ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE

Transcription

1 P u b l i s h e d : N o v e m b e r 1 9, ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE 2015 Advent Services November 29 - First Sunday of Advent Expectant Waiting Pastor Ballantine Preaching December 6 - Second Sunday of Advent Prepare the Way Pastor Heffernan Preaching December 13 - Third Sunday of Advent (Invite a Friend Sunday) Surprised by Joy Pastor Ballantine Preaching December 20 - Fourth Sunday of Advent Christmas Dreams Pastor Ballantine Preaching Three Christmas Eve Services 5:00 p.m. Children's Lessons and Carols Incorporating A Night For Dancing and Featuring the Agape Choir 7:30 p.m. Candlelight Worship and Communion Featuring God's Thunder and Teen Choir 11:00 p.m. Candlelight Worship Featuring Adult Choir, Soloists, College Singers, Chancel Ringers

2 Pastor s Pen Advent Greetings! On Sunday, December 13, we will observe Invite a Friend Sunday at Morrisville Presbyterian Church! Why? We have a remarkable gift to share with friends and family, and that is the abundant life made possible through Jesus Christ. Also, it is in worship that people are frequently most open to the life-changing and transforming power of Christ. Furthermore, at this time of year, people who are not in the church habit are open to the possibility of attending a service. How? On December 13, simply be present for the 10:30 a.m. service, and bring with you a friend or family member who doesn t typically attend worship. Whom should you invite? Here are just a few ideas: the friend who was raised in the church but hasn t been involved as an adult; the co-worker or classmate who sometimes asks questions about God or the church; the family member going through a difficult time; the neighbor who recently moved to town but so far hasn t found a church home; someone you like, who will be blessed through an encounter with Jesus Christ. The goal: to share the warmth of God s love with as many people as possible by helping them to connect with God through worship. Naturally, we will extend a warm MPC welcome to guests during the service as we typically do, and the sanctuary will be beautifully decorated for Advent and Christmas. We will strive to offer a service which is meaningful and inspirational. And afterward we will show our visitors hospitality through a wonderful reception in the lounge. Each one bring one: Plan to bring at least one guest to worship on Sunday, December 13! Imagine the joyful noise we will make as we fill the sanctuary with people and as we sing God s praises together. See you on the 13th! Grace and peace, Bruce The Evangelism & Communications Committee is committed to keeping church news up to date. It is our goal to print and distribute Currents by the 3 rd Sunday of the Month. Therefore we ask that you please submit articles for the January 2016 Currents by December 1 st. Currents@MPCusa.net 2

3 OUR CHURCH FAMILY Sacrament of the Lord s Supper The Sacrament of the Lord s Supper will be celebrated on Sunday, November 29, 2015 during the 10:30 a.m. worship service and on December 24, 2015 during the 7:30 p.m. worship service. In Loving Memory Our sympathy goes out to the family of Sybil Anderson, who passed away on November 7, Sacrament of Baptism Adults wishing to be baptized or parents requesting baptism for their child are asked to call the church office at Remembering our Identity A scallop shell represents baptism, and the three drops of water symbolize the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Pastoral Care Reminder Members of the staff truly want to be attentive when members or friends of MPC are experiencing health difficulties. If you (or a family member) have been admitted to a hospital, please let us know by contacting the church office, and one of the pastors will be pleased to visit. You may also reach the pastors on their mobile phones: Bruce Ballantine Debbie Heffernan Thank you for your assistance. MARRIAGE AMENDMENT On March 17, 2015 a proposed amendment to change the definition of Christian marriage in the PC(USA) s constitution received approval from enough Presbyteries to become part of our Book of Order. The new language, which took effect June 21, 2015, defines Christian marriage in the denomination s Directory for Worship as involving two people, traditionally a man and a woman a departure from the previous language of Christian marriage being between a man and a woman. This change in policy was approved by the Presbytery of Philadelphia last November. It allows for same sex marriage, but does not require pastors or churches to offer it. Each pastor has the right to follow his or her conscience in deciding whether to marry same sex couples. Each Session may decide whether to allow the church sanctuary to be used for same sex marriages. During the MPC Session meeting on Monday, October 26, your Session voted to allow same sex marriages at Morrisville Presbyterian Church. Pastor Ballantine and Pastor Heffernan have both stated that they will marry same sex couples who have a clear understanding of the marriage covenant. Watch this space for an invitation to an information session to be held in the MPC Chapel to answer any questions you may have. 3

