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Address Service Requested
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
REV. CHARLIE SMITH - Lead Pastor/Head of Staff REV. REBECCA CHANCELLOR - Designated Associate Pastor
Address: 308 S 8th St PO Box 585 Salina, KS 67402-0585 Phone: (785) 825-0226 Email: [email protected] Website: www.fpcsalina.org
The News (PE 708620) is published monthly by First Presbyterian Church, PO Box 585, Salina, KS 67402-0585. Periodical postage paid at Salina, Kansas.
The News...in Brief will be available January 1, 2016, on our website, and around the church.
Sunday services are broadcasted each week at 10:05 am on KINA, 910 AM, 94.5 FM, or streamed live at www.910kina.com.
If there is something you would like included in the next edition, email [email protected], by noon on November 2.
Sunday, Nov 29 10 am 1st Sunday in Advent -
Lighting the 1st Advent Candle
Sunday, Dec 6 10 am 2nd Sunday in Advent -
Lighting the 2nd Advent Candle
Sunday, Dec 13 10 am 3r d Sunday in Advent -
Lighting the 3rd Advent Candle
Children’s Christmas Program Following worship there will be an opportunity
to purchase items made by our children to
support children’s mission projects.
Sunday, Dec 20 10 am 4th Sunday in Advent -
Lighting the 4th Advent Candle
Choir Christmas Cantata
Thursday, Dec 24, Christmas Eve 5 pm - Family Chr istmas Eve
Candlelight Worship
11 pm - Chr istmas Eve
Candlelight & Communion Worship
with the Adult Choir
Volume 47 Number 9 | December 2015
Advent and Giving at First Presbyterian Church Join us for any of these moments to be intentional this season:
November 29: Fir st Sunday of Advent. We will light the fir st candle with expectation.
Our annual collections for Heifer International will begin- visit the parlor table to donate a goat
or a sheep throughout the season of Advent!
December 1: Giving Tuesday—FPC’s Social Justice & Mission Committee hosts the showing of
the documentary, “Poor Kids,” in Blair Hall. In honor of “Giving Tuesday,” monetary donations
will be collected for Circles of the Heartland.
December 6: Second Sunday of Advent. We will light the second candle in preparation. With
support from the Social Justice & Mission Committee, the FPC Youth will purchase
gifts for families in need this Christmas season.
December 8: Circles of the Hear tland hosts the 3rd annual “Celebrity Dinner” fundraiser at
Tucson’s Steakhouse, 5-8 p.m. You just might find your FPC pastors there to “wait” on you!
December 13: Thir d Sunday of Advent. We will light the third candle recognizing our need for
repentance. Our children will share God’s Word with us in worship with a special Christmas
program. Our youth groups will gather for Christmas parties after worship.
December 20: Four th Sunday of Advent. We will light the four th candle with rejoicing! The
Adult Choir will proclaim the good news through the Christmas Cantata, “Night of the Father’s
Love.” We will begin collecting donations for the annual Christmas Joy Offering supporting
past, present, and future leaders of the PC(USA).
December 24: Chr istmas Eve. Have you been collecting quar ter s in an M&M tube this fall?
Turn in your donations for Feed My Starving Children by Christmas Eve! We will worship:
5:00 p.m. - Family-friendly worship in the sanctuary with carols and candle lighting 11:00 p.m. - Worship in the sanctuary with Communion, candle lighting, and music from the Choir.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH December 2015
Personals:
CONGRATULATIONS!
John Barber will celebrate his 92nd bir thday on December 28.
Eleanor Smith will celebrate her 91st bir thday on December 30.
Marcia & Paul Anderson will celebrate their 51st wedding
anniversary on December 27.
BAPTISM
Baptism of Liam Oliver Morris on November 8, son of
MacKenzie Morris and Ben Stutterheim.
SYMPATHY IS EXTENDED
to Dorothy Spellman, whose brother-in-law, Lee Spellman, Salina,
died Nov. 4.
IN MEMORIAM
Jan Carr, who died November 2. She joined FPC April 14, 1954.
Sympathy is extended to her son, Greg, and his wife, Melissa, and
their children, Sairee and Marek Carr, Denver, CO.
FPC Staff:
Rev. Charlie Smith Lead Pastor/Head of Staff
Rev. Rebecca Chancellor
Designated Associate Pastor
Tricia Cobb
Director of Youth Ministry
Shelby Dickson
Director of Children’s CE
Richard Koshgarian
Director of Music
Angie Koshgarian
Organist
Melanie Pearson
Office Manager
Marilla Colson
Office Assistant
Ed Zoch
Head Custodian
Tony Griggs
Relief Custodian
Do you have information you’d like to
have listed in the “Personals” section of
the newsletter? Contact the office at
[email protected] today!
December Birthdays!!
1 Jim Cram Chuck Elsea Mac Steele 2 David Atherton 3 Pete Peterson Connie Stevens 5 Marilyn Holgerson 7 Dan Norman 8 James Hall 9 Bridget Long 10 Brynne Atherton Jimmie Lewis 12 Lindsey Berg Patty Landes Mandy Stephenson 14 Monte Shadwick 15 Bill Cathcart-Rake Alice Herrman Judy Morrison Pat Neustrom 16 Chloe White
17 Curt Carpenter Katie Lidgett Colin Rupe Annie Shadwick 18 Carson Ann Jett Madeline Rohrer 20 Nathan Farmer 21 Betty Garrison 22 Harrison Jett 26 Zachary Ketcher RaMona Parks 28 John Barber
Katie Jarvis 29 Linda Johnson Dennis Lull 30 Brittany Blackim
Olivia Johnson Maddox Keyser Charlotte Murphy-Piersee Azbey Peckham Eleanor Smith 31 Kelly Hall Thomas Struble
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH December 2015
Sign-up for 2016 Sunday Chancel Flowers!
Use this form to sign-up as a Sunday Chancel flower donor for Sundays in 2016.
Perhaps there is a particular date that is important to you to honor or memorialize
someone. All donors (whether there is one or ten, and those memorialized or
honored will be listed in the bulletin on the date desired. The cost is $20.00
Please contact Marilla Colson in the church office with any questions at
[email protected] or 825-0226.
