PRESBYTERIAN PROFILES

First Presbyterian Church
SUNDAY SCHEDULE
8:45 am Worship
9:45 am Church School
11:00 am Worship
Nursery Provided
Return Service Requested
______________________________________________________________________________
DECEMBER 2006
______________________________________________________________________________
PRESBYTERIAN
PROFILES
Office hours are:
Monday—Friday 9:00 am—12:00
1:00 pm– 3:00 pm
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
659 STATE STREET
HOLLAND MI 49423-5158
659 State Street Holland Michigan 49423
Tel (616) 392-9022 Fax (616) 392-8817
www.fpcholland.org
NON-PROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
HOLLAND MI 49423
PERMIT #8
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
Women’s Group
The Advent Paradox
“It’s a paradox”, the editorialist wrote. On the day after Thanksgiving
Americans go shopping but in Iraq, Shiite, Sunnis, Christian, and Kurdish
citizens as well as American soldiers are dying in both body and soul. In a
season when families are gathering, feasting, gifting, and enjoying, the veil
separating this charmed existence of plenty from an out-of-hand tragedy with
roots in our country’s policies, thickens. The veil becomes a wall to allow an
undisturbed Holiday season. It’s just too much for us to take in, this paradox.
The season of Advent invites us to move our spirits to the other side of
the wall and recognize the gloomy hopelessness of an imperfect, despairing
world. As the saying goes, we don’t want to “go there”, but “there” is where
the promised Messiah will come. “There” is where Jesus was first born: into a
society oppressed, war-torn, and living in poverty. “There” is where God chose
to appear: to a people “walking in darkness”.
The paradox of Advent is that Christians are asked to wait and watch in
darkness for the Light of the World. Spiritually speaking, Advent is not a way
to lengthen the Christmas season, but a way to prepare so that when the Light
does come, we will recognize it as the Redeemer of the World and not be
distracted by artificial lights, however beautiful they are.
What is the darkness in which you walk this season? What are the
aspects of your life into which you long for the Light of the World to shine?
For me, that place is a war-weary world, and the hopelessness I feel in its
shadow.
The following is the schedule for the Women’s Group for the remainder of 2006
and January 2007…
December 6 We will join the First Presbyterian Women at Raleigh Woods on
James Street and Beeline for their Christmas Luncheon (noon -2PM).
Linda Knieriemen will be the guest speaker.
December 20 & January 3 No meeting. Happy Holidays!
January 17
Soup Making Event – this will be a fun productive meeting of
making a variety of soups for our freezers. A cost will be involved for the
groceries. See more details in the January Profiles or contact Amy Berarducci. We
will do this in the church kitchen 9:30-11:30 AM and child care will be available.
Hope you are able to join us!
BOOK CLUB will not meet in December. The January 28th book will be
Cage of Stars by Jacquelyn Mitchard.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
KIDS CHOIR—all groups together will sing Christmas Carols in the preschool
room on December 10 & 17. No choir if there is no Church School.
Let this be our prayer….. Come, Lord Jesus.
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ELDERS
OUTREACH
CHRISTMAS GIVING OPPORTUNITIES - As described in November
Profiles we are giving gifts to local nursing home residents and to our transitional
housing family. This is occurring right now. A mitten tree will be in the narthex
for mittens and hats for local needy children and the Christmas Joy Offering will be
received December 24. This is one of the four special offerings of the Presbyterian
Church USA and is divided between Minority Presbyterian Schools and helping
needy retired church workers (before there were decent pensions). Inserts with
examples will be in the bulletin. Please give generously to those less fortunate than
we are.
Elsie Bergstrom
UPDATE FROM OUTREACH COUNCIL
• Reciprocal Language Program funding—will commit to $3000 for 2007 but
cannot do $4000 as asked for until we have results of the Stewardship
campaign.
• Community Kitchen continues to be very very busy, serving 150+ people each
day at lunch. Sign-up sheet to volunteer in the Narthex. Call Elsie Bergstrom
for information.
