‘ Tween Sundays A Midweek E-mail from First Presbyterian Church of Jamestown, New York

December 14, 2016Don Ray, Pastoral Associate

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As in worship we light candles on the Advent wreath, we celebrate hope, peace, joy, and next week, love. The candlelight is beautiful, mesmerizing. Hope, peace, joy and love stir warm sentiment. We speak of the magic of Christmas—the Christmas spirit.

But, do we believe? Or is hope just wishful thinking? Peace a strained suspension of hostilities for the eve and day? Joy, the happiness of receiving the gift you really wanted? Love the warm feelings of gatherings and parties?

Advent and this culture’s celebration of Christmas are far apart. We try to make Christmas, fulfilling wish lists, bringing family and others together, trying to bridge the tensions, wishing ‘Merry Christmas’ as an attempt at ‘joy.’ We often have some success, but it is exhausting and too often tinged with regrets for what we would like that isn’t.

We don’t make Advent. It is the celebration of what has happened and the nurturing of faith that opens us to ‘God with us.’ Jesus is important because of his resurrection, death, and life of ministry, probably in that order. No one of note was evidently aware of his birth at the time. The Gospel writers include the story because a baby speaks of the way God is in this life. Like all babies, Jesus came into the world needing care and nurture, but always at heart the person, child of God, he would be. We live Advent, lighting candles—sparks that become fragile flames that shine in the darkness. What will the spark of life it symbolizes become in us?

Hope, peace, joy and love are not just warm sentiment. Paul (Romans 15:13) describes God as “the God of hope…” Jesus’ birth story is set in the midst of signs of God’s Chosen People as

powerless under Roman oppression, Herod’s massacre of children in his fear of this baby. The people hoped for a messiah to take away all their troubles. Rome is gone, Herod is gone, there are still troubles in the world but Jesus, the Christ lives on—the hope that we can care for and nurture to life greater than those troubles.

John tells us (John 14:27) Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you.” And he hastens to say my peace—not like the world gives. All the insecurities and tensions within and about us are not likely to be resolved in our Christmas celebration. As Advent celebrates, God with—within us, we find the quiet courage and faith that sustains us in peace and keeps us living and sharing that peace that is Christ’s.

The word ‘joy’ throughout the Scriptures is used in reference to the activity of God. The angel message was, “I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born…a Savior, Christ the Lord.” It is the gift of God that takes us beyond ‘Merry Christmas’ to great ‘joy.’

In the English language, we have one word for ‘love.’ Its meaning ranges from feelings of deep affection, compassion and caring that are spiritual in nature, synonymous with ‘God’-- to a zero score in tennis. Advent ‘love’ is better defined by the Greek. ‘Agape’—the love of God for creation and of humanity for God. This love is the power of charity, well-being, life to all the fullness possible.

After December 25th, I am confident you will be asked, “Did you have a good Christmas?” What makes a ‘good’ Christmas. A good Christmas is all the blessings of Advent renewing and refreshing our life in faith for all the days ahead.

Don

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~December 18 – Fourth Sunday of Advent – Children’s Christmas MessageAdult Education meets in SJM Fellowship Hall. Children up to 3rd grade are with Catherine Willard downstairs. Deb Johnston has the 4th – 6th graders in the library and the middle and high school children meet in Bob Hagel’s office with Brian Kushmaul/Bob Hagel.

This Sunday in Adult Ed will be a show and tell. Please bring in something that represents or reminds you of your own faith journey. It can be something from your Christmas boxes, or not necessarily dealing with Christ's birth, but your own rebirth. Pictures of things are acceptable, and so are just good stories to share.

The children will be rehearsing for worship service and should meet in the chapel for costumes at 8:45 am and then will move to the sanctuary.

After worship, coffee hour will be in the cloister

The following Sunday, December 25, Christmas Day, worship will take place in Bellinger Chapel at 10:30 am. This will be a very casual service with carols and communion. Don’t dress up!

