December First Chur ch News. Christmas Brunch Sunday, December 13 at 11:15am. Deadline: Tuesday, December 8 DECEMBER 2015

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1 December DECEMBER 2015 First Chur ch News Helping all people build life-transforming relationships with God and each other. Friends, God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good. (Genesis 1:31)...creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay...we know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now. (Romans 8:21-22) On Sunday, November 29th we entered into yet another season of Advent, launching ourselves into the Advent/Christmas/Epiphany season. During the coming Sundays we will sing many of our favorite Advent and Christmas carols, and decorate our sanctuary for the season. In the midst of a world crying out in pain, we gather to sing songs of hope. In the midst of a world living in darkness, we gather to sing songs about life. Indeed, we witness to the presence of the light that is Christ -- the light that is hope, peace, joy, love -- each time we gather together as the community of faith in worship. Even as our world and nation are reeling from economic uncertainty; even as our world suffers violence; even as its peoples propagate hate; and even as our own denomination, indeed Christianity itself, experiences upheaval, even division, still, we gather. We gather to sing, to pray, to be together. We do so because we are part of a creation which we affirm to be not only good, but very good. We do so because we are a part of a creation, as Paul describes, longing to be set free -- set free from fear, despair, greed, terror, and anger. Therefore we do not allow the singing voices of hope, peace, joy, and love to be drowned out by the voices of despair and discord. Rather, we trust the love of God as revealed in Jesus Christ to have the last word, and our presence in worship and our work in God s kingdom signals our conviction that the victory is won. Christmas Brunch Sunday, December 13 at 11:15am Catered by Il Panino in Fairfield Tickets are on sale now and will be available at Coffee Hour, online or during the week in the Church Office Adult $16 Child (6-9) $8 Tiny (0-5) Free Family Max $50 Deadline: Tuesday, December 8 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:5) Praise be to God that it is so! Grace, peace, Happy Advent, and Merry Christmas from all the staff here at FPC, h

2 Youth News The purpose of our Youth Ministry at First Pres is to REACH OVER to students in our congregation and community, providing a safe, caring and fun environment in order to equip them to REACH UP learning about God, challenging them to grow in a relationship with Jesus Christ, and fostering a desire to REACH OUT, providing opportunities to serve others in Jesus' name and become leaders within the church. Our youth meet several times a month. Permission slips are required for off site events! Jr. High Fellowship - 6th-8th Grade Friday, December 4th-Sunday, December 6th - Fall Retreat at Camp JBurg Thursday, December 10th - 6:30-8pm - Stuffing Stockings for Children in Need Thursday, December 17th - 6:30-8pm - White Elephant Christmas Party Tuesday, December 29th pm - Winter Break Lunch and a Movie (signup!) Sr. High Fellowship - 9th-12th Grade Thursday, December 3rd - 4-8pm - Mall Christmas Shopping Trip ($30) Sunday, December 6th - 11:30am-1pm - Benihana & Fellowship ($5) Sunday, December 13th - 11:30am-1pm - All Church Christmas Brunch (Signup) Friday, December 18th-Saturday, December 19th - Christmas Lock In Sunday, December 27th - 11:30am-1pm - Christmas Hibachi Lunch Tuesday, December 29th pm - Winter Break Lunch and a Movie Cabin Fever Day Wednesday, December 30th - 9am-3pm All children in Kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to join us for a fun day getting out of the house during winter break. We will play games, do crafts, watch movies and have a great time with friends. The cost is just $5 and children are asked to bring a sack lunch. Sign up with Jaime Staehle or pick up a registration form on the Christian Ed desk. calling all cherubs! Pre-school and kindergartners! It is time to learn some special Christmas songs to sing for the Family Worship Service on Sunday, December 20th at 5:00PM. Rehearsals are on Saturday, December 5, 12, and 19 from 10:00-11:00AM in Room 120. Join us for lots of musical fun and some Christmas surprises! Call the church office for more information

