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The Ministers and Staff of

Pfafftown Christian Church

wish you and your family a very

Merry Christmas!

PFAFFTOWN CHRISTIAN CHURCH RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

(DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) 3323 Transou Rd. PO Box 130 Pfafftown NC 27040 Phone: 336- 924-9925 Fax: 336- 924-2501 E-mail: office@pfafftownchristian.org www.pfafftownchristian.org

Church Staff

Rev. Gerald Thomas

Pastor

Rev. Tim Shoaf

Minister of Music & Programs

Traci Canter, Office Administrator

Volume 2

Number 6

December 2018

An Evening of Christmas

Music Sunday, December 16th

5:00 p.m.

Cantata presented by

The Chancel Choir and

Handbell Choir

accompanied by strings, harp, flute,

oboe, clarinet, trumpet, timpani, bells,

percussion, and organ.

Jill Bowen Gardner, soprano

Rev. Tim Shoaf Minister of Music

Choral, Solo and Orchestral

Advent/Christmas works

by Mozart, Rutter, Adams,

Jennings, Handel, Martin

A reception will follow in the

Upstairs Fellowship Hall

Decorate a Table

for the Evening of

Christmas Music

Reception

Volunteers are needed to sponsor 12 tables for

the Evening of Christmas Music Reception.

Ladies will need to provide the Christmas cen-

terpieces for each table. We have followed this

plan for several years and the decorations on

the tables have been beautiful! A sign-up sheet

will be located in the hallway outside the

Narthex. Many thanks in advance for providing

this addition to our Cantata Celebration.

Additionally, Pfafftown Christian Church is

known for providing a buffet of foods to our

friends who attend the Cantata and who come

to the Upstairs Fellowship Hall for the

reception.

Eveyln Nifong will coordinate this special

event. Please let her know (336-924-4882) if

you will provide the food item you gave last

year. We prepare for 180-200 guests. Money

donations are very much appreciated.

Thank you in advance for providing food for

this great event in the life of our church!

Christmas Eve

December 24

5:00 p.m.

We will gather in the sanctuary

to sing carols of praise and

thanksgiving as we welcome our Lord into our

lives once more. We will hear the Christmas

story in scripture and celebrate the Lord’s

Supper. The service will close by lighting candles

as we rejoice that the gift of love truly comes into

our world and our lives as we open our hearts to

God’s loving grace.

2 7

As Way Leads on to Way

S

All of this is not to say agrarian lifestyles insure

a high degree of comfort and certainty. Just the

opposite. But if people who live on the tenuous

edge of framing can trust in the rhythms of God,

perhaps we who call ourselves “God’s people”

may pick up the beat and learn to live on the

darkened edge of faith.

~ GT

Christmas Poinsettias

If you would like to place a poinsettia in the

sanctuary in honor or in memory of a loved

one, please fill out an order form located on

the table in the Narthex or call the church

office no later than Sunday, December 9th.

Daybreak comes first

in thin splinters shimmering.

Neither is the day here

nor the night gone.

Night is getting ready to go

and Day whispers, “Soon now, soon.”

---Carl Sandburg

While driving across country deep in the night,

apparitions of Advent loomed against the star-

laden sky. Hulking silently on the roadside hilltop

were two large tractors, their wheels and silhou-

ettes outlined with Christmas lights. While ad-

miring the creativity, I wondered, “What does the

farmer do when he needs to use those tractors?

Seems like an awful lot of work to undecorated

them for the next day’s labor.”

Then I remembered the season of the year. The

tractors are now dormant in that short span before

the fields will be turned up fresh for the new sea-

son. The fields are fallow. The tractors anticipate

new labor while enduring at cold roadside the

profound not-yet of Advent.

Maybe farmers should also be our pastors. I’m

too out of rhythm with life to be granted the

things of the faith. I rarely trust God enough to

allow the tools of my trade to rest for even one

day of Sabbath each week. My life is lived as if

our Lord’s church will fall apart if people aren’t

pushed to plow on, endlessly scratching at some-

thing. I run ahead of Advent to fire up the ma-

chinery of Christmas, mistaking my own absent-

mindedness as God’s inability to remember folks

who sit in darkness. But farmers know different.

Day gives way to night, which in turn will give

away to daybreak. Season do leave. And they do

return.

CWF Christmas

Social

The CWF Christmas Social will be held

Wednesday, December 5th at 6:00 p.m.

at Southern Family Restaurant in the

Banquet Room. In lieu of the traditional

$20 gift exchange, donations will be

collected and put towards the Tree of

Hope. Donations will be collected at the

Social. Thank you for your heart of

generosity and giving!

3

Notes from Tim

Angels we have heard on high

Sweetly singing o’ver the plains,

And the mountains in reply

Echoing their joyous strains.

Gloria in excelsis Deo!

