“EntEr In” to Advent€¦ · ~ December 2: Erie Woman’s Club ~ December 9: NO Sunday Supper...

The Caring Church in the Heart of the City!

December 1, 2018 Volume 35, No. 12

Sunday, Dec. 2nd 8:30 & 11:00 am

~ First Sunday of Advent ~ ~ Communion ~

Genesis 3:1-9 “Separation Enters In” Rev. Chris Weichman

Sunday, Dec. 9th 8:30 & 11:00 am

~ Second Sunday of Advent ~

Luke 1:26-38, 46-55 “Mary Enters In”

Rev. Chris Weichman

Sunday, Dec. 16th 11:00 am

~ Third Sunday of Advent ~

Children’s Christmas Musical “Legacy of Love”

Sunday, Dec. 23rd 8:30 & 11:00 am

~ Fourth Sunday of Advent ~

Zephaniah 3:14-17 “The Lord Enters In” Rev. Chris Weichman

Monday, Dec. 24th 6:30 pm

~ Christmas Eve Candlelight Service ~

Luke 2:1-20 “Jesus Enters In”

Rev. Chris Weichman

Sunday, Dec. 30th 8:30 & 11:00 am

~ First Sunday after Christmas Day ~

Luke 2:41-52

* Faith Formation Hour 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

* Childcare available 9:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Pat Bywater

“Enter In” is also our Advent theme this year. This month’s Chimes contains many special opportunities

to “Enter In” to Advent. Watch your Sunday worship bulletin for more details.

“EntEr In” to Advent

Advent is here. It is the time in the church liturgical year

that we “expect” and “wait” and “long for” God to “Enter In” to our lives… For the Messiah to come.

For God to “Enter In” to the world in a new way. And for us to “Enter In” to God’s work.

THE COVENANT CHIMES VOLUME 32 NO. 5

VOLUME 35, NO. 12 THE COVENANT CHIMES

PAGE 2

From Pas tor Chr is

In Philippians chapter four Paul writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice….The Lord is near.”

I have never forgotten the feelings I had as a child during the days before Christmas. As the day came nearer and nearer the excitement grew higher and higher, to the point of it being unbearable, and on Christmas Eve who could sleep.

Paul expresses something like this same feeling in Philippians. “The Lord is at hand.” He is just over the horizon. This sense of expectancy is the spirit of Advent and is a part of the very stuff of faith.

According to Leslie Newbigin, the English language allows us to make a distinction between the future and advent. “The future is simply that which grows out of the past. Advent means something radically new comes to meet us.” It implies there are new possibilities, beyond anything that could be calculated from our experience of the past.

This Advent season our theme is “Enter In.” How has God entered the world and our lives and how do we enter into this mystery of divine possibility?

The Advent faith is the belief that there really is new possibilities for our world. It means we have a cer-tain skepticism about this world. We are sure that something radically different is possible, and that is what God intends for us. Let us enter in to Advent with expectation.

at First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant is: To awaken all people to our need for

a life-changing encounter with the living Lord Jesus Christ,

and to encourage and equip each one to become His fully-devoted follower.

2 018 Ye a r to Date Pl e d ge Tot al s

& Mo n t h ly At ten d a n ce :

Totals are both pledge & non-pledge revenue (as of & including 11.25.18 services)

2018 YTD Budget: $385,802 2018 YTD Received: $338,566

October’s Average Attendance

8:30 a.m. = 33 people ~ 11:00 a.m. = 152 people

Christmas Joy Offering

A cherished Presbyterian tradi-tion since the 1930s, the Christ-mas Joy offering is one of the four special offerings designated by the General Assembly of the Pres-byterian Church (U.S.A.). Fifty per-cent of the receipts from the Christmas Joy Offering are dis-tributed to the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions, which provides support to both active and retired church workers and their spouses and families. The other 50 percent supports scholar-ships at Presbyterian-related racial ethnic schools and colleges through the General Assembly Mission Council.

