First Pres Magazine : December 2010

Something Significant • 4 Secrets and Surprises • 6 Greenhouse • 11

DECEMBER2010 2010 NOVEMBER

First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs

Dear Friends,

It is hard to believe that December is almost here! This year I saw Christmas decorations even before Halloween. Do you remember when it was shocking to see them before Thanksgiving? Before long they will come out on Labor Day! This year in Advent I will preach on the life of Mary. That may sound like an unusual series for one who celebrated Reformation Sunday not long ago. In the Protestant tradition there has often been an over-reaction to things that seemed “Catholic.” Much of that over-reaction causes us to miss some very biblical things—like confessing our sins one to another (James 5:16) and even kneeling. There are three postures for prayer in the Bible— kneeling, standing, or lying prostrate on your face. Somehow we ended up with sitting as our posture—when there is not a single instance of sitting for prayer in the Bible. The whole objection to kneeling, which came from John Knox, was a fear of being “too Catholic.” The same dynamic has been true with Mary. Because her place is so elevated in traditional Roman Catholic Theology, most Protestants have shied away from her. But the more I study Mary’s life and response to the invitation into the Christmas story, the more I see how much her life can shape ours. She is a model of responsiveness to God. Hence, all through Advent I will help us see our story in her story.

On January 9, I will begin a longer sermon series on Ephesians taking us right up to Easter.

We will study the first portion, which deals with doctrine, before Ash Wednesday. Then during Lent we will unpack the portion of Ephesians that deals with our behavior. We will conclude Ephesians in the midst of Holy Week—seeing the struggles of the cross as a part of the great spiritual battle of the universe.

I will look forward to seeing everyone during the Advent season.

In Christ,

Jim Singleton, Senior Pastor First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs

DECEMBER 2010

contents

Something Significant for Christmas . . . 4 Bill Lambert Secrets and Surprises . . . . . . . . . . 6 Lois Keffer Christmas. First Pres. And You . . . . . . . 8 Paul Moede Let Them Praise His Name With Dancing . 11 Alison Murray

in every issue 6

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First Pres Spotlight: GreenHouse . . . . . 6 Amber Odvody College/Young Adults: Happy, HAPPY, haappppyyy! . . . . . . . 12 Joe Farrell First Pres North: Christmas and Family Traditions . . . . . 13 Hugh Eaton Have Yourself a Merry Little Small Group . 14 Jennifer Oraker Holtz Events Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Contributing Writers: Hugh Eaton, Joe Farrell, Lois Keffer, Jennifer Oraker Holz, Bill Lambert, Paul Moede, Alison Murray, Amber Odvody.

Contributing Editors: Mary Bauman, Susan Buenger, Nicole Lowell, Alison Murray, Chris Sebby, Danny Shaw Proofreading Team: Mary Bauman, Daisy Jackson, Marty Kelley, Karen Kunstle, Gretchen Murphy-Bowman, Linda Pung Photographers: Alison Smith All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, © 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

First Pres Magazine, December 2010, Volume Two, © First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs, CO. Published by First Presbyterian Church, a non-profit organization.

To contact First Pres Magazine: 719-884-6162 or 219 E. Bijou Street, Colorado Springs, CO 809031392 or magazine@first-pres.org. Printed in the U.S.A.

know that every 15 seconds a child dies from water related diseases? In this gift, Living Water International provides the solution, while you enable it with your generous gift.

By Bill Lambert

Where else can you find a gift catalog containing the following items: food, school tuition, baby chicks, bibles, books for learning, clean water, birth help, teacher training, transportation, medical help, wheelchairs, furniture and more. And, the impact of your gift is felt in areas like Egypt, Mongolia, India, Pakistan and Colorado Springs, too.

Something Significant for Christmas. Pick up a catalog at the church, or go on-line at www.shop.first-pres.org. Give a gift in your name or in someone else’s name. It will put a smile on your face and someone else’s too.

Some ideas…

Gift # 6. A gift of $1.00 buys clean water for one child for a year. Did you know that 1 in 8 people do not have access to clean water? Did you

Gift # 3. A gift of $1.50 will buy a Christmas Chick for a family in Egypt. The chick will eat insects and scraps, then grow, and lay eggs that can be sold. Your funds are loaned to the family to buy chicks and build coops. In the past, 99% of loans have been repaid, so this is a gift that keeps on giving.