In Luke 2:14, we find this canticle of the angel’s song --

one of the most famous and frequently sung of the

Christmas canticles. The refrain of “Angels we have

heard on high” is taken directly from this verse. Reflect-

ing a common theme found throughout the history of

Christian hymnody, a cosmic chorus resounds in the first

stanza. The chorus begins in heaven with the angels.

Then the “mountains in reply” echo back in response -

antiphonally, symbolizing the participation of earth.

The entire hymn is a traditional French carol that origi-

nated as early as the eighteenth century and was pub-

lished in North America in 1819. The original hymn

appeared in French - “Les anges dans nos campagnes”

in eight stanzas arranged in a dialogue from alternating

between the shepherds and the angels. The carol first

entered in an anonymous version from the play, The

Nativity. The English translation by James Chadwick

(1813-1882), Roman Catholic Bishop of Hexham and

Newcastle was taken from Crown of Jesus (1862), subti-

tled, “a complete Catholic manual of devotion, doctrine,

and instruction.” The carol was found in the section

headed “The Twelve Mysteries of the Sacred Infancy”

with the title “Christmas Hymn” reduced to four stanzas

in English.

“Angels We Have Heard on High” is a song invitation

from Christians to others to come celebrate Christ’s birth

with them. The carol begins in a festive spirit, but then,

in the second stanza, asks why there is a celebration. In

the third stanza, an invitation is given to join the celebra-

tion. The fourth stanza concludes the carol with the

observation of Christ’s birth and the Christian’s joyful

response. Technically, this is a macaronic carol because

it uses two languages: the local vernacular and Latin.

The carol uses the effect of a refrain and is one of the

few texts that congregations sing regularly in Latin:

“Gloria in excelsis Deo!” It is unusual for congregations

to sing a long melisma (many notes on one syllable).

The melisma on the refrain adds to the exuberant and

joyful celebratory feel of the entire carol.

I wish for each of you a wonderful Christmas season!

*(portions taken from The Carols of Christmas by C. Michael Hawn) ~ Tim

6

The Legend of the Sand dollar

The legend of the Sand dollar

That I would like to tell Of the birth and death of Jesus

Found in this lovely shell. If you will examine closely, You'll see that you find here Four nail holes a fifth one Made by a Roman's spear. On one side the Easter Lily,

It's center is the star That appeared unto the shepherds

And led them from afar. The Christmas Poinsettia Etched on the other side

Reminds us of his birthday, Our happy Christmastide. Now break the center open And here you will release

The five white doves awaiting To spread good will and peace

This simple little symbol, Christ left for you and me.

-Anonymous

God’s blessings at the joy and hope we find

as we celebrate our Savior’s birth. Tim

Remembering

In Prayer It Takes A Lot of Stories to Make

a Christmas Celebration

Please join us on Sundays at 9:45 a.m. in the

Downstairs Fellowship Hall as we explore some

of the stories that make possible the celebration

of Jesus’ birth. Please be sure to bring your

Bibles!

December 2: A Raucous Cousin

Luke 1:5-25, 57-80

December 9: A Different King of Christmas Card

Matthew 1:18-25

December 16: A Song in the Night

Luke 1:26-56

December 23: Who Gets Invites to the Baby Shower?

Luke 2:1-20

December 30: No Connect Group, Happy New Year!

January 6: Rachel, Her Children, and the

Fullness of Christmas

Matthew 2:1-23

The Gathering

The next Gathering will be Wednesday,

December 19th at 6:00 p.m. in the

Downstairs Fellowship Hall.

(Note the date change due to preparations

for the Cantata Reception)

Forest Heights:

Julie Tilley

Rose Tara:

Vallie Cline

Brighton Gardens:

Edna Williamson

Bereavement:

The family of Bill Goslen (brother of Evelyn Nifong)

The family of Al Luper

Church Family:

Bud Barker, John Grice, Mary Ferguson,

Connie & Ed Snuffer, Edith Sprinkle,

& Evelyn Nifong

Others:

Jason Alexander: Jack and Mary Groff’s friend

Martha Blevins: Marlene Thomas’ family

Haley Burns: Skip and Joe Stanley

Jennifer Durham: Irma & Fred Muetzel’s granddaughter

Geraldine Edwards: Ann Fletcher’s aunt

Jan Everton: Jo Stanley’s sister

June Fulton: Jill Robertson’s friend

Corrine Hedrick: John Grice

Cayden Kingsbury: Rodney Stilwell’s grandson

Chuck Kolstad: Evelyn Nifong’s son-in-law

Margaret Laudine: Ann Fletcher’s friend

Beth Moore-McLean: Jan Hoover’s friend

Sue Miles: Jo Stanely’s friend

Louise Davis Moore

Daniel & Lewis Shields (infants) Jill Robertson’s friends

Angela Joy Neal: Gennie Romanello Sinclair

Darlene Stewart: Ann Fletcher’s sister

Joy Stokes: Jill Robertson’s sister

Emory & Ella Thomas: Gerald Thomas’ parents

Teresa Tyndale: Edith Sprinkle’s friend

Judy West: Ann Fletcher’s cousin

Loved Ones in the Military:

Joshua Hughes, Norfolk, VA

Chase lee, Guam; USS Key West

Major Hope Poster, NG, Texas

Cpt. John G. Van Hoy IV, Fort Campbell, K.Y.