Undesignated gifts to the Christmas Joy Offering will be distributed equally to the Assistance Pro-gram of the Board of Pensions and to support stu-dent scholarships at Presbyterian-related racial eth-nic schools and colleges.

Look for your Christmas Joy Offering envelope. Please write “Christmas Joy” on your check’s memo line. Give generously to support these faithful serv-ants and to encourage the students who are our future.

Consider making this one of your Christmas traditions?

This offering will be received at the

O ur Mis si on. . .

Closing the 2018 Books

Finance & Records will be closing the 2018 books at year end. We are posting a cut off date of Sunday, December 30th for getting your final pledge pay-ments & donations into the office. This will ensure a smooth transition into 2019.

Any monies collected after this date will be posted toward your 2019 pledges.

Thank you for a great year!

VOLUME 32 NO. 5

*Please pray regularly for our ministry.

We have listed below some of our

congregational joys & concerns as

The Covenant Chimes goes to press on

November 30, 2018.

Pra y e r

C o nc e rn s … for God’s healing

presence for those discharged

from hospitals since the last edition of

The Covenant Chimes: Nancy van den Honert

*If you know that you are going to be hospital-ized & would like to be visited please contact

the church office.

In Loving

Memory... of those who have joined the church

triumphant:

~ Mary Newlin ~

October 24, 2018

Birth Congratulations to

Amanda & Peter Austin as Willa Rose was born

Tuesday, 11/20/18.

VOLUME 35, NO. 12

C o n g re ga t i o na l

C o n c e rn s

PAGE 3

C h u rc h Ca le n d ar

To all Elders, Heads of Committees & Groups: please keep Anne informed when planning or changing a meeting date, time or location. It is helpful for scheduling other church functions, outside meetings & our night host.

Email any changes to [email protected] ~ Thank you!

Join us at 6:30 pm for a candlelight service to welcome the birth of

our Savior on December 24th!

All the singing & ringing choirs

of the church will participate

as we celebrate Christ entering in to our world

again this year!

C h r i s t ma s Eve

S e r v ic e

B u il di n g

C l o se d

The church office will be closed on these days

for Christmas

~ Monday, Dec. 24th at Noon

~ Tuesday, Dec. 25th all day

~ Wednesday, Dec. 26th

all day &

for New Year’s ~ Monday, Dec. 31st

all day ~ Tuesday, Jan. 1st 2019

all day.

Take care, be safe, enjoy family

& have a blessed Christmas

& Happy New Year!

If you notice an incorrect or missing birthday, or one that is listed that should be removed, please help us by calling the church office at

814-456-4243 so that we can update our records.

Thank you!

Dec. 2 Nancy Gustin Aiden Toothman

Dec. 6 Marilyn Evans

Dec. 7 William Heard William Stollatis

Dec. 11 Matthew Bauer Kalan McDonald

Dec. 12 Ruby Allen

Dec. 13 Jacqueline Adair

Dec. 14 Frederick Loring Keegan Vilushis

Dec. 15 Margaret Budny Amanda Sesler

Dec. 16 Diane Engelskirger Scott Steva

Dec. 17 Steven Mauro Timothy Cross Colin Fabich

Dec. 18 Hannah Stumpf Holly Murphy-Allen Noelle Weichman

Dec. 19 Camilla Decker Nicholas Geiger Phyllis Tarno Monica Riddick

Dec. 20 Sharon Armes

Dec. 21 Morgan McKinnon

Dec. 22 John Wright Ethan Belfiore

Dec. 23 James Wertz

Dec. 25 David Mitchell Stephanie Mitchell

Dec. 28 Perry Wood

Dec. 29 Hunter Robinson

Dec. 30 Gregory Sesler Meghann Seifert

Dec. 31 Violet Bergstrom

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THE COVENANT CHIMES

C l e rk’ s C o rn e r

November 2018

At the stated meeting on November 19th Session:

Began by considering the question “As you read, hear, see, talk with others, how do you see God challenging the church in new ways?”

