d January 2017 We wish you a merry Christmas, and a happy New Year! Christ Presbyterian Church It s a happy coincidence that the New Year comes during Christmas. (Let s remember that Christmas isn t only a day but also a season, ending with Epiphany, January 6, hence the song, The Twelve Days of Christmas. ) Jesus does come giving life that s entirely new. Jesus comes with forgiveness, setting us free from burdens of our past. He comes with grace, making each moment a fresh start with God. He comes giving the Holy Spirit whose gifts of faith, hope, and love foster anticipation of what God will do. Christmas aims at a whole new way of life, with Christ being born in the flesh not only of individuals but also the church. Here s some of the newness in Christ Church as we walk into 2017: We welcome new Office Manager Peggy Dickson, a Mentor resident who will begin leading the office in early January (see p. 2). In addition to office organization, Peggy brings experience in communication through digital media and social networks, and a servant s heart. The session is pleased to announce a Life and Wellness Speaker Series that will begin in the early months of 2017. This series will reach into the community around topics many care about, whether they attend church or not. We are grateful for a $3,000 grant for this series from the Presbytery of the Western Reserve. God is full of surprises, so we look forward to efforts we don t presently foresee but that God intends to give! According to Luke, when Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the Temple eight days after his birth, a seasoned believer named Simeon took Jesus in his arms and said: My eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel (Lk 2:29-32 ESV). Salvation for all peoples; revelation to the Gentiles: Jesus was himself God s new thing, both as the message and the messenger of God s faithful love for all people. That Christ Church Jesus body would be message and messenger of God s love for all: that s what the New Year invites of us. God grant that the church be ever renewing in ministry proceeding from God s Good News! A blessed New Year to you all, Mark Your Calendar: Annual Meeting January 29 th following worship 1
News in Our Lives Together We Welcome our New Office Manager, Peggy Dickson January marks the beginning of a new chapter in the church office. We are happy to introduce Peggy Dickson. Peggy comes to us with extensive experience in office management. Prior to joining the Christ Church staff she was the office manager for nearly six years at Destination Geauga in Middlefield where she worked diligently to promote Geauga County! She is currently involved in continuing education classes in social media, customer service and time management. Peggy is a wife, mother and grandmother, and lives with her husband Richard in Mentor. She has a passion for serving and volunteers in her free time at Project Hope for the Homeless. Welcome to CPC, Peggy! We are happy you are here! ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING JANUARY 29 Following worship, plan to join the church for the Annual Congregational Meeting during which we will hear a word from the Session, give thanks for those who have served as deacons and ruling elders, and approve Pastor Reeves' terms of call for 2017. Annual Reports will be available in the Narthex on Sunday, January 22. PRAYER GROUP NEW ADULT LEARNING My Heart I Give You: The Life and Legacy of John Calvin, January 8 February 5, 9:30am, Library. John Calvin, a leading 16th century Reformer and founder of Presbyterian and Reformed Protestantism, is a figure whose influence still shapes the church and Western world. At the start of this 500th anniversary year of the Reformation, spend five weeks with Pastor Reeves learning about Calvin s life in Geneva, his theological emphases, and his legacy in the greater church. The Prayer that formerly met on Tuesday mornings will now meet on SUNDAYS following worship, through the winter. Join the group s prayer, meeting at 12:00pm in the Prayer Room off of Fellowship Hall. Talk with Sandy Stumpf if you have questions. 2
Children s Ministries Chris Tomlin was inspired to write Good Good Father after hearing the opening verse of Pat Barrett s song of the same name. Both author and songwriter seek to convey to their audiences the image of God as Abba, strong and close. In Chris Tomlin s story, Little Bear Tucker notices how many of his friends are in need and decides to go to the-castle-where-the-door-isalways-open and ask the King for help. On his way, Tucker asks animal friends he meets for advice on what they think would be the perfect gift to sway the King. The raccoons, owls, and foxes describe the King as a warrior, a teacher, a doctor...and have many suggestions. When Tucker finally arrives, he learns that the King is all of those things and more, and he also learns something about himself and the perfect answer to his question about a gift. We hear it in the lyrics of Pat Barret s song. You re a good good father. It s who you are. And I m loved by you, it s who I am. To listen to Pat Barret s Good Good Father, click here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlsqryckksy 1/1 Preschool K - Gr. 2 Gr. 3 - Gr. 5 No Sunday School No Sunday School No Sunday School OPEN TO ALL PARENTS & GRANDPARENTS 1/8 1/15 1/22 1/29 Jesus & John the Baptist Jesus & John the Baptist The Disciples The Disciples CPC Parent Support (God s Child) (Story on a Boat) (Too Many Fish) Meeting Sundays at 9:30am in Rm 8 (Turn Around) Jesus is Baptized Jesus in the Wilderness Jesus Calls the 12 Disciples The Mustard Seed Wedding at Cana Wedding at Cana (Art) (Science) Jesus Feeds the 5000 Jesus Feeds the 5000 (Cooking) (Video) Through the winter, we will discuss weekly topics of choice. Join us and share your biggest parenting challenges and your best parenting advice. 3
