December 2016 Monthly Newsletter Hodge Presbyterian Church Dear Members and Friends of Hodge Presbyterian, I just took a few minutes to look back at the previous five front page articles I have written for the December issue of the Hodge Podge, and in them all I talk about the meaning and importance of Advent! So for this article I want to talk about Christmas (though I do have a second article in this newsletter about Advent)! On December 25, Christmas Day, more Christians pause in their frenzied lives to acknowledge Christ than on any other day of the year. Images of the baby in the manger and peace among all on earth (Luke 2:14) fill our minds. On Christmas Day, Christians unite in celebrating the birth of the Christ child. What is Christmas? It is three words: God in flesh; or four syllables: incar-na-tion. The Gospel According to John (1:14) MESSAGE FROM PASTOR STEVE tells us, The Word became flesh and lived among us,... full of grace and truth. Christmas proclaims that God has come in flesh, has come to save us all from Satan s power. Christmas celebrates far more than a birthday; Christmas acclaims the advent of the messianic salvation. Christ was sent among us in order to save us. Note how the biblical sending formula ( God sent Christ in order to... ) always reveals Christ s saving purpose. (The above two paragraphs are from the Companion to the Book of Common Worship) We care about the incarnation, about little baby Jesus sleeping in the manger of our minds and hearts precisely because of the meaning behind it. There is an evergreen Christmas cross in our basement storage room that I think will be put together this year. I am aware that a few people might not think it is very Christmassy. But the symbolism is almost iconic. Christmas (from a non-consumeristic/theological viewpoint) is only truly meaningful in light of Easter. So as we are running around doing, shopping, preparing, and participating in all of the hectic, meaningful, tedious, joyful, nostalgic, busy business of this season let us not forget the reason for this season (sorry for that cliché, but it is right on target)! Have a Merry and Meaning-filled Christmas and a Happy New Year! In Christ, Pastor Steve Merrin
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Romans 8:30 Pastor s Spotlight: Advent Bible Study: Tuesdays, November 29, December 6, 13, & 20; from 5:15 6:15. We will meet in peoples home s (sign-up sheet in Gathering Room) at 5:15 for a brief time of Fellowship, then the study will start promptly at 5:30 and will end at 6:15. In Isaiah 9:6, a divine utterance is given to us using four royal titles- Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. We will look at each royal designation and how the people understood it then, how Jesus did or did not fulfill the title, and how Christians interpret Jesus as representative of that title. Blue Christmas Worship gathering: In our Sanctuary on December 15 at 5:30. While Advent and Christmas is a time of great festivity and joy for the majority of people within the Christian Community, it must be recognized that Christmas can be a particularly difficult time for people who may be grieving a loss, for those who are living alone, or those who have painful associations with this time of year. This service is for you. There will be appropriate music, prayers, scripture readings, and times of remembrance. Anyone from the church or the community is invited. If you are a member or friend of Hodge and you know of someone that might need this service: why don t you invite them and then support them by coming along with them? Christmas Morning Worship: That is right: Christmas Day is on a Sunday this year! We will meet at our regularly scheduled time at 10:30 am (there will be no Sunday School). The tone of the service will be joyful, full of Christmas music (if you would like to share your talents (and I have not already called you) please let me know), and casual. Children are invited to come in their PJs after their families Christmas morning traditions for that matter even if you are an adult, feel free to wear your PJ s (if you dare)! What better way to spend a Christmas Sunday morning than to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior with your church family? *There is so much more going on this month at Hodge Presbyterian Church carefully read this newsletter for those details!
