One of the greatest American Gospel singer-songwriters of our time, Andrae Crouch, wrote one of his greatest hymns over forty years ago, called MY TRIBUTE. I am sure many of you have heard or seen him or others perform it. Here it is in all of its simplicity: How can I say thanks for the things You have done for me, things so undeserved, yet You gave to prove Your love for me. The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude. All that I am and ever hope to be, I owe it all to Thee. Just let me live my life, Let it be pleasing, Lord, to Thee, and if I gain any praise, let it go to Calvary. With His blood He has saved me. With His power He has raised me. To God be the glory for the things He has done. To God be the glory, To God be the glory, To God be the glory, for the things He has done. With His blood He has saved me, With His power He has raised me. To God be the glory, for the things He has done. “How can I say thanks…?” articulates one of the great themes of the Christian Faith and Living, namely that as we come to know and experience the grace of God at work in our lives, in His church and in the world, we will want to respond with gratitude. As your pastor, I believe it is the primary motivation for all Christian stewardship, which is why it is the theme for the month of November as we at NLPC focus on our Christian lives and the call to be faithful stewards of all God has given to us, beginning with the gift of His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ. The Grace of God is another way of saying how God has gifted (graced) us in life…to ask how God has richly given us what we need to live life His way. We tend to think what we have in life, we have earned. Yet even the possibility of earning anything is made possible by God. Think about it. Even the next breath we take is a gift made possible by God, let alone all the other “stuff” of life. Gratitude is really “the attitude of gratitude” lived out as a response of thanksgiving to God. It is to ask God and ourselves “how do I say thanks for all the things YOU have done for me, things so undeserved, yet you gave to prove your love for me?” We are debtors who owe God not just something but everything! For all that we have been given, (graced with) we are only stewards, caretakers of the things of God. Time. Abilities. Monies. And More! I know God is doing a lot in your life, my life and the life of this church. God is also doing a lot in the world around us and wants us to be part of it! The question is, “Do we see it? Do we hear it? Do we want to be part of it? Do we want to invest in it?” There is a hope with a future that God desires for us here at NLPC and every one of us have a role and a responsibility in that future. Ask yourself “how is God calling me to invest my life, my possessions, my abilities in the work of the Kingdom of God centered here at NLPC?” Come each Sunday in November to discover how God is calling you to participate and invest in the worship, ministry and mission of NLPC. As we enter this season of giving---Thanksgiving and Christmas---ask what you are being called to give to God and to His Church. As God has blessed and graced you, may each of you and may we together seek to discover the many ways we may bless others by living lives characterized by gratitude and thanksgiving. Together in Christ Jesus Pastor Bryan Burton

CROSS

CURRENTS November 2013, Published Monthly

VOLUME 20, ISSUE 11

Friends of ours who go away for the summer hire someone to look after their

property while they are gone. As a result, you would never know the house is empty. The yard stays manicured, the bushes trimmed, there is a car in the driveway, and lights go on and off automatically.

As I was thinking about this the other day, it dawned on me that this is why God needs us—to take care of things while He is away. That’s right. We are caretakers of God’s stuff—both tangible and intangible. What a responsibility! How are we doing here at NLPC? Here’s a partial update:

I am thrilled by the overflow of activity in our youth ministry. Have you heard? We are drawing kids from all over. They are telling others and bringing them. A recent Wednesday night drew some 65 students—so many that we have had to move the program from the Youth Building into Fellowship Hall!

I am thrilled by the sound of our chancel choir. We are gelling. You will be hearing more and better things from our wonderful music department in the weeks and months ahead. More variety. More quality. More exuberance as befits a growing, caring church.

I am thrilled by the uptick in intergenerational programming. Once a month we share lunch together in Fellowship Hall and then form a line to help assemble KidsPack food kits. Once a month we fill the place with volunteers who help with our wonderful Buddy Break program for special needs children. NLPC is truly a household for all ages. I hope you know how welcome you are!

What else can we do? Here are some ideas:

Talk it over! Tell people what Jesus is doing here. Invite them to sing in our choir, ring the Salvation Army kettle bells with you in December, or join you for brunch after worship.

