newsletter - wordpress.com 11, 2017 · first presbyterian church newsletter 250 w. huron, vassar,...

First Presbyterian Church

Newsletter 250 W. Huron, Vassar, MI 48768 VassarFPC.org December 2017

...from Doug’s desk... I sit down to write this on none other than Black Friday. Every culture has it’s “high holy days,” and for our culture, this is one of them. As the internet has become commonplace, we’ve extended this “holy day” to Cyber Monday. We’ve begun our Back Friday deals on Thursday night at 5pm. And then, almost as if we feel collectively guilty about it all on Monday night, we tack on “Giving Tuesday.” After that, the shopping continues. Thanksgiving Thursday, a day entirely devoted to gratitude for what we already have and what matters most, recedes in the rearview mirror and seems a distant, surreal memory by the following Thursday. Sadly ironic, but no longer alarming to us, is how this all is called “Christmas.” Even if in the name of sensitivity to other faiths or those with no faith it is now called “The Holidays” in public venues, the roots of this time of buying and spending and gifting and getting are, and always will be, in the Christian holiday of Christmas. All of this is a study in how genuine practices of faith with the best of intentions can be so easily twisted into something that has no resemblance to its former self, except perhaps in the irony of how opposite from that it has become. This is not a new phenomenon. As the Teacher in Ecclesiastes observed thousands of years ago, “There is nothing new under the sun.” Throughout history cultures have been adept at co-opting things that begin as good and noble and transforming them into anything but. Ancient pagan cultures turned harvest thanksgivings into occasions for revelry and violence. Israel too used often the Law God gave her for it’s opposite intent. Extremists of all faiths do the same—in the name of faiths that teach peace and goodness. Whole countries characterized by faiths teaching goodness and harmony have time and again practiced war and oppression. It is human nature to take something God said, modeled, or created good and use it to justify things that are anything but. We must be honest about how our faith has been misused—and not just by “those people,” but by us. This would be quite cynical if it were the last word. But it’s not. There is a lot of good that comes from this season—in much of which our congregation joyfully participates. These acts of kindness and generosity even to strangers are rooted in the life and teachings of Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Despite humanity’s best efforts, the faith of Jesus Christ has survived, thrived, and changed the world. The very core values of our modern societies like justice, equity, freedom, and the value of human life came from our faith. Lives are still transformed today—worldwide more than ever. It is in such honesty and repentance—in highlighting the contrast—that we recover the hope of the gospel. The practice of giving and receiving becomes again a reminder of the greatest Gift of all: Jesus Christ. The excitement and joy of the season once again springs from deep gratitude for what God in Christ has done for us in our hopeless state, and becomes a driving force in our lives: fueling a desire to be as gracious to those God loves (hint: that’s everyone!) as God has been to us. The emptiness and darkness so many silently endure, which often intensifies this time of year, becomes an opportunity to experience real hope for perhaps the first time—and for us to proclaim and lead them into that hope. Practices that our culture has twisted almost beyond recognition become opportunities to recover their intent and power. Our culture’s secularization of “Christmas” becomes a great opportunity for the gospel to shine all the brighter. Yes, being honest about our society is hard, and perhaps open to the accusation of selective cynicism or contrarianism. But it is only in being truthful about our human condition, individually and collectively, that we recover and are changed by the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gifts of the Magi foreshadow the gift that baby Jesus will soon give for all humanity. We each need that gift, and this season is a great opportunity to share it. Advent is a time of preparation and anticipation. Let us spend it taking stock, seeking God anew, and seizing the opportunity to proclaim, in word and deed, God’s extravagant, unconditional love for all. It is in that spirit, that I wish you a truly Merry CHRISTmas!

http://vassarfpc.org

http://vassarfpc.org

FINANCIAL NOTES

OCT: ACTUAL INCOME: 7,863.49 EXPENSE: 6,638.55 NET: +1,224.94

JAN-OCT: ACTUAL BUDGET INCOME: 80,342.42 83,333.33 EXPENSE: 87,975.57 99,295.93 NET: (7,633.15) (15,962.6)

NEWSLETTER INFORMATION DEADLINE: TUES DEC 26th

PASTOR DOUG’S CONTACT INFO: Cell/Text: (989) 780-2813

Email: [email protected]: facebook.com/pastordougabelLinkedIN: linkedin.com/in/pastordougabel

TWITTER: @REV_DSA

Does you or someone you know need visitation?

