As Webster Presbyterian Church celebrates its 125th Anniversary, the season of is filled with anticipation and discovery centered around the theme: ”The Sights and Sounds of .” We hope that you will find time to enjoy these special opportunities to spend time with your church family during the month leading up to Christmas.

All Sunday Services, 10:00AM

Sunday, 12/2 The Sights of Christmas with youth art show and display in the Narthex. (This is also the 125th Anniversary Celebration) **See below for more details. Sunday, 12/9 The Sounds of Christmas: Cantata. A lesson and carols service featuring the music of John Leavitt “What Sweeter Music”.  Late Risers’ Breakfast after service  Hands-on-mission project after worship service. No Sunday school. Sunday, 12/16 The Tastes of Christmas with a exchange. (This is our traditional cookie exchange.)  and will be served during this time, and we will sing Christmas carols together Sunday, 12/23 The Touch of Christmas, Service, 6:00pm  Monday, 12/24: The Smells of Christmas, family friendly service.

DECEMBER 2—ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION—125 YEARS OF SERVICE AND WORSHIP

 After worship, view the children’s art display, “Family Celebrations” in the Narthex  BBQ Luncheon in Fellowship Hall. Barbeque will be served because it was the first meal Dickinson Presbyterian served as we celebrated the launching of our church in 1893. They had sponsored us through that process. There will be a short program after the meal. Children can attend their How Great Thou Arts class.  Rededication of the Saibara Japanese Garden  Tour Bassett Library with restored pictures of the astronauts who attended WPC  Heritage display panels to remind us of our history  Wear (or order) your new WPC Commemorative T-shirt  Place a bid for the quilt in the silent auction  Share memories and stories of WPC with your friends

Mission

Webster Presbyterian EARTH CARE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS Church will host a 13 week Grief Share The Earth Care Team is a group within WPC that seminar and support is constantly looking for ways to be good stewards of this group starting January 9 world that God has graciously given us. We are involved and ending April 3, 2019 with many projects in the church from paper recycling to from 3:30 – 5:30PM in the parlor. The cost of materials is $15 planning activities for Earth Day. The Earth Care Team and scholarships are available. Grief share is designed to offer also started the Sharing Table, established and cares for support to those who are grieving the loss of a loved one in a the Butterfly Garden, organizes outdoor activities, and confidential and loving atmosphere. most recently, worked with the Late Riser’s Breakfast crew to use donated coffee mugs instead of Styrofoam cups. This nondenominational program features Christ-centered, biblical teaching that focuses on grief topics associated with We are in the midst of planning activities the death of a loved one. The DVD seminar features nationally for 2019 and would like to invite you to join respected grief experts and real-life stories of people, followed us. If you are interested in becoming part by a small group discussion about what was seen on the DVD. of the team, or if you have ideas for our Many grieving people find they are only beginning the work of Earth Care congregation, please contact healing when friends or family have returned to their daily life Kim Kinzler, Jeanette or Joe Schwarz. routines. Past participants have related how helpful the information and follow-up discussions were to them. Your bereavement experience may be recent or not so recent. You will find encouragement, comfort, and help in grieving the KNITTED HATS FOR UTMB BABIES death of a spouse, child, parent, sibling, other family member, or friend. No matter what the cause of your loved one’s death, These 200+ knitted hats are headed to UTMB for the this is an opportunity to be around people who understand babies who are in the nursery. The hats were made by what you are feeling. You will learn valuable information about Pat Koester, some of her friends, and other quilt guild facing your new normal in life and renewing your hope for the members. Some of the guild members also make little future. For more information or to register, contact Sandra gowns for the babies. These often become "going Dwyer at [email protected] home gowns" because the families don't have the funds to purchase special clothes. More of the gowns are also needed.

As Pat would say, it doesn’t really matter who makes them, the staff at UTMB truly appreciates this loving gift. The Christmas hats brighten the nurses' days as well as the parents' visits to the babies. They make the babies look REAL with all the machinery that surrounds them. If you love to knit and/or sew, and would enjoy having a project to share your talents, just talk to Pat – “the yarn lady of WPC”.

