Westminster Presbyterian Church www.westminsterspmo.com

1551 East Portland

Volume 62 Number 22

November 25, 2014 Rev. Ellen G. Brantley, Pastor

(417) 866-2711

Share a Toy — Share the Joy!

P L E A S E H AV E T O Y S T O T H E C H U R C H B Y S U N D AY , D E C E M B E R 1 4 T H .

TEENS 2—4

YEARS

Trucks Dolls Elmo Sponge Bob Building Blocks Dora & Diego Small gifts: Less than $10

Make-up Collections Cologne & Perfume Hair Straighteners Cameras Watches MP3 Players Sports Equipment Medium: $15

Large: $25

B e g i n n i n g   J a n u a r y   4 ,   2 0 1 5 ,   t h e   W ORSHIP  T IME  WILL  R E T U R N   T O   1 0 : 3 0   A . M .   A N D   S U N D AY   S C H O O L   T O   9 : 1 5   a . m .  

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COUNTING MY BLESSINGS As we enter the season of Thanksgiving, I am counting my blessings. 1) I am grateful to those of you who attended the joint worship service and Thanksgiving meal at Southminster on Sunday, November 16. There was a nice crowd – 100 people – in worship. The combined choir did a beautiful job on Sanctus, and the chills I got had nothing to do with the cold and snowy weather! The meal, of course, was delicious and the fellowship delightful. 2) I am thankful for both Westminster and Southminster churches. Even though the merger conversation has come to a close (voted on by both Sessions), we can continue to enjoy a good relationship with them. We have told the Southminster women who come to Monday Morning Bible Study that they will always be welcome to join us, and I hope the Men’s Prayer Breakfast will continue to meet once a month as well. We have also invited Southminster to join us for our Christmas Eve worship with communion and candlelight. Let us continue to pray for one another and for BOTH churches as we seek to move forward in faith. 3) I am thankful for the HOPE we have in Christ. And I am hopeful that all churches – from our Presbytery and of other denominations – will become more open to working together to serve our community and our world. 4) I am grateful for the love and generosity shown to me through your gifts of Pastor Appreciation in October. 5) “I give thanks to my God always for [all of] you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus.” (I Corinthians 1:4) And I pray that we will be strengthened and inspired and drawn closer together as a church to listen for God’s call and to respond with willing and trusting hearts. Blessings,

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ADVENT 2014  “A   S TA R   F O R   T H E   W O R L D ”   A W A I T   A N D   C E L E B R AT E   W I T H   U S !    

Sunday, November 30 – First Sunday of Advent:  11:00 am worship: the first candle on the    Advent wreath will be lit.   

Wednesday, December 3, 5:30 pm – Hanging of the Greens:  Come and help us decorate the    church!  Activities for children and a light supper  will be included.   

Sunday, December 7 – Second Sunday of Advent:  11:00 am worship: a service of “Bringing    in the Greens” offers a beautiful explanation of the symbolism in our traditional Christ‐   mas decorations.   

Tuesday, December 9 – POINSETTIA ORDERS ARE DUE.   

Sunday, December 14 – Third Sunday of Advent:  11:00 am worship: a service that combines    the Choir Cantata AND Children’s Program for a musical celebration entitled: “A Blest    Messiah Born”.   

Saturday, December 20 – Crosslines Toy Store:  Contact Marga Pogue if you’re interested in    working.  We are collecting toys for ages 2‐4 OR teens.   

Sunday, December 21 – Fourth Sunday of Advent:  11:00 am worship: the fourth candle on    the Advent wreath will be lit.  Following worship the Fellowship Committee will serve    a wonderful Advent brunch in the Narthex and upstairs classrooms.   

Wednesday, December 24 – Christmas Eve:  7:00 p.m. worship with candlelight and              communion.   

Sunday, December 28 – Sunday after Christmas:  Informal time of sharing stories and singing    carols IN THE GYM; hot drinks and pastries will be served. 

POINSETTIA ORDER FORM    

Place completed order form in the offering plate   or mail to the Church Office by Monday, December 8th.   

$14.50 Each   

 

         Your Name 

 

        Given in honor of:   

 

        Given in memory of:   

 

        No. of plants   

 

                at $14.50 each   

Please make checks payable to ‘Westminster’ and designate ‘Poinsettia’. 

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O C O ME , A L L Y E FA I T HF U L WESTMINSTER P RESBYTERIAN CHURCH invites SOUTHMINSTER P RESBYTERIAN CHURCH to join us in worship on Christmas Eve Wednesday, December 24, 7:00 p.m. Communion will be celebrated and candlelight will be shared.  

Saturday, December 13th, 8:00 a.m. 

