ICHTHUS December 2012 - Smithfield First Presbyterian Church

In This Issue:
Letter from Our Pastor
From the Director of
Music
From the Handbell
Director
ICHTHUS
December 2012
The Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church, Smithfield, North Carolina
Prayer Concerns
Advent
Birthdays and
Anniversaries Updates
Christmas Eve
Christmas in a Barn
Church History
Cookies and a Picture
Did You Know . . .
Fellowship Time
Finance Committee
Highlights of the Session
JOY Connection
Lost and Found
Memorials
Operation Christmas
Child
Pictorial Directory
Preschool News
Relay for Life Cookie
Sale
Spotlight on
SPRE
Stewardship
Thursday News
Youth Meals
Thanks
December Calendar
Lectionary
Fellowship Time
Worship Nursery
Flowers
Birthdays
Anniversaries
Ushers
Lay Readers
Acolytes
Trinity Ringers
Building Officers
A publication of
First Presbyterian Church
215 S. Third Street
PO Box 1159
Smithfield, NC 27577
934-0988
[email protected]
www.fpcsmithfield.org
Reflections in the Water: Music and Light in a Season of Darkness
“ . . . the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in
the region and shadow of death light has dawned.”
— Matthew 4:16, quoting the prophet Isaiah, NRSV
“During the Siege of Sarajevo, Vedran Smailovic, principal cellist of the Sarajevo
Opera, played his cello every day in ruined buildings around the city, to honour all those
who were killed by shellings and snipers and to provide some peace and hope for those
who were still trying to survive.”– from The Atlantic, April 13, 2012.
If I had the means, I would attempt to embed a mp3 file or link to a digital
recording with this month’s pastoral letter. During this Advent and Christmas season, you
will perhaps have the opportunity to hear on the radio a contemporary Christmas ‘carol’
from Trans-Siberian Orchestra entitled, “Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24).” Though
technically not a carol (instruments serve as the ‘voice’), it combines the vibrant “Carol of
the Bells” with the peace and comfort seeking “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.” For me
it is a rich and reflective piece of music. It embodies or ‘sings’ of the age in which we live
today. The music conveys, I think, the dark oppression as well as the waywardness of
God’s people as we strive against this world and with one another. The composition also
conveys a spirit that cannot be suppressed and reveals chords of hope with the promise of
light and liberation for humanity as well. The notes combine the past with the present and
thus the work creates something altogether new for tomorrow. This particular musical
composition by TSO was inspired by the story of Vedran “the Cellist of Sarajevo”
Smailovic, who throughout the protracted siege of his hometown, would play his cello at
great risk to himself amidst the shelling, the bombs, the snipers, in order ‘to bring light
into the darkness’ of the people around him. I reflect upon this music and I think of
Smailovic’s witness in the face of death, and I begin to understand what a gift God has
given to us in his Son, Jesus Christ.
As we enter the season of Advent and our preparations for the celebration of
Christmas, we see and hear the news of the world, and the stories are filled with these
same rumors of war and human strife. We witness the same grief and loss. We feel in our
hearts and in the marrow of our bones the poverty and despair that surround and at times
threaten to engulf us. Yet even in the chaos of our everyday lives, which is certainly far
removed from the frontlines of war, we as a Church are called to sing our songs of hope
and share the music of our spirit out of compassion for one another. In every age and win
every celebration of Christmas, the Church is called, often at great sacrifice, to bring again
light into our neighbor’s darkness, as well as comfort and hope to dispel their despair. For
God has already accomplished the same for us in the birth of a child who is the Light of all
the world.
A blessed Advent and joyous Christmas to you all.
Pastor Joe
Prayerful Support for
Mary Alice Thomas in Charlotte.
Eula Brown with Jane Kate Brown.
Jane Cunningham in Wilmington.
Marie Gupton and Nor Bell at Barbour Court.
Lib Walsh and Shirley Wooten at Carolina
House.
Dorothy Onisko at Smithfield Manor.
Clara Scouten in Durham.
Martha Rogers in Norfolk, VA.
Mable Surles in Fayetteville.
Devon Pollard at home.
Janet Hester at home.
Sarah Pate who is recovering from knee surgery.
From the Treasurer
As we get ready for the new year, I am
preparing the 2013 giving envelopes. Everyone
who has received envelopes in the past or has
pledged will receive a box of these envelopes.