• Transitional Housing families—we are helping one family at present. They are
part of our Christmas gift offering also. The wife of this family is looking for
ways to earn money to return to Vietnam to visit a dying father. Any
suggestions, call Linda Pynnonen.
• The session approved $3000 from the Endowment fund interest for Habitat for
Humanity.
They are requesting gifts in kind. Call Matt Webber.
• Care Closet is very very busy. Please remember your items for the basket each
Sunday.
• Mission trip—Dale Wyngarden and Bob Martin chairing. See additional
article.
• Christmas gifts and our transitional housing family. There will be a mitten tree
in the narthex and the Christmas Joy Offering will be received December 24.
See additional article.
Outreach Council meets the third Wednesday each month at 7 pm. (No December
meeting). We welcome new members.
NOVEMBER BLANKETS—almost 40 blankets were given to Community
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Action House. Thank you to all.
DEACONS
Business Affairs
Chris Polich
Parish 1
Vern Gebben
Personnel
Rich Lievense
Parish 2
Terri Borgman
Christian Ed.
Sandy Updegraff
Parish 3
Nancy Staal
Lori Klinesteker
Parish 4
Robin Geiger
Elsie Bergstrom
Parish 5
Lynn Wildt
Bob Smart
Parish 6
Jo Ann Petersen
Mike Berarducci
Parish 7
Erwin Gutsell
Ann Meengs
Parish 8
Larry Briggance
Jim Best
Parish 9
Priscilla Grinwis
Mary Deenik
Parish 10
Gene Karn
Congregational
Life
Bart Shumaker
Parish 11
Lynette Van Oss
Hospitality
Ellen Cuthbertson
Parish 12
Jan Goodwin
Parish 13
Marnie Pierce
Parish 14
Will Kramer
Parish 15
Marilyn Lynn
Outreach
Stewardship
Worship
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN STAFF
Linda Knieriemen, Pastor
Matt Webber, Associate Pastor
Ned Pierson, Parish Associate
Vicki Best, Office Manager
Chuck Norris, Director of Music
Jan Hasselbring, Organist
Nancy Burkitt, Child Care
Thom Samuelson, Maintenance & Grounds
Carol Disselkoen, Bookkeeper
Hope Alexander, Custodian
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[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
BUSINESS AFFAIRS
12-1
Kyle Magennis
12-21
Jeff Gehres
12-3
Jen Laux, Alan Martens,
Amanda Best, Andrew
Wagner
12-22
Tom Glover, Jack Burkholder
12-4
Bob Martin, Alex Updegraff
12-23
Arloa Wirbel, Jennifer Bussey,
Abigail Wallar
12-5
Ida Kompsie,
Deb Schutmaat
12-24
Dave Benedict, Mary Robertson
12-7
Patrick Hayes,
Madeline Van Houzen
12-27
Len Bergstrom, Bernard
Mulder, Fred Birdsall, Elizabeth Walters.
12-8
Amanda Richardson,
Rachael Johnson
12-28
Tom Urbaniak
12-9
Elsie Bergstrom
12-29
Susan Smith
12-10
Bill Evenson,
Kevin Chambers
12-30
Ellen Cuthbertson,
Judith Matuszewski
12-11
Stacey Williams
12-31
Bill Robertson, Nancy Kreple
Kathryn Malmstadt
12-12
Barbara Scholten
12-13
Marlene Oswald, Bob Smart
12-14
Sophia Blackburn
12-16
Larry Lynn
12-18
Bob Kompsie, Dawn
Mulder, James Oswald
12-19
Jim Smith
12-20
Nathanael Anderson
•
•
Over the next few months, the Adult Bible Study room will under go a little
updating and sprucing up. Thank you to Mary George for her creative ideas.
Good Stewards. We are called by God to be good stewards of the creation.
