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Letter From the PastorDear Friends in Christ;
Fred and Georgia didn’t have much, a small well-‐loved, run-‐down house they had lived in since they were married 50 years ago; and each other.
Fred went out to get the mail and discovered a strangely addressed envelope among the bills and Christmas ads. Showing it to his wife, he opened the leBer and read aloud:
Dear Fred and Georgia,I would love to be your guest for dinner tonight. I look forward to seeing you. Your friend, Jesus.
Fred and Georgia couldn’t believe their eyes. Their hearts leapt with excitement. And then doubt crept in -‐ Why would Jesus be coming to their liBle house and what would they feed him?
With that thought, Georgia remembered the empty kitchen cabinets. "Fred, we don’t have anything to offer. We'll have to run down to the store and buy something for dinner." They didn’t have much money between them."Well, Elizabeth we can get some bread and cold cuts, at least." They threw on their coats and hurried out the door. A loaf of French bread, a half-‐pound of sliced turkey, and a carton of milk ...
leaving the two with grand total of twelve cents to last unPl Monday.Nonetheless, they felt good as they headed home.
"Can you help us?" The couple had been so absorbed in their dinner plans, they hadn't even noPced two figures huddled in the alleyway. A man and a woman, both of them dressed in liBle more than rags. “Listen I don’t have a job, ya know, and my wife and I have been living out here on the street, and, well, now it's geXng cold and we're geXng kinda hungry and, well, if you could help us we'd really appreciate it.” Fred and Georgia looked at them both. They were dirty, they smelled bad and frankly, they were certain that they could get some kind of work if they really wanted to.
Georgia responded; ”Sir, I'd like to help you, but we don’t have much. All we have is a few cold cuts and some bread, and we’re having an important guest for dinner tonight and I was planning on serving that to Him.”
"Yeah, well, okay, I understand. Thanks anyway." The man put his arm around the woman's shoulders, turned and headed back into the alley. As she watched them leave, Georgia felt a familiar twinge in her heart.
"Sir, wait!" The couple stopped and turned as the older couple came down the alley a]er them. Fred said; ”Look, why don't you take this food. we'll figure out something else to serve our guest.”
(Con%nued on page 7)
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH VOL 33, NO 9 DECEMBER 2014
We Need Your Help!We all love to see and know about the amazing things going on at First Pres. It connects us and helps us grow. So PLEASE!Take pictures! Tell us about it! Write articles! Submit artwork! You can email it to Kate kmh6599@gmail.com
THE EPISTLE
Entryway to a Sacred Christmas
The more quiet and reflective Season of Advent that Christians observe each year coincides – and contrasts in many ways – with the generally frenzied and consumption-focused season of holiday preparation for a secular Christmas. This,itself, makes Christians countercultural in the face of generally prevailing commercial values and pressures.
This year, we are invited to look at the coming Christ Child as a clear call to engage in doing justice and, in the process, opposing the very Empire that drives the large commercial and secular celebration around us.
In these seasons of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, we will ponder the many “isms” of Empire, and are encouraged to place ourselves in a very different position – squarely beside Godand others among God’s people who yearn for justice and peace to be alive and evident in all relationships between God, people, and creation.
The yearning for justice, as well as for peace and love, caused God to act and provide a voice and model for God’s desired realm in Jesus of Nazareth.
This is an approach that challenges our usual December perspective, traditions, and activities. It changes our preparation (Advent), our celebration (Christmas), and our perspective on all the days that follow (Season after the Epiphany).
We do these things in the belief that they will contribute to a more meaningful Christmas celebration, and a life to follow that is more open to being the beloved community, Body of Christ, and redeemed creation, all under God’s – rather than any empire’s – rule.
So let us enter Advent – the season of expectation and preparation to meet the Holy One and participate in turning the empire on its head.
