Advent and Christmas Worship Services

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1 Serve the people with energy, intelligence, imagination and love. Circuit Rider December Issue 12 Volume Kathy s Corner The seasons of Advent and Christmas are a holy wonder, drawing our focus to needs and gifts the needs of the world and the gifts given by our God in Christ. I hope that you will be a gift to others with your presence at worship (see below) and fellowship events (look inside for news of the Family Advent Fest/ Mexican Potluck, Presbyterian Women s Christmas Dessert, Snow Day at the Woods, and a possible Caroling Party). My prayers are with you as you prepare for a holy Christmas. Advent and Christmas Worship Services Sunday, December 3, the First Sunday of Advent 10:00 a.m. We light the first Advent Candle, celebrate the Lord s Supper, hear the Choir and join in the singing. Sunday, December 10 - Second Sunday in Advent 10:00 a.m. We light the second Advent Candle and our worship focuses on the need we have for God to come into this world, in Jesus return and in his birth. The Bell Choir plays for this service. Sunday, December 17 - Third Sunday in Advent 10:00 a.m. Family Christmas Service In the style of Christmas Eve Family services, we will gather for this participatory celebration of Jesus arrival. Children and youth will help to lead the service, offering their gifts of music and readings, bringing Nativity figures to the manger and joining the adults in an Instant Pageant. We will enjoy cookies and fellowship after the service. (Parents, please ask your kids to play their instrument or be a reader and let us know they are coming! the office fpcp@pendletonpresbyterian.com.) 7:00 p.m. Blue Christmas Service The longest nights of the year are difficult for those who have experienced losses, have Seasonal Affective Disorder, are depressed or for some other reason have a hard time at the holidays. We believe that Jesus came for people who needed him, and that he comes today to those who live in darkness, grief, uncertainty and pain. This service is offered for members of the church and community and will be followed by a reception. Co-hosting with us are Peace Lutheran and Redeemer Episcopal churches. Invite a friend to join you for this quieter hour of scripture, music and poetry. Sunday, December a.m. Fourth Sunday in Advent We light the fourth candle and eagerly await the birth of the child who turns the world upside down, bringing new life and justice where there was none. We receive and dedicate the Christmas Joy Offering. 10:00 p.m. Candlelight Christmas Eve Service The choir leads us in song and there will lots of special music. We celebrate the Lord s Supper, and the flame of the Christ light will fill the sanctuary passed from one to another. (Students home from College are invited to be readers for this service! the office fpcp@pendletonpresbyterian.com.) Sunday, December 31 10:00 a.m. First Sunday of Christmastide and New Year s Resolution We will renew our Baptismal promises (there is a special Presbyterian liturgy that is not rebaptism) and re-up to our commitment to God during this service. The sacrament of the Lord s Supper will be shared. We will sing lots of carols as we continue our celebration of Jesus come into the world.

2 Self-Study Team We continue to meet weekly. Currently we are reexamining the Long Range Strategic Plan composed and adopted ten years ago. It s been very helpful looking at where we ve been and where we are now. This document (LRSP) is the result of very thorough research by the members of that group. They solicited many ideas, concerns and goal proposals from the congregation. The areas selected were (1) Worship; (2) Membership; (3) Education; (4) Mission; (5) Spiritual; (6) Stewardship; (7) Capital Investment. The overarching goal was To build a more vital congregation and church. This well-crafted document contains much valuable information and contains many worthwhile goals. It also contains the admonition to annually conduct a review of the Master Plan for our church and review and update the Long Range strategic plan In their wisdom they knew change was inevitable and review necessary. In fact, many changes have occurred in those ten years, with some goals already met and some not achieved. It is clear some of this is due to changes in the culture around us and some due to our changing membership. As we work to complete this (LRSP) review, we are planning to schedule discussions with the congregation early in the new year to solicit your input. As we continue the process, the Self-Study Team would be grateful for your prayers! Mission Commission

