EXPRESSIONS CHURCH IN THE HILLS (USA) “Waiting, waiting, waiting…” The Advent season is focused on the coming birth of Jesus, God’s coming into the world as a baby. We spend this month anxiously anticipating this miraculous event once again as we reflect on the meaning of God’s all powerful love that promises his return. It is the mark of what is to come in our Easter faith – that a God so loving would choose to live with us, suffer with us, die for us, and allow us to be healed in ways we may never fully understand – and it all begins with this simple birth. Reflections on Christmas take us down paths of joy, hope, faith, love, and peace. Yet for many, this time of year also forces us to remember those loved ones who are no longer with us to celebrate. It is a bittersweet season for so many and our call is to love and support one another during this holy Advent. Celebrate our Lord’s birth together with heartfelt joy. At the same time, mourn our losses together with mingled tears of longing. Jesus Christ came into the world to bear our burdens and offer us relief from pain, suffering, sin, and death. Let this season be one of communal grace that recognizes this miraculous gift. This month we will feature a few special Advent presentations and events, including the return of our Wednesday evening adult education classes. In addition, we will be celebrating the addition of 12 new members into our congregation this month during worship on December 12, including at least one baptism. Join our congregation all season as we gear up for our annual Christmas Eve worship services at 7:30 and 10:30 pm on Dec. 24. I hope to see many of you this season and get the chance to create new memories in our church family as we constantly seek to be the hands and feet of Christ in this community. Peace and grace to you, Pastor Andrew Pomerville

I am delighted to welcome Betty VanMersbergen to the piano bench as our choir accompanist. Her presence makes it much easier for me to direct the choir during rehearsals and on two Sundays a month. I have worked with Betty before both in and outside of church and look forward to continuing this collaboration. There are many church organists who play and direct simultaneously and I can do that, but it certainly works out much better for choristers as well as myself if I don't have to. Welcome, Betty! In December please look forward to more brass music than usual. There are "almost-firm" plans to feature the Encore Winds' brass quintet on the 5th, and Bev Isenbarger, French horn player, will join us on l2/l2. But while we certainly welcome the addition of other instrumentalists, we are desperately in need of some in-house help with the choir. Unlike most churches whose choirs swell with returning alumni and the re-dedication of lapsed members who rally for Christmas festivities, our choir diminishes as snowbirds leave and those remaining travel elsewhere to be with family and friends. So if any of you in the area can join us on Wednesday nights at 7:00 for rehearsals and are able to sing even just once during December, I would be thrilled and you would enhance our worship considerably. This is a marvelous time to give choir a try and see how you like it. No auditions, no solo work, perfect attendance not expected - but you get your own robe and colorful stole, music folder, and our undying gratitude. Please come. We continue to use Taize responses during December. Although the words are not in the bulletin, if you hear anyone singing "Jesus, Remember Me, when you come in to your kingdom" during Communion, please join in. Humming is also acceptable. Taize music is meant to "catch on" - being repeated frequently until it becomes familiar and everyone is participating. Music Director, Dorothy Clore 2

DECEMBER GREETERS December 5-Robert and Rita Drudge December 12-Ed and Joyce Hagmaier December 19—Mike and Judy Card December 24-7:30 -Susie Clovis and Tiffany, Tiarre, Troy Clovis 10:30 p.m.—Tom and Sarah Juntune Dec 26—Truman and Linda Bicum Greeters should be at the church at 10:00 a.m. If you cannot be at the Service of Worship on the Sunday you are to be the Greeter, please call Cindy Overby at (533-6001)

DECEMBER LITURGIST December 5—Susie Hutchings December 12—Betty Bea Washburn December 19—Susie Clovis December 24-7:30-Bob Schaefer 10:30 p.m.—Maureen Stenback December 26—Gene Selden If you cannot be at the service of Worship on the Sunday you are to be the liturgist, please call Sue Schorfhaaar (533-5071)

DECEMBER HEAD USHERS December 5—David McBeth December 12—Sharon Frey December 19—Jeff and Deb Braden December 24-7:30-Sharon Frey 10:30 pm— Tom Juntune December 26—Paul DeLange and Greg Stover

THE ANTRIM COUNTY COMMUNITY CHOIR will present the Christmas Cantata,

"Jesus, There's Just Something About That Name", at Living Word North Church (across from the Airport), on Sunday the 12th of December, at 3 PM and 5 PM. This is a free concert and all are welcome.