Date desired for chancel flowers: ____________________________________
Please list EXACTLY how you want your name(s) listed as donor:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Given in Memory of ____________________________________________________________________
OR
Given in Honor of ______________________________________________________________________
Please return this form, with your payment of $20.00 to the church office or mail with a check to:
First Presbyterian Church, 308 S. 8th St., Salina, KS 67401
IT’S TIME TO ORDER POINSETTIAS!
The Board of Deacons invite you to share in providing poinsettia plants as Christ-
mas gifts to nursing home and homebound members of the church. Plants will
decorate the sanctuary during Advent and Christmas Eve. Cost is $15.00 per plant.
You may pick up your plant(s) for your own use following the Christmas Eve
service if you designate on the form below that you wish to do so. If you do not
want to pick it up, the plant will be assigned for delivery to a member or friend of
the congregation. Please complete the form below and return with your payment
to the church office no later than Monday, Dec. 7th. Please note “poinsettia plant” on your payment.
Or you may email your poinsettia order to Melanie at [email protected].
I would like to purchase _________ poinsettia(s) at a cost of $15.00 per plant.
I want to donate my plant for delivery to a member or friend of the congregation _____ Yes _____ No
I want to pick up my plant on Dec. 24th _____ Yes _____ No
Name of Donor(s) ___________________________________________________________________
Given in Memory of _________________________________________________________________
or
Given in Honor of ___________________________________________________________________
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH December 2015
from Charlie...
When I worked for newspapers and the wire service, I learned how to calmly handle deadlines. The trick is to allow time
to avoid last-minute panic, and to divide the work into manageable chunks. This has served me well in ministry, with the
many hats we wear and constant reordering of priorities. It’s an example of “Parkinson’s Law,” as described by a ministry
colleague: That our work expands to fill the time available for its completion. This is why weekly sermons take a whole
week, but memorial sermons can be written in shorter time.
All of that is to say that I am feeling the growing pressure of a Dec. 15th deadline for the first draft of my doctoral thesis.
I am also looking forward to the relief and excitement that I no doubt will feel when the work is completed and I graduate
in May. Every day that I get closer to completion, I become more excited about the future here! My doctorate thesis
centers upon Leadership from the Pulpit and Prophetic Preaching. It asks the question, “Can what is proclaimed in the
pulpit lead to action by those in the pews?” Your feedback, especially in questionnaires contained in bulletins during
September, is an integral part of the thesis.
My thanks for your patience, and for your prayers. You are invested in this program, and you will be the chief
beneficiary. I’m eager to see what comes of all this. To God be the glory!
Rebecca’s Reflections…
It’s coming… Advent is coming… It is the time of year when we wait for Jesus to come again, to enter our hearts and
minds in a new way. Advent is a time for us to pause and reflect on the miracle and mystery that God chose to enter into
our humanity and live among us in the Christ child. In Latin, Advent comes from arrival and “to come.” Advent marks the
beginning of the Christian year where we watch and wait for the arrival of Emmanuel, God-with-us.
This is a season of holy waiting: waiting for God’s peace to come to earth… waiting for God’s justice to prevail…
waiting for the light of Christ to shine… waiting for the shepherds, the angels, and the Christ child. Advent lasts for four
Sundays, leading up to Christmas Day. Together, we will make our way toward Christmas. On each Sunday in Advent,
we will light the Advent candles in worship, one more each week, as we mark the weeks and watch for the light of Christ
to come. Our liturgy will reflect themes of Expectation, Preparation, Repentance, and Rejoicing as we get closer to the
birth of Christ. We will provide bulletin inserts each Sunday for you to take home and mark each day of Advent with
scripture, reflections, and prayer.
At a time of year when calendars fill quickly and the to-do lists get longer and longer, it is my hope and prayer for each of
you that you will find short moments throughout this season to spend time with God: to stop, watch, wonder, and listen.
In preparing some of our Advent liturgy and devotional materials, I was inspired by the Advent Prayer Guide from World
Vision. Recognizing the Syrian refugee crisis, the Advent Prayer Guide calls us to stand alongside Syrian refugees,
saying: “This Christmas, dare to step into the margins.” That is where Jesus often went, after all. And Jesus, too, was a
refugee. Matthew’s gospel tells the story of Joseph, Mary, and the young Jesus fleeing to Egypt until King Herod died.
“Now after [the wise men] had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take
the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for
the child, to destroy him.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to
Egypt…” (Matthew 2:13-14a, NRSV).
I invite you to an intentional season of Advent this year, an intentional time of watching and waiting, of expectation,
preparation, and repentance as we await a time of great rejoicing at the birth of Christ. In our thoughts, prayers, and
actions, let us dare to go and be with Christ: in the places where the poor, oppressed, broken and lonely dwell. And may
we recognize that in the moments when we are poor in spirit, broken, and lonely, Christ is with us: Emmanuel.
There are many ways to be intentional this season, and I know many of you will be serving and walking
alongside people throughout our community. I hope you will join us for some or all of our Advent opportunities in the life
of First Presbyterian Church (see cover page). As we continue our journey together here in this time and place, I pray we
are open to follow Christ’s lead as we think, question, grow, and serve… with faith and love.
Rebecca
December Side-by-Side Reading Schedule
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH December 2015
Dec 1 - Bev Zizumbo
Dec 2 - Betty Garrison
Dec 3 - Toni Renfro
Dec 4 - Roger Morrison
Dec 7 - Brigid Hall
Dec 8 - Mary Exline
Dec 9 - Liz Carroll
Dec 10 - Chandra Cooper
Dec 11 - Roger Morrison
Dec 14 - Paula Knox
Dec 15 - Bev Zizumbo
Dec 16 - Liz Carroll
Dec 17 - Brigid Hall
Dec 18-31 NO SCHOOL
Faith Families Progressive Dinner: Dec 13
All FPC Faith Families (Fab Fourteen, Faith United, Fruit Loops, Team Green, and Zoo Crew) will join together
for our next Faith Family event on Dec 13, 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the church! The Youth & Young Adult Committee
is hosting a 5-course Progressive Dinner through different rooms of the church building. Come explore the
building and eat appetizers, soup, salad, main dish, and dessert in five different rooms! Each Faith Family will
gather for the five courses, but each family will begin at a different place… so your family may be eating dessert
first! Following the five courses around the church, all faith families will meet together to walk to the Ashby
House to deliver supplies and sing Christmas carols. All are encouraged to bring a donation for Ashby House:
non-perishable food, paper towels, toilet paper, diapers, wipes, laundry soap, dish soap.