3 Please note a change in unlocked exterior doors during worship... To assure access to those participating in worship while monitoring and controlling access via other doors to our building, the ushers will lock the double doors to Dorion Ave. and to our parking lot as the congregation passes the peace. Thus, anyone leaving the sanctuary or other areas in the building will not be able to re-enter except through the main sanctuary entrances on 2nd Street and Dorion Ave. If assistance is needed, please communicate with an usher they are there to help. Other changes as a result of usher training held October 22: * First aid kits will be located in the cabinet by the sofa in the entry way and in the Deacon s Room near the sink. * After donning their robes, choir members will check the 2nd Street, Choir Room door, to assure it is locked. * Visitor greeting will include directions to the restrooms and nursery, as appropriate. * House and Grounds and Worship Commissions will review and update signage in and around the church. * Instructions for head ushers are being updated and will be ed to those serving as ushers. From The Worship Commission Mary gave birth to her firstborn child, a son, wrapped him snugly, and laid him in a manger. Nearby shepherds were guarding their sheep at night. The Lord s angel stood before them, the Lord s glory shone around them, and they were terrified. The angel said, Don t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you wonderful, joyous news for all people. Your savior is born today in David s city. He is Christ the Lord. Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors. - from Common English Bible

4 Advent: In the ancient world, various peoples lit fires to mark the turning of the light into winter s season and to pray for the return of the light. The church has Christianized that practice in the lighting of the Advent wreath. To us, these candles are signs of the growing light of Christ who is coming again in all fullness into the darkness of our world. Until the dawning of that Great Day, we watch and wait in Holy Spirit for Christ s coming into the darkness of our world, lighting candles of hope, peace, joy, and love; and remembering the promises of God with prayer. The House & Grounds Committee is grateful for the enthusiastic support for the capital campaign established to provide air conditioning for the Rogers Room, Rogers Room Kitchen, and to replace the year old carpeting in the sanctuary, narthex, Vert Room, nursery, church offices, and other areas of the church. Pledges now stand at just over $33,000 leaving us approximately $5,000 towards the funding necessary to accomplish these projects. We hope to be in a position to complete fund raising in the next few weeks which will allow us to commit to the projects this year. This will avoid cost increases which we have been advised will go into effect after the first of the year. Thanks again to all who have given generously. Please notify the church office to arrange for remaining pledges to help us reach our goal. H & G is narrowing down the carpet selections to two or three choices and will be making these available for the congregation to vote upon shortly. Chuck Wood - House & Grounds Chair. There are rumors of a Caroling Party on the afternoon of Saturday, December 23 rd. Watch and listen for further notice.

5 Warming Station Volunteers needed for Winter Season As temperatures drop, two volunteers are needed every shif to open The Pendleton Warming Station. The Warming Station (715 SE Court Avenue) provides a place for people who do not have a home or other shelter to sleep at night when the temperatures are below freezing. The station is a place where up to 24 guests can sleep in relative comfort and security in separate men's and women's sleeping areas. The nightly schedule for guests is: Intake: 6:30PM to 9:00 PM Kitchen Service: 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM Lights Out: 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM Wake Up Warming Station Closes: 6:00 AM Volunteer shifts are usually divided 6pm 10pm and 10pm 6am, however the schedule may be flexed with advance notice. Overnight hosts are especially needed. Extra hands are scheduled for early evening or breakfast/clean-up, when available. In addition, volunteers do laundry, cleaning, repairs, run fundraisers, serve on the Board and prepare meals. Donated meals must be cooked off-site and delivered to the Warming Station and must be scheduled with the director. We are thankful that the Warming Station provides shelter for our most vulnerable neighbors on cold nights. This year the shelter has a new roof and bunkbeds for guests. The Warming Station is a ministry of Neighbor2Neighbor. Please call or the church office to tell us you are interested in training to help at the Warming Station. Kathy plans to request a volunteer orientation so we may join those providing hospitality to people who need shelter this winter. Are you interested in going on a mission trip in the next year? With US disasters from California to Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, there are places across the country where families and communities need assistance to clean up, rebuild and restore. Typically, a team volunteers for a week, offering skilled labor, willing hands, and listening hearts. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance s commitment to long-term recovery means there are volunteers needed in locations that are no longer in the media headlines. We would like to know if there are FPC members and friends who may be interested in traveling to serve people in need. If so, we will get together to consider possible timeframes and destinations. We would then invite others from the presbytery to join us. Please contact the church office with your interest.

