Weekly Update
Your Weekly Update
Missing Christmas
This year’s Advent series will focus on various ways we trivialize, minimize, and miss the message and meaning of Christmas. Each week will highlight a theme that gets in the way of a true experience of celebrating Christ. We hope to see you as we prepare for Christmas together.
December 17th – When it’s not a wonderful Life – Idealizing the past
Children’s Program at 11:15am service
December 24th – The 120 days of Christmas – Holiday Excess
One service at 10:00am
December 24th – Copying Christmas – Traditions, Rituals, and Meaning
Christmas Eve services at 4:00pm and 6:00pm
Advent is from a Latin word meaning “arrive,” and is used in the church for the season that precedes Christmas. The themes of Advent are waiting, expecting, joy, hope, love, and peace. Advent offers us an opportunity not to rush ahead to Christmas but prepare our hearts and minds in order to experience the true meaning of the arrival of Christ.
Progressive Nativity
You and your family are invited to experience the story of the Nativity in a new way. Start by driving to Calvary Methodist Church in Arnolds Park and then make your way through 3 other churches including FPC and experience scenes from the story of Advent. The Nativity will include inter-active story-telling and songs from local congregations. Please join us for the Progressive Nativity December 17th, 6-8pm.
Thank You
Dear Friends … thank you so much for your prayers, phone calls, flowers, cards, and memory gifts following the death of my Mom, Ann Harris. Donna Rieck
Thank You
The Presbyterian Women say thank you to all who contributed in many ways to our Christmas luncheon. The women who baked and prepared food, the men who served and did kitchen clean up. You are a blessing to all.
FPC Wear
Orders are being taken for clothing printed with a FPC logo.
Color choices- black, grey, navy blue or pink
– logo printed in white.
Sizes s-xl are priced as listed below (add $2 for xxl and $3 for xxl)
Short Sleeve Tee – $7
Long Sleeve Tee – $9
Crewneck Sweatshirt – $13
Hooded Sweatshirt – $16
Embroidered Nike polo shirts are also available in Black, Dark Grey, and Midnight Navy for $35
Order forms – please see our web site www.fpcspiritlake.org or stop by the office. This first round of orders need to be placed by Friday, December 15th. If we have others that want to order, we will place another later on.
First Presbyterian is offering something special this Advent Season.
Advent Yoga
If the holidays find you a bit scattered and anxious,
come gather with a community of other scattered souls.
Let’s slow down together.
If the holidays leave you exhausted and gasping for air, this class is for you.
If you love to move your body, this class is for you.
If you have never done yoga, this class is for you.
If slowing life down sounds peaceful, this class is for you.
As we “wait” through the Advent season to celebrate our Lord’s birth, let’s intentionally pause together with Advent Yoga. Gathering our scattered pieces, we will connect our body, mind and soul allowing us the opportunity to focus on the real reason for the season.
First Presbyterian Church member and certified Yoga instructor Coral Cochran-Bray will be leading Gentle Yoga which will be accessible to everyone regardless of age or experience. Bring a mat if you have one and wear comfortable athletic attire.
Sundays: December 17th. 2:00-3:00pm
Christmas Caroling
The congregation will be sharing Christmas carols with shut ins and community members on Wednesday, December 20th starting at 6:00pm. All students and families are invited to join us for our pizza dinner starting at 5:30pm and join us as we share Christmas favorites with others!
Wednesday, December 13th
Meal: Chicken Noodle Soup
Meal Crew: Pat Thomson, Marcia Eckerman, Edna VanderWolde & Mike May
Join us at Recharge with a meal beginning at 5:30pm, full youth programming, and multiple exciting adult classes to choose from at 6:10pm. Pick up a Recharge brochure in the Narthex, sign up to help on our meal rotation, and be sure to join us for another exciting year of fellowship and discipleship!
Adult Ed Classes:
- Esther in the Women’s Bible Study led by Rachelle Gewecke
- Making a Difference led by Pastor Clint
- Explore the New Testament with the Great Course by Professor Bart Ehrman begins December 6th.
- Freezer Meal Class
Sunday School “Snack Providers and Servers”
A sign-up sheet and PEANUT/NUT-FREE SNACK LIST is placed in the library window or you may sign up online. Please take a snack list and sign up for your favorite date!! 5 dozen snacks and 2 large juice (not red please) are needed for Sunday School. If you leave the worship service during the last hymn, you have time to prepare your snacks for serving. On December 17th snacks will be provided by Sunday School staff.
Church Directories Are Here
If you had your picture taken for the church directory, stop by the library window and pick up your copy. If you didn’t have a picture taken, please call or email the church office about getting your directory.
Annual Christmas Party
Ladies of the Mary/Martha Bible Study/Circle Group will be gathering to meet for the Annual Christmas Party for lunch at Remington’s on Thursday, December 14th, 11:30am. (Dutch Treat) Any ladies who would like to join us are welcome to come. All those who wish to participate in a gift exchange, please bring a $5 gift. Please call Cheri at 336-1649 or Charlene at 330-6668 by December 13th to RSVP.
Following our lunch, we are planning to return to the church to put together “goodie” plates for our shut-ins and local concerns to deliver for Christmas. Any of you wishing to join us, are welcome! We could love to have you.
Christmas Goodies Await You!
