First Presbyterian Church NON-PROFIT ORG.

300 South Main Street, P. O. Box 1038 US POSTAGE

Greensburg, Pennsylvania 15601-5038 PAID

Phone: 724.832.0150 fax: 724.832.0152 GREENSBURG, PA

Email: fpcgreensburg@comcast.net PERMIT NO. 428

Website: www.firstpresbyteriangreensburg.com

SUNDAY MORNING SCHEDULE Sunday School at 9:00 a.m.

Worship 10:00 a.m.

Nursery Care provided

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

DEADLINE FOR JANUARY ISSUE: MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2019

Email submissions to fpcgreensburg@comcast.net or mail to church office.

The Coulter Society asks that you please consider remembering our church in your will!

CHURCH STAFF

The Rev. Dr. Martin R. Ankrum, Pastor / Head of Staff

Dr. John B. Salveson, Minister of Music / Organist

Lu Ann Peters, Financial Secretary

Kimberly A. Stoner, Executive Secretary

Keith L. Huey, Sexton

Shannon Reid, FPC Preschool Teacher & Director

Blythe Graft, Wendy McCann, Paula Purnell, Jeanine Solo,

Allisa Zorn, FPC Preschool Teachers Jill Linsz, Children’s Music Assistant Ronald Vorel, Housekeeper

Richard P. Fabery & Matthew Cohen, Assistant Sextons

Julia Huczko & Arianne Winkleblech, Nursery Care Attendants Mr. Edgar B. Highberger, Minister of Music, Emeritus

December 2019

FIRST NEWS: A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

A Gift for the King November 24 – December 31

I enjoyed delivering a stewardship message to the congregation on October 27! Thank

you for your positive comments about my “windows” sermon. I spoke about four windows that

made me think about generosity, especially our sanctuary’s stained glass windows. I said that

when I see the colored glass illuminated by the sun, “it feels like God is smiling, and grace is

pouring through these windows onto you and me. Our church is a holy place where the people

are struck by light, where God’s love is revealed, and where we are transformed into the

creation we were made to be.”

What I meant by this is that when worshipping our Lord, we center our hearts on God.

We feel God’s grace and love, and in response we unite in prayer and praise. Worship stirs our

hearts. What shall we do with this feeling? I invite you now to respond to your stirred heart

with an extra financial gift over-and-above what you planned to give to the church this

calendar year. Let us model the behavior of the Magi when they delivered gifts to the infant

Jesus. They brought gifts for the King. I assume these gifts were unplanned. Each Magi saw

the star in the east and their hearts were stirred, embarking on a long journey and bringing

gold, incense, and myrrh. For what purpose? For worship. For love. Christmastide is when we

give gifts to loved ones, and our church family certainly qualifies in that regard! Please give to

the church something extra over the next few weeks. For what purpose? For supporting our

worship. For love of God and one another.

The Stewardship Committee is aware that we are asking much of the congregation. As I

said in my sermon, you need NOT give out of a sense of obligation, nor to relieve a sense of

guilt. Instead, consider giving because it will help. Our 2019 church finances are out of balance

and the cause of this is decreased income, not increased expenses. As of November 1 we had a

projected deficit of $79,000 for the year. I am hopeful our budget situation will improve in

2020, but that doesn’t fix the 2019 deficit.

Thank you for considering an extra gift. We are a blessed church family, struck by light

and made beautiful by God! Your generosity stirs my heart, and your gifts to the church will be

passed around for all to use. Now please pass me some mashed potatoes when you get the

chance. Jim Kellam

OUR CHURCH FAMILY NEWS PRAYER LIST: Ann Bagley, Rona Beluschok, Raeann Berger, David Bolton, Lisa

Bulger, Carolyn Carr, Paul Carr, Traci Confer, Vivian Coombe, Edna Mary Cox,

Chris Dieck, Janie Dowdy, Joanne Doyle, Laureen Earnest, Richard Enterline,

Elizabeth & Michael Felice, Cathy Folino, Cheri (Turin) Gail, George, Ellen Grubb,

