“CALLING ALL DISCIPLES”
Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church
As I have been reading through the scriptures
selected for Advent for this year there seems to be
an undercurrent of longing. A longing for
restoration to place beyond the heavens, a place
we really only know see in our mind’s eye, only feel
in our heart’s craving, and only believe in, in our
soul’s deepest yearning. We long to restore God’s
presence in the world!
Even as we look at the Old Testament texts, we
hear the prophet Isaiah request, “O that you would
tear open the heavens and come down so that
mountains would quake at your presence…” (Isa.
64:1). The Psalmist laments “Restore us, O God of
hosts; let your face shine that we may be saved.”
In the New Testament, after his death and
resurrection, those first Christ followers were so
certain of Christ’s second coming that they
reminded one another to stay alert, keep actively
waiting. They had a taste of God’s presence with
them, Emmanuel, God with us and they longed for
more. Those early Christ followers experienced
God’s presence in a special way. Through the
resurrection of Christ and the presence of the Holy
Spirit we, too, can experience God’s presence in a
special way.
Advent, the New Year of the Church, reminds us
to consider God’s presence among us. Advent
reminds us that Christ has come and has made all
the difference in our lives but that the final
difference is still to come. We experience a taste of
restoration but long for the fullness of restoration
– a time when the land, the people, all creation,
will be restored in the fullness of Christ and under
the leadership and authority of Christ. A time when
mercy and justice, grace and love shall be meted
out, when there will be no darkness, no margins of
peoples or places.
2014 December
1
This Advent we will explore together the ways
we see God at work in our world. A reminder
that God is with us and we can see God’s
presence even through the brokenness that
still exists, even though God’s fullness is not
yet seen. These glimpses of God will be
posted on the walls of our Fellowship Hall in
pictures, in poetry, in stories that you share.
(see Advent article) This Advent, I pray that
you will see God’s presence, that you will
share those glimpses of God’s presence and
that you will long for the fullness of God’s
presence – in your life and in all of creation.
May we join together as we wholeheartedly
proclaim, Come, Lord Jesus, come! And as
God’s presence is experienced may we know
the blessings of He who comes in the name of
the Lord!
May God restore your soul this Advent and
bless your Christmastime!
Love and Blessings,
Pastor Judy
Calling All Disciples
First Presbyterian Church
700 Central Avenue
Connersville, IN 47331
765-825-4189
Deacon/Session
Meeting
Scheduled for
December 17th
at 7:15pm
PASTOR:
Rev. Judy Fitchett
CLERK OF SESSION:
Carla Beard
OFFICE HOURS FOR SECRETARY:
Tues. and Thurs.
9:00am – 2:00pm
Fri. 8:00am – 1:00pm
Email and Website:
[email protected]
www.connerpres.org
Communion Sunday will be
December 7, 2014
Deacons to prepare the
sacrament are:
Doug Ross and John Bohlander
Keep in
In This Issue:
Pastor’s Message, p. 1
Spread the Word, p. 2
Prayer Concerns, p. 2
This Month at FPC, p. 3
More First Happenings p. 4
Session Report p. 5
Deacons Report, p. 6
More First News, p. 7-8-9
December Calendar, p. 10
our Members and Friends
Ellen Doty - Health Concerns
Molly Fairchild - Health Concerns
Cora Alice Underwood – Health Concerns
Carol Wiggins Health Concerns –Sister of Kay Bishop
Dave Hannah – Cancer (Nancy Bohlander’s uncle)
Judy May – Lung cancer – Aunt of Tina Butcher)
Wilma McLean – Continued Prayers
Vickie Taylor – Receiving chemo
Don Bowne – Health Concerns (Friend of John Bohlander
and Jim Robinson
Rev. Gene Spicer’s family – Prayers at this time in the
passing of Rev. Spicer
2014 December
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“Have a Joyous and
Wonderful Christmas
Season”
“Remember the Reason for the
Season”
Calling All Disciples
This Month at
First Presbyterian
Liturgist for the Month of December is:
Cindy Crispin
==============================================
Coffee Hour
December 7 – Open
December 14 – Cathy and Don Kirk
December 21 - Open
December 28 - Open
*********************************
The Price for altar
flowers will continue
to be $15.00 this year.