If you are not in a Faith Family, but would like to join us for this event, contact Rebecca in the church office.
All are welcome!
FPC Notes...
JOURNEY WITH JESUS: 2016 Stewardship Campaign
We are nearing the end of our 2016 campaign, so if you have not received a pledge packet, contact Melanie in
the church office today! As of Nov 17th, we have received 154 pledges for a total of $510,382.80.
FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN: SALINA EVENT
FMSC is a Christian nonprofit hunger relief organization working with volunteers to produce MannaPack Rice,
a scientifically formulated food formula that is culturally acceptable worldwide, and then is donated to feed
children in 70 countries around the world. We will collect donations, including change collected in your mini
M&M tubes, through Christmas Eve. Then we will join others in our area to pack 175,000 meals on Sunday and Monday, January 17-18 at Kansas Wesleyan University– Hauptli Student Center. Sign-ups will begin soon. If
you have questions, talk to Rebecca or a member of the Social Justice & Mission Committee.
Christmas Cantata: “Night of the Father ’s Love”
Join us in worship, Sunday, Dec. 20th for “Night of the Father’s Love” performed by the FPC Chancel Choir.
All of the mystery, the awe, and the excitement of the first Christmas Eve are skillfully and imaginatively captured
in an eclectic mosaic that combines fragments of the familiar with Pepper Choplin’s always-unique perspective in
word and music. "Night of the Father’s Love" manages to guide the listener through the Christmas story as though
hearing it again for the first time.
Join the Chancel Choir and guest musicians in the celebration during worship on Sunday, December 20!
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH December 2015
Poor Kids Documentary - December 1st
Poor Kids documentary screening about child poverty Our Social Justice & Mission Committee is partnering with the
Central Kansas Extension District to host a documentary of Poor Kids, by
PBS’ Frontline. All FPC members, friends, and community residents are invited
to attend the documentary on Tuesday, December 1, at 6:30 p.m. in Blair Hall.
Poor Kids is an unflinching and revealing exploration of what poverty means
to children, and to the country’s future. We will have refreshments available, and
admission is free.
Participants are invited to take part in "Giving Tuesday" efforts on December 1st by
making a monetary donation to Circles of the Heartland.
Baskets will be available at the church for your donations.
Online donations can be made at https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/circlesoftheheartland2015
We hope to see you all there!
3rd Annual Celebrity Dinner to Benefit -
Circles of the Heartland
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, Dec. 8 and make plans to join Circles of the Heartland for the 3rd Annual
Celebrity Dinner. Local community leadership from the United Way, local Pastors, teachers and volunteers will be
“serving” tables at Tucson’s Steakhouse from 5-8 pm. Come out and enjoy a delicious steak dinner and help raise
money for a great cause.
Many thanks to FPC Pastors Charlie and Rebecca for their willingness to
come and serve you! You will have the opportunity to “tip” the Celebrity
Wait staff as a means of donating to Circles of the Heartland. This is a fun
evening and the money goes to support a wonderful local program.
Scheduled to appear as Celebrities: Amanda Michaelis, Martha Rhea, Ann Knowles, Father Keith Weber, Steve
Thompson, Melanie Bergstrom, Jake Montoya, along with Pastor Charlie Smith and Pastor Rebecca Chancellor!!
Heifer International: Pass on the Gift
Heifer International is a global nonprofit humanitarian assistance
organization working to help end hunger and poverty, and at the same
time protect the environment and care for the Earth. Heifer provides
living gifts of area appropriate livestock and training in environmentally
sound agricultural practices to families in need to help lift themselves
out of poverty to become self-reliant.
There will be tables in the parlor during Advent to sell books and gift
cards for Heifer, or you may also make a monetary contribution to
Heifer through the church. To learn more about Heifer International, visit www.heifer.org.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH December 2015
Christmas Joy Offering: Keeping the promise of the Advent season
During this Advent season, we reflect on the influence a promise can have on our lives.
God promised each of us salvation, and kept that promise with the birth of Jesus. That promise sustains
and uplifts us, during good times and challenging ones.
When we understand this deeper meaning of a promise, we also understand each of us has a special
responsibility to make, and keep, faithful promises of our own. The Christmas Joy Offering is one way
to do that. Each gift received equally supports two vital promises for our faith.
- Through the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions, the Christmas Joy Offering assists church
workers and their families during times of need, giving
back to those who have spent their lives in the service
of the church. The program provides grants for housing
supplements, income assistance, and pastoral vocational
leadership needs.
- The Christmas Joy Offering also supports the education and development of our future leaders
at Presbyterian-related racial ethnic schools and colleges. These schools are dedicated to nurturing
opportunity and creating environments where diverse students can succeed from a foundation of
Christian values. The Offering benefits Menaul School and Presbyterian Pan American School, two
secondary schools that ready students for a path of higher learning, as well as Stillman College, where
graduates are prepared for lives of leadership and service.
When you give to the Christmas Joy Offering, you help sustain these promises and uplift our brothers
and sisters in Christ by reducing their burdens and opening new paths of opportunity.
Please give generously:
through a congregation offering during worship in Christmas Joy-marked envelopes:
Sunday, Dec 20th & both Christmas Eve Services, Thursday, Dec. 24th
Text JOY to 20222 to give $10
presbyterianmission.org/give/christmasjoy
For more information, please see below:
- Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions http://www.pensions.org/PlansAndPrograms/AssistanceProgram/Pages/default.aspx
- Presbyterian-related racial ethnic schools and colleges http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/resc/
- Menaul School - Presbyterian Pan American School -Stillman College
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH December 2015
FBI - Children’s Christian Education
Wow! Who can believe that we will shortly be half way through the 2015-2016 FPC FBI (Faithful Bible
Investigators) program? The children have been working through a curriculum called 'Feasting on the Word,' and
what an amazing journey it has been to see their hearts and minds open up and talk about God's good news! It has
been a great ride thus far, and it's getting more exciting as we practice for our Children's Christmas Program.
Please mark your calendars for the FPC FBI Christmas Program on Sunday, December 13th during worship.