DEACONS Class of 2010 Doris Ferris John Brostrom

377-7022 631-3770

Class of 2011 Carol Gregory Edena Williams Don Hoyt

533-8138 533-8598 989-614-0798

Class of 2012 Martha Harris Lewis Lesperance Millie Sirrine

533-6105 322-2893 544-8047

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ATTENDANCE October 31—114 November 7—110 November 14—92 November 21—103 November 28—93

Kathy Munger 12-5 Thomas Craigie 12-6 Bob Schaefer 12-6 Nancy Hanson 12-8 Thomas Frey 12-14 David McBeth 12-14 Millie Sirrine 12-20 Scott McManus 12-21 Allen Brown 12-24 Betty VanMersbergen 12-25 Betty Bea Washburn 12-28 Joe and Chris Bostater Paul and Sue Martin Walt and Dee Owens Ron and Betty VanMersbergen Allen and Sue Brown Ed and Sue Blugerman

12-4 12-11 12-15 12-16 12-15 12-28

Christmas Eve Worship Service December 24, will be at 7:30 pm and 10:30 pm.

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GOOD SAMARITAN WOMEN’S RESOURCE CENTER Join with Church in the Hills in making a difference in the lives of local people this Christmas. ADOPT-A-FAMILY. Take a slip (or more than one) from the “giving tree” and purchase a gift for that person. (It does not have to be the suggested item.) Bring it to the church wrapped (with the slip attached and labeled with the contents) by Dec. 19. The Mission Committee will coordinate and deliver the presents. SCARVES AND MITTENS We want to provide scarves, mittens, and hats to our Christmas families. We still need scarves and mittens (water-proof if possible, especially for children). ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS GIFT CARDS. This is a great way to remind friends and family of our love while at the same time helping others. You pick up cards to send to your loved ones saying that a donation has been made in their honor. Donations can be made directly to the organization or you may leave them at church and we’ll send all of them together. This year the charity’s are: ANTRIM HABITAT FOR HUMANITY FOOD PANTRY GOODWILL INN

An Expanded Offering of FAIR TRADE COFFEE, TEA, and CHOCOLATE (sold at cost price during December) is also available -why not attach some to the Alternative Gift Card or use as stocking stuffers? Reward your loved ones, including yourself.

New Elder and Deacon Meeting On Tuesday December 14, at 6:30 pm the Pastor will be training the new Elders and Deacons at the Church.

Annual Reports for 2010 All committee heads are responsible for an annual report. This report is due to Cindy by January 15, as the Annual Congregational meeting will be Sunday January 30 after worship service.

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FREE HAIR CUTS FOR THE NEEDY Jims Flis owner of Swans Cove Lake Spa and Salon in Central Lake will provide free haircuts from Dec 1. to Dec 23, for the first 50 callers who are unemployed or underemployed. If you know anyone needing a haircut but can’t afford one, give them this number 231-544-9974.

CHANGES TO YOUR DIRECTORY Marilyn Green 3600 Park Rd Apt H 106 Charlotte, NC 28209-4102 1-704-525-7595

As we celebrate God’s bounty at Thanksgiving, remembering with gratitude our many blessings, we praise God and give special thanks for your generosity to Presbyterian World Mission. With humble hearts, giving thanks to God today and always, we pray that you are blessed this holiday season Thank you for your support, which continues to touch lives through Jesus Christ. Gratefully Yours , Presbyterian World Mission Thank you for your support! Bruce Whearty

Ellen Moran 701 w. Harcourt Rd. Apt 278B Angola, IN 46703 1-260-624-3431 Ermil and Beverly Jones 410 Cedars Lane Dexter, MI 48103 734-424-0256

