celebrate christmas with first covenant december 13 at 6 p.m....the pageant is december 20th, 2015...

Celebrate Christmas with First Covenant December 13th at 6 p.m.

Join us in welcoming the birth of Jesus through the singing of beloved hymns of the season. The service will include contributions from all of the bell & singing choirs of the church as well as instrumentalists, but

will emphasize the congregational singing of hymns in an hour long ser-vice of celebration. A reception will follow, so invite your friends &

family to join us for a night of singing carols, ringing bells & community worship!

Nursery

Availabl

e

Sunday, Dec. 6th ~ 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.

~ 2nd Sunday of Advent ~ ~ Communion ~

Matthew 5.14-16 & Mark 10.11-15 “A Season of Hope:

‘Keeping Hope Alive’” Rev. Timm High

Sunday, Dec. 13th ~ 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. ~ 3rd Sunday of Advent ~

Romans 12.1-13 “A Season of Hope: ‘Rejoice In Hope’” Rev. Timm High

Sunday, Dec. 20th ~ 10:00 a.m.

~ 4th Sunday of Advent ~ Youth Musical Pageant

Barbara Marang, Missionary Guest

Thursday, Dec. 24th ~ 7:00 p.m. ~ Christmas Eve ~

Luke 2.1-20 “A Season of Hope:

‘Welcoming The Stranger’” Rev. Timm High

Sunday, Dec. 27th ~ 8:30 & 11:00a.m. ~ 1st Sunday after Christmas ~

A Worship Service of Lessons & Carols Rev. Timm High

December 1, 2015 Volume 32, No. 12

The Caring Church in the Heart of the City!

“Beneath a Shining Star” A Christmas Musical for Young Voices

December 20th at 10 a.m. Our setting is a dress rehearsal for the small musical pageant.

Grow in Christmas spirit with our young people by coming to see the show.

Be sure to invite friends & neighbors, cousins & grandparents. The pageant is December 20th, 2015

in a special combined 10 a.m. church worship service.

Christmas Eve Service December 24th at 7 p.m. The Sanctuary of First Covenant

is where you will want to be once again this year on Christmas Eve. The family-friendly 7p.m. service features the children’s choir & the

chancel choir. The message from Timm is entitled, “A Season of Hope: ‘Welcoming The Stranger’”.

Come & listen closely for God’s ultimate whisper of love again this Christmas Eve…and bring a friend.

THE COVENANT CHIMES VOLUME 32 NO. 5

Our mission at First Presbyterian

Church of the Covenant:

“To awaken all people to our

need for a life-changing

encounter with the living

Lord Jesus Christ, and to encourage and equip each

one to become His fully-devoted

follower.”

Reflecting on

Faith,

Hope

& Love

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was gover-nor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2.1-7

VOLUME 32, NO. 12 THE COVENANT CHIMES

To the saints who serve God as disciples in Jesus’ name in First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, greetings;

Seven verses of scripture. Seven rather simple, and yet very profound verses of scripture. Seven familiar, and yet ever-renewed verses of scripture. Seven verses, 132 words in the English translation.

“In those days….” What days, one might ask. Luke doesn’t directly answer, but implies that it was an event that had world-wide significance, at least as wide as the Roman empire would have been defined in the first century. Consistent with his pledge to “write an orderly account” (Luke 1.3-4), the story contains a lot of detail: “first registration”; “Quirinius was the governor of Syria”; “Joseph… went…from…Nazareth…to the city of David called Bethlehem”; “He went…with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child”; “while they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child”, and “she gave birth to her firstborn son…wrapped him in bands of cloth…laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”

There are historical challenges with this story. Such an examination is hard put to find such a registration taking place at the time that Luke indicates. But Luke is not writing history, rather, he is writing about truth in the genre (literary form) of theology. Against the backdrop of events taking place in the world of Jesus’ day, Luke records a birth, for this is what concludes the seven verses: that a child is born to parents named Joseph & Mary away from their home, that it is their firstborn son, that she knows something about binding up a newborn & the conditions are sparse, so sparse that a feeding trough for animals is his first bed.

