First Presbyterian Church, New Bern, North Carolina

Join us for Worship!

Sunday Mornings

8:25AM and 10:55AM

Sunday School

9:40AM

Pastor’s Message 1

Session Notes 2

Music News 2

Pilgrimage Outfitter 3

New Members 4

Yardbirds 5

Presbyterian Women 5

Family Camp 6

Youth Group 7-8

Adult Education 9

Fellowship 10-11

Outreach 11-13

Joys and Concerns 14

Daily Lectionary 15

Library News 16

Worship Commission 13

IN THIS ISSUE

First Edition

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Dear Friends:

How good are you at waiting? Sometimes I find my patience wearing thin over the smallest things like waiting in a long line or fixing our Internet connection. At other times I seem to discover an extra measure of patience when I am working on a community project or trying to understand a difficult situation. I suspect that most of us strug-

gle to find a balance between the patience that teaches us how to wait and the impatience that leads us to action.

Advent, which means “coming,” is the season of the church year that looks forward to the coming of God in our world. Advent is filled with longing and anticipation. There is a poignant quality to this Advent waiting because Ad-vent recognizes that there are many places in our world where God is absent and many places in our own hearts where God is not present.

In Advent we long for God to come to bring peace to the earth and whole-ness to our lives. As we wait upon God, we find ourselves moving between impa-tience and patience, despair and longing, and anxiety and peace. During Advent we make our cry, “O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here!” When we sing these haunting words, we are singing not for a people long past, but for the people of today who long for God’s re-demption and release. One of the reasons we tend to rush through Advent to get to Christmas is that we can’t bear the pain of recognizing our emptiness and waiting for God to fill our need. When we do not take the time to slow down, we cannot embrace the hope, peace, love and joy that Advent brings.

In her book, Breathing Space: A Spiritual Journey in the South Bronx, the Rev. Heidi Neumark comments that we have already known God’s presence in our innermost being through our creation and redemption. This knowledge of God makes us long for God’s full presence. Neumark writes:

For Christians, God has already come in Jesus and in our-selves. God is already embedded in our being, as we confess crea-tion in God’s image. God is reaching to our hearts through the hands of those who come into our lives… But God is also absent. Come! Come! The Church cries during these four weeks, and to me it is a wailing. My wailing… At times, we have known God’s presence, and it is this memory that makes us ache and feel holy absence. You don’t long for someone who hasn’t already deeply touched your life (p. 211).

In Advent, we wait for the final coming of God in power. Now is the time to slow down! If we rush through Advent to reach Christmas, we will miss the power of this season of holy longing to teach us the spiritual meaning of waiting. Come, Lord Jesus!

Yours in Christ,

Bill

2015

• Worship attendance averaged 308 for October compared with 317 in 2014. Sunday School attendance averaged 88 in October.

•Recorded the deaths of five loyal church members —Lois Evans, Paul Albers, Ken Gruebel, Jim Cooper, and Dorothy Doran.

•Members of Ebenezer Presbyterian Church have been invited to our January Fellowship Dinner. Members of the Conversation with Ebenezer group include Dr. Hawkins, Stacey Griffith, Peter Moeller, and Jill Thompson.

•The Care Commission’s Knit for Others group has contributed blankets, caps, and sweaters to our local hospital nursery, prayer shawls for congregation members, chemo caps for the Cancer Center, and sets of mittens, hats, and scarves for the Backpack Blessings Ministry. The group meets on Mondays at 2 pm in the Parlor;

they will even teach you to knit!

•The Youth’s Fall Festival was well received; four attended the Presbytery Middle School Retreat; Spring Break Mission will be in Craven County in and around New Bern. They will spend three days and two nights at the KOA Campground. This activity is partly funded by the sale of Christmas wreaths.

•The December 7 Fellowship Dinner menu will be chicken and “dumplins”/pastry.

•Plans for the annual Session Retreat at Camp Albemarle on November 9 and 10 were discussed. Elders in the Class of 2018 will be examined for ordination and Commission plans for 2016 will be formulated.

First Edition

Session Notes The following is a digest of the Stated Session Meeting on November 10, 2015.

