Hello there,

We are having the annual meeting of the congregation following worship this coming Sunday, February 17th.  As usual, the purpose of this meeting is to receive reports regarding 2018, review the budget for 2019, elect officers of the congregation, approve the pastors’ terms of call, and elect the nominating committee. The annual report for 2018 has been printed up and is available at various locations around the building.  If you would like to receive an electronic version of the annual report, contact the church office.

BECAUSE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING, THERE WILL ONLY BE ONE WORSHIP SERVICE ON SUNDAY, AT 9:00 A.M.

At our worship service, we are delighted to have a baby being baptized.  That is always a joy and so you want to come for that if nothing else.  The Chancel Bell Choir will be playing.  I don’t know about you, but bell music always lifts my spirit.  I will be preaching on Luke 6:17-26 and my sermon title is “Winning or Losing.”

The following Sunday, the 24^th, will be a bittersweet day for us all.  It will be Pastor Beth’s last Sunday with us.  As you probably know, she has accepted the call to be the pastor of Green Acres Presbyterian Church in Portsmouth, VA, and begins on March 1^st.  We will all miss her terribly, but know that this is a wonderful opportunity for her and wish her all the best.  She will be preaching one last time for us, and following the worship service there will be a good-bye reception for her down in the social room.  Because of this reception, THERE WILL ONLY BE ONE WORSHIP SERVICE AT 9:00 ON SUNDAY, February 24^TH.  I hope you will be able to be here that week to extend to Beth your best wishes.

So the transitions of 2019 are now upon us and we need to get to work to ensure that things continue to flow smoothly. One area where we need make sure that happens is worship.  So to that end I am setting up a meeting on Wednesday, February 20^th from 5:30 to 6:30 in the lounge to talk about what needs to be done and to set up some teams to see that things fall into place.  We will need volunteers to assist in worship, to coordinate the worship schedule, to make sure that the sanctuary is in order and to address some major issues that will shape the direction of worship through the transition and beyond.  If you are at all interested in helping, even in a small way, please join us at this meeting.  If you have any questions about this, let me know.

In the meantime, have a very Happy Valentine’s Day and stay in One Peace,

Howard

Hello there,

Well, the weather has wreaked havoc over the last few weeks with everything from bitter cold, to snow, to ice and freezing rain.  Please stay safe and do not go out, even to church, if you feel the weather is too treacherous.

Our Chancel Choir has missed a number of rehearsals due to the weather, but they will be in the first service on Sunday, singing the African spiritual “Every Time I Feel the Spirit.”  It is always good to sing spirituals, but especially in February, during Black History Month.  I will be preaching on Luke 5:1-11 and my sermon title is “Let Down Your Net.”

I want to give you a “Heads Up” on what is happening in the next few weeks.  First off, the annual meeting of the congregation will be after worship at around 10:00 on Sunday, the 17^th.  You may pick up a copy of the 2018 annual report at the church office or in back of the sanctuary.  Because of the annual meeting, there will be only one worship service on that day at 9:00.

Sunday, February 24^th, will be Pastor Beth’s last Sunday with us, as she leaves to go and serve as the new pastor of Green Acres Presbyterian Church in Portsmouth, VA.  We will miss her, but wish her all the best as she answers God’s call to this new chapter in her ministry.  Beth will be preaching that morning, and we will have a reception following the service, to thank and honor her for her 8 years of service to our congregation.  Please make every effort to be there and wish her well.  Because of the reception, there will be only one worship service on that day at 9:00.

Finally, Ray Blue will be back with his sweet sounding jazz saxophone.  He is unable to be with us in worship, but he will be doing an afternoon concert in our sanctuary at 3:00 on Sunday, February 24^th.  It is always great to have Ray with us.

Stay in One Peace,

Howard

Hello there,

One of the lectionary readings for this Sunday is from 1^st Corinthians 12 which reads in part: “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good…”

It is a fitting passage for this Sunday because we are ordaining and installing our new elders and deacons, and we always read this passage as part of that service.  But I also think it is a good passage to reflect on as we begin a year of transition.  As most of you know by now, Pastor Beth has accepted a call to serve as the pastor of a wonderful church in Virginia.  God wants her to used her gifts and her skills in another place of service.  While we will miss her, we rejoice with her, knowing it is the same Spirit, same Lord, same God who is with us all.  Her “manifestation of the Spirit” will be in a different location, but it is all for the common good.  Her last Sunday with us will be February 24^th.  Be sure to see her before then to give her your blessings and good wishes.

In addition to the ordination and installation service, the Chancel Bell Choir will be playing at the first service.  And while I will be thinking about the verses from 1^st Corinthians, I will be preaching on the gospel text, which is John 2:1-11.  It is the story of Jesus at the wedding at Cana and my sermon title is “Your Piece of the Miracle.”

With Beth’s announcement especially in light of my upcoming retirement, we thought it might be helpful for our Coffee Chats adult forum to focus on the transition process in the Presbyterian Church (USA) to find a new pastor.  Coffee Chats normally meets between serviced in the lounge, but since there might be more people interested in this conversation this week they will be meeting in the chapel.

