THE VIEW FROM Presbyterian Hill We View Life Through the Cross December 2018 Volume XV Issue XII Inside this Issue KIRKIN O THE TARTAN CELEBRATES SCOTTISH HERITAGE AT FPC ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28TH Kirkin o the Tartans 1 Choir Performances 1 Rev. Bill Hines Honored 2 Things I learned in Sunday School 2 Christmas Music 2 Missions News 3 Worship during Advent 4 Presbyterian Women 2 Birthdays 5 Session Report 5 Chrismon Decorating 5 Flowers 5 Calendar 6 Presbyterian Men 7 FPC CHOIR IN CONCERT WITH THE BELIEVERS CONCERT BAND PERFORMING A PATRIOTIC SALUTE TO VETERANS, NOVEMBER 3 AND 11 Education News 8 Church Info 10 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF CLEVELAND 147 N. Main Street, Cleveland, GA 30528 (706)865-6499
REV. BILL HINES HONORED Rev. William (Bill) Hines was honored by the Northeast Georgia Presbytery for his 60 year anniversary of his ordination of word and sacrament at its annual meeting on October 23, 2018. Rev. Hines has been and continues to be a blessing to our congregation. We appreciate his willingness to serve as a Pulpit Supply, choir member, and Moderator of Session. He regularly can be found using his handyman and woodworking skills on projects around our property. God bless him, and congratulations on an award that is truly deserved. THE THINGS I LEARNED IN SUNDAY SCHOOL St. Nicholas and Santa Claus The Goodness in Giving William Bill Bennett, a former US Secretary of Education and author of The True St. Nicholas: Why He Matters to Christmas, writes, "there is one essential truth in the stories of Nicholas and Santa Claus: the goodness of the gift offered with no expectation of anything in return. That spirit lives in any parent who with secret joy watches a wonder-struck child on Christmas morning. By: Jean Kelly St. Nicholas was a Christian bishop who provided for the poor and sick and is the basis for the popular character of Santa Claus. Born in Patara, a land that is part of present-day Turkey, circa 280, he lost both of his parents as a young man and reportedly used his inheritance to anonymously help those in need. According to Bennett, "the legacy of Saint Nicholas has rippled across seventeen centuries, bringing messages of faith and joy. His is a story worth knowing, especially this time of year. But how did St. Nicholas become Santa Claus? In the 1820 poem, An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore, he is described as a jolly, heavy man who comes down the chimney to leave presents for deserving children and drives a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer. Once a kind, charitable bishop, St. Nicholas had become the Santa Claus we know today. THERE ARE TWO LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHRISTMAS MUSIC THIS HOLIDAY SEASON: The Annual Service of Lessons and Carols will be presented at Piedmont College in the Chapel at 7:30, Dec. 7 and 8. This concert is free and is always a wonderful performance. The Living Christmas Tree will be presented at First Baptist Church, Gainesville, and we are planning to go as a group on December 9th for the 4:30 performance. This concert is free, but tickets are required. Please sign up in the Narthex or contact the office if you plan to attend. If needed, we will use the van or carpools. Deadline to sign up is Sunday, Dec. 2nd, so that tickets can be ordered. 2
MISSIONS NEWS The Angel Tree This year we will once again be helping with the White County School System White Christmas Program which collects gifts for children. This year we will be sponsoring 5 children all from the same family. Look for The Angel Tree that will be on the Missions Table. Please take a tag for specific items or a donation tag to make a monetary donation and we will purchase the gifts. By: Nanette Baughman Also, we will be putting together Christmas Food Baskets for up to 5 families who are affiliated with our Church. There will be a large decorated box for you to drop off food items, or you can again make a monetary donation for us to purchase food. Dewayne Nix has graciously offered to purchase the hams for the baskets. We are all so blessed in so many ways, let's share our bounty with those who need a little more cheer this year to make sure they have a Merry Christmas as well! The Shoebox Packing Party We collected/filled and delivered 70 boxes of Christmas joy for shipment to children across the world. Thanks, everyone for making this such a great success, and thanks to Dewayne Nix and Melody Thomason for delivering to the drop off center. 3
