First Presbyterian Church

PresbyNews

December 2019-January 2020

Dear Friends,

We just finished a week of saying to one another, “Happy Thanksgiving!” Now we are getting closer to

saying to everyone, “Merry Christmas!” Yet, as Christians, do we ever say to anyone, “Happy (or “merry”)

Advent”? Advent means so many things, yet they are often lost in the hurry and hustle of the commercial

Christmas season.

Advent means a decorated sanctuary. We are thankful to the many helpers who made our worship space

even more beautiful than it is year-round.

Advent means candle-lighting in place of the usual call to worship at the beginning of our Sunday worship

services. I am asking persons new to our congregation to light our candles this year.

Advent means a purple, royal color on our paraments and clergy stole. We recognize Jesus as our

newborn king and, as the favorite hymns says it, “Jesus, Lord at thy birth.”

Advent means just over four weeks to Christmas, the celebrated birth of the Christ-child. There is a lot of

anticipation of the “great joy” which the angels brought to the shepherds.

Advent means special music in worship services and joyful concerts to attend. We are thankful always for

our church’s choirs, and the music leadership of Mac McCall and Barbara Dickson. We will have a very musical

Sunday worship service on December 15.

Advent means that it is time for the sending and receiving of greetings to family and friends. What a

joyful remembrance of those who mean so much to us!

Advent offers opportunities for us to share our bountiful blessings with others who are less fortunate.

Through the church’s own special offerings, plus charities around Cheraw and Chesterfield County, we convey the

love of God in Christ by our generous giving.

Advent, most of all, means “coming” or “arrival.” We look for the coming again of Jesus Christ, Savior and

Lord. We want to experience his re-birth into our lives. By his Spirit, Christ comes to dwell in our lives anew. The

posture of Advent, then, is a head bowed in recognition of his kingship, and hands open to give and to receive his

love.

May you experience all the joys and hope of Advent this year! “Happy/Merry Advent” to you!

Your interim pastor,

Dr. Dan Sansbury

Fill the Red Wagon for McArn Food Bank

A monthly featured item is now being requested for donations in the Red

Wagon for the McArn Food Bank.

The food bank is currently most in need of food for the Backpack Program,

which sends food home with needy children from school every Friday.

December Featured Item: Fruit Cups

January Featured Item: Chef Boyardee Microwavable Bowls

Additional canned food donations are encouraged!

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Thank you for your participation in Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Shoe Boxes for children. We met our goal of 100 boxes this year! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cheraw Christmas Choir

You are invited to a program of Christmas music on Tuesday, December 17, 6:00 pm at First

Presbyterian Church. Featured will be choir, soloists, handbells and organ. Please bring your

family and friends.

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First Presbyterian Church, Hartsville, South Carolina

First Friday Concert Series

All Concerts at 12-12:30 in the Sanctuary. All Concerts free and open to

public!

December 6-Penny Rogers, flute; Tim Smoak, piano

January 3-Ronda McElveen & Tim Smoak, organ

February 7-Whitney Davis, soprano; Ronda McElveen, piano

March 6-FPC Chancel Choir & Celebration Ringers

April 3-Christopher Moore, tenor; Ronda McElveen, piano

DECEMBER 2019 – JANUARY 2020

Sunday School Teaching Schedule For Preschool/Elementary

December

1st Charlene Tillman/Laura Katherine Folger 8th Jean Page Watson/Becky Childers 15th Karen Tillman/Sara Marie Jewart 22nd Heather Tucker/Sadie Smith (Christmas) 29th No Sunday School

January 2020 5th Charlene Tillman/Laura Katherine Folger 12th Jean Page Watson/Becky Childers 19th Karen Tillman/Sadie Smith (MLK Weekend) 26th Heather Tucker/Sara Marie Jewart

Middle School/High School Teaching Schedule

December, 2019

1st Mary Anderson 8th Larry Zimmerman 15th Robby Ashworth 22nd Tom Hammer (Christmas) 29th No Sunday School

January 2020 5th Mary Anderson 12th Larry Zimmerman 19th Robby Ashworth (MLK Weekend) 26th Tom Hammer

FUN PROGRAM SCHEDULE

DECEMBER 2019 – JANUARY 2020

Here is the Fun Program Schedule for the next two months. Please mark your calendars with these

dates!