Edgar and Joanne Highberger, Claire Horning, Kim Huey, George Hritz, Lee

Jamison, Jody, Wendy Jones, Juniper, Anna Kostrick, Ray Kuyat, Linda, Jake

Manallo, George Maser, Beverly Ross McClung, Judith Morrow, Ed Murphy, Alex

Noel, Bill Ofcansky, Denise Ohr, Joe and Nancy Pallitta, Michael Pennesi, Kathleen and Norbert Piekut,

Carolyn Pike, John Pollins IV, Colton Reid, Marcia Remaley, Henry Roland, Carl Ross, Ron Russell,

Nico Salvio, Joan Scales, Rich Schall, Sean, Gene Sember, Liz Sember, Pat Sheridan, Suzanne

Slaugenhaupt, Marcie Special, J D Stoner, Dave Stucker, Janet Sutherland, Lynda Turin, Elsie Vanetta,

Craig Vojnik, Ron Vorel, Gealy Wallwork, Tristan Watson, Nancy Jane Whipkey, Jay and Sue

Woodward, Marsha & Mike Zoruba.

BIRTHDAYS: Each month we observe the VIP’s and fourscore or more birthdays: If you are 80 or older,

and would like to be listed in the monthly newsletter, please contact the church. December birthdays are:

Jack Bagley, 708 Farview Dr., Apt. 2, Gbg (11)

Will Brown, 110 Edenboro Drive, Gbg (15)

Carolyn Pike, 1002 Valley Drive, Gbg (28)

CONTRIBUTION ENVELOPES – If you don’t receive contribution envelopes and would like a set or if you

currently receive envelopes for yourself or a family member and do not wish to receive them please let

me know. Lu Ann Peters, Financial Secretary.

CHURCH OFFERING ENVELOPES AVAILABLE!! Please look for your church envelopes in the

Assembly Room. We encourage members to please pick them up to help the church save on postage

expense. They can be found on the tables near the Laird Memorial Library! DON’T MISS YOUR

BOXED SET!!!

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS since October 30, 2019 – Anita M. Garr

Stewardship Report

Total Disbursements through 10/31/19 $554,905.82

Total Receipts through 10/31/19 $455,071.76

Total Income over/under Expense ($99,834.06)

If you would rather receive an electronic version of the First News, please let us

know at fpcgreensburg@comcast.net and we’ll add you to our email list and

remove you from the paper copy list. Then you will receive the First News through

your computer rather than the mail box, but you’ll have to let us know!! A copy of

the latest First News can also be found at our website:

www.firstpresbyteriangreensburg.com

Congregational Activities from the

Membership & Evangelism Committee

THE LUNCH BUNCH - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10 at 10:00 a.m. Something new! The December

Lunch Bunch will be traveling to The Frick to see the Katharine Hepburn Exhibition. We will

have lunch following our self-tour. Tickets for seniors will be $13 and purchased at the door.

Interested? Be sure to sign up at coffee hour. We will organize car pools to leave from the

church at 10:00. All are welcome.

CORNERSTONE GATHERING: ALL ARE INVITED! - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 6 P.M.

Cornerstone is a gathering of folks from FPC on a monthly basis for dinner and conversation.

We will be returning to Old Grille 66, 991 Old State Route 66, Greensburg. Sign up during

coffee hour, call Sandy Beauregard or the church office before December 11. See you there!!!

CHRISTMAS DAY DINNER –

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25

HELP SPREAD THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS

Celebrate Christ’s birth by helping others; this is the true

Christmas spirit! We need lots of assistance to make this occasion

a special day. If you would like to help make deliveries, help

prepare food, help serve and/or help clean-up, please sign up

during coffee hour or call the church office (724.832.0150). This year we are asking for monetary contributions toward the purchase of the foodstuffs

necessary to provide a tasty and nourishing dinner for our take-out and dine-in guests on

Christmas Day. So, you may place your contribution in the offering plate on Sunday mornings

with a note on the memo line that this is a Christmas Dinner contribution. We will still need

people to bake cakes and provide apples and oranges and wrapped hard candy for the table

decorations to help create a festive atmosphere for the people who come to the church for

dinner. Please sign up at the table during coffee hour.

