December 2016

First Presbyterian Church 650 Summers Avenue Orangeburg, South Carolina 29115 803-534-0088

www.1stpresbyterian.org

G F GROWING THROUGH FELLOWSHIP

First Presbyterian Church

Wednesday, December 7 6:30 p.m.

Children’s Choir Program

All three children’s choirs will present songs

of the Christmas Season.

Wednesday, December 14 6:30 p.m.

Christmas Handbell Program

The Youth Handbell Choir and the Adult

Handbell Choir will perform festive arrange-

ments of familiar carols.

Wednesday, December 21 6:00 p.m.

Children’s Christmas Pageant

All children, grandchildren, nieces and

nephews fifth grade through three year olds

are invited to be in the pageant (see page 2).

Supper will be after the program.

CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT COMMUNION SERVICE

6:00 P.M.

The PRESSbyterian

OLD CAROLS WITH A NEW TWIST On Sunday morning, December 18th, the

Chancel Choir will present old carols in

new and creative arrangements. Included

will be “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” a

9th century Latin hymn arranged by our own Jack

Shaffer. The choir will also sing “God Rest Ye

Merry, Gentlemen” and “I Saw Three Ships,”

lively arrangements of traditional English carols

written in the 16th and 17th centuries. Also in-

cluded are beautiful settings of the 15th century

German carol “Lo, How a Rose” and Christina

Rosetti’s “In the Bleak Midwinter.” “Alleluia!

Rejoice! The Lord Shall Come” combines two fa-

miliar carols with the popular “Ukranian Bell

Carol,” written in the 1800s. Sylvia Trimmier

PRIME TIME LUNCH DECEMBER 20, 2016

Prime Time Lunch is a delicious meal, fellowship,

and brief program on the third Tuesday of each

month, at noon in the Centre. (Note the change

back to meeting on Tuesday.) This group is for

adults of all ages and it’s a great place to spend

your lunch hour! This month’s lunch will be a spe-

cial Christmas meal. Please call the church office

(534-0088) to make reservations.

LUNCH WITH THE PASTOR AT THE OAKS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 11:30 A.M., THE OAKS DINING ROOM

To minimize the disruption of residents and guests

and insure that adequate seating arrangements will

be available, reservations must be confirmed by

Tuesday, December 6, 12:00 noon. Call Judy

Shroads (268-9714) if you wish to come. Tickets

may be purchased at the Reception Desk in

Woodard Commons.

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

DECEMBER 21, 2016 6:00 P.M. SANCTUARY

All children, grandchildren,

nieces and nephews fifth

grade through three year

olds are invited to be in the

pageant. Children need to

be in the appropriate room

in the nursery wing by 5:30.

Supper will be AFTER the

program. The only practice will be

during Children’s Church on the 11th, at which time

we will give out costumes. Kaye Borgstedt

END-OF-YEAR CONTRIBUTIONS

Contributions that you wish to be credited in

the year 2016 must be received in the church

office no later than December 30, 2016.

ALL PRIMETIMERS are invited to join the youth of

First Presbyterian on

December 4

6:00 – 7:30 pm

in the Centre

for food, fun, and fellowship.

CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING

The Christmas Joy Offering will be received on Sun-

day, December 18. This annual PCUSA offering as-

sists retired and current church workers who are

experiencing urgent financial needs, and helps to

support Presbyterian racial ethnic schools and col-

leges.

From The Interim Pastor

Advent and Christmas often catch us off-guard and unprepared, and never more so than this year when the first

Sunday of Advent is as early as it can possibly be, November 27. Why, we haven’t even finished the leftovers from

Thanksgiving and here we are singing “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.”

But Christ, like the Christmas season, will come whether we are ready or not. There is felt pressure in many homes

to create the perfect Christmas, straight off a Courier and Ives print—home perfectly decorated, family gathered

harmoniously around a holiday feast, just the right gift for each person beautifully wrapped beneath the tree, cards

all sent, caroling complete, visits to the lonely or needy completed, spiritual discipline in place. But unfortunately

many of these hoped for tasks are still incomplete and we are caught up in the rush and worry, the chaos and the

bedlam of another Christmas we hoped would be different.

