Dear Friends and Family,

We are in the second week of Advent, it seems it was just last week we

had the youth over to the house for Halloween where we watched It’s The

Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, and now it is time for A Christmas Story! I

know I am getting older but this really has been an absurd loss of time.

So let us try to regain some composure, get focused on the advent

season, and the upcoming Christmas event. Christmas is an event, it is not a

holiday like the 4th of July; it is a day the earth stood still, the day the Star of

Bethlehem illuminated the night sky like the sun at high noon across the tundra.

Christmas is an event of such proportions that one man's birth is celebrated the

world over: From the mountains of Appalachia, to the shores of Guam, to the

deserts of Persia, to the bustling of Holy Rome to the quaint Palestinian town of

Bethlehem, the name of Jesus is proclaimed, as the true Savior. Baby Jesus

was born to the Virgin Mary this day.

So join the festivities, celebrate with song and good cheer, and don't

forget to get caught up in the commercial madness of it all because the local

stores need the income (yes buy local when you can). Share the day with

family and friends and invite someone extra to join your table who might not

have anywhere to go. Relax in the reassurance that God came among us, and

is still present in this very moment. But as the "holiday" hype wears thin, walk

off a bit in reflection. Take a few minutes alone, share a moment with God and

open your heart to revelation, to reveal to you a special Christmas message.

God may not have anything to say, or God might have something

powerful to relate. December 25, by our calendar, is a magical day, the day

our Savior was born. Re-affirm your love of God, re-affirm your faith this day,

and make a love offering to yourself, to live in the compassion that the Savior

Child brought into the world. Nurture the people

in your life in the peace of Jesus Christ and

watch that gift flourish in the New Year.

Peace in Christ (PIC)

Rev. Neill D. McKay

Pastor’s Note

“We invite all to faith in Jesus Christ and growth in discipleship through Word, Prayer, and Service.”

Special Points of Interest

Pastor’s Note

Birthdays

Anniversaries

Monthly Calendar

Announcements & Events

Session Highlights

Church Contact Info

UCPC Community Care Line

December 2016

Neill McKay - Dec. 9

Melissa Bierer - Dec. 19

David Dohner - Dec. 20

Curt Wolfer & Donna Henry - Dec. 15

Larry & Darlene Peterson - Dec. 20

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Room Abbr. Key : CE= Old BasementFH = Fellowship Hall C = Conference Room OL=Office Lounge M= Music Room N=Narthex S = Sanctuary HS=High School Room L = Lounge

1. 12:00PM Prayer Group (C) 1:00PM Donna Henry (M) 5:30PM Al Anon (HS) 6:30PM Sweet Adelines (CE) 7:00PM Deacons (M)

2. 7:00PM Russian Church (M) 8:30PM NA (L)

3. 1:30PM Diamond Group Rehearsal (S) 4:00PM Youth Program Rehearsal (M, S)

4. 9:00AM Youth Program Rehearsal (S) 9:00AM Adult Study (L) 10:30AM Worship Service (S) 12:00PM Youth Chime Choir (S) 2:00PM Russian Church (S)

5. 7:30AM Women's Breakfast(Denny's) 5:15PM Sound Team Mtg (S) 5:30PM 12 Step (M) 8:00PM Gospel Group (S)

6. 6:30AM Men's Coffee (N) 6:30PM Boy Scout Troup 1 (CE) 8:00PM AA (L)

7. 12:00PM Bulletin Deadline 7:00PM Bell Rehearsal (S) 7:15PM Choir Rehearsal (M)

8. 12:00PM Prayer Group (C) 12:00PM Cyberlynx (FH) 1:00PM Donna Henry (M) 5:30PM Session (L) 5:30PM Al Anon (HS) 6:30PM Sweet Adelines (CE)

9. 5:30PM Wedding Rehearsal (S) 7:00PM Russian Church (M) 8:30PM NA (L)

10. 1:00PM Wedding (S) 1:30PM Diamond Group Rehearsal (L) 4:00PM Piano Rehearsal (S)

