TThehe BBellell TowerTower DDecember,ecember, 22013013 NNederlandederland CCommunityommunity PPresbyterianresbyterian CChurchhurch A CCongregationongregation ofof caringcaring friendsfriends aandnd nneighborseighbors . ggrowingrowing ttoo lliveive oourur motto:motto: oopenpen doors,doors, oopenpen mminds,inds, oopenpen hheartsearts Advent Thank You... ...to all of you who helped hang the greens, decorate the tree and put on a great potluck lunch on the first Sunday of Advent. Also, there would have been no tree to decorate without the adult and youth stalwarts who cut the tree, hauled it to the church and set it up for those who decorated it. CCONTENTSONTENTS AAdventdvent GreeningGreening 1 YYouthouth GroupGroup 3 AAlternativelternative GGivingiving 2 SSermonsermons OOnlinenline 3 CChristmashristmas SServiceservices 2 AAnnouncementsnnouncements 3 NNewew MMemberember ClassClass 2 AAnniversariesnniversaries 3 FFellowshipellowship hhelpelp 2 PPrayersrayers 3 PPotluckotluck PPhotoshotos 2 HHistoryistory ofof thethe RobeRobe 4 GGeneraleneral AAssemblyssembly 3 NNCPCCPC LeadershipLeadership 4 MMissionission ReportReport 3 BBirthdaysirthdays 4 Future accompanists in training AAboutbout CChristianityhristianity 3 BBookook SStudytudy 4 Tree cutting crew at Lutz home while a couple others chatted While some were hanging the greens and decorating the tree, the choir was practic- and sorted various Christmas ing for Advent and Christmas Eve services–all are welcome; contact Emily Haynes– tree decorations by the piano. Alternative Christmas Giving South American family a set of fi ve Christmas Services So much of Christmas these days is chickens for $25; help a Sudanese village with a treadle pump for $65; The Christmas Season begins with buying and getting stuff . Th ere’s nothing Advent on December 1st. Each Sunday wrong with sweaters and electric shavers feed a Presbyterian Young Adult Volunteer (our faith tradition’s we will light candles for Hope, Peace, and stockings full of candy; but Jesus Joy & Love. came to give himself, and to inspire us version of Peace Corps) for a month to help those in need. Here are a few fforor $100. On Christmas Eve we will have opportunities at NCPC, for you to share two worship services: 5 p.m. will in some alternative giving. appeal especially to children and the festive folks; with 6:30 p.m. for a more Go to www.pcusaspecialoff erings. contemplative mood. com to order your Christmas cards. Th ey are attractive, may be New Member Class customized to your wishes, and 100% Are you interested in joining the church of the proceeds support a variety of as a formal member? In early 2014 we will Presbyterian mission initiatives: local have a series of New Member gatherings, and global peacemaking, ministry to from 9-9:45 on three Sunday mornings at-risk children, continued disaster (date TBD). No tests or homework; this is recovery, hunger relief, empowering simply to help us get to know each other, the poor, and more! to learn about the history and ministry of NCPC, and to think about what it means During worship on Dec 22, you to be a Presbyterian Christian. can join tens of thousands of Presbyterians in contributing to the Christmas Joy Off ering. 50% Sunday Fellowship of the off ering supports education If you can make and leadership development at coff ee, set out some Presbyterian-related racial and ethnic cookies, and fi ll colleges and schools; and 50% of the a dishwasher, we off ering supports retired pastors and need your help church workers in need. with Sunday At both Christmas Eve services, Fellowship! Th e the off ering will support our sign-up sheet is outside the kitchen. congregation’s Deacon’s Fund, which Hanging of the Greens supports local neighbors in need. Potluck We help folks with all sorts of issues, Lots of good food and from food to health care, vehicle great conversations at reliability to electricity bills, warm the December 1 potluck. clothes to baby supplies. Th is little bit Next potluck in January. of support can go a long way. Give to the Nederland Food Pantry in someone’s honor. Th e pantry does much more than simply providing food for those in our community who are in need. A donation of $10 may be used to obtain cleaning supplies for four families. A donation of $25 can provide a whole month of meals for a family; $50 can provide fresh fruits and vegetables for many people; $100 might help a family with a dental or utility bill. Check out the Presbyterian Catalog of Gift s you can give in people’s honor at www.presbyteriangift s.org! Supply a south Asian farmer with reliable tools for only $10; give a General Assembly Report from the Mission Team Next June 14-21 Th e Human Services Resource Fair, that distribution of food baskets and toys from in Detroit, leaders was held at the Nederland