DECEMBER 2019 – During our Wednesday times we will be preparing the children to ring

chimes and bells during our Worship Service on December 15th. Please be sure the children

are here so they can practice. Please let Mac know if there are any concerns!

DECEMBER

Wednesday, December 4th 3:00 pm Practice for Worship

Wednesday, December 11th 3:00 pm Practice for Worship

5:30 pm White Christmas – Covered Dish Dinner – it is rumored that

Santa might make an appearance

Sunday, December 15th 9:30 am Meet in the Sanctuary to practice for Worship

Wednesday, December 18th No Fun Program

Wednesday, December 25th MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

JANUARY 2020

Wednesday, January 1st HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Wednesday, January 8th 3:00 pm Fun Program

Resumes

Wednesday, January 15th 3:00 pm Fun Program

Wednesday, January 22nd 3:00 pm Fun Program

Wednesday, January 29th No Fun Program – Mac

on Continuing

Education in Little Rock,

Arkansas

Dec. 1 Becky Childers

Dec. 8 Kristen Miller

Dec. 15 Eva Goddard

Dec. 22 Children and Youth Program

Dec. 29 Open

Middle School/High School Youth Schedule December 2019 – January 2020

DECEMBER Sunday, December 8th 6:00 pm Sunday, December 15th Christmas party at the home of Andy Beck Sunday, December 22nd No Youth Meeting Sunday, December 29th No Youth Meeting

JANUARY 2020

Sunday, January 5th 6:00 pm – Youth will meet Saturday, January 11th Crowders Chutes – Time will be announced! We will be taking the youth to Crowders Chutes in Gastonia. This is very much like snow tubing but without the snow and mess. We are planning to go to Mac and Debbie’s home in Huntersville for an early dinner of Baked Spaghetti, Salad, Bread, and Dessert. Then the youth will head to Gastonia. The cost of this is $13.00 per person for the chutes. Then we will return to Cheraw. Mac will send out the departure time and an estimate of return time to Cheraw. Please mark your calendars!

Sunday, January 12th 6:00 pm Sunday, January 19th 6:00 pm Sunday, January 26th 6:00 pm

PARLOR CLASS STUDIES FOR DECEMBER AND JANUARY 2020

DECEMBER 8, 2019

Go from “Bah, Humbug!” to a Blessed Advent and Merry

Christmas.

Ebenezer Scrooge is a man in dire need of a second chance. Is

redemption possible for such a greedy, dark and sad character? The Redemption of Scrooge, from Matt Rawle’s The Pop in Culture

Series, shows us how the teachings of Jesus can be found in Dickens’

Christmas classic. From the ghosts of Christmas past, to the Life of

the present, and the resurrection of Christmas future, this Advent

study will “bless us every one” and reinvigorate our spiritual journeys

as we look at this familiar story through the lens of faith.

Join the Parlor Class beginning this coming Sunday, December 8th

–

Sunday, January 5th

for this Advent/Christmas Study.

JANUARY 12, 2020

Then beginning Sunday, January 12th

– Sunday, January 26th

.

The Parlor Class will continue with their study of How

Happiness Happens by Max Lucado.

Only one-third of Americans surveyed said they were happy.

How can this be? Education is accessible to most. We've

made advancements in everything from medicine to

technology, yet 66 percent of us can't find an adequate reason

to check the "yes" box on the happiness questionnaire.

In this book Max shares the unexpected path to a lasting

happiness, one that produces reliable joy in any season of life.

Based on the teachings of Jesus and backed by modern

research, How Happiness Happens presents a surprising but

practical way of living that will change you from the inside out.

Join the Parlor Class as they continue this study until the end

of January 2020.

FELLOWSHIP CLASS STUDIES FOR DECEMBER – JANUARY 2020

DECEMBER 8, 2019 Beginning this coming Sunday, December 8th the Fellowship Class embark on a study by Max Lucado entitled: Because of Bethlehem. Each year, the Christmas season compels people to ask the Christmas questions. What's the big deal about the baby in the manger? Who was he? What does his birth have to do with me? Of all the responses to these questions, there is one that stands out from the rest: Because of Bethlehem, God knows what it is like to be a human. When we talk to God about our challenges, our struggles, and our tough times, he understands, because he's been there. He's been here. Because of Bethlehem, we have a friend and Savior in heaven.

Join the class for this wonderful Advent Study!