6 Presbyterian Women s Christmas Dessert Party Sunday, December 10 th 1:30 pm Rogers Room Desserts will be provided, low fat and no fat. We will sing Christmas carols, with music by Carol Blanc. Donations will be accepted to help homeless students in our school system. All women of the church and their friends are encouraged to join in the fun. Presbyterian Women Meet December 14th, 9:30am Vert Room Bible Study # 3 December Birthdays 1 TJ Simpson 1 Norman Garrison 2 Madeline Hales 2 Dennis Lenhart 3 Rosanne Ernst 9 Marty Platt 9 Charla Simons 11 Ian Sims 11 Jan Acker 12 Rod Nixon 14 Connie Hachquet 14 Ashlynn Madril 17 Diana Hack 18 Chuck Wood 20 Trena Caster 20 Andrew Clark 20 Hayden Whitbread 22 Natalie Constantine 25 Mary Davis 25 Laurie Wallis 27 Chalese Hogge Bryant 27 Abigail Whitbread 28 Mary Sarah Wells 28 Tuk Hodgen 29 Erin Heideman 31 Allison Albright VanLeuven 31 Aleah Whitbread Campbell 31 Claire Hogge 31 Chelsea Kendrick

7 FRESHLY-CUT WILD TREES Christmas trees were cut at Westminster Woods, a mountain property near Meacham for Boy Scout Troop 700. The trees were removed during a thinning operation, which improved the health and wildfire resistance of the forest. The trees are organic they were never treated with a pesticide, sheared, or cultured in any of the ways that commercial trees are prepared. Removing these small, crowded trees in a thinning benefits both Westminster Woods and Boy Scout Troop 700. To support the troop, and Westminster Woods, buy a tree during their annual sale, which is held near Dave s Chevron. No money will go to the Woods the church is a sponsoring partner for the Troop so all proceeds benefit the Troop. Westminster Woods, Boy Scout Troop 700 cut trees, Nov. 25, 2017

8 Homelessness Children in Pendleton School District A Project by Altrusa International of Pendleton As reported in a correspondence with Karen Rose from Altrusa International of Pendleton, there are 91 students in the Pendleton School District identified as homeless. 51 of these are youth at the High School. Altrusa, in collaboration with the School District, is looking for sponsors for children who are homeless. There are two surveys being done in the spring and fall to identify these children and to determine what they need. The children will be linked with an anonymous sponsor who will provide needed items. The name of the child is never given. Counselors give out the necessary articles such as a coat or shoes directly to the child. Salvation Army has started a coat drive. Children can get a voucher for a new or well cared for coat. Newlywed Foods which used to be Krust-Ease is collecting new or slighted used shoes. Several weeks ago CAPECO invited homeless individuals and families to the Convention Center and sleeping bags, tents, tarps, etc., were given out. Approximately $2-300 worth of items were given per child. Wildhorse and Altrusa International grants have been applied for in order to reimburse some expenses. Western States CAT is sponsoring some children. In February, Altrusa will be holding a Valentine s Day Dance to garner funds. If you are interested in providing funds for any of these projects, please contact the sponsoring agencies or talk with a member of the Mission Commission. Please consider that a child may be sponsored, dollars may be donated, or products may be given. Charitable donations Just a reminder, for your charitable donations to be deductible from this year s taxes they must be dated and postmarked no later than December 31. Checks which are hand carried must be dated and received in the church office by December 31. Donations made on the first Sunday in the new year will be credited toward your giving for that year even if you date the check in this year. This is a federal law and not up to us. Thank you all for your cooperation and your continued support of the church and its ministries and missions.

9 Christmas Joy Offering December 21, 2017 For more than 80 years Presbyterians have given generously at Christmas to lift up those who ve devoted their lives to the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). On December 21, 2017, churches throughout the denomination will again receive this special offering. The Christmas Joy Offering is shared equally by the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions which provides much-needed assistance to PC(USA) church workers and their families, and Presbyterian-affiliated racial ethnic schools and colleges which enable students to develop their gifts and find their calling. Each Sunday during December members of the congregation will share a few minutes during Worship about the above programs. In addition, please look in the bulletin for Christmas Joy Offering materials that will explain the programs in additional detail. Thank you from Mission Commission WORSHIP COMMISSION COMMUNION DATES Dec 2017-June 2018 December3, 2017 First Sunday Communion December 24, Christmas Eve, 11:00 service* January 7, 2018 First Sunday Communion February 4, 2018 First Sunday Communion March 4, 2018 First Sunday Communion March 2018 Lenten Service* March 2018 Lenten Service* March 29, 2018 Maundy Thursday* April 1, 2018 First Sunday Communion/Easter May 6, 2018 First Sunday Communion June 3, 2018 First Sunday Communion June 17, 2018 First Sunday Communion The Circuit Rider This newsletter is a monthly publication of First Presbyterian Church. Submissions may be edited for content and length. First Presbyterian Staff Rev. Kathy Keener Interim Pastor kathyk@pendletonpresbyterian.com Alice Hepburn Secretary/Treasurer fpcp@pendletonpresbyterian.com Steve Muller Chancel Choir Director zekemuller@gmail.com Sue Nelson Organist/ music staff Lori Powell Circuit Rider dlpowell@eoni.com First Presbyterian Church 201 SW Dorion Ave. Pendleton, OR Phone: Fax: Office Hours: M-TH, 9:00am- 5:00pm F, 9:00am to noon. Childcare is provided during worship. Join us for Fellowship after the service.