Following worship, the children will have a craft sale that will include beautiful work made by the FBI families.
Thank you to each and everyone of you for all of your support of the Faithful Bible Investigators. It has been a
beautiful honor to see the love of our church shine upon these children as they grow throughout their faith jour-
ney. We look forward to seeing each of you at our upcoming program during worship.
Love and grace to all,
Shelby Dickson
FPC Children's Education Director
FPC Youth Group
The FPC Youth have had a great fall and look forward to the upcoming months!
This fall the youth have been learning what it means to be “called” through our Sunday curriculum. Have you ever
thought about your spiritual gifts, how God is calling you to use those gifts, are you listening? Our Youth have! Our
Senior and Mid-high Youth have explored together and separate in age appropriate conversations. We’ve enjoyed
delicious lunches provided by parents and congregation members. Sharing a meal together and exploring our faith
has led the way for many of our adventures this fall.
We’ve had fun exploring our faith, and we’ve also gotten to know each other and Rebecca through games. We
hunted zombies at the paintball field and braved a haunted house. Most importantly we’ve helped others: we shared
our Omaha mission trip with our dessert meeting, and with the help of the congregation we were able to put together
51 hygiene kits for PC(USA)’s disaster relief. That’s one more than our lofty goal we set! The Social Justice &
Mission Committee graciously helped us with the shipping and handling fees of the kits, and they will be on their
way soon! We are also in the midst of collecting items to help our neighbors in Salina! Please continue to fill those
brown bags! We will deliver the items to the Salina Area Emergency Aid Food Bank at the end of November!
Our Senior High Youth continue to meet at Moka’s every Thursday morning. The group of 15-20 is an amazing
group of youth. We have been exploring the beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12 through The Kingdom Experiment. We
take an in-depth look at each beatitude and pick from a list of experiments to explore at a personal level.
We are looking forward to the Advent and Christmas season and to the spring! We plan to work with an area agency
to bring a better Christmas to local children and families! We will be helping with the Faith Families Progressive
Dinner and caroling! A group of 8th through 11th graders are about to embark on the ultimate faith journey through
Confirmation. A Confirmation Kick-off Retreat is planned for the end of November with confirmation classes
starting in early January. We also plan to have fun at our annual Christmas parties! We will be hosting a regional
group for our annual Nerf Wars in January, a youth worship service and many other fun events!
The FPC Youth would like to THANK YOU, the congregation, for your constant support! Whether it’s financially,
emotionally or physically, you are always making our hopes and dreams come true. If you are looking for more
ways to help; please contact Tricia. See the next page for some pictures of our Youth!
The Youth are not the future of our church. The Youth are the NOW of the church!
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH December 2015
FPC Youth Group pictures…
Youth visiting a Haunted House!!
COOKIE MONSTER’S
DREAM COME TRUE!!!
The FPC Youth are asking the congregation to join
in for a Christmas Cookie Fundraiser supporting
Upcoming Youth Mission Trips and the very
exciting Presbyterian Youth Triennium 2016!
You can support the youth in TWO ways:
1. Bake 2-4 dozen of your FAVORITE Christmas cookies
to be delivered to the church by Friday, December 11th
2. Purchase a platter of assorted Christmas cookies
to be ready for pick-up on Sunday, December 13th
The Youth will assemble your delicious cookies on festive Christmas
Cookie Platters wrapped beautifully with a bow for you to enjoy at home, take to
your office, or give away as a gift.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH December 2015
Opportunities to Grow Together
Our Adult Education Class is currently studying hospitality using: Practicing God’s Radical
Hospitality: Exploring Difference, Change and Leadership Through the Spiritual Discipline
of Hospitality written by Teresa Chávez Sauceda. This study continues through Sunday,
December 6th at 9 a.m. in the Hope Room. All are invited to join us for Bible Study, reflection questions,
and thoughtful discussion. Following this series, the class will take a break through the end of the year.
Beginning Sunday January 3rd, the Adult Education Class will begin a new study in the Being Reformed: Faith
Seeking Understanding series called “Seeking Social Justice” written by Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty. The six-week
study will continue through Sunday, February 7th and will include the following topics:
A Christian Challenge to Current Social and Economic Problems
A Reminder of the Not-So-Distant Past
A Social Trinity for a Social Creed
Hearing “the Voices of People Long Silenced”
Voicing Concerns in Harmony
Living with Authenticity, Integrity, and Faith
Fridays at Noon: “The Wired Word” continues with Charlie. Bring a brown-bag lunch to join Charlie Smith for
this class on timely topics with lots of discussion. If you are not on the email list, but would like to receive the
weekly email with subject matter, please call the church office and let us know!
Women’s Bible Study meets on the fir st Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Hope Room for the study
“Come to the Waters” by Judy Record Fletcher. Rebecca Chancellor is leading the study this fall as we look at the
various biblical images of water. Thus far we have talked about the birthing waters at creation and the life-giving
baptismal waters. Our lesson on Monday, December 7th will take us in another direction as we consider the absence
of water: thirst and longing. All women are invited to join us for Bible Study and lively discussion!
Can We Walk to Bethlehem by Christmas? From Salina to Bethlehem, the distance “as the crow flies is 6,713
miles!” Collectively as a congregation, we hope to cover that many miles by December 25th (or maybe January 6th
on Epiphany when the magi reach Jesus?!) through our individual walking, running, aerobic activities, and more!
This is part of a holistic approach to ministry – including health: “A church and community wide program to in-
crease the health of body, mind and spirit.” The hope is that we are inspired to take care of the bodies God gave
us—in whatever way we are able. Weekly devotionals and Passports are available at the church for both children
and adults and allow you to track your mileage. In addition to miles running or walking, you receive 1 mile credit
for each 20 minutes of other aerobic activity, including Tai Chi, chair exercises, etc. Children can also earn a 1 mile
credit for each day they eat five servings of fruits and vegetables. Track your miles and bring them to the church to
help us “walk to Bethlehem!”
The Adult Education Committee meets the third Tuesday of each month, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at FPC in the Hope
Room and would welcome any member who would like to join us. We will be using the next couple of meetings to
determine our choices for adult education opportunities in 2016.
Led by Christ, together in
faith and love, we joyfully
think, question, grow and
serve!
