Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church Spire
December 15, 2013     
In This Issue
ANC 2014 Programs
York Connection
Grace House II
PWPD
Inter-Faith Council
Thank You
Soup Labels

In the Life of Our Congregation  

  

Attendance
November 10  193
November 17  229
November 24  213
December 1   200
December 8   184

 

Visitors
Pat Luley, Betsy Foster, Jennifer and Allie Besing, Beth Rivers, Craig

and Raelene VanNoord, Laura VanNoord, Rachel Reed, Andy Klein, Dan

Holmes, Dan, Emma and Aidan Rito, Robert Manthey, Art Hughes

 

Concerns
Hilda Costello, Marty Coakley, Anna Kostaroff, Shannon Genter, David

Loudon

 

Death
Father of David Griesmer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministry

 

December 15
James 5:8
Yes, be patient. And take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.
 
December 22
Psalm 80:3
Turn us again to yourself, O God. Look down on us in joy and love, only then shall we be saved.
 
December 29
Isaiah 63:7
I will tell of the loving kindness of God. I will praise him for all he has done; I will rejoice in his great goodness to Israel which has been granted in accordance with his mercy and love. 
  
  Stephen Ministry
Hours
November
25 hours
  
 

GIPC is a Stephen Ministry congregation. Contact a pastor or Julie Gloor for more information about this ministry. 

 

 

 

 

GIPC Connections
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Christmas
xmas-tree-icon.gif
 
Of blessings and gratitude . . . Christmas comes during the darkest of earth days 
encouraging rebirth of spirit, revitalizing faith and providing a special opportunity for sharing our inner light, warmth and inspiration with family, friends and those in need!
  
  
Adult Nurture 2014 Programs

  

  

One Bible ~ One Year ~ Together
   Are you up for a challenge?The Adult Nurture Commission is challenging our congregation to read
the entire Bible in 2014. Let's make it the "Year of the Bible." In December we will be taking signups from those who want to accept the challenge. A workbook will be available for purchase for $5 to guide your reading. It takes just 4 chapters a day to achieve this goal.
   Books are on sale on Sundays at the Crossroads.
  
  
On Wednesday Evenings, The Greatest Prayer: Rediscovering the Revolutionary Message of the Lord's Prayer by John Dominic Crossan begins January 5 and runs through April 30, 2014. This class will be led by the Rev. Dr. Loren Scribner.
  
  

 

York Connection 

 

   When touring our great country, I often opt for secondary roads and scenic by-ways. Passing through a small Southern town, one December, a strange feature in the nativity in front of city hall, caught my eye. With exception of the three wise men wearing firemen's helmets, the display exhibited skill and talent. As I was driving out of town, I stopped at a 7-Eleven to buy a cup of coffee and inquire about the helmets. When I asked the clerk behind the counter he mumbled something about Yankees never reading their Bibles. Slightly annoyed, I assured him  I have indeed read Matthew's account of Christ's birth and recall nothing about firemen. Raising his voice an octave, he exclaimed,    "Everyone knows the three wise man came from afar"!

  - Gene Swift 

 

   Sources other than the Bible have influenced many Christians to accept folklore that lead them to reach invalid conclusions about Christmas. Here are a few Christmas myths debunked:
* Christians have always celebrated Christ's birthday. 
In the first several centuries AD, birthdays, including that of Jesus, were never celebrated.
* The customs of Christmas are ancient.
The first observances of Christmas were the celebration of a special Christmas mass, only. Christmas carols and Christmas trees, etc. came centuries later.
* All Christians celebrate Christmas.
Some Christian sects refuse to celebrate Christmas at all and some have even repressed it, where they could.
* Christmas has always been celebrated on December 25. 

Some Christian sects assign Christmas to days other than December 25. Others celebrate Epiphany, in preference to Christmas. Most scholars speculate Jesus was actually born toward the end of September.
* Using "Xmas" instead of "Christmas" is disrespectful.

In Greek, the letter ? (chi) is the first letter of "Christ" and the symbol means, "Christ." (Christos) Therefore, "X" is precisely what puts the "Christ" into "Xmas".
* Christmas is the most sacred holiday on the Christian calendar.
The most sacred holiday for Christians is Easter. 

 

  

  
  

 

Grace House II

 grace house

 

Our Session has approved the establishment of the second Grace House. This house, like the first one, is located in a development bounded by Fort Street and Jefferson Avenue in Wyandotte. A family will be chosen through a cooperative effort between Wayne County Metro Community Action and the current owner of the house.

