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CHURCH CURRENTS First Presbyterian Church 210 S. Wayne Street

Milledgeville, GA 31061

phone: 478-452-9394

fpchurch@windstream.net

www.fpchurch.org

Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage Paid

Permit No. 113

We seek to glorify God through:

Inspiring worship in Word and music, Inquiring study for adults and youth,

Inclusive hospitality locally and globally, Industrious outreach for social justice

and environmental stewardship.

December 2014

We are on the radio Our worship service is broadcast on WKZR

(102.3 FM.) every Sunday morning at 11:00AM

Wednesday, December 24

6:15 pm Special Music

6:30 pm Worship

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

During 11:00 Worship on Sunday, December 14

We will also be receiving the Joy Gift offering.

Coord. of Children &

Youth Ministries:

Gloria Burns

Issue No. 225 December 2014

First Presbyterian Church

Organist:

Flint Dollar

Director of Music:

Jennifer Flory

Admin. Asst.:

Dianna Hendricks

Elders: Class of 2014: Rosemary Begemann, Frankie Holder

Class of 2015: Dave Baarda, Anne Smart, John Bradley

Class of 2016: Marianne Edwards, Sam McChesney, Nancy Miller Deacons: Class of 2014: Deanna Bivins, Mary Jordan, Doris Moody

Class of 2015: Bill Werts, Margie Dodd, Millie Murphy

Class of 2016: Alice Tenold, Joseph Dean, Rob Grimes

Child Care Providers: Charis Andrews

Sarah Patrick Kathleen Green

Interim Pastor:

Rev. Martha

Starnes

Dear Church Family, The season of Advent has arrived. It is a season of reflection and renewal, preparation and expectation, as we await

the coming of God into our lives in a new way. May we all be filled with the Spirit during these days leading to the

Incarnation.

About eight weeks ago, four small group meetings were held and participants completed surveys designed by the

Transition Team. I trust that you have received a summary report of the survey results, either by email or regular

mail. The Transition Team and the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) worked together to look at and analyze all

the results, and PNC Co-chair John Lamsma compiled the report you received. Extra printed copies of the report are

available in the church office if anyone needs one, and you can also find it on the church’s website. The information shared by you on the surveys will be considered by the PNC as they do their work of searching for a

pastor. Also, the survey results and the information on the Time and Talent sheets are being disseminated to various

committees and groups within the church, for their consideration and use. Thank you for your input. Do not hesitate

to continue to let me, the PNC, the Elders and the Deacons know of your thoughts, dreams, and visions for this

congregation.

On November 16, we commissioned the Pastor Nominating Committee during worship. I ask you to please remember

the promises you, as individuals and as a congregation, made that day:

To trust the leadership of the PNC in their search and give them your full support in all the ways you are able;

To pray for the PNC, for this church, and for the person God is preparing for your pastoral position;

To invest yourself in the renewal of the church’s inner spirit, being faithful in worship attendance and other

activities that will help the church to attain goals and visions worthy of our God.

Thank you.

Blessings!

Martha

Holley Cowan and Sunda Coleman will be hosting a dinner on December 9th

for the present and upcoming members of the Deacons and Session

CONTACT INFORMATION DURING HOLIDAY WEEK

The Church Office will be closed from Dec. 25, 2014 through Jan. 2, 2015. In case of a pastoral

emergency, contact Rosemary Begemann, Clerk of Session, at 478-452-4497,

or Nancy Miller at 478-457-6106. Office will resume regular hours on Jan. 5, 2015.

RESULTS OF OCTOBER ELECTIONS

Pastor Nominating Committee: John Lamsma and Sam McChesney, Co-chairs;

Elizabeth Baarda, Laura Burns Scott, and Millie Murphy

Elders - Elect: Jan Clark, Doris Moody and Charles Morgan Deacons - Elect: Wesley Applebury, Becky Henderson, Nita Peavy and Irene Tchamna

HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS

BLANKET DRIVE

As the temperatures finally start to

fall, we at First Presbyterian Church,

Milledgeville see it as a welcome

relief. We look forward to the change of season and the

changing colors in the landscape. Our friends at The

Open Door Community see the coming of nighttime

chills that make it very uncomfortable sleeping outdoors.

