Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Volume XXXI, Issue 20
December 5, 2012
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Pastor’s Corner 2
Congregational Care 3
Calling All Christmas Cookie Bakers
4
Soups On Us 4 &
Families First Coat Drive 5
Christian Formation 6
Calendars 7
Inside this issue:
It’s almost here! The Christmas Gift Fair is from 9:15 am - 11:00 pm and noon - 1:15 pm this coming Sunday, December 9th. A recent study found that Americans will spend more on consumer gifts this Christmas than they did last year, but will give less to charities and ministries to help those most in need. If, as Matthew 25 makes clear, we should give to “the least of these” throughout the year, it is particularly true at Christmas. The Christmas Gift Fair allows you to give to “the least of these”—both in our community and around the world--in a way most meaningful to our congregation. The Ladies of Morris Fork Presbyterian Church will once again have their authentic Appalachian crafts for sale, and you can buy lunch while you consider our church’s local and world mission projects.
The Salt Shaker
The annual Christmas Pageant will be presented on December 16th during the 11:00 am worship. This year’s Pageant was written and directed by Joanie Lukins, and is called, “What Child Is This?” Jeff Jones has been hard at work with the children’s choir since October on the music for the pageant. The lead players for the pageant include Ross Johnson as the Court Clerk, Jacob Rankin as Judge Leo the Lion, Rachel Matherly as the lamb, Emma Erwin as the donkey, and Doug Brown as the camel. The children’s choir will lead the music for the pageant, as well as filling the traditional roles of Mary and Joseph, the angels, shepherds, and wise men (and women). Many hours have been put in by Joanie, Jeff, the children, and all our parent volunteers to help tell the Christmas story in a new and meaningful way, and we hope you will join us on December 16th at 11:00am to worship and adore Him through their efforts!
Our church will again be ringing the bell for the Salvation Army. We are committed to ring at the Wal-Mart toy entrance Monday through Saturday, December 10th through the 15th from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Signup sheets are in Fellowship Hall.
P A G E 2
Dear Friends,
I didn’t win the $500,000,000 lottery, and I suppose it is just as well. It might taint my other treasure, a treasure I value more than all the money in the lottery. More than anything else I treasure the saints I’ve had the good fortune of meeting and with whom I’ve spent some time.
One of the things that amazes me about these saints is just how diverse they are. They are all ages, sizes, and shapes. Some were lapsed Christians who were turned off by the hypocrisy and pettiness of institutional religion. We commiserated. One described himself as a “damn poor Lutheran,” and he was, but he’d give you the shirt off his back and a back to go with it if you needed it. Some were pillars of strength and faithfulness within their churches and communities. Some were unsung heroes, who quietly went around doing the work of the church, on their own trimming bushes when needed, setting up chairs, turning on lights, getting the church building ready for events, making meals, or on their own taking on a ministry of visitation. Some went out of their way to be welcoming. Some are here in Danville, but not all of them. There are saints in other places. Some fill the more traditional profile of church leaders. Some have gone on to the church triumphant and some still are doing the work of Christ. Oh, they might not know that is what they’re doing, but it is, and they’ve enriched my life more than any lottery could ever hope to do.
I think of these saints when I think about Jesus being Emmanuel, God with us. Rightly or wrongly, Christmas is a big deal. Billions of dollars are spent on Christmas, on gifts, on decorations, on preparing special meals, on travel, on church programs, on Christmas concerts and other observations. Think of all the preparation it took the city of Danville to get ready for the Vice-Presidential Debate. Now, think of what we’d do if we knew that the King of kings was coming. There wouldn’t be any comparison. It would probably be ten times as big of an event, or maybe bigger. We’d roll out the red carpet and the preparation work for the debate would pale in comparison. Can you imagine the security? We had several hundred Secret Service agents and state and local police officers that oversaw security at the debate. I suspect Jesus would have a pretty good security detail because no one would want the same thing to happen to him again that happened the first time. Only a select few, mostly those who made large donations, were able to actually attend the debate. Getting a ticket to see the King of kings might be even harder, so that only a select few would be able to get anywhere near to Jesus. Yet, when we read the story, we read about a baby born in a manger to an unwed, teenage mother. Jesus isn’t just the mes-siah of the elite. Jesus is the messiah for all the saints, for all the Marthas out there that prepare all the church meals, for all the Marys who go to the Bible studies and women’s groups, for all the Zaccheuses out there that have lived less than noble lives, but who are looking for something better, something real. This is the Emmanuel who joins the men for coffee as they sit around a table and rehash the latest game, for where ever two or three are gathered there is he in the midst of them. This God with us who went fishing with his friends. I doubt he’d be a red-carpeted kind of guy. He associated with the lowly. Maybe he shows up in our all-out Christmas celebrations, but I tend to think that he’s back in the kitchen with the workers, or mingling with people during the fellowship hour, or stopping by patients rooms and the nurses’ desk in the hospital, or with the workers in nursing homes and care facilities. God with us, means exactly that. Jesus comes to live with us where we live, and where most of us live is in everyday living. We fix meals and do the clean up. We get tired and stressed and worry. We’re far from perfect. The same is true of all those saints I treasure. They reflect the spirit of the Christ child.
