opportunities for the holiday including Warrenton Chorale Christmas in Music Dec 3&4 at 7:30 PM and Dec 5 at 3 PM at WUMC The cost is $15; let me know your preferred show date & time. Submit other ideas to Mary in the church office ( ).

7 FROM THE FINANCE & STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE September 2015 Financial Summary Actual Budgeted Surplus/(Shortfall) Monthly Expenses $39,909 $49,806 ($9,897) Monthly Income $29,707 $49,806 ($20,099) Year to Date Expenses $420,094 $444,510 ($24,416) Year to Date Income $362,977 $445,272 ($82,295) Monthly Change in General Fund Balance ($10,010) $0 ($10,010) General Fund Balance $127,744 $158,150 ($30,406) As reported during the October 4 th worship services, the end of summer did not mark an end to our financial struggle as we continued to deplete savings in September. The Stewardship and Finance Committee has begun working with Session on our 2016 budget in preparation for our celebration of giving on November 15. By now you should have received a letter summarizing our progress to date. In summary, we are projecting income in 2015 of about $485,000, and we are projecting expenses in 2016 of about $525,000 a difference of about $40,000. How we ultimately reconcile this difference in our final 2016 budget depends on your pledge of financial support for As responsible stewards, we will develop a balanced budget for 2016 that reflects our faithful expectations and will undoubtedly be significantly lower than our 2015 budget. We can ill-afford another year like 2015 when our expenses outpaced income and we depleted our general fund balance. Please pray about and consider what you can do to help us continue the strong and vibrant tradition of faith and giving that is Warrenton Presbyterian Church. CRAFTY LADIES OOPS: I forgot to say that Kelsea Brooks also helped with the school kits for Church World Service! Thank you Kelsea. Thanks to Mieko Brandenburg, Andrea Brooks, Sandra Brown, Lois Hollar, Nanci Marshall, Joyce Mills, Joyce Teague and Barrie Wince for another delicious brunch for the Christian Women s Club. It was an exciting morning because it was their annual auction. Lots of beautiful items. They are so appreciative and even gave us mention in the Fauquier Times. November 22 at 2 pm in the Sanctuary is date and time for putting up our Chrismon tree. If you would like to help just stop by. Where has the time gone? To each of you, may you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Please be safe and remember all the things you have to be thankful for. Please note my new address is: coxcabc@outlook.com. Catherine Cox

8 THANKSGIVING A time not only for filling our stomachs and reminiscing with family and friends but also to take time to really be thankful and thank the One who makes all things possible. I have so much to be thankful for. My son Billy is making a remarkable recovery from his cancer surgery. The doctors are amazed at how well he is doing. He expects to have his new voice shortly after the first of the year. Your prayers have meant so much to us during this time and we ask that you continue them for the foreseeable future. My immediate family does so much for me on a daily basis. I realize how fortunate I am to have them so close. My church family is one that I appreciate so much. Like a lot of families, things do not always run smoothly but we stick together and eventually, with God s help, we get back on the right track. How lucky we have been to have two amazing men fill the pulpit while our hard working PNC seeks to find the right person to become our permanent pastor. Our daily prayer is that God will send us the right person for the job. I am thankful also for that special group of ladies who make up the Crafty Ladies. They are hard working and dedicated to doing whatever is required for keeping the kitchen up and going. My list goes on and on but there is not enough room to mention everyone here. It is my hope that you and your family enjoy a bountiful feast as well as good health during this holiday season. Catherine Cox Sunday, December 6, 2015 Warrenton Presbyterian Church Christmas Pageant at 6:00 PM and Ham Dinner at 5:00 PM The children & youth of our church, directed by Evelyn Rice and stage managed by Kathi Collins, will present The First Leon by Dennis and Nan Allen at 6:00 PM in the sanctuary. Music by Joyful Noise and SonShine Choir will also be part of the program. At 5:00 PM the Crafty Ladies are hosting a ham dinner. The cost is $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for children age 5-10, no charge for children under age 5. Advance Reservations are Required by November 25 and will reserve your seat with a place card at the table, so please respond as soon as possible. Names of adults attending Names of children age 5 10 Names of children under 5 Phone Number

