The 1st

Preaching Dave Thompson Key Elder Kathy Baskett Greeters Ed & Alta Dakolios Peg Ostlund Ushers Bob & Cathy Culbertson Earl & Sharon Henderson Liturgist Jean Noble Care Board Jody Lafko Van Driver Chuck Leggate

Communion Charlie Reed Jo Bartels Chris Eriksen Sharon Brady Kathy Baskett

The 8th Preaching Dave Thompson Key Elder Michelle Reed Greeters Jody Lafko Megan Ascheman Ushers Bebe Spring Sharon Mathews Edna Carlson Jan Blackburn Liturgist Deb Wiens Care Board Tom & Ginny Helmer Van Driver Don Harr Sound Booth Chuck Leggate

The 15th Preaching Dave Thompson Key Elder Heidi Duncan Greeters Ray & Jean Noble Betty Ann Nesmith Ushers Jerry Koch Bob Fedric Bill White Don Reed Liturgist Kay Doss Care Board Edna Carlson Van Driver Kate Mitchell Sound Booth Jeff Gruizenga

The 22th Preaching Dave Thompson Key Elder Sharon Brady Greeters Walt & Priscilla Laird Chris Eriksen Ushers Bob & Norma Thiesen John Thompson Janet Brown Liturgist Robyn Bauer Care Board Chris Eriksen Van Driver Don Harr

Sound Booth Bob Culbertson

Christmas Eve

The 25th 5pm Preaching Dave Thompson Key Elder Gary Lohnbakken Greeters TBD Ushers TBD Liturgist TBD Communion TBD

The 25th 10pm Preaching Dave Thompson Key Elder TBD Greeters TBD Ushers Bob & Cathy Culbertson Earl & Sharon Henderson Liturgist TBD

The 29th

Preaching Dave Thompson

Key Elder Kathy Baskett Greeters Ed & Alta Dakolios Diane Noddings Ushers Bob & Cathy Culbertson Earl & Sharon Henderson Liturgist Jean Noble Care Board Jody Lafko

M e m o r y J o g g e r s f o r D e c e m b e r

P a s t o r ’ s P e n

December, 2013

“When God Entered In” The season of Advent is upon us. Advent is a time of preparing our hearts to re-

ceive Christ into our lives and to rededicate ourselves to the mission and ministry of the

Christian faith. Jesus Christ came into the world to provide a way back to God. Through

our sinfulness, we became lost and in need of redemption. Instead of just allowing us to

wallow in our sins, God provided an answer for redemption through Jesus Christ. Jesus

entered our world of sin and sadness in order to lift us to a realm of hope and joy. In essence, Jesus came in

order that we might experience life to the fullest.

The season of Christmas is a time to reflect upon this unique gift of Jesus Christ and to prepare our

hearts for Christ's return. It is a special time of year as we decorate our homes and exchange gifts with one

another, remembering the greatest gift of God's son, Jesus Christ.

We offer a number of activities during this special season of the year to help us grow deeper in our

faith and to ready ourselves for Christ's return. I hope that you will take part in these activities as we under-

stand the depth and breadth of God's love toward us. Some of the things we will offer this month include:

Hanging of the Greens: Join us on Saturday, December 7 at 3 PM as we decorate the church for

Christmas. We will decorate several trees, hang wreaths, and enjoy free pizza with all who help.

A special Advent Sunday school series “When God Entered In” will begin on Sunday, December 8 at

9:15 AM in the Fireside Room. I will be co-teaching this class with Dave Sanderson. During this class we

will explore the reason for Christ's coming into the world and what it means for our lives today.

We will welcome back the Rocky Mountain College choir for their annual Christmas concert on Sun-

day, December 8 with performances at 3 and 7 PM. This annual concert is a wonder-

ful way to enjoy the Christmas season.

Christmas Eve worship services will be held on Tuesday, December 24 at 5

and 10 PM. Join us as we celebrate this special night with Christmas carols, candles,

and communion.

