still so desperately needs. desperately so still
message the world world the message
coming of Jesus to this world and a a and world this to Jesus of coming
the presence of compassion of presence the all part of the the of part all —
midst of suffering, the work of justice and and justice of work the suffering, of midst
depths of joy can be found especially in the the in especially found be can joy of depths
“happiness,” we will discover that the the that discover will we “happiness,”
Rather than ‘joy’ being yet another word for for word another yet being ‘joy’ than Rather
all creation being renewed and freed. freed. and renewed being creation all
and it is a powerful cosmic performance of of performance cosmic powerful a is it and
of Psalm 98 invites us to sing a “new song” song” “new a sing to us invites 98 Psalm of
year. Composer Isaac Watt’s interpretation interpretation Watt’s Isaac Composer year.
A beloved Christmas classic, turns 300 this this 300 turns classic, Christmas beloved A
World the to Joy of Years 300
11:00 Traditional service with Communion, led by Pastor Charlie and Chancel Choir Chancel and Charlie Pastor by led Communion, with service Traditional 11:00
8:00 Traditional Service, led by Pastor Charlie, Handbells and Chancel Choir Chancel and Handbells Charlie, Pastor by led Service, Traditional 8:00
musicians youth and Oppewall Tarra by led Service Family 5:30
Christmas Eve, December 24 December Eve, Christmas Joy Incarnate —
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Caroling to Shut ins. Meet at the church at 4:45 pm. 4:45 at church the at Meet ins. Shut to Caroling
Cookie Walk in the Narthex after worship and worship after Narthex the in Walk Cookie
Fourth Sunday in Advent, December 22 December Advent, in Sunday Fourth Joy Peaceful —
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Third Sunday in Advent, December 15 December Advent, in Sunday Third Joy Unabashed —
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elusive Joy: Joy: Elusive A Blue Christmas Ritual will begin at 3:00 pm in the Sanctuary the in pm 3:00 at begin will Ritual Christmas Blue A
and
Join Us for the Deacon’s Christmas Breakfast after worship after Breakfast Christmas Deacon’s the for Us Join
Second Sunday in Advent , December 8 December , Advent in Sunday Second Joy Loving —
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Family Funday Funday Family — worship After
Hopeful Joy Hopeful — 1st December
In Advent In
Sunday First
Love” with Together
“Friends in Christ, Serving Serving Christ, in “Friends
2019 December
10 Issue 17, Volume
FROM THE PASTOR/ Charlie Swartz 1719 is when Isaac Watts sat down with a scratchy quill pen and wrote the words to one of the most beloved of all Christmas carols, “Joy to the World.” Is it possible that he knew how many people would find happiness from his lyrics? Two decades after the words were written, the incredible tunester, George Frederick Handel, wrote the most beloved Christmas oratorio of all time, “The Messiah,” took Mr. Watts’ lyrics and wrote the tune which when married to the words created Christmas music magic. For me, Advent and Christmas do not really happen until I have sung “Joy to the World.” Since this is the 300th Anniversary of our favorite Yuletide song, our worship theme for December is “Heaven and Nature Sing!” — the famous refrain from verse 1. Each Sunday you can expect visual, dramatic things to happen. We will have a talking Advent wreath! Gorgeous blues on shimmering cloth will enhance our sanctuary as will the addition of bundles of fresh evergreen boughs and candles. It will not be “same old, same old.” Many have responded positively to the greater use of drama and visuals which we have included in worship the last few weeks. “I loved the butterflies!” people have told me. On “All Saints Day,” the last Sunday in October, our worship artists used crafting skills to create the illusion of butterflies hanging from the lights, soaring around the cross, landing on the walls. We talked of how the butterflies remind us of our loved ones who, after death, have been transformed into heavenly bodies, beautiful new creations journeying to heaven and still inspiring us. If you would like to join our artistic folks who are now regularly creating artful images and objects to enhance the worship experience, tell our worship chair, Margre Mills [email protected] you would like to join in the fun. And while we will be experimenting with the new, our worship will be anchored in the traditions of scripture. Each week in Advent will take us into an analysis of the Bible’s promise that the Christ was born to bring us joy. First we will hear from Isaiah about “Hopeful joy”: “They will beat their swords into plowshares.” Week two is “Loving Joy”: “The wolf shall live with the lamb … and a little child shall lead them.” Week three is “Unabashed Joy”: “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Week four is “Peaceful Joy”: “A virgin shall give birth, and shall call him Immanuel.” This all builds up to a crescendo on