Newsletter - Central Presbyterian Church

Central
Connection
December 31, 2014
Dear Friends,
Thanks to the alignment of the calendar and a well deserved vacation for Dana most of you are probably reading this sometime between Christmas and the end of football bowl season. The discarded wrapping paper and
all the packing from the gifts has by now found its way to the recycling center or the dump, turkey or ham
sandwiches for the umpteenth time are getting a bit old, and the thought of having to listen to one more
Christmas carol sung off-key by a tone deaf spouse may be grounds for justifiable homicide. Thankfully we
can now pack away the Christmas decorations until next year and look forward to the ball dropping on Time’s
Square and forget all the hustle and bustle of the last few weeks. Christmas is finally over!
Or is it? For those who did not grow up in the liturgical church, Christmas follows the pattern set by the retailers trying to end the year in the black so that they can report good earnings to their investors. That is why
Christmas decorations start going up in stores sometime around Labor Day now and the holiday “shopping
season” starts in earnest at 12:01 am on the day after Thanksgiving. Thus secular “Christmas” overlaps Advent
and we in the church are left confusing the two and once Jesus is gently laid in the manger and we have left
the church singing “Silent Night” we can proclaim that Christmas is over. But in reality Christmas has just begun. Liturgically, the Christmas season is the twelve days that follow Christmas Day ending on the Epiphany
of the Lord.
So pull that crèche out of its special box and put it back out. Crank up the Christmas Carols and wait for the
Wise Men to arrive. The Light has come into the world and it is time to proclaim from the rooftops that Christ
is here. The wonderful thing about this is now we have a chance to really focus on what Christmas means
without the secular message of gifts and gluttony getting in the way. Hope, joy, love, and faith can now be our
watchwords for this season not cash, check, or charge. Peace in the world will not just be a few quiet moments
on the couch, but a real possibility through our Lord and Savior.
Far too often we are in such a hurry to get to the next big thing on the calendar. We rush from one holiday to
the next like they are just mere items on a religious checklist to be checked off without any thought given to
the idea of how we got there in the first place. In the New Year let us all be resolved to actually celebrate the
high moments of the Christian calendar Easter and Christmas not just in the moment but also in the season.
Let us take seriously the seasons of preparation, which allow us to experience true joy at the coming of our
Lord, for it is truly not about the day, the week, or the forty days but the person who gives them all meaning,
Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords, the Messiah.
Peace and joy at Christmas and in the New Year,
Brian
Birthdays & Anniversaries
McKayla Perrin ………………………………..01/04
Jessie Qualls …………………………………...01/04
Bettye Brittenum ………………………………01/05
Xiaohan "Linda" Du …………………………..01/05
George Reid …………………………………...01/06
Andrea Lea …………………………………….01/08
Jon Clements …………………………………..01/09
Mystee Crowell ………………………………..01/10
Barbara Fuller …………………………………01/17
Marley Johnson ………………………………….01/17
Audrey Olson ……………………………………01/20
Joe Moore ……………………………………….01/21
Michael Stoker …………………………………..01/21
Keith Duke ………………………………………01/24
Seth & Janice Coulter …………………………...01/07
Bill & Vicky Kiehl ……………………………...01/19
Joe & Kay Moore ………………………………..01/21
Prayer Concerns List
A special prayer that you’ll be blessed with tender care and needed rest, warm thoughts of friends that mean
so much and most of all, God’s healing touch.
