in this ISSUE Advent page 1 The Advent Wreath page 2 Spotlight—Music Page 4 What’s happening page 4 In our community page 5 Bible Study page 6 Fellowship page 7 Youth & Children page 8 School News page 9 Calendar page 10 Schedules Page 11

the Signal

“In thy light shall we see light” Psalm 36:9

december 2013

Southminster Presbyterian Church

Advent: Preparing for Christ at Southminster

If I were to tell you that the month of December is a time of preparation, I believe you

would agree with me. But would we be talking about the same type of preparation? For most

of us during December we are preparing Christmas gift lists, preparing our house with

decorations, preparing our pantries for holiday baking and cooking, and preparing our bank

accounts for the impending depletion that happens in December due to all of this preparation.

However, this is not the preparation that I am talking about.

During the season of Advent, beginning December 1st, the church prepares for the

coming of Christ. The season of Advent is a time when we prepare and anticipate the coming

of the Messiah, born to a young virgin named Mary, in the “insignificant” town of Bethlehem.

The birth of the Jesus is what we celebrate on Christmas, and is one of the focal points of

Advent. Here at Southminster, as well as other churches, we do certain things to prepare for

the coming of Christ.

During Advent we help to prepare our hearts. We can participate in Advent sunday

school classes, or use an Advent calendar, devotional to prepare our hearts for the coming of

Christ. We also help to prepare our families, host families from Family Promise, and we will be

hosting an Advent program on Wednesday nights for families to come to. We also prepare at

Southminster by reaching out to the community around us. We participate in Caring Tons by

giving food to other families, host several musical concerts and a live nativity that the whole

community can attend. These are just a few ways that we are able to prepare for the coming of

Christ in our church community.

I invite you to think of ways that you and your loved ones can prepare for the coming

of Christ. In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, I hope you are able to

remember the reason for the holidays. We remember that God came down in human flesh in

the person of Jesus Christ, and even lived among us. Jesus Christ lived, died and was

resurrected from the grave. We cannot begin to understand the importance of the coming of

Christ in Bethlehem thousands of years ago if we don’t understand that God lived among us in

Jesus Christ. Throughout Advent we will explore the impact of Christ’s coming, to understand

why his birth is so important.

I hope that you will join our church family during the season of Advent for any of

these events. Be sure to check out information about our Advent program on Wednesday

nights under our Fellowship section. I pray that you and your loved ones will join us here at

Southminster as we embark on a meaningful journey during this Advent season. In Christ,

Page 1 Page 12

Southminster Presbyterian Church

4200 Cartwright Road

Missouri City, TX 77459

(281) 499-2310

www.southminpres.org

Non Profit Permit #4 POSTAGE PAID Missouri City, TX 77459

Rev. Kent Landry……....………………..........................Pastor Rev. Andrew Keyes……………………………..Associate Pastor Rev. David Northcutt…………….....………..Parish Associate for Pastoral Care Pam Drake………….…..…………................Church Secretary Richard Early……………………………………………...Treasurer Christy Balenene……………………………..Business Manager Scott Lofgren...................................Facilities Coordinator Scott Bonasso……..……………….Director of Music Ministry Andrew Meddaugh…..……….Contemporary Music Leader Donald Doucet…...……….………….……………...Accompanist Gabriele Hodges..........Dir. Handbell & Children’s Choirs Jane Rusk……….................……………………….Signal Editor Jeanne Peabody…………..…………….Childcare Coordinator

********************************************* Southminster School Angela Holden.………………..Head of Southminster School Karen Rombach....................................Preschool Director

The family of Chuck Mahan, as they grieve his death.

