Sunday, December 2nd John the Baptist and the Risk of Listening

First Presbyterian Church of Columbus, Georgia
Sunday, December 2nd
John the Baptist and the Risk of Listening
Sunday, December 9th
Mary and the Risk of Surrendering
Sunday, December 16th
Joseph and the Risk of Forgiving
and Trusting
Sunday, December 23rd
Shepherds and the Risk of Sharing Faith
December 2012
Monday, December 24th
Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion
Services 4:30 & 6:30 p.m.
Jesus and the Risk of Incarnation
Sunday, December 30th
Simeon and the Risk of Waiting
Sunday, January 6th
The Magi and the Risk of Worship
The anticipation and joy of Christmas hang in the air. We are not quite ready, however,
to celebrate. Instead of heading straight to Bethlehem to hear the angels sing and worship
the Christ child, Advent takes us on a journey through some challenging terrain. When we
take this path, we discover Christmas is risky business. Not only for us but for God; who
out of His great love for us, sent His only Son to earth, as an infant who will grow to be our
Savior. Talk about a risk! We take a risk when we resolved to let go of control and let God
lead our lives. Why not decide to take a risk this Advent and Christmas season and follow
where the Holy Spirit leads? It is a risk worth taking.
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INSPIRE
Christmas Breakfast
Advent & Christmas
Come join us for our annual Christmas
Sunday, December 16 – 3rd Sunday of Advent
Christmas Breakfast 9:30 a.m.
No Sunday School
Sunday, December 16
at 9:30 a.m. in the gym
Breakfast featuring Rennie Bickerstaff’s
country ham along with other awesome
foods. The 10:30 a.m. band will be back
and there may even be a guest appearance by Frosty himself. Along with all the
fun, it’s a great time to reconnect with
friends.
Wednesday, December 19
Church-wide Caroling at the Ralston
Thursday, December 20 – Advent Lunch Series
Rev. Adam Borneman, Teaching Pastor
Second Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, AL
Sunday, December 23 – 4th Sunday of Advent
No Sunday School
Christmas Eve
Monday, December 24 – Christmas Eve
Candlelight Communion Services
4:30 p.m. Children & Youth Choirs
6:30 p.m. Adult Choir
Candlelight Communion
Services
Tuesday, December 25
Merry Christmas!
4:30 p.m.
featuring
Children & Youth Choirs
6:30 p.m.
featuring
the Adult Choir
INSPIRE
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TSYS until he came to work at First Presbyterian.
and telling those he comes in contact with how great
God has been to him and how he knows God is on his
side.
To show our love and support for James and to help
remind us to keep him in our prayers, Rev. Hasty
suggested we order white bracelets to help us “band
together” with James. While white represents lung
cancer, each bracelet is also inscribed with God is Able
Daniel 3:17 JTW (James’ initials). This passage is often
referenced by James as he reminds us that “whether or
not God chooses to heal me, God is able to heal me.”
And James is trusting Him to do just that!
Members of James’ church are also wearing these
bands as a sign of love, support and encouragement to
him. There are a few bracelets still available in the
reception hall if you would like one.
James would like to thank everyone for their prayers
and support. He is very grateful for the outpouring of
love that has been shown to him all the years he’s been
here, but especially now.
James has given a lot of his life to help others and
now we are able to give back to him through our
prayers and support. If you would like to send him a
card or letter, you may do so:
James Wade
5808 Valleybrook Road
Columbus, GA 31907
James may have been working here for a long time,
but he is more than a fixture, he is a friend to all. Everyone knows James−from the youngest to the oldest.
October 9th of this year, James was diagnosed with
Squamous Cell Lung Cancer.
He began radiation treatments in mid-November and
is on his third week of chemo,
but you wouldn’t know it by
looking at him or hearing him
talk about his life. He is upbeat and jovial, continually
thanking God for his blessings
Our Salvation Army Kettle collected $3,250.56 for our
week at Wal-Mart!!! We also saved the Salvation Army
$450 by filling the week with volunteers!! They are so
appreciative of our help and our Mission Ministry is
grateful to those who participated as well.
James Wade began working at First Presbyterian
over 16 years ago, but he grew up a little farther north,
in West Virginia, working in the coal mines, then managing a pizza parlor until his parents became ill and
needed a full-time caretaker. James devoted many
years of his life to the care of his parents. When his
father passed away, his mother moved to Columbus
to allow his brother to take over her care, but shortly
thereafter, James joined his family here. He worked
for Doctor’s Hospital on the housekeeping staff for
five years then he was promoted to Central Supply.
After leaving the hospital, he spent several years at
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INSPIRE
December Service Project
Mitten Tree
December’s Emphasis is on
for Open Door Community House
Christmas Sing-A-Long
Thursday, December 20th
CARING ENOUGH TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT SOMEONE ELSE’S NEED.
