The First News - First Presbyterian Church, Statesboro...

The First News

First Presbyterian Church

December 2018

From Pastor Taylor

Dear Friends,

I joked with our Director of Music, Allen Henderson, that I love Advent music far more than Christmas music because the minor keys remind us it is still dark, we’re still waiting, joy will come in the morning but we’re not quite there yet. It isn’t that I don’t love the brassy glory of Christmas music but rather I find the time to get there as crucial and beauti-ful as that singular bright day.

As we walk towards that Bethlehem star together, I invite you to take your time and walk slowly. Our Advent series - Draw Near - is meant to help us consider the endless ways

God is drawing near to us this season. Whether through music or mission, fellowship or faith-forming Sunday School lessons, worship or your own work, the Good News is that God is drawing near to us this day and every day. Advent is the time of our liturgical year when we celebrate that and honor it by paying close attention to this precious gift.

We are a people surrounded by God’s holy presence, are we not? I give thanks for all that I see in you, evidence that Christ has brought a light that the darkness cannot overcome. From raising money to support the missions of Presby-terian Women, to donating countless provisions for our Free Little Pantry and Free Little Library, to ensuring that our campus is cleared of tree limbs, fire ants, and wasps, to sending cards and cooking meals for homecentered folks, to actively praying for one another, to preparing Chrismons for the children, to practicing the music that will fill our hearts and sanctuary, to preparing Sunday School lessons to carry the season - light is breaking forth all around us. May we draw nearer to it still and take time to watch for these signs of Christ’s glory.

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Taylor

The First News Page 2

The First News

December Bible Study Groups Schedule

Pondhouse Circle

December 4, 1 pm

Joy Circle

December 10, 9:30 am

Pastor’s Bible Study

December 3,10 and 17, 8:15 am

Men’s 2x4,

December 13, and 20, 8 am

Ladies Bible Study

will resume Jan. 8, 2019

Book Club Discusses Relevance of “Little

Women” On Sesquicentennial of Publication

Soon after publication on September 30, 1868, Little Women became an enormous bestseller and one of America’s favorite novels. Its popularity quickly spread throughout the world, and the book has become an international classic. When Anne Boyd Rioux read the novel in her twenties, she had a powerful reaction to the story.

In her book, the December read for the Book Club for All Seasons, “Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy, The Story of ‘Little Women’ And Why It Still Matters”, Rioux re-counts how Louisa May Alcott came to write Little Women, drawing inspiration for it from her own life. Rioux also examines why this tale of family and community ties, set while the Civil War tore America apart, has resonated through later wars, the Depression, and times of changing opportunities for women.

The Book Club meets on Thursday, December 8 at 11:30 am in the Fielding Russell Room. Everyone is invited to attend.

David Olson 12/02

Gale Harrison 12/03

Sara Basquin 12/04

Tyler Copeland 12/04

Emily Grooms 12/06

Michelle Broucek 12/07

Brandi Hawkins 12/08

Katie Olson 12/09

Emmett Grooms 12/15

Claire Binford 12/16

Jessica Gunter 12/20

Mark Riggs 12/21

Kathy Shepherd 12/23

Jaylon Thomas 12/25

Abby Brooks 12/29

Yvette Allen, Bill

Barnes, Sara Ben-

nett, Milton Futch,

Gayle Gunter,

Kathy Gunter, Har-

riet Hair, Sandy

Newell, Del

Presley, Pat Shelburne, Brownee Walton, Genie Ward, Service men and

women.

The First News

Advent, 2018

Children’s “Somewhat

Rehearsed” Christmas

Pageant Ends Wed. Night

Programs For 2018

The Children’s annual Christmas pageant, on Decem-

ber 12, will be the final Wednesday night program for

2018.

Children will get into costume at 5:30 pm and the

pageant will begin at 6 pm.

After the pageant, at 6:30 pm, everyone is invited to a

potluck supper in Carlton Hall.