Relax, please! Don’t burden yourself with the false notion that a blessed Christmas depends on us. It doesn’t!

Christmas, like the Christ, are both gifts of God only to be received. God comes to us in Christ and in this season

celebrating his birth in simple, inconspicuous, and sacred ways we never could have predicted— in the tears of

gratitude from a needy person we assisted, in the wide-eyed wonder of a child who still believes in miracles, in a

chatty letter from a long lost friend, in a phrase from a lovely carol.

The best we can do is simply to keep our eyes open, our ears attuned, our hearts receptive and our minds curious

about when the living Christ will meet us as we go about these busy days. I assure you he is here already seeking

you out.

In 1566 Pieter Brueghel the Elder painted

“Enrollment at Bethlehem.” Set in a 16th

century European village one must look

intentionally and carefully to find Mary

and Joseph among all the busy-ness of a

daily scene. But they are there as is the

child in Mary’s womb soon to be born.

My prayer for each of you in this hectic

season is expressed well by Bonnie

Belasic:

It’s almost Christmas

and I hope

you’re not ready. For just as in the beginning

it is still God who

brings order out of chaos.

Not you, or me. Not us. In these self-imposed

hectic and chaotic days. May you know the surprise

the wonder,

the excitement

the peace of God

once again entering our not-ready-ness.

Danny Massie

12/02 Hugh Hicklin

Anna Brake Plummer

Hazel Richardson

12/03 Warren Albergotti

12/04 Frances Lytch

12/05 Ashton Gue

Jay Plummer

12/08 Coleman Axson

12/09 David Allen

Christopher Gramling

Nicholas Roberts

12/10 Joyce Hicklin

Jimmy Guthrie

12/12 Bill Medders

Taylor Marcus

12/15 Fran Hendren

Mark Dudley

12/16 Frank Farnum

12/17 Brantley Shaw

Council Burroughs

12/18 Geni Gillespie

Clay Lee

12/19 Caroline Bryant

12/20 John Brailsford

Amber Hutto

Debbie Gramling

Cap Thackston

12/21 Riley Frierson

12/22 Grant Hoesing

12/23 David Gillespie

Cameron Gramling

12/27 Sophia Kuck

12/29 Carol Farnum

Ricky Pooser

Lee Ann Wofford

Josh Nexsen

12/30 Kyle Crabb

Kayla Mims

12/31 Alice Flansburg

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

DECEMBER CIRCLE MEETINGS

Circle 1 Wednesday, Dec. 14 10:15 a.m.

Conference Room Circles 2 & 4 Tuesday, Dec. 13 10:00 a.m.

Conference Room Circle 3 Tuesday, Dec. 13 6:00 p.m.

Candace Fowler

330 Brewton Street

2016 CONFIRMATION CLASS

Stephan Brison Ardis

Harris Benjamin Davis, III

Harrison Paul Miller

Evelynn Lou Myers

Olivia Belle Strickland

Abigail Lee Thackston

Bowen Gray Turner

Johanna Phillips Wolfe

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM October 30, 2016

Harrison Paul Miller

son of

Mr. and Mrs. Robert (Dee Anne) Miller

Johanna Phillips Wolfe

daughter of

Mr. and Mrs. Edward (Kim) Wolfe

PRESCHOOL NURSERY SCHEDULE December 4 Stacey and Adison Walter December 11 Erin and Robert Richardson December 18 Jimilyn and J.R. Kell

CHILDREN’S CHURCH SCHEDULE December 4 Suzanne and Tripp Wingard December 11 Gaye and Lewis Lanier December 18 Amy and Michael Delaney

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL

There will be one adult Sunday School class during

Advent in the fellowship hall. Dr. Danny Massie

will teach a series on Advent.

Another ADVENT and CHRISTMAS season is upon

us. Following is one way to think about and live

during Advent.

As an individual:

Sometimes I wonder if we are so busy concentrating

on the birth of Jesus that we neglect to remember that

we should always be prepared for His return. We

really should be living as if each hour may be our last

and be living for Him. It is so easy to think of a baby

and all the smiles, etc., that come with a new baby.

