JJ White MemorialPresbyterian Church

...but those who hope in the Lordwill renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;they will run and not grow weary;

they will walk and not be faint.Isaiah 40:31

January 2013 Newsletter

Highlights of Christmas

Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes

Putting Chrismons on the tree

Lighting the Advent Candles

Visiting with friends at Camellia Estates

Advent workshop fun --making gifts

Miz Mattie and Christmas shopping-- with Ms. Flo and her crew

The children sing and revisit the Christmas story

...from the pastor’s desk

Charles Ray

For reasons unknown to me, God in His wisdom has made it possible for me to serve this church

during two different and difficult seasons. Those have been two of the most satisfying periods of my life

because you have fleshed out for me the realities of a church which has had great meaning for me.

The years of 2011 and 2012 have provided for me a deeper love of God and of this congregation.

We, on occasions, have gone through situations that could not be gone around...but we did get

through, not on our own and not by ourselves. This church has been a community capable of absorbing

our good times and our hard times...a family of friends who won’t let us go or suffer alone. The

operative phrase here is “a community capable of absorbing good and hard times.” Most importantly,

the church has been able to absorb the hurts, failures and successes of our people and friends of the

church.

Let me tell you of a poster I saw in a little Presbyterian church, on a visit to upper New York state

several years ago. Perhaps it explains the “absorbing church” idea best.

Within these hallowed walls, the passages of life have been acknowledged,

prayers have been offered, countless promises of commitment and love have been heard,

the pain of grief has been shared, and reconciliation for broken lives has been discovered.

Hungry hearts have been fed,anger set aside,

new hope discovered,and simple vows made.

This is a holy place and you are accepted here. copied

Please note the last sentence of the above statement!

Photo Op!!! Who could resist the opportunity to take a photo of three McComb mayors in the same room, who just happen to all be members of JJ White MPC. This chance presented itself recently when a group from JJ White went caroling at several homes-including the home of Newton and Mary Lucile James. Former mayors Newton James (seated) and Tommy Walman (left) were joined by McComb’s current mayor, Whitney Rawlings.

JJ White Welcomes New Member JJ White MPC welcomed new member, Kathleen Harbour, on December 16, 2012. She has already become a part of JJ White with her attendance of worship services and participation in the Covenant Life Sunday School Class. Kathleen grew up as a Presbyterian in Meridian, Mississippi. She and her husband, Bryan, who serves as Justice Court Judge for Pike County, moved to McComb in 1984. Kathleen is a retired attorney and teacher. When asked to name her main interests or hobbies she replied: “...raising grandchildren, horses, and roses.” It is a joy to have her as a member of our church family at JJ White!

Music Notes by Dr. Roger Nickerson

“When In Our Music God Is Glorified” (WC Hymnal #403)Words: Fred Pratt Green (1903--)

Music: Charles V. Stanford (1852-1924)Tune: ENGELBERG

2012 has been a musically-glorious year. We have been blessed with great hymn singing, marvelous soloists and fantastic instrumentals. The Chancel Choir, Roger Price on organ, and Jennifer Sanders on piano have moved us spiritually to a new place in worship. We have been drawn to worship, our hearts opened and prepared for the spoken word from Pastor Charles Sunday after Sunday bringing us more closely to the message that each Sunday we rededicate our lives commanded of us and given through Jesus Christ.

We can truly make the statements: In church music and worship – God is glorified, Music adds a profound dimension in worship that can come from no other source. God’s truth is proclaimed through our liturgy and song.

Jesus himself set the example. When he was facing his most awesome challenges, he found strength in singing with his disciples one of the historic songs of his Jewish heritage. Synagogue worship was liturgical and followed recurring patterns: singing of Psalms, chanted prayers, the Kedusha (“Holy, Holy, Holy”, Is. 6:3), the Shema (Numbers 15:37-41), specific prayers and prescribed benedictions.

So with well-tuned instruments, every voice should sing a triumphant “alleluia” to God, even when it must be sung “by faith, and not by sight”. (2 Cor. 5:7)

“God is Here! As we his people,meet to offer praise and prayer,

may we find in fuller measurewhat it is in Christ we share:

here, as in the world around us,all our varied skills and artswait the coming of the Spiritinto open minds and hearts.”

Fred. Pratt Green, 1979

HAPPY NEW YEAR—may 2013 bring you more blessings than 2012.

The New Year in Song!

Ms. BessRemembers...

Christmas Memories-1948

This is a few days after Christmas. Let’s take the time to stop and count our blessings. Yes, God has been with us bountifully. I have sat in “my chair” at the breakfast table, hardly awake. That is my prayer time. I thank God for health and its continuation; that we as a church may be led to a new minister soon. Most of you have special times when you say things right from your heart. You cover the “Thank you, Lord” items, too.

I remember many things we did at church from 1948. New pastor Rev. Robert Craig, his wife Floride, and young children came just before we arrived. After prayer meetings, in early December a dozen people or so remained. Soon men and women were busy, opening small paper sacks, putting candy, pecans, gum and such in them. What was happening, I wondered.

They were getting these ready for the Adopt a Family, a project of our church, helping needy folks have a better Santa Claus visit and Christmas dinner foods. Terry Tucker, a deacon, provided names, ages of children. Coats or jackets needed? He even provided trucks to take the gifts.

