christmas luncheon - First Presbyterian Church of Highlands

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
OF HIGHLANDS
FROM THE PASTOR
JANUARY 2015
SONSHINE SCHOOL……..2
LESSONS & CAROLS.........3
CHRISTMAS EVE................3
CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON...4
MEET OUR INTERN...........5
HCCDC........................….5
BIRTHDAYS &
ANNIVERSARIES………....6
LECTIONARY..…..........…..8
2015
In a Broom Hilda cartoon piece of some years ago, her troll-like, naive, and innocent
little friend Irwin puts on a long-tailed formal tuxedo jacket, picks up a conductor’s baton, and
walks into the woods alone. There, Irwin steps up on a fallen tree trunk and begins to wave his
arms as if he’s conducting an orchestra. But, in front of him there are no musicians. The
“orchestra” is made up only of rocks, trees, and flowers. However, before long musical notes
pour out from the rocks, trees, and flowers, and fill the cartoon panel. In the final panel, Irwin
turns and confidently says to the reader, “It’s all in there; you just have to work at getting it
out.”
As we enter into this New Year, we know it is filled with all kinds of possibilities. As
Irwin says, “They’re all in there; we just have to work at getting them out.” These possibilities
are the hopes and dreams we have for our lives and the lives of loved ones, as well as for
friends and neighbors. Yet, we all know that hopes and dreams do not normally come without
due attention and effort. Even Irwin had to put on his tux, pick up his baton, and direct the
performance. His hopes and dreams for his musical performance took necessary steps.
As we move into this New Year, the hopes and dreams we have as spiritual people
will require our attention and efforts. Indeed, as Proverbs says, “Where there is no vision, the
people perish” (29:18 KJV). More positively, “Where there is a vision, people thrive!” Spiritual vision, well-being, and growth involves casting forward our best hopes and dreams of
God’s life for one another. As we move into this New Year, let us keep working towards the
spiritual possibilities that lie before us. As we do, we will be filled with the “music” of God’s
goodness for ourselves and one another as the people of God, through God’s grace and love as
disciples of Jesus Christ.
Curtis
WHAT WOULD WE D O WITHOUT YOU?
As the sounds of the Lessons and Carols service on December 14th continue to echo
their glorious notes, we give thanks for the
generosity and dedication of our choir to
faithfully proclaim God’s word through music. Michael Lancaster and Angie Jenkins provide such vital leadership with their own
unique gifts. Thank you all! We also give
thanks for Donna Philips and the Sacred
Sounds Bell Choir for enhancing our worship
through joyful offerings. What fun to hear the
bells on Christmas Eve!
We extend gratitude to the work of all
who put in the time and effort to decorate the
grounds and keep the greens fresh throughout
Advent and the Christmas season. Jill Wolfe,
Teeter Smith, Kyle Clark, Bill Strunk,
Mozelle Edwards, Betty Fisher, Don Fisher,
Pat Mulherin, Marty Boone, Duncan Greenlee, Kat Evans, and Raychael Evans – thank
you!
As always, a huge thanks to Joel and
Ann Porter, and the Congregational Care Ministry Team for the warmth and deliciousness
of the Christmas Luncheon.
PAGE 2
SONSHINE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
The Sonshine School after-school program is the fortunate and grateful beneficiary of several community collaborations. The Literacy Council of Highlands brings the National Geographic Explorer Science Program to us weekly. Some of our classes thus far include learning about raptors, geology and our changing earth,
and mask-making and its different purposes. Our youngest students participate in a weekly author study. Currently reading Kevin Henke, and some of his books, including Chrysanthemum, Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse,
and Owen. These lessons include meaningful comprehension, literary activities and crafts.
Once a month, we enjoy a learning experience provided by Sarah Pursel of the Highlands Cashiers
Land Trust and Literacy Council of Highlands. Last month we learned about the vital role of trees in our world.
As a concluding exercise, we created tree costumes, wore them, and came together to make a forest. This month
we studied owls and their prey. We enjoyed a science lab in which we dissected owl pellets to better understand
their food sources.