Our Deepest Sympathy is extended to...

a message from OUR PASTOR

Upcoming EVENTS JANUARY 2014 January 18th Upward Soccer Evaluations begins January 19th Houston Marathon Go Team Butterfly! January 6th Deadline to pay for rooms at Mo Ranch

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Volunteer SCHEDULES

AUDIO VISUAL

9:00 am 11:15 am

1st Leslie Crosley

Brad Federwisch Stephen James

Leslie Crosley Benny Gilbert

8th Benny Gilbert Brad & Molly Federwisch

Benny Gilbert Jon Schwartz

15th Leslie Crosley Debbie Yoho

Brad Federwisch

Leslie Crosley Benny Gilbert

22nd Jon Schwartz

Jon Schwartz

24th 11:00pm Jon Schwartz

29th Leslie Crosley Rick & Nike

Bramer

Leslie Crosley Carrie & Nicole

Freund

TELLERS

1st Myron Goforth & Bea McClung

8th Frank Haines & Pat Welsh

15th Owen Irish & Clif Peabody

22nd David Bauer & Travis Boyd

29th Don Watts & Brian Harkins

CHILDREN’S SERMON

9:00 am 11:15 am

1st David Northcutt David Northcutt

8th Ida Earle Southminster School

Choir

15th J.O. Dravis Cherub Choir

22nd Ida Earl Susan Evans

29th One Service

10am Doug Earle

If you have an article

or event that you’d

like included in the

Signal Newsletter.

Please email Jane Rusk

rjrusk@clear.net by

the 15th of the prior

month. Your ideas are

also appreciated &

welcome!

WORSHIP ASSISTANTS

9:00am Service 11:15am Service

1st David Northcutt David Northcutt

8th Andrew Keyes Andrew Keyes

15th Ida Earle David Bauer

22nd

24th 11:00pm Service David Northcutt

29th One Service

10am

O ne of the most common topics for questions

I get asked during the Advent season is about the

Advent wreath in our sanctuary. The wreath is one

of the most popular ways that congregations

celebrate Advent during worship. But many people

are uncertain about them - why do we have

different colored candles, what do they mean, etc?

Advent wreaths have their origins in the folk

traditions of northern Europe, where in the deep of winter people lit candles on wheel-

shaped bundles of evergreen. Both the evergreen and the circular shape symbolized ongoing

life. The candlelight gave comfort at this darkest time of the year, as people looked forward

to the longer days of spring.

The Advent wreath, four candles on a wreath of evergreen, is shaped in a perfect circle to

symbolize the eternity of God. There are traditionally 4 candles in an Advent wreath - three

purple and one rose-colored candle. Each candle is lit on successive Sundays. The lighting of

the first candle symbolizes expectation, the second symbolizes hope, the third (which is rose-

colored) symbolizes joy and the fourth purity. We also place a large white candle in the

middle of the Advent wreath. The Christ candle is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day

reminding Christians that Jesus is the light of the world.

Each candle’s color has a meaning. Purple is believed to represent both royalty and

repentance. In ancient times, purple dyes were so rare and costly that they came to be

associated with kings. Thus, purple reminds us of the royalty of the coming King Jesus. The

pink candle, as well as the purple candles, most likely have roots in association with Lent (the

season of fasting and preparation for Easter). For each of the seven solemn weeks of Lent,

the church historically lit a candle on Sunday. The third Sunday of Lent was designated as a

break in the fast — a time to feast and remember the coming joy of the resurrection. The

third Sunday of Advent symbolizes joy in the midst of our preparation, and marks the halfway

point toward the coming of light into the world. The pink is likened to a faded purple color as

though the light is beginning to shine through it. It is “like the first gleam of dawn, shining

ever brighter till the full light of day” (Proverbs 4:18).

On Christmas Day (or Christmas Eve), we place a white candle, called “the Christ candle,” in

the middle of the wreath (leaving the purple and pink candles in place). The color white

symbolizes the light, purity and holiness of Jesus. For “in him there is no darkness” (1 John

1:5) and “in him is no sin” (1 John 3:5).

Since Advent is a time to stir-up our faith in the Lord, the wreath and its traditions provide us

a way to augment this special preparation for Christmas. Moreover, this tradition helps us to

focus on the faith-filled meaning of the season and not lose sight of the true meaning of

Christmas. In Christ,

ELDERS SCHEDULED TO SERVE COMMUNION

Communion Preparers 12/1 Servers 1115am 12/24 Servers

12/1 Jude Ryan & Naomi Maxwell

Kathy Pitts Kathy Pitts

12/24 Katy Hardcastle, Jon & Nell Schwartz

David Bauer David Bauer

12/1 Servers 900am Dorothy Goforth Nell Schwartz

Jennifer Mockaitis Myron Goforth

Nell Schwartz

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SPOTLIGHT...Our amazing Music Ministry

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS May God continue to shower you with blessings and happiness. May He always keep you in his tender and loving care.