Contribution List

Cakes – 25; Apples and oranges - enough to decorate 10 or more tables; 7 dozen candy canes

and other wrapped hard candy; Shopping bags & boxes

Please bring your cakes to the church on Dec. 24 … all other donations need to be

dropped off by noon on Dec. 23. You can also help by signing some Christmas cards

during the coffee hour after the service. These cards will be distributed with the dinners

on Christmas.

STIRRED HEARTS MOMENTS

FROM THE FIRST VIEW

Chili After Church There are numerous "heart stirring" events,

moments, opportunities and programs at FPC, but one that is a particular

favorite of mine is "Chili After Church". This is a time for passionate,

culinary inclined Presbyterians to offer their best chili recipes to

tantalize the taste buds of the congregation, as a way of celebrating the

conclusion of our Stewardship Campaign. This stirs my heart because of the way it promotes

our sense of Community in Christ. Certainly, when we break bread (or cornbread in this case)

together, and get our fill of a good bowl (or 2 or 3) of chili, surrounded by friends, we are

obeying Christ's commandment to his disciples- "Love one another, as I have loved you". At

Chili After Church we celebrate our stewardship, renew and strengthen relationships and share a

common meal together as the Body of Christ! I look forward to the next edition of Chili

After Church not only with the anticipation of tasting some great chili, but to see how God will

"stir our hearts" and use this Community of Faith at FPC, to His honor and glory.

Jerald Lowry

Deacons’ Sing-a-Longs The Pastoral Care Committee of the Deacons' Board has been

sponsoring Sing-a-Longs at local personal care facilities for many years. This ministry has

always “stirred my heart”. The premise that “music is a universal language” is so evident with

the many residents who attend the Sing-a-Longs. Even those who don't sing are smiling and

tapping along as the music “stirs their hearts”. I always leave these events uplifted and

invigorated with a “stirred heart!” Peggy Taylor

Holiday Parade Open House While mission work may take us to places far away, sometimes

opportunities arise directly in front of us. We began our Holiday Parade Open House as an

outreach to thousands in our community who were literally lining up right outside our church to

watch the parade. Over the past 14 years, it has become so much more. Some of our visitors

may never participate in worship anywhere. Volunteers from our amazing church family have

been offering a welcoming smile and ear to those who come in to grab a snack or simply warm

up. The moments that are shared have made this a truly uplifting and enjoyable experience for

all involved, one that I look forward to each year. Faith is refreshed with this remarkable

exhibition of God's grace and love in all of us! I am blessed to be a part of it. Bill Lingis

Coffee Hour I love coffee hour because I get to talk to my friends. At coffee hour we get to say

hello to someone who may not have been in church for a few weeks, so it gives us a chance to

catch up. I’m glad that we have coffee hour because we all get to know each other better. We

can complement people if they performed well in music or gave a presentation. (Oh, and the

cookies are good too!) Mary Claire Sherman

Circle Meetings for Presbyterian Women

ABIGAIL CIRCLE MEETS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11 @ 10:30 A.M. … Our Bible study this

year is “Love Carved in Stone: A Fresh Look at the Ten Commandments”. We meet in the

Refectory (the small dining room just off the Dining Room). If you have any questions, please

see Peg Carpenter, Circle Chairperson or call the church office.

REDSTONE HIGHLANDS CIRCLE – DECEMBER 12 @ 10:00 A.M. The members of this circle

will meet at Redstone Highlands in Greensburg on the second Thursday of each month at 10

a.m. The circle meets in the Highlanders Room and will be led by the Rev. Bobbie Hineline.