Pray it over! Let your to-do list double as a prayer list. With God, all things are possible. Stay in touch with him. He may have solutions you never thought of.

Turn it over! When your burden gets too heavy, put it down. Some of us are carrying loads only Jesus can bear. Put them down, and your church work will seem lighter.

Thankful for you all, I look forward to seeing you soon!

Brian Dill

CHURCH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Jean Balliet, Ken Clawson, Janet Dain, Bill Evans, Mary Hartinger, Lenice Jackson, Betty Litterst, Ed Luddeke, Herman & Olive Maas, JoAnn McClure, Evelyn Peeples, George Scheidig, Ray Spirnock, Ralph Taylor, Peggy Trenton, Susan Wiedenman...

THE CHURCH Every visitor; every household; our pastors, elders, and staff; our mission-aries in Brazil; the church wherever gathered…

LOCAL, REGIONAL, NATIONAL, WORLD

The unemployed… the unborn the unchurched…

The discouraged… Peace along bor-ders… Presbyterians in Mission… Peace in our streets...Law Enforce-ment agencies…the hungry and the

homeless...Presbytery of Tampa Bay, The Middle East...

THOSE SERVING IN THE MILITARY Joshua Berrian (Army)

Justin Berrian (National Guard) Shawn Coniglio (Navy)

Kegan Davis (Afghanistan) Rolanda Findlay (Afghanistan)

Mathew Scott Harreld (N. Carolina) Jeff Hodge (Germany)

Don Ott (Army) Brett Sammis (England)

Jeremy Taylor (Army) Seth Taylor (N. Carolina) Anni Taylor (N. Carolina)

Joshua Barker (Navy)

11/1 Chris Goers Shari Nusbaum Susan Wiedenman 11/2 Terry Tucker Carol Vantoorn 11/3 BJ Mikel 11/4 Ron Litts Jerry Miller Harry Schneider IV Luke Warshaw 11/5 Evelyn Houston 11/7 Harry Love 11/8 Gary Cox Wilma Crossan 11/9 Ted Fisk

11/12 Harry Schneider 11/13 Ron Ferguson Ken Murray 11/14 Brian Murray Gwen Rogerson Lauren Shearin 11/15 John Johnson 11/16 Douglas Crossan Joanna Stover 11/17 Artie Maire Sarah Schneider 11/18 Steven Brooks Pat Light Cindy Thielemann 11/19 Ava Love Michelle Morgan 11/21 Donna Chevalier Vicki Stevens

11/22 Ayden Murray Carolyn Porter

11/23 Garrett Lawson 11/25 Charles Huber Tracie Williams 11/26 Kiara Helm Betty Martin Betty Wilson 11/27 Kaitlyn Beasley Ray Porter June Priest 11/29 Gideon Beytell Jeff Earley 11/30 Evelyn Peeples

11/1 David & Kim Hovey Al & JoAnn McClure 11/3 Rick & Rhonda Nelson 11/5 Mike & Kelley Schuler 11/6 Charles & Helen Berrian 11/7 Jeff & Patty Hodge Ryan & Leslie Welshans 11/10 Ted & Jean Johnston Les & Marge Sulzer 11/11 Tom & Desiree Booth Bill & Audrey Schramm 11/18 Ken & Harriet Douglass 11/19 Bill & Nancy McKinnis 11/24 Dick & Ginny Barker 11/25 Brandy & Janet High 11/26 Ted & Peg Fisk 11/27 Bill & Artie Maire 11/28 Bob & Mary Olson

ANNIVERSARIES NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS &

G ood Shepherd Hospice holds an open-ended Grief Support Group at NLPC in the Hospitality Room the second and fourth Monday of each month 10:30 a.m. till noon. Sessions will continue on November 11th and 25th. This is free for anyone in the community who has lost a loved one. Participants should register with Angel at 968-1739, and may attend as many sessions as you wish. Counselor will be Shirley Johnson. For further information ask Angel or contact Marty Dickey at 686-2891.