1st - Becky Bramer, Karen Saldana 2nd - Lee Hutchens 4th - Tina Ohabunwa 5th- Pam Drake 7th—Ann Pierpont 8th—Noah Lofgren, John Owens 9th—Kyle Landry 10th—Cody Hodge 11th—Jeffrey Hodges, Suzanne Jarrard 12th—Clara Goforth

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Worship 9:00a & 11:15

Youth Groups 5p-7p Youth Choirs 530p – 8p

2

Marlene Circle 6:30p

3 Quilters 9:30a

Food Pantry 10a CE/Youth 7p #1852 7p

4

Advent Series

6pm

5

Chancel Choir

730p

6

7

8

Worship 9:00a & 11:15

Youth Groups 5p-7p Youth Choirs 530p – 8p

Deacons 545p GRACENOTES Concert

7:00pm

9

Horizons Bible 9:30a

Wings Bible 7p

10 Quilters 9:30a

School Christmas 630p #1852 7p

11

Advent Series 6pm

Chancel Choir 730p

12

13

14

Breakfast with Santa

900—1100am Choir Dress Rehearsal

10-12

15 Worship 9:00a & 11:15

Youth Groups 5p-7p Youth Choirs 5:30p – 8p

Chancel Choir Concert

7pm

16

17 Quilters 9:30a

Food Pantry 10:00a

School Comm. 7:00p #1852 7p

18

Advent Series 6pm

19

Chancel Choir 7:30p

20

Bridge Club

12:30

21

22Worship 9:00a & 11:15

Deadline for Mo Ranch Youth Groups 5p-7p

Youth Choirs 5:30p – 8p Session Mtg 700p

23

24

Live Nativity 5:00pm Concert 10:30pm

Church Service 11:00 pm

25 CHRISTMAS

DAY

26

27

28

29 ONE WORSHIP 10:00am

Youth Groups 5p-7p Youth Choirs 5:30p – 8p

30

31

what’s happening, when DECEMBER CALENDAR

15th—Kara Earle Pendergrass 18th—Jenny Harper 19th—Victoria McMillen 20th—Daniel Maxwell 22nd—Dana Garcia, Grace Wallace 23rd—Erin Cashion 24th—Kathryn Batek 25th—Ida Earle 26th—Matthew Bonasso, Charles Brod, Jeanne Peabody 30th—Rachel Saldana 31th—Greg Evans

