Turn to pages 7-9 to hear CPC staff share about their favorite Christmas carols!
Orienting to the True Meaning of Christmas
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am excited to enter into this Advent season with you—a time when Christians around the world have historically shifted gears to prepare ourselves for the coming of King Jesus. One of the most regular and most obvious ways we “shift gears” in the weeks leading up to Christmas is we start singing Christmas carols (and, in popular culture, we start hearing Christmas music in October!). This Advent at CPC, our sermon series will look at a familiar Christmas carol each week and explore how it’s connected to the biblical revelation of who Jesus is and what He came into the world to do.
This Advent at CPC, our sermon series will look at a familiar Christmas carol each week and explore how it’s connected to the biblical revelation of who Jesus is and what He came into the world to do. For me, when it’s been over eleven months and I first hear the words and tunes of songs like “O Come, All Ye Faithful” or “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” I find myself transported to a fresh mindset where I’m ready to dig in to what God has for me this Christmas. And I hope the same is true for you—that this is a season where, despite your circumstances and whatever you’re going through, you are drawn in deeply to the hope, peace, love, and joy of the everlasting King. I want to invite you to shift gears this season by intentionally engaging in worship at CPC, whether that’s in person or online. Gathering to worship, to sing and pray and hear God’s Word in the company of fellow Christ-followers, is a simple way to orient us to the true meaning of Christmas: accepting and receiving God’s salvation made real in the flesh of the newborn Son.
P E T E Y C R O W D E R serves as SENIOR PASTOR
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CANDLELIGHT MEMORIAL Tuesday, December 7 • 7:00PM
Begin Advent with a time to honor loved ones you have lost over the years and set your hearts on the coming Messiah. A dessert reception will follow the service. This event will also be available via Livestream. cpcedina.org/events
“It has been 10 years since my husband, Tom, passed away and I attended my first Candlelight Memorial Service at CPC. It left such a wonderful impression on my heart and on my soul that I have not missed the annual event since that first time! The beautiful music and message help me prepare for the holiday season as I stop and pause to remember the many members of my family and close friends that I miss.” -Mary Jo Brown
Wednesday, December 8 • 11:30AM Edynamoes luncheons are for all older adults who love faith, food, and fellowship. This month's lunch will be catered by Bacio ($5 cost) and feature entertainment by Mark Rowland. We look forward to future Edynamoes events in February, April, and June of 2022! To attend, please RSVP to 952.920.8515 x251 or email care@cpcedina.org.
“The CPC staff is so excited to welcome all of you back to Edynamoes after a long hiatus! I have missed you and can’t wait to greet you and share this time together!” -Jody Phenow, Pastor of Congregational Care
Saturday, December 11 • 4:00-6:00PM What you’ll experience:
appetizers, mocktails, and merriment
hristmas reflections from mother-and-son duo C Reiner and Judd Otterlei
encouragement from Erica Ferris
Christmas music and carols
“Our dream for this event was to invite our community of CPC women to an event that will bring JOY—joy for the gift of Jesus that we celebrate, joy in the food and drinks and conversation we will share, and joy in the gift of song that permeates this season. We can’t wait to hear from Erica (especially as she anticipates the birth of her own baby), and enjoy the musical gifts of Staci and Ryan Cihlar. We’ll have some fun surprises as well! We hope you’ll come and invite someone to join you—a friend, mom, sister, niece, grandma. Please join us!” -Kathleen Selje and Jennifer Karlen Director of Groups and Groups Program Associate
Cost: $20 (food and program)/$10 (program only) Participants ages 12-18: $15/$10 Sign up: cpcedina.org/events
Songs of Joy and Conviction
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n my younger years while working with college students, it was our annual Christmas tradition to carol at nursing homes and around the neighborhood. While some neighbors were uninterested, I witnessed how some would excitedly grab family members to listen to us sing the message of Christmas to them. One year while at a nursing home, I recall being lit up with joy as I searched the faces of the seniors. As I sang, I thought of how much God loved each one and how He would want us to bring joy and hope. At the end of our singing, while talking with the residents at the home, a man asked me why my face was so filled with joy as I sang. I couldn’t help but tell him that my face radiates with the joy of Jesus because of His great love for him and the other residents. The thought that Jesus loves us so much that He left the Father to come to earth for us— it really is a joy worthy of radiant hope. Christmas carols awaken our souls with the way they stir within us a fresh wonder of Jesus, the Christ child, born to deliver us. But when we really listen to the lyrics, our hearts may not only experience joy, but may also be pricked with sadness or conviction. And this, too, is a gift as we are drawn into His embrace! One Sunday morning a few years ago, I began belting my heart out to “O Holy Night”:
Long lay the world in sin and error pining, ’Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees!
