1193 Clover Mill Rd., Chester Springs, PA 19425 www.StPetersPikeland.org 610-933-6419

BREISCH THANKSGIVING CHALLENGE

Dear Church Family, Thank you so much for your generous outpouring of support for the Breisch Thanksgiving Challenge. We have raised $35,310 from the challenge which will be matched by $25,000 from the Breisch’s, bringing the total to $60,310 with the Breisch’s match. In these uncertain times this additional money couldn’t be more important. We will close out what could have been a difficult 2020 in good financial shape because of your generosity. And we can buy a new air conditioner before the weather heats up again next year!

Have a blessed season. Sincerely, Pete Warner Consistory President

Hanging of the Greens Because of the limitations set on gatherings during Covid, our Hanging of The Eve service this year will be held at the Greens Service will be held virtually 7:30pm. There will only be one service, but it will be recorded and sent out to the congregation. this year. In compliance with Pennsylvania rules on gathering at The Hanging of the Greens this time, amended on November 23rd, we are allowed attendance up to 10% of capacity, or 25-30 people. The Service will be pre-recorded in a congregation will be quickly notified about any state or very special way and e-mailed county updates to attendance.

out. A link will also be on our We will be blessed to have Rachel Sigman, vocal soloist, website and FaceBook page! back with us to sing the Christmas carols.

Please see pages 3-5 for more Hanging of the Greens details!

Page 2 Annual Meeting Held Leaf Mania On Sunday, November 22nd, our Congregational President, Jim Phillips, led an efficient annual We had a great turnout for Leaf Mania. The meeting after worship. many hands had the leaves picked up by The slate of Consistory nominees and 11:00am. A big thank you to the volunteers! congregational officers was approved. Volunteers included: The annual report was discussed and approved. John Gingrich Copies of the Annual Report are still available Doug Hanson and Eric Hanson for pick up in all entrances and can be e-mailed Scott Maguire again upon request. Albert Wachsmuth The 2021 Budget will be voted on Pete Warner and Mitchell Warner in January. Fred Wookey Jr Fred Wookey III and Andrew Wookey

Advent: Prepare the Way - Pastor Doug Hanson The “seasons” of the church year begin with , meaning “coming.” In this Advent season, we prepare for the coming of the birth of Christ. Some Bible passages in the Advent season also refer to the Second Coming. Finally, Advent provides each of us a time to prepare for the rebirth of the heart and spirit; turning closer to our God in Christ. “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” says the Advent hymn. Emmanuel means “God-with-us,” and we On-Line Directory anticipate and prepare to receive a Savior, born in the little town of . The e-mail from the On-Line Church Directory Bible passages for worship throughout the Advent went out to our members on Thursday, October th season are related to the coming of the Savior. 15 . If you did not receive an e-mail with your Music begins to lead us toward that wonderful Spirit log in information, please check your spam or of Christmas. Prayers help us to open ourselves to junk folder. It has come to our attention that a receive the true gift of Christmas; the birth of our few members had theirs go into their spam Savior. folder. If you did not receive an e-mail at all, These four weeks of Advent invite you to turn closer please contact Jill Cook at the church office via to your faith, so that the joy and wonder, the peace e-mail or by calling the office on Thursday and love of Christmas may find a home in your heart between 9am and 3pm. more than ever. We are happy to report that so far, the

feedback from our members about the new Luke 1:30-33: directory has been great and easy to use. Don’t The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for forget that there is an app too! you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will If you have any questions, please feel free to name him . He will be great, and will be called reach out to the office. the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give If you did receive the log in e-mail, please be to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will sure to get logged in to check all of your reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his information and add whatever you may like, kingdom there will be no end.” especially a photo. We hope to print these directories in the new year and want to make sure everyone is updated with a photo. Page 3 Hanging of the Greens 2020 Our Hanging of the Greens Service will be held virtually this year. The Hanging of the Greens Service will be pre-recorded in a very special and creative way and e-mailed out to you!

Because we will be virtual, we will be collecting items for Bethany Children’s Home now until December 13th. Please see the lists provided by Bethany on the next page to know what to purchase. You can drop your items off at the church on Sundays, or Thursday between 9:00 and 3:00. (Or contact Pastor Doug to drop off at another time) You will see all of the items collected on display by the tree on the night of the Hanging of the Greens before they are taken to Bethany Children’s Home.

A few elves will have the church decorated and ready for your viewing pleasure through this recorded service! Have your computer fired up and ready along with a warm drink and cookies to enjoy from the safety and comfort of your own home! You can forward this special service to all of your friends and family, so they can enjoy the beauty of this service.

The Bethany Wish List is on the next page, but if you’re interested in donating a gift card, here is a list of places that would be great!

