Chatham Presbyterian Church
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December 1, 2012 Newsletter

 
Issue 9


Greetings!

 

Macken family winter 2012 Merry Christmas! I sincerely wish all of you a wonderful Christmas season as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior. During this glorious time, my message series will be, "He Shall Be Called," and will focus on the various names of Christ and the meaning each brings to our Christian lives. I'm looking forward to sharing these messages with you as we contemplate the meaning of the season.

 

Don't miss "A Family Christmas Concert with Layton Howerton". Plan to come, sit back and enjoy this special Christmas event, Sunday, Dec. 2nd at 7 p.m. Your entire family will love the simple, warm style of this singer/songwriter/storyteller as we kick off the Christmas season together. Come casual and invite your friends to pack the house.

 

CPC Christmas 2011 Finally, let's finish the year strong financially. I want to thank you for your continued commitment as you give faithfully to CPC. As we move forward, finances will be a challenge.  We need to find an additional $7,000 a month in 2013 through cuts or additional giving to break even. We are blessed with many great resources, including our building, however these resources need our support.  

 

Christmas is an excellent time to renew your financial commitment as we celebrate all that Christ has given us. Thank you in advance for your support today and your pledge to tithe in 2013.

 

In His Grip,

Pastor Ken

 

  ONE SERVICE WORSHIP STARTS THIS SUNDAY!
8:30 CORE Groups for Middle School and Senior High in The Warehouse
8:30 Firm Foundations Adult Bible Study Class in Room 136
9:30 - 10:45: Worship as one church family. Special guest music by Layton Howerton.
9:30 "The Clubhouse" Sunday School for K-5th grade.
9:30 Nursery provided
   
  Thornton Christmas
 CATCH THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT AT CPC THIS YEAR  

TOMORROW! Hanging of the Greens: December 1st - 10:00 a.m.Come Help Deck Out the Church for Christmas! This is always a fun time of fellowship, and you will be the first to see the church all ready for the Advent Season, which starts Sunday, December 2nd. A light lunch with soup, cheese and crackers plus dessert will be served at noon. Thanks to CPC member Elena Dockter for coordinating lunch! 

Layton Howerton Layton Howerton "Star-Lite Mint" Family Concert Sunday,December 2nd: 7:00 p.m. 

Help us welcome Layton Howerton back to CPC. Layton lives in the Wind River Valley of Wyoming. He is a singer, songwriter, author, teacher and speaker. His career in the entertainment industry spans more than forty years. His critically acclaimed works have been featured on radio, television, film and in print media.

His most recent release is a collection of threads from conversations with folks from all walks of life expressing spiritual, moral and philosophical ideas woven together into a cultural tapestry.

  

Children's Christmas Program, Sunday, December 16th at 9:30 Worship Followed By All-Church Potluck Ham Dinner 
Don't miss worship on December 16th for "Something's Up Down In Bethlehem: A Christmas Story of Compassion and Love." Following worship, plan to stay for the All Church Ham Dinner at 11:00 a.m.  Ham, rolls and dessert will be provided. Bring your favorite holiday side dish. Share the Christmas spirit with your CPC family. (Rumor has it that a special visitor from the North Pole will make an appearance as well!)

Christmas Eve Service at 7:00 p.m. December 24th 
Come join us as we eagerly anticipate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Reverend Keith Anderson and his family will be with us for a heart-felt candle-light service of music and message.  Nursery care will be provided.

Angel Tree/Food Basket Mission Project

Pick your Angel Tree card off the tree next to the Welcome Center. CPC member and Angel Tree coordinator Lorie Meyers says: "There are families in our area whose Christmas could use a little extra joy this year. Our mission project offers three ways you can help."

  • Choose an angel tag from the tree and purchase a Christmas gift and return to church.
  • Choose a basket tag from the tree and return it with a $35.00 donation to purchase a food basket.
  • Choose a car tag from the tree and help deliver the gifts and food baskets.