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The soul felt its worth. The weary world rejoices. Fall on your knees. I was so moved by this passage that my heart felt pricked by the Spirit. I am the one whose soul can feel worth because of Jesus. But then, we came to the later verses:
Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother. At these words I began to cry, too choked up to sing. In these words, I was reminded of my brother, who, like a slave, is imprisoned by mental illness. I am called to love him, but I so often do not feel love for him. But the song continued: And in His name all oppression shall cease. Could this be true for my brother, that he would one day be freed from the daily oppression—social, mental, and internal—he faces? God invites me to love my brother, but He also promises something far greater for all of us who wear the yoke of oppression. With that promise, I again return to joy as I remember: His law is love and His Gospel is peace. Each time I sing “O Holy Night,” I remember that one day Jesus will set my enslaved brother free, and all within me praises His holy name!
K A T H L E E N S E L J E serves as D I R E C T O R of G R O U P S
CPC STAFF
Share Their Favorite Carols O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
As a child we attended a midnight mass at my Episcopal church on Christmas Eve. We sang “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” during the processional, as the acolytes entered the sanctuary with incense and large candles. The church was completely dark except for their candles and the small candles that each of us held, and I remember reflecting on the beauty of the light shining in the darkness as we sang about Jesus coming into the world. -MELISSA SCHASER, CONGREGATIONAL CARE
COME, THOU LONGEXPECTED JESUS
That first verse sums up the heart of Christmas. My deep need for Jesus to rescue me, give me rest, and fill my heart with joy! -JAMES MADSEN, GROUPS
MARY, DID YOU KNOW? Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord all creation? Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations? Did you know that your baby boy was heaven’s perfect Lamb, And the sleeping Child you’re holding is the Great I AM?
Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee. Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art; dear Desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart.
I love this picture of Mary: young, poor, nothing special in the world’s eyes. But she is the one who is chosen to bear God’s Son, to bear the Great I AM. It reminds me that although I am nothing special in the world’s eyes, I am in God’s eyes. And He sent this beautiful child into the world so I could be made righteous, know His love, and be part of His story. It always makes me weepy when I hear this song— especially when Pentatonix sings it. I love their harmony! -ANNIE MICHEL, PATHWAY
This is a favorite carol because of a tradition we have had with our family and three other families in caroling to seniors over the years. This carol is so joyous in announcing our Savior’s birth—from the choir of angels, to the earth’s mountains, to the shepherds who came to see and adore Jesus, our newborn king! What I loved and would chuckle about in our singing was my darling husband belting out with loud exuberance the chorus: “Glooooooooooooria, in excelsis Deo!!!” Yes! Glory to God in the highest!
This is an easy song to get lost in, with the long cries of “Gloria, in Excelsis Deo!” I imagine myself singing along with the angels, in awe and wonder at the in-breaking salvation of the Lord. This song is so powerful and loud, that as a non-musical person with a noticeably bad singing voice, I feel like I can join in with gusto, adding my voice to the beautiful chorus without fear that others will notice me off-key, off-pitch, out of tune, and out of rhythm!
-JODY PHENOW, CONGREGATIONAL CARE
-PETEY CROWDER, SENIOR PASTOR
ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH Angels we have heard on high sweetly singing o’er the plains, and the mountains in reply echo back their joyous strains. Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo. CPC LIFE
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This carol draws me into truly worshipping Christ, my Savior and hope. My weary soul can rejoice because He came to deal with my sin and brokenness AND bring about restoration in my relationship with God and my neighbor.
We sometimes make the Christian faith more complicated than it needs to be, and this song continually brings me back to our core: love. “Truly he taught us to love one another; his law is love and his gospel is peace.” This Christmas carol reminds me that at the end of the day, it might be just that simple. -CORY GREGORY, ENGAGEMENT
I really love the third verse and how it paints such a beautiful picture of what Jesus is doing and will continue to do. “Chains shall he break for the slave is our brother, and in His name all oppression shall cease.” -DANIELLE WEGNER, KIDS MINISTRIES
-DEB CARLSON, GROUPS
O HOLY NIGHT
I love the lyrics because they embody Jesus and His way of life!
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining, it is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining, till he appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn! Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices! O night divine! O night when Christ was born! O night divine! O night, O night divine.
