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Church and Home December 2016
“Boldly with Christ We Belong, Believe, Grow and Reach Out”
First Presbyterian Church 1901 W Leota Street
North Platte, NE 69101
Telephone: (308) 532-1083 Fax: (308) 532-2968
Web site: www.fpcnp.org Church e-mail address:
[email protected]
STAFF INTERIM PASTOR:
Rev. Steve Nofel
ADMIN ASSIST: Naomi Okoye
CUSTODIAN: Linsey Nicola
CHOIR DIRECTOR: Connie McCreery
BELL DIRECTOR: Jill Dolan
CHILD CARE: Deb Welsh
ELDERS Clerk of Session:
Jon Beggs Dean Kurth, Treasurer
Rachel Allison Scott Baker
Lowell Fenster Chuck Francis
Ann Jones Kristi Leibhart
Nancy Mack Ron Ochsner Martha Orcutt
Glenn Petersen Sara Pierce
Mandy Vargas Deb Weitzel
DEACONS Howard & Ruth Gebhardt
Janet & Leroy Hare Jim McClymont
Tammy Miller Maxine Mulder
Zac Ochsner Cyndee & Scott Orr
Susan Peters Irene & Danny Ridgway
Bev & Cecil Sallee Robert Weber
Rod Weitzel Jenny Zachry
PW MODERATOR: Dixie Francis
It was the Monday, November 14. It had been a hot day
in North Platte. I’m Steve Nofel, I pastor First
Presbyterian
Church. That night, I was irked.
I was driving home after dark down Buffalo Bill and
several houses were lit with Christmas lights. Several
others
had lit up Nativity scenes. I said out loud to the empty, except
for me car,
“Oh come on, it is a full six weeks until Christmas! What’s the
hurry?” So,
unlike the little pig who went “wee, wee, wee” all the way home.
I went,
“grr, grr, grr,” all the way home.
Arriving home, I thought more about it. It had hit 70 degrees
that day.
Later in the week single digits were predicted for overnight
lows. It had been
an unseasonably warm, even hot, fall. And we all know winter is
going to
catch up with us with a vengeance. Maybe, the people with
Christmas lights
and Nativity sets in the middle of November were just showing
good sense.
They did the decorating while it was pleasurable to be outside
rather than
shivering and cursing the cold after Thanksgiving.
When I mentioned all this to my wife, she reminded me that we
had done
the same thing back when we first moved to Nebraska. For several
years we
had put up our outside decorations before the frost was on the
pumpkin. I
had conveniently forgotten during my grr, grr, grr all the way
home.
Judge not lest ye be judged - Matthew 1:7. I don’t know about
you, but
this can be a tough one for me. This is especially hard when I
react too
quickly and don’t stop to think things through or remember my
past actions
or reactions.
It is so easy to have an unkind or arbitrary thought, and not
just about
Christmas decorations. I recently nearly had an accident when a
driver
jumped out in front of me when it was my turn at a four way
stop. I was
really angry, and was thinking uncharitable thoughts. Then I saw
the driver
turn hurriedly into a school in an effort to be on time. I was
still shaken by
the near accident, but I was no longer thinking grim
thoughts.
This Advent and Christmas seasons, things will get hectic, I
guarantee it.
We must try not to judge. Try to show down and think through the
situation.
Try to be patient. Try to show you are a Christian by your love
even in try-
ing circumstance. Think, remember, and then even pray for the
person
whose motives and/or actions you might not understand.
We must not judge any by their outward appearance, but by their
worth,
and by the gifts and graces of God's Spirit in them. – John
7:24
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Steve
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Poinsettias Poinsettias are available to order until December 5.
They may be offered in memory of or in celebration of a loved one.
You purchase a Poinsettia for $16 or donate any amount you wish.
All donors will be listed in the bulletin. You may call the church
office if you any questions.
Fellowship Time!!!
GIRLS' LUNCH OUT - "Girls" of the congregation no host lunch at
noon on the first Wednesday of each month at the Espresso Shop
downtown! *Remember, Wednesday, Dec 7, 12:00 noon, or whenever you
can get there. See you then!
MEN’S COFFEE HOUR - All Men of the church are invited to meet at
the Pop Corner on Wednesdays at 9:00am.
MS FRIENDSHIP - meets the first Friday of the month at 6:00pm at
the Airport restaurant. Open to everyone. RSVP to Pennie Mattke or
the church office.
ALL are welcome!