WORSHIP DURING ADVENT The following article is from the Presbyterian Mission website and can be found in its original form at www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/worship/christianyear/advent/ Advent means coming or arrival. During the season of Advent, we celebrate Christ s coming into the world and watch with expectant hope for his coming again. In its historical origins, the season of Advent was patterned after the season of Lent, a six-week period of penitence and preparation for Easter. Similarly, the four weeks of Advent present an opportunity for communal discernment and personal examination, as the church prepares to celebrate the Nativity of the Lord and looks with hope for Christ s return. Between memory and hope An excerpt from the Companion to the Book of Common Worship (Geneva Press, 2003, 96) In Advent we expectantly wait for the One who has already come. We anticipate the promised justice of God s new world, yet we praise God who raised the righteous branch to rule with justice and righteousness. We hope for the restoration of the afflicted, the tormented, and the grieving, yet we delight that healing has come in Christ. We long for the beating of swords into plowshares, yet we rejoice that the Prince of Peace has appeared. We yearn for the barren deserts of our inner cities to flourish, yet we laud the desert Rose that has bloomed. We dream of the land where lions and lambs live in harmony, yet we acclaim the child born to lead us into the promised land. Christ has come! Christ is risen! Christ will come again! In Advent, we are living between the first and the second coming of the Lord. The dialectical tension of maranatha [alternately translated Come, our Lord! or Our Lord has come ] placing us between memory and hope, past and future may strengthen our Advent liturgies. Perhaps we need to cling to the ancient cry of maranatha! and its paradoxical meanings so we may freely embrace the new thing prophesied by Isaiah (Isaiah 43:19) that God is doing among us right now. The tension and paradox we find in Advent shapes our celebrations during the season. Knit and Stitch - None in December CT Meeting - December 5-3:30 p.m. PW CALENDAR Christmas Festival at Cleveland Academy - December 8-10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. We will be selling our items. Luncheon for Caring Hands Clinic volunteers - December 12-12 p.m. Christmas Lunch - December 13-12 p.m. Bring a covered dish and also a $10.00 gift if you want to participate in the gift exchange. 4
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY GOD BLESS YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS December 3 Bill Woods December 10 Polly Woods December 16 Lindsey McGrath December 17 Betty Royds December 19 Lanier Chambers December 26 Dale Williams December 26 John Rogers December 26 J J DeMeritt December 29 Regina Clonts December 31 Rita Morgan December 31 Claire McGrath At the November meeting, your session: Received a Thank You note from BackPack Buddies, Approved building use request from Enota Casa, Heard standing committee reports, Received updates from Elaine Wiegert and Kim Ciriello on use of our Facebook page and plans for the future, Approved a soup luncheon after church and a Parents Day Out as fundraisers for The Growing Place, Reviewed plans for Pulpit Supply for December, Approved the financial report, Discussed the membership roles and reviewed the status of memberships, Heard a report from the Interim Pastor Search Committee, Heard a report from the Church Security Task Force, Approved membership in the White County Chamber of Commerce, Discussed the organization of the Elders and Committee assignments, Discussed training and orientation for new Elders and Deacons, Adjourned with prayer for our work and our church. Decorating the Chrismon Tree These beautiful flower arrangements were on display during worship in November. Please sign up in the Narthex to provide flowers for upcoming Sunday services. 5
