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CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
Tuesday, December 24, 2019 ~ 5:00 pm (Come early for Carols!)
Join us for this special celebration of Christ’s birth!
ALL ARE WELCOME!
First Presbyterian Church 220 East Hickory Street Mankato, MN 56001
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 32 Mankato, MN 56001
Current Resident or:
DECEMBER 2019
Visit us online at FPCMANKATO.ORG Page 1
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 220 East Hickory Street, Mankato, MN 56001
SUNDAY DRIVERS
Dec. 1 Renee 507-317-4003
Dec. 8 Paul 507-420-0175
Dec. 15 Dave 507-380-4042
Dec. 22 Stuart 507-340-5701
Dec. 29 Renee 507-317-4003
LAY READERS
Dec. 1 Norb Smith
Dec. 8 Sally Coomes
Dec. 15 Youth/Children
Dec. 22 Peter Steiner
Dec. 29 Suellen Lloyd For future dates, please sign up on kiosk in the narthex.
FLOWERS GIVEN BY
Dec. 1 Jacobson/Richards (Tree)
Dec. 8 Nadine Sugden
Dec. 15 Stuart & Genette Carleton
Dec. 22 Poinsettias
Dec. 29 Muriel Schoon For future dates, please sign up on kiosk in the narthex.
Cost is $20 beginning January 5, 2020.
FLOWERS DELIVERY
Deacon in charge of organizing December flower delivery is Jolene Fay.
Please contact Jolene if you are able to assist in delivering the Sunday sanctuary flowers.
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers are the heart of our church. Please consider helping out with any
of the above opportunities.
Church Office
Phone: 507-387-2160
Hours: Monday – Thursday
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Friday
9:00 am – 12 Noon
Building Emergency Contact
Britt, 507-345-1789
Website
FPCmankato.org | Facebook
Staff
Pastor Lindsay Conrad, 336-260-8219
Lynnette Stadtherr, Administrative Assistant
Jamie Goulson, Church Accountant
Ben Marti, Organist
Bridget Hermer, Adult Choir Director
Britt Fleming, Head Building Manager
Sunday Worship
8:30 am Sunday School
10:00 am Service
DECEMBER 2019
Visit us online at FPCMANKATO.ORG Page 2
PASTOR LINDSAY CONRAD’S COLUMN DECEMBER 1, 2019 Dear Church,
It is my favorite time of year! Lights are being strung and frozen to roof
edges, snowflakes are falling, the music is merry, and the peppermint
flavored warm beverages are abundant! It is my favorite time of year,
though, because we get to see – if we are watching closely – the
extraordinary generosity of the people around us. I am convinced that
Jesus is really coming among us when I can see Jesus in the everyday
kindness of the people I encounter.
We have been practicing generosity this year in many ways at FPC –
let’s see if you remember all the ways you have been part of the
movement:
♥ This past Lent we participated in 40 Acts of Generosity – challenging ourselves each and every day to
engage with the little things that make the world a better place.
♥ This summer we opened our doors to over a dozen different non-profits and community partners to
hear and share about where God is at work in our community, and after discernment, we are
engaging in the work with MY Place and Connections Shelter (see inside for details!).
♥ This fall we offered God our pledges as we chose to be good stewards of the gifts we have been
given in time and money and talent (and it’s not too late to send those in!).
♥ The Session has been contemplating for over a year about more creative ways to use our building,
rent or offer our space, and generate more traffic and income for the building. Hearing the need for
Connections Shelter to have a permanent space downtown, the Session authorized a task force to
discern the possibility of renting some of our space to them (update inside!).
♥ We opened our doors again to anyone and everyone who would like to share a Thanksgiving meal
with us, and it was glorious! Pies were abundant, merriment was infectious, and the volunteers were
magnificent!
And that is just a snapshot of the ways we have and continue to look at scripture and respond faithfully to the
life and witness of Jesus with everything we’ve got! Maybe you can name even more. So as we prepare
ourselves to hear the story of Christ entering the world again, we open our doors, our hearts, and our minds,
learning what it means to make “Room at the Inn” for God to continue to use us for the good work of sharing
the gospel right here in downtown Mankato and to the ends of the earth.
Come one and come all as we watch and wait for Christ. There is always room for more!
