Christ Our Savior is Born!

First Presbyterian Church 12225 N 103rd Ave Sun City AZ 85351 3501 Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Youngtown AZ Permit No. 55 First Presbyterian Church of Sun City, Arizona Volume 47, December 2015 OR CURRENT RESIDENT Sunday Schedule: 9:00 am Worship Services in the Sanctuary, Rev. Harrell D. Davis preaching 10:00 am Coffee and Fellowship in Swain Hall Services This Month: December 6, Harbinger Malachi 3: 1 4; Luke 3: 1 6 December 13, Prepare the Way Zephaniah 3: 14 20; Luke 3: 7 18 December 20, The Winter Rose: A Christmas Cantata Micah 5: 2 5a; Luke 1: 39 45 December 24, Christmas Eve Service of Lessons & Carols (5:00 pm) December 27, Beginnings Isaiah 61: 10, 62:3; John 1: 1 18 Winter Office Hours: Monday Wednesday: 8:00 am 4:00 pm Thursday: 8:00 am 1:00 pm (noon closings on Christmas Eve and New Year s Eve) Friday: Closed Christ Our Savior is Born! Let s Celebrate this December! Holiday High Tea Saturday, December 12, 1:30 pm in Swain Hall Our annual PW extravaganza! Beau ful table se ngs, handsome waiters, and fabulous food see page 4 for addi onal details. Ladies Day at Men s Breakfast Fellowship Tuesday, December 15, 7:30 am in Swain Hall Take part in one of our favorite holiday tradi ons breakfast plus The Story of Christmas. All men and women of the church are invited to celebrate the birth of Christ with songs and scripture. December Fellowship Dinner Thursday, December 17, 5:00 pm in Swain Hall You are invited to the Fellowship Christmas Dinner! Plan to come enjoy a delicious meal followed by a musical program presented by our very own choir. The Christmas Fellowship Dinner will again be hosted by the Rev Harrell and Carol Davis. And this year as a gi to the faithful Fellowship Dinner volunteers, who have helped set tables, prepare food and clean up, Chef George Garnache will be preparing the meal! Chef George has 30+ years of making delicious meals for many clients, friends and family. George and his wife, Sally, are dear friends of the Davis family and reside in Rio Rancho, NM. Your freewill offering will be donated to The Justa Center. The Christmas Cantata Sunday, December 20, 9:00 am in the Sanctuary This year Bill Gleason, Kelsey McKee, and the First Presbyterian Church choir will present The Winter Rose: A Christmas Cantata on the last Sunday in Advent. Don t miss this lovely piece! The Christmas Joy offering will also be received. Christmas Eve Service of Lessons and Carols Thursday, December 24, 5:00 pm in the Sanctuary Join us on Christmas Eve for our service of carols and readings. Bring your family or other guests to share this special experience. Farewell to the Davises Sunday, December 27, at 10:00 am in Swain Hall Come to Swain Hall following the worship service to par cipate in a program celebra ng the Davises and thanking them for their work here. Carol Maxwell is coordina ng the fes vi es give her a call if you have ques ons or would like to help her with the prepara ons. INSIDE THIS ISSUE: A Message from Our Pastor... 2 Reports and Ac vi es... 3 5, 8 9 Spreading the Word... 6 7 This Month s Calendar... 10 Celebra ons and Updates... 11 12225 N. 103rd Avenue, Sun City, AZ 85351 Phone: 623.974.3605 Fax: 623.974.4893 Dial A Prayer: 623.977.9211 Email: info@firstpressuncity.org Blog: firstpressuncity.blogspot.com YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/firstpressuncity Website: firstpressuncity.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/first Presbyterian Church of Sun City/103412179850579

A Message from Our Pastor Saying Goodbye Now the me really has come to say goodbye. In the office, I ve packed away books and knickknacks. I ve taken down artwork, pictures, and diplomas. It s easy to clean out a room. But it will be difficult to see you all for the last me. That will occur on December 27 th. At that last worship service we ll observe a ritual of separa on. The Book of Common Worship very helpfully provides a liturgy for saying goodbye. It s important to mark transi on. However, it s equally important to remember that the church is both visible and invisible. The visible part is what we see every Sunday. It s the community in worship, celebra on, fellowship. It