JOIN US FOR WORSHIP & FELLOWSHIP

Sunday School 9:45am

Worship Service 11:00am

CHURCH CURRENTS First Presbyterian Church 210 S. Wayne Street

Milledgeville, GA 31061

phone: 478-452-9394

fpchurch@windstream.net

www.fpchurch.org “like” us on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/First.Presbyterian.Church.Milledgeville.GA

We seek to glorify God through:

Inspiring worship in Word and music, Inquiring study for adults and youth,

Inclusive hospitality locally and globally, Industrious outreach for social justice

and environmental stewardship.

January 2018

We are on the radio Our worship service is broadcast on WKZR

(102.3 FM.) every Sunday morning at 11:00AM

ONLINE GIVING

www.fpchurch.org

An After Christmas Poem by Howard Thurman

The Work of Christmas When the song of the angels is stilled,

When the star in the sky is gone,

When the kings and the princes are home,

When the shepherds are back with their flock,

The work of Christmas begins:

To find the lost,

To heal the broken,

To feed the hungry,

To release the prisoner,

To rebuild the nations,

To bring peace among brothers,

To make music in the heart.

Coord. of Children &

Youth Ministries:

Gloria Burns

Issue No. 260 January 2018

First Presbyterian Church

Organists:

Kate Phillips

Jenny Moore

Director of Music:

Dr. Jennifer Flory

Admin. Asst.:

Amy Snowden

Child Care Providers: Sarah Patrick, Sarah Clegg, Raeven Rod-ney, Andaysha Taylor

Pastor:

Rev. Susan

Balfour

Dear Sisters and Brothers, Grace to you, and peace in the name of our newborn Christ! With thanksgiving, I offer God my prayers for you, that your faith and faithfulness will be rewarded, and that we shall persevere in our mutual service to our Lord. I have a confession. By the time Advent and Christmas Eve have come and gone, my year is done. I have had a full year, and a particularly full December! I am ready to retreat, spend time with family, and relax. The thing is the year is really just beginning. No, I’m not talking about the next calendar year! The liturgical year is still brand new. Although the placement of Christmas at the end of a given calendar year leads us to think that we end the year with the birth of baby Jesus, it is still the beginning. Truly, the birth of any baby is just the beginning! Who gets to rest and relax with a newborn around? And this particular newborn is particularly demanding. So when I get back from a week of recuperating from the busyness of the Advent season, in truth, we’re still in the midst of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Epiphany, is still coming, and it’s not long before Ash Wednesday rolls around. And here I am, trying to reorient myself to this liturgi-cal rhythm, pulling my head back in the game to realize that there is a demanding little baby to attend to, who quickly becomes a demanding adult—a demanding teacher and Christ. In the night, we may hear his cries: there are bottles to be warmed, laundry to be done, affection to be meted, tears to be dried, colic to be soothed. This baby—our sweet Jesus—comes into our world to remind us of the needs and demands of the vulnerable, and cries in the night that those needs must be met. And the day of birth is just the beginning. Because in the night, we may hear his cries: there are hungry persons to be fed, cold bodies to be clothed, invisible souls to be acknowledged, griefs to be comforted, ailments to be healed. Christmas is only the beginning. Wishing you a truly blessed and happy calendar and liturgical new year, Rev. Susan

2018 2019 2020 Elders: Dave Baarda Nancy Miller, Clerk of Session

Holley Cowan Bill Werts

Faye Heal Bob Wilson Deacons: Mary Baker

Donna Gautier Moderator

Barbara Rowe

New list will be assessed for our

Unicameral model after Officer

Installations on January 21.

JOIN US FOR WORSHIP & FELLOWSHIP

I

Our congregation is now registered on GuideStar.com, a database for non-profit agencies. You will be able to donate directly through our profile page on GuideStar.

In the coming weeks, we expect that this information will be shared with Amazon.com through their Smile.Amazon.com platform. With Amazon Smile, you can select your charity of choice, and a portion of each purchase you make through Amazon Smile will be given to FPC Milledgeville. We may be a little late to get your Christmas shopping to our credit, but

keep in mind those after-Christmas sales!

JOIN US FOR STUDY & WORSHIP

Sunday School 9:45AM Potluck Wednesday 6:30PM

Sunday Morning Worship 11:00AM Bible Study 7:15PM

NURSERY SCHEDULE: January 7 Anna W. Young January 14 Doris Moody January 21 Joel Burns January 28 Anne Smart Thank you to those who continue to serve faithfully. Anne Smart (asmart@johnmilledge.com).

