Ashland Church News December 2018
January 2019
Ashland Presbyterian Church
116 Ashland Road
Cockeysville, MD 21030
Phone: 410-527-1844
The Rev. Shannon Meacham, Pastor
On the web at: www.ashlandpc.org
Clerk of Session Bob Williams
Church Treasurer
Pamela Caras
Financial Secretary Cathy Griffiths
Session
Members 2018-2020
Jerry DeBoer Rene Florendo Tom Griffiths
Will Nassau Jacquie Sasser
Carla Ulgen John Walter
Pre-school Director
Anne Auvil
Organist & Music Director Sheila Slade-Lee
Office Manager
Cecil Weber
Ashland Presbyterian Church
@AshlandPresbyterianChurch
Pulpitshenanigans
“We are fragile creatures, and it is from this weakness, not despite it, that we discover the possibility of true joy.” ― Desmond Tutu, The Book of Joy:
Lasting Happiness in a Changing World
Full confession- I’ve never been very good at joy.
In seminary I spent a summer working as a chaplain in a local hospital. I was assigned to the Cardiac Care units (both intensive and not) and a Mother-Baby unit. My supervisor pulled me aside after about a month and told me, “You know you’re really great in a crisis. I get nothing but compliments about you from the nurses when it comes to emergencies, but I’m afraid you don’t know how to celebrate when good things happen.” He was absolutely right.
Maybe it was the way I grew up but I have spent all my life trying to get past the feeling of waiting for the other shoe to drop. This is no way to live a life. There are moments in our lives of pure joy, pure delight. Holding our children for the first time, getting married, roaring with laughter. But these moments are fleeting and so we ask, how do we live into joy all the moments in between?
December 2 starts the church year and we have declared this to be a “Year of Joy!” I don’t have all the answers today, as we are just beginning this journey together, but I ask you to join me- in worship, in conversation, and in special events as we explore joy in all it’s forms.
December is a great time to start with Luke’s declaration that the Christ-Child will “Bring Great Joy to All People!” (Luke 2:10)
Join us for Advent and Christmas as we explore joy.
With anticipation in Joy! Pastor Shannon
ADVENT/CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SCHEDULE
10:30 AM
DECEMBER 2 1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT HANGING OF THE GREENS SERVICE SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:30 AM DECEMBER 9 2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT—CANTATA SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:30 AM DECEMBER 15 BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICE/LUNCHEON 11:00 AM—1:00 PM MARYLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH DECEMBER 16 3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT SUNDAY SCHOOL: DECEMBER 23 4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT SPECIAL MUSIC WITH BRASS REFLECTIONS NO SUNDAY SCHOOL DECEMBER 24 CHRISTMAS SERVICES 5:00 PM FAMILY SERVICE 7:00 PM CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
DECEMBER 30 1ST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS LESSONS & CAROLS NO SUNDAY SCHOOL
Presented by Ashland Presbyterian Church Choir Sunday, December 9, 2018
10:30 AM This cantata is filled with beloved carols and original seasonal
songs which tell the story of Christ’s birth through music and
scripture. Please join us!
Ashland Presbyterian Church
116 Ashland Road
Cockeysville, MD 21030
ANNUAL ADULTS’ CHRISTMAS PARTY Friday, December 7, 2018
6:30 p.m. Home of Bonnie & Bill Clarke
13 Chesterfield Court Monkton, MD 21111
Sign up to bring an appetizer, side dish or dessert (sign up sheets on the table in the
hallway). You can also RSVP to Cecil in the office
(410-527-1844 or at [email protected] ).
The Sunday School invites you to participate in the Giving Tree this Advent season. We are supporting a family in need this year. There are ornaments on the Christmas tree with the name of an item to provide.
ITEMS ARE TO BE NEW AND UNWRAPPED AND INCLUDE A GIFT RECEIPT.
Please take an ornament from the tree, purchase the item and place it in the basket by the tree. The deadline
for returning your gifts to Ashland is SUNDAY DECEMBER 23.
BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICE/LUNCHEON A Service of Wholeness and Healing
December 15, 2018/ 11:00 am—1:00 pm Maryland Presbyterian Church , 1105 Providence Rd.,
Towson, MD Blue Christmas is a special service of worship designed to seek hope and light during the Advent season. This is a time when hope may not be easy to find because of a loss, grief, or sadness that we carry. Rev. Beth Scibienski will lead the worship and share her own story of loss.
Special Music
Brass Reflections will return on Sunday, December 23 at the 10:30 am Worship with
their festive music during the Christmas season. The Quintet is composed of Chris
Bennett and Tom Edge on Trumpet; Leslie Wharton, French Horn; Mike Wirtanen,
Trombone and Director Jim Wharton, Tuba. They are all accomplished musicians and
we are very pleased to have them share their talents with us.