Gift Cards support independent learning skills Walmart, Target, Lowe’s, Home Depot, TJ Maxx/Marshall’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Boyer’s, Redner’s, Dairy Queen, McDonald’s, Ross, Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, Ulta Page 4

Bethany Wish List 2020 Cottage Needs Recreation • small bins with handles for toiletries • agility ladder • bed pillows • basketballs (29.5-inch) • twin sheets • kickballs & playground balls • twin zippered waterproof mattress pads • pickleball paddles & balls • bath & pool towels • TRX Workout Band (Brand) • shower curtain liners and rings • 1.5-inch yoga mats • kitchen dish cloths/towels • meditation pillows • twin comforters • black ¾-inch buckles for paracord bracelets • 4-slice toasters • Lego sets • flashlights & nightlights • Pony Beads • Rexlace plastic lacing Teen Boys’ Clothing • embroidery thread • Sculpey clay & Accessories/Tools – https:// mens’ sizes please www.sculpey.com/products/tools • Nalgene water bottles • sweatpants for men-sizes small-2XL • storage bins • underwear-boxer briefs • *large Bluetooth speaker for outside use* • socks-all types • larger easy-up tent • pajama pants-Sizes Small–2XL • Mechanic tool sets • white t-shirts – all sizes • 2-stage locking carabiners • gym shorts • 3-stage auto-locking carabiners • teambuilding sports • bookcases

Teen Girls’ Clothing Activity Items Juniors and misses sizes please • art & craft kits • sweatpants– small-2X • adult coloring books • panties – size 5,6,7 & 8 • paint-by-number • sports bras/bralettes- Small-2XL • tie-dye kits (with white shirts and pillowcases) • socks-all types • card stock • pajamas – all sizes • paint brushes • bath robes • hand-held games • tank tops • board games • slippers • scrapbook paper • gym shorts • canvas boards • snow boots • yarn • crochet & knitting needles • colored pencils • hardbound journals Page 5

Yes, St. Peter’s, there is a visit during COVID-19 Covid-19 has upended daily life in nearly every corner of the globe. Events have been cancelled, gatherings postponed, and major life moments have been forced online. But, Santa Fred has a message of reassurance for worried children around the world as numerous countries reimpose new restrictions amid rising cases – despite everything going on, Christmas will not be cancelled. The challenge is how does Santa visit more than 200 countries and millions of households, all in a 24-hour period and still meet the quarantine and social distancing requirements? This really calls for a miracle! Christmas is a time to celebrate one of the most remarkable miracles found in the Bible: the virgin birth of Jesus. God sent the angel to Mary, a virgin who was engaged to Joseph. The angel explained to her that she would become pregnant through the Holy Spirit without requiring a human father. Mary was initially upset by this news but the angel explained to her that God was pleased with her and that she would give birth to a son who would save his people from their sins. Reports of miraculous childbirth are not, however, limited to . For example, Karna, a central character in the Sanskrit epic, Mahābhārata, from ancient India, is said to have been born from his virgin mother Kunti through the sun god Surya. The Buddha is believed to have been born from the right side of Maya’s body while standing. Indeed, it is said that when the Buddha was born he immediately walked seven steps and at each step a lotus flower appeared. Muhammad is also believed to have been accompanied by a bright light when he was born, while the ancient Chinese philosopher Laozi is said to have been born as a fully grey-bearded man.

Old miracles die hard Many people believe in miracles even in the 21st century. According to a recent survey 77% of people agree with the statement that “there are things in life that we simply cannot explain through science or any other means”. Moreover, 16% say that either they or someone they know have experienced what they would call a miracle.

The St. Peter’s Miracle Santa Fred needs the entire St. Peter’s family to join in our miracle making. The folks we support at St. Mary’s Franciscan Shelter and Bethany Children’s Home need our miracle making this year more than ever. Santa Fred will be greeting you every Sunday as usual and if you are a virtual St. Peter’s attendee please send your contribution directly to the church and mark the envelope as Santa Miracle.

Page 6 CHRISTMAS CAROLING WE DID IT!

Pastor Doug is putting together Christmas caroling There is no doubt “teams” of two families, or a few individuals, to that this has been a sing at members’ houses. They will drive tough year for the separately and meet at houses where they will whole world. For sing. This will allow for the joy of caroling, while many of us, our also observing safety precautions. Some teams will have a few stops, while others may only do entire way of being one stop at a longer distance. has been turned upside down. Some have lost loved ones or jobs, This year’s plan is to try to reach, in a safe way, others are insecure about bills or their mental and more of our members, especially those who are not physical health. For the girls that we support- and able to come to church, or who may not have a their villages- this year could be the end of computer. life-changing progress for a generation. But not on our watch! Scheduling will begin next week, with a suggested th caroling date of Friday, December 18 . However, We have tallied up all of your generous donations each team may choose to sing on a different date. for the 2020 Room to Read campaign, and despite this challenging year, you have exceeded last year’s If you would like to sing, and are not contacted donation! St Peter’s Room to Read mission has soon, please let Pastor Doug know of your raised $6166.00- which will provide 20 girls with availability. a year of education. More than that, a matching grant through Room to Read will triple our donation, so that now we will actually be sending 61 girls to school for a year!

