Pine Street Life

Pine Street VOLUME 34 | ISSUE 12

Pine Street Presbyterian Church

Session Adopts Good-To-Great Recommendation

by Dr. Russell Sullivan, Pastor

In May of this year, Session us to greater vitality and stronger established a task force, called ministry. Reading books by seminal “Good-to-Great,” “which will thinkers in the field of church renewal, make recommendations about the task force has been stimulated best practices for church growth, and challenged to ask important leadership, and questions: What engagement is the role of the of members in governing body Christmas At the life of the of a congregation Pine Street congregation.” (the Session)? How The members of should ministry the Good-to-Great be managed and 6:00 pm - Family Service Task Force include organized?

Does 5:20pm – music by Elder Jay Himes our organizational all-church orchestra (chair), Sue Black, structure need to Craig Kegerise, change in order Bob Wilson, and to release the 11:00pm -Traditional Anne Guenin dynamic activity of Candlelight Service and Russell our members into with communion Sullivan as staff ministry? liaisons.

(Amy One of those Chick served until writers who has recently.) The task shaped the thinking force has pondered of the task force is Dan Hotchkiss and prayed about how structure and who wrote an outstanding book, management of ministry can lead See Session on page 2

Focus On Bible Study Begins With Archaeology

by Dr. Russell Sullivan, Pastor

Several weeks ago, I shared with you my vision for the renewal of Bible study at Pine Street. The book we revere as Holy Scripture is rooted in an ancient land and people, and to read and study the Bible requires us to know something about the world out of which it came. The first step in this renewal will be to bring to the congregation an archaeologist who can talk to us about the connections between the Bible and the archaeology of ancient Israel.

See Israel on page 4

DECEMBER 1, 2014

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Session Notes. . . . . . . . . . . 2 Trustees Notes. . . . . . . . . . . 3 DDB. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 December Calendar. . . . . . . 9 December Scripture . . . . . . 10

December At A Glance Hangng of the Greens. . . . . . 3 Bagels & Belief . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Sing Along. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Lessons & Carols . . . . . . . . 14 Christmas Dinner. . . . . . . . . 14 Longest Night Service. . . . . 17 College Student Breakfast. 21 Family Service. . . . . . . . . . . 24 Candlelight Service. . . . . . . 24

PSL Deadline Articles, photos and items of interest for the January, 2015 issue of Pine Street Life are due by December 15, 2014.

Please e-mail to Sue Black at BL3COL@aol.com

Session Continued from page 1 Governance and Ministry: Rethinking Board Leadership. Dan says: Many congregations organize essentially the way they did in 1950, with boards and committees dutifully meeting, taking minutes, passing budgets, adopting or defeating motions. Each committee controls all work in its assigned sphere and has to do the work as well. New ideas require many conversations and approvals; old ideas escape serious evaluation. It is a system well designed to resist change, or ­— to put it differently — preserve tradition.

Dan also believes there is a connection between church growth and the governance of a congregation. He writes: In time, I started to suspect that outdated, over-complex and inwardfocused structures might be the cause of decline in congregations. As I watched more systematically, I came to believe that often-mentioned trends like “the decline of the Protestant mainline” might have as much to do with governance as with theology. Growing congregations often are the ones that have reformed their structures for governance and ministry, whether they are liberal or conservative in their theology. Even more strikingly, declining congregations across the theological spectrum often share specific organizational patterns. I think those patterns are one factor in their decline — a factor, unlike social and cultural trends, that a congregation can control.

Session Notes The 2015 budget was approved.

John Van Allen was elected to a one year term as Treasurer.

The purchase of a processional cross was approved.

The chapel will be open on Wednesdays from 11:00am to 1:00pm with a volunteer staff. More information will be forthcoming.

I think Dan is on to something important, and the task force has acted upon his thinking. We want a structure that fosters growth, empowers people, and equips them as disciples to serve. The first step towards that goal is to re-think the role and size of Session.

The primary role of Session is spiritual leadership which includes envisioning the future, engaging in strategic thought, and holding staff and volunteers accountable for managing the ministry of the church. Sessions that accept the mantle of leadership guide their people in the great issues of the day and set policies and directions that fulfill the vision, mission, and values of the congregation. To achieve those ends requires the Session to be smaller. A smaller Session can think more imaginatively and creatively and stay focused on its priorities.

