This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous to see!  This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.  O Lord, please help us. Save us. Give us success.

 “Psalm 118:23-25 (L:TB)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Well, 2023 is behind us and 2024 is ahead of us, and now what do we do? What do we have to look forward to? God has given us this new day, this new week, this new month, this new year, and so what will we accomplish with this new opportunity?

There is a phrase in the movie “Titanic” that I have been thinking about. Jack says that he takes life as it comes. He tells them that he won the ticket on the Titanic through a lucky hand of polka. But Cal says that a real man makes his own luck.”

When we do not have a plan, we can easily go wherever the wind blows us. It might be like using a car that is self-driving. We hope it will take us to where we want to go, but in some respects, the trip is out of our control. Yet I also believe that wherever we go, God will use that situation to the Lord’s advantage. Something good will come out of our wanderings. Jack may not have survived his trip on the Titanic, but he did have a dramatic effect on Rose. I can admit that I lived most of my life like Jack, taking life as it came. Fortunately, the Lord kept blowing me back on the path that my Creator had wanted me to travel.

If we, as individuals or as a church/community, want to have success this year, we might want to think about a plan. It might not be a detailed plan, but at least a plan gives us focus, something to keep in the front of our minds.

John Maxwell, in his book Success, says that there are two principles to keep in mind: “the right picture of success and the right principles for getting there.” He continues with a definition of success:

“Success is…

Knowing your purpose in life,

Growing to reach your maximum potential, and

Sowing seeds that benefit others.

Success is a journey rather than a destination,”

We should begin this year, thanking God for creating us in a beautiful and wonderful way. Each one of us is precious in God’s sight and God created us to glorify God in the way we use the time, talents and treasures that God has blessed us with. We have success when we know who we are and whose we are. We have success when we grow towards our fullest potential. And we have success when planting seeds that benefit others. This tells me that we have the basics on which to build.

This year, I hope that we will look beyond Christmas, towards the horizon, and begin to imagine the possibilities that await us. Happy New Year! May this new year help us to live to our fullest potential as individuals and as a church! And with the help of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, may we always seek to make each day count!

I thank God for you,

Pastor Kathy Nealand

Our church has always been generous with our efforts to help in the community throughout the year and particularly our local children at Christmas. We are making a difference!

A message from the school social worker is below ...

"Your support of our families this Christmas was absolutely beautiful and impactful. 

As the primary connector here at Seminole I was in a position to see the genuine emotion and gratitude from the families that your congregation supported. 

The work that we do trying to build kids and families is challenging in so many ways, but knowing we have community partners that step in like you do makes this work a bit less challenging. 

Please tell your elves that we VERY MUCH appreciate every single bag full of gifts that was shared here, and please let them know also that the impact was felt way beyond the gifts. 

Merry Christmas to you, and THANK YOU again."

The Mission Committee also sends our thanks for the 80 plus gifts.

The session of First Presbyterian Church has called for the Annual Congregational meeting to be held following worship on Sunday, January 21, 2024 for the purpose of acting on recommended Bylaw changes, hearing reports of the congregation, electing officers, electing corporate officers, and affirming the 2024 Budget. The proposed bylaw changes are attached.

De-Decorating This Sunday

This Sunday after church, the youth will be taking down the Christmas Decorations and could use you help. If you are able to help, please stay after service. Poinsettias will be available to take home or to a shut in.

Attention all bakers, chefs and casual cooks: The Impact youth group is in need of your help! We are in the process of making a new church cookbook that we plan to sell this Spring to help raise funds for Work Camp 2024. We want this cookbook to be legendary. To do that, we need your best recipes. The ones everyone talks about and asks for at gatherings. You can submit your recipes in two ways. The first would be to go to www.typensave.com. The username is FPCMtClemens and the password is apple093. You can type in your recipe, it’s VERY quick and easy. Not a computer person, no problem. You can still participate but filling out a recipe collection sheet that you find at the church or attached to this message. Once you have filled out the form, simply turn it into the church office or any youth group advisor. We need your recipes turned in by February 3rd to make sure we have time to make all the finishing touches. Thanks in advance for your help with this community project!

Per capita fee in the Presbyterian Church USA and its subgroups like our church this year is $35.90 per member. You will find a special envelope in your offering box marked for this per capita donation. For more information about the Presbyterian Church USA Per Capita visit this website: PC(USA) OGA (pcusa.org)

Did you know you can give online?

Through Realm, we are set-up for online giving. You can also set-up for automatic withdrawal of your pledge. If you already do this, thanks and don't forget to renew your authorization. If you are interested in setting this up, contact Kim in the office and she can help you.

Prayer Shawl Ministry         

If you have made prayer shawls or blankets at home, please bring them to church as soon as possible. If you are not able to bring items to church, please call the office or Gloria Cynowa, and someone will come and pick them up. In January we plan to bless these items and the youth fleece scarves for Spring Hill. 

If you would like to take a blessed prayer shawl to a friend or family member who is ill or in need of comfort, please ask a Deacon, Sara in the office or Pastor Kathy, we will gladly share these shawls with anyone who needs them.

CHANGES COMING TO WEEKLY CHILDREN'S PROGRAM!

While many parents are already aware, our Children's Wednesday Night Program for K-5th Grade will be moving to Thursday evenings and will be restarting on January 18th.

Our Free Little Pantry is always in need of restocking! You can help by donating food, toiletries, even socks are needed. For food donations please bring items that do not need extra ingredients and are easy to open. Many of those who are blessed by this food do not have access to can openers and extra ingredients.

Our Free Pantry was built and decorated by our wonderful youth and kids. There is a box located by the north door where you can drop off your donations