ECO Notes: We continue this month with a short series that began last month. It concerns the 5 important ‘shifts from standard denominational theory’ that have been adopted by the ECO community. Shift #1 (From “Clergy-Centered” to an “Unleashed Laity”) was presented in the Nov. newsletter. This month we look at Shifts #2 and #3. The following is written by Dana Allin, ECO Synod Executive.Shift #2 – From “Safety and Preservation” to “Risk-taking and Expansion”. “At our last National Gathering, Gary Haugen talked about how churches are addicted to safety. We all can resonate with that statement; often decisions are made in order to cater to those on the inside rather than trying to reach those who are not yet part of the congregation. When a church seeks to make a necessary change, it can be met with resistance. How can we, through a variety of avenues, help leaders feel the need to make church less like an aquarium where everything is kept nice and comfortable, and instead prepare people for the ocean of life?”Shift #3 – From “Homogeneous Leadership Prepared for Christendom” to “Preparing all of God’s people for a post-Christian Culture”. “There are two challenges encompassed in this shift that need to be considered. First, we need to live into our value of ‘Egalitarian Ministry.’ As stated in our values, this includes focusing on nurturing women for ministry as well as younger leaders, and raising up a diversity of leaders from a variety of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. Secondly, we need to shift the types of ministry we are preparing leaders to be a part of. Most people realize the Christendom model of ministry is rapidly fading away, If not gone entirely”. (Note that Christendom is defined as that portion of the world where Christianity prevails.) Once again, we remind you to keep your newsletters from November through January if you wish to keep and review this entire document.

December Sunday School Recorder

Pickle Harris

BP Screening--11th & 25th Connie Lowry

2nd Charlotte Yeager & Margaret Ifft 9th Pat & Prugh Barger16th George & Betsy Horchler23rd Gordon Hensel/Bob Frisk30th Kevin Jaszemski

USHERS: Charlotte Yeager & Sandy Yarian

 

Dec. Greeter Nursery 4th Liz Kingsley Jenn Collins11th Travis Weller Jimmy Schepp18th Dick Welton Emily Love25th Kevin Jaszemski None Provided

Please join us at 7 p.m. forChristmas Eve Candlelight Service.

Bakers needed for Grove City Meals on Wheels program.  The list of people who are willing to provide baked good items for 2017 will be revised soon.  If you are currently on the baking list, Kathy will be in touch with you to see if you wish to continue providing items.  If you have not been able to help provide items in the past and wish to now, please get in touch with Kathy to let her know of your availability.  Items provided must be to the church by 10 am on Fridays, they should be items that can be frozen (as what we provide on a Friday will be used the following week) and in non-returnable containers. Suggested items are cookies, cupcakes, muffins, nut breads, etc.  You will be contacted about 4 times a year to provide something.  Kathy Schepp's contact info: 724-748-4800 or mschepp@zoominternet.net.

OLD TIMERS will meet Tuesday, December 13th at 11:30 a.m. Come and enjoy some great fellowship.

Holiday Handbell Concert will be held on Monday, December 5th at Tower Presbyterian Church at 7pm. There will be 3 handbell ringers groups there as well as Renowned soloist Sue Garton. Admission is free, a goodwill offering will be collected.

All those serving throughout the world

PRAYER FAMILIES FOR DECEMBER4th-10th Curtis, Anna & Caden Ifft, 1068 Leesburg Station Rd, Volant

Harold & Margaret Ifft, 1068 Leesburg Station Rd, Volant11th-17th Jane Kedanis, 149 Cranberry Rd, Grove City

Greg & Liz Kingsley, 2589 Leesburg Grove City Rd, Volant18th-24th Chuck & Leanne Krause, 1507 Jackson Ave, New Castle

Doug & Bobbilyn Latimer, 101 Smith Rd, Volant25th-31st Elaine Lewis, 900 SW Robinson Ave, #507, Topeka, KS 66606

Tom & Dotty Lewis, 830 Leesburg Station Rd, Volant

REMEMBER OUR SHUT-INS IN PRAYER:Marian DambachLucille BlackMarie HayMartha LizziePatty PattersonBill & Mary TurnerLiz PearsonGabriella BurdickPatty BrestBrenda Barkley

Please also remember our college students and those serving in the military

College Students Military Personnel Joshua Bonnici Jamie Dillaman FilerAlex Davies Aaron ShawgoJed GrimmJoshua JaszemskiDillon McConnellAbby SmithNeil Smith

1 Ned Curfman 23 David WoodsPrugh Barger DaniBeth Couch

4 Wilma Frisk 24 Margaret IfftElizabeth Love 25 Jesus

12 Tammy Rynd Judy Welton14 Travis Weller 26 Dick Welton16 Mimi Weller 27 Woody Horchler18 Bob Frisk 28 Judie Yurchison20 Ethan Orr 31 Rick Martin

8th Bob & Lynn Doerr 1995 – 20yrs12th George & Betsy Horchler 1970 – 45yrs28th Harold & Margaret Ifft 1959 – 55yrs

Success in Marriage is more than “Finding” the right person

It’s a matter of “Being” the right person!

Mathieson’s brother in law, who passed on November 14th.

Sympathy is also extended to the family of Marjorie Weaver, Ruth Curfman’s mother,

who passed on November 14th

The congregational meeting will be held following worship on Sunday, December 18th for the purpose of:

Approving the 2017 Budget Election of 2017 Officers

SS BREAKFAST - Please plan to join together for breakfast and fellowship at 9 a.m., Sunday, December 4 th . A signup sheet is posted if you are able to bring a

breakfast casserole, sweet rolls, juice, etc. THEN----- OUR CHILDREN will be singing for worship so please join us at 11 as the young ones lift their voices in song.

CAROLING TO OUR SHUT-INS – Following worship on December 11th, we will

have a light lunch, provided by our Deacons. Following lunch, we

will divide into groups and travel to our local nursing homes and personal homes of our shut-ins. Please plan to join us.

The Leesburg Lighthouse has just completed 51 productions, spanning 29 years with 40 different scripts. Thank you to all who have participated in this wonderful community outreach that has funded many local, national, and international missions.

THANK YOU to everyone who helped us fill over 215 Samaritan Shoeboxes. They were delivered to our drop off location by our Jr. CE youth & leaders.YOU have brought smiles to the faces of many children this Christmas.

You’ve invited December 9th at 7:00pm in the fellowship hall for the Three Rivers Walk to Emmaus Community Gathering.  Come out for food, fellowship and information.  The next Men’s walk is scheduled for October 12-15th and the women’s walk will be October 19th – 22nd.  Now’s your chance to get involved. See Missy Davies for more information.

DO YOU NEED HELP RAKING LEAVES? Our Boy Scout Troop would like to help you. Call Kevin Jaszemski – 724-730-5321 No charge for their help.