Voice Newsletter - First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin, Florida

First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin
455 Scotland Street
Dunedin, FL 34698
727-733-2318
VOICE – December 2014 and January 2015
Has 2014 gone by fast or what? Has that been your experience? As we begin the season of Advent, followed by
Christmas and the New Year, we always think about what has been and what is to come, both from a personal and
community point-of-view. First Presbyterian Church is entering the heart of its transitional period – a challenging
time of evaluation, education, and visioning. How appropriate it is to begin this season of change by celebrating the
birth of the One who changed everything – past, present, and future.
When the Apollo 13 disaster occurred in the 1970’s, Commander Jim Lovell was forced to navigate his ship by
hand, because the guidance system could not be powered up. Lovell knew that all he needed to do was find a fixed
point in space in order to correct the ship’s approach to earth, so he used the earth itself, and aligned it with the
navigation marks in his window. Through skill and a little luck, Lovell’s correction aligned the spacecraft into the
correct position for re-entry, and the astronauts made it home.
For we who believe, Christ is always our fixed point in space. By focusing our hearts, our minds, and our lives
upon Jesus, we can find our way home, no matter how we perceive the world around us. Time can rush by quickly
or slowly; changes occur through our own plans or by happenstance; what seems solid and sure one minute can
become shaky and frightening the next- this is the nature of the world and of the human condition. For Christians,
however, there is one thing that is absolutely certain - the kingdom of God. We experience God’s kingdom when
we suspend time and space at Christmas and throughout the Christian year through acts of prayer, worship,
inspiration and illumination. In Christ, past, present and future lose their meaning, for God the Father, the Son, and
the Spirit is the Alpha and the Omega.
To look forward to Christmas and the New Year with hope and expectation is natural for us, but beyond our
hopes and anxieties is that truth which cannot leave us, fail us, or disappoint us - it is the assurance of Christ’s
presence in our lives today and in the life to come. That is the true meaning of Christmas. Christians are not those
who tick off the seasons of a calendar that ends when our hearts stop beating; we are, instead, residents of a
kingdom, and servants of a sovereign whose reign never ends. We live in and for a different reality, and that is why,
in faith, we can say with blessed assurance that Christmas is a celebration of an eternal truth. The celebration of the
birth of Jesus Christ is not about stars, angels, shepherds and mangers, although they are wonderful aspects of the
Christmas story. Rather, as disciples, we celebrate the meaning of all that Christmas tells us: God is always good,
and no matter how fast or slow time goes by, we are moving with and toward our Lord and Savior. Have a
meaningful Advent, a Merry Christmas, and a joyous New Year filled with the peace of Jesus Christ.
Dr. Mack Sigmon
DID YOU KNOW?
Joy to the world, the
Lord is come
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF DUNEDIN
455 Scotland Street, Dunedin, Florida 34698
www.fpcdunedin.org
727-733-2318
727-738-4297 (Fax)
Church Office Hours
Monday - Thursday
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Monday-Thursday
Noon-1:00 pm office closed for lunch
Friday
Office closed
Interim Pastor
Rev. Dr. “Mack” Sigmon
727-733-2318 (ext. 25)
[email protected]
Church Administrator
Donna Dayock
(M-W 8:30-4:00 and Thurs 8:30-12:00)
727-733-2318 (ext. 24)
[email protected]
Assistant to Administrator
Stephen L. Allen
727-733-2318
[email protected]
Director of Music
Stephen L. Allen
727-733-2318
[email protected]
Contemporary Worship Leader
Jeremy Best
Parish Associate
Rev. Willard Doyle
Financial Secretary (M-W-Thurs)
Betsi Knapp
727-733-2318 (ext. 22)
[email protected]
Preschool Director
Cori LoCicero
727-733-2111
www.firstfriendspreschool.net
Preschool email
[email protected]
Custodian
Dave Rodman
Questions about First Presbyterian Church – 727-733-2318
Wedding Questions, Room Reservations, Changes in Address, Phone numbers
Web Servant –
John Brockman
Voice Editors –
Donna Dayock-office volunteers
Voice Contributors –
Members of the Church
November 30, 2014
Total Income
$ 499,372
Total Expenses
$547,632
Difference
($48,260)
Isaac Watts, 1674-1748
Source: The Psalms of
David, Imitated in the
Language of the New
Testament, 1719
Entitled “The Messiah’s
Coming and Kingdom”
and based on the
second half of Psalm
98, the hymn is
representative of Watts’
ability to Christianize
the psalms. While it is
usually sung at
Christmas, the text is
actually appropriate to
the entire year
whenever the theme of
the “Kingdom” is
observed. The early
American church
musician, Lowell
Mason, arranged a
melody from George F.