s the buildings we occupy and the programs we support. All that we can see, touch and enjoy. The invisible part is what we mean when we refer to the church universal. When we celebrate World Communion, we re acknowledging the church universal. By observing communion together, we demonstrate that the church is one, in body and in spirit. So the church is both what we can see and what we know. We know that we are one body in Christ Jesus our Lord. We know that we are sisters and brothers together through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. We are one. And it will be that way for all me because that s what God intends. Even though Carol and I are moving away, we are not breaking our essen al communion with you. Wherever we go, when you celebrate communion, we ll celebrate communion because the sacrament is the same. Wherever we go, when you think of us, and pray for us, and remember us, we ll remember and pray for you because in Jesus Christ, we are members of one family. Our me here in Sun City is one point on the con nuum of First Presbyterian Church s history. I rejoice and give thanks for the opportunity you gave Carol and me. You welcomed us into your family. You will always be part of our lives. Scripture tells us that there is a me for every ma er under heaven. So now is the me for saying goodbye. Thank God this is not the end, but merely a transi on. Grace and Peace and our love to you all, always. ~Harrell Celebrations and Updates CHANGES FOR YOUR CHURCH DIRECTORY Entering the Church Triumphant: Jim Howard (date unknown) Remove by Request: Dora Stewart Address Change: Marjorie Hagerman Casa del Rio Apt. 1308 12751 N. Plaza del Rio Blvd Peoria, AZ 85381 5195 THIS MONTH S BIRTHDAYS We are celebra ng you! Please join the Birthday Celebra on on Sunday, December 13, in Swain Hall following the worship service. OUR STAFF Dora Munger November 4, 2015 Deborah Thompson 1 Barbara Szantho 6 Dick Richards 3 Nita Cinquina 20 Martha Porter 3 Peg Denham 20 Evelyn Haas 4 Beverly Simmons 22 Nancy Childress 4 Mary McMar n 27 Marge Richards Pastor Rev. Harrell D. Davis harrelld@fpc.phxcoxmail.com Associate for Congrega onal Life Beth Mabee bethm@firstpressuncity.org Admin. Assistant, Treasurer Norma Mack norma934@fpc.phxcoxmail.com Choir Director Dr. William (Bill) Gleason billg@firstpressuncity.org Handbell Choir Director Mary Lou Kla e fancypancy@cox.net Pianist Kelsey McKee Custodian Lyle Tollefson Natalie McMillan, November 18 Memorial service in the Chapel December 12 at 4:00 pm L. Paul and Sherrill Tyacke The Week of Prayer for Chris an Unity is coming up fast! Our church is hos ng the first worship service and lunch on Monday, January 18, from noon to 1:00 pm. Please call Donna Roth, Marilee Marshall, or Beth Mabee to volunteer to take part in the service or help with the food, or sign up in the church office or Swain Hall. The SPIRE is published monthly by First Presbyterian Church of Sun City, AZ. Please call the church office at 623.974.3605 to be added to our mailing list, or see our website at h p://firstpressuncity.org to access current and back issues in PDF format. Items to be included in the next edi on of The SPIRE should be submi ed to Beth Mabee at the church office or by email at bethm@firstpressuncity.org by Monday, December 28. 2 11

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 7:30am Men s Breakfast Fellowship SH 2:00pm Deacons A2 2 Noon Bridge FR Noon Library open 3 4 5 6 8:30am Communion rehearsal OC 9:00am Worship 10:00am Congrega onal Mee ng SY 10:15am Fellowship & V. V. Food Drive SH 7 9:30am Prayer Shawls A3 8 7:30am Men s Breakfast Fellowship SH 10:00am Worship & CE OC 1:00pm Hearing Loss A2 2:30pm Rachel Circle A1 9 9:00am Lydia Circle A2 10 9:00am Admin Comm OC 10:00am Session OC 11:00am Care & Outreach OC 11 9:00am High tea setup SH 12 1:30pm Holiday High Tea SH (doors open at 1:00pm) 4:00pm Natalie McMillan memorial CH 13 9:00am Worship 10:00am Fellowship & birthdays SH 14 Noon WVGS SH 2:00pm Stephen Ministers A3 15 7:30am Men s Breakfast Fellowship Ladies Day SH 16 Noon Bridge FR Noon Library open 17 11:00am Session A2 5:00pm Fellowship Dinner 18 9:00am Cantata dress rehearsal SY 19 20 9:00am Worship with Christmas