Christmas Eve which is “Incarnate Joy”: “I am bringing you good news of great joy.” Our Children’s Ministry Director, Tarra Oppewall, is building on the success of our first “Family Funday” with the second one Sunday December 1. Our party and compassion group, the Deacons, are planning a delicious Christmas breakfast for all of us Sunday December 8th. That afternoon at 3:00, we will have a worship service, “Elusive Joy: A Blue Christmas Ritual,” designed to help those of us through the holidays who suffer feelings of loss and sadness. On the 22nd at 4:45 pm, we will go Christmas caroling. Christmas Eve will be experienced through three services: 5:30 Children and Families, 8:00 traditional candlelit, and 11:00 candlelit and Communion. Let us gather together and grow in joy this December as we anticipate the full joy which only Jesus gives! In the wonder of the Christ child, Pastor Charlie Elusive Joy: A Blue Christmas Ritual
December 8, 3:00pm Many of us have periods of sadness in the weeks that lead up to Christmas. In spite of our desire to feel happy, the pain of recent or old losses sometimes greet us in December. Our hearts might ache with the missing of a loved one do to relocation, estrangement or death. We might feel that there is no place for us with these pain-filled emotions when the air is filled with cheery Christmas songs and bright decorations. Good news! Our church is having a special worship service Sunday afternoon on the second Sunday in Advent to help us prepare for Christmas by acknowledging and honoring our hurts and losses in the love of Christ. The service will be at 3:00 pm and will minister to us through music, prayers, silence, candles, and a brief word.
With gratitude, Tarra Oppewall Oppewall Tarra gratitude, With
attenders.
to bring God’s love to our youngest youngest our to love God’s bring to
with the wonderful families of ALPC ALPC of families wonderful the with
thankful for the opportunity to partner partner to opportunity the for thankful
by, e by, mail or call anytime I am so so am I anytime call or mail -
for Children’s ministry. Please stop stop Please ministry. Children’s for
open to you and any ideas you have have you ideas any and you to open
As always, my door is always always is door my always, As
evening.
Christ with you and yours that that yours and you with Christ
wonderful to celebrate the gift of of gift the celebrate to wonderful
family will be there, it will be be will it there, be will family
Christmas Story. I hope that your your that hope I Story. Christmas
participate in the retelling of the the of retelling the in participate
allowing all children in attendance to to attendance in children all allowing
Christmas Pageant at this service service this at Pageant Christmas
Service at 5:30. We will have our our have will We 5:30. at Service
hold our Family Christmas Eve Eve Christmas Family our hold
we will will we 24 December Tuesday
th
there! you see to hope
enjoying snacks and hot chocolate. I I chocolate. hot and snacks enjoying
they are invited to visit a while, while, a visit to invited are they
pick up their children after church, church, after children their up pick
parents and grandparents come to to come grandparents and parents
about advent and Christmas. When When Christmas. and advent about
crafts, stories and activities learning learning activities and stories crafts,
rotating through different stations of of stations different through rotating
spend Sunday school in Hart Hall Hall Hart in school Sunday spend
grade will will grade 5 through preschool
th
our next Family Funday. Kids Kids Funday. Family next our
we will have have will we 1 December Sunday
st
wonderful. so day the made and
Thank you to everyone who attended attended who everyone to you Thank
picking up their children in Hart Hall. Hall. Hart in children their up picking
Funday
a chance to linger and chat after after chat and linger to chance a
also wonderful to see parents getting getting parents see to wonderful also Family playing and learning together. It was was It together. learning and playing
all the young children of our church church our of children young the all 1 December
was a wonderful opportunity to see see to opportunity wonderful a was
On gratitude. Our first Family Funday Funday Family first Our gratitude.
learning about prayer, baptism and and baptism prayer, about learning
us Join
school students have been busy busy been have students school
children’s ministry. Our Sunday Sunday Our ministry. children’s
It has been a wonderful month in in month wonderful a been has It
Hello Church Family! Family! Church Hello
2019
November 3, 3, November
Funday
Family Family
Education Christian
Worship & Spiritual Life Committee We hope that you have found inspiration in our November worship series,” A Wonder-Full Life,” using the words of Jesus and also the wisdom of Peter and George Bailey from the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life” about how to use our treasures and talents to the best advantage in furthering Christ’s kingdom.