Worship Service with communion and candlelight will begin at
7:00pm on
Saturday, December 24
1 Mike Shultz 6 Renee Callaghan 10 Morgan Libsack 14 Cheryl
MacDonald Dan Wesslund 16 Earlene Kuhl Mike McConnell 18 Deb
Weitzel 18 Harper Whitney
19 Evan Miller Gary Thies 20 Barbara Barr Connie Sedlmajer
Dennis Toillion 21 Connie McCreery 22 Jim McClymont 24 Pat Johnson
25 James Whitney 26 Madeline Ochsner 27 Naomi Okoye 28 Grace
Forrester 29 Kelsey Stokely 30 Jane McCarthy
December Anniversaries 12/4/1998 Pat & Lyle Johnson
12/6/2009 Nicole & Paul Wiezorek 12/7/1985 Sandy & Gordon
Johnson 12/23/1988 Susan & Jeff Petersen 12/26/1981 Martha
& Jim Orcutt 12/27/1983 Deb & Steve Welsh 12/31 Jackie
& Brad Dawson
Christmas Schedule: No choir practices December 21, 28 and
January 4. Practice will resume January 4. K-5 FPC & Me will
not meet December 21, 28, January 4 FPC & Me will resume again
on January 11. Saturday, December 10, Presbyterian Women’s Holiday
Tables & Style Show Sunday, December 11, Confirmation
Children/Youth Christmas Program Sunday, December 18, Christmas
Cantata Christmas Brunch following worship Christmas Eve Service -
7:00pm Christmas Day Worship Service - 10am
Congratulations to Sarah Jones and Nick Rebeck on the birth of
twin boys, Ari & Max, born July 27, 2016. The proud grandmother
is Ann Jones.
(Our apologies for missing this announcement )
The Chancel & Bell Choirs, Children & Congregation
of First Presbyterian Church Present a Christmas Cantata
“A Christmas Lamb” Sunday, December 18, at 10AM
Everyone is welcome to stay for the Christmas Brunch following
morning worship.
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FPC&ME The Wednesday schedule is as follows: 3:30pm - Kids
can be dropped off
(a light snack will be served and an opportunity to get homework
done)
4:30-5:00pm - Worship 5:00-5:45pm - Lesson 5:45-6:15pm - Dinner
is served
Invite your friends - neighbors - classmates and come and join
us.
The high school youth group will be serving others in Decem-ber!
December 7th we will be making care packages for our
college students, and on the 14th we will ring bells at the
Westfield Sunmart for the Salvation Army from 7-8:00pm.
We would like to congratulate Jakob Ochsner on receiving his
Eagle Scout award!
High School Youth Group Meets on Wednesdays from 6:30-
8:00pm
Food and fellowship Bring your friends!
Please contact: Renee Callaghan 530-1905 Susan Petersen
530-0189
Confirmation Sunday December 11, 2016
Confirmands: Presley Bonynge Gracelyn Cauffman Ryan Kaminski
Chase Leibhart Priscila Mondragen Madeline Ochsner Addie Russell
Andrew Weitzel Sam Wiezorek
Teachers & Cooks Needed!
The Christian Education Commit-tee is looking for teachers and
cooks for our next sessions begin-ning in January. The lesson plans
will already be put together. There is a sign up sheet on the
bulletin board in the
office or you can call Scott Baker (530-9920) and let him know
which Wednesdays you will be available.
Adult Bible Study Opportunity The Fall Bible Study with Pastor
Steve on “Back to Basic Bible Study” continues with the specific
dates and topics outlined below. The Bible Study meets at 9:00am.
Come and renew your Bible knowledge. Come join in the discussion.
All are welcome! Dates:
December 3 The New Testament December 10 The New Testament
The Children & Youth will present a Christmas Program
Sunday, December 11, at 10:00am
Bring your family, neighbors and friends.
Practices for Confirmation and the Children’s Program which will
be presented on Sunday, December 11th will be in the church
sanctuary
on Saturday, December 10th, at 1:00pm. Please plan to attend
(bring your youth).
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Adventures of Bob and Kristi Rice Democratic Republic of Congo
Kanaga, West Kasai
Keeping up With the Rices http://bobandkristi.blogspot.com/
Pastor Steve’s contact information:
Church Phone: 532-1083 Cell Phone: (402) 202-2381
Email: [email protected]
“Second Sunday = Second Purchase” of an item for the Pantry
Bring an item (or two) and put them in the grocery cart on the
Second Sunday - or - leave it in the pantry box any time during the
week - or - take it to the pantry at 114 C Street between
1-3pm.
Home Communion: Pastor Steve along with one of the Deacons have
been extending the table and taking communion to our shut-ins. If
you have not received communion and would like to be receiving it,
please contact the church office. Or . . . If you are just
interested in a visit, we would like to hear from you also.
A short Meeting was held by the Deacons on November 13, 2016
with 12 members present and 6 members absent. Minutes and Treasurer
Report were approved.
