2014-2015 Concert Season Begins
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
The Advocate
First Presbyterian Church November 2014
41 West College Avenue
Westerville, Ohio 43081-2103
614/882-3155 Phone 614/882-2421 Fax
www.westervillefirstpresbyterian.org
2014-2015 Concert Season
Begins
Sunday, November 2 at 3:00 pm
High Street Stompers Dixieland Band
The first of our three free concerts will kick off the season on Sunday, November 2 at 3:00 pm with the High Street
Stompers Dixieland Band, which began in 1987 when all the original members were professors in the School of Music at
The Ohio State University. Since then the ensemble has performed locally in all kinds of community and professional
venues (including two years at the Sacramento, California Dixieland Jubilee). Five of the band members are associated
with Ohio State and/or Capital University. Several have traveled with world-renown artists and traveled internationally.
The band has made four recordings including their latest CD That’s A Plenty, which was released in 2011. Highly
respected in the Columbus area, members of the band are: Tom Battenberg (trumpet), Michael Cox (clarinet), Paul
Robinson (banjo & vocal), Sidney Townsend (tuba & string bass), Jim Rupp (drums), and Vaughn Wiester (trombone).
(See brochure for information on the concerts for the entire season.)
Otterbein University Choir to Sing in Worship
On Sunday, November 2 we will welcome the Camerata Choir of Otterbein University. This choir, directed by Elizabeth
Barrett, uses our sanctuary for rehearsals three days a week and as a way of saying thanks, they will be sharing their music
with us in worship. We look forward to receiving their gift of music.
Thanksgiving Sunday is Laity Sunday
At First Presbyterian Church the Sunday before Thanksgiving, which is November 23 this year, is Thanksgiving Sunday.
It is also Laity Sunday, the Sunday when the lay members of our congregation lead the worship service, including the
sermon. This year Todd and Kim Wise will preach our sermon.
Kim and Todd grew up in small towns in the eastern part of Ohio. They moved to Columbus in 1987. They have been
members of our church since the late 1990s. Kim often serves as liturgist and they enjoy providing special music for
worship.It’s Time for W.A.R.M. Thanksgiving Baskets
Once again we are collecting items for Thanksgiving baskets to be distributed by the Westerville Area Resource Ministry.
We have lists of included items for those who wish to contribute a complete basket, lists that are 1/2 of a basket, and slips
you can draw to buy individual items. There will also be four envelopes for check and cash contributions for complete
baskets ($35 each), frozen pumpkin pies, and turkeys. (Please do NOT bring pies or turkeys to the church.)
Please mark all food donations for W.A.R.M. and place them near or under the Thanksgiving table. Collection has begun
for a November 17 delivery to W.A.R.M. Items need to be at the church by Sunday, November 16. Thank you in
advance for your generosity.
Adult Growth and Development Activities
Activity When Where What
Library Class Sundays, 9 am Library Correcting Jesus Over 2000 Years by Brian
Griffith, led by Bob and Mary Place
Special Friends Sundays, 9 am Elevette Room Sunday School for adults with special needs
Tuesday Morning Tuesdays, 9:30 am Lounge The Gospel of John, led by Rev. Gauen
Bible Study
Opportunities to discuss topics of life and
Faith-Issues-Life Tuesdays, 9:30 am Library
faith generated by the group
Discussion
Circle 4 Women 3rd Thursdays, 10:30 am Scrambler’s on Brunch, Bible study and fellowship for all
Cleveland Ave. women of the church, Dorothy Butz,
convener
4th Monday Discussion 3rd Monday this month, Lounge The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs,
7:30 pm (11/17) led by Rev. Gauen
Joy to the World
Oh, what joy and lovely music you can experience on Friday, December 12 from 6:30 pm to 8:45 pm if you purchase a
ticket for the Habitat Progressive Concert. Tickets are $10.00 a piece and can be purchased from John Cameron, Bernie
Simpkins or Sue Ann Norton beginning Sunday, November 16. The host churches that you will visit are Church of the
Master, Church of the Messiah, and First Presbyterian. You will be escorted from each church walking to the next
concert. Vans will be available for those who might need transportation. The five churches in the Westerville Habitat
Partnership; Central College Presbyterian, Church of the Master, Church of the Messiah, First Presbyterian, and Grace
Lutheran will provide music. All proceeds help in the building of a Habitat home.