In December, we will once more try to engage all your senses with the beautiful sights, sounds and feelings of Advent and Christmas in a series based on the beloved carol “Joy to the World”. We will explore the word “Joy” and learn how it is not just a feeling of externally caused happiness, but a deeper, more meaningful, lasting and spiritual feeling. Each week will be based on a line from the carol. Join us on Sunday mornings and Christmas Eve and meet the playful characters: Hopeful Joy, Loving Joy, Unabashed Joy, Peaceful Joy, and Incarnate Joy as they help us light the candles on the Advent wreath and teach us about the different kinds of Joy.
We recognize that the holidays can be a difficult time for those who are dealing with a loss of any kind: loss of a loved one, loss of a job, loneliness, unwanted change or even feelings of loss that occurred a long time ago, but are triggered by the fact that it seems that everyone else is having a deliriously good time. We are starting a new service that we are calling “Elusive Joy: A Blue Christmas Ritual.” It will be on Sunday December 8th at 3:00 pm. Through candlelight, soothing scriptures and quiet music, we hope to help you find a calm, God inspired joy.
On Sunday, December 22nd., we will meet at the church at 4:45 to go caroling to those who are shut in or who need some cheer. (See article elsewhere in the newsletter)
On Christmas Eve we will be celebrating Christ’s birth with three services: a family service with youth participation and battery operated candles at 5:30 and traditional services with bells, choir and candle lighting at 8:00 and 11:00.
And please remember that by the Sunday after Christmas, even though the stores have stopped playing holiday music and are already promoting Valentine sales, to Christians, it is still the season of Christmas and we will continue our celebrating with Compassionate Joy.
As you can see, it’s an exciting, busy time to be a church goer. Please refer to the front page of this newsletter for the exact dates and times, so that you can join your church family in participating in these events.
The Worship Committee wishes you a joyous and blessed Christmas.
On behalf of the Worship and Spiritual Life Committee, Muriel Homer
Stewardship Thanks to all who have made their pledge for 2020! We need your generous support to keep this great church doing great acts of love for those in the community, those in the world, and those in our family. Our budget is basically the same as last year, but we have lost some generous givers through death and moving, so it is important that we each support our church to the best of our ability. Each dollar we give opens up more opportunities for God’s love to touch hearts and heal wounds, and send out disciples to serve the world. You may put your pledge card in the offering plate, turn it in to the church office, or email it to our financial secretary Lynn Morway ([email protected]).
