Volume 16 - Issue 1 2013

“People ministering to people for Christ’s sake.”

My Dear Church Family,

I have done so much for each of you, and I continue to bless and care for you daily. I don’t require much

from you, but are you doing all you can for me? As 2013 begins, take a moment and decide if you could be

doing more for me, for your church family, and for yourself.

As you consider your New Year’s Resolution for 2013, could you also consider what you can do for our

church? Pledges have been made, but is there something else you could do for our church? Could you join

a committee that works to get all the church jobs done? Could you join a Sunday School Class and study

my word with friends? Could you join the choir and sing to the glory of me? Could you join the Bell choir

and ring to your heart’s content? Could you come to Bible Study on Wednesday and learn more of what

the Bible teaches you? Could you share your cooking talents for a Wednesday night Bible Study

meal? Could you help with Community Table?... Setting up? Serving? Wrapping silverware? Drying

dishes? Cleaning up?

Or… could you lead/coordinate VBS 2013? Please, search deep in your hearts, prayerfully consider,

ponder the idea, and decide if you could be the leader for the VBS this coming summer. The planning

team is already choosing the curriculum, it has planned the date, it has secured the PCHS kids. We do

have finishing touches to put on VBS 2013, but we need a leader/coordinator/conductor/ guide/

shepherd/chief/captain/skipper/ commander / manager/ ringleader/ ….. get the point? If any of these

words could describe you, please accept the call and step forward.

We have many who will help, but we need one who will lead!!! IS IT YOU????

Please contact last year’s ringleader Kay Patteson with your “YES!” answer today!

Love, GOD

Celebrate Epiphany and the beginning of a New Year at the Lord's Table on

Sunday, January 06!

Wednesday Night Supper and Study:

Join us each Wednesday at 5:30 for supper, and study at 6:00. On January

09, 2013, we will begin a study of Paul’s Letters to the Corinthians.

Attention Church Officers

For your January calendar:

Saturday, January 12 - Officer Training, 8:30 A.M. - 3:30 P.M. – Required pre-ordination

training for new Elders, as well as Orientation for the whole Session to our work for

the coming year. This year’s meeting will again be held at the Mission River Ranch

Club near Refugio (thanks to John Jackson for again making this possible). Details

and directions will follow.

Sunday, January 13 –

10:30 A.M., Called Meeting of Session in the Church Parlor

11:00 A.M., Morning Worship, Service of Ordination and Installation

12:00 Noon, Congregational Luncheon honoring our Ruling Elder

Thursday, January 17 - 6:00 P.M., Stated Meeting of Session

Scripture Readings and Sermon Topics:

January 06 -- Matthew 2:1–12 “It All Begins With A Star!”

January 13 -- Luke 3:15–17, 21–22 “Chosen And Marked”

January 20 -- John 2:1–11 “The First Sign”

January 27 -- Nehemiah 8:1–3, 5–6, 8–10 “Live Strong”

The Church Office will be closed on Monday, December 31st and Tuesday, January 1st.

And Study

Ministering to ... the Congregation. Notes from Charlie

A little boy was waiting for his mother to come out of the grocery store. As he waited, he was

approached by a man who asked, "Son, can you tell me where the Post Office is?" The little boy replied,

"Sure! Just go straight down this street a coupla blocks and turn to your right." The man thanked the boy

kindly and said, "I'm the new pastor in town. I'd like for you to come to church on Sunday. I'll show

you how to get to Heaven." The little boy replied with a chuckle. "Awww, come on... You don't even know

the way to the Post Office."

Submitted by Jim Sikes

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Registration is now OPEN for

2013 Summer Camp & Summer Staff opportunities

at John Knox Ranch!

Day Camp

Ages 4 thru rising 5th graders

Resident/Overnight Camp

Rising 3rd graders thru rising high school juniors

Junior Counselors

Rising and just-graduated high school seniors

Summer Staff (Counselors & Upper Leadership Program Staff)

One year or more of college or life experience

For more information and to register/apply, visit

www.johnknoxranch.com

or call 830-935-4568.

We look forward to another great summer with you!

Ministering to ... the youth

PRAYERS FOR CHILDREN:

During December the congregation was challenged to Pray for: children of teenage mothers, child slaves, “street children,” children and teenagers in gangs and children conscripted into military service….