WPC RECEIVES PROCLAMATION

In 1892, several farming families from the upper Mississippi River Valley moved to Webster seeking a milder climate and longer growing season. Their Bible study group was organized into the Presbyterian Church of Webster on December 5, 1893. The church has since become a commanding presence in our community.

On Tuesday, November 6, Mayor Pro Tem, Andrea Wilson, presented a proclamation from the Webster City Council to the church making December 5, 2018, Presbyterian Church of Webster Day. Happy early anniversary WPC!

Mission/Family of Faith

INTERFAITH SHABBAT SERVICE AT TEMPLE BETHTIKVAH

On the day of the deadly attack on the Pittsburgh Tree of Life Synagogue, Temple Beth Tikvah Rabbi, Deborah Schloss, began to hear messages from members of her Clear Lake synagogue, but also from non-Jewish religious leaders and lay people asking, “How can we help”? She asked them to share information with their congregations about an interfaith service of peace that would take place on Shabbat, November 3. On Shabbat people showed up. Congregants, familiar faces. People who had never been inside a synagogue. Folks who normally don’t go to church, as well as church goers. Rabbi Schloss said, “We attracted more people than we had for High Holiday services. Of course, we’re a small congregation. But to see this kind of solidarity and to know we can come together for a greater cause at a moment’s notice uplifted me. Both Keith and Helen participated in the service, along with clergy from other churches in our area. Twenty people from WPC attended the moving service. **Excerpts from the Jewish Herald-Voice, a community newspaper serving the Jewish community of Texas' Gulf Coast

HELEN INSTALLED AS MODERATOR FOR 2019

Helen DeLeon was installed as Moderator for the Presbytery of the New Covenant on Saturday, November 17, 2018. Helen heard the words of ordination: “Helen DeLeon, the grace bestowed on you in baptism is sufficient for your calling because it is God’s grace. By God’s grace we are saved and enabled to grow in the faith and to commit our lives in ways that serve Christ”. Helen responded affirmatively to PCUSA Constitutional questions and 173 attendees at the Presbytery meeting (including at least 13 representatives from Webster Presbyterian Church) participated in the prayer of installation and heard the declaration of Helen’s installation as Moderator for the coming year. We are grateful for Helen’s commitment to WPC and the Presbytery which was exemplified in her travel leading up to her Ordination. The Office of the General Assembly held a key training event for new Moderators coincidentally on November 15 – 17 in Louisville. The date of her installation required that she miss the last day of the event hosted by the General Assembly to be present at this key Presbytery event . This has been a challenging year for our Presbytery. Revenues have decreased significantly as some of our larger churches left. Key decisions and recommendations have been made to live into the future in a fiducially responsible manner. As Moderator, Helen will be key to implementing those changes in the coming year. Please congratulate Helen on her expanded role and keep her and the entire Presbytery in your prayers.

Family of Faith

HELP PACK HYGIENE KITS FUNERAL /MEMORIAL RECEPTIONS WILL SEE During this December, what CHANGES IN 2019 AT WPC better way to celebrate the spirit of giving and gratitude than through The Board of Deacons sharing the resources we have with approved a new plan for those less fortunate? With that in funeral and memorial mind, on Sunday, December 9, receptions at WPC following service and Late Risers’ beginning January 1, 2019. breakfast, the Mission team is Based on the current partnering with World Vision and membership of our offering an opportunity to pack hygiene kits for the congregation and the displaced refugees in Syria. All materials will be provided number of deacons, the Board recognized a need for – all that is needed is a willing heart and able hands. implementing some changes in our tradition of funeral and What a great and easy event to invite friends to! memorial receptions. Responsibilities of providing full Come, let’s do beautiful things for God together! th meals have become too demanding. While the deacons December 9 will be a very full day for our community of unanimously consented to the new plan, they are faith, and all guests will surely enjoy the Christmas concerned that our congregation continue to receive Cantata, the lunch, and the chance to serve. See you compassionate care during times of loss. there!