Recycling Cans - Bring to Church December 1 Newsletter Deadline December 15

PITTS-Kathleen served in the Army Nurse Corps during Desert Storm in Germany and then for an additional tour of duty at WBAMC at Fort Bliss Army Base (El Paso, TX). Although she did not retire from the military she did experience immeasurable experience working in both the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for military families overseas, evacuating seriously ill infants back to the US for treatment and working in the burn unit during Desert Storm. SALDANA – Karen serve in the US Navy active service from 1986-1996, reserve Navy from 1996-2000. She reached the rank of Petty Officer Second Class, her job description was Instrumentman. She had the pleasure of serving in Charleston - SC and Norfolk- VA. During her assignment aboard the USS L.Y. Spear (AS-36) she spent a few months in the Persian Gulf area from July 1991- September 1991. “The Navy gave me opportunities and experiences that I would not have had otherwise. I was able to experience tours of the Holy Land including Nazareth. This is one of my favorite memories.” SALDANA-Raymond served in the US Navy for 22 years from 1987 to 2009. He has served on 9 naval ships, 3 shore commands and 5 direct joint service duty assignments. His direct combat duties and operations included the US Invasion of Panama in 1989, Desert Shield/Desert Storm 1990 to 1991, United Nation Peacekeeping Mission Mogadishu, Somalia in 1993, NATO Intervention operation in Kosovo 1998 to 1999, Two Tours in Iraq, and US military Legal Enforcement Operations in Columbia, Nicaragua and Honduras. His best duty was serving on the U.S. Naval Ceremonial Guard for 6 months-burial detail. It was the most honorable duty to our country he has served. It provided momentum for the rest of his career. God Bless America SCHWER-Ed was in ROTC at Drexel University, served 2 years active duty in the Army Corps of Engineers from 1962 to 1964, achieving the rank of Captain in the reserves.. He was a platoon commander(25 men) in a Float Bridge Company (200 men). His experience in the military was very rewarding and character building and he strongly believes that all benefit from two years of service in the military. TAYLOR -Nancy’s son, Jim Taylor, served in the U. S. Marines for 21 years & retired as a LTC. Their grandson, Brian Dawson, recently completed his basic training in the U.S. Marines & is continuing his training.. THIBAULT- Dennis served in the U.S. Army as Paratrooper;Relatives of Dennis Thibault: Richard Thibault (brother)-U.S. Army- killed in action in Vietnam; John Thibault (father) U.S. Army in WWII, George Thibault (uncle)-U.S. Army in WWII; Fred Thibault (uncle)- U.S. Navy in WWII; Raymond Thibault (uncle)- U.S. Army in WWI; Swan Olson(grandfather)- U.S, Army in WWI: Gerald Olson (uncle)-U.S. Navy in WWII and Korea; Chip Olson (cousin)-U.S. Army in Desert Storm; Relatives of Shirlene Hollinger Thibault: Buck Winnett (uncle) U.S. Army in WWII and Greg Hollinger (cousin)- U.S. Army, killed in action in Vietnam.

WHITWELL-Charles entered army at Ft. Sill, OK, 19 August 1941. Received basic engineering training and was assigned to the 1610th Engineer Utilities Detachment for training. They would go into a town to rebuild infrastructure so advanced Headquarters could function. Arrived in Paris in September 1945 and transferred to the personnel classification section of the European Headquarters. Returned to the US in April 1946 to be discharged at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas. Attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. If you were in the military or have a family member who is serving, please share your story with us. Email it Jane Rusk at rjrusk@clear.net .

Chancel Choir - by Scott Bonasso

The Southminster Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir has a storied, distinguished history of sacred music-making. Our church has enjoyed a long line of top-tier directors, including Dr. Charles Hausmann, Sharon Fink, and Dr. Eduardo Garcia-Novelli. We have maintained an active roster of anywhere from 20 to 30 singers, with many choir members having served for over 10 years. Many members of the SPC Chancel Choir also participate in other Houston-area community music organizations, such as the Houston Symphony Chorus and Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra.

The Chancel Choir prides itself on the diversity and quality of music it presents at the traditional worship service. The choir sings music from every era and style of sacred music: Renaissance motets; Classical oratorios; Spirituals; Gospel; 20th Century hymnody and anthems; as well as the most current choral music by contemporary composers. The choir regularly presents special music events with accompanying orchestra, such as Christmas Concerts, Holy Week cantatas, and Easter morning anthems. Professional instrumentalists from all over the Houston area have collaborated with the SPC Choir.

This is my 12th year of tenure at SPC. I am also a full-time choir/music director at St. John's School, a private school in the River Oaks area of Houston. I hold degrees in choral music from Sam Houston State and the University of Houston, where I did graduate work in conducting studies with Dr. Charles Hausmann (a former music director at SPC). I choose music for worship services that ties in with the scriptural message of the day. I work closely with Pastor Kent Landry to tie together music and the spoken word, presenting a powerfully cohesive proclamation of the gospel every Sunday. I strive to maintain an offering of anthems that is diverse in style, while world-class organist and pianist, Donald Doucet, delights the congregation with his own diverse presentations of the world's finest keyboard literature. It's not unusual to hear organ preludes by Bach and gospel piano arrangements by Mark Hayes all in the same worship service.

Working with Donald Doucet and the Chancel Choir is a pleasure and honor. The choir is such a capable, dedicated group of singers, and Donald is the finest accompanist in the city. As a choir director, it is rewarding to have the opportunity to work on such high-level literature. As a church musician, it's nourishing to be able to offer to the congregation music that is deeply meaningful to me. The Chancel Choir is a family to me, my wife and sons. It is an integral part of my professional and personal life.