Gift tags will be available starting Sunday, November 25, 2012, and gifts will need to be returned to the church by Sunday December 16, 2012 for delivery the week of December 17-21, 2012. For questions please contact: Lorie Meyers at 725-7171 or via her email. 

 
Holiday Book Drive Holiday Book Drive Ends Sunday, December 2nd
If you haven't donated some new or gently used books yet, this Sunday is your last chance!  There is a collection box in the foyer on Sunday for new children's books, birth to age 12. Cash donations are also welcome. (CPC member and Book Drive coordinator Jane Byram can purchase through Scholastic for $1 a book.)  Books will be donated to needy children in Sangamon County. Want to help? Contact Jane 483-3493 or email.

Last Call For College Student Holiday Ministry: Care Packages 
CPC member Diane Hobson has a heart for home-sick college students this time of year. (These two at the right look homesick, right?!) She has collected items for a Care Package Drive. You can contribute through this Sunday, December 2nd. The students love cookies, candy, gloves, hand warmers, small amount gift cards (Subway, McDonalds). These packages will be mailed next week before finals start. Want to help Diane? Give her a call at 483-2305 or email her.  

12-12CElogo THE CLUBHOUSE: FRIENDS, FAMILY, FUN!  Bring your kids to the Clubhouse this month for "Under the Tree" stories about Jesus' birth. 
  • December 2nd: Savior Coming - We put our hope in Jesus. 
  • December 9th: Angels Appear - We believe Jesus is God's Son.
  • December 16th: Christmas Program!   
  • December 23rd: Jesus' Birth - We receive God's greatest gift.
  • December 30th: Shepherds Learn - We tell others about Jesus.    
ClubhouseNEW SCHEDULE STARTS DEC. 2
Beginning at 9:15 a.m., you may check-in at "The Clubhouse," and then proceed to the sanctuary together for worship. Children participate in the musical worship and greeting (20 minutes), and then join adults leaders at the Clubhouse. Please pick-up children at the Clubhouse as usual after worship. 

IT'S A JOY!
HELP KIDS IN THE CLUBHOUSE! 

 

Recruiting plea for 1 Sunday per month or 1 Sunday per quarter (5th Sunday) for the following to begin in December with our One Service Schedule.

  • Greeter
  • Small group leader (pre-K/kindergarten, 1st-2nd, 3rd-5th)
  • Youth assistants

Contact CPC member and CE coordinator Laura VanProyen 494-0503 or email [email protected] to volunteer.

 
  
 






FRONTLINE UPDATE: December is here, with exciting changes on the way. Don't forget you can always pick up a schedule with all the details at the Warehouse Welcome table.  Also, sign-up sheets are available for parents and interested adults to take a Sunday volunteer shift for IGNITE, Mosaic and Olsen's Cafe in the upcoming months.
 

Sing to King 1 Join CORE Groups, 8:30 AM Sundays

To ensure our students have ample opportunity to dig deeper into fellowship and God's word, CORE Groups now meet Sundays at 8:30 a.m. in the Warehouse. At the same time, parents can plug into the Adult Bible Study, also at 8:30 a.m., or help out with worship morning needs. Or, if you have a vision for a new small group at this time, let us know. God has plans for us at CPC!

   

Back to School Bash Celebrate: Frontline Christmas Party

Invite your friends for our annual party, Sunday, Dec. 16 in the Warehouse at 6:30 p.m. And mark your calendars: the New Year's Eve LOCK-IN is just around the corner! 

 

Monday mornings at 7:45 a.m. at Chatham McDonald's: Senior High breakfast.

 
     

ccc2013   purity 

 

Purity W/O Apology Retreat, March 1st

Women are the crown jewel of God's creation - to be cherished and respected. At our Purity W/O Apology retreat, high school girls are invited to discuss real love, modesty, and protection in a comfortable atmosphere with expert Godly women. For more information, contact Donna Thurston at 483-1224.

