MANY HAPPY RETURNSSomehow,

not only for Christmas,But all the long year through,

The joy that you give to others,

Is the joy that comes back to you.

And the more you spend in

blessingThe poor and lonely and sad,

The more of your heart’s possessing

Returns to you glad.—John Greenleaf Whittier

Tyler Paul Petlock 12/01/16Rachel Sznaider 12/01/--John Winters 12/02/--Gage Tinna 12/03/10Susan Kilmer 12/03/--Debi Blair 12/06/--Adam Petlock 12/08/--Mary Eberlin 12/08/--Madden Wickwire 12/10/13Silas McCarty 12/12/99Marilyn Ross 12/16/--Nathan Thompson 12/19/--Ruth Parsons 12/20/--Patty Brown 12/21/--Kayla June Ross 12/22/15Linda Neiley 12/27/--Ava Hindman 12/28/11Sheena Hindman 12/29/--Genevieve Wilson 12/30/02

Wyalusing Presbyterian Church79 Church Street

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Linda & Bernard Moon 12/04/64Peg & Doug Thompson 12/22/73Frank & Peg Tyler 12/26/87Cheryl & Jack Keeney 12/05/98Cheryl & Jeremy McHone12/20/03

BIBLE QUIZAccording to the fourth Gospel, “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the __________.”

a. Loveb. Lifec. Lightd. Lord

(C. John 1:6-7)

VULNERABLE LOVEGod throws open the door of this world

— and enters as a baby.As the most vulnerable imaginable.

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DECEMBER

The FRONT PORCH is the monthly newsletter of Wyalusing Presbyterian Church located at 179 Church Street in the heart of Wyalusing Pennsylvania. The vision of Wyalusing Presbyterian Church is to nurture faith inJesus Christ, and through that faith, reach out to all people in Christian love. Phone: 570-746-3333 E-mail: wpchurch@ptd.net web site: www.wyalusingpc.org

NOVEMBER 2018

Not just for the Sunday School,

but for everybody!

…right after the worship service

on Sunday December 2.

VULNERABLE LOVEGod throws open the door of this world

— and enters as a baby.As the most vulnerable imaginable.

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Not just for the Sunday School,

but for everybody!

…right after the worship service

on Sunday December 2.

LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLES:1st Sunday of Advent – the Hope Candle

December 2, 2018The Second & Third Grade Sunday School Class,Their teachers are Amy Soper & Heather Wickwire

2nd Sunday of Advent – the Peace Candle

December 9, 2018The Fourth, Fifth & Sixth Grade Sunday School Class,Their teachers are Keri Pickett and Julie Gamble.

3rd Sunday of Advent – the Joy Candle

December 16, 2018The Pre-kindergarten and Kindergarten & First Grade Sunday School Classes, The Pre-K teachers are Lisa Mapes and Autumn Tinna; Blaire Wayman and Katy Stoddard teach the K and 1st Grade Class.

4th Sunday of Advent – the Love Candle December 23, 2018

The Junior-High Sunday School Class,Their teacher is Shannon Lord.

[During Sunday school on December 23rd we will be having a birthday party for Jesus and during church we will be putting on a Christmas Pageant.]

Christmas Eve – the Christ CandleDecember 24, 2018

The Stoddard family : Katy, Nathan, Caleb & Joshua.

Order your poinsettias today! Please use the order forms in your Sunday bulletin or call the church office (570-746-3333) no later than December 11. How many Red, White or Pink poinsettias would you like to place in the church in time for the Sunday, December 18 Worship Service (Sunday School presents a Christmas Pageant), the Candlelight Program, and the Christmas Eve Service and then your home, or maybe one of our shut-ins? Each plant is only $12.00 this year!

CAN YOU BE A BELL RINGER?

Wyalusing Presbyterian Church

Ringerswill at work for the SALVATION ARMY outside

Connie’s Market in the route 6 Plazaon these dates:

DECEMBER 13, 14 & 15.Sign up today – sheets are on the church

bulletin boards!

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2018

Come and enjoy a program of sacred Christmas music performed

by our wonderful local talent!

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The Annual Wyalusing Musical Society’s Candlelight Service

begins at 5 p.m.