This year, as in many years past, we will have the

opportunity to donate blankets for the homeless who

seek shelter at The Open Door. The Deacons have

agreed that we need to provide a better quality blanket

and so we have chosen a loom woven machine washable

60% wool Bunkhouse Plain blanket. Our cost is $16.00

each and that price includes shipping. Check the Global

Mission bulletin board to see samples of the good

quality, attractive blankets we can provide for our

friends. You may make your donation any time or any

number of times. We want to make our first shipment

before the next cold snap!

Complete the form. Attach a check payable to First

Presbyterian Church. Place both in an offering plate,

drop off in the church office, or mail to First

Presbyterian Church, 210 S. Wayne St., Milledgeville,

GA 31061.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Your Name

Blankets given in memory of

Blankets given in honor of

Check in the amount of $

for blankets.

ANGEL FAMILIES, 2014

Each year we receive the names of needy families from

our local DFACS office, and each year the FPC church

family has responded generously to assure that children

from these families have gifts under their Christmas

trees. This year we will be helping four families with a

total of 15 children and teenagers. Our Christmas Angel

Tree is in the Fellowship Hall. If you are able to help

with gifts, visit the Angel Tree and pick a gift angel.

Please wrap the gift(s) and attach the angel to the outside

of the gift and return it to the Angel Tree by Wednesday,

Dec 17.

If you would like to make a financial donation, please

bring check or cash to the Church Office, Monday -

Thursday, 8:30-4:30. Samaritan Ministry Team members are: Frankie Holder,

Jackie Northington, Bill Werts, Jack Bivins, Alice

Tenold, Catherine Dean, and Nita Peavy.

TEDDY BEAR TREE Now that we have more children attending our Prison

Family Luncheon, the deacons would like to continue the

Teddy Bear Tree tradition.

Please consider donating

a new stuffed animal to

brighten a child’s holiday

season. Just place your

donation on the Teddy Bear

Tree in the Fellowship Hall

before Saturday, December

13th. Thank you!

FOOD PANTRY

During this season of thankfulness, I would like to express my gratitude to all the people in this church and commu-

nity who so generously support our food pantry with their money, time, and food donations. The Baldwin County

Retired Teachers Association and the VIPs, groups that use our fellowship hall for their meetings, bring food dona-

tions to each meeting. Sue York’s quilting group, The Plantation Quilters, selected our food pantry to be their an-

nual charity recipient this year. And Anna and Patrick Young have given generous donations of food to our pantry

and are talking with managers at Wal-Mart and Kroger about any help they can give us. Mary Jordan, Laura King,

Teresa Brown, Nancy Holbrook, and Jan Clark also give their time on Tuesdays to keep the pantry running. Nancy

has also helped me shop for and put up many pounds of groceries since the pantry opened. The need is great—

Margie Dodd and Teresa Brown served over 20 families this past Tuesday. The extra offerings of food during the

holiday season will help us keep serving our community. This is such a generous congregation—thank you!

Mary Baker

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

YOUTH

Three of our youth participated in the Northeast Georgia Presbytery Youth Rally on November 8 at Covenant

Presbyterian Church in Athens. The Keynote speaker was Rev. Allysen Schaffe, the Pastor for Youth and Their

Families at Decatur Presbyterian Church in Decatur, GA. The theme, Circle of Light, was an exploration of

Advent. In addition to Rev. Schaffe's creative worship experience we had small groups and games.

Middle & High school youth are planning to go Ice skating on December 7 at 4pm at the Macon Centreplex. We

will leave from the church at 3:30 pm after rehearsal for the Christmas Program. The cost is $8 per person includ-

ing skates. Youth will also need money for supper since we will stop to eat on the way home. Families with

younger children are welcome to follow us or meet us there to enjoy the fun. Children under 6th grade must be ac-

companied by a parent. Please let Gloria know if you intend to go with the group! gloryb.ce@gmail.com.