Deacon of the Week
Visitation Schedule
December 7 – December 13, Jill Yaryan
December 14 – December 20, John Fairchild
December 21 – December 27, Linda Ward
Usher/Counter* Teams Schedule
December 7 – Kay*Bishop, Sarah*Smith and
Ann Kirschner
December 14 – Jill*Yaryan, Richard*Leiter and
Larry Zumkeller
December 21 – John* and Joyce Bohlander and
Doug*Ross
December 28 – Lisa* and Jordan Hazelrigg and
Robert*Bryan
=========================================
Church and Community Activity Schedule
December 3 - Choir Practice – 6:00pm
December 4 – Fellowship Hall Reserved
December 6 – Breakfast with the Christmas Angel
9:30 – 11:00am
December 7 – Worship – 10:30am
Communion Sunday
Guest Speaker – Rev. Larry Benson
December 10 – Choir Practice – 6:00pm
December 7 - Open
December 14 – The Bryan Family
December 21 - Poinsettias
December 28 – Will and Nan Rose
Please let the church office know how
you want the flowers to be designated.
December 14 – Worship Service – 10:30am
December 17 – Choir Practice – 6:00pm
Deacon/Session Meeting – 7:15pm
December 19 – Newsletter Deadline
December 21 – Worship Service – 10:30am
Christmas Basket Distribution – 3:30-5:00pm
December 24 – Christmas Eve Service – 7:00pm
December 28 – Worship Service – 10:30am
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Church Office Hours for the Holidays are:
December 2 and 3 – 9:00 – 2:00
December 9 and 11 – 9:00 – 2:00
December 16 and 18 – 9:00 – 2:00
Decemer 22 and 23 – 9:00 – 2:00
December 29 and 30 – 9:00 – 2:0
2014 December
December 5 – 8:00 – 1:00
December 12 – 8:00 – 1:00
December 19 – 8:00 – 1:00
December 26 – 8:00 – 1:00
January 2 – 8:00 – 1:00
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Calling All Disciples
Thanksgiving and Christmas Baskets
Thanks to everyone for their generosity in providing items for the
Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets. We are in good shape for
the first distribution on November 24. We are still in need of items
for the Christmas baskets. As of November 16, items we are in need of the
most by December 20 are:
Corn – 33 cans
Mac and Cheese – 41 boxes
Jiffy Cornmeal Muffin Mix – 25 boxes
4/pack of Toilet Paper – 25
Dish Soap – 19 bottles
Beans – 42 cans
Jelly – 18 jars
Saltines – 25 boxes
Paper Towels – 17 rolls
Thank you very much for your help.
The Mission Committee
Guest Speaker from Hondurus on December 7th
Rev. Larry Benson
Larry is Judy’s youngest brother. It was on a mission trip that Judy, Art and Larry
took together along with other folks from Pleasanton Presbyterian Church that God
began to strengthen that call to mission in Larry’s life.
Larry has his Masters of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
After planting 2 churches in the US and then pastoring 2 others Larry felt called to do
something different. Although mission was not on the forefront of his mind he was
open to whatever God wanted. An opportunity opened for Larry to travel to Helene, Honduras
in 2004. Afterwards through many miraculous events Larry, Sheila and their three daughters
landed in Helene. Their time on the field was to be one year, but as God would have it they found
themselves caught up in the God moments that they experienced on the island. Ten and a half years
later they are still serving where they have been living out Habakkuk 1:5 (LOOK IT UP). 1:5
"Look at the nations and watch and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days
that you would not believe, even if you were told." Sheila and Larry are excited about seeing you
face to face in the moments God will give us to experience His grace together.
Visit their website at http://www.missionencounters.com/
And facebook page at Mission
2014 December
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Encounters International
Calling All Disciples
The Session met with the deacons November 19. Deacon Jill Yaryan opened
with devotions.
SESSION
The Treasurer reported that income for the month of October was $6,953.96.
Expenses totaled $11,959.68.
We have been reinvesting dividends from the Doll Fund. Session approved a
motion to have those monies sent to us instead. They will appear in a separate
line item in the budget.
Elder Bryan expressed his thanks to John Bohlander for help with work on the building and to the
congregation for help with identifying needed repairs and other issues. The boiler is good to go for
this heating season, but we need to make some long-term decisions about our heating system.
Elder Bryan also expressed appreciation to the Sunday School teachers. Special materials for Advent
are being prepared.
Elder Hazelrigg thanked the congregation for their generous contributions toward the Thanksgiving
baskets, which will be distributed Monday, Nov. 24, and she hopes contributions will continue.
