Faith Alive

“I’d rather SEE a sermon than hear one….” John Stanley, Minister--Visitation

Someone asked the other day what was the ONE THING that my mother said that ‘sticks’ in my mind even now. I had to respond, “she said, remember, now John, ‘actions speak louder than words.’” As I pondered that statement, I remembered the first line of a poem written by Edgar Guest, “I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day; I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.” And, in a similar way, Noah Hawley stated in Before the Fall, “...people can say all kinds of things without ever opening their mouths...” So, another way of putting it might be: "What we say cannot be heard unless what we do speaks louder.” Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles?” (Matthew 7:16, NRSV). By our fruits (actions) we are known! We are commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves. Loving our neighbor may not be providing affordable housing for everyone in the United States; however, by helping to build one Habitat for Humanity home in Gastonia is being known by the fruits of our labors—not our words. Loving our neighbors may not be discovering a cure for cancer, but providing transportation for a person to the doctor, and sending a thoughtful card and praying for one battling the disease is preaching a loving sermon, without saying a word. “I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day” means visiting the lonely in a nursing home, or serving a hot meal at the Boys and Girls Club or at the Salvation Army, or taking an interest in a needy family. To be a disciple of Jesus Christ is to be serving those less fortunate than ourselves. People watch what we do. When our actions line up with our words, and both line up with what the Bible says, that's when people will surely say (paraphrasing), “See how those Christians at First Presbyterian love one another!” Jesus said, “…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 NRSV). As we prepare our hearts and minds for the New Year, let us ponder how we can show the love of Christ. Continued on pg. 6

Presbyterian Women News

A warm THANK YOU to the Congregation for supporting the kick-off of our Crock Pot Ministry. The Crock Pot Committee was overwhelmed by the number of orders it received. The sale ended with an amazing profit of $2,431.57. Many thanks to Dianne Belton and Kay Brown for their leadership and to all of their committee members who dedicated countless hours and energy to making the sale a success. Stay tuned for the next sale. It will take place during the Presbyterian Women’s annual Bake Sale in March.

Circle Schedule for December

Tuesday, December 5 (NOTE DATE CHANGE) Hostesses

Circle 4 11:30 a.m. in the Parlor Katie Reese, Frances Henry, Sonya Spencer

Monday, December 11

Circle 2 10:30 a.m., Covenant Village Living Room

Circle 3 2:00 p.m., Covenant Village Card Room No hostesses

Circle 5 7:00 p.m. at the home of Caroline Letts (1299 Audubon Dr., Gastonia)

Caroline Letts

Circle 6 6:30 p.m. in the Parlor Martha Greene & Sarabeth Edwards

Circle 1 10:00 a.m. at the home of Ellen Cinq-Mars (2426 Armstrong Circle, Gastonia)

Ellen Cinq-Mars & Pat Schultz

Looking for a meaningful

Christmas gift?

A fitting way to celebrate Jesus’ birth is to honor others with a gift to the Guatemala Microloan Project. For a minimum donation of $10, you will receive this card to give, explaining how the gift provides opportunities for women to grow in self-esteem, hope, and freedom. Cards are available for purchase at the Reception Desk.

2

You Can Help. . .

HELP HOST FAMILY PROMISE

December 31 — January 7 Sign up online or see Luke or Anne Buchanan or Lenise Melton.

HABITAT FOR

HUMANITY HOUSE Listen for the dedication date to be announced soon. It will be in January.

You Gave...through the Missions Ministry… $500 to Stable Resources (Kristy

McGhee) for marginalized women of Gaston County.

$3,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Gaston County.

$898 to Heritage Oaks Assisted Living Center for personal items for Christmas.

$500 to the Warlick Family YMCA in honor of Andy Warlick, George Henry, III, Gene Matthews, and Richard Rankin recognizing their efforts in getting the new Y started.

