Beginning the first conversation on how to redeem the DECEMBER 2020press casualties Raising to families support and from awareness COVID-19. for Hunger & [See article page 14] Homelessness. [See article page 12-13] Sharing the Gospel to the nations: Bible God comes to us at translation Christmas, when we need in Indonesia. [See article page 6-7] Him most. [See Pastor's article pages 2-3 & feature article pages 10-11] PASTOR’S ARTICLE hristmas comes every you have found favor with God. When We Need year—good year or bad And behold, you will conceive It Most year, normal year or crazy in your womb and bear a son, C year. And that is a good and you shall call his name thing, because “2020” has become Jesus. He will be great and will synonymous with “crazy.” be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give The truth is, we need Christmas— to him the throne of his father especially in the “2020” years, David, and he will reign over and this Advent is a good time to the house of Jacob forever, and remember that Christmas comes of his kingdom there will be no every year because we need it. end.” (Luke 1:30-33) Advent, especially Advent 2020, is not Dr. William P. Wood, former Pastor a time for sappy sentimentality. This of First Presbyterian Church of year we need the real gospel truth Charlotte and former associate and the promise of the Messiah now pastor of this church, once wrote more than ever. Rev. Dr. Bob Fuller that, Senior Pastor The Bible tells us that the promises “Contrary to what the makers of the Messiah did not come in of Christmas cards would peaceful easy times. They came in have us believe, the city of times of deep distress and trouble. Bethlehem was not a quiet, The first promise of Messiah came pastoral city full of shepherds immediately after the expulsion and mewing lambs. It was from Eden when the Lord told the a city with dirty streets and serpent that a child would be born violence. ... God came to who “shall crush your head, and you Bethlehem to be with the shall bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3:15). people who were rejected, The promise came again during the despised, divided and captive. time of exile: It was there that he came to take upon himself their For to us a child is born, to burdens, and to be their us a son is given; and the savior ... [The gospel promise] government shall be upon his was spoken to a nation that shoulder, and his name shall is broken and captive, to be called Wonderful Counselor, a people that cry out for a Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Messiah, to a people that know Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) that only God can give them what they need the most: And most significantly, the promise peace.” of the Messiah came while the people of God were under Roman God promises the coming of the occupation. They came to Mary and Messiah at the moment we need it said: most. Advent reminds us that the promise of the Messiah is not over. “Do not be afraid, Mary, for While Christ has won his victory over 2 FIRST PRESS MAGAZINE sin and death, the Bible also tells us that He will come again to claim contents Save the Date: his bride (the church) and to restore 4 Christmas at First dates, Christmas Poinsettias, creation. Congregational Meeting, Literature Circle, WOC During the first days of fierce Cookbooks for Sale, KRL Winter Support, Church Christian persecution, the Lord Offices Closed for Holidays, Christmas Giving showed the Apostle John that God is Opportunities, Women's Faith Gathering Retreat, still on his throne and promised that Alternative Gift Market the Messiah would come again: 6 Loving the World: FPC Continues Christian Then I saw heaven opened, and Mission Work in Indonesia behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful Loving One Another: KEYS December and True, and in righteousness 8 he judges and makes war. ... On his robe and on his thigh 9 Loving One Another: Children's Ministry he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. (See Feature Article: Christmas At First Revelation 19:11-16) 10 Advent points to the fact that the 12 Loving the City: In This Together Event Raises Messiah has come, and that he will Awareness and Support for Hunger and come again. It reminds us that even Homelessness Week when the world is at its most chaotic, God is still in control. 