Looking Ahead:
Sunday, January 13 Kuznick Violin and Cello Duo
With appreciation and thanks to the Congregational Care Team Angels who each
signed on to send monthly cards with written messages to our APC shut-ins,
those having a health problem, surgery or the loss of a loved one. A big thank you
to:
Marlene Uhler Susan Ruhl Jennefer Thomas Karen Hensley
Penny DeBoer Barbara Crow Debbie Nassau Bonnie Clarke Debbie Berlin Sandy Losemann Julee Ward Sandy Losemann took on an extra months for cards. Julee Ward began a flower ministry, taking arrangements and visiting once a month to some of our shut-ins as well as to those who we haven’t seen at worship in some time. Cards, flowers and the visits were well received and very appreciated by all. If you are interested in becoming a Care Team member in 2019, please call Margie Berlin at 410-472-1320.
O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL,
AND RANSOM CAPTIVE ISRAEL,
THAT MOURNS IN LOWLY EXILE HERE,
UNTIL THE SON OF GOD APPEAR.
REJOICE! REJOICE! EMMANUEL
SHALL COME TO THEE, O ISRAEL!
Full Disclosure. I used to get annoyed at those TV thanksgiving dinners – you know, Mom, Dad, the three children, both sets of grandparents, smiley relatives passing around the casserole, all decked out in a Martha Stewart set table. I’d ask the universe, why don’t I have that? It took me awhile to realize that nobody has that! The characters may be at the table but underneath the perfectly scripted scene is…well…something. Some issue, some problem, some family drama.
On the flip side, at the intersection of the traditional gathering, the “friends-giving”, the restaurant turkey buffet or the turkey sandwich/college football afternoon is…well…something! Something wonderful, interesting, inspiring, fun!
Hence the eleventh commandment:
“Therefore, thou shalt not compare thy church to thy neighbors church. Thou shalt, instead inquire of the Lord thy God what the Lord requires of thee.”
Comparing your church to another is a losing proposition, especially if you are bemoaning the fact that you are not a larger congregation, or for the large ones – a mega church. It’s apples and oranges. If the grass is greener, the water bill is higher! Every church has “something”, a struggle and a blessing. What’s your blessing? What can you offer that no one else can? How are you making disciples where God has placed you? How can you rewrite the script of lack and see abundance?
Tis' the season, after all!
Cold are the people, winter of life,
We tremble in shadows this cold endless night,
Frozen in the snow lie roses sleeping, Flowers that will echo the sunrise,
Fire of hope is our only warmth, Weary, it's flame will be dying soon.
Voice in the distance, call in the night
On wind you enfold us You speak of the light,
Gentle on the ear you whisper softly, Rumors of a dawn so embracing,
Breathless love awaits darkened souls, Soon will we know of the morning
Spirit among us, shine like the star,
Your light that guides shepherds and kings from afar,
Shimmer in the sky so empty, lonely, Rising in the warmth of your Son's love,
Star unknowing of night and day, Spirit we wait for your loving Son.
-David Haas
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1
2 1st Sunday of Advent
9:30 am Sunday School
10:30 am Worship Service
3
Project Linus
9:30 am
4 5 6 7
Adult Christmas
Party 6:30 pm
8
9 2nd Sunday of Advent 9:30 am Sunday School
10:30 am Cantata Service
10
11
Session
6:30 pm
12 13 14
15
16 3rd Sunday of Advent
9:30 am Sunday School
10:30 am Worship Service
17 18
19 20 21 22
Sarah’s Hope 2-5 pm
23 4th Sunday of Advent
NO Sunday School
10:30 Worship w/Brass
Reflections
24
Office Closed
Christmas Services 5: 00pm Family Svc. 7:00 pm Candlelight Service
25
Office Closed
26 27 28 29
30 1st Sunday After
Christmas
NO Sunday School
10:30 Lessons & Carols
Shannon—Away
31
New Year’s Eve
Sunday School 9:30 am
Worship 10:30 am
Fellowship after Worship
WEEKLY EVENTS ...
Sundays Special Needs Troop #927 2:00 p.m.; Church of the Nazarene 5:00—7:00 p.m.
Mondays Daisy Troop #1623 6:00-8:00 pm
Tuesdays Daisy Troop #625 6:00-7:00 p.m.; Church of the Nazarene Choir Practice 7:30—9:30 p.m.
Wednesdays Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings 8:30 p.m.
Thursdays Contemporary Worship Practice 6:30 p.m.-7:30 pm; Chancel Choir: 7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Fridays Church of the Nazarene 7:30 pm -9:30 p.m.—2:00 a.m.
Saturday Alcoholic Anonymous Svc. Mtg. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Church of the Nazarene 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Shannon & Cecil Out of Office
Sunday School 9:30 am
Worship 10:30 am
Fellowship after Worship
WEEKLY EVENTS ...
Sundays Special Needs Troop #927 2:00 p.m.; Church of the Nazarene 5:00—7:00 p.m.