Received a letter from the Board of Trustees reporting that the report of our outside auditors found everything to be in order and that an annual review of our insurance policies determined that we are adequately insured at this time.

Received a letter from Rose Marie Lackey of the Erie City Mission thanking us for our agreement to offer our facilities and work with the mission again this coming summer in their Urban University program.

Approved all non-elder members of various committees.

Accepted the resignation of Dr. Tom Miller from the Nominating Committee.

Heard a tentative 2019 Budget report from the Budget Committee. While the 2019 pledge tally is not yet complete, at this time it appears that approximately $205,000.00 will be needed from the Tiffany Window Fund or the Endowment Fund to balance the 2019 General Fund Budget.

Elders were encouraged to spend some time in the parlor with Gannon students during the coming Study Space time; talk with students and just listen. What is their perception of First Covenant and the role of the church in their lives?

Voted to call for special meetings of the congregation and corporation on Sunday, December 9th immedi-ately following the second service for the purpose of filling a vacancy on session and a vacancy on the Board of Trustees.

~ W.D. Holmes, Clerk of Session

The Communion Table will be set by God for you on Sunday, December 2nd.

C o mmu n i o n i n D e c e mb e r

A C all fo r Sp e cia l Me eti n gs o f t h e C o n g reg a ti on & C o rp o ra t i on

The Session of the First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant calls for special meetings of the congrega-tion and corporation to be held on Sunday, December 9, 2018 in the sanctuary immediately following the

11:00 a.m. worship service. The stated purpose of the meetings is to hear and act upon a report from the Nominating Committee to fill one vacant position on the Session and one vacant position on the Board of Trustees.

Rev. Chris Weichman W. D. Holmes Moderator Clerk of Session

During the season of Advent, the Sunday Supper schedule is as follows:

~ December 2: Erie Woman’s Club ~ December 9: NO Sunday Supper – meal served at Cathedral Prep School Christmas Dinner ~ December 16: New Hope Presbyterian Church – Christmas Toy “Store” ~ December 23: FPCC Men’s TOT Group ~ December 30: FPCC

Help will be needed to prepare and serve the meal on December 30th.

Looking ahead, as of this writing, the first two weeks in January are also open, so FPCC may be providing meals those weeks. Stay tuned for bulletin announcements.

S u n day S upp e r

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S u n da y Fe l l o wsh ip Up d a t e

For December, nothing is formally structured because there are so many opportunities to tie in with events already scheduled on both the church & community calendar. If you are already planning on attend-ing one of these events & would like to add fellow Covenanters & friends to your group, please do so!

Medieval Christmas Banquet (dinner theater), at Schuster Theater, Gannon University, Dec. 1,2, 7:30 pm

Gallery Night/Downtown D'Lights, Friday Dec. 7th. Help guide people through our church when they come to view the Nativity Sets on display. Assist Seph serve hot chocolate in Perry Square during the lighting festivities, join us at a local eatery (place TBD) afterwards.

Messiah, Saturday Dec 8th, presented by The Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus in our sanctuary. Peo-ple willing to help give directions and welcome the community to our building are encouraged to con-tact Marylou Neithamer.

Children's Musical, Sunday Dec. 16th, during 11 am worship service. Worship service led by our youth, gift collection, set up, shopping and wrapping with our guests at Sunday Suppers.

New Years Eve is unplanned at the moment. Anyone up for a family night with a simple meal, games, movies? Please contact Lorie Fritts if you could host such an event.

Sunday Suppers, Study Space and The Shelter all have an ongoing need for volunteers. These missions offer many opportunities to connect in meaningful ways with people outside our doors

Anyone interested in shepherding a time of connection or suggestion other ways to appreciate each other please contact Lorie Fritts 823-4838.

Thank you to everyone who has stepped up to facilitate the Sunday Coffee Hour. Our aim is to involve as many different people in the process as possible and share in the joys of serving others. New ideas and cel-ebrations are encouraged and welcome. Please sign up in the parlor or see Karen Weichman, Deb Loney or Lorie Fritts for details.