Gift # 9. A gift of $15.00 will provide a safe birth at a Christian hospital in India.

Most births in India occur at home without medical help and many babies die.

With your gift, the hospital staff will teach the mother how to feed and care for the baby. What a wonderful way to celebrate the birth of our Lord with the safe birth of another baby.

Bill Lambert, a periodic contributor to FPM, is looking forward to Christmas with family and friends.

N e w t h i s y e a r ! S h o p o n l i n e a t w w w. s h o p. f i r s t - p r e s . o r g 4 | www.first-pres.org | 12/10

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4 R E B M E C E D . m . a 0 9-10:3 P HALL SHI

LOW IN FEL

• A Pancake Breakfast • Fun, simple crafts for young children • An engaging play which will involve your children in the Christmas Story pick up a postcard or visit first-pres.org to register

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ByLois Keffer Thunk. Clippety-thunk. Clippety-thunk.

The donkey that carried me over this rocky road did his best to make the path easy.

Now and then he turned his head and checked on me with soft brown eyes. ’Though we’d been traveling long days, he’d never tossed his head or bawled “hee-haw.” He knew that something special was going on. I think he was in on the secret—God’s great secret—and that made me happier than you can imagine.

These last few months had turned my life upside down! Not long ago I helped my mother in the house and played with my friends like every other girl in the village. But when Joseph came to break bread with us, I could tell from the look on my father’s face that this was the man he had chosen to be my husband. So, ’though I barely knew Joseph, we were engaged.

But before we were married, God had a great surprise for me. One day when I was alone, a bright light surrounded me and I saw a man in shining clothes. He called me “blessed” and told me I would have a child who would be the son of God. I was afraid and confused. My heart beat so hard I could hardly catch my breath! But I wanted to obey God, so I told the angel, “Let it be to me as you have said.”

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It wasn’t long before everyone could see that a child was growing in me. Because I was not yet married, it brought shame to my family. My friends didn’t even speak to me. I was lonely and frightened. Was this what it meant to be blessed?

So this was where God’s son would be born? Not even in a clean bed?

Just in time, God had another surprise for me—a big one. An angel spoke to Joseph in a dream and explained that my baby came from the Lord. Oh—I was so thankful that God let Joseph in on the secret. Finally there were two of us who knew! I wasn’t alone anymore.

Blessed be God that Joseph believed what the angel told him!

Thunk. Clippety-thunk. Clippety-thunk.

My back hurt. I didn’t complain, but Joseph stopped the donkey and set me down. It felt good to stretch and rest. The sun had moved to the western sky, so we talked about stopping for the day. But then my belly tightened. Oh my!

Joseph and I looked at each other in surprise. We knew that baby Jesus would be born soon!

Joseph scooped me up, set me back on the donkey and we hurried toward Bethlehem.

When we reached the village it was locked up tight for the night with not a room to spare.

My baby was coming—we cried to God for help. Finally we found a quiet stable—a cave with a few animals huddled around us for warmth. So this was where God’s son would be born? Not even in a clean bed?

When my tiny baby boy cried into the cold night, cattle murmured softly. And still, just the two of us knew God’s secret. We laid baby Jesus in a manger, then fell asleep, completely worn out. Things hadn’t turned out the way I’d imagined, but God had taken care of us.

And I didn’t know it then, but God had more surprises in store that very night.

Suddenly shepherds came running, praising God and worshiping baby Jesus. Angels had

appeared to them in the night sky and said, “A child is born to you. He is the son of God, our Savior!” God had let them in on the secret, too!

Tears ran down my cheeks, but peace filled my heart. I truly was blessed. Nothing happened the way I expected, but sometimes God is like that.

Guess what? Now you’re in on the secret, too. That makes you very, very special!

Lois Keffer is an award-winning author who loves to write stories for children of all ages.

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Christmas. First Pres. And You. Full of Great Expectations

By Paul Moede

Y

ou, your family and your friends can all be blessed this Christmas at First Pres. We’re working hard on very special Christmas events that will add joy—and perspective—to this most anticipated time of year.

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Breakfast in Bethlehem

Saturday, December 4th 9 a.m.–10:30 a.m.

