Presbyterian News and Views

From the Minister’s Study

Dear Members and Friends of First Church: There is so much news I hardly know where to start. The best place to begin, though, is with the success of our First Lego League team the “Lego Reformers.” The team included Bernard, Cyrile, Shumaur, Jack-Jack, Jonas and Justus. Since September the team practiced under the close supervision of Andrea Burton, and with the assistance of Joe and Patty Neely who convinced Aaron to come and give the guys a pep-talk on robot programming. As com-petition at Shepherd University grew nearer the team shifted into high gear with practices most nights a week. Finally the day of the competition arrived. The Lego Reformers won the Judges Award. At each qualifying tournament the judges are able to give a special award to a team they thought deserved special recognition. Our boys won because they “Taught [the judges] to think about the meaning of competition differently, and gave them new insight into teamwork.” Amazing. It is a tremendous witness to the fact that committed Christians can do science, technology, engineering and math with team work all while being grounded in prayer. The real reason to celebrate, however, is the effect our team is having on the Martinsburg/Berkeley County Community. Aside from building the ro-bot, the team had to come up with creative ways to deal with waste in the community. Our team decided to take on wasted food and the problem of hunger in Martinsburg/Berkeley County. It turns out that the single biggest waste of food in the county is in the County Schools. The relief agencies were under the impression that this was a consequence of Feder-al law. The schools were worried about liability. Our boys researched the issue and discov-ered that a 2011 Federal law shields all schools that receive Federal food aid from liability if they allow their unused food into the care stream in the community. What looked like a few boys playing with Legos in the Woods Building was the Lord feeding the poor. Again, amaz-ing. What began as a season of prayer amongst the elders to revive the youth work, generated nearly $1000 for the work, the donation of an additional $500 robot and a dedicated program-ming computer. The boys learned life lessons, and more importantly had fun. And, in having fun and learning more about God, His word and His world, they have unleased untold tons of food for use in Martinsburg/Berkeley County. The Lord has taken our offering and blessed it in a way we could not have even imagined. Truly the Lord has done marvelous things, and we were there to see it! Fantastic! Praise the Lord! There are some big events in December that deserve to be mentioned. First, there will be our annual Greening of the Kirk service at 4 p.m. on December 13th. At that service we will dedi-cate our purple chapel hymnals and the new pulpit Bible. The Christmas Pageant follows the Church Night Supper on December 16th. Our Christmas Eve services will be at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on December 24th. At 4 will be our Festival Service of Lessons and Carols, at 8 we will have our traditional Candlelight Communion Service. Each of the services this December will have a Christmas focus and our hope is that this holiday season you will feel the nearer pres-ence of our faithful Saviour, Jesus Christ. May the Lord bless you and keep you, make His face to shine upon you and give you peace.

Yours,

Rufus T Burton

Volume XXXIV Number 12 December 2015

Hymns this December

Advent Candle Chorus: “O Lord, How Shall We Meet You” St. Theodulph

December 6, 2015 Advent 2 Isaiah 9:2-7 6 “Jesus Comes with Clouds Descending” Helmsley 1! The Ten Commandments Commandments 2 “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” Hyfrydol 601 Song of Zechariah (Benedictus) Kingsfold 48 “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” Es Ist Ein’ Rose

December 13, 2015 Advent 3 Luke 2:1-14 AM: 15 “Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers” Llangloffan 1! The Ten Commandments Commandments 491 “Stand Up and Bless the Lord” Carlisle 38 “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” Carol 7 “Lord Christ, When First You Came to Earth” Mit Freuden Zart

PM: 88 “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Veni Emmanuel GTG 145 “What Child is This” Greensleeves 347 “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” Picardy 116 “The Snow Lay on the Ground” Venite Adoremus 108 “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” Magnificat Divinum Mysterium 99 “My Soul Give Glory to My God” Morning Song 151 “We Three Kings of Orient Are” Kings of Orient

December 20, 2015 Advent 4 Titus 2:1-14 9 “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Veni Emmanuel 1! The Ten Commandments Commandments Insert Song of Mary (Magnificat) Carol 37 “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” W Zlobie Lezy 20 “Watchman, Tell Us of the Night” St. George’s Windsor

