FYI: In This Issue

Church Events

Joys & Concerns

Worship Schedule

Dear Friend,

Christmas is officially upon us! For me (and other procrastinators) that means it's finally time to start Christmas shopping! Five days is plenty of time....right? Well maybe not. The thought of finding just the right gift is a daunting one! But there is one gift that everyone truly needs. It's a gift that fits everyone's budget. That is, the gift of truly knowing Jesus' love.

I acknowledge that it can be difficult to talk about our faith with those who don't have a relationship with Jesus, but Christmas is the perfect opportunity to share the gift of our faith! Even those who are usually resistant to faith often warm to the subject this time of year....if only for tradition's sake! So, have you considered who you might invite to the children's Christmas program this Sunday or who you might bring with you to services on Christmas Eve? I hope you will add this most important gift to the list as you finish your last minute shopping or if you're like me... as you are getting started! See you Sunday, Pastor Clint

Weekly Church Calendar Sunday, December 21

Fourth Sunday of Advent Child-Focused Sunday Hospitality in Café 8:30 a.m. Sanctuary Service at 9:00 a.m. Holiday Sing-a-Long in Sanctuary at 10:15 a.m. Caroling to Susan Hoffman at 10:25 a.m. Free Blood Pressure Screenings at 10:15 a.m. The Edge Christmas Service with Children's Program at 11:15 a.m.

Monday, December 22 Jump Start at 7:00 a.m. Men's Bible Study at 9:00 a.m.

Tuesday, December 23

Bodies in Motion at 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday, December 24 Christmas Eve Services at 4:30 and 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, December 25

Christmas Day, Office Closed

Friday, December 26 Deacon Poinsettia Deliveries at 9:00 a.m. Christmas Day, Office Closed

Saturday, December 27 Carl Theaker Funeral Service in Chapel at 3:00 p.m.

Save the Date: Unity Service and Congregational Meeting, Sunday, January 4

Joint Service with Search Lite Community Church, Sunday, January 18

The Edge Christmas Program

Sunday, December 21 at 11:15 a.m. A traditional Edge worship service including the children's Christmas program,"Sing a Song of Christmas," will be held in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, December 21. Invite your friends and relatives.

Christmas Eve Services

Wednesday, December 24 at 4:30 and 8:30 p.m. Oh come let us adore him on the eve before Christ was born. Experience our family-friendly service at 4:30 p.m. or worship with a special candlelight service at 8:30 p.m.

Both services will be held in the Sanctuary.

Read the Latest Session Minutes here.

Reverend Emily Mitchell Named Associate Pastor Rev. Emily Elspeth Mitchell, of Seattle, Washington has been named Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Maumee. Her appointment took place on Sunday, December 14 after a congregational vote. She will begin her position on Friday, January 2. Emily earned an undergraduate degree in Politics and Spanish Language Literature from Whitman College, in Walla Walla, Washington and a Master of Divinity degree from the Princeton

Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey. Her past experiences include service as a Pastoral Resident at Bellevue Presbyterian Church in Bellvue, Washington. While in seminary, she interned for two congregations. In these positions, she preached, led worship, provided pastoral care, lead trainings for lay leaders, organized and led youth and women's mission trips, worked with at risk youth and provided leadership to a house church ministry -- just to name a few. She also served two-years, mentoring youth and young adults on a Native American reservation in Washington. In her spare time Emily enjoys running, cooking, Masterpiece Theatre, exploring the great outdoors and spending time with friends. She looks forward to exploring Toledo's Metro Parks, shopping, exploring our local farmer's markets and getting to know her new church family.

Discipleship Classes to Resume Normal Schedule After the Holidays Due to the holidays, there will be no Sunday handbells or discipleship classes for adults and children until Sunday, January 11. Wednesday evening discipleship classes will resume on January 7 for all.

Calling all Carolers! On Sunday, December 21,we will carol to Susan Hoffman (mother of Sarah Otis). Members should meet at The Manor of Perrysburg, Room 64 (around back in the rehab unit), around 10:25. This is an earlier time than normal, so that carolers can return to church for the special Edge Service with the children. We will sing as close to 10:30 a.m. as possible. You can sing, hum, or just smile. We will sing a few familiar Christmas carols; and maybe a couple of our "year round" standards. No auditions are needed. The short time out of your morning will do Susana world of good, and you will leave feeling blessed as well. The Manor of Perrysburg is located at 250 Manor Drive in Perrysburg.

Unity Service and Congregational Meeting to Ring in the New Year On Sunday, January 4 we are hosting a Unity Service and a Congregational Meeting to usher God's mission at FPC into the new year. The 10:00 a.m. Unity Service will be held in the Sanctuary. Afterward, members are encouraged to fellowship at the Soup Luncheon, sponsored by the Youth Group. The Congregational Meeting, will follow as soon as all have started to eat.

