December 2011 LINK Newsletter

8/3/2019 December 2011 LINK Newsletter

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Pastor.........................................Andy Gans

Director of Discipleship............Amanda Osenga

Visitation Pastor (Ret.).............Tom McNeil

Executive Assistant....................Chris Muramatsu

Nursery Attendant ....................Tammy Keeslar

Proofreaders..............................Susan M. Jensen and

John Stewart

Contributors...............................Members of Ft.

Assembling.................................Dorothy Decker,

Judith Simonin, Joyce Gauntt, Kay Dahlen,

Eleanor Hayesmore, Carol Primm, Pat Mer

Roselle Pringle

Bulk Mail Handling ..................John Stewart

Office: (352) 694Office: (352) 694Office: (352) 694Office: (352) 694----4121412141214121

FAX: (352) 694FAX: (352) 694FAX: (352) 694FAX: (352) 694----5226522652265226

13 NE 36TH AVENUE13 NE 36TH AVENUE13 NE 36TH AVENUE13 NE 36TH AVENUE

OCALA, FLORIDA 34470OCALA, FLORIDA 34470OCALA, FLORIDA 34470OCALA, FLORIDA 34470

www.fortwww.fortwww.fortwww.fort

fortking@earthfortking@earthfortking@earthfortking@earth

Happy Advent & Merry Christmas,

Welcome to the season of hope, expectationnd joy! Advent is the season of hope andxpectation as the world anxiously awaits theoming of the promised gift of the Prince of

Peace. Christmas day we celebrate with all ofreation the birth of this incredible gift inesus the Christ.

Despite all of the hustle and bustle, theommercialism, and the gift buying, we needo remember that Jesus is the true gift at

Christmas. It is true that Christmas is aboutiving, but giving as Jesus gave of himself.

was given an early Christmas gift this year

when I read the Time and Talents Surveyshat were returned to the church as part ofur stewardship campaign. I was so excited topen the gift of this document and see all ofhe commitments this church family has

made to being in group bible studies (37eople), studying Gods word regularly (68eople), and committed to regular devotionalime (61 people). Heres my favorite.

eventy-three people have committed toontinue, or begin, serving others in ourommunity. I love this gift!! This type ofiving emulates the giving that Jesus did for

his community and for us. He gave of himselfo others might see the glory of God a littleit better. When we give of ourselves, of ourime and of our talents, we give a gift that

welcomes and shows others the glory and

Kingdom of God.

May this Advent and Christmas be a timewhen we share more of ourselves andwelcome in the Kingdom of God.

Peace,


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PASTORS LETTER (continued)

Greetings brothers and sisters,

Over the years this church has been blessed with leadership that has had energy, compassion and pas-

sion for the people, mission and work of the Fort King family. A little over two years ago this churchfamily welcomed into its fold Amanda Osenga as its Director of Discipleship. She too has served withsimilar compassion, passion and wisdom as shes lead us into deeper discussions, stretched our under-

standing, and nurtured our faith as disciples of Jesus the Christ.

I am extremely thankful for her ministry among us and that is why it is going to be difficult to say good

bye. After much discernment Amanda has heard and accepted Gods call to serve North Decatur Pres-

byterian Church in Decatur, Georgia as their Director of Children and Youth Ministries. Below is anexcerpt from Amandas letter to the Personnel Ministry and Session informing them of her calling.

In following Gods call in our lives, each of us takes the risk of being called to new things and newplaces.

This has not been an easy decision for me to make. Fort King has been a wonderful community in which

to serve and I am thankful that our journeys have intertwined for this season in life. There is incredible

life and love within this community. I have been touched by your lives. It has been a delight to worship

with you and to lead in worship. I have greatly enjoyed getting to know the youth and children of this

church. As I reflect on our time together, I am full of gratitude for the opportunity to share in ministry

together. I have learned so much from you. You have shaped me--my ministry, my faith, and my under-

standing of community.

I pray that our time together has brought each of us into a deeper relationship with God and that wewill continue to be awakened to Gods presence in the world around us so that we might grow in accor-

dance with Gods plans.

Grace and peace be with all of you,

Amanda Osenga

Amanda is a very gifted woman and she has brought great wisdom, spirit and joy to this congregation.

As a congregation let us join together and wish Amanda well with a celebration of ministry and farewell

reception following her last worship service with us on Sunday, December 18.