Families who give through a bill pay type
mechanism will be assigned a number but not be
given a box. Please let me know if you want to make a
change or if you haven’t received envelopes in the past but
would like to now. Also, you can request envelopes for your
children to use. Please send your request to me as soon as
possible at [email protected]. Additional Building Fund giving
envelopes can be picked up from the table in the parlor.
Thank you.
— Beth Osborne
Where? In the workroom
Small items are in the next to the last right
mail box; larger items on the counter under
the cabinets.
Found items:
navy umbrella; adult gray knit gloves; two
pairs of glasses; one gold clip earring with
blue stone; one silver ring; one black button; one silver and
mother of pearl bracelet.
Is your anniversary listed in the
newsletter? Is your birthday?
If either one is not,
we apologize.
Please help us honor you.
Send your birthday and
anniversary dates to
[email protected]
or call the church office
at 919-934-0988.
Thanks!
Do we have an updated email
address for you? Send it to us at
[email protected] or call
us at 919-934-0988. Please
indicate if we have your
permission to publish it in the Members and Friends
Directory. And let us know if you aren’t receiving the
Thursday eNews.
A Member Shares His Story
A year after Aaron was born (early 2010),
Shanda felt that God had called her stay at
home with our children and raise them in a
loving and Christian environment. Her
convictions grew to also home school our
children as days and months passed. Even though she had
worked very hard in college and been very successful in her
career, I too supported her convictions. However, there were
concerns regarding a 47% decrease in our household income
and how that would impact our charitable donations, church
contributions, our tax liability, etc.
With that in mind, we both agreed to pray about this issue
separately and as a couple. Through months of prayerful
consideration and analysis of our personal finances, we both
felt very compelled that this was the correct path to take.
While taking full responsibility for our financial
commitments, we ultimately decided to not only have
continued faith in Shanda's convictions, but we also
employed our trust in the Lord.
In July of 2010 Shanda gave her notice that she would be
resigning from her position on Sept 10th of that same year.
Despite the loss of income, we still pledged a very similar
amount to what we had pledged the previous year due to our
trust with the Lord. A couple of weeks later, I received a call
from a recruiter for a position that I could've only dreamed
about. It allowed the flexibility to work from home (and
occasionally support Shanda), it offered me a technically
challenging job that I love, it offered me a position that works
well with my Type-A personality and it also provided a
significant increase in compensation. Needless to say, I
assimilated to the job and have pledged more to our preferred
charities and well above of our church commitments to both
the budget fund and the building fund.
The real story is that our household income is still less
than what it was when Shanda was working. However, with
our trust in Lord and listening to the message that he placed
on our hearts we were able to give far more of our income to
the our church's ministry, while also being blessed with a job
that I really enjoy. Needless to say, Aubrey and Aaron have
flourished in their home environment surrounded with daily
scripture studies, reading, writing, math, and American
history with their dedicated teacher (Mom).
God is Great!
Eddie Hairr
(Editor’s note: If you have a faith story to share with us,
please email it as an attachment to [email protected]
or simply drop off a hard copy in the church office.)
Did You Know . . .
Brian Womack was the Logistics Manager for the South
New Jersey Region of American Red Cross Disaster Relief.
Billy Best served on the Property Committee for 37 years.
Dorothy Onisko gave First Presbyterian Church her Baldwin
grand piano.
Diane Dockery acknowledges all memorial gifts and
honorariums to the donors and the recipients.
the Communications and Technology Committee has
prepared a brochure for visitors to our church.
Ann Huckenbeck, Rich Huckenbeck Troy Lester and
Myra Wallace participated in the Johnston County Heritage
Center’s Ghost Walk.
Reagan Womack was nominated by South Smithfield
Elementary School to attend a forum as a People to People
Ambassador.
What Does the Bible Say About Giving?
A friend of mine, Gilbert Davis, tells
about a “defining moment” he had in
seminary. One day an elderly gentleman
he had never met stopped Gilbert in the
hallway. “Young man, are you studying
to be a minister? “ the man asked.
When Gilbert replied that he was, the
stranger asked if he might talk with him a few minutes.
Although unsure of what he was getting into, Gilbert
consented. (Several weeks later, he learned that Arthur A.