Sunday Schedule for Anna Wilson

December 9 - Lynda Bryant

December 23- Ann Fletcher

4 5

The Advent Wreath

While Advent is certainly a time

of celebration and anticipation of

Christ’s birth, it is more than

that. It is only in the shadow of Advent that the

miracle of Christmas can be fully understood and

appreciated and it is only in the light of Christmas,

that the Christian life makes sense. It is between

the fulfilled promise of Christ’s first coming and

the yet-to-be fulfilled promise of his second com-

ing. It is the light of the coming of Christ that

faith has become Advent faith, the expectation of

future revelation. Faith knows for whom and for

what it is waiting. It is fulfilled faith because it

hold on the fulfilled promise. The promise for

Israel and the promise for the church is Jesus

Christ and that He has come and that He will come

again. Let us remember the essence of Advent.

The circle of the wreath has no beginning and

no end reminds Christians of God’s infinity and

endless love and mercy.

The evergreen wreath speaks of the hope

Christians have in God and the hope of

newness, renewal and eternal life.

The purple candles represent the time of wait-

ing. A candle is lit each Sunday during Advent

to help us focus and reflect on this journey to

Bethlehem and Christmas morning.

The white candle is the Christ candle, it is lit on

Christmas Eve as an announcement of the birth

of Jesus our Savior - the tru light of the world.

The bright and shining morning star.

Come each Sunday of Advent to see and to hear

how the Advent Candles teach us to welcome and

worship the Christ Child.

. Tim

Many thanks to Gerald and the congregation for

the kind words. Being so close to tears, I could

respond only with a “thank you”. Now, I wish to

say a heartfelt thank you to all who headed up

workshops, set up displays and signs, cooked ten-

derloin, ham and biscuits, made chicken stew and

provided lunch from the upstairs kitchen. Thanks

for the crafts, many bakes goods, silent auction

items, and Tommy’s Christmas Room. Many

thanks to the cashiers and the folks digging

through the freezers to fill orders for frozen foods.

So many people came forward as a team effort to

make the 41st Fall Bazaar a success on many

levels. I must not forget the community and the

congregation for coming to shop, fellowship and

eat with us. I am grateful to be a part of this won-

derful church and thank you for loving me.

~ Evelyn Nifong

DOC Christmas Offering

December 16 & 23

The Christmas Offering supports DOC

regional ministries. In 32 regions across the

United States and Canada, ministers are

nurtured and congregations are provided

opportunities for work and worship.

Often recognized for the ministries of camps

and conferences, regions also play a critical

role in the preparation and authorization of

future ministers and ministerial ordination.

Both are key to church leadership and devel-

opment. Regions partner with congregations

to support the work required to call a new

minister.

Envelopes will be provided in the Worship

Bulletin on Sundays, December 16 & 23.

SERVING IN

DECEMBER 2018

ELDERS: Steve Clodfelter, Ken Davis

DEACONS: Alan Fletcher, Debbie Fletcher,

Gerald Fletcher, Robert Flynt

COMMUNION:

Tony Bryant/Jack & Lynda Bryant

OPEN/CLOSE: Dan Binkley

This year, PCC will be providing gifts for children

at Old Town Elementary School. Please take a tag

from the Christmas Tree of Hope and wrap your

purchased gift. Please attach the tag back onto the

gift and place the gift back under the tree by

Sunday, December 16. Gift cards can be pur-

chased and given to Traci Canter in the church

office or to Jackie Romanello. This is a wonderful

example of giving and sharing God’s love during

this Christmas season! Thank you for your

continued support and generosity!

~ The Outreach Committee

Christmas Tree of Hope

CHURCH WORKDAY

Saturday morning,

December 8

8:00 am - Noon

EVERYONE, please join us for our

Church Workday! Bring your yard tools

and gloves as we will rake leaves and

beautify our church grounds for the Ad-

vent/Christmas season. There will be

some inside tasks as well, so bring any

tools or cleaning supplies you might need.

Both men and women are needed!

Thank you. - The Property Committee

Thank you for your faithfulness to the needs of our

community through the Crisis Control Food Pantry.

This month, we will be collecting toilet paper.

Please place your items in the “Crisis Control Box”

located in the hallway to the right of the Narthex.

If you have any questions, please contact Jackie

Romanello. Thank you!