Fellowship Hall Tickets $4 each, $15 family maximum, available at Congregational Support Okay, maybe the traditional fare of Bethlehem two thousand years ago wasn’t pancakes for breakfast, but your children and grandchildren won’t mind a bit! Chow down on a pancake breakfast and then jump into crafts designed for the whole family. Our fifth and sixth graders will roll out their own Christmas play to make this a morning of family fun. Breakfast in Bethlehem is new this year, so add a brand new activity to your Christmas traditions!

Christmas spectacular! The Sanctuary Choir, 150 voices strong, anchors the Pikes Peak Center stage under the direction of Jim DeJarnette. A full orchestra adds to the power of each performance. You will enjoy many musical expressions, new and old, of the Christmas message—with jazz band selections, the Pike Peak Ringers hand bell choir, interpretations by Ballet Emmanuel, and the delightful voices of soloists and the Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale. What a perfect event for friends, neighbors and co-workers. You’ll need to act promptly as this concert does sell out!

“Christmas Together” Church Christmas Party

Christmas Joy!

Sunday, December 12th 2:30 and 6:00 p.m.

The Pikes Peak Center Tickets $12, $15 & $20, available at Congregational Support (884.6144), TicketsWest, and the Pikes Peak Center box office First Pres continues the tradition of Christmas Joy!—our all-out

Thursday, December 16th 2:30 p.m.

Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall Tickets $6.00, available at Congregational Support “Christmas Together” is the party our First Pres staff throws for you! And since every Christmas party needs gifts, the First Pres staff will present theirs. Music. Stories. Skits. Surprises we don’t even know about yet! But it’s all designed to be a warm time of sharing inside the First Pres family, hosted by Jim and Sara Singleton.

And like every family there will be times of fun and times of deep meaning. Come and be a part of a great afternoon.

Father/Son/ Grandson Christmas Brunch

Saturday, December 18th 9:30–11:00 a.m.

Fellowship Hall Tickets $10, available at Congregational Support Men of all ages are invited to enjoy a hearty breakfast and rich fellowship at our annual intergenerational Christmas Brunch. Bring another member of your family—or just come by yourself.

Paul Moede is a member of First Pres and is planning his December calendar around the First Pres Christmas events!

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FIRST PRES SPOTLIGHT

green•house

By Amber Odvody

Green•House (gren'hous') = where seeds are planted and development takes place through nurturing and growth.

I

t started with the dream of building community in an intentional way, like sitting around the dinner table and looking one another in the eye and knowing, really knowing, what’s happening in each other’s lives. In order to provide an opportunity for young people to be trained and discipled, we needed to create space for them to extend their passions into the world in meaningful and transformative ways. So GreenHouse Ministry was birthed with a vision of ministry not as skills or head knowledge to be obtained, but as an experience to sink your teeth into.

you’ve seen one of these interns hugging your child or praying with your middle school student. Or maybe that budding musical talent that’s appeared in your teenager is because one of our interns is committed to jam sessions with high schoolers.

No doubt, the interns have also received the gift of a faith community as they’ve been embraced and loved by First Pres. As we continue to support them in discovering God’s call in their lives, we recognize that a ministry internship is simply a subset of the life-long process of becoming a disciple of Jesus. What a gift of abundant life and blessed community!

Amber Odvody, Director of GreenHouse Ministry, returned to First Pres this Fall to lead this unique ministry opportunity for twentysomethings to explore their gifts in Children’s, Youth & College ministries.

Emily Forster, Kelsey Lyndoe, Greg Hartnett, Katelyn Erickson

First Pres received the gift of four new interns—Emily, Kelsey, Greg, and Katelyn— when they began working with our children, youth and college students this Fall. Alongside training sessions on incarnational ministry, mentoring and missional theology and practice, the interns are diving into ministry experiences like leading First Pres Preschool chapel times and on-campus Bible studies at UCCS. Perhaps 10 | www.first-pres.org | 12/10

Birthed out of our congregation’s response to a challenge by Cliff Anderson during our 2009 Stewardship Campaign, Cliff developed a vision for a community of young people working alongside our own Children’s, Youth and College ministries. GreenHouse Ministry is a comprehensive and integrated intern development program that prepares and educates twentysomethings for Christian ministry in the church and world. Formed as a 501(c) (3), it began operating at First Pres in September 2010. For further information, www.greenhouseministry.org.

wit� �ancin�

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or the last two years, Christmas Joy! has featured Ballet Emmanuel as part of the program. Ballet Emmanuel is a local, fulltime professional dance company whose very existence is to spread the gospel through the language of classical ballet and dance. Locally founded in 2006, Ballet Emmanuel performs with a number of organizations and churches in town, and tours nationally to bring dance to all kinds of communities. They offer a dance Vacation Bible School for girls during spring break, they teach dance as a form of worship at several ballet studios and offer master classes in ballet for dancers of all ages.

