Brand New! December 2017 A joint Newsletter of The Presbyterian Church of Prospect and The Mt. Nebo Presbyterian Church Ministries Christmas Wins! But Not Like you may think. Volume 42 No. 10 Brand New! An article released in October said, Halloween retail spending is projected to be $9.1 billion in 2017. That's a new record. So is the number of people celebrating it at 179 million. They will spend $86.13 each, another record. (https://www.thebalance.com/halloween-spending-statistics-facts-and-trends-3305716) Those statistics may alarm you or impress you, depending upon your view of Halloween. But the amount is not that big compared to this year s total back-to-school spending (which) is expected to reach $27 billion, (https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/consumer-business/articles/back-toschool-survey.html) This means that sales for costumes and decorations don t come close when compared to buying notebooks, clothes, computers, and other items for students. But how do these figures stand up against holiday sales (the conveniently non-religious term for what used to be mostly Christmas purchases)? The National Retail Federation expects holiday retail sales to increase by as much as 4 percent, to $682 billion (https://nypost.com/2017/10/03/holiday-spending-expected-to-increase-6-percent-this-year/) Continued on Page 3
Page 2 The Presbyterian Church Of Prospect And The Mt. Nebo Presbyterian Church Directory ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Office, 724-865-2063 FAX, 724-865-9748 Email, tpcp@zoominternet.net Website: tpcp.net and tpcp.net/nebo/ Rev. Steve Cort, Pastor 724-991-3457 Cathy Johnson, Office Administrator Beverly O Hara, Presbyterian Church of Prospect Clerk of Session Randy Bieber, Mt. Nebo Presbyterian Church Clerk of Session The Presbyterian Church of Prospect Church Leaders Elders Deacons Trustees Mary Fisher Ann Curtis Bob Fisher Lisa Holland Carrie Chapman Dave Lotz Mark Johnson Sandy Duncan Jerry Osborne Leslie Raisley Betty Herold Jack Sigmund Beverly O Hara Beverly Lotz Al Timms Don Weaver Elders Ginny Osborne *********************************************** Mt. Nebo Presbyterian Church Leaders Trustees Randy Bieber Jason Rush Ben Patton Ella Heathcote Mary Rush Kathy Wolabaugh Diana Peters Kathy Wolabaugh Jeff Kennedy Please continue to pray for our country, especially for those affected by Hurricanes, earthquakes, war and for those in other desperate situations.
Page 3 Continued from Page 1 Christmas, holiday sales, exceed Halloween s by 98% and back to school expenditures by 96%. Holiday purchases are the clear winner when compared to all other holidays and seasonal expenses in our country. If money is the primary way we determine a things worth then Christmas is comfortably on top of America s important celebrations and events. But does that seem to be a good judge of the value of Christmas to you? Rev. Tim Keller write, It is the greatest irony that Christmas is the one Christian holiday the world seems to embrace, yet its message is the most incomprehensible to that world. Jesus was born not in a civic arena but in a stable. He did not go to live in a palace but was immediately made a homeless refugee. The guests at his birth were not A-listers but shepherds...at every point Jesus defied the world s expectations for how celebrities should act and how social movements should begin. The world cannot comprehend a God like Jesus. (T. Keller, Hidden Christmas: The Surprising Truth Behind the Birth of Christ, pp. 138-139). Christmas does win, but it has nothing to do with popularity, retail sales, or good feelings. When God became one of us (Creator becoming a creature), death began to lose and God began his greatest victory. The first Christmas was lowly, humble, quiet, unexpected, and life changing. Our popular version of Christmas is materialistic, loud, full of fanfare, and changes little, except sales receipt totals. Fortunately Christmas is still alive and well in the life of Jesus Christ and in those who depend upon him. May this Christmas be for you and your family a time of humble gratitude for God s redemption, wrapped in flesh, and may the joy of Christ give you