You do not need to be a resident of Redstone to participate. Please see Linda Turin if you have

any questions.

AN OPEN INVITATION to members and friends of First Presbyterian Church to join the Monday

Morning Sewing Circle that meets at 9:00 a.m. Monday mornings in the Fletcher Room. You

don’t have to be an expert tailor to hem the cotton flannelette baby receiving blankets or to sew

the “little dresses for Africa”. If you are interested, please contact Sylvia Carlson at 724-755-

2288 for information. Membership at this church is not a requirement. Anyone is welcome.

ADVENT FRIDAY RECITAL & ART SHOW SET!

THREE FRIDAYS IN DECEMBER AT 12 NOON

For the Advent season, come and view the installation of seventeen

quilts from our own Thea McCurry in the Assembly Room of the

church. They are absolutely beautiful and inspiring!

Consider spending your lunchtime with us on Fridays, starting on

Friday, December 6 with an organ recital by John Salveson. These

will be followed on subsequent Fridays as follows: December 13: Aaron Sproul of St. Bernard

in Mt. Lebanon and December 20: Michelle Kardos, Music Director for the Sisters of Charity.

The recitals will take place at noon and a take-out meal will be available for purchase for $10

following the recitals.

MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE UNTO THE LORD! The Chancel Choir and Chapel Ringers have

resumed rehearsals. If you would like further information about joining any of the choirs,

please feel free to contact John Salveson or any of the choir members. If singing or ringing are

new to you, don’t be afraid! John is happy to work with anyone who wants coaching. We

work very hard to have a positive environment for singers and ringers alike and have several

choral scholars courtesy of the Ed and Joanne Highberger Fund who are here to help you!

VIPS ARE MEMBERS of our congregation who are unable to attend church services on a short-

term or long-term basis. The Board of Deacons, along with the pastors, provide these members

with visits, phone calls, cards and reminders of their connection to our congregation, including

the sacrament of communion, as requested. Please contact the church office (724-832-0150) for

more information and/or to request to be added to our list.

A NEW ARRIVAL in the family is amazing, exciting and can be overwhelming. The Deacons are

offering a meal for the family on a busy day with appointments, etc. The new mother, or a

family member, can contact Darlene Nagrosky (724-837-4157), Chris Terrill (724-834-3842) or

the church office. We do not have a formal network to know of births at the regional hospitals;

however, the church office will forward information as received. Anyone wishing to provide a

meal may also contact Darlene or Chris. Thank you for your help with this ministry.

THE PASTORAL CARE COMMITTEE of the Board of Deacons is asking church members with

family or friends who are hospitalized, have health conditions that have changed, and/or have

other concerns that you wish the church to know about, please inform the church office at 724-

832-0150 and your concern(s) will be directed to the proper person(s).

HAVE YOU CONSIDERED SPONSORING A COFFEE HOUR? Provide your own cookies, muffins

or pastries or underwrite the refreshments for $35. Use the sign-up sheet on the Dining Room

bulletin board. Your contributions and participation are greatly appreciated.

STEPHEN MINISTRIES AT FPC: Is there someone you know or you yourself who could use a

little encouragement? Our Stephen Ministers have been trained to be a good listening ear and

caring heart. If you would like to suggest someone to the care of our Stephen Ministry, please

see Sandra Beauregard.

THE PASTORAL CARE COMMITTEE of the Deacons will be facilitating funeral luncheons in the

church when the need arises. We are looking for members of the church who would like to help

if/when they are available. You might be called upon to help set up, serve food, or clean up the

dining area after the event. Please call the church office to be added to the committee or sign up

at coffee hour. Please contact us with any questions you might have. Men and women are

welcome to help. Chris Terrill and Darlene Nagrosky

Notes from the Loft

As a child I couldn’t wait for the Sears wish book to come in the mail. If

you don’t know what it is, it was sort of like an early form of internet

shopping, with a special catalogue just for Christmas. I would spend weeks

carefully looking through all the pages, pencil and tablet in hand, to pick and

write down everything I wanted. I don’t know that I ever gave any of the

many lists to my parents, and I’m not even positive I really wanted all those

things. But I loved the idea of thinking about having them. I would imagine

where I would keep them, when I would play with them, who would join me

in one of the many games.

