knowing christ building believers serving...
TRANSCRIPT
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday 9 a.m.—12 Noon
398 East Broadway, Sparta IL
Phone: 618-443-2025
Secretary: Emily Waldron
Email: [email protected]
Facebook Page
www.facebook.com/wpcsparta
NEW WEBSITE:
www.wpcsparta.com
Contact Rev. Chris Williams
Email: [email protected]
(In an emergency) Call:
Home: 618-443-5294
Cell: 563-580-3344
In This Issue
Notes from the Pastor
Christian Ed News
“Hymns” or Hers”
Committee Reports
Prayer Lists
Schedules
Pantry Needs
Pastor’s Notes….
“All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single
candle.” – St. Francis of Assisi
We are told that Christmas, for Christians, should be the happiest time of year, an opportunity to be joyful and grateful with family, friends and colleagues. Yet, according to the National Institute of Health, Christ-mas is the time of year that people experience a high incidence of de-pression. One North American survey reported that 45% of respond-ents dreaded the festive season. For many in our congregation, the holiday season brings on a blue feeling. Some are worried about jobs in a tough economy. Others are worried about loved ones in the hospital, or hurting over the recent loss of loved ones. Some people find themselves mired in depression, con-vinced that the darkness they live in is inescapable. Advent, however, is meant to be a season of hope, because we await the light. We await the one who can lead us out of darkness. John 1:5 reminds us that “In (Jesus) was life, and the life was the light of all peo-ple. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not over-come it.” This Advent season, if you find yourself or somebody you love hurting, I would like to invite you to come to our Blue Christmas service on De-cember 18 at 7:00 PM. It’s a service that acknowledges our hurts, and helps point us to light through prayer and anointing with oil. We pray this will help you to remember that Light when you enter into your dark places, because in Christ is hope. The smallest light can pierce the deepest darkness…and that light came at Christmas. Blessings to each and every one of you this Advent/Christmas Season.
In Christ,
Rev. Chris Williams
A Look Inside Westminster Presbyterian Church Reverend Christopher Williams December 2016
Knowing Christ ✞ Building Believers ✞ Serving All
This month we are sending a “shout out” to the John Brown Memorial Choir, their director and accompanist for sharing their talents on Sunday mornings. Their music enhances our Worship by connecting their anthem to the message. Their willingness to join with other choirs at Thanksgiving, Magnify the Lord and during Lent reach out to our community. Music is another way we praise God and we thank the JBM choir for their dedica-tion.
“…Well done, good and faithful servant!..”
Matthew 25: 21
Our “Love Like Jesus” challenge asks every person to tangibly do some-thing to represent the love of Jesus by serving others. This will not only serve our community but will assist in spiritual growth. There are many ways you can represent “Love Like Jesus” in our community and around the world. The way you choose to do that is completely up to you. You are not limited, so feel free to do many acts of love, if you are so moved. For December, our youth are challenged to donate a toy or make a Christmas card for someone. Adults are challenged to participate in the Reverse Ad-vent Calendar activities for the Food Pantry or Backpack Ministry and/or the Fish Wish for Randolph County Housing.
The Confirmation Class was invited to the Russell farm for a wiener roast on Sunday, November 13, immediately after Worship. They enjoyed a farm tour, wiener roast and a time of fellowship. Thank you to the Russells for a delightful afternoon.
The youth Christmas program will be Sunday, December 11, during Wor-ship. Sherry Craig, Robin McMurtry, Missy Peck and Tara Vickery are directing the program, “Wee Three Kings.” There will be a special visitor after Worship in the Foyer
Upcoming Events:
Dec. 11—Youth Christmas Program during Worship
Dec. 14, 21 & 28—No Calvin’s Kids/Youth Choirs/Confirmation
Dec. 18—10:30 a.m.—JBM Choir cantata
6:00 p.m.—Blue Christmas Service
Dec. 24—4:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.—Christmas Eve Service (Candlelight at 7:00 p.m.)
Dec. 25—No Sunday School—9:30 a.m.--Worship
Women’s News
The Westminster Women’s Association would like
to take this opportunity to thank everyone for
helping to make this years Operations Christmas
Child project a success again!! We filled enough
boxes to put smiles on the faces of 76 children.
Also, your help with the postage was a big help.
We hope you are all keeping in mind that we are
collecting new or clean, gently used gloves, hats,
scarves and coats for Katie Cares. These items
can be placed in the Eva Beever Hallway by the
Katie Cares collection box.
All the ladies in the congregation are invited to
start 2017 by joining us for our next meeting
which will be on Monday, January 16th at 6:30.
Your help and input for women’s mission projects,
funeral dinners, and all the activities of the women
will be appreciated.
Wishing you and yours a Blessed Holiday Sea-
son.
Kathy McConachie, Moderator
Our December memory verse is:
: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given..