In this time of Thanksgiving, we are pleased and proud to be part of such a generous and caring community. You truly are the change we wish to see in this world. Thank you and God bless you!

-Room to Read Committee Page 7 December Anniversaries Bill and Suzanna Derer Jim and Gail Phillips Chett and Jeanie Breiling

BIRTHDAYS Barb McCabe 12/1 Dorothy Wood 12/1 Tom Wilson 12/2 Darryl Zinn 12/3 Thank you to the Sewing Circle ladies for donating money to Linda Johnson 12/5 buy gifts for the people who live at the Pocopson Home. Bob Breisch 12/6 Thank you to the Sewing Circle's five elves who divided the Clarice Bowman 12/7 names and bought the gifts. Jean Ann Barney 12/7 Chad Stein 12/7 Catherine Schay 12/8 Suzanna Derer 12/8 Tom Carnevale 12/9 Owen Yeakle 12/10 Jim Phillips 12/13 Chloe Dunn 12/13 Sarah Schay 12/15 Nancy Smith 12/16 Mark Myers 12/18 Doug Fink 12/19 Sumiko Booraem 12/19 Dan Gorge 12/19 Jackie Nordhoff 12/19 Dee McClimon 12/20 Tammy Gingrich 12/20 Ryan Mest 12/21 Annamae Moore 12/23 Beth Newell 12/26 Cooper Dunn 12/29 Alexis McCarthy 12/30 Kevin Whitlatch 12/30 Ryan Borzillo 12/30 Rose Borzillo 12/30

Merry Christmas Page 8

Our Prayer List

Please keep the following members and friends in your prayers:

Church Staff Andrea Lafleur Rev. Douglas Hanson, Angie Schlessman Pastor Anthony Didesidero, friend of Anne Breiling Annamae Moore, Barbara Broyles, friend of the Wachsmuths Worship Coordinator Bob Dewilde Kat Bowman, Director of Music and Organist Brandy Rhodes, Gail Phillips’ nephew Jill Cook, Caitie Blazic and baby Nicholas, friend of Judy Smythe Church Secretary Carol Meyer Deborah Wetty, Chris Saunders, friend of Micki Menkins Nursery Attendant Debbie Wolk, Chris Webb, son of a friend of Lynn Mailey Bookkeeper Clarice Bowman Wayne Freese Doris Ingham, Joyce Rosen’s mother Cemetery Manager Donna Rhodes, Gail Phillips’ sister

Greg Francis, Lee Ann Michener’s brother Church Officers 2020 Heidi Kieffer, daughter of Eric Johnson’s cousin President of Congregation – Ian Charles Harmon, the Booraem’s grandson Jim Phillips Jashown Banner, former student of Jackie Warner Secretary of Congregation – Jennifer Newell, Beth Newell’s Sister-in-law Kathleen Wachsmuth Jennifer Osborne President of Consistory – Joan Fink Peter Warner John Edwards, friend of Linda Johnson Secretary of Consistory – John Pandjak Michelle Case Kelly, Hunter & Hannah Firment, daughter & grandchildren of Nancy Smith Treasurer – Ken Whitlatch Kerri Haseman, Jane and Bob Breisch’s niece Kevin Snyder, CEO of Bethany Children’s Home Elders Michelle Case- Chair Linda Halpern, Joyce Rosen’s Sister in Law Ben Campbell, Wayne Freese, Margaret Breiling Judy Shupe, Deb Wetty, Dave Zinn Mary Andersen, friend of the McCarthys Mike Solerno, friend of the Micheners Deacons Pete Warner– Chair Patty Myers Bill Latta, Alexis McCarthy, Peter Lenichek, Anne Breiling’s cousin Doug Yeakle, Chris Zaro Peter Mahler, friend of Smythes Reagan Basile Trustees Fred Wookey III-Chair Rick Cassidy, friend of the Davidsons Mark Myers, John Pandjak Sally Kramer, Cherri Romano’s sister Scott Raichle, Peter Wilson, Sally Mehrens, sister of Lynn Mailey Drew Zummo Sharon Divis, daughter of Judy Smythe Sue McVay, friend of Mary Jo Pandjak Sylvia Houff, Kathleen Wachsmuth’s sister Sylvia Lawson