I got myself in religious hot water recently with my granddaughter Emma (age 8). She was sitting at my kitchen counter and, completely unrelated to anything else we were 6

doing or discussing, asked, "What happened to Mary?" After I figured out exactly which Mary she meant (as in the mother of Jesus), I had to admit that I didn't really know. Then I foolishly continued the conversation by adding that we don't really know what happened to Joseph either. "Well, who's Joseph?" He was the father of Jesus. He's the one who went with Mary to Bethlehem to have the baby. "He can't be the father. God is Jesus’ father." At which point I told her she should ask Father Jim at her church if she had any more questions, and promptly changed the subject. Yet another example of how much I don't understand and am even worse at explaining what is in the Bible. As Christmas approaches my ignorance becomes even more pronounced, but what I do know is that Jesus’ birth and the promises that his life demonstrates to all of us give me hope and strength for whatever is to come in the New Year. That is certainly worth celebrating. May we all join together this December, rejoicing in His birth, accepting the mysteries we cannot understand, forgiving each other our ignorance, and moving into 20ll with confidence and the knowledge that there is great support for us in the world. In spite of the fact that her grandmother obviously does not

have all the answers, Emma continues to visit and eat at my table. Do join us for the same at Church In The Hills. Music Director, Dorothy Clore

WHO TURNS ON THE LIGHTS IN YOUR HOUSE OF WORSHIP? If November is the season of thankfulness, then December is the season of hope. The hope of the Jewish people at the time of Jesus’ birth was the coming Messiah and the change he would make in the life of the people of Israel. God always surprises us with more than we ask for. He not only gave the Jewish people their messiah (even though most failed to recognize him), but He gave the entire world the hope of eternal life through the tiny infant Jesus. We think of eternal life as beginning at the moment of death, but it really begins here on earth when we recognize and accept what Jesus, the Son of God, sacrificed for us. We talk about the cycle of life meaning birth to physical death. The hope we have in Christ Jesus is more the circle of life and a circle has no end. At times, after some of our frequent trips to the UM hospital in Ann Arbor, Dick and I will find ourselves feeling a letdown, maybe a little less hopeful. Is hope on a dimmer switch that can be turned up and down? It sure seems to 7

be. If it is, then who has control of the switch? Sometimes hope will flicker a few times as if there’s a terrific wind storm outside and you find yourself holding your breath hoping the light doesn’t go out entirely. We’re tempted to think that our flickering light might have a faulty connection somewhere along the line. Would God the giver of hope give us a gift that wasn’t in good working order? No, of course not, but sometimes circumstances are beyond our control, like the sudden wind that puts our house in darkness. The same circumstances that are beyond our control are still under the power of our Heavenly Father. He is more than capable of restoring all the power that our hope gives us. How foolish it would be to get so despondent during a black out that we went around turning all the light switches to the off position thinking there is just no hope that we will ever have lights again. If we did this how would we know when the power is restored? We might look out the window and see that the houses around us have light, but in dismay we would feel slighted because some how our connection didn’t get repaired. Then we remember that in despair we turned off all the light switches our self. How does this relate to our spiritual light of hope? When the lights dim or go out altogether we need to keep our

connection to God open. Don’t foolishly turn off the switch in despair or anger. Instead we should pray, worship and continue to do His Will. An eternal hope will return in due time for we have a faithful God who does not give up on us. It is true that sometimes God may gently shift our light of hope in a new direction. We must then remember that He will never leave us without a way of escape from the darkness. He will always lead us to His light, so stay connected. Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in HOPE. Susie Schorfhaar, Worship

ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES FOR DECEMBER December 1, 6:00-7:00 pm – “God is in the Manger,” Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s reflections on Advent and Christmas. We’ll study Bonhoeffer’s inspirational words about the significance of this miraculous season while considering his devotional book. We will also review some of our favorite Christmas traditions, myths, and legends as we talk about the origin of Santa, why we have stockings, why we celebrate Christmas on December 8

25, and many more stories about the origins of our Christmas traditions.

CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME TO THE NEWEST MEMBERS OF CHURCH IN THE HILLS! These individuals will be presented to the congregation during worship on December 12. Please take the time to greet them and welcome them into our church family! Susie Clovis Troy Clovis Tiarre Clovis Tiffany Clovis Stu Hull Patricia Hull Marlene Garvey Kaela McManus Craig Aylworth Melissa (Misty) Aylworth Mason Aylworth (4 yr.) Max Aylworth (less than 1 yr.) SCRIPTURES FOR DECEMBER December 5 – 2nd week of Advent Isaiah 11:1-10, Matthew 3:1-12 December 12 – 3rd week of Advent Isaiah 35:1-10, Matthew 11:2-11 December 19 – 4th week of Advent Isaiah 7:10-16, Matthew 1:18-25 December 24 – Christmas Eve – 2 services, 7:30 and 10:30 Isaiah 9:2-7, Luke 2:1-14 December 26 – “Carols and Lessons”

