“Opening Doors, Living God’s
Word”
E-CHIMES
A Weekly Update of Joys,
Concerns and Ministry with
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Sunday Worship Hour
10:30 a.m.
Church Office Hours: Monday
- Thursday: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Pastor's Office Hours: Monday
– Thursday 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
(Fridays: Pastor's day off,
office closed)
OUR MISSION
As followers of Jesus,
we will
open our doors
to glorify
God and do God’s work
in our
community and beyond.
December 1, 2011
Church Phone: 989-773-9609
Our email is churchoffice@fpcmp.org
Our website is www.fpcmp.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/FPCMP/
Pastor Miller’s phone
502-609-6171
Email address: andrewlmiller1@gmail.com
In This Issue:
· Prayer
concerns:
· Special
Congregational Meeting (NEW)
· World AIDS
Day December 1 (NEW)
· Book Club
announcement (NEW)
· Thanks to
our Presbyterian Friends
· The Season
of Advent Anticipation and Hope
· 10 Tips
for a Simpler More Meaningful Christmas
· Thank You
from the American Red Cross
· PW Thank
Offering Report
· PW Silent
Auction Report
· A Thank
You
· We Still
Hold the Golden Shoe
· Toys and
Children’s Books for Christmas Outreach
· Christmas
Pageant
· Deacons
Mitten Sorting
· Deacons
Christmas Delights
· Christmas
Poinsettias
· Christmas
Caroling
· Lectionary
Readings
· A Glimpse
at The Week Ahead
· Looking at
Events in the Church, Around the Town and Beyond
· Birthdays
and Anniversaries
· Web Links
of Interest
PRAYER CONCERNS
Prayers of Concern go out to Sue Blodgett,
Lucille Wysong, John Kingsnorth (Nancy Klunzinger’s brother), Hilary Burns, (Heidi Rocha’s sister),
Nancy Enders, Liz Hubbard, (Martha Miller’s mother),Clarice
Miller (Rev. Miller’s mother), Bruce Theunissen (Bill Theunissen’s
brother), Veha Chamichian,
Howard Richardson, Mary Jo Cox, Sarah Cox, Ralph Groves (Kathryn Longton’s godfather) and the IEPC Mission Tea who will be
traveling to Costa Rica next summer.
Loving God, we join our hearts in prayer today with all your
people who commemorate this World AIDS Day. As we begin our journey through Advent, open our hearts and minds to
how we can be reflections of your love, your hope, your justice in our
world. Amen.
Prayer taken from the 2011
Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study.
Special Congregational Meeting Sunday December 11 at 11:30 am
This is for the purpose of nominating Elders and Deacons.
December 1, 2011 World AIDS Day
Announcement about the Book Club
There will be no Book Club meeting for the month of
December. The next meeting will be Tuesday January 24 at 11:45 am in the
church parlor. All copies of the “Empire Falls” book are due in the
library by 12/9. Thank you. Marydeana Duckworth
Thanks to our Presbyterian Friends
Thank you for including the CMU Saxophone and Tuba studios in your
Harvest Dinner Event. The students speak of it as one of the most
memorable events they experience during their time in Mount
Pleasant. Planting seeds that grow into beautiful plants is an
age-old endeavor. My hope is that the goodwill you have shared will
surface in projects they create in their future. You are excellent
models for these talented young musicians, of people that care and work
together to help others.
John Nichol
Professor of Saxophone
CMU
President - North American Saxophone Alliance
The Season of Advent Anticipation and Hope
The word Advent means “coming” or “arrival”. The Season of
Advent focuses on the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First
Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King, in his Second
Advent. Advent is far more than a 2,000 year-old historical event.
It is a time of celebrating the truth about God, the revelation of God in
Christ where by all of creation might be reconciled to God. Therefore,
Advent is a season of celebration, anticipation, preparation, and waiting.
10 Tips for a Simpler More Meaningful Christmas
By Gary Cook
from Whose Birthday is it
Anyway?
1.
Plan ahead. Instead of going on auto-pilot the day after
Thanksgiving, hold a family meeting to decide what the group really wants to do
and who’s going to do what.
2.
If you need a symbol for giving (in addition to Jesus and the
Three Wise Ones), learn about St. Nicholas. Santa Claus has been
completely taken over by commerce.
3.
Avoid debt. Refuse to be pressured by advertising to
overspend.
4.
Avoid stress. Give to yourself. Don’t assume that
things have to be the same way they’ve always been.
5.
Draw names rather than everyone giving something to everyone else
in your giving circle. Set a ceiling for each recipient. Give
children ONE thing they really want, rather than so many gifts. If need
be, pool funds.
6.
Give appropriate gifts. Get to know the recipient.
Give what they want to receive, not what you want to buy.
7.
Give alternative gifts. Give 25 percent of what you spent
last year to the needy…individuals or groups locally, nationally or
internationally. Buy crafts and clothing from developing countries at
alternative gift markets, not from commercial importers, so that the artisans
receive a fair price for their work. Give of yourself, not just “stuff”—a
coupon book for future services (such as baby-sitting or a “enchanted
evening”); something baked, sewn, handmade, composed, etc.; or a family service
project, such as working together at a soup kitchen.
