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First PresbyterianChurch of FultonGod's People Connecting... December 20-26, 2019!
Join Us for Sunday Study and Discussion!Regular Sunday Morning Schedule!
Sunday School for All Ages 9:30-10:20 am.Worship Service in the Sanctuary at 10:30 am.
Adult Class - Grace Craghead, Teacher - Meets in the Church Library.Sunday, December 22 - The Lord is With You, Luck 1:39-56Upper Elementary - Kara White, Teacher - Gather in the Lobby for Directions!Pre-School - Early Elementary - Lori Covey, TeacherThe theme for this year is Joy!
Worship & Praise This Week!Sunday, December 29, 2019 (The Fourth Sunday in Advent, Year A – Liturgical Color: Blue andPurple)Sacrament of Holy Baptism to be Administered upon Emma Louise Hall, daughter of Cameron &Jamie HallUsher Captain: Robert CragheadLiturgist: Kent PalmerHospitality Kiosk Greeters: Sylvia Hampton & Dawn YanceyOld Testament Lesson: Isaiah 7:10-16 Gospel Lesson: Matthew 1:18-25 Sermon by Rev. Aaron J. White:
The Courage of LoveWhile many of us have been busy for the past month preparing to celebrate the coming of ourMessiah, our Gospel Lesson on Sunday reminds us that the birth of Jesus came as unexpected newsto Mary and Joseph. In fact, the announcement that Mary was going to give birth to a son wasn’t justa surprise, it was a disruption to all of the plans that the couple had for their lives.Jesus’ arrival can also disrupt our lives in unexpected ways. In entering into the world, he trulybecomes Emmanuel—“God is with us.” From that moment on, we cannot simply live for ourselves.Now, we have to live for Christ. When the news of this coming child caused Joseph concern, God’sangel came to him, saying, “do not be afraid.” Like Joseph, we are being confronted with the news thatEmmanuel is coming. As we prepare for his arrival, will we fear the disruption that he might cause? Orinstead, will we have the courage to welcome him with love.
Plan to Attend - Invite Your Friends & Familyto Join You in Worship on Christmas Eve!
Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Service4:30 p.m. - Holy Communion Observed
"Straw for the Manger:" Presbyterians Today2019 Advent Devotional is Available Now!During this holy season of Advent, we are invited to follow Jesus’scommand epitomized by Matthew 25:31–46 to love one another andcare for “the least of these.” This year’s devotional is very special. TheRev. Sherry Blackman, a Presbyterian pastor, chaplain and award-winning writer and poet, challenges us to �ll our days of Advent withsimple, practical and loving deeds that help our neighbors — calling eachact of kindness a piece of “straw” for the manager to make a soft bed forthe Christ child when he arrives on Christmas. It is our hope that youinvite family, church friends and those in your community to join you inadding straw this Advent season, so that together you prepare for Christ’s birth. An added bonus tothis year’s devotional is the space provided each Sunday of Advent to jot down your re�ections andprayers.Perfect for your use in this season of preparation, each day provides a Scripture excerpt, meditationand prayer to deepen the Advent experience. To download your devotional, please click the imageabove to download the .pdf �le. Should you need to request a printed copy, please email Aaron or callhim at the church o�ce, (573) 642-5541.
Judy MakesCookies!
How Do YouFollow The Star?
Mary Sings!
Additional readings from the Revised Common Lectionary: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Romans 1:1-7A Look Ahead to Next Week, December 29: Liturgist -Mary Van Orden; Usher Captain - Tanner Russell;Hospitality Greeter - Bob & Linda Hansen
How Do You "Follow the Star?" Click on the Star to DownloadDirections for This Interactive Advent Season Reflection!
Join the Judy and Mary in Following the Star this Advent Season!What makes you feel closer to the manger and the spirit of Christmas? For Judy McKinnon, makingleubkuchen using the Stevermer family recipe is a star-following event. Jim’s great-aunts started thetradition. Now, she enjoys making the cookies for Jim, his mother, and the rest of the Stevermer family.For Mary Osburn, it's raising her voice in song with the rest of the members of the FPC Chancel Choir!What brings you closer to the Holy Spirit during Advent. Sharing your special tradition with others issimple. Just download the Star template or pick up a card stock version at church to share a favorite activityor memory. Here's how it works:
1. Re�ect on how you will follow the star this Advent season.2. Write your answer on the star shown on the opposite side of this page. You do not have to put
your name on it.3. (Optional) Take a picture of yourself and your star while you take part in the activity you chose.
Email that picture to [email protected]. We may use your picture in thechurch newsletter or on social media.
4. Return your star to church. Place it in the basket located in the church lobby.That’s it! We’ll celebrate together all of the ways we’re following the star in this season as it points us toJesus and the joy of the incarnation.
Heavenly Voices Raised in Worship and Praise are a Blessing toOur Church! Do YOU Love to Sing? Play an Instrument?
A big thank you to the members of our FPC Chancel Choir, Director Ethan Forte, Organist Kelley Head,and our guest artists the University of Missouri String Ensemble for the wonderful Christmas Cantatapresented last Sunday.The choir rehearses each Wednesday evening and Sunday before the worship service. If you would liketo join this group of FPC friends who love to sing or if you have a musical talent you'd like to share,please contact Ethan at :[email protected] or ask any member of the choir to �nd out more.
