Sunday, December 13, is the third Sunday in Advent.  
Join us as we light the third candle - the candle of  JOY.
Wake Forest Presbyterian Leaflets
For Friday, December 11, 2015

OfficersbLogWFPC Officers' Column

We often hear, throughout our church community, God's desire for all disciples to fully utilize their time, talents and treasures to glorify Him. I know I have spoken of it in several Generosity Spotlights and Leaflets articles.

 

Last weekend demonstrated the impact we have when those gifts are utilized. Walk Through Bethlehem is a major ministry for our community, and one that demonstrates our ability to reach out beyond our church "walls" to spread the Christian faith message. When we consider the amount of time and talents dedicated - from prop and costume management, through set construction and preparation, and finally with our actors and hospitality groups - we realize the strength and power our church community has at its disposal. It is an amazing story that we all should be very proud to be a part of. Thank you to our WFPC disciples.

 

As we wind down the "treasure commitment season," we need to consider the impact our treasures have on all Ministry areas.  All of our Ministries depend on your gracious gifts to enable WFPC to continue the good works on which we are focused.

 

At times we may consider the sacrifice of our treasures to be great; however, consider the sacrifice our Lord made for each of us. I believe our "sacrifices" pale in comparison to His.

 

Prayer: Lord, please give us strength and guidance as we work to fulfill Your word and continue Your teachings of love, dedication and sacrifice.

 

Alan Perry

Elder, Finance and Generosity

JOYDecember JOY Group
The Just Older Youth Group December Brunch will be on Saturday, December 12. We will gather around 9:30 AM and plan to eat at 10 AM. Shirley Wood and Edie and Warren Melhado will be coordinating our brunch. Please contact Shirley at [email protected] or Edie at [email protected] with your plan to attend and what you can provide for our brunch.

Secret Santa will be our program for the morning. Everyone who wants to participate should bring an EDIBLE secret gift of $10 value. Each gift may reside in three persons' hands, and then it stays there. Come join us in the fun!
polarDecember First Fridays for Families
First Fridays for Families will be held on the second Friday of December. Please join us in the CLC TONIGHT for our Polar Express PJ night. We'll enjoy pizza, drinks, cookies and hot chocolate beginning at 6 PM. At 6:30, we'll watch "The Polar Express" on the big screen. Wear your pj's and bring your sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, beach chairs... anything you need to get comfy and enjoy a night of fellowship with your church family. All are welcome, and there is no charge for this event. There will be a donation box to help offset the cost of food. For more information contact Angie Perry at [email protected]. Please RVSP to help us plan for dinner. If you are unable to RSVP, come anyway! We hope to see you there!
WTBWalk Through Bethlehem
Thank you to the countless people who lent their time and talents to our Walk Through Bethlehem program this year.  So many people come together to offer this wonderful gift to the community, and it truly is appreciated!  This year we had over 3,200 guests come through - that's 102 "tribes" that took the walk.  We had people from all over the Raleigh metroplex, but we also had folks come from other parts of the state just to visit Walk Through Bethlehem.  Many guests who were in town visiting or new to town came out as well; we had people from California, Texas, Wisconsin, New Jersey, New York, Florida and even Mexico and Guatemala!

WHAT GOES UP MUST COME DOWN! Many thanks to all the members of WFPC who have been involved in the 2015 production of Walk Through Bethlehem. Without your efforts, WFPC cannot give this gift to our community. Just like Christmas decorations, we must now take down the set and props to be stored until next year. On Saturday, December 12, we will be packing up Bethlehem for storage. For the early risers, some will be starting at 8:30 AM, but any time that you have will be appreciated. We plan to finish by noon.
AngelChristmas Angel Program
It is time to mark your calendar for our annual visit to Hillside Nursing Home on Saturday, December 19, at 10:30 AM. Please plan to come sing carols with other church members that morning and help hand out gifts! Older adults love to see children, so it is a great way your family can make lonely people very happy!