December 24, 2015 Christmas Eve 4:00 143 “Angels from the Realms of Glory” Regent Square GTG 146 “Gentle Mary Laid Her Child” Tempus Adest Floridium

132 “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” In Dulci Jubilo 147 “The First Noel” First Noel 123 “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” Carol 115 “Away in a Manger” John 1:1-14 Mueller 144 “In the Bleak Midwinter” Cranham 134 “Joy to the World” Antioch

8:00 23 “Angels We Have Heard on High” Gloria 44 “O Little Town of Bethlehem” St. Louis 31 “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” Luke 2:1-20 Mendelssohn 58 “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks” Winchester Old 41 “O Come, All Ye Faithful” Adeste Fideles 60 “Silent Night, Holy Night” Stille Nacht

December 27, 2015 Christmas 1 Psalm 96 63 “As With Gladness Men of Old” Dix 49 “Once in Royal David’s City” Irby 53 “What Child is This” Greensleeves Insert “Sing a New Song to Jehovah” (Ps 98) Hyfrydol 29 “Go Tell it on the Mountain” Go Tell It 40 “Joy to the World” Antioch

Salvation Army Bell Ringers On Saturday, November 28th, many from our congregation rang the bell for the Salvation Army in front of K-Mart. They included Joe Palmer, Mary Archer, Bill and Bonnie Stubblefield, Tom Horn, James Sadler, Lew and Sallye Rinker, Ruhamah Strite, Barbara Strite, the entire Burton family, Bri-an and Claudia Reppert, Glenn and Tillie Spies and a young lady, Bella Rose who is the 10 year old granddaugh-ter of Joe and Devonne Palmer. She indicated she loved doing this so much that she plans to do so for many years to come. What a great team of helpers!!! Thanks to all!!!!

PW Happenings \

Our Women's Circle continues its 2015-16 Bible Study

called "Come to the Waters." This month the lesson

focuses on Joshua 3 and Psalm 69:1-3. The Israelites

need to cross the Jordan River; the psalmist is emotion-

ally and spiritually drowning—everyone needs God’s

help and He does not disappoint. We will meet in the

Fellowship Hall at 10 a.m. on December 8th for the Bi-

ble Study and brief meeting. We will then move over to

Jeanne Martin’s home for our Christmas Luncheon.

Please join us for this special time of fellowship.

All women of the church are encouraged to come to

the luncheon even if you have not been able to come to

the PW Circle meetings. It gives us all an opportunity

to socialize with some we may not otherwise get to visit

with. So please mark you calendars and plan to at-

tend. The luncheon will begin close to noon. We will

look forward to seeing many of you there.

LOAVES AND FISHES needs for December 2015

Cereal Instant Potatoes Soup Mac & Cheese Canned Spaghetti Sauce Pork & Beans 1 lb. boxes Spaghetti Peanut Butter Jams or Jellies

CCAP is always in need of food supplies. So next time you are out grocery shopping, pick up a little extra to put in the

basket on the stage in the Fellowship Hall.

Hunger Offering

The monthly Hunger Offering (.04 cents a meal) will be received immediately following the 11:00 a.m. worship service on December 13, 2015. The offering collected in November was $118.25. These funds are administered to support local and regional hunger needs. Your contributions are greatly appreciated. Please note: We continue to collect food for C-CAP Loaves and Fishes. Jim Salmon made two trips there in November taking a total of 32.8 pounds of food. Please keep filling those baskets on the stage in the Fellowship Hall. The need in our community is so great and our help is most appreciated.

PW Mission Project \Berkeley County Back Pack Program Helping to end child hunger in our county… One backpack at a time! Ways You Can Help… There are many ways we can help but PW has decided to hold a food drive as our efforts to help make this project a success. Suggested needed items:

Water bottles

Fruit cups

Peanut butter

Microwavable individual meals...i.e., mac n cheese, chef Boyardee, cereal (small individual size boxes and regular size boxes)

All items should be nonperishable, kid-friendly items not requiring a can opener.

A container is on the stage in the Fellowship Hall marked for the purpose of collecting items for the back packs. Your help in making this project a suc-cess will be most appreciated.