Prayer Shawl Ministry This poem, written by our own Sue Burnett, says it all.

A Knitter’s Prayer

Dear God, I knit the colors of your world:

The flowers and trees, the skies and seas, Mountains high and valleys low;

Summer’s rain and winter’s snow. Thank you for your gifts from above,

And blessing this prayer shawl with your love. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Thanks to generous donations, yarn and instructions are available to anyone who would like to participate in this compassionate ministry. Contact Nancy Fisher following the 9:00 service or call her at 863-858-1163.

O U R P R A Y E R G U I D E

Happy 100th Birthday

Dr. Jim Harmon!

October 31, 2013

Congregational Care Corner

“Beloved, let us love one another…” I John 4:7, 8.

North Lakeland Presbyterian Church 6725 N Socrum Loop Road Lakeland, FL 33809-6134 Ph: 863-853-9541 Fx: 863-816-0618 Email us at: office.nlpc@verizon.net

PLEASE NOTE: To help save on costs (postage, paper, ink, etc.) we encourage you

to receive your Cross Currents by e-mail. Please call 863.853.9541 or e-mail

office.nlpc@verizon.net Cross Currents is also available on our

website www.nlpchurch.org

OUR MISSION

Our purpose as a congregation is to serve God through worship and to provide an innovative environment for growth and fellowship, in order to go into the world as disciples of Jesus Christ.

The Hope Center for the homeless is a home that was refurbished by Kathleen Baptist Church for homeless people living in the nearby woods. It has become a joint mission outreach between Kathleen Baptist Church, Gibsonia Baptist Church, North Lakeland Presbyterian Church and other churches

who have joined us or will do so shortly, in providing a temporary means for those in our community who find themselves without a place to call “HOME.” Located on US 98North at Marcum Road, the Hope Center provides a place to shower, have a good meal, charge cell phones, and pick up food and necessary clothing. Hope Center

volunteers seek to glorify God by meeting the needs of the poorest in a manner that will point them to Jesus, change lives, and result in disciples with dynamic testimonies. Hope Center is a “point of contact” facility that enables us to minister to those with the most needs spiritually, physically, and emotionally. We have a number of people who are contributing and preparing meals but we could use additional help. We also need more volunteers to assist at Hope Center. For more information please contact Bob Burnett at 863-248-4240.

There are over 2,400 Hungry Home-less Students in Polk County schools today.

Stay after the fellowship meal and we will show you how to help to feed them. It’s easy and it’s edifying!

Hope Center Home

Photos at left

Top-Marcia Nicoletti serves lunch. Middle- A Hope Center guest starts a load of laundry. Bottom-Bob Burnett distributes a “to go” bag of food from the pantry.

New All-Volunteer Nursery Team

Thank you to these caregivers who will

be working in pairs to care for our

babies & toddlers on a Sunday morning

rotation: Caroline Burton, Donna

Schuldt, Debbie McPherson, Tyra

Nelson, Wendy Setterberg, Rose Shellinger, Karen

Temple, Lisa Tucker, Leslie Welshans, More are

we l c ome ! Co n t a c t E v e l y n M c M u l l e n :

emcmullen.nlpc@verizon.net or 944-3047. Training

Sunday, Nov. 3 at 10:05 a.m. in Room 4.

We are grateful for Tracy Andrews’ work as Nursery

Coordinator during our transition period.

New in November New Nursery Team

Christmas Music Practice Begins

Lord’s Prayer Lessons

All God’s Kidz Play-ground!

Calling all Elementary Kids! We

will be singing 2 songs during the

Christmas Eve Family Service

(5 p.m.). Practice starts Sunday,

October 27 from 10:10—10:40

a.m. in the Youth Bldg. and/or

during Wednesday Kidz.

Contact Kathie Cooper:

863-853-2840 Children’s Church kids learn Lord’s Prayer during November.

Copies of the lessons will be on the

church website: nlpchurch.org for anyone

who would like to have a family-faith time at home. Do you know…

For Wednesday Kidz we have 17 4th & 5th graders and 18 K-3rd grade children

Wednesday Kidz have moved to the Youth Building

Can you share a hobby with K-

3rd graders on a Wednesday

from 6:30—7:00pm?