4 ADVENT CELEBRATION Join in the Advent Celebration and Potluck Supper, to be held on November 29 from 5:00 7:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. This year we will be making advent wreaths using nature s bounty of greens. Bring greens from your garden to share. We have a kit available which includes an 11 diameter brass wreath and a set of advent candles for $10. Feel free to bring your own wreath and freshen it up with new greens. We will decorate cookies, sing carols in the sanctuary and enjoy each other s company as we share a potluck Advent meal together. Sign up in the Communication Center and join in the festivities of the season brought to you by the Children and Family Committee. Potlluck Supper CONFIRMATION CLASS If we are created in God s likeness, why aren t we more like him? Who first believed in God? Who is the Holy Spirit? How does Jesus save us from our sins? Questions are always welcome in Sunday School and especially in Confirmation class. Under the leadership of teachers, AK Rosenbaum, Wes Gardner and Tom Evans, students are given a forum to use their Bible and everyday experiences to discuss the Christian faith. The Confirmation Coordinator, Lauryn Gilbride, follows up and prepares the way for fun events and three retreats during the year. Each student has a mentor from the church who helps guide them as they think about and write their statements of faith. This class has been seen as a coming of age in faith, yet it is really another milestone in faith that began with baptism. Thank you to everyone who supports our youth, showing them Jesus love and helping them grow in faith. Confirmation adult leaders and students who went to the weekend retreat at Camp Men-O-Lan. YOUTH CLUB 50TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION MPC Youth Club members and friends enjoyed the beautiful fall weather and a bonfire at Snipes Farm. 4 Mark your calendar for our celebration on Tuesday, January 5 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The location is still to be determined. We're planning a party and would love to have as many former Youth Clubbers as possible join us! Pizza and cake will be served. Bring your own skates if you have them or they may be rented on-site for a small fee. Please send current contact information to Lisa Zazzu at lzazzu@verizon.net so we may include you in our plans.

5 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Adult Education Opportunities SUNDAY MORNINGS 9:30 a.m. Conference Room Feed My Sheep - A Christian Response to Hunger With Elders Carol Carpenter and Travis Keys Continuing through November 22 Senior High Seminar will join the Adult Education class for this exploration of the problem of hunger in the world and in our own country. What are the possible solutions to this chronic condition? What is the moral responsibility of affluent Christians? We will watch portions of the documentary A Place at the Table and wrestle with ideas put forth by numerous experts on hunger. As Jesus upended social structures to change the world, we are called to follow with courageous action. People Look East With Elder Dan Jones and friends November 29 to December 20 Our Advent study this year is an exploration of several Advent hymns. We will learn about the history and message of each hymn, connect to the scriptural passage on which each is based, and use the texts for our prayer and reflection this season as we await the coming of the Messiah. Weekly Prayer Group Sundays at 9:10-9:25 a.m. in Room 202 All Welcome Men, Women, Teens and Children Each Sunday, prayers are offered on behalf of those on the church s prayer list. ONGOING EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS Brown Bag Bible Study led by Pastor Bruce Wednesdays at noon in the Conference Room Participants in the Brown Bag Bible study have resumed our study of the Gospel of Mark assisted by the commentary of N.T. Wright in his book Mark for Everyone. Now is a great time to join us! We meet Wednesdays at noon in the conference room. Take a lunch break with Pastor Bruce and members learn to read between the lines of the text! There s a seat for you and bring a friend! Book Discussion Groups A book group discussing Jamie Ford's Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet will be meeting at 7:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month in Room 200. The readers of C.S. Lewis classic book The Screwtape Letters are meeting at 7:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month in the church lounge. Contact Susan Light or Carol Carpenter if you wish to join these groups. A Theatre Theology discussion with Rabbi Joshua Gruenberg will follow the matinee performance of Mountain: The Journey of Justice Douglas on Nov 22 at 3:00 p.m. at the Bristol Riverside Theatre located at 120 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, PA Purchase tickets ($41-47) at brtstage.org or Contact Susan Light (susanklight@verizon.net) if you need a ride. Join us for this study of the life of William O. Douglas, one of the most accomplished and controversial U.S. Supreme Court Justices. Questions about Educational Ministry? Contact members of our Educational Ministry Committee: Karen Dupée Pre-K to 5th grade representative Caroline Thompson Youth Representative (6th 12th grade) Carol Carpenter, Susan Light Adult Ed Representatives Carol Carpenter Chair, Educational Ministry Debbie Heffernan Interim Associate Pastor 5