9 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Be sure to pick up the Christian Education Brochure with more information on classes, curricula, and class location; available in the narthex. Church School Classes for all ages No Church classes on December 27. All classes resume on January 3, Classes for children, nursery through grade 3 begin in the choir room at 9:45 for announcements and music. All other classes begin at 10:00 AM. All children of the church are invited to come learn the music for the Christmas Pageant at this Sunday morning gathering time and to participate in the pageant along with the choirs on December 6. CHILDREN S WORSHIP Children in kindergarten through grade 3 are invited to participate in a study about how we worship as a community of believers in Jesus Christ. We believe that coming together to worship God is essential for growing Christians. In a community of worshipers, we can learn more about God and God s plan, and we can support one another in living in a way that reflects God s love and care. The children s worship program is designed to help children strengthen their participation in congregational worship. As children understand what we do in worship, they can participate more fully. Volunteer leaders each week will guide the children through the order of worship and teach them worship skills through age appropriate activities. See Lucy Lindsay for information or to volunteer as a leader. Nursery II Bridge During the 11:00 AM worship service, children ages 3 5 can attend a story based program led by staff members Georgann Bowman and Becky Guinn, coordinated through the child care program director, Tracy Mazurkiewicz. Volunteers will assist each week. Children are invited to come to room 401 after the children s talk during worship for age appropriate activities aimed at preparing them for worship participation. Acolytes All middle school students and 4th & 5th graders are encouraged to sign up for an opportunity to serve as acolyte for the 11:00 AM worship service, September through May. A sign-up sheet is posted on the bulletin board in Memorial Hall (between the sanctuary and chapel). The next Christian Education committee meeting is Monday, November 16, 2015 at 7:00 PM. Please bring any ideas, comments or concerns you may have to the attention of the Christian Education committee, to the Chair, Chris Headly, or to the DCE, Lucy Lindsay.

10 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION (cont d) Adult classes for 2015/2016 Sunday morning Adult Forum This and That, Meeting in the Fellowship Hall September 20 November 15, Come to the Waters hosted by the Women of the church, lessons led by Mary Hall (please note that this study will also be taught by Joan Broughton on Monday evenings throughout the fall) November 22 December 20, Advent Study led by Laura Cline and Mary Hall, assisted by Susanne Taylor and Chris Gatti January 3, 10 & 17 Making Choices, led by Mary Hall with guest speakers Chapel class, led by Interim Pastor, Dr. Phil Sommer Lectionary based Bible study using Feasting on the Word curriculum. November 1, led by Chris Gatti November 8, led by Nicole Ball, Union Seminary Other adult meeting opportunities Tuesday evenings, 6:30 PM Disciple class, Intro to the Old Testament, taught by Susanne Taylor, room 404 4th Wednesdays Book Group coordinated by Cheryl Crow, location each month to be announced, 7 PM (see book list below) 1 st and 3 rd Tuesdays - YAG (young adult group), 7:00 PM, coordinated by Hannah Altman 40+ Fabulous & Fun fellowship group; we will be attending the Warrenton Chorale in early December ($15/person); contact the office ( ) if you are interested Book Group, every 4th Wednesday at 7:00 PM November 18: The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini, Joan Bundy s house No meeting in December Kid s Club (2 nd 5 th graders) This busy group of Kids have accomplished a lot this fall. On September 27 th we had a fun spaghetti dinner that required us all to be creative eating with kitchen serving utensils! (It really was fun). Thank you to Jeanette Walker for leading us and providing the meal. After dinner we played some fun games on teams and the winning team, The Thunderstorms, donated their prize of $50.00 to the SPCA We have also supported and participated in mission work through the church s mission committee: Judy Pease met with us on October 15 and helped us prepare information about collecting gravy packets to add to the Thanksgiving baskets being prepared by the Community Food Bank. The ongoing project to restock the pantry at the local homeless shelter The Haven Supporting the local Weekend Power Packs, food distribution program through the public schools. More details soon. Parents volunteered to lead Kid s Club events once a month for the next few meetings: October 18 - Thank you to Debbie and Sarah Gouldthorpe for hosting the scavenger hunt during the CROP walk November 10 Event hosted by the Hensons December 13 Event hosted by the Lassers January roller skating hosted by the Trasks On Tuesday, November 10, 4:15-5:30 PM, Kids Club will meet in the church fellowship hall to sort, label and deliver the donated food for the Haven. We will also count the donated gravy packets to see if we have met our goal.