S.T.A.R.S.

In addition to continuing to explore our theme of Loving our Neighbor, the S.T.A.R.S. have begun work on songs

for the telling of the Christmas story as celebrated in Mexico. It promises to be a fun celebration! Join us on

Wednesdays at 5:15 .Younger children (under 4) wishing to participate in the Christmas Program on Dec. 14 may

join the group for a rehearsal immediately after church on December 7 to practice the processional to the manger. If

you have questions, please check with Ruby Werts.

MONTREAT YOUTH CONFERENCE

Registration has opened for Youth wanting to attend the Montreat Youth Conference Session 1, June 6-13, with

the Northeast Georgia Presbytery group. Please check the Presbytery website http://www.negapby.org/ or talk

with Gloria if you are interested in attending. Scholarships are available. This is a wonderful experience for youth.

Space is limited so register early.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Sunday PW will meet for Bible study on the 7th of December at 5pm. Tuesday PW will meet on

December 9th at 11am for Bible Study, followed by a covered dish luncheon at 12. We hope to

see you at one of our Bible studies this month.

Haywood and Elaine

JOIN US FOR STUDY & WORSHIP

Sunday School 9:45AM

Sunday Morning Worship 11:00AM

OFFICER TRAINING EVENT

Northeast Georgia Presbytery Leadership Development Ministry Team is offering a training event on January 31 at

Central Presbyterian Church in Athens. The event is directed at new church officers but includes classes that might

interest other church members. Please look at the registration form on the bulletin board or

http://www.negapby.org/ for more information. Joan Gray, former moderator of the PC(USA) will give the

devotional and lead workshops on her newest book The Sailboat Church.

GEORGIA COLLEGE HOLIDAY CONCERT EXTRAVAGANZA

Friday, December 5, 7:30 pm, Russell Auditorium

The music department presents the seventh annual Holiday Concert featuring electronic music, Jazz Band, Max Noah

Singers, Men’s Quartet, The Cat’s Meow, University Chorus, Wind Symphony and Women’s Ensemble.

All tickets are $10, including students. Please call 445-8289 for tickets and more information.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CHOIR AT THE OLD GOVERNOR’S MANSION

Thursday, December 18

6 pm, Celtic Quartet (Cissy Lane, Jennifer Flory, John Bradley, and Sam McChesney)

7 pm, Adult Choir (instead of regular rehearsal)

EMMY® NOMINATED MARCO PANUCCIO PRESENTS O HOLY NIGHT

“An Evening of Holiday Song" 2014 American Tour

Saturday, December 20, 7:30 pm First Presbyterian Church

His program will include a range of repertoire including: Mascagni's "Ave Maria,” "I'll be home for Christmas,”

Handel's "Comfort ye" and "Every Valley" from Messiah and Adam's "O Holy Night.”

$25 General Admission | $15 Student (Advance ticket purchases are highly recommended)

For tickets, please visit milledgeville.brownpapertickets.com or call 1-800-838-3006 (option 1).

The Spirit of Christmas

“RUTTER AND RUDOLF”

presented by The Milledgeville Singers Guild

Monday, December 8, 7:00 pm

First United Methodist Church on Log Cabin Rd.

Featuring Dr. Jennifer Flory, Mezzo-Soprano, The Oconee Regional Symphony Orchestra

and Baldwin High School Choirs , Under the baton of Flint Dollar

Free Admission with a brief hosted intermission

MAX NOAH SINGERS 2014 TOUR: AN A CAPPELLA CHRISTMAS

Tuesday, December 9, 7 pm, Old Governor’s Mansion, Preview Concert

Wednesday, December 17, 7:30 pm, First Presbyterian Church, Homecoming Concert

These Milledgeville concerts will take place before and at the end of the in-state MNS Tour

which will be December 14-17. The concerts are free and open to the public

and donations are requested to offset tour expenses.