COFFEE HOUR

Our fellowship time between Sunday School and Worship continues with the help of dedicated volunteers who set up and provide goodies for folks to enjoy. Please re-member to thank them when you see them for doing such a great job. We can always use extra hands. If you would like to help us, contact Betty Jo Wagoner. Thank you! December 6 Sheila Read December 13 Scotty Turner December 20 Sandy Sadler December 27 Betty Jo Wagoner

PW Christmas Projects

This year our two Salvation Army Christmas projects are filling Christmas stockings and adopting two families to buy gifts for. If you are participating in either or both of these projects, please have them back to the church by Sunday, December 6th. Information on both can be found on a table in the Fellowship Hall. Your contribu-tions are most appreciated as it will brighten Christmas for those who may not have much to be thankful for this year.

Communion

Will be served on Sunday, December 6, 2015

during the 11:00 a.m. Worship Service

Anyone desiring to be served communion at home because of illness, etc., please call the church office @263-5201 and make your wishes known.

Christmas Dinner and

Children’s Christmas Program Join our church family for our annual Christmas Dinner and Children’s Christmas Program on Wednesday, De-cember 16th at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The ham and drinks will be provided. Please bring your fa-vorite holiday food (side dish, salad or dessert) to share. The children have been working for weeks on this Christmas program. It is one of the highlights of this special season. We are looking forward to seeing you there.

MAINTENANCE REPORT

This is a very difficult report to write. My friends, Linda and Lannie Mullenax, are retiring from the maintenance committee as well as other committees they help with. I am unable to imagine First Church without all the help and support they have provided the church. After Wayne Tucker left, Lannie has not had a helper except Linda holding the ladder when he is going to high places. Frequently, when I am collecting notes for this report, Lannie will say we did this and I immediately ask who the we is and, of course, there was no we. While Lannie does most of the maintenance, other members have jobs they faithfully perform, Glenn Spies mows the grass, Jim Horner moves the snow, Bonnie Stubblefield cleans the John St. bank, Linda Mullenax weeds and waters, the Repperts keep our front yard gardens in tip-top condition. When Lannie began his tenure he was part of the magnificent trio of Doug Arvin, Jack Law and Lannie. They got the new boiler working when we converted from oil to gas. Lannie and Jack practically memorized the 57 pages of instructions that came with the boiler. Before the Strites came to First Church Dan Johnson chaired the Maintenance Committee, but like football players their knees didn’t work as well as they had in earlier years. From the 2014 Annual Report, Lannie reported that he met with contractors or service providers from a roof-ing company, HVAC service provider, concrete construction firm, phone service provider, phone systems provid-er, electrical wiring company, carpet sales and services and a solar power facilitator. Light bulbs replaced, AC filters changed, 12 clocks reset twice a year, batteries replaced, AC window units covered and uncovered, various leaks to stop and sticking doors to adjust are the small jobs that Lannie has been doing behind the scenes. In July 2011, Ruth Berg reported that she heard water dripping in the kitchen and our water bill reported that we had used 21,000 gallons of water. The leak was located in the cold water line under the kitchen sink but how do you get to that pipe? You have to remove several floor boards in the narthex closet and crawl under the Fel-lowship Hall to the kitchen; the person crawling was Lannie. To make this an even better story, someone was sup-posed to turn the main water valve off at the street but whoever it was didn’t get the valve closed completely so Lannie got quite a shower while underground carrying 50 feet of new pipe. If there are tasks you think need to be done before Lannie’s last official day, December 22, please ask. He is willing to help anyone who would like to learn how to do these jobs or do them for you. He put Betty Jo’s big cof-fee pots back in the attic. He has flushed the low water cut-off valve and thinks the furnace is in working order. He has discussed with Rich Case the best way to install the motorized porch door and we hope the installation will occur before Christmas. If not I am certain Lannie will want to be there for the installation and will be there when it happens. I guess I have to conclude with a huge thank you to Lannie and Linda for all their contributions to First Church. Ruhamah Strite, Maintenance Committee

When you see Lannie and Linda in the next few weeks, take time to thank them yourself for their dedicated ser-

vice. We have all benefitted from their tireless efforts and pray that God will bless them in their retirement

from service and that they will have more free time to spend with their precious family. Thanks again Linda

and Lannie for everything.

