THE RENEWAL
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF HAVRE DE GRACE
551 Franklin Street, Havre de Grace, MD 21078
Church (410) 939-3611 - Fax (410) 939-3581
December 2015
Advent retrieved Nov. 17, 2015 from
http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/
worship/advent/
“Advent” means “coming” or “arrival.” During the season of
Advent, we celebrate Christ’s coming into the world and watch
with expectant hope for his coming again. In its historical origins,
the season of Advent was patterned after the season of Lent, a
six-week period of penitence and preparation for Easter.
Similarly, the four weeks of Advent present an opportunity for
communal discernment and personal examination, as the church
prepares to celebrate the Nativity of the Lord and looks with hope
for Christ’s return.
BETWEEN MEMORY AND HOPE
An excerpt from the Companion to the Book of Common
Figure 1 Grünewald (1470-1528). This was a
Worship (Geneva Press, 2003, 96)
In Advent we expectantly wait for the One who has already favorite John the Baptist points to Christ, as
come. We anticipate the promised justice of God’s new world, yet depicted by Matthias image of the theologian Karl
we praise God who raised the “righteous branch” to rule with Barth.
justice and righteousness. We hope for the restoration of the
afflicted, the tormented, and the grieving, yet we delight that healing has come in Christ. We long for the beating of swords into
plowshares, yet we rejoice that the Prince of Peace has appeared. We yearn for the barren deserts of our inner cities to flourish,
yet we laud the desert Rose that has bloomed. We dream of the land where lions and lambs live in harmony, yet we acclaim the
child born to lead us into the promised land.
Christ has come! Christ is risen! Christ will come again! In Advent, we are living between the first and the second coming of the
Lord. The dialectical tension of maranatha [alternately translated “Come, our Lord!” or “Our Lord has come”] — placing us between
memory and hope, past and future — may strengthen our Advent liturgies. Perhaps we need to cling to the ancient cry
of maranatha! and its paradoxical meanings so we may freely embrace “the new thing” prophesied by Isaiah (Isaiah 43:19) that
God is doing among us right now. The tension and paradox we find in Advent shapes our celebrations during the season.
O God, Help us search our souls to cleanse it of anything that would pull us away from you. Yet, help us celebrate the presence
and the coming presence of our Savior, Jesus the Christ! May everything we do this Advent season prepare the way of your
kingdom. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
1
DECEMBER 2015
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
1
2
Grace
Place
6
7
Friday
Saturday
3
4
5
11
12
18
19
Choir Practice
6:15 pm
World AIDS Day
Presbyterian
HiV/AIDS
Awareness
2nd Sunday of Advent
Thursday
8
9
Communion Sunday
S.S. – 9:45 a.m.
Worship – 11:00 a.m.
10
Choir Practice
6:15 pm
Human Rights Day
3rd Sunday of Advent
13
Sunday School – 9:45 a.m.
Worship – 11:00 a.m.
Christmas Cantata
‘What Child is This?’
14
15
16
17
The Vine’
food pantry
10–11:30 a.m.
&
Used Book
exchange/sale
Choir Practice
6:15 pm
.
9 to noon
Christmas Joy gift
4th Sunday of Advent
20
Sunday School – 9:45 a.m.
Worship – 11:00 a.m.
21
22
23
January
Newsletter
Deadline
24
Christmas Eve
Service
5:00 p.m.
25
Merry
Christmas
Christmas Joy gift
1st Sunday after Christmas Day
27
28
29
30
31
Sunday School – 9:45 a.m.
Worship - 11:00 a.m.
Havre de Grace
Church Tours
2-4 pm
Christmas Joy gift
With everyone’s hectic schedule this time of the year, it
has been decided to cancel the normal business
meetings of the church for December.
Enjoy this time with your friends and loved ones and be
ready to begin a brand new exciting 2016 at PCHdG!