Stay in One Peace,

Howard

Hello there,

It felt good last night to be back into the normal routine with the Wednesday night LOGOS program.  If you never have done so, I would invite you to stop by some Wednesday evening just to see all that is going on.  We have a great bunch of kids that show up each week, and some wonderful volunteers that do a fantastic job.  If the only time you are in the church building is on Sunday morning, you are missing a big part of the picture.

But I hope you will be in church this Sunday morning.  At the first service, the Chancel Choir is singing one of my favorite hymns, “Be Thou My Vision.” At the second service we will be closing with one of my favorite praise songs, “The River is Here.”  I will be preaching on Luke 3:15-17, 21-22, the story of our Lord’s baptism by John.  My sermon title is “Great Expectations.”  If you are a literature buff, you know that title has been used before, but I can assure you that there will not be much of Charles Dickens in my preaching.

You need to come hungry on Sunday.  Once again, between services, we have one of our pancake brunches served up by our teens.  So enjoy some delicious goodies and make a generous donation to support our youth mission trips.

You may have noticed that we have not said anything yet about the annual report and the annual meeting.  Since 2019 will be a year of transitions, the Session voted to delay the meeting until February.  This allows us to get a better picture of where we stand financially, as well as having someone from the Presbytery provide some information and answer some of our questions before the Session approves the 2019 budget.  Because of this, committee chairs and other leaders need to be aware that the deadline for turning in your 2018 annual reports will be Monday, January 28^th.

Stay in One Peace,

Howard

Hello there,

Happy Ninth Day of Christmas and may your ladies keep on dancing.  Officially on the church calendar the Christmas season ends on this Sunday as we celebrate Epiphany, the arrival of the Magi in Bethlehem.  So I will be preaching on Matthew 2:1-23 and my sermon title is “Down in Egypt’s Land…”

The Chancel choir is singing at the first service and since it is the first Sunday of a new year we will be serving communion.  We have elders to serve communion for the second service, but do need servers for the first service.  If you can help, please contact the church office right away.

Following the second service, we will be taking down the Christmas decorations.  So even if you don’t come to that service, if you could show up about noon on Sunday and lend a hand, we would really appreciate that.

Next Wednesday, we resume our LOGOS program.  We are still looking for a few volunteers, for a few weeks, or a month or two.  There is a sign up at the back of the sanctuary, or contact the church office.

Finally, the January First Press is now available.  You may pick up a paper copy at various locations around the church or click here to download an electronic copy.

Stay in One Peace,

Howard

Hello there,

Well, the stores are probably putting up Valentine’s Day decorations but it is still the Christmas season in the church.  So I do hope you are having a Merry Christmas and the happiest New Year to you and yours.

There will be one service this coming Sunday at 10:00 (PLEASE NOTE THE TIME!). Sharon Colton and Paul Holstein will both be offering special music. Pastor Nancy and I will be doing something a little different, two meditations based on the characters of Simeon and Anna as found in Luke 2:21-40.  I think you will enjoy it.  By the way, if you paid for a poinsettia for the sanctuary you may take one home at any time.

If you want to make a donation to the church to count for 2018 tax deduction, you have until 10:00, Monday morning, January 31^st.  At this point it does look like we will end this year in the red, so any contributions would be very much appreciated.  If you haven’t yet turned in you pledge card for 2019, we would be extremely grateful if you would do so.

Also, if you want to include anything in the January First Press, please get it into the office by Monday morning.

There will be no LOGOS or youth activities next Wednesday, January 2^nd.  We will start up on January 9^th and we are looking for volunteers. There is a sign-up sheet in back of the sanctuary, or contact Pastor Beth.

Sunday, January 6^th we will be back to our normal schedule of two service, at 9:00 and 11:00.  It is Epiphany, a celebration of the arrival of the Magi in Bethlehem.  We will be celebrating communion, as we always do on the first Sunday of the year.  We are looking for elders who would be willing to help serve communion at the 9:00 service.  Contact the church office if you are able to do so.

Finally, Epiphany marks the end of the Christmas season, so we will be taking down the decorations after the second worship service on Sunday the 6^th.  We could use your help to get it all done.  Taking things down is much easier than setting things up.  If you could spare about a half hour at noon on that Sunday, we would really appreciate it.

So have a happy one and stay in One Peace,

Howard

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Here is the worship service schedule for the rest of the year:

Sunday, December 23^rd—One service at 10:00

Monday, December 24^th—Family service at 5:00

Candlelight Communion service at 7:00

Sunday, December 30^th—One service at 10:00

We are still looking for two elders or deacons to assist in serving communion at the 7:00 Christmas Eve service.  It is a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas.  If you would be willing to help, please contact the church office or one of the pastors.

The church office will be closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week, and open from 9:00 to 1:00 on Thursday and Friday.

We pray that you and yours will have a most blessed Christmas.  If you are travelling, we pray that God’s angels will keep you safe.  And may God’s gift of love that came through the birth of a child fill your hearts with joy.

