December 2019December 2019December 2019December 2019

24110 Cherry Hill Rd. 24110 Cherry Hill Rd. 24110 Cherry Hill Rd. 24110 Cherry Hill Rd. Dearborn, MI 48124Dearborn, MI 48124Dearborn, MI 48124Dearborn, MI 48124

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Sunday, December 1 First Sunday in Advent 10:15 am Worship, Communion, Lighting of the First Advent Candle 4:00 pm Measure for Measure, A Men’s Choral Society Holiday Concert

Monday, December 2, 9, 16 3:00 pm Advent Study Group, “A Beginner’s Guide to Advent”

Wednesdays, December 4, 11, 18

7:00 pm Advent Worship & Communion in the Chapel

Sunday, December 8 Second Sunday in Advent 10:15 am Worship, Lighting of the Second Advent Candle 4:00 pm Vanguard Voices Holiday Concert featuring music from “The Boar’s Head Festival”

Sunday, December 15 Third Sunday in Advent 10:15 am Worship, Lighting of the Third Advent Candle 11:30 am Presbyterian Women Cookie Sale for Second Mile Center

Thursday, December 19 6:30 pm Pizza with the Pastor Christmas Party

Sunday, December 22 Fourth Sunday in Advent

10:15 am Worship, Lighting of the Fourth Advent Candle

Tuesday, December 24 Christmas Eve 5:00 & 11:00 pm Christmas Eve Services in the Sanctuary. Each service will include special music, carols and candle-lighting

Sunday, December 29 The First Sunday After Christmas 10:15 am Our Christmas Celebration Continues

Where Will You Spend Your Christmas This Year?

WHERE WILL YOU SPEND CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR?

The home sat in a blue-collar area of town. Some of the houses were nicer than others, but almost all of them were well-kept. People took pride in their yards, in the ap-pearance of their home, and, most of all, in the decorations they would display for Christ-mas. But there was this one house - this one house that caused cars full of families to line up for blocks each year between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The family at that house would begin setting up their decorations in September, because it took that

long to get it all done. They had big snow globes and blow-up Santas. They had lit-up reindeer and elves that circled around on a fake ice rink. They had a couple of big nativity sets with large midnight stars hanging over them, as well as, decorated Christmas tree after tree after tree. Those decorations and many more filled the entire yard, with barely any patch of grass left untouched. The house itself was also one big decoration, covered in strands of light - blinking and flashing with colors and white. And, of course, perched above it all on the roof, a big sleigh with lit reindeer that would lift their heads.

But that was not all. Whenever you drove by, you also wanted to make sure your windows were rolled down, because they had the whole thing set to music. The lights blinked and turned on and off de-pending on the song. One of the Santas would do a little dance, and the skating elves were also synchro-nized to the beat. For a child, it was magnificent - a real Christmas treat for all the senses. For an adult, it was rather garish, and you could not help but wonder how much all of that electricity cost that family. And for a neighbor - well, it must have felt like Advent lasted forever as car after car slowly drove down their street, rendering any other travel after dark impossible for weeks on end. That family went all out with their full-bodied attempt to make it the most wonderful time of the year.

This Advent season we are going to take a trip similar to the one I just described. We are going to travel to the homes of the Gospel writers to see how they each decorate for Christmas, how they mark the birth of Jesus. We begin on the first Sunday of Advent by stopping by Mark’s house which begins in the wil-derness with the wild and wooly prophet, John the Baptist. There won’t be many decorations up at Mark’s house because the wilderness is a barren place, but one can still encounter the promised Savior in the wil-derness places of life. On December 8, we will find our way to Matthew’s house which will be very full. And the street that Matthew’s house is on will be almost as full as that street in the story, since cars with license plates from all over will be parked on the side, some even pulled up on the curb, making travel down the street almost impossible. All of those cars from all over indicate the huge family reunion gathered inside: ancient grandparents, and aunts and uncles we’ve never even heard of, cousins two and three generations removed. We might even spot a few camels along the way. When we come to Luke’s house on the Third Sunday of Advent, we will find that Luke’s house is full as well, except, Luke’s house is full of people the world does not seem to have room for – people the rest of the world would pass by or write off. We will have to show up with candles in hand as we travel through the deep dark to John’s house on the Fourth Sunday of Advent. John’s house won’t have a tree up just yet, but each window will have one of those fake candles that you plug in and turn on. John is all about the light, after all. Then John, the poet, the philosopher, the profes-sor, will invite us to sit down as we discuss the immense complexities of life.