Blessings,

Dave

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Session Notes/Finance/Church

Mice

2

Events/ Church & Society

3

Mission/Notices

4

Birthday/Personnel

5

PW/Calendar 6

Dinners of 8 7

Memory Joggers

8

Coming Attractions:

Sunday school for all ages continues on Sundays at 9:15 AM. In addition, we continue to

offer our Sunday Kidzzone program during worship. Children ages preschool through 5th

grade are given the opportunity to leave after the Children’s Time to go to a special class

for age appropriate leaning activities. Volunteers are needed to help staff this new pro-

gram. If interested in helping, please talk with either Orrin or Heidi Duncan.

Picture Directory: The final two days for our church directory pictures will be Friday,

December 6 and Saturday, December 7. You can schedule your appointment by contact-

ing the church office or use the link on the front page of our church’s website at

www.fpcbillings.org. We hope that everyone will participate.

P a g e 2

Office Hours: Mon—Fri 8:30 am— 4 pm 406-252-3434 mainoffice@fpcbillings.org www.fpcbillings.org Sunday School @ 9:15 AM Worship Celebration @ 10:30 STAFF Pastor: Dave Thompson

Office Manager: Jeanne Thompson-Raney

Music Director: Denise Finn

Student Intern for Youth Ministry: Orrin Feddes

Music Accompanist: Bev Wornom

Nursery Attendant: Catherine Kenney

Custodian: Kent Fellingham

SESSION MEMBERS

Clerk of Session: Marlene Spencer 252-5027

Class of 2014 Carol Harr 656-3168 Janet Kline 652-6374 Gary Lohnbakken 656-2046 Bill Lorentz 656-8163

Class of 2015 Kathy Baskett 544-9857 Sharon Brady 655-9046 Marv Brown 256-0257 Jeff Gruizenga 850-3697

Class of 2016 Samantha Cormier 245-9497 Heidi Duncan 252-2373 Jenice Fugere 252-9641 Michelle Reed 252-5316

SESSION MINUTES

Session Notes:

At its November 12 meeting the session was advised by the finance committee

that the finances are doing well and we have a strong cash flow. Pledges continue to

come in. Currently we have received 111 pledges for a total of $270,500.

The fellowship committee continues to oversee the taking of pictures for the

new picture directory. The remaining dates for pictures are December 6-7

Pastor Dave attended the Convocation and Presbytery meetings in Great Falls

recently. Lots of good training courses were held at the convocation. New pastors in

Deer Lodge, terry, and St. Andrew were also welcomed.

The Per Capita rate for the coming year will be $45 per member. Per capita

goes to support the work of the Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly. We en-

courage our own members to play their per-capita to the church above and beyond

their normal offering.

Financial snapshot

2013 Income Expense Net

Nov $ 34,372 $ 28,663 $ 5,709

YTD $ 372,603 $ 374,438 $ -1,835

NOVEMBER 2013

3rd 217

10th 208

17th 200

24th 175

2013 Nov Average

200

2012 Nov Average

185

Flower Sponsorship Opportunities

Our flower sign-up sheet is located on the back table in the narthex.

We invite you to sign up for a particular Sunday to sponsor the flowers

either in honor or memory of someone or a special event such as an anni-

versary, birthday, etc. Suggested donation is $25.

Special thanks to those who donated flowers during the month of

November: Jerry & Colleen Swanson and Peggy Wilson.

The Church Mice The church mice have noticed a brighter sparkle and glimmer in the kitchen. Our church’s Pres-byterian Women’s group pur-chased new silver ware and glasses; new table cloths are on the way. We appreciate all the good that PW does for our church - coffee fellowship, fu-nerals, many special events, and keeping our supplies current.

Food Bank Sunday Reminder

Our church was one of the first churches

in Billings to designate a monthly Food

Bank Sunday. We continue to promote it

today as a way to raise awareness and food

for the Billings Food Bank. Last month we

collected over 400 lbs. of food for the Bank.