11. 9:00AM Youth Program Dress Rehearsal (S) 9:00AM Adult Study (L) 10:30AM Worship Service (S) 12:00PM UCPC Youth Program & Lunch (S, FH) 2:00PM Russian Church (S) 5:30PM Beaver Sports (L, HS)

12. Turn in Gifts for Adopt-A-Family 5:30PM 12 Step (M) 8:00PM Gospel Group (S)

13. 6:30AM

Men's Coffee (N)

9:00AM

Presbyterian

Hospitality House (FH)

4:30PM

Bingle Board Mtg (L)

6:30PM

Fellowship Mtg (N) 6:30PM Boy Scout Troup 1 (CE) 7:15PM Mission & Outreach Mtg (C) 8:00PM

AA (L)

14. 12:00PM Bulletin Deadline 6:15PM Worship Committee (C) 7:00PM Bell Rehearsal (S) 7:15PM Choir Rehearsal (M)

15. 12:00PM Prayer Group (C) 1:00PM Donna Henry (M) 5:30PM Al Anon (HS) 6:30PM Sweet Adelines (CE)

16. 7:00PM Russian Church (M) 8:30PM NA (L)

17. 1:30PM Diamond Group Rehearsal (L) 2:30PM Piano Recital (S) 6:15PM UCPC Youth Event (Great Hall, UAF)

18. 9:00AM Adult Study (L) 9:30AM Sunday School (HS & FH Rooms) 10:30AM Worship Service(S) 2:00PM Russian Church (S) 4:00PM Diamond Concert (S)

19. 7:30AM Women's Breakfast(Denny's) 5:30PM 12 Step (M) 8:00PM Gospel Group (S)

20. 6:30AM Men's Coffee (N) 6:30PM Boy Scout Troup 1 (CE) 8:00PM AA (L)

21. 12:00PM Bulletin Deadline 7:15PM Choir Rehearsal (M)

22. 12:00PM Prayer Group (C) 5:30PM Al Anon (HS) 6:30PM Sweet Adelines (FH)

23. 7:00PM Russian Church (M) 8:30PM NA (L)

24. 12:00PM Christmas Eve 1st Worship Service & Lunch (S, FH) 9:00PM Christmas Eve 2nd Service- Candlelight (S)

25. Merry Christmas!

9:00AM Adult Study (L) 9:30AM Sunday School (HS & FH Rooms) 10:30AM Worship Service (S) 2:00PM Russian Church( S)

26. Newsletter Due 5:30PM 12 Step (M) 8:00PM Gospel Group (S)

27. 6:30AM Men's Coffee (N) 12:30PM Regional VOAD Meeting (C) 6:30PM Boy Scout Troup 1 (CE) 8:00PM AA (L)

28. 12:00PM Bulletin Deadline 7:15PM Choir Rehearsal (M)

29. 12:00PM Prayer Group (C) 5:30PM Al Anon (HS) 6:30PM Sweet Adelines (FH)

30. 7:00PM Russian Church (M) 8:30PM NA (L)

31. New Years Eve

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Announcements & Events

“We invite all to faith in Jesus Christ and growth in discipleship through Word, Prayer, and Service.”

Elder of the Month for December is David Rohwer

Christmas Eve Services

Join us at one or both!

12:00PM

A short service in the Sanctuary. Lunch will follow in the Fellowship Hall.

9:00PM

Traditional Candlelight Service in the Sanctuary. Join us in the Narthex after the service for goodies and fellowship.

Youth Christmas Program

Sunday, Dec. 11th after the Worship Service.

Come have lunch with us and enjoy foods from Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth in the Fellowship Hall. Afterwards, we will move into the Sanctuary for the Christmas Letters program where we will hear letters to and responses from the key players in the Birth of Jesus and the miracle of Jesus’ humble birth. Music will include Eliza on

her harp, Hannah on the piano, and the debut of the Youth Chime Choir!

The Christmas Joy Offering will be collected Sunday, Dec. 18th. There will also be an opportunity to give at the Christmas Eve Services as well. This offering benefits the Board of Pensions for pastors that worked without pensions and for racial/ethnic schools supported by the Presbyterian Church.