When at last our Advent journey is complete on Christmas Eve, we will return home…home for Christ-mas. And under the tree for all of us will be a few gifts from Mark, Matthew, Luke and John. Of course, the real home we return to each year may not be the one you’re thinking of.

I hope you will join us on our Advent journey this year. Who knows, we might even spot a few camels along the way. We may hear a song sung by angels or bump into a shepherd or two or trip over a sheep that darts out in front of us. Who knows, in the middle of the night, we might even hear the faint cry of a new born baby…a new born Savior.

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PRESENTS… PRESENTS… PRESENTS… PRESENTS… TWO HOLIDAY CONCERTS IN DECEMBERTWO HOLIDAY CONCERTS IN DECEMBERTWO HOLIDAY CONCERTS IN DECEMBERTWO HOLIDAY CONCERTS IN DECEMBER

Sunday, December 1, 2019 at 4:00 pm

Measure for Measure, A Men’s Choral Society

It is a pleasure to welcome the members of Ann Arbor’s Measure for Meas-ure, A Men’s Choral Society, back to Cherry Hill! What better way to begin the season by attending this concert which features holiday favorites old and new! Admission for this concert is $15.00 and doors will open at 3:30 pm.

Sunday, December 8, 2019 at 4:00 pm Vanguard Voices Holiday Concert

Director G. Kevin Dewey and the members of Vanguard Voices will present a special holiday concert at Cherry Hill featuring the music of Steven Errante’s “Boar’s Head Festival.” The Boar’s Head Festival was a beloved Cherry Hill tra-dition for many years. What a gift it will be to hear this glorious music in the place for which it was composed. A free will offering will be received to benefit Cherry Hill’s organ fund. Doors will open at 3:30 pm.

SPECIAL THANKS TO SPECIAL PEOPLE!

The session and congregation wish to thank Sherri Brown and Anna Bosler for being with us this fall and providing interim leadership for our music ministry. Sherri has been our in-terim organist since August and has made several trips to Dearborn each week from Water-ford. Her wit and musical ability have been appreciated by staff, choir, and congregation. Beginning January 5, Sherry will assume the role of organist at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Waterford. Sherry previously served St. Andrew’s as assistant organist and choir director, bell choir & junior choir director.

Anna Bosler, one of our choir members, has served Cherry Hill well this fall as our interim choir director. Under her leadership, the choir has grown in ability and numbers this fall. Her advance planning, good communication and preparation have been appreciated by the members of the choir! We are glad that Anna will continue to be a part of the choir and has offered to be of any help that she can in our music ministry.

Both Sherri and Anna will complete their time with us on December 31. The Worship and Music Committee will host a special coffee hour in their honor on Sunday, December 22 after worship. Be sure to stop and say “thank you” to these two special people.

NEW DIRECTOR OF MUSIC & ORGANIST TO BEGIN IN JANUARY

Charles Miller will begin his ministry of music at Cherry Hill on January 1, 2020 and his first Sunday with us is January 5. However, he will be playing the 5:00 pm service on Christmas Eve. Charles is currently the As-sociate Organist at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Detroit. More information on Charles will appear in the January issue of The Messenger. Another special coffee hour will welcome Charles to Cherry Hill on Jan-uary 5.

2019 CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING God is With Us – The Perfect Gift

Each year during the Advent and Christmas sea-son, we turn our eyes to Bethlehem and cele-brate the wondrous gift of Jesus Christ, our Sav-

ior. God has blessed the Church with incredible leadership in every time and place, but those leaders often need to be supported by their communities as well.