Contact Evelyn McMullen

863-944-3047

Growing Children in Christ

Building Strong Homes of Faith @ NLPC

Buddy Break Kids enjoy the new playground.

When preparing for a trip, we usually have a destination in mind, choose our transportation, pack our bags, and pray that all goes well. Sometimes the unexpected parts of our journey are pleasant surprises, sometimes they are a nightmare.

Our journey as Christian disciples begins by answering Jesus’ call to “Come, Follow Me.” The journey is made both easier and more challenging by our traveling companions. But Community is necessary for disciples. Through Worship we celebrate God’s presence with us on our journey. Learning comes both through intentional preparation and Spirit-led response to the unexpected

turns in our route. Through Serving God’s people along the way, our Christian discipleship begins to bear fruit .

The Christian Education Committee of NLPC is shifting focus to become the Discipleship Ministry Team. And this isn’t just about new language. I welcome this shift because it reminds us that Jesus brought transformation, not information. During the coming year we will be strengthening our discipleship opportunities through Community, Worship, Learning, and Serving. I invite you to consider this question, “How are you being called to grow as an adult disciple of Jesus Christ?”

Blessings, Evelyn McMullen

Community & Learning on Sunday mornings: 9:00—10:00 a.m. Discipleship App for Parents—Youth Building—led by Ryan Welshans

10:05—10:40 a.m. Friendship Class—Room 7—led by Vicky Odem

10:30—11:30 a.m. Digging Deeper—Fellowship Hall - led by Pastor Dill

10:30—11:30 a.m. Nearing Home by Billy Graham—Church Library, led by Marjorie York

Community & Learning on Weekdays These weekly groups all welcome new folks!

Mondays: 8:30 a.m. Women @ Panera Bread 6:30 p.m. “Mondays for Me” - Marjorie York’s home 2413 Big Cypress Blvd. Tuesdays: 6:30 a.m. Men’s Bible Study for Early Risers—Room 7 8:45 a.m. Men’s Roundtable Bible Study Room 4 Wednesdays: 6:00 p.m. “Foundation Builders” in Hospitality Room, led by Terry Tucker Thursdays: 11:00 a.m. Women’s Bible Study, - 1st Corinthians - Hospitality Room led by Evelyn McMullen

Monthly Community & Learning

In the Hospitality Room

“There’s a place for you!” Presbyterian Women Circles:

An Abiding Hope: The Presence of God in Exodus & Deuteronomy

Faith Circle—

1st Tuesdays

9:30 a.m. Nov. 5

Hope Circle—

2nd Thursdays

1:30 p.m. Nov. 14

Circle books are available in the church office for $8.80

A REMINDER ABOUT THE PRIVILEGES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF

CHURCH MEMBERSHIP AT NLPC

In recent times there have been significant conversations about church membership here at NLPC. As we will be having an-other new members class in October, with several people wanting to join us in the worship, ministry and mission here at NLPC, The Presbyterian Church (USA) Book of Order gives some great direction (see G-1.03 The Membership of a Con-gregation). Here are the highlights (paraphrased):

1. The Meaning of Membership and Baptism: In Jesus Christ, God calls people to faith and to membership in the Church. Baptism is the entry way into church membership. The Baptism of Children affirms that God’s love claims people before they can respond in faith. The Baptism of those who enter membership on their public profession of Christian faith affirms that God’s gift of grace invites a response of faith. The triune God, incarnate in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, gives to the Church its mission and its understanding of membership.

2. Welcome and Openness: The Church is called to welcome all persons who trust in God’s grace in Jesus Christ and desire to become part of the fellowship and ministry of His Church….The Gospel leads members to extend the fel-lowship of Christ to all persons and a failure to do so is a rejection of Christ himself and causes a scandal to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

3. Entry into Membership: Persons become members of a local congregation through 1). A public profession of faith made after a careful examination by the session concerning the meaning and responsibilities of church membership. If not already baptized, they will be baptized into membership. 2.) Certificate of transfer from another church where the person is already a member in good standing. 3.) Reaffirmation of Christian Faith from a person who has already been baptized and have publicly professed their Christian Faith.

