First Presbyterian Church of Columbus, Georgia December 2012 · First Presbyterian Church First...
Transcript of First Presbyterian Church of Columbus, Georgia December 2012 · First Presbyterian Church First...
First Presbyterian Church of Columbus, Georgia December 2012
Sunday, December 2nd
John the Baptist and the Risk of Listening
Sunday, December 9th
Mary and the Risk of Surrendering
Sunday, December 16th
Joseph and the Risk of Forgiving and Trusting
Sunday, December 23rd
Shepherds and the Risk of Sharing Faith
Monday, December 24th Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion
Services 4:30 & 6:30 p.m. Jesus and the Risk of Incarnation
Sunday, December 30th
Simeon and the Risk of Waiting
Sunday, January 6th
The Magi and the Risk of Worship
The anticipation and joy of Christmas hang in the air. We are not quite ready, however,
to celebrate. Instead of heading straight to Bethlehem to hear the angels sing and worship
the Christ child, Advent takes us on a journey through some challenging terrain. When we
take this path, we discover Christmas is risky business. Not only for us but for God; who
out of His great love for us, sent His only Son to earth, as an infant who will grow to be our
Savior. Talk about a risk! We take a risk when we resolved to let go of control and let God
lead our lives. Why not decide to take a risk this Advent and Christmas season and follow
where the Holy Spirit leads? It is a risk worth taking.
INSPIRE Page 2
Sunday, December 16 – 3rd Sunday of Advent Christmas Breakfast 9:30 a.m.
No Sunday School
Wednesday, December 19 Church-wide Caroling at the Ralston
Thursday, December 20 – Advent Lunch Series
Rev. Adam Borneman, Teaching Pastor Second Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, AL
Sunday, December 23 – 4th Sunday of Advent
No Sunday School
Monday, December 24 – Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Services
4:30 p.m. Children & Youth Choirs 6:30 p.m. Adult Choir
Tuesday, December 25
Merry Christmas!
Advent & Christmas Christmas Breakfast Sunday, December 16
at 9:30 a.m. in the gym
Come join us for our annual Christmas
Breakfast featuring Rennie Bickerstaff’s
country ham along with other awesome
foods. The 10:30 a.m. band will be back
and there may even be a guest appear-
ance by Frosty himself. Along with all the
fun, it’s a great time to reconnect with
friends.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion
Services
4:30 p.m. featuring
Children & Youth Choirs
6:30 p.m. featuring
the Adult Choir
INSPIRE Page 3
James Wade began working at First Presbyterian
over 16 years ago, but he grew up a little farther north,
in West Virginia, working in the coal mines, then man-
aging a pizza parlor until his parents became ill and
needed a full-time caretaker. James devoted many
years of his life to the care of his parents. When his
father passed away, his mother moved to Columbus
to allow his brother to take over her care, but shortly
thereafter, James joined his family here. He worked
for Doctor’s Hospital on the housekeeping staff for
five years then he was promoted to Central Supply.
After leaving the hospital, he spent several years at
TSYS until he came to work at First Presbyterian.
James may have been working here for a long time,
but he is more than a fixture, he is a friend to all. Eve-
ryone knows James−from the youngest to the oldest.
October 9th of this year, James was diagnosed with
Squamous Cell Lung Cancer.
He began radiation treat-
ments in mid-November and
is on his third week of chemo,
but you wouldn’t know it by
looking at him or hearing him
talk about his life. He is up-
beat and jovial, continually
thanking God for his blessings
Our Salvation Army Kettle collected $3,250.56 for our week at Wal-Mart!!! We also saved the Salvation Army $450 by filling the week with volunteers!! They are so appreciative of our help and our Mission Ministry is grateful to those who participated as well.
and telling those he comes in contact with how great
God has been to him and how he knows God is on his
side.
To show our love and support for James and to help
remind us to keep him in our prayers, Rev. Hasty
suggested we order white bracelets to help us “band
together” with James. While white represents lung
cancer, each bracelet is also inscribed with God is Able
Daniel 3:17 JTW (James’ initials). This passage is often
referenced by James as he reminds us that “whether or
not God chooses to heal me, God is able to heal me.”
And James is trusting Him to do just that!
Members of James’ church are also wearing these
bands as a sign of love, support and encouragement to
him. There are a few bracelets still available in the
reception hall if you would like one.
James would like to thank everyone for their prayers
and support. He is very grateful for the outpouring of
love that has been shown to him all the years he’s been
here, but especially now.
James has given a lot of his life to help others and
now we are able to give back to him through our
prayers and support. If you would like to send him a
card or letter, you may do so:
James Wade
5808 Valleybrook Road
Columbus, GA 31907
INSPIRE Page 4
December’s Emphasis is on
CARING ENOUGH TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT SOMEONE ELSE’S NEED.
