The Paoli Press Knowing Christ. Making Christ Known.

AswemoveintotheAdventandChristmasseason,weareeachinvitedtomakeroomforthecelebrationofthebirthofourLordandSavior.ShoppingHappens.GatheringsHappen.Butworship,reflection,andtransformationtakeintention.Ourchoirs,worshipleaders,andpastorshavecometogetherinpreparingtoleadyouinworshipthatwillofferyouspacetocelebratethegiftsofpeaceandjoy.Withacantata,achildren’spageant,andasermonseriesreflectingonthePsalmsofChristmas,youwillbeaffordedtheopportunitytosmile,engage,andbechallengedaswegathertogethertoworshipourLord.ThenmovingintotheNewYear,wewilltakeashortseasoninworshiptoreflectuponourcorevalueswithaseriescalled“BecauseJesus.”ThesevaluesbecameclearasyousharedwithsmallgroupsandsurveysduringourworkwithKevinGrahamFordofTAG,andsessionhasworkedwithyourinputto

createaspecificlistoftraitsthatdefinewhowehavebeen,whoweare,andwhowedesiretocontinuetobeaswemoveintothefuture:

• Weshapeourfutureonthefoundationofourfaithfulpast.

• Wemakeeverypersonknownandloved.• Wemakeouryoungpeoplethrivesothateveryonethrives.

• WejoinJesusinservinganyone,anytime,anywhere.

ReflectingonthesevalueswillgiveusthetimetogivethankstoGod,findinspirationthroughtheHolySpirit,andbeanencouragementtooneanother.Joinusforthisexcitingnewseason.

By Jeff Conway, Pastor at Paoli Presbyterian Church

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2 Thank You

3 Adults at PPC

4 & 5 Mission & Info

6 & 7 Upcoming Events

8 Children & Families

9 Cantata

10 Youth

11 Young Adults

& The 505

IN THIS ISSUE

A big thanks to all who took a Turkey Feather! These feathers turned into Christmas gifts for our Missionary children and no matter where they l ive these gifts should reach them before December 25 . This is one package they really look forward to. Their parents also enjoy seeing their chi ldren remembered. You have made my job so much easier and you and the children have made it a true Christmas Joy . Thanks! Sharon Moore (the turkey lady)

On behalf of “The Village,” I thank you for bringing support and encouragement to 63 children in Southern Philadelphia that receive help from The Village. 500 book bags were distributed to these children.

The next service opportunity that I invite you to consider is Tuesday, Dec. 7th when we, each year, have our gift-wrapping party. We will be wrapping gifts for children served by “The Village.” We do this in a lovely atmosphere at the Rosemont campus. I will bring lunch. Look for a reminder at a later date.

Thank you. Barbara Woodcock

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Adult Adults at PPC

Groups and Studies:

Women’s Monday Evening Bible Study: 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at 7:00 p.m. in Streeter Lounge. Questions? Email Linda Hassett at linda.hassett@comcast.net Women’s Tuesday Morning Bible Study: 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays in Churchill Hall. Light refreshments and free childcare. Questions? Contact Charlotte Fitzpatrick, 484-202-8374 or char7fitz@comcast.net Men’s Wednesday Night Bible Study: 6:45 p.m. in the Reception Room. Questions? Call Chuck Moore: 610-296-5442. Men’s Breakfast Group: Thursday mornings at 7:30 a.m. at Nudy’s in Frazer. Questions? Call Bob Zimmerman: 610-644-2974 FABS (Seniors) Events: • FABS Breakfast Club:

4th Wednesday of each month at Our Deli in Paoli at 9:00 a.m.

• Other Events: contact Judy Smaltz at 610-688-8076 or jmsmaltz@verizon.net

Deborah Circle: 1st Thursday of the month from Sept. – June. 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. Held at members’ homes. Questions? Call Nancy Doughty at 610-644-7355.

