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Newsletter 1
Dear Briarwood Family of Faith, The season of Advent has begun. The Hanging of the Greens is this Saturday, December 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The Chancel Choir is singing accompanied by the Capital Brass on Sunday, December 11. We are planning our normal Christmas Eve reception at 4:30 p.m. followed by a service of Lessons and Carols on December 24 at 5:30 p.m. Christmas Day falls on a Sunday this year. We will meet at our usual time, but it will be a casual Sunday, so come as you are. We are planning an abbreviated service with lots of scripture, carols, and a special time for the children. The season of Advent is deep with meaning. The liturgical color of the season is purple as it is in the season of Lent. Purple symbolizes the need for preparation. You may recall that in our sanctuary’s stained glass window for Advent, the shepherd stands at the bottom left quadrant of the window holding the shepherd’s crook and gazing at the star that led the Magi to Jesus. The images capture the advent themes of expectancy, hope, and wonder. Of course, the primary focus of our expectancy, hope, and wonder is not the star. The star points beyond itself to the LORD Jesus Christ. In Him the eternal Word was made flesh and dwelt among us full of grace and truth. He is the LORD. Bible translations that descended from the King James Version followed the tradition of capitalizing God’s revealed name YHWH (Yahweh) with the English word LORD. The ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament, called the Septuagint, translated the Hebrew word YHWY with the Greek word Kurios. Kurios means Lord. The roman emperor was also called kurios, but the authors of the Old and New Testaments meant something far more than an earthly ruler, even an emperor. Jesus is LORD means Jesus is God. The Greek and Hebrew words (Yeshua and Iesous) behind our English word Jesus both mean Savior. As God incarnate, Jesus comes to save His people from their sins. Sin (falling short of God’s revealed will for human beings) is the fundamental human dilemma. We usually know the right thing to do, but our inclinations and impulses push us in the wrong direction. In this fallen condition, we are helpless to save ourselves, but by Jesus’ miraculous birth, sinless life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection, God in Christ has dealt with our dilemma. Simply by trusting in what God has done for us in Jesus Christ, we are forgiven, promised a place in heaven, and assured that our embodied selves will be restored on the day of resurrection. Finally, Jesus is the Messiah. The Hebrew word for Messiah is Mashiach. The Greek translation of the Hebrew word is Christos. Both words mean the anointed one. The coming of the Messiah was prophesied from the earliest time. The Messiah came in the incarnation of God through the virgin Mary and the infant Jesus, but the Messiah will come again at the end of history. In His first coming the Messiah was “gentle Jesus meek and mild.” In His second coming, the Messiah will be the dread LORD of the heavenly armies. When He appears, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that He is king of everything that exists. For us who have trusted in His name, the second coming of the Messiah will be cause for joy. For those who rejected Jesus, it will be a day of irresistible submission. All of this is packed into this shortest of seasons of the liturgical year. The Word made flesh is the LORD Jesus Christ. Let us worship Him. Let us thank Him. Let us fully dedicate our lives to His will and work until He comes again. I pray that our corporate and your familial and personal observances of this season will be richly blessed. Come, LORD Jesus. Amen. Yours with Christ,
Charles
The Briarwood Vision Rev. Charles N. Bowdler, Senior Pastor Volume 19 Issue 12
December 2016
Newsletter 2
Circle Date Time Hostess Bible Moderator Lydia 12/13 10:00am All Members (Christmas Lunch) Patricia Breeland Rachel 12/11 2:30pm Audie Dodson & Joanne Girod Anne Dreher Elizabeth 12/9 10:30am Jane Gerber (Christmas Luncheon) Betty Simmons Naomi 12/11 11:45am All Members (Christmas Brunch) Gail Howell
The PWCT will not meet this month
22nd Annual Winter Retreat Presbyterian Women
Presbytery of Mississippi January 13 – 14, 2017
(Check In begins at 3:00; Supper is served at 5:30) St. Mary of the Pines - Chatawa, Mississippi
“Listening to Your Life” Retreat Leader - Rev. Ann Houston Kelly
Listening is often the part of prayer that is missing in our lives. We’ll practice listening to our lives through prayer and other spiritual practices with the hope of seeing God’s movement and grace in our lives, letting go of things that stand in the way of becoming what God wants us to be, and discerning something of God’s call for our lives. Bring your Bible and a journal to use in our group time and your own quiet time.
“Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery it is. In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.”
-Frederick Buechner, Now and Then: A Memoir of Vocation
Registration Information
Get your registration form from your circle chair or the PW table and make your check payable to: Presbyterian Women, Presbytery of Mississippi
Registration Deadline is December 31, 2016
Mail registration form to: Peggy Miller, PWP Treasurer 860 Timberlain Drive, Jackson, MS 39211 601-956-4050 [email protected]
Retreat Center Phone: 601-783-3494
The Reverend Ann Houston Kelly is Interim Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Oxford, MS. She is currently working on a Certificate for Spiritual Formation at Columbia Theological Seminary, her alma mater. She has served churches in Rogers, AR and Tupelo, MS and as Associate Executive Presbyter for Camps and Conferences in St. Andrew Presbytery. She enjoys hiking, camping, yoga, gardening and spending time with family and friends. She and her husband Danny have 3 children: Joseph, Lizzie and Daniel.
