Dear Friends,

I have been thinking lately about what it means to be “A Light in the City”. I recently came across a story expressing the nature of stewardship and propor-tionate giving entitled, “How’s Your Account with God?”. Here is some of what it said: “As long as a man thinks that he owns what he has, then the church will always appear to him as a beggar, appealing to him to part with enough to meet the church’s needs. The church is everlastingly dependent up-on his good will and impulses of generosity. But once a man realizes that he owns nothing, but owes everything, that he is merely a temporary steward of all that he is and has, and that his very life is given him in trust, then the prop-er proportion of his gifts to the Lord’s cause will be forthcoming.” These words echo the words of Dr. Leonard Sweet whose understanding of steward-ship I shared with you last month. Everything we use, everything we possess we hold in trust from God. I am reminded of a hymn we sang every Sunday when I was a child when the offering was brought forward to be dedicated. “We give thee but Thine own, whatever the gift may be; All that we have is Thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from Thee.” (William Walsham, “We Give Thee but Thine Own”)

Giving to God in proper proportion is not impulsive. It’s not irregular. Giving to God in proper proportion necessitates a system of giving. The story from “How’s Your Account with God?” asks an additional set of questions we must consider: “Does regular, consistent, disciplined giving dry up generous impulses and rob giving of its emotional and spiritual value? Let us see: Does regular work impair the efficiency of the worker and the quality of the prod-uct? On the contrary, skill increases with practice and suffers if work is only spasmodic. Which has more vital contact with God: the man who habitually prays or the man who only prays on impulse? So actual experience proves that he gives most, and gets greatest inspiration, who keeps books for God and faithfully follows a disciplined system of giving.”

Let us take these words of wisdom to heart. May it renew us and guide us as we strive to share the light of Christ in our city making disciples of Jesus Christ.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott

October

CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS PAGE 2

SESSION NEWS PAGE 3

MISSION & OUTREACH PAGE 4-5

KDO PAGE 8-11

CALENDAR & BIRTHDAYS INSERT

The

Lantern November 2016

“A Light in the City”

NEW BRAUNFELS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

CON. CARE & ADVENT PAGE 6

SERMONS PAGE 7

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Church Announcements

The MOC Devotional Breakfast for November will be Friday, the 11th at 7:30 AM in the Church Activity Center. The cooks are Joe Turner, Earl Dittman, and Manard Ivy. The devotional comes from 1 Samuel Chapter 25, entitled “Beauty and the Beast”. It is a story about David before he became king. The sign-up sheet is posted in the credenza.

Come join the

Ladies Lunch

Bunch at Mon-

tana Mike’s on

Tuesday, No-

vember 1st. We

will meet at

12:30. Sign-up

sheet is in the

Narthex.

CE VOLUNTEERS: We are looking for volunteers to help with Children's Church. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Jennifer Gately at 210-771-7031 or jen_reineke@hotmail.com.

Esther Circle will

meet Tuesday, No-

vember 8, 10:00 AM in

the Conference

Room. It is election

day, but join the

group before or after

you vote. Jean Jones

will lead lesson three,

Who is Jesus ? Ac-

cording to Luke. Con-

tact Flo Pacharzina,

512-497-1647 or

flobwpac@aol.com if

you have questions. or

need more infor-

mation.

Parent's Night Out

is a raging suc-

cess! Our next PNO is

the opening night of

Wurstfest, November

4th. Please register

with Everlee in the

office no later than

Wednesday, Novem-

ber 2nd. Any ques-

tions, contact Jennifer

Gately at 210-771-7031 .

CHURCH HISTORY: Our church history booklet, “The First Fifty Years” in-cluding the additional up-date of “After Fifty Years – Seeing the Way Forward,” has been published. The booklets are available in the church office for a suggest-ed donation of $5.00.

The 2nd Annual Festival of Trees, ben-efitting the Comal County Senior Center and the Central Texas Advocate for Sen-iors, will be Nov. 29 — Dec. 2 in the Milltown Historic District, 490 Porter St. in New Braunfels. Admission is free but you will be able to purchase baked goods and even fully decorated Christmas trees. Santa is available the first three days from 4 to 7 pm. To learn more contact Regina at 512.667.0077 or Sally at 208.431.4960.

The MOC Fellow-

ship Dinner for No-

vember will be Tues-

day the 15th at Iron

Horse Grill, 1030 N.