Thanks to your generous contributions, we have sent gift cards to the Battered Women's Shelter, assigned large families to our confirmation groups, and so much more! There is still time to give! We are still in need of homemade Christmas cards, pens and word search puzzle books. If you give financially, please make sure you write "Christmas Angel Program" on the memo of your check or on the outside of a cash envelope. The community thanks you for your help!

If you have any questions, call Dana Wills at 919-605-2972 or [email protected].
WIHN
WIHNWIHN at WFPC in January
We will host homeless families at our church three times in 2016, providing food, shelter, transportation and hospitality to four to five families.  Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network provides professional case management for these families as they work to restore their independence. A network of churches houses and feeds the families and transports them back and forth to the WIHN center in Raleigh, where they are provided with day care or transportation to school for their children, transitional housing and job placement assistance, and counseling.

WIHN will soon transition to become Family Promise of Wake County. Their mission will remain the same, but the name change offers some exciting opportunities to broaden the awareness of the organization in the community, while continuing to guide families along the path from homelessness to permanent housing.

Many volunteers are needed each time we host to set up the facilities, prepare food, provide fellowship and transportation, and spend the night at church. The next hosting dates are Sunday, January 24 through Sunday, January 31, 2016.

You can sign up by clicking here, or by contacting Sharon Kucyk at [email protected] or Kathy Drake at [email protected].
 
ParishNurseParish Nurse News for December - Holiday Stress
So this is Christmas...
Do you remember those opening words of a popular Christmas song? What is Christmas for you? Maybe, no likely, more of some things than you'd prefer it to be. Think about the following story: a harried woman and her children were ending their day of holiday shopping. To express her frustration and stress, she loudly stated that whoever had created Christmas should be strung up and shot! A bystander brought to her attention that there was no need to do that; the someone who was responsible for Christmas had already been crucified.

Before you get caught up with your tasks, lists, and expectations, put them into perspective. Ask yourself what you should be celebrating: the hectic, stress-laden, financially burdened holiday season, or the gift of peace and hope.

Even though God gives us all we need for a healthy, happy life, we tend to disturb it by spending and observing the holiday on human terms. Look at the holiday traps that take up your time. Consider categorizing your holiday tasks as "need to do," "should do," "want to do," and "expected to do." Which ones really address the Christmas spirit? Just because you are invited to attend an event or have habitually participated in an activity doesn't mean you have to continue that activity. By weeding out activities that distract you from the true meaning of Christmas, you will find less stress and more enjoyment from your choices.

Advent is a time for hope, peace, joy and love, not mounds of gifts, chaotic rounds or parties, or copious amounts of food. Consider what has real meaning for you. Is it the Christmas story you heard as a child or its impact on you as an adult? Read and think about the Advent meditations prepared by the members of WFPC. Think about the music of the holiday and how a stirring rendition of "Joy to the World" or a quiet performance of "Silent Night" displays love and peace in a harried world. Don't let commercialism or stress overshadow the gifts of love and sharing that you offer your loved ones. Remember the spirit of Christmas, share your presence with others, reduce your stress, and create meaningful traditions that demonstrate God's love.

"So, my very dear friends, don't get thrown off course. Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light..." James 1:16-17 (The Message)

Click here for reminders of the physical effects of increased stress.
Click here for ten steps to help you reduce holiday stress.

*** Parish Nurses will be doing blood pressure monitoring this Sunday, December 13.  Blood pressure monitoring will NOT be offered on Sunday, December 27.  See your Sunday bulletin for locations. ***
HisKidsHis Kids News
Club 4/5 will celebrate Christmas this Sunday, December 13, at 3:00. Please join us for a fun and crazy Christmas party! Drop off your 4th or 5th grader in the CLC, and pick them up in Modular 2 at 4:30. Contact Amy Cebrick at [email protected].