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FROM THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE

Treasurer’s Report 11/30/12

Year to Date 11/30/12 11/30/11 2012 Budget

Income $264,231 $293,259 $278,087

Expenses $267,349 $292,320 $319,601

If you have not made a pledge for 2013, please prayerfully consider

doing so. Having pledges in hand enables us to make the final budget

and plan for the coming year and also to better serve you, the

congregation, and our missions.

Pledge forms are in the Vestibule next to the Pledge lock box. Beverly

also has forms in her office or they can be emailed to her at

churchlady8@sbcglobal.net.

Kay Stanley

Treasurer

NEWS FROM THE

************************************************************************************

The January Fellowship Lunch will be Pot Luck with a

“Recipe From Home.” Bring that special dish that grandma used to

make, or a dish from your home state, your home town, or one you

remember from your parents. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall

after the 11 o’clock service on the 2nd Sunday in January

(13th). We will also say THANKS AND HONOR OUR CHURCH

OFFICERS, those coming in and those who have already served and

those who are serving now.

Please come and enjoy sharing your recipe...

and don't forget to say a special "THANK YOU" to our Church Officers.

.Jo Smith

************************************************************************************

Lunch

For those who did not attend the Community

Thanksgiving Service hosted by our church this year, you

not only missed a wonderful worship experience but also

the chance to see this beautiful fall floral arrangement by

Adelaide Marlatt.

Thank you Adelaide for sharing your gifts and talents!

You are greatly appreciated.

Veronika Camehl

Worship Committee Chair

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What a wonderful Advent season it has been...our church was filled with many activities that brought the true meaning of Christmas to bear. There are so many to thank and, on behalf of the Worship Committee, let me take this opportunity to recognize those hard-working individuals. To begin the season, many came to help with the decorations. Those who helped make the church look so festive were Connie Schuler, Jeremy Schuler, Amanda Thorton, Sara Craven, Ken Craven, Theresa Smith, Jad Smith, Mindy Durham, Nancy Cangelosi, Lanie Echelle, Caro Jackson, Kay Stanley, Roz Foust, and Ann Robbins. We would also like to thank the Presbyterian Women for purchasing the 2 beautiful new trees for the sanctuary and the Fellowship Hall. Our very busy head ushers for the month were Sara and Ken Craven.....so dependable and always there with a welcoming smile. Communion preparers were Debbie Shedden, Caro Jackson, and Veronika Camehl. Communion was served by the following elders: Pete Chamberlain, Al DeGayner, Katie Henderson, Caro Jackson, and Kay Stanley. Communion Wine was provided by Sally Reynolds. Once again our Bell and Chancel Choirs brought the gift of music through out the season.....the Cantata was spectacular and we give many thanks to our devoted choir director/organist Yvonne Jaggard for her talents and her time at this very busy time of the year.

Our candlelight Christmas Eve service once again included a portrayal of the Nativity with the following members bringing that special event to life: Katie Henderson (Mary;) Collin Thompson (Joseph;) Brittany Meyers (head angel;) Tatiana Jaggard, Karlee and Kinsie Friebele (host of angels;) Ben and Kyler Friebele (shepherds;) Pete Chamberlain, Al DeGayner and Matt Meyers (The 3 Wise Men;) Mindy Durham (narrator;) Vanessa Friebele and Kim Thompson (technical support.) Awesome also was the Special Music provided by Connie Schuler and Yvonne Jaggard for their duet, “Just One Star“ and the equally beautiful duet by Yvonne Jaggard and her grand daughter Tatiana Jaggard when they sang the first verse of “Silent Night.” Thank you all for sharing your gifts!

Many thanks to Al DeGayner, Holly Hamilton, Tom Jaggard, and Parkie Luce for their assistance at worship on December 30....it was a much deserved and rare Sunday off for Charlie as we were led by Rev. Laura Neely from Parkway Presbyterian. Last but not least, the worship committee wishes to thank our fearless leader Charlie Schuler for once again leading this congregation with his wisdom and wit. He makes us feel special! So please take a little time to let him know how much you appreciate him.....whether it be with a note, or handshake, or just a pat on the back, everyone likes to feel appreciated and valued.

happenings by Veronika Camehl

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We usually meet on the first Tuesday of each month BUT we will NOT meet

on January 1st because of the New Year’s Holiday. We will resume our

meetings on February 5th. Please attend then and enjoy fine fellowship,

excellent food and making commitments to helping others.