On December 14th we will be touring the Governor's Mansion to enjoy their lovely Christmas decorations. Following the tour we will meet at Hal & Mal’s for a "Dutch Treat" lunch. Please let the office know if you plan to attend the tour and/or lunch by Tuesday the 13th.
Newsletter 3
SERVING THIS MONTH
ELDERS OF THE WEEK
4 Nan Huey & Clint Lee 11 Malcolm Lightsey & Doris Schneider 18 Carol Busbee & Erik Williamsen 25 Audie Dodson & Debra Kinser
USHERS
Susan Bostwick Vance Clemmer Debra Sikes
Bill Carlisle Linda Elmore Don Sikes Joy Clemmer Mara Kirby Kit Stilley
Mark Bailey ([email protected]) is chair of the Usher Committee. Call him if you need to change a day. Then inform the office.
SANCTUARY PREPARATION
4 Doris Schneider 11 Debra Kinser 18 Emily Chandler 25 Marcia Magee Emily Chandler is chair of Sanctuary Preparation Committee. If unable to serve, please contact her at 601-398-8481 or [email protected].
FLOWER TEAMS
3 & 4 All Teams
3 Marge Pugh 9 Fannie McCann (97) Michael Gaymon 10 Brenda Hyde 12 Alice Staples 13 Debby DeLashmet 14 George Forkin
15 Elaine Everett 16 Myrl Kirstein Nick Sikes 17 Pam Brooks 18 Pat Ray Ainsley O’Quinn 25 Bart DeLashmet 26 Berkeley Thomson Susan Sumrall 29 Dan Stephens 30 Dan Duggan 31 Bill Dillon
If you have a birthday this month and don’t see your name, contact the office.
END OF THE YEAR GIVING
Several rules govern how the church posts contributions. For tax purposes in 2016, your
check must be dated in 2016. If mailing a check with a 2016 donation, mark the giving year in memo line and postmark by Dec. 31.
STAFF CHRISTMAS BONUSES Members of the congregation are invited,
if they desire to do so, to contribute to the staff bonus pool. The bonus gifts will be divided between the 1 full-time and 7 part-time staff. When giving to this project please mark your check with ‘staff bonus’ and turn in to church office by Monday, December 19.
Budget Snapshot
October Y-T-D Budget Offerings $ 47,015.46 $350,478,98 Budget items spent ($30,834.31) ($332,551.36) Income over (under) $ 16,181.15 $ 17,927.62 November 2¢ a Meal Offering $102.02
During this stewardship season, we consider how we can serve our church family in meaningful ways. One option is to serve on a communion preparation team. You will work with a partner about two Sundays a year during the Sunday school hour to set up the communion table for the Lord's Supper and then cleanup after the worship service. The Worship Committee is accepting volunteers for the communion prep teams for 2017. Please contact Suzanne Stephens or Nancy Bailey before the end of the year if you are interested.
Newsletter 4
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Wednesday Nights in December!
Please join us for the final 3 sessions of our study “The Reason for God”. This study is designed to help us dig deeper into objections to the Christian faith and to learn about both sides of the issues. We will meet on the first 3 Wednesday nights of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Heritage Room.
Sessions include: Dec. 7 – Why Does God Allow Suffering?
Dec.14 – Why is the Church Responsible for So Much Injustice?
Dec. 21 – How Can God be Full of Love and Wrath at the Same Time?
No meal…Separate children’s activities Nursery provided
Dec. 7 Choir Rehearsal at 6:30 pm
NO SUNDAY SCHOOL ON
DECEMBER 25 Spend time with your family
then come and worship the New Born King with your church family at 10:25am.
EXPLORER’S BIBLE STUDY Monday, Dec. 5th – 9:30 AM and 6:00 PM Monday, Dec.12th – 9:30 AM and 6:00 PM Monday, Dec. 19th – 6:00 PM
Childcare provided at 6:00 PM. Explorer’s will resume the study of John in January.
Thursday, Dec. 8th Last day of school; Christmas Party
Pictures with Santa
Friday, Dec. 9th – Monday, Jan. 2nd Christmas Holidays for students
Our Mission: To glorify God by improving the quality of life for children with special needs,
their families, and their communities
WORSHIP PREP CLASS GRADUATES Congratulations to Katelyn Williamsen and Thomas Williamsen for successfully completing the Worship
Preparation Class. During the class they learned how to use Briarwood's bulletin, look up the scripture passages in the pew Bible, find songs in "Glory to God" hymnal, and learned the various parts of the
worship service and how they can participate.
CHILDREN'S ADVENT BOOKLETS
Activity booklets with activities during Advent for our children are
available. If your child has not received one, please see Susan Sumrall. Advent lessons will be included in each week's Sunday
School lesson.