ADULT CHRISTMAS TRIVIA After leaving Bethlehem, to which country did Joseph, Mary, and Jesus travel? Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December. Who is the patron saint remembered on the 26th of December? Every elf has this ornament on the tip of their shoes. Which ornament are we talking about? Everyone is familiar with the mistletoe tradition. What is the color of the berries of the plant? How does Santa Claus go back up the chimney to continue his journey of delivering gifts? How many points does a snowflake traditionally have? Name the eight original Reindeer. One of the most famous Cola companies in the world used to have advertisements featuring a happy, smiling Santa Claus. Name the company Red and green are the two colors most associated with Christmas. Which are the two other colors, according to Christmas holiday trivia, that are also extremely popular in this season? Traditionally, kids leave out snacks for Santa Claus. What are these snacks? Traditions of Christmas around the world will tell you that Santa Claus is known by many names. What is the French name for Santa Claus? Two of the reindeers are named after weather phenomenon. Name the reindeer. What are the gifts that the Three Wise Men gave baby Jesus, according to Christmas history? What is the name of Ebenezer Scrooge s partner, from the play, A Christmas Carol? What two phrases will you almost always find on Christmas gift tags? When does the Russian Orthodox Church celebrate Christmas? Which country can be credited with the creation of the Christmas beverage, eggnog? Which country does St. Nicholas originally belong to? Which is the most popular ornament used to place at the top of the Christmas tree? CHILDREN S TRIVIA Santa has nine reindeer, can you name them all? What gifts did the three kings take to baby Jesus? Which meat do we traditionally eat with Christmas dinner? What food is typically left out for Santa on Christmas Eve? What two things do we traditionally give to our friends and families on Christmas Day? What are Santa's helpers called? How many doors would you open of an advent calendar before Christmas Day arrives? In 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' song, how many lords are leaping? In the famous Christmas song, which plant was Mummy kissing Santa Claus under? ANSWERS: Rudolph, Prancer, Dancer, Donner, Blitzen, Dasher, Vixen, Commet and Cupid. Frankincense, Gold and Myrrh Turkey Cookies & Milk Cards and presents Elves Twenty-four (24) - Ten (10) - Mistletoe Egypt, Stephen, Bells,White, He places his finger on the side of his nose, gives a smile and a nod., Six, Blitzen, Comet, Cupid, Dasher, Prancer, Vixen, Dancer, and Donner,Coca Cola, Gold and Silver,Cookies and milk,pere Noel, Donner, which means thunder in German, and Blitzen, which means lightning,gold, Myrrh, and Frankincense,Jacob Marley,To and From,January7th,England,Turkey,,Angel
Prayer Concerns. These persons are on the current list. PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE WITH ANY UPDATES ON ANY OF THESE PERSONS. *Our elderly & shut-ins, C.S. & Jean Endecott, Jeniene Towns, Shirley Foland, Dude Lankford, Linda Mason, Riley Bails, Finas Brundage, Charity Taylor, Shawn & Denise McNabb, Lisa Moore, Linda McNabb, Beth Wilson Gross, Russel Bowe, Earl & Renetta Teegarden, Everett Thies, Dean Harp, Mason Barnard, Tammy Hanes, Jenny Batson, Lisa Aonecme, Pat Klaver, Peter & Sue Brewer, Glenda Gibson, Rick Mason, Ann Trombley, Howie Lynch, Cindy Gott, Annaliese Benson, Gary Beverlin, Tara Beth & Charles Jack Hoffman, Ethel Mae Bretz Sympathy to family of Bob Clem *Our church leaders, local, state and national leaders, our military & families, Sonrise Children s Home, Sonrise Transition Home, WACKY Wednesday NOVEMBER MISSION & OUTREACH HIGHLIGHTS Haiti hygiene bags need assembly gathering before Dec 9 when group from Hodge may be going to Haiti COOKIE / CANDY WALK Trenton Downtown Christmas Celebration Friday December 9th 5:00-7:00 Proceeds support Hodge Youth activities Please bring 3 dozen CHRISTMAS Cookies/Candy to Hodge by 1:00 or "The Space" 1013 Main by 4:30 on Friday December 9th. Please label your cookies or candy. Besides Christmas Cookies or candy, you can donate cup cakes (.50) or small loaves of bread ($1.00) to the sale. Thank you for your donation. Merry Christmas from Linda and Roger Antle, Church Secretary. You have all been wonderful to work with this year! Peace Offering collection completed. $1044 total with $261 staying local To date $153 collected in backpacks at rear of sanctuary FFDD Banquet served 87 12 Hodge servers/workers 140 residents at NCMC will received goody pkgs in Dec Welcome Back movie night in Jan planned for NCMS students Hodge to serve lunch at BSU at NCMC Joy offering to be collected Dec 18th Deacons to handle gifts for families; M&O handling Sonrise Transition Home M&O sponsor Hodge Café in Feb-funds to TAMA Good Samaritan Fund
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DECEMBER MARK YOUR CALENDARS 6 10 a.m. TAMA Meeting @ Hodge 5:15 p.m. Advent Bible Study 9 Downtown Christmas-Hodge Cookie Walk 10 Grand River Valley Program 11 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship 5:00 p.m. Family Dinner & Christmas Program 12 Noon Ladies Luncheon 13 5:15 p.m. Advent Bible Study Deadline Gifting Tree 14 Last WACKY Wednesday before holidays 15 5:30 Blue Christmas service 18 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship Vesper Service 20 5:15 Advent Bible Study 24 6:00 p.m. & 11 p.m. Christmas Eve Service 25 10:30 Worship Service (No Sunday School DECEMBER Session Meeting date to be announced. Hodge Presbyterian Church 315 West Crowder Road Trenton, Mo. 64683