Here are some of our contributions during 2012:

We paid the hotel bill for a month for a couple who lost everything including family pets when

their boat home sank in the Gulf;

Community Table: $2,000 for operating expenses;

Relay for Life: $300 contribution for our team;

Flags for our Church’s flagpole: $277.50 to replace Old Glory and the Texas Flags and $184.08 to

replace worn out Presbyterian flags;

Pastor’s Discretionary Fund: $400

Graduation Gift for a graduating Senior: $200

School Supplies: $200

Arwin Dougal Memorial Fund: $200

Cost of converting the charcoal grill to natural gas: $705

Coastal Bend Troop Support: $500 to send Christmas packages to deployed troops

Good Samaritans: $1,000 for the “Coastal Bend Day of Giving”

Samaritan’s Purse: $189.06

Odyssey project for a needy family: $1,000

As you can see, we gave away half of our bank account. We will talk about fund raising projects at

the February meeting.

We encourage all men to join us, especially new members and Winter Texan visitors.

Pete Chamberlain

Ministering to … MEN

Makes sense to me.... From the September edition of Reader's Digest: "Ever walk into a room with some purpose in mind, only to completely forget what that purpose was? Turns out, doors themselves are to blame for these strange memory lapses. Psychologists at the University of Notre Dame have discovered that passing through a doorway triggers what's known as an event boundary in the mind, separating one set of thoughts and memories from the next. Your brain files away the thoughts you had in the previous room and prepares a blank slate for the new locale."

It's not aging, it's the door! Submitted by Don Smith

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Ministering to … WOMEN

Women, opportunities for growth and service and a time to have fellowship with other women in the church continue in the month of January. Please mark your calendars for the following experiences. 1. PW monthly meeting will be Tuesday, January 8 at 10am at Ingrid Little’s home. It will be a brunch/meeting/greeting time. Each of your officers has agreed to serve another term, so please come to support these women. The jobs have been filled, so don’t worry about being assigned one of the positions! J Remember, PW meetings are for all women of our church! Returning officers: VModerator- Ingrid Little, Secretary- Theresa Smith, Publicity- Connie Schuler, Neet Feet- Pati Vincent, and Missions/Resources- Adelaide Marlatt. Thanks, Ladies! 2. Quilters will meet on January 15 from 9am-12 noon to work on quilts. Please come enjoy the fellowship and the sewing! 3. Due to a scheduling conflict, January’s PW Circle Meeting will be on MONDAY, January 14 at 12 in the parlor. Adelaide Marlatt will lead our study of the Epistles, entitled Living in a Community and the Household of God. We are ready for Chapter 5. Bring a sack lunch, and come share in the learning and discussion. Circle Meetings will resume on Tuesday in February. 4. Our women are at Castaways On Mondays (8am-3pm) and Thursdays (8am-11am) every week. There is plenty to do and the jobs are easy to learn! Please join us for a really a fun time with other women, and of course, with those men who keep us hopping! Hope to see you there on Monday /Thursday mornings. The deposit for the Christmas sale was $1705! Best Ever !! J The new castaway shirts have been ordered. Then, they will be embroidered by Peggy Thompson and distributed. Thanks, Theresa, Peggy, and PW. 5. VeeAnn Brown reported from Good Samaritans. Our church gave $2600, PM gave $1000, and PW gave $1000 for the November Day of Giving, adding to the total of $38,000. Thank you to all who supported this important giving day for Good Sams! Christmas baskets will be December 22, this year with Odyssey children making cards and decorations for each basket. 6. Neet Feet bought 10 pairs of shoes in November making $2283.17 our total for the year so far! J 7. Women’s Retreat will be February 9 from 9am-3pm. Read Parkie Luce’s article on Page 8 for more details. 8. Mo Ranch Conference will be April 5-7 with Wimberly hosting, so mark your calendars. As soon as you receive your registration form, please get it to Barb Goodlock ASAP! They have to be mailed by January 15th. 9. Decisions made at November’s meeting:

a. Barb suggested a new candidate for BEAS. She will get the information to the woman so she can apply.