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS12/2 - Ruth Sanderson
12/2 - Mary Weedon
12/3 - Greyson Wellman
12/7 - John Nord
12/8 - Cheryl Love
12/9 - Casey Pawelski
12/10 - Steven Tigner
12/11 - Elizabeth Hallberg
12/13 - Ryan Malarkey
12/14 - Oliver Hagel
12/15 - Porter DeMink
12/15 - Ruth Schrek
12/16 - William Hennon
12/16 - Barbara Knisley
12/17 - Dee Dee Schuver
12/18 - Molly Colburn
12/18 - Mark Hanson
12/18 - Barbara Potter
12/18 - Arlene Saff
11/23 - Clive Wright, IV
11/23 - Marie Anderson
12/20 - Liam Clementi
12/20 - Henry Malarkey
12/21 - Norma Willard
12/23 - Merrillie Schmidt
12/24 - Dianne Eisenhardt
12/25 - Myra Blasius
12/25 - Mary Ruth
12/26 - Jaunita Walter
12/27 - Connie Wright
12/28 - David Bargar
12/29 - Mark Hampton
12/29 - Barbara Josephson
12/30 - Marilyn Lindquist
12/31 - Helen Campbell
12/31 - Beatrice Hinton
12/31 - Carolyn Whitehead
Liturgists12/7 - Gynneth Tigner
12/14 - Tom Stuart
12/21 - Susie Stuart
12/28 - Catherine Willard
Acolytes12/7 - Sophie Kreinheder
12/14 - Emylia Halberg
12/21 - David Marshall
12/28 - Fiona Hagel
NEIGHBORHOOD OUTREACH
Kimberly Lindquist is the 2014 recipient of the Robert and Barbara Josephson First Presbyterian Church Scholarship. Kim is the daughter of Greg and Patty Lindquist and granddaughter of Marilyn Lindquist. Currently, Kim is attending Mercyhurst College in Erie, PA, majoring in Biology. Her hope is to become a pediatrician someday.
December Usher Schedule12/7 - Greeter: Betsy Shepherd
Ushers: Paul Hedin, Anne Hedin, Kate
Hagel, Julie Dudgeon
12/14 - Greeter: Elaine Gallup
Ushers: Paul Bentley, Judy Bentley, Pat
Kinney, Joanne Nelson
12/21 - Greeter: Hope Marshall
Ushers: Heidi Marshall, Lee Marshall,
David Marshall, Ed Sanderson
12/28 - Greeter: Cornelia Hennon
Ushers: Jack Bailey, Diane Bailey, Gregg
Kellogg, Gayle Schutte
PC(USA) Stated Clerk responds to Ferguson grand
jury decisionOffice of the General Assembly
Gradye ParsonsStated Clerk
• • •
Today the community justice system of Ferguson, Missouri, told the parents of Michael Brown that his killing was justified. We grieve with the family and community about the decision, and encourage support for their continued quest for justice.
This decision calls the whole church to reflect seriously about the communities and the racial climate we have created in this country. We need a society where everyone is treated with dignity and valued, where there is no fear of walking down the street. We and the places where we live have fallen short of that.
We call the church to pray that God will give us the courage and strength to have honest
conversations about race where we live, work, and worship. We pray for safe spaces in Ferguson and in all communities for people to voice their views. We hope for lessons learned, lives changed, and inequitable systems across the United States dismantled in order to bring about the kind of world God has called us to co-create.
The last healing miracle of Jesus is in Luke 22. It is the story of Jesus’ capture in the Garden of Gethsemane. One of the disciples reacts, and in defense of Jesus slices off the ear of a servant of the high priest. Jesus says “No more of this!” and heals the servant. May “no more of this” and healing be the church’s response. Amen
WOMEN’S ADVENT BIBLE STUDYLadies, Join us Tuesday evenings this Advent
for a women's study to get us centered and ready for Christmas. We will gather at members' homes and share food, wine, and spiritual wisdom. The next meeting will be at Judy Bentley's house December 9 7:00p-8:30p.
Bring something to share!
We will be using the book Simply Wait: Cultivating Stillness in the Season of Advent by Pamela Hawkins.
Please email Kate if you have any questions. kmh6599@gmail.com (You can purchase a copy of the book on Amazon.)
Are you on Facebook? Hey! So is First Pres! Go Like us!
www.facebook.com/firstpresjamestown
We’ll be posting lots of great stuff and building community on our page. The great thing about Facebook pages is that whenever you “like” or leave a
comment or picture on our page, it shows up to all your friends. What an easy way to let your friends and family know what you love about First Pres! You can even share our posts and invite friends to come to events!
See you on Facebook!
Serendipity Performing Holiday Concert for the Community
Join the Crowd this
#GivingTuesday
On December 2, 2014, (after Black Friday and Cyber Monday) the world comes together to give. Join in and participate.