GREETERS/USHERS for DECEMBER

Sunday, December 6 Brian Reppert Betty Pingley Juanita Boarman Angel Brown

Sunday, December 13 Glenn Spies Tillie Spies Joe Palmer Devonne Palmer

Sunday, December 20 Bob Boege Sheila Read Gray Silver, IV Betty Jo Wagoner

Sunday, December 24 (8:00 p.m.) Lewis Rinker Paula Eighenbrode Emmanuel Puplampu Justus Burton

Sunday, December 27 Mary Archer Linda Ettinger John Stuart Jenevieve Molenda

Ruhamah Strite is the flower Chairperson for De-

cember. If you would like to provide flowers for

our worship service, she can be reached at 304-707

-1321. You can also call Ruth Berg at 263-5201 or

fill in the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the

Fellowship Hall. Thanks to all who provide flow-

ers for the sanctuary throughout the year as they

are most appreciated.

Flower Guild

REMINDER!!! DEACONS’ MEETINGS

Will be held on December 13th after morning services.

*** ANNOUNCEMENTS ***

OUR TELEPHONES CANNOT be used during WORSHIP in December since our radio broadcasts are transmitted

through our phone system. In the event of an emergency during this brief interval, another phone

outside our building or a cellular phone will have to be utilized.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * OUR THANKS!!! to Jim Horner and family for the generous gift of our radio broadcasts this year! They are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Jim’s parents, William C. and Sara L. Horner. WEPM (1340 AM) Radio will be broadcasting our worship services in December at 11:00 a.m. These broadcasts are a part of our congregation's contribution to the broader religious communi-ty in which we participate and serve.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Our Beautiful Advent Wreath which is used in morning worship dur ing the four Sundays of Ad-vent each year was given to the Glory of God and in memory of Mr. & Mrs. George W. Moreland, Sr., by their grandson, Kent Gerver, and his family.

Merry Christmas

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS 2nd Patty Neely

3rd Anna Johnson

Carl Leintu

9th James H. Myers

11th Mary Helgerson

12th Sally Silver

14th Lewis Rinker

16th Paula Eighenbrode

17th David Powers

24th Emmanuel Puplampu

28th Buddy Mason

29th Sylvia Rhodes

Rob Hill

30th Dick Baker

31st Suzanne McIntyre-Smith

Nursery

Sunday, December 6 Infant Nursery

9:30 Barbara Miller Infant Nursery

10:30 Huguette Leintu

Sunday, December 13 Infant Nursery

9:30 Peggy Bland Infant Nursery

10:30 Sheila Read

Sunday, December 20 Infant Nursery

9:30 Linda Mullenax Infant Nursery

10:30 LaRue Frye

Sunday, December 27 Infant Nursery

9:30 Carol Baker Infant Nursery

10:30 Tillie Spies

I want to thank all our family, friends, church family and prayer partners for the continued support and en-couragements since I was diagnosed with Acute Lym-phoblastic Leukemia (ALL). I have not handled the oral chemo well, it has caused major health concerns, so I started at a different Cancer Center, The Univer-sity of Virginia. I ended up staying in the hospital there for four days being retested and am now waiting to start the next chemo at home. Glenn and I are grateful for the calls, visits, meals, and contributions to the medical fund raiser. It has given us a sense of God working in our lives and a renewed sense of hope. Glenn also keeps Ruth in-formed and has a mailing list with updates. If you do not get the word, just let him know. Again thank you all. I am sure I am still here and re-cuperating because of the love and prayers! I pray you all have a blessed holiday and again prayers would be appreciated. Fondly, Beth McIntyre

Tuesday Morning Prayer Group

NEW MEMBERS NEEDED!!! Prayer is the backbone of the church and this mis-sion is a tradition here. Our participation in the Tues-day Morning Prayer Group has been declining for a while now and we need to replace members who we have lost. Please don’t miss out on this opportunity to fellowship, support one another and connect with our Heavenly Father through prayer. Many favorable comments have been made about our mission and the cards we send. It is not uncom-mon for patients to say that they have felt the power of our prayers. At numerous times and places, prayers have included church growth. This is an excellent op-portunity to help First Church and your community to serve our Heavenly Father through prayer! We meet on Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m. in the library. We enter through the parking lot door. Pastries and coffee are enjoyed each week. Questions? Contact Lew Rinker, 304-267-4762.