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Clerk of Session

Friends in Christ, First I want to thank all choir members and music staff (approx. 70) who participated in the St. Paul’s Catholic Church Festival of Music November 15. It

was such an uplifting concert, with a beautiful narra-tive woven between anthems that were of all different types of music. Every anthem was beautiful in its own way, and spoke to the theme of Saints and the Church. We are still hearing from those who attended about how much they appreciated our choirs, and everyone who sang and played. There are many events to attend this Advent and Christmas season: Sunday, December 13 Our annual Candlelight Service, 6:00 pm followed by the reception in the Session House. Choirs of all ages will sing and ring, and we’ll light candles and sing carols. Monday, December 14: Handel’s Messiah will be pre-sented for the 33rd time at Centenary United Method-ist Church. The orchestra is made up of players from the North Carolina Symphony and ECU, and the solo-

ists include our own Pat Rowlett (me) and Bill Ward (Betsy’s son). Many of our members sing in the cho-rus. The Open Rehearsal is at 3:00 pm, and the per-formance is at 7:30. The evening often sells out, so get your tickets at Fuller Music 2310 Trent Road, or the Craven Arts Council, 317 Middle Street (also avail-able by credit card 638-2577). Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24 we have two Worship services: 5:00 pm Family service with children’s choirs and the Confirmation Choir singing. 8:00 pm Communion service with Lessons and Carols. So, join us for these meaningful worship opportu-nities…enrich the season for your family with beauti-ful music and scripture about the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ. Yours in Christ, Pat Kerr Rowlett

Director of Music

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Advent Journey. To prepare our hearts and minds for the renewal of the Christmas miracle, some of us, like the wise men, need to leave our comfortable surroundings. Others of us, like the shepherds, need to draw apart from our way to busy routines. Our Advent Journey Group is an opportunity to prepare our hearts and minds for receiving the Christmas story. This group begins on Wednesday, December 2 at 12 noon in the Chapel. The theme for this one hour gathering at lunch time on Wednesday is A Watchful Gaze: awakening to some-thing more…Emmanuel…God with us. This inward adventure will be aided by a study and discussion of Everything Belongs—The Gift of Contemplative Prayer by

Richard Rohr. The journey of eight sessions will conclude on Wednesday, February 2, just before Lent. Lay-Visitors Needed. Our visitation ministry is led by our pastors and supported by a Lay Visita-tion Team. This team is currently composed of 35 volunteers who visit church members who for numerous reasons are unable to get out as they once did. Our need for visitors continues to grow. We will be offering a 4 hour workshop on The Comfort of a Friend to boost your confidence with some basic skills and a strong support group. The workshops will be on Tuesdays from noon to 1 pm in the Lighthouse, January 12, 19, 26 and February 2. For more information contact Alice Ed-dinger or Lloyd Griffith. Lloyd Griffith Trail Guide

Pilgrimage Outfitter Equipping pilgrims for the spiritual journey

By Rev. Lloyd Griffith

Please join us as we come together to decorate the church for the Christmas holiday. We’ll make wreaths, garland and roping and then hang them throughout the campus and inside the Sanctuary. We’re going to meet at 10am on Friday, December 11th in the Ses-sion House with our own master gardener, Nancy Chiles. We would also like your help as we remove the greens on December 26th (10am). Happy Holidays!

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Meet our New Members Who Joined Nov. 22

Charles & Linda Passwaters Charles—Profession of Faith Linda—Profession of Faith and Baptism

Richard (Dick) & Karen Hajeck Transfer from Northville United Presbyterian Church

Matthew & Morgan Crisp (Baby Addison—2 mo.) Matthew—Transfer from Lillington Presbyterian Church Morgan—Profession of Faith

Julien & Maggie Warren Julien—Transfer from Christ Episcopal

Church Maggie—Transfer from Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church, Oak Ridge,

NC

Run the most beautiful certified 5K course on the East Coast in downtown Oriental on Saturday, December 12th at 9am The course runs across the Oriental Bridge and along the downtown waterfront. Registration is $30 through December 9th. All proceeds benefit Hope Clinic, providing free medical care to low-income, uninsured adults in Eastern North Carolina. Bring your family and friends to enjoy the Spirit of Christmas festivities going on in Oriental all day, includ-ing the Spirit of Christmas parade! See the route, and check out more details at our website: http://www.orientalbridgerun.org. Hope to see you there!

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I would like to take this opportunity to thank the 30+ volunteers who worked on our Fall grounds

clean-up and cooked a hearty breakfast for us. The campus looks great and we have received numerous

positive compliments!

