November 2010
First Presbyterian Church of Saline, Michigan
Christmas Joy Offering
What Child Is This?
In this season when we celebrate the child born in Bethlehem, we also realize that the
birth of Jesus ushered in a new realm of God’s love at work in the world. This love
causes us to recognize the image of God embedded in all humankind. It compels us to
reach out with charity, justice, and grace. We seek to honor every child of God. This,
too, is how we celebrate the child born on that first Christmas day.
We will receive the Christmas Joy Offering on Sunday, December 19, 2010.
Christmas Joy
Presbyterians can respond to that love at Christmas by giving generously to the Christmas Joy Offering. The Offering helps students at racial ethnic schools and colleges develop their gifts and find their calling to serve God through serving their community. At
the same time, the Offering helps families of both active and retired church workers to
meet unexpected needs. As we celebrate Jesus’ love in our lives this Christmas, our
gifts bear joyful witness to the power of that boundless love that changes lives.
From The Pastor’s Desk
This year, as I was searching for
Thanksgiving paper plates with
not much luck, I began to wonder: “Whatever happened to
Thanksgiving?” It seemed the
consuming public was shoved
right from the Halloween popup store to the Christmas popup store, and a whole section of
the calendar simply disappeared.
Thank goodness we in the
church are on a different calendar—and hold to another set of
values. The church calendar begins with Advent—a season of
watching and waiting, not for
Santa, but for the Lord. The
first Advent lectionary reading
has not a single angel song in it,
but assails us with a graphic description of Christ’s second arrival on this earth.
Oh yes, we will still be swept up
in all the glitter and glitz to the
extent we allow ourselves to be.
We will go out shopping while
the ubiquitous Jingle Bells rings
in our ears. We will enjoy our
parties, and over-indulge even
when we say we won’t! We
will love the sights and sounds
of the season.
many ways to observe the season of Advent through the
spiritual practices of service,
personal devotions, worship,
and alternate gift giving. Remember what the Christmas
story is really all about. Celebrate Advent with the people
for whom it means something—your church family.
Yet Christmas is not here—not
yet. First comes the waiting—
pregnant with meaning and
hope. Don’t miss out on Advent
this year. The Christmas tree
turns brown (or goes back in the
closet); the lights burn out; the
gifts are soon forgotten. But
Jesus Christ remains in the here
and now, and the Kingdom of
God is near!
May the message of Advent
come alive for you this season,
and the Christ child be born
again in your heart.
In this newsletter you will find
This will be a
sign for you:
you will find a child
wrapped in bands
of cloth and lying in
a manger.
Luke 2: 12
Peace and grace,
Judy
Church Library
Lenity by D. Baird Manchester
Written by our own Debra Manchester, Lenity is a wonderful
fictitious tale about a very unusual man named Jaden and his
quest to save a very unusual
woman named Carly from the
forces of evil who want her just
as badly as the Lord. This exciting tale of good versus evil
and saints and demons has a
wonderful balance of action and
spirituality that really touches
the reader’s heart. It is an inspirational read that really touches
your soul with the Lord’s message through Jaden and Carly.
This is a great action packed
book that leaves you thirsting
for more. It is a perfect Christmas gift to touch someone’s
heart and really gets you thinking about Jesus’ unending love
and patience for all of us.
Xulon Press
Fiction: Christian Fiction
FIC: Man
Available to check out in our
Church Library! Want to purchase a copy– you may order
on-line or just let Debra know
how many copies you would
like:
[email protected]
Excerpt:
“That is when I noticed her: a
young woman intently texting on
her cell phone, rocking slightly
on her too high heels. I felt a
flash of recognition…”
Read the rest of the story!
Congratulations Debra!
HELP… The library is missing a
copy of a DVD called Shadowlands.
Mission Announcements
We are again registered to ring the bells for the Salvation Army Red Kettle program. That will be on
Saturday Dec 11th; only 2 more slots available.
