Dear Members and Friends,
I hope your leftovers are plentiful this year. There’s nothing like a turkey sandwich the day after Thanksgiving! Fall is still hanging on here in South Central PA, I still see a few splashes of color even though most of the trees are bare. We’ve had a few warmer days but are now having much cooler nights. It takes a while for the seasons to change.
But seasons change very quickly in the life of the church. Last Sunday we heard “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come” and now just a week later the calendar has flipped to a new year, Advent is beginning and we’ll hear strains of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” Advent is a time of preparation. We prepare our hearts, our homes, our lives for the celebration of Christ’s first coming. We accomplish this by preparing for Christ’s second coming.
We live in a world that is broken, and we know that things are not the way they should be. So we look with longing for Jesus to come again and to make all things, including us, new creations fit for the Kingdom of God.
Join us for worship either in-person (please make a reservation) or on-line. This Sunday (Nov. 29) we’ll be celebrating the Lord’s Supper as we mark the beginning of Advent.
Peace & Prayers,
Tony
This Sunday, November 29, 2020 Advent 1 (The Lord's Supper) (If worshiping in-person, you may bring your Comumnion elements from home or use those provided at the church. If worshiping from home, please have your elements ready.)
SERVING IN WORSHIP: Reader: Jean Kretzing
Communion Preparation: Deb Ryerson
Communion Clean-Up: Bob Davis
Ushers: Bill Beck; Rita Beck; Rick Line; Fred Seltzer
Vocalists: Ron & Deb Richcreek
Camera: Joe Shane
Recorder: Ray Thomas
THIS WEEK, IN OUR PRAYERS: ~ for the church: Scott & Elmarie Parker, Mission Workers, Middle East
~ for the congregation (at random): Frank, Elizabeth & Wade Valle; Matt, Danielle, Noah & Emma Weiser
THIS WEEK, IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH: -- Wednesday, Dec. 2, 7 PM: Advent Bible Study (by Zoom); more info below. Contact Pastor Tony (alorenz.fpcarl@pa.net) if interested.
Have you been missing Sunday School or Bible Study?
We’re back with a new Zoom edition!
You’re invited to join us at 7 PM, Wednesdays,Dec. 2, 9 & 16; and Tuesday, Dec. 22 as we look at what the Bible and theology has to say about the Incarnation – the coming of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, in the flesh. We’ll be using Adam Hamilton’s new book Incarnation: Rediscovering the Significance of Christmas(ISBN: 978-1-7910-0554-2). You can purchase the book (hardcover/large print/kindle) from amazon.com or christianbook.com.
Meeting dates/themes are:
-- Wednesday, Dec. 2: Presidents and Kings
-- Wednesday, Dec. 9: The Savior and Our Need for Saving
-- Wednesday, Dec. 16: Emmanuel in the Midst of a Pandemic
-- Tuesday, Dec. 22: The Light of the World
If you want to participate please purchase the book and send Pastor Tony an email (alorenz.fpcarl@pa.net). The Zoom information will be shared with participants in a separate email.
Next Sunday (Advent II) is Dedication Sunday -- an opportunity to formally dedicate the gifts we pledge for the coming year.
The Stewardship and Finance Committee thanks you for your past generosity and asks you for your consideration of continued financial support in 2021. They invite you to pray about what God would have you give to His church in terms of time, talent, and finances. Your gifts, no matter the size, are important to First Presbyterian Church because they are a response to all that God is doing in our midst.
If worshiping in-person, please bring your pledge card; otherwise, you may mail it (or give it) to the church office,
2A N. Hanover St, Carlisle, PA 17013.
THANK YOU!
December Birthdays
2 Avis Allen; Steve Walker
4 Janet Clark
8 James Dukes
11 Jon Black
15 Kathryn Yeager
16 Molly Shane; Allison Whitman
17 Barb Crum; Richard Tritt; Tommy Dennison
18 Mark Easteadt
19 Lois Lloyd
20 Bill Beck; Danielle Weiser
27 Sam Whitman
28 Jack Hofferica
29 Bill Gottlieb
31 Madison Ellis
Thank you for your generous support of the Presbyterian Women's annual Thank Offering, which netted $595 this year.
"VIRTUAL" POINSETTIA SALE
This year, in lieu of purchasing live poinsettias to adorn the sanctuary, you are invited to support our local Salvation Army by donating $10 per "virtual" poinsettia. You may complete the information below (also available in Fellowship Hall) and send it with your payment to the church office (2A N. Hanover St., Carlisle, PA 17013), or drop it by the church. Please make checks payable to FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, with "poinsettias" on the memo line. If you make your donation IN HONOR OF or IN MEMORY OF a loved one, their names will be included in a bulletin insert, shared with the congregation. This effort will continue through Christmas. Let's help our Salvation Army help the neediest in our community. Your Board of Deacons & Your Elders
YOUR NAME:
NUMBER OF POINSETTIAS:
AMOUNT ENCLOSED:
ENVELOPE NUMBER 9IF KNOWN):
DONATION MADE IN HONOR OF:
DONATION MADE IN MEMORY OF:
Members of the Congregation, Ministers
The Rev. Anthony D. Lorenz, Pastor
The Rev. Jon A. Black, Pastor Emeritus
Debby Madden, Educator Emerita
Arthur Thompson, Organist
Ron Richcreek, Music Director
Avis Allen, Administrative Secretary
Chuck Adler, Sexton
