Greetings!
I hope you plan to join us for worship on the second Sunday of Advent this week. Life can be so busy this time of year. However, taking the time to gather for worship, Bible study, fellowship, and mission is key in keeping our focus on Christ throughout Advent and Christmas. We will be serving communion at both worship services on Sunday. At James Island Presbyterian, we are committed to providing you many ways to turn your minds to Christ this season. In worship, the anticipation grows each week as we sing familiar hymns, the choir offers special music, and the Advent decorations increase. Our Wednesday Night Live Advent series gives us the chance to take a break from the commercialized Christmas that bombards us in the outside world. Through the Giving Tree and other special mission projects, our members are engaged in sharing God's love outside the church walls. At home, we hope you are enjoying the daily Advent Devotional put together by members of our own church. Advent is a wonderful season to anticipate Christ's return and celebrate his presence here and now. Join us for worship, Sunday School, Wednesday Night Live, mid-week Bible studies, and our special mission events. In Christ, 
Worship Leaders this Month: December 7 - Dr. Donnie Woods December 14 - Noah Kennedy, Candidate for Ordination December 21 - Rev. Cameron Smith December 28 - Dr. Deane Kemper
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 This Sunday @ JIPC
Worship 8:30 & 11:00am
Communion Served at both worship services
Dr. Donnie Woods, preaching
Cameron Smith, liturgist
WNL Planning Committee, noon
Barbara Manaker Music Studio recitals, 3pm. 4:30pm, 6pm
Citadel Candlelight Lessons & Carols, bus leaves back parking lot, 6:15pm
Click here for Sunday's bulletin
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We have learned this afternoon that member Nancy O'Neill's father has died in Springfield, VA. Please join us in extending our sympathy and prayers to all the O'Neill family.
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Congregational Luncheon next Sunday, December 14
Plan now for a special covered dish luncheon next Sunday, December 14. Our Fellowship Committee is planning some special treats and we ask our members to join in with side dishes and desserts. We'll have more details next week.
All are welcome to stay (or return if you're an 'early servicer') and join us for lunch! |
 JIPC Stewardship As mentioned above, our Session is calling members who have not yet submitted their pledge cards for 2015. You can save them a phone call if you'll turn in your card or contact the church office with your pledge. There are pledge cards in the pews, or you can email beth@jamesislandpc.org.
We thank our members who have made their pledges for JIPC 2015. So far, we have received 154 pledges totaling $509,746. Thank you! Now we need our other 211 families turn in your cards.
You also have a Time & Talents Pledge card this year, and we encourage you to prayerfully consider and return this pledge as well.
PLEASE TURN IN YOUR PLEDGE CARD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THE SESSION MAY PLAN FOR 2015
p.s. ARE YOU CURRENT WITH THIS YEAR'S PLEDGE? |
 Attention Flower lovers... Members of our Flower Guild worked this week to prepare our Christmas Wreaths, and they were hung on Friday morning. They are beautiful! Can you imagine yourself helping build the beautiful arrangements we have in church each Sunday? Are you willing to help and to learn? As we approach Advent, we need more volunteers with our Flower Guild. Contact Madelyn Graf (225-9788, grafm@gmail.com) or Debbie Hodges (768-1431, hodgesdg@yahoo.com) for more information. You can also check in on Saturday mornings to see how you can help. In addition to arranging, we can use your help with picking up flowers and greenery, carrying, & cleaning up. Please join us! Would you be interested in a flower-arranging workshop in the new year? If yes, please contact Madelyn or Debbie. If there's enough interest, we'll plan something after January 1. In the meantime, join us on Saturday mornings to see how you can help! PS to all: you may now order Christmas poinsettias in honor of memory of your loved ones. Your gift of $15/plant will help decorate our sanctuary for Advent; you are welcome to take your poinsettia(s) with you after the 7:00pm service on Christmas Eve.  |
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Message from the Finance Committee
As of today, the Church has spent $ 66,591 more than it has received in donations. A good portion is attributed to paying out Reverend Bland the amount agreed to by the congregation of $25,769 (3 months' severance). We had budgeted for Reverend Bland's salary for the year but this severance includes an extra month. The operating account has $ 87,055 but much of this has been designated. This does not offer much cushion and we have instructed each committee to spend only for essentials. We have received 89% of the commitments made through this date for 2014 and anticipate that we will receive 91% for the year. Although the bulletin offers some abbreviated information each week, Finance Committee wanted to be sure the current financial state of our church was clear. Please bring your pledge up to date. Thank you, Stephanie Pritchett & Chris Hoffman Session elders for Finance Committee
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A special Advent invitation...
