December Worship at MdS - Mission del Sol Presbyterian...

Vol. 28, No. 12 December 2013

December Worship at MdS

December 1 First Sunday in Advent Isaiah 2:1-5 (NRSV)

Matthew 24:36-44 (CEB)

“Hopeful Awareness”

December 8 Second Sunday in Advent Isaiah 11:1-10 (NRSV)


“That Was Unexpected . . .”

December 15 Third Sunday in Advent Isaiah 35:1-10 (NRSV)


“Better Questions”

December 22 Fourth Sunday in Advent Lessons and Carols

Special music by the choir

December 24 Christmas Eve

December 29 First Sunday After Christmas Isaiah 63:7-9 (NRSV)


“There’s More to the Story”

The Paper Bag Pageant is returning. Last year’s service was so widely

received that we decided to do a similar service this year. Every child that

comes through the door for the 5:30 Christmas Eve service will be an active

participant in telling the story of Christmas. There is no rehearsal required

and there are no lines to memorize. If you are looking for a way to bring the

Christmas story to life for your family, friends and little ones, please join us

for this family friendly service.

Our traditional candlelight service will be held at 8:00 p.m.

Each year on the Sunday before Christmas

Presbyterian congregations express profound

appreciation for our clergy and other servants of the

Church by receiving the Christmas Joy Offering. We

honor our church leaders both for their faithfulness in

tending to our spiritual needs and in recognition of

their decision, in many cases, to answer the call to

ministry rather than pursue a life of material comfort.

A Presbyterian tradition for almost 70 years,

the Christmas Joy Offering is one of the four special

offerings designated by the General Assembly of the

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to provide congregations

direct ways of supporting specific causes that help

those in need.

Fifty percent of the receipts to the Christmas Joy Offering are

distributed to the Board of Pensions for assistance programs that provide

support to retired and active church workers and their spouses and

families. The other fifty percent supports Presbyterian-related racial

ethnic education through the General Assembly Council.

The Christmas Joy Offering will be received on the fourth Sunday

of Advent, December 22.

Three ways to donate to this offering:

* leave your check in the offering plate (be sure to mark it

“Joy Offering”

* text JOY to 20222 to give $10

* visit the website presbyterianmission.org/give/christmasjoy

MdS Leadership Team

The Larger Church December 2013

Elders: Jane Aitken, Pam Bosch, David Boyne, Dan Brickley, John Christie, Owen Clymer,

Sean Graham, Phillip Horen, Linda Hubbard, Allan Johns, Carolyn McBurney, Ron Nickel,

Clyde Parks, Jeanette Parnell, Ruth Rees, Chuck Seller, Jan Spence, Ted Taylor

Deacons: Paula Armenta, Mike Bruggeman, Marcia Clark, Sharon DePietro, Darlene Englebright,

Geri Ferneau, Stacey Horen, Stephanie Kinsey, Bud Klassen, Ken MacKenzie, Janie Parks,

Kayla Shaw

Staff: Rev. Stan Martin, Pastor; Karen Frobe, Office Admin.; Kellie von Borstel, Director of

Christian Ed.; Patrick Fanning, Director of Music; Beryl Elwood, Organist;

Susan Osman, Financial Sec.; Tibor Szelinger, Custodian; Joy Garcia, Nursery Caregiver;

Dr. William R. Hayes and Dr. Arthur J. Campbell, Pastors Emeritus

E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]; [email protected],

[email protected], [email protected], [email protected],

Website: missiondelsol.org Like us on Facebook!

Session Notes December 2013

Those of us who were in worship on

Sunday, November 17, shared in the celebration

of welcoming eight new members into the life

and ministry of the Mission del Sol church

family. It is one of the joyful times for a

community of faith. Take a moment to

introduce yourself when you have a chance.

And, keep in mind that almost every one of

them first came to a worship service here

because a friend or family member invited them,

and they returned because others in worship

greeted them and made them feel welcomed and

comfortable.

At its November Session meeting, elders

approved several recommendations from its

commissions. Robert Elsaesser presented

information on the Honduras Outreach

organization and our history of mission in

Honduras. Session approved a meeting to

assess the interest of the congregation

organizing another mission trip for next

summer. A Golf Scramble Tournament for

January 25 was approved and details will be

available soon. The Finance Commission, after

much research and discussion, received

approval to close the existing legal fund line

item in the budget and transfer the balance to

the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund which is used to

provide assistance for a variety of requests that

may include financial legal help.