Jean Robbins
Ivana Salmans
George Reid
Ann Shields
Janet Roys
Charlotte Calvert
Mary Baker
Richard Perkins
Julia Granger
Lorene & Whit Evans (George & Paula Reid)
Winn Corpes (George & Paula Reid)
Gunner (Donna Przybys)
Wil Hind (Dean & Patricia Hagemeier)
Sherry Clairain (Mikel & Barbara Fuller)
Julie Session (Don & June Carnahan)
Pat Landrum Odum (Robert & Linda Bell)
Jamie Spall (Mikel & Barbara Fuller)
Dan Montgomery (Brian & Maggie Brock)
Charles & Juanita Smith (Bill & Lynn Wade)
Daniel & Braden Lott (Jan & Connie Schutt)
Brad Wear (Steve & Connie Zimmer)
Mel Granger (Ed & Julia Granger)
Charlie Taylor (Mike & Janet Roys)
Paula Phillips (Bob & Linda Griffin)
Phil Parker (Bill & Vicky Kiehl)
Nancy Cummings (Steve Heaton)
Maci Ann Brown (Jay & Julie Peters)
Bheyleigh Nufer (Kris Griffin)
Johnnie Murphy (Jim Murphy)
James Young (Bob & Patsy Howell)
Diane McAlister (George & Theresa Singleton)
Steve Zimmer
Jonada Ragsdale
Mark Myers
Delores Bryan (Carol Wilkins)
Jeanne Masters’ Dad (Donna Przybys)
Katie Galloway (John & Amy Aikman)
Morgan Schwehm (Bob & Gabriele Haulmark)
Ron Reid (George & Paula Reid)
Joyce Larkin (Bob & Linda Griffin)
Brenda Ballard (George & Paula Reid)
Eddie Carrington (George & Paula Reid)
Manuel Lopez (Alex & Kathryn Lopez)
Julie Hodges (Steve & Connie Zimmer)
Austin Scott (Brian & Maggie Brock)
Sandy Worboys (Roy & Beth Monroe)
Linda Sanders (Carol Wilkins)
Chuck Quisenberry (Richard & Mary Cohoon)
Elizabeth Martin (George & Paula Reid)
Bob Molgaard (Chuck & Audrey Olson)
Benjamin Payne (Keith & Kelsey Duke)
Emile Brown (Robert & Linda Bell)
Betty Turner (Connie Zimmer)
Flave Peters (Carol Wilkins)
Kathryn Dicken Lopez (Amanda Dicken)
Pam Mathis (Virginia Rankin Watermeier)
All military personnel including: Will Porter, Riley Whittenburg, Timothy Dann, Callie Latimer, David
Gordon, Brandon Gortemiller, Stephanie Williams, Will Holland, Mark Hendron, Dustin Clark, Joshua Johnson, Andrew Bellocchio, Jacob Randle, Jason Harrison, Robert Barber, Carter Stone, and Travis Sloan.
Memorials & Honorariums
In Loving Memory of LeLe, Heartsill, & Polly Bartlett by David & Nancy Bartlett
In Loving Memory of Sarah Stotelmyer by Jean Hendrix
In Honor of Marian Bartlett by David & Nancy Bartlett
In Honor of Dick & Mary Cohoon by Ron & Glenda Knost
Thank You
Thank you to Lee & Elizabeth Hopkins and Carol Wilkins for help folding the Central Connection.
Thanks so much for the love and generosity you’ve shown once again to the clients of our Shelter. Your support means so much more than you may ever realize. Merry Christmas and the blessing and peace of the season. — Sheila Phillips, Advocate, Battered Women and Children’s Shelter
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Mission Committee Reports:
WRAP-UP OF A SPECIAL PRIVILEGE
Mission Committee would like to thank YOU, the congregation of this church for granting Mission Committee your unfailing support and for encouraging our missional focus this past year, culminating in one of the
of the best Christmas of Joy basket distributions ever. The numbers are similar. The numbers of the hungry
and needy are ever present, but you and we deal with those figures in the way we hope God would have us
serve. We find this year that we were able to distribute 108 Christmas dinner baskets, serving a total of well
over 210 people, including about 60 percent from families with children, and 41 individuals or couples with
no children. God is always the doer, and it is always unto Jesus to whom we give. Yes, we prayed and worked
through our hearts, minds, hands and feet, even our vehicles and gasoline, but it was YOUR hearts, minds,
hands and feet, etc. that made sure we provided the food contributions that God used to help us serve our community so bountifully.
We in Mission Committee saw the light go on in some darkened lives; we saw tears of joy, and we and the
numerous helpers who volunteered from many others throughout our church family, to help with the distribution of Christmas dinners, got all the hugs; but you need to know those tears and hugs were for our entire loving and giving church family.
Thank you!
Mission Committee of Central Presbyterian Church
Marian Barr, Cheryl Coffman, Cheryl Coleman, Barbara Fuller, Mikel Fuller, Pat Hagemeier,
Lee Hopkins, Elizabeth Hopkins, Roy Monroe, Beth Monroe, Joy Morrow, Jim Murphy, Sally Ramey,
Beverly Tollison, Lynn Wade, and Carol Wilkins
Evangelism
A special thanks to Central Church! Once again you have generously supported the annual Heifer Market.
Our contributions totaled $2,160.00. What a great blessing your gifts will be to others around the world.
