Highlights Worship and Christian Education Committee, page 2 Members and Questioners Class, page 3 Inside Caroling and a Movie, pages 3 Presbyterian Women Cookie Sale, pages 5 Oak Hill News No. 12 DECEMBER 2016 Volume 66 Making disciples for Jesus Christ. It wasn t yet Halloween when I notice the first red and green things in the stores around town. Some neighbors put wreaths up on their doors before the leaves turned. And it s not even Thanksgiving yet, as I write this, and my radio dial is already littered with that Mariah Carey All I Want for Christmas Is You song playing on non-stop repeat. Friends, I know we are supposed to Prepare the Way of the Lord and all, but this is getting out of hand. And if we jump to the holly jolly good times of Christmas morning, we miss the wait, the longing, the real work of preparation that Advent provides. Advent can be a beautiful time, if we make space for it. Advent is a time to reflect. To re-read. To reconsider. To put yourself in an old-new space. And to wait. To linger in the messiness and confusion. To engage our questions and doubts. And to let God find us in that space. This Advent at Oak Hill will look a little different. We re hanging the greens, per usual, but we re hanging them with a whole lot of purple. Purple is the liturgical color for advent. For these weeks, as we consider the ways God prepared the world for the Christ-child, as we consider the ways the world needed that Christ-child to come, as we consider how much the world needs that Christ-child right now, we will sit in the purple, in the Advent, and wait. We ll also celebrate Advent with a service of Wholeness and Healing on December 4. This is a chance to allow ourselves to mourn, lament, worry and grieve in the midst of this bustling celebratory season. It s also a time to allow God into our darkness, and be met there with love, hope, and peace. Of course, as every year, our choir will offer a beautiful Cantata and our children and youth will wow you with their acting skills at the Children s Christmas Program. And Christmas Eve will be a celebration of lessons and carols. And since Christmas Day falls on a Sunday this year, we will hold a casual, informal Christmas Day Worship Service, too! So wear your purple. Pick up an Advent Devotional. Make space to prepare. Allow yourself to wait. Christ our Lord is on the way. Where will Jesus met you this year? O come, O come, Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. With love and hope, Pastor Erin
FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEON The First Sunday Fellowship Luncheon on December 4 will be hosted by the Worship and Christian Education Committee. They will serve Shepherd s Pie. Everyone is asked to bring a side dish (e.g., vegetable or salad) or dessert to share. All are welcome!! WORSHIP AND CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE Greetings from the Worship and Christian Education Committee. The season of Advent is upon us and we are eager for you to join us as we wait for the celebration of the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. As we wait, we offer you many opportunities to participate in this season of joy and warmth. November 27, marks the First Sunday of Advent which we celebrate with a service of communion. The Second December 4, will offer a service of Wholeness and Healing. Sometimes the holiday season brings with it painful memories or sadness which can make it hard for some to experience the joy of the season. This service will allow for reverence and, hopefully, healing from these sad feelings or memories, and will give everyone a chance to pause and reflect upon the awesome gift of Jesus that was given to us so long ago. Communion will be served. When December comes around each year we find ourselves re-telling the old familiar story of the wise men, angels, and the Christ Child in the manger. We eagerly anticipate being immersed in the rich story so full of hope and joy. This season the chancel choir will present "The Christmas Story," a cantata by Marty Parks. It features the old beloved carols that we cherish as well as a Christmas Spiritual and a new worship song. OAK HILL NEWS DECEMBER 2016 2 Please join us for this musical worship service on Sunday morning, December 11, in the church sanctuary. On December 18, we will have a youth led worship service in the Large Assembly Room at 10:30 a.m. During the service the children will present "The Night Before Christmas," a play about a mouse who has completely lost her Christmas spirit. Can there possibly be any hope for gloomy Ms. Mouse to have a wonderful Christmas? Join us downstairs to help Ms. Mouse search for the true spirit of the season. This will lead us to our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 24. We will also have a reception immediately following the service in our Large Assembly Room. If you would like to help decorate, host or provide food, please contact Donna Cook at (314) 807-3949 or belladonna63123@hotmail.com. Christmas day is on Sunday this year and we will offer a Christmas Worship service at our regular time of 10:30 a.m. Come celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus with us. There will not be any Sunday School classes on Christmas Day. Beginning the First Sunday of Advent, November 27, you can help us decorate the Christmas tree in the Large Assembly Room by bringing in your favorite Christmas card and tying it to our tree.
