Pastor Paul’s Post

We are in the thanksgiving season of Advent! Like many people I look forward to this time of

the year when Christmas is in the air. In Advent we celebrate waiting for the coming of God in

Jesus Christ. One dictionary definition has: The coming or arrival, especially of something ex-

tremely important. It is interesting to think that we can be thankful about waiting for anything!

But when something is coming or arriving, especially something extremely important, then we

will endure and possibly enjoy whatever we have to for the Advent. We know who we are wait-

ing for and around us we know who we are waiting with. We are in this Advent season together,

helping one another when it is easy to wait and also when it is difficult to wait. We remind our-

selves weekly in worship at church of the Christ who is King who has defeated death on the

cross and resurrected on the third day so that we all will be with him in glory.

The theme of the Advent readings, preparing us as Christ’s people, is surprises. The Lord sur-

prises us with good things. Each week will tell of different people who were surprised by God

at the first Christmas. The readings are in modern language to draw listeners into the story and

another perspective to look at the situations and relationships of those close to the birth of Jesus.

We have our stories as well of being surprised by God and of the way we have been blessed

with good things. Thanks be to God for this season of lives and stories of surprise of our Lord

Jesus.

The King Family Band If you brought the Von Trapp family from The Sound of Music to America and taught them fid-

dle and banjo, you would end up with the King Family Band. The group boasts two state of Illi-

nois banjo champions and two #1 RAA radio hits. They will be leading worship during the ser-

vice Nov 30th, we are very glad to have them as it has been a couple of years since they have

been here. All are welcome to attend! If you would like to know about the King Family Band,

go to their website: http://www.kingfam.net.

Children’s Ministry Currently the Sunday school children are enjoying singing, practicing, and creating the set for their Christ-

mas Pageant, Charlie Brown Christmas, during Sunday school. Also making some beautiful Christmas or-

naments at the end class. A BIG Thank You to Kaylin Westray for finding the program and directing it. We

hope you can make it on December 14 to see our wonderful children in the church sing and perform. There

will be no Sunday school on December 21st and 28th due to Christmas break.

The Clown Report By Butterfly the Clown

The Holidays will soon be here, and our Christian clowns are very busy because there is so much to do! But—the most im-

portant item on their “to do” list is to wish everyone a blessed Christmas and a joyous New Year. We pray that 2015 will be

good, to all of you!

Best wishes from our troupe—

Brian and Paula Connelly

Tristan Fox, Barb Lintner

Lyle Morrison

Janice Shiffer,

Jim and Cyndy Witt

Allene Vezina

Vicky Vezina

Blue Christmas Service Despite its joys, Christmastime can evoke feelings of hurt for some individuals experiencing difficult life

situations. Suffering from an illness or loneliness can cause depression during the holidays. You are not

alone. Our church offers inspiration and help through a "Blue Christmas" service on December 18th at

7pm. Jesus was not only fully divine but also fully human. He understood human emotions and suffering

and also experienced heartache, as we do, during this life on Earth. Never give up on yourself and never

give up on God, who will never give up on you.

Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown! This year's Christmas Pageant is A Charlie Brown Christmas! The familiar tale will be acted out by the

children of our church. We will not be covering the entire special but focusing on a few scenes to help re-

mind us of the reason for the Christmas season. This will naturally involve the congregation singing along

to carols used in the play. We look forward to seeing the play!

Volunteer Ringers Needed!

You have the opportunity to serve your community this Christmas season in a very practical way. The

Salvation Army kettles will be placed around Piatt County. We need bell ringers to man the kettles. The

only skills needed are a willing heart and a smile! All money raised in Piatt County stays in Piatt Coun-

ty to meet the needs locally. Saturday dates needed are: Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13, & 20. The sign-up sheet is

located on the bulletin board, so sign-up today!

MISSION REPORT:

Greetings from your Mission Committee. We trust that your past month has been blessed with the knowledge

that God loves us and that is what we can all be truly thankful for.

We would like to say, “thank you,” for your participation in the Operation Christmas Child program. There

were 36 boxes collected on Sunday, November 23rd. Many children all over the world will be able to receive a gift, as

well as the true meaning of Christmas.

The 2015 Mission Yearbooks should be in as I send this to you. We will put them out on the book rack for an-

yone interested. Also, the Christmas Joy Offering will be collected on Sunday, December 21st. This special offering is

taken in support of the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions and PC(USA) Racial-Ethnic Leadership Devel-

opment.

May your holiday season be a joyful and blessed one that brings you peace.

Your Mission Chairman,

Andrew Lamb

On December 2, 2014 the world comes together to give.

Join your fellow Presbyterians and participate in the third annual #GivingTuesday supporting mission and ministry at

home and around the world. The Presbyterian Mission Exchange makes it easy to

do all of your online giving in one place.

Give to your home church

Give to the Christmas Joy Offering and the One Great Hour of Sharing

Give to Presbyterian mission workers in the countries you care about

Give to the 1001 New Worshiping Communities church-planting effort

Give to your Presbytery’s work in your community

Give to another Presbyterian-related mission organization

How it Works

Charitable organizations around the world will participate in #GivingTuesday – encouraging contributions from cur-

rent and new donors.

