Dear Friends,

I am beginning to settle in with you all and I look forward to meeting with as many of you as I can. I have created an online sign up for scheduling visits. Please go to: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F45A9A92BAAF9C61-visits to sign up for a time. There are only a few slots right now, but I will continue to add more as we go along. 

Thank you for your warm welcome of me and my husband Mark. 

Peace,

Peggy

Email addrress: peggychpc@gmail.com

Zoom Sunday School for children of all ages has resumed at Crescent Hill Presbyterian Church. Zoom Sunday School runs from 9:45 – 10:15, to allow families to participate and still get to the church for in-person worship at 11:00a.m. Please join us for songs, Bible stories, prayers, crafts, and more!

Teachers are Eva Stimson, Jerry Van Marter and Bev Machin. WE ARE

LOOKING FOR MORE TEACHERS!! Please contact Eva or Jerry if you are interested in being part of the team. We are also joined at least occasionally by Sid (aka Luke Van Marter), who continues to completely misunderstand the day’s Bible lesson.

If you have any questions or comments, please call or email Eva Stimson or Jerry Van Marter.

There will be a Congregational meeting to vote on upcoming officers for 2022 on December 12 following the worship service.

Nominees:

Elders for the Session: Jack Marcum, Don Meade (2 years, at least), and Marsha Berry.

Deacons: Shannon Langley and Soni Castleberry. 

Personnel: Barbara Hedspeth and Teri Lloyd.

 There will be a reception right after church this Sunday (12/12) to welcome our new transitional pastor, Peggy Hinds. All are invited to attend.

It’s that time of year—time to make your financial pledge to CHPC for 2022. You should have received a pledge card in the mail; simple complete it and mail it back to the church in the envelope provided. Or bring it to church this Sunday and drop it in the offering plate. Your generosity is appreciated!

Third Sunday of Advent 11:00 am

“JOY” Zephaniah 3:14-20; Isaiah 12:2-6; Philippians 4:4-7

Fourth Sunday of Advent 11:00 am

“LOVE” Hebrews 10:5-7

Longest Night Service 7:30 pm

Christmas Eve Service 5:30 pm

First Sunday of Christmas 11:00 am

Christmas in Story and Song

In the flurry of all the Christmas preparations, do you long for some quiet time in holy space? Amidst all the season’s merriment, are you feeling grief or sadness? Are you feeling alone and wish to sit in the company of compassionate others?

Join us in CHPC’s sanctuary or on Zoom for CHPC’s Longest Night Service at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, December 21st. There will be candles, readings, music, song, and quiet time for reflection in candlelight. All are welcome.

The Sacrament of Christmas

By Howard Thurman

I make an act of faith toward all humankind,

Where doubts would linger and suspicions brood.

I make an act of joy toward all sad hearts,

Where laughter pales and tears abound.

I make an act of strength toward feeble things,

Where life grows dim and death draws near.

I make an act of trust toward all life,

Where fears preside and distrusts keep watch.

I make an act of love toward friend and foe,

Where trust is weak and hate burns bright.

I make a deed to God of all my days —

And look out on life with quiet eyes.

Reflect

We are halfway to Bethlehem, the House of Bread, and it’s time to pause and reflect on the journey so far. What acts of faith have you shown others that have chased away doubts? What acts of joy have brought laughter to heavy hearts? This week, as we light the Advent candles and bake, share and eat our bread, let us meditate on the strength of God’s Son, a gift to humankind, which gives to us when life grows dim.

Pray

God of light and hope, life has a way of beating us down: so many people hurting, so many children hungry, and so many dying. But in you we find our strength. In you, we see that in the deepening darkness, your light shines brighter. We are never alone. We turn to you and ask boldly, O God, to restore us this day. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Poinsettias will once again decorate our sanctuary for Christmas Eve. If you would like to donate towards our poinsettia display, please send a check for $15 to CHPC and indicate if you are making the donation in honor or in memory of someone special.  The deadline to recognize donations is December 15th.

CHPC will receive this offering on Sunday, December 19th, but you can contribute at any time during Advent.

Our church has actively supported United Crescent Hill Ministries since it’s formation in 1974. With the help of partner churches like ours, UCHM serves approximately 3,500 of our neighbors with varied programs, including a food pantry, meals for Seniors, youth activities, preventive health services, and emergency support.  A highlight of the year at UCHM is the annual Christmas Connection program, which helps families provide gifts and holiday meals for their children.  This year’s program will look a lot like last year, which helped 183 families have a happier holiday. Instead of asking sponsors to shop for gifts, UCHM is asking for $125 donations to sponsor a child. The donations will be used to purchase retail and grocery gift cards to provide a child's gifts and food for the holidays. Gift cards allow families to prioritize their needs, as well as give them the dignity of providing for their family as they see fit.

 If you are unable to donate the full $125 to sponsor a child, you are still invited to support Christmas Connection. Any amount is meaningful. Donations can be made online through PayPal at https://www.uchmlouky.org/christmas-connection-sponsorship-sign-up/ or by sending checks to United Crescent Hill Ministries, 150 State St., Louisville KY 40206.  Questions about Christmas Connection can be directed to Katie Litanga at klitanga@uchmlouky.org .

Please have all newsletter submissions turned in every Wednesday by noon. Use this link for submissions and follow the prompts. Thank you!

Amy Pauw is our Deacon of the Month for December 1st - 11th . If you or someone you know is in need of a kind gesture, please reach out to Amy at amypauw@lpts.edu.

Harrie Buecker is our Elder of the Week. She can be contacted by phone at 502-592-6347 or via email at harrielynne@gmail.com. Claudia Foulkes will begin Elder of the Week duties on December 12.