May Gods blessings be upon Amanda and this congregation as we move forward in fulfilling Gods call

upon our lives.

Blessings and Peace,


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Fort King Presbyterian Church

Financials Effective 10/31/11

Monthly 2010 DeltaBudget Actual

Oct2011

DeltaBudget- Actual

Budget ActualJan - Oct

2011

DeltaBudget -Actual

Jan-OctActual

2011 YTD-2010YTD

Income

Estimateof Giving

27,160 26,058 (1.102) 250,318 251,331 1,012 250,318 1,012

MortgageReduction

455 245 (210) 18,610 7,350 (11,260) 18,610 (11,260)

OtherIncome

(98) 400 498 57 415 359 57 359

TotalIncome

27,517 26,703 (814) 268,985 259,096 (9,889) 268,985 (9,889)

TotalExpense

28,244 27,366 (878) 269,200 257,792 (11,408) 269,190 (11,398)

NetSurplus/Deficit

(727) (663) (215) 1,304 (205)

Year-To-Date

Endowment 50 14288 14238 28,107 50,684 22,577 28,107 22,577

ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE

Financial Peace University at Ft. King Presbyterian Church

In Financial Peace University, the average family eliminates $5,300 in debt while saving $2,700!

Learn More:

Sunday, January 8th 3:00 p.m.

Fort King Presbyterian Church

Get Control of Your Money

Stop Struggling to Make Ends Meet

Tell Your Money What to do

Change Your Familys Future


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CONGREGATIONAL CARE

Thank You

My sincere appreciation for all the prayers, visits, food and flowers/plants while I was in Life Care Rehab Center. Now I'm extending my thanks for the at home meals provided by my loving and caring Church familMakes recovery so much easier and quicker.Thanks to everyone.Maria Madigan

Thank You

Dear Fort King family,Thank you once again for your loving expressions of support and comfort, cards and phone calls. Also, a verspecial thank you to Andy for his 3rd surgery visit to me within a year and his beautiful prayers of love and support.May God bless you all!Audrey Counts

Thank You

Our material possessions are, in reality, gifts from God and when we practicthem like reading the Scriptures - used in Gods work, not only are w

enriched, but we too are doubly enhanced. Thanks for your commitment andedication. A wonderful happy Christmas Season with love.Lena Lewin


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CONGREGATIONAL CARE

Picnic By The Bridge

On the first Sunday of the month, December 4th, our congrega-tion will meet immediately after worship for an informal picnic.

This picnic is a way to bridge generations of our church familywith food, fun, and fresh air on our new church playground.Please bring your favorite snack lunch and enjoy relaxing withthose who love worshiping withyou!

Perk Up

Due to Advent Wednesday activities, Perk Up will not meet in December.Come join us again in January starting January 4th.

Every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m., Congregational Care offers a new form ofchurch family enrichment. It is called "Perk Up", as coffee & tea will beserved and small programs on varied subjects will be discovered. This is aplace for adults to gather and share their favorite topics and ideas.

Favorite topics could be: the ocean, baseball cards, art projects, folk music, classical music, trees, birds, garden-ing, car maintenance etc... Please contact Joan Woods if there are questions or ideas to make this opportunitybetter.

To Your Health

With the holidays approaching and all the entertaining we will be doing, it is important to review some informa-tion about food-borne illness. Remember the cantaloupes this summer? Unlike other food-borne illnesses, listeriacan flourish in the cold. Wash utensils, counters and your fridge with hot soapy water

Even though the listeria-contaminated cantaloupes are gone, the risk of infection is not. It takes an average ofthree weeks and sometimes up to two months to become ill after being exposed to the bacteria. Most peo-ple who come in contact with listeria do not become sick it depends largely on how robust your immune sys-tem is, how much of the pathogen youve been infected with, and how virulent that particular strain is. For that

reason, the illness, known as listeriosis, most commonly sickens older adults, pregnant women, newborns andpeople with weakened immune systems, such as those with cancer, AIDS or diabetes.

Found in water and soil, listeria causes flulike symptoms, including fever, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle aches, stom-ach cramps and headaches. The bacteria can be eliminated with soap and hot water but thrive in cold and room-temperature conditions. Listeria can continue to grow and spread to other foods in your refrigerator. So if youhave suspect foods, throw them away and wash the inside of your refrigerator thoroughly.www.360-5.com Your Wellness Tip from Cleveland Clinic, 11/13/11.