T HE 2014 B AZAAR A H UGE S UCCESS ! T HANK Y OU —T HANK Y OU —T HANK Y OU ! Simple words but these are the words that are coming from us as bazaar chairmen to you as members and friends of Westminster—thank you and you are amazing! Taking the busy schedules of all of us into account, the bazaar came together and was beautiful! We are thankful for answered prayer for a great event. Our recommendation as co-chairmen for the proceeds of the bazaar is to be able to financially support the major project of installing a new sound system in the gym. The first 10% of the project proceeds go to local mission. So, with the bazaar proceeds and several generous donations from Westminster members and friends, the Session has approved the sound system plan and it is now scheduled to be completed in time for the PDO Christmas program!! If we started naming each of you individually our worry is we would leave someone out. Instead, if your name starts with A or Z or anything in between, you are special and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!! We would like to say a special thanks to the guys in our Church. They were there the whole way prior to, during, and even after the bazaar as the shed got cleaned, hauling trips were made and things much too heavy for us were moved. You all are so special. So, as we look forward to enjoying the sound system we also look forward to the next bazaar and pray that we as a church family continue to be about God’s work for Westminster. Our love, Janey Martin, Cara Eichenberger & Judy Wyrick

READNOVEMBER 24 

DECEMBER 1 

DECEMBER 8 

DECEMBER 15 

DECEMBER 22 

NO 

Isa. 40:1‐11 

Isa. 61:1‐4, 8‐11 

2 Sam. 7:1‐11, 16 

Isa. 62:10‐62:3 

BIBLE 

Ps. 85:1‐2, 8‐13 

Ps. 126 or  

Luke 1:46b‐55 or   

Ps. 148 

STUDY 

2 Peter 3:8‐15a 

Luke 1:46b‐55 

Ps. 89:1‐4, 19‐26 

Gal. 4:4‐7 

 

Mark 1:1‐8 

1 Thess. 5:16‐24 

Rom. 16:25‐27 

Luke 2:22‐40 

 

 

John 1:6‐8, 19‐28 

Luke 1:26‐38 

Page 5 F ROM Y OUR P ASTORAL P RESBYTER

2014 C OMPASSION  C AMPAIGN   “When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd;  and  he  had  compassion  for  them  and  cured  their sick.” Matthew 14:14    The  Council  of  Churches  of  the  Ozarks  is  part‐ nering  with  our  member  churches  and  other  congregations  across  the  Ozarks  to  offer  com‐ passionate  services  to  those  in  our  community  who are in  need of basic services such as food,  shelter, and  clothing.  Together  we are  reaching  some of our most vulnerable neighbors through  the  programs,  ministries  and  services  of  Crosslines,  Ambassadors  for  Children,  Safe  to  Sleep, and six other Service Agencies under the  Council of Churches of the Ozarks.  Become a Partner of Compassion  There are many ways to partner with the Coun‐ cil  of  Churches.    We  welcome  and  need  your  prayers  for  our  daily  work  and  for  those  we  serve.    A  financial  gift  provides  immediate  sup‐ port  where  needed  most.    Another  way  is  by  volunteering.  This holiday season, consider vol‐ unteering and spreading a little Christmas cheer  at the Crosslines Toy Store (Saturday, December  20  at  Ozark  Empire  Fairgrounds).    For  more  in‐ formation  about  volunteering  for  Crosslines’  H o l i d a y   p r o g r a m s ,   v i s i t  www.crosslinesholiday.org.  Volunteers  are  also  needed  to  help  us  keep  homeless women safe and secure at our Safe to  Sleep shelter location, or to make a foster child’s  holiday  wishes  come  true  by  wrapping  gifts  for  Ambassadors  for  Children.    The  Council  of  Churches’ agencies need volunteer help all year  long and there are many opportunities for fami‐ lies,  congregations,  study  groups  and  students  to serve those in need.  

As we enter the month of December, Advent is on our minds. We a looking forward to Christmas. There is that anticipation as we await the celebration of the birth of Jesus. We prepare ourselves for that event. While it varies from culture to culture, our preparation for this event allows us to dig deeper into the meaning of who we are as followers of Jesus. How do we live out our faith? How do we share Jesus as Savior to the world? In her book, Unbinding the Gospel, Martha Grace Reese points out that one of the most important ways to share God with the world is through our stories of faith. How has God impacted your faith? What stories do you have to tell about how God has made a difference in your life? And do you tell those stories often? I believe that Advent is a good time to tell our stories, especially to those who are going through similar situations. We never know how the stories of our life with God might change the lives of others. The relationship built through stories could turn out to be the most rewarding relationships we have. This Advent season, as we anticipate the celebration of our Savior’s birth and his coming again, let us not forget to share how he has been involved in our lives today and let us show others that Jesus is still among us making a difference each and every day through those who believe. Have a wonderful Advent. Pastor Susan Rev. Susan Rosenbaum Pastoral Presbyter John Calvin Presbytery 2150 W. Republic Road Springfield, MO 65807

417-883-8033 - office 620-674-1844 - cell 620-674-1844 - cell

 What Your Compassion Can Do  $500  –  Supports  the  Safe  to  Sleep  program  for  three nights, nearly 100 bed nights  $250 – Provides 540 meals for food insecure fami‐ lies in crisis through Crosslines  $100  –  Supplies  3  new  outfits,  socks,  underwear,  pajamas, vouchers for shoes and haircut, a winter  coat,  and  a  stuffed  animal  for  a  foster  child  through Ambassadors for Children  For more information:  Rev. Mark Struckhoff, Executive Director  Council of Churches of the Ozarks  417‐862‐3586            CCOzarks.org 

