Steeple Times, Dec. 2016 (Vol. 11, Issue 12) by FPC Tyler

M o n t h l y N e w s f r o m F P C Ty l e r • Vo l u m e 1 1 , I s s u e 1 2 : D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 6

Your Great Gift of Hospitality by the Rev. Dr. Stuart Baskin

First of all, thank you. I am still overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and affection you showered on Amy and me at the gathering on November 13. As I said then, I am a bit ill at ease when the focus of attention is on me personally. But my slight discomfort was completely overshadowed by the warm feelings of the day. As Amy put it so well later that evening, it felt like the gatherings that have been held in our honor when we have finished our ministry at a church—only this time, we didn’t have to leave to be celebrated! You are truly a remarkable bunch of people. You are kind and generous, and you know how to show hospitality. You know how to make a person feel special. I don’t know if you realize what great gifts these are. And the truth of the matter is that these are gifts for ministry, not just to my family and me, but to one another

and to those who come into our church from the outside. As it turns out, that’s what Christmas is about: God’s gift of generosity to a broken and hurting world. Perhaps without even realizing it or even trying, you have become a congregation that reflects the pattern of God’s way of dealing with humankind in Jesus Christ. That way is the way of generous love reaching out and welcoming in the stranger and turning the stranger into a member of the family. As we journey through the days of Advent, we would do well to remember that we were once strangers to God, but that in Christ we have been welcomed into the household of God. (Ephesians 2:11-14) Because we have been welcomed into God’s household, it is our role to welcome others in Christ’s name.

i n t h i s i s s u e | H I G H L I G H T S & F E AT U R E S FPC Christmas Services | pg 3

Christmas Carols | Pg 3

Christmas Poinsettias | Pg 5

Read about Christmas services celebrated this season.

Lee Kohlenberg tells how you can find real meaning in Christmas carols.

Help support our Fine Arts program by ordering poinsettias for the Sanctuary at Christmas. First Presbyterian Church of Tyler, Texas 230 West Rusk Street, Tyler, Texas 75701-1696 (903) 597-6317 | www.fpctyler.com

C O N G R E G AT I O N A L N E W S Membership Updates Wedding Congratulations to Carol Yolande Verbeek and Everett Kincaid Kennedy on their November 5 nuptials. New Members Join us in welcoming our newest members: • Tad and Margo Hillin • Kristin Hoyer • Mary Hagan Deaths Condolences to the families of our FPC members who entered the Church Triumphant: Ray Thompson and Marjorie Franklin.

PRAYERFULLY SPEAKING from the FPC Prayer Team In the DVD “Praying with Jesus” by James Banks, one of the sessions is entitled “Giving the Gift of Prayer.” In scripture, you will find many examples of Jesus praying for others. He is showing us that one of the best ways to love someone is to pray for them. James Banks says, “In praying for others, we invite God’s power and presence into their lives.” What greater gift! And what better time to think of this gift than during the Christmas season? Let us give thanks to God for His greatest gift to us, the Christ child. And let us share the gift of prayer with all who need to feel God’s power and presence.

Office Closed for the Christmas Holidays The office and campus will be closed on Friday, December 23 at noon, and Monday, December 26 in observance of the Christmas holiday.

Thanks be to God! (If you would like to submit a prayer request, please fill out the form found in the church pew and drop it in the collection plate or into a prayer request box found in the Chapel, Sanctuary, and church office.)

Sunday Worship Service Schedule Change

Sunday, December 25 & January 1 | 11 am On Sundays, December 25 and January 1, a single worship service will be held at 11 a.m. only. Sunday school classes will not meet, although Children’s Worship will meet during the 11 a.m. service. Additionally, communion will be distributed on January 1.

FPC welcomes new members: Mary Hagan (right), Tad & Margo Hillin (below, far right) and Kristin Hoyer with children, Edith, Jules, Iris, Mikey and Malachi (below).