Janet Hare reported on her visits with Char-lotte, Doris, Anne
and Ruth. Irene Ridgway will be the new moderator of the Deacons
for the next year and Bev Sallee will be doing the Children’s’
bags. We still need a Secretary and someone to head the sign-up for
ushering and driving. Our next Salvation Army dinner is December
2nd, 2016 and we will be serving our delicious goulash. This is our
last one this year. We will have served 4 times, feeding somewhere
be-tween 500 to 600 people. Without your dona-tions of time and
commodities, we would not be able to do this. The Deacons will once
again have the tree up in the Narthex for Christmas. This year we
are asking for donations to the Pantry, Wreaths across America and
the Goodfellow Show fund. If it wasn’t for your generous donations,
we would be unable to help so many in need. Thank you for your kind
support, whether it be in prayers or monetary. Thanks and well
wishes for a very Blessed Christmas and an awesome Happy New
Year.
Irene Ridgway Secretary Deacons
A Different Kind Of Christmas
Sometimes Christmas is just overwhelming, it seems,
As we rush around buying up stuff. We spend without end,
and we rack up those bills, But it feels like it's never
enough.
So this Christmas, let's all take a different approach:
Let's try to be more in accord With God's Christmas gift,
the best one of all-- Our sweet Jesus, our Savior,
our Lord. We'll be gentle and patient,
and loving and kind, And we'll keep our priorities straight;
The gifts of the Spirit, the gifts of the heart
Are the ones that we'll all celebrate. And our stress will
decrease, and we'll feel more at peace,
As we decorate, package, and trim; Our new Christmas will be a
pure joy and delight,
As we try to be much more like Him.
By Joanna Fuchs
http://bobandkristi.blogspot.com/mailto:[email protected]
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Grace Ministries Food Pantry
Thankful! That is the only word that comes to mind as I sit down
to write December’s message from the Grace Ministries Food
Pantry!
All of us at the Pantry are thankful for the support you give
each month…the hours that you spend at the Pantry, the food that
you donate, the cash, coins, and checks that you contribute, the
prayers that you say for our customers and our outreach. We are so
blessed to have you on our team, so willing to give so much to help
others! 170 hours of service came from you at FPC in October!! We
are also thankful for our Pastor Steve who has been a loyal Pantry
volunteer since he arrived in July!
We are thankful for our friends at First Baptist, First
Evangelical Lutheran, First Methodist, and the Masonic Lodge for
their continued support of time (65 hours in October!) and
donations. We are thankful to be able to ease our area’s hunger
problem with a team of good people willing to go that extra mile
for those in need, working towards a common goal.
We are thankful for our community, which so graciously donates
to area food drives and supports our Pantry when we least expect
it. Local churches, though they are not a part of our core team,
donate like they are! First
Christian and Our Redeemer Lutheran Churches are both so very
faithful! Both Kiwanis organiza-tions, the Boy Scouts, Thrift
Center for the Handicapped, Farm Credit Services, Agri Affiliates,
and so many individuals donate faith-fully, and we appreciate each
dollar and each can of food that comes in. We are thankful for
Walmart Distribution Center, which shares SO much with the hungry
in our area!
We are thankful for our customers, who have put their trust in
us to help them through rough times. In October, we fed 142
households, or 309 individuals. They were given 389 pounds of
frozen meat, 328 boxes of cereal, 564 cans of soup, 699 loaves of
bread, 455 cans of fruit, and literally thousands of other items
that filled their tummies, nourished their children, gave them
hope. We are thankful to be able to do that.
In my favorite Christmas movie, The Bishop’s Wife with Cary
Grant and David Niven, the movie ends with Henry’s sermon on
Christmas Eve, as he talks about hanging up a stocking for the baby
Jesus... "Let us ask ourselves what He would wish for most. And
then, let each put in his share...loving kindness, warm hearts, and
a stretched out hand of tolerance. All the shining gifts that make
Peace on Earth.”
Thank you all for your shining gifts! - - - Leigh Henline
Special Christmas Giving Opportunities: The Deacons have voted
to use some Christmas funds for: 1. Goodfellow Shoe Fund 2. Wreaths
Across America 3. Grace Ministries Food Pantry Envelopes for these
giving opportunities are on the tree in the Narthex. Please mark
you envelope with the name/names of the organizations you want your
donation to go to. Unmarked donations will be used to help families
in need and for Salvation Army dinners. Christmas Special Offering
envelopes are located in your envelope packets and will be
available in the pew racks. The Mission Committee will determine
what this offering will be designated for and that information will
be included in our Sunday Worship bulletin.