“I think everyone looks forward to the Christmas pag-

eant,” said CE Director Susan Parrish. “It’s heart-

warming to see the youngest of our church family tell

the story of the birth of Christ in their own way.”

On Wednesday, December 5, the children will meet at

5:30 pm for pizza and pageant preparation.

All children

are invited to

participate.

See Susan

Parrish if

your child

wants to be a

part of this

Advent

tradition.

Packing Day

December 22

10 am

Help us pack boxes of food to

help families celebrate the

Christmas season

Christmas Food

Boxes


The First News

Advent Coloring Party

Saturday, December 8

2-5 pm

At the home of Bill Mase

113 Old Towne Drive

We will be coloring two large banners to hang in

the sanctuary for Advent

Bring your art supplies: color pencils, markers,

crayons, paper mache, paint and brushes (being

mindful that we are painting on cardstock)

Bill will have light snacks

Come spend a fun

afternoon with your

FPC Family!

RSVP by December 6 to [email protected]. Of

course you can always decide to come later, but this will

help us plan for the afternoon

Longest Night Service

Offers Comfort

Sometimes it’s hard to hear

“Merry Christmas”, “Happy

Holidays” or other expressions of

seasonal cheer.

Death, divorce, loneliness, illness can all make us

feel like we are out of step with the rest of the world

at Christmastime. While the darkness gathers round,

it can be difficult to hold fast to the light coming

into the world.

FPC will hold a Longest Night Service on Decem-

ber 20, at 7 pm, carving out a space to name the

pain that can fill our hearts during this season and

offer comfort and compassion to one another.

May you know that you are not alone this or any

other season but are held in hope by a great cloud of

witnesses and by the One whom the darkness could

not and will not overcome.

5 pm

Preludes

5:30 pm

Service

Draw Near by Lisle Gwynn Garrity

The First News

Santa Claus Express Delivers Joy to

Swainsboro Apartment Residents

The Santa Claus Express is gearing up to provide small but

necessary items to brighten the holiday for residents of Swains-

boro Presbyterian Apartments.

Simply select one or more items from the list below and drop

them off in the box outside of the church library by December

14. Please do not wrap gifts. Please do not send previously

owned items, sample items, bar soap, bubble bath, bath beads,

candles, medical supplies or over-the-counter medications.

Suggested items are:

Ladies

cosmetics

perfume

hair accessories

robes (m-xl)

sweat suits (m-xl)

socks

costume jewelry

scarves

nightgowns (l-xl)

cardigan sweaters

nail polish

nail polish remover

Men

pajamas (m-xl)

cologne

robes (m-xl)

sweat suits (m-xl)

cardigan sweaters

belts (l)

socks

Grooming Items

combs and brushes

Kleenex

shampoo

body lotion

mouthwash

nail clippers

body wash

deodorant (spray)

toothpaste

toothbrushes

Crafts

watercolor markers

art paintbrushes

craft glue

acrylic paint

wrapping paper

ribbon

artificial flowers

scissors

photo frames/albums

stickers

hard candies

Miscellaneous

stamps

calendars

throw blankets

board games

large print books

DVDs/CDs

puzzles

Everyone helps out - Madison Dodge was one of

the youngest volunteers decorating the sanctuary at

the Hanging of the Greens on November 25.


Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

10 am –2 pm Silver Lining Club

2– First Sunday of Advent

10 am Sunday School 11 am Worship Baptism of Ikenanachi Ugwum Madukaku-Okoro

3

8:15 am Pastor’s Bible Study

4

1:00 pm Pondhouse Circle 3:30 pm Ladies Bible Study

5

5:30 - 6:30 pm Pizza and Prep for Christmas Pageant 6:15 pm Handbell Ensemble 7:30 pm Chancel Choir

6 7 8


9– Second Sunday of Advent

10 am Sunday School 11 am Worship A Service of Lessons and Carols 1:30 pm Session Meeting 6 pm Youth Christmas Party