January “Steeple Times” Early Deadline Due to the Christmas holidays, the deadline for the January issue of the Steeple Times will be Friday, December 9. Submit articles to Dana Durman via email (ddurman@fpctyler.com). FPC youth preparing their hearts for worship! Hanna Meg Leach, Cameron Humphress, Brooklyn Wageman, Katie Humphress, Juliana Leach.

s a v e t h e d a t e | JANUARY 2 0 1 7 Sr High Youth Connection | Jan. 27-29

Carol Choir Resumes | Jan. 11

Officer Installation | Jan. 8

High school youth of the presbytery gather for a weekend of learning.

Carol Choir rehearsal will resume at 5 p.m. in room M 105.

Officers of FPC will be installed at the 11 a.m. worship service.

M O N T H LY E V E N T H I G H L I G H T S Join us during the 11 a.m. worship service when the children and youth will present The Night the Animals Sang, a telling of the beautiful story of the birth of Jesus Christ. Afterward, join us for a catered luncheon. RSVP by December 12 (fpctyler.com/events/pageant). Pay at the door.

SAM’s Club: “It’s a Wonderful Life” Wednesday, December 7 | 11 am | F 101-102 What better way to experience the essence of Advent than to join us for this event. Scenes from this production will be presented by cast members of the Tyler Civic Theatre. Lunch is provided by Traditions and is $10, payable at the door. RSVP by 10 a.m. on Sunday, December 4 to fpctyler.com/events/sams.

Fine Arts @ FPC: Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols Sunday, December 18 | 6 pm | Sanctuary | Free Admission This year marks the eleventh anniversary for the Tyler Civic Chorale’s presentation that is a re-creation of a perennial favorite at King’s College, Cambridge, England, with roots that can be traced back to the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1880. Visit fpctyler.com/events/ninelessonsandcarols. Childcare provided.

Fine Arts @ FPC: UT Tyler Christmas Concert December 10 | 6 pm | Sanctuary | $7 Adults | $5 Students & Children FPC is home to the joint concerts of the UT Tyler Patriot Singers and Concert Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Cameron Rose, Director of Choral Activities for UT Tyler. Visit: fpctyler.com/ events/uttconcert.

Family Christmas Eve Service

Blue Christmas: A Service of Remembrance and Hope

Saturday, December 24 | 3 pm | Chapel All are welcome to our child-friendly, child-focused service. This year, we will use our senses to recreate that special night - the real BIRTHday of Jesus Christ. Visit fpctyler. com/events/christmaseve for more information.

Sunday, December 11 | 6:30 pm | Sanctuary Blue Christmas is a service for those who find themselves standing on the sidelines of the season. This service is not a celebration but a contemplation to sit quietly before the One who is with us in the darkness of our sorrow and will see us through to the morning when joy shall return. Dessert will follow the service and childcare is provided. Visit: fpctyler. com/events/bluechristmas.

45th Annual Moravian Lovefeast Saturday, December 24 | 5:30 pm | Sanctuary This long-standing worship of scripture and song is accompanied by a “feast”—authentic, homemade Moravian buns and hot cocoa served to each pew of worshipers. The lighting of hundreds of beeswax candles fills the sanctuary with quiet reverence. Visit fpctyler.com/events/lovefeast. Childcare provided. Musical prelude begins at 5 p.m.

Christmas Pageant and Luncheon Sunday, December 18 | 11 am | Sanctuary Adults $12/Child 12 & under $6/Child 2 & under free

Christmas Carols: The Reason for the Season By Lee Kohlenberg interim director of music ministry Christmas carols are generally simple, folk-like melodies which most people enjoy singing or hearing. It is often the words of the “other” verses (not the first ones most know from memory) that contain the core “reason for the season.” As the verses progress in a carol the truth becomes evident: that Jesus was God, born as a man with one primary purpose—to restore the broken relationship between God and us and save us by paying the price sin

demands. May we study the words and meditate on them and what they mean for our lives. Can you identify the carol before looking up the context from these examples? • “The King of kings salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone Him.” (145) • “Son of God, love’s pure light radiant beams from thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord at thy birth.” (122) • “The Lord is come...Let every heart prepare Him room.” (134) 3

•

“O holy Child of Bethlehem...cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today....O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!” (121) When we sing carols in worship I encourage you to find the hymn numbers to sing with meaning these prayers and praises. Sing the words, not just the tunes. God offers both hope and His very self to us at this season. May we not ignore Him but open our hearts to Him more each day.