Many thanks!

Alan Ryder

Yardbirds Rule!

Circle Date Time Location Leader(s)

1 First Tuesday 10:00 AM Lighthouse

Ann Thornton Polly Frank

4 First Tuesday 1:30 PM Fellowship Café

Sally Maestripieri Alene Schlottman

6 First Monday 10:00 AM Fellowship Café

Joyce Weaver Connie Cowling

7 Third Tuesday 7:00 PM Session House Parlor Lynn Gorges

5 First Wednesday 7:00 PM Lighthouse

Carole Koi Esther Patterson

Want to join a Circle? Pick a time that works for you and contact the leader.

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Mark your calendars now for a weekend of fun and fellowship April 22 and 23 on beautiful Bogue Sound at Camp Albemarle. We’ll begin Friday afternoon and continue thru Saturday. There’s something for all ages: youth and chil-dren activities, adult activities, porch sitting, storytelling around a bonfire, AND a huge pig pickin’ on Saturday afternoon. Transportation is available. You won’t want to miss this! April 22-23, 2016

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Youth Group Sunday Schedule

Dec. 6, 5:30-7:30pm—Dinner & Activity

Dec. 13, 6:00pm — Candlelight Service in the Sanctuary

(NO youth group).

Dec. 20, 5:30-7:30pm — Dinner & Caroling with S.A.L.T.

group

Dec. 27— NO YOUTH GROUP

Christmas Wreaths Are Here! Thank you to those who purchased a wreath for this year’s Wreath Fundraiser! The wreaths have arrived, so if you ordered one, please pick yours up as quickly as possible to retain the freshness. Your support means a lot. Half the money raised will go toward supporting a local organization in New Bern, and the other half to help pay for youth summer mission trip/conference.

2016 Youth Key Event DATES

Parents, please make a note of the following key events planned for 2016 for our youth! The plans are tentative as we will need to meet the number requirement for each event/trip. • 2/7—Youth Sunday: Our youth will lead the congregation in worship in both 8:25am & 10:55am ser-

vices. Our graduating seniors will give their senior sermon and other youth will lead various parts of the services. We will be reaching out to families to help provide breakfast for our youth.

• 3/4-3/6—New Hope Presbytery High School Retreat: This annual retreat brings 150 high school youth from our presbytery together for a weekend retreat at Camp Willow Run in Littleton, NC. Cost per youth is expected to be $75.

• 3/28-3/30—(Tentative) Spring Break Mission Project in New Bern: This will be an opportunity for our youth to spend few days over their break to serve our neighbors in and around Craven County.

• 6/13-6/17—Vacation Bible School: We will need youth volunteers to be crew leaders!

• 6/21-6/24 OR 7/7-7/10— Massanetta Middle School Conference: Two possible dates for the mid-dle school conference. We will attend if we have at least 5 youth.

• 6/26-7/2 OR 7/10-7/16—Youth Mission Trip with Appalachian Service Project: Tentative dates are set for summer mission trip to serve those in Appalachia.

• 7/18-7/24— Presbyterian Youth Triennium (Applications due in December 2015) : This High School Conference is sponsored by PC (USA) every three years. It is an opportunity for Presbyterian youth from across the country (and the world) to come together to worship, learn, explore their faith to-gether as a body of Christ at Purdue University in Indiana. New Hope Presbytery is hoping to fill a bus to attend with youth from the Presbytery.

For any questions, please contact Daewon.

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Educational Opportunities for Children

SALT (Serving And Learning Together)

for children 3rd thru 5th grade Our SALT meeting on December 20th will be with the youth group. Please meet in the Session House at 5:30pm. We will have dinner and then go out caroling together as a group. We will be finished by 7:30pm.

The season of Advent is a time when individuals prepare their hearts to receive Christ. Advent re-fers to the “coming” or “arrival” of Jesus Christ. The first Sunday of Advent occurred on November 29th this year. Advent always includes four Sundays and varies in length from twenty-two to twenty-eight days. Advent ends with Christmas Eve. Advent can be celebrated at church and at home. This celebra-tion can include singing a carol, reading scripture, praying, a brief devotional reading, and lighting candles on an Advent wreath.