The Christmas Joy Offering has been a cherished Presbyterian tradition since the 1930s. The Offering dis-tributes gifts equally to the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions and to Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. The Assistance Program provides critical financial support to church workers and their families. Presbyterian-related schools and colleges provide education and leader-ship development while nurturing racial and ethnic heritage. This has been a Presbyterian commitment for nearly 140 years.

By supporting the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions (BOP), the Christmas Joy Offering hon-ors the faithfulness of current and retired church workers and their families in need. Thanks in part to support from this Offering, church workers can receive critical financial assistance to support them through life’s chal-lenging circumstances. These generous actions bear witness to our faithful response to God’s charge to love one another as Christ commanded.

$1.2 million of gifts from 2018 are being used to provide critical financial support and grants for current and retired Presbyterian church workers in their times of need. Income supplements from the BOP helped nearly 325 households, assisting retired church workers and surviving spouses with the means to provide for them-selves. Housing supplements from the BOP helped more than 262 households remain in their homes, afford assisted living, or long-term care. Shared and Emergency Grants from the BOP helped more than 291 households facing times of great financial need or uncertainty due to unforeseen circumstances.

The PC(USA), with its historic commitment to higher learning, has long promoted education and lead-ership development through the establishment and support of Presbyterian-related schools and col-leges equipping communities of color. Our future church leaders of color can receive much-needed assis-tance while they discover and pursue their professional goals at these schools and colleges. Your gifts allow these ministries to continue - sustaining a tradition Presbyterians have carried out for nearly 140 years. $1 million of gifts from 2018 are being used to provide education and leadership development skills at Presbyter-ian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. Many of the students attending Presbyteri-an-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color are the first in their families to enroll in higher education.

More information will be shared on Sunday mornings during Advent. Christmas Joy Offering envelopes will be in the bulletin on Sunday, December 22.

Thank you for sharing in the joy of the season through this special offering of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

2020 STEWARDHIP CAMPAGIN “The Lord Has Need of It”

Our thanks to all of our members who were part of our stewardship celebration on Sunday, November 17. What a wonderful sight it was to see those in at-tendance coming forward to place their gifts and com-mitments in the large basket at the front of the sanc-tuary. The session is grateful to all who have pledged. If you have not returned your pledge card, you may send it to the church. Pledge cards are available in the church office for those who need one! Many thanks to the members of our Admin Commit-tee for the wonderful luncheon after worship!

REWARDS EARNINGS

From August 1st to October 31st, the church earned $48.56 from 23 households from those who linked their Kroger Plus Card to the church.

Between July 1st and September 30th, the church earned an $8 check from the AmazonSmiles Foun-dation. When shopping online for Christmas deals on Black Friday, November 29th and Cyber Mon-day, December 2nd go through AmazonSmiles to buy.

If you need help to connect your shopping card or Amazon account to the church, call the office and speak to Lisa.

PROPERTY COMMITTEE YEAR END UPDATE

Here is a summary of the bigger building and grounds projects that took place this year:

• Basement floors were cleaned and refinished; carpets cleaned in foyer, Memorial Parlor, and Chapel Parlor all with Rummage Sale money.

• Custodial Room in the basement was cleaned up, organized and labeled.

• As Exit lights burn out they are being replaced with LED.

• Library and elevator lights changed to LED.

• Stop sign replaced on parking lot gate.

• Replaced arms and locks on sign on Cherry Hill.

• Window wells were cleaned out of leaves and debris by the Boy Scouts.

• Small parking lot restriped.

• Air conditioner unit for offices had condenser coils cleaned, filters and belts changed.

• Front sandstone pillars sealed to prevent deteri-oration. May need to seal them every year.

• Roof Project - we were having issues with our 30-year-old roof with shingles blowing off and water leaking into interior walls. After compar-ing three bids, it was completed by a local com-pany, Kearns Brothers, in mid-October. The only portion that was not re-done was the Sanctuary roof, which Kearns Brothers had replaced 10 years ago and is still in good shape. The money for this $43,603 project came out of the interest from investments.

