First United Presbyterian Church 695 East Calvin Street, Fayetteville, Arkansas Sunday Fellowship 8:00 & 10:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Spiritual Growth 9:30 a.m. Phone 479.442.4411 Email info@fupcfay.org Website www.fupcfay.org Office Hours Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For more information about upcoming events, please contact us, visit our website, or find us on Facebook. Mission Statement Called to be a light on the hill, we boldly proclaim and serve Christ, the Hope of our changing world. Vision Statement Reaching out as a visible expression of God s grace, we will meet people where they are, inviting all into Christ s family through engaging worship, fellowship, learning, and service. Volume 52 Issue 11 December 2018 Mary Louise Bringle begins her Advent hymn, Now the heavens start to whisper. To whisper! When we whisper something, first it starts very quietly, but soon the word goes out to others, and the news that was once whispered can no longer be contained. This notion of whispering is a beautifully poetic way of letting us know that something important is about to take place: pay attention! Something that we can t keep to ourselves is astir: take notice! Ever so gently, the word goes forth from the prophets to an angel, to Zechariah and Elizabeth, to Mary, to Joseph, to shepherds, to angels, to Simeon and Anna, and to the wise men. In the whispering, little by little, we get wind of it, too: Christ the Savior is born! Suddenly, the whispering becomes a shout! What s all this shouting about? In this tiny Infant, we are given the Christmas gift of life! When we could not redeem ourselves, God stepped into the world in the flesh and made things right for us. We no longer need to earn our way to heaven; Christ has come right to where we are and has called us into his family forever. This good news when we take it in will change our lives forever. O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us; abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel! Elizabeth. Mary. Joseph. The shepherds. These are the people with the distinct privilege to live one of the greatest stories ever told. What do their lives have to teach us? Join us this Advent season as we look at the unique perspectives of the Nativity participants and see Through Their Eyes at the coming of the Baby Jesus. 12/2 Elizabeth (Hanging of the Greens) 12/23 The Shepherds 12/9 Mary (Chancel Choir) 12/24 Jesus (Candlelight Service, 5:30 p.m.) 12/16 Joseph 12/30 Simeon and Anna (One Service, 11:00 a.m.) Open House for Heidi and Molly Wednesday, December 19 3:00-4:30 p.m. We invite you to come by the church as we say thank you to Heidi Nash and Molly Murray in a special way. We ll have a festive holiday gathering with punch and Christmas treats, complete with a program at 4:00 p.m. Molly will be leaving her work as Office Manager in order to focus on student teaching. Heidi has decided this is a good time to retire, so she also will be leaving her work as Membership Secretary and Food Events Coordinator. They both assure us that we ll continue to see them at church and that they ll be involved in various ministries of FUPC after a short break. Their final day of employment will be December 31. Being New Year s Eve, that s a half-day at the office, so if you can t come on the 19 th, please plan to come by before noon on the 31 st. We re receiving financial gifts in their honor until December 18. Please address these to Laura Winburn, Financial Administrator, 695 E Calvin Street, Fayetteville, AR 72703. Molly and Heidi, we appreciate you!
