DECEMBER Newsletter 2017

West New Bern Presbyterian Church1701 Lucerne Way, New Bern, NC 28560 http://www.westnewbernpc.com Office: (252) 638-1005Email: office@westnewbernpc.com

FROM THE PASTORIt’s the most wonderful timeYes, the most wonderful timeOh, the most wonderful time

Of the yearThe lyrics of this Christmas song made popular by

Andy Williams sums up well the feelings so many of us experience during this time of the year. It’s triple-time beat and party theme lyrics always make me feel surrounded by loved ones and candy the second I first hear it. It’s a social song, reminding us of all the things we tend to do with and for each other during the Christmas season: jingle belling, calling friends, party hosting, marshmallow toasting, caroling out in the snow. While not all of us witness the snow part, it still seems to be an image associated with the “good cheer” everyone is telling us to be a part of, as the song suggests. Similar to the song, the season of Advent is reminding us of the, “most wonderful news!” Emmanuel will soon be here— for that we must prepare.

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December BirthdaysDec. 1 – Fred Cornford

Dec. 6 - Walter Powell

Dec. 10 – Jane Armstrong

Dec. 20 – David Fuentes

Dec. 21 – Betty Harrison

Dec. 24 – Janet Stewart

Dec. 26 – Jim Slaughter

Dec. 27 – Teresa Wah

December Anniversaries

Dec. 19 – Bob & Gera Howe

Special DaysDec. 24 – Christmas Eve

Dec. 25 – Christmas Day

I have always loved preparing for Christmas. I love going to church and participating in the Hanging of the Greens, listening to Christmas music, and looking at lights. My best friend and I raised extra holiday money by hanging Christmas lights for neighbors. I would even play my mom’s two Christmas CDs and put on joyful concerts for my cats and dog. All of this was in preparation for the big day, December 25. On Christmas morning I’d run down the hallway, waking up everyone. I was overfilled with expectation for my gifts, and I was never disappointed. I’d make sure to play with every single toy that day and wear all my new clothing at once; I was in complete ecstasy. I understand that my memories of Christmas are pretty materialistic, and I’d even admit that they are far from the traditional purpose of observing the season of Advent. However, that childlike anticipation for hope, peace, joy, and love bursting through our hearts is. Advent is a time of waiting. Before Christ, the Israelites were waiting for liberation from the rule of other empires. Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah often spoke of that one who will come and bring salvation to the Hebrew people. This tradition of waiting has been passed down, and it has changed a bit; there are some blurry lines between us celebrating Advent and being held captive by the secular powers of the holiday. However, the outward expression of hospitality remains the same: we seek to bring good cheer and joy to our neighbors. We seek to spread a message of peace, hope, and love. At Christmas, we try to share our very best selves with the world. Some of the last few parables we’ve explored together in worship warn us not to sit around and wait for the day of Judgement, basking in the glory of our salvation. Instead, Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew is encouraging us to be active in our faith, using the gifts God gives us to participate in God’s reconciliation. As a church, we’re challenged to live out the gospel in our daily lives as a community. So as we celebrate the holiday, and as we wait for Christ, let us also think of the ways we can prepare ourselves for the coming King.

Overview of Advent: Feasting on the Word Advent Companion

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Advent, which marks the beginning of a new church year, begins four Sundays prior to Christmas Day. It can be as long as twenty-eight days, if December 25 falls on a Sunday, or as short as twenty-two days, if December 25 falls on a Monday, making Christmas Eve the fourth Sunday of Advent. During the Advent season, the church prepares for the coming of Christ. Even as we make ready for the baby to be born in Bethlehem, the themes and texts explored during Advent take us beyond the birth, and even beyond the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, to a new moment of expectancy as the Day of Christ approaches, and the reign of God is made fully manifest. People who “faint from fear and foreboding” (Luke 21:26) intrude on our sanitized image of the manger scene in Luke 2, revealing the complexity of Advent’s scope. It may seem strange and uncomfortable for some in the congregation to begin Advent with weeping and laments, but it is a discomfort with meaning. It is where we need to begin. The coming of Advent jolts the church out of Ordinary Time with the invasive news that it is time to think about fresh possibilities for deliverance and human wholeness. Peace is at the heart of the promise born at Advent, but it is difficult to arrive there safely and without becoming vulnerable along the way. It is difficult to set out on the journey without repentance and forgiveness. At Advent, God’s people summon the courage and the spiritual strength to remember that the holy breaks into the daily. In tiny ways, we can open our broken hearts to the healing grace of God, who opens the way to peace. May that peace come upon us as a healing balm, as a mighty winter river, gushing and rushing through the valleys of our prideful fear and our own self-righteous indignation. Advent is not a season for passive waiting and watching. It is a season of wailing and weeping, of opening up our lives and our souls with active anticipation and renewed hope.David L. Bartlett, Barbara Brown Taylor & Kimberly Bracken Long. Feasting on the Word Advent Companion: A Thematic Resource for Preaching and Worship . Westminster John Knox Press.