10


9:30 am Joy Circle

11

11:30 am Rebecca’s Café 5:30 pm New Elder Training

12

5:30 pm Children in Costume 6:15 pm Handbell Ensemble 6 pm Children’s Christmas Pageant 6:30 pm Potluck 7:30 pm Chancel Choir

13

8 am Men’s 2x4 Bible Study

14

Deliver Santa Express

15


16 - Third Sunday of Advent

10 am Sunday School 11 am Worship

17


18

19 20


7 pm Longest Night Service

21 22

10 am Prepare/Deliver Food

Boxes

23 - Fourth Sunday of Advent

10 am Sunday School 11 am Worship and Communion

24 - Christmas Eve

5 pm Preludes

5:30 pm Christmas Eve Service

25 - Nativity of the Lord/Christmas

Day

Church Office Closed

26


27


28 29

30 - First Sunday after Christmas

Day


31

Open/Close Elder: Annette Smith

Liturgist: Brian Feltman

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1


2– First Sunday of Advent

10 am Sunday School 11 am Worship Baptism of Ikenanachi Ugwum Madukaku-Okoro

3


4

1:00 pm Pondhouse Circle 3:30 pm Ladies Bible Study

5

5:30 - 6:30 pm Pizza and Prep for Christmas Pageant 6:15 pm Handbell Ensemble 7:30 pm Chancel Choir

6 7 8


9– Second Sunday of Advent

10 am Sunday School 11 am Worship A Service of Lessons and Carols 1:30 pm Session Meeting 6 pm Youth Christmas Party

10


9:30 am Joy Circle

11

11:30 am Rebecca’s Café 5:30 pm New Elder Training

12

5:30 pm Children in Costume 6:15 pm Handbell Ensemble 6 pm Children’s Christmas Pageant 6:30 pm Potluck 7:30 pm Chancel Choir

13


14

Deliver Santa Express

15


16 - Third Sunday of Advent


17


18

19 20


7 pm Longest Night Service

21 22

10 am Prepare/Deliver Food

Boxes

23 - Fourth Sunday of Advent

10 am Sunday School 11 am Worship and Communion

24 - Christmas Eve

5 pm Preludes

5:30 pm Christmas Eve Service

25 - Nativity of the Lord/Christmas

Day


26


27


28 29

30 - First Sunday after Christmas

Day


31


Session Highlights

November 11, 2018

CONSENT AGENDA Approved the minutes of the October 14, 2018 Stated Meeting of the Session. Set the date for the Installation Service of Rev. Taylor Lewis Guthrie Hartman for Sunday, January 27, 2019 at 3:30 p.m. with the Rev. Anna Rainey Dickson from Charlotte Presbytery to preach.

Approved a Congregational Meeting to be held after worship on Sunday, November 25, to approve the change in Terms of Call for Pastor Taylor involving an allocation adjustment on housing and salary lines for reporting purposes only.

Approved the Baptism of Ikekanachi Ugwum Madukaku-Okoro (Kanachi), son of Madu and Uche Okoro, on the first Sunday of Advent, December 2, 2018.

Approved the Ordination and Installation service for the Class of 2021 at morning worship on January 13, 2019 -- Doty Dunn, Bill Mase, Patti Moore, and Carlita Slatky.

Approved request from Christian Education Committee of Sanctified Art, Draw Near Advent materials to include 8 banners to be colored by church members and placed on display in the Sanctuary during the Advent season.

Session approved the use of the Revised Common Lectionary during Advent to correspond to curriculum provided in the Draw Near Advent materials.

TREASURER’S REPORT TO SESSION –Total income January - October 2018 was $191,035.34 compared to the anticipated (budgeted) amount of $204,000 ($12,965 under budget). Treasurer Linda Kimsey notes: “While these results are not what we would like to see, roof repair and painting were not in our annual budget. They account for the expenses being over budget.”

