Just like the politicians are trying to tell us
how much they are just like us, the Bible
reminds us – faithfully – that the people with
whom God works in relationship
throughout history are just like us. They are
human.
We’re seeing the humanity of Abraham and Sarah
in this fall series through Genesis,
as we climb to the marvelous view of the covenant
one week and then plunge
into the blundering, faulty plans of this
patriarchal couple the next. How refreshing it is
to see God’s faithfulness in it all!
As we enter the colder winter months, with the
on-going economic challenges heightened
by the need to heat our homes, may we come again
and again to the reality of God’s faithfulness in our lives. He is
faithful to the individual. He is faithful to the community.
At a time when the bank account may be dwindling,
may we all remember that God’s well of love, strength, and
faithfulness is as full as ever. From the center of Christ, may we
put relationship-building before entertainment, acts of love in
front of buying gifts, and gratitude
for all we are over the want of what we do not
have.
May this month of thanksgiving reflect God’s
provision and priorities – for we
have much in God’s Kingdom to be thankful for.
Grace and Peace,
NOTE: If this newsletter has been passed to you
by one of our members
as an introduction to our church, we welcome the
opportunity to get
to know you better through coming to worship with us.
Our Sunday
worship service begins every Sunday at 10:30 a.m.,
with Sunday
School for all ages at 9:30 am. Our church is located
on Presqueisle Street between 5th and 6th
Streets, with parking behind the building
or on the street.
FALL BACK!!
November 1-2 is the end of Daylight Savings
Time weekend; so our clocks should go back
an hour on Saturday night. If you forget, give
Sunday School a try, since you’ll be at church
an hour earlier (9:30 a.m.).
KITCHEN FUND UPDATE
The Kitchen Fund stands at $23,168.10 as of
Sunday, October 19, 2008. The two remaining
fundraisers for the year are the Community Day
Coupons at the Bon Ton and the Thanksgiving Pie Sale.
Kitchen Memorial or Honorary Name Plates may be donated
for $250.00 each until the end of 2008. Call the church office
for
more information and be on the lookout for pie order forms coming
soon!
INCOME AND EXPENSES FOR THE GENERAL FUND
FOR SEPTEMBER 2008:
Total Offering and Income to the General Fund: $ 9.605.24
Total Expenses from the General Fund: $11,800.01
Shortfall for September: $ -2,194.77
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING SET
The Session has called a Congregational Meeting
for after worship on Sunday, November 2,
2008, to
elect officers and vote on Pastor Tracie’s
salary.
This is also the time change weekend; so set
your
clocks back to attend worship and this
important meeting.
ADVENT DEVOTIONALS
The Session is again seeking to enhance and focus
your devotional season by
offering a free devotional book for each church
family or individual.
Good news! Great Joy! by Robert C. Hereth will
be available each Sunday
beginning November 2nd to pick up and
begin using on the
first Sunday of Advent, November 30th.
ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS GIFT PROGRAM
Our fourth annual Alternative Christmas Gift Program
is ready to begin. Five projects have been chosen by
the committee, and a gift order will be available on
Sunday, November 9th. Orders will be received both
before and after worship beginning Sunday, November 16th.
The five projects are: Our Church Kitchen Renovation…………………….$15.00
a gift
Holt Memorial Library Building Fund………………..$25.00 a
gift
Philipsburg Shoe Bank……………………………….$10.00
a gift
Camp Krislund Covered Wagon Refurbishment…..$20.00 a gift
Thailand Children’s School Supplies………………..$10.00 a
gift
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
The Deacons have invited members of the
congregation to fill a Christmas Shoe Box for
a child in the world to be distributed by
Samaritan’s Purse Ministries. Information on
how to fill a box is available at the church
or by calling the church office for a
brochure. Boxes are due at the church by
Sunday, November 16th. Give the
gift of Christmas joy to a child this year!
FUEL AID CONCERT
Presented by the Philipsburg-Osceola
Ministerium and Rowland Theatre
Featuring Many Local Artists
Sunday, November 16th, 3:00 p.m. –
5:00 p.m.
At the Rowland Theatre
Tickets: $5.00 (Available at First
Presbyterian Church)
[The purpose of this concert is to raise funds
for distribution through Community Action to families and
individuals with fuel needs this winter.]
SERVING THE HUNGRY
Our church has volunteered to serve a warm,
delicious dinner to 100 hungry people on
Thursday, November 20th, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
at the Osceola Mills United Methodist Church.
Volunteers are needed; so please call the church
office or sign up on Sunday!