I enjoyed that catalogue, but soon the fancies of childhood gave way to temperamental

adolescence and then young adulthood, when I traded in that wonderful catalogue for nights

looking at the stars. That is something virtually unavoidable on the prairies of North Dakota.

The short days gave way to skies filled with stars – and sometimes even Northern Lights. I

would wrap myself up in a parka and boots and sit on the front porch and stare at the night sky,

and wonder.

For some, sitting under the vastness of the night sky was a terrifying thing; bringing to one’s

attention our smallness in comparison to the vastness of the universe. For me, it was quite

exhilarating. I was always taken aback that the God who created all this paid attention to. . .

me. I wondered about the nights when Abraham looked at stars and imagined a great nation. I

wondered at the wise ones from the East who noticed a star that led them to worship a God

they did not know. I wondered at the stars Mary and the disciples saw the night their beloved

rabbi was brutally tortured and crucified. I wondered at those traveling the road who failed to

recognize Jesus until he broke the bread.

Could it be that when we take time to wonder, we get just a glimpse of God’s great catalogue

of wishes, on display in creation and given to each of us in the birth of a child? What would

happen if we took time to wonder – and wish? What would happen if, in the darkness of our

own night, we look to the heavens to see that ripple, that star, that only the wise can see. That

star reminding us that God is indeed right here with us.

Emmanuel, God with us, comes this season, and always. May we each have a moment to

wonder and receive from the wonderful wish list God has waiting for each of us.

Peace be with you in this holy season.

John Salveson, Minister of Music/Organist

ADULT EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

THRU THE BIBLE CLASS – The monthly class will not meet in December but will resume on

January 27 at 7:00 p.m. in the Assembly Room to continue the discussion the Old Testament

book of Psalms. See you then!!!

LAST TUESDAY BOOK CLUB ANNOUNCES READING LIST FOR UPCOMING YEAR … Join us on

the last Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. in the PW Lounge for good conversation over our

featured novel. We will not meet in December but will resume in January. The book for

January is: The Sorrows of Young Werther by Johann von Goethe.

THE MEN’S BREAKFAST & BIBLE STUDY meets at Eat’n Park on Rt. 30 E. each Wednesday

morning at 7:45 a.m. for a time of fellowship, study and, of course, breakfast. We are now

studying the Book of Acts under the leadership of Dr. Ankrum.

C.S. LEWIS ON THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 9 A.M.

ON THE CHRISTIAN LIFE is a well-attended Sunday morning adult

education class that seeks to provide a greater understanding of the

Christian faith through examination of the life and thought of a great

theologian. Our group has studied Dietrich Bonhoeffer, John

Calvin, Jonathan Edwards and Martin Luther in the past. This year,

we will be reading about and discussing the faith of a particularly

well-known theologian / writer, C.S. Lewis. Dr. Ankrum leads this

class.

THE FAITH & FAMILY GROUP meets on the third floor of the CE Wing at 9 a.m. every Sunday

during the academic year (Sept. – May) to discuss topics related to our faith and family

relationships. The group is composed of young couples, singles and any in the church who are

interested in how our faith influences our parenting. This year our topic will be a discussion of

the book, Crazy Busy, by Kevin De Young, a concept to which all parents can relate!