3 TIS THE SEASON OF GIVING STRENGTHEN OUR SISTERS CHRISTMAS PARTY IS COMING As we have the past several years, First Pres is coordinating an Adopt-A-Shelter project to help provide some of the basic needs for the women and children at a homeless and battered women shelter called Strengthen our Sisters, in nearby Wanaque, New Jersey. Please be an angel this holiday season and bring some joy and Christmas spirit into the lives of those less fortunate by participating in this very worthy cause. You will find the Christmas Tree with tagornaments near the Christian Ed Desk. Each tagornament has gift suggestions on the back. Just select an ornament from the Adopt-a-Shelter Tree and then return your wrapped gift back under the tree no later than Monday, December 14 th. Please be sure to indicate on your tag what is inside your wrapped gift. On December 19th from 12-3pm, we will be hosting a Christmas party for the women and children from the shelter here in. Thank you in advance for your generous contribution and support of this project. If you have any questions about the project or are interested in other ways you can help support Strengthen our Sisters Shelter please visit their website at or or you can contact Laura Schalles at or lschalles@yahoo.com HAVE YOU SEEN THE TREE IN THE GLASS STAIRWAY DECORATED WITH HATS AND MITTENS? A 20+ year old tradition continues to provide warm mittens and hats to needy families in our immediate area. The mittens, donated by the nursery school families, as well as church families, will be distributed through the Salvation Army in Montclair to local families in need. Just place your hat and mitten donation on the tree in the glass stairway the next time you pass. POINSETTIA DELIVERY Our Sanctuary is banked with these beautiful flowers of the Christmas season for two Sundays each year. Then many of the plants are delivered to members of our congregation after the 10:00am worship service on December 20th. What better way to share the joy of Christmas where needed than with a caring visit!

4 MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SERVICES NOTE DAY AND TIME FOR FAMILY WORSHIP SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2OTH 5:00 PM - Family Worship Service The Inn Crowd Chapel Handbell Choir Children s Choir Cherub Choir Followed by the Live Nativity at 6:00PM 8:00PM - Candlelight Worship Service First Church Ringers Pilgrim Choir Westminster Choir Brass Quartet THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24th 11:00PM - Candlelight Worship Service Chancel Handbell Choir Chancel Choir Brass Quartet

5 We share the joys and sorrows of life and in all things give thanks to God for his blessings to us. HEALING AND SUPPORT TO...Harry Coppens, Bill Hayden, Edith Jipp, Lorenzo Marcantonio, Marilyn O Connell, Barbara Piggery, Louise Ritscher, Laura Winter and Clarence and Helena Wispelwey. SYMPATHY TO Thea White and family on the death of Andy White on November 9, 2015 CONGRATUALTIONS TO Jenn and Steve Hulse on the birth of their daughter, Lilah Suzanne Hulse, on September 28, Maternal grandparents are Laurie and Charlie Kinsey. Niral and Elizabeth (D Annunzio) Shah on the birth of their daughter, Hazel J. Shah, on October 22, Paternal grandparents are Anthony and Judi D Annunzio. Robin and Ricardo Jimenez on the birth of their son, Jonathan Ricardo Jimenez on November 12, Maternal Grandmother is Joan Loiacono. Please let the office know if there are others to include. STEPHEN MINISTRY PRESENTS Take Time to Breathe: How to Care for the Caregiver Monday, January 11, in Room 120 We don t expect to become caregivers until circumstances require it. It can be an unknown and rocky path as we try to meet the needs of a family member. As a certified Geriatric Care Manager, Ruth Rothbart-Mayer will lead a discussion on navigating the problems of caregiving and finding the balance. Ms. Rothbart-Mayer comes to us as a volunteer from the United Way of Northern New Jersey s Caregiver Coalition. We met Ms. Mayer in October when our Stephen Ministry hosted a networking meeting of over 50 Stephen Ministers from many different churches. She was very well received, and we are delighted to have her back! The First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell 326 Bloomfield Ave., Caldwell, NJ Office Hours M Th 9am 5pm F 4pm Phone: Fax: fpc@firstprescaldwell.org Web page: Dr. Richard N. Sommers, Pastor/Head of Staff Rev. Don Brown, Associate Pastor Rev. Barbara Jo Piercy, Minister of Music Jaime Staehle, Director of Youth & Children s Ministries Laurie Fergusson, Youth Intern Nancy Felter, Office Manager Lauren Restaino, Communications Specialist/Admin Assistant Brittany Heun, Sunday Morning Receptionist Noel Piercy, Associate Director of Music Chris White, Building Manager/Head Sexton Ray Uhlendorf, Sunday Custodian Kathleen Carlson Director of the Weekday Nursery School David Hicock Superintendent, Prospect Hill Cemetery Dr. Robert R. McGruther, Pastor Emeritus Rev. J. Robert Pryor, Parish Associate Stephen Ministry stephen.ministry@firstprescaldwell.org Ext. 235 ATTENTION ALL BAKERS! DEACONS COOKIE WALK IS ON DECEMBER 12th Annual Cookie and Goodie Walk NEEDS YOU! Sign up to bake cookies, pastries, candies, pies - whatever your special Christmas recipe is and then bring those goodies to the church on Friday evening, December 11th from 4:00PM until 8:00PM or Saturday morning December 12th by 8:00AM. And don t forget to come back to the church (once you ve dropped off those cookies and goodies) to purchase some of the extraordinary items for sale at the Deacons Cookie and Goodie Walk which will be held from 9:00AM until 12:00PM on December 12th. Your purchase of the mouthwatering treats will not only benefit you during this holiday season (NO Baking!!!) but it also benefits the ministries of your Board of Deacons. So, come on out and volunteer to bake!