Note what is not mentioned amidst all of the detail: the child is not yet named. We know this story so well that it puts us at a bit of a disadvantage: we fill in a name when Luke has not yet shared the name, we focus more on there being “no place for them in the inn” more than the child being “laid in a manger”, and we focus on the story as a miracle of God without fully appreciating how this miracle, a word which means something extraordinary, takes place amidst the or-dinary details of life: amidst this registration, there is another person, an extraor-dinary person to be sure, to be registered in this city of a famous, faithful person. May you experience Advent and Christmas as extraordinary this year.

Thank you for the privilege of being your Temporary Supply Pastor. May this season of your life find you doing the best that you can in all that you do with all you have, given God’s help, amidst the challenges and comforts that come your way.

Be Well…Timm

PAGE 2

VOLUME 32 NO. 5

*Please pray regularly for our ministry.

We have listed below some of our

congregational joys & concerns as

The Covenant Chimes goes to press on

November 23, 2015 ~ .

Prayer Concerns Please pray for God’s healing presence for

those discharged from hospitals since the last edition of The Covenant Chimes: Joan E.. Paden, John Lindner, John Fir-

man & Nancy Fair.

Thank You To Those who pray

regularly for the mis-sion & ministry of First Presbyterian Church of

the Covenant.

Those who contributed their time, their talents, and their treasures to

the hosting of Our Neighbor’s Place.

The members of the Board of Trustees who

have been called to serve in an important transformational role within the life and

history of this community of faith.

The members of the Sanctuary Guild for so

delightfully & beautifully decorating our sanctuaries during

the months of October, November

& December.

Monty Service & Geoff Ginader for work-ing with our young peo-

ple on the Christmas pageant.

Those who have financially supported

the mission & ministry of God in the name of

Jesus through the power of the

Holy Spirit within FPCC during 2015.

VOLUME 32, NO. 12

Congregational Joys & Concerns

PAGE 3

Worship in December will find us as a worship-ing community focusing on Advent and then Christ-mas. We will celebrate the sacrament of communion on December 6th.

Worship in December

Adult Spiritual Formation Class Timm’s offering on Sunday mornings at 9.30 a.m. during December will be around the Advent Study.

Worship times are 8:30 a.m. & 11a.m. Christian Education classes for all ages at 9:30 & Fellowship in the Parlor after each service.

Sunday Morning Worship Times

An Advent Study guide has been mailed to your home for your use. Please be on the look-out for this spiritual formation resource as we begin the new church year with the season of Advent on November 29th.

Advent Study

Christian Education is in need of children's church leaders for February through May. If available &

interested, please see Linda Majewski after service or email her at [email protected]

Leaders Needed

Thanks to all for helping us celebrate our 50th anniversary on November 15th. Your well wishes added so much to our special occasion. Al & Pat Bieber

“5o Golden” Thank You’s

Most Grateful To our dear Covenant family,

Bob Jr., Tim & I want to thank our loving church family for their thoughtful care & concern during Bob’s illness & death.

A very special thank you to dear Rev. Timm High, for his help in getting us through this very, very difficult time.

Most gratefully, Nancy, Tim & Bob Cross Jr.

HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS

Dec. 24th Closing at Noon

Dec. 25th & 26th

Closed

Dec. 31st Closing at Noon

Jan. 1st Office closed

No Sunday School

classes on December 20th

& 27th. Classes resume

Sunday, January 3,

2016.

VOLUME 32 NO. 5

Since the church directory was published, we have welcomed several new members into the family of First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant. A page, containing their names, addresses and phone numbers, is available at the church office for you to pick up on Sundays, or any time the office is open. Please take one and keep it with your directory. Hospitality & Membership Committee

VOLUME 32, NO. 12

PAGE 4

THANK YOU to John Scepura,

FPCC’s new building & maintenance mechanic,

for helping the Covenant Bells establish a new ‘ringing home’

in the Sanctuary!

