Page 1 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
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Page 1
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
Page 2 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.
Page 3
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
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
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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].