The Worship Commission made its

recommendation on the Sunday worship

schedule based on the results of the survey, the

status of Sunday school and music programs,

and discussion with the Pastor and music and

CE staff members. The survey indicated a large

number of people preferred a mid-morning

worship time. There is a preference for

maintaining our traditional service style, but a

large number of people also indicated a desire to

explore alternative worship styles and times.

89% of those responding agreed that they would

continue to participate in worship at whatever

time Session established, even if it was not their

first preference. The Session approved the

recommendation to continue with a single

worship service at 9:00 a.m. The survey results,

success of Sunday school for all ages, and the

time for fellowship were important aspects of

the decision.

The next season of the liturgical year,

Advent, begins December 1. The sanctuary

was decorated for the season on November 24.

An advent devotional booklet is available for

people to use at home—pick one up on the table

in the Narthex. The children of the church are

offering special music during the worship

service on December 15 and the choirs will

offer a program of Lessons and Carols in

worship on December 22. You are invited to

participate in these meaningful ways as we

prepare for the arrival of the promised

Messiah.

Linda Hubbard

Clerk of Session

Welcome New Members December 2013

Mission del Sol celebrated and received eight new members on Sunday, November 17.

Stephanie Heal

250 S. Elizabeth Way #1027

Chandler, AZ 85225

[email protected]

Joshua Klemmetson

526 W. Rio Salado Pkwy #319

Mesa, AZ 85201

[email protected]

Hannah Parnell

704 S. Kachina Drive

Tempe, AZ 85283

480-756-2034

[email protected]

Stan’s Sharing December 2013

Christmas Fire Yuletide logs, candles in the windows, the glow of the Christmas tree catching fire! OK…so that last image is not one anyone would want to see. When fire is contained it’s a beautiful thing to behold. From campfires to candlelight dinners with a loved one…fire brings warmth to both heart and soul. But when out-of-control it can bring disaster (as we’ve seen in recent times.) It is hard to think of the image of out-of-control fire as being anything but distressing and painful, yet perhaps it is an image we can reimagine this Christmas. Let’s try. I shared with the adult spiritual formation class an article I remembered reading several years ago about a theory of the decline of the church in North America. The writer’s reasoning put extensive blame of said decline on the advent of the modern fire department. Here’s the premise: Before the modern fire department, churches would be built, occupied and provided ministry to their respective communities for years. They were built and organized in ways that suited where and who they were in that present moment. Eventually, however, lightning would strike (literally), some ashes would escape the wood-burning stove, or one of those pretty candles would get knocked over and a fire would start. Before the modern fire department the risk of burning the building completely to the ground was quite real and inevitable in many cases. After said disaster, the congregation would come together and reevaluate where they were in the new moment and how the community had changed, and how they could be in ministry in a new way and what building they would now build…etc. It was a time of reevaluation-transformation. This renewed focus was initiated by an out-of-control fire. After the modern fire department, churches would be built, occupied and provided ministry to their respective communities for years…and years….and decades…and decades. When lightning struck, ashes escaped, or the candle fell over and a fire would erupt, along came the fire department to douse the fire and preserve what they had and who they were. No need to reevaluate anymore. Preserve and maintain became more associated with the church. Thank you modern fire department. Well, I’m not quite sure we can blame the modern fire department for every ill religion and the church face in North America, but there is – perhaps – a parabolic point: sometimes proverbial spirit-fires need to burn to the point that we enter a space of reevaluation-transformation. When we find ourselves being consumed by issues-of-the moment the temptation is often to hurry and put-out-the-fire. After all, who wants an uncontrolled fire on his/her hands? Yet that creates its own problem: when we’re out putting out one fire, another one is starting somewhere else. Exhausting lifestyle! Sometimes the issues-of-the-moment fires need to burn – at least to the point of reevaluation and the hopes of transformative blessing. If you don’t think it’s possible, just ask those before-the-modern-fire-department churches. May the glowing embers of the Christmas season remind you of the possibilities of renewal revealed in the Christ-Gift. Hmm…it’s getting warm in here. Renewing Blessings of the Season, Stan

MdS News December 2013

12/02 Donald Hoeck

12/03 John Christie

12/03 Charlotte Moss

12/04 Glenda Miwa

12/04 Samuel Suwarno

12/05 Sara Maves

12/05 Cynthia Shelton

12/05 Tom Wetteroth

12/06 Susan Brickley

12.06 Allyn Clevinger

12/07 Jack Berg

12/12 Karen Bruggeman

12/12 Olivia Hernandez

12/14 Sharon DePietro

12/15 Dareld Clark

12/15 Shad Smith

12/16 Finian Lundberg-Kenrick

12/16 Kyle Oates

12/16 Tom Summers

12/18 Melanie Zimmer

12/19 Paula Armenta

12/19 Ross McLean

12/20 Averi Leptich

12/22 Kora Fisher

12/24 Sue Dusold

12/24 Darlene Englebright

12/28 Kent Simer

12/29 Sarah Aitken

12/29 Callista Check

Congratulations to MdS

Member

Nelma Shearer, Ph.D., was

inducted as a Fellow into the

American Academy of Nursing on

October 19 in Washington, D.C.