stimulating study of Rob Bell's "What is the Bible" at our January circle meeting. circle January our at Bible" the is "What Bell's Rob of study stimulating
9:15 am in order to carpool to Beth's home in three vehicles. We will continue our our continue will We vehicles. three in home Beth's to carpool to order in am 9:15
meet at the church parking lot (east end near the entrance to the church office) at at office) church the to entrance the near end (east lot parking church the at meet
Beth has limited parking available (only three spaces), so we will will we so spaces), three (only available parking limited has Beth Swartz. Beth of
The Circle of Hope will meet on Wednesday, December 18th at 9:30 at the home home the at 9:30 at 18th December Wednesday, on meet will Hope of Circle The
meeting Circle a to Invitation
church! our at worshipping of way new a
this is a great way to experience experience to way great a is this
that friends your Tell
Sanctuary) the in
(the same time worship is going on on going is worship time same (the
Every Sunday at 10:00 am 10:00 at Sunday Every
Foyer Education Christian the in place Takes
Worship House Coffee
Coffee House Worship House Coffee
Cheryl Dean, Finance Committee Chair Chair Committee Finance Dean, Cheryl
time. any at myself
If anyone has any additional questions about our finances you are welcome to ask Marcy Uhl, Treasurer or or Treasurer Uhl, Marcy ask to welcome are you finances our about questions additional any has anyone If
Expense Total $288,125 $274,183
Expense capita Per 11,506 11,765
Trip Mission Youth 4,000 5,285
Expenses General & Staff Support 116,940 100,042
Property 35,541 41,318
Mission & Stewardship 4,833 4,812
Education Christian 7,188 1,629
Life Spiritual & Worship $108,117 $109,332
Expense:
Income Total $284,151 $254,738
11,552 Income Other 11,250
$272,901 $243,186 Giving Congregational
Income:
YTD Budget YTD Actual YTD October
balance, please email our financial secretary, Lynn Morway, at at Morway, Lynn secretary, financial our email please balance,
and keeping your pledge current. If you need to check your pledge pledge your check to need you If current. pledge your keeping and
still $19,445 greater than our income. You can help by bringing bringing by help can You income. our than greater $19,445 still
Expenses are still below budget by $13,942 but our expenses are are expenses our but $13,942 by budget below still are Expenses
$1,957 above budget for a net deficit of $29,715 in giving. giving. in $29,715 of deficit net a for budget above $1,957
fund giving is $31,672 below budget and loose plate giving is is giving plate loose and budget below $31,672 is giving fund
that the end of the year is near. At the end of October, our general general our October, of end the At near. is year the of end the that
The temperature has dropped, and the snow has come showing showing come has snow the and dropped, has temperature The
Report Financial
Mission Matters "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them" John F. Kennedy
Thank-a-soldier/Peacekeeper packages and cards are in the mail. We are grateful for everyone that participated in this mission either by praying, donating or both. (Or baking cookies) No doubt the men and women in service to our country continue to need our support and prayers.
Another big thank you for sharing your Thanksgiving bounty by donating food for families in our community. It was great to be able to partner with Cornerstone with this annual mission.
Lunch Bunch: Our Thanksgiving offering will go toward Lunch Bunch lunches. We are blessed to be able to provide a "homemade" lunch, delicious desserts and the fellowship for which we are famous. Our newest goal is make the serving of the meal more earth friendly while keeping costs under control. (Paper vs. Styrofoam). And, how about joining us for one of Bill Till's delicious meals and an array of desserts. Grandchildren are welcome. What a great way to provide an intergenerational time. Want to help, but can't make the meal? How about posting a flyer on a community bulletin board where you live or work? (You can find a flyer on the information table)
The Christmas Joy Offering will be highlighted December 22nd this year. Fifty percent of our offerings go to the Board of Pensions for programs that provide support to retired and active church workers and their families. Realistically, many ministers and church staff families don't have adequate health care or retirement benefits. Christmas Joy donations can help when costs become overwhelming. The remaining portion "makes it possible for students to learn and grow in faith at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges". See the bulletin insert on the 22nd for more details.
Christmas Eve Offering: We are going to work with FUNDENOR, to sponsor a year's tuition for girls of Mayan decent in Guatemala. There will be more information in the December Bulletins.
Christmas Caroling Christmas Caroling Dec. 22 at 4:45 pm
You are invited to come Christmas caroling to those of our members who cannot come to church. Bring them joy no matter your age or level of talent! Song books will be supplied. Add your name to the sign-up sheet in the foyer so we can plan ahead, but if you do show up at the last minute, that’s OK. We will meet at 4:45PM in the church parking lot on Dec. 22. Hot chocolate and treats will be served afterward back at the church.