Spiritual Growth for All Sundays, 9:30-10:30 a.m. This winter, spiritual growth opportunities will take place December 2-16. We will take a brief holiday break and resume on January 6. We hope you will join us! Nursery (children under 3 years old) hear a Bible story and enjoy a short activity with our childcare providers in Lower Calvin. Preschoolers meet in Upper Knox with Ruth Rodgers and Lora Horne. Kindergarten and 1st Graders meet in Upper Knox with Lea Millett. 2nd through 4th Graders meet in Lower Knox with Melissa Werner and Sara Eichmann. 5th and 6th Graders meet in Lower Knox with Hillary Fischer and Rob Button. Alternative Market December 2 from 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. What should you buy for that person on your list who doesn t need anything? What about that perfect gift for your child s teachers? Give a goat in their honor that will be sent to a family in need. How about lovely handmade art, jewelry, and trinkets? There will be lovely scarves, mittens, blankets, and quilts. Every purchase benefits someone in need in need of a job, in need of a home, in need of hope. Please make plans to be here and tell your friends to come. We now accept cash, checks, and credit cards! Celebration at the Manger Sunday, December 9 The Advent season is a marvelous time of year! We invite all to come and enjoy a delightful children s performance followed by dinner, caroling, and animals at our outdoor nativity scene. The evening schedule is as follows: 4:00 p.m. Children arrive to prepare in the Sanctuary 5:00 p.m. Dinner 4:30 p.m. Celebration at the Manger Program 5:30 p.m. Caroling and Live Nativity Dinner reservations are needed by December 3 to plan the amount of food to purchase and prepare. Please R.S.V.P. here or through the Church Office. The Confirmation Group (8th and 9th graders) meets in Lower Knox to learn about the basics of faith with Tom Verdery and Lorraine Brewer. 7th through 12th Graders meet in Lower Witherspoon for UPY Mornings with Brianne and Jacob Christiansen and Megan Ober. Thoughtful Christians meets in Calvin 201 with Phil Butin and Derrik Olsen to discuss The Church: Presbyterian Perspectives, by Donald McKim. The Present Word: God s World and God s People meets in Calvin 203 with Dennis Brewer and Jane Steinkraus to explore Genesis. A Drop-In Group meets in Upper Witherspoon with Brett and Sara Torbett for a special Advent/Christmascentered Bible study for the month of December. We have a special Time with Children in worship each week. Afterward, children under 5 years old may stay in worship or be with our caregivers in Lower Calvin. Children of all ages are invited to participate in worship. To receive texts via the remind app, text @fupcc to 81010. On December 2, our middle schoolers will sell homemade cookies at the Alternative Market to raise money for Big Paws of the Ozarks, an organization that helps rescue and rehome big dogs. On December 16, from 3:00-4:30 p.m., all middle schoolers are invited to the home of Caleb and Chloe Cox for a Christmas Party! We will have treats, a craft, and an ornament exchange. Watch the weekly emails for the address and more information. Contact Kristi Button, Director of Christian Education, to learn more about children s and middle school ministries.
UPY Christmas Party A place where 7 th -12 th graders come to mature as people, form relationships, and have fun. Together we serve others, learn about God, and reach out to each other. UPY Mornings 9:30-10:30 a.m. 12/9 James Lesson 4, Turning it All Round 12/16 Message of Christmas UPY Together 5:00-7:00 p.m. Join us December 2 and 16 in Upper Witherspoon for food, fun, and connection. UPY Winter Break Hangout Sunday, December 16 5:00-7:00 p.m. Upper Witherspoon Please bring a wrapped gift ($5 or less) and join us for dinner and a White Elephant gift exchange! For more information, contact Brianne. Thursday, January 3 We will meet at FUPC at 5:30 p.m. and take the bus to Fast Lane. Please bring $10. We will hang out, have some fun, and return by 9:30 p.m. Friends are welcome! R.S.V.P. to Brianne by Tuesday, January 1. 12/2 Alternative Market UPY will help with the Fair Trade Table from 9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. 12/9 Celebration at the Manger Children s program at 4:30 p.m. and dinner at 5:00 p.m. 12/23 Christmas Brunch We will attend brunch from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Contact Jacob and Brianne Christiansen, Directors of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, to learn more about our youth ministry. (See contact info on back.) December and Christmas are upon us and we have some exciting things planned! On Thursday, December 14, and Friday, December 15, we will be performing our Christmas Program, Jesus, Light of the World, in the Sanctuary at 11:00 a.m. followed by a cookie reception in Fellowship Hall. All are welcome! Our teachers have organized some fun parent s day out and date night events. These events benefit the teachers and First School programs. These events are open to all friends and family of First School and FUPC for children ages 18 months-10 years old. Registration forms are available in the First School Office or by phone (571-4516). Date Night 5:00-8:00 p.m. $30 for the first child and $25 for siblings On December 1 we will watch The Polar Express, drink hot chocolate, and eat popcorn. On December 7 we will play and decorate cookies! On December 8 we will watch The Grinch, drink hot chocolate, and eat popcorn. Parent's Day Out 9:00 a.m.-noon $20 for the first child and $25 for siblings On December 15 we will play and decorate cookies! Recommended Advent and Christmas Books for Spiritual Growth Advent Daily Devotional Books Celebrating Abundance: Devotions for Advent, by Walter Brueggemann, All I Really Want: Readings for a Modern Christmas, by Quinn G. Caldwell I am Mary, by Carol Howard Merritt Books for Children and Families What Can I Give Him?, by Debi Gliori Voices of Christmas, by Nikki Grimes To Whom the Angel Spoke: A Story of the Christmas, by Terry Kay The Gift of the Christmas Cookie: Sharing the True Meaning of Jesus Birth, by Dandi Daley Mackall Faithful Celebrations: Making Time for God from Advent through Epiphany, by Sharon Ely Pearson Home Another Way: A Christmas Story, by Barbara Brown Taylor Additional information about each title above can be found on the tall table in the Gathering Place.