At the November meeting of Session, the Good-to-Great Task Force recommended that the size of Session be reduced from 18 to 12 ruling elders.

Session has empowered the Congregational Nominating Committee to figure out how we do that. The Session has called a meeting of the congregation for Sunday, January 11, following the 11:00am service, to vote on this recommendation.

The work of the task force continues with more thinking about the management of the day-to-day operations of the church and about steps to bring more people into ministry and mission. Keep the members and work of the Good-to-Great Task Force in your prayers as they lead us into greater vitality and new insights!

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Join us Sunday, December 14 at 4:00pm for the traditional Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols followed by a festive Christmas family style dinner in Fellowship Hall. Sign up for dinner at the Welcome Center.

Cost is $19 for adults, $5 for children ages 3 – 12.

www.pinestreet.org

We Never Close

by Elaine Strokoff, Executive Director, DDB

The kitchen at Downtown Daily Bread was in a “state of disrepair” from Monday, September 15 through Wednesday, September 17. The sink and stove were pulled out from the wall, the refrigerator was unplugged, and the shelving units floated from one place to another. The drywall in the DDB kitchen had to be removed due to mold and replaced with moisture resistant board. This was a health issue that could no longer be ignored.

Save The Date!

Saturday, March 28, 2015 Glee for DDB! The University of Pennsylvania Glee Club will present an amazing, fun & rockin’ concert to benefit Downtown Daily Bread. Food, drink, and much more will take place that evening. So, mark your calendars NOW for an evening you won’t want to miss. Support your favorite soup kitchen while enjoying a celebration of music and song! More details coming soon.

Volunteers help keep DDB open

When I was originally told that the kitchen would have to be closed for three days for repairs, I just smiled. Silly people, didn’t they know that Downtown Daily Bread never closes? A plan was put into place. Honestly, if one were to see the kitchen torn apart, they would have said without hesitation, “no meals served today.”

But, that was never an issue. Pine Street volunteers were asked to make sandwiches for two days’ worth of lunches. An enthusiastic group came together and made 300 bologna and cheese sandwiches. These provided lunches for Monday and Wednesday. On Tuesday, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches along with granny smith apples and graham crackers arrived from Country Meadows Retirement Community. This service is provided weekly by volunteer residents who make bagged lunches for DDB clients to take with them after lunch. It is a community collaboration for which we are very grateful.

As clients entered the building on September 15, 16 and 17, I informed them of the condition of the kitchen and our plan for serving sandwiches instead of the usual hot and hearty meal they’d come to expect.

The response was heart warming. Many in the lunch line thanked me for not closing the dining room.

Others told me that they knew they could depend on DDB to always be open. Clients said that sandwiches were just fine for a few days and that they were grateful for our “making lemonade out of lemons!”

DDB volunteers, although a little unsettled at first, quickly got into the rhythm of serving the

Pine Street Life

Trustee Notes John Van Allen was nominated as Treasurer for 2015.

There were no significant deficiencies on the just completed audit for 2013.

The budgets for 2015 were approved. A small ($396) surplus is projected for the church’s General Fund, however, the budget for DDB projects a significant shortfall. A fund raising effort was discussed.

The lights on the outside of the Boyd building have been repaired.

The Adult Learning Center opened as planned on October 20. Ten students were there for the first evening.

premade lunches. DDB is blessed with a cadre of caring, dedicated, committed volunteers. A total of 309 lunches were served to appreciative DDB clients. Thanks to a creative staff, dedicated volunteers, and a committed group of “sandwich makers,” DDB men and women clients were treated to picnic lunches instead of being turned away. Once again, Downtown Daily Bread lived up to its motto: “We never close!”

Have a wonderful holiday season and go on a picnic!

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News From The Financial Front

Israel continued from page 1

by George Kunkle

• Brad has purchased three more handicapped signs and now four signs are located on 3rd Street and two signs on Pine Street on Sunday mornings.

• The contractor has finished the repair work on the slate roof and the flashing on the parapet wall over the education wing. A large amount of slate had to be repaired and hopefully all of our leaks are now resolved.