you. Thank
6214. 6214. - 233 - 440 or [email protected] at Navarro
Questions may be referred to Kathy Kathy to referred be may Questions narthex. church
from 10 am until noon, in the the in noon, until am 10 from 21 December Saturday, is
st
orders on the counter in the church office. Pick up date date up Pick office. church the in counter the on orders
the table in the church narthex. There is a box for for box a is There narthex. church the in table the
Order forms are on on are forms Order 15. December Sunday, is Women
forms with your check made payable to Presbyterian Presbyterian to payable made check your with forms
Women is the answer. The deadline to turn in order order in turn to deadline The answer. the is Women
store, ordering a ham (or turkey) from Presbyterian Presbyterian from turkey) (or ham a ordering store,
but don’t enjoy the traffic and lines at the Honey Baked Baked Honey the at lines and traffic the enjoy don’t but
If you enjoy a Honey Baked Ham at Christmastime Christmastime at Ham Baked Honey a enjoy you If
Christmas for Hams Baked Honey
[email protected]. to suggestions your Email
judgment. of Maturity –
Ability to follow through on assignments assignments on through follow to Ability – learn Openness to new ideas ideas new to Openness –
— Skills and Characteristics Personal Willingness to to Willingness – Cooperativeness
Community.
Within the family family the Within — Life Daily in Living Christian In the the In – work At –
activities. church
A member in good standing standing good in member A — Churchmanship General Participation in in Participation –
worship. at attendance
A personal relationship with God God with relationship personal A — Faith Christian Evidence of grace and compassion and regular regular and compassion and grace of Evidence –
: criteria following the using leadership
for church church for candidates promising of recommendations Help the nominating committee with your prayerful prayerful your with committee nominating the Help
2020. in available coming be
and Trustees. We have a Nominating Committee who will meet to talk about the leadership positions that will will that positions leadership the about talk to meet will who Committee Nominating a have We Trustees. and
It’s that time of the year when we look for candidates for church leadership, which includes Elders, Deacons Deacons Elders, includes which leadership, church for candidates for look we when year the of time that It’s
Nomination for Church Officer Church for Nomination
Mike Reighard, Deacon moderator Deacon Reighard, Mike
Sincerely,
there. everyone see to hope I fessionals.
and music. I promise it won’t be me singing. We will leave that to the pro- the to that leave will We singing. me be won’t it promise I music. and
the healthy and hearty! Deacons are also working on festive decorations decorations festive on working also are Deacons hearty! and healthy the
good food and fellowship. Some changes to the breakfast will appeal to to appeal will breakfast the to changes Some fellowship. and food good
Dec. 8 right after worship (11:00). Come down to Hart Hall for coffee, coffee, for Hall Hart to down Come (11:00). worship after right 8 Dec.
Speaking of December, The Christmas Breakfast will be Sunday Sunday be will Breakfast Christmas The December, of Speaking
come. to More cember.
parallel. We will review our progress with the whole deacon group in De- in group deacon whole the with progress our review will We parallel.
generational fellowship event by splitting into two sub two into splitting by event fellowship generational groups to work in in work to groups -
Congregational Care improvements and planning for the Multi the for planning and improvements Care Congregational -
To address our Renewal commitments, deacons are working on on working are deacons commitments, Renewal our address To
us. around nature and people the enjoy and
ment and to live in the present. The first thing to do is put away the phone phone the away put is do to thing first The present. the in live to and ment
last deacon meeting, Shawn Brunner reminded us of savoring every mo- every savoring of us reminded Brunner Shawn meeting, deacon last
Thanksgiving is approaching and then the busy December. In our our In December. busy the then and approaching is Thanksgiving
ALPC, Hello
News Deacon
Cornerstone and the Church Together
October was a fantastic month with the children of the Preschool. They are so familiar with the songs and structure of our chapel time that we have been able to add some new lessons and activities. In October, we addressed the feeling of fear. In class, we taught children that when you are afraid, you should always talk to a grown up. We reminded that a grown up can help you discern if something is real or pretend and they can help you find ways to feel brave. We had our first chapel session in the sanctuary and the kids did wonderfully. Pastor Charlie and I reinforced the lessons about fear with a puppet show that the children all seemed to enjoy. In November, we talked about being thankful. Gratitude and Thankfulness can be hard concepts for preschoolers to understand. We used chapel to get them thinking about things they are thankful for and also to think about sharing what they have with others. When working on gratitude at home, the best research I find suggests that parents Model Gratitude: Let them hear and see you giving thanks. Talk about gratitude: Find a way to incorporate it into daily conversation. Help together: Build appreciation for what we have by helping others.