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GATHERINGS AND FELLOWSHIP TIME: PW Coordinating Team will
meet
Thursday, December 1, at 10:30am
Women’s Fellowships will meet in the church parlor on Thursday,
December 8
9:30am - Morning Fellowship Hostesses: Dixie Francis & June
Powers
6:00pm - Evening Spirits No Host Christmas Social—All Share
* If you have never been a part of one of the fel-lowships, and
would like to start, please feel free to come to either the morning
or evening fellowship. Also, if you are unable to attend each
month, you are more than welcome to just show up when you are able
to either of the fellowships. If you need a ride, please call one
of the members of the fellow-ships or the church office. You are
always wel-come!
BIBLE STUDY: Presbyterian Women are studying our Mothers in
Faith. Our studies include Eve, Mrs. Noah, Sarah, and others.
December study will be looking at Mary. Pastor Steve leads these
studies for both the morning and evening groups. Each study begins
with what we think we know about the women and read pertinent
passages together. Then discuss what we feel about these women of
faith and how they relate to us.
Join us Thursday, December 8,
at 9:30am or 6:00pm
All women are welcome!
SERVICE: December Service Committee
Coordinator: Toni Volcek
Members: Jill Dolan, Marilyn Jones, Connie Klemm, Tammy Miller,
Marlene Minshull
READING TIME: Attention Readers
The books for the 2016 Reading list are on the cart in the
Narthex. Please be sure to sign your name on the card and leave it
in the box. Reading is a wonderful way to relax after the hustle
and bustle of the Christmas Season. So grab a book from the cart,
some tea or hot chocolate and curl up in your favorite chair.
October October Receipts Expenses Actual: $11,766.87 $16,412.68
Budget: $14,583.34 $17,212.09
YTD Receipts YTD Expenses (as of 10/31/16) (as of
10/31/16)Actual: $139,107.69 $155,140.62 Budget: $145,833.40
$177,920.90
October
Presbyterian Women Hosting the 2nd Annual
Holiday Tables & Style Show Saturday, December 10
Starting at 11:30am
Style Show by Christopher & Banks
Benefit for the Gift of Hope Lunch Special Music Door Prizes
Tickets are $10 and are on sale at the Church and Christopher
& Banks
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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 10:30am PW Coordinating Mtg
2
6:00pm MS Friendship @ Airport
3
9:00am Adult Bible Study Class
4
9:30am Choir Rehearsal 10am Worship Communion *Live Streaming @
www.fpcnp.org
5
6
9:00am Mission Fellowship
7 9am “Men’s Coffee Hour” at Pop Corner
4:30pm FPC & Me 5:45-6:15pm Dinner 6:30pm High School
Rehearsals: 7:00pm Chancel Choir 8:00pm Bell Choir
8 9:30am Morning Fellowship 6:00pm Evening Spirits
9
10 9:00am Adult Bible Class
11:30am PW Holiday Tables & Style Show
1:00-2:00pm Confirmation/Children Pageant Practice
11 Confirmation /
Children’s Pageant 9:30am Choir Rehearsal 10am Worship *Live
Streaming @ www.fpcnp.org
12 4:00pm Finance 5:30pm EV&CG
13 9:00am Mission Fellowship 7:00pm WAM
14 9am “Men’s Coffee Hour” at Pop Corner
4:30pm FPC & Me 5:45-6:15pm Dinner 6:30pm High School
Rehearsals: 7:00pm Chancel Choir 8:00pm Bell Choir
15
16
17
18
9:30am Choir Rehearsal 10am Worship / Cantata *Live Streaming @
www.fpcnp.org 11:15am Christmas Brunch
19 7:00pm Session
20 9:00am Mission Fellowship
21 9am “Men’s Coffee Hour” at Pop Corner
NO FPC & Me or Youth Programs
NO Choir Rehearsals
22
23
24 7:00pm Christmas Eve Worship Communion Candlelight
25 CHRISTMAS DAY
10am Worship *Live Streaming @ www.fpcnp.org
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OFFICE CLOSED
27 7:00pm “Town Meeting”
28 9am “Men’s Coffee Hour” at Pop Corner
NO FPC & Me or Youth Programs
NO Choir Rehearsals
29
30 31
December 2016
Merry Christmas and A Blessed New Year!
From the Staff
Pastor Steve Naomi Linsey Connie Ann Jill Nick Jen
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First Presbyterian Church (USA)
1901 W Leota Street
North Platte, Nebraska 69101
Pastor: Rev. Steve Nofel
Our Purpose
“Boldly with Christ, We Belong,
Believe, Grow and Reach Out”
Tel: (308) 532-1083
Fax: (308) 532-2968
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
Web: www.fpcnp.org
Sunday Services
10:00am Worship
(Live Stream Broadcast at www.fpcnp.org)
Wednesday
FPC & ME (Sept - May)
Choir Rehearsals
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
Permit 88
North Platte, NE 69101