FUPC Childcare Need childcare during a church event? Just submit your request at least one week ahead. You may use the QR code to the left, call, or email us! Healthy Marriages Friday, December 14 6:00 p.m., Upper Witherspoon We ll have a brief discussion followed by Date Night. Childcare is offered with reservation a week ahead. Thursday, December 6 6:30 p.m., Penguin Eds (2773 E Mission Blvd) Come for food, fun, and fellowship! All are welcome! Every Wednesday 6:30 a.m., Village Inn Join us for breakfast, coffee, prayer, fellowship, scripture, and meditation. 1 st Sunday of each month at 12:15 p.m. We'll gather near the coffee bar to decide together where to eat. Lunch is on us! Visit our library for children s seasonal books and check the table at near the doors for our newest selections! Every Thursday 3:30 p.m., Butterfield Trail Village This group is open to all members who would like to participate. Call Ann Roberts (443-1910) for location. 4 th Tuesday of each month 12:00 p.m., Western Sizzlin Join us for lunch, a devotion, and prayer. Yoga Tuesdays 6:30 p.m., Fellowship Hall Zumba Saturdays 10:00 a.m., Upper Witherspoon It s fun!!! $5 donation suggested. FUPC is a Stephen Ministry congregation. Stephen ministers are here to listen, talk with you, and help! Contact Rev. Jan Butin for more information. Stephen Ministry Supervision meets December 18 at 6:30 p.m. Sunday Suppers 1 st Sunday, 3:00 p.m. Trinity United Methodist Church 7Hills Lunch 3 rd Friday, 11:00 a.m. 7Hills Homeless Center Look Before You Leap Are you interested in joining FUPC? Our new member orientation will be offered on December 9 at 9:30 a.m. in the Library. New members will be received in worship on December 16. Contact Heidi Nash if you d like to attend. At Butterfield Trail Village First Fellowship Thursday, December 13 11:30 a.m., Lodge We will enjoy a Christmas presentation from the University of Arkansas International Exchange program and students. Lunch is $8.00 (cash or BTV fob). Reservations can be made here or by calling Ron Talbert (841-9742). Worship and Communion Tuesday, December 18 4:00 p.m., BTV Chapel This service is open to all members and friends. You do not need to live at Butterfield Trail Village to attend. More details about this month s events can be found in The Weekend Update, Sunday announcements, or on Facebook.
