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Westminster
Presbyterian
Church
www.westminsterspmo.com
1551 East Portland
December 23, 2014
Rev. Ellen G. Brantley, Pastor
Volume 62
Number 24
(417) 866-2711
WORSHIP TIME WILL REMAIN AT 11:00 A.M. UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE C OME S HARE E PIPHANY S UNDAY WITH U S AT W ESTMINSTER ON J ANUARY 4, 2015! During our Worship Service we will once again be handing Epiphany stars to all in attendance. Each star has a word on it and itʹs always exciting to see what it might be and how we can ʺuseʺ that word in our life walk in the new year. Also, for the fun part after the Worship Service, we will ‘undecorate’ the church and hallways. Those boxes that were unpacked for the Hanging of the Greens activity when we decorated the church so beau‐
tifully will all be in the hallway waiting for us to fill them back up for our next Hanging of the Greens 2015 version. So, plan on staying for awhile, help us ‘undecorate’ and enjoy sand‐
wiches, chips, soft drinks and—a piece of the Kingʹs cake!!! Who got the baby last year, was it you Yates? Well, whoever it was please remember to bring a cake to share and donʹt forget to hide the baby in the cake along with pennies, a play ring and some beans. Judy Wyrick, Advent Committee Member 883‐0706 P.S. If you havenʹt put a Kingʹs cake together before, give me a ring and Iʹll be happy to help. Hope to see you all on the 4th. Remember, many hands make the work light. Page 2
THE SON ALWAYS SHINES
Many of us are becoming physically and emotionally
weary of having gone countless days without seeing
the sun. For me, the dreary, cloudy days have
served as a reminder of the promise of Christmas:
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome
it.” (John 1:5)
I keep having to remind myself of this, and of two important truths:
the sun is always in the sky, even when we can’t see it; and the Son
of God – God’s Word made flesh – is always with us, even when we
can’t see Him.
There are so many things that cloud our vision and become obstacles to the reality that Christ is with us, now and always. Illness,
death, trauma, tragedy, crime, poverty, war, oppression… the list
goes on and on. But, as one song says, “the Gift [also] goes on” and
on – the gift of Christ, and the love, hope, peace, and joy that He
brings. It is up to us to make the SON shine, by sharing His gifts
with the world.
Our celebration of His birth and the hope of His coming again is
less than a week away. On behalf of all the staff, I want to thank
you for your cards, gifts, goodies, and expressions of appreciation in
abundance this season. We are blessed to be in ministry with you
and among you.
Finally, I want to share with you words from a beautiful carol, but
one we rarely sing, “In the Bleak Midwinter”: What can I give Him,
poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a
wise man, I would do my part; Yet what I can I give Him: Give my
heart.
Christmas blessings,
Page 3
JUST THE BEGINNING
ADVENT 2014 As John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus, he “A S TA R F O R T H E W O R L D ” A W A I T A N D C E L E B R AT E W I T H U S ! baptized people and urged them to turn their lives around and live for God. As powerful as this ritual Sunday, December 21 – Fourth Sunday of Ad‐ was, John was clear that Jesus’ baptism would be vent: 11:00 am worship: the ‘Tarnished Brass’ more so: “I baptize you with water, but he will bap‐
tize you with the Holy Spirit” (Mark 1:8, NIV). quintet will play. Following worship the Fellowship Committee will serve a The story is told of a gruff old man who’d resisted wonderful Advent reception in the Nar‐ baptism all his life. Finally, he told his pastor he was ready to be baptized, according to the church’s cus‐
thex and upstairs classrooms. and singing carols IN THE GYM; hot “Oh, no,” replied the pastor. “Baptism is just the drinks and pastries will be served. tom, that Christmas. After breaking the ice off the Wednesday, December 24 – Christmas Eve: surface of the local pond, the minister plunged the man, face first, into the frigid water three times “in 7:00 p.m. Worship with candlelight and the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy communion. Spirit.” Sunday, December 28 – Sunday after Christ‐ As the man emerged the third time, he exclaimed, mas: Informal time of sharing stories “Thank God that’s over!” beginning.” ‘Here We Go A-Caroling’
Sunday, December 21
Meet at the church at 4:00 p. m.
to go caroling to our homebound members.
ALL AGES WELCOME!
For the carolers, there will be an afterglow party
at the home of Yates and Janet Trotter .
Page 4
O C O ME , A L L Y E
FA I T HF U L
WESTMINSTER
P RESBYTERIAN
CHURCH
invites
SOUTHMINSTER
P RESBYTERIAN
CHURCH
to join us in worship on
Christmas Eve
Wednesday, December 24,
7:00 p.m.
Communion will be
celebrated and candlelight
will be shared.