December 18Acolyte: Sophie KreinhederLiturgist: Linda BarberGreeter: Janis Ruslink (Parking Lot Door); Phil Ruslink (Cloister Door)Ushers: Jane Lockwood, Ed Sanderson, Jetta and Mark Wilson

Christmas Eve, December 24Acolyte: Emylia HallbergGreeter: Paul Bentley (Parking Lot Door)Ushers: Donna Beal, Pat Kinney, Mark and Jetta Wilson

Next Sunday, December 25 – Christmas DayAcolyte: Liturgist: Mark WilsonGreeters: Ushers:

We want to hold up the following to be remembered as you go through your days:Catherine Willard, Carolyn John, Mark Naeser, Helen Campbell, Mick Yates, Lousie Tefft, Dudley & Joan Ericson, Greg & Ellis Thorsell, Rachael Gabriel, ACP teacher waiting the delivery of her baby, Ken Prince following heart surgery; First Pres/ACP staff, friends and family who have health, job or other concerns; ACP Family for December: Student: Nathaniel and his family: Lexi Michael Sr., Michael Jr., Malachi, Maison, Melissa, and Ronda. “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18) As a reminder to all members, the church only learns of illness, surgeries, hospital stays, etc. from you or a family member. WCA/other hospitals do not call to notify us when a member may be a patient. We urge you to let us know ahead of time (if having surgery) or to call us (or have a family member/friend call us) when something happens that you would like to be added to the prayer list or you would like a visit from the pastor.

If you need a ride to Church or a doctor's appointment, please let the Church office know. The Member Care Committee is ready to help you out.

Women's Advent group:

Book: Awaiting the Already, by Magrey de VegaLocation: Judy Bentley’s, 217 Arlington Ave, Jamestown (665-5763)Date: Tuesday, December 20Time: 7:00 pmInformation: kgould@stny.rr.com; skellogg@netsync.net

Downtown CarolingTuesday Dec 20th 6pm…

Join us for traditional carols in non-traditional places!We will start at The Pub, then move on to

The Cherry Lounge, Forte, and Brazil

HERE ARE A COUPLE OF WAYS YOU CAN GENEROUSLY GIVE FOR CHRISTMAS:This year, the Mission Committee’s Angel Christmas Tree (located in the Cloister) will be decorated with warm winter items for children at local schools – hats, gloves, scarfs, sweaters. Those of you who like to knit and need a project, now is the time to start on these much needed items. There is also an ACP wish tree in the Fellowship Hall with items that A Children’s Place needs. Anything for the trees should be brought and put on the tree before December 19 so they can then be distributed to the local schools. It is not necessary to wrap the presents.

The Session and the Mission Committee have dedicated this year’s Christmas Joy offering. Part of the offering goes to support the General Assembly’s Board of Pension and the seven Presbyterian schools and colleges. The portion that our congregation retains will be directed to the Presbyterian Church outreach in support of refugees. The offering will be dedicated on December 18 and you should have received the special envelope for this offering in the mail.Our traditional display of poinsettias for the Christmas holiday is a great way for members to remember and honor loved ones. Please call Pat Kinney (487-0528) or Barb Scoot (763-1677) before December 15 to put a poinsettia in the chancel. The cost is $10 per plant and a check with “Christmas Flowers” on the note line can be mailed to the church or put in the collection plate on Sunday. These plants will decorate our sanctuary on December 18 and on Christmas Eve and then will be then taken to members who cannot be with us during the holiday.

PLEDGE UPDATE: As of Wednesday, December 7: 114 pledges have been received in the amount of $261,424. Last year’s total was 128 pledges for a total of $269,069. If you have not been able to turn in your pledge card yet, please do so as soon as possible, either by placing in the collection plate on Sunday or mailing to the church business office.

HAVE YOU been missing the annual RADA knife sale? ACP can still be the recipient of part of your sales order when you place an order online. This way to order RADA cutlery goes on all year. To access the site, go to www.helpourfundraiser.com. Use the ordering number 500198 and the password, acp2007. Place your order, have it shipped directly to you, and ACP will receive monies directly from RADA. RADA has a wide variety of useful kitchen tools, knives, candles, and cookbooks, along with their delicious soup, bread and dip mixes. As you are making your Christmas gift list, think about this great way to include ACP on your list.

