Serving God By Serving Others December, 2017

Transcription

1 Serving God By Serving Others December, 2017 Hillwood Presbyterian Church Highlander HILLWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCUSA) CORE VALUES We are a loving and caring community of believers in Christ. We are welcoming to all visitors and inclusive of all those seeking a faith community. As a congregation we strive for continual spiritual growth. We search for opportunities to serve our neighbors and those in need while being good stewards of our resources. Our worship and music are liturgically based. February 21, 2016 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Scripture Readings December 3 December 10 1st Sunday of Advent 2nd Sunday of Advent First Lesson: Isaiah 64:1-9 First Lesson: Isaiah 40:1-11 Response: Psalm 80:1-7, Response: Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Second Lesson: 2 Peter 3:8-15a Gospel Lesson: Mark 13:24-37 Gospel Lesson: Mark 1:1-8 December 17 December 24 3rd Sunday of Advent 4th Sunday of Advent First Lesson: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 First Lesson: Isaiah 9:2-7 Response: Psalm 126 or Luke 1:46b-55 Response: Psalm 96 Second Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 Second Lesson: Titus 2:11-14 Gospel Lesson: John 1:6-8, Gospel Lesson: Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) December 31 1st Sunday after Christmas Day First Lesson: Isaiah 61:10-62:3 Response: Psalm 148 Second Lesson: Galatians 4:4-7 Gospel Lesson: Luke 2: Please know that effective October 1, the side door will be locked at the end of fellowship. Also remember that the door to/from Playcare is to remain locked at all times (unless loading/ unloading items).

2 Pastor News Over Thanksgiving weekend, I heard a Christmas song I d never heard before. It s a catchy tune that s already stuck in my head. It s all about what Christmas means to those singing the song. With amazing acapella harmonies; they tell of children outside playing in the snow, candles glowing in the dark, stockings hanging by the Christmas tree, the great joy of family. The title of the song repeats often: That s Christmas to me (Pentatonix, Deluxe Edition, 2014). Unexpectedly bumping into this holiday harmonic has me reflecting on what Christmas is to me. Of course, this is the season of end-of-the-year session details, stewardship pledge tallying, additional services of worship, and prayers I make it through Christmas Eve without catching any of the debilitating germs swirling about when the days get shorter and the nights get longer. Please do not misunderstand. I LOVE Advent and Christmas. It s just that sometimes they seem like a mad dash to a finish line I never feel quite ready to make. And then came this year with a bit of a break between Thanksgiving and Advent. As I unplugged on the Sunday afternoon after Thanksgiving that hadn t already put Advent a fourth of the way behind us, I found myself teary-eyed. The task was to get a jump on holiday decorating. Then from a box overstuffed with Christmas treasures, I came upon two ornaments given to me by my maternal grandmother when I was just three and four years old. She died the day after my sixteenth birthday but I am pleased she comes to me now and again in my dreams. Up on the ladder remembering her having everything ready for each one of her cherished family members to have a little something special for Christmas, I hung those two most precious ornaments all the way at the tippy-top of the soaring tree in my living room. I want to see those two all through the season to bring to mind the gifts given to me by my family. It s not the presents wrapped under the Christmas tree and the surprises stuffed into the stocking hanging for me at the end of our family mantle. The greatest gifts my family gave me are the rituals of lighting Advent Wreath candles each Sunday in worship and every night at home after dinner. I am grateful for the generous hearts of my parents that had my sister and I help as we prepared and delivered Christmas treat boxes for elderly members of the church. Our home was filled throughout the season with the Christmas music of our faith including one year when my parents diligently reminded me to practice the piano piece I begged to learn: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. Peace on earth, goodwill to all! We caroled to the homebound and on the final Sunday of Advent, we got all excited to bring toys to worship for the children of a sister church 50 miles south in inner city Milwaukee. Christmas means to me reminders of Light shining in darkness the Light the darkness never can overcome. Signs of self-giving love. Generosity to those needing it most. Rituals that teach what the life of faith is all about. The beautiful gift of the birth of a child who holds the hopes and dreams of all the years. What does Christmas mean to you? As my first time among you for Advent and Christmas, I can t help but wonder how you d answer. What memories still teach you of why we put forth the extra effort in these days to show each other our love for one another and for God? What rituals are you passing along in your family? What pieces of the season do you most anticipate in our life together as a church? How do you want to spend the precious days of Advent and Christmas because when you stop to consider, you realize your heart radiates with the love shown to us in full one night long ago when a baby s cry pierced the silence of the night? What does Christmas mean to you? May the way you live this December show all the world! Peace for this Advent and Christmas! Pastor Jule