b. Voted to donate $300 more per school for uniformed dress for the months of December, January, February, and March.

c. Voted to raise our pledge to our church to $1000 a month. d. Voted to give $650 to Good Sam’s for Christmas baskets and raise our monthly support for

2013 to $250 a month. e. Voted to increase Charlie’s discretionary fund for 2013 to $300 a month. Thanks, PW. f. The lovely new chairs are here for the fellowship hall. Thank you, PW for paying the $7858.98

for them. g. Voted to purchase a new vacuum sweeper for Carolina for $265. Thanks, PW. h. If you have not paid for your Poinsettia make your $15 checks payable to PW. i. Minutes of the PW meeting can be mailed to all women. If you would like to receive these

minutes by email, please contact Theresa Smith with your email address. Connie Schuler,

Publicity Chair

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Date: Saturday, February 9

Retreat: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Location: Allegro House, 29 Mazatlan, Rockport

Cost: $15

Study Topic: “You Are Already Amazing!”

Pastor Karen Horan, has agreed to return for the 3rd year to share her gifts with us. For those unable to attend one of our retreats, you are missing out on hearing an enthusiastic speaker with a passion for sharing our Christian faith and God's love. Here is what the Pastor of Gruene United Methodist Church says about herself on the church’s website:

How do you tell someone about you in a bio? I like doing things like cartwheels, eating ice cream, holding babies, loving on older people in Alzheimer’s units, preaching and coaching / counseling others, and generally I love talking to people about God. Who am I? I’m a pastor, a wife (my husband, Bill is really cool if you haven’t met him. We’ve been married a long time…since 1986!), and a mom of two (Tyler and Ashley are both pretty much grown and living on their own…not sure how they got so old!). How did I get here? God called me into ministry after 10 years of teaching High School / Middle School and 3 years of Christian Education. I attended Perkins School of Theology at SMU, and when I finished there, God (and First UMC New Braunfels) called for Gruene UMC to be planted. Since then, I’ve been part of so many amazing things here at the church and even in other parts of the world, like Rwanda and Nicaragua! God did all that…I just got to come along for the ride and I am so very grateful! God is so good!!

This year’s focus will be on claiming ourselves as children of God, and using Bible references affirm that we are loved and beloved … even when we don’t feel like it (or feel unworthy.) Watch for the sign-up sheet to be posted on the bulletin board next to the Mission Room. Come one, come all and bring a friend to share fellowship, study and lunch!

Dear Bev,

I was so touched when Sandy Swanson presented me with the beautiful pray-er quilt. It is fabulous and I appreciate it more than you know. Please share this note with all those involved and I know (my brother) Bennett will greatly appreciate it as well.

Sincerely, Shirley Kirmse

Ministering to others through Prayer and Prayer Comforters

Ministering to women… Continued

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Ministering to … the community through use of our facilities

THE COMMUNITY TABLE By Pete Chamberlain

The Christmas meal was served on December 18th to 337 diners and Santa and Mrs.

Claus distributed toys to 65 children (10 years old and younger.) The men and women of

our church donated many toys as well as money for many more so we had high quality new

gifts for all. The Fellowship Hall was beautifully decorated with the new tree and all the

poinsettias.

Thanks again this year to:

John and Adelaide Marlatt for doing the

shopping for the children’s gifts.

the Presbyterian Women who donated

$200 toward Santa’s gifts!

ALL THE VOLUNTEERS WHO WORKED

SO HARD TO MAKE 2012 SO SCUCCESSFUL and

HEB supermarkets who, for the third

year in a row, donated $500 in gift cards for the

purchase of turkeys and hams for our Thanksgiving and

New Years Day meals

The 2012 serving schedule has begun to take shape but we have 12 open Tuesdays due to the fact we only have 6

churches to serve the 8 (occasionally 9) Tuesdays every 2 months. We have initiated a letter campaign to recruit

other churches and service agencies to join The Community Table.