Stay in One Heavenly Peace,

Howard

Hello there,

REMINDER: TWO SERVICES THIS WEEK AT 9:00 AND 11:00

This Sunday at the first service our Chancel Bell Choir will be playing.  Hand bell music always seems joyful to me and therefore always so appropriate for the Christmas season.  Pastor Beth will be preaching.  Her texts are Luke 3:7-18 and Philippians 4:4-7.  Her sermon title is “Advent Joy.”

Between services I will be leading an adult forum in the chapel on one of my favorite Christmas hymns, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”  The words are by one of the founders of the Methodist church, Charles Wesley, and the music is by the classical composer, Felix Mendelssohn.  I hope you will join me as we look at this hymn in depth.

Let me remind you again of the worship times during the next few weeks.  There will be one service at 10:00 on Sunday the 23^rd.  You will not want to miss that Sunday for there will be some fantastic music.  The Chancel Choir will sing a beautiful anthem and then we have three soloist lined up at various points in the service.

On Christmas Eve we will follow our usual tradition of a family service at 5:00 and a Christmas Communion service at 7:00.  Then on Sunday, the 30^th, there will be one service at 10:00.

During the week between Christmas and New Year’s, the church office will be closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, then open from 1:00 to 9:00 on Thursday and Friday.

I know it is a busy time of year, but may you have some moments of peace and quiet to reflect on the blessing of God’s love sent to us in through the birth of a child.

Stay in One Peace,

Howard

Hello there,

THERE WILL BE ONE SERVICE THIS SUNDAY AT 10:00.

It will be a service you do not want to miss!  The youth and children have prepared a wonderful program with lots of music and drama and just a lot of fun. A huge THANK YOU must go out to Brent and Diane England who have been key in putting it all together, along with high school junior Isaac Langley who has been directing the children’s music program on Wednesday nights.  Louise White has also done a fine job directing the middle school hand bell choir.  So make every effort to be there and be sure to express your gratitude to those who helped to make it all happen.

Following the service, the youth will host the annual Christmas Cookie Walk.  They will be baking up the goodies on Saturday, and will have lots of treats to choose from.  So take home a box and make a generous donation towards the summer mission trips.

Here is your weekly reminder of the times for the upcoming services: One service this week at 10:00; two services at 9:00 and 11:00 on Sunday the 16^th; one service at 10:00 on the 23^rd.  There will be the usual 5:00 family service and then 7:00 communion service on Christmas Eve.  Then there will be one service at 10:00 on December 30^th.

We are still looking for people to light the Advent Candles at the second service on the 16^th, at the one service at 10:00 on the 23^rd, and then at the 5:00 service on Christmas Eve. If you are at all interested, call the church office or talk to Pastor Beth.

Pastor Beth is also looking for volunteers to help with LOGOS once it starts up in the new year.  Contact her or sign up on the sheet in the back of the sanctuary.

Stay in One Peace,

Howard

Hello there,

‘Tis the season for helping out and feeling good.  You can get into that spirit by showing up on Saturday morning, December 2^nd at 9:00 when we decorate the sanctuary.  It is not hard and really doesn’t take too long if we have enough volunteers.  And it really can get you into the Christmas spirit.  Donuts and coffee will be provided.  So please come, because we could use your help.

If you want to add to the seasonal feelings, the Rockwell Collins Chorus will be having their Christmas Concert in our sanctuary at 1:00 that same afternoon, December 2^nd.

There will be two services this week, our traditional service at 9:00 and the Synergy service at 11:00. It is the first Sunday of Advent and we have some wonderful things planned for the first worship service.  Bob Roussell has arranged for a brass ensemble consisting of three trumpets, a french horn, a trombone, a euphonium, and a tuba.  They will be playing Christmas carols as an extended prelude so come early.  Then we have a beautiful choir anthem augmented with some singers from the Midwest Chorale and a cellist, Katie Peake Callen.  So the music will be absolutely fantastic!!  I will be preaching on Jeremiah 33:14-16 and my sermon title will be “Getting Us Through.”  In addition to all this, we will be celebrating the Lord’s Supper at both services.

I know there has been some confusion about the number of services and at what time. So I will remind you each week.  There will be two services this week, the 2^nd.  Then there will be one service on the 9^th at 10:00.  This will be a wonderful children’s program, that the children and youth have been working on.  There will be two services at 9:00 and 11:00 the following week on December 16^th.  There will be one service at 10:00 on December 23^rd.  On Christmas Eve there will be two services.  The family service will be at 5:00 and the Communion service at 7:00.  If you have any questions, give us a call.

We have three slots left for people to light the Advent candles; on December 16^th at the 11:00 service, on December 23^rd at the one service at 10:00 and on Christmas Eve at the 5:00 service.  If you are interested contact one of the pastors or call the church office.

Finally, the December First Press is available at various spots around the church building.  Or you can download it by clicking here.

Stay in One Peace,

Howard