Handel (possibly from
“Messiah”) which
expressed the joy of the
text.
EVENTS OF INTEREST IN
DECEMBER!
Wednesday, December 10
HOLIDAY CONCERT AND
POT-LUCK DINNER
Dinner at 6:00 p.m. – Bring lots of
your favorite holiday dish to share!
Concert at 7:00 p.m. – in the
Sanctuary
Performers will include the First
Presbyterian Church Handbell
Choir, Carol Harp and Dave
Eichenberger on strings, Sylvia
Rockwell, soprano, and The Bay
Voices (a male vocal ensemble
accompanied and directed by
Stephen Allen)
Sunday, December 14
SERVICE OF LESSONS AND
CAROLS
10:30 a.m. Service – Sanctuary
Choir accompanied by orchestra
Christmas Eve –
Wednesday, December 24
WORSHIP SERVICES
5:30 p.m. – Family Service
8:00 and 11:00 p.m. –
Candlelight/communion services
Sunday, December 28
ONE SERVICE OF WORSHIP
AT 10:30 a.m.
The church office will be
closed December 25th and
January 1st in observance
of the Christmas and New
Years holidays.
SANCTUARY FLOWERS
To have a loved one honored or remembered please
complete a “Sanctuary Flowers Request Form”
(next to the Flower Chart on the bulletin board in
Hager Hall) providing the preferred Sunday date(s)
and to whom the flowers are to be dedicated. Put
the form with your payment ($27.50 per
arrangement) into an envelope and put it into the
offering plate or mail it to the church. Payments
MUST be made before the week of your request.
Payment can be made by “online bill-payer” from
your bank, in cash, or by personal check, with
“flowers” on the memo line.
BAPTISM
Rejoice with your family and God’s family with the
celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism. For
information on Baptisms contact the church at 7332318. Information is also available online at
www.fpcdunedin.org
WEDDINGS
Couples are urged to contact the Church
Administrator for an application and a copy
of the wedding policy. Information is also
available online at www.fpcdunedin.org
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
For inquires about medical supplies and equipment
available for loan, please contact our custodian, at the
church office 733-2318. We also accept donations;
however donations must be approved through the
church office. Please do not leave your items.
The 2015 Flower
chart is now posted
in Hager Hall!
Arrangements are
$27.50 each. Sign
up early to honor or
remember a loved
one. Please
complete a request
form and return it to
the church office
with your payment.
PRESBYTERY OF TAMPA BAY
www.presbyteryoftampabay.com
813-868-4800
DENOMINATION HEADQUARTERS
“TOLL-FREE THREE” Simplifies Phoning
Callers to the national offices of the Presbyterian
Church (USA) now can reach the information,
resources, or people they need without consulting a
lengthy directory or paying long distance charges.
Callers may choose from the following numbers:
1.
2.
3.
4.
1-800-728-7228 for connection to a staff
person at 100 Witherspoon Street,
Louisville, KY.
1-800-872-3283 to reach PresbyTel
information about PCUSA
1-800-524-2612 to order resources from
Presbytery Distribution Services (PDS).
Fax number 1-502-569-8099
Website of PCUSA is www.pcusa.org
First Friends Preschool
Christmas Concert
Thursday, December 11, 2014
10:30 AM
First Church Chapel
The students of First Friends Preschool of First Presbyterian Church are celebrating the holidays with
our annual Christmas Concert.
Rev. Dr. Mack will open this event with a special prayer. The children will sing Christmas carols and
recite poems that will bless you this holiday season. All of the students of First Friends from ages 2
through 5 will participate. They have crafted festive hats to wear during the celebration and would love
to honor the Lord Jesus with their song.
Families and friends are invited to attend this lively event and enjoy refreshments in Hager Hall at its
close. This is sure to be a memorable day for one and all.
WINTER WELCOME COFFEE
All are welcome to join Esther and Martha Circles
as they host the Presbyterian Women's Coffee on
Saturday, January 17, at 10:00 am in Hager Hall.
You will enjoy complimentary coffee, tea, and
goodies. Eric Houghton will honor us with an
entertaining tour de force. No RSVP or ticket
needed. Just bring a smile and a friend.
Help us decorate our sanctuary on
Sunday December 21st by
purchasing poinsettias. $8.00 per
plant. A signup sheet will be
posted in Hager Hall the first week
in December.
Missionaries - Laura and Bill Connelly will be commissioned at the 8:45
service on Sunday, January 11, as they prepare to leave for Belize where
Laura will now live a majority of the time, and where they will be foster
parents for eight teenage girls. Please join us at Worship Cafe that day, or
between services in Hager Hall, to rejoice in their commissioning.
