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Stepping Stones    -      November 2014


In This Issue
Pastor's Corner
Presbyterian Promise
Stewardship 2015
46 Years of Doves
THANK YOU
Deacons Corner
World AIDS Day
Creative Learning @FPC
Advent Schedule
Meetings, Events & Notes in November
Lectionary & Preaching Schedule
Join Our Mailing List

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 I know I am jumping the gun, like the department stores, by offering you an Advent invitation in my It's-only-November-and-Thanksgiving-hasn't-even-come-yet Pastor's Corner, but if the invite is going to work, lead time is crucial.

 

So here's the brainstorm that came to me a few months ago.  Actually I prefer to call it a Spiritstorm, because I do think the impetus comes not from me but from beyond me.

 

OK - here it is.  I'd like to invite you to write an Advent Haiku to be shared with your fellow FPCers.  In case you don't remember when you learned about Haikus in school, the way I learned it was that the Haiku was a three line poem consisting of 5 syllables, 7 syllables and 5 syllables.

  

Stars, twinkling above

So far away do they sit
Yet they touch my heart

 

You may choose to let on e of the four weekly Advent themes - Hope, Peace, Joy & Love - be your inspiration.  Maybe it's Incarnation.  Maybe it's a prayer.  Or waiting.  Or preparing.  Or a star.  Or.  Or.  Or.  Let you imagination run free.

 

I'd like to be able to email one every morning of Advent which means we need at least 26 Haiku from you!

 

Please email them to

[email protected]

That's where they should go.  

 

All feel free to write more than one if the inspiration hits.   

 

More than one each day

arriving in your email

What a great blessing! 

 


       Blessings,


DVD Signature  

  

 


 

 

Presbyterian Promise

 

THIS SUNDAY - November 16th

 

In the Chapel after worship 

 

Presbyterian Promise's mission is: To proclaim God's promise of justice and love in Jesus Christ by organizing inclusive and inquiring churches in the Presbytery of Southern New England into a community of mutual support for the empowerment of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered persons, and for outreach, education, and Christian evangelism.

 

PP officially was launched in July 1999 and was granted status as a Study and Advocacy Group of the Presbytery of Southern New England in 2002.  Since its inception PP has worked hard to create welcoming space within the boundaries of the Presbytery for GLBT persons.  

 

Though individual members of FPC were involved in PP from the very beginning, our session voted to become a sponsoring congregation in 2004.  Most recently Jane Love has served as our point person.

 

Four members of the PP Board are visiting today and will be in the Chapel after worship to share an update about PP's latest work, including information about a new partnership with True Colors, an organization assisting LGBT youth.

 




We will be receiving and dedicating our Estimates of Giving for 2015 in worship this Sunday, November 16th.  Please bring your card with you to worship.


You may also may your estimate online by clicking below.

Take A Dove
 
46 Years of Doves
is a lot of Love
 

Are you willing to feed or help a family or senior in need this Christmas?

        

 

This year marks the 46th anniversary of the Person to Person Dove Program. Christmas Doves would never have been possible without the enthusiastic support of area churches. Basically, Dove boxes provide holiday food to families in need. But they also give individuals and families the opportunity to share their blessings with their neighbors at Christmas. This is a wonderful opportunity to help your children understand the joy of giving during the Christmas season. Participation is open to anyone and may involve preparing a wrapped carton of food, or can be as simple as making a direct donation to families/adults through Person to Person.

 

Each year, FPC joins with other churches, to participate in Person-to-Person's Christmas Dove Program.  Through this program, participants respond to the needs of families and seniors in our community who might otherwise go without this Holiday Season.  Parishioners wishing to participate need only select a White or Green Dove on Sunday, Nov 23rd and follow directions printed on the" Dove"and bring joy into another home this Season.

 

White Dove: Fill a box with food and love for Christmas Day. All necessary food items and directions are on the reverse side of the Dove. A $15.00 contribution is required so Person-to-Person can purchase a supermarket gift card for each family to buy their own choice of meat. A really great tip from a prior Dove coordinator is to use packets of marshmallows as packing around your more fragile items, and to stop the cans rolling around in the box. Many of therecipients have to carry their Doves home so bear in mind the weight. You may use two boxes but no more than two!

  

Green Dove: A financial contribution to Person-to-Person's Scholarship or Emergency Assistance Fund. Scholarship will enable eager students to continue their education. Emergency Assistance Fund will help someone with a fuel bill, rent or a medical bill not covered by Medicaid. 

 

 

The Doves will available in the Narthex after worship on  

Sunday, November 23rd. 

                                            

             

RETURN your filled, closed, wrapped box on Saturday, December 13th.  It is early this year which is why we are thinking Christmas even before Thanksgiving!

 
 


An enormous Thank You to everyone who helped make Classical & Cabaret a great evening of music and fellowship AND a very successful fundraiser for Creative Learning @ FPC.  Just under $17,000 was raised.
deacon corner image
                  

                

"Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens" is what President Abraham Lincoln said when he proclaimed that November 26th,  1863 would be  Thanksgiving Day.  