Music Notes

If you notice an incorrect or missing birthday/anniversary or

one that is listed that should no longer be there,

please help us by calling the church office at 456-4243

so that we can update our records. Thank you!

Dec. 2 Nancy Gustin Aiden Toothman Dec. 4 Michael Amann Kayla White Dec. 5 Ben Fillmore Dec. 6 Suzanne Britton Marilyn Evans Dec. 7 Jennifer Anderson Robert Yates William Heard William Stollatis Dec. 8 Donna Swager James LeSuer Dec. 11 Matthew Bauer Kalan McDonald Giuliana Steiner Dec. 12 Howard Lefever Norman Seip Ruby Allen Dec. 13 Jacqueline Adair Dec. 14 Frederick Loring Keegan Vilushis Dec. 15 Margaret Budny Amanda Sesler Dec. 16 Diane Engelskirger

Dec. 17 Steven Mauro Timothy Cross Colin Fabich Millicent Snyder Dec. 19 Camilla Decker Nicholas Geiger Phyllis Tarno Monica Riddick Dec. 20 Sharon Armes Dec. 21 Morgan McKinnon Dec. 22 John Wright Ethan Belfiore Dec. 23 James Wertz Dec. 25 David Mitchell Stephanie Mitchell Dec. 26 Robert Dietly Dec. 27 Patricia Hagerty Dec. 28 Perry Wood Dec. 29 Hunter Robinson Michelle Decker Dec. 30 Gregory Sesler John Lindner Dec. 31 Violet Bergstrom

An Additional Page for Your Church Directory!

Our sincere thanks to Nancy van den Honert as she recently concluded her employment with FPCC. After years of wonderful service to First Covenant, Nancy has decided to step away from her staff responsi-bilities in our music program. Nancy served First Covenant’s

music program first as a volunteer & then, since 2012, as a member of our staff. She served as direc-tor of the Lake Effect Bells, Gloria Ringers, & Kirk Ringers. She also served First Covenant as an ac-companist for the Cherub Choir, Gloria Singers & Kirk Singers. The Howard Lefever Award was pre-sented to Nancy in 2012. She continues to serve First Covenant as a member of the Covenant Choir, Covenant Bells, a Stephen Ministry leader, a sound technician & as a member of the Music and Wor-ship Committee.

Thank you Nancy for a job well done!

A Big Thank You to Nancy van den Honert!

VOLUME 32 NO. 5

Clerk’s Corner with W.D Holmes, Moderator

VOLUME 32, NO. 12

PAGE 5

At the stated meeting on November 16th session:

Heard a report from Elder Nancy Irwin that the Congregational Life Committee of the presbytery has given final approval to our mission study. We are now clear to form a Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) and begin the search for our next called and installed pastor. Heard a report that the congregational Nominating Committee has already begun meeting to create a

slate of nominees for the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC). Voted to call a special meeting of the congregation for Sunday, December 20, 2015 immediately following

the 10:00 worship service, if the way be clear. The stated purpose of the meeting is to hear and act upon the report of the Nominating Committee regarding the election of persons to the Pastor Nomi- nating Committee (PNC). Please note that as previously announced there will only be one service on December 20th and that service will be held at 10:00 a.m.

Approved a revision of the policy regarding flowers in the sanctuary during worship services that would allow for “flower money” to be directed to selected mission outreaches as an alternative.

Approved a revised job description for the Director of Youth and Family Ministries and authorized the Personnel Committee to begin a search process

The Session of the First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant calls for a special meeting of the congregation to be held on Sunday, December 20, 2015 in the sanctuary immediately following the 10:00 a.m. worship ser-vice, if the way be clear. The stated purpose of the meeting is to hear and act upon a report from the Nomi-nating Committee regarding the election of persons to serve on the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC). Rev. Timm High W. D. Holmes Moderator Clerk of Session

A Call for a Meeting of the Congregation

Every year each Presbyterian Church is asked to contribute

a certain amount per member of the congregation to support

the work of the other governing bodies (Presbytery, Synod &

General Assembly). It goes to pay salaries, utilities, office ex-

penses, etc. that enable ministries to happen and is part of the

cost of being a connectional church.

