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Philipsburg First Presbyterian Church |
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Easter Our History Activities
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TIME WITH MATTHEW
I love the ways we linger in whole books of the Bible together in worship. I love how we look for connections, for the fuller story, and for the context of the original writing. I love how we can read and re-read the text at home, how we can check commentaries, how we can memorize a key verse from our text. And, I love Advent and Christmas.
So, how delightful it will be to walk through Advent with you all with Matthew’s Gospel in hand. Our text is tied to our family devotional, Flames for the Faithful, as well as the Advent candle lightings. Sunday by Sunday in Advent, we’ll be piecing together a Christmas puzzle that comes together in a portrait of God with us – Emmanuel.
And then, much to my further delight, we will follow Matthew’s Gospel right up to the beginning of Lent – which is very early this year with Ash Wednesday on February 6, 2008. Whew!
To prepare for the season of preparation, let’s join in reading Matthew. We’ll be pausing at the texts and themes below each Sunday:
The first Sunday of Advent: Listen! with Matthew 24: 36-44 The second Sunday of Advent: Prepare! with Matthew 3:1-12 The third Sunday of Advent: Behold! with the Cantata, 2,000 Decembers Ago The fourth Sunday of Advent: Rejoice! with Matthew 1:18-25
Then, in January, we will follow the church calendar of events as we watch Jesus’ epiphany, baptism, calling of disciples, and transfiguration in Matthew. Grace and Peace in this Advent and Christmas,
NOTE: If this newsletter has been passed to you by one of our members as an
DEACONS MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
2 – David Laux 19 – Gertie Clyde 3 – David Dixon 19 – Tom Sayers 5 – Amy Pleskonko 25 – Joe Turner 5 – Ben Jeffries 27 – Lora Storck 9 – Dot Fenton 28 – Babs Herman 9 – Jennifer Jones 28 – Julie Jo Johnston 10 – Susan Test 29 – Perry Richmond 11 – Larry J. Ammerman 30 – Dede Coleman 12 – Helen Gill
DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES 19th – Paul and JoAnn Springer – 9 years 27th – Darrell and Helen Hollis – 49 years 28 – Joyce and Allen Kitko – 6 years 29 – Bethany and Adam Coursen – 6 years
MONTHLY THANKS In a month of giving thanks, we give thanks for: Handymen Dick Kithcart, Tom Little, Don Blake and Gary Barnett for taking care of small repair jobs around the church that had piled up … thanks! The many helping hands at the Presbyterian Homes Bazaar, who made items, spread joy, and worked at the Bazaar … thanks! In particular, to the Wednesday sewing group of Helen Gill, Dot Davidsen, Barb Springer, Shirley Turner, Theresa Martha … thanks! Jill Blake, Karen Wood, and Jim Gearhart, for filling and setting out the candles for Branstetter-Wagner wedding! Darrell Hollis, for faithfully serving as Presbytery commissioner … thanks! Angie Dixon and the Deacons, for filling our stomachs with GREAT baked ziti this month … thanks! Jeff Eyet, for writing the Minutes for our church that were approved without exception … thanks! Bill Moore, for preaching November 25 in Pastor Tracie’s absence … thanks! Gifted cooks Carol Moore, Pat Milsom and Helen Hollis who shared their signature recipes in our new women’s cooking nights … thanks! Gary Barnett, for working above and beyond duty in keeping up with the leaves, the floors and the polishing … thanks! The Deacons, for serving as church hosts for the Community Thanksgiving
WORK DAY THANKS October 20 yielded some much-needed work by a few hearty folks. Thanks goes to: Marty Bullis, Dan Nelson, and Harold Shirey for changing the high lights in the choir loft; Barbara Little, Tracie, Ryker and Madelen Bullis for cleaning the church office; Dick Kithcart, Tom Little, Dan Nelson and Marty Bullis for putting up the parking lot sign; Marty Bullis, Dan Nelson, Bill Moore and Harold Shirey for cleaning the gutters; Bonnie and Amy Rodgers for supplying a lunch after all the work. THANK YOU for giving of your energy to take care of the marvelous church we have been given!
CHURCH FAMILY CHRISTMAS GREETINGS Instead of mailing out a number of cards to individual families, you are invited to send or bring one card to the church to hang on the Bulletin Board at the Fifth Street Entrance. We can all gather around and read the letters and well wishes, enjoying the news of God’s work in one another’s lives. And the generosity and joy doesn’t stop there. With the money you save from reducing the numbers of cards you send out, consider making a gift to the Christmas Joy Offering, or the Christmas Eve Offering, which will be designated this year to the Deacons to distribute to a variety of local needs. Of course, you can send out cards to whomever you choose. But putting a card up at church assures that everyone receives your warm greetings. If you can put it up by December 9, many will see the board as we go to the Westminster Hall for our Soup and Sandwich lunch.