Happy Birthday

Maddie the Mission Mouse

Joy to the World! This is the time of the year that we celebrate the long awaited bir th of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World and our Messiah. Sunday, November 29th was the first Sunday in Advent. Did you notice that the choir changed to the rich purple stoles? That signifies the royalty of Christ, God’s gift to humankind. See what love the Father has that he sent his only son to ensure our salvation (based on 1 John 3:1). December is shaping up to be a busy, exciting month but, November was quite a month as well. The Lego

Robotics Team came together to show themselves worthy opponents in their competition at Shepherd University both for their teamwork and the workmanship displayed in their robot. They were blessed with great leadership from the Manse family, Joe, Patty and Aaron Neely, Stephen Flanagan, and Todd Davis. I’m sure I don’t have the entire list and I hope anyone I missed will forgive me. Stephen, who helped while recovering from a hand injury, maintained his cheerful atti-tude, servant heart and love for the kids. I’m holding the best news of this to the last. The FPC Robotic Team was present-ed the Judge’s Award for a special project they undertook as a part of their competition. They were able to confirm as in-correct, the perceived restriction that leftover food prepared for meals at schools could not be donated to those in need but must be thrown out as not fit for consumption. This perceived restriction was found to be in error and now thousands of pounds of food can be given to those who need it most in Berkeley County! Now don’t we have some amazing kids and wonderful adult leaders? FPC is richly blessed. Well done to all who were involved. We also had the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful Patriotic Concert featuring our own very talented organist, Steve Snyder, who blessed us with a great selection of songs that dated back to World War I and World War II on to modern times. A more modern song sung by our featured Tenor, G. W. Moreland, “I’m Proud to be an American” would have made the original artist Lee Greenwood proud. I lurked in the back of the sanctuary and was entertained by a group led by our Choir’s featured Alto, Jane Downey, who knew the words to every song played. I heard a certain retired Air Force SMSgt saying how embarrassed he was that Jane remembered all the words to the Air Force song and that he could barely follow her lead. Of course she also had the Navy Hymn, the Marine and the Army songs down pat as well. Following the tradition of many years, the Deacons’ Congregational Activities Committee organized and prepared a Thanksgiving meal that was superb! Wow! First Church has some fabulous cooks. With all the good food that has been available, I must back off or I’ll never make it through the Christmas eating frenzy. Thankfully, the hungry in the world were not forgotten in all that. 32.8 pounds of food was delivered to Loaves and Fishes and $118.25 was collected for the 4 Cents a Meal/Hunger Offering on November 8th. You are a generous congregation to those in need following Christ’s in-structions to his disciples to “Feed His Sheep”. Besides all the special worship services this month, which will be broadcast over WEPM, the Theater and Dramatic Arts (TADA) group will star in a special presentation developed and written by the very talented Andrea Burton. Andrea is a recognized author of dramatic programs and will lead the group in their presentation. She will have a number of very tal-ented “helpers” for the event as well. Thanks to the FPC Mission and Evangelism Committee, we had a great day on Saturday, November 28 th at K-Mart from 10 AM to 8 PM. Ringing the Salvation Army bells in front of the big red pot to garner donations which support their efforts to serve those who so desperately need the special love of Christmas. The PW has stuffed 20 stockings and adopted two Sal-vation Army families to ensure they will have a special Christmas. Watch for more to come from PW and the M&E Com-mittee. Plans are in the final stages to install a handicap assisted door to enable easier access into the building. This assisted door will be in the north entryway closest to the home of Jeanne and Chet Martin. Also, don’t forget the Joy Gift Offering and the Christmas Mission Offering that will be received on the Sundays before and after Christmas and at the Christmas Eve Candle Light and Communion Services.

‘til next month, Merry Christmas, Maddie p.s. Thanks so much for welcoming me into your family this year. It has been terrific and I have learned so much but have also gained a few pounds in the process. I’m looking forward to spending 2016 with all of you. God Bless!!!

In Christian Sympathy

Two of our families have lost loved ones this past month. Joe Neely lost his father after battling cancer for many months and Bud Mason lost his mother who was in her 90s. Please keep them and their families in your prayers. It is always hard to lose loved ones but that is especially true around the holidays. When you see or talk to them, let them know that they are in your thoughts and prayers.