We invite you to bring some non-perishable

food items with you on the first Sunday of

each month as we help local people in need.

Gluten Free Group meets monthly

The Gluten Intolerance Group is an organi-

zation that meets at our church on a monthly

basis. On Saturday, December 7 at 10 AM

the group will be hosting a nutritionist who

will share information about healthy and bal-

anced diet. This event is open to the com-

munity and will meet in the fellowship hall.

For more information about this group, you

can contact Joan Dannenberg at 259-4907.

P a g e 7

Ecclesiastes 9:7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy

Christmas is on its way. Let’s make it one to remember new friends. I know that it is busy, but it is all about getting to

know others in the congregation. Make it easy on everyone, whether it’s in the home of an outing, but make it easy.

If you find that you cannot host, give someone on your team to do the hosting. Do not let this time fall through There

are times that you just cannot host an event, but someone else may be happy to do it, give them a chance. The Host(s)

(first name(s) in cell) picks a couple of dates during the subject Month that is convenient for you and calls your guests.

If you are short of guests (someone may not be able to come), fill in the spaces with new faces with substitutes listed

below or anyone not involved in dinners of eight (don’t forget new members or older members). Let your guests know

when and where to come and what side dish or beverage to bring if any. (If you do not hear from your host call them,

they may have forgotten.)

This is a very flexible program. Any activities to accompany or follow your dinner are up to you. Even the dinner format

can be modified to a brunch or whatever creative ideas you come up with including eating out. Enjoy your dinners!

If there are any questions or problems, etc., please notify Pat Hastings immediately at 696-0281 or pathast@msn.com

(be sure to title it Dinners of Eight). Please note any new names on the list or changes. Also, if you have a change in

your email please let me know. I am getting some back.

November/December/January

Morrow Beth 656-2292 Taubert Carlene Mark Parker 698-2205

Brady Sharon 655-9046 Drummond Tom Ruth 656-5977

Lorentz Bill Colleen 656-8163 Myhre Ralph Jane 652-9172

Montville Chris Michelle 281-4466 Lafko Jody 651-8060

Carlson Edna 534-6211 Wilson Peggy 254-6726

Pierce June 245-7989

Klovstad Howard Sharon 254-2011 Muir Bob Barbara 256-6099

Spring BeBe 252-7898 Swanson Jerry Colleen 656-8104

Mercer-Wallace Jody 656-4150 Kline Russ Janet 652-6374

Culbertson Bob Cathy 655-7826 Stewart John Susan 652-3637

Hogue Jim Biff 259-9114

Reed Don Michelle 252-5316 Eichenberger Ken Barbara 248-8563

Dayton Bob Shari 256-3130 Hastings Mike Pat 656-0072

Brown Marvin Janet 256-0257 Hammermeister Lewis 252-8963

Fugere Jenice 252-9641 Wiens Greg Deb 652-1889

Reineche Eleanor 248-8293 Albin Jo 656-5600

Lohnbakken Gary Judy 656-2046 Ascheman Jason Meghan 259-1336

Brown Phyllis 652-3727

Basket Kathy

Basingthwaite, Mark 544-9857

Repka Sarah 238-0092 Ershine Tom 656-4969

Thiesen Bob Norma 252-3759 Riggs Thelma 658-0898

Gore Pam 694-6381 Spencer Marlene 252-5027

Lorentz Megan 855-5427

Substitutes:

Leggate Chas Cindy 896-0686 Thompson Dave Vicki 252-2562

D i n n e r s o f E i g h t

P a g e 6

On December 4th we will be having our annual Christmas Luncheon. It will be at 12:00 noon in the Fel-