11 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION (cont d) Youth Group Schedule of Events November 1 November 8 November 15 November 20 November 22 November 29 December 1 December 6 December 11 December 13 December 24 Evening Meeting (6:00 8:00 PM), Packing college & military care packages, No meeting Evening Meeting (6:00 8:00 PM), Praise team rehearsal 4:30 PM, dinner by the Hamills Cookie bake and delivery 4 PM Evening Meeting (6:00 8:00 PM), volunteer needed for dinner No meeting Deposit of $50 due for ski retreat Praise team leading morning worship Christmas Pageant 6 PM with Ham Dinner at 5 PM Cookie bake and delivery 4 PM Evening Meeting (6:00 8:00 PM), Praise team rehearsal 4:30 PM; volunteer needed for dinner Early Christmas Eve Service 4:30 PM, music by Praise team THANK YOU to Laura Henson, Rosemary Schneider, Nicolle Jones, Vicki MacKeown, Jackie Whisenant Yongue, Mary Hall, Terrie McBride, Myra Muscar, Bonnie Bekisz, and Kay May for providing food for the youth meals on Sunday evenings. College Care Packages Youth group members will pack college care packages for our many college students on Sunday, November 1st during the regular evening meeting time. Members of the congregation are asked to submit the names and addresses of college students and military personnel, and to donate treats for the packages. All your left over Halloween candy is great for donating to hungry college students! Bring your contributions to church any time on or before November 1 st. More Dates for your calendars: All Saints Sunday November 1 Packing Care Packages (college and military) November 1 Mitten Sunday December 6 Christmas Pageant - December 6 with Ham dinner at 5 PM, reservations required Spaghetti lunch and dessert auction- January 24 Ski retreat January 29 31, deposit of $50.00 due by December 1 Fundraiser The youth groups and Kid s Club have available for purchase The God s Creation Calendars ($7.00 each). Profits will be used to help with the cost of summer camps and conferences for youth group members and kid s club participants. Purchases can be made on Sundays between worship services and week days at the church. Please see Lucy Lindsay. MITTEN SUNDAY December 6 is Mitten Sunday. Children are encouraged to bring warm mittens, gloves, hats or socks to place in baskets at the front of the sanctuary during worship. These gifts will be distributed to local elementary schools where children needing these warm winter items will have them available. They are always greatly appreciated. Thank you to Joan Broughton for her assistance with delivering the mittens, gloves and hats to the schools.

12 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION (cont d) The Christmas Pageant for 2015 is December 6 at 6:00 PM. Directed by Evelyn Rice The First Leon (with the Ham dinner by Crafty ladies at 5:00 PM reservations required) Rehearsals continue on most Saturday mornings through December 5. Children rehearse the pageant songs with Mrs. Walker on Sunday mornings at 9:45 in the chapel and Mondays during choir rehearsal times. Children of the church are invited to come either or both times to learn the songs and participate in the pageant. Contact Jeanette Walker or Lucy Lindsay for more information. Wreaths Across America Wreaths Across America is a non-profit organization that places wreaths on the graves of veterans in national cemeteries in December. Some of our youth members are involved in the program this year to place wreaths at the U.S. Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery in Washington DC. A wreath sponsorship is $15 of which the youth group would keep $5. Sponsorships can be done online at the site. On the home page you should see Support a Local Fundraising Group, below that, see Find a Fundraising group and type in Warrenton Presbyterian Church Youth as the Group Name. Under search results you should see our group name and sponsored cemetery, U.S. Soldiers & Airmen s Home National Cemetery. Click DONATE and follow instructions on that page. Thank you for your support. You can also contact Lucy Lindsay or look for a form in the church narthex. BOY SCOUT NEWS! A picture (or two) is worth a thousand words. Below see the before and after photos of our church storage unit. Thanks to M. Brooks for taking on this much-needed project for his Eagle Scout. Thank you to those who financially supported this project. Thank You All for your prayers and support! Submitted by Al Cline, WPC Charter Org Rep, Troop 92 & Pack 1810: aloffsite83@gmail.com

