Hard to believe that as I write this letter we are about to begin a new year. Especially one with such a unique number… one that kind of just rolls off of the tongue. “2020.” Such repetition only occurs about once every hundred years. And as we look ahead to the months to come, with construction of a new church home to commence at the beginning of that new year, 2020 will prove to be quite ‘unique’ indeed… historic, in fact. And you, the members of this church body, are the vital part of this ‘ground-breaking opportunity’! In looking at the month or so leading up to those first shovels of dirt being turned, we have many opportunities to ‘show the love’ to our new neighborhood-to-be. As well as to one another, and to communities near and far. As for the MorganField development, many of you participated in our ‘progressive worship’ on Nov. 24, in which we celebrated our common faith with our partners-in-ministry at First Christian in a joint service, followed by a delicious meal, and culminating in the Dedication of the street leading into the property… a ‘stretch of concrete’ that will ‘pave the way’ for others to join us in this journey. We will be back out in the ‘hood’ on Sunday, Dec. 15 for Christmas caroling in the adjacent “Crest at MorganField” subdivision. This is the first of many ideas being considered by the “MorganField Advent Team” (or ‘M.A.T.’), a group of members from both churches helping to lead our transition into our new mission field… by thought, word, and deed. You might say that their acronym is most appropriate… in putting out the ‘welcome MAT’ for our new neighbors…

In terms of other ‘mission,’ I want to encourage your support of the Christmas Mission Project, in which your gifts of Memorial donations remembering loved ones can be used to be a tangible demon-stration of love to children from the global community of Malawi to our local community of Lake Charles. And relative to continued support of outreach throughout the year, please consider helping out with Mission Mart as Angie goes ‘on the road again’ to the Holiday Art Market at Central School Dec. 6-8. Many of you have personally witnessed what a great job she does with this ‘win-win’ shop, so please show your appreciation by contacting her to volunteer.

If you are not helping her on Saturday the 7th, then consider taking a drive with some of your church (and extended) family to the Grant Christmas Tree Farm. Having never been to this well-known holiday ‘destination,’ I am personally quite looking forward to this excursion… in no small part due to a lunch stop enroute at another ‘landmark,’ Roy’s Catfish Hut in Kinder. Of course, the BEST part of this road trip will be to share in time spent with friends like you… And speaking of enjoyable time spent with church family, we will be coming together for our traditional “Round the Table Carol Sing” on Wednesday, Dec. 18. Aside from the usual tasty holiday cuisine and seasonal song selections (once again led by Jason and Rebecca Liles), our friends from 1st Christian will be joining us, as together we will enjoy a special Advent Presentation by our Sunday School Youth, who are ‘faithfully’ led (literally) by Mark and Sara Judson. Come and bring friends and family for a ‘filling’ evening, in more ways than one! Finally, I would like to thank you for the ways you continue to bear witness to the love of Christ in many other ways. Many of you, at this writing, have made your pledge to support the work and ministry

(Pastor’s Letter continued on page 2 )

2 0 20

&

Volume 50, Issue 10

2019

IN THIS ISSUE

Message from the Pastor 1/2

Thank you Note 2

Mission Mart Update 3

Caroling at Morganfield 3

Mission Giving 3

FPC News & Announcements 4

Around the Table Carol Sing 4

Women’s Bible Study 4

Grant Tree Farm 4

Opportunities for Worship 5

Joy Gift Offering 5

Coming in January 2020… 6

Birthdays/Anniversaries 7

Prayer List 8/9

Session Update 10

Congregational Meeting Update 11

Stewardship 11

Mission Giving Dedication Form 12

Our Stories 13

Calendars 14/15

Office Holiday Schedule 15

Church Information & Session 16

The Lerma-Perry family wishes to thank everyone for their kind words, cards, donations and prayers during this difficult time. Losing our son, Lorenzo, has been the most difficult thing we have ever been through and of course, we are heartbroken, but we take comfort in the knowledge that he is “playing in God’s garden” and that he is in the loving arms of Christ. We are so grateful for the support and kindness we have been shown from everyone at 1

st Presbyterian

Church. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

Please continue to send us prayers as they truly make a difference.

With love, Marian, Jorge, Temoc & Celena.

Thank you so much!

