The Theology of Christian Worship

W-1.0202: Time

Because God is the author of history, we may worship at any time. The psalms reflect the daily worship of the people of God, while the Torah teaches that one day in seven is to be set apart as holy to the Lord. The prophets anticipated God’s judgment and triumph over evil on the day of the Lord. The Gospels all testify that Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week. The apostles came to speak of this as the Lord’s Day, claiming God’s victory over sin and death through the power of Jesus’ resurrection.

The first Christians began to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection every Lord’s Day, gathering to proclaim the Word and celebrate the Sacraments. The Church continues to gather, tradi- tionally on the first day of the week, to hear the gospel and break bread in Jesus’ name, with the confidence that the risen Lord is with us.

Through two thousand years of Christian worship, the Church has developed ways of keeping time—many of them adapted from the feasts and fasts of Israel that Jesus kept. This pattern of the Christian year keeps us centered in Christ as we seek to proclaim the story of our faith, grow as Jesus’ disciples, and serve Christ’s mission. The year begins with a focus on Christ’s incarnation, with the seasons of Advent and Christmas encom- passing the Nativity and Epiphany of the Lord. After Epiphany we celebrate Jesus’ Baptism and Transfiguration. At the heart of the Christian year is the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection, with the seasons of Lent and Easter encompassing Ash Wednesday, the Great Three Days—Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil—the Resurrection and Ascension of the Lord, and the Day of Pentecost. After Pentecost we commemorate Trinity Sunday, All Saints Day, and the Reign of Christ.

The pattern of daily prayer also connects the Church with the worship of ancient Israel, centuries of Christian tradition, and Jesus’ own practices. Whether in large assemblies, with small groups, or at home, daily prayer serves as a bridge between public worship and personal affairs, helping us to live out our faith each day.

We mark other occasions in worship, reflecting the cycles of civic and agricultural life, cultural and family celebrations, the commemoration of significant persons and events, and the programs and activities of the church. It is appropriate to observe such things, pro- vided that they never distract from the worship of the triune God.

Adult Sunday School 10:05 A.M. in Fellowship Hall

The Advent Series is “Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph” by Adam Hamilton. Sam Martin will lead the discussion. 

There will be one service at 10:00 A.M. on December 25, Christmas Day and NO SUNDAY SCHOOL.

Wednesday Zoom Bible Study

The Wednesday Zoom Bible study has begun an Advent series entitled, “Advent of the Savior.”

The final three sessions will be December 7, 14 and 21. Erich Dominik will be leading the December meetings. To join the group, please email Joyce Greek at muske75@sbcglobal.net or Peggy Fix at pfix@neo.rr.com.

Confirmation Classes will conclude December 4.

Youth Group will continue to be Sundays from 5:00-6:30 P.M. See group chat for up to date details.

Junior Warriors will meet December 11 from 12:30-2:00 P.M.

Young Adults, ages 18-26, meet Mondays from 6:00-8:00 P.M. in the church library for food, fellowship and Bible study. The current study is on “The Beatitudes” by Matt Chandler. New members are always welcome! For additional information contact Sue Carey at 330-844-1041 or email scarey1116@aol.com

The Discipleship Council is currently working on the Children and Youth schedule for January-March 2023. Adult leadership is still needed in several areas, especially Junior Church. If you enjoy children and are willing to serve, please contact a Discipleship Elder, Sue Carey or Paul Gerber or Pastor Mike.

The Family Life Director Search Committee currently has no qualified applicants. They feel that at this time God is telling them to wait and be patient. The Discipleship Council has decided that we need to better define our vision for our children and youth program which may include updating the job description for a Family Life Director. We are asking for prayers from the congregation for wisdom and discernment as we listen for God’s instructions about these issues.

If you're in need of a touch from God, please plan to attend the Healing Service on Tuesday, December 13 at 6pm here at John Knox Church.

Join us on Saturday, December 24, at 4pm in the sanctuary at John Knox for a Christmas Cantata by the Chancel Choir and Orchestra. The service will also include the lighting of candles. Afterwards, enjoy conversation and birthday cake in the Fellowship Hall as we celebrate the birth of our Savior.

One service on December 25 at 10am

One service on January 1 at 10am

There will be no Junior Church or Sunday School on either one of these Sundays.

As we begin the season of Advent, I am thankful for all of the volunteers on the Praise Team and the A/V department who make each service at our church possible. Their sacrifices of time and talents truly embody the spirit of who we are as a church, and encourage me to do my best every week in the work that the Lord has set out for me. I’m hopeful that during this busy Christmas season, you find the time to come to one of the many special services we’ll be having in the coming weeks. From the upcoming Healing Service and Blue Christmas to the Cantata on Christmas Eve, may we all draw closer to the Lord as we celebrate Christ’s birth.

Yours in Christ,

Rob Clifford

A/V Coordinator & Interim Contemporary Worship Director

I do hope those in the military -past or present- as well as their families were blessed by the armed forces medley we shared last month. The rousing edition seemed to be well appreciated!

An abrupt change of pace will occur this month as we play "I Wonder as I Wander" on December 18th at the 9am service. The John Knox Ringers are a versatile bunch! This contemplative piece is a Christmas hymn written by folklorist John Jacob Niles (1892-1980), based on a song fragment he heard while traveling in the southern Appalachians. You will also hear segments of "Coventry Carol" woven into this particular composition.

Plan to come and appreciate this reflective musical moment on the 4th Sunday of Advent.