4. The Ministry of Church Members: Membership in the Church of Jesus Christ is a joy and a privilege. It is also a commitment to participate in Christ’s mission. A faithful member bears witness to God’s love and grace and promis-es to be involved responsibly in the ministry of the church. Such involvement includes:

*Proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ in Word and Deed. *Taking part in the common life and worship of the congregation. *Lifting one another up in prayer, mutual concern and active support. *Studying Scripture and the issues of Christian Faith and Life. *Supporting the Ministry of the Church through the Giving of Money, Time and Talents. *Demonstrating a New Quality of Life within and through the Church. *Responding to God’s Activity in the World through service to others. *Living Responsibly in personal, family, vocational, political, cultural and social relationships. *Working in the World for Peace, Justice, Freedom and Human Fulfillment. *Participating in the Governing Responsibility of the Church. *Reviewing and Evaluating regularly the integrity of one’s membership and Considering ways in which one’s

participation in the worship and service of the Church may be increased and made more meaningful.

Please take some time to pray, reflect, review, evaluate and consider what church membership at NLPC means to you and how you are being called by God to live more deeply into being a member at NLPC. And if you are not yet a member, you are invited to consider joining us in the journey into the future here.

Pastor Bryan Burton

2014 Per Capita Presbytery $15.75 Synod $1.45 GA $7.02

Total $24.22 Per Member

Offering Envelopes will be available in the narthex hallway Sunday November 17 through to the end of the year. You will notice the envelopes are NOT numbered and everyone will receive 52 envelopes. Your name, address, and envelope number will be on the outside of the box. Please make sure you write your envelope number on the envelope before placing it in the offering plate. If you do not see your envelopes on the table in the narthex hallway, please contact the office at 863-853-9541.

Salvation Army Red Kettle Bell Ringing funds year-round

emergency assistance for people in our community. NLPC will be ring-ing at the Plantation Square Publix

on these dates:

Monday, December 2 thru Saturday, December 7 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sign-up sheets will be available in the narthex beginning November 17th. Gertie Smart can answer any questions you may have (gsmart@crayfish.com). Please join us in offering hope to people in need in our community!

Angel Tree Gift Tags will be on

the tree in the mission corner November 24. Gift requests may be selected for Anchor House teenage boys, three families of the Beth-El Farmworkers Ministry church, and several children in our church family. Instructions are on the tags. Gifts need to be returned to the church by Sunday, December 15. Thank you for sharing love and hope with these families in need! Contact Leslie Jamesson at 853-9258.

Gifts of Love order forms will be available Sunday,

November 24 in the Mission Corner and church office. If you would like to make a financial contribution to one of NLPC’s missions in honor of friends or family, you can select the mission item and the amount you would like to give. A Christmas card is available for you to send to friends or relatives telling them that a donation has been made in their name. Anchor House, Buddy Break, Beth-El Farmworker Ministry, Good Samaritan, KidsPack, and Hope Center.

.

Thanksgiving Eve Service: Wednesday, November 27, at

7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary

Thanksgiving Day Dinner: Thursday, November 28. at

1:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall

Office will be closed Monday, November 11 (Veteran’s Day)

and Friday, November 29.

Christmas Concert: Friday, December 6, at 7:00 p.m.

Christmas Luncheon: Sunday, December 8, at noon.

Christmas Eve Services: Tuesday, December 24, at 5:00 p.m.

