Grove Presbyterian Church 50 E. Bel Air Avenue Aberdeen, MD 21001 410-272-0896

Volume 15 Issue 12 From Dr. Toole... December 2017

Birthdays 8

Calendar 9

Inside this issue:

Th

e

Visitor WHICH CHRISTMAS?

I am amazed at the various ways Christmas is celebrated. Watching television and in experiencing different ethnic groups in their practices, it causes me to question our own way.

In Asia, where the vast majority of people are not Christian, the emphasis is upon the secular aspects of the holiday. Santas abound and decorations are colorful and plentiful and, of course, gift-giving is center-stage. In short, it is a festive break from the ordinary.

In Africa, which is experiencing a dramatic growth of Christianity, the theme is Biblical and joyous, In Europe, where Christianity is on the decline, the secular observances dominate.

When we consider these, it boils down to whether Christmas is a holiday or a Holy Day (the origin of the word holiday).

With the explicit mention of the religious meaning of Christmas prohibited in the public school system, our children see much more of the secular side, unless their parents are church-related. Some department stores have advised their sales personnel to offer “Seasons Greetings” rather than “Merry Christmas.” As for me, I will always say, “Merry Christmas!”

I believe we at Grove have a wonderful privilege of sharing the true mean-ing of Christmas with one another, our families, our friends, and all those with whom we come in contact. Our Advent worship services, “The Sounds of the Season”, the Advent candle lighting, our hymns and carols, place the strong emphasis on the birth of Jesus our Lord and Savior as the heart of Christmas. We celebrate God’s amazing “love come down at Christmas.”

Let’s share the holy day and season with one another.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

George Gray Toole

PAGE 2 VOLUME 15 ISSUE 12

Grove will serve Martha's Meals on November 30th, which will be too late for a full report until January's newsletter. However, Wanda Andrews mentioned soup and pulled pork sandwiches will likely be the November 30th menu. Grove will serve Martha's Meals again on Thursday January 11, 2018.

The thrift shop made $170.00 in October according to John Vecchio's report to the Deacons. Currently Christmas items are on display. There are lots of warm winter clothes, toys for the kids and decorations galore. December means the best items that come in are now available on the racks and shelves for everyone's Christmas shopping. I want to thank everyone who has donated items to the shop this year and hope you keep the thrift shop in mind for future donations. I want to also mention and thank the volunteers who staff the shop all year long. They are: Wanda Andrews, Shirley Thomas, Sue Bissett, Mary Lee James, Lisa Gray, Barbara Hindman, Sharon Vecchio, Jenett Ebright, Janet Blair and add that Sharon Wenger had been subbing for Lisa Gray for the last month or so. The Thrift Shop will be closed Monday, December 25th until Wednesday, January 3rd 2018. Thanks to all helped and supported the shop all year. Eleesa Farley

Deacon’s Christmas Stockings

Once again, the Deacons are sponsoring a Christmas stocking program to support the families of Harford Family House – what a great congregational Christmas gift to our families in the neighborhood! On Sunday, December 3 the stockings will be available in the Narthex for members to pick up, take home, and fill for a child of HFH. There will be information and suggestions in the stockings to help with ideas for filling. Perhaps your family, friends, circle, or group would like to adopt an entire family or a child or two! We will need the stockings returned to church by Sunday, December 17. Please call the office (410-272-0896) or email grovechurch@verizon.net for further information. Suggested stocking stuffers are gift cards for toy stores or McDonald’s, socks, hats, gloves/mittens, and age-appropriate small items – suggestions will be provided with each stocking. We ask that you spend no more than $25 per stocking and limit to what will fit inside the stocking, as this is just to be “just a little extra” – NOT a whole Christmas for the children. We look forward to the fun and enthusiasm generated by the exuberant manner we know our congregation will respond to this wonderful project! Wishing each of you a blessed Christmas as you share yourselves with others who need a helping hand at this time in their lives.

PAGE 3 VOLUME 15 ISSUE 12

Start your Amazon Shopping at Smile.Amazon.com !

You will be logged into your Amazon account but able to donate to an organization of your choice!