lowship Hall. We look forward to our speaker from The Global Village. All women are welcome. December 7 will be the Hanging of the Greens beginning at 3:00. We will be putting up the Christmas trees and decorations. The Presbyterian Ladies will be serving pizza after the work is finished. This will be the first year that we will be using our new tree for the Chrismon decorations. This tree was bought with money donated to our memorial fund. We try to use this money to honor those who have gone on to heaven before us. If you would like to make donations, please give them to Betty Ann Nesmith. Thank you As is our custom, our December Circle meetings will be in the Fireside Room. The morning circles will meet together at 9:15 AM. The afternoon circles will meet together at 1:00 PM. Each woman is asked to bring some Christmas treats such as cookies, candies, or nuts. We will enjoy some together and then take all of the leftovers to a charity. Church Women United continues to collect things for several charities. Gateway house is in need of blankets. Eye glasses (including sunglasses) and old cell phones, General Mills coupons and used unusu-al stamps are also being gathered. We thank you for all of your donations to help God’s children. We are also updating the kitchen. We have found that we needed more silverware and drinking glass-es. PW has bought more so that we have plenty.

Presbyterian Women News

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1 9:15 No Sunday School 10:30 Worship Communion 1st Sunday Advent

2 6:30 Men’s Bible Study 1 PM Deacons 6 PM BCCA

3 9:30 Women's Bible Study 7 PM FPC Founda-tion Meeting

4 9-11 BSF Lead 9:30 Staff Mtg 11 Grief Group 6 Youth Group 6 Deborah Circle 7 Choir Practice

5 9-11 BSF 11:30 Personnel Committee 6:30 PEO

6 2-9 Directory Pictures Taken Youth Lock-In

7 10 Gluten Free Group 10-3 Directory Pictures Taken 3 Hanging of the Greens

8 9:15 SS 10:30 Worship Communion/Food Bank Sunday 11 WP Worship 3 & 7 RMC Concert

9 6:30 Men’s Bible Study

10 9:30 Women's Bible Study 12:30 Finance Com-mittee Mtg. 7 Session Meeting

11 9-11 BSF Lead 9:30 Staff Mtg 11 Grief Group 6 Youth Group 6 Deborah Circle

12 9-11 BSF 11 Fellowship Committee 5 PM Senior Sin-gles

13

14

15 9:15 Sun School 10:30 Worship 11:30 WP worship

16 6:30 Men's Bible Study

17 9:30 Women's Bible Study Last till 1/7/14

18 9:30 PW Board 9:30 Staff Mtg 6 Deborah Circle 6 Youth Group 7 Choir Practice 7 College Group

19 No Bible Study Fellowship

20

Newsletter Submission Deadline!

21

22 9:15 Sun School 10:30 Worship Christmas Program 11 WP Worship

23 6:30 Men's Bible Study

24 Christmas Eve

Services 5 Worship 10 Worship with Communion

25 26 No Bible Study Fellowship

27

28

29 9:15 SS 10:30 Worship 11 WP Worship IHN Here this week

30 6:30 Men's Bible Study IHN Here this week

31 New Year’s Eve IHN Here this week

P a g e 3

Youth News

Thanksgiving is fast approaching and Christmas is not too far behind.

We had our senior thanksgiving dinner Wednesday the 20th. A big shout out

to everyone who was involved in putting a successful dinner together! Also,

thanks to all the youth who were able to help serve our wonderful seniors!

Coming up on December 6th, the youth group will be teaming up with the youth group over at Hope

Church for a joint lock-in. Hope Church youth group have invited us over for what is going to be an amaz-

ing youth event! We look forward to being involved with a worship service and a talk on Mark 5:21-34,

along with amazing prizes, fun, food, and games!

Please continue in praying for the youth group that the Lord would do great wonders in the hearts and

minds of our youth kids! We have maintained around 30 kids every Wednesday night. Also pray for spiritu-

al growth in not only them, but the leaders as well!

Coming up on December 22nd, here at First Presbyterian Church the children and youth will put on a

Christmas program during worship! We are very excited about this and hope you’re able to join us!

In Christ,

Orrin Feddes, Director of Children and Youth Ministry

Church and Society Schedule for December

Church and Society guests for the month of December will include:

DECEMBER 8: Bill and Nona Baker, Missionaries to Slovakia. Bill and Nona return to our class telling

about their lives with the Roma (Gypsies) in Slovakia. Bill has assisted the Slovakian government with Ro-

ma issues, and their plans are to live amongst the Roma for most of next year.

