Called Session Meeting Sunday, December 8, immediately after Worship.
Christmas Luncheon immediately after Worship Sunday, December 15 in the Fellowship Hall.
Handel's "Messiah" concert presented by The Ovation Singers Sunday, December 15 at 3:00 pm in the Sanctuary.
Christmas Eve Worship Service Tuesday, December 24 at 5:00 pm - Candlelight and Communion
Weddings Interested in having your wedding at First Presbyterian Church? Please see our updated guidelines here. Sunday Worship Book Study Class: 9:45 am (snacks at 9:30 am) - Library Adult Sunday School 10:00-10:45 am (now meeting in church parlor) Youth Sunday School 10:00-10:45 am Elementary Sunday School 10:00-10:45 Church Nursery: 10:30 am-12:30 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal: 10:30 am Morning Worship: 11:00 am
Youth Group 12-2 pm (alternates with Youth Sunday School, please call to check times)
Wednesdays Bible Study: Wednesdays at 10:00 am in the Library Chancel Choir Rehearsal: 7:30 pm Visit the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic Website - > http://www.synatlantic.org/ FIRST PRESBYTERIAN STEWARDSHIP 2020 THANK YOU THANK YOU to all who have made financial commitments to the Glory of God and to the work and worship of First Presbyterian for 2020. As of October 18th, our financial commitments
total $175,390.00, with 31 households submitting pledges for 2020. We have achieved 78% of our goal, THANK YOU to those who have made commitments and re-commitments of time, talent, and energy to the work and worship of First Presbyterian for 2020. We have received 12
individual Time, Talent, and Energy Commitment cards. THANK YOU to those who attended and participated in our Stewardship Commitment Luncheon and THANK YOU to those who helped prepare, serve, and clean up. Our Stewardship Commitment Luncheon on Sunday, Oct.13th, was a time of fellowship and an opportunity for questions and answers for the 35 in attendance. The discussion was helpful for those of us tasked with the development and monitoring of the budget, and hopefully helpful to all those in attendance. THANK YOU to those who are continuing to pray for guidance in the way they are called to be a part of the work and worship of First Presbyterian now and in the year 2020. Our Stewardship season continues. What wondrous works we can achieve when we join together as good stewards of our time, talent, and treasure to carry out the work and worship of First Presbyterian in this community and beyond. THANK YOU | Pastor’s Letter December 2019 Did you know that George Frederick Handel’s dad was afraid he would become a musician? Isn’t that wild?! Kept him out of school, but a friend smuggled a clavichord into the Handel attic, so GF lived into his calling. Did you know that “Messiah” was composed after Handel was 53 and had suffered a stroke? He had been in a deep depression, and drowning in debt, when the composer of the libretto sent him the “Sacred Oratorio.” At first, Handel wasn’t excited. He regarded the lyricist, Charles Jennens, as a “second-rate pampered poet.” But upon reading the libretto, Handel immediately started writing, writing for 24 days while barely eating or sleeping. His servant recorded that, at times, “Handel would stride up and down, flailing the air with his arms, singing at the top of his lungs: “Hallelujah! Hallelujah!” with tears running down his cheeks. When Handel finished the oratorio, he slept for 17 hours straight, scaring his servant, who sent for the doctor. Handel was fine, and we have “Messiah.”1 As Christmas comes, you are invited to rejoice in these Halleluiahs, not only on December 15th at 3:00pm – when the Ovation Singers will present their last offering of “Messiah” under the direction of Ray Hoaster, but all through the Advent Season as we, like Handel, rejoice despite! Despite those things which would impede our gifts – Despite the effects of illness – Despite the burdens of mind and heart – Despite the surly opinions we might hold of others – Despite what keeps us awake at night – For “what IFS” are NOT what IS!!! So we shall come into the Christmas season with hearts of joy, for we know that our Redeemer lives, and at last He shall stand upon the earth, and He shall reign forever and ever! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Joy of the season – Pastor Karen 1. I am indebted to Mardre Bell for sharing this information on Handel and “Messiah” from the writings of Robert Littell and Doron K. Antrim in “The Bettmann Archive.”
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