Adult Education
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH December 2015
FPC Youth Group pictures…
Youth visiting a Haunted House!!
COOKIE MONSTER’S
DREAM COME TRUE!!!
The FPC Youth are asking the congregation to join
in for a Christmas Cookie Fundraiser supporting
Upcoming Youth Mission Trips and the very
exciting Presbyterian Youth Triennium 2016!
You can support the youth in TWO ways:
1. Bake 2-4 dozen of your FAVORITE Christmas cookies
to be delivered to the church by Friday, December 11th
2. Purchase a platter of assorted Christmas cookies
to be ready for pick-up on Sunday, December 13th
The Youth will assemble your delicious cookies on festive Christmas
Cookie Platters wrapped beautifully with a bow for you to enjoy at home, take to
your office, or give away as a gift.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH December 2015
Opportunities to Grow Together
Our Adult Education Class is currently studying hospitality using: Practicing God’s Radical
Hospitality: Exploring Difference, Change and Leadership Through the Spiritual Discipline
of Hospitality written by Teresa Chávez Sauceda. This study continues through Sunday,
December 6th at 9 a.m. in the Hope Room. All are invited to join us for Bible Study, reflection questions,
and thoughtful discussion. Following this series, the class will take a break through the end of the year.
Beginning Sunday January 3rd, the Adult Education Class will begin a new study in the Being Reformed: Faith
Seeking Understanding series called “Seeking Social Justice” written by Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty. The six-week
study will continue through Sunday, February 7th and will include the following topics:
A Christian Challenge to Current Social and Economic Problems
A Reminder of the Not-So-Distant Past
A Social Trinity for a Social Creed
Hearing “the Voices of People Long Silenced”
Voicing Concerns in Harmony
Living with Authenticity, Integrity, and Faith
Fridays at Noon: “The Wired Word” continues with Charlie. Bring a brown-bag lunch to join Charlie Smith for
this class on timely topics with lots of discussion. If you are not on the email list, but would like to receive the
weekly email with subject matter, please call the church office and let us know!
Women’s Bible Study meets on the fir st Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Hope Room for the study
“Come to the Waters” by Judy Record Fletcher. Rebecca Chancellor is leading the study this fall as we look at the
various biblical images of water. Thus far we have talked about the birthing waters at creation and the life-giving
baptismal waters. Our lesson on Monday, December 7th will take us in another direction as we consider the absence
of water: thirst and longing. All women are invited to join us for Bible Study and lively discussion!
Can We Walk to Bethlehem by Christmas? From Salina to Bethlehem, the distance “as the crow flies is 6,713
miles!” Collectively as a congregation, we hope to cover that many miles by December 25th (or maybe January 6th
on Epiphany when the magi reach Jesus?!) through our individual walking, running, aerobic activities, and more!
This is part of a holistic approach to ministry – including health: “A church and community wide program to in-
crease the health of body, mind and spirit.” The hope is that we are inspired to take care of the bodies God gave
us—in whatever way we are able. Weekly devotionals and Passports are available at the church for both children
and adults and allow you to track your mileage. In addition to miles running or walking, you receive 1 mile credit
for each 20 minutes of other aerobic activity, including Tai Chi, chair exercises, etc. Children can also earn a 1 mile
credit for each day they eat five servings of fruits and vegetables. Track your miles and bring them to the church to
help us “walk to Bethlehem!”
The Adult Education Committee meets the third Tuesday of each month, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at FPC in the Hope
Room and would welcome any member who would like to join us. We will be using the next couple of meetings to
determine our choices for adult education opportunities in 2016.
Led by Christ, together in
faith and love, we joyfully
think, question, grow and
serve!
Adult Education
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH December 2015
Christmas Joy Offering: Keeping the promise of the Advent season
During this Advent season, we reflect on the influence a promise can have on our lives.
God promised each of us salvation, and kept that promise with the birth of Jesus. That promise sustains
and uplifts us, during good times and challenging ones.
When we understand this deeper meaning of a promise, we also understand each of us has a special
responsibility to make, and keep, faithful promises of our own. The Christmas Joy Offering is one way
to do that. Each gift received equally supports two vital promises for our faith.
- Through the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions, the Christmas Joy Offering assists church
workers and their families during times of need, giving
back to those who have spent their lives in the service
of the church. The program provides grants for housing
supplements, income assistance, and pastoral vocational
leadership needs.
- The Christmas Joy Offering also supports the education and development of our future leaders
at Presbyterian-related racial ethnic schools and colleges. These schools are dedicated to nurturing
opportunity and creating environments where diverse students can succeed from a foundation of
Christian values. The Offering benefits Menaul School and Presbyterian Pan American School, two
secondary schools that ready students for a path of higher learning, as well as Stillman College, where
graduates are prepared for lives of leadership and service.
When you give to the Christmas Joy Offering, you help sustain these promises and uplift our brothers
and sisters in Christ by reducing their burdens and opening new paths of opportunity.
Please give generously:
through a congregation offering during worship in Christmas Joy-marked envelopes:
Sunday, Dec 20th & both Christmas Eve Services, Thursday, Dec. 24th
Text JOY to 20222 to give $10
presbyterianmission.org/give/christmasjoy
For more information, please see below:
- Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions http://www.pensions.org/PlansAndPrograms/AssistanceProgram/Pages/default.aspx
- Presbyterian-related racial ethnic schools and colleges http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/resc/
- Menaul School - Presbyterian Pan American School -Stillman College
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH December 2015
FBI - Children’s Christian Education
Wow! Who can believe that we will shortly be half way through the 2015-2016 FPC FBI (Faithful Bible
Investigators) program? The children have been working through a curriculum called 'Feasting on the Word,' and
what an amazing journey it has been to see their hearts and minds open up and talk about God's good news! It has
been a great ride thus far, and it's getting more exciting as we practice for our Children's Christmas Program.
Please mark your calendars for the FPC FBI Christmas Program on Sunday, December 13th during worship.
Following worship, the children will have a craft sale that will include beautiful work made by the FBI families.
Thank you to each and everyone of you for all of your support of the Faithful Bible Investigators. It has been a
beautiful honor to see the love of our church shine upon these children as they grow throughout their faith jour-
ney. We look forward to seeing each of you at our upcoming program during worship.
