Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m.
Worship is broadcast at 11:00 a.m. on WCHS-580AM
304-343-8961
FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT
Sympathy of the congregation is extended to:
- the family of Shelia Pringle who died on November 17.
- Nancy Struthers on the death of her sister-in-law, Ruth Gregory, on November 15 in Buckhannon, WV.
Next Week’s Sermon is “Fruit Worthy of Repentance” by Doug Jenkins. Gospel Lesson is Matthew 3:1-12
Cents-Ability offering is received today: At this time of year we get many requests for once a year donations to help the needy during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. Cents-Ability is there all year long for people who would otherwise be hungry in all seasons. Please do not forget your Cents-Ability offering today.
Advent Workshop: On Wednesday, November 30, the Advent Workshop with arts and crafts will begin at 5:00 p.m., followed by a dinner menu of pizza at 6:00 p.m. Cost is Adult/$7; Child 12-under/$3; Child under 3 free; Family max $20. THIS IS NOT A LOGOS NIGHT, and reservations must be made for dinner by 4 p.m. Monday, November 28. After the holidays, LOGOS will resume on January 11, with “Police Appreciation” night including special guests. LOGOS will conclude with a celebration on April 5. Pine branches are needed for the Advent workshop. We are asking for donations of pine branches and holly for wreath making during Advent Workshop. Contact Janet Chambers if you have any questions.
Hope Village is open for all of your Christmas shopping needs. Stop by our newly expanded store in the Susie Early room to see all of the stunning products. Clothing, household goods, jewelry, baskets, nativity sets, olive oil, purses, scarves, the list goes on and on! You really must see all of the merchandise to believe how beautiful it is. Every single item has a story behind it–a story of how lives are being transformed and hope is provided by your purchase. Hope Village is a mission outreach of First Presby-100% of the proceeds go back to the artisans. Store hours are Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, from 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. and after worship on Sunday. Come on in, we have a story to tell!
Sojourners’ Class continues to study “Jesus and His Jewish Influences,” on Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m. in Room 411 in the Education Building. Dr. Jodi Magness delivers her nineteenth lecture on “Anarchy in Judea” (DVD). Everyone is welcome to join us for learning and lively discussion.
Healthy Living for your Brain and Body: For centuries, we’ve known that the health of the brain and the body are connected. Now science is able to provide insights into how to make lifestyle choices that may help keep your brain and body healthy as you age. Join the class on Sunday, December 4, at 9:15 a.m. in Room 201 in the Activities Building.
Christmas Eve Tableau costuming will be next Sunday, December 4, at 12:00 p.m. Everyone is to meet on the third floor of the Education Building. Dress rehearsal will be on Sunday, December 18, from 2:00-4:30 p.m. All tableau sign-ups are due no later than December 1.
This Week’s Food Pantry Needs: Soups and Spaghettio Type Canned Foods
Giving Tuesday: On November 29 we’re joining more than 40,000 organizations promoting generosity through a global movement called #GivingTuesday. This annual event uses social media to inspire people to give back. This year, we’re focusing on a special campaign — our bus ministry. We purchased a new bus this spring and financed it through our credit union. We use the bus every Sunday to bring people to worship who otherwise would not be able to attend. The bus transports our Vacation Bible School children delivering gifts to shut-ins, cookies to Hospice House, and other “Intentional Acts of Kindness.” The Youth Groups travel together to do mission work in needy communities, and to Presbytery-wide spiritual retreats. If you would like to help pay down the outstanding balance on the bus, or fund a portion of our $777 monthly payment, go to firstpresby.com and click on the giving link, or text 73256 to “firstpresby” and select BUS MINISTRY. Thank you!
Many ways to support our ministries: In addition to traditional cash and checks in the offering plate, you can give via your smart phone on our website firstpresby.com, through our mobile app “Church Life” (you must first set up a user profile on our website to use the Church Life app.) or by texting 73256 to “firstpresby.” Use the QE code card in your pew rack to go directly to our giving page. God loves a Cheerful Giver J
All LOGOS children and youth will hold our final rehearsal for Lessons and Carols this Wednesday, November 30 at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary following the Advent Workshop and pizza supper.