During Advent, November 27th through December 18th, we recommend reading Why This Jubilee by James C. Howell – a daily Advent reflection on songs of the season. The author invites us to revisit familiar songs of the season and contemplate certain phrases and their meaning for us. We will have copies of this book available in the Narthex. We are requesting $10 per book to cover our costs. In January, Jonathan Mikesell will be holding an in-depth Bible study in the Gould Library. Beginning January 8th, in Churchill Hall, there will be a 4-week presentation of “Civil Rights and Christianity – an Illustrated Series”, led by Tom Infield. The following image is from the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. This is the church where four children were killed by a bomb planted by Klansmen. For the 4 Sundays of February, Dave Bruner will lead a series called “The Drama of the Covenant: Abraham's Journey with God.”

Winter Break begins December 4th and Sunday School will resume on January 8th.

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In their newsletters, nonetheless, theHenrysarefulloffaithandhope.Itisanawesomethingto see. They recently wrote: "We remainconfidentinGodthathewillbuildhischurchandcalltohimselfapeopleforhisname."BobMcKemey,ourformermissionarypartnerin Japan, encountered a similar hard shell ofresistance to the message of salvation in thatAsianland.ButliketheHenrysdo,herejoicedinevery new Christian brother or sister.McKemeykept reminding himself what the Apostle Paulwrote in 1st Corinthians about his own

experience teaching the

Gospel:"Iplanted,Apolloswatered,butGodgavethegrowth. So neither the one who plants nor theone who waters is anything, but only God whogivesthegrowth."What the Henrys do—what any of us do—when we share Jesus will resonate in ways wemayneverknow.PleaseprayforBarb,Jason,andthekids—andlookforthemnextsummer.

Mission & Info

Ihopeyou'vehadachancetomeetJasonandBarb Henry. But I certainly understand if youhaven't. They are Christian missionaries in far-away High Steppe of Central Asia, and they gethome only once every few years. PPC came toknow them through Jeanne Helmers, who isBarb'saunt.Formanyyears,wehavesupportedtheir work for the Lord through the church'smissionbudget.My purpose in writing about them here is,first off, to report that they are coming homewith their family next June. Their daughterHadassah, who has been home-schooled by her mother (and didgreaton theACT test!),willbegoingto college in the U.S. next fall. Thefamily plans to be home for ninemonths. They'll be staying inLancaster County, so we'll certainlygetachancetoseethem.EverytimeIlearnmoreabouttheHenrys' story, I am amazed by theirloveforGodandGod'speopleinoneof the most remote places onearth—a cold country that islandlocked and bounded by RussiaandChina.TheHenrysliveonaflat,windy steppe surrounded bytreeless mountains. To make ends meet andprovide a benefit for their community, theyoperateapotatofarmco-op.TheInternet,atlast,hasarrived.Butmedicalcareislimitedandsevenhours away by bus, as Jason discovered thissummerwhenametalfragmentflewintohiseyewhile he was operating a grinder. (His pupilremainsscarred.)The Henrys have planted a church. That istheir reason forbeing ina remoteplace. But intheireffort towinpeople for Christ, "thevisiblefruit is not what we hoped for," they havewritten.

TheHenrys:GodGivesTheGrowthbyTomInfield,MissionCoordinator

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Mission & Info

Wearea"go"foranIsraeltripstartingontheSaturdayofPalmSundayweekend(April8)andendingbackhomeonMonday(April17),thedayafterEaster.That'sa10-daytripbutonlyeightnightsonthegroundinIsrael.Wespendourfirstnightintransitandourlastdayintransit.Theestimatedcostofthetripis$2,300person,startingwith$1,100inairfare(possiblyAirCanada,viaToronto)and$1,200ingroundcosts.(Ifyouhavefinancialchallenge,contactTomInfield:tom.infield@paolipres.org)ThegroundcostestimateissubstantiallyreducedbyarrangementsthatMarkandOlyssiaParrishwillmakeforus.WewillstayinaministryguesthouseinHaifa,andtravelinavanMark'sgroupowns,payingonlyforthedriver.OnMonday,April10,wewillhavetheprivilegeofworkingtoserveaSederdinnerfor160people,andwewillworship(onSaturday)withaChristian