Love and grace to all,
Shelby Dickson
FPC Children's Education Director
FPC Youth Group
The FPC Youth have had a great fall and look forward to the upcoming months!
This fall the youth have been learning what it means to be “called” through our Sunday curriculum. Have you ever
thought about your spiritual gifts, how God is calling you to use those gifts, are you listening? Our Youth have! Our
Senior and Mid-high Youth have explored together and separate in age appropriate conversations. We’ve enjoyed
delicious lunches provided by parents and congregation members. Sharing a meal together and exploring our faith
has led the way for many of our adventures this fall.
We’ve had fun exploring our faith, and we’ve also gotten to know each other and Rebecca through games. We
hunted zombies at the paintball field and braved a haunted house. Most importantly we’ve helped others: we shared
our Omaha mission trip with our dessert meeting, and with the help of the congregation we were able to put together
51 hygiene kits for PC(USA)’s disaster relief. That’s one more than our lofty goal we set! The Social Justice &
Mission Committee graciously helped us with the shipping and handling fees of the kits, and they will be on their
way soon! We are also in the midst of collecting items to help our neighbors in Salina! Please continue to fill those
brown bags! We will deliver the items to the Salina Area Emergency Aid Food Bank at the end of November!
Our Senior High Youth continue to meet at Moka’s every Thursday morning. The group of 15-20 is an amazing
group of youth. We have been exploring the beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12 through The Kingdom Experiment. We
take an in-depth look at each beatitude and pick from a list of experiments to explore at a personal level.
We are looking forward to the Advent and Christmas season and to the spring! We plan to work with an area agency
to bring a better Christmas to local children and families! We will be helping with the Faith Families Progressive
Dinner and caroling! A group of 8th through 11th graders are about to embark on the ultimate faith journey through
Confirmation. A Confirmation Kick-off Retreat is planned for the end of November with confirmation classes
starting in early January. We also plan to have fun at our annual Christmas parties! We will be hosting a regional
group for our annual Nerf Wars in January, a youth worship service and many other fun events!
The FPC Youth would like to THANK YOU, the congregation, for your constant support! Whether it’s financially,
emotionally or physically, you are always making our hopes and dreams come true. If you are looking for more
ways to help; please contact Tricia. See the next page for some pictures of our Youth!
The Youth are not the future of our church. The Youth are the NOW of the church!
December Side-by-Side Reading Schedule
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH December 2015
Dec 1 - Bev Zizumbo
Dec 2 - Betty Garrison
Dec 3 - Toni Renfro
Dec 4 - Roger Morrison
Dec 7 - Brigid Hall
Dec 8 - Mary Exline
Dec 9 - Liz Carroll
Dec 10 - Chandra Cooper
Dec 11 - Roger Morrison
Dec 14 - Paula Knox
Dec 15 - Bev Zizumbo
Dec 16 - Liz Carroll
Dec 17 - Brigid Hall
Dec 18-31 NO SCHOOL
Faith Families Progressive Dinner: Dec 13
All FPC Faith Families (Fab Fourteen, Faith United, Fruit Loops, Team Green, and Zoo Crew) will join together
for our next Faith Family event on Dec 13, 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the church! The Youth & Young Adult Committee
is hosting a 5-course Progressive Dinner through different rooms of the church building. Come explore the
building and eat appetizers, soup, salad, main dish, and dessert in five different rooms! Each Faith Family will
gather for the five courses, but each family will begin at a different place… so your family may be eating dessert
first! Following the five courses around the church, all faith families will meet together to walk to the Ashby
House to deliver supplies and sing Christmas carols. All are encouraged to bring a donation for Ashby House:
non-perishable food, paper towels, toilet paper, diapers, wipes, laundry soap, dish soap.
If you are not in a Faith Family, but would like to join us for this event, contact Rebecca in the church office.
All are welcome!
FPC Notes...
JOURNEY WITH JESUS: 2016 Stewardship Campaign
We are nearing the end of our 2016 campaign, so if you have not received a pledge packet, contact Melanie in
the church office today! As of Nov 17th, we have received 154 pledges for a total of $510,382.80.
FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN: SALINA EVENT
FMSC is a Christian nonprofit hunger relief organization working with volunteers to produce MannaPack Rice,
a scientifically formulated food formula that is culturally acceptable worldwide, and then is donated to feed
children in 70 countries around the world. We will collect donations, including change collected in your mini
M&M tubes, through Christmas Eve. Then we will join others in our area to pack 175,000 meals on Sunday and Monday, January 17-18 at Kansas Wesleyan University– Hauptli Student Center. Sign-ups will begin soon. If
you have questions, talk to Rebecca or a member of the Social Justice & Mission Committee.
Christmas Cantata: “Night of the Father ’s Love”
Join us in worship, Sunday, Dec. 20th for “Night of the Father’s Love” performed by the FPC Chancel Choir.
All of the mystery, the awe, and the excitement of the first Christmas Eve are skillfully and imaginatively captured
in an eclectic mosaic that combines fragments of the familiar with Pepper Choplin’s always-unique perspective in
word and music. "Night of the Father’s Love" manages to guide the listener through the Christmas story as though
hearing it again for the first time.
Join the Chancel Choir and guest musicians in the celebration during worship on Sunday, December 20!
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH December 2015
Poor Kids Documentary - December 1st
Poor Kids documentary screening about child poverty Our Social Justice & Mission Committee is partnering with the
Central Kansas Extension District to host a documentary of Poor Kids, by
PBS’ Frontline. All FPC members, friends, and community residents are invited
to attend the documentary on Tuesday, December 1, at 6:30 p.m. in Blair Hall.
Poor Kids is an unflinching and revealing exploration of what poverty means
to children, and to the country’s future. We will have refreshments available, and
admission is free.
Participants are invited to take part in "Giving Tuesday" efforts on December 1st by
making a monetary donation to Circles of the Heartland.
Baskets will be available at the church for your donations.
Online donations can be made at https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/circlesoftheheartland2015
We hope to see you all there!
3rd Annual Celebrity Dinner to Benefit -
Circles of the Heartland
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, Dec. 8 and make plans to join Circles of the Heartland for the 3rd Annual
Celebrity Dinner. Local community leadership from the United Way, local Pastors, teachers and volunteers will be
“serving” tables at Tucson’s Steakhouse from 5-8 pm. Come out and enjoy a delicious steak dinner and help raise
money for a great cause.