VIP’S CORNER (Visually Impaired Persons) V IP ’ S LE AR N R E LA X AT IO N T E C H N IQ UE S

Ken Jasnau, the November speaker for the

VIP Support Group, spoke about reducing

stress. With big holiday seasons around

the corner we may be more stressed than

usual, so learning how to relax can make

these times more enjoyable. Mr. Jasnau

discussed how our thoughts relate to our

emotions. He talked about the importance

of experiencing forgiveness, joy and feel-

ing peace with oneself. He said when you are feeling stressed, it

helps to focus on something else and to put it in God’s hands. He

introduced the acronym F-R-O-G : Fully Rely on God. Remember-

ing it and saying it to yourself is a great stress reducer.

Mr. Jasnau demonstrated several exercises to help reduce stressful

feelings. He helped the group learn how to do deep breathing

relaxation steps. By focusing on the feel of the incoming and

exhaling breaths, the pulse slows down, the brain gets more oxygen,

and the mind calms down. Mr. Jasnau also demonstrated guided

imagery techniques to help us feel energized.

Then music relaxation was introduced. He played gospel and

classical music, and sounds of nature DVD’s and encouraged the

group to focus on the feelings the music elicited.

He said reminding oneself that while you may not be able to solve

all your problems, you may be able to take some action to make

things better, and putting your mind to what you can do to make a

difference can reduce some of your negative feelings.

Mr. Jasnau, a long time friend of the group, always brings helpful

information to the group; we look forward to his programs.

VIP’s brought food donations for the church’s food pantry to show

appreciation to the church for allowing us

to meet in the church.

The next VIP meeting will be December

17th at 10:30AM. All interested people are

invited to attend. We will celebrate the

season with music and fellowship. The

meeting will be covered dish. Submitted

by Anne Weathers

NOVEMBER PRISON FAMILY LUNCH A chill was in the air as the holiday season kicked off

with a Thanksgiving themed prison family luncheon

held on Saturday, November 15. Margie Dodd decorated

the tables with lovely fresh flowers and draping autumn

leaves. A large crowd of sixty-five was in attendance to

enjoy a wonderful meal lovingly prepared by the church

deacons.

Everyone enjoyed baked ham, turkey and gravy, corn-

bread dressing, macaroni and cheese, vegetable casse-

role, mixed salad and, of course, many tasty desserts.

Thanks to everyone who brought food and especially the

Jordan family who provided the delicious ham, turkey

and gravy and dressing! And to Mike Tenold who

bought pizza for the children and those wanting an alter-

native lunch. Those that participated included Judy

Franson, Gene Gunter, Mike and Alice Tenold, Margie

Dodd, Doris Moody, Bill Werts, Mary Jordan, Millie

Murphy, and Joseph and Catherine Dean.

Members of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, led by Wes

Applebury, helped with clean-up by bussing tables,

vacuuming, and taking out the trash. They did a wonder-

ful job and we were blessed by their service!

Please join us next month as the elders will be in charge

of coordinating the meal. Save the date-Saturday,

December 13- prison family luncheon (the second

Saturday instead of the usual third). Happy Holidays!

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

The Fall Line Farmers Market received the Wholesome Wave Georgia grant and the future is bright in a new location!

The market, a joint endeavor of the FPC Green Initiative and Milledgeville Community Garden Association, will move to

Harrisburg Park, site of the Lucille Harris Community Garden at 237 Harrisburg Rd., beginning with the 2015 season. First

Presbyterian Church has been a generous and wonderful host for three years, but it's time to move to a new location where it can

better serve folks that have little or no local access to fresh, healthy and affordable produce.

Just recently, Wholesome Wave GA, a privately funded program that doubles the value of the SNAP/EBT benefit (formerly

known as food stamps), has selected the market as a partner starting in 2015. This is a big deal that helps make fresh and

nutritious food far more affordable for folks who normally can not afford it. (e.g. if a bag of greens cost $3.00, the SNAP

participant will pay only $1.50 and so on).

