This is one of those months when we celebrate and remember how God promised and God delivered.

In Isaiah 7:14 we hear; Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. (NRSV)

Then in Micah 5:2 we hear; But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. (NRSV)

I give thanks that God promised and God kept HIS promises. That is one of the many things we can count on with God. If God promises something, God will carry through on HIS promise.

This morning (November 27, 2017) in my daily devotions I read and shared:

1 Peter 1:1-12 (NRSV) – 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

WOW what a gift!

This all began as God decided how HE would send HIS Son. God carried it out by send-ing us HIS Son and HIS Son becoming our Savior and Lord.

WOW what a gift God has given unto us.

And what shall we do in return. Buy lots and lots of gifts that many of us don’t need? Or give HIM our very life and dedicate it to living for and with HIM.

Something to consider this Christmas. Giving gifts to different charitable organizations.

Because of your love of your children or grandchildren, you might make a pledge to give monthly to our local Boys and Girls Club. This is a way they are striving to build in a steady stream of income that helps them help youth in our area. Here is a link to their website; https://www.bgcozarks.org/donate/

Or you might want to give a gift to CAM our local food pantry that helps give people some groceries every month. For every dollar given, they can purchase at least $10 worth of food. Instead of giving someone a fruit basket, in their honor give monthly to CAM. Here is a link to their website; http://christianactionministries.org/main/portfolio/cam-giving/

Because we have been spared major disasters this year, yet many around the world have not, you might want to give a generous gift to an organization that responds in time of disaster; Presbyterian Disaster Fund, American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Convoy of Hope to name a few. Each helps those who need assistance when disaster strikes.

And in honor of how God gave us HIS Son, you might want to give a special gift to the church as we prepare to move with God into another new year. A year HE hasn’t promised us, but just might be giving to us. Your gifts is what makes ministry and ministry possible hour by hour, day by day, month by month and yes year by year.

It seems a bit early to say this, yet I don’t want to pass this opportunity by. From Phyllis and me, we wish each of you a very merry season of Advent, Christmas and New Year. Pastor Dennis

www.compresby.org Forsyth, MO

ommunity resbyterian “Always Involved”

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November 16, 2017 Stated Session Meeting Community Presbyterian Church – Forsyth, Missouri

“Always Involved”

Meeting opened with elders sharing things they were thankful for, followed by prayer.

All active elders were present for the meeting.

It was noted that the congregations nominating committee needs to meet. The elders appointed Wayne Gailey and Madelon Kinkade to serve as the elders on the committee.

Since the December meeting would fall so close to Christmas, the elders decided to meet if needed but hold their next regular meeting in January.

Pastor Dennis noted the home communions done since their last meeting. Most of the home-bound members were served communion in October.

The Clerk of Session noted that there wouldn’t be an increase in per capita for 2018. It was sug-gested that an Elder make a report to the congregation in January regarding what the per capita is, how it is used and the amount.

Donna Lakey reported on the Presbytery educational event held in Springfield on October 20, 2017. Donna said it was a very good meeting and well attended with morning and afternoon speakers as well as round table discussions. She attended the stewardship round table as well as a discussion on changes in the Church. One item that the Session felt was important for the con-gregation to hear about is costs associated with the running of the Church. This information will be presented to the congregation.

Marketing items such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, car decals, etc., will be turned over to the Evange-lism committee.

Church security and disaster training. Linda Reynolds is working on the safe room charts. Dis-cussion was held regarding locking doors prior to service, development of a code word, and oth-er security issues. Dennis will visit with police personnel regarding some of the issues and report back to the session. Also discussed hands only CPR and training and the team approach for deal-ing with medical emergency/severe weather.

Pastor Dennis passed out membership roll information and a listing of people who have not at-tended Church in the last couple of months. Madelon indicated that she would be happy to call people that have not been in attendance to see if there is anything the Church can do to assist them.

Budget and Finance. Linda Reynolds reviewed the financial information.

Pastor Dennis reported on the need for the housing allowance to be re-certified annually by the Session per IRS regulations. Tex Ritterbush moved that the minutes reflect approval by the ses-sion of the $19,000 housing allowance paid to the pastor.

Care of Members. Delpha Riley reported that the Nursing home birthday party has been moved to 3:00 p.m. Madelon Kinkade volunteered to send Christmas cards to members and regular at-tendees. She will work with Denise for names and addresses and will sign the cards The Elders of CPC.

Evangelism and Mission. Ken Bavuso reported on the success of the Numana project and the planning in place for next year. He is calling the steering committee to a meeting on Wednesday, 12/13/2017 at 5:00 p.m. to discuss the set up and plans for 2018. Ken would like to send thank you cards to all the businesses and other groups that helped with the project.

Parish Activities. Thanksgiving Community meal. Wayne Gailey reported he has the servers se-cured.

Christmas Candlelight dinner will be held on 12/12/17 at 5:00 p.m. at the Outback restaurant.

Worship and Education. Anna Koelling reported on new information for study for youth since the youth are getting older. Also reported were communion served.

The meeting adjourned 6:00 p.m.