Schedule of Events for Advent
Sunday, Nov. 23 11:15 am Hanging of the Greens
Sunday, Nov. 30 10:15 am First Sunday in Advent
Saturday, Dec. 6 10:00 am Christmas Pageant Rehearsal
Saturday, Dec. 6 Noon Kids’ Advent Workshop
Friday, Dec. 12 6:30 pm Habitat for Humanity Concert
Saturday, Dec. 13 10:00 am Christmas Pageant Rehearsal
Sunday, Dec. 14 5:00 pm Advent Potluck and Christmas Pageant
Sunday, Dec. 21 10:15 am Christmas Joy Offering Dedicated
Wednesday, Dec. 24 7:00 pm Christmas Eve WorshipChristmas Poinsettias
It’s already time to order the poinsettias that brighten our church at Christmas. This year, we are going to make a small
change. The Habitat for Humanity Concert is on Friday, December 12. We want the church to look festive and inviting for
this event. However, we don’t want to force our visitors and the guest choir to navigate around 60 or so poinsettias,
including the poinsettia tree. Also, these delicate plants will not thrive if they remain in the sanctuary from Dec. 12 until
Christmas Eve.
So… on Dec. 12 we will be placing poinsettias only around the pulpit and the podium. They will provide a splash of color
along with our usual greens draped around the choir area and the balcony railing. Then on Dec. 19, we’ll add 50 or so
more plants and create the poinsettia tree. They will be there for our services on Dec. 21 and Christmas Eve.
Please use the form in this Advocate or in the church bulletin to order your poinsettias this year. The cost is still $8.00
each, and you are welcome to take your plant(s) home after the Christmas Eve service. (We’ll make sure you get one of
the “fresh” ones!)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS 2014 ORDER FORM
As is our tradition, we will decorate our sanctuary with poinsettias this year. Contribute $8.00 to dedicate a plant to the
honor or memory of a special loved one or friend. Please turn in this form by Monday, December 8th to the office with a
check made out to First Presbyterian Church marked “poinsettias.” If you wish, you may take your plant home after the
Christmas Eve service.
Christmas poinsettias are $8.00 each
I/We will donate ________ poinsettia(s)
Total Cost $ _________
Name: ______________________________________________
Phone: ________________
Dedication
You do not need to purchase a separate plant for each dedication.
Name of person(s) you wish to be remembered or honored.
In memory of: _____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
In honor of: _____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
DEADLINE: Monday, December 8Bible Adventures
“Workshop of Wonders”
Sunday, November 9 – Thursday, November 13
This event has been postponed until the new year.
Pageant Practice Schedule
Saturday, December 6, 10:00 am – Noon
Saturday, December 13, 10:00 am – Noon
Costumes will be fitted during this practice.
Advent Workshop for Kids
Saturday, December 13, Noon – 2:00 pm
Following the pageant practice on Dec. 6, kids may stay for a pizza lunch and a
time to make some fun ornaments and Christmas gifts for their family. We will
finish with the workshop at 2:00 pm. Cost is $10 per child. This is a great
opportunity for parents to finish up any Christmas shopping. And don’t forget our
Special Guest.
J.A.M.
“Unfrozen”
Begins Sunday, December 7
Join us as kids learn that Jesus was born to melt away the old, and
bring new life and a new kingdom. It’s guaranteed to be an
“awesome” month!
Memory Verse - "The people walking in darkness have seen a great
light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has
dawned." Isaiah 9:2
Kingdom of Frozen Hearts – It's a time of great turmoil. God's once
great nation is divided into two – the Kingdom of Israel and the
Kingdom of Judah. When they aren't fighting each other, they're
fighting the surrounding kingdoms – Assyria, Babylon, Philistia. The
people are discouraged and without hope; their hearts have become
cold and dark. In the midst of this, God speaks through a man – a
prophet – named Isaiah, telling the people that one day God will
establish a new kingdom without end. He will bring forth a new king that will save the people: not only from their
enemies, but also from their own sin. Isaiah 9:2-7.Questions about Fair Trade
WHO is Fair-Trade? Communities in developing parts of the world that work together to produce products to bring
income that will provide schools, water systems, health clinics, etc. Crafts makers use locally available materials
(discarded tires, seeds, llamas, grasses, chocolate, soapstone and more) to make things to be sold in other parts of the
world.