SESSION NOTES

The Kirk Session of the First Presbyterian Church of Martinsburg, WV met in stated session on November 9, 2015. The Clerk, Ruling Elder James Sadler, confirmed that a quorum was present. The meeting was then called to order and opened with prayer by the Moderator, the Rev. Dr. Rufus T. Burton. There were seven ruling elders present. The Moderator led a period of Meditation and Praise that included Scripture and Prayers. The minutes of the Kirk Session meeting of October 12, 2015 were approved without change. The minutes of the Congrega-tional Meeting of November 1, 2015 for the election of church officers were approved without change. Reports of the Permanent Committees were received as follows: Worship – Our organist, Steve Snyder will be holding a concert at 3:00 P.M. on November 14, 2015 in the sanctuary. The handi-cap accessible porch door was approved by the Memorial Committee. Any funds received from other sources will be put into the Memorial Fund. Approval was given to purchase 6 additional purple hymnals. The new church website is now on-line. It is designed to be compatible with mobile wireless devices. Christian Education – The mission project for Meals on Wheels has been completed. Four ladies from this church attended the Women’s Conference sponsored by the Alliance of Confessional Evangelicals in Lancaster, PA on November 6 & 7, 2015. They report that the conference was excellent. Mission and Evangelism – The Global Witness/Peacemaking offering totaled $390.00. $195.00 will go to the PC (USA), $97.00 to Shenandoah Presbytery, and $97.50 will go to the Local Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of the Eastern Panhandle. Recent Hunger offerings were: September - $188.73, October - $107.64, and November $118.25. The devotions held at the Martins-burg Union Rescue Mission continue to be well received. The committee will evaluate whether or not to continue in 2016. They are trying to reschedule this to another day/time to enable attendance at the Wednesday evening Bible Studies at the church. Stewardship and Finance – The financial status as of October 31, 2015 follows: Bank Balance $24,633.31 on October 1, 2015; Unencumbered balance was $12,842.38 on October 31, 2015. The 2016 Budget: “Responding to God’s Goodness” status shows all committee inputs have been received and total pledges received as of November 9, 2015 is $124,164.00. The committee will meet on November 16 – 20, 2015 to review Committee requests and the recommendations from the Personnel Committee. Maintenance – Several plumbing fixtures have been replaced with enhanced energy efficient devices. All are operational and replaced devices have been removed. Committee has received an estimate for the purchase and installation of the motorized porch door as requested by the Worship Committee. Total cost is to be $5,200 for the motorized device and installation. A dedicated elec-trical circuit was required and has been installed. Seven window air conditioners have been covered for upcoming winter weather protection. Board of Deacons – Minutes received with thanks. They cited need to enhance efforts in congregational shepherding and nurture. Trustees – Financial Report for period ending September 30, 2015 was given. A court date has been set for November 23, 2015 at 10:30 AM on Judge Yoder’s calendar for the FPC Trustees vs BB&T. Presbytery/Synod/General Assembly –The next stated meeting of the Shenandoah Presbytery is scheduled to convene on November 10, 2015 at 9:30 AM. The Clerk was appointed as the FPC commissioner. Report from the Clerk - Agreement was received from the Gifts and Memorial Committee to provide funding for the powered handicap door devices. Therefore, the Clerk sent a letter of approval on October 24, 2015, for the proposal of work and related costs. The letter of proposal was received from Berkeley Glass. The total approved cost is $4950.00. A note from Lannie Mullenax stated that our Sexton, Brenda Good, found all ceiling lights on in the Fellowship Hall. Please pass the word - if you are the last person to leave the building, please ensure that all lights are off and all exterior doors are secured. A November 8, 2015 letter from two church members announced their retirement from official duties and responsibilities effective December 22, 2015. Having Session approval, the clerk will send a letter of regret signed by the Pastor and the Clerk. Report from the Pastor – The pastor reported that Betty Mason will be commissioned to the Board of Deacons in 2016, Class of 2018. When accomplished, that action will be reflected in the minutes for the January 2016 stated meeting. Beth McIntyre has begun her next round of chemotherapy. The Youth Lego Team will have its first competition on November 21. The pastor will be schedul-ing an examination for church membership for a number of the youth. The Pastor asked for prayers for the manse family as they are experiencing a stressful time. Psalm 125 was read in unison led by the Moderator. Empowering Ministry: The session then turned to a season of Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession followed by the adjournment at 7:44 PM with Benediction offered by the Moderator followed with the Lord’s Prayer in unison. The date of the next stated session meeting is scheduled for December 14, 2015 at 7:00 PM. Once approved, the Session Minutes for the November 9, 2015 Stated Meeting with copies of reports from the various com-mittee and Boards will be included in the Session Record Book.