Nelma is an associate professor in

ASU’s College of Nursing and Health Innovation and

is the director of the Hartford Center of

Gerontological Nursing Excellence. Her induction

came at the Academy’s 40th annual meeting.

“Selection for fellowship in the academy is one of the

most prestigious honors in the nursing field, with

less than one percent of nurses inducted.”

(asunews.asu.edu, 11-17-13). “Selection criteria

include evidence of significant contributions to

nursing and health care and sponsorship by two

current Academy Fellows. Applicants are reviewed

by a panel comprised of elected and appointed

Fellows, and selection is based, in part, on the extent

the nominee’s nursing career influenced health

policies and the health and well being of all.”

(American Academy of Nursing, aannet.org, press

release 6-27-13).

Ann Adams

November 5, 2013

“I am the life and the resurrection”

Please remember the church in your

Will, Trust or IRA.


Christmas Party for

Foster Children The Deacons are sponsoring a

Christmas party for the children and

developmentally delayed adults from CPES

(Community Provider of Enrichment

Services) Loving Hearts Foster Care

program. The party will be held on

Monday, December 9 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.

in Mission Hall. We will provide a potluck

dinner. If you accepted a gift wish tag,

please bring the gift (unwrapped) to MdS

by Sunday, December 1. The gifts will be

presented to the children, along with a visit

from Santa, at the party.

We are expecting a large crowd for

the party. Anyone able to donate food or

help with the event is asked to contact

Stephanie Kinsey at

[email protected]

Sweets Day—December 11 Let’s celebrate the holidays—stop by

MdS on Wednesday, December 11 between

11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. for a staff open house.

We’ll have lots of treats—both sweet and

savory, music, games and fun visiting with each

other.

Santa will visit MdS on Sunday,

December 15,

6:00 p.m. in Mission Hall

Crafts

Carols

Hot chocolate & cookies

Bring your camera to photograph your

child with Santa.

Ladies Christmas Luncheon Circle of Friends is hosting a luncheon for

the women of the church on Sunday, December 8

at 1:00 p.m. in Mission Hall. Anyone attending is

asked to bring their favorite tea cup, a dish to

share and donations for our Packages from Home

drive. Look for the sign up sheet in Mission Hall.

For more information please see Paula Armenta.

Quilting at MdS The Peace by Piece Quilters meet monthly

to make comfort quilts for seriously ill and

traumatized children in the Phoenix area. The

group will meet next on Thursday, December 5

from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Anyone interested is

invited to join the group for the day—or just a short

time. If you would like to see what has been

accomplished this month, stop by around 2:00 p.m.

for the “show and tell” of all the quilts completed.

For more information please contact Lora Riordan

at [email protected] or visit

www.peacebypiecequilters.org


Family Promise The Deacons are asking for

your support of our Bed Campaign

for Family Promise. This is done by

designating your Working Poor Tax

Credit to Family Promise and

marking Mission del Sol on your check. Our goal

is to raise $2500 to purchase 20 beds. These beds

will be used solely at MdS and will help make set

up a lot easier. You may pick up forms in Mission

Hall or speak to Paula Armenta or Janie Parks

for more information.

Many thanks to everyone who helped host

our Family Promise guests in November. It was a

great week!

Habitat for Humanity We will be working with the Presbyterian

Coalition on a build in January in Mesa. This will

be our first renovation build. Look for the sign up

sheet on the kiosk. If you are unable to work, you

can support us by making a donation to Habitat

for Humanity. Please be sure to designate your

check for “Habitat.” This donation is a Working

Poor Tax Credit.

Super Flea This year’s Super Flea will be

held on Saturday, February 8. Save

the date and start collecting those

items you no longer need or want. If

you have extra plastic bags, please

bring them to church with you and

leave them in the donation boxes in

Mission Hall.