These are the bigger projects that happened throughout 2019. It doesn’t include any of the boiler maintenance, which is constant, for start up and shut down and all the months it runs. It also doesn’t include all the light bulbs that Jim Brown changed, or the tightening of leaky faucets, removing dead trees, adding a smoke alarm, getting the sprinkler system start up/shut down, replacing batteries and programming thermostats, rehanging wallpaper, fixing sticky door locks, snaking clogged drains, etc., etc., etc.

We are blessed (and cursed) to have a large building and grounds. It takes many people to help keep it maintained. If you are interested in helping, please join our committee on the second Tuesday of the month at 7pm.

Jeff Levangie

Please join us for our monthly potluck dinner at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, December 4 in Memorial Parlor. All are welcome to bring a dish to share. A sign up sheet will be in Weir Foyer for those attend-ing.

DECEMBER

DINNER

Pizza with the Pastor continues in December on Thursday, De-cember 19 at 6:30 pm. Note the change in day.

This month’s gathering will in-clude pizza, discussion, and fun! Once again this year there will be a gift exchange for those attend-ing. Youth are asked to bring a wrapped gift to add to the gift exchange. Gift should not exceed $10.00. All youth in grades 6 through 12 are invited to at-tend. Please notify Rev. Mark Phillips (vicarmark@aol.com) no later than Sunday, De-cember 15, if you’re planning on attending.

WEDNESDAY WORSHIP DURING ADVENT December 4, 11, 18

As part of our Advent journey this year, Cherry Hill will offer a 30 minute worship service on Wednes-day evenings during Advent at 7:00 pm in the chap-el.

This spiritual oasis in the midst of a busy season will include special music, a brief meditation and the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. In the midst of a busy, hectic season, why not join us in the peace-ful, beautiful serenity of the chapel to remind your-self of the true meaning of this season.

2020 OFFERING ENVELOPES AVAILABLE

The new offering envelopes will be available for pick up beginning on Sunday, December 8th, in Weir Foyer. Please wait to use these at the start of the new year.

Happy Birthday to all who have a December birthday!

1 Luke Levangie

Roxie Lowe

Cathie Wensorski 3 Fred King

Bonnie Sanders

4 Isamay Osborne

5 Elaine Terrell Jim Thorpe

Bruce Yinger 6 Janet Reickel 7 Matthew Means

8 Katie Garber 9 Clarice Jestice

Martha Whitfield

20 Gary Crosbie

25 Elaine Filiak

26 Lew Sequin

Louis Sequin

Balin Masters

31 Helen Turchan

Jeff Wensorski

If you find any birth date incorrect or realize that a birthday has been omitted, please contact the church office so that

a correction can be made.

Please keep these people in your thoughts and prayers as they rely on God’s strength to help them.

Pray for our Members to Remember who are un-able to attend worship: Helen Cumming, Wes Dalton, Shirley DeKarsky, Joyce Dickieson, Bruce Funston, Linda Krolik, Roxie Lowe, Annelies Nisbet, Sophie Pinfold, Evelyn Poti, Lewis Sequin, Doug Sherby, Lola Skogmo, Steve & Nadine Szopo, Shirley Thomas, Florence Wallace

Pray for those with health concerns: Peder Blohm, Elaine Filiak, Jack & Janet Hollingsworth (Dave’s parents), Don Murphy, Kelly Pemberton, David Ruselink, Q Simon, Gary Tisdale

Session Highlights

November 19, 2019

• Received a very optimistic treasurer’s report for present financial situation, Stewardship cam-paign so far and GEM investments.

• Received First Read for 2020 budget to be vot-ed on at December meeting.

• Received the letter from the Rev. Dr. Alan Timm announcing his retirement as Executive Presby-ter of the Detroit Presbytery as of December 31, 2019.

• Approved the pastor’s Terms of Call to be rec-ommended to the congregation on November 24, 2019.

• Approved 2-4 additional hours per week for Kim McDonald, Church Financial Secretary.

• Received the report from the Personnel Com-mittee following Staff performance reviews.

• Approved the following for Charles Miller, Direc-tor of Music beginning January 1, 2020: small renovations of his office, reimbursement for sup-plies needed for the renovations, permission to use his office to conduct his additional business for his agency for Concert Artists using his own funds, and permission to store his deck furniture & flowerpots upstairs for the month of Decem-ber.

