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TRANSCRIPT
December 2017
Phone: 605-343-6171
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.fpcrc.org
The Christmas Chain
One of my favorite traditions as a child was our family Christmas chain. We
made a paper chain of 25 slips of paper, alternating green and red. Every day beginning
on December 1, we ripped one slip off as a countdown to Christmas. Inside there was a
little slip of paper with a Christmas-themed activity. Some days the activities were more
involved: “Today we will go see Santa.” Other days were simple: “Check your stocking
for an early treat.” Even on those simple days, we would run excitedly to our hidden
treasure where we would find a few Hershey’s kisses or a Snickers shaped like a Nut-
cracker. It really didn’t matter if the day included a “big” activity or a “small” one, the
wonder and excitement was electric.
Of course with all of my fond memories, the chain was a tradition I wanted to
continue with my family. Let me tell you, the parent side of this tradition is not filled with
wonder and excitement. It is filled with dread and many frantic days of, “Oh, no! I forgot
about the chain! What do I have around the house that I can use?” December is so busy
already, that this “extra” thing to plan for every day seemed to just be adding stress. So
much so that this year I considered eliminating the chain. (What?! The 8-year-old inside
of me was crying a little at the thought.) Emsley won’t even notice or care, right?
Wrong. A few weeks ago, Emsley was in my office with me while I was doing
some work. She was cutting up papers and making some type of craft. This is a normal
occurrence so I didn’t think anything of it. When she asked me for my stapler, I looked
up to see a stack of green slips and a stack of red slips. She was making the chain. The
tradition I loved so much has already become a favorite for my little 6-year-old. She
proudly put the pieces together and took it home to hang on the tree. She enthusiastically
talked about what some of the activities might include. I had tears in my eyes as I re-
membered the chain from a child’s perspective. I guess I’ll have to find something else to
eliminate this year, because the chain is a tradition that must continue.
I’m sure many of you participate in a tradition that may not thrill you. This
year I urge you to remember why you do it, and maybe even find a little joy in it yourself.
Merry Christmas!
Martha Robinson
Dec. 3 - Advent Wreath Making after worship
Dec. 10 - Gospel Christmas Cantata at 2:00 p.m.
Dec. 17 - Youth Christmas Party 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Dec. 19 - Christmas Party for Elders, Deacons
& Staff at 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 24 - Service of Lessons & Carols at 10:00 a.m.
Dec. 24 - Family Jazz Service at 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 25-29 - Church Office Closed
Jan. 28 - Congregational Meeting after worship
Dates to Remember
Head of Staff
Rev. Jeff Kintner 343-6171 ext. 15
Director of Music Ministry
Paul Robinson 343-6171 ext. 22
Director of Children’s Ministry
Paula Zavitz 343-6171 ext. 23
Director of Youth & Young Adults
Martha Robinson 343-6171 ext. 14
Office Coordinator
Shelly Tupper 343-6171
office @fpcrc.org
Program Coordinator
Rev. Dr. Diane Janssen Hemmen
Treasurer
Tami McGuire, Volunteer 343-6171 ext.11
Custodian
Sandy Featherstone 343-6171
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Meet our Staff
Church Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Friday: Closed
Hope!
First Presbyterian Church
presents
December 10, 2017
2:00 p.m. Reception to Follow
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Preaching Schedule 2017
December 3 (First Sunday of Advent) Text: Daniel 3:8-30 and John 18:36-37 Title: A Different King and a Different Kingdom Theme: The Kingdom is maintained by sacrifice and deliverance, not by threat of force.
December 10 (Second Sunday of Advent) Text: Ezekiel 37:1-14 and John 11:25-26 Title: Life for Dry Bones Theme: Resurrection life is anything but dry.
December 17 (Third Sunday of Advent) Text: Isaiah 55:1-13 and John 4:13-14 Title: The Word is the Deed Theme: God’s word will accomplish his purposes and that word is Jesus.
December 24 (Fourth Sunday of Advent - Morning) Text: Various Title: Lessons and Carols
December 24 (Fourth Sunday of Advent - Evening) Text: Luke 2:1-20 Title: “While They Were There” Theme: God brings new life in the midst of ordinary everyday life.
December 31 (First Sunday of Christmas) Text: John 1:19-34 Title: The Way Maker Theme: John prepares the way by getting out of the way.