F e ll o w sh ip Pos si b i l i ti es

Need Home Healthcare Items? CHOSEN International Medical Assistance (behind West-minster Presbyterian Church on West 26th St.) is collecting & distributing (by donation) walk-ers, shower chairs, wheelchairs, etc. Call 814.833.3023 for collection & distribution hours.

H a v e H o me H e alt h c a re It e ms ?

R e mo d el i ng ? R en o v a ti n g ?

Erie Habitat for Humanity has a beautiful new showroom of surplus building supplies including roofing shingles, siding, light fixtures, countertops, cabinets, vanities, etc. located at 4922 Pittsburgh Ave. (in the

business/industrial park near West Grandview & Pittsburgh). Hours are Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. All proceeds benefit Erie Habitat. Have materials you would like to do-nate? You can drop off new or gently used items Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday between 9 a.m. & 2 p.m.

Erie Free Store is exactly what the name says–a FREE store. From clothing to blankets, from household items to shoes, our assortment always changes. We have only three rules: Be Kind. Take What You Need. Pay It Forward. We are open on Mondays from 4PM-7PM. Donations are accepted on Mondays from 9AM-1PM, 4PM-7PM. We cannot accept any furniture or large electronics at this time.

E r i e Fre e S to re

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THE COVENANT CHIMES

It is already that time of the year! Last year, we collected toys, books, and stuffed animals during the Children’s Christmas Musical. Your donations provided over 100 children in our community with gifts on Christmas morning! This year, we are doing it again!

During the month of December, Britney’s office will become Santa’s Storehouse once more! We are collecting NEW UNWRAPPED toys for families at Sunday Suppers. We need over 200 gifts for the Covenant Christmas Store. You can either drop them off at the church office or bring them up during the Christmas Musical Worship Service on Decem-ber 16th. The LAST DAY for collection is December 16th.

We are also in need of people who are willing to wrap gifts or be “Shelpers” (Shopping Helpers) for cus-tomers at the Covenant Christmas Store during Sunday Suppers on December 16th. This is a fun way to serve our community and is exciting for all ages. Plan to arrive at 3:30 PM for pizza and instructions before the shopping begins at 4:00 PM. For more information, please contact Britney Knight or Monty Service.

A ll Th i ng s Yo u th Gro u p

Sundays @ 4:00-6:30 PM December 2 ~ Caroling and visiting with elderly residents at Elmwood Gardens; NO Greater than the Sum

December 9 ~ Rehearsing for leading worship on Dec. 16th; Greater than the Sum December 16 ~ Toy Drive Arrive at 3:30 PM; NO GREATER THAN THE SUM

December 23 ~ OFF (Christmas Break) December 30 ~ OFF (New Year’s Break)

On December 2nd, the youth group will be having a quick dinner at the church and then heading over to Elmwood Gardens to visit and carol through the halls! We had so much fun last year doing this! Parents, we may need a few extra vehicles to transport kids there, so if you are willing to drive please let Britney Knight know ASAP! If your teen wants to be a part of leading the Children and Youth Christmas Musical Service on December 16th, please have them attend youth group on December 9th. We will be divide up wor-ship responsibilities among the youth group students and practicing the worship service including the Greater than the Sum music parts that night. On December 16th, all the youth will help shoppers at the Toy Drive during Sunday Suppers and wrap gifts for children. Please arrive early at 3:30 PM for pizza and in-structions!

FPCC Youth Updates If you are a parent who is not a part of the email list for 6th-12th Grade families and would like a weekly update and reminder on youth activities, please send an email to [email protected].