At that time maybe the Union Mission had arrived. If so, probably other church groups were participating. Many members delivered their baskets or boxes. Others depended on Tucker and his employees, who knew their way around.

Back then food items and good, warm clothing were welcome gifts. Children’s long list of ‘Dear Santa Claus letters were not in the picture. Some households were very needy.

I think of those families at J. J. White, filling those little sacks (I forgot peppermint sticks) every year at this time. We are the ‘key’ ones now. May we continue our zeal and serving our Lord.

Epiphany (Sunday, January 6)Epiphany is the celebration of God’s manifestation or self-revelation to the world in Jesus Christ. In particular, we celebrate the revelation of God’s promise and purpose to the nations of the world, as the magi came from the East to worship to the Christ child, and God’s covenant of grace is extended to all who believe the good news of Christ Jesus. The symbolism of light is important: not only because of the star that guided the magi, but as it relates to the bright dawning of God’s self-revelation in Christ.

An excerpt from the Companion to the Book of Common Worship (Geneva Press, 2003, 94-95)

The word “epiphany” (from the Greek epiphaneia or theophaneia) means “appearance” or “manifestation” of God, and has roots in the word for sunrise or dawn. In ancient times, an epiphany meant either a visible manifestation of a god or the solemn visit of a ruler venerated as a god.For Christians, Christmas marks the coming of God to us; Epiphany celebrates the appearance of the Lord in the midst of humanity. The Christmas stories of the birth of Immanuel declare the divine entry; Epiphany extols the revelation of God to the world in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.In our celebrations of Christmas and Epiphany we rejoice in the dawning and the arising of Light in darkness. … Epiphany not only discloses the Savior to the world but also calls the world to show forth Christ, to be witnesses to God’s true Light. The timeless mystery of the incarnation, God in flesh, leads us forth to show and tell of Christ as God’s gift of grace and salvation for all persons. Some call this ongoing epiphany the work of Christmas.

This article from PCUSA website http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/worship/)epiphany/

!Do you want to enjoy a light breakfast at JJ White in the Ewell Martin Room before Sunday School each week? If you are interested in participating in this fellowship contact Sharon White to sign up for a date to bring a “burnt offering” (light breakfast).

All are invited to enjoy the breakfast at 9:00 AM each Sunday before going on to Sunday School.

“Burnt Offerings” Breakfast

ELDER OF THE MONTH: Billie Nance

CHILDREN’S CHURCH

6 Linda Miller13 Billie Nance

20 Rusty Whittington

27 Meredith Singley

FLOWERS

(Contact Sue White) 6 Sharon White

13 Suzi and John Drummond

20

27 “Burnt Offerings” (BREAKFAST )

(Contact Sharon White)

6 Kathy Parker13

20 Lee Williams

27

MEN’S WEDNESDAY BREAKFAST GROUP

2 Dale Perdeye, Whit Whittington 9 Steve Blue, David Kimble

16 Renan Richmond, Tom Dupree

23 Jimmy Carroll Robertson, Whitney Rawlings

30 Roger Nickerson, Rick Penick

USHERS/GREETERS

Tommy Ratcliff, Captain Robbie DeCoux John Drummond

Stacey Moak Johnny Nance

Mark Statham

January Schedules & Lists

January

1 Chetta Hitt

2 Nancy McElwee7 Joan McDaniel

9 Lily Warshauer10 Toni James

15 Mark Statham

15 Shelley Wickens17 Tommy Morgan

18 Louise Andrews20 Dianne Solomon

23 Ralph Brock23 Jamie Hart

25 Tommy Ratcliff30 Bill Jones

31 Henry Gibbes IV31 Roger Nickerson

February

2 (Jennifer Brill)

13 Emily Austin

14 (Roger Price)

20 Donna Smith

20 Susan F. Gibbes

21 Margaret Ann Morgan

21 Sam White

22 Hannah Catchings

25 Mary Regan

28 Hayden Williams

28 Henry Williams

New Year’s Day 2 3 4 5

6 Epiphany

9:00 Breakfast9:30 Sunday School

10:30 WorshipOrdination/Installation

of Elders Class of

2015

7 8

Women’s Bible Study

11:30 FH*

*Changed to 2nd Tues. for Jan. only

9

7:15 am

Men’s Breakfast

5:30 Wed. Night Fellowship (all ages)6:00 Adult Study

10

Knutty Knitters7:00 PM

11 12

13

9:00 Breakfast9:30 Sunday School

10:30: Worship

6:00 Session

s

5:30 vespers

6:00 Session

14 15 167:15 am Men’s Breakfast

5:30 Wed. Night Fellowship (all ages)6:00 Adult Study

17

Knutty Knitters7:00 PM

18 19

20 9:00 Breakfast 9:30 Sunday School10:30: Worship

21 MLK Day

Nursing Home

Visitation3:00 PM

21 22 7:15 am

Men’s Breakfast 5:30 Wed. Night Fellowship (all ages)6:00 Adult Study

23 24 25

26

MICA Sunday

9:00 Breakfast9:30 Sunday School

10:30: Worship

27 28 29

7:15 am Men’s Breakfast

5:30 Wed. Night Fellowship (all ages)6:00 Adult Study

30

Knutty Knitters

7:00 PM

31

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

January 2013 Glory to God in highest heaven,

Who unto man His Son hath given;

While angels sing with tender mirth,

A glad new year to all the earth.

~Martin Luther