Newsletter - First Presbyterian Church

Steve's Scratchings

During a recent visit with a church member in the hospital, the member was telling me how important the church was. The member said something like, “There is so much bad news – bad news comes at you from every direction – and I need the church to hear good news.”

I t was on a dark night in a troubled and dangerous world that the angel appeared to the shepherds:
“Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people!” But it was only to these few shepherds that these angels appeared; it was only to a few wise men that the starspoke. The coming of God’s good news was unknown to the rest of the world. For most, the night was still dark; the world still troubled and dangerous.

I t was such a quiet event, so devoid of spectacle, even of sound. So different from our world of incessant clamor, unending images, ever-glowing lights. So different from the visual and audible clutter in which we live. Is it any wonder that some of our favorite carols sing of silence?
How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heaven.
The mystery of the quiet incarnation is beyond my comprehension. It is captured well by poet Lucinda Hynett (from Alive Now!):

Ssh.
Can you hear it?
An expectant silence,
a hushed anticipation,
as if the very galaxy
is holding its breath.

There are some truths
even the stars know,
like darkness,
like loneliness,
and how the night
can be a living thing.

And how, once, long ago,
the night waited in wonder
along with the darkness
and the lonliness,
for the sound of a baby’s cry,

for the miraculous
to come down
to the earth mundane.

May the mystery, and the wondrous good news it brings, be yours this Christmas.

Longest Night Service

Tuesday, December 21, at 7:00 p.m. in The “Longest Night” service has been a part of our Advent worship for the last eight years. It is a very different sort of worship service, but for many of us – a very important and meaningful one.

Christmas is often considered “the most wonderful time of the year,” at least according to Christmas Carols and most advertisers! But, for some it can be a challenging time. It may bring back old hurts, or sharpen new grief. Economic problems may also make the time feel difficult. For many individual reasons, in the midst of all the joy of the holidays, there may also be times of grieving and hurt.

The wonder of Christmas is that Christ came to offer a promise of comfort, hope and light – especially for those walking through the darkest times. This is the affirmation of the “Longest Night” service. Scheduled on (or near) the longest night of the year, we know that we can lament, offer our fears, hurts, tears and even anger to God – and that the Christ comes into our lives bringing light out of darkness, hope out of despair, life out of death.

Back to || Index || Top || Home

Adult's Ministries & Spiritual Growth

Coming in January - Adult opportunities

Bible From Scratch – Can’t tell your Old Testament from your New? Wondering which translations to read? And what is an “Epistle?” If questions like these are plaguing you – here’s the class you’ve been waiting for!! Kathleen O’Connell will lead a six-week basic overview of the Bible. No question is too simple. This is designed for anyone who feels like a Biblical beginner or is looking for a basic introduction. Come discover the joy of God’s amazing story! Wednesday nights, 6:30 – 7:30, starting January 12.

Gospel Explorations – Walt Davis will be leading a class beginning January 26. The study will be on Colossians and will last for six weeks.

One Anothering – Are you ready to experience the growth, fellowship and faith of a small group? The next One Anothering group begins meeting on Monday, January 10 at 6:30, and will be led by Pam Duncan in her home. This thirteen-week study explores the way we are called to care for, pray for and support ‘one another’ in our faith. If you are interested in participating, please speak with Pam Duncan (266-1408) or Kathleen

Spiritual Gifts Retreat

CROP Walk

How can I find more meaning and joy in life? What is God's plan and purpose for my life? What are my special gifts and abilities? How is God calling me to use my gifts?
Come and explore your SpiritGifts

An overnight retreat discovering your God-given gifts led by Steve Braden.

Friday-Saturday, January 14-15 at Geneva Center. Cost $50.00.
Registration deadline – Wednesday, January 5.

See the brochures around the church.
To register: call the church office.

Thank you so much for hosting a rest stop at the annual CROP Walk. The 2004 figures show 442 walkers, with $49,800 received in pledges. As you know, this money is used for the work of international hunger relief with 25% of funds staying in Elkhart County. We appreciate the faithful support of your church over the years. Thank you for caring.
In Christ’s Love,
The Elkhart County
2004 CROP Walk Committee

FPC CROP Walk final total raised...It was a record year: we raised $4,040. Thank you to everyone who gave $$$’s and walked.
Kathryn Shanholt, FPC Coordinator

2005 Mission Yearbook is Available

The 2005 edition of the Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, the most widely used guide to Mission Year Book

Presbyterian Church (USA) mission around the world, is available now. The theme of the 2005 book is “Sing to the Lord a new song.” (Psalm 96:1).