Everettes [the stranger] owned what at that time was the
largest jewelry store west of the Mississippi.) After leading
Gilbert into an empty classroom, Everetts asked him whether
he preached tithing in his student church. Before Gilbert
could reply, Everetts gave him a forceful set of arguments for
the value of tithing, especially for a young minister who ever
hoped to amount to anything for Jesus Christ. At the end of
that several-minutes sermon, Everetts issued an alter call.
Would Gilbert begin giving 10% of his income to God’s
work?
Finally getting a chance to speak, Gilbert drew himself up
to his full theological stature at that youthful age and said,
“But, sir, we are Christian now. We are New Testament
people, not Old Testament. We are not under the Law; we are
under Grace.”
The old man replied with a question: “Young man, can
you show me a verse in the New Testament that says less
commitment is expected of a Christian under Grace than of a
Jew under the Law? If you can, I will gladly subscribe to
your position.”
Since Jesus spoke so often about the power of money to
distract us from God, why do the four gospel writers report
Jesus saying so little about tithing? He did not need to. Jesus
spoke primarily to Jewish people who for a thousand years
had assumed that they should give 10% of their incomes to
God.
However, in the one New Testament verse where Jesus
mention the tithe, he affirms its value. Upbraiding the
Pharisees because they think they are “super-spiritual,” Jesus
calls them hypocrites. They carefully gave God 10% of
everything — even their garden produce like dill, mint and
cumin. Yet, they failed to give their neighbors love, justice
and mercy. “These you ought to have practiced,” Jesus says,
“without neglecting the others” (Matthew 23:23), referring to
the tithe.
The Christian faith is an attitude of the heart, not just a
keeping of regulations. We give our money as an act of
worship. We give our money as a way of seeking God’s
spiritual kingdom first, not because a rule requires us to give
it. Yet, if Jesus assumes that giving 10% of your income is
important, does it not seem wise for each of us to consider its
value in strengthening our spiritual connection with God?
from Herb Miller, Stewardship Nuggets
The birth of Christ if the central event in the history of the
earth — the very thing the whole story has been about.
— C.S. Lewis
Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a
conspiracy of love.
— Hamilton W. Mabie
We find a delight in the beauty and happiness of children that
makes the heart too big for the body.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Church History: the Bell
First Presbyterian Church has two bells
on its property. The bell in the “bell cote”
was obtained by the Ava Myatt Sunday
school class in 1976. This bell hung in the
little white frame church on South Second
Street that was the first home of our church.
The class purchased the bell and arranged
for the erection of the bell cote that houses both the bell and
the cornerstone of that first church.
That original bell was a gift from early members Mr. and
Mrs. Henry L. Graves who had come by letter from Second
Presbyterian Church in Greensboro. They donated the bell
during the construction of the first church. At the time, they
were planning the celebration of their silver wedding
anniversary. They mailed invitations to their friends with the
following note at the bottom: “Mr. and Mrs. H.L.Graves are
buying a bell for the Smithfield Presbyterian Church, and a
contribution of silver money for the object, rather than a
piece of silver, will be greatly appreciated.”
When the new church was erected in 1950-51, everyone
wanted to work together to earn money for the construction.
The children asked to be included in the effort and wanted to
save their pennies to buy a bell to go in the church steeple. It
was not to be an ordinary bell but one that weighed about a
thousand pounds and had been forged in 1883 by a
Baltimore firm.
That bell had hung on the W.D.Avera farm near
Smithfield for many years. It had been used to call field
hands to lunch and to sound an alarm in case of
emergencies. Mrs. Avera wanted to donate the bell to the
church, but the children wanted to purchase the bell as their
gift. Therefore, the young children of the church gave their
pennies to Mrs. Avera in exchange for the bell.
The church is blessed with the continued presence of the
Avera family in the congregation today. Tom Avera’s
mother was the generous donor of the bell; Sue Booker and
Emma Gemmell are the granddaughters of Mrs. Avera.
Ann Huckenbeck
Nan Jones and Debbie Jacobs for helping
with pictorial directory reservations, snacks,
meals, and changes.
all members and friends who volunteered
to help with the directory.
Beth Osborne and Billy Duncan who serve us so faithfully
as Receiving and Disbursing Treasurers.
Anita Liverman for procuring the lovely silk trees in the
Great Hall.
