ADVOCATEFirst Presbyterian Church December 202041 West College AvenueWesterville, Ohio 43081-2103614-882-3155 Phone 614-882-2421 Fax www.westervillefirstpresbyterian.org

Christmas Eve 2020: Coping with CovidRealizing that everything is different this year, our Worship Committee is organizing two special worship experiences for Christmas Eve.

Christmas Eve Outdoor Candlelight ServiceChurch Lawn December 24 6:00 p.m.

First, at 6:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve, we will hold a candlelight service on the east lawn of the church. We will all be dressed warm, masked, and socially distanced. We will read scripture, sing a few carols, and light individual candles. It will be a fairly short service because we expect it to be cold. Everyone is invited to attend this outdoor service. Bring one of your own candles or we’ll provide one at the church.

Christmas Eve Pageant and Worship ServicePosted on Facebook and our Webpage December 24 7:30 p.m.

Next, we are taping our Christmas Eve worship so that we can post it on Facebook and our web page, and everyone can watch it after the Outdoor Candlelight Service. This second service will include a virtual children’s Christmas pageant, which Heather Hicks is putting together. Since we are pre-recording this service, it will be available any time after 7:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve—so you can “attend” whenever it is convenient for you.

A Reminder: We are continuing to livestream our worship service at 10:15 a.m. every Sunday. An easy way to access this service is to go to the church’s website (www.westervillefirstpresbyterian.org). Click on “virtual services” in the left column. On the next screen, click on the word “HERE” at the end of the first paragraph. That will take you to our Facebook page. (Note: It might be necessary to refresh the page by clicking at the top left corner of the screen.) You can also access recordings of previous services on this page. An audio recording of the worship service is placed on our website shortly after each service, and Rev. Gauen’s sermon is sent in the daily emails on the following Tuesday.

While we are not yet reopening our church for group worship activities, people are welcome to come to the sanctuary during the week for individual meditation. The sanctuary will be open from 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays. All we ask is that you call ahead of time and schedule your visit with our church’s administrative assistant, Olivia Hodorowski (614-882-3155).

Westerville Habitat Partnership10th Annual Progressive Christmas Concert

Friday, December 11, 7:00 pmIt is almost time for the Progressive Christmas Concert, a community tradition presented by the Westerville Habitat Partnership. This year's version will seem a little different; you won't get cold, lose your way between churches, or worry about where to park. The event can be accessed from your home computer or other device but will still provide beautiful Christmas music at each of our five partner churches (Church of the Master, Church of the Messiah, Central College Presbyterian, Grace Lutheran, and First Presbyterian).

The combined program will be livestreamed on Friday, December 11, at 7:00 p.m. The program will be about an hour in length and conclude with greetings from a Habitat homeowner. It will then be available to access any time. No tickets will be needed but do consider making a donation to the Westerville Habitat Partnership, as the housing needs of families go on during the pandemic. We will provide a link to the program at a later date but thought you'd like to know this local favorite event will definitely happen, only in a different format.

Habitat home building has continued through the pandemic. The goal for this year was to build five houses, and they are all under roof. The funding for their completion is what we are working toward. We are ever so grateful for your support and prayers.

VIRTUAL Christmas Poinsettia Order Form

Even the poinsettias will be virtual this year! You can participate by contributing $10 to dedicate a virtual plant in honor or memory of a loved one or friend. The money collected this year will be donated to the Pike County Food Pantry. Even though we will not have the beauty of all those poinsettias decorating our sanctuary, you will still be able to help a worthy cause.

A list will be posted of those who have donated and your honorees in Pastor Gauen’s daily emails.

Please send the order form below and a check made out to First Presbyterian Church to the church office by Monday, December 14. Be sure to write “poinsettias” on the memo line.