This month we held chapel in the sanctuary on November 19th and 20th. Chapel times are at 9:15 on Tuesday and 9:15 and 12:45 on Wednesday once a month. Feel free to stop by and sit in on Chapel anytime. We welcome your presence! In fact, your presence is welcomed here anytime. Sunday mornings, Community Meal Thursdays, or just stopping by during the week to drop in and chat- our doors are always open and we are grateful for you!
Tarra Oppewall, Director of Children’s Ministries Healing Prayer Ministry Sunday, November 17th, there was a time during the worship service for people to share what they were grateful for. I didn’t say anything at the time but 2 things came to mind – prayer and family. ALPC has played an important part in both. Jesus tells us to pray without ceasing and it was largely in the community of ALPC that I grew my prayer life through learning and experimenting. Prayer has become my life line that continues to draw me nearer and nearer to God and I will always be grateful to ALPC for providing that community. ALPC also provided a Christian home where our three sons were introduced to God. I believe prayer had the greatest influence on that introduction but interaction with other Christians played an extremely important part as well. A little while ago, I was talking to a friend who shared her opinion that giving money to a church was a foolish waste of your money. Out of curiosity, I added up what we have contributed to ALPC over the last 38 years and it did amount to a pretty big chunk of change. However, when I thought of all the other ways we could have spent that money – larger home, nicer cars, cooler toys, better quality clothes, a boat, more extravagant vacations, etc. – I couldn’t think of anything that would have profited our sons more than having a relationship with God. And even though churches are far from perfect and youth often struggle with the hypocrisy they find in churches, I believe being actively involved in a community of faith is still the best advantage to helping children believe the GOOD NEWS! Every Sunday morning after the worship service, there are people in the front of the sanctuary taking full advantage of the opportunity ALPC gives us to draw nearer to God and lift up concerns, joys, and THANKS for ourselves, others and ALPC! We would love for you to join us!
Submitted by Arlene Strauch on behalf of the Healing Prayer Ministry
issue due on Friday, May 15 May Friday, on due issue Summer Summer
15 April Wednesday, on due issue May May
15 March Sunday, on due issue April April
15 February Saturday, on due issue March March
issue due on Wednesday, January 15 January Wednesday, on due issue
February February
15 December Sunday, on due issue January January
Saints Alive Articles due to Cindi Cindi to due Articles Alive Saints
Information
Be well, Jim Janis Jim well, Be
consideration. your for Thanks
9496). - (522 above, the about have may you questions any with me call
40 minutes. The third need is for mowing as I already mentioned. Please Please mentioned. already I as mowing for is need third The minutes. 40 - 30 takes it and 7:30 around there
snow blower. The door areas need to be cleared before Cornerstone children arrive, Gary or I usually get get usually I or Gary arrive, children Cornerstone before cleared be to need areas door The blower. snow
has any knowledge of the drainage pipes in the ditch to the north, let me know please. Number two is the the is two Number please. know me let north, the to ditch the in pipes drainage the of knowledge any has
You can come whenever you have time. I'm thinking maybe any Saturday, weather permitting. Also, if anyone anyone if Also, permitting. weather Saturday, any maybe thinking I'm time. have you whenever come can You
Finally, there are three areas we could use some help in. The first is trying to get the leaves taken care of. of. care taken leaves the get to trying is first The in. help some use could we areas three are there Finally,
help. your for Thanks
name and what it is for. It will be pretty tight in there with a snow blower, large grill and the riding mower. mower. riding the and grill large blower, snow a with there in tight pretty be will It for. is it what and name
shed, please let us know first. Also if you have something in it, we are asking you to please tag it with your your with it tag please to you asking are we it, in something have you if Also first. know us let please shed,
have to be stored in the shed. This leads me to give a reminder. If you would like to store something in the the in something store to like would you If reminder. a give to me leads This shed. the in stored be to have
will be able to service it so all we need is to get it here and get some volunteer mowers next spring. It would would It spring. next mowers volunteer some get and here it get to is need we all so it service to able be will
We may be getting a riding grass mower which would be generously donated by Joan and Russ Beck. Phil Phil Beck. Russ and Joan by donated generously be would which mower grass riding a getting be may We
well. oh problems; Football Fantasy
would be able to help us with computer problems in the future. He said he can't help me, though, for any any for though, me, help can't he said He future. the in problems computer with us help to able be would