The per capita charge for 2015 is $29.50 per member. Most

of that supports the work of our local Presbytery (Lake Erie),

with lesser amounts for the Synod (Trinity) and the General

Assembly. Every FPCC member is encouraged to pay that amount as an additional commitment beyond their

regular pledge. Checks can simply be earmarked “Per Capita” and payment can be made at any time through-

out the year.

As of November 15th, we have raised $3203.50 towards our goal of $20,267.00.

Financial Report as of October 31, 2015

Revenues = Month………………………………………………………………… $51,064.51 Year-to-date…………………………………………………$590,596.99

Expenses = Month………………………………………………………………….$54,081.50 Year-to-date…………………………………………………$592,201.69

Per Capita


Classes begin at 9:30 a.m. Children

Nursery (infant-age 3) Room 113 Morgan Wood

Age 4-Grade 1 Classroom C (2nd floor) Monty Service & Geoff Ginader Christmas Pageant Rehearsal

Grades 2-5 Classroom D (2nd floor) Christmas Pageant Rehearsal

Grades 3-12 watch weekly bulletin for handbell & chimes details

Youth Grades 6-12 Middle School Lounge Ron & Lauren Fabich Youth are using the “Connect” video curriculum

Adult Short Letters from the New Testament Witherspoon Room William Holmes Advent Study Fidelis Room Rev. Timm High What Matters Most? Room 116 Bill Sesler

VOLUME 32, NO. 12 THE COVENANT CHIMES

PAGE 6

Fall Faith Formation Classes

for

All

Ages!

Session has approved a revi-sion to the sanctuary flower policy. Beginning January 2016, donors will be given the option of either purchasing flowers for Sunday worship, as is presently done, or making a monetary gift

to a designated mission of the church in lieu of pur-chasing flowers. There would be no flowers or pos-sibly some reusable greens placed in the chancel for those making mission gifts. Donors choosing to make mission gifts will still have the names of those they wish to memorialize published in the bulletin. Session has designated the following mission causes as possible choices: Sunday Suppers, Vaca-tion Bible School, Summer Youth Mission or the Overflow Shelter (Our Neighbor’s Place).

Revision of Flower Policy

Alice Holmes, Melany Kramer & John & Barbara Macks became a part of the First Covenant family on Sunday, October 18, 2015.

They are not really new to us, as they have been a part of the worship & mission of the church for some time!

We are glad the Holy Spirit moved them to make the commitment of membership.

Welcome New Members

Alice Holmes

Melany Kramer

John & Barbara Macks

VOLUME 32 NO. 5

VOLUME 32, NO. 12

PAGE 7

Christmas Food Baskets

During December the Deacons will begin collecting nonperishable canned goods & boxed items to supplement the Christmas Food Baskets. This year, we will ONLY provide for our church members & regular attendees, who might need some assistance as we approach the Christmas season. Donations will be collected at the 7th Street Entrance, from November 2nd through December 8th. The baskets will be gifted Saturday, December 12th. Please see the list below for needed items. Extra items will be used to assist in food preparation for the Overflow Shelter. We would like to thank you in advance for your kindness in making someone’s holiday a blessed & joyful one. If you know of someone who could benefit from receiving a basket, help assemble baskets or minister in any ca-pacity, please call Melissa Mauro (814.528.5074), Phyllis Zdaniewski (814.899.3800), Sharon Olson (814.868.4931) or the church office (814.456.4243).