NEXT MEETING – January 18, 2018

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Benevolence Fund Report:

During November we helped 14 people: 6 with rent, 5 with utilities, 2 with transpor-tation, and 1 with food. We also received 3 donations to the fund this month. Thanks for your wonderful gifts! If you would like to make a donation to the Benevolent Fund, please do so by marking your check “special gift - benevolent fund”. You can also donate to the fund through our website’s PayPal button. It’s toward the bottom on the first page. Please mark your gift for the Benevolent Fund. Those who receive our assistance greatly appreci-ate your gifts!

Diabetic Focus Group

The regular monthly meeting of the

Diabetes Focus Group will be on Monday,

December 4, at 10:00 a.m.

We will be celebrating the season!

Everyone, please bring your favorite

diabetic snacks to share and we will enjoy

a time of fellowship together. Come and join us and bring a friend or a

neighbor!

Statement does not include end of month salaries.

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I am so looking forward to Advent. It is one of my favorite times of the year. One of the things I like about it is that it reminds us that we are waiting. Waiting is not always fun. In fact, some-times it is difficult and painful. Yet, it is what we do in Advent and we do so with a purpose. This season, I will be leading an Advent study based on the book, “God Is In the Manger” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. These Advent readings are based on his many works throughout the years and they paired with scripture each day. If you are looking for an Advent study or just a devotional for this season, I encourage you to try this one. It give a great perspective on Advent. Hope you all have a wonderful Advent and a meaningful Christmas. Pastor Susan Rosenbaum

The Bookies

The next meeting of the Bookie Club is

scheduled for Thursday, December 7,

2017, at 10:30 AM in the hospitality room.

Our book this month is The Stranger in the

Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the

Last True Hermit by Michael Finkel

Biography/U.S. History. In 1986, twenty-

year-old Christopher Knight drove to Maine

and disappeared into the forest. He did not

speak to another human being until he was

arrested for stealing food nearly thirty

years later. Discusses his survival in the

wilderness in the intervening decades.

Looking toward January, our book is: Lion by Saroo Brierley and Larry Buttrose Biography Man recounts ending up as a five-year-old

on the streets of Calcutta, where he was

taken in by an orphanage and adopted by

an Australian couple. Describes his search

for home and his two families. Originally

published as The Long Way Home and basis

for 2016 Oscar-nominated movie, Lion.

2013.

Please join us and bring a friend!

New Small Group Study

Small group study beginning January 10, 2018 at 5 pm. This would be a BYF (bring your own food) study group. We’ll be using the book “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality” (It’s impossi-ble to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature). This will be a ten week study that takes us from January 10 through most of Lent 2018. This will be an excellent study to kick off the new year and help us pre-pare for Easter 2018.

Here is a list of books that can be purchased for this study.

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality (updated edi-tion) by Peter Scazzero is available via Amazon for $10.59 new, Kindle $9.99.

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Course Work-book (updated edition) Discipleship that Deeply Changes Your Relationship with God - via Ama-zon for $7.70 new, Kindle $5.99.

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day: A 40-Day Journey with the Daily Office Paperback – Kindle $9.99 or paperback $8.47.

Each could be purchased new/used for a lessor fee but shipping would be added.

All three can be purchased via https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/ for $24.99.

Here’s my suggestion Wednesday evenings yet if there is enough interest a daytime small group could be formed.

Please let us know your interest in this study and desire to purchase at least the book and workbook. The Day by Day could be purchased at a later date and would be ideal for Lent. (BTW Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, Febru-ary 14 (Valentine’s Day).

Let us know via the Ritual of Friendship sheet, email – pastordennis@mchsi.com or by calling the church office (417) 546-2584.

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ommunity

resbyterian

“Always Involved”

www.compresby.org Forsyth, MO

Car Decals Now Available!

If you would like a decal, there is a suggested donation of $3.00 for each one. They are available at the office. If you would like help removing your old sign and replacing with the new one, please let us know, we’ll be glad to help!

Christmas Candlelight Dinner

Tuesday, December 12, 5:30 p.m.

Outback Steak & Oyster Bar in Branson

There is a selection of special menu choices

on page 7 in this newsletter.

If you choose an option from the list,

the cost is all-inclusive, including tax & gratuity.

However, you are free to chose from the

regular menu. In this case, your costs would be

what is listed on the menu and

would not include tax, tip, etc.

RSVP that you plan to attend by Noon on Monday, Dec. 11.

Call the church office at 546-2584 or write it on the Ritual of Friendship slip

in your bulletin.

Carpooling from the church is possible, if you prefer not to drive after dark

in Branson.

(The graphic above is a sample, but the decals have all white lettering except the flames and the words “Always Involved” are red.)

On November 20, The Taneycomo Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution ("DAR") presented Community Presbyteri-an Church with a Historical Recognition award, in honor of the number of years we have been established (since 1892) and have served the community of Forsyth. Pastor Dennis was honored to receive the award on behalf of the Congregation. The other honored church, Sycamore Log Church, was built in 1933 at a cost of $18 from sycamore logs, and is in its' 84th year. Pictured above, left to right, Taneycomo DAR Historic Preservation Chairperson Becky Roberts, Sycamore Log Church Lay Leader Larry Sifford, Pastor Dennis Win-zenried, Sycamore Log Church Pastor Ru-by Hopper, and Taneycomo DAR Regent Kathryn Anderson.