The Chancel Choir always needs more singers, and welcomes anyone who desires to serve the church with their singing talents! Prospective singers need only to contact me, Scott Bonasso at sbonasso@att.net to get started. The Chancel Choir enjoys a warm community of fellowship.

GraceNotes - by Andrew Meddaugh

The Advent and Christmas season is a big deal for most church ministries, the music ministries especially. We spend months ramping up for special events and music. It's an appropriate time to have our music ministries featured in the Signal. I'd first like to extend my gratitude to all the musicians at Southminster and everyone who supports us and makes our ministries possible.

This year I'm very excited about our Christmas Concert. It's going to be on Sunday December 8 at 7:00 pm. We have some fantastic music prepared, and the youth band will be playing as well.

So what's GraceNotes all about?

In November of 1998, GraceNotes lead worship music for the first time. Fifteen years later and we've been through many iterations of voices and instruments. Currently, there are seven of us making noise on Sunday mornings.

GraceNotes is a very friendly and encouraging group. Fellowship and prayer are essential to everything we do. We also try to keep things as relaxed and lighthearted as possible. Participation requires an impressive amount of effort and commitment, so it's essential to keep things fun. We could use some company, so if you have the time to commit and some musical talent, please do get in touch with me - AndrewMeddaugh@gmail.com. I'd also love to receive any sort of feedback or ideas for worship you might have.

We rehearse Wednesday nights and wake up extra early on Sundays to be ready for the 9:00 am service. We maintain a repertoire of between 70 and 100 songs at any given time. We usually play five of those songs Sunday mornings. The process of choosing those particular songs is guided primarily by three important elements: Prayer, Scripture, and an Excel spreadsheet.

I'd also like to take a moment to plug our youth band. They're almost halfway through their second year together, and I'm still amazed and very proud of what they've been able to accomplish. Cross Crew is always on the lookout for new members. There are currently six members, and I would love to see that number rise.

in the

SCHOOL Teaching Christ’s love

Southminster children have been hard at work giving back to others. Did you know that we sponsor 13 children through

Compassion International? Each Elementary class has “adopted” a child and the children and families financially,

spiritually and emotionally support their adopted child.

In preparation for the upcoming season we have opted to participate in Operation Christmas Child again. This mission

project was brought to us by Elementary student, Hudson Dunphy, last year. We collected 63 boxes last Christmas. This

year we collected 115! What an accomplishment. Thank you, Hudson, for bringing this wonderful mission project to

Southminster. Thank you Brayden and the Boyer family (pictured below) for delivering all 115 boxes for us.

Drove and Jude Churchwell, two Elementary students, approached Mrs. Holden about Soles4Souls, a mission project

that deliver gently used shoes to people in need. They came prepared with a speech and presentation and have

spear-headed the project. We have collected bags and bags of shoes. Thank you boys.

Our Preschool families will also be getting in the Holiday spirit by donating gifts for the special “Baby Jesus Chapel’s” to

take place in December. These gifts will be donated to the church for the purposes of sharing with Presbyterian

Children’s Homes.

“You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this

the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake.” Deuteronomy 15:10

Page 9 Page 4

come and

REJOICE!

GRACENOTES CONCERT

GraceNotes is excited to announce a musical Christmas concert for one and all!!

Sunday December 8 at 7:00 pm.

They will be performing a selection of modern carols and traditional favorites with help from our youth band, Cross Crew.

CHANCEL CHOIR CONCERT

Southminster Presbyterian Church will present its annual choral Christmas Concert on

Sunday, December, 15, at 7:00pm,

"A Savior Is Born," featuring the SPC Chancel Choir, Children's Choirs, Handbells, and a professional orchestra.

The SPC Chancel Choir and accompanying orchestra will be presenting two Christmas cantatas by Texas' own, Randol Alan Bass: "A Savior Is Born" and "A Feast of Carols." "A Savior Is Born" is in the conventional oratorio format, telling the Christmas story in narrative form, while "A Feast of Carols" is a rousing medley of traditional Christmas carols. Both works demonstrate Bass' special gift for writing stirring, inspirational Christmas literature.