The first time you visit smile.amazon.com you will be prompted to pick an organization to donate.

You can then type in Grove Presbyterian Church and look for our church in Aberdeen, MD. Select us as your organization and Shop like you always

do on Amazon. The next time you visit Smile.amazon.com you will automatically be taken

to the home page so you can start shopping!

Remember to Start all your shopping at

Smile.amazon.com

Our unique charity link: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/52-0643871 To all of my friends at Grove,

Thank you all so much for the calls, cards, emails, and prayers while I was out of the office during gallbladder surgery. I’m feeling much better, and glad to be able to return to work for such a sweet congregation! A special ‘Thank You’ to Helen, Carol, and Carmella for volunteering to cover the office duties while I was gone.

God Bless, Sheila

BLESSED CHRIST CHILD by Hope C. Oberhelman

(Submitted by Judy Bennett)

Blessed Christ Child in the manger, Endow me with Thy peace tonight - Take me by the hand, Sweet Jesus,

And make me precious in Thy sight...

Blessed Christ Child in the manger, Let me see Thy radiant star -

Shepherds stand and watch beside Thee, Awaiting wise men from afar...

Blessed Christ Child in the manger, Fill me with Thy gentle grace -

Angels in the heavens adore Thee, While a light shines 'round Thy face...

Blessed Christ Child in the manger, God protects Thee from above -

Smile on me, oh holy infant; Come and touch me with Thy love!

PAGE 4 VOLUME 15 ISSUE 12

“Deacons’ Doings” OOOPS! The Deacons forgot to get our November news in the newsletter…Here is a combined Nov & Dec news page! Sorry…L CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS: On December 3, we will have 43 names

for whom we will be providing a stocking this year. Please be sure to pick up a stocking to fill! Remember suggested gift items will be provided; please spend no more than $25 & all items should fit in the stocking!

CHANGE JAR NEWS: Please remember the change jar in the Narthex as you come to church each Sunday. These coins go toward the missions of the Deacons! Recently the Kirkendalls brought their coin jar to dump into the jug! There were: 4 half dollars, 422 quarters, 462 dimes 336 nickels and 1099 pennies + 1 French Frank, 1 Canadian dime, 1 Ecuadorian thingamajig, 1 button, 1 grommet and 1 unidentified coin – for a grand total of $177.86! Thank you Alma & Lyle! And thanks to everyone for remembering your loose change on Sunday mornings! THANKSGIVING BOXES: The Thanksgiving “Giving” Box campaign with Christ Our King Presbyterian went very well this year! Lots of volunteers packed a total of 1200 boxes on Saturday, Nov 18, with 78 of those boxes coming to the Aberdeen area on Monday, Nov. 20. Harford Family House received 30 and Grove distributed 48 to other families in our community. Our very generous congregation contributed $660.00 to this project. Heartfelt thanks to Mary Hays & Billy Loper, Margie O’Connor & Betty Umbarger for putting in a long day on the 20th and distributing the food! CUPBOARD NEWS: HOLIDAY CLOSINGS – The Cupboard will be closed on Wednesday, December 27. Our friends

who usually visit on the 4th Wednesday will be accommodated on another Wed night!

TEFAP (Federal Food) pickup - THANKS to Bob Magee, Steve Stephens, Dick Harrison, Larry & Helen Farmer, Mary Anne Thomas, Carol Troy, Charlie Himmer and John Vecchio for handling the 2,000+ pounds of food picked up, unloaded, stacked and sorted on Tuesday, Oct 10 and another 2,000+ on Tuesday, Nov 14!

IN-GATHERING: What a bounteous feast was enjoyed by many “Grovers” and guests on Sunday,

November 12! Many thanks to all the wonderful chefs and the hard-working volunteers who organized, decorated and served the beautiful & tasty harvest! Also – thanks to everyone for all the donated foods to re-stock our cupboard shelves! We gladly accept the thanks of our visitors on your behalf!

DEACON’S NEEDS: Jelly, Cereal, Spaghetti Sauce

Blessings to all!