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HEALTH POINTS

One of the sayings from our grandparents is “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”  In a related article, Prevention magazine has published an article on the subject of stress, long seen as a negative influence in our modern world. Not so fast, contends the author of “Stress can Make You Stronger.”  Turns out, your attitude about stress can determine whether the stressor builds a stronger “you” or not. The following points have to do with changing your mind about stress; the full article is on the door of the parish nurse office, across from the library).  1.  Acknowledge it:  List the unproductive actions you take when you’re stressed (raid the refrigerator).  Use this to recognize what’s happening.  Name the stressor (too much work for the time frame).  This shifts the stressor out of the brain’s fear center to more conscious areas like the prefrontal cortex, where you exert more control. 2.  Welcome it:  Avoiding stress increases anxiety and worry.  Note that the more stressed you are the more you care about the issues involved – you are a caring, engaged person, not a shallow one.  Now – reform some of the feelings – the jitters before public speaking can be seen as excitement; the worry about a diagnosis can spur you to research so you know more.3.  Use it:  Does your response to the stress work against you or help you meet goals? Believing stress is helpful doesn’t change the facts, it only enables you to be a little more hopeful and confident.  It also may spur creativity to solve a problem and give you hope, which is good for your health.  

Condensed from Prevention, December 2017 “Stress can Make you Stronger” by Ginny Graves

Submitted by Mary B. Slaughter, RN, Parish Nurse

NOAH’S ARK PRESCHOOLIt is a time for love and a time for showing our gratitude.  With our Thanksgiving holiday behind us and the season of believing before us, Noah’s Ark would like to show our gratitude.

We are very blessed to have a wonderful staff, group of children, and church family to support us. We are truly grateful.  We encourage church members to attend our events to witness the joy of the children and the interaction with families. In December we will have our annual Christmas program with a visit from Santa Claus.  The children will spend all month learning songs of faith and traditional holiday songs as well.

Noah’s Ark wishes all church members a Merry Christmas and a big thank-you for all your support and contributions.

Your Sister in Christ,

Kelly Squires

Preschool Director

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NIFTY KNITTERS

The Nifty Knitters shipped a box to Appalachian Outreach in Glen Dale, WV. It included: a baby bunting, a child's pullover, 17 adult hats, 10 hat/scarf/mitten sets for children, plus a pair of booties, a baby hat, a skinny scarf and a pair of mittens!

COMMUNITY GARDEN STARTED!

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Thank you to all the volunteers who come to spread newspapers and unload hay! The Community Garden in underway!

THANK YOU!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the “Pounding” for David and Jeanne, and in the Fellowship Potluck meal! Both were wonderful times of food and fellowship!

NOTICES

A CHRISTMAS INVITATION

You are invited to be a part of the Advent Season by participating in the lighting of the Advent Wreath. This takes place during the worship service each Sunday in December and Christmas Eve. You can sign up as a family or with friends! The sign-up sheet is in the Narthex. Come and be a part of the celebration of Christmas!

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CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE

There will be a Christmas open house on Saturday, December 16th from 2-4pm. Bring your favorite goody to share and we will be caroling after the open house.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

CHRISTMAS DECORATING: On Saturday, December 2 at 9am the women of the church will gather to decorate the church for Christmas. Everyone is invited to help!

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN’S CIRCLE: On December 6th at 6pm the Women’s Circles will meet together for the Christmas program with the lesson taught by Pastor David. Bring your favorite salad or dessert.