And we should certainly remember the birth of Jesus

as the Incarnation—Jesus in human form. As we

prepare for the birth with devotional readings,

programs, prayer and gift gifting, let us remember

why God gave us the ultimate gift of His Son. And

let us vow to make our advent preparation become a

daily habit. Titus and other books of the Bible give us

instructions for godly living and urge us to be ready

and zealous in doing good deeds which are not

limited to Advent. As Christians, we carry the name

of Christ every minute of every day and we have the

help of the Holy Spirit as we present Christ to the

world in words, attitudes and actions. What Christian

heritage are you leaving? Are you using your GPS,

God’s positioning system, as He divinely aligns us

with people and events to keep us from losing our

way? Ask yourself the question, do I have Jesus in my

heart or do I have religion?

As a family:

Who does all the decorating, baking, gift buying and

wrapping, etc. at your house? Are you “accelerating

thru this process with your gas gauge registering on

empty"? Is this the purpose of Advent? Why not

slow down (after all, even God rested) and try some

of these suggestions. Let everyone help with the

decorations. Leave ornaments and other decorations

just as they are placed by family members. What

does changing them say to the person who placed

them? The idea is not symmetry or perfection. It is

family working together. While decorating, talk about

your childhood memories and let children do the

same. Talk about special ornaments/decorations you

are using, who made them, and when. Bake cookies

together. They will be good no matter how they look.

Take some to others. Intentionally plan a devotional

time. First Presbyterian will provide resources and

maybe this will become a habit for your family.

If you are living alone, invite friends over for a

decorating party. Make it simple. Coffee or tea and

store bought cookies are fine because the idea is to be

together. Everyone can share Christmas memories.

Plan a time when friends, no matter where they are,

will read the same devotion you are reading. Later

you may discuss the readings but just knowing

someone else is reading with you can be comforting.

Other potential Advent family activities:

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION LIVING FAITHFULLY SERVING BOLDLY

BELIEVING DOING

(continued)

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION (continued)

Now for CHRISTMAS

CHRISTMAS December 25—January 6

As you pack up the decorations (and this can also

be a family experience), look around you and see

how the Advent experience has changed you. Are

you packing away Jesus or are you carrying Jesus in

your heart? Are you packing up all the feelings of

joy and praise?

Why not leave a crèche out all year to remind you

of Jesus and His sacrifice? Will God be acknowl-

edged and obeyed every day? We really do not

have to do something extraordinary. We just have

to walk with God in our ordinary lives. By spend-

ing time with God every day by reading the Bible

and praying, we will be able to find the joy in every

circumstance. Colossians 3:11 tells us “Christ is all,

and is in all.” Let us respond to each other with

“compassion, kindness humility, gentleness and

patience” (v. 12). Most of all we are called to “put

on love, which binds them all together in perfect

unity.” (v. 14).

Let us also remember those who are grieving dur-

ing this season with special prayer and reach out to

them.

CHALLENGE: Are you familiar with the hymn,

“Surely the Lord is in this Place”? My challenge is

to remember Jesus’ presence is the best gift. Each

day when you awake, say and mean, “Surely the

Lord is in this place and everywhere I go!” See how

that changes your life.

PRAYER: Dear God, make us worthy of your call-

ing and help us accomplish the good in us. Help us

rely on your power to be faithful in our work for

you. Help us live in such a way that You are hon-

ored. By Your Grace, Amen.

With Christian Love,

Kaye Borgstedt

Christian Education Coordinator

THANKS FOR YOUR ANSWER

The financial operations of the Church looked bleak

when we estimated our income for 2016. We

determined that we needed to reduce our

expenditures in order to maintain reserves. We

also appealed to you for help – you answered.

Our staff was asked to operate on a bare budget.

Sylvia, Sarah, and Kaye worked very hard to

accomplish their mission with less resources

than in 2015. Thanks to our staff.

Committees asked our members to help defray

our expenses. Members donated time to fill in

for our bookkeeper and our custodian.

Members also donated much effort in

maintaining the facilities and grounds. A

thousand thanks.

We asked you for any extra financial support

you could provide. Your donations to the

Prepare the Way campaign will allow us to

fund most of the benevolences and missions as

were budgeted in 2015. These items were not

budgeted for 2016. Thank you for your

sacrifices.