I/We will donate ____ poinsettia(s) Total Cost: $ ________ Name: ______________________________ Phone: _____________________ Name of person(s) you wish to be remembered or honored: In memory of: _____________________________________

_____________________________________

In honor of: _____________________________________

_____________________________________

Sanctuary Flowers2021 is almost upon us, and that means a new year to provide flowers for the weekly worship service. This special aspect of our church life is supported by your donations. After the service, you can ask for the flowers to be delivered to you, or you can donate them to bring cheer to a church member who is facing challenges.

Let's start with January, February, and March and get these three months funded. You can call Olivia at the church office or email administrativasst@fpcw.us to place your order. The cost is $33.00. Thank you! Mary Lee Jones

Join the Zoom Coffee Hour

We will continue our Zoom Coffee Hour in December.

Each Sunday morning, Diana Westfall will post a link on Facebook for a coffee hour gathering that will start right after the worship service ends. Bring your own cup of coffee and your own cookies and spend 5 minutes or 30 minutes conversing with your fellow worshipers on Sunday morning. Please join us!

Fall Leaf-Raking and Work DaySaturday, December 5, 9:30 am

All are welcome to help! The more help we have, the faster it will go. Bring a rake and a tarp if you have them. We also hope to clean out some items remaining in the annex (29 W. College).

Church Medical Assistance Program (MAP)If you have an unneeded pair of crutches, a cane, a walker, a wheelchair, or another device, you can donate it to this program (aka the Crutch Hutch). If you need a temporary or permanent loan of any of these or other medical devices, contact John Cameron ahead of time, so you can set up a time to come to the church and borrow whatever you need.

Communion Sunday: December 6December 6 is a Communion Sunday at First Presbyterian, and we will again have a virtual communion service during our worship service. Rev. Gauen will lead the communion liturgy in the livestream, and you are invited to follow along with your own cracker or piece of bread and cup of juice. Or you can spend that time in prayer as you watch the communion online.

UPDATE on 29 WEST COLLEGE

The following is an update on the status of the 29 West College (annex) project: 10/1/2020 - We (FPC) appeared before the Westerville Uptown Review Board and received a

poor reception. Anticipating a 5-2 vote AGAINST us, we asked them to table the project until the November meeting.

I did EXTENSIVE research before the November meeting, obtaining new bids for house renovation, parking lot and roof repairs, foundation work, etc., etc., etc.

11/5/2020 - We went back before the Uptown Review Board and presented a very well- documented report demonstrating that we (FPC) could not afford to renovate the building and that the renovation could not be financially justified - no matter how you look at it.

The Board voted 4-3 AGAINST us, denying us the right to demolish the annex! I filed an appeal to the Westerville City Council on Monday, Nov. 9.

11/17/2020 – City Council voted (7-0) to hear our appeal on 12/1/2020. 12/1/2020 – I will present our case to the full City Council. It will take a super majority (5 votes)

on Council to override the Uptown Review Board’s decision.

Frankly, I’m not at all surprised that the Uptown Review Board voted against us, but I am very optimistic that City Council will vote in our favor.

Interesting side facts:

City Council has already approved the lease agreement between FPC and the City. Westerville Planning Commission approved expanding our parking lot by a 7-0 vote on

10/27/20. Uptown Review Board DID approve the new parking lot but NOT the demolition of the house by

a 5-1-1 vote on 11/5/20. Also at its 11/17 meeting, City Council approved the sale of the old Book Harbor property

(across the street from the church) for $125,000. The developer (who owns other Uptown properties) plans to demolish the Book Harbor building and construct a new three-story building with retail/commercial on the 1st floor and 2-bedroom residential units on the 2nd and 3rd floors. This project still needs to be reviewed by the Planning Commission and the Uptown Review Board.

I remain ever optimistic that we will prevail and that City Council will override the Uptown Review Board. I'm still hopeful that we will be able to demolish the house in December or January.

Jim Hines

Event Update

Still on hold:Backpack BountyManna CaféVegetarian Dining Group

Dine In with Nine: Friday, December 4, 7:00 pmFor the past six months, we have had a great time once a month, eating at home but still gathering, thanks to Zoom. In December, we will meet a week earlier than usual so you can attend the Habitat Concert on December 11.

