__ December 2014 __ VIEW FROM THE STUDY

TO THE GLORY OF GOD Psalm 84: 1, 2

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Hosts! My soul longs,

indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord.

On Sunday, December 14th, we will dedicate the most recent work in our sanctuary, both the new sound system and the refurbishing, which includes new carpet both in the balcony and the main floor of the sanctuary, all new lighting fixtures, a new brass rail in the balcony, and new painting. Clay Ingram donated the sound system to honor God in memory of his parents, and older brother. Rob Davis donated the refurbishing effort to honor God, in remembrance of his wife Paige Dobson Davis, and all those members and family at Buffalo Church, that have passed away during my ministry these past seven plus years. Those individuals include Walter Parrish, Alice Porter, Mary Alice Christian, Gene Chester, Betty Ciliberto, Malcolm Jackson, Jack Gaddy, Jim Glass, Geraldine Bridges, Becky Setzer, Margaret Holler, Mildred Burkette, Mary Ritter, Braxton Ritter, Tony Brewer, Peter Wilberg, Mike Seymore, Virginia Cashion, Peggy McGinty, Virginia Neal, Jean Chester, Paige Davis, and Jonathan Bridges.

When Solomon dedicated the Temple to God, he said these words, I Kings 8:57-58 The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our ancestors; may he not leave us or abandon us, but incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, which he commanded our ancestors.

May this time of celebrating cause our hearts to cling to the God who provides for the faithful.

Grace and Peace, Paul

Buffalo

BUFFALO YOUTH GROUP AT APPLESBEE’S ON NOVEMBER 9TH

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A NIGHT TO REMEMBER... PREPARE TO BE BLESSED!! Just a friendly reminder of our Christmas

Cantata which will be held on December 14th at 6:00 p.m. The Choir will be performing “His Name is Jesus... There's Something about that Name!” which includes many well loved favorites as well as meaningful new songs. Please join us for this special evening of adult and youth vocals celebrating the joy of Christmas! Light refreshments for everyone will be served following our program.

Join us and get in the true Christmas spirit! Rev. Shields is leading an Advent Study at 10:00 a.m. in the Women’s Parlor in place of Sunday School. We are celebrating, investigating, and contemplating the scriptures that point to the coming of the Messiah. Here is the schedule: Nov. 30th Isaiah 2:4 Dec. 07th Isaiah 11:6 Dec. 14th Isaiah 35:1 Dec. 21st Isaiah 7:14b These four passages are the Advent readings that are used to open Worship Service each of those Sundays. Come enjoy the study with us and enjoy the fellowship as well. All are welcome.

Our Buffalo Youth continue to be excited to meet together. On the second Sunday of each month they are meeting in the Fellowship Hall from 5 to 7. Last month they enjoyed a special meal together at Applebee’s. They will be joining the Buffalo Choir in the Christmas Cantata. Do not miss this performance at 6:00 p.m. Dec. 14th. We have very talented youth.

If you have an idea for a Bible Study or other Christian Education opportunities, please contact one of us. Many of our study offerings were due to your ideas. What topics would you like us to pursue?

Members: Dr. David Ciliberto, Jackie Frie, Penny Shields, Jean Wilberg, and Rev. Paul Shields.

Jean Wilberg, Chairman Christian Education Committee

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP

The Buffalo Women’s Life Membership Committee is accepting nominations for the PW Honorary Life Membership to be presented in March 2015. This award is presented to an individual in recognition of outstanding service in some area or areas of the Church’s work.

Letters of nomination should be given to Sheila Brewer no later than Sunday, January 4th,

or emailed to sbrewer8091@windstream.net.

SHEILA PRESENTS THE HISTORY OF

BUFFALO CHURCH TO THE DAR

THANKS SANDIE FOR LOVINGLY

PREPARING OUR TURKEY’S

Our November meeting ran long because of a packed agenda: Final checklist for upcoming Thanksgiving meal and Thank Offering on Nov. 23rd; presentation of Salvation Army Angel Tree Nov. 23rd; installation of Advent Wreath Nov. 30th; 'Hanging of the Greens' set for Saturday, 9:00 a.m., Dec. 6th - everyone invited; Joint Circle Christmas Meeting, Monday, Dec. 8th, 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall (Mary Lou Campbell Circle presenting); and establishment of Gifts of Women Sunday date of March 8, 2015, pending Session approval.