Be safe especially if someone in your home is at risk. Blessed Holidays to you and yours. See you in JanuarySelected by Bonnie Schulze, Health Ministry


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DISCIPLESHIPDISCIPLESHIPDISCIPLESHIPDISCIPLESHIP

Greetings!

Its Advent time! More so than usual, I have been looking forward to entering into this seasoagain. Most years, in an attempt to combat the consumerism of Christmas, I wait as long a

possible to get the decorations out. Not this year. I was ready to start putting on the music andecorating my house in October. Perhaps this unusual flare of nostalgia and holiday spirit wasparked by early Advent celebrations and with some friends who were visiting from GermanyThey brought some of my favorite German Christmas goodies with them and we had a minAdvent party together.

During my year in Germany the Germans taught me how to celebrate Advent. At least withithe community of students that I lived in, we celebrated the season with intention. We waitewith joy and hope and with anticipation and expectation. In the evenings wed head out to th

town center to stroll through the Christmas market everyone was there and it was a celebration of community.

Doors became a theme for Advent. On December 6th we celebrated St. Nikolaus day, wakinup to a variety of goodies outside our doors. This tradition keeps the spirit of St. Nikolaualive, who years ago would leave secret gifts for the poor on their doorsteps.

Each day during Advent we also hosted a live advents calendar, to help count down the dayto Christmas. Each person in the community where I lived agreed to host a day, opening the

doors providing hospitality, refreshments, community and a devotion. It was a reminder to taktime to pause and remember the reason for the season.

At Fort King, we will be entering into the Advent season by opening our doors to one anotherOur adult Sunday school class will be using the classic movie, Miracle on 34th Street, to engagin questions of how to celebrate the Christmas season within the Christian tradition and howdoubt and belief affect our faith. Well be nostalgic remembering our own traditions that havshaped our experience of this season. Several members of our church have offered to opetheir homes so that we can watch this movie together.

This season, let us open our doors to one another. If you have not participated in Sundaschool in the past, come join us! I find these doors during this season to be important, aidinin our anticipation of the season, bringing surprises, being a place of welcome and hospitality, place of community and celebration so that we may open wide the gates of the Kingdom.

Come!


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DISCIPLESHIP (continued)DISCIPLESHIP (continued)DISCIPLESHIP (continued)DISCIPLESHIP (continued)

High Tide

All elementary aged children are welcome to join us for High Tide. Typically wemeet the 2nd and 4th Sunday evenings from 5:00 7:00 p.m. The program in-cludes dinner. We have been exploring rituals, connecting them to our faith andto our lives. Cheryl Gans, Amy Roberts, and Niki Tripodi are the High Tide lead-ers this winter and spring.

December 4 The Ritual of Hope for the season of Advent

December 11 Come and join us for the Christmas Pageant. Dinner will be served at 5:30.

December 18 A night of Christmas Caroling. All are welcome as we join with the youth to carol and sing

hymns of hope and joy to neighboring homes for the elderly. We will meet at 4:00 with dinnerto follow.

PYC December 2011

Its the most wonderful time of year! December is full of wonderful traditions to celebratethe birth of Christ. Join us! PYC meets from 5:00 7:00 p.m. on Sunday evenings unless

otherwise noted.

December 4 Bring $10.00 to spend at the dollar store to fill up stockings with goodies. Well be taking thesewith us Christmas caroling.

December 11 CHRISTMAS DINNER AND PAGEANT. Christmas Dinner with all the fixings will beserved at 5:30. Afterwards will be the annual Christmas Pageant. Bring your friends and family for this festiveevent.

December 18 CHRISTMAS CAROLING to the local nursing homes. Well drop off some goodies and singsome carols for the local residents. Afterwards well continue the festivities with a Christmas Party back at the

church.4:00 8:00 (dinner will be included)

December 25 MERRY CHRISTMAS (there will be no PYC)


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Advent WednesdaysNovember 30, December 7th, 14th

5:30 - 6:45

A Thrill of Hope

As the familiar hymn reminds us, Christs birth is a thrill of hope, a gift over which the weary worldrejoices. As we prepare for Christs birth we will join together on Wednesdays throughout Advent

for a simple meal and time of shared community.

There will be classes and activities for both youth and children offered.

Soup will be provided. Please bring a salad, bread, or desert to share.