• The contractor will replace the lights in Room 201 in the Boyd Building with modern, energy efficient three tube T8 fixtures. This is the room used as the computer lab by the Adult Learning Center. The current lights are very old and are very energy inefficient; they could not properly illuminate the room and we could no longer obtain replacement parts.

• We will have a new security company, Knight Security, take over the security of the church and Boyd Building beginning December 1.

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I am very pleased to tell you that I have invited Dr. Thomas W. Davis to be our guest lecturer at Pine Street on Saturday, March 7, and Sunday morning, March 8, 2015. On Monday, March 9, he will lecture on the New Testament and archaeology at Messiah College. I am so glad that we are entering into this partnership with Messiah College.

Dr. Davis is a Professor of Archaeology and Biblical Backgrounds at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS) in Fort Worth, Texas.

He currently leads the Kourion Urban Space Project, an archaeological investigation of the site of Kourion, Cyprus. Before coming to SWBTS, he directed the Cyprus American Archaeological Research Institute in Nicosia, Cyprus. Dr. Davis has an extensive history of archaeological excavation in Cyprus, Jordan, Egypt, and in the United States. He is the author of Shifting Sands: The Rise and Fall of Biblical Archaeology (Oxford, 2004), as well as numerous essays and articles that concern archaeology and biblical studies.

Dr. Davis earned his Ph.D. in Oriental Studies—SyroPalestinian Archaeology, at the University of Arizona, under the direction of William G. Dever.

At Pine Street, his series of lectures is entitled Shifting Sands: New Perspectives on Archaeology and the Old Testament.

• March 7 - Lecture 1: The Elusive Signature of the Exodus: New Light on an Old Question from the Sinai • March 7 - Lecture 2: Conquest, Settlement and Kingdom: How a People Became a Kingdom • March 8 - Lecture 3: The End of the Dream: Assyria, Babylonia and the end of the Kingdoms • The fourth lecture will take place in the evening on Monday, March 9, at Messiah College.

So save the above dates. Other details will follow soon about times and parking.

Bagels & Belief Sunday December 7 9:40am in Fellowship Hall Christmas stories w/ Rev. Heather Sigler

by Anne Guenin, Church Administrator

Consecration Sunday Update It was a great celebration on November 9. Many of you prayerfully considered your estimated giving for 2015 and submitted the Estimate of Giving Card.

As a result of this, about 75% of our 2015 revenue goal has been reached.

For those who were unable to be present on that day, a letter and card have been mailed to you.

Please return the card as soon as possible so that we can enter 2015 with an understanding and expectation of what our giving will be. If you have any questions, please call the church office or email Anne Guenin at aguenin@pinestreet. org.

Your Pledge and the 2014 Budget As we approach the end of the year, please consider completing your 2014 pledge. If everyone who pledged in 2014 would do this, the Pine Street budget would be balanced. And that would be a great thing! If you have any questions about your giving or your contribution statement, please contact Anne Guenin by calling the church or emailing her at aguenin@pinestreet. org. www.pinestreet.org

Christmas Sing-Along

by Jo Dolbin

Come one...come all ye members of Pine Street, friends, and family to our annual Christmas Sing-Along. The event will be held on Tuesday, December 9 at noon in the penthouse of the Presbyterian Apartments, located at 322 N. 2nd St. Drinks and ham will be provided. We ask that each person bring a covered side dish or dessert. We will eat, sing, and have a white elephant gift exchange.

Signup at the Welcome Center. Hope to see you there! Peace be with you.

The Christmas Giving Tree

by Laura Messner

As Christmas draws closer, remember to put Pine Street’s Giving Tree on your To-Do list. You can sign up at a table in The Gathering Place where details about agencies and gifts will be displayed. Sign-ups began on November 23 and November 30 and will continue on December 7. Gifts should be returned to the table on December 7 and 14. Individual presents can be put in gift bags or wrapped. All other items should be unwrapped.

All monetary contributions should be made out to individual agencies.

If you are unable to bring your gift in on time, please contact Laura Messner at 364-5808.