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Sympathy: Craig Schutt (Shelby Brantley’s teacher), death of mother

Special Needs: Maggie Wait, pregnancy complication Rhonda (Virgie Hankins’ daughter) losing her job in January Rosemary Kammerer’s brother, Gary and wife Betty McCrimmons family, seeking to foster another child

Health Concerns: Amanda Bayless’ grandfather, heart attack Nancy Addleman, recovering at home Tim McCrea, dealing with a very serious health problem Maddie, granddaughter of Pam & Bernie Burrier, anxiety and depression issues Shawn Swanson, return of cancer Tom Pyke (Amanda Bayless’ Uncle), leukemia Amanda Bayless’ Grandmother, leukemia Betty Haseltine, Quail Creek Jackson Lee (classmate of Anima Drake), leukemia Darrell Simmons (Mary Shearholdt’s friend), lung cancer David Allen (friend of Mary Shearholdt), head & neck cancer Pat Delano, moved to Culpepper Place Please call the church office (417) 866-2711 with your prayer concerns. They will remain on the list for thirty days unless you notify the Church Office or Pastor Ellen. Thank you.

The Church Office will be CLOSED Thursday, November 27th,

Monday, November 24th at 6:30 p.m.

Lesson 4 Co-Leaders/Hostesses: Harriett Mercer & Virgie Hankins

& Friday, November 28th, in celebration of Thanksgiving! See you Monday, December 1st!!

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COMMITTEE MEETINGS & CHURCH ACTIVITIES Sunday, November 23 Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship 11:00 a.m. A.A. 7:00 p.m. Monday, November 24 NO Bible Study or Prayer Shawl Today Encounter Group—Lesson 4/Harriett Mercer & Virgie Hankins 6:30 p.m. Boy Scouts 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 25 Cub Scout Meeting 7:00 p.m. Thursday, November 27

T H A N K S G I V I N G D AY Sunday, November 30 1st Sunday of Advent Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship 11:00 a.m. A.A. 7:00 p.m. Monday, December 1 Bible Study 10:30 a.m. Prayer Shawl 12:30 p.m. Christian Education Committee 6:00 p.m. Boy Scouts 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 2 Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 3 Hanging of the Greens 5:30 p.m. Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 4 Membership Care Committee 3:00 p.m. Woodcarvers/Whittlers 6:00 p.m. Worship Committee 6:30 p.m. Sunday, December 7 Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship 11:00 a.m.—after Worship - Brief Congregational Meeting - Blood Pressure Checks A.A. 7:00 p.m.

If you are unable to fulfill your responsibility please find a substitute and notify the Church Office. Thank you. Liturgist November: December:

Courtney Martin Craig Carnesi

Sharing Time November 30: December 7: December 14: December 21:

Pastor Ellen Kevin Hughes Pastor Ellen Judy Wyrick

Acolytes November December December December

Tessa Eichenberger Maggie Courtney Carter Martin Anisa Drake

30: 7: 14: 21:

Offering Helpers November 30: Jordan Bayless December 7: Jackson Fannin December 14: Aven Martin December 21: Aiden Burns Hospitality/Greeting Teams November 30: Joe & Janey Martin, Dick & Marga Pogue, Tom & Judy Wyrick December 7: Mary June Ellis, Jamie Evans, Bill & Nancy Piston December 14: Joe Greene, Kevin & Carolyn Hughes, Mac & Mary Phillips December 21: Tom & Janet Cavener Derek & Mary Lowrance Sound Techs November 30: December 7: December 14: December 21:

Bill Piston Steve Wilson Brandon Carroll Derek Lowrance

The Chimes, the monthly calendar, prayer concerns, PDO information, and Pastor Ellen’s sermons may be viewed on the Church website: www.westminsterspmo.com.

Page 8 WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1551 E PORTLAND SPRINGFIELD MO 65804 11/25/2014 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

If you have a special prayer request for the Prayer Chain, contact the Church Office (866-2711).

Reminder — Best Choice labels go to benefit the Regional Girls Shelter. Box tops for Education and Campbell Soup labels benefit our neighbor, Delaware Elementary School. Please place your labels in the box on the table in the office hallway. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION — 9:30 A.M. SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE — 11:00 A.M.

Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Monday — Friday www.westminsterspmo.com 

CHIME

S

ine L D A E D er 4th Decemb

CHIMES articles may be emailed to the church at [email protected], placed on the administrative assistant’s desk, or mailed to the church office.

WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Mission Statement Adopted 1/17/11 Worshipping God, Welcoming All A Family of Faith, Centered on Christ.

The Chimes, the monthly calendar, prayer concerns, PDO information,          and Pastor Ellen’s sermons may be viewed on the church website:  www.westminsterspmo.com.