3 Highlights of Stated Meeting of the Session November 19, 2017 The Renewal Team members have been commissioned by the Session to work over at least the next 12 months to implement next steps identified through the CAT process. The team members are: Jennifer Stootsberry (team leader), Beth Cooper, Kendra Watkins, Shelia Sferrella, Cynthia Palmer and Pastor Jule. Pastoral Concerns: John Wannamaker, Faye Collins and Mary Allen Jennifer reported the carpet has been installed in the nursery. Sharon reported that Barbara Oonk and Martha Johnston are willing to coordinate taking food to Penuel Ridge in February for their monthly homeless retreat. Jennifer reported that everyone who attended enjoyed the Decades of Dedication luncheon. The checklist for Session Accountability was approved. The HVAC Team is working to secure bank financing for the new HVAC system. Linda is getting 2 quotes for correcting the water problem to the closet under the Narthex. Linda will check on the lock to the side door by the parlor. Kathy gave a preliminary report on pledges received and budget for The Hanging of the Greens service and potluck is scheduled for Wednesday, December 6 at 6:00. The Church Alternative Gift Fair is scheduled for December 10. Beth Cooper Clerk of Session ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you are willing to serve as liturgist please contact Beth Cooper. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ the staff of Hillwood PC

4 PRAYER CONCERNS Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ. (Philippians 4:6-7) New Concerns: Ongoing Concerns: Cindy Wedel, Keith Newcomb, William Ridley; Brian Warford s mother-in-law; Grace Yago, Cora Newcomb s sister; Lerma Yago, Cora Newcomb s sister Homebound Concerns: Gail Allen; John Wannamaker; Ann Swift, Ed Hogg s mother ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2017 Advent Events December 6: Dinner Hanging of the Greens Potluck will be at 6:00 pm. We will have a baked potato bar, please bring a topping & a side dish or dessert. 7 p.m. Hanging of the Greens worship experience: a liturgy to learn the significance of the sights and symbols of Christmas December 10: 10:30 a.m. Christmas Music Sunday: a special church choir presentation for Christmas during worship. Christmas Tea December 19 Christmas Caroling to Hillwood homebound/ neighborhood December 24: 10:30 a.m. Christmas Carols Hymn Sing 5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Communion & Candles Service Mark your calendars for these opportunities for growth, fellowship and fun. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ IN THIS SEASON OF PEACE: The Women of the Church are leading a campaign of support for the YWCA's victims of domestic violence. We are collecting cleaning and laundry supplies for the safe houses and gift cards for the victims. If you would like to contribute, we ask that you label either cash or checks for YWCA gifts and place in the offering plate on Sunday, Nov. 19, Sunday, Nov. 26, and Sunday, Dec.3. Checks should be made to Hillwood Presbyterian Church. Last minute gifts of cash only can be made on Dec. 10, since all must be turned into the YWCA by Monday morning, Dec.11. Gifts may also be turned in to the church office or to Cynthia Palmer.

5 Events to celebrate the Season 92nd Annual Waffle Shop 92nd Annual Waffle Shop December 7, :00 am to 2:00 pm Downtown Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall (entrance on 4th Avenue N.) One-hour complimentary parking at 4th Avenue Garage (147 4th Ave. N.) You will receive a parking pass at the event. Tickets: $8 in advance (by calling DPC's office at ), $10 at the door Menu: Waffles, turkey hash or sausage, grits, spice tea and coffee. Also included: Bake sale, Christmas gift shop, silent auction, and scheduled tours All proceeds fund DPC's ministry to the urban poor and homeless. Visit DPC's website here.

6 Reverse Trick or Treat - October, 2017 The young people of Hillwood PC visited the homebound members of our church to present treat packages for Halloween. The event was well received by all who were involved.