Business 35. We will

gather around 6 and

order our meal at

6:30. The sign-up

sheet is posted in the

credenza.

POINSETTIAS are now available for $10/plant. They will be pro-vided from the Plant Haus this year, and the deadline for ordering is December 4th. Order forms are available in the narthex or church office.

CHRISTMAS DECORAT-ING: It's hard to believe, but it's time to start think-ing about decorating the Church for Christ-mas! Decorating day will be Monday, November 21 at 10:00. Take your turkey out the thaw, and then head down to the Church! It typ-ically takes only 2 hours to get all the decorations up. Remember, many hands make light work. See you then.

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The following prospective members were received by Session — Lindsey Priest (from 1st Presbyterian in McKinney, TX),

Charlie & Cheryl Jacobs (from Grace Presbyterian in Houston), and Bill & Joyce Batty (from 1st Presbyterian in Elgin,

TX).

Treasurer Rosanne Stockhorst repor ted that total offer ings in September were $44,594 and expenses were $39,784.

At this point, we are in the black at more than $18,000.

Pastor’s Report (Rev. Scott Nowack): Congregational meeting to consider approval of Rev. Katy Walter s as

NBPC’s Associate Pastor for Christian Education is Oct. 16 after the 11 am service.

Congregational Care Committee (Jody Cosson): Food was provided at Bette Pope’s memor ial r eception on Sept. 24.

College students received a card and Starbucks gift card from NBPC in September.

Facilities Committee (Joyce Taylor ): Facility maintenance projects completed include fire inspection of building;

exit signs inspected; lawn irrigation control panel replaced; key lock on glass door replaced; and, stairs handrail to loft

tightened.

Fellowship Committee (Austin Talley): “Halloween Happening,” our monthly Family Fun Fellowship on Oct. 26, will

feature pumpkin-shaped pizza and prizes for best costumes. The Christmas party is under development.

Kids Day Out (Laura Smith): KDO is conducting a food drive for the SOS Food Bank this month.

Membership Committee (Ann Brunn): Session approved the request to seek dona-

tions of $5 each for the updated church history booklet that will ready later this month.

Mission & Outreach Committee (Jer r i Petmecky): See detailed highlights in this

newsletter.

Stewardship Committee (Char lie Felts): This year ’s stewardship campaign, “Shar ing

the Light,” gets underway Oct. 23. Harvest Sunday lunch for the congregation on Nov. 20,

after a combined service that starts at 10:30 am, will be catered by the River City Café.

Worship Committee (Dave Wright): A combined church service at 10:30 am was ap-

proved for the following — Nov. 20 (Harvest Sunday). Session also approved a combined

church service, at 10 am, for these two special Sundays — Dec. 25 (Christmas) and Jan. 1

(New Year’s). Christmas Joy offering will be received on Dec. 18. Christmas Eve services

will be at 5 and 7 pm.

A FOND FAREWELL TO THE CAREGIVERS GROUP:

About twelve years ago, myself, Sara Miller and Caroline Weston were asked by Rev.

Ken Peters to form a caregivers group. We took our orientation at Hospice, and were

trained to become facilitators. At each meeting, we had speakers from nursing services,

home health, legal, Hospice, Alzcare, pharmacists, and/or whatever information our

group needed. I want to say a special thank you to Delphine Dykes for helping me to set

up the meetings and bring food and refreshments. A special thank you to E.N.

Delashmutt for being there for all of us. At the end of the meetings, when we all held

hands in prayer, we felt God's love around us, and the strength to continue as daily

caregivers for our loved ones. At this time, I will be closing this chapter on one of the

most rewarding volunteer opportunities in my life. I remain, in Christ,

Rosemary Burkeen

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SHOEBOX CHRISTMAS: Start collecting your items for the Shoebox Christmas– the boxes will be available to pick up from the Narthex or church office, and the deadline to return is November 14th. De-cide on girls or boys and ages 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Select items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, bars of soap, wash cloths, socks, t-shirts, hard candy (no chocolate), toys (cars, soft dolls, balls), flip flops, school supplies, or hair accessories. Please no war figurines like GI Joe. Dollar Tree is a good place to get your items. Seven dollars should be in each box to cover shipping. Please include the $7 in each box separately– do not pay for multiple box-es with one combined check. Pray for the child who will receive your gift.