One way is by using the 2014 PRESBYTERIAN GIVING CATALOG that is now available in the literature racks in the Narthex. Each of the special gifts listed in the catalog exemplifies the work carried out by ministries supported by the Presbyterian Church’s four Special Offerings through the Presbyterian Mission Agency.
Your extra donation can purchase a mule or a family of chickens, a rainwater catchment system or a sand dam, bunk beds for children or fishing boats. Donations can be made by mail, online or by phone. “Your gift makes a difference.”
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20 AT 4:00 PM JOIN US AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF JAMESTOWN FOR AN EVENT THAT IS SURE TO GET YOU IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT!
Serendipity will be gifting the community
with a concert here in our sanctuary. This
wonderful female vocal group contains
four talented members of First Pres;
Cyndi Lorenc, Melanie Gritters, Carolyn
Whitehead, and Sue Huther. I’m told you
won’t want to miss “Love Came Down at
Christmas.” Admission is free and a
portion of the free will offering will be
donated to Community Helping Hands.
LOVE FEAST
DECEMBER 14
Join us for this beloved First Pres tradition!
The LoveFeast is a service of music and
readings fashioned after the Moravian Love Feast. Including an
Agape Meal; sharing God’s love at the table, not with Communion
elements but with comfort food.
From the Choir Loftby Cindy Hanson
• • ••
It is not only the early arrival of winter that has sent my thoughts humming songs of the season. As a musician, I need to think of such things ahead in order to plan and prepare for Advent and Christmas. And although it would be absolutely impossible for me to choose a “favorite” hymn or carol, I have one in particular that has been lingering with me for at least the past month now. That is usually a clear sign that I should listen carefully to what it is saying (singing) to me.
The tune and the harmonies are haunting, but it is the text that captures my attention, and then demands my thoughtful intention.
Advent, as the beginning of the Church year, is the perfect time to ponder our intentions for the coming year. Mary had many months to ponder the birth of her son; and with all the hustle and bustle that must have been going on around them, her attention was solely on her son, her beloved, who she worshiped with a kiss.
HOLD IN OUR PRAYERSPaul Bentley on the death of his father
Donna Beal
Those cong reg a t i on members that are unable to be with us on Sunday mornings because they are confined to bed and/or home or live far away.
For those in the world living under conflict and war at the beginning of this Advent season.
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always ke e p o n p r a y i n g f o r a l l t h e saints.” (Ephesians 6:18)
Please submit your prayer requests to Pastor Bob
Dear Fred and Georgia,I would love to be your guest for dinner tonight. I look forward to seeing you. Your friend, Jesus(continued from page 1)
• • •
Fred handed the man their grocery bag. "Thank you. Thank you very much!" "Yes, thank you!" It was the man's wife, and Georgia could see now that she was shivering.
"You know, I've got another coat at home. Here, why don't you take this one." Georgia unbuBoned her jacket and slipped it over the woman's shoulders. Then Fred wrapped his arms around Georgia and they turned and walked back to the street ... without her coat and with nothing to serve her guest.
Fred and Georgia were worried as they reached their front door. The Lord was coming to visit and they didn't have anything to offer Him. Georgia fumbled through her purse for the door key. As she did, Fred noPced another envelope in the mailbox.
"That's odd. The mailman doesn't usually come twice in one day." Fred took the envelope out of the box and opened it.
Dear Fred and Georgia, It was so good to see you again. Thank you for the lovely meal and thank you, too, for the beau?ful coat.
Love Always, Jesus
MATT. 25:40, Jesus said, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
Peace,Pastor Bob Hagel
CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM If you have children in your family, we hope that you will involve them in the First Presbyterian Children’s Christmas Message to be enjoyed on Sunday, December 21st during worship! Deborah Sunya Moore Kushmaul will be directing a simple and short Christmas Message.
Children of all ages that are able to attend regularly will have speaking and singing roles. Children that are not able to attend regularly may still be a part of this Christmas message on the 21st. Simply show up on the 21st between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. for costumes (with a parent to help put it on) and they can join the fun.
Rehearsal Schedule:
December 7, 10:30 during Children’s Church (please have older children join us),
December 14, 9:30 for older students during Sunday School, 10:30 during Children’s Church (please have older
children join us). We will also have a rehearsal in the sanctuary at 11:30 following worship. Lunch for families will be provided after rehearsal around 12:30. This is the day it would be great to have parents help to go through
the costumes while we rehearse.
