This Week at DCPC
December 18, 2015
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Looking Toward Sunday
December 20, 2015


Scripture Lesson: Isaiah 58-61 (selected verses)
         
Sermon: From Darkness to Light: Conflict to Reconciliation


Lib McGregor Simmons will preach at 8:30 and 9:45 in Lingle Chapel and 11 in the sanctuary.

Christmas, for all its joy, can be a tough time.  The first holiday after the death of a loved one dims the brightness of the season.  Fears about finances tiptoe terrifyingly among the notes of Christmas carols.  Memories of past hurts and abuses can set family members' teeth on edge even as they gather for grace before digging into turkey and ham at their holiday table.
 
The words of the post-exilic prophets in Isaiah 58-61 were written to address an entire community in deep conflict, not families and individuals longing for light at Christmas.  Yet, their words provide a poetic counter-narrative for any group of people whose relationships have become distorted.  They are words of hope for individuals, families, and communities in every time and place who are tempted to turn inward to the exclusion of self-transcending generosity.


The Geneva Choir will sing Arise, Shine, for your Light Has Come at the 8:30 service.
Madalyn Alexander and Kyra Hurst will sing In the Bleak Midwinter at the 11:00 service.

We will celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism at the 9:45 service with Silas Helfrich born August 21, 2015 to  Brian and Tyler Helfrich and Levi Helfrich born March 17, 2015 to Tim and Beth Helfrich..
 


Christmas Eve Services
 
  On Christmas Eve, we welcome Christ who is the Light of the world as we worship in the sanctuary
 
~4:00 pm (Sanctuary)  A participatory service
for all ages.
 
~7:30 pm (Sanctuary) Candlelight service with music by the Chancel Choir and Lib McGregor Simmons    preaching.
~11:00 pm (Sanctuary) Candlelight service led by DCPC college students with the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper and music by the Geneva Choir.

There will be ONE WORSHIP SERVICE on Sunday, December 27, at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. Child care begins at 10:30 a.m. Sunday School and youth groups will not meet. 

Christmas Opera Performance
 
"Amahl and the Night Visitors" on December 18 at 7:30 p.m. and December 20 at 2:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. Menotti's opera tells the legend of a poor mother and her crippled son who give shelter to the three wise men as they journey to find the newborn Christ. The viewer will be not only charmed by a touching story and lyrical music, but moved by the humanity of the kings, the fierce love of Amahl's mother, the impulsive generosity of Amahl, and the celebration of the miracle. The performance is under an hour and will be enjoyed by all ages. This program will benefit Habitat for Humanity; donations of any size will help to fund the next home being sponsored by Davidson College Presbyterian Church.

Youth this Sunday
 

Youth will not meet this Sunday, December 20 or next Sunday, December 27.
 


Church Office Closed for the Holidays
 
The church office will be closed December 25, December 28, and January 1 in observance of the holidays. For emergencies call 704-892-5641 for instructions.

Year End Donations
 
In order for your contributions to count in 2015, they must be received by Trish Jones ([email protected]) or Harriett Rosebrough ([email protected] or 704-892-5641) in the church business office on the main floor no later than noon on Thursday, December 31. Contributions postmarked by December 31 will also be counted toward 2013.
Steepletalk Deadline
 
The January issue of Steepletalk will be published on January 6. Please submit articles to Julie at [email protected] by December 31.

Congregation Gathering
 
As part of the Conciliation Process at DCPC there will be a second congregation wide gathering on January 10 at 3:00 pm in the Congregation House.  Specific concerns identified during the first phase of the Conciliation Process will be discussed.  The committees of the Session and Diaconate are already in the process of identifying ways to address these concerns and this information will be shared with those in attendance.

Congregational Retreat
 
Congregational Retreat is January 22-24. Brochures are available at the information center in front of the office or CLICK HERE.

Faith Formation Opportunities
Loving nursery care is provided beginning at 8:15 a.m. each Sunday
(unless otherwise noted) for Infants and Toddlers.
Covenant (9:45 a.m. Congregation House)
                 Gerardo Marti, the LR King Associate Professor of Sociology at Davidson College, will teach:  "Innovation, Resistance, and the Near Future of the American Church."  Christianity-both as a set of firm beliefs and a configuration of ritual practices-is always changing, and the changing structures of the 21st Century provide particular opportunities and challenges to the development of Christianity in the United States.  The class will focus on three themes over three weeks: intriguing innovations in American Christianity, the dynamics of resistance and traditionalism in relation to Christianity in congregational life, and speculation on the near future of the American Church.

    Maloney (9:45 a.m. Parlor) and The Pines (Marshall Room)
                      Dedication of Firstborn: Exodus 13:13-15; Luke 2:22-32
Jubilee (9:45 a.m. Student Center)
          "Conversations on Advent" Forgiveness and Love
The Wired Word (11:00 a.m. Parlor)
Each week we will have an opportunity to discuss a current event with the help of Biblical and theological resources.  Those who wish may have the upcoming topic emailed to them prior to class-send a request email to [email protected].  All High School age and Adults are welcome to get some coffee in the tent and come to the parlor for lively discussion. CLICK HERE for this weeks lesson.


Sunday School will meet each Sunday in December except December 27.  Nursery care will be available, and children in first grade and up should attend worship with parents.  TIC TOC will also break on December 27 and resume January 10.   Questions?  Contact Leslee Kirkconnell.
 

Attendance and Financial Update

Worship Attendance
                                    8:30        9:45        11        Total
12/13/2015                  108         112         264       484                   
YTD Av2015                   92          113         233       438
Av2014                         104                        399      

DCPC Financial UpdatE
Offering                        12/13/15                     YTD 
Receipts                        $24,505          Receipts         $1,256,317
Budgeted Exp.               $29,590         Actual Exp.     $1,331,474
O/(U)                            ($5,085)           O/(U)            ($75,157)