This year’s agencies:

Time To Make Your Reservation 2015 Women’s Retreat Camp Hebron March 13 –15, 2015

Reservations are being accepted now for the Women’s Retreat. The theme is Well Blessed: Water for the Journey with the Rev. Lorrie M. Cooney as our presenter. Lorrie was an active member of our church before moving to New York State, where she recently was ordained as the pastor of New Hope Presbyterian Church in Parish, NY. There is a flyer containing a reservation form available at the Welcome Center. In order to sign up for the retreat, the form, along with a $100 deposit, must be submitted at the Welcome Center by January 18, 2015. The check should be made out to Pine Street Presbyterian Church with “Women’s Retreat” on the memo line. The balance is due by February 8, 2015.

In other words, there will not be a “list” for signing up this year.

Cost for the retreat this year will be: 1 in room $318 2 in room $187 3 in room $144 Commuter rate $75

Adult Learning Center- A new gift opportunity to help Pine Street’s ALC students binder notebooks with assorted items to enhance the learning experience Delta Community strengthens families with children by providing life skill services and transitional housing individual gifts HELP Ministries provides emergency services such as shelter, rent assistance, and heating fuel money for vouchers which are sent directly to landlords or fuel vendors Downtown Daily Bread provides meals and various services for the poor and homeless in downtown Harrisburg personal care items and accessories for warmth (socks, hats, gloves, T-shirts and scarves) to donate to clients Community Check-Up Center provides compassionate and caring medical services new or gently-used books to be distributed to families to encourage reading Hansel and Gretel Early Learning Center provides childcare services for a diverse population clothing items for young children

This is a wonderful item to put on your Christmas list, or to give to someone else.

Pine Street Life

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How Will You Answer the Call to Serve?

by Jay Himes

Pine Street has responded to the same decline in membership affecting virtually all main line denominational congregations by doing more. Yes, fewer members can mean less mission and less stewardship, but in our case we do more with less.

To sustain our continued growth in mission projects like the Adult Learning Center and discipleship that manifests in growth in our faith, members devote hundreds of hours in service to Pine Street Presbyterian Church.

To continue our success there are leadership needs that are not only part and parcel to success, but Book of Order requirements as well. Before we hit the “‘Tis the Season” time of year, “‘Tis the Season” for answering the call to leadership for Pine Street.

Annually, we need to fill a slate of church officers for Session, Deacons and Trustees. Answering the call to serve is a statement of faith. Answering the call to serve is the use of the significant gifts we have all been given. Answering the call to serve is also an expression of love for our church, our congregation, our city, and our mission.

We all have gifts of leadership to share. Please consider your gifts as a leader for Pine Street—“‘Tis the Season.” If you want to be considered, then sign up in the Gathering Place where you can complete an information form and put it in the designated box. And if you really can’t answer the call, then maybe you know of other church members who should be considered as well.

In both cases, the Congregational Nominating Committee wants to engage all members of Pine Street in the leadership development process. Your suggestions or your own nomination for consideration will be greatly appreciated.

by Kathleen White

The Adult Learning Center opened as planned on Monday evening, October 20, exceeding all our expectations with 10 students in attendance. A team from Tri-County OIC joined us to help with the orientation and to administer the first of two nights of pre-tests from which to establish baseline academic proficiencies for each student. We had been advised

by Jeff Woodyard, Executive Director of OIC, that generally there is a noticeable drop-off between the first meeting and the second night of test-taking. BUT, much to everyone’s surprise, all 10 students returned for the follow-up session — according to Jeff, a historymaking “first ever occurrence for OIC”.

Since then, the enrollment has rapidly expanded to a current number of 17 students who represent a wide range of academic levels and abilities. There is much diversity in the group in terms of age (from 18 to 68 years old) and ethnic and racial backgrounds. Many are working and wanting to qualify for advancement or other types of employment as a result of doing these studies. Several have stated intermediate goals of getting a driver’s license and/or are interested in being more engaged with their children in doing homework or participating in school activities. There are also a number of learners who are not native speakers of English and thus have very focused learning needs directly related to language or information pertaining to life in the United States, including dealing with word problems in math or understanding the American system of measurements as opposed to metric.