THE MISSION STORE Yo u r m i s s i o n H Q a t F P C • M a t c h y o u r t a l e n t w i t h o u r c o m m u n i t y ’ s n e e d s

PATH (People Attempting To Help)

Andrews Center/Goodwill Christmas Party

This winter, please donate new blankets to help keep our friends and neighbors warm and safe. Bring donations to the PATH crates located in the foyer of Fellowship Hall and near the elevator on the ground floor of the main building. Monetary donations are also accepted. For information, visit pathhelps.org.

Thursday, December 8 | 1 pm | Fellowship Hall Join us for a Christmas party for adults with special needs in training at the Andrews Center Adult Day Training and the Goodwill Commercial Services. There will be cookies, Christmas carols, and a visit from Santa. Contact Bettie Clancy (903-581-9552) or Ginny Mattox (903-504-5016) or visit fpctyler.com/events/andrewschristmas for more details.

Knit Wits - Knitters Unite for Camp Ministry Monday, December 5 | 1:30 pm | Harper Residence Calling all knitters and knitter wannabes - our current project involves knitting items to send to Camp Gilmont in Gilmer, TX, where they’ll be available for purchase with sales directly benefiting the camp. Join the group at the home of Sally Harper for a Christmas pot luck lunch. Contact: Pat Cryer (903-5615242 / fpctyler.com/events/knitwits). Please note: Knit Wits has stored shawls in the usher room off the narthex for your use during services if you get chilly.

Save the Date: Mardi Gras 2017 Tuesday, February 28 | 5:30 pm | Fellowship Hall Benefiting our mission programs, the Mission Committee is sponsoring the third annual Mardi Gras Celebration. Save the date and look for details to follow.

Presbyterian Giving Catalog This holiday season consider making charitable gifts in lieu of physical gifts for those on your holiday list. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is embarking on its fourth year of using the catalog to encourage making a difference in the world through gifts that exemplify the work carried out by ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency. Catalogs are available on the table at the elevator entrance to the Sanctuary or for more information: presbyteriangifts.org

Sewing Bees - Sewing with a Mission Wednesday, December 21 | 10 am | F 104 Connect with sewing buffs of all ages and levels of expertise. Simple patterns and guidance provided. Help us continue the mission. For more information, visit fpctyler.com/events/sewingbees. Group contact is Mollie Bobo (903-530-2772).

Christmas Joy Special Offering This season, we reflect on God’s great gift, the birth of Jesus. Supporting this offering is one way you can celebrate and grow that gift, by supporting current and retired church workers in times of need and the education and development of the future racial ethnic leadership of our church. The offering will be collected on December 18.

Stay in the Know

Analysis of Revenues & Expenses October 2016 Summary

Stay in the know about news and events by connecting with FPC online.

MTD Actual YTD Actual YTD Budget

Revenues

$68,872

$311,910

$313,422

Expenses

$86,434

$344,186

$399,491

Net Total

($17,562)

($32,276)

($86,069)

Subscribe to the weekly e-newsletter, and you’ll receive stories, event reminders, and mission updates. You’ll even get a sneak peek into what Stuart has planned for Sunday’s pulpit! Follow the QR code above or find the e-newsletter signup link on the website at fpctyler.com.

Planned Giving Have you remembered the church and other charities in your will? If you need help, contact Nanci Pollard (903-5976317) to request information, or visit the Texas Presbyterian Foundation at tpf.org. Assistance is confidential and free of charge.

Stay in touch with us on social media, too: /fpctyler 4

@fpctyler

Youth Group: Youth Christmas Party

College-Age Ministries: After Christmas Party

December 4 | 12 pm | The Well | RSVP by December 3 Attention Youth! Our Christmas party has a mission component to it! Come for fun, fellowship and service. We will go and buy our gifts for our angel tree. Come join us - lunch provided! Visit Questions? Contact Neil McKown (903279-6818). Visit fpctyler.com/events/youth-group.