May you see the Christ child reflected in the faces of the saints you meet as you ring the bell for Salvation Army and in the faces of the saints who quietly go about their business, who set before us an example of faithfulness.
Blessings to all of you.
Grace & peace,
Jim
December 9, 2012 2nd Sunday of Advent Mal. 3:1-4; Luke 1:68-79 Phil. 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6
December 16, 2012 3rd Sunday of Advent
Zeph. 3:14-20; Isa. 12:2-6 Phil. 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18
December 23, 2012 4th Sunday of Advent Christmas Joy Offering
Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 1:46b-55 or Ps. 80:1-7; Heb 10:5-10
Luke 1:39-45 (46-55)
December 24, 2012 Christmas Eve
Isa. 9:2-7; Ps. 96; Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)
December 25, 2012 Christmas Day
Dawn: Isa. 62:6-12; Ps. 97 Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20
Day: Isa. 52:7-10; Ps. 98 Heb. 1:1-4 (5-12); John 1:1-14
December 30, 2012 1st Sunday after Christmas Day
1 Sam. 2:18-20, 26; Ps. 148 Col. 3:12-17; Luke 2:41-52
P A G E 3
November 4th 270
November 11th 247
November 18th 243
November 25th 182
Our next CENTS-ABILITY collection will be DECEMBER 9th.
Joe Amburgey, Margaret Copple, Lydia Ellis, Jo Ann Fischer, Marjorie Forsyth, Pierce Lively, Jay Lukins, Wanda Medaris, Susan Murphy, Guy Richardson, Mary Rodelius, Hazel Venezie, and Rip Waters.
Joe and Shirley Amburgey want to give a great big THANK YOU to all who came to visit in the hospital, sent cards and who made phone calls while Joe was recuperating. Our prayers were answered!
Joe and Shirley
P A G E 4
Time to bake Christmas Cookies for the prisoners
at the Boyle County Detention Center! 300 prisoners x 4 cookies each = 1,200 cookies needed
Two ways you can help:
Bake your cookies at home and bring several dozen HOMEMADE cookies to fellowship hall by Saturday, December 8.
Join us in the church kitchen on Saturday, December 8 (Noon-2:00 p.m.) for cookie-baking fun. Bring your favorite cookie dough and we’ll bake the cookies in the church ovens.
Children and decorating sprinkles welcome!
Remember:
The cookies must be HOMEMADE, but any recipe is fine.
The less breakable, the better.
Calling all Christmas Cookie bakers!
We’ll be bagging the cookies on
Sunday morning, December 9
during the Christmas Gift Market.
Helpers sample the broken bits!
NO CHRISTMAS SPIRIT? “Can you believe the Johnsons already have their tree up?” he said. “And those people across the street have completely covered their door with foil wrapping paper and fastened it with duct tape. How tacky is that? And to top it all off, a little girl pulling a wagon nearly knocked me down at Wall-mart. Every charity wants my money, and I don’t have any money. When did we forget the real meaning of Christmas, the humble, simplicity of the season?” When indeed? We all know the true spirit of Christmas is the spirit of giving, not the amount of giving, but an expensive gift may be our way of saying: “I’m proud of you. I need you in my life. I love you.” We forget that a generous spirit has very little to do with how much we spend on gifts or how much we give to church and charities. Wasn’t God’s gift of Jesus that first Christmas the greatest generosity of spirit? With Jesus, we received the grace of forgiveness and new life: A star, a manger, a babe---no charge. Where can we show a generosity of spirit without opening our pocket books?