Peace be yours,
Pastor Lindsay Conrad
And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth,
and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
~ Luke 2:7 (NRSV)
DECEMBER 2019
Visit us online at FPCMANKATO.ORG Page 3
Prayers and Devotions
• Moderator Lindsay Conrad
• Devotions by Rachel Mueller
• Elders express their Joys and Concerns
For the Record
• Attendance: R. Mueller, N. Zallek, D. McGinness, R. Taylor, R. Kramlinger, B. Madsen, A. Austin, C. Davis, T. Kuechle; Guest: Sally Erdahl
• November Communion Count: 128; served by Deacons.
• December Communion to be served by Elders.
• Installation of new officers will be January 19, 2020.
• E-vote item: October Session Minutes were approved and available by the newsletter deadline.
• Efforts have been made to update and improve campus security. The Mankato Police Department reviewed our facility and changes are being made (for example, numbering the exterior doors – in process by the Properties Committee). R. Taylor obtained useful information from attending the conference, “Securing Your Place of Worship” on October 19, 2019.
• A vote was taken to include S. Erdahl as a non-voting verbal participant of the meeting.
• Three additions to the agenda were approved.
Consent Agenda Approved
Staff Reports
• Church Accountant Report
From Pastor
~ 2020 Pledge Update: $274,498.00 received in pledges to
date (80 pledges); $51,535.00 is needed to balance the
budget without making any cuts. Pledges are continuing to
come in so total pledge amounts have already increased.
~ Christmas Joy Offering: To be collected on December 15;
approved. Lindsay will announce from the pulpit; special
envelopes provided. This is for the Presbyterian Crisis Fund.
~ From Presbytery: Meeting guidelines, “Hosting Presbytery
Meetings,” were handed out to each Session member.
Event is scheduled for May 2020.
~ Staff Transitions Update: The Christian Educator position
has been posted on several sites including the Association
of Presbyterian Educators. The INDEED site was also
suggested.
~ Steps for a Mission Statement/Logo: In an effort to move
SWAT analysis information forward, a meeting for church
members including lunch with the Communications
Committee following worship on March 8, 2020 was
suggested; approved.
From PWC ~ Request to raise funds to buy supplies, i.e. batting, a rotary cutter, etc., to make quilts from donated material. They would like to make patchwork potholders and offer them to the congregation in exchange for monetary gifts. They would like to set up a table to display the potholders and explain the purpose. If they could do this soon after Thanksgiving, they could catch people looking for handmade holiday gifts. Sally Erdahl shared samples of the potholders. Approved.
✓
From Worship
~ Request to establish a separate organ fund in 2020 after the current stewardship campaign is complete to upgrade the organ (current organ installed in 1987). After much discussion, a motion was made to announce a need (and maybe provide a demonstration) during the “Service in the Cellar” Annual Report presentation on January 26, 2020. This needed update should be part of a discussed list of future congregational priorities.
From Communications ~ An Opportunity Fair is scheduled for January 26, 2020 to be coordinated with the Annual Report presentation. ~ Christmas advertising will be done by Joyce Prahm and Peter Steiner. ~ Updated Computer Support Quote: A revised quote regarding technology support of our computer system was distributed to all Session members. An additional quote is forthcoming.
From Session Endowment ~ Second half of the 2019 payments to our scholarship recipients will be made. ~ Second half of the 2019 payments to our designated charities will be made. ~ Contacts to four nonprofit organizations will be made to evaluate their needs and how funds donated have been utilized; a subsequent report will be made to the committee.
From Connections Task Force ~ C. Davis reported that the Task Force has met three times (twice at the church) with staff members from Connections Ministry. A list of advantages and disadvantages has been compiled along with a security risk assessment. A Fire Marshall inspection of the church campus is pending. Additional details are being obtained regarding potential income and costs.
Motion to Adjourn
Closing Prayer
Next Meeting Date: Tuesday, December 17, 2019 6 pm, Shared Spaces
First Presbyterian Church | Session Minutes | November 19, 2019
DECEMBER 2019
Visit us online at FPCMANKATO.ORG Page 4
The Christmas Joy Offering has been a cherished Presbyterian tradition since the 1930’s. The Offering distributes gifts equally to the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions and to Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. The Assistance Program provides critical financial support to church workers and their families during times of need. Presbyterian-related schools and colleges provide education and leadership development while nurturing racial and ethnic heritage. This has been a Presbyterian commitment for nearly 140 years. This special PCUSA offering will be collected December 15.