Nancy Lee for once again making displays for All Saints’
Sunday.
Eve Creech and Betsy Olive for collecting Operation
Christmas Child shoeboxes, filling them, shopping for them
for other members, checking them for shipping fee, and
delivering them for us.
All members and friends who so generously donated
pantry items to the SECU Hospice House during November.
Hank Roberson and Nancy Lee for preparing the harvest
display in the sanctuary.
Nichole Booker for heading up JOY Connection.
Miriam Lore and Sarah Pate for preparing the elements for
communion.
Nancy Lee, Nan Jones, Hank Roberson and Teron Sloan
for decorating the sanctuary for Advent.
Annual Reports Due to SPRE December 1
Committee and Ministry Chairs are reminded
that 2011 Annual Reports are due electronically to
Debbie Jacobs, Chair of SPRE, by December 1,
2011. The committee is continuing to work on
compiling questions to be used on several church
visits requested by Session. The committee is also discussing
the current committee structure and formulating an
instrument for committees to use to evaluate current and
future programs and projects.
— Debbie Jacobs
Preschool Loves Thanksgiving and Christmas
Excitement is in the air! The children are all abuzz.
CHRISTMAS TIME! For preschool,
please read that to mean that we have
to work extra hard to remember the
rules because we are soooooooo
excited about the holiday season! We
strive to keep the changes to our
routine to a minimum during this
exciting time of the year. Routine is
good for children (of all ages—even
the young at heart). In December and
the holiday season, routine is often
traded in for glitter and lights and
candy and late nights. Whew! I’m
getting sleepy just thinking about it!
Pray for patience and peace and love as
we move about our daily routines.
During the month of November we
learned how we can help others by
collecting canned goods for our
local food pantry. Our motto for
this drive was one that we should
all adopt for life. Do a kind
deed; Help a friend in need.
Our older classes gathered
for a Thanksgiving feast in the
fellowship on November 19. We
shared food that we had made
with all classes. Our youngest
class feasted on November 20.
It is always an exciting time
when our two day class helps to
cook the feast. You are never too young to squish apples for
applesauce or mix the batter for muffins.
We are excited about our Christmas programs on
December 11 and 12. Both programs will be held at 6:00 p.m.
If you want a special blessing for the season, come listen to
the children sing. I guarantee there are not many experiences
like this! We expect the unexpected and are always pleased at
how the children shine when the spotlight is on them for this
special night.
December is our time to teach the children that there is so
much more to the season than what will be under the tree on
Christmas morning. We will be working on small surprises
for those in our families and in the community around us to
share the love of our sweet children during this special time
of the year.
And in the words of one holiday legend who will be
visiting with us at the beginning of this month, “Happy
Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
—Jennifer Jackson
Thanks to all
First Presbyterians
who donated shoe boxes to
Operation Christmas Child,
a program of Samaritans’ Purse.
We collected 78 shoe boxes
for this most worthy cause.
November Memorials for Shirley
McNeill, Stan Adams, Tony Capps,
Archie Crowder, Jeanie Langdon, John
Shallcross, Martha Wooten, Ned
Cunningham, Elaine Knoll, Sunnie
Chance, Winifred Shepard.
Donors: Bill and Joann Leist, Eve Creech, Board of
Deacons, Bett, Todd and Laura Muir, Billy Duncan, Beth and
Larry Osborne, John and Maxine McFadyen
Advent Readers and Candle Lighters
First Sunday of Advent – Jimmy and Bonnie Hooks
Second Sunday of Advent – Greg and Joyce Knoll
Third Sunday of Advent – Hubert and Judy Schmidt
Fourth Sunday of Advent – The Scott Holzshu Family
Christmas Eve – The Evans Horne Family
Finance Committee Informational Sessions
The Finance Committee, along with Building Committee
representatives, has scheduled two Informational Sessions to
provide church members with the Building Construction
Financial Analysis. These sessions will provide the actual
building expenditures versus our construction budget. In
addition, these sessions will discuss where we stand against
our pledge receipts, additional receipts, and remaining pledge
amounts expected from the Building Campaign. Also
included will be a discussion of the mortgage payments and
our current financial position.
These sessions have been scheduled for Sunday,
December 9, 2012, at 4:00 p.m. and Monday, December 10,
2012, at 7:00 p.m. Both sessions will be held in the
fellowship hall.
