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SUNDAY SERVICE, December 22, 2019The Fourth Sunday in Advent

10:30 a.m.

Pastor: Rev. Paul Bayerl

Bible ReadingsOld Testament: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25Sermon "God With Us"

Last Week's sermon "What Did You Go Out to See?" is available by clicking this link.

TWO SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT HOBE SOUND COMMUNITYPRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ON CHRISTMAS EVE

Tuesday, December 245:00 PM and 7:00 PM

We welcome all who come and worship together with us as we joyouslycelebrate the birth of our Savior.

Each Sunday Worship Service during Advent begins withthe Lighting of the Advent candles. The candle ceremonyon the third Sunday of Advent was led by Raelyn and Ava

Holmes.

Last Sunday‘s worship music was provided by agroup comprised of our music director Dr. AnitaCaswell (also accompanying on piano), herdaughter Ms. EsLon Caswell, and friends Mrs.Emily Archie and Mrs. Karla Jones. They havebeen singing together for over 25 years. Theywere enthusiastically welcomed and appreciatedby the congregation.

On Christmas Eve we will again welcome soloistMr. David Axton, along with Mrs. Lisa Gilson(violin), and our new and very talented bell choir.

CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERINGThe Presbyterian Church USA receives four annual special offerings eachyear. At Christmas time the Christmas Joy Offering is received.

The Christmas Joy Offering reflects that God is with us, through thegenerous gifts that support church leaders among us, retired, present andfuture, who have pointed us to God. Even as we support our current andformer church leaders through the Assistance Program of the Board ofPensions, God is calling new leaders for our Church and world, through theministry of Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communitiesof color – offering students the means for a brighter future and enhancedopportunities to use their talents and skills to serve God, the Church and theworld for years to come.

By giving through the Christmas Joy Offering, you honor God's gift ofJesus Christ by providing assistance to current and retired church workers intheir times of need and by developing our future leaders at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color.50% of your gifts go toward student development.50% of your gifts assist church workers in need.

You will find a Christmas Joy Offering envelope inserted in the bulletin.Additional information is available in a flyer found on the church porch. Youcan also go to PCUSA.org for information regarding on-line, text and phonecontributions.

Donations for Hurricane Dorian reliefAt last Sunday’s worship service, Kathy Oldham introduced Jan Ingrahamfrom Marsh Harbour, who thanked the congregation on behalf of the familiesof Marsh Harbour and the children of the Abacos for the Christmas toys. Shewas accompanied by her mother Sue and her friend Patricia, all of whomwere greatly affected by the devastation of Hurricane Dorian. Afterward theytold Kathy that they really enjoyed the service, and were singing right alongwith Anita’s singing group. Kathy invited them to return for our ChristmasEve service.

Kathy Oldham and Jan Ingraham. Kathy Oldham and Darie Bowmanwith Jan Ingraham, Jan’s motherSue, and friend Patricia.

BRINGING CHRISTMAS JOY TO OTHERSOne of the great joys of Christmas preparation isreaching out to others. Each year the HSCPCMission Committee organizes an Angel Treeproject through which all who wish can participatein making Christmas joyful for those lessfortunate than ourselves. Once again this yearSAFE PLACE has been selected as the recipient of our donations.

At Christmas time a “Santa’s Shop” is organized by SafeSpace volunteers,stocked with generous donations from many sources. This makes it possiblefor mothers to “shop” for gifts for their children, giving them a sense ofempowerment rather than having to rely on others shopping for them anddonating the gifts. Because all of the “gifts” are donations, there is of courseno charge to the mothers.

The mothers began their shopping on December 18, and representativesfrom SafeSpace picked up the many bags filled with donated toys andother items on Wednesday. They expressed gratitude for ourthoughtfulness and generosity.

CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT EXCHANGE and POTLUCK SUPPER

On Friday, Dec 13 a group of merry revelers gathered in the Fellowship Hallto share in a pot-luck dinner, ornament exchange and even a fewChristmas carols. It will be remembered as the first of many in what willsurely become an annual event. Merry Christmas everyone!

It was also Bobby Dwyer’sbirthday, which was appropriatelycelebrated with a decorated cake.

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2020

YOGA CLASSES ARE COMING TO HSCPCBeginning on January 7, instructor Sandra Pricewill be offering YOGA classes in our courtyard(good weather) or fellowship hall (bad weather).

Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:00 AM. If you want to increase yourflexibility, strength, and balance, there are two unique yoga classes to choose

from:Tuesdays: Yoga Foundations, an introduction to the primary poses thatform the foundation of a complete, flowing yoga practice. Yoga mat required.Thursdays: Chair Yoga Class, a gentler form of yoga done using thesupport of a chair.These exercises will help to improve the range of motion in all your joints,increase your overall strength and improve your balance.Sandra Price is an experienced yoga practitioner, RYT200, and CertifiedChair Yoga Instructor. Payment for each class is by donation.For more information or to register, contract Sandra at:prisandra@gmail.com.