Give compassion to someone who is hurting, even if you can see she’s dug her own hole. Give your time to someone who needs to talk. Look in their eyes and really listen. Give forgiveness to someone who has wronged you remembering that God has forgiven you. Give encouragement to someone who is frustrated and discouraged. A pat on the back says it all. Give a place at your table and share a meal. Thank God before you dig in. The list goes on with a myriad of gifts that only require a willing heart and a generous spirit. If you yourself feel tired and discouraged, find someone who will listen. Pray for faith and for God’s grace in abundance; then, pass it out to everyone you know. Continued on Page 5
Continued from Page 4 No Christmas Spirit?
And speaking of passing it out: Remember that “Soups on Us” needs your help on Dec. 8, at 9:30 AM. We’re not only feeding our hungry neighbors, we’re building a church community. We’re not only showing generous hearts, we’re having fun doing it! We’re not only topping it all off with Christmas cookies, were receiving--- You guessed it--- That good ole Christmas spirit!
Paula Hill
P A G E 5
Winter Retreats & Conferences December 15-16: College Retreat at Burnamwood College students are invited to spend a weekend at Burnamwood with Rev. Kyle Brown. Cost is $30. Register at www.burnamwood.net.
January 2-5: College Retreat at Montreat Where is the Word living today? What is our call as Christians to be Christ’s hands and feet in the world? Come explore and discover what it means to be “Fleshed Out.” Keynote speakers are Lauren Winner and David Lamotte. Register at www.montreat.org.
January 11-13: Young Adult Retreat at Montreat We each seek an authentic life, often in the midst of superficial messages and imposed definitions of success. Join other young adults in their 20s and 30s to explore issues of identity, purpose, and the freedom Christ gives us to get real with one another, ourselves, and God. Enjoy an exciting and thought-provoking weekend of innovative sessions, inspiring music, engaging conversation, and time just to “be.” Register at www.montreat.org
“The Journey: Walking the Road to Bethlehem”
Room 120
Conveners: Ken and Lynn Copp
Journey with us as we travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem in this fascinating look at the birth of Jesus Christ. Using historical information, archaeological findings, and personal reflections, the traditional Christmas story will be illuminated in a new way. We follow the footsteps of Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and others, gaining insight into our own journeys with Christ.
“Hurry Less, Worry Less at Christmas”
Fellowship Hall (Generation Faith class)
Conveners: Liz and John Erwin
Join the discussion as we address ways to make the Christmas season more meaningful using Judy Christie’s book, “Hurry Less, Worry Less at Christmas.” Topics include eliminating Christmas clutter and confusion, developing a thankful heart, beginning new traditions, and savoring the spiritual focus of Christmas and using the season of Advent as a starting point for a more abundant life in the new year.
Adult Formation Offerings for Advent
P A G E 6
There will be no Seeker’s monthly Bible Study for December – we’ll continue January 9th from 12:00 – 1:00pm. In December, please join us on Saturday the 8th at 12:00pm for our annual cookie baking fellowship to benefit the Boyle County Detention Center! Bring homemade cookie dough, sprinkles, cookie cutters, or anything else you have on hand. Children welcome!
Sunday, December 16 8:30 am Worship with Eucharist 9:30 am Church School 11:00 am Worship/Children’s Christmas Program 5:00 pm PYC Youth
Monday, December 17 6:30 pm Stephen Ministry Tuesday, December 18 7:00 pm Local Mission Meeting Wednesday, December 19 6:00 pm Facilities Committee Thursday, December 20 10:30 am Thursday Morning Bible Study 12:00 pm Communications and Outreach Friday, December 21 Saturday, December 22 Sunday, December 23 Christmas Joy Offering 8:30 am Worship with Eucharist 9:30 am Church School 11:00 am Worship 4:30 pm Longest Night Service