Another tremendous opportunity that our older students have each month is an art class at the Bascom
with the Literacy Council of Highlands. This experience features children's writers and artists. Last month we
drew, painted, and learned about Blue Dog. This month, we heard the story of Pete the Cat, I Love My White
Sneakers. We then created a Pete the Cat sculpture along with his decorated white sneakers. Artist-Educator
Kat Evans led us in this creative endeavor, and is preparing us for an art show in the spring. In each of these
collaborations, the Literacy Council provides our students with free books and magazines.
Finally, our own Hudson Library welcomes us to its monthly first Wednesday movie with popcorn and
snacks. We are grateful to all of our supporters and providers, first and foremost, First Presbyterian Church of
Highlands and all of our generous donors and volunteers (the Literacy Council of Highlands, the Bascom, the
Highlands Cashiers Land Trust, and the Hudson Library).
Merry
Christmas
SANTA’S EARLY ARRIVAL
PAGE 3
LESSONS AND CAROLS
On December14th the Chancel Choir along with guest musicians Valerie Whitcup, Harpist, Linda Lancaster,
Flutist, and Emily Scheider, Oboist, gave as a musical offering the traditional "Lessons and Carols."
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
Our Candlelight Christmas Eve service featured Michael Lancaster singing "Away in a Manger,"
accompanied by Linda Lancaster, Flutist and Valerie Whitcup, Harpist. The Sacred Sounds Handbell
Choir gave a musical offering of several Christmas carols. A highlight of the service was the children's
time with pastors Emily and Curtis.
PAGE 4
CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON
Wayne Coleman sang "Mary, Did You Know?" at the worship service on December 21st. A sumptuous luncheon
followed the service, with Angie Jenkins playing Christmas carols in Coleman Hall.
MANY ENJOYED THE LOVELY CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON HELD DECEMBER 21ST, PREPARED BY JOEL PORTER.
CHURCH HAPPENINGS
PAGE 5
MEET OUR NEW CHOIR INTERN
CHRISTMAS CAROL SING, DECEMBER 6TH
Austin McDowell is a baritone from the
small town of Denton, NC, located in
Davidson County. A junior at Western
Carolina University, he is a Communications
major with concentrations in Public
Relations and Journalism. Austin recently
told us, "I love singing, songwriting, and
training dogs as my hobbies."
HCCDC
Santa made a surprise visit at the Child Development Center of Highlands when he dropped in last Friday morning
to share breakfast with the children.
About 50 of the pupils enjoyed the meal with Santa, and then had a great time telling him what they want for Christmas.
Christmas stories were shared by all, and the children left the party looking very forward to Christmas Eve and seeing Santa again.
PAGE 6
February Birthdays
January Birthdays
Jan. 1
Jan. 5
Jan. 6
Jan. 8
Jan. 13
Jan. 14
Jan. 17
Jan. 18
Jan. 20
Jan. 21
Jan. 22
Jan. 25
Jan. 26
Jan. 31
Mike Campbell
Hilda Patrick
Frances Brasfield
Rick Demetriou
Boyd Letcher
Dottie Wise
Judy Mergler
Sandra Ballentine
George Lott
Lynne Browne
Angie Jenkins
Beth Greenlee
Jim Ashford
Sandy Barrow
Gay Graves
Mary Jo Askew
Jeff Cox
Bob Tietze
Teeter Smith
Don Paulk
Karen Leabo
January Anniversaries
Jan. 20
Jan. 21
Jan. 23
Jan. 29
Nancy & Jimmy Lowe
Deborah & Jim McKnight
Marge & Duane Meeter
Janice & Dan Topping
BIRTHDAYS
&
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
I
E
S
Feb. 4
Feb. 6
Feb. 8
Feb. 9
Feb. 11
Feb. 12
Feb. 15
Marge Meeter
Betty Fisher
Russell Jobson
Ann Herbert
Jim Bean
Bob Wright
Janet Connell
Carroll Peacock
Nancy Chandler
Bennie Jo Murray
Keturah Paulk
Dallis Copeland
Bill Zeller
Bill Gaston
Joan Berryhill
Jackie Hills
Timothy Perry
Feb. 16
Feb. 18
Feb. 20
Feb. 21
Feb. 22
Feb. 25
Feb. 27
Feb. 28
February Anniversaries
Feb. 5
Feb. 6
Feb. 10
Feb. 14
Feb. 24
Feb. 28
Dee & Gary Carnes
Kay & Teeter Smith
Ann & Claude Sullivan
Jennifer & Billy Creswell
Suzanne & Bruce Sloan
Triddy & Carroll Peacock
NOVEMBER 2014 TREASURER’S REPORT
Budget
Actual
762,908.00
791,622.00
(28,714.00)
722,797.00
773,403.00
(50,606.00)
Operating Income and Expenses
YTD Income
YTD Expenses
Net Income
PLEASE KEEP YOUR PLEDGES CURRENT!