December 21, 9:00 a.m. rehearsal for all in the sanctuary!
Christmas Mission
Opportunities
Christmas Angel Tree Our annual Christmas Angel Tree will be located in the Cloister and this year you will have two opportunities to help others this holiday season. Like last year, the tree will have ornament gift tags for warm hats, gloves or mittens and socks that will be distributed to area school children and others in need of warmth. Take a gift tag, purchase the item, then return the gift (unwrapped) with the tag attached and put it under the tree by December 14. These gifts will then be delivered in time for Christmas. The second opportunity to give involves the 2014 Presbyterian Giving Catalog. On a table set up next to the tree, you will find some colored tags with the most popular gifts from the catalog that you can pledge to. You then hang the ornament on the tree and put the pledge portion of the tag in the basket near the tree. The bottom portion of the tag can then be given to the person you want to honor with your gift. Payment instructions for your pledge will be on the table next to the Christmas Angel Tree
Poinsettias Our traditional display of the red Christmas poinsettias are a wonderful way for you to remember or honor a loved one during the holiday season. This year, please call Barb in the church office (487-1984) before December 17 with the name(s) of those you wish to honor and then send your check ($10.00 per plant) marked “Christmas Flowers” in the memo line to the church office. After the service, these plants will be taken to our members who can’t join us during the special Christmas services.
Christmas Joy Offering One of the four special offering that the Presbyterian Church (USA) does during the year is the Christmas Joy Offering. This offering will be
dedicated on Sunday, December 21. You will receive the special envelope for this offering in the mail in the next several weeks. Part of the offering is sent to support to support the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions which helps active and retired church workers who have unexpected expenses they can’t meet. The other part of the offering is for education and leadership development at Presbyterian-related racial ethnic schools and colleges. The portion of the offering that stays with our congregation will go to a local community mission. If you cannot be in worship on December 21, please mail your donation to the Christmas Joy offering in the special envelope to the church office. Thank you.
The Flower Committee invites you to join us as we “Deck the Halls” of First Pres on Wednesday, December 3. We will start at 2:00 p.m. It is great time! And in the end, our church building will be beautifully decorated for the holiday season. You don’t need to have a special talent, just a willingness to participate. Come join the fun! (If you have a pair of wire cutters and can bring them that would be a great help.)
STEWARDSHIP STATS
Wed Dec 3rd ✤ STARTING AT 2PM
• FIRST PRES CHURCH
✤ BRING WIRE CUTTERS AND CHRISTMAS CHEER
✤ EVERYONE WELCOME
Percent of congregation who have turned in the
stewardship pledges
40%Current Pledge total for 2014 stewardship drive
$203,701
If you haven’t been able to turn in your pledge card one of the last three Sundays, please either send to the church business office via snail mail or bring it this Sunday and place it in the offering plate during worship. The church budget meeting will be held on December 2nd so it is very important that we have pledges counted so session can develop their planning for 2015.
Youth and
Family Events
Youth in grades 5-12 are encouraged to join the First Presbyterian and First Lutheran Youth Groups as they team up for fun and fatih-filled YOUTH NIGHTS that will challenge you and help you grow into the person God intends you to be.
Families with children of all ages are invited to join in all the fun, family activities planned.
December 2014Youth and
Family Events
Youth in grades 5-12 are encouraged to join the First Presbyterian and First Lutheran Youth Groups as they team up for fun and fatih-filled YOUTH NIGHTS that will challenge you and help you grow into the person God intends you to be.
Families with children of all ages are invited to join in all the fun, family activities planned.
7YOUTH NIGHT 5:30-7pm at First Lutheran, 120 Chandler Street
Youth and
Family Events
Youth in grades 5-12 are encouraged to join the First Presbyterian and First Lutheran Youth Groups as they team up for fun and fatih-filled YOUTH NIGHTS that will challenge you and help you grow into the person God intends you to be.
Families with children of all ages are invited to join in all the fun, family activities planned.
14YOUTH NIGHT CHRISTMAS PARTY 5:30-7pm at First Presbyterian ChurchBest Gift Exchange Ever and Cooking Making
Youth and
Family Events
Youth in grades 5-12 are encouraged to join the First Presbyterian and First Lutheran Youth Groups as they team up for fun and fatih-filled YOUTH NIGHTS that will challenge you and help you grow into the person God intends you to be.