WORSHIP AND CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE (cont d) As in past years, we will once again decorate the sanctuary Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24, and Christmas Day. Whether you choose to honor the memory of a loved one, honor a living loved one, or simply order one for your own personal enjoyment, this is truly a festive and lovely way to enjoy the season. Ordering forms for the poinsettias will be in the December 4 bulletin or you may call the church office and place your order. The poinsettias are $17.00 each. Orders should be placed by Wednesday, December 7. Plants may be taken home following worship on Christmas Day. On behalf of our committee, we wish you a very happy holiday season. OAK HILL NEWS DECEMBER 2016 3 ideas! Bring your plans! Stump the pastor! Make a commitment. Or just explore this option. Some members and elders will also be on hand to share why they became members and why membership is important to them. If you are interested in joining us, or if you have questions, please let Pastor Erin know, or just show up on December 4. See you there! And for any youth (8 th grade and older) who would like to join the church, but are busy with the Children s Christmas Program during the Sunday School hour, don t worry! We ll have a special youth membership class for you in January. Please contact Pastor Erin (erin.counihan@oakhillpcusa.org) if you are interested. EVANGELISM AND MEMBERHIP COMMITTEE Membership, What? What does it mean to be a church member? Why on earth would I join a church? I m kind of interested in making a commitment. Well, actually, I do want to vote on that It s important to me to be a part of something. I love being a part of this community. Have you ever said or thought or wondered any of these statements? Are you interested in learning more about becoming a church member? Are you just curious? Or have you thought and prayed about it and want to move forward? Well, mark your calendar and save the dates: Oak Hill Presbyterian Church Members and Questioners Class. During the Sunday School hour (9:30-10:20 a.m.) on December 4th and December 11th, Pastor Erin will teach about what it means to be a member at Oak Hill, share some history of the Presbyterian tradition, and answer your questions about church membership. We ask that if you are interested, you plan to attend both sessions. Bring your questions! Bring your Caroling and a Movie! Come and join us for an afternoon of caroling around the neighborhood, then warm up and watch a Christmas movie with some snacks and hot cocco. December 18, at 3 p.m. Meet in the Large Assembly Room. STEWARDSHIP AND PROPERTY COMMITTEE PER CAPITA APPORTIONMENT FOR 2017 - Members are encouraged to help offset our Per Capita Apportionment for 2017. A voluntary contribution of $30.51 from each member will help balance the budget for 2017. If possible, payments should be made before the end of the year and identified For Per Capita Apportionment. Envelopes designated Per Capita 2017 can be found in the pew racks or a check may be mailed directly to the church.