The committee confirmed $600 will be the tithed amount from Bazaar proceeds; the recipients will be voted on at Joint Circle Meeting. Christmas Stocking collection will be applied to purchase of the Women's selected Angels' items.

Correspondence was shared, including thank-you notes from Pastor Paul and Caman Patterson. Several requests for charitable donations were tabled until January 5, 2015 meeting. Also on that agenda will be the topic of re-establishing "5th Sunday Suppers".

Poinsettias will be available for placement in the Sanctuary over the Christmas season.

The December PW CT meeting will be Tuesday, Dec. 2nd at 6:00 p.m., as the Sanford Christmas Parade falls on the first Monday.

All women of Buffalo Church are always welcome at the monthly circle meetings for fellowship and bible study: Mary Lou Campbell Circle meets at 2:00 p.m. the second Monday of the month, and Sunshine Circle meets at the same day but at 6:30 p.m. Please try us - you'll like us!

Our Best Wishes to All for a Joyous Christmas and Blessed New Year!

Betty Robinson, PW CT Moderator

THE FEAST IS SERVED

JEAN AND ANN

MARY, SUSAN, AND J. W.

FLOYD & VIRGINIA, BEVERLY & JOE

ANN, JEAN, MARSHA & JACK, BETTY & FRANK

KAREN AND TIM

LEE & PAT, EVELYN, MARIE, BOBBY, FRANCES & DIANNE

Once again, our women provided a

meaningful meal and an opportunity to contribute to the Thank Offering of the Presbyterian Women PC (USA). Over $470 was collected for these worthy causes. Thank you Women, the heart of our church.

DAVID, ANNE & LARRY, BOB & JEANNE, KATHY & NELSON

KEN, JACKIE & CASH, SHEILA & ANDY

JIM & SARAH, TERESA & JAN, LINDA & LOGAN

ERIC & ASHLEY, KAREN & TIM, & PENNY

Remember with love and prayer: CHURCH MEMBERS: Mary Bailes, Vialee Cashion, Nellie Cox, Roy Cox, Greg Deck, Barbara Jo Glass, Sandie Lemons, Pam McDonald, Lisa C. Moore, and Ann Seymore

FAMILY OF CHURCH MEMBERS: Linda Crompton, Marcus Freeman, Michael Holt, Edna Johnson, Terry Johnson, Taylor Jones, David Key, Elaine McBryde, Sam McClearen, Jacob Monson, Dawn Pfaff, Carson Setzer, Louise Stewart, Jan Thomas, and Edward Wilberg

FRIENDS OF CHURCH MEMBERS: Aragon Family, Amber Austin, Jennifer Avent, Ryan Buell, Leah Everette, Frank Foushee, Ron Glaze, Carol Haines, Hunter Hazelton, Roy Holt, Bob Johns, Will Kirkland, Amanda Mager, Rebecca Mansfield, Melissa Miles, Megan Nelson, Parker Normann, Dr. Michele Roberson, Allison Upchurch Smith, Frank Tibbett, and Marie Wicker *********************************************************************************************

WEEKLY OFFERING TOTALS Nov. 02, 2014 – $3181.17 Nov. 09, 2014 – $1408.00 Nov. 16, 2014 – $1595.00 Nov. 23, 2014 – $1298.00 Nov. 30, 2014 – $2324.00

5 Cents A Meal Offering – $132.95 BackPack Kids Offering – $113.05

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Gifts to the Church

In Memory of Jonathan Bridges Jan Renwick

In Memory of Tommy Cashion Vialee H. Cashion and Lisa C. Moore

In Honor of Meeting at Buffalo & Hearing History Daughters of the American Revolution

DECK THE HALLS! Jingle with us on Saturday morning, December 6th, as we un-jangle the ornaments and get the greens hung. There's lots of laughing and teasing, too. Coffee and treats will be ready for you at 9:00 a.m. **************************************************************************

WOMEN’S JOINT CIRCLE

CHRISTMAS PARTY Monday, December 8th at 7:00 p.m.