Women’s Retreat and Secret Sisters

Nineteen women attended a one-day retreat on Saturday, Nov. 15 at the home of Julie Clodfelter.

The retreat, “Too Blessed to be Stressed,” was led by Jeanette Hoss, executive director for Love

in the Name of Christ of Vermilion County and a member of the First Presbyterian Church in

Danville where she has facilitated the women’s retreat for four years.

Janice Shiffer organized the meals, and treats were provided by Kathy Price and Lynn Ivall’s

daughter. The retreat included the “reveal” of Secret Sisters. Secret Sisters is a ministry of caring

and sharing with other sisters in Christ. Each woman participating is given the name and profile

of a “sister” and commits to praying for her daily as well as sending encouraging notes, cards, and small gifts. Once-a-

month contact is suggested, as well as remembering the sister’s birthday, anniversary and other special occasions.

Each sister keeps her identity secret until the reveal, usually a year from the start of the program.

Women participating in the 2015 program have filled out their Secret Sister profiles, and names for new sisters will be

drawn soon. For more information, contact Maggie Schwarzentraub.

FPC Christmas Caroling

Come caroling —the bus leaves the

church at 2:00 pm, Sunday, Decem-

ber 14th. Bring your jingle bells and

wear your Santa hat or reindeer ant-

lers.

Adult Choir Christmas Cantata Among all the great Advent and Christmas hymns we enjoy this season we will be

blessed by our choir again with the annual cantata. This will feature traditional favorites

and is a real treat for all who come to worship that day. The cantata will be performed

during worship on December 21!

Kids Christmas Caroling for Monticello Fighting Hunger

Celebrate the holidays by joining us for fun evenings singing Christmas carols to neighbors and raising

funds for Monticello Fighting Hunger!

Schedule and 6pm Meeting Points:

Dec. 9—Front of Turtle Creek on County Farm Road

Dec. 11—Front of Ridge Point on Washington

Dec. 16—Charter Street south of the High School

Dec. 18—Lincoln School playground

* Children under 12 should be accompanied by an adult

The story of Christmas comes alive!

Christ Lutheran Church will be presenting a drive thru “Live Nativity.” Come and ex-

perience the angelic host , the shepherds with their flocks, and the wise men following

the star. Most of all, see the nativity come to life! Christ Lutheran Church will also be

accepting items and monetary donations for the Community Food Pantry. Come experi-

ence the Christmas story!

Where: Chr ist Lutheran Church, 779 Old Rt. 47, Monticello, IL

When: December 6 from 5-8 pm

Greening of the Church

We will be decorating the Christmas tree after the

service on November 30th. Please stay and help if

you can!

Please note:

The Church Office will be closed

from December 24-26 due to the

Christmas holiday!

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

30 1st Sunday of

Advent 9 am SS 10 am Worship — King Family Band Greening of the Church

1 6:30 pm TOPS

2 Giving Tuesday

3 9:45 am Ministeri-al Alliance Mtg. 2:00 pm Pastor Paul at Maple Point Service 6 pm Choir

4 9 am Women’s Breakfast at Red Wheel 8 pm TN Group

5 6-9 pm Betty Ploeger Student Recital

6 7 am Men’s Meeting @ RW 11:30 am Monti-cello Christmas Parade 5-8 pm Christ Lutheran Church Live Nativity

7 2nd Sunday in

Advent Communion 9 am SS 10 am Worship Congregational Meeting after Worship 11:15 am Deacon’s Mtg. 3 pm Milliken Vespers

8 6:30 pm TOPS 7 pm Mary-Martha Circle

9 6 pm Friendship Circle

10 6 pm Choir 7 pm CE Meeting

11 9 am Women’s Breakfast at Red Wheel 7 pm Missions Meeting 8 pm TN Group

12 13 7 am Men’s

Meeting at Red

Wheel

14 3rd Sunday in

Advent Children’s Pro-gram 9 am SS 10 am Worship 2 pm Christmas Caroling

15 6:30 pm TOPS

16 12:30 pm Stephen Ministers Meeting

17 6 pm Choir 7 pm Session Meeting

18 9 am Women’s Breakfast at Red Wheel 2:00 pm Pastor Paul at PCNH Service 7 pm Blue Christmas Service 8 pm TN Group

19 Deadline for sub-mitting TT articles and events

20 7 am Men’s Meeting at Red Wheel 10:30 am Cantata Dress Rehearsal

21 4th Sunday in

Advent Adult Choir Christmas Cantata 10 am Worship

22 6:30 pm TOPS

23

24 Christmas Eve 7 pm Christmas Eve Service

25 Christmas Day

26 27 7 am Men’s Meeting at Red Wheel

28 10 am Worship

29 January Tower Tidings Mailed 6:30 pm TOPS

30 31 New Year’s Eve

December 2014

Church Office Closed