Can You Find the Star? By Jill Kimbirl, Director of Children’s Ministries

Inspired by The Christmas Star from Afar game that celebrates the true meaning of Christmas, during Advent and up to Epiphany Sunday, January 7th, the children will be seeking the star of the Nativity each Sunday morning in and around the Fellowship Hall and Sanctuary. They will also be watching the progress of the three Wise Men as they journey to worship the baby Jesus, who arrives in our Sanctuary on Christmas Eve. Here is what our star looks like and here’s what our three Wise Men look like. Each Sunday morning during

Advent have your children seek their movement as I hide the star and then move the Wise men close by. I will have clues and readings on the bulletin board outside my office to assist you each week so make time either before or after worship and Sunday school to be a part of this fun game. Hopefully, this will inspire all to guide our children to the true meaning of Christmas, rather than just a time when they get more than they give.

NICKEL-A-MEAL We collect this offering the 2nd Sunday of each month. It goes to hunger relief projects within the presbytery and around the globe. Please give as you are able.

Upcoming Opportunities for Worship at Christmas and New Year’s

A Service of Hope: December 12, 12:15 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church; see the 11/15/17 newsletter or the Parish Nurse Ministry board for more info.

Presbyterian Weekday School Christmas Program: December 19, 9:00 a.m., Sanctuary

Children’s Christmas Pageant: December 17, 5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall

Christmas Eve (12/24): 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary; 6:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary; 11:00 p.m. in the Chapel New Year’s Eve (12/31) : 9:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. No children’s Sunday school on 12/31. Some adult classes will meet.

90th Birthday Luncheon

Continued from pg.1 Indeed, as Mr. Guest said it, “I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day; I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.” If we want to know whether or not a tree is an apple tree, all we do is find out one thing. Does it grow apples? Pastor John Stanley

ADULT MINISTRIES

HENDERLITE BREAKFAST: This Sunday school class welcomes new members. The breakfast will be Sunday, December 12 at 9:00 a.m. at the PAD. SEEKERS CLASS BREAKFAST: This class also welcomes new members. Their breakfast will be Sunday, December 17 at 10:00 a.m. in the Parlor.

FAITH & FICTION: The next Faith & Fiction meeting will be on Sunday, January 7 at the Covenant Village Card Room at 5:00 p.m. January’s book will be The Zookeeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman. Hostesses will Vicky Wilson, Pat Aunan, and Lenise Melton.

Adult Ministries

BLOOD DRIVE REPORT We had 32 people appear and collected 29 pints and 3 double red units! Thank you to everyone who gave or attempted to

give! These numbers were greatly improved over recent blood drives here at FPC.

Thank you to the Presbyterian Women who hosted, provid-ing refreshments and conversation as people recovered.

Commitment 2018 Update

As of December 1, 2017 93% of the Stewardship Goal had been reached. This leaves approximately $95,000 remaining to meet the needs projected for 2018. The Campaign will close December 15th to allow the Budget Committee to meet and finalize the plans for next

year. If you have not yet submitted your 2018 Pledge Card, please consider submitting it prior to December 15, 2017. Pledge materials can be obtained by calling the Church Office: 704-864-2651 or online at fpcgastonia.org/give.

MALAWI MISSION REPORT “GOOD NEWS” October 24, 2017 Dr. Martha Sommers will be going to work at Nkhoma Hospital in Malawi as a Mission Co-Worker from the PCUSA. Since Barbara Nagy has returned to live in Morganton, we have been praying that another PCUSA doctor would be going to Nkhoma. This is a double blessing because Dr. Sommers previously served at two other hospitals in Malawi. She is a good friend of Dr. Nagy, who is excited that Martha will be working at the hospital in Nkhoma. Our congregation and presbytery have close ties to both the hospital and to Ebenezer School in Nkhoma, Malawi, which are both working to improve the

lives of many people! Keep them in your thoughts and prayers!

First Press PERIODICALS US POSTAGE

PAID Gastonia, NC

Worship and Music Notes

Power Outage Sunday, 12/3 A squirrel was responsible for

knocking out one of the church’s power inputs from the city,

causing some lights and outlets to work and others to be out. The livestream of both services was

interrupted by this electrical problem. Hopefully this is a

“once in a blue moon” experience!

11:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 11/5/2017 146 114 11/12/2017 291 one service for Kirkin’ 11/19/2017 164 104 11/26/2017 135 95

November Worship Attendance

Audio CD copies of the 11:00 Traditional worship service are available upon request. We will deliver them to you and can even provide a CD player if needed. Call the church office to get on the list!