The book includes hundred of stories and photographs of people in mission in the United States and around the world. The yearbook also includes “minutes for mission” for each Lord’s Day . The 2005 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study is available at $8.25 per copy. Call Cinda in the church office if you would like one.

Back to || Index || Top || Home

Children's Ministries

JAM (Jesus & Me) Time Children's Ministry

For all our Kindergarten through 6 graders, we offer great workshops at the 9:45 am. hour in our Workshop Rotation classrooms with study of an exciting Messiah year.

We welcome interested teachers and helpers and we always need more adults helping in this area. There's something for everyone, so please contact Jennifer Pitcher, Children's Coordinator, Mindy Suhr or Cheryl Ann Miller, C.E. Elders for more information today!

Sonshine Kids are planning some Fun, Friendship and Faith activities for our 3, 4 and young 5's for the year ahead.

Dancers Wanted

Jennifer Wolfe will be leading the children in another dance for The Bridge. Rehearsals will begin after school in January. If you are interested, please call or email > Kathleen (264-3109 or kathleen@presby.net) so we know how many to plan for!

Back to || Index || Top || Home

Presbyterians on the Go

Senior Adult Ministry

Forty-four PoGO’ers got an early start on the holiday season by attending the Season’s Serenade concert at the Bristol Opera House on December 10. A big thanks is given to Barbara Hodgson for the idea and for making the arrangements for this fun event.

At the December 8 general meeting, the main discussion centered on the survey that will be conducted starting in January. The purpose of this most important survey is to learn about ourselves in order to plan future programs and activities. All members over 65 will be visited by a trained interviewer to help with the questionnaire. Every person’s ideas and opinions are valued and are confidential. More information will be available shortly.

At the time of this writing the newly organized KITCHEN KOMBO BAND is preparing to make its debut at the Christmas Potluck Dinner on December 12. If well received, we may one day be a hit on Broadway or in Las Vegas.

Back to || Index || Top || Home

Music Ministry

Chancel Choir : Sing a new song unto the Lord! The Chancel Choir, for post high school ages, sings at the 11:00 am. worship service and practices on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. Come to enjoy singing and fellowship with us!

Children's Choirs: There is room for everyone as we share in the joy of singing and other activities on Wednesday afternoons in the choir room. Melodia Choir (grades 1-3) practices from 5:00 - 5:30 p.m.; Junior Chorale (grades 4-6) meet from 5:30 - 6:00 p.m. Please join us! Celia Weiss, Director of Music

The Handbell Choir rehearses in Room 100 at 6:15 p.m. No experience in playing handbells is necessary, but keeping a steady beat and a sense of humor is helpful. Come join us! For information, contact director Bob Decker .

Back to || Index || Top || Home

Presbyterian Youth Fellowship

The PYF Youth are extending Christ’s love by supporting a child through Compassion International. Simon Mgomele

Name: Simon Godwin Mgombele
Birthday: November 5, 1998
Country: Tanzania
Project: TAG Goshen Kilakala Student Center

Simon lives with his father and his mother. He is responsible for carrying water, running errands and cleaning. His father is sometimes employed as a laborer and his mother is sometimes employed as a seller in the market. There are three children in the family.

Simon is not presently attending school. Soccer, playing with cars, and running are his favorite activities. He also attends Sunday school and Bible class regularly.

Youth Praise & Worship Service
Our PYF is inviting youth from other churches to join them for a youth-led worship service Sunday evening, January 9 at 7:00 p.m. Here’s a chance to start off your New Year with a praise offering to the Lord! Enjoy great fellowship and awesome music! The Bridge band will play and there will be singing and praise as well as personal testimonies and multimedia presentations and fun!

We are looking forward to a great turnout! Get the word out to your friends and bring as many with you as you can!

See you there!
Karen Renkiewicz

The Giving Tree

First Presbyterian Church has adopted two families in the Elkhart area through the Salvation Army. We will be providing their Christmas dinners as well as toys, gifts, clothing, paper products and toiletries for the families.