Ball-Chatham Food Pantry
Pressing needs right now include: chili, tomato soup, canned pastas (spaghettios,ravioli,etc.) and jelly.  Other needs include canned goods, money donations and people to volunteer filling orders. For more information on how you can help, contact CPC member Pam Bruzan at 498-7325 or email her.

 
Joys and Concerns
Joys!  
  • Visitors and new families attending CPC.
  • Extreme Clean Team: It's heartening to see so many volunteers keep the church property tidy and clean. Thank you to all the families who are dusting, sweeping, cleaning and more!
  • Special Ministries: Thanks you Jane Byram for her work on the children's book drive and Lorie Meyers for coordinating the Angel Tree Mission. Bless the continued volunteer efforts by so many!

child praying Prayer Concerns


Todd Marvel's mom,
Sally Trawick, surgery next week for a newly-discovered tumor. 

Jan Day, second eye surgery recovery

Emma Sykes, ongoing treatment of her mouth and front teeth after a fall  

Wendy Ford, ongoing health issues preventing her from being able to have surgery

John Beck, father of Debbie Lounsberry and Cindy Sabo, continuing health concerns

Jim and Lianne Toler's grandson (and Lida Minton's great-grandson) Parker, health concerns

Jack Teaters, back surgery recovery

Devon Edmison, knee surgery recovery
Polly Hulcher's sister-in-law, Dawn Pierce, health issues

Bill Carter, ongoing recovery

Nan Hendricks, needs improved strength and better eating. 

Jack Nika, continued recovery.
Jeff Jackson, continued recovery.
Betty Creasey, eye challenges.
Susan McCann, cancer treatment.
Jean Lane, eye problem from cancer treatment.

Boosters: For those with ongoing needs for prayer
Taylor Cooley, Dwight Elliott, Mary Jane Elliott, Keith Gentry, Irma Gobleman, Wendy Housel, Mae Marie Koster, Lois Siemer, Paul Spindler, Bill and Carolyn Templeton, Cynthia Wilson.

Military Members

Eric Anderson, Margaret Siemer, Brad Miller, Seth Baker, Gary Kirchner, Clay Kuetemeyer, Josh Yakle, Denver Ford.

Shut-Ins
Mary Aidich, Villa East, Sherman
Sandy Eades' mother, Maye McMechan
Twila Juraska, Illinois Presbyterian Home
Ann Kirk, Christian Garden Villa, Springfield

Maxine McCoy,  Lewis Memorial

Nan Hendricks, Lewis Memorial

 
Please email us your praises and prayer requests. 

CPC building
Session Update
There will not be a December 15th Session Update due to the lengthy report in today's issue of the newsletter. (See right hand side.)

Offering for November was $28,621.75
Projected offering in the revised budget: $28,000.


With 2012 being a year of transition for CPC, letters were recently mailed to members who haven't been attending regularly.  If you received one of these letters, we appreciate your patience and response. We have 352 members on the active rolls. We average 200 people worshiping on Sunday morning.  We need to provide the Presbytery with a more accurate count of our active membership.  If you have found a new church home, we are delighted for you.  If you have not, we encourage you to come home for Christmas and 2013 at CPC. We are moving forward in exciting ways, and we'd love for you to be a part of it. 



The Session welcomes your questions, comments or concerns.   
Pam Bruzan: [email protected]
Dave Dahl[email protected] 

Dorothy Doetsch:[email protected]
Patrick Hansen: [email protected]
Julie Kaiser: [email protected]
Debbie Lounsberry: [email protected]
Todd Marvel[email protected]
Cheryl Niemeyer[email protected]

Barbara Olson: [email protected]
Marci Small: [email protected]
Bob Speicher:[email protected]  
 


 


 Session Update from November 29th Meeting



Special thanks was  extended to Pastor Danie DeBeer who traveled from Lewiston to moderate the meeting and Ann Kelson and Roy Wehrle for their continued encouragement and support.