Adopt-a-Highway Trash Pickup,

Nov. 19

Join us Saturday, Nov. 19 as we repre-

sent NBPC and pick up trash on our

designated strip of Loop 337. We will

meet in the NBHS parking lot at 10

am. Bring leather work gloves, closed-

toe shoes, long pants/jeans, and long

sleeves. Bottled water is advised too!

Safety vests, litter bags, and trash

sticks are provided. Let James Lowe

know you will be there by emailing

him at jamesedwardlowe@gmail.com.

PRESBYTERIAN WORLD MISSION: Did you know that for 178 years, Presbyterian World Mission has been making a differ-ence? Presbyterians follow Acts 1:8 which calls us to share Christ’s love “to the ends of the earth.” At last count we had 50 missionaries in Afri-ca, 30 in Asia and the Pacific, 16 in Europe, and 42 in the Latin Americas and the Caribbean. Just this spring, Charles and Melissa Johnson left their cool and comfy home in San Antonio to move halfway across the world to Chasefu, Zambia to share their knowledge of advanced agricultural techniques with the Chasefu Model Farm in Africa.

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Mission & Outreach News Briefs Your Mission & Outreach Committee voted to support the work of the Johnsons by ap-

proval of a gift that will be paid out over the next three years. Our gift makes it possible for these hard working and dedicated missionaries to do their job! NBPC, we are at work in Zambia! On Sunday, November 13 we will join all of Mission Presbytery in a day of prayer for the Johnsons and the people they serve. Follow them on Facebook at “Life in Lundazi.”

Reminder: Joe and Pat Turner, longtime members of our church, are being honored in a

special way for all of their years of support and service as trustees at the Presbyterian Pan American School in Kingsville. To support the Joe and Pat Turner Scholarship to help future PPAS students attend the school send a check in care of PPAS before Dec. 31. Indi-cate it’s for the scholarship and mail it to P.O. Box 1578, Kingsville, TX 78364.

Donations Needed: Connections needs art supplies to aid in child counseling sessions

such as — crayons, construction paper, water color paints and brushes, playdough, and chalk. They also need children’s clothing for boys and girls, ages 10+. Drop off donations at 1414 W. San Antonio St., New Braunfels.

Reminder: The “Little Free Library” NBPC established at the SOS Food Bank could use

your gently used children’s books that are collecting dust at home. Bring your donations and place them in the shopping cart in the hallway.

Volunteers Needed: Meals on Wheels (830.629.4547), RSVP reading program with

children (830.379.0300), and American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery (800-227-2345).

Mark your Calendar: The Family Promise of Greater New Braunfels 3rd Annual Bed Race

will be on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Church Hill Middle School. A new Bed Race website and promotional video are coming soon. Our team will be looking for your support early next year.

Requested: Prayers for NBPC’s Madge Bayston to have a safe and encouraging Cuban trip

with Presbytery Mission and Justice Committee, Nov. 11-18.

DISASTER RELIEF IN HAITI: The Mission & Outreach Committee approved a $2,000 dona-

tion from its discretionary fund to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for Hurricane Matthew relief in

Haiti, other Caribbean islands, and for states hit hard in the U.S. The storm caused death and destruc-

tion, including more than 800 dead, thousands injured, and the destruction of communities and crops,

especially in Haiti. PDA is supporting the delivery of emergency aid to those impacted and working

with its partners in the ACT Alliance (Action by Churches Together).

Throughout the southeastern United States, PDA has reached out to pastors and presbytery leaders in

areas impacted by the storm. PDA deployed teams into as many as seven presbyteries and provided

assistance to congregations mucking out as the waters receded. To learn more visit https://

pda.pcusa.org/.

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Congregational Care: One of the perks of being a church member is being part of a caring com-

munity, and there are many opportunities for fel-lowship and meeting other members in classes

and various activities. However, our members who are confined to their homes or care facilities

don’t always get to participate in those classes and activities. It can be quite difficult or impossi-

ble for them to even attend worship on Sundays.

Many members visit others on their own – old friends keep in touch. However, if you are fairly

new to NBPC, don’t share the common history with others, and would like to show your care (and make a new friend), you can join the Visita-

tion Committee. We meet in the parlor at 11:30 on the first Tuesday of each month. Meetings last

less than an hour, in time for women to attend Ladies Lunch Bunch, which is usually at 12:30 on

that day.

At the meetings, we discuss how each person on our list is doing, who has visited whom recently,

and we add new people who might appreciate a card or visit.

If you are interested in this ministry of our

church, please join us on November 1 at 11:30 in the church parlor.