6 1 9:30am Staff 7pm Session Committees 6:30pm Sanctuary Decorating 4:30pm BLAZE pm Women s Fellowship Luncheon 6:30pm Chancel Bells 4 6pm Jr. High 10am Cherub Choir 2pm Chancel Choir Caroling Party 5 8am Mission 9am Confirmation Class 10am Worship Service & Young Children & Worship 11:15am Adult Ed Committee 11:15 am Chancel Choir 1130am Senior High Fellowship 4pm Pilgrim Choir 4:45pm Chapel Bells 5:30pm Westminster Choir 6 7pm yoga 7 8 5pm Finance Committee 4:30pm BLAZE am Old Guard 6:30pm Chancel Bells 6:30pm Jr. High Stuffing Stockings for Children in Need 7pm Golf Meeting am Cookie Walk 10am Cherub Choir 11am BLAZE Musical Rehearsal 11:30am Brunch Set Up am Chapel Worship 9am Confirmation Class 10am Worship Service & Sunday School 11:15am Stephen Ministry Meeting 11:15am Christmas Brunch 2pm Kids Christmas Extravaganza 4pm Pilgrim Choir 4:45pm Chapel Bells 5:30pm Westminster Choir 7:45pm First Church Ringers 7pm yoga pm Deacons and Session Meeting 16 4:30pm BLAZE 17 1pm Women s Fellowship Board Meeting 6:30pm White Elephant Christmas Party 6:30pm Chancel Bells 18 6pm Sr. High Christmas Lock-in 19 10am Cherub Choir 12pm Strengthen Our Sisters Christmas Party 1pm BLAZE Musical Rehearsal 830am Chapel Worship 10am Worship Service & Sunday School 11:15am Westminster & Pilgrim 11:15am Church Life 11:30am Sr. High Fellowship 11:30am Confirmation Mentor Lunch 5pm Family Worship 6pm Live Nativity 20 7pm Yoga :30pm Chancel Bells 23 6pm First Church Ringers 7pm Christmas Eve Dress Rehearsal 24 CHRISTMAS EVE 8pm Candlelight Service 11pm Candlelight Service 25 CHRISTMAS CHURCH CLOSED 26 8:30AM Soup Kitchen 27 10am Worship Service & Kids Page and Kids Page Plus 11:30am Senior High Christmas Hibachi Lunch 7pm Yoga pm-4pm Winter Break Lunch and A Movie Jr. and Sr. 30 9am-3pm Christmas Cabin Fever Day 31 BEST WISHES FOR A CHRISTMAS FILLED WITH JOY TO YOU AND YOURS FROM THE CHURCH STAFF.