Please keep in your prayers
these members and friends of the congregation:
Emily Reid Brigman (Janice & Dan Topping’s granddaughter),
Kitty Byers, Annette & Wayne Coleman, Mary Anne & William
Creswell, Haley Fisher (Don Fisher’s great niece), Fran & Bill
Gaston, Beth Greenlee, Brian Knox (Mindy Cook’s brother),
Alex & Simon Lake, Delaine Mehder, Keturah & Don Paulk,
Kay Philips (Jim Philips’mother), Laverne Sharp (Olivia Holt’s
mother), Martha Spruill and Ben Straughn (Greta & Dick
Decourcy’s grandson).
Please keep in your prayers
these members in the community and beyond:
Larry Black, Linda & Kenton David, Pete Farrer, Steve Hayner,
Frank Jemison, Jane & George Jerry, Cherry Martin (Bill’s wife),
Jim Shearon, Sandra Simmons and Buck Trott.
WOMEN’S STUDIES
The Women's Studies Group will meet on Wednesday,
January 7th at 10:15 in the library. We will study the fourth
lesson, Patience, in "Fruit of the Spirit.". Bring a sandwich and
something to share for lunch. All ladies of the church are invited to join us.
The Beyond the Walls Book Club is taking a holiday
break and will meet every Tuesday starting January 20th,
4 PM at The Ugly Dog Public House. They will discuss
one short story every week from the collection, Everything That Rises Must Converge, by Flannery O'Connor.
Church School 9:30
Worship 11:00 am
Annual Meeting of the
Congregation & Luncheon
25
Church School 9:30
Worship 11:00 am
18
Church School 9:30
Worship 11:00 am
11
19
8:00 Men’s Prayer Breakfast
3:00 Sonshine School
5:30 AA
26
Sonshine School Closed
Martin Luther King Jr
8:00 Men’s Prayer Breakfast
5:30 AA
5:30 AA
8:00 Men’s Prayer Breakfast
9:00 HCCDC Board Mtg
3:00 Sonshine School
12
14
10:15 Women’s Studies —
Library
11:30 Children’s Church
11:40-12:00 HCCDC Music
12:00 AA
3:00 Sonshine School
4:00 Staff - Library
7
WED
21
22
3:00 Sonshine School
15
3:00 Sonshine School
8
Office Closed
New Years Day
Sonshine School Closed
Winter Break
27
28
10:00 Bible Story Time HCCDC 11:30 Children’s Church
3:00 Sonshine School
11:40-12:00 HCCDC Music
5:30 AA
12:00 AA
3:00 Sonshine School
4:00 Staff - Library
5:30 Choir Rehearsal
29
3:00 Sonshine School
11:15-11:45 HCCDC Music
12:00 AA
3:00 Sonshine School
30
5:00 Wedding Rehearsal
11:15-11:45 HCCDC Music
12:00 AA
3:00 Sonshine School
23
11:15-11:45 HCCDC Music
12:00 AA
3:00 Sonshine School
16
11:00 HHCDC Finance Mtg.