Decorating for Christmas! The Worship Division invites you to join in decorating the sanctuary with us after church supper this Wednesday evening, November 30, at 6:45 p.m. The LOGOS rehearsal for Lessons and Carols will accompany our work. Everyone is welcome!
Manna Meal Sandwich Making Next Sunday: The Elementary Sunday School Children will be making 200 sandwiches next Sunday, December 4, during the Sunday School Hour. Adults are always welcome to help with this project and to help deliver the sandwiches and fruit to Manna Meal. Meet in the chapel at 9:15 a.m.
Please pray for the Session and for the members of the Strategic Planning Task Force as they seek God’s will and direction for the future of our church. Members of the Strategic Planning Task Force are Mike Graney, Kristen Harrison, Charlie Lorenson, Nikki Moses, Dave Nolan, Sandy Zando, and Bill McCoy (ex-officio).
Mark your calendars for Lessons and Carols worship on December 11, 2016. Singers, readers, ringers, and instrumentalists, including the brass players from the West Virginia Symphony, will tell the Christmas story in Word and music during 10:30 a.m. worship service. Don’t miss it!
Presbyterian Coffee Project: Coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolates, raisins, and nuts continue to be available for purchase after worship and during the week during church business hours. Baskets Are Needed to be used to create gift baskets for holiday gifts, using items from the Presbyterian Coffee Project. Also needed is tissue paper, all colors, new and used. Items can be left in church office.
Children’s Bible Study: Following Time with Young Disciples and the Passing of the Peace, all children in grades one-five are invited to join us for Bible Study in room E-113. Janet Chambers will walk the children to their classroom. If this is your child’s first time visiting Children’s Bible Study, please accompany them to the room so that you can sign them in and get acquainted with our teachers.
Youth Group will do a game night or movie night tonight at 6:00 p.m.
More about the music: Below is an excerpt from Glory to God: A Companion about this morning’s middle hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” This quintessential Advent hymn has one of the longest histories of any postbiblical text in this hymnal. The stanzas brought together here date from at least the 9th century and were originally a set of prose antiphons or refrains created for use in the daily Latin evening service of vespers and were intended to be sung immediately before and after the singing of the Magnificat, the Song of Mary, on the seven days before Christmas Eve…Because in both Latin and English these antiphons all begin with ‘O,’ they came to be known collectively as the ‘Great “O”‘s,’…In some monasteries and convents there was a custom that one person was appointed to sing the ‘Great O’ antiphon of the day (colloquially known as ‘making one’s O’). In thanksgiving for this signal honor and mark of status within the community, the person appointed would be obligated to prepare or provide the drinks or meal that followed, a convivial but potentially expensive way of preparing for the coming celebration.” For more tidbits about our music and hymn texts, visit a church copy of Glory to God: A Companion by Reverend Carl P. Daw, Jr. M.A., M.Div., Ph.D in our church library, or look through the copy on the piano at the front of the sanctuary after worship.
Geneva Choir for youth and adult’s welcomes sopranos, altos, tenors, basses, and everyone in between. No prior musical experience is required; just a servant heart and a sense of humor. We rehearse on Thursday evenings from 7:30-9:00 p.m. in the Choir Room at the top of the stairs above the Susie Early Room. Come sing with us!
Alternative Gifts for this Christmas Season: In addition to the wonderful Hope Village and Presbyterian Coffee Project items that you can purchase for those on your Christmas list, Alternative Gift opportunities will also be available this year through the Presbyterian Giving Catalog. This catalog, located in the main church hallway, features over 40 items to choose from–like livestock, garden wells, and emergency relief supplies. These items translate into real and positive impact for thousands of people throughout this world. Give the gifts that keep on giving!! If you have any questions, please contact Sue Webster.