We are happy to announce that Angel Tree 2013 is

underway again this year. We hope to provide gifts for

more than 101 children residing at Presbyterian Childrens

Homes And Services (PHACS) homes in our local area & all

Family Promise children staying with us.

Start Date: December 1,2013

Return Date: December 15, 2013

The procedure will change slightly as no gift can be

wrapped. PHACS requires a complete inventory of all gifts

donated and gifts are not all given at once over the

Christmas holidays. Some of the gifts are held for the

child’s birthday during the year. We ask that unwrapped

gifts be placed in a festive Christmas bag with handles and

a small amount of tissue paper be placed on top. This will

make it easier for inventory to be taken and gifts to be

ready for delivery by December 19th.

The actual process remains the same. Select/Signup the

child/children you wish to donate a gift(s) for on list

circulating during church service---> then obtain envelope

with corresponding ANGEL number in Narthex after the

service. Members of the M&E committee will be present

to help provide envelopes on 12/1 & 12/8.

TIP: Entire wish list is not expected to be filled. Idea is to

provide mix of a fun gift & a practical gift for each child.

Questions Kathy Pitts at 925-986-4986

For more information about PCHAS go to www.PCHAS.org

Thank you from all members of the M&E Committee

(KPitts;DDravis;DEarle;FHaines:DGoforth;BMcClung;

MHutchens)

Angel Tree.

pray for one another PRAYER & THANKSGIVING

The deadline to register for the MO-RANCH Family Retreat Weekend

Is December 22, 2013 Join your church family on

May 9-11, 2014 Forms are available in the Narthex

Elizabeth Northcutt enorthcutt001@comcast.net

get involved WHAT’S GOING ON? Join your church family

A special Church THANK YOU

to members of our congregation for their generous support of our

Seafarers Box Program, especially our youth groups!!

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Page 5

how you can HELP?

CARING TONS We have set a goal to donate 1 ton of food to the Food Bank by the end of the year. We have only reached a 1/4 of this goal. Please remember to bring your food each Sunday. If you forget, you can also donate $1.

EAST FORT BEND HUMAN NEEDS

With the majority of their

food donations coming in

the holiday Season, the Food

Bank needs additional

volunteers from Dec—Feb to

help with food sorting.

FOOD BANK This Months suggested food products are:

stuffing mix; canned sweet potatoes, green beans, corn, cranberry sauce, chicken broth, evaporated milk, pumpkin, instant mashed potatoes, sugar, flour, turkey or chicken gravy mix, canned pie filling & cake mix/frosting.

Our day to work at the Food Pantry: December 3rd & 17th

10:00am - 1:30pm.

Please come and join us!

EYE GLASSES Dorothy Goforth is collecting

eyeglasses for a mission in

Peru. Please leave them in

the treasure box in the

Narthex.

RECYCLING

Thank you for your

recycling efforts. Please

remember to bring your

aluminum cans the first

Sunday of each month.

Our local & worldwide

COMMUNITY OF FAITH How you can show Christ’s love

SANTA CLAUSE IS

COMING to

DATE NIGHT!!

December 7th 6-9pm Children Nursery – 6th Grade

A Group of caring individuals who volunteer their Saturday evening once a month so that parents can have an evening of fun and relaxation. $10 per child / max $25

Registration forms and information can be found on the church website.

Forms & payment accepted

Sun 12/1-Noon 12/4

SHYG Sr. High Youth Group

& MIGHT

Middle Schoolers in God’s Hands Together

All Middle and High school students welcome!

Join us at our

NEW TIME Sundays 5:00-7:00PM

High School December 1 - Regular meeting

December 8 - Christmas Party

December 15 - SPC Choir Program/no meeting

December 22 - TBD Impromptu/Optional Meeting

December 29 - No meeting

Middle School December 1 - Regular meeting

December 8 - Christmas Party

December 15 - SPC Choir Program/ no meeting

December 22 - TBD Impromptu/Optional Meeting

December 29 - No meeting

Team Butterfly is taking to the streets on January 19, 2014 for the

Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon.

Even though we don’t run to win the race, we do run for a reason.

And those reasons are the hurting children helped by the

Presbyterian Children’s Homes (PCHAS).