Christmas baskets will be distributed Sunday, Dec. 21. Plans are also being made for the Community
meals to be served at our church on Sundays beginning in January. The four downtown churches – St. Gabriel, First United Methodist, Central Christian, and First Presbyterian – are coordinating this endeavor.
Elder Crispin announced the slate of officers for 2015: Carla Beard and Lisa Hazelrigg to serve as elders:
Cathy Kirk and Art Fitchett to serve as deacons.
Elder Crispin presented the proposed Terms of Call for Pastor Judy, which the congregation will vote on
at the congregational meeting Nov. 23. The Personnel Committee moved to offer secretary Marilyn
Stevens three (3) paid personal business days for calendar year 2015. Session approved. She also
announced changes in office hours during the last two (2) weeks in November.
Elder Zumkeller announced that 24 giving units have returned pledges so far. Last year 38 giving units
pledged.
Elder Swope reported that Elder Beard filled the pulpit Nov. 2 in Pastor Judy’s absence. Plans for
Advent and Christmas are underway, and the Christmas Eve candlelight service will begin at 7PM.
Pastor Judy reported that the confirmation class has begun. The book study that has been meeting at
Brian’s Bookstore is nearly finished. She announced that we will have a guest speaker on Dec. 7,
Rev. Larry Benson, a missionary in Honduras (and her brother). She is making plans for a special
observance of Advent and is writing a liturgy for the lighting of the Advent Candles.
Pastor Judy will participate in the community Thanksgiving service Tuesday, Nov. 25. She requested
leave Nov. 26 and Dec. 28-31. Session approved.
The church office will be closed Nov. 27 and 28, Dec. 24-26, and Dec. 31-Jan. 1.
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Tickets are still available for “Breakfast with the Christmas Angel”
December 6th
Contact Kathie Matney, Susie Rogers or the Church Office (825-4289)
Tickets are still just $5.00 ea.
2014 December
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Calling All Disciples
Deacons Meeting – November 19, 2014
PRESENT: John Bohlander, John Fairchild, Ann Kirschner, Doug Ross, Linda Ward,
Jill Yaryan; members of Session, and Pastor Judy Fitchett.
ABSENT: Doug Ross
Devotionals: Jill gave the devotionals from “A ‘Thank You’ Will Do”, a responsive reading; it is also blessed
to receive, but sometimes we don’t know how to accept a compliment – a “thank you” will do.
Cindy will do devotions in December.
Business: There will be no communion on Christmas Eve. Lisa says we should be okay on the Thanksgiving baskets.
They will be handed out Monday.
Refurbishing: Robert has a list of work to be done that is growing rapidly, but he will wait until after Thanksgiving
to decide where to start.
Prayer Concerns: The Ross and Wellman families need prayer in the loss of Audra Ross, killed in a car accident
on Monday. Ann mentioned that school children need food and cold-weather clothes right now.
==============================================================================================
Minutes: The minutes of the October Deacons meeting were approved.
Flowers: Ann will be ordering the Poinsettias for the Christmas season. Orders to be turned in to the office by
December 2.
Giving Tree: Jill reported this will be up for the Hanging of the Greens. We’re providing gifts for 25 children.
Communion: December 7 – Team C (Doug and John B.); January 4 – Team A (John F. and Ann);
February 1 – Team B (new deacons)
Deacon of the Week: Nov. 23-29, John B.; Nov. 30–Dec. 6, Ann; Dec. 7-Dec. 13, Jill; Dec. 14-20, John F;
Dec. 21-27, Linda.
John closed the meeting with The Lord’s Prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Ward, Secretary
Next meeting, 16 December 2014, 7:15 p.m.
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Art Fitchett will be having knee surgery
Just received notice of next year’s
Per Capita amount. This can be
paid any time
after January 1, 2015.
The amount for next year is
$36.93.
on December 4th. You might want to
send some well wishes to him during
his recovery. These can be sent to
300 N . Gray Rd., Connersville, 47331
2014 December
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Calling All Disciples
The Deacons have voted to sponsor 25 children
this year for our “Giving Tree” mission.
The Division of Family and Children will again
supply information.
They would like to see each child get at least one
complete out-fit with hat and gloves. Personal items
such as personal hygiene items: toothbrushes, bath
and body soaps & haircut certificates are also
appreciated. If items on the wish list are too
expensive, they may give insight into the child’s
wants and interests. The Deacons suggest for the
“Wish List” portion of the gift, the limit should
be $20-$25, especially if there are siblings too.