peace. Merry Christmas, Pastor Steve December Sermons 2017 In many ways Jesus is foreshadowed in the main characters in the Old Testament. Each one of God s messengers (Abraham, Moses, David, and Isaiah) had things in common with God s ultimate message in the Child of Bethlehem. Each Sunday we will look at how there was glimpse of Christmas in each of these key people, chosen by God to play a big role in his salvation plan. We ll see how the Jewish Scriptures prepare us for the advent/coming of God s Son. Dec. 3 Christmas & Abraham Leaving Home Dec. 10 Christmas & Moses Not Wanted Dec. 17 Christmas & David Boy King Dec. 24 am Christmas & Isaiah The Light Dec. 24 pm Surprise! Dec. 31 A New Perspective
Page 4 Ministry Highlights & Events At The Presbyterian Church of Prospect Pages 4 7 Prayer Concerns Please call the Prayer Chain Team Captains with your Prayer Requests. Remember, if you place someone on the Prayer Chain, please call the Team Captains with updates of conditions and situations. Team Captains: Diane Kemper 724-865-2725 Dolly Hays 724-865-2008 Mary Harmon 724-865-2181 Mary Fisher 724-282-9640 The Prayer Walk (Sit in) is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 7th at 6:30 pm at The Presbyterian Church of Prospect. Mark your calendar and plan to join with us in prayer. Christmas Eve at The Presbyterian Church Of Prospect 7:30 pm Advent Candle Readers at The Presbyterian Church of Prospect December 3rd December 10th December 17th December 24th (am) December 24th (pm) Peggy & Josh Shelatree and Kurt Miller Chuck & Joyce Cranmer Jerry & Barb Vanater Mark & Carol Johnson & family Dave & Kathy Gallagher & family Hattie Harmon
Page 5 Christmas Cookies Christmas Cookie Sale & Mini Rummage Sale December 10, 2017 The Presbyterian Church of Prospect 12:30 pm till sold out Cost: $5.00 a dozen Benefits the Presbyterian Church of Prospect 115 Church St. Prospect, Pa. 16052 Financial Summary At end of Oct. 2017 Income $ 97,285. Expenses. $ 89,128. Cup Of Friendship First Wednesday of every month. 10 am Next gathering December 6th
Page 6 Men s Breakfast November 11, 2017 8 am Good food, Good Study and Discussion Plan to join with us. Pastor Steve leads our study. DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS 3 Hannah Vanater 13 Jen Hudak 3 Cyndie Gibson 16 Madison Hicks 4 Al Timms 27 Tom Tustin 5 Hattie Harmon 28 Lisa Holland 12 Dave Lotz 30 Lillian Weitzel ANNIVERSARIES 21 Dave & Doris Osborne Inner Church Christmas Mail It s time to start getting your Christmas Cards read!! Once again The Presbyterian Church of Prospect will exchange Christmas cards through our Inner Church Post Office. Those who wish to send a Christmas card to someone in the congregation can post their card on the bulletin board provided in the Fellowship hall. The bulletin board and drop box for all other Christmas cards will be available December 3rd. Annual Love Offering The Deacons are collecting the annual Love Offering for our Church Staff. This is your opportunity to show your appreciation to those who work had all year long to care for our church and congregation Christmas Gift Card Tree Benefit Moraine School Families Sponsored by Our Deacons. The Deacons are collecting gift cards once again this year for families in need at the Moraine Elementary School. Gift cards are to be from Wal-Mart or Target. Please mark the amount of your gift on the card. Deadline for Gift cards is December 3rd,
Page 7 It s so hard to believe that the holidays are right around the corner. Our preschoolers have been working very hard learning their shapes, letters, numbers, colors & so much more. In November we thanked God for our many blessings and prayed that God would help us to be more thankful for all that we have been given. We talked about what we are thankful for and celebrated fall with a fun festival in our classroom. We are looking forward to the arrival of the Christmas season and all of the wonders that come with it. We will be learning about the true meaning of Christmas, singing Christmas songs and making Christmas gifts for our families. We will be continuing the tradition of the Mitten Tree in the fellowship hall. The hats, scarves and mittens