Oh the weather outside is frightful…” these lyrics have little meaning to use in mid-November. Although sometimes it does get quite cold in November, we’ve not had frightful weather yet this year…it is coming! We are asking each family to bring a new pair of mittens or gloves, of any size (especially bright colorful ones!) to hang on the Christmas tree outside the Preschool Office. All of the mittens, gloves, hats and scarves benefit local children. Help us fill the tree …with love! Thank you!
Holiday Movie Night: Fellowship & Recreation is hosting a holiday movie night on Friday, December 9, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. We will show two movies. The early showing will be geared towards children, and the later showing will be geared towards youth. There will be a popcorn bar, seasonal snacks, and a drinks provided. Please join us for holiday fellowship and good cheer!
Advent Workshop Pizza Dinner, November 30
Please make reservations by 4:00 p.m. Monday.
Please complete the form below or contact the church office (304-343-8961) for reservations.
Hosts: Deacons & Covenant Sunday School Class
Return the tear-off portion below for your dinner reservation.
Wednesday Dinner – November 30, 2016– 6:00 p.m.
First-time visitor, be our guest—no charge!
NAME_______________________________________PHONE______________________________
______Adults _______Children 3 through 12 _______Children 2 and under
PRICE FOR DINNER
Adult/$7; Child 12-under/$3; Child under 3 is free
Menu: Pizza, Salad, Fruit, & Cookies
This Week at First Presbyterian
Sunday, 11/27
First Sunday in Advent/Communion
9:15 Sunday School
10:00 Music Warm-up
10:30 Worship
11:30-12:30 Hope Village Open
11:45 Service of Healing
6:00 Youth Group
Monday, 11/28
8:30 Aerobics
Tuesday, 11/29
9:30 Bible Study
4:00 Trustee Meeting
5:15 Strategic Planning Task Force
7:00 Boy Scouts
Wednesday, 11/30
8:00 Wednesday Work Crew
8:30 Aerobics
10-2 Hope Village Open
11:45 Men’s Group, Bistro
5-6 Advent Workshop
6:00 Pizza Dinner
6:30 LOGOS Music Rehearsal
6:45 Decorate Sanctuary-Worship Division
7:30 Worship Music Team
Thursday, 12/1
7:30 Shoney’s Group, Downtown
10:00 PW Coordinating Team
10-2 Hope Village Open
11:30 PW Bible Moderators
5:30 Capella Bells Rehearsal
7:30 Geneva Choir
Friday, 12/2
7:00 Men’s Group
8:30 Aerobics
Saturday, 12/3
10-2 Hope Village Open
10 Archery
Daily Scripture Schedule for December, 2016:
Thursday, December 1
Luke 20:27-40
Friday, December 2
Luke 20:41-21:4
Saturday, December 3
Luke 21:5-19
Sunday, December 4
Luke 7:28-35
Monday, December 5
Luke 21:20-28
Tuesday, December 6
Luke 21:29-38
Wednesday, December 7
John 7:53-8:11
Thursday, December 8
Luke 22:1-13
Friday, December 9
Luke 22:14-30
Saturday, December 10
Luke 22:31-38
Sunday, December 11
John 3:22-30
Monday, December 12
Luke 22:39-53
Tuesday, December 13
Luke 22:54-696-
Wednesday, December 14
Mark 1:1-8
Thursday, December 15
Matthew 3:1-12
Friday, December 16
Matthew 11:2-15
Saturday, December 17
Luke 3:1-9
Sunday, December 18
John 3:16-21
Monday, December 19
John 5:30-47
Tuesday, December 20
Luke 1:5-25
Wednesday, December 21
Luke 1:26-38
Thursday, December 22
Luke 1:39-48a (48b-56)
Friday, December 23
Luke 1:57-66
Saturday, December 24
Luke 1:67-80
Saturday, December 25
John 3:31-36
Monday, December 26
Acts 759-8:8
Tuesday, December 27
John 13:20-35
Wednesday, December 28
Matthew 18:1-14
Thursday, December 29
John 7:37-52
Friday, December 30
John 7:53-8:11
Saturday, December 31
John 8:12-19