PRAYER FAMILY OF THE DAY
DECEMBER - 2009
1 Mr. & Mrs. Chris Jerauld
2 Miss Mallary Johnson
3 Mr. Pierce Johnson
4 Mrs. Helen Jones
5 The Richard Kamansky Family
6 Mrs. Beth Karpov & Family
7 The Jason Kerr Family
8 Mr. & Mrs. Ernie Kinch
9 The Paul Kipar Family
10 Mr. & Mrs. Ryan Kipar
11 Mrs. Pam Koeb
12 Mr. John Koons
13 The Steve Lathrop Family
14 The Bruce Legg Family
15 Mr. & Mrs. Fred Lewis
16 The Bill Lewis Family
17 The Chuck Link Family
18 Mr. & Mrs. Jeremiah Link
19 Mr. & Mrs. Fred Little
20 The Mike Lyden Family
21 Mrs. Sandra Major & Family
22 Mr. & Mrs. Tim Masters
23 Mr. Charles Merrill
24 Miss Emily Merrill
25 Mr. Eric Merrill & Family
26 Mr. Jacob Merrill
27 Mr. & Mrs. Doug Overfield
28 Mrs. Mildred Peterson
29 Mrs. Catherine Pope & Family
30 The John Posaski Family
31 Mr. & Mrs. Evan Price
SPECIAL PRAYER NEEDS
Joseph Feuerherd, Robert Kogut, Sandy and Jane Sparks, Bob Marz, Margart Garrison, Mary Lee Caterson, Arline West, Alex Bennett, Ernie Kinch, Oleita Travis, John Hinkle, Todd Groover, Dorothy Abbott, Jennifer Jones, Gene and Lorraine Forrest, Pattie Jenkins, Kathryn Wolfe, Emily Donovan, Roger Valentine, Mandy Gambal, Pam Smith, Jeanne Rosenberg, John Blachek, Gabrielle Hughes, Cora Groover, Wayne Morgan, T. J. Coursen, Lorraine Vassallo, our shut-ins, our military, our country
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DECEMBER LECTIONARY
Week of December 6 – Mal. 3:1-4;
Luke 1:68-79; Phil. 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6
Week of December 13 - Zeph. 3:14-20; Isa. 12:2-6; Phil. 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18
Week of December 20 – Mic. 5:1-5a; Luke 1:47-55 or Ps. 80:1-7; Heb. 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45 (46-55)
Week of December 27 – I Sam. 2:18—20, 26; Ps. 148; Col. 3:12-17; Luke 2:41-52
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OUR CHRISTIAN LOVE AND SYMPATHY
are extended to Lois Carrington and family on the passing of her husband, Bob, on November 9th. Lois and Bob were blessed with sixty-seven years of marriage.
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ATTENTION PET OWNERS
Free winterization kits for outside animals are available in the back hallway of the church. These bags were donated by the Endless Mountains Animal League.
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AVOID TRAFFIC JAMS
In an effort to avoid traffic problems while entering the church parking lot, folks are reminded to leave by the exit onto Cherry Street. Thank you for your cooperation.
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CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING
This money is split to benefit pastors and mission workers at times of unexpected needs through the Assistance Programs of the Board of Pensions and to the Historical Presbyterian Racial and Ethnic Institutions. Envelopes will be available.
FROM THE TRUSTEES
We thank all who came out on our fall clean-up day on November 7 and especially Scout Leader Dan Myers and Boy Scout Troop #92. We tidied up the outside of the church and manse as well as St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. This was an effort that was coordinated by Trustee Jerry Brown. Lunch at the manse was graciously provided by the Link family afterward.
In compliance with the Pennsylvania American Water Company we have successfully installed a “back-flow” valve on the main water line of the church.
A letter was drafted and sent to the Smithsonian Institute requesting information on the preservation of the George Bentley Collection of historical books.
We have safety and preservation concerns about the church roof and the steeples as we feel that it is time to make needed improvements in those areas. We would also like to thank Mr. Chris Caterson for assisting in the winterization of the exterior of the church.
At this time the Trustees would like to thank the congregation for the love and support that has been bestowed upon us this past year as this our final Trustee Committee report.
Douglas Overfield, Trustee President
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THE PROPERTY COMMITTEE
The Property Committee (Building and Grounds) maintains and repairs the Church physical plant and grounds as efficiently as possible and reports potential future needs to the Session for consideration. In addition to the routine maintenance there are often unexpected problems that occur such as leaking frozen pipes, or walls that have to be repainted when paint chips off, or cutting down dead trees or limbs, or repairing church pews. These and many other unexpected problems must be dealt with as quickly as possible.