FX2:42 Schedule for December/January
December 19
Family Caroling at the Ralston
December 26
No FX2:42
January 2
No FX2:42
January 9
Iona Service of Healing
January 16
FX2:42 Family Experience
11:30 a.m. around the tree
January 23
FX2:42 Bible Study
in the Reception Hall
January 30
FX2:42 Bible Study
December 24 – January 9
INSPIRE
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December
19
Caroling at the Ralston
23
No SNL! (family time)
24
Christmas Eve Candlelight
Communion Services
4:30 – Children & Youth Choirs
6:30 – Adult Choir
25
Merry Christmas!!!!
26
No Church Family Supper or
Activities
30
No SNL! (family time)
Our youth group went shopping to buy Thanksgiving food for
two families who are unable to afford food for themselves.
Youth Summer Trips
It’s time to start thinking about summer trips
for our youth! This year we will be planning
for the following trips:
Chattanooga Mission Trip − July 6-12
Triennium − July 16-20
(students currently in grades 8-12)
High School Montreat − June 9-15
(Presbytery Trip)
Middle School Montreat − July 24-28
Our beautiful Chrismon Tree was decorated by our Youth
in loving memory of Terrell Tuggle Adams (September 12,
1956−September 20, 2012).
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INSPIRE
Year End Reminder
WE ARE CALLED
CAMPAIGN UPDATE
As of Wednesday, December 12th, we
have received 215 pledge cards totaling
$1,202,136.72. The average pledge is
$5,591. This represents a 11% increase
over the same pledges last year. We have
reached 84.5% of our goal.
88 Increased their pledge
71 Remained the same
36 Decreased their pledge
20 New Pledges
215 Total Pledges
Clare Bowles
In order to receive contribution credit for the year 2012,
please be reminded that all
monies must either be
received in the church office
or postmarked no later than
Monday, December 31st. All
donations of stock must be transferred on or
before that date as well. The church office will be
open until 5 p.m. on Monday, December 31st.
Contributions received after December 31st will
be credited to the year 2013.
Bonnie, Kevin & Nyla Reherman
Zeke Schriver
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INSPIRE
December Anniversaries and Birthdays
1
Terry Whitaker
Judy Dean
Mitchell Jarrett
Will Richards
13 Mary Margaret Stone
Edgar Chancellor, III
Samuel Coffin
2
Edith Pignato
Jack Norman
14 Jeanne Johnson
Ed Adams
Lew Sheilds
Hendley Badcock
3
Cal & Virginia Holman
Ted Neumeister
Tyler Rogers
15 Lisa Powers
27 Robert & Tootie Bickerstaff
Bunky & Cherry Pease
Cecil & Terry Whitaker
Katherine Kimbrough
Madden Hatcher, Jr.
Laurie Billiot
Ed Adams, III
Lindsey Bauler
Cain Harrelson
Laura Chapman
Benton Bruce
16 Diane Andrews
4
5
Rick Peebles
Richard Doub
Suzanne Saunders
Julie Straus
Berry Wells
Charlie Straus
Minna Straus
Boyd Bickerstaff
6
Kathy Peebles
7
Frank & Tamie Lumpkin
Carol Jackson
Bob Elliott, Jr.
Chase Pennington
8
9
Eleanor Grear
Bill Poovey, Jr.
Mint Flowers
Julie Chapman
Mark Littleton
Frank Tommey
Maggie Johnston
Garrett Welch
10 Cindy Jones
Kate Snodgrass
11 Mitzi Allen
Janis Miley
17 Jim & Amelia Lawlor
Jimmy Campbell
Daniel Adams
28 Bud Paepcke
Jake Burrus, Jr.
Thomas Adams, IV
29 Lynn & Ida Page
18 Chong & Jane Lee
Jim & Pam Moye
Ron & Meg Murray
Jake Burrus, III
19 Ginna Norman
Ken White, III
Henry Lemieux
Anna Hurtt
30 Thomas Cooper
Edward Heard, Jr.
31 Stan & Jill Copelan
Bill & Sara Heard
20 Davis Quinn
Madison Quinn
Isabella Loomis
22 Dexter Jordan, Jr.
Gary Bruce
23 Allie Murray
McKinley Bath
24 Virginia Holman
Glen Giles
25 Chris Moore
26 Pete & Amy Pease
12 Lucile Flournoy
If your birthday or anniversary is this month, but is not listed, please contact the church office so we can add it to your member profile.
First Presbyterian Church Mission Statement
First Presbyterian Church
1100 First Avenue
Columbus, Georgia 31901
Phone: 706.322.4523
Fax:
706.596-8531
Web: www.columbusfpc.org
Share God’s Love
First Presbyterian, a historic church located in uptown Columbus,
Georgia, seeks to minister to all people in Christ’s name through an
inclusive, caring, and faithful community that joyfully shares the gift of
salvation from a loving and forgiving God.
To opt out of receiving the Inspire Newsletter by mail, please contact JoAnna Williams at 706.322.4523 or [email protected].
Coming in 2013
Take your marriage
to a whole new level.
February 22-24
Destin, Florida
For more information, contact Rev.
Doughton, 706.322.4523, or attend the
information meeting on December 16
after the 11 a.m. service in the Parlor.
WeekendToRemember.com
Merry Christmas
to you and yours
from the Staff
of First Presbyterian