An Advent wreath is a ring holding four candles decorated with greenery. The circle symbol-izes God’s everlasting love for God’s creation and the evergreens repre-sent Christ’s gift of eternal life. The light of each candle represents the light that Christ brings to the World. On Christmas day, a white Christ candle is lit in the center of the wreath to announce the birth of Christ who is the Light of the

World. The Advent wreath can be placed in the center of your table to

daily remind you of the preparation and celebration of Jesus the new-born King.

This year the Children & Youth Education Committee would like to encourage families with chil-dren and/or youth to celebrate the season of Advent together. There-fore they will be providing Advent wreaths and Advent devotionals for families. The Advent devotionals will be available in the narthex, ves-tibule, and church office. There will be two different types of Ad-vent wreaths available… a felt wreath with pretend velcro candles for families with preschool age chil-dren and a faux evergreen wreath with real candles for families with elementary age children and older. Please pick up a devotional at your convenience and please see Dae-won or Whitney to receive your wreath.

Celebrate Advent Together by Rev. Whitney Bayer

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Winter Quarter 2015 Sunday Mornings 9:40 to 10:40 am

Adult Mid-Week Education: Winter Quarter 2015

Women’s Bible Study (Mon 7 pm) – SHP (Book: “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World” by Joanna Weaver )

Contemplative Worship (Wed 5:30pm) Teacher: Lloyd Griffith – MC 1.25 (chapel)

Men’s Bible Study (Thur 8 am) Teacher: Brent Schlottman – SHP

Advent Journey (Wed 12pm) Teacher: Christa Metzger – MC 1.25 (Chapel)

• Mary Bryan Hollister Class, Nancy Chiles/ SHP The Present Word: Sacred Gifts and Holy Gatherings

• Koinonia Class, Marc Finlayson/ MC 2.21 Miracles: What They Are, Why They Happen, and How They Can Change Your Life by Eric Metaxas

• Connections, Whitney Bayer & Seth Smith/ MC 1.27

• Conversations On Christian Faith and Life, Bill Hawkins/ SHM This discussion class will take up topics within three broad areas: Bible, Faith and Practices. From among these three categories we will have 21 topics to consider which means our first class will be to select which 13 of the 21 we will discuss for this winter quarter. Each week a video presenter will take up a given topic that will last about 7-8 minutes. Ideally the video will prompt our ensuing conversations by those who desire to share observations or questions. The class is as much about listen-ing as it is about discussion so no one will be called upon or expected to speak.

• Christianity After the Reformation: Dogma, Spirituality, and Mysti-cism… or how we ended up with 40,000 denominations! Christa Metzger & Brent Schlottman/ MC 2.26 & 2.27 Brent and Christa will bring their unique perspectives to a study of these topics. This class is one in a series to honor the 200thAnniversary of First Presbyterian Church, New Bern in 2017.

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Presbyterian Men

The Presbyterian Men have a slate of dyna-mite speakers this year, and if you haven’t been at-tending regularly, you’re missing out! We’re still meeting at the Golden Corral where we have a sepa-rate room, and the cost of the meal is still a thrifty $10.50 including drinks and gratuity. As usual, you can find us there on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:00 pm. So, if you enjoy good food, fellowship, and interesting presentations, come join us. Here’s a list of upcoming speakers: December 1— Christine Brin from the NC Maritime Museum to discuss whales, fishing and pi-

racy off the NC Coast. Jan. 5—Stunt pilot Hubie Tolson will share his experiences as a stunt pilot. Feb. 2—Mayor Dana Outlaw will give his sec-ond annual State of the City Address. Mark your calendars now to attend every meeting you can and show your support for Presbyte-rian Men and our speakers. Suggestions for future speakers are always welcome. Contact Jerry Elliott at 633-2537 with your suggestions.

Fellowship Commission

Our December First Monday Dinner is Dec 7, where we celebrate a Country Theme with lots of good ole’ home cooked food that will bring you back to your childhood days at grandma’s house. Dinner begins promptly at 5:30PM until 6:30. You won’t want to miss this event. The Resurrection Singers will be leading us in a variety of Christmas Carols, and there’s a special surprise for those in attendance, but WE’RE NOT TELLING what it is! Please call the Church Office to sign up so we’re sure there will be enough food for all.