On Friday, December 4, we will each order from our favorite restaurant and pick up our meal or have it delivered (or prepare it at home). Then we will have a Zoom gathering to catch up with our church friends.

Zooming is easy – at 7:00 pm on December 4, click on the email link that we will send you. Then click on “Open Zoom.” It helps if you have a camera on your computer, but you do not need one. You can also attend a Zoom meeting using a smart phone. Contact Jim Hines to get help or to say you’re in!

Ladies Night/Afternoon on ZoomMonday, December 7, 2:30 pm, and Tuesday, December 15, 7:00 pm

Now the ladies of the church have two opportunities to get together—despite the pandemic. You are welcome to attend both!

Please let Diana Westfall know that you are interested. On the day of the meeting or before, she will send you a link so you can join in via Zoom. Zoom is easy to use, but if you need some help getting started, call Heather or Diana.

Reaching out to RefugeesAlthough few refugees are arriving in our country during this period, our church has been able to help a young man from Ethiopia named Firomsa Abdi. He is newly arrived and having trouble getting food stamps, so the agency we are working with, Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS), suggested that we send him a gift card from Krogers. He was very appreciative! So far, we have had no other requests for help from CRIS, but we are ready and willing!

Youth Activities

Kids’ Sunday School on YouTubeSunday evenings, starting at 5:00 pm

The Sunday School program will return to Discovery Den on YouTube as a video that families can access at their leisure. New videos will be available Sunday evenings after 5:00 pm. Please join us for some fun!

“Especially for Children”: Advent Wreaths for the HomeWe are now incorporating the “Especially for Children” segment into the regular worship service. We will be lighting the Advent candles at the beginning of worship each Sunday during Advent as our “Especially for Children” time. We hope that families of all ages will participate in this activity at home, lighting your own Advent candles each Sunday as you watch the worship service online. If you’d rather not use regular candles, here are some alternatives:

https://premeditatedleftovers.com/naturally-frugal-mom/dollar-store-diy-advent-wreath-craft-kids/

http://www.drawn2bcreative.com/3-d-printable-advent-wreath/

https://meaningfulexplorations.com/advent-wreath-craft-for-kids/

Note from Vicki Moon: The Scouts lid project is over. Thanks to all who contributed!

Courtesy of Olivia Hodorowski:

Adult Growth and Development

ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN

Activity When Where What

The Sunday Adult Class

Mondays

4:00-5:00 p.m.

Zoom Meetings

-If interested contact Tom Jonard

The Sunday Adult Class, now meeting on Monday afternoons, is reading and discussing Mary Magdalene Revealed. This is a readable interpretation of a parallel gospel attributed to Mary Magdalene. It was popular with the Coptic church and seems to have been written about the same time as the Gospel of John. Subtitled “The Christianity We Haven’t Tried Yet,” it is bound to author Meggan Watterson’s personal journey.

Shelter-in-place Bible Studies

Tuesdays,

9:30-10:30 am

Wednesdays,

7:00-8:00 p.m.

Zoom Meetings

-If interested email Pastor Gauen at pastormark@fpcw.us

We will be doing a special study for Advent: “Advent in Luke.” Luke sets the stage for the birth of Jesus—and it can set the stage for us as well. You are welcome to join us for the Advent season, on either Tuesday mornings or Wednesday evenings. Both sections will cover the same material each week.

4th Monday Discussion Group

4th Mondays,

7:30 – 9:00 pm

Zoom Meeting

-If interested, email Pastor Gauen at pastormark@fpcw.us

This group meets monthly to discuss matters of faith and life. Due to the holidays, we are combining our November and December meetings on Monday, November 30.

Circle 4 Women 3rd Thursdays, 11:00 am

Zoom Meeting

-If interested, email Pastor Gauen at pastormark@fpcw.us or call Elaine Foley.