Many thanks to FPC Pastors Charlie and Rebecca for their willingness to
come and serve you! You will have the opportunity to “tip” the Celebrity
Wait staff as a means of donating to Circles of the Heartland. This is a fun
evening and the money goes to support a wonderful local program.
Scheduled to appear as Celebrities: Amanda Michaelis, Martha Rhea, Ann Knowles, Father Keith Weber, Steve
Thompson, Melanie Bergstrom, Jake Montoya, along with Pastor Charlie Smith and Pastor Rebecca Chancellor!!
Heifer International: Pass on the Gift
Heifer International is a global nonprofit humanitarian assistance
organization working to help end hunger and poverty, and at the same
time protect the environment and care for the Earth. Heifer provides
living gifts of area appropriate livestock and training in environmentally
sound agricultural practices to families in need to help lift themselves
out of poverty to become self-reliant.
There will be tables in the parlor during Advent to sell books and gift
cards for Heifer, or you may also make a monetary contribution to
Heifer through the church. To learn more about Heifer International, visit www.heifer.org.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH December 2015
Sign-up for 2016 Sunday Chancel Flowers!
Use this form to sign-up as a Sunday Chancel flower donor for Sundays in 2016.
Perhaps there is a particular date that is important to you to honor or memorialize
someone. All donors (whether there is one or ten, and those memorialized or
honored will be listed in the bulletin on the date desired. The cost is $20.00
Please contact Marilla Colson in the church office with any questions at
[email protected] or 825-0226.
Date desired for chancel flowers: ____________________________________
Please list EXACTLY how you want your name(s) listed as donor:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Given in Memory of ____________________________________________________________________
OR
Given in Honor of ______________________________________________________________________
Please return this form, with your payment of $20.00 to the church office or mail with a check to:
First Presbyterian Church, 308 S. 8th St., Salina, KS 67401
IT’S TIME TO ORDER POINSETTIAS!
The Board of Deacons invite you to share in providing poinsettia plants as Christ-
mas gifts to nursing home and homebound members of the church. Plants will
decorate the sanctuary during Advent and Christmas Eve. Cost is $15.00 per plant.
You may pick up your plant(s) for your own use following the Christmas Eve
service if you designate on the form below that you wish to do so. If you do not
want to pick it up, the plant will be assigned for delivery to a member or friend of
the congregation. Please complete the form below and return with your payment
to the church office no later than Monday, Dec. 7th. Please note “poinsettia plant” on your payment.
Or you may email your poinsettia order to Melanie at [email protected].
I would like to purchase _________ poinsettia(s) at a cost of $15.00 per plant.
I want to donate my plant for delivery to a member or friend of the congregation _____ Yes _____ No
I want to pick up my plant on Dec. 24th _____ Yes _____ No
Name of Donor(s) ___________________________________________________________________
Given in Memory of _________________________________________________________________
or
Given in Honor of ___________________________________________________________________
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH December 2015
from Charlie...
When I worked for newspapers and the wire service, I learned how to calmly handle deadlines. The trick is to allow time
to avoid last-minute panic, and to divide the work into manageable chunks. This has served me well in ministry, with the
many hats we wear and constant reordering of priorities. It’s an example of “Parkinson’s Law,” as described by a ministry
colleague: That our work expands to fill the time available for its completion. This is why weekly sermons take a whole
week, but memorial sermons can be written in shorter time.
All of that is to say that I am feeling the growing pressure of a Dec. 15th deadline for the first draft of my doctoral thesis.
I am also looking forward to the relief and excitement that I no doubt will feel when the work is completed and I graduate
in May. Every day that I get closer to completion, I become more excited about the future here! My doctorate thesis
centers upon Leadership from the Pulpit and Prophetic Preaching. It asks the question, “Can what is proclaimed in the
pulpit lead to action by those in the pews?” Your feedback, especially in questionnaires contained in bulletins during
September, is an integral part of the thesis.
My thanks for your patience, and for your prayers. You are invested in this program, and you will be the chief
beneficiary. I’m eager to see what comes of all this. To God be the glory!
Rebecca’s Reflections…
It’s coming… Advent is coming… It is the time of year when we wait for Jesus to come again, to enter our hearts and
minds in a new way. Advent is a time for us to pause and reflect on the miracle and mystery that God chose to enter into
our humanity and live among us in the Christ child. In Latin, Advent comes from arrival and “to come.” Advent marks the
beginning of the Christian year where we watch and wait for the arrival of Emmanuel, God-with-us.
This is a season of holy waiting: waiting for God’s peace to come to earth… waiting for God’s justice to prevail…
waiting for the light of Christ to shine… waiting for the shepherds, the angels, and the Christ child. Advent lasts for four
Sundays, leading up to Christmas Day. Together, we will make our way toward Christmas. On each Sunday in Advent,
we will light the Advent candles in worship, one more each week, as we mark the weeks and watch for the light of Christ
to come. Our liturgy will reflect themes of Expectation, Preparation, Repentance, and Rejoicing as we get closer to the
birth of Christ. We will provide bulletin inserts each Sunday for you to take home and mark each day of Advent with
scripture, reflections, and prayer.
At a time of year when calendars fill quickly and the to-do lists get longer and longer, it is my hope and prayer for each of
you that you will find short moments throughout this season to spend time with God: to stop, watch, wonder, and listen.
In preparing some of our Advent liturgy and devotional materials, I was inspired by the Advent Prayer Guide from World
Vision. Recognizing the Syrian refugee crisis, the Advent Prayer Guide calls us to stand alongside Syrian refugees,
saying: “This Christmas, dare to step into the margins.” That is where Jesus often went, after all. And Jesus, too, was a
refugee. Matthew’s gospel tells the story of Joseph, Mary, and the young Jesus fleeing to Egypt until King Herod died.
“Now after [the wise men] had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take
the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for
the child, to destroy him.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to
Egypt…” (Matthew 2:13-14a, NRSV).
I invite you to an intentional season of Advent this year, an intentional time of watching and waiting, of expectation,
preparation, and repentance as we await a time of great rejoicing at the birth of Christ. In our thoughts, prayers, and
actions, let us dare to go and be with Christ: in the places where the poor, oppressed, broken and lonely dwell. And may
we recognize that in the moments when we are poor in spirit, broken, and lonely, Christ is with us: Emmanuel.