Pastoral Care This team will be delivering 30+ bags for our homebound members to show our love, support, and prayers. They will be delivered in the coming days.

(Please email jdavenport@fpcgastonia.org if you see we have missed someone…we want everyone cared for!)

Church Office Hours for Christmas and New Year’s

12/25 &12/26: Closed 12/27: 10:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m. 12/28: 10:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m. 12/29: 10:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m.

1/1/2018: Closed Please help the business office by

submitting all year end contributions by noon on 12/29 so we have time to

process them. Thank you!

December 2017     FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH    1621 EAST GARRISON BLVD    GASTONIA, NC  28054    PHONE:  704‐864‐2651    WEB:  www.fpcgastonia.org    FB:  www.facebook.com/fpcgastonia    TWITTER:  @1Pres_Gastonia 

Sunday  Monday  Tuesday  Wednesday  Thursday  Friday  Saturday 

10  11  12  13  14  15  16 9:00 a.m.    Thrive 9:00 a.m. Henderlite  

      Breakfast 10:00 a.m.  Sunday  

        School 11:00 a.m.  Worship  5:00 p.m. Youth Christmas  

      Party (off site) 5:30 p.m. Diaconate  

  Mee ng 

Nickel-a-Meal Offering Communion

10:00 a.m. Circle 1 (home                 of Ellen Cinq-Mars) 10:30 a.m. Circle 2      (Covenant Village) 2:00 p.m. Circle 3      (Covenant Village) 6:30 p.m. Circle 6 7:00 p.m. Circle 5 (home     of Caroline Le s) 

9:30 a.m. Staff Mee ng 12:15 p.m. A Service of  

      Hope (FUMC) 6:00 p.m. Youth Ministry  

      Mee ng 12:15 p.m. A Service of  

      Hope (FUMC) 7:00 p.m. Thrive Rehearsal 7:15 p.m. Young Women’s  

  Gathering 

7:00 a.m. Men’s Fellowship        Breakfast 

11:00 a.m. Backpack           Delivery and Storage Noon  Prayer Lunch 5:00 p.m.    Personnel  

       Ministry Mtg. 5:30 p.m.   First Kidz 5:35 p.m.   Handbells 7:00 p.m.   Sanctuary Choir 

7:00 a.m.  Bibles &            Biscuits  

10:00 a.m.  Backpack           Packing 

10:00 a.m. Prayer Beads      Small Group 

11:00 a.m. Thrive     Rehearsal 

17  18  19  20  21  22  23 9:00 a.m. Thrive 10:00 a.m.  Sunday  

         School 10:00 a.m. Seekers Class  

        Breakfast 10:00 a.m. College   

      Breakfast 11:00 a.m. Worship with  

        the Carolina Brass 3:30 p.m. Children’s  

        Pageant Prac ce 5:00 p.m. Family  

   Christmas (Children’s      Pageant, special music…) 

10:00 a.m.  Backpack   Packing 

9:00 a.m. PWS Christmas        Program  

9:30 a.m.  Staff Mee ng   5:00 p.m. Adult Ministries  6:30 p.m. Senior High       Development Workshop 7:00 p.m.  Thrive Rehearsal 

5:35 p.m.   Handbells 7:00 p.m.   Sanctuary Choir     

7:30 a.m.  Finance    Ministry    Mee ng 

Calendar of Events

Sunday  Monday  Tuesday  Wednesday  Thursday  Friday  Saturday 24      25  26  27  28  29  30 10:00 a.m. Sunday  

       School 11:00 a.m. Worship 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve      Worship (Sanctuary) 11:00 p.m. Candlelight      Communion Service      (Chapel) 

Christmas Day 

Church office closed  Church office closed         

Church office open 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

Church office open 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Church office open 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

Please bring year‐end dona ons by 

noon 

Newsle er deadline for the January 4th edi on 

7:00 p.m. Thrive   Rehearsal 

31  January 1  January 2  January 3  January 4  January 5  January 6 

9:00 a.m.  Thrive 10:00 a.m.  Sunday School  For some classes; no children’s Sunday School 

Church Office Closed 

New Year’s Day 1:00 p.m. Newsle er  

 Edi ng Team 11:00 a.m. (?) Mailing  

  of the Newsle er Epiphany