Click on the Image Below to Download Details on the MissionCommittee's Alternative Christmas Gift Project 2019!
Christmas Joy Offering Collected During Advent!A Special Message From the Mission Committee! Every year, society expects us to celebrate the holiday season even bigger and better than yearsbefore. This year, coming together to reclaim Advent and Christmas can be both humbling andful�lling. As we excitedly await the birth of Christ, it’s important to remember the reason for theseason: the newborn Servant of All.
December is a Great Time to Donate Pasta,Rice, and Pasta Sauce to SERVE!Please join our young disciples as they collect donations of canned foodduring the offering each Sunday. If you forget to bring a contributionfrom home, that's okay! There are items to purchase for a small cashdonation in the Narthex and in the Lobby. If you would like to help re-stock the supplies located in the lobby, pleasebring larger donations to the church o�ce. Feel the need to focus onparticular food items for the Loaves and Fishes offering during worship?
Serve Food Pantry Monthly ScheduleDecember-Pasta, rice and pasta sauce
Did You Miss Worship, but Still Want to Contribute?
Below is a schedule we used previously to help focus our giving to the SERVE food pantry. Do not feellike this is mandate, it is merely a way think of food items to donate. Let’s �ll the wagon to the brimevery Sunday this summer! And if you are traveling and can’t make it to worship, mail a check or dropoff your donation and we will make sure it gets to SERVE.
With Christ at the center this holiday season, we can follow in his example of servant leadership byserving our brothers and sisters in faith. Through the Christmas Joy Offering, we are able to supportthose in our community and give them the gift of hope.Funds from the Christmas Joy Offering help the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions providecritical �nancial assistance to eligible workers in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and their families,and to qualifying retired church workers and their families.The Christmas Joy Offering also supports the education and development of our future leaders atPresbyterian-related racial ethnic schools and colleges. These schools are dedicated to creatingopportunities and environments for racial ethnic students built on a foundation of Christian values.The Offering bene�ts Menaul School and Presbyterian Pan American School, two secondary schoolsthat ready students for a path of higher learning, as well as Stillman College, where graduates areprepared for lives of leadership and service.By giving to the Christmas Joy Offering, we can share in the hope of Christ and celebrate hisleadership by providing support to our church workers, racial ethnic young people, and their families.
The Joy Gift Offering will be collected during Advent.
Special Messages, and Important Church Notes!A BIG THANK YOU & CONGRATULATIONS!
To Mary Osburn and the International Fair Trade Market Team of Volunteers!This annual event helped our community members Shop for a Cause and invited people to view ourhistoric sanctuary.To Angela Russell and the Russell Family Volunteer Red Cross Blood Drive Workers!This special holiday blood drive exceeded the goal and provided the gift of life to people in need.
Attention Community Youth! Join us at The Rock!The Rock is a community youth group for 6th-12th grade students sponsored by four Fulton churches;Court Street United Methodist Church, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), First Presbyterian
CLICK HERE FOR THE CHURCH CALENDAR!CLICK HERE FOR THE CHURCH CALENDAR!
Church, and Heartland Church. We are an alliance of faith communities, offering a safe and inclusivespace for youth to explore Christian faith. Register ahead by clicking on THE ROCK icon above or usethis link: https://forms.gle/gHBG9u6BYc61gxTz5 Meetings will be Sunday evenings, 6-7:30 PM at 715 Nichols St.
Pastor's Office Hours & Contact Information!Rev. Aaron White holds regularly scheduled o�ce hours on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays from 9:00to noon. To schedule an appointment for another time, or to arrange for home visitation, please callhim at the church o�ce, (573) 642-5541, or on his cell phone, (573) 590-3136. You may also [email protected]. At First Presbyterian Church of Fulton we hope that if you have any questions, concerns, needs thatyou will feel free to contact us at anytime. You may contact us by any of the methods below. Pleasekeep in mind if using any method other than phone it will take some time to get into the hands of theappropriate person. We look forward to speaking with you soon. Our mailing address is: P.O. Box 6037, Fulton, MO 65251 Church phone number is: 573-642-5541Our committees and staff have Gmail accounts that can be used to email them suggestions, concerns,and thanks. The addresses are:Aaron J. White, "[email protected]" Church O�ce, "o�[email protected]” Music Director, "[email protected]" Session Clerk, "[email protected]” Administration Committee, "[email protected]” Christian Education Committee, "[email protected]" Fellowship Committee, "[email protected]" Mission Committee, "[email protected]” Outreach Committee, "[email protected]” Pastoral Care Committee, "[email protected]” Property Committee, "[email protected]” Worship Committee, "[email protected]"Communication, "[email protected]"
Facebook @FPCFulton
Welcome to Our Church!
First Presbyterian Church is located at 718 Court Street in historicdowntown Fulton, Missouri. Worship services, under the direction ofRev. Aaron White, are held each Sunday morning. For moreinformation, go to: www.fultonpresbyterian.org or �nd us onFacebook or on Twitter @FPCFulton.
718 Court Street, Fulton, MO, U… communications@fultonpresby…
573-642-5541 fultonpresbyterian.org