Library Corner

Thanks to the generosity of those who donated to the LucilleRowoldt Memorial Fund, we were able to purchase for the churchlibrary a complete 13-volume set of The New InterpretersBible. This is one of the most comprehensive and up-to-dateBible commentaries available today. If you are participating inany of the current Bible study groups, or plan to do so in the fu-ture, then take advantage of this excellent resource available right

in your own church library. All volumes in the set may be checked out by church members. We plan to keepthe old set ofThe Interpreters Bible (dating back to the 1950s) as it is based on the KJV and the RSV of theBible whereas The New Interpreters Bible references the NIV and the NRSV translations.

Advent season is upon us once again. Come check out some of the 50-plus books we have on Advent andChristmas for children and adults. For the month of December, these books will be on the top shelf of thebookcase straight ahead as you enter the library. The library is open every Sunday morning; other times by re-quest.


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Advent and ChristmasAdvent and ChristmasAdvent and ChristmasAdvent and ChristmasAdvent and ChristmasAdvent and ChristmasAdvent and ChristmasAdvent and ChristmasAdvent and ChristmasAdvent and ChristmasAdvent and ChristmasAdvent and Christmasatatat

Fort KingFort KingFort King

Presbyterian ChurchPresbyterian ChurchPresbyterian Church

Adult Sunday SchoolDecember 4th, 11th, 17th

9:15 - 10:15

Miracle on 34Miracle on 34Miracle on 34ththth Street RevisitedStreet RevisitedStreet RevisitedAn up close and personal look at the Santa Claus traditionAn up close and personal look at the Santa Claus traditionAn up close and personal look at the Santa Claus tradition

Tis the season for holiday cheer! As we prepare to celebrate Christs birth - a story of promise, hope, and

revolutionary love - we find ourselves in the midst of a season filled with traditions and celebrations, bothfrom within and outside of the church. This class will explore how we handle the secular aspects of the sea-son within a community of faith - What is real and how do we tell? How shall we prepare our children andgrandchildren for the clash of the ideal vs. the worldly? What should we teach about Santa Claus? What isthe relationship between belief, reality, and truth?

We will be using the movie Miracle on 34th Street as our starting point for conversation. There will be severalhome viewings and opportunities to see the movie. You can sign up during Sunday school on December 4th!

December 4 2:00 Fort King Session RoomDecember 4 6:00 Home of the BushesDecember 8 6:00 Fort King Session RoomDecember 9 6:30 Home of the GansDecember 9 6:30 Home of the LayendeckersDecember 9 7:00 Home of the HillsDecember 9 7:00 Home of the Johnsons

Special Date December 11thChristmas Dinner and Pageant

Don't forget to mark your calendar to attend our annual Christmas Dinnerand Pageant at 5:30 p.m., December 11th. As a gift to the congregation, theSession will be providing the turkey and dressing and congregation membersare asked to bring the "trimmings", potatoes, vegetables, salads and des-serts. As a guest you will be welcomed by a host of angels as you enter"heaven" and take part in our heavenly feast. Immediately following dinneryou will be treated to a very special presentation of our pageant titled "TheSandal." The cast will feature 35 members of Fort King including childrenand adults from ages 3 to 73. You really do not want to miss this great eventbeing directed by Bernice Henry and Cate Martin with sets by Chris Bishop

and musical accompaniment by Sharon Mai.


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EVANGELISMEVANGELISMEVANGELISMEVANGELISM

Engage Your Community and Culture

Engage More from the Evangelism Conference we attended in August. In October we talked about each of ushaving a story, a story we could share of how God has worked in our lives. November we looked at our changing

community and culture. Lets move forward with that theme.

Last month I pointed out that non-church people, particularly younger people, sometimes look at church peopleas judgmental, hypocritical, homophobic, out of touch with reality, and insensitive to others. One of the speakersat the Engage Conference, Dan Kimball, author of the book They Like Jesus but Not the Church, points out oneexample as to how this perception has come about. Some church leaders and church people are constantly teach-ing what you cant do if you want to be saved. You cant drink. You cant smoke. You cant wear those clothes.You cant listen to that music. You cant gamble. You cant vote for this or that person. Youcant You cant You cant , and the list goes on. This negative perception is a turn-off tothose members of our community we want to spread the gospel to. Many of the people we wish toreach look at Christians as projecting an attitude of better than you, an image of look how

good I am and look at all the good things I do.