PYF is heading up this project. Ornaments will be on the tree in the Gathering Place and also on the tree down by The Bridge. Everything should be brought to the church by December 19 so we can deliver them by December 23. Please bring what you can to help out these families during this blessed Christmas season.

Luke 14:13 - But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind.

Thank you for your help and support.

Trustee Tribune

Donations Requested for 2005 Capital Campaign
The church is contemplating a Capital Campaign for 2005 to raise money to make necessary improvements to the church building. This was done 10 years ago, and it needs to be done again to keep up the necessary repairs that a building built in 1959 requires. A complete list of projects and plans will be sent to all members when the official capital campaign is started.

The church is in need of a new dry well to handle the water runoff from the roof of the church. This water cannot go into the city sewer system, so we have to provide a reservoir for the water or a dry well. The amount required to install a new dry well is $18,100.00. The current dry well was installed when the church was built and has outlived its useful life. The current dry well is located under the Memorial Garden. The new dry well would be located under the front parking lot.

Donations are required to start the 2005 Capital Campaign and to complete the dry well as one of the projects for this campaign. Please mark your donation as follows: 2005 Capital Campaign.

Donations for 2004 need to be in the church office by January 7, to be included on your 2004 giving statement. If you are planning to give a gift to the church by donating stock, make sure you contact your broker immediately, to give plenty of time for the transaction to clear by year-end. Also, please let Cinda know about your gift, so she can credit your account. If you have questions, please call!

With regard to giving for 2005:

Offering envelopes are available to be picked up outside the Gathering Place.
If you would like envelopes and did not check the box on your pledge card, please call the church office.
You have the option of paying your pledge either monthly with an automatic withdrawal from a checking or savings account or with a credit card (Master Card or Visa). If you are interested in these options, please call Cinda at the church office (264-3109).

Back to || Index || Top || Home

On behalf of The Bridge Planning and Tech teams, I would like to convey our heartfelt (and long overdue) thanks to all those individuals that have so generously blessed us over the past few months to accomplish our dream of a permanent technical booth…

Donation of lumber: Bob & Sean Wall & Wall Lumber
General Framing & Construction: Kip Lytle, Kathleen & Patrick O’Connell (and Chelsey!)
Hanging Drywall: Kip Lytle, Bill Loftus, Jerry Putman, Adam Hoffer, Russ Gilpin (and Nella for the bagels)
Drywall Finishing: Art Wyatt & Troy Scott
Snake Installation & Soldering: Dennis Hoffer

And a very special THANK YOU to Patti Davis for cleaning up after us EVERY WEEK in preparation for Sunday.
Todd D. Miller

What is the Christmas Joy Offering?

A Presbyterian tradition for almost seventy 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.

The receipts from the Christmas Joy Offering are distributed equally to the Board of Pensions for assistance programs and to the National Ministries Division of the General Assembly Council to support Presbyterian racial ethnic schools and colleges.

We are receiving the Joy Offering now through until December 26.

Back to || Index || Top || Home

Mission Opportunities

Volunteer at Beardsley Elementary School

Please indicate your interest in volunteering for special events this school year:

Career Celebration Day (Share your career with students)

Spring Fling, May 20, 2005 (5:30-7:30 p.m. helping with activities or serving food in the cafeteria)

Family Reading Night guest reader (6:30 p.m. every Thursday, read a 15-20 minute story)

Muffins with Moms/Donuts with Dads, February 15, (7:00-8:00 p.m. serve)

Be a room parent or assist a room parent

Beardsley Family Literacy Program

Tuesdays 5:00-7:00 p.m. tutor an adult student, rock and play with babies
Wednesday 5:00-7:00 p.m. tutor an adult student, rock and play with babies

Tutor students during Homework Club - Tuesdays and Wednesdays 2:30-4:00 p.m.

Teach a class in an after school club

Contact Bob Blanken 295-1712, Jennifer Pitcher 262-4722 or Deb Weaver at Beardsley 262-5575 to make a difference in these children's lives!

Back to || Index || Top || Home

Presbyterians on the Go

Senior Adult Ministry

Presbyterian Women

This 'n' That

Worship Schedule