FPC Book Club When the book club chose Al Franken's book, Giant of the Senate, as the December selection, we were ex-pecting a fun read for the holiday season. Of course our discussion wound up focusing on the senator's recent notoriety as one of the famous people accused of sexual impropriety. We agreed that it was sad that someone who has seemingly been a good representative for his Minnesota constituents has become known for such misdeeds.

Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Isaacson will be discussed at our meeting on January 11 at 2 p.m. in the church parlor. Isaacson writes extensively about Leonardo's most famous paintings, most of which he worked on for many years. The ultimate Renaissance man, da Vinci was incessantly curious about the world and used his studies of anatomy, light, and shadow to make his paintings more timeless and natu-ral. His interests in flight and many scientific principles are also explored. The book follows Leonardo from Florence, his place of birth, to Milan, Rome, and finally France. His endless love of learning make his life a fascinating story.

If you enjoy reading and sharing ideas about books, join us every second Thursday for a lively discussion! If you have any questions or comments, please contact Millie Murphy mmurphy1611@yahoo.com or Alice Tenold alicetenold@gmail.com

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

We are studying The Community of Christ in Hebrews. Our Sunday group meets on the 2nd Sunday of each month (Jan. 14) at 5:00 in the parlor. Tuesday group meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month (Jan. 9) at

11:00 in the parlor, followed by a catered lunch. Rosemary Begemann will lead the discussions. We pray

that our study of community in Hebrews will help us strengthen our own communities!

NEW GIVING OPPORTUNITY!!

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Students That Always Rejoice and Serve

Our S.T.A.R.S. will continue their meetings on January 7, 2018 at 3 pm until 5 pm. All children and youth

are invited to join us as we begin a new year with a celebration. We will have poppers, pizza, celebrate the

holidays by playing a gift game and just having a good time. Join us for fun and games (some musical) and crafts

as we talk about our hopes and expectations for the remainder of this school year. We promise lots of fun!

Joyful Singers Choir

We hope to offer our youth and older girls the opportunity to sing more often in worship. Come and try

some duets, solos, and small group songs. Children will also continue singing and planning specials.

Puppets

Will continue to meet at 10 am on Sunday mornings so that we will be prepared for the Children’s

Worship Time each week. Have you ever wanted to write? We are looking for someone willing to help our youth

write puppet plays for our younger puppets to perform on Sunday mornings. If you are interested in helping,

please talk to Gloria Burns.

Joy Gift Program Thanks to all those who helped our children and Youth perform on Sunday evening December 17. We

especially thank our parents! Without your help we would not be able to help any of our children lead us in

worship and praise our God. Thanks for bringing talented and loving children rehearsals so faithfully.

We Love You! ~ Gloria & Ruby

New Nursery Helpers You may have noticed that we have two new helpers in our Nursery. Raeven Rodney and Andaysha Taylor

have joined our existing helpers Sarah Patrick and Sarah Clegg. Our goal is to have two helpers each Sunday

during worship. Welcome them with the Love of FPC!

Our chili cookoff

winner Nan

Carpenter!

A great time was

had by all during

and after the chil-

dren’s wonderful

program!

BUDDY - FPC Mascot!!

Prison Family Ministry Our Atlanta visitors were welcomed on Dec. 16 for a ham dinner hosted by the Session. Everyone had a good day as we had a visit with Murphy Davis and Ed Loring, longtime directors of The Open Door but now retired to Maryland to enjoy grandparenting. The Teddy Bear tree was, as usual, quickly stripped by eager youngsters, ready to give the huggables a new home. Thank you to all who came through at almost the last minute to make this possible. Thank you, as well, to all those who came to provide help in various ways, preparation, serving, and clean-up. Especially I extend a big “Thank you” to John and Libby Lounsbury who provided decorations and “favors” for every place at the tables. It was beautifully and thoughtfully done, as is usual with these talented and generous folks. We are so blessed to have them! Beginning in January, we have one donor who will provide all the purchases needed for this ministry for 2018. We will continue to need hands, however, so please be alert for e-mail reminders before each luncheon. Thank you again for all you have done during 2017 to make our visitors feel welcome and loved!

COMMUNITY OUTREACH Food Pantry~ 2nd Tuesday 9:30-10:30am

We are praying for someone to step into Mary Baker’s role to head up our food pantry. It is extremely rewarding feeding our neighbors and children in this community!Thank you for the continued and generous donations and contributions. If you would like to contribute to any of our outreach programs you can mail a check to FPC and add a note to which fund you would like to contribute to. Because Christ Is Given, We Give

Samaritan Ministry On the third Tuesday of every month at 9:30am, we

offer limited utility assistance to a few people in our

community. Our Angel Tree was a significant SUC-

CESS!! We were able to bring Christmas JOY to 8

families this year; they were ever SO GRATEFUL!!