14 Loving the City: State of the Family Panel This Christmas comes at the end Discussion of the secular year, but Christmas and the season of Advent are the 15 Loving One Another: WOC Reflecting on the beginning of the church liturgical Good calendar. What the world sees as the end, we see as the new beginning. At 18 Loving Christ: First Cup Readings the junction of the old and the new, through pandemic, elections, war 19 Loving Christ: First Cup Prayer List and natural disasters, God’s promise comes to us once again, as it does Loving One Another: November Covenant every year, and as it will until He 20 Partners returns. First Press is published monthly by the First Presbyterian Church SOLI DEO GLORIA, San Antonio Communications Team. Deadline to submit content: the 15th of the previous month. - REV. DR. BOB FULLER Hank Cherry: Director of Communications Dorothy Hecimovich: Graphic Designer Ross Brown: Media Coordinator Questions? Contact: Hank Cherry (210-271-2728/[email protected]) 3 FIRST PRESS MAGAZINE SAVE THE DATE Congregational WOC Cookbooks Meeting For Sale Sales Begin Sunday, Dec. 6 Date: Sunday, December 6 The WOC Cookbooks are in the Time: After each service final stages of production and Location: Sanctuary & should arrive just in time for your Westminster Hall holiday gift giving. Purchasing to A special congregational meeting begin Sunday, December 6, online will take place to call a new Officer (fpcsanantonio.org/cookbook) and Christmas at First Nominating Committee. The in-person (at the table outside the Sunday, Nov. 29 meeting will take place immediately Ave. E entrance). Pick up Family Advent Kits following each of our three services beginning this week. (9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, & 11:02 PM.) KRL Winter Support Thursday, Dec. 3 Literature Circle Thank you for your support of The Midday Noels - Shimmering Songs Kingdom Restoration Lab (KRL) at and Sparkling Singing, 12:00 PM, Dates: Tuesday, December 8 FPC. Help fill the food and clothing Sanctuary & online at fpcsanantonio. fpcsanantonio.org/lit-circle pantries with necessities for our org/noels under-resourced neighbors in their Thursday, Dec. 10 The FPC Literature Circle will journey to becoming self-sufficient: present the novel, BEFORE WE Midday Noels - Sound the Trumpet!, CURRENT NEEDS: 12:00 PM, Sanctuary & online at WERE YOURS, by Lisa Wingate fpcsanantonio.org/noels taped and available for your viewing • Men’s and/or Women's socks and pleasure by reviewer, Grace Clouse, underwear (must be new) Sunday, Dec. 13 starting December 8 on the church Children's Drive-Thru Christmas • Jackets/coats/warm clothing website: www.fpcsanantonio.org/ (men and women) Pageant, 3:00 - 4:00 PM, Large lit-circle. Based on an American Parking Lot off Ave. E real-life scandal, the novel reveals • Casual shoes (for both men and Thursday, Dec. 17 what happened to five siblings who women) Midday Noels - Christmas with lived with their parents aboard a • Hygiene Kit Needs: Men’s the Petersen Family, 12:00 PM, shantyboat on the Mississippi River. Deodorant, Travel Size 2-in-1 Sanctuary & online at fpcsanantonio. The father had to leave the children Shampoo/Conditioner, Body org/noels one evening to take their ill mother Wipes, Razors to the hospital. What follows is an Thursday, Dec. 24 You may donate by shopping the account of the children's lives in a Christmas Eve Services: 2:30 PM, Amazon wish list at http://tiny.cc/ world of danger and uncertainly. 5:00 PM, 7:30 PM, & 10:00 PM. KRL-support (link is case sensitive), "Though the paths we take can lead to created by our partner, SA Hope many places, the heart never forgets More information on activities this Center. All of the items that you where we belong." month on pages 10-11. purchase are shipped directly to During COVID, Literature books the KRL. If you are interested in are available for reading by phoning volunteering for our KRL ministries, volunteer Suzanne West, at 210-525- contact Lindsay at lindsays@fpcsat. Christmas Poinsettias 1499. org. Deadline December 13 - Willie Willming, Publicity Each year during the Advent season, the congregation has an opportunity to remember a loved one, honor an individual or recognize an occasion Church Offices Closed by purchasing a poinsettia to be placed in the Chancel. Download Dates: Friday, December 25 - Friday, January 1 the order form from fpcsanantonio. Please note that the church offices will be closed Friday, December 25 through org/poinsettias and turn it in by Friday, January 1, in observance of Christmas and New Year's. The offices will December 13 to get your poinsettias. resume a regular schedule on Monday, January 4, 2021. Form available on page 11. 4 FIRST PRESS MAGAZINE Christmas Giving Women's Faith Gathering Retreat February 26 - 27, 2021 | First Presbyterian Church Opportunitites Join women of all ages for a time of connection, fun, and worship as together we fpcsanantonio.org/christmas-giving look at our identity as beloved daughters of God and what it means to live our lives in response to God’s love for us.