BOOK LAUNCH
Marty Bullis has written another book called Three
Friends and the Magic Tree Wand, and this time it’s a great
one for children! This can be a family read-aloud book or an
advanced reader for 8 to 12 year olds. Books are available online at
Amazon.com, or on Sunday, November 23rd, you can buy a
signed copy at the church from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. It’s a
great option for Christmas gifts for the kids in your life! Here’s
a summary and picture:
SHARE YOUR BLESSINGS
November 30th is the First Sunday in
Advent, and a Communion Sunday. To
share our blessings, we are gathering
canned meat for the Philipsburg Food
Bank.
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY
Monday, December 1st, will be our next women’s
study in the parlor. We continue with the story of Ruth.
Keep your eyes peeled for the Women’s Christmas Dinner
information set this year for Friday, December 12th.
SHAWL MINISTRY
The Shawl Ministry is moving along very well.
There are 23 knitters/crocheters who
have indicated a desire to be part of the
ministry. To date, 4 shawls have been received,
and there are 3 in reserve. Response to the shawls
has been very good, and we are encouraged to continue. Since we have
no official funding, if you would like to
be a partner in this ministry, a cash gift of any
amount is very welcome.
Donations may be given to Carol Moore.
THANKS TO….
November is the perfect month to give thanks for
folks like: All those who gave their
Saturday morning to lend a cleaning or fixing hand
at the church on the Work Day – thanks! Paul Springer for being
the October liturgist – thanks! The Young at Heart Lunch planners
and makers – thanks! Karen and Dick Wood for setting up the
wedding/pew candles – thanks! Jeff Eyet, for keeping our records
and minutes straight, with another year of approval without
exceptions – thanks! The piano treatment team of Ilo Warg, Darrell
and Helen Hollis, and Julie Jo Johnston – thanks! Jay Milsom for
lending a custodial hand – thanks! Holly Kithcart and Barbara
Little for organizing the yummy meatloaf dinner for the Kitchen Fund
– thanks! All the workers, cookers, and eaters of the meatloaf
dinner – thanks!
PER CAPITA
It is still not too late to pay your 2008 Per Capita.
This year’s amount is $27.39 per each church
member. If you aren’t sure if you paid, please
contact Edie Good, and she can let you know
where you stand.
OFFERING ENVELOPES
Anyone not currently receiving giving
envelopes who would like to for
2009, please let Edie Good know.
OCTOBER DEACON MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
- Received a "Thank You" from Windy Hill Village
thanking those children who
presented a program and those adults who served Communion on
October 5th to the
residents.
- Received a "Thank You" from the Branton Family for
the monetary donation given to
Kylie Branton, a Philipsburg Elementary student suffering from
cancer.
- Will donate $50.00 to the Ministerium for the Fuel Aid
Concert.
- Deacons will help serve the free meal on November 20th
at the Osceola Mills United
Methodist Church.
- Our own Christmas Feast is planned for December 7th.
OCTOBER TRUSTEE MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
- The budget was reviewed.
- Approximately $23,500.00 has been raised for the
Kitchen Fund. An upcoming pie sale is slated to begin
soon.
- Building usage fees have been set at $25.00 for the
Music Room; $100.00 for either the Sanctuary or the
Educational Building; and $250.00 for the whole church.
- A memorial fund donation of $2,500.00 was received for
the Kitchen Fund.
- Maintenance work is scheduled for the church roof
stops, the Manse water heater, and carpet cleaning in
the Manse.
CHURCH OFFICER MEETINGS FOR NOVEMBER
Deacons: Tuesday, November 4th @ 7:00 p.m.
Session: Monday, November 10th @ 7:00 p.m.
Trustees: Tuesday, November 18th @ 7:00 p.m.
PW: To Be Announced
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
3rd – Barb Springer 15th – Cory
Wood
5th – Seth Storck 16th – George
Pleskonko
6th – Tom Little 17th – Lydia
Dixon
8th – Kelly Freeman 19th – Robert
"Ethan" Reed
9th – Gary Barnett 20th – Nikki
Rohrback
9th – Edward A. Good 21st – Janey
Johnson
10th – Carly Sayers 23rd – Austin
Eggers
12th – Edie Good 27th – Todd
Dixon
13th – Matt Jones 28th – Larry
Ammerman
13th – Morgan Coble 28th – Matt
Johnson
14th – Marti Eggers 29th – Suzi
Peck
15th – Jill Reed
NOVEMBER ANNIVERSARIES
1st – Ralph and Sally Nelson – 33
years
11th – Ray and Dot Davidsen – 58
years
18th – Stuart and Robbie Hollis –
19 years
19th – Elwood and Gladys Turner –
19 years
28th – Harold and Mary Shirey – 49
years
28th – Edwin and Lora Storck – 27
years
NOVEMBER 2008