Can you help? If you can help
wrap Christmas gifts (that will be
given by our congregation to
Dunedin Elementary School
children, families at RCS Grace
House and homeless veterans),
please attend our Mission
Commission meeting on Tuesday,
December 2, at 6:30 pm in the
church library, as we will have a
wrapping session as we also talk
about mission topics. Call Nancy
Geyer at 215-896-4060 for more
information, or just show up!
The Drop Off Your Drawers’ drive in
October was successful with 194 pairs of
underwear and 86 pairs of socks given to
Clothes-to-Kids. Thank you for helping to
clothe Pinellas County students.
at Grace House - On Saturday, December 20, a group from our
church will see that Santa visits children at Grace House (homeless
shelter in southern Clearwater) and also provides them and their
families with a ham dinner. If you would like to come along or can
provide some food please contact Nancy Geyer at 215-896-4060 for
details.
Church food pantry - Food that is collected and was
previously stored on shelves in our mailroom is now
being delivered directly to families in need and to
Religious Community Services in Clearwater. Please
continue to be generous and bring your food items on
Sundays, much is needed in our community, especially
at this time of year.
December
Monday 1, 15, 22, 29- Carole Anne and Welch Agnew
Monday 8- Lynn and Paul Burks
Join us on Monday’s at 8:30 am in the
Tuesday 2, 9, 16, 23, 30- Nell and Dave Thomas
First Presbyterian Church Parking lot for a
Wednesday 3, 10, 17, 24, 31- Sue Legg and Babe Young
35-minute walk in silence as we look up,
Thursday 4, 11, 18, 25- Lynn and Paul Burks
Friday 5, 12, 19, 26- Mary Ann Beall and Dodi Anderson
down and around at the beauty in God’s
world.
Walking together in silence at a leisurely,
non-competitive pace, we open our hearts
to offer our prayers to God. At the end of
the walk, we gather at the Broadway Deli to
talk and share our stories and love for one
another with coffee and laughter!
Bring a friend; newcomers ALWAYS
welcome!!
What a nice surprise to open the door on Sunday
afternoon and there was a lovely arrangement of
beautiful fall flowers. How speedy can you get! Thanks
to everyone. I am doing well just bored being inside
and cannot do anything. Visitors are welcome. Hope
we can get to church soon! Please keep us in your
prayers.
Interested call Nancy Christy
727-726-6684
Allen Arnold
Random acts of flowers
To My Church FamilyThank you a lot for all you did for the memorial service
for my sister. It helped me realize how much we both
are loved and cared about by the people in the church.
Much love and thanksMarcia Allen
The worship commission thanks the
congregation for the collection of vases
and money for the random acts of flowers.
We collected 90 vases and $45.00. Thanks
for bringing smiles to people who
otherwise would not have received flowers.
Melinda Archer
Laura Connelly
Eric Houghton
Jennette Marsden
Susan Ausmus
Mary Beth Dauble
Nell Thomas
Addie Lou Gilchrist
Ethel Smith
Matthew Long
Doris Hinson
Deborah Kynes
Betsy B Smith
Bill Burckhardt
David Wolters
Babe Young
Lois Hager
Al Schlorholtz
Patricia Buol
Scott McDonald
Thelma Powell
Marcia Allen
Betsi Lewis-Knapp
Pat Duffy
Kim Kirchoffer
Debbie Blocher
Joe Gould
Richard Kirchoffer
Paulette Derr
Beverly Weese
Skippy Boynton
Kenneth Skinner
Jackie Chalk
Jeff Gow
December 2
December 2
December 4
December 4
December 6
December 6
December 7
December 8
December 8
December 10
December 12
December 13
December 13
December 14
December 14
December 14
December 15
December 15
December 16
December 17
December 17
December 19
December 19
December 20
December 20
December 25
December 25
December 26
December 28
December 28
December 29
December 30
December 31
December 31
Mack Sigmon
Carolyn Kistner
Dodi M. Andersen
Beth Fisher
John Wigle
Sean Skinner
Ann E. Sabo
Don Knapp
Judy MacDougall
Fredrica Shaxby
Chad Fisher
Jamie D. Poppler
John Brockman
Greg Long
Marion Yongue
David Walthall
Debbie Watson
Sue Armagost
Spencer Friend
Mandy Boldman
Rose McNamara
Kathryn H Schultz
Ann Thomas
Patricia A Haskins
Darv Koenig
January 2
January 3
January 5
January 5
January 10
January 11
January 12
January 14
January 17
January 17
January 19
January 21
January 22
January 22
January 23
January 24
January 24
January 26
January 26
January 27
January 28
January 28
January 28
January 30
January 31
December
January
FPC
LIBRARY
NEWSLETTER
"The joy of brightening other lives,
bearing each other's burdens,
easing other’s loads and
supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts
becomes for us the magic of Christmas."