collected will go to needy families at Moraine Elementary School. Our 3 day students will be Christmas caroling around our neighborhood & distributing gift bags to some of our community helpers. We would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! Heather & Christina Christmas Poinsettias We will be decorating the church again this year with red poinsettias only. If you would like to purchase a poinsettia, please fill out the form below and drop it in the offering plate on Sunday morning with your check payable to TCPC Deacons. The cost is $8.00. Deadline for orders will be Sunday, December 17th. The poinsettias will be on display for December 24th and at our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. Poinsettias can be taken home following the Christmas Eve service. ******************************************************************************* In Memory of In Honor of In Celebration of the season Signature
Page 8 D E C E M B E SSunday M O N TUE W E D U N Monday Tuesday Wednesday Calendar Legend MN Mt. Nebo Presbyterian Church (Bold Italics) TPCP-The Presbyterian Church of Prospect 3 8 am MN Men s Breakfast 9:30 am MN Worship Children s Program 10: am MN Sunday School 10 am TPCP Sunday School 11 am TPCP Worship TPCP Fellowship Meal 4 MN & TPCP 11:30 & & 6:30 pm Advent Bible Study at TPCP 5 6:30 pm TPCP Prayer Walk at Emmanuel Lutheran 6 10 am TPCP C Friendship TPCP Chimes & MN-8 pm Choir 10 9:30 am MN Worship 10: am MN Sunday School Concert at Grove City College 10 am TPCP Sunday School 11 am TPCP Worship 12:30 pm TPCP Christmas Cookie Sale 17 9:30 am MN Worship 10: am MN Sunday School 10 am TPCP Sunday School 11 am TPCP Worship TPCP Fellowship Meal 11 MN & TPCP 11:30 & & 6:30 pm Advent Bible Study at TPCP 18 MN & TPCP 11:30 & & 6:30 pm Advent Bible Study at TPCP 12 6:30 pm TPCP Deacon s Mtg. 13 MN-8 pm Choir 19 20 TPCP Chimes & MN-8 pm Choir 24 9:30 am MN Worship 10: am MN Sunday School 6 pm Christmas Eve Service 10 am TPCP Sunday School 11 am TPCP Worship 7:30 pm Christmas Eve Service 31 9:30 am MN Worship 10: am MN Sunday School 10 am TPCP Sunday School 11 am TPCP Worship 25 26 Church office closed 27 MN-8 pm Choir
E R 2 0 1 7 Page 9 sday T H U Thursday F R I Friday SAT Saturday 1 MN-Willing Workers- 12:30 pm 2 P Cup of mes & Choir oir 7 MN & TPCP 6 pm Advent Soup Supper 8 9 8 am TPCP Men s Breakfast oir 14 7 pm TPCP Session Mtg. 15 Painting Class 16 MN 7 pm - Carols & Bonfire mes & Choir oir 21 7 pm MN Session Mtg. 22 23 oir 28 29 30
Page 10 Ministry Highlights & Events At Mt. Nebo Presbyterian Church Pages 10 13 PRAYER CONCERNS If you need prayer the Mt. Nebo Prayer Chain is there for you. Mary Rush 724-822-6390 Marge Cornett 724-865-2488 Pauline Winchell 724-865-2506 Shirley Bieber 724-865-0371 Bev McKinney 724-865-9687 Virlinda Bieber 724-283-7618 Kathy Wolabaugh 724-865-9515 Lynnette Patton 724-865-9785 Ella Heathcote 724-544-3711 Thankful Dinner at Mt. Nebo The Mt. Nebo Thankful Dinner held on Nov.11th was well attended and good time was had by all. The food was wonderful and was followed by a great musical presentation by Ken Metrick. Thanks to all who made the Thankful Dinner so special. DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS 1 Diana Streets 10 Lynette Patton 12 Bethany Williams 12 Aaron Winchell 21 Bryson Kennedy 31 Gordan Bieber 31 Zach Frazier
Page 11 Grove City Christmas Concert & Dinner Mt. Nebo Men s Breakfast Sunday, December 3, 2017 8 am All men are invited. Join us! Great food & good conversation. Dinner will be at the Family Traditions Restaurant in Harrisville, Pa. Reservations are required. Please sign up in the back of the church. After dinner we will travel to The Grove City Chapel for the 8 pm service. Christmas Card Exchange at Mt. Nebo We will be exchanging Christmas Cards again to all members of the Mt. Nebo congregation. A box will be set-up to collect your cards. The cards will be sorted and ready for pickup the week before Christmas. ADVENT CANDLIGHTING Mt. Nebo will once again be lighting the Advent Candles during our morning worship service. Join us as we prepare for the Advent Season. This year Session members have invited a variety of members and friends to read.