JANUARY 12, 2020

Following the Fellowship Class Advent Study will be The Me I Want to Be by John Ortberg. This study will begin on Sunday, January 12th. Join the class as we discover spiritual vitality like never-before, and as we learn to live in the flow of the spirit. The question is - if God has a perfect vision for our life, why does spiritual growth seem so difficult? John Ortberg has some intriguing answers to that question, and he has organized his thoughts and God's words into a straightforward and timely guide for living our best life in The Me I Want to Be. This book will show how God's perfect vision for us starts with a powerful promise. All those who trust in God 'will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit' (Jeremiah 17:7-8). Ortberg urges us to recognize our brokenness, understand that God is the project manager, and follow His directions.

Christmas Dates to Remember December 7- children decorate the Christmas tree in the Fellowship building and make cookies-

2:00 (Fellowship Building)

December 21-rehearsal for the Christmas program-9:00AM. Please make sure your child is at

this rehearsal if he/she is going to participate in the Christmas program on the 22nd.

(sanctuary)

December 22-We will change into costumes at 10:20 (Bell Room.)

Christmas program-11:00

December 30-take down the Christmas decorations-9:00AM

Candlelight Service We will hold our Christmas Eve/Candle Lighting Service on Tuesday, December 24

th

at 5:30 p.m.

Please join us for this service.

Please pick up poinsettias from the sanctuary after the Christmas Eve Service.

Christmas Joy Offering

Sunday, December 15, 2019

During this season, we hear “the good news of great joy” that was proclaimed to the shepherds and

transformed their fear to joy. We live with the anticipation that once again the spirit of Christmas

will be born in our hearts. Our hope is that the love of God made known to us as the child of

Bethlehem will be a reality in our lives and in the world. One way in which the PC (USA) shares

this is through the Christmas Joy Offering. One half of this supports Presbyterian related ethnic

schools and colleges. The Assistance program of the Board of Pensions receives the other half of

the offering and uses it to assist pastors, missionaries, and church workers in special need.

Members: Dee Pierce Anne Bryan

Carole Kennedy Jack Baker

Larry Gaddy

Robby Ashworth

Relatives/Friends: Shenell Malloy (Bill & Susan Malloy’s

daughter-in-law)

Rebie Harrison (Sue Cutchin’s mother)

Bhree Barrett (Louise Carpenter’s great niece)

Rose Via (Tammy Joyce’s mother )

Cheryl Goldsberry (Shirley Brock’s daughter)

Nancy Ingram Walters (Sloan Baker’s sister)

Evelyn Petros (Jean Page Watson’s aunt)

John Pruitt (Libby Pierce’s brother)

Gene Brymer (Gina Goddard’s father)

Robert Gantt (friend of Betty Davis)

Hope Griggs (friend of Tracie Phillips)

David Perdue (Jennifer Tillman’s father)

Welbourne White (son of Betty Davis)

Peggy Hick (friend of Darice Gomez)

Charles Watson (Laura K. Folger’s father)

Pam Cook (Cathy Chapman’s daughter-in law's

mother)

Mia Lang (Shirley Brock’s granddaughter)

Residents at Presbyterian Communities:

Artha Sompayrac (Summerville)

B. J. Moore (Summerville)

Other:

Mid-East Conflict & Victims

December

Calendar of Events 1 9:30 a.m. Coffee/Fellowship

10:00 a.m. Church School

11:00 a.m. Worship

6:00 p.m. Youth

2 8:30 a.m. MMO

5:30 p.m. Mission Outreach

3 12:00 p.m. At Ease

1:00 p.m. At Ease Committee

1:00 p.m. PWCT

4 8:30 a.m. MMO

3:00 p.m. Fun Program

6:00 p.m. Adult Choir Rehearsal

7 2:00 a.m. Children Decorate

8 9:30 a.m. Coffee/Fellowship

10:00 a.m. Church School

11:00 a.m. Worship

6:00 p.m. Youth

9 8:30 a.m. MMO

10 10:00 a.m. Circle 1

6:00 p.m. Adult Choir Rehearsal

11 8:30 a.m. MMO

3:00 p.m. Fun Program

4:00 p.m. Circle 2

5:30 p.m. White Christmas/

Covered dish

15 9:30 a.m. Coffee/Fellowship

10:00 a.m. Church School

11:00 a.m. Christmas Cantata

6:00 p.m. Youth

16 8:30 a.m. MMO

17 6:30 p.m. Community Christmas

Program at FPC

18 8:30 a.m. MMO

6:00 p.m. Adult Choir Rehearsal

21 9:00 a.m. Children’s pageant

rehearsal

22 9:30 a.m. Coffee/Fellowship

10:00 a.m. Church School

11:00 a.m. Children’s Christmas

Pageant

6:00 p.m. Youth

24 5:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Service

29 10:00 a.m. Hymn Sing-Fell. Bldg.