The January schedule for food preparation & serving is as follows:

Jan. 01 First Presbyterian

Jan. 08 Holy Cross Lutheran

Jan. 15 OPEN

Jan. 22 First Baptist

Jan. 29 OPEN

It will be a difficult month particularly if we have to fill an open date. We can always use more volunteers for

serving, doing dishes and for cleanup after 6:00 pm.

Thanks to those who have already stepped forward.

Waiting for Santa

The Church Lady’s office after all the gifts for Santa

were delivered.

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Ministering to … others in the Community

While CELEBRATING the birth of the CHRIST Child, also CELEBRATE with

Rockport/Fulton Good Samaritans!

CELEBRATE that the folks at First Presbyterian Church supported the

Rockport/Fulton Good Samaritan’s annual Christmas basket program with

generous donations of time, food and money. These folks numbered more than

can possibly be thanked individually.

CELEBTRATE that this generosity funded and filled more than 20 of the 625

baskets expected to be distributed to GS clients.

CELEBRATE that the Presbyterian Women’s group donated $650 of the funds

earned from working weekly at Castaways in 2012. That amount supplied 10

baskets.

CELEBRATE that the children at the Odyssey After School Program that uses

our gym facilities each afternoon, carefully and beautifully colored the front

of and wrote greetings inside of more that 600 (WOW!) Christmas cards. The

cards were distributed to clients picking up the food baskets at the Good

Samaritan Center the Saturday before Christmas. Program Director Jessica

Picarazzi and her staff assured me that while diligently laboring over the

decorating and the messages, the children learned about the purpose of the

cards and greetings.

CELEBRATE that the Presbyterian Church’s Youth Group worked on basket

distribution day distributing the Odyssey children’s cards as GS clients arrived

to pick up their baskets. Local elementary school children also contributed

seasonal decorations to be distributed along with the cards.

CELEBRATE that First Presbyterian Church’s Women’s and Men’s groups were

joined by many in the congregation in supporting Good Samaritans during the

November Day-of-Giving.

CELEBRATE that Rockport/Fulton Good Samaritans are now busy with plans to

continue serving our community in 2013 by putting to good use the more than

$38,000 received from the November fundraiser.

CELEBRATE by volunteering to join in serving with us again in 2013!

Vee Ann Wright

Our display in the “Mission Room”

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Odds ‘n Ends ...

02 Jad Smith 04 Holly Hamilton Brittany Meyers Frank Wix 06 Eileen Mangham 07 Nancy Holubec 11 Katie Henderson Don Smith 12 Nancy Melcher 16 Lois Harrington Reba Kling 21 Susan Gill 22 Rita Gilbert Susan Lewis Bill McMurry 23 Carol Milbrandt 24 Connie Schuler 26 Bobbie McLester John Watters 27 Liz Murray 31 Sue DeGayner

If your birthday is not listed, or in error, please call the church office at 729-6251.

in THE ROSEBUD ON THE COMMUNION TABLE

December 23 was in celebration of the birth of Todd and

Aubrey Jacobson’s newborn son, Jackson Riley, born

Wednesday, December 12, at Fort Hood, Texas. Jackson

was 21 inches long and weighed 8 pounds 7 ounces. He was

welcomed into the family by siblings Shannon, Amelia and

Tyler. Proud grandparents are Terry and Beverly Jacobson.

Editor’s Note: Thank you Caro Jackson, Kay Patteson,

Darline Yeoman and Steve Atwood for volunteering time out

of your busy lives to “desk sit” so I could not only be

present at the birth of my grandson but also care for the

grand kids during Aubrey’s hospital convalescence after

delivering by C-section.

SANCTUARY FLOWER SPONSORSHIPS

Sundays in JANUARY still available are: 13, 20 AND 27

2013 Sign Up Sheets are

posted on the bulletin board next

to the Mission Room.

View of NAME TAG Display in the Mission Room

NAME TAGS: Winter Texans are returning to Church. Help them properly identify you by wearing your name tags. If in need of a new or replacement, request it by filling in the folder in the Mission Room beneath the name tag holders (as pictured above.)