Families with children: *Macaroni & Cheese *Microwave Popcorn *Jam & jelly *Peanut Butter *Raisins & dried fruits *Kid-friendly cereals *Drink mixes *Gummi Bears *Cocoa mixes

*Tang, *Kool-Aid

Adults and seniors: *Adult cereals & oatmeal *Hard candies *Muffin mixes

*Single serving items like soup

Items for any baskets: *Canned fruits *Canned vegetables *Tuna fish *Bottled juice/juice boxes *Canned beans/chili *Bisquick *Tomato sauce *Dried rice/beans *Hamburger Helper *Dry soup mixes *Sprinkles for cookies *Crackers *Instant Potatoes *Cake mixes *Baking supplies/spices/nuts

The Deacons are also planning on adding homemade cookies to the basket this year. We would like to ask anyone who would like to donate a dozen cookies to include in the baskets to please drop them off in the church office on or before Friday, December 9th.

“Deck the Halls”, the Parlor, Knox Hall and other parts of the church on Wednesday, December 2nd. First, enjoy a delicious roast beef dinner prepared by Connec-tions Cooks Kevin Stevenson and Jackie Jones. Then, Carol Beach and the Sanctuary Guild design team will lead volunteers in the decorating of the building. Dinner is at 5:15 p.m.; decorating begins at 6:15. Be sure to make your dinner reservation in the church office by noon on Sunday, November 29th.

Each year, after Advent, the church often has a few surplus Advent devotionals for children & families. This provides for an Advent devotions smorgasbord! This year YOU get to choose which Advent devotional (from the best of the past 18 years) your family might enjoy! A basket of varied choic-es are now available (one per family, please) in the Welcome Center. Children & families will love daily Bible readings, prayer & activity suggestions. It is perfect for morning, dinner, or bed-time family gatherings.

Advent begins on Sunday, Nov. 29th. Be sure to get your family devotional soon, while supplies last. (Brought to you by the Education Committee.)

Advent Devotional “Smorgasbord” for Families

“Hang the Greens” on December 2nd

THE COVENANT CHIMES VOLUME 32 NO. 5 VOLUME 32, NO. 12 THE COVENANT CHIMES

PAGE 8

Connecting… It’s what Wednesday dinners are all about. We connect with long-term & new church

members, Barber Center friends, Gannon students, & through our after-dinner activities…we connect with the church’s neighborhood & community. Through it all, we look & listen for God’s call on our lives. What a great Advent discipline to add to your life-Covenant Connections!

During November we set up for the “Our Neighbor’s Place” shelter & enjoyed a taste of India & learned about India from Indi-an Gannon students. We also prepared pies for the Gannon Inter-

national Student Thanksgiving dinner. It was a great month! In addition, Jack Jones & Kev-in Stevenson fed us well.

In December, plan to get connected! Join us for a RELAXED dinner, served from 5:15 -5:45 p.m., finish eating around 6:15 p.m., activity for all ages follows until 7:00 p.m. Dinner is $5 for adults, $3 for college students & children, $15 family maxi-mum. Make your reservation by emailing [email protected] or calling

814.456.4243.

Here’s December’s after-dinner activity lineup:

2nd ~ “Hanging of the Greens” Roast beef dinner followed by decorating the church for the season with the Sanctuary Guild team

9th ~ Packing “Finals Care Bags” for Gannon students… Bring items to share! (see article on page 11 for suggestions) “Study Space” begins this night at the church.

16th ~ Christmas surprise…

23rd & 30th ~ Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! No Covenant Connections until January 13 when Connections resumes!

Make Connections During Advent

Thank you all for your support of the budget of FPCC, a portion of which provides for our salaries & benefits as employees. We are grateful for the opportunity & privilege of working here & serving God in the name

of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit in this place as we begin the new year!

From The FPCC Staff to You… Wishes For A Blessed & Happy New Year!

VOLUME 32 NO. 5

VOLUME 32, NO. 12

PAGE 9

Covenant Preschool This month the preschool will be helping the church fill the Christmas baskets. The children, teachers, and families are all very excited to participate every year in this project. We will be donating bags of candy and treats for the Christmas baskets that the church gives out every holiday season. Last month, the preschool made up boxes for Operation Christmas Child. It is always a favorite mission project for the pre-school. The teachers are using these mission projects to teach the students about helping others.