Summer 2019 Youth Trips Mark your calendars for July 16-20, 2018. Students in Middle School (entering 6th-8th Grade) will be going to the Montreat Middle School Conference at Marysville College in Tennessee again this year. Students in High School (entering 9th-12th Grade) will be going to Triennium at Purdue University in Indiana. Triennium is a gathering of 6,000 PC(USA) students from around the GLOBE. This experience only comes every three years! Students will not only grow in their faith but be challenged to sharpen their leaderships skill because they are the future! Parents, please check your email for the registration packet! If you are not on the email list, please contact Britney Knight at the church office. All students are invited! We will have our Annual Spaghetti Luncheon and Dessert Auction in the Spring to raise money, so that ALL students can go on these trips! Deadline for registration for both trips is February 1st!

Jubilee for High School Students Abby Blankenship has invited our high school students to attend the Jubilee Conference in Pittsburgh on February 22-24, 2019. The cost is $50 and is due by January 20th. All high school students in 9th-12th grade are welcome to join us! Parents, check your email for the registration form or contact Britney Knight in the church office at 456.4243 x112.

C ove na n t Ch r i s tma s Toy S to re

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T h e Me ss ia h Ret u r n s!

On December 8th at 7:30 the Erie Philharmonic Chorus, with members of the Erie Philharmonic Orchestra and the same wonderful vocalists as last year, will perform Handel’s Messiah in our Sanctuary at 7:30 pm. Visit eriephil.org/the-messiah or call 814-455-1375 to purchase tickets. Come and hear a wonderful concert as we celebrate the Christmas season. (Update: The Messiah is Sold-Out!)

The first Sunday of Advent is December 2. We began our “expecting” and “waiting” and “longing” on Wednesday, November 28 by decorating the church after our first Advent potluck dinner. Popular during Lent 2018, potluck Connections dinners have returned during Advent. A main course, basic salad and bev-erages will be provided each week and you are asked to bring an appetizer, side dish, dessert or ?? to share. There’s no set charge to attend. A donation basket will be provided. Bring a co-worker, neighbor or friend!

After dinner each week we will study a Bible passage, sing Advent music together and enjoy a related activi-ty… Here is the schedule:

December 5 “Enter In” to StudySpace by creating encouraging, personal messages for the hundreds of students who begin studying for finals in our building on December 6.

December 12 “Enter In” to Worship by creating an Advent banner together to use with the Children’s Christmas Musical on December 16

December 19 “Enter In” to Community through Dinner & Carols with friends/neighbors from the Lodge on Sass.

Dinner begins at 5:15 p.m. Please phone in or email your dinner reservation: 814.456.4243 or [email protected]

Advent Wednesdays Potluck Dinners

Music opportunities for all, come & join us!

Kids: Spiritual Formation/Music hour for ages 4-5th grade is from 9:30-10:30 on the 3rd floor on Sundays. We will be using this time to rehearse for Legacy of Love, this year’s Christmas Musical!

Youth: Greater than the Sum, for grades 6-12, meets directly after Youth Group from 5:45-6:30 in the Sanctuary on Sundays. All are welcome regardless of previous experi-ence! Please feel free to come with suggestions for music that helps you to feel & explore your faith. This group will continue to sing, ring bells & explore a wide variety of genres & instrumentation as we together explore the music that the Spirit uses to speak to us.

Junior Ringers: a chimes group for kids younger than 6th grade on Wednesdays nights at 6:00 (directly following Connections Dinner) in the Music Room. We will have activities ready for those who might be too young to ring for the full time. Come & join us!

Adult Music Opportunities: the Advent / Christmas choir will meet Thursday nights at 7:15 pm in the choir room from now until Christmas Eve. Please consider joining The Covenant Choir for this seasonal choir during the Advent / Christmas season! Plus the Covenant Bells is still in need of a ‘high’ bell ringer & a ‘low’ bell ringer. Please see Leslie for information on this!

Missional Music Opportunity: We have been using music to welcome our Sunday Suppers & Connections guests. If you are interested in sharing your gifts during these times, whether it be vocal or instrumental, one song or a set of music, a solo or group, please contact Monty Service at 456.4243 x107.