In the hospital? Home bound? In a nursing facility? Please let the church office know so that

Pastor Doug can visit them! You may also call your care team Deacon.

We are ready to take your orders for Poinsettias to fill our church again this Christmas! The sign-up sheet is located on the table in the Parlor. The cost is still $15.00 and can be paid to either Sue Campbell or Connie Gamet. If paying by check, please make it out to Pam Hanlin. Last day to order/pay is Thurs December 7th!

Hygiene Kits will be collected in January! If you have any paper

bags you wish to get rid of, please contact Tanya Steele!

“Happy Birthday Jesus” This years Christmas Pageant will be

December 17th at 6PM! Children of all ages are invited to join and be a part of

this fun and meaningful program. We are planning one short rehearsal and will spend time in Sunday

School learning the fun, simple songs. Contact: Carole Essenmacher, 823-7813

Angel Tree gifts are due December 10th. Please wrap or place in a gift bag and attach the Angel Tree

gift tag to the package. Any questions please contact Lynn Franko at 823-7590 or [email protected].

VFPC Advent & Christmas Schedule Dec 3rd 3:30: Hanging of the Greens, Soup Supper 5:00

Dec 6th-Jan 10th, 12:30 (Wednesdays): Bonhoeffer Advent Discussions, Parlor (See PD for books)

Dec 17th 6:00pm: Children’s Christmas Pageant Dec 24th Morning Worship: Carol Sing

Dec 24th 8:30pm: Christmas Eve Service (pls note time)

Advent Devotional: “God is in the Manger”

by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Books Now Available! Discussion group

Wednesdays 12:30-1:30 Church Parlor Dec 6 - Jan 10

Interested? Contact Pastor Doug!

http://about.me/pastordougabel

mailto:[email protected]

http://facebook.com/pastordougabel

http://linkedin.com/in/pastordougabel

http://twitter.com/Rev_DSA



http://about.me/pastordougabel


http://facebook.com/pastordougabel

http://linkedin.com/in/pastordougabel

http://twitter.com/Rev_DSA

COMMUMION SERVERS 12-3 Assist-- Dianne Hackett #1--Connie Gamet #2--Bob Strecker #3--Jo Linda Manus #4--Dan Johnson

GREETERS 3rd--Kathy Teschendorf & Barbara Baker 10th--Kim k& Debbie VanWormer 17th--Mark & Melanie Dowe 24th--Jayne DuBois & Louanne Campbell 31st--Lori Hubbard & Mary Kennard

USHERS 3rd--Alex Campbell, Sue Campbell, Dan Johnson 10th--Ted Gamet, Russ Hubbard 17th--Lynn Childs, Bill Shoop, Tanya Steele 24th--David, Scott, & Zach Wegrzyn 31st--Mark & Jill O’Connor

WORSHIP LEADERS 3rd--Dianne Hackett 10th--Tanya Steele 17th--Lori Hubbard 24th--Russ Hubbard 31st--Kim Wegrzyn

VIDEO/TECH 3rd--Tanya Steele 10th--Shelley Abel 17th--Dianne Hackett 24th--TBA 31st--Shelley Abel

01 James Paul Brightman 03 Jackie Strecker 05 Pat Bulko 05 Marge Botimer 06 Nathan Hubbard 07 Betty Holzhei 07 Charlotte Gamet 08 Rick Avery 15 Shelley Abel 16 Alex Campbell 25 Jesus! 31 Marge Clark

30 Keith & Ellen Brookins

WHAT’S GOING ON???

Please note: this calendar is always on the website at

vassarfpc.org/know/view-church-calendar/

and is subject to change.