It’s time to think about alternate gift giving. We have a number of catalogs from non-profits organizations. Haiti Outreach Ministries offers hats, T-shirts, and handmade Christmas cards and is in
need of student sponsorships and rebuilding donations. Christian Appalachian Project has unique gifts
made by local craftsman. The Heifer Project, Samaritans Purse and Church World Services catalogs
have items like seeds, small farm animals, hygiene kits, soccer balls, etc. to be given in Honor or
Memory of someone.
Sign-up sheets and the catalogs can be found on a table by the stairway in Fellowship Hall.
Advent Opportunities
To Serve And Celebrate
Poinsettias...If you would like to help beau-
Feed My Sheep… Make sure to bring
tify the church for Christmas and honor someone you
love, Christmas Poinsettia order forms will soon be
available. The Poinsettias will decorate the sanctuary
on Sunday, December 19th through the Christmas
Eve Services. Memories of loved ones and/or honored people will be printed in the bulletin on Christmas Eve. Please watch the upcoming church bulletins for ordering and pricing information, or contact
Rod Conley (734-944-2136, [email protected])
for more information"
Thanks —Rod Conley
your food donations to share with those in need in
our own community. Working together to stop
hunger!
Mitten Tree...You will find a tree set up in
Fellowship Hall to place hats, mittens, gloves and
scarves to be distributed by Saline Area Social Services.
New Members...Welcome to our new
members. New members will be received during
the 11:00am worship service on December 5th.
Operation Christmas Child...
Giving...Shoe boxes of gifts and toys have
been filled for boys and girls throughout the world
and will soon be on their way overseas. This is a
Samaritan’s Purse program that was sponsored by
Christian Education and Mission Central.
Jewelry...Linda Kiser would appreciate donations of your costume jewelry– even odd earrings, or
broken pins! Linda creates stunning jewelry to help
raise money for our friends in Haiti.
Quilting for a Cause…
A quilt will be donated during the Saline Holiday
Parade! Good work Quilters!!!!
Card Ministry… Make sure to brighten
someone’s day by signing Greeting Cards on Sunday
morning. Know someone who could use a card? Let
your Deacon or the Church Office know!
Stephen Ministers...Many of us go
through difficult times in our lives, and these may
seem more acute at Christmas. As Christians, we
are not alone. God loves us and listens to our
thoughts and prayers. First Presbyterian is a
Stephen Ministry congregation– Stephen Ministers
can listen, pray and care about you. Contact our
Stephen Ministry team or the Church office.
December Calendar
December 1
Wednesday
December 2
Thursday
December 4
Saturday
December 5
Sunday
December 6
Monday
December 7
Tuesday
December 8
Wednesday
9:30AM Disciple 1 Class
6:30PM Growing Spirits
Junior Choir Rehearsal
Bell Choir Rehearsal
Disciple 1 Class
7:30PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal
9:30AM Library Committee
8:00AM This Old Church Fix It
FEED MY SHEEP
8:30AM Awakening Worship
9:30AM Christian Education
11:00AM Traditional Worship
New Members will be received
3:00PM Advent Festival
5:30PM Disciple 1-last class
7:30PM Monday Night Study
12:00PM Quilting For A Cause
9:30AM Disciple 1 Class
6:30PM Growing Spirits
Bell Choir Rehearsal
Junior Choir Rehearsal
Disciple 1 Class
7:30PM Chancel Choir
December 9
Thursday
1:30PM Library Committee
December 11
Saturday
10:00AM Environmental Stwdsp.