The Worship Committee is looking for a few enthusiastic people! If you’re in‐
terested in helping to plan worship and music (no experience necessary), please see Pastor Ellen or Nancy Piston. Saturday, January 10th, 8:00 a.m. A HYMN FOR HANS — AND FOR US ALL
Martin Luther wrote the hymn “From Heaven Above” for his 5‐year‐old son, Hans, to be sung each year at their family Christmas celebration. A man dressed as an angel would enter, singing the first (at least seven!) verses. A lesser known and tender verse is this one: These are the tokens ye shall mark, The swaddling clothes and manger dark; There shall ye find the young Child laid, By Whom the heavens and earth were made. The children would then sing: “Welcome to earth, Thou noble Guest! …” and after still more stanzas, one imagines everyone joining in final praise: Glory to God in highest heaven, Who unto [us] His Son hath given; While angels sing with tender mirth, A glad new year to all the earth. READINGS FOR DECEMBER 2014
DECEMBER 29 JANUARY 5 JANUARY 12 JANUARY 19 JANUARY 26 NO Gen. 1:1‐5 1 Sam. 3:1‐10 (11‐20) Jonah 3:1‐5, 10 Deut. 18:15‐20 BIBLE Ps. 29 Ps. 139:1‐6, 13‐18 Ps. 62:5‐12 Ps. 111 STUDY Acts 19:1‐7 1 Cor. 6:12‐20 1 Cor. 7:29‐31 1 Cor. 8:1‐13 Mark 1:4‐11 John 1:43‐51 Mark 1:14‐20 Mark 1:21‐28 Page 5
To Our Wonderful
Partners in Education
PDO SCHOLARSHIP FUND
By Janet Trotter
When Westminster’s Session approved having a weekday early childhood program as a
ministry in 2004, one emphasis was that a
scholarship fund be created. And so it was!
The director of the program – Parents’ Day
Out & Preschool at Westminster known as
PDO – does receive a few calls from parents
who cannot afford the tuition (which
amount is competitive with similar programs in the community). Those parents
then receive a scholarship application form
which requires income and expense documentation. A committee of two (members of
the PDO Oversight Committee who are
church members) meet to examine the information to see if it meets the criteria established for a scholarship. If the child
qualifies, the parent is asked to also contribute a monthly amount that is possible.
What is the source of funds for these scholarships? It comes from the generous pockets of some Westminster members! Actually, there have been relatively few such applications as most parents who need financial aid also need full-time childcare. PDO
operates from 10 AM to 2 PM (with an early
drop-off option at 9 AM) Monday through
Thursday. However, over the past ten years,
several children have benefitted from these
scholarships and their parents have often
expressed their gratitude, one even had her
child make a picture for a particular generous donor! Interested? Why not suggest that
an adult child remember your birthday or
other special occasion with a contribution
to the PDO Scholarship Fund! A great need
in this community that exists is the large
number of children who are not ready for
kindergarten when they enter. PDO helps
to fill that need—and we hope that the
scholarship fund will always be available.
As we begin the holiday season,
I want to wish you much joy and
laughter with family and friends
during this time of celebration.
I also want to thank you for your support of our students
and staff at Springfield Public Schools. Your involvement as
a Partner is greatly appreciated throughout the year.
All the best for a happy, healthy 2015!
Lisa Langley, Springfield Public Schools, Communications
A SPECIAL BABY
Mark Lowry, who wrote the lyrics to the Christmas song “Mary, Did You Know?” says he’s always been amazed by Mary’s silence at the
cross, as her son was being crucified. Maybe
she was remembering back to that first Christmas, he wonders, when she counted Jesus’ fingers and toes.
“I wonder if she realized then that those were
the same fingers that had scooped out the
oceans and formed the seas. I wonder if she
realized those were the same feet that had
walked on streets of gold and been worshiped
by angels. Those little lips were the same lips
that had spoken the world into existence. When
Mary kissed her little baby, she wasn’t just kissing another baby; she was kissing the face of
God.”
Mary silently watched her son die 33 years
later, Lowry notes — not just for the world but
also for his own mother. “The baby boy she had
delivered on that first Christmas was now on a
cross delivering her.”