Ordination as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament
for Noah Kennedy
Sunday, December 14, 2014
James Island Presbyterian Church
3:00pm
Reception Immediately following in Fellowship Hall
Click here to read Noah's letter to our Congregation If you are able to help our congregational care & fellowship committees with the reception, please contact Sue Urie or Lynne Dillehay.
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HISPANIC MINISTRY MISSION
We extend a hearty 'thank-you' to each of you who participated in this mission with our sister church, Harbor View Presbyterian. The blankets, sweat shirts, & jackets were taken for delivery today and another load will be taken on Sunday, December 7. As always, your generosity is inspirational. Thank you!
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You are invited...
to the 2014 WNL Advent Series
Join us as we focus on serving and welcoming our Savior this Advent season. Each event will include dinner from 5:45-6:30 p.m. followed by a special program for all ages:
December 10 - Gift Making
December 17 - Christmas Pageant (at 6 p.m., followed by dinner)
You can sign up for dinner by clicking here. We do urge you to make your dinner reservations as soon as possible (and if you cannot honor your reservation, please be sure to let us know).
YOU Can Help Make our Advent Series Possible! Each year, our Wednesday Night Live Advent Series helps us to remember what Advent and Christmas are all about: welcoming Christ in our lives and serving him! We have many special crafts, activities and meals during our four events. Please sign up to help serve a meal or lead an activity on our Sign-Up Genius site: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080e4caaa929a31-wnladvent. Contact Cameron Smith for more information ( cameron@jamesislandpc.org).
Special Thanks Nancy & Kenny Tassin for continuing their leadership of this annual JIPC tradition. It was heartwarming to see over 130 people gather for dinner and wreathmaking! We also thank John Quinn and Marilyn Muckenfuss and John Quinn for the live greenery.
  
This Wednesday, children and adults will enjoy this evening of making gifts for those we love, signing Christmas cards for those who are unable to attend worship, and browsing Rena Bumgardner's Crèche collection. It will be a lovely evening led by many talented members of our congregation! NOTE: All cherub, children's, & youth choirs are preparing for Advent and the Christmas Pageant (December 17). - Mid & Senior High Youth, 5:00pm Wednesdays, in the sanctuary
- Elementary Children: 5:00 - 6:00pm Wednesdays, in the choir room
- Cherubs: 5:30 - 6:00pm Wednesdays, in the Narthex
We invite all children (you don't have to be a regular member of our choir program) to participate in the pageant.
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Denominational Issues - what's next?
JIPC held two forums in October to explore denominational issues and concerns. The first forum was on October 5, and you can view that recording by clicking here.You can view a recording of the second forum on YouTube by clicking here. We thank member Phil Cobb for his recording and uploading of these videos.
The Session has conducted a nonbinding straw poll to determine our membership's views on PC(USA). You can review the results by clicking here.
On Monday, December 1, our Session met in a called meeting, and this letter was emailed or mailed to our congregation on December 2. Several of you have asked for contact information for our Session members. You may email the Session as a whole by clicking here, or you can access a contact list by clicking here. |
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2015 Tour of Scotland
Rev. Steve Keeler of Sea Island Presbyterian Church is leading a group on a 10 day tour of Scotland. Steve would like to extend an invitation to anyone interested in joining the group for a once in a lifetime journey to Scotland. There are just too many great places on the agenda, but the trip will include stops in Glasgow, Oban, Iona, Inverness, and the Edinbrugh Military Tattoo.
For more information, please contact Steve Keeler at 843-812-4207 or send him an email at stevekeeler38@gmail.com.
You can also view the brochure, including deadlines and prices.
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