Page 2 December 2019 Vol. 50, issue 10

of F.P.C. for this coming year… as well as your support of the Capital Campaign for the ‘Future First’ at MorganField. We are putting the final touches on next year’s budget, so if you have not made a pledge, we WILL still receive those… There are two other tangible expressions of love I’d like to take note of. Thanks for the ways that many of you continue to contribute to the “Baskets of Love” ministry. Jesus spoke of how when food and water were given to a stranger, they were indeed given to Him. I believe that our Lord is pleased with the manner in which we are ministering to the hurting in the name of the Great Healer. And finally, thanks to all who demonstrated God’s love to Jorge and Marian Perry Lerma, and her mother Celena, in the tragic loss of their young son. Though separated by many miles, your kind-ness was a tangible sign of the love that transcends any physical distance. In this coming year of 2020, may we continue to seek ways to show the unconditional love of Christ to others, be they close friend or family, or (im)perfect stranger; whether they are across the globe, across the country, or across town. As we strive to fulfill God’s Great Commission to go out into ‘fields ripe for the harvest,’ may our vision in truth be God’s vision… a vision that is always ‘20/20’… perfect and true. Keeping our ‘eyes on the prize,’ I remain always,

Yours in Christ,

Chan

(Letter from Pastor Chan Continued …. )

Christmas Mission Opportunity

We will continue our Mission Christmas tradition this year…. We are combining our

ability to honor and remember loved ones at Christmas with our mission giving.

Do you have everything you really need this Christmas? Do you have friends you want

to remember at Christmas but they really don’t need one more trinket on the shelf? Well,

here’s your chance to make a big difference in the life of children in Lake Charles or

around the world while honoring your friends and family!

You may make donations to the Christmas Mission project in honor or in memory of loved ones.

We will recognize these loved ones in a special dedication bulletin just as we have done with our

poinsettia donations in prior years. As we plan for our Christmas gift-giving, please remember this

opportunity to help others while remembering a friend or family member during this joyous time

of the year.

Dedication Forms available December 1 to December 15th and on page 12.

December 2019 Vol. 50, issue 10 Page 3

Mission Mart Update

The Mission Mart will be at the Holiday Art Market at Central School December 6, 3-7 p.m., December 7, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., and December 8, noon - 5:00 p.m. These are a lot of hours over three

straight days. If anyone is available to help out with a shift here or there, especially on Saturday, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for all your support of the Mission Mart. If you want to shop for gift items, the Mart will be open until Christmas.

MorganField Christmas Caroling is tentatively scheduled (at Chimes Press time) for Sunday Dec. 15

th at 5:00 p.m..

First Christian’s Mike Fullington will lead the caroling complete with pitch pipe. We will be caroling in the Crest

neighborhood. Hot chocolate and refreshments will take place at the Village at MorganField (outdoor stage area) following the caroling. More details to Fa la la la la, la la la la!!

First Presbyterian News & Announcements

POTLUCK Please bring your holiday favorites to share

Page 4 December 2019 Vol. 50, issue 10

The next meeting of the

Women’s Bible Study Group

will be held at the church on

Thursday, December 12th

at 1:30 pm — FPC classroom

Lesson 3 (we will meet monthly on

the 2nd Thursdays at 1:30 pm)

2019—2020 Study Book Love Carved in Stone: A Fresh Look

at the Ten Commandments

By Eugenia Anne Gamble

Please Join us!

FAMILY NIGHT SUPPER

Wednesday December 18th

6:00 p.m.

Around the Table Carol Sing

& Special Advent Presentation

by Sunday School Youth

The traditional Round the Table Carol Sing

is back by popular demand. This year First

Christian Church will join us.

Traditional Fried Turkey provided. Bring a

friend, wear your Christmas clothes and be

ready to sing some favorite hymns and

Christmas songs. It will be a fun time for

all our church family!

Grant Tree Farm

Saturday, December 7th

at 10 am Meet at the Church to

Carpool/Caravan to Grant Tree Farm.

We plan to stop for Lunch at

Roy’s Catfish Hut in Kinder on the way.

Lunch is “Dutch Treat”

Sundays of Advent

December 1st

HOPE

December 8th

PEACE

December 15th

JOY

December 22nd

LOVE

Join us for

Christmas Eve Worship

Remember these opportunities to invite

friends & family to worship with us!

Epiphany SUNDAY

January 5, 2020

Candlelight Communion Service

Tuesday December 24th

at 6:30 p.m.

December 2019 Vol. 50, issue 10 Page 5

Christmas Joy Offering

The Christmas Joy Offering will be

collected on December 22nd. This offering helps to supplement

inadequate retirement income and

provide supplemental medical

insurance for former ministers,

missionaries, church workers, and

their families.