Thank you for your contributions and continued

support for this ministry! Help for the Helpless,

Hope for the Hopeless, and Rest for the Weary...

TREASURER'S CORNER As we have worshiped in the recent weeks we have been treated to festive decorations, beautiful children's programs, and fun for all. It has really been a terrific season. In approaching the new year we should all be grateful for our church and its spirit of love and joy. 2017 was a good year for us, but we have many challenges as we start 2018. We have a church facility that is over 100 years old and its systems need constant maintenance. We have not grown enough to offset the losses we had from death and other things. We have had to pare our budget down to the bone. These issues are serious, but we can meet the future with great enthusiasm. We have new ways of communi-cating our message of peace, love and kindness. We have a wonderful spirit led leadership. We stand ready to bring the world inclusion, community and agape. All of us should be ready to put our best effort behind our ministries that change lives. Give that little bit extra, volunteer in the mission. Show others the church of Jesus Christ! ~ Joel D. Burns

October November 2017 YTD Contributions $14,795 $28,272 $174,657 Other Income 119 123 5,141 Total Income $14,914 $28,395 $179,798

Budgeted Expenses 15,225 $18,202 196,682

Net (Loss) 284 11,358 ($9,469)

CHURCH AND COMMUNITY

Visually Impaired Persons Group

VIPs Celebrate Christmas

The VIP’s met Dec, 20th for its annual Christmas party. Harry Beck welcomed

members and updated us on the passing of one of our members, Mary Sue West.

Another member, Franklin Hodges, was recently hospitalized with pneumonia but is now

back at Fellowship Home.

Harry read Christmas poems written by Marjorie Wood, one of the group’s

founder’s to get us in the Christmas spirit. Then chicken soup, sandwiches, pigs in the

blanket, brownies, cake, and Harry’s wonderful mulled cider were enjoyed as we listened

to Will Humphrey treating us to Christmas songs. Will also shared information about

some of the songs, including extra verses of “Jingle Bells”. We appreciate Will volunteer-

ing his time to put us in the holiday mood. Good friends, good music & good food- what a

great way to start this very special season.

The VIP’s next meeting is Wednesday,

January 17th; Terry Quick, Associate Pastor

at First Baptist Church will be our speaker.

Anyone interested in learning more about

low vision is cordially invited to attend.

Milledgeville Singers Guild

Milledgeville Singers Guild resumes rehearsals on January 15 at First United Methodist Church.

Preparation for the December performance of Handel’s “Messiah”, along with three other works new to most of

the singers, was challenging and rewarding, as was the performance. The Spring program promises to be just as

good, just as much fun. New singers are always welcome to come try out the music and become members of the

group. Every rehearsal begins promptly at 7:00 in the choir room at FUMC. Give it a try!

Wednesday Night Bible Study

January 10 we will begin with a new book: The Power of Nonviolence: Writings by Advocates of Peace.

Contributors include Ghandi, Dorothy Day, Thomas Merton, MLK, Jr., Camus, Simone Weil, and others. If you

would like to join us, please see Rev. Susan about ordering a book. They are $17.00 each.

There are FREE calendars in the Fellowship hall. Please take one to keep track of your events through-

out this wonderful year!

An

niv

ersa

ries

Limited Mobility: Mrs. Gerry Califf

Mary Carlton

Martha Chappell

Helen Danuser

Polly Morrison

Charlotte Owens

Gloria Smith

Church Family: Harry Beck, chemotherapy

Sympathies and loving memories of our dear friend Carolyn Erickson

Extended Family: Hayden Adams, Don & Terri Glover’s 13 yr old granddaughter, large cell leukemia, New York

Ann Bertolli. health concerns

Murphy Davis, Open Door Community, cancer, multiple health concerns

Judy deGrandcourt, Sandra Balfour’s sister, advanced MS

Kyle Dennis, Anne’s husband, Multiple Myeloma, kidney issues

Russell & Kathleen Edwards, Marianne’s parents, numerous health problems

Jeremy Erickson, Carolyn Erickson’s son, liver issues

Marty Flory, Jennifer’s mother-in-law, ICU

Dee Hartmann, Sandra Balfour’s sister-in-law, health issues

Leigh Humphrey, Will & Becky Humphrey’s son, recovering

Arthur & Julie Montemayor, Becky Henderson’s parents, ongoing health concerns

Tom Murphy, Kathy Carroll’s brother, colon cancer

Chris Pearson, Sunda Coleman’s son, under heart specialist care

Roy & Runette Pound, Sunda Coleman’s parents, at home recovering, multiple health issues