The Fellowship Commission cordially

invites you to a Birthday ReceptionBirthday ReceptionBirthday ReceptionBirthday Reception for

Joan Smith, who turns 100 years of

age on December 20th. Join us for

this momentous celebration in the

Session House at 12:15PN (right after

the second service) and give Joan

your best wishes before she leaves for

a cruise the next day!! Whaaatt? She’s leaving for a

cruise the next day??

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Outreach Commission

It’s back and it’s our tenth year! The 2015

Ten Thousand Villages Festival Sale will be held in the Fellowship Center on Sat., Dec. 5 and Sunday, Dec. 6. Hours are again 9:30 am – 3 pm Saturday and 12:30 – 2:30 pm Sunday. Join us for this unique opportu-nity to shop for the holidays, while helping artisans in developing countries. There will be hundreds of handcrafted modern and traditional ornaments, bas-kets, home décor items, toys and jewelry, including some new offerings, available at affordable prices. Ten Thousand Villages has also promised to include a “clearance” box with our shipment; these items will be 50% off their usual prices! Invite your friends and neighbors to join you on this shopping adventure. Ad-mission is free and the sales area is handicapped ac-cessible.

Ten Thousand Villages, the world’s largest not-for-profit, fair trade organization, has created an in-

ternational marketplace by working with artisans in Asia, Africa, Latin America, South America, and the Caribbean, who would otherwise be unemployed or underemployed. The craftspeople are provided with vital, fair income in exchange for their beautiful handiwork. By holding this sale, we give people in the New Bern area a chance to help others less fortunate to feed, clothe, house and educate themselves and their families. The sale of their work also increases the artisans’ self-respect and their hopes for a better tomorrow.

The festival sale is sponsored by Presbyterian Women, in cooperation with other groups and indi-viduals in the church, as a mission/outreach project. If you can help at the festival on Saturday and/or Sun-day (check-out and sales floor personnel are especially needed on both days), please call Sally Maestripieri at 637-6590 and leave a message. You don’t need to be-long to PW to volunteer. We also need gently used plastic shopping bags to package purchases.

The final figures are in for this year’s CROP Walk! $19,000 was received of which First Presbyterian gave $5,000, or better than 25% of the total.

Fellowship Commission

Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival—Sunday, January 10

We’re going to the Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival in Kinston on Sunday, January 10. Admission is free. The program starts at 3PM, but seats fill up fast, so we will leave the parking lot at 1:15pm and travel to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Kinston. Afterward, we’ll eat an early dinner at King’s Restaurant and return to New Bern around 6:30 or 7PM. This is an event you won’t want to miss.

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The Outreach Commission is delighted to present three new program offerings for our “Gifts From The Heart” program. This year, our church will be supporting The Presbyterian Mission Agency, the Craven Literacy Council and Hope Clinic. Simply stop by the table set up next to the nurs-ery on Dec. 6, 13 and 20th, select your ministry on the form, and submit payment for your presentation card(s) which come with an envelope and ready for gift giving. Cards are avail-able for a donation of $35 for adults, and $5 for children. Perfect for the holiday gifts for

teachers, caregivers, students, or anyone else on your list who has “everything” as so many of us do! Brochures, forms and gift cards are available now and throughout the year

in the Church Office. If you have any questions about the program, please don’t hesitate to contact either Anne Marie Lathan or Stacey Griffith.

Gifts from the Heart by Anne Marie Lathan

Thanks to a grant received from the Craven County Community Foundation, Back-pack Blessing has received funds to provide a holiday meal for 150 of our Backpack Blessing families. Our families will pick these holiday food packets up at Garber Methodist Ministry Center. At First Pres., we will supply Christmas Elves to set up, pack food, and distribute the packages when the families arrive to pick them up at Garber Ministry Center. We need 1-2 'Elves' to cover each shift. Monday Dec. 14th shifts will be 9-12, 12-3, 3-6, and 6-9(PM

shift). On Dec. 15th, Tues., we will need 'Elves' for 9-12 and 12-3pm. Would you like to add some sparkle to your holiday plans? Contact AnneMarieLathan@gmail.com and let her know you are interested in signing up for a shift to add some Christmas Joy into a family's holiday.

Outreach Commission

Backpack Blessings Looking for Christmas Elves

by Stacey Griffith

Operation Jammies recently kicked off our 7th year of collecting jammies for the Coastal Women’s Shelter. The goal is to collect “new” pajamas for every mother and child re-ceiving services from the Coastal Women’s Shelter. For the children, size 6 months to 16 for both boys and girls are needed. The women’s sizes needed range from S to XXL. Collection boxes can be found in our Church Office. We will be collecting jammies from now until Decem-ber 22nd. Thank you in advance for helping to make this cause a success.

