“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 8, 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:

·     Thank You from Dick Featheringham (NEW)

·     Alternative Gift Suggestion (NEW)

·     Special Congregational Meeting

·     Web address for Free Clinic (NEW)

·     Carols and Candy Cane Concert (NEW)

·     Book Club announcement

·     Deacons Christmas Delights

·     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), The committee that is looking for a Music Director and the IEPC Mission Tea who will be traveling to Costa Rica next summer.

 

God of hope, we ask that your Holy Spirit continue to shape our witness as we seek to serve the world in your name. Amen.

Prayer taken from the 2011 Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study.


Dear Members of the Congregation:

Thank you for letting me play the organ for you this past summer and fall.  It is always a joy to play for a congregation who sings as well as you all do.  Thanks also for allowing me to direct the chancel choir this past fall.  When a director has a choir of such good singers as we have, directing is a pleasure.  Working with the pastor was a very pleasant experience as well.  I feel we are very fortunate to have him as our spiritual leader.

 

Thanks very much for the gift from the congregation.  You are very thoughtful and generous.  Your many kindnesses will be remembered. 

May the peace of God go with us all.

 

Dick Featheringham


Alternative Christmas Gift Suggestion

            Are you not sure what to give a relative for a Christmas gift?  Are you looking for a creative way to give?  Would you like to watch your gift to be given over and over again?  Well I would like to introduce you to Kiva (kiva.com).  It is a wonderful organization to help end poverty in the world.  You can give a Kiva gift card in the amount of $25 or more to a family member.  Then the recipient of your gift can go to Kiva.com and find someone to loan their money (giftcard) to.  When the borrower pays back their loan one is invited to give their Kiva gift to another worthy borrower.  To find out more about Kiva go to kiva.com.  – Andrew Miller


Special Congregational Meeting Sunday December 11 at 11:30 am

This is for the purpose of nominating Elders and Deacons and at – large members of next years nominating committee.


Web Address for the Free Clinic

www.cmch.org/freeclinic

The free clinic opens on Thursday, January 12, 2012, with sign-in and registration from 5:00 pm to 7:00 at the Central Michigan District Health Department, 2012  E. Preston, Mt. Pleasant, MI.  It is requested that patients not enter the building before 5:00 pm. 


BEAL CITY SCHOOL BANDS - CAROLS & CANDY CANES CONCERT
Come enjoy an afternoon of carols and holiday fun with the Beal City Bands, under the direction of Jason Lowe!
Join us Sunday afternoon, December 11 at 4pm in the elementary gymnasium for an hour of great music and fun!


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


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 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 11, 2011

Luke 1: 47-55

A GLIMPSE AT THEWEEK AHEAD (Thursday - Thursday)

All events are at First Presbyterian Church unless otherwise noted

Thursday December 8

6:30 pm Bell Choir Rehearsal

7:30 pm  Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Sunday December 11

9:30 am  Adult Bible Study

Worship Service/Christmas Pageant/Special Congregational Meeting

            “From a Voice of a Child”   by Rev. Andrew L. Miller

11:30 am Deacons Christmas Delights Fundraiser

Monday December 12

9:00 am Monday Morning Men

10:00 am Staff Meeting

Tuesday December 13

6:30 am  Men’s Prayer Breakfast at Lil-Chef

6:00 pm Finance Committee Meeting

7:00 pm Worship & Music Meeting

Wednesday December 14

11:30 am P.E.O.

6:00 pm PW Coordinating Team meets

8:00 pm AA

Thursday December 15

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

 

January 14, 2012         Finch Fieldhouse

                                    Corner of Preston & Franklin

January 28                    Sacred Heart Parish Hall

                                    319 E. Illinois St.

February 11                 Finch Fieldhouse

                                    Corner of Preston & Franklin

February 25                 Finch Fieldhouse

                                    Corner of Preston & Franklin

 

BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES 

 

December Birthdays

8          Drew Eidenberger

 

December Wedding Anniversaries

14        Mary & Mary Jo Cox

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