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Greetings!
I love putting up the Christmas trees. I hate the frustration of the lights. You know what I'm talking about. The tree is up and decorated and then just one string of lights goes out. Our family room tree has the lights attached. The top section cannot decide if it wants to be lit up, or in total darkness. The tree is nice and bright except for that section. And it really is noticeable.
Christmas reminds us that God, and God alone, is the true light that comes in to brighten our world and our lives. Our lives seem so much brighter when God is our center. At times when we ignore God, and that light is not in us, it is really noticeable. This Advent and Christmas, may God's light shine bright in your life, and may that life be a witness to all that God not only comes into our world, but also into our lives.
Jim
"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)
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DECEMBER SERMON SERIES
Stop and Smell the Pine Needles - An Advent Series
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Dec. 6: Too Stressed Out? Luke 1:26-38.
Dec. 13: Children's Christmas Program.
Dec. 20: Noticing What Matters. Luke 2:8-20. Dec. 27: The Story in Lessons and Carols.
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it." (John 1:5)
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Christmas Opportunities
- Nativity Road Trip and Dinner, Dec. 5 from 2 - 6 p.m., we will journey to the Franciscan Nativity Festival at the Chiara Center for an afternoon of wonder and reflection. We will see a display of more than 100 nativity sets from around the world. The journey will be concluded by sharing an evening meal. Contact JoAnn Reitz at joannreitz@comcast.net to sign up.
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Angel Tree Ministry Gifts Due Dec. 6. All gifts go to Contact Ministries, which will distribute to families. This year we are asked to focus on gifts for youth, such as sports equipment, games, hand held games, accessories for girls, purses, and makeup. Contact Bob or Jill Speicher with questions at 585-1449.
- Kids' Christmas Program practice: Tuesday, Dec. 8 from 6:30-8:30 and then again on Sat. Dec 12 from 10-12. This year's play is "Birthday of a King."
- Family Christmas Party, Dec.13. Following a special Christmas Program during worship, stay and enjoy a celebration including a lasagna luncheon, festive fun and perhaps a visit from a special white-bearded guest. Questions? Contact Susie Fairfield, 836-9901, Mary Morris, 725-7001 or Karla Kunzeman, 725-2787.
- Joy Offering, Dec. 20. The Joy Offering is one of the special offerings we receive every year during Advent. This offering is used to help those who have dedicated their lives to God's service and upon retirement, find themselves struggling. It is also used to help fund college scholarships at Presbyterian schools. We invite you to give to this offering to help those in need.
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Trains, Trees & Treats! Dec. 20, the Clubhouse kids and families are invited to the home of JoAnn and Jim Reitz to see amazing trains, enjoy treats and have a good time. Since space is limited, we ask everyone to select a time to stop by. We have three time slots available between 1- 3 p.m. Sign up today outside the Worship Center or call the church office. We look forward to seeing you!
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Family Ornament Christmas Tree. Christmas is a wonderful time to celebrate our church family by creating a beautiful CPC Family Christmas tree. Please bring a meaningful ornament that represents you and/or your family and place it on the tree directly across from the Clubhouse check-in desk. We'd like everyone to be a part of this new tradition we started last year. We anticipate displaying these ornaments every year.
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Christmas Eve Service "Light Shines in the Darkness." At 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve we will worship together and join in a service of Candlelight. Join in praise of God as we trace God's light entering into our world and into each of our lives. Be sure to pick up your candle on the way in so you can be a part of the Candlelight portion of the Service. Since this is a family Worship, there will be no nursery on this evening.
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"UNDER THE TREE" FOR CLUBHOUSE KIDS IN DEC.
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The Clubhouse Kids will be learning about how the birth of Jesus is God's greatest gift!
Dec. 6: An Angel appears. Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38.
Dec. 13: Children's Christmas Program. No Clubhouse.
Dec. 20: Jesus is Born in Bethlehem! Luke 2:1-7.
Dec. 27: Shepherds Learn that Jesus is Born. Luke 2:8-20.
Jan. 3: Wise Men Visit Jesus. Matthew 2:1-12.
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Dec. 20: Frontline Christmas party at 5:45 p.m.with dinner followed by a gift exchange. White elephant gifts are welcome. $10 limit.
Dec. 27: No Youth Group.
Dec. 31: Frontline Church Lock-In. Games in the dark and a New Year's countdown. Friends are welcome. RSVP to Bonnie.
Mission Trip! Location and date are set for the 2016 Frontline Summer Mission Trip! We will do mission work in Louisville, Kentucky at Cedar Ridge Camp June 26 - July 1, 2016. With team-building initiatives at the beginning of the week, helping with camp maintenance during the day and enjoying some of Louisville's attractions in the evening, this trip will bless our CPC Frontline Students with the opportunity to serve and then relax and play too.
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Food Pantry Pick-Up, Sunday Dec. 6
Our Kids with Karts will be at the ready for your food donations. Current needs include pork and beans, canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, Spaghetti Os or ravioli, vegetable oil, mayonnaise and ketchup.
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Joys and Thanks
Anticipating the birth of Christ the Lord!
Clifford Dahl's new wheelchair ramp.
From the Sabo Family: "We cannot thank you enough for all of the generous support for Steve's Benefit. You all are truly amazing people. We feel blessed to be a part of such a special congregation of God's people."
Prayer requests include: Sheila Dudra; Mary Elliott; Jim & Connie Nimke's son-in-law, Anthoney Pelegrino, in hospital for pancreas; Bill Carter's sister-in-law, Joyce Carter, surgery 12/7 for cancer; Kim Geving, recovering at home from surgery; Steve Sabo, at home recovering from stem cell transplant.
Prayer Requests may be submitted via email: info@chathampresbyterian.com; website: chathampresbyterian.com; or call the office 483-4204, 9 AM to noon, weekdays. After hours, call Cindy Gamble 483-3835 (h), 971-1751 (c) or Tina Knollenberg, 652-4715.
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