Isaiah 9:6
Fellowship Committee
News
The Fellowship Committee will be hosting the
annual Holiday Lunch for everyone following
the Christmas Contata and Worship on Sun-
day, December 18th. Menu is yet to be deter-
mined but watch your bulletin for more info.
Please come enjoy the meal after worship and
help us thank our choirs, directors, and musi-
cians for sharing their time and talents with us
during worship.
Kathy McConachie, Chairman
“Hymns” or Hers” What Child is This?
“This Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, …that
the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Luke 2: 34-35
One of our most beloved Christmas carols was writ-
ten in 1865 by William Dix, an Englishman who man-
aged a maritime insurance company and loved to write
hymns. Fashioned after the English melody
“Greensleeves,” the song is not always sung the same
way. Some versions use the latter half of the first verse
as a chorus for the other verses:
This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard
and angels sing:
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud—
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
But in other version, each stanza in unique. The sec-
ond verse, rarely sung today, looks beyond the manger
to the cross:
Why lies He in such means estate where ox and ass are
feeding?
Good Christians, fear—for sinners here the silent Word is
pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through, the cross be borne for
me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh, the Babe, The Son of Mary.
Simeon said to Mary, “This Child is destined for the fall
and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be
spoken against the thoughts of many hears may be re-
vealed.” The Child of Christmas came to be our Savior,
“Joy, joy for Christ is born, the Babe, the Son of Mary.”
Backstory
This song has been recorded over the
years by such stars as Johnny Mathis,
the Letterman, Tony Bennett, Andy Wil-
liams, MercyMe, Kevin Max and Josh
Groban.
CATECHISM QUESTIONS
Fall 2016 Questions: Review Questions 1-17
18.) Of what were our first parents made?
God made Adam’s body out of the ground and Eve’s body out
of a rib from Adam.
19.) What else did God give Adam and Eve besides bod-
ies?
He gave them souls that will last forever.
20.) Do you have a soul as well as a body?
Yes. And my soul is going to last forever.
Military members prayer list: Matthew G.
Wasson, Kenny Heaton, Hannah Bodenbach, Zacha-
ry Sternberg, Jimmy Perkins, Kelly McLaughlin (great
niece of Alice Perkins), Quinn Tate, Shane Stover,
Jamey Stover, Jamey Stover, Aaron Stewart, Jeremy
Wiley, Michelle Maybell-Kirwan, Mark Kirwan, Jim
Early, Glenn Jalivay, and Helen Steele.
Shut-Ins: Ula Jean Austin, Dorothy Heuman, John
Steele, Mel Phillips, Marjorie Elwyn, Betty Ervin.
Caregivers: Karen Steele, Dorothy McIntyre, and
Janet Rucks.
Dear Friends,
What a change in the Sanctuary! My family was out exploring and we saw a big tree with lights and this other round green thing with candles of purple, pink and white on it. What is that? Mom said she thought it was called an Advent Wreath, but wasn’t sure if that was correct. Can you help us?
Your curious Church Mouse,
Wilford
Dear Wilford,
You asked, “What is that?” Your Mother is correct. It is called an Advent Wreath. To celebrate the season of Advent, some Christians make a tabletop wreath of evergreens with five candles. Since ancient times, holi-day wreaths have been made by twisting evergreen branches into a circular shape. Because it has no be-ginning and no end, the circle is a symbol of eternity. The color green is a symbol of God’s everlasting life. Candles offer comfort and warmth during the darkest time of year. Candlelight is a symbol of Jesus’ victory over the darkness of evil. It is also a symbol of Jesus’ love, which shines in our hearts. The three purple can-dles symbolize hope, peace, and love. They are lit on the first, second, and fourth Sundays of Advent. The pink candle symbolizes joy. It is lit on the third Sunday of Advent. The fifth candle is white and stands tall in the middle of the Advent wreath. The fifth candle sym-bolizes Jesus. It is lit on Christmas Day. It is like a birthday candle for Jesus!
-Your friends at Westminster
Thank you to my family and church family for the flowers, visits and cards after my recent surgery. A special thank you to Kay for transporting me and to Rev. Chris for his visits. We are blessed with a lov-ing church family.
-Anne Bourner
Prayer Group
The Bible says: “If my people who are called by my name
will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and
turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and
will forgive their sins and restore their land. My eyes will
be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in
this place.” Some of the ladies in the church have started
a prayer group on Monday mornings at 9:00 a.m. Anyone
that would like to come is invited to do so. We only meet
for about a half hour and we pray for the needs of the
church, the community, and the prayer concerns listed on
Sunday mornings and in the bulletin.
Please plan to join us.
Dear Church Family,
Thank you to all who baked pies or came to help at the
Cedarhurst Pie Social. The pies were wonderful and
the fellowship with the residents made the afternoon
terrific. A special thanks to Debbie Bernardoni for the
lovely piano entertainment. It is a blessing to have
such a warm and caring church family.