Families with children of all ages are invited to join in all the fun, family activities planned.
21YOUTH NIGHT 5:30-7pm at First Lutheran, 120 Chandler Street
Youth and
Family Events
Youth in grades 5-12 are encouraged to join the First Presbyterian and First Lutheran Youth Groups as they team up for fun and fatih-filled YOUTH NIGHTS that will challenge you and help you grow into the person God intends you to be.
Families with children of all ages are invited to join in all the fun, family activities planned.
JAN 25First Presbyterian Church goes Tubing!
More info to follow!
A Children’s Place News
In order to comply with new NYS regulations, we will be adding some more layers of security to our facility. In early2015 we will be building new entry structures that will include changeable coded access in addition to security cameras. This work will not only bring ACP into full compliance with current regulations but also provide a new level of comfort to our ACP parents.
SAVE THE DATE: Feb 28 & March 1
PEER MINISTRY TRAINING EVENT for youth grades 6-12
Lyle Griner from Peer Ministry Leadership will lead a training event to show us how to care, welcome, and affirm others every day, everywhere in every relationship! If you are interested in attending please see Pastor Bob.
from Seasons of the Spirit• • •
December 7Isaiah 40:1–11A truly discouraged people look to their God, the sourceof comfort and strength, to help them turn their lives fromconflict and unfair behaviours toward justice and peace.A word of comfort comes from Isaiah, “See, it is God thatis mighty. It is God that gives life meaning. Like a courierwith a life-giving message, God tenderly tucks us into herpouch and carries us close to her heart”This week, have a conversation with a friend. Share your “picture” of what peace and justice look like. Listen carefully as your friend shares theirs. Remind each other thatwe are all in life and community together and with God.
December 14
John 1:6–8, 19–28John the baptizer, like the prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures, proclaims a time when the upside-down reign of God will be present; when the poor, vulnerable, and oppressed will have their dignity restored and their needs taken seriously. Understandably, this made the comfortable and significantly “compromised” religious leaders of
Jesus’ time, who also had heard of God’s plan, anxious. John’s puzzling words – as well as his very being – kept them on their toes.This week, as well as your general readiness in this third week of Advent to celebrate a truly sacred Christmas, take some time to conduct an examination of your priorities (use of time, wealth, abilities, influence over others) and your expectations of yourself as a person of faith. Examine, also,your readiness for sharing and serving, empowering others,advocating, and the other aspects of living that contribute to more peace and justice in your community and world.
December 21
Luke 1:26–38, Luke 1:46b–55God’s plans are revealed to Mary; she’s carrying the very one who will continue the work of liberation in the lives of the poor, the marginalized – and really, in the lives of all people. While acutely aware of the possibility of persecution herself, Mary turns toward God in faith and followsthe path before her, proclaiming her devotion to God, God’sopposition to empire, and the “great reversal” to come.This week, consider what steps you might take to opposethe force of empire that works injustice on those Jesus
called “the little ones,” as well as injustice on the naturalworld. How might you express and/or explain what youare doing so others can be touched and moved to discoverGod’s ways and plans – and participate?
December 28
Isaiah 61:10—62:3With rich language and images, we are invited to move into acelebration of the coming of God’s righteousness – glimpsed in these days after Christmas Day in an innocent child born in a context of simplicity and shared humanity, as well as oppressive powers that seek to squelch all of it. Against that and all oppression, the new reality of righteousness is proclaimed without wavering. The vindication and restorativeaction God takes for God’s people is celebrated.This week, while playing music (perhaps carols or otherChristmas music) that speaks to you, stretch, twirl, and dance each and every day – alone and/or with others. In your dance, express the sheer joy you realize because God dwells in and around us with absolute love. In that joyful dance, create and/or mime gestures that convey the justice, peace, and new community that accompanies and actualizes this coming of God’s reign.
December Lectionary Readings
First Presbyterian Church519 Prendergast Avenue
Jamestown, NY 14701
Church Office: 716-487-1984
A Children's Place Day Care Center: 716-487-2238
Pastor: Rev Robert Hagel
Music Minister: Cindy Hanson
Pastoral Associate: Rev. Don Ray
Business Manager: Peggy Ambrose
Secretary: Barb Brown
Sexton: Jason Hobbs
Clerk of Session: Julie Dudgeon