Mission Team leader, Elder Deb Minturn: The December Noisy Can Collections will go

to Sugar Run Presbyterian Church The first Sunday of each month we leave the

HUNGER BASKET at the Greeters table in the front hall – all cash donations go to Towanda Area Christian

Outreach (TACO) and each month on Communion Sunday the NOISY CAN goes to the Hunger Basket .

During December fill the shopping cart for HELPING HANDS with boxes of pancake mix that you only have to add water. (Dollar Tree in Towanda)

Session is committed to supporting the Smith and Howard families - $100 per/family each month (the two men & their families who grew up in our church: CAM SMITH – now at Carson-Newman Univ.

and DAVID HOWARD in Papua New Guinea - check out the bulletin board in the Sigler Hall to read the most recent postings from the Howard family & Rev. Cameron Smith )

The big baskets will hold your contributions of school supplies for North Rome Christian School.

Throughout the year WPC continues to support our local charities: Hezekiah’s Hands, Helping Hands Food Pantry, the North Rome Christian School, the Endless Mountains Pregnancy Care Center, and the Wyalusing Youth Group.

Presbyterian Disaster AssistanceGOD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH

Mission Team Leader, Deb Minturn tells us the Hallsville Presbyterian Church in North Carolina that we helped following the Hurricane in 2016 has been hit again by Hurricane Florence. WPC will come to their aide again.

If ever throughout the year anyone feels led to contribute any amount, just use one of the white pew envelopes, and mark it for missions.

CHRISTMAS JOY SPECIAL OFFERINGSLEADERSHP PAST, PRESENT AND FUTUREThe Presbyterian church (U.S.A.) Reflects God’s gift to us, through the Christmas Joy Offering, with generous gifts supporting church leaders – retired, present and future – who have pointed us to God. Even as we support out current and former church leaders, God is calling new leaders for our Church and world, through the ministry of Presbyterian –related schools and colleges equipping communities of color-offering students the means for a brighter future & enhanced opportunities to use their talents and skills to serve God, the Church and the world for years to come.

MARK THIS ON YOUR CALENDAR!

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The Perfect Gift

Blue Christmas

A Service Of Remembrance, Reflection, Comfort And Hope

The holiday season is hard for many of us. We simply do not feel joyful

and festive.If you are carrying griefs and burdens

you are not alone.We invite you to join us

for a gentle service of quiet and reflections.

The Churches of Wyalusingare jointly hosting this service at

Wyalusing United Methodist Church85 Church Street in Wyalusing

Thursday, December 20th at 7 p.m.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9 following worship

… from the DEACONS BENCH

Colleen Brown, Sue Fenton, Marleah Stevens, Marilyn Ross, Cari McCarty, Karen Bond, Julie Gamble & Carman Eberlin

DEACON MEETING MINUTES – 11/11/2018

The meeting was opened in prayer and scripture from Psalms 90 V 12 by Carmen Eberlin.FOR INFORMATION: ●Deacon in charge of Greeters/Ushers for DECEMBER –SUNDAY SCHOOL GROUPS●Deacon to serve Communion in DECEMBER: Cari McCarty ●Next Meeting date is 12/16/2018 right after worship. OLD BUSINESS:

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+ Christian Symbol +

Five-Pointed Star The star of Bethlehem is often shown as a five-pointed star. Roughly shaped like a

human being, it symbolizes Christ’s incarnation. It also calls to mind the wise men’s journey: “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of

King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We

saw his star when it rose and have come to

Rosters update: Tiffany and Chris Collins – Children: Aislyn /and Abel 186 Overton Road, New Albany PA 18833. Please welcome them.

Continued Prayers for the children of Belize: Jamie Tracy, Susie Westby, Whitney Garbutt, Denzel Garbutt, and little Stephanie Logan.  