It has been the Green Initiative's pleasure to lead this effort for three years. It has all been possible with great support from the

Session, the pastors, and many church members including Faye Heal, Marion Robinson, the Baarda family, Joseph Dean, Anne

Dennis, Johnny Williams, Reba Vaughan, our Administrative Assistant Dianna Hendricks and her husband Craig, a

multi-talented singer-songwriter and many others who can not all be named for fear of leaving out someone!

Thank you all for your past support of this endeavor! Stay tuned for more details so you can join us in 2015!

Debbie Harshbarger

MCGA Treasurer and Outreach Coordinator

Illnesses: Tom Murphy, colon cancer, Kathy Carroll’s brother

Robbie White, cancer, Betty Hattaway’s friend

April McMillan, in remission, Jeanene Vinson’s granddaughter

Bill Brenner, prostate cancer, Bill Flory’s uncle

Amy Smith, stage 4 colon cancer

Chris Pearson, Sunda Coleman’s son, eye issues & stroke recovery

Leigh Humphrey, friend of Bill & Ruby Werts, kidney failure

Judy Powell, friend of Letha & Sandra, diagnosed with MDS

Angela Brewster, Lexington, KY, friend of Jackie Northington,

breast cancer

Thomas Manley, recovering from a car accident

Ben Gautier, home, visitors welcome

Tammy Bledsoe, Tom & Mary Lucik’s granddaughter

Marty Flory, Jennifer’s mother-in-law, ongoing health issues

Mary Barbara Tate

Elsie Espich, friend of Deborah Pettepher, cancer

Carolyn Stanley, friend of Nita Peavy, lung cancer

Nancy Selecman, Sue York’s mother

Betty Owens, Joe & Charlotte’s sister-in-law, cancer

Roy Pound, Sunda Coleman’s father, home, recovering from surgery

Sammy, Jennifer and Nathan Miller

Kevin Ayers, Dianna Hendricks’ nephew, home from

rehabilitation center

Eileen Barber, friend of Bill & Ruby Werts, upcoming surgery

Ellen Wood, Betty Thompson’s daughter, improving, Central

Georgia Rehabilitation Hospital, Northside Drive, Macon

Letha Hawkins, neck surgery scheduled for Dec. 22

Ricky Spear, brother to Vera Bales, chemotherapy after colon

surgery

John Fish, the Baarda’s son-in-law, leukemia

Josh Woodfin, son of Alanna (daughter of Harley Davidson) and

Kyle Woodfin, former residents of Milledgeville. Josh

(18 years old) has leukemia and is under hospice care.

Assisted Living: Banny Lundy, Green Acres

Katherine Lyda, Louise Sallstrom’s mother, Green Acres

Jonnie Tenold, Mike Tenold’s mother, Savannah Court

Marguerite Owens, Gloria Burns’ mother, Savannah Court

Harold Gillis, Sr., Lee Gillis’ father, 2200 Elm Ave. Apt.

212, Laurinburg, NC 28352

Laurette Smith, Harbor Chase Room 319, 1385 Silver Bluff

Rd. Aiken, SC 29803

Sarolyn Moore, The Solana Vintage Park, Apt 321, 19929

Chasewood Park Drive, Houston, Texas, 77070

FROM THE TREASURER: October Year to Date

Undesignated Income $18,398 $179,610

Budgeted Expenses $17,873 $196,609

Net gain/(loss) $ 525 ($ 16,999) Your pledge for next year is a very important part of

planning and budgeting for the coming year. If you

have not yet turned in your pledge, please help us

make the best plans possible by filling out a pledge

form today. Drop it in the offering plate, give it to

me, put it in the mail, or slip it under the office

door. Your commitment to First Presbyterian is very

important to our ministry.

As always if you have any questions,

please let me know faye.heal@gcsu.edu

or 478- 451-7118.