It is hoped that at least a few of the current students will be ready to take some practice GED-tests prior to the holidays so that they can get a feel for the real exam and begin to develop a comfort level with computerbased tests. In the meanwhile all are scheduled for at least one computer practice session per week, and they are also encouraged to use the computer lab whenever they have a few spare moments. Learning facilitators are stationed in the computer lab to assist anyone having difficulties either with using the equipment or in understanding the academic work on the practice exercises.

See ALC on page 7

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www.pinestreet.org

ALC Continued from page 6 Having reached a surprisingly high enrollment so quickly, it is evident that we will need to recruit and train a second cadre of volunteers to serve as learning facilitators. With the addition of newly trained volunteers, we hope to be able to develop a scheduled rotation to give groups of facilitators a well-deserved break without interrupting the flow of the educational service being provided to the learners. Anyone interested in joining the team in order to start tutoring in January should contact Kathleen White (737-4073 or just.for. kwhite@gmail.com) to learn more about what is involved and/or to prearrange a visit to observe ALC classes.

POINSETTIAS ORDER FORM – 2014

If you would like to purchase a poinsettia that will be used for decorating the sanctuary for Christmas, please complete the form below. There will no longer be automatic renewals for ordering poinsettias.

The form can be either mailed or put in the box in the Gathering Place along with your check made payable to Pine Street Presbyterian Church (please specify in the memo that this is for poinsettias). The costs of the poinsettias are $8.00 each.

Deadline for orders is December 14, 2014.

WORDING OF DEDICATION: In Memory of _______________________________________________________________ In Honor of _______________________________________________________________ Given by _______________________________________________________________ Amount Enclosed*___________________ *Payment is due when order form is submitted.

Pine Street’s allchurch orchestra will play a pre-service offering of carols before the Christmas Eve Family Service starting at 5:20pm. Come and enjoy the of musical gifts of members and friends of Pine Street.

Pine Street Life

Mailing address is: Pine Street Presbyterian Church, 310 N. 3rd Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101 WE MUST HAVE THE ABOVE FORM FILLED OUT AND PUT IN THE BOX IN THE GATHERING PLACE (BOX IS MARKED). IF YOU DO NOT FILL OUT THIS FORM, YOU WILL NOT HAVE YOUR MEMORIAL LISTED IN THE CHRISTMAS BULLETIN, EVEN IF YOU HAVE MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE IT DONE AUTOMATICALLY FROM YEAR TO YEAR.

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Christmas Joy Offering From A Remote Pew

Ben, Chrissy and Jane Summers writing from Cambridge, MA

Christmas Eve at Pine Street has always held a special place for me. So many fond memories resonate when I think back to years of candlelight services in Harrisburg, as my mom, sister and I braved the cold and came into our warm church and all of the traditions that we still cherish. The beginning of the service was usually lighthearted, as we waved to friends and giggled at the loud trumpets blaring from the organ. But by the end of the service, something special happened – feelings of oneness with God, our family and community quieted our spirit and helped us count our blessings. In these moments, the light shined so brightly.

It’s amazing where you can find this light sometimes.

I remember entering a small church in Afghanistan on Christmas Eve during my first deployment. The comrades to my left and right weren’t my mom and sister, and the plywood walls of the makeshift church didn’t exactly match Pine Street’s beautiful sanctuary and festive décor. We didn’t have an organ or a trumpet.

Instead, our voices (mine being particularly off-key) held the melodies. But at the end of the service, with a candle in hand and sounds of jet engines overhead, I felt it more strongly than ever – warmth, light and hopefulness.

In so many ways, Pine Street has offered me this “light” over the years. And whether I deploy or find myself living at a new post with a new community, I know that there’s something shining under the steeple…even in a plywood shack in Afghanistan.

This September, my wife, Chrissy, and I welcomed our first child, Jane Walker, into the world. On December 21, she’ll be baptized at Pine Street.

Although we don’t live in Harrisburg at the moment, we can’t think of a more fitting place for her baptism.

We’re so excited to introduce her to a church and a community that have nourished us spiritually and emotionally in so many ways. You don’t have to be in Harrisburg to know that Pine Street is a place that truly shines the light!

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The Christmas Joy Offering will be received Sunday, December 21.

Monies received from the Christmas go toward providing scholarship assistance for students to attend Presbyterianrelated racial ethnic schools and colleges.