Let the little children come to me. ~ Matthew 19:14

We ask you, once again, to show your support as we run to raise funds for PCHAS. This

year PCHAS has set a goal of $64,366. Why this number? 64,366 Texas children were

confirmed as abuse and neglect victims in 2012. This number does not include all those

who were too afraid to speak up. PCHAS offers group homes, foster homes and adoption

services for children who need a safe place to live, along with services to keep families

together through crisis, and support for single parents and their kids.

Team Butterfly hopes to raise $20,000 towards this goal and with your help we can do it!

Please consider making a donation by handing a check made out to PCHAS to any of your

Southminster butterflies, or dropping it in the offering plate. You can also donate online

as follows: Go to the Chevron Houston Marathon website and click on the ‘2013-2014

Charities’ under the ‘Run For A Reason’ tab at the top right of the page. Scroll down to

Presbyterian Children’s Homes & Services and click on that, then find Team Butterfly

under the Fundraisers on the right side of the page and click on that.

Butterflies running this year are Becky Walker, Barb Reynolds, Pam Hurst, Pam Trull,

Dorothy & Clara Goforth, Janet & Scott Meddaugh, Dustin James, Paul Martin, Ava

Humme, and Doug Earle. We thank you for all the prayers, support, and encouragement

that you have shown to us over the years. Together, we will run for the children!

Saturday December 14, 2013

9:00-11:00 AM

in the Fellowship hall

All of Santa’s Favorites with be served: Breakfast Tacos, Donuts, Juice

Bring your camera and take pictures with the great Santa and Mrs. Clause!

There will be awesome crafts and even a Christmas movie.

We hope that your whole family will join us and

Mr & Mrs Clause

Volunteers Needed: Contact Joann Dunmire

joannleedunmire@yahoo.com

281-300-7012

FAMILY PROMISE

Southminster's next week to host the Family Promise ministry is

December 22-28th 2013

What a joy it is to be serving families in need during Christmas week. These families are

temporarily homeless, giving us the chance to serve them with food and shelter. The

volunteer opportunities are not difficult, but are all important. We need help with the

following positions:

Set up—December 21

Dinner providers—cook a meal and bring it to the church by 6 pm

Evening hosts—eat dinner with the families; play games 6:00 to 8:30 pm

Overnight hosts—secure the facility; spend the night sleeping 8:30 pm to 6:00 am

Tear down—December 29

If you know how to cook, eat or sleep, we need you. Actually, the families need

you! We especially want volunteers who have never participated. We will train

you !!!!!! Please sign the Family Promise poster in the narthex, beginning December 1st.

Register early, so you can get the slots you want.

If you have questions, please contact either

Donna Dravis jodravis@windstream.net or Doug Earle (dougesltx@gmail,com).

Family Promise is a wonderful way to be the hands and feet of God.

Let's show Christ's love.

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learning & exploring

BIBLE STUDY

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Adult Class 1 (Right side of Fellowship Hall): The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson. This curriculum helps participants gain a deeper understanding of prayer and, in turn, make a more consistent practice of prayer. It will give viewers new vocabulary and methodology to pray with a holy confidence. It will help participants dream big, pray hard and

think long. This class is on session 3 out of 4. This class is led by BONNIE NORTHCUTT. Check out their curriculum here: https://www.rightnow.org/Media/Series/2206

Adult Class 2 (Left side of Fellowship Hall): BASIC. Who is God? by Francis Chan. BASIC is a 7-part short film series that invites us to reclaim the simply, full, and beautiful journey that church was always intended to be. We will be doing

the Who is God? portion for the next 3 weeks, and then we will resume with the last 4 session after Advent. This will be a great way for us to refresh and possibly rethink our understanding of God leading up to the Advent season..Here is the trailer for the whole series: http://vimeo.com/35277374. This class is beginning the first session on 11/10. This

class will be led by REV. ANDREW KEYES. Also, please check out the first video in the curriculum here:

https://www.rightnow.org/Media/Series/2355

Kindergarten-2nd (School room #324 Mrs. Arambulo's room) & 3rd-5th (School room #321 Mrs. Zimu's room): What's in the Bible Vol. 4: Battle for the Promised Land where the children will be exploring Joshua, Judges and Ruth. Those

