Sunday Worship at 10:30 a.m.
304-343-8961
Lessons & Carols
Sympathy of the Congregation is extended to:
- the family of Barbara Gastineau, on her death, December 7.
- Drema Young on the death of her son, David Slack, December 3.
- Kim Smith on the death of her father.
Next Week’s Sermon is: “Rumors of Glory: Saving Grace”, by Bill McCoy.
Wee People Report: Mary and Joseph continue their journey, moving closer to Bethlehem. The sheep seem to enjoy climbing. You may find one on your pew! Look for red-headed Gloria, the angel who just may join the choir…
The Preschool Weekday School children cordially invite you to their Christmas Worship service in the Sanctuary on Wednesday, December 16 at 12:10 p.m. Come and enjoy wonderful sounds of the season from the children of the Preschool.
Our Parish Nurses will be providing blood pressure checks in the Cablish Room following worship service today. This ministry is available to everyone.
Presbyterian Women Christmas Luncheon: Tayan Cooper as Ralphie Parker, Elizabeth Cary Brown as the Mother and Eric Hudnall as the Old Man will perform selections from the Charleston Light Opera Guild’s upcoming Christmas Production of the musical version of A Christmas Story at the PW Luncheon, Thursday, December 17 at 12 noon.
Tableau Rehearsal is Sunday, December 20, from 2-4 p.m. in the sanctuary for all participants. The Christmas Tableau is December 24, Christmas Eve, at 5 p.m. All participants need to arrive at 4 p.m. and meet in the chapel on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Memorials: Envelopes are in the pew racks for contributions to our Worship Memorial Fund in honor or memory of loved ones. Names will be printed in a special insert for the Christmas worship bulletins. Deadline is today. These Christmas Memorials are given to enrich worship at the church.
Youth Group will meet tonight from 4:30-8 p.m. at Rock Lake Presbyterian Church in South Charleston. If you need a ride from First Presby, meet in the church parking lot by 4 p.m. We will wrap gifts, visit a nursing home, and enjoy a Christmas party. We will be back at First Presby parking lot by 8:30 p.m.
Alternative Gifts: What is an alternative gift? Alternative giving is a form of gift giving in which the giver makes a donation to a charitable organization on the gift recipient’s behalf, rather than giving them an item. Alternative gifts offer hope, new life, and inspires change for people facing desperate situations. This year we have six alternative gift card opportunities: Bibles for Christians in Congo, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (US Flood Relief), Hubbard Hospice House, International Justice, Read Aloud West Virginia, West Virginia Ministry of Advocacy and Workcamps (WVMAW). Unique, hand-crafted alternative gift cards will be available in the main church hallway today and every Sunday through December 20. They will also be available in the Church Office during the week.
Food Pantry Needs: Pasta, 1 Pound Bags of Dried Beans, Peanut Butter
Hope Village is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and after worship on Sundays through December 19. You will find items from many countries in the Village and the artisans receive a fair and just wage for their work.
Archery will be held Saturday, December 19, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in the Bud Francis Recreation Room Adults and children 10 years or older are welcome to participate.
The Giving Tree: We are continuing the Giving Tree this month! Each month the money raised through Giving Tree helps to obtain an item that children at the Gethsemane Learning Center in Ayacucho, Peru are in need of. For the months of January and February, the item we will help provide is mittens! The children will enjoy bringing their financial offering to Sunday School (9:15 a.m. in the Chapel). Giving Tree envelopes are available each Sunday in the Chapel. Watch as the tree “comes to life” with the giving of our children!
Do You Have Family in the Military? We would like to honor our active duty members on our “In the Military” Bulletin Board. Please drop off or send a picture of your loved one to the office this month, especially if they will be home for the holidays and you are able to take a current photo.
December Year-end Giving: If you have a balance on your 2015 pledge, please try to make your gift before the end of December. Refer to your December newsletter for IRS rules on when we receipt gifts for tax purposes. Gifts of securities are receipted when they are received in the church brokerage account, not when they are transferred out of your account, and we won’t receive the proceeds for at least 3 business days after the sale of the shares. Thank you for your support.
Interested in playing Men’s or Women’s volleyball this winter? Please contact Megan Buckalew at mbuckalew35@gmail.com. Adults and youth 13 or older may participate. No experience necessary.
The Christmas Joy Offering is received next Sunday, December 20: Promises Made, Promises Kept. Supporting past, present, and future leaders How is my gift used? A gift to the Christmas Joy Offering helps provide financial assistance to current and former church workers and their families and also enables deserving students to attend Presbyterian-related racial ethnic colleges and schools. Consider how you will give to this PC(USA) special offering.
Urgent Needs Offering: December 24: During the Christmas Eve worship, you will have the opportunity to give to “Urgent Needs.” This offering goes directly to the Emergency Assistance Program.. The Urgent Needs Offering is received just twice a year. Please give generously.
Reminder: If you have placed flowers in the sanctuary in honor or memory of loved ones during 2015, please be sure to make your payment payable to First Presbyterian church and deliver or mail to the church office by December 31, 2015.
Equal Exchange Project: Linda Elliott is preparing individual or corporate gift baskets for the holiday season. Equal Exchange has 100% organic fairly traded products. Sales guarantee small farmers around the world a fair price for their products and is indeed a life line for the farmer and family. The project is thankful for your patronage over the years. You can reach Linda at 304-344-2075 or e-mail koffeelade@gmail.com.
Logos Begins the Winter/Spring semester on Wednesday, January 6, at 5 p.m. Registration forms are in the main hallway for pre kindergarten through high school. Please call Janet Chambers or email janet@firstpresby.com.
NO CHURCH DINNER THIS WEDNESDAY- DINNERS RESUME JANUARY 6, 2016