2
26
CHURCH FAMILY NEWS
12/06
12/09
12/10
12/13
Ella Renee Stratton
Makayla Hopps
Steiner Pierce
Jane Martin
12/21 Eric Swanson
12/29 Gordon Leffler
12/30 Paul Martin
12/31 Charlotte Ann Stratton
12/01 Scott & Linda Kirkendall
12/10 Bud & Kathy Webb
DUTY ROSTER
Liturgist
12/06
12/13
12/20
12/27
Deacons
Adam Datesman
Ed Matthews
Logan Pentz
Pat Allingham
Trustees
Bill Atkinson
Kimberly Andreen
Mary Ernst
Sandy Matthews
Paul Stratton
Ryan Andreen
Torinda Lutz
Greg Smith
Communion Schedule
12/06 – Ron Stein
- Bill Atkinson
Usher-Tellers
Team #6 Eric Swanson (capt.)
Team #1 Ron Mathias (capt.)
Team #2 Bill Kietzman (capt.)
Team #3 Scott Pentz (capt.)
Childcare Schedule
12/06 – TBD
12/13– Stephanie
12/20 - Stephanie
12/27 – Stephanie
Staffed Office Hours
Monday – 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday – 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday – 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Thursday – 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Friday – Office closed
3
THE VINE FOOD PANTRY
The food pantry was open from 10-11:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 21, 2015.
The Book Sale was open from 9 to noon.
19 families were served with food at this time.
Ralph and I wish to extend our thanks to Jerry & Carol Gatto, Adam Datesman & Julie DuCharme
and Ryan & Amy Weitzel for their generous donations of food. And thanks to Pam Mason and the
gentleman in the community (who wishes to remain anonymous) for their monetary donation to
purchase turkey’s to be distributed by The Vine and to Ron & Carolyn Mathias, Elizabeth Saenz, John
Lindes and Paul & Jane Martin for their donation of turkey’s for the Vine recipients for Thanksgiving.
Thanks to Mike & Karen Frick for their donation for a $25.00 gift certificate. And thanks to Amy, Pat,
Addison, Sarah and Sandy Sapp for helping with the distribution of food.
The thoughtfulness of these individuals is greatly appreciated by Ralph and me as well as those
receiving food!
The next scheduled date for the food pantry is Saturday, December 19.
YOUR MONETARY OR FOOD DONATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. WHAT YOU GIVE WILL MAKE
A REAL DIFFERENCE TO REAL PEOPLE. THANK YOU!
A schedule for 2016 will be in the January newsletter.
*In November and December, our food giveaway is on the Saturday
prior to the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
Respectfully submitted,
Lew Mason
*********************************************************************************************************
Miles of Pennies
Donations for Oct. and Nov. $29.75
Our total to date is $506.87 for our fifth Mile of Pennies which started in August 2009.
It took us 23 years to complete four miles. A Mile of Pennies consists of $844.80 or 84,480
pennies. The Mile of Pennies originated in 1986.
The basket for your contributions (any loose change) is located on your left as you enter
the Narthex and ‘thank-you’ for your participation in this mission of our church. The money is
used by the Deacons to purchase cards and stamps for mailings to members and friends of the
congregation.
“Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift”. ~2 Corinthians 9:15
George Deibel III
Miles of Pennies Chairman
4
Christmas Poinsettia order form
It’s time to order your Christmas Poinsettia! All orders must be received as
soon as possible. The florist needs a count no later than December 15. The
price will be $10.00 for a 4-6 red bloom poinsettia including foil and bow. Please
make checks payable to the Presbyterian Church of Havre de Grace.
Please complete this order form and return it along with your payment to
the church office. For additional information please call the church at 410-9393611.
In memory of ________________________________________
In honor of __________________________________________
[ ] I will pick up my poinsettia
[ ] I will leave for shut-in
Again this year we offer a choice of monetary donation
rather than poinsettia to:
[ ] ‘The Vine’ Food Pantry
5
Merry Christmas from the Board of Deacons!
All those who would like to share holiday greetings with members of the
church are invited to place Christmas cards in the Card Box that will be
available in the narthex shortly.
Please label all envelopes clearly with the
recipient’s name or names, and the Deacons will deliver your cards. In order
for everyone to receive their cards before Christmas, the final day that the
Card Box will be available is Sunday, December 20.
In addition, Deacons will again be collecting hats, gloves, mittens, socks
and scarves on the Mitten Tree. All donations will be given to Brenda
Conjour for distribution to Alpha’s Glory, John Archer and Harford Family
House. Please bring in new winter items in any color and size so that our
neighbors in Harford County can stay warm this winter. Thank you for your
support!