OPENING THE CHURCH

Isn’t it great to come to church on Sunday mornings and find the doors open for you? That doesn’t happen by chance. Each month your church officers commit to opening the church, ensuring the heat-ing or air conditioning is on and working, lights are on, and all outside doors are open. For December, Dr. Burton has volunteered to provide this service. When you see the folks who are doing this for us, take a minute to thank them for making our worship experiences more physically comfortable.

STEWARDSHIP & FINANCE REPORT

First Church Financial Status as of October 31, 2015: Bank Balance - October 1, 2015 $ 24,633.31 Monthly Income $ 18,715.35 $ 43,348.66 Monthly Expenses ( $ 19,255.78) Bank Balance – July 31, 2015 $ 24,092.88 LESS – PASS THRU ACCOUNTS/ (L-Accounts) ( $ 11,268.50) Unencumbered Balance – July 31, 2015 $ 12,824.38

2016 BUDGET – “Responding to God’s Goodness”

NOTE: Those members who have yet to pledge are urged to submit your pledge card as soon as possible to facilitate completing the 2016 budget. Anyone needing a pledge card, please contact Ruth or the S&F Committee members. Church committee budget requests for 2016 have been received and are being reviewed. Pending the work of the Personnel Committee and the Session’s review, the 2016 budget will be drafted. STEWARDSHIP involves more than giving money to support God’s work here at First Church. Stewardship includes using our God given time and talents to further the success and growth of His church. As we plan to enter 2016 please consider volunteering to support the various programs and ministries. If you would like to support any church program, please let the Committee chairperson know.

The Committee has started working on the CY 2014 audits which need to be completed during December 2015.

Mission and Evangelism Committee Christmas Joy Offering

Advent is upon us and, of course, with it comes the Annual Christmas Joy offering appeal. This year, as in

previous years, the offering will be divided 50/50 between the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions

and Presbyterian related schools and colleges to provide education and leadership, while still nurturing their

racial and ethnic heritage.

The Board of Pensions awards grants to retired ministers and church workers who often were provided less

than an adequate retirement once the time arrived to retire. It may be awarded for nearly any emergency pur-

pose. In 2014, $1,600,000 was awarded to 500 income supplements and 200 housing supplements.

The Joy offering dispensed a total of $1,400,000 to Menaul School in Albuquerque, NM, Presbyterian Pan

American School in Kingsville, TX and to Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, AL. Many of the students receiving

grants are students who are the first generation ever in their families to enroll in higher education.

The Offering will be received on Sunday, December 20 and Christmas Eve, December 24, 2015.

POINSETTIAS FOR OUR SANCTUARY DURING THE CHRISMAS SEASON

The poinsettia sign-up list is on the big bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall. Poinsettias are $10.00 and your check should be made to First Presbyterian Church. If you are unable to use the sign-up sheet, call Ruth Berg at 304-263-5201 and she will help you. The December flower chairperson is Ruhamah Strite and her number is 304-707-1321.

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New

Year’

s E

ve

First Presbyterian Church 220 South Queen Street

Martinsburg, WV 25401

We Give Thanks to God

2015

The Magic of Christmas By Ruth H. Underhill

The magic of Christmas Is so many things… A wreath on the door, And a church bell that rings; A kitchen that’s bubbling With suger and spice; Red stockings o’erflowing With everything nice. The magic of Christmas Is seen everywhere… A star on the tree, And a candle aflare; A log on the fire With a flickering glow; Streets that are blanketed With shimmering snow The magic of Christmas Is felt in one’s heart; A Babe in a manger And shepherds apart. A star of gold In the sky above; The peace that is ours By showing love.

The magic of Christmas Is so many things… A tree in the window And carolers that sing; A house filled with children Bubbling over with cheer, Anxiously awaiting St. Nick to appear. The magic of Christmas Is happiness and joy, Wrapped up in the face Of a small girl and boy As they race down the stairway In eagerness and glee, To scan all the toys Neath the glittering tree.

Merry Christmas