PYG:The Youth Committee has planned out the 2016/2017 year with lots of fun and exciting activities. Everyone was sent a calendar by email. Here are the December and January gatherings:

January 8: Youth meeting at the church, 5:30 - 7:00 pmJanuary 22: Snow Tubing at Hidden Valley, 2:00 - 4:00 pmJanuary 22: Prayer, Pot Luck & Play at Church, 5:30 - 7:00 pm

MISSION OPPORTUNITY: Our Church’s pilot project TON (Tutoring Our Neighbors) is attracting a lot of volunteers, although not quite enough yet. At this point we have an Assistant Director (Brian Kushmaul), a Curriculum Leader or Materials Manager (Carol Webster), and all 10 tutors that are needed. As stated before, Janita Byars will be Snack Manager, but she can use more volunteers willing to help serve the snacks and/or to provide some snacks. We also still need more substitutes. Pat Cunningham (a teacher from Love School who is choosing the children to be tutored) will be walking the children up from the school most Wednesdays, but we need 2 more volunteers to escort the kids when Pat cannot do this, and one of these volunteers to walk with Pat when he can.

Even though the actual tutoring will not begin until February 8, tutors will have a chance to meet the kids and their parents on Wednesday, December 14 at 3:30 pm. We will also be able to answer any questions from volunteers and parents. There will be a translator there to help the parents and volunteers understand each other. We will meet in the downstairs activity room where the TON program will reside starting in February. Judy Kullberg, jjkullberg@hotmail.com ; 716-753-5201 or 716-708-2061

The annual Advent devotional calendar from the Presbyterian Today magazine is available in the literature rack in the Narthex. “A Journey of Memories” is written by Sue Washburn and she states that “this devotional is a journey of memories – of sights, smells, tastes, and sounds that point to the promise of God in Jesus Christ.

LENTEN DEVOTIONAL BOOKLETPeople have kept a fast before Easter for at least 1,800 years. Reading forty daily devotions is, of course, a modern concept since few people could read back then. Won’t you contribute to our own Lenten devotional booklet for 2017? “Purple Ponderings: a Lenten Devotional Booklet” will have two interwoven themes, reflections on Lent and the significance of the color purple. The deadline is January 31, 2017. See Catherine Willard, thepatchprincess@windstream.net, for additional information.

THE FLOWER CHART for 2017 is now posted in the Cloister. If you would like to remember a loved one or honor a special occasion, sign the chart for that Sunday, and then contact Jean Lloyd (483-6795) several weeks before the date regarding the flowers and the wording you would like in the bulletin.

A REMINDER about God’s Pantry. The food pantry next door at First Covenant is in need of food for the next distribution on December 20. The Mission Committee is encouraging you to help with “a meal for the month.” December’s items are spaghetti or macaroni noodles, canned green beans,

boxed potatoes, biscuit mix, and applesauce. You may also bring other nonperishable food items and personal items such as laundry detergent as well. The food can be left in the basket in the Narthex.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Serendipity will be gracing the city of Jamestown with another wonderful opportunity to hear this women’s group sing! On Saturday, December 17 at 7:00 pm, here in the sanctuary at First Presbyterian, Serendipity will perform. There is no cost to attend the concert, but a free will offering will be taken, a portion of which will go to support “God’s Pantry,” the community food bank at First Covenant. This is the same food pantry that First Pres supports all year long with collected food items.

From the Business Office: Once again please remember not to file your 2016 federal income tax return before receiving your contribution summary in January from the church. Donors may not be able to deduct individual contributions of $250 or more if you file before receiving the summary. The Business Office tries to get those summaries out during the third week of January.

If you have something special happening to you or family that you would like your friends at First Pres to know about, please send the information to the office to peggy@firstpresjamestown.com. Peggy will be sure to add the news to this weekly email.

DATES TO MARK ON YOUR CALENDAR!Church Business Hours:

Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 4:30 pmSaturday morning

December 17 – Serendipity ConcertDecember 18 – Children’s Christmas Message during worshipDecember 20 – Advent Book Study atDecember 24 – Christmas Eve Service at 9:00 pm with Musical Prelude at 8:30 pmDecember 25 – Christmas Day worship service at 10:30 am in Bellinger ChapelJanuary 1 – New Year’s worship service at 10:30 am in Bellinger ChapelJanuary 22 – PYG Tubing at Hidden ValleyJanuary 22 – PYG January 29 – Congregational Annual Meeting after worship

Blessings to everyone!Have a great week.

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