Operation Jammies by Lynn Hand

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Outreach Commission

Bangert, and all Craven County Schools, have felt the effects of a shrinking budget. Many teachers no longer have aides in their classrooms, and administra-tive positions have been cut as well. MANY opportu-nities exist, both in the classroom and outside, to help our local schools provide the top notch education we want all of our children to receive.

Again, there are MANY ways to help both directly with children and indirectly through office and health

room assistance. This Craven County School program is called the H.U.G. (Help Us Grow). More informa-tion is available in the 'Become A School Volunteer' brochures located outside the church office or in the Narthex. Please consider giving a little time to some of the youngest in our community.

Become a School Volunteer by Stacey Griffith

Giving Back: Consider Donating During the Holiday Season.

Adopt-A-Family: For 15 years, CWS has helped clients that are working hard to live free of violence. Clients with children, infants to teens, provide us with a wish list from clothing to toys like dolls and LEGO’s. In 2014, CWS provided 40 families with gifts donated through Adopt-A-Family. If you or your organization would like to adopt a family, please contact Ashley Shivar at 252.638.4509 be-fore December 21st.

The next Lord’s Supper will be served on December 24 (Christmas Eve 8PM Service). Gluten free bread will be available.

Candlelight Service

December 13, 6PM.

Reception follows in the

Session House

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respectively, Grace Carter of Wal-lace, NC. -Jerry and Pam Johnson on the Nov. 21st death of their son-in-law, Jim Connors of Garner, NC. -Teeny Tait on the Nov. 23rd death of her husband and church member, Terry. Memorial Service was held Nov. 29th at 1pm in our Sanctuary.

RETIREMENT CENTERS

McCARTHY COURT (637-7133) 1321 McCarthy Blvd. Carol Burgess, Apt. 216 Louise Johnson, Apt. 218 Flo Jones, Apt. 303 Janet Mechlin, Apt. 305 Pat Zeleniak, Apt. 103

McCARTHY COURT II 1325 McCarthy Blvd. Ron and Donna Fleck, Apt. 16 Edna Harkins, Apt. 38 Jean Hoffman, Apt. 39 Betty Patterson, Apt. 3 Ruth Tyler, Apt 33

ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES

BAYVIEW (638-1818) 3003 Kensington Park Dr.

Lois Webb, Rm. 21

COURTYARDS at BERNE VILLAGE (633-1779) 2701 Amhurst Blvd. 28562

Barbara Bell, Room 202

CROATAN VILLAGE 4522 Old Cherry Pt. Rd. (634-9066)

Norma Blevins Andy Davies

NURSING FACILITIES

HOMEPLACE (637-7133) 1309 McCarthy Blvd.

Jane Ann Blackerby (305) Jean Krumm (114) Doris Pade (206) Gloria Wheeler (303B)

Joys and Concerns

PRUITT HEALTH-NEUSE 1303 Health Dr. (634-2560) Virginia Cooper

RIVERPOINT CREST (637-4730) Mary Lib Humieny Ben McAden (Rufus’ brother) Norman Mitterling

BROOKDALE (638-6660) (formerly Sterling House) Sarah Sibley (mother of Nancy)

Member Update

Evie Gruebel has moved to be nearer to her son. Her new address is 6000 Fall River Dr., New Port Richey, FL 34655.

Where do I begin, so many things were done for Paul and I at this most diffi-cult time. The Pastors’ visit to the hos-pital, Connie and Pat coming to visit and Pat singing the Lord’s Prayer for us (Paul sang along with her), Rev. Griffith’s visit was so special as was Tommy’s visit with us before the ser-vice and lastly the Memorial Service was just perfect! Thank you to the ladies that did the Funeral Reception, you did a fantastic job! I appreciate all the cards, calls and prayers from eve-ryone. -Chris Albers Reaching 90 was so much nicer with my First Pres family to help me cele-brate. Thank you for the beautiful ar-rangement of yellow roses presented to me at the 11:00 service. -Louise Johnson Barbara Johnson’s family is having a 90th birthday CARD Party for her! Her birthday is Dec. 23rd if you’d like to send her a card and help her cele-brate. Please send to: Barbara Johnson 5620 Wesleyan Dr. #139 Virginia Beach, VA 23455