Newsletter 5
In Memory of Given by
Jane Hogue Barney McCann Marian Sessums
Margaret Liles Barney McCann
Ann Vaughan Marimae Coleman
Albert Davis Hugh Hogue Mara Kirby Corinne Fox Dick & Judy Foster David McNair Amy & George Lynch D. K. Hall Flolynn Stover Marian Sessums
Evelyn Stevens Hugh Hogue Ron & Karen Walker Earl & Pauline Derrington Marian Sessums Barney McCann Corinne Fox Dick & Judy Foster Paul & Crea Shelton Mary & Bill Carlisle
Bill Sikes Mara Kirby Marimae Coleman Margaret Stricker Barney McCann Corinne Fox Dick & Judy Foster Mary & Bill Carlisle
Mission Fair 2016 Feeling the holiday pressure already? Continue to shop with us at the 2016 Mission Fair and check out options for alternative and fair trade gifts. Shopping began Wednesday, November 30th at Wednesday Night Fellowship. If you didn’t make it then, we’ll offer one more shopping opportunity on Sunday, December 4th before and after worship. Come support some amazing artisans with a purchase of fair trade goods through Partners for Just Trade, SERRV, and Ten Thousand Villages. Or, make a difference in the life of families and communities near and far with the purchase of alternative gifts through Agros International, Heifer International, Little Light House, Presbyterian Mission Agency, Samaritan’s Purse, and Stop Hunger Now/Water to Wine. Remembering family and friends can be both easy and meaningful with a gift from the 2016 Mission Fair.
Be sure and stop by the Fellowship Hall and check out how you can be a part of this year’s
Angel Tree for Lizzie Cooper’s Ministry.
William P. Sikes
December 27, 1925 - November 1, 2016
Newsletter 6
Special Christmas Music
Sunday, December 11
Featuring the Chancel Choir and Capital Brass
Join us for our Annual Hanging of the Greens Saturday, Dec. 3rd at 9:00 a.m. to noon
Come one, come all! All flower teams are needed and anyone else interested in helping decorate the church is most welcome. If you are unable to stay the morning, come as your schedule permits. Homemade cinnamon rolls and hot coffee will keep us warm as we work and fellowship! No flower arranging skills are needed!!
Join us Christmas Eve at 4:30 pm for a reception in the Fellowship Hall
(bring your favorite holiday appetizer or dessert ready to serve)
and then worship with us at the Festival of Lessons & Carols
Candlelight Service at 5:30 pm.
If you would like to remember someone in a special way this Christmas, make a donation to the Poinsettia Fund. While your contribution will not purchase a poinsettia to take home, it will bring joy and pleasure to all who see the sanctuary decorated during Advent. Memorials or honoraria will be acknowledged in the December 18, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day bulletins. Fill out the form below and return it to the church office or place it in the offering plate along with your donation (remember to mark your check Flower Fund). Please submit your form and contribution by Wed., Dec. 14th. In Memory of: ___________________________________ In Honor of: ___________________________________
Given by:
_________________________________
Christmas Day Service 10:25 am
Casual Sunday…No Sunday School
Lots of scripture, carols, and a special time for the children.
Newsletter 7
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3
9am -12 noon
4 2nd Sunday Advent
Sunday School Morning Worship
Education Committee
5
Congregational Care Meeting
6
7
6:30 pm Wed. Night Programs
6:30 pm Choir Rehearsal
8 9
Elizabeth Circle
10
11 3rd Sunday Advent
Sunday School Morning Worship
Naomi & Rachel Circles
12
Congregational Care Meeting
13
Lydia Circle
14
11:00 am Saints Alive
Gov. Mansion Tour Hal & Mal’s
6:30 pm Wed. Night
Programs
Poinsettia Deadline
15 16
17 5:00 pm
Miss. Mass Choir Toys for Tots
Dedication Service
5:00 pm Don & Patsy West
(Corinne Fox, assist)
18 4th Sunday Advent
Sunday School Morning Worship
Session
19
Just 6 pm class
Congregational Care Meeting
20
21
6:30 pm Wed. Night Programs
22
23
24
4:30 pm Reception
5:30 pm
25
No Sunday School/Choir Morning Worship
26
No Congregational Care Meeting
27
28
No Staff Meeting
No Wed. Night Activities
29
30 31
Capital Brass Chancel Choir
Church Office Closed for Christmas Holidays
Newsletter 8
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The Briarwood Vision Briarwood Presbyterian Church 620 Briarwood Drive Jackson, MS 39211 601.956.4553 [email protected] www.briarwoodpres.org
Thank you to all who supported Operation Christmas Child. Briarwood sent 43 boxes filled with love and full of gifts. Many have asked where our boxes will be sent, and we have requested tracking information. After the boxes have been delivered and we receive the info, we will let everyone know where you have touched others with your generosity. Blessings, Your Mission Committee
Mary Martha Day November 15, 2016
The BPC PW sisters shared a productive and fun time during this
month’s Mary Martha Day. They put together their annual Christmas goodie bags for the patients at
UMMC, shared a devotional time, and had a delicious lunch.
