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Weekly News — November 23, 2022
Contents:
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Annual Fund - update
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Hanging of the Greens - this Saturday!
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Christmas for Migrant Families - new
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The Giving Tree - new information
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Advent Workshop - final sign-ups!
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First Pres Christmas Tree Ornaments - new
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Advent Devotional book - readings start on Sunday
- Sweet Dreams sale date
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Food drive - last week for November requests
- Christmas Concert announcement
- West Chester Artisans shopping extravaganza
- Poinsettia orders
- New Members’ Class
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From the Church Office - something new each week; newsletter
- Preaching and Prayers
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Annual Fund Update
Let us run with perseverance
the race that is set before us.
Hebrews 12:1
Thank you to everyone who has made a financial commitment to First Presbyterian Church for 2023! As of today we have received 170 pledges for a total of $702,792. Our goal is to reach $935,000, representing a 5% increase over 2022, helping us provide raises for our hard-working staff, and funding our ministries in the year ahead.
Click here to complete the estimate of giving form.
— Bob Smith, Stewardship
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Hanging of the Greens
Volunteers are welcomed next Saturday, November 26, to decorate the church—inside and out—for Christmas. Especially welcome are those who are willing to climb ladders! Put on your jingle bells to help from 9:oo to 1:oo. Contact Gerri Zumbano at 610-399-6972.
And... Our neighbors at Denney Reyburn Apartments are seeking Christmas decorations for their Community Room. If you have any to share, they would deeply appreciate decorations you are no longer using at home. To give, please contact Eileen Donohue at 610-431-4746 or drop off in their Church Street parking lot on Monday, December 5, between 5 and 7 p.m.
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Christmas Fund for Migrant Families
Each year First Pres works with Chester County Migrant Ministry to provide Christmas gifts for families in need. When you volunteer to sponsor a family you will receive their names, ages, and some of their needs and wishes. Volunteers buy gift cards and return them to the Church for delivery to the families by December 11. We also welcome financial donations. Make your check directly to First Pres and write Christmas for Migrant Families in the memo line. Join in to share your gifts and your faith in a special way this Christmas Season. Sign up by contacting Anna Bentley (484-432-0742, annagbentley@gmail.com) or Debbie Shryock (610-524-0430, dfs0716@gmail.com). Note that this is distinct from the Giving Tree, below.
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The Giving Tree
The Giving Trees are up and ready for your participation!
Select an ornament from the tree and record your selection in the tracking book. Drop-off your gifts or gift cards on Sunday, November 27 from 9-12, Saturday, December 4 from 11-1 or Sunday, December 4from 9-1. If you are unable to get to church to select an ornament, but would still like to support this ministry, email David Teager in the church office. He will select an ornament for you and email the information needed to purchase the gift.
This year’s gifts support our neighbors served by the following organizations:
- Domestic Violence Center - Helps women and children that are victims of violence by providing counseling, housing, legal help and education;
- Naphtali- Founded and run by First Pres member Janet Conrad, Naphtali supports the Sioux Indians of South Dakota by providing critically needed utilities, warm clothing, and baby supplies to survive the frigid winter months
- North Star (Formerly Interfaith Housing) – Supports single working parents with financial literacy, housing assistance, and utility support
- West Chester Food Cupboard — Provides nutritious meals to families in the West Chester and surrounding areas experiencing food insecurity
- Migrant Ministries—Provides new immigrants families with warm clothing, Bible study, citizenship classes, and transportation
- Matthew 25— Provides for the urgent needs of our immediate neighbors in West Chester that are experiencing housing or food insecurity
- Pocopson Home — Chester County’s senior nursing care facility
- MCHC (Maternal and Children Health Consortium) — Helps mothers facing financial hardships by removing barriers that stand in the way of their and their children’s health and educational achievement.
Thank you for supporting these mission partners at Christmas!
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Advent Workshop
On Sunday, November 27 from 4-5:30 p.m., we’ll welcome in the Advent season with an afternoon of fellowship and making some wreaths and gifts. Adults will be able to decorate and take home freshly made Christmas wreaths, and our younger friends will have a chance to make some gifts for their loved ones. Our Youth Group members will be on hand to help our younger group, and also make something themselves. Please sign up today using the link below, or contact Elizabeth Hess .