Sunday, December 9 Alternative Gift Market and Mission Projects Sunday Cents-Ability Collection 8:30 am Worship with Eucharist 9:30 am Church School 11:00 am Worship 5:00 pm PYC Youth 5:00 pm Sunday Fellowship Monday, December 10 6:00 pm Budget and Finance Committee 7:00 pm Worldwide Mission Meeting Tuesday, December 11 7:00 am DHS & BCHS Breakfast Chat at the HUB 7:00 pm SESSION MEETING Wednesday, December 12 12:00 pm Seeker’s Circle 7:00 pm Adult Choir Practice Thursday, December 13 10:30 am Thursday Morning Bible Study 12:00 pm Salt Shaker Deadline Friday, December 14 7:00 pm Sounding Joy Concert Saturday, December 15 9:30 am Christmas Pageant Rehearsal
Monday, December 24 Christmas Eve 5:30 pm Christmas Eve Service/Intinction 11:00 pm Christmas Eve Service/Intinction Tuesday, December 25 Christmas Day Wednesday, December 26 Church Office Closed Thursday, December 27 12:00 pm Salt Shaker Deadline 6:30 pm Worship and Music Committee Friday, December 28 Saturday, December 29 Sunday, December 30 11:00 am Worship Monday, December 31 Tuesday, January 1, 2013 New Year’s Day Church Office Closed Wednesday, January 2 Thursday, January 3 10:30 am Thursday Morning Bible Study Friday, January 4 Saturday, January 5 Sunday, January 6 8:30 am Worship with Eucharist 9:30 am Church School 11:00 am Worship 5:00 pm Sunday Fellowship
Ushers for the 8:30 am Worship Services: December 2nd & 9th: Dale and Shan Kihlman December 16th & 23rd: Bob and Liz Orndorff December 30: Greg Caudill and John Lacy Ushers for the 11:00 am Worship Services: December: *Scott and Bunny Scutchfield, Gay McGuire, and Bill Nelson
*Indicates Head Usher Lay Readers for 8:30 am Worship Service 1st Sunday Hannah Green 2nd Sunday 3rd Sunday Dale Kihlman 4th Sunday Becky Gash 5th Sunday
Advent Wreath Lighters 11:00 am Services December 9th: Pete, Robin, Jack, and Kevin Cline December 16: Joel, Nedra, and Matthew Boitnott, and Don and Carol Pinska December 23rd: Katherine Orton and Paula Hill
December 24th Christmas Eve 11:00 pm: Marc, Lucy, and J. B. Williams
Advent Wreath Lighters: 8:30 am Services
December 9th: Gary and Nancy Lindsay December 16th: John and Cindi Lacy
December 23rd: Joe Schultz Family
Nursery Volunteers December 9: Don Graber December 16: Patsi Trollinger December 23: Judith Jia
Lay Readers for 11:00 am Worship Service December 9: Youth December 16: Christmas Pageant December 23: Don Good December 30: Brenda Mitchell Communion Schedule for: December 24th Intinction 5:30 pm *Liz Erwin, Don Good, Patty Ward, Susan Neale, Don Porter, Kim Ragland, Joanie Lukins and Susan Matherly 11:00 pm *Vickie Glidewell, Roger Hartner, Jon Ricker and Susan Neale
*Indicates Head Preparer and Server
P A G E 7
December 13, 2012 (12:00 noon) January 2013 (12:00 noon)
500 West Main Street Danville, KY 40422 Email: [email protected]
Church: 859-236-6692 Fax: 859-236-6360
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
We’re on the Web
www.presbydan.org
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
500 West Main Street
Danville, KY 40422
859-236-6692
Jim Stewart: [email protected] Jeff Jones: [email protected] Jillian Embrey: [email protected] Kyle Clifton: [email protected] Tim Noel: [email protected] Ginger Arth: [email protected] Lynn Taylor Tye: [email protected] Tim Shelton: [email protected]
SESSION MODERATOR: REV. JIM STEWART
CLERK: JEAN S. HARNEY ASSISTANT CLERK: LEE ANNE MCCANN
DIACONATE Moderator: Don Porter
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
CLASS OF 2013 GREG CAUDILL
SCOTT SCUTCHFIELD
CLASS OF 2014 LOIS QUILLIGAN
BRENDA MITCHELL
CLASS OF 2015 ROGER HARTNER
CLASS OF 2013 MAUREEN BETO
LYNN COPP MIKE JACKSON
BOB MESSAMORE SCOTT REISINGER
CLASS OF 2014 MELANIE CLARK
BILL NELSON KIM RAGLAND
JON RICKER LUCY WILLIAMS
CLASS OF 2015 CLAY ALBRIGHT BILL GARRIOTT JOANIE LUKINS SUSAN NEALE JULIE RODES
CLASS OF 2013 LIZ ERWIN
DON GOOD PATTY WARD
CLASS OF 2014 ROGER HARTNER
DON PORTER TOM QUILLIGAN
MEGAN SHELTON
CLASS OF 2015 ANASTASIA KNIGHT JANNIE NALLINGER
LYNN PRESTON AMY WILSON
Pastor Jim Stewart
