presby press...2016/12/01 · presby press first presbyterian church 114 east jefferson street †...
TRANSCRIPT
Presby Press First Presbyterian Church
114 East Jefferson Street † Ottawa, IL 61350
(815)433-1045
www.ottawafirstpres.org
Volume 40 No. 10 december 2016
Remember to Pray for One Another!
Your First Presbyterian Church Family believes in the power of prayer. (See Romans 1:9b-10a). You are invited to pray intentionally for one another in the First Presbyterian Church family.. Please pick up a name of someone to pray for from the basket at the back of the sanctuary.
From the Pastor’s Desk
As we enter the new beginning of the Christian calendar, that begin-
ning marked by Advent, I want to say thank-you! to our worship
committee elders, Diane Kennedy and Carol Woeckel, and the team
of helpers that came the day before Advent began to prepare our
sanctuary and building for the joy of the season. It looks so beauti-
ful!
Our Advent sermon and devotional theme this year is Joy to the
World! The most joyful hymn of all hymns by that same name, was
written by Isaac Watts in 1719. Watts composed nearly 750 hymns
during his lifetime, many of which we would recognize as much-
loved hymns (When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, among others).
But this hymn takes the church to the heights of joyous praise at the
reign of Jesus Christ. Watt’s study of Psalm 98 and his understand-
ing that it pointed to Jesus is what inspired his writing of Joy to the
World! It beautifully captures the joyous activity in us to let every
heart prepare him room. We do so whenever we worship him, the
King of Kings and Lord of Lord. He brings salvation to our sin-
darkened hearts and world. When we lift our hearts and voices in
the joyous sound, heaven breaks through the heaviness that can
hang upon our lives. We remember that Jesus Christ is powerful
and faithful to save us all and get us through any heartache, even
death.
Continued on pg. 3
our mission
To be the
loving
Community of
Jesus Christ
that will
WIN
new followers
of Christ to
saving faith
GROW
All followers
to deeper faith
GO
Into the
world and
demonstrate
faith
Pastor John W. Walker
Church Secretary Cindy Arjes
Treasurer Betty Angus
Westminster Choir Director
Lloyd Chapman [email protected]
Organist Diane Chapman
The Presby Press is published monthly by
First Presbyterian Church
114 E. Jefferson St., Ottawa, IL 61350
Telephone 815-433-1045
Pg. 2
Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room this Advent & Christmas!
ADVENT 2: December 4 – Joy to the World! The Lord is Come
Celebrating the Lord’s table together
ADVENT 3: December 11 – Joy to the World! The Lord is Come
We welcome Soul Shine to lead us in worship through music and
song
ADVENT 4: December 18 – CELEBRATE THE SEASON WITH JOY-
FILLED SONG!
Come hear the joy of Christ’s birth in music with all our choirs –
adult, children, and bells
Invite family, friends and neighbors to join us!
Share a delicious meal with our friends in the Ottawa community
after worship
CHRISTMAS EVE – CELEBRATE CHRIST’S BIRTH WITH GLORI-
OUS LIGHT!
Enjoy another beautiful Christmas Eve worship at First
Presbyterian at 7:00 p.m.
Special music and the drama of candle lights filling the sanctuary
Invite others to join you!
CHRISTMAS DAY/SUNDAY: December 25 – Come share your
Joy to the World!
Come for a simple, shortened worship service on Christmas
morning at 9:30 a.m.
We will welcome the birth of Christ with some of our favorite
hymns together
A very special young member of our congregation will share a joy-
filled story! Come and find out who
NEW YEAR’S SUNDAY—January 1, Begin the New Year in worship
Celebrating the Lord’s table together
Our Elders are committed to serving.
Diane Kennedy (Worship)
870-740-0442
Carol Woeckel
(Worship) 434-6852
Brian Smithmeyer
(Discipleship) 795-6791
Lisa Mestelle
(Discipleship) 252-7462
Brad Angus
(Trustee) 433-2946
Dan Mestelle
(Trustee) 252-7462
Dan Duggan (Trustee)
431-9168
Jim Keely (Administration)
433-0868
Kerry Gerding (Fellowship & Outreach)
434-4123
Betty Ehret (Fellowship & Outreach)
228-2217
Ron Koestler
(Missions)
343-6088
Mike Farrell
(Deacon)
433-5477
Diane Farrell
(Clerk of Session)
434-2774
Continued from pg. 1
This Advent and Christmas season, may we not forget that no matter
our or the world’s circumstances, Jesus Christ is the Victor over all
evil, oppression, injustice, hardship and sin. We need not despair,
because no matter how stressful or disappointing our lives can be in
different seasons, Jesus Christ reveals God’s salvation in the most
profound way: He is a King like no other who comes to us, God in
the flesh, to save us from our sin. We may know heartache and tears
now, but Jesus Christ is faithful to get us through it all. Now and for
all eternity, we join our hearts with heaven and earth to praise our
good Savior. Joy to the World! The Lord is Come!