It is hoped that volunteers from the congregation will serve on the committee. It is also hoped that others will step forward to help repair the routine items, perform building maintenance, and assist in the upkeep of the grounds.
The Property Committee will advise the Session of special needs which may require extra funds, or the need to secure a qualified contractor to perform upgrades and repairs that cannot be done by the members of the congregation. The committee shall, from time to time, organize work and cleaning days and challenge our members to become involved in the maintenance of our property. The Building and Grounds Committee shall also make recommendations to the Session concerning any capital additions or alterations to the property including the church’s manse.
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CHOIR NOTES
Choir rehearsals are now more convenient to attend! Our rehearsals will be held at 9:00 every Sunday morning. It is hoped that this time change will encourage more singers to join us as new members are needed and welcomed! We will be wearing our robes on special occasions only. Singers are free to leave the choir loft and rejoin their families after the anthem as the children are coming forward for the Children’s Message. This is a wonderful way to serve your church! “Those who sing, worship twice.”
THE SESSION DIGEST
The November 15th meeting of Session was opened with devotions and prayer by Karen Holbrook. The Trustees joined in the beginning of the meeting with their 2010 budget proposal.
An update on the steeple repair was given and concern for the church roof condition was shared. The church rear door lock broke and has been replaced. It was approved to number and distribute a limited quantity of new keys with one spare key for sign out through the office.
The Nominating Committee continues to work to complete the slate of officers for election.
The Worship Committee has lined up two organ meditations and soup luncheons, and choir rehearsal has been changed to 9:00 Sunday mornings.
The Membership Committee hopes to meet before the end of the year to do the annual membership roll review.
The Sunday School children are beginning to prepare for participation in each service during Advent. Their special musical will be presented to the congregation on December 20 and our traditional birthday party for Jesus will be celebrated after the service.
Pastor Link reported that “Halloween on the Green” was well received and will likely be repeated next year.
The Mission Committee made recommendations for 2010 mission support with the following approved: One specific mission per calendar month, each to receive $1,000. Payment to WPEL for “Hour of Inspiration” weekly broadcast ($260 per month) and Per Capita of $27.50 per active member. Pledge to Endless Mountains Health System ($200) and “Our Daily Bread” devotionals ($125). It was approved to eliminate percentage and work with dollar amounts.
The Finance and Stewardship Committee is preparing the annual stewardship packet which will be mailed in early December. As the Trustees were unsuccessful in recruiting a replacement for Joan Kamansky as treasurer, the committee will take over the task. The possibility of making this a paid position was discussed. With a few minor adjustments for anticipated electric cost incleases, the ooperating budget proposal was approved with the total remaining as in 2009, ($127,135.).
The Nurturing Committee is still looking for people to help provide transportation to services.
The Personnel Committee met with our paid staff. Session approved the recommendation to keep all salaries the same as 2009 and moved that the recommendation for Pastor Link’s terms of call be presented to the congregational for approval.
The Deacons served a funeral dinner for the family of member Robert Carrington on November 14th.
By consensus Elder Amos Hollister will attend the November 21 meeting of Presbytery with Pastor Link at Rome.
Elder Amos Hollister closed the meeting with prayer.
The next Session meeting is scheduled for December 20.
MINISTRY OF CHRISTIAN SERVICE
The preparation time for the upcoming Christmas season is upon us. The Jesse Tree has gone up with 36 tags on it with the age and gender of a local needy child.
Deadline for gifts to be brought back to the church is December 9. At the present time we do not have an adoptive family.
Guidelines for Jesse Tree gifts are:
1 A limit of $25 per gift
2 Gift tag should be taped to the outside of the gift item
3 If a toy requires batteries, please tape them to the outside of your gift.
4 Gifts should not be wrapped so parents are able to see what their child will receive and they can enjoy wrapping it themselves.
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SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY INTERFAITH CHRISTMAS BUREAU
Again this year our church has been asked by the Christmas Bureau to supply 150 cans of sweet potatoes which with foods from other churches will be given to needy local families.
To make it more convenient, monies can be given to Amos Hollister or the church office and will be used to purchase them at a cheaper bulk rate. December 14 is the deadline. Thanks for your participation. ----- Amos Hollister
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THANK YOU
Many families in our county will be enjoying a tasty, hot turkey dinner this Thanksgiving thanks to all who donated to the Feed-a-Friend program. Your generosity is appreciated by so many.