10 Pictures from Soup Supper 2017 Many thanks to everyone who made our annual Soup Supper such a success. We served over 200 people. Helpers came in many sizes and shapes from 6 year olds, such as Elizabeth Currin and Riley Williams, to Hope Fischer, representing a span of more than 80 years! Money from ticket and cookie sales support local and international Mission efforts of the Presbyterian Church. We appreciate your support very much! SERVE craft sales will conclude on December 4th with a 25% off sale. SERVE crafts help provide a living wage for the artists and crafters who make these items. Shop early and often.

11 Annual Advent Celebration December 3. Sunday, December 3, the First Sunday of Advent, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm in the Rogers Room. The Christian Education Commission would like to invite everyone to participate in this event. We will be decorating a gingerbread church, sugar cookies, and making ornaments to decorate the live tree from Westminster Woods. Dinner is a Mexican potluck. Please bring a main dish (i.e. tacos, enchiladas, soup) or a side dish like salad, rice, beans, dip, chips, and salsa. Drinks and dessert are provided. This event is for ALL AGES and offers a wonderful opportunity to start preparing our hearts for Christ s birth. We hope to see you there! Decorate the Mitten Tree this Month The cold weather is upon us, so please consider donating to our annual Mitten Tree, sponsored by the Christian Education Commission for Children and Youth. We ask for new mittens, gloves, winter hats or scarves. Just hang them on the mitten tree during the month of December! Donations are welcome for all ages-infants, children, youth and adults. The tree is located in the hallway corner near the church nursery. Items will be donated to local schools, Salvation Army, and Pioneer Relief Nursery. Thank you for helping to spread the warmth of the season!

12 From the Presbyterian Preschool Preschool Christmas Programs will be held in the sanctuary on Dec. 12th (3 year-olds) and 13th (4 year-olds) at 6:00 pm, with refreshments to follow in the Rogers Room. Santa (aka Andrew Clark) will also make an appearance! Thank you to everyone who supported our Butter Braid fundraiser! Blue Christmas Comfort! Comfort my people, says your God. Isaiah 40:1 Darker days and lengthening nights bring depression for many people. Loss of the light, loss of a loved one, loss of a relationship, loss of employment, loss of physical or mental abilities, pain and isolation bring deep sadness. When the culture around us merry, it is difficult to feel that we don t fit. In the reality of our blues, we need a place and time for God to minister to us as we are. The Blue Christmas Service is a time set apart for an ecumenical expression of God s deep love and care, especially for people in need. Jesus came to a world in conflict and darkness, needing his healing and love. We need it, too. Join us on Sunday evening, December 17 at 7 pm for the special service of Blue Christmas. Hear music, scripture, poetry and prayer speak to your soul. Light a candle for yourself and your loved ones. Receive a gift of Christmas, for you, as you are. Stay after for a cookie and fellowship, if you wish. Blue Christmas is offered to the community by First Presbyterian Church, Peace Lutheran Church and Redeemer Episcopal Church. It will be held at First Presbyterian 201 SW Dorion at 7 pm on December 17, Please invite someone to join you for this quiet, holy evening.

13 Global Exchange Reflection Guideline GPIB: September 16, 2017 Jakarta Women, Gender, and Social Justice Sjamsiah Achmad, CEDAW, Program on Women s Rights Women face many problems in Indonesia. Current issues include sexual and physical violence, maternal and child mortality, and rights for migrant women. Women who work together can affect gender equality and justice. Presently nine women serve in the Indonesian Parliament. With these positions and the encouragement of women to become educated to take additional leadership roles, change can be made. Politics is power to serve the people. Today, power is often used to corrupt. We must solve problems that affect women. She stressed developing sustainable goals of education, health, technology and employment. Human rights ensure that all people including women who are pregnant, breastfeeding and caring for children are protected. Carla Natan, Minister of Social Affairs and Member of the Working Group of Violence against Women and Children and Trafficking in Persons 4.5 million Indonesian women work overseas as care givers, domestic helpers, factory or plantation workers, and in the restaurant trades. 1.9 million of these women are undocumented. These factors increase the risk of trafficking. 30 % of sex workers are children who become part of the sex tourism trade due to poverty, physical and sexual abuse, lack of education including reproductive and sexual education, and corruption. Governmental action and programs within Indonesia are starting to take action to prevent, rescue, and rehabilitate. Churches are challenged to become involved in social justice issues, engage in advocacy, provide shelter or crisis trauma centers for survivors and victims, and to fight at the community level for an end to trafficking. Carla ended her presentation with a quote from Abraham Lincoln, My concern is not whether God is on our side. My great concern is to be on God s side. Psalm 51: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit. From Glenda Duff