 

On November 27th, 2014 we will again gather together to thank the Lord for our many blessings.

 

In October the Deacons were busy with fellowship events such as: greeters, coffee hour hosting,  prayer vine,  outreach to zones, memorial receptions,  and visitations.  One of the most popular events is Scottish Sunday,  traditionally held on the fourth Sunday in October.  This year,  with the help of many  "Saints"  the Deacons provided the best celebration ever,  plenty of shortbread and plaids.  On October 20th the nominating committee met to plan for the next slate of officers. 

 

In November the Deacons have many tasks to start this busy church season.   Our monthly meeting on November 2th.  

 

The annual Deacon retreat will be held on November 8th from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.  

 

The Zone Deacons will host a brunch for Zones 5, 6, 7, 8  on November 16th.  

 

At the next meeting plans will be finalized for our annual Christmas brunch on December 14th.

 

A menu has to be planned, sign up sheets will be passed around for all kinds of help,  and sign up sheets put on bulletin boards for "Saints' " help.  This year, at the Brunch, we will have a Christmas Boutique to sell many gift items. 

  


 

CreativCL@FPC logoe Learning @FPC

 

 

 

 

Last week, we had the lovely opportunity to learn about Diwali. One of our volunteers dressed in her country's traditional clothing and brought photos of celebrations from India. She brought small lamps (Diyas) and special treats for us to taste, as well as jewelry to share. Soon children wanted to know where India is located so we hung a map of the world. As a result we discovered more geography, including where our extended families live and ancestors lived. As parents arrived to bring children home, they shared the treats and the understanding of our world. Many discovered the locations of Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries they had only heard about. "I work with people from these countries but never knew where they were."

 

Another blessing was a meeting between a new Kindergarten child and a 79 year old volunteer. The child remarked, "You're OLD!" "Yes, I am!" This little boy had no experience with elderly family or neighbors and I am so thankful that he is now learning about having friends of all ages! (Age is such a gift!!)

 

Everyone has something to add to the lives of our children.

 

"Will you come and follow me if I but call your name? Will you go where you don't know and never be the same? Will you let my love be shown?....Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?" (from The Summons by John Bell)

 

Let your heart and your life be changed. I invite you. Listen for God's call to you.

 

You can call me at 203 965-8390, email: [email protected] or stop in between 3 and 6:30 pm any school day and feel what God is doing here. We have 27 children and we DO need you!

  

Please keep praying for God's leadership as we do this work together.

  

Joanie Merrell

 

Advent Schedule












Sunday,  November 30 


Advent Wreath Making

 Sunday,  December 14

Christmas Brunch



Sunday,  December 21, 7:30 p.m. 

Organ & Brass Christmas Concert


Meetings, Events & Notes in November

Tiny Tots Music
Mondays, 9:30 a.m. in the Lounge

Pacific House Dinner Preparation
Saturday, Nov. 1 at 3:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall

Fish Families Fellowship  
Sunday, Nov. 2 at 11:30 a.m. in room 23 

Election Day
Tuesday, Nov. 4 - No Nursery School or Creative Learning

Yerwood Center Soup Kitchen
Tuesday,  Nov. 4 at 10:30 a.m.

Mission Committee Meeting
Tuesday,  Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m. in Pastor Jenny's office

Creative Learning Board Meeting
Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 7:00 p.m. in room 12

Deacons' Retreat
Saturday, Nov. 8 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall

The Gathering
Saturday, Nov.8 at 10:00 a.m. in room 12

Bible Sunday
Sunday, Nov. 9 in worship

Veterans Day
Church Closed, no school

Presbytery Meeting 
Saturday, Nov. 15  from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall

Zone Brunch (zones 5, 6, 7, 8)
Sunday, Nov. 16 at 11:30 a.m. in room 32

Presbyterian Promise Presentation
Sunday, Nov.16 at 11:30 a.m. in the chapel

Session Meeting
Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the Lounge

Women's Circle
Wednesday, Nov 19 at 6:30 p.m. - Lorraine Labate host

EFAC Committee
Saturday, Nov 22 at 10:30 a.m.  in room 12

Advent Wreath Making
Sunday, Nov. 30 at 11:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall

Lectionary & Preaching Schedule

 
November 2, 2014  - David Van Dyke
All Saints' Day Joshua 3:7-17; Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13; Matthew 23:1-12

November 9, 2014 - David Van Dyke
32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 
Psalm 78:1-7; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13

November 16, 2014  - Jenny Davis
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time  - Judges 4:1-7; Psalm 123
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Matthew 25:14-30

November 23, 2014 - David Van Dyke
Christ the King Sunday
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24; Psalm 100;
Ephesians 1:15-23; Matthew 25:31-46

November 30, 2014 - David Van Dyke
1st Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 64:1-9; Psalm 80:1-7, 17 - 19
1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:24-37


First Presbyterian Church
1101 Bedford Street
Stamford  CT  06905
203-324-9522
www.fishchurch.org