problems; if any at all. He also repaired the computer/monitor that is in the foyer near the door. Dan said he he said Dan door. the near foyer the in is that computer/monitor the repaired also He all. at any if problems;
The computers have been updated by Dan DeRoma, so we should be able to go into 2020 without too many many too without 2020 into go to able be should we so DeRoma, Dan by updated been have computers The
doors. entry
There are some signs in the northwest corner by the door to the kitchen. We want to have signs for all the the all for signs have to want We kitchen. the to door the by corner northwest the in signs some are There
We also talked about making outdoor signs so people new to our church will know where they are going. going. are they where know will church our to new people so signs outdoor making about talked also We
companies. Conditioning Air and Heating
Property Committee will also be obtaining quotes for flooring in the library and comparing costs to other other to costs comparing and library the in flooring for quotes obtaining be also will Committee Property
the church. Colors have been picked and quotes will be obtained to determine costs for this project. Our Our project. this for costs determine to obtained be will quotes and picked been have Colors church. the
be meeting at various times to discuss renovation ideas. First on the list will be painting most of the inside of of inside the of most painting be will list the on First ideas. renovation discuss to times various at meeting be
committee of sorts which includes Cindi Dansizen, Jackie Butrey, and Pam Novak. They will will They Novak. Pam and Butrey, Jackie Dansizen, Cindi includes which sorts of committee - sub a have We
etc. at, looked
just a minute), and leave it on the desk. This could be anything in the church you feel needs to be repaired, repaired, be to needs feel you church the in anything be could This desk. the on it leave and minute), a just
soon as possible. As a reminder these forms are on the desk in the office. Anyone can fill out the form, (takes (takes form, the out fill can Anyone office. the in desk the on are forms these reminder a As possible. as soon
weeks ago and discussed getting more organized. We try and handle the Work Order Request Forms as as Forms Request Order Work the handle and try We organized. more getting discussed and ago weeks
We are moving along pretty well with the regular jobs and projects around the church. I met with Phil about 2 2 about Phil with met I church. the around projects and jobs regular the with well pretty along moving are We
It's Saints Alive, time so that means I'm doing this last minute ... at about 12 words a minute, but it's fun. it's but minute, a words 12 about at ... minute last this doing I'm means that so time Alive, Saints It's
Committee. Property the from is This Everyone, Hello
Property Committee Committee Property
Safety Committee
As most of you probably know, we had a recent medical incident at our church. The Site Monitors that day were Mike Ciarrone and John Weeden. They were able to render assistance to our member which also involved calling for a medical squad from the Avon Lake Fire Department. Our church member was able to get the medical care needed very quickly. Mike and John did a great job and we are thankful they are in our Site Monitor group. In a recent issue of Presbyterians Today, there was an article about church safety. The article discussed many of the ideas and thoughts that our committee has also discussed. This included locking the doors, having a safety group, and having an evacuation plan or drill. Not everyone at the various Presbyterian churches agreed or felt the same way. All of the churches though did want to establish some degree of safety. We want all of you to know that we will try to make the best decisions we can for safety in our church. On November 10th, we had our second mock evacuation drill. It worked the same way that the one in August did. We discussed what the plan was for a couple of minutes and then waited for direction. We felt it would be important to have this drill with the choir and Sunday School classes present. This was not the case last time and we wanted a repeat drill with as many members as possible. The drill went very well and everyone was out of the church in about two minutes. We also had some great questions which gave us ideas to think about. Please let me know if you have any ideas or thoughts on anything we have been doing. Here are some tips for being safe: When leaving church, have someone with you, especially at night. From the door, take a look out at the parking lot for anything unusual. Try and park near the light poles. Call the police if you feel there is any threat from a car or person. You can always go back into the church to call and get the doors locked. Peace Be With You, Jim Janis Reminder: If you or a loved one are in the hospital and wish prayers or visits from the pastor or your Congregational Care Friend, please call the church office (933-6240) or Pastor Charlie at 440-522-5484. Otherwise, we may not know you’re there!