If our November and December collections match

the 2015 amounts and we do not incur any

unexpected expenses, we expect a small deficit for

2016 – less than $2,000. If the Prepare the Way

pledges are collected, we should be able to fully

fund benevolences and missions.

All of you contributed in many ways. Thanks.

The Finance Committee

CHANGE OF DATE

The party/supper scheduled for December 11 has

been changed to late January / early February. Stay

tuned for details.

Kaye Borgstedt

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27 9:30 a.m. Sunday School Fellowship 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship 2:00 p.m. Tree Set-up 5:00 p.m. Youth Handbell Choir 6:00 p.m. Youth Fellowship

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28

1:00 p.m. Prayer Team: Sanctuary TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29

7:00 a.m. Men’s Bible Study: The Kuckery WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30

8:00 a.m. Jim Turner Men’s Bible Study Class 6:00 p.m. G.T.F. Dinner 6:30 p.m. G.T.F. Program 6:30 p.m. Children’s Choir Rehearsal 7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1

11:15 a.m. Intercessors Meet for Prayer 5:30 p.m. Adult Handbell Rehearsal 6:30 p.m. Basketball: Centre

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4

9:30 a.m. Sunday School Fellowship 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship Service 5:00 p.m. Youth Handbell Choir 6:00 p.m. Youth Fellowship

MONDAY, DECEMBER 5 1:00 p.m. Prayer Team: Sanctuary 5:30 p.m. Manual Committee Meeting

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6

7:00 a.m. Men's Bible Study: The Kuckery 6:30 p.m. Children’s Choir Rehearsal

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7

8:00 a.m. Jim Turner Men’s Bible Study Class 11:30 a.m. Lunch with the Pastor at The Oaks 6:00 p.m. G.T.F. Supper 6:30 p.m. Children’s Choir Program 7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8

11:15 a.m. Intercessors Meet for Prayer 5:30 p.m. Adult Handbell Rehearsal 6:30 p.m. Basketball: Centre

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11

9:00 a.m. John Knox Class Breakfast Guthries’ - 1461 Sifly Road 9:30 a.m. Sunday School Fellowship 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship Service 5:00 p.m. Youth Handbell Choir 6:00 p.m. Youth Fellowship

MONDAY, DECEMBER 12 1:00 p.m. Prayer Team: Sanctuary 5:30 p.m. Adult Handbell Rehearsal

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13 7:00 a.m. Men's Bible Study: The Kuckery 10:00 a.m. Circles 2 and 4: Conference Room 6:00 p.m. Circle 3: Candace Fowler 330 Brewton Street

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14

8:00 a.m. Jim Turner Men’s Bible Study Class 10:15 a.m. Circle 1: Conference Room 6:00 p.m. G.T.F. Dinner 6:30 p.m. G.T.F.—Handbell Program 7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15

11:15 a.m. Intercessors Meet for Prayer 6:30 p.m. Basketball: Centre

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18

9:30 a.m. Sunday School Fellowship 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship 4:00 p.m. Youth Fellowship 6:00 p.m. Chancel Choir Party and Caroling

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19 1:00 p.m. Prayer Team: Sanctuary

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20

7:00 a.m. Men's Bible Study: The Kuckery 12:00 p.m. Prime Time Lunch 6:00 p.m. Session Meeting

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21

8:00 a.m. Jim Turner Men’s Bible Study Class 6:00 p.m. Children’s Christmas Pageant

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22 11:15 a.m. Intercessors Meet for Prayer 6:30 p.m. Basketball: Centre

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24

6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25 The Nativity of Jesus Christ

11:00 a.m. Worship Service

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27 7:00 a.m. Men's Bible Study: The Kuckery

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28

8:00 a.m. Jim Turner Men’s Bible Study Class

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29 11:15 a.m. Intercessors Meet for Prayer 6:30 p.m. Basketball: Centre

First Presbyterian Church Calendar

First Presbyterian Church

650 Summers Avenue

Orangeburg, SC 29115

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Merry Christmas First Presbyterian Church Staff

Merry Christmas First Presbyterian Church Staff