(family) and 8:00 p.m. (late) STEWARDSHIP SERMON SERIES

IN NOVEMBER 2013

11/03/13 Grace and Gratitude #1 Stewardship Series Luke 17:11-19; 21:1-4 Jesus Heals 10 Lepers/The Widow’s Gift/A Grateful Life—Romans 12:1-13 The Great Thanksgiving Liturgy

Giving Thanks with Your Life 11/10/13 Grace and Gratitude #2 Stewardship Series Galatians 6:7-10 TIME: Making the Most of Every Opportunity Ephesians 5:15-20 Colossians 4:2-6 11/17/13 Grace and Gratitude #3 Stewardship Series Luke 19:1-27 Investing in the Kingdom AND in the Church 2 Corinthians 9:1-15 11/24/13 Grace and Gratitude #4 Stewardship Series Psalm 95 Being and Becoming A Community of Givers Exodus 35:30-36:7 Acts 4:32-5:11

NLPC INCOME & EXPENSE

SEPTEMBER INCOME EXPENSES $ 45,958.72 $ 58,237.90 YEAR-TO-DATE $447,508.17 $493,713.25

Meet at the Manger DRIVE-THRU NATIVITY

Come journey with us!

Sunday December 22

6-8 P.M. NORTH LAKELAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OUTDOOR PRESENCE

CONSIDER YOURSELF...INVITED! Prime Timers gather for a meal on the third Sunday evening of each month. Prime Timers

will meet November 17th at 4:30 p.m. at Blackstone’s for dinner. To make a reservation, contact our host Mike and Rosalie Pulcino at 816-4715 or fill out a yellow pew card and place it in the offering plate.

Glowing Embers is a senior fellowship group that meets the second Tuesday of each month for lunch. On

November 12th, Glowing Embers will meet at 11:30 a.m. at Applebee’s. Please call Ann Holzer at 683-5065 or fill out a yellow pew card so reservations can be made.

Faith & Fiction Wednesday November 20th at 11:30 a.m. in the Hospitality room. This book club meets once

a month and you all are welcome! Just bring your lunch. Coffee and dessert are provided. Please try us out! Contact Barbara Phillips at 858-8968. November 20th: And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini December 18th: Cross Roads by Wm. Paul Young

Church Family Thanksgiving Dinner

Thursday, November 28 at 1 pm NLPC Fellowship Hall

Would you like to join others for a pot-luck

Church Family Thanksgiving Dinner? Mark your calendars for Thanksgiving Day

Sign up in the narthex beginning October 27th, for a dish you can bring.

(If you don’t want to cook, make a donation for the turkey and fixins!)

Invite a friend or neighbor who might enjoy this gathering.

Come enjoy old friends and new friends! Contact: Tony Crouch at 863-858-0365

Annual Church Family

Catered Christmas Dinner

December 8th at 12:00 p.m. in

the Fellowship Hall. Turkey or Ham. Adults $9.00, Children $5.00. Tickets on sale now in the church office or on Sundays in the narthex.

Contact Donna Haas 683-4535 Kelli Forman 937-3228

Volunteer opportunities are always available in Congregational Care: Make the flower vases for shut-ins... Help with memorial receptions… Drive the bus to pick up members and friends who can no longer drive. If interested in helping, please contact Diane Davis at 859-7121 or Gertie Smart at 859-1859. Thank you!

Sunday, December 1 we will be decorating the Fellowship Hall from 4 to 6 p.m. Please help us celebrate the season! Bring cookies to share. Hot chocolate will be provided.

NLPC Golf Fellowship Saturday, November 16 at

Green Valley CC. First tee time is 11:00 a.m. Greens fee is $29.00. Contact Ron Sallada at 863-604-5924 or ronsallada2@verizon.net.

November 2013

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 6pm»Girl Scout Troop 653-Rm 7 7:30pm»AA-YB

2

3 9am»Worship 9am»Sunday School 10:45am»Sun School 10:45am»Worship 12pm»Nursery Training-Rm 4

4

6pm»High School Group-YB 6:30pm»Monday for Me 6:45pm»Boy Scouts #774-FH 7pm»Worship Band

5 6:30am»Men’s Bible Study Rm 7 8:45am»Men’s Bible Study-Rm 4 9:30am»Faith Cir-HR 10am»Staff Mtg Rm7 5pm»Hand Bells 6pm»Admin-Rm 7 7pm»Cub Scts-all bldgs.