13 DECENTLY AND IN ORDER Reformation Banners and the Book of Confessions As I write this, the official unveiling of the Reformation Banners has not yet happened. On Sunday morning, as I begin my trip back to Virginia from the beautiful Smokey Mountains in East Tennessee, you will be participating in a special service in observance of Reformation Sunday. During this service, banners that represent each of the documents contained in Part I of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America s Constitution called the Book of Confessions, will be presented and explained. Each of the banners features symbols that point to the meanings of the creed, confession, statement or declaration it represents. I enjoyed working with each of the persons who made these banners. I am not going to attempt to name all who worked on the banners because I will inadvertently leave someone out, but will say that Laura Cline, Kristin Hickey-Heydt, Bethann Rome, Cheryl Crow and Chris Headley did the lion share of the sewing. Al Cline and Chris Gatti made the banner stands. Several others worked on measuring, tracing patterns, cutting out the different components for the banners and ironing. There s always a lot of ironing in sewing We have enjoyed it so much that we are already thinking about another such project One might wonder why the Church Universal and the PCUSA have chosen to make confessions, creeds, statements, declarations, and catechisms. These are not peculiar to Presbyterians nor are they the exclusive properties of the Reformed tradition. However, I would venture to guess that many, if not most, do not know much about them outside of the Apostles and/or Nicene Creeds. But there are so many more, including a few that are Reformed and two that are specifically of Presbyterian origin. A confession of faith is a public declaration before God and the world of what a church believes. A confession of faith, a creed, declaration, statement of faith or catechism is typically written for a time in which the church s stated belief is needed due to a crisis, either in the church or in society. In the cases of the Apostles and Nicene Creeds, the Emperor of the Roman Empire instructed early Christian leaders to codify the belief in written form for clarity s sake. Since then, documents have been produced when remaining silent in the face of situations such as war, the Reformation, the formation of the church in Scotland, World War II, the Civil Rights movement and the formation of the PCUSA at the time of the reunion of the PCUS and the UPUSA in 1983, is unthinkable. Our most recently adopted addition to the Book of Confessions is the Belhar Confession, which arose out of apartheid in South Africa. On the 24 th of January, God willing, I will return to a Sunday morning teaching format, offering a study of these documents making up our Book of Confessions. I hope you will join me. The class will be held in the Fellowship Hall during the regular Sunday School time period, beginning promptly at 10 am. May the Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you! Susanne Hooker Taylor Fall Greetings from Vertie, The color is beautiful, the maples have turned but, the roses are still blooming. It is the season for me to think about my long winter nap. I ll miss seeing what s happening in the garden. I ve never been able to stay awake long enough to see the garden in winter. As a frog who has to hibernate, the tree with no leaves and the quiet of a snowfall are joys about which I have only heard. Have you noticed the Guild has been busy cleaning up the garden for the winter season? The flower beds have been weeded and cut back. Some plants have yet to be pruned as there are still things growing. This fall has been relatively mild so far. Some cool nights have sent me underground until the sun warmed things up a bit. Most of the plantings have seemed to enjoy the cool but not cold weather. I have heard some folks talking about Dr. Phil and his sermons being quite inspiring. It sounds as if the PNC is working hard to prepare for a new Installed Head of Staff, a new pastor. Maybe by the time I wake in the spring there will be news of a full time pastor to take the helm. At least we may be close to a call. I see so many folks coming and going, the church must be busy providing services for the congregation and the community. Our church, you won t mind me being a part of the church I m sure, is certainly a wonderful and giving community of servants for Christ. The thought will help keep me warm and safe during my long sleep. I must put in a plea for the Garden Guild. Though they are managing well in their efforts to keep the Memorial Garden and the front of the Church looking beautiful, they can always use help. If you have an interest in gardening, you might consider signing on to the small but faithful group. It really doesn t take too much of ones time. Please enjoy the winter garden for me. See you in the spring. Au revoir, Vertie

14 Warrenton Presbyterian School Serving Christ and God s Children in the Heart of Warrenton, Virginia Stacy Stevens, Director Incorporated 2009 stacy.stevens@wpcva.org. or (540) October was a busy month at WPS with a visit from the Warrenton Volunteer Fire Company, picture day, and of course... Halloween! Our classes had fun on their fall field trips this month. The pre-k classes went to Cows-N-Corn and the three year old class went to Messick s Farm Market. WPS will be holding Parent/Teacher Conferences on November 6 th. Families 4 Fauquier will be hosting their Annual Fauquier County Family Resource Fair on Saturday, November 21 st at the Warrenton Community Center (430 East Shirley Avenue) from 2:00-4:00 pm. WPS will be participating in this great community event. Thanks to all who attended the Fall Foods Workshop Fundraiser. We hope you gained some useful information about staying healthy this winter. Thank you for your continued support, Stacy Stevens, Director The preschool s annual Thanksgiving Feast is scheduled for November 24 th. Parents will be invited to join their children for a short (but very cute) program followed by a traditional Thanksgiving lunch. Happy Thanksgiving from WPS! Gobble, Gobble! 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

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16 Warrenton Presbyterian Church 91 Main Street Warrenton, VA Non-Profit Org. U. S. Postage Paid Warrenton, VA Permit Main Street Warrenton, Virginia RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Help us keep our mailing list up-to-date. Please contact the church office with corrections, additions, or subtractions at or Mark you Calendars for the following Advent and Christmas Events: Advent-themed themed Church School Class Sundays, Nov 22 thru Dec 20, 10 AM, Fellowship Hall Lighting of the Advent Wreath Sundays, Nov 29 thru Christmas Eve Christmas Pageant Sunday, December 6 at 6:00 PM with Ham Dinner at 5 PM Service of Comfort & Hope Sunday, December 13 at 12:30 PM December 24, 2015 Early Christmas Eve Service In the Sanctuary at 4:30 PM No Nursery Provided Christmas Eve Lessons and Carols In the Sanctuary at 7:30 PM A Service of Scripture, Music, and Carols Nursery Provided Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service In the Chapel at 10:00 PM No Nursery Provided December 27, 2015 Sunday Worship 10 AM only Combined Nursery Provided Through Age 4 NO Church School and NO Children s Worship