Or, if you can no longer easily get to church and

would enjoy a visit, please call the church office, and someone on the committee will gladly come

see you. We can also offer Communion.

Welcome New Members! Joyce & Bill Batty

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HARVEST SUNDAY

A joint Praise and Traditional Service will be held Sunday, November 20th (Harvest Sun-day) at 10:30 AM followed by lunch and presentation of the 2017 budget. In the past we referred to this as Stewardship Sunday.

SERMONS FOR NOVEMBER– all by Pastor Scott

November 6: “Sharing the Light: When There Isn’t Enough to Go Around”- Matthew 14:13-21

November 13: “Sharing the Light: Top Five Reasons Why I Don’t Tithe Yet”- II Chronicles 31:1-10

November 20: “Sharing the Light: God Loves a Hilarious Giver!”- 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Advent Sermon Series: “Going Places: Our Journey to Salvation” November 27: “Invitation Pending”- Isaiah 2:1-5 and Romans 13:11

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CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING: A special Christmas Joy Offering will be taken on Sun-day, December 18th, the 4th Sunday of Advent, at both the 9 and 11 o’clock services.

Each year during the Advent and Christmas season, we turn our eyes to Bethlehem and celebrate the wondrous gift of Jesus Christ, our Savior. By giving to the Christmas Joy Of-fering the congregation honors this gift by providing assistance to current and retired

church workers in their time of need and developing our future leaders at Presbyterian related racial-ethnic school and colleges.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES: The Advent Season will begin November 27th and will continue through Christmas Eve. NBPC will have 2 Christmas Eve Services. The Family

Service starting at 5 PM and the Candlelight Service at 7 PM. Child care will be provided for both services.

CHRISTMAS DAY AND NEW YEAR’S DAY SERVICES: NBPC will have a combined

Praise and Traditional Service starting at 10 AM on both Christmas Day (Sunday, Decem-ber 25th) and New Year’s Day (Sunday, January 1st). The Sacrament of Communion will not be celebrated on January 1st, but on January 8th instead.

PEACE AND GLOBAL WITNESS OFFERING: Peace and Global Witness (formally Peacemaking) Offering was collected on Sunday, October 2nd, and thanks to your gener-osity $670 was collected. This enables the church to promote the Peace of Christ by ad-dressing systems of injustice across the world. Individual congregations were encouraged to utilize up to 25% of this offering to sustain local peacemaking ministries. The Mission and Outreach Committee agreed to donate the 25% (approximately $168) to Charles & Melissa Johnson, who are missionaries in Zam-bia.

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Please submit all materials for The Lantern to the church office, or by email to

nbpctx@sanantonio.twcbc.com by Thursday, November 17th for the December 2016 Newsletter.

Worship Information * 9:00—Worship Service * 10:00—Christian Education (all ages) * 11:00—Worship Service

373 Howard Street New Braunfels, TX

New Braunfels Presbyterian Church 373 Howard Street New Braunfels, Texas 78130 Phone: 830-625-5141 FAX: 830-625-5161 Email: nbpctx@sanantonio.twcbc.com

Web site: www.nbpres.org Church Office Hours: Monday –Thursday 8:30am-3:00pm; Friday 8:30am-12:00pm

MINISTRIES AT WORK… Want to BE INVOLVED in the Life of the

Church? Contact one of the committees of your choice and make a DIFFERENCE!

Julia George—Clerk of Session fnjg@gvtc.com

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION/YOUTH

MINISTRY Sharon Jebens

sharonjebens969@gmail.com COMMUNICATIONS MINISTRY

Kari Hutchison kari.hutchison@gmail.com

CONGREGATIONAL CARE Jody Cosson

jcosson1111@gmail.com FACILITIES MINISTRY

Joyce Taylor joycetaylor.nb@gmail.com FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY

Austin Talley austin@talleyweb.com

KIDS DAY OUT MINISTRY Laura Smith

aurora52@satx.rr.com PERSONNEL Michael Meek

meek@nbcham.org

MEMBERSHIP MINISTRY Ann Brunn

onefineann@hotmail.com MISSIONS/OUTREACH MINISTRY

Jerri Petmecky jernel707@yahoo.com

STEWARDSHIP Charlie Felts

vonfelts@aol.com WORSHIP MINISTRY

Bob Nolen nolen.bob423@gmail.com

Dave Wright dwright@gvtc.com