Juntunes’ Trip Tom and Sarah have returned from a very intense trip to Israel under the auspices of the Presbyterian IsraelPalestine Mission Network. The trip was led by Rev. Marthame Sanders, who spent over 3 years in mission in the West Bank; Don Mead, who began working with Palestinian refugees over 50 years ago, and Peter Mann, who imports fair trade olive oil. The basic leitmotif of the trip was the contrast between the “Dead Stones” and the “Living Stones”. Like most visitors to Israel we did visit the dead stones: the holy sites of Bethlehem, Nazareth, 9

Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee, and Jerusalem with its many historical sites, including the Garden of Gethsemene with its 2000 year old olives trees. Throughout the centuries, churches have been built at the traditional sites of each event in the life of Christ. Today at the major sites you encounter huge crowds, souvenir stands and street hawkers everywhere. The most meaningful experience of the historical aspect of the trip was the peaceful day at the Sea of Galilee, which is comparable to Torch Lake in size. We started atop Mount Arbel from where you could see virtually all of the lake and were struck by how small an area was encompassed by most of Jesus’; ministry. We could see Bethsaida, Capernaum, Corazin and the gentile side of the lake where Jesus healed the demon possessed man. The most meaningful experience was our celebration of communion on a boat on the Sea. The real focus of the trip was the living stones, the people, especially the Christians currently living in the Holy Land. One day after picking olives with Palestinian farmers we visited five active churches, starting out with the Church of the Ten Lepers, St. George, said to be the fourth oldest place of Christian Worship and whose expansion dates back to Helena, mother of Emperor

Constantine in the 4th century. We had the privilege of meeting with a wide variety of people ranging from Elias Chacour (an Arab, Palestinian, Israeli Christian, who is the Archbishop of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church and has been twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize) to Dani Tirza, a retired Israeli army officer who participated in the Oslo and Camp David negotiations and was given the task of building the Separation wall (the Berlin wall all over again) to separate Jewish Jerusalem from Palestinian Bethlehem. We are still trying to digest these experiences and will be sharing some of them with pictures in an upcoming program. A larger purpose of the trip was to forge lasting relationships and to identify specific mission opportunities whereby presbyteries and congregations can maintain contact and support Christians struggling to survive in the birthplace of Christianity.

Ron and Dee Lynch would like to invite the Congregation for a Light Christmas Brunch on Sunday Dec. 19 after worship service. Their address is 8855 Clam Lake Rd in Bellaire. Please sign if you can come on the sign up sheet.

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UPDATE FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEEWe are ending the year in good financial shape. At the November Session meeting, a 2011 Operating Budget was adopted which represents a 7.8% increase from 2010 expenses: Item: Est. 2010 Expenses Property $ 20,300 Admistrative Exp. $ 10,500 Christian Ed $ 3,800 Worship and Music $ 1,400 Personnel $ 119,500 Mission $ 12,750 Congregational Life $ 1,500 Doctoral Program $ 3,660

2011 Budget $ 19,150 $ 11,225 $ 4,000 $ 1,450 $ 123,400 $ 18,500 $ 1,650

% of Tot. Budget 11% 6% 2% 1% 67% (3% Inc.) 10% 1% 2% 100%

PER CAPITA …. Every December the CITH pays a “Per Capita” assessment to the Presbytery of Mackinac. This year (2010) the Per Capita rate is $25 per member or $3,800. Next year, December 2011, the Per Capita rate will be $33.33 per member or $5,500. Note that care is taken to make sure our membership rolls (165) are accurate. The increase in the rate is owing to the fact that in recent years the Synod and General Assembly have taken an increasing amount from the Presbytery and the Presbytery maintained the $25 level of the “Per Capita” by cutting their budget. We also know that there are a number of congregations which have struggled recently to meet their share of these assessments. Your Session has decided to support the 2010 “Per Capita” assessment, and we have budgeted the $5,500 for 2011 as well (found in our “Mission” line item). As noted throughout the year, we have been fortunate as a congregation while others have struggled financially. We will highlight the programs and budget of the Presbytery in a future CITH’s newsletter. At the last Congregational meeting there was an appeal for modest increases in regular giving each week/month i.e. 10% only where that is feasible-respecting those situations where it is not feasible. In addition to this year - long effort, the Session has asked that you consider making a separate gift -there’s a special envelop for your “Per Capita” ($25/member in 2010 and $33.33/member in 2011). Please make a notation on the bottom left memo area of the check (or leave a note if cash) of “Per Capita”. This will help us to maintain our stewardship to the Presbytery especially as the Presbytery struggles collectively in these hard times. 11