Community 9am-noon. If you’re able to help you can from all across our Center on Saturday, Nov 16, was a contact me at Dennis.W.Whalen@gmail. Presbyterian Church (USA) will gather huge success. Th ere were free fl u shots com. at our biannual General Assembly. Each provided by Dr Camarata and funded by Th ere is one negative item to report. presbytery sends a few pastors, elders and the Nederland Food Pantry; free water Th e food that has been provided by young adult advisors to make decisions well testing kits provided by Boulder the Temporary Emergency Assistance about the future of the denomination. County Public Health; Coupons for King Program (TEFAP), formerly USDA, has Delegate nomination forms are available Soopers provided by Catholic Charities; not been available for the past couple at www.plainsandpeaks.org/documents. food bags provided by the Emergency months due to some yet to be clarifi ed Family Assistance Association; Mountain legal requirements that Boulder County Teaching About Christianity Family Health; low cost mental services Community Food Share is addressing. At Nederland Middle/High School on provided by Peak to Peak Counseling; Hopefully this issue will be resolved December 4th, Hansen will participate along with the involvement of several soon. Due to the fl ooding the number in No Place For Hate’s Diversity Day, by other agencies including other low cost of households served by the Nederland teaching our area kids about Christianity. Mental Health services and Boulder Food Pantry has grown to nearly 300 Th en, he’ll lead a program about faith County Care Connect. In addition households a month, and the need for for a number of Cub Scouts on Dec 10th. the Food Pantry was open as usual on food to distribute is critical. If you have youngsters at home, use this Saturdays, and provided food to several Please remember our Never Ending holiday season to talk to them about households. Food Drive and, when you’re able, bring our distinct faith traditions, and how to Coming in December, in addition to the non expired food items to the church for be forthright and polite in a world of so Food Pantry’s open hours on Th ursday distribution. Also, remember you can many belief systems. December 5th and every Saturday from also donate money by writing a check to NCPC on Facebook – Have you liked 10-noon, will be the Christmas Food the Nederland Food Pantry and placing it us on Facebook? We are at 97 likes; you Basket and toy distribution on Saturday, in to the collection plate. could put us over the century mark! If December 14. We’re always seeking — Dennis Whalen, Mission Elder you have liked us, check your settings to volunteers, and can especially use added Home 303.642.1435, Mobil 303.862.1501 make sure you get all our updates. help for the Saturday, December 14 Coffee at Buffalo Bills ― Every Tuesday morning at 9, a motley group of Youth Group Violet Aandres; Judy An- folks gather for coff ee to discuss who we Teenagers gathered for a number of derson; Becky Binge; Shirley are as a church, what we are called to do fun events in November! Th e Highlands Filer; Megen Stadele; Joye Stanich; Robyn Wysong; next, and how to move toward it. Come, High School Retreat taught about our life for those who are unable as a journey with God. We partnered with join the ongoing conversation! to worship with us on a regular basis; and for The Session will meet Sunday, St Andrew Presbyterian in Boulder for a those serving in the military. December 15, following fellowship aft er mission project: to rake leaves and clean a worship. basement for a 95 year old woman whose Sermons Online house fl ooded. Th en we had a game When we launch the new website, links The Annual Congregation Meeting night, where Hansen had no mercy… will make it will be very easy to listen will convene following the worship to sermons online. Until then, service on January 12. For December we are gathering for lunch and conversation at the church on the 8th you can fi nd them at YouTube. The December Newsletter deadline at 11:30, a School’s-Out Lock-In at the com, by searching for “Hansen is Friday, December 27. church on the 20th at 6:30, and Snow Day Wendlandt”. By clicking on his name, you The Never Ending Food Drive on the 31st at 9 am! will be directed to Hansen’s channel with dozens of videos and sermons. keeps on keeping on d Wes Stiefer, II is in there somewhere because of your generous participation. It’s “never ending” because poverty and hunger keep rolling along in this nation of ours. Hmm, time to rethink our systems? December Anniversaries! 24 Charlene & Gaylord Morrison 27 Martha Ann & Charles Hogrefe 31 Jaydene Morrison & Russ Peterson History of the Robe hesitate about the immediate relevance of In some churches pastors wear God, robes can be barriers to faith.