Worship

& Sunday School

10:00 a.m.

January Newsletter Deadline:

December 19th

Please send submissions via email

To see our worship up close at home, click one of the links below!

From the Pastor's Desk

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… Or could we say that everything is pure chaos? At least that’s what it feels like for many of us in the midst of the hustle and bustle of this festive season. There are parties and concerts and plays and presents and cookies and it’s enough to work ourselves into a Christmas tizzy. Christmas is still three weeks away and yet it already feels like it is tomorrow because it will be here before we know it.

There is always this odd conundrum this time of year because while the whole world seems to have lost its mind with Christmas cheer, the church is telling us to Wait! Watch! Get Ready! And no, it is not because your pastor wants to see how long you can last with delayed gratification. There is actually method to this madness, much in the same way we all make our children wait until Christmas morning to open most of their presents.

You see Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” It refers to not just the Christ-child’s arrival in Bethlehem, but also when Christ shall return and all of God’s promises will be fulfilled. During this season we pause to remind ourselves that there is more happening here than simply the opportunity for glutinous overspending and overeating and frenzy, as the nay-sayers would suggest. This is about a much bigger story and much more important things at stake.

Advent and Christmastide are proof that even in the most shadow-filled time of the year, when dusk comes early and night lasts so long, even then there are forces at work that bring life and light all around us. A world-wide conspiracy of love when we share what we can with our neighbors, some of whom we may not even notice the remainder of the year. We begin to see the world through heaven’s eyes as we remember that in every face there may not only be an angel in our midst, but perhaps even the Christ-child himself.

This season is about God’s expansive view of what family really means – a place for everyone at the table and a welcome no matter who you may be. That included smelly shepherds oft ignored by their community. That included remarkable men of science and faith who traveled from distant lands seeking that which they could barely name. That included a teenage mother and a bonus dad stepping up to help raise a child that was not his own. But that also can include you and me and everyone else who needs a home filled with love as the cold winds of this world howl around us.

So yes, do all of the fun and the crazy this season. Just don’t forget that in the midst of that you will often find that God comes to us in the unexpected ways. In the people who miraculously cross our paths. And in those moments when love wins even in the bleakest midwinter.

Blessings,

Pastor Janie

Together in Worship

Holy Communion

This month we will celebrate the Lord's Supper on the Second Sunday of Advent, December 4, 2022.

The Four Sundays of Advent

Advent I: Hope

Get Ready

Matthew 24:36-44

Isaiah 2:1-5

Artwork: "War No More"

by Lisle Gwynn Garrity

Advent II: Peace

Come Near

Matthew 3:1-12

Isaiah 11:1-10

Artwork: "Ancestral"

by Hannah Garrity

Advent III: Joy

That Voice

Luke 1:47-55

Matthew 11:2-6

Artwork: "Dance of the Soul"

by Hannah Garrity

Advent IV: Love

Every Heart Prepare Some Room

Children's Nativity Play

Artwork: "How God Shows Up"

by Lisle Gwynn Garrity

Blue Christmas Worship

On Wednesday, December 14^th at 7:00 p.m., we will have a special worship service for everyone who needs a break from the mad rush of the holiday season. This service of healing and wholeness also gives space for those who may find that this season is not necessarily “the most wonderful time of the year” and who look for the peace the child of Bethlehem offers even in the most challenging of times.

Annual Christmas Concert Series

Annual Christmas Concert

Saturday, December 10

7:00 p.m.

Altoona Brass Collective

Fantazia &

the Chamber Strings

Monday, December 19

7:00 p.m.

Hollidaysburg Area High School

Children's Nativity

On Sunday, December 18^th, our children and youth will present their latest edition of the Nativity Story: Every Heart Prepare Some Room in worship. Based upon the gospels of Luke and Matthew, along with Psalm 98, the play will include many beloved Christmas carols and should be a fun and festive time for the entire family!

Did you know?

Until the mid-nineteenth century, there were very limited Christmas carols and hymns to sing in churches. Although many denominations, including Roman Catholic, held Christmas Eve worship and often late into the night so that they might celebrate those first moments of Christmas Day together, most songs for the holiday were considered secular and sung only in people’s houses. That is, until during Queen Victoria’s reign in England when the priests and pastors began to compose Christmas hymns for use in worship.