SPECIAL BOOK STUDY GROUP…JANUARY 12… Rev. Lenny Duncan is the unlikeliest of

pastors. Formerly incarcerated, he is now a black preacher in the whitest denomination in the

United States: the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Part manifesto, part

confession, and all love letter, Dear Church offers a bold new vision for the future of Duncan's

denomination and the broader mainline Christian community of faith. Dear Church rejects the

narrative of church decline and calls everyone--leaders and laity alike--to the front lines of the

church's renewal through racial equality and justice. Sign up to join this group discussion at

coffee hour! We’ll meet the second Sunday of each month through April (except

December) from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

ATTENTION!!!! When sending mail to the church office, please be sure to include “P. O. Box

1038” on the address line to assure delivery. Though we have had this P.O. box for many

years, new policies at the post office have enforced the use of this designation.

CHRISTMAS CARDS OF OUR CHURCH NOW AVAILABLE!

The Nativity Window at First Presbyterian Church has been a source

of inspiration and beauty since its installation in April 1942 as a gift

given to the memory of Rebecca Coulter Barclay by Mr. and Mrs.

John Barclay, Jr. Fully restored and returned in the spring of 2018,

four scenes from the Nativity Window have been photographed and

lovingly featured in newly-created Christmas cards for sending to

family, friends and business associates and to proclaim the glad

tidings of the season, bearing witness to the Gospel ministry we share

here at church each week. A 12-pack set of cards featuring the

Annunciation, the Birth, the Visit of the Shepherds and the Visit of the Wise Men are available

for $20.00 following worship services and through the church office during the week. Pick up

a set or two soon as these are in limited production and make great conversation starters for our

church. Glory to the newborn King!

A Report on the Capital Campaign Pledges totaling $729,913!

Donations received $716,901!

OUR CHILDREN ARE HAVING A GREAT TIME GROWING IN

FAITH! Join us during Advent as we learn more about the

Christmas Story in a variety of ways!

Our kids have been learning in Sunday school what it means

to be a steward (to manage something that doesn’t belong to

you) and how God has called us to do this with what we’ve

been given. Our kids voted to support two organizations with

their offerings this year: Wildlife Works and Zachary’s

Mission! Wildlife Works is located in Youngwood and helps

rehabilitate wild animals that have been injured or orphaned.

Zachary’s Mission helps to provide resources to families with medically fragile children. Bring

in your offering during Sunday school each week or put it in a pew envelope and label it

“Sunday School offering.” Parents, thanks for being the first and foremost example and great

support in helping your children learn more about stewardship!

Kindergarten – 2nd

Grade 3rd

Grade – 5th

Grade

December 1 Art (1st Floor, Room 2) Science (Storytelling Room,

3rd

Floor)

December 8 Science (Storytelling Room, 3rd

Floor)

Art (1st Floor, Room 2)

December 15 Cooking (Kitchen) TBD

December 22 TBD Cooking (Kitchen)

THANK YOU!!! First Presbyterian Church Family – Geoff,

Lyanna, and I want to say thank you from the bottom of our

hearts for the wonderful reception and love gift that you

sent us off with to our new church home. We will always be

grateful for the time spent in ministry with you, whether it

was on a mission trip, singing in the choir, or socializing at

a church event. Our prayer is that you will continue to fulfill

God’s call to each one of us in this world: to do justice, love

kindness, and walk humbly with God. With love and gratitude, Rev. Niki Atkinson (on behalf of

Dr. Geoff and Lyanna Atkinson too!)

FROM REV. DR. MARTIN R. ANKRUM

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have

seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of

grace and truth. … For from his fulness we have all received,

grace upon grace.

We have all had one of those moments – watershed moments some call them. These are times,

instances, frozen-in-time-moments, upon which our lives have seemed to hinge. For some it was a

graduation – or a wedding day – or the birth of a child – or the death of a loved one. The list would be

as diverse as we are as a people. But here, in the opening words of the great Gospel of John, the writer

asserts that this moment – this moment of God entering the world -- is that watershed moment for all

creation.

The opening verses to the Gospel of John place before us the heart of the Christian testimony:

that God was in Jesus Christ acting on behalf of the world and all creation. In the story that will unfold

here in this gospel writing, the claim will be made that God has not acted against humankind, but rather

for it and for all creation.