PAGE 5 VOLUME 15 ISSUE 12

PAGE 6 VOLUME 15 ISSUE 12

6:30pm 2nd Friday EVERY Month Begins December 8th, 2017

Grove Presbyterian Church 50 East Bel Air Avenue Aberdeen, MD 21001

(Corner Post Rd. & E. Bel Air Ave.)

FREE Popcorn & Drinks FREE Popular & Fun Movies HUGE Screen!

~ Bring Blankets, Pillows, or Cushions for Floor Seating ~ Chairs (Camp/Beach/Sports) Permitted; Must be Seated Along the Wall ~ Children Under Age 10 MUST be Accompanied by an Adult (21 or Over) Who STAY for the Movie

For More Information (Upcoming Movie Title) Call Church Office 410-272-0896

PAGE 7 VOLUME 15 ISSUE 12

Sounds of the Season

Sunday, December 10, 2017 5:00 p.m.

Grove Presbyterian Church

50 E Bel Air Avenue, Aberdeen, MD

Jeremy Lyons Classical Guitarist

BORN A CHILD, BORN A KING Celebrating the birth of Jesus!

Performed by the Grove Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir

The program will last about one hour. Join us after the performance for refreshments in Mitchell Hall.

Deadline for the January

Grove Visitor is Tuesday,

December 26

VOLUME 15 ISSUE 12 PAGE 8

December 1 Debbie Scheidt December 2 Noah Clawiter December 5 Amy Clawiter December 6 Dee Unruh December 7 John Vecchio December 8 Jon Livezey December 8 Barry Dillon December 13 Sabrina Deitrick December 15 Logan Clawiter December 15 Marcus Webster December 16 Dick Harrison December 19 Olivia Hahn December 31 Victoria Bennett

HERBED ROASTED POTATOES

Flo Bradley 1/3 cup dijon mustard 2 Tbs olive oil 1 clove garlic, chopped ½ tsp italian seasoning 6 medium red skin potatoes, cut into chunks (about 2 pounds) Mix all ingredients except potatoes in small bowl. Place potatoes in lightly greased 13 x 9 x 2 baking pan or on a shallow baking sheet; toss with mustard mixture. Bake at 425 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender, stirring occasionally.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1

7p AA 6-10p Kurt Schlegel

2

3 9:15a Sunday School 10:30a Worship 11:45a Coffee Hour (Hall & Jacobs)

4 10a Thrift Shop 7p Rebekah Circle

5 8-10a Deacons 7p Boy Scouts

6 10a Thrift Shop 7p Deacons Cupboard 7-8:30P Chancel Choir

7 11:30a Martha Meal 7-9p AA

8 6:30p Movie Night 7p AA

9

10 9:15a Sunday School 10:30a Worship 5:00p Sounds of the Seasons

11 10a Thrift Shop 3p HFH 7p FAP

12 8-10a Deacons 7p Boy Scouts IHop Fundraiser

13 10a Thrift Shop 5p Harford Family House 7p AA 7p Deacons Cupboard

14 11:30a Martha Meal 7-9p AA

15 7p AA 6-10p Kurt Schlegel

16

17 9:15a Sunday School 10:30a Worship 11:45a Coffee Hour (Gerdom & Bill/Mary Hays Loper)

18 10a Thrift Shop 5:30p Trustees 7p Deacons 6p Bel Mar Coin Club

19 8-10a Deacons 7p Boy Scouts

20 10a Thrift Shop 7p Deacons

21 11:30a Martha Meal 7-9p AA

22 7p AA

23

24 9:15a Sunday School 10:30a Worship 7:00p Christmas Eve Service

25

MERRY CHRISTMAS

OFFICE CLOSED

26 8-10a Deacons 7p Boy Scouts Newsletter Deadline

27

28 11:30a Martha Meal 7-9p AA

29 7p AA

30

31 9:15a Sunday School 10:30a Worship 11:45a Coffee Hour

VOLUME 15 ISSUE 12 PAGE 9

FORWARDING SERVICE REQUESTED Grove Presbyterian Church 50 East Bel Air Avenue Aberdeen, MD 21001 (410) 272-0896 GroveChurch@verizon.net