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December 01, 2006
December Newsletter
Pastor's Pen
I wage an inner battle when I come to the deep tradition-laden times of the church year. On the one hand I want to say nothing; just let myself be taken over by the awe of the moment. On the other hand it is my duty to help awaken in others the sense of what is going on at these sacred junctures of life.
We’re never commanded in the Bible to celebrate either Christmas or Easter. We’re told to be baptized into the name of the triune God, and to take the Lord’s Supper in memory of Jesus’ death--and to remember His coming again. And we’re actually told to wash one another’s feet quite explicitly in John 13. That commandment has always fallen on deaf or nearly deaf ears as I’ve periodically pleaded that Jesus did command us to do this. His commands seem given in a friendly way so that we feel free to excuse ourselves from obeying the ones that seem untidy. We assume He’ll understand and His grace will wash over our omission.
Christmas fills me with awe. I believe Jesus was literally born of a virgin. I’ve never doubted this. I believe the stories in Luke about the shepherds and angels. I believe what Matthew tells of the coming of the Magi and King Herod’s massacre of little boys in Judea as he attempted to kill the toddler Jesus. I can’t synchronize the events told in Matthew and Luke, but that matters not a twad to me. I believe with all my heart what John’s Gospel tells us of this One whom he refers to as “The Word,” existing with God in the beginning, and in fact, being God. These mysterious invasions of life are to me overwhelmingly sacred, precious, and truly taught to us in Scripture.
On Christmas Eve I long to see our church enact some of the sacred tradition developed in the Anglican Church. That’s why we call our service a Festival of Lessons and Carols, as the Anglicans do. I have long begun the service with the “Bidding Prayer” used at the King’s College Chapel Festival of Lessons and Carols as I have listened to it year after year on an audio tape. I’ve been accused, and love the accusation, of being a “closet Episcopal.” It smacks of loving a tradition that flaunts the modern rejection of tradition. I am an iconoclast of the insistently modern.
I love the word “tradition” because it means “handing over” something that we only have because we have received it. The modern enthusiasm for spontaneity and excitement in worship that has mimicked the liveliness of rock concerts, has drawn in throngs of people. But I’m very happy to be with however few or many people still want to stand or kneel in awe at the little doorway into the cave in Bethlehem where Jesus was born.
I want to hear again the message of the angels sung in the ancient way, or in a way that evokes the sense that it is the ancient way rather than in a way demanded because, like much else in the market place, it is new and loud.
But I feel as acutely as I feel this love for the sacred tradition of Advent that we do not “come and adore Him, Christ the Lord” if there is not a very deliberate attempt to live the 364 other days of the year on bended knee before Him.
Jesus never requested a birthday party, but He did invite us to follow Him daily. It is a wonderful quest to try to learn what it is to follow Him. In this troubled world how it must make Jesus glad when people try to follow Him.
Pastor Stuart D. Robertson
Worship Information
December 3rd - Sermon “The Sure Progress of Eternity”
OT: Jeremiah 33: 14 – 18
NT: Matthew 2: 1 – 6
Communion
First Sunday in Advent
December 10th - Meditation “The Glory of the Virgin Mother”
Choir Cantata
Second Sunday in Advent
December 17th - Sermon “The Privilege of the Lowly”
OT: Ezekiel 34: 11 – 16
NT: Luke 2: 8 – 20
Third Sunday in Advent
December 24th - Sermon “Jesus, the Song of Angels”
OT: Zechariah 4: 1 – 7
NT: Hebrews 1: 14
Fourth Sunday in Advent
December 24th - Christmas Eve Festival of Lessons and Carols
Service at 7:00 p.m.
December 25th - Christmas Day
Service at 11:00 a.m.