congregationofRussianJews.WewillvisittheSeaofGalileeandthetownswhereJesuswalked.WewillgotoJerusalemandtheDeadSea.Markwillbeourprimaryguideandscholar.Tokeepcostsdown,

ourteammustbelimitedto15memberssowecanallrideinonevan(plusthedriver,plusMark).WeneedtogiveMarkandthetravelagentaheadcountassoonaspossible.FYI,Tomcheckedtheareaschoolcalendars--T/EisofftheentiretyofHolyWeekplusEasterMonday,sothisisperfectforfamilies.GreatValleyisoffHolyWeekbutnotEasterMonday.Sofamilieswithkidswouldhavetogetthekidsoutofschoolthatextraday.WestChesterhasashortbreak.TheschoolsareclosedThursday,FridayandMonday.

“Easter In Israel” Trip 2017

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NYC Bus Trip Nov. 19th

The 505 Christmas Service Dec. 18th

Winter Wonders Dec. 9th

The Village Gift-Wrapping Party

Dec. 6th

Children’s Christmas Pageant Dec. 18th at 10AM Dec. 24th at 4PM

Egypt Trip Jan. 9th-16th

The 505’s 3rd Anniversary Jan. 8th

UPCOMING EVENTS

Evening of Comfort & Joy Nov. 30th

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WINTER 2016

Jingle Jam (Advent Family Fun Day)

Dec. 2nd

Cantata Dec. 11th

Christmas Eve (Children’s Pageant at 4PM)

Services at 7PM & 9PM

Youth Winter Retreat Feb. 3rd-5th

Congregational Meeting Jan. 29th

505 Christmas Party Dec. 10th

Last Day of Adult Ed. Nov. 27th

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Children & Families

CHILDREN’S EDUCATION Sunday School will be in session until December 18th. After the winter break, Sunday School will resume January 8th.

Looking for a fun and easy way to celebrate Christmas with family and friends this holiday season? Then join us for JINGLE JAM - Put a Bow on It! December 2nd from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Organized around the telling of the Christmas story, Jingle Jam will encourage your family to not get wrapped up in stuff this season, but to find the real reason to be happy, no matter what is going on around you. Jingle Jam celebrates that God gave us His Son Jesus so that we can truly understand real and lasting joy! And Jingle Jam is full of great music, great videos and great skits! So take a break from the mall, stop staring at those packages, and come chill with us at the coolest party this side of the North Pole.

The“FEARNOT”FACTOR–CHILDREN’SPAGEANT

• Rehearsals: 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on Sundays in the Sanctuary • Presentations will be Dec. 18th AT 10:00 a.m. and Christmas Eve at 4:00 p.m.

Contact: Associate Director for Children’s Creative Arts, Felicia Mule: feliciamariemule@gmail.com

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A PARTY BIG ENOUGH FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

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Music

JOIN US DECEMBER 11T H AT 10:00 A.M. FOR A BEAUTIFUL SERVICE OF MUSIC LED BY JON KREAMER AND ACCOMPANIED BY A FULL ORCHESTRA.

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YOUTH MINISTRY

AT PPC

Morgan and Jessi Binnix are seniors at Eastern

University, where they are both double majoring in Youth Ministry and Biblical Studies. They have had a passion for youth ministry since their own youth group days in the Annapolis area, and have years of ministry experience including internships this past summer in Gaithersburg, MD (Jessi) and Ashburn, VA (Morgan). They have been attending PPC for the 3 years they've been at Eastern, and are thrilled to be youth interns this year. 

