NOVEMBER
THE LINK November ~ December, 2014
First Things First Anything look different? The new format for the Link is meant to catch your attention. Notice how active our congregation is! Each unit, every circle, and all age groups of the church are engaged in ministry. Noelle and I believe that every member of the church should follow this simple formula: Worship + 2. In other words, attend worship regularly; then think of one activity that nurtures your spirit and another one that nurtures someone else’s. Over the last couple of months, we have used Jesus’ parables to preach about building a personal House of Discipleship. We hope that the series has stimulated new thoughts about discipleship and your involvement in the church. Contrary to the world’s wisdom, Jesus told us that the serious disciple should cultivate the love of enemies, self-awareness, forgiveness, and kindness. All are essential to our personal lives and to our community. How we live as disciples is how we relate to God through prayer. On November 2, we will begin a sermon series on Prayer. Many in our congregation have asked us questions about prayer. Does prayer change things? Why should we pray if God has already determined the outcome? Why didn’t God answer my prayers? As we head into Advent—a season anticipating the fulfillment of God’s promise –now is the time to ponder how the Bible answers these queries. The answers may be a surprising fountain of hope.
UNIT MEETINGS Monday, November 3, Noon—Worship Unit meeting Tuesday, November 4, Noon--Coordinating Council Wednesday, November 5, 9:30 a.m.—PW Coordinating Team meeting Monday, November 10, 5:30 p.m.—Session meeting Monday, November 24, 9:00 a.m.—Property Unit meeting Noon—Playschool Board meeting
WONDERFUL WEDNESDAYS Wednesday, November 5th, 12th & 19th 5:15 p.m.—Wonderful Wed. dinner/Bible Study 6:00 p.m.—Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal (Wonderful Wednesday will not meet on the 26th due to the Thanksgiving Holiday.)
YOUTH Sunday, November 9 6-8 p.m. Bonfire at the Borums, 20 Trails End Rd. Sunday, November16 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. Older Youth—Pecan Picking at the home of Jeanie and Bazile Lanneau; dinner to follow (Bring $$.) Tuesday, November 18 4:30 – 6 p.m. Fall Festival in Fellowship Hall
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN Wednesday, November 5 9:30 a.m. PW Coordinating Team meeting Tuesday, November 11 10:30 a.m. Rebekah Circle 3:00 p.m. Ruth Circle Thursday, November 13 Noon Lydia Circle
CARE MINISTRIES Prayer Shawl Ministry Tuesdays, November 4 & 18 2 p.m.—at the Natchez Coffee Company Deacons Meeting Monday, November 17, 5:30 p.m.
ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS Sunday, November 2 --Daylight Savings Time ends Wednesday at noon, Thursday-Friday, November 26, 27 & 28 Offices Closed--HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Sunday, November 23 –Christ the King Sunday 5:00 p.m. Decorate the Chrismon Tree & Light Supper Sunday, November 30-- First Sunday of Advent MEN’S PRAYER BREAKFAST Tuesdays, November 4, 11, 18, 25 7:00 a.m.—Men’s Prayer Breakfast
ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS-November, continued PRAYER ROOM DEDICATION Sunday, November 16, 10:15 a.m. PLAYSCHOOL November 14, 11 a.m. Thanksgiving Feast in Fellowship Hall—reservations required
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN PW Christmas Coffee at the home of Jenna Aldridge Tuesday, December 9, 9:30 a.m.
DECEMBER
UNIT MEETINGS Monday, December 1, Noon—Worship Unit meeting 4:30 p.m.—C.E. Unit meeting Tuesday, December 2, Noon—Coordinating Council Monday, December 8, 5:30 p.m.—Session meeting Monday, December 29, 9 a.m.—Property Unit meeting Noon -- Playschool Board meeting
WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY Wednesdays, December 3, 10 & 17 5:15 p.m.—Wonderful Wed. dinner/Bible Study 6:00 p.m.—Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal (No Wonderful Wednesday activities December 24th or December 31st. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!)
CARE MINISTRIES Prayer Shawl Ministry Tuesdays, December 2 & 16, 2 p.m.--at the Natchez Coffee Company Deacons Meeting Monday, December 15, 5:30 p.m. First Presbyterian Church 400 State St. Natchez, MS 39120 601-442-2581 ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS Sundays in Advent: December 7, 14, 21. Sunday, December 14th, 11:30 a.m.—Christmas Covered Dish Breakfast in Fellowship Hall. Christmas Eve service, December 24th, 5:30 p.m. Church Office will be closed at noon December 24—Friday, December 26. Merry Christmas! Offices will be closed on Thursday, January 1. Happy New Year! Sunday, December 28 10:30 a.m. Lessons and Carols
YOUTH Sunday, December 7, 3:00-6:30 p.m. Christmas Cookie Bake & Take—Older Youth will bake cookies and deliver them to the downtown Sheriff’s Office and Fire Station; Dinner to follow
MEN’S PRAYER BREAKFAST Tuesdays December 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 7:00 a.m.—Men’s Prayer Breakfast
Rev. Noelle Read, Co-Pastor Rev. Denny Read, Co-Pastor FPC OFFICERS ELDERS: Class of 2014 Sandra Burkes, Hal Hicks, Randy Smith Class of 2015 Stratton Bull, Bob Dearing, Lee Jones, Sue Savino Class of 2016 Courtney Aldridge, Leigh Anderson, Paul Benoist, Charles Hall DEACONS CLASS OF 2014 Lynn Britt, Chair; Cara Serio, Ryan Sharp CLASS OF 2015 Jenna Aldridge, John Holyoak, Stephanie Butts CLASS OF 2016 Barbara Colwell, Kay McNeil, George Rutherford