Cornerstone Mission
Appreciation goes to these people for serving the
mission meal in Sept and/or Oct: Dave & Patsy True,
Arlene & Larry Bowles, Judy & John Pehrson, Jackie
Moore, Jim Haddock and Don & Doneen Grimm.
The family of Jerry & Cindy Shagla volunteered for
November. The December meal is the 26th. Would
there be a family or friendship group interested in serv-
ing on the 26th? Call Doneen Grimm at 605-342-4907
or sign up in the social room. A special thanks to the
Bowles for serving six months in succession.
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12/19 - Shirley Bloemendaal
Carol Longden
12/20 - Alicia Counsellor
12/21 - Rebecca Hargens
Jessica Clutter
12/24 - David True
12/28 - Melissa Treinen
12/30 - Daniel McGuire
12/31 - Clyde Hines
Dianne Baumgartner-Brown
John Huisman
12/2 - Susan Callahan
12/3 - Joseph Allen
12/5 - Brandi Longden
12/8 - Emily Henriksen
12/9 - Angela Kintner
12/10 - Isaac Canaan
Burt Miller
Kaylie Tupper
12/14 - Linda Clutter
12/18 - Barry Longden
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs. -----------------
Next Thursday there will be
try-outs for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
----------------- Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church.
So ends a friendship that began in their school days. -----------------
At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?'
Come early and listen to our choir practice. -----------------
Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
----------------- Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.
Just For Laughs These sentences actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced at church services.
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November Session Minutes
Stated Meeting of the Session
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
Our devotions were based on Matthew 6:19-21. Focusing on verse 21: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” We were asked to consider whether the budget we were reviewing reflected the heart of our church. The devotions closed with a prayer which opened the meeting.
Clerk’s Report:
Membership: Beth Elaine Kukuk died November 11, 2017. Her celebration of life service was held at First Presbyterian on November 15, 2017 with Rev. Jeffrey Kintner and the Rev. Dr. Earl Underwood, Jr. officiating. Interment followed at Pine Lawn Memorial Park.
Calendar: The Lord’s Supper was celebrated on Novem-ber 5, 2017 with the Rev. Jeff Kintner presiding and at the Westhills Third Thursday services, October 19, 2017 and November 16, 2017 with the Rev. Jeff Kintner and Rev. Bob Jacobs presiding.
The Christmas cantata “Hope!” will be presented on December 10 at 2pm with a reception following in the Social Room.
Christmas Eve services will be Sunday, De-
cember 24 at 10am and 5:30pm.
An all-church potluck is planned for Tuesday,
January 9, 2018 at 5:30pm.
The next Presbytery meeting is February 23, 2018 at First Presbyterian Church in Wilmot, SD. A guest from the denomination will lead a boundaries train-ing session.
Synod School will be held July 22-27, 2018 on the campus of Buena Vista University in Dubuque, IA. Registration will open in March 2018.
The 2018 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women is slated for August 2-5, 2018 in Louisville, KY. Our local PW does have some support available. Contact Paula Zavitz or Lois Huisman for more infor-mation.
Melissa Estacion Yeoman has resigned from Session.
Moderator’s Report: Jeff will officiate at the wedding of Lyle Brink and Cathie Wahlstrom on December 10, 2017. The service will be off-site.
Deacons’ Report: The December meeting will center around our Christmas card project. Any additional sug-gestion of persons to receive cards would be appreciat-ed.
Staff Reports: Most of the staff had other obligations this evening. Diane has been very busy and traveling extensively in her role of Presbytery Moderator.
Committee Reports:
Christian Life and Learning: The Reformation class was very well received. If you missed a class some of the materials are available in the church library. Watch for several fellowship activities in the new year.
Nominating: The ordination/installation service for new officers is planned for January 7, 2018 during wor-
ship.
We will have a congregational meeting on January 28, 2018 for the purpose of reviewing the past year and ap-proving Jeff’s terms of call. Plans are in the works for an-
other Kids Against Hunger pack following the meeting.
Outreach: Our hosting of Life INC went exceptionally
well. Thanks to all who helped in any way.
Treasurer’s Report: On October 31, 2017 the finan-cial statements indicated:
YTD Income $376,162.44
YTD Expenses $368,580.48
Trustees’ Report: All-Weather Roofing will be working on the roof--expect some limitations to access the
parking lot.
Thanks were extended to Diane, Tami and Shelly Tupper for their advance work on the budget.
Tami led us through the proposed budget for 2018. The Session approved it as presented. The IRS requires that Jeff’s housing allowance be contained in the previous year’s minutes. The Session set the allowance at $30000 for 2018.