There are many ways to be intentional this season, and I know many of you will be serving and walking
alongside people throughout our community. I hope you will join us for some or all of our Advent opportunities in the life
of First Presbyterian Church (see cover page). As we continue our journey together here in this time and place, I pray we
are open to follow Christ’s lead as we think, question, grow, and serve… with faith and love.
Rebecca
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH December 2015
Personals:
CONGRATULATIONS!
John Barber will celebrate his 92nd bir thday on December 28.
Eleanor Smith will celebrate her 91st bir thday on December 30.
Marcia & Paul Anderson will celebrate their 51st wedding
anniversary on December 27.
BAPTISM
Baptism of Liam Oliver Morris on November 8, son of
MacKenzie Morris and Ben Stutterheim.
SYMPATHY IS EXTENDED
to Dorothy Spellman, whose brother-in-law, Lee Spellman, Salina,
died Nov. 4.
IN MEMORIAM
Jan Carr, who died November 2. She joined FPC April 14, 1954.
Sympathy is extended to her son, Greg, and his wife, Melissa, and
their children, Sairee and Marek Carr, Denver, CO.
FPC Staff:
Rev. Charlie Smith Lead Pastor/Head of Staff
Rev. Rebecca Chancellor
Designated Associate Pastor
Tricia Cobb
Director of Youth Ministry
Shelby Dickson
Director of Children’s CE
Richard Koshgarian
Director of Music
Angie Koshgarian
Organist
Melanie Pearson
Office Manager
Marilla Colson
Office Assistant
Ed Zoch
Head Custodian
Tony Griggs
Relief Custodian
Do you have information you’d like to
have listed in the “Personals” section of
the newsletter? Contact the office at
[email protected] today!
December Birthdays!!
1 Jim Cram Chuck Elsea Mac Steele 2 David Atherton 3 Pete Peterson Connie Stevens 5 Marilyn Holgerson 7 Dan Norman 8 James Hall 9 Bridget Long 10 Brynne Atherton Jimmie Lewis 12 Lindsey Berg Patty Landes Mandy Stephenson 14 Monte Shadwick 15 Bill Cathcart-Rake Alice Herrman Judy Morrison Pat Neustrom 16 Chloe White
17 Curt Carpenter Katie Lidgett Colin Rupe Annie Shadwick 18 Carson Ann Jett Madeline Rohrer 20 Nathan Farmer 21 Betty Garrison 22 Harrison Jett 26 Zachary Ketcher RaMona Parks 28 John Barber
Katie Jarvis 29 Linda Johnson Dennis Lull 30 Brittany Blackim
Olivia Johnson Maddox Keyser Charlotte Murphy-Piersee Azbey Peckham Eleanor Smith 31 Kelly Hall Thomas Struble
PERIODICAL
POSTAGE
PAID
Address Service Requested
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
REV. CHARLIE SMITH - Lead Pastor/Head of Staff REV. REBECCA CHANCELLOR - Designated Associate Pastor
Address: 308 S 8th St PO Box 585 Salina, KS 67402-0585 Phone: (785) 825-0226 Email: [email protected] Website: www.fpcsalina.org
The News (PE 708620) is published monthly by First Presbyterian Church, PO Box 585, Salina, KS 67402-0585. Periodical postage paid at Salina, Kansas.
The News...in Brief will be available January 1, 2016, on our website, and around the church.
Sunday services are broadcasted each week at 10:05 am on KINA, 910 AM, 94.5 FM, or streamed live at www.910kina.com.
If there is something you would like included in the next edition, email [email protected], by noon on November 2.
Sunday, Nov 29 10 am 1st Sunday in Advent -
Lighting the 1st Advent Candle
Sunday, Dec 6 10 am 2nd Sunday in Advent -
Lighting the 2nd Advent Candle
Sunday, Dec 13 10 am 3r d Sunday in Advent -
Lighting the 3rd Advent Candle
Children’s Christmas Program Following worship there will be an opportunity
to purchase items made by our children to
support children’s mission projects.
Sunday, Dec 20 10 am 4th Sunday in Advent -
Lighting the 4th Advent Candle
Choir Christmas Cantata
Thursday, Dec 24, Christmas Eve 5 pm - Family Chr istmas Eve
Candlelight Worship
11 pm - Chr istmas Eve
Candlelight & Communion Worship
with the Adult Choir
Volume 47 Number 9 | December 2015
Advent and Giving at First Presbyterian Church Join us for any of these moments to be intentional this season:
November 29: Fir st Sunday of Advent. We will light the fir st candle with expectation.
Our annual collections for Heifer International will begin- visit the parlor table to donate a goat
or a sheep throughout the season of Advent!
December 1: Giving Tuesday—FPC’s Social Justice & Mission Committee hosts the showing of
the documentary, “Poor Kids,” in Blair Hall. In honor of “Giving Tuesday,” monetary donations
will be collected for Circles of the Heartland.
December 6: Second Sunday of Advent. We will light the second candle in preparation. With
support from the Social Justice & Mission Committee, the FPC Youth will purchase
gifts for families in need this Christmas season.
December 8: Circles of the Hear tland hosts the 3rd annual “Celebrity Dinner” fundraiser at
Tucson’s Steakhouse, 5-8 p.m. You just might find your FPC pastors there to “wait” on you!
December 13: Thir d Sunday of Advent. We will light the third candle recognizing our need for
repentance. Our children will share God’s Word with us in worship with a special Christmas
program. Our youth groups will gather for Christmas parties after worship.
December 20: Four th Sunday of Advent. We will light the four th candle with rejoicing! The
Adult Choir will proclaim the good news through the Christmas Cantata, “Night of the Father’s
Love.” We will begin collecting donations for the annual Christmas Joy Offering supporting
past, present, and future leaders of the PC(USA).
December 24: Chr istmas Eve. Have you been collecting quar ter s in an M&M tube this fall?
Turn in your donations for Feed My Starving Children by Christmas Eve! We will worship:
5:00 p.m. - Family-friendly worship in the sanctuary with carols and candle lighting 11:00 p.m. - Worship in the sanctuary with Communion, candle lighting, and music from the Choir.