Sermon “The Most Important Lesson of the Nativity of Jesus”
Scripture Lesson: Philippians 2: 5 – 11
December 31st - Sermon “The Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus”
OT: Isaiah 7: 11 – 17
NT: Luke 2: 22 - 38
Clerk's Corner
The Presbytery of Wabash Valley has been invited to hold a meeting at Faith Church on Saturday, January 6, 2007, from 9:00 AM to 12 noon, and from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, to discuss the impact of the PUP report and the recent GA action dealing with the fidelity and chastity clause. All 95 churches in the Presbytery have been invited; this obviously includes the entire Congregation of Faith Church. The Reverend Jamie Miller will act as moderator. The Reverend Professor Doctor Mark Achtemeier will discuss the theological dimensions of the problems in the morning, while The Associate Stated Clerk, The Reverend Doctor Mark A. Tammen will discuss the administrative repercussions in the afternoon. Both sessions will be followed by extensive discussion. The meeting is purely informative; no actionable matters will be taken up.
A representative of the Committee on Ministry will meet with Session members in early January to discuss the required steps for issuing a call of an Interim Pastor and later, of a permanent Pastor.
At its Annual Congregational Meeting the Congregation was informed of the budget that had been approved by Session; the Congregation then approved the remuneration of Pastor Robertson through the end of April, 2007. A budgetary review may be required at that time, in light of changing circumstances. The Congregation also approved the nominations of Elders Jan Hem, Grieke Toebes, and Steve Varys to serve on Session in the class of 2009. The Congregation further approved the nominations of Carol Christianson, Ann Freeman, Thomas Van Horn, and Charles Short to serve on the Board of Deacons in the class of 2009. Barbara Knox was nominated and approved to serve out the one year term of Barbara Jacobus, who has moved out of town.
An outside Christmas Caroling event is planned for December 9, 2006. Details will be released in the near future.
The Session met jointly with the Board of Deacons on November 7, 2006 to discuss topics of mutual concern.
The Session granted Pastor Robertson a personal leave of absence December 27-30, 2006, and January 2-8, 2007.
The next Session meeting, including members who will take office in January 2007, is scheduled for Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at 7 PM in the Church Library.
Preparations for the Christmas Jubilee celebration on Saturday, December 16, 2006, are underway. Signup sheets for purchase of presents and assistance with the organization of the event are in the narthex or in Memorial Fellowship Hall. Your assistance in this important event is much appreciated. There is still an urgent need for volunteers to serve as hosts for our guests who participate in the Jubilee.
The Board of Deacons has issues a booklet outlining the supported missions in 2006. Copies are available in the narthex.
Jurgen M. Honig,
Clerk of Session
Parking Reminder
Would those of you who are able bodied kindly park in the lower lot, leaving the upper lot for our guests and those who aren't able to walk distances.Anyone who is unable to walk distances, feel free to use the upper lot.
Faith Women News
Marcella Verplank has graciously offered her home for our Soup Supper meeting on Thursday, December 7. (If there is more than 50 people signed up to attend it will be moved to the Fellowship Hall.) We will gather at her house at 6:00 pm, for good food, fellowship, and singing, to remind us of the coming Christ child, before the busyness of the season gets a hold of us. Our small Mission Project will benefit the YWCA Women’s Shelter. Please bring a children’s book for ages 1 – 12 (wrapped). You will find the sign up sheet in the Narthex. Please feel free to bring a friend. A map to Marcella’s home is in the Narthex.For FWF, Grieke Toebes
Bach Chorale Singers
LUM and Bach Chorale partner on Christmas performance
The Bach Chorale will perform Vaughan Williams’ “Fantasia of Christmas Carols” and John Rutter’s “Gloria” on Saturday, December 16 at 8:00pm at the Long Center for the Performing Arts in Lafayette. Half of the proceeds ordered through LUM will benefit LUM programs.
Advance tickets
Main floor: $21 General, $19 Seniors,
$10 Students/Children
Balcony: $16 General, $13 Seniors,
$7 Students/Children
Upper Balcony: $11 General, $9 Seniors,
$5 Students/Children
Order forms for tickets are available at LUM or call 423-2691. Tickets will be mailed directly to your home. Only tickets purchased through the special order form will benefit LUM. You may also call Faith Presbyterian Church of ticket order forms at 743-3683.