Children s Ministries Elizabeth Goodin Children's Ministry Director elizabeth@christpcusa.org Did You Have Fun Today? When kids come home from a friend s birthday party or a day at the water park, a logical question for parents to ask is, Did you have fun? It s the right question because those activities are intended for fun, and the question communicates that. Some articles that I ve read recently suggest that though there are times when that question is entirely appropriate, there are other times when parents can use better questions that point to an activity s purpose beyond merely its entertainment value. Let s look at Sunday school, for example. I want the kids to have fun in Sunday school. I go to great effort to find and plan lessons that will make them smile, get them moving, and allow them to be creative. But my purpose is to help them to know God personally. As a parent, if that s your purpose too in bringing your child to Sunday school, then communicate that to them through your Sunday afternoon questions. Children s ministry blogger, Janelle Hoos, suggests asking children, Tell me what you learned about our God today? Then follow that up with telling them what you learned about the Father you share. If you want to ask about the fun, then Janelle says go ahead, but ask in a way that emphasizes what was important about those games or those art projects. Ask, What fun things did you do to help you learn about God? Admire those projects, and hang them on your refrigerator to serve as your child s reminder of the story that taught them something new about their God. Let them see how and why you value what they do on Sunday mornings during the time when you re apart. There is a small piece of paper on my office bulletin board that I read regularly because it reminds me what all parents who send their kids to Sunday school truly want to know. Ask me these questions about your children and I will tell you that our teachers have hearts of gold, and they re attentive to what each child is experiencing. Our class sizes invite caring relationships to form. Our lessons have intentional variety to speak to as many children as possible in their own language, and we talk not only about life in Bible times, but life now. We are a family. And if you ask, I will also tell you that yes, we are having fun. God Bless, and Happy New Year. 4
Youth Ministries Cory Fetzer Youth Ministry Director cory@christpcusa.org 330-472-6988 (cell) Adopting Our Youth Back in November I went to the National Youth Worker s Convention hosted by Youth Specialties. This was my third time attending and I always learn a lot when I get to hear some of the great minds in youth ministry talk theology, practical tips, and of course the best new games. One of the seminars I went to talked about a new theory in youth ministry called Adoptive Youth Ministry which changes the way we form our ministry. Basically the theory developed from the understanding that youth ministry hasn t changed much since its inception in the 1940 s and 50 s, and this new view is one that includes, nurtures, and empowers students more than just giving the teenagers a room and a youth pastor. But what I love about CPC is this new view of youth ministry isn t going to be a challenge or struggle to move towards; we already do most of these things already! Adoptive YM is where we treat and include students as co-heirs to the Kingdom alongside us, just as we are alongside Christ. The view comes from the many times Paul talks about adoption in the New Testament (Romans 8:14-16, Galatians 4:4-7, Ephesians 1:4-6) and how our new adoption creates a new dynamic where we are all brothers and sisters. Instead of continuing the same hierarchy that our culture uses where children and youth are second class citizens, we treat our younger brothers and sisters as just that; contributors in this Kingdom that we share. Students are encouraged to serve in important roles, nurtured in their gifting, and included in decisions. I love seeing this happen already at CPC through students being liturgists and helping serve the church on Sunday mornings, and I really believe students are being lifted up in important roles. Students need adults in their life not just as mentors but as big brothers and sisters that walk alongside them and journey with them instead of pulling them along. Students who have positive adult relationships in the church are twice as likely to stick around after graduating high school than those who don t. In order to develop those relationships we as the adults need to help put those students in places where they can interact with adults and grow together with them. Adoptive YM isn t just allowing students to serve us, but teaching them what it means to serve and serving with them. It s a change in perspective where we build up our church as one big family that is always accepting new members, and treating all members - regardless of age - as an equal participant in our mission together. Remember in Charlie Brown where all the adults had that muffled trumpet voice and all the kids were on equal