   As you remember, the first Grace House was furnished largely through donations from GIPC. Again, we are going to ask members of the congregation to donate items. We will provide a map of the house showing what we anticipate the needs will be in each room. You may look for this display shortly after the New Year.

   The Mission and Stewardship Committee is looking for anyone who might be willing to serve as a liaison between the church and the selected family. Please contact Steve Benton at 734-675-3199 if you are interested.

  
PWPD

 
   The Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of Detroit's annual
Christmas gathering met on Wednesday morning, December 4 at the Grosse Pte. Memorial Church for a business meeting but were also treated to a delicious lunch by the PW of the church and lovely Christmas music on the organ by their music director James Biery and Carol Ambrogio Wood, the featured soloist.

   The lunch was buffet style with croissants and tuna, chicken, or egg salad as fillings and a salad. For dessert there was a variety of cookies and cake. 

   On last minute's notice, Anita Teresko graciously agreed to lead devotions for Cindy Baird who was attending her mother's funeral. (I count Anita as a friend in need, a fellow GIPC member who also serves with me on the Justice & Peace Committee, and luckily an ordained lay minister.) Linda Washburn was also in attendance.

   The Rev. Dr. Allen Timm, executive presbyter of the Presbytery of Detroit, gave an update at the gathering and mentioned that there is a committee in the Presbytery to replace the work of the beloved Fran Anderson, now deceased and the energy behind Mission Month of

October. Fran not only left money to fund the Presbytery's Hunger Ministry, but the committee will celebrate Mission Month the first week of October when both the PWPD meets and World Communion Sunday takes place. Missionaries will be invited to speak at various churches.

   The Presbytery will be asking for donations in Fran's memory by sending requests to every church to fund completing a well in Kenya and aiding mission workers. He also mentioned the Presbytery website is up and running and there are links to every church in the Presbytery.

Click on presbytery of Detroit.org. for further information.

   Finally, Rev. Timm reminded us that the General Assembly of the PC(USA) is meeting in Detroit from June 14-21, 2014, and need 1,500 volunteers. Watch for ways you can help host this assembly of worldwide Presbyterians!

   The next gathering will be held on February 5 at Royal Oak Presbyterian Church. The theme will be recognizing Black History Month. On March 8, there will be a PW retreat from 8:30 am. to 4 pm. at Rosedale Gardens Presbyterian Church. The leader is the Rev. Dr. Lorolie Andrews who will speak on "If you're tired and worn out, come and be refreshed by the spirit." 

   I'm always glad to offer a ride to the gatherings, a great way to connect with fellow Presbyterian Women. 

-Pamela A. Frucci, liaison.

  
Inter-Faith Council News 

 

  Our island churches are always ready to give a helping hand and it was evident again this year when St. Thomas Lutheran Church hosted ChristNet. GIPC's Wednesday night dinner of ham and all the trimmings is always a special treat for our guests. We even celebrated a "first" on Wednesday night when one of our guests was baptized. It was a very emotional time for him as well as those of us who were there. The next day he told me that he had been approved for low income housing and two days after that he was hired at Taco Bell. He said his life was changing and being baptized was the beginning.

   Thank you for the giving of your time to help our ChristNet guests have a memorable time with us. Your enthusiasm and generosity was greatly appreciated by Inter-Faith Council as well as our 30 guests.

 

-Jo-Anne Gronlund

Grosse Ile Inter-Faith Council of Churches

  
A Special Thank You

 

 

   Thanks so much to the Deacons and congregation for your care and concern over the last year. And for the poinsettia -- it's lovely!                         - Ruth Hadad

  
Campbell Soup Labels

 

  There's a container that looks like a Campbell Soup can in the church kitchen to collect the bar codes from the labels. If you buy Campbell Soup, snip it off and add it to the collection. The bar codes are given to the Grosse Ile elementary schools which they use to buy needed equipment.   

   Mary/Martha Circle members regularly bring labels to their

Tuesday Bible study sessions.
 

  
The Spire is a publication of the Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church, 7925 Horsemill Road, Grosse Ile, Michigan. The purpose of this newsletter is to share news and information about GIPC and our denomination.

Contributions are invited and encouraged. The Communications Commission reserves the right to accept or reject submissions and to edit to fit available space or for style and consistency.

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Please contact the church office or a member of the Communications Commission if you have any questions. Communications Commission: Sue Ashley, Marta Kramer, Ray Kramer, Carl Krohn, Nancy Morrison