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December 01, 2009
December Newsletter
Pastor's Pen
The date on this newsletter is December 2009. Another year is almost over and Christ Jesus has not yet returned to claim us for his kingdom. We know why. The Scriptures tell us that the delay of the return of Christ is to give more people time to turn to Christ. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (II Peter 3: 9 NIV).
When that thought was first expressed in the New Testament, most people thought that Jesus would be returning within their lifetimes. As time went on and the first generation of Christians began to pass from the scene, Peter explained that Christ had not returned not because of any delay or lack of caring on God’s part, but precisely because of his compassion and patience. Christians have celebrated more than 2009 anniversaries of Jesus’ birth on earth because God is patiently waiting for more people to come into his eternal kingdom through faith in Jesus.
That is good news for those for whom God is waiting. And it is good news for us. We get to celebrate another Christmas on earth with our families and loved ones. But in the midst of the celebrations we need to remember: some day we will celebrate the birth of Jesus with Him in heaven. Someday He will return to earth and claim us to be His forever.
The Christmas Season is a wonderful time of year. It is a time to thank God for sending Jesus. It is also a time to tell and show those close to us how much we care for them as we celebrate this most holy of births. But don’t forget, our earthly practice of celebrating the birth of Jesus will end. Jesus is coming back for us and all others who love Him and depend on Him to forgive their sins.
I hope your celebration of the birth of Jesus adds to the joy you have as a Christian. I pray that all your loved ones will turn to Christ before He returns, and I pray that before and after Christmas (if the Lord waits that long) we will all make use of the time God has given us before Christ’s return to do His work on this earth.
I hope to see you and your vacationing loved ones at our Worship Services during the upcoming holy season.
Diane and I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and we invite you to celebrate the season with us at our Holiday Open House at 2125 Marconi Court (Lindberg Village) on Sunday December 27th from 2:00 – 5:00 P.M.
Your Pastor,
Dave Horner
A Note from the Pastor:
I want to thank all of you who called, sent cards, or spoke comforting words to Diane and me at the time of my father’s death. It is a marvelous thing to be a part of a caring community. I also hereby publicly thank Pastor Emeritus Stuart Robertson for leading Worship and preaching on the Sunday after my father’s memorial service so I could rest following my trip. His friendship and assistance to me are precious gifts from God.
I also want you to know that you were all well represented at the memorial service by flowers sent in the name of Faith Church and by Don and Carol Gentry who drove over 600 miles each way to be with us and our friends and relatives on that day.
DLH
Worship Information
Sunday, December 6th “So, This Is Christmas?”
Malachi 3: 1 – 4 & 4: 5 – 6
Sunday, December 13th “What Elizabeth Said”
Luke 1: 5 – 25
Sunday, December 20th “Mary & Joseph”
Matthew 1: 18 – 25
Sunday, December 24th “Look Who’s Here”
Christmas Eve
Sunday, December 25th “Proclaim, Treasure, and Ponder”
Luke 2: 15 – 20
Christmas Day
Sunday, December 28th “Simeon and Anna The old proclaims the new”
Luke 2: 25 - 38
Sunday Evening Bible Study will not meet November 22 and 29. It will meet on December 6 for the last time of this semester. Please look for announcements as to when we resume in January.
Clerk's Corner
At its November 3, 2009 meeting the Session:
• Was informed of activities and performance of church duties by Pastor Horner during October 2009, and granted him funeral leave as well as additional vacation time. The Divine services on November 15, 2009 will be led by pastor Emeritus Robertson
• Scheduled a special meeting on November 16, 2009 to deal with long range planning of church activities
• Was informed of activities concerning the readmission of University Church as a regular congregation in the Presbytery of Wabash Valley
• Reviewed the current budget, the projected future budget, and fiscal operations in light of present contingencies and reduced pledges for the 2010 calendar year
• Passed a resolution that all salaries remain at present levels during 2010
• Expanded the church audit process to cover all fiscal transactions, and restricted access to pledge information to one individual, but entitled the Treasurer to receive information volunteered to her
• Learned about the donation by Shirley Bosler, in memory of James Bosler, of funds for the planting of daffodils on church property
• Granted permission to the local astronomical society to use the church parking lot for stargazing activities
• Learned that the new format for the Sunday bulletins and Family Newsletter will be released in January 2010
• Approved the use of church facilities by Cub Scout Troop 3308, Wolf Den, on alternate Wednesday evenings
• Set the next regular Session meeting for December 8, 2009.
J.M. Honig
Clerk of Session
DID YOU KNOW?
It isn’t too soon to start thinking about spring. (“When winter comes, can spring be far behind?”) And in the spring Faith Church will be wearing a new cloak of color and blossoms in honor of Jim Bosler, long time member and friend. Shirley Bosler provided more than 600 flower bulbs to be planted this fall … about 300 were placed recently, with the rest to follow. Thanks to the planters, we will be watching for the beauty from the bulbs come spring.
Bouquets to Kathleen Kirsch, recovering from a broken foot, and Margaret Rogler, recovering from heart surgery who will be returning home in late November. “And none too soon!” is what I believe Margaret would say about going home.