With joy and great affection for you,
Pastor John Walker
OPPORTUNITY SCHOOL BOOK FAIR!
Opportunity School will be having
a Book Fair December 12-16 in the
library. Please feel free to stop and
take a look. These are quality
books for any child to whom you
would like to give the gift of read-
ing.
Pg. 3
Pg. 4
THE PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN OF WALTHAM
Invite you to the 34th annual “For Unto You is Born a Savior”
Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at 1:30 p.m.
Waltham Presbyterian Church
809 N 3450th Rd. u
Utica, IL 61373
(childcare provided)
In case of inclement weather call:
815-667-4373 or 815-667-4970
Or listen to local radio stations for cancellation
Christmas Poinsettias orders are being taken NOW!
Poinsettias will be ordered by the Worship
committee to decorate the sanctuary. You may
designate your flower to a shut-in, or you may
take it home after the service on Christmas Eve.
Cost of the flowers is $13.00 each. Please include
a check or cash with your order. Place your order
form in the offering plate or turn into the office no
later than December 4! If you have any questions
please call
Diane Kennedy (870-740-0442).
Christmas Joy Offering:
During the month of December inserts will be placed in the
bulletins every week. These inserts will explain more about
what the Christmas Joy Offering is supporting. Christmas Joy
Offering envelopes will be in the pew racks for you to use. If
you plan to donate please do so before the end of December.
Would your small group like to celebrate Advent in a wonderful way?
Please consider having your small group ring bells for the Salvation Army! For more
information please contact Debbie Damron (434-3606) or Ron Koestler (343-6088).
The Mitten Tree is in place in Scott Hall again this year!
Please place your mittens and hats on the tree. The items will be picked up December 12
for distribution by the Salvation Army. Any questions? Call Arla Severson (667-9892).
Pg. 5
Pg. 6
CONNECTION | NOVEMBER 2016 Dear Lighthouse friends, here is another
update from Lighthouse church. We are
so thankful for your partnership and
support. I hope it will be encouragement
to you to see what God is doing in
Czech republic.
LEADRSHIP TRAINING
This fall we have started 2nd semester
(of 6 semesters) of our pastor institute.
We have 13 guys that are going through
it right now. It is very exciting to see
how our leaders are growing and getting
trained. We have been talking about sys-
tematic theology and counselling.
Also we had our whole network leader-
ship training. We had about 60 leaders
form our network to talk about how to
steward our time in order to be most
productive for the Kingdom.
COLLEGE MINISTRY IN OLOMOUC
This fall we continued our college ministry in Olomouc. In our meetings we
had around 60 student. The big difference is that we started meeting with
smaller group of students every week. Dan and Marketa our leaders have 15
- 20 students in their living room every week. It has been exciting to see
what God is doing with the students. There is one girl who is interested in
getting baptised.
Lighthouse Connection [email protected]
Pg. 7
PRAY WITH US
In 2016 we want to focus and
pray for 10 new people to be-
come Christians.
College ministry in Olomouc
New church plants in Czech republic. We see great potential for new church plants. We need God’s wisdom in church planting.
Future of church planting in Vsetin. We are pray-ing and thinking about planting new church in Vsetin. It has been 10
years since Lighthouse was started and
we are praying for the vision of the future…will you join us?
5 BAPTISMS THIS FALL!
Pg. 8
FOR THE CHILDREN AT ADVENT
LOVE, WIN, GROW, GO: SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!