Laurel Walczyk

Director of Handbells

For many people, the approaching holiday season can be a difficult time if they have suffered a loss or hurt. There is not the usual joy and happiness that is shown on television or displayed in greeting cards. They may be facing the holidays after the death of a loved one, or life after a divorce/separation. The “blues” may also come from a financial loss, homelessness, loss of health, job loss, life direction, emotional trauma, cancer or another disease that makes our future uncertain. 

John Knox Presbyterian Church will hold a service of comfort and reflection which helps us to recognize the depth of the season and work through those negative feelings we might hold during the holidays. In doing that, we can all celebrate more fully knowing we have acknowledged those who are no longer with us, what we might have left behind, or what trials we now face in our lives.

We are holding our Blue Christmas Worship Service on Tuesday, December 20, 2022. This service will offer a quiet, more somber feel than a traditional Christmas worship service. Scripture, music, and meditations will focus on the comfort God offers during dark times. The worship will include opportunities for expression of grief and pain as well as an opportunity to focus on the promise of hope. Blue Christmas services include an emphasis on candles with people in the congregation invited to come forward and light candles in memory of someone or to mark an event in their lives. 

Often we need to be reminded of the message of hope that the season brings. 

The Blue Christmas Service will begin at 3PM with a time of fellowship to follow in our Fellowship Hall. Soup, sandwiches and desserts are offered for those who wish to join us after the service.

For more information or to let us know of your intent to worship with us, you may 

Email: Diana Jones  ldjones@sssnet.com  or phone 330-754-7476

John Knox Presbyterian Church 330-494-9479  www.jkpc.org  

It's time to celebrate! Our next monthly celebration for all birthdays and anniversaries will be on Sunday, December 4 immediately following the 9am worship service. Please stop by and grab a cupcake and join us as we celebrate!

Thank you again for everyone's support of this First Sunday celebration!

Everyone is welcome to join us December 26 at 6:30pm in the ehurch parlor to knit and crochet prayer shawls and baby blankets.

Again this year we are helping children in several families who need a little boost this Christmas. A list of specific gifts to be bought is available at the Connection Desk, or you may donate money to this mission and we will purchase the items. Wrapped presents need to be returned by Dec 11 with ID code tag taped on the outside. Contact Martha Gerber at 330-854-4626 with any questions.

As expected, our numbers have increased. We served 70 households and 198 people, 52 of which were children.

Our next Food Pantry Distribution will be on Saturday, December 17 from 9am-12pm.

We donated 3 beautiful handmade baby blankets this month, thank you to the person/people who made these! Another thank you to Amy Lones who filled out congratulation cards for new mothers! This month's class was on oral hygiene and we had 20 mothers and fathers. The nursery was again a very busy place this month with 9 kids! Thank you Savannah Van Zant for your help with the kids!

The mission committee recently decided that there has not been enough involvement from the congregation at The Pregnancy and Parenting Center for us to keep them as one of our missions. Our last volunteer opportunity with the center will be on Tuesday, December 13th at their Christmas party. Volunteers are needed to help kids with crafts and games, if you're interested please let Maria Bertram know. The party will be from 6-7:30 pm.

Maria Bertram, riahaha1@gmail.com

Sue Carey, scarey1116@aol.com

The Sanctuary Remodel Team has chosen an architect and met with him for the first time to see our church's initial concept designs on Tuesday, November 29. We are very excited about the possibilities!

The John Knox Session met on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, at 6:30pm. Rev. Dr. Michael Smith served as Moderator and opened the meeting with prayer and devotions. All but two elders were present.

Clerk Report 

Minutes from the last Stated Session Meeting (October 18, 2022) and a Called Zoom Session Meeting (November 3, 2022) were approved as printed.

A thank-you card was signed by the Session members to be given to the generous anonymous donor who provided our church bus.

Pastor Report

Approval was granted for a Healing Service to be held at our church on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at 6:00pm.

Administration Report

The Financial Reports for October were accepted as printed.

Cheryl Hawkins was approved as new Church Treasurer. 

Ralph Schreiber reported that work continues on a new JKPC picture directory. Members are encouraged to get a recent picture submitted to the church office soon.

Mission/Ministry Report

A motion was made and approved to dissolve our mission relationship with the Pregnancy and Parenting Center. There has not been enough volunteer help to make this ministry fruitful.

A Christmas Joy Offering will be taken to fund two projects. One is the refurbishing and furnishing of a “Comfort Room.” This will be in the current rooms 135 and 137. It will create comfortable meeting space for the Grief Share group, as well as proposed Divorce Support and Emotional Support groups. This space will also be appropriate for funeral planning meetings and other counseling situations. The second project that the Joy Offering will support is the building of another house in Jamaica, a mission we have supported for many years.

Each Elder reported on the activities within their specific Council. No action needed to be taken on these reports besides what is stated above. Several other items of business were discussed. Your Session is very busy!

The next Stated Session Meeting will be Tuesday, January 17th at 6:30pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce Greek, Clerk of Session

Receipts in October: $48,042.58

Expenses in October: $33,432.45

Net income           $14,610.13 

A Word From The Finance Office

October was another good month resulting in a positive net income. Thank you for generosity! May God bless you as you have blessed His church. Have a Merry Christmas!

Sincerely, 

Tina Young, Financial Secretary 

You JKPC saints are so awesome. You continue to give of your prayers, volunteer time, and financial support. November was another wonderful month for our church.

Our Food Pantry served the largest amount of people since inception on November 19th.

The Good News Club shared the gospel of Jesus with 19 children at Lake Cable Elementary.

We received our Coach Bus to start the new transportation ministry.

Five staff members were paid for their positions of Ministry for JKPC

Financial contributions were given to support the Muskingham Valley Presbytery, Total Living Center, J-Teams, John & Linda Heater, and Mike & Jayne Kauffman.  

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35