Fellowship
The 2015 After Church Host list has been posted on the refrigerator in the kitchen. If you are unable to serve
on the date assigned, please arrange to switch with another person on the list and make the notation. We have
seven vacancies toward the end of the year. If you would like to serve, please write your name and phone
number on the form so Dana will know. Coffee will be served on Sundays where there is no volunteer. Thank you very much! Audrey Olson
Notes of Interest
Deacons will host the all church potluck on Sunday, January 4, immediately following
worship. Bring your favorite dish to share!
Volunteers needed! We are in need of volunteers on Monday, January 5, to help take down
Christmas decorations. We will meet at the church at 9:00 a.m.
PW Board meeting is Tuesday, January 6, at 9:30 a.m.
In the winter “Tech Action” two articles appeared that will be of interest to Central Church:
“Brittny Brough Daubenheyer was named assistant to the president (of ATU) and secretary to
the Board of Trustees at Arkansas Tech.”
“Jeremy Wilheimi is associate pastor for youth ministries at Salisbury Presbyterian Church in
Midlothian, Virginia. He is married to Whitleigh Slater Wilheimi.”
Central Welcomes Visitors
December 21: Colton & Bethany Qualls, Bonita Walters, Autumn, Eaddie, & Summer
Sanchez, Allyson Dale & Family, Edward & Rhonda James
December 28: Mystee, Olivia & Addison Crowell, Larry Pope, John W. Baker
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Looking to Sunday
Ushers…….………….….……...Ken & Kellie Coker
Drew & Jimmie Coker
Nursery Volunteer……..……….....….Pat Hagemeier
Bus Ministry ….…....……………….…John Aikman
Acolytes …………………...Zadie Peters, Day Stoker
Coffee Host ………………...……John & Judi Baker
January 4
Scripture..………...…..…...Jer. 31:7-14; Ps. 147:12-20
Eph. 1:3-14; John 1:91-9) 10-18
Worship Assistant…….............….…Gretchen Douthit
Children’s Sermon ………......…..……....Pastor Brian
Children’s Church...............Kellie Coker, Andy Brock
Ushers………..………....Marian Barr, Marian Bartlett
Ann Chronister, Jacob Loyd
Nursery Volunteer…….……...………….Roy Monroe
Bus Ministry ….….………...…….……....Bill Aikman
Acolytes …………….…David Aikman, Logan Magill
Coffee Host …………………………….…......Potluck
January 18
Scripture….. Sam. 3:1-10 (11-20); Ps. 139:1-6, 13-18
1 Cor. 6:12-20; John 1:43-51
Worship Assistant….........…..........…Natalie Aikman
Children’s Sermon ……...........……........Pastor Brian
Children’s Church…...Pat Hagemeier, Garrett Magill
Ushers…………….….…..Dwight & Camille Talburt
Lynn Wade, Mikel Fuller
Nursery Volunteer……...……….....….Janice Coulter
Bus Ministry ….…....…………….…Cheryl Coffman
Acolytes ……….…...Marley Johnson, Izzy Clements
Coffee Host …………………….……Donna Przybys
January 11
Scripture...…………...…………..…Gen. 1:1-5; Ps. 29
Acts 19:1-7; Mark 1:4-11
Worship Assistant…...….......…..........…Jerry Ratzlaff
Children’s Sermon ……..........……........Steve Heaton
Children’s Church…….......Susan Jordan, Skye Turley
January 2015
Sun
Mon
Tue
4
5
6
Deacons Host
Church Potluck
9 Take Down
Christmas
Decorations
9:30 PW Board
Meeting
Wed
7
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
Church Office
Closed
9 Quilters
8
9
10
9 Quilters
1:30 Cent Prays
5 Cent Prays
5:30 Youth
11
12
13
Tech Classes
Begin
14
15
16
5:15 Bell Choir
9:30 RV
Quilters
9 Quilters
6:30 Committees
1:30 Cent Prays
7:30 Chancel
Choir
17
5 Cent Prays
5:30 Youth
18
19
Tech, RSD
Out of School
20
9:30 Circle I
10 Newsletter
Deadline
1:30 Circle III
3:30 Cent Prays
21
22
5:15 Bell Choir
6:00 Deacons
7:30 Chancel
Choir
5 Cent Prays
27
28
29
23
24
9 Quilters
5:30 Youth
25
26
1:30 Cent Prays
5:30 Youth
5:15 Bell Choir
6 Session
7:30 Chancel
Choir
4
30
9 Quilters
5 Cent Prays
31
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Organization
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Russellville, AR 72801
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