Honduras Planning Anyone interested in a

possible mission trip to Honduras this

summer is invited to an informational

meeting on Sunday, December 8 at

11:40 a.m. in Room 203.

MdS Annual Golf

Tournament

is Coming …

Mark your calendar

January 25, 2014

More to come . . .

Stewardship December 2013

We are so blessed at Mission del Sol.

As this year’s stewardship campaign wraps

up, the congregation’s response has been

very generous (the average amount pledged

increased by 13%). Most of the pledge

cards have been turned in and Session will

begin final development of the 2014 budget

based on the amount pledged. As of

Commitment Sunday, November 10, 80

pledges have been received totaling

$317,302. It is expected that additional

pledges will be received over the next

couple of months.

To those who have already pledged,

Stewardship Commission would like

to say “Thank you.” Thank you very

much. You have made us grateful to serve

such a faithful and generous congregation.

Our church does a lot of good ministry and

mission and you make it possible. With

new leadership in Stan Martin, next year

promises great blessings and continued

growth. The best is yet to come!

If you haven’t turned in your pledge card

yet, there’s still an opportunity to

participate. Please mail or bring your card

to church and place it in the offering plate.

Since Session is already working on finalizing

the budget, the sooner you turn it in, the

better it will help us make informed decisions

about programs for next year. If you

misplaced your stewardship card, extra cards

are available in the church office—or call and

you’ll be sent another.

We begin looking forward to continued

growth at Mission del Sol. The campaign

may end but our mission is just beginning.

Look for renewed commitments to grow our

faith, serve God and the community. Again,

thank you for a wonderful stewardship season.

We invite you to join the congregation in

Flying in V Formation this year.

I Peter 4:10

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,

as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

Christian Education December 2013

SUNDAY MORNING

OPPORTUNITIES

DEVOTIONAL CLASSICS — Room 206

This class takes on the challenge of

reading excerpts from great spiritual writers

through the history of the church. Devotional

Classics, edited by Richard Foster, begins with

one author and some of his/her devotional

writing, followed by reflections, questions,

scripture readings, and suggestions for

devotional practices to take from class for the

coming week. Through the year the class will

encounter some familiar favorites as well as

writers who may be new to some people.

Everyone is invited to visit the class and see the

opportunity for interesting discussions that lead

to spiritual growth.

THE WIRED WORD — Room 202

This study is based on current events

from national and world news. The weekly

lessons begin with an excerpt from current

news and dives into discussion developed

through a series of questions and several

relevant scripture readings. Each week

participants are guided in approaching a

challenging or disturbing news story and led to

consider how to think or talk about these events

from the perspective of our Christian faith. You

will encounter spirited discussions, challenges

on how we think about our faith and social

justice issues, and the opportunity to make new

friends. Come check out this class for

stimulating, challenging discussions that will

keep you thinking all week.

EVERY DAY FAITH — Room 203

On December 1 and 8 we will look at

why it is important to shop locally and support

your community. Parts of a documentary will

be screened as well as discussion questions. On

December 15 we will learn something about

weaving plastic bags into mats for the

homeless.

WEEK DAY

OPPORTUNITIES

WEDNESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY Are you looking for something to do

mid-week? Come join our Bible study/book

group that meets each Wednesday morning

at 9:30 in the Meet and Greet Room to

discuss the book Writing In the Sand: Jesus,

Spirituality, and the Soul of the Gospels by

Thomas Moore.

SUN LAKES BIBLE STUDY

This group meets the third Thursday

of each month in members’ homes. The next

meeting will be held at Carolyn Hawkins’

home on December 12. Come at 9:45 a.m. for

coffee; Bible study begins at 10:00 a.m. The

topic in December will be “What’s God Got

To Do With Evil?” (Adapted from the

Questions of Faith series).

THURSDAY EVENING FELLOWSHIP/

STUDY This group meets Thursdays at 7:00

p.m. at the Hillside Spot Café in Ahwatukee.

Come for some lively discussions and study

of the book, The Gospel According to Biff,

Christ’s Childhood Pal by Christopher

Moore. The discussion begins at 7:00 p.m.,

but many gather earlier to order something

to eat and enjoy visiting on the patio.

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS Ladies—if you haven’t joined us yet,

please come to our next meeting on

December 16 at 7:00 p.m. in Room 209. This

is a time of fellowship, support, and biblical

equipping using the practice of lecto divina.

