THE MESSENGER December 2014 COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH P.O. BOX 36818 1830 CELANESE ROAD ROCK HILL, SC 29732 Rev. William T. (Tom) Sherer, lll Minister From the Minister Advent – Christmas The word “Advent” means coming or arrival. In its basic meaning it refers to the historical coming of Christ in human form more than two thousand years ago; its meaning has also been extended to include his coming in Word and in Spirit into the heart of the believer, his coming into Jerusalem at the beginning of Holy week, and his coming in glory at the end of time for the Day of Judgment. The season of Advent challenges us to fulfill John the Baptist’s exhortation: “Prepare the way of the Lord” (Matthew 3:3). Advent, like Lent did not originally have a fixed length. It developed from the period of fasting between December 17 and Epiphany. In the fifth century Advent had grown to forty days from November 11 to Christmas Eve. In the ninth century Advent took its present form and began with the Sunday nearest the feast of St. Andrew (November 30). This means that in Western Christendom the Season of Advent always includes the four Sundays before Christmas. The first Sunday in Advent begins a new Church Year. The liturgical color purple is used during Advent as the church anticipates the coming of its King. Purple is symbolic of royalty. The name Christmas arose during the twelfth century as a contraction of the phrase Christ’s Mass. In most Southern European countries it is called The Nativity. Christmas commemorated the birth of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. In theological terms it honors the incarnation of our Lord and it is occasionally called the Festival of the Incarnation. The word “incarnation” contains the Latin word “caro” which means flesh. The doctrine of the incarnation (embodiment) teaches that in Christ God has taken human form. White has always been a symbol of purity and for this reason it has been used by the Church for those festivals related to our Lord—Christmas, Epiphany, Ascensiontide, and Trinity Sunday. White keeps before us the purity and sinlessness of Christ. Allan Hauck, “Calendar of Christianity” (New York, 1961), pp. 45-52. Grace and peace, Tom The Session will NOT meet in December. The Clara Stanley Annual Prayer Shawl luncheon will be held on Thursday, December 11 at 11:30 at O’Charleys. Church Work Day is on Saturday, December 20 from 8-11 a.m. The “Kids for Jesus” ministry meets on Sunday, December 21 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. followed by the PHK meal. There will be a Candlelight Christmas Eve service on Wednesday, December 24 at 6:00 p.m. The Church office will be closed December 24-26 in observance of Christmas. Save the Date – The Hinson Sisters, a bluegrass band, will be here on Saturday, January 31. More info to come. Why is there already a Christmas tree in our Connector Hallway? It’s time to share our Christmas spirit with a family at Pilgrims’ Inn, and the ornaments are on the tree. Take one or more, purchase but don’t wrap, and return by December 7 with the ornament attached. Or, if you prefer, drop a donation in the marked box and let the elves do your shopping! Sue Love B The Handbell Choir will play during the regular worship service on Sunday, December 14. The handbells will have their last rehearsal on Sunday morning, December 14, at 10:00 a.m. The Chancel Choir will present the Christmas Cantata on Sunday, December 21, during the regular service. There will be a special rehearsal on Saturday, December 20, at 11:00 a.m. There will be NO choir practice on December 24, December 31, or January 7. Regular rehearsals resume on Wednesday, January 14, 2015. Request: Gentlemen, if you have any neckties you no longer need or wear, would you please pass them on to me. I want to make a quilt from men's neckties but I need ties! It doesn't matter what color, season, or fabric type. Thanks for your help. Rosalyn FOOD MINISTRY Oct. 2014 Bread/Deli 65 boxes, Fruit/Veggies 38 boxes, Meat 38 boxes The Food Ministry was also able to help feed 519 families through donations given to Mt Prospect Church. PLENTIFUL HARVEST KITCHEN Nov. 2: 35 people served 9: 80 people served 16: 102 people served 23: 30 people served 30: people served CHILDREN’S CORNER Just a reminder kids and parents that we are having a manger program, like we did last year for Christmas. This will take place during Joy Gift Program night which will be on Saturday, December 13th at 4:00pm. The children will be in costume as angels, shepherds, wiremen, Mary and Joseph and will be joined by children from Aldersgate United Methodist Church. After doing a silent tableau in the manger, they will parade into the Sanctuary where they will lead us in singing a few Christmas Carols. After that, we will all move to the Fellowship Hall for refreshments and a visit from Santa himself. The program will require about 2 or 3 practices which will be arranged by the music director at Aldersgate and Judy Sherer, music director at Adnah UM. These practices will take place over at Aldersgate and here for the final rehearsal. More info will be provided as we get closer to the date. We know that families get very busy the closer we get to the holidays and wanted you to be aware of the date and what we have planned. Your cooperation with