ALSO BEGINNING IN JANUARYThe church Sanctuary will be open Monday through Thursday, 10AM to1PM for prayer and meditation.

On Monday mornings the Fellowship Hall will be open, from 7 to 8:30AMwith coffee available for the many neighborhood walkers to gather forrefreshment and fellowship.

PASTOR PAUL’S STUDY CLASSESWILL BEGIN AGAIN IN JANUARY

Tuesday mornings: The Book of RevelationOn Tuesday mornings we will be looking in depth at the Revelation toJohn. The book of Revelation begins with the words; “The Revelationof Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond servants, thethings which must shortly take place; and He sent and communicated itby His angel to His bond servant John” (Rev 1:1)

Over the course of this study we will be examining the things which tookplace shortly after the writing of the writing so as to understand the context.As it says in Rev 1:3 “blessed is he who reads and understands” “for the timeis near.” Does the book of Revelation predict events more than 2000 yearslater? Join us on Tuesday mornings at 10:00AM beginning on January7, 2020.

Wednesday evenings: The Neighborhood ChurchOn Wednesday evenings we will be looking at the role of the church in theneighborhood setting.How does the 21st century church minister to those who live nearby? We areusing as a text “Neighborhood Church: Transforming Your Congregation intoa Powerhouse for Mission” by Krin Van Tatenhove and Bob Mueller. Joinus on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 PM beginning on January 8, 2020.

Thursday afternoons: What Presbyterians BelieveOn Thursday afternoons we will be diving into what makes the PresbyterianChurch unique. We will be looking at the history and theology ofPresbyterianism since the Reformation.We will be using as our text “Being Presbyterian in the Bible Belt” by Ted

Foote Jr. & P. Alex Thornburg. Join us on Thursday afternoons at 4:00PM beginning on January 9, 2020.

HOME COMMUNION SERVICEBY ELDERS AND DEACONS

IS NOW AVAILABLE

Some of our Elders and Deacons have received training inproviding Communion outside of the church for those who areunable to attend Sunday services. They are available to providehome or other off-site Communion upon request. If you, a familymember or friend are unable to attend church services and wouldlike to receive communion you can complete a request form foundin the church pew holders, or call the Church office, 772 546-5043, to make arrangements.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (AA) is holding meetings on Saturdayevenings at 7:00 PM in our Fellowship Hall. These are described asNewcomer meetings and are open to all.

HSCPC WEBSITE: www.heartofhobesound.orgBe sure to access this website for information about our church. It includesrecordings of past sermons, a calendar of upcoming events, information andstories about all ongoing church activities, back issues of the MESSENGER,and much more.

DIGITAL CHURCH DIRECTORY AVAILABLE

A digital copy of the church directory is now available online. Click the linkbelow to be taken to the web page. The page is password protected so youwill need to be in church on Sunday to find out the password. Of course youcan also call the church office on Monday to get the password.

Church Directory

PASTOR PAUL'S OFFICE HOURS are Monday through Thursday,9:30AM to 12:00 noon. If you want to meet with him, check ahead since heoften has morning commitments outside of the office. He is available at othertimes by appointment.

DECEMBER

BIRTHDAYS2 Blake And Owen Croyle2 Sabrina Morse3 Jane Wiersma9 Xiomy Bayerl13 Bob Atkisson14 Mary Wilburn16 Raelyn Holmes20 Tom Fucigna21 Katherine Hobson25 Audrey Ruggier31 Victoria Hobson

ANNIVERSARIES7 Jonathan and Holly Pratt16 Jim and Jan Norrish16 Steve and Kimberly Anderson21 Bob and Diane Atkisson28 Randy and Sylvia Ryan

(If we have missed your birthday or anniversary, please let us know so youcan be included here for the rest of the month.)

PRAYER REQUESTS PRAYER REQUESTS

Alex Lopez-EstradaJosephine Scricca Gary Shriver Alan Reddish Cam Boynton Arlene HollowayDawn BrownMichael PennaSadie O’LaughlinMaureen DaltonGeorge Schaefer

Hisa ClarkFrank DiNapoliPaul Fortura Judy DoverspikeEllen HamlinDonna RichterLeila Howard & FamilyCathy BrooksBill PoolKaren Metzger

Names will be removed from this list after three weeks unless a request is made to keep themon. This request should be made to Diane Atkisson in the church office. Phone – 772-546-5043, email church@heartofhobesound.org

WHEN YOU WANT TO MAKE A PRAYER REQUEST: To request prayers through thePrayer Circle, for yourself or someone else, contact Jan Norrish, 772-486-5514,jannorrish@hotmail.com

To have a prayer request included in the Church Sunday bulletin andthe MESSENGER, fill out the prayer request card found in the Churchpews or contact Diane Atkisson in the office. Phone – 772 546-

5043, email - church@heartofhobesound.org

HSCPC WEBSITE: The MESSENGER is posted on our website each week. If you wantto check content from a previous week, just go to www.heartofhobesound.org and click onthe Newsletter link.

Visit our website: www.heartofhobesound.org

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