have. might you questions 1160 with any any with 1160 - 785 - 440 at Mills Lind
Please contact Margre Margre contact Please narthex.
signup sheet is on the easel in the the in easel the on is sheet signup
A A year! this required readings
Christmas Eve service). Eve Christmas No No
candles for that Sunday (or (or Sunday that for candles
Wreath, you will light the specific specific the light will you Wreath,
skit featuring a “live” Advent Advent “live” a featuring skit
After a short short a After table. communion the
to be placed in a basket in front of of front in basket a in placed be to
sanctuary with boughs of greenery greenery of boughs with sanctuary
lighters will process into the the into process will lighters
This year, our candle candle our year, This wreath!
to light the candles on our our on candles the light to
Advent is here and we need YOU YOU need we and here is Advent
Advent
Elizabeth Shoemaker, Clerk of Session of Clerk Shoemaker, Elizabeth
Session will review the preliminary budget and meet to finalize it in January after the pledges are in. are pledges the after January in it finalize to meet and budget preliminary the review will Session
year. the of
Our offerings are about $18,000 below expectations. We need everyone to fulfill their pledge by the end end the by pledge their fulfill to everyone need We expectations. below $18,000 about are offerings Our
Thirteen children attended the first Family Funday on November 3. November on Funday Family first the attended children Thirteen
perishable food collection will help provide Thanksgiving dinners to several families. several to dinners Thanksgiving provide help will collection food perishable - non The
Postcards will now be sent to new homeowners in North Ridgeville and Sheffield Lake. Sheffield and Ridgeville North in homeowners new to sent be now will Postcards
Other churches have heard about our successful evacuation drills and may plan their own. their plan may and drills evacuation successful our about heard have churches Other
. it do
A riding mower was donated, saving ALPC $500 per month of mowing expenses mowing of month per $500 ALPC saving donated, was mower riding A if volunteers are able to to able are volunteers if
The office computers were upgraded to Windows 10 and the foyer computer/monitor repaired. computer/monitor foyer the and 10 Windows to upgraded were computers office The
needs. operational meet to Session with working is and colors, possible
The Decorating Advisory Committee has prioritized interior painting of our building , has selected some some selected has , building our of painting interior prioritized has Committee Advisory Decorating The
selection. for studied being are Lent and Epiphany for series Worship
help.) to want you if [email protected] Dansizen
Volunteers for decorating the education wing and Hart Hall for Christmas are needed. are Christmas for Hall Hart and wing education the decorating for Volunteers (See Cindi Cindi (See
elements. natural and stars fabrics, blue with
The sanctuary, foyer and main entry will be decorated for the Heaven and Nature Sing worship series series worship Sing Nature and Heaven the for decorated be will entry main and foyer sanctuary, The
needs. members’ meet to Ministry Care Congregational the reconfiguring
in the spring spring the in together youth and adults for activity fun a planning are Deacons the Heard and are are and
attempt. the in experiences
goals, whether the goal was met or learning learning or met was goal the whether goals, ” Vision the Living “ highlighting reports committee
As training for becoming the church’s Vision Coordinating Council, Session members practiced giving giving practiced members Session Council, Coordinating Vision church’s the becoming for training As
were: meeting their of Highlights 18. Nov. on met Session The
Highlights Session
Avon Lake Presbyterian Church Mission Statement In awe, we Receive God’s Grace and Gospel. In gratitude, we Respond with Worship and Servanthood. In love, we Represent Jesus Christ as we minister to transform lives in family, community, and the world.
Sunday Worship in the Sanctuary and Coffee House Worship in the Christian Education Foyer 10:00 am (440) 933-6240 www.avonlakechurch.com www.facebook.com/avonlakepc [email protected]
Pastor Rev. Charles E. Swartz Custodian Carl Douglas Director of Children’s Ministries Tarra Oppewall Director of Music Muriel Homer Director of Preschool Julie Erker Financial Secretary Lynn Morway Lock-up Custodian Ed Homer Maintenance Phil Stryczny Office Administrator Cindi Dansizen Treasurer Marcy Uhl