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Slate Christmas Ornaments
If you’re looking for a nice addition to your tree this year, or a lovely gift for a friend, we have just the thing! The Congregational Life committee will be selling First Pres Christmas ornaments. These slate ornaments will make a beautiful addition to your Christmas decorations. The ornaments are $10 and proceeds will go towards our monthly Bridge dinners. Ornaments will be available beginning this Sunday at the Welcome Center.
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Daily Advent Devotional
This year’s devotional guide is Songs for the Waiting: Devotions Inspired by the Hymns of Advent by Magrey R. DeVega. Every December, we are challenged to tune into the spiritual riches that await us in this liturgical season in the midst of the busyness and fullness that our culture has laid on top of these days. Each day’s devotion in this book offers Advent hymn lyrics, Scripture, and a short reflection to help us prepare anew to celebrate Jesus’ birth. Your weekly email will include a link to a YouTube performance of that week’s featured hymn, in case these are unfamiliar to you.
The books are available for pick-up in Fellowship Hall now or contact the church office to have one brought to your home. People who are able are asked to contribute $5 toward the cost of the book. Contact Sara Pantazes with any questions.
The first few of the devotional Advent readings are based on verses of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” which will be featured in worship this Sunday. A particularly beautiful setting (of only a few verses) is here. A more traditional version with more verses is here. And because your curator (David Teager) can't resist, here is a recording with the ancient Latin text. Enjoy!
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Sweet Dreams
Fabric Missions sale
One more Sunday, December 4
You’ll find many handmade items for those on your holiday gift list, as well as for those occasions that arise throughout the year. Fellowship Hall will be filled before, between, and after services (as long as we don't sell out!).
All proceeds support the mission of Sweet Dreams Quilting Group.
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November Food Drive
This month we’re collecting two sets of items, one for the West Chester Food Cupboard and one for our Wednesday Lunch program. Donations to either are deeply appreciated. Items can be placed on the table in Fellowship Hall.
WCFC Item: Canned and dried beans or bean soup mixes
Wednesday Lunch Items: 10" heavy duty paper plates and disposable forks
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Celebrate Christ’s birth through the magic of music!
The concert is free, but seat reservations are strongly suggested. The 4:00 seating is nearly full! Click to select your concert time and the number of seats.
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In pew racks and other convenient locations, you will find Holiday Flower envelopes that you can use to request the poinsettias that will bring our sanctuary to life during the Christmas season. Return the envelope, or contact the church office with a gift of $15.00 by December 11. Be sure to complete the envelope with your name and the name of your loved ones and whether it is in honor of or in memory of someone. You may also use the form below, or the online order form at the website. Thank you from your Worship Committee. | |
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New Members’ Class
We will be holding one more New Members Class before the end of the year if you or someone you know would like to find out more about membership at First Pres. It will be held over Zoom on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 6:30pm. We will also hold a weekday in-person class. If you would be interested in either option, please reach out to Elizabeth Hess (ehess@firstpreswc.com).
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Another update on procedures:
- If you want to drop off a check for a regular contribution (or, say, a Presbyterian Women’s group contribution), you can put it in the mail slot in Jeff Somers’s door (to David Teager’s attention, as needed). Jeff is not working regular hours in the office, but David is and monitors this space! If you want to drop off a contribution for poinsettias or some other contribution of that kind, use the mail slot in Karen Goldstein’s door. Each is more secure than using the wall of mail cubbies in the corridor.
We hope you have enjoyed the latest First Press newsletter. Here is the link to the electronic version; there are printed copies in various locations around the church.
Note also that the office is closed this Thursday and Friday. Regular office hours are 8:30–4:30, Monday–Friday.
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Upcoming Preaching Schedule
November 27 - Eric Hankins (First Sunday in Advent)
December 4 - Rev. David Dickey
December 11 - Rev. Caroline Cupp
December 18 - Sara Pantazes and Caroline Cupp
The 9:00 service each week is broadcast over WCHE at 11 a.m. each Sunday at 1520AM and also at 95.3FM.
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The Holy Indifference Prayer:
Dear God, Your will, nothing more, nothing else, nothing less. Amen.
This Week’s Prayer Topic:
Use your time of prayer to thank God for the many blessings in your life – personally, in your family, in the church, in the community, nation, and world.
Each week we pray for our congregation at 12:00 p.m. on Thursdays.
Set an alarm or schedule it in your calendar to join us! You don’t need to only pray for the topic of the week, but you can continue to pray for previous topics as well or anything that God lays on your heart.
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