Weekly Update
Your Weekly Update
Advent Reader Needed
We are still looking for an Advent reader and candle lighter for our Advent service on Monday, December 24th at 4pm. If you and your family would like to participate in the advent wreath during this service, please let us know. Thank you.
Advent Sermon Series
The Music and Message of Christmas
This year we will be letting some favorite songs of Christmas guide our advent journey. Each week, we will use a song that highlights a particular part of the Christmas story and tie it to the part of the Bible that inspired the music. Hopefully, not only will it mean you get to hear and sing your favorite Christmas Hymn, we also get to learn something from the scene it describes. Hope you can join us as we begin our path toward the manger.
Dec. 9th – Looking for Christmas – “We Three kings”
Dec. 16th – A Christmas you didn’t expect – “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
Dec 23rd – Everyone’s Invited – “Angels we have heard on High”
Dec 24th – What happens when Christmas arrives? – “Silent Night”
High School Hockey Outing
All High School students are invited to join us for a trip to Sioux City on December 8th to watch the Sioux City Musketeers take on the Sioux Falls Stampede. We will be leaving First Presbyterian Church at 2:00pm leaving plenty of time to browse the Sioux City mall and eat your choice of dinner in the food court. We will go to the game at 7:05pm and return immediately following. The cost for transportation and the game is $10, supper and any shopping at the mall is your own expense. RSVPs must be submitted to Pastor Michael to attend the trip by Wednesday Dec. 5th. We hope you will join us for this exciting winter fellowship event!
FIN (Families In Need)
Our high school Sunday school class is putting together a project called F.I.N. (aka Families In Need). This project is aiming to put together baskets of goodies, gifts, and other items for about ten families in need in this community. The baskets will be dropped off anonymously to each family before Christmas.
Each family is one that the high school students know through school, so each family has at least one high school age child. Therefore, gifts cards to stores, the movies, Starbucks, Jimmy Johns, Casey’s etc. are a great idea. Some fun clothing or accessory items like nail polish would also be great. Games would always be a fun choice as well.
Some families also do have younger children, so if you want to buy some smaller toys those would be appreciated. There is a box in the Narthex where these gifts will be collected.
Since these baskets are for Christmas, we thought including some seasonal baked goods would be special, so if you enjoy baking, there will be a special drop off day for you to bring those donations. And, if you would like to donate money to F.I.N, just drop it off to Cheri in the church office. Checks can be made out to First Presbyterian Church. All the money will be used by the high school Sunday school class to buy additional items for the baskets.
Please join us on Wednesday, December 12th at 4pm,
for our Annual Hanging of the Greens.
PW Christmas Luncheon Workers Needed
Ladies, please check the sign up sheet in the narthex to see where you can help with our annual PW Christmas Luncheon. Please invite all your friends.
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 16th, 5-6:30pm. At the final stop, Grace Lutheran Church and First Presbyterian Church will host hot chocolate, apple cider and holiday goodies.
Recharge Craft supply requests
-
Fiber fill (for a pillow project)
Please leave supplies in the craft room. Thanks!
Jill Jennings
Congregational Life trip to Algona
The Congregational Life Committee would like to invite you to visit the Algona P.O.W. museum and nativity Saturday, December 15th. We will leave the church parking lot at 2pm. We should arrive at the museum about 3:30. After about an hour at the museum we will go and see the nativity scene constructed by the German P.O.W.’s while they were held at Camp Algona during WWII. Viewing of the nativity scene will be followed by dinner and fellowship at a nice restaurant in Algona. Each person will pay for their own dinner and admission to the museum is $3 per person. Please RSVP in the church office or to tonyjill.jennings@gmail.com so we can let the restaurant know how many to expect.
Youth Christmas Program
The Christmas program featuring students from PreK-8th grade will be held during the second worship service (at 11:15am) on December 16th. 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!
Parents of Sunday School children are invited to bring their children to Youth Christmas Program practice during Recharge on the next two Wednesdays, December 5 & 12.
Christmas Goodies Await You!
Congregational Life invites you to a Christmas Fellowship, Sunday, December 16th at 10 between services. Enjoy a Hot Chocolate Bar, Apple Cider, Christmas Goodies, 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!
Sound, Audio & Video Volunteers
If you are interested in learning more about our new system or are currently volunteering, please contact Tom Ditsworth at 336-1649 or tom@fpcspiritlake.org for information on upcoming training sessions on the new system.
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 $11.75. Please contact Cheri in the office at 336-1649 and let her know if this poinsettia is in memory of, or honoring someone.
Christmas Eve Usher Needed
If you are interested in being an usher on Christmas Eve at our 6pm Service, please see the sign-up sheet in the Narthex.
Attention Sewers:
The children’s and lap quilts are now in the fellowship hall and ready for completion. Please take them home and complete one or as many as you like. These quilts have been given in the past to CAASA, Dickinson County Public Health for the “New Moms” program, Lakes Regional Healthcare for the new babies, Gentiva Hospice and Hilltop Care Center. Your help with this project provides warmth to many members of our community and beyond.