-CARRIE GLEESON, STUDENT MINISTRIES
As we collectively feel like a very “weary world” over the past two years, this carol reminds us of the “thrill of hope” that Jesus’ birth signals even still today: that our souls are meant to find their worth in Jesus. You can’t help but be filled with joy as you sing these lines! -JONATHAN HICKS, EXECUTIVE PASTOR
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On Christmas Eve in 1978 in an unfamiliar church, I was surprised when during a time of silence after the story of Jesus’ birth was read, some seemingly random guy just left his pew and walked up the center aisle and began singing an amazing a cappella version of this carol. His beautiful tenor voice proclaimed that our weary world could rejoice. I will never forget what I felt in that Christmas moment 40+ years ago. The song always reminds me that I can and should rest and rejoice in my Savior, Jesus Christ. -CLARE ANDERSON, OPERATIONS
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When our kids always ask my wife or me to sing “O Holy Night” before bedtime, our daughter, Addie, would always call it “Ho Holy Night.” -TREVOR TINSLEY, COMMUNICATIONS
This song reminds of me of joy, hope, love, and peace—all wrapped in one. I love the line “A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices.” I think that phrase perfectly encapsulates the season of Christmas. Jesus is the hope that we all long for, and this carol reminds me of that every time I sing it! -ANDRA JOHNSON, STUDENT MINISTRIES
I WONDER AS I WANDER I wonder as I wander, out under the sky, how Jesus the Savior did come for to die for poor on’ry people like you and like I; I wonder as I wander, out under the sky.
LITTLE DRUMMER BOY Come, they told me pa rum pum pum pum A newborn king to see pa rum pum pum pum Our finest gifts we bring pa rum pum pum pum To lay before the king. Pa rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum. Starting out on my Christian walk and journey, I always thought, “What do I have to offer Jesus when He has given me so much?” As I grew in my faith, I realized that God can use anything we bring to Him. This carol is a reminder that God wants us to simply offer whatever gifts, talents, and resources we have. He can use what we offer to manifest His glory, whether that be in our lives or the lives of others. No gift is too small or too great for Jesus. He will make sure they are used in godly ways. -VAN CHOUNLAMOUNTRY, MISSIONS
I find the haunting melody of this carol to be the perfect setting to capture the wonder of a God who is both human and divine, and the intersection of that God with people from all walks of life, but especially the poor and disenfranchised. “Jesus, though He was rich, for our sakes became poor, so that we, through His poverty, might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9) -HEATHER HOOD, WORSHIP I’ve always loved the plaintive, minor melody of this carol, and am always struck by how the first verse doesn’t even mention Jesus’ birth but goes right to His ultimate purpose: to give His life for us. For years I didn’t know that “on’ry” was actually a shortened form of the word “ordinary.” I always thought the song was saying “ornery”: stubborn, bad-tempered, clinging to our own selfish ways. So that’s what’s always in my head as I sing: why would Jesus come down from heaven for someone as stubborn and unworthy as me? The wonder of it steals my breath. -SARAH LONG, COMMUNICATIONS
IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a wise man, I would do my part; yet what I can I give him: give my heart. I think I mostly love this carol because growing up it was my mom’s favorite and now I love it just as much! The last verse is my favorite because of the meaning of Christ behind it. It doesn’t matter your status; we can give Him our heart, and that is the most important thing we can ever do. -CLAIRE SWEEM, COMMUNICATIONS
There is a rawness to this carol reminds me that Jesus’ birth was not all pretty and cleaned up. The final line possesses the posture I want to have during Advent and Christmas, knowing the gift I can give Jesus every day is my heart. -MICHELLE DURRETT, CONGREGATIONAL CARE
This sweet piece brings all the Christmas feels for me, reminding me of the beautiful truth of Christmas: my precious Savior was born into a cold, hard, and weary world in the most humble of ways. Jesus came because of the boundless, relentless love of our heavenly Father that deserves the worshipful awe and wonder of each of us. It concludes with a quiet, simple, significant truth: “What can I give him, poor as I am?” The answer takes my breath away every. single. time. “What I can I give Him: give my heart.” There it is, the pure and sweet truth of Christmas: all He wants . . . is me. -DANISE MCMILLEN, KIDS MINISTRIES
This is my favorite carol for two reasons: One, God’s faithfulness is so evident in the season of advent, and that truth can provide such great joy when we choose to sit in this time of waiting. Second, I can hear my grandpa singing it next to me at the top of his lungs, and it makes me hopeful that he’s singing in the choir in heaven. -MARA AMIOT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
O COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL O come all ye faithful joyful and triumphant
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CHRIS TMA S O F F E R I N G 20 21
Urban Ventures For more than 25 years, Urban Ventures has served families in South Minneapolis with the vision to build a city without poverty. Fueled by the conviction that education is the key, Urban Ventures has created a cradle to career pipeline, doing whatever it takes to send every child in their neighborhood to college by 2040.
