This Year, Advent Begins on the First of December

First Presbyterian Church 200 E. Second Street Pastor Margaret Fox Perrysburg, OH 43551

[email protected] (419) 874-4119 Website: https:\\1stpresbyterianperrysburg.com/

Greetings, favored ones!

This year, Advent begins on the first of December. This is a season of watching and waiting, a time not only of remembrance of things past, but of anticipation of things to come. Advent is a season “between memory and hope,” when we focus not only on the incarnation of God’s Word-made-flesh in Jesus the infant in Bethlehem, but on Christ’s reign and Christ’s promised return. Advent is a season of “already” and “not yet.”

It’s already time for Christmas tree sales (starting Nov. 29), and the Christmas dinner (Dec. 8), and the children’s pageant (Dec. 15). The side yard smells like pine again, and the sanctuary will be decked with boughs and bows. The Angel Tree will provide an opportunity to give gifts beyond our own families, and the Table (Dec 18) will be a Christmas feast, with table decorations courtesy of the kids at Inspirations Daycare.

But even as we celebrate, we also are reminded that we’re a people of “not yet,” a people waiting for the Lord. “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” is sung from a place of waiting, of longing -- “and ransom captive Israel,” the song pleads. The hymn names our captivity-- to brokenness, to need, to injustice, to violence, to sin. And it longs for a promised redemption that’s to come, naming, in the names it uses for Jesus, the reasons that we need him: Jesus is Emmanuel (God with us), Wisdom, Lord of Might, Dayspring, Desire of Nations… Our evening worship after the holiday dinner on December 8 will give us a chance to linger over this song, the ways we name and pray for Jesus in this time of darkness.

This year’s pageant, based on the Mexican “Las Posadas” tradition, will also emphasize what it is to wait in a world that is broken, as Mary and Joseph, in search of a place to rest, knock on door after door, searching for a place to stay.

As you observe a holy Advent season, I’d invite you to reflect on what you’re watching and waiting for, in your own lives and in our life together, praying, Come, Lord Jesus.

Grace and peace, Margaret

Adult Bible Study

By Selinda Schultz

ADVENT

This year’s Advent Study, Finding Our Place at the Manger, will examine what we know about those who were there to witness the birth of Jesus: Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the wise men. Throughout each session we will not only look at these characters in Scripture but also how they speak to us in our modern context so that we may find where we fit in as we await the joy of Jesus’ birth.

Plan now to prepare during the month of December to celebrate Christmas by joining either of our groups on Sundays at AM or Tuesdays at 10AM. Study materials are available from Selinda but are not required. ADVENT DEVOTIONS Advent devotional books for adults and youth as well as Advent calendars for families will be available December 1st at church. Please pick up your copy to guide your preparation for the birth of Jesus. NO BIBLE STUDY CLASS ON DEC. 29TH AND 31ST.

By Gretchen Downs

This is a very busy time for Christian Ed. We end this month by saying good-bye to Tyra Jones. Tyra has served our children with love, compassion and enthusiasm. We will miss Tyra!

The Christian Ed Team is busily planning the transition to a new Youth Leader. We will keep you informed!

We are very excited about “Las Posadas,” this year’s Christmas Pageant. The children have already begun preparations. The pageant will be presented Sunday, December 15th. More detail to follow.

Church Advent Activities

December 1 Select a child from the Angel Tree Purchase recommended gifts ($50 limit) for a child in foster care through Wood County Child and Family Services (return gifts to church December 15)

December 8 Annual church Christmas dinner and meditative service 5:30 pm Join your church family for Christmas dinner (no sign up required) 7 pm Worship service based on the O Antiphons

December 15 Cookie Celebration after the Children’s Pageant Bring one dozen cookies to share!

Thanks to FPC volunteers for hosting Fellowship Hour! Easy…fun…and much appreciated

Annual Church Christmas Dinner Sunday, December 8 at 5:30 pm Followed by a worship service at 7:00 pm

Join your church family for an evening of fellowship and praise as we say “Thank You” for a wonderful year, along with celebrating the Advent season. For many years we have been treated to a wonderful dinner hosted by Dave and Kay Traver. They are to be recognized for all they have done for FPC. Dave and Kay helped establish a meaningful tradition of sharing a meal and rejoicing the true meaning of Christmas.