December 2017Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

26Angel TreeChrist the King 9:00 AM Adult Sun-day School Class10:00 AM Worship &

27 28

8:30 AM WIC

29

7:00 PM Joint Choir Practice8:00 PM Hand Bell Choir

30 1 2

3Angel TreeCOMMUNION9:00 AM Adult Sun-day School Class10:00 AM Worship &

4 5

9:00 AM Vassar Min-isterial Alliance

6

12:30 PM DIscussion Group: God is in the 7:00 PM Joint Choir Practice8:00 PM Hand Bell

7

6:30 PM Discipleship & Growth Team7:00 PM Cancer Sup-port Group

8 9

10Angel Tree9:00 AM Adult Sun-day School Class10:00 AM Worship & Children's Classes

11 12 1312:30 PM DIscussion Group: God is in the 7:00 PM Joint Choir Practice8:00 PM Hand Bell Choir

145:30 PM Deacons7:00 PM Session

15 16

179:00 AM Adult Sun-day School Class10:00 AM Worship & Children's Classes6:00 PM Children’s Christmas Pageant

1810:00 AM Book Club

198:30 AM WIC

2012:30 PM DIscussion Group: God is in the 6:30 PM Communica-7:00 PM Joint Choir 7:30 PM Mission & 8:00 PM Hand Bell

217:00 PM Cancer Sup-port Group

22 23

24Christmas Eve - Office Closed9:00 AM Adult Sun-day School Class10:00 AM Christmas Carroll Worship8:30 PM CHRISTMAS

25Christmas Day - Office ClosedChristmas Day

268:30 AM WIC

2712:30 PM DIscussion Group: God is in the 7:00 PM Joint Choir Practice8:00 PM Hand Bell Choir

287:00 PM Worship & Music Team

29 30

319:00 AM Adult Sun-day School Class10:00 AM Worship & Children's Classes

1NY's Day - Office ClosedNew Year’s Day




5 6


27 28

8:30 AM WIC

29


30 1 2


4 5


6


7


8 9




15 16



198:30 AM WIC



22 23



268:30 AM WIC



29 30






5 6


27 28

8:30 AM WIC

29


30 1 2


4 5


6


7


8 9




15 16



198:30 AM WIC



22 23



268:30 AM WIC



29 30






5 6


27 28

8:30 AM WIC

29


30 1 2


4 5


6


7


8 9




15 16



198:30 AM WIC



22 23



268:30 AM WIC



29 30






5 6

Page 1/1Eastern Time Time Zone

http://vassarfpc.org/know/view-church-calendar/

http://vassarfpc.org/know/view-church-calendar/

Vassar First Presbyterian Church Ministry Team Summaries

If you would like to be a part of any of these ministries, please contact the chairperson.Come find your place with us as we build God’s Kingdom together!

Administration (Scott Wegrzyn)This team has two sub-teams: personnel and finance. It oversees these and other general administrative concerns of the church. It crafts a budget proposal each year for Session to approve, oversees staff, considers staffing structure, crafts job descriptions, and recommends building use policy. Buildings & Grounds (Lynn Childs)This team handles all things related to facility and property, such as routine maintenance, small repairs, facility or equipment upgrades, tech needs, or large projects as approved by Session. The church owns not only the church building and grounds, but also the upper parking lot and the pastor’s manse, as well as the equipment and appliances inside them.Communication and Publicity (Shelley Abel)This team’s focus is providing for and managing communications and publicity, with internally and externally, by prioritizing and appropriately timing these things and implying the most effective method for them. This is not only so that any given need gets the best exposure appropriate to it, but so that key events or initiatives don’t get “lost in the noise.” The team will work closely with the church secretary to execute communication and publicity, but will curate what, how, and when any communication publicity is done, and help establish processes and strategies for easy management of the same.Community Connections (Lynn Childs)This team’s focus is any event or project that brings the community together in Christian fellowship: which is “Christian-speak” for having fun and making connections. It serves a practical and cohesive function in our community of faith, and at the same time provides a safe space for new people to get to know us. The team executes several events each year to that end, and looks for smaller ways to facilitate a sense of connection between friends and members as well.Discipleship & Growth (Kevin Haines)This team’s stated mission is “Inviting you on a Journey with Jesus.” It oversees, enables, resources, and supports the person-inviting, disciple-making and disciple-growing aspects of the church’s ministry, from nursery to families to ecumenical Youth Group and VBS, to adult professionals, to retirees. It is concerned with education, but not merely as knowledge transfer, but heart changing: helping people of any age or stage meet Jesus, grow in faith, and become committed followers of Jesus. This team also oversees and resources any small groups that form, from study groups to affinity groups to service/mission groups. Mission & Outreach (Shelley Abel)This team concerns itself with supporting mission efforts that do not typically fall under our own congregation’s ministry. These may be local, regional, statewide, national, or global in nature. In many cases that support is financial, such as perhaps funding a missionary abroad. It may also sometimes be more personal, like forming a work trip to a devastated area of our nation.Worship & Music (Kevin Haines)The worship & music team concerns itself with providing for the worship and music aspects of our congregation, and considers not only present needs but future directions for forms of and tools for worship. There are practical matters like making sure ushering and children’s sermons are covered, resourcing our choirs and accompanists, making sure candles are stocked, etc. It also, in collaboration with the pastor and music staff, considers weightier matters like the practice and philosophy of worship.

