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Steeple Times Vol. 9, Issue 12: December 2014
First Presbyterian Church of Tyler, Texas 230 West Rusk Street, Tyler, Texas 75701-1696 // (903) 597-6317 // www.fpctyler.com
Wait a Second—Who Said Christmas Wasn’t Simple? By Phyllis Kidwell “When the Son of God was born . . . He didn’t come in a show of great power, but as a helpless baby. He didn’t come as an elite, but as the son of a teenage mother. He wasn’t found by the religious leaders, but by the poor outcasts and Gentiles. He wasn’t born into luxury, but slept in an animal’s feeding trough. “So when we celebrate his birth . . . Maybe we need to turn things upside down like God turned things upside down when God moved into the neighborhood and broke all the rules: bringing good news for the poor, giving sight to the blind, and setting captives and the oppressed free.” These thoughts begin our Advent study for this year, with a focus on simplicity. In a season that seems to become more hectic with each event added to our busy calendars, perhaps this is the year to step back and look again at the season. To look again at how we celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. In our Advent study materials, we’ll ponder two questions: 1) How do we simplify the preparation for and celebration of Christmas? And, very much related, 2) How do we keep focused on Christ throughout the season? These questions will be posed over the season of Advent through weekly devotionals, which will be available as paper handouts around
the FPC campus and as a downloadable PDF in our weekly e-newsletter (not on the list? Find the sign-up link on the website: www.fpctyler.com). Now, the answers to these two questions—how do we simplify, and how do we keep our focus on Christ— don’t have simple answers. But we’d like to engage each of you in the conversation as we move toward a simpler approach to Christmas. The church staff will share thoughts and start conversations on the blog where you’re invited to comment (www.fpctyler.com/news), and in addition, there will be a big paper Christmas tree that you’re invited to decorate with your ideas for a simple Christmas. When you enter the main building through the breezeway from the Fellowship Hall, you’ll see the large paper Christmas tree with ornament-shaped notes and markers available for you to contribute your thoughts so that others can contemplate them as well. As Advent begins, join us for the second annual Advent Artfest during the Sunday school hour on November 30. Share fellowship, sing carols, and make Advent crafts as we all get in the spirit of the season together. In addition to the musical offerings and special worship services this season, the church has planned some family-friendly events as well. During the Christmas Spectacular concert, Children’s Ministry will host
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a special Christmas evening for children age 12 and under. And in addition to the regularly scheduled First Friday Fun, Santa’s WorkSHOP will give kids a chance to contemplate the meaning of Christmas while their parents are free to tackle their to-do list. The annual Christmas pageant, A Child Is Born, will be performed during the 11 o’clock worship service on Sunday, December 14. Stay afterward for a tasty church-wide Christmas luncheon! For details about these events and more, see pages 3–5 of this issue. With this focus on simplicity, perhaps we can all recapture the joy of Christmas that seems to come so easily to children as they anticipate a Merry Christmas! in this issue // December 2014
Featured Lovefeast Volunteers Needed Christmas Poinsettias—Order Now Gilmont Women’s Retreat Event Highlights First Friday Fun: Kids’ Night Out! Fine Arts: UT Tyler Pancakes with a Side of Mission SAM’s Club Fine Arts: Christmas Spectacular Santa’s WorkSHOP Christmas Pageant & Luncheon Youth Christmas Party Fine Arts: Nine Lessons & Carols Family Christmas Eve Service 44th Annual Moravian Lovefeast Youth Mini Mission Trip