All women are invited to participate in one or more of our Presbyterian Women s monthly circles or groups each month. Most circles will take a break December. For more information, contact Barbara Verdery (466-1539 or bjverdery@gmail.com). Circle and Covenant December Gatherings Circle 2 will meet at the home of Sarah Beth McClintock on Tuesday, December 4, at 6:15 p.m. Circle 4 will gather in the home of Sara Koenig for a Christmas luncheon at noon on Monday, December 3. Covenant Group and guests will gather at Butterfield Trail Village Lodge for dinner on December 4 at 5:30 p.m. Group members will receive an email with details including meal cost. Please bring your book suggestions for our January meeting. For more information, please contact Melanie Dietzel (melaniedietzel@cox.net or 305-0170). Hooks & Needles Every Friday, 10:00 a.m. December 7, 14, 21, and 28 in Lower Witherspoon Bring a project and join us for knitting and fellowship. Hat and Mitten Tree During the month of December, a Christmas Tree adorned with small hat and mitten ornaments will be placed in the Fellowship Hall. Please take an ornament as a reminder to bring back new or gently used hats, mittens, gloves, and scarves to be donated to Fayetteville Public Schools. You may place your donations on the tree or at the base of the tree. The students are very appreciative of these items each year! Thank you for your support of this Presbyterian Women service project. Please call Katie Jackson (879-1849) for more details. Winter Coats for 7hills New or gently-used coats for men, women, and children will be collected in the Calvin Hallway through December 16. These coats will be given to 7hills Homeless Center for individuals in need in our community. January 4, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. It s been a while since we ve seen each other! While you are here for winter break, let s get together and reconnect! Join us for snacks, board games, and fun at the home of Jacob and Brianne Christiansen (4329 E. Broomsage Drive). Please R.S.V.P. to Brianne by Wednesday, January 2, if you plan to attend. Help us share the peace and love of Christ with all who worship with us on Sundays. If you would like to greet others, contact Michelle Price (michelle.price@fayar.net). The Healing Touch Program is a gentle hands-on practice designed to promote peace and relaxation. For more information, please visit healingtouchprogram.com, call 310-5135, or email EvasHouseofHealing@gmail.com. Music at FUPC Sundays 9:30 a.m. Children s Music Rehearsals Wednesdays 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal 8:00 p.m. Music Ensemble Rehearsal Daily Bible Readings 12/1 Luke 19:41-48 12/2 II Peter 3:1-10 12/3 I Thessalonians 1:1-10 12/4 Isaiah 1:21-31 12/5 Luke 20:19-26 12/6 I Thessalonians 3:1-13 12/7 Isaiah 3:1-4:1 12/8 Luke 21:5-19 12/9 II Peter 3:11-18 12/10 Isaiah 5:8-17 12/11 Luke 21:29-38 12/12 II Thessalonians 2:1-12 12/13 Isaiah 7:1-9 12/14 Luke 22:14-30 12/15 Hebrews 12:18-19 12/16 John 3:22-30 12/17 II Peter 1:1-11 12/18 Ephesians 6:10-20 12/19 Isaiah 11:10-16 12/20 Revelation 20:11-21:8 12/21 Luke 1:26-38 12/22 Isaiah 31:1-9 12/23 Isaiah 33:17-22 12/24 Revelation 22:12-17, 21 12/25 I John 4:7-16 12/26 Acts 6:1-7 12/27 Proverbs 8:22-30 12/28 Matthew 18:1-14 12/29 John 7:37-52 12/30 Hebrews 2:1-18 12/31 II Corinthians 5:16-6:2
Reception Honoring Susan Rose Thursday, December 13 5:00-7:00 p.m. First Presbyterian Church, Springdale All are invited to a drop-in farewell gathering in the Fellowship Hall for Susan Rose, United Campus Ministry Pastor. We will come together to celebrate friendship and say farewell to Susan and her husband, Dave, who will be moving to Florida at the end of December. If you feel led to give a gift in honor of Susan, she has requested that donations be made to United Campus Ministry. Please let Mary Shaw (721-2162) or Kristi Button (409-4804) know if you plan to attend. We had a great turnout for our Sanctuary dedication ceremony on Sunday, November 18. Thank you Don Steinkraus for the wonderful photo of our church family!