Christmas tree will be set up in the church parlor
Sunday, November 30th. It will be decorated with
paper ornaments containing all of the above
information for each child.
Members of the congregation choose an ornament
and take care of shopping, wrapping and returning
the gift to the church. Please remove all tags and
place them in the provided envelope and attach the
paper ornament to the wrapped package. Please
return gifts to church by Wednesday, December 17th.
If members of the congregation wish to donate money
but not shop, then members of the Deacons do the
physical shopping, wrapping and returning of the gift
for the Donor.
The project is always a success. Our congregation
has supported this project completely and helped
create a better Christmas in several Connersville
children’s lives.
Former First Presbyterian Church
Secretary, Brenda Pruet (McCarty)
Kunkel, has illustrated a beautifully
written children's Christmas book titled
The Christmas Stockings by author,
M.J. (Janie) Jordan. (Attached is a
picture of the book cover and can be
reproduced for the newsletter.)
This is a thoughtful family Christmas
story intended to encourage
conversation about gratitude and
embracing your own special gifts, as
well as celebrating the message of the
Light being sent to us to share with the
world. Please visit our Facebook page
The Christmas Stockings for more
information.
Thank you again for your generosity.
Jill Yaryan
Chairman
2014 December
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Calling All Disciples
An Advent Alternative
This year we are going to try something a little different; instead of an Advent Devotional
that each person takes home with them we will share our Advent together in the Fellowship
Hall. There is a website that has given us permission to use their pictures for this purpose.
.
The pictures and scriptures were made to be used along-side of a book by Ann Voskamp,
The Greatest Gift, Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas and Unwrapping the
Greatest Gift, a Family Celebration of Christmas. There two books, one oriented towards
adults and the other more oriented towards children and family (my favorite) both tell the
Christmas story in beautiful pictures and prose. Copies of both of these books will be in
the Fellowship Hall throughout the Advent Season. You are invited to use the books here
and leave them for others to enjoy. I would invite you to come in during our open office
hours if you would like to read and ponder the stories of Advent, add your thoughts,
pictures, favorite stories, poetry to our Advent Wall. Let’s share our glimpses of God and
God’s story together!
Books can be ordered from Amazon or downloaded onto Kindle if you want to purchase
your own. The website with the Advent pages is located at http://www.ttlcommunity.com/.
You can view and download the Advent pictures by clicking on the tab labeled Advent Book.
Through the Lens Community is a worshipping community in Iowa that uses photography
and pictures to see God in new and different ways.
May your Advent be a blessing to you and to others!
Pastor Judy
Christmas Joy Offering
Will be collected
On December 21st
During Worship
2014 December
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Calling All Disciples
Community Meals
The Salvation Army provides a valuable ministry called The Lord's Table to the
Connersville community by serving hot meals from 5:00 -6:00 PM. Due to various reasons the
Sunday evening meal has been discontinued. Acting on the suggestions from our congregation,
Pastor Judy approached the downtown churches about serving meals from our kitchen on Sunday
evenings. The First United Methodist Church, Central Christian Church and Saint Gabriel's Church
are interested in joining us on this mission with the support and encouragement from the Salvation
Army. This is not to take anything away from what is already being done but is to add to the serving
of our community. We are supportive of their weekday efforts.
This ministry will be called "Community Meals". Each church is responsible for one Sunday per
month. Our congregation is to serve the first Sunday of each month beginning January 4, 2015. Each
volunteer group will have the choice of using the kitchen to prepare the meal or preparing the food at
home and bringing it to serve from the kitchen.
If you would like to help with this mission project or know of an organization that would be
interested in preparing a meal and serving, please sign the Community Meals sheet on the bulletin
board in the hallway next to Fellowship Hall. Session intends this to be an ongoing mission project
with various individuals sharing in the responsibility. The church has a budget of $20 per month to
help with expenses.
This is a mission that Jesus calls us to fill for our community. We hope each of you will find it in
your hearts to sign up and help by either preparing food, serving, visiting with the diners, or
volunteering to clean up on a Sunday evening during the next year.
Members of the Community Meal Committee
Kay Bishop, Susie Rogers, Sarah Smith and Pastor Judy
2014 December
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Calling All Disciples