--- Helen Jones
200TH ANNIVERSARY UPDATE
At our last committee meeting on November 4th we decided to have three Sundays as our celebration days. The dates are September 12, September 26, and October 10, 2010. The three dates represent our past, present and future. We are in the process of securing speakers for each Sunday. We would like to have light refreshments on the September dates with a sit down dinner on October 10.
In addition to the above observances, a bicentennial quilt is being designed headed by Glenda Ely. Several other possible events are being considered at this time. We have much to be accomplished in the future months. Any help of any kind will be appreciated.
----- Amos Hollister
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CONGREGATIONAL MEETING AND COVERED DISH LUNCHEON
A Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, December 13, at the close of the 10:00 AM worship service for the purpose of electing officers and receiving our 2010 budget. A covered dish luncheon will follow the meeting. We will sing a few favorite Christmas carols upstairs while the kitchen crew gets the buffet luncheon
with your covered dishes ready downstairs. It is hoped you will plan to stay and share in the spirit of the season.
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INTERESTED IN ATTENDING AN ICE HOCKEY GAME?
Local AHL Hockey teams the Binghamton Senators and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penquins will be facing off at Binghamton on January 15 at 7:05 PM. Tickets are $15.50. Interested in going? Contact the Holbrooks at 278-3191 soon.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
In addition to their regular classes the Sunday School children and youth are preparing for the Christmas season. Each Sunday of Advent and on Christmas Eve they will be lighting the candles of Christmas with Scripture readings. Also, they will lead the congregation in singing a traditional Christmas carol during the worship service.
On December 20the Sunday School will present a musical, “One Starry Night”. The children and youth will be doing some special music including solos and Christmas Carols and will ask the congregation to join in.
While the children are preparing for Christmas you will notice that they will be leaving the worship service after the children’s message to go downstairs.
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DECORATING PARTY
A Christmas tree decorating party is planned for Wednesday, December 2, and everyone is invited to come! A light supper will be served between 5:30 and 6:00 PM before we begin to hang the angels and string the lights. Come out and share in the fun!
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MONTROSE COMMUNITY CHORALE
The Montrose Community Chorale will present “Christmas in Montrose”, a program of sacred and secular music on Sunday, December 6, at 3:00 PM at the Montrose Area High School auditorium. The chorale is directed by David Andre with Richard Van Auken, organist, and Evelyn Van Auken, pianist.
A free will offering will be accepted. Light refreshments will be served in the cafeteria following the program.
ADVENT ORGAN MEDITATIONS
Two Advent Meditations are planned to bring some moments of quiet reflection on the true meaning of why we celebrate this season. Through God’s great love we rejoice at the gift of His Son, Jesus, the Christ and our Savior.
On December 9 Martha Denkenberger will present her organ program and on December 16 Sarah Bertsch will be at the organ. Both meditations promise to be a time of experiencing God’s presence and message of love through the music.
A luncheon of homemade soups and breads will follow each meditation in Westminster Hall. Invite your neighbors and friends and plan to be in attendance at Noon in our sanctuary both dates.
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CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
A favorite service within this church has always been the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. We want to reach out to the community and invite all to share in the beauty of Christmas Eve at our 7:00 PM service when we sing out in gladness over the birth of our Lord Jesus.
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RING THE BELLS FOR THE
SALVATION ARMY
If you’d like to volunteer to ring the bells for the Salvation Army to help Susquehanna County residents, please call the following:
Carol Winkleblech, 278-2156
Lynn Solomon, 853-4692
They will start after Thanksgiving.
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Remember that we still have a number of our Church Cookbooks available and they make a great Christmas gift, hostess gift, thank you gift, birthday gift or shower gift to a new bride learning how to cook for just $10.
DECEMBER MISSION
(The Colemans…Sun Loft Studio)
David and Cheryl Coleman, son and daughter-in-law of Roy and Jean Coleman, moved to Knoxville, Tennessee in 2001 for a one year sports ministry internship after their graduation from Moody Bible Institute. Over the last seven years, the Lord has enabled them to serve as a mission of hope in Knoxville to learn how to be effective in fighting for the heart of their city and its people through the ARTMail ministry efforts of Sun Loft Studio. They have become an established family life resource and outreach in their community.
On December 14th David and Cheryl and their two children Alyssa (7) and Jonathan (3) will be moving to Metro Chicago where David will assume a full-time pastoral position at Evangelical Trinity Church in an international community where he will use his gifts and abilities with children and their families. Pastor Andrew Cho and his wife, Yin, have been long time friends of the Coleman’s back in their days at Moody.
In the upcoming months Sun Loft Studio will focus on art making and creating innovative educational tools to teach biblical truths. Once established, Cheryl will coordinate ART for LIFE workshops as special events to mobilize local youth and their families to serve as community resource.