Session Highlights Clerk of Session Report Stated Session Meeting November 11, 2018 Session approved... Update of Church Rolls: Tobias and Alexandra Bothwell request to be moved to the inactive roll for the next 12 months. Building Use Request: Kristi Button is requesting the use of the Fellowship Hall from 6:00-7:30pm on January 2, 2019 for Riley Button s Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Fundraising Request: The Middle Schoolers request permission to offer cookies for donations to help a charity that helps dogs. a motion to authorize and approve expenditures of up to $50,000 from the 2014 Undesignated Gift for change orders and additional items in the Sanctuary Area Renovation, after any funds from the Properties and Sanctuary Area Renovation allocations of the Stalker Estate have been exhausted and after $8000 has been used from the Harris Hospitality Fund. Session received... a report from Brianne Christiansen on her process as an inquirer towards a call to ministry, and the responsibilities of Session should she enter the care of FUPC. a report on the 139th Stated Presbytery Meeting at Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center, October 19-20 by elders Eunice Millett and Bo Morton. Session Minutes are available to members of the congregation upon request from the Clerk of Session. Phillip Harrington, Clerk of Session We have an opening for a Full-Time Office Manager: Welcoming and helpful; proficient with computers, web publishing, editing, office machines; an eye for detail and accuracy; gracious in assisting people while accomplishing priority tasks. Send resume and three references to First United Presbyterian Church, 695 Calvin St., Fayetteville, AR, 72703, or email to officemanager@fupcfay.org. Position begins by January 3, 2019, with up to 10 days of prior paid training. Presbytery of Arkansas Prayer Connections Please keep these congregations and individuals of our presbytery in your prayers: 12/2 First Presbyterian Church, Paragould Church Custodians 12/9 Mountainburg Presbyterian Church, Mountainburg Active and Retired Ministers 12/16 Laotian Presbyterian Ministry, Fort Smith First Presbyterian Church, Stuttgart 12/23 Memorial Presbyterian Church, Atkins First Presbyterian Church, Walnut Ridge 12/30 Kirk of the Hills, Fairfield Bay Church Preschools Monthly Session, Deacons, and Ministry Team Meetings December 9 Planning Ministry Team (4:00 p.m.) December 10 Belonging Ministry Team (6:30.m.) December 11 Properties Ministry Team (6:00 p.m.) December 12 Outreach Ministry Team (5:30 p.m.) December 13 First School Christmas Program (11:00 a.m.) December 14 First School Christmas Program (11:00 a.m.) December 16 Session and Deacon Christmas Party (5:00 p.m.) December 19 Farewell Open House for Heidi Nash and Molly Murray (3:00-4:30 p.m.) December 24 Church Office closes at noon December 25 Church Office closed for Christmas December 31 Church Office closes at noon
First United Presbyterian Church 695 E. Calvin St., Fayetteville, AR 72703 PRESORTED NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID FAYETTEVILLE, AR 72703 PERMIT NO. 151 January Newsletter Deadline: Wednesday, December 12 Core Values Inspiring Worship Psalm 105:1-3 Faithful Service I John 3:18 Praising God together and being touched and changed by the Spirit Working together to reflect and demonstrate God s love to all people Spiritual Growth Colossians 2:6-7 Generous Stewardship II Corinthians 9:8 Encouraging growth by studying scripture and the Christian faith Sharing our gifts and cultivating our resources for God s purposes Loving Relationships I John 4:11 Welcoming Community I Thessalonians 2:8 Nurturing connections in a joyful and safe environment Striving to be an inviting and supportive Christian family Pastors and Staff Leslie Belden, Parish Associate Rev. Jan Butin, Co-Pastor Rev. Phil Butin, Co-Pastor Kristi Button, Christian Education Director Brianne Christiansen, Co-Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries Jacob Christiansen, Co-Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries Cathy Hairston, First School Director Jeannie Lee, Organist Katie Herzog, Childcare Coordinator Molly Murray, Office Manager Heidi Nash, Membership Secretary and Food Events Coordinator Christopher Verdery, Audio-Visual Coordinator Michael Shuman, Music Director Laura Winburn, Financial Administrator lbelden@fupcfay.org jbutin@fupcfay.org pbutin@fupcfay.org kbutton@fupcfay.org bchristiansen@fupcfay.org jchristiansen@fupcfay.org chairston@fupcfay.org jlee@fupcfay.org childcare@fupcfay.org officemanager@fupcfay.org hnash@fupcfay.org sound@fupcfay.org mshuman@fupcfay.org lwinburn@fupcfay.org