11:15-11:45 HCCDC Music
12:00 AA
3:00 Sonshine School
Session Retreat
9
Sonshine School Closed
Winter Break
Office Closed
2
1
12:00 AA
FRI
THU
10:00 Bible Story Time HCCDC 11:30 Children’s Church
3:00 Sonshine School
5:30 AA
11:40-12:00 HCCDC Music
12:00 AA
Mission Team
4:00 Staff - Library
leaves for Bolivia
5:30 Choir Rehearsal begins
5:30 Literacy Board Mtg
Sonshine School Closed
Sonshine School Closed
Teacher Workday
Teacher Workday
20
3:00 Sonshine School
11:30 Children’s Church
10:00 Bible Story Time HCCDC 11:40-12:00 HCCDC Music
5:30 AA
12:00 AA
3:00 Sonshine School
4:00 Staff - Library
13
6
10:00 Land Stewards Meeting
10:00 Bible Story Time HCCDC
3:00 Sonshine School
5:30 AA
5
8:00 Men’s Prayer Breakfast
10:00 Removal of the greens
3:00 Sonshine School
5:30 AA
TUES
4
MON
Church School 9:30
Worship 11:00 am
Communion Sunday &
Ministry of the Farthest Pew
SUN
JANUARY 2015
Presbytery Meeting
31
5:00 Wedding
24
17
Session Retreat
10
3
SAT
PAGE 7
PAGE 8
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH
OF
HIGHLANDS
471 M AIN S TREET
P. O. B OX 548
HIGHLANDS , NC 28741
828-526-3175
FAX: 828-526-0784
E-M AIL: FPCH@FRONTIER .COM
WEB PAGE: FPCHIGHLANDS .ORG
Sanctuary hours for meditation are
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday—Friday
Church Sunday School 9:30 a.m.
8:30 a.m. Church Services
June through Labor Day weekend
Communion served every Sunday
11:00 a.m. Communion served the first
Sunday of every month
Lectionary Texts for January
As you prepare to come to worship, here are the scripture texts
that will make up the services during the month of January:
January 4
2nd Sunday after Christmas Day
Class of 2015
Congregational Care, Sally Copeland
Worship, Kathy Evans
Finance, Stewart Manning
Membership/Outreach, Donna Woods
Jer. 31:7-14
Ps. 147:12-20
Eph. 1:3-14
John 1: (1-9) 10-18
January 6
Epiphany of the Lord
Class of 2016
Children’s Ministry, Delaine Mehder
Personnel, Obie Oakley
Mission, Hillrie Quin
Clerk of Session, Claude Sullivan
Isa. 60:1-6
Ps. 72:1-7, 10-14
Eph. 31:1-12
Matt. 2:1-12
January 11
Baptism of the Lord
Class of 2017
Vision 20/20, Tom Joyner
Adult Education, Chad Lucas
Congregational Care,
Mary Anna McClendon
Property, Bob Tietze
Gen. 1:1-5
Ps. 29
Acts 19:1-7
Mark 1:4-11
January 18
1 Sam 3:1-10 (11-20)
Ps. 139:1-6, 13-18
1 Cor. 6:12-20
John 1:43-51
2nd Sunday After Epiphany
Ministers
The Congregation
January 25
Jonah 3:1-5, 10
Ps. 62:5-12
1 Cor. 7:29-31
Mark 1:14-20
3rd Sunday After Epiphany
Staff
Jennifer Creswell, Administrative Manager
Raychael Evans, Administrative Assistant
Steve Mehder, Church Treasurer
Michael Lancaster, Director of Worship/
Music
Angie Jenkins, Organist/
Music Coordinator
Joel Porter, Food Coordinator
Kyle Clark, Property Manager
Janice Mathis & Keri Raby,
Nursery Assistants
Mozelle Edwards,
Sonshine School Director
Briana Jenkins, Sonshine Assistant
Pastors
Curtis Fussell
Emily Wilmarth
Raychael Evans and Marty Boone
publish our Newsletter.
If you have an article to submit,
please email it to Raychael at:
fpchrevans@frontier.com by the
15th of the month. If you would
like to receive our
newsletter by e-mail, please
e-mail or call the church office
at 526-3175.
To provide flowers
for a loved one,
please fill out a
flower leaflet located
upstairs next to the
flower calendar or
downstairs located at
the Receptionist’s
desk.