Page 12 Children s Christmas Program at Mt. Nebo Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 9:30 am A program celebrating the birth of Jesus will be performed by children both young and not so young. Janice Boice is directing the event & we hope you will come for this special time. Mt. Nebo Christmas Eve
Page 13 Christmas Carols and Bonfire Mark your calendars December 16th. Dress for the weather. We will be singing around our Bonfire at 7 pm. Poinsettias for Christmas Bill and Pam Fisher have arranged for the Mt. Nebo poinsettia Sale again this year. They are available in Red, White and Pink. Place your order in the offering plate with your check made payable to Pam or Bill Fisher. Deadline for orders is Dec. 3, 2017. Poinsettia Order form: Color Color Color $6.25 (6 pot 1 stem) $11.00 (7 pot 2 stems) $15.55 (8 pot 3 stems) Signature
Page 14 SHARED MINISTRY EVENTS The Presbyterian Church of Prospect AND Mt. Nebo Presbyterian Church Annual Advent Soup Supper December 7, 2017 What: Advent Soup Supper When: December 7, 2017 6 pm Where: The Presbyterian Church of Prospect Followed by: Hymn Sing in the Sanctuary RESERVATION SLIP (Drop your reservation in the offering plate) Plan to attend the Advent Soup Supper. (No. attending) I will bring: (Please indicate your choice below) Dessert Salad Name
Page 15 Advent Bible Study Advent Bible Study: Christmas in the Old Testament This Advent season, our community Bible Study will look at the Old Testament for understanding the power and promise of Christ s birth. We will begin on Monday, December 4 th, and continue on the 11 th and the 18 th. Two identical Bible studies will be held in the Prospect Presbyterian Fellowship Hall each week; the first from 11:30am-12:30pm and the same material presented a second time from 6:30pm-7:30pm. Hot drinks will be provided. The midday crowd is invited to bring a lunch, if they prefer. We will look at words from Genesis, Isaiah, and Micah in order to understand how the birth of Jesus was a fulfillment of God s plan and promises. We invite you to come and to bring a friend. ------------------------------- Rev. Tim Keller, in his younger days as a student, did not enjoy the Old Testament. Then he heard a wise Bible teacher, Dr. Motyer, say, Imagine how the Israelites under Moses would have given their "testimony" to someone who asked for it. They would have said something like this: We were in a foreign land, in bondage, under the sentence of death. But our mediator the one who stands between us and God came to us with the promise of deliverance. We trusted in the promises of God, took shelter under the blood of the lamb, and he led us out. Now we are on the way to the Promised Land. We are not there yet, of course, but we have the law to guide us, and through blood sacrifice we also have his presence in our midst. So he will stay with us until we get to our true country, our everlasting home. There is much for us to learn about Jesus in the Old Testament. These Bible studies will help us along the way.
The Presbyterian Church of Prospect and Mt. Nebo Presbyterian Church Office location: 115 Church Street Prospect, Pennsylvania 16052 NON PROFIT ORG. U S POSTAGE P A I D BUTLER, PA. PERMIT NO. 123 Worship & Grow with us! Mt. Nebo Presbyterian Church Presbyterian Church of Prospect 9:30 am Worship 9:45 am Sunday School 10:30 and Sunday 11 am Worship School 1236 Prospect Road 115 Church Street Prospect, Pa. 16052 Prospect, Pa. 16052 email us at tpcp@zoominternet. tpcp.net Or tpcp.net/nebo/ New Website: Check us out!