In His Service,
Westminster Deacons
Families: 191
Adults: 370
Children: 235
Canned Spaghetti Sauce, Ravioli, Pasta Rings and Meat-
balls, Fruit, Stew, One-Can Meals, and Toiletries.
Cason Dahlem December 1
Cindy Derringer December 2
Jacob Long December 2
Sid Plunkett December 2
Emily Jackson December 3
Tristyn Stewart December 3
Della Dahlem December 4
Sharon Suemnicht December 4
Tom Tolliver December 4
Alana Ethington December 5
Joyce Hayer December 5
Samantha Schulte December 5
Megan Schulte December 5
Clay Stewart December 6
Luke Gasser December 7
Nicolette Hille December 7
Ella Jones December 8
Andy Dahlem December 9
Steven Gerlach December 11
Tammy Gielow December 12
Susan Wassung December 13
Karen Hayes December 15
Marvin Stewart December 16
Larry Bernardoni Jr. December 18
Neil Harris December 18
Layla Jackson December 19
Kevin Howell December 20
Tom & Charlyn Welch December 2, 1961
Pamela & Scott Crancer December 7, 2012
Mike & Joyce Hayer December 10, 1977
Jamey & Angie Stover December 11, 1999
Tim & Amy Price December 16, 1995
Dawn & James Alexander December 27, 2008
Jim & Alice Perkins December 27, 1959
Robert & Karen Hayes December 30, 1961
Tristen Jackson December 20
Logan Shaw December 20
Sissy Zepeda December 23
Martha Misselhorn December 26
Julia Hayes December 27
Dorothy Heuman December 27
Cliff Linders December 28
Gary Klausing December 29
Debi Klausing December 29
James Green December 31
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
.
.
1
FOOD PANTRY
10AM-12NOON
DEACONS MEET
6:00P.M.
2
QUILTERS MEET
9:00 A.M.
3
BELL RINGING AT
WALMART 8:00 A.M.
4
REVEREND CHRIS
AT CEDARHURST
2:00 P.M.
5
SPARTA COMMUNITY
CHORUS REHEARSAL
7:00 P.M.—9:00 P.M.
6
FOOD PANTRY 10-00
A.M.—12 NOON
WORSHIP MEETS
6:00 P.M.
7
BENEVOLENCE MEETS
6:00 P.M.
CALVINS KIDS 4:30 P.M.
CHOIR MEETS 7:00 P.M.
8
FOOD PANTRY
10:00 A.M.—12 NOON
COMMUNITY CHORUS
REHEARSAL
7:00 P.M.– 9:00 P.M.
9
QUILTERS MEET
9:00 A.M.
COMMUNITY CHORUS
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
AT 7:30 P.M.
10
11
(WORSHIP) YOUTH
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
AT 10:30
12 13
FOOD PANTRY
10-00 A.M.—12 NOON
14
TRUSTEES AT 6:00 P.M.
NO CALVINS KIDS
CHOIR MEETS 6:30 P.M.
15
FOOD PANTRY
10-00 A.M.—12 NOON
16
QUILTERS MEET
9:00 A.M.
17
CHRISTMAS BASKETS
AT 8:30 A.M.
18
JBM CHOIR CANTATA
10:30 A.M.
HOLIDAY LUNCH JR. HIGH YOUTH 11:30–
1:00 P.M.
BLUE CHRISTMAS 6 P.M.
19
NEWSLETTER
DEADLINE
20
LECTIONARY 10 A.M.
FOOD PANTRY
10-00 A.M.—12 NOON
21
NOON– RANDOLPH CO
HOUSING MEAL
NO CALVINS KIDS
CHOIR MEETS 6:30 P.M.
22
FOOD PANTRY
10-00 A.M.—12 NOON
23
QUILTERS MEET
9:00 A.M.
24
CHRISTMAS EVE
WORSHIP AT
4:00 PM
AND
7:00 P.M.
25
WORSHIP 9:30 A.M.
CHRISTMAS DAY
26 27
FOOD PANTRY
10-00 A.M.—12 NOON
28
NO CALVINS KIDS
29
FOOD PANTRY
10-00 A.M.—12 NOON
30
QUILTERS MEET
9:00 A.M.
31
DECEMBER 2016
(Reverend Chris on Vacation Dec.26 through January 1, 2017)
*Acolyte Schedule*
December 4- Kole Jackson / Jaden Ethington
December 11- Logan Shaw / Callie Peck
December 18- Mason Ethington / Kaden Jones
December 25- 4:00 p.m. - Kaden & Ella Jones
6:00 p.m. - Faith & Luke Sroka
*Greeters Schedule *
December 4 - Robert & Marcie Soderlund / Jorden & Sam Sparling
December 11 - Tracy & Dan Spirk / Wes & Sherri Sroka
December 18 - Glenda Stephenson / David & Candace Sternberg
December 25 - Christmas Day!
*Liturgists Schedule*
December 4 - Mark North
December 11 - Amanda Bockhorn
December 18 - Konnie Pirtle
December 25 - Christmas Day!