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January 01, 2006
Pastor’s Pen
I'm sitting at my desk here at church on Thursday before Christmas. Hoar frost is thick on the branches of the tree outside my window. A lighted candle sits to my right, its flame so cheerful to see. This is a reflective time.I remember that fifty years ago I came to this country for good. I'd spent most of my early years in India. It was February 1956 that our ship, the "Italia" docked in the harbor of Nova Scotia. We got off the ship to see the city and to buy warm winter coats. It was snowing that day. I'd not been in Canada before. A little boy looked up my dad on the street and said, "Gee, it's snowing just like at Christmas, ain't it?"
Our last docking had been in Lisbon, Portugal, where a lighter jacket was enough to keep warm as we spent the day in the city. We thought we'd be making a return passage to India soon so we didn't buy expensive winter coats. We had come home because my dad's father was dying of cancer. We hoped we'd make it to the USA in time. Travel by ship was much cheaper then than travel by plane. But grandpa didn't die right away. It was five years later that we laid to rest my pipe-smoking, broad-Scots speaking grandpa Robertson in an old cemetery near East Brady, Pennsylvania. I'd not see him play with his Boston terrier, Queenie, ever again.
As a result of staying in this country so long we over-stayed the permit that would have let us return to India where my parents were committed to giving their lives to the Lord's work as missionaries. My older brother and I thought we'd return to Breeks the British boarding school we attended before leaving for this home land we knew little about. Home for us was India. I looked forward to moving up the ladder to play on the top sports teams, no longer on the "colt's eleven," as the JV team was called. But home for us became this great land instead, with American sports replacing boxing, soccer, and field hockey, and a very different kind of schooling. It took a year or two to adjust. It seems like yesterday.
Thinking of this reminds me how uncertain the future is. We think things will go one way but they go another way, maybe very very different from anything we imagine. We have to adjust our expectations to the realities that evolve. Sometimes these realities are much better than we could have imagined possible. Sometimes the realities are of an opposite kind.
I think of a little sung hymn I like very well. In it at a pivotal time of life John Henry Newman wrote:
Lead kindly light, amid the encircling gloom;
Lead thou me on. The night is dark and I am far from home.
Lead thou me on. Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene—one step enough for me.
Perhaps this is a prayer for us all to speak to God heading into the new year. "Keep thou my feet . . . one step enough for me."
Pastor Stuart D. Robertson
Worship Information
January 1st – Sermon: “Beyond the Stable”
Ralph Smith preaching
OT: Isaiah 61:10-11, 62:1-3
NT: Luke 2: 22 - 40
Communion
January 8th – Sermon: “Let the Wisemen Come Again”
Ralph Smith preaching
OT: Isaiah 60: 1 - 6
NT: Matthew 2: 1 - 20
January 15th – Sermon: “Forgiveness?”
OT: Genesis 50: 15 – 21
NT: Matthew 6: 7 - 15
Ordination & Installation of Deacons & Elders
January 22nd – Sermon: “Witnessing in Our Jerusalem”
OT: Genesis 15: 1 - 6
NT: Acts 1: 1 - 8
January 29th – Sermon: “Why Pray?”
OT: Daniel 9: 18 - 23
NT: James 5: 13 - 18
Clerk’s Corner
At its December 6 meeting the Session planned details for acquainting the Congregation with the forthcoming initiative to expand on Youth group activities, at which time the Session will also seek inputs from church members. For this purpose four tables will be set up and staffed by Session members in Memorial Fellowship Hall after Sunday services on January 22, 2006. Information will also be provided from the pulpit on that date.
The Session granted Pastor Robertson a personal leave of absence from December 26, 2005 through January 10, 2006. Reverend Ralph Smith has kindly agreed to fill the pulpit for the two intervening Sundays.
The Session designated Sunday morning services on January 15, 2006 as the date for ordination of individuals elected to serve on Session and on the Board of Deacons. New church members will be recognized at a Sunday service in February.
The annual Christmas Jubilee celebration took place on December 10, at which the Congregation hosted fifteen families. This very successful event was organized by Dorothy Bethel and Lonni Kucik as coordinators; David Stith, Kris Stith, and Tom Van Horn provided the breakfast, Tom Housley was Santa, and Grieke Toebes provided the piano music. A hearty vote of thanks goes to these individuals and to the many others who participated in or made possible this event.