DECEMBER 15: Tina Postel, CEO of the Billings Family YMCA. Begun in 1905, Tina will discuss how

the Y puts Christian principles into practice through their 150 programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and

body for all. Financial aid totaling $250,000 per year is given those who qualify, and it counts 1100 in its

membership.

DECEMBER 22: The Rev. Priscilla Bell, 'Advent Curiosities'. How would one try to teach and implement

THE WAY to people who knew nothing but Pagan religion? Rev. Bell will discuss how Advent began and

what it means for us today.

Senior Singles group plans to meet on December 12

Senior Singles, a newly formed group, meets on a monthly basis for a variety of fun, social gather-

ings. Their next event will be a “Singles 8 Dinner” on December 12 @ 5 PM at Tom Erskine’s house, 2811

Treasure Dr. The first seven people to call will be the guests. Tom will have Canada Pacific king salmon

and the other guests should bring a salad, vegetable, desert, etc. This is also open to singles that have not

participated before. Please call 656-0496 prior to December 5 and leave your name, phone number, and

what you plan to bring. If I do not answer leave a message.

Grief support group continues every month A grief support group within our church continues to meet the first Wednesday of each month from

11-12 noon in the fireside room. This group is open to anyone in the church or community who is experienc-

ing grief. Facilitated by Dr. Don Harr, this group will provide support and help to those facing grief.

P a g e 4

We again will be putting up the Angel Tree with gift requests. This is a project for the whole family.

Choose gift tags together, shop together, give together. The gifts go to Ponderosa Pines Nursing home.

We decorated pumpkins with the Ponderosa Pines residents at Halloween. Some of our church members

went to Ponderosa Pines with 30 pumpkins and black marker pens. They had great fun decorating and creating

very artistic pumpkins. The residents asked that they be able to do the project again next year. We are hoping to

continue our relationship with Paul Neshangwe who will be returning with his family to Zimbabwe this month.

Stay tuned for future announcements.

Our Time and Talent Fair on Sunday, November 10 was a success. We earned $2,300 for our Habitat to

Humanity home. Thank you all who made things and to those to shopped and helped in any way.

We have been concerned about God’s Children in the Philippines, the Sudan, and other areas of the Mid-

dle East. We have made donations through PDA (Presbyterian Disaster Assistance) to help these people. We have

given $1000 to the Philippines, $1000 to Sudan and another $1000 to the Middle East to help with medical needs.

We have also donated to several local projects. We gave $500 to the School District Angel Fund, $500 to Global

Village, and $1000 to the Salvation Army Family Table program. Billings high school’ forensics programs have

very specific needs. For their speech and debate competitions, the students are required to wear business type

clothing. We have donated $200 to each public high school team for suitable clothing such as ties and jacket for

the boys. We are very thankful that through your contributions we are able to help care for God’s children in

Billings and around the world.

We look forward to what the new year will bring.

—Submitted by Sue Bentley for the Mission Committee of our congregation

RMC Christmas Concert coming Sunday, December 8

The Rocky Mountain College Department of Music presents Lessons and Carols.

This great English tradition blends music and readings to tell the Christmas story. People

from all components of the campus participate as lesson readers including Rocky Mountain

College president Robert Wilmouth, board president Pete Taylor, director of admissions

Austin Mapston, professor of religious studies, Elizabeth McNamer, and student body

president Caroline Jones. Chaplain Kim Woeste offers the invocation and benediction,

Carolyn Coefield, soprano, sings Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming, Tony Hammond, trombone, plays side

by side with students in a trombone choir. Harp player Josiah Hamilton will charm attendees with Impromptu

Caprice. Harp is also featured in Deo Gracias by Benjamin Britten. Arle Lohof and Sandi Rabas provide piano

and organ. Steven Hart prepares the Rocky Mountain College Concert Choir and Chamber Singers.