One way we thought we could as a church partake in this calling is to join as a
member of the Michigan Interfaith Power & Light Coalition. Among other
things, this group conducts free energy audits. Over the next several months we
will participate in an energy audit to determine what we might be able to do to
prevent the waste of energy and save the church money.
Chris Polich
Befrienders Ministry Update
We all have had those feelings…overwhelmed by the “stuff of life”. Whatever the
circumstances that give you these feelings may be, whether it is job loss, moving,
loss of a friend or loved one, divorce, trouble with children, or simply just someone
who will listen to you, the Befrienders Ministry is available for you.
Often, just when things are going well, when life seems to be on ‘cruise control’,
we are suddenly awakened from that dream to a new reality. We handle these
“shocks to the system” in different ways. Some people seem to go over the hurdle
and keep moving. Others feel as though the weight of the world is on their shoulders and theirs alone. It is for times like this when we feel as though we cannot fit
anything else on our plate that we could use a little help.
When serious shocks happen many people turn to prayer. We try to seek out understanding through God. While we find comfort in this and can feel listened to on
a spiritual level, the earthly pain is still in front of us and we wonder “why”? That
is where Befriender Ministry can help. Listening is one of the greatest gifts we
have. To listen helps us get to know someone on a deeper/more spiritual level. To
be listened to makes us feel appreciated, cared for, understood, and loved.
The Befrienders Ministry team has now completed their training. We are led by
Pastor Linda, Joy Oyler, and Lynn Wildt. Four other members of the congregation
have volunteered, completed training, and have now been commissioned by the
congregation to serve. They are Ned Pierson, Marilyn Chamberlin, Floyd Westendorp, and Jan Goodwin. If you, or someone you know, needs a listening ear feel
free to contact Pastor Linda. Referrals come from you through her to our
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Befrienders Team.
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MISSION TRIP
Does heading South in the winter sound appealing? Have we got a deal for
you! We are tentatively scheduled for another week-long mission trip to continue
Katrina relief efforts the week of February 11 through 17. Last February, eleven
of us went to stay at a small church in Mobile, Alabama, and work in the vicinity
of Gautier, Mississippi, under the coordinating efforts of the Gautier Presbyterian
Church. After 16 months of non-stop relief work, the 32-member church in
Gautier is phasing out their relief coordination to focus on some of their own
congregational needs. Cleanup and restoration needs still abound, however,
especially as you move from Gautier, which was at the easterly fringe of Katrina's
direct impact, westerly toward Gulfport and Pass Christian, which was the
epicenter of the storm's landfall.
The Handsboro Presbyterian Church in Gulfport is still running a full-time relief
coordination program and has an opening the week beginning February 11 at the
Long Beach Presbyterian Church. Long Beach is about 10 miles west of Gulfport,
and half way between Gulfport and Pass Christian. The church appears to be about
four blocks inland from the Gulf, and we will be working in close proximity to
this home base. If your days of tenting with an air mattress and sleeping bag are
behind you, take heart. The Long Beach church has bunks, kitchen facilities, hot
water, and flush toilets.
THANKS
Overflowing thanks to everyone who came and helped us pack and move last Saturday! Your kindness and generous gift of time and laughter were absolutely
wonderful. We love you all and appreciate everything that you have done for us.
With hope for all shalom to you.
Bill, Karen and Elisa La Barge
LITURGIST SCHEDULE
12-3
8:45 Peg Kennedy Dygas
11:00 Ellen Cuthbertson
12-17 8:45 Will Kramer
11:00 Judy Faber
12-10 8:45 Elsie Bergstrom
11:00 Mary Bennett
12-24 8:45
11:00 Jamie Harrington
12-31 8:45
11:00 Abraham Nkhata
OUR CHURCH FAMILY
BIRTHS
Anika & Keaton Melcher, twins of Cadie
George & Bob Melcher born on 11-19.