When the final 2010 figures are in we will report that information to you in the January newsletter and at the January 30th Annual Meeting. FredHarris,Finance

Prayer Shawls Needed Our supply of prayer shawls is very low. We have lots of yarn at the church if you need it, and knitting or crocheting is a great way to spend winter evenings. Your lap even gets warmer as the shawl grows bigger.

The month of December is so busy for everyone we are not doing a Antrim County Community meal this month. We will resume the dinners in January.

Thank you for all the prayers for my Mom and my grandson Levi. Mom is better and home from the hospital and my grandson is doing better but still needs prayer. I just can’t thank you enough for all your love and support. Cindy Overby (Secretary of CITH)

A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE Christmas holds the mystery Of how God touched the earth By giving us the Christ child In a newborn baby’s birth. Great awe was in young Mary’s heart And in the shepherds’ pace As they ran quickly to the town And found a special place These humble shepherds knelt before This tiny newborn king And as they did so, they could hear The lovely angels sing: “Fear not, for unto you this day, The Prince of Peace has come To share God’s love throughout the world. Rejoice now, everyone!” By Peggy Ferrell

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DECEMBER 2010 SUN

MON

5 Worship Service 10:30

6 9:00 am Gentle Touch

12 Worship Service 10:30

19 Worship Service 10:30 Christmas Brunch Lynch’s House

26 Worship Service 10:30 PASTOR

TUES

WED 1 3:00 pm Youth Group

THURS 2 9:00 am Men’s Rap 10:15am Finance 3:15 Youth Group

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8

9

9:00 am Sermon Preview 10:00 am Women’s Bible study

3:00 pm Youth Group 7:00 p.m. Choir meet at Dorothy Clore’s House

9:00 am Men’s Rap 10:15am Finance 3:15 Youth Group

13 9:00 am Gentle Touch

14 6:30 p.m. Deacons

15 6:30

20 9:00 am Gentle Touch

27

16

Elders and Deacon Christmas

9:00 am Men’s Rap 10:15am Finance 3:15 Youth Group

21 9:00 a.m. Sermon Preview

22

23

28

29

30

VACATION





SAT 4

10 Pastor Sabbath

11

17 Pastor Sabbath

18

24

25

Christmas Eve Services 7:30 and 10:30

9:00 AM GENTLE TOUCH

ON

FRI 3 Pastor Sabbath

31 New Years Eve 



CHURCH IN THE HILLS A Presbyterian Community of Faith and Friendship in Christ 6401 Shanty Creek Rd Bellaire, MI 49615 Phone: 231-533-6001 OFFICE EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE www.churchinthehills.org Service of Worship Sunday 10:30 a.m. Children’s Program: 10:30 a.m. Sunday OFFICE HOURS Mon-Thurs 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (12-1 Lunch) Secretary Cindy Overby Church in the Hills is a member of the Presbytery of Mackinac The Synod of the Covenant The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Church in the Hills 6

Post Office Box 319 401 Shanty Creek Road Bellaire, Michigan 49615 Address Service Requested

Reverend Andrew Pomerville 231-350-1186 [email protected]

Clerk of Session: Dottie Schaefer Class of 2010 Ron Lynch Membership Bob Peters Building Bob McClelland Grounds Class of 2011 Bob Schaefer Personnel Fred Harris Finance Sue Schorfhaar Worship Class of 2012 Cynthia Tschudy C. Education Ted Whittlesey Finance Mary Ann Waara Mission Kathy Munger Treasurer Dorothy Clore Choir/Organist Edena Williams PW of CITH:

377-7848 377-7077 544-3613 533-9408 377-7848 533-6105 533-5071 544-6167 377-9304 533-9340 533-4733 331-6587 533-8598

Reverend Mr. Donald E. Gordon,Pastor Emeritus

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Bellaire, MI. 49615 Permit No. 8

DECEMBER 2010

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