David and Cheryl thank you for your treasured support to lift high the beautiful cross of Christ. At this time mail can still be sent to:
Sun Loft Studio
P. O. Box 51115
Knoxville, TN 37950
DECEMBER LITURGISTS
6 Beth Karpov
13 Helen Jones
20 Karen Holbrook
27 Debbi Terpstra
DECEMBER GREETERS
6 Larry and Alexis Churm
13 Mary Ann Robinson
20 David and Linda Taylor
27 Fred Little
DECEMBER MONEY COUNTERS
6 John Hawley & Helen Jones
13 Richard Terpstra & Sandy Barnett
20 Beth Karpov & Joe Barnett
27 Suzanne Swart & Sue Considine
DECEMBER HEAD USHER
Doug Overfield
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POINSETTIA ORDER FORM
Price: $11:00
Deadline to order: December 7
Please fill out this form and see that it gets to the church office by the due date. Checks should be made out to the church and earmarked “poinsettia”.
Name_______________________________
Bulletin message:
In memory of________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
In honor of __________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Number ordered______________________
Amount enclosed_____________________
FREE CHRISTMAS DINNER
A free Christmas dinner sponsored by the the staff, employees, and friends of the Endless Mountains Health System will be served at Noon on Christmas Day, Friday the 25th of December, at the Montrose Senior Center. An invitation is extended to all to be a guest at this annual dinner.
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VESPERS SERVICE
The monthly Vespers Service will be held on December 13 at 5:00 PM at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Alisoun Bertsch will welcome the congregation. Rita and Al Leigh will serve as greeters and Pierce Johnson is the Reader of the lessons. Guests will be the Select Choir of the Lathrop Street Elementary School directed by Nino Benicci. A light supper will follow in the Parish House. All are welcome to attend.
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THANK YOU
“Thank you to all who were so kind and comforting to me and my family when Bob passed away. Also, thanks to those who prepared and served the delicious dinner. We appreciated it very much.”
Sincerely,
Lois Carrington
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CHRISTMAS DEPARTMENT STORE
Our friends at the Montrose United Methodist Church will again hold their Christmas Department Store in their facilities on Saturday, December 5 from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM They offer family holiday shopping opportunities for kids and adults alike with reasonably priced articles from attic treasures, toys, games, jewelry, crafts to Christmas decorations.
Lunch will be served at 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM. Delicious baked goods are available and you may pick your own Christmas cookies by the pound. Free gift wrapping with any purchase. Stop by and support their efforts.
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CHRISTMAS BAZAAR
Another festive event offered by our friends at Holy Name of Mary Church will feature a Christmas Bazaar in the church hall on Saturday, December 5, from 9 AM to 3 PM. Breakfast and lunch are available along with baked goods, homemade haluskie, homemade stuffed grape leaves, a raffle, fresh wreaths, theme baskets, Christmas items, religious items, hand crafted items, a Chinese Auction, and white elephant items.
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24th ANNUAL TORREY HOME CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUE
Always a Christmas favorite within our town is the Christmas Boutique sponsored by the Montrose Bible Conference at Torrey Home on the corner of Lake Avenue and Locust Street in Montrose. This runs for three weekends on Friday and Saturday, November 20 and 21, November 27 and 28, and December 4 and 5. They feature items made by local hand-crafters, baked goods, decorations, gifts and much more. Their bookstore is having a pre-inventory sale at the same time.
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CHRISTMAS VEGGIE TALES
All Pre-kindergarten through Sixth Grade children are invited along with their family, friends, neighbors and other church members to the Montrose United Methodist Church on December 12 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. A grand time is planned viewing the new hit Christmas Veggie Tales as well as crafts, games, pizza and veggie lunch, movie theatre popcorn, cocoa and cookies.
Admission is one can of veggies for the food bank.
Beginning in January, Missions will get a flat amount from the general account each month (approximately $1,590) to cover the monthly commitments of $1,000. for mission of the month; $260. for WPEL; and 1/12 of Per Capita. Communion money for the Deacons and Sunday School Mission will be reported as received which is no change from our past practice. Extra giving opportunities such as Feed-a-Friend; One Great Hour of Sharing; Christmas Joy Offering; Mission Fest, etc. will be reported as received which is as we have been doing. The only major change will be that any monies designated for our budgeted items (missions of the month, WPEL, Per Capita) will be applied to the monthly $1,590.
Should anyone desire that their gift be in addition to these budgeted amounts, they may contact the mission treasurer for the address so that the gift may be mailed directly to the recipient.