(Note: Nominating team is not listed because at-large members of this team are nominated by previous nominating team and elected at the congregational meeting. Steve Franko is the chairperson this year)

CONTACT PERSONS

Pastor Doug Abel, (989) 780-2813 (Voice, VM, or Text) Angie Ayotte, Church Office: (989) 823-7671

Elders

Shelley Abel (989) 780-2817 Kevin Haines (989) 871-3293.............. ....................

Nicole Baker (917) 776-9546 Dan Johnson (Clerk) (989) 823-2525............. ........

Alex Campbell (989) 823-3848 Diane Rice (989) 992-9333........... ........................

Lynn Childs (989) 868-4802 Scott Wegrzyn (989) 529-1147............... ..................

Deacons

Louanne Campbell (989) 823-3624 Bill Shoop (989) 823-1331... .........................

Mike Kennard. (989) 823-2192 Tanya Steele............... (989) 823-2278........... .....

Cheryl Sholty (989) 823-2438 Carol Swaffer (989) 823-3756............ ...................

Kim Wegrzyn, Mod (989) 233-8460...

PRAYER CHAINS

Telephone Chain: Louanne Campbell....823-3624

Email Chain: Angie Ayotte ([email protected])

or Pastor Doug ([email protected])

Contact Persons Session Ministry Teams: Administration (Finance & Personnel) Scott Wegrzyn 529-1147 ........................... Buildings & Grounds Lynn Childs 868-4802 ...................................................... Discipleship & Growth Kevin Haines 823-3293 ................................................... Communication & Publicity Shelley Abel 780-2817 ............................................ Community Connections Lynn Childs 868-4802 ............................................... Mission & Outreach Shelley Abel 780-2817 ....................................................... Nominating Kevin Haines 823-3293 .................................................................... Worship & Music Pastor Doug 780-2813 ...........................................................

Deacons Kimberly Wegrzyn 233-8460 ...........................................................................

Choir (Shared with FUMC) Pat Middlin 545-0948...............................................





SESSION HIGHLIGHTS

Session Highlights

Session met on Thursday, November 9th, 2017. Here are some of the highlights of the meeting. Pastor Doug Abel was our Moderator.

• Steve Franko was excused.

• Minutes of the October Session meeting were approved.

• Our Records and Minutes were reviewed on October 21st, and were approved with some exceptions (we had some incomplete information.)

• Financial report shows we are operating on a -$ 6,601.37. Don’t forget that if you have not paid the 2017 apportionment, you can pay $26.17 per member, it would really help.

2018 apportionment will be $26.94 per member. This is voluntary, but if

we could each write a check for that amount, it would really help.

• Next 5th Sunday is December 31st, 2017. Cause to be determined.

• Communion was served on November 5th, 2017 by Pastor Doug Abel. Steve Franko assisted. Elders serving were Shelley Abel, Nicole Baker, Alex Campbell and Jo-Linda Manus.

• Our membership rolls now stand at 144 as we have dropped 4 members. More being considered.

• Stewardship letters have been mailed including pledge cards.

• We are getting between 3 and 10 kids in Sunday School every week.

• REACH will be in Vassar in the summer of 2018.

• CROP walk was held on October 8th. There were 84 walkers. We took in $1,663.

• Advent Devotional will take a 6 week commitment.

• Next Session meeting will be Thursday, December 14th, 2017..

Respectfully submitted,

Dan Johnson

Clerk of Session

First Presbyterian Church

P.O. Box 117

Vassar, MI 48768

newsletter - wordpress.com 11, 2017 · first presbyterian church newsletter 250 w. huron, vassar,...

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