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CHRISTMAS CANTATA Sunday, December 14th

6:00 p.m. **************************************************************************

CHRISTMAS CAROLING Monday, December 15th

6:00 p.m. **************************************************************************

CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE

with COMMUNION Wed., December 24th at 7:30 p.m.

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FRANCES AND DIANNE

Two boys were walking home from Sunday school after hearing a strong preaching on the devil. One said to the other, 'What do you think about

all this Satan Stuff?’ The other boy replied, 'Well, you know how Santa Claus turned out. It's probably just your Dad.'

December Leaders

December 07th – Jackie Frie (Lesson A-18) December 14th – Kathy Jolly (Lesson A-19) December 21st – Penny Shields (Lesson A-20) December 28th – Anna Renwick (Lesson A-21)

Congregational Greeter’s for December December 07th – Penny Shields December 14th – Kay Davis December 21st – Geri Hales December 28th – Karen Johnson

Greeting Elder’s for December December 07th – Buddy McNeill December 14th – Lee Setzer December 21st – Jean Wilberg December 28th – Jeff Cashion

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

December 01st Floyd & Virginia Brown

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Dec. 02nd – Justin Lemons Dec. 13th – Hope Frye

Dec. 11th – Frances Foushee Dec. 15th – Cathy Bridges

Dec. 11th – Betty Robinson Dec. 22nd – Darlene McNeill

Dec. 25th – Lynda Bowers

BUFFALO PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1333 Carthage Street Sanford, NC 27330

919-776-7313

buffalochurch@windstream.net

www.buffalopres.org

Buffalo’s Church Manse is for Sale and we have an offer of

$110,000. See listing at:

http://www.navicamls.net/displays/?n=206&i=638128&k=eqpy

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Christmas Poinsettias The Presbyterian Women of Buffalo Church are placing beautiful, red poinsettias to decorate the sanctuary for the Holy season. You may purchase one of these flowers in honor or memory of a loved one or a family. Each poinsettia will cost $8.50. Please fill out the information below and return it, with your payment, to the office or place in the offering plate. Checks should be made out to Buffalo Women.

Your Name: __________________________________

In Honor of: __________________________________ (One name or one family please)

OR

In Memory of: _____________________________________________

(One name or one family please)

(Your form & payment should be turned in by Monday, December 15th to have it printed in the Bulletin for Sunday, December 21st.) **************************************************************************

MEN & WIVES AT BAYBREEZE ON NOV. 19TH

Session Corner Highlights from Stated Meeting held Nov. 18, 2014

Pastor’s Report: Rev. Shields requested that his ministerial relationship with the congregation be dissolved effective December 31, 2014. A Called Congregational Meeting will be held November 30th to vote on his request.

Elder Candidates: J.W. Bailes, Larry Collins, Buddy McNeill and Pat Setzer were examined and will be ordained in Jan.

Admin.: Beginning Balance: 10/01/2014 $5,805.56 *Income $12,956.34 Expenses $12,000.38 Ending Balance: 10/31/2014 $6,761.52 *Note: Income includes $4598.28 transfer from Preschool.

Jeff reported that an offer on Manse $110,000 has been accepted with closing date Dec. 22nd. The Audit Committee of Ken Frie, Jeff Cashion, and Buddy McNeill commend Kathy Jolly, Nelson Burke, and Lee Setzer for exceptional work as financial 2013 records are in excellent shape.

Worship: Ken encourages attendance at the Christmas Cantata at 6:00 p.m. Dec. 14th. On Dec. 28th there will be special music in lieu of normal pulpit fill. Families to read Advent scriptures starting Nov. 30th are being sought.

Christian Education: Youth enjoyed a special dinner at Applebee’s. An Advent Study with Paul at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday’s continues until Christmas.

Cong. Care: Meals were planned for several members.

Women: Ten Angels are available for adoption. Lifetime Achievement Award nominations are due Jan. 1st. Mission materials will be available on back table in Sanctuary.

New Business: Dedication of the refurbished Sanctuary in memory of Paige Davis and those deceased during Paul’s tenure as pastor is scheduled for December 14th.

Next Stated Meeting will be January 20, 2015.

Jean Wilberg, Clerk of Session