To a person, those who went last year will tell you that if we embarked with a
handful of blessing for those we assisted, we returned with a basket load of blessing from what they gave back to us, and from the fellowship we experienced
among our team. Details of work assignments will come later, but if you think
skills might limit your contribution, think otherwise. If you can handle a broom or
dustpan you can make a difference. An informational meeting will be scheduled
within the coming weeks, but if you are interested or simply curious, corner Bob
Martin or Dale Wyngarden and tell them.
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PARISH EIGHT PARTY REMINDER
Parish Eight members are invited to welcome in the season at the home of Larry
and Kay Briggnace, 4557 Audubon Road, Holland. The party will take place
Sunday afternoon, December 10, from 3:00—5:00 pm.
IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
Jeannette
Gage
Marge
Travis
FREEDOM VILLAGE INN
Birdella Clark Trudy
Stewart
145 Columbia Ave. Suite 1, Holland 49423
Frances
Martin
RESTHAVEN 49 E 32nd St. Room 127, Holland 49423
Shirley Judd
OAKCREST MANOR 11909 James St., Holland 49424
Joyce
Scholten
HERITAGE HEALTH CARE 320 Central Ave., Zeeland
49464
Bob
Jacobusse
Mary Noe
FOUNTAIN VIEW 340 W 40th St. Bldg 4, Holland 49423
Ermal Reed
4000 N Michigan Rd. Dimondale MI 48821
James Arndt
829 Apple Blossom Lane, Holland 49423
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YOUTH
With the fun and excitement of Advent and Christmas fast approaching, the
youth groups of the church are keeping busy. The Mid-High group is busy learning
about how they might be agents of change in the world during Sunday school and
how their passion may manifest itself into something amazing and revolutionary,
even at their young age. In Youth group, they have been learning about the importance of prayer and are becoming familiar with the words of the Lord’s Prayer as
well as the prayer’s history. The group also has two new additions. The Sunday
school class is enjoying new teacher Krista Anderson and the Youth Group is
happy to welcome Fran Rosensteel to its Wednesday night meetings.
The High School Youth Group has a very full calendar for the upcoming
month and January. The group, along with participating in pop-can Sunday, is starting to collect items for the care closet and one can expect a fun minute for mission
coming up about that. Also, the High School youth have been addressing the ways
in which society impacts their lives and how they can bring this anxiety to youth
group, address it there in a healthy environment, and take what they have learned
back into the adventures of teenage life. All of these lessons will come together in a
retreat for the youth in the middle of January.
As always, the youth of First Presbyterian Church are a blessing and add
joy to each and every life they touch.
OUR 50TH ANNIVERSARY IS COMING!
As we celebrate the last 50 years of our church and look forward to many more, a
50th Anniversary Planning Team is forming and would love celebration
suggestions, stories, and photographs from all of you. We all have wonderful
memories of First Presbyterian, so please share them with Vicki and she will
forward them to us! First Presbyterian Church was officially constituted as a member church of the presbytery on June 28, 1958. We will have many ways to celebrate our 50th year from June 2007 to June 2008 but MARK SATURDAY, JUNE
28, 2008 on your calendars for an evening of celebration as well as
SUNDAY, JUNE 29, 2008 for a worship service of celebration, thanksgiving, and
joy as we look ahead.
Diane Bergstrom Johnson
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PRESCHOOL HAPPENINGS
We have a lot to be thankful for at our preschool and here is a glimpse at what went
on in November…
• The Thanksgiving Feast at preschool was a hit with an overflowing of goodness
in the cornucopia.
• Miss Megan made a teepee for the children to learn about and play in.
The 4 year old classes were fortunate to be able to visit the Outdoor Discovery
Center and learn about Native Americans thanks to Travis and Stephanie Williams.