Cantata; Christmas Joy offering received SH 10:00am Fellowship SH 21 9:30am Prayer Shawls A3 22 23 24 Christmas Eve Church office closes at noon 5:00pm Service of Lessons & Carols 25 Christmas 26 27 9:00am Worship 10:00am Fellowship & Farewell to the Davises SH 28 SPIRE deadline 2:00pm Stephen Ministers A3 29 30 8:30am Mail SPIRE OC 31 New Year s Eve Church office closes at noon A = Annex; CH=Chapel; FR = Fireside Room; OC = Office Conference Room; SH = Swain Hall; SY = Sanctuary; WR = Westminster Room Find us at: 12225 N. 103rd Avenue Sun City, AZ 85351 3501 h p://firstpressuncity.org Phone: 623.974.3605 Fax: 623.974.4893 Dial A Prayer: 623.977.9211 E mail: info@firstpressuncity.org The SPIRE 10 Call to Congregational Meeting A Congrega onal Mee ng will be held December 6, 2015, at 10:00 am in the Sanctuary. The purpose of the mee ng is: A. To elect three (3) elders, Class of 2018; one (1) deacon,class 2016; one (1) deacon, Class 2017; and four (4) deacons, Class 2018. A. Dissolu on of pastoral rela onship with Rev. Harrell D. Davis. B. Approve transfer of funds from Founda on Fund to General Fund. C. Any other business necessary at this me. History of the Bible The Making of the New Testament Canon A 12 week class u lizing video and class discussions Tuesdays star ng December 1, 2015, at 9:00 am in Swain Hall The films feature Professor Bart D. Ehrman, Chairman, Department of Religious Studies, University of North Carolina. By Order of the Session ~Evelyn Haas, Clerk of Session The moderator is Gene Kla e, aka Dis nguished Professor Eugene C. Kla e, M.D., Department of Radiology, Indiana University. The new Testament is the bestseller of all me and the most important book or collec on of books in the history of Western civiliza on. But how much do you really know about the New Testament the kinds of books that are included; the circumstances under which they were wri en; what they teach; and how did some books and not others come to be collected into the canon of scripture that defines Chris an beliefs? In The History of the Bible: The Making of the New Testament Canon, Professor Ehrman offers a fast moving yet thorough introduc on to these and other key issues in the development of Chris anity. Drawing on the award winning teaching skills and style that have made him such a popular lecturer respec ul yet provoca ve, scholarly but wi y Professor Ehrman has cra ed a course designed to deepen the understanding of Chris ans and non Chris ans alike. This course is designed to provide an introduc on to the New Testament for people who recognize or appreciate its cultural importance, or who have religious commitments to it, but who have not yet had a chance to get to know where it came from, what it contains, and how it was transmi ed down to us today. The focus in this course will be historical, rather than theological. The course does not either presuppose faith or deny faith. It is based neither on faith nor skep cism. It is simply taught from the perspec ve of history. 3

Presbyterian Women Memorial Poinsettias Friday, November 6, First Presbyterian Church had five women a end the NW unit of Church Women United at New Song United Methodist Church on West Bell Road to witness Kathie Mi elsteadt, who has been facilitator for six years, pass leadership to Sally Dorrell of New Song. OUR ANNUAL HIGH TEA IS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, AT 1:00 PM. Tickets are s ll available from a table hostess, Gail (815 7290), or the church office. Opportuni es for table hostesses may s ll be available, for either crea ng your own table or hos ng an already prepared table. Those that would like to help prepare for the High Tea, please sign up in Swain Hall. Help is needed on Friday to prepare sandwiches; we will begin at 9:00 am, and then rest our busy hands and enjoy the provided lunch and fellowship. On Saturday beginning at 9:00 am we will be preparing tables. Plan to join in the fun! The Deacons sponsor the Memorial Poinse a Project each year for Christmas services. You may donate money for this memorial. Twelve poinse as will be purchased to beau fy our chancel for worship services. This year monies in excess of the cost will be contributed to a local