Question? Contact Leslie Weber (Adult Music) ([email protected]) or Monty Service ([email protected]) (children, youth, missional opportunities)

Ma ke Mu si c w i th U s!

mailto:[email protected]


THE COVENANT CHIMES VOLUME 32 NO. 5 VOLUME 34, NO. 9

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“ E mma n u el ” Ret u r n s to C o mmun i t y Gall e r y

Michael DeSanctis’ “Emmanuel” exhibit of handcrafted nativities has re-turned, with one new addition, for Advent. You can view the large works of art on Sunday mornings, Monday-Thursdays 9 a.m.–7 p.m. and Fridays 9-4:30. Bring a friend or neighbor to view the pieces and share the real meaning of Christmas!

The church will also participate in Gallery Night again on December 7, 6-10 p.m., welcoming guests to visit the DeSanctis crèches set up in the Christmas-decorated sanctuary.

First Covenant is collaborating (again) this year with the Erie Downtown Part-nership and the Erie Art Museum for “Downtown D’Lights” and “Gallery Night”. They are on the same night: Friday, December 7. Many hands are needed!

We will serve hot chocolate and share flyers about the church’s Advent events at the Perry Square 5 p.m. light-up. A new, 35-foot Christmas tree will be lit in the park as part of the festivities. The sanctuary will be opened from 6 to 10 p.m. for “Gallery Night”, featuring 5 large nativity scenes created by Dr. Michael DeSanctis and music provided by church choirs and staff, the Erie Philharmonic Chorus and

friends of the church.

In 2017 approximately 150 visited the church on the December Gallery Night to view the nativity scenes, enjoy the sanctuary and hear music of the season. This year many musicians are lined up including Leslie Weber on the pipe organ, Covenant Bells, Covenant Choir and an ensemble from the Erie Philharmonic Chorus. Can you help “host” visitors on December 7?

Your help is needed making and serving hot chocolate at the park. Or welcoming visitors to the church. Either way, First Covenant is demonstrating that it is a relevant, collaborative partner by participating in downtown Erie seasonal events. And the com-munity is receptive! Join the fun… Call, text or email Seph Kumer to indicate how you can serve: 814.566.0287 or [email protected]

D ow n tow n L i g ht - u p & Ga ll e r y N i g h t

On Tuesday afternoons this fall, East Middle School students were involved in an Erie City Mission Urban University Culinary Arts Class in the church kitchen. The emphases during this semester were event planning and cooking for crowds.

The youth and their teachers prepared a dinner for the church staff to show what they were learning. The staff was treated to hors d’oeuvres, stuffed shells with Italian sausage and a homemade fruit dessert. Students set beautiful tables in the Calvin room and all that they had been doing so far. Everything was beautiful—and delicious!

In addition to the Tuesday Culinary Arts class, another group of students participated in leadership development classes on Thurs-days. First Covenant is invested in the lives of these young people by providing a venue for cooking and leadership—and discipleship –instruction!

Erie City Mission’s Urban University After School program is currently recruiting mentors and dinner chefs for their 2019 Winter Semester. If you can invest one day a week for 8 weeks in either of these capaci-ties to make a difference in the life of a child, please contact Youth Director, RoseMarie Lackey at 814-452-4421 Ext. 226 or [email protected]. Please also share this information with others you know that have a heart to impact youth. More information available at www.eriecitymission.org

Yo u t h Cu li na r y A r t s C la ss



http://www.eriecitymission.org


VOLUME 34, NO. 9

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C ove na n t Pre sch o o l

This month the preschool will be helping the church fill Christmas baskets. The children, teachers, and families are all very excited to participate every year in this project. We will be donating bags of candy and treats for the Christmas baskets that the church gives out every holiday season.

This year we are participating in COATS FOR KIDS with Inter-Church Ministries. If you have items you would like to drop off there is a blue bin on the 2nd floor and we are accepting donations.

We still have a few openings in our classes; it is never too late to join preschool. If you have any ques-tions, need an application, or would like a tour of the preschool, you can call the Director, Lisa Hiegel at 456-4243 x102.