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You can view the

Upcoming Sunday Bulletin on our web page each week www.ucpcfairbanks.org

click on the link on our home page. It will be available each Friday after 1pm.

Children and Youth Sunday School meets @ 9:30am

Preschool meets in the Nursery.

K-4th grade meets in the Fellowship Hall Elementary classroom. 5th-8th grade meets in the Fellowship Hall Middle School classroom. Confirmed students through High School meet upstairs in the High School classroom. Sunday Adult Study meets in the Student Lounge.

9:00am-9:30am Coffee and Fellowship 9:30am-10:15am Teaching and Discussion

Meets at 6:30am in the Narthex every

Tuesday Morning.

Women's Bible Study meets every other Monday

7:30am @ Denny's on Airport Way

We will meet December 5th & 19th.

Youth Activities

Program Rehearsals Sat., Dec. 3rd at 4:00pm Sun., Dec. 4th at 9:00am Sun., Dec. 11th at 9:00am (dress rehearsal) Event - Youth will be going to the Opera Fairbanks production of Ahmal and the Night

Visitors Dec. 17th at 7:00 pm. We will meet in the Great Hall at UAF at 6;15pm to hand out tickets and get seats in the Salisbury Theater. Lucile Hackett, Roger Smith and Kathy Taylor Yokel are in the cast.

Caroling - Please keep a lookout in the bulletin for more information.

You can view the Upcoming Sunday Bulletin

on our web page each week www.ucpcfairbanks.org click on the link on our home page. It will be available each Friday after 1pm.

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Through Love in the Name of Christ

We have adopted a Love INC Christmas family again this year. The family was referred to Love, INC by someone who saw they are in need, then Love INC interviewed and vetted the family’s needs before sending them to UCPC. Our Christmas family this year is 2 adults and 4 children, so we will need lots of support to make this a magical Christmas. We have a Christmas tree in the narthex with paper ornaments with the toy and clothing suggestions the family provided. As some of the items might be expensive or even hard to shop for, they are the family's requests and expressions of interest, but we need not feel obligated or guilty if we cannot provide each item. We should be providing new in-the-package gifts, but with expensive items or hand tools, used in good working order can be acceptable as well. Here is some information about the family that may spark giving a gift that may not be on the tree if you feel so inclined:

Mother – woman in her 30’s that is currently unemployed. Interests – bowling and Bingo. She enjoys these because she can take the children along. She also recently has become more physically active.

Father – a Mr. Fix-It type with an artistic side. Had major surgery this summer, but is doing much better. Enjoys pool and occasional video games with the kids.

Older daughter – 14 years old. She reads magazines, listens to all types of music, enjoys doing hair and make-up.

Older son – 13 years old – Loves sports, especially basketball and football.

Younger son – 6 years old – loves sports and playing basketball and football. Also enjoys wrestling, video games, and card games.

Younger daughter – 3 years old – enjoys Barbies, stuffed animals, hair ties and bows. As a church, we can brighten up a family’s Christmas by considering what they have suggested or coming up with something appropriate to match the interests noted. Gift certificates for food or donations of food are extremely helpful, as are gift certificates to GVEA!!! You may drop the gifts off any time before December 13. Please bring the ornament back with the gift which can be wrapped or not. We could use donations of wrapping paper as well, as all the presents will need to be wrapped. Thank you for considering giving to this family.

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UCPC Session News

Highlights from Session November 17, 2016

1. Worship Committee met and discussed the Thanksgiving service and planning for advent. Thanksgiving service will be simple with a few hymns and short message. Paraments will be purple for Advent and Sarah has ordered the advent candles. Lucile will coordinate with Pastor Neill about finding families to light the advent candle each week. Pastor Neill will take New Year's Day Sunday off, and we will have an Epiphany hymn sing that day. Next meeting is Wed. Dec 7 at 6:15 pm. Respectfully submitted, Lucile Hackett, Worship Chair

2. Finance Treasurer’s and Stewardship Report: The UCPC account balances on November 14th, 2016:

Operating Account: $57,962.54 (Oct 20th $53,070)) Designated account: $76,141.31 (Oct 20th $74,892) Fuel account was $1,373.25 (Oct 20thth $3,729)

Savings at Wells Fargo $504.00 Credit card $0.