The Gospel, the good news is love, not judgment. God loves each and every one of us. We are all

sinners and all fall short of the life God wants us to live, but we are forgiven. Laugh. Love. Live. Do this with

the joy of God in your heart. This is the message we want to spread.

Tapas and TalentsA Celebration of God's Gifts

One and all are invited to share their God given gifts with the Congregation(and their culinary gifts as well!)

When January 21st at 5:00 p.m.Where Fellowship Hall

What FKPC Talent Show

How Sign up in the Narthex with your talent (try to limit time to 5 minutes or less!)and bring a Tapas type dish (finger food) to share!

I hope to see you all there! This church has a lot of talent so be prepared for a great show!

FELLOWSHIPFELLOWSHIPFELLOWSHIPFELLOWSHIP


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GROUP ACTIVITIESGROUP ACTIVITIESGROUP ACTIVITIESGROUP ACTIVITIES

Presbyterian Women

Circle Meetings

All women of Fort King are Presbyterian Women and are invited to participate in all the activities of Presbyterian Women. If you have not attended a Circle meeting before, come join us in December and participate ithe spiritual experience and fellowship that Circles provide. Our Bible Study this year is Confessing the Beat

tudes.

Esther Circle will meet on Monday, December 12th at the home of Margie Hodges at 6:30 p.m. Please notthe time change. We will have a Christmas celebration, so please bring a heavy hors doeuvre and $10 Chrismas gift exchange.

Deborah Circle will meet on Tuesday December 20th in the Session Room at 10:00 a.m. Prudence Pritz wihave the lesson.

Domestic Violence Rape Crisis Center

Thank you to the congregation for all the donations you have provided for the Domestic Violence Rape CrisiCenter. Their needs are so large and Fort King Presbyterian certainly has contributed to those who come fohelp. Please continue to place your contributions in the box in the Narthex. Presbyterian Women have madindividual tote bags for the women that come into the Rape Crisis Center. They were filled with shampooconditioner, deodorant, brush and comb and many other toiletry items that may be needed. If you would likto help with this project, please contact Anne Hill at 368-2491 or talk to any member of a circle.

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GROUP ACTIVITIES (continued)GROUP ACTIVITIES (continued)GROUP ACTIVITIES (continued)GROUP ACTIVITIES (continued)

Crafts Group

Please join the Crafts Group on Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We work on individual projects and joint projects.

The Merry Widows

All widows of the church are invited for socializing and support. The MerWidows will meet at Bob Evans on Silver Springs Blvd. on WednesdaDecember 21st at 1:00 p.m. Please come and join us.

Mens Night Out

Mens Night Out will meet on Monday, December 12th at 6:30 p.mat the home of Brian Lavery. Please call Brian at 694-8264 to RSVP.

Card Making Ministry

Card Making Ministry will not meet in December. Come join us othe 2nd Friday of every month at 10:00 a.m. until about Noon. Januarys card making meeting will be on Friday, January 13, 2012 a10:00 a.m. For information on this ministrys work, please contaPrudence Pritz.

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MISSIONMISSIONMISSIONMISSION

Buy a Christmas Gift for a ChildSupport the Angel Tree

As you begin to plan for your Christmas shopping, please remember the needy children of Marion County. We arworking again this year with The Centers, which provides for Kids Central. The Angel Tree is up and the tags argoing quickly. The gifts should be delivered to the Church office unwrapped, but tagged with the identifying angel, by December 11. Thank you for your gifts to children this Christmas.

Alternative Christmas Fair

Here we are, once again at the Christmas gift giving time. Want some alternatives to the hectic shopping, wrapping, need to return items???

One solution to buying more stuff is to share a larger view of what family and neighbor might mean. In thFellowship Hall, tables with creative ideas will greet you and give you some wonderful ideas.

Those in attendance will be organizations such as First United Methodist Homeless Program, American DiabeteFoundation, Heifer Project, and Ten Thousand Villages. These groups will stir up your imagination for hoChristmas gift giving might be a little different, reach your extended and non-extended families. and be mormeaningful.

Do come by...from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (before and after worship) on Sunday, December 4th.

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MISSION (continued)MISSION (continued)MISSION (continued)MISSION (continued)

Blood Drive Please Give

The Mission Ministry would like to inform the congregation that the

bloodmobile will be at Fort King on December 11th. Donation timesare from 9:00 to 10:15 a.m. and 11:30a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A Ministrymember will be in the Narthex after services on November 27th andDecember 4th to sign up donors. Please consider donating, we needblood badly.