Greetings,As we draw closer to the holidays we draw closer to the start of the confirmation program year. Terry Ambrose, Melissa Cassel, and I, along with High School peer leaders Brittany P. and Erin C., kicked off confirmation this year with a weekend overnight retreat at Pocono Plateau Camp and Retreat Center November 11-13. This class is only possible with the prayers and support of you, our congregation. We start classes every Wednesday night starting on November 30th. The PPC Confirmation program stresses and focuses on self exploration of faith and belief in God and Jesus. We look back at the early church for guidance as we meet together, eat together, and study together. We would love to have any and all help you can provide, most importantly prayer for our confirmands. Thank you for your continued support and love of our youthand youth ministry.Be Blessed,Bryan JonesDirector of Youth Ministries

Youth Min Interns

2015-16 Confirmation Class

Youth

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Young Adults & The 505

505 The

A 505 Christmas + Post HS Reunion

• Sunday, December 18th starting at 5:05 p.m. • It’s The 4th Annual 505 Christmas! It will be an evening of music

and merriment you won't want to miss! Don your UGLIEST Christmas sweater to win a prize! Bring your family, your neighbors, your coworkers and friends - all are welcome to join.

• Worship, Prizes, Photo Booth, Food, Fun! • Bring a side or dessert to share. • Childcare will be provided.

Hey college students, working people, all ya’ll who are going to be home for the holidays! Come join us for A 505 Christmas! Catch up with friends, learn (more) life lessons from Don, and enjoy a home-cooked meal from Val “Mama” Virgilio! Hope to see you there!

The 505 Christmas Party • Saturday, December 10th

starting at 6:30 p.m. • Home of Steve Krentel

& Chris King: 1200 Cornerstone Blvd. Apt #305, Downingtown, PA

• Bring an appetizer/dessert or drink to share

• Invite your friends! • Everybody’s welcome!

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The 505 3rd Anniversary Celebration – Sunday, January 8, 2017 Do you remember? It started out with a vision. A calling from God. A leap of faith for Paoli Presbyterian Church to create new ministries that would reach out to the next generation. It began as a worship gathering. Once. Twice. Monthly. And then, on January 12, 2014 The 505 started meeting weekly. Since then, through all your prayers, support, participation and encouragement, The 505 has grown tremendously!

• 50-75 people in worship weekly, most of whom are new to PPC. • Six small groups meeting throughout the week for Bible study, prayer and fellowship. • Ten new members joining the church this November. • Paid musicians, once coming “just for the gig,” are now active participants in ministry.

We are in awe of God for all the ways He has blessed this ministry! And we are so grateful to Paoli Presbyterian Church for your support of it! And we want to celebrate together! We hope you will join us on Sunday, January 8th at 5:05 p.m. for a special worship service recognizing this gift that God has given us to reach out together in His name.

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PAOLI PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 225 SOUTH VALLEY ROAD PAOLI, PA 19301 OFFICE: 610-644-8250 WWW.PAOLIPRES.ORG

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Mailed November 10th

Postmaster: DATED MATERIAL Please deliver by November 14th

In Ministry Together: Susan Alloway (Communications Specialist), Becca Bruner (Associate Pastor for Young Adults and Families), Jeff Conway (Pastor), Vickie Foti (Custodian), Gail Glass (Financial/Membership Secretary), Daphne Hager (Director of Christian Education), David Hall (Parish Associate), Virginia Iacone (Executive Assistant), Tom Infield (Mission Coordinator), Bryan Jones (Director of Youth Ministries), Jonathan Kreamer (Music Ministries Director), Daniel McFarlin (Custodian), Jonathan Mikesell (Associate Pastor of Administration), Felicia Mulé (Associate Director for Children's Creative Arts), Jenifer Murray (Childcare), Michael Reaves (Associate Director of Contemporary Worship and AV Coordinator), Richard Streeter (Pastor Emeritus), Wes Thomas (Custodian), Marcia Woodruff (Parish Associate).