footing? That s how Adoptive YM works - God is our garbled-voice teacher and we all are the students growing together. It s a mutual and equal adoption for young and old, as we are all one in Christ. I m excited to work with you in raising our youth in Christ. As co-conspirators and co-heirs to a new kingdom, we are all empowered to serve and be served together no matter how much time we ve had on Earth. So if you see a student, be sure to say hi and ask how you can help them see Jesus better, or maybe ask how they can help you see Jesus too! UPCOMING EVENTS CPCServe / January 17 - Meet @CPC 5:15, be home at 8:30 Ice Day / January 21-1-4pm we ll either be skating at the McCandless Rink, or heading to The Pond in Chagrin Falls. Cost is $10 per student YOUTH GROUP / Join us each Sunday night from 6-7:30. We always have room for new and old friends! I m always available to hang out after school or church and grab some food if anyone wants to hang out!! 5
Missions THANK YOU TO CPC FROM HANNAH S HOME With heartfelt thanks Hannah s Home has informed us that Christ Presbyterian Church raised $930.95 during the Baby Bottle Blessing Campaign which was held during the month of October. Hannah s Home is a wonderful ministry whose mission is to help young woman who find themselves in crisis situations. We on the Mission Committee are always amazed at the incredible generosity of our church. We are proud of how our church is always willing to give generously to worthy local outreach ministries like Hannah s Home. Thanks again from the Mission Committee COLLECTION FOR NEXT STEP HOME The Mission Committee is leading a collection of paper products for the Next Step Home, which serves young people leaving foster care, all through January. When shopping please consider making a purchase of paper towels, bathroom tissue, Kleenex or copy paper it helps make a difference in someone s life! Red Bag Ministry During the month of January, the food pantry at CPC would be grateful for the following donations Please contact Sandy Stumpf with any questions at 440-708-8170. Finance TO REDUCE PAPER USAGE AND COST We are encouraging as many as possible to sign up for an electronic version of your Year-end Contribution Statement. If you choose to provide consent, please respond I consent to the CPC Office, by January 15. For those who elect not to consent, a paper copy will be sent via US mail. Your paperless choice can be changed at any time by notifying the CPC Office at: 440-729-1688 or office@christpcusa.org ANUARY NN EEDS DJECEMBER EEDS Cereal Pasta or Rice side dishes Spaghetti (no whole wheat) YOUR OFFERING ENVELOPES FOR 2017 are available for pick-up in Fellowship Hall. Contact the church office if you do not find yours. The initial offering envelope is to offset the cost of these boxes. Each box of pledge envelopes costs less than $5.00. Per capita covers the expense of belonging to the Presbytery of the Western Reserve. For 2017, per capita is $29 per member. Your paperless choice can be changed at any time by notifying the CPC Office at: 440-7291688 or office@christpcusa.org 6
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 9am-10:15am Yoga, FH 3 6:30 Bootcamp FH 4 9am-10:15am Yoga, FH 6:00pm Cub Scouts/ Tigers 5 6 Office Closed 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 11:45am Children s Ministries Committee 11:45am Mission Committee 12pm Prayer 9-10:15am Yoga FH 1:00pm Staff Meeting 7pm Adult Ministries Meeting 7pm Youth Ministries Meeting 7:00pm Deacons Rm 8 6:30pm Bootcamp FH 9am-10:15am Yoga, FH 7:00pm Girl Scout Leader Meeting FH 7:00pm Grateful Praise Rehearsal Office Closed 8:00am Men s Bible Study 15 16 9-10:15am Yoga FH 7pm Property & Maintenance Rm #8 17 6:30pm Bootcamp FH 7pm Session Library 18 19 7:00pm Grateful Praise Rehearsal 20 21 3:30 Grateful Praise Rehearsal 11:45am Mission Committee Office Closed 22 23 9am-10:15am Yoga FH 24 6:30pm Bootcamp FH 25 9am-10:15am Yoga FH 6:00pm Cub Scouts Weblos 26 27 Office Closed 28 8:00am Men s Bible Study 29 30 9am-10:15am Yoga 31 6:30pm New Initiatives PR 6:30pm Bootcamp FH 1 9am-10:15am Yoga FH 6:00pm Cub Scouts/ Tigers 2 3 4 Sunday Morning 9:15 Adult Choir Rehearsal 9:30 Sunday school (all ages) 10:30 Worship Service 10:45 Creative Play Experience 12:00pm Prayer 7
CPC Financial Update 2016 Operating Budget Difference BIRTHDAYS Dick Sabo 01/01 Pat Garee 01/02 Skip Van Kampen 01/02 Shari McCaslin 01/03 Maveric Milnar 01/05 Sandy Stumpf 01/06 Marsha Zimmermann 01/07 Trae Zimmermann 01/08 Nancy Cline 01/09 Helen Frankmann 01/10 Bob Graham 01/13 Vic Strebeck 01/13 Connor Arp 01/18 Ral Warner 01/20 Marsha Fischer 01/22 Carolyn Landis 01/22 Mitchell Nitz 01/22 Margie Clapp 01/23 Jong Hong 01/23 Rosemary Macedonio 01/23 Bob Albrecht 01/25 Linda Davidson 01/25 Cheryl Rye 01/26 Vincent Bello 01/27 Bobby Brooks 01/29 Amber Balista 01/30 Shannon Monsman 01/30 Evan Reeves 01/30 Eric Mathiott 01/31 Kathryn Troyer 01/31 Month Actual Income Actual Expenses (Income Expenses) Jan-Dec $246,989.09 $248,875.13 ($ 1,886.04) Reserve as of Jan 1 $ 3,686.66 Operating Fund Balance $1,800.62 Please keep your pledge up to date to support our operating budget. Church office hours: 8:30 am - 3:00 pm Monday - Thursday Contact Information Christ Presbyterian Church 12419 Chillicothe Rd. Chesterland, OH 44026 440-729-1688 Fax: 440-729-3733 Website: www.christpcusa.org Anniversaries Frank & Eileen Mormino 01/07 Church Office e-mail: office@christpcusa.org Pastor Matt's e-mail: matt@christpcusa.org 8