Dear Friends,
Do you have time for a quick thought? One of my dear memories is a Christmas night after we had opened all the presents. That night my grandfather took us, the three grandchildren, to the back room and read to us the Christmas story from the Bible. It probably lasted all of five minutes, but those five minutes were a quiet time in the midst of all the “happenings” of the day. I have never spoken to my brother and sister about that night. I don’t know if it meant anything to them. For all I know, Grandpa was trying to give the other adults in the house a few moments of quiet, but for me it remains a good memory and instructive. Perhaps your grandchildren won’t be interested, but it might be something good for you in the midst of the “happenings” of Christmas to sit once again and find the peace of Christmas. Here are a few scripture passages:
Luke 2:1 to 20
Matthew 1:18 to 25
Matthew 2:1 to 12
John 1:1 to 18
Peace on earth and good will to all.
Love, Wendy
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
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
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.
We have received a holiday message from Cuba: “From the Presbytery of Havana we greet you and wish the greatest blessings of the Lord for all His creation.”
-Pastor Abel Mirabal Padilla
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. Sign-up on the sheet on the bulletin board as you enter the church.
And, as these E-Notes are going out, there’s nobody signed up to help with Valet Parking on Christmas Eve! If you want to volunteer, reply to this email.
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.
COLLEGE STUDENT BRUNCH - Tuesday, December 29, in the parlor at 11:00 a.m.
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.
There will be no E-Notes next Wednesday, December 30, while Barb is on vacation.
The FLOWER CHART FOR 2010 is now posted in the narthex. There are lots of dates available! Sunday arrangements will be $20 each. We ask that you pay for your arrangements in advance; please write “Flowers” on your check memo line.
CHRISTIAN ED. NOTES:
CHRISTMAS 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
Meet the PRIMARY CLASS! The primary class, K-2nd graders, is a very lively and large class! We have been blessed with a lot of children who like to participate. We spent the fall learning about Moses and the incredible journey that his life took. The children have done a lot of crafts, a lot of coloring, and even got to play instruments inside a tabernacle! The winter session has just started with the good news that the angel Gabriel gave to Mary about the very special baby she was going to have and will then be moving on to learn how Jesus touched many lives. Russell, Alexandria, Cori, Kayla, Kevin, Noah, Max, Elizabeth, and Ellie are a great group to be able to learn with! -Andrea Schmidt and Melissa Nachman
ROTATION UNIT: To supplement the curriculum, we will have a rotation format for grades K-middle school the weeks of January 17, 24, and 31. The purpose of having a rotation is to give the children an opportunity to experience the Word of God using various learning styles through media such as art, drama, music, etc. The Bible stories we will be using are from the New Testament times of Jesus. If you have any items that might visually aid our rotation such as rugs, pottery, wall hangings, etc. and do not mind them being used (but not handled), please contact someone in Christian Ed or one of the Sunday School teachers. Thank you.
ACOLYTE Schedule:
January 3 Maddie Frey
January 17 Dakota Dolister
January 31 Haley Jablonski
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 not meet this coming Sunday, December 27. If you would like to read the lectionary passages for that date, they are: 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26; Colossians 3:12-17; Luke 2:41-52. We will resume class on Sunday, January 3, with the following passages: Jeremiah 31:7-14; Ephesians 1:3-14; John 1:(1-9) 10-18. Join us and we’ll learn together. -Blair
YOUTH: The youth groups will not meet on December 27 or January 3. But the high school class will meet on Sunday mornings both dates with Pastor Wendy.
LADIES’ BREAKFAST PARTICIPANTS: After doing dishes at the recent Women’s Circle cookie exchange, it was noted that we could use some new dish towels for the church kitchens. How about we each bring a dish towel to our Ladies’ Breakfast on January 4, 2010? This collection of towels can then be donated to the church. Thanks. See you at breakfast, 8:00 a.m. at IHOP in Danada East!
COMMITTEE MODERATORS AND STAFF: The due date for narrative reports for the Annual Reports packets is Tuesday, January 5. Financial reports are due as soon as the figures are available. Session has called the ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION for Sunday, January 24, 2010, immediately after worship. Annual Reports packets will be available the previous week: Sunday, January 17.
PAINTING THE HALLWAY: The Property Ministry asks that members whose work is on display in the entry hall plan to remove it by Sunday, January 10, in preparation for painting. Committee members will begin taping and painting the hallway on Tuesday, January 12, at 9:00 a.m. and expect to be finished on January 13. New artwork is scheduled to be hung January 18.
SEEKING VOLUNTEERS: Barb is scheduled to have knee surgery on Friday, January 22, and will need to be out of the office for several days. If you would like to spend a few hours in the office answering the phone, greeting visitors, talking with the staff, running the copier, etc., please let us know.