Marion Robinson, kidney/blood infection, recovering

Suzy Smith, Lois Callender’s mother, prayers for improved physical & mental health

Sue York, cancer treatment

In Assisted Living: Bryan Dempster, Green Acres, 313 Allen Memorial Drive

Marguerite Owens, Gloria Burns’ mother, Savannah Court

Bob & Eloise Lamb, Fellowship Home at Meriwether, Milledgeville

January 1 ~ John Lounsbury

Nan Rogers

January 2 ~ Haywood Edwards January 3 ~ Elizabeth Wells January 7 ~ Grace Anne Azahar January 9 ~ Nancy Holbrook January 11 ~ Harry Beck January 21 ~ Frida Ituka

Mike Tenold

January 14 ~ Jimmy & Mary Jordan

January 29 ~ Dudley & Anne Weathers

Bir

thd

ays

Communion for the Infirm and Homebound

Our FPC Worship Committee would like to make Communion available to those members of our congregation who are unable to attend our church worship services. They will do so by bringing the

communion elements to homes, hospital rooms, and nursing facilities. To request this service, please call the church office at (478) 452-9394 and leave your contact information.

‘For as often as YOU eat this loaf and drink this cup, YOU keep proclaiming the death of the Lord, until he arrives.’ 1 Corinthians 11:26

January 24 ~ Ruby Werts

January 31 ~ Rosemary Begemann

Brother and sisters in Christ at FPC, As a former member of FPC, I still remember with great joy

the fourteen years I shared with you, and I continue to follow the work of your congregation with

great interest. Each month I enjoy reading your newsletter to see the ways in which your ministry is

alive and active within your congregation and the Milledgeville community. I have enclosed a con-

tribution to your general fund. I pray that it will help First Presbyterian Church continue a vital

ministry in the Milledgeville community in the years to come. Yours in Christ ~ Richard Loeble

1

Happy New Year!

Office Closed!!

2 3

Wednesday Night

services cancelled

due to bitter cold!!

4

1:00 Afternoon

Bridge Club

7:00 Choir

7 6

10:00 Removing

Decorations from

Sanctuary

7

9:45 Sunday School

10:00 Puppets

11:00 Worship Service

w/Communion & Food

Offering Received

3:00-5:00 STARS

8

5:30 Stewardship &

Finance

Committee TBD

9

9:30 Food Pantry

11:00 Presbyterian

Women Study

12:00 Kiwanis Club

Luncheon

2:00 Mourning

After Group

10

6:30 Potluck

Gathering

7:15 Bible Study ~

The Power of

Nonviolence

11

1:00 Afternoon

Bridge Club

2:00

FPC Book Club ~

Leonardo da Vinci

6:30 In Our Best

Interest

7:00 Choir

12 13

14

9:45 Sunday School

10:00 Puppets

11:00 Worship

Service

3:00-5:00 STARS

5:00 Presbyterian

Women Study

15

OFFICE CLOSED!

MLK JR. BDAY!

11:30-2:00

Daughters of the

American

Revolution

16

9:30 Samaritan

Ministry

12:00 Kiwanis Club

Luncheon

5:30 Session TBD

17

10:30 Visually

Impaired Person

Group

6:30 Potluck

Gathering

7:15 Bible Study ~

The Power of Non-

violence

18

1:00 Afternoon

Bridge Club

2:00 Learning in

Retirement Reading

3:00 Learning in

Retirement Writing

7:00Choir

19

9:30-11:00 Setup

for PFL in

kitchen &

fellowship hall

20

11:00~1:00

PRISON

FAMILY

LUNCHEON

21

9:45 Sunday School

10:00 Puppets

11:00 Worship Service

Installation of Officers

3:00-5:00 STARS

22

6:0-8:00 Girl Scout

Leaders

23

12:00 Kiwanis

Club Luncheon

5:15 Kiwanis Board

6:30 Bridge

24

6:30 Potluck

Gathering

7:15 Bible Study ~

The Power of

Nonviolence

25

1:00 Afternoon

Bridge Club

4:00-5:30

Milledgeville

Community Garden

Assoc.

6:30 In Our Best

Interest

7:00 Choir

26 27

9:00-3:00 Officer

Retreat

28

9:45 Sunday School

10:00 Puppets

11:00 Worship Service

3:00-5:00 STARS

29 30

12:00 Kiwanis Club

Luncheon

31

6:30 Potluck

Gathering

7:15 Bible Study ~

The Power of

Nonviolence

January