• Set January 11, 2020 for the Joint Session/Board of Deacons gathering to examine new officers, receive training and organize for 2020 committees.

• Approved per capita fee for 2020 at $31 per member.

• Approved hosting the Detroit Presbytery meet-ing on November 21, 2020 at Cherry Hill.

• Received the report of the Nominating Commit-tee.

• Congratulated Rev. Phillips on being selected to be a Commissioner to the General Assembly in Baltimore in June, 2020.

• Received committee reports highlighting the success of Trunk or Treat and the ChristNet din-ner, 97 shoeboxes delivered as contributions from our congregations and Fall Clean-Up Day being postponed because of the snow

Our sexton, Michelle Adams, sent a card, which is posted on the kiosk in the foyer. It says: To My Cherry Hill Family - Your kindness is greatly appreciated . Thanks for all the calls, texts, cards and prayers during my recent acci-dent and recovery.

If you miss a Sunday service, you may listen to our worship services on our website. Simply go to the

church’s website: www.cherryhillchurch.org and click on the “Worship” tab. Scroll half way down the page to “Worship Archive” and click on the link pro-vided. Recordings of the worship services will be available for three weeks.

Attention: Holiday Bakers!

Presbyterian Women is looking for women, and men, to bake Christmas cookies to donate to our Cookie Sale that will benefit the Second Mile Center of Detroit.

Look through your favorite reci-pes and start baking so that we can help spread a little Christmas cheer to the children of the Cen-ter.

Please bring your cookies to the church office by 3:00 on Friday,

December 13. We will put together the plates of cookies for sale, so bring your cookies in throw away containers or ones that you want back that you have labeled with your name. Please indicate if any of your cookies contain nuts or nut oils.

Contact Sharon Dean, if you have any questions. Happy Baking!

Christmas Cookie Sale

Sunday, December 15th

Presbyterian Women is hosting a Christmas Cookie Sale after worship on Sunday, December 15th. There will be a variety of cookies available and each plate will cost $5.00.

The proceeds from this sale will be donated to the Second Mile Center of Detroit. These cookies will be a great addition to your holiday entertaining and make great gifts, too! Please stop by our sale in Weir Foyer and help us spread some Christmas cheer to the children of the Second Mile Center.

Contact Sharon Dean or Sherry Brown, if you have any questions.

A SPECIAL

Presbyterian Women of Cherry Hill would like to thank all of you who donated items to the “Falling Leaves” Tree. The total value of the items donated was $659.00. The items were taken to Westminster Church for the Presbyterian Women of Detroit’s In-gathering. All items brought to the Ingathering by the churches in our presbytery were distributed to 29 local agencies and the Second Mile Center of Detroit. Cherry Hill’s items went directly to the Sec-ond Mile Center. Thank you so much for your gen-erosity!

FORT STREET OPEN DOOR TREE

Each year Presbyterian Women put up a special Christmas tree in the Weir Foyer. The Fort Street Open Door Tree will go up on No-vember 30th and will remain in the foyer through Sunday, December 29th. If you have any questions, please contact Sherry Brown, PW Moder-ator.

We are collecting the following “NEW” items: Men’s jeans/pants - 30”waist and up; 32”long and up

Men’s shirts/t-shirts - Size XL and up

Women’s pants - size 16 and up

Women’s tops/shirts - size XL and up

Bath towels

Washcloths

Blankets (twin size) Sheets sets (twin size) Men’s and women’s disposable razors

Travel size toothpaste (unexpired) Toothbrushes (individually packaged)

*** Fort Street Open Door will also take “GENTLY USED” jeans in the above sizes, winter coats for men and women, and shoes or boots for men and women - size 10 and up.

ANNUAL REPORTS DUE

If you are a committee chair or moderator, then an annual report is required and due into the church office by Friday, January 10th. Reports can be submitted at any time. Please don’t wait until the deadline!

This will enable the reports to be compiled into the full report in time for them to be out for review the Sunday prior to the Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 26th. If you have any questions, please contact Lisa in the office for details.