Erin Benson is the group’s founder and Executive Director. A Colorado Springs native, Erin made dance her life’s work performing with two professional dance companies before returning home with a vision to start Ballet Emmanuel. What followed was the hard work of creating, managing and recruiting members of the company. When asked “Why dance?”

Erin says, “Dance is my worship, as full as I can make it. It’s all of who we are, poured out for God.” Amy Schaefer, from Kansas, joined the company in 2009. Amy knew that combining her passions for dance and for the Lord was what she wanted to do. She waited a year, checking every month, for her chance to audition for the company. “I’m in my second

season, and I don’t think I could ever go back to dancing only for myself.”

Laci Landry tells a similar story. Moving from Michigan to New York City where she danced for two years, it was Laci’s mom who encouraged her to audition for Ballet Emmanuel. In her third season, “I feel closest to God when I’m dancing,” says Laci. “ Dance is my worship, as full as I can make it.

It’s all of who we are, poured out for God.” Erin Benson, Executive Director and founder of Ballet Emmanuel.

New to the company this year, Melanie Dexter, also from Colorado Springs, knew immediately that she wanted to be a part of this special dance company. “It was obvious to me that God is totally behind it and it was something that God was blessing,” she says of Ballet Emmanuel.

Blessed to be a blessing, Ballet Emmanuel will again bring their gospel message as they interpret several of the musical offerings at this year’s Christmas Joy! Alison Murray, mother of Grace and Ruth, two of Ballet Emmanuel’s biggest fans.

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COLLEGE/YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES

Happy, HAPPY, haappppyyy!

By Joe Farrell

A few months ago, my youngest son Ford began expressing his emotions in a most humorous way. His “happiness” emotion in particular is one we will most fondly remember. In any part of Ford’s day, when he’s feeling particularly happy, he begins to announce it over and over again. Often it happens at the dinner table, when Ford is looking at his siblings and parents he so cherishes (at least I think that is what he is thinking!) and with a mouth full of good food, his little song of celebration begins, “Happy, ….happy, hhhaaaapppyyy. Happy, happy!” His exclamation of celebration is never the same, but it is always deep in sincerity.

This month I am thinking of how, what and why we celebrate. Obvious life events like anniversaries, birthdays, graduations and holidays are wonderful times to celebrate. But what of celebrating the small things God is doing or the seemingly mundane? C.S. Lewis wrote, “We shall not be able to adore God on the highest occasions if we have learned no habit of doing so on the lowest.” What do we celebrate as a disciple of Jesus? As a family? As a church?

I found an Old English verse titled With God that reads, “Little is much if God is in it.”

What if one reason we don’t notice the little

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things God is doing is because we don’t ever pause long enough to consider celebrating any of them? Especially this time of year, I find my schedule so full, I keep looking to the next thing. The ordinary and mundane, the little things of the season—the laughter of a child, eyes filled with hope and anticipation, the light of a single candle, a humble spirit of generosity that bubbles up—could these be little things God is in?

This December, I have made a goal for myself to celebrate something that God is in at least once every day. I want to train my eyes and my heart to look for little things where God might be hidden. In reunions of college students home for Christmas, in adventures to find wonderful arrays of Christmas lights, in sharing meals with friends, in the brightness of the stars on a brisk night. In all these places and more, I believe I will find God. So if we happen to cross paths at First Pres this month and you hear me whispering to myself, you will know what I am saying, “Happy, HAPPY, haappppyyy!”

Joe Farrell, Associate Pastor for Young Adults and Marriage, looks forward to Christmas with his family.

FIRST PRES NORTH

rtson Pat Robe the in as Mary r te cen

L

ike a Christmas stocking filled with candy, nuts and treats, December is chock-full of traditional memories.

Three of our FP North members shared a tradition special to them and their families.