6 9:30am»NLWBS-HR 3pm»The Village 6pm»Youth-FH 6pm»Wed. Kidz -YB 6pm»Foundation Bldrs-HR 7pm»Chancel Choir

7

11am»Bible Study-HR 6pm»Mission/Evang-Rm 4

8

7:30pm»AA-YB

9 9:30am»HOA-FH 11am»Golf Fellowship 12pm»HOA-FH

10 9am»Worship 9am»Sunday School 10:45am»Sun School 10:45am»Worship 12pm»CE Meeting-Rm 4

11 Veterans Day

Office Closed

12 6:30am»Men’s Bible Study-Rm7 8:45am»Men’s Bible Study-Rm 4 10am»Staff Mtg 11:30am»Glowing Embers 6pm»Hand Bells 7pm»Cub Scts-all rms

13 9:30am»NLWBS-HR 3pm»The Village 6pm»Youth-FH 6pm»Wed. Kidz -YB 6pm»Foundation Bldrs-HR 6pm»Worship Mtg 7pm»Chancel Choir

14 11am»Bible Study-HR 1:30pm»Hope Cir-HR 6pm»Girl Sct Ldr Mtg-FH 6:30pm»HOA-Rm 7 7pm»Cub Scout leader Mtg-YB

15 6pm»Girl Scout Troop 653-Rm 7 8pm»AA-YB

16 10am»Buddy Break 10am»Baby Shower-YB

17 9am»Worship 9am»Sunday School 10:45am»Sun School 10:45am»Worship 12pm»Meals & Mission-FH 4:30pm»PrimeTmr

18 6pm»HS Group-YB 6:30pm»Monday for Me 6:45pm»Boy Scouts #774-FH 7pm»Worship Band 7pm»Children’s Ministry Mtg-Rm 7

19 6:30am»Men’s Bible Study-Rm7 8:45am»Men’s Bible Study-Rm 4 10am»Staff Mtg 6pm»Hand Bells 7pm»Cub Scts-all rms

20 9:30am»NLWBS-HR 11:30am»Faith & Fiction-HR 3pm»Village 6pm»Youth-FH 6pm»Wed. Kidz -YB 6pm»Foundation Bldrs-HR

21 11am»Bible Study-HR 6:30»Session-Rm 7

22 7:30pm»AA-YB

23

24 9am»Worship 9am»Sunday School 10:45am»Sun School 10:45am»Worship

25 10am»Good Shepherd Hos-HR 6pm»HS Group-YB 6:30pm»Monday for Me 6:45pm»Boy Scouts #774-FH 7pm»Worship Band

26 6:30am»Men’s Bible Study-Rm7 8:45am»Men’s Bible Study-Rm 4 10am»Staff Mtg 6pm»Hand Bells 7pm»Cub Scts-all rms

27 9:30am»NLWBS-HR 7pm»Thanksgiving Eve Service-Sanctuary

28Thanksgiving

1pm»Thanksgiving Dinner-FH

29 Office

Closed 7:30pm»AA Meet-YB

30

The Call to Thanksgiving from Presidents Washington and Lincoln

A PROCLAMATION of General Thanksgiving

By the 1st PRESIDENT of the United States Of America-George Washington

WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be

grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Con-

gress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY

OF PUBLICK THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many

and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form

of government for their safety and happiness:"

NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be

devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent

author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our

sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their

becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in

the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we

have since enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Con-

stitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately institut-

ed;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and

diffusing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased

to confer upon us.

And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord

and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;-- to enable us all,

whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to

render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just,

and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns

and nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments,

peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of

science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity

as he alone knows to be best.

GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thou-

sand seven hundred and eighty-nine. (signed) G. Washington

A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America-Abraham Lincoln (1863)

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful

skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which

they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to pene-

trate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty

God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to for-

eign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has

been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except

in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and

navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the

national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of

our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more

abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been

made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augment-

ed strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human

counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of

the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It

has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as

with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every

part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set

apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent

Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly

due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national

perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans,

mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently im-

plore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as

may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hun-

dred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

(signed) the 16th President of The United States of America---Abraham Lincoln