Small churches. We are a denomination of small churches. And often that seems to generate a lot of concern about the future of these churches, individually, or the church, as the whole thing. But this is something I have learned over the years – maybe because my Dad pastored the same relatively small church for 32 years or my first experience was being the student pastor a small 30 member church when I was in seminary or even my first call being to a somewhat small church in Birch Run – small churches are almost always strong churches.

Small churches know how to do more with less. They have learned not only to survive but often have learned to thrive. They share in doing wonderful ministry and outreach to those in their community. They figure out how to get things done whether by volunteers or helping one another or through other creative and loving ways. And while small churches may need or hope for help at times, we can also learn so much from the small churches. All we have to do is ask!

I know a message about small churches may not seem very “Christmas-y.” But we often refer to this time of year as the “season of giving” and in that sense, each church has a Christmas gift to share. I treasure that. I love knowing that every congregation, no matter how big or how small, has gifts to share. After all, don’t the best gifts often come in small packages? For the small packages of our churches share the very best gifts with us.

Merry Christmas,

The Rev. Ted McCulloch

Stated Clerk

The Presbytery of Lake Huron will hold its stated meeting on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, starting at 9:30 AM. This will be an in-person meeting at First Presbyterian Church, 746 S. Saginaw Street, Flint 48502. The meeting will be livestreamed for viewing only. The link to view is: youtube.com/fpcflive

Even for an in-person meeting, registration by all commissioners and/or guests ahead of the meeting is required. To register, click this link: http://www.presbylh.org/registrations/

There are a number of pieces for our meeting. Beginning with our worship being led by Rev. Brenna Overland and Rev. Dr. Joseph Novak. This is the meeting where we will vote on the proposed amendments to the Book of Order from this year’s General Assembly as well as consider the Episcopal-Presbyterian Agreement on Local Sharing of Ministries. To see the Amendments and the Agreement in their entirety, please go to the Presbytery website and view them online. There is a brief summary of them available but it is only the Stated Clerk’s summary and is not definitive.

There is other significant business as well. From electing people to serve on our committees and commissions, installing our moderator and vice-moderator for 2025, a first reading of a proposed anti-racism policy, presenting the budget for 2025, and report of our Visioning Task Force; it will be a full meeting.

The Presbytery Staff now has new phone numbers. The company who has been providing us service will no longer be doing so as of the end of the year. Per Council's approval, we are now using Google Voice which is a free service. Here are our new phone numbers:

Ted McCulloch, Stated Clerk

989-372-1152

Staci Percy, Communications Manager/Recording Clerk

989-272-3731

Jessica Shira, Financial Secretary

989-372-1118

Rose Onan, Administrative Assistant/Office Manager

989-372-0494

The Synod of the Covenant is offering a virtual worship service designed for use on Sunday 12/29/24. It is provided as a way to thank preachers, musicians, tech folks, and all others who work so hard all year (and especially during Advent) to provide meaningful worship experiences for your congregations.

Leaders will be participants in our Cultivating the Gift of Preaching Initiative and Synod staff members, plus musicians from throughout the Synod. We are planning to have it available for streaming or download on or around 12/15/24. You'll be able to find it on our website and YouTube channels.

God bless you as we move into Advent!

You are invited to celebrate the Christmas season by attending a Messiah sing-a-long at the First Presbyterian Church of Saginaw. 

Come and hear a combined community choir and soloists for a sing-a-long performance of selections from Handel's beloved Messiah. The concert is Sunday, December 15, at 4 PM. Local professional soloists are singing the solos. Come and hear these wonderful singers in these well-known solos. However, for the choruses, the choir wants you to help them! This is a sing-a-long, and you are invited to join in on the choruses. Scores will be provided, but if you have your own, please bring it! The evening will conclude with the Hallelujah Chorus. Invite your friends, singers or not. Plan to come, and hear the Christmas story through song; you will certainly find yourself humming along at least occasionally! 

First Pres is putting together a combined choir of people familiar with the Messiah to help lead the choruses. If that is you, you are invited to join! If you are interested in joining the combined choir, please let music director Thomas Heidenreich know so that there will be a seat and a score for you. Please email him at music@spcsaginaw.org.

Midland-Memorial Invites All To Their December Events

Sunday, December 8 & 22 • 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Presbyterian Coffee Project – Final Sale Days: We are ending our participation in the Presbyterian Coffee Project and are holding a going-out-of-business, 50-percent-off sale of Equal Exchange bags of coffee, boxes of tea, and chocolate bars. We encourage you to continue to support Equal Exchange directly via their website shop.equalexchange.coop where you will find these items along with hot cocoa, oil, nuts, dried fruit, mugs, and apparel.

Sunday, December 22 • 10:00 a.m.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!: Children’s Ministry invites families to celebrate the birth of Jesus with snacks, music, games, crafts, and photo booth!

Tuesday, December 24

5:00 p.m. • Children’s Christmas Eve Pageant: All are invited to experience the beloved Christmas story of Jesus’ birth. This reenactment is led by youth and enhanced with impromptu participation of children who are encouraged to come dressed as shepherds, angels, wise persons, and stable animals. Extra costumes are available.

9:00 p.m. • Christmas Eve Candlelight Service: Enjoy a serene and contemplative Christmas Eve service by candlelight.

Christmas cookies will be located throughout the church after each service.

Our Ministry Engagement Advisor, Lauren Rogers, who we met at the September presbytery meeting has provided us with an extensive Resource List.

It includes a promotional video for the Christmas Joy Offering, information on the Good Futures Accelerator from the Office of Innovation and Vital Congregations 2.0, an Advent candle lighting at-home resource, save the dates for upcoming events and trainings, and more!

The Presbytery Office will be closed for the holidays starting Friday, December 20, 2024 and will reopen on January 6, 2025.

The staff wishes everyone a wonderful and safe holiday season.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Ted, Staci, Jessica and Rose.