30 9:00 a.m. Take Decorations

Down

Note: No Church School on the

29th

The Spirit of

Giving

In the Narthex of our Church hangs a large

green Christmas tree. This is a very special

tree, for it offers you the opportunity to share

the true spirit of Christmas – the “Spirit of

Giving” – with other members of our Church

family in a very meaningful way. By making

a donation to the “Christmas Joy Special

Offering”, in lieu of sending Christmas cards

to Church friends, you will be wishing them a

joyous holiday season while providing

financial support to the Presbyterian’s Board

of Pension and Racial Ethnic Presbyterian

Schools. A monetary donation to First

Presbyterian Church (marked Joy Tree) will

place an ornament on this tree with your

family’s name on it. What a good way to

share your Good Tidings of Great Joy, Peace

on Earth and Goodwill to others.

White Christmas/Covered Dish

Please join us on December 11th

for our

annual White Christmas covered dish. We

will enjoy a delicious dinner beginning at

5:30 p.m. You are asked to bring your

favorite dish along with a monetary donation

for the benefit of Pee Dee Coalition.

A Visit from Santa is rumored!!

Church Office Schedule for Christmas/

New Year’s

The Church office will be closed from

December 24th

until January 2nd

for Christmas

and New Year’s. We will also be closed on

Monday, January 20th

for Martin Luther King

Jr. Day.

2-Jackson Tucker 5-Betty Davis, Jim Conn 8-Ashley Driggers 12-Jacob Goddard 14-Libby Pierce 15-Duward Angle 16- Bobby Rogers 17-Bennie Moore, Jackie Pierce 19-Mary Gulledge 21-Gail Ingram 22-Christie McLeod, Parker Pierce 23-Jordan Smith 30-Bobbie Jones, Dan Sansbury --------------------------------------------

COMING IN

JANUARY 2020

The Giving Ministry Team News Donations can be made on-line through the

use of Realm. It can be accessed through

the new church website cherawfpc.org

under Giving or onrealm.org.

Season of Giving – January 5-26, 2020

January 26 - Consecration Sunday

Birthdays 1-Beth Witherspoon 2-Gina Goddard 4-Jeanine McKinney 6-Elizabeth Hydrick 8-Rickey Pace 11-Jean Page Watson 17-Bea Sloop, David Evans 19-Sue Funderburk 23-Michael Chapman 28-Elaine Craft 29-Campbell Harris

AT EASE

January 7, 2020 – 12:00

HAND AND FOOT 9:30 a.m.

If you are not on the calling or e-mail list for At

Ease and would like to be notified of our

meetings, please call Beth Witherspoon 843-

537-5354 or

e-mail: bethandjoewitherspoon@gmail.com.

If you are interested in learning to play Hand and

Foot, a card game (easy but lots of fun) let Beth

know and come on. No preparation needed.

Come and bring a friend, but be sure to sign up!

NEW ELDERS INSTALLED

JANUARY 12, 2020

The congregation will share the joy of the

ordination/installation of five elders in the

worship service on January 12. Cam Beck,

Kim Brabham, Libby Knight, Michael Flynn

and Larry Zimmerman were elected to office

in September. They had three training

sessions with the pastor in October and

November to help them to be ready to begin

their work as elders. The current session

(board of elders) examined and approved

them in November. Now they are ready to

take office as your newest elders. Cam and

Libby have served previously as elders in

this congregation, while Kim has served as a

deacon. Larry has served as an elder in

another Presbyterian church in

Pennsylvania. Michael will be serving for

the first time.

We will also give great thanks to God for

the five elders who have served our Lord so

well for three years and will rotate off the

session in early January. They are Avery

Dickson, Fred Harris, David Nagle, Tracie

Phillips and Vernon White.

The congregation will share in the

sacrament of communion during the

worship service on Sunday, January 5, 2020.

All who trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior

and Lord, and their baptized children, are

invited to partake in the sacrament with us.

Send A Child to Camp Pee Dee

Pancake Supper – Wednesday,

January 15th.