8.
Celebrate Advent for four weeks before Christmas.
9.
Put gifts under the tree shortly before opening them. Then
take turns opening them around the tree, not all at once, so that each gift can
be admired and each giver thanked.
10.
Make changes slowly but persistently. Don’t try to change
everything and everybody all at once. The resistance will make you feel
defeated and lonely.
Thank You from the American Red Cross
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to thank you for the
recent contribution to the Central Michigan Chapter of the American Red
Cross. We appreciate your trust in us to be there for the residents of
Isabella County. Your donation to the chapter allows us to meet the needs of
families using our Emergency Food Pantry Services. Because of your
generosity, our Food Pantry will be there, when “Help Can’t Wait!”
Sincerely Deb Birkam, Executive
Director
PW Thank Offering Report
The PW Thank Offering collected a total of #302.00. This
offering is sent in its entirety to Presbytery where it is used to support new and creative projects that meets the needs of hurting
people- the aged, homeless, disabled, refugees, children and youth.
PW Silent Auction Report
Returns on the Silent Auction brought a total of $484.00.
Part of this will go to savings toward refurbishing the kitchen. Part
will be used for operating expenses such as supplies and also to cover the cost
of our Ecumenical Tea. Many thanks to all who participated in any
way—donors and buyers!
A Thank You
Dear Mary Jo and the whole Wed @ First bunch: Andrew brought
your amazing basket of goodies and thoughtful items to Howard in the ICU. Theres a whole lot of love there and we thank you very
much!
Howard and Norma Richardson.
As the church with the most walkers in the CROP Walk for hunger
this year our church still holds the Golden Shoe award. Great work
everyone! We Still Hold the Golden Shoe
Toys and Children's Books for Christmas Outreach
We will collect unwrapped toys and books on Sunday, December 4
during the morning worship service. These will be given to Christmas Outreach
for distribution to those in need. Help brighten a child's Christmas morning!
Christmas Pageant
The Christmas Pageant will take place during the intergenerational
worship service on Sunday, December 11. All children are welcome to take part!
Join us on this special Sunday as we hear the Christmas story and consider its
impact on our lives today.
Deacons Mitten Sorting
The Deacons will be sorting mittens for Christmas Outreach on
November 29 and December 6 at 6:00 p.m. Many hands will make for a quick
sort. Please lend a helping hand.
Deacons Christmas Delights
Join us in the Witherspoon Room December 11, right after worship
for a Wonderland of Holiday treats. Admission is a generous donation with
proceeds going to Member Care Fund/Local Missions.
Christmas Poinsettias
You are invited to help beautify the sanctuary for
Christmas! The Worship & Music Committee is planning to purchase
poinsettias for the floral display.
Those who wish to honor or remember someone may do so by enclosing
a donation and filling out the form which will be an insert in your Sunday
bulletin and must be returned to the church office by Sunday, December 5th.
The flowers will be in the sanctuary on Sunday, December 18th
and Christmas Eve. If the donor so desires, their name will be included
in the Sunday bulletin insert listing the donors and those being honored.
Those wishing to purchase plants please take them with you after the service on
Christmas Eve or pick them up during the week to share with a friend of your
choice.
Christmas Caroling
First Presbyterian will be doing their annual Christmas Caroling
on Sunday December 18th at 2:45 pm. The trolley will need to be back
in the garage by 5:00 pm. There will be a chili supper at the church
afterwards. So reserve this date on your calendar if you want to enjoy the
blessings of the Season as we sing to members of our church some of whom are
shut-in.
LECTIONARY READINGS for Sunday December 4, 2011
Mark 1: 1-8
Isaiah 40: 1-11
A GLIMPSE AT THEWEEK AHEAD (Thursday -
Thursday)
All events are at First Presbyterian Church unless otherwise noted
Thursday December 1
6:30 pm Bell Choir Rehearsal
7:30 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Sunday December 4
9:30 am Adult Bible Study
Worship Service/Communion/Christmas Outreach
“Being Church In Wilderness Times” by Rev.
Andrew L. Miller
11:30 am Luncheon in the Fellowship Hall
5:30 pm SJP Meeting
6:00 pm CMU Study Exam Night
Monday December 5
9:00 am Monday Morning Men
10:00 am Staff Meeting
6:00 pm CMU Study Exam Night
Tuesday December 6
6:00 pm Deacons Mitten Sorting
Wednesday December 7
Noon Lydia
6:00 pm Wed @ First Potluck and Christmas Carol Sing
8:00 pm AA
Thursday December 8
6:30 pm Handbell Choir Rehearsal
7:30 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal
LOOKING AHEAD AT EVENTS IN THE CHURCH, AROUND THE TOWN AND BEYOND
Mobile Food Pantry 2011 Schedule
December 10 TBD
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES
December Birthdays
1 Tom Hall
2 Giselle Montross
6 John
Stevenson
8 Drew
Eidenberger
December Wedding Anniversaries
LINKS
Presbytery of Lake Huron www.presbylh.org
Presbyterian Church USA www.pcusa.org
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance http://pcusa.org/pda/response/usa/hurricanekatrina-index.htm