We could not be as successful as we are without all of you to support our school. Consider joining us on December 2nd at Barnes and Noble for our annual Christmas book fair. It is a great time to pick up books for holiday gifts. The children will be singing and the teachers will be reading to the crowd starting at 6:15 pm. The preschool receives a percentage of sales for that day from both in store, café, and on-line purchas-es. If you can’t join us at that time, the fliers can be used inside the store from December 2nd thru Decem-ber 5th. All on-line purchases are good for the week of December 2nd to the 10th. All you need is our code from the fliers. The fliers are located in the welcome center and on the preschool web page.

We still have a few openings in our classes. It is never too late to join preschool. If you have any questions, need an application, or would like a tour of the preschool, you can call the Director, Lisa Hiegel at 456-4243 ex.102.

All are welcome to come upstairs and see the wonderful decorations the children have done for the holiday season.

God bless you this holiday season! Lisa Hiegel Preschool Director

“Our Neighbor’s Place”

We have just completed our first rotation of this year’s homeless shelter. This would not have been possible without the support of this church and its many members. You have stepped forward with all your time, talent, and treasure as a gift to those less fortunate in our neighborhood. We are seeing record numbers of homeless looking for shelter very early in the season, causing some guests to actually sleep on the floor. We will never turn anyone away, always room for one more. A special thanks to the staff, Jackie Kemp, Luba, John Scepura, Timm High, Seph, Anne and JoAnn in the office for all their help and time in making this another successful outreach. Also a special thanks for all the meals prepared by members of this church, they were much appreciated by all of our guests.

The shelter has moved on to the next church, continue to pray for them. The shelter will once again return to FPCC on December 30th for two more weeks of hosting in Knox Hall. Because “Our Neighbors’ Place” will be reopening at FPCC during Christmas, the usual shelter “Giving Trees” will not be used for donations. As you plan for your Christmas giving, please consider a generous financial donation to “Our Neighbors’ Place” to cover the cost of all that is needed to run the shelter.

On behalf of Pat Tracy and myself, thank you and God bless you.

Respectfully, Dale Sweet


PAGE 10

Sunday Supper

November was an unusual month for Sunday Supper. We partnered with Millcreek Community Church and New Hope Presbyterian Church, two of our faithful Sunday Supper supporters, and we added a new group, PASR, the PA Association of School Retirees. We served Sunday Supper at the First United Methodist Church while the shelter for the homeless was in Knox Hall, guests were encouraged to attend the Thanksgiving dinner at the MLK Jr. center on the 22nd, and FPCC served the meal on the 29th. What a month!

December once again has us partnering in ministry with faithful supporters as Lamb of God Lutheran Church and New Hope Presbyterian Church will prepare and serve meals. We also have a new group joining us in ministry as volunteers from Safe Auto Glass and Erie Insurance will serve on December 13th. December 27th is up in the air as we await a decision from the youth group in Oil City on serving that day. If they can-not come, FPCC will be on board for that day. Watch your bulletin for further details.

It is not enough to say “Thank you” to the many people who support Sunday Supper by cooking, serving, contributing funding and praying for the ministry, but it’s all I have to give. Sunday Supper could not exist without you! Thank you. Pat Tracy

“I will bless you… and you shall be a blessing

to many others.” Genesis 12:2

This offering is one of the four special offerings designated by the General Assembly of the Presby-terian Church (U.S.A.). Fifty percent of the receipts from the Christmas Joy offering are distributed to the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions, which provides support to both active and retired church workers, their spouses and families. The other fifty percent supports scholarships at Presby-terian-related schools and colleges through the

General Assembly Mission counsel. Undesignated gifts are distributed equally to the above programs.

Look for your Christmas Joy Offering envelop, then give generously to support these faithful servants & to the students who are our future.

Christmas Joy Offering

From Shoeboxes to Gospel Opportunities!

Thank you to the numer-ous volunteers from the church (& community) who transformed the church gar-age into a collection center for “gospel opportunities”. Each “Operation Christmas Child” shoebox received, packed in a carton, loaded on a truck & shipped...will help pastors, missionaries & minis-try groups share God’s love

with a child living in war-torn or poor community!