The third Advent Sunday service was marked by the performance of a Christmas cantata composed by Tom Fettke. Many thanks are due to Nadya Dubikovsky as Choir Director, Marilyn Sameh as piano performer, Steve Varys as lector, Mayfawny Bergmann and Elaine McVay as soloists, and to the entire choir for all the hard work that was involved in putting on this truly stimulating performance.
On January 13, 2006 Stephanie Cardwell completed her first year of dedicated service as Administrative Assistant in the Church office. The entire Congregation is much indebted to her for the diligent performance of her duties.
The next Session meeting, combining the normal January and February meetings, is scheduled for January 17, 2006.
Jurgen Honig, Clerk of Session
You have given me another day, O God, untouched and new. I ask you to renew me, too!
Forgive the many errors that I made yesterday and let me try again, dear God, to walk a little closer to you.
But Father, I am well aware I can’t make it on my own. Take my hand and hold it tight for I can’t walk along. Amen. –Ebenezer Lutheran Church, Columbia, SC
Letter from Rich Anderson
I just got back to Mosul. Sorry it's taken so long to get to you. I'm copying Stuart because I haven't emailed him either since the offensive in Tal Afar. I was there as you know to do construction
after the operation, and I know that God was with us in that effort. Things went very well considering the hurdles. I have nice lots of nice pictures (and even a video) that I'll show you someday when I see you again. I am planning on getting to Chicago one of these days or Grand Rapids to see my mom, and if I do I'll try to make a run to Lafayette.
BTW the water system is not completely fixed yet, but greatly improved in Tel Afar, but that work will have to go on long after I'm gone. I'm headed to Kuwait on Saturday, and then back to Fort Bliss
on Sunday. If it all works out "enshallah (God willing)" as the Iraqi's say, I'll be back in San Diego on the 21st.
The 3rd Armored Cavalry treated me very well and presented me a great honor when I left, entering me on the rolls of the "Honorary Order of the Combat Spur" and gave me the set of spurs (which I am supposed to wear at all Cavalry - and COL McMaster says Navy as well - functions)
to go with it, so I think I am the only Sailor who is also a Cavalryman (definitely the only Seabee).
Stuart still has my very willing cooperation to post anything I send at Faith Church. Merry Christmas to everyone there. OK, I've just decided to copy pretty much everyone at Faith who's emails I have.
Have a Merry Christmas.
Your Friend
Rich
Faith Church Women
Decorated tables, candles, and good food greeted the Faith Church Women who came to the Christmas Breakfast on Dec. 3. Conversation round the tables was lively, and a meditation and the singing of carols brought us all into the Advent atmosphere.
Kathleen Kirsch share with us some of her journey involved with the designing and stitching two of the pulpit falls she has made.
Our table was filled with hats, gloves, and scarves we brought for our small mission project. They were given to the adult clients of LUM.
Our offering will be used for our yearly involvement with the Food Pantry and LUM Camperships. We also voted to give a monetary gift to Alice Simfukwe, for her personal use.
“A great time was had by all.” --Grieke Toebes
Congregational Care
The committee has been very active since June. Grieke Toebes had been the coordinator.
Lois Wark is assisting in hospital visitation and a “We miss you” phone contact ministry with members and friend of Faith Church. Twenty-three visits and/or contacts have been made since June.
John Miller has been available as an “errand helper” (doctor appointments, etc.). He has been called upon eight times.
We appreciate the work of this group immensely.
We welcome your input and suggestions. We encourage you to call us when you are in need or know of others who would benefit by this ministry. --Jan Hem
JUBILEE CHRISTMAS
Jubilee Christmas came (and went)! On Saturday, December 10th, the church was filled with wonderful sights, sounds and smells as we celebrated Jubilee Christmas with fifteen guest families. Thanks are due to many, many of our Faith community for making this day a success - gift givers, dollar donors, table providers, cookie (and other goodies) bakers, set-up crew, general helpers and family hosts. After a hearty breakfast from Kris and Dave Stith, and Tom van Horn, (with Bruce Hall washing dishes in the kitchen), Pastor Robertson welcomed Faith folk and guests in the sanctuary, reflecting on the meaning of Jubilee Christmas. Afterwards (while Bruce was still washing dishes), Tom Housley shepherded us through the morning in a jolly fashion, while Grieke played the piano. Presents were chosen and wrapped, gift certificates and groceries distributed and our guests headed home with many bags of Christmas spirit. Each guest fills out an (anonymous) evaluation form, and here are some of the responses.