At the Session meeting, Linda Kimsey wanted everyone to know: “It is not too late to submit your 2019 pledge. Please place your pledge card in the offering plate, bring it to the church office or let her know through email: [email protected]

Worship Service Experience – Session members discussed the need to limit the number and time for church announcements, information and presentations during the worship service. It was agreed to communicate information and have announcements prior to the Prelude in order to provide a smooth flow for individual and shared worship experiences

The First News

GROWING IN GENEROSITY- ROOTED IN FAITH Stewardship 2018

Number of Pledges received: 33

Dollar amount of Pledges received: $148,685

The First News

Monthly Stewardship Update, October, 2018

Month of October

For this month, we collected LESS money than expected. We also had FEWER expenses than expected.

The net income for the month was ($3,276.00)

This was lower than planned by $3,947.34

Year to Date

Thus far in 2018, we have collected LESS money than expected. We have also had MORE expenses than

expected.

Year to date, we have a net loss of ($41,236.40)

This was lower than planned by $30,846.72

While these results are not what we could like to see, roof repair and painting were not in our annual budget.

They account for the expenses being over budget.

Collections are also less than budgeted.

Now that it is Fall, we really need to reverse this trend.

Pledges are down from last year in both number and amount.

It is not too late to submit your pledge for 2019! Please submit a pledge card in the offering plate, by

bringing it to the office, or even just by letting me know through e-mail at: [email protected].

Linda Kimsey, Treasurer

UNDER UNDER

Revenue Budget Budget Expenses Budget Budget

$15,858.46 $20,400.00 ($4,541.54) $19,134.46 $19,728.66 ($594.20)

UNDER OVER

Revenue Budget Budget Expenses Budget Budget

$191,035.34 $204,000.00 ($12,964.66) $232,271.74 $214,389.68 $17,882.06


The First News

Grits and Gratefulness

The youth met the Sunday before Thanksgiving to

celebrate “Friends-giving” and enjoyed breakfast

and spending time catching up with good friends

before church. Talk about being grateful!

Pictured are: Back (left to right) Morgan Haymons

and Alex Gilbert, Youth Director; Front (left to

right) Julia Basquin and Jolee Boyer.

Backpack Buddies

Shopping List

small jars of peanut butter, fruit

cups, Chef Boyardee meals,

soups, individual packages of

grits and oatmeal, small boxes of cereal, cereal bars,

cups of applesauce, easy macaroni n’ cheese, noodle

packs, Vienna sausages, 100% juice boxes, packs of

sandwich crackers, healthy snacks (raisins, fruit roll-

ups, fruit snacks, trail mix, pudding cups, etc.)

Church Staff

Pastor: Taylor Lewis Guthrie Hartman

Christian Education Director: Susan Parrish

Music Director: Allen Henderson

Organists: Duke Miles & Glenn Haynes

Office Administrator: June Bryant-Hackle

Youth Director: Alex Gilbert

2018 Ruling Elders

Clerk of Session: Lois Roberts (18)

Administration Committee: Brett Curry (19) & Andrew Allen (20)

Christian Education Committee: Stacey Basquin (20)

Facilities Committee: Brian Feltman (18)

Mission Committee: Gordon Smith (18) & Lynda Webb (20)

Pastoral Care Committee: Frank McDonald (19) & Charlotte Wynn (20)

Worship Committee: Nan LoBue (18) & Ann Henderson (19)

Service Committee: Annette Smith (19)


First Presbyterian Church 1215 Fair Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

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First Presbyterian Church 1215 Fair Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

Phone: 912-681-2053 ~ Fax: 912-681-2399

[email protected] ~ www.fpcstatesboro.org

Mission Statement

The mission of the First Presbyterian Church of Statesboro, Georgia

is to be a Christ-centered family of believers called and committed to worshipping,

growing spiritually, and sharing God’s love and grace.

The First News - First Presbyterian Church, Statesboro...

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