The Congregational Life Team will be your host this year for a family friendly event, with some old and new traditions. As we gather in Fellowship Hall you will be offered hot chocolate or mulled wine before dinner. The meal will be ham, sweet potatoes, green beans, salad, and rolls. Delicious desserts are provided by your Session members. Kid-friendly mac & cheese and applesauce will also be available.

After dinner everyone will join together in the sanctuary for a worship service based on the O Antiphons. You will recognize them in songs we sing during the holiday season.

Please mark your calendar for an evening that will become part of your Christmas tradition. No sign up required…just bring your holiday spirit!

Mission Team

Kathy Jarosz, Team Leader

The Table:

The annual Thanksgiving Table was another great one. Over 75 dinners were served by many helpful members. Guests from the community were very appreciative of the food and fellowship our congregation extends every month.

This month will be our Ham Christmas dinner on Wednesday, 18 December. Come join us and enjoy the food and fellowship of serving great food and a good time to our fellow Perrysburgers. Christmas Joy Offering:

The Christmas Joy offering will be starting on 2 Dec. This is one of the National Mission Offerings we as a congregation participate in. 50% of what is collected is used to help past and present leaders of our church, and their families, in their time of need, be it a family emergency, a health care crisis or even a natural disaster. The other 50% goes toward making it possible for students to learn and grow in their faith at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges. PCU Food Collection:

The PCU item for this month is Soup. Next Meeting:

The next meeting is 4 December 2019 at 4:30 p.m.

Think about joining the team.

By Lee Murr

Advent is defined as a time of expectant waiting and preparation, and is a version of the Latin word meaning coming. However, all we have to do is walk into any store to make us think otherwise. It seems that we have been bombarded with Christmas since Halloween, or even earlier. For those of us in the church, Christmas is not here; instead, we are now in that time of waiting and preparation for what is to come. To observe and celebrate this time of the Christian year, the following has been planned for Advent at FPC Perrysburg.

The Advent dinner is Sunday, December 8, with a worship service to follow using the O Antiphons – seven titles for Christ found in scripture and used during the Advent Season and the basis for the hymn O Come, O Come Emmanuel. Our gathering song for Advent will be the hymn Come Now, O Prince of Peace. Each Sunday as we move into Advent, we will sing a different verse of the hymn. As other ways to set this time apart, the Prayers of the People will include the hymn There Is a Longing in Our Hearts. Vinny Sauer will cantor the verses, and the congregation will join in with the refrain.

Thank you to all who purchased poinsettias for the Christmas Eve Service. Your generosity will add to the beauty and celebration of the end of Advent and the beginning of the Christmas Season.

The TABLE

First Presbyterian Church 200 E. Second St., Perrysburg https://1stpresbyterianperrysburg.com/ 419-874-4119 We invite you to please come to the Table! The Table is a free meal for the community.

Everyone is welcome. Even if you can only come for a short time, we would love to see you!

December 18th at 5:30 p.m.

Come and enjoy a wonderful Christmas dinner and the fellowship of our community!

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

Dec 2 David Sloan Jan 1 Alexandria Hope Dec 5 Thurid Campbell Jan 2 Amy Konz Dec 12 Megan Matthews Jan 12 Ross Martin Dec 17 Rick Gilts Jan 14 Kay Traver Dec 22 Eileen Phillips Jan 16 Margot Quick Dec 22 Cathy Robinson Jan 18 Melinda Gallant Dec 23 Abby Youel Jan 18 Martha Gluth Dec 24 Walter Celley Jan 21 Helen Haas Dec 28 John Jarosz Jan 23 David Traver Dec 28 Beau Merrell Jan 25 Patrick Sheridan Dec 28 Kate Merrell Dec 30 Nancy Gates

If you have a birthday that is not listed, please contact the church office so that we can update our records.