WHAT is Fair-Trade? Non-profit organizations that certify that communities meet the standards for Fair-Trade and who
help with the distribution of the goods. For instance, the products that will show up at First Presbyterian are sold through
The Global Village Connection, a store in the city of Delaware just north of here.
WHEN is Fair-Trade? Sunday, November 16 from 9:30 am to 12:00 or 12:30 pm. Please invite friends and neighbors for
any of that time (somebody will be there to help them shop). They can slip in the Knox St. door or the front ramp
anytime. You will be expected in worship at 10:15 am.
WHERE is Fair-Trade? Downstairs in Fellowship Hall. Contact Sue McCormick if you are willing to help set up or
take down that day or if you have a large capacity vehicle to transport goods from the store in Delaware to our church on
Saturday afternoon or back to Delaware Sunday afternoon.
WHY is Fair-Trade? To be a means of helping build economic stability in needy spots on this planet. (Other planets are
on their own for the time being.)
Men’s Breakfast – Past and Future
The Membership and Evangelism Committee, who sponsors the men’s breakfasts, reported a good turnout of about 35 at
the Oct. 4 breakfast. Speaker Bill Merriman, the head of the Westerville Historical Society, was a last minute substitution
for the scheduled speaker (Alan Norris, who became ill). With assistance from historical archivist Steve Grinder from
Otterbein College, his talk about Westerville connections to the Temperance Movement was fascinating and well
received. Thank you to the galley crew who cooked the breakfast, headed up by Mike Etling. The Galley Crew included:
Jeff Buser, Bob Doherty, Tom Eshelman, Bill Hitt, Gary Hinzman, Lane Hough and Jeff Walland.
Speakers have committed for the two additional breakfasts planned for this program year. Please mark these dates on
your calendar:
Saturday, January 17, Speaker: Bob Arn - WWII decorated veteran and member of our church
Saturday, April 25, Speaker: Jeff Brenning, from The Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Dine Out – Come One, Come All
Friday, November 14: We will gather at 6:30 pm at Mimi’s Café (433-0441, 1428 Polaris Pkwy, Cross I-71 going west
on Polaris Pkwy, turn right at 1st light with Mimi’s in sight, turn left at first turn, angle over to the restaurant). All
members and friends are invited. This has been a popular restaurant with our group in the past. Contact Jim or Bob Place
to give us your plans.
Friday, December 5: First Friday so we do not conflict with the Habitat for Humanity concert. We will gather at 6:30
pm at Lucky House Chinese Restaurant.Notes from Session Meeting
October 13, 2014
• The 2015 budget as presented by the Stewardship and Finance Committee was approved for presentation for the
pledge campaign.
• Outreach Committee reported that the CROP Walk was a huge success.
• Worship Committee noted that Rev. Gauen will preach his 1000th sermon on Reformation Sunday, October 26.
• Administrative Services reported that the masonry project has been completed.
Pastor’s Page
Dear Friends:
I found a wonderful poem called “Thanksgiving”, part of which I want to share with you:
I am thankful...
For the clothes that fit a little too tight,
because it means I have enough to eat.
For the mess to clean after a party,
because it means that I have been surrounded by friends.
For the teenager who is complaining about doing dishes,
because that means she is at home, not on the streets.
For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing,
because it means I have a home.
For all the complaining I hear about the government,
because it means that we have freedom of speech.
For my huge heating bill,
because it means I am warm.
For the lady behind me in church that sings off key,
because it means that I can hear.
For the pile of laundry and ironing,
because it means I have clothes to wear.
For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours,
because it means that I am alive.
In our church, it is time to make our pledges towards the 2015 budget. As our Stewardship Committee will be telling us,
our pledge goal is challenging this year because we have a sizeable budget gap. I had been worrying about that gap and
how we will manage ourselves through it. But then I read this poem and I was once again reminded that even a budget
gap is something for which I can be thankful—thankful that we have programs and ministries and missions of this church
that are doing great good in the name of Christ; and thankful that we have a talented staff that creates and supports these
ministries. As we make our pledges for the coming year and as the church leaders eventually balance the budget for 2015,
I hope we all remember to be thankful for even the financial challenges we face—for it means that God is at work here.
Yours in ChristYou can also read