December Service Project
Mitten Tree
for Open Door Community House
Christmas Sing-A-Long
Thursday, December 20th
11:30 a.m. around the tree
in the Reception Hall
December 24 – January 9
FX2:42 Schedule for December/January
December 19 Family Caroling at the Ralston
December 26 No FX2:42
January 2 No FX2:42
January 9 Iona Service of Healing
January 16 FX2:42 Family Experience
January 23 FX2:42 Bible Study
January 30 FX2:42 Bible Study
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Our youth group went shopping to buy Thanksgiving food for two families who are unable to afford food for themselves.
Youth Summer Trips It’s time to start thinking about summer trips for our youth! This year we will be planning for the following trips:
Chattanooga Mission Trip − July 6-12
Triennium − July 16-20 (students currently in grades 8-12)
High School Montreat − June 9-15 (Presbytery Trip)
Middle School Montreat − July 24-28
December
19 Caroling at the Ralston
23 No SNL! (family time)
24 Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Services 4:30 – Children & Youth Choirs 6:30 – Adult Choir
25 Merry Christmas!!!!
26 No Church Family Supper or Activities
30 No SNL! (family time)
Our beautiful Chrismon Tree was decorated by our Youth in loving memory of Terrell Tuggle Adams (September 12, 1956−September 20, 2012).
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Year End Reminder
In order to receive contribu-tion credit for the year 2012, please be reminded that all monies must either be received in the church office or postmarked no later than Monday, December 31st. All donations of stock must be transferred on or before that date as well. The church office will be open until 5 p.m. on Monday, December 31st. Contributions received after December 31st will be credited to the year 2013.
Clare Bowles Bonnie, Kevin & Nyla Reherman
Zeke Schriver
WE ARE CALLED
CAMPAIGN UPDATE
As of Wednesday, December 12th, we have received 215 pledge cards totaling $1,202,136.72. The average pledge is $5,591. This represents a 11% increase over the same pledges last year. We have reached 84.5% of our goal.
88 Increased their pledge 71 Remained the same
36 Decreased their pledge 20 New Pledges
215 Total Pledges
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27 Robert & Tootie Bickerstaff
Bunky & Cherry Pease Cecil & Terry Whitaker Katherine Kimbrough Madden Hatcher, Jr. Laurie Billiot Ed Adams, III Lindsey Bauler Cain Harrelson Laura Chapman Benton Bruce
28 Bud Paepcke Jake Burrus, Jr. Thomas Adams, IV
29 Lynn & Ida Page
30 Thomas Cooper Edward Heard, Jr.
31 Stan & Jill Copelan Bill & Sara Heard
1 Terry Whitaker
Judy Dean Mitchell Jarrett Will Richards
2 Edith Pignato Jack Norman
3 Cal & Virginia Holman Ted Neumeister Tyler Rogers
4 Rick Peebles
5 Richard Doub Suzanne Saunders Julie Straus Berry Wells Charlie Straus Minna Straus Boyd Bickerstaff
6 Kathy Peebles
7 Frank & Tamie Lumpkin Carol Jackson Bob Elliott, Jr. Chase Pennington
8 Eleanor Grear Bill Poovey, Jr. Mint Flowers
9 Julie Chapman Mark Littleton Frank Tommey Maggie Johnston Garrett Welch
10 Cindy Jones Kate Snodgrass
11 Mitzi Allen Janis Miley
12 Lucile Flournoy
13 Mary Margaret Stone
Edgar Chancellor, III Samuel Coffin
14 Jeanne Johnson Ed Adams Lew Sheilds Hendley Badcock
15 Lisa Powers
16 Diane Andrews
17 Jim & Amelia Lawlor Jimmy Campbell Daniel Adams
18 Chong & Jane Lee Jim & Pam Moye Ron & Meg Murray Jake Burrus, III
19 Ginna Norman Ken White, III Henry Lemieux Anna Hurtt
20 Davis Quinn Madison Quinn Isabella Loomis
22 Dexter Jordan, Jr. Gary Bruce
23 Allie Murray McKinley Bath
24 Virginia Holman Glen Giles
25 Chris Moore
26 Pete & Amy Pease
December Anniversaries and Birthdays
If your birthday or anniversary is this month, but is not listed, please contact the church office so we can add it to your member profile.
Share God’s Love
First Presbyterian, a historic church located in uptown Columbus, Georgia, seeks to minister to all people in Christ’s name through an inclusive, caring, and faithful community that joyfully shares the gift of salvation from a loving and forgiving God.
1100 First Avenue
Columbus, Georgia 31901
Phone: 706.322.4523
Fax: 706.596-8531
Web: www.columbusfpc.org
First Presbyterian Church First Presbyterian Church Mission Statement
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Coming in 2013
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February 22-24 Destin, Florida
For more information, contact Rev. Doughton, 706.322.4523, or attend the information meeting on December 16 after the 11 a.m. service in the Parlor.
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Merry Christmas to you and yours from the Staff
of First Presbyterian