Reforming (2nd) Service Ushers/Greeters Needed
We are in need of Ushers/Greeters for our 2nd Service. Responsibilities include distributing bulletins and greeting worshippers at the center sanctuary doors as well as taking a head count of worshippers (including praise and worship team and those in the nursery. A sign-up sheet is located in the narthex. Sign up for one week or whatever works with your schedule.
Ladies….of all ages:
Coffee break time every Thursday morning, 8:30 AM is at Lakes Regional Healthcare Coffee Shop. No agenda, just get together with friends and a little chit chat.
Questions: Call Lori Vicker at 515-249-6684.
Recharge is a multi-generational gathering of families, youth, and adults. All church members and guests are invited to participate in the weekly evening of rejuvenation, including a family style meal, educational programming, and fellowship. A schedule of activities and semester pricing are both listed below. We look forward to seeing you and your family!
Wednesday, December 5th
Meal: Potatoes & Ham
Meal Crew: Jane Loveall, Barb Johnson, Paul Johnson
Adult Ed Classes:
Women’s Bible Study – Rachelle Gewecke
With All Your Heart – Ray Miller
Major Religions – Pastor Clint
- Our sympathies are extended to the family of Don & Jean Goodenow on the passing of Don’s brother, Bruce, this past week.
- Our sympathies are extended to the family of Dave Rowlands on his passing this past week. A memorial service will be held for Dave at Turner Jenness Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 5th at 11am.
- Brent Kasson having surgery on Wednesday.
- Heidi Brittain hospitalized with health issues.
- Jeri Lowry admitted to LRH Hospice.
- Jay Anderson recovering at home.
- Laurie Phillips hospitalized with ongoing treatment.
- Donna Rieck recovering from knee surgery.
- Ida Estes has moved to Bee Hive Homes, Room 8, 6330 Hazeltine Blvd, Excelsior, MN 55331
- Kathy Nygaard admitted to hospice care.
- Bill Cramer receiving cancer treatments.
- Scott & Elaine Greer recovering from kidney transplant.
- Pat Lamoureux dealing with cancer.
- Marcia Hill continued recovery.
- Connie Rohlk rehabbing a broken kneecap at Longhouse Care Center, Spencer.
- Sherry Fuhrman recovering from injuries.
- Dave Bartels recovering from surgery.
- Keith Swancutt recovering from angioplasty.
- Bev Quail starting cancer treatment.
- Gary Hansen dealing with medical issues.
- Gloria Ditsworth recovering from knee surgery.
- Beth Primavera recovering from knee surgery.
- Jim Ellingson waiting for a kidney.
- Gilbert (friends of the Klosters) receiving hospice care.
- Pauly Eaton recovering from a fall.
- Jack Burrell recovering from knee surgery.
- Macy Jennings fighting lymes disease plus, four co-infections..
- Gary Eaton diagnosed with cancer.
- Dorothy Fiala hospitalized with health issues.
- Patti Meyer diagnosed with alzheimers.
- Marj Roseberry dealing with health issues.
- Marty Jenkins treating an infection.
Loved ones are kept on our prayer list for one month, unless otherwise requested.
Upcoming Meetings:
December 5th
- Weekly Prayer – 4:45pm
- Recharge – 5:30pm
- Adult Handbell Choir practice – 7pm
- HS Youth Group – 7:15pm
- Chancel Choir practice – 8pm
December 6th
- Men’s Bible Study – 9am
- ACT II – 11:53am
- PW Coordinating Team Meeting – 4:30pm
December 8th
- High School Hockey Outing – 2pm (leaving FPC for Sioux City)
December 9th
- Reformed Worship Service – 8:50am
- Coffee and fellowship – 10am
- Sunday School – 10:15am
- Confirmation – 10:15am
- Adult Ed – 10:30am
- Reforming Worship Service – 11:15am
- Worship Service at Accura – 2pm
December 10th
- No PW Sewing
- Deacons Meeting – 6:30pm
December 11th
- Women’s Bible Study – 1:30pm
Reformed Worship Service ~ 8:50am
December 9th
Organist – Eulyn Riemersma
Liturgist – Youth Sunday
Ushers – Ron Niebruegge, Gene Ringsdoft, Bob Peterson & Doug Johnson
Greeters – Warren & Barb Jager
Video Taping – Dan Vicker
Soundbooth – Jackie Jenkins, Mike Reekers & Tom Ditsworth
Nursery – Angie Peterson
Coffee & Treats – Ron Jenkins, Larry & Sharee DenHerder
Reforming Worship Service ~ 11:15am
December 9th
Praise Team: Kari Bruinsma, Adrie Stecker, Kaycee Arrowood, Liz Steiner, Dave Graanstra, Dave Boon, Kevin Grems, Rachelle Gewecke
Usher/Greeter:
Nursery: Lindsay VanderWolde
Sound/PowerPoint: Pratt family
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First Presbyterian Church · 3501 Hill Ave · Spirit Lake, IA 51360 · USA