NURSERY SCHEDULE

December 7 Elizabeth Baarda

December 14 Nan Rogers

December 21 Margie Dodd

December 28 Joel Burns

January 4 Irene Tchamna

As always, we appreciate your willingness to help

with this ministry. If you cannot attend on the date

assigned, please call someone on the list to

exchange dates. Anne Smart

The congregation & our life & ministry together during this transition time. The Pastor Nominating Committee.

NEWSLETTER IS ON OUR WEBSITE

First Presbyterian Church continually seeks new

ways to promote good stewardship by utilizing

resources in the best way possible.

You can find our colorful newsletter online. Go to

fpchurch.org and click on the “Newsletter” tab at

the top of the page, then click on the month you

would like to look at.

We are considering reducing costs by limiting the

amount of newsletters we mail out.

Please call the Church Office at 478-452-9394 and

let Dianna know if you would prefer to continue to

get the newsletter by mail.

Thank you.

Birth

da

ys

Anniversaries

Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat30

FIRST SUNDAY OF

ADVENT

9:45 Sunday School

11:00 Worship

5th Sunday - loose

change in offering goes

to Samaritan Ministry

1

5:30 CE

6:00 GS Leaders

2

9::30-10:30

Food Pantry

5:00 Worship

Committee

6:00 Bridge

3

5:15 S.T.A.R.S.

6:30 Pot Luck

7:15 Bible Study

4

6:30 IOBI

7:00 Choir

5

7:30 Georgia

College Holiday

Concert

Extravaganza @

Russell Aud.

6

7

9:45 Sunday School

11:00 Worship with

Communion / Bring

Canned Goods for Food

Pantry

5:00 PW

8

5:30 Stewardship

& Finance

6:45 Property

7:30 MSG

Concert @ FUMC

9

9::30-10:30

Food Pantry

11:00 PW Study

12:00 PW Lunch

6:30 Deacons &

Session Dinner

10

5:15 S.T.A.R.S.

6:30 Pot Luck

7:15 Bible Study

11

10:30

Congregational

Life

7:00 Choir

12

13

12:00 Prison

Family Lunch

14

9:45 Sunday School

11:00 Worship w/

Children’s Christmas

Program

Bring Canned Goods

for Food Pantry

6:00 Officer Training

15

3:00-5:00 BCRE

16

9:30-10:30 Food

Pantry

9:30 Samaritan’s

Ministry

17

10:30 VIP’s

5:15 Green Initiative

5:15 S.T.A.R.S.

6:30 Pot Luck

7:30 Max Noah

Singers @ FPC

18

10:30 Andalusia

2:00 LIR Reading

3:00 LIR Writing

6:00 Quartet

7:00 Choir at the

Old Governor’s

Mansion

19

20

7:30 Holiday

Concert @ FPC

21

9:45 Sunday School

11:00 Worship

12:15 Officer Training

22

23

9:30-10:30 Food

Pantry

5:15 Kiwanis

24

6:15 Special Music

6:30 Christmas Eve

Lessons & Carols

OFFICE CLOSED

26

27

28

9:45 Sunday School

11:00 Worship

John Lamsma

Preaching

29

OFFICE CLOSED

30

OFFICE

CLOSED

31

OFFICE CLOSED

OFFICE CLOSED 2 “This is the day

which the LORD

hath made;

we will

rejoice and be

glad in it.”

December 3rd

Cissy Lane

Susan McGill

December 10th

Ben Smart

December 11th

Dean Clark

December 12th

Emily Bradley

Willa Gee

December 13th

Karen Grimes

Cecilia Odihe

December 14th Kathy Carroll

December 19th

Monica Garcia

December 20th Janet Clark

Tye Pearson

December 25th

Roger Stembridge

December 26th

Hagan Thompson

December 4h December 11th Carl & Nancy Miller Joseph & Catherine Dean December 16th December 18th

Dean & Janet Clark Clyde & Jane Tipton

December 20th December 21st

Bob & Anne Smart Lee Gillis & Jude Hirsch December 22nd December 29th Sam Downer & Cindy Phillips Arnold & Rae Wade

Greg & Susan York

DECEMBER