7 Decades of Dedication Luncheon November 14, 2017

8 PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN Our Circle is meeting the second Tuesday (December 12th) in the Church Library at 11:00 am for a pot luck luncheon and working session. We will not have a study lesson this month and will cover lessons 4 & 5 at our meeting in January. This year we are collecting items needed by the YWCA to help victims of domestic violence. The Circle is hosting a Christmas Tea on Sunday December 10 th after the church service. Be sure and join us in the Church Parlor. Linda Bozza Secretary ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hillwood Playcare Greeting from Playcare!!! Well there is a lot of excitement in the classrooms and hallways of Playcare. The children are getting ready for Santa. There are Christmas trees and decorations in each classroom. Oh let's not forget the most important and most exciting part of Christmas at Playcare is."elf on the Shelf." The children all believe he possesses magical power, the elf (which has many different names depending which classroom you go in) can see and hear everything they do. What a great time to experience the wonder of magic with young children. The children are also working hard and learning the Holiday song's for the Annual Christmas Sing-along/Bake Sale, which will be December 15, at 9:30 in the sanctuary. Please feel free to join us, as Jule tells a beautiful story, and the children will sing holiday favorites and look absolutely adorable! Right after the sing-a-long we will go downstairs and have cookies and milk with Santa! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! Darlene Williams Director, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Life Line Screening, a leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings, is pleased to offer a preventive health event at Hillwood Presbyterian Church on 12/12/2017. Five screenings will be offered that scan for potential health problems related to: blocked arteries which is a leading cause of stroke; abdominal aortic aneurysms which can lead to a ruptured aorta; hardening of the arteries in the legs which is a strong predictor of heart disease; atrial fibrillation or irregular heart beat which is closely tied to stroke risk; and a bone density screening, for men and women, used to assess the risk of osteoporosis. Register for a Wellness Package which includes 4 vascular tests and osteoporosis screening from $149 ($139 with our member discount). All five screenings take minutes to complete. There are three ways to register for this event and to receive a $10 discount off any package priced above $129, please call toll-free or visit lifelinescreening.com/communitycircle or text the word circle to

9 YOU ARE INVITED Monday, December 4 6:00 Men s Club at Dalt s Wednesday, December 6 6:00 Dinner Hanging of the Greens Potluck will be at We will have a baked potato bar, please bring a topping & a side dish or dessert. 7:00 Hanging of the Greens worship experience: a liturgy to learn the significance of the sights and symbols of Christmas Tuesday, December 12 11:00 WOC Meeting - Annual Christmas Potluck luncheon. We will also fill Christmas trays for our home bound members at this time. Friday, December 15 9:30 Playcare Sing-Along Tuesday, December 19 6:00 Christmas Caroling Sunday, December 24 5:00 Christmas Eve Worship ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ General Announcements REMEMBER the 5 cents-a-meal, the HPC Living Waters mission, and the Pastor s Discretionary Aid Fund donations are taken every week. Donations for HURRICANE RELIEF also can be given to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Go to pcusa.org online, or write checks for disaster relief to Hillwood Presbyterian with memo line marked: PDA. SECURTIY: If you are coming to the church building, please call first. If you come by and ring the bell, someone will be with you as soon as possible. Please do not come up through Playcare. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THANK YOU FOR YOUR UPCOMING SERVICE December 3 GUEST MINISTER: Rev. Stacy Rector; LITURGIST: Beth Cooper USHERS: *Walter Crawford, Bill Boyte, Jan and Tom Diehl COMMUNION PREPARER: Jennifer Stootsberry COMMUNION ELDERS: Linda Bozza, Beth Cooper, Sharon Shields, Jennifer Stootsberry, Cindy Wedel December 10 INTERIM MINISTER: The Rev. Dr. Jule M. Nyhuis USHERS: *Clyde Cole, Kathy Bright, Lisa Houx, Bernie Palmer December 17 INTERIM MINISTER: The Rev. Dr. Jule M. Nyhuis; LITURGIST: Sharon Shield USHERS: *Mary Allen, Linda Bozza, Carl Hopper, Josie Von Nieda December 24 INTERIM MINISTER: The Rev. Dr. Jule M. Nyhuis USHERS: *Cora & Keith Newcomb, Barbara & Bill Oonk December 24 Christmas Eve COMMUNION PREPARER: Lisa Houx COMMUNION ELDERS: Linda Bozza, Beth Cooper, Sharon Shields, Jennifer Stootsberry December 31 INTERIM MINISTER: The Rev. Dr. Jule M. Nyhuis; LITURGIST: Lisa Houx USHERS: Cora & Keith Newcomb, Barbara & Bill Oonk