NEW BUSINESS: Discussed baskets and visits to several who are

homebound. Carmen Eberlin said the remaining Deacon

Budget Balance is $139.50.DEACON ACTIVITIES IN NOVEMBER : →Anniversary Cards: 1→Baby Card: 1→Birthday Cards: 8→Congratulations: 1→Get Well Cards: 11→Sympathy Cards: 3→TLC/Thinking of You Cards: 18→Visits: 3→Phone Calls: - 6→Emails: 8→Deeds, including meals: 4The meeting was closed in prayer by Cari McCarty. Please remember extra prayers for all those in need included Rob Mitchell from Scotland. Respectfully Submitted,

Marilyn Ross, Deacon Secretary

From the Pastor’s Desk:

Christmastime is here again! Christmas music is finally proper to play/sing/listen to. Finally, I don’t feel funny about Christmas decorations being up all over the place. There is time for family and friends. Hopefully, you will have some free time to relax and enjoy the spirit of the season. And of course, here in the church, we celebrate the coming of Christ. We remember that God kept his promise to send a Savior in the past. Likewise, we review Jesus’ promises in the Gospels that his life on earth will not be his only visit. He will be back! The promise of Jesus’ return gives us hope that no matter what is going on in our personal lives and with allof the planet, Jesus is on the way soon.

Speaking of what’s going on all over the world and within the USA, how do these things affect our celebration of Advent and Christmas? There is so much division! There is so much anger! What might we do to keep hope, peace, joy, and love in Christmas?

There is always prayer. We can pray for peace. We can pray for the love of God to spread as we carry the good news of Jesus Christ and his incarnation into the world in our daily lives.

Then we can determine to do good to others. When we are at work, we can look for ways to speak kind words to those around us. We may look for ways to go above and beyond to help out. We could do the same thing when we are home. Think of how you can be good to your spouse, your kids, your parents, and your whole family. If you know of someone grieving this holiday season, pray for them, and seek ways to bless them with a thoughtful, encouraging word. When you are out and about, think of how you can be good and kind to the people you meet along the way. Determine to be good even to people you pass on the street or see in the stores. Even if people are angry or hurting out there we could soften things with kindness. It is a determination we can all make.

As we carry out kindness and goodness to people, and as we pray for them along the way, something profound happens. WE become a kind of Incarnation. As the Body of Christ, we the Church demonstrate God’s love to a hurting world. Through the work of the Holy Spirit in us, God blesses people. We demonstrate mercy and grace when we are kind to people who may not be so kind to us. We extend God’s care for people when we help meet a need.

So let us make extra prayer, goodness and kindness a part of our Christmas celebration this year. We may just help someone meet the Savior whose coming we celebrate and anticipate.

Tuesday Night BIBLE STUDY The Tuesday night Bible Study Group will continue through December11. We will complete Ephesians by then. We will take a break for the rest of the season. In January, we will move to Philippians and Colossians. Mark your calendars for Tuesday nights at 6:30. All are welcome to join us.

.Horizons BIBLE STUDY 7

The 2018-2019 study “God’s Promise – I Am With. You. ” continues with Lesson 4:”God with us when we seek God” The December meeting will be in the choir room on Friday, the 21st at 10:30 a.m. Stop by the office to pick up your supplement to the regular lesson - the primary scriptures for lesson 4 are 1 Cronicles 28:1`-21; Kings 11:1-13, 29-30.

Rosalind Banbury closes her commentary quoting Psalm23: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” The word “follow” is stronger in the original Hebrew. It means “pursue.” Even though, we may not sense God’s nearness, God is always running after us. If we have abandoned God, we can turn around and receive God’s grace. If we have not abandoned God, we can hold onto the hope that God will show up again.In her commentary, Roula Alkhour closes with these

thoughts: “The invitation for us today is to seek after God. It is not a way to earn God’s love or favor but is a way to stay in the flow of divine love and wisdom. It is an invitation to go deeper in our relationship with God. It is an invitation to make the presence of God the center of lives. She asks these questions of us: “How do you seek after God when the path is not clear?” “What senses do you rely on to find your way in life?”

A Prayer of Thanksgiving:“‘The days are coming,’ declares the LORD,

‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made ... ’” (Jeremiah 33:14, NIV). Thanks, God,

that we can depend on your promises.

.. to Barb Hugo for the Family Life at Christmas inserts for our bulletins and Radio cards so we can stay up to

date on the creative and innovative programming on “Christian radio.”

…THANK YOU, THANK YOU to all November music makers!November 4 – Shannon Lord gave us special music AND the offertory:

November 11 Mckenna Mapes presented a beautiful violin solo;Then on November 18 the children of the Pre-Kindergarten Sunday School Class taught by Lisa Mapes and Autumn Tinna gave us a rousing rendition of “We’re At Church!On November 25 several souls attempted a new hymn for us, “At the Name of Jesus.” Diana had selected the hymn because of its wonderful text for Christ the King Sunday, but there was never an opportunity for rehearsal - Hope you read the words to this melody. And to the women and men who braved the piece – big BIG thanks for trying!