Would you be willing to supply a meal for our Jr. High Youth Group (LOL4JC)? They start each meeting with a meal to begin a time of fellowship before launching into their discussion and game time. Please contact Lori Trolinger (815-795-6791) or Lisa Smithmeyer (815-313-5843) if you would like to commit to preparing a meal for our LOL4JC kids
Free Community Meals; 3rd Sunday of every month: LOOKING TO FILL January and into 2017. Might God call you to work on the community meal project? On the third Sunday of each month volunteers are needed to do the following: Or-ganize the meal (decide what to make, plan the purchase of food); cook the meal; visit with those eating; clean up. Who can help? Anyone, any age. Are you feeling like you and your friends can be the next ones? Contact Kerry Gerding (434-4123) or Betty Ehret (228-2217) for more information and to sign up. Prayer Shawls: Our Prayer Shawl Ministry is still going strong. Do you know someone who could use a hug from God (who doesn’t)? Please call us so that we may provide a Prayer Shawl for you to give that “someone” who needs God’s hug. Jackie Bean 434-3380 Why not join a small group? At FPC small groups are important. Why? Because few experiences encourage and build our faith more than small groups. Small groups teach us how to better know, understand and apply God’s word in daily life. They also become a place of good friendship and caring. Want to join a small group? It’s easy! Just talk to Pastor John or one of the small group contacts listed below: Mike & Diane Farrell (Sun. PM): 434-2774 Betsy Feagans (Mon. PM): 433-5480 John Walker (1
st Sun. PM monthly): 433-1045 Lisa Mestelle/Women-Beth Moore Bible
Jack & Sandy Finnegan (Thurs. AM): 433-5253 Study (Thurs. PM): 252-7462 Jim Keely/Men (Sat. AM): 433-0868 Carol Engberg/Women: 433-3465 (Thurs. PM, once a month) Handy Food Receipts Please save your receipts and bring them to church. We can earn 1% of the receipts totals for our church! Boxes will be in Scott Hall and on the table by the church offices. Ottawa Community Food Basket: Donations for the Food Basket for the month of December is Soup. Let’s fill the barrels at the entrances to our sanctuary and share our gifts with the less fortunate in our community. Sunday Greeters needed: We need your smiling face to greet newcomers and "oldcomers" at the front door on Sunday mornings. This is a great way to contribute to the life of your church. Contact Chris Keely (433-0868)
Pg. 9
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
DECEMBER
Aspen Stuedemann 1
Sandy Finnegan 4
Lori Olson 4
Ben Dial 6
Bruce Smith . 6
Karen Mikkelsen 6
Helen Tammen 11
Sawyer Booras 11
Kevin O’Connor 17
Betty Angus 18
Holly Hess 22
Jax & Marek Zarwell 24
Anna Schmidt 26
Willow Stuedemann 27
Olivia Trolinger 28
JANUARY
Jodi Martin 5
Keith Stevenson 5
Michael Hess 6
Betty Ehret 12
Dawn Hess 13
Cathy Peters 21
Nathalie Schmidt 26
Debbie Walker, 27
Dana Snook 27
Diane Kennedy, 28
Winona Bartlett 31
LADIES’ NITE OUT
Tuesday, December 6
6:00 p.m. at
R Grotto
Please contact:
Idalia Stricklin
488-5182
for info & reservations.
KUM JOIN US
SUNDAY, December 4
IN THE LIBRARY FOLLOWING WORSHIP.
WE WILL MEET AT HALFTIME
RESTAURANT FOLLOWING OUR MEETING
All are welcome!
FOOD, FELLOWSHIP& FAMILY
Pg. 10
December 2 0 1 6
Pg. 11
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Every Sunday
8:45 am-
Pre-worship Prayer
9:00 am Choir
9:30 am-
WORSHIP
10:45 am -
Fellowship
10:45 am-ZONE,
Jr. & Sr. High
Sunday School
Every Wed.
7 pm– Choir,
library
Every Thurs.
9:30 am
Seniors Small
Group
Every Saturday
6:30 am Men’s
Small Group
1. 2. 3.
4.
5.
6.
6pm– Ladies Nite
Out
7.
8. 9.
10.
11.
9:30 a.m.-Soul
Shine joins us in
worship!
5pm-LOL4JC
12. 13.
7 pm-Committee
Meetings
14.
15. 16. 17.
18.
Christmas Music
Sunday!
10:45 a.m.-
Session Meeting
Noon-
Community Meal
19. 20.
21.
22. 23. 24.
7 pm-Christmas
Eve Service
25.
MERRY
CHRISTMAS!
9:30am-Worship
Service
26. 27.
28. 29. 30. 31.
First Presbyterian Church
114 East Jefferson Street
Ottawa, Illinois 61350
Return
Service
Requested
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
Ottawa, Illinois
* Prayer Par tners : pg. 1
* Lighthouse Connection cont. pg. 7
* For The Children at Advent pg. 8
* Win, Grow, Go pg. 9
* Food, Fellowship & Family pg. 10
* December Calendar pg. 11
* Highlight of the Month pg. 12
* From the Pastor’s Desk pg. 1
* Advent Schedule pg. 2
* From the Pastor’s Desk cont.pg. pg 3
* Announcements pg. 4
* Announcements pg. 5
* Lighthouse Connection pg. 6
Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room this Advent & Christmas!
ADVENT 2: December 4 – Joy to the World! The Lord is Come
ADVENT 3: December 11 – We welcome Soul Shine to lead us in worship through song
ADVENT 4: December 18 – CELEBRATE THE SEASON WITH JOY-FILLED MUSIC!
CHRISTMAS EVE – CELEBRATE CHRIST’S BIRTH WITH GLORIOUS LIGHT!
CHRISTMAS DAY/SUNDAY: December 25 – Come share your Joy to the World!
NEW YEAR’S DAY/SUNDAY: January 1, 2017—Begin the New Year in worship