Friday, December 30 | 6 pm | Garmon Residence Calling all college-age students who are “home for the holidays” and want to reunite with FPC friends! We will have dinner and fellowship at the home of Jim and Sally Smith-Garmon. Friends are welcome! RSVP by December 27 to Neil McKown (nmckown@fpctyler.com).

Mini Mission Trip 2016 December 28-29 | 8:15 am | FPC Tyler FPC youth will be partnering with the East Texas Food Bank for two days to help them feed and support families in the greater East Texas area. We will spend the morning and afternoon serving, and then the best thing—you get to go home and sleep in your own bed! Visit fpctyler.com/events/minimissiontrip for more information. For students grade 9-12.

Bullet Points from October’s Session Meeting Minutes recorded by Robyn Files The Session met on October 18 and conducted the following business: •

•

Meeting of the Congregation on October 30, 2016. •

the consent agenda was approved, including the wedding request for Carol Verbeek and Everett Kennedy on November 4, 2016. agenda items for the Annual

•

Mary Fischer reported on the annual audit from the accounting firm of Gollob, Morgan, and Peddy. The church received a clean opinion. Jennifer Ainsworth, Nominating

Committee Chair, announced the candidates for the following offices: Session, Diaconate, Individually Ordained Deacons, Trustees, and Nominating Committee Member at Large. Full minutes are available from the church office upon request.

Christmas Poinsettias—Order Now Every year during the Christmas season, the Sanctuary is filled with poinsettias in honor and in memory of this congregation’s beloved family and friends. If you would like to contribute a poinsettia to this tradition, please clearly print your information below and return in the offering plate or to the church office by Tuesday, December 13. Your generous donations support the Fine Arts ministry, which makes FPC a beacon for fine music and the arts in East Texas. There is no minimum suggested donation. Your generous gifts are very much appreciated.

Donor’s Name(s): Circle one: In honor of / memory of / thanksgiving for

Children & Youth Calendar

December

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Saturday

CM: First Friday Fun

6:30 PM |

CM: Christmas Pageant Rehearsal 6 PM | SHSG 5 PM |

13 CM: Christmas Pageant Rehearsal 6 PM | SHSG 5 PM |

25 CHRISTMAS DAY 10:15 AM | Fellowship 11 AM | Worship 11 AM | Children’s Church

Friday

20 5:30 PM |

Team Meeting

26 CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY Church & Campus closed.

Reminder: No SHSG! No Carol Choir!

28 SM: Mini Mission Day

8:15 AM |

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY Church & Campus closed.

CHRISTMAS EVE 3 PM | Family Christmas Service 5 PM | Lovefeast Prelude 5:30 PM | Lovefeast Service

29 SM: Mini Mission Day

8:15 AM |

30 SM: College-age Gathering 6 PM |

31 NEW YEAR'S EVE

Steeple Times is a publication of First Presbyterian Church, 230 W. Rusk St., Tyler, TX 75701. Acting editor: Stuart Baskin. FPC reserves the right to edit and/or exclude all submissions. Submit content to Dana Durman by the 15th of the month prior to publication: ddurman@ fpctyler.com, fax (903) 597-6326, or mail. An archive of the Steeple Times can be found online at fpctyler.com/archive.

Children’s Ministry News & Events First Friday Fun: Kids Night Out!

“The Night the Animals Sang”: Christmas Pageant & Lunch

December 2 | 6:30 pm | Children’s Wing | RSVP by November 29 Join us for First Friday Fun where we will share a meal and continue with fun crafts, Bible stories, games and finish with a movie or quiet reading time. This program is for our church members and the community. If you know someone age six weeks to 2nd grade, invite them to join us. Registrations are on line - visit fpctyler.com/events/firstfriday. We will not meet in January and resume in February.

Sunday, December 18 | 11 am | Sanctuary | RSVP by December 12 Adults $12 / Children 3–12 $6 / Children 2 and under free Join us during the 11 a.m. worship service when the children will present “The Night the Animals Sang,” a telling of the beautiful story of the birth of Jesus Christ. The children will dress up as the animals in the manger scene and as the characters that tell this story, singing familiar hymns and sharing the love of Jesus Christ. Following worship, join us for a catered fellowship luncheon. For more information on the pageant rehearsal schedule and reservations for the luncheon, visit fpctyler.com/events/pageant.