“Beautiful music ... is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has

given us.” —Martin Luther

God sends us outas messengers with his good news.Who has brought that news to me?

Who needs me to carry that news to them?

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Dear Church Family,Many thanks for all the wonderful words of encouragement in your cards and for all the kind and thoughtful gifts. The November 11th Coffee Hour was so nice and the cake was yummy. It is a blessing to work with so many great Christian friends. May you walk with Christ each and every day. Sincerely, Diana Black

NOTICE! No meeting scheduled for Session in December; instead the Session

will meet on January 6, 2019

To Our Church Family,We are so very thankful for the love, support, and prayer our family has received with the arrival of Luke & Reid. Thank you for loving and praying for our circus! The Fischer Family

Christmas DayDecember 25, 2018

WHILE WAITING …Advent does not lead to nervous tension stemming from expectation of something spectacular about to happen. On the contrary, it leads to a growing inner stillness and joy allowing me to realize that he for whom I am waiting has already arrived and speaks to me in the silence of my heart. Just as a mother feels the child grow in her and is not surprised on the day of the birth, but joyfully receives the one she learned to know during her waiting, so Jesus can be born in my life slowly and steadily and be received as the one I learned to know while waiting.

—Henri J.M. Nouwen, The Genesee Diary

HERE AND NOW Bishop Stephen Bouman stood behind an altar in a small crypt chapel of the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth, supposedly at the location where Mary heard she was going to have a baby. Carved into the altar was the Latin for “The Word was made flesh,” but Bouman noticed an addition: hic, or “here.” Verbum caro hic factum est, “The Word was made flesh here.” Whoever authorized that inscription probably meant it to refer to that specific location. In reality, however, the Incarnation means God became flesh here on earth, for all of us. The Incarnation means we can speak of the nearness of God. It means God walks with us on earth, and that if we are saved anywhere, it is right here.

The Perfect GiftAntoine de Saint-Exupéry said, “Love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward together in the same direction.” At Christmas we celebrate God coming to earth to look outward with us in the same direction, from our perspective and experience.

Jesus was an ordinary person: He learned to talk and walk like any toddler, learned a trade from his father and acquired the habits of faith from his family. In adulthood, Jesus experienced life as we all do: the challenge of hard work, grief at a loved one’s death, heartache over oppression and the world’s great needs — but also joy in celebration, fellowship with neighbors and deep friendship.

God personally knows our every experience, emotion and need — because Jesus, while fully divine, lived as a full human being.

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SMALL PACKAGES, GREAT THINGS The motto for Hershey’s Kisses used to be “Big things come in small packages!” That also could be a motto for Bethlehem, for Baby Jesus and, indeed, for us. It’s an important message to remember when we fear we’re too weak to fix the world’s problems, too small to fight the gigantic terror that threatens a loved one or too lacking in abilities we see in others. “But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah,” God declares through the prophet Micah (5:2, NRSV), “from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel.” Bethlehem was a mere village. God’s ruler for Israel started as an infant. His birthplace was a small stable, not a palace or temple. But size isn’t everything. Big — that is, great — things can come in small packages. And thanks to the tiny baby who grew up to share

Men’s Breakfast December 31, 2018 8 p.m.

He has gazed at the world, life and even death from our direction, giving us the perfect Christmas gift: love.

Monday, January 1, 2019

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A MERRY BALANCE In Luke 10:38-42, Martha gets a bad rap. After all, we need Marthas to get things done and to show hospitality. (Note that Martha is the one who opens up her home to Jesus in the first place!) Marthas are needed in December, but holiday preparations shouldn’t shift our focus from the reason for the season. When we become “worried and distracted” as Martha did (v. 41, NRSV), we’re tempted to trade God’s “one thing” (v. 42) for the world’s many worthless things. Yet if we’re only like Mary, we may forget to let the world know who we’re celebrating!

So this Christmas, keep a proper balance between your inner Mary and your inner Martha.Take time to “be Mary,” kneeling at the manger,

so that all the merry things you do as Martha have meaning and serve the newborn king.