PLEDGES AND YEAR-END GIVING

As we come to the close of the year, please consider whether you have completed paying your pledge for this calendar year. For those making year-end gifts, please remember the church in your giving. All donations must be received or post-marked on or before December 31st, in order to claim a charitable deduction for 2019.

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIA ORDER

Orders for Poinsettias must be received by Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Christmas poinsettias will be in the sanctuary for Sunday, December 22nd and Tuesday, December 24th for Christmas Eve. If you would like to give one in memory of a loved one, in honor of a friend or relative, or in celebration of Christmas, please complete the following information and get it to the church office.

You can drop it in the offering plate, hand deliver it to the office or mail it to the church, 24110 Cherry Hill Road, Dearborn, MI 48124. Please attach this form and make your checks payable to Cherry Hill Presbyteri-an Church. The cost is $13 for each poinsettia. Please PRINT clearly.

Given by: _____________________________________________

Phone: ________________________

Please use one form per plant. Check only one box per plant order and fill in the necessary information. In Memory of: ____________________________________________

In Honor of: ______________________________________________

In Celebration of Christmas

Poinsettias need to be picked up after the 11:00 p.m. service on Christmas Eve.

FINANCIAL REPORT FOR OCTOBER 2019

Monthly Need: $25,352.00

Received: $28,638.62

∗ Please note that the actual year to date income reflects an approved transfer of $100,000 from the savings account to the general fund.

∗ And remember – it’s not too late! You may still pay your per capita for 2019, $30.00 for each active member.

Actual for Period

Actual Year to Date

Budget Annual

Income

$13,575.96

$318,728.52

$353,715.00

Expense

$ 6,010.88

$307,227.68

$320,655.00

Total Contributions

(Over)/ Under Expense

$ 7,565.08

$ 11,500.84

$ 33,060.00

Cherry Hill’s Mission Statement

We are committed to discerning and doing

God’s will, through worship, study, and mis-

sion while becoming a more open, supportive

community of members and neighbors.

Welcoming everyone. Including all.

Adopted by Session December 17, 2013

Where Will You Spend Christmas This Year?

December 1 First Sunday in Advent/Communion Christmas at Mark’s House – Isaiah 40: 1-11, Mark 1: 1-19 Liturgist: Gil Strachan

December 8 Second Sunday in Advent Christmas at Matthew’s House – Isaiah 11: 1-10, Matthew 1: 1-7, 15-16

December 15 Third Sunday in Advent Christmas at Luke’s House – Isaiah 35: 1-10, Luke 2: 1-7

Liturgist: Erin Wensorski

December 22 Fourth Sunday in Advent Christmas at John’s House – Isaiah 9: 2-7, John 1: 1-15 Liturgist: Sharon Dean

December 24 Christmas Eve – 5:00 and 11:00 pm I’ll Be Home For Christmas – Micah 5: 2-5a, Luke 2: 1-20

Liturgist: The Rev. Dr. John Whitfield

December 29 The First Sunday after Christmas The Little Tone-Deaf Boy - John 1: 10-14

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS

This fall, John Whitfield and the members of the Adult Sunday School class have been making their way through the Old Testament Book of Leviticus.

To modern Christians, the law in Leviticus seems so archaic and even obsolete. However, as one delves into the history and the structure of the book, one makes a fascinating discovery.

You are invited to join us in our exploration of Leviti-cus at 12:00 Noon in the Christian Education Office. The study will conclude on Sunday, December 22.

MONDAY AFTERNOON ADVENT STUDY

Light of the World - A Beginner’s Guide to Advent

Advent marks the beginning of the church’s year, so there is a sense in which we all need a beginner’s guide to the readings offered for this season. This year’s Advent study will include a new book by Amy-Jill Levine, “Light of the World – A Beginner’s Guide to Advent.” The class will explore the biblical texts surrounding the story of the birth of Jesus. We will trace the Christmas narrative through the stories of Zechariah and Elizabeth, Mary, the journey to Bethlehem, and the visit from the Magi. These sto-ries open conversations around the connections of the Gospel stories to the Old Testament, the role of women in the first-century Jewish culture, the im-portance of Mary’s visitation, and the revolutionary implications of Mary’s Magnificat, the census and the stable, and the star of Bethlehem and the flight to Egypt.