A SPECIAL THANK YOU Deacons will continue to assist the family at the funeral/ memorial service. Deacons will set up the parlor area with coffee and water, and set up the Fellowship Hall with Thanks to all the helping hands who helped with the tables, chairs, serving areas, and linens. The change is Thanksgiving Wednesday dinner. Melisa and I could never that receptions will only be desserts and drinks provided have pulled this off without the help of our sous chef by WPC. If the family desires a meal for the reception, the (George Koenig) or the people willing to cook a turkey - Judy food will need to be catered at the expense and Brown, Blaine Goeckler, Ed Tobia, James Kidwell, George responsibility of the family. Deacons will assist with all Koenig, Jamie Martinez, Missy Rorrer and Ronnie serving and cleanup in Fellowship Hall. A list of potential Lusk. Nancy Gustke, Bambi Fitzgerald, Jamee Wilson, Judy caterers in the area will be provided to the family upon Ford, Pat Koester and Mary Walker provided the sweet request. potatoes. 160 people, including some of Webster’s first responders. attended. Thanks to all who brought desserts The Deacons recognize this is a major change for us at to share and those of you who just brought your WPC and are appreciative of the help provided by appetites. Thanks also to the hands helping in the members of the congregation through the years. That Fellowship Hall that decorated and set things up the day of help will still be needed. The Deacons will maintain close the dinner. Also, Ed Tobia who came in early to help carve communication with the ministerial staff and the family the turkeys. If you missed this during times of grief for our congregation. Needs of the year, then make plans to attend family will be a priority, as always. Fellowship Hall will still next year! be a welcoming area for family and guests to visit and share food following a service. The change is that the reception provided will be desserts rather than a meal.

Contact your Deacon or any on the Board of Deacons or the ministerial staff if you have concerns or questions. 2019 will be a time of adjustment for our congregation. Here is another response to Sacred Spaces, Holy Places by Alice Sell about our own church! She expressed beautifully how many of us feel about the inspiration we get at WPC SAVE THE DATE enhanced by wonderful, joyous music!

The Presbytery's Annual Christmas Open House will be I love all the songs we sing in church because it lifts my spirit on Thursday, December 6, 2018 from 11:00AM to and makes me forget all my problems. 2:00PM. Come by the Presbytery Center, 1110 Lovett Blvd., Houston for great food and fun fellowship. Bring I love going to church for so many reasons: a dish to share if you'd like. We would love to see you. to learn all about the Bible RSVP to [email protected] to Patricia to see everyone in my church family Brantley. Alice Sell

Family of Faith

To those who know me best, that I’m We could decorate and ready our home in the flashest of once again brought to the season of flashes!!! But this year would be different so we chose to Advent via a song, it comes as no give ourselves time. We’ve done just that. And now our surprise at all. home is ready for the revelling to commence!

Every year, somewhere in my planning And there it is....the word “revelling”....it’s a part of a song and executing of “all things Christmas” lyric that has come to my heart to remind me of the and “joyful holiday”, I catch a glimpse of importance of the season. It helps me make sense of all the King. So many times, He comes to the effort in preparing and decorating, partying and me in a song. As a musician, singing worshipping. On December 9th, the choir is singing a and planning and practicing for Christmas begins beautiful work, arranged by John Leavett, entitled, “What early....even earlier than the stores begin their hawking of Sweeter Music”. The carol (by the same name) is utilized merchandise. Glenn and I attend a summer music in this joyful cantata. “What Sweeter Music” was convention in San Antonio every year and one of the best composed by Robert Herrick (1594-1671). I find his lyric workshops is a preview of . We poignant: frequently hear, and then make our choices of our Christmas selections for the upcoming season, right in “The darling of the world has come, the middle of July! Even Hobby Lobby doesn’t get going And fit it is we find a room, that early! To welcome Him. The nobler part, So really it’s no wonder that my ear is tuned to the music Of all the house here is the heart. very early in the season. But often, it is only after singing and practicing it, that the true message begins to peek Which we will give Him and bequeath through like a star shining over a stable, or an angel This and this ivy wreath hovering in the heavens. To do Him honour, who’s our King And Lord of all this revelling.” Most of you know we are enjoying our first Christmas in our new home. We began the decorating early (first week It is our hope that you find joy and meaning in Advent and of November!) We wanted plenty of time to make the Christmas this year. That in every preparation and house “just right” and we knew it would take more moment of reflection, you see Him at the center. For thought this year. For after 25 years in the same home, has come and He IS the Lord of all this revelling! we knew where to put everything; the tree in front of the window, nativity on the sideboard, angels on the end Blessings~Geri table, Santas on the mantel....no thought required!