Please remember these members and friends in your daily prayers:

Betty Brainard Warren Brown Dorothy Darr Geraldine McGue Rick Modrzynski Andy Nelson Sue Schiffman Pat Sheridan Dave Traver Ed & Sue Williams Earl Witzler Shirley Hansen

Address Change

Gillian Mitchell 1367 N.W. Elwha St., #102 Oak Harbor, WA 98277

HAPPY 50TH ANNIVERSARY TO LINDA AND JACK SIMMONS

SERVING CHART FOR DECEMBER 2019

GREETERS HEAD USHERS ACOLYTE LITURGIST CHILDREN’S COMMUNION COMMUNION POWERPOINT USHER MESSAGE SERVERS PREPARERS

Jo & Jay Dec Brenda Jim Rick & Fiona Jack Molly Salvage, Lowrie 1 Youel Gilmore Mary Beth Davies Simmons Chaflin Stephen Gilmore Nancy G Gilts Potts, Linda Simmons Sarah Dec Doris Jim Crawford & Isla Rusty Margaret Kathy J 8 Currie Gilmore Marty Davies Phlegar Fox Sloan Carol Dec Helen Jim Sprague & Jane Megan Gretchen Nancy G 15 Haas Gilmore Barb Merrell Merrell Downs Modrzynski

Dec Nancy Jim Julie Fiona Susan Selinda Stephen P 22 Gates Gilmore Lindsey & Davies Rowland Schultz Amy Konz Miller

Dec Lowrie Jim Randy & Dylan Fay Don Youel Gretchen D 29 Gilmore Gilmore Eileen Schuh Mitchell Phillips

If you have a conflict with assigned date, please try to trade with another volunteer and inform Lee Murr at [email protected] or call 419.861.2005. If unable to resolve conflict, contact Lee Murr as soon as possible. Thank you for your service to FPC. SERVING CHART FOR JANUARY 2020

GREETERS HEAD USHERS ACOLYTE LITURGIST CHILDREN’S COMMUNION COMMUNION POWERPOINT USHER MESSAGE SERVERS PREPARERS

Rusty Jan Fiona & Jo Tom Stuart Isla Gretchen Sarah Phlegar, Jim Lowrie 5 Rhyn Salvage & Don Davies Downs Magoun Gilmore, Gilmore Davies Youel Amy Konz, Mike Cain Jack & Jan Martha Jo Linda Fiona Jim Don Youel 12 Gluth Salvage Simmons Davies Gilmore

Jan Lois Jo Molly & Jane Jeff Kasza Margaret 19 Rubright Salvage Kyle Merrell Fox Chaflin

Jan Brenda Jo Rick & Dylan Allison Selinda 26 Youel Salvage Mary Beth Schuh Mackin Schultz Gilts

December 2019

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9:00 am Bible 10:00 am Bible Study Study 10:00 am Worship/ 4:30 pm Mission 6:30 pm Worship/ Comm. Team Mtg. Music Team Mtg. 11:15 am Christian Ed Team Mtg. 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 9:00 am Bible 10:00 am Bible Study Study 10:00 am 10:00 am Worship/ Christmas Pageant Congregational 5:30 pm Sacred Rehearsal Mtg. Ground 6:30 pm Session 5:30 pm Christmas Mtg. Dinner followed by Worship Service 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 9:00 am Bible 10:00 am Bible Study 4:30 pm Study 5:30 pm The Table 10:00 am Worship/ Stewardship/ Children’s Pageant Finance Team Mtg. Cookie Celebration 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 9:00 am Bible 7:00 pm CHRISTMAS DAY Study CHRISTMAS EVE 10:00 am Worship SERVICE Church Office Church Office Closed Closed Pastor Margaret On vacation 12/25 until 1/1/2020 29 30 31 No Bible Study No Bible Study 10:00 am Worship

Bereavement Support Group – 2nd Tuesday of the month AlAnon – Every Wednesday night Toastmasters – 3rd Friday of the month

December Newsletter

Service Times: 9:00a.m. Adult Bible Study (Sept. thru May) 10:00 a.m. Worship Children are excused during the worship service to attend Sunday School Communion is served on the first Sunday of each month

Session Members

Jo Salvage – Clerk Nancy Gates, Co-Clerk Melissa Cain, Co-Clerk Jim Gilmore Kathy Jarosz Jeff Kasza Amy Konz Barb Modrzynski Lee Murr Jack Simmons

Staff Pastor ……………..………………………… Rev. Margaret Fox Adult Education Director …………….. Selinda Schultz Youth Ministry Coordinator …………. Music Director …………………………… Vinny Sauer Treasurer ………………………………….. Don Youel Secretary ………………………………….. Linda Bristow Financial Secretary …………………… Tom Connolly Custodian ………………………………….. Jay Salvage Nursery Attendant ……………………… Rebecca Hope