WORSHIP TIME WILL REMAIN AT 11:00 A.M. UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE Page 6
Special Needs:
Hap Loeber, moved to Blue Springs, MO
Maggie Wait, pregnancy complication
John Cox, Lakewood Assisted Living
Health Concerns:
Gary Kirst (friend of Arlene Eichler), recovering from bad fall
currently in Cox South; anticipating move to nursing facility
Duane Addleman, Mercy
Tom Cavener
Dovie Rule, Quail Creek
Fairelyn Bayless, migraines
Nancy Addleman, recovering at home
Ron Chaloux (husband of PDO teacher Rose Chaloux), recovering from back surgery
Sheila Riggs (daughter of Louise Harmon), cellulitis
Eric (friend of Pam Burrier’s son), severe depression and family problems
Tim McCrea, recovering from surgery
Maddie, granddaughter of Pam & Bernie Burrier, anxiety and depression issues
Shawn Swanson, return of cancer
Tom Pyke (Amanda Bayless’ Uncle), leukemia
Amanda Bayless’ Grandmother, leukemia
Betty Haseltine, Quail Creek
Jackson Lee (classmate of Anisa Drake), leukemia
Darrell Simmons (Mary Shearholdt’s friend), lung cancer
David Allen (friend of Mary Shearholdt), head & neck cancer
Pat Delano, moved to Culpepper Place
Please call the church office (417) 866-2711 with your prayer concerns.
They will remain on the list for thirty days unless you notify the Church Office or Pastor Ellen.
Thank you.
Monday, Januar y 26
at 6:30 p.m.
Lesson 4
Co-Leaders/Hostesses
Mar y Phillips & Patty Duncan
The Church Office will be Closed on New Year’s Day! Page 7
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
& CHURCH
AC T I V I T I E S
Sunday, December 21
4th Sunday of Advent
ADVENT RECEPTION
-following Worship in
the Nathex
Sunday School 9:30 a.m.
Worship 11:00 a.m
A.A. 7:00 p.m.
Monday, December 22
Bible Study 10:30 a.m.
Prayer Shawl 12:30 p.m.
Boy Scouts 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 23
Cub Scouts 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 24
CANDLEIGHT & COMMUNION 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 25
CHRISTMAS DAY—OFFICE CLOSED
Friday, December 26
OFFICE CLOSED
Sunday, December 28
NO Sunday School
Casual Worship 11:00 a.m. in the gym
A.A. 7:00 p.m.
Monday, December 29
NO Bible Study OR Prayer Shawl
Boy Scouts 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 30
Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 31
NO Choir Practice
Thursday, January 1
NEW YEAR’S DAY — OFFICE CLOSED
W ORSHIP T IME W ILL R EMAIN AT 11:00 A . M . UNTIL F URTHER N OTICE If you are unable to fulfill your responsibility please find
a substitute and notify the Church Office. Thank you.
Liturgist
January:
February:
TBA
TBA
Sharing Time
December 28:
January 4:
January11:
January 18:
Pastor Ellen
Carolyn Hughes
Pastor Ellen
Janet Trotter
Acolytes
December 28:
January 4:
January 11:
January18:
Ashley Carroll
Eli Courtney
Brooke Carroll
Conor Hughes
Offering Helpers
December 28: Aiden Baker
January 4:
Zoe Riekhof
January 11:
Jordan Bayless
January18:
Jackson Fannin
Hospitality/Greeting Teams
December 28: Bernie Burrier, Pat Duncan,
Mary Shearholdt, Tom Wyrick
January 4:
Mary June Ellis, Jamie Evans,
Bill & Nancy Piston
January 11:
Joe Greene, Kevin & Carolyn
Hughes, Mac & Mary Phillips
January 18:
Tom & Janet Cavener,
Derek & Mary Lowrance
Sound Techs
December 28: Courtney Martin
January 4:
Lucas Brantley
January 11: :
Bill Piston
January 18:
Steve Wilson
The Chimes, the monthly calendar, prayer
concerns, PDO information, and Pastor Ellen’s
sermons may be viewed on the Church website:
www.westminsterspmo.com.
Page 8
WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1551 E PORTLAND
SPRINGFIELD MO 65804
12/23/2014
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
WORSHIP TIME WILL REMAIN AT 11:00 A.M. UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE If you have a special
prayer request for the
Prayer Chain, contact the
Church Office (866-2711).
Reminder — Best Choice
labels go to benefit the Regional Girls Shelter. Box
tops for Education and
Campbell Soup labels benefit our
neighbor, Delaware Elementary
School. Please place your labels in the
box on the table in the office hallway.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION — 9:30 A.M.
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE — 11:00 A.M.
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Monday — Friday
www.westminsterspmo.com CHIME
S
ine
L
D
A
E
D
*Decem
ber 30th
CHIMES articles may be emailed to the
church at [email protected],
placed on the administrative assistant’s desk,
or mailed to the church office.
WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Mission Statement
Adopted 1/17/11
Worshipping God,
Welcoming All
A Family of Faith,
Centered on Christ.
The Chimes, the monthly calendar, prayer concerns, PDO information, and Pastor Ellen’s sermons may be viewed on the church website: www.westminsterspmo.com.