The next meeting will be the joint meeting with the Dea-cons and will be at the Rushmore Plaza Holiday Inn on December 19, 2017 at 5:30pm.
What a FUN year!
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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
December 20 17
9 a.m. Wired Word
10 a.m. Worship
11 a.m. Fellowship
11:15 a.m. Making
Advent Wreaths
2:30 - 6 p.m. Club 45
5 - 7 p.m. Youth
7 p.m. Support Group
9 a.m. Wired Word
10 a.m. Worship
11 a.m. Sunday
School
2 p.m. Christmas
Cantata
5 - 7 p.m. Youth
7 p.m. Support Group
9 a.m. Wired Word
9 a.m. Club 45
Service Project
10 a.m. Worship
11 a.m. Fellowship
11:15 a.m. Sunday School
5 - 7 p.m. Youth
Christmas Party
7 p.m. Support Group
10 a.m. Service of Lessons & Carols
11 a.m. Fellowship
5:30 p.m. Family Jazz
Service
10 a.m.
Congregational Life & Learning
Church Office
Closed
Church Office
Closed
Church Office
Closed
Church Office
Closed
5:45 p.m. Deacons
7 p.m. Bells of Hills
7 p.m. Support
Group
7 p.m. Bells of Hills
7 p.m. Support
Group
5:30 p.m. Christmas Party for Elders, Deacons & Staff
7 p.m. Bells of Hills
7 p.m. Support
Group
4 p.m. Mission Meal
7 p.m. Bells of Hills
7 p.m. Support
Group
6 p.m. Praise Team
6 p.m. Bells
7 p.m. Choir
5:30 p.m Trustees
6 p.m. Praise Team
6 p.m. Bells
7 p.m. Choir
7 p.m. Support
Group
7 p.m. Support
Group
4 p.m. Presbyterian
Women Bible Study @ Westhills
7 a.m. Men’s
Fellowship
9 a.m. Support
Group
7 a.m. Men’s
Fellowship
9 a.m. Support
Group
9 a.m. Cantata
Rehearsal
7 a.m. Men’s
Fellowship
9 a.m. Support
Group
7 a.m. Men’s
Fellowship
9 a.m. Support
Group
7:30 p.m.
Instrumental
Rehearsal for Cantata
7 p.m. Support
Group
31 10 a.m. Worship
11 a.m. Fellowship
11:15 a.m. Sunday School
5 - 7 p.m. Youth
Church Office
Closed
Church Office
Closed
Church Office
Closed
Church Office
Closed
Church Office
Closed 7 a.m. Men’s
Fellowship
9 a.m. Support
Group
6 - 8 p.m. Young Adults Bowling @ Meadowood Lanes
9:30 a.m. Third
Thursday @ Westhills
7 p.m. Support
Group
9:15 a.m.
Presbyterian Women Bible Study
10 a.m. Prayer Shawl
6 p.m. Praise Team
6 p.m. Bells
7 p.m. Choir
Helping those in Need! We are running low on supplies. The staff would like to be able to occasionally help those in need that come to
the office. Here is a list of some of the things we are looking for.
Canned goods that have a pop top or easily open without a can opener, fruit cups & veggie cups
Non perishable snack food items/ Plastic grocery bags
There is a drop box in the copy room next to office, or in the drop box located in the Narthex. Thank you for your
help. If you would be interested in helping assemble food bags or distributing them, please call the office at
605-343-6171.
First Presbyterian Church (605)343-6171 [email protected]
Help us be green!
We would like to continue
sending the newsletter via
email as much as possible. If
you would like your newsletter sent by email,
please provide your current email to the
church office, 343-6171 or
[email protected]. You can also view the
newsletter on our website at www.fpcrc.org
Thanks for helping us be green!
What is the Prayer Chain?
The prayer chain is a group of dedicated people,
who are willing to pray for a period of time,
(usually two weeks or as long as requested) for
a requested need. No prayer request is too
small or too large.
All requests are held in confidence and not
shared with the bulletin and newsletter prayer
list, unless requested.
Have a need? Contact the church office at 343-
6171, or MaryAnn Davis @ 343-3698
Any use of the church must be scheduled with the church office
at 343-6171 or email [email protected].
Please submit your articles for the Newsletter by the 25th of the month. Items to
be published in the bulletin should be submitted by noon on Wednesday of each
week. To submit information, please contact the office.
605-343-6171 or [email protected]
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