December 12
Sunday
8:30AM Awakening Worship
9:30AM Christian Education
11:00AM Traditional Worship
12:00PM POTLUCK
December 13
Monday
10:30AM Cook’s luncheon
6:30PM Women’s Party at
Judy Shipman’s home
December 14
Tuesday
7:00PM Deacons
December 15
Wednesday
9:30AM Disciple 1 Class
6:30PM Handbell Choir
6:30PM Junior Choir Rehearsal
6:30PM Growing Spirits
6:30PM Disciple 1 Class
7:30PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal
December 16
Thursday
9:30AM Library Committee
December 17
Friday
Ruby Dicks Use of Fellowship Hall
Piano Tuning (afternoon)
December 19
Sunday
8:30AM Awakening Worship
9:30AM Christian Education
11:00AM Traditional Worship
Use of Fellowship Hall by Saline Area Social Svcs.
December 20
Monday
7:30PM Monday Night Study
December 21
Tuesday
7:00PM Session
December 22
Wednesday
9:30AM Disciple 1 Class
6:30PM Growing Spirits
Junior Choir Rehearsal
Handbell Choir Rehearsal
Disciple 1 Class
7:30PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal
December 23
Thursday
9:30AM Library Committee
December 24– Christmas Eve
FRIDAY
7:30PM Worship Service
11:00PM Worship Service
December 25– Christmas Day
SATURDAY
December 26
Sunday
No Awakening Service
No Christian Education Classes
11:00AM Readings and Carols
December 27 OFFICE CLOSED
Monday
7:00PM Committee Night
December 29
Wednesday
9:30AM Disciple 1 Class
6:30PM Junior Choir
Handbells
Growing Spirits
Disciple 1 Class
7:30PM Chancel Choir
…CHRISTMAS EVE…
Worship With Us On Christmas Eve
and
Invite A Neighbor To Share The Blessings Of Christmas!
7:30PM Candlelight Service– Family Friendly Worship
and
11:00PM Candlelight Communion Service
on Sunday, December 26th there will be
one worship service at 11AM
Advent Devotionals are now available!
Pick one up from the table in the Narthex.
Do an Advent discipline for your
spiritual growth. Two devotionals are
available from which to select– a family-friendly one and
another one by C.S. Lewis.
Twelve Prayers of Christmas
Contact Person:
Carey Pellerin
[email protected]
734.944.1290
Peace!
Hope!
NT L
E
V IVA
D
A ST
FE
Love!
December 5th 3:00pm -6:00pm
Joy!
Grace!
Celebrate the Joy of Christmas as our Church Family:
Creates crafts to celebrate the advent season, including a daily advent devotional.
Prepares Love Baskets for the members of our Congregation
Experiences the Christmas story through Carols, Scripture, and a Readers Theater
Enjoys a delicious meal and Christmas cookies
Come for an intergenerational afternoon of celebrating, as we explore our thoughts and prayers for Christmas, as
individuals, a church family, and a community. We welcome friends and family to join our Advent celebration.
Calling All Bakers…
Our Youth will once again be
hosting the Hot Chocolate Stand
at the Saline Holiday Parade on
Saturday, December 4th.
We are seeking donations of
cookies and canisters of hot
chocolate to make their booth
possible. Items should be marked
“Hot Chocolate Stand” and put in
the kitchen.
Our hot chocolate stand is a part
of our community outreach.
Donations received will be used
for mission.
Women’s Christmas
Party…
The women of the congregation are invited to a special Christmas
Party on December 13th (Monday) at the home of J.D. and Judy
Shipman.
The festivities will begin at 6:30PM. Bring a dish to pass.
Make sure to bring a wrapped gift (valued at $15.00 or less) for a
fun gift exchange!
Drivers for Homeless Shelter…
What: Drivers needed to help other churches who are hosting the
winter homeless shelter to transport to and from churches.
When: Dates to be determined
Times: Evenings between 7PM and 8PM
Mornings between 7AM and 8AM
Please sign up if you may be available and would like more
information. More details will be available soon! The
Delonis Center did not need our church building for a shelter this year. But the homeless men do need warm transportation. Can you help???
First Presbyterian Church
of Saline
143 E. Michigan
Avenue
Saline, MI 48176
Phone: 734-429-4140
www.Salinepres.org