CALM AND BRIGHT: 200 YEARS OF SILENT NIGHT

"While they were there, the time came for Mary to have her baby. She gave birth to her firstborn child, a son, wrapped him snugly, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." - Luke 2: 6

This year is the 200th anniversary of the debut of "Silent Night, Holy Night." This hymn has become one of the best-loved worship moments of many Christians around the world. Something mystical occurs as we light our candles and sing the hope of "all is calm, all is bright"—peace and light for the world. Our -lighting liturgy this year will celebrate the carol's message over the entire season of Advent and highlight its call for our lives that can guide us all year long.

Family of Faith

PIZZA CHALENGE FOR YOUTH CHRISTMAS PROGRESSIVE DINNER

November was a fun month for our Youth! Our off-site On December 9th from 5:00- PYC event was held at Chef of the House in League 8:30PM we will be having our City, where our youth participated in a "Pizza Challenge" annual PYC Progressive Dinner Team building competition. Three teams from WPC and White Elephant gift competed against each other to incorporate 4 mystery exchange. Look for fun photos ingredients into a culinary design that would wow the next month of that wonderful PYC judges. The teams had a blast–and we learned that we tradition. have some up and coming chefs in our youth group that need to be in the kitchen for our Early Risers CHILDREN WORK ON CHRISTMAS SONGS Breakfasts! Our children are beginning to work on their Christmas songs during HOW GREAT THOU ARTS class during the 11:15 Sunday School hour. They will be performing at our Congregational Sing-Along on Sunday December 16th in the Fellowship Hall immediately following worship. Any children who would like to sing on the 16th are invited to come upstairs with Ms Julie during the upcoming weeks to learn their Christmas songs.

YOUTH ATTEND PYCC

Our youth also attended the presbytery's PYCC YOUTH RALLY on November 11th and represented WPC well in both the worship service and mission project.

Family of Faith

SPECIAL HOLIDAY LATE RISERS’ BREAKFAST

The December Late Risers' Breakfast will be in Bouton Hall after the service on December 9th. We will have special items which will include Cinnamon Rolls, Eggs 12/01: Courtenay Clifford 12/15: John Nugent Benedict, and pork loin plus other items you usually enjoy. Please join us and bring a friend or 12/02: Glenn Foster 12/16: Mary Rosborough invite someone you don't recognize. Everyone is welcome for food and fellowship. 12/03: Emma Gay 12/17: Erich Peters James (Jay) Nugent Sandra Murphy Randall Wilson Evelyn Rix MORNING BREAK SMALL GROUP

Hayden Nielsen 12/18: Dina Rodner The Wednesday Morning small group, "Morning Break", uses a broken clay pot put back together by the group as 12/06: Patricia Kloves 12/19: Jimm Cooper an example of something they learned from the book The Elizabeth Guyer Good and Beautiful Community by James Bryan Smith. In 12/20: Nancy Gustke the book, the author explains, "We have been made holy 12/08: Ben Sutton by the work of Jesus, but our behavior often betrays our 12/21: Diane Kane true identity. We are fallen, broken, prone to wander and 12/10: Stephanie Moore to leave the God we love. Holy, yet broken, that is our true 12/23: Jane Cook identity." 12/11: Sharyl Mittermeier Timothy Seiter We broke the jar and everyone in the group wrote on a