This offering also provides support

to the Presbyterian racial ethnic

schools and colleges.

(see bulletin Inserts December 15th &

22nd for more information)

Page 6 December 2019 Vol. 50, issue 10

Thursday, January 9, 2020

at 1:30 pm — FPC Classroom

Lesson 4 (we meet monthly on

the 2nd Thursdays at 1:30 pm)

2019—2020 Study Book Love Carved in Stone: A Fresh Look

at the Ten Commandments By Eugenia Anne Gamble

NEXT MEN’S BREAKFAST

Saturday, January 18th

at 8:00 a.m.

Meeting at

Greater St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church

1801 2nd Avenue Fellowship Hall

January 2020

January 18—January 25th

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

ANNUAL MEETING

FIRST CHURCHES UNITED, INC.

Monday, January 27 at 6 pm

Potluck Supper

Bring your favorite dish to share

with our brothers and sisters of

First Christian Church

as we join together for this

Third Annual Meeting of

FIRST CHURCHES UNITED, INC.

Meeting will convene at 6:30 pm

December 15—Justin Wellington

December 15—Robert Price, III

December 21—Bob Dilmore

December 22—Marian Perry Santiago

December 23—Steven Thibodeaux

December 23—Ann Knapp

December 24—Ed Chavanne

December 25—David Cormier

December 26—Joe Duffel

December 27—Carol LeBlanc

December 28—Andy Sharp

December 29—Tyler LaCombe

December 29—Eli Joseph

December 31—Blaine Wright

December 17

Lee & Sarah Roberts (2011)

December 2—Sandra Mkutumula

December 3—Ruth McLeod Rohs

December 4—David Landreneau

December 8—Virginia Gayle

December 8—Elizabeth Knapp Shouba

December 8—Charlotte Knapp Trafton

December 8—Hattie Elizabeth Knapp

December 8—James Wright

December 9—Lindsay Brooks Smith

December 2019 Vol. 50, issue 10 Page 7

1/06 Jo Ann Fish

1/06 Ben Stoker

1/07 Robert Price, Jr.

1/08 Vernon Garber

1/09 Lana Tyler

1/09 Richard Wheaton, Jr.

1/10 Dylan LeBlanc

1/10 Jim Hanchey

1/12 Lana Lake Foster

1/12 Michael Garber

1/13 Katherine Booth

1/16 Nicholas Duffel

1/20 Paula Henderson

1/21 Scott Edwards

1/23 Kirby White, III

1/24 Kay Gilliland

1/30 Margaret Fenet Wright

1/31 Claire Elizabeth Adams

Page 8 December 2019 Vol. 50, issue 10

Health Concerns

Charles Bettinger Ed Chavanne

Don Chavanne Margaret Fontenot

Virginia Gayle Lori & Tommy Kerr

Lenn Knapp (knee surgery) Nancy Hanchey

KB Lake David LeBlanc Billie Morris Molly Paker

Babara Raney Sallye Starks

Carla Washburn (kidney stones) Mason Broussard (Jill Zachary’s grandson)

Betsy Dennison (stroke) Mike Dupuis—(stem cell transplant)

Annette Harlow—(cancer treatment) Michael Jackson (and his family, friends of C. McLeod)

Michele Reed (pain from brittle bones)

Nancy Draughn (kidney failure) Dr. Charles Smith (cancer returned)

(friends of Virginia Gayle) Jeffery & Catherine Simmons (daughter Sarah Kate in coma, at home now) -

classmate of Mark Judson Audrey Gott (8 yr old) - incurable eye disease, she is losing her sight

(Carla Washburn’s family) Marvin & Pat Thompson (Carla Washburn’s parents)

Jules Maust, who has Rapid onset of ALS (friend of Sara Judson)

Tracey Jackson – cancer (Joyce Carr’s cousin) Lawrence Taylor (Joyce Carr’s granddaughter’s husband)

Marisol Manola (breast cancer surgery) Co-worker of P. Brown Phoebe Qualls - recovering from surgery/vision loss (friend of Inci Glover)

Kerry Anderson (recovering at home), friend of Ann Knapp Tom Rusnack (cancer treatment), Angie Dilmore’s stepfather

December 2019 Vol. 50, issue 10 Page 9

Encouragement Carolyn Sharp Fran Plauche

Joyce Carr Greg Sentell (friend of Ben Taylor)

George Joseph & Family ALL Caregivers, and Pastors

All those affected by fire, floods, storms and violence in our country and across the world