All are welcome to come upstairs and see the wonderful decorations the children have made for the holiday season. God bless you this holiday season!

~ Lisa Hiegel, Preschool Director

Join us for this special service, at 11 am (only 1 service this day), led by our children and youth! This service will include Legacy of Love this year’s Christmas Musical as well as the Toy Drive to provide a Christmas Store for our Sunday Supper’s Community. Come and support our children and youth as they share their gifts, time and insight with us this Advent season.

C h r i s t ma s Mu sic al o n S un d ay, D e c e mb e r 16 th!

Help us celebrate Legacy of Love by donating NEW toys! During the combined 11:00 AM Service,

the Children and Teens will invite you to bring your unwrapped gifts forward. These toys will be distributed that evening

to families in our neighborhood at Sunday Suppers!

Other ways to serve:

Help us set up for distribution following the service, Noon-3:00

Help us distribute toys to families that evening, 3:00-6:00

Not sure what to donate? Look below for excellent gift ideas for children ages 1-18!

For more information or to sign up to serve, please contact: Monty Service & Britney Knight

Toys to donate ~ Stuffed Animals, Paw Patrol, Pre-K Educational Toys, Barbie Dolls & Baby Dolls, Tonka Trucks & Race Cars, Balls: Foot, Basket, Soccer, Toy Helicopters, Trains & Planes, Drawing & Art Kits

Ninja Turtles, Batman & Spiderman, LEGOS/Building Blocks, My Little Pony, Monster High, Board games, Puzzles, Sports Team Memorabilia (Shirts, Hats, Socks, Jerseys),

Make-Up Kits, Jewelry, Marvel & DC Comics Perfume, Cologne & Body Sprays, Model Cars & Planes, Coloring Books

(Kids & Adult) Manicure Kits, Disney: Frozen, Cars, Trolls, Minions, Power Rangers,

Transformers, Wrestling (WWE) Pokemon, Beyblade, Sonic, Fidget Spinners, Fashion purses,

LOL Surprise Dolls & Hatchimals

Toy D r ive S u nday, D ec e mb e r 16 th


PAGE 10

In lieu of gifts of poinsettias, your gift will benefit the 2019 FPCC Sr. High Summer Trip.

A Chancel display of poinsettias will still represent the gifts given. Names of those memorialized or honored will still be printed on a bulletin insert.

For a gift of $10 per name or three names for $25, loved ones can still be remembered or honored during the Advent & Christmas season with the added benefit

of supporting the Youth Group at First Covenant.

Please print all information very carefully & very legibly. Thank you!

(Please list your name or family name as you would like it to appear in the bulletin)

Your Name: _____________________________________________

Number of Gifts _____ @ $10.00 each or _____ 3/$25.00 Total enclosed: $_________

In Memory of

————————————————————————————————————————————————————

———————————————————————————————————————————————

And/Or

In Honor of

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Deadline for Ordering: Sunday, December 16, 2018 ~ Please return this order form & check payable to: First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant 250 West 7th Street, Erie, PA 16501

VOLUME 34, NO. 9 VOLUME 35, NO. 12 THE COVENANT CHIMES

Mark your calendars now. StudySpace returns Thursday, December 6… Gannon students will fill the building nightly to study for their finals from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. through December 12. Students love StudySpace! They love meeting church members. They love the support you give by providing snacks and pray-ers in person. They love how you share the warm, peaceful building with them.

Please plan to help for a shift or two of welcoming students: 8:30 p.m. to mid-night, midnight to 3 a.m., 3 to 6 a.m. or 6 to 9 a.m. Please watch for bargains on snacks that students love: fruit (apples, “cuties”, bananas, grapes), individually packaged chips and crackers and trail mix, cookies, gummy fruit snacks. Consider baking brownies or cookies or cupcakes. Bags of baby carrots and dip are popular too. You make StudySpace special!