Preparation for Worship registration is now in progress! If your child is a 3rd grader or has not taken Prep for Worship, we would LOVE to have him/her participate in the 2016 Prep for Worship class. You can register your child here or by completing a registration form located on the church workroom counter. The class will begin on Sunday, January 10, at 11:15 in the CLC, room B103.  Contact Melodee Fraser at [email protected].

~Lisa Baker, Director of Children's Ministries | [email protected] 
WFPC Youth
YouthNewsYouth News
On Sunday, December 13, more than 90 youth and adults will pour out into the community to spread Christmas cheer in our Random Acts of Kindness and Caroling Party. Teams will show kindness in whatever way the Spirit moves them. In the past, teams have bought meals for others or covered their grocery tabs. They have passed out quarters at the laundromat or at arcades filled with young children. They have bought food for firefighters and police and have rounded up stray shopping carts in store parking lots. It really is a beautiful way to be Christ's hands and feet this holiday season. Please be in prayer for these teams and the RAK recipients. May God's love and peace be felt by many.

Our monthly opportunity to volunteer at the Interfaith Food Shuttle is on Saturday, December 19. We will meet at the church at 9:30 AM, travel to the IFFS to sort and bag groceries, and then distribute them to low-income senior citizens. We will be back to campus by noon. All youth and adults are invited to help. Email Cyndi Kibler at [email protected] to sign up.

We have a few pumpkin pies and breads left. If you'd like to purchase one, please contact Amy (see below). The cost is $10 for pies and $6 for breads. They are currently frozen to preserve their freshness and taste. All proceeds help pay for transportation for youth summer trips.

~Amy Donahoo, Director of Youth Ministries | [email protected]
ScriptureSermonMusicSunday, December 13 Scripture, Sermon and Music
Rev. Rebekah Maul will be preaching this Sunday. Her sermon, "The Christmas Story'" will explore our scripture reading, Isaiah 11:1-10.

We have a Contemporary Worship Service at 9 AM in the Christian Life Center and a Traditional Worship Service at 11:15 AM in the Sanctuary.  Join us for our Discipleship Hour between services beginning at 10 AM for Sunday School for all ages!

Click here to check out our Music Ministry's selections.
Numbers
give
Financials and Attendance from Sunday 12/6
click the green "GIVE" button to give online
2015 Annual Budget$852,807.00
Year to Date Budget (November)$771,742.00
Year to Date Actual (November)$742,662.54
December Budget$81,065.00
Dec MTD Tithes & Offerings$17,261.10
Dec Debt Elimination Budget$8,000.00
Dec MTD Debt Elim Gifts Received$2,216.00
SUNDAY'S:

  Tithes and Offerings$17,261.10
  Designated Gifts$915.00
  Debt Elim. Gifts$2,216.00

  Sunday School Attendance169
  9:00 Worship Service Attendance259
  11:15 Worship Service Attendance214
 Calendar
WFPC Calendar Highlights

Friday, December 11

Saturday, December 12
6:45 AM | CLC Room B017 | Iron Sharpens Iron
7:00 AM | CLC Youth Room | Iron Sharpens Iron

Sunday, December 13
10:00 AM | Campus Wide | Discipleship Hour
11:15 AM | SanctuaryTraditional Worship Service
3:00 PM | CLC/Holywood | Club 4/5 Christmas Party
4:30 PM | Offsite | Youth Random Acts of Kindness Party

Monday, December 14
1:15 PM | CLC Youth Room | Knit and Crochet Ministry

Tuesday, December 15
7:30 PM | CLC | Praise Band Rehearsal

Thursday, December 17
7:00 PM | CLC B103 | Session Meeting


Looking Ahead!
December 24 | Christmas Eve Service at 4 PM, 7 PM and 11 PM
December 27 | One Sunday Worship Service at 10 AM

Wake Forest Presbyterian Church
12605 Capital Blvd
Wake Forest, NC 27587
919-556-7777
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