Our Sister Church—The Dora Valentin Church & Guines Church—CUBA

Ekwendeni Congregation & Rev. Isaac Malongo, students

(our Sister Presbyterian Church in Malawi)

Scott Allen & family— Lori Kerr’s Son & family

(prayers of hope at a difficult time)

Jeanie & Frank Catania– prison ministry in

Italy (Lori Kerr’s sister)

Board of First Churches United, and FPC & FCC churches as we work toward a

new Worship Center

Joys/Praise Billie Morris—90th Birthday

Safety Rachel Judson (attending McGill University in

Canada)

All of our Troops serving at home & abroad Nick Duffel– (serving in the military)

“Citgo Six” & their families Our First Responders

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)

Health Concerns

Melinda Christ—has PLS (sub category of ALS) -

(cousin of Carla Washburn)

Rose – Breast Cancer (Margaret Fontenot’s

Brother-in-law’s Sister)

Mary Derouen - paralysis from fall &

head injury (Dawn Crum’s mother, friend of Carole Chavanne)

Angel Wright - recovering from stroke

(friend of Cissie McLeod)

Larry Parker—Health concerns Jill Zachary—recovering from knee surgery Aubrey White—Therapy & Recovery from

broken arm (Carla Washburn’s granddaughter)

Sherry White LeBlanc, Kidney transplant Bea Stirling– Barrie’s Aunt

Marie Young

Sympathy

Family & Friends of Essie LeBleu

The Lerma-Perry family & friends Especially, Marian, Jorge, Tomec & Celena

on the recent tragic loss of Lorenzo

NOVEMBER SESSION UPDATE

1. Mark Judson, Outreach moderator, reported that a MorganField team has been

established to oversee the pre-move, arrival needs, and post-arrival decisions. Those

representing First Presbyterian are Paul Brown, Angie Dilmore, Mark Judson,

Sara Judson, and Laura Landreneau. First Christian members are Stacy Eastwood,

Mike Fullington, and Stephanie Smith. Ad hoc members are Vince Endris, Amy

Endris, Chan Willis and Maura Mize. This committee will meet every other Sunday

at 4:00 p.m.

2. In lieu of poinsettias, donations will be accepted to provide help for Malawi students

and local mission. Gifts may be given in memory, in honor, in celebration of life, and/

or in appreciation of a loved one, friend, etc. Forms will be provided, and a dedication

booklet will be printed.

3. On November 24, First Christian will join First Presbyterian for worship, lunch, and

dedication of the driveway at MorganField. Worship will begin at 11:00 a.m., followed

by lunch where communion will be observed. Then we will go to MorganField for a

brief dedication.

4. Operations moderator, John Hood, announced that as of November 11, 24 pledges had

been received for a total of $89,360. Eleven who pledged last year have not pledged as

of yet. Two new pledges have been received.

5. Laura Landreneau, Faith moderator, reported that “Hanging of the Greens” will take

place on Sunday, December 1, during Sunday School. The elementary Sunday School

class will help.

6. The Session approved General Assembly special offerings for 2020: One Great Hour

of Sharing (April 12), Pentecost (May 31), Peace and Global Witness (October 4), and

Christmas Joy Gift (December 20). First Presbyterian has also scheduled two special

offerings: Bridging the Gap in September and Evergreen Ministries at Thanksgiving.

7. Nurture moderator, Carla Washburn, said that an excursion to Grant Christmas Tree

Farm’s Fall Festival will take place on Saturday, December 7. Those going will meet

at the church at 10:00 a.m. to carpool and caravan to Grant, Louisiana. A stop for

lunch at Roy’s Catfish Hut in Kinder is planned.

8. “’Round the Table” Carol Sing will be Wednesday, December 18, at 6:00 p.m.

Fried turkey will be served; the rest of the meal will be pot luck. Watch for more

information to come.

Submitted by Dorothy Strait, Clerk of Session

Page 10 December 2019 Vol. 50, issue 10

Stewardship Season is Here:

Thank you very much to all of you

who turned in your 2020 Pledge Cards.

If you have not already done so, please bring or send your pledge card to

Wendy at the Church office.

Your gift is important as we formulate our plans for next year for the worship,

staff, and mission of First Presbyterian Church.

CONGREGATION MEETING November 17, 2019

At the Congregational Meeting on November 17, the following actions were approved:

1. Paul Brown, Leonard Knapp, and Sally Taylor were elected to serve as elders

for the Class of 2020.