ADVENT DEVOTIONAL The Session is again seeking to enhance and focus your devotional season by offering a free devotional book for each church family or individual. Flames for the Faithful, by Arden Mead, will be available each Sunday through the first Sunday of Advent, December 2, to pick up and begin reading.
GIVING TREE The opportunity to share our riches with those who have less will be given again to the church community on Sunday, December 2, when we offer the Giving Tree ornaments. Two ornaments will be offered again this year, consisting of Angels, representing a gift needed by a local child of a prisoner, or Christmas, representing the gift need for a local resident in one of our Philipsburg Presbyterian Homes, Decatur Village or the Philipsburg Towers. Please plan to select an ornament and return the gift to the church by Sunday, December 16.
CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM Sunday December 9th during the 10:30 a.m. worship service TAILS FROM THE MANGER Words and Music by Tina English Arranged by John Purifoy
Soloists: Ryker Bullis/The Reed Boys and Noah Jeffries Soloists: Gretchen Little, Olivia Bainey, and Jayden Eckberg Soloists: Hannah Chorle and Emily Kizina
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CANTATA Sunday, December 16TH during the worship service
Some 2,000 years ago, a shining star marked the dawning of a hew hope...and the world has never been the same. This Christmas cantata presents a heart-warming Christmas experience celebrating the birth of our Lord. "2,000 Decembers Ago" is written by award-winning songwriters Joel Lindsey and Reggie Hamm. It features memorable songs woven together with beloved Christmas classics. Pastor Tracie Bullis will serve as narrator for this musical celebration of Jesus' birth.
"Rejoice!" "Two Thousand Decembers Ago" "There's Something Going on in Bethlehem" "See How Bright He Shines" "Give Me This Night" Solos by Karen Wood and Jill Reed "His Kingdom Will Not End" Solos by Steve Kardolhey and Dan Nelson "Adore Him" "Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne" "Two Thousand Decembers Ago"
CHRISTMAS FEAST Last year was our first attempt at providing a free Christmas Feast to those in our community who may be alone for the holiday or may not have the means to enjoy a holiday feast. Through the generous gift of an anonymous donor, and the creative efforts of the planning team of Gigi Sayers, Holly Kithcart, Angie Dixon, and Barbara Little, the Christmas Feast has been set for Sunday, December 16, at 5 PM. Children of the church will sing, and there is a need for adult servers, set-up people and clean-up people.
If you know of anyone who you’d like to see invited, please contact Pastor Tracie (342-0812). Invitations are being distributed with a requirement of a reservation. The meal will serve 100 people.
SERVICES FOR CHRISTMAS For our morning worship service on December 23, we will be celebrating communion in anticipation of our Lord’s arrival on Christmas.
In the evening of December 24, the church will worship jointly with our sister Church in Osceola Mills. The family service, with the candle ceremony and many musical presentations, will be held at 7:30 PM at our church. The communion and candlelight service will be held at 10 PM at the Osceola Mills Presbyterian Church. The meditation at both services will be the same, so each family can select the worship service most meaningful to them. So all families can sit and enjoy the services together, nursery care will not be offered.
OFFERTORY ENVELOPES Anyone currently NOT receiving giving envelopes who would like to start for 2008, please let Edie Good know.
ANNUAL FLOWERS FOR THE SANCTUARY Many people in our congregation enjoy putting flowers in the Sanctuary for a Sunday, particularly if it marks a special time in their lives. Our flower chart is designed for just this purpose.
However, sometimes remembering to order the flowers for the Sunday chosen can be a challenge. If you would like to select a Sunday, but have the church order the flowers, you may do so for $50 per Sunday multiplied by the number of years you want the Sunday reserved for you. We are presently establishing a Flower Fund that will cover the expenses of Sunday flowers for a sponsor for as long as 10 years. Flowers may be designated as a memorial or honorary gift. If you are interested in contributing to the Flower Fund, please speak with Laura Barnett, the flower coordinator.
WE ARE CELEBRATING OUR SANCTUARY AND THE GRAYS Sunday, April 27, 2008, is the day we are marking the 100 years of worship in our present Sanctuary. Although the congregation will be 150 years old in 2012, our sanctuary is younger due to a fire that destroyed the first sanctuary. The cornerstone of our present building was laid in 1908 and built debt-free for $25,000.
In addition to this celebration of our worshiping life, we are planning to celebrate the ministry of the longest pastorate of the congregation – that of Carl and Betty Gray’s 29 years. The day will hold an historical overview of the sanctuary, a dedication of the Gray memorials, a worship service including several pastors connected to our congregation, and a delightful, festive meal after worship.
Please, reserve the Sunday, and invite anyone you know who has worshiped with us in the last 100 years to attend!
Income and Expenses for the General Fund for October, 2007: Total Offering and Income to General Fund $ 8,798.97 Total Expenses from General Fund $ 10,212.66 Deficit for October $ (1,413.69)
DECEMBER 2007 CHURCH CALENDAR
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