All bills paid and financial situation is satisfactory. Income from pledges, loose offerings and rents: September – $18,554 October – $18,361 November $11,422 – (after 2 Sundays)

The finance committee reviewed expenditures to date for Philip’s cabin. All payments made were for down payments at the time of renting and an initial supply of food and cooking pans and utensils to equip the cabin. The finance committee recommends that Philip should be asked to pay a monthly amount of $300 which will cover half of the rent and $15 for fuel. UCPC and Friends Church will pay the rest. Philip should also pay for his food and any electric charges that accrue. UCPC will ask the congregation to support the Home Ministry Fund for the costs of Philip’s housing and utilities. This could be done with 20 monthly contributions of $20. Approved. Roger Smith, Chair

3. Mission and Service: The committee met Nov. 15 and reviewed plans for the Create-a-Gift Bazaar and the LOVE INC Adopt-a-Family Christmas gift project. PC (USA) is e-mailing a survey on Special Offerings soon. Since we expressed our concerns last February about Special Offerings, Muffie will respond to it online. We discussed topics that arose during the Quarterly Planning Meeting on Oct. 29, including changes in the “Mission and Service bulletin board” in the narthex (Brian will enhance the lighting) and a Youth Challenge 2017 project for an electronic display.

The committee proposed moving money in the “50/50” Designated fund into the Home Ministry fund, where it can find an immediate use. Approved. We also propose to continue receiving the Christmas Joy Offering on the 4th Sunday of advent once again, and to have a small collection basket in the narthex for those wishing to donate during the Christmas Eve service. Approved. Congregational reminders of the use of this offering by PC (USA) will be made during the 3 proceeding Dec Sundays.

Our popular Breakfast Burrito project for The Door adolescent shelter was delayed until January 2017 (possibly 1/21/17). We all wish to thank Whitney for including bulletin reminders to the congregation about Food Bank Collection Sundays. We have had a “harvest” of donated food, and need to find a systematic way of getting it to the Food Bank in a timely manner. Carol Nielsen, Chair.

4. Personnel: The nursey is being covered by volunteers and we are looking to hire someone to be there on Sunday from 9am to noon. If you know of anyone, please contact Carol Nielsen or David Rohwer.

5. Building Stewardship: Will be working on lighting, chairs, exit lights, and fire extinguishers. Boilers were recently serviced and found one of them down. Brian Dixon and Jim Durst reporting.

Next Session Meeting: Dec 8, 2016 5:30PM (note change from regular schedule)

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UCPC Community Care Line

3510 College Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Phone: 907-479-6728 Fax: 907-479-8879

Email: admin@ucpcfairbanks.org Website: www.ucpcfairbanks.org

Deacons

Pat Babcock 479-6651 Susan Carothers 479-8156 Georgianne Frank 479-4394 Sue O'Bryan 479-4095 Theresa Reed 456-7573 Celia Rohwer 378-7804

Elders

David Rohwer 378-2554 ~ Clerk of Session Jim Durst 479-8191 ~ Class of 2016 Carol Nielson 479-2955 ~ Class of 2016 Lucile Hackett 474-0212 ~ Class of 2017 Sarah Lanstra 456-4202 ~ Class of 2017 Paula Long 479-3043 ~ Class of 2017 Brian Dixon 452-2651 ~ Class of 2018 Doreen McNeill 488-8262 ~ Class of 2018 Roger Smith 479-8341 ~ Class of 2018

Pastor Rev. Neill McKay Email: RevNeill@ucpcfairbanks.org Office: 479-6728 Cell: 799-5534

Admin Assistant Whitney Robinson Office: 479-6728 Office Hours: Mon – Fri : 9am–1pm

Choir Director ~ Lucile Hackett 987-9947 Organist ~ Kathy Dohner Pianist ~ Vacant Sound Manager ~ David Rohwer 378-2554