The primary goal of the Congregational Meeting is to roll out and implement the congregation's newly-developed strategic priorities and mission statement. According to Pastor Clint, "During the congregational meeting, a summary of our strategic planning process will be offered as members will be encouraged to embrace our mission in the year ahead." Members will be encouraged to join one of three groups and work to add detail to the strategic priorities that have been identified. "These priorities will help us accomplish our mission," Clint said. The new mission statement for FPC is: The church family engaging each person to enrich our community for God's glory. The strategic priorities are: 1. Accomplishing our mission through the sharing of inspirational music. 2. Accomplishing our mission through the support of marriage and families. 3. Accomplishing our mission by mentoring children in the Maumee school district. Lastly, a congregational vote will be taken to reduce the size of Session as we intentionally build a leadership infrastructure that better supports our mission. Please make it a priority to join us on this important day as we live into the future of FPC together!

Youth Group Soup Luncheon is January 4 The annual Soup Luncheon fundraiser will take place after the 10:00 a.m. Unity Service on Sunday, January 4. Recipes to be included in the soup recipe cookbook are due Monday, December 22. The cookbook, will include all of your delicious recipes and

sold at the event. Proceeds will help fund youth mission trips and activities. Please forward your recipes to jarmstrong@fpcmaumee.org before the deadline.

Amy Braunschwiger Inducted Into Maume High School Hall of Fame Amy Braunschweiger, daughter of Ann and Ned Braunschweiger, will be inducted into the Maumee High School Hall of Fame Saturday, January 31, in a ceremony at the Brandywine Country Club. Amy was born into this church, baptized and confirmed here. She was graduated from MHS is 1993, and from Miami University, 1997, with a Bachelor of Arts in English and German. She is a journalist, writer, editor, author and international reporter. Amy presently writes "This week In Rights" for Human Rights Watch in New York, an organization which monitors the treatment of people, especially through governments, worldwide. Read More

Help us Gift an Ark for Christmas Join the Advent Conspiracy and honor your loved ones during the holidays with a gift that keeps on giving. With cost ranging from $20 to $850, there's practically a price-point for every budget. Giving information can be obtained on the information table in the Gathering Space. An offering will be taken at the Christmas Eve services.

Our Gift Ark Will Include

beehives

rabbits

ducks

flocks of chicks

sheep

goats

llamas

pigs

schools of fish

cows

water buffalo

donkeys

geese

oxen

guinea pigs

New City Catechism Question of the Week

NCC Q51: Of what advantage to us is

Christ's ascension?

Answer: Christ physically ascended on our behalf, just as he came down to earth physically on our account, and he is now advocating for us in the presence of his Father, preparing a place for us, and also sends us his Spirit.

Joys and Concerns

Dear friends,

Don and I would like to thank the many people who gave us condolences and sympathy cards over the loss of Katie, our beautiful 17 year-old granddaughter.

She and all of you remain in our hearts.

Joanne and Don Noethen

SYMPATHY OF THE CONGREGATION: Our deepest sympathy to David Theaker and his family due to the passing of his father, Carl Theaker. Carl's funeral service will be Saturday, December 27 at 3:00 p.m. in the Chapel. FLOWERS FROM SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14: Were given by the glory of God by Janet Keener, in memory of Christine Keener; and her sisters Gretchen and Stephanie. * Gretchen's name was spelled incorrectly in the Sunday, December 14 worship bulletin.

PRAYER CONCERNS

Richard Birner

Judy Campbell

Lois Driver

Barbara Gunther

Norm Hainley

Ken Hileman

Sue Hoffman

Larry Hubbell

Sam Rice

Janet Russ-Jones

Marty Schnetzler

Foundation Park

The Manor of Perrysburg

Home

Swan Creek

Hospice at Home

Wildwood Hospital

Manor of Perrysburg

UTMC

Hospice at Home

Toledo Hospital

Home

Happy

Birthday!

22 Barbara Foote

24 Carol Abbott Anita Laib

Zenonn Zaleski 26

Bethany Riegsecker 27

Pauline Lovejoy

Happy Anniversary! 21

David & Susan Bennett (32nd) 22

Ned & Ann Braunschweiger (42nd) 27

Phil & Barb Christensen (34th)

The Weekly Selfie

Members enjoying Young at

Heart.

Dot Otis greets Emily Mitchell.

Christmas Breakfast reading

with children.

Janet Keener at the Christmas

Breakfast.

Jane Howell welcomes

candidate Emily Mitchell.

Mission Cookie Sale in full

force.

Diane and Hal Harper at the

Christmas Breakfast.

Youth sing at Wednesdays

Edge Christmas service.

Don Diller plays the piano at

the Christmas Breakfast.

Pastor Clint and Pastor Emily.

Savage-Edwards family at the

Christmas Breakfast.

Bob Engwert helps youth at

the Christmas Breakfast.

Youth sing at Wednesday's

Christmas service.

Wednesday service included

candlelight.

Members prepare to vote for

Pastor Emily in the Sanctuary.

Worship this Week: Sunday, December 21, 2014 Fourth Sunday of Advent

Child-Focused Sunday 9:00 a.m. Worship in Sanctuary

Tom Fraser is Preaching Liturgist: Margo Leininger

11:15 a.m. The Edge Christmas Service

Fellowship Hall

Hospitality in the Cafe` from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

FPC on the Web: www.fpcmaumee.org FPC on Facebook: www.facebook.com/fpcmaumee