The music includes an impressive processional by the joint forces of the RMC Concert Choir, brass en-

semble, organ, and percussion. The trombone choir plays Salvation is Created. Chamber Singers present Ave

Maria by J. Edmund Hughes, and Jesus I Adore Thee by Stephen Caracciolo. Concert Choir performs Uns ist ein

Kind geboren and a spirited Gospel selection True Light. Audience members and performs alike finish the pro-

gram with O Come All Ye Faithful. The service has become a mainstay of the musical offerings in the Billings

community. Come take part in this great tradition. The two performances are on Sunday December 8th at 3:00

p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at our church.

Mission News

Stephen Ministry Update

Our church is excited to offer a class to train a new group of Stephen Ministers. The training will begin on

January 9, 2014 and will finish in May. Most of the classes will be held on Thursday evenings at the church. If

interested in this special opportunity, please contact Doris Backus, Michelle Reed, or Pastor Dave.

P a g e 5

Welcome the Rev. Susan Barnes as new pastor at St. Andrew

We welcome the Rev. Susan Barnes, new pastor of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Billings. Susan has

served churches in Oregon, Oklahoma, and most recently the First Presbyterian Church in Lone Oak, Iowa. Her

husband, Mike, recently was hired as a reporter for the Billings Gazette. Mike and Susan have two children. Su-

san’s installation service will be held on Sunday, December 8 at 4 PM at St. Andrew. The community is invited to

this special celebration.

On a Personal Note Kay Jones died on November 17 in the Advanced Care Hospital in Billings. A memorial service was held

at our church on Saturday, November 24.

LaWanda Johnson has been hospitalized at the Billings Clinic following a stroke.

Helen Pluhar has returned home after a lengthy stay at the Billings Clinic following hip replacement

surgery

Special thanks to Sharon Matthews and Chris Eriksen for helping in the church office while Jeanne was on

a recent vacation.

Special thanks to our wonderful kitchen crew who helped with the senior Thanksgiving dinner on Novem-

ber 20. We had a great group of parents and youth who helped make this such a successful and fun evening.

My journey over the last few years has been full of many trials and because of my trust and faith in God as

well as the caring spirits at First Presbyterian I am eternally grateful. —Denise Finn

Pledge cards continue to come in

Pledge cards for the coming year are being received. If you need a pledge card, you can pick one up on the table

in the gallery. Your financial pledge helps us with the budgeting process. We appreciate the gifts you provide our

church through your time, talents, and treasures. As of today, we have received 111 pledges for a total of

$270,500. Thank you for your generosity!

December Birthday’s 1 David Marshall 2 John Limbach Judy Wallinder 5 Lowell Butler 6 Jim Graff 8 Bob Dayton 9 Lorna Ames 11 James Haefer Jeanie Hekkel Holly Muller JoAnn Roach 12 Jessie Schaubel 14 Marie Reamy 17 Dan Ferguson Shelly Giorno

19 Ann Chase Anna Mae Dyce 20 Harry Cuff Ed Dakolios Teri Pattee Edna Carlson 23 Jane Myhre Louise Graff 26 Robert Muir 27 Tim Janiak Doris Backus 28 Cathy McLean 29 Eleanor Reinecke 30 Erin Bean Steve Bentley Jessica Grabow

Kurt Grabow Peggy Woolston Sam Thomas 31 Jenanne Luse Allison Dubs December Anniversaries 20 Aaron & Lis TenHarmsel 21 Walt & Priscilla Laird 23 Larry & Dora Bean 27 Chuck & Lois Maris Bob & Barbara Muir 28 Bill & Amy Letson 29 Jim & Louise Graff

Free Advent devotionals available in gallery

You are invited to pick up a free Advent devotional in the gallery. These devotionals, The Bright Star of

Bethlehem, provide a daily devotional and scripture for each day leading up to Christmas. We encourage you to

use this special resource to draw closer to God.