OUR KNOWN ILL, HOSPITALIZED AND/OR RECENTLY RELEASED Juanita Ferrill (Laurie Adams’ mom)

Susan Gerard (Alison Mattocks’ mom)

Frances Henderson Mary Lib Humienny Won Ho Kim (Daewon’s mom)

Paula Kennedy Randy Kimrey Paul Martin Pat Runser Toby Webb (Fossie Lathan’s dad) Darlene Willman

JOYS

New member, Linda Passwaters was baptized on Nov. 22nd.

Arabon Puih was born Nov. 28th to Aiyu Puih and Noan Kpuih. SYMPATHY TO: - Virginia Cooper on the Nov. 4th death of her husband and church member, Jim. A Memorial Service will be held Sat. Dec. 5th at 1:30PM at the Courtyard of Berne Village clubhouse. -The family of Dorothy Doran on her death Nov. 6th. -Chat Puih on the Nov. 13th death of his brother, Dir Puih of Plei Ku, Vietnam. -Oscara Stevick and Marianna Dunn on the Nov. 14th death of their mother, and grandmother,

First Edition

Tuesday, December 1 Morning: Pss. 33; 146 Evening: Pss. 85; 94; Amos 3:1–11; 2 Peter 1:12–21; Matt. 21:12–22 Wednesday, December 2 Morning: Pss. 50; 147:1–11 Evening: Pss. 53; 17 Amos 3:12–4:5; 2 Peter 3:1–10 Matt. 21:23–32 Thursday, December 3 Morning: Pss. 18:1–20; 147:12–20 Evening: Pss. 126; 62 Amos 4:6–13; 2 Peter 3:11–18 Matt. 21:33–46 Friday, December 4 Morning: Pss. 102; 148 Evening: Pss. 130; 16 Amos 5:1–17; Jude 1–16 Matt. 22:1–14 Saturday, December 5 Morning: Pss. 90; 149 Evening: Pss. 80; 72 Amos 5:18–27; Jude 17–25 Matt. 22:15–22 Sunday, December 6 Morning: Pss. 24; 150 Evening: Pss. 25; 110 Amos 6:1–14; 2 Thess. 1:5–12 Luke 1:57–68 Monday, December 7 Morning: Pss. 122; 145 Evening: Pss. 40; 67 Amos 7:1–9; Rev. 1:1–8 Matt. 22:23–33 Tuesday, December 8 Morning: Pss. 33; 146 Evening: Pss. 85; 94 Amos 7:10–17; Rev. 1:9–16 Matt. 22:34–46 Wednesday, December 9 Morning: Pss. 50; 147:1–11 Evening: Pss. 53; 17 Amos 8:1–14; Rev. 1:17–2:7 Matt. 23:1–12 Thursday, December 10 Morning: Pss. 18:1–20; 147:12–20 Evening: Pss. 126; 62 Amos 9:1–10; Rev. 2:8–17 Matt. 23:13–26 Friday, December 11

Morning: Pss. 102; 148 Evening: Pss. 130; 16 Hag. 1:1–15; Rev. 2:18–29 Matt. 23:27–39 Saturday, December 12 Morning: Pss. 90; 149 Evening: Pss. 80; 72 Hag. 2:1–9; Rev. 3:1–6 Matt. 24:1–14 Sunday, December 13 Morning: Pss. 24; 150 Evening: Pss. 25; 110; Amos 9:11–15

2 Thess. 2:1–3, 13–17; John 5:30–47 Monday, December 14 Morning: Pss. 122; 145 Evening: Pss. 40; 67 Zech. 1:7–17; Rev. 3:7–13 Matt. 24:15–31 Tuesday, December 15 Morning: Pss. 33; 146 Evening: Pss. 85; 94 Zech. 2:1–13; Rev. 3:14–22 Matt. 24:32–44 Wednesday, December 16 Morning: Pss. 50; 147:1–11 Evening: Pss. 53; 17 Zech. 3:1–10; Rev. 4:1–8 Matt. 24:45–51 Thursday, December 17 Morning: Pss. 18:1–20; 147:12–20 Evening: Pss. 126; 62 Zech. 4:1–14; Rev. 4:9–5:5 Matt. 25:1–13 Friday, December 18 Morning: Pss. 102; 148 Evening: Pss. 130; 16 Gen. 3:8–15; Rev. 12:1–10 John 3:16–21 Saturday, December 19 Morning: Pss. 90; 149 Evening: Pss. 80; 72 Zeph. 3:14–20; Titus 1:1–16 Luke 1:1–25 Sunday, December 20 Morning: Pss. 24; 150 Evening: Pss. 25; 110 1 Sam. 2:1b–10; Titus 2:1–10 Luke 1:26–36 Monday, December 21 Morning: Pss. 122; 145