OAK HILL NEWS DECEMBER 2016 4 STEWARDSHIP AND PROPERTY COMMITTEE (cont d) 2016 Christmas Joy Offering The Christmas Joy Offering celebrates the coming of Jesus Christ, the wondrous gift of God with us. Jesus arrived in a humble stable in small and insignificant Bethlehem, to lead and teach in truth and love, and bring about God s salvation to the world. What a wondrous gift indeed! This was a gift so profound that the only response was the bringing of more gifts; the Magi arrived with gold, frankincense, and myrrh to honor the Christ child. Devoted and caring leaders have led many of us in the way of Christ. They have been church workers equipping us to respond to the grace we have known in Jesus Christ, and they have been God s gifts among us. As we celebrate Christ s coming, and think of the profound impact these individuals have had on us, the Christmas Joy Offering provides a way for us to offer a gift in response. Gifts to the Christmas Joy Offering will raise up leaders from small places that are too often overlooked by the church. The historically Presbyterian racial ethnic schools were founded to educate emerging leaders from underrepresented groups so leadership in the church would better reflect the diversity of God s people. Half of the Christmas Joy Offering supports the continued ministry of educating and forming Christian leaders. The other half of the Offering honors those leaders who serve and have served us well. The Christmas Joy Offering will be received during worship on December 18. Offering envelopes will be included in a Sunday bulletin and will be also be available in the back of the sanctuary. You may also place your offering in your regular envelope and mark your payment Christmas Joy Offering. If you wish you may send a check to the church marked Christmas Joy Offering. Thank you for your support of this vital offering. MISSION COMMITTEE Youth Outreach and Foosball! Come join us on Tuesday, December 6, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Great American Human Foosball! We'll be there with pizza and drinks, bring a snack to share and bring your foos shoes! Come meet the neighborhood kids and have some fun! Open Gym Night Open Gym Night! Coming Friday, December 9. Games galore! Middle and high school kids. Snacks and crafts, too. Enter through the Oak Hill door next to the alley. All the fun is in the gym and Smylie Room. Come out and join us for some fun! Isaiah 58 Ministries Time to stock up for our December and January collections. Remember any and all items are welcome. Grab a can or box from your pantry or pick up a sale item from your favorite grocer! Our list tries to include the items of greatest need for the I58 pantry. December 1st: toilet paper or spam or other canned meat 2nd: canned stew or hearty soup 3rd: pasta and spaghetti sauce (no glass containers) or canned spaghetti meal 4th: fruit cocktail or canned tomatoes January 1st: oatmeal 2nd: pancake mix and syrup 3rd: peanut butter, nut spread and/ or jelly 4th: canned chicken and dumplings 5th: canned peaches or canned tomatoes Other items that are welcome are spices (garlic powder, Italian seasoning, chili powder, etc.). Socks (all sizes), personal hygiene items, razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers).
MISSION COMMITTEE (cont d) The number of families served by I58 has increased throughout 2016. In January 694 families were served, June 724 and in October 852. Your generosity helps keep the pantry filled and assists I58 in " advocating for the poor and restoring dignity and hope to the lives of those we serve." Jeans for Teens There's still time to make a donation to our Jeans for Teens Fund. Over the past three years our generous congregation has donated $1500 to the University City Public Schools to assist in Holiday Outreach to families in need. Our own Christine Woodward, a school social worker, facilitates this protect by purchasing Old Navy gift cards and more for families in need in their community. Our goal is another $500 for this awesome project. You can place your donation in a pew envelope and label it Jeans for Teens! Thanks for your support! Contact Donna Cook for more info! OAK HILL NEWS DECEMBER 2016 5 Love to make holiday cookies and goodies, but don t want to be tempted to eat them? Need holiday cookies, but don t have the time to make them? Presbyterian Women have the solution to both problems our annual Christmas Cookie Sale on December 18. Homemade cookies will be $6 a pound. Donations of cookies and other goodies, as well as other holiday crafts and gifts, will be appreciated. Please price crafts for us, since you are a better judge of what you have invested in the item. (You don t have to be active in Presbyterian Women to donate something to the sale.) Items should be brought to church by 10:15 a.m. on Sunday December 18, and delivered to the Large Assembly Room. The sale will begin after the worship service. Please contact Jan Stanford (Jiwstanford@aol.com or 314-638-0195 with any questions SESSION HIGHLIGHTS Coming Soon! Coming in January is our Service as Worship Sunday and our Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Service Blitz! Watch for more details in the January newsletter. Xavier University Alternative Break students