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Christmas Candlelight Dinner - Tuesday, December 12, 5:30

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Quote of the month:

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful."

—-Norman Vincent Peale

BIRTHDAYS:

1 Susan Wood

5 Jeff Merrell

11 Anna Koelling

13 Jim Buchanan, Juanita Elders

17 Clayton Cooper

18 Gretchen Keith

ANNIVERSARIES

9 Ed & Bonnie Hawkins, 28 years

Food Pantry Sundays

The first Sunday of each month we will have a special offering for

Christian Action Ministries Food Pantry. Although food can be donated for this effort, CAM can turn each $1 into $10

to purchase food for the pantry.

The collected for November was $108!

2017 Per Capita Rate Per capita is an amount of money per mem-

ber that our congregation pays to our larger

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). This annual

amount is shared between our local presby-

tery, regional synod and General Assembly.

For 2017, our per capita rate is $35.00 per

member. Any contributions toward this

amount would be appreciated. Please note

your contribution as “Per Capita” to be sure

it’s credited correctly.

We have received $674 toward Per Capita so far this year.

Thank you!

Sunday, December 17, 2017

during the

Morning Worship Service

“Christmas...A Time for Singing”

Have a Mary Merry Christmas from CPC!

Don’t you wonder, is Mary walking along with our heavenly father telling him just how heaven should be decorated for the holidays? We are told that heaven is a beautiful, beautiful place as is. From past experiences here at CPC we know what kind of impact Mary Parr can make in her surroundings. We can have peace and joy in knowing that Mary’s laughter is rever-berating through out heaven’s vast spac-es. Mary, we will have a Mary Merry Christmas because we know you would want us to. Your presence is obvious be-cause of your absence. Merry Christmas to you from everyone at CPC. We miss you!

Ed Legge

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Every Sunday:

Sunday School 9:00 am

Worship* 10:30

1 Care Center Birthday Party 2:30 pm

2 Cookie sale 9 am - 1:30 pm Christmas parade 2:00 pm

AA 7:00 pm

3

CAM Food Pantry Sunday

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Diabetic Focus Group 10:00 am

Yoga 6:00 pm

5 Stay Strong, Stay Healthy 10:00 am

AA 7:00 pm

6 Wmn’s Breakfast 8:15 am Men’s Breakfast 8:15 am

Choir 7:00 pm

7 Yoga 9:00 am

Stay Strong, Stay Healthy 10:00 am The Bookies 10:30 am Bar Assoc Lunch 11:30 am

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9

AA 7:00 pm

10

11 DAR Meeting Old Fellowship Hall Noon

Yoga 6:00 pm

12 Stay Strong, Stay Healthy 10:00 am Chamber Lunch 11:30 am

Candlelight Dinner 5:30 pm

Yoga 6:00 pm AA 7:00 pm

13 Wmn’s Breakfast 8:15 am Men’s Breakfast 8:15 am Calico Cutups 10:00 am

Choir 7:00 pm

14 Yoga 9:00 am

Stay Strong, Stay Healthy 10:00 am

15

16 Forsyth Sr. Ctr. Breakfast 7 – 10

AA 7:00 pm

17

Christmas Cantata (during worship) Dinner w/ Friends @ Longhorn

18

Women’s Circle 10:30 am Yoga 6:00 pm

19 Stay Strong, Stay Healthy 10:00 am Yoga 6:00 pm

AA 7:00 pm

20 Wmn’s Breakfast 8:15 am Men’s Breakfast 8:15 am

Choir 7:00 pm

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22

23

AA 7:00 pm

24

Candlelight Communion Svc 7:00 pm

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25

26

Stay Strong, Stay Healthy 10:00 am

Yoga 6:00 pm

AA 7:00 pm

27 Wmn’s Breakfast 8:15 am Men’s Breakfast 8:15 am

Choir 7:00 pm

28 Yoga 9:00 am

Stay Strong, Stay Healthy 10:00 am

29 30

*If you would like a copy of Sunday’s service, a CD can be made available to you. Please contact the church office for more in-formation.

Ushers/Greeters Liturgist Gailey/Cantwell/ Edd Riley

Henscheid families

Mike & Shirley Mullen

Betty Forrest

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Community Presbyterian Church

Staff Members

Pastor....................................................Dennis D. Winzenried

Secretary…………………………………….....Denise Carr

Choir Director………………………………….Arliss Stillings

Organist………………………………………….Linda Stillings

Custodian……………………………….……...Gala Vrionis

COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH P.O. Box 486 Forsyth, MO 65653-0486

Sunday School 9:00 am Sunday Worship Service 10:30 am

C O M M U N I T Y

P R E S B Y T E R I A N

C H U R C H

PO Box 486

271 Main Street

Forsyth, Missouri 65653

(417) 546-2584

Dennis Winzenried, Pastor

Website: www.compresby.org

Email: compresby@centurytel.net