Make a Donation to the Homeless Programat the First United Methodist Church

As many as 100 homeless people a week go to the First United Methodist Church for a warm meal. They arealso given clothing, toiletries and help with transportation, as needed. We at Fort King can help with Godswork.

Clean out your closets to find warm coats and sweaters that you no longer use. Go to the dollar store andbuy toiletries like soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes. We will have a box in the Narthex for your donations.A small effort on our part will make a big difference to one or more of our homeless neighbors in MarionCounty.

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MISSION (continued)MISSION (continued)MISSION (continued)MISSION (continued)

Annette George

Missionary in Thailand

Some of you may remember our PC(USA) missionary, Annette George. Annette was appointed by the PC(USA) in 1991 and assigned to serve in Payap Universitys music department in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Sheteaches private lessons in flute, oboe and bassoon and teaches woodwind class, introduction to music therapyand an occasional English as a second language course for music majors. When Annette is back home here inOcala she considers Fort King her church home. Recently, Thailand has been hit with several devastating floodsthat have had direct effects on Payap University and Annette. Below are some email excerpts sent to PastorAndy and Mary Beth Neely from Annette.

Thank you Mary,Please be in prayer for the people of Thailand. There have been floods and mudslides since July in Northern Thai-

land. I had 6 inches in my house (entrance and office area where I teach) for three days. Now the waters have gone

down to the central plains and Bangkok. There are many houses and factory estates destroyed. Deep water (3 feet, 4feet, sometimes more) has covered fields, neighborhood, factory estates, airports, train stations, etc. etc. Predictions are

that it will take more than a month for the water to drain away. Check out distressing pictures on the web.

I am okay, very busy this new second semester with too many students and classes, but mostly deeply concerned for large

numbers of Thai people and for the Thai economy this year.Truly, Annette George

Dear Andy,Thank you. I am well but my house is a mess - and so disorganized that it will be hard to turn in my grades in

time. The whole city, it seems, experienced flooding last week, when the tail end of the Philippine typhoon Nesat hit

northern Thailand. Reservoirs were already full - so they had to release water, and my city is downstream from one ofthose reservoirs. I had about 6 inches of muddy water in my house and was surrounded by a lake outside my

house. Fortunately for me, I had good warning beforehand and an upstairs in which to take refuge. This week I have to

prepare for overnight guests - who may be staying longer than planned because of more storms coming in . Blessings to

all. I always miss autumn weather when I'm here. Truly, Annette

Please keep Annette in your prayers. If you would like more information about Annettes mission and work goto http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/missionconnections/george-annette-janine/ . I am sure she would welcomemore emails of support and concern for the Thai people and her work. To email Annette, the address [email protected]

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Session NotesNovember 17, 2011

Celebrations1. Southern Express concert.2. Successful womens retreat.3. Ritz Hotel (Vets Apartments) work day had 15 people in attendance.4. The first Picnic by the Bridge had a good turnout.5. Perk Up has begun with enthusiasm.6. Krista MacKay was featured in the local newspaper. Keep up the good work, Krista!7. The prayer shawls are disappearing from the backs of the rocking chairs. The shawls are wrapping God

love around those who need it most.8. Amandas work with Ft. King and the opportunity which has been afforded her at North Decatur

Presbyterian Church in Georgia.9. The new class of Elders begins active service tonight.

Motions1. Motion to remove John and Lucille Leschak from membership upon their request.2. Motion to install Brandon Powell as Elder.3. Motion to accept Mary Beth Neely as commissioner to the Called Presbytery meeting to be held on

December 8 at Starke.

4. Motion to approve Lucy Tobias as a member of the Congregational Care Ministry.

SESSIONSESSIONSESSIONSESSION

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Heres Something to Think About

Psalms 95, 96, 97, 98 and 99 are all Yahweh-kingship hymns that were designed for congregational worship for Israelites/Jews who had returned to Judah after the horrific experience the Exile. They all reflect what Isaiah 40 declares, so let us focus on the Isaiah passage, for is profound.

Without question, comfort, comfort my people comes as a complete surprise to Jews sttrapped, incarcerated if you will, by a nation-state that completely disregards their humanity. The promise of a highway, the rough places a plain(vv. 3-4) must have seemed like fantasy to the hearers. Why?