“If we all do a little, it adds up to a lot.”
ONLINE GIVING IS HERE!
‘Tis the season where generosity seems extra magical! While we are so grateful for your generosity in the checks and coins and dollars week to week in the offering plate, we are aware that there are some ways we could, and should, make giving easier for you to do online, on your phone, or automatically. GOOD NEWS – those systems are in place! We at FPC have been working hard to update all of our systems (that desperately needed some refreshing!) so we can make your giving easier online with just a couple of clicks!
Check out the informational screen shots below to figure out how to set up your online giving for the coming year. A big THANK YOU to our staff and Communications Team who have been working on these systems so we can continue to be generous both on and offline.
THANK YOU for your faithful and continued support of First Presbyterian Church with your money, time, and talent!
Most gratefully, Communications Team & Stewardship Team
NEW FPC DONATION ENVELOPES
In the past, we have used envelopes pre-printed with the envelope number and date for each Sunday of the year. The decision was made to purchase offering envelopes without numbers and dates for a yearly savings of $350. If you are an envelope user, you can continue to use your number (writing your number/name on the envelope) OR a new number can be assigned to you. New envelopes are located in the Church Office. Please let Jamie know if you want to continue using your current number or not by contacting her at [email protected] or calling 507-387-2160.
DECEMBER 2019
Visit us online at FPCMANKATO.ORG Page 5
ADVENT 2019 ROOM IN THE INN – Making Room for Christ This Season
A Message from Pastor Lindsay…
We are going to look at scriptures this Advent Season leading up to that special Christmas story about how God was and is calling people to make “Room in the Inn” and how it made all the difference. It was the innkeeper that helped make the miracle of Christmas come to pass. It turns out, there’s something miraculous that happens when the Spirit moves us to make room – on our calendars, in our homes, in our church – for Christ to come and dwell among us. So, make room in your calendars on Sunday mornings as we make “Room in the Inn” this Advent and see how Christ comes in this season to make things new.
NEW PIANO DEDICATION
Sunday, November 17, 2019 Thank you Anne Herlihy!
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 9:00 am – 7:00 pm; Cub Foods South
(Inside the West Door)
Sign up on the kiosk in the narthex for one or more one-hour shifts.
Questions? Contact Dave Stinocher, 507-380-4042.
Christmas Cookies & Carols & Cocoa…OH MY! Sunday, December 15 ~ after worship
Enjoy gourmet hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows, bring a dozen or two of your favorite homemade Christmas cookies to share, and a container to take some new favorites home. If your gift is baking – bake away! And if your gift is eating – come ready to enjoy these Christmas treats! Ben will lead us on the piano and carols will ring merrily! All are welcome!
COME & SING! The Adult Choir is actively recruiting members to join us in leading the congregation on Sunday mornings! We rehearse immediately before the service and time commitment is minimal. JOIN US! We welcome your voice!
For the faithfulness of the saints who have gone before us; for their generosity of spirit which built up this community of faith; Eternal God, our praises join with the songs of heavenly choirs and the music of the universe. May this instrument encourage our praise and lift our singing to your throne as faithful prayers in times of joy and times of sorrow. We praise you, O God, with trumpet sound; we praise you with strings and pipes! Trusting in Jesus Christ, we dedicate this piano in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
DECEMBER 2019
Visit us online at FPCMANKATO.ORG Page 6
Jordan Ornelas 12/01
Benjamin Hughes 12/03
Jonathan Blom 12/05
Carol Williams 12/05
Deb Kienholz 12/06
Wayne Schwichtenberg 12/06
Kris Connors 12/08
Chuck Danish 12/09
Dixie Johnson 12/10
Patti Kramlinger 12/12
Lisa Schickling 12/13
Joyce Finkler 12/14
Logan Palm 12/14
Kay Hughes 12/17
Daryl Arzdorf 12/18
Matt Hughes 12/19
Rick Fleming 12/20
Suellen Lloyd 12/20
Paul Mueller 12/20
Ruth Finnern 12/21
Kian Olson 12/22
Nick Attarian 12/23
Kolton Wanous 12/23
Jeff Kienholz 12/26
Adam Guss 12/28
Pam Guss 12/31
Becca Rader 12/31
The Partners in Outreach Committee thanks the many church members who made our Thanksgiving meal a success! Thank you for donating a pie, serving, setting-up, or cleaning-up: Garry & Jolene Fay, Marcia Richards, Rick & Patti Kramlinger, Suellen Lloyd, Dick Lewis, April Austin, Stuart & Genette Carleton, Mary Topp, Janet Goff, Mari & Naomi Lopez, Lee & Carol Williams, Sheree Palm & Logan, the Nadine Sugden family, Janine Turbes, Nissa Olson, Tony Smith & Kian Olson, and the Sunday School kids. Thanks, too, to our monetary donors! Leftovers delivered by the Fay’s were gratefully received by the House of Hope.