Baptisms November 16, 2014 Joshua Andrew Van Allen infant son of John & Jane Van Allen

Korben Dane Gerst infant son of Edward & Cynthia Gerst

Sunday, December 21 9:40am, Fellowship Hall

ALC Logo Contest Winner

by Chris Ewing

Congratulations to Sue Black who designed the winning entry of the Adult Learning Center (ALC) Logo Contest as an appropriate emblem to symbolize the educational mission of the Center. This logo will become the universally-recognized visual representation of the Adult Learning Center and will be used primarily for ALC publications, on its website, and will be printed on the t-shirts of participants in the upcoming “5K to Educate” fundraising event this spring. The winner of the ALC Logo Contest was announced during its Open House on November 16.

Kathleen White Sue Black Chris Ewing

www.pinestreet.org

December, 2014 30

Sunday

8:30 AM Worship - Sanctuary 9:40 AM Advent Breakfast 11:00 AM Worship - Sanctuary

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Monday

5:00 PM Adult Learning Center

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Tuesday

8:45 AM Staff worship 9:15 AM Staff meeting 9:30 AM Presbytery meeting– Derry Pres.

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Wednesday

5:00 PM Adult Learning Center 6:00 PM Hanging of the Greens 7:30 PM Adult handbell choir

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Thursday

6:30 PM Chamber singers rehearsal 7:15 PM ALC meetingBoyd 7:30 PM Chancel Choir rehearsal

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Friday

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8:30 AM Worship - Sanctuary 1:00PM Stephen Ministry 9:40 AM Bagels & Belief - Fellowship Hall Supervision 11:00 AM Worship - Sanctuary 5:00 PM Adult Learning Center

8:30 AM Worship - Sanctuary 5:00 PM Adult Learning 9:30AM SYF & JYF-Room 106 Center 9:40 AM Church School All Ages 11:00 AM Worship - Sanctuary 12:20 PM Congregational Nominating Committee meeting-Room 308 12:30 PM Church orchestra rehearsalSanctuary 4:00 PM MAPS Event - Lessons & Carols 5:30 PM Christmas dinner 8:30 AM Worship - Sanctuary 9:400 AM College Student Breakfast 9:40 AM Church School All Ages 11:00 AM Worship -Sanctuary

8:30 AM Worship - Sanctuary 9:40 AM Church School All Ages 11:00 AM Worship - Sanctuary

8:45 AM Staff worship 9:15 AM Staff meeting 12:00 PM Christmas Sing Along - Presbyterian Apartments

8:45 AM Staff worship 9:15 AM Staff meeting 12:00 PM Trustees meeting

8:45 AM Staff worship 9:15 AM Staff meeting

8:45 AM Staff worship 9:15 AM Staff meeting

5:00 PM Adult Learning Center 6:00 PM KOALA FamilyFellowship Hall 7:30 PM Adult handbell choir

5:00 PM Adult Learning Center 7:15 PM The Longest Night service

5:20 PM Music by All-church Orchestra 6:00 PM Family Christmas Eve Service 11:00 PM Candlelight Christmas Eve

6:30 PM Chamber singers 9:30 AM Property rehearsal Committee meeting 7:30 PM Chancel Choir rehearsal

6:30 PM Chamber singers rehearsal 7:30 PM Chancel Choir rehearsal

Offices Closed

Saturday

7:15 PM Brass rehearsal

Offices Closed

Pine Street Life (USPS 574-510) is published monthly by Pine Street Presbyterian Church, 310 North Third Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101.Periodicals Postage paid at Harrisburg, PA 17105. Postmaster: Send address changes to Pine Street Life, Pine Street Presbyterian Church, 310 North Third Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101.