Special thanks to the church youth group & fami-lies, Bill Holmes, Mary Concoby, the Erie Express football team, Covenant Preschool parents Molly Welch & Ashley Caldwell, Cindy Kerchoff, Dale & Sheila Sweet, Don Cornman, Harold & Edith Kon-nerth, Howard & Julie Copen, Wayne & Jan Lover-check, Diane Ream, Joe Paluchak Libby Gorman & Gannon students, for your help with the “Operation Christmas Child” Collec-tion Center last month!


Students in grades 6-12 are invited to gather for the following in December:

December 6th ~ Show Our College Students Some Love for Finals & Christmas Students will pack 20 care package envelopes for FPCC’s students who are away

beginning at 6:00 p.m. Meet in Room 119, across from the library. We’ll also phone in a meal and celebrate Christmas and our last gathering of 2015…Please bring a $10 gift card and some snack items to pack. (See article below.)

Coming in January: Our Neighbors’ Place Returns and we will prepare a meal on Sunday night, January 10!

PAGE 11

VOLUME 32, NO. 12

Youth Group to Pack College Care Packages

First Covenant college students look forward to hearing from their church family! On December 6 the middle and high school students will again pack care packages for 20 of First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant’s college students. Then on December 9 the Covenant Connections diners will pack small care bags for Kirk House residents, Restore leaders and Gannon students who participate in Covenant Connections, worship, etc.

This year the mailed packages (to FPCC’s students) will be smaller (due to rapidly increasing shipping fees) so we hope to jazz up the smaller package with a ($10) gift card for places like Starbucks, McDonald’s, Chipotle, Pizza Hut, Little Caesar’s, Subway, etc. that can be found near most college campuses. Can you assist?

Here is a list of suggested items to make all of the packages complete: $10 gift cards (see above list), tea bags, single cup coffee bags, hot chocolate packets, snack bags of chips, Pop-Tarts, cheese cracker packs, small raisin boxes/bags, ramen noodle packs, small cookie packs, mini-cereal boxes, candy, school supplies (highlighters, pens, pencils, Post-its), etc. Be creative! Be fun! 20 of just about anything (nonperishable) will do! The name of the game is individual packaging, lightweight, compact!

Help make the care packages personal: Why not write notes or Christmas cards (care packages ship after Thanksgiving) for the students from FPCC you know to be tucked in the appropriate care packages. All items can be placed in the bin in the church office. Financial assistance for shipping the packages is always appreciated as well!

*Seph Kumer needs current school addresses by November 30th in order for students to be included. Contact him by phone at 456-4243, extension 204, OR email [email protected]

Show FPCC Students & Gannon Students You Care!

Confirmation Class begins Sunday, January 3rd at 9:30 a.m.

in Room 119. Diane Sutton, Seph Kumer

along with a team of teachers will meet with 7th & 8th grade

students through May. Interested? Contact Seph Kumer in the church office.

Coming in January…


PAGE 12

The 2015 Christmas Poinsettias take a new direction this year!

~ Christmas Poinsettias 2015 ~

Session is encouraging Mission Giving this Advent. In lieu of gifts of poinsettias, your gift will be directed to & benefit “Sunday Suppers”

our weekly dinner serving hundreds of neighbors in Knox Hall.

A Chancel display of poinsettias will still represent the gifts given. Names of those memorialized or honored will still be printed on a bulletin insert.

For a gift of $10 per name or three for $25, loved ones can still be remembered or honored during the Advent & Christmas season

with the added benefit of supporting the Sunday Suppers mission of the church.

Please print all information very carefully & very legibly. Thank you!