FPC’s Dr. Arnold Oates Honored with the “Gilmont Arbor Award” Dr. Arnold Oates was honored at the Adventure Day and Annual Visioning Dinner with “Gilmont Arbor Award.” This award is named for someone who has gone “over and above,” like an arbor that shelters with branches above us. He has truly risen above, giving of his time, his wisdom as a leader, and an administrator and a planner. He has given generously of his resources, and been vocal in encouraging others to share, help and participate in the life of Camp Gilmont. Dr. Oates received an engraved stone and a second will remain at Gilmont with the inscription, “For His Devotion to Gilmont and Its Mission to be a Place Where Lives are Changed for Good.”

S U N D AY S C H O O L

/ SMALL GROUP LISTING

Sunday School @ 9:45 am

Small Group Schedule

faith builders

men

| Lecture & discussion M 205 | The Reformation | Contact: Chris Bunt (903) 531-3535

men

| Lecture & discussion  M202 | The book of Revelation | Contact: Bob Schmoker (903) 714-5746 the forum

209ers | Young Adults M209 | Sermon on the Mount | Contact: Debbie Pitts (debbiepitts@gmail. com) the

Thank you to Azalea Academy For Exceptional Adults for assembling

our weekly bulletin and Marshall

| Book & discussion M 207 | The book of Philippians | Contact: Linda Pirtle (903) 881-9000 westminster

Ewing and his crew for assembling our Steeple Times monthly

newsletter.

230 W. Rusk Street, Tyler, TX 75701

return service requested

Budget & Finance. December 8 @ 12 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Building & Grounds. December 12 @ 5:30 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Children’s Ministry Team. December 20 @ 5:30 pm — Library | A 111 Governance. December 5 @ 5:30 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Risk Management. December 14 @ 12 pm — Conference Room | A 110 Session. December 13 @ 7 pm — M 207

COMMIT TEE MEETINGS

1 Meadow Lake Bible Study. 11:45 am, Meadow Lake. 2 First Friday Fun: Kid’s Night Out. 6:30 pm, Children’s Wing. 4 Youth Group: Youth Christmas Party. 12 pm, The Well. 5 Knit Wits. 11:30 pm, Harper residence. 7 SAM’s Club. 11 am, F 101/102. 7 Christmas Pageant Rehearsal. 5 pm, Sanctuary. 8 Goodwill/Andrews Center Christmas Party. 1 pm, Fellowship Hall. 9 Steeple Times Submission Deadline. 10 Fine Arts @ FPC Tyler: UT Tyler Christmas Concert. 6 pm, Sanctuary. 11 Presbyterian Women Sunday Circle. 9:30 am, M 204. 11 Christmas Pageant Rehearsal. 9:45 am, Sanctuary. 11 Blue Christmas Service. 6:30 pm, Sanctuary. 13 Presbyterian Women Weekday Circle. 10 am, F 101-102. 14 Christmas Pageant Rehearsal. 5 pm, Sanctuary. 18 Christmas Pageant & Luncheon. 11 am, Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall. 18 Fine Arts @ FPC Tyler: Lessons & Carols. 6 pm, Sanctuary. 21 Sewing Bees. 10 am, F 104. 23 Church office and campus closes at noon. Christmas holidays. 24 Family Christmas Eve Service. 3 pm, Chapel. 24 Lovefeast Prelude. 5 pm, Sanctuary. 24 Lovefeast Service. 5:30 pm, Sanctuary. 25 Christmas Day. Worship Service. 11 am, Sanctuary. 26 Church office and campus closed. Christmas holidays. 28-29 Youth Group: Mini Mission Day. 8:15 am, The Well. 30 Student Ministries: College-Age Gathering. 6 pm, Garmon residence. Jan. 1 New Year’s Day. Worship Service & Communion. 11 am, Sanctuary.

DECEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

Non-Profit Organization U. S. Postage

PAID

Permit No. 683 Tyler, Texas 75701-1696

To everyone at the home of: