ICHTHUS December 2012 - Smithfield First Presbyterian Church
Transcription
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