Dear Friends,
While I was standing at the pharmacy counter at Walgreen’s one of the techs said to a woman customer, “It will be only one more minute.” He was on the phone trying to sort out her insurance. The woman replied, “Is that real time or telephone time?” I had to laugh, and I said to her, “That sounds a lot like Advent.” She smiled, “You are right! Except we know that Christmas will come whether we are ready or not.” I said that I was waiting for Christ to return and for that, unlike with Christmas, there is no calendar. She said she liked that, too. Do you ever feel like you are dealing with telephone time?
Einstein said that time is relative, that the minute spent with a hot coal in your hand is longer than the minute spent holding a beautiful woman. Einstein had a way with words. Even so, he is right. As part of our devotional time at session, we each shared a small thing that had been beautiful, joyful, or funny during this season of Advent. Many shared notes of encouragement, responses to Christmas programs, memories of the past, and surprises, as when a spouse decorated the house without help. In the midst of the “one more minute” of Advent time, take a minute to consider small graces in your life and thank God.
I am thankful for you all; your faithfulness in stewardship, our shared joy in the Christmas program, the beauty of our music together, the hugs of our children, and so much more. Grace and peace in the minutes of waiting for all to be ready for receiving our Lord. Take it from here.
Love, Wendy
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
PRESBYTERIAN READERS: Several people discussed it, and we decided not to meet tonight because we’re all too busy. Join us when we resume meeting the third Wednesday in January.
The DEADLINE FOR THE JANUARY DIALOG is early this month: it’s tomorrow, January 17!
The Women’s Circle annual CHRISTMAS SALAD LUNCHEON AND COOKIE EXCHANGE is this Friday, December 18, at 11:00 a.m. in the parlor and narthex. Program: Pat Muehl, “Christmas Art.” Salads will be provided by the members of the circle. Guests are always welcome. The cookie exchange is optional; feel free to come for lunch even if you don’t wish to participate in the exchange. If you want to exchange, bring a plate or container of your special holiday cookies and take home an equal number.
We’re looking for ANYBODY INTERESTED IN PLAYING THE NEW CHOIR CHIMES FOR THE CHRISTMAS EVE service. Must have at least a limited knowledge of note reading and be able to stay for rehearsal this Sunday right after worship. We’ll meet in the choir room.
This Sunday is our CHRISTMAS CAROL SING-ALONG SUPPER! Soup and sandwiches will start off the event on Sunday, December 20, at 5:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Participants are asked to bring a plate of cookies to provide dessert for all. Following the meal we will “break into song'” singing Christmas favorites. We promise a fun time for all! All families and friends are welcome, whatever size “family” you are. Sign up in the narthex or show up that night. It will be great fun!
Worship with us at 7:30 p.m. on CHRISTMAS EVE. Our service will tell the story of Jesus’ birth through special music, Scripture, and the singing of best-loved Christmas carols. We will celebrate communion and conclude with the traditional lighting of the Christ candle and individual candles. Child care will be available for our smallest children, but we invite families to share Christmas Eve worship with even the youngest members of their family
Head usher Lanny Russell is looking for VOLUNTEERS TO USHER ON CHRISTMAS EVE. Please let him know if you’d like to help.
Winter weather has arrived, which means an even greater need for VALET PARKING. Each Sunday, we would like a “Valet” (or two) at the front door around 9:00 a.m. and then again for 15 minutes after the service to do any or all of these services: walk people to and from their cars, park cars (owners keep the keys during the service), and provide an extra arm at the front door. We need volunteers to make this possible, so please serve as a valet one Sunday (and don’t forget Christmas Eve!). Sign-up on the sheet on the bulletin board as you enter the church.
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM: Thank you to everyone who helped to make this year’s Christmas program a truly delightful and worshipful event. A special thank you to Pastor Wendy for her spiritual guidance, Suzanne Tennyson for directing the children, Peter Davidson for set design, John Sundquist for sound/equipment, Darlene Crilly for music accompaniment, Roxanne Johnson for lighting, Dan Bohi for video taping, and Barb Doppelt for providing us with the program insert. And of course, a big thank you to all the children, youth and adults who gave their time and talents to participate in the program.