We hope you are as excited as we are to share our
milestone of the building completion, and we hope to see
everyone attend a session to share in our strong financial
situation regarding the Building Project.
—Bob Worsham
Cookies and a Picture with Santa!
When: Sunday, December 2,
3:00—5:00 p.m.
Where: Fellowship Hall
Cost: $5.00
Who: All are welcome!
A project of our preschool
Christmas in a Barn
Come celebrate with us at this year’s Christmas in a Barn
on December 16 at 5:30 p.m.
Ruth Bell will coordinate the program. If
you are interested in either participating as a
shepherd, angel, wise man, etc., or volunteering
to help dress the characters, set up or clean up,
please let Ruth know.
Brandy Holzshu is in charge of refreshments
and needs your help. If you are willing to
provide cookies, chips, popcorn, or other
snacks, please contact her. She will supply the hot chocolate.
These items should be at the church by end of worship on
December 16. Please put your name on any serving pieces you
want to be returned. You may pick them up on December 26
in the church kitchen.
Christmas in a Barn is one of our most beloved traditions.
Make plans now to attend.
— Ruth Bell
Christmas in a Barn
December 16
5:30 p.m.
Relay for Life Cookie Sale
On December 16, 2012 following worship, you can purchase a
tin then fill it up with Christmas cookies, fudge, brownies and
bars.
Needed: Volunteers to bake all
the goodies.
Look for: Sign-up sheet near
sale time to see all the kinds of
cookies
the volunteers are
baking. Remember: the greater the variety, the more there’ll
be to sample! For questions or suggestions, call Martha
Taylor, Dot Ellmore, Betsy Olive or Joy Worsham.
— Joy Worsham
A Service of Lessons
and Carols
Christmas Eve
7:00 p.m.
Aubrey Hairr
Aubrey Hairr, daughter of
Eddie and Shanda Hairr, will soon
turn six and lost her first tooth the
morning after Halloween. She was
very excited to leave
her first tooth for the
Tooth Fairy. Her
i nterests
include
ballet, drawing, coloring, painting, playing
with dolls, dressing up, playing the piano
and writing and illustrating stories. Aubrey
is very creative and loves to perform music
and dance for her family.
“Some of my favorite things at church
are having God with me, and I’m glad I’m a
Christian. I love KICKS because we talk
about Jesus and the poor people and how
we can help them. I like having Mommy
and Ms. Debbie for my Sunday school
teacher because they love me.. Of course Mommy loves
me, but Ms. Debbie loves me, too,” says Aubrey.
Let Aubrey know how glad we are she is a part of our
church family the next time you see her.
of November Stated Session Meeting
Approved new officer training on January 4-5,
2013. All current and incoming officers are
encouraged to attend.
· Approved Continuing Education leave for the
pastor on November 25-29, 2012. Cameron
Womack will preach in his absence.
· Approved vacation leave for the pastor on
December 9-13, 2012. Cameron Womack will
preach in his absence.
· Received a report from Elder Commissioner
Nichole Booker from the October Presbytery
meeting.
· Approved collecting donations to offset the costs of
purchasing snacks for Fellowship Hour. It was
recommended that for the remainder of 2012 the
costs be assigned to the Fellowship Meals line
item, but beginning in 2013, Session asked Finance
to add a line item to the budget specifically for
Fellowship snacks so that the costs can be tracked.
· Approved not allocating the benevolence donation
to the preschool as it has done in the past since the
finances for the preschool are self-sustaining.
· Approved receiving the gift of a grand piano from
Dorothy Onisko, with thanks, and agreed to pay the
costs of moving and installing the piano.
· Approved moving the December stated meeting to
1:00 p.m. on December 16, 2012, and including the
elders-elect and a covered dish lunch.
· Approved the Finance Committee holding two
informational sessions for the congregation to
receive the Financial Analysis of the Building
Project.
If you have item you wish to be brought before Session,
please contact Debbie Jacobs or an elder.
—Debbie Jacobs
·
From the Handbell Director
The handbell choir is really enjoying our new space. We
now have a secure place for all the equipment and set-up time
has been cut in half when everything we need is
in the same room! We owe a special thanks to
Bill Sharek and his elves for the finishing
touches on the room – getting someone to pull
out a worrisome wrinkle in the carpet, figuring
out how to lock up handbell supplies, and
installing additional lighting above the handbell
tables.