charity. The dona on amount is $10.00 for each plant. Please fill in this form exactly as you wish the text printed in the Sunday worship guide for December 20th, and return it to our church office by Monday, December 14 th. Poinse as may be picked up by donors a er the Christmas Eve service. The Deacons will later deliver available poinse as to shut ins. I/we wish to contribute to the Deacons Poinse a Project: Looking forward to 2016: January 6, Wednesday, 9:30 am C.T. Mee ng for the officers in the Annex. We will be preparing for the Gathering on January 27. January 27, 2016 the third annual Chili Lunch with the men as our guests. This is one you do not want to miss. Not only is the chili outstanding, the program will be our own Zane Porter and Dick Zabriskie with An Interes ng Discussion you will just have to come and see for yourselves. That is Wednesday, January 27, at 11:30 am. Oh and one more thing please let us know if you will be there. There will be a sign up sheet for you in Swain Hall. Name(s): In Memory Of: Waiter training for the 2014 Holiday High Tea We wish you all a very Merry Christmas. ~Lois, Marge and Gail December 6 is First Sunday With the holiday season upon us, local food banks are depending upon contribu ons to meet the increased demand. Remember to bring canned goods, toiletries, baby products and cereals to church for Valley View Community Food Bank on the first Sunday of every month. The full list of suggested contribu ons can be found on our website under the Helping Others tab. Christmas Gift Suggestions Just Coffee is again for sale as a Presbyterian Women s mission project a er worship services in the Swain Hall entrance. The Grand Canyon Presbytery partners with Fontera decristo, a Presbyterian Bi Na onal Border Ministry (one of five with Mexico) to provide 93 coffee farming families with a be er life from the sale of their coffee beans, grown in Chiapas, Mexico, and roasted at the Arizona border. Each bag sells for $9.00; regular and decaf are both available. Our church cookbooks are s ll available on the table under the PW bulle n board in Swain Hall. The books are packed with delicious recipes and an incredible bargain at only $5.00 each. 4 9

Deacons Corner Minutes of the November 3, 2015 Mee ng Session Recap Mee ng of November 19, 2015 The mee ng was called to order at 2:00 pm by Reverend Davis, Facilitator. He gave the Opening Prayer and Devo on. Deacons present were: Joanne Clark, Jane Hundley, Shirley Walker, Billie Lewis, Judy Goss, Gerry Shaw, and Tina Trowbridge. Linda Johnson was excused. The minutes of the September 1, 2015 mee ng were approved. The Treasurer s Report indicated a balance in the Deacons account of the General fund of $140.66 as of October 31, 2015. Commi ee Reports: Communion: The sta s cal report showed that 91 received communion in the Sanctuary on October 4, 2015, and 115 received communion on November 1, 2015. Flowers: Flowers were distributed to homebound or ill members. Recep ons: Judy Goss stated a recep on was served a er the Carol Arseth memorial. Old Business: None. New Business: Billie Lewis volunteered to serve on the Nomina ng Commi ee to fill the vacancy created by the resigna on of Dawn Nolan. The Thanksgiving dinner will be on November 17, 2015, at 5:00 pm. Session Rep Report: Billie Lewis reported on the Session mee ng of October 15, 2015. Reverend Davis gave the closing prayer. Next mee ng will be December 1, 2015, 2:00 pm in Annex 2. The Session Representa ve for the November 19 th mee ng will be Billie Lewis. Stewardship Reminder Respec ully submi ed, ~Billie Lewis, Secretary pro tem The mee ng was opened with prayer given by Elder Carolyn Lopez, followed by the unison reci ng of the 23 rd Psalm. All Session members were present. Also a ending were Rev. Harrell Davis, Pastor, and Norma Mack, Treasurer. Evelyn Haas, Clerk of Session, reported on the email from Reverend Karen Muenich giving instruc ons concerning the Interim Pastor Nomina ng Commi ee. The following were selected to serve: Elders Wanda Morrill, Donna Roth, Bill Wentling; Deacon Billie Lewis; and Hazel Bacon, member of the congrega on. This commi ee will meet with Pastor Muenich on Tuesday, November 24 th, at 10:00 am in