Save the Date and Make Plans to Join  Us For These  Churchw ide Advent Events

Caroling and Chili

  December 8 Caroling at 4PM | Chili Dinner at 6PM

Sounds of Music and Christmas Pageant

  December 15 at 6PM

Moravian Lovefeast

  December 22 at 6PM

A Sunday of Peace

As we move into the second week of Advent, the theme turns to God's gift of peace. The advent devotional starting on Sunday and the sermon in worship will all focus upon that elusive but longed-for peace.

 

In worship, the choir will reinforce the theme of peace through several anthems. In past years, the choir has sung a Cantata. A Cantata is a sacred choral composition usually in several parts written by a single composer. This year the choir will present five different pieces by five different composers.

 

"Somebody Build a Manger" will also feature the children's choir. The song encourages everyone to get everything ready, because "an angel told me / the King is on his way."

 

"Little Drop of Heaven" is a sweet, quiet piece and a plea for God to send peace, love, and joy to this world.

 

"Bring Us Hope" follows a similar theme to "Little Drop of Heaven," and features a cello accompaniment by June Vado.

 

"Sweet Little Jesus Boy" is a traditional spiritual given a beautiful new choral setting. John Washington is the featured soloist.

 

"Somewhere in Your Silent Night" has been recorded by the contemporary Christian music group Casting Crowns. This piece recognizes that the Christmas season can be hard for many people because of the loss and grief that is part of life. But the song affirms, "Somewhere in your silent night, / Heaven hears the song your broken heart has cried. / Hope is here; just lift your head, / for Love has come to find you / somewhere in your silent night."

 

Please join us for worship and celebrate God's gift of peace.

• Received Von and Melissa Pilcher into membership by Reaffirmation of Faith;
• Session and other church leaders will have a retreat on January 24-25 related to the Vital Congregations Program.
• Brian Thacker and Javier Cantu have done extensive work to improve the quality of the sound system;
• Youth donated their "Pennies for Moms" fund, through the Coastal Bend Day of Giving, to Youth Odyssey and The Purple Door. The fund totaled $1,909;
• The October Halloween Fest was attended by 300-400 people;
• Financially the pledges received and expenses paid through October were in line with budgeted expectations;
• Approved sending $1,000 to Tree 4 Hope for the Hope Academy. These are funds that were not needed by the Mission Team that traveled to Guatemala this past July;
• Thanksgiving Baskets were delivered to The Purple Door on November 25;
• Gifts for clients of PCHAS will be promoted through a Gingerbread Tree on December 1 and 8;
• The Mission Market, an alternative gift project, will support Goof Samaritan, Heifer Project, and Presbyterian Pan American School;
• The Christmas Joy Offering will be received throughout the month of December;
• A new sign will be installed on the Music Building facing Santa Fe for seasonal announcements;
• The air conditioning installation in the sanctuary has been completed;
• The Fellowship Hall remodeling design is out to the contractor for pricing;
• A contract has been signed for the cleaning of the pew cushions;
• Parking stops will be installed in the area next to the playground fence across from the Scout Hut. Larger trucks have backed into the playground fence and caused considerable damage.
• New, smaller robes will be made for the acolytes;
• The Session voted to change the time for worship from 10:55 to 11:00 beginning January 5.

A Perfect Gift this Advent Season: Christmas Joy Offering

In the lead up to Christmas, many of us spend time in search of the perfect gift - the gift that communicates to friends and family how much we know and love them. We search our memories for indications of what gift might cause the faces of our loved ones to light up. We scour the stores and shops, hoping to come across the thing that will communicate a depth of love that our words cannot.

As important as gifts to loved ones are, we have an opportunity to give gifts that help many people we do not know through the Christmas Joy Offering. These gifts in particular draw us back to the manger and God's perfect gift to us - Jesus Christ. Jesus came to live among us, bringing light into darkness, and reconciliation to God and to one another. A perfect gift from a gracious God.

During this Christmas and Advent Season, we celebrate leadership; past, present and future through support of the Christmas Joy Offering. We do so because church leaders greatly impact our lives of faith, walking with us down the path to be more like Jesus. We want those church leaders and their families who find themselves grappling with a critical financial need to have the resources they need which are provided through the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions. We also support the offering to help our future leaders in the church and world, like those educated at our Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. Supporting these students helps the whole church develop leaders who reflect the wideness of God's intended diversity. For those supported through the Christmas Joy Offering, this help is truly a gift from above. May our gifts, and the leaders who receive them, point us always to the truth of the one whose birth we celebrate, Jesus Christ - the truly perfect gift.

We will receive the Christmas Joy Offering on Sunday, December 22nd. Please give generously.

Please let me know if you have a special day you would like to reserve in 2020! Email request to Cheryl.

Acolyte Service Needs Volunteers

Click here to sign up. Please sign up for acolyte  spots!

Children's Choir and Pageant Notes

 

Children will be singing in the Sunday morning worship service on December 8 during Children's Time. 

 

We will have a "Come As You Are" Christmas pageant on Sunday evening, December 15 in the sanctuary.  Please come 

at 5:45 to select costumes.  

 

Questions?  Call Joyce Wilcox at 361-779-9665.