We also appreciate all the good help in
setting up and putting away equipment on the Sunday of the
dedication service. Do you realize everything was moved
downstairs after worship, set up and ready to go in about 20
minutes? That’s got to be some kind of record.
We welcome Troy Lester and Patrick Templeton to the
bell choir. We are fortunate to have so much talent and
enthusiasm to pull from in our congregation and hope they
will enjoy their time with us as much as we enjoy having them
on board.
I hope you will enjoy the music we’ve chosen this year.
We’ve tried for a variety of familiar hymn tunes, as well as
some original compositions, and, coming soon, some really
nice Christmas arrangements. As always we are grateful for
your continued support of the handbell program.
—Kathy Rice
Sunday Fellowship Time
Each Sunday morning between Sunday school and
Worship we have an opportunity for coffee, hot chocolate,
snacks and fellowship with one another. The Building
Officers, Sunday School teachers and Christian Education
Committee work hard to make sure this happens. You will
notice a “donation” basket out each week. Please donate some
pocket change to help us offset the costs of this event.
Thanks!
December JOY Connection Carol Sing
What a better way to get into the Christmas spirit than a
delicious meal and caroling? Please join us
Thursday, December 6, at noon for a free
catered meal and music. Once again Camille
Boone and Myra Wallace will lead us in a
carol sing, and Benny Pope and Rich
Huckenbeck will be there, too, as an added
treat.
JOY Connection is a program offered to anyone in the
community age 55 and older, so bring a friend and prepare
yourself for a great time of food and fellowship!
—Nichole Booker
A little child,
A shining star,
A stable rude,
The door ajar.
Yet in the place
So crude, forlorn,
The Hope of all the world
Was born.
— Anonymous
Greetings from the Director of Music!
The season of giving is upon us! What
a wonderful time of year, when everyone is
so concerned with giving to others and
being thankful for gifts they have received.
I have so much for which to give thanks
this year. Unexpectedly added to my list
was a remarkably generous gift from Mrs.
Dorothy Onisko; she donated her Baldwin grand piano to
the church. For those who are unfamiliar with Baldwin
pianos, they are among the top brands of pianos made in
the United States! A gift of this reach would go far beyond
we could have afforded in our budget, and we’ll forever be
grateful to her for her generosity.
This year, with the building project, I have seen a
spirit of giving that is almost unbelievable. From all
corners of this church, I have seen gifts of time, talents,
work, and finances culminate in the success of the project.
And they have melded into something for which we can
all give thanks – a beautiful facility.
But beyond the building, beyond the piano, I am most
thankful for a group of talented musicians who give of
their time Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings. Myra
and the choir are so dedicated, and their work and
commitment pays off each Sunday. Of course, I would be
remiss not to include the beautiful music Kathy Rice and
the Handbell Choir prepare. We are truly blessed to have
such a wonderful ministry!
Now we enter the season of Advent, when we look for
the Christ child to come! It is a season filled with wonder
and expectation. Of course, we’re planning the traditional
Christmas Eve evening service of Lessons and Carols, and
the choir has already begun working on the music. I hope
to see you there!
Peace,
Dwight
O music, thou hast taught us to see with our ears and
hear with our hearts.
—Kahlil Gibran
Youth Meals
We have our youth meals planned for December, but
we are currently filling out our January schedule. If you,
some of your friends or a group of folks are willing to
provide a meal for our youth at their Sunday night
meeting, please contact Nan Jones at [email protected]
or at 919-634-7455.
Thank you!
— Nan Jones
SPRE
SPRE has been working on compiling committee
evaluations. As a reminder, SPRE would like for
committee chairs to submit their
evaluations as soon as possible.
Also, committees are working on
their 2012 Annual Reports. The
SPRE Committee will present a report to the elders and
elder-elects at the December Stated Session Meeting about
their visits to area churches.
— Debbie Jacobs
Communications and Technology Update
Greetings from the Communications and Technology
Committee! We have completed the portrait sessions for
the pictorial directory. I have enjoyed working on this
process thus far, but have many people to thank. I realize
our work is far from done, but I feel compelled to go
ahead and thank those who have worked so diligently
during this phase. I first want to thank the committee
members who have steadfastly given of their time and
talents to get this project organized and underway. I
specifically must thank Debbie Jacobs for keeping us
organized and focused as well as being there for anything
this project needs. Thank you goes out to Wayne
Dockery for his photography skills as we finish taking
photos in and around the church of members, facilities
and events.