The staff at the Presbyterian Church of Havre de Grace wish each of you a
very ‘Merry Christmas’ and a ‘Happy and Healthy New Year’ filled with
God’s many blessings!
Pastor Susie, Joyce, Jane, and Stephanie
Just a Thought
As we get ready to enter into a brand new year, may we take a moment to reflect on the year we are
getting ready to leave behind. What will you remember most about 2015? The good times, the bad times,
the sad times? There was plenty of each!
Did you make a difference in someone’s life? Did you do something to make a difference in your own life?
What can we do differently in 2016? Maybe show more kindness and patience? Be more understanding of
those who are struggling? Show more compassion to those who are hurting? Smile more  Live life to the
fullest!
Remember each day is a blessing whether it’s cold, hot, rainy, snowy, cloudy or sunny! Be thankful you
woke up to see a new day. A lot of folks didn’t!
You can make a difference - whether it is positive or negative – the choice is yours to make.
6
Happenings at PCHdG

TIME TO CELEBRATE 175 YEARS – Be a part of the planning! Call
Pastor Susie or a member of Session to get started!

The Vine Food Pantry ALWAYS needs: Peanut Butter, Jelly/Jams,
Spaghetti/Sauce, Canned meats, Mac & Cheese, and Cereals. Pick up one
or two items the next time you’re shopping and drop them at church on
Sunday. If everyone brings 1 item, which will be 40-50 items a week.
The pantry would stay full.
Prayer Concerns
 Dorothy Allingham, (Amy Weitzel’s Grandmother) on hospice
 Pat Allingham’s brother-in-law, Peter Downs, medical concerns.
 Ryan Andreen’s friend Angie – non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
And his friend Dick Kennard, now on hospice.
 Harry Christie, Pastor Susie’s brother-in-law, recovering from surgery.
 Patsy Bridges, Bill Atkinson’s sister, recovering from breast cancer surgery
 Deer Creek Harmony PC – spiritual discernment
 Carol Gatto – esophageal and stomach issues
 Mary Kelton –friend of Pastor Susie – starting chemo and radiation treatments
for breast cancer.
 Kelly Pentz – skin cancer removed – prayers for complete recovery
 Pentz family – other medical concerns and spiritual discernment
 Jane Martin family – family issues
 Family and friends of Ells Shank and continued prayers for Mitch who has many
health concerns
 Renee Stratton’s friend, Janet, diagnosed with breast cancer
 Bruce Van Wert, Frieda Peck’s son, diagnosed with lymphoma
 Kathy Neely’s friend lost someone to drug overdose. Prayers for all families
dealing with drug issues
 Fred Hoffman, recovering from melanoma surgery.
 Sandy Sapp, continued health issues.
 Barb McGill, musician for DCH, congestive heart failure and lung issues.
 Bill Kietzman, broken ankle
 Adam and Julie’s friends Mike and Jamie. Jamie’s mom Becky Erd passed away
suddenly at the age of 61
 Julian Datesman and Bunny Worthington, both have strep throat.
 Prayers for our world…it’s pretty scary out there these days
7
Thanks to all who participated in our 2nd
‘Operation Shoebox’. You guys and gals’ rock!
At last count 47 boxes have been shipped!
What a special feeling to know that you were a
part in creating a child to smile this Christmas
season! Sometimes it’s the small things we do in
life that brings us the most happiness.
And Special thanks to Ed & Sandy Matthews for
their hard work in organizing this wonderful cause!
8
9
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
OF HAVRE DE GRACE
551 Franklin Street
Havre de Grace, MD 21078-2899
Merry Christmas
And
Happy New Year
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF HAVRE DE GRACE
Pastor – Rev. Susie Atkinson
[email protected]
Church phone - 410-939-3611
December Newsletter
Vision Statement
God’s call and our vision as we come together in the Presbyterian Church of Havre de
Grace is to grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ so we may be a faithful,
friendly, and welcoming Christian community committed to worship, education,
fellowship, and mission. Come grow with us as we adapt to these changing times!
10