will be joining us at AMEN St.Louis from December 31 to January 7. PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN Circle 3 will meet on Thursday, December 1, for its annual Christmas luncheon. Please plan to come at 11 a.m. If you have forgotten what you volunteered to bring, please check with Jan Stanford (314-638-0195). The following actions were reported or approved by Session in their November 9, 2016 Stated Scheduled Meeting: The average worship attendance October was 56. Membership as October 31, 2016 is 115. Financial Report for October & Year-to-Date 2016 October 2016 Total Income Budgeted $15,409.00 $154,090.00 Actual $13,944.01 $141,881.79* Expenses Budgeted $14,627.67 $150,036.33 Actual $11,433.46 $143,987.60 *Includes Wamser Trust Fund earnings. Session approved requesting the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy to divide our $12,000 pledge to General Mission for 2017 as follows: $1,000 to the General Assembly, $1,000 to the Synod, $3,000 to UKirk-
OAK HILL NEWS DECEMBER 2016 6 SESSION HIGHLIGHTS (cont d) St. Louis, and $7,000 to the Presbytery of Giddings- Lovejoy. Session approved serving the Lord s Supper on December 4. Session approved Donna Cook and Josh Smith as Oak Hill s commissioners to the Called Presbytery Gathering on Friday, November 18, a First Presbyterian Church in Kirkwood, MO. BOOK CLUB Book club will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 13, at the Barrow residence, 6570 Oleatha, to pick books and movies for next year. Please bring your own dinner. We are always looking for new members. Please feel free to join us and help us pick for next year! The Touchy Topics Book Club (focusing on current events) is taking December off, and is working on our reading list for the new year. Look for more info in the coming weeks! ADULT FELLOWSHIP CLUB Members of the congregation are invited to join the Adult Fellowship Club at the Band Together Christmas Concert at 8 p.m. on Saturday, December 17, at the Desmond Lee Concert Hall at the 560 Music Center, 560 Trinity Avenue, at the western end of the U. City Loop. Our very own Valery York-Welch is an M.C. and Bette Welch is a member of the orchestra. Admission is free. Applause and donations are greatly appreciated. Under the Oak Tree Congratulations to Pastor Erin! Oak Hill s own Pastor Erin was elected to the office of Moderator of the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy. As moderator she presides over the meetings of the presbytery, works to develop the meeting agendas, serves on or assists most of the presbytery work groups, presides over ordinations of new pastors in the presbytery and more! We re proud of the love, support and mission Pastor Erin shares with our church and throughout the community. Oak Hill Congregation This is just a note to thank you for Reverend Erin Counihan. Pastor Erin recently came to Vienna, VA and presented an Eulogy for her aunt and my wife, Melissa Franks. It was a simple story that so well defined the way Melissa lived her life. Her presence and talk at the service was very powerful for me and the entire congregation as many have commented to me. I have known Erin since she was a middle schooler and have watched her grow into such a wonderful community leader and Pastor. Please know that you are blessed to have her as your spiritual leader and accept our donation as a Thank You for letting us borrow her for the service for Melissa. Thanks Barry Franks ARTS AND CRAFT CLUB Craft night will be on December 9 at 6:30 in the Theleos classroom. We will have a project available, but feel free to bring your own. Please contact Dena with any questions.
OAK HILL NEWS DECEMBER 2016 7 Scenes from Oak Hill How many wise men followed a star to Bethlehem to worship Jesus? A. two B. three C. four D. We don t know because the Bible doesn t say. Answer: See Matthew 2:1-12.) December 4 December 11 December 18 December 24 Christmas Eve December 25 Nativity of Jesus Christ/Christmas Day LECTIONARY FOR DECEMBER Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Rom. 15:4-13; Matt. 3:1-12 Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:5-10 or Luke 1:46b-55; James 5:7-10; Matt. 11:2-11 Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Rom. 1:1-7; Matt 1:18-25 Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) Dawn: Isaiah 62:6-12; Psalm 97; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20 Day: Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98; Heb. 1:1-4 (5-12); John 1:1-14 November Fellowship Lunch November Open Gym Night
OAK HILL NEWS DECEMBER 2016 8 Oak Hill News Oak Hill Presbyterian Church 4111 Connecticut Street St. Louis, Missouri 63116-3926 (314) 664-5525 www.oakhillpcusa.org office@oakhillpcusa.org We are a welcoming congregation where visitors are always expected! Christian Education 9:30 a.m. Service of Worship 10:30 a.m. Nursery Care 10:30 a.m. The ministers of Oak Hill Church are its members assisted by: Rev. Erin Counihan Pastor Rev. Dr. Alan Meyers Parish Associate Ms. Korla Masters Student Pastor Ms. Susan Brown Minister of Music Ms. Carole Adams Secretary November Worship Pictures Articles for publication in the Oak Hill News need to be submitted in writing to the church office by the 3 rd Monday of each month.