A common misconception about God is the deep-seated fear that somehow and in some way

God is out to get us. This misconception is based possibly upon a misreading of the scriptural witness,

a misunderstanding of Christian dogma or even most possibly, upon an inherent guilt that we human

beings possess at an almost primordial level – an inherited sense of having done wrong to God.

If we have not listened carefully, with enlightened ears, to the gospel of Jesus Christ, we would

fall to this fallacy that God is against us because of our actions against God. We would believe that

God is only interested in punishing our sins and our desertions of his love and grace. However, if we

listen rightly to what will be presented through the Gospel of John, we will learn that just the opposite is

true: God has acted in Jesus Christ to demonstrate that he has decided most definitely in our favor …

for us and not against us.

One of my favorite theologians, Karl Barth, said it best:

In this act it took place that He made Himself our God and therefore very small, and us His men

and therefore very great; that He humbled Himself to us and exalted us to Himself. This is God’s

self-giving: His love.

This, then, is the watershed moment of all human history, of all creation, of all created

existence – the incarnation, the coming of the one who is the Word, the one who became flesh and

dwelt among us and for us … namely Christ, the Lord. The very one who demonstrates that indeed, all

of us are always on the verge of something truly wonderful … something truly hopeful.

May you have a meaningful Advent and a Blessed Christmas!

--Martin

ADVENT 2019

Sundays in Advent: December 1 – 10:00 a.m. “A Culmination”

Communion Service

Dr. Martin Ankrum preaching

December 8 – 10:00 a.m. “We Might Have Hope”

Dr. Martin Ankrum preaching

December 15 - 10:00 a.m. “Patience is a Virtue – Really!”

Dr. Martin Ankrum preaching

December 22 – 10:00 a.m. “Forethought”

Dr. Martin Ankrum preaching

Wednesdays in Advent – A Chapel Service – 7:00 p.m. Join us for a brief half-hour worship service for the Wednesdays of Advent in our Memorial

Chapel. We will hear the Advent & Incarnation story in song presented by a small choir led by

Marc Tourré, Bridget Deveney & John Salveson. Take some time for meditation during this busy

Advent season on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 11 & 18 at 7 p.m.

2019 Advent Devotional – “What God Has Done” Each Advent season, Dr. Ankrum produces a daily devotional to assist the congregation in our

observation of this holy time. The devotional will be mailed in mid-November. If you don’t

receive one by the start of Advent, please ask an usher in worship for one or call the church

office. This year, the devotional will focus upon Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, a powerful and

inspiring book of the New Testament.

Christmas Poinsettias

For the Sanctuary!

Prepaid Orders Due: Sunday, December 8, 2019

If you wish to place one or more plants in the Sanctuary for Christmas week services, including

the Christmas Eve Festival of Lessons & Carols, please return this form to the church office

with $8 for each plant desired. You may, if you wish, place your poinsettias "In Memory Of"

and/or "In Honor Of" loved ones. Deadline for orders is Sunday, December 8, 2019.

Poinsettias may be picked up following the

11:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

POINSETTIA ORDER FORM

Name __________________________________________________________________

Enclosed is $_______________________for _______________ poinsettias.

"In Memory of" _________________________________________________________

"In Honor of”___________________________________________________________

Christmas Eve @ FPC 2019

Christmas Eve Services – Tuesday, December 24

Celebrate Christ’s Birth!

5:00 PM – Children’s Service in the Sanctuary Join us for a simple expression of worship and adoration of the arrival of the Christ Child. God’s

children of all ages will delight in this worship experience!

9:00 PM – Communion Service in the Memorial Chapel A service of worship for Christmas Eve in the quiet beauty of our chapel including a brief Christmas

Eve homily and the sacrament of Holy Communion celebrated.

11:00 PM – The 55th Annual Festival of Lessons and Carols

Patterned after the well-known service that originated at Kings College Chapel in Cambridge,

England, this service takes place in the sanctuary.