Vanessa Albrecht’s parents, married 52 years, began taking a family photo in front of the Christmas tree the first year of their marriage. This continued as the family grew with the addition of three children and then as nine others, spouses and grandchildren, joined the family.

Her mom had the 5 x 7 pictures matted in large frames, each holding eight pictures. They are displayed in a long hall, and sometimes prompt friendly pointing and laughing. Vanessa finally gave in to her husband’s request and created their own display, showing fifteen years of their Christmas family gatherings. She feels the photos are a testimony to her parents’ faithfulness and love for their family, which will be a blessing for many years.

Pat Robertson remembers worshiping as a child in a little white church built on the Eastern Shore of Virginia in 1850. It replaced the original structure which Captain John Smith had visited in 1608.

Her father began taking her to Sunday school at age 3 and she attended most Sundays until she left for college.

Christmas and Family Traditions

By Hugh Eaton One congregation member, with a degree in theater, insisted the children put on a Christmas pageant each year. Pat started as a sheep, worked her way up through the other roles and finally was chosen for the honored role of Mary, the one she dreamed about! She says, “These many years later I can still recall the excitement and awe of being a part of that very meaningful Christmas celebration.”

Stef and Mark Hille have a seven-yearold daughter, Lizzie. A few years ago they decided to help her focus on the giving aspect of Christmas. Behind the little doors on their Advent calendar, instead of treats they put clues about personal items found around their house. Each family member finds and puts the item in the “Hille Family Advent Box.” Then on Christmas Eve the family delivers the box to ESM (Ecumenical Social Ministries). Stef says, “Teaching Lizzie to be generous during Advent has turned into a family tradition which blesses us all.”

This will be our first Christmas together at FP North. We will participate in the traditions of the downtown church and hope to begin some traditions of our own. We invite you to come and celebrate with us. Merry Christmas and may “God bless us everyone.”

Hugh Eaton is a regular contributor on behalf of First Pres North.

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have yourself a merry little small community

By Jennifer Oraker Holz

Faithful friends who are dear to us, gather near to us once more...

T

he Christmas season is all about nearness—God coming near to us in the baby Jesus, friends and family gathering near to one another to give gifts and to celebrate the coming of the Christ child. “Nearness” is a cherished value of the When: Small Communities will begin the week of January 9, 2010 Where: In homes, at coffee shops, at church on Wednesday nights, and anywhere else you decide to meet How: Small Communities Questions available on the Web and at the information desks at First Pres each week Why: Because we want to be alive to God’s desire for us

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Christian faith. It is also the reality of the incarnation. We are created to be near to God and near to one another.

The church throughout history has always gathered in small communities to study the Word, to encourage one another, to pray with each other and to help each other apply the message of the gospel to daily life. From January through Easter, our sermon series focuses on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.

Would you think and pray about joining a small group of believers around an open Bible this winter as we study together the book of Ephesians?

There are many ways to be involved: invite your current small community to participate think of some people you want to get to know better and invite them to join your community sign up to be placed in a newly formed small community

Events Calendar DECEMBER

week of 1–4

Saturday Dec 4 Breakfast in Bethlehem

week of 5–11

Sunday Dec 5 Communion

week of 12–18

Sunday Dec 12 Christmas Joy!

Thursday, Dec 16, Church Christmas Party

week of 19–25

Friday Dec 24 Christmas Eve

Saturday Dec 25 Christmas Day, Church Closed

week of 26–Jan. 3

Sunday Dec 26 Regular Worship Schedule

Friday Dec 31 New Year’s Eve Worship

Saturday Dec 18 Grandfather/Father/Son Christmas Brunch

Saturday Jan 1 New Year’s Day, Church Closed

Join us in Worship on Sundays

Downtown Campus – 219 E. Bijou Blended Worship with Choir, Sanctuary, 8:20 a.m. & 9:45 a.m.

Contemporary Worship, 9:45 a.m. Fellowship Hall and 11:10 a.m. Sanctuary Contemplative Worship, Sanctuary, 5:00 p.m.

First Pres North – da Vinci Academy Contemporary Worship, 11:00 a.m.

First Pres Online – first-pres.org Sanctuary Services live broadcast beginning at 8:20 a.m.

For church information, call 719-884-6144 or mail@first-pres.org 12/10 | www.first-pres.org | 15 12/10

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ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

219 East Bijou Street Colorado Springs, CO 80903

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