Congregational Life invites you to a Christmas Fellowship, Sunday, December 17th at 10 a.m. Enjoy a Hot Chocolate Bar, Apple Cider, Christmas Goodies, Christmas music and of course, coffee! This fellowship will be while the youth are preparing to bring us their Christmas message at the 11:15 a.m. service.
Thanks for joining us!
Children’s Christmas Program
The Christmas program featuring students from PreK-8th grade will be held during the second worship service (at 11:15am) on December 17th. The Christmas celebration will be held throughout the entire service of worship and will feature the full Adult Chancel Choir, student led music and much more. We sincerely hope that you and your family will join us for this Christmas celebration!
We will be doing a dress rehearsal practice on Sunday, December 17th at 10:00am, during regular Sunday School time.
Volunteers Needed
Just a reminder that on Sunday, December 17th at 2pm volunteers are needed to help move furniture and pull carpet in the Christian Ed wing. Please bring any tools you think might be helpful. Thank you in advance!!
High School Christmas Party
This year’s High School Christmas Party will be held on December 17th starting at 7:00pm. Join us for a white elephant exchange ($10 maximum), Christmas music, Christmas goodies, and Christmas related games. It will be a night full of fun and fellowship, we look forward to seeing you there!
Advent Poinsettias
This year we will be supporting the Cherish Center as our Mission Project. If you are willing to share a poinsettia with us and donate to the Cherish Center, the cost is $15. For a poinsettia only $11.25. Please contact Cheri in the office at 336-1649. Please let her know if this poinsettia is in memory of, or honoring someone.
Ushers and Greeters needed for Christmas Eve services.
Christmas Eve falls this year on Sunday. There will be 3 services: one regular Sunday service at 10am, and two Christmas Eve services at 4 and 6 pm.
We still need…
10am Worship Service – 3 Ushers
6pm Christmas Eve Service – 1 Usher
If you are willing to help for at one of those services, please let Bob Peterson (332-6374) or Cheri (office) know, or see the sign up poster in the narthex.
- Our sympathies are extended to the family of Jim & Kathy Nygaard on the passing of Kathy’s brother, Tim Larson, this past week.
- Our sympathies are extended to the family of Darla Ubben on her passing this past week.
- Pam DeHaan, Rachelle Gewecke’s mom, upcoming angiogram.
- Laura Fagen’s mom, Pat, in Hospice Care.
- Kolby suffering with chest pains.
- Kristen Kuiper recovering from a stroke.
- Dave Bartels recovering from breathing difficulties at home.
- Keith Moriston recovering from 2nd knee replacement surgery.
- Tomy Norman recovering from a shattered hip.
- Denice Wiersma battling cancer.
- Helen Gerth dealing with medical issues.
- Rod Johnson cancer has returned.
- Pauly Eaton diagnosed with cancer.
- Lawrence Lupkes’ cancer returned.
- Rachel Fisher dealing with pregnancy complications.
- Kathy Huitink being treated for pressure sores.
- Russ Thomson dealing with medical issues.
- A young man recovering from injuries.
- Abby, Pauly Eaton’s granddaughter suffering injuries after car accident.
- Jen Watts niece, Ellie, as she prepares for her initial partial prosthetic and therapy.
- Kelly Swancutt’s uncle having tests.
- Charles Klaassen having tests in Sioux Falls.
- Holly Hansen recovering from radiation.
- Steve Kwikkel with pancreatic cancer & chemo.
- Cindy Phillips clear PET scan, doing chemo maintenance.
- Laurie Phillips dealing with medical issues.
- Emily Butterworth recovering from surgery.
- Karen Clark dealing with medical issues.
Loved ones are kept on our prayer list for one
month, unless otherwise requested.
Upcoming Meetings:
December 13th
- Weekly Prayer – 4:45pm
- Recharge – 5:30pm
- High School Youth Group – 6:45pm
- Adult Handbell Rehearsal – 7pm
- Chancel Choir Rehearsal – 8pm
December 14th
- Ladies Coffee Break at Hey Good Cookies – 8:30am
- Men’s Bible Study – 9am
- Act II at the High School office – 11:20am
December 17th
- Reformed Worship Service – 8:50am
- Coffee and fellowship – 10am
- Sunday School Christmas Program Practice -10:15am
- Confirmation – 10:15am
- Adult Ed Classes – 10:30am
- Reforming Worship Service – 11:15am
December 18th
- No PW Sewing
- Stewardship Committee Meeting – 5:15pm
December 19th
- Tues Women’s Bible Study – 1:30pm
- Session Meeting – 7pm
Reformed Worship Service ~ 8:50am
December 17th
Pianist – Arla Stover
Liturgist – Gloria Ditsworth
Ushers – Sandy Goetsch, LaVonne Geertsema, Dar Sheldon & Bob Peterson
Greeters – Art & Phyllis Attema
Video Taping – Owen Primavera
Soundbooth – Jackie Jenkins, Mike Reekers & Tom Ditsworth
Nursery – Laurie Steinkuehler
Coffee – Edna VanderWolde & Jan Bowles
Reforming Worship Service ~ 11:15am
December 17th
Nursery – Sarah Dirks
Sound & Power Point – Sill family
Read your Newsletter here
Share
Tweet
Forward
This email was sent to
why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences
First Presbyterian Church · 3501 Hill Ave · Spirit Lake, IA 51360 · USA