6 UPCOMING RETREAT OPPORTUNITIES Mark the dates of February 19-21, 2016 for an amazing opportunity for all MPC men to gather at Pendle Hill, a retreat center on 23 acres of beautiful grounds with a mile-long woodchip trail, ponds, and three delicious homemade meals a day, made with local and organic ingredients. Our theme will be "One Anothering One Another" led by our dear friend and neighbor Rev. Stuart Spencer. Watch for more details about cost and schedule in the weeks to come. An opportunity for all women of the church to grow deeper in their faith, share amazing fellowship and enjoy time away. Mark the dates of March 11-13, 2016 on your calendar right now. Our facilitator will be Rev. Nancy Schongalla-Bowman, Director of Student Counseling at Princeton Theological Seminary. We will meet at Emmaus House located in beautiful Ocean Grove, NJ one block from the ocean. Watch for more details about cost and schedule in the weeks to come. MPC CLOTHING CENTER 2ND ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE Please join us after church on December 6 for our 2nd Annual Open House in Room 4 in the church basement. Christmas is fast approaching and we will have many items for sale. So come on down, you never know what you'll find. If you can't make it, we are open on Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 6 VOLUNTEER HELP WANTED Please consider helping at the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen For close to twenty years, a small contingent of MPC members has volunteered at the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) every third Monday of the month. With Don Likens moving to the west coast, through attrition, the group has been reduced to just two, Ted and Evelyn Fletcher. The ideal number is 4 to 6 people for each date. Volunteers meet at 3:00 p.m. to car pool to the kitchen and are back in Morrisville by about 5:00 p.m. after serving an average of two hundred and fifty hot meals to grateful recipients. It is a surprisingly rewarding experience, and the only physical requirement is being able to stand for an hour and a half behind a steam table. Anyone with the ability and the time to spare, please contact Ted at ADVENT SUPPER SERIES This year Morrisville Presbyterian Church will offer an additional opportunity to assist with our Advent preparation. In collaboration with our friends at St. John Lutheran Church and Morrisville United Methodist Church, we will hold a simple supper and worship service on each of the first three Wednesday evenings during Advent. Supper begins at 6:00 p.m. followed by worship beginning at 6:45 p.m. December 2 at St. John Lutheran Church, Rev. Bruce Ballantine preaching December 9 at Morrisville United Methodist Church, Rev. Michael McKillip preaching December 16 at Morrisville Presbyterian Church, Rev. Wendy Bellis preaching Please mark your calendars and plan to attend. Please notify the church office by noon each Tuesday. This is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen our ties with neighboring congregations as together we partake of food for body and soul.

7 MPC FINANCE COMMITTEE MPC FINANCIAL & TRUSTEES SUMMARY REPORT OCTOBER 2015 FISCAL YEAR-TO-DATE RESULTS (4 MONTHS) Fiscal Fiscal YTD Year to Date Year to Date Variance Budget Actuals (See Note 1) Total Operating Revenue $146,789 $137,316 $(9,473) Total Expenses $206,971 $176,458 $30,513 Operating Excess / (Shortfall) ($60,182) ($39,142) $21,040 Other Income $29,849 $23,726 ($6,123) Net Excess / (Shortfall) ($30,333) ($15,416) $14,917 Note 1: The variance is the difference between the Actual dollar results and the Budgeted dollars. All favorable variances are noted as positive numbers; all unfavorable variances are shown as bracketed numbers above. October 2015 Year-to-Date (YTD) Variance Explanations: - YTD Operating Revenue ($9K unfavorable): Actual Pledge income was $14K lower than budgeted and plate receipts were $3K lower than budgeted. However, these were partially offset by $8500 of unbudgeted income from the sale of the mini bus to the Ivins Outreach Center. - YTD Total Expenses ($31K favorable): Overall expenses are lower than budgeted due to lower capital spending (due to timing), the temporary vacancy in Parish Caller position, payroll savings from the health related absence of the MPC Administrative Assistant and timing on some other expenses. - YTD Other Income ($6K unfavorable): The unfavorability is due to timing in the receipt of bequest income partially offset by higher than budgeted income on our investments. To enable MPC to continue to do God s work in Morrisville and beyond; and, to help MPC achieve our goal of balancing our budget, please periodically review your annual contributions to make sure you meet or exceed the amount you pledged for the year. We greatly appreciate your help and support! Thank you. 7

8 MORRISVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 771 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Morrisville, PA Phone: web: Staff Morrisville Presbyterian Church Currents (USPS# ), is published monthly except for July and August. Periodical mail postage paid at Levittown, PA POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Morrisville Presbyterian Church, 771 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Morrisville, PA NOVEMBER 26 Happy Thanksgiving - Offices Closed 29 10:30 a.m. Worship & Communion - 1st Sunday of Advent 5:00 p.m. Advent Celebration & Potluck Supper DECEMBER C OMING EVENTS 2 6:00 p.m. Youth Club 6 10:30 a.m. Worship - 2nd Sunday of Advent 11:30 Clothing Center Open House 9 6:00 p.m. Youth Club 13 10:30 a.m. Worship - 3rd Sunday of Advent 6:30 p.m. Youth Caroling 16 6:00 p.m. Youth Club 20 10:30 a.m. Worship - 4th Sunday of Advent 24 5:30 p.m. Worship - Children s Lessons and Carols 7:30 Candlelight Worship and Communion 11:00 Candlelight Worship 25 Merry Christmas - Offices Closed Invite a Friend Sunday December 13, :30 a.m. Worship