Please join us for any or all

of our Christmas Eve Services …

and consider bringing a friend with you!

Redstone Highlands

Caroling Party

Sunday, December 15 - 6:00 p.m. Calling all children, parents, families, singles, members and

friends of First Presbyterian Church! Come on out Sunday,

December 15 to Redstone Highlands and spread a little

Christmas cheer! We’ll be gathering at 5:45 p.m. to ready

ourselves at the Miller Chapel at Redstone for the caroling party

at 6:00 p.m. This is always a highlight of the Christmas season

for us and for the residents of Redstone!

Saturday, January 18, 2020

9 a.m. - Noon The annual joint meeting of our Session and the Board of Deacons will be held on Saturday,

January 18, 2020 from 9 a.m. – 12:00 noon. If you are a member of either board, please mark

your calendars and plan to be present for this all-important gathering to plan for the coming

year.

BEAR-Y CHRISTMAS –Bears will be available Sundays, November 24 and December 1. Please come to

coffee hour to choose your bear. You will need to bring your bear to the table to receive pertinent

information to help you make your gift selection. Please make sure you sign the bear out so we know

who has what child. We have 65 children to provide for. The amount you spend is entirely up to you.

Gifts must be returned, unwrapped, and in a gift bag no later than Sunday, December 8. Please staple

your card on to your gift bag when returning your gift and place under the Christmas tree. Thank you

for your support in making a difference. Contact Deane Markle with any questions or call the church

office and speak with Kim Stoner.

LAIRD MEMORIAL LIBRARY NEWS

The following books were recently added to the church library collection:

Bray, Gerald Augustine on the Christian Life

Brock, Rita Saving Paradise

*Brown, Scott Hope and Heartbreak: Beyond the Numbers of the Opioid

Epidemic

*Cram, Ralph Adams My life in Architecture [Cram was the architect of our church]

Curtis, Carolyn (ed.) Women and C.S. Lewis: What His Life and Literature Reveal for

Today’s Culture

Dilasser, Maurice The Symbols of the Church

Fontana, David Learn to Meditate: a Practical Guide to Self-discovery and

Fulfillment

Gladwell, Malcolm Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People

We Don’t Know

Harper, Steve Praying Through the Lord’s Prayer.

King, Ursula Spirit of Fire: the Life and Vision of Teilhard de Chardin

Lewis, C. S. How to Be a Christian

Lewis, C. S. How to Pray

Linn, Denise Quest: a Guide for Creating Your Own Vision Quest

Routley, Lowell Coming to Awe : Finding Identity in Existence

Stone, Larry The Story of the Bible: the Fascinating History of Its Writing,

Translation & Effect on Civilization

FICTION

Galloway, Steven The Cellist of Sarajevo

Karon, Jan Somewhere Safe with Somebody

O’Connor, Flannery The Complete Stories

FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Eastman, Brock Mommy’s Favorite Smell

Parry, Rebekka Hobomok and Thanksgiving

Robertson, Sadie Life Just Got Real

Sandford, Mary Unwanted

Tosi, M. B. The Broken Violin

Youth & Confirmation!!

What’s Happening in December?

Sunday, December 8 – Second Sunday Supper!!! Join with your friends from church in preparing and serving the monthly dinner on the Second Sunday of the month! We would need your help anytime after worship on Sunday, December 8! Sunday, December 15 – Christmas Caroling at Redstone! This year, we can’t provide transportation to this event, but just bring your parents with you! They’ll have fun too! Help us lead in song and good cheer with the residents and friends at Redstone Highlands in Greensburg. Please come to Redstone by 6:00 p.m.

Confirmation Class Sunday, December 8: 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.

This will be our third class and we have a new teacher!!! Come and meet with Rev. Ankrum, our confirmation teacher. He’s

really more fun than you would think for someone over 30 … Please note the change of time for this class.