Our Presbyterian Women’s group meets monthly for fellowship and Bible study. Led by Elaine Foley. Our next class will be on Thursday, December 17.

Pastor’s Page

Dear Friends:

Advent. Christmas. Holidays. These words describe a special time in the life of the church and in our families as well. Covid. Lockdown. Pandemic. These words describe our world right now. Here at First Presbyterian, we are trying to find a way to make this Advent season more about love and

faith and the birth of Jesus and less about the dark cloud that hangs over us. In our efforts to make this Advent extra special, we will be continuing the ministries that we can, adapting our established ministries where possible, and creating some new ministries for this unusual year.

Continuing Ministries:Church Clean-up Day: On Saturday morning, Dec. 5, 9:30 am., you can help us keep our church grounds looking good. We’ll rake leaves, clean up the grounds, and move items from the Annex to the main building. Dress warmly and wear a mask.Hat & Mitten Donations: This is one of our favorite Christmas missions. We are collecting mittens, hats, scarves, and other winter items to take to Pike County. And we’ll also take any food donations that you want to make. All items can be brought to the church M-Th, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. or on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9:30-11:00 a.m.Christmas Joy Offering: The Christmas Joy Offering has been a cherished Presbyterian tradition since the 1930s. This offering provides critical financial support to church workers and their families in times of crisis and also supports Presbyterian-related racial-ethnic schools and colleges.

Favorite Advent Ministries Adapted to Pandemic Times:Virtual Habitat Concert: Instead of our usual Habitat for Humanity Progressive Concert, our friends at the Westerville Habitat Partnership have put together a virtual concert that will be available online on Friday, December 11, 7:00 pm. (See article earlier in this issue.)The Longest Night: While we cannot hold our Longest Night service this year, Rev. Mary Jane Hitt will be offering an article to help support those who find this season to be difficult. I will email it later this month.Virtual Poinsettias: This year we will not be filling our sanctuary with poinsettias. Instead, we are inviting our members and friends to donate “virtual poinsettias.” For a $10 donation, we will add your name to a list of virtual poinsettia donors. Instead of buying poinsettias, First Presbyterian will send the money to the Pike County Food Pantry, where the ever-present need has been compounded by the pandemic. (See order form earlier in this issue.)Advent Candles: Lighting the Advent candles is a special part of worship during this time of year. This year, we are encouraging everyone to light their own candles for Advent as part of worshipping at home in these pandemic times.

Special New Ministries for 2020:Advent Bible Study: We are offering a special Bible study for the Advent season: Advent in Luke. We will look at the lead-in to the birth of Jesus in Chapter 1 of the Gospel of Luke. You

are welcome to attend these Zoom meetings at 9:30 on Tuesday mornings or 7:00 on Wednesday evenings.Special Music for Advent: Because many of us will be missing the music of the Advent season, our organist, Lyn Meyer, will record several pieces of seasonal music that will be posted on our website.Christmas Carol Devotional: Each Friday during Advent, we will send out a devotional based on a Christmas carol. Written by members of our church, they will be a wonderful spiritual guide to the holiday season.Christmas Eve Candlelight Service: Because of fire regulations, we have not had a true candlelight service in our church for many years, so this year we are going to have one—outdoors. Join us at 6:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve for a candlelight service on the east lawn of the church. Dress warmly, wear a mask, stay socially distanced, and join us as we light our candles and welcome the newborn King! (Candles will be provided.)Christmas Eve taped service and pageant: This year, our Christmas Eve Service will be online, featuring the music and scriptures of Christmas along with the children’s Christmas pageant, all put together by our Director of Youth and Family Ministries, Heather Hicks. This will be a special way for us to celebrate the birth of Jesus—a glorious light for our darkened world. You can watch this service and pageant online any time after 7:30 pm on Christmas Eve.

I know that this is not the Advent and Christmas that we are used to—but I am convinced that it can be the Advent and Christmas that will honor the birth of our Savior!

Yours in Christ,

Mark