Periodicals Postage Paid At Harrisburg, PA 17105

Pine Street Presbyterian Church 310 North Third Street Harrisburg, PA 17101 www.pinestreet.org

Lectionary Readings for December Monday, December 1 Psalms 122; 145 Isaiah 1:10–20 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 Luke 20:1–8

Monday, December 8 Psalms 122; 145 Isaiah 5:8–17 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 Luke 21:20–28

Monday, December 15 Psalms 122; 145 Isaiah 8:16–9:1 2 Peter 1:1–11 Luke 22:39–53

Tuesday, December 2 Psalms 33; 146 Isaiah 1:21–31 1 Thessalonians 2:1–12 Luke 20:9–18

Tuesday, December 9 Psalms 33; 146 Isaiah 5:18–25 1 Thessalonians 5:12–28 Luke 21:29–38

Tuesday, December 16 Psalms 33; 146 Isaiah 9:2–7 2 Peter 1:12–21 Luke 22:54–69

Monday, December 22 Psalms 122; 145 Isaiah 31:1–9 Revelation 21:22–22:5 Luke 1:39–48a (48b–56)

Sunday, December 28

1st Sunday after Christmas Day

Psalms 2; 150 Isaiah 62:6–7, 10–12 Hebrews 2:10–18 Matthew 1:18–25

Tuesday, December 23 Psalms 33; 146 Monday, December 29 Isaiah 33:17–22 Revelation 22:6–11, 18–20 Psalms 96; 145 Isaiah 12:1–6 Luke 1:57–66 Revelation 1:1–8 Wednesday, December 3 Wednesday, December 10 Wednesday, December 17 Wednesday, December 24 John 7:37–52 Christmas Eve Psalms 50; 147:1–11 Psalms 50; 147:1–11 Psalms 50; 147:1–11 Tuesday, December 30 Psalms 50; 147:1–11 Isaiah 2:1–4 Isaiah 6:1–13 Isaiah 9:8–17 Psalms 93; 146 Isaiah 35:1–10 1 Thessalonians 2:13–20 2 Thessalonians 1:1–12 2 Peter 2:1–10a Isaiah 25:1–9 Revelation 22:12–17, 21 Luke 20:19–26 John 7:53–8:11 Mark 1:1–8 Revelation 1:19–20 Luke 1:67–80 John 7:53–8:11 Thursday, December 4 Thursday, December 11 Thursday, December 18 Thursday, December 25 Psalms 18:1–20; 147: Psalms 18:1–20; 147:12–20 Psalms 18:1–20; Wednesday, December 31 Nativity of Jesus Christ/ 12–20 Isaiah 7:1–9 147:12–20 Christmas Day Psalms 98; 147:1–11 Isaiah 2:5–22 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12 Isaiah 11:1–9 Psalms 2; 147:12–20 Evening: Pss. 45; 96 1 Thessalonians 3:1–13 Luke 22:1–13 Ephesians 6:10–20 Zechariah 2:10–13 Isaiah 26:1–6 Luke 20:27–40 John 3:16–21 1 John 4:7–16 2 Corinthians 5:16–6:2 Friday, December 12 John 3:31–36 John 8:12–19 Friday, December 5 Friday, December 19 Psalms 102; 148 Psalms 102; 148 Isaiah 7:10–25 Psalms 102; 148 Friday, December 26 Isaiah 3:1–4:1 2 Thessalonians 2:13–3:5 Isaiah 11:10–16 Psalms 116; 148 1 Thessalonians 4:1–12 Luke 22:14–30 Revelation 20:1–10 2 Chronicles 24:17–22 Luke 20:41–21:4 John 5:30–47 Acts 6:1–7 Saturday, December 13 Acts 7:59–8:8 Saturday, December 6 Saturday, December 20 Psalms 90; 149 Psalms 90; 149 Isaiah 8:1–15 Psalms 90; 149 Saturday, December 27 Isaiah 4:2–6 2 Thessalonians 3:6–18 Isaiah 28:9–22 Psalms 34; 149 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 Luke 22:31–38 Revelation 20:11–21:8 Prov. 8:22–30 Luke 21:5–19 Luke 1:5–25 1 John 5:1–12 Sunday, December 14 John 13:20–35 3rd Sunday of Advent Sunday, December 7 Sunday, December 21 2nd Sunday of Advent Psalms 24; 150 4th Sunday of Advent Psalms 24; 150 Isaiah 13:1–13 Psalms 24; 150 Isaiah 5:1–7 Hebrews 12:18–29 Isaiah 29:9–24 2 Peter 3:11–18 John 3:22–30 Revelation 21:9–21 Luke 7:28–35 Luke 1:26–38