Participants in this year’s study will be shown how to locate these familiar stories in their ancient reli-gious and cultural settings, while, at the same time, be stimulated to relate them to his or her own per-sonal experience.

All are welcome to join the group on Monday after-noons at 3:00 pm in chapel parlor. For more infor-mation, or, for a copy of the book, please speak to Rev. Mark Phillips.

GOOD NEWS! GREAT JOY!

The Mission committee would like to thank our most generous congrega-tion for its support of Operation Christmas Child. (AKA: Shoeboxes)

This year, 97 shoeboxes, filled with art supplies, coloring books, socks, dolls, trucks, balls, watches, building sets, tennis shoes, bracelets, har-monicas, stickers, toothbrushes, sunglasses, hats, t-shirts, love and joy were enthusiastically received at our area collection center. The boxes are transported to Texas, checked again for Customs restrictions (your boxes were perfect!), and sent overseas. We receive tracking on each box and will be notified after Christmas where our gifts were sent. We look forward to sharing that information with you.

It is always a pleasure representing this congregation in mission efforts - be assured, this effort was over the top. 97 children will celebrate a Merry Christmas because of you. Good News - Great Joy!

FOR EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON

On Saturday, November 16, 2019, the Presbytery of Detroit voted to dissolve the call of the Rev. Dr. Allen D. Timm as Executive Presbytery of the Presbytery of Detroit as of December 31,2019 and to transfer his mem-bership to Honorably Retired. Dr. Timm has served as Executive Presbyter for the past sixteen years. In a letter to the Presbytery, Dr. Timm writes:

Almost every day I have taken time to sit with the Lord with the Scriptures and in prayer to hear what Christ calls me to do. Every day I have lifted up the concerns of the Pres-bytery. Now I am hearing the Lord call me away from the work of Executive ministry. It is time to spend more time with my wife and family, and enjoy my hobbies and opportu-nities for service. There have been so many changes in our culture and it is time for new, younger leadership to take the Presbytery to the next step. I have done all I can to alert congregations to serve their neighbor so people can see and hear the call of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I want to thank all who have faithfully served in the Presby-tery during my time as leader.

This past summer, Dr. Timm celebrated the 45th anniversary of his ordination. Prior to coming to Detroit, Dr. Timm served congregations in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Illi-nois.

Rev. Mark Phillips shares, “It is has been a very special pleasure and privilege to work with Dr. Timm. As I was considering a call to Cherry Hill in 2015, Dr. Timm spent a considerable amount of time with me sharing openly and honestly about this congrega-

tion. He has been an invaluable asset during my four years on the Committee on Ministry and certainly during my first year as chair of the committee. Most of all, and most important, I treasure his friendship.” Mary Boudreau, our Clerk of Session, writes, “Dr. Timm’s leadership and inspiration are a loss to us, but we can’t help wishing you the very best in your retirement.”

As part of the meeting on November 16, several members of the presby-tery spoke words of appreciation for Dr. Timm’s ministry. He was pre-sented with a cross from the Committee on Ministry and many prayers were offered for God’s continued blessing on Dr. Timm as he moves into this new season of life.

Left to right: The Rev. Paul Thwaite, long time friend and colleague of Dr. Timm, Dr. Timm, Rev. Mark Phillips, Chair, Comm. on Ministry

Dr. Timm addresses the Presbytery

December 2019 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

1st Sunday of Advent/Communion 10:15am Worship Ser-vice & Sunday School

12pm Adult Bible Study-CE

4pm Music at Cherry Hill Concert-Measure for Measure-S

2 12-3pm Sew

What Group-MP

3pm Bible Study Group

3 6:30pm Boy Scouts-

ST/PR 7pm Peace Circle

4 9:30am-1pm Helping

Hand 10am Pikeville Circle -

HFV 6pm Potluck Dinner - MP 6:30pm Yoga-ST 7pm Advent Worship - C 7:45pm Choir Rehearsal