Verses 6 -8 are incredible: Man is nothing but straw! To describe human life in terms of plant-life is to confirthe grotesque perversity of human existence. What remains of mans (own) self-estimate as the crown of cretion? Life is meaningless, empty. Death is a grim and forbidding boundary in which everything that is accomplished is called into question (E. Gerstenberger Suffering 88, 90). This is exactly how the people thought

themselves as they were in and exited the Exile.Primo Levi (Survival in Auschwitz) declared: We are transformed into the phantoms glimpsed yesterday evening Our language lacks words to express the offence, THE DEMOLITION OF MAN (26). Man is deprived of everything he was, his past, traditions, accomplishments. He is grass (Isa. 40:6; read T.S. Eliots ThHollow Men, 1925: We are the hollow men headpiece filled with straw).And just what is the promise the prophet declares?

* The end of Israels warfare, its demolition, its Exile;* The way of the Lord made totally public for all to see in the return of the people to Jerusalem;* The constancy of the Word of our God, which can be relied upon; and,* Gods loving care of his people like a shepherd (contrast Ezekiel 34). Isaiah 61 proclaims liberty

the captives the opening of theprison (v. 1) because the Lord loves justice (v. 8) in whom msoulshall exult (v. 10).

That is, God is not a spectator who remains silent to a moral obscenity (e.g. The Babylonian Exile, AuschwitzGod, the Lord (YAHWEH), continues to act in human history to release human beings from their socio-culturaand religio-political bondages, the traps/snares we have made for ourselves in the hope for security and comforand the illusions others have manipulated us to accept.

Yes, man is deprived of everything he was, all that he has accomplished and relies on, his past. Rather, the prophedeclares it is the future that stands openly before us, a future where God meets us face-to-face and asks us how wwill live our life into the future. Elie Wiesel said: What is man? dust turned to hope! We are called not to faitin humanity, but to faith/trust in God.

This is precisely the meaning of the coming and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth. If we celebrate Jesus birth/cominas a religious event, we miss the profound meaning of proclaiming release to the captives to set at liberty thoswho are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord (Isaiah 61:1-2; Lk. 4:18-19). For, you see, we too arbound and enslaved in and to the society and culture within which we live; Pharaoh/Caesar rule our lives.

Jesus speaks to us today, as does the prophet Isaiah: The Lord has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted (Isaiah 61).

God has opened a future to us; or, will we cling to the past?

Shalom,Tom

WORSHIPWORSHIPWORSHIPWORSHIP

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Join us for Christmas Eve

We would love to have you, your family, your neighbors and your friends

join us for our Christmas Eve Communion services. Come and enjoy thespirit of Christmas as we worship the best gift ever given, our Lord andSavior Jesus Christ. This year we are excited to add a 4:00 p.m. servicefor the convenience of our younger families and older adults. We willenjoy songs of the season throughout the service and our 7 and 11services will conclude with a traditional candle lighting.

Enter into the story of Christmas by joining us at either the 4:00 p.m.,7:00 p.m. or 11:00 p.m. services.

Christmas Day WorshipDont forget, Christmas Day is on Sunday this year. We will be worship-ing in the Fellowship Hall with breakfast for all. So come as you are andenjoy Christmas morning at 10:30 a.m. worship and breakfast on thisvery special day.

Needs for Christmas Eve and Day

The worship ministry needs your help for the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day worship services. The ministryneeds people to help with the scripture readings, ushering, greeting, and elders to help with communion for the4:00, 7:00 and 11:00 p.m. services. For our Christmas Day morning service we will need people to prepare in ad-vance egg casseroles for breakfast. If you can help with any of these needs please contact the Church Office.

WORSHIP (continued)

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9

Flower Calendar

Please note: I am trying to work ahead on the flowers, so if you would like toprovide flowers to commemorate a special event/occasion/memory etc. for a spe-

cific date, please call Nancy Hall at 694-3221 as soon as possible. Please also note:It is never too early to call to select your chosen date.

As of this mailing, the following people will be providing flowers in January 2012, February 2012, and March2012. If you can provide flowers for a date in 2012, please call Nancy Hall. Thank you.

Thank you to these people as they share in donating the flowers for the following worship services.

