THOUGHTS FROM OUR SENIOR MINISTER
We find ourselves moving through another Advent season—a time of anticipation and preparation. My heart is filled with both gratitude and excitement for this year’s Advent and Christmas sermon series. This year, we are looking at the story of Christ’s birth through the lens of a movie (pun intended) with my sermon series “Coming Soon.”
This six-week sermon series (with a special story sermon at our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service) focuses on the expectation and arrival of the Messiah as a grand, movie-like epic. My hope is that this sermon series, like our favorite carefully crafted film, will captivate our hearts and minds as we fully explore the expected arrive of the Messiah.
This past Sunday, as we set the scene with our Hanging of the Greens, we were invited to stay tuned for the unfolding drama of the Christmas story. In a similar way to the trailer of our favorite movie, we were shown a glimpse of the highlights and stage for this epic narrative.
This coming Sunday we will explore how the life and actions of John the Baptist sets the scene for the arrival of Jesus. We will explore the symbolic meaning of baptism and reflect upon our own wilderness experiences and limitations within the larger framework of this epic story.
As the series progresses, we will witness the suspense building in the middle of Advent. Through the lives of Elizabeth and Mary, we will discover that nothing is impossible for God. Their stories, like many of the characters of this epic movie, will serve as pivotal plot points heightening the anticipation for the climactic moment when the Christ child is born. But be prepared for a twist—the story won’t unfold in the way we expect.
Like all good movies (especially those wanting to make more profits with a sequel), our series will conclude with a cliffhanger on New Year’s Eve that leaves us pondering our role in the ongoing narrative of God’s redemptive plan. How are we called to participate in the story for 2024? On the final day of the year, we will be challenged to reflect on the unexpected ways God works in our lives and how we, like the characters in the Christmas story, play a vital role in God’s unfolding drama.
I invite you all to join us in this Advent experience. Please plan to be at all of our worship services and invite friends to join us. Consider engaging with the series beyond the worship service. Family and friend discussion or even personal reflections can deepen our understanding and connection to the themes presented each week. The church is inviting you to more fully participate this Advent and Christmas. Let’s make this series a shared journey, allowing the epic story of Christmas to shape our lives and draw us closer to God incarnate in Christ Jesus.
Advent Peace,
Rev. David Clifford
As we enter Advent and prepare for the birth of Christ, members of the leadership team are busy preparing for changes in the new year and for the continued growth of our church. Below are a few of the major changes for 2024.
Administrative Coordinator Position—At its November meeting, the Board established the position of administrative coordinator. At the same time, they approved the position, the Board appointed Barbara Chaney to the position. (See more about Barbara in a separate article.) This new position is a volunteer position for two years and is responsible for the following duties:
(1) Serve as administrator for staff transition, manage duties, proof read, backup.
(2) Serve as resource for questions from new staff, departments, groups etc.
(3) Review and update job descriptions for positions (both paid and volunteer).
(4) Organize and update policies and ensure they are being followed.
(5) Maintain a church schedule for the year.
(6) Assist David with administrative tasks.
(7) Coordinate special activities in print and social media with administration.
(8) Assist with special projects.
(9) Improve archive of information and organize files.
Secretary Position—Linda Glick recently announced her planned retirement (June, 2024). Those of us who work closely with her wish her well in this new phase of her life, but quietly know how much we will miss her. The Board asks anyone who knows of an individual who might like to explore the possibility of working at FCCH to urge them to come forward
Targeted focus on gratitude—Beginning in 2024, the Ministry Team and Board will bring more focus onto gratitude—both personally and as members of a church with so much for which to be grateful. One aspect of this focus is that Board member Carolyn Dorsey has volunteered to help Spirit readers develop a practice of gratitude. Plans are for her to begin this practice in January.
Volunteers Decorate for Christmas Season
Advent: Preparing for the Coming of Christ
Sprinkles of Joy for the FCCH community! Barbara Chaney volunteered and the Board approved her as the church’s new Administrative Coordinator. She expresses the intention of working with this volunteer position for at least two years.
Most people who attend worship services regularly recognize Barbara—or call her friend. She seldom misses activities or Sunday service and frequently serves as elder at the communion table and as Sunday morning lay leader. She currently acts as Board treasurer, helps coordinate one of the church’s two prayer groups, regularly writes the prayer column for the Spirit, is active in CWF and the Senior Saints. In the past, Barbara has acted as Board chair twice and as treasurer multiple times. She has also chaired both the Worship Committee and CWF. The details of her job description are listed in the Leadership story on page 3 of this Spirit. Thank you, Barbara, for such generosity with your time. It is truly a major commitment.
Augusta King’s 100th birthday celebration was a huge success! Daughter Norma Sangster reports that it was filled with joy, family, friends, cake (lots of cake) and balloons. Norma expresses her gratitude to everyone from FCCH who sent cards and notes. Her description of Augusta’s joy at receiving so much mail was heartwarming, Thanks to everyone who made it possible with their cards and letters.
Congratulations to Board Chair Nic Womack who was honored by Beck Seed Company at its most recent conference. He was nominated for the most outstanding soybean seed growth award and the most outstanding corn seed growth award for this region. The region stretches north and south from Michigan to southern Mississippi and east and west from Ohio to Arkansas.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Advent/Christmas Sermon Series:
The flow of the Advent season plays out like a movie. Rev. David’s Advent & Christmas Sermon Series will explore the plot twists and cliffhangers that invite us to wonder how we are called to participate in the story of Christ. This week, we will see how John the Baptist’s limitations set him up to play an important role in Jesus’ story in the sermon, “Baptismal Limitations” based on Mark 1:1-8.
Our Christmas Dinner will be on Sunday, December 10, following morning worship. The Meat, Drinks, Rolls and Desserts will be furnished. Mark those calendars and bring your favorite vegetable or salad dish and enjoy the followship. We will be having a First Christian Talent Show at the dinner. There is a sign-up form on the bulletin board outside David’s office. Please share your talent with the church.
The Senior Saint’s will have their Christmas luncheon on Tuesday, December 12 @ 11:30. Chicken Lasagna, salad, bread sticks and cupcakes will be served for lunch. If you would like to share in the game, please bring a gift of $10 or less to exchange. Please rsvp: Evina Bryan or the church office.
This month’s Board Meeting has been rescheduled due to the Christmas Holidays. They will meet December 14 @ 6:30 p.m.
Elders-We have taken on the children of six needy families to provide Christmas gifts (both necessary items and toys) for this season. Any Elder that would like to contribute funding for this is welcome to do so by giving the gift to Debbie Enyart (our treasurer) or putting it in the Sunday Collection designated for "Elders Christmas gift funding" or sending it to the church office with the same designation.
The Worship Committee has purchased Advent Devotional Guides for each family in the congregation. They will be placed in the sanctuary at each entrance and the church office window. If you do not have a daily devotion period, use of this pamphlet is a good way to start. Remember to pick up a copy for your family.
This year’s Christmas Eve Service will be held at 9 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to join us as we gather to hear the Christmas story through Scripture and song. Christmas Day Service will be at 10:30 a.m.
The Secret Place Devotionals have arrived and have been placed in the sanctuary at each entrance.
The Christmas Offering supports regional ministries. In 31 regions across the United States and Canada, ministers are nurtured and congregations are provided opportunities for work and worship. Often recognized for the ministries of camps and conferences, regions also play a critical role in the preparation and authorization of ministerial ordination. Both are key to church leadership and development. Collection dates are December 17 and 24.