It was during this time that the earliest versions of a service of “Lessons & Carols” began to appear around the British Isles, most famously at Truro Cathedral in Cornwall. In 1880, the first official service of “Nine Lessons & Carols” was introduced by Truro’s pastor, the Right Rev. Edward White Benson, who was concerned about everyone spending too much time in the pubs during the holiday. When Benson was appointed as Archbishop of Canterbury, the official service spread across the whole of the British Isles and to the English-speaking world across the denominations.

Brown University began their celebration of Lessons & Carols in 1916, which is two years before King’s College at Cambridge did in 1918 (by far the most famous). Pastor Janie’s own private school in St. Louis began to hold their own service of Lessons & Carols within the decade.

The traditional service follows the salvation narrative through scripture from the fall of humanity in Genesis, through the foretelling of the Messiah in the prophets, and then into the arrival of the Messiah in the gospel narratives. The opening carol is traditionally Once in Royal David’s City, with its first verse sung as a solo by one of the high sopranos. And O Come, All Ye Faithful and Hark, the Herald Angels Sing! are usually sung as the processional and recessional carols, respectively.

You can still see the King’s College celebration of Lessons & Carols on BBC every year. However, if you would prefer to stay a bit closer to home, you can join us for our own version on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Eve Worship

Lessons & Carols by Candlelight

7:00 p.m.

11:00 p.m.

Christmas Morning Worship

Sunday, December 25^th at 10:00 a.m.

Gather around the Christmas trees and poinsettias for a time of caroling and the telling of a classic Christmas tale by a special guest as we celebrate the arrival of the Christ-Child!

Together in Fellowship

Sunday, December 4^th @ 5:30 p.m., our Advent Festival returns! Crafts, Advent Wreaths, supper, and even a visit with an exceptional guest – all open and free to the community. Bring your family and friends and join us for this very special evening as we prepare for the arrival of the Christ-child in our midst!

Coffee Walk

Join us for a wee break between all the holly jolly buzz of the holiday season for some fellowship, fun, and coffee! The 1^st & 2^nd Tuesdays @ 10:30 a.m.

December 6^th:

Green Bean at the Grande Palazzo

2500 7th Avenue, Altoona - Plenty of parking at this spot which features ornate Italian-style architecture and seating around a four-sided fireplace.

December 13^th:

Back Porch Cafe

173 Pioneer Drive, Duncansville - A cozy nook with goodies to share.

Christmas Caroling

Sunday, December 18

1:00 p.m.

Join us for an afternoon of spreading Christmas Cheer to those who might not otherwise get a full cup of it. Funny sweaters and entertaining headware encouraged. Bring your most joyful singing voice!

Special thanks to everyone who helped with our annual Thanksgiving Feast!

Serving Together

Christmas Poinsettias

This Sunday, December 4th, will be the FINAL day that our Deacons will be selling poinsettia plants to decorate our Sanctuary for the end of Advent and Christmas Eve. Red, White, and Marbled plants are available for $10 each and may be dedicated to either “in honor” or “in memory” of your beloved family or friends. Our plants are coming from our local Warner’s Florist and all proceeds from the sale will go to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to help those who have been affected by natural disasters this year. If you would like to order a poinsettia directly from here, email our Church Administrator your color choices and dedications by clicking here and then click here to pay. Thank you for supporting our neighbors!

Christmas4Kids

We are in the midst of "adopting" children and teens who are under care at American Rescue Workers during this holiday season, as is our tradition. We still have tags available. If you would like a tag, or to adopt an entire child or set of children from a family, please contact Pastor Janie as soon as possible. All gifts should arrive unwrapped and tagged. Please plan to have your gifts back to the church by THIS Sunday, December 4th (or at the very latest Wednesday, December 7th). Thank you for keeping the magic of Christmas alive by serving all the "Christ-childs" in our community!

A Year of Service in Malawi

In 2023, our former Pastor Chuck Monts and his wife Deb will be traveling on a mission year to Lilongwe, Malawi from January to December. Deb will be instructing nurses and Chuck will be teaching at a Bible College and Preaching. If you would like to learn more about their upcoming mission and/or give financially to support them, click on the button below.