(Please list your name or family name as you would like it to appear in the bulletin)

Your Name: _____________________________________________

Number of Gifts ___ @ $10.00 each or ___ 3/$25.00; Total enclosed: $_________

In Memory of _____________________________________________________________________________________ And/Or

In Honor of _______________________________________________________________________________________

Deadline for Ordering: Thursday, December 10, 2015. Please return this order form & your check payable to

First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant to: 250 West 7th Street, Erie, PA 16501

Can you spare 3 hours to greet Gannon students who will prepare for finals in our building the nights of December 9th through 15th? (3 hour shifts: 9 p.m.-midnight, midnight-3 a.m., 3 a.m.-6 a.m. or 6 a.m. –9 a.m. ) Can you provide snacks (fruit, bagels, individual packs of chips, crackers, cheese, etc.) or bottled water for the refreshment area in the parlor during “Study Space”? The Campus Ministry team needs YOUR help to con-tinue this ministry’s suc-cess. Please contact Abby Blankenship, Marlene Spires or Seph Kumer to volun-

teer your time/snacks! Hundreds of students attended this new ini-tiative in 2014-15. It is a great way to meet a need, and extend hos-pitality, in Jesus’ name. Get to know some of the bright, fun, inter-esting students who surround our church campus!

“Study Space” Needs YOUR Help!


Rev. Timm High, Moderator

William D. Holmes, Clerk of Session

Dale Sweet, Associate Clerk of Session

Class of 2016 Michael Burns

Jennifer Koebe

Stephen Osborn

John Magee

Class of 2017 Deborah Loney

Lisa Ferrick

Mark Wells

M. Buzz Tarno

Class of 2018 Bill Tauber

Ron Fabich

Bob Chambers

Marsha McKinnon

Class of 2016 Cecily Sesler

Sharon Olsen

Melissa Mauro

Cindy Kerchoff

Bert Hibbler-Taylor

Class of 2017 Phyllis Zdaniewski

Deborah Bernadini

Virginia Hey

Tracey Diefenbach

Class of 2018 Rick Bernardini

Mary Lou Neithamer

Mary Ann Sesler

Sheila Sweet

Ellie Zimmer

Class of 2016 David Doupe

Paul Diefenbach

Atchley Holmes

Greg Sesler

Scott Wright

Class of 2017 Nancy Irwin

Rebecca Stoczynski

Linda Majewski

Gregory Cooper

Allen Sheasley

Class of 2018 Sandra Herman

Scott Sesler

Marlene Spires

Richard Sheasley

Phyllis Tarno

Elders Deacons Trustees

Church Officers

Abby Blankenship, Campus Minister

Judy Gaither, Host

Helen Greider, Host

Lisa Hiegel, Director of Covenant Preschool

Rev. Timm High, Temporary Supply Pastor

Jackie K. Jones, Covenant Cook

Luba Kovalchuk, Custodian

Seph Kumer, Director of Community Ministries

Rev. Stephen E. Morse, Parish Assistant

JoAnn Peters, Finance/Records Admin.

Anne Sauer, Administrative Assistant

John Scepura, Building & Maintenance Mechanic

Montgomery Service, Children/Youth Music

Kevin Stevenson, Covenant Cook

Leslie Weber, Organist/Choirmaster

Morgan Wood, Nursery Attendant

Church Staff

VOLUME 32, NO. 7 & 8 THE COVENANT CHIMES

PAGE 13

VOLUME 32, NO. 12

Have you moved? Have a new phone number or email address? If you’ve changed any personal in-formation, please be sure to update your church records by contacting JoAnn Peters at [email protected] or at 456.4243 ext. 110 with your new info.

Keep Us Up To Date

Articles Due by: Monday, Dec. 14th

Fold, Stuff & Seal on: Monday, Dec. 21st Mailed on: Tuesday, Dec. 22nd

January Issue…

“Picture of the Month”

Nathan Cooper &

Nicholas Epps having fun

serving tater tots to “Our Neighbor’s

Place guests’ with the Young

families of FPCC.

Seph Kumer, Abby Blankenship &

Gannon University students preparing

dinner for “Our Neighbor’s Place”.


PAGE 14

celebrate christmas with first covenant december 13 at 6 p.m....the pageant is december 20th, 2015...

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