News From the Presbytery of Transylvania
(There will be no eNews the Friday after Thanksgiving)
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What is Advent?
An Introduction to Advent
How Can Advent Make A Difference in Your Relationship with God?
by Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts
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*Editor's Note- Even though Advent started last week, this is a great, basic comprehensive understanding of Advent and I hope you take a moment to read through as you prepare this Advent season.
Introduction
My goal in this article is to explain what Advent is and to make the case for taking Advent seriously. I also want to add some practical suggestions for how you can celebrate Advent.
When is Advent?
Advent is a season in the Christian year that lasts for about four weeks. It begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve, thus there is some variation in its length. If you’re unfamiliar with the idea of Christian seasons, you might find helpful a series I’ve written called:
Introduction to the Christian Year
. (I should mention that Eastern Orthodox Christians do not recognize Advent per se, but have a longer season that is rather like Advent. Their Nativity Fast begins in the middle of November and is a season for repentance and abstinence.)
In our secular American celebration of Christmas, the Christmas season (or holiday season, ugh) begins in the weeks prior to Christmas Day. Generally, this season starts in early December, though retailers have a bad habit of beginning Christmas in November (or even October). In my rule book, you shouldn’t listen to Christmas music or decorate for Christmas until after you’ve finished the Thanksgiving turkey . . . at the earliest. Of course outside of my immediate family, nobody follows my rules . . . especially retailers.
So, Advent overlaps with what is usually thought of in American culture as the Christmas season. But its beginning and ending are well defined, and its themes are quite a bit different from what is commonly associated with secular Christmas celebrations.
What is Advent?
The Christian season of Christmas actually begins on Christmas Eve and lasts for twelve days, ending on January 6. (No, the twelve-day season of Christmas did not start with the song. It was the other way around.) The time before Christmas is Advent, a season of preparation for Christmas. Christians prepare for celebrating the birth of Jesus by remembering the longing of the Jews for a Messiah. In Advent, we’re reminded of how much we ourselves also need a Savior, and we look forward to our Savior’s second coming even as we prepare to celebrate his first coming at Christmas. The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming” or “visit.” In the season with this name, we keep in mind both “advents” of Christ, the first in Bethlehem and the second yet to come.
I loved Christmas when I was young, partly because it celebrated the birth of Jesus, but mostly because it was a giant party in which I received lots of presents. In a sense, the Christian observance is a bit like my boyhood Advent calendars, though it has a much more serious purpose. It’s meant to get us ready, not for a present-opening party, but for a transformational celebration of the birth of Jesus.
Read the Full Article
HERE
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To: Teaching Elder and Ruling Elder Commissioners
Notice of Annual Meeting of the Presbytery of Transylvania
The Presbytery of Transylvania will meet on Saturday, December 7, 2019, at Korean United Presbyterian Church, 3534 Tates Creek Road, Lexington, KY, 40517. (The Presbytery thanks the pastor, staff, leaders, and members of Korean United Church for hosting the presbytery meeting.)
The Presbytery convenes at 10:00 AM. Registration opens at 9:00 AM. Please email Robyn at
rjustus@transypby.org
with the name(s) of your commissioner(s) so that a printed name tag can be provided. If you are unable to attend, please request an excused absence from the Stated Clerk. Email:
statedclerk@transypby.org
. Lunch costs $8.00. If you should need childcare, please make your request with Robyn at
rjustus@transypby.org
by December 3
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The meeting will include a panel discussion of the Moderator's yearly theme (
Life Together
) with a focus on issues surrounding gun violence, morning worship and Communion, and other business items. The meeting docket and reports can be found here:
https://transypby.org/december-7-2019-presbytery-meeting/
The host church supports missionaries in Myanmar and Nepal and they invite the presbytery to share in this ministry. An offering will be taken during worship for this purpose. (Checks should be made to Korean United Presbyterian Church.)
God's blessings to each one and see you soon in Lexington.
The Rev. Jerry L. Utt, II
Stated Clerk
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SAVE THE DATE!!
Calvin Retreat
February 7 & 8, 2020
Boone Tavern
Berea, KY
Details coming soon!!
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Church Openings and Other Jobs
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There are a number of Pastoral Opportunities available in the Presbytery. If you know of anyone who might be interested in one of the following positions, please share this information with them.
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PASTOR- Hunter Presbyterian, Lexington
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PASTOR- First Presbyterian, London
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CHILDREN & YOUTH DIRECTOR- First Presbyterian, Winchester
First Presbyterian Church of Winchester has an immediate opening for a part-time Children & Youth Director. The Director would function to assist in the development and implementation of the mission and ministry of the children and youth of the church. The Children/Youth Director will: plan a program and curriculum for the children/youth with the assistance of the CE Committee and the Pastor, meet with the children/youth or their parents outside of the Sunday service, and plan activities that are not part of the normal Sunday service. This is a 10 hour per week position with 4-5 hours per Sunday. The remainder of hours are to be used to meet with the children/youth or their parents, 1-2 times per week. If interested, candidates should submit their resume to Pastor Ryan at:
ryanbradney@gmail.com
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December
7- Stated Presbytery Meeting, 10 am Lexington Korean
10- Administration Commission, 3pm, Second, Lexington
10- Coordinating Commission, 5pm, Connemara
25- Christmas Day!
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December
12/9 Kima Pachuau 18 years
12/13 Peggy Bright 38 years
12/14 Fred Hood 22 years
12/18 Ryan Shrauner 20 years
12/20 Carol Gailey 39 years
12/30 Wanda Olive 7 years
May God continue to bless your ministry!
If we have missed your ordination anniversary or have incorrect information, please email
rjustus@transypby.org
so we can update your information.
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