5 6-10pm Vanguard

Voices Rehearsal-S

6

9:15-10:45am CHUP Moms & Tots Class-N

7

8 2nd Sunday of Advent 10:15am Worship Ser-vice & Sunday School

12pm Adult Bible Study-CE

4pm Music at Cherry Hill-Vanguard Voices-S

9 12-3pm Sew

What Group-MP

3pm Bible Study Group

7pm DPCC Mtg-DPCC

10 6:30pm Boy Scouts-

ST/PR 6:30pm Church

Growth & Fel-lowship - CP

7pm Property-L 7pm CE Mtg-CE

11 9:10am CHUP Bd Mtg-

MP/N 9:30am-1pm Helping

Hand 6:30pm W&M Mtg –L 6:30pm Yoga-ST 7pm Advent Worship - C 7:45pm Choir Rehearsal

12

13

9:15-10:45am CHUP Moms & Tots Class-N

14 10am-2pm Michi-

gan Rugg Ar-tistes-MP

3pm PW CT Mtg-MP

15 3rd Sunday of Advent 10:15am Worship Ser-vice & Sunday School

11:30am PW Cookie Sale-Foyer

12pm Adult Bible Study-CE

16

12pm Staff/Office Volunteer Luncheon-MP

12-3pm Sew What Group-CP

3pm Bible Study Group

17 10am CHUP 3s

Xmas Party-ST/FH

3pm Mission Mtg-CE 6:30pm Boy Scouts-

ST/PR 6:30pm Deacon Mtg

-Rm 222 7pm Session-MP

18 9:30am-1pm Helping

Hand 10am CHUP 4s Xmas

Party-ST 6:30pm Yoga-ST 6:30pm Pizza with the

Pastor-YL 7pm Advent Worship - C 7pm Boy Scout Comm

Mtg-L 7:45pm Choir Rehearsal

19 9am Men’s Break-

fast @ Rex’s No CHUP 3s Class

20 9:15-10:45am

CHUP Moms & Tots Class-N

No CHUP 4s Class Troop 1111 Lock In

Arrive

21 Troop 1111 Lock In-Leave

22 4th Sunday of Advent 10:15am Worship Ser-vice & Sunday School

12pm Adult Bible Study-CE

1-6pm Lucas Xmas Party-MP

23 CHUP off �

24 �

Christmas Eve Office Closed 5pm Worship 11pm Worship

25 � Christmas Day Building Closed

26 �

Building Closed

27 �

Office Closed

28 �

29 10:15am Worship Ser-vice & Sunday School

30 CHUP off �

31 �

New Year’s Eve Office Closed

1

New Year’s Day Building Closed

KEY: MP-Memorial Parlor C-Chapel N-Nursery

CP-Chapel Parlor PR-Pillow Room

CE-Christian Education PW-Presbyterian Women

CHUP-Preschool S-Sanctuary

DPCC-Dearborn Pastoral ST-Star Theater Counseling Center YL-Youth Lounge

FH-Fellowship Hall HFV-Henry Ford Village

HH-Helping Hand

L-Library

Come worship with us on Sundays at 10:15 a.m. & Wednesdays at 7 p.m.Come worship with us on Sundays at 10:15 a.m. & Wednesdays at 7 p.m.Come worship with us on Sundays at 10:15 a.m. & Wednesdays at 7 p.m.Come worship with us on Sundays at 10:15 a.m. & Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

Spend Your Christmas With UsSpend Your Christmas With UsSpend Your Christmas With UsSpend Your Christmas With Us

Christmas Eve Worship Services Tuesday, December 24thChristmas Eve Worship Services Tuesday, December 24thChristmas Eve Worship Services Tuesday, December 24thChristmas Eve Worship Services Tuesday, December 24th

5:00 p.m. & 11:00 p.m.5:00 p.m. & 11:00 p.m.5:00 p.m. & 11:00 p.m.5:00 p.m. & 11:00 p.m.

Christmas Eve Services in our Sanctuary.

Each service will include special music, carols and candle-lighting.