Partners in Outreach would also like to thank the church members who staffed or promoted the Fair Trade Market: Daryl & Judy Arzdorf, Annette McGinness, Mary Topp, Renee Bristol, Sally Coomes, and our providers – Care and Share/Ten Thousand Villages of Mountain Lake.
♥ PW Circle will hold their Christmas lunch gathering Wednesday, December 18 at noon in the Pathstone Café (718 Mound Ave., Mankato). All are welcome to attend!
Needed items are again being collected for the Connections Shelter by the Presbyterian Women’s
Circle through January and beyond! Please put your donations in the RED BOX in the narthex.
♥ Men’s & Women’s Socks (especially wool)
♥ Men’s & Women’s Gloves & Mittens ♥ Hand Warmers ♥ Long Underwear (adult sizes) ♥ Deodorant ♥ Toothpaste ♥ Backpacks
THANK YOU to all who have already donated! The first batch of items was recently delivered and most gratefully received.
If you notice a date is missing or incorrect, please contact the church office.
Thank you!
DECEMBER 2019
Visit us online at FPCMANKATO.ORG Page 7
DECEMBER 6 ~ 12 NOON FREE Admission!
First Fridays presents Music to the Glory of God, from Bach to Gospel featuring our own Ben Marti, The First Church 4, and The Lost Walleye Trio. Join us for this 2nd Annual FPC Musical Celebration!
Come early ~ this is a popular event!
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH MANKATO
PASTOR LINDSAY CONRAD 336-260-8219
THE SESSION – April Austin, Rick Kramlinger,
Don McGinness, Nancy Zallek, Cathy Davis, Rhonda
Taylor, Rachel Mueller, Terry Kuechle, & Bob Madsen
THE BOARD OF DEACONS – Gail Cutler, Dick Lewis,
Carol Oberle, Jeanne Steiner, Jolene Fay,
Lisa Schickling, Tom Drake, Doug Smithson,
Mary Topp, Brad Stinocher, Karen Nelson & Janet Goff
MANKATO YOUTH PLACE (MY Place) was the organization you all voted for most heartily to become involved with after our ten weeks of mission series this summer!
Talking with Erin, the executive director, here are some ways you can help:
Donate supplies: Kid’s magazines (new or gently used), tempera paint, paint brushes, watercolor paint, or masking tape. These are items they use regularly and will always have a need for.
Donate furniture: Short stools for the classrooms. They have about 20 more kids coming each day on average than they did a year ago, so seating options for the kids are essential.
Volunteer: MY Place will be missing their college students who work with the kiddos daily from 2:30 – 4:00 pm during December and January. If you can volunteer weekdays during that time slot, you would be a great help to the program during the winter months! Background checks must be completed.
Contact Erin at [email protected] if you would like to serve!
Centenary UMC is helping serve Connections Ministry this season, and would love for their FPC friends to join them in their work – many hands make light work! If you are interested in service with meals, conversation, crafts, etc., with the folks experiencing homelessness in our community this winter, these are the weeks they are serving:
♥ December 16 – 23 ♥ January 27 – February 3 ♥ March 9 – 16
Please prayerfully consider offering your time and talent to love and serve alongside our Methodist friends! You can sign up to serve and/or get more information by reaching out to any of these people:
Pastor Erica at [email protected] OR Jenn at [email protected]
‘Tis the most generous time of year! And it’s never too late to turn in your pledge card for 2020 or give a special financial gift for the continued ministry of the church. If you want to give and would like to dream about it first, please contact Pastor Lindsay – just give her a call. Jamie is also happy to answer questions, [email protected]
DECEMBER 2019
Visit us online at FPCMANKATO.ORG Page 8
Join us in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, December 8, 8:30 am, for our ADVENT WORKSHOP (in place of Sunday School.) ALL are welcome as we share a Christmas story, do a special Advent craft and enjoy hot chocolate!