piece of it what we would pray for. We then reassembled 12/12: Katie Grady 12/24: Angela Boyer the following week and "put our jar back together". "It is not perfect, since no person or community is, but rather 12/13: Sylvia Kinzler 12/25: Dan Reilly contains the treasure, which is Christ, whose light can Louise Burke Casey Fletcher shine out of our brokenness. In some ways he shines best Allyne Ratliff through our brokenness." We did put a candle in ours as a 12/27: Karen Rix reminder of God's light and faithfulness to us. Ann Taylor Jordan Marley Anya Ezhevskaya Morning Break is a small group book Libbie Kinzler 12/28: Evan Lapka study that meets on Wednesday mornings from 9:45 until noon and Rebecca Koester those willing go to lunch following. For 12/14: Mary Frances Kane more information, contact Liz Loynes 12/29: Ruth McDonald Clyde Hart at [email protected]. Kaela Talplacido 12/31: Brian Kuehner Ember Schoen Laura Shipman Jeffrey Turverey SIDE DISHES FOR POTLUCK FLAMINGOS SMALL GROUP Sunday, Dec. 2, we are celebrating WPC’s 125th anniversary. We will be having a barbecue luncheon in Fellowship Hall immediately following the service and are asking folks to bring ONLY THESE SIDE DISHES: POTATO SALAD, COLE SLAW,OR BAKED BEANS. NOTHING ELSE PLEASE!! The entrée is chopped barbecue beef sandwiches. The Flamingos celebrated birthdays. Not pictured: Sylvia Kinzler. She was at home entertaining visiting family members! Family of Faith

WPC ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION—DECEMBER 2

Be sure you are ready to celebrate the 125th Anniversary of Webster Presbyterian Church on December 2. Many activities have been planned to make this day special. The Heritage Team and the Communications Team have been as busy as Santa’s elves getting things ready. Commemorative t-shirts will be sold before the event. Kitty Marquardt has donated a beautiful lap quilt which will be bid on in a Silent Auction ending after the celebration. The proceeds from both the shirts and the quilt will be used to raise funds for the 50th Lunar Communion Celebration in 2019. That’s just next year!!

COOKIE EXCHANGE AND GINGERBREAD

Sunday, December 16, is our annual Christmas cookie Under the guidance of Maureen Bigueras, the exchange, immediately Communications Team is hard at work making following the service in invitations and t-shirts for our big celebration. She is Fellowship Hall. Bring at least the creator of all these designs!. 2 dozen of your favorite Christmas and take home 2 dozen of what someone else bakes. Homemade cookies only please. This is not a cookie sampler; you only get to take home as many as you bring to trade with others. Homemade candy is accepted also.

That same Sunday we will be serving wassail and gingerbread in Fellowship Hall after the service. So, Quilt by Kitty Marquardt come over and enjoy the tastes of Christmas and enjoy some Christmas caroling.

REST IN ME, MY CHILD, forgetting about the worries of the world. Focus on Me—Immanuel—and let My living Presence envelop you in Peace. Tune in to My eternal security, for I am the same yesterday, today, and forever. If you live on the surface of life by focusing on ever–changing phenomena, you will find yourself echoing the words of Solomon: “Meaningless! Meaningless! Everything is meaningless!”

Living in collaboration with Me is the way to instill meaning into your days. Begin each day alone with Me so that you can experience the reality of My Presence. As you spend time with Me, the way before you opens up step by step. Arise from the stillness of our communion, and gradually begin your journey through the day. Hold My hand in deliberate dependence on Me, and I will smooth out the path before you.1

Devotional inspired by Hebrews 13:8; Ecclesiastes 1:2; Proverbs 3:6.

1. Jesus Calling, Enjoying Peace in His Presence, written by Sarah Young, copyright 2004, Published by Thomas Nelson in Nashville, Tennessee.