We can also use your help in supporting our

mission project to collect items for Packages

from home. They are in need of items such

as single drink mix, squeezable jelly, Rice

Krispie treats, instant oatmeal, top ramen,

body/foot powder, eye drops, hand sanitizer,

dental floss, and shaving gel. Look for the

collection bin in the Narthex Sunday

mornings.

Christian Education December 2013

Our

preschool

through 3rd

graders use

the Holy Moly curriculum, interacting with the

Bible following the arc of the biblical narrative.

The children love watching the animated videos

of Bible stories each week that doesn’t use

narration—instead, visuals and sound effects

give the kids the opportunity to retell the story

in their own words. Following a time of

discussion and working with the Bible, they

have the opportunity to apply what they’ve

learned with visually stimulating activities and

crafts.

This month’s Holy Moly topics are:

December 1 The Annunciation

Luke 1:26-38

December 8 Mary and Elizabeth

Luke 1:39-56

December 15 Jesus is Born

Luke 2:1-20

December 22 The Magi

Matthew 2:1-12

No Classes on December 29

Our 4th—8th

graders are working

through the Connect

curriculum. Instead of just

looking and learning

individual Bible stories,

tweens/teens are beginning

to explore how overall themes and events

connect with the larger story of the Bible.

Students are encouraged to ask questions,

make connections and reflect, helping them to

make sense of the Bible. Videos using slap-

stick humor and solid theology is used to

engage students followed by lively discussions

and activities. In December we will finish our

third unit exploring Freedom (Exodus/Joshua)

and will begin our unit on Jesus: Early Life

(Luke). No class on December 29.

Our 9th-12th

graders are

continuing to alternate

curriculums throughout

the year. Movie clips are

used to spark theological and philosophical

discussions, Tales of the Talmud will be used to

engage in deeper conversations and Echo is

used to interact with the story of the Bible and

how it makes sense to both personal life as well

as the larger world. Journals are provided to

help engage and visually stimulate discussions.

No class on December 29

Cherub Club Reminder for parents: On Communion Sundays (the first Sunday of every

month), children who participate in Cherub Club will be invited back into the worship

service to celebrate the Lord’s Supper with the congregation. We believe it is

important for children to be involved in worship and this is a tangible, participatory

element that can truly connect with children. Although Miss Jane and Kellie will

assist children to find their families, we encourage you to sit in aisle seats to make it

easier for your kids to find you when they enter the sanctuary. If you have any

questions, please contact Kellie at [email protected]

Youth Events TNT (6th-8th Grades) and CIA (9th-

12th Grades) meet for games, discussions and

snacks with at least one other monthly

opportunity for either mission work or off-

campus fun activities. Bring a friend and be

ready for fun! Both Sunday evening groups

meet from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in Room 106 for

regular meetings.

TNT Meeting Schedule December 1

Regular meeting

December 15

Christmas Party

CIA Meeting Schedule Topics are based on You Tube Videos and

current music.

December 1

Regular Meeting

December 8

Mission Trip Planning

December 15

Christmas Party

December 31

New Year’ Eve Lock-in with other

Presbytery Youth Groups

Vacation Bible School Yes, this is a summer program, but we

need your help now. VBS is a valuable

experience we can offer both our own kids as

well as kids in the community. We are looking

for a leader and/or co-leaders to facilitate this

program. Curriculum, training and support is

provided but we do need someone with a

willingness to put plans into action. If you are

that person please contact Kellie at

[email protected]

Youth News December 2013

Crop Walk

Once again our

congregation has

demonstrated its

generosity. CIA

raised $885 for the

Crop Walk and would like to thank everyone

for their generous donations and continued

support of our youth.

Feed My Starving Children Both our children and youth

participated in two serving opportunities at

Feed My Starving Children on November 15.

We had 31 participants between the two

events. We are already looking forward to our

next opportunity to

volunteer.

On November 24 we were pleased to

present Bibles to the following children:

Grayson Adams

Eleri Adams

Andrea Brown

Megan Dosch

Alia Duncan-Pope

Carson Grier

Kyle Grier

Kate Maves

Sara Maves

MdS Youth and

Children

volunteered at

Feed My Starving

Children

CIA

joined

the

CROP

Walk

TNT

had fun

at Flip

Side

Our Mission: Mission del Sol Presbyterian Church (USA) is a faith community that receives, proclaims

and extends God’s love through word and deed, builds disciples through creative worship and exploration of

Biblical truth and fosters justice in all God’s creation.

Mission del Sol Presbyterian Church

1565 E. Warner Road

Tempe, AZ 85284

December Worship at MdS - Mission del Sol Presbyterian...

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