I need to give a HUGE shout out to those members
who volunteered as hosts or hostesses. My sincerest
appreciation goes out to Camille Boone, Eve Creech,
Caitlin Dockery, Wayne Dockery, Debbie Henderson,
Ann Huckenbeck, Rich Huckenbeck, Will Jones, Nancy
Lee, Judy Miller, Sarah Pate, Judy Schmidt, Hubert
Schmidt, and Joy Worsham. Thanks to all of you for
your willingness to volunteer your time and energy!!
Lastly, we did have some donations of canned goods to
go to the Smithfield Area Ministries food closet. Another
big thank you goes to Gene and Mary Miller for offering
to deliver the goods to the food closet. I look forward to
sharing more information with you as we begin the
process of designing the directory and completing the
project.
— Nan Jones
Friends,
We thank you for the many ways that you
supported us during Sunnie's illness and after her
death. Your outpouring of prayers, cards, visits,
encouraging words, and stitches were overwhelming
and a comfort in our time of need. The service and
reception were a beautiful and fitting celebration of
her life, and your generous memorial gifts that
followed will make sure that her legacy lives on in
the mission of the organizations that she loved.
The Chance Family
Heavenly Light
The first colored electric lights on outdoor evergreen
trees appears in Denver in 1914. The tradition began
thanks to a sick boy bedridden in the top floor of his
home. Ten-year-old David Sturgeon couldn’t see his
family’s Christmas tree, so his grandfather, a pioneering
electrician, painted some light bulbs red and green and
strung them on a tree outside David’s window.
Not only did the lights brighten what would be
David’s last holiday, but residents throughout the city
came by to admire the display. Just as David’s innovative
grandfather brought light into a boy’s darkness, God
revealed the true light by sending Jesus into our dark
world: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness
shall not overcome it.” (John 1:5)
Dear First Presbyterian Church,
I am writing to thank you so much for participating in our Operation Pantry here at Hospice House. You all brought an impressive
load of snacks and meals for our patient families, and I cannot tell you
how very much they will be appreciated. Every time I see a weary
person wander into the kitchen and easily find something to sustain
themselves for a few more hours, I am reminded of the generosity of
those who contribute.
My goal is to keep the Hospice House connected to our area
churches so that we can partner together in ministry to “the least of
these.” If there is ever a time when I can help you, offer a tour,
speak to your congregation, or anything else, please don’t hesitate to
call. I am always happy to find ways that we can walk together in
Christ’s name!
Blessings,
Kristin Lassiter
Editor’s note: The pastor conveys his sincere gratitude to the
congregation for their generous response to our participation
in Operation Pantry and participating in this opportunity to
reach out to those in need.
Hopes and Fears
The singing of sacred Christmas carols are
a cherished tradition, but during times of
sorrow and struggle, some lyrics may seem
hard to swallow. “O come, all ye faithful,
joyful and triumphant”? Where is the joy
when my loved one has just died? Where is
the triumph is I’ve lost my job? “Silent night,
holy night, all is calm . . .”? Not in my house,
you may say; I’m exhausted.
Yet listen:
And ye beneath life’s crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low . . .
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow,
Look now! for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing:
O rest beside the weary road,
And hear the angels sing.
(It Came Upon the Midnight Clear)
Truly, God reaches out to the happy and hurting alike.
“The hopes and fears of all the years are met” and gathered up
in the Babe of Bethlehem, who shares our joys and troubles.
There are Christmas carols for us all.
—adapted from Newsletter Newsletter
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,
which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in
swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host
praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
— Luke 2: 11-14
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came
wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
Saying, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to
worship him .”
. . . When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went
before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother and fell down
and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts: gold
and frankincense and myrrh.
— Matthew 2: 1-2; 9-11
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
DECEMBER 2012
First Presbyterian Church
PO Box 1159
Smithfield, NC 27577
NON-PROFIT STD MAIL
USPOSTAGE
SMITHFIELD, NC 27577
PERMIT #93