Jubilee Christmas
Jubilee Christmas is well on its way! For anyone not familiar with Jubilee, it's a program coordinated by LUM. It gives low-income parents an opportunity to select gifts for their children, so that they can be 'heroes' in the eyes of their children on Christmas morning. We will be celebrating Jubilee Christmas at Faith on Saturday morning, December 16 at 10a.m., with breakfast being served at 9a.m.
Once again, we will be hosting 15 families. We need a lot of help to make it a special day for our guests. We are asking for prayers, toys, cookies, gift wrap, money, and yourselves as volunteers.
We launched our preparations for Jubilee Christmas on Sunday, November 19.
and what a great launch it was. Thanks to Kathy Trinkle and her helpers who prepared the delicious snacks we had with our coffee, and also to Mrs. Latour and Mrs. Johnston’s Sunday School class who made the gift tags on the tree. We couldn’t believe how quickly the gift tags flew off the tree! Thank you also to everyone who has signed up to help. If you haven’t had a chance to volunteer yet, and would like to, sign up sheets and gift tags for toys and stocking stuffers are in the Fellowship Hall.
Donations of money are always very welcome. We usually spend $1200-$1500 to pay for the hams, food certificates and major gifts given to each family, also the hats and mittens for each child (aged 12 and under) and the gift certificates for the teens in the families (we have 6 teens this year).
Thanks to one and all.
Questions? Ron Smith 414-4232, Dorothy Bethel 497-4673
Let's Go Caroling .....
The Evangelism and Congregational Life Committees are planning an
evening of Caroling in the nearby neighborhoods. Please plan to join in
the fun and outreach on Sunday, December 10th. ALL voices are welcome -
high, low, young, "mature". What a great time to invite your friends to
join in Faith Church Fellowship! After caroling we'll return to the
Church for hot chocolate, snacks and Christmas entertainment, provided by
the Youth of Faith Church.
Everyone should meet at Faith Church at 5:45pm. We'll distribute song
sheets and travel together to nearby neighborhoods to "make a joyful
noise". Childcare will be provided for little ones while their parents
join in caroling. Everyone will return to the Church around 7:00pm and
warm our bodies with hot chocolate and snacks - and our spirits with a
program provided by the Youth.
Please come and help share the wonderful celebration of Jesus Christ's
birth through the singing of Christmas Carols.
Very Special Christmas
This time of year should be a time of peace and joy,
Who was born in a manger on that starry night.
For the shepherds and wise men, can you imagine the sight!
The love they shared could surely be felt
As one by one they came to the manger and knelt
Beside the babe all wrapped and quiet
On that very, very special Christmas night!
by his birth we are given a special love,
Sent from the Father who reigns above.
So enjoy the festivities, food and gifts, too,
But remember his birth was meant especially for you.
Make this Christmas special and share that peace and joy
that came about the birth of that baby boy.
--Myrna K. Orr, First United Methodist Church in Anderson, IN
Birthdays
December 6 Andrew Bower Mikels
December 6 Barbara Muller
December 8 Michal Chojnacky
December 8 Jenne McMillin
December 12 Raegan Wallace
December 13 Nathan Cummings
December 13 Valentina Hinkel
December 13 Catherine Wallace
December 14 David Czerwonky
December 15 Alexandra Dubikovsky
December 15 Laura Wilcoxson
December 16 Jakob Housley
December 16 Ann Landgrebe
December 16 Dae-Hee Lee
December 17 Graeme Mason
December 20 Mary Landgrebe
December 27 Alex Dale
December 27 Lillian Faith Parker
December 31 Judson Clinton
Anniversaries
December 1 Yancy & Laura Wilcoxson
December 3 John & Mary Mason
December 15 Knox & Cynthia Clinton
December 20 Stuart & Bonnie Robertson
Community Worship
• Sun., Dec. 3 St. Mary’s Healthcare 2:30pm
• Sun., Dec. 10 Tippecanoe Villa 1:30pm
• Sun., Dec. 10 Friendship House 3:00pm
• Sun., Dec. 17 No Davis Manor
The Deacons invite you to become a part of
this ministry
Worship With Us
We invite you to join in the worship of God each Sunday morning at 9:30am. 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.
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.Posted by faithpres at December 1, 2006 09:31 AM