Starting in late November the Tuesday morning (9:30 am) Bible Study group will be studying a new book, “Space for God.” Feel free to drop in.
Monday, December 7 is the date for the annual Faith Women’s Fellowship soup dinner. Watch for the sign-up sheet in the narthex. Do sign up so we will know how many soup bowls to wash, potatoes to peel, etc. We will have a special program on crèches, so please sign up to attend and bring some friends to help celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season.
Condolences are extended to the Horner family (David’s father, Lowry) and the Dubikovsky family (Nadya’s mother, Galya). Please keep these folks in your prayers.
Your correspondent,
N. Dunn
You are invited to THE GREENING OF THE CHURCH, decorating for the Christmas season. Come on Friday, November 28 at 10:00am for some good fellowship and an inspiring activity.
Jubilee Christmas
Jubilee Christmas is coming soon! Jubilee Christmas will be Saturday, December 12. We will host 18 families this year, which have a total of 38 children under age 12 and 10 teens. The parents of those families will come to Faith Church to select Christmas gifts for their children, so they can be the "heroes" in the eyes of their children on Christmas morning. Jubilee will start with breakfast at 9:00 am, with the program at 10:00 am.
We need a lot of help to make this a special day for our guests. Please take tags from the tree and buy toys, or sign up to bring cookies or breakfast goodies. Be sure to sign up if you would like to volunteer on Jubilee Day. We need one or two hosts for each of our guests, plus more folks to help in the toy rooms or wrapping gifts.
Donations of money are very much appreciated. Contributions help pay for hams, gift certificates, hats and mittens, and family gifts. If donations are greater than our needs, the excess will go to Lafayette Urban Ministry, to help local families in need.
Please pray that Jubilee Christmas will be a time of blessings, and pray for our guests and their families.
We appreciate your help in making Jubilee Christmas a joyful time. Thanks so much!
If you have questions, talk to Lou Ann Johnston or Kathy Bowker.
A Card from the Meyers’
Dear Friends,
What a good time of the year to say how thankful Morgan & I are to have been a part of Faith Presbyterian Church these past years!
Changes in our lives have necessitated a move to WI which took place last Oct.
We have joined the United Presbyterian-Congregational Church here in Ashland, WI. Our Pastor Darrel Robertson visits Morgan regularly-yesterday he served us both communion.
How good to realize we are all part of a large family so that we are not really leaving the family though changing locations.
It would be our please to have any one of you visit us if ever in this area.
Again, a sincere thank you for many kindnesses shown us while in IN and also in WI.
Loving,
Morgan and Dorothy
Faith Women Soup Supper
It’s that time of the year again, when we are busy preparing for the coming of the Christ Child, and the preparations take many forms. One of the activities involves taking time for fellowship and good food, and the Faith Women’s Soup Supper on Monday, December 7 gives us that time, with something extra added.
The something extra is a program that Jo Honig will bring us, called “The Theology of Art”. Jo will present slides and comments about how painters have seen the nativity.
You will find sign up sheets in the Narthex; we would like 6 people to bring bread or rolls, and 6 people to bring a dessert. Soup makers have been lined up, but if you make a soup we cannot do without, please call Grieke at 463-7136.
We look forward to being together as sisters in Christ, and hope you will bring a friend of a guest.
Thank you letter from YWCA
Dear Friends at Faith Presbyterian Church,
On behalf of the YWCA Domestic Violence Intervention and Prevention Program (DVIPP), I would like to express our gratitude to you for supporting our program with your recent in-kind donation of 22 rolls of bus tokens. We are so grateful to receive this generous supply of tokens as it has saved us over $150. These tokens will help our clients get to their jobs, job interviews, schools, etc.
Everyone here at DVIPP is so grateful for your enthusiastic support over the years. Your donations and interest in our program are a tremendous help and have a direct impact on our ability to provide our clients with the assistance they need. Thank you so much for making a difference in their lives. We truly appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity.
Sincerely,
Danielle Gaylord, Program Director
Come and Worship this Christmas
A Service of Lessons and Carols
Christmas Eve, 7:00 p.m.
Followed by a time of fellowship. Child care available.
Christmas Day Worship
Christmas Morning, 11:00 a.m.
An unencumbered sweet time … to remember
the greatest gift ever given.
Birthdays
December 1 SueAnne Bergmann
December 6 Barbara Muller
December 13 Valentina Hinkel
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 27 Alex Dale
December 27 Lillian Parker
Anniversaries
December 1 Yancy & Laura Wilcoxson
December 20 Stuart & Bonnie Robertson
Community Worship Services
• Sun., Dec. 6 St. Mary’s Healthcare 2:30pm
• Sun., Dec. 13 Tippecanoe Villa 1:30pm
• Sun., Dec . 13 Friendship House 3:00pm
• Sun., Dec. 20 No Cumberland Point
• Sun., Dec. 27 Rosewalk Commons 2:30pm
The Deacons invite you to become a part of this ministry
Schedule Information
You can contact Pastor Horner by calling the office, 743-3683, on Monday – Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Pastor Horner's day off is Friday. Outside of office hours please feel free to call Pastor Horner at home at 807-7000.
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 Horner or call the church office at 743-3683.
Posted by faithpres at December 1, 2009 01:17 PM