14 Church Security Before the November shooting at a Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, we had already begun work on security for our church building. Last year our chief of police walked through the building with Chuck Woods (House and Grounds elder) to consider our vulnerable points. Safe Office and Keys A contractor is redoing the locking system on the double doors from the parking lot. There will no longer be keys for the parking lot door; instead, we will enter a PIN on a keypad beside the door to unlock it. Visitors will be able to ring a video-doorbell and Alice will be able to see and speak to them. She will have the ability to buzz them in, too. Locked during Worship When usher training was held last month, ushers were introduced to the new locking procedures during worship services. During Passing of the Peace, the usher will lock the doors to the parking lot and the white double doors to Dorion Avenue, hanging signs which direct people to enter the building at 2 nd and Dorion, where the ushers will greet them. (After worship, these doors are again unlocked, so that those picking up worshipers may enter.) Safe Kids We want our children in the Nursery and Sunday School to be safe. Locking unsupervised entrances to the building will prevent people from roaming through the building near those classrooms. In addition, walky talkies are in each of the classrooms, so that the usher may alert the teacher/attendant and they may alert him/her. In case a lockdown is needed, the nursery bathroom is equipped so that the caregiver may hide there with the children. In case of a fire, the nursery and Sunday School will evacuate children to our Safe Meeting Site the parking lot at the phone company (2 nd and Dorion). This is also the place where adults will meet up, if evacuation is needed. Sanctuary In case of fire or other emergency, the head usher and pastor will give directions for the sanctuary to be evacuated. We will help one another leave as efficiently and safely as possible. There are many ways to exit from the Sanctuary. The next time you are there, take a minute to look around you to see the nearest exits. Think about how you would leave for a fire or if physically threatened. to the right side, a door to the 2 nd Street sidewalk to the rear, aisles exit to the Narthex and then may exit out either the 2 nd and Dorion door or the Dorion door to the left side, the Corridor double doors (by the piano) lead to the white double doors exiting to Dorion, the parking lot doors or down the hallway toward the Rogers Room the door behind the organ goes to choir robing area and office the door by pulpit goes to the Deacon Pantry/Flower Room with an exit onto 2 nd Street or winds around to the office. First Aid First Aid kits have been placed where they can be accessed in a time of emergency. A large kit is in the Deacons Pantry/Flower Room opposite the sink on the gray cabinet. Another kit is located opposite the office windows between the two sofas near the AED machine in the brown chest. We cannot predict when or if an emergency will ever happen. The chance of a violent event happening while we are in church is extremely small. None of us is expected to fight off an intruder or to fight a fire. Our task is to dial 911 then run and hide in the case of violence or empty the building in case of fire. As disciples of the one who gave of himself unto death, we will not allow distant threats to keep us away from worshiping God and caring for one another. Pastor Kathy

15 First Presbyterian Church 201 Southwest Dorion Ave. Pendleton, OR Westminster Woods play date: Dec. 16th, 10 am to 2:30 pm Hot lunch and drinks are provided. Bring a sled and snow clothes for outdoor play. Come cut your own Christmas tree! No charge. Helpers will be available. If you d like to participate, PLEASE RSVP! Call Dave Powell no later than Friday, Dec. 15th at 5pm Elders Mary Davis Deacons: Meagan Sims Clerk of Session: Gary Zimmerman Sandy Gall Kathy McElroy Moderator: Mike Muller Norma Rickman Rev. Kathy Keener Lisa Patterson Suzi Wood Marty Platt Bob Hall Dave Powell Rod Nixon John Turner Connie Talboy Chuck Wood ElRae Wells Barbara Wright Barbara Clark Diana Zimmerman Viki Lange Marie Hall Sharon Simons Luann Soderstrom