Sparta Presbyterian Church

Transcription

1 Sparta Presbyterian Church December 14, 2018 Snow, Snow and more Snow! Hunter Cox and the Adult Chancel Choir have been hard at work preparing for the Christmas Cantata. Please make plans to attend this Sunday to listen to this special musical interpretation of the birth of our Savior. The lovely snow will be a memory by then and travel will be safer. See you Sunday! (Special thanks to Van & Beth Holcomb for the photos above) Name That Newsletter! The Sparta Presbyterian newsletter needs a name! We have a lot of imaginative members and I m sure we can come up with a creative moniker for the weekly newsletter. So, put on your thinking caps and submit your suggestions to Sheryl James at westiedogs3@aol.com. We will vote at the end of December on the list and the favorite will be our new name beginning in January. CHRISTMAS CANTATA Lessons and Carols All are invited to worship and celebrate a miracle DECEMBER 16, AM WORSHIP SPARTA PRESBYTERIAN CHANCEL CHOIR UNDER THE DIRECTION OF HUNTER COX MUSIC DIRECTOR/PIANIST ALSO FEATURING GUEST MUSICIANS LISL DOUGHTON, CELLIST CAROLINE FARMER, VIOLINST Through scripture passages and creatively arranged carols, the timeless story of the birth of Christ is presented. Come to sing traditional Christmas hymns as well as listen to the beautiful music of Gloria Vivaldi In the Bleak Midwinter Noel Festival Star Carol Rutter Mary s Lullaby - Rutter Lo How a Rose E er Blooming Joy to the World!

2 Solid Rock Food Closet Volunteers Needed! Sparta Presbyterian will again supply at least 3 volunteers on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the month of January. The hours are 10:45 am to 1:45 pm. You will be blessed beyond measure by helping in this important ministry. Sign-up sheets are in the narthex or contact Gay Gentry at See the current available slots still open below. Food Closet Volunteering is FUN Food Closet Schedule and Current Slots Unfilled See Gay Gentry to Volunteer Monday Tuesday Wednesday January 2 nd 1 person January 7 th 1 person January 8 th 1 person January 9 th 1 person January 14 2 people January 15 th 1 person January 16 th 1 person Covered January 22 nd 1 person January 23 rd 2 people January 28 th 3 people January 29 th 1 person January 30 th 3 people

3 Food Closet Items of the Month Toothpaste and Tooth brushes Collection boxes in the Narthex and downstairs hallway Nursery Schedule December 16 December 23 December 30 Debbie Sadler Norma Whitfield Frankie Pittman Camerata Schedule Change Due to Snow and Unsafe Roads some of the performances were cancelled. The performance in Galax, VA has been rescheduled for Tuesday, December 18 7:30 PM First Christian Church Galax, VA

4 Ten The Advent Edition Ten will meet again beginning December 2 nd in the Fellowship Hall. We will be learning the history of some of our favorite Christmas hymns and then making a joyful noise as we sing them together. The group will meet for four weeks during the Advent season. Don t miss this educational and FUN gathering. TEN o clock!! This third week of Advent is a pause from the penitential spirit. The blossoming blaze with more candles being lit each week illuminates the fact that Christ s birth is approaching, and Christian anticipation is growing. Our first, or Prophecy, candle promised His coming. The second, or Bethlehem/Peace candle, focused on the preparations of Christ s birth and the peace that God brings; this week s third, or Shepherd, candle emphasizes the joy the angels proclaimed when Jesus was born, and the shepherds witnessing of this joy to others. Further meaning comes from the circular shape of the Advent wreath-- a symbol for God, Who is eternal and without beginning or end; the greens used to adorn the wreath represent life and growth. On this third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, our readings will emphasize rejoicing in the Lord. This week s candle color differs from the traditional violet or purple that signifies penitence and the royalty of the coming King, and is rose, symbolizing joy. As we are aware, happiness is dependent on external conditions, while joy believes in unconditional love and that nothing can take that love away.

5 ONE OF THE MANY BENEFITS OF PRAYER: STRESS REDUCTION A University of Florida study discovered that 96 percent of older adults specifically use prayer to cope with stress. In fact, prayer was the most frequently reported alternative treatment seniors use to feel better and maintain health in general. One-third of the respondents also reported using other spiritual strategies to improve their health, including imagery, music, art therapy, energy healing, humor, meditation and religious counseling. Seniors who prayed or used any other spiritual techniques were also found to have more positive and self-reliant coping strategies. Source: Care2.com THE CHURCH IN PRAYER Richard Albert Billy Alford Walt Bennett Clint Bedsaul Shawn Brinegar Rhys Churchwell Patsy Cokernak Chris Cornie Rose Dukes Travis Eller Rachel Ellis Bobby Evans Scott Fleming Family of Nancy Friend Ramona Friend Gary Gambill Alissa Gibson Michelle Hall Lydia Hampton Robert Hand Pat Hardee Gracie Harris Joan Hynes Joshua Jacobson Clay Jensen Lynn Kaye Gene Kent Lois Landreth Michael Landreth PFC Ben Mackey Joseph & Kathleen Martin & Children Mark Martin Laura Matthias Shannon McHone Barry McKinney Kathy & Mike Mizerak Cari Morrell Harold & Peg O Conner A.J. Perdew Family of Mack Pittman Sr. Rose Mary Phipps Dan Plutt & Family Paul Poetzsch Family of Jean Prettyman Vicki Roupe Gray Craig Schulze Rhea Sparks Doughton Tedder Henry Thorne Lisa Tucker Bobby Wainscott Steven Wainscott Carol Wenberg Vernon Whitlow Larry Woodie Linda Young

6 Thank You to Carol Norris for hosting the Ladies Christmas Party A GREAT TIME WAS HAD BY ALL!

7 Here We Go a Caroling The Adult Chancel Choir cordially invites you to an evening of Church-wide Christmas Caroling to some of our homebound members. Meet at the church on Wednesday, December 19 th at 6 PM and we will carpool from there. Light refreshments and hot beverages will be served at the home of Carolyn Young afterwards

8 This Week s Opportunities At A Glance Sunday: Ten 10 AM in the Fellowship Hall Worship 11 AM in the Sanctuary Scripture References: Zephaniah 3:14-20 Isaiah 12:2-6 Philippians 4:4-7 Luke 3:7-18 Chancel Choir Christmas Cantata Monday: Carolyn Ebright Prayer Shawl Ministry 10 AM Session Meeting 5 PM Tuesday: Camerata 7:30 PM First Christian Church Galax, VA Wednesday: Advent Service United Methodist at Noon Christmas Caroling meet at the church 6 PM

9 December 2018 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY :00 Tunes at Ten 11:00 am Worship 6 pm Moravian Love Feast Carolyn Ebright Prayer Shawl 10am Worship Comm. 5 pm Beyond the Walls 4:00 pm Noon Advent Service UMC Kingdom Youth 5:15 pm Adult Choir Practice 7 pm :00 Tunes at Ten Worship 11:00 am Carolyn Ebright Prayer Shawl 10am Property Mtg. 5:30 pm Noon Advent Service - UMC Kingdom Youth 5:15 pm Adult Choir Practice 7:00 pm :0 Tunes at Ten Worship 11:00 am Choir Cantata Carolyn Ebright Prayer Shawl 10am Session 5:00 pm Noon Advent Service UMC Church-wide Christmas Caroling 6 PM :00 Tunes at Ten Worship 11:00 am Worship 11:00 am Christmas Eve Service 6 pm CHRISTMAS DAY Church Office Closed Church Office Closed