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Please include these individuals in your Prayers of Intercession:

At Home: Gayle Garratt, Lee Sikes, Bob Hill, Nan Jackson, Norma Giebelhaus, Reba Marton, Barbara Sikes, Berta Little. Members In Nursing Centers: Lucile Penington, Billie Hale, Flo Griffith (Rockport Coastal Care Center); Lois Harrington (Gulf Pointe Village;) Win Smith (Dallas;) Pat Walzel (Trinity Towers;)

Our armed forces serving in harm’s way: PFC Christopher Tipton, Capt. Sal Zuniga (sons of Bev Jacobson’s BSMs;) LT Adam Watters (M/M John Watters son;) LTJG Christopher Kelly (M/M Kyle Kelley’s son.) Our Extended Family and Friends: Kevin Brown (M/M Jim Anderson’s son-in-law;) Henry Yeoman (Darline Yeoman’s son;) Barbara Purcell (Liz Murray’s mother;) Brenda Shelly (Kathy Roberts-Douglas’s friend;) Ella Catherine Andrus (M/M Ozzie Williams’s grand daughter;) Dawn Dilts (Faye Scott’s niece;) The Jim Smith family (M/M Don Smith’s son;) Linda Rubenstein, Stormy Freeman (Penney Clarke’s friends;) Lowell & Betty Kepp (Kay Stanley, Nancy Melcher friend;) Lisa Youngblood (M/M Ed Rainwater’s friend;) Betty Close (Sally Reynolds’ mother;) Chris Brown (Claudette McKinley’s son;) Terry Worrell (M/M Ken Craven’s friend;) Rose Woodford, Carol Handly (Winter Texans;) Monty O’Bryant, Margie Dieringer, Lacey Boler, Tammy Scott, Helen Slough (Yvonne Jaggard’s father, aunt, student, student’s mothers;) Anthony Booth (Sandy Booth’s grandson;) Debra Kay Griffith (Caroline Bernardy’s daughter in law;) Sobie Garza (M/M Daniel Garcia’s niece;) Bob & Bogusha Bear (M/M Joe Bear’s brother, sister in law;) Brooke Hester (Tom Jaggard’s co-worker’s child;) Janet Rozell (Shirley Latham’s sister;) Brenda Mack; Janet Adams, Don Perkins, (M/M Bruce Goodlock’s brother in law, friends;) Richard, Diane McMakin and Family, Ruby James (Berta Little’s sister/family, friend;) Strother Norman, Anita Diebel (Caro Jackson’s cousin, friend;) Shari Mikelenka (Mindy Durham’s friend;) Ryan Glass, Alice Rogers (Kay Patteson’s grand daughter in law, friend;) Paul Klemm, Amanda Hardwick, Courtney Klemcke (Kim Thompson’s friends;) Bruce Daily (father of M/M Ed Fegley’s daughter in law;) Kimberly Molina (Barbara Goodlock’s friend;) Sarah Mussett, (M/M Charles Schuler sister in law;) Kyle Ratliff (son of Pam Roe’s friend;) Mary Newkirk (cousin of Lois Atwood’s friend;) Dr. Dwayne Geren, Judy Hayes, Delora Kirby, Sgt Brad Thomas and Storm Aguilar (Bev Jacobson’s friends cousin, Wounded Warriors;) Valerie Bowen (friend of Winter Texans Dave and Jane Ethington;) Baby Kate Gray (Jad Smith’s great niece;) Bennett Trimble (brother of Sandy Swanson’s friend) Darla Zuniga (Katie Henderson’s friend;) Brittany (Rodriguez) Brown, Cheryl Lopez (Carolina Hernandez’s cousin, sister in law;) Alton Briggs (M/M Gary Gilbert’s friend), Gaston Broyles; Dru & Deborah Penland (Rick Roe co-worker.)

Prayers and sympathy of the church are extended to: 1. The family of Linda Dupnik, a friend of many Presbyterian Women, who passed away Friday, December 23; 2. The family of JoAnn, Ricky and Bobbie McLester at the passing of their mother and long time member, Katherine

McLester, on Tuesday, December 25.

PRESBYLINES is published monthly by:

First Presbyterian Church 301 Hwy 35 North - Rockport, TX 78382 Phone No. (361)729-6251; Fax No. (361) 729-6299 Eemail: churchlady8@sbcglobal.net

Attn: Postmaster

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