- WC Jones
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
We hope your Christmas will be filled with the spirit of the Babe. Have you enjoyed the serenity of the Nativity in the
library window? These beautiful figures were given to the library by the family of June and Walter Brashear.
As you prepare for Christmas, remember these three phrases that sum up Christmas: Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men,
and Batteries not Included. Have you heard about the father who once bought his kids a set of batteries for Christmas
with a note on it saying, Toys not Included? ~Bernard Manning. Kidding aside, at Christmas, all roads lead to home and
family.
Leila Bugenhagen gave a superior presentation of IN THE LAND OF THE INVISIBLE WOMEN: A Female Doctor's
Journey in the Saudi Kingdom by Qanta Ahmed, a young British Muslim doctor. Thank you, Leila for sharing your time
and talent with us. On December 16, Gayle Pinkowski will review SIXTEEN PLEASURES, a very interesting story
about Margot Harrington who discovers a fabulous volume of sixteen erotic drawings by Giulio Romano that accompany
sixteen steamy sonnets by Pietro Aretino. When published more than four centuries earlier, the Vatican had insisted all
copies be destroyed. This one—now unique—volume has survived. The abbess prevails upon Margot to save the order’s
finances by selling the drawings discreetly. Meaning: without the bishop’s knowledge. It is a delightful book and will be
tastefully presented Gayle. Don’t miss it. Christmas treats for those who meet!
The New Year 2015 brings a delightful program for Koinonia. Do you remember the wonderful Sherlockian, George
Steel who so enthusiastically reviewed Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock books last year? He’s back! On January 20,
George will present THE RAINMAKER by John Grisham. George has 36 years’ experience as a trial lawyer and he has
seen everything related to civil litigation. He will discuss the mindset, tactics and the motives of the characters as
portrayed by Grisham. We are so privileged to have a man of George’s caliber and qualifications as our guest. Do not
miss George on Tuesday, January 20 at 2 PM in the FPC library!
Thanks to Greg Long, the FPC library has donated 2 boxes of books to Pinellas Hope. Greg tells us that the residents of
Pinellas Hope are thirsty for the Word of God and are eager to learn how to develop their faith. The books given to
Pinellas Hope should give the residents food for thought.
Thank you for your response to the Reminder Cards. We received several books back and they are now available for
checkout.
Iris Poppler continues to bless our library with Amish fiction books. Please come in to peruse them if this is your genre.
Thanks to “Anonymous” who has also donated many books.
Look for the following new books on the shelves immediately to your left as you enter the library. They might be in the
window—or they might be checked out.
EDGE OF ETERNITY
BY
KEN FOLLETT
SOMEWHERE SAFE
WITH SOMEBODY
GOOD
BY
JAN KARON
THE AUSCHWITZ
ESCAPE
BY
JOEL ROSENBERG
HOME
BY
MARILYNNE
ROBINSON
OUTLANDER
by
Diana Gabaldon
Ken Follett’s Century Trilogy follows the fortunes of
five intertwined families—American, German, Russian,
English, and Welsh. This third and final book covers the
1960s through the 1980s.
After five hectic years of retirement from Lord’s
Chapel, Father Tim Kavanagh returns with his wife,
Cynthia, from a so-called pleasure trip to the land of his
Irish ancestors.
Luc, a French pastor, who is sentenced to the Auschwitz
death camp for helping Jews, joins forces with Jacob, a
Jewish man sent to the camp after his attempt to hijack a
train bound for Auschwitz fails. Together they plan to
escape to tell an unbelieving world about the Holocaust.
Remember John Ames in Gilead, Marilynne Robinson’s
Pulitzer Prize–winning novel? Home takes
place concurrently in the same locale, this time in the
household of Reverend Robert Boughton, Ames’s
closest friend. Read this to be ready for LILA,
Robinson’s newly-released 3rd book in this series.
The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat
nurse, is just back from the war and reunited with her
husband on a second honeymoon when she walks
through a standing stone in one of the ancient circles
that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach—
an “outlander”—in a Scotland torn by war and raiding
border clans in the year of Our Lord . . . 1743. This is
the first book in the series upon which the TV series is
based.
We have a great, but difficult, puzzle going. It is quite appropriate for the Christmas season. We need your help to
complete it by Christmas. Borrow a puzzle for the holidays. Set up a puzzle table at your home over the holidays for
guests. Puzzling is a great way to develop relationships, especially with grandchildren!