DVDs of the Christmas Program are available at no cost. Please let Laura Baer know if you are interested either by phoning the church office or by email at smpcce@ameritech.net
Christian Ed will be cleaning out the supply closet during the Christmas/New Year holiday, and we are in need of SMALL AND LARGE CLEAR PLASTIC TUBS (TOTES) WITH LIDS. If you would like to donate one or more tubs, please leave them on one of the tables in the narthex and mark “Christian Ed” on it. Thank you for your help.
ROTATION UNIT: We will have a rotation format for grades K-middle school the weeks of January 17, 24, and 31. Our regular teachers, for the most part, will enjoy these three weeks off from teaching. If you have thought about teaching, this would be an excellent (and short-term) opportunity to explore your gifts. Please call Laura Baer at 630-469-9149 or email at smpcce@ameritech.net if you are interested.
WHAT’S AHEAD IN CHRISTIAN ED?
December 27 - No Sunday School.
January 17 - Second Helpings and all-church lunch.
January 17, 24, 31 - Rotation units for K-middle school.
Our ADULT BIBLE STUDY CLASS will continue this Sunday with the following passages: Micah 5:2-5a; Luke 1:47-55; Hebrews 10:5-10; and Luke 1:39-45. Join us and we’ll learn together. -Blair
YOUTH: Be at church at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday to help with the Soup & Sandwich Sing-Along Supper, then School is almost out (!), and Christmas is coming, so we’re gonna have a LOCK IN beginning as soon has we have cleaned up from the dinner. Bring your sleeping bag, pillow, tooth brush, snacks, games, and $5 for late night pizza. Watch your facebook for the invite and let Blair know what kinds of snacks you like. We may go ice skating: Blair is looking for a location.
We hope you are aware that the Mission Committee has two separate offerings this Christmas.
1. CHRISTMAS LOCAL MISSION OFFERING: Please place this offering in the envelope decorated with red poinsettias and marked “Southminster Local Mission.” This offering will be divided as follows: 75% to the Local Mission budget for 2010 and 25% to this year’s special designee, Family Shelter Services. SPC has always generously supported the Mission budget by giving at this time of the year.
2. CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING: Please place this offering in the white envelope with the red Christmas star marked “Christmas Joy Offering.” This offering is divided between the national denomination’s Board of Pensions for assistance to retired pastors and Presbyterian-supported racial/ethnic schools.
Envelopes for both offerings are in the pews now; both offerings will be dedicated on Christmas Eve. We thank you for your support of these special offerings.
SOUTHMINSTER CHRISTMAS CARDS: Do you have a relative or friend who has everything, and you do not know what to give to them for Christmas? How about a gift to one of Southminster’s special Christmas offerings in the name of that special someone on your Christmas list? A special card with the image of Southminster’s Advent Banner on the front and a special inscription on the inside honoring the person you name and you as the gift giver is now available. For complete information, please open the attachment “Southminster Christmas Cards” that came with these E-Notes.
COLLEGE STUDENT BRUNCH - Tuesday, December 29, in the parlor at 11:00 a.m. Invitations have been mailed to students.
2010 OFFERING ENVELOPES are now available in the narthex. Be sure to pick up your own, and if there are some you could deliver (for family members, friends or neighbors), please get theirs too. If you would like envelopes but there is no box prepared for you, please let the church office know or contact Ron Birchall, Co-Moderator of the Finance Ministry.
The 2009 CHURCH FINANCIAL RECORDS must be closed promptly at the end of this month. Any deposits, donations or pledges that need to be recorded in calendar year 2009 or bills to be paid from the 2009 budget must be into the church office no later than 1:00 p.m. Thursday, December 31. If you have any questions, please contact either Treasurer Pat Muehl or Tom Frey. (Please note that Barb will be on vacation the week following Christmas. If you need a Check Request or any other form, please request it before December 24. Someone will check the mail daily through 12/31, and even when the office is closed you can drop things through the mail slot to the right of the front door.
The FLOWER CHART FOR 2010 is now posted in the narthex. Sunday arrangements will be $20 each. We ask that you pay for your arrangements in advance; please write “Flowers” on your check memo line.
If you SHOP ONLINE for holiday gifts, it is now possible for a portion of what you spend to BENEFIT SOUTHMINSTER. When you buy online through the iGive.com network of over 700 online stores, Southminster will receive a percentage of every dollar you spend. For more information, including a list of online stores, just go to www.iGive.com/Southminsterpc, complete the registration form, and start shopping. All funds received by Southminster from iGive.com will be added to Southminster’s Mission Fund.
