Bi-Weekly Brief news & updates
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Our churches currently in pastoral transition.
Our Mission Co-Workers:
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Upcoming Ordination and Commissioning Anniversaries:
Elder Chris Wolf (11/14) - Commissioned Ruling Elder of Marlette-First and Marlette-Second Rev. Tom Cundiff (11/27) - 45 Years - Honorably Retired
We ask that you consider including these requests each week in your bulletin and/or newsletter.
We also encourage everyone to send a card or e-mail or make a phone call to those listed. Sometimes a small gesture creates a big smile.
Contact information for anyone on this list may be obtained by calling the presbytery office at 989-799-7481 or replying to this email.
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Growing up, there was a trio of markers each year that sort of told me when the different holiday seasons of the fall and winter began. It was when the various Charlie Brown holiday cartoons aired on TV. In other words, Halloween season began when It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown came on. And Thanksgiving was just around the corner when A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving aired.
Christmas season began in our house at one time. And that was when the Charlie Brown Christmas special was on. It was my favorite Christmas show of all. Each year, I loved seeing Charlie Brown try to figure out the meaning of Christmas and being sent off with Linus to get a Christmas tree and Snoopy giving Lucy dog germs and its ending with Linus reciting the beautiful words of Luke 2 and the birth of Jesus.
From the time, I was a little kid all the way through college years and even to current times, I would watch them on TV. Yes, I have them on DVD and could watch them anytime but there was something about tuning into it that just felt like Halloween, Thanksgiving and especially, Christmas.
As the years went on, I learned these shows were always on CBS and then for many years, on ABC. A couple of years ago, Apple TV bought the rights to them but it still allowed them to be shown on traditional TV on PBS. That ended this year. Apple TV will now let you stream them for free on a certain few days near each holiday but you won’t be able to simply tune in to watch these classics. If you don’t stream, you won’t be able to see them.
And, yes, I admit again I could just watch them on DVD. But it’s not the same.
Actually, that’s pretty fitting for Christmas time and the life of the Presbytery. We want things to remain what they were. At Christmas, we want the familiar carols and candlelight during “Silent Night.” In the Presbytery, we want our committee positions all filled and a pastor for every congregation (though that has probably never been the case!).
Yet things will be different. We’re trying to figure out what leadership will look like in the Presbytery – which is why we’re so grateful for the feedback and suggestions. As we wait to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we will not only rely on our familiar traditions but also on what God may be calling us to do today.
There are new ideas and fresh thoughts and lots of hope for the future. That’s what I celebrate each Christmas in the birth of Jesus Christ. That’s what we celebrate every year, no matter what.
So I’ll miss Charlie Brown Christmas on TV this year. But I will also know that Christmas still comes and we celebrate the birth of our Savior. And it will be beautiful and wonderful and glorious. What will it be 50 years from now? We don’t know. But we do know it will be the celebration of the birth of Jesus! And that will never change.
Yours in Christ,
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The Presbytery of Lake Huron is committed to fostering the faith and vitality of our professional ministry members and staff. We are seeking a candidate to fill a part-time position (approximately 15 hr/wk) to provide care and support, particularly for our pastors, associate pastors, parish associates, CREs, educators, and presbytery staff. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of two years pastoral care experience and knowledge of Presbyterian polity and processes. Additional job responsibilities and qualifications are detailed in the attached job description. To apply, send your resume and cover letter to: Rose Onan, ronan@presbylh.org.
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Food Bank of Eastern Michigan |
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Since so many congregations give generously to work of the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, it is important to take every opportunity to maximize your gifts. On November 29, 2022, Giving Tuesday, Big John Steak and Onion is again offering to match the first $100,000 given that day - or if you mail your gift, and write in the memo line, for Big John Steak and Onion match, that will also count.
On behalf of the FBEM I want to thank you all for your dedication to helping those most in need - especially those food insecure families, children and elderly, who are growing in numbers. Together we can make a positive difference and this matching opportunity is one more way to do so.
In Christ,
Julianne Princinsky
Chairperson FBEM Board of Directors, member of the Mission Coordination Committee of Lake Huron Presbytery and Elder, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church
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The Synod Needs Help For Virtual Christmas Sunday Worship |
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We need your help with the Synod's Christmas Sunday worship service, which will feature pictures or images of the Word moving into the neighborhood (John 1, The Message). Please send pictures of:
- Your congregation's neighborhood (for instance, of whatever is directly across the street from your church)
- People from your congregation engaging your neighbors
The service will feature lots of music, participants from all over the Synod, and a reflection by our Executive Chip Hardwick. It will be available for download or streaming on synodofthecovenant.org as well as on our YouTube channel no later than 12/12/22.
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You're Invited! Happenings Around The Presbytery |
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First Presbyterian Church of Lapeer is announcing an Open House on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 from 6:30-8:00 PM. It is a celebration not only of advent but to show off our renovated sanctuary and gorgeous stain glass windows. There will be light refreshments and live music by a quintet from Lapeer Symphony Orchestra. Church members will be on hand to give information and tours of the main level of our church. Our lower level which has our dining hall, offices, and a meeting room will not be on the tour as we are hosting the Refuge that week.
We are also having our Advent Walk on Sunday December 3, 2022 from 2:00- 7:00 PM that we would like to welcome anyone that would like to participate. All interested parties are welcome to visit our 189th year of serving god in Lapeer, Michigan.
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Rarely Performed Bach Composition is Focal Point for Friends of Music Series Concert
Music series that takes place on Friday, November 18, at noon.
The focal point of the program is the rarely performed Concerto for Three Harpsichords, BWV 1063, by Johann
Sebasatian Bach. Harpsichordists Stefano Massera (of Stuttgart, Germany), William Jean Randall (of Chesterfield Township, Michigan), and Nicholas Schmelter (of Caro, Michigan) collaborate with a five-member string-ensemble for the Bach selection. Other music includes the Konzert in D and Sonata in D, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, as well as Suite Antique, by John Rutter, featuring flutist Shelly Rouse-Freitag (of Oakland County). The concert's harpsichords are built by Knight Vernon, of North Branch, Michigan, formerly of
Chicago, Illinois, who has provided The Blue Bird, an instrument completed in 2020, and Big Red.
This event is produced in collaboration with the Harmony in the Hills concert series at Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church in Rochester, Michigan. A repeat performance will take place there, 620 Romeo St., on Sunday, November 20, at 4:30 p.m. Nicholas Schmelter, Director of Worship and Congregational Life, is pleased to receive questions about the
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Presbytery Office Holiday Hours |
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The Presbytery Office will be closed on the following days:
Thanksgiving: November 23-24
Christmas: December 23-January 2
The staff wishes everyone a happy and safe holiday season.
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Resources For Ruling Elders |
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DEFINITION OF RULING ELDER FROM THE BOOK OF ORDER (G-2.0301)
“As there were in Old Testament times elders for the government of the people, so the New Testament church provided persons with particular gifts to share in discernment of God’s Spirit and governance of God’s people. (continue reading).
We are very grateful for all of our Ruling Elders. We'd like to share some links to resources that you may find helpful.
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The Presbyterian Promise Scholarship is a commitment by Presbyterian College (PC) to recognize students for their merit and affiliation with the Presbyterian Church. PC seeks to develop students academically and spiritually in this signature scholarship. Students who are of members of Presbyterian churches will receive a scholarship for a minimum of $20,000 per year for up to four years—that’s an $80,000 commitment to you.
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