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS & MORE!
The Confirmation Class is HALF-WAY done with learning what it means to be a Christian,
a Presbyterian, and an active participant in the life of this church. They are off for December, so pray for them, check in with them, and thank them for wanting to know more about this faith we share!
Our Confirmands: Isabel, Talay, Logan, Nyeleap, Jordyn, Thai & Nyewal
SPECIAL WORSHIP!
Our Children & Youth are helping to lead worship on Sunday, December 15, and the Adult Choir is leading on Sunday, December 22. Really, you don’t want to miss church this Advent Season!
A big THANK YOU goes to Nadine Sugden for her dedicated ministry to the Caregivers Support Group. Nadine helped start the group six years ago and is bowing out at the end of 2019. She has given both comfort and confidence to caregivers with her ability to say just the right thing at just the right time. Holly Stolp and Janet Goff will continue to facilitate the group. Thank you, Nadine, for bringing blessings to others in this ministry!
A Message from Faye Strong…
“Thank you so much for the care and concern for Don and I over the last couple of months. The prayers helped ease things. A special thank you to Pastor Lindsay and to all for the lovely service and visits. God’s blessings to all of you.”
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
Tuesday, December 24
5:00 pm
Join us as we tell the Christmas Eve story together. This year, our program is called a “Spontaneous Nativity.” You don’t have any lines to learn, and you don’t have to remember to bring a costume. We’ve got all of that for you! Young and young at heart can join in telling the story that reminds us more than any other that God is with us. A carol sing begins the celebration at 4:40 pm and we will conclude worship with candlelight and Silent Night.
Bring a friend. Share the Good News!
Jesus is coming among us!
DECEMBER 2019
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1
NO Church/Youth Sunday School
10:00 am Communion Worship
2 3 4
3:00 pm Properties Cmte
5
2:00 pm Caregivers Support Group
5:30 pm CG&D Cmte
6
FIRST FRIDAYS 12 Noon Ben Marti
7
11:30 am Lasting Imprint Holiday Party
8 8:30 am Family Advent Workshop
10:00 am Worship
11:10 am George Johnson’s Retirement Party
9 10 4:00 pm Endowment Cmte
5:30 pm Budget Cmte
7:00 pm Worship Cmte
11 4:00 pm Communications Cmte
12
12 NOON
13 14
15 10:00 am Worship led by Children/Youth
11:10 am Great Cookie Exchange
11:20 am Deacons Meeting
16
17 6:00 pm Session Meeting
18 9:00 am Staff Meeting
9:30 am PW Circle Meeting Pathstone Café
19
20 21
22
NO Church/Youth Sunday School
10:00 am Worship led by Adult Choir
23 24
Worship 5:00 pm
25
26
27 28
29
NO Church/Youth Sunday School
10:00 am Worship
30 31
For the latest calendar updates, visit the online calendar.
Go to Google search: First Presbyterian Church Mankato Calendar
OR Visit the church website at FPCManakto.org
December 2019 SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT
Office Closed 12-25, 12-26 & 12-27
Beaux Arts Theatre Movie & Potluck presents “Rebecca”
A 1940’s Romantic Thriller! starring Laurence Olivier & Joan Fontaine
Thursday, December 19 6:00 pm Dinner ~ 7:00 pm Movie
Join us for a fun evening! All are welcome!
REMINDER: No Confirmation or Youth Group in December. Stay tuned for more information about January events. If you’d like to be on the email list for youth events, please let Pastor Lindsay know, [email protected]
Looking ahead…January 19, installation and ordination of church officers; January 26, Annual Report & Meeting in the “cellar!”
Contributions for the 2019 tax year MUST be in the church office by noon on Tuesday, December 31, 2019. This includes mailed contributions. Watch for your 2019 Tax Statement sometime during the second week of January.