CHRISTMAS PROJECT: The Presbyterian Women are sponsoring Noah’s Ark Preschool and Three Angels Orphanage as our Christmas projects. Wish lists for both are available in the Narthex. These items are needed:

Noah's Ark:white card stockclorox/lysol wipeshand soapWal-mart gift cardsMichael's gift cardsconstruction paperwhite copy paperbooks that are for toddler childrencoloring books

playground balls/buckets for sand playnon-latex gloves for diaper changing

Three Angels Orphanage:disposable diapers (all sizes)cloth diaperspowdered formulablanketbath items (wash cloths, bath gel, lotion)

RCS OUTREACH

Please join us in providing and sharing a meal with the residents of the homeless shelter at RCS. We will meet at RCS at 6:00pm on Saturday, December 16th. Contact Jennifer Miller, 876-5457, for more information.

CHRISTMAS CHEER FOR INJURED SOLIDERS

If anyone would like to send a bit of sheer to an injured soldier, cards may be sent to: A Recovering American Solider c/o Walter Reed Medical Center, 6900 George Ave., NW Washington CD 20307-5001.

EAT OUT FOR INTERFAITH REFUGEE MINISTRY

During this hectic holiday season, why not take a break from shopping and have a bite to eat at Panera? Show the flyer at the end of this newsletter from 4 to 8 p.m. on

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Thursday December 7th, and Panera will donate 20% of their proceeds to Interfaith Refugee Ministry. Thank you for helping us in our mission to assist legal refugees who arrive through our agency seeking to rebuild their lives in peace and safety.

LECTIONARY READINGS

Dec. 3 Dec. 10 Dec. 17 Dec. 24 Dec. 25 Dec. 311 st Sunday of

Advent

Isaiah 64:1-9

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Mark 13:24-37

2 nd Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 40:1-11

Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13

2 Peter 3:8-15a

Mark 1:1-8

3 rd Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

Psalm 126

1 Thessalonian

s 5:16-24

John 1:6-8, 19-28

4 th Sunday of Advent

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16

Luke 1:46b-55 or Psalm 89:1-4,

19-26

Romans 16:25-27

Luke 1:26-38

Nativity of the Lord

Isaiah 9:2-7

Psalm 96

Titus 2:11-14

Luke 2:1-14 [15-20]

Christmas Day

Isaiah 52:7-10

Psalm 98

Hebrews 1:1-4 [5-12]

John 1:1-14

1 st Sunday After

Christmas

Isaiah 61:10-62:3

Psalm 148

Galatians 4:4-7

Luke 2:22-40

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WORSHIP ASSISTANT SCHEDULE

Dec. 3 Dec. 10 Dec. 17 Dec. 24 Dec. 31

Elder of the Week Tonya Cedars Jeff Chittick Beth Doran Bob Griffin Lynn Lamont

Liturgist Beth DoranLynn Lamont

Beth DoranLynn Lamont

Beth DoranLynn Lamont

Beth DoranLynn Lamont

Beth DoranLynn Lamont

UshersTonya CedarsWhit MorganPat MorganTillie Jones

Whit MorganTrudy NelsonMike KelleyEric Cedars

Beth DoranWhit MorganPeggy CuddingtonRic Evans

Bob GriffinWhit MorganLynn LamontCarolyn Caton

Lynn LamontWhit MorganMike KelleyCharlene Gover

Communion Stewards

Tonya CedarsJeff ChittickBob GriffinLynn LamontJim Slaughter

Acolyte Esther Wu Samuel Ku Teresa Wah Aurora Glisson Robert Miller

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December 2017SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

26 27 28 29 30 1 2Fred Cornford 9:00am Hanging of

the Greens

3 4 5 6 7 8 99:15am Sunday School 10:30am Worship 1:30pm Myanmar Christian Fellowship (MCF)

7:00pm Karate Walter Powell6:00pm PW Christmas Program

9:30am Nifty Knitters 7:00pm Choir

10 11 12 13 14 15 169:15am Sunday School 10:30am Worship 1:30pm MCFJane Armstrong

7:00pm Karate 9:30am Nifty Knitters 7:00pm Choir

2:00pm Christmas Open House6:00pm RCS

17 18 19 20 21 22 239:15am Sunday School 10:30am Worship 1:30pm MCF

7:00pm Karate Bob & Gera Howe Anniversary

12:00 Lunch Group David Fuentes

9:30am Nifty Knitters 7:00pm Choir Betty Harrison

24 25 26 27 28 29 3010:30am Worship 1:30pm MCF5:00pm Christmas Eve Service Janet Stewart

CHRISTMAS DAY 7:00pm Karate Jim Slaughter

Teresa Wah 9:30am Nifty Knitters 7:00pm Choir

31 1 NOTES

10:30am Worship 1:30pm MCF

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