Evening: Pss. 40; 67 2 Sam. 7:1–17; Titus 2:11–3:8a Luke 1:39–48a (48b–56) Tuesday, December 22 Morning: Pss. 33; 146 Evening: Pss. 85; 94; 2 Sam. 7:18–29; Gal. 3:1–14; Luke 1:57–66 Wednesday, December 23 Morning: Pss. 50; 147:1–11 Evening: Pss. 53; 17 Jer. 31:10–14; Gal. 3:15–22 Luke 1:67–80 or Matt.1:1–17 Thursday, December 24 Christmas Eve Morning: Pss. 18:1–20; 147:12–20 Evening: Pss. 126; 62; Isa. 60:1–6 Gal. 3:23–4:7; Matt. 1:18–25 Friday, December 25 Christmas Day Morning: Pss. 2; 148; Eve: Pss. 98; 96; Micah 4:1–5; 5:2–4

1 John 4:7–16; John 3:31–36 Saturday, December 26 Morning: Pss. 116; 149 Evening: Pss. 119:1–24; 27 2 Chron. 24:17–22; Acts 6:1–7 Acts 7:59–8:8 Sunday, December 27 Morning: Pss. 34; 150 Evening: Pss. 19; 121 1 Sam. 1:1–2, 7b–28; Col. 1:9–20 Luke 2:22–40 Monday, December 28 Morning: Pss. 2; 145 Evening: Pss. 110; 111 Isa. 49:13–23; Isa. 54:1–13 Matt. 18:1–14 Tuesday, December 29 Morning: Pss. 96; 146 Eve: Pss. 132; 97; 2 Sam. 23:13–17b; 2 John 1–13; John 2:1–11 Wednesday, December 30 Morning: Pss. 93; 147:1–11 Evening: Ps. 89; 1 Kings 17:17–24 3 John 1–15; John 4:46–54 Thursday, December 31 Morning: Pss. 98; 147:12–20 Evening: Pss. 45; 96 1 Kings 3:5–14; James 4:13–17; 5:7–11; John 5:1–15

Page 15

Daily Lectionary for December, 2015

400 New Street PO Box 1069 New Bern, NC 28563

Phone: 252.637.3270 Fax: 252.637.4494 E-mail: church@firstpresnb.org Website: firstpresnb.org

F i r s t P resby ter i an Church

Library Notes for December, 2015 Esther: A Woman of Strength and Dignity by Charles R. Swindoll 222 SWI

Inspired by Whitney’s sermon this summer, you might want to read more about Esther. This fascinat-ing book discusses in detail Esther’s action-packed Cinderella story, her godly attributes (courage, dignity, wisdom and strength), God’s invisible hand directing human history and how this long-ago heroine’s life can impact us today.

Real Kids, Real Faith: Practices for Nurturing Children’s Spiritual Lives by Karen Marie Yust 268 YUS

In our multi-media world, there are few things that help our children explore the bigger questions in life. This book discusses the importance of being part of a religious community. It lists spiri-tual development goals for different kids’ age groups. It stresses the importance of teaching our children: belonging, thanksgiving, giftedness, hospitality, understanding and hope. It gives ideas for enhancing the religious culture surrounding our children such as holiday celebrations, toys, costumes and play-acting, story-telling and books, relating every day activities to Bible stories, learning religious languages, family blessings and prayers (including meditative prayer), activities to encourage compassion and the cultivation of “crazy” friends. For parents, short on time, the grey boxes give quick lists and charts for ideas or “food for thought”! The One Year Bible (New Living Translation) 220.5 TYN

How often have you made it a goal to read the Bible all the way through? This recent donation is the entire easy-to-read New Living translation. Olivia Peterson, Librarian