Mondays Daisy Troop #1623 6:00-8:00 pm
Tuesdays Daisy Troop #625 6:00-7:00 p.m.; Church of the Nazarene Choir Practice 7:30—9:30 p.m.
Wednesdays Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings 8:30 p.m.
Thursdays Contemporary Worship Practice 6:30 p.m.-7:30 pm; Chancel Choir: 7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Fridays Church of the Nazarene 7:30 pm -9:30 p.m.—2:00 a.m.
Saturday Alcoholic Anonymous Svc. Mtg. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Church of the Nazarene 7:30-9:30 p.m.
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
1Office Closed 2
Shannon—Vacation
3 4 5
6 Epiphany of the Lord
9:30 am Sunday School
10:30 am Worship Service
7
Project Linus
9:30 am
8
Session
6:30 pm
9 10 11 12
13 Baptism of the Lord 9:30 am Sunday School
10:30 am Worship Service
Shannon Away
14
15
Session
6:30 pm
16 17 18 19
20 2nd Sunday After
Epiphany
9:30 am Sunday School
10:30 am Worship Service
21 Office Closed 22
23 24 25 26
Sarah’s Hope
2-5 pm
27 3rd Sunday After Epiphany 9:30 am Sunday School 10:30 am Worship Service
28
29 30 31
ASHLAND CHURCH FAMILY CELEBRATIONS
BIRTHDAYS Deacon/Elder Ordination Anniversaries
December January (continued) 12/3 Kathy Nicht 1/6 John Walter 12/15 Tom Griffiths Nancy Starr 12/27 Lillian Holland Peg Paterson 12/28 Barbara Crow 1/7 Lillian Holland Jennefer Thomas 1/8 Nancy Stickles 12/30 Bill Clarke 1/13 Deb Miller Sandy Losemann Jacquie Sasser 12/31 Barbara Crow 1/14 Sandy Losemann 1/16 Bill Kobokovich
January Bonnie Clarke 1/1 Barbara Porter 1/17 Carla Ulgen Will Nassau Gene Ruhl 1/19 Tom Griffiths Kim Aspden 1/22 Bill Kobokovich Mary Thompson Penny DeBoer Steve Swift 1/23 John Walter Sue Ruhl 1/24 Jennefer Thomas 1/2 Dick Uhler Sue Ruhl Priscilla Barrett 1/25 Butch Zink 1/3 Bob Williams 1/26 Debbie Modisette
Kim Aspden 1/27 Amy Cavolo 1/4 Jerry DeBoer 1/28 Debbie Berlin Kim Bednarik 1/29 Amy Rudai Julee Ward 1/30 JoAnn Ruther
DECEMBER 12/2 Lee Shang
Cheri Wheeler
12/3 Jerry DeBoer
Kathy Nicht
12/4 Deb Miller
Will Nassau
12/9 Kaylin Bending
Christine Swift
12/10 Cathy Griffiths
12/12 Don Williams
12/15 Katie Zhu
12/17 Kim Bednarik
12/19 Greg Merrill
12/22 Bob Hensley
Dick Uhler
12/23 Gene Ruhl
12/24 Natalie Wagner
12/28 Barbara Porter
12/29 Luke Wagner
JANUARY 1/8 Grey Benzak
1/10 Cerys Beckwith
1/12 Sue Ruhl
1/15 Andrew Bednarik
1/18 Will Sasser
1/21 Butch Zink
1/22 Brenda Holland
1/23 Trish Deimel
1/25 Zachary Ciemian
1/26 Morgan Hensley
1/27 Elyssa Ruth
1/28 Betty Grubb
1/31 Kathy Aspden
ANNIVERSARIES DECEMBER
12/10 Butch & Marcie Zink
12/20 Jim & Sandy St. Germain
12/31 Thomas & Sarah Beckwith
Do we have YOUR family’s important dates to share and celebrate? Have we made any mistakes?
Please contact the Church Office at 410-527-1844, or [email protected] with additions and/or
corrections for the database.
ASSIGNMENTS
2018/2019 December January
USHERS/ GREETERS
12/2 12/9 12/16 12/23 12/30
1/6 1/13 1/20 1/27
SERVERS 12/2 1/6
LITURGIST 12/16 12/23 12/30
1/13 1/20 1/27
VAN DRIVERS
12/2 Derrick Weston 12/9 Jerry DeBoer 12/16 Butch Zink 12/23 Bob Hensley 12/30 Bill Kobokovich
1/6 Derrick Weston 1/13 Jerry DeBoer 1/20 Butch Zink 1/27 Bob Hensley
As the New Year begins, why not become more involved in Worship? Sign up to be
an usher/greeter, liturgist or server. Sign up sheets are on the table in the hallway.
Ashland Presbyterian Church
116 Ashland Road
Cockeysville, MD 21030
O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine Oh night divine
In case of inclement weather please call the church office (410-
527-1844) or check our webpage (www.ashlandpc.org) or our
Facebook page for closing information