Question: What does Jubilee Christmas mean to you and your
family?
“The joy of seeing my daughter’s face light up when she opens her wonderful gifts.”
“A time to gather together and share memories and love, and celebrate Jesus.”
“It is a blessing. It gives out child something we can’t this year.”
“It means the world to us. This is a time of need for us.”
Question: Please list any suggestions for improvement in
Jubilee Christmas.
(All the replies were similar to this…)
“You have done a wonderful job. No improvements needed.”
“It’s already perfect.”
Thank you one and all who helped make Jubilee work.
Lonni Kucik and Dorothy Bethel, Jubilee coordinators
New Adult Sunday School Class
Starting on January 8, Debbie Fleetham will lead a new adult Sunday School class on church history. Using Mark Noll's "Turning Points" as a guide, we will look at pivotal moments including the Council of Nicaea, the rise of monasticism, and the Reformation for their impact on the course of Christian history. We will also explore how these past events continue to have relevance for today's church and Christians. No previous knowledge of church history is necessary. The class meets in the middle classroom just off of fellowship hall. Please join us.
A Big Thank You
I want to thank choir members and everyone who helped in preparing and performing the Christmas Cantata. Also thank you to everyone who agreed to help sing during Christmas Eve service. A big thank you to Mayfawny Bergmann for the beautiful solos.
Also, thank you to the children's ensemble for excellent work during the fall and for preparing the wonderful anthem on December 18:
Sophia and Mayfawny Bergmann, Sawyer and Chase Latour, Chase Kirby, and Graham Bethel (playing drums)
Thanks to Amber Latour for helping with the children's choir.
Nadya
Choir Note:
Choir will start practicing on Wednesday, January 4. We will sing for the first time on January 15.
For the new year
H old fast to your faith (Hebrews 4: 14)
A ssemble with the saints (Hebrews 10: 25)
P ray earnestly every day (1 Thessalonians 5: 17, 18)
P ray for great blessings (Malachi 3: 10)
Y ield not to temptation (1 Thessalonians 5: 22)
N eglect not your talents & opportunities (Galatians 6: 10)
E xamine yourself daily (2 Corinthians 13: 5)
W ork diligently for the Lord (1 Corinthians 15: 58)
Y ield your members to righteousness (Romans 6: 11, 16)
E xercise yourself in godliness (1 Timothy 4: 7)
A im at sinless perfection (Hebrews 6: 1)
R edeem the time (Ephesians 5: 15, 16) --Gus Nichols
Birthdays
Jan. 2 Kenneth Wark Jr.
Jan. 3 Lydia Fletcher Frazier
Jan. 8 Mark Varys
Jan. 14 Isaac Houghton Old
Jan. 16 Alyssa Kirby
Jan. 17 Corinne Janovitz
Jan. 21 Jessica Hem
Jan. 24 John Miller
Jan. 25 Norbert Muller
Jan. 26 Penny Winship
Jan. 27 Dale Housley
Jan. 30 Caleb James Destefano
Jan. 31 Katie Hunter Houtsma
Jan. 31 Samuel Jacob Trinkle
Anniversaries
Jan. 21 Norbert & Barbara Muller
Community Worship Services
• Sun., Jan. 1 St. Mary’s Healthcare 2:30pm
• Sun., Jan. 8 Tippecanoe Villa 1:30pm
• Sun., Jan. 8 Friendship House 3:00pm
• Sun., Jan. 15 No Davis Manor
• Sun., Jan. 22 Rosewalk Commons 2:30pm
The Deacons invite you to become a part of this ministry
Schedule Information
You can contact Pastor Robertson by calling the office, 743-3683, on Wednesday mornings 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Pastor Robertson's day off is Monday. Outside of office hours please feel free to call Pastor Robertson at home at 497-2162.
Worship With Us
We invite you to join in the worship of God each Sunday morning at 9:30am and each Wednesday morning at 7:00am. We also invite you to participate in the prayers, fellowship, work and activities of this church.
For more information about this opportunity to be involved at Faith Presbyterian Church, please call or talk to any member of Session, Pastor Robertson or call the church office at 743-3683.
Faith Presbyterian Church
Phone: 765-743-3683E-Mail: office@faithpresbyterian.org
Pastor: Stuart D. Robertson
Parish Associate: Ralph Smith
Admin. Asst.: Stephanie Cardwell
Posted by faithpres at January 1, 2006 09:39 AM