The Presbytery has granted Pastor Ken Macken permission to moderate future CPC Session meetings and conduct the sacrament of baptism. 
 

Ken Macken reported that Pastor Joe Eby and the Presbytery came to an agreement that CPC will conclude financial obligation to Joe Eby as of December 31, 2012 because of his call to a missional endeavor. Approved the rewrite of the 3-party agreement.   

  

Ken also reported that ruling elder Ann Kelson has offered to provide support for baptism, confirmation and new member classes. Motion passed to approve Ann Kelson for commissioning at our January 2013 congregational meeting. 

 

   

Financial Update

Financial situation continues to be a challenge. On average, we are running $7,000 a month behind.   

  

Motion approved that clerk of Session contact Sue Krummel and ask the Presbytery to write a letter to Board of Pensions requesting leniency on our Vacancy Dues due to financial hardship.    

  

Finance team will work per capita payments into a monthly plan for 2013.

 

Motion approved for 2013 contract between Ken Macken, CPC and the Presbytery. He will be paid between $200 and $300 a week in 2013.

 


 Donna Thurston with Crossroads Counseling welcomes a new intern who will officially start in January 2013. Destiny Moser is a University of Illinois student who will work approximately 6 hours a week putting together a 2013 divorce camp for kids.


 Ken Macken gave an update on the Pastor Search Committee. The goal is to have this committee seated by February 1st.  

 

Our required mission study will require a good hearing from a cross section of the congregation. We will continue to seek to better define our identity.   

            Faith         
Approved transfer of membership for the following members.

Julie Chatham to First United Methodist Church (FUMC).

Bill Cooley, Tracy Cooley, Taylor Cooley to FUMC.

 Jeff Kerr, Katherine Kerr to FUMC. 
 
David Metzger, Donna Metzger to FUMC.

Jim Raycraft, Dawn Raycraft to Sherman United Methodist Church.   

 

Next stated Session meeting scheduled for: Thursday, December 20th at 6:30 p.m.

  

joyxmas 

  Please join us at the following events coming up at CPC.

 

Senior Moments
Thursday, Dec. 20th
12:00 p.m. Bob Evans
Need a ride? Call Sharon Reynolds
483-4436
 
Small Groups
Regular Meeting Times

Zumba Exercise Group
Tuesdays and Fridays, 9:15 a.m.
Olsen Hall, CPC

Monday Morning Group 
 Beth Moore Bible Study "On Loving Well" from
9:00 - 11:00 a.m. in the church parlor.
Linda Carter
483-3933 


First Place 4 Health  
Mondays,
6:00-7:30 p.m. 
CPC, Parlor
Lisa Rigoni, 553-6781

 

Grow Monday
7:00-8:30 p.m.
1029 Oakbrook
Sara Metzger, 430-7374

Dorothy Wiley Circle
Every 4th Monday 
7:00 p.m.
Wendy Housel, 483-3203

Stay Strong With God: New Study
Tuesday nights  
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Philippians Study Guide
by Matt Chandler
Phil Woerner's home

238 Heatherstone
Thornton Woerner, 725-5646

N.U.T.S. Small Group
Tuesdays 7:00 p.m.
 Bob & Sandy Steimel's home 124 Manor Hill
Barbara Olson, 529-5171

cleanlogo 

Extreme Clean Team Sign-Up 

If you haven't signed up to join the Extreme Clean Team, there is still time.

The work is fun, and not extremely hard. God has blessed us with a beautiful building and grounds, and it is up to us to be good stewards of that property by properly maintaining and cleaning what we have.

For those who have so graciously been helping out,
thank you
and keep volunteering. The church looks great!


Please help take excellent care of what we have been entrusted with. Call
Tadd Moorehead at 217-801-0053

to help.






Nativity
 
 
 Newsletter Editor:  
Copy Editor: Debbie Biel 

 

 

 

 

1835 East Walnut, Chatham, IL 62629
Phone: 217-483-4204