2. Edie Ausmus, Kaki Brown, and Pat Swift were elected to represent the

congregation on the 2021 congregational Nominating Committee.

3. Leonard Knapp will serve a three-year term on the board of First Churches

United, Inc.

4. Sally Fenet was elected to be 2020 vice-president of the board of First Churches

United, Inc.

5. The 2020 Session will serve as the Board of Trustees.

BASKETS OF LOVE

Please remember to bring items for the Baskets of Love which are placed in area hospital waiting rooms. Think about getting small bottles of water, individual servings of chips, cookies, breakfast bars, sandwich crackers, or any other types of snacks.

This mission for our church helps those who are waiting for loved ones or friends who are having surgery or procedures.

We appreciate Angie Dilmore, Nancy Hanchey, Sally Picheloup, Sally Taylor, and Carla Washburn for delivering these baskets. If you would like to volunteer to take a couple of baskets to a hospital, please contact Dorothy Strait (479-0400).

Whether you bring snacks to the back of the sanctuary or deliver baskets, YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!

December 2019 Vol. 50, issue 10 Page 11

First Presbyterian church of lake charles

International Mission—Malawi Students

Local Mission

Mission Giving FOrm

A gift to mission in Honor or Memory of a loved one this Christmas Season.

Name of Person making Donation______________________ Amount of Donation ____________

Please note my donation as follows:

In Memory of________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

In Honor of__________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

In Appreciation of___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

In Celebration of Life of_______________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

GIVEN BY:_________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

(Please print or type so that we may transcribe your dedication correctly.)

Our Stories by Angie Dilmore In honor of Billie Morris’s recent 90th birthday, here is a

reprint of her “Our Stories” interview from Sept. 2015.

Billie Morris came to First Presbyterian Church of Lake Charles as a young adult

when her family moved here. She had grown up Baptist, but was looking for some-

thing different. A friend invited her to come to First Pres and Billie agreed.

“Dr. Wardlaw was the minister then. Everyone was so wonderful and sweet, just like

they are now. They welcomed me. It was a big big congregation at that time. The

church was always full and there were a lot of activities.”

The following year, Billie and her husband Jimmy were married in the church.

He, too, was raised Baptist and also wished to become Presbyterian. They both joined

the church at that time. He had just gotten out of the service and they moved to Baton

Rouge so he could finish school. After that, they returned to Lake Charles and FPC.

Jimmy worked as a mechanical engineer for Conoco and later on at Olin. With two

young children, they moved thirteen times in seventeen years, from Panama to

Connecticut.

In 1972, Jimmy was tragically killed in an automobile accident. Now a single parent,

Billie returned to Lake Charles to be closer to both sets of parents. And First

Presbyterian once again became an integral part of Billie’s life. Billie has been an

elder several times. She was on the Committee on Ministry (Baton Rouge) for six

years. She was Clerk of Session under three different pastors. “That was fun. They

were all so different,” she says. Over the years, Billie primarily served on the worship

committee. “I’ve enjoyed going to the Presbyterian Church, and the people, they’re

just like family. I feel like I know everyone like they’re a sister or brother. They’ve

become lifelong friends.”

Billie gets around now with a walker and says it’s not as easy to serve in the church as

she once did. “I’m afraid I’m going to fall again,” she says. She misses the church at

1801 Second Ave., and is still adjusting to our new/temporary home. But she still

attends church regularly. “I feel if I don’t go to church on Sundays, my days are all

messed up for the next week.”

December 2019 Vol. 50, issue 10 Page 13

Please NOTE:

The Men’s Breakfast Group will not meet in December.

2019

2020

The Church office will be closed December 23rd—January 1

for the Christmas & New Year Holidays.

The Church Office will reopen on

Thursday, January 2, 2020

The office phone will be checked daily for messages.

In case of an emergency, please contact the

Clerk of Session, Dorothy Strait.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 2525 Second Avenue Lake Charles, LA

Office: 337-433-4667

Office Hours:

Monday - Thursday 9:30A.M. - 12:30 P.M.

E-mail: Office: secretary@1stpreslc.com

Website: www.firstpres-lc.org

SESSION

Rev. Chandler M. Willis, Moderator

CHURCH OFFICE: 337-433-4667 Dorothy Strait, Clerk of Session

Class of 2019 Dorothy Strait Inci Glover Edie Ausmus

Class of 2020 Josh Duffel Nancy Hanchey John Hood

Class of 2021 Mark Judson Laura Landreneau Carla Washburn