Sun Mon First Presbyterian Tue Church Wed of Cleveland Calendar Thu Fri Sat November 2018 1 PW at Christmas Marketplace 2 9:00AM Choir 10AM Sunday School 11AM Worship 9 9:00AM Choir 10AM Sunday School 11AM Worship 2-6PM CASA Christmas Party 16 9:00AM Choir 10AM Sunday School 11AM Christmas Cantata 23 9:00AM Choir 10AM Sunday School 11AM Worship 30 9:30AM Choir 10AM Sunday School 11AM Worship 12PM Soup Day Lunch 3 4 8AM 12PM The Growing Place 12PM Rotary 6pm-8:30PM WC High School Choir 7PM Nar-Anon 10 6:30 PM Lion s Club 11 8AM 12PM The Growing Place 12PM Rotary 7PM Nar-Anon 17 18 Christmas Break begins for The Growing Place 12PM Rotary 7PM Nar-Anon 24 5:30 PM Candlelight Service 31 25 Merry Christmas! 5 8AM 12PM The Growing Place 3:30PM PW CT Meeting 3:30PM Kids 1st 5:30PM Dinner for All Ages 6:30PM Stories and Songs 7PM Choir 12 8AM 12PM The Growing Place 12PM CHH Clinic Appreciation Lunch 3:30PM Kids 1st 5:30PM Dinner for All Ages 6:30PM Children s Program 7PM Choir 19 7PM Choir 26 Office Closed 6 8AM 12PM The Growing Place 8PM NA 13 8AM 12PM The Growing Place 12PM PW Christmas Lunch 5:15PM Free Community Clinic 8PM NA 20 8PM NA 27 Office Closed 8PM NA 7 9AM PNC 7PM NA 14 9AM PNC 12PM WC DFAC Lunch 7PM NA 21 9AM PNC 7PM NA 28 Office Closed 9AM PNC 3:30-5:00PM Yonah Pickers 7PM NA 8 PW at Christmas Festival Deacon Get Together 15 9AM Choir 22 29 THE VIEW from Presbyterian Hill December 2018 6
PRESBYTERIAN MEN The Presbyterian Men will not have a monthly dinner in December. We will see you again in January! By: Bruce Morgan The Presbyterian Men enjoyed a wonderful fall day trip to the Clayton area for tours of the Smoky Mountain Honey Company and the Moonrise Distillery with a BBQ lunch at Oinkers. The guided tours by the owners of both companies gave us a chance to see two entrepreneurs who had a vision, took risks and have created successful businesses and employment opportunities. There was lots of new insight into the lives of bees and how they work to make honey. The distillery taught us about the chemistry that produces their products. There is more to making their craft quality bourbon, rye and moonshine than meets the eye. Everyone agreed it was an informative and fun day. 7
EDUCATION NEWS Pumpkinfest! We had an awesome turnout for Pumpkinfest! Inside the building we had games such as Go Fish, Bingo and mini-golf, to name a few. The cupcake walk was a busy event as children young and old were eager to win the delicious cupcakes donated by church members. The hot dogs went so fast someone had to be sent out to buy more! And the s mores and hay ride were going strong even as the evening came to an end. Special thanks go to all our wonderful volunteers who helped keep the fun going all evening! By: Lindsey McGrath 8
THE GROWING PLACE PRESCHOOL STUDENT OF THE MONTH Education Upcoming Events Dec. 12th, 6:30PM Children s Christmas Program following the Wed. Night Dinner Dec. 18th through Jan. 3rd Christmas Break for WC Dec. 30th, 12PM Soup Day after worship. This is a fundraiser for The Growing Place Preschool and everyone is welcome to join us for a soup and bread luncheon. There is no cost but donations are greatly appreciated. Please contact Melody Thompson if you are interested in making a soup or bread to donate for this occasion. 9
First Presbyterian Church 147 N. Main Street Cleveland, GA 30528 Phone: 706-865-6499 Fax: 706-865-5362 E-mail: info@fpccleveland.org Website: www.fpccleveland.org @fpccleveland.org Chairperson & Editor Jean Kelly Publisher Lindsey McGrath Committee Members Bruce Morgan Kim Ciriello Bonnie Frost Dick Frost Elaine Wiegert THE SESSION Jim Hiers, Clerk of Session Debbie Wessely, Assistant Clerk of Session Rev. Dr. Bill Hines, Moderator Class of 2018 Class of 2019 Class of 2020 Jim Crawford Melody Thomason Nanette Baughman Building & Grounds Education Mission Jean Kelly Lindalee Walters Becky Clark Communications Membership Worship Bruce Morgan Judy Winski DeWayne Nix Administration Stewardship & Finance Congregational Care THE DIACONATE Betty Smith, Moderator DeWayne Nix, Session Liaison Class of 2018 Class of 2019 Class of 2020 Rachel Romfo Betty Royds Kim Cirello Carolyn Brooks Betty Smith Tony Clark Gail Rollins Hugh Walters