This is an audacious goal.
Nearly 85% of kids in UV’s neighborhood are not kindergarten ready;
98% are on free and reduced lunch;
and pandemic learning loss is real.
With your support, Urban Ventures is more than up to the challenge, offering holistic, cutting-edge educational interventions for the whole family. Within the last year alone, Urban Ventures launched an innovation center to support STEM education, saw 100% of students make reading gains through summer tutoring, and—with the help of CPC’s Christmas offering last year—opened the Cornwell Early Learning Center, now serving 84 children. But there’s a problem. Urban Ventures is constrained by the number of students they can serve. Right now many more students could benefit academically, socially, and spiritually from UV’s programs . . . yet access is restricted because of limited staff, resources, and volunteers. CPC knows we can help bridge the barriers that Urban Ventures faces. Every dollar of our Christmas Offering will go to help students, investing in staff and relational programs that will put them on a course to college and a successful future.
This Christmas, support the mission of Urban Ventures and bring hope and a brighter future for the next generation.
To Give:
• make checks payable to CPC and write “Christmas Offering” in the memo line • give online at cpcedina.org/christmas-offering
Wednesday, December 22
Kids’ Christmas • 6:00PM • In Person and Online Families, come be a part of our Kids’ Christmas service! Kids can play a part if they’d like (fun animal and angel props will be provided) or simply enjoy the service from their seats.
Thursday, December 23 In Person and Online
Traditional Service • 4:00PM * Contemporary Service • 7:00PM*
Friday, December 24 In Person and Online
Contemporary Service • 2:00PM* Contemporary Service • 4:00PM* Traditional Service • 7:00PM Contemporary Service • 11:00PM [in person only] *Childcare is offered at this service for ages 6 weeks-3 years.
To attend in person, you must RSVP at cpcedina.org/christmas. Registration opens November 28. You will have the opportunity to register to worship in the Sanctuary (masks optional but welcome) or in the Westview Room (masks required). You must also register for childcare.
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Commitment Class retreat fun!
Small Group bonding
Celebrating
Kids
Baptism
Crafting at Trunk or Treat
Pastor Petey and Ashley at Trunk or Treat
Upcoming January Events Ju Young Lee Organ Recital Sunday, January 9 • 2:00PM In Person and Online Alpha Marriage Course Invest in your relationship to build a strong marriage
Choir leads Worship
Beings January 23 7 Sunday sessions • 6:30-8:30PM In Person and Online; $30/couple
S TA FF SP OT LIGH T JON ATH A N HICKS HOMETOWN: Temple, Texas (between Waco and Austin) FAMILY: wife, Erin; kids Felicity (11), Hattie (9), Benjamin (6) FAVORITE BOOK: L ord of the Rings trilogy FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM: L iverpool FC and Texas Longhorns FAVORITE SNACK FOOD: p eanut butter pretzels FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: C olorado mountains in the summer FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MOVIE: E lf
WHAT LEAD YOU TO CPC?
I knew about CPC because my previous church, Highland Park Presbyterian, was in a cohort together with CPC and another church for the ECO denomination. I’d had the opportunity to meet some CPC leaders at a gathering in Houston and was impressed with the people I met. I’d had a variety of roles at Highland Pres, and while we loved the eleven years of ministry there, I was open to new opportunities and was especially interested in this executive pastor role. I had worked with Petey several years ago, and I was excited about the chance to work alongside him and the team that is in place here at CPC.
EXPLAIN WHAT YOU DO AS EXECUTIVE PASTOR.
I help give leadership to many of our ministry areas, overseeing and guiding Kids, Students, Groups, Missions, and Care. I also serve on the Lead Team, alongside Petey [senior pastor], Mara [executive director], and Cory [senior director of engagement].
WHAT HAVE YOU OBSERVED ABOUT CPC IN THE FOUR MONTHS YOU’VE BEEN HERE?
CPC has been incredibly welcoming to my family and me, and I have been really encouraged by our ministry to kids and students. I think one of the things I didn’t know much about but that I love is the depth of care ministry we do here at CPC. Especially seeing so many people in our church involved in lay care. From a staff perspective, I really appreciate the collaborative leadership style, and I think there is strong synergy in the ways that we work together.
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WHAT ARE YOU LEARNING ABOUT JESUS RECENTLY?
While teaching about the Beatitudes at Kids Club on Wednesday, I’ve come to see how Jesus helps us to understand what a blessed life really is. It’s important that kids get that, because they get so many other messages about what a “good life” is. The things that Jesus says turns so much of it upside-down. Instead of a life that’s without difficulty or struggle, Jesus says that those who follow Him will face hardship, conflict, or even persecution. And that’s blessed. That’s where we experience the presence of God. The life Jesus wants for us is not about stuff, but about knowing Him.