Call the Bookworm at 733-4609 or leave a note in the library closet if you would like to recommend a book for our FPC
Library. If you have read a book that should be in our library, tell us about it. We are always eager to respond to your
suggestions. Propose other activities or displays for the library. Call Mary at 733-4609 with your ideas.
REMINDER ~ MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR KOINONIA ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16TH AT 2 PM!
LET’S PACK THE ROOM TO WELCOME GUEST REVIEWER GAYLE PINKOWSKI REVIEW SIXTEEN
PLEASURES.” ALSO MARK YOUR 2015 CALENDAR FOR KOINONIA ON JANUARY 20TH TO HEAR
GEORGE STEEL GIVES THE TRIAL ATTORNEY’S TAKE OF JOHN GRISHAM’S “THE RAINMAKER.”
The church website has valuable information
at your fingertips!
Checkout the website and let your fingers do
the walking. Look at the calendar, pictorial
directory, worship information, mission
information, preschool information and
current events. Also, check out the new
donate now button. All available at the click
of a button!
Gifts to the Christmas Joy Offering support the
unmet needs of families who have given their lives
to the mission of the Presbyterian Church (USA) –
current and retired ministers, church workers and
their families. This offering also supports students
at racial ethnic schools and colleges, helping them
develop their gifts and find their calling. Please
contribute to the Christmas Joy Offering, using the
specially marked envelope in your giving box.
www.fpcdunedin.org
Merry Christmas
and
Happy New Year!
The Staff
The 2014 Giving Statements will be mailed out ----------. In order to save money on paper and stamps, the infrequent
givers will not receive a statement. If you haven’t received
your Giving Statement and need one, please email Betsi Lewis
Knapp at [email protected] or call her at 727-7332318 and she will be happy to provide one.
The Holidays are almost here!
Thinking about giving gift cards? Check out the flyer
of First Presbyterian
at the end of the VOICE and see a sampling of the
Church of Dunedin
many cards that are available. Holiday shopping is
easy and you are helping First Church!
This year we are participating in
Blanket Sunday on January 18,
2015. Your participation is
welcomed.
Sarah Circle would like to invite the ladies of First Presbyterian
Church and their friends to our annual Holiday High Tea,
Last year we all became familiar with the
polar vortex storms and massive snow in
parts of the country. This year we are already
hearing about the “Polar Plunge”. One way to
offer help that can have a significant impact
on the lives of those in need is through
Blanket Sunday. Church World Service
provides help to families around the world
recover from disasters and displacement.
Some ways your support plays out in real life
- Through homeless shelters and warming
stations that offered warm CWS Blankets
and relief for individuals during
dangerously cold weather like the arctic
blast that hit the Midwest in January 2014.
- -Relief and recovery assistance to
communities in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri,
Ohio and Kentucky following a November
2013 outbreak of tornadoes, hail and high
winds.
- Blankets and other emergency supplies
sent to Colorado communities when heavy
rains brought deadly flooding in the Fall of
2013, thousands of families were
evacuated, their homes damaged or
destroyed
- Assistance to displaced people forced to
leave their homes
December 13th at noon, in Hager Hall. Tickets are $8.00 and can
Whatever else a blanket can be, it is most
certainly a sign of generosity, a sign of loving
care, a very real sign of compassion. You
probably won’t meet the people who receive
the blankets you give, but you can be sure
your compassion will be remembered for a
long time.
These blankets will remain a tangible
reminder to our most vulnerable neighbors
that someone was thinking of them.
As in every New Year, the children welcome it with great energy.
The weather is cool and crisp, just perfect for outdoor play and
activities! This month we also welcome a special visitor to the
preschool. The dentist office of Dr. Johnny Johnson sends Miss
Barbara who will teach and encourage students to brush and
floss as well as making healthy food choices. Goody Bags will be a
great treat for the students as well as a great reminder to “Be
Good to Your Smile.” It’s always nice to get a new toothbrush!
Last year our congregation provided over
$1400 to support this project through
contributions made on Blanket Sunday.
$10 provides a blanket to a person in need.
be bought from a circle leader or between services in East Hager
Hall starting November 16th. Look for updates in the bulletin and
announcements from the pulpit.
Thank you for our Fall Fundraiser success! The Enjoy the City
coupon books were well received by the church and the
preschool parents. Enough books were sold to help buy new
things for the preschool. Once again, we would like to thank
everyone involved who participated in this event. The money is
going towards much needed preschool toys and equipment
updates.
“Laugh, Smile, Sing and Play, make new friends along the way!”