November 27, 2011 to December 25, 2011Poinsettias

January 01, 2012From Jim and Donna Johnson in celebration of their 27th wedding anniversaryJanuary 08, 2012From Dennis and Joyce-Ellen Horne in memory of Joseph and Alice FullerJanuary 15, 2012OPEN

January 22, 2012OPEN

January 29, 2012From Harold and Roselle Pringle in celebration of their 17th wedding anniversary

February 05, 2012OPEN

February 12, 2012In celebration of our 56th wedding anniversary on February the 11thfrom Steve and Janet Mitchell

February 19, 2012In loving memory of her father, George Penso, on his birthday from his daughter,Bonnie Penso Schulze

February 26, 2012In celebration of Nan Andrews 90th birthday from Bruce, Gouley, Cody, Tom and Linda

March 04, 2012OPEN

March 11, 2012OPEN

March 18, 2012OPEN

March 25, 2012From Jean Brown, Hal, Douglas, Bruce, and Lynn in loving memory of husband and father,Halowell E. Brown

Choir

Our stalwart choir members are endeavoring to persevere as the sayinggoes. Our fill-ins continue to be wonderful additions and are very muchappreciated.

Thank you to all the choir members who are continue to share their gift ofvocal music.

WORSHIP (continued)WORSHIP (continued)WORSHIP (continued)WORSHIP (continued)

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December 2011Italicized items are non-FKPC activities using FKPC facilities

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturda19:30 Private

Function (SR)

1:00 Crafts6:00 Worship

Ministry6:00 - 8:00

Marions United

(FH)7:00 AA (CE)

2 39:00 - 3:00

p.m.

TurningPoint (FH)

3:00 Set uAlterna-

tive

Christmas6:00 The

Dinner

Crew(off-site)

9:00 Alternative

Christmas9:00 - 11:45 Library9:15 Sunday School

0:00 Choir Practice0:30 Worship

1:30 Picnic Lunch

1:00 Faith Sojourn.2:00 Miracle Movie

3:00 Pageant

Rehearsal5:00 PYC

5:00 High Tide6:00 Miracle Movie

(off-site)

57:30 Mens Bible

Study

5:30 TOPS (FH)

6:00 Mission Ministry6:00 Property

Ministry

7:00 Adult BibleStudy (off-site)

6

6:00 Boy Scout

Function(FH)

6:00 Finance

Ministry6:00 Evangelism

Ministry

6:30 MiracleMovie (off-site)

7:00 Discipleship

MinistryAdult and Child

7

10:00 PW Council

4:00 Fellowship

Ministry

5:30 AdventWednesday

6:00 - 7:45

CommunityDance (Narthex)

7:00 Choir Practice

8

1:00 Crafts

6:00 Miracle

Movie

7:00 Adult

BibleStudy (off-site)7:00 AA (CE)

9

6:30 Miracle

Movie

(off-site)7:00 Miracle

Movie(off-site)

10

Set-UpChristma

Dinner

1

9:00 Blood Drive9:00 - 11:45 Library9:15 Sunday School

0:00 Choir Practice0:30 Worship1:00 Faith Sojourn.

5:30 ChristmasDinner and Pageant

127:30 Mens Bible

Study9:30 Adult Bible

Study

5:30 TOPS (FH)6:30 Mens Night

Out (Off-Site)

6:30 Ester Circle(Off-Site)

13

10:00 PrayerShawlMinistry

14

5:30 Advent

Wednesday6:00 - 7:45

Community

Dance (Narthex)7:00 Choir Practice

15

1:00 Crafts

6:00 Session7:00 AA (CE)

16 17

82 Cents A Meal and

Food4Kids

Christmas JoyOffering

9:00 - 11:45 Library9:15 Sunday School

0:00 Choir Practice

0:30 Worship1:00 Faith Sojourn.

5:00 PYC5:00 High Tide

197:30 Mens Bible

Study

5:30 TOPS (FH)

20

10:00 Deborah

Circle

211:00 The Merry

Widows

(Off-Site)

3:00 Pastoral CareTeam

6:00 - 7:45Community

Dance (Narthex)

7:00 Choir Practice

22

1:00 Crafts

7:00 AA (CE)

23

OFFICECLOSED

At Noon

24

4:00

Service

7:00Service

11:00Service

5

10:30 Christmas

BreakfastAnd

26

OFFICE CLOSED

27 28

6:00 - 7:45Community

29

1:00 Crafts

30 31

Documents

December 2011 LINK Newsletter