classes are led by DORIS FUNDERBURK and JEANNE PEABODY, respectively. Check out their curriculum:

https://www.rightnow.org/Media/Series/2402

Middle School (Music room outside of Fellowship Hall): 8 Reasons Why I'm Not a Christian by Ric Garland. This curriculum looks at 8 common objections to faith like: Christianity does not work, God does not care, Christianity does

not own truth, Your Heaven is my Hell, Your Hell is my Heaven, Christians are stupid, Christians are hypocrites, and God is mean. This class is on session 3. This class is led by BENNY and CAROYL GILBERT, with discussions facilitated by

different youth. Check out their curriculum here: https://www.rightnow.org/Media/Series/2342

High School (Youth Lounge): Doctrine by Francis Chan. This curriculum looks at the essential beliefs of Christianity such as the Bible, the Trinity, Creation, Sin, Salvation, Worship, and the Church, and how these doctrinal issues impact

the way we live and act toward God and others. This class is on session 6. This class is led by JORDAN KEYES and DOUG EARLE. Check out their curriculum here: https://www.rightnow.org/Media/Series/2607

HORIZONS BIBLE STUDY

This women’s Bible Study meets at 9:30AM on the 2nd Monday of each month through May 2014 in the Multi Purpose Room. They are studying from the Presbyterian Women: An Abiding Hope -

The Presence of God in Exodus and Deuteronomy. For more information please contact Joyce Smith at 281-438-6103

THE MARLENE CIRCLE

This women’s Bible Study meets in members homes on the 1st Monday of each month at 6:30pm. They are studying from the handbook

Love is a Way of Life by Gary Chapman (the author of 5 Love Languages). Ann Sturrock 281-437-7798 or Marilyn Purcell 281-835-9322

WHISPERS Beth Moore's, The Law of Love, Lessons from the pages of Deuteronomy. It is six 90-minute video sessions, no

homework, beginning January 27 and ending March 3.9:15-11:15 in the Youth Lounge.

WINGS CIRCLE (Women in God’s Spirit) A Women’s group that meets in members homes on the 2nd Monday of each month at 7:00PM . They are studying

the second part of a study entitled The Book of Acts - Seeing Gods Power In Action by Phyllis J Le Peau. For more information please contact Pat Lynch 281-265-9795.

a chance to FELLOWSHIP Sharing Christ’s love with each other

WEDNESDAY ADVENT SERIES

Please join us during December for our Advent program. We will be meeting at 6:00 on Wednesday Evenings to fellowship through dinner, a lesson, and a family friendly activity to finish off the night.

The meal includes a main dish, salad bar, bread, and children’s options each night. Dinner costs $10/person for ALL THREE nights, or families for $25/family for ALL THREE nights. Each night will

finish with a hands on craft which the whole family can participate in. I hope you will join us as we prepare our hearts, our homes and humanity for the coming of Christ this Advent season.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE

Live Nativity Service 5:00pm

Bring your “white gift” for Baby Jesus. Items such as baby food, diapers and other items suitable for small children; wrapped in white tissue paper. These gifts will be given to the

Ft. Bend Women’s shelter.

Pre-Service Concert 10:30pm

by the Chancel Choir

Candlelight Communion Service 11pm

A special offering will be received at the 11:00 services for the Mission and Outreach Ministries of the church.

DIVINE DINERS

Will not be Divine Dining in December. See you in January!!

MID WEEK MANNA

The Advent Series will be replacing our traditional Mid Week Manna in December.

MINISTERS OF THE CLOTH - Quilters

Meets every Tuesday from 9:00 until Noon in the multi-purpose room. The group makes baptism quilts, comfort quilts for hospitalized members and for the apartment ministry, ‘wounded

warrior’ quilts that are sent to Brook Army Hospital, and kids quilts for Project Linus. We also make a quilt to be raffled or auctioned off for the Southminster School Gala. All skill levels are

welcome, we are always glad to welcome newbies and beginning quilters. Contact Dorothy Goforth at 281-265-6210 or dgoforth@dewpointcontrol.com