the conference room. Minutes of the October 15, 2015, Session mee ng were approved. The sta s cal report reflected the deaths of Bonnie Massey, October 4 th ; James Howard (date unknown); Dora Munger, November 4 th ; and Natalie McMillan, November 8 th. Mo ons were made to approve the transfer of Charles (Pat) and Rosemary (Rosi) Mills to First Presbyterian Church, Mesa AZ, and the Removal by Request of Dora Stewart, Deborah Thompson, and Paul and Sherrill Tyacke. Seconded and approved. New members Lee Carlson and Norma Sechrist were noted. Communion was served to 115 on November 1, 2015. Membership this date is Ac ve 150 and Affiliate 25. The Administra on Commission stated their concern regarding the need to have someone care for the courtyard prior to services. The Congrega onal Care Commission reported the survey to inquire about the interest in movies resulted in three replies. There will be movies shown in the upcoming Chris an Educa on series; therefore it was decided to pay $225.00 license fee to prevent a future fine. November 28, 2015, is the date to decorate for Advent; lunch will be served. There will be a Mission Tree in Swain Hall. It will be decorated with cards to purchase a gi (flock of baby chicks, a lamb, etc.). Fry s Grocery will now offer escript. The funds must be used for local mission. The commission has selected Agua Fria Food and Clothing Bank. The Educa on and Worship Commission are having a twelve week study on the history of the New Testament, Tuesday mornings at 9:00 am star ng December 1, 2015. The financial report for October 31, 2015 was distributed. There will be a Called Session Mee ng on December 10, 2015, at 10:00 am to develop the 2016 budget. The mee ng was closed with prayer given by Elder Fred Stainbrook. 8 The monetary por on of your annual stewardship pledge helps pay our staff, maintain the church campus, support our ongoing programs, and defray other opera ng expenses. As of November 24, 68 pledge cards had been returned, pledging a total of $115,000. The Session will be mee ng on December 10 to work on the budget, so if you have not yet sent in your Time, Talents, and Treasure pledge for 2016, please do so as quickly as possible. It s Not Too Late...to join the music program! The Great Bells of Fire handbell choir with Mary Lou Kla e direc ng prac ces Wednesday a ernoons from 4:30 to 5:30, and the voice choir under Bill Gleason rehearses Wednesday evenings star ng at 6:30. You may have missed the chance to shine at Christmas, but both choirs con nue to perform through the winter and spring months. If you have any musical talent, we need you now! 5

The SPIRE Spreading the Word Ministry, mission, and fellowship are all cornerstones of our church programs, but mission and fellowship were par cularly evident during November, which featured a Mission Fair, a houseware and winter clothing drive for the Justa Center, the Agua Fria Food Bank Thanksgiving collec on sponsored by the Men s Breakfast Fellowship, and our pre Thanksgiving Fellowship Dinner of turkey and all the fixings with the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Dancers as the entertainment. Enjoy these photos of some of the highlights! ~Beth Mabee Justa Center Your generous dona ons of housewares and clothing filled this pickup truck to overflowing. We will con nue to collect these items for them plus personal hygiene products in the Agua Fria Room on the table with the Justa Center sign. Men s Breakfast Fellowship Thanksgiving Dinners for Agua Fria Food Bank In addi on to all this food, the Thanksgiving collec on included $740 in cash dona ons for the food bank. Fellowship Dinner Reminder: The Christmas Joy offering will be collected on Sunday, December 20. The Christmas Joy Offering is shared equally by the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions, which provides much needed assistance to PC(USA) church workers and their families, and Presbyterian affiliated racial ethnic schools and colleges, which enable students to develop their gi s and find their calling. 6 Good food, lots of guests, and these amazingly energe c young dancers now that s a fun evening! And the December dinner promises to be even be er sign up now to a end! 7