THIS WILL BE YOUR FIRST CHRISTMAS IN MINNESOTA. WHAT IS YOUR FAMILY EXCITED ABOUT? Playing in the snow! The kids’ reaction from our first snow, when it had just barely accumulated on the ground, was to go outside, collect it in bowls, to fashion snowballs that were saved in the freezer, to eat it and flavor it . . . they were going nuts! It feels so quintessential to celebrate the holidays with snow, so we are really hoping for a white Christmas.
J O N A T H A N H I C K S serves as E XECUTIVE PASTOR.
BIRTHS
Paul Allen Olson passed away on October 15 at the age of 81. He is survived by his wife Marthann, children Andrew and Amy, and four grandchildren.
Alyssa and Seth Warren welcomed a son, Thomas Winton Warren, on August 26.
Scott McClure passed away on October 17 at the age of 73. He is survived by his daughter Charise (Andy) Van Maasdam and grandchildren Noah and Avery.
Laura and Brennan Wand welcomed a son, Camden John Wand, on August 9.
Aubrey and Dan Kvasnicka welcomed a son, Miles Lowell Kvasnicka, on September 10. Marcy and Sam Eccles welcomed a daughter, Gracie June Eccles, on September 20. Sarah and Chad Eckert welcomed a son, Lucas Charles Eckert, on October 21.
MARRIAGES
Katherine Dickinson and Nick Johnson were married on September 17. Cory Gregory officiated. Mikayla LaHaye and Matthew Kaupa were married on September 18. The Rev. Melissa Schaser officiated. Kim Hoang and Feng Lor were married on September 25. The Rev. Petey Crowder officiated. Stacey Finnegan and Kevin Kruse were married on October 1. The Rev. Melissa Schaser officiated. Paula Miller and Daniel Terwilliger were married on November 5. Cory Gregory officiated.
DEATHS
Marcia “Marcy” Pluwak passed away on October 23 at the age of 67. She is survived by her husband Peter and daughter Natalia. Paul Cimmerer passed away on October 25 at the age of 70. He is survived by his wife Sandy, four daughters, and eight grandchildren. Bruce Vetsch passed away on October 26 at the age of 75. He is survived by his wife Carol, children Erik (Brita) and Diane (Daniel) Peterson, and three grandchildren. Virginia M. “Dinny” Anderson passed away on October 31 and the age of 100. She is survived by her daughter-in-law Betsy Anderson and grandchildren Meta, Bob, Natalie, and Ken.
STAFF UPDATES
Attila Matyas joins Facilities as Custodian. Carly Rivest joins Communications as Digital Marketing and Communications Specialist. Justin Grinnell joins Facilities as Custodian. Natalie Ringham leaves her position on the Student Ministries Team as the Student Ministries Coordinator.
Murray Wells passed away on August 30 at the age of 75. He is survived by his daughter Julie Swoap and grandchildren Anja Beth, Abigail and Alicia Swoap.
SPECIAL STAFF ANNIVERSARIES
Myrna Williams passed away on September 19 at the age of 70. She is survived by her husband Cliff, children Regan (Joseph) Duffy and Scott (Amy) Williams, and six grandchildren.
CPC fiscal year started on June 1, 2021. June 1 through October 31: Giving = 1,566,672 Budgeted Giving = $1,715,470
Milton Willman passed away on September 22 at the age of 85. He is survived by his daughter Judy Pehrson and grandchildren Austin and Alex. Carol Wallace passed away on October 6 at the age of 87. She is survived by her husband Glenn.
Mara Amiot, Executive Director, celebrates 5 years.
FINANCIAL UPDATE
As of October 31, we were behind on giving revenue fiscal year-to-date by $148,798.
David O’Brien passed away on October 9 at the age of 68. He is survived by his wife Deborah Dillon and daughter Erin O’Brien.
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Worship With Us! SUNDAYS
9:00AM • Traditional Worship 11:00AM • Contemporary Worship Christmas Services • December 22-24 See page 11 for times and childcare options.
Visit Pathway for all your holiday shopping!
Advent devotionals and calendars, Christmas books, journals, Bibles, puzzles, cards, jewelry, nativities and gifts of all kinds (some local and fair trade). Let us help you find the perfect gift! Monday-Thursday 9:00AM-3:00PM • Sundays 8:30AM-12:30PM Christ Presbyterian Church | 952.920.8515 | cpcedina.org | facebook.com/cpconline | @cpcedina | #cpcedina