getting the kids to practices and to the church on December 13th would be greatly appreciated. PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN NEWS The Joy Gift Program will take place on Saturday, December 13th at 4:00PM here at Covenant in conjunction with Aldersgate United Methodist Church. The children of both churches will do the Manger scene again this year and then will lead a procession into church as they sing Christmas Carols. Following the brief Service in the Sanctuary, there will be refreshments and a visit from Santa in the Fellowship Hall. All are invited and encouraged to attend this pre Holiday event. The PW Circles will be providing the refreshments. The Covenant Presbyterian Women Joint Circle meeting will be immediately following the worship service on Sunday, December 14 in the fellowship hall. EVERYONE BRING A COVERED DISH TO SHARE FOR LUNCH. If you need transportation to the church, please call Martha Hinson at 803-325-4732. Night Circle will be responsible for setup, clean up, drink and dessert. We are happy to welcome our guest speaker, Beth Muse, Minister at Large, who spoke at Presbyterian Women’s Retreat at Bethelwoods this year in October. We will collect a love offering to be used in God’s ministry. The PW Council will NOT meet in December. The next PW Council meeting will be Monday, January 18, 2015. Mission Sunday is December 28 The offering will be going to the Four Homes of Mercy in Jerusalem and Thornwell Home for the children in South Carolina. Collection will be at both church doors following worship service and anything you can give will be appreciated. Marleen Holmes will be preparing our Christmas Bulletin Board so be sure you sign your name on the Christmas Card. After the “undecorating“ on January 4, 2014, they will be available on a first come first served basis to take home. Thank you for helping make the sanctuary beautiful for the season. We have the flower calendar for you to sign up for your special date. It is located on the bulletin board across the hall from the nursery. Please don’t forget to get your name on the list for the date you want. There are still many dates available. Thank you for your generosity. Carolyn Garland, Flower Chairman Please Note: Circle leaders are reminded to collect a donation from members for honor ladies at November and December meetings. A special thank you to those who contributed shoe boxes for the Operation Christmas Child and we are proud to share we collected 53 boxes this year plus additional monies toward the Shoe Box Fund. Please remember- The month of January is Christian Witness at home and abroad and week of prayer for Christian unity. PW’S TREASURER’S REPORT Beginning Bal. $ 2,602.30 Expenses: $ 121.05 Deposits: $ 323.50 Ending Bal. $ 2,804.75 MOC NEWS Ushers Steve Garland, Josh Bell Joe Osborne, Tanner Bryant Elder in Worship Steve Garland Annual Christmas Family Breakfast will be Sunday, December 21 at 9:45 a.m. in lieu of Sunday School. Bring your friends and family and enjoy a wonderful breakfast. Duty Elders Steve Garland Tanner Bryant From Our Treasurer Oct. 2014 Income Oct. 2014 Expenses YTD 2014 Income YTD 2014 Expenses $ 12,033.56 $ 6,071.67 $ 117,315.09 $ 184,275.50 Birthdays Nursery Workers Dec. 7: Dorothy Mew & Eileen Nichols 14: Barbara Lewis & Marleen Holmes 21: Francine Jennings & Carol Montgomery 28: Doris Keiber & Heather Chase Please check your date and if you need to change contact Dora Duer. Dec. 2: Josh Bell 3: Carol Montgomery 6: Caroline von Rosenburg 7: Noah Bell 15: Cathy Dawkins 17: Stevia Elswick 20: Dianne Barber 21: Linda Mattison 22: Bobby Mew 23: Jimmie Dawkins 25: Furman Lewis 26: Gay Tanis Communion Worker Janet Massey Greeters Joe & Sheryl Osborne Prayer Concerns Members: Debi Tomberlin Charles & Caroline von Rosenberg Don Davis Mark Willis Faye Pearson Win Rinehart Betty Richardson Rachel Cook Eva Neal Shut-in Members: Bill Orr John & Amelia Neal Mildred Allen Doris Wild Roland Harper Billie Sims Friends and Relatives Melba Jones (friend of Doris Keiber) Vivienne Good Diane Houston (Tom’s cousin) Dottie Graham (Judy Sherer’s sister) Sherry Williams (Ed’s sister) Kathleen (von Rosenberg’s daughter-in-law) Ellen Mays (Cancer) Claude Melton, Sr. (Robin’s father-in-law) Carolyn Goldston (Betty Richardson’s aunt) Austin Robbins (Kelley family) Jack Mitchell William Baker (cancer- friend of Tomberlin family) Tom Bryson (Jody Lewis’ step father in law) Emily Foster (eyesight) Ray Brown (Kelley’s friend) Allen Long Lynn Long Kim Jennings (cancer) Alan & Tina Seymour (twins born very early) Carrie Ashe (Stroke) Rachel McCartey Hendrick (Doris’s friend) Arthur Evans (Clara Buchanan’s brother) Viola Green (Arthur Evans’ mother-in-law) Sherry Evans (Clara Buchanan’s sister in law) Diana DiPietro (Francine’s sister-in-law) Mrs. HcHargue (Elaine Turner’s mom) Faye (Tanner Bryant’s sister) Vange Truesdell (Gay Tanis’ mom) Helene (Eileen Nichols’ sister) John Hyatt (Furman’s brother in law) Lester Lewis (Furman’s brother) Daniel Jordan (friend of Susan Brown) Sam Jacob (friend of Steve Garland) Terry Williams (Friend of Gary Munn) Angel Bryan (Friend of Lisa Quinn) Jodie Sawyer (Wife of co-worker-Wayne Massey) Our leaders in Washington All military personnel at home and abroad River Mew & Charles Tomberlin Nick Buchanan going into the Navy Ebola Outbreak