Coming up in December…
Invitation to the 16th Annual First Presbyterian Preschool Santa’s Breakfast…
Saturday, December 9th, serving 8:30-10:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall. Maybe
someone in your family was a previous FPP student or you have young children
now that would love the activities and seeing Santa or maybe you just love pancakes and the excitement of the holiday season. Whatever it is, we would like to
extend an invitation to our church family to join us. Your $4/person (Children 2
and under free) cost includes a pancake breakfast and activities for the children in
the Elf Room. We will also have our annual bake sale. More information is on the
board in the narthex with registration requests. An envelope is available for
registration and prepayment. We will be prepared to accept payment at the door
also. Hope you can make it!
And of course celebrating and decorating for the Christmas season is always
evident at preschool throughout the month.
We are blessed with wonderful teachers in Miss Julie and Miss Megan, and they
put up a wish list in the coatroom during December for items that they would like
to have in the classroom as a gift from a family rather than something personal for
them. If you are interested in checking out the list, please feel free to do so.
Thank you to the Bill and Jane Frauenheim family for donating their Duplo Legos
that they are finished with so that the preschool can enjoy them. If you are cleaning
closets and toy boxes and have Duplo Legos that are no longer being played with,
the preschool would gladly use them. Please leave them in the church office with a
note of your name on them.
Merry Christmas!
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Sun
Mon
Tue
3
8:45 am Worship
9:45 am Church School
11:00 am Worship
Lord’s Supper
5:30 pm Advent Night
POP CAN SUNDAY
4
12:00 A.A. & Al-Anon
2:00 pm PW Study Leaders
7:00 pm Craft & Chat
7:00 pm Pathway
10
8:45 am Worship-Choir Program
9:45 am Church School
11:00 am Worship
Choir Program
17
8:45 am Worship
9:45 am Church School
11:00 am Worship
5
12:00 A.A.
6:30 pm RLP
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
7:00 am Men’s Bible Study
12:00 A.A.
5:45 pm Kids Choir
6:30 pm Adult\ Recovery
2
9
Santa’s Breakfast
12:00 A.A. & Al-Anon
6
7
8
12:00 PW Lunccheon
12:00 A.A. & Al-Anon
A
12:00 A.A.
6:30 pm RLP
7:30 pm Deacons
7:30 pm Congregational Life
12:00 A.A.
12:00 A.A. & Al-Anon
6:30 pm Adult Recovery
7:15 pm Choir
6:30 pm Midwaay High
6:30 pm Stewarrdship
11
12:00 A.A. & Al-Anon
7:00 pm Session
7:00 pm Craft & Chat
Boy Scouts
12
12:00 A.A.
6:30 pm RLP
13
9:30 am Miriam
m Circle
12:00 A.A. & Al-Anon
A
6:30 pm Midwaay High
14
12:00 A.A.
6:30 pm RLP
7:30 pm Worship Council
15
7:00 am Men’s Bible Study
16
12:00 A.A.
6:30 pm Adult Recovery
12:00 A.A & Al-Anon
18
12:00 A.A. & Al-Anon
7:00 pm Craft & Chat
7:30 pm Business Affairs
Boy Scouts
19
12:00 A.A.
20
21
12:00 A.A.
6:30 pm RLP
22
23
12:00 A.A. & Al–Anon
Boy Scouts
Compassionate Friends
6:30 pm RLP
7:15 pm Choir
12:00 A.A. & Al-Anon
A
6:30 pm Midwaay High
12:00 A.A.
6:30 pm Adult Recovery
7:30 pm Hospittality
24
8:45 am Worship
11:00 am Worship
5:30 pm Worship
11:00 pm Worship
Profile Deadline
25
12:00 A.A. & Al-Anon
26
12:00 A.A.
6:30 pm RLP
7:15 pm Choir
OFFICE CLOSED
27
12:00 A.A. & Al-Anon
A
6:30 pm Midwaay
28
9:00 am Profile folders
12:00 A.A.
6:30 pm RLP
29
7:00 am Men’s Bible Study
12:00 A.A. & Al-Anon
12:00 A.A.
31
8:45 am Worship
11:00 am Worship
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30
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