Snacks can be dropped off to the “StudySpace” box in the church office after Thanksgiving. Sign up to serve a shift or provide baked goods by calling or texting Abby Blankenship at 724.561.4482. Thanks!

It ’s T i me fo r F in a ls !

Sunday, November 18 was the start of a new Thanksgiving meal for the church’s neighbors. Dinner was served from 3-5 p.m. at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center (4th & Chestnut). About 300 diners enjoyed a meal prepared and served by “Our West Bayfront” churches, neighborhood groups and neighbor volunteers.

O u r We s t B ay fro n t T h a n ks gi vin g Re - b o ot

~ C h ri s t mas Po in s et t i as 2018 ~


www.

FirstCovenantErie.org

Abby Blankenship, Campus Minister Nsanbeh (Danté) Epizitone, Sunday Host

Ian Headley, Weeknight Host Lisa Hiegel, Director, Covenant Preschool

Jackie K. Jones, Cook Britney Knight, Director, Youth & Family Ministry

Luba Kovalchuk, Custodian Seph Kumer, Director, Community Engagement

Marsha MacKinnon McKinley, Website Editor JoAnn Peters, Finance/Records Administrator

Anne Sauer, Administrative Assistant John Scepura, Building & Maintenance Mechanic

Mary Schmidt, Weeknight Hostess Monty Service, Coordinator, Missional Music

Kevin Stevenson, Cook Leslie Weber, Organist & Choirmaster

Rev. Chris Weichman, Pastor/Head of Staff

Church Staff

Rev. Chris Weichman, Moderator of Session William D. Holmes, Clerk of Session

Dale Sweet, Associate Clerk of Session

Trustees

Class of 2021 Richard Bernardini

Margaret Matthews

Bill Tauber

Tim Tracy

Class of 2020 Charlotte Foresther

Charles Kibler

Allen Sheasley

Derek Sweet

Class of 2019 Bill Holter

Jennifer Koebe

John Marsden

Greg Sesler

Deacons

Class of 2021 Carol Beach

Sue Evans

Mary Lou Neithamer

Sheila Sweet

Karen Weichman

Class of 2020 Linda Altof

Deborah Bernardini

Lorie Fritts

Melany Kramer

Scott Steva

Class of 2019 Julie Copen

Jason Fisher

Ronald Robertson

Cindy Kerchoff

LuAnn Shidemantle

Elders

Class of 2021 Matthew Allen

Michael Burns

Richard Sheasley

Tracey Townsend

Nancy

van den Honert

Class of 2020 Gregory Cooper

Nancy Irwin

Linda Majewski

Dale Shidemantle

Diane Sutton

Class of 2019 Patricia Bieber

Paul Diefenbach

Andrew Spriegel

Scott Wright

Vacant Seat

Church Officers

VOLUME 34, NO. 9

PAGE 13

VOLUME 35, NO. 12

AMS

Pi c t u re o f th e Mo n t h I n te r nat io na l Stu de nt s

T ha nk s gi vi n g

Have you liked “First Presby-terian Church of the Covenant” or friended “FirstCovenantChurch” on Facebook? This is one way to

share good news about God’s work with FPCC. Also, if you take photos or videos you think help tell our ministry story, be sure to share them to the church pages and/or tag the church!

C h e c k U s O u t

January

Chimes

Newsletter

Articles

Due by:

Saturday,

December

15th

THE COVENANT CHIMES

75 Students from Gannon gathered for an American Thanksgiving in Knox Hall

last month. (Photo: Chris Weichman)

Please let Anne in the church office know what

months you are gone! We would be happy to change your address in

our database for your time away.

Send your winter address to [email protected]

with the approximate date of return to Erie.

Snow B ird s . . .

“EntEr In” to Advent€¦ · ~ December 2: Erie Woman’s Club ~ December 9: NO Sunday Supper...

Documents

Transcript of “EntEr In” to Advent€¦ · ~ December 2: Erie Woman’s Club ~ December 9: NO Sunday Supper...