Monts Mission to Malawi

Learning Together

Advent Devotionals

There is still time to join our daily Advent devotional! Delivered directly to your inbox every day and published by Presbyterians Today, Kindling the Flame of Love includes devotions, Scripture readings, and prayers. The Church Office will also print a copy for you if you would prefer to have a hard copy. Email Pastor Janie now to sign up so you too can join in preparing to receive our Newborn King!

Advent Coloring Pages

Specially designed for children from one to ninety-two, these coloring pages created by Illustrated Ministry will be available each of the Sundays of Advent with the theme for the day. As a special treat, we have included the page for Christmastide - "Emmanuel." Enjoy!

Caring Together

Please hold in prayer members of our church family and friends who are in special need: Reggie Arford, Clair, Craig & Sharon Brumbaugh, Nancy Buchanan, Eleanor Carson, Tim & Brenda Clapper, John & Phyllis Davis, Kathy Draskoczy, Anne Forsht, Rodger & Sally Hammond, Paula Heim, Ticky Hendricks, Jere Hess, Bobbi Hill, Ron Kennedy, the family of Dee Kissell, Norma McPhee, Betty Meyer, Merikay Moore, Tristan Myers, Vivian Norris, Sarah Ocker, Ray Overdorff, Pat Parnell, Ed Pratt, Aleta & Brad Reist, June Slep, Doug Soisson, John & Diane Stultz, Bill & Deb Wandersee, Avery Marie Wineland.

Please also hold our troops in your prayers, including Trent Sipes, Kyle Gardner, Andrew Rosamilia, Cameron Sellers, and Harrison Heim, who are directly related to our congregation. Pray for our leaders and the leaders around the world as they are making decisions in the coming days. And please pray for all those who find themselves in harm's way that they may know God's presence and that they will have what they need.

A change to the Prayer List

Just a quick reminder that this month begins our new way of handling our weekly & monthly Prayer List. While our homebound members will remain on the list, the rest of our list will be wiped clean at the beginning of every month. However, everyone and anyone can always be added to our list. You will simply need to contact the Church Office and let us know that you would like to be added again for the following month. Please be sure to let us know by Sunday, December 18 if you would like to be on the prayer list for January. Thank you in advance for your help!

Let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

(Hebrews 4:16)

Our new Prayer Chain called Collective Hope is still collecting "pray-ers." This is a different entity and in addition to our Prayer List that is included in our Bulletin and Tower Light. Whenever someone has a request, they will contact a key, trained person who will then send an email to people who have chosen to be on Collective Hope so that they can be praying at any time and in every place. If you would like to be on this email list, please contact our Church Office so that we can add you! Thank you for your prayers!!!

Giving Together

What does FPCH mean to you?

How has this church been a part of your faith journey? How has the church family been there for you? What are your dreams for her future? What would you do to help make those dreams come true?

Donate Now

Leading Together

Session has called a Special Congregational Meeting for THIS Sunday, December 4, following worship to act on a recommended change to the Terms of Call for Pastor Janie. Please mark your calendars and plant to attend.

This month our Session met on Tuesday, November 15, 2022. They approved Communion dates for 2023, which include the first Sunday of each month as well as Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and Easter Sunday. They set the Annual Meeting of the Congregation for Sunday, January 22^nd following worship, as is our tradition. They also approved a budget for 2023, which includes pared down spending in almost every portion of the church, with the exception of giving cost of living raises to the staff and pastor and ensuring that each area of ministry still has enough to pursue work that will bring new life. In addition, for the first time, the “Tithes & Offerings” line of the budget will not reflect a projected guess of how much we anticipate, but will instead reflect the actual pledges made by our members.

Childcare Worker Position Still Available

We are still looking for our next Childcare Worker: Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, have experience caring for and nurturing children age 0 to Kindergarten age, have a High School Diploma or the equivalent, have satisfactorily completed (or be willing to complete) a CPR course for infants and children, and also complete the background checks required by the state of Pennsylvania. Applicant must be available every Sunday from 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., as well as for special worship services (including, but not limited to, Christmas Eve and Maundy Thursday); weddings and funerals around their schedule; and very occasional weeknight meetings. Pay is $15 per hour. If you know anyone who might be interested, please have them email the church at selfreferfpchollidaysburg@gmail.com.